Minutes 01-14-202061
MINUTES
CITY OF DUNN
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA
The City Council of the City of Dunn held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in
the Dunn Municipal Building. Present: Mayor William P. Elmore Jr., Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Turnage,
Council Members J. Wesley Sills, April Gaulden, Frank McLean, Billy N. Tart, and Dr. David L. Bradham.
Also present: City Manager Steven Neusch*r, Assistant City Manager Mathew Boone, Finance Director Jim
Roberts, Public Utilities Director Heather Adams, Public Works Director Vince Washington, Chief Building
Inspector Steven King, Parks and Recreation Director Brian McNeill, Human Resources Director Anne Thompson,
Librarian Mike Williams, Executive Assistant Connie Jernigan, Communications Coordinator Kaitlin Adkins,
Attorney Tilghman Pope, and City Clerk Tammy Williams. Guests recognized by Mayor Elmore: former Council
Member Dr. Gwen McNeill, 2020 President Rob Jones and Executive Vice President Heather Lawson with the Dunn
Area Chamber of Commerce, and Emily Weaver with The Daily Record
CALL TO ORDER AND INVOCATION
Mayor Elmore opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. He recognized Rev. Roy Johnson who coordinated the Pastors to
handle the invocations for the Council meetings for the past twelve years. Rev. Johnson introduced Rev. Dennis
Manuel, who will begin to coordinate the Pastors this year. Rev. Manuel told Council that he was honored to step
into this role and looks forward to working with the Mayor and Council.
Rev. Howard Dudley, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, gave the invocation after a Moment of Silence for City
employee, Tena Glover, who lost her life tragically the week before.
Boy Scout Troop 711, working on their Communications Merit Badge, led in the reciting of the Pledge of
Allegiance. Scouts in attendance included Matthew Jones, Jacob Blackman, Bryce Faircloth, Brady Wilson,
Nicholas Sifuentes, Cole Stevens and Kieran Belcher. They were accompanied by Scout Leaders Rob Jones and
John Sifuentes.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENT AND APPROVAL
Motion by Council Member Tart and second by Mayor Pro Tem Tunage to adopt the January 14, 2020 meeting
agenda as presented. Motion unanimously approved.
PRESENTATIONS:
New Employee Introductions
Public Utilities Director Adams introduced Jonathan A. Spell, Water Treatment Plant Operations Specialist and
Public Works Director Washington introduced Street Maintenance Worker, Colby L. McLamb.
Lifesaving Valor Award
Captain Larry Jenkins and Lt. Byron Tyndall presented a Lifesaving Valor Award to Police Officer Apelles Hart for
his heroic actions and quick response that saved a child's life. On November 11, 2019, Officer Hart responded to a
location, in reference to a child having breathing difficulties. Upon arrival, Officer Hart assessed the scene, and
immediately took action by performing the Heimlich maneuver on the child. Officer Hart put faith in his training
and was successful in freeing the child's obstructed airway. Officer Hart was commended for his courage and quick
response during this stressful situation. He was presented a plaque and given a standing ovation by those in
attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The Public Comment Period was opened by Mayor Elmore at 7:17 p.m. Having no comments, the Public Comment
period was closed.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Approval of the minutes of the December 10, 2019 City Council Meeting.
Approval of the Minutes of the December 17, 2019 Mayor and Council Orientation.
Proclamation— 100' Birthday of Estelle Flowers Godwin. A copy of Proclamation (P2020-01) is incorporated into
these minutes as Attachment 91.
Temporary Blocking of Street and use of Council Chambers for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Assembly.
Temporary Alley Closing for March 15' and April J'a Concerts to be held at the Stewart Theatre
Approval of the Budget Retreat to be located at New Bern Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, NC with
accommodations at the Courtyard Marriott for February 28-29, 2020. Estimated cost including accommodations,
rental fees, meals, and travel is $15,000 to $20,000.
