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090720041111 MINUTES CITY OF DUNN DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA The City Council of the City of Dunn held a Special Call Meeting on Monday, September 27, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. in the Dunn Municipal Building. Present was Mayor J. Dal Snipes, Mayor Pro -Tem Donnie Olds, Council Members Buddy Maness, Bryan Galbreath, Billy Tart, Billy R. Godwin, Jr. and Joey Tart. Also present was City Manager Michael Uskiewicz, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Ronnie Autry, Human Resources /Safety Officer Moses Gallion, Police Chief Tim Benware, Police Captain Morry Denning, Fire Chief Austin Tew, City Attorney P. Tilghman Pope, City Clerk Debra West, and Daily Record Reporter Jon Soles. INVOCATION Mayor Snipes opened the meeting at 11:02 a.m. and asked Council Member Billy Tart to give the invocation. Afterwards, the pledge of allegiance was repeated. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSIONAND /OR DECISION INSPECTION DEPARTMENT PURCHASE OF VEHICLE REPLACEMENT Manager Uskiewicz explained that the Building Inspections Department's vehicle is no longer viable. It is beyond repair. The following bids from local dealers for a replacement vehicle have been submitted: Bleecker Chevrolet 04 Chevy 1500 Silv. Bid Price $13,166.00 Dunn Benson Ford 04 4x2 Reg. Cab Bid Price $16,315.36 Boulevard Chevrolet 04 Chevy 1500 Silv. Bid Price $16,149.60 Dorman Cadillac 04 GMC Bid Price $16,291.23 It is recommended that the truck be purchased from Bleecker Chevrolet in the low bid amount of $13,166.00. Since this is an unbudgeted item, Council is being asked to adopt the attached budget amendment. Motion by Mayor Pro -tem Olds, seconded by Council Member Joey Tart to approve the purchase of a 2004 Chevy 1500 Silverado track from Bleecker Chevrolet. Motion unanimously approved. A copy of the bids submitted for this vehicle is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #1. Motion by Mayor Pro -tem Olds, seconded by Council Member Joey Tart to approve budget amendment #2 in the amount of $13,600. Motion unanimously approved. A copy of budget amendment 92 is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment #2. HISTORICAL DISTRICT Mayor Snipes made reference to a letter he wrote fo'tlie, City'Manager in response to a letter he received from a study list which stated that the City of Dunn was amgiQ g'the finalist for addition to the study list for the National Register of Historic Places. Mayor Snipes explained that he wanted the City, Manager and the City Attorney to explore further the possibility of the development of a local historic `downtown designation. There may be tax monies available to the downtown merchants in renovating their buildings pursuant to N.C.G.S. 160A -400. Mayor Snipes yielded to City Manager Uskiewicz and City Attorney Pope for their comments with regard to this issue. Mr. Uskiewicz stated that this is an initiative implemented by the Mayor. He advised the Mayor that Council concurrence would be required to continue to explore this process. There will be a cost involved in implementing this process and if the Council would like to pursue the process, budget priorities will need to be made in the next fiscal budget. A series of public hearings would have to be initiated as well as a buy -in from the majority of the property owners affected by the district that is designated. A board would be created by the Council to oversee the development, reconstruction, enhancement and design standards that property owners would have to adhere to. There are a number of things that have to happen. Mr. Uskiewicz stated that he needs to know if the Council would like to continue to explore this issue and whether one or two districts will be studied. Through this study, a residential district as well as a downtown business district has been identified. Mr. Uskiewicz explained that to go to the next step, it is highly recommended that a Historic Commission be established and that a consultant be hired to continue the process. The initial estimate to add one district is $10,000 and $20,000 to add two districts. City Attorney Pope stated that this is a timely process which involves a number of hoops to jump through to get to the ultimate goal at the end. There are two primary forces which drive this issue: 1) Incentive to property owners within the district created to renovate, rehabilitate and revitalize the downtown areas which would be one of the districts considered. A tax grant/credit is involved and there is significant advantages to some property owners within blighted areas. 2) Historic Districts draw in tourists. 