HITEV BE 1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 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, February 14, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC,  28472. 1) ROLLCALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry! Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson, and Emory Worley  None.  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; Robert Lewis, Planning Director; Madison Ward, Economic Development Planner; Roger Lee, Building Inspector; Joseph Williamson (The News Reporter); Xztashya Porter; Madalyn Edge; Harlee Higgins;  and Emilie Pridgen; and Members of the Public 2) CALL1 TOORDER 3) INVOCATION  Mayor Mann Called the meeting to Order at 6:30 pm. Provided by Mayor Pro Tem Clarida. 4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Mann. 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE:7-0 (Unanimous) Nays: 0 Absent: 0  Tim Collier MOVED to approve the adoption of the agenda as presented.  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson, Emory Worley)  6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES  6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes on January 24, 2023 as presented. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Nays: 0 Absent: 0  Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the minutes for the regular meeting held  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson, Emory Worley)  7) PUBLIC COMMENT None. 8) PRESENTATION  8.1) Recognition oft the Whiteville Juniorettes    Chief Ipock presented framed letters of appreciation to Xztashya Porter, Madalyn Edge, Harlee Higgins, and Emilie Pridgen of the Whiteville Juniorettes for taking the time to help with the 2022 Halloween Event. Mayor Mann thanked them as well and encouraged them to continue to volunteer and help their community. No action taken by Council. 9.1) Response to the Auditor's FYE2022 Financial Audit Findings Mr. Brown presented this item to Council. He explained under North Carolina Administrative Code (20 NCAC: 2003. .0508), ifau unit's audited financial statements include FPICs, the governing body must develop a "Response to the Auditor's Findings, Recommendations, and Fiscal Matters" signed by a majority of the members of the governing body, and submitted to the LGC within 60 days of the auditor's presentation. The LGC also asked that the manager and finance officer sign the response to indicate their knowledge of the FPICS and agreement with the response and plan for implementation of corrective action. Brief Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the Letter of Response to the  9) BUSINESS  discussion ensued.  Auditor's Findings and to be sent to the LGC. Helen BI Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE:7-0 (Unanimous) Nays: 0 Absent: 0  Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson, Emory' Worley)  10) COUNCIL COMMENTS  Council Member Pait inquired of the gates at Felix Smith Park. Mr. Currie explained that the two gates are locked and the single walking gate is unlocked. She also inquired about the smell being produced from Terra Nova (HERR Inc), she stated that the smell is all over the City but especially bad in her neighborhood due to the proximity of the processing facility. Mr. Currie explained that the Division of Air Quality has been notified and is working with the company. Mr. Currie advised that Terra Nova expects to complete thej jobin Council Member Williamson stated that someone had approached him to discuss hotels in the City. He asked if there was anything the City could do to encourage brand hotel companies to build a hotel in the City. Mr. Lewis, Ms. Ward, and Mayor Mann advised that previous discussions had been had with developers and other local business leaders and that marketing research would ultimately direct companies where to build hotels. Mr. Lewis and Ms. Ward advised that they would reach out to some chain hotels to see if they could encourage their interests in' Whiteville. Brief discussion ensued. Council Member Worley asked Mr. Brown if the City has yet received a financial statement, Mr. Brown replied that we have and iti is inside the financial Mayor Mann asked that the City write a letter to Representative Jones and Senator Rabon asking for their assistance in obtaining funding for some of the City's projects, such as Streetscape. Mr. Currie provided an update on the Streetscape project and reported that he has an upcoming meeting with RJ  the near future.  audit.  Corman Company and NC DOT. 11.1) Manager's Update  11) REPORTS  Mr. Currie reported on the following:  1). Golden LEAF Award the City was awarded a Golden LEAF Grant. This is a result of NCSU Coastal Design Lab work with the City to obtain this funding. The grant award is $249,880 to the City of Whiteville in Columbus County for engineering services for surveying, design/engineering. environmental review, and permitting required to advance from a schematic plan to a complete set of permit-level drawings for the Mollie's Branch stream restoration and infrastructure improvement project. He explained that this project seeks to mitigate frequent flooding and related damage in the area surrounding Mollie's Branch stream during both heavy rainfall and catastrophic flood events 2) Mollies Branch Phase Il- He explained that the contractor found  from hurricanes.    some lines that the City did not know were still in service. Those lines are being dealt with as they are found. He advised that the crew is about half way up Caldis Street. He reported that once crews reach Madison Street, Madison Street will have to be closed for several days. He explained that crews will have to bypass pump the waste across Madison Street. He reported that crews are going to begin the 3) Meeting with Student Council He explained that Chief Ipock, Blake Spivey and he had a meeting with the Whiteville High Student Council to discuss some concerns of safety around the parks and campuses. He reported that there is a desire to continue meeting with them and to have a more open dialogue between the City and the students. Mayor Mann reported that he has concerns at Brookbury Apartments. He reported that there is a cut through which allows anyone to wander through on the property. He asked that Mr. Currie look into the matter. Mr. Currie reported that he would reach out to the management Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of the regular meeting on  bore under the railroad next week if all goes well.  company to see if helpi is available.  12) ADJOURNMENT  February 14, 2023 at 6:56 pm. Helen BI Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Nays: 0 Absent: 0  Yeas: 7 (Terry. Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson, Emory Worley)  Terry_.Mann, MAYOR Bonmie T. Williams,  e  llap  CITYO