Call to Order/Invocation
The Town Council of the Town of Belhaven met in regular session on Monday, March 21, 2005 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, Mayor Pro-Tem; Cynthia M. Heath and Linda E. Wilkerson. Councilman James B. Hodges was not present. Town Manager Tim M. Johnson, Town Attorney Keith B. Mason and Town Clerk Marie J. Adams were also present. Mayor Boyette gave the invocation.

Approval of Minutes – Regular Session – February 21, 2005
Mayor Boyette announced that the minutes of the February 21, 2005 regular session were open for review and approval. There being no corrections to the minutes, Councilman Baker made the motion to approve the minutes as written. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Surplus 1991 Ford Ambulance – Remove From Surplus
Mayor Boyette stated that the Belhaven Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department had expressed an interest in removing the 1991 Ford Ambulance which had previously declared surplus removed. The department had expressed an interest in converting the vehicle into an equipment truck and utilizing the vehicle for driving test certifications instead of using one of the ambulances. Councilwoman Heath made a motion to remove the 1991 Ford Ambulance from the surplus list and back into the active vehicles for the Fire and Rescue Department. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0. Town Manager Johnson stated that the present equipment truck a 1989 may be brought to the Council to declare it surplus, following conversion of the 1991 ambulance.

Budget Amendment 2004/2005 #5
Mayor Boyette stated that a budget amendment was needed to account for the costs of the new cablevision franchise (two separate applications) and the revenue needed. Mayor Boyette announced that the franchisee was required to pay up to $10,000 for each applicant but the Town still ended up being responsible for approximately $1,800 due to the lengthy process in the issuance of the new franchise. Councilman Ebron made the motion to increase revenue account 10-337-002 (Cable Franchise Application Fee) by $10,400 from $7,500 to $17,900 and increase revenue account 10-399-000 (Fund Balance Appropriated) by $1,800 from $322,639 to $324,439 and increase expenditure account 10-420-027 (Cable Franchise Expenses) by $12,200 from $7,500 to $19,700. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Budget Amendment 2004/2005 #6
Mayor Boyette stated that a budget amendment was needed to reflect the approved purchase of the new 2005 Fire Truck. Mayor Boyette stated that the Clara Taylor donation of $34,775.89 and a $20,000 grant from the State would be used to make the down payment with the balance of $108,977 financed by Southern Bank for 4 years with 4 annual payments at 4.8% interest. Councilman Baker made the motion to increase revenue account 10-396-001 (Loan Proceeds-Pumper/Tanker) by $108,977 from $0 to $108,977 and increase revenue account 10-348-002 (State Grants-Fire/Rescue) by $15,000 from $5,000 to $20,000 and increase expenditure account 10-530-075 (Capital Outlay-Vehicle) by $123,977 from $45,000 to $168,977. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Town Manager’s Report
Mayor Boyette asked Town Manager Johnson to give his report. Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following: 1) monthly reports enclosed in the packets for Council review; and 2) Closed Session needed as permitted by GS 143.318.11(4) following Public Comments.

Public Comments
Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Bob Holz, resident of 443 E. Water Street and proprietor of Thistle Dew Inn. Mr. Holz expressed his concern that the Town’s website did not present professionalism because that the website designer and manager had a personal link to his family’s website which included an advertisement of a family member’s restaurant in Winterville. Mr. Holz requested that the Mayor and Council consider budgeting funds for a website manager and services in the upcoming budget preparations. Mayor Boyette stated that Mr. Daniels performed the services to the website free of charge to the Town and that it was a great service to the town. Mrs. Holz stated that the site should include links to Belhaven businesses. Councilwomen Heath and Wilkerson stated that every site links and that they did not feel like Mr. Holz’s concerns were warranted to the magnitude as presented. Mayor Boyette thanked Mr. Holz for his concerns and stated that the town would take his recommendation in consideration.

Mr. Wade Horne CDBH Executive Director, stated that the Wynne View Re-Grand Opening would be April 8 at 11 A.M.

Reconvene Into Closed Session – GS 143.318.11(4)
There being no further comments from the public, Councilman Ebron made the motion to reconvene into closed session as permitted by GS 143.318.11(4). Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0. The meeting convened into closed session at 7:52 P.M.

Reconvene Into Regular Session
There being no further discussion for closed session, Councilwoman Wilkerson made the motion to reconvene into regular session at 8:25 P.M. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Town of Belhaven Supports Community Developers of Beaufort-Hyde, Inc. with $65,000 loan
Following closed session, the news paper reporters and public were invited back into regular session. Mayor Boyette stated that the Council was approached by Mr. Wade Horne, Executive Director of Community Developers of Beaufort-Hyde (CDBH) for short term loan of $65,000. Mayor Boyette explained that CDBH had an option to purchase a 3 (+) acre parcel of property on 264 Business to house the panelized housing plant. Mayor Boyette stated that Mr. Horne had stated that the option to purchase this property was void if the property was not purchased by March 28, 2005. Mayor Boyette explained that CDBH had been promised funds well in excess of the $65,000 by HUD but the money had not been released to date. Mayor Boyette explained that the panelized housing project was too important to the community as a whole, to let the property go back on the market due to funds not being available from the grantors.

Councilwoman Heath made the motion as follows:

The Town of Belhaven agrees to guarantee funds through a line of credit or loan up to $65,000 to Community Developers of Beaufort-Hyde, Inc. for land purchase, with the Town being provided a lien or deed of trust on said property.

All fees involved in this effort to facilitate the timely purchase of this property will be borne by Community Developers of Beaufort-Hyde.

The loan is to be repaired in full within six months of this date.

The Town Attorney will draft appropriate language for this transaction.

Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Public Hearing Cancelled for March 28, 2005
Town Manager Johnson stated that due to USDA there would be no need for public hearing on Monday, March 28, 2005 as previously stated. Councilman Baker made the motion to cancel the public hearing previously scheduled for March 28, 2005 due to date deadlines not being met. Councilwoman Heath made the motion to cancel the March 28, 2005 public hearing previously scheduled for the Emergency Services Center grant application with USDA. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting – Monday, April 18, 2005
Mayor Boyette announced that the next regularly scheduled Council meeting would be on Monday, April 18, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilwoman Wilkerson made the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.