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MINUTES WORK SESSION JANUARY 27, 2005
The Aberdeen Board of Commissioners met Thursday, January 27, 2005 for a Work Session. Members present were Mayor Elizabeth Mofield and Commissioners Pat Ann McMurray, Robbie Farrell and Donna Shannon. Commissioners Arthur Parker and Terry Marquez were not in attendance. Others in attendance were Town Manager Bill Zell, Planning Director Giles Hopkins, Finance Officer Beth Wentland, Town Clerk Nancy Matthews and Matthew Moriarity, Reporter for the Pilot. Scott Brewer of Dixon Hughes, PLLC, was in attendance to give the Town’s audit presentation.
1. FY2003-2004 Audit presentation by Scott Brewer of Dixon Hughes, PLLC.
Mr. Scott Brewer of Dixon Hughes, PLLC., distributed to the Board a copy of the Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2003-2004. He then briefly reviewed with the Board the Independent Auditors’ Report, the General Fund, Major Capital Projects Fund, Water and Sewer Fund, Water and Sewer Capital Project Fund and the Supplemental Financial Data. He then did an overview of the Compliance Section, in which he stated the audit disclosed no instances of noncompliance that would require to be reported under Government Auditing Standards.
In summation, Mr. Brewer stated the Town was in good financial standing. He also stated the transition into GABS 34 went smoothly. He stated the Town and the Finance Department is to be commended for their work and preparation in supplying accurate information for the audit.
2. Public Hearing on a petition for contiguous annexation requested by Gwendolyn Hartson for property at 607 Park Drive, Aberdeen, N. C.
Planning Director Giles Hopkins informed the Board the Public Hearing scheduled for February 14th is just the next step in the annexation process. He stated Ms. Hartson desires to have in-town water rates. Agenda item as Public Hearing and Old Business.
3. Public Hearing on Application for Conditional Use Permit CU#04-09 requested by Gerald E. Bateman for Record and Data Storage Solutions, Inc., NC 211 Highway in an existing portion of the Pinnacle Furnishing Building, formerly known as Doxey Furniture.
Mr. Hopkins stated a Public Hearing has been scheduled for the February 14th Board meeting on this item. He stated the Planning Board will review this item at their next Planning Board meeting and, at that time, will make their recommendations to the Town Board. Agenda item as Public Hearing.
4. Application for Conditional Use Permit CU#04-08 to encroach the setbacks of lots specifically known as Lots #32 and #33 Glen Laurel – Phase 2.
Mr. Hopkins stated a Public Hearing was held at the January 10th Board meeting. He stated the Planning Board has reviewed and made a recommendation to the Town Board that CU#02-03 be amended to allow a 5-ft. front setback encroachment and a 5-ft. right side encroachment for Lot #32 and to allow a 10-ft. front setback encroachment for Lot #33.
Item was discussed at length and the consensus of the Board the following: On Lot #32, to allow a 5-ft. front setback encroachment and a 4-ft. right side encroachment; On Lot #33, reduce to a 7-ft. front setback encroachment only. Commissioner Farrell asked Mr. Hopkins to word the amendment to provide only the minimum necessary. Mr. Hopkins will have the proper language for the February 14th meeting with a consideration to approve. Agenda item as New Business.
5. Preliminary Plat Review PLP#04-04 submitted by William C. Burrow for property located within Blue Street, Bethesda Avenue, Campbell Street and Main Street.
Mr. Hopkins informed the Board that the proposed plat includes 19.356 acres, 7 parcels and no streets. He stated the proposed plat also meets all of the required subdivision requirements of the Town. He also stated the Planning Board has reviewed and make their recommendation to the Town Board to approve PLP#04-04.
The Board then discussed this item at length. There were some concerns from the Board of how the property was being subdivided. Mr. Hopkins informed the Board the Preliminary Plat Review meets all the Town requirements and the property owners would have to comply with all the Town ordinances, including the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Agenda item as New Business.
6. Resolution seeking North Carolina General Assembly Funding for the Support of the Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base Regional Land Use Advisory Commission(RLUAC).
Mr. Hopkins informed the Board that RLUAC recently incorporated and has adopted a proposed startup six-month budget as well as a full yearly budget to follow that. He stated RLUAC is seeking financial self-sufficiency and to employ its own executive director. He stated this resolution, when adopted by the Board, recognizes and supports the need for RLUAC’s financial assistance from the N. C. General Assembly in the amount of $30,000.00. He stated the Town pays yearly dues in the amount of $250.00 and other adjacent local governmental units pay proportional amounts. He also stated in order for this commission to properly function, the Board must request that the N. C. General Assembly appropriate on an annual and reoccurring basis. He stated the main goal is to have good lines of communication between the military and the civilian population and to encourage non-development close to the military base which could impact military training.
Mr. Hopkins then stated that one of the things the RLUAC is working on is a walking/riding trail that will go along the south side of the military base and will end at Weymouth Woods on Ft. Bragg Road. He stated no horses will be allowed due to the loud noise during training exercises causing horses to spook. Agenda item as New Business.
7. Other Business
a. Mr. Hopkins updated the Board concerning the Watershed issue. He stated the County has sent the request to the County Planning Board for recommendations. He stated there has been one meeting of the subcommittee to discuss new methods of using and protecting Aberdeen’s future development up Highway 5. He stated the subcommittee would be meeting again on February 15th and hopefully this can be the last meeting. He also stated he hoped to get a positive reaction from the County Planning Department, then onto the County Board of Commissioners by early spring for their review.
b. Manager Zell distributed to the Board a memorandum from Public Works Director, Rickie Monroe, pertaining to water system violation at Well #12, which is located near Erico. He stated the Town has exceeded the allowable limits for Radium 226 and 228 at this well. He stated the mandated action will require the Town to notify all water customers of the violation and to perform quarterly tests for the next year. He stated if the contaminants do not clear up in a years time, the Town may have to close down this well until a cost-effective treatment process is available. He also informed the Board this is not a serious thing but the Town still has to conform to the mandated action.
c. Planning Director Hopkins informed the Board that Building Inspector, Billy Coxe, has resigned to take a position with the Hoke County Inspections Department. He stated Mr. Coxe’s last day will be February 1st. He also informed the Board that the position is being advertised and already beginning to receive some applications. He stated the Planning Department has backup inspection capabilities until some one is hired.
d. Planning Director Hopkins referred the Board to the report prepared by Deputy Planner, Heather Brown, concerning migrant housing. He stated the staff will continue to investigate possible solutions to limit the number of persons occupying single-family housing.
8. Adjourn
With no other items for discussion or review, a motion was made by Commissioner Farrell, seconded by Commissioner Shannon, to adjourn the Work Session. Motion unanimously carried.
_____________________ ______________________ Nancy M. Matthews, Town Clerk Elizabeth B. Mofield, Mayor |