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Holly Springs Town Council

Regular Meeting

Regular Meeting July 20, 2004

 

MINUTES

 

The Holly Springs Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 20, 2004, in the Council Chambers of Holly Springs Town Hall, 128 S. Main Street.  Mayor Sears presided, calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  A quorum was established as the mayor and three council members were present as the meeting opened. 

 

Council Members Present:  Councilmen Parrish Womble, Peter Atwell and Hank Dickson and Mayor Sears.

 

Council Members Absent: Councilmen Mike Taylor and Chet VanFossen. (Councilman VanFossen arrived at 7:10 p.m.)

 

Staff Members Present: Carl G. Dean, town manager; Chuck Simmons, assistant town manager; John Schifano, town attorney; Joni Powell, town clerk, (recording the minutes); Linda Harper, deputy town clerk; Gina Bobber, director of planning and zoning; Alysia Bailey, planner II; Stephanie Sudano, director of engineering; Kendra Stephenson, project engineer; Len Bradley, parks and recreation director; Scott Barnard, parks manager; David Smith, athletic director; Heather Keefer, environmental engineer; and Larry Boykin, assistant finance director.

 

2 and 3.  The pledge of allegiance was recited, and the meeting opened with an invocation by Rev. Lewis Gentry.

 

4.  Agenda Adjustment:   The July 20, 2004 meeting agenda was adopted with changes, if any, as listed below.                                   

            Motion By: Womble

            Second By: Dickson

            Vote: Unanimous

            Items Added to the Agenda:  None.

            Consent Agenda Items Removed: None.

            Other Changes: Item 7b., consideration of an alternate site plan for the Flint Point Fire Station and an amendment to 04-SEU-02, was postponed until the Aug. 3, 2004 meeting; Item No. 8e., consideration of a proposed alignment for Ballentine Street at the library site, was moved up on the agenda to precede Item No. 7a.

 

5a.   Public Hearing:  04-REZ-08, Omni Industrial Park - Ms. Bailey explained that the town has received a rezoning petition requesting that 4.20 acres located in the Omni Industrial Park be rezoned from Warehouse Distribution (WD) to Light Industrial (LI.)  Ms. Bailey said the permitted uses in the Light Industrial district allow general industrial uses, assembly/repair of manufactured parts, and manufacturing of appliances and light component parts.  The district also allows for 30% of the site to have outdoor storage.

Ms. Bailey said the proposed rezoning is located within an area that is designated as

business/industrial on the Town’s newly-adopted Land Use Map in the 10-Year Comprehensive Growth Plan.

            She reported that the planning board has reviewed the petition and recommends approval.

            With that explanation completed, Mayor Sears opened the public hearing to accept input.  The following comments were recorded: None.

            There being no comments, the public hearing was closed.

Action: The Council approved a motion to approve Zoning Petition #04-REZ-08 changing the zoning designation for 4.20 acres (Wake County PIN # 0649.16-84-4552; 0649.16-84-3417; 0649.16-84-2305; 0649.16-84-3297; 0649.16-84-5491; and 0649.16-84-7369,) located in the Omni Industrial Park from WD: Warehouse Distribution to LI: Light Industrial as submitted by David Sharpe.

            Motion By: Atwell

            Second By: Womble

            Vote: Unanimous

 

5b.  Public Hearing:  04-REZ-09, 132 Raleigh Street - Ms. Bailey explained that the town has received a rezoning petition requesting that .67 acres located at 132 Raleigh Street be rezoned from Residential-10 (R-10) to Neighborhood Village district (NV.)  The Neighborhood Village district would allow for multi-family residential development and low-intensity retail and office uses. 

Ms. Bailey said the proposed rezoning is located within an area that is designated as a Village Activity Center (VAC) in the Town’s 10-Year Comprehensive Growth Plan. 

            She reported that the planning board has reviewed the petition and recommends approval.

