Board of Commissioners

Town of Swansboro Board of Commissioners December 13, 2021, Organizational Meeting In attendance: Mayor John Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Frank Tursi, Commissioner Pat Turner, Commissioner Larry Philpott, Commissioner Harry “PJ” Pugliese and Commissioner Laurent Meilleur. ********************************** 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. Edward Binanay of 222 Elm Street introduced himself and reviewed his background and experience. He asked for the board’s support in appointment to the one of the vacant advisory board seats. Adoption of Agenda On a motion by Commissioner Philpott, seconded by Commissioner Pugliese, the Agenda and below consent items were unanimously approved. • November 22, 2021, Regular Meeting Minutes • November 22, 2021, Closed Session Minutes • 2022 Board of Commissioners Meeting Schedule • Lease Renewal: 502 Church St. (Heritage Museum) • Resolution of Support for Traffic Signal at SR 1509 Queens Creek Road & Queens Creek Elementary/Swansboro High School Southern Access Appointments/Recognitions/Presentations 2021 Samuel Swann Bland Community Service Award The Samuel Swann Bland Community Service Award was created to honor the diligence, hard work, leadership, and dedication that characterized the contributions of Sam Bland to the public and the Swansboro Community. The award made annually to a public employee, civic leader, or community volunteer that has demonstrated the qualities of outstanding dedication to the improvement of community services that were exhibited in the career and contributions of Samuel Swann Bland. Mayor Davis announced that the 2022 Samuel Swann Bland Community Service Award was given to Christy Williams for her hard work, dedication, and diligence in a career spanning forty years bringing dance to Swansboro. The award would be presented to Mrs. William at her home on December 18 at 10am. Page 1 of 3 Recognition of Outgoing Board Member Laurent Meilleur Manager Paula Webb spoke of Mr. Meilleur’s time on the board, sharing that his critical and analytical thinking was appreciated. He was presented with a carved wooden swan in commemoration of his service to the Town of Swansboro. Oaths of Office Ceremony Newly elected officials were required to qualify by taking the oath of office prescribed in Article VI, of the North Carolina Constitution. Honorable Judge Jefferson Griffin of the North Carolina Court of Appeals administered the Oaths of Office to the newly elected Board member Jeffrey Conaway, re-elected Board members, Larry Philpott, Pat Turner, and John Davis. The newly elected officials shared their appreciation for the support given and were looking forward to working together. Selection of Mayor Pro Tem North Carolina General Statue 160A-70 provided that at the organizational meeting, the Governing Board shall elect from among its members a Mayor Pro Tempore. Commissioner Frank Tursi was selected as Mayor Pro Tem. Judge Griffin administered the Oath to Mayor Pro Tem Tursi. Jacksonville Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (JUMPO) TAC Appointment Each local government will have representation on both the TCC and TAC. For Swansboro, TCC representation is usually your Planning Staff. The TAC representation would be a member of the Board of Commissioners. Initially, the voting status on the TAC for all new members in this boundary expansion will be ex officio (non-voting). This is designed to ease the transition. Commissioner Philpott was selected as the TAC Representative and Commissioner Conaway was selected as the alternate. Board Appointments Multiple appointments/re-appointments were made as indicated below for multiple Advisory Boards. On the Parks Board there were four (4) seats to consider for appointment or reappointment. (3 in town, 1 ETJ) Debbie Harnatkiewicz, Lawrence Abalos, and Jennifer Steele indicated they would like consideration for reappointment for the in-town seat and were re-appointed for another term. Spencer Marsineck was appointed for the ETJ seat, and a recommendation would be sent to Onslow County to finalize his appointment. On the Planning board there were two (2) seats to consider for appointment or reappointment, one (1) vacant in-town seat, and one (1) vacant ETJ seat. Scott Chadwick Page 2 of 3 and Michael Favata indicated they would like consideration for reappointment for the in-town seat and were re-appointed for another term. Laurent Meilleur was appointed for the vacant in-town seat. Sherrie Hancock was appointed for the ETJ seat and a recommendation would be sent to Onslow County to finalize her appointment. On the Tourism Development Authority there were three (3) seats to consider for appointment or reappointment. Sherrie Hancock, Linda Thornley, and Scott Chadwick indicated they would like consideration for reappointment and were re-appointed for another term. On the Board of Adjustment there was one (1) vacancy for an in-town seat, one (1) vacancy for and in-town (ALT) seat, and one (1) vacancy for an ETJ (ALT) seat. Jerry Morse was appointed to the in-town seat, Thomas Pieratti was appointed to the in-town (ALT) seat, and the ETJ (ALT) seat was left vacant. On the Historic Preservation Commission there was one (1) vacancy for an in-town seat. Edward Binanay was appointed. Future Agenda Items Future agenda items for the coming month were shared for visibility and comment. In addition, an opportunity was provided for the Board to introduce items of interest and subsequent direction for placement on future agendas. It was suggested that a Tax Assessment Presentation be given by Onslow County at a future meeting. Public Comments Will Argenbright introduced himself and shared that he was running for County Commissioner. Board Comments Board members shared their congratulatory comments for the newly elected board members and wished all Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Adjournment On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Tursi, seconded by Commissioner Philpott, the meeting adjourned at 6:33 pm. Page 3 of 3