HITEV LSu LE 1833  MINUTES  City Council Special Meeting 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 23,2021 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472  The City Council Special Meeting of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 5:00 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, Advisement of Virtual Meeting. This meeting was made available in a virtual  28472. environment. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Justin Smith, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, and  Kevin Williamson Tim Blackmon, and' Vacant Seat  Others in Attendance: Darren Currie, City Manager; Bonnie Williams, City Clerk; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Travis Faulk, Public Works Director; Robert Lewis, Planning Director; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Sean Martin, Economic Development Planner; Ivey Schoffied (The News Reporter); Members of the Public 2) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Mann called the meeting to Order at 5:03 pm. FY21-22 Budget Workshop Meeting: stormwater/Streets (Powell Bill) Mayor Mann deferred the meeting to Mr. Currie. Mr. Currie provided an overview of the FY21-22 Budget Schedule and he reviewed with Council the background of the Stormwater division in the Public Works department. He explained that the agenda for this topic of discussion is 1) History of the Storm Water division, 2) Priority goals as established by the Council, 3) Related financial data, 4) Review of projects established by the Storm Water Study, 5). Main drainage areas in the City, 6) Operational metrics, 7) Success of Projects, and 8) Quick review of Mr. Currie deferred to Mr. Brown to address the financial data pertaining tot the Storm Water division. Mr. Brown provided an update division had only been created two years prior. He asked that explaining Council begin to consider a change in the way that Storm Water rates were being addressed. He explained the pro's and con's with different rate structures, especially fori impervious surfaces, in addition to the levels of difficulties with rate implementation. Mr. Brown explained the concept of 'Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)" and how it could be applied to the City fora a more fair rate for a commercial Storm Water fee. He and Mr. Currie explained how antiquated technology in the county Tax office hinders the implementation of this type of rate. Mr. Currie advised that the county is now moving towards a more robust software but it must go at transition period before the City could introduce this type rate to them in order to add on to the tax bills. Brief discussion ensued. Mayor Pro Tem Smith asked ift the City might be able to purchase additional software to accomodate the proposed rate change and calculation. Mr. Currie stated that he could do some research and find out what may be  3) PURPOSE OF MEETING  Streets and Powell Bill divisions.  the    available to the City. Mr. Brown stated that overall, the health of the At the end of Mr. Currie's presentation, he deferred to Mr. Faulk. He asked Mr. Faulk to provide an update on the operations of the Storm Water division. Mr. Faulk described how the division operates and highlighted some of the largest projects completed. Discussion ensued with Council with Mayor Pro Tem Smith asking that some of this information be put on the City's website in an effort towards public education. Mr. Currie agreed that this would be helpful to the public. Mr. Currie introduced the NC Beaver Management. Assistance Program in that City would benefit from their assistance in overall beaver management in our local waters. He explained how the' 'buy-in' would work and how the program would respond to the City's needs. Mr. Currie reviewed with Council the City's Powell Bill program. He provided a review of the City's streets and how! NC funding could be Discussion ensued regarding the rate structure for the Storm Water fee and how it could be applied fairly. Discussed was rates for residential properties and commercial properties. Mr. Brown explained that commercial property was everything else that did not qualify as residential property. Further discussion focused on perhaps doing a city- wide Storm Water study so that Storm Water projects could be prioritized Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the adjournment of the meeting at 6:21 pm.  division was good. He deferred to Mr. Currie.  used on our streets.  throughout the city. 4) ADJOURNMENT  Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 5-0 (Unanimous) Williamson) Nays: 0  Yeas: 5 (Terry Mann, Justin Smith, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Kevin  Absent: 2 (Tim Blackmon, Vacant Seat)  rHo haze  Terryl L. Mand, MAYOR Bonnie T.