MINUTES OF THE WHITSETT TOWN COUNCIL
August 14, 2007
Whitsett Town Hall Building
The regular meeting of the Whitsett Town Council was held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday,
August 14, 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 Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia.
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; and there were none.
OLD BUSINESS
1.
Adoption of
the Minutes
Mayor Fennell asked for any changes to the July 10, 2007 minutes for the regular monthly meeting; and there were none. Motion made by Councilmember Jerry Rice to adopt the minutes as written; motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown. Adoption carried by unanimous vote.
2.
Any Other
Old Business
Mayor Fennell asked for any other old business; and there was none.
Planning Board Chairman Bob Maccia first reported that the Planning Board
had been charged by the Town Council to review a proposed Guilford County animal control ordinance developed in accordance with recent meetings of the County Animal Coalition. The Planning Board will follow the County’s
progress on finalizing the draft ordinance; and will ultimately be coming
forth with recommendations to the Town Council on what action the Town
should consider taking as a result of the County’s action.
Next, Planning Board Chairman Maccia reported that the Board had been working on making the current requirements for buffer zones between commercial and residential properties clearer and more definitive. Board Chairman Maccia presented to the Town Council a suggested paragraph to replace current wording in the ordinance. The paragraph reads as follows:
Section 4-8.3
Required landscaping should consist of trees and/or evergreens
having an 8 ft. minimum installed height. All plantings should
have 12 months of foliage so as to present an attractive year-round appearance and to completely screen adjoining residential property.
Chairman Maccia stressed the emphasis on “year-round” greenery so that buffers would not be merely seasonal; but would provide perpetual blocking of lights and noises.
Councilmember Cindy Wheeler stated that she would like to see the Planning Board consider adding an addendum for residential vs. residential and gave the example of a developer buying acreage for a subdivision abutting existing residential property, and the Town having no guidelines or say-so. This issue will be addressed by the Planning Board for possible insertion into the Town’s code.
Councilmember Ken Jacobs added that in both commercial vs. residential and residential vs. residential circumstances, he would like to have the Planning Board serve as a clearinghouse for business owners and/or developers to review their plans with Board members rather than the Town just setting down ordinances that are open to interpretation. This exchange and added step in the process would ensure compliance and satisfaction.
Planning Board Chairman Maccia moved on to explain that at the August Board meeting, a Board member introduced discussion that dealt with viewing a stretch of Highway 70 as potential growth area and the possibility of starting processes for development along this corridor.
The major issues to be considered would be: water and sewer, density, and zoning. The particular Board member strongly expressed a desire to have the Town Council reopen dialogue with Burlington concerning water access options.
Mayor Fennell explained that there had not been any dialogue with Burlington since the water agreement between the city and the town was instituted two years ago primarily because of the unavailability of sufficient grant funds for a municipal water system. But, neither had Mayor Fennell heard any requests from anyone with a need.
Town Administrator Gary Deal expressed concerns about the Town’s motive of going to Burlington, stating that the contaminated wells should be the issue in the forefront and not the interest of a property owner wanting to sell his land to a developer for personal profit. Plus, the Town does not have the proper zoning to make land development attractive; and that would be the next adjustment coming down the pike.
Mayor Fennell mentioned that monies would soon become available via the Legislature and that he had been in contact with the State, specifically Senator Phil Berger, who said that the Town should compile as much information as possible on costs to the Town to build a water system, costs to the Town to operate the system, and costs to the individuals to hook-up and their periodic water bills thereafter. When the State opens the process for municipalities to complete for these grant funds, the Town needs to move quickly.
Discussion continued among the members of the Town Council about going back to Burlington, which concluded with a general consensus that perhaps it would be a good idea to revisit discussion with Burlington in search of options concerning water and water-line provisions.
With regard to density and zoning, Councilmember Ken Jacobs stated that rather than look at density and zoning as issues, he would like one of the Town’s goals to be development of a comprehensive land-use plan with some long-range strategies towards potential development and businesses while protecting residential areas. Greg Niles, Guilford County Director of Planning and Development, it was felt, would be the Town’s best resource for expertise.
