City of Whiteville issued the following announcement on Nov. 13.
The Whiteville City Council Tuesday, November 10, unanimously agreed to award city employees a 3% cost-of-living salary adjustment (COLA) retroactive to July 1, the beginning of the current fiscal year. The council had deferred action on a possible COLA when the current budget was adopted in the summer in order to better understand the effects COVID-19 would have on city finances.
Finance Director Colburn Brown presented council numbers Tuesday showing that the COLA is affordable. Under Councilman Justin Smith’s motion, a COLA would not be given the city council or the mayor. The motion also included a $100-per- employee Christmas bonus.
A city consultant, Engineering Services, has obtained prices ranging from $25,000 to $35,000 – depending on the type and style – for installation of a new bridge to West Whiteville Park and council Tuesday authorized to execute a contract for engineering services for the project. The bridge will be of one-piece construction and installed on a concrete pilings. The project is engineered to withstand years of wear and potential flooding from Mollies Branch. The total project cost is estimated at $150,000.
Council also approved the city’s sewer asset management plan, which will provide a roadmap to continue repair/rehabilitation on the aging sewer system, and which has been discussed extensively in previous meetings. The plan identifies and prioritizes needs in a manner that staff will be able to methodically rehabilitate the sewer system. Estimated sewer capital improvements over the next 10 years total $3,930,355.
Three fire department-related items were approved by council. The first, a FEMA SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant, would provide financial assistance related to staffing capabilities. The total cost for the grant, including the federal share, is $829,774. The city’s cost is estimated at $69,148 the first two years for six firefighters and $179,784 the third year.
Council authorized submission of a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant application, 95% of which would be funded with federal monies with the other 5% coming from local funds. The city share will be $6,190.48, while FEMA will pay $130,000.
Council approved Fire Chief David Yeargeau’s request to enter a partnership with the National Fire Safety Council in fire safety and prevention education at no cost to the city.
A low bid of $18,200 was awarded Fairfax Heating and Air for the replacement of two HVAC units – both over 15 years old – at Vineland Station. The funds will be appropriated in the form of a loan from the general fund to the depot and, as revenues come into the depot, the depot will repay the general fund. The city owns 95% of the depot and operates it after assuming operational duties from the Vineland Station board of directors, which now operates in an advisory capacity.
The council reappointed Alton Melton to a three-year term on the Whiteville ABC Board.
The council also approved a stipend/reimbursement for retiree health insurance to $589.36 per month for retirees under 65 years old and $90 per month for retirees over 65.
City Manager Darren Currie will update council on the Mollies Branch sewer project, new ABC store construction and the McKenzie Woods storm water project.
Original source: https://whitevillenc.gov/news/2020/11/13/whiteville-council-okays-3-cola-for-employees
Alerts Sign-up