MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF THE TOWN OF STALLINGS, NORTH CAROLINA

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF THE TOWN OF STALLINGS, NORTH CAROLINA The Town Council of the Town of Stallings met for its regular meeting on August 8, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at the Stallings Town Hall, 315 Stallings Road, Stallings, North Carolina. Those present were: Mayor Wyatt Dunn; Mayor Pro Tempore Regis Griffin; Council Members Rocky Crenshaw, Kathy Heyse, Deborah Romanow, David Scholl, and Shawna Steele. Staff present were: Kevin Woods, Town Manager; Erinn Nichols, Deputy Town Manager and Town Clerk; Minor Plyler, Chief of Police; and Chris Easterly, Town Engineer. Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and meeting called to order Mayor Wyatt Dunn welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their interest in local government. Council Member Romanow then delivered the invocation. Mayor Dunn led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order. Special Presentation Mayor Dunn recognized Patrol Officer Grant Wrenn for his recent 10 month deployment with the United States Air Force as a military policeman in Afghanistan guarding military helicopters. The Town presented Officer Wrenn with a crystal Stallings desk medallion and his wife received a Stallings blanket. Officer Wrenn in turn presented the Town of Stallings a flag which had flown over Kuwait and the international airport in Baghdad for its support while he was deployed. Public Comments Joe Morale, District 5 Board of Education candidate, was present to ask the public s support in the next School Board election. He and his family lived in Weddington for 18 years and hoped to share his positive experience with Union County Public Schools. Mr. Morale wanted to make sure that the opportunity his kids had been afforded was available to all kids throughout the county. He worked for Family Dollar and felt he would be a good representative on the school board. Mr. Morale felt Union County Public Schools needed to: hire and retain qualified teachers and employees; have reliable equipment and technology; properly compensating employees; retain continuity for the students in school districting. He stated he was conservative from a fiscal stand point. Mr. Morale wished to rebuild the integrity of the school board and work with the local governments. He appreciated the support August 8, 2016

2 Melissa Merrill, Board of Education Member, commended the Stallings Town Council for opening the meeting in prayer. She then reported on the following items regarding the Union County Public Schools: Dr. Andrew Houlihan had been hired as the new Union County Public School Superintendent. He was coming to Union County from Houston, TX, and the 7 th largest school district in the nation. Dr. Houlihan was originally from North Carolina and attended Elon University. He would begin August 24, Union County Board of Education and the Union County Commissioners have worked closely on a bond project that would include improvements to seven facilities: Monroe High School, Porter Ridge Middle School, Porter Ridge High School, Sun Valley High School, Western Union Elementary School, Piedmont High School, and a new school bus transportation facility. The bond would be on the November ballot. Tom Jackson, 200 Falcon Ridge, property owner at Eagle Crest, was present to discuss the Meritage Homes application. The area in the Meritage application currently had 13 homes that fronted Stevens Mill Road and two subdivisions for a total of 99 homes and were all on R-20 or larger plots. The new charter school would add to the traffic on Stevens Mill Road in that area. Mr. Jackson had no problem with the development but urged Council to consider the R-20 zoning. Meritage Homes had a variety of products where some were very nice and on larger lots but others were small and more smashed together. He asked the Council to consider the different products and what they would want built next to their own homes. 1. Approval of Consent Agenda Items A. Minutes of the following meetings: (1) (2) closed (3) (4) Council Member Griffin made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items as corrected. The motion was seconded by Council Member Romanow and passed unanimously. 2. Reports A. Report from the Mayor Mayor Dunn mentioned to the public that the Stallings Police were aware of the added traffic that the bridge work and the future bypass were currently causing and would add to Stallings. He also reported that the vendor who put the In God We Trust decals on the police cars would not accept payment for that work donating the product and labor August 8, 2016

