|
City Council Meeting Minutes
 December 10, 2007
The Bessemer City Council met in regular session on December 10, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Members Present:
Mayor Marilyn Best; Councilmembers: Wayne Massagee, Jim Long, Greg Farris and Joe Will. Howard Jones was absent due to surgery and Kay McCathen was out of town on business. City Manager Allan Farris and City Attorney David Smith were also present.
Call to Order
Mayor Best called the meeting to order. Rev. James Ellis, Pastor of Heaven Bound Baptist Church opened the meeting with prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Flag Ceremony led by Boy Scout Troop 54.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the November 13, 2007 meeting were unanimously approved by motion of Jim Long and second of Greg Farris.
Presentation of Audit Report
Mike Shipman, CPA with Collis & Associates, presented the Audit Report for the year ending June 30, 2007. Mr. Shipman stated that the audit received a “clean opinion” meaning that the auditor can report that the City’s financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects. At June 30, 2007, the City had cash and equivalents of $1,875,399, and increase of $411,808 from last year. The City’s assets exceeded its liabilities by $15, 541,305, an increase of $1,309,325. The governmental funds reported a combined increase in fund balance of $82,413 bringing the balance to $1,550,452. Of the ending fund balances, $829,965 was available for spending at the City’s discretion. The City budgeted $4,000 for the fiscal year ending 6/30/2008, leaving an undesignated fund balance in the General Fund of $825,965 at 6/30/07. The General Fund had a net decrease in fund balance of $5,060. Mr. Shipman reported that as of June 30, 2007, the City had remedied the deficit fund balances in both the Water/Sewer Fund (a positive $260,986) and the Gas Fund (a positive $141,175). In closing, Mr. Shipman expressed appreciation to staff for their assistance and for the opportunity of his firm to serve the City. He concluded his comments adding that he would be available to answer questions at any time. Upon motion of Wayne Massagee, second of Jim Long and unanimous vote the audit was accepted as presented. A copy of the Audit Report is on file in the Clerk’s office and available for public inspection during regular business hours.
Acceptance of Official Canvass (Abstract of Votes)
Upon motion of Greg Farris, second of Joe Will and unanimous vote the “Abstract of Votes” (official canvass from the Gaston County Board of Elections) from the municipal election held on November 6, 2007 was approved as follows:
| Mayor |
Votes |
| Bob Hovis |
236 |
| Greg Farris |
189 |
| Ben Davison |
33 |
| Ward 1 |
Votes |
| B. Wayne Massagee |
368 |
| Ward 2 |
Votes |
| Kay McCathen |
378 |
| Ward 3 |
Votes |
| Marilyn H. Best |
393 |
| Ward 4 |
Votes |
| Howard L. Jones |
376 |
| Ward 5 |
Votes |
| Becky S. Smith |
386 |
| Ward 6 |
Votes |
| Jim Long |
234 |
| David Lutz |
213 |
Presentation & Thanks to Retiring Council Members
Mayor Best stated that when Greg Farris was first elected to the board she considered him just one of her children, but after working with him over the past six years she has become very impressed by his knowledge and dedication to Bessemer City. Mayor Best then presented Councilmember Farris with a plaque of appreciation for his service on the City Council from December 2001 to December 2007. In accepting his plaque, Council Member Farris stated he had enjoyed his three terms on the City Council and he felt that progress had been made over the past six years and the City is now attracting the attention of new business and developers. He advised against giving away any more city services. Mayor Best jokingly told Joe Will she was ready to get out of the Mayor’s seat and back in her Council seat. She expressed sincere appreciation to him for filling in as the Ward 3 Council Member since August 2007
Mayor Best took a moment to express her thanks to the 2005-2007 City Council for their excellent work.
There being no further business to come before the board, Greg Farris moved to adjourn, seconded by Wayne Massagee and passed unanimously.
Adjourn Sine Die of the 2005 – 2007 Bessemer City Council
December 10, 2007
*Meeting continues with the Oath of Office being administered to the newly elected Mayor and City Council Members.
