Town of Whitakers Board of Commissioners July 1, 2024, at 7:00P.M. Boardroom Chamber, Town Hall  Conference Call Number: -425-436-6369; Access Number 2295298  Present: Mayor Sammy Hopkins, Pro Tem Commissioner Dr. Doris Lindsey out with prior notification, Commissioner Doris Howington, Commissioner. Janice Bellamy, Commissioner Others in attendance: Tamica Gray, Town Clerk, Dennis Patton, UCPCOG Grant Representative, Tony Gorham, Veolia Representative. James Kutulas, Spencer Debrew, Melinda Whitfield  Nancy Taylor, and Commissioner Racheal Tillery.  Lynch, Jesonya Hargrove, Ronald Hughes  1. Call to Order and Meeting Guidelines Mayor Hopkins  2. Devotion by Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Pastor Jesonya Hargrove  3. Roll Call Ms. Tamica Gray the Consent Agenda as presented) a. Approval of Agenda  4. Consent Agenda (all items included hereunder may be approved by a motion to approve  Pro Tem Commissioner Lindsey made a motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Bellamy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 51 to0.  5. Approval of. June 3, 2024, Regular BOC Minutes-  Commissioner Bellamy made ai motion to approve the BOC minutes. Commissioner Tillery seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 5 to 0. 6. Grant and Land Use Plan Updates - Mr. Dennis Patton, Grant Administrator a. Monthly COG Activity Report Mr. Patton referred the Board of the June activity report in the Agenda Notebook and reported the highlights on the month tol be: (1) Requisition #15 for $3,507.72 was prepared, submitted and received; (2) participated in the Monitoring Visit and Ms. Gray and Ia are providing follow up documentation (3)  1). Neighborhood Revitalization ($799,325)  performed several site visits with the Housing Specialist.  b. Status Report - Mr. Patton reported that the construction continues work towards the final items on the two homes, 205 S. Porter St. and 305 Knight St. 305 Knight St. is complete and received a Certificate of Occupancy and the flood elevation certificate. I'm working on homeowners and flood insurance. We are preparing for a walk through. The home at 205 S. Porter St. is having power line and al handicap roll in shower stall    installed. When Mr. Harris returns the handicap ramp will be approved and constructed. Then, final flood elevation certificate will be completed, which leads to final building inspection and Certificate ofOccupancy. These items illustrate the details and complications of providing these homes to the beneficiaries.  2). DWSRF/VUR-D-ARP-0050 - Galvanized/Cast Iron Waterlines ($2,839,000) Mr. Patton provided al brief update on the project. Obviously, the contractor has begun working to prepare for certain aspects of the construction to come. The construction progress meetings will be held every 3rd Monday at 2 pm in this room. I request that Mr. Brown be authorized tol be one oft the Town's representatives at these meetings to assist in the Town's part in any solution to issues that may arise. Mr. Patton also explained that there have been requests for the residents to know about and understand what is occurring during the water and sewer construction projects. He stated that he will draft a  PSA message.  3) Lead Service Line. Assessment Grant Application ($60,150)  Mr. Patton reported that the grant application for $60,150 was submitted by McDavid Associates on. June 6th. The SWIA will meet in Mid-July to decide on certain matters and  likely this category of applications.  4). Land Use Plan  a. Status Report - Mr. Patton stated that the. Advisory Committee held a work session last week to wrap up the Future Land Use Strategies. The Committee will meet again this month to begin putting final touches on the various chapters oft the plan. 5)Zoning Administration Item - Mr. Patton reported that an owner has requested a Zoning Permit for construction ofa new house at the corner lot at N. Vance St. and W. Edgecombe St., which is right across the street from the town owned parcel or parcels of nearly 2 acres. He explained that the Town informed them that sewer is not available directly to the owner's lot and that any property within town limits must hook up to town water and sewer. He asked the Board ifit would consider half of the cost to extend sewer main to where it would serve the owner and the town owned parcels. There was no  response.  7. Department Reports  A. Water/Sewer Veolia Report- Mr. Tony Gorham  Commissioner Taylori made a motion to approve the Veolia report.    Commissioner Bellamy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously 5 Pro Tem Commissioner Lindsey made a motion to approve the maintenance department report. Commissioner Bellamy seconded the motion. The motion  to0.  