Stokesdale, North Carolina
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Stokesdale, North Carolina
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TOWN OF STOKESDALE PO Box 465 STOKESDALE, NORTH CAROLINA
The regular meeting of the Stokesdale Town Council was held in the Town Hall at 8416 US Highway 158 on Thursday, August 16, 2007.
Mayor Pro Tem John Flynt called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. The following members of Council were present: Mayor Pro Tem John W. Flynt, Bobby Richardson Mickie Halbrook and Powell Shelton Mayor Randle L. Jones was absent.
Others present included: Trevor Nuttall, Guilford County Planning Department; William B. Trevorrow, Town Attorney; and Carolyn Joyner, Town Clerk/Finance Officer.
Mr. Flynt noted that Mayor Jones was unable to attend the meeting. He then recognized the four persons who were candidates for the Town Council. He thanked them for being willing to step forward and being willing to serve.
Mr. James Attaway indicated that he had 12 years of experience on the Town Council and two years on the Planning Board. He also has a web site and that he can be reached by phone.
Mr. Theoron Hooks indicated that he also ran for office in the last election two years ago and has served on the Long Range Planning Committee for about four years.
Mr. Bobby Richardson acknowledged that he was running for a Council seat.
Mr. Robert Wurz said that he works for Syngenta and has a winery, Stonefield Cellars located in Town. He has spent time on the Planning Board and has worked on the Future Land Use Plan Committee.
Council considered the proposed agenda. Mr. Richardson made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Mr. Shelton seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye and the agenda was adopted.
Mr. Richardson made a motion to accept the minutes of the Special meetings of June 28, and July 10, 2007 meetings without reading. Mr. Shelton seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye and the minutes were approved.
NEW BUSINESS: Report from Guilford County Sheriff’s Department: Deputy Christman reported a break-in at the ATM machine at 5:00AM this morning. There are suspects in the case. There were three property thefts, one breaking and entering of a drink machine at the carwash, one embezzlement, one assault, two DWI, four drug incidents, and one vehicle recovery of a stolen vehicle from Florida. Deputy Christman said that his vehicle was involved in an accident with a deer. According to the trooper that did the report, he felt that there would be an increase in the number of accidents involving deer based on the reports made this summer.
Mr. Flynt asked about the graffiti that has been placed on several buildings around the Town. Deputy Christman said that he did not believe that any of the tagging that is going on is gang related. There are no suspects at this time.
Presentation of Draft Revision of Land Use Plan: Mr. Flynt noted that the current Land Use Plan was completed in 2001. Since that time there has been a tremendous amount of growth with residential subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and office growth in Stokesdale. Council appointed a committee Book 9, Page 1584
to review the current plan and submit proposals for possible changes. The Planning Board considered the revised Plan earlier this month. Mr. Flynt commended the committee members that have served on the committee. The Committee members were: John Flynt, Mickie Halbrook, Richard Millard, Robert Wurz, Tony Hommel, Scott Lawrence and Carolyn Joyner.
Robert Wurz, facilitator for the Committee, gave a presentation of the revised plan. He indicated that the Vision Statement should remain the same and most of the introduction was the same material that was in the first Land Use Plan. He focused on the recommendations and the future vision of the Plan starting on page 14 of the document and continuing through the sections regarding the Town Core (approximately 357 acres), the Professional/Manufacturing Corridor, Residential Development Area, Open Space /Trail System, Transportation, and Scenic Corridors and concluded with the implementation schedule. Mr. Flynt noted that volunteers would be needed for the committees in order to accomplish the items needed to implement the plan.
Mr. Flynt indicated that the Plan would be placed on the Town website and copies would be available for review. He noted that the plan is a reaction to comments that are being made in the community about certain issues. He noted that Council has many other issues that they must handle and it will be more appropriate and more expedite to have committees to look at these issues. Mr. Flynt noted that the first Land Use Plan was generic while the revision is more specific. He opened the floor for comments.
Eileen Thiery 8108 Meadow Spring Place, said that she felt that the committee had done a good job and the plan would put the tools in place to make the changes that are needed.
Vicki White-Lawrence, 8400 West Falls Lane, asked about extending the Town Limits to Rockingham County line rather than stopping it at Hwy 220. Mr. Flynt noted that voluntary annexation was suggested rather than forced annexation to control prime property. Mr. Wurz noted that it was an attempt to set an achievable goal for the next few years rather than having too large a project.