            Councilman VanFossen, who is the petitioner in this case, asked to be recused from discussion and action on this agenda item.

            Action #1:  The Council approved a motion to recuse Councilman VanFossen from discussion and action on this agenda item since he is the petitioner.

            Motion By:  Atwell

            Second By:  Womble

            Vote:  Unanimous

 

            With that explanation completed, Mayor Sears opened the public hearing to accept input.  The following comments were recorded: None.

            There being no comments, the public hearing was closed.

Action #2: The Council approved a motion to approve Zoning Petition #04-REZ-09 to change the zoning designation of .67 acres (Wake County PIN # 0649.16-92-7894) located at 132 Raleigh Street from R-10: Residential to NV: Neighborhood Village District as submitted by Chet VanFossen.

            Motion By: Womble

            Second By: Atwell

            Vote: Unanimous

 

Action:  The Council approved a motion to readmit Councilman VanFossen into the meeting.

Motion By:  Atwell 

Second By:  Dickson

Vote:  Unanimous.

 

6.  Consent Agenda:  All items on the Consent Agenda were approved following a motion by Councilman Womble, a second by Councilman VanFossen and a unanimous vote.  The following actions were affected:

            6a.  Estes Lane - The Council endorsed the construction plans for the paving of Estes Lane.

6b.  Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Policy and Fee Manual Amendments – The Council approved amendments to the Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Policy and Fee Manual to include an additional $20 All-Star Team fee so that participants on All-Star teams can keep their uniforms at the end of the season.  Other amendments included the adoption of a policy providing for a sponsorship program for athletic teams and a policy addressing volunteers and coaches.

Copies of the Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Policy and Fee Manual amendments

are incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.

6c.  Janitorial Services and HVAC Systems Maintenance Contracts – The Council awarded the annual janitorial services contract to Dunlap Services in the low bid amount of $37,500 and the annual HVAC systems maintenance contract to HVAC Specialists in the low bid amount of $2,000.

One other bid was received for HVAC maintenance:  Brady Services quoted $11,111, not including parts and repairs, or $21,772 to include servicing, repairs and parts.

Bids received for cleaning services were as follows: Little Lady Cleaning Service, $60,000; Watts Cleaning Service (current cleaning service), $50,400; Jan-ni King Cleaning Service, $46,800; Pro-Force Cleaning Service, $45,360; Ever-Ready Maintenance, $44,706; Jan Pro Cleaning Service, $43,500; and Fike & Associates, $42,000.

Copies of the Dunlap Services contract and HVAC Specialist contract are filed in the Town Clerks’ Office.

6d.  Financial Audit Contract – The Council award the annual financial audit contract to Duke & Abbott, CPAs.

A copy of the Duke & Abbott, CPAs contract is incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.

6e.  Minutes - Minutes of the Council’s regular meeting held on July 6, 2004 were approved.

  

8e.  (now 7a. following agenda adjustment) Library Site, Ballentine Street Realignment – Ms. Stephenson explained to the Council members that the Town has been meeting with Wake County, the Wake County Library System, and consultant CLH, over the past few months to create a site plan that would accommodate both the future library and the Town’s cultural arts center.  Ms. Stephenson said that CLH has provided a conceptual site plan that is designed to serve as a transition from the residential neighborhood to the west and the downtown area to the east.

She said Ballentine Street stubs to the property on both sides of the construction site.  The construction site is designed in a manner to promote slow and safe traffic movements.  The Town held a public information meeting (July 13) for the surrounding residents to view the plan and provide their comments.

Comments had been provided to members of the Council in meeting agenda materials.

Ms. Stephenson introduced a representative of CLH to give the Council background on how the firm came up with the proposed design that runs in a northern arc around the library property.

Ms. Stephenson then reviewed with the Council some of the information impacting the portion of Ballentine Street between the library site and the NC 55 Bypass. Residents have been concerned about speeding traffic through this segment and have expressed a desire that the Town incorporate some traffic-calming devices while constructing this library section of Ballentine.