3 B. Reports from Council Members/Town Committees Council Member Scholl reported that the Committees on Committees had been meeting over the summer would present a report to the Council in late September or early October. Council Member Steele reported that National Night Out festivities went well in the Forest Park neighborhood. Council Member Griffin reported that the Finance and Administration Committee (FAC) meetings were cancelled for August. The Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) meeting was cancelled for July and the next meeting would be August 22 at 6 p.m. Council Member Griffin then thanked Corp. Ben Davis and Chief Minor Plyler for all their efforts with National Night Out events which took place in different neighborhoods around town. Council Member Romanow stated that the Voter ID Law was an important issue for her and was interested in the Governor s stance on the topic. She also reported that the Council women were leading informational meetings regarding the community center and encouraged public participation in those comment sessions. Council Member Romanow also thanked staff for having outlets installed at the Council desk. Council Member Crenshaw reported that next month the Town would host the annual Stallings Fest on Saturday, September 17 at 10 a.m. ending with fireworks in the evening. On October 15, there would be the second annual Stallings Blues, Brews, and BBQ event. discussions. Council Member Heyse encouraged the public to come participate in the community center C. Report from Town Manager/Town Departments Chief Plyler introduced the new Code Enforcement Officer Josh Baker as a non-sworn officer. He also reiterated that three neighborhoods held National Night Out events and offered Corp. Davis assistance in any other neighborhood wide events. Town Engineer Chris Easterly gave the Council an update on engineering projects: August 8, 2016

4 Potters/Pleasant Plains Intersection Improvement A contract had been initiated with THC, Inc., a right-of-way acquisition firm, for the 34 properties along the corridor. Contract negotiations on the properties would begin soon. Resurfacing contracts The project manual was submitted to three firms for bids. Proposals had been received from two firms, which would be reviewed and a recommendation would be given to Council at the next meeting. Old Monroe Widening Projects The environmental assessment was approved on July 18 giving NCDOT the authorization to begin the community engagement portion of the project. Stallings/Matthews-Indian Trail Intersection Project The project was awarded to Sealand Contracting. The mast arms were being fabricated. Construction would begin on September 12 and scheduled to end on December 2. Sidewalk Projects Permitting and design work was in progress so that contracts could be executed in the spring. Stormwater Small projects were being repaired and all areas continued to be monitored with the recent rain. Mayor Dunn recognized Mr. Easterly for his effort and work. 3. Agenda Approval Council Member Griffin requested adding Agenda Item 9.C. as Country Woods East Stop Sign. He then made the motion to approve the Agenda with the above addition. The motion was seconded by Council Member Romanow and passed unanimously. 4. CZ Meritage Homes/Stevens Mill Road Town Clerk Nichols presented the Council with a written statement to Council from a group of citizens opposing the CZ application. Town Planner Hair then explained that the information on this item, request from Meritage Homes to conditionally zone acres of property located on Stevens Mill Road in tax parcels # A, # B, # , # , # , # A and # , to allow for the development of a 148 lot single family subdivision, was presented to Council on July 11 and Council voted to table the vote until the current meeting in order to allow Council Members Crenshaw and Scholl to be present. Tom Kutz, Meritage Homes, North Community House Road, was present to give Council additional information/changes to the application: Plan decreased from 148 lots to 139 lots (lot size remained the same, more open space) Created some open space and recreational areas in the community Plan to begin selling homes in August 8, 2016

5 Buffer along Stevens Mill Road Not enough traffic impact to warrant a turn lane per Meritage traffic analysis After Council discussions on traffic, lot size and on-street parking, Council Member Steele made the motion to deny CZ Meritage Homes/Stevens Mill Road, request from Meritage Homes to conditionally zone acres of property located on Stevens Mill Road in tax parcels # A, # B, # , # , # , # A and # , to allow for the development of a 148 lot single family subdivision. Council Member Romanow seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. 5. CZ Chestnut Lane Senior Apartments/Scott Vickery Mayor Dunn opened the public hearing. Town Planner Hair then explained this was a conditional rezoning request from R-20 to CZMFR that will allow the subject property to be developed for an 84 unit age restricted (55+) apartment complex. The applicant was Scott Vickery and the property was approximately 8.8 acres. This project was originally approved by the Town in 2013; however, a permit to begin construction on the project was not secured by the developer within the two year vested rights period established by the UDO and applicant was seeking to have the originally approved zoning reinstated. There were no changes made to the plan which the Council originally approved in Staff and the Planning Board recommended approval of the request. The Zoning Report for CZ is attached to these minutes and therefore incorporated herein. There was no one present to give public comment. Applicant Scott Vickery addressed the Council explaining he was not aware of the two year time frame and accidently let the permit lapse. Traffic and school capacities would not be an issue for the age restricted complex. It was recommended that a landscape plan approval be added to the conditions. Applicant Vickery agreed to that additional condition. Mayor Dunn then closed the public hearing. Council Member Romanow made the motion to approve CZ Chestnut Lane Senior Apartments/Scott Vickery with the original conditions and the added condition of the Landscape Plan. Council Member Steele seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 6. Annexation 48 Allen Black Road Mayor Dunn opened the public hearing and recessed it until September 12, August 8, 2016

