St. Helena Council Minutes

April 20, 2023

St. Helena Village Hall

6:30 p.m.

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

In the audience were COG (Council of Government) member Sam Shore, Ms. Alice Southerland, Dr. Naseem H. Nasrallah, and Gerald Velie.

Mayor Barnhill brought 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 Kaye, and seconded by Nancy, the minutes of March 16, 2023 were approved unanimously.

In reference to the financial report, Nancy questioned the cost of quickbooks.

On motion by Nancy Jones, and seconded by JudyKatalinic, the March 2023 financial report was approved unanimously.

Under old business, noise reduction in the Village Hall was brought up.
Curtains were mentioned. Louis pointed out that the Burgaw Depot had the same problem and the Burgaw Town Manager had special curtains put up at the depot where they have been having meetings. Louis also pointed out that Burgaw also put in speakers at the commissioner’s tables and that has been helpful in hearing what was said without the echoes. He said that Burgaw’s Town Clerk Kristin Wells likes the new setup because it is easier to transcribe the minutes from the tapes.

Nancy pointed out that we tried the microphones before. Louis suggested to Robert getin touch with Burgaw’s manager because he was the one who oversaw the upgrades to the depot and he should be able to help St. Helena get the right products to help. Louis also pointed out that since the building can hold at least 50 people (max. 100 people), the curtains have to be treated with a flame resistant coating.

Robert Barnhill talked about adding curtains, corkboards, and putting town photos on those corkboards to reduce the echo in the room.

Judy pointed out that it would be nice if we fixed up the kitchen and made the bathroom ADA compliant since we are blessed with the ARP money. She added that we should be able to buy a stove that actually has an oven and we can put a sink at the window in addition to the curtains. Judy pointed out that when people rent the hall, they should be able to have an oven to warm food and cook biscuits. She also has been pushing for one of the bathrooms to be used as ADA allowing someone in a wheelchair to be able to use the facilities.

Under new business, Judy brought up the absentee voting. She pointed out that a previous vote was taken a few months ago and it passed 3 to 2 to allow absentee voting. Since St. Helena didn’t allow absentee voting two years ago, we have to sign this agreement to allow the county’s board of elections to allow absentee voting. Robert read it out loud and Robbie Holly passed out copies for the council members to read. William said he was against it. Judy said she knows so he can choose not to sign it or sign it and put against beside it. William and Neil said they would not sign it.

On motion by Nancy, and seconded by Judy, it was voted on again. Nancy, Judy, and Kaye signed the document with Robert signing it as mayor. Judy said she will make sure it gets to the county’s board of elections.

The next order of business was the ARP money. Judy asked Robert who was supposed to do the ARP because she wasn’t supposed to do it but had to do it since no one had. Robbie Holly pointed out to Judy “that you did the paper work to get it and you did the first year report”. Judy countered that it was Ms. Bakan (the retired town clerk) and her that got the grant and yes, she did the first year report because she was ready for it in January but it got delayed several times and that is the only reason she did it then. Robert said he wants to send the ARP money back since they had too many strings attached. Judy said that she had contacted COG about three weeks ago and has been working with Karen Shraml ever since. Judy thanked Sam Shore for connecting Ms.Shraml to the village. Judy explained the difficulties with the trash and fire service and how Ms. Shraml saved the day by adding everything that was allowed to make up the amount that was equal or greater than the ARP amount. Judy explained each of the ordinances and the policy. It was pointed out that copies of all the finished ordinances and policy were sent out earlier in the week so the mayor and council members could look over it and a copy was sent to Nathan (the town’s attorney) by e-mail for the same reason. Judy explained how Ms. Shraml worked hard on the finances while she worked on the ordinances and policy. Robert said he didn’t want the money for St. Helena. Judy said “I do and it would help St. Helena a lot”. Nancy mentioned that we need a new wheelchair ramp. Sam Shore (who was at the meeting for another matter) spoke up and gave an overview of what Ms. Shraml did and then Nathan said what was done was legal. William suggested the town send Karen some flowers. William asked Judy if she wanted the council to vote for each individually or as a group. Judy asked if anyone has a problem with anything in the ordinances and policy. Everyone agreed that they were fine. Judy said to William to do what he thinks best (he is mayor pro-tem). Neil made a motion to approve the five ordinances and the policy. It was seconded by William. The five ordinances and the policy were unanimously approved by the council. In order of presentation, here is the list of what was presented to the council:

1) Project Policy for the Expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

2) Conflict of Interest Policy

3) Recitals

4) Allowable Costs and Cost Principles for Expenditure of American Rescue Plan

5) Record Retention Ordinance

6) Great Project Ordinance for the Town of St. Helena American Rescue Plan act of 2021

Judy then asked Nathan if he will read the contracts in reference to trash and fire service since the fire contract was done in 1994 and the trash contract was with OSC and is now with GFL (who bought out OSC). He said that he will be glad to. Nathan said that there is a trash company that he knows who would like to make a bid. No one on council had a problem with that since GFL has been raising cost and producing less service.

Sam Shore (from COG) wanted to speak. He brought up the Land Use Plan that he, Louis, and the St. Helena Planning Board did. He handed out copies and wanted the council to read it and write down what the council members might disagree with or have problems with.

William brought up cutting the grass next door. He said that the owner has retired and the two guys who worked for him have now taken over his business. William wanted to keep the town using the same business. On motion by William, and seconded by Judy, it was unanimous to keep using the same company to cut the grass next door.

Then Gerald Velie wanted to address the council. He wanted to speak about the website, departments, and information. He had a problem with the agenda not being put out there. Ms. Robbie said it is posted on the door. Judy told him that she will add him to her list to send him a copy of the agenda when she gets it. Judy said he will get it on Tuesday before the council meeting at the latest. He had issues with the website not having the financial report posted. He pointed out there is a clear tab. Judy agreed that there was a clear tab and that she asked on the Village’s facebook what the residents wanted me to add. Judy will be glad to add the financial reports as the new tab if the council doesn’t have a problem. No one had a problem.

Gerald brought up the minutes. Gerald liked the minutes like they were in 2015. Judy pointed out that was Ms. Bakan’s minutes. He commented on the how great Louis’ webpage was. Louis smiled and said that Judy does that page.

Other items that Gerald had issues with were the old bids on the website dated back in 2015. He thinks they should be removed. Judy said that she will take care of it.

He then mentioned departments. Neil said that he is in charge of buildings. It was also pointed out that William is in charge of roads and signs. Judy is in charge of waste, recycling, facebook, and website. Kaye is our village’s Emergency Management Coordinator. Nancy is in charge of public service. Gerald said that was a good thing.

Since there was no more business, William asked to go into executive session. The audience (including Sam Shore) left as did Louis. Nathan asked if the council wanted him to stay. A few council members requested that he stay.

Executive session came to order.

.On motion by Nancy, and seconded by William, it was voted unanimously to go out of executive session.

On motion by Nancy, and seconded by Judy, it was unanimous to accept Ms. Robbie’s resignation.

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