Town of Woodland Board Meeting
Date: November 2, 2023
7:00 PM

Board/Staff Present:

Randy Beale – Mayor
David Cooper - Commissioner
Brian Christison - Commissioner
Ricky Morris - Commissioner
Raymond Eaton - ORC
Brittany Burgess - Town Clerk
Terri Bolton - Part Time Town Clerk

Commissioner Outland was absent.

Call to Order: Mayor Beale called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silent reflection.

Approval of Agenda: Mr. Eaton would like to add section A to Item 9 - Zoning. Commissioner Christison would like to add section F to Item 8 - Newsome Oil. Commissioner Christison would also like to add Closed Session to Item 14. Commissioner Christion made motion, Commissioner Cooper seconded.

Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Christison made motion to approve the minutes from the regular board meeting dated October 5th 2023, Commissioner Morris seconded.

Consideration of Bills: Commissioner Christison made motion to approve bills, Commissioner Cooper seconded.

Public Comments: No public comments.

Fire Department: Mr. Robbie Collier read the monthly report for Fire Department. The Fire Department will be having the Deer tournament next Saturday, November 11th. Mr. Mickel Pruden suggests all $10,000 to the capital fund. $500,000 from Michael Wray from the State Budget is going to be used to buy a used tanker and building to house it. Mayor Beale thanks the Fire Department for everything, asks them to type up what money they need for next year. Commissioner Christison says they do amazing things for the Town. Commissioner Morris asked if they have been using the Ford Explorer, Mr. Pruden replies that Fire Chief Chris Collier is driving it. The board is very appreciative for the Fire Department. Mr. Collier is going to get things together for next year’s budget. Mr. Eaton wants to work with Mr. Collier to fix the fire hydrants in town that have low flow.

Police Report: Commissioner Morris reported that the safe was drilled into and got the evidence needed and they also repaired it. Officer Kellett is now working, as well as the Sheriff's Department.

Clerk Report: Mrs. Burgess asked the Board if they would like to receive their board pay through Direct Deposit or like normal with a paper check. Board agreed either way was fine. Mrs. Burgess noted that the system is already set up to process with paper checks, the Board agreed to process their board pay with paper checks. Mrs. Burgess asked when would the Board like to have the Thanksgiving/Christmas luncheon for the Town employees, the Board agreed to have the luncheon at 12 PM on November 17th. Commissioner Cooper will be in charge of the groceries for that event.

 

A. Commissioner Cooper and Christison want to talk to Rivers about adding some stuff to the Lagoon Dewatering plans. They would like to continue working with Rivers and the COG. Want to talk to Mr. Blaine Humphrey about the project and the funding. Commissioner Christison and Cooper want to know if they need anything above ground, Mr. Collier reminds them that anything above ground is going to freeze and bust unless they are insulated. Mrs. Burgess brought up the Funding Form for this project that she received from Mr. Humphrey, she questioned why we are applying for money when we are going to be receiving 3.8 million dollars from Michael Wray with the State Budget. Commissioner Christison suggested that we ask Mr. Humphrey about that when we talk to him on Thursday.

B. Mrs. Burgess brought up two water bill complaints that we have received but have been taken care of.

C. Mrs. Burgess informed the Board the first payment for the Peachtree/Chestnut Project starts in May of 2024 for $20,957.50. We will appropriate for it when the time comes.

D. Mrs. Burgess informed the Board and everyone that Mrs. Laureen Flood’s Trunk or Treat event has been moved to Saturday, November 4th from 3 PM – 6 PM.

