River Bend Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 18, 2024 Town Hall 7:00 p.m. Mayor John Kirkland Lisa Benton Brian Leonard Barbara Maurer Buddy Sheffield Jeff Weaver Delane Jackson Sean Joll Mandy Gilbert Kristie Nobles David Baxter 17  Present Council Members:  Town Manager: Police Chief: Finance Director: Town Clerk: Town Attorney:  Members oft the Public Present: CALL TOORDER  Mayor Kirkland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at the Edwin Vargas - 119 Randomwood Lane-introduced himself and stated he moved to River Bend after his home was flooded in Hurricane Florence. He also stated he served in the Navy for 24 Councilwoman Benton motioned to amend the agenda by adding CAC. Appointment as item 12C. Counciwoman Benton motioned to adopt the agenda as amended. The motion carried Mr. Edwin Vargas - 119 Randomwood Lane - addressed the Council with suggestions for the Town's budget and how the Town displays and compares multiple years of the budget data. 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,  River Bend Town Hall with a quorum present. RECOGNITION OF NEW RESIDENTS-  years.  ADDITIONS/ /DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA The motion carried unanimously. VOTE-A APPROVAL OF AGENDA ADDRESSES to the COUNCIL  unanimously.  CONSENT AGENDA  the following items were approved:  A. Approve:  Minutes oft the December 7, 2023 Work Session Meeting Minutes oft the December 14, 2023 Regular Council Meeting    RiverE Bend7 Towno Council January 18, 2024 Regulars Sesslon! Minutes 2of7  Budget Kick-off  Manager Jackson presented a PowerPoint presentation outlining the budget process for the FY24-25 budget. The Council reviewed their Priorities and Vision Statement and the proposed  meeting schedule for the FY24-25 budget workshops. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT The Manager gave the following updates:  .The last pay request fort the new water meters has been submitted. .The AIA Water and Sewer Systems Engineering Services are about 50% complete. .The plans and specifications for the permit for the Wastewater Treatment Plant .The engineer has been working on a site analysis ont the property recommended to purchase  Enhancement project has been submitted. - Water supply analysis work has been started. for the new' Water Treatment Plant. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS  PLANNING BOARD- COUNCILMAN SHEFFIELD Councilman Sheffield gave the following report:  The regular meeting of the Planning Board was held on Jan. 4th at 6:00pm in the Community Building. A quorum was present. The meeting was led by Vice Chairman, Bob Kohn, in the absence of Egon Lippert. The first order of business was the swearing-in of the board members by the Town Clerk. The usual reports were given. After a period of public comment, the board took up a preliminary subdivision sketch plan submitted by the owners of the Old Pollocksville Road property which is now being referred to as the Aare Creekside Community. Manager Jackson gave a power point presentation and made it very clear that the plan is very early and that many hoops have to bej jumped through by the developers before anything can be submitted for board action. Mr. Keith Spalding-Robbins of Strongrock Engineering was on hand to answer questions from the board, of which there were many. No vote was taken as there is nothing to be approved or disapproved of ati this time. The meeting was adjourned at around 7:00pm. The next meeting is scheduled for February 1st. As always, the public is invited to attend. Councilwoman Benton stated that Community Watch will meet on February 21 and in need of Councilman Weaver stated that Parks and Recreation met on January 3 and have a Special Councilman Weaver motioned to appoint Victoria Stuppy to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for a term beginning January 18, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2024. The motion carried  PUBLIC SAFETY- COUNCILWOMAN BENTON  volunteers.  PARKS & RECREATION- COUNCILMANT WEAVER  Meeting scheduled for January 24. VOTE- Parks & Recreation. Appointment  unanimously.  RIVER BEND COMMUNITY ORGANIC GARDEN Councilman Weaver gave thei following report:  Garden volunteers met at a special meeting on January 2nd. The meeting was rescheduled due to the New' Year's Day holiday. Nine members attended. The garden had a quiet December. The total number of volunteer hours for 2023 is 1710. This is the tenth year of operation. Total work hours since the first shovel went into the ground on Earth Day 2013 are 30,970. The final harvest    RiverE Bend" Town Council January 18,2 2024 Regular Session! Minutes 3of7  oft the year took place of December 29. Garden volunteers harvested and shared 2540 pounds of vegetables and herbs in 2023. Ten percent was donated to Interfaith Refugee Ministries. Volunteers, visitors, neighbors and community members received vegetables, herbs and flowers throughout the year. Volunteers will start plants in seed flats in early February. One volunteer has offered the use of her greenhouse to start the vegetables. Work hours are irregular during the winter so visitors should call ahead if they want tot tour the garden. Everyone is welcome to attend  and participate in monthly garden volunteer meetings. CAC- COUNCILWOMAN MAURER Counciwoman Maurer presented the following report.  