Monday, November 2, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
Attendance: Mayor Larry McMahon, Mayor Pro Tem James Lilly, Commissioners Beverly Johnson, Alphonzo Rush, Henry Thompson, Sr., Harold Thompson, Town Administrator Dwight Smith, Town Clerk Pam Lisenby, Police Chief Randy Smith
Absent: Director of Field Operations Mike Thompson, Fire Chief Tim Huneycutt
The regular monthly meeting of the Norwood Town Council was held on Monday, November 2, 2009 at the Norwood Town Hall. Mayor Larry McMahon called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., welcomed the visitors and prayed.
Under “Public Concerns”, Burt Slater stated that the Norwood Business Association would again host the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Santa visit immediately following the Christmas parade on Wednesday, December 2.
Administrator Smith stated that the agenda needed to be amended to add a closed session to discuss personnel, the possible purchase of property and a possible lawsuit. Mayor McMahon called for the motion. It was made by Commissioner Henry Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and passed 5-0.
Mayor McMahon called for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as follows:
1) The minutes of the October 5, 2009 regular meeting of the Norwood Town Council were approved on a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Lilly, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and passed 5-0.
2) A budget update was accepted on a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Lilly, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and passed 5-0.
3) A treasurer’s report was accepted on a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Lilly, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, and passed 5-0.
AGENDA ITEMS
AGENDA ITEM #1 – PRESENTATION BY STANLY COUNTY EDC DIRECTOR
Kevin Gullette, Stanly County Economic Development Director, was present to update Board members about the Economic Development Commission, stating that the Commission was looking at ways to make Stanly County more competitive, including a new website with workforce data and demographics and E-newsletters. Gullette said he was optimistic about economic development in Stanly County and was visiting each town to let them know what was going on and to urge them to stay “on board”. Gullette said Norwood had always worked with the Economic Development Commission and he urged Board members to contact him whenever he was needed.
NORWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
PAGE TWO
11/2/09
AGENDA ITEM #2 – AGREEMENT WITH HOMEOWNERS OUTSIDE TOWN LIMITS WHO WANT TO BE ON SEWER AND VOLUNTEER ANNEXATION
Administrator Smith presented a document entitled “COVENANT AND CONTRACT SEWER SERVICE AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT” that had been reviewed and approved by the Town Attorney. Smith explained that the document would allow homeowners outside the town limits to hook up to the sewer in exchange for agreeing to be voluntarily annexed at the appropriate time (once a year).
Smith stated that Attorney Mike Taylor said the document might not be strong enough to force homeowners to voluntarily annex after getting the sewer services. Smith said he had spoken with a representative of the Board of Utilities in Raleigh and was told the Town would not be able to just disconnect homeowners from the sewer once it was connected.
Smith continued that the document was the one used by Thomasville, and they said it worked very well. Smith said, “Most people will do what they say they will do.”
Commissioner Johnson made a motion to accept the “COVENANT AND CONTRACT SEWER SERVICE AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT”. Commissioner Henry Thompson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. A copy of the contract is attached to these minutes and made a part thereof.
AGENDA ITEM #3 – LOSS CONTROL POLICY
Administrator Smith stated that he had thought Zoning Officer Virgil Hinson was going to be present to discuss the Loss Control Policy, but that Hinson had some health issues.
Smith said the Loss Control Policy was “pretty thorough” and was a model from the North Carolina League of Municipalities.
Commissioner Rush stated he would prefer to wait a bit before voting on this.
Mayor Pro Tem Lilly made a motion to defer consideration until a later date. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
AGENDA ITEM #4 – APPLY FOR PARTF GRANT FOR NORWOOD MEMORIAL PARK
Administrator Smith stated that several Board members had discussed applying for a PARTF grant to make some improvements at Norwood Memorial Park: light the baseball field, remove the present tennis/basketball courts, build a new concession stand in the middle, build a new softball field, light the other two fields, make volleyball courts and one tennis court on the other side of the Community Building, and possibly have a road across the park. Smith also said the baseball field could be used for two soccer fields.
Smith said if the grant was not funded the first year, it probably would be funded the second or third year.
Commissioner Rush made a motion to give Administrator Smith permission to pursue the grant. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
NORWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
PAGE THREE
11/2/09
AGENDA ITEM #5 – RECYCLING AND OTHER WASTE COLLECTIONS
Administrator Smith stated he had met with Waste Management representatives about recycling and other waste collection issues in Norwood. He added that Waste Management’s price for placing a recycling bin at a convenience place in Norwood would be $75.00 per month for rent plus $242.00 per haul with a contract required.
Smith stated he had also talked to another recycling company that would provide the bin for $50.00 per month with no hauling fees and no contract required. He added they would like a shelter built over the bin, but it was not required.
Smith added it would be too expensive for Norwood to provide containers and weekly pick-up for each residence and suggested setting up the bin on Blalock Street.
Commissioner Harold Thompson stated he was for recycling, but if it was not made convenient for residents, he felt there would be no participation. He suggested placing bins at three or four places in town rather than just one. He also suggested using the community phone system to inform residents about the recycling bins.
It was the consensus of the group to go with the local recycling group at $50.00 per bin per month and no haul fee. Commissioner Rush suggested seeking a contract with them to keep the price down.
Commissioner Johnson stated she felt three bins were needed (making four bins with the County bin on Pee Dee Avenue).
