Monday, April 4, 2011 – 7:00 p.m.
Attendance: Mayor Harry Beeker, Mayor Pro Tem James Lilly, Commissioners Beverly Johnson, Henry Thompson, Sr., Harold Thompson, Raymond Skidmore, Town Administrator Dwight Smith, Police Chief Randy Smith, Zoning Officer Virgil Hinson, Fire Chief John Lambeth, Clerk Pam Lisenby, SNAP Representative Ericka Benjamin
The regular monthly meeting of the Norwood Town Council was held on Monday, April 4, 2011 at the Norwood Town Hall. Mayor Harry Beeker called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and welcomed the visitors.
No public concerns were heard.
Mayor Beeker called for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as follows:
The minutes of the March 7, 2011 regular meeting of the Norwood Town Council were approved on a motion by Commissioner Henry Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and passed 5-0.
2) A budget update was accepted on a motion by Commissioner Henry Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and passed 5-0.
3) A financial report was accepted on a motion by Commissioner Henry Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and passed 5-0.
AGENDA ITEMS
AGENDA ITEM #1 – SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT
Administrator Smith stated he had been working on having four concerts in the Darrell Almond Park gazebo this summer – one in May, June, September and October from 2-5 p.m. He added there would be no charge for admission, all parking would be on the ball field side of the park, and town employees and Board members would be asked to work in a concession stand with the profits going to pay the bands.
Several Board members felt the Town should begin with May and June to see how much participation there would be.
Commissioner Henry Thompson made a motion to authorize Administrator Smith to follow through with arrangements for the May and June concerts. After some discussion, Commissioner Thompson withdrew the motion.
Commissioner Henry Thompson then made another motion to authorize Administrator Smith to follow through with concert arrangements as he saw fit. Mayor Pro Tem Lilly seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
AGENDA ITEM #2 – PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENTS
Commissioner Harold Thompson made a motion to set a public hearing for the proposed zoning changes in the Central Business district of Norwood dealing with vehicle storage and appearance standards. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
AGENDA ITEM #3 – PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENTS
Administrator Smith stated that the Planning Board had recommended that the Town Council set a public hearing to allow tattoo shops and sweepstakes games in the Highway Business District.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Town Council that the matter be sent back to the Planning Board for further investigation.
AGENDA ITEM #4 – RESOLUTION FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
Administrator Smith presented a document entitled “VERIFICATION FROM MUNICIPALITY RESOLUTION” stating that the Norwood Volunteer Fire Department was an agency of the Town of Norwood.
Commissioner Johnson made a motion to authorize Mayor Beeker to sign the Resolution. Commissioner Harold Thompson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. The Resolution is attached to these Minutes and made a part thereof.
AGENDA ITEM #5 – SHINN STREET/EAST ANDREWS STREET WATER
Administrator Smith stated that BRS Construction was the low bidder for the water line replacement project at a bid of $163,154. Smith asked if the Board wanted him to arrange a lease/purchase or pay for the project with the $41,000 left at Bank of Stanly from the Lake Shore pump station loan, $82,154 from Enterprise Fund checking and $40,000 from savings.
Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to pay for the project as outlined above. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
Commissioner Henry Thompson made a motion to award the project to BRS. Mayor Pro Tem Lilly seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
AGENDA ITEM #6 – RESULTS OF WATER PLANT INSPECTION
Administrator Smith presented a letter from Paul Judge of NCDENR who recently inspected the Water Plant. Issues raised in the letter were discussed.
AGENDA ITEM #7 – PARKING IN FRONT OF NORWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Administrator Smith presented a letter from Susan S. Russell, Principal of Norwood Elementary School, regarding removal of the parking signs in front of the school.