Mr. Kevin Heyel was permitted to address the Council.  He said residents would like to see the Town install three traffic calming devices, including a raised crosswalk at the swimming pool.  He said everyone is excited about the library project, but are concerned about the traffic.

Mayor Sears received a consensus from the Council that the conceptual plan proposed for Ballentine Street at the library site was agreeable.

He then asked the Council to take under advisement the residents’ request for speed humps along Ballentine Street between the library site and the Bypass.

Council directed that a raised crosswalk at the swimming pool be installed.

The current traffic-calming policy may not apply to this situation because it would not take into account the traffic that would be generated in the future by the library and cultural arts center, Councilman Atwell said.  He suggested that a raised crosswalk be installed along with one other speed hump somewhere along Ballentine Street.

Councilman VanFossen pointed out that would not be fair if the Town does not follow its policy for every resident who requests traffic-calming devices.  He said the Town should follow its set policy.

Councilman Atwell maintained that he felt development of the library/cultural arts center and the potential for added traffic posed a special and understandable circumstance.

Action #1:  The Council approved a motion to direct the installation of a raised crosswalk at the swimming pool of Avent Acres as well as one other speed hump at a location on Ballentine Street to be determined by the engineering and public safety departments.

Motion By:  Atwell

Second By:  Dickson

Vote:  The motion carried following a 3-1 vote.   Councilmen Atwell, Dickson and Womble voted for the motion.  Councilman VanFossen voted against.

 

Action #2:  The Council approved a motion to endorse the conceptual plan of the alignment of Ballentine Street at the library site as presented.

Motion By: VanFossen

Second By: Dickson

Vote: Unanimous

 

7a.  Holly Springs Cultural Arts Center – Mr. Bradley explained that the programming needs assessment for the proposed Holly Springs Cultural Arts Center was completed.  Initial schematics were presented to the Town Board in June.  Receiving input from the Board that additional classroom and performing arts space would be desirable, designers at Little Diversified amended the original schematics.

            Mr. Bradley said that the new cultural arts center would promote the continued interest in the visual, performing and literary arts programs with efforts made to include activities for senior citizens.  The facility may also be used for general meetings in the community and would include a catering kitchen to support other various needs.  Wake County’s new library also would utilize space as an enhancement for its programs.

            Mr. Bradley advised the Council that the revised schematics were being presented and that a final decision must be made to determine the square footage requirements for the large multi-purpose room and any classroom space that is desired.  He also reported that it is desired that a facility control area be made possible in the lobby area. 

            Mr. Charles Todd of Little Diversified Architectural Consultants said the seating capacity of the theater area had been increased and classrooms had been added.  He said the most recent schematic features a total gross square footage of 11,408 square feet.  He said the budget for the cultural arts center building is estimated at $1,996,400 with a 10% contingency of $199,640 and a grand total building cost of $2,196,040.  He stressed that those figures are not actual construction estimates.

            Action: The Council approved a motion to approve the schematics for the library/cultural arts center as presented.

            Motion By: Womble

            Second By: Atwell

            Vote: Unanimous

 

7b.  Flint Point Lane Fire Station Alternate Site Plan – This item was postponed until the Aug. 3, 2004 meeting during Agenda Adjustment.

           

8a.  Stinson Avenue, Phase 2 -  Ms. Stephenson reported that on July 6, town staff conducted a public informational meeting for adjacent property owners along Stinson Avenue.  At the meeting, the current design plan was presented, questions were answered, and feedback was collected both verbally and in writing from the attendees.

Ms. Stephenson said that, originally, the plans for this project were for the road section to be constructed this summer; however, after further review of the design, staff realized that there would be some environmental issues. The Town has met several times with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Department of Water Quality (DWQ) regarding those environmental matters, which will pose a lengthy permitting process for the construction.

            She said that this process will push the bidding and construction of the project to next spring, a six-month delay from the original schedule.

