ROCKINGHAM A CITY LOOKING FORWARD CITY COUNCIL AGENDA December 14, 2021 6:30 p.m.  1. Opening of meeting by Mayor Pro Tem John P. Hutchinson.  2. Invocation by Reverend Allen Bingham, First United Methodist Church.  3. Amendments and Changes to Agenda.  4. Consent Agenda:  A. Disposition of Minutes of the November 9, 2021 Regular Meeting.  B. Tax Collector's Report. (See Pages 5-11)  Informational Items: 1.) Monthly Collection Report  2.) Uncollected Taxes as of November 30, 2021 1.) Refunds per County Assessor's Office. 2.) Discovery bills added to Tax Scroll. 3.) Releases per County Assessor's Office.  Action Items:  C. Abstract of Canvassing of November 2, 2021 Elections. D. Approval of Annual Certification of Firemen Roster.  (See Pages 12-17)  5. 6.  Administration of Oath of Office to Mayor. John P. Hutchinson. Administration of Oath of Office to Councilwoman Denise A. Sullivan, Councilwoman Anne M. Edwards, and Councilman Gene Willard.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (9101 995 9088 . Fax (910) 997 6617 wwwgoroctinghem.com    City Council Agenda December 14, 2021 Page 2  7. Election of Mayor Pro Tem.  City Charter  Article IV. Sec.4.4 Election of Mayor Pro Tem.  "The mayor pro tem shall be elected by the city council from among its own members and he shall hold such office for the term for which he has been elected to the council. In the absence, disability, or resignation of the mayor, the mayor pro tem shall, to the extent permitted by the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina perform the mayor's duties, and until a mayor has been selected as Councilman John Hutchinson was elected Mayor Pro Tem in December 2019 and per Charter was elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem until December 2023 which was end of that term. Mayor Pro Tem position is now vacant and new selection from council is required for Mayor Pro  provided in article IV, section 4.1(e) of this Charter."  Tem.  8. Appointment City Officials:  A. City Attorney Benny Sharpe B. City Clerk Sabrina Y. McDonald C. Other Appointments:  1.) Delegate to Lumber River COG. (Denise Sullivan currently serving) 2.) Alternate Delegate to Lumber River COG. (Gene Willard currently serving)  3.) City Representative to Richmond Economic Development  Corporation. (Bennett Deane currently serving)  2    City Council Agenda December 14, 2021 Page 3  9. Business by Planning Board.  A. Set Public Hearings. (None) B. Hold Public Hearings: (None) C. Minutes from Various Boards. (None)  10. Consideration of Approval of Letter to NC Local Government Commission providing justification for the City of Rockingham to be removed from the NCLGC Unit Assistance List (UAL). (See attached letter Pages 18-19) 11. Consideration of a Demolition Ordinance for the dilapidated dwelling located at 204 S. Brookwood Avenue and identified as Richmond County  PIN# 7473-14-34-4152. (See Pages 20-22 & Insert)  12. Consideration of a Demolition Ordinance for the dilapidated dwelling located at 302 Bush Street and identified as Richmond County PIN# 7473-14-33-3329. (See Pages 23-25 & Insert)  13. Business by Visitors. 14. Business by City Clerk. 15. Business by City Manager. 16. Business by City Attorney. 18. Business by Mayor. 19. Adjournment.  17. Items of discussion by City Council Members.  Olleny Chvislmas & appy Olen earl  3    Rockingham, NC  City Council Agenda  SUPPORT DOCUMENTS  4    5  2 )  8  5 0 4 3  0  3  A  5    UNCOLLECTED TAXES  YEAR 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011  AMOUNT 1,762,473.50 18,682.74 8,452.01 6,921.47 6,235.73 5,648.74 6,140.01 6,144.86 7,997.47 6,232.89 5,870.15  Nov-21  1,762,473.50 78,326.07 1,840,799.57  Total Current Year Total Past Years Total All Years  6    E  o    3  6  00 o 8    a  0  B  : N  6 a  D  9    DS  6  2  10    0  0  0    2021 MUNICIPAL ELECTION 11/02/2021 ABSTRACT OF VOTES FOR  RICHMOND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA  INSTRUCTIONS  The county board shall prepare abstracts of all the ballot items in triplicate originals. The county board shall retain one of the triplicate originals, ands shall distribute one each to the city or town clerk for the municipality andt the State Board of Elections. The State Board of Elections shall forward the original abstract it receives to the Secretary of State (GS5163-182.6)  STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF RICHMOND  The County Board of Elections for said county, having opened, canvassed, andj judicially determined the original returns of the election in the precincts in this county, held as above stated, dol hereby certify that the attachedi is ai true abstract thereof, and contains the number of legal ballots casti in each precinct for each office or referendum named, the name of each person or choice voted for, their party affiliation (where applicable), and the number ofv votes cast for each person or choice fort thei item  named.  This is the 9th day of November, 2021.  WAPAht Board Member halNSky Board Member Boardi gub  Board,  / hudor  eRWE  BoardSecretary  This day personally appeared before me,  Chairman oft the County Board of  haeonLHaskins  Elections, who being duly sworn, says the abstract of votes herein contained ist true and correct, according to the returns INT TESTIMONY WHEREOF, Ihave hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seali this the 9th day of November, 2021.  made to said Board.  