May 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes  HAMLET CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM 201 MAIN STREET, HAMLET, NC 28345 TUESDAY, MAY1 10, 2022 7:00 PM MINUTES  Governing Body Present: Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Staff Present: City Attorney City Manager City Clerk Police Chief  Bill Bayless Jesse McQueen Eddie Martin Maurice Stuart Oscar Sellers Abbie Covington TCI Morphis Matthew Christian Gail Strickland Dennis Brown  Others Present: Danielle Diggs, Angela C. Bruton, Scottie Bethea, Capricia Griffin, Tavares Bostic, Rosa Johnson, Willa Bonds, Quindell Griffin, Tyronda Leak, Mary McLaurin, Everette Stroman, Jr., Willie Baldwin, Howard Wallace, Gerard A. Morrison, Howard Taylor, Diana Reid, and Mercedes' Taylor  1. Call to Order 2. Invocation  Mayor Bayless called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.  AN Moment of Silence was observed. 3. Adoption of Agenda  Council Member Covington motioned to adopt the Agenda with the addition of Item #14A, Proclamation -Older Americans Month. Council Member Sellers provided the second. The vote was. 5-0.  4. Approval of Minutes Stuart. The vote was! 5-0. 5. Comments from Attendees  Minutes from the April 25, 2022 Meeting were approved by motions of Council Members Martin and  Mr. Willie Baldwin spoke to Council with conçerns of illegal activity at Washington Court. Mayor Bayless asked Police Chief Dennis Brown to discuss some of the new initiatives in the neighborhood. The Chief thanked all that werei in attendance. He provided detailed information on changes that have been made and willl be made ini the Hamlet Police Department to address the problems of violence in the community. Hamlet City Council has increased police salaries, allowing the City to retain officers and hire additional officers. The Department nowi has reports of locations and times of criminal activity and officers willl be placed accordingly. Chief Brown discussed the purchase of cameras, using video for facial recognition and software used to obtain information on cell phones that links individuals to crimes. The  1    May 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes  Chief stated the Hamlet PDI is partnering with local police departments and the state, using the SBI more and Federal Marshalls. He discussed code violations and going after the property owners with fines. Council Member Sellers inquired on nuisance and noise violations. The Chief replied arrests could be made as long as it falls in the Statutes. He provided information on the police personnel's duties and having to prioritize them. Council Member Stuart thanked the attendees and stated he shares the same sentiments. He asked the residents to take the Chief's business card and call him to report activity. He said Council will not give up, they will lock people up, abiding by the rules; he asked them not to give up. Chief Brown provided information on forming a Community' Watch in the neighborhoods and encouraged those in attendance to begin one and, ift they have the ability, toi install a Ring Doorbell or something similar that will record the activity in front of the houses. Chief Brown provided business cards with his contact information. Mayor Bayless encouraged the citizens to call 911 when needed. Ms. Tyronda Leak asked the Chief how often the police come into the community to interact with the citizens. The Chief provided information on an upcoming event with Food Truck Friday, an Open House that is planned and the Police Advisory Committee. He encouraged the attendees to visit the Police Council Member Stuart said the City will make improvements to getting information out fort the public. He informed the attendees Ms. Leak lost her son, this year, to gun violence. Mayor Bayless encouraged everyone to start their community watch programs and sit down with their neighbors to talk about the issues. The Police Chief agreed they need to do al better job ofi informing the public. Council Member McQueen suggested adding thei information to the water bills. Mr. McQueen stated the Police Chief has the experience, knowledge and people needed to make the changes. Council has given the Chieft the approval to do what is needed, locking people up to get them off the street. He feels that things will change, but the residents are living it now. He commended the people for coming to the meetings and speaking out, saying they want help. Council Member McQueen asked the Attorneyi ifai tenant notifies the police that the persons on their property creating noise are their guests,. can they be charged with aiding and abetting to help solve some of the problems