CCTA Watchdog Report -New Bern Board of Alderman Meeting 9 April 2013

CCTA Watchdog Report -New Bern Board of Alderman Meeting 9 April 2013

The April 9th meeting was opened by and the prayer given by Mayor Bettis. All aldermen except Ald Taylor (who had been excused at the previous BOA meeting for a surgery at the VA hospital) were present as was the city clerk, manager and attorney. Mayor Bettis wished aloud for Ald Taylor's surgery to be successful and for him to have a speedy, uneventful recovery.

This reporter is compelled to state my observations that this meeting was one of the most well attended meetings in quite a while. The diversity of community groups who wished to be heard on a variety of issues was a good example of how municipal government should work and be available for the citizens. I was impressed that despite the large and motivated crowd, this meeting was conducted well and the Mayor was successful in moving the agenda along in a timely, orderly yet productive manner.

Agenda Item 3. Request and Petition of Citizens.

The Mayor read the following stipulation: "This section of the Agenda is titled Requests and Petitions of Citizens. This is an opportunity for public comment, and we thank you for coming to the Board of Aldermen meeting tonight to share your views. We value all citizen input. Speaker comments are limited to a maximum of 4 minutes during the public comment period. At the conclusion of 4 minutes, each speaker shall leave the podium. Comments will be directed to the full board, not to an individual board member or staff member. Although the board is interested in hearing your comments, speakers should not expect any comments, action or deliberation from the board on any issue raised during the public comment period. In the board's discretion, it may refer issues to the appropriate city officials or staff for further investigation. If an organized group is present to speak on a common issue, please designate one person to present the group's comment, which shall be limited to a maximum of 4 minutes."

There was a full house at tonight's meeting wherein a few sizeable groups had convened to speak on several issues. Therefore, the Mayor instructed each group to appoint a speaker for each of their causes and the Petitions commenced.

1. The first petitioner was NB Housing Authority (HA) Dir Mr. Julian Marsh. He began his talk by stating the HA mission was to provide decent, safe, and affordable rental units for eligible low income residents. He provided an historical narrative of the low income housing neighborhoods of Trent Court, Craven Terrace and NB Towers. He showed some photos of some of the homes that were used prior to the present developments being constructed. He reported that construction on the current dwellings took place from 1939 through 1953; therefore the units were more than 70 years old and are considered to functionally obsolete. He stated that the HA served over 600 families, including those elderly/disabled residents living in NB Towers. Mr. Marsh showed an aerial photo that effectively showed the density of low income housing within the downtown NB area and further stated that NB has the most dense population of all the state's counties. 92 units are in a flood zone which equals 16% of the HA inventory. 159 units are overcome by mold. The US Inspection Group has recently found that 31 more units are eaten up by mold. 181 units cost more to repair than is economically feasible to see a viable return on. 21 units are downright non-repairable. Of 579 units, only 26 can be repaired in an economical fashion, which says that only 37% of the inventory is worth repairing. Mr. Marsh then showed "before & after" photos of low income housing remodeled units from other cities such as Hartford, CT. Mr. Marsh claimed that the mounting challenges to fulfill the HA mission of providing safe, efficient and decent homes for the low income and elderly/disabled populations are for adequate and dedicated funding. His final remark was to mention exploring obtaining the use of funds through the HUD Planning Grant instead of last year's thought of applying for the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Grant. Reason being the NB HA is not receiving enough money from HUD to afford the required maintenance as mandated by HUD. Mr. Marsh said he and the HA Commission will keep the BOA apprised of their findings and recommendations.

Ald Bengel commended Mr. Marsh and the HA Commission for their turnaround in adjudicating their duties. She further stated that she had even heard good things from the residents. Mayor Bettis concurred.

