CCTA WATCHDOG REPORT

CCTA WATCHDOG REPORT FOR NEW BERN BOARD OF ALDERMAN REGULAR MEETING

OF JULY 23, 2013

Agenda item 1. Meeting opened by Mayor Lee Wilson Bettis, Jr. Prayer by Alderman Bucher. Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda item 2. All Board members and city staff were present. 

Agenda item 3. Presentation of Service Certificates for City Employees.  Brief break for refreshments was taken. 

  

Agenda item 4. Presentation by Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden.

(Ward 2) Lovay Wallace-Singleton, Program Director for the Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden, and a 20 year US Navy ATC (Air Traffic Control) veteran, came before the Board to discuss her request to lease approximately two acres from the City for the purpose of a community garden. The proposed garden will assist disabled veterans through the use of horticulture therapy, as well as assist disadvantaged or homeless veterans with transitional employment. She stated that there are 804 disabled, disadvantaged and homeless veterans within Craven County.  This project is a ten-month program and will begin with assisting 10 qualifying veterans. These veterans will come from four sources:  VA medical centers, homeless shelters, Employment Security Commission and veteran organizations.  The subject property is located in a designated area of Henderson Park at 901 Chapman Street. The organization has requested a 10-year lease at a rate of $2 per year. The City's primary contribution will be the use of this property and some in-kind labor during the garden's existence.  The garden will initially be funded through grants, donations and fundraisers, but ultimately will be self-sustaining through direct sales at the local Farmer's Market and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  Sales to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients are also being developed.  The garden will host an open house/community garden day three times per year during the spring, summer and fall seasons.  City staff recommends at least a 5-year lease be granted at the proposed rate. Staff anticipates presenting the Board with a Resolution and Lease Agreement for consideration at its August 13, 2013 meeting.  If approved, New Bern will be the first host city of this type project within the state.   

Aldermen Taylor and White were most interested in the precise location within Henderson Park that would be used as other community youth activities took place very near to where this space sounded it may be; in fact they would like a walk-through tour.  Alderman Bengel asked Mrs. Singleton if the food produced would be available to the community's residents?  The answer was "yes" and that there will be a free food bin available to the community during hours of operation for both city and Craven County residents.   Alderman Bucher asked if there was a vision to grow.  Mrs. SIngleton replied that they were going to ask to set up in Havelock next.   In answer to Mayor Bettis' question, she said that crops could also be grown in the winter under the plastic covered hoop structure.  City Attorney Davis reminded that the Board would be voting on the project August 13th.   

5. Presentation on the NC Certified Retirement Community Program.

Andrè Nabors, Tourism Development Manager from the NC Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development,  presented information on the NC Certified Retirement Community Program. There are currently six certified communities within the State of North Carolina;  Lumberton, Asheboro, Marion, Pittsboro, Mt. Airy, and Sanford.  Eden just applied. Other states that have used and experienced success from this program are Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, and Arizona.  The NC Department of Commerce is accepting applications for the program through January 31, 2014. While the City would be the applicant, it would partner with the New Bern Convention and Visitors Bureau to implement the program. Mr. Nabors' presentation discussed the application process, guidelines, and the benefits of the program.  The letter submitted to the city, which outlines all the pertinent details, follows: 

"The objective of the North Carolina Certified Retirement Community Program CRCP is to encourage retirees and those planning to retire the opportunity to make North Carolina their home and promote the state as a retirement

destination, assist North Carolina communities in their efforts to market themselves as retirement locations, assist in the development of retirement communities and continuing care facilities, and to encourage mature market travel and tourism to North Carolina to evaluate future retirement desirability (per NCGS 443b-431.100).    

"The North Carolina Department of Commerce Community Investment and Assistance Rural Development Division along with Travel and Tourism have joined resources to provide the tools necessary for Certified Retirement Communities to attract and encourage retirees to choose North Carolina as their retirement home

"Eligible Guidelines

1.  Must be an incorporated town municipality or city.

2.  Must be able to describe organizing process and why the community has chosen to apply for the certification

Provide any relevant planning including committee structure committee must meet six 6 months minimum

threshold prior to applying

3.  Submit a marketing and public relations plan designed to accomplish the purpose of the program for retiree

attraction

4.  Submit a long-term plan outlining the steps the community will undertake to maintain or improve its desirability as a destination for retirees including corrections to any services or facilities identified in the retiree desirability

assessment.

5.  Describe how local unit of government is engaged with committee.

6.  Describe how committee is engaged with community awareness relative to this effort.

7.  List other partners engaged with the committee.

8.  Submit application fee of $10,000 or the product of 50 multiplied by the population of the community whichever

is greater (50-cents p/person) as determined by the most recent census along with the application.  The fee will be returned if application is denied.

