Town Council Minutes Morehead City, North Carolina  Tuesday, January 9, 2024  The Honorable Council ofthe Town ofMorehead City held its Regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, in the Council Chambers at City Hall located at 1100 Bridges  Street, Morehead City, North Carolina. COUNCIL PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:  Mayor Gerald A. Jones, Jr.; Councilmembers Richard Abell, George Ballou, Lee Stiles, William Taylor, and Harvey Walker. City Attorney Derek Taylor, City Manager Chris Turner, Finance Director/Assistant City Manager Jewel Lasater, Public Services Director/Assistant City Manager Daniel Williams, Police Chief Bryan Dixon, Deputy Police Chief September Tuttle, Planning and Inspections Director Sandi Watkins, Fire-EMS Chief Courtney Wade, Assistant Chief/EMS Coordinator Kelly Urban, Assistant Finance Director Leeann Vinson, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Victoria Ward, many police officers, and City Maceo Donald of the Carteret County News-Times, Kathryn Metts and Leah Hardesty of] Downtown Morehead City Inc., Pete Benton, Police Chief Wrenn Johnson (Ret.), Gloria McCarther, Curtis Oden, Missy Oden, Sammy Turner, Diane Warrender, and  Clerk Cathy Campbell.  OTHERS PRESENT:  Jan Willis.  Mayor Jones called the Regular meeting of the Morehead City Town Council to order at 5:30 p.m. with a quorum present. Councilmember Ballou gave the invocation and Mayor Jones  led the pledge of allegiance. PRESENTATIONSIRECONITIONS  Presentation of Resolution 2024-R-01 Honoring Lieutenant James Gaskill Upon His  Retirement from the Morehead City Police Department  Mayor Jones presented Resolution 2024-R-01 to Lieutenant James Gaskill in recognition of his retirement from the Morehead City Police Department on November 1, 2023. Lieutenant Gaskill began his career with the Town of] Morehead City on. November 9, 2001, and has faithfully served the city as a police officer for more than 22 years.  Mayor Jones said that when he thinks of James Gaskill he thinks of a servant. He shared that Lt. Gaskill has faithfully served the community, not only Morehead City but also the larger Carteret County community, through law enforcement duties and service to non-  profit organizations.  Morehead City Town Council: Regular Meeting January 9, 2024  1    Chief Bryan Dixon presented Lt. Gaskill with his service firearm and badge. He then read his letter recommending Lt. Gaskill as a recipient of the distinguished Order of the Longleaf Pine award citing his quality of service and his ability to adapt to his audience no matter what their walk of life may be. He then read from a scanned copy of the award from Governor Roy Cooper confirming that the award had been granted although not yet received.  The citation read as follows:  ] Roy Cooper, Governor, reposing special confidence in the integrity, learning and zeal ofLieutenant James E. Gaskill, Sr., Ido by these presents confer The Order oft the Long Leaf Pine with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary, privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members ofthis exalted order, among which is the special privilege to propose the following North Carolina Toast in select company anywhere in the free world: Here' 's to. the land ofthe long leaf pine. The summer land where the sun doth. shine. Where the weak grow strong and  the, strong grow great. Here'st to "down home, " the Old North. State!"  Lt. Gaskill thanked the Town Council and the citizens of] Morehead City for allowing him to do the job] he loves. He shared that he is continuing to work in law enforcement at the state level. Lt. Gaskill encouraged everyone to, "Treat people the way you would want to be treated in the same situation that they are in at1 the same time. Ifyou treat people with respect,  you will get respect back." CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS  Mayor. Jones asked ift the Council desired to: make any additional changes toi the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda generally consists of housekeeping items that have been previously discussed and recommended by the Council Committees for Council consideration. Hearing no requests, Councilmember Stiles made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember Abell seconded and the motion was carried  unanimously. (5-0)  Included within the Consent Agenda were the following approvals:  A. Approve the minutes of the December 7, 2023, Special Town Council Meeting as B. Approve the minutes of the December 12, 2023, Regular Town Council Meeting as  presented. presented.  C. Accept the Finance Director and Tax Collector Reports as presented.  D. Accept the Notice of Ad Valorem Tax Overpayments in the amount of $11,519.57 for  the month of December 2023, as presented. Morehead City" Town Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2024  2    E. Approve the Requests for Refunds of Overpayment of Ad Valorem Taxes in the amount  of$3,452.30 for December 2023, as presented. Finance and Administration Committee. Finance and Administration Committee.  F.  Accept the Estimated Fund Balance Report as presented and recommended by the  G. Adopt Budget Ordinance Amendment 2024-01 as presented and recommended by the H. Adopt Resolution 2024-R-01, in appreciation to Lieutenant James Gaskill upon his  retirement from the Morehead City Police Department.  I.  