MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Deborah Cochran, Commissioners Shirley Brinkley, Dean Brown, Jon Cawley, and Steve Yokeley

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1 MOUNT AIRY, NORTH CAROLINA REGULAR MEETING FOR BRIEFING MINUTES February 6, 2014 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Deborah Cochran, Commissioners Shirley Brinkley, Dean Brown, Jon Cawley, and Steve Yokeley MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Scott Graham (deceased 01/02/2014) Mayor Cochran welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: On motion by Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Yokeley and passed unanimously, the agenda was approved. CONSENT AGENDA: On motion by Commissioner Brinkley, seconded by Commissioner Yokeley and passed unanimously, the following items were approved by way of consent agenda: APPROVAL OF JANUARY 16, 2014 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES RESOLUTION # APPOINTMENT TO HOUSING AUTHORITY: RESOLUTION NUMBER # CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN OF MOUNT AIRY, NORTH CAROLINA WHEREAS, the Housing Authority of the Town of Mount Airy has heretofore been duly organized pursuant to the North Carolina Housing Authorities Law, as amended; and WHEREAS, the term of Sharon G. Reid as a Commissioner will expire February 16, NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the North Carolina Housing Authorities Law, as amended, by virtue of my office as Mayor, I hereby appoint Sharon G. Reid to serve as Commissioner for the five-year term ending February 16, IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name as Mayor of the Town of Mount Airy, and caused the official seal of the Town of Mount Airy to be affixed hereto this 6 th day of February, RESOLUTION APPOINTMENTS TO PLANNING BOARD RESOLUTION NUMBER

2 RESOLUTION MAKING PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS and WHEREAS, three appointments to the Planning Board expired October 31, 2013; WHEREAS, Brandon Hiatt has expressed interest in being reappointed for a threeyear term; and WHEREAS, David Jones has expressed interest in being reappointed for a three-year term; and WHEREAS, Chris Price has elected not to seek reappointment and it is recommended that Jim Cavallo be appointed for a three-year term: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF MOUNT AIRY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN OPEN SESSION THAT: Section 1. Section 2. Section 3. Section 4. Brandon Hiatt is hereby reappointed to the Planning Board to serve a threeyear term expiring October 31, David Jones is hereby reappointed to the Planning Board to serve a three-year term expiring October 31, Jim Cavallo is hereby appointed to the Planning Board to serve a three-year term expiring October 31, This resolution shall become effective upon approval. Approved and adopted this the 6 th day of February, TAX COLLECTOR S REPORT: o Tax Collector s Report of Unpaid Taxes That Are Liens on Real Property: CITY OF MOUNT AIRY REPORT OF UNPAID TAXES THAT ARE LIENS ON REAL PROPERTY Tamara Dawson, Revenue Collection Supervisor In accordance with reporting requirements under G.S (a) the following amounts are reported as the total amount of unpaid taxes that are liens on real property:

3 City of Mount Airy Taxes 428, City of Mount Airy Municipal Service District Taxes 15, Total: 443, o Resolution # Ordering Advertisement of Unpaid Taxes: RESOLUTION NUMBER A RESOLUTION ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT OF UNPAID TAXES WHEREAS, the Revenue Collection Supervisor, in her capacity as Tax Collector, has submitted a report on unpaid 2013 taxes, which constitute a lien on real property as required by G.S (a); and WHEREAS, G.S (a) provides for the advertisement of such taxes: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF MOUNT AIRY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN OPEN SESSION THAT: Section 1. Section 2. In accordance with G.S (a), the Revenue Collection Supervisor is hereby authorized, empowered, and commanded to advertise unpaid taxes for the current fiscal year that are liens on real property at least once between March 1 and June 30. This Resolution shall become effective upon approval by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Mount Airy. Approved and adopted this the 6 th day of February, (end of consent agenda) PUBLIC FORUM: Mayor Cochran opened the public forum for comments regarding any business not on the agenda. JC Short, River Walk Road He is concerned about the dam on Allred Mill Road. He thinks it may be leaking and the dams need routine inspections. He questioned the availability of open-top roll-offs for citizen use. It is his understanding that the City only has one of these, and that it is also used by the Public Works Department, which often makes it unavailable for use. He asked whether every citizen is created equal in Mount Airy. He suggested that the City designate a spokesperson for the commissioners to accurately speak to the press and outside agencies. Mr. Short believes the costs for the mini-park are too high. He also questioned the benefits paid by the City on behalf of the Commissioners such as health, dental, and life insurance.

