Franklin Town Council - September 2022 Regular Meeting

**update** 

 From the Town of Franklin 

 The Town Council returned from a closed session at 8:57 p.m. A parcel of land that is adjacent to an existing town-owned property has become available and would allow for improved sewer line access. Town Council discussed the necessity to access utilities and potential for future greenway connectivity with this purchase. Council Member Stacy Guffey made a motion, seconded by Council Member David Culpepper to approve the contract purchase a parcel of land, approximately 14 acres, from Mainspring Conservation Trust for a price of $22,000 to gain access to Town sewer lines, and authorize Town Manager Amanda Owens to execute the contract contingent upon the approval by the Mainspring Conservation Trust’s board. Council Member Rita Salain abstained from the discussion and voting as she is a member of the Mainspring Conservation Trust board. 

 The motion carried by a vote of 5 -0.

The Franklin Town Council will be meeting tonight at 6pm in the lower level of the town hall for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The meeting will be streamed via a video player that will be embedded below shortly before the meeting starts. You can also see the stream on Facebook at fb.com/MaconMediaNews

ROLL CALL

Macon Media

The Franklin Press

The Southern Scoop (left at 7:24pm during item 9B)

Macon County News and Shopping Guide (left at 7:35pm during item 9D)

Live Video Starts at 6pm

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Grading • View Cutting
Water Abatement • Foundations
Plumbing • Construction Repair


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Franklin Town Council Meeting - September 6, 2022 - 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order - Mayor Jack Horton
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Vice Mayor Joe Collins

3. Recognitions
A.) Life-Saving Awards - Captain Devin Holland
B.) Introduction of Code Enforcement Officer Frank Belanger - Town Planner Justin Setser

4. Proclamation
• Constitution Week - September 17 - 23, 2022

5. Presentations
a. Vecinos - Marianne Martinez, Executive Director
b. Affordable Housing Report - Russ Harris, Executive Director, Southwestern Commission

6. Adoption of the September 6, 2022 Town Council Agenda - Town Council
7. Approval of the Consent Agenda for September 6, 2022 - Town Council
A.) Approval of August 1, 2022 Town Council regular meeting minutes
B.) Budget Amendment - ARPA Funding and general fund appropriations for ADA Transition Plan and Police Body Cameras
C.) Tax Releases
D.) Sewer Line Easement - Boatwright Properties, LLC
E.) Personnel Policy Updates
a. Article V, Section 7 - Dress Code
b. Article VII, Section 7 - Vacation Leave: Maximum Accumulation
c. Article VII, Section 12 - Vacation Leave: Transfer to Sick Leave

8. Public Session

9. New Business
A.) Request f rom Franklin Tourism Development Authority for budget increase - Tourism Development Authority Representatives
B.) Request Speed Limit Change for dead end section of Riverview Heights Street - Town Planner Justin Setser
C.) Request street closures - Town Manager Amie Owens
a. Nikwasi Lane for Trail of Tears National Conference - September 20, 2022
b. lotla Street for concert at Gazebo sponsored by the Arts Council of Macon County - October 8,2022
c. A portion of Carolina Mountain Drive fundraiser at Altered Frequencies by Sk828 - October 29,2022
D.) Request approval of disposition of asset -2009 Ford Escape -to be transferred to ABC Board for mandatory delivery services - Town Manager Amie Owens

10. Old Business
A.) Request approval of Budget Amendment for Prorated Longevity Payout - Finance Director Sarah Bishop
B.) Request approval of Budget Amendment for Police Salaries - Finance Director Sarah Bishop and Town Manager Amie Owens
C.) Request approval of Memorandum of Understanding between the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County providing for the dedication and acceptance of the Sowing the Seeds of the Future monument - Town Attorney John Henning, Jr.
D.) Request direction related to State Revolving Fund loan increase - Town Manager Amie Owens

11. Items from Council

12. Closed Session Enter into Closed Session under NC General Statute § 143-318.1 l(a)(5) to discuss acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease
- Angel Medical Center, greenway adjacent property and highway adjacent property

