City Council

MINUTES WENTWORTH TOWN COUNCIL April 4th, 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, April 4th, 2023, at 7:00pm. Council Members Present: Mayor Dennis Paschal Jr., Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner, Cheryl Moore, Dennis Paschal III Council Members Absent: Daryl Crowder 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 Paschal III seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Article IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Town Council Meeting – March 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 A. Wentworth Consolidated School Gym Asbestos and Lead Paint Abatement – Contract Update Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 1  Mayor Pascal stated, “For the school gym, we have Stonewall Construction who has given us a quote to hand scrape the tape off of the gym floor where they played pickle ball. It didn’t come up when they sanded the gym floor to redo it. The tape comes up, but sticky residue is left under it…you can’t rip it up because it will mess up the finish up and it will be discolored. The price is $2,744.74” Mayor Paschal asked if there were any questions. There was no further discussion. Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “We approve the updated item under consideration for the Stonewall Construction Contract.” Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: The quote for Lead & Asbestos Removal Abatement is herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 2 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 3  B. Wentworth Park Playground Sunshades Mayor Paschal introduced Town Clerk Yvonne Russell to speak, to which she explained the update regarding sunshades for the playground and information in regards to a new shelter. Councilmember Cheryl Moore asked, “Do we have to have bathrooms built again or can we just have a shelter?” Mayor Paschal answered, “We can just have a shelter.” There was no further discussion regarding the update. (Note: The memo regarding the update and email regarding sunshades are herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 4 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 5 Article VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Contract Mayor Paschal introduced the contract by stating that it would basically stay the same other than the amount. There has not been an increase in the contract amount in approximately 15 years. Mayor Paschal asked Mrs. Russell if she had any comment on the contract to which she replied, “They gave us a breakdown of the cost for the Wentworth Deputy and it included gross salary and benefits, so that’s more than just the Wentworth Deputy’s salary that we see.” Mayor Paschal asked what the total amount was. Mrs. Russell said that the total was $81,789. Councilmember Cheryl Moore asked, “Is that just one deputy?” Mrs. Russell answered, “Yes, just the Wentworth deputy.” Councilmember Moore asked, “Does the Wentworth Deputy just take care of Wentworth?” Mrs. Russell clarified, “They take care of Wentworth in addition to what else they have to do, but they are assigned to Wentworth 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.” Councilmember Paschal III stated, “I think given the current inflation and if you’ve take into account that it’s been quite some time since they’ve asked that it is within reason.” Mayor Paschal stated, “I think it is within reason.” There was no further discussion. Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “to approve the contract with Rockingham County for the Sheriff’s protection for $81,789.” Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Contract is herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 6 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 7 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 8 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 9 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 10 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 11 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 12 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 13 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 14 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 15 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 16 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 17  B. Wentworth Consolidated School 1. Consideration of Contract with Applied Roofing – Wentworth Gym Mayor Paschal said, “I called all of you about approving this so we could go ahead and get it started and they are almost finished. Our maintenance man will be inspecting it in a few days, and Duralast will also go and do an inspection of it to make sure everything is to their specifications…they’ll issue the warranty…” Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “to approve the contract with Applied Roofing Solutions for a cost of $99,955.” Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: The quote and contract with Applied Roofing Solutions is herein incorporated and made part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 18 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 19  2. Bleachers for Ballfield Mayor Paschal invited Mrs. Russell to speak about the item under consideration, “I looked up several other websites for bleachers, but Uline had the best prices. There is the audience seating aluminum bleachers…Would you want to buy one set or two sets for each team?” Mayor Paschal discussed the possibilities of more width or more height with the bleachers. Handrails are needed once a certain height is reached. Mrs. Russell stated that handrails are needed around 4-5 rows. Mayor Paschal stated he did not think the bleachers at Wentworth Elementary School had any railing behind them, and asked if they were 5 rows high. Councilmember Paschal III confirmed that they were. Mayor Paschal also stated there is one bleacher on each side of the ballfield, and asked Mrs. Russell if it would be more economical to get two sets of three rows on each side. Mrs. Russell agreed that would be more economical and explained that the three rows would seat 30 people and is 15 feet in length. Mayor Paschal asked Council if it would be best start off with one set on each side. Councilmember Paschal III said he thinks we should start off with one set and see how that goes. Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner mentioned most people will also bring their own chairs. Mayor Paschal agreed to get one set of bleachers for each side to begin with. Mrs. Russell brought up team seating and asked Council which bench they would want; one with a back or a bench without a back. Mayor Paschal stated that a flat bench without a back is all that is used with most places. There was no further discussion. Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “to approve three row seating capacity for 30 people, 15x5x2ft for $1,850; 1 for each side. Also, two of the 6ft benches without a back for team seating, for $335.” Councilmember Paschal III seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: The quotes for Uline bleachers are herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 20 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 21 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 22  3. (SCIF) Grant Project Ordinance Amendment No. 1 Mayor Paschal asked Mrs. Russell to speak. She said, “The only change to this grant project ordinance is beside SCIF Grant under revenues I added the contract number. Remember at the last meeting I said that the second grant that we got has a time limit on it, so this is the second grant number. We will use the first grant that we got after we use this grant. Under expenditures, I just added more detail; gymnasium- $162,000, ballfield-$22,000, unassigned-$66,000. The total project expenditures is $250,000. As we go along with these projects, we will make amendments to this project ordinance.” Mayor Paschal asked, “Have you had a chance to check on any grant money yet, or anyone that deals with grants?” Mrs. Russell responded, “No, I had something sent to my email the other day, but I don’t have it with me…” There was no further discussion. Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “to approve Grant Project Ordinance Amendment No. 1.” Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: Grant Project Ordinance for the Construction, and Installation of the SCIF Grant Project Amendment No. 1 is herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 23 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 24  C. (ARPA) Grant Project Ordinance Amendment No. 3 Mayor Paschal introduced Mrs. Russell to speak, “What I’ve added is highlighted in yellow. We already had the purchase of equipment for Wentworth Consolidated School Site camera system, which is $21,315. In addition to that, I’ve added operating costs for the period of March 3rd, 2021 to March 31st 2023 at $563,858.70. Capital Outlay for March 3rd, 2021 to March 31st, 2023 for Improvements and Equipment for the Park at $23,358.55. Administration Services for period of April 1, 2022 through March 31st, 2023 for salaries at $79,409.75 and benefits at $23,935.00. That totals $866,858.00 which is what our entire grant was for…We are paying ourselves back for these expenses and that money goes back into our funding balance.” Mayor Paschal asked, “There’s no danger of it expiring..?” Mrs. Russell responded, “No, We did a report and it is due April 30th…” There was no further discussion. Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “to approve the ARPA Grant Project Ordinance Amendment No. 3.” Councilmember Paschal III seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. (Note: Grant Project Ordinance Amendment No. 3 for the Special Revenue Fund is herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 25 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 26 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 27 Article VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. Article VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Paschal made the following announcements: • The next regular meeting of the Wentworth Planning Board is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 7:00 pm at the Wentworth Town Hall. • The next regular meeting of the Wentworth Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 7:00 pm at the Wentworth Town Hall. • The Town Hall will be closed Friday, April 7, 2023 in observance of Good Friday. Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “to take a 5 minute recess before the Budget Work Session for FY 2023-2024.” Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Article IX. Budget Work Session for FY 2023-2024 Mayor Paschal called the meeting back to order. Mrs. Russell reviewed the Annual Budget Estimates for FY 2022-2023. She stated that the county is doing 4% C.O.L.A. and 3% Merit, and it’s all over the board according to other towns and the Clerks Listserv. Mayor Paschal asked if Council would agree to use what the county was using. Council agreed. The following is a list of expenditures that were discussed: Public Safety: • Law Enforcement Equipment - $6,228.89 • Redirections - $2,458.00 • Code Red - $700.00 • Help Inc./ Square One - $5,000.00/ 1 year • Committee of 100 (Food Drive) - $500.00 • Project SAFE Rockingham Co. - $782.25 Cultural & Recreational: • Special Events - $40,000.00 • Fine Arts Festival Assoc. - $1,000.00 • MARC - $8,000.00 • RCMS Band - $2,000.00 • RCHS Band Boosters - $2,000.00 • Rockingham Co. Arts Council - $1,000.00 • Wentworth PTA Ball Program - $8,000.00 Mayor Paschal asked for the total amount for the funding requests. Mrs. Russell answered, “For Public Safety, its $15,783, and $22,000 for Cultural and Recreational.” Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 28  Councilmember Dennis Paschal stated the total for funding requests is at approximately $37,000. Mrs. Russell also stated that she completed a spreadsheet just for her own knowledge, regarding on the Town’s property maintenance costs. Before the park was finished and the Town started work on the Wentworth School, the maintenance costs were at about $17,500. Last year, the maintenance costs were $60,848. Utilities have went up as well, because there are more properties to maintain, now. Mayor Paschal stated that someday, the Town may be using budget money to offset what is being spent in those areas. “If it were to come down to it, we want to have the Park open and keep the Old Wentworth School maintained so the citizens of Wentworth will benefit, ultimately...” Councilmember Paschal said, “A few years ago we made some policies regarding our funding requests, because we were getting them throughout the year. That made it complicated to figure out if we were being good stewards of our money, so we changed that so we had a process set-in-stone. I wonder if other municipalities have policies regarding when and what they can donate, and if they put caps on their donations…” Mrs. Russell stated she would find information regarding that. Mayor Paschal stated that the Town is tied to the local schools to help their programs being offered. Councilmember Cheryl Moore asked, “So, if we are going to hold celebrations for the Town Hall and the Old Wentworth School, when will he hold a meeting to discuss that?” Mrs. Russell responded by saying that if the councilmembers have any ideas to email her or text her… Mayor Paschal stated that the Town of Wentworth served hotdogs and had memorabilia, etc., for the Town of Wentworth’s 10th anniversary. There was no further discussion. (Note: The Town of Wentworth Annual Budget Estimates and Revenues and Expenditures are herein incorporated and made a part of these minutes.) Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 29 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 30 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 31 Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 32 Article X ADJOURN Mayor Paschal made a MOTION, “to adjourn.” Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Conner seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Respectfully Submitted By: __________________________ Hunter B. Wilson, Deputy/Accounting Clerk Approved By: _______________________ Dennis Paschal, Jr. Mayor Wentworth Council Meeting Minutes December 6, 2022 – pg. 33