2. Mr. Ben Godette of 1715 Washington Street in Washington Park discussed that his community did NOT want sidewalks constructed in that neighborhood. The residents had approached him to serve as liaison for them in asking the City for details and to relay their opinions and decisions to City staff and the BOA after they had heard that the city was to undertake such a project. He asked Ald White how the Washington Park residents could gain a part in discussions of whether or not sidewalks were constructed. Mr. White told him not to bother as "it's a done deal". Mr. Godette said that the 'staff engineer' told him the same, adding "so there's no need for y'all to appeal" the city's decision. That prompted Mr. Godette to survey his neighbors face-to-face - he discovered that only 2 residents were in favor of sidewalk construction; he sent a letter to all the Board members reporting that the residents did not want sidewalks and requested the City to research other more important projects to spend their tax dollars on. Reasons for not wanting the sidewalks were (1) most of the residents had lived in the neighborhood for at least 40 years without sidewalks, why did they need them now?; (2) his community was not designed for sidewalks. Mr. Godette declared that the residents felt the city had ignored them because it hadn't solicited their opinions at the project's outset, despite the fact that they were long term residents who had a stake in the fabric of the neighborhood. In case the Board decided to enter into discussions with his group, they could contact him to arrange a meeting.

3. Mr. Byron Walston, also of the Washington Park area, presented a counter discussion to Mr. Godette's points. He claimed the neighborhood definitely needed the sidewalks to ensure the safety of the pedestrians which included persons who travelled on foot to/from work, elderly who walked for exercise or to fulfill errands and especially to keep children from spilling into the street while playing or when walking to school or bus.

4. Mr. Anthony Bonnici requested status on several Feb 16, 2013 Retreat agenda items which were either discussed by the Board or items wherein the Board directed city staff to initiate action. For instance, since the City was now aware that the NB Grand Marina was in fact now bank-owned, has there been further discussion on the city procuring it? He then compared NB to St Pete, FL insofar as how city ownership of the marina would bring a sizeable earning potential in the way of increased tourism and an income generator relating to the offerings of a marina. Regarding the upcoming budget formulation, Mr. Bonnici objected to the Board's deciding at this Retreat to not allow any new organizations to apply for what was previously budgeted under the category of "special appropriations". He also said he thought it was "sneaky" for the Board to recategorize those organizations under different and varying nomenclatures (i.e., lobbying). His third point was impress upon the Board members that it was imperative that they answer their constituents' emails or phone calls when they were transmitted via taxpayer funded smart-phones or computers.

5. Someone from the audience calls out for the Board to also hear from a group on the flooding issue. Mayor Bettis agrees. Mr. Jimmy Dillahunt, 1702 Hazel Ave., who is a Planning & Zoning Board member, states that he's lived there for 40 years. He says he walked the frequently overflowing canal with some aldermen just last week. He feels that since the City just spent $2 million on a retention pond, which by the way doesn't alleviate the flooding, that the Board members and appropriate City staff should please come look at the situation and discuss resolution ideas with the residents. Mr. Dillahunt further stated that it's been over 2 years that some of the residents have still not been able to return to their homes because they were previously flooded. He says he has been discussing this issue with city Boards and staff for about 30 years. From those discussions, he's learned that this is public water which drains via private land, and was told by the City that doing any work to the private land that might alleviate the flooding was the obstacle. However, he continues, since this has been such a displacement and health issue for so many residents for this many years that surely someone could do some compromising and develop a solution for the welfare of the long term residents of his community. Mr. Dillahunt says because of those issues, the City should devote funds to solving these long time flooding problems instead of spending money on sidewalks that the majority of residents do not want anyway. He continues by saying one could not get to the sidewalks if one wanted to because of either the great quantity of mud deposited from flooding events or the floodwaters themselves. He asserts that there is definitely a need for solid representation for these residents subjected to habitual flooding at City Hall. (Ald White's ward 5).

Ald Outlaw voices a request for City Engineer Jordan Hughes to give an update on the Hazel Ave area flooding and inadequate retention pond subjects. Mayor Bettis denies Outlaw's request stating that this segment of Petition of Citizens was not the appropriate for that to happen.

