January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  HAMLET CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM 201 MAIN STREET, HAMLET, NC: 28345 TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023 6:00PM MINUTES  Governing Body Present: Mayor Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Staff Present: City Attorney City Manager City Clerk Police Chief Fire Chief Asst. Fire Chief  Bill Bayless Jesse McQueen Eddie Martin Abbie Covington Maurice Stuart Oscar Sellers TC Morphis Matthew Christian Gail Strickland Dennis Brown Trey Goodwin Richard Lassiter  Others Present: Linda Bayless, Ronnie Martin, Callie Martin, Mary Graham, Eula Grant, Pat Kathleen Lindsey, Kim Brooks, Hannah Harrington, Nicole Fuller Blake, Betty Fuller, Shirley S. Lassiter, Tommy Brigman, Gene Ross, Deanna Patterson, Jaliyah White, Kingston' White, Margaret Williams, Kimberly Brooks, Kyona Rodgers, Natalia Buie, Isaiah Rodgers, Mary Snyder, Donnie Horton, Joy Horton, Barbara Cato, Katelyn Barfield, Kristie Heaton, Kristin Owens-White, Andreas Dietrich, Howard Wallace, Jo Wallace, Calvin White, Gwen White, Scott Waters, Gene McLaurin, Charlie Melvin, Willl Toler, Matthew! Sasser  and others in the foyer that did not sign in.  1. Call to Order 2. Invocation  Mayor Bayless called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.  Pastor Chris Hawks of Second Baptist Church offered the Invocation. Mayor Bayless recognized the  passing of former Rockingham City Council Member. JC Watkins.  3. Adoption of Agenda Martin. The vote was 4-0. 4. Adoption of Consent Agenda the second. The vote was 4-0. 5. Comments from Attendees No one presented to address Council.  Council Member Covington motioned to adopt the Agenda. The second was offered by Council Member  Council Member Martin motioned to adopt the Consent Agenda. Council Member Covington provided  1    January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  New Business  6. Presentation by Hamlet Fire and Rescue  (Council Member Sellers joined the meeting at 6:05 pm.)  Fire ChiefTrey Goodwin thanked all that were in attendance and invited Mr. Gene McLaurin to the podium. Mr. McLaurin asked former Fire Chief Calvin White and his family toj join him. He announced, on behalf of Governor Roy Cooper, he was presenting Chief White with the distinguished Order oft the Long Leaf Pine Award. Mr. McLaurin advised the award can only be given by the Governor and only to those that have distinguished themselves with exemplary service. He read excerpts from 3 letters that were submitted to Governor Cooper to consider the nomination. Mr. McLaurin then read the Governor's Award to Chief Calvin White. Thei former Fire Chief thanked everyone for attending. He offered appreciation to hist family, members of the fire department and the City. 7. Consideration of Resolution 2023-01 = Union County Community Action, Inc. Lease  Council Member Martin asked for the Manager's recommendation on renewing the lease. Mr. Christian responded thisi isa ar renewal oft the existing lease. The facility is in use; they have made improvements and he recommended the renewal. Council Member Martin motioned to accept the recommendation of the City Manager and approve the lease. The second was given by Council Member Sellers. The vote was 8. Consideration of Resolution 2023-02- Surplus of 1991 Spartan Ladder Fire Truck & Garbage Truck Council Member Covington motioned to approve the Resolution for the surplus. Council Member Stuart provided the second. The vote was 5-0. The City Manager commented the Resolution to Surplus includes both the ladder truck and garbage truck. Iti is a preventative measure ini the event the auction  5-0.  price exceeds $30,000.001 that the City Manager is allowed to surplus. 9. Consideration of Calendar for Budget Work Sessions  Council Member Covington motioned to adopt the calendar. The second was given by Council Member  Stuart. The vote was 5-0. 10. Discussion of NCDOT Sidewalk Project  City Manager Matt Christian updated Council oni information he received regarding a NCDOT Sidewalk Project as part oft the Regional Transportation Plan. He gave al brief overview of the 2 sidewalks: one is from Hwy. 1771 to' Wiregrass Rd. on Spring St. and the other is from Bridges St. to Hwy. 38 on Main St. Mayor Bayless commented the City has tried to get the projects done fory years. The Manageranswered ith has been on the prioritization for al long time. The original estimated cost oft the project was less than $200,000.00. A reassessment has the cost near $1 million. Todayspresentation was to provide information. A decision does not have tol be made at this time. This will be al locally administered project which means City Staff and Engineers would carry outt the project. NCDOT will only provide funding at 80%. It is an 80-20 project with the City of Hamlet responsible for 20%. Council Member