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12112000631 CITY OF DUNN DUNN, NOR'm CAROLINA MINUTES TIIE CITY COUNCIL OF TIIE CITY OF DUNN HELD A SPECIAL CALL MEETING ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2000 AT 6:00 P.M..IN TIIE DUNN MUNICIPAL BUILDING. PRESENT WAS MAYOR PRO -TEM MIKE WOMBLE AND COUNCILMEMBERS GEORGE ROBINSON, JOEY TART, CAROLYN MCDOUGAL, PAUL BASS AND TOBY SUMNER. ALSO PRESENT WAS CITY MANAGER CARL DEAN, CITY CLERK JOYCE VALLEY, CITY ATTORNEY BILLY GODWIN, POLICE CHIEF PAT GODWIN, CAPTAIN MORRY DENNING, CAPTAIN RONNIE RADCLIFFE, FIRE CHIEF AUSTIN TEW, FINANCE DIRECTOR RENEE' DAUGIITRY, RECREATION DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON, CITY ENGINEER ED POWELL, CHIEF JU...LDA - NG INSPECTOR RICKY PARSON, AND DAILY RECORD REPORTER LISA FARNIM1. MAYOR OUDEII WAS ABSENT DUE TO A PERSONAL EMERGENCY OUT OF TOWN AND ASKED MAYOR PRO -TEAI NUKE WOMBLE TO PRESIDE AT THE MEETING. INVOCATION MAYOR PRO -TEM MIKE WOMBLE OPENED THE MEETING AT 6:00 P.M. AND ASKED COUNCILMEMBER TART TO GIVE THE INVOCATION. AFTERWARD, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS REPEATED. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED COUNCIL IF THERE WERE ANY DELETIONS OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA. HEARING NONE, MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE CLOSED THE REGULAR MEETING AND OPENED PUBLIC HEARINGS AT 6:03 P.M. PUBLIC HEARINGS SATELLITE ANNEXATION - ALBERT G. LEE PROPERTY MAYOR I'RO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMENTS WOULD BE HEARD AND RECEIVED CONCERNING THE QUESTION OF VOLUNTARY SATELLITE ANNEXATION OF TWO TRACTS OF PROPERTY OWNED BY ALBERT G. LEE. HE ADDED THAT TRACT #1 CONTAINS 10.75 ACRES AND TRACT #2 CONTAINS 3.53 ACRES AND IS LOCATED ON LONGBRANCH ROAD. MAYOR PRO -T.EM WOMBLE INFORMED COUNCIL THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS DULY ADVERTISED ON NOVEMBER 27, 2000. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYONE PRESENT WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST TIIIS REQUEST. REVEREND ELVIN BUTTS, 102 FRANCES DRIVE, DUNN, STATED THAT HE WAS NEITHER SUPPORTING OR OPPOSING THE ANNEXATION IN QUESTION BUT HE HAS BECOME A CITIZEN OF TWO WORLDS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE WAS A CITIZEN OF HARNETT COUNTY AND THUS DESIRES THE BEST FOR THIS COUNTY AND ITS CITIZENS, AND HE IS ALSO A CITIZEN OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS THE SAME DESIREE. HE ADDED THAT IIE COULD MAKE THIS AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE THIS EVENING BUT HE DID NOT INTEND TO DO THAT. HE STATED THAT HIS GREATEST DESIRE IS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THIS COMMUNITY, BUT HE ALSO WANTS TO BE A GOOD CITIZEN OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. REVEREND BUTTS STATED THAT' IT IS HIS UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS VOLUNTARY REQUEST FOR ANNEXATION IS FOR.THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ALLOWING THE PANTRY CORPORATION TO SELL BEER AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES THROUGH THE STORE TO BE LOCATED ON LONG BRANCH ROAD. HE ADDED THAT HE REALIZES THAT BY ALLOWING THIS, IT WOULD NOT HAVE A TREMENDOUS .IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY l EITHER IN A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE WAY BECAUSE ANYONE SEEKING TO PURCHASE BEER CAN GO ANY NUMBER OF PLACES UP AND DOWN THE I -95 CORRIDOR. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAS SENSE ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT AN ATTEMPT TO TRY TO STOP A STORE FROM SELLING BEER IS LIKE TRYING TO DIP THE OCEAN DRY WITH A GALLON BUCKET, BUT THIS DOES NOT PROHIBIT HIM FROM SPEAKING OF HIS OWN CONVICTION. 