6. Mr. Edwin Vargas, 230 Attmore Dr., (and a mayoral candidate) asked what has been or is to be done to improve both the quality of HA dwelling units and/or the real estate the public housing units were built upon. He quoted from the minutes of the Feb 5, 2013 Planning & Zoning Board wherein board member Mr. Pat McCullough questioned how displaced residents would find alternate housing. Mr. McCullough and was told by Development Services staff member Robinson that HA Dir Marsh would be the best person to answer; however, he thought vouchers would be given to HA residents to pay for alternate housing. Mr. Vargas also quoted P&Z board member Ms. Dorothea White as lodging concerns regarding how these displaced residents would find transportation resources once they were relocated in their new neighborhoods as they were used to being able to walk to places of need when they lived in the HA developments and that walking was free. Mr. Vargas further stated that he had approached the BOA with these same concerns and questions in Nov 2011; however, the BOA did not wish to discuss the subject until a permanent HA director was hired. Mr. Vargas also suggested not rebuilding the units that were in the flood plain in an effort to keep city insurance costs to a minimum.

7. Mr. Martin Vezina, 206 Token Ct., Exec Dir of The First Tee program first reminded the Board he had introduced his organization to them at an earlier meeting. He reemphasized the First Tee's mission is to instill character building activities and life skills coaching in tandem with golf intruction. He stated he had been working with the Martin Marietta Realty group and the City on a Land Use Agreement to utilize the acreage to build a large enough facility to serve youth from schools in the nearby counties of Jones, Pamlico, Carteret, Onslow, Lenoir as well as Craven. He said they need their own place in order to construct a much larger facility in an effort make the program more affordable and available to a larger population of youth. To date, the organization has instructed students from 11 elementary schools in NB city and Craven County. City Manager Epperson tells the Board that the city staff has been in conversations with Martin Marietta Realty and the city is desirous of working with the First Tee to help them attain their goals. He sees this as "win-win situation" for all concerned.

8. Ms. Azalee Floyd (sp?) voiced her concerns over the large number of drivers who are speeding through her neighborhood on Washington Street. She claims there are lots of accidents and she often hears screeching tires during the nights. Ms. Floyd says there are no warning signs posted at either end of this street to caution drivers that this is a curving, dangerous road. When she has petitioned City staff for help, she was told that speed bumps could not be poured on a city residential street. She wants to know then, whether the City will post caution street signs and if not, why not.

9. Ms. Janet Giordanno (sp?) of the Riverside Historic District, petitions the BOA to please consider and pass the Agenda Item Nr. 7 resolution to close the 1100 block of Pasteur St from 10am to 2pm on April 27, 2013 in order for the neighborhood to hold the district's bazaar and to work with the NBPD to conduct the childrens' bike safety event.

She also wants to address demo by neglect, and expresses her dismay that despite Boards' rendering decisions on structures to be demolished, that the city doesn't follow-up to either enact the order or enforce Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) or provide for the property to be returned to the HPC. Furthermore, the City Attorney rarely acts to file liens or collect any assessed fines. All this City inaction leads to blighted neighborhoods, unsafe & unhealthy living conditions for the neighbors who live in close proximity to the non-complying properties, lowers property values and punishes those property owners who do take the time and money to keep up their properties. She implores the Board to establish and enact procedures that allow and compel the City Attorney to apply liens and for the Building Inspector to collect fines.

Agenda Item 4. Conduct Public Hearing to Consider Financing Contract with BB&T for the Streetscape Improvements Project.
"(Ward 1) This public hearing is to consider a financing contract with BB&T in the amount of $465,315 to finance the Streetscape Improvements project for the 200-400 blocks of South Front Street. A notice of this hearing was published in the March 28, 2013 edition of the Sun Journal. Approval from the Local Government Commission is required, and it is anticipated that approval will be obtained at the LGC's May 7, 2013 meeting. The loan will close shortly thereafter." The only citizen who spoke was Mr. Edwin Vargas. He stated he read in the FY2012-2013 City Budget that the BOA had approved the expenditures for this street project. This prompted him to ask the Board 3 questions: (a) has any Board member or the Finance Dept staff looked into the current budget to identify another line item to take money from to pay for this streetscape project so the City would not have to take out a loan? (b) has the City looked at cutting a low priority project to rededicate those funds to this streetscape project to avoid entering into a loan agreement? and (c) Mr. Vargas read a quote by Mayor Bettis, excerpted from the 2-14-12 BOA meeting minutes wherein the Mayor stated that 'in order to serve the residents of NB the City should strive to remember each dollar it spends comes from the pockets of taxpayers'.

