LOUISBURG NOE RTH CAROLINA Charmings Since 1779 AGENDA LOUISBURG TOWN COUNCIL KARL T. PERNELL PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX February 19, 2024 1. Roll Call Perry 2. Invocation Mayor 3. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor 4. Adoption of Agenda Mayor 5. Approval of Minutes Mayor P. o! January 22, 2024 Regular Meeting February 9, 2024 Special Called Meeting 6. Public Comment 7. Presentation by Path & Way Marketing Case 8. Public Hearing: A.) Sale of 100 Bunn Road Slayter 9. Resolution to Declare Surplus and Dispose or 100 Bunn Rd Slayter P.7 10. Adoption ofUpdated Fee Schedule Medlin/Slayter P.8 11. Resolution to Approve Water Shortage Response Plan Callahan P.28 12. Rescinding of Council Compensation Approval Mayor 13. Discussion of Directive for White Flag Shelter Medlin 14. Reclassification ofthe HR Director' s position from PT to FT Medlin P.35 15. Discussion of. Johnson Street Closure Stover P.34 LOUISBURG NORTH CAROLINA Charmings Sinc 1779 16. Administrator's Report Medlin P..37 17. Mayor's Report Mayor 18. Police Report Abbott P..38 19. Fire Report Lanham P. 42 20. Council Comments Mayor 21. Closed Session - 143-318.11 (a) (6) - Personnel 22. Adjourn January 22, 2024 Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes The Louisburg Town Council met on Monday, January 22, 2024, at the Karl T. Pernell Safety Complex at 104 Wade Ave., Louisburg NC 27549. Mayor Christopher Neal welcomed and thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. Roll Call Mayor Christopher Neal, Town Administrator Sean Medlin, Town Clerk Pamela Perry, Council Members, Dr. Phillip Stover, Dalita L. Woods, Silke Stein, Betty Wright, Kim Baker, and Tom Clancy were all present. Invocation Councilwoman Bettye Wright gave the Invocation. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Christopher Neal asked everyone to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Adoption of the Agenda Councilwoman Stein motioned to amend the agenda by removing item #7, a Path & Way Marketing presentation for another time. They weren't able to attend. Seconded by Councilman Clancy. The motion passed without objection. Councilwoman Wright made the motion to approve the agenda with the corrections; seconded by Councilman Clancy; the motion passed without objection. Approval of the Minutes Mayor Neal requested a motion to approve the December 18, 2023, Regular Meeting minutes. Councilwoman Wright made the motion to approve the minutes; seconded by Councilwoman Stein. The motion passed without objection. Public Comment Ryan Wegner, 149 Preacher Ball Rd., Louisburg I saw on tonight's agenda that you guys will discuss a white flag shelter. I think that's very exciting for the Town of Louisburg to potentially lead the way in the county because there's currently no white flag shelter, to my knowledge, across our entire county. With our new counselors, I'd like to see Louisburg lead the way on that. I think it's the minimum that we can do for people in need. I want to leave you with a small quote before I exit, "The righteous care about justice for the poor but the wicked have no such concern". . I think we know where that comes from. I think that's our shared values here in Louisburg and across the county. This is why we believe in helping each other. I'd like to see us lead the way. Beverly Kegley 120 Jolly St Louisburg Members ofthe Council, Mayor Neal, I thank you for allowing me to speak. I also want to speak in favor of a white flag shelter. For most of you that have been outside, you know, we're having freezing temperatures. I was going to plant my peas today and I couldn't dig in the ground. So I know the ground is frozen and I know that people are freezing all across this country. Franklin County does not have any shelter for humans. We certainly do not have a white flag shelter. The white flag is not an everyday shelter. It is generally open, from my research following the national trend. They open at 5:00 in the evenings and they close at 8:00 the next morning, which means people come in at five, thereabouts and they leave at 8:00 the next morning. So whatever the building room, wherever it is, it's not used all the time. It's used through the night when people are freezing. But we might as well talk about it now because unlike probably some of you in this room who loves summer weather, I don't. But we will have hot weather again. So most of the time, shelters open during the summer when the heat index is 95 degrees or above. They open during the winter when the wind chill factor is 35 degrees or below. One thing I really would like to stress; white flag shelters are not just for people who are living on the streets. You're going to have very few ofthose folks come into your shelter. You're going to have people that are living in homes where they can't afford heat or where they don't have heat or whether heat is broken or where on a day like today and the temperatures, we've been having a heat pump doesn't cut it. So these are things I would like for you to think about. I don't think this is a build it and they will come situation. I think this is a build or they will die. Thank you. Elder Jessie Daniels 304 Riverwood Dr. Louisburg Ihappen to be one oft the local ministers here and I work with the homeless daily. I know at one time when I was out in the streets due to my drug addiction, I was once homeless myself by choice. That was 20 years ago. I deal with them daily, feeding them from my home. Either I purchase food from Carly C's or go to Walmart, get different food, plate it up, and take it out there on the streets as well as take out coats, socks, and blankets. Beverly Kegley, and Pastor Dunston of Allen Chapel Church, are a few who contributed to my helping with these homeless people. There is a great need and I feed anywhere from 8 to 10 of them at any given time, I feed them five days a week mostly out of my pocket or through people making donations because, I am a retired disabled veteran and these guys make provision for me to go out there to help these people because I try to live, by the word of God, you know, love thy neighbor as thyself and I remember when I was out there, help was sent my way. I mostly did my homelessness up in the North Virginia area before I moved back down to Louisburg. There is a great need because I don't only feed them naturally, I also feed them spiritually SO I help them try to come out of the situation that they are in SO that they don't have to stay in that predicament. And I think that's very important because you can feed people, give them blankets and socks, but people need help to try to come up out oftheir circumstances situation. One ofthose ways is spiritually but mainly I try to lead by example and show them the love that I have for them through my actions. You know, you can tell people you love them, but what are your actions? Do you show acts of kindness, compassion, and care? You know, these people need that, you know, more than anything else and more than any other time in the world. They need love to be shown to them and a shelter is a very, very appropriate way of showing that love to those who need shelter. Thank you. Bobby Cooper, 701 N. Main St. Louisburg A couple of things on the minutes from the last meeting, Lorraine Ryan spoke about the Old Town Louisburg Christmas Tour and said how it was well organized and how wonderful it was. Yet the minutes only reflected that she spoke on behalf of at Home Counseling, which she did nothing of the sort. So I'd like to say that was not corrected during the approval ofthe minutes. Another little tidbit, I'm not a fan oft these anticipatory public comments that we're here speaking in advance of what's going to take place tonight instead of us being able to speak at the end with what does happen, which I think would be more appropriate, but maybe you chose to change it. I guess that's your prerogative since you do set the agenda. Ijust wanted to make that part of my comments. The other thing I wanted to address is, thank you for your service. I do appreciate that, he stated to Elder Jessie Daniel. Ihave had hours of conversations with Beverly Kegley. We don't always agree, but we do have discussions, and one of your comments, on one of your items tonight is the white flag shelter. a Not a lot of description of what that translates to, but it's a tag to affordable housing. I know several ofyou ran on that notion. It's not a difficult concept, but it's whatever. It's not as complex, but it's difficult because it's a simple rule of economics. It's supply and demand. The demand is high, costs are up, and inflation is up, the cost is up. Over the last three years, things are now 20% higher than they were three years ago, pure and simple Then in our market is high because we're the last spoke coming outside of the RTP to be developed. Part of that is by design and part ofit is because of the way we're governed. It'sj just as simple rules of economics, supply, and demand drive the costs. Unfortunately, when the government tries to fix things, it ends up driving. It adds another layer of costs. So I think that prosperity is the solution. It's something I've preached since I moved here in 2006 that my expectation as a citizen of this Town is that the Council's role and government's role in my life is to increase the value of our property and the value by increasing the worth of our community and prosperity is what brings us out of poverty and gives us the coffers to be able to do the things that we can do better. So we're in a small Town, SO not much happens without us saying things. It's my understanding there was a meeting held in the Town hall that staff was brought in. Iknow I'm running out of my 3 minutes. I see Pam waving. I ask that because