4 He confirmed that the Commissioners do not collect a monthly stipend for travel expenses. John Pritchard, Ridgecrest Drive His recollection is that the 2:00 p.m. meetings were designated for briefing and no action unless urgent. He believes a return to evening meetings would benefit more citizens. Regarding the mini-park, he thinks the Commissioners should take more time to consider the bids that were just recently distributed. He believes the gazebo is too large for the area to be used. He would prefer to use the money to lower taxes instead. With no further discussion, Mayor Cochran declared the public forum closed. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Black History Month Proclamation: Mayor Cochran read the proclamation declaring the month of February as Black History Month and presented it to Anise Hickman, Faye Carter, and Bob Scales. OLD BUSINESS-2013 ANNUAL FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Mayor Cochran stated that the Fire Chief presented the 2013 Annual Report at their previous meeting. This time is set for any questions or comments the Board may have. While Commissioner Brown noted that it was an excellent report, the Board had no questions or concerns regarding the 2013 Annual Fire Department report. RESOLUTION # MAKING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APPOINTMENTS: On motion by Commissioner Yokeley, seconded by Commissioner Brinkley and passed unanimously, the following resolution was approved: RESOLUTION NUMBER RESOLUTION MAKING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APPOINTMENTS WHEREAS, there are several appointments to the Tourism Development Authority that will expire January 15, 2014; and WHEREAS, Lenise Lynch is eligible for reappointment and has expressed interest in being reappointed for a three-year term; and WHEREAS, Greg Perkins has elected not to seek reappointment and it is recommended that Jatin Patel be appointed for a three-year term; and WHEREAS, it is recommended that Commissioner Shirley Brinkley be reappointed to serve a one-year term; and WHEREAS, it is recommended that Pam Stone, Interim Finance Director for the City of Mount Airy be appointed to serve a one-year term:

5 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF MOUNT AIRY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN OPEN SESSION THAT: Section 1. Section 2. Lenise Lynch is hereby reappointed to Category #1- Owners or Operators of Taxable Tourist Accommodations in the City of the Tourism Development Authority for a three-year term expiring January 15, Jatin Patel is hereby appointed to Category #3- Member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tourism Development Authority for a three-year term expiring January 15, Section 3. Commissioner Shirley Brinkley is hereby reappointed to Category #4- Member of the City of Mount Airy Board of Commissioners of the Tourism Development Authority for a one-year term expiring January 15, Section 5. Section 6. Pam Stone is hereby appointed to Category #5- Finance Officer of the City of Mount Airy (ex officio, nonvoting member) of the Tourism Development Authority for a one-year term expiring January 15, This resolution shall become effective upon approval. Approved and adopted this the 6th day of February, RESOLUTION # AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE AUDIT CONTRACT WITH MARTIN STARNES & ASSOCIATES: On motion by Commissioner Brinkley, seconded by Commissioner Yokeley and passed unanimously, the following resolution was approved: RESOLUTION NUMBER WHEREAS the Board of Commissioners of the City of Mount Airy desires to engage the services of Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. to perform the audit of the financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2014; and WHEREAS Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. has submitted an engagement letter and audit contract consistent with the terms and conditions of their proposal to audit each of the five years ended June 30, 2015; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor of the City of Mount Airy is hereby authorized to execute a contract with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. to perform said audit for a fee of $32,000. Adopted this 6 th day of February, 2014.