1112 Mr. Pope explained that this process can be done without a consultant, but in reviewing the material, it would cost the City more to have his firm complete the process than it would be to hire a consultant that is very familiar with the process requirements. Mr. Pope stated that the estimate given by the consultant would be very reasonable and more cost effective than having him do the work. Mr. Pope stated that this is a rather timely process and it will take a significant amount of time to implement. The Council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of developing a historic district. Some of the negative impacts highlighted was the loss of control by the property owner to renovate. They must take proposed renovations before the Historic Commission to acquire approval. Mr. Pope stated that the North Carolina General Statutes allows the local Historic Commission to establish the standards customized to each community. He explained that the Historic Commission is a standing commission appointed by the Council and must have funds to operate. Mr. Pope explained that should a property owner come before the Historic Commission with a request that is denied, the property owner could then appeal to the Board of Adjustments. The Council further discussed the positive effect the development of a historic district would have in the downtown area. Council consensus was to proceed with public hearings to receive comments from the public with reference to creating two historic districts; a downtown business district and a residential historic district. TRASH PICK UP Manager Uskiewicz asked the Council to reconsider picking up furniture discarded by the roadside. He requested that the Council mandate that furniture will no longer be picked up by the City. Mr. Uskiewicz stated that this free service offered by the City has become very expensive and cumbersome. He added that it has also been abused. Mr. Uskiewicz informed the Council that the leaf truck broke down. It will cost approximately $20,000 to repair it. This is an unbudgeted item. Also for comparison, a new leaf truck will cost approximately $95,000 to $105,000. Public Works Director Ronnie Autry stepped forward and gave a history of the leaf truck. It is one unit that runs twelve months a year picking up grass clippings and leaves. Peak season for leaf pick up is October through February. This unit was bought in 1996. The rear section of the truck is worn out and needs major renovations which are not cost effective. The front engine of the unit has gone out. It was discovered today that the engine will need to be replaced at a cost of approximately $20,000. It is not cost effective to invest $20,000 in a unit that is worn out. Mr. Autry recommended that a new unit be purchased The Council asked Mr. Autry if he could fund $20,000 from his existing budget. Mr. Autry responded that he could find $20,000 within his budget to apply a down payment on a new lease purchase unit. The Council discussed the option of having Republic Waste to handle leaf collection and grass clippings. Mr. Autry stated that in general conversations with Republic, they would be considerably higher than the City's cost. Republic could not meet the City's standards. Mr. Autry explained that most municipalities contract limb collection but not leaf collection. He stated that Dunn is one of the only local municipalities that picks up grass clippings. The volume of this debris continues to rise. The possibility of creating a compost site where citizens can drop off grass clippings was discussed as well as the negative impact it could have if the City discontinued picking up grass clippings. Mr. Autry stated that three units are available from various dealers. If a unit was ordered, it could be spring 2005 before it is received, which would be after the heavy leaf season. The Council discussed adjusting the next fiscal year budget to pay the remainder of the cost of the unit. j Motion by Mayor Pro -tem Olds, seconded by Council Member Galbreath to move forward with the purchase of a new leaf truck unit. Motion unanimously approved. Manager Uskiewicz will bring back bank bids to the Council for financing this unit and will proceed with the bid process. Council Member Maness requested that when the financing information is brought back to the Council, that Mr. Autry show the funding source that he will use from within his department budget to pay the down payment on this unit. 1113 BULKY FURNITURE PICK UP Mr. Uskiewiciz explained that the purpose of today's meeting with reference to trash pick up dealt with furniture pick up and not a leaf truck purchase. The leaf truck was an emergency situation that just developed. Mr. Autry explained that the bulk of furniture pick up is a result of rental tenants leaving furniture by the curb when they move. He stated that the burden should be placed on the landlord to remove furniture left by tenants. Other instances involve an abundance of mattresses left by the curb. One truck cannot cover the City in one day. Motion by Council Member Godwin, seconded by Council Member Joey Tart that effective October 1, 2004, the City of Dunn cease and desist curbside p_ckup of white goods as well as furniture items. The Council discussed the possibility