CONNIE Printed/Typed Name of  Official Signature of NotaryP louishsg  My Commission Expires: o/3/9023 5  SEAUBLIG Vn  f  12    Podpo 33 nAB 0Q5A30P0 AoH  G a  P305H 300HA Um 0BBOU HG WHPO0 PFo  HKPb P a HHPE DEApB  FHPE K3308 OANPOORs 008003> KXOPB pB04 PBBOKX 0B04 2f KHO la KFPPS FOPBPO Er PK a EOEKOZ O8SASOREE oc POPSOs oPw03 PFOxOO OPHHOS 0<0rm  13    HHoG  5 EEE EE EEE : .  PHPSPB M PPAHPPEO DB OBHER HFO PHPPPES 0B00  14    35  3:98838  N8dd 0o  00 o 0 NGS N a B d0  00000 1 1 2  J  2 2 N 2 0  15    0  B  0 8 - d 6 a  3988388 16 C C B d0 80 20  WRBaNS8 000000388 :o 8858  2 2  2 0 2  NN   0000000 0 0o 000N: N 0 0  16    f  003 o 0  6 E3  n  o 17  2  2 2 o    ROCKINGHAM A E CITY LOOKING FORWARD  December 14, 2021  Ms. Susan McCullen, CPA 3200 Atlantic Avenue Raleigh, NC27604 Ms. McCullen,  Please accept this letter on behalf oft the City of Rockingham in response to the City being on the Unit Assistance List (UAL) for the fiscal year ended. June 30, 2021. In April 2020, Richmond County voted to change their sales tax distribution method from a per capita distribution to an ad valorem distribution. As a direct result, the Local Government Commission placed all municipalities in the County, including In response to the change in the County's sales tax distribution method, the Cityi increased their property tax rate by $0.10, approximately 21%, increased residential and commercial sanitation rates by $3.00 per month, approximately $72,000 per year, and reduced capital expenditures for fiscal year 2020 -2021. As a result of these changes along with responsible financial management, despite the change in sales tax distribution, the City increased their total General Fund Balance by $956,341 or 20%1 for the For fiscal year 2021-2022, the City budgeted for an additional $3.00 increase in residential and commercial sanitation rates and continues to closely monitor capital expenditures. Although the change in the sales tax distribution method in April of 2020 had a significant impact on the finances of all municipalities in Richmond County, the City of Rockingham took immediate action in order to alleviate the impact to the City. Asa result oft the City's wise financial management, the City! has remained in sound financial condition and had no other performance indicators of concern requiring them to submit ar response to the Local Government Commission fori fiscal year ended. June 30, 2021.  the City of Rockingham on the UAL.  fiscal year ended. June 30, 2021.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (9101 895 9088 Fax (910) 997 47-mmgerdinynen  18    ROCKINGHAM A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  S  Respectfulysubmites,  John P. Hutchinson, Mayor  Bennett Deane, City Council  Anne Edwards, City Council  Denise Sullivan, City Council  Eugene Willard, City Council  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (9101 895 9088 Fax (910) 997 7-mmgerdigncn  19    John R. Massey, Jr. AICP Planning Director  ROCKINGHAM A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  MEMORANDUM  To: Mayor Steve Morris and City Council Members From: John R. Massey, Jr., Assistant City Manager  Date: December 6, 2021  Re: Demolition Ordinance for Dilapidated Dwelling located at 204 S. Brookwood Avenue  City staff recommends the City Council approve a demolition ordinance for the dilapidated dwelling located at 204 S. Brookwood Avenue and identified as Richmond County PIN 7473-14-34-4152. A copy oft the demolition ordinance and photographs of the property are included in the agenda packet. As background information, City staff initiated minimum housing proceedings in July of 2021. The property owner, Eva Ray Ellerbe, 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. No one attended the hearing with the Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer issued his findings of fact and directed the property owners to either repair or demolish the dwelling by November 9, 2021. 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 to  address the dilapidated dwelling.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (910) 895 9088 * Fax (910) 997 6617 W www.geroctingham.com  20    AN ORDINANCE DIRECTING THE BUILDING INSPECTOR TO REMOVE OR DEMOLISH THE PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED AS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION AND DIRECTING THAT AI NOTICE 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, Eva Ray Ellerbe, has been given a reasonable opportunity to bring the dwelling up to the standards of the Housing Code in accordance with G.S. 160D-1203 pursuant to an order issued by the Building Inspector on August 11, 2021 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 204 S. Brookwood Avenue 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 11, 2021 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 ofG.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# 7473-14-34-4152.  Section 2.  and G.S. 160D-1203.  Section 3. (a) The cost of removal or demolition shall constitute al lien against the real property  160A.  int the manner provided by G.S 160D-1203.  21    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  2021  Mayor  Attest:  City Clerk  NORTH CAROLINA RICHMOND COUNTY  I,a Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid, certify that Sabrina Y. McDonald personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that she is City Clerk oft 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  2021.  