THE FIVE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEENTH SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN

VILLAGE OF ALAMANCE

June 28, 2021 – 7:00 PM

Present: Mayor Tichy, Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe, Alderman Andrews, Alderman Baldwin,

Alderman Isley, Alderman Crouse, and Clerk York.

 

Absent: Alderman Tichy

 

Invocation and Call to Order given by Mark Reich

 

A motion was made to approve the May 24, 2021 meeting minutes by Alderman Crouse, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 5-0

 

A motion was made to go into Public Hearing for the 2021-2022 Budget by Alderman Andrews, seconded by Alderman Baldwin. Motion carries 5-0

 

Clerk York stated the main changes to the budget were the expectations of receiving at least one distribution of Covid Relief funding of $150,000.00 with the possibility of a second payment later in the year. The general fund remains largely unchanged, except for the 5% increase in staff wages and the change in the recycle charge from $2.71 to $5.66.  The water and sewer rates will increase 1%. Water rates will increase from $5.81 to $5.87 and sewer rates from $6.89 to $6.96 The tap rates for water and sewer connections outside the Village will have double the charge.

 

A motion made was by Alderman Andrews, seconded by Alderman Baldwin to go back into regular session. Motion carries 5-0

 

A motion made to approve the budget as presented made by Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe, seconded by Alderman Crouse. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

 

Engineer Report

 

Mr. Reich stated the water permit for phase 5C in Heritage Glen has been received and they have started the construction. The paving project for Heritage Glen has been sent out to 11 bidders and 5 contractors and 1 sub-contractor have downloaded the plans. The streets to be paved are Freedom Drive, Century court and English court. There will also be alternate bids for Midland court, Amesbury Dr and Cornerstone Dr. If these bids are within reason they will awarded at the next meeting. A pre bid meeting will be held at Mr. Reich’s office June 30^th at 3pm and the bid opening will be held at the town hall July 21^st at 2pm.

Mr. Reich stated he had only received one bid for the sidewalk project, and it is much higher than what the Village paid for the previous work done. He has reached out to other contractors but has not received anything back at this time. Mr. Reich stated most other contractors were either to busy to take on the project or it was too small for them. Concrete has increased in price which is making it challenging to bid $30,000 portions of work.  Mayor Tichy stated the work could be postponed until the fall. Mr. Reich stated all encroachment agreements have been signed for the portion of sidewalk work.

 

Mr. Reich stated that he had spoken to Ben and there should be another $300,000 in funds to work on infrastructure needs. Mr. Dennis Riddell would like the Village to submit any projects that the money could be used towards. Clerk York asked for any input from the board as to past ideas that have been discussed.

 

Alderman Baldwin asked if there was any information on paving Hwy 62. Mr. Reich stated there was not. Clerk York stated he would check on the status of that paving project.

 

 

ORC Report

 

Mr. Allred was not present for the meeting however his reports were sent in and everything looks good.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Audit Contract 2020

 

Clerk York stated the audit contract would possibly be higher for 2020 due to the extra work the firm would have to do based on the federal money the Village may receive due to Covid.

 

A motion was made to accept the audit contract as presented by Alderman Baldwin, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 5-0

 

Radar Speed Signs

 

Clerk York stated he had 3 quotes for a radar speed sign. He recommends going with Radar Sign for the portable unit. The unit comes with 2 batteries and each last for up to two weeks at a time so they can be switched out regularly with no interruption. The signs are easy to move once the equipment is mounted to a pole. They collect data on the amount of traffic and speeds and sends it to a computer. The total cost is $3,200 from radar sign.

 

Alderman Isley asked if the sign would be locked into place on the pole to keep it from being stolen. Mayor Tichy stated it would be and everything has been done to prevent theft of these types of signs. Alderman Isley asked id solar would be a better power source. Mayor Tichy stated it had been considered but the battery is simple and can be changed as it is moved from place to place. Clerk York stated there are permanent mounted solar choices, but the Village is only considering one sign for now and it will need to be mobile. Alderman Crouse asked if Duke Power would be willing to have these signs mounted to their poles. Mayor Tichy stated they would most likely be mounted to traffic sign poles. Alderman Isley asked if the signs had any other information on it like a flashing slow down sign. Clerk York stated these signs do not, but you can get permanent signs with those messages. Clerk York stated the permanent signs were about $1,000 more than the mobile sign. Alderman Crouse asked if the Village would cease to use the Sherriff dept sign for speeding if this one is purchased. Mayor Tichy stated the Sherriff could place the sign anywhere they choose but the sign for the Village would be specifically to determine speed data in certain areas.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe asked if the sign was necessary. Mayor Tichy stated he thought it would be beneficial to help isolate trouble spots to report to the Sheriff dept so they could watch the problem areas.

 

A motion was made to authorize the purchase of the radar sign but no second was made. It will be held over until the next meeting.

 

 

Yard Waste Contract

 

Clerk York stated the yard waste contract with Republic was coming to an end and they did not seem interested in continuing. They have bumped up the rate from $145 an hour to $165 an hour and the disposal rate from $39 to $43. Clerk York has a quote from Christopher Howell at $115 an hour for yard waste and bulk pick up and the Village will pay the disposal fees. Clerk York stated that Mr. Howell had previously done this work for the Village with great customer satisfaction.

 

Clerk York stated Republic had overcharged the Village for many months and he finally gotten the credit for that straightened out. There have also been several complaints about the service from Republic. Clerk York recommends going with Mr. Howell’s service.

 

A motion was made to accept the contract with Christopher Howell made by Alderman Baldwin, seconded by Alderman Andrews. Motion carries 5-0

 

Zoning Ordinance Committee

 

Clerk York stated the zoning ordinance committee would be comprised of some Board members and Planning Board members. They would review the drafts and ask questions and mark it with possible adjustments before the finished product is to be presented before the full board of alderman and planning board. The proposed board would have Mr. Reich, Attorney Koonts and Clerk York along with 2 Alderman, Mayor Tichy, The Chair of the planning board Mr. Walters and 2 other planning board members. The Boards can choose themselves who will sit on this committee.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe and Alderman Isley volunteered to sit on the committee. Clerk York will get volunteers from Mr. Walters in the coming week.

Finance Report/Budget Amendment

 

Clerk York stated there were three amendments to the budget. The first is to Burlington for the water and sewer for $300. Utilities will have $2000.00 added to it, the tax bill and collection will have $1000 added to it. The Capital expenditure fund will be reduced from $73,232.14 to $64,232.14 to cover moving funds into the other accounts.

 

Motion to accept the budget as amended made by Alderman Crouse, seconded by Alderman Baldwin. Motion carries 5-0

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Sherry Ford of 3968 Hwy 62 stated her water smelled bad around June 15-17 and that a sign at Macintosh Clubhouse stated do not drink the water. Clerk York stated he was not aware of any water problems from Burlington but would check with them.

 

Mrs. Ford asked if the land use plan would coordinate with the new zoning ordinance. Clerk York stated they work together and would not be out of compliance with each other.

 

Mrs. Ford stated she was pleased the board considered getting a speeding sign but was disappointed with the vote.

 

Lacie Steiger of 3965 Hwy 62 asked what the data was from the sheriffs speeding signs. Mayor Tichy stated there was no data from the signs.

 

Alderman Isley asked if there was any data from that time frame on speeding tickets. Clerk York stated he would check on that.

 

 

Motion made to adjourn Alderman Crouse, seconded by Alderman Baldwin. Motion carried 5-0

 

                                                                      Don Tichy, Mayor

 

 

___________________________________Ben York, Village Clerk