Approval of Minutes - October 7, 2002 Regular Session and October 14, 2002 Waterfront Study Meeting
Mayor Pro Tem Ebron stated that the minutes of the October 7, 2002 Regular Session (council meeting) and the October 14, 2002 Waterfront Study Meeting were open for review and adoption. There being no corrections to the minutes, Councilman Hodges made the motion to approve the two sets of minutes as written. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Community Development Block Grant - Capacity Building (CDBG-CB) Grant Agreement
Mayor Pro Tem Ebron stated that Community Developers of Beaufort Hyde (CDBH) had applied for a Community Building Grant through the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Community Assistance. Councilwoman Heath arrived at the meeting at this time. Town Manager Johnson further stated that the grant had been awarded and would be a pass through grant (through the town), with the town receiving $3,000 for the administrative services the town will perform. Mayor Pro Tem Ebron introduced Mr. Wade Horne the Executive Director of CDBH and suggested that any question be directed to him. There being no further discussion, Councilman Baker made the motion authorizing Tim M. Johnson, Town Manager to execute the grant agreement CDBG No. 02-C-0981 on behalf of the Town of Belhaven. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Community Development Block Grant - Capacity Building (CDBG-CB) Funding Approval
Mayor Pro Tem Ebron stated that the Council needed to authorize the Town Manager to execute the funding for the for the CDBG-CB grant. Councilman Hodges made the motion authorizing Town Manager Tim M. Johnson to execute the funding approval for Grant 02-C-0981 on behalf of the Town of Belhaven and further authorize the Town Manager to address all necessary conditions and obtain Division of Community Assistance (DCA) removal of conditions prior to requisitioning any funds. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Community Development Block Grant - Capacity Building (CDBG-CB) Signatory Form and Certification

Mayor Pro Tem Ebron stated that the Council needed to appoint four individuals to sign requisition forms on behalf of the town for the CDBG-CB grant. Town Manager Johnson stated that the four individuals suggested for the signatory form were: Tim M. Johnson, Town Manager; Robin Godsell, Finance Director; Marie J. Adams, Town Clerk and George R. Ebron, Mayor Pro Tem (Councilman). Town Manager Johnson stated that these four individuals were suggested due to them being readily available for signatures during business hours. Councilman Baker made the motion authorized Tim M. Johnson, Town Manager; Robin Godsell, Finance Director; Marie J. Adams, Town Clerk and George R. Ebron, Jr., Mayor Pro Tem (Councilman) to serve as the individuals authorized to sign requisition forms for CDBG-CB Grant No. 02-C-0981, and authorize Dr. Charles O. Boyette, Mayor to serve as the certifying official on the forms. Councilman Hodges seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Chamber of Commerce Report and Introduction of New Executive Director, Mrs. Melanie V. Cleary
Mayor Pro Tem Ebron recognized Mr. David Crosby, President of the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Crosby stated that he would like to publicly thank Mrs. Amy Bonney for her three years of service to the chamber and community. Mr. Crosby then introduced Belhaven native, Mrs. Melanie V. Cleary the Executive Director of the Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Crosby also stated that he appreciated the Town supporting a Marina Study and was glad to see a progressive town administration. Mr. Crosby also thanked the Council for their resolution in support of the 501(C)3 Celebration Committee Resolution and stated that the seeking of that non-profit status was still underway.

Mayor Pro Tem Ebron asked Mr. Crosby the the Hot Air Balloon Event sponsored by "The Friends of JAW" went well this past weekend. Mr. Crosby stated that he felt the event was well attended and that the Friends of JAW presented the town in a positive manner;

Mr. Crosby also informed the Council that the Christmas Celebration Parade was scheduled for Saturday, December 14 and plans were underway.

Following Council discussion, the consensus was that Town Manager Johnson send Mrs. Bonney, a letter thanking her for her dedication to our community for three years as the Chamber Executive Director.

Mayor Boyette arrived at the meeting at this time, 7:45 P.M.

Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following:

1) Thank you to Chamber for attending Waterfront Study Meeting - should have some draft evaluations/proposals within 3 -4 months;

2) Water Plant Project still ahead of schedule despite some rainy weather

3) will need to pass a resolution concerning the bond for the Water Treatment Plant at next meeting;

4) ElectriCities report forwarded to Council last week - due to their rate changes to the Town will have to modify town rates in January 2003 instead of July 2003;

5) Attended the Beaufort County Meeting concerning the North Carolina Department of Transportation Improvement Plan (NCDOT\TIP) concerning Belhaven's preference of highway improvements in Beaufort County-two of Belhaven's priorities are in Beaufort County's top five priorities: the location of Hwy 17, 4 lane 264 from Hwy 264 to Belhaven, extend Slatestone to 264 and widen Highland Drive, Widen Highway 33 from Pitt County to Aurora and Widen 99 from Bayview to Belhaven. Town Manager Johnson stated that he and Mayor Boyette had been in contact with DOT Board member Collice Moore and District Engineer Neil Lassiter to widen 264 and 99 intersection - announced that the curb and guttering on 264 (Main Street) job had been halted due to the need for DOT to replace the subcontractor - work will progress once a new contractor is hired by DOT; stated that he and Mayor Boyette had been in contact with Mr. Collice Moore, DOT Board Member and Mr. Neil Lassiter concerning the enlarging and improvements to 264 and 99 intersection.

Letter of Support - Mr. Wade Horne, Executive Director - Community Developers of Beaufort Hyde, Inc. (CDBH)
Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Horne who requested a letter of support for a $10,000 for a planning grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce through the Southern Rural Development Center. Mr. Horne explained that the town had no obligation of money or by participation, just a letter of support. After some discussion, Councilman Hodges made the motion for Town Manager Johnson to write a letter of support for the planning grant in the amount of $10,000 for which CDBH was applying. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Mayor's Comments
Mayor Boyette commented briefly on the following items:

1) the importance of Belhaven participating in the TIP meetings to make Belhaven's DOT priorities known;

2) well done to the Friends of JAW for the Balloon Festival held this past weekend;

3) and appreciated the attendance at the Waterfront Study meeting held this past Monday, October 14.

Miscellaneous
The Council made the following miscellaneous comments: several overgrown properties and junked vehicles were mentioned for code enforcement, Town Manager Johnson asked Council to contact the office any time with any violations of code; flooding in the downtown and in some residential areas this past week due to high tide and northeast winds - in discussion Town Manager Johnson stated that he would try to set a meeting for all agencies involved, as this was planned before but did not go to fruition due to scheduling problems.

Mr. Crosby offered the Chamber's services in anyway to assist with the setting of meetings concerning flooding problems.

Adjournment
There being no further business from the Council or public, Councilman Hodges made the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.