City Council

TOWN OF PINE LEVEL MINUTES OF REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 2020 AT 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Jeff Holt called the regular meeting of the Pine Level Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 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 Attorney Chip Hewett, Police Chief Ashley Woodard, Recreation Director Scottie Hayes, Public Works Superintendent Ray Stuckey, Fire Department President Greg Johnson and Town Clerk Connie Capps. Others Present: Ashley Willoughby INVOCATION AND PLEDGE Mayor Jeff Holt gave the invocation and Recreation Director Scottie Hayes led in the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA Motion to approve: Commissioner Baker Second: Commissioner Radford Vote: Unanimous PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Holt recognized Attorney Chip Hewett from Hewett Law Group in Selma. He stated that Mr. Hewett’s firm has represented the town for many years and has done a great job. He said Frank Wood represented the town until he was elected as Judge, and then Attorney Will Barham began representing the town. He said Mr. Barham has helped us for several years and has done a great job but has left the firm to pursue other interests outside of the legal field. He said that Attorneys Chip Hewett or Marcus Burrell would be available to represent the town as needed. Next Mayor Holt introduced and welcomed Ashley Willoughby. He said Ashley will begin working in the town hall office on December 2, 2020. CLOSED SESSION At 7:10 p.m. Commissioner Jimmy Garner entered a motion to close the regular meeting in order to have a closed session in order to discuss personnel. (GS: 143318.11 Subsection 6 Personnel.) Commissioner Baker seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. The board re-entered regular session at 7:20 p.m. No action was taken. MINUTES Commissioner Phil Pittman asked that a correction be made to the minutes from October 12, 2020 to include his name under Roll Call that he was present for the meeting. Commissioner Bill Radford made a motion to that affect and Commissioner Greg Baker seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDING THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE At 7:25 p.m. Commissioner Phil Pittman made a motion to close the regular meeting in order to hold a public hearing for the purpose of amending the Subdivision Ordinance. Commissioner Greg Baker seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. The public hearing was duly advertised on October 28 and November 4, 2020 in The Johnstonian News. Mayor Holt stated that upon a recommendation from the Planning Board a public hearing was called in order to amend the Subdivision Ordinance to include and follow the current NC State Building Code/Fire Code Regulations Appendix B, C, and D, and any future revisions that may be added for all Minor and Major Subdivisions. Zoning Enforcement Officer Scottie Hayes informed the board that this amendment is so the Board would not have to amend the ordinance each time the state regulations are changed. He said the amendment would state to follow the “current” regulations for all minor and major subdivisions in the city limits and the ETJ of Pine Level. Commissioner Greg Baker made a motion to amend the ordinance to adopt the Regulations as presented by the Planning Board. Commissioner Phil Pittman seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Motion to close public hearing and re-enter regular session: Commissioner Baker Second: Commissioner Pittman Vote: unanimous COMMITTEE REPORTS Planning Board- Mayor Holt stated that the Johnston County Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of Tonia Hill as an ETJ member on the Planning Board, term to expire 10-31-2023. DEPARTMENT REPORTS POLICE: Commissioner Jimmy Garner made a motion for Police Chief Ashley Woodard to move forward in ordering ammo for next year. Commissioner Phil Pittman seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous vote. Police Chief Woodard said he had all the surplus items ready for Gov Deals. Mayor Holt asked Attorney Hewett about the procedures the town’s current policy states. He said the town amended the policy with his firm’s assistance years ago and he wanted to make sure the town was handling everything correctly. Mayor Holt stated from the policy the four methods for disposal. Attorney Hewett advised that as long as the board followed one of the four ways of disposal, they would be fine. He said the board would need to declare the surplus items and have descriptions of all property/equipment, and advertise by putting information on the town’s website. Commissioner Garner then made a motion to dispose of any and all surplus items between now and December 31, 2020. He said the town has 2 police cars, a trencher, generator, and some miscellaneous vehicle equipment. Commissioner Greg Baker seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous vote. RECREATION Scottie Hayes informed the board that Johnston County Schools are not using their facilities now so the town will not be offering basketball this season. The board next discussed the Christmas Parade. Commissioner Pittman made a motion to not have the parade this year. Commissioner Baker seconded the motion. Motion passed by unanimous vote. The board next discussed the Fireworks Celebration for New Year’s Eve. Fire Department President Greg Johnson stated Chief Brannan Barbee would be able to shoot the fireworks for the town. The board agreed to begin the fireworks celebration on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. at the Sam Godwin Recreation Park. The board asked that this information be placed on the town’s website and Facebook page as well as all the signs. FIRE DEPT. President Greg Johnson stated that the Pine Level Fire Department was considering riding Santa Claus around town on the fire truck like they did the Easter Bunny. The board thought that was a good idea. WATER AND SEWER Commissioner Pittman stated that the men are making a lot of progress with the water and sewer project. Mayor Holt informed the board that at last month’s meeting the board adopted a Capital Improvement Plan for the CDBG submitted by Consultant Dan Simmons. He said since then the plan has been revised and formatted as the state requires. He said you have received a revised copy of the plan that we need to adopt. Motion to adopt the revised Capital Improvement Plan for the CDBG- Commissioner Bill Radford Second: Commissioner Greg Baker Vote: Unanimous STREETS Commissioner Baker stated that nothing major is going on in the street department. Public Works Supt. Ray Stuckey stated that garbage has not slowed down. Ray Stuckey also stated that the Lions Club was not having their annual turkey shoot this year. He said they would be selling raffle tickets and the drawing would be held at the Sam Godwin Park. Mayor Holt asked that everyone support the Lions Club. It was also stated that the American Legion may not have their turkey shoot as well. STAFF REPORT Mayor Holt asked what the pleasure of the board was concerning opening the front doors to the town hall based on the high number of COVID cases. Motion to keep doors closed until December meeting: Commissioner Garner Second: Commissioner Baker Vote: Unanimous Town Clerk Connie Capps presented the board with Budget Amendments as of June 30, 2020 and October 31, 2020. Motion to approve amendments- Commissioner Garner Second: Commissioner Pittman Vote: Unanimous Connie Capps also informed the board that auditors from S. Preston Douglas and Associates, LLP would be at the town hall on Thursday and Friday, November 12-13. to perform the fiscal year audit. MAYOR’S MINUTE Mayor Jeff Holt said he was reading from the town charter from the year of 1907 stating the powers of the town board and what taxes they could levy. Everyone enjoyed the information. Mayor Holt also informed the board that he would be meeting with the Johnston County School Superintendent soon to share information concerning the growth of Pine Level. He stated there were good things happening in Pine Level. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Motion to adjourn: Commissioner Garner Second: Commissioner Baker Vote: Unanimous Connie N. Capps ________________________ Town Clerk Jeff Holt, Mayor