[00:00:02]
WE'D LIKE TO WELCOME[1. Meeting opened by Mayor Dana E. Outlaw. Prayer Coordinated by Alderman Bengel. Pledge of Allegiance.]
EVERYONE TO THE NEW-BORN BOARD ABOUT THE MEETING AT THIS TIME.PRAYER TONIGHT WILL BE GIVEN BY ALDERMAN SABRINA.
DEAR HEAVENLY, FATHER, LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE DAY.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS WE HAVE RECEIVED, OR WOULD WE ASK THAT YOU BE WITH THIS BOARD PRESENT HERE TONIGHT? GIVE US THE WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM YOU.
LORD, BE WITH US AND MAY OUR WORDS AND OUR THOUGHTS BE PLEASING TO YOU AND LORD BE WITH ALL THOSE CITIZENS AND ALL THEIR NEEDS AND CARRY THEM THROUGH AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEXT DAYS AND WEEKS.
AND I ASK THIS ALL IN YOUR PRECIOUS NAME.
WHAT DID YOU JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF MY COUNTRY? I PLEDGE THAT'D BE NICE, WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE, MAN.
OUTER WOMAN HARRIS ASKED HER OUTER MCKINSEY, ALDERMAN DESK, PRESENT ARGUMENT ITEM HERE.
UH, IT'S FOR GOOD WITH THE JAM.
ANY CHANGES BEFORE WE GET GOING AT THIS TIME,
[Items 3 & 11]
WE DO HAVE REQUESTS AND PETITIONS OF CITIZENS.UM, AT THIS TIME, IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC ITEMS THAT INDIVIDUALS WON'T COME UP AND TALK ABOUT, YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES TO DO THAT ANY AND ALL ITEMS. IF YOU'RE, IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING AND YOU HEAR THE COMMENTS MADE BY SOMEBODY, UM, PLEASE TRY TO BE CONCISE, SUCCINCT, AND, AND BECAUSE THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE QUITE A FEW SPEAKERS, UM, IF YOU WOULD, UH, LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS, IF YOU HEAR HEARS THEM ALREADY SAY, UM, AT THIS TIME WE WE'LL START OUT WITH REQUESTS AND PETITIONS THAT CITIZENS, I WAS JUST WONDERING IF IT WOULD BE EASIER IF WE WOULD GROUP THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 11 AND THE MOU.
I, UH, IT MIGHT BE EASIER IF IN REFERENCE TO ITEM NUMBER 11, THAT ANYONE THAT IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THAT ISSUE TONIGHT, IF WE COULD GROUP THAT TOGETHER AND EITHER, UM, LOOK AND HAVE THAT AT THE TIME OF THE DISCUSSION SO WE CAN DO A PRESENTATION OR SO THAT, UH, OUR CITY ATTORNEY CAN DO THE PRESENTATION AND, UH, MAYBE GIVE SOME INFORMATION PRIOR TO PEOPLE SPEAK.
AND AT THIS POINT NOW JUST LET PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SPEAK ON OTHER ITEMS. OKAY.
I'M JUST PUTTING THIS TO THE BOARD OF, LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION TO SEE IF THIS SPURS THINGS ALONG.
IF, IF WE MOVED ON TO LEBANON AND STAFF MADE STAFF COMMENTS CONCERNING ITEM NUMBER 11 AND MADE SURE EVERYBODY NOW KNOWS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY, UM, THAT SOME OF THEIR COMMENTS MIGHT CHANGE A LITTLE BIT, DEPENDING ON, UM, WHAT THEY'RE HEARING IN FACEBOOK LAND OR OTHER AREAS OF GETTING INFORMATION.
WE WON'T PART OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
900 NUMBER 11 IS WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THIS THE PUBLIC, UH, EARLY ON EARLIER OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY AND NEWBURN.
UM, BIT OF A DIGRESSION HERE IN THIS CITY WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I TURNED 16, HE GOT A JOB AT EYE POPS, RED AND WHITE, WHICH IS NOW BIBLICAL HOUSE OF GOD CALLING BRIAN.
ONE THING I REMEMBER THERE WAS THIS GENTLEMAN WHO USED TO COME IN, I WORKED IN AFTERNOONS AT THE HOSPITAL AND WHEN HE WOULD COME IN, I WORKED IN, IN GOD, THE CAMP'S PRODUCE DEPARTMENT.
AND WE HAD FOLKS WHO COME IN, YOU GOT TO KNOW HIM.
AND THIS, THIS GUY WAS PROBABLY IN HIS THIRTIES AND I WAS JUST TURNED 16 AND HIM AND THE FAMILY, THEY WOULD COME IN AND WE FINALLY GOT KNOW EACH OTHER ENOUGH.
I SAID, WHAT KIND OF WORK DO YOU DO? HE SAID, I'M A WELDER.
I SAID, WHAT DO YOU WORK AT BARBARA BOATS? OR DO YOU WORK AT NUMEROUS? SHIPYARD GOES, THAT'S WHERE THEY WORK.
THOSE WAREHOUSES, WHAT AIN'T GOING UP AND RUN YET.
HE SAID, NO, I ACTUALLY WORK IN DELAWARE.
AND, UH, THIS IS THE WAY A LOT OF FOLKS GROWING UP, UM, SOLID NEW-BORN.
AND I STILL SEE IT IS THAT, THAT GENTLEMAN, HE TOLD ME THAT HE LEFT NEW VERN ABOUT 12 O'CLOCK ON SUNDAY AND DROVE A DELAWARE.
SO HE COULD MAKE A GOOD LIVING BECAUSE HE COULDN'T MAKE IT NEWMAN BECAUSE IT WASN'T WEYERHAEUSER HERE YET.
AND WE'RE IN A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.
AND I'M NOT JUST TRYING TO SAY THAT WHEN ANYBODY OVER, AND I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU THAT THE NUMBER 11 WE'VE DISCUSSED TONIGHT, UM, IT'S NOT ALWAYS BEEN WHAT YOU SEE HERE, NEWBURN AND IT'S, IT'S CHANGED A LOT OF NEWBURN CAUSES THE URBAN RENEWAL DOWN AND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
[00:05:01]
AREA, UH, WHICH JUST LIKE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.THERE WERE A LOT OF UPSET PEOPLE ABOUT A LOT OF BUILDINGS THAT GOT DEMOLISHED.
ONE OF THEM IN PARTICULAR, THAT DIDN'T WAS THE HARVEY MATCH, BUT I SAT THERE ON MIDDLE STREET TALKING TO MR. MAXWELL WHILE, UH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BILL EVIDENCE WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THIS WAS FOR THE BETTER GOOD.
AND ONCE YOU HAVE DOWNTOWN NEWBURGH, AND TODAY IS A RESULT OF A LOT OF HURT FEELINGS AND A LOT OF UNKNOWN.
AND SO TONIGHT, UM, PART OF THAT PROCESS, WE'RE GOING TO START THIS THING UNDER PETITION TO CITIZENS, PLEASE BOARD BY MOVING IT UP.
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT THROUGH A HOUR'S WORTH OF OTHER ITEMS, ITEMS ONE THROUGH 10.
AND IF THERE'S THE BOARD, COULD I HAVE A MOTION ON THAT TO MAKE A MOTION, SIR, THAT WE ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT DO NOT CONCERN ITEM NUMBER 11 TO COME TO THE PODIUM NOW, AFTER THEY ARE COMPLETED, I WOULD ASK THAT WE MOVE ITEM UNDER ITEM NUMBER 11 UP AFTER THE CONSENTED AND PUBLIC COMMENT ASSOCIATED TO THOSE, TO THAT ITEM AT THAT TIME.
MA'AM THE ONLY THING I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS SOME PEOPLE COME TO JUST SPEAK THEIR PEACE AT PETITION OF CITIZEN, AND THEN THEY LEAVE.
SO WE DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE THAT'S SPEAKING ON THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION AT THE SAME TIME AFTER THE PRESENTATION, DURING THE, HOW LONG THE PRESENTATIONS ON TAPE OR WHATEVER.
WELL, I DON'T, I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A REAL LONG PRESENTATION IF ANY, AT ALL.
SO, UM, IF, IF HAVING SAID THAT, IF STAFF COULD KEEP THEIR REMARKS BRIEF, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, LIKE HAPPENS A LOT OF THESE MEETINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT AN HOUR, HOUR AND A HALF.
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW WHAT RESIDENTS ARE HERE FOR.
DID WE HAVE A SECOND, SECOND? UH, DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION, SAY, AYE.
SO AT THIS TIME THE PETITION WE HAVE THAT IS NOT ASSOCIATED ROUND NUMBER 11, BARBARA SAMPSON.
DID YOU HAVE, OR YOU ONLY THING, JAMES.
I'LL GET YOU IN JUST A MINUTE.
AND HE HAD BARGAINED SUDDENLY DID PITY.
COULD YOU GIVE US YOUR DRAFTS AND UM, FOR THE RECORD? OKAY.
UH, MY ADDRESS IS WAY NORTH ATLANTA HIGHWAY TO THE FIVE DRUGS IN THE HERO.
AND I WANT TO GIVE THEM HONEST WITH GOD AND TO MY MOTHER, DR.
SAMSON AND MY LATE FATHER, JOHN SAMPSON, THE COUNTER COMMISSIONER DINOSAUR, JR.
THEY KEEP THEIR DREAM AND THEIR VISION ALIVE.
I WAS, I WAS SAYING THAT I WASN'T GONNA COME HERE ANYMORE BECAUSE YOU GUYS BROKE.
MY SPIRIT IS STAYING AWAKE BECAUSE A LOT OF US VOTED AGAINST IT, BUT YOU STILL WENT AGAINST WHAT WE SPOKE AGAINST.
BUT THEN I REALIZED THAT JUST A BATTLE WITH US NOW WAS NOT OVER.
BUT SO NOW I MOVE ON TO NOW, I SEE WHERE AT UNION POINT, YOU ALL STARTED TO TRY TO ADD SOME MORE THINGS TODAY, SOME MORE PLACES AND LET PEOPLE BUY CERTAIN AREAS.
SO THEN I START THINKING THAT THIS COULD BE A PART ABOUT DIVERSITY PLANNING.
WE MADE SURE WE GET SOMEBODY WHO IS UNDER A PRIVILEGE OR, YOU KNOW, UNDERSERVED TO BE IN THAT AREA.
NOT JUST PUT THINGS THAT FOR US, THAT'S UNDERSERVED IN OUR VIEW, WE WANT TO BE OUT HERE WITH EVERY BAG YOU SEE US, AND THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME FOR YOU ALL TO START DOING IT.
AND I WANT TO BECOME A BOSS FOR THE BOSSES, THE ONES THAT WANTING TO SAY, BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO SEE IT.
AND THE ONES THAT DON'T REALIZE WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT MADE ME STOP THINKING OF ALL THIS I'LL WATCH THE CHANNEL THREE, THE DOMINANT CHANNEL WHERE BARBARA BEST WAS INTERVIEWING THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS.
SHE WAS TELLING THE JANICE LAMPSON.
IT WAS MIRROR BANKS AND IT WAS MS. GRAYSON.
AND IT WAS, UH, UH, MY MOTHER, SHE WOULD DO ALL THE INTERVIEWING THEM.
AND I HAVE A SAYING, I SAY, THEY SIT HERE AND FOUGHT THAT HARD.
AND I JUST, THE ONE THING BREAK MY SPIRIT.
I SAID, NO, I'M GONNA KEEP FIGHTING FOR THE ONES THAT'S ON THE SUIT.
I'M A REPRESENT MY FATHER, UH, MARTIN LUTHER KING HAD A DREAM, BUT MY FATHER, MY MOTHER, THEY HAD A VISION AND I'M GOING TO KEEP ON FIGHTING FOR THAT VISIT THEY HEAD.
AND, BUT I'M GOING TO DRAW THE SEAL.
[00:10:01]
TALKING ABOUT DIVERSITY.I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE'S SUMMIT, BUT I WANT Y'ALL TO KEEP THINKING ABOUT JAIL, MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOMEBODY DOWN THERE TO REPRESENT US ON THE SERVE.
AND THEN I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE METRO THING.
THAT'S JUST COMPETING AGAINST SOUTHERN NAME.
I DON'T MIND THEM COMING, BUT I DON'T WANT NOBODY TO COME AND TELL ME, GIVE ME A NOTICE THAT THEY COMING INTO MY YARD, OUR PREFERRED TO BE ASKING, SAYING THAT I'M PAYING TAXES AND STUFF.
NOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOUR BODY DOES FOR YOU, BUT THAT'S MY OPINION.
AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO COME IN MY YARD WITHOUT ASKING AND START DIGGING UP MY YARD, IF YOU, IF YOU, IF THAT'S THE CASE, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HELP ME PAY MY TAXES OR GIVE ME SOME FREE CABLE OR SOMETHING.
BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT THE SITUATION.
AND I'M ALWAYS WANTING TO SPEAK OUT FOR WHAT I FEEL IS NOT RIGHT THAT OVER OTHER PEOPLE FEEL IT'S NOT RIGHT, BUT WHAT I FEEL IS NOT RIGHT, BUT YOU ALWAYS WANT TO KEEP SEEING ME COMING DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS A FIGHT.
I'M GONNA KEEP FIGHTING FOR MY MOTHER.
I'M GONNA KEEP FIGHTING FOR MY FATHER-IN-LAW PICKED FOR MYSELF.
THEY LET PEOPLE KNOW WE ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
WE JUST WANT TO BE LOST WITHOUT THEM, BUT NOW WE HIT IT TO THE WALL.
I'M AWARE THAT YOU GUYS HAD THAT MEETING ON MONDAY.
DO YOU WANT TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHAT TRANSPIRED? MY NAME IS EDWIN VARGAS.
I'M WITH ONE 19 BRANDON WOOD LANE IN NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT OTHER COUNTIES LIKE OSLO COUNTY HAVE A ORDINANCE FOR BEGGARS AND PANHANDLES, BUT NEWBURN HAS WHEN ALL SELLS SECTION 46, 10 PUBLIC SOLICITATION AND BEGGING REGULATED.
I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY TO MOVE BURN POLICE DEPARTMENT IN A LOT OF INSTANCES THAT I'VE SEEN PEOPLE BEGGING AND PANHANDLING ON NOT ENFORCING THE LAW, BECAUSE IT'S A VIOLATION OF GS 14, FOR ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY OF THE REVISIONS IN THIS ACT, WHICH IS, SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO SOLICIT, BEG, OR ASK FOR MONEY OR OTHER THINGS OF VALUE TO EXHIBIT ON, SELL FOR PURPOSE OF SOLICITING, BEGGING, OR ASKING FOR MONEY OR OTHER THINGS OF VALUE TO SOLICIT OR OTHERWISE OFFER FOR SALE OF GOODS AND SERVICES.
NOW THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY, UM, THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THEY SEE A PERSON BEGGING FOR MONEY, THAT THEY NEED TO REPORT, IT IT'S A VIOLATION OF THE LAW.
IF A PERSON WANTS TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT IN DOWNTOWN MIDDLE STREET HAD THAT ESTABLISHMENT HAVE THAT PERSON GO INSIDE THAT RESTAURANT AND PLAY FOR THEM BECAUSE THERE'S AN ESTABLISHMENT, A COFFEE SHOP ACROSS THE STREET FROM ONE.
AND I ALWAYS SEE A PERSON OUTSIDE PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT AND GETTING MONEY, WHICH IS VIOLATION OF THIS ACT.
NOTHING SAID IT'S TURNED A BLIND EYE.
THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, THE LAWS, THE LAW, AND NOBODY CAN BE ABOVE THE LAW IF YOU'RE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
SO ALL I'M SAYING IS THE NEWBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO STEP UP THEIR GAME.
AND THEY SEE PEOPLE BEGGING NOT ONLY DOWNTOWN, BUT AT LOWE'S AND OTHER PLACES, THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY THAT CAN HELP THEM.
YOU GOT RCS, YOU GOT RELIGIOUS SERVICES THAT CAN HELP THEM.
YOU GOT CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS THAT COULD HELP THEM.
THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE CHASTISED BECAUSE EITHER FOR THEIR OWN REASON, THEY DON'T WANT TO WORK.
I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM MONEY BECAUSE IT'S JUST CONTRIBUTING TO THE DRUG HABIT AND HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEMS ARE MORE THAN GLADLY TO SIT DOWN A PERSON AT A RESTAURANT AND PAY THEIR MEAL.
BUT MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE GOING TO REFUSE THAT BECAUSE THEY WANT THE MONEY FOR OTHER THINGS.
I JUST WANT THE CITY OF NEWBURGH POLICE DEPARTMENT TO UPHOLD HIS SECTION 46, 10 POLICE SOLICITATION AND BEG AND REGULATE IT TO BE AN ENFORCED.
UH, MR. HUGHES, WOULD YOU UPDATE EVERYBODY? YES, SIR.
THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER DID LET US KNOW THAT, UH, THE, THE SIGNAL IS CURRENTLY BEING BROADCAST ON CITY THREE TV.
HOWEVER, IT IS NOT BEING BROADCAST ON THE WEBSITE OR ON, UH, FACEBOOK DUE TO, UH, UH, AN OUTAGE WITH SWAGGER.
THEY'RE CURRENTLY WORKING TO TRY TO GET THIS CORRECTED.
THE MEETING IS BEING RECORDED.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF COLLEEN HAS AN UPDATE FOR US, BUT IT IS BEING RECORDED.
SO IT WILL BE SHOWN IN ITS ENTIRETY.
WE'VE ALSO BEEN ALERTED THAT THE SOUTHERN LIKE SYNC
[00:15:01]
SIGNAL HAS ALSO THE ONE DOWN THE SUDDEN.SHE SAID THE SUDDEN LINK LINK HAS GONE DOWN.
OH, WAS JR 19 0 3 COMES IN CLARK ROAD.
UM, I'M WEARING BLACK BECAUSE I'M IN THE MORNING.
I'M IN THE MORNING BECAUSE LAST WEEK, ANOTHER YOUNG MAN THAT LOOKED LIKE ME WAS KILLED IN HIS HOME.
HE WAS KILLED IN HIS HOME FROM A NO NOT WARRANT.
THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT WENT IN HIS HOUSE.
WHAT I SEEN ON VIDEO WITH WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD, THEY KICK THE COUCH THAT HE WAS LAYING ON TO WAKE HIM UP.
10 SECONDS AFTER THEY ENTERED HIS HOME.
I'M TIRED OF BEING TIRED OF BEING TIRED OF YOUNG PEOPLE BEING KILLED, BUT NO, NOT WARRANTS.
I'M STANDING BEFORE MY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO ASK YOU TO BEG YOU, PLEASE, IF WE HAVE NO KNOCK WARRANTS IN NEW BERN, WE NEED TO GET RID OF THEM.
