Call
to Order
The Town Council of the Town of Belhaven met in regular
session on Monday, April 5, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council
Chambers at Town Hall. Dr. Charles O. Boyette, Mayor, called
the meeting to order with the following Council members
present: Albert Baker, George R. Ebron, Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem,
Cynthia M. Heath and James B. Hodges. Councilwoman Linda
E. Wilkerson was not present. Town Manager Tim M. Johnson,
Town Attorney Keith B. Mason and Town Clerk Marie J. Adams
were also present.
Approval of
Minutes – March 15, 2004 Regular Session
Mayor Boyette stated that the minutes of the March 15,
2004 regular session were open for review and adoption.
There being no corrections to the minutes, Councilman
Hodges made the motion to approve. Councilwoman Heath
seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.
Mid-East Commission
Report – Executive Director, Mr. Tim Ware
Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Tim Ware, Executive Director
of Mid-East Commission. Mr. Ware gave a brief report of
the Commission supported activities in Belhaven as follows:
Medication Management – 12 participants with $64,800
in revenue; Home Delivered Meals – 14 recipients
- $20,160; Senior Center Operation – 1,580 participants
- $98,960; Workforce – Senior Employment –
25 participants - $72,200; Economic Development –
Grant Secured for Sewer Extension to Sea Safari - $61,720
with a total of $202,470. Mr. Ware stated that the Town’s
portion of the dues are $492. The Mayor and Council thanked
Mr. Ware for his presentation with Councilman Ebron stating
that he was pleased with the senior programs.
Police Auxiliary
Amendment – Set Public Hearing for April 19, 2004
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council needed to set a
public hearing in order to amend the town charter to include
auxiliary officers. Town Manager Johnson stated that the
town had utilized auxiliary officers (who work without
pay) for many years. Mr. Johnson further explained that
the workman’s compensation insurance carrier, The
North Carolina League of Municipalities, has recommended
that all municipalities adopt appropriate language in
their ordinances or charters to make certain that any
potential injury to an auxiliary officer would be covered
under the town’s workman’s compensation benefits.
Councilman Baker made the motion to set a public hearing
on Monday, April 19, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council
Chambers at Town Hall to receive public input on the issue
of amending the Town Charter to allow auxiliary police
officers. Councilman Ebron seconded the motion which carried
unanimously, 4 to 0.
Land Use Plan
Discussion
Mayor Boyette stated that it was time for the town to
revise their land use plan (every five years) according
to the guidelines of the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA).
Town Manager Johnson explained that in the past the state
would give each municipality a grant for almost the entire
cost of the land use plan but that grant is no longer
funded. Town Manager Johnson further explained that the
town had the options of spending up to $35,000 for a new
land use plan, or up to $15,000 for a notebook plan or
request to be included in the county plan at a cost of
approximately $1,000. Town Manager Johnson stated that
he felt the plan with the county would be the best option
as the town would have a representative that would have
input on the plan. There being no further discussion,
Councilwoman Heath made the motion authorizing the Town
Manager to enter into an agreement with Beaufort County
to be included in a regional joint land use plan and to
apply for appropriate funding from the Division of Coastal
Management. Councilman Hodges seconded the motion which
carried unanimously, 4 to 0.
Northeast Elementary
MATHCOUNTS and Algebra I Teams Recognition
Mayor Boyette welcomed both math teams from Northeast
Elementary School, their coach/teacher Mrs. Melanie Simmons
and Principal, Ms. Christine Davis to the meeting. Mayor
Boyette read the proclamations honoring the MATHCOUNTS
Team and the Algebra I Team. Mayor Boyette called each
member to the Council table to receive their Proclamation
and Town lapel pin.
April
5, 2004
Proclamation of Recognition
Northeast Elementary School Algebra 1 Team
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| WHEREAS,
the North Carolina Regional Mathematics Contest was
initiated in 1979 to provide competition for students
excelling in Mathematics and affording students a
chance to advance to state level competitions, and;
WHEREAS,
the Northeast Elementary School Algebra 1 Team did
participate in the Eastern Regional Mathematics
Competition held on April 1, 2004, at Chowan College
and placed first in the team competition and won
the Outstanding Middle School Trophy, and;
WHEREAS,
the Northeast Elementary School Alebra 1 Team has
brought credibility and a mark of excellence to
our Community and County,
BE
IT HEREBY PROCLAIMED that due recognition is made
to Northeast Elementary School Algebra 1 Team members
Brooke Leigh, Jonathan Blake, Derrick Cahoon, Josh
Jackson, Jamarious O’Neal, Farah Ladak, Sonny
Robbins, Lauren Fletcher, Ariel Lopez, Tiffany Jackson
and Coach Melanie Simmons.
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Mosquito Control
Agent Resolution
Mayor Boyette stated that in order for the town to be
reimbursed 50% of the mosquito control expenses that an
agent had to be appointed on behalf of the town. Mayor
Boyette explained that historically the finance director
has been the agent appointed. There being no further discussion,
Councilman Ebron made the motion approving the resolution
naming Robin Godsell as the Mosquito Control Agent for
the Town of Belhaven. Councilwoman Heath seconded the
motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.
Resolution
Designating Official to Sign on
Behalf of Mosquito Control
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Upon motion of Councilman George R. Ebron, Jr., seconded
by Councilwoman Cynthia Heath, it is hereby ordered
that Robin J. Godsell, as agent for the Town of Belhaven,
is hereby authorized and empowered to sign and execute
all papers and documents necessary in connection with
the request made to the Division of Environmental
Heath, North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, for aid in control of mosquitoes.
She is further authorized
and required to carry out all agreements stipulated
in the project application submitted by us to the
division of Environmental Health, North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
and to perform other acts that are proper and necessary
in connection with the operation of this project.
Acts of said person on behalf of said Town of Belhaven,
are in all respects validated approved and confirmed.
The
undersigned Marie J. Adams, Clerk of the Town of
Belhaven, hereby certified that the foregoing is
a true copy of the resolution of the Town Council
at a meeting held on the 5th day of April, 2004.
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River Forest
Manor Shipyard Presentation
Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Axson Smith, Jr., representing
River Forest Manor and River Forest Shipyard Marina.
Mr. Smith stated that
boat traffic had decreased this season and stated that
River Forest was trying to be more versatile. Mr. Smith
stated that in addition to the marina and boat yard, he
operated Tow Boat US with is the equivalent for boats
as AAA is for automobiles. Mr. Smith stated that through
Tow Boat US they can offer free use of a child’s
life preserver. Mr. Smith also stated that River Forest
and Belhaven Shipyard had been consistent over the years
with service while other marinas had come and gone and
changed names and ownership several times. Mr. Smith stated
that he would like for the Town to consider declaring
River Forest/Belhaven Shipyard as Harbor Master. The Mayor
and Council thanked Mr. Smith for his presentation and
stated that his request would be reviewed.
Citizen Request
– Mrs. Teresa VanStaalduinen – Owner, Harmony
Brew and Southern Culture Antiques
Mayor Boyette recognized Mrs. Teresa VanStaalduinen who
wanted to present a citizen request. Mrs. VanStaalduinen
stated that she had recently renovated a downtown building
into a coffee and antique shop and stated that the Code
Enforcement Officer, Mr. Martin Overholt was very cordial
and supportive during the renovations. Mrs. VanStaalduinen
stated that the reason for her approaching the Council
was the commercial deposits. She stated that some commercial
deposits are a high as $2,000 and that her deposit was
due to be increased due to the amount of consumption of
her business. Mrs. VanStaalduinen asked that the deposits
be reviewed and become more business friendly and stated
that she had compared the town’s deposit structure
to the City of Washington and City of Williamston and
stated that with these municipalities, after a one year
period, those customers who had paid their bills on time
would get a credit on their bill, actually reducing their
deposit. Mrs. VanStaalduinen then questioned the legality
of the town earning interest on consumer deposits and
asked that the interest earned be used “as a safety
net” for bad collections. Town Manager Johnson stated
that interest on consumer deposits was only $38.40 this
past month due to low interest rates and stated that the
business customers have the choice of cash deposit or
obtaining a bond. Following additional discussion, Councilman
Baker stated that this issue would be discussed during
budget preparations or workshops with the other Council
members agreeing with the suggestion.
Downtown
Development – Restructure – Mayor Boyette
Mayor Boyette stated that the Beaufort County
Committee of 100 was in support of downtown development
for Belhaven. Mayor Boyette also stated that Ms. Allison
Platt, who designed the waterfront plan, had a proposal
for downtown and needed direction. Mr. Ben Johnson, from
the audience, stated that the East Carolina University
(ECU) had submitted a similar plan around 1991-92 and
asked that this plan previously submitted by ECU be reviewed.
Mrs. VanStaalduinen stated that by bringing the existing
buildings into code, it promoted renovations and asked
that the safety be reviewed on the newly acquired Estes
Building (formerly known as the Ralph Building) directly
across from her business on Pamlico Street due to the
doors swinging and the building being wide open. Town
Manager Johnson stated that the safety matter would be
addressed.
Waterfront
Update – Mayor Boyette
Mayor Boyette reported briefly on the status
of the Phase I of the Waterfront Development Project (Sea
Safari Site). Mayor Boyette stated that there was some
delay due to engineers not acting promptly in filing for
permits for the town to install the sewer for the new
location of Sea Safari off of 264 West. Mayor Boyette
stated that he and Town Manager Johnson were having a
meeting on Tuesday, April 6 at 12 noon with the town engineers,
and the representatives of the developers to make sure
that everyone is on the same time line. Mayor Boyette
stated that this may have caused a 2-3 week delay.
The public questioned if any building permits had been
issued for any waterfront development, Town Manager Johnson
stated that no building permits had been issued to date.
Pungo
Creek Bridge Replacement Resolution
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council had
adopted a resolution in July 2003 outlining the town’s
position on the bridge replacement over Pungo Creek known
as bridge 64 along with other scheduled bridge replacements.
Mayor Boyette stated that he felt it was a good time to
re-adopt the resolution to inform the state officials
and local representatives aware of the town’s position.
After some discussion, Councilman Ebron made the motion
to adopt the resolution and that copies be sent with corresponding
material (letters from area emergency departments) to
the Department of Transportation and our elected representatives.
Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously,
4 to 0.
Town
Manager’s Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on
the following issues: department heads are working on
budget, will have budget workshops scheduled for early
May; Elevation funds – are still waiting for information
from the state and have received no notice of funding
at this time.
Citizens
Comments
Mayor Boyette recognized the following who
spoke briefly:
Mrs.
Pat Holtz, resident of Water Street, who questioned the
status of Wynn’s View. Mayor Boyette stated it has
been addressed that the Wynn View building had improper
compaction and hope to have repaired within the next 2
– 3 months. Mayor Boyette stated that legal proceedings
should be progressing naming the architect and engineer
responsible.
Mrs.
Teresa VanStaalduinen announced that the Children’s
Art Festival sponsored through the Effie Raye Arts Foundation
was this Saturday, from 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. invited
the Mayor and Council.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilwoman
Heath made the motion to adjourn. Councilman Hodges seconded
the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.
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