City Council

MINUTES WENTWORTH TOWN COUNCIL MARCH 7, 2023 7:00 pm Wentworth Town Hall 124 Peach Tree Road, Wentworth NC The Wentworth Town Council held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at the Wentworth Town Hall, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 7:00pm. Council Members Present: Mayor Dennis Paschal Jr., Cheryl Moore, Dennis Paschal III, Daryl Crowder Council Members Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner A quorum was met. Staff Present: Yvonne Russell, Town Clerk / Finance Officer Hunter Wilson, Accounting Clerk/ Deputy Clerk Others Present: Ellis Martin, Attorney, Fox Rothschild LLP – Town of Wentworth Rockingham Update - Media Article I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Dennis Paschal Jr. called the meeting to order. Article II. INVOCATION Mayor Paschal gave the invocation. Article III. APPROVAL OF TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA A. Requests and Petitions of Citizens B. Approve/ Amend Agenda Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “We approve the agenda as written.” Councilmember Daryl Crowder seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Article IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Town Council Meeting – February 7, 2023 Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “The minutes be approved as written”. Councilmember Dennis Paschal III seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Article V. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 1 Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 1. Rockingham County Arts Council - $8,500 (Tony McGee) Tony McGee presented the funding request to Council. The Arts Council is asking for $8,500 to assist with construction costs of the ‘Arts in Healing Trail’ in Wentworth on Cherokee Camp Rd. They have contributing funds from other arts programs as well. The trail will be approximately ¼ of a mile, and will start at the Fine Arts Festival Association property, then loop around to the north and toward the Sheriff’s Department facility on Cherokee Camp Rd. There will be outdoor art placed along the trail. Mayor Paschal thanked Mr. McGee and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 2. Museum & Archives of Rockingham County (MARC) - $12,000 (Coy Jacob Idol) Coy Jacob Idol, Executive Director, presented the funding request to Council. The MARC is requesting $12,000 in funds; $9,000 would be used for general operating costs and $3,000 would be used for programs. Councilmember Crowder asked how many are employed at the MARC. Mr. Idol said he is the only paid employee, but they have several volunteers. Councilmember Paschal asked Mr. Idol to talk about some of the programs at the MARC. Mr. Idol listed the Civil Rights Trail marker and exhibit regarding the 1971 Supreme Court Case Griggs vs. Duke Power, Genealogy Workshops, and Christmas at Wright Tavern. He said this year’s theme is education. They will be welcoming back school groups for tours. Mayor Paschal asked about the Bateau display. Mr. Idol said it will stay and they plan to install a mural. There were no further questions. Mayor Paschal thanked Mr. Idol and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023- 2024. Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 2 Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 3. Fine Arts Festival Association (FAFA) - $2,800 (Debbie Moore) Debbie Moore presented the request for $2,800 to help with costs of FAFA’s Aww Shucks Oyster Roast, the 79th Annual Arts Festival at Rockingham County Community College, and continued improvements to the FAFA facility on Cherokee Camp Road in Wentworth. Mayor Paschal thanked Ms. Moore and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 4. Countywide Food Drive - $500 (Neil Jacques) Neil Jacques presented the request for $500. Mr. Jacques noted this will be the 13th year of the Countywide Food Drive. They received $16,000+ in food and monetary donations last year, and they hope to surpass that amount this year. The food drive supports and helps to supply the local organizations that feed needy families. Mayor Paschal thanked Mr. Jacques and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 5. Project Safe Rockingham County - $782.25 No one was present to present the funding request for Project Safe. The request is the same as the past several years. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 6. Help, Inc: Center Against Violence - $10,000/year for 5 years (Mary Jane Webb) Debbie Moore and Mary Jane Webb presented the funding request. They thanked Council for their past support. They also informed Council that there is now a doctor on staff at their new facility on Cherokee Camp Rd. Having a doctor on staff means families will not have to be transported to a hospital to have exams done, and young children will not have to be transported all the way to Brenner’s Children Hospital in Winston-Salem. Ms. Webb emphasized how important it is that their facility is in Wentworth near other County Government facilities. Councilmember Cheryl Moore asked about the New Beginnings store that Help Inc. opened in Eden and Reidsville several years ago. Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 3  Ms. Webb explained that the stores will be closed so they can focus all of their attention on their work with families at the new facility. Mayor Paschal thanked Ms. Moore and Ms. Webb, and he noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 7. ReDirections of Rockingham Co. - $2,458 (Alexey Ferrell) Alexey Ferrell presented the request. This year ReDirections is asking for $2,458 to cover the cost of materials. Someone from RCHS staff will administer the program to the students. Mayor Paschal thanked Ms. Ferrell and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 8. Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office - $6,228.89 (Sheriff Sam Page) Sheriff Sam Page presented the request. The Sheriff is requesting $6,228.89 for a Tactical Remote Visualization Robot and a Dell Latitude Rugged computer for the Wentworth Deputy. The remote robot would be utilized by the Sheriff’s Office and Special Response Team in volatile emergency situations involving threatened use of weapons, active shooters, barricaded subjects, or any other situation that poses a direct threat to responding personnel. It will not be armed. It is used as a visual aid. Mayor Paschal thanked Sheriff Page and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 9. PTO of the Griffins - $1,302.13 (Angela Van Hook) PTO of the Griffins is the parent/ teacher organization for the Rockingham County Early College High School at RCC. Angela Van Hook is a member of the PTO and presented the funding request. They are requesting $1,302.13 to improve the area where they hold their Lemonade on the Lawn event that is open to students and the entire community. With the funds they would like to purchase cement planters and planting materials. In the future, the students will hold fundraising events to pay for new plants. Mayor Paschal thanked Ms. Van Hook and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 4 Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 10. Wentworth PTA Ball Program - $15,000 (Justin Deal) Justin Deal presented the request. The Wentworth PTA Ball Program is asking for $15,000 to assist with the purchase of uniforms. They are requesting more funds than in previous years because there program has grown exponentially. Mr. Deal said they have the largest program in Rockingham County, with an operating cost