The Food Lion parking lot was suggested as a possible bin site.
Mayor Pro Tem Lilly made a motion to place recycling bins at two locations and, if needed, add another. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
Mayor McMahon suggested that Board members ride around and look for possible bin sites.
Regarding leaf collection, Administrator Smith said Waste Management would charge $1.25 per household per month during the months of November-February. Smith said he thought Norwood could contract out leaf and limb collection, as well as bulk service, “cheaper than we can do it”. Smith stated the sanitation department consisted of four employees, vehicles, insurance, uniforms and other “perks”.
Commissioner Rush asked Administrator Smith if he was speaking of “getting rid of personnel”.
Administrator Smith said the contracting company would offer jobs to Norwood’s personnel.
Commissioner Harold Thompson said he would rather try to find some way to cross-train these employees to help with other jobs.
It was the consensus of the Board that they would like to see figures on the proposed savings before making any decision. Administrator Smith will get these figures.
NORWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
PAGE FOUR
11/2/09
Under “Board Concerns”, Commissioner Johnson stated she had been at Edwards Funeral Home twice this week and the traffic in the area of College Street and Norwood Elementary School was “terrible”. She stated that if anything could be done to help with this when planning the park improvements, it would surely be appreciated.
Mayor McMahon stated he had enjoyed being Mayor, wished the Board luck, and asked to be remembered to serve on committees.
ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE
Administrator Smith presented the following items to the Board:
1) The bridge for the Mary Branch sidewalk project has been designed and delivered to the Stanly County Inspection Office, having been stamped by a structural engineer.
2) Regarding the Edgewater sewer project, a third company is trying to bore under the lake. Other than this, all else is moving along as it should with construction in front of the “sale barn” now. The pump station has been built and Norwood is pumping their sewer until ready.
3) Regarding the Eastover pump station project, the improvements are working good so far. Smith said the pump “run time” was well within the scope of what it was supposed to be. Smith said the same amount of infiltration was going into the pump station, but there were now pumps that could handle it.
4) Regarding the water to Glen Haven project, Smith said Norwood was still looking at installing a new line at approximately $30,000, but in the meanwhile, a short-term solution of hooking hose to the outside faucets of four homes and running the water constantly was working.
5) Regarding the damaged fire hydrant at South Main and East Turner, Norwood is dealing with a company from Star to repair it as it was broken off in the stem.
6) Regarding the Lake Shore pump station project, Smith stated the contractors were about ready to cross the road and enter the gravity sewer. He said Ritchie Construction was having trouble getting pumps, but the project should be done by December.
7) Regarding the Lake Shore sewer project, it is almost designed and will be ready to send to Raleigh this month with bids possibly going out in January or February.
8) Town maintenance employees have worked twice on a sewer leak on Blalock Street. Norwood was fined when the line broke. Approximately 80 feet of new line has been laid.
9) Ann Lowder and Richard Lisenby decorated several downtown light poles for the fall season and have agreed to do something for Christmas.
NORWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
PAGE FIVE
11/2/09
10) The Presbyterian youth group, under the leadership of Commissioner Johnson, planted pansies in the cement pots on Main Street.
11) The annual audit is in progress.
12) Smith met with James Morgan and others who want sewer services on Arrowood Drive.
13) The Norwood ABC Board informed Administrator Smith it was time to re-appoint Jerry Almond to the ABC Board and that Almond was willing to serve.
Commissioner Henry Thompson made a motion to re-appoint Jerry Almond to the Norwood ABC Board. Mayor Pro Tem Lilly seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
14) Administrator Smith asked to carry over vacation time he was not going to be able to use until next year. Commissioner Rush moved to grant permission, seconded by Commissioner Henry Thompson. The motion passed 5-0.
Mayor McMahon then called for a motion to enter a closed session to discuss personnel, the possible purchase of property and a possible lawsuit.
Before going into closed session, Commissioner Harold Thompson asked Police Chief Randy Smith when the new police car would arrive. Chief Smith said he had problems getting a Chevrolet, but there was a Dodge on the lot.
Commissioner Thompson said, “Dodge? I thought it was between a Chevrolet and Ford.”
Commissioner Johnson made a motion to go into closed session, seconded by Commissioner Rush. The motion passed 5-0.
When the business to be discussed in closed session was completed, Commissioner Johnson made a motion to return to open session. Mayor Pro Tem Lilly seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
Back in open session, Administrator Smith stated that he had met with the Tucker brothers who were “back on the deal at Michelin with the natural gas thing”. He said they were interested in getting a grant, so Norwood would try to get the grants back. Smith said this was a $30 million investment with a possible 200 jobs and would be burning materials that would go into the Albemarle landfill. He added the materials would be burned in Albemarle into “chips” that would be transported to Norwood and burned further here. The process would furnish Michelin with gas (with a carbon by-product that would be used in water plants).
Commissioner Johnson asked if New Finish chose to open a new location outside the town limits. Administrator Smith said he thought it was because of the available building.
With no further business, Mayor McMahon called for a motion to close the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Commissioner Rush made the motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lilly. Motion passed 5-0.
NORWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
PAGE SIX
11/2/09
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Norwood Town Council will be Monday, December 7, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
LARRY McMAHON, Mayor
PAM LISENBY, Clerk