7/2/24,1:58PM  Regular Meetingo ofti the City Council  HITEL  1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2024 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472  The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC,  28472. 1)  ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen BI Holden, and' Vickie Pait  None.  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Heather Dowless, City Clerk; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Rachel Rivenbark, Human Resources Director; David Yergeau, Fire Chief;  Joseph Williams (The News Reporter) Call to Order by Mayor Mann at 6:30 p.m. Invocation provided by Council Member Clarida. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mann. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous)  2) 3) 4) 5)  CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION  Helen BI Holden MOVED to approve the Adoption of the Agenda.  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier,  Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait)  Nays: 0 Absent: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 11, 2024  6)  6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes Regular Council Meeting on  Tim Collier MOVED to approve the Minutes for the Regular City Council  Meeting held on June 11, 2024. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE:7 7-0 (Unanimous)  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait)  Nays:0 Absent: 0  7) 8)  PUBLIC COMMENT None. PRESENTATION  8.1) Presentation from Columbus County Emergency Services  aranicne romMinitaellawar nhn?clin    712/24,1:58PM  Regular Meetingo oft the City Council  Nick West, Assistant County Manager for Columbus County, presented Council with information regarding a new program Emergency Services Citizens can choose to opt in for PulsePoint and download the app to their phone. If there is a cardiac event in a public space, these citizens would then be notified that CPR is needed. The locations of Automated External Defibrillators - AEDs in public spaces would also be noted on this app. This is a nationwide program and its use could potentially add lifesaving seconds and minutes to someone having a heart attack. Locally, this program will begin in Whiteville and then spread throughout Columbus County. Mr. West stated staff would be visiting businesses in town. If an AED is present in a public building, there will be sticker noting this. He noted this program was a gamechanger for the community and he thanked the City of Whiteville for its partnership. Yvonne Norris, Regional Director/Office Manager for the North Carolina Department of Insurance, presented information to Council regarding the different ways the department is available to help the citizens of Ms. Norris stated NC DOI has a Consumer Assistance Group to answer questions about insurance claims, help individuals understand their policies, and assist with filing a claim. The department can also help locate a lost Life Insurance policy. The SHIIP program helps senior citizens and individuals with Medicare, which also helps to eliminate Medicare fraud and error. NC DOI provides information for Disaster Preparedness, including what to do before, during, and after a disaster. The department is also available to assist consumers after a disaster. Ms. Norris stated the department assists with Captive Insurance, as well as Agent and Adjustor licensing. The department offers information on licensing for Bail Bonding and Collections Agencies, as well as providing assistance to citizens regarding Workers Compensation. The Fraud Control Unit is licensed to investigate insurance fraud throughout the State. Ms. Norris stated insurance fraud affects everyone, and noted that for every $1.00 paid for automobile or homeowners insurance, etc., $0.20 of that goes to expenses due to In 2024 sO far, there has been a savings of $7.8 Million from consumer complaints, SHIIP, and Smart NC. There has been a recovery of $13.5 Million in lost Life Insurance policies and $3.4 Million in insurance fraud Ms. Norris noted there is a local office in Whiteville, North Carolina now. She stated she and all staff are available to help the citizens of North  isr rolling out countywide. This program is PulsePoint.  8.2) NC Department of Insurance Presentation  North Carolina.  fraud. She noted insurance fraud is at felony.  recoveries. Carolina. BUSINESS  9)  9.1) Grant Agreement between Golden Leaf and the City of Whiteville  Darren Currie, City Manager, presented Council with information regarding the grant agreement between Golden Leaf and the City of Whiteville for $1,180,000.00 for the East Main Street and Canal Street drainage project. This project was originally identified by the Storm Water Study that was completed after Hurricane Matthew. A map was shown to Council of the project area. This area creates a bottleneck for drainage. By addressing this issue, it will aid in water removal for many residential and commercial structures in this area. Mr. Currie noted Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the grant agreement between Golden  there was no match required of the City for this grant.  