By Joy Warren
Elizabethtown Council received a request from Alex Munroe from Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery to amend the Code of Ordinances to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays at licensed facilities. The North Carolina Legislature recently approved House Bill 2, known as the “Brunch Bill”, which allows for restaurants to sell alcohol beginning at 10 a.m. Convenience stores may not sell alcohol until noon on Sundays. Council approved the request as presented.
A public hearing was held to solicit public comments and information regarding a special use permit from Hilda Odom to allow a church in the Central Business District located at 104 S. Cypress Street. Following the close of the hearing, Council members Dicky Glenn and Ricky Leinwand both stated they were not opposed to the church itself, but to making changes in the CBD. A motion was made to approve the request with the condition that the facility have one parking space for every four seats in the church. There was a 3-3 tie so Mayor Sylvia Campbell voted to approve the request as presented.
A second public hearing was held at the noon Work Session on the Letter of Conditions and Agreements for securing a loan from USDA for Phase II of the Downtown Revitalization Project. Council authorized the incurrence of indebtedness for the Project.
Council approved the conceptual plan and authorized work to begin on the final design for the concession stand and restroom projects at Leinwand Park. Public Works Director Pat DeVane told Council that they are working in conjunction with the Bladen Crisis Center to come up with a plan that will work for both entities.
In other administrative matters, Council approved voting delegates (Herman Lewis and Rufus Lloyd) for the 2017 Annual NCLM Conference; approved test well recommendation on a site at the Industrial Park; approved Unpaid Fiscal Years Tax Report and collection order; and approved the monthly financial report.
Mayor Campbell announced the Town has been awarded a $2.5 million dollar grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation. The money will be used for a Fire and Rescue Center to be located at the old Jessup Motor Company site.
Council rescheduled the September meeting to September 5 because of the Labor Day Holiday.
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