Call to Order/Invocation
The Town Council of the Town of Belhaven met in regular session on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Dr. Charles O. Boyette called the meeting to order with the following Council members present: Albert Baker, Cynthia M. Heath, James B. Hodges and Linda E. Wilkerson. Councilman George R. Ebron, Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem, was not present at the beginning of the meeting but arrived later. Town Manager Tim M. Johnson, Town Attorney Keith B. Mason and Town Clerk Marie J. Adams were also present.

Public Hearing – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Supplemental Assistance Program (SAP)
Mayor Boyette stated that the Town was applying for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Supplemental Assistance Program (SAP) for those residents which received damage in Hurricane Isabel. Councilman Ebron arrived at this time, 7:35 P.M.

Mayor Boyette called the public hearing to order and introduced Ms. Nicole Ahearn with Holland Consulting Planners, Inc. who introduced the public hearing with the following information. Ms. Ahearn stated that the Town would be applying for a maximum grant of $600,000 for homeowners who received damage in Hurricane Isbell. Ms. Ahearn stated that new housing would replace deteriorated and damaged housing for those homeowners who were in the low to moderate income range. The following citizens were recognized: Mr. Bob Holz, resident of 443 E. Water Street asked what was low to moderate income. Ms. Ahearn explained that the income was based on the number of persons in the household and their income level. Mr. Holz then questioned if a fixed income of $80,000 per year would qualify. Town Manager Johnson then stated that in order to qualify for the program the income limit for a 4 person family is around 80% of an annual income of an estimated $22,000 to qualify for a replacement home. Mrs. Ellen Allen, resident of 519 Water Street questioned if any homes which had been elevated would be repaired with these grant funds. Ms. Ahern stated no, that this grant would be for homes which were severely damaged during Hurricane Isabel.

There being no further questions, Mayor Boyette declared the public hearing closed at 7:40 P.M.

Approval of Minutes – Regular Session May 2, 2005 and Budget Workshop Session May 9, 2005
Mayor Boyette announced that the minutes of the May 2, 2005 Regular Session and the Budget Workshop Session May 9, 2005 were open for review and adoption. There being no corrections to the minutes, Councilman Hodges made the motion to approve the May 2, 2005 Regular Session and the May 9, 2005 Budget Workshop Session minutes. Councilman Ebron seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Budget Requests
Mayor Boyette stated that the following “Special Appropriation” groups have requested time on the agenda to present their request for the Town’s Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget. Mayor Boyette recognized the following:
1) Belhaven Public Library (Beaufort-Hyde-Martin (BHM) Regional Library – Mrs. Debbie Cayton spoke on behalf of the library’s request of $6,300 which reflects $300 more than appropriated by the Town in the current fiscal year; Mrs. Cayton stated that the funding would assist with the salary of a part-time clerk and telephone; 2) Belhaven Community Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Chris Rouse, Chamber President who requested $15,000 which reflects an increase of $10,000 more than appropriated in the current fiscal year; Councilwoman Heath questioned if other area towns were asked for monetary support; Mr. Rouse stated that yes area towns and the county were asked for appropriations to the Chamber; Mr. Rouse explained that the Chamber’s request of $15,000 to the Town would pay for a full-time executive director; 3) John A. Wilkinson Center, Ms. Starlon Credle stated that the Wilkinson Center had presented several arts programs through the Beaufort County Arts Council, the Effie Rae Arts Society and the Belhaven Library; Ms. Credle stated that the Wilkinson Center was still struggling to make ends meet and that their request for support was for $10,000 which was funded at $6,084 in the current year which is an increase of $3,916; 4) Museum, Mr. Butch Harris stated that the Museum had over 2,000 visitors and was requesting $3,000 which is the same amount funded the current fiscal year.

Mr. Bob Holz questioned if some of the exhibits could be preserved in glass cases or if the Museum could be climate controlled. Mr. John Britt, a Museum Board member stated that preservation had been investigated but that one case would cost $8,000-$10,000. Mr. Britt also informed the public that no federal grants could be sought because the Museum was not handicap accessible.

Mayor Boyette and the Council thanked each for their budget presentation. Mayor Boyette also thanked those volunteers who made these organizations a viable part of our community.

Budget Amendment #8
Mayor Boyette stated that a budget amendment was needed to reflect revenue from a housing grant lien release due to the house being sold prior to the lien expiration date and stated that these funds would be used for demolition of dilapidated houses. Mayor Boyette asked for a motion. Councilman Baker made the motion to increase revenue account 10-338-000 (Lien Releases-Grants) by $6,417 from $0 to $6,417 and increase expenditure account 10-540-046 (Housing Demolitions) by $6,417. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Allen Grade and Seed – Disputed Invoice
Mayor Boyette stated that the Council would hear from Mr. Walt Allen of Allen Grade and Seed concerning a disputed invoice with the town concerning the Town’s use of Mr. Allen’s laser used to set elevations. Mr. Allen stated that the topic of the use of his laser came up after a Planning Board meeting (for which he is a board member) with Mr. Marty Overholt, Code Enforcement Officer and Clerk to the Planning Board Mr. Allen stated there was no mention of cost. Mr. Allen stated that invoices have been sent to the town since September 2004 - $5,000 for 100 houses surveyed at $50.00 per house.

