March 14, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  HAMLET CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM 201 MAIN STREET, HAMLET, NC: 28345 TUESDAY, MARCH14, 2023 6:00PM MINUTES  Governing Body Present: Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Staff Present: City Attorney Cityl Manager City Clerk Police Chief  Bill Bayless Jesse McQueen Eddie Martin Abbie Covington Maurice Stuart Oscar Sellers TCMorphis Matthew Christian Gail Strickland Dennis Brown  Others Present: Chris McDonald, Howard Wallace, Rasheed Hansford, Eloise Pace, Rashaun Hansford and Don  Norton 1. Call to Order 2. Invocation  Mayor Bayless called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.  Pastor Linda Ross of Faith Assembly Outreach Ministry offered the Invocation.  3. Adoption of Agenda Sellers. The vote was! 5-0. 4. Adoption of Consent. Agenda the second. The vote was! 5-0. 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 Sellers motioned to adopt the Consent Agenda. Council Member Covington provided  New Business  6. Public Hearing - Rezoning Parcel 730 King Street  The Mayor announced Mr. Rasheed Hansford has filed a rezoning petition for property he owns at 730 King St.; more specifically, Parcel ID 749105272740. The property is currently zoned Residential 6. Mr. Hansford isi requesting a change to B-2 General Business. The Planning Board met on February 20, 2023 to consider the rezoning. The vote was 3-2 to recommend the rezoning. The Mayor opened the Public  1    March 14, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  Hearing. Mr. Hansford distributed al hand-drawn diagram oft the property to Council. He requested the rezoning to B-21 to open a vending area. He gave background information on his visits to Hamlet asa child and his current business, Candilicious, that sells icees and frozen treats int the area and at City events. Mr. Hansford explained he would like to expand his business ati the 730 King St. location to also sell fruits and vegetables. His vision is to have a vending area that allows traffici to enter on one end of the property and exit on the opposite end. The property owner said he was given information on parking and: screening. Mayor Bayless expressed concern of children crossing Hwy 177 to get to the  location. With no further comments, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing. 7. Consistency! Statement & Decision of Rezoning Parcel 730 King St.  Mayor Bayless asked for a motion on the Consistency: Statement. Council Member McQueen asked the Attorney ift the rezoning would be legal ori ifi it would be considered spot zoning. Mr. Morphis explained spot zoning is complicated. Spot zoning is legal ifi it can be determined thati it is lawful. The minutes need tor reflect why Council voted for the rezoning. The Mayor stated there are other commercial properties int the area.Council Member Sellers inquired ifthere were any property owners against the rezoning. Mr. Hansford stated he has received positive comments and 2 surrounding property owners have offered to sell their properties to him. Council Member Stuart asked for more information on spot zoning. The Attorney said the lawi is not clear on what constitutes spot zoning. He does not have an issue with the rezoning if Councila articulates int the minutes their reasons to support the rezoning. Mr. McQueen inquired if there are houses on the surrounding lots and the plans for parking. Mr. Hansford answered the houses on the surrounding lots were removed. He advised if he builds a 30' x3 35' building with a driveway, he can have 12 spaces. Council Member McQueen asked ift the plans were fori food trucks or al building. Mr. Hansford explained he plans to start as food trucks and then al building. Mr. McQueen expressed concern of traffic causing accidents and asked how the City would control parking for food trucks. The City Manager advised thei first stepi is determining the use which in this case would be challenging. The City is updating the Zoning Ordinance; he said he was not sure what use category this would falli into, but the City would follow the parking, buffer and setbacks prescribed int that use. The City! has not had that conversation or received the information to make the determination about what use it would be. He reminded Council that ifr rezoned, the City would have to considera all permissible uses. Council Member Covington stated that is what dictates the future use oft the land. She asked what kind of food truck Mr. Hansford had in mind. He answered something similar to the Berry Patch, selling vegetables and frozen desserts under the Department of Agriculturerg guidelines. Mr. Christian located and provided parking information. The current Zoning Ordinance requires 4 spaces for stacking for a drive thru, andi for retail sales 1 space for every 200 square feet of floor space. Once the applicant and Staff get to the Zoning Application process, there will be more discussion of requirements. Council Member Martin stated the question today is to determine the rezoning. He motioned the rezoning is consistent with the Zoning Ordinance. Council Member Sellers provided the second. The vote  was 4-1 with Council Member Covington voting ino opposition.  