The regular meeting of the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners was held on May 10, 2022 at the Stovall Town Hall at 6:00 pm
Mayor Mike Williford present and presiding
Board Members Present: Commissioner Doug Lunsford Jr., Commissioner Carl Roberts, Commissioner Ricky Sneed
Town Administrator Present: Janet C. Parrott
Police Chief Present: Craig Williams
Clerk Present: Sandra Williford
Guests Present: Mike Felts, Granville County Manager and Greg Grayson, NC Fire Chief Consulting
Mayor Williford called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation: Commissioner Sneed spoke an opening prayer
Mayor’s Address to the Board: Mayor Williford informed the Board that Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Creedmoor has invited the Board to lunch on Sunday, September 18, 2022. He stated that the County Funds for recreation would be $1300.00 this year. This amount is based on the census. Mayor Williford informed the Board that the Town Website had been turned over to the clerk.
Granville County Fire Protection Service: Mr. Greg Grayson with NC Fire Chief Consulting explained the purpose and the goals of the Fire Protection Service.
Plan for extending services to the area to be annexed:
a. If approved by the Granville County Board of Commissioners, Granville County will contract with Stovall Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. to serve the Town of Stovall in the same way they contract to serve the unincorporated areas of Granville County which will be part of the Granville County Fire Protection Service District. This work will be conducted through a performance-based agreement between Granville County and Stovall Volunteer Department, Inc.
b. All terms and conditions of agreements as well as funding arrangements will ultimately be approved by the Granville County Board of Commissioners on an annual or as needed basis. The Granville County Board of Commissioners will engage a Fire Commission to principally advise the Board on all fire and rescue matters. This commission will be comprised of 7 members, including representation from fire service in the north, central and southern portions of the county as well as non-fire service residents (consumers) in the north, central and southern portions of the county. There will be one member at large. One county commissioner will serve as liaison to the Fire Commission.
c. Funding will be collected from throughout the entire service district and base funding will be provided to each contracting fire department. Beyond base funding amounts, there will be the opportunity, based upon the tax rate set, to distribute service enhancement funding to fire departments. In addition, the service district will establish capital replacement funding and grant funding programs to all the fire departments in the service district.
d. Joining the Granville County Fire Protection Service District does not prevent the Town of Stovall from providing additional funding or grants to the Stovall Fire Department if the Town so desires.
e. Key goals of the Granville County Fire Protection Service District currently include:
i. Sustainable funding long-term for the fire service in Granville County.
ii. A higher level of equity in levels of service delivery across the unincorporated areas of Granville County, enabling service contracts with all service providers to be more similar in terms of expectations of services delivered, response times, first unit arrival, full complement, etc.
iii. Establishing a strengthened governance structure for the Granville County Board of Commissioners for unincorporated fire protection by establishing a fire commission comprised of both fire service and residents that will review fire service funding issues and make authorized, researched recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for adoption.
iv. Enabling Granville County to modernize their service delivery contract with provider fire departments and ensure closest station response across the county’s jurisdiction.
v. Develop dynamic funding formulas for each contracting fire department that reflect several key indicators of hazard and risk and represent a fair and realistic reflection of the cost to protect each response area. These funding formulas should reflect data from multiple years and fairly represent municipal needs in a balanced cost share model so that there is parity for all taxpayers when contracting fire departments serve both unincorporated areas as well as municipalities.
vi. Establish an equitable level of fire service taxation across the unincorporated areas of Granville County to support these core, essential services.
vii. As an overall fire protection service delivery system in the Granville County jurisdiction, better meet the national service delivery standards for volunteer and combination fire departments.
viii. Strengthen accountability at all levels of the delivery system including funding, equity, governance, and services provided.
Consent
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Lunsford asked that the April minutes reflect a designated time period for the cleaning of the park bathroom. The bathroom will be open and cleaned once a week April through October. With that addition, Commissioner Carl Roberts made a motion to approve the April 2022 minutes. Commissioner Ricky Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Police Report: Chief Craig Williams gave an activity report for the month. Activity for the department was as follows:
· 286 miles of patrol
· 6 reports
· 3 citations
· 1 arrest
Water Report: Commissioner Lunsford reported a loss of 19.5% for the month.
Old Business
Commissioner Hughes’ Resignation: Mayor Williford stated that the Board had not officially accepted Commissioner Hughes’ resignation. He read a resignation letter dated February 22, 2022. The letter reads as follows:
To the people of Stovall, I wanted to thank you all for your encouragement and prayers during this difficult time. As you know, I have recently begun a personal battle with cancer. Due to the effects of this illness and treatment I will not be able to properly fulfill my duties as commissioner and will resign my position effective March 31st. I thank the people of Stovall for giving me the opportunity to serve them. Once I beat this illness, I hope to once more have your trust and confidence to serve you again.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner Dale Hughes
Commissioner Lunsford made a motion to accept the resignation. Commissioner Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
New Senior Center: Mayor Williford stated that the property for the new Senior Center has been vacated, and demolition would likely begin the first of June.
