12112001631
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
MINUTES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE 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 CLERIC JOYCE VALLEY, CITY
ATTORNEY BILLY GODWIN, POLICE CHIEF PAT GODWIN, CAPTAIN MORRY DENNING,
CAPTAIN RONNIE RADCLIFFE, FIRE CHIEF AUSTIN TEW, FINANCE DIRECTOR RENEE'
DAUGHTRY, RECREATION DIRECTOR PERRY HUDSON, CITY ENGINEER ED POWELL, ,
CHIEF OU.LD:NG INSPECTOR RICKY PARSON, AND DAILY RECORD REPORTER LISA
FAR111:s.2.
MAYOR OUDEII WAS ABSENT DUE TO A PERSONAL EMERGENCY OUT OF TOWN AND
ASKED MAYOR PRO =TEM MIKE 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 PRO -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 TIIAT TRACT #1 CONTAINS 10.75 ACRES AND
TRACT 42 CONTAINS 3.53 ACRES AND IS LOCATED ON LONGBRANCH ROAD.
MAYOR PRO -TEM 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 THIS 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. IIE FURTHER STATED TIIAT HE WAS A CITIZEN OF HARNETT
COUNTY AND THUS DESIRES TIIE BEST FOR THIS COUNTY AND ITS CITIZENS, AND HE IS
ALSO A CITIZEN OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS
TIIE SAME DESIRE.
HE ADDED THAT HE COULD MAKE THIS AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE THIS EVENING BUT HE DID
NOT INTEND TO DO THAT. IIE STATED THAT HIS GREATEST DESIRE 1S 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. IIE ADDED TIIAT HE REALIZES THAT BY
ALLOWING THIS, IT WOULD NOT HAVE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY
EITHER IN A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE WAY BECAUSE ANYONE SEEKING TO PURCHASE
BEER CAN GO ANY NUMBER OF PLACES UP AND DOWN THE 1 -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.
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REVEREND BUTTS STATED THAT HE LEADS A CONGREGATION THAT IS COMPOSED OF
ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. IIE 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
TIIAT 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.
IIE 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
TIIAT 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 THAT IT ALSO CONSUMES ANOTHER 10 FEET OF MR. RON STEWART'S
PROPERTY THAT JOINS HER PROPERTY AND IS ALSO ROAD FRONTAGE.
MS. WALKER ADDED THAT SHE 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 TIIAT 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 TIIE 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
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 A114ENDMENTS #48
- #51. (ATTACHMENT # 1)
TAX RELEASES /REFUNDS- COUNCIL CONSIDERED APPROVAL OF TAX RELEASES /REFUNDS
#I - #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. MOTION 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 TIIAT 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 #1
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.
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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 WHICII 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 TIE 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.
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 TIIAT IIE THOUGHT CLOSING HALF THE ALLEY WOULD
CAUSE A BIGGER PROBLEM FOR DRUGS BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A DEAD END THERE, SO
HE THINKS TIIE 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 -TEM 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.
IIE ADDED THAT ON THE 17 OF NOVEMBER HE MET WITH RECREATION DIRECTOR
HUDSON, 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 TO 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 THAT 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.
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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
INVITE OTHERS TO SEND THEM IN THAT WOULD NOT HAVE DONE SO WITHOUT THE
m✓ CREDIT.
MAYOR PRO -TEM WOMBLE STATED THAT HE WOULD PREFER THAT THEY ELIMINATE
TIIE 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 THE 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 11'. 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
i 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.
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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 FIE 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 - $31,312.
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 FlE THOUGHT IT WAS AN IMPORTANT POSITION AND HAS BEEN NEEDED
FOR SOME TIME.
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
WfTHOUT A PERMIT, THEY WOULD BE GIVEN A TICKET.
mw-
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 FIE ADDED THAT HE IS OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS
OR QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL.
INFORMATION
TI IERE WAS NO DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL CONCERNING MR. BYRD'S REQUEST.
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.
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:
MS. BERTHA MCLEAN & HER HEIRS, LOT 38, BLOCK 13, SPACE(S) I & 2, RESTHAVEN
CEMETERY.
Y
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.
54 1
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ATTEST:
ALLEY,
MIK � WOMBLE
MAYOR PRO -TEM