TOWN OF STOKESDALE Regular Town Council Meeting 8325 Angel Pardue Road Stokesdale, NC27357 December 10, 2015  The Regular Council Meeting oft the Stokesdale Town Council was held on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at the Stokesdale Town Hall on 8325 Angel Pardue Road in Stokesdale, North Carolina. COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Randy Braswell; Frank Bruno; William N. (Bill). Jones; VickWhite-lawrence;  Joe Thacker; Tim Jones. OTHERS PRESENT INCLUDED:  William B. Trevorrow, Town Attorney; Carolyn L. Joyner, Town  Clerk/Finance Officer; Diana Marcus, Deputy Clerk; Deputy Scott Casey, Guilford County Sheriff's CALLCOUNCIL MEETINGTO ORDER: Mayor Braswell called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. INVOCATION: Given by Pastor Jerry Walker from Oak Level Baptist Church. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Recited by Council members and citizens in attendance.  Department; Oliver Bass, Guilford County Planning Department.  REVIEW AND ADOPT AGENDA: Frank Bruno made a motiont to adopt the agenda as written. VickiWhite- Lawrence seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was approved. READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES for the Regular Council Meeting of November 12, 2015: Executive Session Minutes of. January 21, 2014, March 13, 2014, April 10, 2014, August 5, 2014, August 14, 2014, June 25, 2015, and. July: 16, 2015: Frank Bruno made a motion to accept the minutes listed on the agenda without reading them. Bill Jones seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and HONORING VETERANS MONUMENT COMMITTEE: Mayor Braswell read and presented a Proclamation honoring Peggy Joyce, Barbara Marshall, Juanita Southern, and Betty Shelton, the founding members of the Stokesdale Veterans Monument Committee, who recentlyr retired from theirvolunteer roles. The new committee members will be Powell Shelton, Jr., Gil Wagi, Randy Southard, and Todd Harmon. The Proclamation is hereby incorporated and made a part of the minutes oft the meeting. SWEARING IN OF COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM:  the motion was approved.  Carolyn Joyner  administered the oaths of office to re-elected Council members Frank Bruno and Bill. Jones and newly- elected Council member Tim. Jones.. Joe Thacker stepped down from the Dias and Tim. Jones took his seat.  Town Council unanimously elected Bill Jones to serve as Mayor Pro Tem.  COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR: Terri Johnson and Ray Robertson of Stokesdale spoke about why the  Stokesdale Holiday Parade: should be changed to the Stokesdale Christmas Parade.  1  December 10,2015- -Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2830    Eileen Thiery of 8101 Meadow! Springs Placei in Stokesdale spoke about whyt the Stokesdale Holiday Parade Tim Shields of 8450 Haw River Road in Stokesdale spoke and about why the Stokesdale Holiday Parade Scott Hoffman, the Director of Soccer for Stokesdale Parks and Recreation, spoke about making the soccer Layton Spencer of 8280 Coldwater Road in Stokesdale spoke about why the Stokesdale Holiday Parade Mary Maness of 8405 Tree Court in Stokesdale said she wanted to see more Christmas decorations in Delores Willey of 7322 Goodwill Church Road in Stokesdale spoke about why the Stokesdale Holiday Mayor Braswell asked for volunteers to: serve on the Parade Committee and do research about changing Tim Jones said that a citizen gave him petitions against the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) and the A&Y Greenway with 260 signatures that he would like to present to the Town. Mayor Braswell said to give the  should remain the Stokesdale Holiday Parade.  should be changed to the Stokesdale Christmas Parade.  fields at the Town Park safe for children to play soccer on in the spring. should be changed toi the Stokesdale Christmas Holiday Parade.  Downtown Stokesdale.  Parade should be changed to the Stokesdale Christmas Parade.  the name of the Stokesdale Holiday Parade to the Stokesdale Christmas Parade.  petitions to the Town Clerk after the meeting.  NEW BUSINESS:  Report from Guilford County Sheriff's Department: Deputy Scott Casey said that this month has been slow compared to last month. Out of all of the calls that were received between the last meeting and this meeting, 14 reports were generated and five were Part One crimes. Arrests were made in all of them  except for one that is still being investigated. Discussion took place about the Parade.  Deputy Casey said that if you see something suspicious, please call 911 immediately. Do not wait three  days and then call him on his personal cell phone, because he cannot do anything. Deputy Casey said to lock the doors on your house and vehicles in order to prevent theft.  Deputy Casey encouraged citizens to sign up for Nextdoor, which is a private social networking website that the Guilford County Sheriff's Office has partnered with. He explained how Nextdoor worksasasafety Mayor Braswell called for a break at 7:42PM, because a lot of people were leaving the meeting. The  tool. Reverse 911 was also discussed. meeting reconvened at 7:48PM.  2  December 10, 2015 -1 Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2831    Mayor Braswell asked Thearon Hooks to explain how Reverse 911 works. Thearon Hooks said that G.E.A.N.I., which stands for Guilford Emergency Alert, Notification, and Information, is an automated system set up to notify residents of urgent emergency information. He explained how G.E.A.N.I. works Presentation of the 2014-2015 Audit: Richard Tamer from Cannon & Company, LLP, presented the Town's 2014-2015 Audit. He said the Town is contractually obligated by the Local Government Commission tol have their financialstatementst transmitted and filed by October 31st. The Town's financial statements were submitted and have been approved. According to the Financial Statements, at the end of the fiscal year the Town had $9,332,691.00 in net position which means the Town's total assets outweighed the Town's liabilities by $9,332,691.00. This is an increase of $145,415.00 over the previous year. That increase is made up of two components. The first component is Governmental