Page lof7  TUFSDAY,NOVEMBER 21, 2017  TOWN OF SAWMILLS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING  6:00 PM  COUNCIL PRESENT Mayor Joe Wesson Gerelene Blevins Keith Warren Jeff Wilson Reed Lingerfelt Joe Norman  STAFF PRESENT Christopher Todd Terry Taylor Julie A Good  CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Joe Wesson called the meeting to order. INVOCATION: Associate Pastor Randy McCall gave the invocation.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Joe Wesson led the Pledge of Allegiance.  ADOPT AGENDA: Mayor Joe Wesson asked forai motion to adopt the November 21,2017 Reed Lingerfelt made ai motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to adopt the November 21,2017  Agenda.  Agenda. All were in favor.  APPROVE OCTOBER 17, 2017 REGULAR: MEETING MINUTES: Mayor Joe Wesson asked for ai motion to approve the October 17, 2017 regular meeting minutes. Joe Norman made ai motion, and Gerelene Blevins seconded, to approve the October 17,2017  regular meeting minutes. All were in favor.  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Joe Wesson asked if anyone had any questions or comments John McRary spoke about his Notice of Violation letter sent to him by Town Planner Leslie Michael Waksunski stated that he had gotten a Petition to ask the Town of Sawmills to take over Chandler Place and wanted to ask the Council to at least help the residents of Chandler Place to pave the entrance coming off ofHelton Road onto Chandler Place.  at this time. M. Meadows.    November 2017 Page 2of7  Sue Hall spoke about code enforcement.  RECOGNITIONS:  RECYCLE REWARDS WINNER: Mayor Joe Wesson announced Ms. Claudia Ward-Eller as the November Recycle Rewards winner. A credit of thirty-two dollars ($32.00) will be  added to her sanitation bill. No Council action was required.  DISCUSSION:  PUBLIC HEARING: ANNEXATION:  OPEN PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Joe Wesson asked for a motion to open the public Joe Norman made a motion, and Reed Lingerfelt seconded, to open the public hearing. All  hearing. were in favor.  STAFF COMMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS: Town Administrator Christopher Todd stated that the Town of Sawmills had received a petition for Voluntary Annexation from Benny and Jennifer Townsend for one (1) parcel (NCPIN-275994368. Additionally, a petition has been received for Alice and Paul Wright for one (1) parcel (NCPIN-  2755995990).  FUBLICCOMMENT: Mayor. Joe Wesson askedi ifanyone wished to speak on the voluntary  annexation. No one wished to speak  CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Joe Wesson asked for a motion to close the public Keith Warren made a motion, and Joe Norman seconded, to close the public hearing. All  hearing. were in favor.  COUNCIL ACTION: Joe Norman made a motion, and Reed Lingerfelt seconded, to adopt    November 2017 Page 3 of7  the Annexation Ordinance for Benny and Jennifer Townsend for one (1) parcel (NCPIN- 2755994368) to be effective November 21, 2017. The vote passed 4 to 1 with Jeff Wilson  being the only Council Member opposed.  Joe Norman made a motion, and Reed Lingerfelt seconded, to adopt the Annexation Ordinance for. Alice and Paul Wright for one (1) parcel (NCPIN-275595990) to be effective November 21,217. The vote passed 4 to 1 with Jeff Wilson being the only  Council Member opposed.  FINANCIAL MATTERS:  EMPLOYEE LONGEVITY PAY: Town Administrator Christopher Todd stated that the Town of Sawmills has an employee longevity pay plan that has been historically paid out Jeff Wilson made a motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to issue longevity paychecks to Town employees paid out the first pay period in December. All were in favor.  during the first pay period in December.  CALDWELL COUNTY VETERANS HONOR GUARD DONATION REQUEST: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard, Inc., requested a Joe Norman made a motion, and Jeff Wilson seconded, to give a donation in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) to Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard, Inc. All were in  donation in the amount ofone hundred dollars ($100.00).  favor.  CALDWELL COUNTY DONATION REQUEST: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that the Town had received a request from Caldwell County Schools for a donation in the amount of Keith Warren made a motion, and Joe Norman seconded, to give a donation in the amount of fourteen thousand dollars ($14,000.00) to Caldwell County Schools. All were in favor. APPROVE AUDITORS CONTRACT FOR FY2017-2018: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that the current contract with the Town auditors Lowdermilk, Church & Co., L.L.P. needs to be renewed. The renewal contract will cover the period of. July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. Reed Lingerfelt made a motion, and Joe Norman seconded, to approve a renewal contract with the Town auditors Lowdermilk, Church & Co, L.L.P. in the amount of $11,100.00 (eleven thousand one hundred dollars) and covering the period of July 1, 2017 to June 30,  fourteen thousand dollars ($14,000.00).  