Covington inquired if the City would have to make a $194,000 cash contribution and also have to carry out the project. Mr. Christian confirmed. Mrs. Covington asked ift the City would cover the payroll of alli involved. The Manager responded the subcontractors would be in the cost share, but staff's time would not have any value assessed to it. Our 20% will consist of engineering, design, and construction. Council Member McQueen commented the sidewalks on Main Street, Hamlet Avenue, Entwistle Street, and others in town, could all use some attention. Mr. Christian responded the NCDOT projects are great projects, and the City would be leveraging $200,000.00 to get $800,000.00 from NCDOT. He said the NCDOT projects, and the existing sidewalks are competing projects. Mr. McQueen stated the City would be adding  2    January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  sidewalks when they can't keep upy with the current: sidewalks. The Manager stated they could discuss it further during the Budget Work Sessions. He will check on the deadline to make a decision. Council Member Sellers asked which sidewalks have the most traffic. Mr. Christian felt a study would be required to give accurate information. He added the 2 NCDOT projects were prioritized due to the proximity to local housing. Council Member Covington inquired if the City! had to choose both or none. The Manager answered he would check on that information. Att this time, the projects are only  conceptual.  11. Budget Amendments January 2023  City Manager Matt Christian advised thei first amendment is for emergency repairs for1 the bulldozer at the landfill. The repairs will replace both tracks and serviçe the equipment that is not operable now. The repairs would be covered using ARP Funds. The second Budget Amendment is for needs at the firing range. The $1700.00 added to thei firing range expense is balanced by the revenue already received for recycling brass from the firing range. Council Member Covington inquired ift there has been any clarification from the County on theiri intentions for the $2 million they received in November. Mr. Christian answered he has not received any notification from the County. He added the ARP Funds he was referring to in the Budget Amendments are the funds the City received directly. Mrs. Covington was curious ift there wasa a nebulous financial resource that the City could possibly plug into with: some ofi its needs. Council Member Martin motioned to approve the Budget Amendments. The second was  provided by Council Member Covington. The vote was 5-0.  12. Acceptance of Grant for AEDs  Mayor Bayless stated the Grant is for AEDS to the Police Department and questioned if there would be one ine every car. Mr. Christian advised there would be one on each: shift; a supervisor and a patrol car on each: shift would have one. Council Member Covington motioned to approve the Grant. The second was  given by Council Member McQueen. The vote was! 5-0. 13. Proclamation for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Mayor Bayless read the Proclamation.  Other Business 14. City Manager's Report  City Manager Matthew Christian announced City offices willl be closed on Monday, January 16, 2023 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He advised many programs will be taking place during the upcoming weekend. The Manager reported the City'swater bills have experienced a delayi in being delivered and announced customers can call for the balance or pay online. Mr. Christian reported basketball had a good turnout for registrations and is ongoing. Hei thanked Council for their support to have the gym floors renovated. Also announced was the ladder truck has been purchased and received. Itisa available for use. In addition, the City purchased a vacuum truck from the Town of Southern Pines fora a fair value that will assist in maintaining the sewer system and: storm drains. Council Member McQueen inquired on the late delivery of the water bills. He: stated he did not want customers' water cut offi ifthey have not received al bill. Council Member Martin: said if the customer is not at fault, there should be no cutoffs. Council Member Sellers added there should be no late charges. The Manager asked Council to formulate their wishes into a motion and he will carryito out. Mayor Bayless agreed there should be no late charges. Council Member Covington inquired when the bills were mailed. Mr. Christian answered the City received confirmation from the vendor on. January 5th. Council Member Martin asked ifar motion was needed. The Manager deferred to Attorney Morphis fori input. Mr. Morphis stated Council could move to waive late fees and water cut offs fori the month. The Manager  3    January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  asked if the delay could be until the month of February, assuming everything gets back on track