AGENDA Sawmills Town Hall Tuesday, February 16, 2021  Regular Meeting of the Sawmills Town Council  6:00 pm  1. Call To Order 2. Invocation 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Adopt Agenda 5. Approve Meeting Minutes 6. Public Comment 7. Recognitions: A. Recycle Rewards 8. Park and Recreation Matters: A. Recreation Fees 9. Planning Matters: A. 2570 Baker Circle B. 4486 Sawmills School Road 10. Public Comment 11. Updates:  Mayor Johnnie Greene Mayor Johnnie Greene Mayor Johnnie Greene Mayor. Johnnie Greene Mayor Johnnie Greene Mayor Johnnie Greene Mayor. Johnnie Greene Town Planner Dustin Millsaps Town Planner Dustin Millsaps Mayor. Johnnie Greene Mayor. Johnnie Greene Town Manager Chase Winebarger Mayor. Johnnie Greene Mayor Johnnie Greene Mayor. Johnnie Greene  A. January 21,20201 Regular Meeting Minutes  A. Code Enforcement Report B. Town Manager Updates Council Comment  12. Closed Session: N.C.G.S. $143-318.11(a)0)  13. Adjourn    Page lof4  TUESDAY,JANUARI 19, 2021  TOWN OF SAWMILLS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING  6:00 PM  COUNCIL PRESENT Mayor Johnnie Greene Clay Wilson Rebecca Johnson Melissa Curtis COUNCIL ABSENT Keith Warren Joe Wesson 6:02pm.  STAFF PRESENT Chase Winebarger Julie A Good Terry Taylor via Telephone  CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Johnny Greene called the meeting to order at approximately  INVOCATION: Mayor Johnny Greene gave the invocation.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Johnny Greene led the Pledge of Allegiance.  ADOPT AGENDA: Mayor Johnny Greene asked for ai motion to adopt the. January 19, 2021 Clay Wilson made a motion, and Melissa Curtis seconded, to adopt the January 19, 2021  Agenda.  Agenda. All were in: favor.  APPROVE DECEMBER 15, 2020 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Mayor Johnny Greene asked for a motion to approve the December 15, 2020 regular meeting minutes. Clay Wilson made a motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to approve the December 15,  2020 regular meeting minutes. All were in favor.  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Johnny Greene asked if anyone had any questions or  comments at this time. No one wished to speak    January 19, 2021 Page 2of4  RECOGNITIONS:  RECYCLE REWARDS WINNER: Mayor Johnny Greene announced Teresa Horvatic, as the. January Recycle Rewards winner. Acredit oft thirty-two dollars ($32.00) will be added to  the current sanitation bill. No Council action was required.  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Johnny Greene asked if anyone had any questions or  comments at this time. No one wished to speak. UPDATES:  JANUARY CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated  that there are five (5) code enforcement cases open:  Carolyn Bray/Robyn Brittian, owner 2570 Baker Circle. Abandoned Mobile Home/Garbage and Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he is working with Town Attorney Terry Taylor to abate the property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps also stated that he will treat this as a Junk and Debris and not minimum housing. Ifso, the Town can proceed to abate after thirty (30) days ofnotice. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he got a quote that will demo entire trailer and haul offa all debris including our equipment, labor and fees. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that the quote is four thousand one hundred dollars ($4,100.00). Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he rode by the property and it is still ini the same condition and would like to discuss demolition. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he had been in contact with Town Attorney Terry Taylor and former Town Planner to get all Teresa Annas Compton, 4486 Sawmills School Road. Abandoned Mobile Home/Garbage and Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated he received a complaint on January 13, 2020. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that a NOV letter was sent out on. January 23, 2020 with a deadline of February 10, 2020. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that the trailer is not finished and located on the same property as the Compton house that the Town abated in 2018. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that staff will investigate and work with attorney for possible courses of abatement. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that one (1) of Ms. Compton's sons is scheduled to meet with staff in late February to work towards getting the property in his name and get the property cleaned up. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that staff has is waiting for Ms. Compton' 's son to schedule a time to come in and speak with staffregarding this] property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on September 10, 2020 and the property is still in same  the evidence for this property;    January 19, 2021 Page 3 of4  condition with extremely high grass and would recommend demolition. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he has been in contact with Town Attorney Terry Taylor Dale E: and Debra Miller, 4434J Jess Dr. Garbage and Rubbish/Property Maintenance. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that a complaint was received on January 28, 2020. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that the complaint addressed two (2) separate properties and possible violations. A NOV letter was sent on February 13, 2020, with a deadline of March 4, 2020 for the Miller property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that the Miller property is in violation for having high grass/vegetation and junk and garbage located around the property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated another complaint was received on May 7, 2020 and a final letter was sent on May 13,2020, with a deadline ofMay 31,2020. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on June 1, 2020, staff spoke with Mrs. Miller, who has a medical condition, and she asked for an extension and stated that she is working on getting the property cleaned up. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on September 10, 2020, a new tenant is cleaning up the property and is X4 of the way done. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that ai final citation was issued on November 2, 2020; Denise Dotson/William S Annas, II, 4095 Gatewood Dr. Abandoned Mobile Home/Minimum Housing. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that a complaint was received on March 5, 2020, and a regular NOV letter and a certified NOV letter was sent on March 5, 2020, with a deadline of March 23, 2020. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that the mobile home has been sprayed painted and has an apparent tenant, however, the water meter has been pulled from the property. Property was cleaned up. However, Mr. Annas informed Town Planner Dustin Millsaps that a new tenant has moved in the mobile home. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that a second NOV letter was sent on May 15, 2020 with a deadline of June 15, 2020 for additional garbage on property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that staff will investigate and work with Town Attorney for possible courses of abatement. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on September 10, 2020 and all garbage has been picked up, however, the house has multiple windows smashed out which is now a minimum housing violation. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he spoke with property owner and hej plans on removing the trailer on November 5, 2020. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he spoke to William S. Annas, II, the property owner, on November 5, 2020 and his plans are removing the mobile home. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he tried to get in touch with property owner William S Annas, II four (4) times from November 5, 2020 to November 19, 2020 before he would answer the phone for him again, and Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated he informed property owner Williams S Annas, II that the Town would have to pursue moving the mobile home or fines would occur for him. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he talked to property owner William S. Annas, II on December 8, 2020 and was informed that the property owner had been in contact with an attorney about removal of the mobile home. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on January 7, 2021, he spoke with property owner William S  and former Town Planner to get all the evidence for this property;    January 19,2021 Page 40 of4  Annas, II and the property owner stated that he had not worked with his attorney Shirley Maxine Bentley, 2265 OJLn. Junk Vehicle. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that the property does have a junk vehicle on it and a NOV letter was sent on October 8, 2020. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that the property owner has cleaned up the property and removed the junked vehicle. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that property owner has until November 25, 2020 to put underpinning on the property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on November 19, 2020 he went to the property and the underpinning is not up. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on December 1, 20201 he spoke with the property owner and she asked for ten (10) additional days to get her sons to put the underpinning on the mobile home.  because his attorney had been quarantined multiple times;  No Council action was required. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES:  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that all Town cameras are up and should be  working soon.  COUNCIL ADJOURN: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Clay Wilson made a motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to adjourn the meeting. All  were in favor.  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:08pm.  Johnnie Greene, Mayor  Julie A. Good, Town Clerk    AGENDA ITEM 7A  MEMO DATE: SUBJECT:  February 16, 2021 Recognition: Recycle Rewards Program  Discussion:  The Town of Sawmills would like to congratulate Keith Harris on winning the Recycle Rewards Program for the month of February. Mayor. Johnnie Greene will present him with a Certificate of Appreciation. A thirty-two dollar ($32.00) credit will be added to the current sanitation bill.  Recommendation: No Council action is required.    AGENDA ITEM 8A  MEMO DATE: SUBJECT:  February 16, 2021 Discussion: Recreation Fees  Discussion: The Parks and Recreation Department has been in contact with other local municipalities regarding their fee structure for sports programs. Staffrecommends ai forty ($40.00) fee per participant for all sports registrations until a detailed fee schedule can be  adopted.  Recommendation:  Staffrecommends Council discuss this matter and decide how they wish to proceed.    