MINUTES TOWN OF STOKESDALE REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 8325 ANGEL-PARDUE ROAD STOKESDALE, NC27357 DECEMBER 14, 2023AT7:00PM  In attendance: Mayor Michael E. Crawford; Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy; Councilman Jim Rigsbee; Councilman Jimmy Landreth; 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 Jimmy Landreth arrived at 7:37 PM). 01. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation. Mayor Crawford called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Mayor Crawford led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Rigsbee delivered the opening invocation.  Mayor Crawford offered congratulations to the three incumbent council members on their re-election, as well as commended Mayor Pro Tem Foy and Tee Stephenson for  their work on the 20239 Stokesdale Christmas Parade. 02. Review and Adopt the Agenda: December 14, 2023  Mayor Pro Tem Foy requested an Amendment to move agenda item number 7 to directly after the adoption of the agenda as agenda item number 2a to allow Mrs. Randolph present the financial audit as a courtesy for her long commute. Mayor Pro Tem Foy requested an Amendment to swap agenda items number 19 and number 20 due to agenda item number 21 relating to agenda item number 19. Mayor Pro Tem Foy requested an Amendment to discuss possible revisions to the Town's ordinances regarding unauthorized use of town fire hydrants as agenda item  number 21a.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to adopt the agenda as amended.  Mayor Crawford seconded thei motion.  175    Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth ABSENT Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  02a. Presentation of Town of Stokesdale Financial Audit for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Cindy Randolph, CPA, presented the Town'sl Financial Audit for the Fiscal Year 2022- 2023. Ms. Randolph reported that the audit had been submitted to and approved by the Local Government Commission. The audit performed was a regular governmental audit. Ms. Randolph highlighted the success of the audit and commended Finance Officer Thacker along with the Town Staff and the Council for having a good audit Ms. Randolph recommended that the Council remain involved in financial affairs due tot the lack of segregation of duties due to the Town of Stokesdale having a small staff. Ms. Randolph stated she will check with thel Local Government Commission to see if Mrs. Thacker must be one of the signatures to sign off on invoices after the recommendation by Mayor Pro Tem Foy that Town Clerk Wagoner along with another Council member sign off on invoices prepared by Mrs. Thacker. Mayor Pro Tem Foy commended Ms. Randolph for her work on the audit.  by C. Randolph CPA, PLLC.  year.  03. Review and Adopt the following minutes: a) April13,2023- - Regular Town Council Meeting b) April13,2023- - Closed Session Meeting  c) April 20, 2023 - Special Called Town Council Meeting d) April 20, 2023 - Closed Session Meeting  e) May 04, 2023 - Special Called Town Council Meeting November 09, 2023 - Regular Town Council Meeting  Mayor Crawford made a Motion to adopt the following minutes: April 13,2023, Regular Town Council Meeting; Aprill 13,2 2023, Closed Session Meeting; April 20, 2023 Special Called Town Council Meeting; April 20, 2023, Closed Session Meeting; May 04,  176    2023, Special Called Town Council Meeting (Budget Workshop); andi November 09,  2023, Regular Town Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the motion. Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth ABSENT Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0). 04. Public Safety Reports:  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  a) Stokesdale Fire Department  Stokesdale Fire Chief Todd Gauldin presented the Stokesdale Fire Department report.  b) Guilford County Sheriff's Office  Town Clerk Wagoner read the report provided by the Guilford County Sheriff'sOffice.  05. Administrative Reports  a) Administrative Report: Town Clerk Wagoner Robbie Lee Wagoner II  Town Clerk Wagoner presented the administrativer report.  b) Planning Board: Deputy Town Clerk Mason P. Winfree Deputy Town Clerk Mason P. Winfree presented the planning board report. c) Property Committee: Committee Chairman Tee Stephenson  Nol Property Committee report was presented.  d) Town Park Improvement Committee: Committee Chairman Tee  Stephenson  Committee Chairman Tee Stephenson presented the Town Park Improvement  Committee report.  177    06. Financial Reports: Town Finance Officer/Budget Officer Kimberly Thacker  a) Financial Report: Town of Stokesdale General Fund  Town Finance/ Budget Officer 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 07. Presentation of Town of Stokesdale Financial Audit for Fiscal Year 2022-2023  Water Enterprise Fund.  by C. Randolph, CPA, PLLC.  