Clinton NORTH CAROLINA FEBRUARY 4. 2025, CITY COUNCIL MEETING The City Council ofthe City of Clinton, North Carolina, met in a regular session at 7:00 PM on February 4, 2025, in the City Hall Auditorium. Mayor Starling presided. Councimembers Ruggles, Corbett, Strickland, DuBose, and Mayor Pro Tem Becton were present. City Attorney Joel Starling, Jr., ofThe Law Office of W. Joel Starling, Jr., PLLC, was present. Also present were City Manager James Duncan, HR Director Natalie Blue, Planning Director Mary Rose, Assistant Police Chief Adrian Mathews, Fire Chief Hagan Thornton, Parks and Recreation Director Garrett Bryant, Police Chief. Anthony Davis, Public Works Director Chris Medlin, and City Clerk Elaine F. Hunt. Michael Hardison ofThe Sampson Independent was present. Sylvia Chestnutt of The Sampson Weekly was absent. Rev. Jonathon Shattuck, Senior Pastor, Grove Park Baptist Church, 609 Northeast Boulevard, Clinton, NC 28328, gave the invocation. Councilmember Strickland introduced the one who would be coming up next. He stated that this little one is four-years old and his older grandchild. He stated that she attends Grace United Methodist Church Preschool, and it was there that she learned the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone stood as Little Miss Lilly Melvin led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. CITY COUNCIL - APPROVALOF THE MINUTES Upon a motion made by Councilmember Strickland, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Becton, the minutes of January 7, 2025, regular city council meeting, and January 28, 2025, CIP Workshop meeting were approved unanimously. PRESENTATION - DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT PHASE 4 Planning Director Mary Rose appeared before the Clinton City Council to talk about the Downtown Revitalization Project Phase 4. She stated that this project will affect Lisbon Street, Main Street, and the Clinton City Market. Mrs. Rose stated that this project will include the construction of a stage at the City Market and that power lines will be placed underground. She informed the group that they recently received a $250,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Furthermore, she mentioned that they met with USDA and there is a possibility that they can obtain another grant. Planning Director Rose stated that the preliminary engineering is the next step in the process. Mrs. Rose stated that one Downtown Revitalization Project Phase was paid out this past year. She asked the Clinton City Council to agree to this Downtown Revitalization Project Phase 4, and the debt service payment that will be incurred. Mayor Starling stated that placing the power lines underground was wonderful. Mayor Pro Tem Becton asked about the other possible grant that Mrs. Rose mentioned. She stated that it would be a Rural Business Enterprise Grant for $250,000. Councilmember Strickland questioned matching funds and Mrs. Rose stated that there are no matching funds. She noted that the City would be required to provide financing. There being no further discussion regarding the Downtown Revitalization Project Phase 4 at this time, Councilmember Strickland made a motion to proceed forward with this process and this Downtown Revitalization Project Phase 4. Councilmember Ruggles seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. PRESENTATION = CLINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT - POLICE ACCREDITATION Police Chief Anthony Davis proudly appeared before the Clinton City Council and stated, "We celebrate another milestone. We received our 4th CALEA Accreditation Award." He informed the group that this national program evaluates law agencies. He: stated that no deficiencies were found during the process. Chief Davis asked Mrs. Belinda Parker to come forward. Chief Davis stated that Mrs. Parker played a very important role in obtaining this recognition. He stated that her professionalism and integrity go far beyond. He stated that the journey toward excellence continues within the Clinton Police Department. Chief Davis thanked the Clinton City Council for its support and continued commitment. He awarded the Certificate of Appreciation from CALEA to Mrs. Belinda Parker. Also, Chief Davis displayed the 4th CALEA Accreditation Award, and pictures were taken with Mayor Lew Starling, Jr., Mayor Pro Tem Marcus Becton, Mrs. Belinda Parker, and Chief Davis. PUBLIC HEARING - OATHS The oath was given to Planning Director Mary Rose and Mr. Frank Owens. P&Z- 1564 HOBBTON HIGHWAY - FRANK OWENS Mayor Starling opened a public hearing on a special use request by Frank Owens to expand an existing mini-storage facility located at 1564 Hobbton Highway in an HC- Highway Commercial District. Planning Director Rose presented the following findings: 1. The property under consideration contains approximately 6.34 acres. 2. Frank Owens has signed the application as the owner. 3. The property is currently zoned HC - Highway Commercial. 4. The property is bordered to the north, south and west by HC = Highway Commercial. The property to the east is zoned RA-20 Residential. 5. The applicant has provided a site plan showing the proposed locations of the twO new 25 X 220 ft and one 15 X 250 ft mini-storage buildings. 