Winterville Town Council
February 11, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes
The Winterville Town Council met in a regular meeting on the above date at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Assembly Room, with Mayor Douglas A. Jackson presiding. The meeting was called to order, followed by the invocation by Councilwoman Roberson, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance. The following were present:
Mayor Douglas Jackson
Councilman Johnny Moye
Councilman Ronald Cooper, Sr.
Councilman Tony Moore
Councilwoman Veronica Roberson
Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Smith
Terri L. Parker, Town Manager
Jasman J. Smith, Town Clerk
Keen Lassiter, Town Attorney
Anthony Bowers, Finance Director
Billy Wilkes, Police Chief
Brad Black, IT Director
Evan Johnston, Interim Parks and Recreation Director
Alan Lilley, Planning Director
Mike Stec, Senior Planner
Willie Gay, Interim Public Works Director
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Town Manager Terri Parker requested the addition of a closed session per North Carolina General Statute § 143 318.11(a) (3) To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged. A motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tem Smith and seconded by Councilwoman Roberson to approve the agenda with the requested changes. Motion carried unanimously.
WELCOME: Mayor Jackson welcomed the public.
RECOGNITION: Mr. Amos Harris was introduced as the Town Janitorial Services Contractor
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES: Police Chief Billy Wilkes introduced Joshua Gates, Police Officer, Michael Hobbs, Police Officer, and Robert Dalzell, Police Intern to the Town Council.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Land Development Plan. Planning Director Alan Lilley presented the item. He stated that the draft revised and updated Town of Winterville Comprehensive Land Development Plan has been completed. At the January 28, 2013 Winterville Planning and Zoning Board meeting, they voted to recommend adoption of the Draft Comprehensive Land Development Plan to the Town Council. Attached is the Planning Board Report.
Mayor Jackson declared the Public Hearing Open. Hearing No one, the Public Hearing was Closed.
Questions from the Council were addressed. A motion was made by Councilman Moye and seconded by Councilwoman Roberson to adopt the Comprehensive Land Development Plan. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public Comment was handled prior to the meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA: The items under the consent agenda included:
1. Approval of January 14, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes. A motion was made by Councilwoman Roberson and seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Smith to approve the January 14, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Adoption of Proclamation in Honor of Black History Month. A motion was made by Councilwoman Roberson and seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Smith to adopt the proclamation in Honor of Black History Month. Motion carried unanimously.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Update on Economic Development: Town Manager Terri L. Parker presented the item. She stated that the first meeting of the Economic Development Task Force will be held on February 18, 2013 at 5:30 pm in the Town Hall Executive Conference Room. Mary Lilley with Greenfield Development will be present to begin working with the Task Force on a Strategic Plan for Economic Development. Town Manager Terri L. Parker reiterated the members of the Economic Development Task Force were: Debbie Avery, Tim Avery, Edward Cole, Councilman Ron Cooper, Donkili Edwards, Albert Holloman, Brooke Miller, and Dr. Sheila Parson. No Action was taken by the Council.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Election Voting Places: Town Clerk Jasman J. Smith presented the item. She stated that the municipal election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. If the Council desires to offer an early voting site in Winterville, the Council may elect to offer early voting site for:
a) The entire period of Thursday, October 17th to Saturday, November 2nd at a cost of $ 4,443.60; or
b) One week prior to election, Tuesday, October 29th to Saturday, November 2nd at a cost of $2,221.90. The Town of Winterville may elect the hours the polls will be open. The costs above are for 42 hours during a week at a rate of $52.90 per hour. This covers the expense of six (6) One-Stop employees (the standard number of employees at a site). Additional hours over the 40 hours work week will require overtime pay for employees at a rate of $79.35.
Direct staff regarding the early voting site option. Staff recommends, if the Board so desires to offer early voting one week prior to the election with the following hours: Tuesday – Saturday, with the hours being 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
A motion was made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Smith offer early voting one week prior to the election with the following hours: Tuesday – Saturday, with the hours being 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Discussion on Removal of Solid Waste Container: Town Manager Terri L. Parker presented the item. She stated that at the December 10th, 2012 Council Meeting, the subject returned regarding whether the Town should impose requirements for citizens to pull their trash receptacles from the curb after collection. Excerpts from the June 14th and October 11, 2010 meetings where the subject was discussed and the Council ultimately decided not to proceed with an ordinance amendment. At January 14, Council Meeting, the subject returned regarding whether the Town should impose requirements for citizens to pull their trash receptacles from the curb after collection. Staff has included the following verbiage for your consideration (taken from the Town of Beaufort’s ordinance): “Refuse shall be collected from a point adjacent to the public streets. No garbage, trash, leaves, limbs and the like shall be placed in the street or gutter. Contained shall be returned to the rear yard by the resident on the day of collection.” If amenable then Staff recommends Council approve said verbiage to be included as an Ordinance amendment. Staff awaits Council Direction. A motion was made by Councilman Moye and seconded by Councilman Cooper to table the item to the March 11, 2013 Meeting. Motion carried unanimously
3. Girls Softball Program Update: Interim Parks and Recreation Director Evan Johnston presented the item. He stated that at the September 10, 2012 Regular Meeting, Staff presented “Potential Girls Softball Program” survey results to Town Council. Survey sought to determine interest in the creation of a girls’ softball program offered by Winterville Parks & Recreation. Due to a poor mailed survey response rate (1.2%), Town Council requested that Staff explore another avenue to determine interest in a girls’ softball program offered by Winterville Parks & Recreation. Staff believes that an electronic version of “Potential Girls Softball Program” survey may yield a better response rate. Average electronic survey response rates approximately 26%. Electronic survey would be available on Town website, Parks & Recreation page, e-mailed via Parks & Recreation ActiveNet Recreation Management database, and electronic survey link information would also be dispersed in Town newsletter. Survey could be made available the month of March via aforementioned platforms and information could be included in March Town newsletter. Discussion was held. Mayor Pro-Tem sees the Girls Softball Program as a competition with Pitt County. Councilwoman Roberson expressed that she viewed the program as an opportunity. A motion was made by Councilwoman Roberson and seconded by Councilman Moore to attempt to contact the schools to determine the interest in the Winterville Softball Program. Members voting in the favor of the motion were Roberson, Moore, Moye, and Cooper. Members of the Council voting in opposition of the motion was Smith.