Mr. Shelton asked about the width of the scenic corridor. He asked if Council originally considered 1,500 feet. Mr. Wurz indicated that the current ordinance sets the corridor at 900 feet.
Mr. Wurz noted that the Planning Staff has reviewed the revision and made suggestions for changes they felt should be made. The Stokesdale Planning Board has reviewed the revised plan, heard the presentation, and has recommended the adoption of the Plan to Council. The next step would be advertised public hearings and Council could consider adoption. After adoption, the implementation of the plan would begin.
Mr. Flynt suggested that Council should hold a public hearing at the next regular Council meeting on September 20 for consideration and public comments on the proposed Land Use Plan. Mr. Shelton seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye. At Mr. Trevorrow’s suggestion, Mr. Flynt amended his motion to set a joint hearing with the Planning Board. Mr. Shelton seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the public hearing was set.
Collector Street Plan Proposal: Mr. Nuttall noted that Council has been provided information including the purpose of the plan, the scope and a draft map of the Collector Street Plan that shows some suggested future roadway connections for the Town. The Staff has worked with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) on the proposed plan. The MPO is a regional transportation planning agency that assists in the development of transportation initiatives and includes most of the municipalities in Guilford County. The purpose of the collector street plan is to identify roadway extension needs and locations for connections that would be needed to move traffic between high capacity roadways. It would also offer some predictability in street extensions when development proposals are submitted to the Town. The Collector Street Plan is in a draft form and changes are expected to be made after reviews are made. The identified locations on the map are conceptual and are not precise. They are to be used as a tool in guiding Staff and the Planning Board as to where roads are needed so that as development occurs, Staff can work with the developers to make the roads happen. The adoption of a collector street plan is a goal of the Book 9, Page 1585
Land Use Plan. At the August 2 Planning Board meeting, the Board reviewed the Plan and recommended that Council direct the further review of the Plan to a study committee for additional review and input.
Mr. Flynt made a motion to forward the proposed Collector Street Plan to the Roads and Transportation Committee (Mayor Jones, Mr. Flynt, Mr. Shelton and Mr. Attaway) and have them work in conjunction with the Planning Board and review it and make recommendations and Council will take appropriate action as Council. Mr. Shelton seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye and the motion carried.
Mr. Hooks suggested that the Stokesdale Youth Football Association (SYFA) be allowed to take the Post Office presentation next. Council agreed and the SYFA addressed Council.
Stokesdale Youth Football Association: Request for Town Funds: Clay Walker, Vice President, 9706 Mt. Carmel Road, indicated that the SYFA Board was a non-profit organization with all non-paid volunteers. Their objective is to teach the Youth of the Stokesdale area the fundamentals of football, to enhance physical conditioning and to promote sportsmanship. He said that he had been involved in Stokesdale Youth Baseball which also teaches the children that you want to win and lose in the right way. He said that feel that it is beneficial to Stokesdale with the games being played here. They are playing games in Madison now. He indicated that SYFA had provided copies of the information that Council had requested. He noted that the SYFA budget is higher this year due to the purchase of equipment. They would like to request $10,877 and it is important to know that all of it goes to the kids. There are other items that they would like to have but have omitted.
Mr. Flynt said that he felt that it was a worthwhile project and he proposed giving them $3,000 at this time. Ms. Halbrook seconded the motion.
Mr. Shelton noted that 55 helmets were shown on the information. Mr. Walker indicated that there are three groups, Flag Football (5-6 Year Olds), Tackle One (Ages 7-9) and Tackle Two (Ages 10-12) and 55 is the maximum number of players that would need a helmet.
Mr. Flynt called the question. Council voted 4 to 0 to give SYFA $3,000.00.