I UNDERSTAND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, THIS WARRANT, THE GUY WHO WAS KILLED WAS NOT NAMED ON THIS WARRANT.
SO THEREFORE THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS INTEL WAS WRONG WAY.
I DON'T WANT US TO BE MARCHING IN THE CITY OF BERN BECAUSE IT HAPPENED HERE.
I AM A PROACTIVE PERSON, PLEASE.
I'M GLAD SHERIFF HUGHES WAS, HE IS HERE BECAUSE MY NEXT MOVE IS TO GO TO THE COUNTY AND ASKED HIM THE SAME THING, BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.
NOW WE DON'T NEED TO WAIT TO THE PROBLEM HAPPENS.
WE NEED TO HANDLE THIS NOW, PLEASE, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE MARCHING IN THE STREET.
THEY GET PEOPLE THINKING THAT I'M AGAINST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE I'M NOT HOWEVER WE NEED TO DO BETTER FOR OUR CITIZENS, PLEASE.
I AM AT STONY BRANCH ROAD, NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA, TWO AT 5 6 2.
I ALSO HAVE A BUSINESS DOWNTOWN IN MIDDLE STREET AND I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS I SAW ON NEXT DOOR THAT THERE IS A PURCHASE OF THE ELKS BUILDING AND POSSIBLE, UM, UNION PARK.
AND I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS, BAIT THEM FROM THE NEXT DOOR THAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT IS HOW WE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW THIS WOULD IMPACT TRAFFIC DOWNTOWN.
I WAS THINKING, DID YOU GET DOWN HERE TRAFFIC? YES.
COULD YOU WAIT JUST A SECOND AND WE'LL GET RIGHT BACK WITH YOU JUST FEW MINUTES.
UM, MR. DAVIS, AT THIS TIME, WOULD YOU PROCEDURALLY TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT WE'RE DOING TONIGHT? WHAT WE COULD COULD DO IN SITUATION LIKE THIS, BUT WHAT WE ARE DOING? UM, WHAT I MOU IS HOW BINDING IT IS, HOW NON-BINDING IT IS, UH, PROCEDURALLY.
UM, UH, FIRST STEP OF THE JOURNEY IS A HUNDRED TO A THOUSAND STEPS.
WHERE WOULD THIS BE? UH, WHAT, WHAT, UM, OBSTACLES HOOKS WOULD THERE BE BEFORE ANYTHING WAS BUILT ANYWHERE? SO JUST WALK THROUGH THAT FOR A FEW MINUTES.
MAYOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD THAT YOU HAD BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
JUST SAY LET'S MAKE SURE THAT MIKE IS VERY HOT SO EVERYBODY CAN HEAR.
IF ANYBODY CAN'T HEAR, LET ME KNOW, CALL MY WE'LL BE AROUND WAY TO HERE.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT MY TOP ME, YOU GOT ME.
HOW ABOUT IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM? CAN Y'ALL HEAR? OKAY.
I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR.
YEAH, WE'LL START AT THE BEGINNING OF MAY.
I REMEMBER THE BOARD YOU HAD BEFORE.
HE'S NOT A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
THAT IS WHAT WE CALL THE MOU IT A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.
UM, A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IS A COMMITMENT TO WORK TOGETHER IN GOOD FAITH TO DEVELOP A BINDING CONTRACT.
I LIKEN IT TO, UM, GETTING ENGAGED, RIGHT? IF YOU ADOPT THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TONIGHT, YOU WILL BE ENGAGED WITH A GOOD FAITH COMMITMENT TO
[00:20:01]
WORK TOWARD CARRYING OUT AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THE ITEMS ADDRESSED IN THE MOU.UM, MUCH LIKE A COUPLE MIGHT IMAGINE THEIR PREMARITAL AGREEMENT.
YOU WILL MOVE FORWARD AND WORK OUT THE TERMS OF YOUR PREMARITAL AGREEMENT.
IF YOU CAN'T DO THAT, YOU STOP AND IT'S OVER, RIGHT? YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO MOVE FORWARD IN GOOD FAITH.
IN THIS PARTICULAR MOU, IT ADDRESSES THREE SEPARATE PROJECTS, TWO PRIMARY PROJECTS, AND ONE SECONDARY PROJECT.
THE PRIMARY PROJECTS ARE THE REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ELKS BUILDING.
THE SECOND PRIMARY PROJECT IS THE CORNER OF CRAVEN AND SOUTH FRONT STREET.
THAT FOLKS LOCALLY CALL THAT TALBOT'S LOT.
THE DEVELOPER IS INTERESTED IN DOING BOTH OF THOSE PROJECTS AT THE SAME TIME.
IF THEY'RE GOING TO MOBILIZE AND BRING THEIR FORCES TO REHABILITATE THE ELKS BUILDING, THAT MAKES MUCH MORE ECONOMIC SENSE FOR THEM TO DO TWO PROJECTS RATHER THAN JUST ONE.
THAT'S WHY I CALL THAT THOSE TWO, THE PRIMARY PROJECTS, THE THIRD PROJECT IS A SECONDARY PROJECT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT EVER HAPPEN FOR LOTS OF REASONS.
I'M GOING TO CIRCLE BACK TO THAT ON THE PRIMARY PROJECTS, WITH RESPECT TO THE ELKS BUILDING, WE DON'T HAVE A PARTICULAR ASK AT THIS POINT.
WHAT THE DEVELOPER IS ASKING FOR IS A COMMITMENT TO WORK TOWARDS AND USE CITY RESOURCES TO IDENTIFY GRANTS, STATE, FEDERAL FUNDS, ANYTHING WE CAN DO, INCENTIVES TO HELP MITIGATE THEIR COSTS.
THEY HAVE A PRELIMINARY BUDGET OF $25 MILLION FOR THAT PROJECT.
THERE ARE TRAFFIC ISSUES, PARKING ISSUES, OFFSITE ISSUES, INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES, MANY ISSUES TO UNTANGLE.
WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR IS THAT THE CITY WORKED WITH THEM TO IDENTIFY THOSE ISSUES.
AND TO THE EXTENT WE CAN HELP THEM WITH RESOURCES TO DO SO.
THOSE RESOURCES MAY INCLUDE A PERIOD OF TAX ABATEMENT OR TAX CONTRIBUTIONS, WHERE WE TAKE PART OF THE INCREASE IN THE FUTURE TAXES AND REBATE THAT TO THEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS TO OFFSET SOME OF THEIR COSTS, RIGHT? THAT IS A VERY TYPICAL AND TRADITIONAL TYPE OF PROJECT WHERE FROM THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S POINT OF VIEW, WE LOOK TO THE INCREASE IN THE TAX BASE.
WE LOOK AT THE INCREMENTAL REVENUE THAT'S GENERATED FROM THAT INVESTMENT.
AND WE SHARE PART OF THOSE INCREASED TAXES BACK WITH THE DEVELOPER TO OFFSET COSTS.
WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT UNDER THE LAW? YOU CAN ONLY DO THAT.
YOU CAN ONLY DO THAT UNDER THE LAW.
IF YOU FIND AS A BOARD THAT THE PROJECT INCREASES, THE POPULATION INCREASES, THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES INCREASES THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR CITY.
SO THAT'S A FINDING THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE AT THE VERY END OF THE PROCESS.
THE LAW DOES NOT LET US GIVE MONEY TO PEOPLE BECAUSE WE LIKE THEM OR WANT THEM TO SUCCEED.
IT HAS TO BE A COST BENEFIT WHERE YOU DETERMINE ARE THE JOBS AND TAX BASE AND OPPORTUNITIES WORTH THE INCENTIVES.
THE SECOND PROJECT, THE TALBOT'S LOT IS PROPOSED TO BE A FIRST FLOOR RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT WITH UPPER LEVEL LUXURY APARTMENTS.
THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THAT, THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET IS $15 MILLION.
THE ASK ON THAT PROJECT IS, AGAIN THE SAME AS THE FIRST WORK WITH THEM IN GOOD FAITH TO IDENTIFY GRANTS, STATE, FEDERAL LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MITIGATE THEIR COSTS, BUT ALSO TO CONTRIBUTE THE LAND AS PART OF THE INCENTIVE FOR THAT PROJECT.
AND THOSE TWO TOGETHER, THE TWO PRIMARY PROJECTS WOULD BE BUNDLED AS ONE PACKAGE TO CONVEY LANE IT AS PART OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE.
WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S WORTH AND WE HAVE TO DO THE EXACT SAME MATH THAT WE WOULD DO ON AN ELPS BUILDING PROJECT, WHERE WE HAVE TO VERIFY THAT THE VALUE THAT WE'RE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT PROJECT RESULTS IN INCREASED JOBS, INCREASED TAX-BASED INCREASED BUSINESS FOR OUR CITY.
THAT'S THE BIG PICTURE ON THOSE TWO PRIMARY PROJECTS.
[00:25:01]
THERE'S A MILLION DETAILS WE CAN DISCUSS ABOUT BOTH OF THOSE PROJECTS.THE TALBOT'S CORNER HAS A LOT OF ISSUES.
WE HAVE TWO TRANSFORMERS THAT SIT ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THAT PROPERTY.
WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ON THAT PROPERTY.
SO THERE'S LOTS TO WORK THROUGH.
AS WE WORK TOWARD A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, IF WE ALL WORK, ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE HEARD IN CONCERNS IS WHY WOULD YOU GIVE AWAY LAND TO A PERSON? AND THEN IT TURNS OUT THEY DECIDE NOT TO BUILD OR WON'T MOVE FORWARD.
WE'LL OF COURSE WE WOULD NEVER DO THAT.
THESE AGREEMENTS HAVE MILESTONES IN CONDITIONS THAT ARE BUILT INTO THEM.
SO THERE'S NO VERSION WHERE WE GIVE SOMEONE A DEED TO OUR PROPERTY AND HOPE THEY DO THEIR BEST AND HOPE THAT IT WORKS OUT RIGHT.
THERE ARE, THERE ARE SIMPLE OBJECTIVE MILESTONES, FINANCIAL GUARANTEES, LOANS, PERFORMANCE BONDS.
THAT MUST BE IN PLACE BEFORE WE TAKE THE STEP TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT.
IF YOU GO FORWARD THE SECONDARY PROJECT THAT WE REFER TO AS THE BATHROOM SECTION OF UNION POINT PARK, THAT IS THE NORTHERN PARCEL THAT IS NORTH OF THE TERMINUS OF SOUTH FRONT STREET.
SOUTH FRONT STREET IS, IS THE MAIN ROAD INTO THE PARK.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ALL THE LAND TO THE LEFT.
AS YOU FACE THE TRENT RIVER, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OBSTACLES WITH RESPECT TO THE SECONDARY PROJECT.
THE FIRST PRACTICAL OBSTACLE IS THAT THE DEVELOPER MAY NOT WANT TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.
IF, IF THE FIRST TWO PRIMARY PROJECTS ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL, IT WOULD MAKE NO SENSE TO MOVE FORWARD, RIGHT? SO THERE IS A PRACTICAL OBSTACLE TO OVERCOME IF, AND WHEN THAT TIME COMES, IS IT GOING TO MAKE SENSE FOR THEM? THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LEGAL OBSTACLES TO THAT PROJECT.
WE HAVE MANY YEARS AGO RECEIVED A GRANT TO, UH, ACQUIRE THAT PROPERTY.
IT CANNOT BE CONVERTED TO, TO ANY OTHER USE AT THIS TIME, IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A CONVERSION OF THAT USE, IT HAS TO GO THROUGH A RIGID PROCESS, STARTING WITH THE STATE, ENDING UP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, WHERE YOU AS A BOARD WOULD HAVE TO PROVE TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE FOUND AND ACQUIRED A COMPARABLE PUBLIC PARK TO OFFSET THE LOSS OF THE SPACE THAT YOU WOULD BE CONVERTING.
THERE'S A LOT OF STEPS INTO THAT ONE HURDLE, SO THAT MAY NEVER COME TO PASS.
THAT PROJECT IS AN 18 TO 24 MONTH PROJECT.
IF WE STARTED TOMORROW ON THAT CONVERSION PROCESS TO JUST ASK IF IT IS POSSIBLE, WE MAY BE TWO YEARS AWAY FROM GIVING AN ANSWER AS TO WHETHER THAT'S POSSIBLE.
WE ALSO HAVE THE PRACTICAL PROBLEM OF IDENTIFYING AND GETTING UNDER CONTRACT, A SUITABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT WOULD MEET OR EXCEED THE SAME CONDITIONS THAT EXIST ON THIS PARCEL.
OTHER PRACTICAL OBSTACLES THAT THAT ONE WOULD TALK ABOUT IN A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
WE TALK ABOUT THAT PARCEL FROM SOUTH FRONT STREET, DOWN TO THE WATERFRONT, BUT THERE'S NOT A VIRGIN WHERE WE WOULD RELEASE THE PUBLIC'S RIGHTS ALONG THE WATERFRONT IN MY ENTIRE CAREER FOR MY ENTIRE LIFETIME.
CERTAINLY MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VISION TO CONNECT LAWSON CREEK PARK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE WATERFRONT UP THE NEUSE RIVER.
SO IF THAT PROJECT WERE TO COME TO PASS, IT WOULD BE WHAT THE EXPECTATION AND ILLEGAL RESERVATION OF THAT WATERFRONT FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE.
SO THAT, THAT, THAT RIVER WALK COULD BE CONTINUED ALONG THE WATERFRONT AROUND COMFORT SUITES AND OVER TO THE CONNECTION IN FRONT OF PERSIMMONS.
SO THAT WOULD BE A MATERIAL ISSUE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I DON'T KNOW, AT THIS POINT, WHAT THAT RIVER ROCK WALK RESERVATION MIGHT LOOK LIKE, BUT IT'S AN ISSUE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO UNTANGLE IF YOU WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, TO MAKE SURE THAT MAINTAIN THAT PUBLIC CONNECTIVITY AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE NEUSE RIVER BEHIND THIS PARCEL, OTHER ISSUES, OUR RESTAURANTS, WE HAVE RESTROOMS ON THAT PROPERTY.
I WOULD EXPECT THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO FIND A WAY TO MAINTAIN 24 7 ACCESS TO PUBLIC RESTROOMS ON THAT PARCEL.
[00:30:01]
PARKING PARKING IS A MAJOR OBSTACLE FOR THAT PARCEL, LOTS TO UNTANGLE WITH HOW WOULD ONE DEAL WITH PARKING THAT'S REQUIRED FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT PARKING THAT'S REQUIRED TO USE AN ACCESS, THE PARK, THE REMAINING PARK, UM, PARKING TO KEEP THAT TRAFFIC FLOWING SAFELY.SO WE ARE CALLING THAT PHASE OF THIS, THE SECONDARY PROJECT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE HIGHER HURDLES, WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION, WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THAT NOW, WHEN IT'S SO HARD AND THE ANSWER IS IT'S HARD, AND IF IT'S EVER GOING TO HAPPEN, ALL THAT INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE PROCESSED NOW IN AN EFFORT TO BE MADE NOW SO THAT BOTH PARTIES CAN START THINKING THROUGH THAT, TO SEE IF IT'S EVEN POSSIBLE, GIVEN ALL THE CONDITIONS THAT THE CITY IS GOING TO WANT AND ALL OF THE CONDITIONS THAT THE DEVELOPER MAY WANT.
IT'S A COMPLICATED ASK AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO UNTANGLE AND IT MAY NEVER COME TO PASS, BUT WE'LL NEVER KNOW UNTIL WE START.
THAT'S WHY IT IS PACKAGED AS PART OF THIS.
MAY I HAVE AN EXTRA QUESTION? UM, SCOTT, CAN YOU, UM, KIND OF GIVE SOME INSIGHT TO THE CITIZENS AS WELL ON WHY THEY'RE PROBABLY JUST NOW HEARING THIS INFORMATION BECAUSE, UM, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING FOR SOME SORT OF DEVELOPMENT OR PEOPLE COME TO US, WE NEED TO BE PRIVY TO IT FIRST, BEFORE WE THINK THAT IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO MOVE FORWARD, JUST SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO THE BEST TO BE TRANSPARENT AND THAT WE WEREN'T TRYING TO.
UM, AND LET ME, LET ME CIRCLE BACK TO THE MAYOR.
ONE OF THE MAYOR'S MANY QUESTIONS HE ASKED ME ORIGINALLY, WHAT IS THIS PROCESS? THE STATE STATUTES ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS.
GENERALLY THOSE AGREEMENTS, THOSE CONTRACTS, BINDING CONTRACTS ARE NEGOTIATED IN CLUBS SESSION.
WHY CLOSED SESSION? BECAUSE WHEN NEGOTIATING, AS, AS YOU, AS A BOARD COLLABORATE AND THINK OF YOUR ASKS AND YOUR WANTS, WE CAN'T DO IT ON TV IN FRONT OF OUR NEGOTIATIONS PARTNER.
SO WE DO IT IN A CLOSED SESSION SO THAT WE NEGOTIATE.
ONCE WE COME TO A MEETING OF THE MINDS AND WE WRITE THAT THAT CONTRACT CALLED A AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, THE STATUTE REQUIRES A PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH WE COULD HAVE DONE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING AFTER WHICH AT THE END OF THAT HEARING, YOU COULD HAVE ADOPTED THAT CONTRACT AND WE WOULD BE DONE.
THAT IS NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.
THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT WHATSOEVER TO DO AN MOU.
AN MOU IS THE MOST TRANSPARENT WAY TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
WE HAD TO START IN CLOSED SESSIONS SO THAT WE COULD UNDERSTAND AS A BOARD, WHAT OUR WANTS SWORE IT MAY WELL HAVE BEEN THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS AT ALL.
IN WHICH CASE THERE'LL BE NO MORE CLOSED SESSIONS AND NO MOU, BUT AS YOU MEET AND TALK THROUGH THESE ISSUES, WE COME TO A CONSENSUS THAT WE ARE NOW AT A STEP THAT WE DATED FOR AWHILE.
AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET ENGAGED, TO SEE IF WE ARE SUITABLE, TO BE MARRIED SOMEDAY.
SO THIS IS WHAT AN MOU IS FOR.
THIS IS THE MOST TRANSPARENT PROCESS WE ARE HERE IN A LIVE MEETING, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A PUBLIC HEARING, NONE OF WHICH IS REQUIRED AT ALL, BUT IT'S THE BEST THAT YOU CAN DO TO BE TRANSPARENT IN THIS PROCESS.
MIRA, OF COURSE, SCOTT, ALSO, MR. DAVIS, ALSO, CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC, UM, THAT THE NEWBURN HISTORIC LLC HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY BECAUSE I'VE GOTTEN SOME PHONE CALLS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
YES, MA'AM UM, THAT IS THE NAME OF THE LLC THAT THE DEVELOPER CHOSE TO TAKE TITLE TO THE ELKS BUILDING.
