Red Springs public meetings in 2023

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners met on December 5, 2023, to handle routine business, including approving the consent agenda and selecting a new Mayor Pro Tempore. The board also approved a mural for the Farmers Market, adopted a Planning Board mission statement, and received departmental reports. In closed session, they discussed personnel matters and later approved a 9% salary increase and reclassification of electric department positions.

• Approved 9% salary increase and reorganization of electric department positions
• Approved Red Springs Arts Council mural for John McNeill Farmers Market Building
• Adopted Planning Board Mission and Vision Statement
• Elected Caroline Sumpter as Mayor Pro Tempore
• Administered Oath of Office to newly elected officials and Deputy Clerk

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners approved a tentative $2,279,712 water/sewer infrastructure contract with Jymco Construction, adopted a revised zoning ordinance, and approved several interlocal agreements. They also tabled an animal control agreement and an emergency shelter agreement for further review. The meeting included a public hearing on a power agency agreement and a resident's complaint about stray dogs and water pressure.

• Approved tentative award of $2,279,712 to Jymco Construction for Water/Sewer Infrastructure Upgrades (SRP-D-ARP-0052 ARPA)
• Adopted updated Zoning Ordinance to meet NC General Statute 160-D requirements
• Approved Interlocal Agreement for Inspections and Permitting Services with Robeson County
• Tabled Interlocal Agreement for Animal Shelter and Control Services until next meeting
• Approved lease agreement with Robeson County for office space in Police Department District Court Building

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on a zoning ordinance update but delayed a vote for further review. They approved an interlocal agreement with Robeson County for fire code enforcement and discussed a police chief's proposal to eliminate one officer position to boost salaries. The board also entered closed session to discuss personnel and legal matters, including a zoning issue at 1484 Old Lowery Road.

• Public hearing on updated zoning ordinance; no vote taken
• Approved interlocal agreement with Robeson County for fire code enforcement
• Police chief proposed eliminating 1 officer position ($39,000) to raise entry-level pay to $45,000
• 157 speeding citations issued in September, up from 61 in August
• Closed session discussed zoning violation at 1484 Old Lowery Road

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners held a recess meeting on September 19, 2023, primarily to reconsider a tabled payment to Pete's Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning for work at the Water Treatment Plant. After reviewing documentation, the board approved the remaining $18,000 payment. The board also entered closed session to discuss town and personnel matters, and made no other decisions.

• Approved $18,000 final payment to Pete Caulder for Water Treatment Plant HVAC work, after prior payments of $28,000 and $10,000
• Discussed sidewalk grass maintenance issue, with plans to spray and kill grass
• Entered closed session under G.S. § 143-318.11 for town and personnel matters

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners held its monthly meeting, approving a 7% salary reduction for all employees earning $50,000 or more, effective next pay cycle. The board also approved a resolution accepting ARP grant funding for water distribution system rehabilitation, tabled a payment request for HVAC work at the water plant, and voted to assist with the high school homecoming parade. Department reports and public comments were also part of the meeting.

• Approved 7% pay cut for employees earning $50,000+
• Approved ARP Water Distribution System Rehabilitation Project resolution (grant #SRP-D-ARP-0229)
• Tabled payment for Pete's Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning (water plant HVAC work)
• Approved town assistance for Red Springs High School Homecoming Parade (Oct 13, 2023)
• Police chief reported 6 vacancies and plans for recruiting and training

Meeting

The Red Springs Mayor and Board of Commissioners will consider an ordinance to accept American Rescue Plan Act grant funding for a water line replacement project, and a payment to Pete's Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning for installing air conditioning systems. The agenda also includes public input, consent agenda items, and department reports.

• Consider ARPA Grant Project #SRP-D-ARP-0229 for FY22 Water Line Replacement
• Consider payment to Pete's Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning for installing two 7.5-ton split AC systems
• Consent agenda: releases/refunds and minutes from July 3 & 13, 2023 meetings
• Public input session
• Department reports from police, fire, streets, sanitation, electric, HR, water/sewer, code enforcement, parks and recreation

The Board of Commissioners approved a grant for water line replacement and accepted the consent agenda. A payment for air conditioning services was tabled pending further documentation. The board also entered a closed session for personnel and policy matters.