6 DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF DOWNTOWN MINI PARK DESIGN: City Engineer Mitch Williams reviewed the mini-park plans and presented the bids for the project. The City s Engineering staff designed the current plan with the assistance of Commissioner Scott Graham. An architect was retained to ensure code compliance of the gazebo. The design retains an existing planter, adds seating surfaces, and a 16 X20 gazebo. The gazebo includes a turret design that resembles the former Blue Ridge hotel that once stood on this site. The bid included only a 25 refurbishment of the wall down Oak Street, with alternate pricing for the remaining 120. Gazebo will have electrical outlets and lighting. Four contractors submitted bids: Smith-Rowe, LLC; Coram Construction; David Hill Builders; and Master Craft Builders. The bids were separated into Part A (walkways, refacing, etc) and Part B (gazebo). Smith- Rowe, LLC Coram Construction David Hill Builders Master Craft Builders Part A Walkways, Wall refacing, etc $53, $65, $49, $64, Part B Gazebo $60, $85, $78, $123, Total A + B $114, $150, $128, $187, By negotiating with use of City staff for portions of the demolition and revision of some minor materials, the low bidder states they can build the project for approximately $100,000- $105,000. Prices were submitted by these contractors for pieces of the project as well as the whole. Mitch pointed out that even if you just concrete some walkways and refinish that 25 section of the wall, with a few benches, similar to Lowry Park, at a minimum you would spend $25,000-$30,000. Commissioner Brown asked if the cost was higher as a public property versus if this was built by a citizen on their own property. Mitch stated that if you look at the individual price list, the costs seem pretty standard for the materials/labor involved. Commissioner Cawley asked about the individual pricing for the turret component. Mitch estimated that this probably accounts for $10,000-$15,000 of the bid. Commissioner Brinkley asked if the City built Lowry Park or if a contractor built it. This information was not available at the meeting. She stated that Lowry Park was 3,600 square feet, which is twice the size of this park at 1,800 square feet. The gazebo reduces the area to 1,480 square feet. It is a tasteful design but this is a lot of money. It would dress up that part of town, but the cost is way out of line with what we originally discussed. She asked if it would be possible to do this in phases. Mitch replied that due to the small size of the lot that it would not be very feasible to do it in phases due to disruption to the neighboring properties. Commissioner Brinkley reminded the Board that donations had also been previously discussed. Commissioner Yokeley suggested delaying the vote for two weeks until after the next MAD meeting. They will be discussing the park, to possibly consider getting some private donations for the project. This will be on Tuesday s MAD agenda to discuss if funds can be spent for economic development for the downtown area. Commissioner Yokeley asked who owns the wall down Oak Street. Mitch explained that ROW extends roughly 6 into the wall, so basically the property owner owns the inside portion of the wall and the outside

7 portion belongs to the City ROW. The cost for the remaining 120 Oak Street wall resurfacing was priced separately so that it could be done at a later date. Commissioner Brown felt that it was necessary to delay voting until after the MAD group meets. Commissioner Brinkley made a motion to postpone the vote on the mini-park until after the MAD meeting. This received a second by Commissioner Yokeley. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. REMARKS BY OFFICIALS: Jon Cawley: No comments. Dean Brown: Calculated approximately 32 hours spent in January on City business. He shared a hog ordinance from Steve Yokeley: Commissioner Scott Graham is missed and it is nice to see Kristie Graham. He appreciates the candidates for this position that are in attendance tonight. Shirley Brinkley: Also glad to see Kristie Graham with us tonight and missing Commissioner Graham. Seeking God s guidance in selection of new board member. Hugh Campbell: No comments. Mayor Cochran: Attended Annual Chamber of Commerce event. Attended Russell Hiatt s birthday celebration. Attended NRA banquet on Saturday. Met with folks from Satterfield House. Ribbon cutting at Happy Tooth this afternoon. Visited with Robby s Surplus Store and Lyon s Hosiery. Mayberry Cheese and Cider has new owners from Pennsylvania. Fire Department holding pinning ceremony on Friday here at City Hall. Barbara Jones: No comments. ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Commissioner Brinkley, seconded by Commissioner Brown and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned. Approved and adopted this the 20 th day of February, ATTEST: Deborah Cochran, Mayor Melissa N. Brame, City Clerk