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The Farmville Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom with Mayor John O. Moore presiding. Present for the meeting were Commissioners Brenda Elks, Alma Hobbs, David Shackleford and Bert Smith; Town Attorney Christopher Edwards; Town Manager David Hodgkins and Town Clerk Amy B. Johnson. Commissioner Jamin Dixon was absent.
Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Commissioner David Shackleford offered the invocation, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag lead by Commissioner Brenda Elks.
Citizen Presentations
Mayor Moore recognized Rita Endecott, a Farmville citizen.
Ms. Endecott asked the Board to consider amending the Town’s ordinances to allow chickens in town.
Mayor Moore recognized Kimberly Boyd, a Farmville citizen.
Mrs. Boyd expressed her concern over the Bonnie Blue flag being displayed in a public area in Town. She asked for the flag to be removed due to recent events in this country.
Rebecca Boyd, daughter of Kimberly Boyd, stated she worked for the Boys and Girls Club and would like the flag to be removed as well.
Town Manager Hodgkins had the following comments:
- Town is still documenting lost revenue from COVID-19.
- The Governor issued a new order that extends prohibition on disconnection of utility services for another 60 days.
- Town Hall renovation plans are still ongoing so the office remains closed, but we are hoping to open to the public soon.
- Pitt County has set aside $478,000 of the money they are receiving from the Cares Act that Congress enacted due to COVID-19 for municipal needs to be divided up among all cities/towns in the county. We are one of the five towns that have made a request for funds.
- Mayor Moore signed a Proclamation Declaring a State of Emergency, implementing a curfew on Monday, June 1, 2020 from 9:00 pm until 5:00 am. This was done as only a precaution and emphasized that the Town has not received any documented threats.
Major Jeffrey Spencer introduced Lynn Cartwright as a new Police Officer to join the Town of Farmville.
Mayor Moore read a thank you note from Kimberly Craft to the Police Department for her birthday parade.
Finance Director Amy Johnson provided the financial report for the month of May, 2020.
Mayor Moore asked if there were any additional changes to the agenda.
Town Manager Hodgkins asked for the following additions to the agenda:
- Approval of Updated Planning & Code Enforcement Fee Schedule
- Audit Contract For Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020
Commissioner Smith made motion to add the following to the evening’s agenda:
- Agenda item #4A- Approval of Updated Planning & Code Enforcement Fee Schedule
The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Elks made a motion to add the following to the evening’s agenda:
- Agenda item #4B- Audit Contract for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020
The motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing
1. FY 2020/2021 Budget Ordinance
Town Manager Hodgkins presented the FY 2020/2021 Budget Ordinance with the recommended changes that came out of the May budget workshop and requested approval. Hodgkins reminded the board the budget is very tight due to revenue uncertainty related the effects of COVID-19.
Mayor Moore declared the public hearing open at 6:51 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Moore closed the public hearing at 6:52 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Hobbs, the Board approved the changes made to the budget proposal per the Board’s request from the budget workshop. The motion carried unanimously.
On motion by Commissioner Hobbs, the Board adopted Ordinance (2020) 955, Budget Ordinance for FY 2020/2021. The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Consent
2. Approval of Minutes
To approve the minutes from the following session:
- May 4, 2020 Regular Session
- May 19, 2020 Budget Workshop Session
3. Adoption of Ordinance Amending FY 2019/2020 Budget – Dalton’s Cove Subdivision
To adopt an ordinance amending the FY 2019/2020 Budget Ordinance to appropriate Sewer Fund Balance to cover the project budget for the Town’s contribution to the Dalton’s Cove Subdivision sanitary sewer project.
4. Appointment of Library Board Member – Robert Hughes
To adopt a resolution appointing Robert Hughes to the Library Advisory Board.
4A.Approval of Updated Planning & Code Enforcement Fee Schedule
To approve the updated Planning & Code Enforcement Fee Schedule which changes the Zoning Compliance Application fees for Residential to $25 and Commercial to $50. This brings the fees in-line with the current rate charged by the County.
