REGULAR SESSION OF JUNE 26, 2018

Transcription

1 REGULAR SESSION OF JUNE 26, 2018 The City of Kings Mountain, North Carolina met in Regular Session at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 in the Council Chambers of City Hall with Mayor Scott Neisler presiding. ATTENDANCE The following Councilmembers were present: David Allen, Keith Miller, Rodney Gordon, Tommy Hawkins, Jay Rhodes and Mike Butler. The Ward 1 seat of Howard Shipp is vacant at this time. Also, present: Mickey Corry, City Attorney, Marilyn Sellers, City Manager and Karen Tucker, City Clerk. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Rev. Jeff Johnson, First Baptist Church. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Neisler. AGENDA ADOPTION Mayor Scott Neisler stated that Item #7 should be removed due to a cancelation by Albemarle. He also stated that in Council Chambers at City Hall should be added to Item #16. Upon Motion by Councilmember Keith Miller, seconded by Councilmember David Allen, it was unanimously voted to adopt the proposed Agenda, as amended. SPECIAL PRESENTATION AND RECOGNITIONS City Councilmember s Comments and Remarks: No one requested to speak. MAYOR S COMMENTS AND REMARKS Mayor Neisler introduced Sharon Robbs as the new Main Street Director. Mayor Neisler recognized Terry Bullock, Energy Services/ Metering for 30 years of service and Cathy Herring, Finance/Purchasing for 20 years of service. Rick Ford, Public Works/Building Maintenance was to be recognized for 5 years of service, however he was unable to attend.

2 Minutes-June 26, 2018 Page 2 Mayor Neisler administered the Oath of Office to Hope Shaw, Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Neisler read the following Proclamations: Proclamation honoring the Kings Mountain Fire Department for their participation in the MDA Fill the Boot campaign. Proclamation honoring Kings Mountain Elite on the celebration of 10 years of service to the community. Proclamation honoring the Kings Mountain Force for winning the Coastal Football Alliance League. Mayor Neisler announced that Lib Stewart s birthday was today and he led everyone in singing Happy Birthday to her on Facebook Live. SPECIAL EVENTS UPDATE Christy Conner, Special Events Coordinator updated council on the Red, White and Boom Revolutionary 4 th Celebration taking place on July 4 th at the Walking Track Park. She stated that the cast of Liberty Mountain would be on hand to perform a scene from the play. Also, staff and volunteers have taken part in a crowd control management training that is available which will equip and train those who are working the event. She acknowledged all of the City departments who are pulling together to assist to make the Revolutionary 4 th a success. Mrs. Conner also passed along several compliments that she has received from citizens about the park, festivals, and downtown area. CITIZEN RECOGNITION Glenn Garris, Denver, NC spoke regarding the Beason Creek project. He and John Thomas are the property owners. He stated that everyone involved in this project has been working hard to get this project voted on within the 60-day time limit that the subdivision ordinance allows. They were informed that a stormwater permit was required. That has been done and forwarded to a third-party engineer for review and there has been no feedback. This may change the plat in that permanent detention may be needed which will cause lots to be deleted from the plat. If the preliminary plat is different from the one that was presented at the last meeting, they have not seen that. He stated that it may be appropriate to table the vote until the engineer reviews the permit. No one else requested to speak.

3 Minutes-June 26, 2018 Page 3 Ken Mooney, Vice President of Continuing Education at Cleveland Community College updated Council on the success of the Lineworker Academy program stating that since the beginning of the program four classes have graduated. Sixty students, including two females have graduated and one hundred percent of these students have job offers. Dr. Jason Hurst, President of Cleveland Community College also thanked Council and staff for their part in the success in the program. Nick Hendricks, Assistant City Manager/Energy Services Director thanked members of staff, Randy Patterson and Holly Black, who are part of the advisory group. He also thanked Mayor Scott Neisler for his role in the development of the Lineworkers Academy. He stated that the City of Kings Mountain recently hired its first apprentice from the Lineworkers Academy. Mr. Hendricks presented the title to the 2005 Digger/Derrick Truck for use in the Lineworker Academy. Jackie Sibley-Newton of Tour Cleveland County updated Council on the economic impact of tourism for the County, specifically Kings Mountain. Kevin Osborne, Director of the Kings Mountain YMCA updated Council on youth and adult sports programs and the outdoor pool. CONSENT AGENDA Upon motion by Councilmember David Allen, seconded by Councilmember Mike Butler, it was unanimously voted adopt the following Consent Agenda: A. Minutes of the Budget Work Session of May 22, 2018 and Regular Meeting of May 29, B. Budget Amendments for year-end adjustments to the Gas Fund, TDA (General Fund), Fire (General Fund), Senior Center SHIIP (General Fund), and Water Capital Project Fund (43 DEQ Loans). None of the proposed amendments below are requesting any additional appropriation of fund balance. Gas Fund To budget additional revenues actually received and increase expenses ($300,000) in line items to prevent budgetary violations (purchased gas and salaries). TDA (General Fund) To increase for occupancy tax received and increase expenditures for payments to the TDA (note: occupancy tax must be remitted to the TDA).