B. Maintenance Department - Ms. Tamica Gray, Town Clerk  passed unanimously 5t to0. a. Update on town Coverage  Police Department Activity log: Commissioner Bellamy  Commissioner Bellamy stated no new updates the TOW: is still being patrolled by the county Edgecombe and Nash and that they are letting their presence bel known. Commissioner Tayor made a motion to approve the Police Department Activity log. Pro Tem Commissioner Lindsey seconded  the motion. The motion passed unanimously 51 to0. D. Financial Reports: Ms. Gray, Town Clerk a. Approval ofBills for. June 2024  Ms. Gray, the Town Clerk, presented the bills for the period ofJune 1, 2024, to. June 30, 2024, which added up to thirty-two checks amounting to $49,036.43. Commissioner Taylor made ai motion to approve the bills for. June 2024, with Commissioner Bellamy seconding the motion. The  motion was unanimously approved by a 5to 0 vote.  b. Update on 2021-2022 Audit  Ms. Gray advised the board that there was no update the CPA Mr. Overton was supposed to be in the office that day. She made several attempts to contact him but still no answer. Commissioner Howington asked ifh he had turned in the things to our auditor Ms. Rebecca Barron Wednesday. Commissioner Taylor responded by saying it would be the upcoming Wednesday that he will have everything to Ms. Barr. Update of Whitakers Community Development Advisory Board- Ms. Ms. Gray stated that pretty much everything with CDAB was the same the only thing that has changed was an extension of the due date to turn in the application it went from June 24,2024 to July 3, 2024. At the present moment only have two applicants needed a third to start moving forward. Mr. Bruce Naegelen sent out ai reminder email to people that had  Gray/Commissioner Taylor  volunteered on different boards prior.  8. Citizens Comments and or Concerns:  Spencer Debrew, aj resident of113 N.E. Railroad St. Mr. Debrew had concerns of drug dealings that he believes is occurring in his neighborhood. He stated over the years there have been several tenants ofa particular home whom he perceives is involved ini illegal activities and the chemicals of the drug manufacturing is coming through his sewer system which he had redone a couple of years ago & due to such fumes. Mr. Debrew stated that one tenant had    respiratory issues that ended in hospitalization, and he is having similar health issues or symptoms, but he exercises a lot to keep his immune system up and he believes this is why he did not end up in the same predicament. He stated that he spoke with law enforcement and was advised tol bring the complaint to the board of commissioners sO that they are aware oft the issue. He stated he was advised that this was a personal issue, and he would need to handle it himself, but he preferred to take the proper channels to address the issue. Dr. Ron Huges, a resident 308 E. Main St. Dr. Huges stated that Mr. Patton had already addressed his topic which was to recommend that the Town makes some. kind of communication with the citizens about things that are going on within the town. He stated that people were questioning him about the crews in town and he shared what hel knew. He felt the town could proactively put out a written notice or a PSA that included that the  town was awarded a grant how much it was and what it was for. 9.Commissioners Reports, Comments and or Concerns  Commissioner Janice Bellamy: Commissioner Bellamy stated that we had a lot going on in town some good and some bad. She was happy that the new modular homes had finally been put up and she addressed Mr. Debrew and assured him that his situation would be addressed. She concluded by stating that she thanks God that things would get better in Whitakers, and she Commissioner Doris Howington: Commissioner Howington stated that she would like to commend Mr. Dennis Patton for all hel has done for the Town of Whitakers like the grants that wel have received so far housing, water, & infrastructure she stated he is doing a great job and now taking on our zoning we really appreciate everything you do or TOW. She thanked  would continue to pray for the town and the board.  everyone for attending and wished them a happy holiday. Commissioner Pro Tem Doris Lindsay: No Comment Mayor Sammy Hopkins: No Comment  Commissioner Nancy Taylor: Commissioner Taylor wanted to extend thanks to Ms. Gray for stepping up and she thinks she was doing ai really good job but as a board they should go ahead and make plans to get her some administrative assistant help. Suggested posting job on NC works and start the process. Ms. Gray thanked Commissioner Taylor as well for always being Commissioner Rachel Tillery: Commissioner Tillery thanked everyone for coming out and  available to help her when needed. wished them al Happy 4thofJuly.  10. Adjournment  Commissioner Bellamy moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Howington seconded the  motion. The motion passed,unanimously 5 to 0. Meeting adjourned at 8:12pm domica Recorded and submitted Tamica  dec Town Gray, Clerk  -Aen  by