Elizabeth City public meetings in 2020
24 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The City Council discussed tourism funding for a new wayfinding signage project and scheduled public hearings for rezoning requests. The body also addressed concerns regarding youth homicide rates and the City Charter.
- Approved up to $75,000 in tourism funds for wayfinding signage
- Recessed public hearing for Stockbridge SUB 05-19 to January 11, 2021
- Called for a public hearing on January 11, 2021, for Case RZ 03-20 to rezone properties at Halstead Boulevard and Body Road from residential to General Business
- Accepted bids for properties at 608 Factory Street, 705 Richardson Street, and 907 First Street
- Approved financing for City Manager vehicle
City Council
The Elizabeth City Council and Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners held a joint session to discuss a $249,000 wayfinding signage project. The County approved funding up to $75,000 from its Tourism Fund, while the City Council voted to move the item to a future agenda.
- Pasquotank County approved funding not to exceed $75,000 for wayfinding signs
- Proposed wayfinding project budget of $249,000 for 44 signs (18 downtown, 27 boulevard)
- Presentation on ECCPS return-to-campus COVID-19 protocols and student attendance
- Sentara update on local COVID-19 case rates and future hospital campus on Halstead Boulevard Extended
- Discussion on amending the Parks and Recreation Interlocal Agreement to transform the Advisory Committee into a Board
City Council
The City Council approved a budget amendment to cover $52,237.61 in debt service payments for vehicles and improvements. The body also discussed COVID-19 enforcement and received internal audit updates across multiple city departments.
- Budget amendment increasing debt service payments for Fire, Fleet Maintenance, Street, Powell Bill, and Parks and Recreation departments
- Appointment of Jared Tardiff to the Urban Forestry Commission for a three-year term
- Request from Rev. Timothy Stallings Sr. to waive fees for the Sunrise Easter Service
- Call for a public hearing regarding SUB 05-19 Stockbridge
- Internal audit report noting Fire Department needs including a $5 million station replacement and $825,000 truck replacement
City Council
The City Council approved a $10,000 grant for the Albemarle Area United Way to assist residents with utility and housing payments. The body also approved budget amendments for city manager recruitment and fire department equipment, and declared two properties as surplus.
- Awarded $10,000 grant to Albemarle Area United Way Community Care Collaborative
- Budget amendment of $19,760 for City Manager recruiting and assessment
- Budget amendment of $34,856 for Fire Department Homeland Security Grant equipment
- Declared 705 Richardson Street surplus with an opening bid of $5,000
- Declared 907 First Street surplus with an opening bid of $6,500
City Council
The City Council met for a special session to expedite a grant application for the Coronavirus Care Collaborative. The body decided to authorize the submission of the application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce to assist low-to-moderate income residents impacted by COVID-19.
- Approval of CDBG-CV grant application for $765,000
- Adoption of Resolution # 2020–11-01 for the Coronavirus Care Collaborative project
- Partnership established with Albemarle Area United Way for project administration
City Council
The City Council held a public hearing for the CDBG-CV program to establish the Coronavirus Care Collaborative. The proposed program would provide up to $1,800 in assistance to up to 400 low-to-moderate-income households facing eviction or utility disconnection.
- Proposed $765,000 CDBG-CV grant for COVID-19 housing and utility assistance
- Declared 608 Factory Street as surplus with an opening bid of $4,500
- Authorized grant application for Ray Street Water and Sewer Replacement Project
- Approved final bids for properties at 710 Second Street and 1404 Parkview Drive
- Approved live fire training for 413 Westover Street and 808/900 Parkview Drive
City Council
The City Council held a public hearing regarding a CDBG-I funding application to replace water and sewer lines on Ray Street. The Council voted to defer action on the application until October 26, 2020, to allow for more public comment.
- Public hearing for CDBG-I grant request of $929,563.45 for Ray Street water and sewer replacement
- Proclamation of Pharmacy Week (October 18-24, 2020)
- Proclamation of Elizabeth City State University Month (October 2020)
City Council
The City Council held a work session to discuss a master pedestrian plan and employee pay. The body recommended that staff seek proposals for a compensation study to address low salaries and staff retention. Council also discussed potential ways to redirect unused travel funds to residents in need via nonprofits.
