TOWN OF STOKESDALE Regular Council Meeting 8325 Angel Pardue Road Stokesdale, NC27357 January 15, 2015  The regular meeting of the Stokesdale Town Council was held on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at the Council members in attendance: Mayor Randy Braswell, Frank Bruno, William N. (Bill). Jones, Vicki Others present included: William B. Trevorrow, Town Attorney; Carolyn L.. Joyner, Town Clerk/Finance Officer; Diana Marcus, Deputy Clerk; Bill Merritt, Meritech, Inc.; Stephen Louie, Stokesdale Planning Board; Julie Howe, ServPro; Sondra Beene, Stokesdale Community Choir; Sean Trotter, Stokesdale Parks  Stokesdale Town Hall at 8325 Angel Pardue Road.  White-Lawrence, Joe Thacker.  and Recreation.  Call Council Meeting to Order: Mayor Braswell called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Invocation: Given by Randy Winn from Stokesdale Christian Church Pledge of Allegiance: Recited by Council members and citizens in attendance.  Review and Adopt Agenda: Joe Thacker said that he had an item he wanted to add to the agenda Frank Bruno made a motion to adopt the agenda. Joe Thacker seconded the motion. All Council Reading and Approval of the Minutes for the Following Meetings: Workshops of February 21, 2014, February 25, 2014, and February 28, 2014; Regular Council meeting of March 13, 2014; Workshops of Joe Thacker made a motion to approve the minutes without reading them. Frank Bruno seconded the  under Other Issues Pertaining to the Water System. members voted aye and the agenda was adopted.  March 21, 2014, March 25, 2014, and March 28, 2014:  motion. All Council members voted aye and the minutes were approved. Comments from the Floor: There were no comments from the floor.  New Business:  Report from Guilford County Sheriff's Department: Bill Jones said that Deputy Scott Casey had pneumonia and was not able to attend the Town Hall meeting tonight, sO he will give the report. He said that since the last meeting, there were four Part One crimes from the calls that were received. Two of them were breaking and entering into a residence, one was a breaking and entering into a vehicle, and one was theft of crab legs from Food Lion. There was an arrest int the Food Lion case and there isa  Book 13, Page 2654  1    suspect in the case of breaking and entering into a vehicle.  Disaster Preparedness Presentation by Julie Howe of ServPro: Julie Howe of ServPro introduced herself and said she was at the meeting to talk about an Emergency Ready Plan for Town Hall. She has it partially done but there is more information that she needs in order to complete it. She wants to show Council what it is about and what it looks like sO Council can decide if they want to provide her with the additional information she needs. An Emergency Ready Plan is conducted sO that you are prepared in the event of any type of emergency situation. She would come into the facility and take photographs of the emergency shut-offs for water, natural gas, sprinkler risers, electrical panels, alarm panels, and anything pertinent to the building. She would list all of the emergency contacts within your organization as well as local fire, police, and hospital. She would list any plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies, and anyone that would support youi in an emergency or catastrophic event at the facility. All this information is compiled as an app on your smart phone. You can share the app with everyone on your team sO that everyone has the: same information to pull up and tell them where to go, what to do, and who to call in the event of an emergency. Ms. Howe proceeded to show Council on a Power Point presentation what the app looked like with the photos and information on the Town Hall that she was able to get sO far. The information on the app included the year the building was built, the building'ss square footage, how many floors there are in the building, and many other details along with the photos of the building, generators, offices, library, conference rooms, equipment, and anything else in the building. Also included int the app would be the companies, contacts, and account information for the electric, water, internet service, maintenance, and everything else associated with the operation of Town Hall. Council members and Town Hall employees would alll have the same information pertinent to the property. Ms. Howe said that this service is provided at no cost. ServPro does not charge for the plan. Having this emergency plan in place could also help to reduce insurance rates, because there is less risk, less damage, and less loss that the insurance company will have to pay for. It isa great tool to have and she justr needs to know if Council would like to provide more information sO she can complete it. Mayor Braswell said that he liked the app but does not like the idea of providing account numbers because ofa possible security breech. However, contact information would be excellent. Ms. Howe said that she could customize the app with any contact information Council would like. Mayor Braswell asked ift the app could be accessed over the internet as well as on the smart phone. Ms. Howe said that once the app is complete and she has reviewed all of the information with Mayor Braswell to confirm it is correct and he likes it, she sets up an account and shares or emails it to him. Then he can share or email the app to anyone he would like. He also has the ability