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of Book 21 TOWN OF COLUMBIA BOARD MINUTES August 7, 2017

The Board of Aldermen of the Town of Columbia met in regular session at 7:PM, Monday, August 7, 2017, in the Conference Room of the Columbia Municipal Building. Aldermen attending were Lloyd Armstrong, James Cahoon and Sandra Owens. Mayor F. Michael Griffin presided. Mayor Griffin called the meeting to order and announced that a quorum was present. He shared a letter from Gabriel Crail submitting her resignation effective July 31, 2017, due to moving outside the town limits. Mayor Griffin asked Alderman Cahoon to offer a prayer for the Board. Mayor Griffin announced the scheduled 7:PM Public Hearing on the Northeast NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. He invited public comments but there were none so the hearing was closed. Mayor Griffin explained that the multi-county plan is required by FEMA for the town to be eligible for disaster benefits, but he expressed concern that the plan lacked adequate local input and like so many consultant developed plans contains too many factual errors. After discussion, motion was made by Alderman Cahoon to adopt the Resolution Adopting the Northeast NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The motion passed unanimously. attachment # 1 Upon motion of Alderman Owens, the Consent Agenda was unanimously approved. This included: Minutes of July 6, 2017 Regular Board Meeting Tax Discovery of $100, Rosa Hernandez, 112 S. Road Street Mayor Griffin announced the Public Comment Period, inviting the audience to address the town on any subject of town governance. Tim Nielsen, a Main Street businessman, informed the Aldermen that a new billboard welcomes travelers to Columbia, but he fears that the “No Wake During High Water” signs are negative, especially for those entering the business district. He said that waves created in the wake of vehicles traveling through tide water backed up on the streets is not a regular problem and that most drivers are responsible in such situations. Seth Gibbs, a resident of Light Street, also addressed the “No Wake” signs indicating they are negative to selling a house within the town. With no additional comments Mayor Griffin closed the comment period. Sheriff Darryl Liverman presented the July 2107 Law Enforcement Report. He indicated that 587 actions were handled in the town including 337 business checks and 40 security Page 73 of Book 21 checks. Sheriff Liverman said the number of calls within the county and town were greater than several Outer Banks towns during the past month. There were 27 EMS calls. Nineteen charges resulted from traffic related enforcement actions. Alderman Cahoon asked how the recent drug related activity at the Tyrrell Prison Work Farm affects law enforcement and EMS. The Sheriff said it ties up officers and equipment, noting there were nine overdoses within one 24 hour period. Alderman Owens asked the Board to consider asking NCDOT to designate Road Street from US-64/Scuppernong Drive, north to the North Boundary Canal as no parking on either side of the street. She said the time to make this request is now since NCDOT is resurfacing and will add new stripes in a couple of weeks. After discussion, Alderman Cahoon made a motion to adopt a No Parking Resolution for North Road Street. The motion passed unanimously. attachment # 2 Lee Scripture, Johnny Spencer and Stephen Swain representing the Tyrrell Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) addressed the Board concerning town streets that need to have overhanging limbs and vegetation trimmed. Mr. Spencer reported that new fire trucks have been purchased, including a ladder truck, that are larger than previous trucks and that can not maneuver some town streets without scraping overhanging tree limbs. A list of streets that are a concern plus numerous legal citations were left with the Aldermen. After much discussion the Board asked the Town Manager to arrange a drive around with the TVFD to look at the TVFD concerns and determine which trees can be trimmed. Mr. Spencer invited the Board and Mayor to visit the TVFD to see the new trucks. They indicated they will be requesting some of the Columbia Fire Truck Reserve funds to help with a future vehicle purchase. Upon motion of Alderman Owens, the vote was unanimous to adopt a Resolution of Respect Honoring Dwight Hernard Wheless, the late Town Attorney of 23 years. attachment # 3 In response to a request from Tyrrell County Schools, motion to adopt a Resolution Requesting Reduction in Speed Limit on Main Street to 25 MPH from Road Street east to US- 64/Scuppernong Drive, was made by Alderman Armstrong. The motion passed unanimously. attachment # 4 Discussion followed on the recent State Legislative Action allowing municipalities to permit alcohol sales as early as 10:AM on Sundays. Mayor Griffin reported that Food Lion would like to see the earlier sales to remove a burden on store employees who deal with unhappy customers Sunday mornings. He said the Winery is supportive of earlier sales but that Columbia Crossing Restaurant has no position. Discussion followed during which time it was noted that neighboring towns and counties have adopted the earlier hours. Page 74 of Book 21

