MINUTES OF THE WHITSETT TOWN COUNCIL
July 10, 2007
Whitsett Town Hall Building
The regular meeting of the Whitsett Town Council was held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday,
July 10, 2007, at the Whitsett Town Hall. The following members of the Town Council were present: Mayor Richard Fennell, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown, Councilmembers Jerry Rice, Ken Jacobs, and Cindy Wheeler. Also present were Town Administrator Gary Deal; and, representing Guilford County, Mr. Greg Niles, Director of Planning and Development. Absent was Bob Maccia, Chairman of the Whitsett Planning Board.
Mayor Fennell called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and noted that a quorum was present. Councilmember Rice offered the invocation.
Mayor Fennell asked for any speakers from the floor. Mr. Lee Greeson who resides at 317 Brightwood Church Road was recognized and took the floor. Mr. Greeson’s property had been the subject of a complaint submitted to and investigated by the town Enforcement Committee. Following the Committee’s investigation, Guilford County was summoned to further investigate due to suspect health issues, for which such determination is beyond the expertise of town officials. The County confirmed the existence of health violations and would take further action only on the Town’s cue.
Mr. Greeson stated that, after learning of the findings, he believed that he had been singled out. To further defend his stance, Mr. Greeson had assembled and presented to the Town Council documentation which demonstrated comparable violations in town.
Both Mayor Fennell and Councilmember Ken Jacobs, who is a member of the Enforcement Committee along with Town Administrator Gary Deal and Planning Board member Patrick Hickey, each assured Mr. Greeson that he had not been singled out, and that the Enforcement Committee is obligated to handle any complaint in like manner. But, because possible health risks prevailed in this case, the town was not qualified to evaluate the scope, and had to involve the County.
Mr. Greeson’s bottom line comment was that he simply wanted to be treated fairly; and the Town Council understood, concurred, and assured Mr. Greeson that the properties depicted in his handout would be investigated.
OLD BUSINESS
1.
Adoption of
the Minutes
Mayor Richard Fennell asked for any changes to the June 12, 2007 public hearing 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.
Mayor Fennell asked for any changes to the June 12, 2007 minutes for the regular monthly meeting; and there were none. Motion made by Councilmember Jerry Rice to adopt the minutes as presented; motion seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs. Adoption carried by unanimous vote.
2.
Any Other
Old Business
Mayor Fennell asked for any other old business; and there was none.
With Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia absent and the Board having had no meeting in July, there was no report given at tonight’s Council meeting. The Planning Board will regroup on August 1.
2.
Enforcement Committee
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that the Committee had received complaints involving three properties in town which Committee members
will be investigating as soon as the members can convene.
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that since last month’s meeting, two permits had been issued to: (1) Crabbe Service, an electrical and HVAC contractor, to install wiring and a new HVAC system at the home of Roger Wilson, located at 6783 Kelsey Court; and (2) JMI Homes to construct a single-family dwelling on property at 534 NC Highway 61 owned by Bruce and Tammie Readling of Burlington.
Town Administrator Gary Deal reported that he had participated in another well attended and this time particularly lively meeting of the Guilford County Animal Coalition where a proposed draft of a County Animal Control Ordinance had been distributed. Town Administrator Deal explained that the 16-page proposed ordinance was comprehensive and contained varying rules and regulations for unincorporated vs. incorporated areas, e.g., animal restraints, the licensing of pets and fees involved.
Town Administrator Deal explained that the ordinance will be presented to the County Board of Commissioners for adoption; and if adopted, the County would be looking to municipalities to adopt the ordinance as well, thereby giving the County enforcement powers for Whitsett. Town Administrator Deal, at this point, recommended that the draft ordinance be turned over the town’s Planning Board for review and forthcoming recommendation to the Town Council.
Mayor Richard Fennell stated for the record the schedule for the upcoming municipal election. Mayor Fennell particularly pointed out the shortened time period for candidates to file for running for office, which in 2007 will be only two weeks long. This year’s election for Whitsett will have four Council seats to be filled by popular vote on November 6: one for a two-year term; three for the regular four-year term.
