City Council

MAYOR P.O. Box 6, High Shoals, N.C. 28077 CLERK PJ Rathbone Tel: (704) 735-1651 - Fax: (704) 735-5595 Brandi Strange CITY OF HIGH SHOALS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING February 8, 2022 Call to Order: Mayor Rathbone called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Dennis Cash, Denese Cook, Bo Rhyne, Bobby Vassey, Kathy Rhyne, Jimmy Laws, and Mayor PJ Rathbone in attendance. Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Approval of Agenda: Mayor Rathbone suggests moving the agenda of trash truck to the top of the agenda, if possible. Motion made by Jimmy Laws and Bo Rhyne seconded. All approved. Motion to approve amended agenda by Mrs. Cook and a second by Mr. Cash. All approved. Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve by Mrs. Cook, second by Mr. Vassey. All approved. Citizen’s comments/Citizen Concerns: The High Shoals City Council Offers Citizens the Opportunity for Public Expression Issues per NCGS 160A-81.1 (limited to 3-5 minutes per speaker) Speaker, Ron Edwards wants to combine two pieces of land. Good of the Order: This is a time set aside for members to offer comments or observations (without formal motion) about the organization and its work. The good of the order is also the time to offer resolution to bring disciplinary charges against a member for the offenses committed outside of a meeting. Hebrews 10:24-25 “We are a team assembled for our citizens.” stated Mr. Rathbone. Departmental Reports: Police Report-Gaston County –Captain Leatherwood: Calls have increased from December to January. Financial— (Dennis Cash) Financial Report Capital Management $162,567.78  People’s Bank $625,802.54 Total: $788,370.32 Cemetery— (Denese Cook) Custom is waiting on permits. We are at the top of the list. Water/Sewer— (Bo Rhyne) Dallas fixed water leak on River St. and Church St. Another leak on Church Street Street Maintenance/Sanitation— (Kathy Rhyne) Roads cleared from snow and ice Sanitation truck is back in service All-call has been effective **Lift rental date needs to be discussed** Parks/Recreation— (Bobby Vassey) March 1st colors need to be agreed upon Council agreed for Mr. Vassey to approve of paint colors. One corner post needs replacement at picnic area Mr. Austin says equipment needs to be cleaned out. Yard of the month--112 Strawberry Court-Clay Carrigan Vehicles— (Jimmy Laws) Trash truck was taken out of service, taken to Sullens’. Replaced assembly and tires, alignment. Truck is driving well now. No issues with other vehicles. Administration/Mayor Report— (PJ Rathbone) LED sign schedule to ship February 12, 2022. Shipping directly to installer. Once received, will be in contact for installation date. Old Business: Discussion/Action—River Street/4th St. Fire Hydrant Estimate to replace $12,500 The company that knocked it down will incur the cost. Motion to send the estimate to the liable company (formal letter to be drafted giving 14 days to respond) made by Denese Cook, seconded by Kathy Rhyne. All agreed. Discussion/Action—Asphalt paving on River Street Custom said when they start on the cemetery, they will check on this paving, and provide us an estimate. Motion to table by Jimmy Laws, second by Bo Rhyne. Discussion/Action—Maintenance plan for beavers  Kevin Meyers provided an estimate. The annual cost is $1800 per year. Including trapping beavers and removal of dams. Money would be removed from Contracted Services, shift contingencies from water/sewer. Motion by Kathy Rhyne to have the $1800 per year to be paid from water/sewer contracted services, with a second by Mr. Vassey. All in favor. Discussion/Action---City Newsletter (review) Motion to reinstate the city newsletter by Jimmy Laws and a second by Mr. Vassey. All in favor. New Business: Discussion/Action—Trash Truck Cameron with Amerik explained the difference between three separate trucks. The city’s current truck is 12 years old. Motion to table by Kathy Rhyne pending more information, seconded by Jimmy Laws. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Employee Review Three-month probation for Brandi Strange has ended. Currently budgeted to be at $20.50 per hour. Dennis Cash made motion to remove from probation with a second by Bo Rhyne. Dennis Cash made motion to raise to $20.50 per hour and second by Jimmy Laws. Discussion/Action—Public Works Director Dennis Cash made motion to designate Will Chastain the Public Works Director, seconded by Mr. Rhyne. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Service truck tools Dennis Cash made motion to pull $200.00 per department with a grand total of $1000 to purchase tools, with a second by Jimmy Laws. All in favor. Discussion/Action—GeoModel for graveyard Dennis Cash made motion to table with a second by Mr. Rhyne. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Covid Relief application Account #1166 $289.43 Dennis Cash made motion to pay the amount with a second by Mr. Bobby Vassey. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Continuing Education Conference provided by NCRWA, $275.00 Located in Winston Salem, April 20th $975.00 total Mileage reimbursement, per diem, etc.  Denese Cook made the motion to send William Chastain to the conference, paying the super saver fee, reimbursement for food and mileage. Second by Mr. Cash. All in favor. Discussion/Action--Ray’s Septic Proposal Motion to table for further information by Denese Cook, (commercial rates & counterproposal). Second by Mr. Vassey. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Zoning Application (Ronnie Goins) Denese Cook made the motion to approve the zoning application with a second by Mr. Rhyne. All in favor. (JP Wilder) Dennis Cash made motion to accept and pass permit application, Denese Cook seconded. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Pressure Washer The city’s pressure stolen was stolen from container. Gas powered pressure washer. Table the item for pricing, motion by Mr. Cash and seconded by Ms. Rhyne. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Park Sign, Dedication of Park 4x8 park sign Dennis Cash made motion to dedicate the park to Mr. Dean Black **Dean Black Memorial Park**. Mr. Vassey seconded. All members approved. Discussion/Action—Wooden sign for entrance of City of High Shoals 3x8 on hill Table both signs pending rendering and installation prices Jimmy Laws made motion to table with a second by Mr. Rhyne. All in favor. Discussion/Action— (Parks & Recreation) Easter Egg Hunt April 16th Easter Egg Hunt Motion to accept the April 16th for the Spring Event at the park with a second by Mr. Vassey. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Recycling Letter, recommendation, time-line suggestion…. Motion to table recycling made by Denese Cook, Ms. Rhyne seconded, all approved. Discussion/Action—Code Enforcement/housing issues Public meeting next month for the County to take over, will be at High Shoals Town Hall. County Commissioners have voted for it. Motion to table by Dennis Cash, seconded by Mr. Vassey. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Outstanding accounts Motion to table by Denese Cook, seconded by Mr. Laws. All in favor. Discussion/Action—Amend Project Budget Ordinance for Parks/Recreation Motion to approve by Ms. Rhyne, second by Jimmy Laws. All approved. Discussion/Action—Department of Corrections Labor  Ms. Rhyne made motion to utilize Department of Corrections Labor program. 2nd by Mrs. Cook. All in favor. Motion to adjourn made by Dense Cook, seconded by Mr. Laws. All in favor.