Village of St. Helena Council Minute

June 15, 2023

6:30 p.m.

Present were Mayor Robert Barnhill, Councilwoman Judy Katalinic, Councilwoman Kaye Knowles, Councilwoman Nancy Jones, Councilman Neil Benton, Planner Kim Rivenbark, Attorney Nathaniel Coleman, Building Inspector Louis Hesse, and Village Clerk Ms. Mary Bakan. Absent was Councilman William Hunter.

In the audience was Carey Childress, Ann Childress (Carey’s Mom), Alice Southerland, Sam Shore, Gerald Velie, Cedric Carr, Fredric Carr, and Jackson Coleman (Nathan’s son).

Robert called the meeting to order. He opened the public hearing.

Robert said that the first item for public discussion is the 2023-2024 St. Helena Budget.

He then went to Kim and asked her to explain about the text change. Louis said that Sam Shore from COG (Council of Government) should go first. Kim agreed.

Sam talked about the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. He gave credit to the planning board for working so hard on it.

Next was Kim Rivenbark who gave a presentation about the need for a text change to allow Churches in residential area to have electronic signs.

On motion by Neil, and seconded by Judy, the motion to close the public hearing was approved unanimously.

Robert opened the regular meeting.

A prayer was said.

Allegiance to the U. S. Flag and a salute to the North Carolina Flag were said by all.

On motion by Kaye, and seconded by Neil, the minutes of May 2023 were approved unanimously.

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

The next item under discussion was the resolution concerning the text change on electronic signs. The resolution stated that was consistent with our U.D.O. On motion by Nancy, and seconded by Judy, the resolution was approved unanimously.

On motion by Neil, and second by Nancy, the approval of the ordinance allowing churches in residential to have electronic signs was approved unanimously.

The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was discussed. On motion by Kaye, and seconded by Judy, the New Comprehensive Land Use Plan was approved unanimously.

Nathan brought up the Bobbi Bell’s request for a subdivision location on 117 south. They wanted to subdivide one lot into two lots. On motion by Nancy, and seconded by Neil, the council unanimously approved the subdivision.

The next item on the agenda was amending the 2022-2023 Village Budget by moving six thousand dollars from advalorum tax (located under revenue) and adds it to sales tax revenue. On motion by Kaye and seconded by Neil, the amendment to the 2022-2023 budget was approved unanimously.

Judy said the town needs to approve the 2023-2024 budget and we need to do it before July first. Robert said that we approved it last month. Judy said that we didn’t. Robert asked if there is a motion.  Judy made the motion to approve the 2023-2024 budget. Kaye seconded it. It was unanimously approved.

Gerald Velie also had questions about a subdivision going in and said that the previous owner of that property couldn’t put in a road that crosses the railroad bed . He was questioning why the new owners are allowed to put a road  over the same railroad bed. Kaye said that road to her house was approved. She also pointed out the D.O.T. can take their approval of her road at any time auditor was brought up. Nancy mentioned that the auditor did notify St. Helena about the issue with the 2021-2022 budget via E-mail.

On motion by Neil, and seconded by Nancy, it was unanimous to remain with the same auditor.

On motion by Nancy, and seconded by Judy, the motion to adjourn was unanimous.