Adopt Resolution 2024-R-02, declaring Lieutenant James Gaskill's badge and service  weapon as surplus and authorizing award tol him upon retirement.  The above ordinances are filed in Ordinance Book #9; resolutions are attached to and made a  part ofthe minutes herein. NEW BUSINESS  Consider Approval of Sketch Plan for Business Drive 9-Lot Commercial Subdivision Planning and] Inspections Director Sandi Watkinsp presentedarequest: from' Tidewater. Associates, Inc., on behalf of The Ramsey QOZB, LLC., for Sketch Plan Review of a 15-acre, 9-lot commercial subdivision proposed to be located at 5077 and 5043 Business Drive, as well as one abutting unaddressed parcel (Tax Pin#36360119402002.900,6366012718900, and6 66601288120000). The sketch plan has been reviewed by Planning, Public Services, and Fire Department staff.  She reported that the Planning Board, on December 14, 2023, reviewed the request in detail and recommended approval oft the request contingent upon annexation oft the eastern two (2) parcels located within the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) prior to submission for preliminary plat review and that all streets meet the 50-foot minimum width right-of-way requirement: for commercial and industrial streets. Thel latter was intended to address the westernmost entrance that shows only a 49.92 feet right-of-way. It is thought that this might be a survey error and they are seeking confirmation. Aside from the conditioned items, all requirements appear to have been met for  the sketch plan phase.  Ms. Watkins advised that staff has received a partially completed annexation application and the applicant indicated during the Planning Board meeting that they are working to finalize the annexation map to complete annexation application submission. If the sketch plan is approved, thei next approval request would bei for preliminary plat approval. The preliminary plat phase is where the applicant may begin construction of utilities and streets. City utilities and  streets are proposed.  Morehead City Town Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2024  3    Councilmember Taylor made ai motion to: approve the Sketch Plan ofa 9-lot commercial subdivision proposed to be located at 4077 and 5043 Business Drive, as well as one abutting unaddressed parcel (Tax Pin #'s 636601184022000, 636601271889000, and 66601288120000) contingent upon annexation of the eastern two (2) parcels prior to submission for preliminary plat review and that all rights-of-way meet the 50-foot minimum width requirement for commercial and industrial streets. Councilmember Ballou seconded the motion and the: motion Adoption of Resolution 2024-R-03, Authorizing the Development of Elijah's Landing  was carried unanimously. (5-0) Project ("Project")  City Manager Chris Turner asked the Town Council to adopt Resolution 2024-R-03, authorizing the development of] Elijab'sLanding project. This resolution formalizes the Council's January 10, 2023, approval oft the Subrecipient Agreement between the North Carolina Office ofRecovery and Resiliency (NCORR) and the Town of] Morehead City ("Town"), and makes itp possible for the Project recipients, its successors and or assigns, to be authorized to receive funds from NCORR and to further accept the conditions of Project funding that require the Town to authorize the Project to receive funds. To further clarify the purpose for this resolution, Mr. Turner called attention to the 5th and 6th resolution provisions: WHEREAS, the Town and East Carolina Community Development Inc. (ECCDI). find it necessary to transfer the obligations of the Development. Agreement to. ECCDI's successor entity, Elijah' 's Landing ofMorehead City, LIC("the Borrower"), to whichi the parties agree WHEREAS, the Town has agreed to disburse these funds to the Borrower as a loan from the Town according to the terms contained within loan documents to be executed by the Borrower, but the Town intends to withhold five percent (596) of the Award to be used to administer the Award and reimburse some ofi its administrative costs and expenses related to the Award and. Developer. Agreement,, forwarding the remainder of the Award proceeds WHEREAS, the Borrower has agreed to receive the Award and confirms and commits the Project as a low-moderate-mcome project as required under the Award and the Developer Agreement' 's codes, regulations, covenants, restrictions and requirements therein. > Attorney Derek Taylor stated that this is a requirement of the NCORR grant and will allow the project to move forward. Mr. Turner explained that the project funds are passed from the US Department ofUrban Housing and Development to the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, which then passes the funds onto the Town of Morehead City. The Town will hold the funds and disburse to ECCDI as appropriate for the project.  isn necessary and appropriate to ensure the Project's. success; and  as Project reimbursement to the Borrower; and  Morehead City Town Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2024  4    Ini response to questions, Mr. Turner confirmed that Staffifnow: satisfied and confident with issuing the funds and assured the Town Council that regular updates on thej project would  be provided.  Councilmember Taylormadeamotion. to adopt Resolution 2024-R-03,: authorizingt the development ofthe Elijah'sLanding Project. Councilmember Stiles seconded thei motion and  the motion was carried unanimously. (5-0)  Resolution 2024-R-03 is attached: to and made aj part of the minutes herein.  