Approval of Minutes – January 18, 2005 Regular Session
Mayor Boyette announced that the minutes of the January 18, 2005 regular session were open for review and approval. There being no corrections to the minutes, Councilman Baker made the motion to approve. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Sun Burn Communications, LLC Franchise Ordinance – Second Vote
Mayor Boyette stated that the Town Council had held the first vote on the Franchise Ordinance for Sun Burn Communications, LLC at the last meeting on January 18, 2005 which passed approval unanimously. Mayor Boyette explained that no circumstances have changed in the application since the last vote. Mayor Boyette stated that this issue had considerable public input in previous meetings and at this time the Council would vote. Mayor Boyette asked for the second vote on the Franchise Ordinance by Sun Burn Communications, LLC. Councilman Ebron made the motion to approve the second reading of the Franchise Agreement Ordinance with Sun Burn Communications, LLC. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

2004/2005 Budget Amendment #3 (DARE PROJECT)
Mayor Boyette stated that budget amendment #3 reflected the Council’s decision to appropriate one-third of the cost ($15,000) of the DARE (Downtown Area Revitalization and Enhancement) Project for the downtown study being performed by Allison Platt. Mayor Boyette stated that one-third of the project was to be financed by Beaufort County Committee of 100 and one-third by local contributions as collected by DARE. Councilman Baker made the motion to increase revenue account #10-399-000 (Fund Balance Appropriated) by $15,000; from $253,639 to $268,639 and increase expenditure account #10-495-072 (DARE Project) by $15,000 from $0 to $15,000. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

2004/2005 Budget Amendment #4
Mayor Boyette stated that budget amendment #4 reflects the Council’s decision to appropriate one-half the cost for demolition and environmental clean-up of the old Sea Safari plant site on Water Street as an incentive for the development of Day Beacon #9 Condominium project. Mayor Boyette stated that Beaufort County had agreed to pay also pay ½ of the costs, up to $54,000. Councilwoman Heath made the motion to increase revenue account #10-399-000 (Fund Balance Appropriated) by $54,000 from $268,639 to $322,639 and increase revenue account #10-350-004 (Beaufort County – Day Beacon Incentives) by $54,000 and increase expenditure account #10-495-073 (Day Beacon #9 incentives) by $108,000 from $0 to $108,000. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Emergency Services Center
Mayor Boyette stated that the contract needed to be approved for professional services should the Town get funded through USDA for a new Emergency Services Center. Mayor Boyette stated that, of course, these contracts would be invalid should the emergency center not get funded. Mayor Boyette stated that the contract for architect (Robert Runyans) and engineering contract (Kevin Burch) was in the amount of $115,000 total which is a percentage of the total project of $1,800,000. Town Manager Johnson stated that the $15,000 is well below the allowable costs approved by USDA for the architect and engineer. Town Manager Johnson stated that Mr. Runyans and Mr. Burch would be present at the next meeting to make a presentation to the Town Council. Mayor Boyette asked for a vote approving the contract of $15,000 for the architect and engineer. Councilwoman Wilkerson made the motion to approve the contracts at a total of $15,000 for both the architect and engineering contracts. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Property Owner Request – Mrs. Emma Wilder Howard
Mayor Boyette welcomed and introduced Mrs. Emma Wilder Howard of Washington, NC the owner of property at 465 West Pantego Street. Mrs. Howard stated that during Hurricane Isabell some trees were downed on property beside the property she owns at 465 West Pantego Street. Mrs. Howard explained that she had cleaned up her property but the property beside her on corner of West Pantego and Lee Street still had downed trees on the property and was an eyesore. Town Manager Johnson explained that this property was heir property and the owner(s) could not be located to take care of the clean up of the property. Mr. Johnson also stated that the taxes were delinquent. Mr. Johnson stated that Beaufort County Tax Department was starting to foreclose on property which had delinquent taxes but felt that this property was too small to be a priority. There was much discussion concerning the property and the blight which this property caused on the corner of Pantego and Lee Streets. Following much discussion, Mr. Johnson suggested that Mrs. Howard contact the Beaufort County Tax Department and impress upon them to start foreclosure proceedings. Mr. Johnson stated that the trees on that property would make good firewood and suggested that someone may want the firewood. Mrs. Howard suggested that the prison labor cut the trees on the lot. Town Manager Johnson stated that the prison labor can not be used on private property. Mayor Boyette thanked Mrs. Howard for her concern and stated that issue be tabled until the town can find a way to take care of this property and other blighted areas.

Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following: 1) Town Hall Roof in the process of being reshingled; 2) Wynne View Building – should be complete by the end of the month; former Sea Safari property (site of Day Beacon #9) demolition going well with more property than it looked with the building on site; 4) Elevation of homes – no word from the state; 5) FEMA – coming on Tuesday to look at the current site of the Post Office; 6) New Post Office – on schedule and should be open by the end of March; and 7) Rio Del Mar – nice housing development now complete and had some minor set backs.

Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Boyette stated that Congressman Walter Jones would be in Belhaven on February 24, 2005 at Pungo District Hospital at 9:30 A.M.; Boyette Civic Center at 11 A.M. for a meeting open to the public to discuss the breakwater replacement and at 12 noon at the Wilkinson Center for a luncheon with the Beaufort County Committee of 100.

Wright Drainage Project (Latham and Tooley Streets)
Mayor Boyette asked for the status of the drainage problem at the corner of Latham and Tooley Streets. Town Manager Johnson stated that Mr. Russell Waters had been hired to survey the property and as soon as the easements were signed then the work would begin.

Public Comments
Mayor Boyette recognized Ms. Susan Simmons of 532 West Main Street, who questioned the number of drug related deaths in Belhaven over the past few months and asked about a plan of action. Town Manager Johnson stated that the deaths have not been confirmed to be drug related at this time. Mr. Johnson also stated that the Belhaven Police Department and the County’s Sheriff’s Department work together on apprehending drug clientele. Town Manager Johnson suggested that anyone with information concerning drug activity to contact the Police Department as informant’s information is kept confidential.