HITED ELE 1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November: 28, 2023 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, November 28, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC,  28472. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen BI Holden,  Vickie Pait, and Kevin. Williamson Emory' Worley  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Bonnie Williams, City Clerk; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Doug Ipock, Police Chief; Rachel Rivenbark, Human Resources; Robert Lewis, Planning Director; Hal Lowder, Fire Marshal; Heather Dowless, Permit Specialist; Dave Yergeau, Fire Chief; Joseph Williams, The News Reporter;  Joshua Harris, Council Member Elect; Coburn Powell 2) CALL TO ORDER Call to Order by Mayor Mann at 6:30 p.m. 3) INVOCATION Provided by Council Member Collier 4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Mann 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous), Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Emory Worley) Sessiono on November 14,2023 and a Closed Session on November 14, 2023. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Emory Worley)  Tim Collier MOVED to approve the adoption of the agenda as presented.  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES  6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting and Closed Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the minutes for the Regular Meeting  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  7) PUBLIC COMMENT None. 9) PUBLIC HEARING    9.1) PupicHeantngP8Z123-11-01-Rezoning from R6-MF to B-3614N.JK Powell Blvd &215W. Smith St.-Premiere Enterprises of Whiteville LLC Mayor Mann Opened the Public Hearing at 6:32 pm P&Z; #23-11-01. Mr. Lewis explained that the applicant has requested the subject property be rezoned from R6-MF to B-3. He stated that the owner of the property is Premier Enterprises of Whiteville (Autry Dawsey Jr). He advised that staff has provided proper notice of the hearing, including mailed notice to the applicant and to adjacent property owners, advertised notice in the newspaper, and posted notice on site. He reported that the Planning Board recommended unanimous approval of the rezoning at their November meeting. He explained that the property is three (3) parcels, Columbus County Property ID #'s 078765, 002883, and 001201, approximately +1.00 acres in size, 116 feet in width, and has depth of 444 feet. The property is currently zoned R-6 and the property is vacant 614 N.. JK Powell (PID#1201) and has been used as amedical office. The remainder of this site will be demolished and combined with the remaining parcels for a future commercial site. The site has access to a public street and is immediately adjacent to commercial zoned property. He advised that the future land use map recommends a commercial zoning designation for the property. Brief discussion ensued with Council. Mayor Mann asked if the applicant was present and wanted to make any comments. Mr. Lewis advised that Mr. Dawsey was not present but his attorney, Coburn Powell was in the audience. Mr. Powell came forth and reiterated the comments made by Mr. Lewis. Mayor Mann asked if there was anyone present that wanted to make comments for or against the rezoning. No  one came forth.  Mayor Mann Closed the Public Hearing at 6:35 pm.  10) BUSINESS  10.1) Discussion & Decision-P8Z#23-11-01-Rezoning, from R6-MF to B-3614 N.JKPowell Blvd &215 W. Smith St.-Premiere Enterprises of Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the Rezoning for Case No. P&Z23-  Whiteville LLC 11-01.  Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Emory Worley)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  Mr. Lewis read the Statement of Plan Consistency and Reasonableness as follows: The future land use map identifies the subject site as commercial. The Commercial future land use category is provided to accommodate hghway-orented uses along the US 701 Bypass and US 74 Business. Development of future uses within this category should provide ample landscaping and street trees to present an inviting environment to travelers passing through the City. Landscape requirements should be encouraged for all parking areas than front the roadway. A reduction of curb cuts should be a primary goal for the City when future development occurs along the US 701 Bypass. Based on these factors, the proposed: zoning district is consistent with the adopted land use plan andi is suitable for the proposed rezoning district. Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the adoption of the Statement of Plan Consistency and Reasonableness for Case No. P&Z23-11-01.  Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Emory Worley)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  10.2) Consideration for the 2024 Calendar Year sipendRembursement for Health Insurance for Pre and Post 65(Age)Retirees. Mrs. Rivenbark stated that in 2022, Council approved the stpendrembursement for retirees who are pre-65 in the amount of    $590 per month, pending the retiree provide proof of payment effective on January 1, 2023. She informed that staff is recommending that the stipend reimbursement for the retirees pre-65 remain the same for the calendar year of 2024, with the stipulation that the retiree provide proof of payment. She noted that beginning January 1, 2024, the health insurance premium rate the City shall contribute toward full-time employees shall be $589.36/monthly for each employee who participates in the Wellness Assessment. She explained that this rate has not changed in five (5) years. She stated in 2022, Council approved a stpendrembursement for retirees post-65 in the amount of $90/monthly, effective January 1, 2023, and pending the retiree provides proof of payment. She noted that the rate is not expected to change for the calendar year of 2024. She informed that staff proposes to approve the BCBSNC PPO of $90/month for the calendar year of 2024 beginning January 1, 2024. She explained that the benefits match closely with the current employee plan. She stated that this rate has not Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the 2024 calendar year stpendrembursement for Health Insurance for pre-65 (age) retirees in the amount of $590 per month; and for retirees 65 or more (age) in the amount of $90 per month, providing the retiree provide proof of payment  changed int five (5) years.  