now. Mr. Morphis replied there are things that can be done to get assistance from the renters. Mr. McQueen said the Chiefi is talking about directive patrol, putting officers ini the area and police zones to help with the problem. He said not all areas of Hamlet are dealing with the same situation as the attendees and added, the people that are causing the problems do not live int the area. Council Member Sellers statedi ift they are given the problem, iti is Mr. Howard Wallace, resident of Pine St., encouraged the Chief to have a police presence in the area and stated the practice of placing an empty police cari in the area has been beneficial. Chief Brown Mr. Gerard A. Morrison provided information on 2 Voters' Education and Candidate's Forums at the Hamlet Senior Center. He discussed possible grants and programs from the Department of Justice for the Police Department. Mr. Morrison felt many crimes are crimes of poverty and did not think you should just lock them up. He gave a recommendation for the rezonings of Everette. Stroman and Danielle Diggs that would be considered lateri int the meeting. Mr. Morrison stated if cameras were used by the police department it could create privacy invasion issues. He stated if cameras were placed on one side oftown, he wanted them on every side of town. He told Council to stop acting like race and ethnicity does not exist. Also, reported by Mr. Morrison was the Animal Control Vehicle speeding on Charlotte St. He requested to have the speedbumps back on his street and for the tint on police cars to be removed sO the officers.could bei identified. He discussed a comment he: said was made by Council to the  Department's Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter for information.  Council's duty to solve the problem.  advised the Officers are mandated to do their reports in high crime areas.  2    May 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes  attendees. Mr. Morrison said it sounded hierarchical when they said, "youallr need to go toy your communities and fixt this". Council Member McQueen responded that no one made that statement; they said buyi in and help. Mr. McQueen told Mr. Morrison, when he said something, it needed to be accurate. Mr. Morrison responded it was. Council Member McQueen answered no one said fora anybody to go fix the problem. Mr. Morrison asked the audience ift they felt Council said for them to go fix the problem. Mr. McQueen asked the audience to answer, and stated Mr. Morrison's misrepresentation was a shame. Ms. Leak responded she did not see it as bias, Council said everyone needs to work for their community. Council Member McQueen clarified, when he said to lock them up, he was referring to the criminals, where they are shooting people. He added there are al lot of crimes in poor areas, but at some point, you have to arrest people to stop the problem at the moment. Mr. Morrison said he wanted tor make sure when they are arresting, it is going fairly across the board. Council Member Sellers asked Mr. Morrisoni if he wantedi it fairly for all communities or just one. Mr. Sellers said as fara as he knew, all are being treated fairly andi if you commit a crime, you get arrested. Mayor Bayless advised Mr. Morrison that normal time for comments was 51 minutes; his time had been extended. The Mayor asked him to make his point. Mr. Morrison discussed the need to have historical sites int the City's upcoming Comprehensive Plan; he wants to bei included int the planning. Mr. Morrison stated he wanted to channel the energy into a positive track. He stated his comments were not personal; he wants people to know they can come to the Board. Council Member Covington responded to comments made by Mr. Morrison. She said the Police Chief pointed out that limited resources have only allowed the Cityt to invest in 4 cameras. He has done his best to analyze areas, and the citizens in the neighborhood have requested help with the crimes. She added, when allocating the limited resources to help the people that are saying they need the help, iti is not to target anyone; it is to help people that are saying they want the help. Concentrating the cameras in those areas is not doing anything wrong racially. She said when Mr. Morrison takes the comments of Council and turns iti into an issue of Council targeting a community, based on what he perceives as prejudice on their part, he needs to talk to the people that have come to Council every month for help. They willi tell you they appreciate the effort they have received. Mr. Morrison agreed and: stated he was speaking fori the people that would not speakf for themselves. He said his comments