Village Minutes

Village of St. Helena Town Board Meeting

June 16, 2022

Attendance: Mayor Robert Barnhill, Councilwoman Judy Katalinic, Councilwoman Kaye Knowles, Councilwoman Nancy Jones, Councilman Neil Benton, Mayor Pro Tem William Hunter, Village Building Inspector Louis Hesse, Village Attorney Nathaniel Coleman and Village Clerk Robbie Holly.

Absent: Village Planner Kim Rivenbark.

In audience: Alice Southerland, Deborah Peterson and Mike Peterson.

Public Hearing about Budget was held first. Alice Southerland asked what the $800 employee bonus was exactly for. She also inquired about why the price for the yearly audit was so high. Mayor Barnhill responded by explaining who and what employee bonus were for and that audit was high but actually very reasonable.

Motion by Nancy Jones and second motion by William Hunter to accept the new

2022 – 2023 budget.

*Budget meeting held on 06/09/2022*

2002 Land Use Plan was brought up that we need to adopt a new one based on 2003 UDOs- 75% Farm Land.

Cape Fear Council Governments can help.

Questions about who rents land for farming.

Nancy Jones motioned to adjourn and Kaye Knowles second and it was approved unanimously.

Regular Council Meeting

Mayor Robert Barnhill opened the meeting.

Kaye led the prayer.

Allegiance to the U.S. Flag and a salute to the N.C. Flag were said by all.

On motion by Kaye, and seconded William, the minutes of June 16, 2022 were approved unanimously.

In reference to the financial report, Nancy asked why 2 bills for J&M Leasing for the month. Also questioned why First Citizens credit card had such a high limit, why the bill showed address of Village Clerk, Robbie Holly and wanted to know who was primary on account. Robbie said she would have all these matters corrected and make Mayor Robert Barnhill the primary account holder.

On motion by Kaye, and seconded by Judy, the May 2022 financial report was approved unanimously.

Old Business: Building Inspector, Louis Hesse said the house on highway 117 has gotten their building supplies and was good to move forward. He also commented that

West Gate work was moving forward slowly and had down sized project some.

Project Fresh has been in contact but moving slowly. Sprinkler system was holding them up and permit cost. Nancy asked about soil samples and if they had been done and Louis said hasn’t heard anything.

In reference to questions about the Solar Farms on highway 117, Louis said the farm is not a part of Greengo anymore and from the emails Louis has received and it looks abandon. Last inspection was over 6 months ago about wet areas being mosquito havens. They have not been made legal yet but if high grass and other issues not taken care of it will be a problem. Nancy asked if we are getting all taxes from solar farms or is Burgaw still getting a portion. Robert and Robbie said they would have to look into that and would need to call tax office.

Nate Coleman said in reference to the Moore property – Mr. Moore has realized the land has lot of curves and needed to revisited how to develop land.

New Business:

· Mr. Mike & Mrs. Deborah Peterson attended meeting asking questions about land they own on Northwest Avenue. The land they want to sell 9.8 acres – R12. They wanted to know what they needed to do to sell as subdivisions. Nate said they needed to hire a surveyor to submit a map in compliance subdivision ordinances.

Nancy asked if the family ordinance would work if they don’t sell for 5 years.

Nate said they would still have to follow UDO requirements.

Horace Thompson was the surveyor recommended to use.

They would need 90 feet of road frontage for each lot also.

Mr. & Mrs. Peterson also asked about Track 248- Highsmith/ Northwest Avenue property they own and how to sell in ¼ acre lots- reference R12.

Nancy thought that it had been changed to 1 acre lots to sell but Louis said it was discussed but the was change was never approved by the council.

A Real Estate Agent and Surveyor need to get with Nate for land and road frontage and if land perks. They are usually about 6 weeks out. Village of St. Helena doesn’t accept anything that Pender County doesn’t approve. So septic or mound septic? Do you still have to have land perk? Yes, you do. Price usually depends on the what the person wants to do.

· Comprehensive Land Use Plan is set to expire. The Council needs to accept a new one or renew current one. Cape Fear Council of Governments will help us do a new one at a cost of $10,000. Motion was made by Kaye to have Cape Fear Council of Governments to help us with a new Comprehensive Land Use Plan. It was seconded by Nancy and motion was passed unanimously.

· William put a motion for the lot/ field beside the town hall to get mowed more than once a quarter. He recommended for them to mow every other month and clean side ditch. Elbert said he can’t do it because he is too busy so William said he will talk to Ivey. Motion was accepted by Nancy to mow the field every other month. Kaye seconded it and it was approved unanimously.

On motion by Nancy, and seconded by Kaye, the meeting was adjourned unanimously.