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
