River Bend Town Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 15, 2025 Town Hall 5:00 p.m. Present Council Members: Mayor Mark Bledsoe Buddy Sheffield Lisa Benton Brian Leonard Kathy Noonan Jeff Weaver Town Manager: Delane Jackson Finance Director: Mandy Gilbert Police Lieutenant: Stephen Fell Town Clerk: Kristie Nobles Town Attorney: David Baxter Members of the Public Present: 9 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bledsoe called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the River Bend Town Hall with a quorum present. VOTE = Approval of Agenda Councilman Weaver motioned to accept the agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS Martin Degraw - 416 Tar Landing expressed the need for a convenience center / trash / debris collection site closer to the Town of River Bend for residents. He stated that he has addressed the Council previously regarding this topic. CONSENT AGENDA The Mayor presented the Council with the Consent Agenda. Counciwoman Noonan moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Within this motion, the following items were approved: A. Approve: Minutes of April 10, 2025 Work Council Meeting Minutes of April 17, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2025 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes of May 1, 2025 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2025 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2025 Budget Workshop Meeting TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT The Manager gave the following updates: The Town received results from recent water testing and the water quality has improved. The Town will be doing annual flushing near the end of May. The bids for Leaf & Limb collection are due June 6, 2025, by 2:00 pm. River Bend Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 2of11 The FY25-26 Budget Public Hearing will be on June 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. during the Council work session. He stated that the Council would vote on the proposed budget on June 19, 2025. Councilman Sheffield stated that the gates at Lakemere have been repaired, and water seems to be running over the gates. Lieutenant Fell stated that the Police Department has had an increase in traffic stops and town ordinance violations. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS FINANCE - Councilman Leonard Financial Report - Finance Director, Mandy Gilbert, presented the financial statement for the month of April to the Council. She stated the total of the Town's Cash and Investments as of April 30, 2025, were $3,183,021 and Ad Valorem Tax Collections for FY24-25 were $978,527 and Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Collections were $91,419. Councilman Leonard stated that there are only a couple of months left in this fiscal year, and the numbers reflect that the Town is not spending anything near to what is being taken in. He thanked the staff for managing the finances. The Town Manager asked the Council to look at the Wastewater Treated line in the Sewer Fund. He stated that the daily permitted limit is 330,000 gallons and the town's daily average is 102,000 gallons. He stated that the town is operating at 1/3 of the capacity permitted. The Town Manager stated that the presented Budget Amendment will cover several items including the Leaf and Limb pickups. He stated that there had been several storms that attributed to the amount of debris that was removed. He also stated that this budget amendment will also cover the new employee salary for Public Works and the employee merit pay that the Council approved previously. VOTE - Budget Amendment #24-B-04 Councilman Leonard motioned to approve Budget Amendment #24-B-04 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. (see attached) Councilman Leonard called on the Town Manager to discuss the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Project Fund Ordinance Amendment #4. The Town Manager stated that the Council cannot award the contract for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhancements if they do not approve the amendment. He stated the amendment would recognize $5,000,000 from a direct appropriation and combine it with $9,100,000 that the town has from grant funding. Councilwoman Benton stated that the Wastewater Treatment System is around fifty years old and if something were to break or malfunction the town could be fined up to $10,000 a day for violations. The Town Manager stated that the system is on average around 40 years old and he agreed with the fines, but he had seen fines as much as $25,000 a day. Councilwoman Benton asked if there are funds left over from the Wastewater Treatment Project, can those funds be allocated back to the Water Treatment Project and the Town Manager said yes. Councilman Sheffield stated that the original grant of 9 million dollars that the town was awarded for the Wastewater Treatment Plant has a time limit on it and if it is not spent the Town will lose those funds. Councilman Leonard agreed with Councilwomen Benton and Councilman Sheffield and stated that it would be financial malfeasance on the Council's