A Butner Town Council Meeting was convened in the Council Meeting Room at Butner
Town Hall, located at 415 Central Avenue, Butner, NC 27509 on Thursday, December 1, 2016
beginning at 7:00 PM.
Mayor:
Council Members:
Town Manager
Town Attorney
Town Clerk
Vicky Cates
Christene Emory
Bill Birdsong
Michel Branch
Linda Jordon
Bill McKellar
Vickie Smoak
Thomas Marrow
James Wrenn, Jr.
Dianne White
1.
welcome, REMARKS and call to order … by Mayor Cates
2.
Roll Call … by Clerk
3.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance … by Mayor Cates
4.
APPROVAL OF November 3, 2016 meeTING MINUTES
Minutes were approved on motion by Council Member Jordon, seconded by Mayor ProTem Emory. All voted in favor.
5.
adjustments to and/or approval of December 1, 2016 meeting
agendA
No adjustments were made; therefore, the agenda (‘as is’) was approved on motion by
Council Member Branch, seconded by Council Member Smoak … all voted in favor.
6.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD… No Speakers
7.
PRESENTATION BY 2016 VeteraNs DaY essaY WiNNers … ChristiaN
fielDs, a’NiYa alstoN aND gaBY pleasaNts
Council Member McKellar said 7th graders (at the 3 middle schools) were asked to write essays
on ‘What Veterans Day means to me’. All the winners were from Hawley.
In attendance/reading her winning essay was A’niya Alston.
Miss Alston was given a Certificate of Appreciation and a monetary gift.
8.
Council Consideration – adopt resolution declaring a road
closure for the 2016 butner Christmas parade (from a street to g
street) for the 2016 christmas parade on Saturday, December 3, 2016
(See Attached)
BPS Director Roberts said changes were made some time back … if a Town or Town
sponsored event (with Police/Fire helping with traffic), the Town would authorize the closing of
the road. There is response back and forth with NCDOT as to any road construction or other
special events that could interfere with Butner’s event. Council is required to do an ordinance
or resolution acknowledging the closing of the road(s) regarding that event with a signed copy
of the resolution sent back to DOT to be kept on file. Council Member Branch thanked Roberts
for finding out of the additional procedures required.
The Resolution was approved on motion by Council Member McKellar, seconded by
Council Member Jordon. All voted in favor.
9.
MONTHLY (october) FINANCIAL REPORT (See Attached)
The Finance Director reported revenues exceed expenditures by $556,826. Property tax
collections are down about 5.75% from this time last year. Hopefully, that will catch up as
December 31st is the big rush to get taxes paid (for a deduction on income taxes).
Miscellaneous revenue is down quite a bit because the Town received $369,000 on time
payment for BPS last year. Sales tax revenues are up about $35,000 (compared to last year)
because of a new distribution the State has started doing for area counties with lower
populations. Lesser populated counties get a little more percentage based on population than
the high population areas (adjustment for distribution was put into effect). Expenses (non
departmental) is at 70% even though the Town is about 30% through the year due to Butner
paying its one-time fees such as liability insurance, workers comp, software fees, etc.
Hiscocks said all of our debt service for the year has been paid.
Council Member Jordon motioned to accept the October financial report as presented,
seconded by Council Member Branch. All voted in favor.
10.
Terms to expire (January, 2017) on Zoning Board of Adjustment –
Bill Crosby, Jane frost and constance wortham (See Attached)
Planning Director Hodges presented this item. She said BOA members have three (3) year
terms with Crosby and Wortham wishing to serve another term. Jane Frost (who is an
Alternate representing within Butner town limits) has asked to be removed from the Board.
Mayor Pro-Tem Emory motioned to accept reappointment of Crosby and Wortham,
seconded by Council Member McKellar – unanimously approved.
The Mayor said Bill Cheek shared interest that he would like to serve on this Board. Cates
inquired as to any suggestions/interest received by Council Members. Mr. Branch said he
feels Mr. Cheek is a good choice.
