TOWN OF PLYMOUTH SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 27, 2023 -VIA COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND ZOOM  5:30 p.m.  I.  CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Brian Roth  Mayor Roth called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.  PRESENT ABSENT  COUNCILMEMBER  X X X X X  Mayor Roth Councilman Boston Councilwoman Byers Councilman Tharps Councilwoman Williams Councilman Wobbleton Mayor Pro-Tempore Spencer  X X  Mayor Roth stated that there are two items on the agenda. He asked that Town DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION FOR THE WOOTEN COMPANY TO Town Manager Floyd explained that the Wooten Company will update our Master Plan and our Site Specific Plan. She explained the history of the Master Plan and Site Specific Plan, formerly created in 2010, which will be part of the PARTF Grant. Town Manager Floyd further explained that because the Council authorized staff to submit a PARTF application, the Master Plan and Site Specific Plan must be updated due to being more than ten years old. A ZOOM call took place between staff and employees of the Wooten Company. Surveys and a sample letter of support have been provided to the Town by the Wooten Company. Town Manager Floyd is asking for up $10,000.00 to be allocated to the Wooten company to complete the application, due May 15th, which will include an Environmental Review. Staff has identified $5,000.00 that was allocated for recreation funds in Special Appropriations. Staff needs an additional $5,000.00 to be budgeted from Contingency to pay for the services. A motion was made by Councilwoman Byers to approve Budget Amendment 2023- 05 with a second by Counciwoman Williams. The motion passed unanimously.  Manager Floyd speak to the first Agenda item. ASSIST WITH OUR PARTF APPLICATION  II.  March 27, 2023 Town of Plymouth Special Town Meeting Minutes  Page 1    III. GENERAL PLANNING SESSION  Mayor Roth began the session by explaining that there is not a lot of structure, and turned the meeting over to Town Manager Floyd, who then shared with the Council what staff has been working on to move the Town forward: NOTE: For the record, Councilman Boston arrived at 5:45 p.m. and Mayor Roth caught the Councilman up on what was discussed before he arrived.  DMV = Offering services through the Town due to the local office being closed. Town Manager asked for the Council's input, and explained that staff can research to find out what it takes to offer these services through the Town as another source of revenue. A motion was made by Counciwoman Williams to allow the Town Manager and staff to look into the DMV project to see if it will suit the Town of Plymouth with a second by  Councilwoman Byers. The motion passed unanimously.  Mayor Pro-Tempore Spencer stated that she misunderstood what the purpose of special meeting was for in that she thought that the Council would be working on its Master Plan for the next 10 to 15 years. Mayor Roth agreed, and explained that a few of the items that Town Manager Floyd is speaking about will be a part  of the Town's Master Plan.  Town Manager Floyd added that part of the Master Plan is the Land Use Plan, which is currently being worked on. She stated that a similar planning session took place under a previous Town Manager, which was shown to the Council on an easel. She also referred to the minutes from the Town Hall that was held at Trump's Restaurant. Town Manager Floyd then stated that she wants to hear what the Council would like to happen, and reported that she contacted the Albemarle Commission to assist with  putting together a comprehensive plan.  Mayor Pro-Tempore Spencer stated that she would like to see neighborhood revitalization; affordable housing; jobs that pay livable wages other than service jobs only, health care services to include eye care, dental care, and medical care. She shared a personal story that related to the lack of medical care in Washington County that impacts the general health of the community in terms of Mayor Roth spoke to the advantages and disadvantages regarding services that Washington County Regional Hospital provides and how important it is to have the hospital in Plymouth as a part of its infrastructure. Continued discussion took place about those services and the support that the Town needs to provide sO  insurance coverage in Washington County.  that services are available within a reasonable distance.  March. 27, 20231 Town of Plymouth. Special Town Meeting Minutes  Page 2    Councilman Boston stated that he would like to see grant writing services in house. Mayor Pro-Tempore stated that she would like to see the town as self sufficient and not to have always to depend on grants. Discussion took place Councilwoman Williams stated that the Town should no longer see itself as a Tier One Town and change the Tier One mindset we can move from being a Tier One. Discussion took place about the inequality of the distribution of funds from the federal and state government. With further discussion, it was established that the Council needs to work together as a group to visit state and federal officials. Councilman Boston suggested that we have a dinner for elected officials throughout the County and come together as a collective to try to move things Councilman Boston would also like to hold another Town Hall meeting. Counciwoman Williams stated that Town meeting information is not being disseminated to certain areas, and a discussion took place to disseminate the information. Town Manager Floyd stated that staff can look at putting together a