The Town Council reviewed a document (copy attached) with current CD rates and terms from the two banks where the town has its accounts—Mid Carolina Bank and Vantage South Bank. This particular CD will mature tomorrow and
is currently with Vantage South, which also quoted the highest APY for an
11-month term. General consensus among Council members was to keep the
CD at Vantage South, and the Town Clerk was delegated authorization to complete the transaction during the CD renewal period.
3.
Resolution
to Oppose Jordan Lake Rules Proposed by the State
Town Council members had been presented with a copy of the subject resolution which the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments developed and, at its latest meeting, had adopted. PTCOG made the resolution readily available to its membership and urged municipalities to also adopt a like or similar resolution to go on record in strong opposition to the rules and regulations being proposed by the State for Jordan Lake cleanup.
Public hearings on the subject were scheduled for July 12 in Carrboro and
July 17 in Elon, and were expected to be well attended. The Jordan Lake rules were published in the NC register on June 15, thereby starting the 60-day public comment period which will end August 15.
Discussion took place among Councilmembers stating objections mainly to expending Whitsett funds on a problem that officials were well aware of when Jordan Lake came to be. In addition, it was felt that the State guidelines were too restrictive, especially on top of the already-stringent Guilford County guidelines for watershed protection.
With clear consensus among Council members, Councilmember Ken Jacobs made a motion to adopt the resolution stating opposition to the State proposed Jordan Lake Rules; motion seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Fennell asked for any other items from Council members; and Councilmember Ken Jacobs directed a favor towards Greg Niles, Director of Planning and Development for Guilford County, asking if he would mind taking some time to explain how the County handles its complaint process regarding violations.
Mr. Niles welcomed the opportunity and took the floor. Mr. Niles explained that the County serves as the defacto agency for its partnership towns and follows a five-step enforcement process, starting with initial notice, which the County prefers to do with an informal phone call or a cordial site visit with the intent to make the property owner aware that he is in violation. Often the property owner, in fact, is not aware, then will bring the property into compliance; and the case is closed. Next step would be a written notice which goes on record; subsequent steps allow the property owner time limits to bring his property into compliance; and finally, if no action to improve the property is made, civil penalties may be imposed; and that process is started.
Mr. Niles emphasized, however, that the County makes every effort along the way to work with the property owner and is lenient in allowing the property owner to, in good faith, exhibit effort towards bringing his property into compliance. Having said that, Mr. Niles stated that to Mr. Greeson’s credit, the County has witnessed that strides to improve his property have been taken; and, therefore, enforcement is being held in abeyance.
Mr. Niles asked for some additional time to explain the County’s tack with regard to the proposed Jordan Lake Rules. He opened with that Guilford County has for years been on the forefront of protecting watershed areas; and, therefore, the County would also be opposing the rules as proposed. His concern focused on that an extreme amount of money would be expended to fix Jordan Lake when no sound scientific basis exists that would guarantee that the end product would solve the Jordan Lake problems.
Mr. Niles assured that there will be State rules and regulations for Jordan Lake, and they will be difficult to work with. But, if the County can help modify those rules by using measurable targets to substantiate to the State that there is sufficient data for using certain methods in improving the water quality of Jordan Lake, then we can say our investment made is paying dividends. It is just that uncertainty that raises grave concern.
As a final announcement, Greg Niles formally informed the Town Council and those present that the Planning and Development Department had undergone a reduction in force as a result of the Board of Commissioners approved budget; and that three staffers had been lost. In addition, though, a sister department—Economic and Community Development—had been dissolved; and the Water Resources personnel and Solid Waste personnel will be joining the Planning Department.
Mr. Niles gave the analogy that it is the same team, just a different line up card; and that they look forward to continuing service to the Town of Whitsett.
5. Announcements
Mayor Fennell asked for any announcements; and everyone chimed in on attending the Saturday, July 14, dedication of the Whitsett Historic District roadside marker. Be sure to come!
Mayor Fennell asked for speakers from the floor; and there were none.
With no further business before the Council, Mayor Fennell invited a motion to adjourn. Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown; seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Motion passed unanimously; and the July 10 Town Council meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Town Council will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2007, at the Whitsett Town Hall.
_________________________________ _________________________________
Jo Hesson, Town Clerk Richard Fennell, Mayor
APPROVED: August 14, 2007