HITEL  1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 9, 2021 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, November 9, 2021, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, Advisement of Virtual Meeting. This meeting was made available in a virtual environment. Viewers were invited to submit public comments via the Q&A function located within the Microsoft Teams application or by contacting the  28472.  City Clerk. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Vickie Pait, and Kevin' Williamson Tim Blackmon, and Helen B Holden  Others in Attendance: Darren Currie, City Manager; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Rachel Rivenbark, HR Director; Doug Ipock, Police Chief; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Bert Billings, Fire Inspector; Ivey Schofield (The News Reporter); Marc Whichard (Whiteville City Schools Superintendent); Members of the Public 2) CALLTO ORDER by Mayor Mann at 6:30 pm. 3) INVOCATION provided by Council Member Tim Collier. 4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Mayor Mann. 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Tim Collier MOVED to approve the agenda as presented. Kevin' Williamson SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 5-0 (Unanimous) Williamson) Nays: 0  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Vickie Pait, Kevin  Absent: 2 (Tim Blackmon, Helen B Holden) 6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes Regular Meeting on October 26, 2021 meeting held on October 26, 2021. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 5-0 (Unanimous) Kevin' Williamson) Nays: 0  6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve the minutes for the regular  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Vickie Pait,  Absent: 2 (Tim Blackmon, Helen B Holden)  7) PUBLIC COMMENT-NONE 8) BUSINESS    8.1) Discussion/Request for Transfer of Leder Park to Whiteville City Mr. Currie explained that in recent years, the Whiteville City Schools (WCS) has partnered with others in the community to develop additional tennis courts at the high school. Thei idea is to add additional court space to potentially attract outside tournaments as well as provide adequate courts for the high school. In addition, the WCS are asking that the City enter into a. Joint Use Agreement for use of the courts as well. This wille expand the potential uses to programs for citizens and allow for the school system to apply for additional grant funding for the project. He explained that granting agencies often want community partnerships to gain maximum use for theiri investment in the project. A map ofl Leder Park (tax # 100087) was used to depict the courts. He reported that Dr. Whichard has indicted they will continue to keep the Leder Park name and replace the sign thati is there now.' WCS understands the importance of this area and so Mr. Currie recommended to transfer the entire parcel to the City Schools to continue growth and provide the best facilities to the students and residents of the area. Dr. Whichard approached Council and reported oni the current project at Whiteville High School and the current conditions of the existing tennis courts. He described his thought ona shared partnership with the City and the public. He explained plans and/or improvements for the project moving forward. Council Members Vickie Pait and Collier advised that they supported the initiative. Brief Vickie Pait MOVED to approve transferring all of the Leder Park  Schools  discussion ensued. property to the Whiteville City Schools System. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 5-0 (Unanimous). Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Vickie Pait,  Absent: 2 (Tim Blackmon, Helen B Holden)  8.2) Consideration for 2022 StpendlRembursement for Health Insurance Ms. Rivenbark explained to Council that in 2020, Council approved the stpendrembursement for retiree's pre 65 in the amount of $590 per month pending the retiree provide proof of payment effective on January 1, 2021. She advised that she is recommending that the stipend reimbursement for the retiree's pre 65 remain the same for the calendar year 2022, providing the retiree provide proof of payment. Beginning January 1, 2022, the Health Insurance Premium rate the City shall contribute toward full-time employees shall be $589.36 monthly, for each employee who participates in the Wellness Assessment. She reported that this rate has not changed in three (3) years. She explained thati in 2020, Council approved the stpendrembursement for retiree's post 65 ini the amount of $90 effective January 1, 2021 pending the retiree provide proof of payment. She advised that the rate is note expected to change for 2022. She reported that the benefits match closely with the current employee plan and the rate has not Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the 2022 stpendrembursement for Health Insurance for Pre 65 retirees in the amount of $590.00 per month and the 2022 stipendreimbursement for Health Insurance for Post 65 retirees in the amount of $90.00, providing the retirees provide  for Pre and Post 65 Retirees  changed ini three (3) years.  proof of payment, effective January 1, 2022. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 5-0 (Unanimous) Kevin Williamson) Nays: 0  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Vickie Pait,  Absent: 2( (Tim Blackmon, Helen B Holden)  8.3) Discussion regarding American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) Funding Mr. Currie explained that the Federal Government appropriated $1.9 Trillion in ARP funds. Oft those funds, the City of Whiteville will receive $1,688,788 million overt two payments. The City has received the first payment of $844,389 and the City will receive the nexti installment next yeari in September or October. He advised that Council must decide    how to appropriate thet funds, with some projects being completed this fiscal year and other projects ini the next fiscal year. He reported that staff has heard that there may! be additional funding coming from the State level and there could be an opportunity to combine thet funds for additional project(s). He advised that this has not occurred as ofy yet. He presented a list of projects that he and Mr. Brown developed, department head input was also included in the compilation oft thel list. The listi is for Council's consideration. Projects ont the list are: VIPER Radios, Security Camera System, Storm Water Drainage, Vineland Structure Improvements, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, General Fund, Public Safety PPE, IT- Fiber Optic Connection for a total of $1,688,778. Mr. Currie deferred to Mr. Brown for comments pertaining tot the impact of thei fiscal budget for water, sewer, and stormwater funds. Council took no action after discussion. 8.4) Budget Amendment #7 FYE2022 Mr. Brown presented FYE2022 BA: #7 to Council for their consideration. He explained a special project fund needed tol be established to account for the ARP proceeds. Brief discussion ensued. Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve Budget Amendment  #7_FYE2022. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 5-0 (Unanimous) Kevin Wiliamson) Nays: 0 #7_FYE2022. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 0-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 0 Nays: 0 Absent: 0  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Vickie Pait,  Absent: 2 (Tim Blackmon, Helen BI Holden)  Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve Budget Amendment  8.5) Quarterly Financial Review  Mr. Brown reviewed with Council the City's Operating Funds Year-to- Date financial performance to the FYE2022 Budget. Mayor Mann reminded staff to continue to look for a way to make Stormwater fees more equitable. Brief discussion ensued. No action taken by Council. Council Member' Williamson thanked Mr. Currie and Chief Ipock for their efforts with the NC Harvest Pecan Festival parade on November 6, 2021. Council Member Collier shared with Council and staff that a petition of support for creating a safe passage across Hwy 701 is circulating in the community. Brief discussion ensued and Mr. Currie stated that he would reach out to Mr. Ken Clark (NCDOT) to invite him to an upcoming Council meeting so that he could provide the Council with an update on the progress of the Hwy 701 By-pass project. Mayor Mann reminded all that Mr. Clark had previously attended a Council meeting to provide a project update; he advised that a cross over walkway was not in the plans. He advised that studies showed that cross-over walkways would not be cost-effective due to people crossing a street where they wanted to cross the street. Mr. Clark stated that the current plan addresses pedestrian traffic and crossings. Mayor Mann thanked all of the Columbus County Arts Council staff and volunteers who workeda  9) COUNCIL COMMENTS  program for the NC Harvest Pecan Festival.  10) REPORTS  10.1) Manager's Update  Mr. Currie thanked the Chiefs and staff of the Fire and Police departments for the Halloween Trunk or Treat' project, ity was a great success. He reported ont thet following areas: 1)Mollies Branch Phase II permits, 2) Recreation projects (Press Box atl Nolan Park andt the bridge for West' Whiteville Park), and 3) NCI Harvest Pecan Festival. He deferred to Mr. Lowder and Mr. Lowder introduced to Council Mr. Robert' "Bert" Billings as the new part-time Fire Inspector for the City. Mr. Currie deferred to Chief Ipock for an update on the Sandy Ridge  Apartments matter. Brief discussion ensued.    11) ADJOURNMENT  Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of the regular Council meeting  on November 9, 2021 at 7:41 pm.. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 5-0 (Unanimous). Williamson) Nays:0  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Vickie Pait, Kevin  Absent: 2 (Tim Blackmon, Helen BI Holden)  Rfan Terry L. Mann,MAYOR Bonnie T. hahies Williams, CITY CLERK.    CITY OF WHITEVILLE Budget Amendment FY2021-2022  Amendment; # 7 Revenue Account 80-3010-0100 Total  Current Budget 0  Increase (Decrease) $ 1,688,788 #S 1,688,788 $1,688,788.00 # Increase (Decrease) 1,688,788 $ Budget 1,688,788  Revised Budget  Account Description ARPI Proceeds  Expenditure Account 80-6000-7400 Total JUSTIFICATION:  Current Budget  Revised  Account) Description Capital Outlay  $1,688,788.00 #  To establish thej project fund for ARPI Proceeds.  REVIEWEDI BY: APPROVEDBY: at Whiteville, North Carolina. AFFIRMED! BY:  DATE: 1/4/2 DATE: lle9/2021  City Manager    DULY. ADOPTED this_ 949 dayof Novenbep, 20211 by the Whiteville City Council  E  ATTESTEDBY: