Regular Meeting
The
Staff Members Present:
2 and 3.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and the meeting opened with an
invocation by Rabbi Edery of The Temple Beth Shalom.
4.
Agenda Adjustment: The
Motion
By: Dickson
Second
By: Atwell
Vote: Unanimous
Items
Added to the Agenda: Add agenda item
as 6n., to adopt Ordinance 07-01 declaring a speed limit modification in two
school zones located on
Items
Removed from the Agenda: Item 6m.,
an infrastructure reimbursement agreement with the developers of the Beal Tract.
Consent
Agenda Items Moved to Regular Business: Move Public Comment portion of agenda to
follow after Agenda Adjustment.
Other
Changes: None.
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.
Susan Smith, of 237 Kingsport Rd, Sunset Ridge North said that her main concerns were
the increase in traffic and cars speeding along
Councilman VanFossen asked if the
pool was open when the traffic study was completed.
She said the traffic study was completed in December of 2006
and the pool was closed at that time.
Greg Calleri of 804 Crossway Lane spoke of an additional traffic
study that was conducted for four days in December. His major concerns that there
are children in the area that could get hurt. He also requested the Council to install a
four-way stop sign at the intersection of
Trish Griffin of 233
5.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Projects Update – Ms. Sudano
explained that the Town is currently expanding the 1.5 million gallons per day wastewater
treatment plant to a 6 million gallon per day capacity and in 2002, the Town
entered into an inter-local agreement to study the regional wastewater
alternatives to meet the long term wastewater needs. She said as a result of a State mandate, the
Town eliminated its treated wastewater effluent discharge into Utley Creek, but
continued as a partner in this project. She
said the Town’s participation in the regional project is limited (by the fact
that it is most cost-effective) to those facilities necessary to convey treated
effluent from the regional plant site to the Cape Fear River – an effluent
pumping station and force main, plus all of the studies, permitting, and cost
sharing of other ancillary facilities and lands necessary to design, build and
construct those portions of the regional project. It is presently anticipated that the operation
of the regional effluent pumping station and force main will begin around 2011. In order to meet that schedule, it is
currently under design by the lead agency,
She said the Town is presently in the final design stages of
the expansion to the Utley Wastewater Treatment Plant from 1.5 millions of
gallons per day to 6 millions gallons per day.
She said that the expansion is to go to bid this spring and constructed
over the next 18 months.
Tommy Esqueda the consultant for
the Western Wake Project reviewed with the Council Members the Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) process; the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
requirements; the issues that need to be addressed for the EIS; the public
comment period; the process of preparing the responses to the EIS; NC DENR
guidance for the EIS revisions; and the final stages for complete the EIS
process.
Mayor Sears asked what where the questions Progress Energy
have with the project.
Mr. Esqueda said that there was a discussion with Progress
Energy about the process of Progress Energy having access to the equipment
installed within the river, they where directed to NC DENR for the guidance.
Action: None.
6.
Consent Agenda: All
items on the Consent Agenda were approved following a motion by
6a.
Budget Amendments Report – The Council received a report of FY 2006-07 budget
amendments #46 through #53 approved by the town manager.
6b. Budget Amendment, $400 – The
Council adopted an amendment to the FY 2006-07 budget in the
amount of $400 to reimburse the town for insurance proceeds for towing
expenses. A
copy of the budget amendment is incorporated into these minutes as an addendum
page.
6c. Budget Amendment, $15,300 – The
Council adopted an amendment to the FY 2006-07 budget in the amount of $15,300 to accept donations to
purchase two statues for the
6d. Budget Amendment, $100 – The
Council adopted an amendment to the FY 2006-07 budget in the amount of $100 to accept a donation to the Fire
Department in the memory of Carey Caines. A copy of the budget amendment is
incorporated into these minutes as an addendum page.
