4/4/24,8:17AM  Regular Meeting oft the City Council  HITEV E 1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 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, March 26, 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, and Helen B Holden  Vickie Pait  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 Helen BI Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous)  Tim Collier MOVED to approve the Adoption of the Agenda.  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier,  Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Vickie Pait) APPROVAL OF MINUTES  6)  6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting on March 12, Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on  2024 March 12, 2024. Joshua Harris SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier,  Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Vickie Pait) PUBLIC COMMENT  7)  There were several individuals that spoke during Public Comments regarding a Dave Heller, Director of Missions for the Columbus Baptist Association, stated he represented Baptist Churches in the area. He asked Council to consider an  signage issue at Calvary Baptist Church.  nranicne  nhn?clin i-242Rdnr  1/4    414/24,8:17AM  Regular Meetingo oft the City Council  exception to the electronic sign ordinance that would allow churches to have electronic signs on their property. He stated these signs were a valuable tool. Ron Hensley, Deacon at Calvary Baptist Church, stated he was speaking on behalf of the church's members. He stated the church replaced the older message board with the new electronic message board to deliver messages related to church functions. He stated the church received al letter from Robert Lewis, Planning Director, asking the church to cease using the sign and referencing a City ordinance that prohibits the use of LED signs. The ordinance has beeni in effect since 1992. Mr. Hensley stated the church felt this Marie Reaves stated she was speaking on behalf of Calvary Baptist Church. She stated she became aware of the letter that was sent to the church stating it was violating a City ordinance. Ms. Reaves read scripture and referenced the Constitution of the United States, noting this was al living document. She stated the North Carolina State Constitution was different and noted if the State Constitution infringes on the rights given by the original Constitution, then the original Constitution takes precedence. She stated the Bible was also a living Thomas Matthews stated he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He stated the church strived to get the message out to the community. He stated he also worked at Tabor Correctional. He stated the church worked to get people saved and to make them better people. He stated the sign was another way of getting the message out. He stated his mother passed away in December of last year. He stated people contacted him about his mother because they saw the information on the sign. He stated the church was not trying to profit from anything. He stated they were just trying to get the Mr. Hensley came before Council again and stated the church was aware of other parts of the ordinance regarding the signage. He noted the church had Don Formyduval spoke regarding the sign issue at Calvary Baptist Church. He stated he had done business in Whiteville for over forty years, and noted the town had seen a lot of changes. He stated the church was asking for the Council's help with this issue. He stated the church did not want to cause any issues, but wanted their church and other churches to grow. He stated the church did not realize before now that it was in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). He stated the church was asking for Council's help in changing the Mayor Mann stated the City has a history with this issue. A few years ago, a church in town installed one of these signs. The church was surrounded by residential houses. When the church turned the sign on, the neighboring community came to the City with complaints. If the City allowed one church in town to have one of these signs, it would have to allow all other churches in the City to have one as well. Mayor Mann stated the City could not have a special ordinance change just for Calvary Baptist Church. He stated he wanted churches to do well and noted they all do good. However, he stated his fear was if these signs were allowed, someone could drive down Madison Street andi ity would look like Myrtle Beach. He stated he felt the electronic signs were out of place. Mayor Mann called on Mr. Lewis (Planning Director) to explain. Mr. Lewis stated when the church on North Madison Street applied for the text amendment for the sign, a public hearing was held. He noted that most churches located in the City were located in residential zoning districts and stated he did not know how the City could craft an ordinance that would allow for electronic signs in these areas. Crafting a variance of this type is not allowed in a residential area, because it is a use variance which is not allowed inN North Carolina. He stated he had spoken with members of Calvary Baptist church and that many were not aware of the one mile ETJ area. It was notedi if any changes were made to the ordinance now, there would possibly be issues regarding earlier denials for these signs for other churches. Mr. Lewis stated he recommended if there was any request to amend this ordinance, the request Mayor Mann clarified with Mr. Lewis that the church could present the case to the Planning Board. Ift this is done, once the Planning Board makes a decision  ordinance should be amended to exempt churches.  