MINUTES

Village of St. Helena Council Regular Meeting

Thursday, February 15, 2024 @ 6:30

Village of St. Helena Town Hall

305 East Main Street

Attending the meeting were Mayor Pro-Tem William Hunter, Councilman Neil Benton,

Councilman Gerald Velie, Councilman Carey Childress, Councilwoman Judy Katalinic, Planner Stephanie Moore, Building Inspector Louis T. Hesse, and Village Clerk, Emily Baker along with Mary Baken. Absent was Mayor Robert Barnhill and Town Attorney, Robert Corbett.

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Pro-Tem William Hunter.

The Invocation was led by Mayor Pro-Tem William Hunter along with Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Salute to the North Carolina Flag

Stephanie Moore stated that the Public Hearing was postponed per email from Robert Corbett, Attorney for The Village of St Helena. The notice must be posted at least 10 days before the hearing. Motion to send back to the planning board was made by Councilman Neil Benton, seconded by Councilwoman Judy Katalinic with motions passed by all.

Approval of the minutes with amendments of the Regular meeting: January 18, 2024, Motion was made by Councilman Gerald Velie, Seconded by Councilman Neil Benton with motions passed by all.

Approval of the minutes with amendments of the Special meeting: January 27,2024 Motion was made by Councilman Neal Benton, seconded by Councilwoman Judy Katalinic with motions passed by all.

Approval of the Financial Report: January 2024 motion was made by Councilman Gerald Velie, seconded by Councilman Cary Childress with motions passed by all.

In Old Business Building Inspector, Louis T. Hesse brought everyone up to date on what is happening with building permits.

Councilman Carey Childress gave update on new Website.

Councilman Gerald Velie asked Councilwoman Judy Katalinic to go over the Direct Grant from the State of North Carolina to the board. It was suggested to spend the money on repairs of the building. A Motion made for Councilwoman Judy Katalinic to continue with the $50,000.00 grant application by Councilman Neal Benton seconded by Councilman Gerald Velie with motion being passed by all.

Councilman Carey Childress asked again for his email to be changed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Councilwoman Judy Katalinic gave update on Facebook page has been deleted,

The Town Clerk will keep the website up to date along with her decision to have a Facebook Page in the future.

Mayor Pro-Tem William Hunter asked if a letter has been sent the Futuell Landscape to alert him that the Council voted to go with another Vendor. Per Town Clerk, Emily P Baker it has not been sent. ( Letter sent February 21, 2024)

In general discussion on Knowles Accounting on his agreement with past Councilwoman Nancy Jones, Councilman Neal Benton asked to have a meeting with him to discuss his services and pricing to be determined at a later date.

Due to circumstances beyond her control, The Town Clerk, Emily P Baker, has handed in her resignation. Discussion on number of hours needed, more than 4 hours each Monday. A partial list was presented to board to show items that have to be done each month. She expressed how much Mary Baken and Councilwoman Judy Katalinic had helped her since her hire date. They will do research on how to proceed with advertising for the position.

There was no New Business.

Councilman Gerald Velie asked to have an Executive Session.

Executive Session: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem William Hunter at 8:25 pm.

Councilman Gerald Velie expressed his concerns over Councilwoman Judy Katalinic

Text that she had sent him. He wanted to clear the air between he and Councilwoman Judy Katalinic. A discussion on how to proceed in the future with everyone working together for the good of the community. Councilwoman Judy Katalinic expressed her feelings on doing her best for the board. In her taking the minutes, it becomes very hard to hear and sometimes things get misquoted. It is the desire of the board to make it easier for all the board members to have the Town Clerk take the minutes going forward.

Everyone was in agreement that going forward they will work together for the good of the community.

A motion was made to Adjourn the meetings at 9:00 pm by Councilman Gerald Velie, seconded by Councilman Neal Benton, motion passed by all.

Respectively Submitted,

Emily P Baker

Town Clerk

The Village of St. Helena