HITEVI EF LE 1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 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, May 9, 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, Kevin Williamson, and Emory Worley  Vickie Pait  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Bonnie Williams, City Clerk; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Doug Ipock, Police Chief; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Robert Lewis, Planning Director; Emily Sarvis, Police Technical Service Division Manager; Kimberly Bullock, Police Records Specialist; Billy Hinz, Police Major; Andre Jackson, Police Lieutenant; Joseph Ward, Police Detective; Charlie Arnold, Police Officer, Members and Family Members of the Police Department; Joseph Williams (The News Reporter), Susan and John Wood; Suzanne King; Janice Young; Beth Rector; Steven  Bryan, Sarah Bronski; Members of the Public 2) CALL TOORDER Mayor Mann called the meeting to Order at 6:31 pm. 3) INVOCATION Led byl Mayor Pro Tem. Jimmy Clarida. 4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Mann. 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Emory' Worley SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Kevin Williamson, Emory Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Vickie Pait)  Tim Collier MOVED to approve the adoption oft 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  Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the minutes for the special meeting and regular meeting held on April 25, 2023 as corrected in the minutes for the regular meeting, item 10.5 regarding who made and seconded  the motion. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Kevin Williamson, Emory' Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Vickie Pait)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B    7) PUBLIC COMMENT  Susan Wood: Ms. Wood explained that she was a representative of the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society (RBHPS), and on its behalf is requesting funding for the purchase of the James B. White House located at 203 Jefferson Street. She explained the property and its background to Council and the property now belongs to the heirs of the Lewis family. She stated that the goal of the RBHPS is to purchase the house and it three acres to establish a county history musuem. She explained that the RBHPS is ona stringent deadline regarding the purchase and needs a pledge of a large sum donation in order to ask for an extension. She reported that the RBHPS has raised approximatley $25,000 to date. Ms. Wood asked the City Council to commit $300,000 towards the purchase of this property. She advised that the RBHPS did not want to turn it over to the City, that they want to manage by way of volunteers. She stated that she believed that the RBHPS could easily enough raise the funds needed during the year to maintain the house and property. She reported that the RBHPS will be pursuing other funding sources, such as the State and Federal governments. She offered to take questions from Council or to discuss with her or Ms. Suzanne King further via telephone. No questions were offered from Council. Mayor Mann explained that her comments were being made during Public Comments and not as a business item on the agenda. He explained that in order for Council to consider her request for funding, it needed to be on the agenda, that local governments do not take action on Public Comment items. There was brief conservation regarding a letter Ms. Wood previously sent to Mayor Mann and Mr. Currie. Mayor Mann advised that for the Council to entertain this item, it needs to be added to the next agenda for the next meeting in two weeks. Ms.Wood explained that the RBHPS needed something from Council that would make them feel hopeful about the requested funding due the upcoming deadline. Council Member Williamson stated that the Council, in a meeting just before their regular meeting, reviewed the draft proposed FY2023-24 budget and learned that the City's entire capital expenditure for the next fiscal year is al little more than $600,000. Council Member Williamson explained that a request of $300,000 requires thought and contemplation by the entire Council. Mayor Mann explained that ift the Council makes the requested committment, the draft proposed budget will have to be re-done. Discussion ensued with Mayor Mann stating that her funding request would be an additional eight cents on the tax dollar. Ms. Wood stated she was under the impression that there are still unobligated dollars in the City's budget. Mayor Mann explained to her how the City's fund balance worked and its involvement with the Local Government Commission (LGC). Council Member Williamson advised that the proposed FY2023-24 budget is very tight. Ms. Wood explained that the RBHPS would have been in front of Council months ago had they only known about the James B. White House and property then. Mayor Mann explained how much of at tax increase would be needed to raise $300,000 and advised that he felt the citizens of Whiteville would not support it. Council briefly commented that department heads are not receiving all that they requested in the upcoming budget. Mayor Mann thanked her for attending and for the work done by the Sarah Bronski: Ms. Bronski stated that she has returned back to Whitevile/Columbus County after being gone for many years. She stated that she and her husband had purchased the Pierce and Company in Hallsboro. She stated that she loves the small town feel here but also finds that she goes to Wilmington and other larger areas for things to do with her children and family. She stated that she wished there was more in Columbus County so that she does not need to leave the area sO often for family adventures. She stated that shei is in support of the RBHPS purchasing the James B. White House and hopes that the City can provide a donation for funding the purchase. 8.1) Law Enforcement Recognition: Detective. Joseph Ward  RBHPS.  8) PRESENTATION  Chief Ipock explained that Detective Joseph Ward is being presented his Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate. He advised that a law enforcement officer should meet the following qualifications: Meets the qualifications to receive a Professional Award; and Has accumulated at least thirty-two (32) points and at least eight (8) years of creditable experience; or Has accumulated at least forty (40) points and at least six (6) years of creditable experience; or Has accumulated at least forty- eight (48) points and at least four (4) years of creditable experience; or    Has an Associate Degree from an accredited institution, has accumulated at least sixteen (16) points and at least four (4) years of creditable experience; or Has a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution, has accumulated at least eight (8) points and at Chief Ipock presented Police Office Charlie Arnold, a new addition to the City's police department. Ms. Kimberly Bullock administered the Oath of Office to Office Arnold, with his wife by his side. Chief Ipock presented 8.3) Proclamation No. 2023-P-34: Monarch Conservation Month Mayor Mann issued Proclamation No. 2023-P-34 to Ms. Beth Rector of the Whiteville Rotary Club. Mr. Steven Bryan, also representing the Whiteville Rotary Club was present in the audience. Proclamation No. 2023-P-34 proclaims the month of May to be Monarch Conservation Council Member Williamson asked about the Whiteville Clean Up Day previously discussed in an earlier meeting. Mr. Currie stated he would follow up with GFL and discuss costs. Mayor Mann asked Chief Ipock to increase patrol around Vineland Depot due the number of people skateboarding in the area. He stated that he is concerned about the property in addition to the safety of  least two (2) years of creditable experience. 8.2) Police Badge Pinning: Officer Charlie Arnold  Officer Arnold with his badge.  Month.  9) COUNCIL COMMENTS  the skateboarders. 10) REPORTS 10.1) Manager's Update  Mr. Currie reported on the following areas: 1) Mollies Branch Phase II- He advised that work on Frazier Street is now complete and is re- opened. He reported that Caldis and Frazier Streets will both need to be paved, it will be an additional cost to the project. 2) Mollies Branch Stream Restoration RFQ's are in and have been sent to the Coastal Design Lab for review. He explained that once the review is completed, CDL will make a recommendation to the City and presented to Council tot take action. 3) Madison Street Concert Planning is still continuing for the concert. He reported that staff is having weekly meetings finalizing Tim Collier MOVED to approve the adjournment of the regular meeting held on  the workers, vendors and such.  11) ADJOURNMENT May 9, 2023 at 7:10 pm. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Kevin' Williamson, Emory Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Vickie Pait)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  Toey Wa DHher  TerryL L.N Mann,MAYOR Bophie  833