6e. Budget Amendment, $2,500 – The Council adopted an amendment to the FY
2006-07 budget in the amount of $2,500 to allocate funds to the Police
Department for uniforms. A
copy of the budget amendment is incorporated into these minutes as an addendum
page.
6f.
6g. Resolution 07-02 – The Council adopted Resolution 07-02
to change a street name from
6h. Budget Amendments – The Council adopted amendments to the FY
2006-07 budget to update the
6i. NPDES SWMP Phase II Contract – The Council approved to enter into a professional services
agreement with Carter & Burgess, Inc. in the amount of $89,715.50 for
development and implementation of the NPDES SWMP, Phase II and adopted an
associated budget amendments. Copies of the Carter &
Burgess, Inc. contract and budget amendments are incorporated into these
minutes as addendum pages.
6j. Resolution 07-05, Economic Development
Administration Grant – The
Council adopted Resolution 07-05 adopting the Town of
6k. Forrest Springs
Infrastructure Reimbursement Agreement – The Council approved to enter into
an infrastructure
reimbursement agreement with the developer of Forrest Springs. A copy
of the Forrest Springs infrastructure reimbursement agreement is incorporated
into these minutes as addendum pages.
6m. Beal Tract Infrastructure Reimbursement
Agreement – This item was
removed from the Consent Agenda during agenda adjustment.
6n. Ordinance 07-01 – The Council adopted
Ordinance 07-01 declaring a speed limit modification in two school zones
located on
At this time, Councilman VanFossen
asked to be excused from discussion and deliberation on item 6m, and the
Council approved the motion to recuse Councilman VanFossen from the meeting.
Motion
By: Atwell
Second
By: Dickson
Vote: Unanimous
6m. Beal Tract
Infrastructure Reimbursement Agreement – Mr. Schifano expanded that
this request is to enter into an infrastructure reimbursement agreement with the
Beal Tract developers for transportation improvements relating to the
Action: The Council approved a motion to approve the Beal Track infrastructure
reimbursement agreement for transportation improvement relating to the
Motion By: Atwell
Second
By: Dickson
Vote: Unanimous
Action: The Council approved a motion to readmit Councilman VanFossen into the meeting.
Motion By: Atwell
Second By: Womble
Vote: Unanimously
7.
The
Mr. Schifano said with the Council’s
direction he contacted David Goodwin the director of General Services for
Mr. Schifano said that Mr. Goodwin
stated that the County’s procedure for these types of activities is typically not
to allow advance booking and allow groups on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Councilman Atwell and Bob Klaus discussed the preliminary
rates and history of the church’s interest for the long term lease and the fee
quoted to the church is the same as the Town’s policy fee schedule.
There further discussions regarding scheduling conflicts
with other productions of the theater and the intended use for the
Councilman Womble asked the time of the church services on
Sunday’s and how long would it be before the church breaks ground for the new
church and at the end of the one year lease would the church request for
additional lease time.
Rev. Don Brown Pastor of The
Councilman VanFossen said that
leasing the facility for a year in advance would cause scheduling conflicts and
did not agree with changing the town’s policy.
Councilman DeBenedetto suggested to Mr. Brown using the rental
funds for development or improvements to the church property, such as, modular
units.
There were discussions among the
Councilman Members, Mr. Brown and Ms. Clapp regarding the UDO requirements for
modular units and the zoning of the church’s property.
Councilman Atwell said that he was not in favor of the request
and that it was not the town’s vision for the facility to be used for this type
of use.
Councilman Dickson said that he agreed with staff and that the
first year is a learning process for the best way to schedule events.
Action:
The Council made a motion to deny the
Motion By: Atwell
Second
By: VanFossen
Vote: Unanimous
8a.
Ms. Stephenson explained a brief history
of requests for various actions or suggestions along
·
adding
three four-way stop locations – one for site distance restrictions and the
other two at future significant road intersections (roads that will link either
to
·
public
works trimming street trees for sight clearance; and
·
speed and volume counts taken at
Ms. Stephenson said that after these improvements were made,
requests are still being received by the Town for either speed humps or four-way
stops, and in one case road closure.
