Town Council Regular Meeting

Page 1 of 4 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 1, 2024 The St. James Town Council met in Regular Session at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in the Earl Dye Council Chamber. Council Members Present: Mayor Jean Toner, Mayor Pro Tem David DeLong, Councilors Jim Board, David Morgan, and Lynn Dutney Staff Present: Town Manager Jeff Repp, Finance Director Pauline Haran, and Town Clerk Laura Williams Others Present: State Port Pilot Reporter Eliot Duke and 12 residents. 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 There were no changes or corrections to be made to the Agenda. Mayor Toner asked for a motion to approve the Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tem DeLong made a motion to approve the Agenda. Vote: 5/0 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Board made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which consists of the minutes from the March 21, 2024 Work Session and the minutes from the April 3, 2024 Regular Meeting. Vote: 5/0 PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Pro Tem DeLong made a motion at 4:02pm to enter into the Public Hearing regarding the Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget. Vote: 5/0 Town Manager Repp opened the Public Hearing regarding the FY 2025 Proposed Budget. He stated that Mrs. Haran has put together a proposed budget based on the discussions held at the February Budget Workshop. The Council further reviewed the proposed budget at the April Work Session leading to today’s presentation of the FY 2025 proposed budget. Following today’s hearing, the budget will be put into ordinance form for adoption at the June 6th meeting. Mrs. Haran reviewed the FY25 budget highlights. Some of these highlights include: no tax rate increase, sustained funding to the St. James Fire Department operations and current capital requests, new projects include better access and parking at the Community Center, and the continued savings  Page 2 of 4 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 1, 2024 toward future disaster recovery and capital needs of the fire department. Mrs. Haran discussed the proposed budget is balanced with $6,215,000 in revenues and $6,215,000 in expenses. The revenues do include $850,000 from the fund balance dedicated towards the purchase of a fire pumper for the fire department that has been on order for several years. Without the appropriations of fund balance, there is an overall increase in revenues of about 3%. This increase is from a slight uptick in sales taxes, property taxes, interest, and predicted Community Center fees. All fees will remain the same, expect for the addition of a stormwater ordinance variance in the amount of $500. Mrs. Haran explained the personnel increase expenses of 20%, this is due to one new part-time employee for the Community Center and one temporary employee for the Administrative Office. There are also increases in compensation benefits, employer contributions, and insurance benefits. Mrs. Haran reviewed the new projects and expenditures which include: access road paving, Veteran's Day breakfast, consulting contract with McGill & Associates for Community Center space needs assessment, and Community Center tables, projectors, and chairs. Council and Staff thanked Mrs. Haran for her presentation. 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. Debbie Smith, 3069 Somerdale Court, inquired about the hours of the Community Center part-time position. Mrs. Haran stated that the position is about 20 hours per week, mostly evenings and weekends. Karen Risberg, 3888 Ridge Crest Drive, inquired how many people did the Town employ, and Mrs. Haran responded that there are six employees. Eric Homes, 2741 Parkridge Drive, inquired if the engine for the fire truck was an EV or gas. Council responded that it was gas. It was also confirmed that Pierce Manufacturing was the company manufacturing the truck. Phyllis Booth, 3065 Somerdale Court, inquired if the Fire Department’s ladder truck has been ordered yet. Councilor Dutney responded that the Fire Department has not ordered it yet but was in the process of assessment. Mayor Pro Tem DeLong made a motion to close the Public Hearing at 4:27pm. Vote: 5/0 MAYOR/COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS a. Participation with Brunswick County multi-jurisdictional debris management and monitoring contracts. Town Manager Repp discussed the notice from Brunswick County’s Solid Waste department. They are preparing to issue their renewal for debris management and monitoring contracts for storm debris. The Town is in the process of doing the same. The County currently has 6 municipalities that participate in their contract. The contractor will provide the same services to the municipalities. The municipalities are responsible for  Page 3 of 4 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 1, 2024 activating their contracts with who the County selects. The County’s current contractor is the same contractor the Town uses, Ceres Debris Removal. Mr. Repp stated that he spoke to the manager at Oak Island, who has used the County’s contractor in the past, and have had no issues. Mr. Repp stated that his recommendation is to move forward with participation with the County’s bid process and assess how it works. It is most likely a 3-year contract with two 1-year renewals. The cost to the Town would be the same price the County pays for debris removal and seek FEMA reimbursement. All of the debris management contracts have to be FEMA approved, which makes them eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Mr. Repp stated there is no formal action taken by the Council but the County needs to be notified if the Town would like to participate for their bidding purposes. When the County does the formal advertisement and procurement, they will need to list the municipalities that are participating. Mayor Toner inquired if there would be a separate contract for monitoring the debris. Mr. Repp stated that the same company cannot also perform its own monitoring. He further explained that the County will have two separate contracts for collection and monitoring. Councilor Morgan inquired if FEMA reimbursed gated communities. Mr. Repp responded yes and no that there is a separate process. The Town would start with debris on the public roads. Towns with private roads must contact the County Health Department to obtain a letter that states collection of debris on private roads in the town is necessary for public health and safety. Then the letter is taken to the State, the State blesses the letter and then the Town can participate and submit for reimbursement. Mr. Repp did state that the Town would administer the work directly with the contractor, the Town is just piggybacking onto the County’s contract. b. County Board of Elections Town Manager Repp gave an update on the County Board of Elections. He spoke with the Elections Director Sara LaVere, and she stated that they voted to hold early voting at the St. James Community Center. Mr. Repp has been in contact with the Town Attorney regarding the opposition of the Council and the issue of early voting interfering with Community Center events. Mayor Toner reiterated her concern with canceling contracts with paying clients and the issue of staffing for the extended hours of early voting. OLD BUSINESS – None. NEW BUSINESS 24-13 Proclaiming May 2024 as for Operation at Ease Month in the Town of St. James Mayor Toner read the Proclamation. 24-14 Proclaiming May 15, 2024 to June 15, 2024 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month in the Town of St. James Mayor Toner read the Proclamation. 24-15 Proclaiming May 19-25, 2024 Emergency Medical Services Week in the Town of St. James. Mayor Toner read the Proclamation.  Page 4 of 4 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 1, 2024 24-16 Proclaiming May 18-24, 2024 National Safe Boating Week in the Town of St. James. Mayor Toner read the Proclamation. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Toner asked if there was any public comment. Phyllis Booth voiced her concern regarding the Liberty Healthcare Development next to Seaside Gate. Mayor Toner stated that the development is under Brunswick County jurisdiction and thanked her for her comments. ADJOURNMENT At 5:05pm Mayor Pro Tem DeLong made a motion to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor. Vote: 5/0 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, _________________________ ______________________ Laura Williams, Town Clerk Jean R. Toner, Mayor