to print out a hard copy. The information is encrypted but she cannot guarantee anything on someone's personal phone pertaining to hacking. Once Mayor Braswell asked Ms. Howe how ServPro makes its money. Ms. Howe said that ServPro is ai fire and water cleanup and restoration company. If something bad happens to a company, ServPro would come in and clean it up. ServPro also does mold and mildew remediation, crime scene cleanup, biohazard spill cleanup, vandalism cleanup, air duct cleaning, and carpet cleaning. ServPro is also the Large Loss Team for North Carolina. Anytime there is a large loss due to fire, water, hurricane, tornado, or any major damage, ServPro would be the Large Loss Team that would go in and run the catastrophic cleanup Frank Bruno made a motion to move forward, get the information that is needed and. Julie Howe can sit down with Carolyn. Joyner and figure out what to put in the app. Vicki White-Lawrence seconded the  this app is completed, it would be Mayor Braswell's resource.  event.  Book 13, Page 2655  2    motion. AlIO Council members voted aye and the motion was approved.  Water System Information including cost of chlorinator components, test readings, auto flush valves, electronic meters and any other water system information available - Mr. Bill Merritt: Mayor Braswell said Bill Merritt owns Meritech, Inc. which is the licensed operator for the Stokesdale Water System. Mr. Merritt is at the meeting to help Council understand more about Meritech, Inc.'s plans fora a chlorinator. Council members have been provided with Meritech, Inc's price list for the equipment the Bill Merritt said that Meritech, Inc. will provide all of the equipment necessary to get this project going. Other vendors will build a foundation for a small building where the container for the chlorine will be located. Meritech, Inc. will put in a pump to pump the chlorine from the container into the vault and into the water line. A meter on the water line will monitor the amount of water flowing through the water line and send a signal to the chlorine pump. A signal from the meter will indicate how much chlorine to pump according to the flow of the water sO that the proper amount of chlorine is pumped Mayor Braswell said that there is a non-programmable and a programmable metering pump and wanted to knowi if the model number listed on the price list was for the non-programmable metering pump. Mr. Merritt said yes, but it was a mistake. The Town will be getting a programmable metering pump because the pump has to receive a message from the water meter. The model number for the programmable metering pump is AD941-A20A1. The price of $1,159.00 that is listed on the price sheet is correct for the Mayor Braswell said that the Town will be purchasing the flow meter from Winston-Salem which he already discussed with Mr. Merritt. The price of $2,210.00 listed on the price sheet should be the same price for the flow meter from Winston-Salem. He advised Council that Mr. Merritt sent the spec sheet to Mayor Braswell wanted to know what to expect for the Meritech, Inc. management cost of $1,000.00 that is listed on the price sheet. Mr. Merritt said that the price listed is for the installation of the equipment, making sure that the pump is working after the equipment has been installed, and making sure the pump and the meter are synchronized. Meritech, Inc. will test the water every day for about a week to make sure the pump is set correctly and the proper quantity of chlorine is pumping into the water line. Meritech, Inc. will continue to test periodically after that to make sure everything is still working properly. Hel hired a licensed engineer to draw up the plan which was sent to the State and the State has approved the plan. Mayor Braswell said that the original drawing shows the pump inside the meter vault but that was changed by the State SO that the pump is located outside of the meter vault. Mr. Merritt said yes, the pump willl be located int the building where the chemical reservoir is. Mayor Braswell said that there will be a couple of auto flush valves strategically located in the system that will assist with the chlorination. Mr. Merritt said yes, the reason for flushing even though there will be the proper concentrations of chlorine in the water system is that in the summer some organic compounds called THHM's along with some other compounds will accumulate. Meritech, Inc. would flush the system periodically sO that those chemicals would not be in the water. This way whenever Meritech, Inc. tests for those particular organic compounds, the results would meet State specifications.  Town would need for the chlorinator purchase.  into the water line.  programmable metering pump.  Winston-Salem for their meter superintendent to match the pump with the meter.  Book 13, Page 2656  3    Mayor Braswell made a motion to move forward and do whatever type of budget amendments that would be required to purchase the 150-gallon safe tank, the chemical metering pump model AD941- A20A1, the Meritech, Inc. management cost, the engineer's.cost, and the freight estimate. Bill Jones said that he knows the flow meter for $2,210.00 is going to be purchased from Winston-Salem but he thinks it should be included in the motion. Frank Bruno agrees because it is one budget amendment. Mayor Braswell said that he would like to wait and hear what Winston-Salem says. He has asked the Winston-Salem meter shop for the meter to have the capability of the AMR (Automatic Meter Reader) and is not sure if it is going to cost more than $2,210.00 yet. Council will be voting later on construction costs, electrical costs, and Energy United, sO there will be another opportunity to vote for Bill Jones seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was approved.  