MINUTES OF THE WHITSETT TOWN COUNCIL
June 12, 2007
Whitsett Town Hall Building
The regular meeting of the Whitsett Town Council was held on Tuesday, June 12,
2007, at the Whitsett Town Hall. The following members of the Town Council were present: Mayor Richard Fennell, Councilmembers Jerry Rice, Ken Jacobs, and Cindy Wheeler. Also present were Town Administrator Gary Deal and Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia. Absent was Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown.
Following the public hearing, Mayor Fennell called the Council meeting to order at
7:10 p.m., and noted that a quorum was present.
Mayor Fennell asked for any speakers from the floor; and there were none.
OLD BUSINESS
1.
Adoption of
the Minutes
Mayor Fennell asked for any changes to the May 8, 2007 minutes; none made. Motion made by Councilmember Jerry Rice to adopt the minutes as presented; motion seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs. Adoption carried by unanimous vote.
3.
Final
Documents for Fire Company Sewer Line
Mayor Fennell announced that all of the binding documents to allow the Fire Company to proceed with its hook up to the Town Hall septic system had been completed and notarized this afternoon.
4.
Adoption of
Whitsett Town Budget FY 2007-2008
Mayor Fennell asked for any discussion on the proposed Town budget for 2007-2008. It was announced that the Town budget was balanced at the outset which had not been the case in several years. This achievement was attributed primarily to dividends from CD investments.
With no further discussion, Councilmember Ken Jacobs made a motion to adopt the budget for 2007-2008 as presented; motion seconded by Councilmember Cindy Wheeler. Motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.
5.
Adoption of
Whitsett Sign Ordinance and Definition Amendment
Mayor Fennell asked for any comments regarding the proposed sign ordinance and sign definition amendment; and there were none. Councilmember Jerry Rice made a motion that the Council adopt the sign ordinance and definition as presented; motion seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs. Motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.
6.
Adoption of
Whitsett Outdoor Lighting Ordinance and Definitions
Mayor Fennell asked for discussion on the proposed outdoor lighting ordinance and list of definitions. Councilmember Jerry Rice commended the product put together by the Planning Board and then made a motion to adopt the outdoor lighting ordinance and lighting definitions as presented; motion seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs. Motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.
7.
Adoption of
Guilford County Environmental Regulations and Approval of
Interlocal Agreement
Mayor Fennell asked for any comments about the Town of Whitsett adopting Guilford County’s regulations for stormwater management and watershed district protection; and following the comment that the Town is not equipped to administer its own enforcement, there was no discussion.
Councilmember Ken Jacobs made a motion to adopt the County’s ordinance and to approve the interlocal agreement which would give the County enforcement authority within the corporate limits of Whitsett. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice; motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.
8.
Any Other
Old Business
Mayor Fennell asked if
there were any other old business to be discussed; there was none.
Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia reported that the Board had initiated its attention to the issue of buffer zones where at the Board’s last meeting on June 6 there was lengthy discussion and numerous suggestions for needed clarifying and qualifying revisions. This subject will be one of the next issues addressed by the Planning Board.
Chairman Maccia also announced that the July meeting for the Planning Board would be cancelled; and then made mention again that the Planning Board continues to have two vacancies for alternate seats. Anyone having interest in serving on the Board, should contact the Town Hall for an application.
A final announcement was made by Board Chairman Maccia to introduce Beth Seagraves who had attended her first Planning Board meeting on June 6 as a new reporter for the Rock Creek Record. Ms. Seagraves was extended a welcome by the members of the Town Council.
2.
Enforcement Committee
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that the Enforcement Committee had completed its investigation of one complaint and had notified the complainant of its findings. Enforcement Officer Deal also reported that another complaint had been received involving two residents on Brightwood Church Road; and the Committee deemed it necessary to ask Guilford County inspections to investigate.
Enforcement Officer Deal explained that there was a vacancy on the Enforcement Committee as a result of Sharon Hunt’s resignation as a Planning Board alternate as well as a member of the Enforcement Committee. Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia had asked at the June 6 Board meeting if any member were interested in serving on the Enforcement Committee.
Planning Board member Patrick Hickey volunteered; and the Board voted unanimously to recommend to the Town Council members Planning Board member Patrick Hickey to serve on the Enforcement Committee.
With that, a motion was made by Councilmember Ken Jacobs to accept the Board’s recommendation; motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Motion carried unanimously; and Patrick Hickey was installed as a new member of the Enforcement Committee.