Stokesdale Postal Facilities Group Presentation: Mr. Attaway distributed some information to Council. Mr. Theoron Hooks addressed Council on the matter of a new postal facility for the Town. He indicated that the Postal Facilities Group is a group of citizens that have come together in an effort to carry on the effort that has been around for years to procure a new postal facility. He noted this fits in with the Future Use Plan and with the growth of Stokesdale and the roadways changes that may occur. Summerfield and Oak Ridge have post offices. The Stokesdale Post Office has two parking spaces one of which is a handicap space. There has been an increase in the number of wrecks with people trying to reach the post office. Many people are using the Oak Ridge and Summerfield Post Offices. The Group has formed a petition and they have a mission statement. “ The Stokesdale Postal Facilities Group” is the formal name since they wanted anyone in the US that may use the post office to be included not just the 27357 patrons. Their mission statement is as follows: “It is the mission of the Stokesdale Postal Facilities Group to contact US Postal Officials and congressional members on behalf of the postal patrons of Stokesdale, North Carolina in an effort to acquire a new postal facility that is safe and customer friendly.” Basically their goals are:
The group has contacted businesses in the area and they have agreed to allow the petitions to be placed in their businesses. He requested that Council act as a custodial site for a petition to be placed at Town Hall for citizens to sign during business hours. Book 9, Page 1586
Mr. Flynt suggested that the committee may need to verify that the signatures are correct names and addresses of the signers. Mr. Richardson made a motion to grant the use of Town Hall for the location of a petition during regular business hours. Mr. Shelton seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye and the motion carried. Mr. Hooks said that the Group would report back to Council on their progress.
Eileen Thiery informed Council that she had started a letter writing campaign to these elected officials: Senator Elizabeth Dole, (who passed her letter to Mr. Henry L. Dix) Congressman Howard Coble, and Senator Burr, and Congresswoman Virginia Fox. She said that the final decision remains in the hands of the Eastern Facilities Service Office. This office complies a priority list. Ms. Thiery reported that Stokesdale’s request would be reviewed in 2009 and we have to compete on a national level. Ms. Thiery had spoken with Ms. Anita Moore, of the Eastern Facilities Service Office, was not encouraging about a petition but said to do one anyway. The request would be routed to Mr. Dix who would send it to the Eastern Facilities Office. She had spoken with Mr. Dix and was not given a definitive answers but he asked if she could secure some of the areas where a post office would be feasible and she must reply in a timely fashion. He seemed to be interested in the development at NC 68 and US 158. He also gave the impression that USPS does not want a stand alone post office but would prefer to use a storefront facility with ample parking. He asked that she forward a list, to proceed with the petition and make sure that the Eastern facility be copied on all information. He said that Stokesdale’s growth is diminutive compared to other areas. She asked for help in listing areas that could be considered for a post office facility. Mr. Flynt noted that SouthRich had talked with them about the Stokesdale Business Center. He noted that previously the post office would ask for proposals from property owners for a building built to specific specifications and ask for rental rates on a square foot basis. Mr. Trevorrow asked if a response should be sent to Mr. Dix before the petition committee completes their tasks. Ms. Thiery said that Mr. Dix has said that priority lists would rule over a petition and that the petition is not the answer but he would not discourage a petition. Mr. Flynt said that the Town had previously said that had offered the land that the Town owns and the Blue Bell Building (Business Center) had been offered as possible locations in the past and he felt sure that other property owners would make offers of their property. Ms. Thiery said that she felt that the US 158 & NC 65 site with the Dollar General would be a good location. Mr. Flynt suggested contacting Mr. Casey also.
Mr. Wurz asked if Ms. Thiery was working on behalf of the Town in this situation. Ms. Thiery said that it is a grass roots effort to get a post office.
Urban Deer Season: Ramon Bell, 7796 NC 68 handed out information regarding the Urban Deer Season. He indicated that he has lived in Stokesdale for 25 years and is a retired policeman and private investigator. He did a traffic study in this area and found that over a 5 year period in northwest Guilford County, 14 %, (one in eight) of the accidents that occurred involved a collision with a deer. The NC Wildlife Resource Commission passed a new regulation that created an “Urban Deer Season” statewide that is available to any municipality that chooses to be included. Each municipality must write a letter and send it to the Wildlife Commission along with a map to show where hunting will be allowed. He said that hunting is allowed in Stokesdale with guns and bow & arrow. The Urban Deer Season is bow hunting only and it begins in mid –January and ends in Mid-February. The range of a bow is about 25 to 30 yards in the hands of experienced archer and the arrow will dispatch an animal quickly. He said that bowhunting is an unobtrusive activity and is a management tool. There is an abundance of wildlife across North Carolina especially in populated areas. Mr. Bell has been President of the NC Bowhunters Association for about two years ago and has been involved with them since 1980 as a volunteer. The NC Bowhunters Association formed the NC Bowhunters Certification Referral Service about two years ago because of mounting problems with wildlife degradation which resulted mostly from the increasing population of white tail deer. The digest says that municipalities must apply before April 1 but they are accepting letters now. Property owners can hunt their own property, or can allow someone to hunt their property or the NC Bowhunters Organization has a network of certified bowhunters across the State. Certified bowhunters must be a member of the association, have Hunter Safety Course and International Bowhunter
Book 9, Page 1587
Education Program. They have to qualify each year to maintain that certification. They are insured by a $2 Million Liability Insurance Policy. They can be invited to hunt on your property if you have a deer problem. The Urban Deer Season will add 30 days to the bowhunting season in January and February and is limited to bows only, which is a silent, non intrusive, and safe weapon. There are no shooting accidents reported in North Carolina. This has just recently been made available and Stokesdale would be the first city in the state to ask for it. Elkin, Concord, Smithfield and a few other towns have contacted Mr. Bell about the program.