MAYOR Johnnie Greene TOWN MANAGER Chase Winebarger TOWN PLANNER Dustin Millsaps  TOWN COUNCIL Keith Warren, Mayor Pro-Tem Clay Wilson Rebecca Johnson Melissa Curtis Joe Wesson  OFSAVIN  CORPORATED  Agenda Item 9A  TOWN COUNCIL MEETING February 16th, 2021 6:00 PM PLANNER'S STAFF REPORT  Address: 2570 Bakers Circle Granite Falls, NC28630 Owner Name: Carolyn Minton Bray PIN: 2766827966 -55 acres (R-20) Background:  There are two major issues with this property. One being there is a dilapidated trailer that has been stripped of all metal on the outside, widows, and doors. Iti is obvious this house has different animals living inside. Anyone could walk freely in between the joist in-and-back out of the house. The other problem is that there is a metal carport attached to the house that has fallen down. This is also a hazard to anyone walking around the property. This property has various moving parts. There are two liens that we know of: one is for Medicare and the other is for a credit card of some sort. There is also a brother that is part  owner in this. This brother cannot be located ati this time.  Land Use and Zoning neighborhood. Surrounding Zoning: North: R-20 South: RA-20 East: R-20 West: R-20  This property current use of SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING in a single family    Surrounding Land Use: North: Single Family Residential South: Single Family Residential East: Single Family Residential West: Single Family Residential Review/Diseussion:  The town has two options: One is if the town abates firstly the Town needs to find the brother to serve him to remove and abate (as well as the estate). Cost for abatement could be offset ift the carport (metal). is recycled and the recycling fee is used for the landfill charge to dump the trailer. However, it will be hard to recoup all cost because the liens already on the property are SO substantial it would be hard to make a case to receive that money after Medicare has a much larger lien. The good thing here is that you would be returning a Another action the Town could pursue is to push the county to do a tax sale. The town will probably get little to none oft the tax sale money (because ofthe active liens). Although, again by doing this we are returning a parcel back to the active tax market, whereas now it is just sitting empty and vacant collecting no tax money. We could still abate the trailer (which has been stripped of all walls, windows, and doors) to get rid of the various animals that live inside, orj just leavet that up to the new owners to clean up their new property.  property to the active tax market which will overtime payback those fees.  Staff recommendation:  Iti is recommended by staff that the town recycle the metal carport and remove the trailer. It ist then recommended after this, the county is pushed on doing a tax sale SO that this house  can be returned to the active tax market.    807  6821  7774  4076 US Highway 321-A * Sawmills NC * (828)396-7903 * (828)396-8955 fax  itp/www.townolsawmilis.com  The Town of Sawmills does not discriminate ont thel basis ofa age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, ori marital status.    MAYOR Johnnie Greene TOWN MANAGER Chase Winebarger TOWN PLANNER Dustin Millsaps  TOWN COUNCIL Keith Warren, Mayor Pro-Tem Clay Wilson Rebecca. Johnson Melissa Curtis Joe Wesson  DFSADI  COAPOBATED  Agenda Item 9B  TOWN COUNCIL MEETING February 16th, 2021 6:00 PM PLANNER'S STAFF REPORT  Address: 4486 Sawmills School Road Granite Falls, NC28630 Owner Name: Teresa Annas Compton  PIN: 2766416231 1.28 acres (RA-20) Background:  The property has already been abated before by the town. Before the property had a structurally dilapidated brick home. The brick home was removed by the town and then a As of April 16th, 2019 the lien from the town totaled at $19,950 with $90 in back taxes and $1,500 in non-town related liens. This $19,950 lien (cost of demolition) is from the abatement of a dilapidated brick house that was torn down by the town. The current tax  lien was posted on the property.  value on the property is $19,500. Land Use and Zoning neighborhood. Surrounding Zoning: North: RA-20 South:RA-20 East: RA-20 West: RA-20  This property current use of SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING in a single family    Surrounding Land Use: North: Single Family Residential South: Single Family Residential East: Single Family Residential West: Single Family Residential Review/Discussion:  Here we could also push the county on a tax sale. We would be able to maybe recoup some ofour cost involved here with abatement because we are the party with the largest financial interest on this property. Further, it wouldn't have to be split among multiple liens. There has not been any title searches SO that is where we would start for abatement. It is understood that she had three sons, but it is not clear who is in-charge of the estate (hints The neighbor (Robert Helton) has also indicated that if the liens were lowered to no greater than $5,000, he would buy the property. In doing that he will remove the trailer that needs to be now. Furthermore, you would be adding yet another house back to the active tax  the need for a title search.  market.  Staffrecommendation:  Staff recommends that a title search be done on the property to find out whoand where the heirs ofthis property are. Then push the county on doing a tax sale. This property would  then be able to move back in the active tax market.  40761 US Highway 321-A * Sawmills NC (828)396-7903 (828)396-8955 fax  tp/www.townolsawmils.com  The7 Town of Sawmills does not discriminate ont thel basis ofage, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, ori maritals status.    AGENDA ITEM 11A  MEMO DATE: SUBJECT:  February 16, 2021 Updates: Code Enforcement Monthly Report  Discussion:  The attached report shows the progress that Planner Dustin Millsaps continues to make  throughout the town. Recommendation: No Council action required.