TOWN OF ST. JAMES, REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES FOR JULY 1, 2008
The Town of St. James met in regular session at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday
July 1, 2008 at the Members Club.
Council Members Present: Councilors Jim Donnelly, Bruce Maxwell, Gary Tagtmeyer, Bob Morrow and Mayor Shelley Lesher.
Staff Present: Town Clerk, Josann Campanello
Others: There were approximately 47 citizens in attendance as well as reporters from The State Port Pilot and The Wilmington Star News. Bernadette Baun, Chairwoman of The Town of St. James Planning Board, was in attendance.
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Lesher called the meeting to order and all in attendance joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Zoning Map Amendment Z-08-001 – Regency Entrance: Mayor Lesher asked Chairwoman Baun to present information regarding this property to the Council. The section in question is a 4.057 acre parcel currently zoned CN (Commercial Neighborhood), which is part of a PUD approved by Brunswick County in 2000 and revised in November, 2007. The Planning Board held a public hearing last month and unanimously recommended changing the zoning of this parcel from CN to CLD (Commercial Low Density) as it meets all of the criteria of the St. James Ordinances. Josann Campanello, Zoning Administrator, gave the Staff Report recapping the particulars of the property and the surrounding properties.
This zoning change will correct a split zoning for this parcel. The Staff is recommending approval of the change to CLD. There were no comments from the public. Councilor Maxwell made a motion to close the public hearing.
Motion: Bruce Maxwell
Vote: 5/0, Motion carried
b. Zoning Map Amendment Z-08-002 – Town Property: Mayor Lesher asked Chairwoman Baun to present information regarding this property to the Council. The section in question is a 13.77 acre parcel which is currently zoned CLD under Brunswick County’s UDO. The SJ Planning Board held a public hearing last month and unanimously recommended changing the zoning of this parcel from CLD under Brunswick County to CLD under St. James’ UDO. Josann Campanello, Zoning Administrator, gave the Staff Report recapping the particulars of this property and the surrounding properties. The Staff is recommending approval of the change to CLD under St. James UDO. There were no comments from the public. Councilor Maxwell made a motion to close the public hearing.
Motion: Bruce Maxwell
Vote: 5/0, Motion carried
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilor Jim Donnelly made a motion to approve the agenda.
Motion: Jim Donnelly
Vote: 5/0, Motion carried
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes of the May 29, 2008 Public Hearing
b. Minutes of the June 3, 2008 Regular Meeting
c. Minutes of the June 11, 2008 Special Meeting
d. Minutes of the June 19, 2008 Special Meeting
Councilor Donnelly made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which includes all of the minutes listed above.
Motion: Jim Donnelly
Vote: 5/0, Motion carried
MAYOR/COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS
a. Yard Waste Collection update – Bruce Maxwell: Paul Maguire, President of the St. James POA, had asked Councilor Maxwell if it would be possible to extend the current yard waste collections to include unimproved lots. Town Attorney, Grady Richardson reviewed the Town’s current program and determined that it could remain as it is, that is, collection of yard waste for lots containing single family residences. Additionally, Councilor Maxwell reported that the “can man” had collected $4,925 in Brunswick County for the scholarship fund this past year and of that number $1,869 was from St. James.
b. Finance Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2008 – Jim Donnelly: Councilor Donnelly provided information regarding the Year End Budget for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2008.
c. Water Pressure Update – Bob Morrow: Councilor Morrow has been in contact with the County regarding the water pressure problems. John Nichols from the County Public Utilities Department has responded. A pressure recording device will be installed at the intersection of Irwin Drive and Members Club Blvd., an area of concern. Last week, an operational adjustment was made and since then the psi has been 50-70. The County will continue to monitor the situation. Additionally, the Town has asked those residents on the County system to refrain from watering lawns between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m..
d. International port – Mayor Lesher: Mayor Lesher provided an update regarding the area mayors’ discussions. In their meetings, they have identified various quality of life impacts that the port may have and the importance of working with the Port Authority and all those who are going to build the port. Areas of concern include roads, rail, environment, infrastructure, security,
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emergency management, quality of life and the impact on the economy. Councilor Maxwell addressed the fact that in the prior meetings held by the Port Authority, nothing was mentioned regarding who will be responsible for the issues mentioned by Mayor Lesher. Councilor Donnelly commented that the mayors’ topics are right on target and need to be kept in the forefront.
e. Beaver Creek Clearing Project – Gary Tagtmeyer: Councilor Tagtmeyer
reported that both the Polly Gully Creek and the Beaver Dam Creek have been cleared of downed trees, limbs and all other blockages. As a result,
the flow of storm water runoff should be improved.
f. Report on the Meeting with Legislators – Grady Richardson: Attorney
Richardson reported on the meeting with Mayor Lesher, Councilor
Donnelly and NC State Legislators. Attached to these minutes is the
Memorandum prepared by Attorney Richardson.
GENERAL BUSINESS
a. Adoption of Ordinances 08-002 and 08-003 – Zoning Map Amendments: Mayor Lesher read each ordinance separately. Councilor Maxwell made a motion to approve Ordinance 08-002 and Ordinance 08-003 and all were in favor.
Motion: Bruce Maxwell
Vote:5/0, Motion carried
b. Consideration of Whether to Proceed on a Community Center Project: Councilor Donnelly made a motion to proceed with the project. Councilors Tagtmeyer, Maxwell and Donnelly offered their comments along with Mayor Lesher’s comments, after which time there was a unanimous vote to proceed with the Community Center.
Motion: Jim Donnelly
Vote: 5/0, Motion carried
PUBLIC COMMENT
a. Keith Holeman - Fishing ponds & permits: This is actually a POA issue.
b. Dave Anderson – Thanked the Council for the hard work involved with the community center and for acting on the behalf of the residents.
c. Diane Dewing – No Port Southport: Question was asked if the Council was familiar with the “No Port Southport” committee. Mayor Lesher answered that “yes” they were but at this time it appears that it will be more beneficial to work through the local town and city government to address this issue.
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ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Bruce Maxwell moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:01 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
______
Josann Campanello, Town Clerk Shelley Lesher, Mayor