Activities. The Town exceeded budget projections by $54,000.001 for the year meaning the Town was $54,000.00 to the good on the Governmental side. The Water-Sewer Fund had a net profit fort the year of about $93,000.00. Int the Town's Government Funds, the Town had a net improvement of $131,000.00 in the net position with the Town's Government Fund balance. The Town took a very conservative approach in the budget process. The Town had no budget violations on the Town's expenditures and did better than budget in everyo category. Because oft that, the Town had ani increase in net Fund Balance at the end of the year. The Undesignated Fund balance was $2,352,598.00 at the end of the year. The total General Fund expenditures for the year amounted to 11.29 percent oft the Fund Balance which is a very strong position to be in and the Town's level ofr reserves are very sound at this point. At the end oft the year, the Town's revenues were $131,617.00 on the General Fund. In the Town's Water Enterprise Fund in the Water- Sewer area there was a net position increase of $93,019.00 over the previous year which was a vast improvement. The Town ended the year with cash in the bank of $3,814,576.00 compared to $3,675,695.00 last year. It was a pleasure working with the Town staff this year and there were no issues. Located just west of US220 on the north side of US: 158. Tax Parcel #0150636 (described as Lot 1, "Minor Subdivision Plat for WSJ Holdings LLC" PB 189-11) in Bruce Township and totaling approximately 2.04 acres. This request would rezone a portion of the 4.68 acres included in the CU-HB rezoning 13-02-STPL- Oliver Bass said that this case was presented at al Public Hearing before the Stokesdale Planning Board at itsr meeting last Thursday. The Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval oft the proposed Mr. Bass explained that the proposed use is inconsistent with the Future Land Use Plan recommendation for Polessona/anufactumg designation, which is to provide for the growth of office space and light manufacturing. However, the proposed use and conditions are compatible with existing uses on the site and in the area, consistent with the underlying Highway Business (HB): zoning district and Scenic Corridor Overlay, and serves the public interest by providing needed services and employment opportunities for  and said to go to www.readygullord.org to sign up.  PUBLIC HEARING: Rezoning Case 15-11-STPL-056958: CU-HB to CU-HB (amended)  00472 as described in the application. Owner: Matnamak Properties, LLC.  rezoning.  the area. Therefore, Staff recommends approval. Those speaking in favor of the rezoning request:  Shane Beal said he resides at 7812 Sutter Road in Greensboro, and currently owns the property and building at 6716 US Highway 158 in Stokesdale. He owns Polished Concrete Professionals which provides  3  December 10, 2015 - Town Council Meeting  Book 13,1 Page 2832    decorative concrete flooring services for industrial, retail, and commercial buildings. Moving to this location would enable him to have both an office and warehouse space together in one location which would be more efficient to run his business. In becoming owner of this property, he inherited Atlantic Outdoors and Mark Yonjof as a tenant in the building which has gone very well. Atlantic Outdoors has been in business for two years now and has been successful in creating good growth for the community. One of the reasons for the rezoning request and expansion is that Mr. Yonjof would like more space for merchandise like camping gear, clothing, and things that would be goodf for this area. The expansionwould also help him with his flooring work because Polished Concrete Professionals continues to grow and he needs more warehouse space now. Over the years, his family has become friends with Butch Knight who services and repairs many of his vehicles at Import Specialty Auto. Due to the highway construction and limited space at his current location, he wants to give Mr. Knight the opportunity to expand his business into the community as well. The rezoning request would help all three of these companies continue to grow and service this area. He wants the Board to understand that these three businesses handle themselves professionally in everything that they do. Their businesses are very organized and very structured and provide customers with exceptional customer service. The property will not be a place where broken down cars are stored and will not turn into a junk yard or become unsightly to the community. They have an image to uphold as a business in this area. He provided some renderings to Town Council, SO they would have an idea of what the proposed expansion might look like.  No one spoke in opposition to the rezoning request.  Tim Jones made a motion to approve the proposed use and conditions which are compatible with the existing uses on the site and in the area, consistent with the underlying Highway Business zoning district and Scenic Corridor Overlay, and serves the publici interest by providing needed services and employment opportunities fort the area. BillJ Jonesseconded the motion. AlI Council members voted aye and the motion  wasa approved.  Board of Adjustment: Variance Request Case 15-11-STPL-05916  Wallis and Kristen Collie arer requesting a variance to reduce the minimum! lot width of: 1501 feet established under Section 4-1(A) of the Stokesdale Development Ordinance. The variance would allow construction of a single-family dwelling with a street setback of 100.6 feet of the property line. The property is zoned  RS-40 and located at 8107 Moore's Mill Court, Old Moore's Subdivision. Wallis Collie and Oliver Bass were sworn in by Mayor Braswell.  