AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION BY THE TOWN OF BELHAVEN

WHEREAS, The 1998 Critical Needs Bond Act has authorized the making of loans and grants to aid eligible units of government in financing the cost of construction of wastewater treatment works, wastewater collection systems, and water supply systems, water conservation projects; and WHEREAS, The Town of Belhaven has need for and intends to place sewer lines to serve an expansion project at Terra Ceia Christian School in a project described as the Terra Ceia Christian School Sewer Extension; and WHEREAS, The Town of Belhaven intends to request grant assistance from the Supplemental Grants Program for the project; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BELHAVEN: That the Town of Belhaven will arrange financing for all remaining costs of the project, if approved for a grant, including a local contribution. That the Town of Belhaven will adopt and place into effect on or before completion of the project a schedule of fees and charges which will provide adequate funds for proper operation, maintenance, and administration of the system. That the Town of Belhaven will provide for efficient operation and maintenance of the project on completion of preliminary planning thereof. That Charles Boyette, Mayor, and successors so titled, is hereby authorized to execute and file an application on behalf of the Town of Belhaven with the NCREDC (Rural Center) for a grant to assist in the construction of the project described above. That Charles Boyette, Mayor, and successors so titled, is hereby authorized and directed to furnish such information as the Rural Center may request in connection with such application or the project; to make the assurance as contained above; and to execute such other documents as may be required in connection with the application. That the Town of Belhaven has substantially complied or will substantially comply with all Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances applicable to the project and to the grants pertaining thereto. Adopted this the 16th day of February, 2004 at Belhaven, North Carolina.

Mayor Boyette asked for a motion approving the resolution. Councilman Ebron made the motion to approve the resolution as read. Councilman Hodges seconded the motion.

Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Bob Holz who questioned if the town would commit any funds. Town Manager Johnson stated no, that the town would actually receive and distribute the funding by the Rural Center should the project be funded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Boyd thanked the Town Manager, Mayor and Council for their support.

Community Development Block Grant – Community Revitalization (CDBG-CR 01)
Mayor Boyette stated that the public hearing was held earlier in the meeting concerning using Community Development Block Grant Funds from the Community Revitalization 01 (CDBG-CR) project concerning flood proofing the Town Hall, if the Division of Community Assistance approves, if not, then make a waterline improvement in the program area of Old County Road, Harbinger and West Pungo Streets. The Council spoke in favor of these alternatives for the $30,000. Councilman Hodges made the motion approving the proposed amendment to place the $30,000 in surplus CDBG funds to a C-1 Waterline project in the event the original amendment of flood proofing Town Hall is ruled ineligible. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

ElectriCities Emergency Assistance Amendment
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council needed to adopt the amendment for the Emergency Assistance Policy. Mayor Boyette stated that the policy had language changes according to State and FEMA guidelines. Town Manager Johnson stated that in the past the town had not used assistance but would like to have the policy amendment adopted in case the need arises. Councilman Baker made the motion to approve the amendment and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the document on behalf of the town. Councilman Ebron seconded the motion which carried unanimously. (Insert copy amendment)

Surplus Police Vehicles
Mayor Boyette stated that Police Chief George Hayden had submitted four vehicles for consideration of being designated as surplus. Town Manager Johnson stated that the vehicles submitted for surplus were sidelined and had been used for parts. Town Manager Johnson stated that the cars may bring more money now, rather than to hold until the town has an auction. There being no further discussion, Councilman Hodges made the motion declaring the following vehicles surplus and authorizing the Town Manager to dispose of said vehicles in accordance with the General Statute guidelines.

Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Police to Police (P2P) Grant Application Resolution
Mayor Boyette stated that Police Chief George Hayden had requested that the Town be a part of the Police to Police (P2P) which is a network system which shares information on criminals. Mayor Boyette recognized Chief Hayden who stated that the program would effective as you could find information on a suspect by nickname; and the system would even provide a mug shot if the suspect had been arrested previously. Chief Hayden stated this would allow law enforcement to work more efficiently together should Belhaven stop a suspect, and Pitt County had warrants on the same this information would be shown. Chief Hayden further stated that this type of information sharing between the member departments would give alert on certain individuals. Mayor Boyette stated that if funded, the first year share would be $1,375; 2nd Year $407.50 and the 3rd Year the town could drop from the system or pay $407.50. The amount of the grant application would be $4,125 to assist in defraying the cost of the project.

