River Bend Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 18, 2024 Town Hall 7:00 p.m. Mayor John Kirkland Lisa Benton Brian Leonard Barbara Maurer Buddy Sheffield Jeff Weaver Delane Jackson Stephen Fell Mandy Gilbert Kristie Nobles David Baxter  Present Council Members:  Town Manager: Police Sargeant: Finance Director: Town Clerk: Town Attorney: CALL TO ORDER  Members oft the Public Present: 12 Bend Town Hall with a quorum present. RECOGNITION OF NEW RESIDENTS VOTE A APPROVAL OF AGENDA SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS  Mayor Kirkland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the River Jennifer Dunn - 813 Plantation Drive = stated she has lived in River Bend for 2 years and extended gratitude to Cruddy Cans for organizing a litter pick up dayi in River Bend. Counciwoman Benton motioned to adopt the agenda as presented. The motion carried Cruddy Cans -Shawn Stengele and Donny Moore addressed the Council regarding providing GFL - Norma Yanez = addressed the Council and provided historical information on GFL and Edwin Vargas - 119 Randonwood Lane = expressed gratitude to the Town Manager for his response to emails. He also stated that he felt the town needed a new road to exit the town. The Mayor presented the Council with the Consent Agenda. Councilman Sheffield moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Within this motion,  unanimously.  other options for trash disposal in the Town of River Bend.  their services provided. PUBLIC COMMENT CONSENT AGENDA  the following items were approved: A. Approve:  Minutes oft the March 14, 2024, Work Session Meeting Minutes of the March 21, 2024, Regular Council Meeting    River Bend Town Council April 18, 2024 Regular Session! Minutes 2of10  TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT The Manager gave the following updates:  Wastewater Treatment Plant bidding is scheduled for May 5, 2024. .The first budget workshop is scheduled for April 30 at 4;00 at Town Hall. Police Sargeant Fell encouraged all residents to lock their vehicle doors.  .The land surveyor completed thet fieldwork today on the property fort the proposed new' Water  Treatment Plant.  ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS FINANCE- COUNCILMAN LEONARD  Financial Report = Finance Director, Mandy Gilbert, presented to the Council the financial statement for the month of March. She stated thet total oft the Town's Cash and Investments as of March 31, 2024, were $3,171,251 and Ad valorem tax collections for FY23-24 were $974,525 and Councilman Leonard motioned to approve Budget Amendment #23-B-06 as presented. The  Vehicle Ad valorem tax collections were $73,959. VOTE = Budget Amendment #23-B-06 motion carried unanimously. (see attached) Councilman Leonard gave the following report:  ENVIRONMENT AND WATERWAYS = COUNCILMAN LEONARD  Vice chairman Jon Hall called the meeting to order at 7A PM. There was a quorum. There wereno visitors. The minutes for the February 2024 meeting were read and approved. Councilman Leonard gave a council updated and answered questions from the board. Old Business: Discussion on the storwatermaster, plani from 1999. Discussion about the status of the bulkhead letters and status, counciman Leonard will follow up with the town manager. New Business: Discussion on setting up a date for a river/canal clear up for trash and weeds. Volunteer hours: 13 There is a vacancy on EWAB please consider, joining the board. The next meeting will be on May 6'h 2024 at 7A PM in the municipal building's small conference room. The public is welcome  to attend.  PLANNING BOARD = COUNCILMAN SHEFFIELD Councilman Sheffield gave the following report:  The planning board met on Thursday April 4t 2024 at 6 PM in the large conference room in the municipal building. Chairman Lippert opened the meeting at 6 PM, there was a quorum of members. There were several visitors. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Allison McCollum gave a summary of the permits issued since the last meeting. Councilman Leonard gave a council update. There were no public comments. There was no old business. Under new business the preliminary Plat submission for parcel #8-200-029 was discussed. The town manager gave a power point presentation and Keith from Strong Rock spoke about the plat and answered members questions. The next regular meeting is scheduled: for May 2nd 2024 at6 6 PM in the large conference room in the municipal building. The meeting was adjourned around  6:45.  BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT- COUNCILMAN SHEFFIELD Councilman Sheffield gave the following report:  A. special meeting of the River Bend Board of Adjustment was held on March 28"h at 6:30 pm at Town Hall. A quorum was present. Vice Chairperson Leonard presided. The purpose of the meeting was explained: A special use permit application by the Town of River Bend for the construction ofa Water Treatment Plant on property adjacent toi the town's Public Works Building. Witnesses were swor in. Manager. Jackson and Assistant Zoning Administrator McCollum were witnesses for River Bend. No one chose to be a witness against the permit. Ms. McCollum    River BendT Town Council April 18, 2024 Regular Session Minutes 3of10  outlined the 126 exhibits that were presented on behalf of the Town. Manager Jackson presented an in-depth PowerPoint exhibit displaying the preliminary plan for the project, including the buffer zone between the plant and existing homes, etc. The board discussed the application. Board member Barta requested that any approval of the application include 24-hour security camera coverage. The lengthyprocess of assuring that the permit satisfies numerous conditions required by the state was undertaken. The board voted to approve the application on the condition that security cameras with 24-hour surveillance would be established at this location. The meeting  was adjourned. No future meeting is scheduled at this time. PUBLIC SAFETY- COUNCILWOMAN BENTON PARKS & RECREATION- - COUNCILMAN WEAVER  Counciwoman Benton stated that Community' Watch is in need of more volunteers.  Councilman Weaver stated the survey that Parks and Recreation had been asked to complete is almost completed and he hopes to share their recommendation at next months Council meeting,  along with a presentation for a Facebook page combined with CAC. RIVER BEND COMMUNITY ORGANIC GARDEN Councilman Weaver gave the following report:  The big news is, A plant sale will be held at the garden on Saturday, April 27th from 8:30 am to 1 pm. Plants, shrubs, vegetables, herbs and houseplants will be offeredi fors sale. Garden ornaments and tools will also be available. The rain date is May 4. The total number of volunteer hours for March was 199, bringing the year to date total to 448 hours. The next meeting is scheduled for May 66 at1:30 pm ini the Municipal building. Weekly workdays are. scheduled on Saturdays starting at 9 am (earlier ifi it is warm). Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in monthly garden  volunteer. meetings and in the garden. CAC- COUNCILWOMAN MAURER Councilwoman Maurer presented thet following report.  The CAC did not meet in April. The Arbor Day Celebration was a success. Everyone had a great time, and the Girl Scouts were a wonderful addition. The tree was planted, and the girl scouts planted pollinator gardens. About 40-50 people attended. Plans are already in the works fori next year. The Beautification. Award Program restarted this month. Nominations were slow for April but are expected to increase in May and June. You can nominate yourself, a neighbor, or a house yout think is attractive. Nominations fort the April award will start on April 1. Check the town website fori nomination forms. Board members will offer two Independence Day decoration workshops in June. Reservations are. necessary to hold a place. More information willl be posted in the e-news and on the town website. CAC will hold their second annual Independence Day Festive Award Program that publicly recognizes homes that exemplify the Fourth of July spirit. The board is working to create a CAC Facebook page toi inform residents of upcoming events and to report on activities. Itv will ani informational, page with al link toc contact board members. A CAC board member has met with her counterpart on the Parks board to share ideas and plans. The next meeting is scheduled for May 15, 2024 at 4 pm in the Municipal Building. The meeting is open to everyone. There is a new vacancy. Please attend if) you are interested. Guests and volunteers are always  welcome. You don'thave to be a board member to participate.  MAYOR'S REPORT  The Mayor presented the following report.  "In 2016 Ia authored the below article written for the River Bender. At that time the Sun Journal printed itn monthly. The personal quality ofintegrity has always been critical to thel local community and to the nation. I believe that the references cited in the article give testimony to the worth of integrity on the part of all citizens. Please consider the working of our council and the need to exchange ideas based on individual positions then listen to other expressed positions. Finally, we need to arrive at a compromised position which thet majority will: support. In this fashion the needs    River Bendl Townd Council Apil1 18, 2024 Regulars Session Minutes 4of10  of the community will be well addressed. Thank you for taking the time to read this material and  have a good day and a good week."  SEPTEMBER 2016 RIVER BENDER ARTICLE INTEGRITY AND THE WORLD WELIVEI IN  As thel NovemberN National Election approaches, a quality that should be expected ofany candidate is that ofintegrity. Following are a number of quotes from individuals that have gone on record  providing insight to the power ofe ethics in leadership.  Robert S. Palmer ofI Deloitte, Dean of Wharton School from 1983-1990:  "We need to stress that personal integrity is as important as executive skill in business dealings.... Selling an example from the top has a ripple effect through a business school or a corporation. After nearly three decades in business, 10. years as chief executive ofa Big Eight accounting. firm, I have learned that the standards set at the top filter throughout a company... [Quoting Professor Thomas. Dunfee ofthe Wharton School:) 'A company that fails to take. steps to produce a climate conducive toj positive work-relatedelhica. altiludes may create ai vacuum ins which employees so predisposed  mayfoster afrontier-style, everyone for themselves mentality.  Mahatma Gandhi states,  "There are seven things that will destroy us: Wealth without work; Pleasure without conscience; Knowledge without character; Religion without sacrifice; Politics without principal; Science without humanity; Business without ethics. Dan Bryan wrote in his May 14, 2012, article entitled, After Yorktown: The Integrity ofGeorge "George Washington, as much as he is lionized, is often not given the full credit due to him for his efforts at holding the United States together as a republic in the The famous defeat of Cornwallis did not immediately end the war. For a time, it was unclear whether the British would relent, or whether they would send another army tol North America and continue toj press the conflict. During this interval, most ofthe Continental Army remained mobilized and camped at Newburgh, New York. Many of them had not been paid in years. They were ill-clothed, poorly fed, and gradually Itt took remarkable skill and leadership by George Washington to prevent this situation from escalating into a rebellion against the Congressional government. Had he been ofa different mindset, he probably could have exploited the situation to his personal gain, installing himself as leader oft the new country. His refusal to do SO is  Washington as Published in American History USA,  aftermath oft the victory at Yorktown.  slid into various degrees ofdistemper.  ac centerpiece ofhis long legacy. The Nicola Letter  The first incident of note occurred in 1782, in the form ofal long, handwritten letter. A colonel named Lewis Nicola gave his own impression oft the political situation to General Washington. He pointed out that many officers and soldiers had agreed not to disperse until their grievances were met. He used several pages to point out the shortcomings of republican government when it came to compensation of the military. He pointed out all oft the threats to social order that this entailed.    River Bend7 Town Council April1 18, 2024 Regular SessionN Minules 5of10  Then, at the end, Nicola revealed his proposal = the United States as a monarchy. Only a government oft thist type, he argued, could ensure proper compensation to the Continental Army,and prevent ai future rebellion. The obvious implication, ofcourse, Washington may or may not have had the support to implement such an idea, but he certainly could have tried. Instead his response was briefand severe: I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which to me seems big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall my Country... Let me conjure you then, ifyou have any regard for your Country, concernj oryourseforposterip, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your Mind, and never communicate, as from yourself, or anyone else, a