the rule is that we have 3 minutes, right? And you have the opportunity to extend another couple of minutes to me. Mayor Neal stated that he would allow two extra minutes. Mr. Cooper replied after the Mayor had already approved an extra two minutes, that It was supposed to be a motion of the Council. Mayor Neal stated again, that he would allow two more minutes. Mr. Cooper then continued with his time. So, that meeting was held from my understanding, called by Mayor Neal, I'm assuming, but I understand staffa attended this meeting, and some ofthe Council elect attended by virtue ofwhat cars Is saw. So my concern is this was in advance ofactual before anybody was sworn in. I'm not sure who was there exactly, but my concern is if things were brought in that were outside of the scope of what they should have been brought into, was there any personnel, etc. discussed. The other thing about that is I hope that new Council has had a chance to take a look at our coffers and recognize how depleted they are frivolous spending from years ago. I'm hoping that before we start looking at more ways to spend money we can take, a closer look at increasing property values and, doing smarter things for our expenditures. Kelly Carraway 107 N. Elm St., Louisburg I'm also a realtor, commercial and residential in Raleigh, and here is where I'm having to really wrap my head around, this disparity that we have here in the county. We have the Towns around us that are thriving and instead ofi focusing on our Town and focusing on what we can do to raise our property values. We seem to be reaching for other things to do. We have a great interfaith Council that has the ability with all the churches that are around us, to house people that don't have anywhere to be. I think that it's a misuse of funds for us to do something other than that. If you look at the graph Ijust gave you, you'll see that our property values in the last ten years haven't risen much. If you look at the ones below it for Youngsville and Franklinton, they're through the roof and the fundamental problem with this is that home buying is how most people get their generational wealth. It builds and it builds SO that the next generation, SO that your kids and your children can be more prosperous. I think that until we do something different to rein that in, we're just going to be behind the eight ball. and for us to be the county seat, it appears that we are taking the back seat I would like to see us do something different and, not bring in lots ofhomeless people. I pulled the numbers and it looks like our homeless rate has gone down from 2014 to 2022, it's declined by .6%. So it's the poverty level ofthe people that would need this on a full-time basis would be bad. Mayor Baldwin in Raleigh right now is having to assign 3 a public business to hire their private security because of all the homelessness in downtown Raleigh. I don't want us to get in that position. Joyce Neff 203 John Str., Louisburg I think that the last two speakers made some very good points and some arguable points. I think that prosperity is something we would all like to have for all of our citizens. We also have to look at the humanistic aspect. Iwant to make it very clear that there are many parts to affordable housing and homelessness is the one that people kind of gloom on to because it's a difficult one. It's an unsolvable one. It's a moving target. And I think that there are many things we can do about that. My concern for housing is not for the homeless. I mean, I'm concerned about that, but my focus is on our citizens. I think that we like workers to live locally. Our cops, our teachers, our EMS people, and at their salaries. They can't buy a house many times with one income. So that's the housing that I most want us to have. We don't have we don't have any houses that are in that realm. I'm from Saint Louis and we had individual houses that were small and had a bathroom and one bedroom. We also had duplexes. You buy the whole structure, you rent one halfto pay your mortgage and we did it like that. That's the point that I wanted to make. You know, we have generational wealth is a very good concept, but many of us have not had that opportunity. So we need to get in there and help those people out. I certainly want a white flag place. I thank you both for that. Presentation by Path & Way Marketing they were unable to attend the meeting. Discussion of White Flag Shelter Councilmen Stover spoke regarding this. Thank you, Mayor. I guess I'm doing myj job. I haven't said a word publicly since I got sworn in, and yet I'm criticized on social media and I seem to have started a hailstorm of discussion. I hope that's a good thing, but let me address some ofthis criticism first. The Mayor and I were criticized for belonging to an organizational group whose primary purpose is to help see everyone has their basic needs met. Secondly, I should let the churches take care of their needs. Finally, how dare I propose a shelter that would bring those people to Louisburg and would lower our property values? Well, first, I don't think the first criticism deserves a response, to let the churches take care ofthe problem. Well, we. just had, the coldest week in a year. Secondly, I didn't see a single church, opened its doors to these people. Finally, I don't represent those people. I represent all the people who live within the borders ofLouisburg. I too, would like to see a gradual rise in our property values, but a rapid rise in our property values does a lot ofharm to the citizens who are trying to keep a roof over their heads on a fixed income or a low income. So we have to be very careful how we raise property values. That's not what I'm here to talk about tonight. I'm talking about a white flag shelter. For those of you who don't know what a white flag shelter is, it is simply a shelter to provide a warm place for people to stay when the temperature including the wind chill factor, drops below 35 degrees. That is a life-threatening temperature and if you are unable to get proper shelter to protect you against that kind of temperature, you can die. That happens every day in this country. Typically, a white flag shelter opens around five or six at night and closes around eight or nine the next morning. I am asking that the Town consider using this space that we're sitting in or the training space over on Industrial Drive. These spaces already exist. They're already heated, SO there's no additional expense to the Town to provide the space. The only expense might be that the Town may have to provide one or1 two employees to supervise the shelter while it's open. However, most of the work inside the shelter could be handled by partnering with the Interfaith Council and other NGOS in the local area. Some organizations will provide the cots blankets and pillows and such. They'll come in and put that in when you open 44 the shelter. They'll come back the next morning and pick it up. So what I would like to propose is that we direct our Town staff to investigate what would be involved for the Town to provide space for a white flag shelter. Mayor Neal asked if there were any questions from the Council. Councilwoman Stein asked if the funding would come from the Town for the salaries of the employees. Councilman Stover said he would suspect there would be some expense, but I also suspect it would not be great. Mayor Neal added the Town would not hire salaried people to supervise these shelters that would be volunteers that would come in for that time, which would take less than 24 hours to supervise this shelter. The cost would be extremely minimal to the Town. No more than heat and lights. The South Side Neighborhood Association has agreed if there are any requirements for a sandwich or something, they would provide that. Just a few days ago the temperature with wind chill was down in single digits. The news media requested that if you own a pet that was outside all the time, take precautions. Let alone a human being, being on the street or a family in a home with no heat, with young kids, how are we going to make it through the night with this cold air I doubt many of us who are in this room tonight experience that wind chill factor. A few days ago, we were all blessed to have some form of shelter, some form ofheat to make it through the night. In some homes, water froze because the pipes froze, that's cold. So I think it's an extremely minimal gesture that the Town can do. It is part ofjust simply having a roof over some citizen's head for a few hours. Councilman Clancy asked what the numbers were for the homeless in our community that would be out on the streets. Mayor Neal stated that he knew of 4 people and he wondered where they stayed on these cold nights. Councilman Stover replied that part of my proposal is we don't know for sure exactly what those numbers are and part oft this is sort of a study. Let's see how much is out there. What is the need? You know, it may be 2, it may be 10, it may be 20. It may vary from night to night. ifs somebody's heat goes out because they can't pay their power bill or their furnace goes out or they just got turned out because of an eviction, that number may go up and then those people can meet those needs and that number goes down. That would be part of doing this is trying to determine just what is the need and what can we do to try to meet that need. Councilwoman Stein asked what the County is doing regarding the homeless. Councilman Stover said the County, as far as we know, does not have anything planned for the homeless. So the county is not doing anything. Councilwoman Stein said SO you're asking that we consider putting a white flag facility in two of the Towns, one of the two, both of them that house millions of