CITY OF NEW BERN
BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
APRIL 10, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COURTROOM
300 POLLOCK STREET
 
(Note: Links expire when the next agenda is posted)
1. Meeting opened by Mayor Dana E. Outlaw.  Prayer Coordinated by Alderman Kinsey.  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 Approving a Proclamation for National Day of Prayer 2018.
Tharesa Lee has requested a proclamation for National Day of Prayer, which will be observed on May 3, 2018 in Union Point Park. (See Backup)
5. Consider Approving a Proclamation for National Minority Health Month.
Alderman Harris has requested a proclamation acknowledging April as National Minority Health Month.  Several events are planned throughout the month of April. (See Backup)
6. Consider Approving a Proclamation for Boys & Girls Club Week 2018.
Representatives from the local Boys & Girls Club organization requested a proclamation recognizing April 9-13, 2018 as Boys & Girls Club Week in New Bern. (See Backup)
7. Submission of Annual Written Report from Appearance Commission.
Pursuant to City ordinance, the Appearance Commission is required to provide a report of activities to the Board of Aldermen no later than April 15th of each year as mandated by NCGS §160A-454.  The attached report satisfies this requirement.  This is informational only, and no action is needed from the Board. (See Backup)
8. Approve Minutes.
Minutes from the March 27, 2018 regular meeting are provided for review and approval.
 
