The regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners was held on January 11, 2022 at the Stovall Town Hall at 6:00 pm
Mayor Mike Williford present and presiding
Board Members Present: Commissioner Dale Hughes, Commissioner Doug Lunsford Jr., Commissioner Carl Roberts, Commissioner Ricky Sneed
Police Chief Present: Craig Williams
Clerk Present: Sandra Williford
Guests Present: James Cunningham, Kerr Tar Council of Governments
Bruce Naegelan, NC Dept. of Commerce
Mayor Williford called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. He expressed condolences to families in the community who lost loved ones in 2021.
Invocation: Commissioner Sneed followed with an opening prayer
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Carl Roberts made a motion to accept and approve the December minutes as submitted. Commissioner Ricky Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Police Report: Chief Craig Williams gave an activity report for the police dept. Activity for the month was as follows:
• 289 miles of patrol
• 3 reports
• 3 citations
Water Report: Commissioner Lunsford reported 8.1% water unaccounted for during the billing period.
Comprehensive Plan/James Cunningham/Kerr Tar Council of Governments: James Cunningham with the Kerr Tar Council of Governments discussed with the Board some of the steps that would be taken in developing a Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This is required forplanning and zoning ordinances. This must be in place by July 2022. A question was could this include a one mile buffer outside the city limits. Mr. Cunningham is going to get back to the Board with an answer.
Step 1: Time frame of approximately 3-4 weeks
• Summarize existing conditions within the Town of Stovall to include tables, charts, maps, and infographics
• Broad overview of existing conditions and emerging trends
• Natural resources and hazards
• Community development and housing
• Review of community’s history
• Site tour of the community
• Discussions with local leaders
Step 2: Time frame of approximately 8-13 weeks
• Engaging the community to provide input
• Document outreach efforts
• Find ways to draw people out and express their views
• Find opportunities to meet community members
• Draft public involvement plan
• Outreach to the community with limited internet access, reduced mobility
• Possibly to create webpage and link with comment boxes, surveys, etc.
• Community workshops and open houses
• Hold open houses
• Conduct public hearings
CERRI Program: (Community Economic Recovery & Resiliency Initiative)/Bruce Naegelan/ NC Dept. of Commerce: Bruce Naegelan with the NC Dept. of Commerce explained to the Board that the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center would assist in the implementation of the CERRI program. The Center developed the program to help communities develop strategies to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and build local economies that are more resilient to future crises. It also includes technical services to assist with implementing those strategies. Commissioner Hughes made a motion to adopt and approve the following resolution. Commissioner Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
A Resolution Requesting Participation in the Community Economic Recovery and Resiliency Initiative (CERRI) and the Associated Services from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division, NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center Planning Program
WHEREAS, in response to the economic challenges small towns and rural communities have been facing due to the COVID -19 pandemic, the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center Planning Program developed the Community Economic Recovery and Resiliency Initiative (CERRI); and
WHEREAS, the CERRI provides a planning process to help communities develop strategies to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and build local economies that are more resilient to future crises and also includes technical services to assist communities with implementing those strategies; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of Town of Stovall NC, would like to participate in the CERRI; and
WHEREAS, the Board would like assistance with the Project from the Program; and
WHEREAS, the Board and the Program have reached a mutually agreeable scope of work for the Project, which outlines the tasks to be performed by the Center and those to be performed the Town of Stovall and/or by other Project partners, as well as the projected time frame within which the Project will be completed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby request that the Program assist the Town of Stovall with the Project and expresses its commitment to the planning process and the implementation of the Project when work is completed.
Adopted this 11 day of January, 2022.
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Mike Williford, Mayor
Town of Stovall
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Sandra B. Williford, Clerk
Town of Stovall
Vacant Commissioner Seat: Mayor Williford stated that the General Statute he had been asked about, 153A-27, does not apply to municipalities according to Attorney Tom Currin. The statute that does apply is GS168-63. He stated there is no time limit for filling an empty chair, and both statutes say shall, meaning it can be filled, but doesn’t have to be filled before the next election. He also shared that according to Attorney Tom Currin, the Mayor can’t break a tie on a vote between 2 people who are nominated to fill the vacant Commissioner seat. The Mayor can break a tie if it involves one singular person being nominated.
COVID Funds: With a balance of $27,939.58 in the ARP COVID Funds, Commissioner Lunsford made a motion to add $12,000.00 to the fund to cover inventory costs.
M & M Water and Sewer: Mayor Williford made the Board aware that M & M Water had signed a one year contract for $1800.00 per month.
McGill Assoc./Engineering Services: McGill Associates has submitted a proposal to the Town of Stovall to provide professional engineering services on an on-call basis for the review of development plans submitted to the Town for review. The scope of services are as follows:
• When requested, provide a detailed review of development projects submitted to the Town for Review. Projects may be for new standalone single family residential homes, new subdivisions, new commercial/retail construction, or others.
• McGill will review submitted documents for conformance to the Town’s development standards, zoning districts, stormwater standards, and other standards as may be applicable.
• Should a project fall outside of current development standards, McGill will advise the Town on possible options to address the proposed project.
• The scope of project will vary as will the required submittal documents. Submittals may be plot plans for single homes or multi page plan and specification packages for larger projects. Unless otherwise exempt, submittals would also include stormwater calculations for review.
Administrator Parrott explained that there would be no charge for retaining McGill unless an engineer is needed for a project, and then the cost could be charged to the project/landowner. Commissioner Hughes made a motion for the agreement with McGill Associates to be accepted and signed. Commissioner Lunsford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Census: Mayor Williford stated that the census number reflected a reduction of citizens from 418 to 324. Administrator Parrott reported that the census reflected 133 houses in Stovall, and the number of houses is actually 194. She is working with the County to get this corrected. The deadline is June 30th, 2022.
Heavy Trucks on Town Streets: Tabled until next meeting.
Public Comment: Jeff Stovall of Lewis St. expressed that he thought the Town would benefit with the vacant commissioner seat being filled. He expressed his concern that a reason had not been given to the public for not filling the seat.
Adjournment: There being no further business, Commissioner Lunsford made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
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Mayor Mike Williford
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Clerk Sandra B. Williford
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