New Bern Board of Alderman Meeting Recap: March 8, 2022

New Bern Board of Aldermen Meeting - March 8 2022 — New Bern Board of Aldermen Meeting – March 8 2022 (photo by Wendy Card)

Correction to the record: “as of 4:34 today, the meeting was only available on the City of New Bern’s Facebook page.” Per email from Colleen Roberts, Public Information Officer, “Our Board of Aldermen meeting videos are available on the website within hours of the meeting adjourning. Thought I’d let you know since your online article dated March 9, 2022 is incorrect. It says “as of 4:34 today, the meeting was only available on the City of New Bern’s Facebook page.” Our third party broadcast vendor renders video hourly during the meeting so that the video file can be posted quickly and efficiently on our City 3 TV webpage: www.newbernnc.gov/city3tv. The meeting video was available on our website yesterday, not just Facebook.” I was not aware that the video was also uploaded to the City’s website. Thank you, Colleen Roberts for letting us know. – Wendy Card

Meeting info: Held at 6 p.m. in the Courtroom at City Hall located at 300 Pollock St. Watch on the City of New Bern’s Facebook page or on City 3 TV’s YouTube channel. Agenda Packet.

Roll Call: Mayor Dana Outlaw, Bobby Aster, Sabrina Bengel, Barbara Best, Jameesha Harris, Johnnie Ray Kinsey, Jeffrey Odham

1:38 – Request and Petition of Citizens. Lorelei Schaffhausen, Dustin Canestorp, and Edwin Vargas

11:20 – 4. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Close Specific Streets for the Tap That 2nd Annual Block Party.

(Ward 1) In conjunction with Religious Community Services, Tap That Craft Beer and Wine will be holding its second annual block party. A request was received to close the 900 and 1000 blocks of Pollock Street to vehicular traffic on May 21, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. The organizers have also requested use of the public parking lot at 925 Broad Street, which is the back of the old Days Inn site, to set up a food truck and entertainment. A rain date of June 4, 2022 has been designated. A memo from Kari Warren, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation, is attached.

Decision: Voted 7 – 0 to adopt resolution

5. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Call for a Public Hearing to Amend the Land Use Ordinance Section 15-80 — Endorsements on Major Subdivision Plats.

Staff in Development Services is recommending an amendment to Section 15-80 of the Land Use Ordinance regarding Endorsements on Major Subdivision Plats. The amendments are in accordance with NCGS § 47-30. The Planning and Zoning Board reviewed the amendment and unanimously approved it at their February 1, 2022 meeting. It is requested a public hearing be called for March 22, 2022 to receive comments on the proposed changes. A memo from Matt Schelly, Interim Director of Development Services, is attached.

Decision: Voted 7 – 0 to adopt resolution

6. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Call for a Public Hearing on the Resiliency Plan.

Staff has been working with consultants to develop a multiphase, long-term Resiliency Plan that will allow the City, residents, and businesses to be better prepared for and able to respond to situations arising from extreme storms. The draft plan will be presented before the Board on March 22, 2022, and it is requested a public hearing be held at that time to receive comments and input from the public. A memo from Mr. Schelly is attached.

Decision: Voted 7 – 0 to adopt resolution

* Per the City Clerk, Brenda Blanco, Items 4 – 6 are not discussed, unless a motion is made to pull an item from consent for the purpose of discussion. Otherwise, those items are approved by a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.

7. Approve Minutes.

Minutes from the February 11, 2022 retreat and February 22, 2022 regular meeting were provided for review and approved.

11:38 – 8. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Department of Justice Marshal Service.

For several years, the New Bern Police Department has participated in the Task Force Officer (“TFO”) program with the US Department of Justice Marshal Service. Through this partnership, the Marshal Service has engaged in numerous operations throughout New Bern and Craven County to hunt down wanted fugitives. In the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2021, 307 warrants were served in our region and 179 fugitives arrested. The Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) provides that the US Department of Justice will pay the Police Department an amount not to exceed 10,000 for overtime of a sworn officer. A memo from Police Chief Patrick Gallagher is attached.

Decision: Voted 7 – 0 to adopt resolution

12:55 – 9. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with James L. Cayton and Associates, Inc. for the FY22 Water and Sewer Improvements Project.

(Wards 1 and 5) Bids were sought for the FY22 Water and Sewer Improvements Project that involves Court Street and portions of High Street, River Road, and Washington/Raleigh Street. The project will eliminate deteriorated mains and service lines, increase reliability of the domestic water supply, and reduce potential sewer backups in the project area. A total of four bids were received, with the lowest bid submitted by James L. Cayton Utilities, Inc. for $758,550. The proposed resolution authorizes the City Manager to execute a contract with James L. Cayton and any change orders within the budgeted amount. A memo from Jordan Hughes, City Engineer, is attached along with a copy of the bid tabulation.

Decision: Voted 7 – 0 to adopt resolution

14:11 – 10. Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Amend Article V. Trucks and Trailers of Chapter 70.

(Ward 1) This ordinance will amend Article V of Chapter 70 of the city’s Code of Ordinances to clearly define trucks and trailers and establish width and lengths of same. It also expands the parking restrictions to prohibit overnight truck and trailer parking along the portion of National Avenue between Dunn Street and North Avenue. A memo from Jaimee Bullock-Mosley, Assistant City Attorney, is attached.