on targeting were proactive, he has seen where it can go. Mrs. Covington replied this conversation wasi from a community. member coming to Council, asking for assistance with their neighborhood. She explained Council and the Police Chief have acknowledged a problem and are trying to address it. Mr. Morrison discussed the need for Council to have districts, SO each Board Member is accountable for that district. Council Member Sellers inquired what Mr. Morrison's comments about districts has to do with the problem of protecting the citizens; he asked if he had tried to start a community watch. Mr. Morrison's response was to ask Mr. Sellers if he had started a community watch. Mr. Sellers replied ift the problem wasi inl his neighborhood, he would be proactive and do whatever he could to help. Mayor Bayless, using! his gavel, advised Mr. Morrison his comments had been heard and he had been given an extended time to make his remarks. Mary McLaurin, a resident of Bridges St. requested the police patrol more at night in her neighborhood. Chief Brown: spoke again, reiterating his previous comments. He said his Department has identified violent, repeat offenders. He gave an example ofa a recent incident where 54 rounds were fired, mostly AR15s. The Chief added it will take cameras and people to help solve the problems. He reported the Manager has given approval for an annex office in the South Hamlet area. Mayor Bayless advised Council is aware oft the issues. He asked the citizens to call and report the activities and encouraged  them to start a community watch.  3    May 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes  Mayor Bayless summarized the Public Comments by saying the people have come and presented their issues. They have found out that Council is aware oft the problems, and they are working oni it along with the Police Chief. He advised they were informed to contact Chief Brown to report activity and given the recommendation to form a Community Watch int their neighborhood. They can meet with the Hamlet Police Department to get information on starting the Community Watch. Mr. Bayless invited the Ms. Mercedes Taylor addressed Council to discuss the Treatment Center on Hamlet Avenue. Mayor Bayless informed her the Public Hearing would be later in the meeting, and she could make her Ms. Diana Reid, a resident of Charlotte St., discussed speeding on her street int the morningsand evenings. Chief Brown: responded he is sending an officer to work traffic at the location. Council Member Sellers stated anyone that is caught speeding should pay the fines. Council Member McQueen  attendees to come back to the meetings.  comments at that time.  asked the Manager to check on "Children at Play" signs for the street.  New Business  6. Public Hearing #1 - Rezoning Bethea Property  Mayor Bayless announced: Scottie and. John Bethea have filed a Rezoning Petition fori their property located at 509 W. Hamlet Avenue. Ms. Danielle Diggs would like to operate a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Private Counseling Practice at the location. The property is currently zoned Residential -6(R-6). The Zoning Ordinance permits the use of rehabilitation or counseling services ini the Office and Institutional (0-1), Central Business (B-1) and General Business (B-2). zoning districts. The Mayor opened the floor toi the Public Hearing. Ms. Danielle Diggs, owner of Overflow Counseling and Consulting, spoke to the Board, saying her idea is to have a home-like atmosphere for her clients. She will treat one patient at ai time and group sessions will be less than 5. She referred to statistics given to Council in her packet ofi information. Mayor Bayless inquired why the rezoning request wasi for General Business and not Office and Institutional. He: asked Gail Strickland ift the use was permitted in 0&1 Zoning. She confirmed and stated the request was for B-2 due to other B-2 zoned parcels further up the street. Council Member McQueen asked the City's Attorney if rezoned, and the Counseling Service closes, could it become ani in-patient treatment center. Mr. Morphis explained, ifre rezoned, any other business that is permitted ini the zoning district would be allowed. Council discussed that 0&1 Zoning is more restrictive. The City Manager read comparable uses of B-2 and 0&izoning districts. He added B2i is a much broader use district. Council Member Stuart commended Ms. Diggs for her efforts but stated his first obligation is to his constituents. He has received several calls with concerns of traffic, drugs, and a decrease in the value oft the surrounding homes. Council Member Covington suggested there may be a