River Bend Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 20, 2023 Town Hall 7:00 p.m. Mayor. John Kirkland Brian Leonard Barbara Maurer Buddy Sheffield Jeff Weaver James Castranova Delane Jackson Sean Joll Mandy Gilbert Kristie Nobles Trey Ferguson  Present Council Members:  Absent Council Member: Town Manager: Police Chief: Finance Director: Town Clerk: Town. Attorney:  Members of the Public Present: 24 Bend Town Hall with a quorum present. VOTE. = Additions /Deletions of the Agenda  CALL TO ORDER  Mayor Kirkland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at the River Vote - Addition to Agenda Counciwoman Maurer motioned to amend the agenda by adding Closed Session under NCGSS 143-318.11a)3)6) at the end of the meeting. The motion carried At this time the Mayor stated that Councilman Castranova submitted his resignation today. Vote = Addition to Agenda - Counciwoman Maurer motioned to amend the agenda by adding Councilman Sheffield stated that this would initiate the Town's process of filling the vacancy and Counciwoman Maurer motioned to adopt the agenda as amended. The motion carried Art Seaman = presented a petition against the rezoning of property identified as Craven County Jay Ammon - stated he is the contractor requesting the rezoning and has previously built homes in River Bend. He stated that he would build smaller homes / duplexes which he felt there is a  unanimously.  Filling of Vacancy as item 9B. The motion carried unanimously. that the vacancy would not be filled at this meeting.  VOTE-A Approval of Agenda unanimously.  ADDRESSES THE COUNCIL Property Identification Number 8-206-083.  need fori in the town.    River BendT Town Council July2 20, 2023 Regulars Session! Minutes Page2of10  CONSENT AGENDA  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, the following items were approved:  A. Approve:  Minutes oft the. June 8, 2023 Work Council Meeting Minutes oft the. June 15, 2023 Regular Council Meeting  TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT The Manager gave the following updates:  The Town Clerk has obtained her North Carolina Certified Municipal Clerk certification. There has been a rezoning application submitted by Robert Davis and Kim Dow for the The Town has entered into a contract for debris removal following an emergency event  100 acre lot on Old Pollocksville Road.  through a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Craven County.  ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS scheduled for August 3, 2023.  PLANNING BOARD- - COUNCILMAN SHEFFIELD  Councilman Sheffield stated that the Planning Board did not meet in July, but the next meeting is Councilman Sheffield motioned tot table the rezoning request vote until the September 14 Council Community Watch = Councilman Weaver stated that Community Watch met on June 21 and elected officers with Egon Lippert serving as charperson, and Jim Kelly serving as vice  VOTE - Jay Ammon Rezoning Request for Craven County PIN 8-206-083 Work Session meeting. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC SAFETY- COUNCILMAN WEAVER  chairperson. Parks & Recreation  PARKS & RECREATION- COUNCILMAN WEAVER chairperson and Kathy Noonan as the secretary.  Councilman Weaver stated that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on July 12 and elected officers. He stated that Laurie LaMotte will serve as chairperson, Krysten Howard as vice Councilman Weaver stated that the Organic Garden has had a busy summer with a lot of Councilman Weaver stated that the Book / Tech Mobile would be at the Municipal Building on Friday July 21, at 2:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m. He also stated that the library has started the The Mayor stated that the Town Manager would give a presentation on the town's current ordinance, which governs how the Council fills a vacancy. The Town Manager reviewed a PowerPoint presentation which outlined the process and a proposed timeline for filling the  Organic Garden  vegetables being produced. He also stated that there are now two beehives.  Red Caboose Library_(RCL)  process to become a corporate entity which includes a name change.  DISCUSSION- Filling of Vacancy  vacancy.    