Mr. Flynt asked for the dates of the regular deer season. Mr. Bell said that bow season starts on September 8 and runs until January 1 and gun season opens with a muzzle loader season about November 5 and one week later the regular gun season would open and run until January 1.
The Clerk asked if there are statistics for how overpopulated the area is with deer. Mr. Bell said that a wildlife biologist would have to provide those numbers. The Clerk questioned whether it is truly overpopulation or are deer being compacted into smaller areas because of increased development and the number of accidents being greater due to an increased number of roads a traffic. Mr. Bell said that cities like Greensboro created a haven for them because hunting is not allowed.
Mr. Trevorrow asked to clarify that Council would need to identify or classify an area of Stokesdale that would be available for bow hunters on an extended season basis. Council would not be undertaking enforcement of any kind and it would stay the same as it has been. Mr. Bell said that the map only shows the areas where the hunting can occur. Once the letter is submitted, it is perpetual and it does not have to be renewed. You would update the map if it should change. The Town can opt out of the program at any time.
Mr. Shelton made a motion to opt into the program. Mr. Flynt seconded the motion. Ms. Halbrook said that she cannot see killing deer as they are being crowded out of their habitat.
Someone asked Mr. Bell how many accidents had occurred in Stokesdale. He estimated that maybe a dozen or two. Ms. Thiery pointed out that dogs get in the road also and there is not an open season on them.
Mr. Flynt asked if Mr. Shelton would consider a friendly amendment to the motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the letter and to include an appropriate map.
Mr. Richardson clarified that permission from the property owner is required before anyone could hunt on property. Mr. Bell said that the information that he provided has the address for the letter and map. It should be sent to Mr. Fred Harris who is the interim director.
Richard Millard, US Hwy 158, suggested that Council, since this is a new program, make it a one year program that it would need to be approved again next year since sometimes it is hard to stop once a program is started.
Kathleen Hommel, Deer Path Court, suggested that Council hold off on a decision since there is a lot of construction and this confuses animals.
Mr. Shelton withdrew his motion and made another motion to continue the matter to the next meeting. Mr. Flynt seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye and the motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Water System: Transition to New Operator: Mr. Flynt noted that Council has been provided copies of the Emergency Operations Plan and the Water System Operation and Maintenance Plan which has had the information updated to reflect the recent changes in the management of the Town’s water system. Mr. Richardson made a motion to authorize Mayor Jones to sign the updated policies and to send them to DENR. Ms. Halbrook seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye and the motion carried. Book 9, Page 1588
The Clerk noted that the transition to the new operator is continuing. The new company is preparing to send out the first billing.
Mr. Marziano’s office has received a reply from DENR regarding the Town’s request to extend the waterlines and revisions need to be made and resubmitted to the State.
Mr. Flynt indicated that he was really disappointed that the engineer had not provided cost estimates for extending the water system. The Clerk indicated that Council had authorized the signing of the documents to apply to the State for the waterline extension as well as NCDOT Encroachment agreements. A cost estimate for the extension had been given to the Board late last year. Mr. Flynt asked the Clerk to have that information for the next meeting in order that Council could determine how they could pay for the extension.
Committee and Board Reports: Stokesdale Parks & Recreation Board Report: A report from the Parks and Recreation Board was not available.
Planning Board: Change in Membership: The Clerk informed Council that Mr. Spagnola has resigned from the Board which leaves six members and there are three alternates, one of which has not attended the meeting during the last several months. Wayne Scott, Jim Burkhead, and Joe Thacker are the alternates currently serving.
Mr. Richardson made a motion to move Mr. Thacker from an alternate position to a full voting member. Mr. Flynt seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye and the motion carried.
