HITE  1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2022 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 8, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC,  28472. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terryl Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen BI Holden,  Vickie Pait, and Kevin' Williamson Tim Blackmon  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Bonnie Williams, City Clerk; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; David Yergeau, Fire Chief, Doug Ipock, Police Chief; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Madison Ward, Economic Development Planner; Roger Lee, Builing Inspector; Justin Smith and Joseph Williams (The News Reporter); Dr. Shannon Register; Charles Garrell; Members of the Public 2) CALLTOORDER Meeting called to Order by Mayor Mann at 6:30 pm. 3) INVOCATION Invocation provided by Council Member Tim Collier. 4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mann. 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Tim Collier MOVED to approve the agenda as presented. 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,  6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES  6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes Administration on February 22, 2022 as presented. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Blackmon)  Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve the minutes for the regular meeting held  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  7) PUBLICCOMMENT homeowner.  1. Dr. Shannon Register on behalf of the Brickyard Community and as a    Dr. Register explained that she and the Brickyard Community has concerns regarding the progress of the City taking ownership of Dock Currie Park. She stated that she realized that the City has been experiencing some legal issues ini identifying who all the property owners are for the lots that create the park. She reported that she has completed her own research which now identifies all of the property owners (Marsden Lewis for two lots, Gwendolyn Edwards, the NC State Highway Commission, and the Brickyard Community Club/Doc Currie). She advised that the she and the Brickyard Community wanted the City to purchase these properties sO to have ownership of the park and begin maintaining it as well as adding playground equipment. She reported that the Brickyard community is requesting that the park be renamed as "Currie Park". She asked that the City respond back to her and the community in a timely manner. Mayor Mann, Council Member K. Williamson, and Mr. C. Williamson responded that they had concerns regarding encroachment on some of these properties and those concerns need to be resolved moving forward. Dr. Register stated that she was aware that the City had been awarded funds from af federal grant and asked that some of those funds be shared with the community relating to the park. Mayor Mann and Mr. C. Williamson asked that Dr. Register and the community continue to be patient while some of these 2. Ethel Ellison regarding Brickyard Community and Dock Currie Park. Ms. Ellison provided brief comments regarding Dock Currie Park. She provided some brief history on one of the lots where encroachment is an issue and stated that she and the community wanted a park where the kids in the community can play and not be on the street. 3. Charles Garrell on behalf oft the Bob White Lane community. Mr. Garrell shared concerns that he and the Bob White Lane community have pertaining to property located at 703 Bryce Street. He provided brief history of the property (Saving Sons Inc) starting in 2017 where the matter for the half- way house went before the Planning and Zoning Board (PZI Board). He advised that the PZ Board vote to not recommend at text amendment which would have allowed half-way houses ini the R-20: zoning district. He reported that Mr. Colton Reaves (applicant) submitted a request to the City's Planning and Zoning department asking that his request for a text amendment be withdrawn on December 5, 2017. Mr. Garrell reported that the house at 703 Bryce Street opened in 2018 as a rehabilitative center without the benefit of being permitted. He stated at first the property housed male clients, which were later moved to the Brunswick County location and the property on Bryce Street now housed female clients. Mr. Garrell stated that the property is noti in accordance with City Code. Mayor Mann responded that the matter is being looked into and deferred tot the City Attorney, Mr. C.Williamson. Mr. C. Williamson advised that the matter is beingi investigated and that he would be addressed the City Council in a closed session later in the meeting. Mr. C. Williamson covered with Mr. Garrell additional history regarding the matter. Mr. C. Williamson announced that a complaint was lodged with the State and now the same complaint has lodged with the Federal US Department of Housing and Urban Development office. Mr. C. Williamson explained that the City is currently responding to the complaint as well as following Federal and State laws. He aslo advised that the City's ordinances are being reviewed for federal and state compliance. Council Member Collier thanked all of the persons who came out to the  legals matters are sorted out.  8) COUNCIL COMMENTS meeting to speak. 9) REPORTS 9.1) Manager's Report  Mr. Currie reported on thet following:  1) The positions of WasteWater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Director and Planning Director have been filled. Mr. Nathan Guyton will begin as the Director of the WWTP on March 21, 2022 and Mr. Robert Lewis will 2) There was a meeting last week with NC DOT relating to the Hwy 701 project, updates were provided, and NC DOT will begin the week of March 14, 2022 with installing utilities on the north side of the City. 3) There was a recent meeting with Waste Management to begin the transition to hand off their contract to the new contract with GFL  return as the Planning Director on March 28, 2022.  Services.    4) There will be a bid meeting next week so to recieve and review bids for the Phase II sewer project. A tentative bid award may be on the  agenda for Council's next regular council meeting. is no existing lawsuit at present time. move into Closed Session at 7:06 pm. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 5-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Blackmon) Recused: 1 (Kevin Williamson) reconvened regular session.  10) CLOSED SESSION  10.1) GS 143.318.11 (a) (3) for handling a claim for a complaint though there Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the recess of the regular meeting so to  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  The City Council returned from Closed Session at 7:41 pm and Mayor Mann and Mr. C. Williamson reported that the complaint related to Saving Sons/Christian Recovery Center had been reviewed with Council. Mr. C. Williamson reported that the term "half-way house" is no longer a valid term and has been replaced with the term "family care center". Family care centers are allowed in all residential areas. He read the NC general statute addressing family care centers which explains how they are allowed. He advised that the plan going forward is to respond tot the complaint, align the City ordinance to comply with federal and state law, meanwhile participate in a concilitation relationship under the Fair Housing Act to resolve the matter. Mr. C. Williamson stated that the forthcoming amended ordinance must recognize that family care centers can have no than six person and the City may designate a Council Member Williamson asked that the minutes reflect that he recused himself from the Closed Session meeting pursuant to conflict of interest. Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of the regular meeting on  specified distance between family care centers.  11) ADJOURMMENT  March 8, 2022at7:47 pm. Helen BI Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson) Nays:0 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Blackmon)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  TerryL.N Mann; MAYOR rla Bonnie T. y  CITY  1833