THAT IS JUST THE NAME OF THEIR PRIVATE COMPANY THAT THEY WILL USE TO DEVELOP THAT BUILDING NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY CITY BUSINESS, CITY, COMMISSIONS BOARDS OR ANYTHING, ANYBODY ELSE, UM, MR. HUGHES, DID YOU HAVE A FEW COMMENTS OR ANY PRESENTATIONS? SO WE DIDN'T WANT TO SHOW YOU SOME VISUALS OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
IF I COULD ASK COLLEEN TO PULL THOSE UP THAT WAY, EVERYONE HAS AN IDEA OF THE PROPERTIES IN QUESTION, DO WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE FEED ON THE MOON?
[00:35:16]
SO WE'LL GO THROUGH AND GIVE YOU AN IDEA.UM, THE ELKS TEMPLE BUILDING THIS, LOOK IT AT 3 0 1 MIDDLE STREET.
THIS IS WHAT NEWBURN HISTORIC LLC PURCHASED IT.
THE 1ST OF JANUARY, THE TABLET LOT ALSO LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF SOUTH FRONT AND CRAVEN STREET IS THE, IS THE GRASSY PARTIAL THAT YOU THAT'S THE AERIAL OVERHEAD.
AND THEN IT'S JUST UNDER HALF AN ACRE.
CAN YOU SEE A FULL AERIAL OF UNION POINT PARK? NOW UNION POINT PARK IS A LITTLE OVER SIX ACRES IN TOTAL.
THE AREA THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOR THIS IS THE NORTHERN MOST SECTION, COLLEEN, IF YOU'LL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS THE PROPOSED AREA, AND THIS IS APPROXIMATELY TWO ACRES.
AND SO AS THE CITY ATTORNEY MENTIONED, YOU SEE A BLUE LINE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, WHICH SHOWS HOW THE RIVERWALK COULD EXTEND UP TO GO AROUND THE ADJOINING PROPERTY.
UM, AS THE CITY ATTORNEY TALKED ABOUT, HE TALKED ABOUT THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE PROJECTS AND THE ESTIMATED, UH, ANTICIPATED INVESTMENT.
BUT I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT THE ESTIMATED AD VALOREM TAXES FOR EACH OF THESE PROJECTS AND THE JOBS THAT THE KESSLER GROUP IS REFERRING TO.
SO IN THE ELKS PROJECT, ANTICIPATED INVESTMENT IS 25 MILLION.
THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAXES WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $120,550.
ESTIMATED ANNUAL MSD TAXES WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $34,375.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF JOBS GENERATED FOR THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL WOULD BE 70 WITH SEVEN EXECUTIVE POSITIONS WITH THE AVERAGE SALARY OF $87,700 FOR MANAGER POSITIONS WITH AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $54,250 AND 59 LINE STAFF WORKERS WITH AN AVERAGE WAGE OF $16 PER HOUR ON THE SOUTH FRONT AND CRAIGIE PROPERTY.
LIKE THE ATTORNEY SAID, THIS WOULD BE RETAIL FIRST, FLORIDA, UPSCALE APARTMENTS ABOVE WITH AN ANTICIPATED INVESTMENT OF $15 MILLION.
ESTIMATED ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAXES WOULD BE $72,330.
ESTIMATED ANNUAL MSD TAXES WOULD BE $20,625 ON THE RESTROOM PARCEL UNION POINT PARK.
THEY ARE PROPOSING A GRAND LUXURY HOTEL.
THEIR ANTICIPATED INVESTMENT WOULD BE SEVENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.
THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAXES WOULD BE $361,650.
ESTIMATED ANNUAL MSD TAXES WOULD BE $103,125.
THEY ESTIMATE GENERATING 109 JOBS.
THEY ALSO ASKED TO MAKE EIGHT EXECUTIVE POSITIONS WITH AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $104,000 11 MANAGEMENT POSITIONS WITHIN THE AVERAGE SALARY OF $52,000 AND 90 LINE STAFF POSITIONS WITH AN AVERAGE WAGE OF $15 PER HOUR.
MY BOARD HAVING COMMENTS QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME, WE WILL START LIVING STATIONS COME UP, ANYBODY.
THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO START LETTING THE PUBLIC COME UP AND MAKE THEIR COMMENTS.
YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES AGAIN, IF YOU, UH, I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU A LITTLE BIT IN WHATEVER COMMENTS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
AND, UH, IF YOU DO HEAR SOMETHING, SOMEBODY SAID, PLEASE, UM, BUT TOM'S GOING TO BE HERE ALL NIGHT.
IF WE DON'T TRY TO BE CONCISE ON IT.
UH, THE FIRST ONE WOULD BE KATIE TIME IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME FORWARD.
AND, UM, YOU HAVE A PODIUM FOUR MINUTES, PLEASE GIVE US YOUR ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
HI, I'M KATIE HUNT, 1116 NATIONAL AVENUE HERE IN NEW BERN.
AND I AM YOUR NEW SERVER KEEPER HERE REPRESENTING SOUND RIVERS BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS, UH, ESPECIALLY ON THE TRANSPARENCY ISSUE.
I UNDERSTAND IMMA USE AND SUCH, BUT IT DOES ESSENTIALLY SEEM THAT THE CART HAS BEEN PLACED BEFORE THE HORSE HERE IN THAT, THE WAY THAT THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC IS THAT IT HAS BEEN DECIDED.
AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS HAPPENING WITHOUT ASKING THE PUBLIC FIRST, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT OR NEED? UM, SPECIFICALLY THE UNION POINT I UNDERSTAND IS A SECONDARY PROJECT, BUT WOULD BE A VERY PROBLEMATIC SITE FOR ANY KIND OF DEVELOPMENT, ESPECIALLY THIS LUXURY HOTEL, UH, BECAUSE THIS AREA IS VERY PRONE TO FLOODING ALREADY, NOT JUST FOR HURRICANES, BUT, UH, SIGNIFICANT RAIN EVENTS AND VERY WINDY DAYS.
[00:40:02]
ALSO THE TELEVISION LOT IS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING GREEN SPACES IN DOWNTOWN NEWBURN.AND BY CREATING MORE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES, WE'RE ADDING TWO MORE OF OUR STORMWATER AND FLOODING PROBLEMS, SOMETHING THAT GOES COMPLETELY AGAINST THE NEW-BORN HAZARD MITIGATION AND RESILIENCE RESILIENCE PLAN.
THAT I'VE BEEN A PART OF THE STAKEHOLDER PROCESS ON.
AND I'VE ALSO WORKED WITH THE ENGINEERS ON THIS PLAN SPECIFICALLY CITING UNION POINT AS AN AREA FOR IMPROVEMENT FOR STORM WATER AND FLOODING, ET CETERA.
UH, LASTLY, THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC ACCESS, AS I SAID, THERE AREN'T MANY GREEN SPACES LEFT DOWNTOWN AND HAND POINT IS UNIQUE IN PROVIDING PUBLIC ASSET ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE AND RIVER ACCESS.
AND, UH, THOUGH THERE IS THAT OBVIOUSLY IF YOU TAKE, YOU GOT TO REPLACE, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO FIND SOMEWHERE EQUIVALENT THAT HAS THE GREEN SPACE, THE BOAT RAMP, THE BOAT, PARKING PUBLIC RESTROOMS, ET CETERA.
UH, SO TWO OUT OF THESE THREE PROJECTS ARE VERY BIG CONCERNS FOR ME, ENVIRONMENTALLY SPEAKING, AND AS WELL AS THE RESILIENCY AGAINST FLOODING POLLUTION FROM STORM WATER RUNOFF, UH, ACCESS FOR OUR PUBLIC AND OUR GREATEST WATERWAY OR OUR GREATEST ASSET IT'S WATERWAY.
SO I'M HERE TO ASK THAT THIS RESOLUTION NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT HEARING MORE FROM THE PUBLIC.
I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT WE NEVER DID THE CONSENT AGENDA.
WE'LL CONTINUE ON WITH THE AGENDA TAMMY SMITH, IF YOU WOULD COME ON UP AND GIVE US YOUR ADDRESS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THAT'S ONE OF THAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO TAKE YOUR DOGS FOR A WALK OR, OR TO MEET YOUR FRIENDS AND TO TAKE AWAY.
PART OF UNION POINT IS JUST AWFUL.
AND TO BUILD MORE THINGS ON THE WATERFRONT DESTROYS THE BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE RIVERS.
THAT IS THE ONLY PLACE IN NEWBURN DOWNTOWN, WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE WHENEVER THEY BUILT ANOTHER MOTEL DOWN THERE.
IT REALLY WAS UPSETTING TO ME WHEN THEY BUILT THE SHERATON.
IT WAS SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT BECAUSE IT IS BEAUTIFUL TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE OPENNESS AND THE GREEN.
AND IT'S JUST REALLY MAKES ME VERY SAD THAT WE MIGHT LOSE MORE OF THAT OPEN, BEAUTIFUL SIGHT OF THE RIVER.
TAMMY, WHAT'S YOUR ADDRESS? GOTCHA.
UM, GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN MAYOR OUTLAW AND CITY OFFICIALS.
I'M LYNN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SWISS FAIR.
I AM HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK TO THE IMPORTANCE OF ONGOING INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN NEWBURN AND IN OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND REGION SWISS BEARS INTEREST AS THE NORTH CAROLINA MAIN STREET ORGANIZATION FOR THE CITY OF ZEALAND IS TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT OF A VITAL DOWNTOWN DISTRICT THAT CONTINUES TO GROW AND THRIVE.
SWISS BEAR RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN GREEN SPACES FOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL AS THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTMENT THAT LEADS TO AN INCREASED TAX BASE, ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND THE ECONOMIC WELLBEING OF OUR CITY, SO THAT ALL WARDS CAN BENEFIT.
SWISS BEAR HAS BEEN A PARTNER WITH THE CITY FOR DECADES WORKING TOWARD THIS END BY CENTENNIAL PARK, A TRACT OF WATERFRONT WHERE THE CONVENTION CENTER AND DOUBLETREE NOW STAND WAS AN OUTGROWTH OF A PLAN IN THE 1980S TO THOUGHTFULLY DEVELOP THAT SECTION OF WATERFRONT FOR THE OVERALL BENEFIT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND IN 2021, THE DOUBLETREE PROPERTY TAXES ALONE WERE APPROXIMATELY $34,000 BASED OFF OF AN ASSESSMENT OF JUST UNDER 7.4 MILLION THOUGHTFULLY PLANNED FUTURE DOWNTOWN PROJECTS THAT RESULT IN INCREASED REVENUES.
THIS IS DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY AND REGION WILL ENABLE US TO REMAIN VIBRANT AND POSITION US IN STRATEGIC WAYS FOR THE FUTURE.
MY PURPOSE IN SPEAKING TO YOU THIS EVENING IS TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT CONTINUING
[00:45:01]
DISCUSSIONS AND FULL EXPLORATION OF THE PROPOSED OPTIONS.THE MOU OUTLINES A PLAN FOR FURTHER EVALUATION.
IT CREATES A FRAMEWORK FOR EXPLORING PROPOSED PROJECTS WITHOUT COMMITTING EITHER PARTY TO THOSE PROJECTS.
I AM NOT HERE TO ENDORSE OR NOT TO ENDORSE THE KESSLER PROJECTS.
I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR FULL AND OPEN EXPLORATION OF THE POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE PRESENTED IN THE MOU.
I AM HERE TO SUGGEST THAT FURTHERING CONVERSATIONS TO UNDERSTAND THE DESIGN PLANS AND POTENTIAL BENEFIT OF THESE PROJECTS, WHAT THEY COULD HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE IS WORTHWHILE, PROCEED IS WORTH PURSUING.
THIS APPROACH IS CONSISTENT WITH SWISS BEAR'S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THE CITY AND REALIZING ITS FULL POTENTIAL, WHATEVER THAT POTENTIAL MAY INCLUDE AND WHATEVER PROJECTS IT MAY INCLUDE.
WE WON'T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO UNTIL WE LOOK WITH AN OPEN MIND AT WHAT WE DO.
AND I ALSO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP VISION AND ENDURING COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR FUTURE.
UM, AND MY ADDRESS IS 6 0 2 MIDDLE STREET.
THERE LIVE AT 525 CLUBHOUSE DRIVE.
I RELOCATED HERE IN 2006 FROM NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA.
I LOVE THE CITY AS DO ALL OF YOU.
AND I BELIEVE THAT UNITED PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME, I HAVE IN MY OFFICE, A PENTATONIC DRAWING OF THE WAY UBER LOOKED BEFORE THE WATERFRONT WAS DEVELOPED WITH THE SHIPYARDS WERE THERE AND THE LADIES OF THE NIGHT, AS I UNDERSTAND BY THEIR TRADE.
AND I JUST SAID IT WAS A DANGEROUS AREA.
DON'T THEY? IN THE VISION OF SWISS BEAR HAD MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM AND INCREASED THE LIVABILITY OF NEWBURGH INVADED SO THAT PEOPLE WHO LEFT HERE ARE COMING BACK.
MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS NUMBER 11 AGENDA ITEM, AND I'VE GOT SOMEBODY NOTES, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, BUT I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT.
WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, MY CONCERN IS TRANSPARENCY.
MY CONCERN IS THE CITY ATTORNEY SAYING WE HAVE A ROMANCE GOING, UH, WE'RE ENTERING INTO AN ENGAGEMENT.
I THINK THAT, UH, WE SHOULD SHOW THE BRIDE AND GROOM MEET THE OTHER'S PARENTS AND FAMILIES AND I THINK PERHAPS THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO HAVE MORE OPEN FORUMS. WE'RE GETTING INTO AN ELECTION PERIOD.
I APPRECIATE THE DEVELOPERS WILLINGNESS TO INVEST MORE MONEY THAN I HAVE, OR YOU HAVE IN THIS CITY.
HOWEVER, THEY HAVE AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE.
I WAS PLEASED TO HEAR SET THIS EVENING THAT THE TITLE TO THE ELKS BUILDING TRANSFERRED FROM THE CITY OR WHOEVER ALL DID TO THE DEVELOPER ON JANUARY 1ST, IS THAT CORRECT? YES.
THE FIRST TIME I LOOKED AT DOWNTOWN FROM A DEVELOPMENT POINT OF VIEW WAS DURING THE TELEPHONE BUILDING DISCUSSION.
A NUMBER OF US MET IN THE THIRD FLOOR CAPTAIN READING'S.
I BET SOME OF THE CITY LEADERS AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THOSE WERE LEADING IT TO THEM.
THAT WAS TOTALLY REBUFFED BY THE CITIZENS SWITCHING HERE FOR A SECOND.
LAST FRIDAY, THE STATE SUPREME COURT ISSUED A RULING LATE FRIDAY, WHICH NORMALLY COMES OUT OF COURTS WHERE THEY'RE NOT NO THAT THE PEOPLE WON'T BE HAPPY WITH THEIR RULINGS.
THEY CAME UP WITH A RULING ABOUT REDISTRICTING, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHO WAS BELOVED.
I THINK IN THIS CITY, PAUL NEWBIE IN HIS DISSENT STATED THE SUPREME COURT HAS YOU SERVED THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT HAS RULED.
AND I REPEAT AS YOU SERVED THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, I WOULD ASK THAT THIS BODY, PLEASE BE VERY COGNIZANT OF THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE
[00:50:01]
AND WHO ELECTED.I AM NOT A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF NEWBURGH.
I LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS, BUT I SPEND MOST OF MY DAYS AND A GOOD MANY OF MY NANEX AT THREE 16 SOUTH FRONT STREET.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF YOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
UH, MY COMMENTS ARE NOT REAL WELL PREPARED, BUT I'LL KEEP THEM BRIEF.
AND IT'S JUST A COUPLE OF POINTS I'D LIKE TO MAKE.
UH, LAST SUMMER A GENTLEMAN FOUND HIMSELF IN OUR MARKET AND HE FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.
LIKE MANY OF US, UH, FELL IN LOVE WITH, CAUSE I WAS BORN HERE, BUT TO ME A GOOD MANY OF YOU, GOOD MINI VIEW.
YOU JUST FOUND YOURSELF HERE FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.
WHETHER IT WAS, HE WAS HERE BY ACCIDENT, PURELY BY ACCIDENT.
WE SEE PEOPLE I'M LUCKY ENOUGH TO MEET PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, COMING TO THIS MARKET AND THEY FALL IN LOVE WITH THE DIFFERENCE WITH THIS GUY IS HE'S GOT THE MEANS.
THE DIFFERENCE WITH THIS GUY, HE WILL JUST COME HERE AND SPEND MONEY AND HE WANTS TO CREATE JOBS FOR OUR CITIZENS.
HE WANTS TO CREATE TAX REVENUE FOR THE CITY.
HE WANTS TO INVEST OVER A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN THIS CITY THAT HE LOVES, REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS IN ALL HARD FOODS THAT ARE BEING THROWN AROUND ABOUT THIS THING.
WE MUST BE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THIS GUY FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS MARKET WILL SPEND A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.
AND THE OTHER DIFFERENCE IS WE CAN CHECK EVERYTHING THAT HE'S DOING.
WE CAN GO TO CITIES WHERE HE'S DEVELOPED OTHER PROPERTIES AND WE CAN FIND OUT WHETHER HE DID WHAT HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO DO.
DID HE DO ALL OF IT? DID HE DO MORE THAN HE SAID WE WAS GOING TO DO HOW GOOD A BUSINESS PERSON WAS HE WAS TO DEAL WITH.
THIS IS NOT JUST YOUR AVERAGE GUY.
IF YOU'LL LET ME, THEY'RE EASY, THEY'RE SICK.
YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THINGS WITH PEOPLE AND THEN YOU CAN JUST WALK AWAY.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT THAT COMES OUT OF THAT.
I'VE READ THIS IN MOVIE AND I ENCOURAGE, IF YOU'VE NOT READ THIS THING, YOU MUST READ THIS THING BECAUSE TH FOR ALL THE LEGAL JARGON, THAT'S IN IT AT THE END, YOU GET TO WALK AWAY.
IF YOU WANT TO, YOU DON'T EVEN REALLY HAVE TO SAY WHY YOU CAN JUST DECIDE TO MR. DAVIS, IS THAT NOT RIGHT? YES.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, FOR ALL OF THE WAREHOUSES AND WHEREFORES AND ALL THE LEGAL JARGON, IT'S A CONVERSATION.
THIS MAN JUST WANTS TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU PEOPLE AND WITH A BOOK.
SURELY EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM UNDERSTANDS THAT YOU TOLD ABOUT SACRED PROPERTY.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT UNION POLLING, BUT IT'S CONVERSATION AND THERE'S A LOT MORE UNKNOWNS ABOUT THAT UNION PROJECT TODAY, THEN THERE ARE UNKNOWNS.
AND AT ANY POINT WHEN ONE OF THOSE UNKNOWNS IS NOT MAKING YOU HAPPY, YOU CAN WALK AWAY, NO HARM, NO FOUL.
