Minutes of the Meeting of The Liberty Town Council

Held on February 23, 2015 at 6:30 pm

Present

Mayor: The Honorable Terry Caviness

Council: Filmore York, Gary Davis, Mark Jones, Tyson Nixon, and Chris Compton

Town Manager: Roy Lynch

Town Clerk: Bridget Langley

Town Attorney: Bill Flowe

Staff: Public Works Director, Chris Taylor; and Librarian, Niccole Hugg-Suttles; Fire Chief, Matt Talbott;

To Order The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:30pm and asked Chris Compton to lead the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence.

Minutes Council Member Chris Compton made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 20, 2015 work session. Council Member Gary Davis seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Council Member Gary Davis made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2015 meeting. Council Member Chris Compton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Adoption of Rules and Regulations for Farmers Market The Step Committee set up rules and regulations, and established dates such as April through October for a $25.00 fee for the Farmers Market use. The market will be open daily. Vendors will need to register at Liberty Town Hall and occupy one 10x12 space and will not be allowed to sell in the open areas under the trees. The next shelter will be built when weather breaks. The vendors are to keep areas tidy and rules will be enforced. No assignments wil l be given to 10x12 spaces; This wil l be on a first come, first serve basis daily.

Examples of items that cannot be sold are unpasteurized juices, fish, hot dogs hamburgers; basically no truck or food vendors; dairy based fresh foods, pet food, water plants (bacteria related) no yard sale or flee market items and no animal can be sold or given away.

Bathrooms will be unlocked and locked once completed. At this point the police department will have the responsibility.

The Council recommends the agreement should state the fee is non-refundable. Baked goods must be baked by the seller and comply with State regulations. Vendor "must" register instead of "may" on the application and agreement. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Town Manager. Non-profit's would not be charged a fee such as Girl Scouts selling cookies.

Council member Mark Jones made a motion to approve the rules and regulations with the corrections to the agreement that were just stated for the Liberty Farmers market. Council Member Chris Compton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Authorize Town Manager to proceed with Land Development Plan Update The Land Development Plan has not been updated since 1999. Attorney Flowe thinks it is something we need do and needs to be looked at to see i f it fits in with the direction the Council Members would like to see the Town grow.

Council member Tyson Nixon made a motion to approve the Land Development Plan Update. Council Member Filmore York seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Authorize Town Manager to proceed with Inventory of Minimum Housing Violations The Minimum Housing Ordinance has not beenupdated since 1990 and while most things would not change it is a good idea to view the statues to make sure we are in compliance. The Town Council needs to bring someone in to identify properties and present to the Council the structures in question.

Council Member Filmore York made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to proceed with the Minimum Housing Violations. Council Member Tyson Nixon seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Discussion of Town Hall Renovations Town Manager, Roy Lynch, is looking for thoughts and ideas to help with the sound, lighting, and heating in the Town Council room. Council Member Gary Davis thinks the 10 foot drop ceiling that was proposed would be sufficient. Council Member Chris Compton agrees we need to spend the money and fix the room. One quote was to run support wires from wall to wall, attached to the brick, suspend the ceiling from those wires so as to not damage the wooden exposed beams. Council Member Mark Jones does not want to install a new ceiling.

Town Manager would like to get more information on how they will install and hang the ceiling. Council Member Filmore York asked to table the item until the Town Manager, Roy Lynch, has had more time to get information on how the construction would work and to explore other avenues.

Approve Budget Development Calendar FY 15/16 This is the standard calendar presented every year showing how we will move forward in preparing the budget.

Council Member Filmore York made a motion to approve the 2015/2016 Budget Calendar schedule. Council Member Chris Compton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Budget Amendment #7 Council Member Gary Davis made a motion to approve Budget Amendment #7 allocating $12.45 toward the Americhem Project for funds uncollected through the grant. Council Member Filmore York seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Budget Amendment to close Americhem Project Budget Amendment #7 is to close the Americhem Capital project that is now complete.

Council Member Tyson Nixon made a motion to close the Americhem Capital Project. Council Member Gary Davis seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Town Manager's Report At Thursday's Retreat, Town Manager Roy Lynch had been quoted the wrong payoff for the fire department and after pulling the latest statement, we owe less on principal. I f we put down $100,000 and finance $459,000, the annual payment would increase $270. Al l rates are at 3.37% and i f we put down $125,000 and finance $434,000, the payment would go up $726 per year. By putting down $133,000, it would leave the payment at $36,694 and $ 477,000 would be saved over a 13 year period. Town Manager, Roy Lynch, would like approval to move forward with a written proposal and what needs to be done from there.

Council Member Chris would like to put down the $133, 000. Council Member Tyson Nixon would like to see i f we financed an even $400,000, what would we be saving and what the payments would be. Council Member Filmore York likes option 3 of putting $133,000 down unless the Town Manager comes back with a better deal. Proceed with credit check and loan information, but with option of putting down $159,000.

The Liberty Redevelopment committee is not able to meet until March 3 due to weather issues. The first thing on the agenda is the July celebration.

The Town Manager is relaying information from Daniel Farmer who said i f Randolph Community College has closed due to inclement weather, then classes here at Town Hall are also canceled.

Council Comments Niccole Hugg-Suttles, Librarian, put information and flyers outside the council room regarding the photographs taken around town.

Fire Chief Matt Talbot agrees with option 3 of the refinancing proposals and is thankful the Council is looking at reducing the payment.

Council Member Mark Jones said people are asking about the movie theater and would like to know i f the Town has any responsibility in choosing the movies. Town Manager, Roy Lynch, stated Ron Staley is responsible for that.

Council Member Tyson Nixon inquired about the property around Freedom Park, specifically the area we currently use for the walking trail. We currently lease the property for $1 per year. I f Mr. Cumins has no purpose for the property, Council Member Tyson Nixon would like to research a purchase price for that area. Council Member Gary Davis thinks this is a good idea to purchase it. Town Manager Roy Lynch wil l approach Ed Cumins.

Council Member Tyson Nixon appreciates the council retreat held last Thursday, thanked the Town Manager and stated it was not a waste of anyone's time that day. He stated that each department head did a great job with their presentations.

Adjourn There being no further business to discuss. Council Member Tyson Nixon made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Mark Jones seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

ATTEST: To wrr Clerk