Page 1 of7  IUESDAY,DECEMBER 15, 2015  TOWN OF SAWMILLS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING  6:00 PM  COUNCIL PRESENT Trena McRary Kirby Joe Wesson Gerelene Blevins JeffWilson COUNCIL ABSENT Johnny Wilson  STAFF PRESENT Christopher Todd Julie Good Terry Taylor  CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby called the meeting to order.  INVOCATION: Preacher Ed Warren gave the invocation.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby led the Pledge of  Allegiance.  ADOPT AGENDA: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby asked for a motion to adopt the Joe Wesson made a motion, and Gerelene Blevins seconded, to adopt the December 15,  December 15, 2015 agenda. 2015 agenda. All were in favor.  APPROVE NOVEMBER 17, 2015 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Mayor Pro' Tem Trena McRary Kirby asked for a motion to approve the November 17, 2015 regular meeting Joe Wesson made a motion, and Jeff Wilson seconded, to approve the November 17, 2015  minutes.  regular meeting minutes. All were in favor.  APPROVE NOVEMBER 17, 2015 CLOSED SESSION MINUTES: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby asked for a motion to approve the November 17,2015 closed session Jeff Wilson made a motion, and Gerelene Blevins seconded, to approve the November 17,  minutes.  2015 closed session minutes. All werei in favor.  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby asked if anyone had any    December 15,2 2015 Page 20 of7  questions or comments at this time.  Sue Hall, who owns several rental properties in Sawmills, stated that on August 13, 2015 she filed a complaint about a property adjacent to her rental property at 4805 Helton Road and Mrs. Hall also came and spoke with Council in October. Mrs. Hall stated that her renter has complained about a smell coming from the neighbor's property. Additionally, Mrs. Hall Mrs. Hall stated that in September she received a letter from Town Planner Elinor Hiltz stating there was a violation on her rental property due to inside furniture being located outside. Mrs. Hall stated that there had been a work order placed with the Town and that the Mrs. Hall stated that there are 4 (four) untagged vehicles on the adjacent property. Mrs. Hall stated that she has talked to Town Planner Elinor Hiltz twice and has talked to several people and nothing has been done about the violations. Mrs. Hall also stated that there are numerous untagged vehicles located on Crest Lane that should be investigated. Mrs. Hall would like the Council to take what she has said into consideration not just for her and the adjoining property owners, but for the general betterment of Sawmills.  complained about junk cars and trash in general on the adjacent property.  couch had been scheduled to bei removed.  RECOGNITIONS:  RECYCLE REWARDS WINNER: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby announced Mr. Dennis Greer, as the December Recycle Rewards winner. A credit of twenty-eight dollars ($28.00) will be added to his sanitation bill. Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby stated  that his certificate would be available at the Town Hall for pick up.  No Council action was required.  YARD OF THE MONTH WINNER: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby announced Mrs. Mary Wicker as the December Yard of the Month winner. Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby stated that her certificate would be available at the Town Hall for pick up.  No Council action was required.  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby asked if anyone had any  questions or comments at this time. No one wished to speak.  HONORING OF OUT GOING COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Elect Joe Wesson presented Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby and Councilman Johnny Wilson with a  certificate for their service on Council,    December 15, 2015 Page 3 of7  No Council action was required.  OUTGOING COUNCIL COMMENTS:  Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby wished to thank the public for voting for her, SO she could have the pleasure to serve the Town of Sawmills. Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby stated that she has learned a lot oft things which, she had no clue took place, and about what you have to do while serving on a Council. Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby wanted to thank and appreciate every person that came to the meeting. Kirby offered a word ofadvice to new council members that were coming on, to just keep their minds open and think of the whole town because there are a lot of people in the Town that you have to cover. There are close to 5,100 (five-thousand one-hundred) people in the Town and you have to think of the whole Town and not just a portion of the Town. The Council has to go by the ordinances and laws, and itis a lot to overcome and consider. Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby stated that she wanted everyone to know how much she appreciated the  opportunity to serve the citizens of the Town ofs Sawmills.  COUNCIL ADJOURN: Mayor Pro Tem Trena McRary Kirby asked for a motion to Jeff Wilson made a motion, and Gerelene Blevins seconded, to adjourn the meeting. All  adjourn. were in favor.  OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS: Town Clerk Julie A. Good administered the Oath of Office to incoming Mayor, Joe Wesson and incoming Council  Members, Jeff Wilson, Joe Norman and Keith Warren.  CALLTO ORDER: Mayor Joe Wesson called the meeting to order.  ADOPT AGENDA: Mayor Joe Wesson asked for a motion to adopt the December 15, Joe Norman made a motion, and Jeff Wilson seconded, to adopt the December 15, 2015  2015 Agenda.  agenda. All were in favor.  PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Joe Wesson asked if anyone had any questions or  comments at this time. No one wished to speak.    December 15, 2015 Page 4 of7  ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS:  SEATING ARRANGEMENTS: MayorJoe Wesson asked Council to be seated as follows  (from left to right): Joel Norman Keith Warren Gerelene Blevins Town. Attorney Mayor Town Administrator JeffWilson Open Seat Town Clerk  APPOINTMENT OF OPEN COUNCIL SEAT: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that as a result of the November 2015 election, there is now a vacant seat. Council will need to appoint a qualified resident to the open Town Council seat. This individual will serve the remaining 2 Gerelene Blevins made a motion, and Keith Warren seconded, to appoint Reed Lingerfelt to the open Council seat. Joe Norman and Jeff Wilson opposed. There was a tie vote. The Town Clerk Julie A. Good gave new Councilman Reed Lingerfelt the Oath ofOffice.  (two) year term.  Mayor broke the tie by voting for Reed Lingerfelt.  ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that as a result of the November 2015 election, Council would need to elect ai new Mayor Pro Tem. Reed Lingerfelt made ai motion, and Gerelene Blevins seconded, to appoint Keith Warren as  Mayor Pro Tem. All were in favor.  COUNCIL ETHICS AND CODE OF CONDUCT: Town Administrator Christopher Todd stated that every Council member should have a copy of the Code of Ethics prepared by Town Attorney Terry Taylor and adopted by Town Council on August 17, 2010. Town Administrator Christopher Todd also stated that every Council member should also have the Standard of Conduct prepared by Town Attorney Terry Taylor. Town Administrator Christopher Todd asked that each Council member read the form. Each new Council member should be prepared to sign the Standard of Conduct form and return it to  the Clerk.  No Council action was required.    December 15, 2015 Page 5 of7  FINANCIAL:  ADOPT BUDGET WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: Mayor Joe Wesson asked for a motion to Jeff Wilson made a motion, and Reed Lingerfelt seconded, to adopt the proposed FY 2016-  adopt the proposed FY 2016-2017 budget workshop schedule. 20171 budget workshop schedule. All were in favor.  FY 2014-2015 AUDIT PRESENTATION: James Lowdermilk and Rick Hammer, with Lowdermilk, Church & Co., L.L.P., presented the Towns FY 2014-2015 audit to Council. Mr. Lowdermilk and Mr. Hammer stated that the Town received an unqualified audit and commended staffand Council on their efforts to maintain a strong fund balance.  No Council action was required.  DISCUSSION:  PRIVATE STREET ACCEPTANCE POLICY REVIEW: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that in July 2014 the Town adopted a street acceptance policy. Mayor Joe Wesson also stated that there are a few private streets, either unpaved, or do not meet minimum standards int the Town. For the Town of Sawmills to take over a private street, the street must be in the Town limits and not a State maintained highway. A signed agreement must be submitted with 100% of the adjacent property owners signatures and the property owners will be responsible for 50% of the construction bid amount to bring the street up to the Gerelene Blevins made a motion, and Reed Lingerfelt seconded, to remove the responsibility of the property owners to pay 50% of the construction bid amount. Keith Warren was in favor, Jeff Wilson and Joe Norman were opposed. The motion carried with a  Town's minimum standards.  spilt vote.  