Monday, June 15, 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
The Norwood Town Council met for a special meeting on Monday, June 15, 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 12:04 p.m. He welcomed visitor Sam Songer.
AGENDA ITEM #1 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 6/13/09 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE NORWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
Mayor McMahon called for a motion to approve the minutes of the special meeting of the Norwood Town Council held on 6/13/09. Commissioner Rush so moved, seconded by Commissioner Henry Thompson. The motion passed 5-0.
AGENDA ITEM #2 – PROPOSED 2009/2010 BUDGET
Administrator Smith stated that an agreement needed to be reached regarding salaries and a new police car, adding that a budget ordinance must be ready by the next meeting. Smith stated he had spoken with one Board member since the last meeting and had derived a proposed salary increase scenario of 4% plus $.60 per hour for those employees currently making under $25,000 per year.
Commissioner Rush stated, “This looks pretty good”.
Commissioner Johnson stated that Badin was not giving any salary increases.
Administrator Smith stated that the only thing he saw wrong with this scenario was that some employees were only getting a 1% cost-of-living salary increase. Smith asked Board members, “Are you comfortable with this?”
Commissioner Rush said he had no “qualms” with it and liked it.
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked if each employee would be getting enough of a salary increase to offset the insurance premium increase being passed on to employees.
Administrator Smith stated that all should be getting enough except himself.
Commissioner Johnson said she hated to see Administrator’s Smith’s salary reduced because of the insurance premium, to which Administrator Smith answered, “It doesn’t matter.”
Mayor McMahon stated, “It does matter”.
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Commissioner Rush asked if a 1% salary increase would cover Administrator Smith’s insurance premium cost, to which Administrator Smith answered, “It would more than cover it.”
Commissioner Harold Thompson said he would like to add that if an employee’s salary increase did not cover the insurance premium, the employee would receive enough salary increase to offset the difference.
Commissioner Harold Thompson made a motion to accept the salary increase scenario presented by Administrator Smith for town employees, that Administrator Smith receive enough salary increase to cover the cost of the insurance premium, and that dependent dental insurance be the responsibility of the employees. Mayor Pro Tem Lilly seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
Administrator Smith reminded Board members that a new police car in the 2009/2010 budget would drive up the transfer from savings to $89,000.
Mayor Pro Tem Lilly asked about the three cars to be sold. Administrator Smith said they would not bring much.
Commissioner Rush asked how many good or fair police cars the Police Department had. Administrator Smith stated there were seven cars, but one was “no good at all” and one needed to be traded out.
Commissioner Harold Thompson said it would be his guess that there were four good cars: the Chief’s car, the silver car, Officer Hyatt’s car and the Explorer.
Mayor McMahon stated if a new police car was not bought in the upcoming fiscal year, two would have to be bought the next fiscal year.
Commissioner Harold Thompson made a motion to include a new police car lease purchase payment of $9,000 in the 2009/2010 budget. Commissioner Henry Thompson seconded the motion.
Commissioner Johnson asked to confirm that two police cars would be sold and five would remain.
Commissioner Rush asked why Police Chief Smith wanted to buy a Chevrolet. Administrator Smith answered that Chief Smith said the Chevrolet was less expensive than the Ford and would get better gas mileage.
Commissioner Rush expressed his opinion that the police cars needed to be the same and “uniformity” needed to be kept. Rush added that he thought the Chevrolet was just “personal preference” and not what was best for the department.
Commissioner Harold Thompson said he thought the Chevrolet would not be as big as the Ford.
Mayor McMahon asked if the group could get back to the motion on the floor.
Administrator Smith suggested that the Board determine whether or not to put the $9,000 lease purchase payment in the budget and then let Police Chief Smith present a justification at the July meeting of what type car he wished to purchase.
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Commissioner Harold Thompson added that Police Chief Smith should prepare total costs of the Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge including equipment and marking of cars.
Commissioner Johnson added that service records of all three vehicles could be found on the internet.
The vote on the motion to include $9,000 in the 2009/2010 budget for a lease purchase payment on a new police car passed 5-0.
Administrator Smith said he was still waiting on information for the budget from the following:
1) United Water – cost for operating Norwood Water Plant went up $8,000-$12,000. David McKew of United Water said he would get the price down.
2) Waste Management – Norwood is paying $1.00 more per cart than some other towns that have farther to haul. Smith is dealing with a Waste Management representative on this.
3) Water tank improvements – an engineer suggested Norwood close down one of its water tanks and put it in “moth balls” since there is always 1,000,000 gallons of water in the clear well at the water plant and plenty of water in the other tanks. Smith said the Campbell Street tank needed work.
Smith said water tank improvements would cost $50,000-$60,000 per year for a period of time, adding this had been brought up five or six years ago when the Board elected to paint just the Michelin tank.
Administrator Smith stated he should have these items together by Wednesday, June 17 and suggested adjourning this meeting until that time.
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked how much water Norwood was currently selling, to which Administrator Smith answered, “450,000 gallons”.
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked how much water Norwood would have in reserve if something happened at the Water Plant, to which Administrator Smith answered, “two and a half days worth”, adding that if that happened, the Town would implement the water shortage plan.
Mayor McMahon asked if the connection with Albemarle’s water system at Dennis Road would help in a worst case scenario. Administrator Smith said this would work for a while, adding Norwood would soon have two connections with Albemarle’s system.
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked if the upcoming Cottonville water would come from Albemarle or be bought from Norwood. Administrator Smith stated it would come from Albemarle. Thompson said, “We’re gonna be sittin’ down here with our heads in the sand and Albemarle’s gonna be supplying water to the whole County but Norwood”.