- Recommendation to bring back RFP results for a compensation study estimated at $30,000
- Presentation of the Walk EC master pedestrian plan developed via a DOT grant
- Discussion of redirecting $10,000 in Council travel funds to assist residents with electric bills
- Update on the Senior Center crosswalk on Church Street regarding lack of construction bids
- Mention of $170,000 received back from Blue Cross Blue Shield
City Council
The City Council met to approve minutes and process the sale of city-owned real estate. The body is declaring several properties as surplus and initiating the upset bid process for their sale.
- Declared 1404 Parkview Drive surplus with an opening bid of $6,750
- Declared 700 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive surplus with an opening bid of $2,000
- Declared 703 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive surplus with an opening bid of $1,700
- Declared 606 Witherspoon Street surplus with an opening bid of $1,700
- Declared 405 East Broad Street, 500 East Burgess Street, and 500 West Cypress Street surplus
City Council
The City Council held a work session to review stormwater infrastructure plans and safety concerns at Fire Station II. Staff provided updates on flood-prone intersections and a proposed crosswalk for the Senior Center.
- Proposed $8,200 installation of inline check valves and stainless steel inlet grates at Flora Street and Riverside Avenue and Shepard Street
- Discussion of a raised, lighted mid-block crosswalk for the Senior Center
- Proposed $25,000 to $30,000 'hardening' of Fire Station II walls to prevent projectiles from entering the building
- Report of bullets penetrating the walls of Fire Station II
City Council
The City Council met with Developmental Associates to discuss the recruitment process for a new city manager. Council members discussed desired competencies for the role, including infrastructure management and staff retention. One council member requested that the official hiring of the consulting firm be placed on a future agenda for a formal vote.
- Discussion with consulting firm Developmental Associates regarding city manager recruitment
- Proposed survey of city organizations and stakeholders to identify manager competencies
- Proposed assessment dates of October 14-15 and a closed session on October 16
- Closed session held for personnel discussion
City Council
The City Council approved financing for various vehicles and equipment and declared two properties as surplus for sale. The Council also held a public hearing on a text amendment for the Halstead Overlay District, though final action was deferred.
- Approved financing through Truist Bank not to exceed $707,500 for vehicles and equipment
- Declared 1103 Peartree Road as surplus with an opening bid of $3,000
- Declared 513 N. Poindexter Street as surplus with an opening bid of $1,000
- Public hearing held for Halstead Overlay text amendment regarding landscaping and design regulations
- Acceptance of bid for surplus property at 705 Cale Street
City Council
The City Council met via remote session to approve the agenda and previous meeting minutes. The meeting included a failed attempt to suspend rules to add a closed session for personnel and public comments regarding potential electric rate increases and council raises.
- Resolution # 2020-7-01: Declaring real property at 705 Cale Street as surplus and authorizing sale by upset bid with an opening bid of $2,000
City Council
The City Council discussed a proposed $68,679,112 budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The budget includes no tax increases or employee cost-of-living adjustments, but proposes a $250 per month raise for the Mayor and Council members.
- Proposed FY 2020-2021 budget totaling $68,679,112
- Proposed 2% water increase and 25% sewer increase
- Proposed $250 per month raise for Mayor and Council members
- Budget allocation of $50,000 for the homeless shelter
- Proposed General Fund of $21,864,635 and Electric Fund of $33,019,800
City Council
The City Council held a work session to discuss a reduction in Powell Bill funding for street resurfacing and the legality of paving private roads. The Council also debated the proper procedure for including or removing council member raises from the annual budget.
- Street resurfacing budget reduced from $800,000 to approximately $675,000 due to a 25% cut in Powell Bill funds
- Discussion of paving three City-owned unpaved streets: Kramer, Morrisette, and Witherspoon
- Debate over the legality of using public funds to pave private sections of Pinewood road
- Discussion regarding the procedural validity of a motion to remove council raises from the budget
- Motion to allow the manager to continue budget presentations and call for a public hearing
City Council
The City Council met remotely to approve funding for small business relief and accept a state grant for water infrastructure. The body also processed budget amendments for insurance reimbursements and designated Public Works Week.
- Authorized $52,000 from the Business Improvement Grant fund for the COVID-19 Small Business Microgrant Program
- Accepted a $150,000 State Reserve Grant from the NC Department of Environmental Quality for asset inventory and assessment
- Approved budget amendments of $1,126.65 for Water & Sewer Fund and $3,510.02 for General Fund Streets for insurance reimbursements
- Discussed a $1,073,303 grant loan from the NC Drinking Water State Loan Fund for raw water reservoir improvements
- Proclaimed May 17–23, 2020, as Public Works Week in Elizabeth City
City Council
City Manager Rich Olson presented a balanced budget of $66,821,826, which is an 8.34% decrease over the previous year due to COVID-19 pandemic revenue losses. The presentation included proposals to increase water and sewer rates to address infrastructure needs. The City has instituted a hiring freeze and furloughed part-time workers.