Water Grants: Administrator Parrott stated that the application for phase 2 of the water grant and the wastewater grant had been submitted. Phase 1 had been approved. Mayor Williford said he had spoken to McGill and Associates about hiring an engineer for new construction sewer plans. Grants for $150,000.00 will be available in the fall, so waiting and applying for a grant would be the best option. The Board agreed to hold off until the fall.
Surplus Equipment Sale: The Board agreed that Administrator Parrott should coordinate with Dylan, set a date, and advertise. Only sealed bids will be accepted.
New Business
Fire Protection Resolution: The Board voted on the following resolution:
TOWN OF STOVALL, NORTH CAROLINA
RESOLUTION INCLUDING THE TOWN OF STOVALL WITHIN THE
GRANVILLE COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE TAX DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NUMBER: ______________
WHEREAS; the Granville County Board of Commissioners (Board) created a county service tax district for the purpose of financing fire protection as authorized in N.C.G.S. 153A-301, and;
WHEREAS; the Board established such a district as outlined in N.C.G.S. 153A-309.2 on April 4, 2022, and;
WHEREAS; pursuant to N.C.G.S. 153A-302, territory lying within the corporate limits of a city or sanitary district may not be included in a county service tax district unless the governing body of the city or sanitary district agrees by resolution to such inclusion, and;
WHERAS; expenses related to the provision of fire protection services are increasing due to increased fire facilities, staff, and apparatus required to maintain service levels, and;
WHEREAS, the Town of Stovall desires to be included in the Granville County Fire Protection Service Tax District, and
WHEREAS; Granville County will contract for fire protection and rescue services within the boundaries of the fire protection service tax district, and;
WHEREAS; all citizens within the corporate limits of Stovall will be taxed at a uniform rate established by the Granville County Board of Commissioners for the fire protection service tax district;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; the Stovall Town Council hereby declare their desire to be included within the Granville County Fire Protection Service Tax District and authorize a limit in the rate of tax being levied to a maximum of fifteen cents ($0.15) on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of property subject to taxation consistent with the limitations of N.C.G.S. 153A-307.
Adopted this _________________________, 2022 while in regular session.
ATTEST:
_________________________________ Town Clerk
_________________________________ Mayor
Commissioner Carl Roberts made a motion to adopt the resolution with having the option to opt out after a one year period. Commissioner Ricky Sneed seconded the motion. Commissioner Lunsford voted against. The motion to adopt carried.
Resolution to Adopt the Local Water Supply Plan: The Board voted on the following resolution:
RESOLUTION FOR APPROVING LOCAL WATER SUPPLY PLAN
WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute 143‑355 (l) requires that each unit of local government that provides public water service or that plans to provide public water service and each large community water system shall, either individually or together with other units of local government and large community water systems, prepare and submit a Local Water Supply Plan; and
WHEREAS, as required by the statute and in the interests of sound local planning, a Local Water Supply Plan for the Town of Stovall, has been developed and submitted to the Board of Commissioners for approval; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners finds that the Local Water Supply Plan is in accordance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143‑355 (l) and that it will provide appropriate guidance for the future management of water supplies for Town of Stovall, as well as useful information to the Department of Environmental Quality for the development of a state water supply plan as required by statute;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Stovall that the Local Water Supply Plan entitled, 2021 LWSP dated 2021 , is hereby approved and shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners intends that this plan shall be revised to reflect changes in relevant data and projections at least once every five years or as otherwise requested by the Department, in accordance with the statute and sound planning practice.
This the 10 day of May , 2022 .
Name: _______________________________________
Title: ________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________
ATTEST:
Commissioner Lunsford made a motion to approve the Local Water Supply plan and adopt the resolution. Commissioner Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
ARP Resolution: Tabled.
Ordinances: The Board reviewed the following Assurances of Compliance with Civil Rights Requirements:
ASSURANCES OF COMPLANCE WITH CIVIL RIGHTS REQUIREMENI'S
ASSURANCES OF COMPLIANCE WITLI TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF I964
As a condition of receipt of federal financial assistance from the Department of the Treasury, the recipient named below (hereinafter referred to as the "Recipient") provides the assurances stated herein. The federal financial assistance may include federal grants, loans and contracts to provide assistance to the Recipient's beneficiaries, the use or rent of Federal land or properly at below market value, Federal training, a loan of Federal personnel, subsidies, and other arrangements with the intention of providing assistance. Federal financial assistance does not encompass contracts of guarantee or insurance, regulated programs, licenses, procurement contracts by the Federal government at market value, or programs that provide direct benefits.