more appropriate: zoning district, such as O&1; it would not be as laborious to the people int the neighborhood. Council Member Sellers inquired if the house was Ms. Diggs' personal residence. She advised. she does not live there presently. Council Member Martin thought her plan was a good idea, but the rezoning would allow other uses that would be detrimental to the neighbors. He was opposed to the rezoning Ms. Tyronda Leak offered support of the rezoning, calling attention to the previous discussion of drug activity, crimes, and anxiety from COVID. Council Members Sellers and Covington responded it wasa good plan but needed a better location. Ms. Covington suggested the 0&lzoning district may be a more appropriate zoning; it was not nearly as broad with uses and would be a permitted use. The Mayor commented it would be spot zoning. Mrs. Covington added spot zoning is illegal.  and felt it would be better served in a more appropriate location.  4    May 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes  Tavares Bostic, speaking ins support oft the rezoning, asked if Council was in support of small business, small black businesses, and mental health, how could they not support the rezoning. Council Member Covington suggested 0&I may be a better zoning district for the use. He inquired if Council was saying she would have to come back with another Rezoning Request to 0&1 and if Council would approve it. Mayor Bayless stated they were not saying that. Mrs. Covington replied the change in the rezoning request would go back to the Planning Board. Mr. Bostic asked what zoning classification Ms. Diggs was applying for now. Council Member Covington answered B-2, which is spot zoning on this particular lot. He asked what zoning district she needed to apply for. Mrs. Covington responded Office and Institutional. The City Manager explained the question before the Board is not do we wanti to allow this specific business at this specific location; the question fori the Board is ift this property identified by the materials in the application is appropriate to be rezoned to another zoning district. It has little to do with the specific business, although important. Everyone agrees itis a needed service in our County. The question for the Board is ifrezoning this one property among residential zones is appropriate and consistent with the development in our community. Mr. Bostic asked fort the zoning oft the properties mentioned during Public Comments. Mr. Christian responded the map in the packet has the zoning of the surrounding properties. Mayor Bayless mentioned the properties that were: zoned business and reported alla abutting properties to the parcel requesting rezoning were all residential. Mr. Bostic inquired if the daycare and dental office had discussions oft their businesses moving. Mayor Bayless explained the daycare is zoned residential andi is a permitted use int that zoning classification. Council Member Sellers stated thei issue is not about Ms. Diggs or her qualifications, iti is about the rezoning. Mr. Bostic asked for clarification if Ms. Diggs reapplied with the request to 0&1 and went back through the process if the Board would approve. Council Member McQueen asked the City Attorney, if the rezoning, as presented, would it be spot zoning. The. Attorney provided information on spotz zoning; iti is a group of uniformly zoned properties that has a small tract of land rezoned into something different that provides either additional opportunities or reduces opportunities for the person on that property. He thinks this would be spot zoning. In NC, you can have legal spot zoning, but there needs to be an explanation of whyi it is there. Council would need to provide a reason that it was rezoned. He felt rezoning to B-2 or 0&1 without providing aj justification ofv why it should be there would be opening Council up to a challenge of illegal spot zoning. Mr. Bostic commented that the Attorney was saying the rezoning could happen. Mr. Morphis stated there would have to be a reason that it was there; the discussion would need to be on the record. Mr. Bostic inquired if the discussion at the meeting could be the reason fori the use to be there. The Attorney stated that would be upt to Council. He said, referring to the City Manager's comments, this is a general district rezoning, 50 Council needs to determine ifitis appropriate there. The guiding principle is that rezoning is for all the uses permitted int the Table. Mr. Bostic. stated the emphasis seems to be if Ms. Bostic willl leave the propertyi if rezoned. Council Member McQueen explained he did not meani ifs she leaves the area, but ifs she outgrows