CITY OF NEW BERN
BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
FEBRUARY 27, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COURTROOM
300 POLLOCK STREET
1.  Meeting opened by Mayor Dana E. Outlaw.  Prayer Coordinated by Alderman Harris.  Pledge of Allegiance.
2.  Roll Call.

Consent Agenda
3.  Consider Adopting a Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on the Initial Zoning of Property Located at the Intersection of Waterscape Way and West Thurman Road Identified as Tax Parcel 7-104-12002.
(Ward 3) Kip Peregoy of Carolina Colours Association has submitted a request to have an approximately 1.77-acre of land zoned C-3 Commercial.  The parcel is located at the intersection of W. Thurman Road and Waterscape Way and is further identified as Tax Parcel ID 7-104-12002.  This is an initial zoning request which requires a public hearing pursuant to state statute and local ordinance. This resolution will call for the hearing to be held on March 13, 2018.  A memo from Morgan Potts, City Planner, is attached along with a map of the subject property. (See Backup)
4.  Consider Adopting a Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing to Rezone Property Located Near the Intersection of Waterscape Way and West Thurman Road Identified as Tax Parcels 7-104-9004 and 7-104-10006 from R-8 Residential to C-3 Commercial.
(Ward 3)  Kip Peregoy of Carolina Colours Association has also submitted a request to rezone two parcels of land from R-8 Single Family Residential to C-3 Commercial District.  The parcels consist of approximately 3.86 acres of land and are located near the intersection of Waterscape Way and W. Thurman Road.  They are identified as Tax Parcel IDs 7-104-9004 and 7-104-10006.  State statute and local ordinance require the Board to hold a public hearing to receive comments on the requested rezoning.  The proposed resolution calls for the hearing to be held on March 13, 2018.  A memo from Mrs. Potts is attached along with a map of the subject property. (See Backup)
5.  Consider Adopting a Resolution to Close the 200 Block of Craven Street for New Bern Get Your Color On.
(Ward 1) January Brown, President of New Bern Get Your Pink On, has requested the 200 block of Craven Street be closed to vehicular traffic on March 22, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the event “New Bern Get Your Color On”.  This annual event focuses on cancer awareness and is projected to draw 200 participants.  A memo from Foster Hughes, Director of Parks and Recreation, is attached along with a copy of the event questionnaire and a location map. (See Backup)
6.  Consider Adopting a Resolution to Close the 100 Block of King Street for a Block Party.
(Ward 1) Seth Miller has requested the 100 block of King Street be closed to vehicular traffic on March 10, 2018 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. for a block party/birthday party.  A memo from Mr. Hughes is attached along with a copy of the event questionnaire and a location map. (See Backup)
7.  Consider Adopting a Resolution to Close the 500-600 Blocks of Roundtree Street for Craven Terrace’s Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony.
(Wards 1 and 2) Michelle Folio, Regional Vice President of Preservation Management, has requested the 500-600 blocks of Roundtree Street be closed to vehicular traffic from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on March 13, 2018 for Craven Terraces’ ribbon-cutting ceremony.    A memo from Mr. Hughes is attached along with a copy of the event questionnaire and a location map. (See Backup)
8.  Consider Approving a Proclamation for Arbor Day.
Arbor Day is a nationally-observed day that celebrates tree planting, growing, and care.  Parks and Recreation has requested a proclamation recognizing March 16, 2018 as Arbor Day.  In 1967, the State Legislature ratified a bill in support of annually recognizing a particular day as Arbor Day. That day has been designated as the first Friday following March 15th(See Backup)
9.  Approve Minutes.
Minutes from the February 13, 2018 regular meeting and February 16, 2018 work session are provided for review and approval.
 