dollars worth of equipment, nothing short of a necessity for the Town and you're asking the people of this community to fund it because regardless of how you look at it there is an expense. So why is it that these organizations, he mentioned, one that was willing to provide food, Southside Neighborhood Association, SO is there a church or organization that has space that is willing to take in people for the day or the evening? I think most of these are not funded by a Town not technically the responsibility ofthe citizens of this community to do this. Is there no organization like that that's willing to do this for the community? I've done a lot of research since I saw this on the agenda, and it's generally not the Town's responsibility. There is a liability and it comes back to the people of this community who are the taxpayers who we answer to. Councilman Stover said a large percentage oft those taxpayers put me in this position and frankly, I think it is the Town's responsibility. A Town's responsibility is to see that the basic needs ofthe citizens living within its borders are met and no other organization has been able to come forth with this space. We have been we have talked to the hospital. They have turned us down. No church has yet. Now there are churches out in the county that have there's none in Louisburg yet that is step forward and offer to have that space. Now, these organizations are willing to partner with the Town to 5 run this organization. These people who would be using the shelter would be supervised. So there is no risk to the equipment and the cost as the Mayor has said, I believe, will be minimal. So to my way of thinking and maybe I'm out on the fringes here, I believe that human life is more important than a few bucks. Councilman Clancy asked about using the Alston/Anderson Funeral Home. That would be an option for this? I'm sure it's a wide open space. You've got plenty of room. Would that be an option to facilitate something like that? Mayor Neal stated that the building is not inhabitable. Councilwoman Woods asked why were we going back and forth regarding property value when we were talking about human value. We were elected by citizens to protect the citizens and to serve the citizens. Councilwoman Stein replied that it is also our job to make sure that the Town has the funding to do our infrastructure here in Town. Our infrastructure has been delayed for years. Right now we're still waiting for 400,000 SO that we can all use our commodes in Town. I bet the day that when we don't have turners at the sewage plant and no one can flush their toilet in Town, I bet you we see a lot more people here than what we see today. There are priorities in items. First, I'm one oft the people who give the blankets in the food boxes and drop off food to people who could not find more compassion for us. It is not our job to take the money from the to do one small entity. IfI think I feel that people want to donate to that, there are avenues for them to go down to support that. I don't think it's our place to put this policy to light. Mayor Neal said you keep talking about funding as if it is a capital outlay. It is simply a gesture to help our fellow man. The only cost that would, if any, the Town would provide is just simply what we provide here, lights, we have heat in our buildings. That is all that this white flag is about, it's not about spending a whole bunch of money just to have a person to come in to stay out of a cold, to have a family to come in and just stay out of the cold for one night or and then there may be the next night. The weather is above freezing and it will not dictate the use of a white flag. This is merely a temporary housing shelter. We have it nowhere in this county, nowhere in this Town. the right thing to do for the Town of Louisburg to step forward and make a gesture of this type for its citizens. Now I think the discussion is done. Councilwoman Wright, I make a motion that we have the study for a white flag shelter in the Town of Louisburg. That's to instruct our Town Administrator to look into the feasibility charge to see what, if any cost. Councilman Stover seconded the motion, that we instruct our Town Administrator to look into the feasibility as far as costs necessary and setting up and running a white flag center in the Town ofLouisburg. All in favor. Let be known by the raise of your hand. Council Members Stover, Woods, Wright, Baker, Clancy, and Mayor Neal voted Yes. Councilwoman Stein voted No. the motion was approved with 6 Yes and 1 No. Reinstatement of Council Compensation Mayor Neal stated that several months ago, the Council voted to suspend the compensation fort the members ofthe Town Council. That amount at that time was $ 100. That is to compensate for what, the Council members received for their service. I'd like to make a motion to reinstate that amount of $100 for all the Council members. Now this does not include the Mayor for the reinstatement of the Council of Compensation for the Council. Usually during our budgeting process, that is the time when we can set new limits or reduce the amount for the Council. My motion is to reinstate that. Councilwoman Stein stated that she was part ofthat motion that asked that we surrender our pay to help fund, at that time, the amount of money that we were paying up for the Town employees since they had not had a pay study in over 20 years. However, it was not a grand gesture of oodles and oodles ofi money, but it was a gesture of a good kind. That was the reason why the motion was made. However to do that, reinstatement of our compensation, I'm sure you're aware that there is in our charter, that states that we can, establish our salaries a from time to time, but salaries for Council members shall be fixed at the time ofthe annual when our appropriation ordinance is adopted, which is July, that's when we do the currently, there's nothing in the budget for the Council members pay in salary SO fixed may be reduced, but not increased for Council members to take effect during the year in which the Council increases voted in. That's according to our charter Section 230 Compensation. So if I'm reading this correctly, when we do our budget and adopt that, we can put it back in the budget but it states clearly that you cannot do that for a year in which you agreed to give yourself a pay increase. That's according to the Charter that we follow our government. Mayor Neal said this may be an issue that our Town attorney can address. Town Attorney Ben Williamson said that it could be changed by doing a budget amendment. Mayor Neal has made the motion to reinstate the Council's compensation with a budget amendment; seconded by Councilman Stover. Council Members Stover, Woods, and Wright along with Mayor Neal voted Yes and Council Members Stein, Baker, and Clancy voted No. The vote passed with a 4 to 3 vote. Administrators Report Town Administrator Sean Medlin reviewed his monthly report. September financials for Louisburg ABC Store were in the Council packets. He is working to complete the September financials for the Town. The staff has met with Oakley-Collier and received a preliminary site plan for the Depot Hill Project and discussed it with the NCDOT Rail Division. The initial response is favorable to obtaining a lease agreement for using the bike trail right away adjacent to Depot Hill. Also, a preliminary building design should be completed within three to four weeks. Wednesday evening, January 17, we had yet another accident with the landscaped road bump out on North Main St. Staff has contacted NCDOT and we will be working to find an alternative remedy at the crosswalk. The burned house at 111 Church St. was demolished with the cooperation of the property owner. The property owner is looking to sell the lot. The staff has completed remedial soil and erosion control measures in anticipation of Army Corp of Engineers issues that have been previously identified. With weather changes staff have been busy working to repair water leaks throughout the Town. Mayor's Report Mayor Neal stated that he had attended the MLK ceremonies held in front ofthe courthouse followed by a parade that ended at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Police Report Chief Abbott stated that January gth was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and the officers were treated to several gifts from businesses, churches, and individuals in our community. Captain Cliff Stephens has announced that he will retire at the end of this month, after serving our community for 27 years. We continue to work with Marie Parham Franklin to meet our obligations in the process of handling Involuntary Commitment Orders to the Behavioral Unit. We continue to provide security for schools/college athletic & other events. We worked with VCSO regarding a homicide that occurred in theirj jurisdiction. The perpetrator is from Louisburg. Arrested an individual wanted for numerous armed robberies in Vance County. We arrested an individual who broke into the old Green Hill Country Club and removed copper wire, pipe, and other metal. The Superintendent of the Electrical Dept., Ryan Murray, reported this incident after seeing the perpetrator on the property and he called us immediately. Thanks to Ryan, the perpetrator was apprehended at the scene. Shooting on Golden LeafDr. The incident resulted from a dispute between friends. The perpetrator was quickly arrested with no ongoing threat to the community. We are 50% of the way through the fiscal year 2023-2024. 