St. Helena Council Meeting Minutes

January 19, 2023

St. Helena Town Hall

6:30 p.m.

Attending the meeting were Mayor Robert Barnhill, Mayor Pro-Tem William Hunter, Council Member Neil Benton, Council Member Kaye Knowles, Council Member Nancy Jones, Council Member Judy Katalinic, Village Attorney Nathan Coleman, Building Inspector Louis T. Hesse, and Village Clerk Robbie Holly.

In the audience were Dr. Naseem Nasrallah, Michael and Debbie Peterson, Carey Childress, and Alice Southerland.

Robert called the meeting to order and led the prayer.

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

On motion by Judy, and seconded by Kaye, the minutes of December 15, 2022 were approved unanimously.

On motion by Kaye, and seconded by William, the December 2022 Financial Report was approved unanimously.

Robert said there is no old business. Nancy asked if William has been put on St. Helena’s bank accounts yet. William said “Not yet. I have been busy. Thought I get it done at Christmas but something came up.” Nancy pointed out that it has been over four months since the council agreed that William should be put on the accounts.

Under new business, the issue of moving the planning board meetings from the first Thursday in each month (when needed) to the second Thursday (when needed) was discussed. Robert said he thought they approved it at the last council meeting. Louis informed him that they did not. It was pointed out that the planning board members approved a motion to move their meetings from the first Thursday to the second Thursday at their January 2023 Meeting. On motion by Judy, and seconded by Neil, the council unanimously voted to move all future planning board meetings to the second Thursday of each month when needed.

The 2021-2022 Financial Audit were passed out (done by Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, and company, P.A.). Robert said he received them in December 2022. It was decided to go over the audit in February so that the council members have a chance to look it over before it is discussed.

The next order of business was a letter from the auditor about the wide gap between the amount budgeted in the 2021-2022 budget and the amount received. The amount received from the county was $40,558 and the budgeted amount that was approved by the council was $49,017, the difference was $8,459. According to the Local Government Commission rules, anything over a three percent difference has to be signed off by the village council. The council talked about possible reasons for the shortfall. Nathan said he will review the auditors findings. The issue of the solar farm and its tax status was discussed. Judy brought up “Project Fresh” and asked Louis if he had heard anything. Louis said there was supposed to be a meeting a few months ago but it was canceled. Nancy said that anything important like the letter from the auditor should be put in the agenda packet that each council member gets so they will have a chance to review it before the meeting. Some agreed with her. Nathan took pictures of the letter with his phone. The letter will be discussed at next month’s meeting.

Robert asked Judy how the U.D.O. changes are coming for the residential zoning rewrite. Judy pointed out that she had finished her survey and so had Kaye and Nancy. William and Neil hadn’t finished theirs but when they are done, Judy volunteered to crunch the numbers and then the council can send it to the planning board. William said that he thinks we should discuss it first before sending it to the planning board.

The building was the next issue to discuss. The village hall’s back door is having issues including water damage. Before the meeting, Mr. Allen Wilson (building contractor) met with Council Member Nancy Jones (who has knowledge of construction) to look at the door. Mr. Wilson checked it out and said that there is water damage and he really didn’t know what he will find until he starts repairing it. He pointed out that it is an old building but very well built. He mentioned adding a screen door to the back door and steps were discussed. He said he will have an estimate before the next council meeting. He left before the meeting started.

When the council discussed the door during the meeting, Robert mentioned nailing the door shut. Louis said that is a safety issue. Louis said that if the door is nailed; the limit of people allowed in the building will be cut from one hundred to fifty people. Robert mentioned that there is a kitchen door. Louis said the kitchen door is too close to the front door.  Louis pointed out that due to the amount of work that is required to fix the problem; the project has to be up to code. Louis said there were two options in reference to steps. One is to build a walkway going out straight four feet and then have steps at the end of the walkway, or if the council wants, the walkway will be five feet long and the steps will be on the side of the walkway so that a person can walk down the walkway and then turn and walk down the steps. Railings will be required. Cost was discussed. Amounts ranged from $4500 to $10,000. Robert asked Alice (Community Association Chairperson) if anyone is going to use the hall in February. She said she not until February 18, 2023.

Judy mentioned the steps at the kitchen door should be replaced since they are in bad shape.

Robert asked if anyone in the audience have anything to say. Alice pointed out that a vent (near a downspout) is detached and the hole is big enough for small animals to go under the building and she would like it fixed. Robert said he will check on it.

Robert announced the village has got a check from the ABC. It was around $9,542.00. He mentioned that the checks will be smaller starting in July.

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