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The Farmville Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom with Mayor Robert Evans presiding. Present for the meeting were Commissioners Brenda Elks, Alma Hobbs, David Shackleford, Jamin Dixon 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 Tim Leggett, from the Spring of Living Waters Church, offered the invocation, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Old Business
1. Approval of Minutes
Mayor Evans requested approval of the following minutes:
- November 4, 2019 (regular session)
- November 4, 2019 (closed session)
On motion by Commissioner Hobbs, the Board approved the minutes from the November 4, 2019 regular and closed sessions. The motion carried unanimously.
Special Recognitions/Outgoing Elected Officials’ Remarks
Mayor Evans recognized his family for their twenty years of support and thanked the Town of Farmville citizens for their continued support over the past twenty years. Evans expressed that he leaves with mixed feelings. He stated the gavel is a symbol of order and he chooses to leave the gavel on the dais to signify unfinished business. Evans stated the new Board would do the citizens of Farmville proud.
Administer Oaths of Office
The Honorable Sara Beth Fulford Rhodes, Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court, administered the oaths of office to Commissioners Jamin Dixon, Brenda Elks and Bert Smith, and to Mayor John O. Moore.
Mayor Moore announced that he asked Robert Evans to co-host the December Town events with him.
Mayor Moore invited Senator Don Davis to come up and help present Robert Evans with a plaque for appreciation for twenty years of service as Mayor of the Town of Farmville.
Mayor Moore called a recess at 6:53 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:15 p.m.
Mayor Moore, Commissioners Dixon, Elks and Smith thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve the Town.
New Business
2. Election of Mayor Pro Tempore
Mayor Moore opened the floor for nominations for Mayor Pro Tempore.
Commissioner Shackleford made a motion to nominate Commissioner Bert Smith for Mayor Pro Tempore. The motion carried unanimously.
Special Presentation
3. Proclamation Recognizing the Vines Sisters
Mayor Moore presented a Proclamation Honoring the Vines Sisters on an Illustrious Career Spreading the Gospel through Music.
Citizen Presentations
Mayor Moore stated there were no citizen presentations.
Town Manager’s Comments
Town Manager Hodgkins had the following comments:
- Town Commons Beautification – The Garden Club along with Public Works employees will be planting pansies
- Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on December 6th beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the Taste of Farmville will be held on December 6th beginning at 6:30 p.m.
- Christmas Parade will be held on December 14th beginning at 10:30 a.m.
- May Museum Christmas Tea will be held on December 15th beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Major Jeffrey Spencer stated that the Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church is having a parade on December 12th at 6:00 p.m. in Farmville to celebrate their Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day. He stated there would be about 100 to 200 people but he did not see any issues and the Police Department will assist in traffic control.
Finance Director Amy Johnson provided the financial report for the month of November, 2019.
Mayor Moore asked if there were any changes to the agenda.
Town Manager stated he had no changes to the evening’s agenda.
Public Hearing
5. Structure for Demolition- 4315 West Pine Street (Pitt County Tax Parcel #01558)
Code Enforcement Director Paul Ellis requested permission for the property located at
4315 West Pine Street to be demolished.
Mayor Moore declared the public hearing open at 7:22 p.m.
There being no further comments, Commissioner Elks made a motion to close the hearing at 7:23 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Dixon, the Board approved the request to demolish the property located at 4315 West Pine Street by adopting Ordinance (2019) 944, 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.
Items for Decision
6. Re-Appointment of Tree and Community Appearance Commission Member – Tammy Matis
Town Manager Hodgkins requested adoption of a resolution to re-appoint Tammy Matis to the Tree and Community Appearance Commission.
Commissioner Hobbs made a motion to adopt Resolution (2019) 1473, Re-Appointing a Member to the Tree and Community Appearance Committee. The motion carried unanimously.
7. Report on Farmville Public Library Project- David Miller
Library Director David Miller provided a monthly update on the construction progress on the new Library and the temporary facility. He also reported on the current capital campaign status.
Carl Bonner, a consultant from Terracon, stated they had uncovered considerable amounts of debris in the borings of the ground where the old library previously stood. He further reported that after demolition, they dug six test pits and every test pit found brick debris and chunks of concrete, therefore explaining the apparent instability of the old library building structure. Bonner stated due to these findings, it was necessary to remove about four (4) feet of unsuitable soil from the entire building pad and replace with good soil in order to get a good solid foundation for construction of the new building.
8. Installation of “Blessing Box” by Farmville Women’s Club
A representative from the Farmville Women’s Club asked the Board for permission to erect a feeding box at the Farmville Community Center and stated they would be responsible for filling the box with non-perishable food.
Commissioner Elks made a motion to approve the installation of a “Blessing Box” with the assistance of the Public Works Department. The motion carried unanimously.
9. Resolution Amending Capital Project Ordinance – Wallace Street Storm Drain Improvements
Rich Moore, from McDavid Associates, presented a Resolution to Amend the Capital
Project Budget Ordinance for the Wallace Street Storm Drainage Improvements in order to bring the project in balance with final project costs.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to adopt Resolution (2019) 1474, Amending Capital Project Budget Ordinance, Golden Leaf Disaster Recovery Project, Wallace Street Storm Drainage Improvements, Contract No. 1 – Storm Drainage Improvements. The motion carried unanimously.
10. Board of Commissioners Annual Retreat
Town Manager Hodgkins asked the Board to establish a date and time for the upcoming annual retreat.
After a general discussion, Commissioner Elks made a motion to schedule the annual retreat for February 24, 2020 and February 25, 2020, in the Town Hall Courtroom. The motion carried unanimously.
Citizen Comments
Mayor Moore opened the floor for citizen comments.
There were no comments.
Commissioner Hobbs recognized Mayor Evans and thanked him for his service. She also welcomed new and old Commissioners and new Mayor Moore.
Commissioner Dixon stated he appreciated Mayor Evans’ service to the Town.
Commissioner Elks thanked Mayor Evans for the years she worked with him and stated she learned a lot. She also asked him to lead the Christmas Parade this year.
Commissioner Smith stated it is an honor and a pleasure to be here and will do his best to serve the community.
Mayor Moore welcomed any citizen who has questions, to call. He thanked Jay Johnson for helping make the Tree lighting ceremony live. Moore stated he would always do what he can to put Farmville on the map.
Adjournment
On motion by Commissioner Elks, the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.