River Bend Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 18, 2023 Town Hall 7:00 p.m. Mayor John Kirkland James Castranova Brian Leonard Barbara Maurer Buddy Sheffield Jeff Weaver Delane Jackson Sean Joll Mandy Gilbert Kristie Nobles Dave Baxter 68  Present Council Members:  Town Manager: Police Chief: Finance Director: Town Clerk: Town Attorney:  Members of the Public Present: CALL TO ORDER  Mayor Kirkland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the River Miranda Gavalis - introduced herself and her daughter who is working on her eagle scout. Tina Cliff - introduced herself and stated she is a real estate agent, and this is her first meeting. Marvin Coleman - introduced himself and stated hei is from Newton/Hickory, North Carolina.  Bend Town Hall with a quorum present. RECOGNITION OF NEW RESIDENTS  Dave Archer - introduced himself and stated he is from Delaware. Dustin Huckfeldt -I introduced himself and stated he is from Nebraska.  VOTE = Approval of Agenda unanimously. ADDRESSES THE COUNCIL  Councilman Castranova motioned to adopt the agenda as presented. The motion carried David Ross - Parks and Recreation -6 extended an invitation to all River Bend residents to the 4th of July event that will take place on July 4 starting at 10:30 a.m. He stated that volunteers are Councilman Sheffield moved to open the Public Hearing on the proposed rezoning oft the parcel described by Craven County Parcel Identification Number #8-206-083. The motion carried At this time the Mayor indicated that those who signed up to speak would be called in the order in which they signed up. There were 7 people who addressed the Council. Those who opposed the proposed rezoning oft the property were Art Seaman, Cecil Broome, Frank Broadhurst, Marvin Jackson, Susan Scott, and Joe Routh. Those in favor of the proposed rezoning of the property  needed and to sign up for the parade at Town Hall or on the website. PUBLIC HEARING = Proposed Rezoning Craven County PIN #8-206-083  unanimously.  were Jay Ammon.    RiverE BendT Town Council May 18, 2023 Regulars Session Page2of4  Councilman Sheffield moved to close the Public Hearing. The motion carried unanimously. 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  At this time the Mayor called for a 3 minute recess. motion, the following items were approved:  CONSENT AGENDA  A. Approve:  Minutes oft the March 9, 20231 Work Council Meeting Minutes oft the April 13, 2023 Work Council Meeting Minutes oft the April 20, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Minutes oft the May 2, 2023 Budget Workshop Minutes oft the May 4, 2023 Budget Workshop Minutes oft the May 9, 2023 Budget Workshop Minutes oft the May 11, 2023 Budget Workshop  TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT The Manager gave the following updates:  The Public Works building is under construction and the roof is almost complete on the The Manager has completed the documents for the $100,000 grant that the Town The Golden Leaf Grant has been closed-out for the drainage improvements that were The Budget Message is on the town's webpage and the public hearing will be on June 8,  main building. Iti is scheduled to be completed by December 2023.  received for a water supply study. completed in the Channel Run area. 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Parks & Recreation  The Audit Contract is completed but needs the proper signatures.  PARKS & RECREATION- COUNCILMAN WEAVER  Councilman Weaver stated that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board had a special meeting on May 17, 2023, to discuss and finalize the July 4 plans and they need volunteers. The board has extended an invitation to anyone who would like to assist with as special project accessing the Councilman Weaver stated that the Organic Garden had a successful workday in April and he Councilman Weaver stated that the library had a special meeting on May 17, at 2:00 p.m. He stated that the Book/Tech Mobile would be at the Municipal Building on Friday May 19th, at2:00  parks and recreational areas and submitting their recommendations. stated that the bees are very active and have outgrown their hive.  Organic Garden  Red Caboose Library (RCL) p.m. through 5:00 p.m. CAC- Councilwoman Maurer  Counciwoman Maurer presented the following report.  