River Bend1 Town Council July: 20, 2023F Regulars Session Minutes Page3of10  VOTE- Filling of Vacancy Councilman Weaver motioned to recognize and accept Councilman Castranova resignation effective on July 21, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. and to provide instructions to fill the vacancy as presented in the Town Managers presentation. The motion carried unanimously. The CAC met on July 19. Two guests were present, Carina Wordham and Dennis Shay. Officers were elected: Chair- - Brenda Hall, Vice-Chair- - Donna Perry, Secretary - Pat Lineback. The yard awards program was reviewed at the end of its first year. It has been well received and will continue for another year. Next year two workshops will be offered to help residents createi festive décor for doors and mailboxes for the Fourth of July. Members have been working on the Plantation median project for over a year. Their first stage was research and seeking a tree and shrub assessment from an expert, Craven County Extension Director Dr. Tom Glasgow. They have developed three different plans to present to the Council at the Work Session on August 10. Ad committee was formed to plan an Arbor Day program for March 22, 2024. Two Christmas globe light workshops will be offered in October. A maximum of eighteen participants can sign up for each session. There will be a small charge for materials. A workshop preparation meeting and a globe repair session are scheduled for the end of September. At the conclusion of the meeting, Carina Wordham expressed interest in joining CAC. Her application had been submitted. CAC members voted unanimously to submit a favorable recommendation to the Town Council. The next meeting is scheduled for September 20, 2023 at 4 pm in the Municipal Building. Financial Report = Finance Director, Mandy Gilbert, presented to the Council the financial statement for the month of June. She stated the total of the Town's Cash and Investments as of June 30, 2023, were $3,652,035 and Ad valorem tax collections for FY22-23 were $728,005 and Councilman Leonard motioned to approved Budget Amendment 23-B-01 as presented. The CouncilmanL Leonard motioned to awardi the street paving bid to Barnhill Contracting for $213,750. Councilman Leonard stated that EWAB did not meet in July, but the next meeting is scheduled Councilman Leonard motioned to approve the' Wastewater Treatment Plant Grant Resolution as Councilman Leonard motioned to award the Water Supply Study Project Award to Rivers and  CAC- COUNCILWOMAN MAURER Counciwoman Maurer presented the following report.  FINANCE- COUNCLMANLEONARD  Vehicle Ad valorem tax collections were $96,393. VOTE-FY20232024 Budget Ordinance motion carried unanimously. (see attached) VOTE - Street Paving Award  ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATERWAYS- COUNCILMAN LEONARD for August 7, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building. VOTE- Wastewater Treatment Plant Grant Resolution presented. The motion carried unanimously. (see attached) VOTE - Water Supply Study Project Award Associates as presented. The motion carried unanimously.  MAYOR'S REPORT  The Mayor presented the following report.  The less than factual discussions placed on the various "social media" pages do damage to our Town. Many "media" posts are not fact based and the originator should be aware of this shortcoming. I am frequently approached by friends in the New Bern area with comments about the "media" context originating in River Bend. These non-River Bend residents likely do not have the background to determine the validity oft the post. Iti is only fair to say that the less than factual    RiverE Bend Town Council July:2 20, 2023 Regular Session Minutes Page4of10  exchange that is taking place is damaging to our Town. My plea to alli is PLEASE seek facts and make certain that what you post is true. The product of government at the Federal, State, and Local level is certainly not instantaneous. Sometimes slow character of output can be frustrating. Many times, the slowness is related to the need to produce ar record of decision that will be al legal contract. In the fashion of Churchill, whatIstate above is stated without prejudice.  