AND MY LAST POINT, UH, GIVE ME YOUR VIEW.
UH, YOU PAY STAFF TO DO IT A GOOD MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM.
WE SPEND OUR DAYS GOING TO MEETINGS DURING THE MORNING, DURING THE NIGHT, ALL THAT MEETING AFTER MEETING, TALKING ABOUT TAX REVENUE FOR THE SEAT, TALKING ABOUT CREATING ECONOMIC GAMES FOR THIS MARKET AND TALKING ABOUT CREATING JOBS, GOOD PAYING JOBS, GOOD PAYING JOBS.
AND WHAT I WONDER IF YOU DON'T AGREE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH THIS MAN WITH MEANS JUST TO APPROVE THAT MOU, HOW WOULD WE EVER LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER AGAIN, OVER A TABLE OR A CUP OF COFFEE, AND SERIOUSLY SAY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC GAINS AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT AND JOBS FOR OUR CITIZENS.
IF WE REFUSE TO EVEN HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THIS MAN ABOUT IT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
METRO MUST BE 25 0 6 MONTGOMERY COURT, NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA, 2 8 5 6 2.
UH, NOTICED IT WASN'T AT A HUNDRED PERCENT CAPACITY.
IT'S RIGHT DOWNTOWN, BUT WE'LL BUILD ONE RIGHT BESIDE IT.
UM, 1981, WE BECAME A MAIN STREET CITY, NORTH CAROLINA BEING ONE OF SIX STATES TO RECEIVE THE PILOT PROGRAM.
BACK THEN FOR OVER 35 YEARS, NEWBURN HAS BEEN A NATIONAL EXAMPLE OF JUST NOT HOW SUCCESSFUL MAIN STREET PROGRAM, BUT HOW HISTORIC PRESERVATION CAN BE THE FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SOME OF YOU WANT TO THROW THAT OUT THE WINDOW TODAY, POSSIBLY DOWN THE FUTURE, MAKE IT LOOK LIKE Y'ALL CARE ABOUT THE CITY.
WHEN ACTUALLY YOU WOULD JUST WANT TO LEAVE YOUR MARK ON IT.
[00:55:01]
IS THIS A BUSINESS MOVE FOR THE CITY? THANKS A BUSINESS MOVE FOR SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THESE SEATS, SABRINA BAGEL, YOU GAINED, UH, HOW MUCH FROM THIS TOUR IS MAD ABOUT THIS, UH, PLACE BEING OPEN.HOW MUCH DO YOU STAND TO GAIN POSSIBLY FROM THE BUSINESSES THAT YOU OWN DOWNTOWN ALSO BEING ON THE BOARD FOR THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT POINT OF ORDER HERE, SIR? YES, SIR.
IT'S NOT FOR YOU TO BELITTLE ANYBODY ON THIS BOARD.
WHY AGAIN, SIR, YOU WILL BE ESCORTED OUT.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES AT HAND IN THAT BATHROOM SITUATION.
SUPPOSEDLY THIS LUXURY HOTEL IS GONNA ALLOW THE PUBLIC INTO A BATHROOM WITH CURRENT COVID REGULATIONS.
I DON'T BELIEVE ANY PUBLIC RESTAURANT OR ANY TYPE OF BUSINESS IS ALLOWED ANYONE WHO ISN'T A PAYING CUSTOMER UNTIL THEIR ESTABLISHMENT.
UM, NOT MUCH OF THE PART THAT'S GOING TO BE ALTERED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION.
MEANWHILE, WITH THE SAFETY STANDARDS THAT CURRENTLY ARE WITH OSHA, SCAFFOLDING HAS TO BE SO MANY FEET.
AND SO THEREFORE IT WILL IMPEDE THE LAND AND ALSO THE ROADS THAT ARE DOWN THERE.
UM, ARE WE JUST GOING TO MAGICALLY LOCATE ALL THE PARKING AND EVERYTHING AROUND THIS MESS? AND HONESTLY WE'RE HAVING ALL THIS DESCENT AND EVERYTHING OVER 109 JOBS IN ONE BUILDING WHEN YOU CAN FIND 109 JOBS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW, DOWNTOWN AS WELL.
UM, WHAT ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WASN'T BUILT, THAT THAT WAS WORRIED ABOUT FLORENCE? UM, WE'LL WE JUST TO MULL OVER THAT ONE? ALL RIGHT.
I'M PUTTING TOURISM OVER THE CARE OF THE REGULAR CITIZENS.
UH, WE DID THE SAME EXACT THING WITH THE COMMUNITY VERSUS Y'ALL WITH THE STANLEY WHITE CENTER.
AND WE SEE HOW THAT TURNED OUT.
UM, WE REALLY NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING REPLACED.
UM, WE DON'T NEED TO TEAR DOWN ANY OTHER WATERFRONT COMMUNITIES AND HAVE THEM BUILD THERE.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD LIVING IN NORTH CAROLINA? IF YOU'RE PRICING PEOPLE OUT OF IT, ISN'T A FEW OF YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON BEST WHAT'S BEST FOR Y'ALL OR FOR THE CITY.
WE'RE A COMMUNITY, NOT A BUSINESS.
WE HAD HOW MANY OTHER PARCELS THAT CAN BE USED FOR THIS HOTEL? HOW MANY OTHER PLACES THAT CAN BE USED TO HAVE FUN AND TO PLAY WITH, BUT STILL THERE'S COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR MONEY FOR MONTHS, FOR YEARS, SINCE FLORENCE, THAT THIS SAME BOARD IS NOT GIVING IT TO FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL FACILITIES AND LOWER INCOME BASED PLACES FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF STANLEY WHITE CENTER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY WAS.
AND Y'ALL SAID, NO, HONESTLY, IS CASH OVER COMMUNITY.
NOT ANYONE BRINGING US TOGETHER HERE.
GIMME MAYOR OUTLAW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND CITY OFFICIALS.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GRAVEN COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
THE TDA SERVES TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP CRAVEN COUNTY AS A TRAVEL DESTINATION.
OUR FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY INCLUDE FACILITATING THE WORKS OF LOCAL GROUPS AND ATTRACTING CONVENTIONS, TOUR GROUPS AND LEISURE, LEISURE TRAVELERS TO CRAVEN COUNTY.
ONE OF OUR FOUR MISSIONS IS TALKING ABOUT CONVENTION AIMED AT INCREASING OCCUPANCY RATES AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF LOCAL LODGING OPTIONS THAT SAID OUR CURRENT AND MOST CRITICAL NEED TO FACILITATE OUR CONVENTION AND GROUP MARKET IS A FULL SERVICE CONVENTION HOTEL.
TRADITIONAL LARGE CONVENTIONS REQUIRE HOTELS WITH 120 TO 150 HOTEL ROOMS OR MORE IN CRAVEN COUNTY.
OUR CURRENT HOTEL INVENTORY CAN NOT ACCOMMODATE THOSE NEEDS.
THE LACK OF A CONVENTION HOTEL NEGATIVELY AFFECTS OUR GROUP BUSINESS AND CRAVEN COUNTY AND PLACES A CHALLENGE ON THE MARKETING AND PROMOTION OF THE NEWBURN RIVERFRONT CONVENTION CENTER, THE HISTORY CENTER AND OTHER MEETINGS IN OUR VENUE OR OTHER VENUES IN OUR MARKETING GROUP AND CONVENTION BUSINESS AND CRAVEN COUNTY HAS ACCOUNTED FOR MORE THAN $1 MILLION ANNUALLY.
THIS YEAR ALONE, WE HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 600, $18,607 IN GROUP BUSINESS DUE TO A LACK OF HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS.
THIS IS A NEGATIVE IMPACT, NOT JUST DIRECTLY TO HOTELS, BUT TO RESTAURANTS, RETAILERS, ATTRACTIONS, AND OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR AREA.
THE TDA ALSO PLACES TREMENDOUS VALUE ON PUBLIC PARKS AND OUTDOOR ASSETS, ESPECIALLY UNION POINT PARK.
IT IS NOT JUST ENJOYED BY TOURIST, BUT BY OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY, THE KESSLER GROUP, OUR DEVELOPERS WHO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION AND ARE NOT INTERESTED IN HINDERING OR DESTROYING SKYLINES, NATURAL BEAUTY OR PUBLIC ASSETS, THEY EMBRACE ALL OF THESE SENTIMENTS AND HAVE A BODY OF WORK THAT EXEMPLIFIES THIS.
I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY RESEARCH THE KESSLER COLLECTION, BUT TO TOUR WITH THE AUTHORITY OF MY BOARD, WORK THEIR WORK AT THE BEAUTIFUL SAVANNAH RIVERFRONT.
NOT ONLY DID THEY ELEVATE THE APPEAL AND THE CHARM OF THAT DISTRICT, BUT THEIR PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS CREATED NEW GREEN SPACE AND PUBLIC ASSETS THAT THE COMMUNITY
[01:00:01]
UTILIZE DAILY DURING THE TIME THAT WOULD THAT GROUP.THEY LEARNED FROM MY MYSELF AS WELL AS SWISS BEAR AND CITY LEADERSHIP, THE PASSION AND LOVE OUR LOCALS FEEL FOR OUR ENTIRE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, AS WELL AS THE CITY, AS A WHOLE TO FOSTER CONTINUED GROWTH AND PROSPERITY FOR NEWBURN, THE TDA WOULD LIKE TO OFFER OUR SUPPORT FOR THE MOU OUTLINING THE THREE PROJECTS TO BEGIN TO THOUGHTFUL AND STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS ON HOW WE CAN WORK WITH THESE VISIONARIES TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEWBURN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
PEGGY BROADWAY, TWO 14 CHAIN STREET, HAVE THEY BEEN FOLLOWED MYSELF UP TO NEWBURN IN 1995, I DEVELOPED A LOVING RESPECT FOR THE TOWN AND ITS PEOPLE AND RETURNED HERE IN 2000.
NEWBURN IS BLESSED EXCEPT FOR HURRICANES WITH THOSE, THE NEWS AND THE TRENT RIVERS DEVELOPMENT IN NEWBURN HAS GREATLY INCREASED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.
CAN YOU HEAR ME GOOD PAST SEVERAL YEARS, THIS HAS RESULTED IN A MARK D DECREASE IN ACCESS TO EITHER THE NEWS OR THE RIVER BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE ONE REMAINING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE NEUSE RIVER FOR NEWBURN AND CRAVEN COUNTY CITIZENS.
ALTHOUGH YOU CAN'T GO OUT TO THE PARK, BUT THE BIRD ACCESS IS ON UNION POINT PARK.
UNION POINT IS USUALLY SPECIAL FOR SPECIAL EVENTS, WHICH INCLUDE MOVIE NIGHT, VOTING EVENTS, CHRISTMAS AND JULY, THE FOURTH CELEBRATIONS MUSICAL EVENTS AND THE CASSANDRA MUM FESTIVAL UNION POINT IS USED DAILY BY CITIZENS FOR WALKS A LUNCH BREAK TO EAT A SANDWICH, LAUNCH, A BOAT FEED THE DUCKS FAMILY OUTINGS WITH THE KIDS OR AN OCCASIONAL WEDDING AT THE GAZEBO, THE CITY, AND IT DIDN'T LIGHT OVER THE FINAL POSSIBLE RESULT.
RESOLUTION OF THE ELPS BUILDING IS CONSIDERING GIVING AWAY THIS ONE AND ONLY AREA ON THE NEWS, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THE ONLY AREA THAT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC KNEW IT IS MUCH LESS THAN IT IS.
NEWBURN IS MUCH LESS IN NEED OF ANOTHER HOTEL, WHICH IS THEN THE LOSS OF THIS LITTLE GREEN CAR UNION POINT WAS STARTED.
AS I RECALL BY A GROUP OF WOMEN, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WHO REALIZED THAT RIVER ACCESS BY RESIDENTS IS CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.
YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION TO SELL ONE FOURTH OF UNION 0.2 DEVELOPERS, AND FOR SERVE THIS ONE AREA FOR THE CURRENT AND FUTURE RESIDENTS OF NEWBURGH AND CRAVEN COUNTY.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT ANY LOSS IN TAXES FROM THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL BE WELL COMPENSATED BY THE GRATEFUL RESIDENTS OF NEWBURGH AND CRAVEN COUNTY.
UM, MICRON, I BELIEVE AT THREE 14 METCALF STREET, UM, YOU'RE, NUBER, UM, I DON'T DISAGREE THE NEW BERNICE TO GROW.
I LOVE IT MORE GROWS WHILE I LIVE MY HOUSE, BUT I DON'T AGREE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE AWAY PUBLIC PARKS AND THINGS THAT DO SUCH YES, THIS IS A MAYBE ENTERING INTO AN ENGAGEMENT, BUT TAKE IT FROM A GUY WHO'S DIVORCED.
IF YOU BOTH AREN'T HEADED TO THE EXACT SAME PLACE, YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO ADMIT THAT IN THE BEGINNING.
AND ENGAGEMENT'S KIND OF STUPID.
SECONDLY, AT SOME POINT IN TIME, SOMEONE'S GOING TO STEP UP AND SAY, IS THERE ANY OF THESE TWO SHOULD NOT BE WED? WELL, IS EVERYBODY SAYING THAT RIGHT NOW? WHY ARE WE DOING, WHY ARE WE ARGUING THIS RIGHT NOW? SECONDLY, WHAT'S THE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WHEN I READ THE MOU, WHICH IF I DID READ IT AND I LIVE HERE IN NEWBURGH, I'M NOT THE ONE WHO'S JUST MAKING MONEY OFF OF IT.
UM, IT BASICALLY SOUNDED LIKE, YEAH, WE BOUGHT THIS BUILDING, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING UNLESS
[01:05:01]
YOU AGREED TO LET US DO THIS OTHER STUFF SPELL.IT SOUNDED TO ME, I'M NOT A LAWYER.
I'M JUST A HILLBILLY ENGINEER FROM TENNESSEE, HOWEVER, AND ALSO DO THE MATH.
AND IT'S 2.2, ONE ACRES, ACCORDING TO THE RATIO OF DEEDS, WHICH IS 33 OF SIX ACRES.
UM, I DON'T SEE WHY WE'RE NOT ENTERTAINING OTHER THINGS AND GETTING WITH THE PEOPLE AND EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOR YOU TO SAY, YEAH, WE AGREE THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO LET YOU BUY THIS.
AND WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO DO THIS WITHOUT US KNOWING WHAT IT'S GOING TO AFFECT OUR CITY, OUR SKYLINE, WHEN I WALK AROUND DOWNTOWN, WHICH I DO FIVE TIMES A WEEK, WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO TO ME AND JUST SAY, YEAH, WE AGREE.
WE'RE PROBABLY GONNA AGREE TO THIS.
IT'S LIKE A LETTER OF INTENT BOARDS.
WE'RE SIGNING A LETTER OF INTENT.
YEAH, YOU CAN BACK OUT ON THOSE, BUT THERE'S ALSO ISSUES WHEN YOU BACK UP, BUT WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT DOING, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS JUST NOW COMING UP, CAME UP TODAY.
WHENEVER WE COULD HAVE ALL BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW, I DON'T KNOW ALL THE LEGAL TERMS. HE'S THE CITY ATTORNEY.
HE COULD PROBABLY FIGURE THIS ALL OUT, BUT THERE USED TO BE A HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN NEWBURN ON THE WATERFRONT.
IT'S JUST NORTH OF THE GALLERY STORE.
THAT'S OWNED BY SOME, UH, BRICK STREET DEVELOPERS, LLC, AND MAYBE AN, A TRUST THAT MAY BE IN WHATEVER THEY HAVEN'T TOUCHED IT IN LIKE 20 YEARS.
WHY IS THAT AREA THAT WAS ALREADY A PREVIOUSLY HOTEL? NOW YOU'D BE CONSIDERED, THERE'S NO LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS WE CAN DO TO SOMEBODY WHO OWNS PROPERTY ON THE WATERFRONT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO IT.
THERE'S OTHER OPTIONS OUT THERE THAT I DON'T THINK THE CITY IS EVEN CONSIDERED OR EVEN TRYING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT.
SO WHY ARE WE TRYING TO SHOVE THIS DOWN? EVERYBODY'S THROAT IN ONE DAY, AGAIN, MOST OF US HERE HEARD ABOUT IT THIS MORNING.
WHY ARE WE JUST HEARING ABOUT THIS NOW? I AM ALL FOR IT.
YOU WANT TO GIVE THAT PLOT OF LAND NEXT TO MITCHELL'S HARDWARE TO THEM TO DEVELOP? ABSOLUTELY.
CAUSE IT'S A BRICK AND JUST EMPTY LOT.
IT'S DOING NO GOOD BUT WHAT'S IT GOING TO LOOK LIKE? WHAT'S THE REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MEET, TO KEEP DOWNTOWN NEWBURGH LOOKING HISTORIC.
THEY CALL THEMSELVES HISTORIC UBER AND LLC, BUT THEY'VE GIVE US ANYTHING THAT SAYS THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP US JUST TO WORK.
AND IT SOUNDS ALMOST TO ME, LIKE THEY'RE SAYING, YEAH, IF YOU DON'T LET US DO THIS OTHER STUFF, YOUR ELIGIBILITY IS GOING TO STAY THE WAY IT IS.
SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE NOT GETTING MORE DETAIL BEFORE WE DECIDE THAT WE WANT TO COMMIT AND SLIGHTLY GETTING ENGAGED TO SOMEBODY.
AND YOU'RE ASKING US WHO LIVED DOWNTOWN TO GET ENGAGED WITH SOMEBODY.
MR. DAVIS, DO YOU HAVE ANY, FROM WHAT YOU'VE HEARD, DO YOU HAVE ANY LEGAL COMMENTS TO, BEFORE WE PROCEED AGAIN, TO HELP THE REMAINING PETITIONS, A RESONANCE THAT MIGHT, UH, HELP THEM IN THEIR DELIVERY AS TO ANY COMMENTS SO FAR YOU'VE HEARD, NOT NECESSARILY MAYOR, UM, OTHER THAN JUST TO RE-EMPHASIZE THAT IF YOU GO FORWARD TONIGHT, IT WILL SIMPLY START A SERIES OF MEETINGS.
UM, LARGELY PUBLIC THAT WILL ULTIMATELY CULMINATE WITH A PUBLIC HEARING WHERE ALL OF THESE DETAILS THAT PEOPLE ARE VERY REASONABLY AND LOGICALLY RAISING WOULD COME UP AND BE PRESENTED.
BUT ALL OF THOSE ISSUES, UM, YOU KNOW, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE PARCELS ARE SUBJECT TO ALL OF OUR LOCAL ORDINANCES.
ALL OF OUR HISTORIC GUIDELINES.
THEY'RE JUST HURDLE AFTER HURDLE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF WHICH ARE PUBLIC AND REQUIRE PUBLIC HEARINGS.
