Wednesday, April 22, 2009 – 12:00 Noon
Attendance: Mayor Larry McMahon, Mayor Pro Tem James Lilly, Commissioners Henry Thompson, Sr., Harold Thompson, Beverly Johnson, Alphonzo Rush, Administrator Dwight Smith, Clerk Pam Lisenby, SNAP Representative
The Norwood Town Council met for a special meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 12:00 Noon at the Norwood Town Hall. The meeting had been duly advertised in THE STANLY NEWS & PRESS, as well as in the Norwood Town Hall.
Mayor McMahon presided and called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM #1 – FIRST READING OF 2009/2010 PROPOSED BUDGET
Administrator Smith stated that the proposed 2009/2010 budget was “slim” and “premature”, adding that the General Fund budget was balanced with a $75,797 fund balance transfer and the Enterprise Fund budget was balanced with no fund balance transfer at this time.
Smith gave proposed budget highlights as follows:
1) No new police car included
2) Last payment on 2008 Ford Crown Vic included
3) No money included for needed work at Community Building
4) 3% salary increase for all employees (Smith stated some employees needed more and suggested the following scale for consideration: Salaries over $50,000 – no salary increase, over $40,000 – 1% increase, over $30,000 – 2% increase, $25,000-$30,000 – 3% increase, less than $25,000 – 5% increase)
5) 100% insurance premium payment for all employees
6) No special projects included – budget amendments will be made as these are done. Projects include:
a) Sewer to Berry Hill area – Smith said he did not expect the entire project to be completed in the 2009/2010 budget, but certainly the first part.
b) Lake Shore pump station - $250,000 – Smith said this would “surely” be finished during 2009/2010.
c) Edgewater sewer line – Smith said we had some funds for this now and were expecting more funds, adding budget amendments would be made when the contract was bid.
d) Eastover pump station – Smith said, hopefully, the first part would be finished in the current year budget and he was close to getting a lease-purchase for this.
e) Sidewalk to Mary Branch Road - $80,000 grant from NCDOT – Smith said the hold up was still the bridge and, hopefully, the project would be completed next year.
f) Water to Edgewater
Smith said one of the few proposed increased General fund budget revenue items was garbage collection ($2.00 to $3.00 per cart).
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Smith stated the proposed 2009/2010 budget contained no water and sewer rate increase, but a suggestion was being made to increase gravity sewer taps from $600 to $1,000 and taps requiring a sewer pump from $3,000 to $4,000. Smith added he was proposing a small maintenance fee to be charged to E-1 pump residents to go into a restricted fund to be spent only on E-1 pump maintenance.
Smith stated that as of 4/17/09, the General Fund budget status was +145,212.30, while the Enterprise Fund budget status was -55,898.84.
Mayor McMahon said he wanted to clarify that Administrator Smith had said there was no water and sewer rate increase proposed. Administrator Smith answered, “Not at this time.”
Commissioner Rush asked how many sewer tap fees were projected for the upcoming year. Administrator Smith said there should be 40-50 with many of those requiring E-1 pumps.
Mayor Pro Tem Lilly asked if Norwood needed a new police car. Administrator Smith stated it had been a practice of Norwood to get a new police car each year, adding that a new car was not budgeted in the current fiscal year because Police Chief Smith thought he could get a grant.
Commissioner Harold Thompson stated that if a new police car was not included in the 2009/2010 budget, Norwood would be gone two years without purchasing a new car.
Administrator Smith stated the tax valuation for Norwood from the Stanly County Tax Assessor’s Office came in at $230 million including the addition of Edgewater, adding the valuation last year was $241 million. Board members felt this could not be right. Administrator Smith will contact the Tax Assessor’s office again.
Administrator Smith then reviewed the entire budget by line item with Board members. The following comments were made during the budget review.
There was a discussion regarding contributions to athletic organizations. Administrator Smith reminded Board members they had voted recently to discontinue all contributions to athletic organizations.
Several Board members stated they did not mean to discontinue the annual $300 donation made to Dixie Youth Baseball, Dixie Youth Softball, youth football, youth basketball and youth soccer. They added they meant only to discontinue purchasing uniforms when the teams went to tournaments.
Commissioner Johnson said she would rather spend money to upgrade the parks for all children rather than support only those who played sports.
Commissioner Rush stated he felt the Town should make no donations to these organizations as they have boosters, parents, etc. to support them.
Mayor Pro Tem Lilly said the Town should “reward” the athletes.
Administrator Smith said 40% of the children in Town played sports, while 60% did not.
Mayor Pro Tem Lilly said that when these teams went to tournaments, they were representing Norwood.
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Commissioner Johnson said she thought the Board had discussed purchasing patches for the uniforms of tournament teams.
Administrator Smith said he would place this on the agenda for the next regular Board Meeting for discussion.
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked why Norwood paid Center Rural Fire Department a fee for First Responder services. Administrator Smith said he would like to check and see how many times the ambulance beat the First Responders to calls.
Mayor McMahon said he thought the police usually got there first and should be trained to use defibrillators, etc.
Administrator Smith said the concession stand at Turner Street park would be redone by Norwood maintenance employees.
Commissioner Harold Thompson stated that he would like to see some figures on contracting the care of the Norwood Cemetery, adding it might not save any money but would free up employees to do other work. Administrator Smith will get some figures on this.
Administrator Smith summed up the budget by saying it was his understanding that the Board wanted to look further at buying a police car, donating to athletic organizations, and contracting the cemetery care.
AGENDA ITEM #2 – USE OF TOWN FACILITIES FOR PROFIT
Administrator Smith stated that it had always been policy that Norwood Town facilities could not be used for money-making events (other than fundraisers for charitable projects). Smith said an individual had contacted him about using a town facility on July 4 for a private, money-making event.
Smith said a policy needed to be developed regarding this, adding he would tell the person asking for permission that a policy would be developed at the next regular Board meeting.
AGENDA ITEM #3 - ARBOR DAY VENDOR
Administrator Smith stated that one Arbor Day vendor had asked to sell a child’s toy gun that shot a plastic pellet, adding that the vendor had admitted it could “put out” a child’s eye.
It was the consensus of the Board that this not be allowed.
AGENDA ITEM #4 – RESOLUTION DECLARING SUPPORT FOR TONY DENNIS AS A MEMBER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF TRANSPORTATION
Administrator Smith presented a Resolution Declaring Support for Tony Dennis as a Member of the North Carolina Board of Transportation.
Commissioner Harold Thompson stated the Rocky River R.P.O. was encouraging its membership to send resolutions in support of Dennis for reappointment.
Commissioner Harold Thompson made a motion to authorize Mayor McMahon to sign the Resolution Declaring Support for Tony Dennis as a Member of the North Carolina Board of Transportation.
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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.
Commissioner Johnson complimented Administrator Smith on the budget preparation.
Administrator Smith stated he was expecting a “good weekend” for Arbor Day with 50-55 vendors. He said the stage was in place.
Commissioner Harold Thompson said he had an issue with the stage because he was told it would be the same stage he saw at Relay for Life which was much bigger and nicer. Thompson said he would get in touch with Bradley Swaringen.
With all advertised agenda items having been discussed, Mayor McMahon called for a motion to close the meeting at 1:32 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Lilly so moved, seconded by Commissioner Rush. The motion passed 5-0.
LARRY McMAHON, Mayor
PAM LISENBY, Clerk