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TOWN OF COLUMBIA BOARD MINUTES
September 5, 2017
The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Columbia met in regular session at 7:PM, Tuesday, September 5, 2017, in the meeting room of the Columbia Municipal Building. Aldermen attending were: Lloyd Armstrong, James Cahoon, Ray Marner and Sandra Owens.
Mayor F. Michael Griffin presided.
Mayor Griffin called the meeting to order and welcomed those attending. He asked Alderman Armstrong to offer a prayer for the Board which began with a moment of silence for the hurricane victims in the Huston, Texas area.
Upon motion of Alderman Owens, the consent agenda was approved unanimously. This included:
- Minutes of the August 7, 2017 Board of Aldermen Meeting
- Tax Discoveries
Betty Mercer heirs (Bessie Marcelle), Scottsville Street $ 8,400.00
Betty Spruill, Railroad Avenue$ 1,900.00
Rosa Hernandez, 112 S. Road Street$ 100.00
- Water/sewer adjustments
Raquel Barron Sanchez, N. Road St.$ 54.48
Mayor Griffin announced the Public Comment Period and invited the public to speak on any topic pertaining to the town.
Ms. Fleedie Reynolds of Green Street asked if any progress has been made on dredging the N. Boundary Canal. Mayor Griffin and Town Manager Rhett White reported that no funding has been made available for dredging although the town continues to seek grant funding.
Ms. Vanessa Hassell, a Scottsville Street residents voiced several concerns – overgrowth of hazardous trees on neighboring properties, tree limbs in electrical wires, homeowners that do not maintain their properties appropriately and pot holes. She also cited poor drainage with storms coming. Mayor Griffin assured her that the town does contact absentee property owners about problem situations.
Mr. White added that properties in the process of foreclosure are particularly difficult to deal with, but said the town puts as much pressure as possible on homeowners to clean-up and maintain their properties. He suggested that concerned citizens should talk to their neighbors about the condition of their property. He indicated a reluctance to spend taxpayer dollars to mow, clean-up and maintain private properties.
Leamon Cooper said there are problem properties on both sides of town.
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Ms. Janet Walker, resident of Martha Street and Chairman of the Columbia Planning Board, expressed concern about the Tyrrell Volunteer Department request to have trees drastically trimmed to accommodate fire trucks on town streets. She cited Manteo, Elizabeth City and Edenton as towns that encourage canopies of trees over streets and fenced yards with beautiful vegetation.
Mayor Griffin indicated that power lines tangled in tree branches make tree trimming a major liability. He reported that the town has heard from others that are concerned about the potential loss of vegetative aesthetics. He said some trimming will be done but the town will use good judgment in cutting and trimming trees.
Victor Dunbar said that the garbage collectors have failed to pick up large items for more than two weeks at his Scottsville Street location. Mayor Griffin explained that Tyrrell County contracts with Republic Services/GDS for garbage, brown and white goods left at the curb. He said large item pickup must be requested by phone and is only offered one or two times each month.
Ms. Janet Bowser at the intersection of Ludington/Scottsville Street complained that the natural gas pressure station is unsafe. She described an incident that involved strong gas odor that was described by Piedmont Natural Gas employees as a leak. She said Sheriff’s Deputies went door-to-door warning residents to leave their homes for safety and asked if the station should not be located a greater distance from residential structures. She said her area was not eligible for gas service but the neighborhood has to live with the station.
It was pointed out that the town was not notified about the incident mentioned and that the gas company is regulated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. She was advised to direct any questions to the State Utilities Commission.
Ms. Hassell suggested that evacuation plans be developed for the neighborhood.
With no further comments, Mayor Griffin closed the Public Comment Period.
There was no report from the Sheriff’s Office.
Board members discussed the tree trimming request in August from the Tyrrell Volunteer Fire Department. A volunteer fireman, Seth Gibbs, said firemen are practicing using the new and larger equipment on town streets, acknowledging that some streets are not adequate to accommodate a large fire truck.
Mr. White reported that he had traveled the streets with two firemen and that some trimming needs to be done to accommodate fire trucks and school busses. He expressed concern that some trimming will be limited due to utility lines and suggested that contact be made with the power, telephone and cable company requesting that they cut limbs that are
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encroaching upon the streets. He also identified some areas that trimming over sidewalks is needed while noting that the town can not go onto private property to trim vegetation.
By consent the Board directed Mr. White to proceed with contacting the utility companies and undertake tree trimming where necessary.
Mr. White reported that Mc David Associates has a list of nine NC Housing Finance Agency Disaster Relief applicants and will be contacting those homeowners about possible housing rehabilitation assistance.
He also reported that details of the CDBG-Disaster Relief funding grants have been released by the Governor’s Office and the county will be the lead agency in applying for hurricane related housing assistance. He noted that the county will need to hold two public hearings before submitting an application by October 20, 2017, for a $1 million grant.
By consent the Manager was authorized to notify the county that the town has homeowners that are interested in being considered for funding.
No action was reported on the State Funded Building Renovation and Reuse Grants.
The Manager reported that tax bills went out the previous week and payments are already coming in.
The vacant Town Attorney position was discussed. It was noted that Jay Wheless is not interested in the post but will provide legal services until a new town Attorney is selected. By Board consent the Manager was asked to solicit proposals for legal services from area attorneys, and to approve the final bill from the late Dwight Wheless.
Discussion of the vacant Alderman position followed. By consent it was decided to allow the voters to fill the position in November.
The manager reported that storm preparations including running generators and storm pumps have been completed, that the wooded area overgrowth of the boardwalk will be trimmed by USFWS staff and that tax foreclosure of the Spencer property is slowly moving forward. He stated that a new look at building permit fees may be in order, citing fire safety inspection cost associated with annual inspection of the Tyrrell House Assisted Living Facility and the schools. He noted that the current fee schedule was adopted in July, 2005, and is much lower that surrounding counties and towns.
Mr. White reported that the Habitat for Humanity property transfer has closed.
He also indicated that the State now credits Columbia with a population of 841 persons.
Upon motion of Alderman Cahoon, the vote was unanimous to set the Public Hearing on the proposed Annexation of the 8.05 acre NC Wildlife Resources Commission property on
N. Road Street, at 7:PM, October 9, 2017.
attachment # 1
Alderman Owens expressed appreciation to NCDOT for resurfacing and remarking
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N. Road Street as a no parking area. She also reported viewing the NOAA tide gage located at the town waterfront and noting it reflects the rise and fall of tides in the river and in town canals and drainage ditches.
Alderman Armstrong remarked that the trees on Main Street are attractive but consume parking spaces and at some time may damage the sidewalks. He suggested a reduction of speed limits on N. Road Street from 35 MPH to 25 MPH and noted that the S. Broad Street speed limit might also be reduced to 25 MPH.
Upon motion of Alderman Cahoon, the vote to adjourn was unanimous. Mayor Griffin adjourned the meeting,
This the 5th day of September, 2017.
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F. Michael Griffin, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Rhett B. White, Clerk