The assurances apply to all federal financial assistance from or funds made available through the Department of the Treasury, including any assistance that Recipient may request on the future. The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 provides that the provisions of the assurances apply to all of the operations of the Recipient's program(s) and activity (ies), so long as any portion of the Recipient's program(s) or activity (ies) is federally assisted in the manner prescribed above.
l. Recipient ensures its current and future compliance with Title Vl of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, which prohibits exclusion from participation, denial of the benefits of, or subjection to discrimination under programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, of any person in the United States on the ground of race, color, or national origin (42 U.S.C. $ 2000d et seq.), as implemented by the Department of the Treasury Title VI regulations at 3 I CFR Part 22 and other pertinent executive orders such as Executive Order 13166, directives, circulars, policies, memoranda, and/or guidance documents.
2.Recipient acknowledges that Executive Order 13 166, "Improving Access to Services for persons with Limited English Proficiency," seeks to improve access to federally assisted programs and activities for individuals who, because of national origin, have Limited English proficiency (LEP), Recipient understands that denying a person access to its programs, services, and activities because of LEP is a form of national origin discrimination prohibited under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Department of the Treasury's implementing regulations. Accordingly, Recipient shall initiate reasonable steps, or comply with the Department of the Treasury's directives, to ensure that LEP persons have meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities. Recipient understands and agrees that meaningful access may entail providing language assistance services, including oral interpretation and written translation where necessary to ensure effective communication in the Recipient's programs, services, and activities.
3. Recipient agrees to consider the need for language services for LEP persons when Recipient develops applicable budgets and conducts programs, services, and activities. As a resource, the Department of the Treasury has published its LEP guidance at 70 FR 6067. For more information on taking reasonable steps to provide meaningful access for LEP persons, please visit http://www.lep.gov.
OMB Approved No. 1505-0271 Expiration Date: November 30, 2021
1. Recipient acknowledges and agrees that compliance with the assurances constitutes a condition of continued receipt of federal financial assistance and is binding upon Recipient and Recipient's successors, transferees, and assignees for the period in which such assistance i:; provided.
2. Recipient acknowledges and agrees that it must require any sub-grantees, contractors, subcontractors, successors, transferees, and assignees to comply with assurances I -4 above, and agrees to incorporate the following language in every contract or agreement subject to "title VI and its regulations between the Recipient and the Recipient's sub-grantees, contractors, subcontractors, successors, transferees, and assignees:
The sub-grantee, contractor, subcontractor, successors. transferee, and assignees shall comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from excluding from a program or activity, denying benefits of, or otherwise discriminating against a person on the basis of race, color, or national origin (42 U.S.C, $ 2000d et seq., as implemented by the Department of the Treasury's Title VI regulations, 31 CFR Part 22, and herein incorporated by reference and made a part of this contract or agreement.
3. Recipient understands and agrees that if any real property or structure is provided or improved with the aid of federal financial assistance by the Department of the Treasury, this assurance obligates the Recipient, or in the case of a subsequent transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property or structure is used for a purpose for which the federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits. If any personal property is provided, this assurance obligates the Recipient for the period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property"
4. Recipient shall cooperate in any enforcement or compliance review activities by the Department of the Treasury of the aforementioned obligations. Enforcement may include investigation, arbitration, mediation, litigation, and monitoring of any settlement agreements that may result from these actions. The Recipient shall comply with information requests, on-site compliance reviews and reporting requirements.
5. Recipient shall maintain a complaint log and inform the Department of the Treasury of any complaints of discrimination on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, and limited English proficiency covered by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and implementing regulations and provide, upon request, a list of all such reviews or proceeding, based on the complaint, pending or completed, including outcome. Recipient also must inform the Department of the Treasury if Recipient has received no complaints under Title VL
6. Recipient must provide documentation of an administrative agency's or court's findings of non-compliance of Title VI and efforts to address the non-compliance, including any voluntary compliance or other agreements between the Recipient and the administrative agency that made the finding. If the Recipient settles a case or matter alleging such discrimination, the Recipient must provide documentation of the settlement. If Recipient has not been the subject of any court or administrative agency finding of discrimination, please so state.
1. If the Recipient makes sub-awards to other agencies or other entities, the Recipient is responsible for ensuring that sub-recipients also comply with Title Vi and other applicable authorities covered in this document State agencies that make sub-awards must have in place standard grant assurances and review procedures to demonstrate that that they are effectively monitoring the civil rights compliance of sub-recipients.
The United States of America has the right to seek judicial enforcement of the terms of this assurances document and nothing in this document alters or limits the federal enforcement measures that the United States may take in order to address violations of this document or applicable federal law.
Under penalty of perjury, the undersigned official certifies that officials have read and understood the Recipient’s obligations as herein described, that any information submitted in conjunction with this assurances document is accurate and complete, and that the Recipient is in compliance with the aforementioned nondiscrimination requirements.
_________________________
Signature of Authorized Official May 10, 2022
Mayor Michael S. Williford
Commissioner Lunsford made a motion to approve the document. Commissioner Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment: There being no further business, Commissioner Lunsford made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
_________________________
Mayor, Michael S. Williford
_________________________
Clerk, Sandra B. Williford