The ethical leadership of George Washington is widely recognized. Immediately presented above isa written exchange with one of George Washington's officers which is a perfect example of The present time cries for strong ethical leadership. We need to insist that leaders in every organization act with a committed personal code ofe ethics that is free of destructive traits that will ultimately ruin the organization that they are charged to lead. The need for this trait is the case in government, the military and in every facet oft business and commerce. And the change needs to Excerpts from Afer Yorktown: The Integrity of George Washington as Published in American History USA, by Dan Councilwoman Maurer moved to go into a Closed Session under NCSG $143-318.11(a)3). The Councilman Sheffield moved to return to Open Session at 8:46 p.m. The motion carried There being noi further business, Councilman Sheffield moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned  would be George Washington as king.  sentiment oft the like Nature.   ethical leadership.  start with each of us as individuals. Bryan are reprinted with his express permission.  CLOSED SESSION OPEN SESSION unanimously. ADVOURNMENIRECESS at 8:46 p.m.  Council entered Closed Session at 8:10 p.m.  eino Kristie J. Nobles, CMC, NCCMC  Town Clerk    River BendT Town Council April 18,2 2024 Regulars Session Minutes 6of10  TOWN OFI RIVERI BEND BUDGET ORDINANCE, AMENDMENT: 23-B-06 FISCAL VEAR2023-2024  BEIT ORDAINEDI byt the Council oft the Town of River Bend, North Carolina that the 2023-2024 Budget Ordinance  asl last amended on February 8, 2024, be amended asf follows:  Summary  General Fund General Capital Reserve Fund Law Enforcement Separation. Allowance Fund Water Fund Water Capital Reserve Fund Sewer Fund Sewer Capital Reserve Fund Total General Fund  2,257,559 56,900 12,685 655,804 10 679,504 1 3,662,463  Section: 1. Anticipated Revenues  ADVALOREM Taxes 2023-2024 ADVALOREM1 Tax-Motor Vehicle Animal Licenses Sales Tax 1% Article 39 Sales Tax 1/2% Article 40 Sales Tax 1/2% Article 42 Sales Tax Article 44 Sales Tax Hold Harmless Distribution Solid Waste Disposal Tax Powell Bill Allocation Beer and Wine Tax Video Programming Sales Tax Utilities Franchise Tax Telecommunications: Sales Tax Court Refunds Zoning Permits Miscellaneous Interest- Powell Bill Investments Interest-General Fund Investments Contributions Wildwood: Storage Rents Rents & Concessions Sale of Fixed Assets Transfer From Capital Reserve Fund Transfer From PW Capital Projects Fund Appropriated Fund Balance Total  935,566 90,000 1,500 195,868 114,635 97,901 13,090 108,195 2,200 100,486 13,225 49,621 112,169 6,725 500 7,000 16,200 50 31,000 901 18,144 18,000 4,600 43,504 57,720 218,759 2,257,559  Page 1of5    RiverE BendT Town Council Apil 18, 2024 Regular Session Minutes 7of10  Section 1. Authorized Expenditures  General Fund (continued) Governing Body Administration Finance Taxl Listing Legal Services Elections Police Public Buildings Emergencys Services Animal Control Street Maintenance Public Works Leaf & Limb and! Solid Waste Stormwater Management Wetlands and' Waterways Planning &2 Zoning Recreation & Special Events Parks & Community Appearance Contingency Transfer To General Capital Reserve Fund Transfer Tol L.E.S.A. Fund Total  47,350 332,000 131,306 13,700 40,090 0 769,335 109,000 2,870 16,225 271,050 186,050 81,606 44,840 2,900 55,000 11,100 55,130 20,807 55,000 12,200 2,257,559  Section 2. Anticipated Revenues  General Capital Reserve Fund Contributions from General Fund Interest Revenue Total  55,000 1,900 56,900 43,504 13,396 56,900  Authorized Expenditures  Transfer to General Fund Future Procurement  Section 3. Anticipated Revenues:  Law Enforcement Separation. Allowance Fund  Contributions from General Fund Interest Revenue Total Separation. Allowance Future LEOSSA Payments Total  12,200 485 12,685 0 12,685 12,685  Authorized Expenditures:  Page2of5    River Bend Towno Council April1 18, 2024 Regulars Session Minutes 8of10  Section4. Anticipated Revenues  Water Fund  Utility Usage Charges, Classes 1&2 Utility Usage Charges, Classes 3&4 Utility Usage Charges, Class 5 Utility Usage Charges, Class 8 Utility Customer Base Charges Hydrant Availability Fee Taps & Connections Fees Nonpayment Fees Late payment Fees Interest Revenue Sale of Capital Asset Transfer From PW Capital Projects Fund Appropriated Fund Balance Total Administration & Finance [1) Operations and Maintenance Transfer To Fund Balance for Capital Outlay Transfer To Water Capital Reserve Fund Total [1Portiono ofo department for bond debt service: Water Capital Reserve Fund Interest Revenue Total  210,591 12,428 15,002 4,644 278,811 19,764 1,250 10,500 7,822 3,488 0 62,551 28,953 655,804 491,804 140,500 23,500 0 655,804 141,157  Authorized Expenditures  Section! 