AND ALL OF THOSE EFFORTS ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE TO GO THROUGH.
SO WITHOUT THIS FIRST STEP, IT'S A TREMENDOUS EXPENDITURE OF CITY RESOURCES.
ON OUR SIDE, THEY ARE EXPENSES ON THEIR SIDE.
IF WE DON'T EVEN WANT TO HAVE A FURTHER CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO OR NOT.
BUT THE POINT IS, THIS IS JUST THE VERY, VERY FIRST STEP OF WHAT MAYBE IF YOU GO FORWARD A VERY LONG PROCESS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY AND TRANSPARENTLY ADDRESS ALL OF THESE ISSUES THAT WILL COME BACK BEFORE YOU IN LARGER SPEC, WHICH MEANS IT'S BEFORE THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS AND HAVE INPUT ON.
UH, LARCENY THREE 11 BET STREET.
[01:10:03]
MR. MAYOR, UH, OLDER MEN, OLDER WOMEN, UH, THAT HAD ANY THANKS.UH, EVERYTHING'S BEEN SAID THAT I HAVE IT'S INTERESTING.
I WROTE DOWN THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY ON THIS ISSUE, LACK OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
THE TIMING IS ATROCIOUS TO DROP THIS ON THE PEOPLE AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE, AND GOD HELPED THE NAME, NEW BIRD HISTORIC.
YOU DROPPED ON AN LLC TO CONFUSE EVERYONE.
YOU'VE TAKEN A MAJOR STEP FORWARD HERE IN EDUCATING THIS COMMUNITY.
I WOULD SERIOUSLY URGE THEY LIGHT THEIR HOLY GRAIL HERE SEEMS TO BE A UNION POINT PARK, SEVERAL THAT FROM THE MOU, HAVING AN MOU AND DEALING WITH THE TWO PROPERTIES THAT I THINK EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO SEE DEVELOPED FOR DOWNTOWN PURPOSES AND TREAT THE MOU ON THE UNION WHEN I WOULD SCRAP IT COMPLETELY PERSONALLY, BUT TREAT THAT AS A SEPARATE ISSUE.
I THINK YOU'VE TAKEN A BIG STEP TONIGHT.
I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO INVOLVE THE PUBLIC AS YOU MOVE FORWARD.
THIS MIGHT BE FIVE 11 METCASH STREET.
MY SHOP HAS HIM IN FIVE TO LIVING STREET TO EAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY VERY THANKFUL FOR THE KESSLER'S DESIRE TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WHAT REALLY DISTURBS ME IS OF COURSE, NUMBER THREE, UM, UNION POINT PARK IS THE SMILE THAT GREETS VISITORS COMING ACROSS THAT BRIDGE.
SO TO TAKE AWAY FROM THAT FRONT FACE, THAT WE COULD HAVE TWO PEOPLE COMING TO 10.
IT'S BEEN DEDICATED TO AN IMPORTANT, SIGNIFICANT, UH, SIGNIFICANT CITIZEN.
IT HAS, UH, THE PEACE TREE OF THE TUSCARORA NATION WAS PUT ON THAT PROPERTY THAT PROPERTY HAS.
CAN WE ADD HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE TO THIS TAB? I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT YOU GIVING ME PROPERTY OVER A RANGING FOR PROPERTY, FOR THE KESSLERS TO PUT A HOTEL ON THE WATERFRONT IT'S THAT PROPERTY I HAVE TO STAND PART OF THE PROPERTY IN FRONT OF THE S AND BROAD STREET IS ALREADY OWNED BY THE CITY.
HAS ANYBODY EVEN NEGOTIATE WITH THE SHRINERS TO SEE IF THEY MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN GIVING UP THEIR PART OF THAT? WHAT ABOUT TRIP PARK TREK COURT? YOU'RE ALL GOING TO REDEVELOP THAT ENTIRE WATER.
WHY CAN'T THAT BE? THIS WOULD BE BAD.
YOU HAVE THIS DEVELOPMENT THEY LIKED DEVELOPING WATERFRONT IS GOING TO GIVE THEM LOTS OF ROOM TO DEVELOP A WATERFRONT, NOT SQUEEGEE IN THE MIDDLE OF WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.
THERE'S THE WHOLE WATER FRONT GOING ON THE OTHER SIDE BETWEEN REVERSE THE HISTORIC DISTRICT AND THE PAM HISTORIC DISTRICT.
IT'S ONE THING TO INVESTIGATE PROPERTY FOR THEM TO SUCCESSFULLY PUT IT DEVELOPMENT DOWN TAB AND OBEY, UH, RETAIL, UH, HOTELS.
IT'S ANOTHER TOO CROWDED IN TO WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT MEETING PLACE FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
WE ALREADY GET A OVERCROWDED, UH, WHEN WE HAVE EVENTS DOWN THERE, UM, THE BATHROOMS, AS YOU SAID, ARE ESSENTIAL.
THE NEW YORK TIMES DID AN ARTICLE BEFORE WE PUT UP THE CLUBHOUSE, SAY THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH NEWBURGH IS NOT ENOUGH PUBLIC ACCESS TO BATHROOMS. AND THAT IN THE TRAVEL SECTION AT THE NEW YORK TIMES WHERE YOU RAN IT, THE CLUBHOUSE, OR YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE AWAY ANOTHER WORD.
WE ALSO HAVE HOTEL PROPERTIES THAT AREN'T BEING UTILIZED.
THE BILL BETWEEN THE DOUBLE TREE AND THE CONVENTION CENTER HAS NOT BEEN REHABBED.
HOW MANY HOTEL ROOMS IS THAT? WHAT ABOUT THE HOTEL ACROSS THE STREET? I MEAN, THERE ARE HOTELS TO BE, WELL, I SAID DON'T ALREADY HAVE BUILDINGS, DAFT AND CAL.
I THINK IT'D BE WONDERFUL FOR THEM TO DEVELOP PART OF OUR WATERFRONT, BUT NOT THAT THANK YOU.
[01:15:10]
THEY'RE AN ALDERMAN.I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE KESSLER COLLECTION HAS AN OUTSTANDING REPUTATION IN THE HOSPITALITY ANDRUS INDUSTRY.
AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, I BELIEVE EVERYBODY IN THIS COMMUNITY WAS THRILLED TO HEAR THAT THEY HAVE PLANS TO BUY AND OR IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY REHAB THE ELKS BUILDING INTO AN UPSCALE HOTEL, ENTER DEVELOPER BUILDING WITH APARTMENTS AND RETAIL SPACE ON WHAT IS CALLED THE PROPERTY AT THE CORNER OF CRAVEN AND SOUTH FRONT STREET.
AND THAT WAS PURCHASED WITH MUNICIPAL SERVICE DISTRICT TAX MONEY, UM, IN, UM, THE LATE NINETIES.
UM, AND WHEN THE 1990 URBAN DESIGN PLAN POINTED OUT A PROMINENT BUILDING ON THAT CORNER WOULD ACT AS AN ANCHOR ANCHOR TO THAT BLOCK.
THE CITY HAD ASKED SWISS THERE AT THAT TIME, UM, BOARD MEMBER, MARVIN RANGE TO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES AND PURCHASED THAT PROPERTY BECAUSE IT WAS FOLLOWED BY SO MANY PEERS AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ACQUIRE OTHERWISE.
AND IT WAS, UM, AND THIS WAS DONE FOR THE CITY.
HOWEVER, HEARING THEY'RE ALSO INTERESTED IN CONSTRUCTING A HOTEL ON THE MONETTE DUFFY SITE, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF UNION POINT PARK.
IT HAS BECOME VERY CONTROVERSIAL AND I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE WELL THOUGHT OUT, UM, ON WHAT WOULD REALLY BE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY THAT PROPERTY.
UM, I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THERE'S, UH, THERE'S A LAND CONSERVATION FUND THERE BECAUSE IN THE MID EIGHTIES, THAT THREE ACRE SITE WAS, UM, AN ABANDONED TANK FARM AND A ABANDONED GAS STATION OWNED BY THE TEXACO CORPORATION.
AND THAT PROPERTY WAS ACQUIRED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF SWISS BEAR IN THE MID EIGHTIES.
ORIGINALLY THE PROPERTY WAS FOR SALE BY TEXACO FOR $800,000.
AND WE LOBBIED SWITCHED THERE, TEXAS.
WE LOBBIED TEXACO OFFICIALS ON HOW IMPORTANT THAT PROPERTY WAS TO THE REDEVELOPMENT OF UNION POINT PARK.
AND IN THE END TEXACO DELEGATED 2.2 ACRES TO THE CITY AND SWISS THERE BOUGHT EIGHT TENTHS OF AN ACRE FOR $15,000 AND GAVE IT TO THE CITY TO EXPAND UNION POINT PARK.
THE 1990 YEAR URBAN DESIGN PLAN INCORPORATED THE TECHNICAL PROPERTY INTO THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK, THE CITY'S PLAN TO USE THE PAYBACK MONEY FROM THE U DAY, UM, URBAN DEVELOPMENT ACTION GRANT, THE 1.6 MILLION THAT, UH, FEDERAL GRANT THAT MADE THE SHERIDAN PROJECT ON THE TRENT RIVER POSSIBLE IN THE MID EIGHTIES, THE CITY FOUND THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH MONEY IN THAT FUND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PHASE ONE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE PARK, SWISS BEER, THEN ORGANIZED A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN CALLED PUT YOUR MARK ON THE PARK.
AND THAT HAD GREAT COMMUNITY INPUT AND RAISED OVER $350,000.
THE CITY RESPONDED TO THE COMMUNITY'S GENEROSITY AND COMPLETED BOTH PHASES, WHICH INCLUDED THE ADDITIONAL ADEQUATE PARKING AND NEW BATHROOMS ON THAT CHECK SUPPOSE SITE REMOVING TWO IMPORTANT AMENITIES, THE BATHROOMS AND PARKING, WHICH ARE NEEDED AND USED BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
AND THOSE WHO SPEND TIME AT THE PARK ATTENDED THE MANY MAJOR EVENTS IT'S FOR YOU FOUR MINUTES, OR I'M SORRY.
ALL I WANT US, I'LL CONCLUDE SAYING, I JUST HOPE THAT THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY CAN BE REASSURED IN THE END.
WHATEVER IS, IS DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED WILL BE IN THEIR BEST INTEREST.
GREG AND FAY FAY 2 73 SCOTT FARM LANE.
UH, I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE SECOND
[01:20:01]
PHASE OF THE PROJECT THAT YOU OR THE LOCALS DON'T WANT IT.UH, WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING THERE WAS IT A PLAYGROUND OR SOMETHING? THAT'S IT.
AND AS FAR AS THE RELATIONSHIP GOES, WE'RE BREAKING UP WITH YOU.
YOU CAN EDIT YOUR ELKS BUILDING STUFF, BUT WE DON'T, WE DON'T WANT THE PARK MASTER AND THE 15, $16 WAGE.
THAT'S RIDICULOUS FOR WORKERS.
YOU NEED HAVE LIKE 24 OH, GARY EVENING.
THEY HAPPEN TO ALSO LIVE OUTSIDE OF NEWBURGH JUST A LITTLE BIT, BUT I DO HAVE A BUSINESS AROUND 2 21 SOUTH FRONT STREET.
UM, BEFORE I GET STARTED WITH MY PREPARED REMARKS, I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT HOSPITALITY PARTNERS IN THIS TOWN, AND I'M ONE, I'M A GENERAL MANAGER OF A HOTEL.
WE DON'T JUST PARTICIPATE IN TOURISM.
AND IT'S THE FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB.
I MEAN, I DO ALL THAT, BUT IT'S A LOT MORE THAN THAT.
WE HANDLE THE COMMERCE OF THIS TOWN.
WE HANDLE YOU WHEN YOUR POWER GOES OUT, THE CITY, IF ALL THE POWER IS GONNA WRAP, WE'RE GONNA TAKE IT THE WHOLE CITY, PLUS ALL THE POWER CABINETS.
AND IT'S NOT JUST OUR PROPERTY.
IF AIRBNB IS AT THIS WAY, THAT IF THE GRAND BOHEMIAN EVER OPENED UP ON THE WATERFRONT, THEY WOULD ALSO BE A PART OF THAT.
SO, AND IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT'S IN A HOSPITAL, YOU'RE GOING TO BE STAYING IN A HOTEL.
A LOT OF TIMES I GET IT EVERY DAY.
SO IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT TOURISM.
I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THAT.
UM, I STARTED THE START ON THE FRONT DESK OF A LOCAL HOTEL AND WORKED MY WAY UP AND ACROSS OUR HOTEL LANDSCAPE.
OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS, I'M CURRENTLY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF A HOTEL IN NEWBURN AND A BOARD MEMBER OF SWISS FARE.
I HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS CHAIR OF CRAVEN COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
I ALSO HAPPENED TO BE A NEW DOWNTOWN SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AS ON ONE OF THE PARTNERS AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HARVEY MANSION.
UH, I'M HERE TODAY TO REQUEST THAT YOU CONSIDER MOVING FORWARD WITH MOU AS REQUESTED WHILE I SERVED AS CHAIRPERSON IN 2016, THE TDA BOARD AGREED TO HAVE A FEASIBILITY STUDY DONE OF THE POTENTIAL EXPANSION OF THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY.
IT WAS DETERMINED THAT DOWNTOWN NEWBURN NEEDED ADDITIONAL HOTEL ROOMS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER.
AS A GENERAL MANAGER OF A HOTEL LOCATED ACROSS TOWN.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MOST CONVENTION TRAVELERS WILL ONLY STAY WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF A CONVENTION CENTER.
AND THAT'S NORMAL IN OUR INDUSTRY.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT OUTSIDE THE NORM.
THAT'S JUST WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR IT ALL THE TIME.
UM, DUE TO HURRICANE FLORENCE, THE DOUBLETREE HAS BEEN OPERATING AT UNLIMITED AS IT'S BEEN MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES TONIGHT, BUT EVEN IF ALL OF ITS ROOMS WERE CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET, NEWBURN WAS STILL HAVE A HOTEL DEFICIT.
SINCE THE STORM, WE HAVE HAD RECORD NUMBERS AND HOTEL REVENUES, DESPITE A SMALL DIP DURING THE PEAK OF COVID IN THE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER OF 2020.
IF YOU PUT THAT INFORMATION TOGETHER, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT DESPITE THE LOSS OF THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THE CONVENTION BUSINESS, OUR TOURISM BUSINESSES THRIVE, PLUS THE COMMERCE AND ALL THE STUFF I MENTIONED, UH, MOVING FORWARD WITH THE RECENT REOPENING OF THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THE RETURN OF NORMALCY OF THE CONVENTION BUSINESS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, OUR LACK OF HOTEL ROOMS IS GOING TO, IT'S ONLY GOING TO INCREASE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MEET AT LARGER DEMAND IN THIS AREA.
I'VE BEEN PUSHING OUR LEADERSHIP TO WORK TOGETHER, TO FIND HOTEL DEVELOPERS THAT WILL BUILD OR REDEVELOP PROPERTIES IN OUR AREA SO THAT WE CAN OFFER THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF HOSPITALITY IN NORTH CAROLINA.
HAVING THE KESSLER COLLECTION DROP IN OUR LAP PARENT BECAUSE IT BROKE, BROKE, IT BROKE DOWN UP THE RIVER IS THIS FORTUNATE IS WHEN THE WHITE RIVER GROUP TOOK OVER, HAD US.
IT'S A REALLY GOOD THING FOR US.
IF ANYONE OF CONCERN AND THE COMMUNITY IS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE KESSLER GROUP, IT IS A PREMIER BOUTIQUE HOSPITALITY COMPANY IN THE SOUTHEAST.
HAVING THEIR EXPERTISE AND INVESTMENT IN OUR MARKET WILL CREATE THAT KIND OF COMPETITION TO ELVIS EACH PROPERTY, A NEIGHBOR AS A RECENT SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, MY PARTNER AND I ARE USING LOCAL LENDERS, LOCAL ARCHITECTS, LOCAL BUILDERS, AND WE'RE PARTNERING WITH A LOCAL ESTABLISHED RESTAURANT VERB TO BRING AN EIGHT ROOM BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH A FULL SERVICE BAR AND GRILL.
KNOWING THAT THIS POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT TALKING ABOUT NYU IS BEING CONSIDERED ONLY ENHANCES OUR FAITH AND THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE REGIONAL TOURISM ECONOMY, CONVENTION CENTER, DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, AND MY FUTURE
[01:25:01]
SUCCESS.I REQUEST THAT YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS MOU AS REQUESTED.
I LIVE AT 2 0 2 A STREET IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I HAVE HEARD EVERYBODY.
I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE A WALL IN HISTORY, BUT I WILL SAY, UM, THE ELKS BUILDING HAS BEEN AN EYESORE.
WE HAD A BABY, I HAD A BAKERY THERE FOR SIX YEARS AND I STILL HAVE THE KEYS TO, AND I MIGHT STILL BE IN BUSINESS, HAD THE BUILDING NOT DETERIORATED AROUND US.
AND I REALLY COMPLIMENT WHAT THE KESSLER GROUP IS GOING TO DO BECAUSE IT'S THE BIGGEST EYESORE IN DOWNTOWN NEWBURGH.
AND IT HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.
AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM ME INSIDE, I AGREE WITH, I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE A LONG HISTORY, BUT I AGREE WITH EVERYONE WHO WAS SAID, DO NOT TOUCH YOUR POINT PARK.
UM, OUR FAMILIES, MY GRANDKIDS, UM, AND I LOVE NEWBURN.
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 27 YEARS AND COMING OVER THAT BRIDGE AND SEEING UNION POINT AND PARK SELLS EVERYBODY.
AND I DO BELIEVE WE SHOULD WRITE A BOOK ON HOW PEOPLE GOT YOUR BIRD, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
UM, I'M GLAD TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH THE ELKS BUILDING, BUT PLEASE DON'T TOUCH HIM POINTING PARK.
I'M NOT A RESIDENT OF NEWBURN TRENT WOODS.
UM, FAMILY SETTLED IN, UH, 1865 IN THE AREA.
UM, THIRD GENERATION BUSINESS OWNER BRANCHES FURNITURE, 73 YEARS IN BUSINESS.
THERE I'M THIRD GENERATION ON THE SWISS BOARD, UH, SWISS BEAR BOARD.
I'M ALSO THE PAST CHAIRMAN OF OUR TDA OF CRAVEN COUNTY.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, UM, OTHER THAN, AND I SHOULD HAVE STAYED AT THIS FIRST, UM, THE LOVE THAT I HAVE FOR NEWBURN IN THIS COUNTY AND WHAT, WHAT THE, WHAT WE HAVE GIVEN AND, AND, AND WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE GIVEN THE ALDERMAN, THE MAYOR, EVERYONE THAT HAS GIVEN THEIR TIME, UM, TO, TO BETTER NEWBURN.
