THE FIVE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVENTH SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN

VILLAGE OF ALAMANCE

 

April 25, 2022 – 7:00 PM

 

Present: Mayor Tichy, Mayor Pro Isley, Alderman Crouse, Alderman Andrews, Alderman Cheap, Alderman Hunt and Clerk York.

 

Absent: Alderman Tichy

 

Invocation and Call to Order given by Mr. Reich

 

A motion was made to approve the March 28, 2022 meeting minutes by Alderman Andrews, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

 

Engineer Report

 

Mr. Reich stated there was enough money left in the current contract to pave Midland Court and Amesbury Court. The current contract was for $129,749 and to date $86,400 has been spent. It would cost approximately $36,400 to pave these roads, leaving a small portion of money still in the contract. The board needs to approve the paving of these streets as part of the current contract. Midland and Amesbury court are newer roads, but their subbase isn’t as good as some of the other roads. Triangle paving and grading will be able to do the project, hopefully before June 30^th.

The culvert pipe at 2980 Elder lane needs to be extended by about 8 feet and there needs to be a shoulder created by the ditch. Ms. Humphries of 2980 Elder Lane has stated that people use her driveway as a turnaround spot because she’s the last drive on the road. Mr. Reich has spoken with Ms. Humphries, and she understands replacing the culvert pipe is her responsibility and it will be the Village’s responsibility to do any road or shoulder work. Mr. Reich stated that Ms. Humphries is on a fixed income, and she would appreciate any help with this project. Mayor Tichy said the board could consider adding the cost of the pipe extension into the project as along as Ms. Humphries is willing to let the drive continue to be a turnaround spot for vehicles.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Crouse to pay for the whole project, pipe included, using any leftover funds from the current paving bid, seconded by Alderman Cheap. Motion carries 5-0

 

Mr. Reich asked Clerk York if he wanted to wait to take bids on the sidewalk project, using the ARP money. Clerk York stated he would like to wait until July to consider this project.

 

 

 

ORC Report

 

Mr. Allred stated the birch station pump went back in March 29^th and the spare is in the building. The Pond and NC 62 stations are running well.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

Zoning Ordinance Committee

 

Clerk York stated the final draft is ready for review. Mayor Pro Tem Isley made a motion for a public hearing on May 23^rd to review the zoning ordinances, seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 5-0

 

Land Use Plan

 

Clerk York stated that the land use plan has had very minimal changes made and needs a public hearing to adopt. A motion was made by Alderman Crouse to set a public hearing for May 23^rd, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

Finance Report/Budget Amendment

 

Clerk York stated he will take out $85,000 from the Capital expenditure line item in the general fund and add it to the street repair line item. The street repair line item will now have $130,000.

The general fund has 2.5 million, the water and sewer fund has $323,000. The village received $166,000 of the American rescue plan money, the second half should be received in July, for a total of $332,000

Clerk York made a clarification from an amendment last month for contracted water services, it is coming out of operation expenses, not administration expenses. This does not need a vote, it is just to clarify.

Clerk York stated there were greater expenses than expected from the water and sewer fund so he will add $24,100 to the $15,900 already approved in fund balance for a total of $40,000 approved for expenses. The pump repair was an unexpected cost, and the repairs were more than they had previously cost. The line cleaning in the village was extensive also and has increased in price.

 

A motion was made to accept the budget amendment as presented by Alderman Andrews, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0

 

Clerk York stated that it would be best to use the American Rescue Plan money as lost revenue because that will free up the options available for its use. While all the reporting will still be the same for the government, the available use for the money has less restrictions in that category. Clerk York stated he was seeking consensus from the board on this decision.

The auditing services for next year may require more than one quote if the federal money has spent on anything.

Clerk York stated there will be an update to the nuisance ordinance which will cost approximately $1800.00 and will be much more thorough and detailed than what is currently available. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Isley to go ahead with the update to the nuisance ordinance, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

Public Comment 

 

Naydine Sharpe of 4432 South NC 62 stated she had concerns about how the board made decisions. She asked if the board members had read the book, Suggested Rules of Procedure for a City Council, purchased for them by Clerk York. She said there was not any information given to the public about the candidates for the planning board. She also felt any discussions about plaid day should have been brought up at a public meeting before being discussed with any other board member or community members. The third concern she had was the speed limit signs. Mrs. Sharpe stated the speed limit signs must have been discussed in a closed meeting because the clerk had been asked to find out what type of signs were available. She stated the Mayor had said in the last meeting where the signs would be located, meaning there was a decision made before the board decided. She stated there must be little groups meeting and discussing village business. Mrs. Sharpe explained she was part of a group who went to the school of government when the town was incorporated. She learned it was improper for groups of 3 or more board members to meet and discuss town business. She suggested the board members read from page 31 in the book. Mrs. Sharpe stated the board of alderman run the village not the mayor. The mayor has no say and no vote unless there’s a tie.

Alderman Cheap asked Mrs. Sharpe what, if anything, he had done wrong discussing plaid day. He stated he had brought it up the last meeting. Mrs. Sharpe stated it should have been discussed at the board meeting and decided on before talking to anyone else. Alderman Cheap stated he had spoken to pastor Philabaum about possibly helping community members, but there was not a plan in place for plaid day or any other town celebration. Alderman Cheap stated he is doing his best to follow the rules.

Mayor Tichy stated there was a public meeting for the planning board candidates, it was announced in the regular public meeting and posted. Mrs. Sharpe stated she wasn’t aware of the public meeting.

Elizabeth Powell of 3542 Liberty Dr. stated her tenants were sweeping pieces of asphalt off the sidewalks from the paving/patching job in the historic district. She asked if a street sweeper could come through and clean or find some way to clean the area. Mr. Reich stated DOT would be responsible for cleaning and Clerk York stated he would find someone to contact about it.

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

 

 

Motion to adjourn by Alderman Crouse, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley. Motion carries 5-0

                                                                      Don Tichy, Mayor

 

 

___________________________________Ben York, Village Clerk