the cost of the flow meter.  Consider Facility Use Agreements for the Use of Town Hall:  Stokesdale Community Choir: Sondra Beene said she sent in an application to be considered for the use of the facility at Town Hall for a community choir she is forming for senior adults. She put an ad in the Northwest Observer requesting seniors interested in singing in a choir to contact her and has received about 15 requests SO far. It would be a non-profit community choir for fellowship and getting together to sing and have a good time. She has received a lot of interest and the choir needs a place to Mayor Braswell said that he plans to waive the fees for her non-profit community choir and approve the dates she has provided but wants to know if she could be flexible in the future if there was an opportunity to rent the facility for fees that would conflict with her meeting time and/or days. Ms. Beene said yes, she is definitely flexible. Her choir plans to meet on Monday mornings from 9:30am to  meet.  11:30am.  Mayor Braswell made a motion to approve the application and waive the fees.  Mayor Braswell asked Mr. Trevorrow if each choir member would need to sign a waiver and release form. Mr. Trevorrow said that there is a waiver and release on the application. Ms. Beene said that the formir indicated that a Certificate of Insurance was required. Mr. Trevorrow asked ifi it would be the same group of people participating in every session. Ms. Beene said yes, but she may have new people added to the choir periodically. She would have each choir member sign the form as well as any new people added to the choir that may come in. Mr. Trevorrow asked if there was an insurance waiver form for individual members instead of a group. Carolyn Joyner said there was a waiver form for volunteers. Mr. Trevorrow said that if there was a waiver form, it should be used. He asked if this was for an indefinite amount of time. Ms. Beene said that the dates she submitted on the application were through April. Typically, the choir would meet through April or May and then start again in the fall. Mr. Trevorrow said that this will be a reoccurring activity that would come to Council for approval. Mayor Braswell said that Council would approve the dates that have been requested. Mr. Trevorrow advised Carolyn Joyner to see if she can find an insurance waiver form and if she cannot find one. to construct one since it is a  reoccurring: gactivity, but waive the fees.  Book 13, Page 2657  4    Mayor Braswell made a motion to approve the Stokesdale Community Choir to use this facility on the dates and times they have requested with flexibility and to waive the fees. Frank Bruno seconded the  motion. AlI Council members voted aye and the motion was approved.  Stokesdale Parks and Recreation:  Sean Trotter, the new President of Stokesdale Parks and  Recreation, said that the Board of Parks and Recreation meets on the third Sunday of every month and the small conference room would be needed for their board meetings. This past year Stokesdale Parks and Recreation spent about $6,000.00 on the fields in the Town Park and they plan to spend that much again this year to get the fields in good shape for the kids and their soccer program and anybody else who wants to use the fields. Stokesdale Parks and Recreation hosted the Greensboro United Soccer Association's tournament that was recently held at the Town Park. On that weekend there were 31 games, 62 different teams, and an average of 2,300 people that were on the fields. The tournament went very well and the Town's support was great. Greensboro United Soccer spent $12,000.00 to $15,000.00 on the tournament. Stokesdale Parks and Recreation would also like to create a tournament or two for the kids in Stokesdale to play kids in other communities from outside of Stokesdale. Stokesdale Parks and Recreation could make up to $12,000.00 gross for at tournament and a percentage of that would be put into the Park's fields to keep them in top shape. Currently, Stokesdale Parks and Recreation has 325 basketball players from ages 3 to 18. In fall soccer, Stokesdale Parks and Recreation had 250 players from ages 3 to 18, and five of the teams are still playing. Registration for spring soccer and baseball is now open. The feedback Stokesdale Parks and Recreation received from the Greensboro United Soccer Association's tournament was that the concessions were terrible, the fields were beautiful, and the restrooms were gorgeous. Because of that feedback, some of the surrounding soccer clubs are now sending their teams and kids to Stokesdale Parks and Recreation for the spring sO the spring program could double in size. He would like to have a Council member attend the Stokesdale Parks and Recreation board meetings to hear what is going on so the Town is up to date. Discussion took place among Council to make sure there were no conflicts with the dates on the application. Bill. Jones said that the weather was cold the weekend of the tournament sO he knows the concessions were not what Stokesdale Parks and Recreation was hoping for. He was impressed