Ms. Stephenson said resident input concerned traffic speeds, and they requested three-way stop signs and speed humps.

The Council’s position on the request for traffic-calming devices is that the process should be followed, post-construction.

Action: The Council approved a motion to endorse the Stinson Avenue extension phase 2 (from Noonday to Lacombe) construction plans as presented.

Motion By: Dickson

Second By: Womble

Vote: Unanimous

 

8b.  Sunset Ridge, Gable Ridge Drainage Study – Ms. Stephenson reported that staff gathered public input on the Gable Ridge Flood Study conducted by Sungate Design Group.

She said staff also has received photographs and electronic mail from residents of the area following a June 12 informational meeting.

Ms. Stephenson noted that the study provides detailed information on the flooding conditions in both the 25- and 100-year storm events in this basin, including specific flood levels with respect to individual structures.  In addition, inherent in this detailed study is a complete model that will allow the impact of any development projects or improvement projects undertaken in the basin to be modeled so that the specific impact of those projects can be analyzed with respect to flood levels.

Charlie Musser of Sungate Design Group presented the Council with the engineering study.

Discussion centered on how the Holly Ridge School campuses affect this flooding

problem and what could be done to alleviate the situation.

Mr. Alex Guess, 5208 Gable Ridge (aka Lot 516) – Mr. Guess was permitted to address the Council.  He expressed his appreciation to staff for addressing the problem.  He said there were few problems on Gable Ridge until the construction of Holly Ridge schools, creating a flood prone area that now runs dangerously deep and swift.

About two dozen homes in the study area are affected.

Speaking on behalf of those residents and others who live in the study area, Mr. Guess asked that the Town’s policy statement  on hydrologic basins be converted from a policy to an ordinance.  He also asked that the Town Council authorize the engineering staff to secure a structural engineer to inspect and prepare engineering plans to repair or replace the existing 72” CMP drainage pipe.

Mr. Guess also asked that the Council authorize engineering staff to evaluate the potential for additional upstream detention facilities to decrease the amount of storm water on Gable Ridge; to contact Wake County Schools to bring the Holly Ridge site into compliance with sediment and erosion control regulations; and to request that Wake County Schools verify that its existing detention areas on site are designed and working as approved and that these facilities be mofidified and/or maintained to provide for more storm water storage capacity.

Mr. Musser said detention would be a very feasible solution, coupled with improvements to the pipe on Gable Ridge, to alleviate the problem.  He had presented the following information in Council agenda packets:

Option 1: Maintenance work on the existing 72” CMP.  Large boulders are around the inlet and have been washed down into the pipe and need to be removed (this would not necessarily lower the flooding levels, but the debris has a potential to damage the pipe further, which could lead to the pipe’s collapsing and a sink hole depression on the ground above.

PERMIT: Not required

Option 2:   Contract with a structural hydraulic engineer for a report that would include a narrative on the current condition of the pipe, the life left on the pipe and possible rehabilitation and/repair methods. (Contract may range from $3,000 to $5,000.)

PERMIT: Not required; however, possible rehabilitation methods that may be suggested

may need permits.

Option 3: Modify the curb line and two private side yards of lots 515 and 516 at the low point of Gable Ridge. By removing the curb and creating a weir, stormwater flow would not build up as much in the road and could pass off the road and into a channel more directly. This method would help control the flow as it passes through this area and get it off the road more quickly. Channel restoration/construction would be necessary in this, with possibly a fence installed for safety.

PERMIT: Would be necessary in order to complete any stream restoration or channel construction in this area; a permit may also be required for any changes in stormwater discharge location.

Option 4: The Town of Holly Springs could approach the Wake County Schools to request that the existing facilities be modified and/or better maintained in order to create more storage area for stormwater.

PERMITS: May be required to comply with the Neuse and other State stormwater rules.

