Town of St. Pauls

Town Administrator’s Report

With advent of Spring comes a number of activities; have invited a number of folks

to discuss how their interests intersect with the Town (please limit your statement

to 5 minutes): 

1.      Southeastern Family Violence Center

Would like to bring their services to St. Pauls

2.      Youth-Self Improvement Director in Lumberton, wants to explain

how her service could assist area families and youth facing malnutrition

3.      Festival for Children—would like to address Board about festival for children at Town Park

4.      Folk Arts Festival update

5.      Fire Chief –do you have anything for discussion?

6.      New Business Owner with an interesting background that could help the Town with Economic Development; indicated moved here to capitalize on BRAC

7.  Recreation Meeting—meeting was held on Tuesday March 23 to discuss:

                  A. Basketball—all agreed on need but location was issue:

                  Outcome: Mr. Watts, representing the County agreed to look into funding at Park.

B. Soccer—all agreed that Town has about 500 soccer players of all ages, races and genders, and that we need at least 2-3 real soccer fields.  Mr. Watts agreed to assist at Park.

C. Senior Citizen—we agreed to seek out an NPO or government/charity organization such as Southeastern, YMCA or Boys and Girls Club to locate on donated land next to Fire Station; staff to run a form on St. Pauls seeking citizen input, which we can use to approach

                  possible investors.

D. Skateboard Park-- further clarification on skateboard park: recommend we keep 2 courts as tennis (not basketball) at this time until we see outcome of County basketball court, which is closer to Northeast community.  So skateboard park will be skateboard + tennis.

  8.      Code Enforcement— Board indicated a strong interest in Administrator pursuit of this:

A.  Abandoned Homes/Trailers

Of the 5 homes we placed placards on Chapel St., 2 parties came to Town Hall and agreed to clean up; 1 is already cleaned up.

B.   Junk Vehicles—am contacting owners           

C.       Ditches/Storm Drainage/culverts—seeking prison crew to help out behind Shell and rode with Chuck Miller; NCDOT will try to get a crew out on Railroad St.  RR street affects the flooding on Evans Rd. If he cleans ditches there, we could also consider hiring a contractor to continue cleaning ditch that runs parallel to Evans. Wayne estimates that cost at $5,000. Am preparing a financial forecast to see if we will have $$ this year or maybe after July 1. Note-am working on a financial forecast to see our financial position, in anticipation of FY2008-09 Budget talks

9.        FY08-09 Budget—what committees would like to meet first; what dates, approximately?

10.   Downtown Striping—set to begin this weekend.
 

This concludes this months report

Town of St. Pauls

Town Administrator’s Report

Your Honor and members of the Board of Commissioners there are several items I would like to bring to your attention.

First:              Immediate Issues of Interest

The Drainage at McLean and Old Stage Road.  The 18 inch drain pipe has been installed across the Motowylak property on Duncan Circle; but it did not solve the problem.  When the water gets to the ditch in the back of the Motowylak property, it is stalled again because the ditch has not been cleaned out in so long that it is full and too high to drain off the water.  Since the stormwater is the Town’s problem, it is appropriate to assist in cleaning out the ditch to drain the water, with the approval of the property owners.  There are also some issues about getting the Motowylak property back in original shape.  DOT used a monster digger to do the job of a backhoe, broke the “marked” internet and telephone line, left a huge hole beside the road for someone to fall into in the dark, and removed cement posts being used to protect the property owner’s yard and house from errant drivers.  We will work with the property owner to satisfy him as best we can, since his willingness to help saved us thousands of dollars.  We will initially look at building a block catch basin on Old Stage Road and cleaning out the ditch beside Robert Inman’s property.  A second possible solution for the drainage ditch might be to put a drainage pipe across the Fire Station property on Old Stage Road down toward the Day Care and have it empty back into the street ditch at that point, and then ultimately into the swamp.  Letters have been sent to several State agencies to request their assistance in identifying and clearing the log jam or beaver dam on the west side of South Old Stage Road. 

                        The Landscaping at the Fire Station

                        Public Works has started some of the drainage and landscaping work at the Fire Station to move stormwater away from the building and reduce the moisture problem and potential.

                        Stump Dump at WWTP:  A letter from NC DENR has been received noting a violation for maintaining a landfill without a permit.  Penalties may be assessed at $5,000 per day until the dump materials are removed.  The Town has begun removing materials in the central working area of the site, to put us in a better position to assess and resolve the situation.  A letter has been sent to Robeson County Commissioners requesting an exemption from the tipping fees at the landfill for this effort. 