6. There is an existing vegetated buffer between the residential dwelling to the east and the proposed location ofthe new mini-storage buildings. 7. The property has been posted and all property owners within 100 have been notified by mail. 8. Section 7, Goals and Implementing Strategies, of the 2035 Clinton Comprehensive Plan encourages commercial development to occur in clusters with an emphasis on US 701. 9. The special use standards from Section 11.4 Step 6, B.2 of the City of Clinton Land Development Ordinance shall be considered by City Council. Frank Owens did not speak, no one else appeared to be heard, and the hearing was closed. Mayor Starling read Standard 1: Ifcompleted as proposed, the development will comply with all the requirements oft this Ordinance. He then called for a vote on whether the requested use would meet this standard. Five voted that the standard. would be met. Mayor Starling read Standard 2: The use will not materially endanger the public health or safety. He then called for a vote on whether the requested use would meet this standard. Five voted that the standard would be met. Mayor Starling read Standard 3: The use will not substantially injure the value of adjoining or abutting property. He then called for a vote on whether the requested use would meet this standard. Five voted that the standard would be met. Mayor Starling read Standard 4: The use will be in harmony with the area in which it is to be located. He then called for a vote on whether the requested use would meet this standard. Five voted that the standard would be met. Mayor Starling read Standard 5: The use will be in general conformity with the Land Development Ordinance, thoroughfare plan, or other plan officially adopted by the Council. He then called for a vote on whether1 the requested use would meet this standard. Five voted that the standard would be met. Upon a motion made by Councilmember DuBose, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Becton, a special use request was unanimously approved for Frank Owens to expand an existing mini-storage facility located at 1564 Hobbton Highway in an HC- Highway Commercial District. P&Z - CITIZENS INPUT = SERVICE DISTRICT TAX RATE - PROPOSED TENTATIVE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET FOR THE CLINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT Mayor Starling opened a public hearing to receive citizens' input regarding a service district tax rate matter and a proposed tentative Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget for the Clinton Fire Department. City. Attorney Joel Starling, Jr. stated that a number of fire service districts envelops the City of Clinton, but do not include the corporate areas. He stated that the City is required to have a public hearing and afterwards, go to the County if the district requires a rate change. He emphasized that the City of Clinton cannot make a change in the tax rate- - but the Sampson County Board of Commissioners can. Fire Chief Hagan Thornton spoke. He stated that the request is to increase the fire protection service district tax rate in the Clinton Fire Protection Service District from $0.08 on each $100.00 value of property subject to taxation to a rate of $0.10 on each $100.00 value of property subject to taxation and to adopt a proposed tentative Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 Budget for the City of Clinton Fire Department. He stated that this increase would help to purchase turnout gear and to maintenance the equipment. Also, he mentioned that this increase would affect areas surrounding the City of Clinton, but not in the City. Mayor Pro Tem Becton asked how far out, would this increase of tax rate affect. Chief Thornton stated, Wherever the fire district ends-the rural district. No one else appeared to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Mayor Starling opened the public hearing for Part II regarding the proposed budget. City Attorney Joel Starling, Jr., stated that the City has a contract with Sampson County and pursuant to the contract, they provide services. He stated that Sampson County requests that a public hearing be held and a proposed budget be addressed. Attorney Starling, Jr., mentioned that Clinton City Council is not adopting a budget at this time. However, there is a resolution in this agenda packet that needs to be adopted. Mayor Starling stated that the request from staff is an increase in the service district tax rate from $0.08 to $0.10. Chief Thornton stated that this increase would increase the budget to approximately $207,000. Mayor Starling closed the public hearing for Part II regarding the proposed budget. A motion was made by Councilmember Strickland and seconded by Councilmember DuBose to request that the Sampson County Board of Commissioners increase the fire protection service district tax rate in the Clinton Fire Protection Service District from $0.08 on each $100.00 value of property subject to taxation to a rate of$0.10 on each $100.00 value of property subject to taxation, as well as adopt a proposed tentative Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget for the City of Clinton Fire Department. The motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION- REQUEST