Mr. Allen then stated that he and his wife (Ellen Allen) Town Manager Johnson, Robin Godsell, Finance Director and Code Enforcement Office Marty Overholt met earlier this month to resolve the invoice issue. Town Manager Johnson stated that he had called RENCO a rental company concerning the rental of laser survey equipment and that $152.00 for nineteen days of rental was offered to Allen Grade and Seed. Mr. Allen stated that payment offer was declined. Mr. Allen stated that the original bill was for $5,000 but he reduced the bill to $2,500 at a cost of $25.00 per house.

Mayor Boyette stated that he felt the fee of $75.00 per house would be for the use of the equipment and the professional to perform the service. Mayor Boyette referenced a letter from Richard Maye, surveyor with Mayo & Associates, PA which referenced checking with GEOLine Positioning System who quoted $30 per day rent (2 day minimum), $120 weekly and $360 per month. Councilman Baker stated there should be no legal grounds as there was no written or verbal agreement.

Attorney Mason suggested that further discussion of this issue should be in closed session. Mr. Allen stated that whatever the Council decided in this matter that the issue would then be considered final.

Community Development Block Grant-Supplemental Assistance Program (CDBG-SAP)
Mayor Boyette stated that the Town Council had held the required Public Hearing earlier in the evening for the Community Development Block Grant- Supplemental Assistance Program (CDBG-SAP). Mayor Boyette stated that the Council needed to decide whether or not to apply for the CDBG-SAP Grant in the amount of $600,000 to purchase new replacement homes for eligible citizens affected by Hurricane Isabel. Councilman Hodges made the motion approving the submission of the application and authorizing the Mayor and Town Clerk to execute all necessary documents. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Boyette made the following comments: 1) Downtown Area Revitalization Enhancement (DARE) – that the council had committed up to $15,000 for the town’s 1/3 cost of this downtown plan;

2) Mayor Boyette suggested that the relocation of the depot and caboose be considered, as he felt a state of the art $1.8 million dollar emergency services building should stand alone on the property – Mayor Boyette suggested that the depot which houses the chamber office be moved to the corner of Railroad and Pungo Streets on the Civic Center property; Mr. Bob Holz stated that he agreed that the depot and caboose should be moved but suggested that the chamber then be housed in the town hall taking the chamber off of Main Street would be utilized by the public. Mr. Jules Purvis suggested a public hearing be held to get input from the citizens concerning the depot and caboose;

3) New Post Office Dedication on May 31 at 2 P.M. – Congressman Jones hopes to have the Post Office dedicated in Mr. Floyd Lupton’s memory.

4) Latham Cemetery – stated that he had contact Mr. David Moore and Representative Williams concerning funds needed to clean up the cemetery (as was stated at the last regular Council meeting); 5) Emergency Service Building is the town’s most significant project that the town will have in progress; 6) reiterated that the caboose and depot should be moved from the present location due to the building of the $1.8 million dollar emergency services building; Town Manager Johnson stated that the proposed building is still in the planning stages and will be visited many times by the Council before final approval.

Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following: budget presented to the Council and available for public review at the Municipal Building and the Belhaven Library in the amount of $6,018,602.

Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2005/2006 Budget
Town Manager Johnson stated that a public hearing would be needed for the Fiscal Year 2005/2006 budget. Councilman Baker made the motion to set the public hearing for Monday, June 6, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Closed Session – GS 143-318.11(3)
Town Manager Johnson stated that a Closed Session was needed in order for the Council to discuss the Allen Grade and Seed bill, which was discussed earlier in the meeting, according to the guideline of GS 143-318.11(3). Councilman Baker made the motion for the Council to enter into Closed Session for the discussion of the disputed invoice. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The meeting convened into closed session at 8:32 P.M.

Reconvene Into Regular Session
Councilman Baker made the motion to reconvene into regular session. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The meeting reconvened t 8:50 P.M.

Allen Grade and Seed – Disputed Invoice – Payment in Full
Councilman Baker made the motion to pay Allen Grade and Seed $360 as payment in full for the disputed bill of $2,500 for the use of the laser surveying equipment. Councilwoman Heath seconded the motion.

Councilman Ebron stated that he appreciated Mr. Allen’s cooperation in this matter.

The motion carried unanimously, 5 to 0.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilwoman Heath made the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Wilkerson seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 P.M.