Stokesdale July 14 council meeting

July 14 / MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

when a door is closed.

Gauldin also noted that fires in homes grow seven times faster now than in previous years due to modern fabrics and building materials.

as reported by PATTI STOKES

Mayor Mike Crawford called the monthly meeting to order at 7 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance; Councilman Tim Jones gave the opening prayer, with Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy, council members Jim Rigsbee and Jimmy Landreth, the town attorney, clerk, finance officer, planner and about 20 citizens also in attendance.

Foy introduced Robbie Wagoner, who was in the audience, as the new full-time deputy clerk and said he would begin employment with the town Monday, July 18. Wagoner, who was born and raised in Germanton, North Carolina, brings a “good basis of municipal experience” with much potential to grow, Foy said. The council hopes Wagoner will advance to the town clerk’s position when Dale Martin retires next year.

The meeting agenda was approved after adding two agenda items requested by Jones.  5  0 (in three separate votes) to adopt minutes from the May 5 budget workshop, May 12 regular council meeting and June 28 open and closed session meetings.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Chief Todd Gauldin reported Stokesdale Fire Department responded to 108 calls in June; 63 were medical-related, 14 were fire-related and 31 were “other.”

On a safety note, Gauldin urged residents to close their bedroom doors at night, saying 50% of fire-related deaths in homes occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and temperatures from fires can go from 1,000 to 100 degrees

Peace of mind all summer

Tested for even the hottest days

7101 US 158, Stokesdale

NEW SYSTEM INSTALLATION • SERVICE • REPAIR

Ask about special fi nancing

Subject to credit approval, see store for details

“Forty years ago, you had 17 minutes to escape a home re; today, that’s down to three minutes,” Gauldin said.

The fire department will hold its annual meeting Tuesday, July 26, 7:30 p.m. at the station in downtown Stokesdale. More info: www.stokesdalefire.com.

In response to a Friends of Stokesdale (FOS) member’s request last month for a public correction, Gauldin said after researching meeting notes he confirmed it was not someone speaking as a FOS representative who made a presentation about placing a town clock on the department’s front lawn, rather someone speaking as an individual. ADMINISTRATIVE

Dale Martin reported that eight water meters were sold in June, 640 water customers were invoiced, there were 68 requests for 811 service (“call before you dig”), 50 new water meters placed on hold for developers and the annual Consumer Confidence Report was submitted. Martin also noted that N.C. demography information was recently released (according to the state’s Office of Budget and Management, Stokesdale’s estimated population based on the July 1, 2020 certified census figures – the latest available – is 5,935). Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to end the State of Emergency issued during the pandemic, effective Aug. 15, which may mean changes to remote meeting participation. The Town of Kernersville will deliver a large vault it is donating to Stokesdale on Sept. 9; the vault will be used for record storage. Foy said GFL’s transition to being the town’s waste and recycling service provider as of July 1 has gone smoothly, but 10 JULY 21 - AUG. 3, 2022 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 Republic’s “asset retrieval” – i.e., collecting the company’s waste and recycling carts – has not gone as smoothly. Republic requested customers leave their carts out on June 29 and hoped to retrieve 98 to 100% of them that day.

“That process has taken nearly two weeks,” Foy said, and it is still not complete. After communicating with Republic’s regional general manager, Foy said it appeared the company was “under-sourced.”

“It’s been frustrating,” he said. “This has not gone smoothly. But, we are looking forward to a new beginning with GFL.”

Regarding the abandoned Coke machine at the concession stand in the park, which has been discussed at several council meetings, Jones said he carried out council’s orders last month and the machine is now unplugged and covered, although no one from the Coca-Cola company has retrieved it. FINANCIALS

Finance officer Kim Thacker presented monthly finance reports for the general fund, which has $3.28 million in total assets, and the water enterprise account, which has $1.87 million in total assets.

Actual income in the general fund for the fiscal year ended June 30 is $95,907 lower than projected for the fiscal year, but that income does not include a fourth quarter receipt of utility franchise taxes expected to arrive within the next several weeks.  5  0 for Thacker to compile a list of four accounting firms eligible to conduct the town’s annual audit.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

 Summerfield resident Cheri Pikett said she has read seven books which do not belong in elementary and middle school libraries. The books “are not well-written, but similar,” she said, noting that three books in Northwest Middle School’s library describe the main character as a 10- to 12-year-old child with a big dilemma.

“The plot is the child’s unhappiness or confusion; the parents are not consulted, and they wouldn’t know what to do anyway,” Pikett said. “The child looks for answers with friends at school or adults who the author has added are a part of the LGBTQ community.

