6/18/24,1 11:51AM  Regular Meeting ofthe City Council  HITEV  1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 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 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC,  28472. 1)  ROLLCALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, and' Vickie Pait  None.  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Heather Dowless, City Clerk; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Douglas Ipock, Police Chief; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Robert Lewis, Planning Director; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Joseph Williams (The  News Reporter) CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION  2) 3) 4) 5)  Call to Order by Mayor Mann at 6:30 p.m. Invocation provided by Council Member Collier. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mann. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous)  Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the Adoption of the Agenda.  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier,  Joshua Harris, Helen BI Holden, Vickie Pait)  Nays: 0 Absent: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES  6)  6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes Regular Meeting on May 28, 2024  -Special Meeting (Budget Workshop) on May 28, 2024  Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the Minutes for the Special Meeting-Budget Workshop and the Regular City Council Meeting held on May 28, 2024.  Tim Collier 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 PUBLIC COMMENT  7)  There was one individual that spoke during Public Comments. Kevin Spears (New Hanover County, City of Wilmington) spoke before Council. He stated on May 20, 2024, he was at the Columbus County Courthouse. He stated he was deemed to be disruptive by the Judge and was held in Contempt of Court. He    6/18/24,1 11:51AM  Regular Meeting ofthe City Council  stated he was treated like a criminal. He stated this was breaking news on the media the next morning. Mayor Mann informed Mr. Spears that the City of Whiteville has nothing to do with the court system and he apologized for the unfortunate experience. Mr. Spears stated he was not blaming the City of Whiteville, he was just asking the City to pay attention to what was going on in 8.1) Public Hearing for the City of Whiteville's FY 2024-2025 Budget  Columbus County. PUBLIC HEARING  8)  The purpose of this Public Hearing is for Council to consider comments from the public regarding citizen interests and community priorities, which may determine possible modifications or adjustments to the Mr. Currie presented information regarding this proposed budget. There isa proposed $0.03 tax increase, from $0.51 to $0.54. This increase would be for every $100 in value. For example, this tax increase would add $30 per year to annual taxes on $100,000. This equates to a $2.50 per month increase. Tax revenues will only be increased approximately $150,000. The MDS tax downtown would remain at $0.12 per $100 in value. Mr. Currie referenced the property tax continuum. Since 2021, the cumulative inflation total is 20.3%. The ARP funds are no longer Mr. Currie reviewed the revenues for the General Fund, Sewer, Sanitation, Water, Storm Water, Powell Bill, WDDC, and Vineland. The The proposed increases for Water Rates would increase the inside flat rate from $10.00 to $10.50 and the outside flat rate from $16.00 to $16.80. Thei inside usage per gallon would increase from $0.00410001 to $0.0044280. The outside usage per gallon would increase from The proposed increases for Sewer Rates would increase the inside flat rate from $22.50 to $23.40 and the outside flat rate from $38.00 to $39.18. The inside usage per gallon would increase from $0.0066000 to $0.0068640. The outside usage per gallon would increase from The proposed increases for Solid Waste Rates would increase residential trash from $13.00 to $13.35, leaf/limb from $14.00 to $14.50, and recycling from $8.001 to $8.25. The commercial rates would change The proposed increases for Storm Water Rates would increase the commercial annual rate from $210.00 to $230.00 and the residential The proposed Staff Market Adjustments were reviewed, with this being Year 2 of these adjustments. Government employee salaries are trending up, and these adjustments allow the City to stay competitive. Expenditures were reviewed, with total expenditures at $14,138,598. The contribution to General Fund Balance would be $215,486. Mayor Mann asked if there were comments from those present for this Public Hearing. No individuals came forward to speak. Council Member Pait thanked staff for preparing the budget with the lesser tax increase. Mr. Currie noted this was the Council's budget. Council Member Clarida noted he saw that cuts were made to the budget to accommodate the lesser tax increase. Council Member Collier asked what the ABI Force machine was under the Parks and Recreation Budget. Mr. Currie responded this was the grooming machine for the ball fields. The current machine the department is using is old and is experiencing issues. Mayor Pro Tem Williamson stated he was hoping to see a new park at the Recreation Center, as this was one of the areas that had to be cut. Mr. Currie noted he did not like to have  proposed budget as submittedi for FY: 2024-2025.  available.  total revenue is around $14,354,084.  $0.0058000 to $0.0062640.  $0.0110000 to $0.0113410.  by 3%.  annual rate from $105.00 to $115.00.  240E    6/18/24,1 11:51AM  Regular Meeting oft the City Council  to cut Parks and Recreation either. closed the Public Hearing.  As there was not further discussion and no speakers, Mayor Mann  9)  BUSINESS  9.1) 10.1)Consideration for Ordinance No. 2024-0-94: Adopting the FY  2024-25 Fiscal Budget and Schedule of Fees 2024-25 Fiscal Budget and Schedule of Fees. the FY 2024-2025 Fiscal Budget and Schedule of Fees. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion.  Council was presented with Ordinance No. 2024-0-94: Adopting the FY Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve Ordinance No. 2024-0-94: Adopting  VOTE: 5-2  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B  Holden, Vickie Pait) Absent: 0  Nays: 2( (Tim Collier, Joshua Harris)  10) COUNCIL COMMENTS  Council Member Pait stated there was a ditch at the intersection of Calhoun Street and Thompson Street that was overgrown and limited visibility. She also stated her grandson asked her to mention a request for more No Smoking Mayor Pro Tem Williamson stated he missed the last Council Meeting due to surgery. He thanked everyone for their texts and calls to check on him. Mayor Mann stated no one wants to increase taxes, but sometimes it is necessary to stay afloat and operate. He noted these are tough decisions. He stated ifp people were against this, they need to let Council Members know how they feel. He noted he had only had one text regarding this issue. He stated  signs near the entrance of the recreation center.  operating out of fund balance was not sustainable. 11.1) Manager's Update for. June 11, 2024 Mr. Currie reported ont the following items:  11) REPORTS  1. Mollie's Branch Mr. Currie stated this project was moving along and noted the City was awarded an additional $1.3 Million for this project. This is the last piece of the funding puzzle for the Mollie's Branch 2. Provalus Project - Mr. Currie stated demolition had begun on the 3. North Water Tank (Smith Street) Utilities Services, the City's tank maintenance company, informed the City that AT&T would be locating cell phone equipment on the North Water Tank. Mr. Currie stated the lease from the usage of both the North and South Water Tanks brings in around $20,000 to the City. This pays for the City's tank maintenance. Mayor Mann thanked staff for the work that has been done on the budget. He shared an invitation with Council from the Town of Fair Bluff Council Member Holden stated a good job was done by the City in  project.  interior of the building.  for the Ribbon Cutting on June 21,2024 at 10:00 a.m.  regards to the water issue last Friday.  12) ADJOURNMENT  Helen B Holden MOVED to approve the adjournment of tonight's meeting.  Vickie Pait 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  nhn?alin  24R5. 11af.    6/18/24,1 11:51AM  Regular Meeting oft the City Council  fey amk  Terry L. Mann, MAYOR  Yhahauln Heather Dowless, CITYCLERK  CIT  httne  nhn?clin  4IA