- Proposed 50% increase in sewer rates and 2% increase in water rates
- Total budget of $66,821,826 (8.34% decrease from previous year)
- Oxford Heights Bridge project delayed to 2026 due to NCDOT capital project freeze
- Estimated total payroll of $20,682,617 for FY 2020-2021
- Projected General Fund revenue decrease of up to 30% related to the pandemic
City Council
The City Council held a work session featuring presentations on public health preparedness regarding COVID-19 and a review of options for water meter replacements. Staff presented the Badger E-Series as the recommended smart meter solution due to its cellular connectivity and metal construction.
- COVID-19 presentation by Albemarle Regional Health Department and Sentara Medical Center
- Water meter comparison: Neptune Mach 10 total cost $1,936,000
- Water meter comparison: Kamstrup total cost $2,081,450
- Water meter comparison: Badger E-Series total cost $1,759,160
- Non-smart water meter option: Badger Recordall Series at $62 per meter
City Council
The City Council approved budget amendments for NCLM safety grants, PAL mentoring, and Project Safe Neighborhoods. Residents spoke during public comments to oppose a proposed $500 pay increase for the Mayor and Council.
- Budget amendment for NCLM safety equipment totaling $30,648.25
- Budget amendment for PAL Mentoring Grant increasing revenue and expenditures by $23,000
- Budget amendment for Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant increasing revenue by $55,739
- Budget amendment for Water & Sewer insurance reimbursement of $750.00
- Discussion on calling a public hearing for Beacon Water Meter Project financing
City Council
The City Council held a work session that was delayed until 6:32 p.m. due to a lack of quorum. Members received various committee updates regarding economic development, downtown events, and chamber activities.
- Economic Development Commission report on pending opportunities
- Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. briefing on upcoming events
- Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce event updates
- Airport Authority update on future items
City Council
The City Council met for a planning retreat to establish goals, objectives, and projects for the upcoming year. The session included a progress report on 2018-2019 objectives and presentations from department directors regarding their needs.
- Reported $2,379,507.51 in awarded outside funding from 28 grants
- Completion of utility billing software migration for $388,896
- Construction of a standalone senior center at 215 S. Water Street with an estimated cost of $1,728,417
- Receipt of a $60,000 NCDOT grant for an Alternate Transportation Plan
- Reported $60,000 to $65,000 annual budget for local road paving and patching
City Council
The City Council approved rental rates and deposits for the new Senior Center and updated the water and sewer fee schedule to include 3-inch meters. The Council also discussed the pros and cons of privatizing the city's water and sewer utility.
- Adopted Senior Center rental fees: Non-profit multipurpose rooms at $80/hr and for-profit at $160/hr
- Established $100 nonrefundable security deposit and $100 refundable cleaning deposit for Senior Center rentals
- Amended water/sewer fee schedule to include 3-inch meters with a $2,000 tap fee
- Approved Firehouse Subs, FEMA, and Golden LEAF grant applications
- Approved a call for a public hearing regarding a text amendment for the Halstead Overlay
City Council
The City Council reviewed the annual financial report which received an unmodified opinion. Staff also presented a $100,000 proposal to revitalize Pool Street Park and provided an update on community homelessness programs.
- Annual audit presentation showing a combined fund balance of $8,542,689
- Proposed $100,000 revitalization of Pool Street Park including shade structures and sidewalks
- Award of $10,000 NCEMPA Downtown Revitalization grant for park upgrades
- Presentation on River City CDC's community homelessness program
City Council
City Council held a special work session to review a proposed transition from one-way to two-way smart metering (AMI). Staff and vendors presented the technical specifications, security measures, and integration of the systems into the existing Tyler portal.
- Proposed use of Nexgrid for electric smart metering and Beacon/Badger meters for water
- Plan to use Utility Management Services (UMS) for a turn-key installation and one-year warranty
- Discussion of electric fund balance (~$7 million) and water fund balance (~$1.6 million)
- Proposed installation of 200 to 300 gateways and repeaters on telephone poles
- Integration of real-time outage management and remote disconnect capabilities