ELMORE DRIVE-PRIVATE STREET ACCEPTANCE: Mayor. Joe Wesson stated that the Town of Sawmills has the ability to take over the maintenance of private streets, through the Private Street Acceptance Policy. Once accepted, a private street becomes a Town street. During 2014, the residents and property owners of] Elmore Drive submitted a petition for street acceptance for the Council to review. At that time, due to concerns by both Council and residents, the street was not accepted by the Town Council. Elmore Drive is a private street accessed from 321A and adjacent to Sawmills Hardware Store. Gerelene Blevins made a motion, and Joe Norman seconded, to proceed with the survey of    December 15, 2015 Page 6 of7  and obtain easements for all property owners on Elmore Drive. Keith Warren and Reed Lingerfelt were in favor, JeffWilson was opposed. Themotion carried with a split vote. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Joe Wesson asked if anyone had any questions or comments Mike Mull, of Mullhouse Kennels, wanted to thank Council for moving forward with the Elmore Drive project. There are 2 (two) business and 5 (five) residents on Elmore Drive. Mr. Mull stated that he and his business have been at the end of Elmore Drive for 40 (forty) years. Mr. Mull stated that he has maintained Elmore Drive for the time he has been there and has spent thousands of dollars with no help from the Town of Sawmills. Mr. Mull stated that he has paid a lot of taxes in the 40 (forty) years he has been on Elmore Drive and  at this time.  he just wanted to thank Council for moving forward with this project.  UPDATES:  SBEA NOVEMBER PROGRESS REPORT: Town Administrator Christopher Todd stated that Sherry Long, from the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, has enclosed  aj progress report for the SBEA project 12-C-2443.  No Council action was required.  DECEMBER CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Town Planner Elinor Hiltz stated that there is only one code enforcement case still open. Steven Killian at 4801 Helton Road has 4 (four) vehicles without tags on his property. Mr. Killian has until December 18, ,2015, to remove the vehicles or he will be fined $50.00 (fifty dollars) a day back dated to  December 14, 2015, until the vehicles are removed.  No Council action was: required.  COMPEREENSIVE STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT: Mayor Joe Wesson stated that the Town Planner Elinor Hiltz has enclosed a status report from the December 1,2015  Steering Committee meeting. No Council action was required.  DUFF DRIVE SEWER PROJECT REPORT: Town Administrator Christopher Todd stated that Lisa Helton, from the Western Piedmont Council ofGovernments, has enclosed a  progress report for the Duff Drive Sewer project.  No Council action was required.  COUNCIL COMMENT: Mayor Joe Wesson asked if anyone on the Council had any    December 15, 2015 Page 7of7  questions or comments at this time.  Joe Norman thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and voting for him.  Keith Warren wanted to thank his Lord and Savior for letting him be here. Keith Warren also wanted to thank everyone for coming out and hoped everyone has a very Merry Christmas. Keith Warren also wanted to thank Preacher Ed Warren to come out and he also Gerelene Blevins stated that the citizens elected the Council tol help them and she is aj person who does not believe in doing stuff to hurt other people. Gerelene Blevins stated that she tries to be as fair with one as she is the other. Gerelene Blevins also wished everyone a very  wanted to think his wife.  Merry Christmas.  Jeff Wilson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Reed Lingerfelt wanted to thank everyone for coming and wishes we would have this type of crowd every meeting. Reed Lingerfelt wished everyone a Merry Christmas and don't forget the season is about Christ not about the gifts you receive or the gifts you give. Mayor Joe Wesson stated that it is an honor to serve the citizens of this Town and he thanked everyone for giving him the opportunity to be their Mayor. Mayor Joe Wesson stated he wants to be a Mayor for all citizens of this Town. Mayor Joe Wesson also stated that he appreciates everyone coming to the meeting. Mayor Joe Wesson stated that he thought Council did a great job during the meeting and he wanted to thank the Lord for giving him the guidance in the past several years that he has given him. Mayor Joe Wesson wished everyone a very Merry Christmas. Mayor Joe Wesson would also like to encourage  people to come out to the Council meetings.  COUNCIL ADJOURN: Mayor Joe Wesson asked for a motion to adjourn.  Reed Lingerfelt made a motion, and Joe Norman seconded, to adjourn the meeting. All  were in favor.  91  . COURNT  Weoson Mayor  Aul Town Clerk  gain  sbe