and Frank Bruno made a motion to approve the meeting dates for 2015 and also the two additional dates for the 7th of February and the gth of March 2015 and waive any fees that would be associated with the Town Hall. Carolyn Joyner said she still needs Stokesdale Parks and Recreation's Certificate of Insurance. Vicki White-Lawrence seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was Discussion took place among Council members regarding Stokesdale Parks and Recreation's request to Mountains-to-Sea Trail Update - Frank Bruno: Frank Bruno said that last month UNCTV ran a special on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Highway to the Future which was about trying to get the project done within the next couple ofy years. The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is having their annual meeting on Saturday, February 7th at Elon University. The discussion will be about what has been gone on with the Trail during the past year and what is planned for the coming year. Part of the discussion will be about the costs associated with maintaining the trail. The cost of the conference is $25.00 for Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail members: and $50.00 for non-members, but he thinks he may be able to get  wants to commend Stokesdale Parks and Recreation for what they dot for the kids.  approved.  have a Councilm member attend their board meetings.  Book 13,F Page 2658  5    ap price less than $50.00 for Council.  Frank Bruno made a motion that the Town would reimburse the cost oft the conference for anybody that Frank Bruno said that the last conference he went to in September was very good. A lot of people from the State attended and talked about their participation with the trail and the possibility of making the Trail part of the National Park system. If the trail becomes a part of the National Park system, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail would be eligible to receive Federal money that could be used for trail maintenance. A certain amount oft the trail has to be completed before it would be considered as partof the National Park system. Mayor Braswell said that what concerns him about the trail is that at the last conference there were no deeded easements or right-of-ways to cross private property and he does not know ift there are any now. He also felt the projected cost to maintain the trail was expensive. The only way he sees the trail happening in Stokesdale is eminent domain and he wants to go on record that he would never be in favor of eminent domain for the trail. Frank Bruno said that is not true because the trail that has been planned for Stokesdale is not final. The liaison for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail would work with the Town SO that the trail would not go over: any property that was owned by anyone that did not want the trail to go over their property. One of the advantages for Stokesdale is that the trail could actually follow US 158 and parts of it actually do. Therefore, if there are land owners that do not want the trail to cross their property, the trail would follow US 158. The reason he thinks the trail would be good for Stokesdale from a business standpoint is the money that people using the trail would bring to the Town. The trail would give people another reason to come to Stokesdale and it would be part of the National Park system. The cost of maintenance is much more expensive for a fully paved trail than it would be for a natural trail which makes more sense for Stokesdale. Mayor Braswell said that there did not seem to be a reasonable feasibility study done since permission to cross anybody's land has not been granted. He would not want the trail to go across his land. Frank Bruno said that the residents of the Town need to get together and decide where the trail should goi in order to get from point A to point Mayor Braswell asked Frank Bruno to limit the number of people that would be reimbursed since he said anybody in his motion. Frank Bruno said to limit it to two Councilmembers. Joe Thacker said that he Vicki White-Lawrence seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was NCLM Committee Update - Frank Bruno: Frank Bruno said that he was put on the Tax and Finance Legislative Action Committee for the North Carolina League of Municipalities. He attended an orientation on. January 6"and may also attend Town Hall Day on March 18". He wants Council to think about action items for him to bring to the NCLM Committee. He will let Council know when the NCLM Committee meetings will be held as soon as he receives the schedule. He thinks that the meetings will Guilford County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update: Frank Bruno said that he attended the Guilford County Mult-lurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update last Tuesday. Hazard plans and how to put them together, the different criteria for different plans, and public safety education were discussed. The County is required to have al hazard plan in place for disasters in order to get federal money. The hazard  wants to attend.  B.  would like to attend the conference.  approved.  be monthly video conferences, but is not sure yet.  