TO INCREASE THE CLINTON FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE DISTRICT TAX RATE AND ADOPT A PROPOSED TENTATIVE FY 2025-2026 BUDGET City Attorney Joel Starling, Ir., informed the Clinton City Council that he created a resolution requesting an increase in the Clinton Fire Protection Service District tax rate as presented by Fire Chief Thornton during the previous agenda item. Upon a motion made by Councilmember Strickland, seconded by Councilmember DuBose, it passed unanimously to adopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLINTON CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING AN INCREASE IN THE CLINTON FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE DISTRICT TAX RATE WHEREAS, the Sampson County Board of Commissioners previously created the Clinton Fire Protection Service District, a fire protection service district in the vicinity of the City of Clinton, in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes of North Carolina; and WHEREAS, Sampson County currently levies a county service district tax for fire protection upon taxable property located within the Clinton Fire Protection Service District and utilizes these funds to furnish fire protection services; and WHEREAS, the City of Clinton's Fire Department, in addition to providing fire protection services to the residents of Clinton, also provides fire protection services to the residents of the Clinton Fire Protection Service District pursuant to a Fire Protection & Rescue Services Contract with Sampson County Government; and WHEREAS, the Sampson County Board of Commissioners appropriates fire protection service district tax dollars to the City of Clinton's Fire Department for this purpose; and WHEREAS, under the terms of the City of Clinton's Fire Protection & Rescue Services Contract with Sampson County and rules developed by Sampson County, the City is required to hold a public hearing before submitting a request for an increase in the tax rate of the Clinton Fire Protection Service District; and WHEREAS, the City of Clinton City Council has conducted a public hearing at its February 4, 2025, regular meeting regarding a proposal to request an increase in the fire protection service district tax rate in the Clinton Fire Protection Service District from $0.08 on each $100.00 value of property subject to taxation to a rate of $0.10 on each $100.00 value of property subject to taxation; and WHEREAS, the City of Clinton City Council has further conducted a public hearing on a proposed tentative Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget for the City of Clinton Fire Department; and WHEREAS, the City of Clinton City Council finds that it will promote the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Clinton and the residents of Sampson County who live and own property within the Clinton Fire Protection Service District, if the Sampson County Board of Commissioners adopts the fire protection service district tax rate increase set forth herein and approves the proposed, tentative Fire Department budget approved pursuant to this Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows: 1. The City of Clinton City Council hereby requests that the Sampson County Board of Commissioners increase the fire protection service district tax rate in the Clinton Fire Protection Service District from $0.08 on each $100.00 value of property subject to taxation to a rate of $0.10 on each $100.00 value of property subject to taxation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. 2. The City of Clinton City Council further requests, subject to the right of the City Council to adopt a final budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 that may vary or differ from the proposed tentative budget approved pursuant hereto, that the Sampson County Board of Commissioners indicate its approval of said proposed tentative budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. 3. The City Manager is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution and the Clinton Fire Department's proposed tentative budget approved herewith to the Sampson County Fire Commission, who will evaluate the City Council's requests and make a recommendation thereon to the Sampson County Board of Commissioners. 4. This Resolution is adopted to comply with submission requirements promulgated by the Sampson County Fire Commission and the Sampson County Board of Commissioners and is not intended to supplant the budgetary approval process set forth in Chapter 159 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The City of Clinton shall later adopt its budget in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Finance Act. BUDGET -ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Finance Director Rhonda Sommer appeared before the City Council to explain the budget amendment. Upon a motion made by Councilmember Strickland, seconded by Councilmember Ruggles, it passed unanimously to adopt the following budget ordinance amendment(s): Budget Ordinance Amendment #2025.02.01 BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Clinton, NC, that the following amendment be made to the Annual Budget Ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, amended