Page 1 of7  TUESDAY, MARCH1 17,2020  TOWN OF SAWMILLS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING  6:00 PM  COUNCIL PRESENT Mayor Johnnie Greene Keith Warren Clay Wilson Joe Wesson Melissa Curtis Rebecca Johnson  STAFF PRESENT Chase Winebarger Julie. A Good Terry Taylor  CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Johnnie Greene called the meeting to order at approximately  6:00pm.  INVOCATION: JeffLambert gave the invocation.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Johnnie Greene led the Pledge of Allegiance. MOTION TO. AMEND AGENDA: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked forar motion to amend the March 17, 2020, agenda to include Agenda Item 9C: Remote Participation Policy for Rebecca Johnson made a motion, and Clay Wilson seconded, to amend the March 17, 2020, agenda to include Agenda Item 9C: Remote Participation Policy for Meetings of Town of  Meetings ofTown of Sawmills Council.  Sawmills Council. All were in favor.  ADOPT AGENDA: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to adopt the March 17,2020 Joe Wesson made ai motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to adopt the March 17,2020 agenda.  agenda.  All were in favor.  APPROVE FEBRUARY 13,2020 BUDGET RETREAT MEETING MINUTES: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for ai motion to approve the February 13, 2020 budget retreat meeting Joe Wesson. made ai motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to approve thel February 13,2020  minutes.  budget retreat meeting minutes. All were in favor.    March 17, 2020 Page 2of7  APPROVE FEBRAURY 18, 2020 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for ai motion to approve the February 18, 2020 regular meeting minutes. Rebecca Johnson made a motion, and Clay Wilson seconded, to approve the February 18,  2020 regular meeting minutes. All were in favor.  APPROVE MARCH 5, 2020 SPECIAL MEEETING MINUTES: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to approve the March 5, 2020 special meeting minutes. Clay Wilson made a motion, and Joe Wesson seconded, to approve the March 5, 2020 special  meeting minutes. All were. in favor.  APPROVE MARCH 5, 2020 SPECIAL MEETING CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to approve the March 5, 2020 special meeting Clay Wilson made ai motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to adopt the March 5, 2020 special  closed session minutes.  meeting closed session minutes. All were in favor.  APPROVE MARCH5,2020: BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to approve the March 5, 2020 budget workshop minutes. Clay Wilson made a motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to approve the March 5, 2020  budget workshop minutes. All were in favor.  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked if anyone had any questions or Rebecca Johnson wanted to ask ifPublic Works could get a list together ofa any elderly people, that need checking on during this pandemic, that we could give out to Department of Social  comments ati this time.  Services?  RECOGNITIONS:  RECYCLE REWARDS WINNER: Mayor Johnnie Greene announced Tiffany Rayle, as the March Recycle Rewards winner. A credit oft thirty-two dollars ($32.00) will be added to  the current sanitation bill. No Council action was required.  FINANCIAL:  HUDSON AMERICAN LEGION POST 392 DONATION REQUEST: Mayor Johnnie Greene stated that the Hudson American Legion Post 392 had requested a donation in the    March 17,2020 Page 30 of7  amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00).  Clay Wilson made ai motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to give a donation in the amount oftwo hundred dollars ($200.00) to the Hudson American Legion Post 392. All were in favor.  DISCUSSION:  PROPOSED LONGEVITY PAY: Mayor Johnnie Greene stated that during the February 13, 2020 budget retreat meeting, Town Manager Chase Winebarger spoke about the current Town of Sawmills longevity pay policy. Town Manger Chase Winebarger also spoke to Council about allowing current local government and state employees that become employed by the Town of Sawmills to be able to include the employees' years of service, that the employee had prior to employment at the Town of Sawmills, into the proposed longevity Clay Wilson made a motion, and Joe Wesson seconded, to adopt the proposed longevity pay schedule and allow current local government and state employees that become employed by the Town of Sawmills to be able to include the employees' years ofservice, that the employee had prior to employment at the Town of Sawmills, into the longevity pay effective July 1,  scale.  2020. All were favor.  PROPOSED VACATION ACCRUALS: Mayor Johnnie Greene stated that during the February 13, 2020 budget retreat, Town Manager Chase Winebarger spoke about the current Towno ofSawmills vacation accruals. Town Manager Chase Winebarger suggested to Council that the Town of Sawmills match the State ofNorth Carolina accrual rate for vacation time. Clay Wilson made a motion, and Joe Wesson seconded, to approve the Town of Sawmills matching the State ofNorth Carolina accrual rate for vacation time effective July 1,2020. All  were in favor.  REMOTE PARTICIPATION POLICY FORI MEETINGS OF TOWN OF SAWMILLS TOWN COUNCIL: Mayor Johnnie Greene stated that the purpose of the Remote Participation Policy is for a Council member who cannot be at a meeting, but wants to attend the meeting, and there is a quorum to vote, that a Council member can participate remotely if Melissa Curtis made a motion, and Rebecca Johnson seconded, to approve the Remote Participation Policy for Meetings oft the Town of Sawmills Town Council. All were in favor. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked if anyone had any questions or  the quorum votes to allow the remote participation.  comments at this time. No one wished to speak.    March 17, 2020 Page 4 of7  UPDATES:  MARCH CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that  there are nine (9) code enforcement cases open:  Carolyn Bray/Robyn Brittian, owner 2570 Baker Circle. Abandoned Mobile Home/Garbage and Rubbish. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he is working with Town Attorney Terry Taylor to abate the property. Town Planner Hunter Nestor also stated that he will treat this as a Junk and Debris and not minimum housing. If sO, the Town can proceed to abate after thirty (30) days of notice. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he got a quote that will demo entire trailer and haul off all debris including our equipment, labor and fees. Town Planner hunter Nestor stated that the quote isi four thousand one hundred dollars ($4,100.00). Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that staff plans to abate this in the current budget year, in the spring of Timberline Lumber Company, 4221 US Highway 321A. Overgrown Vegetation/Property Maintenance. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he received a complaint on July 2, 2019, and original NOV letter was sent July 16, 2019 and no response or no progress as of August 8, 2019. Second NOV letter was sent on August 8, 2019. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he never received any response from owner, but some progress. had been made. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he received ai telephone call complaint about thej property and the individual was informed that a written complaint would need to be submitted to investigate the property. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he received the written complaint Debra Rose, 4284 Trojan Ln. Dangerous Dog/Animal Creating a Nuisance. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he received a complaint on November 26, 2019 about multiple dogs running around with no leash in a neighborhood. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that the complaint stated that the dogs were digging holes, habitual barking, howling and whining through the night and creating aj physical threat to neighbors and other animals. NOV letter was sent on December 3, 2019, with a deadline ofDecember 19,2019. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that there wasno response from the owner. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he received another complaint and a second NOV letter was sent out on January 16, 2020 with a deadline ofJanuary 28, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that Caldwell County Animal Control has been notified. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that the property is a rental and he has spoken to Mrs. Rose and she informed Town Planner Hunter Nestor that she has spoken with her tenants. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that the original complainant had submitted videos to town staffofthe habitual barking. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he will work with Caldwell County and Town Teresa Annas Compton, 4486 Sawmills School Road. Abandoned Mobile Home/Garbage and Rubbish. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated he received a  2020;  on February 18, 2020;  Attorney for further action;    March 17,2020 Page 5of7  complaint on. January 13, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that a NOV letter would be sent out on January 23, 2020 with a deadline of February 10, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor 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 Hunter Nestor stated that staff will investigate and work with attorney for possible courses of abatement, Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that one (1) ofMs. Compton's sons is scheduled to meet with staffi in late February to work towards getting the property in Dwayne K and Bridget E Mann, owners 4353 Eli Ln/Fancy PI. Garbage and Rubbish/Property Maintenance. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that he received ac complaint on January 2, 2020, and a regular NOV letter and a certified NOV letter was sent on January 2, 2020, with a deadline of January 20, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that the certified NOV letter was returned for being unclaimed, but the regular letter was not returned. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that a second NOV letter was sent on February 13, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that thej property has junk/garbage all over the property. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that if there is no response after the second NOV letter, staff can enforce fines Jerry Michael and Camille Hawn, 4491 Loye Ln. Garbage and Rubbish/Property Maintenance. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that a complaint was received on January 28, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor 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 Hunter Nestor stated that the Miller property is in violation for having high grass/vegetation and junk and garbage located around the property. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that the Hawn property is not in violation as brush pile was picked up on January 31, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that complainant states that Mr. Hawn has more brush scattered throughout the property, but staff did Dale E and Debra Miller, 4434 Jess Dr. Garbage and Rubbish/Property Maintenance, Town Planner Hunter Nestor statedthat a complaint wasi received on January 28, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor 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 Hunter Nestor stated that the Miller property isi in violation for having high grass/vegetation andj junk and garbage located around the property. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that the Hawn property is not in violation as brush pile was picked up on January 31, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nestor stated that complainant states that Mr. Hawn has more brush scattered throughout the property, but staff did not find any evidence; Denise Dotson/William S Annas, II, 4095 Gatewood Dr. Abandoned Mobile Home/Minimum Housing. Town Planner Hunter Nestor 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 Hunter Nestor stated that the mobile home has been sprayed painted and has an apparent  his name and get the property cleaned up;  and possible abatement;  not find any evidence;    March 17,2020 Page 6of7  tenant, however, the water meter has been pulled from the property. Town Planner Hunter Nester stated that staff will investigate and work with Town Attorney Terry Herman E: and Julie Phillips, 2478 Annas Dr. Livestock. Town Planner Hunter Nestor 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 ofl March 23, 2020. Town Planner Hunter Nester stated that livestock may be pot belly pigs, which are not included in the livestock definition. Town Planner Hunter Nester stated that he would  Taylor for a possible course ofaction;  investigate further.  No Council action was required.  COUNCIL COMMENT: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked if anyone on the Council had any Melissa Curtis stated that with the pandemic going on that maybe we should look at some of  questions or comments at this time.  our utility policies.  Joe Wesson wanted to thank Jo. Ann Miller for coming to the meeting.  CLOSED SESSION FORATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE PURSUANTTONCGS $143-318.11 (a)(3): MayorJohnnie Greene asked for a motion to go into closed session. Clay Wilson made a motion, and Joe Wesson seconded, to go into closed session pursuant to Clay Wilson made a motion, and Joe Wesson seconded, to come out of closed session at  NCGS $ 143-318.11(a) 6 at approximately 6:25pm. All were in favor.  approximately 7:13pm. All were in favor.  TOWNMANAGER UPDATES: Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he had been ini meetings all day regarding the COVID-19 virus. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that onl March 18, 2020, the TownofSawmills, along with the othermunicipalities in Caldwell County, were going to file a State of Emergency. Town Manager Chase Winebarger also stated that along with the State of Emergency, the Town Hall would be closed to the public. Customers can make their payments online or in the drop box, to limit contact with anyone Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that, along with closing Town Hall, the town would not be disconnecting utility services to anyone in Town, that March late fees have already went on, but there would be no late fees in April, and Council would talk more about the pandemic and what needs to continue at the regularly scheduled April meeting. Town Manager Chase Winebarger also talked about the leave policy for employees during  who may have the virus.    March 17,2020 Page 7of7  the pandemic. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he intends to give any employee paid leave if they have the COVID-19 virus. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that during the meetings that he had been in about the COVID-19 virus, it has been talked about that if one (1) person in your household comes down with the COVID-19 virus, the whole house will be quarantined for up to three (3) weeks. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that most employees do not have one hundred twenty (120) hours to cover their pay for that time and he intends to compensate all Town employees, as long as this is not being abused. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he will have a draft leave policy for Council at Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that hei thought it would be a good idea to cancel the Town Manager Chase Winebarger also stated that hel had a Farmers' Market meeting and that the biggest problem ist the rues the Town has in place for the Farmers' Market. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that he is in the process of going through the rules, but ift this is not Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that as of Friday, March 13, 2020 that all Town Parks had been closed to the public. Town Manager Chase Winebarger also stated that all ball practices and games had been cancelled. Town Manager Chase Winebarger stated that all bathrooms had been open, but were being closed at 5:00pm, but the Town could close the bathrooms and put up port-a-johns for the public who wish to still go to the parks.  the next meeting.  Town Easter Egg hunt at this time. Council agreed.  resolved, then he thinks that there will not be a Farmers' Market.  DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY: Mayor Johnnie Greene stated that the council Clay Wilson made a motion and Keith Warren seconded, for the Town to declare a State of Emergency and the Town Hall to be closed to the public until further notice. All were in  would need to make a motion for the State of Emergency.  favor.  COUNCIL ADJOURN: Mayor Johnnie Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Clay Wilson made a motion, and Joe Wesson seconded, to adjourn the meeting. All were in  favor.  The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:53pm.  EL   SEAL    Mayor  Julie / A. Good, Town o ALV1,1980  Gun  MES