June 8, 2009 City Council Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2009 – 1:28 pmThe Bessemer City Council met in regular session on June 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the council chambers of City Hall.
Members Present
Mayor Bob Hovis; Council Members: Jim Long, Becky Smith, Melanie Colvin, Marilyn Best, Kay McCathen and Wayne Massagee. Also present were City Manager Allan Farris and City Attorney David Smith.
Call to Order, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Hovis called the meeting to order and led in the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Adjustment & Approval of June Agenda
By motion of Marilyn Best and second of Becky Smith, the June agenda was unanimously approved as submitted.
Approval of Minutes
By motion of Becky Smith and second of Kay McCathen, the minutes of the regular meeting of May 11, 2009 and the special meetings of May 18 and June 1, 2009 were unanimously approved.
Consent Agenda
“Items A & B” were approved and “Item C” (Resolution Approving the Gaston County Solid Waste Management Plan) was pulled for discussion by motion of Wayne Massagee, second by Becky Smith and unanimous vote:
| A. | 2008-09 Year End Budget Amendments –
Council approved the following budget amendments as required to comply with state statutes:
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| B. | Request for Approval of Overnight Travel – Approved request by the Finance Director for overnight travel to attend the NCGFOA and the NCLGIA Conferences in Wrightsville Beach from July 19 – 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Resolution Approving the Gaston County Solid Waste Management Plan Update
Council Member Massagee expressed concerns regarding the long-term direction of cost for recycling, a service that was only being used by a small percentage of citizens. Mayor Hovis explained that Gaston County developed the comprehensive plan several years ago to serve as a guidance document in implementing future solid waste management initiatives and activities within the County. The plan must be updated every three years and approved by each municipal governing board within the County prior to submission to the State. Mayor Hovis also pointed out that the current update states that incineration is not part of the current solid waste management program, and the County planning area does not anticipate the use of incineration with energy recovery as a means of future waste disposal. Following a brief discussion regarding recycling and future mandates, motion to adopt the Solid Waste Management Plan Update was made by Marilyn Best, seconded by Jim Long. Voting in favor: Marilyn Best, Jim Long, Melanie Colvin, Becky Smith and Kay McCathen. Voting in opposition: Wayne Massagee.
Policies & Procedures for Recreation/Pool Revenue and Use of City Recreational Facilities
New policies and procedures were developed by staff for Recreation/Pool revenue and use of city recreational facilities. The policies and procedures were approved by the City Manager and put into place as an administrative policy prior to the opening of the pool on May 20, 2009. Mayor Hovis advised the new policies were working well and he and the Council commended the staff on the development and implementation of the new policies. Jim Long moved to adopt the new Policies and Procedures as developed and presented by staff, seconded by Marilyn Best with unanimous vote. (Copy on file in Clerk’s Office at City Hall)
City Manager Report
| 1. | 24-Hour Parking Signs – The 24-hour parking signs for the City’s overlay district, approved by Council at the May 11, 2009 meeting, have been ordered and will be installed when delivered. |
| 2. | Demolition of Property – Contract awarded to Jack’s Demolition & Services in the amount of $3,000 for demolition and removal of property located at 105 North 11th Street. |
| 3. | Dog Kennels on Texas Avenue – The residents are in process of landscaping and reseeding their back yard. The kennels should be returned to the back yard within the next two weeks. |
| 4. | Edgewood Road Entrance Sign - A bid has been received from Landmasters, Inc for the maintenance of the area around the entrance sign to the City on Edgewood Road. Other bids are being sought for comparison. |
| 5. | Bathrooms at Millwork Park – Prison labor is being used at the ballparks to clear brush from the fences and other general improvements. Additional work on the bathrooms is planned prior to the July 4th tournament. (Manager Farris responded to questions from the Council regarding an agreement with the Optimist Club for use of City fields. If no agreement is found, the Manager was directed to work with the Recreation Director and the Optimist Club to develop one). |
| 6. | Old Bus at Al’s Garage – Work is in progress by the Code Enforcement Officer on the removal of the old bus located at Al’s Garage on North 11th Street. The matter is being pursued as a zoning violation, but will most likely take a court order to get the bus removed. |
| 7. | Natural Selection Building – The City Planner is working with Centralina on details of how the City could move forward with the sale of the Natural Selection Building. (Planner Krouse reported that Centralina would not express an opinion on the sale of this property. He reminded Council of the deed restrictions placed on the property and advised Council should consider time limits and/or the market regarding this sale. Manager Farris added that the inside of the building is in poor condition). |
| 8. | Property Appraisal - Manager Farris reported that the 8.07 acres of land located on North 14th Street beside the Surf & Turf Restaurant had been appraised at $210,000. (The Manager was authorized to enter into negotiations with the interested party for the sale of the property and report back to Council at the July meeting. He advised that restrictions would have to be placed on the property due to a drainage issue. The property was originally purchased for $93,300. It is currently zoned C-1, Light Commercial, but with new Land Use Plan the property will be zoned as Medium Density - Residential). |
| 9. | Request for Eagle Scout Projects – Boy Scouts Dakota Skovil and Hayden Bridges inquired about possible projects needed to earn their Eagle Scout status. Projects discussed were the clearing and development of a nature trail at the Bessemer City Park on South 14th Street and working with the Crisis Ministry to build a handicap ramp. Manager Farris will report on the progress of the two scouts. |
Closed Session: Personnel Matter under GS 143-318-11(a)(6)
Upon motion by Jim Long, second by Melanie Colvin and unanimous vote, a Closed Session under General Statutes 143-318.11(a)(6) was held. Upon return from Closed Session, Mayor Hovis reported that a personnel matter was discussed and that no action was taken.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:05 PM by motion of Jim Long and second of Kay McCathen.
Janice M. Costner, City Clerk William R. Hovis, Mayor
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