I DO COMMEND ALL OF Y'ALL ON THAT.
UM, I THINK THAT THE KESSLER GROUP, AS, AS, AS I HAVE BEEN A PAST DREAMER OF DEVELOPMENT, UM, AND VISION OF NEWBURN, UM, BOTH THROUGH SWISS BEAR AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, I THINK THE KESSLER GROUP IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED IN USER.
UM, I HAVE TRIED TO, UH, TO DO MYSELF PROJECTS AND SPENT OVER A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS JUST TO, UM, SEE IF IT WAS FEASIBLE TO DO SO.
I UNDERSTAND WHERE THE KESSLER GROUP DOES NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THE CITY TO TRY TO FIND GRANT MONEY, TO TRY TO FIND, UH, ANY OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE, BECAUSE THERE IS A GREAT COST IN THAT, OR TO SHARE IT WITH THE, AND THE SHIT THE CITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPER.
THAT'S VERY COMMON PRACTICE, UM, IN DEVELOPMENTS, ESPECIALLY IN HISTORIC PROPERTIES.
SO, UM, I WROTE A LOT OF THINGS, BUT I'VE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS, SO I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT WHAT I'VE HEARD.
I, I, EVERYONE IN THE ROOM HAS HAD GOOD POINTS.
UM, I DO AGREE, UM, I GUESS WITH THE, UM, THE NEED FOR THE ROOMS, THERE'S, THERE'S NO QUESTION IN THAT FAN WITH THE TDA, UH, TO, FOR OUR CONVENTION CENTER TO EXPAND AND TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE LIKE IT NEEDS TO, WE NEED THOSE ADDITIONAL ROOMS. UM, OF COURSE WE, EVERYONE HAS SPOKEN PARKING AND PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS.
UH, WE NEED TO KEEP THAT OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC.
UM, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING THAT I'VE HEARD ABOUT, UH, MR. KESSLER AND HIS GROUP IS, IS A NUMBER ONE, UH, GLAD TO HAVE HIM.
[01:30:01]
I WOULDN'T, I WOULD BRIEFLY LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT AND, AND THAT IS, I'VE SEEN OTHER DEVELOPMENT, UH, OTHER DEVELOPERS COME INTO TOWN.UM, WE'VE TRIED, WE'VE TRIED TO ACCOMMODATE THEM, BUT DIDN'T DO IT LIKE WE NEEDED TO, WE, WE NEED DEVELOPMENT IN NEWBURN, IN DOWNTOWN, IT BRINGS JOBS, IT BRINGS BETTER WAGES.
IT BRINGS THEM HIGHER TAX BASE, EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, WE NEED THAT IN ROOM.
UM, AND, AND THIS IS A GRAND OPPORTUNITY FOR US.
THE ONE THING THAT, UM, THAT I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE UNION POINT BARK.
I DO WANT UNION POINT PARK TO STAY AS IT IS.
I AGREE WITH THE REST OF THE ROOM ON THAT.
UM, AND, AND, AND, AND, AND, AND AGAIN, WANT TO SEE THEM COME, HELP THEM FIND WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.
SO THEY WILL DEVELOP HERE, UM, THE, THE ELIGIBILITY EX EXCELLENT PLAN, THE TABLET'S LOT EXCELLENT PLAN.
I DO SUGGEST THAT WE POSSIBLY MODIFY THE MOU TONIGHT TO EXCLUDE THE UNION POINT PARK PIECE, AND PLEASE INVITE THEM TO DO THE ELKS BUILDING AND THE TABLET SLOT THAT'S W WITHOUT HELP AND WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING, AND, AND THE CITY HELPING THE DEVELOPER, THEY, THEY WON'T, THEY WON'T COME AND THEY DON'T WANT TO COME, AND WE WANT THEM TO COME.
UM, AS SCOTT SPOKE AND OTHERS, THERE ARE THINGS IN PLACE IN THE, IN THE CITY TO, UM, TO TAKE CARE OF THE HISTORIC GUIDELINES THAT WE MUST BE FOLLOWED TO DEVELOP.
AND WE KNOW THAT PARKING AND ALL THOSE AREAS, ALL THOSE THINGS WILL BE ADDRESSED, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
UM, RACE, RACE STRYKER 2019 NEW STREET.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU.
UM, LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE, I FOUND NEW BIRD BY ACCIDENT, FELL IN LOVE, CAME HERE, AND, UH, AND NOW I'M RETIRED WITH MY WIFE AND WE LIVE HERE AND WE LOVE THE TOWN.
UH, WE LOVE ALL THE DEVELOPMENT.
I'VE SPENT A FAIR AMOUNT OF MONEY IN BAHAMIAN, DOWN IN SAVANNAH.
I LOVE THE KESSLER GROUP, ALL GOOD STUFF.
UH, LIKE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED.
I THINK TRANSPARENCY IS PERHAPS WHAT GOT PEOPLE RATTLED UP.
UM, AND I WOULD ALSO, UH, LOBBY FOR SEPARATING THE MOU INTO, UH, THE PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO PROJECTS.
I THINK THAT MAKES MORE SENSE FOR MOST PEOPLE.
THAT WAY WE CAN HAVE CLEAR A CLEAR DEFINITION AROUND THE FIRST PART AND THE SECOND PART, AND MAYBE A LOT MORE DISCUSSION.
UM, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF STUFF TODAY AND, UH, I NEVER AGREE WITH MOST OF THE PEOPLE ABOUT YOU IN PARK.
YOU CAN'T SEPARATE THE TWO BUT TWO, UH, PROPERTIES THAT ARE UNDER SURVEILLANCE RIGHT NOW.
I BELIEVE WE NEED YOU AND YOUR POINT DO NOT TOUCH IT.
UNLESS IT'S ALL TIED TOGETHER.
THAT IS WHEN I'M THINKING THAT THEY'RE SAYING WE NEED THE THREE PROPERTIES OR WE'RE NOT COMING.
UM, MY NAME'S DUSTIN CANIS STORE.
I LIVE AT 3, 2, 0 4 BACK TO COURT.
THAT'S HOW I'M THERE IN THE LONG LEAF PINE SUBDIVISION.
I FORGOT WHAT THE WORD OR THEY MIGHT CALL, BUT, UH, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A COUPLE OF QUICK MINUTES AND TELL MS. ANGLE.
I I'VE FOUND OUT MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES FOR YOUR FATHER BEDROOM AND, UH, THE FONTS.
UH, HE WAS A KOREAN WAR, A MARINE VETERAN, TWO PURPLE HEARTS.
HE ACTUALLY SHOULD ADD THREE, BUT IN THIS COUNTRY, IF YOU GET HIT TWICE IN THE SAME DAY, THE ONLY RAPE ONE PURPLE HEART.
SO GO FIGURE WITH THAT THOUGHT A PROCESS IT'S GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE.
WE HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND WE ALL PAY TAXES AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.
EVERYBODY'S BROUGHT UP A LOT OF GOOD POINTS.
SO I'M NOT GOING TO LIKE BEAT IT TO DEATH OR WHATEVER.
YOU SHOULD HAVE AN MOU FOR THAT, FOR THE TALBOTS WHATEVER.
I THINK THAT MAYBE, MAYBE FURTHER BOARDS
[01:35:02]
MAYBE HAVE SEPARATE MOU FOR THAT YOUR NEW POINT OUT OF YOUR FRIGGING MINES.I CAME TO NEW BERN, UH, MARINE CORPS DOWN THE ROAD IN 1996 AND BACK AND FORTH IN THIS AREA, MULTIPLE TIMES STATION, AND THEN LAID DOWN ROADS HERE.
WHEN I FOUND A BEER ARMY IN 2008, AND THEN, UH, WITH BRAVO, ALPA CO FOUNDED A NONPROFIT TO HELP VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.
OUR FIRST MAJOR FUNDRAISER IS THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY OF NEWBURGH IN 2010 AT NEWBURN RIVERFRONT CONVENTION CENTER.
THAT EVENT, UH, WE HAVEN'T DONE IT TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF TOBIN AND EVERYTHING.
SIX HOURS EVENT RESPONSIBLE OVER THOSE 10 YEARS THAT WE'VE HAD IT.
SO THAT'S A TOTAL OF 60 HOURS IS JUST SHORT OF 9,000 HOURS IN A YEAR.
IT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF A MILLION DOLLARS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WITH HOLDING AN EVENTS IN NEWBURGH IS HOTEL ROOMS. AND WE'D HAD TO WORK WITH THAT CLOSELY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THAT TO DRAW PEOPLE, TO COME TO A PUBLIC EVENT, UH, OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS LIKE MUM FEST AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
BUT THAT SAID, I ALSO HAVE FOUR TEENAGERS, ONE WHO'S GRADUATING THIS YEAR.
HE'S LOOKING TO MOVE BECAUSE THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH OPPORTUNITY IN THIS AREA COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS.
OF COURSE, I DON'T THINK YOU SOLVED THAT BY MOVING AWAY, BUT THAT'S A DIFFERENT DISCUSSION FOR MY SON.
AND I, ALL I WOULD SAY IS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IS A RESIDENT OR LIVE IN UBER PENCE TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AND THE BOARD AND ALL THEIR MEN AND OLDER WOMEN AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS, YOU MEAN, WHAT'D YOU SAY, SAY WHAT YOU DO.
THERE'S A SAYING THAT GOES STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK YOUR BONES AND MATURE.
EVERYBODY'S HEARD OF THAT, BUT HERE'S THE POINT WORDS DO REALLY HURT WHETHER IT'S WRITTEN OR WHETHER IT'S SPOKEN.
IN OTHER WORDS, I WAS BROUGHT UP, BUT THE ATTORNEY AND OTHER PEOPLE'S TRANSPARENCY TRANSPARENT, IF ANYBODY WHO'S AN ELECTED OFFICIAL BENEFITS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY KIND OF DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CITY, THAT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED 100%.
AND THAT PERSON SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS MAYBE NOT HAVING A SAY VOTING, YOU KNOW, WHAT GOES AND WHAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN THE CITY OF NEWBURGH.
I WOULD THINK THAT'S COMMON SENSE.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY, BUT LIKE A LOT OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS ABOUT THREE OR FOUR HOURS AGO.
SO I DIDN'T, HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO READ THE MOU IN FULL.
I I'M STILL TRYING TO ACCESS IT, MAKE SURE I CLEANED MYSELF UP AND GET HERE ON TIME SO THAT I'M NOT INTERRUPTING ANYBODY ELSE.
SO BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD MEAN WHAT YOU SAY, SAY WHAT YOU MEAN.
IF YOU HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN THIS ENDEAVOR, IT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED.
AND I WOULD ARGUE YOU SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO VOTE ON THE MATTER ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BAILEY EVANS.
UH, I LIVE AT 13 30, 2 OR 10TH STREET.
UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY, UM, I THINK THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THE MOU ISN'T NECESSARILY A COMMITMENT TO DO ANYTHING.
IT'S JUST AN AGREEMENT TO GO DO THIS NEGOTIATION.
BUT I THINK WHAT A LOT OF US ARE FEELING IS THAT WE DON'T REALLY TRUST YOU TO NEGOTIATE ON OUR BEHALF.
CAUSE WE'RE NOT SURE, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE WANT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, TONIGHT THERE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A LACK OF PUBLIC TRUST AND WHAT'S GOING ON AND WE'RE WORRIED YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE AWAY OUR WATERFRONT, OR YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE AWAY THINGS THAT WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT.
AND I THINK THAT IT'S WORTH THE INVESTMENT IN SOME COMMUNITY FEEDBACK BEFORE YOU AGREE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NEGOTIATION IN ORDER TO BUILD SOME PUBLIC TRUST SO THAT WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS NEGOTIATION IS GOING TO GO FORWARD AND WE'RE GOING TO FEEL REPRESENTED BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF US WITH THIS NEWS TONIGHT FELT LIKE WE'RE WORRIED THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE REPRESENTED.
SO IF WE'RE ALL HERE TRYING TO BE TRANSPARENT AND CIVIL AND WORKING TOGETHER, I THINK, AND WE'RE ALL HERE SO LATE AND YOU STILL HAVE SO MANY MORE THINGS TO TALK ABOUT.
IT'S PROBABLY WORTH DEDICATING ITS OWN SPECIAL TIME TO REALLY GET PEOPLE'S TALKING OUT BEFORE YOU GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD WITH NEGOTIATING.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TONIGHT.
I LIKE TO SAY WHAT A GREAT COMMUNITY TO HAVE A CROWD LIKE THIS, TO GIVE THEIR INPUT.
THANK GOD FOR, FOR THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE, UM, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID THINGS.
SO I PUT MY PREPARED REMARKS UP.
UM, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS IF YOU THINK BACK A LITTLE BIT AND THANK YOU FOR THE COURAGE
[01:40:01]
OF TAKING ON THIS AND YOUR PREDECESSORS COAST.WHEN I GREW UP BORN AND RAISED HERE, WHEN I GREW UP, I USED TO PLAY IN A PARK CALLED BICENTENNIAL PARK.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO NEWBURGH AND SAID, WHAT A GREAT PLACE I WANT TO STAY HERE, STAYED AT THE DOUBLETREE, WHICH IS A PARK I USED TO PLAY.
IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY AND HELP MAKE NEWBURGH WHAT IT IS TODAY.
SO YOUR PEOPLE THAT CAME BEFORE YOU HAD A LOT OF INSIGHT AND THOUGHT, AND I'M SURE IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION.
I'M NOT SAYING I'M FOR THIS OR AGAINST THIS, BUT IF MR. SIEGEL PUBLISHED IN THE PAPER THAT SOMEBODY WANT TO BRING $115 MILLION AND TEN, A HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE JOBS, $750,000 A YEAR IN TAXES, NOT INCLUDING ROOM TAXES, THAT WOULD COME ON TOP OF THAT.
AND YOU DID NOT INVESTIGATE IT ANYMORE.
I THINK ALL OF YOU WOULD BE OUT OF A JOB.
SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE ON THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SO I CAN SEE THE OPPORTUNITY THIS BEFORE US.
AND THEN I CAN GIVE YOU MY PERSONAL OPINION.
WE MAY HAVE BETTER PARKS OUT OF THIS.
WE DON'T KNOW IF HE WILL TALK ABOUT THE BOAT RAMPS.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE PARKS IN NEWBURGH, BUT UNION POINT BOAT RAMP, IF YOU USE IT, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS GOING TO BE REAL EXPENSIVE.
SO THERE COULD BE OTHER PLACES THAT COULD BE BETTER.
WE COULD END UP WITH BETTER PARKS, BUT IF WE DO NOT ENTER THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, WE WILL NEVER KNOW.
AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
AND IF I DON'T AGREE WITH IT, I'LL LET YOU KNOW.
CHRISTINE BELCHER DURING THE RIGHT TIME.
HI, MY NAME IS CHRISTINA BELTERRA.
I HAVE A BUSINESS DOWN IN MIDDLE STREET AND I LIVE IN STONY GRUNCH ROAD.
UM, I ACTUALLY DON'T AGREE WITH PROCEEDING WITH THE MOU.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD GIVE A COMPANY THAT CAN AFFORD MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FREE PLOT OF LAND CALLED THE TALBOT PROPER.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT, UH, HOTELS BEING BUILT.
UM, THERE ONE BY THE MALL, THE GENTLEMAN SAID HE'S REFERRED, REACHING A HOUSE TO BE A HOTEL, BUT HOW, HOW MUCH AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS BEING BUILT? CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT? I MEAN, YOU KNOW WHAT, I UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH MONEY IS GONNA COME TO TOWN AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE $15 AN HOUR JOBS.
I WAS DOWN IN MOREHEAD AND I POSSIBLY TALK ABOUT DOWN THERE WHERE THEY WERE ADVERTISING $15 AN HOUR JOB.
SO THERE'S JOBS EVERYWHERE BEING BUILT.
SO I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'VE ALREADY BOUGHT THE ELKS BUILDING, WHERE IS THE MOTIVATION TO GIVE THEM A FREE PIECE OF LAND THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH? I MEAN, I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER THAT, UM, AMONG THE, YOU KNOW, TRAFFIC IMPACT, PARKING IMPACT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IMPACT ON, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE DIRECTLY IN DOWNTOWN AND HOW THAT AFFECTS THEM.
UM, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD HAVE MORE OPEN FORUMS FROM AN APP.
I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS MEETING FOR AN APP CALLED NEXT DOOR YESTERDAY THAT IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT HOW MANY PUBLIC OFFICIALS MIGHT HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO DISCLOSE THAT, TO FIND OUT WHO HAS A VENT, A BIT OF A VESTED INTEREST, WHETHER FINANCIAL OR PROMISES OF FUTURE GOODS OR A FUTURE INTEREST IN SOMETHING, OR MAYBE A FAMILY MEMBER THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT? I THINK IT SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC BECAUSE OF HOW QUICK THIS IS MOVING.
UM, I KNOW THIS IS WE'RE ENTERING INTO A RELATIONSHIP PHASE, BUT WHY CAN'T WE DO THIS WITHOUT ANY STRINGS ATTACHED? WHY CAN'T WE START THE CONVERSATION WITHOUT ANY STRINGS ATTACHED? WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD LIKE THIS SO FAST YES.
QUESTION MR. ATTORNEY, IS THERE A DOCUMENT I KNOW WITH, UM, SOME BOARDS THAT I'VE SERVED ON AND THERE'S A DOCUMENT THAT WE SIGNED AND DISCLOSED THAT WE HAVE NO FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE PROJECTS.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD PROVIDE THE BOARD FOR THE YES, SIR.
WE HAPPY TO, AND JUST TO ADD TO THAT, YOU HEARD ADOPTED RULES OF ETHICS THAT EVERY LIBERAL GOVERNMENT BOARD IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT.
AND YOU'VE ALSO ARE SUBJECT TO AT LEAST THREE CRIMINAL STATUTES THAT COME TO MIND THAT PRECLUDE YOU FROM HAVING AN UNDISCLOSED FINANCIAL INTEREST IN A PROJECT, EITHER YOU DIRECTLY OR THROUGH AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER.
SO I SAY THAT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT IF THERE IS
[01:45:01]
SUCH AN INTEREST, YOU HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO THIS PLACE WITH THE BOARD, BE OKAY, IF THAT GETS CIRCULATED AND EVERYBODY ON THIS BOARD CAN VOLUNTARILY FILL IT OUT.IF YOU DON'T AND THAT'S ON YOU, BUT ANYBODY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
NONE, NO CLARIFY SOME OF THIS STUFF THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING IN REGARDS TO THAT, WHEN YOU MEAN IN LIKE DIRECTLY AFFECTED, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DO OWN BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN.
SO WHEN TOURISM COMES, THEY DO BENEFIT FROM HAVING MORE PEOPLE COME HERE.
