City of New Bern Board of Aldermen Meeting February 23, 2021 = 6:00 P.M. City Hall Courtroom 300 Pollock Street 1. Meeting opened by Mayor Dana E. Outlaw. Prayer by Kenny Monroe, Fire Captain and Chaplain with the New Bern Fire Department. Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Roll Call. Present: Mayor Dana Outlaw, Alderman Sabrinal Bengel,Alderman Robert Aster, Alderwoman Jameesha Harris, Alderman Johnnie Ray Kinsey, Alderman Barbara Best, and Alderman Jeffrey Odham. Absent: None. Aquorumwas present. Also Present: Mark Stephens, City Manager; Michael Scott Davis, City Attorney; and Brenda Blanco, City Clerk. ConsentAgenda 3. Consider Adopting a Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on Financing a Radio System Upgrade and the Pleasant Hill Community Center. On September 9, 2020, the Board approved the use of debt proceeds to financea radio system upgrade at a cost of $1,503,895 and the Pleasant Hill Community Center at a cost of $300,000. The total amount to be financed is $1,803,895. Pursuantto! NCGS 160A-20, ap publichearing mustbel held on thefinancing. Itv was requested that hearing be called for March 09, 2021. 4. Approve Minutes. Draft minutes from the February 09, 2021 meeting were provided for review and Alderwoman Harris made a motion to approve Items 3 and 4 of the Consent Agenda,seconded' by Alderman Best. The motion carried unanimously 7-0. approval. 5. Presentation on Juneteenth. On behalf of the #ProjectRestore movement, Talina Massey shared a PowerPoint presentation on the upcoming Juneteenth celebration, noting both virtual and in- person events were planned for2021. Fort the last fouryears, Juneteenth activities have been organized by #ProjectRestore and carried out by local community 1 members. As part of her presentation, Ms. Massey asked the City to establish Juneteenth as an annual City-sponsored event, financially support a fireworks display at the event, and to recognize Juneteenth int thefuture as a paid holiday for Alderwoman Harris asked about the process for funding the fireworks. Foster Hughes, Director of Parks and Recreation, announced the City's a annual 4th ofJuly displaylasts for 20-25 minutesandcosts apro,imately518,000. Alderman Bengel explained city-sponsored events receive in-kindservices, and she pointed out the annual July4 4th displaywas a City event organized by Parks and Recreation, nota a city-sponsored event. City-sponsored events were established to designate events that would receive in-kind services and not have to pay for items such as barricades, trash pickup,and other amenities. Alderwoman Harris felt it would be importantfor Juneteenth to receive the same kind of services that are extended to Mumfest, the street cafes, etc. She announced more than 10 cities observe Juneteenth as a holiday, and she felt it would eventually be a federal holiday. Alderwoman Harris expressed a desire for the Board to place this on an agendai to discuss the City's support of the celebration. Alderman Best stated she too would like to have additional discussion about making it a City-sponsored event and considerapproval of a holiday. Shea also asked whetherthe organizershad: sought support T from Craven County, and Ms. Massey responded that was the next step. Alderwoman Harris felt a celebration would promote unity. Alderman Bengel suggested the future discussion include whether to make Juneteenth a City event that was orchestrated by Parks and Recreation or a city-sponsored event. Noting the City has 12 paid holidays in 2021, Alderman Bengel also asked that when a discussion is held about declaring Juneteenth as a holiday that information be available on the cost of observing the holiday. She raised the question as to whether establishing Juneteenth as a holiday would mean that another holiday 6. Conduct: a Public Hearing and Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving a Residential Property Periodic Inspection Program per Section 2.1.2 of the One of the quiremeniseslablished in the RedevelopmentPlan is the creation of a Residential Property Periodic Inspection Program ("RIPE"). Lengthy discussions byt the RedevetpmenComnison yeldedaunanimous.ecsiontocreate al RIPE. JeffRuggieri, Director of Developmentservices, expainedtneprogram is designed to proactively identify andremediate housing in the redevelopmentarea that does not meet the City's minimumhousing