Notary Public  My Commission expires:  22    3 s I  MV  D    John R. Massey, Jr. AICP Planning Director  ROCKINGHAM A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  MEMORANDUM  To: Mayor Steve Morris and City Council Members From: John R. Massey, Jr., Assistant City Manager  Date: December 6, 2021  Re: Demolition Ordinance for Dilapidated Dwelling located at 302 Bush Street  City staff recommends the City Council approve a demolition ordinance for the dilapidated dwelling located at 302 Bush Street and identified as Richmond County PIN 7473-14-33-3329. A copy of the demolition ordinance and photographs of the property are included in the agenda packet. As background information, City staff initiated minimum housing proceedings in July of 2021. The property owners, Lasalle B. Thomas and Mattie C. Thomas, 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. Two parties of interests in the property 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 17, 2021. 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 to address the dilapidated dwelling.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (910) 895 9088 Fax (910) 997 6617 wwwgeroctingham.com  23    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 NOTI BE OCCUPIED. WHEREAS, the City Council oft 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, Lasalle B. Thomas and Mattie C. Thomas, have been given a reasonable opportunity to bring the dwelling up to the standards of the Housing Code in accordance with G.S. 160D-1203 pursuant to an order issued by the Building Inspector on August 19,  have been complied with; and  2021 and the owner has failed to comply with the order;  NOW, THEREFORE, BEIT ORDAINED by the City Council oft 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 302 Bush 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 19, 2021 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  7473-14-33-3329.  Section 2.  and G.S. 160D-1203.  Section 3. (a) The cost of removal or demolition shall constitute a lien against the real property  160A.  int the manner provided by G.S160D-1203.  24    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  2021  Mayor  Attest:  City Clerk  NORTH CAROLINA RICHMOND COUNTY  I,al Notary Public of the County and State aforesaid, certify that Sabrina Y. McDonald 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  2021.  Notary Public  My Commission expires:  25     D    DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITY REPORTS  for  COUNCIL'S INFORMATION  26    ROCKINGHAM cIy LOOKING FORWARD  Rockingham Police Department  G.C. Gillenwater, Chief of Police  L6s  To: Monty Crump From: G.C. Gillenwater Chief of Police Date: December 1, 2021 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: Public Service Calls - INCLUDES Alarms, Unlocks and Battery Boosts) Charges Generating Arrest: Felonies: Misdemeanors: Drug Violations: Juvenile: Warrants Served: Citations:  1331 325 05 27 05 22 60 26 58 06 23 233  Accidents Reported/Investigated: Property Damage only: Personal Injury: Officer Hours Spent in Court: Officer Training Hours Logged  311 E. Franklin Street, Rockingham, N.C. 28379 Phone (910) 895-2468 Fax (910) 895-0899 ngorochnghompd.com  27    -V ROCKINGIAM  FIRE CHIEF HAROLDI ISLER ADMIN.ASST. KRISTYPLAYER  4 FIRE DEPT. November  We are pleased to submit the monthly fire report on the activities undertaken by the Rockingham  Fire Department during the month of November 2021.  Total Alarms: Turn In Alarms: Wrecks: Service Call: Power line down: 1 Smoke scare: Electrical:  39 0 17 4 2 0  In Town: Silent Alarms: Alarm Malf: Assist Police: Assist Ems: Cooking fire: Bomb Threat:  39 39 10 1 0 1 0  Outof Town: Structure fire: Good Intent: Trash/outside fire: 3 Unauthorized burn: 0 Vehicle fire: Spill/Leak:  0 0 0 0 0  Hours Spent on Calls: 14 hours 29 minutes Total Property Exposed to Fire: Total Property Damaged by Fire: Total Property Saved:  $115,000.00 $70,000.00 $45,000.00  During the month of November members of thet fire department averaged 161 training hours per person; part-paid members averaged 2 hours per person for the month.  Respectfully Submitted, Hu Harold Isler Fire Chief  231 S. LAWRENCE ST. ROCKINGHAM, NC 28379 I 910-997-4002  28    ROCKINGHAM A CITY LOOKING FORWARD  To: From: Date:  Monty Crump, City Manager  Dave Davis, Parks and Recreation Director  December 6, 2021  Subject: Activity Report  The following is an update of recent and current recreation  activities.  Youth Volleyball - Our eighth season comes to a close on Saturday, December 18th. From number of participants to quality of play it has been fun to watch and we look forward to what next season may  bring.  Youth Basketball - Our registration period ends Thursday, December gth and although sign-ups have been a little slow we still anticipate approximately two hundred participants for coming season. Park Maintenance - Although a great deal of our activities have moved inside our maintenance staff continues to perform various refurbishing and renovation work to Hinson Lake, Browder, and  Civitan Park.  All of this work was completed "In House" and we are fortunate to have individuals with skills and abilities for these type of projects.  On the be half of staff and myself we wish each of you a  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  514 Rockingham Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone (910) 895 9088 Fax (910) 997 6617 V www.goroctingham.com  29