The regular monthly meeting of the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners was held on September 13, 2022 at the Stovall Town Hall at 6:00 pm
Mayor Michael S. Williford present and presiding
Board Members Present: Commissioner Doug Lunsford, Commissioner Carl Roberts, Commissioner Ricky Sneed, Commissioner Jeff Stovall
Administrator Present: Janet C. Parrott
Chief Police Present: Craig Williams
Clerk Present: Sandra B. Williford
Call to Order: Mayor Williford called the meeting to order and began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Invocation: Commissioner Sneed spoke an opening prayer.
Mayor’s Update: The Census can’t be changed, but there is a provision for towns with a population of under 500 that allows a certified house to house count providing names and addresses. This can restore the town’s funding. Some streets in town were not counted on the Census as being in the Stovall City Limits. Commissioner Stovall stated that the deadline for appeals is June of 2023, and he will continue to look into the appeal process. It was decided that the Board will conduct their own Census to try and have funding for the Town restored.
Mayor Williford stated he had been in contact with NCDOT about an assessment of the safety at the intersection of Main St. and Hwy. 15. A 4-way stop to replace the caution light will be considered. If DOT recommends it, the Board will have the final decision.
Mayor Williford stated a resident had requested an Autistic Child Area sign, and NCDOT will take care of that.
Mayor Williford reported that Louis Daniel would like to be replaced as an alternate on the Planning Board. He asked that Commissioner Stovall nominate someone for the position.
Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Roberts made a motion to accept and approve the August 2022 minutes as submitted. Commissioner Stovall seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Water Report: Commissioner Lunsford reported that Oxford had billed Stovall for 1,427,000 gallons, and Stovall had billed citizens for 696,720 gallons. 384,540 gallons were flushed for TTHM testing. He reported a loss of 15.4%.
Police Report: Chief Williams gave an activity report for the police department. Activity for the month was as follows:
· 255 miles of patrol
· 3 reports
· 3 arrests
A checkpoint on August 11th between 6 pm and 8 pm resulted in 14 charges. Chief Williams informed the Board that Steve Hayes will be retiring from the department in November. Hayes has been employed by the Town since 2006.
Ditches: Commissioner Stovall stated that he had looked at ditches and ditch pipes and had talked with the Fire Department. He stated they are willing to help clean out ditch pipes, but they have no prior experience, and they are hesitant about the fire hoses’ capabilities to do the job. Several possibilities were discussed. He will follow up on leads and bring more details back to the next meeting.
ARP Resolutions: Commissioner Stovall had made some changes to the Policy for Allowable Costs and asked that the Board review the policy for the next meeting.
Purchase of Truck: Mayor Williford stated that $40,000 had been put into the budget for the purchase of a new truck. He stated that the State had been contacted about surplus vehicles. The Board agreed to apply for a State surplus vehicle, but a vehicle will not be available until 2023.
Viable Utilities Program Resolutions: Administrator Parrott explained the Viable Utilities Program AIA Study Grant Resolutions. Commissioner Stovall made a motion to approve the Resolution for the Sewer Asset Inventory Assessment. Commissioner Lunsford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Lunsford made a motion to approve the Resolution for the Water Asset Inventory Assessment. Commissioner Stovall seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Town Website: Commissioner Stovall stated that he would voluntarily take over the administration of the Town Website; Administration that will be consistent with that of prior predecessors. The Board asked that any changes or additions to the Website be approved by the Board. Commissioner Stovall made the motion that he be the administrator of www.stovallnc. org. Commissioner Lunsford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Crime Stoppers Banquet: Mayor Williford informed the Board that the Crime Stoppers Banquet would be held on October 25, 2022. The cost to reserve a table that sits 8 people is $120.00. Commissioner Lunsford made a motion to reserve a table. Commissioner Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Increase in Garbage Rates: Mayor Williford informed the Board that Waste Industries had increased their rates by .84 cents per roll cart. Commissioner Roberts made a motion to increase garbage rates for citizens from $16.06 per month to $17.06 per month. The new rate for additional roll carts will be $12.23. Commissioner Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Water Lines/305 Main St.: Commissioner Lunsford reported that due to water lines for 305 Main St. running across the area where the new Senior Center will be constructed, they will need to be moved. This will require boring under the road on Main St. Commissioner Lunsford made a motion that the Town bore under the road, set a meter, and run water lines to the house. The homeowner will be responsible for connecting lines to the house. Commissioner Sneed seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Vacant Board Seat: Commissioner Roberts stated he was nominating Phillip Taylor to fill the vacant seat on the Board. Commissioner Stovall asked about the process for nominating and voting for a nominee. Mayor Williford explained that the Board could choose to fill the seat or not to fill the seat at any time, but a motion could not be made to not fill the seat. Commissioner Stovall stated that he wasn’t prepared to vote, as he doesn’t know Mr. Taylor and could not make an informed decision. Commissioner Roberts asked that his motion remain. Commissioner Sneed seconded the motion. Commissioner Lunsford voted Ney. Commissioner Stovall asked to abstain from voting. Mayor Williford stated that a refusal to vote would count as an affirmative. Commissioner Stovall asked that the subject be tabled. After some discussion, Mayor Williford stated that due to legal questions about voting requirements, he was tabling the subject until he can seek legal counsel.
Adjournment: There being no further business, Commissioner Stovall made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Lunsford seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
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Mayor Michael S. Williford
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Clerk Sandra B. Williford