and with an effective date of. January 1, 2024. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson) Nays:0 Absent: 1 (Emory Worley)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  10.3) Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Committee Appointments Mr. Currie reported that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board currently has four vacant seats. He stated that three of those seats are three-year terms and one is a one-year term (High School Student). He noted that Eric Hill, Matt Mclean and Nikki Walker have applied to be reappointed to an additional three-year term and Serenity Harvey and Campbell Thompson have applied for the high school term of one year, Vickie Pait MOVED to approve to reappoint Eric Hill, Matt Mclean and Nikki Walker to three-year terms, and appoint Serenity Harvey as the  ending December 31, 2024. one-year high school student. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Emory Worley) momngastinosbsamse 26, 2023  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  10.4) Consideration for the Rescheduling. or Cancellation of the Following Mayor Mann explained the location and time of the regular Whiteville City Council meeting scheduled on December 26, 2023 falls during the week of the scheduled City Holiday(s), Christmas. He noted the City will observe Christmas on the dates of December 25, 26, and 27, 2023 Jimmy Claridal MOVED to approve cancelling the meeting scheduled for December 26, 2023 due to the observance of the Christmas Holiday,  (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday). however, to call a Special Meeting if needed. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Emory Worley)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  11) COUNCICOMMENTS  Mayor Pro Tem Clarida inquired about paving crew status and if it was operational. Mr. Currie confirmed that the City has a full paving crew and is actively working. Mayor Pro Tem Clarida stated that Virgil Street near Martin Luther King Jr Ave needs work. Brief discussion ensued. Council Member Pait    offered kudos to JE and Camela Thompson on the opening of Mercantile on Madison. Council Member Williamson stated he read an article on the roundabout in the downtown area. Mr. Currie spoke to paving on Franklin Street. Mr. Currie also noted the storm water drainage project and reconstruction. Brief discussion ensued. Mayor Mann referenced Ms. Pait's comments regarding Mercantile on Madison, noting that several people were commenting on the project. Mayor Mann noted that anyone interested in attending the NLC Congressional City Conference in' Washington, DC in March 2024, let he and the City Clerk know of their interest in attending.  12) REPORTS  Mr. Currie reported on the following areas:  1. NCDOT Roundabout at Madison, Lee and Franklin He advised that staff met with NCDOT this week on a scoping meeting for the roundabout at this intersection. He reminded Council that this is a part of the downtown streetscape design. He stated NCDOT received a carbon reduction grant to pay for this project. He noted that approximately $3.4 Million will be spent in this area. He explained that the timeline is still being finalized, but construction will most likely begin in 2025. He stated that this area will have some detours involved, however, NCDOT will notify the City of when all this will begin. He explained that this meeting was the first step in the project. 2. Mollies Branch Phase Il- He advised that the BRIC grant for this project has been awarded for construction. He stated that as soon as the design is' complete, the City can then move straight into the bidding and construction phase. He noted that this is a great opportunity for the City and it shows as solid commitment from Council of the continued work on flooding issues in the City. 3. Water and Sewer to Airport - He advised that Staff is working with the County to provide sewer service to the County Airport. He noted that the City already provides water, but upgrades to water and establishing sewer is important to the expansion of the airport. He stated that shortly, Council will be asked to approve a contract with the City's engineering company to provide this service. He stated that the county will be paying for the project from project 4. Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule He reminded Council that City offices were closed on Thursday and Friday, November 23 and 24th for the Thanksgiving  funds. Holiday.  12.2) Monthly Departmental Reports for October 2023. City Council received in their Agenda Packet the Monthly Departmental Reports for October 2023 from the following departments: City Clerk, Economic Development, Emergency Services, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Inspections, Parks and Recreation, Police, Planning, Public' Works, and Waste Water Treatment Plant.  13) CLOSED SESSION  13.1) Pursuant tol NCGS 143.318.11 (a)(1)(4) To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses int the area served byt the public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic development incentives that may be offered by the public Vickie Pait MOVED to approve convening Open Session at 6:53 p.m.  body in negotiations. and moving into Closed Session. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Emory Worley) Open Session. No action was taken by Council.  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  The Council came out of Closed Session at 7:22 p.m. and reconvened Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of the Regular Meeting on  14) ADJOURNMENI  November 28, 2023 at7:25 p.m. Helen BI Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous)    Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1( (Emory Worley)  foallen b  Terryl L. Mann, MAYOR Bonnie  CITy