4 Minutes-June 26, 2018 Page 4 Fire (General Fund Dept 07) To increase revenues and a corresponding expenditure line item for insurance proceeds received to repair damage to bay door. Senior Center SHIIP (General Fund Dept 14) To increase revenues for grant revenues actually received and increase the corresponding grand expenditure line item. Water Capital Project Fund (43 DEG Loans) To amend the project budget in order to officially close out the project fund. Note this fund is consolidated with the Water and Sewer Fund for financial reporting purposes and the amendment has no net effect on fund balance for financial reporting purposes. C. Authorize the City Manager to sign any additional Budget Amendments relating to end of the year close out of the budget in order to ensure statutory compliance for the FY ending on June 30, (Copies of Budget Amendments will be available for your review.) D. Adopt a Resolution approving the Kings Mountain Traffic Calming Policy. (Recommendation of the Kings Mountain Transportation Committee and Staff.) E. Schedule a Public Hearing for Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 6:00 PM to consider a request from Todd Maples for a Family Subdivision Modification, property known as 1336 Phifer Road, Kings Mountain, NC, Tax Map 4-30, Block 1, Lot 14 MFS REGULAR MEETING Stuart Gilbert, Planning Director stated that last month at the May meeting there was a recommendation by staff to the developer to table approving the Beason Creek Preliminary Plat. Since that time there have been numerous meetings among City management and department heads, the developers, the proposed builder (LGI) and his representatives. The builder has committed to make substantial changes, and staff is more comfortable with the builder and appreciates all of the work that has been done in the last month. The conditions that would be needed for approval were listed during these meetings with the developer and builder. They have specifically asked that we put conditions in place to get this approval. The most current preliminary plat was received just yesterday, and the Resolution was finished today. Mr. Gilbert read the portion of the Resolution regarding the

5 conditions for approval. Staff recommends that Council adopt the Minutes-June 26, 2018 Page 5 Resolution approving the Beason Creek Subdivision Preliminary Plan. Upon Motion by Councilmember Keith Miller, seconded by Councilmember Rodney Gordon, it was unanimously voted to adopt Resolution approving the Beason Creek Subdivision Preliminary Plan Case No. MS Mayor Scott Neisler gave an explanation of the procedure, including the application requirements and interview process, to fill the vacant seat of Howard Shipp. Councilmember Keith Miller complimented staff for their work on the procedure. Councilmember Tommy Hawkins stated that he also felt that the process went well. Councilmembers Jay Rhodes and David Allen stated that they were happy to have had the opportunity to meet each applicant. Upon Motion by Councilmember Tommy Hawkins, seconded by Councilmember Jay Rhodes, it was unanimously voted to appoint Annie Thombs to fill the vacant seat and complete the unexpired term of Howard Shipp, Ward 1. Upon Motion by Councilmember Jay Rhodes, seconded by Councilmember Tommy Hawkins, it was unanimously voted to set the date of Sunday, July 1, 2018 at 3:00 PM for a Special Meeting for the purpose of administering the Oath of Office to Annie Thombs, Ward 1 in Council Chambers at City Hall. Upon Motion by Councilmember Keith Miller, seconded by Councilmember David Allen, it was unanimously voted to recess the Regular Meeting and enter into a Public Hearing at 6:45 pm. PUBLIC HEARING Continuation of a Conditional Use Rezoning Public Hearing from May 29, 2018 from Thomas Breakfield for properties located at approximately 150 Hughes Lake Drive, also known as Tax Map 4-83, Block 1, Lots 9, 10, 31, and 32 from R-10 to Conditional Use Office (CU-O) Case No. CUR Stuart C. Gilbert, Planning Director. The following people were sworn in to speak at the Public Hearing: Stuart Gilbert, Planning Director, Travis Page, Suzanne Amos, Kenneth Bullard, and Rosalyn Hawkins. Stuart Gilbert, Planning Director gave a brief overview of the request. He stated that this public hearing was continued at the last meeting until this meeting to allow for continued communication on the future plan of Mr. Breakfield with adjoining property owners and others. There was a lot of discussion at the last meeting and Mr. Page, who is the attorney for Mr. Breakfield, stated several allowed uses for the

