The Mayor and City Council held the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday January 9, 2024 at 6:00pm at Winterville City Hall.
Mayor Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Also present were. Melissa Metzger, Jonathan Mosley, Tina Mills, Bruce Johnson, Municipal Clerk Wendy Bond and City Attorney David Ellison.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes:
Councilperson Metzger moved to approve the minutes of December 12, 2023. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and approved unanimously.
Unfinished Business: None.
New Business:
Councilperson Metzger moved to amend the agenda and modify the order of items and include Josh Koons Environmental Design. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mosley and approved unanimously.
The First Item of New Business. Winterville Volunteer Fire Department.
Councilperson Metzger moved to approve the 2024 WVFD Roster as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mosley and approved unanimously.
Michael Gabriel, Chief; Chuck Thornton, Asst. Chief; Scott Wooten, Captain; Ray Durie, Training Coordinator; David Hooper, Firefighter; Mike Hembree, Firefighter; Alex Bond, Firefighter; Daniel Huckabee, Firefighter; Anthony Rincione, Firefighter; and Andy Dawson, Firefighter.
The Second Item of New Business: Civic Calendar. Councilperson Mosley moved to approve the 2024 Civic Calendar as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mills and approved unanimously.
The Third Item of New Business. Council Committees. Councilperson Johnson moved to approve the members of the committees as follows. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mills and approved unanimously.
Public Safety: Metzger & Mosley
Public Works: Johnson & Mills
Finance: Johnson & Mosely
Communications: Metzger & Mills
The Fourth Item of New Business. Mayor Pro-Tem. Councilperson Metzger Moved to nominate Councilperson Johnson as Mayor Pro-Tem. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mills and approved.
The Fifth Item of New Business: Pittard Park Playground. Andrew Kline, Landscape Structures, and Josh
Koons presented some pricing for the proposed playground equipment. No action was taken.
The Sixth Item of New Business. Library Funding. Councilperson Mosley moved to postpone this item for Mayor Ferrelle to research further questions. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and postponed unanimously.
The Seventh Item of New Business: Pickleball use of court. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve the Pickleball Association’s request to use and store their equipment on city property pending a letter from the city, a hold harmless letter from the Pickleball Association. The Association is to purchase any equipment for this purpose. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and approved unanimously.
The Eighth Item of New Business: HPC signage. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve up to $500.00 for four (4) signs and posts for signage for the Historic District of the city.
The Ninth Item of New Business: New HPC Member Keri Valentine. Councilperson Mosley moved to appoint Keri Valentine to the Historic Preservation Committee upon the end of Jonathan Frye’s term on the committee. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mills and approved unanimously.
The Tenth Item of New Business: Chief Position Timeline. The Public Safety Committee will review resumes and conduct interviews from applicants for the Police Department’s Chief Position. They will present to Mayor and Council in Executive Session at the February 13, 2024 meeting.
Committee Reports:
Public Finance – Clerk Bond provided financial statements through December 31, 2023. The statements are available for review by the public upon request.
Fire Department – Chief Michael Gabriel submitted a call report.
Public Works – Councilperson Mills and Councilperson Johnson gave a report on behalf of Tom Doonan.
Communications Committee – Councilperson Metzer gave a brief report.
Winterville Cultural Center – Jack Eisenman introduced Diana Hartle as the newest employee at the Cultural Center, who gave the Center’s report.
Dr. Museum Report – Jonathan Scott gave a report.
Marigold Market – Sarah Hovater gave a report on the Marigold Market and the Food Hub.
Library Report – Deirdre Murray gave a report.
Clerk’s Report – No report.
City Attorney’s Report – David Ellison gave report on the Zoning Ordinance changes.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Ferrelle gave a brief report.
Firefly Local Action Committee – No report.
Public Comment – None.
Mayor Ferrelle closed the meeting at 7:15 pm.