• Approved $7,181,373.00 American Rescue Plan Act Grant for Water Line Replacement (unanimous)
• Accepted Consent Agenda for releases, refunds, and July meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Tabled payment to Pete’s Electrical Heating and Air Conditioning Company until September 5 board meeting (unanimous)
• Approved motion to enter Closed Session for personnel services and policy matters (unanimous)
• Approved motion to return to Open Session (unanimous)

Meeting

The Board held a workshop to discuss the town budget and departmental reorganization. The Town Manager presented recommendations regarding police leadership and the engagement of a CPA firm for auditing. No formal votes were recorded on these recommendations during the session.

• Discussed bringing in Mark Caskey to the Police Department on July 17, 2023
• Discussed maintaining Kimothy Monroe as Interim Police Chief
• Engaged TMH, CPA Firm to begin operations on July 17, 2023
• Requested new job description and cost analysis for Fire Department position
• Recommended moving forward with departmental restructuring

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners approved a stormwater master plan, an annual audit contract, a CPA consulting agreement, and a lease with Robeson Community College. They also went into closed session for personnel matters and recessed until July 13.

• Approved Stormwater Master Plan by Withers Ravenel for Carolina Bay at Cross Street and East 3rd Street, funded by $500,000 earmarked funds
• Approved contract with S. Preston Douglas & Associates for FY 2022-2023 annual audit
• Authorized contract with TMH CPA Consulting Firm for $1,200-$1,500/month to reconcile books and close FY2021-2022
• Approved one-year lease with Robeson Community College for American Legion Building at $425/month
• Administered Oath of Office to Finance Director Kasey Douglas

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners adopted the budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The board expressed a consensus to meet at a future date to make further adjustments and reductions to the budget and personnel positions.

• Adopted FY2023-2024 Budget
• Maintained property tax rate at $0.64 per $100 valuation

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners conducted a budget workshop to discuss reducing the general fund deficit through salary reductions and position reclassifications. The Town Manager presented spending reports on a 2020 grant and loan, and the board discussed potential water and sewer rate increases. No final votes were recorded; the Town Manager was directed to complete the budget based on board recommendations.

• Proposed eliminating holiday and Christmas bonuses
• Discussed reclassifying Fire Chief to Public Safety Officer at $50,000 salary
• Discussed reclassifying Assistant Public Services Director to Street Supervisor at $47,000 salary
• Discussed reducing Human Resource Department salary to $50,000
• Proposed $5.00 rate increases for both water and sewer services
• Discussed leaving Police Chief position vacant and capping salary at $70,000

Meeting

The Board reviewed budget line items for various town departments, including a request for an additional part-time firefighter. No final budget was approved; the board scheduled a follow-up workshop for June 20, 2023.

• Scheduled next budget workshop for June 20, 2023 (unanimous)

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners reviewed department revenue and expenditure line items and examined a debt schedule spreadsheet. No substantive budget decisions were recorded. The board scheduled a follow-up workshop for June 5, 2023.

• Scheduled workshop meeting for June 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. (Approved)

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners conducted a workshop to review budget line items, revenues, and expenditures. No final budget approvals were recorded. The board scheduled a follow-up workshop for May 30, 2023.

• Scheduled next workshop meeting for May 30, 2023 (unanimous)

Meeting

The Board of Commissioners held a budget workshop to review line-item expenditures for the Water and Electric departments. No final budget was approved; the board made minor adjustments to line items and scheduled a recess for May 22, 2023.

• Directed Electric Department to spray for mosquitoes two times a week
• Approved motion to recess meeting until May 22, 2023

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners will hold public hearings on three rezoning requests, including a 150-home subdivision on Shannon Road, a variety store on West 3rd Avenue, and a manufactured home on Cindy Road. The board will also consider consent agenda items, budget retreat approval, and several personnel actions including police resignations and new EMT hires.

