ROCKINGHAM EKCXXESSESE A CITY LOOKING FORWARD CITY COUNCIL AGENDA December 9, 2014 7:30 p.m.  1. Opening of meeting by Mayor Steve Morris.  2. 3. 4.  Invocation by Reverend Ernie Walters, Pastor of Roberdel Baptist  Church.  Amendments and Changes to Agenda.  Consent Agenda:  A.  Disposition of Minutes of the November 11, 2014 Regular  Meeting. (Enclosed separately)  B. Tax Collector's Report. (See Pages 5-8)  Informational Items: 1.) Monthly Collection Report  2.) Uncollected Taxes as of November 30, 2014. 1.) Refunds per County Assessor's Office. 2.) Discovery bills added to Tax Scroll. 3.) Releases per County Assessor's Office.  Action Items:  5.  Business by Planning Board. A. Set Public Hearing. (none) B. Hold Public Hearing. (none) C. Minutes from various Boards. (none)  6.  Consideration of a request by City staff to declare the dilapidated garage and dilapidated storage building located at 123 S. Ledbetter Street and identified as Richmond County PIN #7473-13-03-8531 a  publicnuisance. (See Pages 9-10 & photo insert)  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone -1- 95 9088 - Fax (910) 997 6617 www.goroctingham.con    City Council Agenda December 9, 2014 Page 2 7.  Consideration of a Demolition Ordinance for the dilapidated dwellings located at 700 Ann Street, Apts. 21 & 22 and identified as Richmond County PIN #7473-09-05-3306. (See Pages 11-13 & photo insert) Consideration of a Demolition Ordinance for the dilapidated dwelling located at 12 Short Street and identified as Richmond County PIN Consideration of Proposed Streetscape Improvements - E. Washington  8.  #7463-11-65-1698. (See Pages 14-16 & photo insert)  9.  Street and S. Hancock. (See Page 17)  10. Presentation of the FY 2013-14 Audit by Ken Anderson, CPA of Anderson, Smith & Wike, PLLC. (See Manager's Comments/Audit  enclosed separately.) 11. Business by Visitors. 12. Business by City Clerk. 13. Business by City Manager. 14. Business by City Attorney. 16. Business by Mayor. 17. Adjournment.  15. Items of discussion by City Council Members.  Olleny Chisimas & Sappy len ear!  -2-    Monty R. Crump City Manager  ROCKINGHAM A ECAATINCAAEN CITY LOOKING FORWARD CEBNR  MEMO TO: Mayor Steve Morris & City Council  FROM: DATE: RE:  Monty R. Crump, City Manager December 2, 2014 Agenda Items  REGULARAGENDA:  10. Presentation of the FY 2013-14 Audit by Ken Anderson, CPA of  Anderson, Smith & Wike, PLLC.  Please find in packet the audit for year end June 30, 2014 for Fiscal Year 2013- 2014. The audit has been submitted to and accepted by the Local Government Commission. Iam very pleased to report once again that the City has received another clean audit with no findings. Additionally, the review of the audit indicates that the City remains in sound financial condition. The undesignated fund balance reserve in the General Fund is 24% which is substantially greater than the minimum 8% recommended by the LGC. Over the last five fiscal years both the General Fund and Enterprise Fund have seen incremental yearly growth without any tax increase in a difficult economic environment. Additionaly, the overall tax collection rate has improved from 96.68% to 97.60%. Excluding vehicles the tax collection rate has increased from 97.67% to 98.03% which is excellent. The main conclusion I draw from reviewing the audit is that our city employees continue to do a great job in managing city resources and wisely using city tax dollars. Also, our finance department under the leadership of Hazel Tew deserves special credit for their competent management of the City's  financial operations.  -3-  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379. Phone (910) 895 9088 Fax 0109P/6612-wwggorectngham.com    Rockingham, NC  City Council Agenda  SUPPORT DOCUMENTS  4    4  8  N  888 80  -5-    UNCOLLECTED TAXES  YEAR 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004  AMOUNT 1,524,607.27 39,595.67 27,094.81 22,251.70 17,373.55 13,678.69 11,151.63 6,238.76 4,937.62 4,437.80 3,281.09  November 2014  1,524,607.27 150,041.32 1,674,648.59  Total Current Year Total Past Years Total All Years  6-    0 8  0 3  0    a 0  3    888 - 8888 00   8  8    John R. Massey, Jr. AICP Planning Director  ROCKINGHAM EC ECRIES A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  MEMORANDUM  To: Mayor Steve Morris and City Council Members From: John Massey, Planning Director Date: November 25, 2014  Re: Dilapidated Detached Garage and Storage Building located at 123 S. Ledbetter Street  City staff recommends the City Council declare both the dilapidated detached garage and the dilapidated storage building located at 123 S. Ledbetter Street public nuisances in order to expedite their demolition. The detached garage has a collapsed roof, leaning walls, no garage doors, and is unsecured. The smaller, adjacent storage building is also leaning and has a partialy collapsed roof. Photographs of both structures are included in the agenda packet. The City's Inspection Superintendent has deemed both Authority for such action is granted to the City Council pursuant