The City of Reidsville Council FILE Regular City Meeting April 11th 2022 5:00pm Reidsville City Hall DRAFT- Not approved until May 9 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Reidsville City Council was heid on Monday April 11th 2022 at 5:00pm. Member of Council present: Mayor, Curtis Colwell Council Woman, Carolyn Blackshear (virtual) Council Woman, Lindsay Bennett Council Woman, Verdie Williams Councilman, Donald Prestage Councilman, Doug Williams (absent) Mayor Curtis Colwell called the meeting to order and welcomed the public guests to the Council meeting. Nathaniel Joyce was asked by the Mayor to lead the meeting in a word of prayer. The Prayer was followed by the Pledge done in unison. The Mayor announced he would entertain a motion if there were no corrections noted to be made. A motion was made to adopt last month's minutes. Motion by: Lindsay Bennett 2nd by: Verdie Williams Department Reports were next on the agenda. Lindsay Bennett gave the updates on the Fire Dept and Rec Depts. The recreation has summer sports sign ups and spring sports ongoing. Michael Jarriel, Asst. Police Chief, gave the statistics for the RPD. Mrs. V. Williams gave updates and statistics for the Water/Sewer dept and Street and Lanes dept. Mrs. Carolyn Blackshear gave the Administration update via attendance by internet. Commission Reports were next. Mike Caldwell gave a huge thanks to the City PD for helping him with a personal matter. The DDA wanted to check into projects going on around town to make sure they are permitted. The DDA is also looking into tree ordinances. Caldwell announced the Huddle House will be opening some time in May.nterviews are set to begin on April 12th-13th from 9a-4pm. The owner is looking to hire enough staff to be open 24hrs a day. Jaden Jarriel has opened a window tinting business just behind the new car wash on W. Brazell. Jaden is a high school student who hopes to add to his hometown by being an entrepreneur. The hotel project is up in the air but, it is asked that someone look at the hotel site because there is a complaint of a large hole there being a safety concern. There is also a new taco restaurant opening right behind City Hall, formerly the old Kountry Kettle. No open date as of yet. Lew Graham is building a new home on the corner of Hwy 280 and Anderson St. The DDA is also requesting The City pay for an upcoming required class. Mrs. V. Nail of the DDA is stating that the DDA has a reserved class date of May 5th via zoom. It is proposing that the City pay for all of it's members as well as it is a requirement for City officials to attend. The class costs $250 per attendee. Lindsay Bennett offered a motion that The City pay for DDA and Council to attend the meeting: Motion by: Lindsay Bennett 2nd by: Donald Prestage Motion: carries unanimously Atkins-Surrency Playground was next to speak on the agenda. The Playground has been seeking estimates for the construct of a building that would house restrooms and a concession stand at the playground. Estimates or the building are in the area of $17k minimum in construction costs and could cost as high as $60k turnkey. Donald Prestage is asking the Playground if they have found a certified plumber. Earnest Armstrong stated they had not. Armstrong asked if they found a plumber, would ASP have to come back before the Council? No answer was given to him. This topic fell to random conversations about bids. There was a question from the audience about the City's budget. Someone from audience wants to know where the City is with its budget and audit. Councilwoman Blackshear and City Clerk Nivea Jackson are answering that the audit is complete on the City's side. We are waiting for the head accountant (Mr. Deal) to review the audit. He will then arrange an exit audit interview. "It can be anyday, literally." " The Bass St Property is being brought up by the audience. Several remarks to its validity is being brought forward. Davis, City Attorney, is advising that the property is not a zoning issue. Willis, City Inspector is in the audience. He is advising that the trailer is not in violation of the code. Bennett is inquiring whether it violates the Charter. It is being said that only one principal dwelling can be on any one piece of City property or lot. Bennett is asking that City Attorney check into this against the charter. Lindsay Bennett makes a motion to use the advice of the Attorney to search the Charter and update if necessary the Municode for the City. Bennett also wants both trailers to be held to the same clauses. Motion by: Lindsay Bennett 2nd by: Donald Prestage Donald Prestage gave closing remarks at the meeting. Mr. Prestage read the State's mandate and General Assembly's rule on open records requests. Prestage states that he as well as other's have made several requests for open records and that the City is not compliant. He also feels like the noncompliance should be monitored by the Attorney to ensure compliance. While Mr. Prestage had the floor he spoke to the outstanding taxes owed to the City. Mr. Prestage feels like the City's money concerns may be remedied through collecting back taxes. Mr. Colwell asked if we had a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion: Donald Prestage 2nd: Verdie Williams Meeting was adjourned at 6:57pm