Page 1 of7  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021  TOWN OF SAWMILLS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING  6:00 PM  COUNCIL PRESENT Mayor Johnnie Greene Mayor Pro Tem Keith Warren Clay Wilson Melissa Curtis Rebecca Johnson COUNCIL ABSENT Joe Wesson  STAFF PRESENT Chase Winebarger Julie A Good Terry Taylor  CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Johnnie Greene called the meeting to order at approximately  6:03pm.  INVOCATION: Town Manager Chase Winebarger gave the invocation.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Johnnie Greene led the Pledge of Allegiance. ADOPT AGENDA: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to adopt the November 16, Keith Warren made a motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to adopt the November 16,  2021 Agenda.  2021 Agenda. All were in favor.  APPROVE OCTOBER 19, 2021 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to approve the October 19, 2021 regular meeting minutes. Clay Wilson made an motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to approve the October 19,2021  regular meeting minutes. All were in favor.  APRROVE OCTOBER 19,2021 CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to approve the October 19, 2021 Closed Session Minutes. Melissa Curtis made a motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to approve the October 19,  2021 closed session minutes. All were in favor.    November 16, 2021 Page 2of7  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked if anyone had any questions or  comments at this time. No one wished to speak RECOGNITIONS:  RECYCLE REWARDS WINNER: Mayor Johnnie Greene announced Eddie Wilson, as the November Recycle Rewards winner. A credit of thirty-two dollars ($32.00) will be added to  the current sanitation bill. No Council action was required.  PLANNING:  CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING FOR. ANNEXATION: Mayor Johnnie Greene stated that the Town of Sawmills had received a petition for Voluntary Annexation from Ebenezer The Town must hold a public hearing in order to annex the parcel. Staff proposes the public hearing to be set for the next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting on December 21, Clay Wilson made ai motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to hold a public hearing for the Voluntary Annexation for parcel NCPIN-2756514168 during the next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting on December 21, 2021. All were in favor.  Children's Home for one (1) parcel (NCPIN-2756314168,  2021.  LAND DONATION: Mayor Johnnie Greene stated that the Town had been offered a donation of four (4): parcels ofl land located along Highway 321A from Matthew Hall and Rebecca Johnson made a motion, and Clay Wilson seconded, to accept the donation of four (4) parcels ofland located along Highway 321a from Matthew Hall and Nina Gail White.  Nina Gail White.  All were in favor. FINANCIAL:  CALDWELL COUNTY VETERANS HONOR GUARD DONATION REQUEST: Mayor. Johnnie Greene stated that the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard, Inc., requested  a donation in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).    November 16, 2021 Page 3 of7  Melissa Curtis made a motion, and Clay Wilson seconded, to give a donation in the amount ofone hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) to Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard. All were  in favor.  DISCUSSION:  VETERANS PARK: Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that staff has been contacted by a representative at Duke Energy regarding the Connelly Creek project. Duke Energy stated that the contractor, that is starting the work on1 the walking trail expansion, needs a laydown area in the location oft the future parking lot that has been discussed with the Town. The contractor would have aj place to store materials, and in doing SO, would give the Town  apotential starting point for the future parking lot. No Council action was taken at this time.  PROPOSED SITE PLAN: Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the enclosed site plan had been received for Council to review and make changes, ifnecessary.  No Council action was taken at this time.  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked if anyone had any questions or  comments at this time. No one wished to speak.  MayorJohnnie Greene wanted to take a moment and read a few thank you notes: The American Disabled Veterans Chapter 6 wanted to thank the Town for their donation. The Powell Family wanted to thank the Town for the plant for the passing ofMs. Clare Powell.  UPDATES:  NOVEMBER CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated  that there are eight (8) code enforcement cases open:  Charles J. and Candis S. Hagaman, 1910Leah Dr. #13, Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on October 29,2 2021, he received a complaint from Public Works regarding various different properties on Leah Drive, some of which encroach on Town property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that there was a NOV letter sent out. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on November  9, 2021 and there has been no progress on the issue;    November 16, 2021 Page 4 of7  Charles. J.a and Candis S. Hagaman, 1910Leahl Dr. #12, Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on October 29, 2021, he received a complaint from Public Works regarding various different properties on Leah Drive, some of which encroach on Town property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that there was a NOV letter sent out. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on November Linda G. Wartko, 5299: Lakewood Dr., Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on October 29, 2021, he received a complaint for stacks of newspapers and junk piled up around the yard. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the home and observed numerous debris from the road in front, on the sides and all around the home and sent a NOV letter out. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went tot the address on November 9, 2021 and there has been no progress on the issues; Jose A Montes and Ana CI Robles, 4321 Cherokee Ct. Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he received a complaint and a NOV letter was sent out on October 5, 2021 for overgrown grass as well as rubbish all around the yard. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on October 12, 2021, and November 9, 2021 and the problem still exists. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated Ronald B and Cynthia H Herman, 4126 Shoun Dr. Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he received a complaint and a NOV letter was sent out on September 28, 2021 for many different rubbish items in the yard (lawn mowers, appliances, etc.). Town Planner! Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on October 12, 2021 and the problem has started to be addressed, however, not completely. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on November 9, 2021, and it looks that the property is almost completely clean; 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 staff regarding this property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on September 10, 2020 and the property is still in same 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 and former Town Planner to get all the evidence for this property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on February 19, 2021, the title search process had been started with Town Attorney Terry Taylor. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on March 11, 2021, there were three (3) heirs found from the title search process and  9, 2021 and there has been some progress on the issue;  that he recently learned that the property is in foreclosure;    November 16, 2021 Page 5 of7  letters had been sent out to all three (3) heirs. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that as of May 11, 2021, fines have started to occur on this property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that as of. June 10, 2021, all information on this case has been handed over to' Town Attorney Terry Taylor to explore all options that are left to close this case. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that as of October 12, 2021 Town Attorney Terry Taylori is still engaged in the legal process oft trying to find heirs tot the Thomas Charles Mann, 2228 Horseshoe Acres Dr., Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he received a complaint and a NOV letter was sent out on August 31,2021 regarding observation that the property has very large tree clippings and two (2) different trailers located within the right of way. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on October 12, 2021, and that the trailers have been moved, but the tree trimmings still remain. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on November 5, 2021, and all issues are resolved; Charles. J. and Candis S. Hagaman, 1910Leah Dr. #19, Rubbish. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that on October 29, 2021, he received a complaint from Public Works regarding various different properties on Leah Drive, some of which encroach on Town property. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that there was al NOV letter sent out. Town Planner Dustin Millsaps stated that he went by the property on November  property;  9, 2021 and the issue has been resolved.  No Council action was required.  TOWN MANAGER UPDATES: Town Manager Chase Winebarger had the following  updates:  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that Town Hall and Public Works will be closed on Thursday, December 23-Tuesday December 28, 2021 for Christmas Holiday. The Town Hall and Public Works will reopen on Wednesday, December 29, Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the Town will turn on the Town's Christmas lights on November 22, 2021.Town Manager Chase Winebarger also stated that the large metal tree that the Town purchased will be up between Town Hall and Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he would like for Council to discuss a date for a big spring event. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he would like to open the event to non-profits, vendors, do a car show and fireworks. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that longevity will be paid out on the first Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the employee Thanksgiving meal will Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the employee Christmas meal will be  2021.  the Fire Department by November 22, 2021.  pay period in December.  bel Monday, November 22, 2021 at 11:30am, December 22, 2021 at 11:30am.    November 16, 2021 Page 6of7  Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that ALE picked up the affidavits from the Town regarding the Ardmore property the week ofNovember 8, 2021.Town Manager Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that during the October disconnects a Spanish speaking resident came in and stated that his water was disconnected because he could not understand the message that he received regarding disconnects. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that this ist the first time there has ever been ini issue brought to the Town's attention regarding a language barrier. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that there will be a message on the next bill to see if there are any residents that need a translator. Ifthere is a response then the Town will contract with the CodeRed system to add a Spanish option for all customer calls. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the option will cost the Town three hundred dollars ($300.00) a year and the customer would have to go: into the CodeRed system and sign up for the Spanish option theirself, the Town cannot sign up for them. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that the Town has a Conflict of Interest Policy, but would like to add the attached addition to the Conflict of Interest Policy. Rebecca Johnson made a motion, and Clay Wilson seconded, to approve the addition  Chase Winebarger stated that ALE was working on the problem.  to the Conflict of] Interest Policy as written. All were in favor.  COUNCIL COMMENTS:  Rebecca Johnson wanted toi thank everyone for coming to the meeting.  CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO N.C.G.S. 143.318-11(A)3): Mayor Johnnie Clay Wilson made a motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to go into closed session pursuant to N.C.G.S. $ 143.318-11(a)(3) at approximately 6:55pm. All were in favor. Clay Wilson made a motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to come out of closed session  Greene asked for ai motion to go into closed session.  at approximately 7:15pm. All were in favor.    November 16, 2021 Page 7of7  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 7:15pm.  SEAL ay 1888  Town Clei  Seypfne Qudrnd