Book 13, Page 2659  6    plan Guilford County has now expires in. January 2016. Every. jurisdiction has to approve the final hazard plan that the committee will be working on and putting together this year for 2016. Guilford County Bill. Jones said that he wants to prepare a letter to State Representatives asking them to modify State laws so Stokesdale can have the Fire Department tax cap increased from 10 cents to 15 cents by vote of Council rather than by a petition that would need to be signed by 35 percent of the property owners in Bill. Jones made a motion to send the letter requesting a change once it is prepared and approved by Mayor Braswell said that he appreciates what Bill Jones is doing in order to bring awareness of the nickel increase to the citizens of Stokesdale. Bill Jones has done a great job educating him and if the Town can go through the State Legislatures to make that change, it sounds like it would be int the best interest for  hopes to have their Hazard Mitigation Plan completed by July or August.  the Town. He will prepare the letter and ask Council later to approve it.  Council. Frank Bruno seconded the motion.  the citizens of Stokesdale.  All Council members voted aye andi the motion was approved.  Unfinished Business: Stokesdale Water System:  A Citizen's Comments on the US Geological Survey Report 97-4140 AKA "Where does Stokesdale's water come from?"- Stephen Louie: Steve Louie introduced himself and said that he is the Chairman of the Ordinance Review Committee and he is also on the Stokesdale Planning Board. The water rates have increased, the water system is expanding, and the Town is purchasing a new chlorinator, SO the water system is costing the Town a lot of money. It also appears that the Town does not sell enough water to cover the cost of the water system, sO the Town is subsidizing the water: system. Mr. Louie gave a Power Point presentation on a study that was done in 1996 for Guilford County about how much water is available underground. He asked for a show of hands from Council members and citizens in attendance of who was on the Town's water system and who was on a well. He asked the audience if their well runs dry would the Town be responsible to provide their citizens with water. The water here in Stokesdale comes from rainfall. Some of the rain water becomes ground water and some of the rain water runs off the ground surface and ends up in the ocean. Everyone gets their water from the rainfall unless you are on the Town's water system. Without rainfall, there is no water, sO we depend on the rain for water. He explained the process of how the rainwater goes into the ground and how the wells get water and said that there are no underground rivers. The dangers to Stokesdale's water supply are drought, over pumping a well until it is dry, land use, and contamination. He pointed to the map on the wall in the room which shows the areas in Stokesdale that have contamination. In the contaminated areas wells cannot be used sO water is a very important issue in Stokesdale. The upper Haw River Basin provides Stokesdale with 300 gallons of water per day per acre. The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) says that a water system should be able to provide 400 gallons per household. He explained the differences between the mean and median amount of water in the Town and the median amount of water is what needs to be used. Stokesdale allows homes to be built on less than one acre of land: sO that means the home site cannot support the amount of water being pulled out oft the ground by awell because the home is going to have al lawn, driveway, and roof. The home also draws water  Book: 13, Page 2660  7    outside of the property lines through a cone of depression. This means that when the water is pumped out of the water table by a well a cone of depression is created. Cones of depression are created when there isa large amount of houses together on a piece of land such as in a subdivision. When that many houses pump the water from their wells which use the supply in the water table, the wells will ultimately go dry and the surface will fracture. If you buy a house in a contaminated area or near one, there is a risk of contamination in the nearby wells. With more houses being built in Stokesdale, it is quite possible it could lead to wells that will go dry. Therefore, it makes sense for Stokesdale residents Tom McCoy asked Mr. Louie if the Ordinance Review Committee is considering an ordinance to inform the buyer. Mr. Louie said that it has been discussed. He invited Mr. McCoy to attend the Ordinance Review Committee meeting next Thursday at 7:00pm at the Town Hall. He said that any citizen is welcome to attend. Mr. McCoy said that if homes on less than one acre are not supported by well water, why are homes being approved to be built on less than one acre? Mr. Louie said that the ordinance (5- 13.6(B) of the Development Ordinance) requires a home located within 1,000 feet from the Town's water system to be connected to the Town's water system. Homes located more than 1,000 feet from Other Issues Pertaining to the Water System - If Any: Joe Thacker said that the Stokesdale Water System was built because of water contamination in Stokesdale. Stokesdale was able to qualify fora3 million dollar grant to build the water system. A water system that size does require a lot of work to maintain, operate, and build. He felt like the Town needed a multi-year plan SO different aspects of the water system would be easier to manage and help with expansion. He developed a rough draft of a multi-year plan for the Stokesdale Water System. Goals should be set and