Town of Snow Hill in Greene County, North Carolina

MINUTES
Snow Hill Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Monday, January 8, 2007—7:30 p.m.
Snow Hill Town Hall
201 North Greene Street, North Carolina 28580

The Snow Hill Board of Commissioners regular meeting convened at 7:30 pm on Monday, January 8, 2007, in the Snow Hill Town Hall with the following members present: Mayor Don Davis; Commissioners Phyllis Burruss, Percy Edwards, Geraldine Shackleford, Allison Thomas, Lorrine Washington; Town Clerk-Finance Officer Mauren Baker; Town Administrator Bob Clark.

1. Call to Order—Mayor Davis sounded the gavel and called the meeting to order.

2. Prayer—Commissioner Edwards offered prayer.

3. Pledge of Allegiance—the pledge was led by Frank Warren.

4. Roll Call—all members were present and a quorum was declared.

5. Consider Approving Meeting Agenda—Motion was made by Commissioner Burruss, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to approve the agenda as drafted.

6. Consider Approving Meeting Minutes: Motion was made by Commissioner Burruss, seconded by Commissioner Washington and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the December 27, 2006 regular Meeting.

7. Public Hearings: Hear comments regarding the closing Court Street from S.E. First Street to S.E. Second Street—Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to open a public hearing to hear comments on the closing of Court Street from S.E. First Street to S.E. Second Street. There were no adverse comments from the public. Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to close the public hearing.

8. Report of Officers:

a. Mayor: The mayor’s report was received by consent of the Board.

1. Annual reports for January 24, 2007 regular meeting—Mayor Davis reminded each Commissioner that the annual reports for committees, commissions and Boards are due on January 24, 2007.

2. Discuss Town appointments—Greene County Board of Commissioners called for the towns of Greene County to provide more than one nominee for the appointment to the Economic Development Committee. Snow Hill Town Officials learned of this new ruling through the Standard Laconic. The Mayor stated that Mr. Clark received a call from Chris Roberson on Wednesday afternoon to advise The Town of Snow Hill of the new ruling. Officials had already seen the newspaper article that stated that the Greene County Board of Commissioners rejected the single nominations for appointment from Hookerton, Snow Hill, and Walstonburg. Mayor Davis presented a drafted letter to the County protesting the unexpected and uncommunicated requirement for more than one nomination to the EDC (copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).

Mr. Robert Masters, Town of Snow Hill nominee to the EDC was given the opportunity to speak. He has served on the EDC for three years and there was no discussion about multiple nominations. The bylaws of the EDC state that you serve on the committee until such time as you are replaced. Mr. Masters will conduct the EDC Meeting on January 17, 2007, as he is Vice-Chair. Mayor Davis asked Mr. Masters if he was aware of any disqualifiers for this appointment. Masters stated “It is my occupation and I feel qualified. I am a resident of Greene County and Snow Hill. I have missed 1 meeting in thirty-six months.”

b. Town Administrator: report received by consent of the Board.

1. Consider amending the Water Resource Officer and Public Utilities Technicians job description—Clark recommends amending the Water Resource Officer and Public Utilities Technicians job descriptions by changing the time frames for both positions from 12 months to 24 months to complete required certifications. (copies hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes)

2. Recommend the revenue collector the authorization to use the appropriate remedies to collect 2006 delinquent taxes—copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes.

3. Consider a resolution in support a rural business entrepreneurial grant—Contentnea Development Partnership is making application to the USDA for a $95,000.00 grant. There is no financial risk for the Town of Snow Hill. The award will be made in February 2007. The proposed resolution is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes.

9. Report of the Boards, Commissions, Committees and/or Taskforces: N/A

10. Unfinished Business and General Orders: N/A

11. New Business:

a. Consider actions in regards to Town appointments—Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Washington and carried unanimously to authorize Mayor Davis to send the presented correspondence to the Greene County Board of Commissioners (copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).

b. Consider amending the Water Resource Officer and Public Utilities
Technician job descriptions—Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to amend the Water Resource Officer and Public Utilities Technician job descriptions as per Mr. Clark’s recommendation to change the 12 month time frames from 12 months to 24 months to complete certifications for both positions. (Copies hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).

c. Recommend the revenue collector the authorization to use the appropriate
remedies to collect 2006 delinquent taxes—Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Burruss and carried unanimously to authorize the Revenue Collector to use the appropriate remedies to collect 2006 delinquent taxes. Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to authorize the release of taxes for Robert Exum and Gwendolyn Randolph as per lease agreement on file in the Clerk’s Office (copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).

d. Consider a resolution in support of a rural business entrepreneurial grant—Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting the Contentnea Development Partnership, Inc. (CDP) USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant Application and Loan to ServWell Meat Market, Inc.

e. Consider a closed session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to
NCGS 143-318.11(6)—Motion was made by Commissioner Shackleford, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to move to closed session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(6).

Motion was made by Commissioner Shackleford, seconded by Commissioner Burruss and carried unanimously to return to open session.

Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to amend the Town Administrator Bob Clark’s contract by increasing the annual pay amount from $40,000.00 to $41,500.00 to be effective immediately for cost of living.

f. (Added by consent of the Board) Consider closing Court Street—Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, carried by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to close Court Street immediately (copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).

12. Announcements and Public Comments—there were no public comments or
announcements.

13. Adjournment—Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards seconded by Commissioner Washington and carried unanimously to adjourn.