part to jeopardize the loss of those funds. Councilwoman Benton and Noonan stated that they agreed. Councilman Weaver stated that even though the Council is River Bend Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 3of11 voting to approve Phase 1 of the Wastewater Treatment Project, the Council is still committed to completing both of these projects in their entirety. He stated that there are many irons in the fire" at this time. He also encouraged anyone who has questions to contact the Council to get thei facts, not social media. VOTE = Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Project Fund Ordinance Amendment #4 Councilman Leonard motioned to approve Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Project Fund Ordinance Amendment #4 as presented. The motion carried unanimously. (see attached) VOTE - Award Contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhancements, Phase 1 Councilman Leonard motioned to approve the resolution of tentative award as presented. The motion carried unanimously. (see attached) ENVIRONMENTAL & WATERWAYS = Councilman Leonard Councilman Leonard provided the following report from the May meeting. Chairman Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. There was a quorum of members present. There were no visitors. The minutes for the. April 7th, 2025, meeting were approved. Councilman Leonard gave a council update and answered members questions. Old Business: Still working to provide fishing line recycling containers, EWAB will make and install the containers. Updated information on having waterways clean up including local Scouts. New Business: Councilman Leonard asked EWAB to conduct a sounding of the waterways. Discussion about purchasing tee shirts for EWAB members. Volunteer Hours: 9 The next meeting will be on Julu 7th, 2025, at 7 PM in the small conference room in the municipal building. The public is welcome to attend. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM PLANNING BOARD - Councilman Sheffield Councilman Sheffield provided the following report from the May meeting. The Planning Board met on May 1st at 6:00 pm in the Community building. Chairman Lippert called the meeting to order. There was no public comment. The usual reports were given. Board members were given a copies of the proposed Aare Creek development plans to study. Manager Jackson gave a slide presentation summarizing the newly submitted plans. The plans are for the construction of 132 new homes on lots averaging 18 thousand square feet. Brian Ketchem, vice president of operations for Ellis Development was on hand to answer questions. Robert Davis, who still owns the approximately 73 acres on Old Pollocksville Road was also present. Board members asked ai few questions, which Mr. Ketchem answered. Nobody in the audience had any comments. The complete plans for the development are available to the public in the Town Hall board room. Under new business there was discussion of the town's fence ordinance with particular focus on corner properties and what constitutes a front yard in those situations. The board was instructed to be ready to vote on the two items discussed at the meeting at the next meeting, which is set for June 5th. As always, all citizens are invited to attend. PARKS & RECREATION = Councilman Weaver Councilman Weaver provided the following report from the April meeting. Councilman Weaver stated that Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on May 7 at 6:30. He stated that there is Yoga in the Park schedule for Mat 17 2025. He stated that they are looking for volunteers and has some vacancies. RIVER BEND COMMUNITY ORGANIC GARDEN Councilman Weaver gave the following report from the March meeting: Spring planting is complete. Garden workdays take place twice monthly. A daily work schedule is updated monthly. Gardeners labored 268 hours in March. The spring plant sale was very successful. Garden tours were conducted and several visitors expressed River Bend" Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 4of11 interest in volunteering. Unsold plants will be donated to the Master Gardeners who are holding their plant sale on May 17. The next meeting is scheduled for June 2, 2025 at 1:30 pm in the Municipal building. Guests are always welcome at the meetings and in the garden. CAC - Councilwoman Benton Councilwoman Benton stated that CAC recommendation of the Median Project is on town's website. CAC will meet on Wednesday, May 21 at 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building and the public is invited to attend. MAYOR'S REPORT The Mayor stated that there has been a lot going on in Town since the beginning of the year. He stated that the Lakemere gates repair has been completed, the BIRM Media has been replaced and after the ice storm Public Works made sure the town streets were cleared right away. He stated that the Public Works department has been very busy and he is very proud of that department. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilman Sheffield moved to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m. Hustte / 7nols Kristie J. Nobles, MMC Town Clerk River Bend Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 50f11 TOWN OF RIVERI BEND BUDGET ORDINANCE, AMENDMENT: 24-B-04 FISCAL YEAR: 2024. 