Call
to Order/Invocation
The Belhaven Town Council met in regular session on Monday,
May 7, 2001 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. Tim M. Johnson, Town Manager, Keith
B. Mason Town Attorney and Town Clerk, Marie J. Adams were
also present. Mayor Boyette gave the invocation.
Approval of Minutes
- Public Hearing/Regular Session - April 23, 2001
Mayor Boyette stated that the minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular
Session of April 23, 2001 were open for review and adoption.
Mayor Boyette noted one typographical error. Councilman
Hodges made the motion to approve. Councilwoman Heath
seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Zoning Amendment
- R5 District - Chapter 152 Sections 136 and 137
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council needed to consider
an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the R5 District,
Chapter 152, Section 136 and 137. Mayor Boyette explained
that the amendment would remove Modular Homes and Private
residential Swimming Pools from Conditional Use to a Permitted
Use. Town Manager Johnson further explained that modular
homes and private residential swimming pools are now allowed
in the R5 District as a Conditional Use and this was very
time consuming and costly to the property owner as any
restrictions for these items would be enforced by the
Inspection Department and therefore should be permitted.
Town Manager Johnson explained that the second portion
of the ordinance amendment would be removing these items
from Conditional Uses. There being no further discussion,
Councilman Hodges made the motion to adopt the following
Ordinance Amendment. Councilman Baker seconded the motion
which carried unanimously.
An Ordinance
Amending Chapter 152, Section 136 and 137
Residential - 5 (R5) Residential District
of the
Town of Belhaven Subdivision Ordinances
The Town Council does hereby amend 152.136 Permitted Uses
by including the following:
(F) Modular homes, provided
it has a shingle roof, permanent foundation with vents
and architectural compatibility;
(G) Private residential
swimming pool calculated in lot coverage;
The Town Council does
hereby amend 152.137 Conditional Uses Permitted by removing
the following:
(D) Modular home, provided it has a shingle roof permanent
foundation with vents, and architectural compatibility;
(F) Private residential
swimming pool calculated in lot coverage;
Amended this the 7th day of May, 2001.
Fire Insurance
Classification
Mayor Boyette stated that the Office of the State Fire
Marshall had notified the town that the fire rating classification
had been improved from an 8 to a 6. Mayor Boyette stated
that efforts over a several year period by the Fire Department,
Water Department and town administration had assisted
in this great achievement. Town Manager Johnson further
explained that this reduction in the fire rating would
benefit every person in the fire district which purchases
fire insurance, as their insurance bill would be reduced
substantially effective September 1, 2001. Councilman
Hodges personally thanked Fire Chief Ronnie Flowers, who
was in attendance, and praised all the volunteers for
their efforts. Councilman Ebron made the motion that the
Volunteer Department get a letter of appreciation. Councilman
Hodges seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Councilwoman Heath suggested that the entire department
be recognized further with a dinner. The council agreed
and asked Town Manager Johnson to initiate at a later
date. Mayor Boyette thanked Chief Flowers and all the
volunteers for their dedicated service.
Walt
Allen, Plaque of Appreciation
Mayor Boyette welcomed Mr. Walt Allen, former Councilman
and asked him to approach the Council. Mayor Boyette read
the following plaque of recognition:
Thomas
Walton "Walt" Allen, Sr.
In Recognition
Of
Dedicated Service
As Councilman
(East End)
Town of Belhaven
December 6, 1993
until
March 28, 2001
Unanimously
awarded this the 7th day of May, 2001.
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Walt
Allen stated that he still continued to have the Town=s
best interest at heart.
Department
of Transportation (DOT) - Resolution - Local Project Needs
Mayor Boyette asked that the DOT Resolution be added to
the agenda. Councilman Baker made the motion to add to
the agenda the Department of Transportation DOT Resolution.
Councilman Ebron seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Mayor
Boyette stated that he felt it was necessary to form a
resolution of the needed improvements of DOT roads within
the Town. Mayor Boyette read the following resolution.
Town Manager Johnson suggested that the order of items
requested be changed, Mayor Boyette and the council agreed
with the suggested order.
Department of
Transportation
Local Project Needs
Town of Belhaven
Whereas, there exists several Department
of Transportation (DOT) local projects which if completed
would improve the quality of life and aesthetics for Belhaven
Citizens and Visitors; and
Whereas,
the Belhaven Administration of the Town of Belhaven and
Belhaven Citizens wish to apprise the DOT of our needs.
It
is hereby declared and resolved that the below list reflects
a prioritized list of needed and desired DOT projects
in our community.
1. Four Lane 264 from Douglas Cross Roads to Belhaven
2. Downtown Flood Control - Main Street (264 Business)
and Allen Street
A. Replace bridge over Water Street with flood control
piping
3. Resurfacing East 264 Business and North East 264 By-Pass
4. Establish a Bike and Walk Path on 264 By-Pass (264
- 99 Intersection to Shopping Center)
5. Study flood prone sites 264 By-Pass to determine feasibility
to correct or improve
6. Widen and upgrade 264- 99 Intersection
7. Curb and Gutter on 264 Business
Unanimously resolved this the 7th day of May, 2001.