The CAC did not meet in May. The Beautification awards for May were awarded to yards located at 300 Pirates Road and 2A Mulberry. You can find the entire list of nominees on the town's website andi int the weekly River Bend E-News. Nominations for the. June award will begin on June 1st. You can obtain nomination forms from the town website, a QR code that will be printed in upcoming announcements, or by email, acrvetpend@gmal.com. The next step in the Plantation Drive median project is fort the Council to discuss the proposal and offer direction. Other    River Bend Town Council May 18, 2023F Regular Session Page3of4  plans and programs will be presented at later dates. There currently are three vacancies on the Community Appearance Commission. This is an active group with diverse interests. Members may work on one or all of the projects. If you are interested, contact Chairwoman Brenda Hall to find out more about) joining the board or volunteering for a project. The next meeting is scheduled Financial Report = Finance Director, Mandy Gilbert, presented to the Council the financial statement for the month of April. She stated the total oft the Town's Cash and Investments as of April 30, 2023, were $3,770,857 and Ad valorem tax collections for FY22-23 were $723,635 and PRESENTATION OF DRAFTFY23-24 BUDGET MESSAGE AND ORDINANCE The Manager provided the Council with a copy oft the Draft Budget Message and Ordinance. He Counciman Leonard motioned to schedule: al Public Hearing on the proposed FY2023-2024 Town Budget on June 8, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall. The motion carried unanimously. ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATERWAYS- COUNCILMAN LEONARD Councilman Leonard presented the following report:  for. July 19, 2023 at 4 pm in the Municipal Building. FINANCE- -= COUNCLMANLEONARD  Vehicle Ad valorem tax collections were $77,219.  stated it would be released to the public next week. VOTE = BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING  Chairman Ackiss opened the EWAB meeting Monday April 3rd 2023 at 7 PM in the small conference room in the municipal building. There was a quorum. There were no' visitors. The minutes from February 6+h, 2023, were approved. Councilman Leonard gave a council updated. Old business: Canal bulkhead inspections will start on Wednesday 19 April 2024. New Business: Questions about mosquito control, Councilman Leonard will check with the manager. Some discussion about storm water swales being inspected and cleaned as needed. Volunteer hours: 10. Next meeting will be on May 1St 2023 at 7 PM in the small conference room int the municipal building. Chairman Ackiss adjourned the meeting at 7:34 PM. CERT - Councilman Weaver stated that CERT had recently disbanded until further notice. He Community Watch - Councilman Weaver stated that Community Watch will meet on, June 21 and they are looking for volunteers to help with traffic control for the July 4 Celebration.  PUBLIC SAFETY- COUNCILMAN WEAVER thanked all the CERT volunteers for their time served.  MAYOR'S REPORT  The Mayor presented the following report.  Iti is worth a repeat to post this monthly Mayor's Report addressing the importance oft the Town's  budget and the work that the Town Council puts into its development. The following steps are followed in budget development:  1. The Town Manager as the budget officer (a N.C. General Assembly Statute position mandate) is responsible for preparing a balanced budget and presenting it to the Council. The draft is reviewed with the Manger. Each line item is reviewed with the Manager in a number of budget workshops. These meetings are advertised and are 2. During the workshops the Manager responds to questions that individual Council  open to the public.  members may ask on any line item presented.    River Bend Town Council May1 18, 2023F Regular Session Page4of4  3. After the several workshops are completed, a public hearing is scheduled and advertised. At this hearing citizens may offer comments to the Council on the details 4. Following the hearing the Council will vote to formally adopt the FY 2023-2024 River With the adopted budget in place the Manager is responsible for the execution of approved expenditures without further Council input. During the course of the budget year if a need arises the Manager will prepare a budget amendment to address the need and the Council will vote on approval at a scheduled Council Meeting. I have frequently told the Council that the effort that they spend developing the budget is the most demanding and important task that they address each year. It also is a demanding effort on the part oft the Town Manager, Finance Director and the staff. Our Town is fortunate to have a Council and Staff that understand this responsibility and each year has developed al balanced budget and maintained a reserve that has met unanticipated emergency purchases. Thanks to the Manager, Finance Director, Council and Town Staff for this  oft the budget. Bend budget.  demanding service. PUBLIC COMMENT No Public Comments. ADJOURNMENT/RECESS adjourned at 7:56 p.m.  There being no further business, Councilman Sheffield moved to adjourn. The meeting  dunaln Kristie J. Nobles, CMC Town Clerk