9.  Must be located within 30 miles of a hospital and or emergency medical services.

10.  Must take steps to gain support of churches, clubs, businesses, media and other entities whose participation will increase the program success in attracting retirees or potential retirees.  List steps taken including organizations

contacted.

11.  Submit supporting rational with application not to exceed 15 double-spaced typewritten pages at size 12 font.

Submit in word or PDF format only.

12.  Must establish a retiree attraction committee that shall fulfill or create subcommittees to fulfill the following

     (a) Conduct a retiree desirability assessment analyzing the community with respect to each of the factors

identified in Senate Bill 1627 and submit a report of the analysis.

     (b) Send a representative of the retirement attraction committee to attend any training offered by Dept of

Commerce.

     (c)  Raise funds necessary to run the program organize special events and promote and coordinate the program

with local entities.

     (d) Establish a community image, evaluate target market and develop a marketing and public relations plan

designed to accomplish the purpose of the program.

     (e) Develop a system that identifies and makes contact with existing and prospective retirees that provides tour

guides when prospects visit the community and that responds to inquiries, logs, contacts made and invites

prospects to special community events and maintains continual contact with prospects until the prospect

makes a retirement location decision."

Most of the Board members' questions and comments centered around paying the $10K application fee and would this be a duplication of efforts we are already committing to the branding campaign and the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization).  Alderman Taylor voiced that he was not in favor of this program as it would use funds from the entire body of city taxpayers to perhaps benefit a few.  He further stated that he always makes decisions based on how the entire city will benefit from use of taxpayers' money.  It seems to him that New Bern is already not only a tourist destination, but billed as a haven for retirees.  SInce New Bern already has demonstrated success in these markets, he feels it would be a waste of taxpayers' dollars for the City to bear the burden of the $10K app fee.  Alderman White wants to know how this program will address the problem of keeping young people in the City.  He asks, "what do you do to keep your community thriving once the old people die off?"  Mayor Bettis answers, "well, somebody's got to take care of those old people" (meaning it will take young people to do that job).  Alderman White snaps back, "somebody's got to take care of the young ones, too."  Mayor Bettis then uses Alderman Bucher's method of retirement as an example of who the City wishes to and should be attracting:  someone who retires here then becomes interested in starting three successful businesses in the area.  Alderman Outlaw comments that it would be nice to have background information and cost-benefit analyses from other cities that utilize this program.  Mayor Bettis agrees.  Mr. Nabors repeatedly suggested the City is encouraged to and has the option to solicit community partners for contributions as they also would benefit.  In fact, the pilot city of Lumberton paid nothing and had ElectriCities (our electric power provider that we're in extreme debt to) as one of their partners.  City Mgr Epperson advised the Board that in light of the comments, it would make the most sense to seek financial partners, as the City was indeed invested in the branding program.  Mayor Bettis asked for a show of hands to gauge interest in pursuing this program - all Board members raised their hands in affirmation.   

At this point in the meeting, Mayor Bettis decides to recognize some local political office holders and candidates in the audience:  County Commissioner and wife Johnny and Ethel Sampson (yes, the lady in two Sun Journal articles this week), Ward 2 alderman candidate Micah Grimes, Ward 4 alderman candidate Robert "Chick" Natella, Ward 6 alderman candidate Ashley Smith, and mayoral candidate Tharesa Lee. 

Agenda item 6. Conduct Public Hearing and Adopt Resolution Renaming the 700 Block of A Street and B Street.

"(Ward 1) At the July 9, 2013 meeting, a public hearing was called for the consideration of the renaming of the 700-blocks of A and B Streets. As you may recall, the western portions of A Street and B Street are completely separated from other sections of the respective streets by railroads. Because of this, the western portions of the streets are unreachable from National Avenue during emergencies. Safety concerns have been raised by emergency personnel as it relates to dispatching in a timely manner to these addresses. Therefore, it's proposed that the 700-blocks of both A Street and B Street be renamed to "West A Street" and "West B Street"."  No one spoke during the public hearing.  Passed by unanimous "yes" vote.

Agenda item 7. Approve Police Civil Service Board Register.

Per a memo from Veronica Mattocks, is submitted a listing the register established in order of call. It is recommended that the candidates be submitted for appointment consideration contingent upon successful completion of medical, psychological and truth-verification examinations.  Passed by unanimous "yes" vote.