After continued discussion about when and where to hold the dinner, a motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tempore Spencer to direct staff to proceed with a countywide gathering of elected officials with a second by Councilman Boston. It was suggested by Mayor Roth that the Council come back with a date to hold the dinner at the next Council meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Pro-Tempore asked about the next steps after demolition. Town Manager Floyd stated that developers can be contacted to look into investing and developing the properties that have been demolished. She stated that realtors could be included as well, as there have been approximately 100 properties have been purchased and the DDA has been working on welcome baskets for new Mayor Roth stated that there might be funds available for renovation. He spoke to the Town needing more than just affordable housing, such as sub-divisions, and various uses that can be developed from the Land Use Plan. Mayor Roth also stated that it is very important that the Land Use Plan is accurate. Town Manager Floyd is going to ask for an update for the Council. The Land Use Plan Mayor Pro-Tempore asked if there is land in the Town of Plymouth that is zoned industrial in reference to livable wage job creation. Discussion then took place about different zones in the Town limits and ETJ. Dialogue then took place about entrepreneurshp, NCWorks, Co-ops and how to target businesses to hire students for on the job training. An incubator, and satellite classes among other  around grants and their importance.  forward at least once per quarter.  newsletter to include in water bills.  property owners.  will also include updating zoning.  March. 27, 2023 Town of Plymouth. Special Town Meeting Minutes  Page 3    things that can be used as a tool for the youth were discussed sO that young people can realize that they can be trained in more areas than the service area. Mayor Pro-Tempore brought up the building that might be available for use when the students move from the high school to its new location. She spoke of Mayor Roth spoke of established categories of funding through school building reuse and reiterated the importance of talking with legislators to obtain funding for different projects. Town Manager Floyd spoke once again to the importance of the Land Use Plan. Mayor Pro-Tempore Spencer stated that the CPNI group mentioned building reuse during their visit. Town Manager Floyd stated that she has directed Department Heads to put together a five year plan for respective Counciwoman Byers asked about the costs involved in getting the generators at the lift stations off of the ground sO that the tires on the trailers where they are located do not dry rot. Town Manager Floyd stated that she would speak with Councilman Boston spoke about starting to work with the youth at an earlier age sO that they do not fall behind as they are now. Councilwoman Williams explained that the cause of 8th graders testing in reading as 1st graders was because of No Child Left Behind, in that whether or not children failed tests, they would be moved on to the next grade. Councilman Boston reiterated this is the reason to begin to work with the youth at an earlier age. Mayor Pro-Tempore Spencer made a point that parents need to be involved, and that is part of what is Itwas understood by the Council that although some of the Council might change the Master Plan, once put in place should not change, sO that the Town can Mayor Roth announced that the GoldenLeaf Foundation has approximately $16 million dollars in drainage funds. He explained that applying is time sensitive. Mayor Roth spoke about the drainage regions in Plymouth and that GoldenLeaf would like for the Town to apply for one or more applications for a Hydrology Analysis and an engineering cost estimate. Mayor Roth stated that they would like to work with us to apply within the next 60 days and possibly get matching A motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tempore Brooks to direct staff to prepare to apply for Golden Leaf funds and bring back to the Council at its next meeting a strategy to make an application with a second from Councilwoman Byers. The  building relationships with the County to discuss possibilities.  departments to be used in an updated CIP.  Public Works Director Wright.  missing today.  move forward.  funds.  motion passed unanimously.  March 27, 20231 Town of Plymouth. Special Town Meeting Minutes  Page 4    Town Manager Floyd asked the Council if they would like to reschedule the regular meeting from Monday to Tuesday in April due to it being Easter Monday. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to hold the meeting Tuesday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m. The public will need to be notified. A motion was made to move the Regular Town Council Meeting Monday, April 10, 2023 to Tuesday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m., by Mayor Pro-Tempore Spencer with a second Mayor Roth then asked that one conversation take place at a time during meetings and to discontinue sidebars and whispering. He shared a story that  from Counciwoman Byers. The motion passed unanimously.  took place long ago to reiterate his request.  IV. ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business, a motion was made by Councilwoman Byers to adjourn with a second by Counciwoman Williams. The motion passed  unanimously.  Respectfully submitted,  -  -  Brian Roth Mayor  wedla Dorenda Wallace Clerk  4  March 27, 2023 Town of Plymouth. Special Town Meeting Minutes  Page5