THE FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRITYETH SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN

VILLAGE OF ALAMANCE

 

August 22, 2022 – 7:00 PM

 

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

 

Absent: Alderman Hunt

 

Invocation and Call to Order given by Mark Reich

 

A motion was made to approve the July 25, 2022, meeting minutes with the addendum concerning a $200 fee for broken water meters by Alderman Tichy, seconded by Alderman Cheap. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

 

Board of Adjustment Hearing: Food Truck at 2863 Cardinal Lane

 

A motion was made to go into a Board of Adjustment hearing by Alderman Andrews, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0

 

Mr. York stated Jensen Roll has applied for a special use permit to operate food trucks on his property at 2863 Cardinal Lane. There is nothing in the updated zoning ordinance that addresses food trucks, although there was previously. The board can choose to amend the Zoning Ordinance or give a special use permit. The Planning Board needs to meet first on this issue for their recommendation. They had not previously meet because board members needed to be reappointed and the county commissioners needed to appoint the ETJ members. This was done earlier in the month and a meeting will be called for September.

 

Mr. York’s recommendation to the board is to look at amending the zoning ordinance. Mr. Roll’s intention is to allow different food trucks to come in at various times so the obligation for fees and being approved through the health department will be their obligation. Mr. Roll is only wanting to provide the parking lot space for them to use. Mayor Tichy stated he would prefer to amend the zoning ordinance because it gives the board more flexibility to manage any issues that may arise. The Food Truck Ordinance will need to be properly updated and made clear before it is added to the zoning ordinance.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Cheap, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley to set a public hearing for the September 26, 2022, meeting for the purpose of amending the zoning ordinance to include food trucks. Motion carries 5-0

 

Alderman Crouse made a motion to back into regular meeting seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

 

 

Public Comment

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

 

Engineer Report

 

Mr. Reich stated the syphon station was back in working order. Jerry Warren suggested it be checked again in a month to make sure it is not building up any sludge. The Cardinal Lane outfall design is coming together. Adjustments have been made to account for the closeness of footings to lines so there will be a 10ft difference instead of 15ft. The radar speed signs will be signed and approved by DOT by Friday. A. I. grants had money left over and is now opening grant applications to any municipality. Mr. Reich would like to apply for a $400,000.00 grant for flushing lines and locating all the lines in the village. The deadline for applications is the end of October. Mayor Tichy read the grant application aloud for the audience and a copy will be available on the website.

 

Alderman Tichy made a motion to approve the resolution as read, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

 

ORC Report

 

Mr. Allred stated he is waiting on a price for the Birch station control panel. The NC 62 station is running well. The distribution and THM/HAA5 testing will be in later this month. Mr. Allred and Mr. Reich showed pictures and explained the workings of the Syphon and how it was repaired. Mr. Allred suggested the syphon system be pumped out again in September with the truck around method, as used this time, to make sure no sludge is building up.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Appoint Members to Planning Board

 

The Board opted to appoint board members by newest member to longest term. Alderman Tichy made a motion to make an appointment of 3 years for Lorraine Ryan and John Paseman, 2 years for Sherry Ford and Gerald Walters and 1 year for Jeff Sharpe and Roy Glasgow, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0

 

The ETJ members are Tim Collins, Chuck Couch and Keith Miller who were appointed by the County Commissioners.

 

 

ARP Projects

 

Mr. York reminded the audience there are two pools of money. The general assembly money was appropriated for the Cardinal Lane outfall project and getting water to Dogwood Road. The town is moving forward with Cardinal Lane project, but waiting to find out how many on Dogwood want water. The syphon project and Birch project have incurred expense and are eligible for possible general assembly money. The Dogwood project could put to the side until more people want to come on the water system. The ARP money can be used for anything, but must be obligated by December of 2024, and spent by December of 2026.

 

 

Plaid Day

 

Alderman Cheap stated he had several entertainment options lined up. The bathrooms and concession stand have not been used since 2008 and need some repair and cleaning. There will be a couple of port-a- potties along with access to the fellowship hall bathrooms. Alderman Cheap said it would be appreciated if anyone knows a plumber or electrician who would like to donate some time helping to restore the area to fully functioning.

The workday went well, much of the area was cleaned up.

 

Swimming Pools

 

Mr. York stated the county requirements for above ground pools are either a detachable ladder, gate or locking system if the ladder cannot be removed. The Village ordinance simply states a fence must be around the pool, it does not differentiate between above or inground pools. The question before the board is should the current ordinance for pools be left as is or should it be updated to follow the county ordinance.

 

The board opted to follow the county ordinances. Attorney Koonts stated the county is following the State regulations.

 

 

Finance Report/Budget Amendment – Clarify Amendment to 2022 Budget

 

Mr. York stated there was an amendment to the water and sewer fund. It is $50,000 dollars bringing the total to $78,000, for the sewer maintenance line item. This is for repairs and work that have been done recently. There will be $31,000 left in the account after the current bills are paid.

 

The legal advertising budget was increased to $1000 due to running several advertisements for special meetings and announcements. The money will be cut from capitol expenditures and added to advertising budget.

 

A motion was made to amend the budget for legal advertising, taking $1000 from the capitol expenditures fund and adding to the advertising fund. Appropriating $50,000 from water and sewer fund balance to the sewer maintenance line item by Alderman Tichy, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Alderman Tichy asked if the Serenity Drive sign was ready to be placed yet. Mr. York stated he was waiting for the brackets to come in. Alderman Tichy asked about the rip rap to protect against wash outs on serenity drive and Mr. York stated he would call Jeff Thornburg about getting that in place.

 

Alderman Cheap stated he would be out of town for the next board meeting, and he would like the board to approve his attendance by phone. The board agreed for Alderman Cheap to attend by phone. Alderman Cheap stated the State left asphalt all over the sidewalks after repaving HWY 62 and he would like them to clean it up.

 

Alderman Tichy asked if the village has a damaged water meter fee. Mr. York stated there is only a tampering fee but no damage fee for meters. Mayor Pro Tem stated he didn’t agree with charging residents for water meters because electronics will break and fail. Alderman Cheap stated he thinks it’s appropriate to charge for water meters if there’s negligence in the damage.

Alderman Cheap made a motion to charge residents $222 for damaged water meters, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 3-2 with Alderman Cheap, Alderman Crouse and Alderman Tichy in favor and Mayor Pro Tem Isley and Alderman Andrews against.

 

Alderman Tichy asked if there’s anything in the zoning ordinance about driveways or concrete being poured around water meters. Mr. York stated there is currently nothing specified in the zoning ordinance. Mr. Reich stated he though contractors were asked not to place driveways over or right around meters.

 

Alderman Andrews asked about the lot near the museum for putting up the tower for meter reading. Mr. York stated he is still waiting on some information from the meter read company for best placement of the tower.

 

 

 

Motion to adjourn by Alderman Tichy, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

                                                                      Don Tichy, Mayor

 

___________________________________ Misty Folwell, Village Clerk