Call to Order/Invocation
The Town Council of the Town ofBelhaven met in regular session on Monday, May 19,2003 in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Dr. Charles O. Boyette, Mayor, called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with the following Council members present: Albert Baker, George R. Ebron, Jr., Mayor Pro-Tern; Cynthia M. Heath, James B. Hodges and Linda E. Wilkerson. Town Manager Tim M. Johnson, Town Attorney Keith B. Mason and'Town Clerk Marie J. Adams were also present.

Approval of Minutes - May 12, 2003 Budget Workshop; May 5, 2003 Regular Session and Public Hearing; May 1, 2003 Committee of 100 Meeting and May 5, 2003 Closed Session
Mayor Boyette announced that the following minutes were open for review and approval: May 12,2003 Budget Workshop; May 5, 2003 Regular Session and Public Hearing; May 1,2003 Committee of 100 Meeting and May 5, 2003 Closed Session. Councilman Hodges made the motion to approve the minutes as written. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Community Development Block Grant - Community Revitalization (CDBG-CR) Project Update and Public Comments/Question Session - Holland Consulting Planners, Inc. (HCP)
Mayor Boyette stated that the Town had received a Community Development Block Grant Community Revitalization (CDBG-CR) which Holland Consulting Planners, Inc. (HCP) was administering for the town. Mayor Boyette introduced Mr. Alan Crawford with HCP who briefed the Council on the progress of the grant. Mr. Crawford stated that the Project Area Committee (PAC) had met this afternoon at 5 :00 P.M. to clarify the goals of the project and any misconceptions. Mr. Crawford stated that there were a few concerns that would be reviewed. Mayor Boyette requested a review of the impact area of this grant. Mrs. Nicole P. Ahearn stated that the grant area covered portions of West Pungo Street, California Street, Harbinger Street and Old County Road. Councilman Hodges stated that he attended the PAC meeting and felt that the meeting clarified a lot of concerns of the citizens in the impact area.

Crisis Housing Assistance Program (CRA) Hurricane Floyd Recovery Program
Town Manager Johnson asked Mr. Crawford to update the Mayor and Council on the status of the Crisis Housing Assistance Program (CRA). Mr. Crawford stated that the program should be complete by the end of June with twelve homes left, in various stages of construction/replacement, etc.; with 63 total homes with 40 ofthese homes being replaced with double-wide or modular homes and the remaining being rehabilitated at no cost to the citizens. Mayor Boyette stated that elevation program, due to the flooding in the past years, was a positive improvement for the town and its' citizens.

Chamber of Commerce Budget Request
Mayor Boyette recognized Mrs. Melanie V. Cleary, Executive Director, Belhaven Community . Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Cleary submitted the Chamber's proposed budget totaling $47,100.00 with a request from the town for $10,000. Mrs. Cleary stated that the Chamber was in their 51st year of operation with ninety members to date with the implementation of a new brochure promoting northeastern Beaufort County and Belhaven.

Mayor Boyette thanked Mrs. Cleary for her presentation and stated that the public hearing for the 2003/2004 budget would be set later in the meeting.

Belhaven Planning Board/Board of Adjustment - Appointments
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council had re-appointed two members to the Planning Board/Board of Adjustment at the last Council meeting but had two re;naining positions to filL A memb_r needs to be appointed from the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) with a term expiring' May 2007 and an alternate regular member should be appointed to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Del Stutzman, who moved, with term expiring May 2005. Town Manager Johnson stated that Mr. Wesley Bowman, from the ETJ, had been an alternate member for a number of years and would like to fill the regular ETJ position and someone could be appointed to fill his unexpired term. Councilman Ebron stated that he had talked with Mrs. Doreatha Keyes, a retired teacher, who stated that she would be willing to serve from the ETJ. Town Manager Johnson stated that in the agenda packet were two letters for consideration of the alternate regular member from Mr. Jesse Taylor, III and Ms. Betsy Deluca. Mr. Johnson stated that Mr. Ellis "Skeeter" Ross had submitted a letter of interest to his office today for consideration. Mayor Boyette recognized Mrs. Pat Holz, who stated that the ad in the newspaper requesting letter of interest for appointment to the PBBOA did not state a deadline, and that her husband, Mr. Robert Holz, would like to be considered for appointment as a regular member.

