TOWN OF DUCK
TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
October 5, 2005
The Town Council for the Town of Duck convened at the Duck Municipal Offices at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2005.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Gene Schwarz; Mayor Pro Tempore Allan Beres; Councilor Neil Morrison; Councilor Monica Thibodeau; and Councilor Nancy Caviness.
OTHERS PRESENT: Town Manager and Town Clerk Christopher J. Layton, Planning Director Suzanne Cotellessa; Town Attorney Donald I. McRee, Jr.; Police Lieutenant Phillip Ferguson; Fire Chief John Mascaro; and Deputy Town Clerk Lori Kopec.
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Schwarz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Schwarz led the Pledge of Allegiance and the moment of silence.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Schwarz opened the floor for public comments.
Deputy Fire Chief Donna Black of 111 Scarborough Lane was recognized to speak. Ms. Black stated she wanted to let the Council and audience know they should be proud of the members of the Duck Volunteer Fire Department. Since the transition in July, they have had 114 calls with good attendance and performance at all of them. She stated that she is proud of the volunteers for their efforts.
There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Schwarz closed the time for public comments.
INTRODUCTION OF JOHN MASCARO, CHIEF, TOWN OF DUCK FIRE DEPARTMENT
Town Manager Layton introduced the Town’s new Fire Chief – John Mascaro. He stated that Fire Chief Mascaro was selected out of an applicant pool of forty individuals. He stated that Fire Chief Mascaro is from Chicago, Illinois. He stated that the Fire Department had been involved in the process of selecting and interviewing for a new Fire Chief. He stated that the Town is very happy, proud and honored to have a Fire Chief of his caliber here in Town.
Fire Chief John Mascaro was recognized to speak. Fire Chief Mascaro went on to give a short background on his qualifications as well as to introduce his wife Sylvia and son Rico to Council and the audience.
Mayor Schwarz welcomed Fire Chief Mascaro and his family to the Town.
Mayor Schwarz stated that Justin Schnute, a volunteer firefighter, will be leaving for a new job in Florida. He stated that Mr. Schnute has been a valuable member of the fire department and will be missed by everyone.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Schwarz opened the approval of minutes from the September 7, 2005 regular meeting and the September 21, 2005 mid-month meeting. Mayor Schwarz directed Council to review the minutes from the September 7, 2005 meeting for changes.
Councilor Thibodeau moved to approve the September 7, 2005 minutes as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Schwarz directed Council to review the minutes from the September 21, 2005 meeting for changes.
Councilor Caviness moved to approve the September 21, 2005 minutes as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS/ITEMS DEFERRED FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Update on NC 12 Drainage Study
Chris Dewitt of VHB, Inc. was recognized to speak. Mr. Dewitt gave a short update on the NC drainage study, which includes Southern Shores and Duck. He stated there was a public meeting on June 22, 2005 with a questionnaire that was available to the public. He stated there was a very good response to the questionnaire, which established a solid idea of the hot spots in both towns. Since June 22, 2005, VHB has been obtaining data on the existing subdivision plans, utility plans, etc. to help them understand the existing conditions at the various locations. He stated that VHB has also completed several field visits. Both of these have allowed them to find out what needs to be done as far as designing some improvements. He stated that pending completion of the soils analysis and hydrologic computer models; they will be prepared to present preliminary design solutions for the priority areas and corridor area as a whole.
Councilor Thibodeau asked if there has been good input with the Department of Transportation. Chris Dewitt stated that he feels there is a good working relationship with the Department of Transportation. He stated the biggest problem with working with the Department of Transportation was the lack of available information.
Mayor Schwarz stated that there are some areas in Town that need attention in addition to the hot spots. Mr. Dewitt stated they will be looked at as well.
Councilor Caviness asked how many hot spots are in Town. Mr. Dewitt stated that there are five hot spots in each town.
Mayor Schwarz thanked Chris Dewitt for his time.
Update on the Build the Bridge, Preserve Our Road Committee
John Wander was recognized to speak. Mr. Wander gave a short update on the progress of the Build the Bridge Committee’s activities to Council and the audience.
Mayor Pro Tempore Beres asked if the money is going to flow soon from the Federal government to ECU. Mr. Wander stated it would have to go through NC Department of Transportation. Mayor Pro Tempore Beres asked what the time estimate would be for getting the process moving. Mr. Wander stated that ECU is working on the process now, but he is not sure when the funding would come through from NC Department of Transportation. Mayor Pro Tempore Beres thanked Mr. Wander and his colleagues for the wonderful job they are doing.
Mayor Schwarz thanked Mr. Wander for his time.
Update on ITRE Study and Report
Town Manager Layton was recognized to speak. Town Manager Layton stated that on October 12, 2005, there will be a public symposium to review the report. He went on to give a short review of the report to Council and the audience.
NEW BUSINESS
Designation of Voting Delegates for the North Carolina League of Municipalities’ Annual Business Meeting
Mayor Schwarz stated that each member of every municipality must appoint a voting delegate and alternate for the Annual Business Meeting. He stated that he would be attending as well as Councilor Thibodeau. However, Councilor Thibodeau has decided not to attend due to the League of Women Voters Forum on October 17, 2005. Therefore, Mayor Schwarz would be the only one attending the meeting.