Councilman Ebron made the motion to adopt the resolution
as read. Councilman Hodges seconded the motion which carried
unanimously.
Miscellaneous
Councilman Ebron referenced Mr. Roy O'Neal's statement
from the last meeting, when Mr. O'Neal stated that the
flooding on Main Street could be taken care of with minimal
effort and money according to his conversation with DOT
District Engineer Mr. Danny Taylor. The Council, at the
last meeting, asked Town Manager Johnson to contact Mr.
Taylor directly to ascertain information on the flooding
as Mr. O'Neal had reported.
Town Manager Johnson stated that he had spoken with Mr.
Taylor, DOT District Engineer, who stated that he was
well aware of the flooding of Main Street in Belhaven
and that he had given no such information to Mr. O'Neal
concerning minimal cost to handle the flooding problem
and that it had been several years since he had spoken
with him and that they had discussed the drainage on 264
By-Pass known as Clark's canal, not the downtown flooding.
Town Manager Johnson stated that he had attended the Beaufort
County Mayor's Association meeting on May 3rd and heard
a presentation from Mr. Tom Thompson, the new Economic
Development Director for Beaufort County. Town Manager
Johnson stated that he felt Belhaven would now get fair
representation.
Mayor Boyette stated that in order to have better economic
development in Beaufort County that the Northeastern Beaufort
County Economic Development (NEBCED) staff would work
with Mr. Thompson in order to have one unified economic
development office. Town Manager Johnson referenced the
importance of NEBCED keeping their 501C3 status as they
could apply for grants, etc. with that status.
Town
Manager Johnson stated that the summer ball season had
their kick-off games this past Saturday with very visible
recreation department staff - all went well; also commented
on the number of participants in the recreation program
from out of town; Town Manager Johnson explained that
the City of Washington charges persons who live outside
the city a much higher rate to participate in their programs
but that we do not as we need their participation to make
the programs viable; stated that the county was forming
a countywide recreation advisory board and that he was
serving on that board and would take care of recreation
interests on behalf of the town.
Mrs.
Del Stutzman, resident of Lamont Street, stated that the
Town should support recreation programs as it costs $30,000
to incarcerate one juvenile for a one year period.
Closed
Session - East End Council Vacancy - GS 143.318.11 (6)
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council would hold a closed
session according to GS 143.318.11(6) and that upon reconvening
would hold a budget workshop. Councilman Hodges made the
motion to go into closed session at 8:17 P.M.
Reconvene
Into Budget Workshop Session
There being no further business for closed session, Councilman
Ebron made the motion to reconvene into budget workshop
session. Councilman Hodges seconded the motion which carried
unanimously. The meeting reconvened into workshop session
at 8:40 P.M.
Budget
Workshop
Town Manager Johnson asked the Council for guidance in
budget pertaining to Special Appropriations. Town Manager
Johnson that the budget that he will propose is a tight
budget and to date he is $170,000 from balancing. Town
Manager Johnson stated that this budget would not have
any increases in fees such as electric rates, water and
sewer rates but would show an increase in service fees
such as re-connection fees, after hour fees, and tap fees.
Town Manager Johnson explained that the water and sewer
rates were scheduled for an increase as part of the three
year increase to make these enterprise funds self sufficient
but that he suggested no increase at this time due to
the economy. The Council agreed that with the economy
as is, it would not be in the best interest to raise these
rates at this time.
Special
Appropriations
Town Manager Johnson stated that the following had requested
monies: Library, Museum, Senior Center, Boys and Girls
Club, as usual and two new organization requesting funds
were Tots Land Day Care and Habitat for Humanity.
Town Manager Johnson explained that he was very concerned
with the requests from the Chamber and NEBCED as some
of their requests were duplicated and were for items that
these organization were not responsible for paying such
as insurance, the town owns the building so therefore
the Chamber or NEBCED would not be responsible for insurance
on the building. Ms. Del Stutzman, asked if the Town Council
had checks and balance for the chamber=s expenses, etc.
Town Manager Johnson stated that no, their Board of Director=s
should monitor them. After much discussion, the consensus
of the Council was to keep the Special Appropriations
requests the same as last year=s or lower and not to make
any appropriation to Totsland and that appropriations
to Habitat for Humanity could be in kind services such
as water and sewer taps, etc. Town Manager Johnson stated
that should property taxes be increased the town received
$5,000 per .01 increase in taxes if any other alternative
was available. The consensus of the Council was not to
raise taxes.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilman Hodges made
the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Heath seconded the
motion which carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned
at 9:25 P.M
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