code or related ordinances. Inspections will be performed at no cost, andenforcementwi. be conducted by the City's Minimum Housing Officer. If a property fails an inspection, the officer will meet with the property ownerto discuss the deficiencies and establishan reasonable timeframe in Alderwoman Harris asked if the inspection would be equivalent to inspections already performed by the City, andMr. Ruggenconfimediwould. She also asked about the next steps should a home not pass the inspection, and Mr. Ruggieri City workers. would be eliminated, such as the day after Thanksgiving. Redevelopment Plan. which tol bring the property up to minimumstandards. 2 explained there would be multiple steps and emphasized that the inspection was focused on the minimumhousing requirements. Approximately 78% ofthe homes ini the redevelopmentarea are non-owneroccupled. Mayor Outlaw voiced a desire for the City to address homes that needto be demolishedbecausethere is nohope ofrenovation due to condition. Alderman Bestasked aboutthe utilization of CDBG or City funds to address distressed homes outside of the redevelopment area. Mr. Ruggieri explained before the City was deemed a CDBG Entitlement City, a program was in place that used CDBG funds, for which the City had to compete to At Alderman Odham'srequest, Mr. Ruggieridescribed some oft the basic, minimum housingrequirements, such as running water, operable plumbing, a solid roof, no holes in the structure that allow one to see into the interior, etc. Additional discussion continued aboutthe impact of the inspections, the potential of a home bengoedarduninhasiabe and theneedf foroccupants to relocate, etc. Mayor Outlaw opened the public hearing, but no one came forward to speak. Alderman Bengel made a motion to close the public hearing seconded by Mr. Ruggien'smemo stated inspectionswouldt be conducted by priority sub areas, and Alderman Odham asked if vacanthomes would first be targeted. Mr. Ruggieri responded not necessarily, as the anticipation is that inspections would be conducted by area. Noting her support for the Redevelopment Commission and RIPE, Alderwoman Harris expressed a concern abouttheresidents and the impact on them should the rental homes not be broughtup to code. Referencing the lack of available and affordablehousingi in New Bern, she stated she would be voting againstthe resolution because of the potential that residents wouldhavenowhere togo. Daussonlolbowsdaboulaaliseroangemden.lpoperteshatwous soon be offered. The City Attorney, Mr. Davis, explained the process associated Alderman Bengel made a motion to adopt a resolution approving a residential property penodicinspection program per Section 2.1.2 of thel RedevelopmentPlan, seconded by Alderman Odham. Upon a roll-call vote, the motion carried 5-2 with 7. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") requires Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Entitlement Cities submit an Annual Action Plan summarizing the actions, activities and resources that will be usedto address needsandgoals identifiedin - thes Strategic Plan section of the 2020 Consolidated Plan. A publichearing was held on February 09, 2021 to receive comments on a proposed amendmentto the Annual Action Plan. Thea amendment includesHUDsthirdroudoiCDBGcopnavnusrCD8G.cv)lundsanddeseribes how the funding will be utilized. The latest funds amountto $194,483, bringing receive. Alderwoman Harris. The motion carried unanimously7-0. with demolitions. Aldermen Harris and Kinseyvotngagainstil New Ber'stotal amounto/CDBG.CVlundingibs346735. 3 Alderwoman Harris made a motion to adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program, seconded by Alderman Best. Upon a roll-call vote, the motion carried unanimously7-0. Items 8,9 and 10 were voted on collaboratively as noted under Item 10. 8. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Documents for the Hurricane Florence Category A Drainage Ditch The City has been working with FEMA over the past two years on a project to remove sedimentand debris from 66 miles of drainage ditches throughoutthe City. The work to address the Jimmie's Creek drainage basin Category A project was putout to bid, and Grillot Construction Company, LLC submitted the lowest bid at $449,650. It was requested the City Manager be authorized to execute a contract with Grillot Constuctionforthis: portion ofthe project, atngwinanyehangeones 9. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Documents for the Hurricane Florence Category A Drainage Ditch Like the previousitem, thework to address the TrentRiver Basin CategoryAp project was putoutto bid, andGrillot Construction Company,LLC: submitted the lowestbid at $469,830. Itwas requested the City Managerbe: authorizedto executeac contract with Grillot Constructionforthis portion of the project, atngwinanyehangeones 10. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Execute Contract Documents for the Hurricane Florence Category D Trent Village In correlation with the previousitem, bids were soughttomake repairs to permanent structures damaged during Hurricane Florence. With a bid of $609,900, Trader Construction Company, Inc. submitted the lowest bid to replace the damaged retainingwall located along the Trent Village neighborhood nearR Richmond Court Itwas requested the City Manager be authorized to execute a contract with Grillot Construction fort this portion of the project, alongwith anychange orders within the Alderwoman Harris made a motion to adopt resolutions to authorize the City Manager to execute contract documents for the Hurricane Florence Category A drainage - ditch projects within the Jimmie's Creek and Trent River drainagebasins and the Hurricane Florence Category D Trent Village retaining wall project, seconded by Alderman Best. Upon aroll-call vote, the motion carried unanimously Project Within the Jimmie's Creek Drainage Basin. within the budgeted amount. Project Within the TrentRiver Basin. within the budgeted amount. Retaining Wall Project. budgeted amount. 7-0. 4 11. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving Additional Street Lights on Waters Street. Sharon Bryantof2011 Waters Street requested an additional streetlighton Waters Street. Staffevaluated the request and determined the area didnotmeet the City's lightstandard and recommended the addition of two streetlights on existing poles. Theinstallation ofthe lightswouldcos:: $1,166.67, andthe monthlyutilychargefor Alderwoman Harris made a motion to adopt a resolution approving additional streetlights on Waters Street, seconded by Alderman Kinsey. Uponaroll-callvote, service would be $16.88. the motion carried unanimously7-0. 12. Discussion of Elections. On several previous occasions, the Board discussed the election process. Alderman Bengel and Mayor Outlawa asked that this item be placed on the agenda after the City's receipt of a recent! letter from MeloniWray, Director of the Craven County Board of Elections, with cost estimates and information on municipal redistricting. Ms. Wray's letter indicated that since the census data would be relayed late to the City and City electionsare conducted by ward, the City needed to review the next election process. The letter from Mrs. Wray stated municipal districting must be completed by the third business day before the opening of the filing period. Ifitisnot possible to prepare the redistricting by then, the City may adopt a resolution to delay its elections. The election could be postponed until March 2022. If delayeduntilthen,t the filing periodforoffice would be December 6, Mr. Stephens said the City had been advised that it would likely be August and possibly even September when census data was received. At the earliest, this would be a month afterthe original filing period of. July21,2021,which would make itimpossible to have the redistricting complete in time for an October election. Alderman Bengel stated Ms. Wray notifiedher the State Board of Elections helda webinare earlieri in the day. Since the census data is needed to address municipal elections and ward redistricting, the recommendation will be to move all 2021 elections to 2022 sO redistricting could be addressed. This will impact 62 municipalities. Moving the elections would include a May 3rd primary with a July 12th runoffandaN Novembere election. Based on theinformation received, Alderman Bengel asked the City Attomey if it were safe to say elections would be held in 2022. Mr. Davis stated he could not anticipate New Bern could hold an election in 2021. Mr. Davis explained the need for New Bern to equally balance its wards, which couldnot! be accomplishedi untilthe census data was obtained. Wards 3 and 5 - have grown substantially, and their boundaries would very likely need to be Alderwoman Harris asked who would redraw the lines. Mr. Stephens explained Alice Wilson, GIS Coordinator, would prepare a draft of the new boundaries, ,which the Board wouldultimatelyhave to approve. Alderman Bengel explainedhowhe 2021 through December17, 2021. redrawn. 