document. She stated the church sign did not bother anyone.  message of God to people in the community.  complied with those parts, such as timing for sign, etc.  ordinance.  should come from an outside applicant and not the City.  httns:/ Ilwhiteville aranicus com/MinutesVinwert nhn?clin id=242Rdoc  214    414/24,8:17AM  Regular Meetingo oft the City Council  ito could then be brought before Council. Carlton Williamson, City Attorney was asked if there would be any legal issues, to which he responded he thought it would be permissible ifit was limited to a certain zoning district. Mr. Williamson stated the process would be subject to a public hearing, which would allow  those in the neighboring area to comment. 8.1) Back 2 Blacktop Presentation  8)  PRESENTATION  Shalisa Shaw presented Council with the Back 2 Blacktop Presentation for Art Implementation at West Whiteville (Central) Park. Ms. Shaw stated she was the Executive Director for Back 2 Blacktop, which is a non-profit organization. She stated the scope of work for this project included the basketball court, sidewalk, and picnic area. She noted the recommended art enhancements included a sidewalk mosaic, as well as painting of the floor of the picnic shelter. She stated one recommendation was to include a paw print or hornet in the center of the basketball court. She stated the group was open to suggestions for this project. Ms. Shaw stated Blake Spivey, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Whiteville, was a part of the planning and actualization team for this project. Mr. Currie stated he had spoken with Mr. Spivey and he noted that Mr. Spivey was good with the proposed work and ideas. Mayor Mann noted when Ms. Shaw had a definite plan for the project, this could then be presented to Council. Ms. Shaw stated a community forum could be held at the Dream Center to gather  input for the project.  9)  BUSINESS  9.1) Consideration for the Submittal of the FY: 2023AFG FP/S (Fire  Prevention and Safety) Grant Application  Fire Chief Yergeau stated the Fire Department was requesting Council to authorize the submittal of the FY 2023 AFG FP/S (Fire Prevention and Safety) Grant Application. The FEMA AFG FP/S Grant provides financial assistance related to assisting fire departments with Community Risk Reduction activities. The Whiteville Fire Department will use this grant for Home Knox Boxes and Smoke Detectors. This is a95/5% grant. If awarded this grant, the City would be responsible for 5% of the total cost of the grant. The total estimated grant is $17,692.58. The City's 5% of the cost would be $842.50. Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve the City Manager and Fire Chief tos submit the required grant application for the FY2023 AFG FP/S Grant.  Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim  Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen BI Holden) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Vickie Pait)  10) COUNCIL COMMENTS  Council Member Collier stated he and Council Member Harris recently attended the NLC Conference in' Washington, D.C. He stated this was a beneficial trip. Mayor Pro-Tem Williamson asked if the City was going to put picnic tables at the Recreation Center's picnic shelter. Mr. Currie responded that he and Mr. Spivey had been discussing this. Mr. Currie noted the shop class at Whiteville High School may be able to assist with this project. It was noted the construction class at Southeastern Community College could assist as well. Mr. Clarida asked the City to check for a water leak at McGill Street. Mr. Currie  Council Member Harris stated he enjoyed this trip as well.  stated the City would check this. 11.1) Manager's Update for March 26, 2024 Mr. Currie reported on the following items:  1. Provalus Update Mr. Currie stated he had been in contact with Tim Oakley and Mr. Oakley had been working with Provalus on a tentative design. An agreement was reached on a simple floor plan. Mr. Oakley will now begin to  engineer this floor plan for final approval.  httns:/ llwhiteville aranicus com/MinutasVinwer: nhn?clin id=242&doc -asas4Ba-fi.ienh31-050589185A  3/4    414/24,8:17AM  Regular Meeting oft the City Council  2. Budget Mr. Currie stated he and Mr. Brown had been meeting with department heads on their respective budgets. Mr. Currie noted this would be the first year in two years that the City would not have any ARP funds to aid with purchases. He noted with the pressures of inflation on virtually every Tim Collier MOVED to approve the adjournment of tonight's meeting.  product, this budget will be challenging to build. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous)  12) ADJOURNMENT  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier,  Joshua Harris, Helen BI Holden) Nays: 0 Absent: 1( (Vickie Pait)  MAYOR  T Abohen Oaulbn Heather Dowless, CITYCLERK  Terry L'Mann,  CIT)  httos:lwhiteville. aranicus. comManueavewerohopain id=242&doc d-eies4Ba-filb-lleeh235-050589185  4/4