HITEV  1833  MINUTES  City Council Special Meeting 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2022 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472  The City Council Special Meeting of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC,  28472. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden, Vickie  Pait, and Kevin Williamson Tim Blackmon  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Bonnie Williams, City Clerk; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Blake Spivey, Parks and Recreation Director;, Robert Lewis, Planning Director; Madison Ward, Economic Development Planner; Roger Lee, Building Inspector; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Doug Ipock, Police Chief; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Amanda Taylor, Finance Technician; Joseph Williams (The News Reporter); Emory Worley; Terrie Priest; and Members of  the Public 2) CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Mann at 5:00 pm. 3) PURPOSE OF MEETING  3.1) Budget FY2022-23 Vineland DepolWDDCParks Discussion Mr. Currie reviewed with Council the status of projects related to Parks and Recreation and Economic Development. He reported that 1) the baseball-softball side of the recreation complex is 95% complete, 2) fields have been improved for local games and for residents, 3) attracted outside teams and tournaments, 4) partnered with the WDDC, 5) partnered with Vineland Depot, 6) became a' 'Main Street' community, and all of these projects and new relationships were assisted by our strong Planning department. Mr. Currie explained how Parks and Recreation, Economic Development, and Planning correlate, such as 1) real property values see an increase, 2) municipal revenues are increased, 3) the City attracts and maintains affluent retirees, 4)t talented and knowledgeable workers are attracted to live and work in the City, and 5) homebuyers are attracted to the City. He reviewed how quality of life is enhanced by having nice parks and greenspaces. He explained the role of Economic Development and how it interacts with quality of life programs in Parks and Recreation and the downtown area of the City. He advised that Planning and Zoning is basically about land use; he explained that zoning is the division of a community into districts and the application of different requirements for those districts. Mr. Currie reported that the City is moving in good a direction and there are many projects in place to improve the City. He advised that Planning, Economic Development, and Recreation are working well together and that the recent Main Street designation is beginning to aid the City. Mr. Brown provided a review of a model that could make Vineland Station Depot sustain itself. He reviewed with Council the current rate schedule and aj proposed rate schedule. Discussion ensued based upon Mayor Mann's concern with the rate for a day if someone wanted to    book the building for a two hour meeting during the week. After discussion, Council asked that Mr. Currie and Mr. Brown review and adjust the proposed rate schedule to accommodate brief meetings. Mr. Spivey provided a review of the current budget year explaining what and how current recreation programs are performing. He reported that there is an increase in participates in most programs. He reported that the Whiteville Presents', formally known as 'Live After Five' and a basketball camp is planned for summer/fall this year. He reviewed with Council the 2021/2022 travel ball and tournament schedule. Mr. Spivey reported that there are 11 parks/greenspaces, 60+ acres and 1.5 miles of greenway to maintain. He advised that this is in addition to two facilities, the recreation center and Vineland Station Depot. He reported that the Parks and Recreation department would begin watering plants downtown and the decorating for the holiday season. He advised that parks improvements included a new concession/bathrom facility at the recreation complex and a new bridge at West Whiteville Park. Mr. Spivey and Ms. Ward reported on the projects andi improvements for Vineland Station Depot, such as technology updates and the painting of office space. They reported that upcoming building enhancements included, 1) facial board replacement under the eaves, 2) painting the inside and outside to the building, 3) replacing broken handrails, and 4) repairing the floor in the ladies restroom. Mr. Spivey and Ms. Ward reported that their budget requests for FY 2022-23 included 1) five scoreboards for the recreation center complex and Nolan Park, 2)a storage building for holiday decorations and the recreation department equipment, 3) the resurfacing of the basketball courts at Nolan Park, 4) mprovements at Dock Currie Park, 5) and new truck for the department, 6) additional holiday decoration for 2023, and 7) funding for facade grants. Discussion ensued based on Council Member's comments that more funding needed to be allocated to improvements at West Whiteville Park and his concerns of resurfacing the basketball courts at Mr. Lewis explained to Council that he and his staff have been reviewing more comprehensive site plans, the Technical Review Committee (TRC) continues to meet monthly or as needed, there is an increase in the volume of businesses, site plans, and permits for commercial businesses in the past year, and that Magnolia Subdivision has been reviewed and approved which increases housing opportunities, and staff anticipates more residential and commercial site plans for review. He reported that the property formally known as Lewis Smith Shopping Center is now: secured and planning stages have begun for the property, businesses continue to move into the downtown area, and there is a need to continue to invest in downtown area with the BIG program and other types of incentives. He spoke briefly about the Hwy 701 widening project and how new businesses are being attracted to the by-pass. He reviewed with Council the progress of code enforcement since the City approved and budgeted to work with N-Focus for code enforcement activities. Mr. Lewis stated that the needs for the Planning department are 1)new permit software, 2) an increase in the budget for professional services and engineering, and 3) a truck dedicated to the Planning Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting  Nolan Park.  department.  4) ADJOURMMENT  held on April 12, 2022 at 6:13 pm. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Blackmon)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,   Terry L. Mann, MAYOR    CEShp Bonnie