Oliver Bass said that the applicant is asking for a variance to the Dimensional Requirements of Section 4- 1(A) of the Stokesdale Land Development Ordinance which requires a street setback of 401 feet from the property line and a minimum lot width of 150 feet for RS-40: zoning districts. The request is to reduce the minimum lot width to allow construction of a single-family residence with as street setback of 100.6 feet fromi the front property line as show in the application. The owners oft the property are Wallis and Kristen Wallis Collie said he is seeking alleviation from the minimum lot width of 150 feet per the standards set forth in Table 4-4-1 of the Guilford County Development Ordinance for RS-40zoning. The lot is located in acul-de-sac, and is wedge shaped with only 91 feet wide at the street front. Due to the narrowness of the property, the lot does not become 1501 feet wide until 2751 feet back from the street. Additionally, the lot begins to slope significantly down towards a creek bottom beyond 200 feet back from the street. If the  Collie. The property is located at 8107 Moore's Mill Court in Stokesdale.  4  December 10, 2015 = Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2833    house is placed at the current minimum build line, it would be at al location within this significant sloping region. There would be a 12-foot elevation difference between the front and back of the house causing the back of the house to be about 151 feet above the ground. The house will not have a basement so there is potential that a foundation this high could have structural issues that would make the structure unsound. Additionally, the backyard area would be significantly sloped which is nots suitable for our small children to play on and maintenance oft the yard would be difficult. He walked the property and iti is quite steepi int that particular area sO he is proposing to move the house forward to about 100 feet offt the front of the property sO there is a much gentler slope. Furthermore, no other house in the development is set back anywhere near this far back and moving the property forward would bring the house more in harmony with the look oft the neighboring houses. He has spoken with the president of the Homeowners Association (HOA) and he has no issues with this request and agrees that the house would be more consistent with the look and feel of the neighborhood. The proposed house location does encroach slightly on the already approved septic field. He has been in contact with Environmental Services and inspections were done to try to push the septic field farther back to make upt for that encroachment. The inspection was done and an additional 50f feet was added tot the back of the approved septic field to make up for the encroached area. The septic contractor has gone back and plotted out the required piping and everything would fit within the newly approved septic field. He did not create the hardship since the topography oft the land already existed. By going back through the records of previous Council meetings, he found that on June 18, 2013, another property in the neighborhood about three lots down from his requested a variance from the exact same Ordinance for the same hardship reasons and was granted it Mayor Braswell asked if Mr. Collie had a statement from the Homeowners. Association or documentation from the septic contractor. Mr. Collie said that he is expecting al letter from the Homeowners Association but has not yet received it. He has received verbal and email confirmation from the septic contractor and Oliver Bass said that ift the septic field has not been permitted by Environmental Services al building permit  sO there is some precedence to this variance request.  will have documentation once the final inspection is done.  will not be issued.  Mayor Braswell closed the Public Hearing.  Vicki White-Lawrence made a motion to grant the variance, because if Council did not, an unnecessary hardship would result from the strict letter of the Ordinance. Hardship results from conditions that are peculiar to the property such as location, size, or topography. The hardship did not result from actions taken by the applicant or the property owner and the requested variance is consistent with the spirit, purpose, and intent of the Ordinance such that public safety is assured and does substantial justice. Frank Bruno seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was approved. Mayor Braswell made a motion to take a five-minute recess. Frank Bruno seconded the motion. The  meeting recessed at 8:31PM. The meeting reconvened at 8:39PM.  Issues with Downtown Stokesdale: Frank Bruno said that in the last couple of weeks he has been receiving calls about parking issues in Downtown Stokesdale. The parking issues started after a new business opened which became very busy and cars started parking diagonally on the street. Limited sight  5  December 10, 2015 -7 Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2834    and traffic speed have been contributing factors. He called the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to find out how to handle the situation, but they have not responded. It is an NCDOT issue, but he thought that Town Council should be aware oft the parking problem. Adoption of the Continuity of Government Plan: Frank Bruno made a motion to adopt the Continuity of Government Plan dated. July 20151 for the Town of Stokesdale and authorize the Mayor to sign it. Vicki White-Lawrence seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was approved.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS Stokesdale Water System:  Citizens' Comment Period on the Stokesdale Water System: Mary Maness of 8405 Tree Court in Stokesdale said that if Stokesdale willl be selling water to Oak Ridge, the Town will be making money. She wants to know ift the Stokesdale residents that want to connect to the Town water will be able to connect now. Mayor Braswell said that that it would benefit Stokesdale primarily by moving more water through the water lines. He does not believe that Stokesdale will make big money off of Oak Ridge. There will be no cost for Stokesdale to connect Oak Ridge to the Town water. At this time, he does not think further connections will be possible for Town residents that do not have water lines running past their property. The water system is still operating in the red and needs to be operating in the black before the Town will Proposals for Marking Waterlines for NC8 811 Requests- - Continued: Bill Jones made a motion to accept the proposal for Yates Construction to do the Town's 811 locates based ont their proposal dated December 2, 2015, as it applies to the specifications of the North Carolina 811, Inc. membership agreement. Frank Mayor Braswell amended the motion to recognize the 72-inch variance rather than the normal 36-inch  be able trying to extend the water line.  