TOWN OF FOUR OAKS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 12TH, 2021 AGENDA  1) Call to Order  2) Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 3) Approval of Minutes 4) Public Comments 5) Public Hearings s-None New Business  a) Town Council Meeting - March g", 2021  a) O'Neil Simmons -3 30 Iris Dr - Discuss maintenance on drains & driveways  a) FODDA Updates - Downtown Development Committees b) Resolution Opposing Proposed Zoning Reform - Pauline Ketchum c) Announcement of Planning Board Resignation, Stanley Johnson - Pauline Ketchum  7) Budget Amendments  a) General Fund - #BA 2020-21 02 b) Water & Sewer Fund - #BA 2020-21 02  8) Mayor's Comments 9) Department Reports a) Police - Hatch b) Parks & Rec & Outreach - Hines c) Water and Sewer - Medlin d) Sanitation & Streets - Surles e) Finance - Hardy Adjournment    TOWN OF FOUR OAKS TOWN COUNCIL MEETING  APRIL 12th, 2021 MINUTES  Call to Order  Mayor Linwood Parker called the April 12th, 2021 regular scheduled Town Council meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Those present included Commissioners Andy Hardy, John Hatch, Vic Medlin, and Carles Surles. Also present were Police Chief Stephen Anderson; Planning & Zoning Administrator Pauline Ketchum; Town Clerk Martha Garris recording minutes; Town ofF Four Oaks Development Coordinator Reid Williams; and Mike Dart from FO Benson Newi in Review.  Not present and excused Commissioner Mike Hines. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance  Rev. O'Neil Simmons gave the opening Invocation with Principal Anthony Whitaker leading the  Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Minutes  Town Council Meeting. March gth, 2021  Commissioner Hardy made a motion to approve the Town Council regular meeting minutes as  presented, seconded by Commissioner Hatch, voting unanimous.  Public Comment  Rev. O'Neil Simmons, resident at 30 Iris Dr., expressed concerns about drainage issues and his driveway in the Forest Hills Subdivision near Iris Dr. and Harper Avenue. Rev. Simmons reported the drainage ditch is level with the road, trees are growing ini the ditch, and there is a hole in his driveway due to work done by the Town. He commented that hel has contacted the Town several times and nothing has been done. Commissioner Surles commented that he and Barry had discussed the issues and once it dries out, so it does make a bigger mess, the Town will work on the drainage ditch but he is unsure about the driveway. Mayor Parker commented Iris Dr. and Harper Avenue are part oft the Town's Powell Bill streets sO the Town is responsible for the maintenance and assured Mr. Simmons it would get taken care ofonce it dries out more, Mayor also commented the town plans to pave in Forest Hills once the construction projects are Anthony Whitaker, Four Oaks Middle School Principal, gave updates for the school: (1) athletics was going great with volleyball being undefeated, boys soccer went 3 &3, football was 3&1, & Spring sports were about to begin; (2) students began Plan A on 4/12/21; (3) on May 27 at 10:00 am he would like to do an gth grade awards ceremony and lunch in the Barbour's Grove Park; (4) test will bei ini mid-May; (5) details for summer school were still being discussed; & (6) he is working on plans for the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Whitaker commented for the awards ceremony, the school will bus the 140-150 kids to town, have the ceremony and lunch in the park. He asked the Town to provide chairs for the kids, and provide and setup the sound system. The school will take care ofhandling the ceremony. The Board was in full support in the awards ceremony. Mayor Parker thanked Mr. Whitaker for attending the meeting and sharing.  complete.    