Town of Woodland Board Minutes
Date: June 1st, 2023
7:00 PM

Board/Staff Present:

Randy Beale - Mayor
David Cooper – Commissioner
Brian Christison – Commissioner
Ricky Morris – Commissioner
Brittany Burgess – Town Clerk

Commissioner Outland was 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 Christison made a motion to amend the agenda to add Item 15 : Closed Session for Personnel. Commissioner Morris made a motion to approve the amendment and the agenda. Commissioner Christison seconded and the motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: The next item on the agenda was the approval or amendment of the regular meeting dated May 4 – 23, 2023. Mrs. Burgess explained that it being a split meeting between the 4th of May and 23rd of May, she wasn’t sure if there should be one or two Minutes. Commissioner Christison said to combine them together to make just one. The Board agreed to table the Minutes of the month of May at this time.

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 Morris seconded and the motion carried.

Public Comments: Mr. Mann complained that there is a home across from the Dollar General that has high grass and that there’s snakes coming out of their yard and ditch. Commissioner Cooper told Mr. Mann that we can notify them to cut their grass within so many days and then we can mow the yard and charge them for the labor. Commissioner Morris noted that there is an unkept yard on Hwy 35, as well. Mr. Mann worries of a tree that is behind the home across from Dollar General that is falling apart and is dropping pieces into his yard. Mrs. Lockett would like to keep our town beautiful, she loves Woodland. Mayor Beale questioned working with the county to work with the run down houses in town. Commissioner Morris explained that discussion was tabled for later. Commissioner Cooper explained to the two public members that some yards have spickets or other protrusions in their yard that we are unaware of and might end up damaging when mowing and then we would be responsible. Commissioner Morris brought up a home on Main St. that has mud from their driveway being drug onto the sidewalk.

Fire Department: Robbie Collier was absent, so Mayor Beale read the monthly report to the board.

Commissioner Cooper relayed to the Board that Mr. Collier is going to have heart surgery at Wake Med the day after Father’s Day.

Police Report: Chief Hoggard was absent, so Mayor Beale read the monthly report.

Mrs. Burgess informed the Board that Mrs. Laureen Flood is still complaining about the chickens coming into her yard, this time they tore up her flower bed. Commissioner Cooper says that we need written complaints from Mrs. Flood to have a paper trail. Commissioner Christison believes this is the third complaint about the chickens. Commissioner Cooper says we need to look it up and charge them accordingly and we need to keep documentation of everything. Commissioner Morris said that Chief Hoggard needs to go talk to the chicken owner instead of texting.

Clerk Report:

a. Mrs. Burgess explained to the Board that she has been in contact with Lori Martin, Senior Vice President at Southern Bank concerning Direct Deposit. The monthly cost to pay our employees through Direct Deposit would be $20. Commissioner Cooper asks if Mrs. Martin could come to a meeting and explain the process of Direct Deposit. Mrs. Burgess said she will get in touch with Mrs. Martin and find out.
b. Mrs. Burgess questioned the Board about part time employees getting Holiday Pay for 4 hours, currently part time employees do not get any Holiday Pay. Commissioner Christison and Commissioner Cooper agreed that the board would have to amend the personnel policy and can amend the budget for that in one of next year’s budget workshops.

Maintenance Report: Raymond Eaton was absent, so Mayor Beale read the monthly report.

Commissioner Cooper informed the Board that the Lift Station #1 Project will be finished tomorrow (June 2nd). The Lift Station is online and working well. He said Blaine and Stephen from Rivers & Associates have been doing a great job. He also noted that Chris Hill from T.A. Loving has done very good business and been very proficient. He informed the Board that the Peachtree/Chestnut St. Project is getting ready to start this month and will be a great addition to the town. Commissioner Christison commented that the parking lot needs some attention from the maintenance department, we need to get Barry to work on that. Commissioner Cooper informed the Board that Mrs. Elizabeth Parker is going to close her second hand shop in town. Commissioner Morris asked what the new place in town is going to be, Commissioner Cooper answered that it is supposed to be an ice cream shop.

CDBG: The monthly report is included in the Minute Book. Commissioner Cooper commented that Helen Page is doing an amazing job.

Mrs. Burgess presented the Certification of Substantial Completion of Lift Station #1 to the Board for them to approve and have the mayor sign. Commissioner Cooper and Mayor Beale agreed that they would like to check with Blaine before signing. Commissioner Cooper says that everything is working on site by finishing date, but the landscaping was not finished.

Comments from the Mayor: Mayor Beale had no comments other than to thank the two members of the public for attending.

Comments from the Commissioners: Commissioner Cooper spoke about a tree that is by the Woodland Olney apartment’s gazebo that is dead. He worries that it is going to fall into the road or onto a light line.

Public Comments: No public comments

Adjourn: At 8:15, Commissioner Outland made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Cooper seconded and the motion carried.