Bruno seconded the motion.  variance that isi in the Yates Construction proposal. All Council members voted aye and the motion was approved. Any Other Issues Pertaining to the Water System:  Set Fees for Construction Inspections: Discussion took place about charging a $750.00 minimum inspection fee or 3.5 percent of the cost of the project for a major subdivision and charging a $250.00 Mayor Braswell said to continue this agenda item until the January 2016 Town Hall meeting. Authorize Mayor to Sign Dawn Acres Applicant Certification: Bill Jones made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the application for certification for Dawn Acres Subdivision Phase 1. Frank Bruno seconded Mayor Braswell said that the contractor for the subdivision at Eversfield Road is charging $1,400.00 for each dry tap and bore installed on the five properties along Eversfield Road. The property owners would  minimum inspection fee for a minor subdivision.  the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was approved.  have to purchase a meter that currently costs $358.001 to install.  6  December: 10, 2015 - Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2835    Mayor Braswell made a motion to contact the five property owners along Eversfield Road by letter showing the Town's cost to put at tapi in as the lines are being extended and the Town needs a response as soon as possible. It would be $1,400.00 for the tap and $358.001 for the meter, and there is a monthly customer fee of $30.50 regardless of whether or not a meter is installed. The letters would be sent by Discussion took place about allowing the property owners as much time as possible to make their decision depending on when the contractor will start digging for the installation of the water lines. The current rate willl be charged to property owners once the water lines are covered if they have not requested that atap be installed. The letter will be sent to the address of the property owners referenced on GIS (Geographical Information Services) since some properties do not have homes on the property. Council discussed whether or not there were any other property owners along the road other than those five Frank Bruno seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was approved. Review of Administrative Task List- - Continued: Frank Bruno said that the task list willl be finalized over the next couple ofr months while they work on staffing Town Hall. Mayor Braswell said that he would like to schedule a workshop next week to address the Administrative Task List and the Staffing of Town Hall. Public Records Request Policy - Continued: Frank Bruno said that the Town of Summerfield sends public records requests to the Town Attorney to review in order to make sure no private information is released to the public. There was not enough time to discuss this issue further sO it willl be continued. Staffing of Town Hall: This agenda item willl be addressedi int the Special Meeting scheduledi for Thursday,  certified mail with a return date based on the construction schedule.  property owners.  Council scheduled a Special Meeting for 3:00PM on Thursday, December 17th.  December 17th at 3:00PM. COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS  Land Use Plan Review Committee - Update: Frank Bruno asked if the previous committee members had been contacted. Diana Marcus said that she contacted all the previous committee members, except one that she could not find the telephone number for, and most of them said that they would be willing Tim Jones made a motion to take all new applications for the Land Use Plan Review Committee. Frank Bruno seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion was approved. TralsyPath/Rghtohways Committee - Update: Diana Marcus said that there were a couple of previous committee members that were willing to continue serving on the TralyPatnyRgnto-ways Committee. She also called the people on the October gth Town Hall meeting sign-in sheet that provided Tim. Jones made a motion that the Town discontinue the ralsyPatn/Agntorways Committee.  to continue serving on the Land Use Plan Review Committee.  telephone numbers and many had indicated that they were interested in serving.  7  December 10, 2015- -Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2836    Bill Jones said we' ve updated all oft the committees by name Ithink when we first came on. Was that one of the ones left on the list. Carolyn. Joyner said yes. Bill Jones saidld don't knowi if they everr met at all. They may have never met. Ms. Joyner said they may have but the main function was to work with the study group, the study that was done. So that's over there's not been guess any need for them to meet since then. BillJ Jones said Iguess that could really ber rolled into the Land Use the way it used to be. don'tknow the difference the trail, you say the trail, trails are best in the Land Use Plan Committee. Ms. Joyner said Roads and Transportation are as well. Vicki White-Lawrence said I see what you're saying. It's like with the Ordinance Review. It's taken them al long time justt to deal with ordinances. To vote in something else just doesn't seem right. Bill Jones said I guess the Land Use Plan what we really need to do is redo the Land Use Plan. My thought is if you've got people interested in trails then get them on the Land Use Committee rather than trying to reenergize two or three committees and have people spread out and then if somebody is interested in the trail and they are also interested in land use then now we got to go to two meetings when the same thing could be done in one meeting. Ify you could do land or volunteer or help advise that have an interest in trails. Ithink that's the place to handle it as well. Tim Jones said it's also open space advocated in Guilford County (unintelligible) interesting and that sort of thing. Frank Bruno said that the whole idea of having that committee until now is exactly what my thought was that should be part of the Land Use. Since we' vel had