Town of Woodland Board Meeting
Date: April 4th, 2024
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 Clerk
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: The first item of business was the approval or amendment of the agenda. Commissioner Morris made a motion to approve the agenda, Commissioner Christison seconded, and the motion passed.
Approval of Minutes: The next item of business was the approval or amendment of the minutes from the regular board meeting dated March 7th, 2024. Commissioner Christison made a motion to approve the minutes from the regular board meeting dated March 7th, 2024, Commissioner Cooper seconded, and the motion passed.
Consideration of Bills: Commissioner Morris made a motion to approve bills, Commissioner Christison seconded, and the motion passed.
Thompson, Price, Scott, & Adams Audit Presentation - Tim Zeng: Tim Zeng is a CPA from Thompson, Price, Scott, & Adams giving our Audit Presentation for Fiscal Year 2023. Mr. Zeng stated that overall, our Audit was good. There were 6 findings that need to be addressed to the LGC within 60 days of this audit presentation. Mayor Beale thanked him for his presentation.
Public Comments: No public comments.
Fire Department: Mr. Robbie Collier was absent, Mayor Beale read the monthly report.
a. OSBM Grant Project Ordinance - Commissioner Christison made a motion to approve the OSBM Grant Project Ordinance in the amount of $500,000 Grant ID 12142, Commissioner Morris seconded, and the motion passed.
Police Report: Commissioner Morris says no reports have been made to him other than some speeders. Commissioner Christison questioned if we had gotten the speed signs charged and back up, Mr. Eaton reported that Officer Collier has the key on his key ring. Mayor Beale asked if the Sheriff’s Department is still making their rounds, Commissioner Morris reported they are, and he is happy with them.
Clerk Report:
a. Internet Cafe Contract - Commissioner Cooper asked if there was a violation, who would be the one to report it? Commissioner Morris answered that for now it would be the Sheriff’s Department, and once we get moved into the Town Hall the part-time officers will be working. Commissioner Cooper asked if there was a violation, will there be a fine or report? Commissioner Christison answered from the contract that if there was any violation, it would result in immediate closure. Commissioner Morris says there is a part in the Town Violation book that the officers use that has a line where they can explain what took place. Mayor asked if there are inquiries to open a similar business in town, Commissioner Christison answered yes there has been. Commissioner Morris believes that a fine for any violations made will not hinder the owner, they will just pay it and continue. Commissioner Christison mentions again that stated in the contract that any violation made will result in immediate closure. Mayor Beale asked if there will be any alcohol sold at the location, Commissioner Morris answered that will not be tolerated at all. Commissioner Cooper asked about the max occupancy of the building, Commissioner Morris and Christison replied that it will be taken care of by the Northampton County Fire Marshall before the business can be opened. Mayor Beale asked how many more similar businesses the Board would be willing to allow in the town, Commissioner Christison replied we need to get a moratorium made up by our attorney Luther Culpepper. Commissioner Cooper says we need to act fast on the moratorium. The Board plans to get a moratorium made up by Luther to have for the next meeting. Commissioner Morris made a motion to accept the contract between the Town of Woodland and Wahid Kaiwan to open an internet cafe at 500 W Main St, Commissioner Christison seconded, and the motion passed.
Maintenance Report: Mr. Eaton read the maintenance report. Mr. Eaton would like to send his employees to Pesticide Certification Class/School. The classes are $300 per person per class. He would like to send Barry Lane and Julian Odom. Right now, only Mr. Eaton has the certifications. Raleigh and Elizabeth City are the closest towns that offer the class. Class will be in the morning and test will be in the afternoon, so one day total. Commissioner Cooper asked if that would qualify them to spray for mosquitoes, Mr. Eaton answered yes. Commissioner Morris would like to send both employees, Mr. Eaton would not like to send them both at the same time. Mayor Beale mentioned that Mr. Lane asked first, so he should go first. The Board asked if there is a book to study before attending, Mr. Eaton replied he thinks there is, but he would need to find it. Mayor Beale said he would rather push it out a little longer to give them time to prepare. Commissioner Christison suggests sending them both the same day of May 8th since the other locations are so far out. Mayor Beale asked if there is anything online that they can look up and study before, Mr. Eaton replied yes. Mayor Beale asked if there were any job applicants that Mr. Eaton is interested in; Mr. Eaton replied he has looked over the application of Alan Outlaw and would like to consider him. Commissioner Christison mentioned that the leak that was fixed by the State has now formed a pothole on Main St. Commissioner Cooper asked if we have enough supplies for mosquito season coming up, Mr. Eaton replied yes. Commissioner Cooper asked Mr. Mann if anyone from maintenance had come by and mowed, Mr. Eaton replied that Mr. Perry Collier and Mr. Odom did. Mr. Mann replied right in front of his home has not been cut, Mr. Eaton explained that the power line was too low to cut with the bush hog and they have not cut it yet. Mrs. Boyce explained that Mediacom came by and cut that line recently. Mayor Beale asked if Mr. Eaton has purchased a pump yet; Mr. Eaton has a quote on one he would like to purchase. He explained that the $4,000 pump that was discussed before will be too much to charge on the credit card so he plans to purchase one that he can go to the store and pick up. The Board would like to extend the credit card amount for 24 hours so we can get it purchased.
Mr. Mann mentioned that the road is caving in front of his house. Commissioner Christison told Mr. Eaton he needs to contact Trinity Paving to get some paving done throughout town.
Comments from the Mayor: Mayor Beale asked for prayers as his aunt has died.
Comments from the Commissioners: Commissioner Cooper says we need to write a letter of request to the Northampton County Board Members that we need to raise our taxes to the State standard to show our Auditor that we are trying to comply and improve with their suggestions.
Public Comments: Mr. Mann says that our maintenance crew needs a pump, he knows that this has been discussed just recently but he has seen them trying to do their job and that the water is running in as fast as they are pumping it out when fixing leaks.
Mr. Mann asked about alcohol being sold at the Internet Cafe and asked about outside selling of alcohol, Commissioner Morris answered that we are going to have the Police Department and Sheriff’s Department who will be keeping eyes on that place continuously. Mr. Mann asked about the age limit for entrance to the Internet Cafe, Commissioner Morris replied that it isn't in our contract, but it is a State Law that they must abide by. Mr. Mann mentions his concerns because he used to run a nightclub and he knows what kind of attendance that is there daily.
Mrs. Boyce believes that the contract should not be signed until it is revised to mention something about the police being present while the business is in operation. Commissioner Christison mentioned that we have spoken with the Town of Garysburg as they have one, she said we need to discuss with Conway, Rich Square, and Jackson. Mrs. Boyce believes that the citizens should be able to come and bring any violations to the Town Board, The Board assures her that it is all laid out in the contract. Commissioner Morris mentioned that there is a notation of having a properly working camera/security system and having a bonded security company on the premises while the business is operating.
Mr. Mann asked if the business would need a license to operate in our town, The Board replies that it will go through Northampton County.
Mayor Beale mentioned that someone came and asked him some questions about opening another internet cafe in Rich Square, the Mayor said he directed him to Commissioner Christison. Commissioner Christison mentions that the moratorium will cover our ETJ, so it will cover 1 mile outside of the Town limits which includes George.
Adjourn: Commissioner Morris made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 pm, Commissioner Christison seconded, and the motion passed.