Rezoning Decision  Council Member Martin stated the rezoning was, approved by the Planning Board, no one in the community wasi in opposition, and the City Attorney was comfortable with any decision the Board made. Her motioned to approve the Rezoning from R-6 to B-2. Council Member! Sellers provided the second.  The vote was 4-1 with Council Member Covington votingi in opposition. 8. Consideration of Resolution 2023-04 Donation of Personal Property second was provided by Council Member Covington. The vote was! 5-0.  Mayor Bayless read the Resolution. Council Member Sellers motioned to approve the Resolution. The  2    March 14, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  9. Consideration of Draft Off-Street and Back-Door Garbage Pick-up Policy  Robert Brown, Interim Public' Works Director, discussed issues with off-street and back-door garbage pick-up. He explained the Public' Works Department has over: 100 names for the service. The Administrative Assistant has found many of the customers are deceased and others do not have Dr.'s notes stating they need the service. After discussing the matter with the City! Manager, letters were mailed to the residents advising documentation from the Doctor is needed. Also discussed was the need for a policy. Mr. Brown stated the request must be renewed each year. The policy will be beneficial to both the residents and employees. Council Member McQueen announced he did not like sending the letters that stated the service was ending; the residents should have been given an opportunity to provide the documentation. The City Manager agreed. The Interim Director stated Public' Works will place the cans where iti is convenient for the resident, unless iti isas safety issue for the employees. He also advised hel hasi implemented a plan fort the Public' Works employees to make notes of issues they see as they are out on their routes. Council and Mr. Brown discussed issues with garbage cans; Mr. Brown is trying to purchase parts for the repairs. Council Member Covington motioned to approve the policy. The second was given by Council Member Stuart. The vote was 5-0. Council Member McQueen asked Mr. Brown to check on trash not being collected on Myrtle Avenue, specifically 309 Myrtle  Avenue. Other Business 10. City Manager's Report  City Manager Matthew Christian announced upcoming events in Hamlet. Baseball Sign-ups are on-going until March: 24th. An Open-house for the City's development of the Comprehensive Plan will be held March 29, 2023 from 4 pm -7 pm. There is an on-line survey for residents to participate in. Council Member McQueen inquired if this would be considered a meeting and require notice. The Attorney suggested providing notice oft the meeting, but no minutes would be required. Also announced were free line dancing classes at the Senior Center on Mondays at 7 pm and Yoga by the Tracks will restart on March 23rd at 61 pm. The Food Trucks and Box Car Concerts will restart for April - June. Mr. Christian reported the City has been awarded a $5,000.00 grant from the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority to assist with paying for the bands. The TDA will also market the events. The Manager said the City has received inquiries regarding the water being taken down at City Lake. He reported the purpose is to do an inspection oft the dam. The dam is considered high hazard due to the location toi the highway; some repairs are needed. The inspection will make sure the foundation is noti in need ofr repairs. Mr. Christian reported the City received a grant for al little more than $10 million for work at the Water Plant, as well as int the water system. Over 4,000 feet of water lines and mains will be replaced, over 200 lead service connections willl be replaced, and site work will be completed at the Water Plant. The investment in the future will be significant and transformational for the people that make the water Council Member McQueen complimented the employees that are maintaining the Facebook page. Council Member Stuart added the Police. Department is doing a phenomenal job on their FB page as well. Mayor Bayless inquired on the camera program. Chief Brown reported iti is doing well, and dispatchers are now monitoring them. The new cameras have shipped and will bei installed at South Hamlet Park, Convenience Corner Park, the Senior Center and 2 more on the current system at Council Member McQueen thanked Mr. Morphis for his information on the rezoning, saying it helped  available. He announced City offices will be closed April 7th for Good Friday.  Wiregrass Rd. and Hamlet Avenue. Council make their decision.  