Oath of Office
The Honorable Timothy L. Patti, Resident Superior Court Judge, Gaston County, administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Bob Hovis and to Council Members Jim Long, Becky Smith, Wayne Massagee and Marilyn Best
Call to Order
The newly elected board was seated and Mayor Hovis called the meeting to order.
Amend Agenda
Upon motion of Jim Long, second of Marilyn Best and unanimous vote, the agenda was amended to add Item F – Approval of Overnight Travel to the Consent Agenda.
Mayor/Council Appointments
A. Mayor Pro-Tempore:
Marilyn Best was unanimously appointed as Mayor Pro-Tempore by motion of Jim Long and second of Becky Smith.
B. Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC):
Jim Long was re-appointed to serve on the TAC Committee with Wayne Massagee serving as alternate by motion of Marilyn Best, second of Becky Smith and unanimous vote.
C. Centralina Council of Government Delegate:
Kay McCathen was re-appointed to serve as the COG Delegate by motion of Jim Long, second of Marilyn Best and unanimous vote. The entire Council serves as alternates to this board.
D. ABC Board Liaison:
Howard Jones was unanimously re-appointed to serve as liaison to the ABC Board by motion of Marilyn Best and second of Wayne Massagee.
E. Elected Officials Steering Committee:
Becky Smith was appointed to serve on the Elected Officials Steering Committee by motion of Jim Long, second of Marilyn Best and unanimous vote.
Opportunity for Public Comment
Mrs. Melba Kiser, 201 N. 14th Street and Miss Kathryn Eury, 110 Skyland Avenue spoke on behalf of the Bessemer City Image Committee and presented Council with a list of projects they hoped to complete over the following months. The list included honoring John and Sarah Kiser for their work with the Image Committee, the placement of additional banners in the downtown area, the addition of two welcome signs to replace current signs at N. 12th Street (near Episcopal Church) and Highway 274 (N. 14th Street) and the replacement of flower pots in the downtown area.
Consent Agenda
The following items of the Consent Agenda were unanimously approved by motion of Jim Long and second of Wayne Massagee:
A) Annual Certification of Firemen:
Council approved the Annual Certification of Firemen in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 58-86-25.
B) Ridge Runners Resolution of Authorization:
Council approved the annual Resolution authorizing the New Year’s Shooters to perform their opening ceremonies across from City Hall from 12:00 AM until 12:30 AM. Additional shootings will take place within the City Limits between the hours of 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM on New Year’s Day. (Copy on file in Resolution Book at City Hall).
C) Budget Amendment (Water/Wastewater Fund):
Approved the Finance Officer’s request to amend the Water & Wastewater Fund to cover expenses incurred with the purchase of water from Kings Mountain as follows:
| Account No. |
Description |
Increase |
Descrease |
| 30-9810-0000-00 |
Reserve for Prior Deficit |
|
$100,000 |
| 30-9990-0000-00 |
Reserve for Contingency |
|
$122,171 |
| 30-8100-4800-00 |
Purchased Water |
$222,171 |
|
D) Image Committee Project:
Approved the Image Committee’s request to honor John and Sarah Kiser for their work with the committee by placing a large rock (donated by FMC/Lithium) in the circle planter across from City Hall. A plaque inscribed with Mr. & Mrs. Kiser’s names will be placed on the rock. Approximate cost of the project was $300.00.
E) 2008 Meeting Schedule:
Approved the meeting schedule for the City Council and Planning Board for 2008.
F) Overnight Travel Request:
Approved the request of the Finance Officer to attend the Budget
and Financial Planning Class at the UNC School of Government on January 8-11.
Ordinance to Amend The City Code (§34.20) - Purchase Order Limit
The current threshold limit for purchases not requiring a purchase order is $75.00 (Ordinance passed 10/10/94). City Staff recommended increasing the threshold limit to $200.00. The City Manager explained that the recommended increase would reduce paperwork and eliminates backtracking for small purchases and that the $200.00 is more in line with other municipalities. The Manager also advised that Councilmember Jones called to request this item be continued until the January meeting to allow more time to receive additional information. Following discussion regarding the escalating costs of materials and supplies and the fact that the City’s threshold amount had not changed in thirteen years, Jim Long moved to adopt an Ordinance Amending the Code Regarding Threshold Limits for Purchase Orders. Second was by Marilyn Best and vote unanimous. (Copy on file in Ordinance Book at City Hall).
