MINUTES TOWN OF STOKESDALE REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 8325 ANGEL-PARDUE ROAD STOKESDALE, NC27357 NOVEMBER 09, 2023AT7:00PM  In attendance: Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy; Councilman Jimmy Landreth; Councilman Jim Rigsbee; Councilman Tim Jones; Town Attorney Charles H. Winfree; Town Finance/Budget Officer Kimberly Thacker; Town Clerk Robbie Lee Wagoner II and Deputy Town Clerk Mason P. Winfree. (Councilman Jim Rigsbee arrived at 8:251 PM)  01. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation. Mayor Pro Tem Foy called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Pro Tem Foy led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Jones delivered the opening invocation. 02. Review and Adopt the Agenda: November 09, 2023 Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to adopt the agenda.  Councilman Landreth made an amendment to discuss water thieves as agenda item Councilman Jones made an amendment to discuss entrance maintenance at the Town  number 10a.  Hall as agenda item 10b.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy accepted both amendments. Councilman Jones seconded the motion. Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (3-0).  ABSENT YES  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee ABSENT  166    03. Review and Adopt the following Minutes:  a) April 06, 2023, Special Called' Town Council Meeting BudgetWorkshop) Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to adopt the minutes as presented for the. April 06,  2023, Special Called Town Council Meeting (Budget Workshop). Councilman Jimmy Landreth seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (3-0). 04. Public Safety Reports:  ABSENT YES  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee ABSENT  a) Stokesdale Fire Department  Stokesdale Deputy Fire Chief Randy Southard presented the Stokesdale Fire  Department report.  b) Guilford County Sheriff's Office  Town Clerk Wagoner read the report provided by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office. Councilman Jones requested that Town Clerk Wagoner post the report provided by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office on the Town's official website and the Town's official  Facebook page.  05. Administrative Reports:  a) Administrative Report: Robbie Lee Wagoner II (Town Clerk)  Town Clerk Wagoner presented the administrative report.  b) Planning Board: Mason P. Winfree (Deputy Town Clerk) Deputy Town Clerk Winfree presented the Planning Board Report. c) Property Committee: Jim Rigsbee (Councilman)  Nol Property Committee report was presented.  167    d) Town Park Improvement Committee: Tee Stephenson (Committee  Chairman)  Committee Chairman Tee Stephenson presented the' Town Park Improvement  Committee report.  06. Financial Reports: Kimberly Thacker (Town Finance Officer/Budget - Officer)  a) Financial Report: Town of Stokesdale General Fund  Town Finance/Budget Officer Kimberly Thacker presented the financial report for the  Town's General Fund.  b) Financial Report: Town of Stokesdale Water Enterprise Fund  Town Finance/Budget Officer Thacker presented the financial report for the Town's  Water Enterprise Fund.  c) 2023 Town of Stokesdale Financial Audit Update  Town Finance/Budget Officer Thacker presented the 2023 Town of Stokesdale Financial Audit Update. Mrs. Thacker reported that the Town of Stokesdale'sauditor Cindy Randolph confirmed that there will be no need for an extension for the fiscal year 23 audit report. The audit will be completed by November 30 and a presentation by 07. Citizen's Comments from the Floor (3-Minute Limit per Speaker). Bill Goebel, 1402 Westridge Road, Greensboro, NC - Spoke about matters involving  Randolph will be added to thel December 14 agenda.  his appointment to the Guilford County School Board.  NEW BUSINESS:  08. 2023 Stokesdale Christmas Parade (Saturday, December 09, 2023, at 2:00 PM). Mayor Pro Tem Foy requested $4500s spending authority to advertise the 2023 Stokesdale Christmas Parade in the Northwest Observer, secure portable toilets for day of the parade, get six deputies from the Sheriff's department for safety, as well as  decorations or other small items.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy requested that he and Councilman Landreth oversee the spending.  168    Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to grant the Event's Committee $4500 forl himself and Councilman Landreth to oversee spending to support the Stokesdale Christmas Councilman Jones made an amendment that money can be spent up to $4500 as long as  Parade.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy and Councilman Jimmy agree. Mayor Pro Tem Foy accepted the amendment. Councilman Jones seconded the motion. Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (3-0).  ABSENT YES  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee ABSENT  09. Consideration of proposal to install Christmas banners in November 2023 and Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to approve Price Mill Towing to install Christmas banners in November 2023 and to re-install Stokesdale banners in January 2024 at a cost  tor re-install Stokesdale banners in January 2024.  of$ $1,000.  Councilman Jones seconded the: motion.  Councilman Jones requested an amendment for the Town of Stokesdale to: require independent contractors working with Price Mill Towing to wear a reflective vest for Councilman Jones withdrew the amendment because Town Attorney Charles H. Winfree informed that the Town is not responsible for independent contractors  safety during the installation.  performing their duties. Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (3-0).  ABSENT YES  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee ABSENT  10. Consideration of requests from Town of Stokesdale to NCDOT regarding  roadway projects.  169    Councilman Landreth requested Town Clerk Wagoner to read the following email from Stokesdale Fire ChiefTodd Gauldin sent Tuesday, November 7, 2023, with three bullet  point recommendations regarding roadway projects.  Robbie,  Here are the items of concern we expressed at the meeting with DOT regarding intersection (Ellisboro Rd/Belews Creek Rd and Hwy 158/ Belews Creek Rd) as well as the concerns for the feeder streets intersecting with Belews Creek Rd between the Hwy 68/Belews Creek Rd intersection and the Hwy  158/ Belews Creek Rdi intersection.  Ift the travel lanes in all directions at thei intersection of Hwy 158 and Belews Creek Rd are made left-turn, right-turna and a straight lane we believe it will add to thes speed that vehicles traveling east bound on Hwy 158 proceed through the intersection due to notl having to slow for traffic. This problem would only be compounded due to the fact there is a slight knoll as you approach the intersection east bound, then would in a very short distance before proceeding into a Ifat traffic roundabout is constructed at the Ellisboro Rd/Belews Creek Rd intersection and nothing is done at the Hwy 158/Belews Creek Rd. intersection, due to the amount of tractor trailer traffic that passes through those intersections it will back traffic through the Ellisboro Rd/Belews Creek Rd intersection (roundabout). Due to the short distance between the two (2) intersection and the length of a tractor trailer you currently have to set through at least two (2) light changes or more depending on the amount of traffic stopped to clear thei intersection. The feeder/side streets that intersect with Belews Creek Rd. (Newberry St, Lester Rd and VaughanSt): are: not suitable for handling tractor trailer traffici in any form should traffic need to be detoured for any reason. We feel that this is an area that DOT should really take a look at. These are the main issues we saw that would arise if all of these concerns are not addressed. Again as first responders we. like many others feel that the road system currently in place could handle traffici in Stokesdale 25 years ago (the two (2) intersections in question have always presented an issue) but we have out grown the current road system and it will continue to worsen: as the town continues to grow. Thanks to the Town for allowing us to express our opinions and have input into the proposed changes.  roundabout.  Should you need any additional information please feel free to contact us.  Sincerely, Todd Gauldin Chief Stokesdale Firel District Inc. 336-643-0790  Councilman Landreth requested in addition to the recommendations in the email to also consider looking at the intersection at HWY158, as well as offering consideration to not affect businesses on Main Street any more than necessary, along with Sammy  Logan's Tire Shop.  170    Mayor Pro Tem Foy agreed with the recommendations posed by Councilman Landreth and requested that thel NCDOT explore ai roundabout at the 158-Belews Creek Road intersection or at a minimum rumble strips or flashing lights to slow traffic down. Councilman Jones recommended that the Town consult with a traffic engineer for further options. He also recommended that the council vote to ask for roadway improvements to the west end of 158 to notify drivers that there is a congested area ahead. Councilman Jones recommended continuing with this item at the December Councilman Landreth and Mayor Pro Tem Foy requested that action be taken by the Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion that the Town of Stokesdale endorse the concerns and recommendations Chief Gauldin of the Stokesdale Fire District submitted to the Town, as well as an additional bullet point item expressing gratitude for the NCDOT's commitment to vet out a roundabout at the 158 and Belews Creek Road intersection, communicate that at a minimum Council would like to see rumble strips and/or flashing lights to encourage travelers to slow down coming east on 158, and also to reinforce Council's position tol have the minimum amount of impact as possible on Councilman Jones made an amendment stating that Mayor Pro Tem Foy will review  Regular Town Council Meeting.  