With one Board position vacant and one Alderman absent, there was a question about whether an ordinance could be adopted on a first vote. Town Manager Rhett White reported that he had discussed this with Attorney Jay Wheless who advised that State Law allows final adoption of a municipal ordinance with an affirmative vote of the sitting members of the Board, thus with a vacant seat the town has a four-member Board with one absence which will require a 2/3 vote on the first vote. A 2/3 affirmative vote requires three yes votes to pass. Upon motion of Alderman Cahoon the vote was unanimous (3 yes, 0 no) to adopt the ordinance allowing the earlier alcohol sales. Mr. White was directed to notify the affected businesses of the town action. attachment # 5 A request by Tyrrell County to transfer previously town and county tax foreclosed property back to the original owner, L.A. White, was considered. It was noted that the town and county foreclosed on the property in 2011 and that County Manager David Clegg had been collecting monthly payments on the previously due taxes while Mr. White lived in the house without paying any rent. Mayor Griffin noted that the structure was a CDBG project but that Mr. White has satisfied the CDBG requirements. Pursuant to G.S. 160A-271, motion was made by Alderman Cahoon to transfer the Town of Columbia’s current ownership interest in the property known as the L.A. White property, 505 Rowsom Street, to Lassie A. White, subject to the same action by the Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners regarding their interest in the same property. The motion passed unanimously. The Manager reported on Hurricane Matthew disaster relief. He said $30,125 is due from FEMA for drainage and debris removal done by the town. He said work is expected to begin soon on the North Road Street work at the North Boundary Canal. He said applications are still awaited for the NC Housing Finance Agency disaster grants and that 11 residents have submitted applications of interest. Mr. White reported that two Columbia homes have been selected for elevation by the NC Department of Safety, Emergency Management Division. He reported that details on the CDBG disaster grant is still awaited. He noted that the State Legislature considered action on funding storm drainage projects, but failed to act. The Manager reported that no additional Building Reuse and Renovation funds have been used by Stiletto Boats or by Waypoint Oyster Bar. The Manger reported that auditors have completed their on-site work and that Carr Riggs Ingrim CPA’s are leaving the area. He said this may be a good time to solicit bids for the annual financial audit. After discussion, Alderman Owens made a motion directing the Manager to secure proposals for consideration. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. White reported that tax bills should go out September 29th. Page 75 of Book 21

Much discussion followed on selection of a new town attorney. By consent, the Board agreed to invite Jay Wheless to meet with the Board to discuss the town’s needs and his possible interest. Mr. White will contact Mr. Wheless. The Manager reported that Mains Street from Broad Street to the waterfront and Road Street from US-64/Scuppernong Drive to the intersection of River neck and New roads will be completed next week. He said five of seven street cuts have been repaired by Basnight Construction and two sections of sidewalk have been repaired by Summerell Concrete. He said mowing of some derelict properties continues at town expense, stating that there needs to be a reasonable expectation that the town can be reimbursed for its expenses. Alderman Owens asked that Stiletto Boats be advised to not mow grass and leave it on the street. She asked that consideration again be given to dealing with the water standing at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Bridge Street. Alderman Cahoon said consideration should be given to a different method of indicating high water, suggesting that the Sheriff may have suggestions for signage. Alderman Armstrong recognized Seth Gibbs, a candidate for the Board of Aldermen in November. He asked if there are other ways to help the firemen with their needs such as more one-way streets and trees tangled in power lines. He noted that several no parking signs are faded and need replacing. He asked if there had been any problems reported at the new outdoor basketball courts across from the Columbia Missionary Baptist Church. Upon motion of Alderman Owens, the vote to adjourn was unanimous. Mayor Griffin adjourned the meeting.

This the 7th day of August, 2017. ______F. Michael Griffin, Mayor ATTEST: ______Rhett B. White, Clerk