TOWN OF GARLAND TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021 6:00 PM  REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS,  PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED 2021-2022 BUDGET & ADOPTION OF 160D ORDINANCES  The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Garland, Public Hearing for the Proposed 2021-2022 Budget & the Adoption of the 160D Ordinances was held at the  Garland Town Hall on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 6:00 pm. The following members of the Board of Commissioners were present:  Austin Brown, Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Bronson, Jr. Jo A. Strickland Barbara A. Peterson Carolyn R. Melvin  Also present was Mayor Winifred H. Murphy, Deputy Clerk Annette Ricketson, Emily Williams of the Sampson Independent: and citizen Margaret Bronson.  CALL TO ORDER  Mayor Winifred H. Murphy called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and welcomed everyone in attendance. Deputy Clerk, Annette Ricketson, was present recording notes for the minutes. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy and Deputy Clerk Annette Ricketson established there was a  QUORUM quorum present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA at the next Board Meeting.  Mayor Winifred H. Murphy requested the Board review the agenda for approval. Commissioner Jo A. Strickland requested the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer be added back to the agenda Commissioner Jo Strickland was not wearing a face mask. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy brought to her attention that she had agreed to wear a face mask for the Board Meeting. Commissioner Jo Strickland was asked for reasonable accommodation and stated she had a negative Covid-19 Rapid Test at 2:00 pm on this date. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy reminded Commissioner that there was a Policy put in place on April 20, 2021, and the entire Board agreed that masks are required to enter the building, regardless of being fully vaccinated or otherwise. Commissioner Jo Strickland refused to wear a mask and Mayor Winifred H. Murphy asked her to leave the building. Commissioner Jo Strickland would not leave and asked that Mayor Winifred H. Murphy asked that the meeting recess until the mask issue with  this be discussed on Public Record.  Commissioner Jo Strickland was resolved.  1    Mayor Winifred H. Murphy stated she had spoken with the Sampson County Sheriff's Department and was told Commissioner Jo Strickland could be cited for trespassing. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy asked the Board to vote on whether to let Commissioner Jo Strickland stay for the meeting or require her to leave. Commissioner Eddie Bronson made a motion for Commissioner Jo Strickland to leave, and Commissioner Carolyn Melvin seconded. The vote carried with a vote of four to none. Commissioner Eddie Bronson requested Commissioner Jo Strickland have her attorney contact the Town's attorney. Commissioner Jo Strickland Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to approve the agenda as presented and  leaves the building at 6:15 pm.  Commissioner Barbara Peterson seconded. Vote carried unanimously.  PUBLIC COMMENTS  Margaret Bronson submitted a Special Event Application wherein she was requesting to use the softball field on July 3, 2021, for a few hours to have a family softball game as a part of her annual family reunion. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy stated that this application would be  discussed further down in the agenda to make a decision. PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED 2020-2021 BUDGET  Mayor Winifred H. Murphy opened the Public Hearing for the proposed 2021-2022 budget to receive comments. The proposed 2021-2022 budget was presented to the Board of Commissioners on May 18, 2021. The proposed budget was posted on the town's website and on the front door of town hall. Public Hearing notice was published in the Sampson Independent on May 26, 2021, and no comments have been received to date. After calling for any comments and receiving none, Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown moved to close the Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget, Commissioner Barbara Peterson seconded, and  the vote carried unanimously.  ADOPTION OF CHAPTER 160D ORDINANCES  Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to adopt the Chapter 160D Ordinances 2021- 2022 and close Public Hearing. Commissioner Barbara Peterson seconded, and the vote  carried unanimously. COMMISSIONER REPORTS ADMINISTRATION  Mayoral Report- Mayor Winifred H. Murphy thanked everyone for all they have done over the last several months and expressed how nice it was to have a meeting again in the Board Room after a year of virtual meetings. She indicated she had spoken with a Developer about  ap program similar to NC STEP for additional grants and funding.  FINANCE  Budget versus Actual = Clerk Pamela Cashwell is not present but has provided copies of the  current budget VS. actual report to the Board. (See attached).  2    Bank Statements/A.P. Check Listing Clerk Pamela Cashwell provided copies of the bank statements for all three accounts as well as the AP check report. One check was written to Mayor Winifred H. Murphy for reimbursement for the Juneteenth Banners. (See attached). Budget Amendment 2020-2021-06 is for the Senior Banners for 2020-2021. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to accept the amendment and Commissioner Carolyn Melvin Credit Card Purchases - Clerk Pamela Cashwell provided copies of the credit card purchases. One purchase was for the Clerk's luncheon in celebration of Clerk's Week. (See attached). Cemetery Update- Commissioner Barbara A. Peterson stated there are no cemetery updates. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy recommended that the cost for cemetery plots be the same for in- town residents and out-of-town residents. She also recommended the cost to be $600.00 for one plot and $400.00 each for two or more plots. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to change the 2021-2022 cemetery plot pricing to $600.00 for one plot and $400.00 each for two or more plots, for both in-town and out-of-town residents. Commissioner Barbara Mayor Winifred H. Murphy made recommendation and Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to get the cemeteries on both sides of Hill Circle surveyed as soon as possible. Commissioner Barbara Peterson seconded the motion and the vote carried unanimously. Buildings- Commissioner Barbara A. Peterson has spoken with Mr. Peterson from the American Legion Building about the window not being boarded up. She spoke with Randy in Public Works, and he stated he will get this taken care of before the week is out. commissioner Eddie Bronson expressed concerns about the old movie theater and the building beside his house being a nuisance and needed to come down. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy mentioned a controlled burn for the properties. Commissioner Eddie Bronson stated, "the buildings are gonna come down, if have to sue the property owner and the Town". Mayor Winifred H. Murphy asked commissioner Carolyn Melvin to speak with her son, who is ai firefighter to see about doing a controlled burn on the buildings and Commissioner Melvin  seconded. Vote carried unanimously.  BVLDINGSCEMETERY  Peterson seconded the motion and the vote carried unanimously.  agreed to ask him. PARKSIRECREATION  Garland Softball Park- Commissioner Carolyn Melvin stated she had gotten prices from Lowes' to replace 4 picnic tables. Commissioner Eddie Bronson expressed concern on securing the tables so they cannot be removed from the park. Commissioner Carolyn Melvin stated that at other ball parks chains with locks were used to secure the tables. The pricing Commissioner Carolyn Melvin made a motion to get the picnic tables from Lowes at a cost of $149.00 plus a discount and Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown seconded the motion. The vote Commissioner Carolyn stated she is trying to get up with a gentleman to check all lights and give an estimate on cost to repair/replace lights at the ballpark. Mrs. Nakashia Smutko at  is $149.00 each plus a discount for buying multiple sets.  carried unanimously.  3    Southern Bank in Garland stated they have a program that would contribute funds for the light repairs. Commissioner Carolyn Melvin will contact Mrs. Nakashia at the bank with updates. Mr. Leo Skinner has provided an estimate for placing LED Dusk-to-Dawn lighting at the concession stand. The qupmentsupplies and labor would cost $443.00. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to have Mr. Leo Skinner replace old lighting with LED Dusk-to- Dawn lighting at the concession stand for a total of $443.00. Commissioner Barbara Peterson seconded the motion. The vote carried unanimously. Commissioner Eddie Bronson stated he has attempted to contact Terry Spell about the pole lights at the ballpark. Whichever one, him or Commissioner Carolyn's contact, gets back with information first is who gets the job, or which one can get to it before June 30, 2021, to be included in this year's budget. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy expressed concern of soccer poles, brackets and nets and has contacted Dana from Sampson County Parks and Recreation. She will also contact Brad Mayor Winifred H. Murphy asked that Commissioner Carolyn Melvin and Commissioner Eddie Bronson speak with the Garland Softball League about all the negative Facebook chatter. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Clarification of duties and who the League members are should be provided. Commissioner Eddie Bronson expressed concern about Wanda Johnson selling snacks at the games without a permit. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy stated they are calling it "taking donations" and that 100% of the money taken in is going to the Garland Softball League. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown stated that Garland Softball League should be going to the Committee members. Commissioner Carolyn Melvin and Commissioner Eddie Bronson for anything they need from the Town and leave the comments off Facebook. Again, Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown recommended that the Parks and Recreation Committee discuss all concerns with the softball league, ask them to provide acopy of Articles of Incorporation and other documents previously requested and bring all Margaret Bronson presented her Special Event Application to the Board for each to review. The application states the Town will not be liable for any injuries, etc. that could occur during this event. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made the motion to approve the Special Event Application for Margaret Bronson. Commissioner Carolyn Melvin seconded the motion and  Richardson to see if he can put up soccer equipment.  information back to the board for discussion.  the vote carried unanimously.  STREETS  Powell Bill Annual Street Assessment Report- Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown stated that Randy went out with Mr. Teddy Owen and made a recording of the assessment. Clerk Pamela Cashwell indicated to Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown that she would listen to the recording Commissioner Eddie Bronson reported that East Front Street and South Kerr had old mattresses and springs and two burn barrels that were put out before street cleanup, and he notified Public Works employee Randy Boone, but the items were not picked up. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown will discuss this with Randy. Commissioner Bronson also reported a street sign down at East Front Street and East Sloan Street. This is addressed in the Powell Bill Report. The street sign at Herring and Queen Street is covered by vines. The street behind Handee Hugo's is torn up by trucks exiting and entering the roadway. Mayor Pro Tem Austin  and make a list of the needs and report that in July.  4    Brown explained to Commissioner Bronson that he addressed these issues two weeks ago and this is a State Road and NCDOT indicated it will be late July early August when they can get the street repaired. Handee Hugo will reach out to Mr. Jimmie Blackman about putting concrete barriers on his property to stop the trucks from pulling onto the roadside. Deputy Clerk Annette Ricketson brought to the Board the safety concerns of wildlife entering the  streets due to the logging and their natural habitat being destroyed.  PUBLIC WORKS truck doors. Independent. OLD BUSINESS  Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown stated that inventory has been replaced for items stolen during the break-in in February, the public works trucks have been repaired and decals replaced on Mayor Pro Tem Brown stated that a job posting for Public Works has been put on Facebook. He will get that posted on NC Works as well and get an advertisement to Sampson  There has been no response from the State regarding the Lagoon situation.  Cares Act Expenditure- Mayor Winifred H. Murphy stated no expenditures since last Board Meeting. Please let us know if you have any Covid 19 related purchases that need to be made. The Board Packet lists the amount of Cares Act funds that have been spent as well as 2021 Graduation Project- Mayor Winifred H. Murphy stated the project was a success. Thirty- one banners were put up. We have not been billed so she is not sure what money was left.  remaining funds.  Items from last year's gift bags can be given to this year's graduates.  NEW BUSINESS  2020/2021 Audit Contract- Mayor Winifred H. Murphy stated we just need to approve this year's Audit Contract and send it back in. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to approve the 2020/2021 Audit Contract and Commissioner Carolyn Melvin seconded. The vote Adoption of 2021/2022 Budget Ordinance- Mayor Winifred H. Murphy recommended this be Adoption of 160D Compliance- Mayor Pro Tem made al Motion to approve the 160D Ordinances and Resolution and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Barbara Peterson. The vote  carried unanimously.  tabled and reconvened to discuss the Cemetery changes.  carried unanimously. MINUTES APPROVAL  May 4, 2021, Special Meeting & Budget Planning Session- Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted, seconded by Commissioner Barbara A. May 18, 2021, Closed Session- Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted, seconded by commissioner Barbara A. Peterson and carried  Peterson and carried unanimously. (See attached).  unanimously.  5    CALENDAR OF EVENTS/ANNOUNOUNCEMENTS/CONDOLENCES Council and that justice be served in this matter.  Condolences: The Town of Garland sends our sincerest condolences to all of those who have recently lost loved ones. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy asked for prayers for the family of Dexter Town Offices will be closed Friday, June 18, 2021, in observance of Juneteenth. Town Offices will be closed Monday July 5, 2021, in observance of Independence Day. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to enter into closed session at 7:20 pm pursuant to 6.5.143-318.113) Attorney-Client Privilege and (6) Personnel, seconded by Commissioner Carolyn R. Melvin and the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Winifred H. Murphy dismissed Emily Williams with the Sampson Independent and Mayor Pro Tem made a motion to come out of Closed Session at 8:02 pm and Commissioner Barbara Peterson seconded the motion. The vote carried unanimously. No action was taken. Mayor Pro Tem Austin Brown made a motion to recess the meeting to reconvene on June 22nd at 7:00 pm, seconded by Commissioner Barbara Peterson and carried unanimously. The  CLOSED SESSION  Deputy Clerk Annette Ricketson from the meeting.  RECESS TO RE-CONVENE  meeting recessed to reconvene at 8:32 pm.  Dnndth Rickutso Annette Ricketson, Deputy Clerk  Board Approved:  ly  6