The CAC met on January 17th. All board members, one applicant, the Council liaison and two guests attended. A lot of activities are planned, starting with an Arbor Day program. Guest speakers will address the attendees, and ai tree will be planted in honor of Arbor Day. There will be at tree giveaway. Local Girl Scouts troops will have a plant-a-seed table. Refreshments will be served. Additional activities will be announced. The crab pot lights and workshops were sO successful that workshops will be offered again in 2024. Over 200 globes were hungi in 2023. The first year. of Festive. and Beautification awards was very successful with more participants in each successive event. Board members discussed ways to increase nominations and simplify the nomination process. An Independence Day Project will be crafting a lighted seasonal outdoor decoration. Two workshops will be offered with dates to be announced as soon as they are confirmed. A new applicant, Maryann Taylor, introduced herself. A motion was made and seconded to recommend her appointment. The liaison will forward the recommendation to the Town Council. The CAC is operating within its budget. They plan to request a similar amount for the budget year 2024-25. CAC members volunteered 509.5 hours of service in fiscal 2022-23. So far in the current year, they have worked 226.5 hours. The next meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2024, at 4 pm in the Municipal Building. The meeting is open to everyone. Please attend if you are interested. Guests and volunteers are always welcome. You don't have to be a Counciwoman Maurer stated that she is about to make a motion that should be unnecessary. It is being made because of misinformation that is being circulated. On March 16, 2023, at the request of the CAC, Dr. Tom Glasgow made aj presentation to Council concerning his recent site visit toi inspect the medians on Plantation Drive and Anchor Way. On April 20, 2023, Brenda Hall, the CAC Chairperson, made a presentation to Council, which included several recommendations from the CAC about the median. One oft those recommendations, related tol Issue; #2 Road Safety, was to recommend that the Council "consider", emphasis on the word "consider" alternative median space utilization. There were two CAC options listed in that recommendation, #1 was to install a walk path down the center of the longest median stretch and #2 was to remove the medians and repave roads with a designated walk path. Those recommendations appeared on slide 19 oft the CAC recommendation under#2 Road Safety. A copy oft that slide isi included in the agenda packet for your review. Since that recommendation was shared with Council, there has been much discussion, both among Council and River Bend residents, about the future of the medians. There seems to also be some confusion about this particular part of the CAC recommendation. Based on what I've heard to date from Council members and the Town Manager, Ib believe there is no desire among Council to remove/pave any of the median and never has been. There is no money ini the budget to do sO and never has been. The CAC is an official Advisory Board. They have the authority to make recommendations to Council. They have done sO. Their recommendations merit Council consideration. As Council, our role is to consider and then act upon their recommendations. However, just because we discuss them, that does not mean that we completely agree with them. In an effort to end any unnecessary division on this issue, I believe that we can easily resolve this matter by taking official action now.  board member to participate. DISCUSSION = CAC Median Revision    River Bend7 Town Council January 18, 2024 Regular Session! Minutes 4of7  VOTE. - CAC Median Revision  Counciwoman Maurer motioned eliminate from consideration all of the CAC's recommendation related to issue #2, while we continue to discuss and consider the CAC's recommendations on  issues #1 &#3. The motion carried unanimously.  VOTE- CAC Appointment  Counciwoman Maurer motioned to appoint Maryann Taylor to the CAC Advisory Board for at term beginning January 18, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2025. The motion carried unanimously. Financial Report - Finance Director, Mandy Gilbert, presented to the Council the financial statement for the month of December. She stated the total of the Town's Cash and Investments as of December 31, 2023, were $2,978,833 and Ad valorem tax collections for FY23-24 were Councilman Leonard motioned to approve the Grant Application Resolution for water wells as Councilman Leonard motioned to adopt the FY24-25 Mayor and Council Priorities and the FY24-  FNANCE-COUNCLMAM LEONARD  $475,160 and Vehicle Ad valorem tax collections were $7,220. presented. The motion carried unanimously. (see attached) VOTE - Budget Priorities and Budget Calendar  VOTE - Grant Application Resolution  25 Budget Schedule as presented. The motion carried unanimously.  MAYOR'S REPORT  The Mayor presented the following report.  