Option 5: Start at the yard inlet which is just upstream of the 72” CMP outlet on Gable Ridge (where the most damage inside the pipe has occurred) and remove the 72” CMP from that point to the outlet. This portion of the pipe could be replaced with a 7 feet tall, 8 feet wide concrete box culvert. At the outlet of the culvert there could have to be some channel work performed in order to accept the flow from the box culvert, and headwalls could be installed to divert the channel further away from the structure on lot 516.  This would require an existing patio just feet away from the outlet of the existing pipe to be relocated.  For this alternative, lot 515 would have to have a temporary driveway connection and then have the permanent concrete driveway replaced following the installation of the box culvert.

PERMIT: May be needed for the replacement of the existing pipe for maintenance and a permit may also be needed for the stream work on the downstream side of the pipe.

Option 6: The entire section of 72” CMP could be removed and replaced with two 7 feet tall and 8 feet wide box culverts. This would be a major construction project and would lead to a long period of disruption of yards and the road. There would have to be a re-installment of many utility lines and the road infrastructure.  This would also convey the entire 100 year storm via pipe through the Gable Ridge area more quickly, thereby necessitating improvements downstream in other areas of the subdivision.

PERMIT: Due to the stream alignment at the downstream end of the box culverts there would need to be permit obtained.  

Option 7: Potential upstream detention facilities could be evaluated. The model that is complete could be used to simulate stormwater flow through various detention scenarios. Potential areas have been identified; however all of the areas are on private property.

PERMIT:  In any location a permit would be necessary.  If a potential detention facility is located “in line” with a jurisdictional stream it may not be able to obtain a permit from some agencies (although recent discussions with agencies have been positive).

Option 8: Buyout of specific houses and re-establishing the original stream channel with natural stream restoration techniques. This option would be very costly.

PERMIT: In order to remove and do any work, permits would be necessary.

Mr. Musser warned that the existing pipe, upon an initial inspection by his staff, may be deteriorating and may fail with high volumes and velocities of water.

Ms. Stephenson summarized that staff agrees with the requests of the residents and seeks authorization from the Town Council:

1.  To convert the hydrologic basin policy statement (P-018) into an ordinance – and evaluate the possibility of considering drainage impacts at the re-zoning stage of properties to better inform both future developers and the Town of related impacts of rezoning;

2.  To authorize the town manager to approve a contract in an amount not to exceed $7,000 for a structural engineer for structural inspection and preparation of engineering plans to repair the existing drainage pipe – with an objective of completing repairs within next 90 days if possible (unless staff is directed to proceed with another improvement in the area that removes this pipe);

3. To authorize funding for consultants and modeling upstream detention to determine if and how much detention could be provided by the school and other upstream properties to eliminate the flooding problem on Gable Ridge.

The Council agreed that repairing or replacing the 72-inch pipe and evaluating and correcting conditions on the Holly Ridge school site should be the focus at this time.

Action: The Council approved a motion to direct staff to convert Policy Statement P-018 to an ordinance; to authorize staff to move forward with a structural engineer, at a reasonable cost as determined by the town manager, to inspect and design repairs for the 72-inch pipe; and to direct staff to move forward with evaluating corrective scenarios, using the model, and looking upstream as the likely culprit but not ruling out any other possibilities and to use the Town’s engineering staff and any consultants needed to recommend the best means of correcting the flooding problems in this basin.

Motion By: Atwell

Second By: Womble

During discussion, Councilman Atwell asked if FEMA funding would be available.  Ms. Sudano said staff would be looking into this and other possibilities.

At the mention of agenda packet deadlines and the time it takes for a finished report to be brought to the Board, Councilman VanFossen said that – in this instance – last-minute information could be provided to members of the Council.

Vote: Unanimous

 

8c.   Holly Springs Parks And Recreation Policy And Fee Manual Amendment -- Mr. Barnard addressed the Council, outlining the options that are available for allowing the consumption of beer and wine at Bass Lake Park. 

            The Town Attorney also recommended that the Town’s ordinance be amended to allow consumption of beer and unfortified wine on Town property.

