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The Farmville Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 3, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom with Mayor John O. Moore presiding. Present for the meeting were Commissioners Jamin Dixon, Brenda Elks, Alma Hobbs, David Shackleford and Bert Smith; Town Attorney Christopher Edwards; Town Manager David Hodgkins and Town Clerk Amy B. Johnson.
Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Rick Bailey from the First Baptist Church in Farmville offered the invocation, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag lead by Parker Church, who is working on his Eagle Scout.
Citizen Presentations
Mayor Moore recognized Bobby Joyner, a Farmville citizen.
Mr. Joyner stated the HB Sugg Charitable Organization was honoring Black history month on February 20-22, 2020. He invited everyone to come out on Thursday, February 20th for “untold stories” in Farmville’s history. Mr. Joyner stated one of his classmate’s would be present to talk about his invention of an item that all households use today. Mr. Joyner also mentioned the Friday night street dance featuring Motown music. Mr. Joyner also stated he started a mentoring program and has already helped 2 people get jobs at Mestek. He asked if anyone knew of any available jobs to please let him know so he can continue to mentor and help these people.
Mayor Moore recognized AC Saleem, a Farmville citizen.
Ms. Saleem spoke of some moments that stood out to her in honor of Black history month and spoke of displacement.
Mayor Moore recognized Jay Morris, a Farmville citizen.
Mr. Morris expressed his apologies to Town Manager Hodgkins for a recent Facebook comment regarding the placement of the future fire station. He explained that he chose his house for the golf course practice green being behind the house and stated how he and his son enjoy it. Mr. Morris expressed his displeasure with the new fire station being located right in his backyard and how he wished there was another place for it to located, and how he wished someone had spoken to him about it.
Commissioner Elks explained the process of the new fire station placement decision and how the Board tried so hard to make another piece of land work. She expressed how upset it made her to know he was upset. Elks said she had spoken to Mr. Morris’s wife and thought everything was okay. She further explained how the fire siren would remain where it is and will not be place on the new fire station building so the sound will not be so loud at his house.
Mr. Morris stated his understanding was the Fire Department had no choice but to accept the location because they were worried if they did not, they would not get to build a new station.
Commissioner Moore explained the Fire department had to move and for every Board of Commissioners closed session meeting, the Fire Chief Tommy Brady, John Baker and Buzzy Wells were also in attendance to provide their input. Moore further explained the Fire Department made this decision to move forward with the current location. Commissioner Moore stated the fire siren would not be re-located and the fire trucks will not turn their sound on coming out of the station out of respect for the residents nearby.
Morris expressed his concern over the estimated cost of the new fire station. He also asked why the Town sold the fire station and is paying rent when they could have waited until the building is built and then sell the old station.
Town Manager Hodgkins stated that no architect has been hired yet, and there has been no cost even discussed regarding the project. He also stated that the fire station has not been sold yet and the Town is not paying rent yet either.
Town Manager Hodgkins had the following comments:
- FY 2020/2021 Budget Calendar has been given in your packet for your information
- Library Director David Miller was unable to attend the meeting this evening, but has given a written report to update the Board of the Library project.
- The Town has participated the past couple of years in the Downeast Outdoor Sculpture Program. They are set to bring another sculpture later this month to change out the existing one.
Finance Director Amy Johnson provided the financial report for the month of January, 2020.
Mayor Moore asked if there were any additional changes to the agenda.
Town Manager stated there are no changes to the evening’s agenda.
On motion by Commissioner Elks, the Board approved the evening’s agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearings
1. Structure for Demolition- 3714 Cameron Street (Parcel #05805)
Code Enforcement Director Paul Ellis presented a request to demolish the structure located on 3714 Cameron Street, parcel #05805.
Mayor Moore declared the public hearing open at 7:06 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Moore closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Dixon, the Board adopted Ordinance (2020) 947, 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. Amend the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Boundary to Include All of Parcel #03260 Located on Stantonsburg Road
Planning Director Justin Oakes presented a proposed request to amend the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction Boundary to include all of Parcel 03260, located on Stantonsburg Road, as well as assign the zoning classification of Light Industrial (LID) to this property.
