Minutes of the Regular Meeting

of the Council of the Village of St. Helena

Held on September 19, 2024

The meeting was called to order at 6:32 P.M. by Mayor Robert Barnhill. Present were Council Members William Hunter, Gerald Velie, Judy Katalinic, and Carey Childress. Absent was Council Member Neil Benton. The Clerk announced a quorum was present.

Also present for the meeting were Village Clerk Mary D. Bakan, Village Attorney Robert Corbett, Building Inspector Louis Hesse, and Planner Stephanie Moore.

Mayor Barnhill opened the meeting with prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Salute to the North Carolina Flag.

Mr. Corbett delivered his opinion to the Council concerning the rezoning motion that died for lack of a second at the August 15, 2024 meeting. His opinion was, the petition for rezoning was still open because no motion to reject the petition was approved. He also commented on the statutory requirement that in making the decision there must be a statement analyzing the reasonableness of the proposed rezoning whether the petition is approved or rejected. The matter was tabled until the next meeting.

Mr. Corbett further commented on the Council’s rules of procedure and suggested they should be reviewed because of the emergence of more modern rules than Robert’s Rules of Order currently used by the Council. Mr. Velie moved that Mr. Corbett be requested to bring suggested rules to the Council within 60 to 90 days. Upon Mr. Hunter’s second, the motion carried.

The minutes from the August 15, 2024 meeting were approved by the Council on motion by Ms. Katalinic, seconded by Mr. Velie. On motion by Mr. Velie, seconded by Mr. Childress, the August 2024 Financial Report was approved.

There were discussions of a renewed search to fill the position of Village Clerk and a handicap ramp and landscaping for the Village Hall. No action was taken.

Reports from the Building Inspector and the Planner were received. No action was required.

Mr. Childress addressed the Council concerning appreciation to Mr. Hunter for his service to the Council as his resignation was effective upon the conclusion of the meeting. The gratitude of the Council was expressed to Mr. Hunter along with the Council’s good wishes.

On motion by Mr. Velie, seconded by Ms. Katalinic, and approved by the Council, the meeting stood adjourned at 8:30 P.M.