E. Rapid Restoration did Mold Testing and Humidity Testing in the building. The inspector advised that Mayor Beale’s office needs to be avoided. Rapid Restoration does the removal with a peroxide solution, he mentioned that bleach can leave a residue that will cause the mold to regrow. The humidity inside of Town Hall was around 77/78 throughout the building, when it should be below 50. He suggested the moisture be taken care of first, then the mold, then seal everything up. HVAC should be checked to make sure it is the appropriate size and possibly need to clean out the ductwork. They treat everything aggressively in hazmat suits. They mentioned bringing in a commercial dehumidifier. Commissioner Christison reports the contractor believes it will take 2-3 weeks, they have a solution they plan to use against the mold. Contractor plans to replace things in the bathroom too. The AC Vents are in concrete which stays moist and could grow mold. They plan to drop the ceiling, seal up the vent work and re-route into the ceiling. Commissioner Cooper says ceiling vent work is better air flow. Commissioner Christison says we need to think of where Mrs. Bolton and Mrs. Burgess will go. Mr. Pruden and Mr. Collier says the Town could use some space in the FD during the restoration. Commissioner Christison believes the restoration is going to take longer than they think. Commissioner Cooper says they could change the locks at the FD and then change back after we leave. Mrs. Bolton asks about getting a new building or just restoring this one, Commissioner Christison doesn’t know where or how we could do that. Commissioner Cooper wants the report from Rapid Restoration once it comes in, may need to do a special called meeting to start on the restoration.

F. The Board would like to check fuel prices with Jernigan Oil, as they would like options for other fuel providers. The Town would need diesel and regular grade gas, which we own the tanks for. Mr. Pruden provided that the Fire Department uses Sharp Energy and he would like to continue using them, as they have been very nice and resourceful to the Fire Department.

Maintenance Report: Commissioner Cooper asked Mr. Eaton if the work done on Peachtree is satisfactory and needs to report back by Wednesday, November 8th. Commissioner Cooper did the walkthrough with Rivers and Step Construction and they have fixed 98% of things. Mr. Eaton reports they still have an excavator on site that needs to be moved.

Zoning – Mr. Eaton read the Zoning Board minutes from October 24th, 2023 where they approved for 500 S. Main St. which is zoned as commercial highway to house the Internet Café that Mr. Wahid plans to operate. Mayor Beale says it seems more like a recommendation rather than an approval. Commissioner Christison says Mr. Luther Culpepper said it has to be specified in zoning and their ordinances need to be amended to be correct. Commissioner Cooper says that being a commercial highway, Mr. Wahid has to come to the Board and say what type of business it is. Commissioner Christison says that it needs to be amended to mention that it needs to be a certain distance away from a church. The Board says we need to give Mr. Wahid certain specifications to work with. Mr. Eaton mentioned that Mr. Wahid is willing to do whatever the Town would like him to do. Commissioner Christison says we can do a legally binding contract for the business and if he does not abide by it, the Town can shut it down. Mayor Beale expressed his distaste for the type of business it is, he believes this business should have been shut down from the very beginning instead of dragging it on. Commissioner Christison says the zoning needs to be amended to state what needs to be put into place for that certain type of business. Mayor Beale brings up that several citizens have come to him and expressed their distaste for the business as well. Commissioner Morris believes it is disrespectful to be right beside a church, Kingdom Hall. Mayor Beale says we need to do better as a team. Commissioner Christison says we need to make an amendment for the zoning. Commissioner Morris says there is already gambling in that store, been there for years. Commissioner Christison says it being past zoning, you have a time frame to make a decision and we already passed that time frame. We can do a contract with Mr. Wahid’s business like in Garysburg and if the rules are not followed, we as the Town can shut them down. Commissioner Morris asks if we are still in the time frame to do a contract, and Commissioner Christison says that we are as long as Mr. Wahid would sign it. Commissioner Cooper wants to see a business to come to this Town to bring revenue and uplift the town. Commissioner Christison says Garysburg’s contract said that the business needs to have a bonded and secured person on the premises while they are open, which may be difficult in this area.

Comments from the Mayor: Mayor has no comments.

Comments from the Commissioners: Commissioner Cooper says we need to send a Thank You letter to Michael Wray for the funding that he provided to the Town of Woodland. Mr. Eaton says we should send thank you to Rivers and Associates. Commissioner Cooper says Mr. Blaine Humphrey and Mr. Stephen Reece and definitely Mr. Larry Melton should get something from us for everything they have done for this town. Mayor says we need to send a thank you to Mr. Sidney Joyner for heading everything up for the internet. Commissioner Cooper says he really thanks Michael Wray for the support and finances he has provided to the town. Mayor Beale says we have a good Board who does everything for the love of the town.

Public Comments: Mr. Eaton would like to have a surplus sale, as well as Commissioner Morris for the Police Department.

Adjourn: Commissioner Cooper makes a motion to go from open session at 8:28 to closed session in 3 minutes, Commissioner Christison seconded.