6 7. CZ Ryan Homes/Allen Black and Lawyers Road Mayor Dunn opened the public hearing and recessed it until September 12, Committee Applications Consideration A. Parks and Recreation Committee Donna Rawlins Council Member Romanow made the motion to appoint Donna Rawlins as a first alternate to the Parks and Recreation Committee with term ending The motion passed unanimously after a second from Council Member Crenshaw. B. Stormwater Advisory Committee Dr. Reinhart Widmann Council Member Steele made the motion to appoint Dr. Reinhart Widmann as a full member to Stormwater Advisory Committee with a term sending Council Member Griffin seconded the motion which was passed unanimously by Council. 9. Animal Control A. Ordinance Amending the Town of Stallings Animal Control Ordinance Chief Plyler explained that the ordinance for animal control needed to be amended, keeping in the leash law and the prohibiting of certain animals. Council Member Griffin made the motion to adopt the Ordinance Amending the Town of Stallings Animal Control Ordinance. Council Member Romanow seconded the motion which was passed unanimously. The Ordinance Amending the Town of Stallings Animal Control Ordinance is attached to these minutes and therefore incorporated herein. B. Resolution of the Town of Stallings Regarding the Union County Animal Control Ordinance Chief Plyler explained this resolution would allow Union County Officers to cover the Town on animal control issues. Council Member Griffin made the motion to adopt the Resolution of the Town of Stallings Regarding the Union County Animal Control Ordinance. Council Member Romanow seconded the motion which was passed unanimously. The Resolution of the Town of Stallings Regarding the Union County Animal Control Ordinance is attached to these minutes and therefore incorporated herein. 9.C. Country Woods East stop sign Council Member Griffin explained that in early 2016, Jeff Kissinger made a petition to have a stop sign installed at the corner of Hawthrone and Juniper Court in Country Woods East. Mr. Kissinger went through the process in effect at the time and the Town validated the need for the stop sign at that intersection. The stop sign was installed but then it was removed by administration. In the meantime, the August 8, 2016

7 Town had established a new traffic calming policy. Council Member Griffin requested that Mr. Kissinger s request be grandfathered in, exempt from the new process, and authorize the installation of a new stop sign at Hawthrone Drive and Juniper Court in Country Woods East. Town Manager Woods further explained the Town did not have a traffic calming policy prior to the current policy, but rather a speed hump policy. The intent was to validate the need and petition the residents in that area with 70% positive feedback as required by the policy. On the issue of the stop sign in question, the need was validated but residents on that street were not petitioned. Therefore, the stop sign was installed prematurely. After a brief discussion, Council decided to place this item on the September 12, 2016 agenda for decision. 10. Closed Session pursuant to NCGS (a)(5) To establish, or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating (i) the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease; or (ii) the amount of compensation and other material terms of an employment contract or proposed employment contract. Council Member Romanow made the motion to go into closed session pursuant to NCGS (a)(5). The motion was seconded by Council Member Heyse and approved unanimously by the Council. Council went into closed session at 8:48 p.m. and reconvened in open session at approximately 9:01 p.m. 11. Adjournment Council Member Steele moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Scholl, and the motion received unanimous support. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Approved on September 12, s/wyatt Dunn Wyatt Dunn, Mayor s/erinn Nichols Erinn E. Nichols, Town Clerk Approved as to form: s/cox Law Firm, PLLC Cox Law Firm, PLLC August 8, 2016