Councilor Morrison moved to appoint Mayor Schwarz as the voting delegate for the NCLM Annual Business Meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Schwarz felt it was important for Council members to attend the meeting each year and hoped that members of Council would continue to go to the meetings. Mayor Pro Tempore Beres agreed. Councilor Caviness stated that the sessions are very valuable to Council members.
Town Manager Layton stated that the by-laws of the committee state that any budget amendments have to be approved by each municipality. The Government Access Committee wishes to transfer $3,000 from their fund balance to purchase a new computer and software for Channel 20. He stated that approval is needed from each municipality and is not money that would come out of the Town’s funds.
Councilor Morrison moved to approve the request from the Government Access Committee to transfer $3,000 from their fund balance for a new computer and software.
Motion approved 5-0.
ITEMS REFERRED TO AND PRESENTATIONS FROM THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Town Attorney Ike McRee was recognized to speak. He stated that he did not have anything to report.
ITEMS REFERRED TO AND PRESENTATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER
Update on Departmental Activities
Town Manager Layton stated that he had the department heads prepare reports before the meeting on their activities. He went on to hand out the police department activity, fire department activity and building permit activity reports to Council.
Update on Recycling
Town Manager Layton stated that recycling started on Monday, October 3, 2005. He stated that 2,164 carts were delivered with a 24% participation rate for the first collection. He stated that 7.89 tons of recyclables were collected. He stated that the Town will continue to monitor the progress for recycling.
Councilor Morrison asked how the 7.89 tons compares to what Waste Management picks up. Town Manager Layton stated he did not have a figure for Waste Management but would get one.
Update on Dauphin Island Benefit
Town Manager Layton stated that on October 8, 2005 at 6:30 p.m., the Town will be holding its relief benefit for Dauphin Island, Alabama. He stated that the preparations are moving right along. The rain location will be at the Duck Volunteer Fire Department. He stated that the Town staff has been very impressed with the businesses stepping up to donate items for the raffle. He stated there are some very high ticket items to raffle off – from a kayak to a New Year’s Eve dinner at the Left Bank Restaurant.
Town Manager Layton stated that there are many volunteers lined up to help out and suggested that Council just come and enjoy the square dance.
Mayor Schwarz stated that the response from the business community has been very rewarding. He stated that the Town is very pleased with the business community. He stated he had spoken to the mayor of Dauphin Island and he is just delighted that the Town is taking time to help them out and recognizing their plight.
Councilor Caviness asked Town Manager Layton to let the audience know what the Town is trying to accomplish from the square dance for Dauphin Island. Town Manager Layton went on to explain to the audience that the Town is trying to raise enough funds to buy a John Deere Gator for their public works department. He stated the Town is hoping to be able to raise enough funds to purchase the Gator. He stated there will be a Gator at the square dance along with pictures of Dauphin Island in the back so the public can learn more about the town. He went on to give the specifics of the benefit, including the admission price, the raffle ticket prices and items for sale at the dance.
Town Manager Layton stated that the entire staff has worked very hard on the dance, but Sandy Cady and Councilor Caviness have really put in a lot work on the dance.
Update on Part Time PR/Events Coordinator Position
Town Manager Layton stated that the square dance is the type of activity that Council would like to start doing more often. He stated that Council approved funding in the budget for a part-time position. He stated he has made an offer to Kathy McCullough-Testa, which she has accepted. He stated she is a resident of Southern Shores, but will be at the square dance so Council can meet her there before the November Council meeting when she will be formally introduced. He stated her start date will be October 31, 2005.
League of Women Voters of Dare County’s Municipal Elections 2005 Candidate Forums
Town Manager Layton reminded Council that the League of Women Voters will hold their candidate forum in the Town office on Monday, October 17, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
Stormwater Meeting Scheduled for October 19, 2005
Town Manager Layton stated there will be a stormwater meeting on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. at the Duck Volunteer Fire Department. He stated that Planning Director Cotellessa has organized for the Planning Board to have a special meeting on the stormwater issues. He stated that Bill Hunt from NC State and Nancy White from UNC Coastal Studies Institute will be providing presentations. He encouraged those interested to attend the meeting.
Financial Statement for the Month of September 2005
Town Manager Layton stated he has not received all of the bank statements to date, but presented Council with a financial report on revenues and expenditures.
Mayor Pro Tempore Beres asked why there was a drop in franchise tax. Town Manager Layton stated he did not know why.
MAYOR’S AGENDA
Mayor Schwarz stated that he did not have anything to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS’ AGENDA
Councilor Caviness encouraged the audience and Council to come to the square dance.
Councilor Morrison stated that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tempore Beres stated that he had nothing to report.
Councilor Thibodeau stated that she had nothing to report.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Schwarz asked for any other business. He stated the next meeting will be Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 1:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
Councilor Thibodeau moved to enter closed session to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee.
Motion carried 5-0.
The time was 7:55 p.m.
Upon return from closed session, Councilor Thibodeau moved to approve a six percent salary increase and a $100 per month car allowance increase for the Town Manager.
Motion carried 5-0.
There being no further business, Councilor Thibodeau moved to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
The time was 9:08 p.m.
____________________________
/s/ Christopher J. Layton, Town Clerk
Approved: ______________________
_______________________________
/s/ Gene Schwarz, Mayor