PUBLIC COMMENT No Public Comments. CLOSED SESSION OPEN SESSION unanimously. VOTE-A Addition to Agenda agenda. The motion carried unanimously. VOTE-H Human Resources Policy Manual Amendment  Councilman Sheffield moved to goi into a Closed Session under NCSG $143-318.110)3)6. The motion carried unanimously. The Council entered Closed Session at 8:13 p.m. Councilman Sheffield moved to return to Open Session at 8:44 p.m. The motion carried Councilman Leonard motioned to add Human Resources Policy Manual Amendment to the Councilman Leonard motioned to approve the Amendment to Article X - Grievance Procedure Councilman Sheffield motioned to award the Town Manager merit pay in the amount of $4,318. There being no further business, Councilman Sheffield moved to adjourn. The meeting  and Adverse Action Appeal as presented. The motion carried unanimously.  VOTE - Town Manager Merit Pay The motion carried unanimously. ADOURNMENTRECESS adjourned at 8:46 p.m.  dinol Kristie J. Nobles, CMC, NCCMC  Town Clerk    River BendT Town Council July20, 2023F Regulars Session! Minutes Page5of10  TOWN OFF RIVERI BEND BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT: 23-B-01 FISCAL YEAR2023-2024  BEI IT ORDAINED by the Council oft the Town of River Bend, North Carolina that the 2023-2024 Budget Ordinance  bea 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  2,209,051 56,900 12,685 655,804 10 679,504 1 3,613,955  Section1 1. Anticipated Revenues  ADI VALOREM' Taxes 2023-2024 AD' VALOREM Tax-Motor' Vehicle Animal Licenses Sales Tax: 1% Article 39 Sales Tax1 1/2%6A Article 40 Sales Tax: 1/2%A Article 42 Sales Tax Article 44 Sales Tax Hold Harmless Distribution Solid' Waste Disposal Tax Powell Bill Allocation Beer and' Winel Tax Video Programming: Sales Tax Utilities Franchise' Tax Telecommunications: Sales Tax Court Refunds Zoning Permits Miscellaneous Interest- Powell Bill Investments Interest-Generall Fundi Investments Contributions Wildwood: Storage Rents Rents & Concessions Sale of Fixed Assets Transfer From Capital Reserve Fund Appropriated Fund Balance Total  935,566 90,000 1,500 195,868 114,635 97,901 13,090 108,195 2,200 91,000 13,225 49,621 112,169 6,725 500 7,000 15,000 50 20,000 901 18,144 18,000 3,000 43,504 251,257 2,209,051  Page1of5    RiverE Bend Town Council July: 20, 2023 Regulars Session Minutes Page6of10  Section 1. Authorized Expenditures  General Fund (continued) Governing Body Administration Finance Taxl Listing Legal Services Elections Police Public Buildings Emergency Services Animal Control Street Maintenance Public Works Leaf & Limb ands Solid Waste Stormwater Management Wetlands and' Waterways Planning & Zoning Recreation & Special Events Parks & Community Appearance Contingency Transfer To General Capital Reserve Fund Transfer Tol L.E.S.A. Fund Total General Capital Reserve Fund Contributions from General Fund Interest Revenue Total  65,000 304,500 138,625 13,700 24,000 0 753,735 104,500 5,700 17,100 272,950 189,000 52,384 47,000 2,900 57,000 10,500 62,450 20,807 55,000 12,200 2,209,051  Section 2. Anticipated Revenues  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:  Page 2of5    RiverE Bend Town Council July2 20, 2023 Regulars SessionN Minutes Page7of10  Section 4. 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 Appropriated Fund Balance Total Administration &F Finance [1] Operations and Maintenance Transfer To Fund Balance for Capital Outlay Transfer To Water Capital Reserve Fund Total [1)Portion of department for bondo 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 91,504 655,804 491,804 140,500 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 3of5    RiverE Bend Town Council July2 20, 2023 Regular Session! Minutes Page8of10  Section 6. Anticipated Revenues:  Sewer Fund  Utility Usage Charges, Classes1 1&2 Utility Usage Charges, Classes 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 Appropriated Fund Balance Total Administration &F 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 19,102 679,504 483,204 192,800 3,500 0 679,504 121,893  Authorized Expenditures:  Section7. 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    RiverE Bend Town Council July: 20, 2023 Regular Session Minutes Pages 9of10  Section 8.  