MINUTES
Snow Hill Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Snow Hill Town Hall
201 North Greene Street, North Carolina 28580

The Snow Hill Board of Commissioners regular meeting convened at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at the Snow Hill Town Hall with the following members present: Mayor Don Davis; Commissioners Percy Edwards, Dennis Liles and Geraldine Shackleford, and Washington. Also present were Acting Town Clerk Michelle Strickland; Town Administrator Bob Clark; Town Attorney Brian Pridgen.

1. Call to Order – Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.

2. Prayer – Prayer was offered by Mayor Davis.

3. Pledge of Allegiance – The Pledge was led by Mayor Davis.

4. Roll Call – It was without objection that roll call be suspended and a quorum declared. It was without objection that Commissioner James Bizzell’s absence be marked as unexcused, as there has been no communication from him.

5. Consider Approving Meeting Agenda – Mr. Clark asked that the agenda be amended to add the community center Project Budget Ordinance V to item 7b. Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to approve the agenda the proposed amendment to item 7b.

Consider Approving Meeting Minutes: April 14, 2008 – Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to approve the minutes from the April 14, 2008 meeting.

7. Report of Officers:

Town Administrator: Tourism Authority is preparing for the 2008 NC Sweet Potato Festival October 30-November 1 – Mr. Clark announced that he had attended a County Tourism meeting last week. The Sweet Potato Festival will have local and statewide significance. It will blend in the AgFest with new events. Mr. Clark reported that the Town has been giving $975.00 to the AgFest and that Stan Dixon, Tourism Authority Chairman, would like the Town to consider a donation for the 2008 NC Sweet Potato Festival in the budget process.

The Board received this report by consent.

Town Attorney: Review of Ordinance granting franchise to Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. – Mr. Brian Pridgen recommended that the Board table the first reading of the franchise until the next meeting when he has had a chance to speak to the representatives with Piedmont Natural Gas about possible revisions.

Mayor Davis invited John Monaghan and Don Stevens, Piedmont Natural Gas representatives to join the Board for discussion. Mr. Pridgen informed the Board that this is a unique ordinance because it also acts as a contract. Piedmont Natural Gas purchased NC Natural Gas Company, which held the franchise in Snow Hill. That 20-year franchise agreement expires June 30, 2008 necessitating a revised new franchise agreement.

Mr. Monaghan spoke to the Board about the evolution of the company and the number of counties and customers served. Board members asked him about the growth of Snow Hill and how the company saw the future growth and improvements to their natural gas system. Mr. Stevens and Mr. Monaghan explained how customers should contact their company when seeking new service connections. A map of natural gas service mains was shown and there were additional remarks about how local residents and businesses could potentially access the service Mr. Pridgen informed the Board that he would communicate his suggested revisions with the Piedmont representatives.

The Board received this report by consent.

Revenue Collector: Release of 2007 ad valorem taxes – Miss Strickland handed out supporting documentation (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) regarding release of property taxes for 2007 for Our County Auction and Ronald & Deborah Whitley, and 2003 taxes for Lenton Warren Heirs. Miss Strickland recommended releasing these taxes as requested in the memo (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).

The Board received this report by consent.

Finance Officer & MunixPlus, Inc.: Financials and Budget Ordinance 02008-4, Budget Amendment IV and Project Budget Ordinance V – Mrs. Watson passed out a memo from Michelle Grant (a copy hereby incorporated and made a part of these minutes) as well as Budget Amendment IV and current financials (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes). Mr. Clark handed out Project Ordinance V (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) and spoke to the Board about it. Mr. Clark recommends adoption of the ordinances.

The Board received this report by consent.

Report of the Boards, Commissions, Committees and/or Taskforces: Finance & Administration Committee: Acceptance of 2006-7 Audit Report – Commissioner Washington spoke to the Board regarding the presentation of the 2006-7 audit and correspondence with the NC State Treasurer’s Office previously distributed to the board with the agenda package (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) by Mr. Jay Parris, Auditor to the Finance & Administration Committee. She informed the Board that the Finance & Administration Committee accepted the auditor’s report on April 24, 2008. Mrs. Watson handed out a memo of the narrative (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) and went over a PowerPoint summary of the audit report prepared by Mr. Parris.

Unfinished Business and General Orders:

Consider first reading of ordinance granting franchise to Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. – Tabled until next meeting without objection.

Consider approval of a Final Subdivision Plan for Holden Ridge, Section 1 (Anna Lane), a ten-lot subdivision located east of Greenridge Road. – Tabled until next meeting without objection.

10. New Business:

Consider release of 2007 taxes as recommended by the Revenue Collector – Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to allow the Revenue Collector to release the discussed taxes.

Consider Budget Ordinance 02008-4, Budget Amendment IV and Project Ordinance V – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to adopt Budget Ordinance 02008-4, Budget Amendment IV.

Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to approve Project Ordinance V (Community Center).

Consider Acceptance of 2006-7 Audit as recommended by Finance & Administration Committee – Motion was made by Commissioner Shackleford, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to accept the 2006-7 audit as recommended by the Finance & Administration Committee.

Consider entering closed session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(6) – Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to enter into closed session.

Motion was made by Commissioner Liles, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to reconvene into open session.

Program: Sharon Ginn, presentation of Greene County Museum Annual Report – Mrs. Sharon Ginn of the Greene County Museum handed out a copy (hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) of the Museum’s annual report. She went over the extensive list of accomplishments of the Museum over the past year. She also commented that the NC Sweet Potato Festival was a project of the now officially organized Greene County Tourism Authority.

Announcements and Public Comments – Commissioner Liles announced that on Monday May 5, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. biscuits would be served in honor of Mayor Davis, candidate for NC Senate and asked everyone to come out. Commissioner Washington reminded everyone not to forget Relay for Life over the weekend.

Adjournment – Motion was made by Commissioner Liles, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to adjourn at 11:08 a.m.

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Mayor Donald Davis

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Michelle Strickland, Interim Town Clerk