end of November.  small businesses or property owners.  the draft of requests from Town Clerk Wagoner before it is sent.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy accepted the amendment. Councilman Landreth seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (3-0). 10a. Discuss water thieves.  ABSENT YES  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee ABSENT  Councilman Landreth asked Town Attorney Winfree if Council could pass an  ordinance to stop the stealing of water from fire hydrants.  Councilman Jones asked what would constitute as proof to fine or have the sheriff's department take further action against potential water thieves. Mayor Pro Tem Foy suggests camera evidence would suffice. Councilman Landreth asked Town Attorney  171    Winfree to conduct research into state statutes concerning water theft to explore Councilman Jones requested that Town Clerk Wagoner contact Sergeant Seals with District1 to find out whati information is needed to act against individuals stealing  options.  water and report back to Council.  10b. Discussion of Maintenance at' Town Hall entrance. clean up around the entrance of the' Town Hall building.  Councilman Jones requested council's permission for him and Councilman Landreth to Councilman Jones made a Motion that the Town Council give consent for him and Councilman Landreth to clean up the area around the entrance of Town Hall to a reasonable degree using standard housekeeping techniques and supplies that they will  provide.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (3-0).  ABSENT YES  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee ABSENT  11. Citizen's Comments from the Floor (3-Minute Limit per Speaker).  Citizen Name: Eilene Theiry  Address: 8101 Meadow Springs Road, Stokesdale, NC: 27357  Comment: Offered congratulations toi the Councilman for securing their seats in the election. Requested that the lights be cleaned in the Town Hall Council  Chambers.  Citizen Name: Kathryn Bunthoff  Address: 8202 McCrory Road, Stokesdale, NC27357  Comment: Requested that the council think about pedestrian accommodations along the roadways including signage and signals in the Town of Stokesdale. Requested that Council protect pedestrians walking on foot through  intersections.  Councilman Landreth made a Motion to reconsider agenda item 10 to add pedestrian safety to the list of consideration requests to NCDOT regarding roadway projects.  172    Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0). 12. Council Comments.  ABSENT YES  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  Councilman Rigsbee - Apologized for being late to the meeting and thanked the citizens for voting in the municipal election and for being in attendance. Mayor Pro Tem Foy - Thanked the citizens for being in attendance and wished  everyone safe travels through the Thanksgiving holiday.  Councilman Landreth - Thanked citizens for voting in the municipal election and for Councilman Jones Thanked citizens for being present as well as Town Staff and Council members. Reminded everyone to drive safely and to look out for pedestrians.  being present at the meeting.  ANNOUNCEMENTS: 13. Council Announcements:  a) The Stokesdale Town Hall Building will be closed on Friday, November 10, b) The next regular Town of Stokesdale Town Planning Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM: inside the Town Hall c) The Stokesdale Town Hall Building will be closed on' Thursday, November 23,2023, and Friday, November 24, 2023, in observance of the Thanksgiving d) The Town of Stokesdale Town Council will hold their next regular meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 7:00 PM inside the Town Hall Council  2023, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.  Council Chambers, has been cancelled.  holiday.  Chambers.  ADIOURNMENT:  14. Adjournment of Meeting.  173    Councilman Landreth made a Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 PM.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0). at 8:31 PM.  ABSENT YES  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  Being no further business to come before the Town Council, the meeting was adjourned  Approved: December 14, 2023  Derek Foy, Mayor Pro' Tem  Las  ATTEST:  53 Robbie Lee Wagoner1l, Town Clerk  174