CITY OF NEW BERN
BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
JANUARY 23, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COURTROOM
300 POLLOCK STREET
1. Meeting opened by Mayor Dana E. Outlaw. Prayer Coordinated by Alderman Bengel. Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call. All present, with Ward 6 Alderman Jeffrey Odham dialing in remotely.
Consent Agenda – Approved 7-0
3. Approve Adopting a Resolution Closing Specific Streets for the Annual Black History Month Parade on February 17, 2018.
(Wards 1 and 2) Victor Taylor, Chairman of Vision Forward, has requested streets be closed for the annual Black History Month Parade from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2018. Streets to be closed to vehicular traffic 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. A copy of the application, map of the route and memo from Foster Hughes, Director of Parks and Recreation, are provided. (See Backup)
4. Consider Adopting a Resolution Closing Specific Streets for the Ghent Neighborhood Association Mardi Gras Parade on March 3, 2018.
(Ward 1) On behalf of the Ghent Neighborhood Association, Michael Genest has requested the 1400-1800 blocks of Spencer Avenue be closed to vehicular traffic on March 3, 2018 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. for the association’s annual Mardi Gras Parade and block party. A memo from Mr. Hughes, a copy of the application and a parade map are included in the backup documentation. (See Backup)
5. Consider Adopting a Resolution Closing Specific Streets for the Great Glow Run on March 10, 2018.
(Ward 1) Rachel Cox, Development Manager with Easter Seals UCP, has requested specific streets be closed on March 10, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. for the annual Great Glow Run. The streets to be closed are the 200-700 blocks of East Front Street, 800 block of North Craven Street, 700-800 blocks of Howard Street, 100-600 blocks of Queen Street, and 600-800 blocks of George Street. This is a fundraiser for Easter Seals and also promotes awareness. A memo from Mr. Hughes is attached. (See Backup)
6. Consider Adopting a Resolution Closing Specific Streets for the Neuse River Bridge Run on March 24, 2018.
(Ward 1) The Neuse River Bridge Run is slated for March 24, 2018. Accordingly, Gary Kenefick, Chairperson for the event, has requested the 200 block of East Front Street be closed from 4 a.m. to 12 noon and the 200 block of South Front Street be closed from 5 a.m. until 12 noon. The organizers also plan to hold a “Super Kids Run” on March 23, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Union Point Park, and the Director of Parks and Recreation has authorized the closure of the park streets during this time. A memo from Mr. Hughes is attached. (See Backup)
7. Consider Approving a Proclamation for International Civitan Clergy Appreciation Week.
On behalf of New Bern Civitan Club, Bob Whitley has requested a proclamation recognizing International Civitan Clergy Appreciation Week from January 28 – February 3, 2018. (See Backup)
8. Consider Approving a Proclamation for the Rotary Club District Conference.
Lee Martin Adams with Rotary International District 7720 has requested a proclamation for the club’s upcoming district conference. The conference will be held in New Bern on May 4-6, 2018. (See Backup)
9. Approve Minutes.
Minutes from the January 9, 2018 meeting are available for review and approval.
Regular Agenda
10. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Sale of 508 Third Avenue.
Approved 7-0
(Ward 2) After receiving an offer in the amount of $2,500.00 from Tonyah L. Dillahunt, the Board adopted a resolution on December 12, 2017 to initiate the upset bid process for 508 Third Avenue. The offer was advertised, but no additional bids have been received.
The property is a vacant lot owned solely by the City of New Bern, having been acquired in 2011 as part of a CDBG program to realign Third Avenue. The offer represents approximately 62.50% of the tax value, which is $4,000.00. If the property is sold for the initial offer, the City will receive $2,308.88 after paying advertising costs of $191.12. A memo from Brenda Blanco, City Clerk, is provided along with the offer to purchase, maps of the property, and the tax card. (See Backup)
11. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Eminent Domain Certification for the Workforce Development Training Center Project.
Approved 7-0
(Ward 3) The Economic Development Administration (“EDA”) has requested an owner’s certification regarding eminent domain for the Workforce Development Training Center Project (also known as the VOLT). The certification provides that the City has not and will not use any available power of eminent domain for the purpose of advancing the economic interests of private parties in connection with any property comprising the VOLT project. It also certifies that the City does not anticipate it will be required to use eminent domain in connection with the project, but provides that the City will immediately contact the EDA’s regional office if an available power of eminent domain may be used. A memo from Jeff Ruggieri, Director of Development Services, is attached. (See Backup)
12. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the Installation of a Street Light on Church Hill Court.
Approved 7-0
(Ward 4) Residents have requested additional street lighting in the area of Church Hill Court. The Department of Public Utilities evaluated the area and determined the current lighting met the City’s light standard. However, the Police Department recommends additional lighting for public safety. The installation of lights will cost $1,291.63, and the monthly utility charge for service will be $8.44. A memo from Carl Toler, Acting Director of Public Utilities, is attached along with other supporting documentation. (See Backup)
13. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving a Transportation Improvement Project – Municipal Agreement with NC Department of Transportation Under Project 47112.3.1.
Approved 7-0 See story
(Wards 1 and 3) This item was on the January 9, 2018 agenda, but was tabled until this meeting to allow for additional information to be provided by staff. Jeff Ruggieri, Director of Development Services, is preparing a summary to describe how this agreement is intertwined with the Workforce Development Center on First Street, which is partially funded through an EDA grant. That summary will be provided under separate cover.
As a reminder, the agreement is relative to the First Street Road Diet project. The terms of the agreement provide for NCDOT to design and construct the entirety of the road diet, which will reduce four travel lines to three and will add bike lanes and sidewalks along First Street from Neuse Boulevard to Pembroke Avenue. Upon completion of the project, the City will reimburse DOT $260,000.00 of the cost. Additionally, the City will assume maintenance of the sidewalks and will relocate and adjust all City-owned utilities that conflict with the project. (See Backup)
14. Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Amend the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Demand Side Management (“AMI/DSM”) Project Fund.
Approved 7-0
The AMI/DSM project is a multi-year project with a current budget of $9,050,000. The Department of Utilities has requested an additional $1,006,000 to cover costs related to adding more customers to the system since the onset of the project. These additional funds will be provided through a transfer of $610,000 from the Water Fund, $375,000 from the Electric Fund and $21,000 from interest earnings. A memo from J.R. Sabatelli, Director of Finance, is attached. (See Backup)
15. Consider Adopting an Ordinance Amending the FY18 Electric, Water and Sewer Funds Operating Budgets.
Approved 7-0 See related story
This budget amendment provides for the transfer of funds referenced in the previous item. It also appropriates $432,000 from fund balance to Sewer Collection System Maintenance to cover emergency costs related to a sinkhole repair at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and appropriates $75,224 to the Electric Fund for expenses related to the Slocum Gate Project, which were funded through a reimbursement from NCDOT. A memo from Mr. Sabatelli is attached. (See Backup)
16. Appointment(s).
a) Two appointments are needed to the New Bern Appearance Commission. 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. (See Backup)
b) 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)
17. Attorney’s Report.
18. City Manager’s Report.
19. New Business.
20. Closed Session.
21. Adjourn.
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD CALL
639-7501 NO LATER THAN 3 P.M. THE DATE OF THE MEETING