of approximately $50,000 per year. Councilmember Paschal asked if the program makes money from concessions. Mr. Deal said they do not have a concession stand, but Downtown Dogs sells hot dogs and the program gets a small commission. Mayor Paschal asked how much money do the registration fees bring in. Mr. Deal did not have that figure. Mayor Paschal thanked Mr. Deal and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 11. Rockingham County Middle School Band - $5,500 (Brian Otter) Brian Otter, Band Director, presented the funding request. He is asking for $5,500 to purchase a new tuba and bass clarinet. The instruments they currently have are 20 and 35 years old. Mayor Paschal thanked Mr. Otter and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Funding Requests 12. Rockingham County High School Band - $5,500 (Eli Wright) Mr. Otter informed Council that Eli Wright, Director of the Rockingham County High School Band could not be here tonight. He said, “He’s a first year teacher and he went through the middle school and the high school, and then went to Western. He’s a brand new graduate and he calls this his dream job to come back here.” Mr. Wright is requesting funds for a new tuba and bass clarinet. Mayor Paschal thanked Mr. Otter and noted Council will consider the request during their budget work sessions for fiscal year 2023-2024. Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 5 Article VI. NEW BUSINESS B. Wentworth Consolidated School Gym Asbestos and Lead Paint Abatement Mayor Paschal reviewed quotes for asbestos and lead paint abatement in the gym at the Wentworth Consolidated School. The lowest bid was from First Call in the amount of $40,374.04. Stonewall Construction quoted management of the abatement at $21,201.69 to oversee the abatement, provide a dumpster on site, provide scaffolding, demo the existing sinks, toilets and partitions in the front restrooms, and demo both basketball goals to save for future use. Architect Jeff Johnson recommends Stonewall Construction for management of the abatement. He also recommends including a contingency of $25,000 in the contract with First Call in case they run into some unforeseen issues. Councilmember Paschal asked what funds the Town would use to pay for the project. Ms. Russell, Town Clerk & Finance Officer explained that the project will be funded with a grant from the State Capital Infrastructure Fund. The Town has received two of these grants over the past two years, in the amount of $250,000 each. Councilmember Paschal asked if the quote covers the basement area under the gym. Mayor Paschal said no. He explained, “In a crawl space underneath they have asbestos on pipes that are under the two restrooms down there but that’s sectioned off and is not where anybody would have to go. It’s not something we have to deal with right now.” Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “We go with the $40,374.04 quote for the asbestos abatement in the gym and also that we approve the $21,201.69 for Stonewall Construction to manage the abatement process and do some basic demolition to allow the abatement process to proceed, and the $25,000 contingency in case First Call runs into issues.” Councilmember Moore seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: The quotes for asbestos and lead paint removal, as well as management of the process, are herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 6 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 7 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 8 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 9 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 10 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 11 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 12 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 13 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 14 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 15 Article VI. NEW BUSINESS C. Wentworth Park Playground Sunshades Ms. Russell reviewed quotes from USA Shade for playground sunshades. The system quoted consists of four (4) structures; one over the jungle gym area, one over each set of swing sets, and one over the ten spin merry-go-round. The total cost for all four structures, depending on which type of structure you go with, would be approximately $56,246 - $64,334. Councilmember Paschal asked if Mr. Huffman had given any indication of lifespan for the fabric shades. Ms. Russell said he did not. She noted a section in the attached quote that listed the structural warranty (steel posts) for 10 years and the fabric sunshade for a 10 year limited warranty. Ms. Russell said she would ask Mr. Huffman about the approximate lifespan of the equipment. Councilmember Paschal III said, “This is good information to have but part of me is thinking that the expense for this might be better used for additional playground equipment or additional things in the park, depending on what the lifespan is.” Mayor Paschal asked how much the park shelter cost to build. Ms. Russell said she did not know because the cost was included with the overall construction of the park. Mayor Paschal asked Ms. Russell to contact Jack Huffman and find out what the general lifespan of the shade system is, and also to find out the construction cost of the park shelter. Article VI. NEW BUSINESS D. Nixon Power Services Quote for Town Hall Generator Ms. Russell explained that after the last inspection of the generator by Nixon Power Services, she was informed that it was time to replace several parts within the generator. The proposed cost is $2,308.20. Councilmember Paschal III made a MOTION, “We accept the proposal from Nixon Power Services to service the generator at Town Hall for $2,308.20.” Councilmember Crowder seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: The proposal from Nixon Power Services is herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 16 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 17 Article VI. NEW BUSINESS E. Budget Amendment No. 3 for FY 2022-2023 Ms. Russell reviewed the budget amendment. Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “We approve Budget Amendment No. 3 for FY 2022 – 2023.” Councilmember Moore seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: Budget Amendment No. 3 for FY2022-2023 is herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 18 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 19 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 20 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 21 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 22 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 23 Article VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS No one signed the speaker register for public comments. Article VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Paschal made the following announcements:  The next regular meeting of the Wentworth Planning Board is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 7:00 pm at the Wentworth Town Hall.  The next regular meeting of the Wentworth Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 7:00 pm at the Wentworth Town Hall. Article IX. ADJOURN Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “We adjourn”. Councilmember Crowder seconded the motion, and the meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted By: __________________________ Yvonne Russell, Town Clerk Approved By: _______________________ Dennis Paschal, Jr., Mayor Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2023 – pg. 24