6 property that do not require rezoning. and There was discussion with Mr. Breakfield Minutes-June 26, 2018 Page 6 Mr. Page and primarily their objective was to withdraw the application. This afternoon Mr. Page, on behalf of his client, sent a letter via requesting a withdrawal of the rezoning application. Mr. Gilbert stated that Council has the option to vote for or against the rezoning request, continue the Public Hearing, or grant the request to withdraw. Staff s recommendation is to allow the request to be withdrawn. Travis Page, Attorney for Thomas Breakfield addressed Council stating that after meetings with staff, he and his client felt that it was in the best interest of the community to withdraw the application. Suzanne Amos, 516 Alex D. Owens Drive, Kings Mountain read a letter that was dictated to her by Scott Campbell. In the letter he stated that the proposed rezoning does not meet two of the required findings of fact. Those are Endangerment of Public Safety and Harmony with the Surrounding Area and Neighbors. He asked that City Council uphold the decision of the Planning and Zoning Board. Kenneth Bullard, 1917 Bethlehem Road, Kings Mountain owns approximately 118 acres that is near the property in question. He read a letter that his wife wrote to Council against the Conditional Use Rezoning. He stated that he was also against the rezoning. Rosalyn Hawkins, 1975 Bethlehem Road, Kings Mountain stated that she has lived in her home for 28 years. She addressed her concerns regarding the possible rezoning and spoke against the project. No one else requested to speak. Streetscape Draft Plan for Downtown Kings Mountain Richard Flowe, N-Focus Richard Flowe of N-Focus gave a brief summary of the Downtown Master Plan Project, also known as the Streetscape Draft Plan for Downtown Kings Mountain. Council has been provided the most important components of the plan in their agenda package. All of the information was based upon interviews with property owners and business owners. An important component is giving some serious identification to the main street area, specifically the area between North Battleground Avenue and South Battleground Avenue. He stated that this was important because typically vistors who come to the area for shopping and dining are looking for Main Street. When this was tested in Kings Mountain, the GPS did not take them to the downtown area at all.

7 Mr. Flowe stated Council should keep in mind that residential areas in downtown are trending for people in many age ranges. These include baby-boomers who are thinking of leaving the workforce and looking for low maintenance places to retire, as Minutes-June 26, 2018 Page 7 well as many in the younger generation who look at real estate as an expense and are interested in more rental. Councilmember Keith Miller asked about the Sewer Extension Policy. Mr. Flowe stated that a sewer system is fertilizer for growth. If we have a fairly aggressive extension policy reaching out into various directions at the same time, we are creating an abundance of supply of developable property, sometimes outpacing the market. The best management tool for managing where and how investment starts and to jumpstart your growth and re-development to suite your needs, is to run your water and sewer like a business. If we oversupply the market, we devalue that market. Right now, what we need is to increase the value of the demand for the area around the downtown area and try to stimulate some investment around the downtown. We need to re-invest in the investment that we have today and then strategically build and grow outward overtime. We need to focus on our core. Councilmember Keith Miller asked about down-zoning and up-zoning properties and asked for specific examples of this. Mr. Flowe stated that down-zone means to tighten down or roll back and up-zoning is to intensify zoning in some areas and adjust the downtown zoning areas to create opportunity for the right kind of investments to come in. Lead with a plan and implement with zoning standards. The zoning standards are in place, but they may need adjusting from time to time. Mayor Neisler stated that the City is very engaged with NCDOT and there are some corrections that would be needed where they are concerned. There are also paving projects that are already contracted. Stuart Gilbert, Planning Director stated that he, along with staff, are working to move forward to make the adjustments that are needed. Bill Ware spoke against the name change of certain streets in the downtown area. Suzanne Amos spoke stating that a street name change on Battleground Avenue would be a considerable cost to her and others who have businesses located there. This would involve changing the address on her advertising and licenses and asked that Council would take this into consideration regarding this issue. Upon Motion by Councilmember Jay Rhodes, seconded by Councilmember David Allen, it was unanimously voted to close the Public Hearing and re-enter the Regular Meeting at 8:00 P.M.

8 REGULAR MEETING Action on Item 17-A Upon Motion by Councilmember Jay Rhodes, seconded by Councilmember Tommy Hawkins, it was unanimously voted to allow Thomas Breakfield to withdraw the Minutes-June 26, 2018 Page 8 application for a Conditional Use Rezoning on property located at approximately 150 Hughes Lake Drive, also known as Tax Map 4-83, Block 1, Lots 9, 10, 31, and 32. Action on Item 17-B Upon Motion by Councilmember Keith Miller, seconded by Councilmember Jay Rhodes, it was unanimously voted to accept the comments and the Streetscape Draft Plan for Downtown Kings Mountain and refer to staff and the Planning and Zoning Board for their recommendation. ADJOURNMENT Upon Motion by Councilmember Rodney Gordon, seconded by Councilmember Jay Rhodes, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:05 pm. ATTEST: BY: G. Scott Neisler, Mayor Karen A. Tucker, City Clerk