After hearing the options, Councilman Womble suggested that the information be put into policy form and that an ordinance amendment be brought for the Council’s consideration on Aug. 3.

Action:  The Council approved a motion to defer action and schedule consideration of a policy statement and ordinance amendment on the consumption of alcohol on Town property for the Aug. 3, 2004 meeting agenda.

Motion By:  Womble

Second By:  Atwell

Vote:  Unanimous.

 

8d.  Ballentine Street Realignment, Holly Springs Business ParkMs. Stephenson addressed the Council, saying that Ballentine Street in the Holly Springs Business Park currently terminates at end of the Holland Grill site on Irving Parkway. The Town has obtained a grant from NCDOT to extend Ballentine Street from Irving Parkway to Premier Drive, she said.

However, she added, during construction design, it became apparent that the roadway would have to shift from currently-dedicated right of way because of today’s environmental permitting requirements.  There has been much research and many meetings with property owners and regulators to discuss various alternative alignments, she said.

Ms. Stephenson reported that two final alignments were selected and have been

evaluated in more detail - Alignments C and D as presented in agenda packets.

She noted that Mulkey Engineers had developed preliminary cost opinions, which also had been provided in agenda packets.  She said that the cost estimates are reflective of the environmental issues that would be encountered along each alignment, based upon field work by Mulkey Engineers.  The Town has met several times with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and stream crossing permits, although not promised, should not be a problem for the Town to obtain, Mr. Dean said.

Action: The Council approved a motion to endorse Alignment C of Ballentine Street in the Holly Springs Industrial Park as presented at an estimated cost of $4,126,578.37.

Motion By: Womble

Second By: Atwell

Vote: Unanimous

 

8f.  Turner Drive Town Acceptance – Ms. Stephenson explained to the Council that residents of Turner Drive have requested that the Town take over public maintenance of Turner Drive.  She said that in December of 2002, the Town Council approved Policy Statement #P-016, which provides a procedure for the Town to accept maintenance of private streets and make them public streets.

Ms. Stephenson said the following are guidelines for accepting privately maintained roadways for public maintenance the Council should use in considering this request: 

Step 1: A request has been made to the Town by property owners in the area for the Town to accept maintenance of Turner Drive

Step 2:  A “Petition for Roadway Addition” has been circulated by some property owners, and approximately 70% of the residents owning land along the roadway have signed the petition.  In addition, since the right of way is owned by the original developer of the subdivision (or his heirs), the property owners have also had them sign a deed committing to convey right of way to the Town for the roadway.

 Ms. Stephenson said the town attorney has indicated that the recordation of this deed will suffice to convey the full right of way to the Town, should the Council approve the request for the roadway to become public. 

 Step 3:  A site analysis has been completed by the Departments of Public Works, Public Utilities, Engineering, and Fire, and the “minimum criteria checklist” has been completed along with departmental comments. 

Step 4:  Items numbers 1 through 4 and 7 through 10 are addressed and are covered in the report provided under Step 3 above.  Requirements under items 5 and 6 under this step are met.

Action: The Council approved a motion to accept ownership and maintenance of Turner Drive as a public roadway with all the conditions being met.

Motion By: Womble

Second By: Atwell

In discussion, Councilman VanFossen asked if a master plan for the roadways in this area had been developed.

Councilman Dickson asked if funding was available.

Mr. Dean explained that the Town would take over maintenance of the road and provide maintenance of the unpaved surface until the roadway could be paved.

Councilman Womble asked if a timeframe could be provided as to when the road could be paved.

Mr. Dean said the spring would be earliest, along with Stinson Avenue.

Vote: Unanimous

 

9. Public Comment: At this time, an opportunity was provided for members of the audience who had registered to speak to address the Council on any variety of topics not listed on the night’s agenda.  The following citizens were heard:

Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Roberts, 3732 Old Holly Springs/Apex Road – Mr. Roberts advised that he lives about 1,000 feet away from the Town of Holly Springs public water service, but his new house outside the town limits has no water.  The existing well has failed and two attempts to drill new ones have resulted in dry holes.