Governing Board Appointments: Eastern Carolina Council & Parks and Recreation  Advisory. Board Eastern Carolina Council  City Manager Chris Turner explained that as ai member oft the Eastern Carolina Council (ECC), the Town Council may appoint a representative from their body to represent them. Annually, Council is given the opportunity to continue the service of the current representative or chose another. Councilmember Bill Taylor currently represents the Town of Morehead City  and has done SO since 2018.  Upon ar motion made by Councilmember Ballou, seconded by Councilmember Stiles, to reappoint Councilman Bill Taylor to the Eastern Carolina Council for another one-year  term, the motion was carried by unanimous vote. (5-0)  Parks and Recreation Advisory Board  City Manager Chris Turner then asked the' Town Council to make appointments toi fill the expired Parks and Recreation Advisory Board seats held by Dana Starling, Ray Tillery, and Gloria McCarther. He reported that neither Ms. McCarther nor Mr. Tillery wish to continue serving; however, Ms. Starling would like to continue serving in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) seat. Four (4) additional In-City applications were: received from Travis Adams, Blake Barreto, Vivian Collins, and Brittni Somers and three (3) ETJ applications were received from Daniel Fischler, Arthur Mertz, and Caylon Vielehr. Ms. McCarther currently serves as the W.S. King Alumni representative and Vivian Collins is the only alumni member who has applied to: fill this  seat. Ifselected, she would also fill one oft the In-City seats.  The Town Council was asked to fill two (2) In-City seats and one (1) Extraterritorial (ETJ) seat. These appointments will be for three (3) year terms beginning January 1,2024, and  expire on December 31, 2026.  After a vote by ballot, Councilmember Taylor made a motion to reappoint Dana Starling to the ETJ seat, and to appoint Vivian Collins to an In-City seat serving as the W. S.K King Alumni representative seat, and to appoint Travis Adams to an open In-City seat  Morehead City Town Council Regular Meeting January 9,2 2024  5    with terms to begin January 1, 2024 and to expire December 31, 2026. Councilmember  Abell seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously. (5-0)  CITY MANAGERS REPORT  Mr. Turner reminded the Town Council that City offices would be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and that the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day would be held at 11:00 a.m. on the same day at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. The guest speaker will be Tabari Wallace, Special Advisory to the State  Superintendent ofNorth Carolina Department ofPublic Instruction.  The Town Council was also reminded that their annual strategic planning retreat is scheduled for Friday, January 12, 2024, and would be held at the NC. Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. The following week on. January 19, 2024, Staffwilll hold their strategic planning retreat.  CITIZEN REQUESTS/COMMENTS (2 Minute Time Limit)  There were none. COUNCIL COMMENTS  Councilmember Walker stated that he is looking forward to a new year and cautioned Councilmember Ballou thanked everyone for attending and for allowing him to serve. Councilmember Stiles wished everyone a Happy New Year, and noting the recent increase in sickness, he extended wishes for a quick recovery. He stated that he looks forward  everyone tol be careful during the expected bad weather.  to serving the citizens of] Morehead City.  Councilmember Taylor thanked everyone who braved the weather to attend this meeting, and said he was pleased to see the large number of people that came out to honor Lt. Gaskill. Councimember Abell applauded Lt. Gaskill for his service to the Town, stating that it was a pleasure to have worked with him, and he wished him well in his future endeavors. Mayor Jones thanked everyone who had a hand in planning the New Years Eve  celebration, stating that it was well organized and well attended.  CLOSED SESSION  Councilmember Ballou moved to enter into Closed Session at 6:07 p.m. per 143- 318.11(a)(5) to instruct the public body'sstafforn negotiating agents concerning the position tol be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating the amount of compensation  Morehead City" Town Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2024  6    and other material terms of an employment contract or proposed employment. Councilmember Walker seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. (5-0)  Councilmember Walkeri moved to return to Open Session at6 6:50p.m. Councilmember Councilmember Walker made a motion to instruct the City Manager to enter into contract negotiations to hire Derek Taylor as a full-time City employee to provide in-house legal services. Councilmember Ballou second and the motion was carried unanimously. (5-0) Mr. Turner anticipates that it will take three (3) to six (6) months for Attorney Taylor to  Taylor seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. (5-0)  close out his services to other municipal clients.  ADJOURNMENT  There being no other business to discuss,  Jones  the meeting at 6:55  p.m.  GeraldA WJones.la,Mayor  Attest:  F  DCITY  Cai Coplaa ( Cathy Camapbell, Cily Clerk  Morehead City Town Council Regular Meeting January 9, 2024  7