62% of the operating budget has been encumbered as of November 30, 2023. Grants: We are in the process of applying for the 2024 NC GCC Grant. Police Law Institute: A two-week course designed by the NCJA covering an array of legal topics including search warrants, warrantless searches, interviews, eyewitnessi identification, and non-testimonial identification orders. Death investigations. Officers attended the funeral service for a former Louisburg Police Captain, Sylvester Bud Harris who passed away on New Year's Day at the age of 85. I was honored to speak to speak on behalf oft the Town at his funeral service. He was a Louisburg police officer from August 17, 1970- October 31, 1993. He retired at the age of 55, with 23 years of honorable service to our Town and we appreciate his work to help keep our community safe. Officers attended and assisted with the Town's MLK holiday activities. Citations for December 2023 were 168. Fire Department Captain Chase Wammock reviewed the fire report with the Board. ChiefLanham assisted the Durham Fire Department with their captain's promotional process as an assessor from December 11th to 14th. Chase Wammock was promoted to career Fire Captain effective December 13, 2023. Capt. Wammock will oversee the career staff and replace R. Seal after his retirement. Colin Pruitt was hired as a part-time engineer with the department. Colin lives in the Mitchner's Crossroad community and works full-time with Henderson Fire Department -one vacancy within the career staff and continuing to recruit for this position. Two volunteer members retired from the department; Russell Bottoms and Duane Smith. One member violated the training requirements set forth by NC Office State Fire Marshal, Timmy Smith did not meet the minimum 36 hours requirement and was released from the department as an active member. Council Comments Councilman Stover said that his church has started the chimes again due to the vote of this Council. He wanted to personally thank Ms. Stein for spearheading that. Ifit is too loud please let him know and it can be adjusted. He had two things that he would like the Board to consider. First, we meet on the same night as the County Commissioners do and it creates al lot ofconflicts. A lot offolks who like to attend both meetings. Also, there are times when I think we should be there and vice versa they should be here. Secondly, I would like a comprehensive Review ofthe Depot Hill situation. With three new Council Members on the Board now, he felt that they needed to hear from start to finish what had happened. Starting with the original proposal to where we are right now. What has happened to funds, what have we spent, and what has happened to the available grant money? Councilwoman Woods thanked everyone for attending the meeting. Thank you to our amazing workers, our officers, our fire department, and our public works department, who worked SO tirelessly to help keep our city running. Councilwoman Stein thanked everyone who participated and helped with the wreath ceremony service at Oakwood Cemetery. This was a great event. Mark your calendar for December 14th for our next event. Art Thompson from the Electrical Department is retiring this month also. Leaf season is coming to an end. She wished everyone well and stay healthy. S Councilwoman Wright wished everyone a Happy New Year. She also thanked the Town crews that worked during the night during the storm. She also participated at Saint Paul with Martha Luther King Services. She has her first meeting in Henderson this month in her role as Director for the Kerr Tar COG Board. Councilwoman Baker thanked the Town's line workers who were out in the storm. Also the Streets and Public Works guys as well. There have been several water leaks and they have been taken care of quickly as well. Thank you to our retirees and thank you for many years of service. Councilman Clancy wished everyone a happy New Year. Closed Session - 143-318.11 (a)(5) - Real Estate, 143-318.11(a)(5) = Contracts, 143- 318.11(a)(6) - Personnel Councilman Clancy made a motion to go into closed session for the above-mentioned; seconded by Councilwoman Stein. The motion passed without objection. Councilman Clancy made a motion to come out of closed session; seconded by Councilwoman Stein. The motion passed without objection. Councilwoman Stein made a motion to accept a five-year contract with PMMares for auditing services; seconded by Councilwoman Wright. The motion passed without objection. Adjourn. Councilman Clancy made the motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilwoman Stein. The motion passed without objection. Everyone dismissed. Submitted; Pamela Perry Administrative Assistant/ Town Clerk NCCMC, CMC 9 Louisburg Town Council Special Called Meeting Minutes Karl T. Pernelll Public Safety Complex Training Center February 9, 2024 The Louisburg Town Council met on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 5 pm at the Training Center of the Karl T. Pernell Public Safety Complex located at 104 Wade Avenue, Louisburg, NC 27549. Call to Order: Mayor Neal opened the meeting and welcomed citizens in attendance. Roll Call: Mayor Chris Neal, Town Administrator Sean Medlin, Town Attorney Ben Williamson, and Police ChiefJason Abbott (fill in - recording minutes). Council Members: Tom Clancy, Kim Baker, Betty Wright, Silke Stein, Dalita Woods, and Phillip Stover. Absent: Town Clerk Pamela Perry. Invocation: Councilwoman Betty Wright prayed over the meeting. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Neal led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Discussion on Depot Hill: Mayor Neal opened the discussion by recognizing Councilman Stover for opening remarks. Councilman Stover had contacted former Louisburg Town Administrator Jonathan Franklin in preparation for the meeting and Mr. Franklin gave Councilman Stover a written statement regarding Depot Hill that Councilman Stover was going to read to the Council. Councilman Clancy objected to reading the letter since it was a special called meeting for the Council to discuss Depot Hill and this meeting was not open to public comment. There was some debate over this objection among Councilman Stover, Councilman Clancy, and Mayor Neal. Councilman Stover argued that the report from Mr. Franklin was part ofH his report to the Council and that Mr. Franklin's statements were not from the general public, but rather from the Former Town Administrator who was the original architect of the Depot Hill project. Councilman Clancy argued that Mr. Franklin was now a member of the public and the meeting was not open to the public. The matter was referred to Town Attorney Ben Williamson who asked for the purpose of the letter. Councilman Stover said the project began under Mr. Franklin he wanted to hear directly from the originator of the project. Mr. Williamson asked ifthis was something that could be discussed with the current Town Administrator Sean Medlin to get up to date on the project. Councilman Stover said he would rather Mr. Franklin provide that information. Councilwoman Baker stated that it would be more appropriate at this time to handle the matter through the current Town Administrator Sean Medlin and let him reach out to Mr. Franklin for clarity of any questions that Councilman Stover may have about the origins oft the Depot Hill project. Although she wanted to hear the information from Mr. Franklin, Councilwoman Baker said this way would also clear up the matter of allowing public comment for the special called meeting. / Councilman Stover stated that he would just leave a copy of Mr. Franklin's report with Gary Cunard with the Franklin Times (who was in attendance). Councilman Clancy restated that it would not be fair to let Mr. Franklin speak and not let others from the public speak. Councilman Clancy and Councilman Stover continued debating the matter. Mayor Neal stated that the meeting needed to move on to Town Administrator Sean Medlin's report and that the matter could be placed on the agenda for the next regular Council meeting to allow for public comment. Mayor Neal asked Mr. Medlin to proceed with his report. Mr. Medlin presented the Mayor and Council with a spreadsheet containing revenues and expenditures oft the Depot Hill project dating back to 2017. Mr. Medlin stated that the original plan for the project was to be a commissary kitchen and event center. The plans for this project were changed about 18 months ago by Council to an event center and Town Hall. Mr. Medlin said the spreadsheet included all up-to-date finances regarding the project. Mr. Medlin said most oft the expenditures are related to stabilizing the structure to code. Mr. Medlin explained the revenues represented on the spreadsheet are grants and the Town's contributions. The Town currently has $1.25 million in-hand to spend on this project. Plans are being developed by an architecture firm for the project and should be available within the next few weeks. Mr. Medlin said the total project is estimated to cost between $5 million and $6 million and he will be presenting financing options in the future. Councilman Stover asked why the original was changed. Councilman Clancy stated that he made the original motion to change it to a Town Hall due to the growth oft the town and the need for more room in the Police and Fire Departments. Councilman Clancy recalled discussions for the Police Department to move to the current Town Hall after a new Town Hall was completed at Depot Hill and the Fire Department could expand into the old Police Department. Councilman Stover asked if there was going to be a kitchen for the Event Center at the new Town Hall because it was his understanding that the original plan included the commissary kitchen, as well as a smaller kitchen for the event center. Mr. Medlin confirmed that there will be a small kitchen area included in the new plan. Councilman Clancy recalled that the Council at the time met with the contractors at Depot Hill to see the project first-hand and it was stated at that meeting that the Town had enough funds to finish the project. Two to three weeks later the project was "scaled back" because there was not enough money to finish the project. Councilman Stover asked what changed and Councilman Clancy said the Council was never told what changed. Councilwoman Stein stated that the reason the Council decided to take a closer look at the project was because there was no environmental study completed. She said the Council decided to slow the project down to ensure everything was in order and be transparent to the public. Going through this process, it was determined that the Contractor, S&S Construction, was not properly licensed to work on this project. Councilwoman Stein also stated that there were serious concerns about how the project was bid out, if at all, and that the Town was "dinged" by the auditors for it. Councilwoman Stein said there was no study presented to demonstrate a need 2 for a convention center and kitchen for Depot Hill. She said there were sO many concerns and questions about this project that the Council decided to stop it. Mayor Neal clarified that the Depot Hill project was presented as an "event center, 99 not a "convention center." 