HITEV  1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 11, 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, January 11, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, Advisement of Virtual Meeting. This meeting was made available in a virtual environment. Viewers were invited to submit public comments by contacting the  28472. City Clerk. 1) ROLLCALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  NC,  Terry 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 (virtually); Colburn Brown, Finance Director; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Madison Ward, Economic Development Planner; Blake Spivey, Parks and Recreation Director; Hal Lowder, Emergency  Services Director; and Members of the Public 2) CALLTO ORDER at 6:30 pm by Mayor Mann. 3) INVOCATION provided by Mayor Pro Tem Jimmy Clarida.  4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA by adding item 8.1. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Blackmon)  Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the adoption of the agenda as ameneded  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B Holden,  6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES  6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes held on December 14, 2021 as presented. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1( (Tim Blackmon)  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 8) PRESENTATION  8.1) Report onA ARP Funds    Mr. Currie and Mr. Brown provided a report on information recieved on January 10, 2022 pertaining to ARP funds. Mr. Currie explained points regarding the General Fund and its accounting features, items available under the ARP funds, how those funds impact the General Fund. Mr. Brown provided a spreadsheet explaining those impacts to the General  Fund. No action taken by Council.  9) BUSINESS  9.1) Consideration for the Submittal of the FYPISAIERISAtnaEe Adequate Fire and EmapenyBesponselGmn Application Chief Yergeau explained that he was requesting City Council to authorize the submittal of the FY 2021 FEMA SAFER Grant Application. He explained that the FEMA SAFER Grant provides financial assistance related to assisting fire departments with staffing capabilities to respond to emergencies, assuring communities have adequate fire protection. He advised that ifawarded this grant, it will assist Whiteville Fire Department in getting closer to meeting NFPA 1710 Standards. This grant has a performance period of three years. There is no cost sharing with the FY2021 SAFER Grant. The total cost for the grant, is estimated at $829,774, for the three year performance period. He explained that the grant request is for six (6) additional firefighters. Ifthe grant is awarded this would allow fort the FD minimum staffing to four (4) firefighters on duty each shift. The cost that the City would be responsible for is the outfitting of the firefighters with uniforms, firefighting gear, and training, (estimated cost $27,000 for the first year, $2200 for the 2nd and 3rd years). The application period is from Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the City Manager and Fire Chief to submit the required grant application for the FY2021 FEMA SAFER  January 3, 2022 to February 4, 2022. Grant for additional fire staffing. Helen BI Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1( (Tim Blackmon) 9.2) Consideration of Removal of Downtown Trees to be Replaced with Concrete Flower Pots and a) Watering.System Ms. Ward described a project that involved removing trees in the downtown area and replacing them with pots for the purpose of growing seasonal plants or small shrubs/trees. She explained that quotes have been provided by Merritt's Pottery in Elizabethtown and The Cement Barni in Cerro Gordo. She advised that the approximate cost for the tree removal process downtown by Monk's Landscaping is $2,800. She recommended the quote from Merritt's Pottery, based upon their willingness to deliver the pots and place them in the appropriate locations. She explained that this project will consist of thirty (30) pots and that the City can build upon in the future. The remaining holes will be filled with Sakrete quick concrete fill. She recommended that landscaping, regarding the pots be completed by Monk's Landscaping and is estimated to be $200 per pot for at total of $6,000. She explained that fundraising is proposed to assist the City with purchasing the pots by offering in which, the public can donate a pot(s) for dedication in downtown and a plaque be attached to the pot to illustrate sponsorship. IfCity Council approves the fundraising effort, the City may only be responsible for the payment of landscaping, if Staff is allowed to receive donations for the pots from private individuals. She explained that she understands that watering of the pots have been ani issue int the past and proposes the purchase of an adequate watering apparatus. She advised that two quotes have been received, one for an ABI water trailer and equipment estimated at $6,533 and from Southeast Farm Equipment, with an estimate of $7,622.30. She and Mr. Spivey explained that Parks and Recreation will utilize the equipment daily to water the pots, in addition to being able to use this equipment for various tasks associated with theirj jobs. Discussion ensued.  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B    Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the removal oft trees int the downtown area for approximately $2800; the bid from Monk's Landscaping for the Purchaseplacement of 30 ceramic pots in spaces once occupied by trees, approximate cost of $6000 ($200 per pot); conduct a fund raiser inwhich private funds can be used towards the purchase/donation of a pot and attaching a sponsorship plaque to each pot; contact a professional landscaper to assist with identification of plants best suited for planting in the pots; and the purchase of a water apparatus for approximately $6533 and to be used to water plants in the pots in addition to the Parks and Recreation to use it for their needs; and for a  total project cost of approximately $15,333. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Blackmon)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  9.3) Request for Additional Christmas LightFunding  Christmas Lights.docx  Ms. Ward explained that she was srequesting funding for additional Christmas decorations and lights for fiscal year 2022-2023. She reported that staff spent $50,000 for the 2020 fiscal year and $20,000 for fiscal year 2021. She reminded Council that when Council was initially approached regarding Christmas light funding, $100,000 was requested over a three year period. She advised that she was requesting the remaining balance of $30,000 for the purchase of Christmas decorations and lights year 2022-2023. Discussion ensued. Council Member Pait asked that future Christmas decorations include some that represent the Jewish history of the City, such as a menorah Tim Collier MOVED to approve appropriating funding for the purchase of additional Christmas lights to include some which represent the City's  ord dreidel. Council concurred. Jewish history. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Blackmon)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim. Collier, Helen B  9.4) Consideration of EnteringaN MOU_(Memorandum. of Understanding), with Columbus County, Town of Chadbournand Columbus Regional Foundation to Apply for HARM Funds for the Substance Abuse Mr. Currie explained that the Columbus Regional Foundation is spearheading an effort to provide additional services for druglalcohol intervention programs. ACT Associates are the grant writers. The grant services cost is $10,000 which will be split between the four partners. The City's portion will be absorbed in the current year budget. The total grant will be $400,000/year for three years totaling $1.2 Million. The grant is through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Vickie Pait MOVED to approve a MOU and allow the City to contribute  Intervention  Administration (SAMSHA). Discussion ensued. $2,500 for the grant preparation. Helen BI Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Blackmon)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Helen B  10) COUNCIL COMMENTS  Council Member Williamson commented on matters, 1) the condition of the road going to the park, and 2)t the lack of trees to provide shade at thep park. Mr. Currie advised that he would reach out to the project manager for Duke Energy regarding the condition of the road and would talk with Mr. Spivey regarding the  addition of trees in park.    Council Member Pait asked about an item listed in the manager's report pertaining to' "Riprap". Mr. Currie explained the term thati is to prevent erosin.  11) REPORTS  11.1) Manager's Update  Mr. Currie reported on the following: 1) the installation of the bridge at West Whiteville Park, 2) the progress of the Concession Stand building at the park, 3) ARP Financial update, and 4) asked that Mr. Lowder provide an update regarding the increasing cases of COVID 19 in our Reports were submitted by the following departments: City Clerk, Emergency Services, Fire, Human Resources, Inspections, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Economic Development, Police, Public' Works, Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of the regular meeting held on  area.  11.2) Monthly Departmental Reports for November 2021.  and Wastewater Treatment Plant.  12) ADJOURNMENT  January 11, 2022 at 7:44 pm. Tim Collier 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,  Ab Terryl L. Manrk MAYOR  Bonnie CITYO  S