THE FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY SECOND SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN
VILLAGE OF ALAMANCE
August 28, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Tichy, Mayor Pro Tem Isley, Alderman Crouse, Alderman Hunt,
Alderman Andrews, Alderman Tichy, Alderman Cheap.
Absent:
Invocation and call to order given by Mark Reich
Motion to approve agenda made by Alderman Tichy, seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 6-0
Motion to approve July 19, 2023 Special meeting Minutes made by Alderman Andrews, seconded by Alderman Tichy. Motion carries 6-0
Motion to approve July 24, 2023 Meeting Minutes made by Alderman Hunt, seconded by Alderman Tichy. Motion carries 6-0
PUBLIC COMMENT
OLD BUSINESS
Engineer Report
Mr. Reich reported that the contractor for the Cardinal Lane outfall plans to begin work after Labor Day, with work completed by October. The street paving is set to start by September 14th. Clerk Farmerie confirmed that Duke Power has not sent a reimbursement yet. Mr. Reich said that the AIA grants may be on a match basis now. He asked if the board would be interested in pursuing a match grant and they confirmed they would.
Mr. Reich informed the board that he found 73 locations of sidewalk repair, six of which are curb areas. Most of the sidewalk areas can be ground down and fresh concrete poured over it. The curbs can be ground down on three sides to allow for even transition on sidewalk and for water to drain off with ease. Mr. Reich stated that Precision Safe Sidewalks will only do the grinding, not any pouring of new concrete. The replacement concrete will be a separate project later.
Alderman Cheap made a motion to have Precision Safe Sidewalks grind down a quarter to a half inch and a half to one inch but not the curbs, get a bid from Neil Boone to replace the sidewalk adjacent to the curb inlets and consider later replacing the concrete, seconded by Alderman Tichy. Motion carries 6-0
Areas of Alamance Baptist Loop Rd are partially on private property in a couple of places. This makes it difficult for The Village to maintain the easements. Mr. Reich informed the Board that they could offer a set price to homeowners to obtain the land. The Board would like more information on obtaining the property from ditch to ditch all along the road.
ORC Report
Mr. Allred stated that all the systems were running well. The Bac-T test were good.
NEW BUSINESS
Code Enforcement Update
Clerk Farmerie informed the board that a title search has begun on 4115 South NC 62 and that the property owners have been formally notified of the nuisance abatement needed on this property. There will be a public hearing in 21 days stating they have six months from that time to correct the issues.
4499 Cornerstone has been formally informed about moving the pool house and fines will start tomorrow.
4157 South NC 62 still has a couple of issues that need to be addressed but the grass has been mowed.
Pool Permitting Fee
Clerk Farmerie stated it would be appropriate to have a pool permitting fee instead of using the building fee for pool projects. Alderman Cheap motioned to have a pool permit fee of $15.00 seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley. Motion carries 6-0
Fee Schedule-Define Subdivision
Clerk Farmerie asked if the Board would define the lot difference between a major and minor subdivision. The Board asked that the subdivision ordinance be checked to see how it is currently defined.
Finance Repot/Budget Amendment
Clerk Farmerie informed the board that the General Assembly money will be used for reimbursement of the Cardinal Lane outfall project. A motion was made by Alderman Tichy to use the General Assembly money for reimbursement of the Cardinal Lane outfall project, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 6-0
Land use Plan
Clerk Farmerie informed the Board that the land use project would not exceed $34,500. He showed the Mebane land use plan as an example of the work that would be done, including new maps. The last plan for the Village was completed in 2006. Alderman Cheap said the current land use plan has good ideas that don’t seem to have been implemented in the Village. He is not in favor of paying for a new plan right now. Mayor Tichy said it would be better to table the issue for now and everyone look at the old plan.
Black Mountain Software Update
Clerk Farmerie will have a demo with Black Mountain on September 11th. This program will be able to handle all the current needs of the Village plus add new features. The earliest the program could be installed is January and it will take 2 to 3 months for the installation to be complete. It will come with accounting and
tech support through the NCLM. The new software will also allow for ACH payments.
Nixel Software/Mass Text Messaging Software Update
Clerk Farmerie informed the Board that they can choose between a one- or three-year contract with Everbridge. The first year has a set up cost and is slightly more but the price will remain consistent after. The cost is $3350.00 per year with a one time set up fee. The texting system can be targeted for specific areas or to alert the entire Village. It will also allow email for less pressing issues.
Alderman Hunt made a motion to accept a three year contract with Everbrite, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Isley. Motion carries 6-0
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Pro Tem said that speeding has become an issue in Heritage Glen and would like to know what can be done to address it. It was suggested that the sheriff’s office could be asked to come out during peak morning and afternoon hours to see if they can catch speeders. Clerk Farmerie stated he would call and get them out there.
Motion made by Alderman Crouse to move to closed session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11, Employment contracts, seconded by Alderman Hunt. Motion carries 6-0
Alderman Cheap made a motion to move back into open session, seconded by Alderman Tichy. Motion carries 6-0
There was a brief discussion about salaries and education budgets.
Alderman Crouse made a motion to increase Clerk Farmerie’s salary to $60,000 seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 6-0
Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Crouse, seconded by Alderman Tichy. Motion carries 6-0
MAYOR TICHY____________________________________
NICK FARMERIE, CLERK____________________________________