Ordinance to Amend the City Code (§ 52.33 & § 52.34) to Add Penalties for Violations of Water Restriction
Manager Farris recommended Council consider an ordinance to amend the City Code to add specific penalties for violations associated with unlawful uses of water during Stage II & III restrictions. Under provisions of General Statutes §162A-88, service may be temporarily discontinued for willful disregard and a $55 reconnect fee imposed before restoration of service. In the event of continued noncompliance, service may be discontinued and the meter removed. The Manager suggested the following penalties: First Offense - $100.00, Second Offense - $200.00, Third Offense – Discontinuation of Service. Any reconnecting by customer shall result in a fine of $500.00 and removal of the meter. Following discussion regarding the assessment of penalties, addition of a warning offense, violation delivery/notification and commercial penalties, the City Attorney suggested rewording the ordinance for consideration at the January meeting. Jim Long moved to continue this item until the January meeting, seconded by Wayne Massage with unanimous vote.
Resolution to Amend Water Rates (Finished & Raw Water)
Due to the unexpected expenses incurred with the drought, the City Manager proposed an increase in water rates effective with the January 1, 2008 billing cycle. Manager Farris reported that the City had incurred costs of nearly $200,000 above amounts budgeted for water. To recoup some of the additional costs, the Manager proposed a 5% increase in finished water rates from $4.26/1000 gallons to $4.48 per /1000 gallons and an increase for raw water rates from .055/1000 gallons to .48/1000 gallons. Marilyn Best moved to adopt a resolution approving the water rate increase for finished and raw water as proposed, seconded by Jim Long. Voting in favor: Marilyn Best, Jim Long, and Becky Smith. Voting opposed: Wayne Massagee. (Copy on file in Resolution Book at City Hall).
City Manager Report
1. Dole Water Agreement:
The City’s original agreement with Dole was to furnish them with finished water at a reduced rate for their first year of operation. That first year is up and in November, the City began charging Dole the same rate as other customers.
2. Bank Account Changes:
In an effort to save the City money and after research and analysis, the Finance Officer has changed the City’s checking account from Sun Trust to First National Bank. The savings should amount to approximately $500.00 per month. Other services offered include ACH Drafts and wire transfers at no charge.
3. Street Light/Parking on Street:
Duke Power has been requested to replace a street light on the 200 block of South Skyland Avenue. Residents in that area also expressed concern regarding parking on the street and suggested that the East side of the street be closed to parking. They are worried that in an emergency there would be no way for an ambulance or fire truck to get through.
4. Manganese Problems:
The Public Utilities Director is aware of the manganese problem at the water plant. This is a natural occurrence due to the drought and corrective measures are being taken to correct the problem.
5. Additional Water Source:
Work is continuing on this issue. City engineer Ben Thompson is currently looking at additional maps on the area surrounding the Martin Marietta source for possible well sites. Arrowood is showing some signs of recovery and only drawing from Kings Mountain on the weekend. The second pump installed at Long Creek has helped tremendously.
Council General Discussion
Wayne Massagee said the previous Council agreed to disagree and tried to do what was best for City and that the Christmas decorations looked beautiful; Jim Long thanked citizens for the opportunity to serve another term and said he was looking forward to working with the new board; new member Becky Smith advised she was happy to be on the board; Mayor Hovis advised he called the Mooresville office of NCDENR on December 4, 2007 in regard to the NPDES Permit (held by FMC/Lithium from 1978-1984) for the lithium mine that over the years had discharged many thousands of gallons of water into Long Creek. This call was in an attempt to aid the City in securing an emergency use permit for an additional water supply from Martin Marietta quarry.
Adjourn
Being no further business to come before the board, motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM was made by Jim Long, seconded by Marilyn Best and passed.
Janice M. Costner, City Clerk
William R. Hovis, Mayor |
 |
|
|
Bob Hovis
Kay McCathen
Marilyn Best
Howard Jones
Becky Smith
Jim Long