Agenda item 8. Adopt Resolution to Approve Various Street Closures for National Night Out Event on August 6, 2013 as follows:

a) Lucerne Way between Fort Totten Drive and Queen Ann Lane from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.;
b) Walt Bellamy Drive between Jones Street and Norwood Street from 6:30p.m. to 8:30 p.m.;
c) Taberna Way between Airport Road and Second Entrance to Neuchatel Road from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.;
d) Metcalf Street between New Street and Johnson Street from 6 p.m. to 8p.m.;
e) Corner of Morton Road and Horseshoe Road from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and
f) 600-block of Roundtree Street from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

(Multiple Wards) The Police Department has requested various streets be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, for the National Night Out event. The neighborhoods that will require street closures are the DeGraffenried neighborhood, Taberna and Cypress Shores. In addition, the New Hope Community, Historic District Residential Association and Craven Terrace/Trent Court communities require street closures.  Passed by unanimous "yes" vote. 

Agenda item 9.  Adopt Resolution to assign the Electric Service Agreement for Hatteras Yachts to a Potential New Owner.  City Manager Epperson introduces this item as coming to the City and therefore, the Board on short notice.  He reminds the Board that the city granted first the Hatteras Yachts then the Brunswick Corporation a special economic development utility rate for 5 years on Feb 8, 2011.  The Board is requested to grant Brunswick permission to assign this same rate to the next purchaser.  The request letter to the City from Brunswick states that "within the next few weeks we intend to enter into an asset purchase agreement whereby we will sell the Hatteras and CABO yacht business to Navis HCY Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Versa Capital Management, LLC.  Versa Capital is a leading Philadelphia based private equity firm".    Mayor Bettis says this will make it easier for them to sell it so let's do it.  Passed by unanimous "yes" vote.     

 Agenda item 10.   The minutes from the June 25, 2013 Board meeting were approved. 

Agenda item 11. Appointment(s).

a) Alderman Bengel recommends Marvin "Benny" Mullinix be appointed to replace Rodney Knowles' term on the Police Civil Service Board, which expired on July 1, 2013.

b) Alderman Kinsey recommends Mary Ann Harper be appointed to replace Norman Smith's term on the Police Civil Service Board, which expired on July 1, 2013.

c) Alderman White nominated B. R. Walston to the Planning and Zoning Board.

Agenda item 12.  Attorney's Report.  Nothing to report.

Agenda item 13. City Manager's Report.  Mr. Epperson Informed the Board and invited them to attend two orientation sessions the city staff is providing for the new candidates that have filed to run for city public offices.  These sessions will be conducted on August 12th from 3 - 5pm and August 13th from 5 - 7pm.  The city will send out the invitation letters.  

Agenda item 14. Announcements.

a)  Alderman Bucher said it was good to see Fire Dept Chief Aster tonight, as he had been fighting some medical problems.  He also reminded the public about the National Night Out festivities that will occur in the neighborhoods on Tuesday evening, August 6th.  He stated this was an important way to keep crime in check in our communities and a great way to get acquainted with your neighbors.

b)  Alderman Taylor went to the floor's podium to introduce 10 year old Miss Hardy.  He used the overhead to display an advertisement for babysitting services she had handwritten.  He lauded her and her parents for her early entrepreneurial business initiative.  He proclaimed that this little girl was a fine example of New Bern's future business leaders.  He continued by saying, the city spends money on these economic development plans, yet the most important thing we can do to grow business and ensure New Bern's future is to talk with, listen to and encourage our youth to excel.  On behalf of the City, he presented  Miss Hardy with a pin of the city's bear. 

Mayor Bettis broke out in song with the opening-line rendition of Whitney Houston's hit "The Greatest Love of All".   ("I believe that children are our future...")

c)  Alderman Bengel thanked Mark Stephens' Public Works Dept staff for their continued work on the South Front Street streetscape project.  She briefed that the south side was complete and looked wonderful, that the north side was now in progress.  She stated that although this was a 120-day project, it may come in under that at 90 days.  She reminded the pubic that this was MSD funds (Municipal Service District) that were paying for this.  The MSD funds are derived from an extra tax over and above the city taxes paid by downtown property owners for projects that benefitted that district.   

d)  Mayor Bettis thanked the Stormwater Management Division team under Matt Montanye for the success in allleviating flooding issues through their hard work and expertise despite this having been the rainiest summer in a number of years.  He is pleased that this is helping the citizens and the City in reducing property losses and damages.   

Adjourned at 8:37pm.

Rhonda Taylor 

CCTA Watchdog for New Bern Bd of Aldermen

4701 Haywood Farms Rd., Ward 6