for the normal February billing cycle. The City will not add late charges or do cutoffs until they would normally do them in February. Council Member McQueen offered the motion. Council Member Sellers gave the second. Mayor Bayless inquired if the Clerk hadi the motion. Gail Strickland read the motion as: Council moves to waive any late fees for a month and cancellation of services for a month. The vote was 5-0. Council Member Martin expressed concern of the South Hamlet Park. He wants to see the parki in operation by Spring and asked Council to begin discussions to make this happen. He reported the City received insurance money fori the damaged equipment and suggested putting up cameras, if needed. Mr. Martin also asked Council to support Chip Gordon and the American Legion Baseball Program that will be starting soon. He has advised Mr. Gordon to bring his requests to Council att the February Meeting for consideration. The Council Member wished everyone a safe and Happy New Year. He congratulated Fire Chief Calvin White and recognized him as a great servant to the City. Council Member Martin stated he had a great deal of respect and owed a debt of gratitude to Mr.. JC' Watkins. Mr. Watkins served on Rockingham City Council when Mr. Martin was appointed as Rockingham Police Chief. He expressed his appreciation to him and the other Council members for giving him the Council Member Sellers agreed with Mr. Martin's assessment of playground equipment for South Hamlet and the need for Council to assist Mr. Gordon with the needs for the American Legion. Mr. Sellers offered his appreciation to Hamlet's Animal Control Officer, saying hei is doing a good job on the stray animals. He wished all al happy and healthy New' Year and encouraged citizens to bring their Council Member Stuart commended Fire Chief Calvin White on his service to the City of Hamlet. He advised he will continue the meetings oft the concerned citizens in South Hamlet to get the Park operational for the children. Mr. Stuart recognized the life and accomplishments of Mr. JC Watkins, saying he owed a debt ofgratitude to him for paving the way for him and others. He thanked Council for their contribution to the MLKI Foundation, of which he sits on the Board. The Council Member announced the numerous MLK activities that are upcoming ande encouraged everyone to support the foundation with their attendance. He reflected on the legacy of Dr. King and what it means to everyone Council Member Covington echoed the sentiments of Mr. Stuart about Mr.. JC Watkins. She said both he, and his wife Ruth, were pioneers that set the best examples for the progress of our community in education, wisdom, and truthfulness. Mrs. Covingtonstated: many of the traits found in Mr. Watkins are also found in Fire Chief Calvin White and we are fortunate to have men that set the best examples for our community. Mrs. Covington announced one of the MLK events is at free concert, featuring Dante Bowe, on Saturday at Rockingham Middle School. The Council Member stated we are. starting a new year. She asked the City Manager to try to get information on alternative funding sources for major projects the City needs, to see ift there are any special projects the City can pick off of the $2 million grant program, and toi find out ift the County intends to refund our portion oft the sales tax next year sO Council Member McQueen asked everyone to reflect on the legacy of Dr. King and his accomplishments. He said Mr. JCI Watkins served this county well and his passing will be a great loss to the community. Mr. McQueen, calling Fire Chief Calvin White a great guy, fire fighter and friend, said the town is better due  15. Comments of Council  opportunity.  concerns to the City Manager or Council.  today.  the City willl know how to budget.  4    January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  to his tenure here and he isa better person for being around him. He offered his congratulations to Chief White for his receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award. Mr. McQueen thanked Council for continuing with business during the December meeting when he was absent visiting family.  16. Mayor's Comments  Mayor Bayless commented how! helpful Mr.. JC Watkins was to him when he was elected to Council. He said both he and Mrs. Watkins will be missed. The Mayor stated hel has known Fire Chief Calvin White since the day Calvin rode his bicycle to the Fire Department. He said the Fire Chief has beena tremendous blessing to the City and willl be missed. Mayor Bayless wished everyone a Happy New Year  and offered his appreciation to Council and the City Staffand Employees.  17. Adjourn  At 6:50 pm, Council Members Sellers and Covington provided the motion and second to adjourn the  meeting. The vote was 5-0. Respectfully: submitted, ogclér Gail M. Strickland, City Clerk  E"  OHAN 3  1 OANICN  5