3 Grant funds for the project were sought and received indicating it was an event center for various activities; meetings, weddings, and reunions. Funds (grants) were allocated on this premise and questions arose when the plans changed. As a result of the change, some funds were returned. Councilman Clancy clarified that his first motion to turn the project into a Town Hall did not pass. It was some time afterwards that the Council voted to change it. Councilwoman Stein stated that she did not believe that the Town should be competing with private sector wedding venues (event centers). Mayor Neal said other municipalities provide space for events to the public. Councilman Clancy stated that the public can already rent the Town's Ops Center and Training center. Councilman Stover said the original plan was to have two event centers; one large and one small. The Town changed that idea when The Loft opened SO the Town was not in competition with it. The Town cancelled the plans for a small event center and moved forward with the larger spaçe where there is no competition in Town. The original proposal was to compliment and expand downtown across the river to Depot Hill to help eliminate the division between the north and south sides of town. Councilwoman Stein agreed and stated that it was a better gesture to put Town Hall there. Councilwoman Stein said there has been no planning for moving forward as the Town grows. Her concerns are with the Police and Fire Departments expansion needs and a lack of funds set aside to move forward. Councilwoman Stein thought the Town Hall idea for Depot Hill would solve three problems: put something special across the river, take care of growth with the Police Department, and meet the needs of the Fire Department. This is why she voted for the Town Hall at Depot Hill, not to squash someone's dreams or plans. Mayor Neal expressed his concern to have the event center available to citizens inside the Town limits. Councilwoman Woods also expressed concerns about the affordability of renting such a space, comparing the costs of renting Hudson Manor. Councilwoman Wright expressed concerns with people ofI Louisburg having to rent space outside on the Town and County that will accommodate larger events like family reunions. She is involved with various events that require the groups to look for space in Wake County because there are no places available in Louisburg. She expressed concern about people spending money on a facility in other counties when they could spend it here in Louisburg for this space. This is why she supported the original plan. Councilwoman Baker said she has been following the project since she moved to Town in the summer of 2019 and she has a general idea ofthe project. She supports the idea of Town Hall there because it would give more use of the facility there would be people there using it five to 3 six days a week, rather than just sitting empty until it is rented. Plus, it is still large enough for events like prom for Louisburg Magnet High School, rather than having it in Wake County. Mayor Neal said Oakley Collier will be presenting the new plans soon SO the Council can have a visual of the project. Councilman Stover asked about the grant funds and ifthey are still available. Mr. Medlin confirmed that the grant funds presented in the provided spreadsheet are still available. In addition, Mr. Medlin is also seeking additional grant funds including NC Tobacco Trust. Mayor Neal stated that the spreadsheet is available to the public if anyone would want to see it. Additional grant funding will be sought for this project, and he suggested that the Town consider employing a grant writer. Mayor Neal said Louisburg currently has no one seeking grants. Councilman Stover asked ifthis was the responsibility of the Town's Economic Development Director. Mayor Neal confirmed that this was her (Monique Wilkins) duties, and some of the grants the town has now are from her. Councilwoman Stein stated that the Police and Fire Departments seek grands for their respective departments. She also reminded the Council that the Town has hired grant writers in the past. Mayor Neal reminded the Council that the Town faces a number of additional challenges that a grant writer could help with. Mayor Neal reminded the public that they can come by Town Hall to get a copy of the spreadsheet and that he or Mr. Medlin would be available to discuss any questions or concerns. No other questions or statements on Depot Hill. Closed Session: 143-318.11(a)5) Contracts. 143-319.11(a)6) Personnel: Mayor Neal asked for ai motion to go into closed session, Councilwoman Stein made the motion, it was seconded by Councilwoman Wright, and it unanimously passed. The Council entered closed session and met in the conference room inside the Police Department. (Mayor Neal, Town Administrator Sean Medlin, Town Attorney Ben Williamson, Council Members Clancy, Baker, Wright, Stein, Woods, and Stover) The Council returned to the Training Center and took their respective seats. Councilman Clancy made the motion to return to open session, Councilwoman Stein seconded it, and it unanimously passed. The meeting returned to open session. Councilman Stover made a motion for the Town to establish a full-time Fire Chief position, effective immediately, and the salary, responsibilities, and benefits to be determined at a later date. Councilwoman Wright seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mayor Neal and Councilman Clancy stated that no action was taken on contracts. Adjourn: Mayor Neal asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Clancy made the motion, seconded by Councilwoman Wright, and it passed unanimously. The meeting ended and attendants dispersed. Submitted; Jason Abbott, Louisburg Police Chief 14 TOWN LOUISBURG III NORTI H CAROLIN A Charming Since 1779 TO: TOWN COUNCIL FROM: Philip Slayter, Special Projects Administrator DATE: February 13, 2024 RE: Sale of Surplus Property at 100 Bunn Road REQUEST: Undertake the sale of Town owned property located at 100 Bunn Road to Zenith Flooring, LLC for business development and storage space. BACKROUND: Following the sale of 806 South Main Street (formerly the South Main Mini Mart) to Zenith Flooring, the owner of Zenith Flooring reached out to the Town regarding the status of the vacant lot adjoining their site (100 Bunn Road) with the goal of securing it for operational expansion. The Town has owned this property for several years and has previously attempted to dispose of it but was unsuccessful as the last bidder withdrew. The sale of this site to Zenith Flooring is in keeping with the redevelopment recommendations of the South Main Redevelopment Plan and the provisions of state law as provided under N.C.G.S. 160D-1312 (4). STAFF RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL COUNCIL ACTION: Motion to Approve the Resolution /6 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-R- [A Resolution to Declare and Dispose of Surplus Property] WHEREAS: 1. The Town of Louisburg, a municipality in North Carolina, is undertaking redevelopment activities as part of the implementation of the South Main Street Revitalization Community Development Plan; 2. The property located at 100 Bunn Road, identified as Franklin County Tax Parcel Number 016591, is proposed to be sold to Zenith Flooring, LLC recently located to 806 South Main Street; and 3. Pursuant to N.C.G.S 160D-1312 (4) the Town is authorized to undertake a direct sale of the property to Zenith Flooring, LCC for the purposes of commercial redevelopment; and 4. That the property at 100 Bunn Road has a current assessed value of $7,190 with the proposed sale amount for $15,000; and 5. That the sale of the property located at 100 Bunn Road advances the redevelopment objectives cited the South Main Street Community Development Plan and furthers the economic development opportunities within the South Main Street community. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN OF LOUISBURG TOWN COUNCIL DULY ASSEMBLED THAT: 1. That the Louisburg Town Council declares the property at 100 Bunn Road, also known as Tax Map Parcel ID 016591, as surplus property and directs the Town Administrator to coordinate its sale to Zenith Flooring, LLC at the price of $15,000. ATTEST: SIGNED: Pam Perry, Town Clerk Christopher L. Neal, Mayor DATE 7 TOWN LOUISBURG III NOE R T H CAROLIN A Charming Since. 