13. Announcements
A.) Next Town Council Meeting is Monday, October 3, 2022
B.) Never Forget SK and Lil' Engine That Could Fun Run/Walk-Saturday, September 10, 2022
C.) Build a Scarecrow at the Gazebo sponsored by the Streets of Franklin Heritage Association - Sunday, September 11, 2022

14. Adjourn

Agenda Packet - Download PDF



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Published at 4:20pm on Tuesday, September 06, 2022
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Franklin Town Council - Special Called Meeting for August 30, 2022

On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, the Franklin Town Council held a Special Called Meeting to discuss the future uses of the Whitmire Property. The property is 12.72 acres in the East Franklin Community between Highlands Road to the west and Van Raalte Street to the east.

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At the end of the meeting, the town council voted 5-1 (Salain opposing) to designate the upper portion of the property as recreational and tasked the town manager to begin looking at how to implement that recreational use. The lower portion (near Crane Circle along the creek) was designated for mixed-use and residential. That vote is in the video embedded below so you can see and hear exactly what the motion was and how the council voted.

The full meeting can be seen via the video embedded below. The video is 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 16 seconds in length.



Additional Resources: (not a complete list. Dates listed are dates of publication and not the date of the meetings covered).

Franklin Town Council - 2022 Planning Retreat
01-26-2022
The Whitmire Property discussion begins at the 3-hour, 1-minute, and 25-second mark of the video.

Franklin Town Council Chooses Whitmire Property for Public Skatepark
09-15-2021

Town of Franklin2018 Whitmire Property Study (PDF)


Business Owner Discusses Private Study of Whitmire Property
Franklin Town Council Chooses Whitmire Property for Public Skatepark
09-15-2021


Franklin Town Board of Aldermen Hold Retreat
10-18-2016
Whitmire Property discussion begins at the 1 hour and 44-second mark in the video.

Franklin Town Board of Aldermen - Regular April 2016 Meeting
04-06-2016


Whitmire Property Survey - April 6, 2016



Franklin Aldermen and Staff Hold Annual Retreat for 2013
04-15-2013
The Whitmire Property (along with the old town hall) is discussed in the third video down on the page.

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Published at 11:30am on Tuesday, September 06, 2022
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Franklin Town Council - Special Called Meeting Monday, May 9, 2022

The Franklin Town Council will be meeting to discuss the budget and then going into a closed session to discuss the possible acquisition of property. If there is sufficient bandwidth, a live video will be embedded below. An edited version will be posted here in a day or two.

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VIDEO



Franklin Town Council
Special Called Meeting
May 09, 2022 - 6:00pm

PUBLIC AGENDA

1. Call to Order - Mayor Jack Horton

2. Public Session

3. New Business
A.) Revaluation Presentation – Abby Braswell, Macon County Tax Administrator

4. Old Business
A.) Budget Overview and Comments and Direction from Council

5. Closed Session
A.) Enter into Closed Session under NC General Statute § 143-318.11(a)(5) to discuss acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease – Angel Medical Center

6. Adjourn

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Published at 2:20pm on Monday, May 09, 2022
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Franklin Town Council - Aprill 2022 Regular Meeting

The Franklin Town Council will be meeting tonight at 6pm in the lower level of the town hall. A copy of the public agenda and the agenda packet are posted below. A video of the meeting will be added tomorrow or the next day.

DAY SPONSOR

Tree Young Service is sponsoring Macon Media for today.

They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Danger tree removal. Crane Service, Pruning, Views, 24 hr emergency service. Call 828-421-0967 or visit Yound Tree Service for more information.