5. Adopt Resolution Approving Installment Purchase Financing for the Streetscape Improvements Project.
"(Ward 1) Financing proposals were sent to six banks with respect to the financing of the Streetscape Improvements Project. Suntrust and BB&T responded to the request, with BB&T offering the lowest overall financing costs at an interest rate of 2.54%. Semi-annual payments will be made over a period of 15 years with the first payment of approximately $16,812 due in November 2013." At this point, Ald Bengel addresses Mr. Vargas's comments made during the agenda item #4 public hearing. She wishes to make clear that this project is funded by MSD funds from the downtown district's property owners' voluntary contributions which are over & above their taxes, and that the residents are very much in favor of this project just as they have been behind all the past streetscape projects in their MSD. She then tells Mr. Ruggierri that the MSD residents wish the loan terms to extend for as long as the city can secure in order to make the payments low. NOTE: None of the Board members nor anyone from the Finance Dept volunteers the obvious - that the MSD funds only cover $50k of this $465,315 loan. Also should the MSD default, the City is legally responsible for this debt.

Ald Bengel made the motion to aprove, Ald Outlaw seconded and the Board approved unanimously.

6. Adopt Resolution Closing the 400 Block of East Front Street from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on May 3, 2013; the 700-400 Blocks of George Street, 600-400 Blocks of Broad Street and 300-100 Blocks of Middle Street from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 4, 2013; and close the south side of Broad Street from 12 a.m. until the parade ends on May 4, 2013 for the Annual Shriners Spring Ceremonial Parade.

(Ward 1) A request has been received to close streets for the Annual Shriners Spring Ceremonial Parade on May 3rd and 4th. The streets to be closed to traffic are the 400 block of East Front Street between Broad Street and the corner of the Shriners' property from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on May 3, 2013, and the 700-400 blocks of George Street, 600-400 blocks of Broad Street and 300-100 blocks of Middle Street from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 4, 2013. Additionally, it has been requested the south side of Broad Street be closed to parking from 12 a.m. on May 4, 2013 until the parade ends. As you know, NCDOT still maintains and owns Broad Street and would need to agree to the closing as well." The Board approved unanimously.

7. Adopt Resolution Closing the 1100 block of Pasteur Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 27, 2013 for the Historic Riverside Neighborhood Association Bazaar and Bike Safety Event.

"(Ward 1) Residents of the Historic Riverside Neighborhood Association have requested the 1100 block of Pasteur Street be closed for a neighborhood bazaar and bike safety event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 27, 2013. The event will be held in conjunction with the New Bern Police Department to educate children on bike safety." The Board approved unanimously.

