City Council

TOWN OF PINE LEVEL MINUTES OF REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING JULY 13, 2020 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Jeff Holt called a regular meeting of the Pine Level Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020 at the Pine Level Town Hall. ROLL CALL √ Mayor Jeff Holt √ Commissioner Greg Baker √ Commissioner Jimmy Garner √ Commissioner Phil Pittman √ Commissioner Bill Radford STAFF PRESENT Town Attorney Will Barham, Consultant Dan Simmons, Police Chief Ashley Woodard, Public Works Supt. Ray Stuckey, Parks and Recreation Coordinator Scottie Hayes, Fire Department President Greg Johnson, and Deputy Clerk Connie Capps. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE Commissioner Greg Baker gave the invocation and Scottie Hayes led the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA MOTION TO ADOPT: Commissioner Phil Pittman SECOND: Commissioner Greg Baker VOTE: unanimous MINUTES: JUNE 8, 2020 AND JUNE 29, 2020 MOTION APPROVE: Commissioner Bill Radford SECOND: Commissioner Phil Pittman VOTE: unanimous PUBLIC COMMENT None. COMMITTEE REPORTS Planning Board Zoning Administrator Scottie Hayes informed the board that the Planning Board at their May 28, 2020 meeting voted to recommend approval to mirror what Johnston County charges for open space fees. He said the current fees are $400 and they were considering going up to $800, but their budget had not been adopted at that time. He said Johnston County adopted their budget with open space fees being $800. After some discussion, Commissioner Phil Pittman made a motion to amend the open space fees from $400 to $800 and Commissioner Greg Baker seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. SENIORS Commissioner Phil Pittman stated that the Seniors were not meeting, and that the American Legion is not renting out their building at this time. DEPARTMENT REPORTS POLICE Police Chief Ashley Woodard reported to the board that he had sent in paperwork to NC Training and Standards on a new police officer and should receive information back in a few days. The Chief said he and the Town Attorney had reviewed a model plan for golf carts from the State and the Town of Four Oaks. He said they had put together a plan that fits the needs of Pine Level. Commissioner Pittman made a motion that a registration fee of $20 per year be charged. Commissioner Greg Baker seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. After some discussion, Commissioner Phil Pittman made a motion to call for a public hearing on the proposed Golf Cart Ordinance to be held at the next meeting on August 10, 2020. Commissioner Greg Baker seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. The proposed Gold Cart Ordinance is included and made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Baker stated that a citizen had contacted him concerning speeders on Blanche Street and asked if there could be more patrol in that area or speed bumps installed. Mayor Holt stated that an ordinance was adopted years ago concerning speed bumps which stated the residents would need to circulate a petition in that neighborhood and bring the request back to the board for consideration. STREETS Public Works Supt. Ray Stuckey stated the garbage has not slowed down. Town Attorney Will Barham give an update on the title for the new garbage truck. RECREATION Scottie Hayes reported that a recreation directors meeting will be held Wednesday night to make a decision about football. He asked what the board’s decision was on sending out registration forms for baseball and soccer. After some discussion, Mayor Holt suggested to wait and see what other communities will be doing as well as what the Governor will recommend. Registration fees were discussed next, and Commissioner Garner made a motion to charge in-town residents $50 and out-of-town residents $80, and go by the resident’s physical address. Commissioner Baker seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Commissioners Jimmy Garner, Greg Baker and Bill Radford Opposed: Commissioner Phil Pittman FIRE DEPT Fire Department President Greg Johnson reported that concrete had been poured for the back pad behind the department and they should be able to put the firetrucks on it August 1 st. WATER/SEWER Consultant Dan Simmons informed the board that the LGC voted to approve the Bonds and the Bond Counsel would close at the end of the month. He said they are trying to schedule the pre-construction conference the last Wednesday or Thursday of this month and begin work on the first Monday in August. Mayor Holt informed the board that the contract awarded with the Rural Development Association has required the town to adopt an ordinance for the Official Capital Improvement Project Budget of $2,693,500.00. He said the loan is $2,020,000.00 and the town is receiving a grant for $669,000.00 and the town’s contribution of $4,500.00 which the town has already paid. He said there is $186,000.00 in contingency money. Motion to Adopt Project Budget Ordinance: Commissioner Phil Pittman Second: Commissioner Greg Baker Vote: unanimous Mayor Holt informed the board of a 100% Community Development Block Grant that the town could be eligible to receive by meeting certain criteria through points. The project limit is $2 million dollars. He said the deadline to submit the application is November. The cost to apply is $4,000.00, which McGill and Associates would pay $2,000.00 and the town would pay $2,000.00 out of Capital Outlay. He said if the town was awarded this money, it could be used to update or replace the water plant with an automated, modernized plant, dig a well, and upgrade pumps due to the up-coming growth of Pine Level. He announced that Pine Level had just been ranked the “#1 Best Up- and- Coming Housing Market in North Carolina.” He said this was based on existing growth, current trends, and forecasts. The Mayor said the CDBG would be released in January, 2021. After some discussion, Commissioner Jimmy Garner made a motion to proceed with the application, and Commissioner Bill Radford seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Consultant Dan Simmons stated that he may need a letter of intent in mid-August. STAFF Mayor Holt said everyone had received a copy of the year end budget amendments for review. MOTION: To approve final budget amendments: Commissioner Jimmy Garner SECOND: Commissioner Greg Baker VOTE: unanimous Connie Capps stated that Southern Software would be coming to install new software and training the staff on July 27-30. MEETING ADJOURNED There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned. MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Jimmy Garner SECOND: Commissioner Bill Radford VOTE: unanimous ___________________________ ___________________________ Connie N. Capps Jeff Holt, Mayor Deputy Clerk