Town of Elizabethtown Town Council Regular Meeting
January 9, 2012

Town Council Member Ray Allen was administered the Oath of Office Monday evening to start the new year for the Town Board.   A public hearing was conducted to hear comments regarding the close out for additional funds on the Swanzy Ridge Project.  Tammy Jones of the Adams Company was present for questions.  Council approved the close out for the project.

A second public hearing was held regarding a text amendment to the Elizabethtown Zoning Ordinance, Article 8, Section 8.4.1 to include additional language for rules and regulations for a stormwater protection ordinance.  The text amendment proposal included TSS removal and fee schedule for the Town’s zoning jurisdiction.  Council approved the text amendment as presented.

In administrative matters, the Council approved the Budget Calendar for FY 2012-13; approved a budget amendment as presented; made appointments to Zoning Board (Charlie Hilton, James Franklin McDowell), Housing Authority Board (Judy Cain), Local Firemen’s Relief Fund Trustees ( Wayne Edge and Jack Cross) and approved Change Order #14 for Farmer’s Market ($1,670 credit).

Beginning in February of 2011, the NC Department of Commerce-Division of Community Assistance began redrafting the Town’s zoning ordinance.  Ms. Shanelle Bullock appeared before the Planning Board during their meeting this evening to overview the rewritten ordinance.  The review process is expected to take several months and multiple meetings.  Two additional Council members have been requested to assist in the process and work with the Planning Board.  Council appointed Richard Glenn and Ricky Leinwand to help with the review process.

In June 2010, the Town received a Rural Center grant in the amount of $500,000 for the Flex Net wireless meter replacement project.   Additional funds of $389,000 from the NCDENR-Public Water Supply section, which originally was intended to come in the form of a grant, are now being offered to the Town as a loan program.  Staff was notified that funding will be available at zero percent interest, for a twenty year term.  Based on a loan amount of $389,514.54 the payment is calculated to be $1,622.98 per month or $19,475.76 per year.   Council considered funding options for the meter replacement project and approved the funding plan as presented.

With the Town now having acquired the adjacent property to the Farmer’s Market, W.K. Dickson and Associates was asked to provide guidance on the potential use of the property.  Angie Mettien presented the conceptual plan for the park property which includes additional parking, walking pathway, recreational and play areas.  Council will give direction and approval on the use of the vacant property.

At the December 2011 meeting, Cole Young made a request of the Council for the Town to look into constructing a cul-de-sac at the end of Glenwood Drive.  A petition from the property owners was presented requesting the Town to construct the cul-de-sac.  Town Code of Ordinances permits the improvements of Town streets that are deemed by the Town Council to be in the public’s best interest.  The Code further places the burden on the benefiting property owners to cover all costs associated with the proposed work.   Joey Taylor with Geographic Solutions assembled the preliminary estimate of costs.  The total estimate is $42,625.00. Council voted to continue studying options and solutions for this matter.

Town offices will be closed on Monday, January 16th to observe the Martin Luther King Holiday.  The annual MLK Parade will take place on the 16th at 11:00 a.m.