• Rezone Highsmith Farm Subdivision from A-40 to R-1 for ~150 homes on Shannon Road (Parcel 93493704081)
• Rezone 10,640 sq ft variety store from Industrial to General Business at West 3rd Ave near HWY 71, reduce parking variance from 107 to 35 spaces
• Authorize 2023 manufactured home on Cindy Road (Parcel 170902017), zoned R-1
• Approve budget retreat at Lumber River COG facility, May 4, 2023, 9am-5pm
• Accept police resignations: Chief Brent Adkins (retiring July 1), Captain Charles McMillan, Lt. Lasevenn Richardson, Officers Matthew Jacobs and Mikayla Jones

The Board approved the construction and rezoning of a retail variety store on West 3rd Avenue and granted permission for a grant-funded mural at the Farmers' Market Building. A proposed housing development was tabled for further specification, and the board discussed police resignations and unapproved EMS positions.

• Approved construction of 10,640 sq ft retail variety store at West 3rd Avenue (unanimous)
• Approved rezoning of variety store property from Industrial to General Business (unanimous)
• Approved variance to reduce variety store parking from 107 to 35 spaces (unanimous)
• Tabled Highsmith Farm Subdivision Development until May 9, 2023 (unanimous)
• Approved grant-funded mural on Farmers' Market Building exterior (all in favor)
• Approved Releases, Refunds, and minutes for May 2, 9, and 15, 2023 (unanimous)

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners held its monthly meeting, approving the consent agenda and entering closed session for personnel and acquisition matters. They tabled a stormwater improvement project for further clarification and voted to name a park after Willie Goodyear.

• Approved consent agenda including releases/refunds, minutes, and budget amendments BA#2023-04-04-01 & BA#2023-04-04-02
• Tabled Phase 2 Storm Water Improvement (Little Raft Swamp Conveyance Enhancement, Hurricane Resiliency, and Rail Crossings Project) for further clarification
• Voted to name a park after Mr. Willie Goodyear
• Entered closed session for personnel and acquisition matters

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners held a recess meeting to conduct second interviews with two candidates for the Town Manager position, which will be vacated on March 31, 2023. The board asked questions to help make a final decision. No other business was discussed, and the meeting was recessed.

• Second interviews for Town Manager candidates
• Town Manager position vacant as of March 31, 2023

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners held a public hearing and then voted to table a rezoning request for Parcel #934827751600 until the next meeting. They also approved funding for the Juneteenth celebration, authorized a letter of commitment for a federal grant, and received updates on the fire department and a board appointment.

• Rezoning of Parcel #934827751600 from Industrial to General Business tabled until April 7
• Approved release of funds for Juneteenth celebration
• Authorized Town Manager to submit Letter of Commitment for Thriving Communities Program Grant (up to $25,000,000)
• Fire Department recognized as Type 4 Swift Water Rescue Team and advanced life support provider
• Andy Weaver appointed to Planning Board from ETJ

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners met on February 7, 2023, and approved a consent agenda, a $500 donation to Red Springs Middle School, and a resolution amending the town's obscenity ordinance. They also heard a presentation from UNC Chapel Hill on economic development and received grant information from the police chief.

• Approved $500 donation to Red Springs Middle School for student incentives
• Adopted resolution to amend Town Obscenity Ordinance (Title V)
• Heard UNC Chapel Hill presentation on economic development strategy
• Police chief reported $150,000 LISC/RVCRI grant and $8,000 NC-YVPC grant
• Approved consent agenda including releases/refunds, minutes, and audit response

Meeting

The Red Springs town board is holding a regular meeting with a consent agenda item to approve amended minutes from a November 1, 2022 CDBG closeout meeting. No substantive decisions or discussions are listed; the agenda is otherwise limited to opening comments and adjournment.

• Approval of amended minutes for November 1, 2022 CDBG closeout meeting

The Board of Commissioners met to review and approve amended minutes from a previous meeting. The only substantive action taken was the approval of the amended minutes for the Community Development Block Grant Closeout meeting held on November 1, 2022.

• Approved amended minutes for November 1, 2022, Community Development Block Grant Closeout (CDBG-1-18-1-3038) (Unanimous)

Meeting

The Red Springs Board of Commissioners held its monthly meeting, approving the consent agenda (releases/refunds and December 6, 2022 minutes) and adding a library presentation. They received a service update from McMillan Memorial Library representatives. The board then entered a closed session for attorney-client privilege and later reconvened to adjourn.

• Approved consent agenda including releases/refunds and December 6, 2022 minutes
• Added and heard presentation from McMillan Memorial Library on strategic plan
• Entered closed session under G.S. § 143-318.11 for lawyer-client privilege