procedures outlined in order to make sure the water system is available to all the Town's residents at an affordable rate. Information should be provided to residents about the advantages of connecting to the water system. The Stokesdale Water System was intended for all of the Town's residents and additional grants should be obtained when possible in order to expand the water system to the Town's residents that do not yet have access to it. The Town should set specific procedures and consider installing water taps in front of every residence and business when the main line of the water system is constructed in order to keep costs down. Allocating funds for items such as water tower maintenance, line extensions, and meter equipment need to be worked out. The plan needs to be reviewed annually and revisions made when necessary. He wants Council members to consider his plan and would like more ideas from citizens as Mayor Braswell said he appreciates Joe Thacker putting this multi-year plan down on paper. His most challenging issue in 2014 has been the water system. He has had many water workshops and would like Council to meet as a team once a week about the water. He would also like the public to attend the water workshops when possible. Currently, he is spending a lot of time researching the purchase of a chlorinator fori the Town's water system. He would like Council to commit an hour once a week or every other week to meet about the water. Joe Thacker agreed that every other week would be better than meeting once a month, but he would also like the Stokesdale residents to participate. Mayor Braswell said that he asked two the Town's biggest water users to sit on a water committee which they agreed to do.. Joe Thacker said that the water system has been here long enough and should be expanded sO it is Nancy McCoy asked if there was any possibility that funds might be available to help supplement  to connect to the water system.  the Town'swater system have the option to drill a well.  well.  available to everyone in Stokesdale.  Book 13, Page 2661  8    citizens who would like to connect to the water system. The Springdale subdivision in Stokesdale where she lives has looked into what it would cost to connect to the water system, but it would be too expensive for the majority of Springdale's residents. Joe Thacker: said that grants are available for certain Citizen's Comment Period on the Stokesdale Water System: Discussion took place among some of the citizens attending the meeting about the water system and the grants that may be available. Mayor Braswell said that Patti Stokes has printed many articles int the Northwest Observer over the years about Stokesdale's water system. Nancy McCoy wanted to know if more families or homes were on the water system would the cost of the water would be less. Frank Bruno said no, because the water rate was increased in order to match what Stokesdale is paying Winston-Salem for the water. Joe Thacker said that the other issue is the cost of maintaining the water system. If more residents were on the water system, he thinks maintenance costs would be more in line. Mayor Braswell said that there are many houses being built right now in Stokesdale. After the water rate increase and the purchase of a chlorinator, he hopes that the financial picture will be much better by January 2016. Frank Bruno said that when more homes and businesses are added to the water system, the customer fee of $30.50 may be changed. An industrial rate, a commercial business rate, and a consumer rate could be considered. He would like to see if the $30.50 customer fee could be separated from the water consumption cost on the monthly water bill. Mary Manes, a resident of Stokesdale, said that unless the Town lowers the cost to connect to the water system, there will be many residents who cannot afford to connect to the water system. Mayor Braswell said that there are several issues concerning the water system that Council will be working on and affordability is one. The Town is not eligible for any State grants until the Town is operating the water system in the black. The next informational workshop on the water system is next  things but she would need to do some research.  Thursday at 10:00am. Committee and Board Reports:  Library Committee Update = Frank Bruno: Frank Bruno said that he did a lot of work in the library adding and organizing books over the holidays. There will be more children's books added to the shelves overt the next two weeks. He would like to have a Community Day at the library in Town Hall on May 2nd. Woodmen of the World will give out free hot dogs and there willl be al bounce house for the kids. He also wants to do a community yard sale that day to get more residents involved. Mayor Braswell asked how many library cards there were. Frank Bruno said he printed over 100 sO far, but he has about another Vicki White-Lawrence said that there will be a Parade Committee meeting soon for a follow-up to the Holiday Parade. The committee needs to wrap things up and talk about making improvements for next year. The Parade went well, the weather was great, and there was a big turnout. The volunteers did a Mayor Braswell asked Bill Jones if he had an update on the Property Committee. Bill Jones said that a few weeks ago he and Mayor Braswell finished winterizing both irrigation systems and cleaned up some flower beds. The soccer fields have progressed well but more work needs to be done. The Property Mayor Braswell said that the next Safety Committee meeting is Monday, January 26" at 6:30pm at the  1001 to print up, so about 2001 total.  