                        Drainage at Warehouse on E. Blue and E. McLean:

                        There was discussion at last month’s Board meeting about the drainage around the warehouse property belonging to George Riggins.  Site has been checked, discussions are ongoing with Public Works and Codes Enforcement, and other actions are to follow.  This will likely require a project to install a large drain pipe at the road beside the railroad track, and sump pumps in the trailer docks by the property owner.  Public Works will do a one-time cleanout (pump out) of the trailer docks, so that we can determine if there are water line leaks in that area. 

                        Industrial Park Site – NC20 and Subdivision:,

Still in consideration for the developer.  Discussion with Senator Weinstein expected in near future.  Annexation should be positively considered using four-inch forced main.  Pump only operates one hour each day; could manage more pumping time if Town could handle capacity.  Peak times might be a problem, but engineering might allow a holding tank to activate pump during non-peak times.  Housing subdivision property is also under consideration for annexation.  Same consideration. 

                        Survey, Insight Research:  Visitors Surveys delivered on April 20 to 11 local businesses on the proposed list. Example of Citizen Survey, to be mailed out to general public, available at Board Workshop, April 30. 

                        Budget 2007-2008:  In process, final due date June 1.  Preliminary numbers provided to Board at May 30 workshop.  Finance Committee met May 9. 

                        Heating/AC in District Courtroom: Heat pump installation started Tuesday, May 1^st for heat and air conditioning.

Second:        Water Treatment and Sewer Projects

                        WWTP - UV System design by MACTEC, sodium hypochlorite

alternative info for Workshop consideration. 

WWTP - Temporary de-chlorination unit installed.

                        Water Plant Disinfection system, Engineers Certification obtained,

final approval of State requested. 

Third:             Paving Projects

                        Per Jim Turner, April 18, 2007

Contract for bidding process reviewed and approved by Town Attorney and in Board’s packet.

                        Sanford Street Repaving, working on drawings, should have soon.

                        Armfield Street Repaving, working on drawings, should have soon

                        Pittman Street and Pate Street, PW 2007-1.

                        Need to give some thought to potential projects for coming budget year.

Fourth:          Code Enforcement Letters

                        Letter sent to Felecia Locklear, SP Codes Enforcement Officer, to check house at 636 E. Clark and six mobile homes in St Pauls Mobile Home Park for violations and removal of several.

                        A letter was sent to Dollar General by the Town Administrator requesting clean up of the property behind the store.  If Dollar General fails to act, Codes Enforcement will follow-up.  Letter has been sent to Felecia to follow-up with Dollar General. 

                        The Fish Market has been condemned by Codes Enforcement due to no water on site.  They are moving out.

                        The business in the warehouse on Blue and McLean, where they were dis-assembling refrigeration units, is cleaning up the property, and expects to remain at that location.  The separate “feathers operation” part of the plant is being reviewed by Codes Enforcement.

Fifth:              BRAC Activities

                        The 440^th Reserve Airlift Wing (ads have been on TV) is relocating to Pope from Milwaukee this summer, with 280 full time Reserve positions (58 families).  Promotional materials for St. Pauls would be beneficial.

Sixth:             The Town Administrator will track and report the town’s vehicle and facility monthly fuel/energy costs.  The power bills totaled $XX, while Piedmont Natural Gas cost the town $XX.  The town’s gasoline purchase bills are incomplete at this point given the early date of the month.

Seventh:       Zoning Administrator’s Activity Report shows that 5 zoning permits were issued during April for:

Carnival at Piggly Wiggly 326 S. Fifth (0653);

Roof over porch at 512 E. McLean (0654);

Remodeling at 308-312 E. Broad (0655);

Remodeling and upgrade at Fish Market 106 N. Second (0656);

Interior remodeling at 118 W. Broad (0657).

Finally:          Upcoming Events and Reminders. 

The next Robeson County Municipal Association meeting info is still pending.   As of May 7, no information is available.

There will be a Town Board Workshop on Monday, June 4th at 7:00pm.  The next Town Board Meeting will be Thursday, June 13^th.

Music on the Mall, Third Thursday, Gospel Night, was held April 19.  Two additional visitors showed up. The event was a qualified success.  Many passers-by noticed that something was happening, which will peak their curiosity for the future.  It is expected that future evenings will be sponsored by local churches who will bring their singers and some of the participants.  The first night showed that we need two additional microphones with long cords; two additional separate speakers for volume; an audio tape/CD player; and 3 and 4 foot stands to add height to the amplifier and CD player.  Extra blankets will be sought to be available for visitors who did not bring a blanket or lawn chair with them.  This effort will take several months to solidify.  As time progresses, the Town can follow-up with a Second Tuesday, Bluegrass/Folk Music Night.  Along with the Cruise-In, there will be several monthly events on-going in the Broad Street area.

This concludes this month’s town administrator’s report.

Town of St. Pauls

Town Administrator’s Report

Your Honor and members of the Board of Commissioners there are several items I would like to bring to your attention.