to NCGS 160A-193 and $ 92.002 (M) of the City's Code of Ordinances. This procedure allows for the removal of the structure by the City following a 15-day notice to the property owner. The normal procedure (Minimum Housing and Abandoned Structure Codes) takes approximately six months. This expedited approach can only be used where such structure is determined to pose an immediate threat to public health and safety. Ift the dilapidated structures are declared a public nuisance by the City Council, then City staff will issue a public nuisance citation to the property owner (G.B. & Erika Spence) and allow 15 days for them to address the situation. If no action is taken, then City staff with proceed to demolish and remove the two  structures imminent hazards and recommended their immediate demolition.  dilapidated structures.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phon 9 = 95 9088 Fax (910)9 997 6617 ww.goroctingham.com    John R. Massey, Jr. AICP Planning Director  ROCKINGHAM CNNT CCIEES A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  AI RESOLUTION DECLARING THE DILAPIDATED  DETACHED GARAGE AND DILAPIDATED STORAGE BUILDING BEHIND 123 S. LEDBETTER WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statue 160A-193 authorizes the City of Rockingham to summarily remove, abate, or remedy everything in the city limits, or within one mile thereof, that is WHEREAS, the Rockingham Code of Ordinances includes regulations for nuisances, health and WHEREAS, Section 92.002 (M) of the Rockingham Code of Ordinances specifically authorizes the City Council to declare any condition a public nuisance that poses a danger to the public health, WHEREAS, the Rockingham Inspection Superintendent has determined the detached garage and storage building located behind 123 S. Ledbetter Street and identified as Richmond County PIN # 7473-13-03-8531 to be in a severe state of disrepair as evidenced by the collapsed roof and leaning  STREET PUBLIC NUISANCES  dangerous or prejudicial to the public health or public safety; and  sanitation issues adopted pursuant to North Carolina General Statue 160A-193; and safety, and morais, and general welfare oft the inhabitants of the City; and  walls; and therefore poses an immediate threat to public health and safety; and and photographs indicating the dilapidated, unsafe conditions that exist.  WHEREAS, the Inspection Superintendent has provided written documentation of his findings NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Rockingham City Council hereby declares the dilapidated detached garage and dilapidated storage building located behind 123 S. Ledbetter Street and identified as Richmond County PIN # 7473-13-03-8531 a public nuisance and authorizes the abatement of such in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 92 of the Rockingham Code of  Ordinances.  This the  day of  2014  Mayor M. Steven Morris  Attest: Gwendolyn F. Swinney, CMC City Clerk  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phoi -10- 75 9088 Fax (910)997 6617 wm.goloelngham.con    3 8    John R. Massey, Jr. AICP Planning Director  ROCKINGHAM ECEIHHENE CRGEE A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  MEMORANDUM  To: Mayor Steve Morris and City Council Members From: John Massey, Planning Director Date: November 25, 2014  Re: Demolition Ordinance for Dilapidated Dwellings located at 700 Ann Street, Apts. 21&22 City staff recommends the City Council approve a demolition ordinance for the dilapidated dwellings located at 700 Ann Street, Apts. 21 &: 22 and identified as Richmond County PIN 7473-09-05-3306. A copy of the demolition ordinance and photographs of the property are included in the agenda packet. As background information, City staff initiated abandoned structure proceedings in August of 2014. The property owner, James A. and Maxine McCravy, and parties of interest were notified of a hearing with the Code Enforcement Officer regarding the condition of the dwellings. The notice was sent via certified and regular mail; published in the Richmond County Daily Journal; and posted on the subject property. No one attended the hearing. City staff did have a phone conversation with the owner regarding the condition of the dwellings. The Code Enforcement Officer issued his findings of fact and directed the property owners to either repair or demolish the dwelling by November 19, 2014. Again, the notice was sent via certified and regular mail; published in the Richmond County Daily Journal; and posted on the  subject property. The property owner has taken no action to date.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phoi -11- 75 9088 Fax (910)997 6617 www.goroctingham.con    AN ORDINANCE DIRECTING THE BUILDING INSPECTOR TO REMOVE OR DEMOLISH THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED AS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION AND DIRECTING THAT ANOTICE BE PLACED THEREON THAT THE SAME MAY NOT BE OCCUPIED. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rockingham finds that the dwellings described herein are unfit for human habitation under the City Housing Code, and that all the procedures of the Housing WHEREAS, this dwellings should be removed or demolished, as directed by the Building Inspector, and should be placarded by placing thereon a notice prohibiting use for human habitation; and WHEREAS, the owner of these dwellings, James A. and Maxine McCravy, have been given a reasonable opportunity to bring the dwellings up to the standards of the Housing Code in accordance with G.S. 160A-443 (5) pursuant to an order issued by the Building Inspector on August 21, 2014, and  Code have been complied with; and  the owner has failed to comply with the order;  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Rockingham, that:  Section 1.  The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to place a placard containing the legend "This building is unfit for human habitation; the use or occupation of this building for human habitation is prohibited and unlawful." on the building located at 700 Ann Street, Apts. 21 & 22 and identified by Richmond The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to proceed to remove or demolish the above described dwelling in accordance with his order to the owner thereof dated August 21, 2014, and in accordance with the Housing Code upon which the cost was incurred. The lien shall be filed in the office of the City Tax Collector and City Clerk, and shall have the same priority and be collected in the: same manner as the lien for special assessments in Article 10 of G.S. Chapter (b) Upon completion of the required removal or demolition, the Building Inspector shall sell the materials of the dwelling and credit the proceeds against the cost of removal or demolition. The Building Inspector shall certify the remaining balance to the Tax Collector. If a surplus remains after sale of the materials and satisfaction of the cost of removal or demolition, the Building Inspector shall deposit the surplus in the Superior Court where it shall be secured and disbursed  County PIN# 7473-09-05-3306.  Section 2.  and G.S. 160A-443.  Section 3. (a) The cost of removal or demolition shall constitute a lien against the real property  160A  int the manner provided by G.S 160A-446.  -12-    Section 4.  Its shall be unlawful for any person to remove or cause to be removed the placard from any building to which it is affixed. It shall likewise be unlawful for any person to occupy or to permit the occupancy of any building therein declared to  be unfit for human habitation.  Section 5. Adopted this  This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption.  day of  2014  Mayor  Attest:  City Clerk  NORTH CAROLINA RICHMOND COUNTY  I, a Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid, certify that Gwendolyn F. Swinney personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that she is City Clerk of the City of Rockingham, a North Carolina municipal corporation, and that by authority duly given and as an act of the corporation, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by its Mayor, sealed with its municipal  seal and attested by herself as its City Clerk.  Witness my hand and official stamp or seal, this  day of  2014.  Notary Public  My Commission expires:  -13-    E N &    John R. Massey, Jr. AICP Planning Director  ROCKINGHAM CR CKEKEXCMONEEAS A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  MEMORANDUM  To: Mayor Steve Morris and City Council Members From: John Massey, Planning Director Date: November 25, 2014  Re: Demolition Ordinance for Dilapidated Dwelling located at 12 Short Street  City staff recommends the City Council approve a demolition ordinance for the dilapidated dwelling located at 12 Short Street and identified as Richmond County PIN 7463-11-65-1698. A copy of the demolition ordinance and photographs of the property are included in the agenda packet. As background information, City staff initiated abandoned structure proceedings in July of 2014. The property owner, Jerry R. Haltom, and parties of interest were notified of a hearing with the Code Enforcement Officer regarding the condition of the dwelling. The notice was sent via certified and regular mail; published in the Richmond County Daily. Journal; and posted on the subject property. The property owner did attend the hearing. The Code Enforcement Officer issued his findings of fact and directed the property owners to either repair or demolish the dwelling by November 11, 2014. Again, the notice was sent via certified and regular mail; published in the Richmond County Daily Journal; and posted on the  subject property. The property owner has taken no action to date.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phoi -14- 75 9088 Fax (910)997 6617. www.gorockingham.com    AN ORDINANCE DIRECTING THE BUILDING INSPECTOR TO REMOVE OR DEMOLISH THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED AS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION AND DIRECTING THAT ANOTICE BE PLACED THEREON THAT THE SAME MAY NOT BE OCCUPIED. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rockingham finds that the dwelling described herein is unfit for human habitation under the City Housing Code, and that all the procedures of the Housing Code WHEREAS, this dwelling should be removed or demolished, as directed by the Building Inspector, and should be placarded by placing thereon a notice prohibiting use for human habitation; and WHEREAS, the owner of this dwelling, Jerry Haltom, has been given a reasonable opportunity to bring the dwelling up to the standards of the Housing Code in accordance with G.S. 160A-443 (5) pursuant to an order issued by the Building Inspector on August 13, 2014, and the owner has failed to  have been complied with; and  comply with the order;  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Rockingham, that:  Section 1.  The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to place a placard containing the legend "This building is unfit for human habitation; the use or occupation of this building for human habitation is prohibited and unlawful." on the building located at 12 Short Street and identified by Richmond County PIN# The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to proceed to remove or demolish the above described dwelling in accordance with his order to the owner thereof dated August 13, 2014 and in accordance with the Housing Code upon which the cost was incurred. The lien shall be filed in the office of the City Tax Collector and City Clerk, and shall have the same priority and be collected in the same manner as the lien for special assessments in Article 10 of G.S. Chapter (b) Upon completion of the required removal or demolition, the Building Inspector shall sell the materials of the dwelling and credit the proceeds against the cost of removal or demolition. The Building Inspector shall certify the remaining balance to the Tax Collector. If a surplus remains after sale of the materials and satisfaction of the cost of removal or demolition, the Building Inspector shall deposit the surplus in the Superior Court where it shall be secured and disbursed  7463-11-65-1698.  Section 2.  and G.S. 160A-443.  Section 3. (a) The cost of removal or demolition shall constitute a lien against the real property  160A  in the manner provided by G.S 160A-446.  -15-    Section 4.  Its shall be unlawful for any person to remove or cause to be removed the placard from any building to which it is affixed. It shall likewise be unlawful for any person to occupy or to permit the occupancy of any building therein declared to  be unfit for human habitation.  Section 5. Adopted this  This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption.  day of  2014  Mayor  Attest:  City Clerk  NORTH CAROLINA RICHMOND COUNTY  I, a Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid, certify that Gwendolyn F. Swinney personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that she is City Clerk of the City of Rockingham, a North Carolina municipal corporation, and that by authority duly given and as an act of the corporation, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by its Mayor, sealed with its municipal  seal and attested by herself as its City Clerk.  Witness my hand and official stamp or seal, this  day of  2014.  Notary Public  My Commission expires:  -16-    2    John R. Massey, Jr. AICP Planning Director  ROCKINGHAM C: XEXCXXEEX ACITY LOOKING FORWARD MEMORANDUM  To: Mayor Steve Morris and City Council Members From: John Massey, Planning Director Date: December 1, 2014  Re: Consideration of Proposed Streetscape! Improvements - E. Washington St. and S. Hancock St. City staff has developed a plan fori improvements to the streetscape in the 200, 300, and 400 blocks of E. Washington Street and the 100 block of S. Hancock Street (hereinafter referred to as the "project area"). As the Mayor and City Council may recall, these blocks were part oft the streetscape enhancement project completed in 1999. Several ongoing maintenance issues have prompted this proposal for improvements. Sections of the brick pavers in the sidewalk, especially around the tree planters, continue to settle and create uneven walking surfaces and trip hazards. City staff has periodically removed and raised sections of the pavers to eliminate the uneven walking surfaces. This task became a reoccurring issue after the pavers were installed in 1998. The installation of a suitable paver base is the solution to eliminate this ongoing problem. City crews propose to install a concrete base under the pavers to prevent settling. This technique is utilized in a small area along Hancock Street and has proven to be an effective solution. The street trees also present a maintenance issue. Some of the trees have grown so large that extensive pruning is necessary to keep them off adjacent buildings. This extensive pruning is not good for the long term health of the tree and, in the opinion of City staff, negatively affects their aesthetic value in the streetscape. City staff proposes to remove all trees in the project area and replace them