Following some discussion, Councilman Hodges made the motion to adopt the following resolution. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Industrial Development Fund Grant Signatories (Sea Safari Sewer Line Connection)
Mayor Boyette stated that the Town recently received the Industrial Development Fund (IDF) Grant to extend the 4” sewer force main to the new Sea Safari Site as planned in the initial development of the Waterfront Plan Development. Mayor Boyette stated that the authorization of signatories for these funds needed to be made. Town Manager Johnson stated that historically Mayor Boyette, Mayor Pro-Tem Ebron, the Town Manager and Finance Officer Robin Godsell had been designated. There being no further discussion, Councilmember Baker made the motion to authorize the Town Clerk to certify Mayor, Dr. Charles O. Boyette; Mayor Pro-Tem, Mr. George R. Ebron, Jr.; Town Manager Tim M. Johnson and Town Finance Officer Robin J. Godsell to sign requisitions on grant # CU-324. Councilman Ebron seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Resolution – Beaufort County Public Schools Bond Referendum
Mayor Boyette stated that he had been contacted by the Beaufort County School Board concerning a resolution of support of a proposed school bond referendum. Mayor Boyette read the following resolution and asked for support. Councilman Hodges made the motion to adopt the resolution as read. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Update by Mayor Boyette on New Post Office Site
Mayor Boyette stated that town administration had been working with postal officials to select a site for the new proposed $750,000 post office. Mayor Boyette stated that originally the town administration suggested several parcels of property as possible sites for the post office. Mayor Boyette explained that the developer who bid on building the post office bid on the site on Old County Road on the east side of the new Totsland Daycare Center. Mayor Boyette stated that this bid was approved by postal officials but town administration was not pleased with the location as they felt the need to keep the post office in the downtown business district. Mayor Boyette stated that Mrs. Lucy B. Robbins (representing the Bishop family) had been contacted concerning the availability of the property on the corner of Main and Railroad Streets as a preferred location. Mrs. Robbins and family had looked into being the developer themselves at this site but did not feel it would be monetarily feasible. The developer (The Walsh Group, Inc.)who got the bid on the site at Old County Road was approached by town administration and asked to consider the Bishop Property Site on the corner of Main and Railroad Street, due to a difference on property costs and expenses already incurred on the Old County Road Site; the Beaufort County Committee of 100 got involved (because of their 501(c) 3 tax status) to see if they could help make the preferred site a reality. Over several meetings, various citizens of the community and businessmen had pledged money totaling $11,000 and services to demolish the present building and remove trees/stumps, etc. to prepare the preferred site for development and to offset the extra costs incurred by the developer (Walsh) due to the post office site change. The Bishop Family had even agreed to sell the property for $100,000 and to take a tax credit of $25,000. Mayor Boyette stated that in order to make this a reality the town had pledged up to $20,000 and offered a .61 acre parcel of the Civic Center property to be utilized as a parking area to also assist in the preferred location. There was some discussion of the Beaufort County Committee of 100 developing and building the post office but had too many reservations and wanted no liability; the town had stated that if needed they could build and own the post office but hoped that the developer (Walsh) could do it because of their expertise and experience in building sixteen other post offices in North Carolina. Mayor Boyette stated that the halt to this post office at this time is the fact that the Bishop Family may not offer the preferred site (property) for sale. Mayor Boyette stated that the Town owned a parcel of property on Main Street, beside the Chamber building and would offer that site but since it was not on the original proposed sites then the whole project would have to be re-bid. Mayor Boyette stated that time was of the essence as the postal service allowed an extension until March 2. Mayor Boyette stated that it was imperative that a final decision be made by the Bishop Family by Thursday, February 19 as to sell the property for a postal site to develop or build the post office themselves on the preferred site. Mayor Boyette stated that this issue of property cannot take any more time and the Belhaven Community would be in jeopardy of loosing the new post office entirely. Mayor Boyette stated that even though the Old County Road site was not the preferred site that the town administration would rather have a new post office there, than not one at all.

Councilwoman Heath questioned if the same incentives were offered to the property owner (the Bishop Family) as to the Walsh developer. Town Manager Johnson stated that the incentives (pledges of $11,000) and the up to $20,000 and the .61 acre of the Civic Center property (from the town) were offered to whoever would develop and build the post office at the preferred site.

Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Bob Holz, who stated that a signed option was needed on the Bishop property and suggested that the Beaufort County Committee of 100 direct a letter to the Bishop Family concerning the need to sign an option to sell the preferred property, because the time line was very important.

There was much discussion from the Council, concerning the possibility of loosing the Post Office; the consensus of the Council was if the Bishop property was not available for sell or development then the Council would support the Old County Road site.

Mayor Boyette clarified that pledges, the .61 acre from the town and the pledge up to $20,000 and the $11,000 from area businessmen would not be needed if the post office is built on the Old County Road Site.

Letter of Commitment to Sell or Develop – Bishop Property – Post Office
After additional discussion, Councilman Hodges made the motion that the Beaufort County Committee of 100 be notified to confirm with a letter that if the Bishop’s property is to be sold then a contract to sell would needed to be signed and if the Bishop’s wished to develop and own the post office that the same incentives are offered, if not then the post office would be built on Old County Road. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Johnson reported that the Inflow and Infiltration (I & I Study) site work had been completed and showed several areas of inflow. Town Manager Johnson stated that a more thorough written report would be presented later.

Citizens Comments
Mayor Boyette recognized Mr. Steve Carawan who stated his appeal of the Findings of Fact and Order had gone before the council at their last meeting, but had been referred to the Town Attorney.

Town Attorney Mason stated that he had to review the ordinance and informed Mr. Carawan there were two aspects: 1) what the ordinance says, and 2) the procedural aspect is Quasi Judicial. Town Attorney Mason stated that he did not want Mr. Carawan to be unaware of the procedures and the next appeal would be to the superior court.

Mayor Boyette Comments – Belhaven Volunteer Fire & Rescue
Mayor Boyette stated that the Mayor and Council members were invited to an Oyster Roast on Friday, February 13, he offered thanks for being included in this function; Mayor Boyette also stated that the department was in the need a new rescue vehicle and that town administration along with donations from local banks were willing to work on this need this coming budget year.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilman Hodges made the motion to adjourn. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.