Town Council Work Session

Page 1 of 3 TOWN OF ST. JAMES WORK SESSION MINUTES March 21, 2024 The St. James Town Council held a Work Session on March 21, 2024 in the Earl Dye Council Chamber. Mayor Toner opened the Work Session at 10:00am. Council Members Present: Mayor Jean Toner, Mayor Pro Tem David DeLong, Councilors Lynn Dutney, and David Morgan. Staff Present: Town Manager Jeff Repp, Finance Director Pauline Haran, and Town Clerk Laura Williams Others Present: State Port Pilot Reporter Eliot Duke and 1 resident. Absent: Councilor Jim Board Administration Update a. January & February 2024 Zoning Report Town Manager Jeff Repp presented the January and February zoning reports. In January, there were 11 total zoning permits issued, 7 new construction and 5 additions/modifications. In February, there were 13 total zoning permits issued, 8 of which were new construction. The cumulative total of permits issued in the last 12 months were 83 new construction and 74 other permits. b. January & February 2024 Community Center Monthly Report and Survey Mr. Repp reviewed the Community Center reports for the months January and February. In January, there were a total of 231 reservations and in February, there were 244 reservations. The revenue billed for January and February totaled $18,664. Mayor Toner discussed one of the Community Center surveys submitted. There was a comment regarding the POA and the Town each having an engineer. The Town does not have an engineer and the Mayor stated that it would be helpful to have the ability to respond to surveys. It was discussed that the surveys are submitted anonymously. c. Proposed Citizens Recognition Program Mr. Repp discussed the draft Citizen Recognition Program. This program would annually recognize an individual, group, organization, or business that made significant contributions to the community. If Council is agreeable, they can begin the process of nominating a citizen/group and present the award to them in the fall. The individual or group would have their name posted on the digital sign and the Mayor would present a Proclamation. Council discussed the option of getting the St. James Woodworkers involved in making a plaque. The program will be on the next Council agenda for adoption. d. New Town Website Presentation Town Clerk Laura Williams gave a brief overview and showed Council the features of the new website platform. Some of the notable features include: drone video footage of different parts of the Town on the homepage, the website is more accessible and allows for easy viewing on smart phones, tablets, and desktop computers, the information on the  Page 2 of 3 TOWN OF ST. JAMES WORK SESSION MINUTES March 21, 2024 site is condensed and organized, and there is a spotlight feature that has recent recorded presentations or PowerPoints that cover topics that are of interest to the St. James residents. Town Staff is pleased with the new website host and platform. e. Town's 25th Anniversary Update Mayor Toner discussed the 25th anniversary schedule. The schedule of the events are as follows: June 30th – Classic Car Show at the Community Center from 1-4pm. There will be food trucks. Wheels by the Sea (classic car club) is putting the event together. At 3:30, there will be a cruise down St. James Drive. That evening, there will be concerts at Woodlands Park, beginning at 5:00pm. There will be food trucks there as well. On July 1st, there will be a kids Drive, Chip and Putt competition from 9:00am-noon, and then fireworks at the Reserve Club that evening. Finance Update Mrs. Haran discussed the revenues as of March 15th totaled $4,451,276. The Town’s expenditures totaled $2,546,221, which is 49% of the budget. That number does not include the check that will be written for the St. James Fire Department’s fire truck. The sales taxes collected for sales in January totaled $275,402.73. Mrs. Haran stated the new accounting software will go live on April 1st. In the transition period, she will be using two parallel systems for financials. Mrs. Haran stated the National Guard cybersecurity consultants have finished their report and it has been forwarded to the Town’s IT company for review and response. The improvement to the parking lot area along the ponds is complete and Carmichael Construction was paid $129,500. McGill and Associates is the consultant to advise on a space needs analysis for the Community Center. The total for the analysis is $65,000. Other updates include the two new viper radios are on the way, and the Community Center air intake work has been completed. Mayor Pro Tem DeLong discussed there was a RTAC meeting last week, and the NC 211 project is 40% complete and there is more utility work that needs to be done. Chad Kimes is retiring. Town Manager Repp updated the Council on the water pressure project with Brunswick County and stated there is a 16” pipe that will be installed from the main gate down to Midway Road. There will be a pressure reducing valve at Middleton Road and that is going to help increase water pressure within St. James. There is currently a 12” pipe that comes though Harpers Way that hits 211 and continues left going towards Midway, this is how the apartment complex is getting their water source. The storage building that is being built down the road from Town Hall does not currently have water. Town Manager Repp stated that the contractor for the water pressure improvement project will come to the May Work Session and present their project plans to Council.  Page 3 of 3 TOWN OF ST. JAMES WORK SESSION MINUTES March 21, 2024 Adjournment Mayor Toner adjourned the Work Session at 10:54am. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Laura Williams, Town Clerk Jean R. Toner, Mayor