NCS000454_Stallings Council Minutes_20210226

13766 November 9, 2020

MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE
TOWN OF STALLINGS, NORTH CAROLINA

The Town Council of the Town of Stallings met for a meeting on November 9, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
via Zoom, a virtual electronic platform, due to the North Carolina declared state of emergency because
of COVID-19. Public could access the meeting via phone [phone]), web link
(https://zoom.us/j/96208266196?pwd=UXJiWDIzWGlUbEFyQURuVjcyeGZMZz09 ) or the Zoom app
(Meeting ID: 962 0826 6196; Password: 512044).
Those present and visible on camera were: Mayor Wyatt Dunn; Mayor Pro Tempore Lynda
Paxton; Council Members Steven Ayers, Heather Grooms, John Martin, Brad Richardson, and David
Scholl.
Staff present were: Alex Sewell, Town Manager; Erinn Nichols, Assistant Town Manager/Town
Clerk; Marsha Gross, Finance Officer; Chris Easterly, Town Engineer; Ashley Platts, Parks and Recreation
Director; Police Chief Dennis Franks; and Melanie Cox, Town Attorney.

Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and meeting called to order
Mayor Wyatt Dunn welcomed everyone to the meeting and shared a Bible verse from the Book of
Proverbs in lieu of the invocation. Mayor Dunn then led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting
to order.

Public Comments
No one joined the meeting who wanted to give public comment.

1. Consent Agenda Items
A. Minutes from the following meetings:
(1) 08-24-2020 – special
(2) 09-14-2020
(3) 09-28-2020

Council Member Paxton made the motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items as presented. The
motion was seconded by Council Member Richardson which passed unanimously by Council.

2. Reports
A. Report from the Mayor
Mayor Dunn had no report.

13767 November 9, 2020

B. Reports from Council Members/Town Committees
Council Member Richardson had no report.

Council Member Paxton reported that the landscape for the Monroe Bypass should take place in
the fall. NCDOT was also addressing flooding issues in the Union West Business Park by conducting a
hydraulic study.

Council Member Ayers reported that the Western Union Municipalities Association had requested
the Council approve a resolution at the Council’s next meeting.

Council Members Scholl and Grooms had no reports.

C. Report from Town Manager/Town Departments
Town Manager Sewell reported on the following:
• Downtown property owner outreach meetings were on going with Council Member
Richardson. The meetings should take a few more weeks.
• Atrium beam signing took place last week at the hospital site.
• New staff member introductions: Chief Dennis Franks in troduced Lt. Ryan Fuller; Parks and
Recreations Director Ashely Platts introduced Special Events Coordinator Eunice McSwain.
• Chief Franks also reported that it was No Shave November through January. Officers had to
pay money in order not to shave. All funds raised would go to Hometown Heroes who
funded childhood terminal illnesses.

3. Agenda Approval
Council Member Scholl made the motion to approve the Agenda as presented. The motion was
seconded by Council Member Grooms and passed unanimously by Council.

4. Finance Items:
A. Quarterly Report (Gross)
Finance Officer Gross presented the Council the Quarterly Report. This presentation is attached
to these minutes and therefore incorporated herein.

B. Employee Budgeted Bonus (Sewell)
Town Manager Sewell provided the Council information regarding the budgeted employee
bonus. Town policy allowed budgeting for this bonus each year. The money was set aside for the bonus
during the current fiscal year but a final decision on extending the bonus was delayed due to the

13768 November 9, 2020

pandemic. Finance Officer Gross confirmed that the total amount for all the bonuses was approximately
$30,000.
Council Member Paxton made the motion to approve the employee 1% bonus. The motion as
seconded by Council Member Scholl and passed unanimously.

C. Union County Property Tax Re-Evaluation Update (Gross)
Finance Officer Gross presented the Council a Union County Property Tax Re-Evaluation Update.
This presentation is attached to these minutes and therefore incorporated herein.

D. Five Year Financial Plan Draft (Gross)
Finance Officer Gross presentation the Council the Five-Year Financial Plan Draft. This
presentation is attached to these minutes and therefore incorporat ed herein.

5. Stormwater MS4 Notice of Violation - Resolution and Plan to Cure Identified Issues
Town Engineer Easterly explained during an MS4 State audit, the Town was issued a notice of
violation. The auditors requested more documentation on compliance. There fore, Mr. Easterly had
developed and implemented more matrix to document education, outreach, and staff training
programs. The documentation was due in February 2021.
Council Member Martin made the motion to approve the Resolution and Plan to Cure Identified
Issues for the Stormwater MS4 Notice of Violation . Council Member Scholl seconded the motion to
which the Council approve unanimously. The Resolution and Plan to Cure Identified Issues for the
Stormwater MS4 Notice of Violation is attached to these minutes and therefore incorporated herein.

6. Gateway Signage
A. Engineering Contract
Assistant Town Manager Nichols reminded the Council that it allotted $50,000 for the
engineering and design of monument signage for the Town specifically a large sign in the area of Hwy.
74 and Stallings Road and a smaller sign near the Chestnut roundabout. The Town had received a quote
from Destination by Design for both signs for $48,000 (not including survey or permitting costs or
construction oversight) or $34,000 (turn-key option plus survey or permitting costs) just the larger sign
at Hwy. 74 and Stallings Road. Staff recommended the Council cho ose the latter option in order to be
budget conscious.

13769 November 9, 2020

B. Mini Brooks Acts
Council Member Scholl made the motion to adopt the Resolution to Exempt the Town of
Stallings from the Competitive Proposal Provisions of NCGS §143-64.31. The motion was passed
unanimously after a second from Council Member Martin. The Resolution to Exempt the Town of
Stallings from the Competitive Proposal Provisions of NCGS §143-64.31 is attached to these minutes
and therefore incorporated herein.
Council Member Scholl made the motion to allow staff to negotiate and enter into a contract
with Destination by Design for the design and engineering for gateway signage at Hwy. 74 and Stallings
Road for $34,000. Council Member Martin seconded the mo tion and the Council passed the motion
unanimously.

Mayor Dunn noted that County Commissioner Rushing confirmed that the County triggered a
mandated percentage for the re-valuation.

7. Adjournment
Council Member Ayers moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Grooms,
and the motion received unanimous support. The meeting was adjo urned at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Approved on December 14, 2020.

s/Wyatt Dunn s/Erinn Nichols
Wyatt Dunn, Mayor Erinn E. Nichols, Town Clerk

Approved as to form:
s/Cox Law Firm, PLLC
Cox Law Firm, PLLC