2018. All were in favor.    November 2017 Page 4 of7  DISCUSSION:  SAWMILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT WATER BILL: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that the Sawmills Fire Department has requested that the Town Council formally address their November 2017 water and sèwer bill because of a leaking commode. 59,000 (fifty-nine thousand) gallons of water passed through the meter during the month of October and the Sawmills Fire Department typically uses between 3,000 (three thousand) gallons and 5,000 (five thousand) gallons. Due to the unusually high usage, Town staff flagged the meter to be reread and Public Works Director Ronnie Coffey reread the meter on October 25, 2017. Public Works Director Ronnie Coffey noticed the meter was running, which indicated something was going on in the building, and spoke with a fireman that was on duty. Public Works Director Ronnie Coffey and the fireman found a running commode inside the building and turned the water off to that commode. Public Works Director Ronnie Coffey went back and read the meter later the day of October 25, 2017, after the commode was fixed and the The staff's interpretation of the Town's Utility Billing Policy is that commode leaks are ineligible for a water or sewer credit. The policy currently states that, "The Town will adjust water and sewer use on bills in case of hidden underground leaks in service lines located between the meter and the house and busted or leaking pipes inside the home."  meter was no longer running.  No Council action was taken.  SAWMILLS WATER AND SEWER RATE STRUCTURE: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that the Sawmills Town Council has had requests by citizens to discuss the water and sewer rate structure. Mayor Joe Wesson also stated that the water and sewer rate structure is discussed during the budget process and would propose that Council allow public discussion of the water and sewer rates, among other issues, during the January "Coffee with the  Council" meeting. No Council action was taken. PLANNING MATTERS:  PLANNING BOARD VACANCEY: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that the Planning Board currently has a vacant' "ETJ" position due to Clyde Miller being annexed into the Town limits., There are no applications on file for the Planning Board. The Town is currently looking for  ar resident oft the ETJ to serve on the Planning Board.  No Council action was taken,  RE-APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that the term ofappointment: for Planning Board members, Kelly Price and Ryan Wilson (ETJ)    November 2017 Page 5 of7  expired on September 1, 2017. Both members are willing to serve another 2 (two) year term. Reed Lingerfelt made a motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to re-appoint Kelly Price and  Ryan Wilson (ETJ) to the Planning Board. All were in favor.  UPDATES:  NOVEMBER CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows  stated that there are ten (10) code enforcement cases open:  Teresa Annas Compton is the owner of a dilapidated house located at 4476 Sawmills School Road. Resent all documentation in form of nuisance code notice of violation (vs minimum housing) on October 17, 2017. Deadline to respond and arrange hearing is November 2, 2017. No response, certified mail returned to sender, never claimed. Will move forward with implementing code by setting a hearing date, and try to make WNC Properties, LLC owner of 4209 Creekview PI. Minimum housing complaint. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows stated that she needs to verify complaint before arranging site visit with Caldwell County Building Inspector Mark Annas and current David Graham (Landlord) owner of 4176 US Highway 321A. Minimum housing complaint. Town PlannerLeslie M. Meadows stated that she needs to verify complaint before arranging site visit with Caldwell County Building Inspector Mark Annas and Carolyn Bray/Robyn Brittian, owner of 2570 Baker Cir. Abandoned mobile home. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows spot checked on October 30, 2017. No further response from Ms. Brittian. Town Administrator Christopher Todd is working with Caldwell County Environmental Health to investigate open well/septic tank; Andrew Dehart, owner 4036 US Highway 321A. High grass and junked vehicles. High grass/weeds still need to be tended. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows spot checked the site on final warning deadline of October 24, 2017. Vegetation around building foundation and up walls has been removed. Case Closed; John "Jody" McRary and neighbors, Jody Drive. Outdoor storage/junk vehicles in ROW/freight container. This is a non-conforming use, Impressive Auto, encroaching on neighborhood and blocking street for Fire & Rescue/Trash Pick-up. Need to remove/replace non-conforming storage container. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows stated that she spot checked on November 9, 2017, for removal of freight container. No change, took photographic documentation. Daily fines begin from final deadline date of] November 9, 2017, or Town can remove at owner's expense; Sasser Family, LLC, owner 2526 Meadows Park Lane. Minimum housing complaint. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows stated that she needs to verify complaint before arranging site visit with Caldwell County Building Inspector Mark Annas and current  Ms. Compton aware;  resident;  current resident;  resident;    November 2017 Page 6of7  Jose. Montes, owner 4321 Cherokee Court. High grass/junk vehicles. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows stated that she spot checked property on November 9, 2017 for establishment of proper driveway. No change, took photographic documentation of tagged vehicles in cul-de-sac. Daily fines to begin from final deadline date of November 9,2017, or Town can install driveway at owner's expense. "No Parking" Steve Killian, owner of 4801 Helton Rd. Outdoor storage/trashjun. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows stated that she verified the complaint on September 28, 2017 and sent notice ofviolation letter on October 3, 2017, with a deadline ofOctober 19, 2017. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows stated she spot checked the property on October 24, 2017. The porch is still being used for storage but large solid waste items are removed from lawn (exercise equipment, appliances, junk car). Case closed; Janice Griffin, Trustee ofIona Griffin, 2148 Oaktree Ln. Abandoned, partially burned apartment building. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows stated that she received a response from Janice Griffin's attorney on October 26, 2017, which states that a construction crew has been contacted to assess the damage, tear down if necessary, and rebuild. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows stated that she met with Caldwell County Building Inspector Mark Annas onsite on October 31, 2017. Town Planner Leslie M. Meadows has Caldwell County Building Inspector Mark Annas' report and will be sending a second notice of violation letter to include his findings, requesting that all grade level windows be boarded up in the meantime. Town PlannerLeslie M. Meadows also stated that she will request updates on demo/rebuild from Ms. Griffin's  signs can now be posted;  attorney.  No Council action was required.  COUNCIL COMMENT: Mayor Joe Wesson asked if anyone on the Council had any Joe Norman wanted to thank everyone for coming and the Council will address any issues as Keith Warren wanted to thank everyone for coming and wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and wanted hoped to see everyone at the Christmas Tree Lighting and Gerelene Blevins stated that she was glad everyone came out. Gerelene Blevins also stated that she hoped to see everyone at the Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade. Jeff Wilson wanted to tell everyone Happy Thanksgiving and wanted to congratulate Reed Lingerfelt wanted to thank everyone for coming out and hoped everyone had a safe trip home. Reed Lingerfelt also stated that he wanted to congratulate everyone who won the election and his only regret was he couldn't! have done more for the Town.  questions or comments at this time.  they come up.  Christmas Parade.  everyone who won the election.    November 2017 Page 7of7  MayorJoe Wesson wanted to thank everyone for coming out. Mayor. Joe Wesson also wanted  toc congratulate everyone who won the election. Mayor. rJoe Wesson made several announcements: at 6:30pm in the Farmers Market Field.  The Sawmills Christmas Tree Lighting will be on Thursday, November 30, 2017 beginning The Sawmills Christmas Parade willl be on Saturday, December 2, 2017b beginning at 10:00am. The Staff Christmas Party will be on Friday, December 8, 2017 beginning at 6:30pm at the  Granite Falls Rotary Building.  COUNCIL ADJOURN: Mayor Joe Wesson asked for a motion to adjourn.  Reed Lingerfelt made ai motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to adjourn the meeting. All were  in favor.  hoelise JWesson, Mayor  SEAL  Cler Ears  Guidint