First:              The Police and Fire Museum and the Arts Council Gallery in the fire bays of Town Hall are moving forward, and getting positive responses from donors and local citizens.  The “St. Pauls Arts Council Gallery” should be a going project within about two months.  I would suggest something unusual for the Police and Fire Museum.  It will need a name.  We should consider calling it the “Mayberry – St. Pauls Small Town Police and Fire Museum”.  There is not a Mayberry Police and Fire Museum in Mt. Airy, nor, as best as I can tell from researching the Internet, anywhere in the country.  There are a lot of places who use the Mayberry name to espouse the ideals of their community, etc. (i.e. a furniture store in Hope Mills). St. Pauls is a perfect small town atmosphere and culture, but to make people more aware of that, we should use the Mayberry name to draw attention to the Police and Fire Museum and to help draw in tourists and other visitors.  A brochure at the Welcome Center has about two inches of visibility to get tourist attention, and the word Mayberry is recognized throughout the US.  There is no Town named “Mayberry” in North Carolina.  As noted, it is an idea of small town America, and it is one that we could build on for this one project.

Second:        Water Treatment and Sewer Projects

                        WATER: 

With the anticipation of logically 500 to 1,000 new residents in the area over the next five to ten years, due to the expansion of Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base (under the Base Relocation and Closure Act), the Town should pre-plan for a new well to be located, dug and connected to the current system.  It would be preferable for this well to be located on the north side, in case there is future potential for annexation and/or to take over the providing of water to those areas from the County system (This would help us and take pressure off the County system).  The aquifer is in exceptionally good shape in our area compared to other parts of the state.  Some serious thought should be given to an additional water treatment plant as a backup for our own and so that future growth will not be dependent on our current plant facilities and its maximum capability.  Budget time is coming up and it is suggested that water rates be adjusted annually to provide some set-back funds for developing the new well and treatment needs.

                        SEWER: 

Mark Brantley, of the Division of Water Quality, has advised by phone on March 13, that no extension will be given for the May 1^st deadline.  However, the guidance offered by the engineering firm, on how to solve the (UV) problems, should help get through the primary concerns of the Division. 

As noted above, with the BRAC expansions, and previously discussed about the upgrades needed at the sewer treatment plant, rates should be adjusted annually to provide some set-back money for upgrades and expansion of the facility, piping, manholes, I&I problems, etc., particularly to avoid the potential of fines for inadequate systems.

Third:             Paving Projects

                        Koonce, Noble & Associates are in the planning and contracting stage (with the Town) for the paving and improvements around Armfield Street.

                        The repaving of Sanford Street near I-95 is still in process.

Fourth:          Code Enforcement Letters

                        There has been some concern voiced about a property at 116 West Blue Street, which is a business, but which might be being used for residential purposes.  This is not the case.  The Town Administrator has visited and toured the facility and it is being used for childhood intervention programs under a Smart Start grant.

Fifth:              BRAC Activities

                        BRAC has been concentrating on their WIRED grant which is aimed at worker education and training.  Now that the Governor has put his stamp of approval on that grant, it is hopeful that we can get them interested in Economic Development again, which would be of interest to St. Pauls in infrastructure and housing needs.

Sixth:             The town administrator will track and report the town’s vehicle and facility monthly fuel/energy costs.  The power bills totaled $XX, while Piedmont Natural Gas cost the town $XX.  The town’s gasoline purchase bills are incomplete at this point given the early date of the month.

Seventh:       Zoning Administrator’s Activity Report shows that 1 zoning permit was issued during the month of March for a storage building at 104 N. Wilkinson Drive (#0652).

Finally:          Upcoming Events and Reminders. 

The Robeson County Municipal Association will meet in St. Pauls on Tuesday, April 24, at 7:00pm at the R.E. Hooks Community Center on N. Third Street.  The meal will be catered by Broad Street Cafe.  Dr. Charles Crestman of Robeson Community College will be the guest speaker.

There will be a Town Board Workshop on Monday, May 30th at 7:00pm.

This concludes this month’s town administrator’s report.

Town of St. Pauls

Town Administrator’s Report

Your Honor and members of the Board of Commissioners there are four items I would like to bring to your attention.

First:              On Wednesday February 28^th the out-going and in-coming Town Administrators met with Mr. Lacy Koonce and Mr. Jim Turner of Koonce Noble and Associates to discuss the town’s upcoming local road paving projects.  Project plans and specifications will be complete and ready to be put out for bids by mid-March instead of the earlier projected date of Friday, February 16^th.  Koonce, Noble and Associates will make direct contact with local firms with a history of bidding on projects of this type and scale.  Mr. Turner also informed the Town that he is working on some redesign of Worth Street to better manage stormwater run-off.  Paving should begin in April.

