MINUTES
Snow Hill Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Wednesday July 30, 2008—9:00 a. m.
Snow Hill Town Hall
201 North Greene Street, North Carolina 28580

The Snow Hill Board of Commissioners regular meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at the Snow Hill Town Hall with the following members present: Mayor Don Davis; Commissioners James Bizzell, Percy Edwards, Dennis Liles, Geraldine Shackleford, and Lorrine Washington, Acting Town Clerk Michelle Strickland; Town Administrator Bob Clark and Attorney Brian Pridgen.

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order by Mayor Davis at 9:04 a.m.

Mayor Davis welcomed Commissioner Washington back after missing several meetings due to surgery.

Prayer - Prayer was led by Commissioner Edwards.

Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Davis led the pledge.

Roll Call – Roll call was suspended without objection. All members were present.

Consider Approving Meeting Agenda – Mr. Clark requested adding the “Greene Challenge” to the Town Administrator’s Report. Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with adding item 7b5 as North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) Green Challenge.

Consider Approving Meeting Minutes: July 14, 2008 – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2008 minutes as written.

Report of Officers:

Mayor:

Governing Bodies Vacancies & appointments – Mayor Davis challenged everyone to reach out to people who would be interested in being on any of the Boards or Committees. Mayor Davis handed out (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) and went over a proposed resolution requesting Greene County to recommend appointments to the Town of Snow Hill Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.

Skateboarding tournament – Mayor Davis spoke about the possibility of a skateboarding tournament around the start of the school year. Mr. Clark announced that it will be on the agenda for the August meeting of the Recreation Commission.

This report was received without objection.

Town Administrator:

Introduce Inter-local agreement with Greene County for coordination of $500,000.00 Water System Improvements Grant– Alternative Water Supply Project – Van Lewis, McDavid Associates, Inc. – Mr. Lewis passed out (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) and went over the requirements of the grant as well as the resolutions that are to go along with the grant. Mr. Lewis advised the Board that all of these documents were subject to the review of the Town Attorney as well as the Rural Center. Mr. Lewis announced that the groundbreaking of the project would be held at Hines Crossroads on September 4, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. and that everyone would be invited.

Mr. Lewis passed out (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) a copy of a resolution that would affirm the current water rates of the Town of Snow Hill. He advised that this could be adopted at the August 11, 2008 meeting. When asked about the price of the water that Snow Hill would purchase from Greenville he stated that the price would be $1.29 per thousand gallons subject to the consumer price index and this would be the contracted rate for 40 years. Mr. Lewis assured the Board that Snow Hill only had to purchase water over the amount that the state will allow Snow Hill to use.

Mr. Lewis stated that county match would come from grants and loans that they had received. The joint-funds will be protected as long as possible. Mr. Lewis also advised the Board that Snow Hill, as well as Greene County, Farmville, etc. use chlorine whereas Greenville uses chloramines which are a combination of chlorine and ammonia. Snow Hill will have to start adding ammonia to be compatible. If we don’t the chemicals will react and there will be a bad taste. The addition of the ammonia keeps the water fresher longer. The change to the way that Snow Hill treats their water will be provided at no cost.

Status of Animal Control Ordinance updates – Mr. Clark announced that the updates were not ready to present today but that he, Mr. Pridgen and Kathy Pazzaglia would be meeting after the Board meeting to get their ideas onto paper. Mayor Davis suggested taking the time to get it right instead of rushing.

It was without objection that the rules be suspended at this time to allow Mr. David Jones, a resident, to speak on an animal concern that he had. Mr. Jones informed the Board that his concern was animal excrement. That on a daily basis he saw people allow their dogs to use the bathroom in neighbors yards and not removing the excrement. Mrs. Pazzaglia stated that she and Mr. Clark are in the process of looking at poop stations. She also suggests possibly putting a public announcement in the paper.

Mayor Davis reminded everyone that the rules were no longer suspended.

Onslow Container Services (OCS) Waste Collection Contract – Mr. Clark announced that he had not yet received the final numbers from Onslow Container and would bring this back at a later date.

Law Enforcement Contract with Greene County – Mr. Clark informed the Board that he had met with County Manager, Don Davenport regarding the gap in the amount of the request versus the approval. Mr. Davenport came back with an amount of $204,000.00 but this is still $9,000.00 above the budgeted sum. Mr. Clark stated that he was not prepared today to make a recommendation. He also stated that there was another issue with the Workers Comp. Insurance & Liability Insurance not being broken down in years past although these items were mentioned in the original 1995 contract (Mr. Clark handed a copy to members as hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes). Some members asked about the actual costs incurred by the Sherriff’s Department in Snow Hill. Mayor Davis spoke to the Board about the COPS grant. By consent Mr. Clark was asked to speak to Sherriff Smith about providing the Town Board with a quarterly report.

NCLM Green Challenge – Mr. Clark handed out (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) a copy of information that he had received from the North Carolina League of Municipality regarding a green challenge. Mr. Clark informed that Board that the handout was for information only at this time.

This report was received without objection.

Report of the Boards, Commissions, Committees and/or Taskforces: None

Unfinished Business and General Orders:

Consider approval of a franchise ordinance with Piedmont Natural Gas Company – Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to table this item until a later time.

Consider approval of cement vases and consideration of amending Section 93.03 of the Cemetery Regulations – Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to table this item until a later time.

New Business:

Consider Governing Bodies appointments – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to table this item until a later time.

Consider a Resolution Requesting Extraterritorial Jurisdiction appointments by Greene County to the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Washington and carried unanimously to approve this resolution.

Consider a Law Enforcement Contract with Greene County – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to table this item until a later time.

Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Bizzell and carried unanimously to enter into closed session at 11:05 a.m. pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 section 2 and 5.

Motion was made by Commissioner Liles, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to reconvene in open session at 12:10 p.m.

Program: David Jones-founder and president of the Ready Set Go Walking Club reported on his campaign to fight childhood obesity through a new initiative he calls “Walk to De-feet Obesity.” Mr. Jones is seeking support for his walk from Snow Hill to Raleigh as a way of raising awareness of the serious obesity problem in our younger population. He challenged everyone to support the effort thorough donations, sending letters of support, or committing to walk at least a mile with him when he leaves for Raleigh. His organization is in the process of getting its not-for-profit status. Commissioner Liles said he could help with water and participate at the start of the walk. Commissioner Edwards said he would also join in. Mayor Davis committed to making a proclamation recognizing the importance of the “Walk to De-feet Obesity” campaign, to start the walk with Mr. Jones, and to help with fuel for the support vehicle.

Announcements and Public Comments –none

Adjournment – Motion was made by Commissioner Shackleford, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to adjourn at 12:26 p.m.

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Don Davis, Mayor

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Michelle Strickland, Interim Town Clerk