TOWN OF STOKESDALE REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 8325 Angel Pardue Road STOKESDALE, NC27357 February: 14, 2019  .Call to Order: Mayor. John Flynt I. Invocation: Terri Johnson III. Pledge of Allegiance: Lead by Mayor Flynt  Attendance: Mayor Flynt, Mayor Pro Tem Hooks, Frank Bruno, Bill Jones, Tim. Jones, Town Attorney  Bain, Deputy Clerk Priscilla Hunsucker, Guilford County Planner Oliver Bass.  Before adopting the Agenda Frank Bruno, asked for a legal opinion from the Town. Attorney. John regarding Items 11 &: 12 on the Agenda. Frank stated that these two items were discussed last month Bain, in closed session and his concern isi that they have not been reviewed and approved by the Town to be released toi the public. Mr. Bain, answered by saying iti is perfectly legal to discuss these two Attorney items inc open session. Mr. Bain, said that what was discussed in closed session was attorney-client Hel has nothing to add under attorney-client privilege. There are no legal impediments at this privilege. time to prevent iti from being discussed in open session. He thinks it would be appropriate to discuss Frank: stated hei is still uncomfortable with this. Hei isn'ta a big fan of closed session anyway, but openly. since this was discussed in closed session he isj just not comfortable at this time discussing it openly. Tim. Jones asked the Mayor to move Item 10 down below #12 or lower on the agenda. Mayor Flynt stated #10 was placed in this position because it seemed like the logical flow oft things considering what was discussed in Item 11 and 12. Frank Bruno agreed with the Mayor. Bill Jones didn't understand being what the #101 had to do with 11 and 12. The Mayor stated that to him it was a question of semantics. Thearon Hooks had done at timeline of thet facts surrounding 11 and 12. Hei thought it made sense to that status report first. #11 and 12 were moved up to 10: and 11 and #10 was put in #12's place. Then give Tim Jones asked ifal Discussion regarding the school sign could be added tot the agenda. Discussion of the school sign was added to the Agenda. Bill Jones then added that he was good with removing hisi items number 13 and 14. He was good with removing them after his conversations with the Mayor in the IV. Review and Adopt Agenda: Mayor Flynt motioned to adopt as is, Tim. Jones 2nd the motion, V.A Approval of Minutes: January 10, 2019 Minutes. Frank motioned to continue minutes until the March meeting, Bill. Jones 2nd the motion. Vote: 5-01 to continue January 10, 2019 minutes until March VI. Public Safety Reports: Guilford County Sheriff's Report: Lt. Fuller, District 1 had 60 service calls in the month of January. Out oft those was one attempted car theft on Flat Rock Rd. Resident had cut vehicle on to warm it up. Feb: 12. There was a burglary on Shoeline Rd. on Feb: 13 another burglary on  office  VOTE: 5-01 to adopt.  meeting.  Athens Rd and one on Pearman Quarry.  Book 13  3396    Stokesdale Fire Dept. Report: Chief Gauldin said Stokesdale had 130: service calls. 781 fire, 52 med calls. VII: Citizen'sc comments from thei floor on non-agenda items (3 Minute Limit per Speaker): no  comments VIII. New Business:  1. Monthly Financial Review: Frank Bruno gave an update on the Town's financials and reported on 2. Public Hearing: Resolution of Intent to Close an Easement Case #18-12-STPL-07786 Mr. Bass presented the Case. Guilford County Planning and Zoning staff have reviewed the plans and stated that  what Kim Thacker and Alisa Houk have done to upgrade our financials systems.  the plans meet the requirements for Stokesdale and recommend approval. Mayor Flynt asked if there was anyone that wanted to speak for the case:  Terri. Johnson spoke in favor of closing the easement.  Mayor Flynt asked if there was anyone that wanted to speak in opposition: no one was opposed. Mayor Flynt closed the Public portion of the hearing and asked for Council comments. There were no Mayor Flynt motioned to close an Easement Case #1 18-12-STPL-07786: 7709 Athens Road, Stokesdale, NC. Thearon Hooks seconded the motion, Vote:! 5-0 To Close Easement Case #: 1B12S1PL-07786:7709 3. Public Hearing: Resolution to turn roads listed ini Northridge Subdivision over to NCDOT. Thearon Hooks motioned to adopt the Resolution. Frank Bruno 2nd motion, Vote: 5-0t to approve. 4. Discuss license agreement with the Stokesdale Fire Department for the clock location: Frank motioned to accept the license agreement. Thearon Hooks 2nd the motion Vote 4-1, Bill voted No. 5. Discussion removing remainder of BB&T funds to Bank of Oak Ridge. Bill Jones and' Tim. Jones want to see 6 months' worth of financial statements before they vote. Mayor Flynt motioned to transfer the BB&Tfunds of $164,262.00 to General Fund at Bank of Oak Ridge. Thearon Hooks seconded the motion. 6. Discussion removing remainder of SunTrust funds to Bank of Oak Ridge: Mayor Flynt motioned to transfer Sun Trust checking account $245,000. To Bank of Oak Ridge. Leave other half of $409,088.76 in 7. Discussion and votei to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Thearon Hooks as the Town's Deputy Finance Officer. Mayor Flynt motioned to appoint Thearon Hooks as Town Deputy Finance Officer. Frank 8. Discuss and vote on Hunter Enterprise renewal contract. Frank presented the contract and motioned toa approve the Hunter Contract for the next year and authorize the Mayor to signi it. Thearon seconded the motion. Vote: Contract Effective February: 15, 2019 approve contract with update Certificate of  comments.  