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9. Presentation on Little Free Library Expansion Project.
Judy Hills, Friends of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library Board Member, will share a PowerPoint presentation on the Little Free Library expansion project, which is a free book exchange. (See Backup)
10. Conduct a Public Hearing, Consider Adopting a Statement of Zoning Consistency, and Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Rezone 107 and 109 Beech Street from R-6S Residential and I-1 Industrial Districts to C-3 Commercial District.
(Ward 5) This public hearing was called after receiving a request from Michael Stephens, the owner of 107 and 109 Beech Street, to have the property rezoned from R-6S Residential and I-1 Industrial to C-3 Commercial District.  The property is located near the corner of Beech Street and Oaks Road and consists of approximately 1.14 acres.  The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved the request at its March 6, 2018 meeting. State statute and local ordinance require the Governing Board to hold a public hearing to receive comments on the requested rezoning.  A memo from Morgan Potts, City Planner, is attached along with a map of the subject property. (See Backup)
11. Conduct a Public Hearing, Consider Adopting a Statement of Zoning Consistency, and Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Rezone 1225 S. Glenburnie Road from R-6 Residential and C-4 Neighborhood Business District to C-3 Commercial District.
(Ward 4) The City of New Bern owns the property located at 1225 S. Glenburnie Road.  This public hearing was called after the City’s request to have the property rezoned from R-6 Residential and C-4 Neighborhood Business Districts to C-3 Commercial District.  The property is located near the corner of Neuse Boulevard and S. Glenburnie Road and consists of approximately 4.77 acres.  This is the subject property for the proposed relocation of the City Garage.  The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved the request at its March 6, 2018 meeting.  State statute and local ordinance require the Governing Board to hold a public hearing to receive comments on the requested rezoning.  A memo from Mrs. Potts is attached along with a map of the subject property. (See Backup)
12. Conduct a Public Hearing and Consider Adopting an Amendment to Article XXI, Section 15-463 “Design Guidelines and Performance Standards – Trent Road Corridor” of the Land Use Ordinance.
On March 6, 2018, staff presented to the Planning and Zoning (“P&Z”) Board proposed changes to the Land Use Ordinance with respect to the design guidelines and performance standards for the Trent Road corridor.  At that time, P&Z voted unanimously to approve the changes.  The next step is for the Board of Aldermen to conduct a public hearing and consider approval of the changes.  A memo from Mrs. Potts is attached along with copies of the proposed ordinance changes and a redlined version to easily identify those changes. (See Backup)
13. Conduct a Public Hearing on the System Development Fee Analysis and Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Analysis.
In July 2017, the NC General Assembly passed House Bill 436 amending Chapter 162A of the General Statutes by adding “Article 8, System Development Fees”.  This new article intends to provide for uniform authority with respect to implementing system development fees for public water and sewer systems, as well as clarify the applicable statute of limitations.  The amendment requires a written analysis be performed to calculate the system development fee based upon prescriptive criteria.  In response to this requirement, the City employed Rivers & Associates, Inc. to perform a professional analysis.  Prior to considering adoption of the analysis, House Bill 436 requires the local government post the analysis on its webpage for public review and comment for a minimum of 45 days.  This period has been completed and no written comments were received.  The City is now required to hold a public hearing prior to consideration of adopting the analysis.    A memo from Jordan Hughes, City Engineer, is attached. (See Backup)
14. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Conceptual Master Plan for Martin Marietta Park.
(Ward 5) At the March 19, 2018 work session, McGill Associates presented a master plan for the Martin Marietta Park.  Prior to considering adoption, the conceptual plan will again be reviewed in some detail.  A memo from Foster Hughes, Director of Parks and Recreation, is attached along with a copy of the presentation. (See Backup 1) (See Backup 2)
15. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with Morton Trucking, Inc. for the 2018 Street Resurfacing Project and Any Changes Within the Budgeted Amount.
(Wards 1-5)  Certified bids have been received for the 2018 street resurfacing project.  Morton Trucking, Inc. submitted the lowest bid at $976,130, and the Board is asked to consider adopting a resolution authorizing the City to enter into a contract with the bidder.  The project is slated to begin within 30 days and has a contract period of 180 days.  A memo from Matt Montanye, Director of Public Works, is provided and includes a list of the streets to be resurfaced. (See Backup)
16. Consider Adopting an Ordinance for the Demolition of the Dwelling Located at 1607-1609 Dillahunt Street.
(Ward 5) This matter was before the Board of Aldermen at its February 27, 2018 meeting.  After hearing from the owner during that meeting, the Board tabled this matter to allow the City Attorney an opportunity to contact the Bankruptcy Trustee to ascertain the Trustee’s intentions regarding the property.  Mr. Davis will be available to provide a verbal report of the status, if desired.
As a reminder, the property at 1607 Dillahunt Street (also known as 1607-1609 Dillahunt Street) has been vacant since 1999 and a concern for the Police Department since 2001.  Staff has worked with the owners from January 2005 to late 2016 to both secure the building and bring it into compliance.  A formal letter of violation was sent to the owners on August 31, 2015, and a hearing was conducted with the Chief Building Inspector on November 19, 2015, at which time the owners were granted six months to comply with the code.  On May 10, 2016, this order was extended until August 19, 2016 to provide the owners an additional three months’ time.  However, to date no permits have been applied for and work has not been initiated.  Attached are a memo from Mr. Ruggieri, a chronological list of events, and pictures of the property. (See Backup)
17. Consider Adopting an Ordinance Amending the 2017 Water Improvements Project Fund.
The 2017 Water Improvements Project Fund was established by ordinance on January 24, 2017 with a budget of $1,570,000 for repair and replacement of water infrastructure at various locations.  Additional funds in the amount of $617,737 have been deemed necessary to complete the final phase.  This budget ordinance will appropriate those funds from the Water Capital Reserve Fund.  Memos from Jordan Hughes, City Engineer, and J.R. Sabatelli, Director of Finance, are attached. (See Backup)
18. Consider Adopting an Ordinance Amending the 2017 Sewer Improvements Project Fund.
The 2017 Sewer Improvements Project Fund was also established by ordinance on January 24, 2017 with a budget of $1,400,000 for the repair and replacement of sewer infrastructure at various locations.  Additional funds in the amount of $611,059 have been deemed necessary to complete the final phase.  This budget ordinance will appropriate those funds from the Sewer Capital Reserve Fund.  Again, memos from Mr. Hughes and Mr. Sabatelli are attached. (See Backup)
19. Consider Adopting a Budget Ordinance Amendment for the FY2017-18 Operating Budget.
This budget ordinance amendment provides for the transfers from the Water and Sewer Capital Reserve Funds to the 2017 Water and Sewer Improvements Project Funds as described in the previous two items.  It also acknowledges a $14,000 grant received by the Fire Department from the NC Department of Public Safety.  The grant requires no match, and the funds will be used to provide training opportunities in water rescue and urban search and rescue.  Lastly, the amendment appropriates $450,000 to Stormwater Maintenance for the purchase of a new Vactor Truck.  The current truck is in need of major repairs, and it is felt best to replace the truck. Delivery of a new truck will take 8-10 months, and the purchase will be paid for by transferring $200,000 from fund balance and obtaining $240,000 from 2019 debt service proceeds.  A memo from Mr. Sabatelli is attached. (See Backup)
20. Appointment(s).
Nancy Gray has resigned from the Historic Preservation Commission as a result of relocating to a different city.  Alderman Kinsey is asked to make an appointment to fill this vacancy.
21. Attorney’s Report.
22. City Manager’s Report.
23. New Business.
24. Closed Session.
25. Adjourn.

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