March 14, 2017 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

I. Call Meeting to Order    (Mayor Massengill)

II. Pledge of Allegiance (Mayor Massengill)

III. Approval of the Agenda

IV. Consent Agenda    (Mayor Massengill)

IV.A. Consider February 7, 2017 Meeting Minutes

IV.B. Consider February 23, 2017 Meeting Minutes

V. Public Comment    (Mayor Massengill)

V.A. Individuals wishing to address the Board are asked to provide their name and address for the record. 

V.B. Introductions of new Town of Benson team members (Matt Zapp)

V.B.1. Laureen Shepard, Executive Assistant/ FEMA Grantee

V.B.2. Andrew Peedin, Benson Fire Department

V.B.3. Jeanna Yarbough, FEMA Facilities Grantee

V.B.4. Ryan Seegars, Electric Department

V.B.5. Jude Shepard, Electric Department/ FEMA Grantee

V.B.6. Kavante Johnson, Electric Intern

V.B.7. Jacob Parente, Planning/Zoning Intern

VI. Department Reports

VI.A. Written Reports

VI.B. Benson Parks and Recreation Department Report (Matt Smith)

VI.C. Cultural Arts Report (Terry Hobgood)

VI.C.1. Local Mural unveiling on Thurs March 16, 2017 at 5:30 PM

VI.D. Fire Department Report (Alan Johnson)

VI.D.1. Harris Radio Systems update P25

VII. Old Business     (Mayor Massengill)

VIII. New Business    (Mayor Massengill)

VIII.A. Approval of January 2017 Financials (Kim Pickett)

VIII.B. Approval of the February 2017 Financials (Kim Pickett)

VIII.C. Consider Proposal to Replace Police Department Cruiser (Chief Edwards)

VIII.C.1. Use of current budget funds and insurance proceeds from a totaled Dodge Charger.

VIII.C.2. An equipped 2016 Dodge Charger at a cost of $27,710.22

VIII.D. Consider Proposal to Replace Public Works Truck (Tim Robbins)

VIII.D.1. Use of Hurricane Matthew insurance funds to replace one of the 6 vehicles that were flooded. 

VIII.D.2. 2017 Ford F-150 pickup at a cost of $23,469

VIII.E. Consider bid from Pricetown Volunteer Fire Department to Purchase BFD 1996 Freightliner Engine-2 for $10,000  (Alan Johnson)

VIII.E.1. Pursuant to NCGS 160A-274 -- Sale, Lease, Exchange, and Joint Use of Governmental Property

VIII.F. An update regarding the Hampton Inn and out parcel restaurants project (Matt Zapp)

VIII.F.1. Promotional Recruitment Video Release

VIII.G. A presentation and request by staff to improve electrical system upgrades to the South Walton Drive service territory (Braston Newton and Glenn Core)

VIII.G.1. An overview of the improvements that are needed; converting overhead to underground service.

VIII.G.2. Estimated investment for the repairs is $145,000

VIII.G.3. Proposed funding solution for the repairs

VIII.G.4. Action requested at the April 11, 2017 Board meeting

VIII.H. A presentation related to a reduction in the Town of Benson residential electrical rates (Matt Zapp, Braston Newton and Kim Pickett)

VIII.H.1. Town of Benson wholesale rate reduction of 4.1%

VIII.H.2. Town staff proposes the following rate reduction process:

VIII.H.2.a. A 5.5% residential rate reduction 

VIII.H.2.b. The proposed effective date of the rate reduction is July 1, 2017.

VIII.H.2.c. NOTE:  The proposed reduction is possible due to the combined savings of the wholesale electric rate reduction and additional efficiency gains via Load Management participation.

VIII.I. Consider Ordinance 01-2016-2017  Declaring Events and Festival Road Closures for the 2017 Calendar Year (Matt Zapp)

VIII.J. Consider Appointment of Mary Neighbors to Mary Duncan Public Library Board of Trustees (Terry Hobgood)

VIII.K. Consider Appointment of Brian Whitman to the Historic Preservation Commission (Terry Hobgood)

VIII.L. Consider Appointment of John Bonner to the Police Advisory Commission District II (Terry Hobgood)

IX. Town Manager Report    (Matt Zapp)

IX.A. Purchase requests in excess of $5,000

IX.A.1. Authorization to expend $10,498 for two 150 KVA Transformers at WWTP

IX.A.2. Authorization to expend $50,000 for Sludge Removal at WWTP

IX.B. An update regarding the Hurricane Matthew storm water system repairs

IX.B.1. MRA engineer's estimate for repairs. 

IX.C. Town related events and meeting reminders: 

IX.C.1. March 23, 2017 at 7 PM -- Request for an additional BOC meeting to perform the Manager's Review

IX.C.2. March 30, 2017 at 7pm -- Economic Development Strategic Planning Meeting

IX.C.3. April 1, 2017 at 8:30am -- Keep Benson Beautiful Annual Cleanup Day

IX.C.4. April 10, 2017 --  Town wide Spring Yard Debris curbside (semi-annual) service 

IX.C.5. April 11, 2017 at 7 PM -- Town of Benson BOC Meeting

IX.C.6. April 27, 2017 at 7 PM -- Economic Development Strategic Planning Meeting

X. Town Attorney    (Isaac Parker)

XI. Board of Commissioners Report    (Commissioners)

XII. Mayor Report    (Mayor Massengill)

XIII. Closed Session

XIII.A. Closed session to discuss a matter confidential under NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4) - concerning matters related to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body, including economic incentives.

XIV. Information Only

XV. Adjourn the Meeting  (Mayor Massengill)