Bill Cheek was appointed to serve as ‘Alternate” on motion by Council Member Branch,
seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Emory. All voted in favor.
11.
Council Consideration – appoiNtmeNts to the loCal firefighters’
Relief Fund Board of Trustees (See Attached)
The Council appointed Chris Emory for a two-year term as a Trustee effective January of 2016
and Terry Turner for a two-year term as a Trustee effective January of 2015.
NC House Bill 19 was signed into law this past session with an effective date of July 01, 2016.
The bill changed some of the wording of NCGS 58-84. In particular, NCGS 58-84-30 amended
the appointment process for trustees of the Local Firefighters’ Relief Fund. Town appointed
trustees can now be appointed at any time and shall serve until they are replaced.
The Council may select its own process for future term limits, appointments, reappointments,
etc.
Chief Roberts spoke of HB 19 changes. He said at BPS, they plan to continue with staggered
two (2) year terms. Mayor Cates agreed it would be good for Council to approve ‘the same’
(staggered 2 yr terms). Therefore, this was put to a motion by Council Member Jordon,
seconded by Council Member Branch. All voted in favor.
The Mayor shared her interest in filling the vacancy. She is a member of Crimestoppers.
Therefore, Council Member Smoak motioned to appoint Mayor Cates to fill the vacancy
(Terry Turner), seconded by Council Member McKellar (unanimous). Cates was
appointed with a term to expire January, 2019. All voted in favor.
12.
Consider request from the finance committee to invest a
portion of the toWN’s fuNDs iN the NCCmt Term fund
The Finance Committee met with Lee Carter representing NCCMT to discuss investment
options that may produce higher yields than the Bond Fund. The Finance Committee
recommends investing $3,000,000 into the NCCMT Term Fund.
Council Member Jordon said NCCMT is a better option for our funds to grow.
Therefore, she made a motion accordingly. That motion was seconded by Council
Member McKellar (all voted in favor). Council Member Birdsong suggested treading easy
(noting the amount, $3 Million, seems aggressive).
Finance Director Hiscocks said all monies are currently in “Cash Fund” (currently called the
Bond Fund) investing only in government bonds – return is currently at .3%. In 2011, Cash
Management Trust started the Term Fund. Hiscocks said we had not considered it strongly
because the return of investment between the two (2) funds was insignificant. Right now the
rate of return on the Term Fund is .9%. She said “What we are putting there is money we
don’t intend to use.” She noted it is very secure and if we need the money, we can get it out
with a 24-hour notice. The Town has between $8M-$9M currently in the NCCMT Fund, a
secure/stable investment. The recommendation is to leave monies there at a minimum of 90
days. Both sales tax and personal property tax collections go there as well. Hiscocks said she
and Lee Carter have been watching this fund and they concur the margin has continued to
grow larger. The Manager said all of our investments are with NCCMT (North Carolina Cash
Management Trust). He said all we are doing is moving a portion of it from a fund that is
currently paying interest of .3% to a fund that is paying .9%. Hiscocks said regarding last
month, interest earned was approximately $1,000. We were earning quite a bit of money in
the 2008-early 2009 timeframe. In 2009 it went flat. She said interest rate on government
bonds will never be too high. The Term Fund will give us more return on our money.
13.
Consider request from the finance committee regarding
medicare supplement policies (See Attached)
The Finance Committee met with Steve Byrd of Hill Chesson and Woody to discuss Medicare
Supplement policies for Town employees. The Finance Committee recommends Option F for
the Medicare Supplement.
This was approved on motion by Council Member Jordon, seconded by Council
Member Branch. All voted in favor.
14.
Town of Butner Website - Vendor and Process Review
Council Member Branch thanked Melissa and Jessica for work and input on the Town website.
