Town Council Regular Meeting

Page 1 of 3 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 6, 2024 The St. James Town Council met in Regular Session at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in the Earl Dye Council Chamber. Council Members Present: Mayor Jean Toner, Mayor Pro Tem David DeLong, Councilors David Morgan and Lynn Dutney Staff Present: Town Manager Jeff Repp, Town Clerk Laura Williams, Community Manager Steve Brennan, and Meetings and Events Specialist Austin Ireland Others Present: State Port Pilot Reporter Eliot Duke and 4 residents. Absent: Councilor Jim Board and Finance Director Pauline Haran CALL TO ORDER Mayor Toner opened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE All in attendance joined Mayor Toner in honoring our flag. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Toner added Presentations: Present Certificates of Appreciation to the Agenda. Mayor Toner asked for a motion to approve the Agenda as amended. Mayor Pro Tem DeLong made a motion to approve the Agenda as amended. Vote: 4/0 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Dutney made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which consists of the minutes from the February 7, 2024 Regular Meeting. Vote: 4/0 PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation - Ms. Rosey Greer Shoudy Ms. Rosey Greer Shoudy discussed there were over 200 volunteers in St. James that assisted with the Marine Toys for Tots program. She stated that the event was extremely successful, and the feedback received was very positive. Ms. Greer Shoudy presented a Certificate of Appreciation for Mr. Steve Brennan, Ms. Lorna Brennan, and Mr. Austin Ireland of the Community Center. Ms. Greer Shoudy presented the Commander’s Award to Mayor Jean Toner on behalf of the Town of St. James and the St. James Town Council. MAYOR/COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS Town Manager Repp gave an update on the latest parking improvement project, which consisted of paving the parking spaces by the Town Hall and Community Center. The work is scheduled to be  Page 2 of 3 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 6, 2024 completed and open to the public by the week of March 10th. Mayor Toner inquired if the parking blocks were going to be reinstalled and Mr. Repp stated that they would be. Town Manager Repp stated that the Town is awaiting the proposal from McGill and Associates for the design engineering for the road improvements for the cell tower road. OLD BUSINESS – None. NEW BUSINESS 24-07 Motion to Approve Resolution 2024-02 Transferring $323,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Disaster Recovery Fund Town Manager Repp stated this Resolution was discussed by Council at the Budget Retreat in February. It will authorize the transfer of $323,000 from the undesignated fund balance to the disaster recovery fund in the current fiscal year. This will bring the balance of the disaster recovery fund to approximately $1.2 million. The Ordinance establishing the fund allows a maximum amount of $1.5 million. If there are no disasters, the Town should be able to reduce the tax rate from $0.06 to $0.05 in Fiscal Year 2026. As called for in the ordinance, the Town currently implements a $0.01 tax that is specifically designated to the disaster recovery fund. Mayor Pro Tem DeLong made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-02 Transferring $323,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Disaster Recovery Fund. Mayor Toner asked if there were any discussion or questions from Council, there were none. Mayor Toner asked if there were any questions from the public, there were none. Vote: 4/0 24-08 Motion to Repeal the Town Investment Policy and Emergency Telephone System Policy and Adopt a Revised Organization and Operating Procedures Policy Town Manager Repp discussed that Council agreed to repeal the two polices, Town Investment Policy and Emergency Telephone System Policy, last year but it had not yet been officially done. Councilman DeLong suggested that Council make two motions, one to adopt the revised policy and the other to repeal the other two policies. Councilor Morgan made a motion to repeal the Town Investment Policy and Emergency Telephone System Policy. Mayor Toner asked if there were any discussion or questions from Council, there were none.  Page 3 of 3 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 6, 2024 Vote: 4/0 Town Manager Repp discussed there is also a revised and updated Council Organization and Operating Procedures Policy. There was a conflicting section in the policy regarding committees. Councilor Dutney made a motion to adopt a Revised Organization and Operating Procedures Policy. Mayor Toner asked if there were any discussion or questions from Council, there were none. Vote: 4/0 24-09 Motion to Authorize the Mayor to Enter into Interlocal Agreement with Brunswick County for Fire Inspection Services Town Manager Repp discussed that in 2003 the County authorized the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the Town of St. James to preform fire inspection services for the Town. The Town was recently contacted by the Brunswick County Code Administration department inquiring about an executed copy of the agreement. The Council had never adopted the policy that was authorized by the County, even though the County has been performing the inspections since that time. Mayor Pro Tem DeLong made a motion to authorize the Mayor to enter into the Interlocal Agreement with Brunswick County for fire inspection services. Mayor Toner asked if there were any discussion or questions from Council, there were none. Vote: 4/0 PUBLIC COMMENT – None. ADJOURNMENT At 4:16pm Mayor Pro Tem DeLong made a motion to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor. Vote: 4/0 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, _________________________ ______________________ Laura Williams, Town Clerk Jean R. Toner, Mayor