Meeting Video



Public Agenda

I . Call to Order- Mayor Jack Horton

2'. Pledge of Allegiance- Vice-Mayor Joe Collins

3. Recognitions and Awards

4. Adoption of the April 4, 2022 Town Council Agenda - Town Council

5. Approval of the Consent Agenda for April 4, 2022 - Town Council
A.) Approval of March 7. 2022 Town Council Minutes

B.) Tax Collections/releases

C.) Personnel Policy Revisions —
a. Article III — The Pay Plan — Section 13. Longevity Pay
b. Article IV — Leaves of Absence — Section 6. Vacation Leave: Accrual Rate

D.) Reappointment of Members of the Planning Board

E.) Budget Amendment

6. Public Hearings

A.) Public [tearing to receive public input on the voluntary annexation of 3011 Georgia Road into the Town of Franklin Corporate limits —Justin Setser, Town Planner
I.) Request approval of An Ordinance to Extend the Corporate Limits of the Town of Franklin
2.) Request Planning Board to evaluate and provide a zoning designation for newly annexed property

7. Call for Public hearing

A.) Call for Public Hearing to be held on May 2, 2022 at 6:05 p.m. to receive public input on a rezoning request for Mary B Lane from Storage R-I to Commercial C-2 — Justin Setser, Town Planner

8. Public Session

9. Old Business

A.) Update - Request from Root and Bartel for lease of Town Property for Outdoor Dining Area —Mayor Jack Horton. Amic Owens, Town Manager and John Henning, Jr., Town Attorney
I.) Request approval of Resolution Approving an Agreement to Lease a Portion of the Town Ilall Property to the Root and Barrel Kitchen, LLC

B.) Update Skatepark — Steve Sullies. JE Dunn and Arnie Owens, Town Manager

I0. New Business A.) Request for Street Closures - Streets of Franklin lieritage Association Events for 2022 -Brooke Reale. President

II. Items from Council

12. Announcements

A.) Special Called Meeting of the Town Council - April 19, 2022, 6:00 p.m. - Budget Work Session
B.) Next Town Council Meeting is Monday May 2, 2022
C.) Town offices will be closed Friday, April 15, 2022 in observance of Good Friday in accordance with the NC State Holiday Schedule.

13. Closed Session

14. Adjourn


Agenda Packet



Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



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Published at 4:30pm on Monday, April 04, 2022
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Franklin Town Council - March 2022 Regular Meeting

The Franklin Town Council will be meeting tonight at 6pm in the lower level of the town hall. Scroll down to see the public agenda and the agenda packet.

DAY SPONSOR

Tree Young Service is sponsoring Macon Media for today.

They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Danger tree removal. Crane Service, Pruning, Views, 24 hr emergency service. Call 828-421-0967 or visit http://youngtreeservice.com/ for more information.

Barring unforseen technical problems, the meeting will be streamed live via a video player to be embedded below. An edited and easily navigable version will be posted to Youtube in the coming days. Two meetings are occduring Tuesday, so the video may be delayed.

WEBCAST



ROLL CALL
(Media outlets that send representatives to cover the meeting, as well as elected critters not serving on this board, as well as candidates seeking public office will be listed here).

Macon Media

The Franklin Press

Macon County News and Shopping Guide

(The Southern Scoop was not present but wrote an article based on the live webcast without crediting the source. WNCC/WFSC will probably do the same.) See ONA for more about the ethics of the situation.

Town Council Meeting Agenda - March 7, 2022 - 6:00pm

1. Call to Order - Mayor Jack Horton

2. Pledge of Allegiance - Vice Mayor Joe Collins

3. Recognitions and Awards
A.) Sergeant Tony Ashe – Police - 30 years of service – retiring March 31, 2022
B.) Detective Mark Foster – Police - 25 years of service – retiring March 31, 2022
C.) Darien Greene – Class A Distribution

4. Adoption of the March 7, 2022 Town Council Agenda - Town Council

5. Approval of the Consent Agenda for March 7, 2022 - Town Council
A.) Approval of February 7, 2022 Town Council Minutes
B.) Budget Amendment
C.) Letter of Support for Fire Department to request Macon County to increase Franklin fire district tax
D.) Rezoning request to be forwarded to the Planning Board for review
E.) Resolution for Declaration of Service Side Arm for Retiring Member of a Municipal Law Enforcement Agency and Recognition of Service – Sergeant Tony Ashe
F.) Resolution for Declaration of Service Side Arm for Retiring Member of a Municipal Law Enforcement Agency and Recognition of Service – Detective Mark Foster
G.) Request Street Closures for Town Sponsored Events and Ruby Drop