2025 BE IT ORDAINED by the Council oft the Town of River Bend, North Carolina that the 2024-2025 Budget Ordinance as last amended on December 5, 2024, be amended ast follows: Summary General Fund 2,455,307 General Capital Reserve Fund 89,007 Law Enforcement Separation Allowance Fund 515 Water Fund 731,736 Water Capital Reserve Fund 20,215 Sewer Fund 724,636 Sewer Capital Reserve Fund 25,250 Total 4,046,666 Section1. GeneralFund Anticipated Revenues AD' VALOREM' Taxes 2024-2025 980,165 AD' VALOREM' Tax-Motor' Vehicle 104,400 Animal Licenses 1,500 Sales Tax 1% Article 39 205,910 Sales Tax 1/2%A Article 40 121,885 Sales Tax: 1/2% Article 42 102,881 Sales Tax Article 44 14,636 Sales Tax Hold Harmless Distribution 112,233 Solid Waste Disposal Tax 2,200 Powell Bill Allocation 101,000 Beer and' Wine Tax 13,225 Video Programming Sales1 Tax 47,041 Utilities Franchise Tax 116,156 Telecommunications Sales Tax 6,779 Court Refunds 500 Zoning Permits 7,000 Federal Grant 23,364 Miscellaneous 15,000 Interest- Powell Bill Investments 50 Interest-General Fund nvestments 44,533 Contributions 900 Wildwood Storage Rents 18,144 Rents & Concessions 18,000 Sale of Fixed Assets 0 Transfer From Capital Reserve Fund 72,650 Appropriated Fund Balance 325,155 Total 2,455,307 Page 1 of 5 River Bend Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 6of11 Section: 1. Generalfundlcontinued) Authorized Expenditures Governing Body 69,500 Administration 333,200 Finance 150,172 Taxl Listing 14,700 Legal Services 36,225 Elections 600 Police 867,795 Public Buildings 84,500 Emergency Services 5,800 Animal Control 23,505 Street Maintenance 248,760 Public' Works 222,063 Leaf & Limb and Solid' Waste 97,075 Stormwater Management 49,956 Wetlands and' Waterways 2,900 Planning & Zoning 60,000 Recreation & Special Events 11,000 Parks & Community, Appearance 67,756 Contingency 23,043 Transfer To General Capital Reserve Fund 86,757 Transfer To L.E.S.A. Fund 0 Total 2,455,307 Section2. seneracapitalRtalReserverund Anticipated Revenues Contributions from General Fund 86,757 Interest Revenue 2,250 Total 89,007 Authorized Expenditures Transfer1 to General Fund 72,650 Future Procurement 16,357 89,007 Section3. Law Enforcement: Separation AllowanceFund Anticipated Revenues: Contributions from General Fund 0 Interest Revenue 515 Total 515 Authorized Expenditures: Separation Allowance 0 Future LEOSSAI Payments 515 Total 515 Page 2of5 River Bend' Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 7of11 Section4. Water Fund Anticipated Revenues Utility Usage Charges, Classes 1&2 202,039 Utility Usage Charges, Classes 3 & 4 19,024 Utility Usage Charges, Class 5 11,651 Utility Usage Charges, Class 8 5,326 Utility Customer Base Charges 280,228 HydrantAvailabiliy: Fee 19,215 Taps & Connections Fees 4,050 Nonpayment Fees 10,500 Late payment Fees 7,774 Interest Revenue 16,790 Sale of CapitalAsset 0 Appropriated Fund Balance 155,139 Total 731,736 Authorized Expenditures Administration & Finance! [1] 510,948 Operations and Maintenance 200,788 Transfer Tol Fund Balance for Capital Outlay 0 Transfer To Water Capital Reserve Fund 20,000 Total 731,736 [1JPortion of department for bond debts service: 134,691 Section5. WaterCanlalResemefund Anticipated Revenues Contributions From Water Operations Fund 20,000 Interest Revenue 215 Total 20,215 Authorized Expenditures Future Expansion & Debt Service 20,215 Page 3 of5 5 - River Bend Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 8of11 Section6. SewerFund Anticipated Revenues: Utility Usage Charges, Classes 1 &2 260,280 Utility Usage Charges, Classes 3& 4 40,743 Utility Usage Charges, Class 5 25,677 Utility Usage Charges, Class 8 10,825 Utility Customer Base Charges 297,179 Taps & Connection Fees 1,250 Late payment Fees 8,251 Interest Revenue 21,990 Sale of Capital Asset 0 Appropriated Fund Balance 58,441 Total 724,636 Authorized Expenditures: Administration & Finance [2] 503,848 Operations and Maintenance 190,788 Transfer to Fund Balance for Capital Outlay 0 Transfer to Sewer Capital Reserve Fund 25,000 Transfer to Sewer AIA Grant Project 5,000 Total 724,636 [2] Portion of department. for bond debt service: 116,309 Section7. Sewer Capitall Reserve Anticipated Revenues: Contributions From Sewer Operations Fund 25,000 Interest Revenue 250 Total 25,250 Authorized Expenditures: Future Expansion & Debt Service 25,250 Page 4 of5 River Bend Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15,2025 9of11 Section8. LevyofTaxes Therei is hereby levied a tax at ther rate of twenty-four cents ($0.24) per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation of property as listedi fort taxes as of January: 1, 2024, fort the purpose of raisingt the revenue listed as "Ad' Valorem Taxes 2024-2025"in the General Fund Section 1 of this ordinance. This rate is based on ay valuation of $410,950,000 for purposes oft taxation of real and personal propertywith an estimated rate of collection of 99.38%. The estimated collectionrate is based on the fiscaly year 2022-2023 collection