4B.Audit Contract for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020
To approve the contract for audit services with Barrow, Parris & Davenport for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.
On motion by Commissioner Elks,HHSSSS the Board approved/adopted the following:
- Approved the May 4, 2020 regular session minutes & the May 14, 2020 Budget Workshop session minutes
- Adopted Ordinance (2020) 956, An Ordinance Amending the FY 2019/2020 Budget Ordinance- Dalton’s Cove Subdivision
- Adopted Resolution (2020) 1491, Appointing a Member to the Farmville Library Advisory Board (Robert Hughes)
- Approved the updated Planning & Code Enforcement Fee Schedule
- Approved the contract with Barrow, Parris & Davenport for audit services for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020
The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Decision
5. Consideration of Amending Chapter 75: Parking Schedules of the Town of Farmville Code of Ordinances to Provide for Fifteen Minute Timed Parking in Portions of Bonnie’s Alley
Major Jeffrey Spencer stated that with Bonnie’s Alley now complete, new businesses opening and the influx of traffic and vehicles parking, he recommended a few timed parking spaces. Spencer said there are 13 parking spaces and he recommended for 5 of the 13 spaces to be 15-minute timed parking. He further stated these spaces would not be business specific and would be open to anyone who wants to park there for 15 minutes. Spencer stated that the business owners in the area were in favor of the timed parking spaces.
On motion by Commissioner Smith, the Board approved the implementation of timed parking in Bonnie’s Alley and adopted Ordinance (2020) 957, Ordinance Amending Chapter 75: Parking Schedules. The motion carried unanimously.
6. Approval of Option Agreement for Satterwhite Farms Property (Parcel #03260)
Planning Director Justin Oakes requested approval of the Option Agreement with the property owners of Parcel #03260 for the purpose of including the property in the ElectriCities Smart Sites (S2) Shovel Ready Program.
On motion by Commissioner Smith, the Board approved the Option Agreement with property owners, Anne B. Byrd and C. Bynum Satterwhite, of Parcel #03260 for the purpose of including the property in the ElectriCities Smart Sites (S2) Shovel Ready Program. The motion carried unanimously.
7. Adoption of the Neuse River Basin Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Director Justin Oakes requested adoption of the Neuse River Basin Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Commissioner Elks made a motion to adopt Resolution (2020) 1492, Resolution Adopting the Neuse River Basin Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The motion carried unanimously.
8. Consideration of Moving the Town’s Independence Day Celebration from Thursday, July 2 to Thursday, September 3 (Labor Day Weekend) to Comply with Executive Order 141 Which Prohibits Mass Gatherings of More Than 25 People Outdoors
Parks & Recreation Program Facilities Coordinator Isaiah Lubben stated that due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings still in effect, he recommended holding Farmville’s Independence Celebration on Thursday, September 3, 2020.
After a general discussion, Commissioner Elks made a motion to move Farmville’s Independence Celebration to Thursday, September 3, 2020. The motion carried unanimously.
9. Consideration of Adopting a Special Utility Customer Account Repayment Plan To Comply With Executive Order 124
Town Manager Hodgkins stated that for ease of administration and to be fair to all customers, the Town staff would like to place all delinquent accounts on the same structured repayment plan. Hodgkins further stated this would allow them to pay the current bill plus 1/6 of the past due balance each month for a six month period until they are caught up.
Commissioner Hobbs made a motion to approve the terms of the Special Delinquent Account Repayment Plan as required by Executive Order 124. The motion carried unanimously.
10. Consideration of an Appointment to the Greenville-ENC Alliance Board to represent Farmville
Town Manager Hodgkins stated that a representative from Farmville needed to be appointed to serve on the Greenville-ENC Alliance Board.
On motion by Commissioner Elks, the Board appointed Town Manager Hodgkins to serve as Farmville’s Representative to the Greenville-ENC Alliance Board. The motion carried unanimously.
Citizen Comments
Mayor Moore asked for citizen comments.
There were no comments.
Adjournment
On motion by Commissioner Smith, the meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.