City Council Second Monthly Meeting

SECOND MONTHLY MEETING JANUARY 25, 2023 VOLUME 26 PAGE99 MINUTES January 25, 2023 SECOND MONTHLY MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL I CITY OPERATIONS CENTER 305 WILLIAMS ST. 4:00 p.m. I Pre_se1 t: Mayor Barbara G. Volk, Mayor Pro Tern Lyndsey Simpson and Council Members: Dr.Jennifer Hensley, Debbie O'Neal-Roundtree andJerry A. SmithJr.,J.D. Staff Pr<-1,e_nt� City M,magerJohn F. Connet, Assistant City Manager Brian Pal1le, City ClerkJill Murray, City Attorney Angela Beeker, Communications Manager AllisonJustus, Budget Manager Adam Murr and others. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Barbara G. Volk called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed those in attendance. A quorum was established with all members in attendance. 2. CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA Mayor Barbara G. Volk suggested putting the lighting ordinance at the end of the meeting and taking care of all other business first. Council Member Jerry Smith moved to approve the agenda as amended. A unanimous vote of Council Members present followed. Motion carried. 3. CONSENT A. Letter of Support for the Land of Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) to Apply for Funding to Secure a Safe Routes to School Coordinator - Brent Detwiler, City Engineer B. Purchase Approval for New Sewer Combination Truck- Chad Freeman, Utility Operations Council Member Dr. Jennifer Hensley moved that the City Council approve the consent agenda as presented. A unanimous vote of Council Members present followed. Motion carried. 4. PRESENTATIONS A. Edwards Park Update-January, 2023 - Brian Pahle, Assistant City Manager Assistant Manager Brian Pahle gave a brief update on the status and next steps of Edwards Park. They have closed on the property purchase, the building demo is complete, fencing/access has been installed and site work clearing/grubbing has commenced. The next steps are rough grade and storm drainage, mini-golf (late Feb.) and Substantial Completion (Fall 202. They have a suggested list of names for each of the 18 holes of mini-golf and he explained that many in the community have stepped up to help or donate in some way and they are hoping to combine old with the new while still honoring the history and tradition of Boyd Park and Ninth Avenue School. Brian asked Council for their opinion on having an arch of some kind at the park. Consensus of Council was saying yes to the arch but not the one that he presented as they are afraid people would try to climb it. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Zoning Text Amendment: Lighting Ordinance (P22-100-ZTA) - Lew Holloway, Community Development Director Council discussed the ordinance and what they would like to see. Consensus of Council is to not change the ordinance except for the foot candle by going to a one-foot candle instead of½. They will decide on February 8th whether to include amortization and said we need to define ornamental. B. Parks & Recreation Master Plan Committee Appointment - Council Member Roundtree SECOND MONTHLY MEETING JANUARY 25, 2023 VOLUME 26 PAGE 100 Council Member Debbie O'Neal-Roundtree recommended Phyllis Bailey to be on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Committee. Council Member Debbie O'Neal Roundtree moved that the City Council approve the recommendation of Phyllis Bailey to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Committee. A unanimous vote of Council Members present followed. Motion carried. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration of a Resolution Requesting a Local Option One-Quarter Cent City Sales and Use Tax-John Connet, City Manager City Manager Connet explained that the establishment of a ¼ cent sales and use tax would reduce the City's dependence on the property tax. City Council believes that the establishment of this tax would greatly benefit the citizens and visitors of Hendersonville. Council Member Jennifer Hensley added that we voted on doing this last year but it never happened so I hope we can do this and educate the public on what exactly it means. Council Member Jennifer Hensley moved to approve the Resolution by the City of Hendersonville City Council Requesting a Local Option One-Quarter Cent City Sales and Use Tax. A unanimous vote of Council Members present followed. Motion carried. Resolution #23-09 RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING A LOCAL OPTION ONE-QUARTER CENT (1/4) CITY SALES AND USE TAX WHEREAS, the City ofHendersonville is the commercial center ofHenderson County and provide services to all Henderson County residents and visitors, including public safety, street m aintenance and general public services; and WHEREAS, the property tax is currently the only revenue source that is within complete control of the City Council; and WHEREAS, the City of H e ndersonville' s property tax rate for fiscal year 2022-23 is $0.52 per $100, and the City Council is often faced with increasing this rate to fund services that are used by all county residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, the City of Hendersonville City Council is seeking alternative revenue sources to fund city services; and WHEREAS, it is estimated that a one-quarter cent City sales and use tax would bring an estimated $2.5 million dollars in additional revenues per year; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hendersonville, North Carolina that: 1. We request the Henderson County legislative delegation to introduce a local bill authorizing the City of Hendersonville to hold a public referendum to authorize the establishment of an additional one-quarter cent sales tax for all qualified purchases within the City of Hendersonville. 2. This tax would be collected by the North Carolina Department of Revenue and directly allocated to the City of Hendersonville as unrestricted revenue for the provision of local government serves as directed by the Hendersonville City Council. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hendersonville, North Carolina on this 25th day of January, 2023. B. Water & Sewer Joint Commission Appointees -John Connet, City Manager City Manager Connet explained that he is looking for City Council to appoint three people to represent on this committee. After much debate, it was suggested by Attorney Angie Beeker that all of Council be on the committee and those that can attend will attend and if someone can't make it, that's ok. The first meeting will be held On Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the City of Hendersonville Operations Center. Council Member Jerry Smith moved that allfive members of Council be on the committee and that no City business will take place at these meetings. A unanimous vote of Council Members present followed. Motion carried.