3    March 14, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes 11. Comments of Council  Council Member Martin inquired if the equipment for South Hamlet Park has been ordered. The Manager confirmed. Mr. Martin: said progress is being on made on Memorial Park. He announced the Council Member Sellers thanked the attendees for coming. He also thanked Robert Brown for his presentation and Dennis Brown for keeping Council updated. Mr. Sellers complimented Mr. Hansford for his endeavor. He expressed appreciation to Mechelle Preslar for her work at the Depot Complex and Council Member Covington recognized the $10r million grant and the tremendous work that can be accomplished with it. She added the development oft the Comprehensive Plan will give continuity and direction. Mrs. Covington applauded the City for giving every citizen the opportunity fori input. She also discussed as a Public Service Announcement that residents are receiving letters concerning quality of life policing. The letters state they aret fund raisers for the police department. Mrs. Covington reported the letters are not coming on behalf oft the City ofHamlet or Rockingham. She encouraged anyone receiving the letters to speak with someone at City Hall and cautioned people to investigate anyone before Council Member Stuart expressed his excitement for the $10 million grant. He thanked Robert Brown and Dennis Brown fort their comments during the meeting. Mr. Stuart thanked the City Manager for ordering the South Hamlet Playground Equipment. Hei inquired when it will be received; the Manager will check on the delivery date and report back. Recognizing March as' Women's History Month, he thanked Council Member Covington for her many' years of service and Gail Strickland for her time with Mayor Bayless recognized that Chris McDonald with the Richmond Observer was in attendance covering Council Member McQueen discussed an issue a citizen was having with at tree that was cut down in her yard. He has spoken with the resident and received al letter from her addressed to all of Council. The Manager has emailed the letter to all of Council. Mr. McQueen stated he did not see anything in the policy that would stop the City from picking it up. He said in the past the City did not pick upi ifay paid contractor cut the tree, but he believes someone did it as ai favor to her. Interim Public Works Director Robert Brown responded it has been the City's practice that ift the work was done be a contractor or put at the road by a piece of equipment, the City did not pick it up. He said every citizen has the ability to get at trailer that saves the employees time and labor. Mr. Brown added the City'sl landfill fory yard debris is almost full; once iti is, the City will have to carryi it to the County. He added, the City's equipment cannot handle the size oft thist tree, the base of thet tree is2 2ft. in diameter. Mr. Brown: stated the pick upl has been done by some individuals ini the past or when Council impressed on employees to picki it up. He said the City needs to have a clear policy. Both Council Members McQueen and Martin: agreed a policy is needed. Mr. Martin added citizens need to know the policy. In this case, he did not feel the resident knew the policy, and regardless, the City needs to help a citizen if the circumstances warrant helping them. The City Manager stated he and Mr. Brown will develop a policy for Council's consideration. Council Member Covington suggested putting an insert int the water bills that gives guidelines. It was consensus of Council tol have City employees pick up the tree. Council Member Stuart asked Mr. Brown ift he felt forced. He replied he did not, but he and the employees need the guidance ofap policy.  American Legion games will start the end of May.  thanked his Colleagues and the Manager for their well-done jobs.  making contributions.  the City. the meeting.  4    March 14, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes  Council Member McQueen stated he has received calls from 3-4 people that the Pickle Ball Group was not able to use the gym with the new floor. The Manager answered they can use the gym; the City has ordered the nets and: striping needed for the game. He thinks there was miscommunication between Mr. McQueen asked Robert Brown to have a missing cover replaced on a water meter on Axle Lane. He also expressed appreciation to all that helped with the newl ladder truck, saying it looks great. He mentioned the passing of Tommy Thompson and Carroll Garner, both had association with the Hamlet  players; he will contact them.  Fire Department. 12. Mayor's Comments  Mayor Bayless said the grant for water repairs was much needed as was the inspection oft the Cityl Lake dam. He encouraged the residents to complete the online survey for the Comprehensive Plan and attend the meeting. He recognized the Planning Board for their years of service and thanked the 13. Motion to go into Closed Session per NC General Statute $143-318-11(a) (3)(6) Personnel and Attorney At7:33 pm, Mayor Bayless asked for a motion to go into Closed Session and read the Statutes. Council Member Covington made the motion. The second was offered by Council Member McQueen. The vote  employees for doing a great job.  Client Privilege was! 5-0.  Return to Open Session  At 8:24 pm, Council Member Sellers made the motion to return to Open Session. The second was given  by Council Member Martin. The vote was 5-0.  14. Adjourn  At 8:25 pm, Council Members Sellers and Martin provided the motion and second to adjourn the  meeting. The vote was 5-0. Respertiulysubmittes,  OF EAES GFICIL SEAL A  cPland  Gail M. Strickland, City Clerk  5