Holly Springs Town Council Minutes

 

Special Meeting

May 10, 2006

 

The Holly Springs Town Council met in a duly-called special session on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, in the Holleman Room of Holly Springs Town Hall, 128 S. Main Street.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed FY 2006-07 operating budget.  Mayor Dick Sears presided, calling the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.  A quorum was established as the mayor and four council members were present as the meeting opened. 

 

Council Members Present:  Councilmen Vinnie DeBenedetto, Parrish Womble, Chet VanFossen, and Hank Dickson and Mayor Sears.  Councilman Peter Atwell arrived later in the meeting.

 

Council Members Absent:  None.

 

Staff Members Present: Carl Dean, town manager; Charles Simmons, assistant town manager; John Schifano, town attorney; Joni Powell, town clerk (recording the minutes); Linda Harper, deputy town clerk; Barb Koblich, information desk clerk; Jeff Jones, planner II; Eric Tayler, information technology; Luncie McNeil, public works director; Ricky Blackmon, code enforcement director; Jenny Mizelle, director of economic development; Erika Phillips, human resources director; Thomas Tillage, director of water quality; Stephanie Sudano, director of engineering; Drew Holland, finance director; Cecil Parker, director of public safety; and Len Bradley, director of parks and recreation.

 

            Mr. Dean reviewed his budget message providing highlights of his proposed budget with the Town Council.  In discussions following, the Town Council requested that the following items be given further consideration.  Some of the items would not represent changes to the budget.

  • Possibility of adding more Public Safety positions.
  • Possible personnel policy change that would provide no cost of living adjustment for any employees who do not receive merit increases.
  • Possibility of adding $100,000 for the Jones Park project to provide a paved parking area, bringing the line item from $20,000 to $120,000.
  • Encouragement to use $50,000 budgeted for a community center to proceed with design and locate a suitable site.
  • Possibility of purchasing or renting a tub grinder instead of purchasing a yard waste chipper.
  • Possibility of expediting installation of sidewalk along Avent Ferry Road.
  • Possible separation of the police and fire departments into two departments instead of one public safety department.
  • Encouragement to use $250,000 budgeted for Veterans Park as efficiently as possible and to accept assistance from local civic groups that have expressed interest in helping.
  • Possibly adding the purchase of mag meters back to the budget, if feasible.
  • Encouragement to carry on with sidewalk along Bass Lake Road as quickly as possible.
  • Suggestion that the special programs line item be used to provide start-up funds for various school booster clubs that should be forming with the opening of Holly Springs High School.
  • Discussion that the town’s support of Chamber of Commerce will include the $10,000 investment club membership, but financial support of the Chamber’s directory project may need further discussion.

 

Mr. Dean was asked to look into these topics and report back to the Council and make any adjustments to the proposed budget that might be necessary and prudent.

 

Adjournment:  There being no further business for the evening, the May 10, 2006, special meeting of the Holly Springs Town Council was adjourned following a motion by Councilman Atwell, a second by Councilman Dickson and a unanimous vote.

 

Respectfully Submitted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006.

           

 

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Joni Powell, CMC, Town Clerk