SO THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING.
MA'AM HOW DO WE RECTIFY THAT? UM, WELL THAT IS THE NATURE OF LIVING IN A TOWN.
YOU ARE GOING TO OWN BUSINESSES.
YOU ARE GOING TO OWN PROPERTY, AND IF YOU ALL DO YOUR JOBS WELL, THE PROPERTY TAX BASE WILL INCREASE.
HAVE YOU HAD OCCASION AS THE ATTORNEY FOR CITY OF LIEBERMAN THAT BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ASKED FOR RECUSAL AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED BASED ON JUSTIFIABLE? YES, SIR.
UM, TO, TO ASK TO BE EXCUSED FROM VOTING, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A DIRECT FINANCIAL INTEREST.
SO THE PRESUMPTION IS YOU HAVE A LEGAL DUTY TO VOTE.
YOU RAN FOR OFFICE, YOU'VE GOT A HARD JOB TO DO, AND YOU HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO VOTE.
HOWEVER, YOU CANNOT VOTE IF YOU HAVE A DIRECT FINANCIAL INTEREST.
SO IF YOU DISCLOSE THAT AND YOU ASKED TO BE EXCUSED FROM VOTING AND THE BOARD HAS TO EXCUSE YOU, IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU CAN DISCLOSE A REASON THAT MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE IN VOTING FOR AN ISSUE AND THE BOY, AND YOU CAN RECUSE YOURSELF.
THE LEGAL PROBLEM WITH THAT IS IF YOU REFUSE TO VOTE, IT'S COUNTED A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.
SO THAT'S THE DOWNSIDE TO THAT.
WE HAVE, UM, ONE MORE AVERAGE THANKS FOR HAVING US TONIGHT AND LET US EXERCISE OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
UH, I WAS BORN HERE OUT WHENEVER I LIVE IN BRIDGETON OR 180 3 SAINTS CLASS CHURCH RIGHT HERE.
I'LL GIVE HIM A WHOLE LIFE OF, OF GOING TO ST.
LOUIS HOSPITAL RIGHT HERE, DOWNTOWN.
SENATOR FRANKLIN COUNTY IS NOT CHICK-FIL-A PAVEMENT COUNTY IS UNION POINT.
I BRING MY GRANDCHILDREN HERE.
THEY COME FROM PRUITT THAT ARE HANDICAP DISABLED ON CHURCH BUS RIDE THROUGH MY WHAT WEATHER, WHAT TIME OF YEAR HE IS.
UH, WE REALLY ENJOYED THE CRYSTAL BLOCKS THIS YEAR.
I HAVE EVER SEEN IT IN MY LIFE.
UH, IF WE, UH, DEFACED IT, BEAUTY WERE KICKING OURSELVES INTO, BUT EVERY ONE OF US IN THIS ROOM, HOW LONG CHARGE Y'ALL DUTY TO SCRATCH, PUT AN X THROUGH THAT LINE OF UNION POINT.
IF YOU DECIDED TO PROVE THE OTHER TWO, THAT'S WONDERFUL, BUT, UH, PUT AN EXTRA UNION POINT PARK, UH, OUTSIDERS ISSUE.
I HAVE, WE HAD, UH, UH, KNOWINGS ACROSS THE RIVER, UH, 10 O'CLOCK LEVEL LOCK BLOCK AT NIGHT, POWER TICKETS GOING OFF SOMEWHERE OVER HERE.
UH, THE DOG BARKING, UH, FIREWORKS, UH, AT 10 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT ARCHITECTS COMING FROM LAFAYETTE CREEK AND DIFFERENT PLACES HERE.
UM, WE NEED TO TRY TO KEEP IT TO A MINIMUM AFTER 10 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, IF WE CAN.
UH, AND THAT'S, UH, ANOTHER CITY, PROBABLY OUR CITY ORDINANCE.
IT'S PROBABLY ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.
UH, THEY'VE BEEN HOLIDAY CITY FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND I GOT IN TROUBLE A COUPLE OF TIMES, UH, FROM HAVING LOUD MUSIC PLAYING IN MY TRAILER.
BUT ANYWAY, THAT WAS TWO THINGS I WANTED TO BRING UP, UM, AFTERNOON KIND OF A SALE THIS RIVER.
THERE'S NOT A MORE BEAUTIFUL VIEW FROM ANYWHERE FROM ANY TITLE AND CRAVEN COUNTY.
UH, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE IS UNION POINT RIGHT HERE IN THE SUDAN.
AND, UH, IF YOU GET UP ABOUT FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND COME ON DOWN AND MAKE A LITTLE TRIP AROUND AND YOU SEE THE BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE, YOU KNOW, NORTH CAROLINA AND I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME TO NORTH CAROLINA AND SEE LAND, AND I WON'T HAVE A PLACE TO STAY.
[01:50:03]
POLICE KNOW THAT HE REQUESTS A PETITION FOR ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME ON HER EYE.NUMBER 11, MR. HUGHES, DO YOU HAVE ITEMS, UH, CONCERNING THIS BEFORE WE HAVE A DISCUSSION? THE PRESENTATION.
WHERE WE'RE AT? I DON'T ELECT.
WE WILL GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA SINCE WE COMPLETED ITEM 11.
UM, MAYOR, I WOULD, I'D LIKE TO MAKE, UH, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF COMMENTS BASED ON SOME OF THE, UM, COMMENTS TONIGHT.
UM, I GOT MARRIED TO COME HERE.
I'VE BEEN IN THIS COMMUNITY WHILE I'VE BEEN VISITING HERE SINCE 1977.
I'VE ACTUALLY LIVED IN NEWBURN SINCE 1980.
AND UM, I PUT MY HEART AND SOUL INTO THIS COMMUNITY.
AND I WORK BECAUSE I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY.
AND I WORK BECAUSE I HAVE BUSINESSES AND THE BUSINESSES ALLOW ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND HOURS.
I HAD WORKED THAT APPLIES TO MY BUSINESS.
THAT PAYS ME TODAY THAT I COULDN'T DO BECAUSE I WAS ANSWERING CITIZENS EMAIL.
I THINK THERE WAS ONE IN MR. VAUGHN.
I REALIZED THAT I DIDN'T RETURN YOUR, I HEAR THE ONLY ONE.
I TRIED TO, UNTIL I CAME HERE, RESPOND TO EVERY SINGLE PHONE CALL, TEXT, WHATEVER, TO BE ACCUSED OF SOMETHING THAT IS THE FURTHEST THING FROM THE TRUTH.
ME AND MY FAMILY ARE ACCUSED ON A CONSTANT BASIS OF HAVING SOMETHING THAT WE TOOK FROM SOMEBODY ELSE OR THAT SOMEBODY DOESN'T HAVE.
AND I PUBLICLY WANT TO SAY I'M TIRED OF IT.
NOBODY HAS ANY PROOF THAT WE HAVE DONE ANYTHING.
I'M HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU IN PRIVATE.
IT'S NOT A PUBLIC FORM TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING PROOF OR SOMETHING THAT I'M DOING ILLEGALLY AND MORALLY, LET ME KNOW.
I AM HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOU.
I'M HAPPY TO PROVE MADAM WHO, UH, YOU KNOW, SITTING THERE.
UM, I, I HAVE BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN HAPPY TO DISCUSS MY BUSINESSES.
I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE KESSLER'S NEVER MET THEM BEFORE THEY CAME TO NEWBURN.
DO I HAVE BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN? YES, I DO HAVE MY BUSINESSES PROPER PROFITED IN DOWNTOWN.
WHY? BECAUSE I'M OUT THERE MAKING SURE THAT OUR STREETS ARE CLEAN, THAT I'M WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES HERE, THAT WE HAVE A BETTER WAY TO DO BUSINESS IN OUR DOWNTOWN, BUT I PROFITED, BUT SO DID CAPTAIN RODDY'S AND SO DID AND SO DID CYPRUS HALL.
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO NEWTON TO RESTAURANTS DOWNTOWN, AND THANKFULLY THROUGH THE WORK OF SWISS BAYER UNDER SUSAN MOFFIT, THOMAS AND NOW CONTINUED VIOLIN HAIRCUT.
WE CONTINUE TO BUILD SHOPPING AND OPPORTUNITY THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE.
WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE IN 1980, THERE WAS NOTHING DOWNTOWN.
HE BOUGHT THE VERY FIRST BUILDING THAT WE HAD IN 19 83, 19 83.
I HAD A SIX MONTH OLD CHILD AND I CRIED.
I SAID, ARE YOU NOT? DOWNTOWN IS DYING.
AND YOU BOUGHT A BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN NEWBURGH.
AND MY FRIEND CALLED ME AND SAID, STEVE BENGO IS RIDICULOUS TO SPEND YOUR MONEY TO BUY A BUILDING.
BUT HE WAS ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT.
WE PAID A BUILDING BECAUSE THAT WAS HIS VISION FOR THIS.
AND WE'VE BEEN INVESTED EVER SINCE NOT ONE PIECE OF PROPERTY.
DO WE HAVE IS A DETRIMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY, BUT YET I AM ALIGNED AND, AND PEOPLE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY MY NAME.
I KNOW EXACTLY WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO AND TO MY COLLEAGUE HERE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS.
I DO OWN BUSINESSES IN DOWNTOWN.
I'M NOT ASHAMED OF THAT, BUT THERE'S MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN BUSINESSES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN THAT PROFIT OFF OF DOWNTOWN PEOPLE WOULDN'T LIVE IN GREENBRIER.
WE'VE HEARD PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER OUR COMMUNITY TONIGHT TO SAY, THE REASON THAT THEY LIVE HERE IS THE BEAUTY OF WHAT OUR DOWNTOWN UNION POINT AND OUR DOWNTOWN, AND THEN THEY SETTLED IN GREENBRIER AND OTHER PLACES.
BUT I WILL ALSO SAY THIS BECAUSE OF THE WORK I DO AND CONTINUE TO, I DO.
WE HAVE ISSUES IN THIS TENT AND THEY'RE LOCATED AND ANOTHER SECTION OF TOWN.
SO I'M TRYING TO PUT MY ENERGY AND PASSIONS IN OUR CHOICE, NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE, WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES HERE, WE HAVE STORM WATER ISSUES.
AND THIS INCREASE IN TAX BASE MAY HELP US TO GET MORE MONEY TO DO SOME OF THESE THINGS.
SO I DON'T WANT, I DO WANT TO ADDRESS THAT.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY, I THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TO THE MEETING.
WE DON'T, IT'S NOT THAT WE WERE TRYING TO BE TRANSPARENT, BUT WE PUT
[01:55:01]
OUT OUR MEETING AGENDA THE SAME WAY WE HAVE DONE.I DON'T KNOW, THE LAST 40 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN AWARE OF, OF MEETING AGENDAS.
AND SO WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENT.
IT IS WHERE IT'S AT ALL THE TIME.
IT'S YOU? THAT NEED TO LOOK AT IT AND SAY, IS THIS OF INTEREST TO ME? I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE.
I WISH YOU WOULD BE HERE FOR EVERY ISSUE THAT WE HAVE, BECAUSE THERE'S SOME IMPORTANT ONES THAT WE DON'T SEE ONE CITIZEN COMING INTO THIS SPACE.
I THANK EVERYBODY WHO EMAILED TEXT CALLED.
THEY TOOK THE TIME TO CONTACT ME, BUT I DON'T APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON FACEBOOK AND EVER ACCUSATIONS WHEN THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WHAT'S GOING ON.
AND DON'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION, LOTS OF MISINFORMATION UP THERE.
UM, I WANT YOU TO ALSO KNOW THAT, UM, WE DID TALK TO KESSLER'S ABOUT OTHER, OTHER PROPERTIES.
WE SAID, YOU KNOW, THE SHRINE, AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE SHRINE PROPERTY WAS THE FIRST PHONE CALL THAT THEY MADE.
AND THE SHRINE PEOPLE SAID NO WAY, NO HAT.
WE ALSO TRIED TO ARRANGE A CONVERSATION WITH THE KESSLERS AND THE, THE DOUBLETREE PEOPLE, BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE A HOTEL THAT'S SITTING THERE DOING NOTHING 71 ROOMS, NOTHING COULDN'T COULDN'T GET.
THERE ARE OTHER PLACES WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THAT.
THIS IS PART OF THE CONVERSATION.
I FEEL COMFORTABLE IN HAVING A CONVERSATION.
I WILL ADMIT RIGHT NOW, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE IN SIGNING A CONTRACT BASED ON ALL THE INFORMATION I'M HEARING TONIGHT, BUT I FEEL COMFORTABLE IN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE MOU TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION.
I JUST WANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION.
MY GUT TELLS ME THAT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE UNION POINT PIECE WORK.
I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OF WHAT WE'RE HEARING TONIGHT OF ALL THE HURDLES, THEY HAVE TO JUMP, BUT, YOU KNOW, MR. KESSLER COULD GO ANYWHERE.
HE WANTS ANYWHERE, AND HE DOESN'T HAVE TO PICK NEWBURN.
HE JUST HAPPENED UPON NEWBURGH.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MANY OF US, I KNOW MANY OF YOU KNOW, THAT I WAS REALLY CLOSE WITH WITH GREG SMITH AND GREG SMITH.
AND I WOULD GO IN HIS BACK ROOM AT MITCHELL HARDWARE AND WE WOULD DREAM ABOUT NEWBURGH AND WE'D SIT THERE AND JUST LAY OUT THIS PLAN OF WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF WE HAD THIS YEAR AND THIS ON THE TABLETS SLOT IN A HOTEL HERE OR SOMETHING THERE.
AND THEN BEFORE LONG WE'D WHITTLE IT DOWN AND REALIZE THAT THE REALITY WAS WE WEREN'T GOING TO GET ANY OF THAT.
AND WE CONTINUED TO WORK AT OUR BUSINESSES TO MAKE NEWBURN BE THE VERY BEST PLACE IT COULD BE.
SO WE COULD GET MORE OF WHAT WE SEE HERE TONIGHT.
PEOPLE THAT LOVE OUR COMMUNITY, NOT FOR THE BUILDINGS, NOT FOR THE GREEN SPACES.
IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE THAT MAKE THIS COMMUNITY SO SPECIAL.
AND I'LL, YOU KNOW, I'LL, I'LL GO WITH THAT EVERY SINGLE TIME, BUT I DON'T DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING I HEARD TONIGHT.
I'VE TAKEN IT ALL INTO CONSIDERATION, BUT I STILL BELIEVE THE RIGHT THING TO DO IN MY HEART OF HEARTS IS JUST TO LISTEN AND GO FORWARD WITH A DISCUSSION.
WHEN I GET THAT CONTRACT IN MY HAND, IT'S, IT'S A NEW BALL GAME.
AND THEN I WANT EVERY ONE OF YOU TO LOOK AT IT, READ IT.
AND IF YOU LIKE IT, YOU DON'T LIKE IT.
THAT'S WHEN THE RUBBER IS GOING TO MEET THE ROAD AT THIS POINT, THAT'S JUST A DISCUSSION.
AND I APOLOGIZE THAT I'VE RANTED AND RAVED FOR AWHILE, BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME SPEAK MY, OKAY, THANK YOU.
UM, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY AS WELL, THAT CAME OUT AND EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS, UM, IN REGARDS TO WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE KESSLER GROUP AND UNION POINT.
UM, I DID RECEIVE THE EMAILS FORTUNATELY.
UM, I WORK NINE TO FIVE, SO I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO RESPOND.
SO IF YOU'RE LISTENING, UM, I HEAR YOUR OUTCRY.
UM, THERE'S A FEW THINGS, FEW WORDS THAT WERE STATED, UM, THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE TDA AND SWISS BEAR.
WE HEAR ABOUT THE CHAMBERS AND HOW THEY'RE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SWISS BEAR IS ABOUT THE GREATER FIVE POINTS, AND WE'RE STILL LOOKING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IN GREATER FIVE POINT AREA, UM, THE CHAMBERS IN REGARDS TO GOING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CITY OF NEWBURN, UM, AND YOU KNOW, THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HAVING MEETINGS ALL DAY TO BENEFIT THAT COMMUNITY AS WELL.
IT'S IRONIC THAT A STATEMENT WAS MADE IN REGARDS TO WALKING DISTANCE CONVENIENCE.
CAUSE THAT'S THE SAME THING THAT THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE WHOLE COMMUNITY SAID ABOUT STANLEY WHITE.
[02:00:01]
IT WAS MOVED UP THE STREET, THEY WANTED TO CONVENIENTLY BE THERE.THERE WAS ANOTHER COMMENT ABOUT LET'S PUT IT OVER.
AND TRENT COURT, TRENT COURT INDIVIDUALS DON'T WANT WATERFRONT PROPERTY.
THEY WANT TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PEOPLE SNICKER AND ROLL THEIR EYES.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE HAVE THE WORD COMMUNITY THAT WE TALK ABOUT AND BEING DOWN AT UNION POINT, FORTUNATELY LIKE I WASN'T SUPPORTIVE OF LEAVING STANLEY WHITE, WHERE IT IS AND HOW THAT ALL HAPPENED.
I DO SUPPORT THAT UNION POINT NEEDS TO STAY THE WAY THAT IT IS.
HOWEVER, I DO AGREE WITH THE OTHER TWO PROJECTS BECAUSE IT DOES BRING JOBS.
IT DOES BRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UM, TO OUR CITY.
I THINK IT SHOULD BE SEPARATED TONIGHT IF YOU KNOW, THEY MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
IF IT'S NOT SEPARATED, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I CAN SUPPORT BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED SEPARATELY.
UM, AND THE CONVERSATION WHEN THE CITY ATTORNEY TALKED ABOUT REBATES AND TEXTS AND, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'LL MAKE THIS WORK THERE'S COMMUNITIES THAT ARE LOOKING TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE IT WORK IN REGARDS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LOW INCOME AND MARKET RATE HOUSING THAT ARE STILL SUFFERING FROM FLORENCE.
SO IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THINGS WORK, WHY ARE WE NOT TRYING TO MAKE THINGS WORK IN THESE COMMUNITIES SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE AND BE ABLE TO ENJOY UNION POINT PARK OR GO TO THESE JOBS? THEY'RE STILL STRUGGLING.
UM, LASTLY AGAIN, I DO APPRECIATE EVERYONE COMING OUT AND SPEAKING ON THIS TOPIC.
AND AGAIN, I DO AGREE WITH, WITH SABRINA, YOU KNOW, UM, IN REGARDS TO WHEN THE MEETING INFORMATION COMES OUT, IT COMES OUT ON THAT FRIDAY.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN A BIG PROPONENT ON TRANSPARENCY.
UM, AND YOU KNOW, JUST LIKE THE ATTORNEY SAID, THIS IS HOW IT WORKS WHEN THE INFORMATION WAS BROUGHT TO ME AND WHAT WE WOULD CALL A POST SESSION, I WAS IN SUPPORT OF CERTAIN THINGS, BUT STILL DID HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT UNION POINT AND MADE THE STATEMENT THAT THERE MAY BE AN UPROAR BECAUSE THERE MAY BE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE PARCEL.