Ms. Sudano explained that at a minimum, a private service line would have to be extended from the end of the six-inch public service line.

Councilman VanFossen said he would not have a problem with allowing Mr. Roberts to extend a private service line to his property with the understanding that the Roberts lot be annexed into the Town in the future.

Action:  The Council approved a motion to allow Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Roberts, 3732 Old Holly Springs/Apex Road to extend a two-inch private service line to their property from the Town’s six-inch public service line at the Wake County Firearms Training Center with the provision that the Roberts family agree to voluntary annexation of their homesite.

Motion By:  VanFossen

Second By:  Atwell

Vote:  Unanimous.

 

10.  Other Business:  None.

 

11.  Manager’s Report: None.

 

12.  Closed Session: The Council approved a motion to enter into Closed Session, pursuant to 143-318.11(a)(3) and (, to discuss with the Town Attorney a matter involving right of way acquisition and terms of an interlocal agreement for regional wastewater treatment.

Motion By: Womble

Second By: Atwell

Vote: Unanimous

 

General Account of Closed Session – July 20, 2004

In Closed Session, Council provided Mr. Schifano with right-of-way acquisition amounts and directions on condemnation for right-of-way for street and sidewalk improvement projects.

The Council also discussed with the Town Manager and Mr. Schifano terms of an interlocal agreement among Wake County communities and Wake County for a regional wastewater treatment facility.

The gist of the concern is that the agreement has changed since the Town of Holly Springs agreed to participate in the effluent line participation portion approved on July 6.  The Town of Cary will be the lead agency instead of Wake County and another major change is that the agreement now calls for participants to provide not only financial participation in the effluent line now, but also in the land acquisition portion of the project.

The agreement would commit the Town of Holly Springs to paying $2.1 million to stay in the compact and have a 4 million gallons per day allocation in the plant on the permit.  The question before the Council is is it worth $2.1 million for this capacity (plus an additional $9.6 million in future phases of the compact)

Council and the town manager feel the cost estimates for the regional wastewater treatment plant are extremely high and hard to justify.

The Town Manager suggested that the Town commit to providing $747,000 to the project for facilities the Town of Holly Springs would actually use, based on what he feels are more reasonable actual cost projections.

The Council provided consensus to this recommendation.  (However, developments later in the week necessitated the Town’s commitment to the required $2.1 million participation in the project.  The Town Manager reported developments to the Council via email and received a consensus that the participation would be necessary in order to protect the Town of Holly Springs’ interest in the project and eventually ensure adequate wastewater treatment for the future.)

-- End General Account

 

The Council returned to Open Session following a motion by Commissioner Dickson, a second by Commissioner Atwell and a unanimous vote.

 

In Open Session, the Council discussed a pending vacancy on the Town Council.  Mayor Sears had advised that he had not received a formal resignation letter from Councilman Mike Taylor, but that he has been advised by Councilman Taylor that he will soon be moving to Atlanta with his new job.

If the move takes place, Councilman Taylor said he would submit his resignation, and  a vacancy would be created on the Council.

Council members agreed that a replacement should be a person who is knowledgeable of the Town, its projects, its vision and its processes.  Councilmen talked about the advantages of appointing a present or past member of the Town’s advisory boards and asked that rosters of these groups be provided.

No action was taken.

 

13.  Adjournment:  There being no further business for the evening, the July 20, 2004, meeting of the Holly Springs Town Council was adjourned at 10:40 p.m., following a motion by Councilman VanFossen, a second by Councilman Atwell and a unanimous vote.

 

Respectfully Submitted on Tuesday, August 3, 2004.

                       

           

 _________________________________

Joni Powell, CMC

Town Clerk

Addendum pages as referenced in these minutes follow and are a part of the official record.