Mr. Flynt suggested that applications should be taken for 30 days and advertised it in the Northwest Observer.
Departmental and Administrative Reports: Finance Report: July, 2007: The Finance Officer reported that assets decreased in the month of July by approximately $39,000.00 during the month of July. The Water Enterprise Fund Accounts Receivable number has not changed since the last reports from MLP have not been received. The Finance Officer reported that the Town had received a number of invoices since the beginning of the new fiscal year. Payments were made to the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers for $286; NCLM Interlocal Risk for Financing for General Liability ($3,997.59), Worker’s Compensation ($470.00) and an 2007-08 Membership fees ($3,122); Guilford County Emergency Management for Fire Code investigations for FY 06-07 ($1,893.50); School of Government Foundation 2007-08 Membership Dues ($374); School of Government membership dues ($374.00); Guilford County Finance Department for Law Enforcement for 2nd quarter ($17,723.66); Vaughn Surveying Co. Inc. for a topographical survey of the Town’s property ($3,500.00). Accounts Payable included a Guilford County invoice for additional expenses for law enforcement totaling $614.44 for the second quarter due to the close out of the fiscal year.
The General Fund Savings Account shows two transfers totaling $65,000 to the General Fund checking account to cover the expenditures shown in the checking account transactions. The Town received $1,233.14 from Time Warner Cable.
Seven general fund Certificates of deposit matured during July. They were reinvested for three months at 5.002%. The certificates earned $21,441.92 in interest.
The Water Enterprise Account reflects the payment of $853.32 for insurance on the Town water system. Yates construction was paid $173.10 for the installation of water meters. MLP was paid for two months service.
The finance officer noted that the audit is now underway. Two of the auditors were at Town Hall for three days and they should be concluding their work at Town Hall next week. Book 9, Page 1589
Mr. Flynt made a motion to approve a budget amendment of $3,000 for the Stokesdale Youth Football Association. Ms. Halbrook seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye and the budget amendment was approved.
Administrative Report: US Census Bureau: Local Update Census Addresses (LUCA) Program: Ms. Joyner noted that preparations are beginning for the 2010 Census. There is will be a training workshop in October in Greensboro.
The Clerk noted that she and Ms. Halbrook had attended the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments meeting yesterday. The COG is now having a "Focus on Members “ segment of their meetings and the Town of Stokesdale was the member government selected this month. There was a brief presentation with photos, history and information.
Legislative Action: Council did not consider any legislative matters.
Other Business: There was no other business coming before Council.
Announcements: Mr. Flynt noted the announcements listed on the agenda.
Comments from the Floor: Ramon Bell said that he did not know how many accidents occurred in Stokesdale. He said that 15,000 accidents occurred in North Carolina with, according to insurance industry numbers, $35 to $40 million of property damage with untold in injury and 6 deaths. One change in the regulations is free unlimited doe tags. Guilford County is in a maximum deer population area in the State. Wildlife officials feel that the Urban Deer Season and the unlimited doe tags this year will help the problem.
Robert Wurz commented that the News & Record publishes a magazine every year perhaps called People and Places. He said that the Stokesdale section was pitiful. He suggested that a member of Council or the Clerk should be contacted for information. Ryan Seal, News & Record, said they had used a different format this year and he would provide the contact information for that publication.
Comments from Council: Mr. Flynt said that his family has moved to a condominium in Greensboro but he intends to maintain a residence in the Town of Stokesdale for a period of time. He has discussed this with Mayor Jones and with Mr. Trevorrow. Mayor Jones has asked Mr. Trevorrow to do a memorandum to him stating the facts of the case and then the applicable law will be reviewed to see if he is in compliance and can meet the requirements of residence. If necessary, Mayor Jones will call a special meeting with Council to discuss it. The law is vague in terms of where you sleep and it is not a definitive law. Mr. Flynt said that he was not trying to hide anything. He said that the safety of his family was one of the reasons for the move. He also said that it was an honor and privilege to serve and he would not do anything that reflects poorly on this Council or the Town. The matter rests with Mayor Jones and Mr. Trevorrow. He advised anyone with complaints or suggestions to call Mayor Jones.
Adjournment: Mr. Richardson made a motion to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:54 PM.
____________________________________________ Carolyn L. Joyner Approved:
__________________________________________ Randle L. Jones, Mayor
Book 9, Page 1590
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: September 20, 2007 Official Copies of the Town Council minutes are available at Town Hall for a nominal copy fee.
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