Town of Snow Hill in Greene County, North Carolina

MINUTES
Snow Hill Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Monday, May 8, 2006—7:00 p.m.
Snow Hill Town Hall
201 North Greene Street, North Carolina 28580

The Snow Hill Board of Commissioners regular meeting convened at 7:00 pm on Monday May 8, 2006 in the Snow Hill Town Hall with the following present: Mayor Don Davis; Commissioners Phyllis Burruss, Percy Edwards, Geraldine Shackleford, Allison Thomas, and Lorrine Washington; Town Clerk-Finance Officer Mauren Baker; Town Administrator Bob Clark. Town Attorney Jim Cauley was not present. Others present signed a roll sheet hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes.

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

2. Prayer—Commissioner Percy Edwards offered prayer.

3. Pledge of Allegiance—The Pledge was led by Mayor Don Davis

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

5. Consider Approving Meeting Agenda—Motion was made by Commissioner
Washington, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.

6. Consider Approving Meeting Minutes—Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of April 26, 2006 with two corrections: 1) change Monday to Wednesday in the header; add Commissioner Washington as being present in paragraph one.

7. Report of Officers:

a. Mayor—The report of the Mayor was received by consent of the Board.

1. Introduction of cemetery fee schedule—Mayor Davis introduced modifications to the Cemetery Fee Schedule and requested that the commissioners study same to bring back to the next meeting.

2. Seek authorization to negotiate water contract between Jason and South Greene Water Corporations—The mayor reported to the Board that this is the year to negotiate contracts with South Greene Water Corporation and Jason Shine Water Corporation. He stated that the Town Auditor and NC Rural Water Association suggested that the rates for both systems needed to be increased.

3. Seek authorization to negotiate two additional lots in the Genesis Hills Park area with the Wilson Community Improvement Association—Mayor Davis stated that he would like to see the Town acquire 2 additional lots in Genesis Hills next to the Town’s Genesis Park in order to expand the area for activities. After discussion it was decided that the Town would look into this idea after a determination on the status of the property tax appeal had been made.

4. Conducting review of water, sewer and waste collection rate schedules—The Mayor is conducting a study of the utility rate schedules and would like to have the Public Works Committee look at a recommendation for or against change.

5. Discuss pay for standing committees, boards and commissions—The Mayor said that the Board needed to come to some resolution in reference to this matter, as the Board has discussed it several times, as well as providing academy training for volunteers and appreciation dinners. It was suggested that Finance and Administration take this issue and offer a suggestion.

b. Town Administrator—The Town Administrator’s report was received by consent of the Board.

1. Report form attendance of Regional Water 2030 Meeting & $8M Infrastructure Grant Workshop on May 4, 2006 at Wayne Community College—Mr. Clark attended this workshop and reported that these monies will be granted rather than loaned and the grant application will have to be job related, 50% matched, project driven and is first come first served. This grant is similar to the building reuse grant.

2. Public Works has installed banners in the downtown area—The new “Discover Snow Hill” banners are flying over Town. Mr. Clark extended appreciation to the Neighborhood Affairs Committee for their work on this project.

3. Town Hall Day, A Legislative Action Day, Wednesday June 7, 2006 sponsored by the NC League of Municipalities—Clark encouraged the Commissioners to make reservations to attend.

4. Parks & Recreation Trust Fund Authority is meeting 10:00 a.m. Thursday May 11, 2006 at Umstead State park to consider the PARTF Community Center and Greene County Multipurpose Park Phase II projects—Mr. Clark is planning to attend to answer questions that may arise concerning the Town grant application.

c. Public Works Director: Introduce request from Kenaftec, Inc to plant kenaf on the town’s farm tract off Carolina Drive—In the Public Works Director’s absence, Bob Clark gave this report that was received by consent of the Board. The above request is in an e-mail from Paul Skillicorn, a copy of which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes.

8. Reports of Boards, Commissions, Committees and/or Taskforce: N/A

9. Unfinished Business and General Orders:

a. 2006-2007 Town Council Strategic Plan—Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to adopt the town council strategic plan as written and presented by Bob Clark (a copy of which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).

The Board, at the suggestion of the mayor, considered the following agenda items as a consent agenda. Motion was made by Commissioner Washington, seconded by Commissioner Edwards and carried unanimously to approve the consent agenda that includes items b through f below: (copies hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).
b. Snow Hill Personnel Policy Amendment #1: Art. III, Section 20. Travel Management

c. Snow Hill Personnel Policy Amendment #2: Art. III. Section 21. Pension Plan Matching Contribution

d. Snow Hill Personnel Policy Amendment #3: Art. III. Section 22. Burial Benefit

e. Snow Hill Personnel Policy Amendment #4: Art. V. Section 11. Dress and Appearance

f. Snow Hill Personnel Policy Amendment #5: Art III. Section 23. Telecommunications

10. New Business:

a. Consider authorizing Kenaftec, Inc request to plant kenaf on the town’s farm tract off Carolina Drive—By consent the Board authorized Mayor Davis, Town Administrator Bob Clark and Town Attorney James Cauley to negotiate a temporary 12-month lease of the Town’s farm tract off Carolina Drive.

b. Consider entering a closed session to discuss a location or expansion of industries or other businesses pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4) and a personnel matter pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6)—Motion was made by Commissioner Burruss, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to move into closed session in reference to the above referenced NC General Statutes.

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

By consent the Board added items 10c and 10d to the agenda to be considered as a consent agenda. The board consented to authorize the mayor to negotiate: 1) South Greene and Jason Shine water contracts; 2) an additional two lots for the Genesis Hills Park pending the outcome of the tax appeal.

11. Program: N/A

12. Announcements and Public Comments—Brenda Chamberlain of The Standard Laconic suggested that the Board consider compensation for volunteer fire and rescue personnel as well as other Town volunteers.

13. Adjournment—Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Washington and carried unanimously to adjourn this session of the Board of Commissioners.