5 process worked during the last census. With a postponement of elections until March 2022, currentterms wouldexpire in November or December of 2022. Those elected in 2022 would serve a three-year term to expire in 2025 unless legislative action was soughtto allow a four-year term to expire in 2026. Mr. Davis said the onlywild card to prevent a changein the election calendarwould be if the census data did not reflect a change einthenumbers, and he did not believe that would be Alderman Bengel said it bothered her to see a price tag of $74,000 for elections, when the cost could be $5,000 to $7,000 ifelections were held in even years. If the election is delayed, Alderwoman Harris questioned when the next Board would take office. Mr. Davis said if the election took place in March 2022, hewould assume the next Board would take their place one to two months later, depending on any runoffs. He noted the possibility that elections may not be held until November 2022. Mr. Stephens announced the State Board of Elections is recommending May 3rdas a primary, July 12th as a second primary, and November 8th as a general election. At that point, the City shouldhave the Census C data and the case. couldhave the ward linesredrawn. 13. Appointments). No appointments were made. 14. Attorney's Report. The City Attorney hadnothing tor report. 15. City Manager's Report. Mr. Stephens publicized City Hall was in the infancy of being repaired following Hurricane Florence, which would include extensive work in the courtroom. He suggested the Board start thinking aboutmeeting times and locations after March gth. The second meeting in March and first meeting in April would likely need to be held offsite or vial Zoom. (Alderman Aster left the meeting at 7:26 p.m.) Alderman Bengel recommended reachingo joutto Craven Community College about utilizing OrringerHall. After the Board expressed consensus, Mr. Stephens stated hew would reach outi to Dr. Staats to inquire aboutuse of the facility. 16. New Business. Alderwoman Harris position. Alderman Bengel Congratulations was expressed to Tabari Wallace for his promotion to a state-level 6 On Saturday rebruayl3-,ametingwashedtnatwas attendedby Congressman Greg Murphy, State Representatives Steve Tyson, Keith Kidwell, and Chris Humphrey, Craven County Commissioners Jason Jones and Denny Bucher, Mayors DanaOutlaw, DonHardy from Kinston,andJohnk KirklandfromRiver Bend, as well as Aldermen Bengel and Odham. Alsoi in attendancewas a representative from Google Fibera and PairElectronics. Information was shatedaboutexpenences with Suddenlink, both personallyand as shared by others. Representatives from Google Fiber discussed their expansion into some North Carolina markets. Discussion also surrounded state legislation that limits competition, potential federal funding sources, and the strong need for reliable internets service in rural areas and for those learning and working from home due to COVID-19. State representatives were asked to investigate legislative changes,and Congressman Murphy was asked to research federal funding for infrastructure that may be available through the CARES Act. Municipalities were to look at other potential companies. Afollow-upr meetingwill be sehaudnacupedmann: Hazard mitigation resiliency workshops will be held this week. Amanda Ohlensehlen, Community and Economic Development Manager, provided brief Condolences were expressed to Veronica Mattocks on the loss of her mother. information on the workshops. 17. Closed Session. Aclosed session wasnotneeded. 18. Adjourn. Alderwoman Harris made a motion to adjoum,seconded by Alderman Odham. The The attached documents are incorporated herewith and are hereby made a part of these motion carried unanimously 6-0, time being 7:34 p.m. minutes. 7 NOTE: For additional details and information on the Board of Aldermen meetings, please visit the City of New Bern's website at www.newpernc.gov Video and audio recordings of the meeting have been archived. Minutes approved: March 09, 2021 ROK Dana E. Outlaw, Mayor Ponunda da &I4 Banco Brenda E. Blanco, City'Clerk 8