Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:50:55 — 101.6MB)
Town of Farmville
Board of Commissioners
November 6, 2017
The Farmville Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom with Mayor Robert L. Evans presiding. Present for the meeting were Commissioners Brenda Elks, Jamin Dixon, John Moore, David Shackleford and Hunter Walters; 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.
Sheryl Patterson, a retired Baptist Minister and Farmville citizen, offered the invocation followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Citizen Presentations
Mayor Evans stated there were no citizen presentations this evening.
Colleen Starling, a Farmville citizen, stated she would be opening a new bakery business in downtown Farmville.
Mayor Evans recognized Commissioner John Moore for his 45 years in the entertainment business and for continuing to choose Farmville as his home.
Town Manager Comments
Town Manager Hodgkins made the following comments:
- The Town has received reimbursement totaling $143,555 from FEMA for damage the Town sustained during Hurricane Matthew.
- Tree Lighting Ceremony and Taste of Farmville will be held on December 1st at 6:00 p.m.
- Christmas Parade with be held on December 9th at 10:30 a.m.
- The May Museum’s Christmas Tea will be held on December 10 beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Commissioner Moore mentioned the Arts Council is holding a concert on December 12th featuring the Tim Sutton Trio.
Finance Director Amy Johnson provided the financial report for the month of September, 2017.
Town Manager Hodgkins requested the following changes to the evening’s agenda:
- Agenda item #15- Public Art Proposal- Outdoor Sculptures
- Agenda item #16- Resignation by Commissioner Hunter Walters
Commissioner Shackleford made a motion to add the above item to the evening’s agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Special Presentation
- Presentation of Service Weapon to Retired Police Sergeant Dale Williams
Commissioner David Shackleford presented the service sidearm to retired Police Sergeant Dale Williams in recognition for his 25 years of service to the Farmville Police Department. Chief Donnie Greene also presented Williams with a shadow box of all his award ribbons and uniform brass.
Public Hearings
- Structure for Demolition- 3648 Cameron Street
Code Enforcement Director Paul Ellis requested permission to demolish a property located at 3648 Cameron Street, parcel #23151.
Mayor Evans opened the public hearing at 6:47 p.m.
Mr. John Spruill, a Farmville citizen, stated he believes the owner has passed away but wanted to know if they can get in touch with the nephews that possibly own the property.
There being no further comments, Mayor Evans closed the public hearing at 6:53 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Walters, the Board adopted Ordinance (2017) 898, 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; with understanding if family wants to pursue bringing it up to code, it will be honored. The motion carried unanimously.
- Rezone Property on West Wilson Street From Industrial District to Residential-5 (R-5) District
Town Manager Hodgkins stated the public hearing was to receive citizen input on a proposal to rezone parcel 15161 located on the north side of West Wilson Street between May Street and Fields Street, from Industrial District to Residential-5 (R-5) District. Hodgkins stated the Planning Board voted to recommend that the property be rezoned as requested.
Mayor Evans opened the public hearing at 6:55 p.m.
There being no further comments, Mayor Evans closed the public hearing at 6:56 p.m.
On motion by Commissioner Dixon, the Board tabled the rezoning request until the January Board meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Consent
- Approval of Minutes
To approve the minutes from the following meetings:
- October 2, 2017 regular session
- Adoption of Ordinance Amending FY 2017/2018 Budget- Library LSTA Grant
To adopt an ordinance to adjust the revenue and expenditure accounts for the receipt of funds for the Library LSTA grant and the receipt of matching funds from the Friends of the Library.
- Adoption of Ordinance Amending FY 2017/2018 Budget-
To adopt an ordinance to transfer funds from Powell Bill Fund Balance into the Powell Bill Capital Outlay- Street Resurfacing expenditure account to cover the cost of the recent street paving project.