such al large amount on both sides oft the trail was to kind of get them together as ag group and to come up with. It's almost like the Ordinance Committee. Come up with suggestions to give tot the Land Use Committee. My thought was hoping to push those people on the Land Use Committee. But Ithink right now you've got such al large group right there discussing that one subject it's best to get together and hash out hey where are we going with that and then make the suggestions to the Land Use Plan Committee. I hope you have some thoughts. I thought that would be perfect.l'd say we have three orf four people. There'sal lot there (unintelligible). My goal is that get at few people to sign up (unintelligible). Ms. Joyner said Diana has talked to many of them and actually we do have one application for somebody that has applied. Whether others will or notlo don't know. Mayor Braswell said Okay, we, got a motion, need a second. Bill Jones said sO the motion is to actually do away with the TralsyPath/Rghtokwas Committee? Yous say that the motion is to expand into the Land Use Plan Review Committee? Is that what you were saying? Tim. Jones said my motion was to discontinue  that committee because it has never met. Mayor Braswell said I'll second that motion.  Mayor Braswell said just to continue the discussion, they never met and you're saying they went to the A &YGreenway Steering Committee. That's where they actually met. Idon'treally: see ar needi fort them here and would base that statement solely on the petitions that have been presented to the Town. There's over 200, as many as 250 by now with really not a lot of effort to rally a group in opposition. And whatl see that are proponents of the trail are really just a small handful of people in Stokesdale. So I would a, almost like Tim, he's got some open space committee application down there. So far my research and things that I've read that's where all that's coming from anyways. Ithink anybody out here in Stokesdale Frank Bruno said I disagree with that and III bring up something that's kind of a sore spot to me about that. It's easy to get people to sign petitions when we don't give them correct information. I'm stopping it there. There's a lot of misinformation thatl It think when we had that meeting a lot of good stuff came out of it and you have a lot of people who are interested in finding out more. A lot of people who are interested and saying isi itg good, isi it not good, but getting them the correct information. Ithink by having  that really has a passion for that would go there.  8  December 10, 2015 -1 Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2837    that committee together you get both sides of that group together to discuss it and come up with ap plan that works for the Town. And you got 200 signatures on a petition out of 5,400 residents. So to me that's a very: small that believe was not given correct information that signed those petitions. Tim. Jones said where is the information available at, that is not in the 184-page study. Frank Bruno said that study is being used in the wrong way. The study was put together to say in the ideal situation if you put together al DOT standard trail this is what it would cost. That's all that study..the study was not put together to say this is how youl have to put a trail and this is the wayi it's done. That's the only reason that study was done was to see the viability on doing something based on DOT: standards. And when yous go to ther meetings and talk to some oft the smallert towns that have done it,t there'svery little maintenance cost. They get a ton of volunteers to put these trails together and it's run as a community thing. And a community decides ifi it's right for their community, andi ifiti is, do they want it. That study doesn'tdictate Tim Jones said it's my feeling this Town couldn't afford that trail if they gave it to us because of the maintenance costs, security costs, fire and rescue costs. You're also forgetting that most of these people whol build thist traila aret from outside ofTown and our neighbors don'twant thisi int their backyard and don't want to pay for it. Frank Bruno said I would not want to use tax money for it but there are trails being done in towns where all those concerns that you're saying there haven'tcost them anything. Tim Jones said volunteers can'to dig at tunnel under NC 68, 158 and SO on and sO forth. Frank Bruno said we're talking about just doing natural trails where people come out, volunteer. When they did the one up in the Elkin area, they came out from all over the state to volunteer their time. They've got al large network of people andl Iwouldt think toj justg go out to say we'r re just goingt to (unintelligible)! just! because peoplea aren'tgetting the correct information about it. And that's the whole point of having a committee is to get both sides together to discuss an issue and to have more public input. We've had one public input session that we had about two months ago and the reason the committee hasn't met up until that point was it was the only meeting fort that one thing to do that A & Ystudy. That'sthe only reasoni it was originally put together. We kind of held off on that because we were waiting to see what happened with 158, but at this point it could be 20 or 30 years. So really the goal was to see hey, what does the committee want to do. Give them a sayi in it. I'm notj just disregarding this and: sweeping it toi the side. Ithink we' d be doinga a disservice to our citizensi if we. just said we're just going sweep this whole committee to the side because we don't thinki iti is valuable when you've got al bunch of people who signed up (unintelligible). What do you say to VickWhte-lawrence: said I've walked the Elkin trail since we last met, andi iti is part oft the MSTN Mountains- to-Sea Trail. But iti is not, what they did there was to incorporate it as part of their park and the other part they took over, it wasn'tnecessarlys a railroad bed, buti it was down by the river. They had: scouts who put in projects, benches and stuff. Elkin's population is pretty much the same as Stokesdale's, and iflh heard information right, they don't charge a property tax either. Just