Will Mitchiner and Dwight Vinson, discussed the progress ofthe Neuse River Watershed Management and Recreation Committee ("the Committee"). The Committee is comprised of leadership from the' Towns ofFour Oaks and Smithfield, Johnston County Soil & Water Conservation, local business leaders, farmer, & other concerned citizens. The three areas the Committee is focused on are: (1) the awareness from the Falls Lake discharge; (2) what can be done locally to mitigate flood efforts by cleaning out creeks & storm debris, and (3): recreation 1) The Committee met with the Army Core of] Engineers about al Neuse River Basin Flood Risk Management 3-year study with a preliminary report being available in September of 2021 & a final report in April 2023. The study will include the area from Crabtree Creek in Raleigh down the Neuse River. The study will look at needs from structural issues, dredging, adding levies, adding a lake, cleaning out ditches and bridges, etc. to address 2) To address ways to mitigate flood locally, the Committee is looking at ways to clean out 10 to 12 creeks they had identified. They are attempting to determine what needs to be done and the associated costs in order to apply for some grants for financial help. 3) The committee had also met with the Sea Trail Master. Association and the East Coast Greenway & Alliance to discuss ways to make Neuse River: more accessible for recreation and talked to the Wildlife Department about adding boat ramps on the river  access points on the Neuse River.  flooding from the Falls Lake discharge.  between Smithfield and Goldsboro.  Towns of] Four Oaks & Smithfield, Goldsboro, & Kinston are all towns ofinterest for the project. He commented they are hoping toi form an Alliance & have aj powerful voice. Mayor Parker commented these are. important needs the Committee is addressing on the Neuse River and Skip Green was researching possibilities for grant assistance. The Mayor and Board thanked Will and Joan Pritchett, Chamber of Commerce, reported the Chamber's upcoming planned events: (1) Spring Movies in the Park - April 17, May 22, &. June 26; (2) Acorn Festival - September 11; (3) Car and Motorcycle Swap Meet - October 9; (4) Movie Night in the Park- - October 23; (5) Oyster Roast -I November 11; (6) Christmas Treel Lighting & Movie in the Park - December 3; (7) Christmas Parade - December 4. The Chamber continues to work with the local businesses Patricia Chisholm-Jones, resident, reported she has been working with Public Works Director Barry Stanley and town employees. Tree have been planted in Holt Park and they are working  the Committee for all they are doing.  in town and trying to get back to normal.  on getting a flag pole installed. Public Hearings - None New Business FODDA Updates  Reid Williams, Town of Four Oaks Development Coordinator, reported Mike Pritchett has asked to step down from the Promotion Committee due to his increased workload demand at his shop. Based on the FODDA Committee by-laws, Mr. Williams report the Committee would like to appoint Carly Fogleman as chairperson and recommended Pat Moore as a new member nominee to the Promotion Committee to replace Mr. Pritchett. Motion to appoint Carly Fogleman as the    Promotion Committee chairperson and accept Pat Moore to the Promotion Committee was made by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Surles, voting unanimous. Eric Fogleman, chairperson for the Design Committee, presented some ordinance updates recommendations for the Special Business Districts. This includes US3 301 and the overlay districts. The recommendations were: (1) adopt the revisions provided to Mrs. Ketchum ofall the districts including the proposed 301 Corridor Overlay District for the Four Oaks; (2) the revised district map provided to Mrs. Ketchum that includes the 301 Corridor Overlay District; (3) adopt the proposed separate Vacant Building Ordinance provided to Mrs. Ketchum or include in the District Ordinance; and (4) leverage in the 2021-2022 budget to be applied to the HDD & HTF district with ai minimum of$15,000 for a Façade Grant program and $15,000 for other grant programs to help provide incentives to revitalize downtown businesses. Mr. Fogleman asked the Board to consider creating a Design Review Board, similar to the Planning Board. The Mayor and Board thanked Mr. Fogleman and his committee for all they are doing. Resolution Opposing Proposed Zoning Reform - Pauline Ketchum Mrs. Ketchum read the resolution opposing the proposed zoning reform in Senate Bill DRS15162-MQ-32A also known as SB 349/HB 401. The Bill is a great concern to municipalities ini the State. Mayor Parker commented this is a one-size fits all Statewide zoning bill where municipalities would have no say SO and no control ofits local zoning ordinances. He commented this is part ofa a movement to restrict municipalities by removing authority, Commissioner Hardy inquired who sponsored the Bill. Mrs. Ketchum looked up and responded the sponsors were; Senators