See agenda item number 2a.  08. Acceptance of Official Results for the Town of Stokesdale Municipal Election  held on November 07, 2023.  Guilford County, NC- OFFICIAL Municipal General-11/072023 019.STOKESDALE COUNCIL STOKESDALE  Derek Foy Jimmy Landreth Mark Nadel Jim Rigsbee Write-In Over Votes Under Votes  PG1 PG2 STOK Onestop Absentee Provisional Totals  384 25 0 0 409  380 26 0 0 406  135 7 1 0 143  380 27 0 0 407  7 3 0 0 10  0 0 0 0 0  91 5 2 0 98  Mayor Crawford made a Motion to accept the official results for the Town of  Stokesdale Municipal Election held on November 07, 2023.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the motion. Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  178    09. Citizen's comments from the floor (3-minute limit per speaker)  Citizen Name: Bill Goebel  Address: 1402 Westridge Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27410 Comment: Congratulated the three incumbent council members on their re- election. Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and commended the' Town for the  2023 Christmas parade. Citizen Name: Bobbi Dalton  Address: 8634 Oak Level Church Road, Stokesdale, North Carolina 27357 Comment: Congratulated the three incumbent council members on their re- election. Expressed her concern about thel Duke Energy power plant going nuclear in 2035. Asked the Council to investigate the safety protocols concerning  Duke Energy going nuclear.  10. Oaths of Office administered by Town Clerk Robbie Lee Wagoner II for newly elected officials: Councilman-Elect Derek Foy, Councilman-Elect: Jimmy I,I DEREK FOY, do solemnly swear [or affirm] that Iv will support the Constitution and Laws of the United States; thatIwill be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof; thatIwill endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution and laws of said State, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to the best of my knowledge and ability; and thatIwill faithfully discharge the duties of my office as TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER for the Town of Stokesdale, North Carolina, so help me God [as my solemn affirmation). LJIMMYL LANDRETH, do solemnly swear [or affirm] thatIwill support the Constitution and Laws of the United States; thatI will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof; thatIwill endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution and laws of said State, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to the best of my knowledge and ability; and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER for the Town of Stokesdale, North Carolina, SO help me God [as my solemn affirmation). I,I JIM RIGSBEE, do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will support the Constitution and Laws of the United States; thatIwill be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof; thatIwill endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution and laws of said State, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to thel best of my knowledge and ability; and that Iv will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER for the Town of Stokesdale, North Carolina, SO help me God [as my solemn affirmation).  Landreth and Counclman-Elect Jim Rigsbee.  179    Newly elected officials Councilman-Elect Derek Foy, Councilman-Elect Jimmy Landreth, and Councllman-Elect Jim Rigsbee were sworn into office by Town Clerk 11. Election of the Mayor Pro Tempore by the Stokesdale Town Council. Mayor Crawford made a Motion that the current council members who were newly re- elected maintain the same positions that they havel had, including Derek Foy as Mayor  Wagoner.  Pro Tempore.  Councilman Rigsbee seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Councilman Foy Councilman Rigsbee YES  YES  a) Oath of Office administered by Town Clerk Wagoner for newly elected  Mayor Pro Tempore.  I, DEREK FOY, do solemnly swear [or affirm] thatI will support the Constitution and Laws of the United States; that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of North Carolina, and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof; thatIwill endeavor to support, maintain and defend the Constitution and laws of said State, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, to the best of my knowledge and ability; and thatI will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as MAYOR PROTEMPORE for the Town of Stokesdale, North Carolina, sO help me God [as my solemn affirmation). Newly elected Mayor Pro Tempore Derek Foy was sworn into office by Town Clerk  Wagoner.  NEW BUSINESS:  12. Consideration of 2024 Town of Stokesdale Holiday Closing Schedule. Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to adopt the 2024 Town of Stokesdale Holiday  Schedule.  Mayor Crawford seconded the motion.  