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The Farmville Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, June 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, Jamin Dixon, David Shackleford and John Moore; Town Attorney Christopher Edwards; Town Manager David Hodgkins and Town Clerk Amy B. Johnson. Commissioner Hobbs joined the meeting by phone.
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 Ernestine Bass.
Mrs. Bass expressed her concern regarding trying to get information about the location of her 6 cemetery plots and lack of communication from the Town for several weeks. She asked someone from the Town to meet her at the cemetery to locate her six plots.
Mayor Evans recognized Judy Gidley.
Ms. Gidley thanked the Board for allowing the Music on Main event and stated she hopes it continues.
Mayor Evans recognized Katie Pobanz Grissom from Farmville Pizza.
Ms. Katie Pobanz Grissom from Farmville Pizza expressed her support for the Music on Main event.
Town Manager Hodgkins had the following comments:
- Independence Day celebration will be held on July 3rd at 5:30 p.m. and there will be a parade and other events on the Town Commons from 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
- Town is in storm response mode with debris cleanup continuing and the Town allowing no charge pickup now thru June 17th
Finance Director Amy Johnson provided the financial report for the month of May, 2019.
Closed Session
1. Closed Session- Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5)- Land Acquisition
On motion by Commissioner Elks, the Board adjourned into closed session at 6:43 p.m., pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5), to discuss possible acquisition of real property. The motion carried unanimously.
On motion by Commissioner Moore, the Board returned into regular session at7:03 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Evans asked if there were any additional changes to the agenda.
Commissioner Moore made a motion to add the following to the agenda under discussion items:
- Agenda item 7A- Land Acquisition for New Fire Station
The motion carried unanimously.
Town Manager Hodgkins recommended the following changes to the agenda:
- Add Agenda item #12- CDBG-NR plan and policy
- Add Agenda item #13- CDBG-I plan and policy
- Add Agenda item #14- CDBG-I Funding
Commissioner Shackleford made a motion to approve the above changes to the evening’s agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing
2. Financing Proposal for the Farmville Public Library Project and Authorization for the Filing of an Application for Approval of a Financing Agreement to the NC Local Government Commission
Town Manager Hodgkins requested adoption of a resolution authorizing the filing of the Town’s application with Local Government Commission for financing of the library project under NCGS 160A-20.
Mayor Evans declared the public hearing open at 7:11 p.m.
Todd Edwards encouraged the Board to make wise decisions and explore all options available.
There being no further comments, Mayor Evans closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m.
Commissioner Elks stated there were some misconceptions concerning information given about the number of juvenile card holders the Town library has. She read information received from the State Library Office that gave the accurate number of cardholders and clarified what these numbers meant. Elks stated David Miller was a great librarian and the Town was lucky to have him.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to adopt Resolution (2019) 1449, Authorizing the Filing of an Application for Approval of a Financing Agreement Authorized by North Carolina General Statute 106A-20. The motion carried unanimously.
3. FY 2019/2020 Annual Budget Ordinance
Town Manager Hodgkins presented the FY 2019/2020 Budget Ordinance with the recommended changes that came out of the May budget workshop and requested approval.
Mayor Evans declared the public hearing open at 7:30 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Evans closed the public hearing at 7:32 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Shackleford, 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 Dixon, the Board adopted Ordinance (2019) 930, Budget Ordinance for FY 2019/2020. The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Consent
4. Resolution for Reimbursement of Expenses Made by the Town Prior to the Issuance of the Borrowing From Proceeds of the Borrowing in Connection to the Farmville Public Library Project
To adopt a resolution authorizing reimbursement of expenditures in connection with the design and construction of the library project once financing is in place.
5. Approval of Minutes
To approve the minutes from the following sessions:
- April 25, 2019 Special Session
- May 6, 2019 Regular & Closed Sessions
- May 14, 2019 Budget Workshop Session & Closed Session
6. Approval of the Audit Contract for Year Ended June 30, 2019
To adopt the audit contact with Barrow, Parris & Davenport for audit services for fiscal year ending June 30, 2019.
7. Approval of Sponsorship for Farmville Central High School Academic Banquet
To approve the Town Board sponsoring the Farmville Central High School Academic Banquet by providing a $200 donation.