632 REVEREND BUTTS STATED THAT HE LEADS A CONGREGATION THAT IS COMPOSED OF ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. HE ADDED THAT HE SHEPHERDS FROM THE INFANT TO THE ELDERLY AND EVERY AGE GROUP IN- BETWEEN AND IN HIS LEADERSHIP, HE HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE; THEREFORE, AS A PASTOR HE CANNOT BE TRUE TO THE PEOPLE THAT HE LEADS IF HE DOES NOT SPEAK OUT AGAINST ANY ELEMENTS THAT COME INTO THIS COMMUNITY THAT ARE CONTRARY TO THE STANDARDS THAT WE HOLD AS CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE HUMBLY RESPECTS ALL THAT ARE INVOLVED INCLUDING MR. LEE AND ALL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PANTRY CORPORATION, BUT HE CANNOT SUPPORT BRINGING INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND ALSO INTO THE SHADOW OF THE CHURCH, THINGS THAT ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO WHAT WE BELIEVE THAT IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE INCLUDING THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ALSO PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL THAT HE UNDERSTANDS IS ALSO SOLD IN THE PANTRY'S. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE DOES DEFER TO THE DECISION OF THIS COUNCIL AND WHATEVER DECISION THEY DECIDE TO MAKE ABOUT THE ANNEXATION. HE ADDED THAT HE AND THE CONGREGATION OF LONGBRANCH CHURCH WILL LIVE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THAT DECISION AS ABIDING CITIZENS AND ALSO AS GOD FEARING PEOPLE. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS REQUEST. HEARING NONE, HE CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING IN REFERENCE TO SAME. ALLEY CLOSING -500 BLOCK E. CUMBERLAND AND E. BROAD STREET MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMENTS WOULD BE HEARD AND RECEIVED ON THE QUESTION OF CLOSING THE ALLEY BETWEEN THE 500 BLOCK OF EAST CUMBERLAND AND EAST BROAD STREETS. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE INFORMED COUNCIL THAT THE PUBLIC. HEARING WAS DULY ADVERTISED ON NOVEMBER 13, 20, 27 AND DECEMBER 4, 2000 AND ALL AFFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY CERTIFIED MAIL. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE PROPERTY WAS POSTED WITH TWO NOTICES OF PUBLIC HEARING AS REQUIRED BY N.C.G.S. 160A -299. HE ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYONE PRESENT THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS REQUEST. MS. JESSIE ANNA LEE WALKER, 17463 OLD WATERFORD ROAD, LEESBURG, VIRGINIA STATED THAT SHE WAS HERE TO VOICE HER SUPPORT FOR THE PETITION TO CLOSE HALF THE ALLEY THAT GOES ALONG THE 500 BLOCK OF EAST BROAD AND EAST CUMBERLAND STREETS. SHE ADDED THAT SHE OWNS A SMALL LOT ON THE CUMBERLAND STREET SIDE THAT MEASURES 60 FEET BY 70 FEET AND THE ALLEY CONSUMES 10 FEET OF HER LOT WHICH DOES NOT LEAVE VERY MUCH, AND IT IS ON THE ROAD FRONTAGE. SHE FURTHER STATED TIIAT IT ALSO CONSUMES ANOTHER 10 FEET OF MR. RON STEWART'S PROPERTY THAT JOINS HER PROPERTY AND IS ALSO ROAD FRONTAGE. MS. WALKER ADDED TIIAT SIIE UNDERSTANDS TIIAT MR. MEL BAER IS THE PRINCIPLE USER OF THIS ALLEY AND THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE DECIDED TO CLOSE HALF THE ALLEY RATTIER THAN ALL OF IT SO THAT HE WOULD STILL HAVE ACCESS TO HIS STORAGE BUILDING AND IF THEY CLOSE HALF THAT WOULD SATISFY THE NEEDS FOR THEIR ROAD FRONTAGE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT THERE. SHE ADDED THAT SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE CITY DOES NOT USUALLY CLOSE HALF OF AN ALLEY. SHE STATED THAT THEY FEEL A HALF ALLEY CLOSING WOULD BE A WIN - WIN SITUATION FOR ALL PROPERTY OWNERS AND IT WOULD BE VERY UNFAIR TO CONTINUE THE ALLEY THERE CONSUMING 20 FEET OF ROAD FRONTAGE FOR POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR AN ALLEY THAT IS REALLY FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED IF THERE WERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO \1 SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS REQUEST. HEARING NONE, HE CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING AND RECONVENED THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:10 P.M. 633 CONSENT ITEMS MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED COUNCIL IF THERE WERE ANY CONSENT ITEMS THEY WISHED TO DELETE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION. HEARING NONE, THE FOLLOWING CONSENT ITEMS WERE CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL: MINUTES- NOVEMBER 2,2000-COUNCIL CONSIDERED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 2, 2000 COUNCIL MEETING. BUDGET AMENDMENTS- COUNCIL CONSIDERED APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENTS #48 - #51. (ATTACHMENT #1) TAX RELEASES /REFUNDS- COUNCIL CONSIDERED APPROVAL OF TAX RELEASES/REFUNDS #1 - #20. (CLERK'S NOTE: TAX COLLECTOR MAINTAINS TAX RELEASES /REFUNDS) APPOINTMENT- LIBRARY BOARD- COUNCIL CONSIDERED APPROVAL OF THE LIBRARY BOARD APPOINTMENT. CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST - COUNCIL CONSIDERED APPROVAL OF THE CAPITAL OUTLAY REQUEST BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE TWO (2) 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA POLICE CARS AT A COST OF $18,166.00 EACH. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER TO APPROVE THE ABOVE CONSENT ITEMS. MO'T'ION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. AUDIT REPORT -FY 99 -00 MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT JOE GILES, DENNIS STRICKLAND AND RODNEY WARREN OF GILES, STRICKLAND AND ASSOCIATES WERE PRESENT TO PRESENT THE FY 1999 -2000 AUDIT REPORT. MR. GILES STATED THAT IT WAS HIS PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT AN AUDIT REPORT FOR THE CITY. HE STATED THAT EVERY AUDIT REPORT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUTSTANDING, AND THIS YEAR IS NO LESS. HE ADDED THAT THE MANAGEMENT LETTER IS ONE OF THE SHORTEST SINCE HIS FIRM HAS BEEN PREPARING THE AUDIT, AND THERE WERE ONLY A FEW ITEMS IN RECEIVABLES AND INTRAFUND LOANS THAT NEEDED SOME IMPROVEMENT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE CITY HAS'RECEIVED THE GFOA AWARD SIX TIMES IN THE PAST AND A CAFR HAS BEEN PREPARED THIS YEAR AND THE CITY SHOULD LEARN IF IT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY MAY OR JUNE. MR GILES REVIEWED THE IIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND THE MAJOR INITIATIVES THAT WERE COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR. HE ADDED THAT THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH DEPENDS HEAVILY ON OUR VOLUNTEERS AND WHO LAST YEAR, RESPONDED TO 547 CALLS FOR SERVICE DURING WHICH THEY GAVE 5,416.32 HOURS OF THEIR TIME. HE REVIEWED THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUDIT REPORT AND STATED THAT IF COUNCIL HAS ANY QUESTIONS IN RELATION TO THE AUDIT, HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS THEM AND EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING THEIR FIRM TO CONDUCT THE AUDIT. AFTER DISCUSSION, MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TART, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS TO ADOPT THE AUDIT REPORT AS PRESENTED BY GILES, STRICKLAND AND ASSOCIATES FOR FY 1999 -2000. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND HIS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR A JOB WELL DONE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND TO CITY MANAGER DEAN WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE CITY. (CLERK'S NOTE: AUDIT REPORT IS LOCATED IN THE FINANCE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE). SATELLITE ANNEXATION- ALBERT G. LEE PROPERTY-LONG BRANCH ROAD MAYOR- PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT AT THE OCTOBER COUNCIL MEETING, CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION FIXING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON QUESTION OF ANNEXATION AND A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE CLERK TO INVESTIGATE PETITION OF TWO (2) TRACTS OF LAND LOCATED ON LONG BRANCH ROAD., HE ADDED THAT TRACT #I CONSISTS OF 10.75 ACRES WITH A TAX VALUE OF $24,130.00 AND TRACT #2 CONSISTS OF 3.53 ACRES (CURRENTLY THE LOCATION OF THE PANTRY) WITH A TAX VALUE OF $387,570.00 (LAND AND BUILDING). MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE YIELDED TO CITY ATTORNEY GODWIN TO REVIEW THE PROCESS WITH .COUNCIL. 