Second:        Mr. Randy Lattimer of MACTEC Engineers has informed the Town that he has all but completed the engineering and architectural report on the condition of the new fire station.  The MACTEC report will further discuss some of the matters mentioned in Mr. Lattimer’s previous correspondence with the Town.  The out-going Town Administrator did not request that Mr. Lattimer present his findings to the Town Board of Commissioners, rather the report will be available for review upon its arrival in early March.

Third:             On Thursday March 1^st the out-going and in-coming Town Administrators participated in the BRAC WIRED Grant application workshop held in the Town of Spring Lake.  The objective is to propose innovative programs to transform our workforce by integrating Educational programs, Workforce Development and Economic Development to create a skilled workforce for emerging industries.  The deadline for submitting the WIRED grant application to the state is March 19^th; this will be handled by the BRAC staff.  The next BRAC RTF Stakeholder meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 9 at 9:00 am at the Family Support Center in Spring Lake.

Fourth:          The town administrator will track and report the town’s vehicle and facility monthly fuel/energy costs.  The Town’s energy bills are not available at this point given the early date of the month.

Fifth:              This month’s zoning administrator’s activity report shows that three zoning permits were issued in February.

Finally:          Upcoming events and reminders. 

Details for the Robeson County Municipal Association March meeting at 7:00pm in Proctorville will be provided at the Town Board meeting. 

St. Pauls will be the sponsor for the April Robeson County Municipal Association meeting.  Decisions should be made on the Speaker, the Caterer and Setting the Date.  We anticipate using the Community Center, unless some other decision is made.

There will be a Town Board workshop on Monday April 2^nd at 7:00pm.

End of Report

Town of St. Pauls

Town Administrator’s Report

Your Honor and members of the Board of Commissioners there are six items I would like to bring to your attention.

First:              The town has begun to receive proposals and schedule presentation dates for firms interested in providing health and hospitalization insurance to town employees.  Preliminary quotes indicate the town can realize some savings by changing carrier and plans.  No insurance agent contacting the town has indicated the willingness to secure the quoted price for more than ninety days.  In a related matter, Fire Chief Jackson has submitted information from the VFIS to provide general liability and vehicle insurance.

Second:        Mr. Jim Turner of Koonce Noble and Associates has informed the town that all the documentation for the upcoming local road paving projects will be complete and ready to be put out for bids by Friday February 16^th.  Koonce Noble and Associates will make direct contact with local firms with a history of bidding on projects of this type and scale.  Mr. Turner was in the town office to do site visits to all the roads under consideration.  At this point the bid period should run until early March.  Paving should begin in April.

Third:             Follow-up code enforcement letters have been sent to several residents about either yard waste or inoperative vehicles.  The enforcement has been successful in the first five weeks of the new ordinances being in place.  In those instances where individuals are making good-faith efforts to be in compliance the town is working with them to ensure compliance in the near future, keeping in mind that a finite time is granted for coming into compliance.

Fourth:          The town’s new cross-connection operator is Mr. Boyce Locklear.  This information was sent to the appropriate state agency (attachment A).  Mr. Locklear replaces Mr. Thurman Baxley who retired from service on December 31, 2006.  The town is required to have a certified operator listed for any purpose should one arise.  Mr. Locklear is not being compensated in any way by the town and will hold this designation until staff is prepared to assume the operator in responsible charge position.

Fifth:              As a follow up to Mr. Paul Dordal’s presentation at the January 29^th town workshop this schedule of BRAC activities may be of interest.  On Thursday February 15^th the RLUAC board will meet at the Pope Air Force Base Club for the quarterly meeting.  The BRAC Regional Task Force (RTF) executive board will meet at the Soldier Support Center at Fort Bragg.  The BRAC counties will be participating in a school system fair at Fort McPherson on February 7^th and 8^th.  On a related note the cost of advertising in the Fort McPherson base newspaper runs $11.30 per column inch, should the town be interested in purchasing an advertisement for St. Pauls in the most direct “hometown” paper for those military and civilian employees who will be redeployed to the Fort Bragg area as part of the BRAC realignment.

Sixth:             The town administrator will track and report the town’s vehicle and facility monthly fuel/energy costs.  The power bills totaled $6,236.79, while Piedmont Natural Gas cost the town $2,118.97.  The town’s gasoline purchase bills are incomplete at this point given the early date of the month.

Seventh:       This month’s zoning administrator’s activity report shows that three zoning permits were issued.

Finally:          Upcoming events and reminders.  The Robeson County Municipal Association will meet in Pembroke at 7:00pm on Tuesday the 27^th of this month at Sheff’s.  The Town Administrator will be taking vacation days on Thursday February 15^th and Friday February 16^th.  There will be a Town Board workshop on Monday February 26^th at 7:00pm.

This concludes this month’s town administrator’s report.