of having once or twice a year furniture pick up, the possibility of contracting it out to a private contractor and to proceed cautiously with offering this service since it has been abused in the past by property owners continuously placing items out by the street. The Council discussed that the enforcement process fee will be billed to property owners should furniture be left on a vacant lot or by the road. Mr. Godwin restated his motion. Motion unanimously approved. SWEDISH EXCHANGE Manager Uskiewicz showed the Council an agenda and a list of the participants involved in the upcoming Swedish exchange and encouraged the Council to participate in the various activities scheduled during the Swedish visit. Mayor Snipes explained that this is a week -long event with nine individuals coming from Sweden. FIRE ALARMS BETSY JOHNSON REGIONAL HOSPITAL Manager Uskiewicz asked Fire Chief Austin Tew to come forward. Mr. Uskiewicz explained that he needed direction from the Council with regard to false alarm fees owed by --, Betsy Johnson Hospital. He stated that the City ordinance has been enforced with regard to false alarms. He added that a letter was received from Betsy Johnson Hospital requesting that the City waive these fire alarm fees. Chief Tew stated that as of today, Betsy Johnson has an outstanding balance of $1475.00 owed to the City of Dunn for fire alarm fees. Chief Tew stated that all false alarms with the exception of two, have been caused by the ongoing construction at the site. He along with the City Manager have relayed to Betsy Johnson that these costs should be passed back to the construction company. Chief Tew gave a breakdown of the dates and cows to the City in responding to these false alarms. As of today, there have been approximately eleven (11) calls tq the site. He explained that the Fire Department must respond to each call and if they don't, the Department ofdI §urance would consider it a no response and would pull the City's rating from a Class 5 to a Class 10. ' , Chief Tew stated that not only are the Dunn firemen responding to these calls and being put at risk, but mutual aid from at least one other fire department is also responding. This is a result of an automatic mutual aid agreement that the City has with other local fire departments. Chief Tew explained that everyone is allowed three (3) false alarms per year at no cost unless the false alarm is weather or power related. If it is weather or power related then an exception is made. Chief Tew stated that the Fire Department is required to bill the hospital for these calls since it is their property, but the hospital should pass these costs to the construction company. He stated that he had suggested to the hospital to call their alarm company to put their alarm on stand -by or test mode whenever work is being done in a certain area. This would prevent a false alarm call from reaching 911 dispatch. Council discussed that they cannot treat any business differently from any other citizen It was Council consensus in directing the City Manager to proceed with the necessary steps to recoup the false alarm fees owed by Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital to the City of Dunn. Mayor Snipes entertained a motion to add Closing of Street to the agenda. Motion by Council Member Joey Tart, seconded by Council Member Godwin to add the following item to the Agenda. Motion unanimously approved I) Closing of Street -W. Divine Street in front of the General Lee Museum 1114 CLOSING OF STREET W. DIVINE STREET IN FRONT OF THE GENERAL LEE MUSEUM A request has been received from the American Legion Post 59 to block W. Divine Street in front of the General Lee Museum on Sunday, November 7, 2004 from 1:00 p.m. until to celebrate Veterans Day. Motion by Council Member Galbreath, seconded by Council Member Maness to approve the request by the American Legion Post 59 to block W. Divine Street in front of the General Lee Museum on Sunday, November 7, 2004 from 1:00 p.m. until to celebrate Veterans Day. Motion unanimously approved. Mayor Snipes asked that the Council review a request by the Mayor of Augusta Georgia, chairman of the committee for the observance of National Bible Week, and asked that the Council discuss this at their next i meeting. Mayor Snipes entertained a motion to go into Closed Session. 12:31 p.m. - Motion by Mayor Pro -tem Olds, seconded by Council Member Billy Tart to go into closed session based upon N.C.G.S. 143.318.11- potential acquisition of real property and Economic Development issues within the City of Dunn. Motion unanimously approved. Closed Session adjourned at 1:00 p.m. and the Council reconvened the Special Call meeting. Motion by Council Member Joey Tart, seconded by Mayor Pro -tern Olds to approve the minutes of the closed session as recorded by City Attorney Pope. Motion unanimously approved. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 1:04 p.m. p1TY op j� 4 G V e s or Attest: .L'. SEM, Debra G. West City Clerk