a county tax but not a property tax. Mayor Braswell said I'm almost hearing an accusation the public was misled, those 250 names on there,! don'tknow! how many was ont there, that they were given false information or erroneous information was av word that was used and Imeanl Ithink that discussion needs to start right here instead of committees because you're going to start a war if you get those in opposition together with those that are for. I'm afraid you'd be grossly misunderstanding the voice of those people. That was a huge number of people that signed that. Youl had that A8 & Ysteering committee had months and months and months to send out surveys. They didn't get but, they didn't even get that many responses period. So Ithink when you start  to the community this is how you have to doi it.  that?  9  December10,2015-Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2838    talking about the percentages of those 5,400 people here, you guys kind ofr noticed the signatures. It was like one and al half percent of people responded to that original deal. Ithink I've been here 35 years.Iwas heret the dayt they started pulling up thet tracks. And if you don't have ai traili in 35 years, it ain'th happening. And there'st these pitch points. And since it's come back up, I've really put some effort into reading about ita and Ij just, just don't think it's gonna happen through Stokesdale. Now, there could possibly be some interconnectivity, here in Stokesdale, from one housing development to the other which would be the responsibility and cost burden on the developer, but for the tax payers to tackle their portion ofa a state park that travels, it would absolutely zig zag through town, that is not erroneous information. That's like those people saying, no, I don't want to sell my land, Idon't want to donate my land, they're not coming across my land. I don't if we had this discussion during the feasibility study I asked the lady, okay look, what if you get here and it stops. She said you just go to the guy next door. Well those petitions you get the maps out like I suggested months and months ago, and youl have people start marking their property saying no or yes and you'll see where your trail is, but to get people in a room that are for and against, Frank Bruno said, see, C disagree with that because It think that's the way our country is run. You get two sides opposed to each other and you sit down and have a logical conversation to work out their differences. You're saying that the citizens of Stokesdale can't do that. I disagree 100 percent.Ithink we Mayor Braswell said whatl Isee isal huge number in opposition to. Andlsee a very small number for. Now hey we go out there and bring you know hundreds ori thousands of people in! here to support a trail. You still have to cross those people's! lands and their names are on that petition and they said no. Solmeani if all ofa sudden no doesn't mean no. I'm not saying that's not the democratic way of going about it,l Idon't want to give youa a different idea but those people have said no. So that's the reasont that lwould: support to resolve this local because it's never met in 35 years sO let them go to the open space committee at Guilford County those get involved in that MPO. And maybe their whole vision of this Mountains-to-Sea Trail can come to light maybe in a town that is saying they got 250 people that are begging fort this thing to cross their land. It's is not fair to say this is false information. I kind oft take offense to that statement because I have not lied to anybody. I've been straight with them. Ini fact, we have a Rockingham County commissioner that told Bill and 1, he said Randy, you're on the wrong side of this issue. He said this is all gonna be built with private dollars. And that is absolutely incorrect. That's a Rockingham County Commissioner making that sutement.solfacommisinersmisintomed. Now thisi isgonna bet tax payer Frank Bruno said see that's the misconception. You don't have to build it to DOT. That's the whole misconception ofi it. And Ididn'tsay somebody lied. Isaid they used the wrong information, because you do not have to. You can go towns all over the state that have this. The majority have not conformed to DOT because they built natural trails. Mayor Braswell said sO where is this money going to come from? Frank Bruno said it comes from private, it comes from people who donate money, it comes from people who donate time. That's why my whole point is not to say yes or no, but to get more information out there to show the people the possibility of what it can and what it is and what it's not, sO they have the Mayor Braswell said you know this whole economic boom that the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail are pitching. Igot an email from a guy in Greensboro saying wouldn't it be sO nice for me to get on my bicycle and ride out to Stokesdale. He said there'sno place north of Greensboro that Ican ride my bicycle.  think that'sa mistake.  have very intelligent citizens who can work out their differences.  dollars. Ify you're gonna build this thing to DOT, you've gotta build to their specs.  correct information to make the correct decision.  10  December 10, 2015-Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2839    I'm sitting here and saying, you know to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions of dollars for very very little economic impact. I don't buy the economic impact. It think that is a tactic used that could set possibilities for eminent domain. Frank Bruno said that's the word that comes up, but it's never mentioned in anything that the Mountains-to-Sea Trail talks about. Tim. Jones said yes, buti iti is still there int the law. Frank Bruno saidi it's only mentioned by people who are afraid of doingi it. And they have never at any point gone in and said we're gonna take your land. And that's another misconception that's put out there. Yes, it'si in the law. It'sint the law that we can charge at taxi ifwe want, but ifyou're smart enough you don't dot those things. And again, it comes back to your local community controlling what they do. We asac community would bei inc control. Ifit'ss something that the citizens