8. Discuss Demolition by Neglect.  Staff from Development Services provided an overview of the minimum housing enforcement process and seeks Board direction related to enforcement of final compliance orders issued by the Chief Building Inspector. What actually transpired was an hour-long discussion of unfit dwellings and minimum housing standards. Due to the large scope of this issue, the Board and Staff decided to address Demo by Neglect at a later date. But at City Attorney Davis's suggestion, they do devote about almost an hour to discussing only minimum housing standards and unfit dwellings. Atty Davis states that he has nothing to do with picking and choosing what penalties for non-compliance to assess, rather the ordinances dictate that. The city is lawfully allowed to assess a $50 p/day penalty to accrue against the property title. Atty Davis will enforce the ordinances after the property's tax value has been reached in accrued fines. The Court action converts te lien into a judgment. The Sheriff then enforce and takes the money or the property. Atty Davis says the most desired outcome is to look for an owner who has the financial resources to fix-up his non-complying property vice the city taking the property and devoting it's own resources in order to break even or strive for economic gain. Ald Bengel says she feels it is important to enforce these standards/codes to maintain the property values of complying neighbors and to prevent, minimize or completely reconcile the aestethic and healh nuisances to the neighbors who keep up their properties. City Manager Epperson states this is why the Board direction is needed, does the city adopt a wait and see attitude and hope property owners will comply with non-compliance letters issued by the City or should the City be more assertive and aggressive. Chief Bldg Insp Johnny Clark goes through some of the 32 steps that are required to bring a property owner into compliance and/or take over the property. He states the process begins by either a a citizen-generated complaint or sometimes staff will notice neglected properties in their routine travel throughout the city. There is then a verification step by staff inspection, the owners must be identified, a letter sent to owners stating they have 10 days to resolve the complaint issues, the City has to identify and notify all heirs and the notify them of a hearing to discuss the owner's plans to remedy the complaints toward the property. The timeframe for the decisions coming out of this meeting are negotiable, with the City erring on the side of the property owner to act in good faith. The City also attempts to obtain a signed legal agreement for such at this meeting. If is turns out that the owner fails to comply with the city order by its expiration date, Insp Clark has many more steps that he can take that end up with the City taking possession. Insp Clark is happy to provide the Board with a copy of his flowchart of procedures. Insp Clark states that his office has 450 cases ongoing. In light of this presentation, Ald Kinsey asks for Insp Clark's recommendations. Insp Clark says "it's hard to say because I've only had one case in 29 years on the job where a family has been removed for their safety and at thata time the $50 p/day penalty was not in place". Ald Kinsey then asks "what happens to the people who become displaced?" Insp Clark replies "to my knowledge the City has no obligation or requirement to find alternate housing. The problems in the past are that there has been no budget to tear down dilapidated, abandoned properties or they can't find the owners" to continue the process. Atty Davis states in actuality that there are "only a dozen or two files which are open that are termed challenging" to resolve. He goes on to say therefore, he disputes Insp Clark's figure of 450 ongoing cases. Atty Davis says the most challenging cases are when owners of the non-compliant properties are financially disadvantaged and that there are 3 to 6 cases in that status. Ald Bengel says there are lots of areas in her ward where their are deteriorating and dilapidated properties. She says they should be gotten rid of to prevent people from congregating or otherwise living in these homes as they aren't in a safe condition, are often not connected to utilities/sanitation and occupants are breaking the law that all citizens have to abide by in legally occupying a dwelling as well as in not engaging in criminal activities. These occupants in essence endanger the whole of their surrounding properties. She asks Insp Clark if language can be written into the ordinance requiring a dwelling to be hooked up to utilities to host occupants? Insp Clark says he has dealth with that circumstance and they have tried to remedy that situation by boarding up the dwellings. He also says the City is prohibited from installing electric services on an unsafe house. Insp Clark also says he feels in all honesty that the greatest contributer to the current problem with neglected run-down properties is that past administrations' tendencies were not to tear down these failing sructures but instead their working philosophy was to rehab and relocate residents.

Ald Bengel says she is more concerned with totally abandoned properties or those instances wherein the landlord has chosed not to maintain the property in accordance with the city codes, yet h/she still charges/collects rent. Ald Kinsey this is a "sad situation" and asks, "is there any way to contact Habitat for Humanity or other organizations to entice them to raise funds in orde to relocate people?" insp Clark states "the ordinance requires the City to contact all non-profits such as Neuse River, Habitat, etc". Ald White asks "how long can people stay in a house with no utilities?" Insp Clark: "Not at all". Both Insp Clark and Atty Davis say, "The City can cut electricity to the problem structures but is not allowed to cut water".

Development Services Dept Dir Ruggieri says, "I hear what the Board is saying, but the issue is fair, consistent enforcement with each case. Fines and liens are more than the property's tax value. It is more economical for the City to foreclose and own them. One of 8 cases is landlord-involved". He goes on to ask the Board to state if its direction is to "not enforce the ordinances and instead address the social issues or are the rules the rules to be enforced unpartially and unilaterally"? Mayor Bettis answers, "the rules should be applied across the board. We should explain the City has done all they can to help". He is "for enforcing the regulations in order to advance the City - all parts of it". The Mayor continues, and states 3 directions: (1) staff is to use city funds to tear down these non-complying structures and clean up the properties that have been certified by city inspectors to be in a deteriorating, dilapidated and/or abandoned state as described in the ordinances; (2) go after the landlords who fail to maintain their properties to code, yet rent them out anyway; and (3) go after the property owners who refuses to comply.