With that, Councilmember Jacobs made a motion to, as a start, contact Greg Niles and have him present at the next Planning Board meeting to educate and counsel. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Jerry Rice. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
The final topic reported by Planning Board Chairman Maccia dealt with improvements to the brick veterans monument in front of the Town Hall. Chairman Maccia asked the Town Council members if they would consider refurbishing the monument to visually make the inscribed names of veterans
more prominent and easily seen.
In response, Mayor Fennell asked the Town Clerk to contact the previously used vendor and others for estimates on revitalizing the memorial. Once estimates and options are received, the Town Council would in earnest consider the feasibility of refurbishment.
2.
Enforcement Committee
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that the Committee had met to discuss two complaint cases, and that in preparation to involve Guilford County, the Committee had assembled packets of information relative to the cases. In addition, the Committee would be investigating a third matter on Coleman Road.
Enforcement Officer Gary Deal reported that since last month’s meeting, one clearance permit had been issued to Empire Homes for the new construction of a conventional brick, two-story, single-family dwelling on property at 6774 Kelsey Court owned by Eric Long of Burlington.
Town Administrator Gary Deal reported that he had attended the monthly Solid Waste Committee meeting held in Summerfield and announced some upcoming recycling efforts spearheaded mostly by the County; such programs as the Magic of Recycling and Kids, Cans, and Cash. Other planned projects include a Fall “Clean-Up” event and the production of a Solid Waste Services Directory.
Town Administrator Deal also reported that the State had passed legislation that would impose a $2 per ton tipping fee tax which will go into effect next year on July 1, 2008. Also, with the reorganizing of Guilford County offices, the program to establish recycling drop-off sites had suffered a budget mishap; and so would be put on hold for this year.
Following the Council’s review of the proposed audit contract submitted by the Town’s accountant, Mayor Richard Fennell asked for discussion and acceptance of this year’s contract to conduct the audit for the past fiscal year 2006-07.
Councilmembers inquired about what constituted the increased costs over the years for performing the audit; and are the costs in line with other firms that conduct municipal audits. The Town Clerk will gather pertinent information.
Given the time constraint to approve the contract which readily needed to be filed with the State so the audit could get under way, the above information will serve as a basis for considering next year’s audit.
Councilmember Ken Jacobs made a motion to accept this year’s contract as presented by Bobby J. Massey CPA, provided information will be furnished justifying audit fees; motion seconded by Councilmember Cindy Wheeler. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
The Town Council had reviewed a document (copy attached) showing shifts of funds among accounts for the past fiscal year 2006-07 which resulted in all expenses being covered and a balanced budget for the year which ended June 30.
Councilmember Jerry Rice made a motion to adopt the budget ordinance amendment as presented; motion seconded by Councilmember Ken Jacobs. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
3.
CD Renewal –
General Fund Public Funds
Town Council members were provided a copy of the renewal notice for a CD that would mature on August 23 at Mid Carolina Bank. The usual procedure for CD renewals has been for the Town Clerk to contact institutions for rates currently offered and to reinvest the CD funds at the bank with the highest APY and most favorable term.
On that premise, Councilmember Ken Jacobs made a motion to authorize the Town Clerk to follow through on the CD renewal upon its maturity; motion seconded by Councilmember/Finance Officer Jerry Rice. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Fennell asked for any other items from Council members; and Councilmember Ken Jacobs informed the Council that with respect to necessary repairs to the Town Hall he had contacted Tom Gregory, a commercial building inspector by trade, to examine the structural condition of the building and provide a prioritized list of repairs and itemized estimates. Since funding for Town Hall renovations/repairs will need to span several fiscal years, Mr. Gregory’s phased-in recommendations will likely serve as a blueprint for planning, budgeting, and completing the work.
5. Announcements
Mayor Fennell asked for any announcements; and there were none.
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 Councilmember Jerry Rice and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Andy Brown. Motion passed unanimously; and the August 14 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,
September 11, 2007, at the Whitsett Town Hall.
_________________________________ _________________________________
Jo Hesson, Town Clerk Richard Fennell, Mayor
APPROVED: September 11, 2007