wanted, they could control how it's done. It's not being dictated to them to say you have to doi it this way, it has to goi in this space here. Go back to the Appalachian Trail. It's only, the original trail is only five percent ofi it is where original trail was put because it moved as people wanted it moved (unintelligible). So, again, my whole point is to get the right information out to people sO they can make informed decisions. That's all my whole point about it Bill Jones said misinformation. We sit up here in the meeting and people represented to me. I was assuming these people are representing the fact that they donated these easements. And Ifind out later you know the county commissioners in 2010 voted to spend $750,000.00 buying easements in Guilford, in Stokesdale. Not in Guilford. So that's not private money. The county commissioners voted to spend $750,000.001 in Stokesdale buying easements and at least $250,000.00 has been spent. So you're going to sit up there and imply that you're donating an easement because a good fellow and you'd like to have a trail. So no, you sold it for $250,000.00. You want to run one through my backyard, I'II sell it to you for $250,000.00. But that's not misinformation. That'sfact that was not put out at that meeting. Sot that'snot Frank Bruno said that wasi my point. It all needs to be put out there SO people have the right information. There's been false information and misinformation on either side but this is how it's done and now you can make a correct decision. That's all 1, that's my whole point about the whole thing is to get the correct Tim. Jones said you cannot present us with a 184-page feasibility study, then when we read it and rely on it tell us it's inaccurate. Frank Bruno said it's accurate if you build a DOT standard trail and that's what their study was put together, what it would cost you in an ideal situation to put it together. Nowhere in there does it say that's how you have to do it. It basically gives you the option of, hey if you don't, you have to have a guideline to say if you want to get federal money to build your trail, you have to follow it Tim. Jones said there has also been some heavy handed dealings with Guilford County, Guilford County Planning and this town over some very questionable practices when rezoning property and when submitting site plans wherein owners have been told they need to dedicate trail space or else they are noti in compliance and they can'tget their rezoning oft their site plan approved. Frank Bruno: said Ihaven't looked at that. I'dI like to: see that. I had no idea about that. That has nothing to do with what I'm talking about but that would be something that you would be put out to the public as information to say this is Vicki White-Lawrence said Ijust have a question about whether the issue with this is because it's about connecting to the Mountain-to-Sea Trail. What we'v vel had isal TralsPatm/Rgnto-was Committee and  is.  misinformation, that's fact.  information out to the people so they can make the right decision.  to DOT standards this is what you have to do. That's all that study was.  part of what has been done. Now you guys make a decision.  11  December 10, 2015 - Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2840    it was not, that does not identify anything about Mountains-to-the- Sea, so ist the issue Mountains-to-the- Sea? Could we not still have a Trails Committee to look at our local issues, what we want to do as at town. Youl know, ifito connects it connects and ifi it doesn'ti it doesn't. Buty you know just to get a group together to see if what common ground we can find for a trail. Mayor Braswell said I think that's already in the comprehensive plan. Ido lean more to Bill's suggestion. If they wanted to get involved instead of being such a small group and Ifear a very large group showing up in opposition for that. I don't want to start that kind of war. This thing has been going on for years and with no traction Ithink it's dead. Have those people get on ordinance review or land use or this open space committee because that'sreally where it's happening. This local two or three people, or five or six people. I mean I've sat on these committees around here. Ijust, don'twant to throw cold water on your trail but I'm gonna tell youwhat. just, Idon't like it. Itsmells bad in lots of areas. What Tim was talking about, Imean that's not right. Frank Bruno said just get rid ofi it then. I don'tr really care because you're coming up with all of these conspiracy theories which is ridiculous. You've got al bunch of people we've called that are interested in serving. So we'llj just tellt themt that as a Councily we're not interested inl having them serve. Tim Jones said we'v 've hadi two people on a committee that has never met. That's two. Frank Bruno said we already explained why but that's Mayor Braswell said It think it is just best to let it go. So we've got a motion to basically dissolve the ralsyPath/Aghtorways Committee. We got a second. We talked about it and Ithink we could talk Mayor Braswell, Bill Jones, and' Tim Jones voted aye. Frank Bruno and Vicki White-Lawrence voted nay. Joe Thacker was sitting in the audience and said he wanted to ask the Mayor a question. He said that he thought the job ofa Councilman was to represent all of the residents of the Town. All he has heard from three ofthe Council members ist that thet traili isi not going tol happen because there are toor many residents against it. There was one Public Meeting with a room full of people which the Mayor feels the majority of which was against the trail. Is he basing his decision to dissolve the TralsyPath/AEM-Ohways Committee on this fact? Mayor Braswell said yes.. Joe Thacker said that he does not believe that is whata a Councilman should be doing. Mayor Braswell said that in response to. Joe Thacker's comment, he would like to see an equal amount of people that are willing to donate land. Frank Bruno said thati fifty percent of the residents that attended the Public Hearing were ini favor oft the trail.. Joe Thacker said that the people that want to serve on the ralsyPatn/Aghtorways Committee want to talk about the trail and would not be