rate of 99.38% by Craven County whol has been contracted to collect real and personal property taxes for the Town of River Bend. Also included is a valuation of $43,500,000 forp purposes of taxation of motory vehicles with a collection rate of 100% by the North Carolina Vehicle Tax System. Section9. Feesand Charges There isl hereby established, for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, various fees and charges as contained in Attachment. A of this document. Section10. Special Authorization of the Budget Officer A. The Budget Officer shall be authorizedi to reallocate any appropriations within departments. B. The Budget Officer shall be authorized to executel interfund and Interdepartmental transfers in emergency: situations. Notification of all such transfers shall be made tot the Town Council at its next meeting following the transfer. C. The Budget Officer: shall be authorizedi to execute interdepartmental transfers int the same fund, including contingency appropriations, not to exceed $5,000. Notification of all such transfers shall be madei to the Town Council at its next meeting following thet transfer. Section 11. Classificationand PayPlan Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)f for all Town employees shall be 3.7% and shall begin thei first payroll in the new' fiscal year. The Town Manageri is hereby authorizedi to grant meriti increases to Town employees, when earned, per the approved Pay Plan. Section: 12. Utilization of the Budget Ordinance This ordinance shall be the basis oft the financial plan for the Town of River Bendr municipal government during the: 2024-2025 fiscal year. The Budget Officer shall administer the Annual Operating Budget and shall ensure the operating staff and officials are provided with guidance and: sufficient details to implement their appropriate portion of the budget. Section 13. Copies ofthis Budget Ordinance Copies oft this Budget Ordinance shall bet furnishedi to the Clerk, Town Council, Budget Officer and Finance Officer to be kept on file by them for their directioni int the disbursement of funds. Adopted this 15th day ofl May, 2025. Mark Bedsoe, Mayor Attest: Mustt / nobas Kristie J. Nobles, Town Clerk, MMC, NCCMC Page 5 of5 River Bend" Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 100 of1 11 TOWN OF RIVER BEND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #4 BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of River Bend, North Carolina, that the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Projects Fund Ordinance as last amended on October 17, 2024, be amended as follows: Section 1. The following amounts are hereby appropriated for the operation of a Town Capital Projects Fund for the enhancement of the Wastewater Treatment Plant: CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND Revenues: State Fiscal Recovery Fund Grant 9,108,500 State Direct Appropriation 5,112,650 14,221,150 Expenditures: Wetlands Mitigation 54,000 EngneringAdminstration 851,500 Construction 12,733,000 Contingencies 582,650 14,221,150 Section 2. It is estimated that revenues in the amounts indicated in the foregoing schedule will be available to support the foregoing appropriations. Section 3. The Finance Officer is hereby authorized to maintain an appropriate Fund Chart of Accounts. Section 4. Copies of this Ordinance shall be furnished to the Clerk, Town Council, Budget Officer and Finance Officer to be kept on file by them for their direction in the disbursement of funds. Section! 5. The capital projects funds are appropriated pursuant to section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina; therefore, appropriations do not lapse at the end of the fiscal year and are available for the duration of the project, estimated to be eighteen months, unless subsequently amended by Council action. Adopted this 15th day of May, 2025. Mark Bledsoe; Mayor Attest: Vuskgnols Kristie. J. Nobles, Town Clerk, MMC, NCCMC River Bend Town Council Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2025 11of11 TOWN OF RIVER BEND RESOLUTION OF TENTATIVE AWARD WHEREAS, the Town of River Bend, North Carolina has received bids, pursuant to duly advertisement of notice therefore, for construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhancements Phase I, and WHEREAS, Rivers and Associates, Inc., in its role as consulting engineers for the project, have reviewed the bids; and WHEREAS, State Utility Contractors, Inc. was the lowest bidder for the project, in the total bid amount of $12,733,000.00; and WHEREAS, the consulting engineers recommend TENTATIVE AWARD to the lowest bidder. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that TENTATIVE AWARD is made to the lowest bidder in the Total Bid Amount of $12,733,000.00 Name of Contractor Amount 1.State Utility Contractors, Inc. $12,733,000.00 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such TENTATIVE AWARD is contingent upon the approval of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Adopted this the 15th day of May, 2025 INCORPORATED SEAL h 1981 u Mark Bledsoe, Mayor (Seaf) Attest: Lustl - - / Bnobb Kristie J. Nobles, Town Clerk, MMC