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10. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Sale of 1111 Williams Street.
(Ward 5)  After receiving a bid of $1,000.00 for the purchase of 1111 Williams Street, the Board adopted a resolution to initiate the upset bid process.  The bid was advertised as required by law, but no other bids were received.  The vacant lot has a tax value of $4,000, and the offer represents 25% of this value.  This property was acquired by the City and Craven County in March 2008 through tax foreclosure.  At the time of foreclosure, taxes were due in the amount of $3,850.42 to the County and $3,726.69 to the City.  Additionally, the City incurred $3,200.00 in demolition costs, and the County and City incurred $2,273.83 in foreclosure costs.  If the property is sold for the initial offer of $1,000.00, the County will received $528.63 and the City will receive $471.37.  The City will also receive $205.00 as reimbursement for advertising the bid.  Attached are a memo from Brenda Blanco, City Clerk, along with the Offer to Purchase, maps of the property, the property tax card, and an estimate of the division of proceeds. (See Backup)
11. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Sale of 1112 Grace Street.
(Ward 5)  After receiving a bid of $1,000.00 for the purchase of 1112 Grace Street, the Board adopted a resolution to initiate the upset bid process.  The bid was advertised as required by law, but no other bids were received.  The offer represents 25% of the tax value, which is $4,000.00 for the vacant lot.  This property was acquired by the City and Craven County in December 2006 through tax foreclosure.  At the time of foreclosure, taxes were due in the amount of $1,810.41 to the County and $6,849.70 to the City, of which $4,750.00 was a demolition lien.  If the property is sold for the initial offer of $1,000.00, the County will received $543.10 and the City will receive $456.90 plus reimbursement of the advertising costs in the amount of $205.00.  Attached are a memo from Brenda Blanco, City Clerk, along with the Offer to Purchase, maps of the property, the property tax card, and an estimate of the division of proceeds. (See Backup)
12. Consider Adopting a Resolution Establishing a Fund Balance Policy.
One of the goals identified at the Board’s retreat on February 2nd and 3rd was to maintain fiscal responsibility.  To assist with accomplishing this goal, it is recommended a fund-balance policy be adopted for the General Fund.  The proposed policy sets the minimum fund balance at 25% with an annual goal of 35%.  The policy also provides guidance on utilizing excess fund balance, as well as actions to be taken should the balance fall below the minimum of 25%.  A memo from J.R. Sabatelli, Director of Finance, is attached. (See Backup)
13. Consider Adopting a Resolution Placing 408 Hancock Street Under the Purview of Parks and Recreation as a Multipurpose Art Center.
(Ward 1) At its December 12, 2017 and January 9, 2018 meetings, the Board discussed 408 Hancock Street and the possibility of using the property as a community arts center.  On four different occasions, the Director of Parks and Recreation has met with concerned artists to discuss this proposal.  It is his recommendation that the property be placed under the scope of Parks and Recreation for the purpose of providing an art gallery, working artist studio, classrooms, and meeting space.  The Department would work with interested groups to offer a variety of classes to the public, including the community’s youth.  Wall gallery space would be made available to artists on a monthly basis for a specified fee.  In order to enable this use, several structural upgrades, facility amenities, and general supplies are needed at an estimated cost of $25,000.  Please refer to the memo from Foster Hughes. (See Backup)
14. Consider Adopting a Budget Ordinance Amendment for the FY2017-18 General Fund Operating Budget.
(Ward 1) To provide for the structural upgrades, facility amenities, and general supplies referenced in the previous item, this budget amendment will appropriate $25,000 from Fund Balance to recreation facilities. (See Backup)
15. Consider Adopting an Ordinance for the Demolition of the Dwelling Located at 1127 H Street.
(Ward 1) Minimum housing violations for 1127 H Street were formally addressed in March 2005.  On November 17, 2005, a hearing was held at which time the structure was found to be in a deteriorated state.  The owner was granted 120 days to comply with the minimum housing code, which was subsequently extended to May 30, 2008 through additional agreements.  In June 2008, the property was deemed in compliance.  However, the property was since found to be in violation in 2012 and 2014.  A final hearing before the Chief Building Inspector was held on August 11, 2016, at which time the owner was given until January 20, 2017 to bring the property into compliance. To date, no permits have been applied for and the structure remains in a dilapidated state.  A memo from Jeff Ruggieri, Director of Development Services, is provided along with a chronological list of events and photos of the property. (See Backup)
16. Consider Adopting an Ordinance for the Demolition of the Dwelling Located at 725-727 West Street.
(Ward 1) A housing complaint was initiated for 727 West Street (also referred to as 725-727 West Street) on July 8, 2010 for numerous violations.  On June 11, 2012, the property was damaged by fire.  Staff conducted a minimum housing hearing on April 2, 2013, and an order was issued giving the owners until April 14, 2014 to complete all needed improvements to bring the structure into compliance.  A building permit was issued on October 25, 2013, but work was never completed.  The property remains in violation of the City’s minimum housing code, and no additional permits have been sought.  Attached are a memo from Mr. Ruggieri, a chronological list of events, and pictures of the property. (See Backup)
17. Consider Adopting an Ordinance for the Demolition of the Dwelling Located at 811 Miller Street.
(Ward 1) This property has been in a deteriorated or dilapidated state of condition since 2000.  On June 24, 2017, a letter was sent to the owners advising them of the minimum house violation.  A hearing was held with the Chief Building Inspector on August 24, 2017, at which time the owners were given 45 days to bring the property into compliance.  To date, no permits have been applied for and no work has been initiated to remedy the condition of the structure.  Attached are a memo from Mr. Ruggieri, a chronological list of events, and pictures of the property. (See Backup)
18. Consider Adopting an Ordinance for the Demolition of the Dwelling Located at 1607-09 Dillahunt Street.
(Ward 5) 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)
19. Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Amend Article VI. “Stopping, Standing and Parking” of Chapter 70 “Traffic and Vehicles”.
(Ward 1) The Master Parking Plan Advisory Committee presented several recommendations to the Board of Aldermen in November 2017 and January 2018.  In response to some of those recommendations, an amendment is proposed to the City’s parking ordinance.  The area addressed in the amendment is bordered by Metcalf Street, Broad Street, the Neuse River, and the Trent River.  The amendment makes modifications to no-parking zones, loading zones, and 15-minute parking zones.  It also deletes reference to parking meters, provides for a loading zone in front of the Convention Center, removes any criminal penalties and makes violations a civil offense, and provides procedures for citations and appeals.  A memo from Scott Davis, City Attorney, is provided detailing these changes, and Mr. Davis will answer any questions the Board may have. (See Backup 1) (See Backup 2)
20. Appointment(s).
a)   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)
b)   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)
c)   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)
21. Attorney’s Report.
22. City Manager’s Report.
23. New Business.
24. Closed Session.
25. Adjourn.
 

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