interested in talking about the Land Use Plan along with the trail. He thinks that residents should be given the opportunity to talk about the trail. Mayor Braswell: said that he does not see support in Stokesdale for the trail. Discussion took place about a mapi that Mayor Braswell had previously suggested be laid out on Thearon Hooks provided a year-end summary report for the Safety Committee and' Water Committee. He said that the Public Safety Committee will continue in 2016to provide up-to-date information to residents regarding public safetyi issues andi informational sites that willg give each of us options, advice, anda a better sense ofsecurityi in Stokesdale. The Water Committee will continue to work on and finalize the Emergency and Disaster Response Plan. The Towni is updating its customerinformation lista and after-hoursemergency contacts for water customers. A system of informational door hangers is being developed to inform residents who are affected by a water: system issue. The Town is also working on a vendor list that would  fine, I'm done talking about it at this point.  about it all night long. Let's vote. The motion was approved by a 3-2 vote.  at table for residents to mark whether or not the trail could cross their land.  12  December 10, 2015 -Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2841    be utilized in the event of a water system emergency or disaster. The next Water Committee meeting is  scheduled for. January 12, 2016. Departmental and Administrative Report:  Finance Report - November, 2015: Carolyn Joyner said that assets decreased by $29,728.64 in the General Fund over the previous month. In the General Fund Checking Account Transactions, a deposit of $1,050.00 was made due to rezoning fees, a deposit of $506.59 was made due to a North Carolina Sales Tax Refund, a deposit of $2,785.30 was made due to Greensboro ABC Profits. Cannon & Company was paid $6,000.00 towards the cost of the audit, several Parade donations were deposited, AED Brands was paid $260.001 for the wall cabinet and signs fort the defibrillator, Guilford County Finance Department was paid$15,922.301 for law enforcement, and Plyler & Sons Pine Needles was paid $1,989.001 for pine needles and putting them out. In General Fund Accounts Payable, invoices were received from Matthew Bender & Company for $60.40 for Annotated Rules of North Carolina 2016 and from JaniKing of the Triad for $711.20fortheir monthlys service. There were no real transactions ofi interest in the General Funds Savings Account. General Fund Certificates of Deposit Earned Interest was basic money market savings interest Carolyn Joyner said that assets decreased for the Water Enterprise Fund by $8,000.77 over the previous month and increased by $202.57 for the Water-Sewer Fund over the previous month. In the Water Enterprise Checking Account, a deposit of $320.63 was made due to a portion oft the North Carolina Sales and Tax Refund, Cannon & Company was paid $3,000.00 towards the cost oft the audit, $600.00 was paid to the U.S. Postmaster to add to the bulk mail account for mailing out water bills, and Yates Construction Company was paid $18,869.00 for a gang meter, changes to the chlorinator, installing taps, and reading meters. In Water Enterprise Accounts Payable, invoices were received from Yates Construction Company andI Meritech, Inc. forregular monthly services and from Fortiline Waterworks for $1,537.20 for eightr new water meters. There was one Water-Sewer Fund Certificate of Deposit #19 that matured and earned Administrative Report-Town Clerk: Carolyn Joyner said she does not have anything to report. Discussion took place about taking credit card payments and the convenience fee that would be charged. ANNOUNCEMENIS: VickWhite-lawrence read the announcements listed on the agenda.  that was deposited.  $1,516.25.  COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL: There were no comments from Council.  13  December 10, 2015- -1 Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2842    ADJOURNMENT: VickWhite-lawrence made ar motion to adjourn. All Council members voted aye and  the meetingadjourned at 10:26PM.  faallau  Diana Marcus, Deputy Clerk  Approved:  a846g  D.Randall Braswell, Mayor  14  December 10, 2015 - Town Council Meeting  Book 13, Page 2843    omit 0 tokesbdle  Mayor D. Randall Braswell Frank A. Bruno William. N. Jones Vicki White-lawrence Joel H. Thacker  Sroclamation  HONORING VETERANS MONUMENT COMMITTEE WHEREAS, Peggy Joyce, Barbara Marshall, Betty Shelton and. Juanita Southern wanted to see a Veterans Monument in Stokesdale, NC and' began exploring how to make that happen in 2004, and WHEREAS, these determined women visited other monuments in other towns and did much WHEREAS, in early 2005 they addressed Stokesdale Town Council to let them know of their WHEREAS, they sent letters, made calls and personal visits to area businesses to see what these WHEREAS, they raised almost four times the amount they originally sought, plus even more in in-kind donations, and sO were able to expand the monument from its original plan to include flags from all oft the branches oft the military, the POW flag, and our state and the American flags, along with bricks  research about the best materials and what the costs might be, and  plans, and  businesses were: able to do to make the monument a reality, and  tol honor local veterans, and  WHEREAS, they have inspired others throughout the community to become involved to help WHEREAS, they have provided a ceremony remembering and honoring veterans each Nov. 11 WHEREAS, these women have now found a new group of volunteers to take over their NOW, THEREFORE, I, Randy Braswell, Mayor of Stokesdale, NC, and on behalf of the Stokesdale Town Council, do hereby proclaim its appreciation and congratulations to Peggy Joyce, Barbara Marshall, Betty Shelton and Juanita Southern for all oft their work and dedication in establishing  maintain the monument and the surrounding area, and  since 2005, and  responsibilities and sO are retiring from the committee.  and maintaining the Veterans Monument located on Highway 158 in Stokesdale.  This the 10St day ofl December 2015.  AKhbd  D.1 Randall Braswell, Mayor  Book 13, Page 2844