634 CITY ATTORNEY GODWIN STATED THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD THIS EVENING AND PRIOR TO THAT THE CITY CLERK MADE A CERTIFICATE OF SUFFICIENCY. COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THAT THE BUSINESS 'IS THREE MILES FROM THE CITY AND HE CANNOT SEE TAKING AWAY THE SECURITY HERE IN THE CITY TO PATROL ONE BUSINESS WHICH WOULD NOT BENEFIT THE CITY AT ALL. COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED -THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS WRECKS AT THAT INTERSECTION ON THE BRIDGE AT I -95 AND HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE MORE OF A BURDEN FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAN IT WOULD BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITY. COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED WHAT SERVICES- WOULD BE REQUIRED OF THE CITY OTHER THAN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT AREA IS ALREADY BEING SERVICED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY IS ALREADY PROVIDING SERVICES FOR WATER AND SEWER SO ESSENTIALLY, THE ONLY OTHER SERVICE WOULD BE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TART, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL TO DENY THE REQUEST FOR SATELLITE ANNEXATION OF TWO TRACTS OF PROPERTY OWNED BY ALBERT G. LEE AND LOCATED ON LONG BRANCH ROAD DUE TO THE EXPENSES THE CITY WOULD INCUR. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. CITY ATTORNEY GODWIN STATED THAT FOR THE RECORD, HE WANTED TO ADVISE EVERYONE THAT WHEN THE MAYOR PRO -TEM SITS IN FOR THE MAYOR AND CONDUCTS THE MEETING, HE IS ALLOWED TO VOTE AND IS ALSO COUNTED AS PRESENT FOR A QUORUM. ALLEY CLOSING 500 BLOCK E. CUMBERLAND AND E. BROAD STREET MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMENTS WILL BE HEARD AND RECEIVED ON THE QUESTION OF CLOSING THE ALLEY. BETWEEN THE 500 BLOCK OF EAST CUMBERLAND AND EAST BROAD STREETS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS DULY ADVERTISED (NOVEMBER 13, 20, 27 AND DECEMBER 4, 2000) AND ALL AFFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS. WERE NOTIFIED BY CERTIFIED MAIL. HE ADDED THAT THE PROPERTY WAS POSTED WITH TWO NOTICES OF A PUBLIC HEARING AS REQUIRED BY N.C.G.S. 160A -299. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE YIELDED TO ATTORNEY GODWIN TO EXPLAIN THE ALLEY CLOSING PROCEDURES. ATTORNEY GODWIN STATED THAT AN ALLEY CLOSING DOES REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING, AND ALL ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS MUST BE NOTIFIED BY CERTIFIED MAIL, WHICH IIAS BEEN DONE. HE ADDED THAT IT IS UP TO COUNCIL TO VOTE, AND IN THE EVENT THEY DO DECIDE TO CLOSE THE ALLEY, THAT RESOLUTION OF CLOSURE IS RECORDED AT THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN AN ALLEY IS CLOSED, THE ALLEY IS CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE AND THE PROPERTY OF ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS IS EXTENDED TO THE CENTER LINE OF THE ALLEY. COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THAT THE WALKERS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF CLEANING THE ALLEY. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS TO APPROVE THE ALLEY CLOSING. COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED CITY MANAGER DEAN IF THE ALLEY CLOSING WOULD EFFECT ANY OF THE BUSINESSES AS FAR AS UNLOADING THEIR TRUCKS. l CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT MR. BAER WOULD STILL HAVE ACCESS TO HIS WAREHOUSE. ATTORNEY GODWIN ASKED WHAT PORTION OF THE ALLEY WERE THEY TALKING ABOUT CLOSING, BECAUSE THE RESOLUTION HAS BEEN DRAFTED TO CLOSE THE ENTIRE ALLEY. COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THAT HE DID NOT THINK THE WALKER'S INTENTION WAS TO CLOSE THE ENTIRE ALLEY. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT HIS CONCERN WAS THAT THE PROPERTY OWNERS HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THE CITY'S INTENTION WAS TO CLOSE THE ENTIRE ALLEY RATHER THAN A PORTION OF THE ALLEY. 635 CITY CLERK JOYCE VALLEY STATED THAT ALL ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS HAD BEEN NOTIFIED BY CERTIFIED MAIL AND THE RESOLUTION WAS ADVERTISED FOR FOUR SUCCESSIVE WEEKS AS REQUIRED BY STATUTE. SHE ADDED THAT SHE HAS HEARD NO RESPONSE OF OPPOSITION FROM ANY OF THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS. COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT HE THOUGHT CLOSING HALF THE ALLEY WOULD CAUSE A BIGGER PROBLEM FOR DRUGS BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A DEAD END THERE, SO HE THINKS THE CITY SHOULD GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE ENTIRE ALLEY. AFTER DISCUSSION, MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS TO TABLE THE ALLEY CLOSING TO A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. BUDGET RETREAT MAYOR PRO -T.EM WOMBLE STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR TENTATIVE PLANS TO CONDUCT THE BUDGET RETREAT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2001 -2002 ON THE WEEKEND OF JANUARY 20 -21, 2001 AT SEA TRAIL RESORT LOCATED AT SUNSET BEACH, NC. COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THAT HE THOUGHT COUNCIL COULD GET MORE ACCOMPLISHED OUT OF TOWN. COUNCILMEMBER TART STATED THAT THEY HAD CONDUCTED THE RETREAT IN TOWN PREVIOUSLY AND COUNCIL NEEDED MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS TO DIGEST WHAT HAS TO BE PRESENTED TO THEM. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TART, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION TO CONDUCT THE BUDGET WORKSESSION AT SEA TRAIL RESORT IN SUNSET BEACH, NC ON JANUARY 20 -21, 2001. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. RECREATION MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THIS REQUEST WAS TABLED FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING AND YIELDED TO CITY MANAGER DEAN TO REVIEW. CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING, COUNCIL HAD DISCUSSED TRYING TO MOVE THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES FROM THE CIVIC CENTER TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING; HOWEVER, PLANS AT THAT TIME WAS CUTTING UP MORE OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING THAN EVERYONE WAS COMFORTABLE WITH. HE ADDED THAT ON THE 17 OF NOVEMBER HE MET WITH RECREATION DIRECTOR IIUDSON, COUNCILMEMBER TART AND COUNCILMEMBER BASS TO PREPARE A PROPOSAL FOR ADDING OFFICES IN THE COMMUNITY BUILDING. CITY MANAGER DEAN REVIEWED THE DRAWING SUBMITTED BY THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND STATED THAT IT WAS SUGGESTED UTILIZE THE TWO CLASSROOMS BY ADDING USED PARTITIONS THAT COULD BE MOVED. HE ADDED THAT THE LARGEST EXPENSE WOULD BE THE PHONE SYSTEM AND THE TOTAL COST OF THE WHOLE PROJECT WOULD BE ABOUT $8,000.00. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE CITY RECEIVED ABOUT $17,000.00 AFTER HURRICANE FRAN . FOR DAMAGE TO THE RESCUE SQUAD BUILDING AND RECOMMENDED THEY UTILIZE SOME OF THAT MONEY TO MAKE THE CHANGES TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING. RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON STATED THAT THE PHONE SYSTEM HAS BEEN ON THE TELRAD SYSTEM SINCE 1988 AND THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO BE TIED IN WITH TIIE REST OF THE CITY BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO TRANSFER CALLS. RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON STATED THAT THE COMMUNITY BUILDING WOULD BE A LOT MORE PRESENTABLE TO THE PUBLIC, PLUS A LOT BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS, THE BUILDING WOULD NOT BE ALTERED AT ALL AND THE COMMUNITY BUILDING CAN STILL IIOLD BUSINESS FEST. COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED THAT HE WAS VERY MUCH OPPOSED TO THIS AT THE LAST MEETING BECAUSE IT WAS CUTTING ONE -THIRD OF THE BUILDING OFF. HE ADDED THAT HE HAD LOOKED AT THE BUILDING AND IT WOULD NOT EFFECT ANYTHING BUT THE MEETING ROOM WHICH IS NOT USED. HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD GIVE THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT DECENT OFFICES TO USE WITH VERY LITTLE COST TO THE CITY. CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAI' HE HAD ATTENDED THE CHAMBER RETREAT THIS YEAR AND THERE WAS DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE COMMUNITY BUILDING. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE BOARD DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM AS LONG AS THE MAIN BODY OF THE BUILDING CAN STILL BE USED. 636 COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER ASKED RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON IF THE PROPOSED NEW ROOMS WOULD HAVE PROPER HEATING AND AIR, CONDITIONING. RECREATION DIRECTOR HUDSON RESPONDED YES, AND ADDED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF SENIOR CITIZENS THAT WALK IN THE MORNING AND THE COMMUNITY BUILDING WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO USE WHILE SOMEONE IS THERE DURING THE DAY. . COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER STATED THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS A WIN -WIN SITUATION IN THAT IT IS EMBARRASSING FOR PARENTS TO GO TO THE CURRENT CIVIC CENTER TO SIGN -UP THEIR CHILDREN FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT SUCH A DEPLOYABLE PLACE. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS TO APPROVE THE PLANS PRESENTED TO ADD OFFICES TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING BY UTILIZING THE FUNDS FROM HURRICANE FRAN REIMBURSEMENT. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. (ATTACHMENT #2) COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE YIELDED TO CITY MANAGER DEAN WHO STATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS MET ON NOVEMBER 8, 2000 TO DISCUSS HOW THE CITY COULD BETTER IMPROVE OUR COMMUNICATION WITH CITIZENS. HE ADDED THAT ONE OF THE PRIMARY THINGS THEY DISCUSSED WAS A CITIZEN SURVEY THAT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS PUT TOGETHER TO ASK CITIZEN OPINIONS ON THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT UPON APPROVAL OF COUNCIL, THE SURVEYS WILL BE PRINTED AND HUNG ON THE DOORS THROUGHOUT TOWN USING CITY PERSONNEL. HE ADDED THAT THE COST FOR THE SURVEYS WOULD BE LESS THAN $1,000.00 AND AS AN INCENTIVE, THE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE CITY GIVE A SMALL CREDIT ON THE UTILITY BILLS FOR ALL COMPLETED SURVEYS. COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION ON ' THE SURVEY AND HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WORTH THE TIME TO DISTRIBUTE THEM. COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED WHAT WOULD THE $3.00 CREDIT DO, WOULD IT GIVE THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE SENT THEM IN ANYWAY A $3.00 CREDIT OR WOULD IT i` INVITE OTHERS TO SEND THEM IN THAT WOULD NOT HAVE DONE SO WITHOUT THE CREDIT. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT HE WOULD PREFER THAT THEY ELIMINATE THE SMALL CREDIT AND DO A POSTAGE -PAID RETURN ENVELOPE BECAUSE GETTING PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY DELIVER THE SURVEY TO CITY HALL WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT THAN PEOPLE COMPLETING AND MAILING THEM BACK IN. CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT IF COUNCIL HAD ANYTHING ELSE THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE SURVEY IT COULD BE ADDED BUT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WANTED THE SURVEY TO BE DISTRIBUTED NEXT WEEK. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON TO CONDUCT TILE SURVEY AS PRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF REMOVING THE $3.00 CREDIT ON THE UTILITY BILLS AND TO INCLUDE A POSTAGE -PAID ENVELOPE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THE SECOND ITEM WAS THE GOVERNMENT CHANNEL AND HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT THINK THE CITY WAS USING THAT CHANNEL LIKE THEY COULD BE USING IT'. HE ADDED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME ASSURANCES FROM STAFF THAT IF COUNCIL DOES APPROVE THIS, THAT THERE IS A PLAN THAT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION TO UPGRADE THE SYSTEM. CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT THEY HAD TALKED ABOUT ADDING ADDITIONAL VCR'S TO ACCOMMODATE OTHER VIDEO OPTIONS, TO ADD MUSIC TO THE SYSTEM AND TO REPLACE THE CURRENT DISPLAY STATION. HE FURTHER STATED THAT A LOT OF ' THINGS WOULD HAVE TO STILL BE DONE HERE BECAUSE THE CAMERA DOES NOT MOVE VERY WELL AND THE SOUND SYSTEM DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. HE ADDED THAT TOTAL COSTS TO COMPLETELY UPGRADE WOULD BE $10,804.00 AND CAN BE TAKEN FROM THE EXISTING DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ASKED IF TIME WARNER IS UNDER ANY OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE THE CITY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT. CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT TIME WARNER WAS ONLY OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE THE CITY ACCESS TO A GOVERNMENT CHANNEL. 637 COUNCILMEMBER TART ASKED IF THE CITY NEEDED TO ACCEPT BIDS FOR THIS PROJECT. CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO BID OUT BUT TIME WARNER HAD RECOMMENDED THIS COMPANY. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BREAKDOWN ON THE PRICING. COUNCILMEMBER BASS.STATED THAT THIS UPGRADE WOULD BE GOOD IF IT WOULD BE USED AND HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME BIDS. AFTER DISCUSSION, MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TART TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO SEEK INFORMAL BIDS AND TO TABLE THIS ITEM PENDING THE RECEIPT OF BIDS AND AN ITEMIZATION OF THE COST. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. RECLASSIFICATION -CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT HE IS REQUESTING THAT THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER BE RECLASSIFIED AS A PLANNER I /CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT HAD A PLANNING BACKGROUND AND COULD STILL DO CODE ENFORCEMENT. HE ADDED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE SALARY GRADE TO BE UPGRADED FROM A GRADE 19 TO A GRADE 23, WITH THE HIRING RANGE BETWEEN $29,821- $31 HE FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO NEW MONEY REQUIRED IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE IN SALARY. COUNCILMEMBER BASS ASKED IF THE PERSON WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT SCHOOLING, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT HELP THE BUILDING INSPECTOR IF HE DID NOT. CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT HIS MAIN CONCERN WAS TO GET SOMEONE WITH SOME PLANNING BACKGROUND SUCH AS SUBSTANDARD HOUSING, WEEDY LOTS AND JUNK CARS, BUT ALSO SOMEONE THAT COULD ANSWER ZONING QUESTIONS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT ANNEXATION. COUNCILMEMBER BASS STATED HE DID NOT SEE HIRING SOMEONE WITH NO EXPERIENCE AND SENDING THEM TO SCHOOL. CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT IS WHY THEY ARE REQUIRING THAT THE PERSON HAVE A BA DEGREE IN URBAN PLANNING. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT THIS POSITION IS NOT AN ADDITION, IT WOULD BE CHANGING AN EXISTING VACANT POSITION THAT WOULD REQUIRE ROUGHLY $4,000.00 MORE A YEAR IN ANNUAL PAY BECAUSE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED. HE ADDED THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN IMPORTANT POSITION AND HAS BEEN NEEDED FOR SOMETIME. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SUMNER, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MCDOUGAL TO RECLASSIFY THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER POSITION TO PLANNER I /CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. RENTAL REQUEST- CHICKEN FARM ROAD CITY MANAGER DEAN STATED THAT MR. HARRY BYRD HAS REQUESTED TO RENT THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY ON CHICKEN FARM ROAD THAT IS OVER EIGHT ACRES AND SITS BACK OFF THE ROAD. MR. HARRY BYRD STATED THAT IT IS HIS UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PROPERTY CANNOT CURRENTLY BE USED BY THE CITY BECAUSE OF TRASH BEING PUT THERE A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO. HE ADDED THAT HE WANTED A PLACE THAT IS SAFE AND AWAY FROM HOUSES THAT HE CAN USE FOR A TRAINING GROUNDS FOR HIS BIRD DOGS. HE FURTHER STATED THAT ADJACENT TO THAT PROPERTY, THERE IS OTHER CITY PROPERTY THAT TOPSOIL HAS BEEN ON FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND HE THOUGHT THE CITY HAD A LIABILITY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF FOUR WHEELERS THAT ARE RIDING THOSE HILLS ON A DAILY BASIS. HE,, FURTHER STATED THAT WHAT HE IS OFFERING WOULD BE TO SEMI - POLICE THE PROPERTY, POST IT AND REGISTER IT WITH THE WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION SO THAT IT WOULD BE PATROLLED BY A GAME WARDEN, AND IF ANYONE IS CAUGHT THERE WITHOUT A PERMIT, THEY WOULD BE GIVEN A TICKET. . : HE ADDED THAT HIS ONLY REASON FOR USING THE PROPERTY WOULD BE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES AND. =AS FAR AS ANY TYPE OF IMPROVEMENTS, HE WOULD LIKE TO IMPROVE THE ROAD THAT GOES TO THE PROPERTY AND CLEAR SOME OF THE UNDERBRUSH THAT BORDERS THE OPEN AREA. HE ADDED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE LAND SO THAT THE CITY DOES NOT GO IN AND MOW IT BECAUSE IT WILL BE OF NO USE TO HIM IF IT IS KEPT CLEAN. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD OFFERED $75.00 PER YEAR FOR A 5 -YEAR LEASE TO BE ABLE TO LEASE THIS PROPERTY AND HE ADDED THAT HE IS OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS OR QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL. INFORNIATION MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ADVISED COUNCIL THAT ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS WERE IN THEIR AGENDA PACKETS FOR REVIEW. COUNCILMEMBER ROBINSON ASKED CITY MANAGER DEAN IF THERE WAS ANY PLACE FOR THE HOMELESS PEOPLE TO STAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. CITY MANAGER DEAN RESPONDED THAT BEACON RESCUE MISSION AND SAVING GRACE MINISTRIES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE HOMELESS PEOPLE. THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL CONCERNING MR. BY.RD'S REQUEST MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE THANKED EVERYONE FOR THEIR PATIENCE WITH HIM TONIGHT WITH THE MEETING AND HE WISHED EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HOPED THEY ALL WOULD RETURN SAFELY TO THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY. WITH NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE FOLLOWING BURIAL RIGHTS WERE EXECUTED: 1. MS. BERTHA MCLEAN & HER HEIRS, LOT 38, BLOCK 13, SPACE(S) 1 & 2, RESTHAVEN CEMETERY. 2. MS. THERESA L. SMITH & HER HEIRS, LOT 55, BLOCK 15, SPACE(S) 5 & 6, RESTHAVEN CEMETERY. 3. KELLY & GENEVA MARTIN & THEIR HEIRS, LOT 5, BLOCK Y, SPACE(S) 1, 2, 5 & 6, GREENWOOD CEMETERY. MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE ADJOURNED THE MEETING AT 7:45 P.M. yb'¢549k'Pb$gg � az e Par^ w `Sf' y ® 'c ' m - e „d' f m 0 M w ATTEST: E A C1 I-I./yALLEY, CMC MIK WOMBLE MAYOR PRO -TEM