Commissioner Harold Thompson suggested the Town send a letter to NCDOT, along with a copy of Ms. Russell’s letter, requesting that the parking signs be removed and the curb marked 30-40 feet back from the intersection with College Street. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
AGENDA ITEM #8 – ETJ ZONING BOARD MEMBER
Administrator Smith discussed the recent dilemma of not having enough Zoning Board members present at meetings and not being able to find any new members. Smith stated that Art Smith would serve until a replacement could be found.
AGENDA ITEM #9 – LEASING BUILDING AT 718 NORTH MAIN STREET
Administrator Smith stated that Tony Morris had decided not to lease the Town-owned building at 718 North Main Street. Smith said there were two other persons interested in buying the building.
It was the consensus of the Board that Administrator Smith investigate and make a recommendation.
AGENDA ITEM #10 – WATER PLANT OPERATIONS
Administrator Smith stated that the Town’s contract with United Water to operate the Water Plant would expire April 20. Smith recommended that the Board extend the contract with United Water for one year.
Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to extend the United Water contract for one year. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Henry Thompson and passed unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM #11 – 2010-2011 BUDGET
Administrator Smith presented some highlights of the work done on the proposed 2010-2011 Town of Norwood budget thus far.
AGENDA ITEM #12 – RESULTS OF 2010 CENSUS
Administrator Smith stated that the Town’s population had decreased by approximately 400 as a result of the 2010 census. Smith said John McHenry of Benchmark had been hired to verify the accuracy of the submitted boundaries, adding that McHenry felt they were sent in correctly. Smith said this would have a detrimental effect on Norwood since most state-collected revenues were distributed according to population.
AGENDA ITEM #13 – CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE RESOLUTION
A document entitled “CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE TOWN OF NORWOOD’S SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT FOR THE EASTOVER PUMP STATION AND SEWER UPGRADES PROJECT” was presented.
Commissioner Skidmore made a motion to authorize Mayor Beeker to sign the Resolution. Commissioner Henry Thompson seconded the motion and it passed. A copy of the Resolution is attached to these Minutes and made a part thereof.
AGENDA ITEM #14– STANLY COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
A document entitled “RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN TOWN OF NORWOOD” was presented.
Commissioner Johnson made a motion to authorize Mayor Beeker to sign the document. Commissioner Henry Thompson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. A copy of the Resolution is attached to these Minutes and made a part thereof.
BOARD CONCERNS
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked about the pond fountain at the park. Smith said it was at the repair shop with the motor being rewound and should be back in ten days. Smith said he also thought the colored lights would be working again.
Commissioner Johnson asked if Norwood would get in trouble during the upcoming Fire Department inspection for having wrong numbers on street signs.
Commissioner Henry Thompson asked if the requested signs were going to be put up on Pine Street. Smith said they had been ordered and would be here soon.
ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE
Administrator Smith discussed the following items:
The new sewer washer is here and is a powerful unit.
Levi Crawford is the new policeman on board.
The floor of the Town-owned building at 112 North Main Street is being repaired at a cost of about $13,000.
Water violation notices are going out again.
Koonce, Noble & Associates got information to Grants & Loans on sewer line project.
Many potholes have been patched by Town crew.
A Museum office is being built at the Fire Station.
First Baptist Church is getting ready to enlarge their parking lot up to Anson Avenue. Smith wanted to confirm with Board that the little sidewalk between Blalock Street and the church belonged to the church. Board members concurred that it was not the Town’s sidewalk.
Work on the Turner Street Park concession stand will be done for softball season, along with some work on the grounds at Darrell Almond Park.
Arbor Day plans were discussed.
Mayor Beeker called for a motion to enter a closed session to discuss a possible lawsuit. Commissioner Harold Thompson made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Henry Thompson. Motion passed 5-0.
When the business to be discussed in closed session was completed, Commissioner Johnson made a motion to return to regular session. Commissioner Henry Thompson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
Mayor Beeker then called for a motion to close the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Commissioner Henry Thompson so moved, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and passed 5-0.
HARRY BEEKER, Mayor
PAM LISENBY, Clerk