Approval to authorize City Manager Neuschafer to increase the expenditures of the Advanced Metering
Infrastructure project by approximately $160,000, utilizing Water and Sewer Fund Balance to complete the project
as designed. A copy of Budget Amendment (BA -06) is incorporated into these minutes as Attachment 92.
Motion by Council Member Bradham and second by Council Member McLean to approve all consent items.
Motion unanimously approved.
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ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR DECISION:
Board Appointments
Mayor Elmore expressed appreciation to Eric Sinclair, who served more than eleven years on the Dunn Housing
Authority, serving as Chairman for more than six of those years.
Mayor Elmore then appointed Fran Pierce to fill the unexpired term ending June 30, 2023 on the Dunn Housing
Authority.
He then acknowledged Eddy Langston, who served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board since 1999, with
most of those years as Chairman.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Turnage and second by Council Member Gaulden to appoint Vincent Pressley to the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for term ending June 30, 2022. Motion unanimously approved.
Motion by Council Member Bradham and second by Council Member McLean to appoint Delano Blaizes, Jr. to the
Library Board of Trustees for term ending June 30, 2021. Motion unanimously approved.
Motion by Council Member Tart and second by Council Member McLean to appoint Council Member Gaulden to
the Dunn Vision Group. Motion unanimously approved.
Financial Report/Assessments Update
Finance Director Roberts provided the following financial report for the period ending December 31, 2019:
• General Fund as of December 31, 2019 - $3,460,357 and $2,348,593 in the Water -Sewer Fund. Balance is
larger than last year this same time.
• Taxes for the 2019 year are being paid at a higher level each month. To -date approximately $1,649,259 or
approximately 44% of our expected tax income has been received.
• Sales Tax Revenue is $773,995 or 35% of our total expected income.
• Utilities Sales Tax report for the first half of the year is $343,048.
• Building Permit Fees for the month of December were $13,388, total collected for the year is $69,064 or
863% of budget.
• Water and Sewer Revenues for the month of December were $432,981, with total collected $3,003,014 or
53.69% of budget.
• Expenditures are $5,663,619 or 50.16% of budget in the General Fund and $6,207,200 or 42.4% of budget
in the Water and Sewer Fund.
He also reported that there has been little activity with the Liens and Assessments due to the holidays.
Motion by Council Member McLean and second by Council Member Bradham to accept the Financial Report and
Assessments Update as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Administrative Reports
Reports received: Communications/Public Information, Planning and Inspections Report, Public Works Report,
Public Utilities Report, Parks and Recreation Report, Library Report and Police Report.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Tumage and second by Council Member McLean to acknowledge receipt of
Administrative Reports. Motion unanimously approved.
City Manager's Report
City Manager Neuschafer told Council that the NC DOT and CSX Railroad are looking at upgrades to the Divine
Street and Cumberland Street crossings. They will probably be coming to the City in a few months for agreement
on the upgrades and to participate with a percentage match.
He added that there will be a meeting with the Auditors soon, in hopes to get the audit finalized and presented at the
February or March meeting.
He also reported that local ordinance changes are coming soon due to a legislative requirement by the General
Assembly that these changes must be adopted by the end of this year. A Comprehensive Plan must be adopted by
2023.
Announcements
Mayor Elmore announced upcoming events and activities. He reported that the first three Ward Tours with Council
Members Sills, Gaulden and McNeill have been going very well. City Manager Neuschafer, Assistant City Manager
Boone, Public Works Director Washington, Chief Building Inspector King and Chief West have been on all of these
tours and the other three districts are planned for next week.
Mayor Pro Tem Turnage reported that the Essentials of Municipal Government class that he and other Council
Members attended on Saturday was very informative. He reported that the DUMA Food Pantry had a record turnout
today with about 250 coming in for food. He also added that the North Carolina League of Municipalities are
working to change legislation so that Powell Bill funding can be improved for smaller municipalities.
Council Member Bradham shared that he is excited about the next four years and about getting started on the Dunn
Vision.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
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Tammy W
City Clerk
William P. Elmore Jr.
Mayor
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