Edwards, Newton, and Fitch (primary). Commissioner Medlin commented he would like to read the bill before approving the resolution. Mayor Parker asked the Board to read the Bill and they could approve via phone. The Board agreed to approve the Announcement of] Planning Board Resignations by Stanley Johnson - Pauline Ketchum Mrs. Ketchum reported to the board she had received ai resignation request from the Planning Board by Stanley Johnson. She commented she would be advertising it in newspaper and website with the deadline ofMay 6 at 5 pm and will bring the applications to the Board on May 10. Mayor Parker instructed Mrs. Ketchum to discuss with the Planning Board ati the May 5, 2021 meeting some options tol help manage growth in the town. Development is speeding up and the board needs to be able to make good decisions on how to control the growth. He asked her to discuss options with the UNC SOG and NCLM. Some issues the town could be facing are overcrowded schools, infrastructure needs, and water & sewer capacity limitations.  resolution providing there were no opposition after reading the bill.  Budget Amendments  General Fund and Water & Sewer Fund - #BA 2020-21 02  Commissioner Hardy presented the 3rd quarter budget amendments for the general fund and the water & sewer: fund as of March 31, 2021. Commissioner Hardy commented there will be a couple 4th quarter budget amendments in. June. Motion to approve the budget amendments as presented was made by Commissioner Medlin, seconded by Commissioner Hardy, voting  unanimous.  Mayor's Comments  Mayor Parker thanked the board and staff. Things seem to be getting back to normal slowly.    Mayor read a letter he received notifying him ofMr. Gethro "Rosenwald" Williams, Sr.'s 90th birthday on April 22th. He: instructed Clerk Garris to write aj proclamation honoring Mr. Williams 90th birthday and his lifelong citizenship in Four Oaks and Johnston County.  Department Reports Police-I Hatch  Commissioner Hatch turned it over to the Police Chief. Chief. Anderson read the monthly police report (attached). Chief. Anderson reported the department had been busy including locating a missing, juvenile in Sampson County safely. He commented vehicle break-ins are. happening and encouraged everyone to keep vehicle doors locked. Commissioner Surles inquired about the legality of vehicles parking on the street headed in the opposite direction. Chiefresponded he had noticed it but itl hasn'tever been an issue in' Town SO hel hasn'ta addressed it. He has chosen not toi make it an issue because some: folks are elderly and park that direction to avoid getting out in the traffic for safety. Commissioner Surles expressed concern this could present al hazard. Commissioner Hardy reported for Commissioner Hines: (1) the water fountain at Holt Park will Commissioner Hardy, Barry, &. JR.: met with the American Legion guys to move forward with the Veteran Memorial in the Barbour's Grove Park. They are in the process of gathering prices for: flag poles and bricks, work out the cost factors, and possibly get some assistance to offset the  Parks & Rec and Outreach - Hines  be: fixed soon; & (2) the Civitan baseball season had started.  cost.  Water and Sewer - Medlin water and 6% gain for sewer. Sanitation & Streets  Commissioner Medlin read the water and sewer report (attached). Water had revenue of $20,615 and the sewer had revenue of $25,971. The 12-month daily average per gallon was a 5%. loss for  Commissioner Surles reported: (1) sanitation is good; and (2) for streets, he and Barry had discussed fixing the pot holes around town and cleaning out the ditches in Forest Hills. The town will be working on1 these issues soon. All the equipment is running and town looks good. Commissioner Hardy read the financial report (attached) with total funds of $2,025,538 and made a motion to approve the March payables listed in the attached report, seconded by Commissioner Medlin, voting unanimous. Commissioner Hardy commented that hopefully we  Finance-I Hardy  will have the 2019-2020 audit report in May.  Adjournment  With no further business brought before the Town Council, motion to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. was made by Commissioner Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Medlin, voting unanimous.  ATTEST:  Mayb - P Martha Garris, Town Clerk  Linwood) Parket, Mayor