She said after receiving the
resident’s feedback and evaluating the intersection of
Ms. Stephenson discussed with the Council that the Town’s
goals for markings and signage are to be consistent with the Town’s policies
and standards. She said after research staff
has found the following negative consequences for installing unwarranted four-way
stops:
1.
Unwarranted
four-way stop locations provide a false sense of security for pedestrians,
because majority of vehicles may not come to a complete stop.
2.
Unwarranted
four-way stop locations create higher liability for the Town, because they are
not consistent with MUTCD.
3.
Unwarranted
four-way stop locations have a negative impact to air quality and cause
increased fuel consumption.
4.
New
four-way stop locations experience an increase in the vehicular noise from stop
and start, etc.
5.
Mid-block
speeding between new four-way stop locations occurs to “make up” for the lost
time at the un-warranted stop sign.
6.
It
has been proven in several studies that when stop signs are installed that are
unwarranted, and only installed to control driving speeds, approximately 18% of
the public run them, 54% roll through them, and only 28% come to a complete
stop.
7.
Inconsistent
with published standards and policies of other municipalities.
She said staff has observed the following related
information to these requests:
1.
Drivers
can see at least 200 to 250 ft in both directions along
2.
In
the area of Cliff Creek there is only one of the eight possible traffic
movements at this intersection that seems to be a problem, and that is if you
are traveling east on the downgrade.
Ms. Stephenson expanded the Town Policy Statement P-015,
Multi-way Stop Sign and P-010, Traffic Calming Devices criteria and guidelines
to the Town Council.
Ms. Stephenson said that the police department has pursued
effective methods of apprehending motorist who are traveling at excessive
speeds in the area of
·
marked
and unmarked mobile speed enforcement operations,
·
unmanned
and manned patrol vehicles, and
·
static and moving radar.
Ms. Stephenson said that since the time the residents
requested additional stop signs, staff had an independent firm complete a speed
study at two of the three requested four way stop locations and the third
location of Chrismill. She said the study provided both the volume
and the speed of the motorist. She said
as of December 14th through the 18th - Crossway at
Ms. Stephenson said that the results of the study did not warrant
the installation of the four-way stop based on volumes.
At Crossway and
Councilman
Womble and DeBenedetto both agreed that there is a
safety issue along
In
was the consensus of the board that installing four-way stop signs is not the
best solution for calming devices and would be in favor of installing speed
humps in appropriate locations along
The
Council Members discussed various locations for installing the speed humps and
amending the Town’s policy.
Councilman Womble said that he would
be in favor of installing one four way stop and speed humps along
Councilman Dickson commented on
reversing the stop signs at the intersection of
Councilman Atwell suggested that
staff research the State guidelines and other criteria for the best solution for
the intersection of Crossway and
Ms. Stephenson said that staff
recommends not to install four-way stop signs at
Councilman VanFossen
made a comment that the Town has adopted standards and if those standards don’t
meet the needs or criteria of the situation, the standards need to be revised.
Action: The
Motion By: Atwell
The motion died for lack of a
second.
Action: The
Motion By:
Womble
Second
By: DeBenedetto
Councilman Dickson said that motion
is a little excessive and would be interested in revising the standards and
finding a method that works.
There were further discussion regarding revising the Town’s
standards verses installing additional four-way stop signs and traffic calming
devices at the requested intersections.
Councilman DeBenedetto called the question.
Vote: The vote failed with a
Action: The Council approved a motion to direct Town staff to review
and install traffic calming devises along
Motion By: VanFossen
Second
By: Atwell
Councilman DeBenedetto
asked if there was a time line when the devices to be installed. Councilman VanFossen
said that it would be at the staff’s discretion and not come back to the Board
unless the citizens are unhappy with the locations. He suggested this topic to be a winter
retreat topic for reviewing and revising the Town’s policies on four-way stop
signs and traffic calming devices.