Administrator Smith said he would put together a proposal to present to Albemarle to purchase water from Norwood.
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Mayor McMahon asked when the line was run down Indian Mound Road and Albemarle was selling water cheaper than Norwood, would Albemarle go up because Norwood was selling it cheaper. Administrator Smith answered that Norwood was selling water to Albemarle at an inside rate and could charge them more if need be, adding “Turnabout’s fair play”.
Administrator Smith gave some highlights of the current 2008/2009 budget year.
With all advertised agenda items having been discussed, Commissioner Henry Thompson made a motion to adjourn the meeting until Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 12:00 Noon. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
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NORWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
--SPECIAL MEETING--
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 – 12:00 Noon
Attendance: Mayor Larry McMahon, Commissioners Henry Thompson, Sr., Harold Thompson, Beverly Johnson, Alphonzo Rush, Administrator Dwight Smith, Clerk Pam Lisenby
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem James Lilly (due to a required workshop)
The Norwood Town Council reconvened on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 12:00 Noon at the Norwood Town Hall.
Administrator Smith stated that the only changes in the 2009/2010 proposed budget made since the 6/15/09 meeting were those discussed and voted on.
Smith added that things were looking better on the 2008/2009 budget and that, hopefully, “next year won’t be as bad as predicted”.
Smith made Board members aware of some fee increases in the proposed 2009/2010 budget as follows:
1) Water tap – increasing from $500 to $750
2) Sewer tap – gravity – increasing from $600 to $1,000 (to cover bores)
3) Sewer tap – E-1 pump – increasing from $3,000 to $4,000 (to cover cost of pumps)
4) Garbage carts – increasing from $2 to $3 per month
5) Water capacity fee - $250 (first time being charged)
6) Sewer capacity fee – increasing from $400 to $500
Smith added that all the above-stated fees (with the exception of garbage carts) would be double for those outside the town limits of Norwood. Smith stated the above increases were “pretty well in line with others in the County”.
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Administrator Smith stated he had a letter drafted to Stanly County with a proposal for selling Norwood water to them to provide to the Cottonville area.
Administrator Smith stated that the proposed 2009/2010 budget would have to have a water and sewer increase “sooner or later”.
Smith stated the proposed 2009/2010 budget also included a $2 per month E-1 pump maintenance fee, adding that all towns with pumps were charging this because the pumps would have to be maintained in the future.
Commissioner Rush asked about the Vincent Road pumps to improve water pressure. Administrator Smith answered that only one person had asked that this be done and she lived out of town. Smith added that no one else wanted it done. Commissioner Rush said, “They had the offer”.
Administrator Smith stated, “That’s the budget—I don’t like this budget”.
Commissioner Rush asked if Norwood was in line with other municipalities on water and sewer charges. Administrator Smith answered that Norwood was in line with all municipalities except Albemarle. Smith said he thought Norwood might be a little out of line on water taps.
Commissioner Johnson said she would rather see the increase go on tap fees rather than usage charges because tap fees could be planned for.
Administrator Smith stated that a letter had been written to all Town of Norwood employees informing them of the salary and insurance changes. Smith warned Board members that some employees might have something to say about the salary increases.
Administrator Smith stated that the good thing about budgets was they could always be amended, adding that he would be presenting a budget amendment for the Edgewater sewer line in the next few weeks.
Commissioner Johnson asked if all easements had been procured for the sewer line. Administrator Smith said Norwood would only need two easements from Progress Energy, adding that an easement would not be required from the Snuggs’ as NCDOT had given permission to place the line on the edge of the road.
Administrator Smith stated that he had found out that Norwood could condemn property in that area even though it was not in the town limits.
Mayor McMahon then called for a motion to adopt the budget ordinance.
Commissioner Harold Thompson asked if Norwood had a commitment on the fire department money from the County. Smith said this would continue. Smith stated that Center Rural Fire Department was asking to go to 8¢ fire tax.
Commissioner Harold Thompson made a motion to adopt ORDINANCE #134 – 2009/2010 BUDGET ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWN OF NORWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA and authorize Mayor McMahon to sign the same. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. A copy of the Ordinance is attached to these minutes and made a part thereof.
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ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE
Administrator Smith presented the following items:
1) Wesley Smith of the Norwood Dixie Youth Baseball League called to state that they were hosting the State Dixie Youth Baseball tournament and asked if the Town of Norwood would donate $1,000 for t-shirts.
Commissioner Harold Thompson stated that the Town of Norwood had not done this for anyone else and could not do it for them. Board members agreed.
2) A plan for development of the Cuddy Farms land off Indian Mound Road by Southeast Development Group was presented. Administrator Smith said a letter of intent had been done by Norwood by the previous group who was planning to develop the area, adding that the same would be done for this group. Smith said that engineers said 600-800 homes would force upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant and pump stations along the way.
Administrator Smith said that he would write a letter stating that any downstream sewer improvements would be the responsibility of the developer.
Commissioner Harold Thompson said he could not believe lakefront property was to be left undeveloped. Smith said the group knew they could not get a lot of homes on the lakefront property they had, so they were going to make it common area for all to enjoy with boat storage.
Also included in the proposed development would be a 9,000 sq. ft. restaurant, a grocery store and condominiums.
Commissioner Johnson asked about the height of the condos. Administrator Smith said they would have to abide by the Town’s 35 ft. height rule.
Administrator Smith said if this development happened, there would be a lot of development in one area.
Smith said Norwood’s current town limits were very spread out.
With all advertised items having been discussed, Mayor McMahon called for a motion to close the meeting at 12:50 p.m. Commissioner Rush so moved, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. The motion passed 5-0.
LARRY McMAHON
Mayor PAM LISENBY, Clerk