THE FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIFTH SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN

VILLAGE OF ALAMANCE
May 20, 2019 – 7:00 PM

Present: Mayor Tichy, Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe, Alderman Andrews, Alderman Isley, Alderman Baldwin, and Clerk York.

Absent: Alderman Crouse, Alderman Tichy

Mr. Reich gave the invocation.

A motion was made to approve the February 25, 2019, March 25, 2019 and April 29, 2019 minutes by Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe, seconded by Alderman Baldwin.  Motion carries 4-0

OLD BUSINESS

Village Website

Clerk York stated that the website was ready, and he has been trained on using it. QS1 sent the wrong credit card processor for taking payments in the office and now we are waiting to receive the correct one. Clerk York will be trained on using it. The website site, online payments and in office payments should be ready to use by June. The Board asked if a bright notice could be added to the calendar, as an extra attachment, to inform people about the new website and payment options. Clerk York stated it would be done.

ENGINEER REPORT

Mr. Reich stated he is trying to get in touch with Dale Boone to set a date to start the sidewalk project. He has all the easements, except Mrs. Fords, and the bulk of the work can be started. Mr. Reich stated that some of the sidewalk is still in good shape and could possibly be left as is around Mrs. Fords retaining wall. Mayor Tichy stated that the contractor could give an estimate on repairing Mrs. Fords retaining wall, at her expense, to see if that would encourage her to move forward with the easement.

Mr. Reich stated that some paving work had been done on Aramanche Dr. in Heritage Glen, and he is trying to set a date to finish the rest of the paving work. The contractors are overwhelmed with work that was postponed due to months of rainy weather and are behind on all projects. There is currently no date set to finish the work. Mr. Reich will update when he hears back from the contractor.

Alderman Andrews asked if there were any updates on the inquiry to buy the land across from Heritage Glen. Clerk York stated the developer had called him to inquire about fees for various things. The developer has stated that he would only want water, no sewer service.  There have been no formal submissions to purchase the land.

Montessori School

There are no new updates for the school.

Water Tower Update

Clerk York stated that lead and chromium were found in the samples taken by Scotty Wilkerson. The estimate to restore the tank was between $175,000 and $250,000, which may be on the conservative side. There could be additional cost incurred in blasting and prepping the tank for painting due to the location of residential properties.

There will also be a forth coming estimate for the removal of the water tower to give the Board some options.

Alderman Isley asked if C.T. Nassau still owned the tower. Clerk York stated they did. The Village does not own the land or the tank. Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe and Alderman Isley stated it would probably be more cost effective to remove the tank instead of refurbishing and maintaining it. Mayor Tichy stated that the Village would need to consider taking ownership of the land and tank before investing in it.

Alderman Baldwin asked if there were any grants to help with the take down or refurbishing of the tank. Clerk York stated he had looked into that but found none. Mr. Reich stated due to the lead found in the sample taken that Impact Alamance might be willing to help with some of the cost. They are a non-profit organization that work with different municipalities to enhance their communities.

The board will wait for a quote on the cost to take the tower down before moving forward on any decision.

ORC Report

Mr. Allred was not present to give a report. Mayor Tichy stated he had reviewed the report submitted and found no issues that needed to be addressed.

NEW BUSINESS

Presentation of Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Budget

Clerk York stated that a 3% raise for the staff had been approved. The water rate will increase from $5.59 to $5.70 and the sewer rate will increase from $6.60 to $6.75, a 2% overall increase. Clerk York stated there was a drop in the amount of water sold last year due to the rain curbing the use of irrigation. The projections for water usage this year will stay the same as last years projection. Clerk York stated that when he budgets for usage he tries to give a 5% cushion to cover any loss in revenue. The amounts for engineering services will remain the same for the new years budget as well.

Set Public Hearing on 2019-2020 Budget

Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe made a motion to set a public hearing for the 2019-2020 budget on June 24^th, 2019 seconded by Alderman Isley. Motion carries4-0

Finance Report/Budget Amendment

Clerk York stated that postage had increased causing the need to make a $1500.00 amendment to the postage budget.

The Utility locator bill increased due to the laying of fiber optic cable causing the need to increase the yearly budget to $21,500.00 for the year.

A motion to approve the May 20^th, 2019 budget amendment was made by Alderman Baldwin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe. Motion carries 4-0

OTHER BUSINESS

Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe asked when the next bulk pick up was scheduled. Clerk York stated that he has them every three months, making the next pick up in July. Mayor Pro Tem Sharpe asked if they would take TV’s. Clerk York stated they do not. Mr. Reich stated that Burlington does an electronics recycle program in June. Clerk York stated that he would inquire with Burlington on the exact dates for that and relay the information through social media because it would be to late for the newsletter.

Alderman Isley stated that he noticed that the gutter was hanging loose on the building. Clerk York stated that he would have it fixed.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment

Motion made to adjourn made by Alderman Andrews, seconded by Alderman Isley. Motion passed 4-0