1779 TO: TOWN COUNCIL FROM: Philip Slayter, Special Projects Administrator DATE: February 13, 2024 RE: Review of Fines and Fees REQUEST: To update the current schedule of fees and fines the Town collects for certain services and violations. BACKROUND: Largely in response to increased growth pressures and the related increase in the cost of providing infrastructure and services due to inflation, the Town staff has revisited the fee schedule for a number of services. A portion of these fees have not been updated in decades and does not reflect current costs of doing business nor is comparable with the prevailing fees found in surrounding jurisdictions. To help reduce the subsidization of these expenditures by property taxes, staff is recommending increases to make it more equitable. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL COUNCIL ACTION: Motion to Approve the Resolution 8 PROPOSED CHANGES TO FEE SCHEDULE Department Type ROLE YOUNG FRANK WEND FRANKCO LOUIS Proposed Parks and Rec Fee Youth Athletics Resident 53 65 50 40 50 Eff] July 2023 (3-5) Yrs Old) 75 (5-14) Yrs Old) 100 Non-resident 80 125 70 55 50 EffJ July 2023 (3-5) Yrs Old) 90 (5-14Yrs Old) 125 Police Handicap Zone Fine 200 100 100 50 25 Max $250 State Law LoadingZone Fine 25 10 25 25 5 50 Obstruct Traffic Lane Fine 25 10 25 25 5 50 Fire Lane Fine 50 25 25 50 5 100 Prohibited. Area Fine 25 10 25 25 5 50 Restricted Area Fine 25 10 25 25 5 50 Fingerprints Fee 10 20 50 Taxes and Fees Fee License to! Sell Beer 0 15 0 5 0 Max $15 State Law License to Sell Wine 0 15 0 5 0 Max $15 State Law Vehicle Registration 30 20 0 30 30 Max $30 State Law Planning & Zoning Fee Zoning Permit Residential 150 110 100 100 60 25 50 Zoning Permit Commercial 250 320 100 100 250 25 150 Rezoning 600 575 300 600 500 250 300 Special Use Permit 600 575 500 600 500 250 300 Variance 600 350 500 600 500 250 300 Text Amendment 600 575 250 600 500 250 300 Sign Permit 75 85 75 75 30 25 50p per sign Annexation 200 0 0 350 N/A 0 300 Site Plan Review 400 325 400 300-500 0 250 Commerical Construction Plan Review 400 700 0 500 Preliminary Plat 300 320 300 400 250 +30, per lot 0 Final Plat 195 215 200 250 +30j per lot 150+ 20p perl lot 250 20p per lot Simplel Lot or Recombination 50 80 95 20 35 Zoning Letter Informational 35 75 30 0 25 Cemetery Lots Fee Wendell Wake Forest Cemetery On The Hill 100 250 Oakwood Cemetery Resident 1200 600 750 Non-Resident 2400 1800 1000 Utilities Fee Water Taps 5386* 1100* 1100* 5386* 1100* 1500 2000 Sewer Taps 4824* 1400* 1400* 4824* 1400* 1500 2000 * City ofF Raleigh Provider Electrical Rate Monthly Monthly Service Pole' Wood 2.35 3.50 Metal Pole 9.00 12.00 Decorative Lamp & Pole 32.00 40.00 50V WE Backyard Area Light 8.38 10.00 50W Backyard Light & W Pole 10.73 13.50 LEDS Selector Flood LT 33.20 35.50 Floodl LT & Pole 35.55 39.00 Electrici Meters Fee -69.00 75.00 Residential -195.00 225.00 Commercial Subdivision Development Electrical Infrastructure Engineering & Install 100% Town 25% Town Underground Service (See Attachment) 19 Youn ak Louisling 110 W. Nash St. Louisburg. N.C. 27549 Office of the Town Administrator State af Narth Corolina OAKWOOD CEMETERY CEMETERY LOT FEE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1995 I. Old Section'( (rear of cemetery - flat stone only) A. City Resident - $250.00 per grave site pre néed $300.00 per grave site at need B. Non City Resident $450.00 per grave site-pre need $500.00 per grave site at need II. New Avent Property (raised monuments or mausoleums) A. City Resident $450.00 per grave site pre need $500.00 per grave site at need B. Non City Resident $700.00 per grave site pre need $750.00 per grave site at need Multi-Lot Purchase 4 Graves - 108 Discount 8 Graves - 20% Discount CEMETERY ON THE HILL FLAT FEE $100 20 Proposed Underground Service Install For Town Of Louisburg Electric Department All underground services being installed are to be in the proper sized conduit for the required service wire which will be determined by Town Of Louisburg Residential Services Owner's Underground Charge - Owners or Builders requesting permanent underground electric service for single family dwellings or individually placed townhome services in subdivisions or other areas provided with underground electric distribution systems, or requesting underground service from an existing overhead distribution system, shall coordinate with Town Of Louisburg on proper installation. Owner Installed Service Conduit - Owner shall install and terminate the electric service conduit from the dwelling's meter base or point of service to within two feet of the existing underground electric distribution system connection point as designated by the Town Of Louisburg. Owner shall contact Town Of Louisburg for the proper size conduit that is to be installed. After the installation of conduit is complete the town will install the proper wire for the service being installed. The owner is required to pay ai install fee for the service wire. Rates are as is: The first 150 feet is $300.00 each additional foot thereafter is $4.00 per foot. The conduit installation shall comply with the current regulations of the National Electric Code, National Electric Safety Code and the local authority having jurisdiction. Upon satisfactory inspection and approval the Town Of Louisburg will accept the conduit and install the necessary conductors in accordance with Customer's connected electrical load. The Town Of Louisburg will own and maintain the Owner installed conduit upon acceptance and energization. Existing OverHead service change to Underground service- Any Town Of Louisburg customer that currently has over head power service that wishes to change to underground will fall under the following- Customer shall install and terminate the electric service conduit from the dwelling's meter base or point of service to within two feet of the existing underground electric distribution system connection point as designated by the Town Of Louisburg. Owner shall contact Town Of Louisburg for the proper size conduit that is to be installed. The owner is required to pay a demo fee of $100 to remove any and all materials for the overhead service. The owner is required to pay a install fee for the service wire. Rates are as is: The first 150 feet is $300.00 each additional foot thereafter is $4.00 per foot. The conduit installation shall comply with the current regulations of the National Electric Code, National Electric Safety Code and the local authority having jurisdiction. Upon satisfactory inspection and approval the Town Of Louisburg will accept the conduit and install the necessary conductors in accordance with Customer's connected electrical load. The Town Of Louisburg will own and maintain the Owner installed conduit upon acceptance and energization. 21 Commercial Services Owner Installed Service Conduit - The Owner shall install the electric service conduit from the primary power location to the location of the transformer. The Town Of Louisburg will determine the size and length of the underground electric service conduit and deliver to the Owner for installation. The conduit installation shall comply with the current regulations of the National Electric Code, National Electric Safety Code and the local authority having jurisdiction. Upon satisfactory inspection and approval the Town Of Louisburg will accept the conduit and install the necessary conductors and transformer in accordance with Customer's connected electrical load. The owner is required to pay a install fee for primary wire install to the transformer. Rates are as follows: The first 150 feet is $600.00 each additional foot there after is $12.00 per foot on any service with a 300kva transformer of LESS. Services that require a transformer above 300kva are as follows, The first 150 feet is $800.00 each additional foot there after is $12.00 per foot The Town Of Louisburg will own and maintain the Owner installed conduit upon acceptance and energization. Temporary Service Town Of Louisburg makes available, upon request, the use of temporary electric service for applications such as new construction, maintenance. In no instance will the owner/developers fees be less than the following: Temporary service for new residential site $75.00 Temporary service for new commercial site $110.00 Adder temporary service requiring pole installation $550.00 per pole 02 ORDINANCE NO. 2023- [An Ordinance to Amend the Fee Schedule of the FY 2022-2023 Budget Town of Louisburg] WHEREAS: 1. The Town of Louisburg adopted the FY 2023 budget on June 20, 2022, including a schedule of fees; and 2. The Town ofLouisburg has been experiencing significant growth and incurring costs for the provision of infrastructure and services related to that growth; and 3. Iti is the desire oft the Town Council to update its fee schedule to reduce the burden on property tax payers within the Town and place these costs on those developers or individuals that create these costs to the Town; and 4. Itis the desire ofthe Town Council that the FY 2023 budget fee schedule be amended as recommended by staff. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN OF LOUISBURG TOWN COUNCIL DULY ASSEMBLED THAT: 1. The Town of Louisburg FY 2023 fee scheduled is hereby amended as described in Attachment 1: "Proposed Changes to Fee Schedule 2. The Town Administrator is hereby authorized to amend the official FY 2023 budget to reflect the change as set forth herein. 3. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption and approval. ATTEST: SIGNED: Pamela Perry, Town Clerk Christopher L. Neal, Mayor DATE 23 Attachment 1: Proposed Fee Schedule Changes Police Handicap Zone Max $250 State Law Loading Zone $50 Obstruct Traffic Lane $50 Fire Lane $100 Prohibited Area $50 Restricted Area $50 Fingerprints $50 Taxes and Fees License to Sell Beer Max $15 State Law License to Sell Wine Max $15 State Law Vehicle Registration Max $30 State Law Planning & Zoning Zoning Permit Residential $50 Zoning Permit Commercial $150 Rezoning $300 Special Use Permit $300 Variance $300 Text Amendment $300 Sign Permit $50 per sign Annexation $300 Site Plan Review $250 Commercial Construction Plan Review $500 Preliminary Plat 0 Final Plat $250 + $20 per lot Simple Lot or Recombination $35 Zoning Letter Informational $25 Cemetery Lots Cemetery On The Hill $250 Oakwood Cemetery Resident $750 Non-Resident $1000 5H Utilities Water Taps $2000 Sewer Taps $2000 Electrical Monthly Service Pole Wood $3.50 Metal Pole $12.00 Decorative Lamp & Pole $40.00 50 W Backyard Area Light $10.00 50W Backyard Light & W Pole $13.50 LED Selector Flood LT $35.50 Flood LT & Pole $39.00 Electric Meters Residential $75.00 Commercial $225.00 Subdivision Development Electrical Infrastructure Engineering & Install 25% Town Share Underground Service Attached Memo 25 Town of Louisburg Water and. Sewer Rate Schedule Fiscal Year 2022-2023 WATER RATE: INSIDE CITY LIMITS Base charge inside city limits is $14.01. Tier 1 (usage 0-10,000 gallons) will be billed at $6.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 2 (usage 10,001 - 20,000 gallons) will be billed at $6.25 per 1000/gallons Tier 3 (usage 20,001 to 50,000 gallons) will be billed at $6.50 per 1000/gallons Tier 4 (usage 50,001 to 100,000 gallons will be billed at $6.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 5 (usage 100,001 and greater) will be billed at $5.00 per 1000/gallons WATER RATE: OUTSIDECITY LIMITS Base charge outside city limits is $20.02 Tier 1 (usage 0-10,000 gallons) will be billed at $12.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 2 (usage 10,001 - 20,000 gallons) will be billed at $12.50 per 1000/gallons Tier 3 (usage 20,001 to 50,000 gallons) will be billed at $13.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 4 (usage 50,001 to 100,000 gallons will be billed at $12.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 5 (usage 100,001 and greater) will be billed at $10.00 per 1000/gallons BULK WATER RATES Base charge of $10.01 Tier 1 (usage 0-4,500,000) will be billed at $3.50 per 1000/gallons Tier 2 (usage 4,500,000 and greater) will be billed at $3.50 per 1000/gallons SEWER RATES: INSIDE CITY LIMITS Base charge inside city limits is $13.01. Tier 1 (usage 0-10,000 gallons) will be billed at $10.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 2 (usage 10,001 - 20,000 gallons) will be billed at $10.50 per 1000/gallons Tier 3 (usage 20,001 to 50,000 gallons) will be billed at $11.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 4 (usage 50,001 to 100,000 gallons will be billed at $11.50 per 1000/gallons Tier 5 (usage 100,001 and greater) will be billed at $11.00 per 1000/gallons SEWER RATES: OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS Base charge outside city limits is $18.02 Tier 1 (usage 0-10,000 gallons) will be billed at $20.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 2 (usage 10,001 = 20,000 gallons) will be billed at $21.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 3 (usage 20,001 to 50,000 gallons) will be billed at $22.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 4 (usage 50,001 to 100,000 gallons will be billed at $23.00 per 1000/gallons Tier 5 (usage 100,001 and greater) will be billed at $22.00 per 1000/gallons ACCESS FEE: Water Access- A minimum charge of $1,500.00 (in-town), $3,000.00 (out-town) for each new 3/4 inch water service connection made. ALL connections larger than 3/4 inch shall be made by the customer at their expense and must follow the Town of Louisburg's 26 specifications. AlL customers installations shall include all materials necessary for the connections including but not limited to all piping, tapping sleeves, valves, meter box, meter, meter riser with duel check back flow device, trenching, paving, curb and sidewalk replacement. Sewer Access - A minimum charge of $1,500.00 (in-town), $3,000.00 (out-town) for each new sewer connection made that is 4 inches or less. ALL connections larger than 4 inches shall be made by the customer at their expense and must follow the Town of Louisburg's specifications. AlL customers' installations shall include all materials necessary for the connection including but not limited to all piping, clean outs, tapping saddles, trenching, paving, curb, and sidewalk replacement. All New Construction is subject to water and sewer. access fees. (EFF. September 22, 2020) 7 TOWN LOUISBURG IL NORTH CAROLIN A Charming Since 1779 TO: TOWN COUNCIL FROM: Keith Callahan, Planning Administrator, Public Service Director DATE: February 19, 2024 RE: Water Shortage Response Plan REQUEST: Approval of WSRP BACKROUND: This Resolution is required by General Statutes for municipal water sources. It details the steps taken by the Town in the event of a shortage in potable water. COUNCIL ACTION: MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. 28 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-R- RESOLUTION FOR APPROVING WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN FOR THE TOWN OF LOUISBURG, NC WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 143-355 (I) requires that each unit of local government that provides public water service and each large community water system shall develop and implement water conservation measures to respond to drought or other water shortage conditions as set out in a Water Shortage Response Plan and submitted to the Department for review and approval; and WHEREAS, as required by the statute and in the interests of sound local planning, a Water Shortage Response Plan for Town of Louisburg has been developed and submitted to the Town Council for approval; and WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that the Water Shortage Response Plan is in accordance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-355 (1) and that it will provide appropriate guidance for the future management of water supplies for Town of Louisburg, as well as useful information to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the development of a state water supply plan as required by statute; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of Town of Louisburg that the Water Shortage Response Plan entitled, Louisburg Water Shortage Response Plan dated February 1, 2024 is hereby approved and shall be submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council intends that this plan shall be revised to reflect changes in relevant data and projections at least once every five years or as otherwise requested by the Department, in accordance with the statute and sound planning practice. This the day of 202 ATTEST: Signed: Pamela Perry, Town Clerk Christopher L. Neal, Mayor 29 Louisburg Water Shortage Response Plan Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP) Louisburg, North Carolina Feb 1, 2024 The procedures herein are written to reduce potable water demand and supplement existing drinking water supplies whenever existing water supply sources are nadequate to meet current demands for potable water. I. Authorization The Louisburg Town Administrator shall enact the following water shortage response provisions whenever the trigger conditions outlined in Section IV are met. In his absence, the Public Service Director will assume this role. Mr. Sean Medlin Keith Callahan Louisburg Town Administrator Town of Louisburg Public Service Director. Phone: 919) 497-1004 Phone: (919) 496-1003 II. Notification The following notification methods will be used to inform water system employees and customers of a water shortage declaration: employee e-mail announcemens.noices at municipal buildings, notices in water bills. Required water shortage response measures will be communicated through, PSA announcements on local radio and cable stations and on the Town's website nttp/www.townonlouisburg.org, Declaration of emergency water restrictions or water rationing will be communicated by any available means. III. Levels of Response Five levels of water shortage response are outlined in the table below. The five levels of water shortage response are: voluntary reductions, mandatory reductions I and II, emergency reductions and water rationing. A detailed description of each response level and corresponding water reduction measures follow below. 1 30 Louisburg Water Shortage Response Plan Stage Response Description 1 Voluntary Water users are encouraged to reduce their water use and Reductions improve water use efficiency; however, no penalties apply for noncompliance. Water supply conditions indicate a potential for shortage. 2 Mandatory Water users must abide required water use reduction and Reductions I efficiency measures; penalties apply for noncompliance. Water supply conditions are significantly lower than the seasonal norm and water shortage conditions are expected to persist. 3 Mandatory Same as in Stage 2 Reductions II 4 Emergency Water supply conditions are substantially diminished and Reductions pose an imminent threat to human health or environmental integrity. 