“In conclusion, the child either decides they are gay, or wants to become the opposite sex or is bisexual, Pikett said. “And then everyone lives happily ever after.”

She expressed concern that social emotional learning, which is part of Guilford County Schools’ curriculum, has evolved into mental health services.

PUBLIC HEARING

Rezoning Case 22-04-STPL-02908. Oliver Bass with Guilford County Planning Dept. presented a request to rezone 12.25 acres at 7808 U.S. 158, just west of the Athens Road intersection, from AG to RS-30.

Although the request is inconsistent with the recommendation of the Stokesdale Future Land Use Plan, which designates the area primarily be used for office space and manufacturing services, Bass said planning staff recommends approval; after holding a public hearing for the request on July 11, the town’s Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval. PROPONENTS

 Representing the Timmons Group, engineer Richard Ringler said his company considered various uses for the property, including light manufacturing, before deciding developing it for residential use would have the least impact on neighboring property owners.

“You all do realize it’s in the path of the 158 Bypass? Right down the middle of the property?” Councilman Jimmy Landreth asked.

“That’s outside of my responsibility,” Ringler responded.

Councilman Jones then asked town attorney Tom Medlin if the town had any responsibility to homeowners if houses are built in the path of the bypass and Medlin said no.

With no one speaking in opposition to the request, council then engaged in discussion about who would be responsible for informing homebuyers of the future bypass slated to intersect with this property.

“What I don’t like about this is if there’s a possibility people would build houses there and be surprised by the bypass …” Landreth said.

Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy then motioned to deny the rezoning request, saying it would not serve the public interest, based on a planned highway expansion. ...continued on p. 12

gems in downtown Stokesdale

Trust. Compassion. Respect.

Proudly serving generations of families in northwest

Guilford County and beyond for over 75 years. Guilford County and beyond for over 75 years. Stokesdale 8320 US Highway 158 | (336) 643-3711 Greensboro

1118 N Elm Street | (336) 275-8408 5926 W Friendly Ave | (336) 299-9171 Locally owned and operated • forbisanddick.com

Accounting & Tax

Accounting Bookkeeping Payroll Tax Preparation Notary Public Copy Center

Anne M. Garner, EA

8304-C Hwy 158, Stokesdale (336) 441-8325 • annegarner605@gmail.com

After our 26,000 readers see your ad, business will be sizzling!

Let us help you advertise your downtown Stokesdale business

direct-mailed to 12,400+ homes

1,500 copies free pickup online 24/7

Contact Laura to start your targeted ad campaign

15,150+ followers

At A New Dawn Realty, our team is passionate about serving the needs of our local about serving the needs of our local community. We strive to offer top-notch community. We strive to offer top-notch service and have always been willing to go the service and have always been willing to go the extra mile to achieve our clients’ best interests. extra mile to achieve our clients’ best interests. Our team combines exceptional energy and Our team combines exceptional energy and experience, and you’ll feel confident you experience, and you’ll feel confident you made the right decision if you allow us to made the right decision if you allow us to assist you! Visit our website or Facebook assist you! Visit our website or Facebook page to view our clients’ testimonials. page to view our clients’ testimonials.

A New Dawn Realty Team !

(336) 643-4248

“This is the only outlet where this bypass could go. I would hate that for a citizen,” Foy said.

Councilman Jim Rigsbee said he agreed with Foy’s intentions, but “I’m just not sure it is this town’s obligation to play the overseer for this right now. There are too many unknowns at this time (about the bypass project).”

“Yes, it’s not on the priority list and it’s not funded yet, but that could change at any point in time,” Foy responded. “The bypass project is still in the plan; Stokesdale is only growing and DOT acknowledges that.”

Jones said he found it difficult to know what to do, since the project hasn’t been approved or funded yet, and the town has no control over “Where NCDOT builds this highway, when, or if.”

“I’ve got a monkey on both shoulders,” Landreth said, emphasizing he normally supports property owners’ rights and didn’t want to tie someone’s property up.

Mayor Crawford, who said he was a Realtor, told council members it would be incumbent upon the Realtor to make sure buyers were informed of NCDOT’s plan to eventually build a bypass through their neighborhood.  1  4 in favor of Foy’s motion to deny the rezoning (Foy voted aye).  4  1 to approve the rezoning request and amend the Land Use Plan to allow residential in the manufacturing/ professional corridor (Foy voted nay).

