Board of Commissioners

Town of Swansboro Board of Commissioners June 14, 2021 Regular Meeting In attendance: Mayor John Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Frank Tursi, Commissioner Pat Turner, Commissioner Harry PJ Pugliese, Commissioner Larry Philpott, and Commissioner Laurent Meilleur. It was noted that the Board returned to in-person meetings. A remote link through the ZOOM platform remained on the agenda to allow for citizens who might not yet be vaccinated or comfortable attending in person. Governor Cooper had declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in March 2020 and it remained in effect. ********************************** Call to Order/Opening Prayer/Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm. Mayor Davis gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment Citizens were offered an opportunity to address the Board regarding items listed on the agenda. No comments were offered. Adoption of Agenda On a motion by Commissioner Philpott, seconded by Commissioner Turner, the Agenda, and Consent Item below were unanimously approved. Meeting Minutes: February 8, 2021 Closed Session February 22, 2021 Closed Session April 26, 2021 Closed Session April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting April 26, 2021 Regular Meeting (All closed session minutes were sealed) FY 20/21 Audit Contract – The Town was required to have an annual audit performed. Current Auditor, Gregory T. Redman would perform the audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 at $12,500. Resolution 2021-R6 for Bank Financing of Vehicles & Software – Proposals for the financing of vehicles and software approved in FY 20/21 were received May 2021. Resolution 2021-R6 authorized the Town Manager to file the formal application with BB&T Governmental Finance for a 5-year term at 1.84% to secure funds for the purchase of the following capital assets not to exceed $134,830. Streets-Public Works/Service Truck - $25,630 Fire Department/Chief’s Vehicle - $28,000 Police Department/Detective Vehicle - $19,200 Finance Department/Financial Software - $62,000 Page 1 of 3 Appointments/Recognitions/Presentations Police Officer Recognitions - Chief Ken Jackson and Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller recognized Swansboro Police Officers John McLean and Ben Brim, and Deputy Joseph Ford for their efforts in safely apprehending a suspected felon who became combative during questioning. Certificates and medals for bravery were given. Swansboro High School Recognitions - Mayor John Davis and SHS Principal Dr. Helen Gross recognized and presented gifts to the follow: Queens Creek Elementary Principal Elaine Justice, who retired after 40-years service SHS Receptionist Felicia Hill, who retired with more than 30-years service SHS Ladies Basketball Team – Conference Champions (first time in 19 years and first ever as a 3A High School) SHS Lacrosse Team Conference Champions (first season) SHS Ladies Track and Field Conference Champions SHS Conference Players of the Year Noelle Miller – Basketball Emily Matthews – Golf Jona Odum – Soccer SHS State Qualifers Cesar Brawner – Cross Country and Track Morgan Cassell – Swim Nathan Priechenfried – Swim Owen Mohr – Swim Liam Kinlan - Swim Conference Coaches of the Year Scott Evans – Swim Kim Miller – Basketball (The Board recessed at 6:12pm and reconvened at 6:17pm.) Board Appointments – Appointments and/or re-appointments to the Board of Adjustment were necessary. All current members confirmed a desire for re-appointment. It was also noted that there was one in-town (alternate) seat and one ETJ (alternate) seat vacant on the BOA; there were no applications on file for this Board. On a motion by Commissioner Pugliese, seconded by Commissioner Philpott, Karen Hansack and Ralph Kohlmann were re-appointed through 2023. Jeff Conaway, and Michael Favata were re-appointed through 2024. Resolution 2021-R7 was adopted making recommendation to the Onslow County Board of Commissioners that Tom Cariker be re-appointed as the ETJ member through 2024. The vote was unanimous. Page 2 of 3 Public Comments Citizens were offered an opportunity to address the Board regarding items not listed on the agenda. No comments were offered. Manager’s Comments Manager Seaberg indicated that the staff was still working to determine if further cuts to the proposed FY 21/22 Budget could be made. The public hearing was scheduled for June 28, 2021. Mayor Davis added that he was saddened to learn of the sidewalk construction shortfall of approximately $100,000. He shared that Representatives Cleveland, Shepard, and Senator Lazzara were working to resolve and perhaps determine where additional funds might be provided. Appropriations spent to date had been allocated to NCDOT, who contracted the construction. If need be, Mayor Davis hoped the Board might consider further allocations by the Town. Mayor Davis also noted that Representative Cleveland was following the Town’s review on its Emergency Operations Center and may find funding to assist. Board Comments Commissioner Turner inquired when the Town might be able to begin removing the skatepark equipment. Attorney Parson noted that due to the legality of the skatepark claims, certain milestones had to be met before removal of any of the equipment could occur. Mayor Pro Tem Tursi was not surprised to learn of the sidewalk construction shortfall believing the funding allocations through NCDOT was a terrible way to fund capital projects for the Town. Mayor Davis hoped the state would further assist with NCDOT shortfalls on the sidewalk construction phases and shared that the residents of Hall’s Creek North had indicated some interest to assist in further funding for the phase to be constructed along Hammocks Beach Road. Closed Session – On a motion by Commissioner Philpott, seconded by Commissioner Turner, the Board entered Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 (A) (3) to consult with the Attorney regarding legal matters at 6:26pm. The vote was unanimous. Pursuant to a motion duly made in Closed Session, the Board re-entered Open Session at 6:55pm. No action was taken. Adjournment – On a motion by Commissioner Philpott, seconded by Commissioner Turner, the meeting adjourned at 6:55pm. Page 3 of 3  Regular Meeting June 14, 2021 1 1. Please turn cell phones to “off” or “vibrate”. 2. The Board offers the public three opportunities to speak during the meeting: A comment period is offered at the beginning and end of the meeting. Please note that a separate opportunity is provided for those items requiring a public hearing. Public Hearing(s) – There are no public hearings scheduled for this meeting. 3. Under the ZOOM Meeting Platform, individuals wishing to make comments should “raise their hand” from their computer. At the appropriate time, Major Davis will acknowledge those with comments. 2 1  PUBLIC COMMENT Citizen opportunity to address the Board for items listed on the agenda. 3 AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS Action Needed: Motion to Adopt the Agenda as prepared (or amended) and approval of the Consent Items 4 2  Presentation Swansboro High School Recognitions Presenter: John Davis - Mayor 5 Presentation Police Officer Recognitions Presenter: Ken Jackson – Police Chief 6 3  Appointments Board Appointments Presenter: Paula Webb – Assistant Manager/Clerk 7 PUBLIC COMMENT Citizen opportunity to address the Board. 8 4  MANAGER’S COMMENTS Chris Seaberg, Town Manager 9 BOARD COMMENTS Mayor John Davis Mayor Pro Tem Frank Tursi Commissioner Pat Turner Commissioner Harry “PJ” Pugliese Commissioner Larry Philpott Commissioner Laurent Meilleur 10 5  CLOSED SESSION Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3) to consult with the Town Attorney on Legal Matters. 11 ADJOURN 12 6