Village of St. Helena Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting

Held on March 19, 2026

Mayor Robert Barnhill called the meeting to order at 6:40 P.M. In addition to Mr. Barnhill, Council Members Neil Benton, Shirley Jacobs, Judith Katalinic and Gerald Velie were present. Ms. Mary Bakan, Interim Village Clerk, announced this constituted a quorum. Absent was Mr. Carey Childress. Also present were Ms. Bakan; Mr. Robert H. Corbett, Village Attorney, and Ms. Stephanie Moore, Village Planner.

The new flag was raised on the new flagpole in front of the Village Hall in a ceremony led by Boy Scout Troop 242 of Burgaw and they led the pledge of allegiance. The Salute to the North Carolina Flag was recited.

Agenda Hearing: There being no objections or additions, the agenda was approved by consent.

Public Comment: There were none.

Approvals: Minutes of the February 19, 2026 meeting were approved on motion by Mr. Benton, seconded by Ms. Katalinic. The February 2026 Financial Report was approved on motion by Ms. Jacobs, seconded by Mr. Benton.

Reports: A written report was received from Mr. Louis Hesse, in his absence. Ms. Moore reported that the Planning Board would meet in April to consider two rezoning requests.

Unfinished Business: On motion by Mr. Benton, seconded by Mr. Velie, the Rules of Procedure for the Village Council were adopted.

New Business: On motion by Ms. Katalinic, seconded by Ms. Jacobs, the audit of the budget records for fiscal year 2024-2025 was accepted. On Motion by Ms. Jacobs, seconded by Ms. Katalinic, the contract with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Company to conduct the next audit was approved. The contact with Bowden Electric to install lighting for the flag and to reinstall the lighting fixture for the Village Hall front entrance was accepted on motion by Ms. Katalinic, seconded by Mr. Velie.

On motion by Mr. Velie, seconded by Mr. Benton, the meeting stood adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Bakan Interim Clerk