CITY OF NEW BERN
BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
FEBRUARY 13, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COURTROOM
300 POLLOCK STREET
Meeting opened by Mayor Dana E. Outlaw. Prayer Coordinated by Alderman Bengel. Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call.
3. Request and Petition of Citizens.
This section of the Agenda is titled Requests and Petitions of Citizens. This is an opportunity for public comment, and we thank you for coming to the Board of Aldermen meeting tonight to share your views. We value all citizen input.
Speaker comments are limited to a maximum of 4 minutes during the public comment period. At the conclusion of 4 minutes, each speaker shall leave the podium. Comments will be directed to the full board, not to an individual board member or staff member. Although the board is interested in hearing your comments, speakers should not expect any comments, action or deliberation from the board on any issue raised during the public comment period.
In the board’s discretion, it may refer issues to the appropriate city officials or staff for further investigation. If an organized group is present to speak on a common issue, please designate one person to present the group’s comment, which shall be limited to a maximum of 4 minutes.
Consent Agenda
4. Consider Adopting a Resolution Closing Specific Streets for an Antique Car Show.
(Ward 1) Frederick Wagner, Event Coordinator with First Capital Chapter Antique Automobile Club of America, has requested the 200-300 blocks of Middle Street and 300-400 blocks of Pollock Street be closed on May 12, 2018 from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. for a car show. A memo from Foster Hughes, Director of Parks and Recreation, is attached along with a copy of the event application and a map. (See Backup)
5. Consider Adopting a Resolution Amending the Street Closure for the Black History Month Parade to Include a Rain Date.
(Ward 1) A resolution was adopted on January 23, 2018 approving street closures for the Black History Month Parade scheduled for February 17, 2018. The resolution did not provide for a rain date, and organizers are concerned about the possibility of inclement weather and have requested a rain date of February 24, 2018. The proposed resolution has been amended to include this alternate date. The streets that will be closed to vehicular traffic from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. are the 500 block of Fort Totten Drive, 1300-1800 blocks of Trent Boulevard, 400 block of First Street, 700-1300 blocks of Broad Street, and 400-800 blocks of George Street. (See Backup)
6. Approve Minutes.
Minutes from the January 23, 2018 regular meeting and February 2-3, 2018 retreat are provided for review and approval.
Main Agenda Items
7. Presentation by UNC School of Government on the Development Finance Initiative Project.
In 2015, the City engaged the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative (“DFI”) to evaluate the redevelopment potential of several City-owned properties located downtown. Representatives from the DFI will provide a presentation to briefly review the overall project and then focus on their current efforts, which are centered on the vacant lot located at the intersection of Craven and South Front Streets. (See Backup)
8. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the North Carolina Statewide Emergency Management Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement – Revision 2017.
The City has previously adopted a resolution approving a North Carolina Statewide Emergency Management Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement. This agreement is revised from time to time, and the last revision was approved in August of 2005. Because of changes in local officials and state positions, it has become necessary to once again revise the agreement. Stanley Kite, Craven County’s Emergency Services Director, has forwarded “Revision 2017” to participating local governments. The agreement meets FEMA’s requirements and helps speed up the process for local governments when applying for FEMA reimbursement. (See Backup)
9. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving a Qualified Source for Obtaining the Ethics Training Required by NC General Statute §160A-87.
NC General Statute § 160A-87 requires all members of governing boards to receive a minimum of two clock hours of ethics education within 12 months after initial or subsequent election or appointment to office. The training shall cover laws and principles that govern conflicts of interest and ethical standards of conduct at the local government level. Statute allows for the training to be provided by the NC League of Municipalities or UNC School of Government, among others, or by a qualified source of the governing board’s choosing.
Eastern Carolina Council (“ECC”) is offering training on February 22, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at their office. This training will be conducted by David Baxter, an attorney with Sumrell, Sugg, Carmichael, Hicks & Hart, PA. The board is asked to consider approving this as a qualified source for meeting the mandated training requirements. Currently, three Board members have expressed a desire to attend the training offered through ECC. Any others who wish to sign up for this local training are asked to notify the City Clerk for registration purposes. The Clerk is required by statute to maintain a record verifying receipt of the ethics education by each member of the board. (See Backup)
10. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving a Contract with the NC Department of Environmental Quality for Grant Funds for the Neuse River Gateway Project Phase II.
(Ward 3) On August 9, 2016, the Board authorized the submission of a final application to the NC Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Management Division for the 2016/17 Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Grant. The application was approved, and the City has been awarded $55,000.00. The grant does require a total match of $18,333.33, of which $9,166.66 shall be in-kind services and $9,166.67 shall be cash. Funds will be utilized for the Neuse River Gateway Project Phase II. A memo from Foster Hughes, Director of Parks and Recreation, is attached. (See Backup)
11. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to Creative Economic Development, LLC for a Creative Give Back Grant.
