19 Dec December 19th, 2011 Minutes

THE FOUR HUNDRED AND SECOND SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN

VILLAGE OF ALAMANCE
December 19, 2011 – 7:00 PM

Present: Mayor Bundren, Mayor Pro-Tem Sharpe, Alderman Jones, Alderman Slaughter, Alderman Clemmons, Alderman Tichy, Alderman Crouse, Alderman Gregory and Clerk York.

Alderman Clemmons gave the invocation.

Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe moved to approve the November 28, 2011 meeting minutes. Alderman Crouse seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Recognition of Outgoing Board Member

Mayor Bundren presented Alderman Ritchie Jones with a plaque. The plaque read: “To Ritchie Jones, Alderman, 2003-2011, in appreciation of your service to the Village of Alamance.” Alderman Jones expressed his thanks. The Board and those in attendance at the meeting applauded Alderman Jones. Alderman Jones spoke of the changes and growth in the Village that he has seen. He said he has enjoyed his service and promised to visit. Alderman Jones stated that he had learned a lot and it had been fun. Mayor Bundren said it had been a real joy to have Alderman Jones on the Board.

Swearing In of Mayor and New Board Members

Clerk York administered the Oath of Office to Cathera R. Bundren, Mayor. This was followed by the signing of the oath by Mayor Bundren.

Clerk York administered the Oath of Office to Chris Clemmons, Board of Alderman. This was followed by the signing of the oath by Alderman Clemmons.

Clerk York administered the Oath of Office to Barry Crouse, Board of Alderman. This was followed by the signing of the oath by Alderman Crouse.

Clerk York then administered the Oath of Office to incoming Alderman, Davis Gregory. Mrs. Gregory held the Bible. Mr. Gregory’s family was present for the oath. The audience applauded the newest member of the Board and the returning members as they began their official duties. Individual board members extended their congratulations to Alderman Gregory. Mayor Bundren informed Alderman Gregory that he would be the Commissioner for Planning and Zoning. Clerk York stated that he would be providing Alderman Gregory with copies of all of the ordinances. Mayor Bundren added that Alderman Gregory would attend meetings of the Planning Board. Attorney Charles Bateman said that Clerk York would be scheduling Ethics Training for each Board member that has been re-elected and newly elected. Mayor Bundren asked the Board members if any one wanted to exchange positions as Commissioner. She reviewed the current assignments for the Commissioners. The Board members seemed to be comfortable with the current assignments.

Mayor Bundren stated that the next item on the agenda was electing a Mayor Pro Tem. Naydine Sharpe has been serving as Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Bundren asked if anyone else had a desire to serve in this capacity. Alderman Crouse moved to reelect Naydine Sharpe as Mayor Pro Tem. The motion was seconded by Alderman Tichy. The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Bundren took a few moments to acknowledge how the Village is beautifully decorated for Christmas. She especially noted the decorations in the Historic District. She said it is so welcoming to cross the bridge and see all of the Christmas lights. Mayor Bundren said that she wanted the record to reflect the great job the residents of the historic district had done with the decorations. Alderman Slaughter commented that they will have luminaries out for Friday and Saturday nights. Mayor Bundren said the Historic District had “outdone themselves” this year.

OLD BUSINESS

Report on Cabin Pump Station Project

Mark Reich updated the Board. He met last week with the subcommittee, including Mayor Bundren, Alderman Clemmons, Alderman Crouse, and Clerk York. They reviewed possible options relative to the Pump Station. There was discussion about the option of putting a siphon at the NC 62 Pump Station. This will be highly unlikely due to the grades. Because of this, they are looking at shifting the location of the siphon approximately 1000 feet downstream. This is the same conclusion that Haywood had previously suggested, as noted by Mayor Bundren. The cost of doing this may be prohibitive, from the standpoint of comparison to upgrading the existing pump station. Upgrading the existing pump station may be the least expensive alternative. They also talked about relocating the pump station and putting in a siphon to eliminate the Cabin Road Pump Station. This option appears to be more favorable. There is sufficient grade to get the siphon installed. The other possible alternative to consider, from a cost analysis standpoint, is to compare this to a pump station, as well. Mr. Reich said they are in the process of analyzing the numbers and offering a final report. Mayor Bundren thanked Mr. Reich.