Athens Road, Stokesdale, NC.  Vote: 4-1, Bill voted No.  SunTrust account. Thearon Hooks seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0  seconded the motion. Vote: 3-2 with Bill. Jones and Tim. Jones voting no.  Insurance 5-0. Book13  3397    9. Discuss Park Improvements: Frank discussed the progress of the new Town Shelter, concrete, mulch, 10. Discussion of removal of planning board member (alternate) for cause. Bill. Jones motioned to have Mark Nadel removed from the Planning Board. Tim. Jones seconded the motion. Frank doesn't feel he has enough information to approve this motion. Bill Jones addressed Frank and said Frank you have letters from Mr. Nadel and others regarding the cause. Tim. Jones spoke and stated he has copies of letters from the Town of Stokesdale to Mr. Nadel, a letter from Mr. Nadel, and a timeline from Crossroads Pharmacy written up by Thearon Hooks, and emails from Eileen Thiery. Thearon asked Bill Jones why he has Planning Board on here as the letters and emails regard the Ordinance Review Committee? Bill. Jones stated that he thought based on the facts inf front of him he questions Mr. Nadel's judgement to properly serve on the Planning Board. Tim read an excerpt from Mr. Bain's email mentioned appointment to Planning Board. Thearon asked what the status oft the Planning Board is. Frank said he goes back to training, the people on the Planning Board have not been trained properly. Frank accepts some fault int that. Frank said that Mr. Nadel was voted to the Planning Board and Ordinance Review committee as an alternate pending training. Thearon stated he believes the Planning Board should be struck from the agenda because the issue at hand was based on the Ordinance Review Committee. He doesn't believe there is anyf formal training for Ordinance Review Committee members. Thearon said technically Mr. Nadel isn'ton the Planning Board until he receives his training. Mayor Flynt commented that he certainly wished they could have discussed this in closed session, but Mr. Nadel, is here. The Mayor then told that he and Frank met personally with Mr. Nadel. Based on that discussion it was revealed that others on the Ordinance Review Committee had taken signs down int the past. Mayor Flynt said in the absence ofs someone saying you can't do that. Council members are note even authorized to do that. Mr. Nadel didn't know that he couldn't do this. The concern is you can'tremove Mr. Nadel without considering the actions of others int the past. Thearon asked ift there were any updates given annual on legislative changes. Frank: said no, only the planning board training as needed for new members ori if something changes with planning and zoning rules. After more discussion Mayor Flynt asked for a vote. Vote 3- voted not to remove Mr. Nadel, from the Planning Board. Bill. Jones and Tim 11. Discussion of removal of Committee member for cause. Bill Jones withdrew this item for lack ofa 12. Discussion of status of Ordinance Review Committee: Mayor Flynt said this was hashed out in the 13. School Sign: Tim. Jones said he has been receiving complaints that the school sign can't be read. He asked can we change the font, color, or background to make it more legible? Frank: said he has never seen any emails from Tim and he hasn'tr received any complaints from anyone. Frank said Alisa had relayed the Tim's complaint to him and he has contacted the person ati the school thati is responsible for the sign. Frank said there are ways to control the font, color, and background and maybe with an  clean up, removal of old: swing.  Jones voted to remove Mr. Nadel from the Planning Board.  motion.  last two items. Sol let's move on.  adjustment they can make it more legible. X. Committee and Board Reports:  1. committee/Board Reports: Mayor Flynt spoke about the meeting on February 6, 2019 he and Alisa had with two representatives from the NC Dept. or Treasurer. The Mayor said these two are witha  3398  Book 13    Dept. that randomly picks small municipalities to visit. They had ai form to complete that asked about ouri form of government, how many employees wel have, how we handle payroll, who reconciles the bank statements, who cuts the checks, who signs the checks, who makes the deposits etc. They were very impressed with our 11 year cash reserve without at town tax. They did give us a few suggestions and things to make sure we were doing them. Make sure the Mayor or a council person signs the payroll sheets (which we already do). Make sure we are stamping contracts with the pre-audit stamp (which we are doing). Stamping checks with the dispersant statute stamp (which we also do). They verified that iti is always the Finance Officera and an assigned council person signing checks. Ori in the Finance Officer absence that we appoint al Deputy Finance Officer to signi int the absence of the Finance Officer. As Bill. Jones added that he: spoke with the same two Treasurer Representatives earlier before the meeting and he discussed the fact that council has been spending money to do things like extension of water lines before they voted on a Budget Amendment. They agreed that we: should do al Budget Amendment before we spend the money. Frank stated he agrees, but he could find many times over the years he has been on council that Budget Amendments weren't done until the end of the fiscal year. Frank also reminded Bill that the $75,000. For repairs was voted oni in council. After discussion council agrees that in the future ifal Budget Amendment is needed it willl be voted in before moneys are spent. Thearon Hooks reported on NCDOT installing Flashing caution School Crossing signs on either side of the school on Hwy 158. NCDOT is also changing the speed limits on Hwy 65 between Oak level Church Rd and Fulp Road. He also reported ont the last Opioid Meeting, John Strader was the speaker, about 20 people attended. Guilford County Sheriff's representatives willl be at the March meeting. He also gave an  left the meeting they said they were very pleased with their findings.  they  update ont the FEMA process.  2. Departmental and Administrative Report: Priscilla didn't have a report  XI. Citizen Comments fromi the Floor (3 Minute Limit per Speaker). Jimmy Landreth spoke to Mr. Nadel Jimmy is upset, he said that Mr. Nadel used his name too many times in these conversations and has no idea where Mr. Nadel got the idea that he picked up: signs.. Jimmy said he has never picked up any signs and would not ever pick up any signs. Jimmy told Mr. Nadel he should have never said that about him. That it was border lining on slander. Jimmy Landreth said there was discussion but he never said he took any: signs and he wants his name out ofit. Mayor Flynt spoke up and said some ofv what was mentioned was int the letters read and during the discussions he and Frank had with. James Greene. Eileen Thiery had admitted in a letter that she had taken down signs in her early days on the committee. Mr. Greene said he had been present during some discussions but these discussions were not  an during  Ordinance had taken signs.  Review meeting that he could recall. He also denied ever saying that. Jimmy Landreth said he  XII. Closing Comments from Council  Tim. Jones asked that the minutes reflect that. Jimmy Landreth has said he has never taken signs down  and would never remove signs from any property.  Tim. Jones thanks allt three citizens for staying for the duration of the meeting.  3399  Book: 13    Bill. Jones said he is disappointed in this council for voting to take action to keeps someone on the board that lacks proper. judgement to do the job. He hopes they don't payf for it down the road. Hei thinks show lack of accountability on a lot oft the board members on this council. He's not surprised. Frank Bruno said he will not comment on Bil's remarks as he feels it would be inappropriate. wants toi thank everyone who serves on the Planning Board and other committees. He hates that this He was handled in this manner. He understands Mr. Bain's position on allowing discussion in open session. wishes it could have been started in open session from the beginning because it would have been He handled al lote easier. Frank apologized to Mr. Landreth for any implication was made by him that Mr. Landreth had done something wrong. Frank said that was not hisi intentions. He: said ata any have used "they" when he was talking about training but it had nothing to do with Mr. Landreth he may anything, he didn'tmean it that way. Frank said he appreciates what the committees do. Itis doing being on council and on the committees and he appreciates what they all do, and hopes they tough continue. Thearon Hooks mirrors what Frank said. He said ifi it has all been about one issue, one board it would Mayor Flynt said "Jimmy your name is clear as far as I'm concerned." The Mayor then said he would make one comment. He said we generally have al liaison for committee meetings, he thinks ift there is any discussion before, during, or after meeting if anybody makes a comment liket that it is incumbent as council members that we: say, "Hey, listen you don't do that, you've done ita and now shouldn't have."V We as council members have some responsibility to police these things youl if know we you to: siti in on these meetings. He doesn't know what was: said, he wishes it had been recorded in are the going minutes or was shared on audio or video. Ifso, they would know all the facts and could address them. That'swhy! he was uncomfortable discussing this in open session. Hes said we thought we were make ani investigation and make a report back. That is why we hadi ito on the agenda and it came going back a different way. It was a tough decision, frankly he wished Mr. Nadel had volunteered to  this  time  have been al lote easier. Thearon apologized to Mr. Landreth as well.  to but resign, he  didn't. Mayor Flynt said he called it as best as could, so bei it.  Thearon Hooks asked to make one more comment that int the futurei ift they have anything like this  happen again that they call in an outside agency to keep the Board out ofi it.  XIII. Adjournment: Mayor Flynt motioned to adjourn at 9:45pm Thearon seconded the motion. Vote 5-  Otoa adjourn.  Approved 9w  Mayor  Blsishe Town Clerk/Finance Officer  Book 13  3400