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The Farmville Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 5, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom with Mayor Robert Evans presiding. Present for the meeting were Commissioners Brenda Elks, Jamin Dixon, Alma Hobbs, David Shackleford and John Moore; Town Attorney Christopher Edwards; Town Manager David Hodgkins and Town Clerk Amy B. Johnson.
Mayor Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Pastor Lester Gay, from the Community Fellowship Ministries Church in Farmville, offered the invocation, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Citizen Presentations
Mayor Evans recognized Tyler Cash, a Farmville Boy Scout. Mayor Evans stated that Tyler is working on his communication and citizenship in the community badges.
Mayor Evans recognized John Spruill, who resides at 3609 South George Street in Farmville.
Mr. Spruill expressed his concern over wanting the Town Board to make improvements on the south side of Town in regards to businesses and beautification.
Mayor Evans introduced Bobby Joyner, a Farmville citizen.
Mr. Joyner invited the Board to attend the “Hands Across the Tracks” event to be held on August 31st at the Farmville Arts Center.
Commissioner Alma Hobbs stated that she attended the Salvation and Praise Church and accepted an award for the Town from the Early Rise Prayer Ministry. Hobbs presented Mayor Evans with the recognition award for the Town being responsive to citizen needs.
Town Manager Hodgkins had the following comments:
- Tuesday, August 6th is National Night Out which will be held at 6:00 pm on the lot at the corner of Walnut Street and Belcher Street
- Monday, August 13th will be the combined Music on Main and Market on Main event starting at 4:00 pm with vendors and music from Steve Owens and the Summertime Band
- Economic Development efforts are ongoing involving most all of the towns in Pitt County and City of Greenville participating with attention focused on job creation and business retention
- Splash pad discussion is taking place and issues are being worked out and the hope is to have it in place for next season
Major Jeffrey Spencer introduced Katie Tetterton, the Town’s new Animal Control Officer.
Major Spencer updated the Board on the animal shelter project by stating Mark Cannon’s son is going to fix up the shelter as a part of his Eagle Scout project.
Finance Director Amy Johnson provided the financial report for the month of July, 2019.
Mayor Evans asked if there were any additional changes to the agenda.
Commissioner Hobbs made a motion for the following changes to the agenda:
- Remove Agenda item #8 – Resolution Authorizing Sale of Surplus Real Property – 204 Cameron Street
- Remove Agenda item #9 – Resolution Authorizing Sale of Surplus Real Property – South George Street
- Remove Agenda item #10 – Resolution Authorizing Sale of Surplus Real Property – 3632 Williams Street
The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Evans asked for a motion to approve the evening‘s agenda.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to approve the evening’s agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing
1. Structure for Demolition – 3886 Brooks Drive (Pitt County Tax Parcel #24490)
Code Enforcement Officer Paul Ellis requested approval for the structure located at 3886 Brooks Drive to be demolished. Ellis stated if approved, the owner will have ninety days to remove the structure or bring it up to minimum housing standards or it will be demolished.
Mayor Evans declared the public hearing open at 6:52 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Evans closed the public hearing at 6:53 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Moore, the Board approved the request and adopted Ordinance (2019) 935, An Ordinance Directing the Building Official to Demolish the Property Herein Described as being Dangerous and Unsafe and Directing that a Notice be Placed Thereon, and that the Same May Not Be Occupied Until Demolished. The motion carried unanimously.
2. To Rezone Property Located at 4475 Wallace Street (Pitt County Tax Parcel #78578 from Industrial District (ID) to Office & Institutional (O&I)
Planning Director Justin Oakes presented a proposed rezoning request for Parcel 78578, located on Wallace Street. Oakes stated the Planning Board has approved this request.
Mayor Evans declared the public hearing open at 6:57 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Evans closed the public hearing at 6:58 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Shackleford, the Board approved the rezoning request and adopted Ordinance (2019) 936, Ordinance Amending Chapter 157 Zoning, the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Farmville. The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Consent
3. Approval of Minutes
To approve the minutes from the following session:
- June 24, 2019 Regular Session
4. Reschedule Regular September Board of Commissioners Meeting to September 3 Due to Labor Day Holiday
To reschedule the September Board meeting to Tuesday, September 3, 2019 due to the Labor Day holiday.
On motion by Commissioner Elks,HHSSSS the Board approved/adopted the following:
- Approved the June 24, 2019 minutes
- Approved to reschedule the September Board meeting to Tuesday, September 3, 2019
The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Decision
5. Consideration of Granting an Easement to Piedmont Natural Gas Company to Establish a Substation on Wallace Street Near Its Intersection With Fields Street
Planning Director Justin Oakes stated `that Piedmont Natural Gas Company maintains a substation on Wallace Street near the intersection with South Fields Street. Due to anticipated growth, Oakes said Piedmont is requesting to acquire a permanent easement from the Town of Farmville on property adjacent to the existing substation to upgrade its facility. He stated the amount to be paid to the Town for compensation would be $12,500.
Commissioner Elks made a motion to approve granting the easement to Piedmont Natural Gas Company and to accept the $12,500 payment for compensation. The motion carried unanimously.
6. Presentation By Allison Setzer, Sugg Bundy Principal, Jeremiah Miller, Farmville Middle School Principal, and Brad Johnston, Farmville Central High School Principal
Allison Setzer introduced Jeremiah Miller as the new Farmville Middle School Principal.
Mrs. Setzer asked the Board for their continued support for the Farmville Schools Kick Off Cook Out.
Commissioner Moore made a motion for the Board to continue to support the Farmville Schools Kick Off Cook Out and to raise the contribution from the Town from $400 to $500. The motion carried unanimously.
Mrs. Setzer thanked the Board. She also asked for their support and patience as parents and school employees adjust to the recent and still ongoing construction to make their schools as safe as possible for their students.
7. Award Contract for Construction of Basin 5 Sanitary Sewer Improvements in South Farmville Create Corresponding Capital Project Ordinance
Rich Moore, from McDavid Associates, stated that bids for construction were received on July 16, 2019 and the low bidder was Ralph Hodge Construction. Moore requested for the Board to award the construction contract to the low bidder and to adopt a resolution amending the capital project budget ordinance.
Commissioner Moore made a motion to adopt Resolution (2019) 1468, Awarding Construction Contract and Amending Capital Project Budget Ordinance, Basin 5 Sanitary Sewer Improvements, State Wastewater Reserve Project E-SRP-W-17-0108. The motion carried unanimously.
8. Resolution Authorizing Sale of Surplus Real Property- 204 Cameron Street (Vacant)
Tabled.
9. Resolution Authorizing Sale of Surplus Real Property- South George Street (Vacant)
Tabled.
10. Resolution Authorizing Sale of Surplus Real Property- 3632 Williams Street (Vacant)
Tabled.
11. Farmville Community Center Rentals
Town Manager Hodgkins presented a rental fee change for the Community Center Use Policy. He stated that the existing policy allows you to pay a rental fee by the number of rooms to be used and whether the kitchen is to be used. Hodgkins proposed a flat rental fee of $150 for residents and $250 for non-residents and keeping the $100 deposit in place. He said that would eliminate the current issues with individuals using rooms that are not paid for.
On motion by Commissioner Hobbs, the Board approved the amendment to the Community Center Use Policy. The motion carried unanimously.