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The Farmville Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, January 6, 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.
Reverend Cedric Frisbee from the Saint John Freewill Baptist Church in Farmville offered the invocation, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag lead by Eagle Scout Colt Jordan.
Special Presentation
Mayor Moore recognized Senator Don Davis.
Senator Don Davis recognized former Mayor Robert Evans. He stated Evans has set the bar high by his service to the community, by having put his heart and soul in everything he did. Davis coined Evans as “Mr. Farmville” for his legacy in this community.
Senator Davis, along with Mayor John Moore, former NC Representative Edith Warren, and Representative Kandie Smith, presented the “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” to former Mayor Robert L. Evans for his extraordinary service to the Town of Farmville. Edith Warren presented Evans with the official pin.
Evans thanked all the citizens of Farmville and his family for all the years of support.
Citizen Presentations
Mayor Moore recognized AC Salaam, a Farmville citizen.
Ms. AC Salaam recognized Delores Artis Cowan, who is 82 years old today, is an HB Sugg School Alumni and is the Valedictorian of the Class of 1956.
Ms. AC Salaam stated she appreciated the videoing of the monthly Board meetings so the “shut-ins” can see them. She expressed the desire for the Town to video all Town public meetings, including the many committee meetings.
Town Manager Hodgkins had the following comments:
- Pitt County Soil and Water Conservation Service leading a project to clear debris out of our waterways, which will make the water flow better and minimize flooding. They have been working their way upstream and it has taken some time to get to Farmville due to large amounts of debris. They are current working off of Highway 121 north near the bridge. PJ Andrews, from Pitt County Soil and Water Conservation will be making a presentation to the Board of Commissioners in February.
Finance Director Amy Johnson provided the financial report for the month of December, 2019.
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 Hobbs, the Board approved the evening’s agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Proclamation- Mayor Moore
1. Human Trafficking and Awareness Month
Mayor Moore presented Melinda Sampson, from the Pitt County Coalition Against Human Trafficking, with a proclamation declaring January, 2020 as Human Trafficking and Prevention Awareness Month in Farmville.
Public Hearings
2. Zoning Text Amendment to Add Accounting/Tax Preparation as a Special Use in the R-5 Zoning District
Planning Director Justin Oakes presented a proposed ordinance amendment to Chapter 157 of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Farmville. Oakes stated this amendment would add Accounting/Tax Preparation Offices as a Special Exception in the R-5 Zoning District, only if the structure can’t be used for residential purposes.
Mayor Moore declared the public hearing open at 6:57 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Moore closed the public hearing at 6:58 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Elks, the Board adopted Ordinance (2020) 945, Ordinance Amending Chapter 157 Zoning Ordinance, of the Town of Farmville. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Code of Ordinances Amendment to Reduce the Number of Planning Board/Board of Adjustment Members
Planning Director Oakes presented a proposed ordinance amendment to Chapter 31 of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Farmville. Oakes stated this amendment would reduce the number of Planning Board members from 9 to 7, with amendments to the maximum and minimum number of In-Town and ETJ Seats allowed on the Board at any one time.
Mayor Moore declared the public hearing open at 7:00 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Moore closed the public hearing at 7:01 p.m.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to adopt Ordinance (2020) 946, Ordinance Amending Chapter 31, Planning Board of the Town of Farmville. The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Consent
4. Approval of Minutes
To approve the minutes from the following session:
- December 3, 2019 Regular Session
5. Appointment of Fire Chief for 2020
To approve the appointment of Tommy Brady as Fire Chief for another one-year term.
6. Appointment of Commissioner Alma Hobbs as the Board of Commissioners Liaison to the Library Advisory Board
To appoint Alma Hobbs as the Board of Commissioners Liaison to the Library Advisory Board.
On motion by Commissioner Elks,HHSSSS the Board approved/adopted the following:
- Approved the December 3, 2019 regular session minutes
- Approved the appointment of Tommy Brady as Fire Chief for another one-year term
- Appointed Alma Hobbs as the Board of Commissioners Liaison to the Library Advisory Board
The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Decision
7. Report on Farmville Public Library Project
Library Director David Miller provided the Board with an update on the construction progress of the new Library. He stated construction activities during December 2019 included the completion of the elevator’s foundation, completion of the masonry foundation, completion of the column/ribbon footers, completion of the under slab plumbing, and 50% completion of the stairwell/elevator masonry shaft.
Miller continued his update by stating plans to relocate to the temporary facility at the old depot should be happening in early January 2020. Miller stated that once they are moved into the former depot building, the Library will operate there until the new facility is completed, which is estimated to be 2021.
8. Request from Farmville Senior Council for Additional Funding
Cathy Holmes, a representative from the Farmville Senior Council, asked the Town Board for an additional contribution of $2,000 due to wanting to continue to help elderly residents with unmet transportation needs. She stated that the Council has been successful with a few fundraisers, but are still falling short of the budget needs for the year.
Commissioner Hobbs made a motion to give the Farmville Senior Council an additional contribution of $2,000. The motion carried unanimously.
9. Change Order #4 – Bonnie’s Alley Project
Rich Moore, from McDavid Associates, presented Change Order #4 due to requests from two local businesses. Moore explained that Doug Henry has requested his deteriorating asphalt be replaced with concrete. He stated the cost is $6,600 and Doug agreed to pay for this cost. Moore further explained that McDavid and Associates has requested installation of new valley gutter within the middle of the existing parking lot to improve drainage and for resurfacing of the lot. He stated that the cost is $40,000 and McDavid agreed to pay for this cost. Moore explained this change order only makes this work a part of the project but both businesses are covering the cost in full.
Commissioner Elks made a motion to approve Change Order #4 and adopted Resolution (2020) 1475, Amending Capital Project Budget Ordinance Approving Change Order No. 4 for Contract No. 1 Water and Sanitary Sewer Improvements, Bonnie’s Alley. The motion carried unanimously.
10. Report on Fire Department Headquarters Project
Town Manager Hodgkins reported the Town has received responses from six architectural firms that are interested in providing planning and design services for the new fire station. He recommended forming an interview committee and for it to be comprised of the Town Manager David Hodgkins, Fire Chief Tommy Brady, Commissioner Bert Smith, Assistant Chief Buzzy Wells, Rural Board Representative Tommy Brady, Sr., and Charles Tripp from NC Emergency Management. Hodgkins stated the committee would evaluate the proposals and invite firms to make presentations outlining their qualifications and design philosophy to meet the needs of the Town.
Commissioner Shackleford made a motion to approve the interview committee and the architectural firm selection process discussed. The motion carried unanimously.
11. Consideration of Draft Agenda for Annual Board of Commissioners Planning Retreat
Town Manager Hodgkins presented a draft agenda for the upcoming Board of Commissioners Retreat. He asked for any needed changes or additions.
Mayor Moore asked Town Manager Hodgkins to invite Connie Corey to the retreat so she can provide the Town with a residential market update.
Citizen Comments
Mayor Moore asked for citizen comments.
There were no comments.
Adjournment
On motion by Commissioner Shackleford, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.