Town of Woodland Board Minutes
Date: April 7, 2022
7:00 PM

Board/Staff Present:

Randy Beale - Mayor
David Cooper – Commissioner
Brian Christison - Commissioner
Donielle McDermott – Town Clerk
Eddie Hoggard – Police Chief

Commissioner Ricky Morris and Commissioner Barbara Outland were both absent.

Call to Order: Mayor Beale called the meeting to order at 7pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silent reflection.

Approval of Agenda: The first item of business was the approval or amendment of the agenda. Commissioner Cooper made a motion to add 9a “Lagoon” to the agenda and approve it. Commissioner Christison seconded and the motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: The next item on the agenda was the approval or amendment of the minutes for the regular meeting dated March 3, 2022. Commissioner Christison made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Cooper seconded and the motion carried.

Consideration of Bills: Commissioner Cooper made a motion to pay all the current bills and to also pay all the regular bills that come in throughout the month. Commissioner Christison seconded and the motion carried.

Public Comments: Karen Wheeler spoke and said she owns property near Duck Thru, the lot with the car wash and single wide trailer. She wants to take the single wide and car wash down and add a doublewide. She knows the zoning requirements call for a modular or stick built, but due to the price of houses now, she is requesting the town allow her to add a doublewide instead. She is willing to do what needs to be done. The board told her she would need to fill out the $250 zoning permit application and turn it into the zoning board. They would then meet and decide. If they approve her request, it will then go before the board.

Fire Department: Robbie Collier read the monthly report. Mr. Collier said the department has been attending technical rescue classes with two classes left. When they are finished, they will be TR certified, which opens up the door for rescue grants.

a. CRAB Trucking gave the town two quotes, one to be paid with Powell Bill funds in the amount of $4,353 and one to be paid on behalf of the fire department for $12,500. The Powell Bill quote is to install drainage piping and storm drains. The fire department quote is to build the new parking lot and repair the existing parking lot. Commissioner Christison made a motion to approve using Powell Bill funds to pay CRAB Trucking $4353 plus the cost of Michael Grant making the boxes. Commissioner Cooper seconded and the motion carried. The board discussed the quote for the fire department. There is not enough money at this time to approve this request, however, Representative Michael Wray promised the fire department $25,000 through the Department of Transportation. Mr. Wray reached out to the Department of Transportation and asked them to reimburse the fire department part of the money they spent to pave the parking lot. Robbie Collier spoke with someone from the Department of Transportation, and they said they should be sending the fire department $25,000 to reimburse them. Mr. Collier will ask CRAB Trucking to extend the quote for the fire department by 30 days. This will give us time to see if the $25,000 check from the Department of Transportation has come in.
b. Mickel Pruden asked the board for their blessings to put a new sign up at the fire department building. This new sign will give the department points for public safety because it can be programmed to give public warnings such as burn bans or tornado watches. The board gave their blessings.

Police Report: Chief Hoggard read his monthly police report.

Clerk Report:

a. The Northampton County Board of Elections decided to remain at Jerusalem Baptist Church for the May 17, 2022 Primaries. The board will re-address relocating the polling place after this time.
b. Mrs. McDermott was waiting on Attorney Culpepper to rewrite the CADA lease. At that time, she will forward the lease to CADA for them to review and hopefully sign.
c. Mrs. McDermott briefly recapped the CDBG 2015 pre-construction meeting that was held on March 31st. At this meeting, it was reiterated that whatever 2015 CDBG money is not expended by July 29th will have to be paid by the town. TA Loving, the contractor, said getting the work done will not be an issue, it’s going to be getting the supplies in time.
d. Blaine Humphrey is working on the application for the town to apply for a $157,500 Water Asset Inventory Assessment. The cost to the town will be $7,500 and the grant will pay the rest. Commissioner Christison made a motion to adopt the resolution to apply for the Water Asset Inventory Assessment in the amount of $157,500. Commissioner Cooper seconded and the motion carried.

Maintenance Report: Raymond Eaton read the monthly maintenance report.

• The CCR & Local Water Supply Plan was turned in to the state. There was a 40% water loss in 2021.
• The VOC has been reduced to once a year.
• Chief Hoggard helped Mr. Eaton by designating addresses for a few of the lift stations in town.
• A community service worker is supposed to be coming on Monday. They will work from 9-1. We don’t have any CADA workers yet.
• The new employee, Tre’van Parker is working out well. July will be six months for him and at that time, Mr. Eaton recommends a raise for him.
• Commissioner Cooper will loan the town a dump truck to help with spring cleanup since our dump truck is currently in the shop.
• Commissioner Cooper asked Mr. Eaton to replace the gates at the lagoon.

a. Rivers & Associates and the Upper Coastal Plain COG have been working on an application for funding for a lagoon project. The total cost of the project is estimated at $3,431,500. The town needs to decide on what percent of the project the town is willing to spend and how much needs to be a grant. The board decided to accept funding if the grant is at least 95%. Commissioner Christison made a motion to sign the resolution to apply for funding from the state for the lagoon project. Commissioner Cooper seconded and the motion carried.

CDBG: The monthly report will be included in the minute book.

Comments from the Mayor: Mayor Beale thanked everyone. He stated he appreciates everyone and the work they do.

Comments from the Commissioners: Commissioner Cooper got a call from Kenny Manuel, former Woodland mayor, this past week. He wanted the people of the town to know he still thinks about us.

Public Comments: Bobby Mann asked the town when spring cleanup is. Mrs. McDermott said it will begin May 2, 2022. She said everyone’s belongings need to be at the road no later than Monday morning because once the maintenance department goes down a road to pick stuff up, they will not go back except to pick up tires and televisions.

Adjourn: At 8:08 pm, Commissioner Cooper made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Christison seconded and the motion carried.