Budgeting For River Bend. And For Every Municipal Government, Small Or Large. As wet turn the calendar page to 2024, the Town Council and Town Manager will begin developing the Town budget for fiscal year 2024-25. There are several points that I would ask the members of Council and also Town Residents to consider as this process moves to adoption of the budget 1. The grants that the Manager achieved by working with members of State Agencies demanded a great deal of his time. It needs to be understood that his commitment oft time on the approved major projects is not complete. There is still project design work, project bidding and contractor selection, construction supervision and the reporting to the granting agency on each approved project. All of this effort will consume as much or more of the 2. The work in the development of the next Town Budget will compete with the work described in point 1 above. The process involves input from the key staff members and the input and approval of the Council. This is accomplished by several "work sessions" which develop the detailed budget that will be approved by Council. These work: sessions 3. In all the work involved and recognizing that funding is not unlimited, the Manager is constantly defending spending that will maintain Town infrastructure and needing to limit the drive to fund "nice to have" but nonessential items that vie for funds. Ican assure you thet truth of the statements made above and would ask persons working with the  by 1July.  Managers time than he devoted to achieving the grants.  are open to the public and citizens are welcome to attend.  Manager and Staff on budget input to consider these issues. Thanks to all who will read this document.  PUBLIC COMMENT  Anita Van Amerongen- 141 Quarterdeck - stated that she has put her house on the market and  expressed gratitude to the Council and town staff.    River Bend7 Town Council January1 18, 2024 Regulars Session! Minutes 50f7  Bob Brinson - City of New Bern /Ward 6 Alderman- stated that he represents the closest' Ward to the Town of River Bend and stated that he serves with Mayor Kirkland on the MPO board. He provided his contact information for anyone who may wish to contact him as he is the closest Councilman Sheffield moved to go into Closed Session under NCGS 143-318.110/3/6). The motion carried unanimously. The Council entered Closed Session at 7:53 p.m. Councilman Sheffield moved to return to Open Session at 8:17 p.m. The motion carried There being no further business, Councilman Sheffield moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned  liaison to the City of New Bern for the Town of River Bend.  CLOSED SESSION OPEN SESSION unanimously. ADJOURNMENIRECESS at 8:17 p.m.  Highalg Kristie J. Nobles, CMC, NCCMC  Town Clerk    River BendT Town Councl! January1 18, 2024 Regulars SessionN Minutes 6of7 2024-RES-02  RESOLUTION BY GOVERNING BODY OF APPLICANT  WHEREAS, The TownofF River Bend! hast need fora andi intends to construct, planf for, or conductastudy WHEREAS, The Town of River Bend intends to request State loan and/or grant assistance for the NOWTHEREFORE BE ITI RESOLVED, BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THETOWN OF RIVER BEND: That Town of River Bend, the Applicant, will arrange financing for all remaining costs of the project, if That the Applicant will provide for efficient operation and maintenance of the project on completion of That the. Applicant will adopt and place into effect on or before completion of the project a schedule of fees and charges and other available funds which will provide adequate funds for proper operation, maintenance, and administration of the system and the repayment of all principal and interest on the That the governing body oft the Applicant agrees to include int thel loan agreement a provision authorizing the State Treasurer, upon failure oft the Town of River Bend to make a scheduled repayment of the loan, to withhold from the Town of River Bend any State funds that would otherwise be distributed to thel local government uniti in an amount: sufficienti to pay all: sums then due and payable tot the State asa repayment That Delane Jackson, Town Manager, the Authorized Official, and successors sO titled, is hereby authorized to execute andi file an application on behalf of the Applicânt withi the State of North Carolina foral loan and/or grant to aid in the study of or construction oft the project described above. That the. Authorized Official, and successors sO titled, is hereby authorized and directed to furnish such information as the appropriate State agency may request in connection with such application or the project: to make the assurances as contained above; and to execute such other documents as may be That the Applicant hass substantially complied or will substantially comply with all Federal, State, and local laws, ryles, regulations, and ordinances applicable to the project andi tol Federala and State grantsand loans  ina a project described as) Water Supply Wells, and  project,  approved for: a State loan and/or grant award.  construction thereof.  debt.  ofi the loan.  required in connection with the application.  pertaining thereto.  18th ofJanuayy 2024 at River,Bend, North Carolina.  JohnR.K Kirkland ohnR.Kwkand Mayor  27777    River Bend Town Councl! January 18,2 2024 Regular Session) Minutes 7of7 2024-RES-02  CERTIFICATION BY RECORDING OFFICER  The undersigned duly qualified and acting Town Clerk of the Town of River Bend does hereby certify: That the above/attached resolution! is at true and correct copy of the resolution authorizing the filing of an application with the State of North Carolina, as regularly adopted at a legally convened meeting of the Town Council duly held ont the 8th day of January 2024; and, further, that such resolution has been fully recorded int thej journal of proceedings and records in my office. IN WITNESSI WHEREOF, Ihave  hereunto. set my hand this 18th day of January 2024. Mshtgnoex Kristie. J. Nobles reeJ.Nobles Town Clerk  d-  SEAL 1981  (SEAL)