On motion by Commissioner Dixon,HHSSSS the Board approved/adopted the following:
- Adopted Resolution (2019) 1450, Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Farmville Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Itself from the Proceeds of a Tax Exempt Financing for Certain Expenditures Made and/or to be Made in Connection with Construction of a New Public Library
- Approved the minutes from the April 25th special session, the May 6th regular & closed sessions and the May 14th budget workshop session and closed session
- Approved the audit contract with Barrow, Parris & Davenport for fiscal year ending June 30, 2019
- Approved the sponsorship of the FCHS Academic Banquet with a $200 donation
The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Decision
7A.Land Acquisition for New Fire Station
Town Manager Hodgkins presented a contract to purchase land for the new fire station. He explained that a deal for a land swap and acquisition of land has been worked out. Hodgkins said the Town would acquire 2.3 acres of land, which includes the Reds TV site and a couple of acres behind it. He said the land acquisition would be from Frank Styers and Palco Investments. He explained that Palco Investments would receive the existing fire department property plus pay the Town a cash settlement of $75,000 which represented the difference in the value of the properties to be exchanged. The Town would then lease back the fire department property for 3 years for $25,000/year until a new station could be designed and constructed.
Commissioner Moore made a motion that the Town approve the land exchange contract with Palco Investments and Frank Styers. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Moore briefed the audience that this idea originated between Phil Lewis and himself. Moore explained the timeline of events and negotiations, and thanked everyone for their help.
8. Discussion of Next Music on Main Event
Jay Johnson stated they had another successful Music on Main event and they have scheduled the next event for Tuesday, August 13, 2019 with Steve Owens and Summertime Band to perform. Johnson further stated this would also be a back to school supply drive.
9. Consideration of an Agreement with May-Lew, Inc. to Lease the Building and Other Improvements Located at 3466 North Walnut Street and the Lot Immediately Adjacent Thereto on West Wilson Street (Pitt County Tax Parcels 00252 and 19356) for a Temporary Location of the Farmville Public Library
Town Manager Hodgkins requested approval of a lease agreement for use of the former depot building as a temporary library facility.
Commissioner Elks made a motion to approve the lease agreement under the conditions on the lease. The motion carried unanimously.
10.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 requested approval of a permanent easement to Piedmont Natural Gas Company from the Town on property adjacent to the existing substation to upgrade their facility. Oakes explained this easement is a portion of the former American Elements brownfield site and totals slightly more than 11,000 square feet in size. He also explained Piedmont is offering to pay the Town $2,800 for the easement.
After a general discussion, Commissioner Elks made a motion to table the discussion until more information can be obtained and have the agenda item presented on the June 24, 2019 meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
11.Consideration of an Agreement with Allen Family Holdings, LLC, Allen Family Farms, LLC, and Marion Allen Stowe to Lease Lands North of Oliver Murphrey Park for Proposed Recreational Use
Town Manager Hodgkins presented a proposed lease agreement to acquire land for public recreational use. He stated the Town would like to develop this area on NC 121 north of Town and make it for recreational use. He added some ideas for development included nature trails, disc golf and scenic overlooks. Hodgkins stated the Town would lease the property (approx. 100 acres) for $4,000 per year for the first 5 years and $6,000 per year for the next 5 years, with an option to purchase the land outright for $150,000.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to approve the lease agreement for the approximately 100 acres of land. The motion carried unanimously.
12. CDBG-NR Plans & Policies
Rich Moore, from McDavid Associates, requested approval of the plans and policies- required by HUD for the CDBG-Neighborhood Revitalization grant program.
On motion by Commissioner Dixon, the Board approved the program plan and policies for the CDBG-NR grant program. The motion carried unanimously.
13.CDBG-I Plans & Policies
Rich Moore, from McDavid Associates, requested approval of the plans and policies- required by HUD for the CDBG-Infrastructure grant program.
On motion by Commissioner Dixon, the Board approved the program plan and policies for the CDBG-Infrastructure grant program. The motion carried unanimously.
14.CDBG-I Funding
Rich Moore, from McDavid Associates, requested approval and acceptance of CDBG-I grant funding. He stated the funding for this grant would be for sewer replacement in the Basin 5 area of Farmville.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to accept the grant offer and to adopt Resolution (2019) 1451, Resolution by the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Farmville, 2018 CDBG-Infrastructure Program. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to approve the budget for the program by adopting the Resolution (2019) 1452, Grant Program Budget, 2018 CDBG Infrastructure Program. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to procure and contract service contracts needed for the program by adopting Resolution (2019) 1453, Resolution by the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Farmville, 2018 CDBG Infrastructure Program. The motion carried unanimously.
Citizen comments
Mayor Evans asked for citizen comments at this time.
Commissioner Elks commented that this week had been a busy week for the Town with a shooting, animal cruelty case and a wind storm with many trees down and power lost. She thanked all the Town employees for an amazing job.
Commissioner Elks also thanked Commissioner Moore for working out this deal for the new fire station.
Closed Session
Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6)- Personnel
On motion by Commissioner Dixon, the Board adjourned into closed session at 8:27 p.m. pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6) to discuss matters relating to personnel. The motion carried unanimously.
On motion by Commissioner Moore, the Board returned into regular session at 9:18 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
On motion by Commissioner Elks, the meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.