The Village of Walnut Creek Council met in Regular Session, January 23rd, 2013 at 7:30 PM, 103 Village Drive.
PRESENT:
Mayor Pro-Tem Greg Ricker Councilman Tom Shaw
Councilman Russ Prys Councilman Stoney Sloan
Administrator Lou Cook Clerk Sharon Geelen
Chief Ken Barrett Attorney Phil Baddour
Absent: Mayor Darrell Horne
Residents in Attendance: John Agner, Bob Julian, Ken Blackwell, Michelle Blackwell, George Talbot, Charles Bryant, Bill Watson, Greg Nichols, Jerry Ray, Chris Wise, John Morton, Frances Whitfield, Gerald Johnson, Bob Cagel, Theresa Flynn, and Maureen Prys.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker called the meeting to order.
Councilman Stoney Sloan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker asked if there were any changes to the December Minutes or December and November Finance Reports. There were no changes. Councilman Tom Shaw moved to approve the minutes and the finance reports. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments:
The following residents spoke during the public comment period: John Agner, Bob Julian, Ken Blackwell, Michelle Blackwell, George Talbot, Charles Bryant, Bill Watson, Greg Nichols, Jerry Ray, Chris Wise, John Morton, Frances Whitfield, Gerald Johnson, Bob Cagel, Theresa Flynn, and Maureen Prys.
GTG 311 System Presentation: Andrew Radford presented the council with a power point presentation regarding the 311 System offered by Geographic Technologies Group.
Planning Board:
No Report
Manager Report:
Mr. Cook told the council the current rate the Village charges for a returned check is
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January 23rd, 2013
less than what the bank charges the Village for a returned check. He asked them to consider changing the rate to match what is being charged by the bank.
Mr. Cook stated it is time to be thinking about setting a date for the Village Social Picnic. He suggested the date of April 27th, which he pointed out, is a Saturday. Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker told Mr. Cook to go ahead and pencil in the date of April 27th for the Village Social.
Mr. Cook said the Family Y will be holding their Half-Marathon on February 2nd.
Mr. Cook announced there would be a Concealed Carry class held at the Village Town Hall on February 9th. I will be an all-day class and the cost of the class is $50.
Mr. Cook stated he met with Mr. John Gerber from the Division of Emergency Services in Raleigh regarding the community rating system for flood insurance. He explained to Mr. Cook there is a community rating system for flood hazard. He gave Mr. Cook some pointers on how the Village can incorporate the system in order to lower flood rates for residents required to carry flood insurance.
At Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker’s request Mr. Cook briefed the upcoming dredging project. He stated that Foster Lake and Pond Management would be dredging out 3 areas, two on Lake Wackena and one on Spring Lake. The project has been delayed a week due to the weather. He also said Fosters has said to go ahead and close the gates so the lake can start filling back up.
Clerk Report:
Mrs. Geelen stated that property taxes are almost all collected. There are still a few properties that owe 2012 taxes.
Mrs. Geelen said there is a property that owes 2011 & 2012 taxes has apparently filed bankruptcy. She is working with Attorney Baddour’s office to ensure the Village is paid for all back taxes.
Mrs. Geelen reported there is a property on Walnut Creek drive that had been abandoned and she has been contacted by a Realtor stating he will be listing the house soon.
Police Chief Report:
Chief Barrett stated the Family Y was having their Half-Marathon on February 2nd and there will be a Concealed Carry class on the 9th.
Chief Barrett said the next Crime Watch meeting will be held at the Village Town Hall on February 12th. The Wayne County ACE Team will be there as the guest speaker.
Chief Barrett reported on the December 22nd car break-ins. He stated that of the 10 cars that were broken into, nine were unlocked. He asked that everyone be vigilant and make sure they keep their property secure.
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January 23rd, 2013
Chief Barrett said that he and Sargent Belden had set up seat belt checking stations at the front and back entrance during the holidays for more visibility.
Chief Barrett said boat stickers for the 2013 calendar year are now available at the Village Office.
Chief Barrett stated the country club is working on a policy to require police/security for parties.
Committee Reports
Tom Shaw-Planning Board, Police Commissioner, Web Master
No Report
Stoney Sloan-Village Owned Property
Councilman Sloan reported that the Parks & Recreation Committee has met and are looking at a design a sign for the park area and replacing the one at the boat ramp.
Councilman Sloan briefed the council on the status of the beautification project. He stated the Planning Board had made recommendations in regard to which areas should be addressed first, they are as follows; the rear entrance, the utility boxes at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Mill Road (at hole 12 on the golf course), the lower dam, and on Walnut Creek Drive where the new generators are located. Councilman Sloan said the contractor he would like to go with is Landscape Design, their bid came in under budget and after talking with them he feels they would be the right choice. Councilman Sloan moved that the council approve the awarding of the contract to Landscape Design. The motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Sloan stated Crime Watch has pointed out trees blocking the street lights in some areas and it is interfering with the lighting. He is going to work with Mr. Cook to identify these areas and have the trees trimmed back.
Councilman Sloan also mentioned that the area around the water tower is going to be cleaned up and he is working on a storage and parking plan for commercial vehicles.
Councilman Sloan said the bushes that have died around the new lift stations still have not been replaced despite his efforts to get the contractor to come back and replace the dead plants. He will continue to try to get the situation resolved.
Russ Prys-Water & Sewer Commissioner, Insurance
Councilman Prys stated he granted a one-time waiver for a resident who had a leak and therefor had a high water/sewer bill.
Greg Ricker-Lake Committee, Fire Department, Cable, Trash & Recycling
Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker announced he received notice from Suddenlink as of June 1st they will be turning off analog cable service. If you have a flat screen TV or a cable box you will not be affected. However anyone with an older model television that does not have a cable box, you will need to get a converter box from Suddenlink. Suddenlink is providing these boxes at no cost to the resident.
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January 23rd, 2013
Councilman Shaw said he had a resident call him regarding his son being asked to leave when he was fishing on the dam. Councilman Shaw stated after checking the ordinance and the lake rules he discovered they do not match. He is asking the Lake Committee to review the lake rules and ordinance and make a recommendation to the council on which way the rules should read. Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker will take that back to the Lake Committee for review.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker stated there are two items for consideration under new business. The first is the Preliminary Assessment Resolution for the Sewer Project. Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker read the high lights of the resolution. Councilman Prys moved to adopt the resolution as presented. Attached here to. Councilmen Shaw and Prys voted yes, Councilman Sloan voted no. The motion passed.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker asked Mr. Cook to coordinate with the Country Club to set up the Public Hearing to be held at the Country Club. After the Public Hearing the meeting will be moved back to the town hall for the regular council meeting.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ricker read the committee appointments for the calendar year 2013. Attached here to. Councilman Prys moved to approve accept the selections presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Announcements/Correspondence:
None
There being no further business to bring before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
__________________________ _________________________
Clerk, Sharon Geelen Mayor C. Darrell Horne