it and needs a larger space. If the parcel is rezoned to B-2, it could become an issue. Mayor Bayless stated the concern is spot zoning. Council Member Covington added it is the process that is creating the problem. Ms. Angela Bruton asked for clarification that if Ms. Diggs applies fori the 0&1 rezoning, she would be allowed to have her business. Mayor Bayless stated the 0&1 rezoning was a suggestion, they! had not determined it would be approved. Ms. Bruton, gave her support oft the rezoning, saying that she works with children that need the treatment. She thanked the Police Chief for his comments and information. Council Member McQueen stated he is noti for the B-2 rezoning, but he would look at the 0&! and make a decision based on the advice oft the Attorney; it may meet the requirement of a legal spot zoning.  5    May 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes  Mr. Gerard Morrison inquired ont the prior zoning oft the former Central Offices for the School System, now LaCabana and Kona Ice. The City Manager responded the Central Offices were rezoned to B-2. Gail Strickland responded she did not have the information with her. Council Member McQueen and Mayor Bayless both explained the difference is those properties are abutting other businesses. Mr. Morrison did not think Kona Ice was abutting businesses. He expressed concern of Ms. Diggs having to come back Ms. Scottie, Bethea, mother of Danielle Diggs, reported 3 halfway houses are ini the area. The Attorney Ms. Mercedes1 Taylor came to the podium and complimented Ms. Diggs on her vision. She felt that a house atmosphere was a matter of aesthetics, it could be created in aj place with proper zoning. She had concern of the level of clientele and the impact the service would have on the community. Ms. Diana Reid inquired ift the patients would stay overnight. Mayor Bayless confirmed they would not. Ms. Reid had concerns of her safety. Her house is behind 509 W. Hamlet. Ave. With no further comments or questions, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.  and pay another $300 for the 0&1 rezoning application.  advised, under NCI law, group homes are allowed in residential districts.  7. Consistency Statement and Decision - Bethea Rezoning  Council Member McQueen motioned the rezoning to B-2 was not consistent with the Zoning Ordinance. Council Member Sellers provided the second. The vote was 5-0. Council Member McQueen provided the motion to deny the rezoning as presented for B-2 zoning. Council Member Sellers offered the second.  The vote was! 5-0.  8. Public Hearing #2-Rezoning Stroman Property  The Mayor announced the second rezoning is for 104 Bridges Street. Mr. Everette Stroman, Jr. wishes to operate an automobile towing and storage business at the location. The Mayor opened the floor to the Public Hearing. Mr. Stroman explained he wants to rezone the property for a vehicle storage yard for his Ms. Mary McLaurin asked for the type of business he would operate. Mr. Stroman said he would tow burned, wrecked, and abandoned cars to the location. After 10 days, the State will notify the owner. If not picked upi in the allowed time frame, the State will give him the rights to sell the car. Ms. McLaurin had a concern of her property decreasing in value. The Mayor answered it would not and everything is Council Member Covington inquired if this would be considered spot zoning. The City Manager advised that the area has several zoning classifications: business, industrial and residential. Mr. Morphis added Ms. McLaurin inquired on security at the business. Mr. Stroman answered he would have a camera or  towing business. He plans to get on the City's wrecker rotation.  currently zoned I-1 on 1s side oft the street.  the areai is not uniformly zoned.  alarm.  With no further comments or questions, the Mayor closed the Public! Hearing.  9. Consistency Statement and Decision- Stroman Rezoning  6    May 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes  Council Member McQueen motioned the rezoning to B-2 was consistent with the Zoning Ordinance. Council Member Sellers provided the second. The vote was 5-0. Council Member Martin provided the motion to approve the rezoning. Council Member Covington offered the second. The vote was 5-0. Council Member Covington motioned to approve the Audit Contract in the amount off $18,750.00. 