“I hope you’ll tell your client to let folks know … it wouldn’t be right for people to build houses there and then find out there is going to be a bypass there,” Landreth told Ringler. NEW BUSINESS

Pressure valve work. Jones said the pressure valve work completed last month by Underwood & Company encountered a “hiccup” that cost the town nearly $1,500 more. After Jones contacted the company, the town was offered a $500 credit.  5  0 to accept the $500 credit from Underwood & Company.  5  0 to approve encroachment agreements with NCDOT and Angel Farm Development for the Blacksmith subdivision, pending the attorney’s review.  5  0 (two separate votes) to appoint Deanna Ragan and T. Stephenson to serve on the Town Park Improvement Committee along with council members Foy and Landreth.

Referencing a citizen survey conducted a few years ago, Foy said an amphitheater was high on the wish list for park improvements. After he and Landreth recently met with a landscape architect, Lori Hawkins, to discuss the design and best spot for an amphitheater within the park, they agreed on a location along a tree line at the back of the park.

In response to Foy’s motion to accept a proposal from Hawkins Landscape Architecture for $2,010 to design an amphitheater, Jones expressed concerns about not knowing the scope

NORTHWEST

ANIMAL HOSPITAL

(336) 643-8984

Loving care for pets and their families

Full-service medicine, surgery and dentistry Surgical and therapeutic laser

Wendy Camp, DVM 1692-J NC Hwy 68 N, Oak Ridge • (336) 643-8984 www.nw-animal-hospital.com

of the project. “How can I vote intelligently if we don’t have a target?” he asked. Landreth said there would be ample opportunities for council input before funds for constructing an amphitheater were allocated.  5  0 to approve Foy’s motion. Friday Town Hall hours. Council discussed the benefits of closing Town Hall to citizens on Fridays to allow staff an opportunity to work without interruptions. Jones motioned to close Town Hall all day on Fridays, effective Aug. 5, and put a notice on the front door to inform citizens.  3  2 to approve Jones’ motion, noting Fridays wouldn’t be a day off for staff, rather for them to catch up on their work. Rigsbee and Crawford voted against the motion, with Rigsbee saying he would have favored closing Town Hall half a day, but not the entire day Visitors’ log. Landreth said visitors to Town Hall shouldn’t be required to sign a visitors’ log, and then motioned to remove the visitors’ log at the front desk.  4  1 to approve Landreth’s motion (Crawford voted nay).  5  0 to approve Rigsbee’s motion to keep a log of visitors accessing the administrative area of Town Hall where records are kept. Meeting minutes. Jones said staff shouldn’t be writing long, narrative council meeting minutes, rather they should be as brief as possible while conforming to N.C. general statute requirements. “Mainly, we need a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by members,” he said. Landreth questioned whether the town should “get out of the minutewriting business” and instead use recorded meetings as the official record. Town attorney Tom Medlin said the council is required to, at the minimum, record the actions taken in meetings. FOS documents. Jones asked if Friends of Stokesdale (FOS) had submitted paid invoices and canceled checks for all public monies the town of Stokesdale has 12 JULY 21 - AUG. 3, 2022 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 provided to the nonprofit, as requested at last month’s meeting. He was told no.

After Medlin said a formal letter asking for the documents would be the next step, Jones then motioned for the attorney to draft a letter requesting the documents and send it via certified mail.

During council discussion, Jones said the town had been involved in two transactions with FOS – the town clock at the fire station and a mural on the west side of a downtown building. After receiving permission to respond, FOS member Eileen Thiery said the town clock was not paid for by the town, rather with leftover funds from a downtown improvement grant from the state and a private citizen’s donation.

Foy said he didn’t believe FOS was a registered nonprofit when the town donated $4,636 for a mural the group commissioned.

“The money was disbursed to a group of driven, caring citizens,” he said, arguing the statute didn’t apply in this case.

“The key is that public funds must be put to public use,” Medlin noted.

When Jones continued to press the issue, Rigsbee asked him, “What is your end game? Do we feel something nefarious was done?” To that, Jones responded, “This was public money.”

Joe Thacker, FOS president, then asked to address the council and said he had learned about the recent request for documentation from reading about it in the Northwest Observer, and then, the day before this meeting, learned the item was on the agenda for discussion.

“Why are you all asking for our records?” Thacker asked. “We did find out about the request, but not a reason for it. I don’t think it would be in our interest to let you have our records.”

Thacker added that Jones had completed a membership form last November to join FOS but had not attended any meetings, which he found curious.

After further discussion, Foy explained the town received a letter in February from Bethany Davenport with N.C. Dept. of Commerce’s Rural Grant Program requesting supporting documentation for how the town had spent its downtown improvement grant.

“These are public funds,” Jones insisted. ...continued on p. 39