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that since last month’s meeting, two clearance permit certificates had been issued: (1) to contractor Swaim Electric for installation of a new heat pump at the Whitsett Baptist Church located at 7006 Burlington Road, and (2) to contractor Ross Plumbing to replace a gas water heater at the residence of Earl West located at 7005 Dow Drive.
4. Town Administrator
Town Administrator Deal reported on the proposed
Senate Bill 831, which would limit municipalities on regulating cell towers and
other wireless facilities within their community. Town Administrator Deal had been in touch
with Dave Harris at PTCOG who is the Regional Cablevision Director with
numerous concerns; and was informed that concerns had been conveyed to Senator
Phil Berger who assured parties that the final version of the Bill should be
watered down, thereby less restrictive and less objectionable. Town Administrator Deal will report further
status on this bill as it develops.
Town Administrator Deal reported that this morning he had attended an update meeting on the proposed Jordan Lake Rules. Deal explained that these rules would allow the State to implement nutrient management strategy for the Jordan Lake watershed which would be the strictest watershed rules in the State so far. They would change how development occurs in the watershed areas and would require retrofitting of existing development, thereby incurring a massive expense to local governments.
The PTCOG emphatically opposes the proposed rules and implores all affected counties and municipalities to join forces with PTCOG in its stance.
The public comment timetable is as follows: The rules will be published in the North Carolina Register on June 15, 2007 which starts the 60-day public comment period that will end August 15. Public hearings have been scheduled for July 12 in Carrboro and July 17 in Elon.
Mayor Richard Fennell stated that the Town Council had received a letter from Joe Burgess requesting that his property along Burlington Road be de-annexed from the Town of Whitsett.
Mayor Fennell expressed grave reservation that a move to support such a request would be detrimental to the Town and set a dangerous precedent for others to follow suit; and how do you allow for one and not another. Mayor Fennell then firmly stated that as elected officials, they are sworn to protect the laws and integrity of the Town, and urged Councilmembers to concur.
Councilmember Ken Jacobs echoed that not opposing the request would definitely open the doors for others to seek or rethink seeking de-annexation. In addition, Councilmember Jacobs further stated that if a parcel is de-annexed and then sold, the Town no longer has control or say with regard to zoning and development.
Councilmember Jacobs added that he would like to see the Planning Board take a long, hard look at Whitsett and come up with a land-use plan and long-range guide for Whitsett growth and development to be healthy.
Following discussion among Town Council members, a motion was made by Councilmember Ken Jacobs to oppose supporting Joe Burgess’s request to pursue de-annexation; motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.
Clean Water Act of 2007
Mayor Fennell stated that the Council had received a plea from the NC Rural Economic Development Center in Raleigh to demonstrate its support of the Clean Water Act of 2007—more specifically House Bill 127 and Senate Bill 208—
which would protect State waterways and water resources for current use and future generations.
Rural Development also provided, in its defense, statistics on forecasted growth throughout the State; and provided a recommended resolution for the Town Council to consider adopting.
Mayor Fennell asked for a motion to adopt. Motion made by Councilmember Ken Jacobs to adopt the resolution in support of passage of the Clean Water Act of 2007; motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Motion carried by unanimous vote of those present.
3. Any Other Items from Council
Members
Mayor Fennell asked for any other items from Council members; and the issue
of additional Town investments in CDs was addressed. The members of the Council, seeing no major expenditures in the near future, discussed and were favoring to move as large an amount as possible from the General Fund money market account to maintain its minimum balance requirement to the highest rate available CD with either a no penalty offer or a short enough term to have access to public monies should a need arise.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ken Jacobs to authorize the Town Clerk to initiate investments with the institution having the highest yield and least risk; motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Motion carried by unanimous vote among those present.
4. Announcements
Mayor Fennell asked for any announcements; and there were none
5. Speakers from the Floor
Mayor Fennell asked if there were any speakers from the floor; and Mr. Bill Hudson was recognized. Mr. Hudson, who lives outside the Whitsett town
limits but owns property along Burlington Road within the town boundaries, asked about a timeline for a municipal water system in Whitsett.
Councilmember Ken Jacobs stated the customary answer of late, that being when money is available, the Town will move to compete for it and proceed with plans for a water system.
Mr. Hudson asked if he were entitled to the Guilford County well testing for his owned property along Burlington Road within the Town; and the Town would contact the County to make the request.
With no further business before the Council, Mayor Fennell invited a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Jerry Rice; seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs. Motion passed unanimously; and the June 12 Town Council meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Town Council will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at the Whitsett Town Hall.
/s/ /s/
_________________________________ _________________________________
Jo Hesson, Town Clerk Richard Fennell, Mayor
APPROVED: July 10, 2007