11. Consideration of Ordinance 2022-01 and Resolution 2022-05- Grant Project Fund - WWTP Expansion The City Manager explained the Ordinance is fora a Special Fund for the WWTP Expansion Project that will run multiple fiscal years. It puts the $17,569,000.00 in a separate fund for accountability and also the money will not turn over with the normal fiscal year. Council Member Stuart motioned to approve the Ordinance. The second was offered by Council Member McQueen. The vote was 5-0. Mr. Christian advised the Resolution is a Declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse. Iti is saying the City will spend its own money until the point the grant money is received, and the City will reimburse itself. Council Member Covington motioned to approve the Resolution. Council Member McQueen provided  10. Audit Contract  Council Member Stuart provided the second. The vote was 5-0.  the second. The vote was 5-0. 12. Approval of Tax Releases  Mayor Bayless gave the amount as $842.33. Council Member Stuart motioned to approve the Tax Releases. The second was provided by Council Member Covington. The vote was 5-0.  13. Budget Amendments May 2022  The Manager explained, after the last Work Session, he went back to Staff to get a list of items that could be reasonably purchased and received in this current, fiscal year. The items that Staff provided are presented in the Budget Amendments. It shows Fund Balance Appropriations covering the expenditures from our existing Fund Balance; however, whether or not the Fund Balance will be utilized will be determined at the end of the year, depending on our financial position. Council Member Sellers motioned to approve the Budget Amendments. The second was provided by Council Member  Covington. The vote was 5-0.  14. Consideration of Council Meeting Time Change  Council Member Covington motioned to approve the Meeting Calendar, changing the regular Council Meetings to 61 pm. The second was provided by Council Member Sellers. The vote was 5-0.  14A. Proclamation - Older Americans Month The Mayor read the Proclamation. Other Business 15. City Manager's Reports  City Manager Matthew Christian welcomed Axe to Grind, Bisque Quick and Nerdy Collective to the downtown area. He announced dates for Food Truck Friday and events withi the Hamlet Depot and Museums. Also announced was the closing of City offices May 30th for Memorial Day with no change in  the garbage schedule. 16. Comments of Council  7    May 10, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes  Council Member Martin suggested the City advertise the. July 4th festivities each week, until the event, Council Member Sellers thanked all the citizens that attended the meeting and offered their views. He Council Member Covington stated: she enjoyed the meeting, enjoyed hearing the citizens' opinions. She announced the Primary Election is May 17th and Early Voting ends May 14th.S She advised the Cityo of Hamlet has been severely affected in 2i issues int the last 2 years coming from the County Commissioners. Because of decisions made by the Commissioners, the City is constantly struggling, financially, and the County also rezoned a property, outside the City, and allowed it to be at trash dump. Mrs. Covington stated ift the citizens of Hamlet want to protect their community, the sustainability and viability oft their community, it is their obligation to vote. She said this applies to every community in Richmond County. Council Member McQueen reiterated Mrs. Covington's comments, saying it is time to put the people in the County Commissioner's: seats that willl help Hamlet and other municipalities. He thanked the people that came to the meeting to voice their concerns. To the ones that have attended multiple times, he said it was his commitment, Council's commitment, and the Police Chief's commitment to make sure we have safe communities. He saidi itv will be done by enforcing the laws we have. Mr. McQueen clarified that the entire time the City! had the 4 Tsunami cameras, 2 were placed on each side of Highway 74. He added that the Police Chief's comments tonight were a good example of directive patrol; youi identifya problem through feedback from the community and you issue a solution in that direction. Mayor Bayless expressed appreciation for the people that came to the meeting and provided information about what the Cityi is doing. He was also appreciative the Cityi is in the process of getting things done. The Mayor thanked Mr. Morrison for what he does in the community. He wished everyone  witha a special promotion offered by the Richmond County Daily Journal.  encouraged others to come.  17. Mayor's Comments  av wonderfull Memorial Day and encouraged all to vote.  18. Motion to Adjourn meeting. The vote was 5-0. Respectfully: submitted, Spr Mlsickbonl Gail M. Strickland, City Clerk  At 9:30 pm, Council Mémbers Covington and McQueen provided the motion and second to adjourn the  HAMI S GFICIAL SEAL MOATNS CASO  8