Leaf and the City of Whiteville. Joshua Harris SECONDED the motion. VOTE:7-0 (Unanimous)  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait)  Nays: 0 Absent: 0 nhn2alin d-261  298 11nf Q,72    7/2/24,1:58PM  Regular Meetingo ofthe City Council  9.2) Consideration for Revised Personnel Policy  Rachel Rivenbark, Human Resources Director, presented Council with the Revised Personnel Policy. As part of the budget year, it was recommended that staff review the personnel policy for any Federal law changes regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act and State laws as well. Staff is recommending that under the Employment of Relatives section, "cousins" be removed as immediate family. Iti is also recommended that there be revisions in the Tuition Assistance Program section. This revision would include the employee agreeing to a 2-year commitment contract after graduation. This would also include the requirement of a 3.0 GPA for all courses. Council Member Harris asked if this Tuition Assistance Program pertains to individual classes, to which Mrs. Rivenbark responded this program pertains to an entire degree. Itwas recommended that Council approve the revised Personnel Policy and the associated Resolution 2024-R-170 A Resolution of the City of Whiteville, North Carolina, Adopting the Personnel Policy. If adopted, this policy would take effect July 1, 2024, when the budget year becomes effective. Upon adoption of the policy, all employees will receive a copy of the policy and sign a document stating they have received the policy. This will ensure that everyone is informed on Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the revised Personnel Policy and associated Resolution 2024-R-170 - A Resolution of the City of Whiteville, North Carolina, Adopting the Personnel Policy.  anything that has changed.  Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE:7 7-0 (Unanimous)  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait)  Nays: 0 Absent: 0  9.3) FYE2024 Year-End Budget Amendments and Forecast Year-End Budget Amendments and Forecast.  Colburn Brown, Finance Director, presented Council with the FYE 2024 Mr. Brown stated General Fund revenues were forecasted to be 4.2% under budget, which is within normal range. The contribution to Fund Balance would be $38,772. For the Sewer Fund, revenues were forecasted to be 1.5% over budget. The contribution to Fund Balance would be $101,813. For the Sanitation Fund, revenues were forecasted to be 3.3% over budget. The contribution to Fund Balance would be $79,841. For the Water Fund, revenues were forecasted to be 1.9% over budget. The contribution to Fund Balance would be $68,786. For the Storm Water Fund, revenues were forecasted to be 3.8% over budget. The contribution to Fund Balance would be $25,202. For the WDDC Fund, revenues were forecasted to be $140 over budget. The contribution to Fund Balance would be $4,593. For the Powell Bill Fund, revenues were forecasted to be $16,724 over budget. The contribution to Fund Balance would be $66,946. Mr. Brown noted there were open Purchase Orders for this fund that would reduce this amount to around $35,000. When reviewing the Vineland Fund, Mr. Brown noted there Mr. Brown noted the revenues were favorable for these funds and he Council was presented with Budget Amendment #12. This Budget Amendment would allow $2 Million in SCIF Funds to be moved from the Downtown park project, as other funds are being pursued for this use. These funds would be used for infrastructure. Council was presented with Budget Amendment #13. This Budget Amendment is necessary due to an insurance claim and recovery for a damaged door at the Whiteville Fire Department building. Mr. Brown stated Budget Amendment #14 was no longer necessary, as this was covered in Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve Budget Amendment #12 and Budget  wasa7.5% growth in revenue.  stated he liked the accuracy of the forecast.  BudgetAmendment: #6A. Amendment #13. mMinutacVfiowor nhn?rlin    712/24,1:58PM  Regular Meetingo oft the City Council  Tim Collier SECONDED the motion.  VOTE: 6-1  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris,  Helen BI Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 1 (Kevin Williamson)  Absent: 0  10) COUNCIL COMMENTS  Mayor Pro Tem Williamson stated the new: sign at the Recreation Center looked good, but noted it could have been bigger. Council Member Harris stated the Council Member Collier asked Mayor Mann if he would explain the Mollie's Branch project when he participates in the upcoming radio show. It was noted there may be a community meeting detailing the final project and noting how it would help the area. Mr. Currie stated there could be a media push and public Mayor Mann referenced the previous Council meeting and asked that, in the future, Council Members include discussion as to why they would be voting against something. He noted this was not required, but it would be helpful for  new Pecan Music Festival sign looked great.  notifications.  stafft to know of any concerns, etc.  11) REPORTS  11.1) Manager's Update for. June 25, 2024 Mr. Currie reported on the following items:  1. Budget Mr. Currie thanked staff for doing such a great job with this budget. For a short period of time, Finance will be operating in two budgets. Next steps will include year-end closeouts, budget reporting to 2. NCORR Buyouts - The NCORR program has picked up speed, closing on five homes recently and working hard to close on others. NCORR will be coming back to the City to expand the zone, which will 3. Provalus The Chief Financial Officer for Provalus was in town last week. Demolition has started and they visited the facility. Mr. Currie stated Provalus noted they could hire 50 employees right now. They are 4. City Hosted the Institute for Emerging Issues Meeting The Institute for Emerging Issues from North Carolina State University came to City Hall and hosted a meeting. This meeting centered around updating the County's Digital Inclusion Plan. This plan is centered around building infrastructure, and the focus is now on getting devices and connectivity 5. Water Shortage Response Plan - Council was presented with a handout regarding this plan. This plan includes how this situation is  the State, and beginning the audit.  include additional homes that flooded.  anticipating onboarding clients by the end of the year.  tohomes.  managed and monitored.  12) ADJOURNMENT  Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of tonight's meeting.  Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous)  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier,  Joshua Harris, Helen BI Holden, Vickie Pait)  Nays:0 Absent: 0  IUITEVI  ebe  1833  Mathpsaula  villa araninne  ouiarr nhn?plin iA-261Rdnr  RRe-1 11of.    7/2/24, 1:58PM  Regular Meeting oft the City Council  Heather Dowless, CITY CLERK  aranirne romMinnteVlowar nhn?rlin