Ald Bucher says "the public needs to know that in the last 2 - 3 years, only 1 to 2 houses were torn down per year - not 6 - 8. This action should have been done in the past. The City can't do all of these actions to all of these deteriorated structures at the same time. We must responsibly allocate funds" in accomplishing this demolition. Ald White asks "what is the demo fee?" and is told by Dir Ruggierri, "It's $10k. However, it depends on the size of the house. A normal house costs around $7,500. The City has done a couple at $15k each". Atty Davis asks "Am I hearing the Board right that we are going to proceed with the rules, enforcing evictions and demo orders?" Ald Bengel says, "the Board needs to be provided with names and addresses of property owners and perhaps individual Board members, on their own time can take a tour to investigate those properties on this list".

Atty Davis relinquishes that it makes this job more difficult when you get to know the persons behind the situations of neglected properties.

Ald Outlaw asks Insp Clark to go over the grid rating to familiarize the Board with how these properties are selected. Insp Clark says the City doesn't have any kind of grading system to prioritize enforcement of the minimum housing codes. Mayor Bettis asks Atty Davis if the City has taken all reasonable steps in getting to the demo phase; Atty Davis says yes. The Mayor reiterates "so, at some point the City just can't do anymore. So, just stick to the ordinance. Arbitrary and capricious enforcement results in the law being unfairly applied, arbitrarily and capriciously". Atty Davis says alot of the cases are being resolved via the tax collection process. City Mgr Epperson says he will get the Board a property list where judgments have been issued calling for demolition. He adds that the City will go through the demo process upon furnishing the Board this list.

9. Presentation of the Results and Recommendations of the 2013 Pavement Condition Survey.

Mark Stephens, Director of Public Works, presented the results of a study that was performed to evaluate the condition of streets throughout the City. This study and report was performed by US Infrastructure and provides the City with not only the existing condition of the streets, but a planning tool that can be used to carry out maintenance activities over the next several years. This information also provides recommended maintenance activities along with expected costs to perform the necessary improvements on every street in our system. Some of the details show that New Bern's grade was 81.5 which compares to the state average grade of 80. To compare, Greenville was rated at 89.2, Jax at 83.9, Goldsboro at 75.9. The report found that 47.9% of our roads needed maintenance, which means that 51.2% were found to be in good maintenance status. NC Powell Bill Funds can provide about $860k p/year toward maintenance of New Bern roads. Over a 15 yr maintenance cycle it will cost $1,857,200 annually to keep or improve our grade of 81.5. US Infrastructure recommends that New Bern spend money and time in proactive, preventive maintenance to get the most bang for the buck. Our road assets have been valued at $70k, yet NB spends only $300k - $500k at a time to care for this $70 million asset.

Ald Bucher asks who is responsible for repairing certains streets; that many residents are confused as to which are city owned and which are state owned. Mr. Stephens says the larger roads such as MLK Blvd, Neuse Blvd, Simmons St are NCDOT's responsibility. Responsibility for maintenance to Trent Rd is shared half-half by both NB and state. Ald Bucher asks Mr. Stephens to confirm that our 153 miles of roadway responsibility does not include any DOT-responsible roads: Mr. Stephens says that is corrrect. Ald Bengel asks what maintenance categories will Powell Bill Funds pay for that this inspection shows that NB needs? Mr. Stephens says that would depend on how we submit it to the State for those funds.

Agenda Item 10. Approve Minutes.
Minutes from the March 12, 2013 board meeting, March 19, 2013 work session, and March 26, 2013 board meeting were approved.

11. Appointment(s).  City Manager Epperson announced that the first meeting of the New Bern Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (NBAMPO) which will be held on April 25, 2013. New Bern is required to appoint one sitting member and one alternate member to serve on the Transportation Advisory Committee of the NBAMPO. in response to Ald Bengel's questions, Mr. Rugierri answers that this committee is made up of elected officials. Ald Outlaw motioned to appoint Ald Kinsey as the primary delegate; his appointment was unanimously approved. Ald Bengel volunteered to serve as alternate; her appointment was motioned and also unanimously approved.

Aldermen Bucher is requested to nominate a replacement to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of John Reichenbach on the Board of Adjustment.