- Re-Appointment of Tree and Appearance Committee Member – Clara Flanagan
To adopt a resolution re-appointing Clara Flanagan to the Tree and Appearance Committee
- Re-Appointment of Tree and Appearance Committee Member – Larry King
To adopt a resolution re-appointing Larry King to the Tree and Appearance Committee
- Re-Appointment of Tree and Appearance Committee Member – LaRue King
To adopt a resolution re-appointing LaRue King to the Tree and Appearance Committee
- Consider Moving the Regular December Board of Commissioners Meeting from December 4 to December 5 due to Fire Department Christmas Party
To reschedule Board of Commissioner’s December meeting to December 5, 2017
- Consider Moving the Regular January Board of Commissioners Meeting from January 1 to January 2 due to the New Year’s Day Holiday
To reschedule Board of Commissioner’s January meeting to January 2, 2018
On motion by Commissioner Moore,HHSSSS the Board approved/adopted the following:
- Approved the minutes from the October 2nd regular session
- Adopted Ordinance (2017) 899, An Ordinance Amending the FY 2017-2018 Budget Ordinance
- Adopted Ordinance (2017) 900, An Ordinance Amending the FY 2017-2018 Budget Ordinance
- Adopted Resolution (2017) 1371, Resolution Re-Appointing Member to the Tree and Appearance Commission- Clara Flanagan
- Adopted Resolution (2017) 1372, Resolution Re-Appointing Member to the Tree and Appearance Commission- Larry King
- Adopted Resolution (2017) 1373, Resolution Re-Appointing Member to the Tree and Appearance Commission- LaRue King
- Approved December 5, 2017 as the new Board of Commissioner’s December meeting date
- Approved January 2, 2018 as the new Board of Commissioner’s January meeting date
The motion carried unanimously.
Items for Decision
- Report on Mountains to the Coast Bicycle Ride in Farmville – Steven Hardy-Braz
Steven Hardy-Braz thanked everyone who helped make the event a success. He thanked the town for all its support. He also provided a detailed report of how the event turned out.
Mayor presented a plaque to Hardy-Braz to thank him for his efforts to make this event a success for Farmville.
- Consider Award of Construction Contract – Water Line Relocation 264 Alternate
Rich Moore, from McDavid Associates, requested approval of a resolution to establish a capital project budget and to award construction contract to Herring-Rivenbark, Inc.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to adopt Resolution (2017) 1374, Resolution Establishing Capital Project Budget Ordinance and Awarding Construction Contracts, Culvert Crossing Near Wesley Church Road Intersection, Contract No. 1 – Water Line Relocation. The motion carried unanimously.
- Discussion on Amending the Farmville Code of Ordinances Regarding the Location and Capacity of Columbaria in Town Cemeteries
Public Works Director Wes Thomas presented a request from Harold Flanagan to permit an unlimited number of containers, cylinders, or cremation urns in each columbarium. Thomas stated this conflicts with the current policy which only allow for two cremation urns per cemetery plot, and would adversely affect the amount of revenue collected per opening by the Town.
Commissioner Moore made a motion to instruct the Town Manager to research a new ordinance in an effort to change the current Ordinance #9146 and #9141, and to have the item ready for discussion at the January 2, 2018 meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
- Public Art Proposal- Outdoor Sculptures
Town Manager Hodgkins stated that the Pitt County Arts Council participates in the Down East National Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, which promotes the display of sculptures throughout Pitt County. He stated that the Arts Council approached the Town of Farmville to determine the level of interest the Town may have in participating in the coming year. Hodgkins further stated that a local family has agreed to provide all the funding for the initial pedestal ($1,200) but the Town would have to come up with the annual fee.
Commissioner Dixon made a motion to accept the gift and to allocate $1250 for the annual fee for the first year, and to explore doing something different in the future. The motion carried unanimously.
- Resignation by Commissioner Hunter Walters
On motion by Commissioner Shackleford, the Board accepted the resignation by Commissioner Hunter Walters. The motion carried unanimously, with Commissioner Walters abstaining.
Citizen Comments
Sheryl Patterson reminded everyone about the Arts Council event at the May-Lew Farm on November 25.
John Spruill expressed his belief that the Board needs to consider charging less fees for Columbaria.
Steven Hardy-Braz suggested that the Board use more technology during the meetings, such as a television screen to display information, to keep the public involved and informed during meetings. He also wished everyone a Happy Veterans Day and thanked everyone for their service.
Adjournment
On motion by Commissioner Moore, the Board adjourned at 8:20 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.