5. Anticipated Revenues  Contributions From Water Operations Fund  0 10 10 10  Authorized Expenditures  Future Expansion & Debt Service  Page 30 of5    River Bend Town Council April 18,2 2024 Regulars Session! Minutes 9of10  Section 6. Anticipated Revenues:  Sewer Fund  Utility Usage Charges, Classes 1&2 Utility Usage Charges, Classes3 3 &4 Utility Usage Charges, Class 5 Utility Usage Charges, Class 8 Utility Customer Base Charges Taps & Connection Fees Late payment Fees Interest Revenue Sale of Capital Asset Transfer from PW Capital Projects Fund Appropriated Fund Balance Total Administration & Finance [2] Operations and Maintenance Transfer to Fund Balance for Capital Outlay Transfer to Sewer Capital Reserve Fund Total [2] Portion of department for bond debt service:  267,170 36,679 28,142 16,833 296,108 1,250 8,384 5,836 0 62,551 (43,449) 679,504 483,204 192,800 3,500 0 679,504 121,893  Authorized Expenditures:  Section 7. Anticipated Revenues:  Sewer Capital Reserve Interest Revenue Total  Contributions From Sewer Operations Fund  0 1 1 1  Authorized Expenditures:  Future Expansion & Debt Service  Page 40 of5    River BendT Town Council Apil1 18. 2024 Regulars SessionN Minutes 10of10  Section8 8.  LevyofTaxes  Therei isl hereby levied at taxa at the rate oft twenty-four cents ($0.24) per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation of property as listed for taxes as of January: 1,2 2023, fort thep purpose ofr raising ther revenue listed as' "AdValorem Taxes 2023-2024"1 in the General Fund Section 1 oft this ordinance. This ratei is based on a valuation of $393,280,000 for purposes oft taxation ofr real and personal property with ane estimated rate of collection of 99.12%. The estimated collection rate is based on the fiscaly year 2021-2022 collection rate of 99.12% by Craven County who has been contracted to collect real and personal property taxes for the Town of River Bend. Alsoi includedi is ay valuation of $37,500,000 for purposes oft taxation ofr motor vehicles witha a  collection rate of 100% by the North Carolina Vehicle" Tax System.  Section 9.  Fees and Charges  Therei is hereby established, for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, various fees and charges as contained in Attachment, A oft this document.  Section 10.  Special Authorization of the Budget Officer  A. The Budget Officer shall be: authorized tor reallocate any appropriations within departments.  B. The Budget Officer shall be authorized to execute interfund andi interdepartmental transfers in emergency: situations. Notification ofa alls sucht transfers shall be made tot the Town Council ati its next meeting following the transfer. C. The Budget Officer shalll be authorized to execute interdepartmental. transfers int thes same fund, including contingency appropriations, not to exceed $5,000. Notification of alls such transfers shall be madet tot thel Town Council ati its next  meeting following thet transfer.  Section 11.  Classification and Pay Plan  Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for alll Town employees shall be 4.4% and: shall begin the first payroll int the new fiscaly year. Thel Town Manager is hereby authorized tog grant merit increasest to Town employees, when earned, per thea approved Pay Plan.  Section 12.  Utilization oft the Budget Ordinance  This ordinance. shall bet the! basis of thei financial plan for the Town of River Bendr municipal government during the 2023-2024 fiscaly year. The Budget Officer shall administer the Annual Operating Budget and shalle ensure the operating staffa and officials arey provided with guidance and sufficient details toi implement their appropriate portion oft the budget.  Section 13.  Copies oft this Budget Ordinance  Copies of this Budget Ordinance. shall bei furnished tot the Clerk, Town Council, Budget Officer and Finance Officer to! be kept  onf file byt them for their direction int thec disbursement off funds.  Adgpted this 18th day ofMarch, 2024. JohnRkirkland, Mayor D Attest:  Mcuznds KristieJ J. Nobles, Town Clerk, CMC, NCCMC  Page! 5 of5