LevyofTaxes  Therei is hereby! levieda at taxa at the rate oft twenty-four cents ($0.24) per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation ofp propertya as listedf for taxes as of January1 1,2 2023, fort thep purpose ofr raisingt the revenue listeda as" "Ad Valorem Taxes 2023-2024" in the Generall Fund Section: 10 oft this ordinance. This rate is basedo on a valuation of $393,280,000 for purposes oft taxation ofr real andp personal property with ane estimated rate ofc collection ofs 99.12%. Thee estimated collection rate is based ont the fiscaly year 2021-2022 collection rate ofs 99.12% by Craven County whol has been contracted to collect real and personal property taxesf for the Town of River Bend. Alsoi includedi isa valuation of $37,500,0001 for purposes oft taxation ofr motor vehicles witha  collection rate of1 100%b byt the North Carolina' Vehicle Tax System.  Section 9.  Fees and Charges  Therei is herebye 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 authorizedi to reallocate any appropriations within departments.  B.1 The Budget Officers shall be authorized to execute interfund andi interdepartmental transfers ine emergency situations. Notification ofa alls such transfers shall be made tot the Town Council ati its next meeting following the transfer. C.The Budget Officer shall be authorizedi to execute interdepartmentalr transfers int the same fund, includingo contingency appropriations, not to exceed $5,000. Notification ofa alls such transfers shall! be madet tot the Town Councila ati itsr next  meeting following thet transfer.  Section 11.  Classification and Pay Plan  Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for alll Towne employees shall be 4.4% and shall begin thet first payroll in the new fiscaly year. Thel Town Manageri is hereby authorizedi to grant meriti increases tol Town employees, when earned, per the approved Pay Plan.  Section 12.  Utilization oft the Budget Ordinance  This ordinance shalll bet the basis oft the financial plant fori the Town of River Bendr municipal government during the 2023-2024 fiscaly year. The Budget Officer shall administer the Annual Operating Budget and shall ensure the operating staff and officials are provided with guidance and sufficient details toi implement their appropriate portion oft the budget.  Section 13.  Copies of this Budget Ordinance  Copies oft this Budget Ordinance shall be furnishedi tot the Clerk, Town Council, Budget Officer and Finance Officer tol bel kept  onf file byt them for their direction ini the disbursement oft funds.  Adopted this 20th day ofJ July,2 2023. a R. JohnF Kirkland, Mayor Attest: Wus KristieJ J. Nobles,  Rpallad  Clerk, NCCMC  Page5of5    River Bend Town Council July 20, 2023 Regulars Session! Minutes Page 10of10 2023-RES-04  Town of River Bend Resolution  Whereas, the North Carolina Clean Water Revolving Loan and Grant Act of 1987 has authorized the making of loans and grants to aid eligible units of government in financing the cost of construction of wastewater treatment works, wastewater collection systems, and water supply systems, water Whereas, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has offered a State Grant in the amount of $9,108,500 for the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhancements Project, Whereas, the Town of River Bend intends to construct said project in accordance with the approved NOW, THEREFORE, BEI IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF RIVER BEND: That the Town of River Bend does hereby accept the State Grant offer of $9,108,500.  conservation projects, and  and  plans and specifications,  That the Town of River Bend does hereby give assurance to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality that all items specified in the grant offer, Section II- Assurances will be adhered That Delane Jackson, Town Manager, and: successors: SO titled, is hereby authorized and directed toi furnish suchi information as the appropriate State agency may request in connection withs such application or the project; to make the assurances as contained above; and to execute such other documents as may be That the Town of River Bend has substantially complied or will substantially comply with all Federal, State and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances applicable tot the project andi to Federal and State grants  to.  required in connection with the application.  and loans pertaining thereto.  Adopted this the 20th day of July, 2023 at River Bend, North Carolina.  RIVER INCORPORATED SEAL M 1981  A  John R. Kirkland, Mayor  ATTEST:  Kegneh Kristie. J. Nobles, Town Clerk, CMC