ORC Report

Arnold Allred said that his report was the kind he liked to give and that the Board liked to receive. Everything seems to be working well. November and December have been good months, with everything working well. Mayor Bundren stated that this was the kind of report she liked to hear.

Municipal Bonds

This item was tabled for the next meeting.

There was no other old business.

NEW BUSINESS

Approval of Board Meeting Schedule for 2012

Clerk York referred to the Board Meeting Schedule included in the packets. Mayor Bundren reminded the Board that the meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of each month, except for May and December. Meetings have been moved to the third Monday for May and December. Alderman Clemmons made the motion to approve the Board Meeting Schedule as presented. Alderman Slaughter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Finance Report

Clerk York explained there was not a Finance Report included in the packet, because there were no CDs to report. He updated the Board on placing a light pole at Serenity Drive. Clerk York met with a representative from Duke Power and has spoken with the homeowner and Mr. Faircloth. A wood pole will be placed at the property line. It will be in a location so that it will not have to be moved because of future development. It will be a 100 watt, high pressure sodium light. Mayor Bundren asked if the light would be the same as the others already out there and if it would be a different color. Clerk York said it would be a regular light, but one of the new kind they now put up. The cost will be $14.04 per month; there is no installation charge. This is a three year agreement. Mayor Bundren asked if the pricing was consistent with costs for the other lights. Clerk York said the cost is more, because of rate increases. Mayor Bundren asked Clerk York to go back and check on the pricing, ensuring that this is being connected to the other lights, with payment being as a “bundled” rate.

Clerk York also reported that a resident has asked about putting a stop sign on Kendele Court. Mayor Bundren stated that this was a safety issue. Alderman Clemmons asked if there had been a stop sign there before. Clerk York said the resident informed him there was one there previously. Clerk York detailed the location, saying there is a 4-way stop, with stop signs on two sides, but not on Kendele Court. Several years ago, someone either hit the stop sign or took it down. The person in question no longer lives there. Mayor Bundren asked if two stop signs were needed to make it a true 4-way stop. She said the stop signs should be replaced. Clerk York will make the call to get the stop signs replaced.

OTHER BUSINESS

Alderman Slaughter said that she has been working on luminaries for the Historic District. Some of the people she has been working with, in the Historic area, wanted her to voice their concern about the house located at 3962 S NC 62 is empty and looking really bad. They want the Board to understand their concerns, asking if there was anything the Board could do. Alderman Clemmons asked if the house was bank-owned. Mayor Bundren said that Senecal bought it. She asked if the question was whether the house was condemnable. Alderman Slaughter said the house was looking pretty bad. Alderman Clemmons said that he had noticed this house recently, too. Mayor Bundren asked if a letter could be written to Senecal, asking him to improve his property. Attorney Bateman suggested that the County be contacted, relating to inspection for minimum housing standards. Alderman Crouse said that Ronnie Senecal has bought several houses and is in the process of fixing them up. It was suggested that Mr. Senecal be contacted first, before calling the County. This way, the Board could learn what his plans are, for the house. Clerk York agreed to follow up on this concern.

Clerk York said that someone had mentioned the plywood on the side of the building at Fogleman’s upholstery. He has called the County Inspector. The Village of Alamance has a contract with Alamance County to do inspections. They inspect according to the State Building Code. The County does not have the ability to enforce the minimum housing code. It would be up to the Village to enforce the code. Mayor Bundren said that the inspection would be step one.

Public Comment

Mayor Bundren acknowledged the Christmas tree outside the home of Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe’s son, Jeff. He placed a trampoline and added lights on a pole for a tree shape. Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe said there were 22 sets of lights on the tree.

At this point, the Mayor presented a Christmas gift to Clerk Ben York and Judy Cobb, thanking them for their hard work. Clerk York and Judy Cobb expressed their thanks to the Mayor and the Board of Alderman.

Alderman Crouse moved to adjourn and Alderman Gregory seconded. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned for the annual Christmas party. Mayor Bundren thanked Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe, Judy Cobb, Peggy May, and Clerk York for their work in preparing for the Christmas party.