great job and positive feedback was received.  Committee is looking atl less expensive options to maintain the soccer fields.  Town Hall.  Book: 13, Page 2662  9    Department and Administrative Report:  Finance Report: December, 2014: Carolyn Joyner said that assets in the General Fund increased by about $52,495.16 over the previous month. Several checks were. written out of the General Fund Checking Account for Parade related items and an expense report for the Parade should be available next month. The banners have not been removed yet due to the weather. A credit from last year was used for the portable restrooms sO only $42.70 was paid this year for 4 portable restrooms. Clarke Power Generation, Inc. was paid $617.19 for the annual maintenance on the Town Hall generator. The individuals listed were paid for Parade Law Enforcement and Council members were paid stipends. In the General Fund Accounts Payable an invoice for Animal Control for 4th Quarter was received for $3,040.00. On the General Fund Savings Account a Utility Franchise Tax Distribution for 3rd Quarter was received in the amount of $64,410.03, which accounts for the increase in assets in the month of Carolyn Joyner said that the Water-Sewer Fund goes up every month because no money is ever spent out of that account. It increased by $79.42, which is accrued interest on Certificates of Deposit. Total assets on the Water Enterprise Account decreased by $29,829.34, which is much larger than normal. The Water Enterprise Checking Account increased over the previous month by a little over $11,000.00. The big item in this is the reduction in Accounts Receivable for water sales. It decreased by $41,146.66 due to the result of several settlements that the Town's attorneys have been working on concerning the past due water accounts. On the Water Enterprise Checking Account the US Postmaster was paid $600.00 for the Town's Bulk Mail Permit which is used to mail out the water bills. Attorney Brian Walker was reimbursed for expenses and paid for his services for the collection of past due water accounts. The Northwest Observer was paid $197.10 for an ad in the paper. As of today, there is no Accounts Payable Administrative Report - Town Clerk: Carolyn Joyner said that there were changes in the Stokesdale Planning Board and there are two more terms for Planning Board members that expire in March. It is time for two of the members to rotate off and no one has submitted any applications for the Planning Board. Bill Jones suggested contacting some of the previous Planning Board members to see if they would be interested in serving. Carolyn Joyner said that Planning Board members need to be off the Planning Board for a year before they are eligible to serve again. She will try contacting previous Planning Board members that are eligible to serve to see if there is any interest to serve again. James Greene said that he would be interested in being an alternate on the Stokesdale Planning Board, and he Announcements: Mayor Braswell read the announcements that were listed on the agenda. Mayor Braswell said that Mike Moore from Rockingham County Radio said that Mayor Braswell and the many people he has brought onto the radio with him has become a very popular 30-minute segment on the radio show. He shared further details about the many Stokesdale residents and businesses that have Executive Session: To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body. (GSE 143-318.11(a) (4): Mayor Braswell made a motion to go to Executive Session. Frank Bruno seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye  December.  in the Water Enterprise Account.  will submit an application.  been ont the show with him each month.  and Council went to Executive Session at 9:17pm.  Book 13, Page 2663  10    The Regular Council meeting reconvened at 9:46pm.  Comments from Council: Joe Thacker said that Blue Ridge Mowing in Yadkinville, NC, sent $200.001 for repairs to a fire hydrant that was damaged by their workers on Lester Road. Bill Jones said he and the other Council members attended a Meet and Greet with State Representatives and several County Commissioners. Everyone was very approachable and thought Council had some good ideas and plans. Vicki White-Lawrence said she was glad there was a big turnout for tonight's meeting. The crowd is not huge but iti is larger than usual and she appreciates the interaction. She is glad that Council will continue to have public comments about the water as part of the regular agenda every month. Joe Thacker said thatr residents not on the water system can also participate and ask questions about the water system. Patti Stokes from the Northwest Observer thanked Council members for responding to the questions that were sent to them. It was good to hear what each oft the three Town's Council member'schallenges was looking back at last year and what their challenges and goals are for this next year. She appreciates Adjournment: Vicki White-Lawrence made a motion to adjourn. Frank Bruno seconded the motion. All  Council fort taking the time to respond.  Council members voted aye and the Regular Council meeting adjourned at 9:55pm.  Me Mavs  Diana Marcus, Deputy Clerk  Approved:  Ahb  D.Randall Braswell, Mayor  Book 13, Page 2664  11