(Ward 3) Staff is seeking approval to submit an application for the Creative Give Back Grant offered by Creative Economic Development, LLC. If received, the grant funds will be utilized to formulate a sustainable organizational and economic development plan for the City Market project. The City Market calls for outdoor vending areas, a market, a commercial kitchen accelerator, and an inventor’s space. This grant can assist with developing the most effective and efficient organization and layout of these elements. While the grant does not require matching funds nor the Board’s consent to apply, it will look favorable in the scoring process to show the Board supports the application. Thus, a resolution is presented for your consideration. A memo from Jeff Ruggieri, Director of Development Services, is provided. (See Backup)
12. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Consider Temporarily Closing 2nd Street Between Rhem Avenue and Trent Boulevard.
(Ward 1) The Ghent Community has long expressed concerns about the volume of traffic on 2nd Street, which is routinely used as a cut-thru between Country Club Road and Trent Boulevard. The neighborhood has voiced concerns about increased traffic volume and safety issues for children and residents. Staff has worked to alleviate some of these issues by installing additional stop signs, posting “No Thru Traffic” signs, increasing police presence, relocating the Public Utilities Department and directing City employees to avoid use of 2nd Street as a means of access to the City Garage. In spite of these efforts, the Ghent Community still has concerns. A 2016 traffic study revealed the street has an average of 1,675 vehicles per day.
At the request of Aldermen Bengel and Aster, a temporary closure of 2nd Street is proposed between Rhem Avenue and Trent Boulevard. This closure will be for a period of 90 days from February 19, 2018 and May 20, 2018. During this time, staff will perform multiple traffic-count studies and will also monitor the impact on adjoining streets. A memo from Matt Montanye, Director of Public Works, is attached. (See Backup)
13. Consider Adopting an Amendment to the Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 and Modifying the Classification Pay Plan.
A recent Market Analysis Pay Study was conducted to provide a comprehensive review and comparable analysis of the City’s present position classifications and pay plan. The City’s salaries were compared with 16 other local governments. To provide data necessary to ensure the competitiveness of New Bern’s salaries with comparable employers, which is imperative for effective recruitment and retention efforts. It also ensures external competitiveness and internal equity and consistency among similar positions. Ninety-nine classifications were recommended for pay grade advances in order to place employees in the appropriate market-based salary range. As a result, employees who are currently below the recommended minimum will need to be brought up to the suggested minimum salary, and salary compression issues will need to be addressed. The total implementation cost for these changes is $308,000 annually. The cost for FY2018 will be approximately $154,000, although some of this expense can be absorbed through position vacancies. To accommodate these changes, a budget amendment is proposed to fund the changes through a reduction in contingency. Additionally, Section 4 of the FY2017-18 Budget Ordinance will be modified to incorporate an updated Classification Pay Plan. Memos from Sonya Hayes, Director of Human Resources, and J.R. Sabatelli, Director of Finance, are attached along with a copy of the Market Analysis Pay Study and proposed changes to the Classification Pay Plan. (See Backup)
14. Consider Adopting a Budget Ordinance Amendment for FY 2017-18 General Fund.
This budget ordinance amendment appropriates funds to the Police Department. Fund balance in the amount of $66,500 will be transferred to cover the replacement of an interview room camera system at a cost of $47,000, $4,500 for three additional surveillance cameras for the George Street property, and $15,000 for special operations. Additionally, the amendment appropriates $240,000 for salary expenditures, which will be funded through $201,500 from contingency and $38,500 from unspent funds budgeted for the election. A memo from Mr. Sabatelli is attached. (See Backup)
15. Appointment(s).
a) Victor Taylor represented the Board of Aldermen on the New Bern-Craven County Public Library Board of Trustees. The Board is asked to make an appointment to replace Mr. Taylor. The new appointee shall serve as a trustee for the duration of their term of office. The Library Board meets the first Tuesday of alternate months beginning with February. The meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and are held at the library. Any Board member who is absent for more than three consecutive meetings during the year will be removed from the Board. (See Backup)
b) Based on the rotation schedule, Alderman Best is asked to make an appointment to the Appearance Commission. The number of members on this commission was recently increased from five to seven, and one of these positions is unfilled. The Ordinance provides appointees shall be residents of the City’s planning and zoning jurisdiction and shall, when possible, have had special training or experience in a design field such as architecture, landscape design, horticulture, city planning, or a closely-related field. Members of the Appearance Commission serve a three-year term. The commission currently holds its meetings at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Parks and Recreation’s administrative offices. (See Backup)
c) Peggy Broadway’s term on the Appearance Commission will expire March 1, 2018. Appointments are made on a rotating basis, and Alderman Odham is asked to fill this seat. Pursuant to the ordinance, appointees shall be residents of the City’s planning and zoning jurisdiction and shall, when possible, have had special training or experience in a design field such as architecture, landscape design, horticulture, city planning, or a closely-related field. Members of the Appearance Commission serve a three-year term. The commission currently holds its meetings at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Parks and Recreation’s administrative offices. (See Backup)
d) The Board is asked to appoint a representative to the Highway 17 Association. While Bernard White previously represented the City in this capacity, appointees are not restricted to elected officials and can be a member of the local government’s management team or staff. Meetings are held quarterly, usually on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by lunch. The meeting location rotates within the Hwy. 17 corridor area. The next two meetings are scheduled for April 18th and June 27th. (See Backup)
16. Attorney’s Report.
17. City Manager’s Report.
18. New Business.
19. Closed Session.
20. Adjourn.
2018-02-07
Thanks again for this !