After some discussion Councilman Hodges made the motion to appoint Mr. Wesley Bowman as a regular member of the PBBOA for the ETJ with a term expiring March 2005 and that Mrs. Doretha Keyes be appointed to serve as an alternate ETJ member filling the unexpired term of Mr. Bowman, expiring March 2007. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Boyette stated that the appointment of a regular alternate member of the PBBOA should be appointed with a term expiring March 2005. Mayor Boyette stated that the following citizens had expressed an interest for appointment: Mr. Jesse Taylor, III; Mr. Ellis "Skeeter" Ross; Ms. Betsy Deluca and Mr. Robert Holz. Following discussion, Councilman Baker made the motion to appoint Mr. Jesse Taylor, III as an alternate member of the PBBOA filling an unexpired term which will expire in March 2005. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

There was much discussion from the public and the Council concerning PBBOA members' attendance at the Waterfront Study meetings, etc. Town Council agreed that the PBBOA should be encouraged to attend meetings concerning development of the town.

O'Neal's Trailer Park (Village Homes) Private Water System
Mayor Boyette stated that Mr. Roy O'Neal had approached the Council concerning large water and sewer bills for his mobile home park where the town installed a master meter and individually read the tenants' meters, as a courtesy, and billed Mr. O'Neal for any overage. Mayor Boyette stated that the Council needed to consider reading the master meter only and billing Mr. O'Neal for all water and sewer charges, then in turn, Mr. O'Neal could figure averages and increase rent to cover the water and sewer usage of his tenants.

Town Manager Johnson stated that it would be in the Town's best interest to discontinue reading the individual meters. There was much discussion concerning the options which the property owner (Mr. . O'Neal) could have 1) have lines and meters replaced to town specifications and deed the system over to the town, or 2) the town read and bill from the master meter only to Mr. O'Neal.

Councilman Hodges stated that Mr. O'Neal had contacted him concerning the fact that he could not attend this meeting because of a prior engagement and asked that the Council review at their next meeting. Council members Baker and Heath both were contacted and agreed that the issue should be tabled until Mr. O'Neal could be in attendance. Councilman Ebron stated that the Town Attorney, Mr. Keith Mason was in attendance tonight for this issue.

Town Manager Johnson stated that there was a second issue, concerning the past due water and sewer bill which he had given Mr. 0 'Neal an extension of time to pay and he had offered a six month payment plan, which Mr. O'Neal did not seem interested. There was some discussion concerning the delinquency of the water and sewer bills and the need for immediate payment.

Mrs. Amber O. Slade, daughter of Mr. O'Neal, stated that Mr. O'Neal would not return to Belhaven until Friday, May 23,2003.

Following additional discussion, Mayor Boyette stated that the Council needed to handle two separate issues: 1) the past due water and sewer bills which need to be paid, and 2) the improvement to meet town specifications, of the O'Neal's Trailer Park (Village Homes) water system for dedication to the town or for the town to discontinue reading individual meters within the park and read the master meter only, billing Mr. O'Neal for the total water and sewer.

Conclusions: Past Due Water & Sewer Bills/Table Meter Reading Issue
Following discussion, Councilwoman Wilkerson made the motion that the town proceed immediately with the collection of Mr. O'Neal's (Village Homes) Trailer Park past due utility bills, and that Mr. O'Neal had until Friday, May 23 at 3 P.M. to pay past due bills to avoid disconnection. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Councilman Hodges made the motion that the issue of discontinuing the reading of O'Neal's Trailer Park (Village Homes) private meters be tabled until the June 2,2003 Council meeting in order to give Mr. O'Neal the opportunity to be present at the meeting to discuss the issue. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Schedule Public Hearing - 2003/2004 Fiscal Year Budget
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council needed to establish a date for the public hearing for the proposed 2003/2004 Fiscal Year Budget. Following some discussion, Council1nan Hodges made the motion to set the 2003/2004 Fiscal Year Budget Public Hearing for Monday, June 2, 2003 at 7:30 P.M. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following issues: 1) Southern City Magazine published by the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) published documentary on Belhaven's Elevation Program; 2) Storms predicted this hurricane season 15-16 storms with 3 major - Belhaven will be in much better condition, due to the elevation of homes, to take on any storms should they come our way; 3) Departmental monthly reports enclosed for Council review; 4) Code Enforcement implementing mowing overgrown properties and removal of junk vehicles; 5) Waterfront Development - moving quickly and positively - town will need to decide if Request for Proposals is necessary or to go with a developer entirely; and 6) Downtown drainage - will implement meetings to discuss ways to mitigate these problems.

Miscellaneous
Mr. Walt Allen questioned if the well site could be drilled in the same area as the present site? Town Manager Johnson stated that the Town received their permit for drilling in the same area.

Mrs. Velma Murray, recipient of a new home through the elevation grant, complained of water standing near on drive; Town Manager Johnson stated that all monies had been expended and the program had provided her with a new home elevated out of harms way with positive drainage under the home, which would alleviate rot.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilwoman Heath made the motion to adjourn; Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the meeting which carried unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 9: 03 P.M.