Town Council Regular Meeting

Page 1 of 4 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 5, 2025 The St. James Town Council met in Regular Session at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 in the Earl Dye Council Chamber. Council Members Present: Mayor Jean Toner, Mayor Pro Tem David DeLong, Councilors Jim Board, Dennis Barclay, and Lynn Dutney Staff Present: Finance Director Pauline Haran and Town Clerk Jamie Burns Others Present: State Port Pilot Reporter Eliot Duke, Ms. Rosie Greer Shoudy, Firewise Committee Chairman Steve Altieri, Firewise member Jim Murray, Ms. Diana Kelley, Mr. Richard Ishler, Mr. Barry Fulton, and 17 residents. Absent: Town Manager Jeff Repp (excused) 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 a Toys for Tots presentation to Item 4 of the Agenda: 4a: Presentation from Toys for Tots and 4b: 2024-2025 Firewise Action Plan. There were no other changes or corrections 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 amended 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 November 12, 2024 Work Session. Vote 5/0 PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation from Brunswick County Toys for Tots - Ms. Rosey Greer Shoudy Mayor Toner stated that the town is happy to host the Toys for Tots Toy Drive at the St. James Event Center. In 2024, distribution day served over 15,000 children in Brunswick County. Toys were additionally distributed to children in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Ms.Greer Shoudy thanked the town for their support of the program. Ms. Greer Shoudy presented the Commander’s Award to Mayor Jean Toner on behalf of the Town of St. James. Ms. Greer Shoudy presented Certificates of Appreciation to Lorna Brennan for Event Center staff, to include Mr. Steve Brennan and Mr. Austin Ireland who were not in attendance.  Page 2 of 4 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 5, 2025 b. Councilor Barclay introduced Steve Altieri, Chairman of the St. James Firewise Committee. Councilor Barclay commended Mr. Altieri and the committee for their hard work on the Firewise Action Plan and noted the timeliness of the plan given the recent fires in California. Mr. Altieri thanked Councilor Barclay and members of the Board for the opportunity to make their presentation. North Carolina sits as a high forest fire risk and ranks highly with having lots of Wildland Urban Interface. Mr. Altieri discussed items on the Site Action Plan. He stated that the next big step is to work with the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) to establish changes in the guidelines, such as to adopt regulations for establishing a defensive perimeter around the home, in an effort to mitigate fires in the residential area. Additional areas he highlighted to work on include bringing back reflectorized street signs and working with the town and St. James Fire Department to help increase awareness and educate residents. Mr. Altieri emphasized the following two points: the homeowners insurance initiative could be a big move for the state and the board and POA need a determined position on guidelines. Mayor Toner commended the work of Firewise and stated that the town would work with the committee to get some of the items accomplished. Mayor Toner stated that she has asked Town Manager, Jeff Repp, to get the Burn Ordinance on the agenda. MAYOR/COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS – None OLD BUSINESS – None NEW BUSINESS 25-01 Motion to Adopt Resolution 25-01 Amending the Town Personnel Policy. Mayor Toner stated that North Carolina has required that all municipalities amend their existing policies to include prohibitions for viewing pornographic material on government networks and devices. That language has been added to the personnel policy. Mayor Toner asked for a motion to approve. Councilor Dutney made the motion to approve the amendment of the Town of St. James Personnel policy to conform with N.C.G.S 143-805 Prohibiting viewing of pornography on government networks and devices. Vote: 5/0 25-02 Motion to Appoint Diana Kelley as Deputy Director, St. James Emergency Management Group. Mayor Toner stated that the town is pleased that Ms. Kelley has agreed to take over management responsibilities for the group and looks forward to working with her. Mayor Toner asked for a motion from Council. Councilor Board made the motion to Appoint Diana Kelley as Deputy Director, St. James Emergency Management Group. Vote: 5/0  Page 3 of 4 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 5, 2025 Town Clerk Jamie Burns swore in Diana Kelley as Deputy Director, St. James Emergency Management Group. 25-03 Motion to Re-appoint William Kozub to the St. James Planning Commission for a term expiring December 30, 2027 and Appoint Richard Ishler, Trent Pohlar, and Duane Stewart as full members and Barry L. Fulton as Alternate Member to a term expiring on February 5, 2028. Mayor Toner discussed two upcoming projects for the planning board. One is a project with the developer, St. James LLC which will develop property around the complex. This project will be completed in multiple phases, starting at the sales office. Mayor Toner stated that there would be a special work session on February 13, 2025 at 10am for the development group to present their preliminary plan to council. This meeting was supposed to be at the last council meeting but had to be postponed due to the ice storm. The other project involves the potential of receiving property from the nonprofit organization, Unique Places to Save. Mayor Toner asked for a motion from Council. Mayor Pro Tem DeLong asked if they wanted to do one or two motions. Mayor Toner stated that they would do two motions, a reappointment and appointments. Mayor Pro Tem Delong made the motion to Re-appoint William Kozub to the St. James Planning Commission for a term expiring December 30, 2027. Vote: 5/0 Councilor Board made the motion to appoint Richard Ishler, Trent Pohlar, and Duane Stewart as full members and Barry L. Fulton as Alternate Member to a term expiring on February 5, 2028. Vote: 5/0 Town Clerk Jamie Burns swore in Trent Pohlar as a full member of the Planning Commission and Barry Fulton as an Alternate Member. William Kozub, Richard Ishler and Duane Stewart were not present and will be sworn in at a later date. PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Merry Macbarb, 3036 Baycrest Drive, inquired about controlled burns for areas of land that are overgrown. Mayor Toner stated that the area for possible donation is a heavily wooded, brushed area and the town would need to look into a controlled burn. The Firewise committee could look at a map that shows all of the properties in St. James that are in conservancy, about 2,500 acres, which also includes the golf courses. The Town would have to work with the NC Forestry Service. There was no additional public comment.  Page 4 of 4 TOWN OF ST. JAMES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES February 5, 2025 ADJOURNMENT At 4:31 pm Councilor Board made a motion to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor. Vote: 5/0 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, _________________________ ______________________ Jamie Burns, Town Clerk Jean R. Toner, Mayor