September 13, 2016
Commissioners Regular Meeting
The Rowland Board of Commissioners with the following members present: Honorable James A. Hampton Sr., Mayor; Commissioner Marvin Shooter (Mayor Pro-Tem); Commissioner Betty Boyd; Commissioner Jean Love, Commissioner Paul Hunt.
Also present were David Townsend, Town Clerk; John Reaves, Police Chief; Elizabeth Brown, Administrative Assistant; Faye Carlyle, Finance Officer; Steve Richardson, Mechanic; Jessie Watson, Water and Sewer; and Town Attorney, Robert Price. There were (6) six guests present for this meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hampton determined that a quorum was present and called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Hampton welcomed all those present. The invocation was presented by Commissioner Jean Love. The pledge of allegiance was led by Mayor James A. Hampton, Sr.
Commissioner Boyd made the motion to approve the previous meeting minutes for August 24, 2016.
Commissioner Hunt seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved by a show of hands.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Townsend reported that a Settlement Agreement with the NC Department of Environmental Quality had been reached regarding the NOV the Town received in the Spring. Three tasks, easily achievable, had to be agreed to in order to get the NOV fines reduced. Those agreements were made and the fee had to be paid prior to September 9th 2016.
Mr. Townsend introduced Mr. Jim Perry of Lumber River Council of Government, who is going to be working with us to try to get a grant that will help us with Assessment Management Planning. He explained that most State and Federal funds are not easy to come by from the State. A lot of groundwork and planning had to be presented showing what the critical needs are in the Town. This is where Assessment Management comes in. The state needs to know that we are attempting to address those needs that we need financial assistance with. The Town’s obligation toward the grant would be a maximum 5% of the Grant. Many issues need to be addressed regarding our sewer repair needs. The Grant will pay for maps, sewer system inventory, etc. Commissioner Shooter made a motion to approve the resolution as corrected. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jean Love. The motion carried by a show of hands.
“The Staffing Alliance” of Lumberton has requested assistance from the Town in holding a Job Fair in Rowland in October.
They are to provide copies of flyers for approval before distributing to various locations in Rowland. They are associated with businesses located around Robeson County and surrounding areas.
The Staffing Alliance employees will conduct interviews with the attendees and can direct them to various businesses with job openings. They have asked to use the Commissioners Room Facilities for this purpose. The request was approved and agreed upon by Commissioners.
Chief John Reaves introduced Tyler Chavis; a new Police officer for the Town of Rowland. He was welcomed by the Commissioners and Mayor Hampton. Mr. Lee Goodman spoke about having USDA Workshop at multiple places around Rowland.
He expounded about the efforts the USDA, North Carolina A&T University and various other entities have and will continue to provide toward the success of the workshops and educational endeavors toward a better economy.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Administration:
Legal: N/A
Police: Chief Reaves reported that the judges are complaining about the lighting in the court room. The lighting really needs to be fixed. Mr. Townsend is to get up with Duke Power regarding the upgrade that was discussed several months earlier.
Public works/streets/sanitation: Jessie Watson reported that there is a problem at the lift station near the Soffe Manufacturing Plant. The pump stations need inspection and repair as soon as possible please. He also said that the burgundy truck was running good, but that all the trucks need inspecting next month and he is waiting until they are inspected to put it back on the road.
Water/Sewer: N/A
Commissioners/Mayor: Commissioner Love introduced the two new principals for the two schools in Town. Mrs. Lisa Washington is the new principal at Southside Elementary School, and Adrian Sinclair-Davis at Rowland Middle School. Town Clerk, David Townsend, III, presented the principals with the Town’s donation to each school.
Commissioner Hunt said that he was all for the possibilities of a grant to help the Town with, but cautioned that applying for and paying for grants could be very expensive and literally take the town down financially. He asked about the efforts that will need to be made to provide water and sewer to the Lumbee property on Highway 130. He was assured that because the water line passed the property to the vacant building beside the new development, that water would not be a problem. The Town has a sewer pump station on Joyce Lane behind the property that can serve the development. However, easements will be necessary.
Commissioner Shooter asked about the Subode property. David said he is still putting pressure on him. He also asked about Mr. Patel and the occupancy tax for Super Inn and Suites. David Townsend answered that he was still behind five months. He also said that he wanted to research the possibility of raising the Occupancy Tax Percentage for Motels in the area. He wanted to make some contacts at the Institute of Government. Ms. Love said she had also learned that others in Robeson County were collecting more than the 2% being collected by Rowland and that needed to be looked into.
OPEN
COMMENT
FROM THE PUBLIC
Ms. Julie Lucas expressed concern regarding trash accumulation at the Chinese restaurant and the need for more trash receptacles at that location.
The matter of the birds on Railroad Street was brought up because of the odor along the road, the bad smell is offensive at the Pink Restaurant and people are getting sick. Commissioner Love is pursuing clean-up of the area.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Paul made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by commission Betty Boyd. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