6. Public Hearings
A.) Public Hearing to receive public input on the amendment to Chapter 154, the wireless telecommunications ordinance – Justin Setser, Town Planner
B.) Public Hearing to receive public input on the amendment to Chapter 92 Fire Prevention – Section 92.04 - Placement and Maintenance of Fire Hydrants – Ben Ormond, Fire Chief

7. Call for Public Hearing
A.) Call for Public Hearing to be held on April 4, 2022 at 6:05 p.m. to receive public input on the voluntary annexation of 3011 Georgia Road into the Town of Franklin Corporate Limits – Justin Setser, Town Planner

8. Public Session

9. Old Business
A.) Update - Request from Root and Barrel for lease of Town Property for Outdoor Dining Area – Mayor Jack Horton and Amie Owens, Town Manager
B.) Update – Water Treatment Plant Phase II – WithersRavenel a. Request approval of the design/engineering contract – Amie Owens, Town Manager
C.) Update – Skatepark – Tim Shaw, Sk828
a. Request appropriation of $35,000 for concrete and rebar

10. New Business
A.) Request approval of annual audit contract with Martin Starnes – Sarah Bishop, Finance Director

11. Items from Council
A.) Appointment of Councilman David Culpepper to the Nikwasi Initiative Board – Mayor Jack Horton

12. Announcements
A.) Joint meeting of the Town Council and ABC Board on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. at the ABC Store conference room
B.) Next Town Council Meeting is Monday April 4, 2022

13. Closed Session

14. Adjourn

Agenda Packet

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Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


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Published at 4:25am on Monday, March 07, 2022
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Franklin Town Council - 2022 Planning Retreat

The annual planning retreat for the Franklin Town Council took place this last Saturday morning and early afternoon. Macon Media and The Franklin Press were the only two outlets present for this meeting. No other local or regional outlets had reporters or photographers present.

Perhaps the biggest item discussed was the fate of Angel Hospital. HCA/Mission has propsed to give the property to the town with the stipulation that it cannot be used for purposes that compete with the hospital for services. The property cannot be given to the county because it provides medical services and receives federal money for healthcare.

The full video of the meeting is embedded below so the public can see exactly what happened during the meeting without having to read or hear about it second or thirdhand or filtered through a biased outlet or source.

Franklin Town Council - 2022 Planning Retreat



The Franklin Press article is posted online for subscribers only: https://www.thefranklinpress.com/news-newsletter/town-council-identifies-priorities

To assist you in navigating the video, it has been divided into chapters by topic. The timecodes of each section are posted below.

Tabe of Contents

00:00:00 Introduction
00:11:47 Beautification
00:34:44 Nikwasi
01:19:28 ABC Contract
01:34:28 Board and Commissions
01:54:44 ABC Regulations
02:17:21 Fate of Angel Hospital
02:42:57 ARPA Funding (American Rescue Plan)
03:01:25 Whitmire Property
03:09:54 Main Street Program
03:21:22 Root and Barrel
03:31:43 Epilogue

Here are some photographs taken during the meeting. All rights are reserved and no news outlets have permission to use them without first obtaining permission.

Councilman David Culpepper points out a pipe that drains from the Root and Barrel property onto town property.

Mayor Jack Horton points out a door and sidewalk that was constructed on town property by the Root and Barrel without notifying the town.

Members of the town council discuss the Root and Barrel proposal to lease 600 square feet of town property to construct an outdoor dining patio for Root and Barrel customers.

Support Macon Media

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



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Published at 3:05am on Wednesday, January 26, 2021
Author: Bobby Coggins

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