Items 12 and 13: There were no City Manager or City Attorney reports.

14. Announcements.

Ald Outlaw: Had read about NC Leg SB 720 in the County Compass April 10th issue and found it very interesting for the City as it was about the politicians at the NC Leg getting involved in enticing Duke Energy into engaging interest in NCEMPA selling their interests in the power plants, thus eliminating the towns' debts. Mayor Bettis asks Electric Dept Dir Jon Rynne for his assessment of these developments. Mr. Rynne states that he doesn't know how realistic it is to expect Duke Energy to purchase $2.1 billion on assets that are only worht in the $700 million bracket in today's market, but it can't hurt to try by encouraging our reps to approve this bill. The board decided to pursue crafting a resolution in support of the bill and urged all citizens to contact their state senator Norm Sanderson at EMAIL or at (919)733-5706 or the bill's sponsor Sen Buck Newton (Wilson) EMAIL at or (919)715-3030. Ald Bengel said that the ligislators was specifically requesting input from individual citizens. This could be the step that would dramatically lower electric rates for ENC and therefore, worth the efforts of the City and individuals to be vocal in their support.

Ald White: Addressed the citizens from Washington Street who were concerned about the vehicles accidents causesd from speeding telling them that he had indeed been out there and talked with some citizens about the problem. While he was there, a citizen approached him and asked him to advertise a picnic table for sale on his behalf -- Ald White accommodated. He said that this man also wants sidewalks. Ald White asked Mr. Dillahunt to inform the Board of a good date to meet together to discuss the flooding and sidewalk issues.

Ald Kinsey: He supports Ald White and the citizens of the Washington Park area with regard to their flooding and sidewalk concerns.

Ald Bucher: Congratulated the NB Electric Dept on placing 5th at the Electric Dept Rodeo.

Ald Bengel: Reminded the audience that following the Festival of Fun, the Rubber Duck Derby is slated at 3 p.m. in the Neuse River around the Union Point park. It is presented by the New Bern Rotary Club.

Event planners are expecting 5,000 plastic ducks will be dropped from the drawbridge to race on the river. Participants can purchase a large duck for $10 or a small duck for $5 or a "six-quack". The proceeds will help the Rotary provide 350 pairs of shoes to school children, she said. She reminded all about the Historic Homes Tours being conducted this weekend. She announced the passing of HB 150 and said it moved on to the Senate. It will impact older zoning and aesthetic design bills. It says that regulations cannot be imposed on buildings outside a designated Historic District. Therefore, New Bern's "overlay districts" of Ghent, DeGraffenreid and Dryborough would disappear and the history and neighborhood fabric lost forever, which was a shame because the residents in the overlays wanted the restrictions to preserve said historic architecture. She pleaded with citizens to call Sen Norm Sanderson to influence him to cast a no vote. She stated that she desires for NB to participate in the Mayors' Council. No details were given as to its purpose or activities. Since NB has officially reached the 30k population count we are eligible for admittance. Mayor Bettis volunteers himself to attend. Ald Bengel requested that Atty Davis assist the City in obtaining the authority to assume control of abandoned cemetaries in town and begin maintaining them. She reminded the Board that recently the Epiphany School for Global Studies partnered with the Historic Preservation Foundation to perform the initial successful clean-up and she would like the City to take over that care. Mayor Bettis agreed to put in on an upcoming BOA agenda. Finally, Ald Bengel congratulated Nikki Ingianni, who runs The Little Red Book Mobile, on her being awarded the Governor's Volunteerism Award.

At 9:30 pm the Board moved into Closed Session to discuss a matter of attorney-client priviledge and the outcome of an investigation.

**To watch for: Mayor Bettis announced that he will probably be getting glasses on Saturday (4-13-13); future BOA agenda item discussing the controversial "demolition by neglect" issue; the City making moves to purchase the marina; and the very important upcoming Board budget sessions of 4-16 @ 6pm for special appropriations orgs; 5-14 @ 7pm for budget overview & presentation; 5-21 and 5-22 both @ 6pm for budget workshops. All sessions are open to the public.


Rhonda Taylor
CCTA Watchdog--New Bern, Ward 6
New Bern, NC