4. Consider Appointment to Fill Vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Board: Planning Director Alan Lilley presented the item. He informed the Council that Planning Board member Michael Rouse has submitted a letter of resignation from the Planning and Zoning Board because he is moving to Clinton, NC (copy of letter attached). Michael served as an “in-town, regular member”. It has been the general practice of the Council to appoint the existing alternate member to fill unexpired vacant terms and to seek a new person to appoint as alternate. The existing in-town, alternate member is Douglas Kilian.
A motion was made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilwoman Roberson to appoint existing in-town alternate member Douglas Kilian to fill unexpired vacant terms. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Requests for Travel: Town Manager Terri L. Parker presented the item. Request #1: As stated in my email to you last week, I have been appointed to serve on the Task Force for Women in the Profession for the International City/County Manager’s Association (ICMA). This is a wonderful opportunity to work with people from all over the country in part, to review the status of women in the profession and create recommendations and strategies for increasing the presence of women in local government management as ICMA moves into its next 100 years. There is a meeting of this Task Force in Las Vegas, Nevada during the weekend of April 19-21 and I am requesting to attend this meeting and represent the Town of Winterville. The travel costs would include travel, accommodation and meal costs.
Request #2: ICMA has an Annual Conference every year and this year’s is being held in Boston, MA during the month of September. I am requesting permission to attend (this would be my first one) and represent the Town.
A motion was made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Smith to approve the Town Manager’s request for travel. Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS:
· Councilman Moore requested the following items for discussion:
o Street Connections- Discussion was held concerning the connecting of Winston and Franklin Street. This will be handled in the next budget.
o Number of Possible Structures Needing Demolition- Councilman Moore requested survey of houses for demolition. Councilwoman Roberson inquired about those on the list for housing repairs from Pitt County.
o Teen Recreational Programs for the Next Year: Discussion was held. Interim Parks and Recreation Director Evan Johnston will research future programs for Teens. Councilman Moore suggested tennis, cheerleading, and golf lessons.
o Moving the Dump: A motion was made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilwoman Roberson to contact Pitt County concerning moving the dump. Motion carried unanimously.
o Status of Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Position: Town Manager Terri L. Parker stated that the Code Enforcement/Building Inspector position, Parks & Recreation Director, and Public Works Director should be filled at the end of February.
o Future Rescue Services: A motion was made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilwoman Roberson to direct Town Manager Terri L. Parker to research the feasibility of combing EMS with the Town. Motion carried unanimously.
o Library Funding from County/Mid-Year Report on Number of Citizens Out of Town Using Library Versus In Town: A motion was made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Smith to direct Town Manager Terri L. Parker to contact the Sheppard Memorial Library to retrieve statistics on the Number of Citizens Out of Town Using Library Versus In Town. Motion carried unanimously.
o Goals for Legislators: A motion was made by Councilman Moore and seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Smith to submit five (5) goals by Friday, February 15th to the Town Manager. Motion carried unanimously.
o Original Building Plans for the NC General Assembly Building- A motion was made by Councilman Moore to have the Planning Department to copy the plans to be submitted to two senators. Motion died for lack of a second. Councilwoman Roberson stated that she does not recommend that we honor the legislators with a gift and that the Town should treat them all the same.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS/FUTURE WORK SESSIONS: The following items were suggested for future agendas or future work sessions by Councilman Moore and Cooper: Consideration of renaming Railroad Street.
REPORTS FROM TOWN ATTORNEY, TOWN MANAGER, AND DEPARTMENT HEADS:
· Town Manager Terri L. Parker stated that she will represent the Town in the TACC Meeting.
· Town Clerk Jasman Smith read the announcements aloud.
REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL:
· Councilman Moore reported on the Ange House Event.
· Councilwoman Roberson thanked the Council for allowing her to attend the Goals and Advocacy Workshop.
· Councilman Cooper commented on the website.
CLOSED SESSION PER NC.G.S§ 143 318.11(a) (3)To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorneyclient privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged.
A motion was made by Councilman Cooper and seconded Councilman Moye adjourn the Open Session and enter into Closed session per NC.G.S§ 143 318.11(a) (3)To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorneyclient privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Councilman Cooper and seconded Councilman Moye enter into Open Session. Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
Having no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Councilman Cooper and seconded by Councilman Moye to adjourn at 9:30 pm. Motion carried unanimously.
Adopted this the 11th day of March 2013
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Douglas A. Jackson
ATTEST:
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Jasman J. Smith, Town Clerk