180    Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  13. Consideration of 2024 Town of Stokesdale Town Council Regular Meeting Mayor Crawford made a Motion to approve the 2024 Town of Stokesdale Town  Schedule.  Council Regular Meeting Schedule. Councilman Landreth seconded thei motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  14. Consideration of the 2024 Town of Stokesdale Town Board of Adjustment Mayor Crawford made a Motion to adopt the 2024 Town of Stokesdale Town Board of  Regular Meeting Schedule.  Adjustment Regular Meeting Schedule. Councilman Landreth seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  15. Consideration of Appointment of 3 members to the Town of Stokesdale Mayor Crawford made a Motion to extend the service of the current Planning Board Councilman Rigsbee seconded the motion with discussion on whether the three current Councilman Landreth requested that the three members be discussed individually.  Planning Board.  members Stephen Louie, Randy Braswell, and Chris Sumner. Planning Board members wished to continue in their roles.  181    Mayor Crawford withdrew his motion.  Councilman Landreth made Nomination to appoint Stephen Louie to continue as a  member of the Town of Stokesdale Planning Board. Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the nomination.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  Mayor Crawford made a Nomination to appoint Tee Stephenson as a member of the  Town of Stokesdale Planning Board. Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the nomination.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  Councilman Landreth made a Nomination to appoint Chris Sumner to continue asa  member of the Town of Stokesdale Planning Board. Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the nomination.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  16. Consideration of Proposal to replace the Town Finance/Budget Officer's Councilman Landreth made a Motion to purchase a desktop computer for Town Finance/Budget Officer Thacker for $1,696.91 through Total Computer Solutions (TCS), thus approving quote number TCSQ5144, dated November 22, 2023.  Desktop Computer at Town Hall.  182    Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  Councilman Rigsbee requested thatifar monitor is included in the quote that it be 17. Consideration of Proposal for Online Recreation Reservation Software. Mayor Pro Tem Foy requested to continue this agenda item to the next regular Town Council meeting in order to observe a demonstration of the proposed software before 18. Discussion of payment method for Lump Sum Reserve Capacity Fee to the Mayor Pro Tem Foy requested that agenda item numbers 18, 20, and 21 be combined. a. Item 20: Consideration of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 1 (Ordinance No. b. Item 21: Consideration of Resolution No. R-2023-12 (AI Resolution Creatinga Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to adopt Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 1t to transfer $128,000.00 from the capital reserve fund to the water enterprise fund; to adopt Resolution R2023-12 to create the water system reserve fund for the water enterprise fund and to authorize Town Finance/Budget Officer Thacker to make that disbursement from the water enterprise fund toi the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Utility Commission in the amount of $128,000.00 nol later than January 25, 2024.  removed and purchased elsewhere.  any decision is made. No formal motion was made.  Winston-salem/forsyth County Utility Commission.  0-2023-07). (Formally item number 19)  Capital Reserve. Fund for the Water Enterprise Fund).  Mayor Crawford seconded the motion. Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  19. Consideration of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 2 (Ordinance No. 0-2023-  08) (Formally Agenda Item Number 20)  183    Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to adopt Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 2 (Ordinance. No. 0-2023-08), thus increasing the revenue. from $50,000.00 using reserved funds from the Small-Town Development Grant and increasing the expenses in the  general fund by $50,000.00 for park investment (line item #10100).  Mayor Crawford seconded the motion. Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  20. Consideration of Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 1 (Ordinance No. 0-2023-  07) as written. (Formally Agenda Item Number19)  See agenda item number 18.  21. Consideration of Resolution No. R-2023-12 (A Resolution Creating a Capital  Reserve Fund for the Water Enterprise Fund).  See agenda item number 18.  21a. Discuss possible revisions to town ordinances regarding unauthorized use of Ata previous meeting, Councilman Landreth introduced thei issue concerning people stealing water from fire hydrants and asked Town Attorney Winfree to look into  town fire hydrants.  ordinances pertaining to the situation.  