Vote: Unanimous
Councilman VanFossen
requested the Chief of Police to patrol the area in the high traffic hours of
the day and issue speeding tickets to any violators that violate the speed
limits.
8b.
Ms. Clapp said that since that time, the
Ms. Clapp said that this request is for the Council to
consider revising the gateway drawings and adopt a resolution amending the
Development Procedures Manual and removing the requirement of the developers
paying for the feature and to incorporate the new design.
Ms. Clapp reviewed the locations and
the new feature designs to the Council Members.
There were discussions among the Council members of the size
of the town seal that is located on the feature and that the feature appearance
remains to look like an entrance sign into a subdivision.
Action #1: The
Motion By:
Womble
Second
By: DeBenedetto
Vote: Unanimous
Action #2: The
1. For corners “A” and
“C”
a. Remove the 2 logo medallions on the
outside short columns.
(4
in total)
b. Remove the flag stone paving.
2. For corners “B” and
“D”
a. Remove 2 logo medallions on the
outside short columns.
(4
in total)
3. For all corners
a. Remove the far outside “monument”
columns (8 in total).
Motion By:
Womble
Second
By: DeBenedetto
Vote: The vote carried with a vote of
A copy of Resolution 07-03 and DPM
amendments are incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.
At this time, Councilman VanFossen
asked to be excused from discussion and deliberation on item 8c, and the
Council approved the motion to recuse Councilman VanFossen from the meeting.
Motion
By: Dickson
Second
By: Atwell
Vote: Unanimous
8c.
Mr. Schifano said that staff recommends adopting a resolution authorizing
to start the condemnation proceedings of 0.3 acres of land across the Ransdell Tract for construction of a road.
Action: The Council approved a motion to adopt Resolution 07-04 authorizing
condemnation proceedings for the acquisition of right-of-way for Earp Street
Extension.
Motion By: Womble
Second
By: Atwell
Vote: Unanimous
A copy of Resolution 07-04 is incorporated
into these minutes as addendum pages.
Action: The Council approved a motion to readmit Councilman VanFossen into the meeting.
Motion By: Atwell
Second By: Dickson
Vote: Unanimously
8d.
Mr. Schifano said that the contract is currently in
negotiation, however the cost associated with the contract was discussed in
closed session on
Action: The Council approved a motion to authorize the
town manager to enter into a land purchase contract with the Trust for
Motion By: VanFossen
Second
By: Atwell
Vote: Unanimous
A copy of the land sales contract is
incorporated into these minutes as addendum pages.
8e.
Mrs.
Clapp advised the Council that town policy P-011 states,
“the Town will not approve the installation of specialty or decorative street
name signs or posts nor specialty or decorative traffic control signs or posts
which vary from the standard type sign materials required by and used by the
Town of
Mr. Josh Stone of Withers & Ravenal,
Council members were in consensus
that the town should remain consistent with the Council’s adopted policy P-011.
Action: The Council
approved a motion to deny the request to allow the Hobby tract developer to use
decorative street name and/or traffic control signs and posts within the
development, pursuant to Town of
Motion By: Atwell
Second By: Dickson
Vote:
Unanimous
Ms. Sudano said that
Action: The Council directed stall to
continue forward with the project.
10.
Other Business: Councilman Vanfossen
asked about the status of the crosswalk on
Councilman Dickson invited the Council Members to attend the
South Wake Landfill Advisory meeting at the
Mayor Sears said a copy of the letter that was sent to Wake
County Commissioners requesting host fees was included in the Councilmen’s
folders.
11.
Manager’s Report: Mr. Dean invited the Council
Members to the Chamber of Commerce Banquet to be held at the
12.
Closed Session: None.
13.
Adjournment: There being no further business for
the evening, the
Respectfully Submitted on
_________________________________
Linda R.
Harper,
Addendum pages as referenced in these
minutes follow and are a part of the official record.