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The Farmville Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 4, 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, Jamin Dixon, David Shackleford 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 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.
Mayor Evans recognized Melba Edwards, who resides at 4068 South Main Street, who expressed her concern regarding her home being vandalized, requested the Police to patrol the south side of town, and asked if the Board could assist in getting the fingerprints back from the State earlier than one year.
Chief Greene stated that all fingerprints must be sent to the State lab in Raleigh and they are behind twelve months in their processing so it is out of the Town’s hands as far as expediting the process.
Town Manager Hodgkins had the following comments:
- Town Board Retreat was held on February 18th and 19th and was very informative.
- A workshop on the Comprehensive Master Recreation Plan is scheduled for March 5th from 6-8 pm in the courtroom to obtain information from the public on the master plan.
- Public Works is currently working on budgeted improvements to the Community Center. Improvements were planned to be completed during the second half of the budget year.
Finance Director Amy Johnson provided the financial report for the month of February, 2019.
Mayor Evans asked if there were any additional changes to the agenda.
Town Manager Hodgkins recommended the following changes to the agenda:
- Add Agenda item #8 – Adoption of an Ordinance to Temporary Close Main Street Between Horne Avenue and Church Street for the Dogwood Festival
Commissioner Elks made a motion to approve the above change to the evening’s agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
On motion by Commissioner Dixon, the Board approved the evening’s agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Special Presentations
1. Proclamation Declaring March 11-14 as “Girl Scout Week”- Mayor Evans
Mayor Evans presented the local girl scouts with a proclamation declaring March 11-15, 2019 as Girl Scout Week in Farmville.
Public Hearings
2. Rezone Property on West Wilson Street / NC 121 From Residential Agricultural-
20 (RA-20) to Solar Power Overlay District (SPOD)
Planning Director Justin Oakes stated that a public hearing is being conducted to obtain citizen input on a proposed rezoning request for Parcels 25231, 38322, 51256 and 51257 located off of West Wilson Street from Residential-Agricultural (RA-20) to Solar Power Overlay District. Oakes stated that the Planning Board recommended approval of this rezoning request.
Mayor Evans declared the public hearing to be open at 6:49 p.m.
There being no comments, Mayor Evans closed the public hearing at 6:50 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Elks, the Board approved the rezoning request from Strata Solar and adopted Ordinance (2019) 927, Ordinance Amending Chapter 157 Zoning. The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Consent
3. Approval of Minutes- February 4, 2019 (Regular Session)
To adopt the minutes from the February 4, 2019 regular session.
4. Report of Unpaid Taxes
To approve the 2018 Unpaid Taxes Report and to authorize the Advertisement of the 2018 Unpaid Tax Liens on Real Property.
On motion by Commissioner Hobbs,HHSSSS the Board approved/adopted the following:
- Adopted minutes from the February 4, 2019 regular session
- Approved the 2018 Unpaid Taxes Report and Authorized the Advertisement of the 2018 Unpaid Tax Liens on Real Property
The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Decision
5. 2018 CDBG-NR Funding
Mike Barnette, from McDavid Associates, stated that the Town’s previous application for $750,000 of CDBG-NR funds to the Rural Economic Development Division of the Department of Commerce for housing improvements and ADA bathrooms at the Arts Council Annex had been approved. He also stated that the Town’s local commitment for the program is $8,000. Barnette requested for the Board to accept the grant offer, budget the CDBG-NR funds, and authorize the Town Manager to procure and contract service contracts needed for the program.
Commissioner Hobbs made a motion to accept the grant offer by adopting Resolution (2019) 1443, Resolution by the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Farmville, 20189 CDBG-NR Program. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Shackleford made a motion to budget the CDBG-NR funds by adopting Resolution (2019) 1444, Grant Program Budget, 2018 CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Elks made a motion to approve the Town Manager to contract services by adopting Resolution (2019) 1445, Resolution by the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Farmville, 2018 CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization Program. The motion carried unanimously.
6. Update on H.B. Sugg Community Center Roof Project
Adrian Dixon, representative for the H. B. Sugg Community Center, provided the Board with an update regarding fundraising efforts to repair the roof at the center. He reported receiving donations from the following sources:
- Lowes donated all materials
- Private citizens / businesses
- Local church
- Benevolent Ministries
Dixon stated that they are still short $5,000 of their goal to repair the roof. He asked the Town Board for assistance.
Commissioner Dixon stated he would like to see a program such as the Façade grant program created or expanded to address this need for the H.B. Sugg Community Center as well as other businesses that would quality under the new program.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to authorize Town Manager Hodgkins to develop a grant program to fund infrastructure projects that are for gateway buildings and/or historic buildings, with a maximum Town contribution of 20% of project cost up to $5,000. The motion carried unanimously.
7. Consideration of Additional Funding for the Farmville Senior Council
Cathy Holmes requested additional funding of $2,000 to support van transportation services for seniors coming to and from the senior center for meals and activities.
Commissioner Shackleford made a motion to award the additional $2,000 requested for van transportation services for the seniors. The motion carried unanimously.
8. Adoption of an Ordinance to Temporary Close Main Street Between Horne
Avenue and Church Street for the Dogwood Festival
Town Manager Hodgkins requested adoption of an ordinance to temporarily close Main Street between Horne Avenue and Church Street during the dates of the Dogwood Festival.
Commissioner Elks made a motion to adopt Ordinance (2019) 928, An Ordinance to Temporarily Close Main Street Between Horne Avenue and Church Street. The motion carried unanimously.
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Citizen comments
Mayor Evans asked for citizen comments at this time.
Jay Johnson reported that the Music on Main concerts would be starting back up soon with the first show to be in late May. He said he would be back for Board approval later once he has met with Chief Greene and ironed out the details.
Adjournment
On motion by Commissioner Shackleford, the meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.