15387 roanoke rapids, n. c. april 7, 2010 special meeting the city council of the city of roanoke rapids held a special meeting

15387
Roanoke Rapids, N. C.
April 7, 2010
SPECIAL MEETING
The City Council of the City of Roanoke Rapids held a special meeting
on the above date at 2:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room of
the J. Reuben Daniel City Hall & Police Station for the purpose of
meeting with Congressman G. K. Butterfield.
Present: Emery G. Doughtie, Mayor
Carl Ferebee, Mayor Pro Tem
Edward Liverman) COUNCIL MEMBERS
Suetta S. Scarbrough)
Greg Lawson)
Paul Sabiston, City Manager
Lisa B. Vincent, CMC, City Clerk
MeLinda Hite, Finance Director
Amanda Jarratt, Planning & Development Director
Jeff Hinton, Police Chief
Gary Corbet, Fire Chief
Chris Wicker, Grant Writer
Absent: Ernest C. Bobbitt, Council Member
Gilbert Chichester, City Attorney
Mayor Doughtie welcomed Congressman G. K. Butterfield and his staff,
and thanked them for taking time to meet with us to discuss our needs
and concerns.
City Manager Sabiston provided an overview of the “State of the City”
indicating that the City has struggled over the last few years because
of the economy, and last March had to make some major budget cuts. He
stated a few full-time positions and all part-time positions were cut
as well as some services. He stated staff did a great job during this
time but they are still feeling the effects. Mr. Sabiston stated also
at that time, the City‘s Fund Balance was pushing the legal limit but
is now up to 19-20%. He stated it is still low and we would like to
see it increase. He stated another turn of the economy or issues with
the theatre could set us back. Mr. Sabiston stated we are taking a
serious look at a transfer station and have been discussing the
possibly of doing something jointly with the County. He stated another
project the City is struggling with is the Roanoke Rapids Theatre. He
stated we have good operators out there but the economy has been
something of a hurdle. He stated they are doing the best they can to
keep the doors open. Mr. Sabiston stated the City is on the line with
Bank of America for its debt on the theatre. He stated we would like
some help and were hoping there may be some bills to appropriate funds
for a new facility to draw traffic such as an east coast
visitor’s/welcome center. He stated this could appeal not only to just
the citizens here but to people going up and down I-95 which is the
busiest interstate in the country. Mr. Sabiston went over the listing
of current projects and grants the City is pursuing. (The written copy
that was reviewed at Tuesday night’s work session was distributed.) He
stated the City would like to get some direction regarding any
possible appropriations for the theatre or any other projects. He
stated we would like to have a centralized parks and recreation
facility.
Mayor Doughtie indicated that City Manager Sabiston has been here for
about six months and we feel fortunate to have a very highly qualified
City Manager. He stated our department heads have done a great job
working with limited resources.
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Mayor Doughtie stated his long-term vision is to do something about
the high unemployment rate in Halifax County. He stated the number one
pressing need here is economic development which will bring more jobs.
He stated we are trying hard to not have a tax increase. He stated the
City had to cut numerous City services and we need to be able to put
those things back. Mayor Doughtie stated the City is a partner in the
new airport and that is something we can offer to industries. He
stated we have the I-95 corridor, natural gas and plenty of land and
water. He stated having served on the School Board for 15 years, he
has seen that we need to greatly improve the quality of students
coming out of the school system in order to attract business and
industry. He stated he has spoken with the High School Principal and
Superintendent about students coming to our Council meetings. He
stated we need the input from the leaders of tomorrow. Mayor Doughtie
stated he would like to see our City Council, County Commissioners,
the State and others come together during this time of shortages and
do what is best for everyone—not just for Roanoke Rapids and Halifax
County.
Congressman Butterfield thanked the Council for letting him come and
meet with them today. He apologized for being late and indicated that
he has been visiting many places in his district. He stated he
realizes the voters of Roanoke Rapids have chosen new leadership, and
that leadership has a vision for the City. He thanked them for what
they are doing and will continue to do for Roanoke Rapids. Congressman
Butterfield stated he represents District 1 which is very large, and
includes Halifax County and 22 other counties. He stated when
President Obama took office on January 20, 2009, our country was in a
financial mess. He stated the question is what we are going to do
about it. He stated we have to be leaders and climb out of this mess.
He stated one of the things they did was pass stimulus bills that
would invest money into job creation and growth. He stated much of
that money is being allocated by the Governors. He stated the stimulus
package is intended to put people to work for “shovel-ready” projects.
He stated they believe it is working as they are starting to see some
promising signs. Congressman Butterfield stated to get some of these
funds in Roanoke Rapids, he would propose thinking outside of the box.
He stated the City should not put all of its eggs in the “earmark”
basket. He stated 99.9% of the earmarks are legitimately worthwhile
projects but we have had some that have been embarrassing. Congressman
Butterfield stated he presented the President of the Community College
a $150,000 check today. He stated he is not sure how long we will be
able to earmark projects. He stated you can get the most results from
agency funding such as HUD, Homeland Security, FEMA, Health & Human
Services and USDA. He stated in order to access these funds, you must
put together quality proposals and get creative. Congressman
Butterfield stated his office can help put the spotlight on the City’s
proposals. He stated he has a lot of friends in the executive branch
of the government. He stated Roanoke Rapids is a special community and
Halifax and Northampton Counties have some real challenges. He stated
he was impressed by the City’s proposed USDA projects presented
earlier by the City Manager. He stated USDA-Rural Development has
excellent funding.
Mayor Doughtie thanked Congressman Butterfield for the valuable
information he has given to us today. He asked the Congressman if he
would like to comment on the healthcare reform.
Congressman Butterfield stated the healthcare system in America is
broken. He stated access to health insurance is a challenge, and we
could not wait another year to deal with healthcare reform. He stated
every President over the last 50 years has tried to fix the healthcare
system and failed. Congressman Butterfield stated the cost of
Medicare—a wonderful program—is out of the roof. He stated 50 million
people in this country have no insurance. He stated many of these
people work everyday or are self-employed and cannot
15389
afford health insurance. He stated the hospitals are losing money on
Medicare and Medicaid and rural hospitals are teetering on the edge.
He stated we needed to find a way to get everyone insured.
Mayor Doughtie stated we are trying to make the best of a difficult
situation. He stated about four or five years ago, we lost thousands
of textile jobs and our former Mayor and Council members were asked to
look for ways to help the situation. He stated no one could foresee
what would happen with the economy. Mayor Doughtie stated we need to
put together quality grant proposals and get them to the people that
can help us—and try to move forward.
City Manager Sabiston stated he will follow up with Congressman
Butterfield’s staff. He thanked the Congressman for his offer to help.
Councilman Ferebee stated it is always a pleasure to drive through
Wilson on Highway 264 and see the improvements the Congressman has
helped make possible. He stated he would like to see some of those
stores here on I-95 and something to help with the theatre.
Congressman Butterfield stated he has met with Mr. Gatling a few
times.
The meeting concluded in order to allow Congressman Butterfield to get
to his next appointment.

Lisa B. Vincent, City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL ACTION ON: 5/11/10

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