Attorney Winfree made a point that the ordinance should be updated because in 2021 there were. legislative changes where the legislature decided that people were over criminalizing the violation of the town ordinances, sO they have limited the criminal law to enforce such ordinances. Attorney Winfree suggested that the Council revisit those ordinances. Attorney Winfree also explained that there is a statute in the criminal law, stating that if someone has an unauthorized connection to a municipal water system, then that municipality could collect three times the damages or $5,000.00, whichever is greater. Attorney Winfree recommended that the Council adopt a new ordinance that incorporates the aforementioned statute, in order to. have the authority toe enforce it. Attorney Winfree proposed the idea of drafting a new ordinance, based on the Town's current ordinance, that would incorporate as much recovery as possible against any person who is caught stealing water from the municipal water system.  184    22. Citizen's Comments from the Floor (3-Minute Limit per Speaker)  No citizen's comments from the floor.  23. Closed Session in accordance with S 143-318.11 (Closed Sessions).  (a) Permitted Purposes. Iti is the policy of this State that closed sessions shall be held only when required to permit a public body to act in the public interest as permitted in this section. A public body may hold a closed session and exclude the public only when a closed session is required. (6) To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee. General personnel policy issues may not be considered in a closed session. A public body may not consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, appointment, or removal of a member of the public body or another body and may not consider or fill a vacancy among its own membership except in an open meeting. Final action making an appointment or discharge or removal by ap public body having final authority for the appointment or discharge, or  removal shall be taken in an open meeting.  Mayor Crawford made a Motion to enter into closed session in accordance with North  Carolina General Statute 143-318.11 (a)(6). Councilman Landreth seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  The Council entered closed session at 8:43 PM.  Mayor Crawford made a Motion to enter back into open session.  Councilman Landreth seconded the motion.  185    Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0).  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  The Council entered back into open session at 8:57 PM.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy made a Motion to amend Attorney Chuck Winfree's contract by increasing his hourly fee by five percent (5%) from $200.00 per hour to $210.00 per hour  effective January 01, 2024.  Mayor Crawford seconded thei motion. Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0). 24. Council Comments.  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  Mayor Crawford: Thanked his fellow councilmen and congratulated them on their re- election. Commended the Town for the Christmas parade and wished everyone in Mayor Pro Tem Foy: Wished everyone in attendance a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Thanked everyone for being in attendance. Thanked Tee Stephenson, Mason P. Winfee, Robbie Lee Wagoner II, Priscilla Hunsucker, Deanna Reagan, and Rachel Foy for their work on the Christmas parade, as well as sponsors and participants. Councilman Landreth: Commended the Christmas parade. Thanked everyone in attendance and thanked the voters who participated in the municipal election. Thanked Councilman Rigsbee: Thanked everyone for attending the meeting and thanked those  attendance a Merry Christmas.  his fellow councilmen for supporting him during the election.  that supported the councilmembers in the election.  186    ANNOUNCEMENTS: 25. Council Announcements:  a) The Stokesdale Town Hall Building will be closed Monday, December: 25, 2023, through Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in observance of the Christmas  Holiday.  b) The next regular Town of Stokesdale Town Planning Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 7:00 PM: inside Town Hall  Council Chambers, has been cancelled.  c) The Town of Stokesdale Town Council will hold their next regular meeting on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 7:001 PM inside the Town Hall Council  Chambers. ADIOURNMENT  26. Adjournment of Meeting.  Councilman Landreth made a Motion to adjourn at 9:03 PM.  Mayor Pro Tem Foy seconded the motion.  Mayor Crawford Councilman Landreth YES Councilman Jones Motion carried (4-0). at 9:03 PM.  YES ABSENT  Mayor Pro Tem Foy YES Councilman Rigsbee YES  Being no: further business to come before the Town Council, the meeting was adjourned  Approved: January 11, 2024  Derek Foy, Mayor ProTem   ATTEST:  RE Robbiel Lee Wagoner II, Town'Clerk  187