Mayor Moore declared the public hearing open at 7:09 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Moore closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to amend the Extra- Territorial Jurisdiction Boundary to include all of Parcel 03260. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to assign the zoning classification of Light Industrial (LID) to Parcel 03260. The motion carried unanimously.
With both motions, the Board adopted Ordinance (2020) 948, Ordinance Amending Chapter 157 Zoning, the Official Zoning Map and Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction of the Town of Farmville.
Items for Consent
3. Approval of Minutes
To approve the minutes from the following session:
- January 6, 2020 Regular Session
4. Adoption of Ordinance Amending FY 2019-2020 Budget- Fire Department
To adopt an ordinance amending the FY 2019-2020 Budget to place grant funds received, from the NC Department of Insurance for a State Fire Grant, into the Fire-Capital Outlay-Equipment expense account to offset grant-approved expenditures made.
On motion by Commissioner Elks,HHSSSS the Board approved/adopted the following:
- Approved the January 6, 2020 regular session minutes
- Adopted Ordinance (2020) 949, An Ordinance Amending the FY 2019-2020 Budget Ordinance. The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Decision
5. Presentation of Audit Report for FY 2018/2019
Jay Parris, from Barrow, Parris and Davenport, presented the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019.
The Board approved the audit report.
6. Presentation on Pitt County Creek and Waterway Debris Removal Project- P.J. Andrews, Pitt County Soil and Water Conservation
P.J. Andrews, a representative from Pitt County Soil and Water Conservation, made a presentation to the Board on the Contentnea Creek Cleak0Up Project. Andrews explained Pitt County received a grant in 2018, to remove debris along the full length of Contentnea Creek, beginning at the Neuse Rive and ending in the Farmville area (later expanded into the Middle Swamp area). He stated the project’s purpose was to alleviate flooding in the area and after over a year of work, the project is almost finished.
7. Resolution Recognizing Pitt County Planning Department as Reviewing Agency for Zoning Compliance for Cell Tower on Pitt County Tax Parcel 03260, Located Within the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction of the Town of Farmville
Planning Director Justin Oakes requested adoption of a resolution recognizing the Pitt County Planning Department as the reviewing agency for Zoning Compliance and Farmville Planning and Inspections Department as the reviewing agency for Building and Site Plan Review and Inspections for a proposed Cell Tower on Pitt County Tax Parcel 03260, located within the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of the Town of Farmville.
Oakes stated the USCOC of Greater North Carolina, LLC submitted an application to Pitt County for a Zoning Permit for a Cell Tower, to be placed on Parcel 03260, prior to the property being brought into Farmville’s ETJ. Oakes further stated the Pitt County Planning Department and the Town of Farmville Planning Department have agreed that Pitt County will retain jurisdiction for zoning as to the application submitted by USCOC and Pitt County will be responsible for the Zoning Application Review, and the Town of Farmville will be responsible for the Building and Site Plan Review and Inspections, and any subsequent zoning enforcement for the proposed Cell Tower.
On motion by Commissioner Dixon, the Board endorsed Resolution (2020) 1476, Resolution Recognizing Pitt County Planning Department as Reviewing Agency for Zoning Compliance for Cell Tower on Pitt County Tax Parcel 03260, Located Within the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction of the Town of Farmville. The motion carried unanimously.
8. Consideration of Final Agenda for Annual Board of Commissioners Planning Retreat
Town Manager Hodgkins presented the final agenda for the Annual Board of Commissioners Retreat in February. He asked for approval.
On motion by Commissioner Hobbs, the Board approved the final agenda for the Annual Board of Commissioners Planning Retreat. The motion carried unanimously.
Citizen Comments
Mayor Moore asked for citizen comments.
There were no comments.
Adjournment
On motion by Commissioner Elks, the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.