He said he has issue with the web developer not doing everything that is conclusive of web
development and the time it takes them to turn around info. Branch said he wants to review
how we go through the process of getting things done for our website and if need be, revise
who we have as vendor. He proposed a committee consisting of Linda Jordon, Vickie Smoak,
Melissa Hodges and/or Jessica Gladwin, along with himself to meet with NorthStar and get
deadlines in place and go from there. The local group would meet first and set a date for the
larger group meeting. Ms. Jordon suggested Council/Staff get together and review the
contract so there is a level of understanding of what expectations are. It was noted there are
two (2) contracts – BAP (2013) and the Town (2015-2016). Branch said all will need copies of
the contract(s) and obtain source code of the website (as owners). A committee meeting was
set for 12/12/2016 at 5:00 pm.
15.
council consideration/approval of 2017 Regular council
meeting schedule (See Attached)
Above was unanimously accepted on motion by Council Member Jordon, seconded by
Council Member Smoak.
16.
council consideration/approval of 2017 holiday schedule (See
Attached)
This item was approved on motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Emory, seconded by Council
Member McKellar … all voted in favor.
17.
reports (See Attached)
 Manager
Marrow said Sleepy’s was purchased by Mattress Firm roughly a year ago and they
were debating on relocating … they have since relocated. CareFusion was bought out
and will relocate to Mexico and Utah in 2017. Marrow said (regarding buildings), we
have a lot to show, which helps keep us in the economic development game.
 Planning/Parks & Rec Director went over report with Council. Council desired survey
be held until first week of January (after Christmas rush).
 Public Safety Director went over his report with Council (noting a loss of Volunteer
Firefighters; however, 3 new replacements: Chester Moore, Brent Brinkley and Calvin
Shaw)
18.
other matters
19.
Mayor and Council Comments
Council Member Branch thanked all involved with the Veterans Day Ceremony. BCA is
holding Christmas in the Park as well as the Christmas Parade – line up with take place on
Granville Street. Branch thanked all involved with BCA – next meeting is 1/19/2017, 7 pm at
Town Hall.
Council Member Smoak is excited to see Wendy’s and Arby’s opening – the area (on Hwy
#56) is getting more and more busy. She mentioned that area is not well lit (a need for street
lights). Council Member Branch suggested the group (individually or separately) go and
designate areas that need illuminating. The Town Manager said he and Staff (PD) can take a
look and report back to Council. Smoak said she believes the last street light is down below
the fruit stand (KFC and fruit stand Jordon remarked). Smoak, Jordon and Branch plan to
peruse the area and make a report at the January Meeting.
Ms. Smoak said she received a letter and recently had a phone conversation with a
representative from Duke Energy. She was told they are in the process of updating residential
outdoor lighting (from mercury vapor to LED lights, which is more energy efficient). Council
Member Smoak would like Duke Energy contacted about upgrading Butner street lights.
Marrow said he has talked with them this year along these lines. They indicated it is not that
they don’t want to do it; however, they are not prepared to do it with considerable requests
coming in. Ultimately, Marrow indicated ‘yes, we can make a request’.
Mayor Cates spoke of a Chamber initiated project ‘Shop Local’ (small businesses) which was
held on 11/26/2016. Denise Pipkins and Ruth Ann Bullock were champions and helped with
getting Shop Local bags to retail establishments, provided advertising and marketing. There
were some signs on Central Avenue and Highway #56. The Mayor feels this is a positive
event sponsored by the Chamber. She noted 30% of our small businesses help move the
dollar around (it helps to shop local). Cates touched on beginning phases of planning for the
75th Camp Butner Anniversary – we are close to setting a date … stay tuned for more info.
Cates concluded her remarks by urging all to drive safe when traveling.
20.
CLOSED SESSION MATTER(s) if any
21.
adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at roughly 8:12 pm on
motion by Council Member Branch, seconded by Council Member Jordon (unanimous).
Respectfully submitted,
Dianne E. White, CMC
Butner Town Clerk
________________________________
Vicky Hicks Cates, Mayor
Town of Butner