5 Water Water supply conditions are substantially diminished and Rationing remaining supplies must be allocated to preserve human health arid environmental integrity. In Stage 1, Voluntary Reductions, all water users will be asked to reduce their normal water use by 5%. Customer education and outreach programs will encourage water conservation and efficiency measures including: irrigating landscapes a maximum of one inch per week; preventing water waste, runoff and watering impervious surfaces; watering plants deeply to encourage root growth; washing only full loads in clothes and dishwashers; using spring-loaded nozzles on garden hoses; and identifying and repairing all water leaks. In Stage 2, Mandatory Reductions I, all customers are expected to reduce their water use by 10% in comparison to their previous month's water bill. In addition to continuing to encourage all voluntary reduction actions, the following restrictions apply: irrigation is limited to a half inch per week between 8PM and 8AM; outdoor use of drinking water for washing impervious surfaces is prohibited; and all testing and training purposes requiring drinking water (e.g. fire protection) will be limited. In Stage 3, Mandatory Reductions II, customers must continue actions from all previous stages and further reduce water use by 20% compared to their previous month's water bill. All non-essential uses of drinking water are banned and garden and landscape irrigation must be reduced to the minimum amount necessary for survival. Additionally, in Stage 3, a drought surcharge of 1.5 times the normal water rate applies. 3( Louisburg Water Shortage Response Plan In Stage 4, Emergency Reductions, customers must continue all actions from previous stages and further reduce their water use by 25% compared to their previous month's water bill. A ban on all use of drinking water except to protect public health and safety is implemented and drought surcharges increase to 2 times the normal water rate. The goal of Stage 5, Water Rationing, is to provide drinking water to protect public health (e.g. residences, residential health care facilities and correctional facilities). In Stage 5, all customers are only permitted to use water at the minimum required for public health protection. Firefighting is the only allowable outdoor water use and pickup locations for distributing potable water will be announced according to Louisburg's Emergency Response Plan. Drought surcharges increase to 5 times the normal water rate. IV. Triggers The Town of Louisburg's water source is the Tar River. The Town's raw water pumping station is located at the dam on the river. The top of the dam is at an elevation of 185 feet msl according to the plan and profile prepared by Peirson & Whitman Engineering. The following stream flow measurements, intake levels and production capacities trigger entry into corresponding water restriction stages. Stage Tar River Operating Conditions 1 Water Level at 183 ft. msl at Intake in River 2 Water Level at 182 ft msl at Intake in River 3 Water Level at 181 ft msl at Intake in River 4 Water Level at 180 ft msl at Intake in River 5 Water Level at 179 ft msl at Intake in River Return to Normal When water shortage conditions have abated and the situation is returning to normal, water conservation measures employed during each phase should be decreased in reverse order of implementation. Permanent measures directed toward long-term monitoring and conservation should be implemented or continued sO that the community will be in a better position to prevent shortages and respond to recurring water shortage conditions. 3 32 Louisburg Water Shortage Response Plan V. Enforcement The provisions of the water shortage response plan will be enforced by Town of Louisburg utility department and police personnel. Violators may be reported to the Town's Public Service Dept. Citations are assessed according to the following schedule depending on the number of prior violations and current level of water shortage. Water Shortage Level First Violation Second Violation Third Violation Voluntary Reductions N/A N/A NIA Mandatory Reductions Warning $250 Discontinuation of (Stages 2 and 3) Service Emergency Reductions $250 Discontinuation of Discontinuation of Service Service Water Rationing $500 Discontinuation of Discontinuation of Service Service Drought surcharge rates are effective in Stages 3, 4 and 5. VI. Public Comment Customers have had multiple opportunities to comment on the provisions of the water shortage response plan. First, a draft plan was available at Town Hall for customers to view. A notice will be included in customer water bill notifying them of such. All subsequent revisions to the draft plan will be published at least 30 days prior to an adoption vote by Louisburg's Town Council. VII. Variance Protocols Applications for water use variance requests are available from the Town Hall. All applications must be submitted to the Town Hall for review by the Town Manager or his designee. A decision to approve or deny individual variance requests will be determined within two weeks of submittal after careful consideration of the following criteria: impact on water demand, expected duration, alternative source options, social and economic importance, purpose (i.e. necessary use of drinking water) and the prevention of structural damage. 4 33 Louisburg Water Shortage Response Plan VIII. Effectiveness The effectiveness of the Louisburg water shortage response plan will be determined by comparing the stated water conservation goals with observed water use reduction data. Other factors to be considered include frequency of plan activation, any problem periods without activation, total number of violation citations, desired reductions attained and evaluation of demand reductions compared to the previous year's seasonal data. IX. Revision The water shortage response plan will be reviewed and revised as needed to adapt to new circumstances affecting water supply and demand, following implementation of emergency restrictions, and at a minimum of every five years in conjunction with the updating of our Local Water Supply Plan. Further, a water shortage response planning work group will review procedures following each emergency or rationing stage to recommend any necessary improvements to the plan to Louisburg's Town Council. The Town of Louisburg's Public Service Director is responsible for initiating all subsequent revisions. 5 34 TOWN LOUISBURG III NORTH CAROLIN A Charming Since 1779 TO: TOWN COUNCIL FROM: Sean Medlin, Town Administrator DATE: February 16, 2024 RE: Position Reclassification REQUEST: Position Reclassification = Human Resources Director BACKROUND: The Town has a vacant part-time position that I would like to request re-classifying to a full-time position to further development the Town's ability to meet its service needs. The position I requesting to reclassify is for the Human Resource Director's position from a part-time position to a full-time position. The job duties for this position largely involves employee relations, recruiting, benefits, and policy implementation, to name a few, while ensuring adherence to compliance with Federal and State laws with regards to the Town. At this time, the request for a full-time position would better serve the Town as we move forward. COUNCIL ACTION: Motion to Re-classify the position above as requested. 35 H Closure of West Johnson Street at South Main Street $ In Louisburg, Franklin County Project No. 50379 OF TRANS $ PROJECT DESCRIPTION The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to close West Johnson Street at South Main Street in Louisburg to provide additional parking for the downtown area. There will be no access from South Main Street or East Johnson Street onto West Johnson Street. Vehicles will still be able to access West Johnson Street from South Church Street. Two concrete islands, each 4 feet wide and 5 inches tall, will be installed 10 feet apart crossing the West Johnson Street intersection to close the road but allow pedestrian access. A high visibility crosswalk will also be added across South Main Street, south of the intersection as well as across East Johnson Street. Pavement markings on West Johnson Street approaching Main Street would be removed, and pavement markings on East Johnson Street approaching Main Street would be modified to remove the through movement arrow. The project is expected to be completed during the Spring of 2024 with an expected total cost of $70,000. 1229 Rnt S 4-foot wide/5-inch high Concrete Islands PACS 10 Feet apart 1229 S - or à 3 E 0 n 1229 a A New Veire High-Visibility Crosswalks Google ao 36 LOUISBURG NORTH CAROLINA Charming Since 1779 MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Christopher Neal and Town Council From: Sean Medlin, Town Administrator Subject: Administrator' S Report Date: February 16, 2024 Staff has secured an agreement with NC DOT Rail Division for the Depot hill Parking As you might have noticed, activity at the old Mini Mart on N Main Street was underway last week with the removal oft the gas tanks. Staff is working to move toward some preliminary design work for this site. Staffis working with TRC with regards to the StRAP grant on additional removal of debris from the river. Initial cost of the project came in at $212,980. Staff received a change order option that involved additional removal of debris. The CO including the additional debris removal came in at $333,980. The StRAP funds available total $218,668; therefore, leaving an additional cost of$115,312 for the Town to incur. Staff has reached out TRC, to inquire with the vendor, if the Town provided trucks for the additional debris removal would this have an impact on the cost. The funding award recommendations, through the State Water Infrastructure Authority, related to the rotor tube replacement has been announced and the award for this project came in at a 50% grant and 50% loan for an overall total project cost of $630,000.00. After the mention of the bump out on N Main at the last meeting, we had yet another incident with the bump out on January 27th. Staffi has installed reflective hardware, painted the curbing to advise drivers of the bump out on N. Main St. At the special called meeting on February gth, the board approved a full-time Fire Chief's position. Ajob description is available at a pay grade 20. The salary range for this position will be $64,980 to $97,470. (919) 496-4145 - FAX (919) 496-63191 * madingbomotouatupen 37