on August 6, 2024; September 10, 2024; October 1, 2024; and November 12, 2024; is hereby amended as follows: Section 1, To amend the General Fund, the revenues are to be changed as follows: Account # Account Title Increase Decrease Total 10-3612-0705 Grants Revenue (NC Amateur Sports) $8,750 $0 $8,750 TOTAL REVENUES $8,750 Section 2. To amend the General Fund, the expenditures are to be changed as follows: Recreation and Parks Account # Account Title Increase Decrease Total 10-6200-3301 Athletic Supplies $8,750 $0 $43,750 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $8,750 Section 3. Copies of this budget amendment shall be furnished to the City Clerk, City Manager, and Finance Director for their direction. AWARD A BID - SAMPSON COMMUNITY THEATER RENOVATION PROIECT Planning Director Rose stated that the City of Clinton was awarded a $350,000 Rural Transformation Grant for the project entitled, "The Show Must Go On = Revitalizing Clinton's Historic Downtown Theater." 3 She said that there are no matching funds required from the City on this project. Mrs. Rose stated that they put out for bids for this project and received the following two bids: H. N. Carr General Contractor - Total Base - $219,772 Brock Construction Company, Inc. - Total Base - $213,236 Mrs. Rose and staff requested that the City Council award the contract to Brock Construction Company, Inc., and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract. Upon a motion made by Councilmember Strickland, seconded by Councilmember Ruggles, it passed unanimously to award the contract forthe theater renovation project to Brock Construction Company, Inc. and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract. DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE - MID-CAROLINA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DELEGATES Upon a motion made by Councilmember Strickland, seconded by Councilmember DuBose, it passed unanimously to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Becton as the delegate and Councilmember Ruggles as the alternate for the Mid-Carolina Regional Council Board of Delegates. According to a memo by Executive Director Justin B. Hembree, this Board of Delegates will meet four times per year, with the first meeting being the Council's Annual Meeting and Regional Dinner on March 27, 2025. APPOINTMENISREAPPOINTMENIS = BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Upon a motion made by Councilmember Strickland, seconded by Councilmember Ruggles, it passed unanimously to appoint Tyler Baxter to the Board of Adjustment, to represent the ETJ. This appointment is for a 3-year period. APPOINTMENTSREAPPOINTMENTS = RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Upon a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Becton, seconded by Councilmember Ruggles, it passed unanimously to appoint Shatoria Monroe Leggett to the Recreation Advisory Board. This is a 3-year term. REPORTS The monthly combined staff report was acknowledged. STAFF REPORTS There were no staff reports. CITY MANAGER REPORTS City Manager Duncan had no reports. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Bill Scott appeared before the Clinton City Council and congratulated the City of Clinton upon an excellent job. Mr. Jeffrey Strickland spoke and gave thanks to the Clinton Police Department for their compassion shown this past year at the Alive after Five event. He stated that it was very hot, and his wife was not feeling well. Lt. Jeremy Honeycutt and Lt. Stokes McKoy witnessed his wife's behavior and kept watch over her. Mr. Jeffrey Strickland stated that the actions and compassion of these two officers truly touched his heart. He wanted to thank the Clinton Police Department publicly. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business to discuss. CLOSED SESSION Upon a motion made by Councilmember Ruggles, seconded by Councilmember Strickland, the following resolution passed unanimously to enter closed session at 7:36 PM pursuant to G. S. 143-318.11(a)5) to discuss contract negotiations. RESOLUTION TO ENTER CLOSED SESSION Be It Resolved that the regular meeting ofthe City Council ofthe City of Clinton, North Carolina, held at 7:00 PM on February 4, 2025, entered closed session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5) to discuss contract negotiations. Upon a motion made by Councilmember Ruggles, seconded by Councilmember DuBose, it passed unanimously for the City Council to re-enter regular session at approximately 7:56 PM. Mayor Starling stated that the City Council discussed the approval of purchasing fire apparatus and authorizing the City Attorney and the City Manager to execute this purchase. Upon a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Becton, seconded by Councilmember Ruggles, it passed unanimously to proceed with the purchasing of fire apparatus and authorizing the City Attorney and the City Manager to execute this purchase. ADIOURNMENT There was no further discussion. A motion was made by Councilmember Strickland, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Becton to adjourn this meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:57 PM. Bone - - Elaine F. Hunt, City Clerk, MMC, NCCMC Lew Starling, Jr., Mayor