with single stem, Muskogee crepe myrtles (the same type installed in the streetscape along E. Franklin Street 2.5 years ago). Atr maturity, the Muskogee has a more compact height and width, which is better suited for the streetscape Since some pavers will be taken up temporarily to install a proper base and trees will be removed, this is the opportunity to install planter grates in those tree planters that do not have them. Adding the planter grates will create more uniformity in the project area streetscape; give the sidewalk a cleaner, neater appearance; and keep rocks off the sidewalk. Grates are currently installed in 11 planters; 28 planters do Powell Bill funds can be used to cover most of the material costs if the City Council is inclined to proceed with the proposed improvements. City crews can perform all work associated with the project.  in the project area.  not have grates; and grates are not practical in two planters.  MATERIAL COST ESTIMATE  (28) Boulevard Collection Tree Grates (4'X6) (41)! Muskogee Crepe Myrtle Trees (30 Gal) (41) LED Light Fixtures w/ Receptacle Concrete and related materials Brick Pavers  $36,000 $6,000 $5,000 $15,000 $1,000 $63,000  TOTAL:  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phor -17- 25 9088 Fax (910)997 6617 www.goroctingham.com    DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITY REPORTS  for  COUNCIL'S INFORMATION  -18-    ROCKINGHAM ECHHE A CITY LOOKING EECESEE FORWARD  To: From: Date: Subject:  Monty Crump, City Manager  Dave Davis, Parks and Recreation Director  December 2, 2014 Activity Report  The following is an update of recent and current recreation activities. Youth Volleyball - Our second season comes to a close on Saturday, December 6th.As! previously mentioned this program has exceeded all of our expectations. From number of participants to quality of play it has been fun to watch and we Youth Basketball = Our registration period ended Monday, December 1st and although sign-ups have been a little slow we still anticipate approximately two Employee Banquet - On Thursday, December 4th Browder Park will once again play host to the Annual Employee Appreciation Banquet. This will be the thirty- Park Maintenance- - Although a great deal of our activities have moved inside our maintenance staff continues to perform various refurbishing and renovation  look forward to what next season may bring.  hundred and fifty participants for the coming season.  fourth year for this event.  work to Hinson Lake, Browder, and Civitan Park.  At times it is tedious and repetitive but their attention to detail reaps  huge benefits during the spring and summer months.  On the behalf of staff and myself we wish each of you a  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phon 19-59088 Fax 910,9976617-wwwgoroctingham.com    AV  FIREC CHIEF HAROLDI ISLER ADMIN.ASST. KRISTYI PLAYER  ASST.CHIEF DAVIDN MULLIS CAPTAIN VICMCCASKILL  - a FIRE DEPT. November-14  We are pleased to submit the monthly fire report on the activities undertaken byt the Rockingham  Fire Department during the month of November 2014.  Total Alarms: Turn In Alarms: Wrecks: Smoke Scare: Power line down: 0 Service Call: Cooking Fire:  51 0 29 1 0 0  In Town: Silent Alarms: Alarm Malf: Vehicle fire: : Bomb Threat: Co detector: Assist EMS:  51 51 10 0 0 3 0  Outo of Town: Structure: Good Intent: Grass/Brush: Gas Leak/Spill: Assist Police: Mutual Aid:  0 0 Z 1 0 0 0  Hours Spent on Calls: 18 hours 6 minutes Total Property Exposed to Fire: Total Property Damaged by Fire: Total Property Saved:  $0.00 $0.00 $0.00  During the month of November full time members of the fire department averaged 29 training hours  per person; part-paid members averaged 8 hours per person for the month.  Public Life & Safety: Installed 4 car seats -Inspections: 26 -1 station tours: 12 adults -1 CPR class 4 adults Particpated at LJ Bell fall festival  Respectfully Submitted, Muelal4 Fire Chief Harold Isler  231 S. LAWRENCE ST. ROCKI -20- NC 28379 I 910-997-4002    ROCKINGHAM A CITY EIKIEKN LOOKINO FORWARD  Rockingham Police Department  W.D.. Kelly, Chiefof! Police To: Monty Crump MFrom: W. D. Kelly  Chief of Police Date: December 2, 2014 Ref: November Activity Report  On behalf of the Rockingham Police Department, I am pleased to submit this report for your consideration. The following activities have been undertaken  by officers of the Rockingham Police Department.  Total Calls for the Month: Animal Control Calls: Alarm Calls Escorts: Unlock Vehicles: Charges Generating Arrest: Felonies: Misdemeanors: Drug Violations: Juvenile: Warrants Served: Citations:  1095 28 180 83 126  20 77 13 3 72 165  Accidents eported/investyated: Property Damage only: Personal Injury: Officer Hours Spent in Court: Officer Training Hours Logged Items of Interest:  42 08 43 600  We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and sending our wish for  a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!!!  311E. Franklin Street, Rockingham, N.C. 28379 Phon - 21- 5-2468. Fax (910) 895-0899 wgorocknghampicom