UM, AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, I DO SUPPORT PART OF IT.
IF IT CAN BE SEPARATED, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT MOVING FORWARD IN THAT CONVERSATION, BUT IF YOU CAN'T, I CANNOT VOTE ON IT TONIGHT.
UM, AND I DO HOPE LIKE THAT GENTLEMAN SAID IN REGARDS TO, UM, YOU KNOW, SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU DO.
I HOPE THAT IT'S CONSISTENT ACROSS EVERY PROJECT AND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IN THIS CITY.
UM, AND LASTLY, I KNOW THAT SABRINA, YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU PROBABLY GET FRUSTRATED BECAUSE SOME OF US ALWAYS EXPRESS OUR FRUSTRATION ON THE UPGRADE OF, OF DOWNTOWN AND HOW PEOPLE SAY EVERYTHING IS ABOUT DOWNTOWN, BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE TO THE CITY THAN JUST DOWNTOWN AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THE CRIES OF OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT FEEL THAT WAY.
SO LET'S FIGURE THAT OUT AS WELL AS, AS OUR, WE SAY, AS COLLEAGUES, LET'S TRY AND WORK ON THAT.
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS CONCERNING ITEM NUMBER 11.
THIS IS, UH, THIS IS THE DEBATE AMONGST THE BOARD.
UH, THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR PETITIONS TIME, PERIOD.
YOU CANNOT, YOU CANNOT ASK A QUESTION, SIR.
UM, I TOO WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT ON THIS AFTERNOON AND I HAVE TO AGREE WITH A LOT OF THE COMMENTS THAT WAS MADE BY ALL OF THEM AND BEING, UH, AN ALL-IN HARRIS.
BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THIS MUCH.
I AM IN AGREEANCE WITH THIS M O U BECAUSE I DO SUPPORT THE FIRST PROJECT WITH THE TWO, UM, WITH ELVIS BUILDING IN THE TABLETS LAW.
BUT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH UNION POINT PARK AS WAS, AS I ALSO STATED WHEN WE MET WITH THE KESSLER GROUP IN A CLOSED SESSION THAT I HAD SOME RESERVATIONS BECAUSE OF THE PARK, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT OUR CITIZENS WOULD NOT BE IN TO UTILIZE THAT PART AND WALK THROUGH, DRIVE THROUGH THAT PART.
AND I JUST FELT THAT THAT WAS GOING TO OVERALL.
THAT WAS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM FOR OUR CITIZENS.
AND AGAIN, I SEE THIS IS A PROBLEM.
UM, I WOULD RATHER WANT TO SEE THE FIRST PROJECT COME TO FRUITION BECAUSE I THINK IT WILL BRING A LOT OF REVENUE TO OURS.
[02:05:01]
IT WILL BRING A LOT OF REVENUE TO OUR CITY AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BENEFIT TO OUR CITIZENS.AND AS ALDERMAN HARRIS STATED, I ECHO HER ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NOT JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE GOT TO COME UP WITH SOME WAY TO GET SOME DEVELOPERS IN HERE FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF CITIZENS IS THAT POVERTY LEVEL.
UM, BUT I DO AGREE WITH THE M O U AND IF IT'S THE UNION POINT PART SECTION IS TAKEN A LOOK AT BY THE COUNSELOR GROUP AND MOVING FORWARD, I WILL SUPPORT IT.
I DO WANT TO POINT OUT AT THE POINT OF TIME THAT FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION WAS WITH REQUESTS AND PETITIONS TO CITIZENS.
I'M SORRY, IF YOU DID NOT FILL OUT THE FORM WHILE SERVING YOU, WE HAD TO HAVE THESE FILLED OUT PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
AND THAT IS THE PROCEDURE THEY NEED TO BE FILLED OUT PRIOR TO THE MEETING, SIR.
AND JUST POINTING OUT THAT AS A BOARD, WE DID TABLE IT TO, UH, AFTERWARDS IN REGARDS TO THAT.
SO IF OUR REQUEST, THE CITIZENS REGARDING IT DOES, BUT WE ALSO GAVE THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND WE MOVE THE AGENDA ITEMS, BUT JUST STATING, YOU KNOW, I'M ALWAYS A PROPONENT OF ALLOWING THE PEOPLE TO SPEAK BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.
UH, OTHER COMMENTS, NO, SORRY.
I LIKE TO THANK THE CITIZENS ARE COMING OUT TONIGHT AND WHEN YOU CAN RECEIVE INFORMATION BASED ON HE SAY, SHE SAY AND FIND OUT THE FACTS AND I FEEL THAT THEIR ATTORNEY AND THE CITY MANAGER HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE TONIGHT, TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND NOT WHAT THEY HEARD.
AND THEN I WANT TO READ ON THE EMAIL THAT WHAT IS COMING AND HOW IT'S GOING TO COME IN THE ORDER THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH OUR SELVES BEFORE TAKING ON A SITUATION THAT WE NOT, WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE THAT IT'S GOING TO WORK OUT SALES.
SO WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW.
AND I THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO GET A CHANCE TO LEARN WHAT THE PROCESS SEE IS THAT YOU SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING.
I WANT TO ADDRESS THE ONE ON TRANSPARENCY.
UM, I'VE MADE A POST ABOUT THIS DISCUSSION ON FACEBOOK AND AFTER 401 COMMENT 61 SHARES AND LORD KNOWS HOW MANY EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS AND EVERYTHING ELSE I RECEIVED.
UM, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT I COULD HAVE BEEN WHEN I SHARED THIS INFORMATION.
UM, COULD IT HAVE BEEN SHARED SOONER? MAYBE I RECEIVED OUR AGENDA ON FRIDAY.
UM, SO YEAH, MAYBE I COULD HAVE, I COULD HAVE SHARED IT SOONER.
UM, W WHAT IS, WHAT IS DISHEARTENED? I'M GOING TO READ SOMETHING, ANY ROTARIANS IN THE ROOM BY CHANCE, ANYBODY IN ROTOR.
SO I RECOGNIZE A COUPLE OF YOU.
SO I WAS THERE TODAY AND HAD THE HONOR TO SPEAK AND ADDRESS THAT GROUP.
AND THEY HAVE A FOUR WAY TEST.
IS, IS IT THE TRUTH? NUMBER TWO, IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED NUMBER THREE, WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS AND NUMBER FOUR, WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL FOR ALL CONCERNED? AND I MADE A COMMENT TODAY THAT I WAS GOING TO, I ACTUALLY WANTED TO BRING THEIR BANNER AND HANG IT UP HERE, BUT IT'S A LITTLE TOO LARGE, BUT THEY DID GIVE ME A NICE COIN.
UM, WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS, UM, IS FAR FROM SOME OF THOSE BELIEFS.
UM, I'VE SAID SOME OF YOU HAVE PROBABLY HEARD ME MAKE THE COMMENT BEFORE THAT SOCIAL MEDIA WILL BE THE DOWNFALL OF OUR COUNTRY.
UH, IT'S A, IT'S A TWO-EDGED SWORD.
IT CAN BE A VERY USEFUL AND HELPFUL TOOL, AND IT CAN ALSO BE A VERY DAMAGING AND HURTFUL TOOL.
UH, FORTUNATELY I'VE GOT THICK SKIN.
I'VE BEEN IN MANAGEMENT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
SO I'VE HAD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ME AND SAY MANY THINGS THAT OFTENTIMES WEREN'T TRUE.
UM, BUT WE ARE ALL HUMANS AND HUMAN NATURE IS YOU WANT TO BE LIKED.
YOU WANT PEOPLE TO AGREE WITH YOU? UH, I LEARNED BACK IN, I THINK IT WAS DECEMBER 13TH, 2013.
UH, THE FIRST NIGHT I SAT HERE AND MADE A DECISION.
AND WHEN I LEFT AND SAID, OH MY GOODNESS, NOT EVERYBODY AGREED WITH THAT.
SO I'LL SAY THAT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T TAKE ME LONG BEING UP HERE TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SATISFY EVERYBODY.
I SHARED A STORY TODAY THAT SOMEONE HAD SHARED WITH ME EARLY ON THAT IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS AND SCENARIOS, YOU HAVE A STOPLIGHT, YOU HAVE A RED LIGHT.
THOSE ARE PEOPLE LIKE THE GENTLEMAN THERE THAT SAID, WE DON'T WANT YOUR MONEY.
THEN YOU HAVE GREEN LIGHTS THAT SAY, THIS IS ALL ABOUT GOOD GROWTH, GOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND MAYBE WE SACRIFICE SOMETHING.
[02:10:01]
IN THE MEANTIME, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE YELLOW LIGHTS.THAT'S THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE THAT SEE A POST ON NEXT DOOR OR FACEBOOK.
AND THEY SEE CITY OF NEWBURN IS GOING TO SELL UNION POINT PARK TOMORROW NIGHT.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE THERE TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
DOES ANYBODY HERE AFTER YOU'VE SAT HERE? AND I THANK YOU ALL FOR THOSE THAT DECIDED TO STAY TONIGHT.
THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE THAT CAME AND SAID THEIR PIECE, AND THEN THEY LEFT.
BUT DID ANYBODY HEAR TONIGHT THAT WE'RE GOING TO SELL UNION POINT PARK? OKAY.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE COMMUNICATE.
AND I HAVE SAID THIS A HUNDRED TIMES, WHETHER IT IS A SPOUSE RELATIONSHIP, WHETHER IT'S A PARENT CHILD, WHETHER IT'S AN EMPLOYEE AND AN EMPLOYER, YOU HAVE TO COMMUNICATE.
I WILL MAKE AN ADMISSION TONIGHT THAT I FEEL LIKE THIS CITY FAILED TO COMMUNICATE THIS INFORMATION IN THE RIGHT MANNER IN THE RIGHT TIME.
I THINK THAT PROBABLY A THIRD OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME TONIGHT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN HOME EATING SPAGHETTI AND MAYBE WATCHING THIS ON TV, IF SUDDENLY IT'S BACK UP AND RUNNING.
I DO AGREE THAT THERE IS SOME VALIDITY IN TALKING TO THIS DEVELOPER ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE FIRST TIME THIS BOARD WAS MADE AWARE OF IT, ALMOST EVERYBODY ON HERE, GASPED, OH MY GOODNESS.
THEN THE CASPER GROUP CAME TO US AND PRESENTED IN A CLOSED SESSION AND THEY SHOWED US SOME NICE PICTURES SAID, HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT UPGRADING.
WHAT WOULD REMAIN IN YOUR POINT PARK WITH MAYBE A FELTON WALKING TRAILS, BRICK PATHWAYS, WITH LIGHTS, WITH A STAGE TO HAVE PERFORMANCES.
ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS WERE DISCUSSED.
WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.
ALL I'VE HEARD ABOUT IS WHERE AM I GOING TO FEED MY DUCKS? NOW THE RIVER WALL WILL CONTINUE.
IF THIS PROJECT WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, THE RIVERWALK SHOULD CONTINUE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THIS PROJECT HAPPENS OR NOT.
HOW MANY OF THE AUDIENCE WANTS THE TAX INCREASE WHEN WE DO OUR NEXT BUDGET? OKAY.
SO MIGHT MAKE SURE THAT GENTLEMEN, THE BANK GETS A EXTRA TAX.
SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HAVING AGREEMENT ON SOMETHING, EVERYBODY AGREES, THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY MORE MONEY THE WAY YOU GET MORE MONEY TO DO DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE AND HIRE MORE POLICEMEN AND FIRE STATIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
AS YOU GROW YOUR ECONOMY, YOU DON'T GROW YOUR TAX RATE, YOU GROW YOUR TAX BASE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THAT PAIN COMES WHEN YOU DO THINGS LIKE THIS BEFORE ALL THE RIGMAROLE, IF THAT'S EVEN A WORD, UM, THAT'S HAPPENED OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS, I WAS GOING TO MAKE THE SUGGESTION THAT ONCE THE CITY DOES WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN THIS PARTNERSHIP, THAT WE TAKE ALL THE INCREMENTAL AD VALOREM TAX THAT WE WOULD RAISE.
AND WE GIVE IT TO THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO FUND THEIR EFFORTS.
AND I SAID, WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT THE REBUILT COMMISSION, I SAID, YOU CAN DO ALL YOU WANT TO, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING.
AND THEY REALLY HAVEN'T DONE A WHOLE LOT.
WE'VE GIVEN THEM PROPERTY, THEY'VE MOVED A COUPLE HOUSES, BUT MONEY, AS DANNY SAID, USED TO SAVE MONEY, WE'LL MAKE THE BEAR DANCE.
AND I THINK WE'VE PROVEN THAT WE'VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB AT MANAGING THE CITY WITH THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE.
IF WE WON'T THINGS, IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, YOU GOT TO HAVE MORE MONEY.
AND EVERYBODY HERE EXCEPT FOR THE ONE GENTLEMAN IN THE BACK, WHICH IS A VERY SPECIAL GENTLEMAN, UH, DOESN'T WANT THEIR TAX RATE RACE.
AT THIS POINT, MY STANCE IS I'VE BEEN IN GOVERNMENT FOR EIGHT YEARS, OVER EIGHT YEARS.
AND I'VE ALWAYS SAID THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART ABOUT GOVERNMENT IS HOW SLOW THINGS MOVE.
I'VE GOT A QUESTION FOR STAFF.
WHEN DID THE KESSLER GROUP COME AND PRESENT TO US IN A CLOSED SESSION? ANY IDEAS LAST YEAR IN THE SUMMER, I BELIEVE JULY.
SO NOW WE'RE FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IT WOULD HURT MY GIVING.
ANOTHER 30 DAYS TO GET MORE INFORMATION TO THE FIELD.
THERE'S FOLKS, THIS RED LIGHTS, THEY DON'T CARE.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT WE TELL THEM.
WE CAN TELL THEM EACH GO AND GET $5,000 FROM THIS GROUP.
IF THEY WOULD ALLOW HIM TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE FOR IT.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR A HUNDRED PERCENT COMPLIANCE, BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS, GET SOME ANSWERS.
AND THEN IF YOU STILL DISAGREE WITH THE PROJECT, THAT'S FINE.
WE'LL SHAKE HANDS AND WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE.
BUT THE NAME CALLING THE LINING THE POCKETS HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THAT COMES FROM.
UM, I CERTAINLY HAVEN'T MADE ANY MONEY SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD EIGHT YEARS.
UM, BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS ALLOW THE PUBLIC, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT
[02:15:01]
THEIR QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD IN A FORMAL MANNER.LET US TRY TO GET YOU SOME ANSWERS.
AND THEN THAT WAY, WHENEVER WE VOTE ON THE MOU, NOBODY CAN SAY THIS WAS RAM THROUGH.
I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN ANSWERED.
I PERSONALLY DON'T SEE WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH A 30 DAY DELAY ON SIGNING HIS DOCUMENT.
THAT'S A NON-BINDING AGREEMENT.
UM, IT DOES FRUSTRATE ME A LITTLE BIT THAT EVERY TIME THERE'S A CONTROVERSIAL SITUATION THAT COMES UP, IT'S ALWAYS LET'S TAKE THE FUNDS THAT WE WILL GET AND PUT IT TO THE REDEVELOPMENT.
IF WE ALL VOTED AND SUPPORT IT FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT TO BE HERE BASED ON THE CNI, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE NOT BACKING THE REDEVELOPMENT AND GIVING THEM MONEY TO BE ABLE TO REDEVELOP THE COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE IF WE CAN GO TO KIM, WHO IS THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, SHE CAN LET US KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE IN FUND BALANCE.
SO WE ALWAYS LIKE TO THROW AROUND THE WORD TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS, BUT YOU'RE ALSO THROWING TAXPAYERS DOLLARS AROUND WHEN YOU'RE USING THE RESOURCES OF THE CITY, BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING OUR EMPLOYEES TO DO THE JOB.
AND IF YOU TAKE THE MONEY AND YOU'RE GIVEN A TAX BREAK DOWN THE ROAD, YOU'RE STILL DOING SOMETHING WITH TAXPAYER'S MONEY.
SO LET'S STOP USING THAT AS LIKE A LITTLE CHERRY FOR SOMEONE TO BENEFIT OR WANT TO SUPPORT AN IDEA OR A PROJECT.
WE HAVE A REDEVELOPMENT, GIVE THEM THE MONEY TO REDEVELOP AND DO THE PLANS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO.
SO WE ECONOMICALLY DEVELOPED DOWNTOWN AND OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY.
AND WE ALSO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE WORKING ON.
AND I THINK I REMEMBER 12 WHERE WE WILL DISCUSS IN A BIG WAY HOW CITIES PROBABLY, IF THAT IS A PRETTY WHEEL WILL BE FUN.
UM, MR. DAVIS, QUESTION FOR YOU.
UM, WHAT I'VE HEARD HERE TONIGHT ABOUT SEPARATING THE TWO POSSIBILITIES, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? HOW DOES THAT IMPACT US? NOT IMPACT US, UM, ON THE LEGAL SIDE, UM, YOU COULD, UH, ANYONE COULD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT, STRIKING THE SECTION REGARDING YOUR POINT PARK.
IF THAT WERE PASSED, YOU HAVE A PROPOSAL NOW TO THE KESSLER GROUP, YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.
YOU'RE GOING BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, YOU'RE GOING BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND YOU'VE TAKEN, YOU'VE TAKEN A LEGAL STEP AND YOU'VE NOT GONE ANYWHERE.
SO IF THAT'S THE PATH THAT YOU'RE ON, I WOULD DIRECT STAFF TO REACH BACK OUT TO KESSLER TO SEE IF THAT IS A POSSIBILITY.
OKAY, SO THAT, SO THEN WE REALLY WOULDN'T BE SIGNING MOU.
IT WOULD NOT BE THE DOCUMENT BEFORE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THE PARTIES HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NOTION TO CHANGE IT, BUT I THINK IF YOU WANT TO PRESENT YOURSELF AS A GOOD PARTNER AND A COMMUNICATOR TO THE OTHER PARTY, THAT RATHER THAN TAKE A LEGAL ACTION AND CREATE A MISPERCEPTION, I WOULD REACH OUT TO THEM AND ASK THEM, IS THAT MY SECOND QUESTION QUESTION? AT WHAT POINT CAN WE SAY, HEY, THIS DOESN'T WORK FOR US.
IS IT SAY WE GO FORWARD WITH THE MOU? AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FIRST STEP IS.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TALKING TO NATIONAL PARK, WHICH IS GOING TO TAKE A YEAR OFF MAYBE TWO YEARS.
IS IT, UH, YOU KNOW, PERMITTING? WHAT, AT WHAT POINT, YOU KNOW, OR DOES THE MOU HAVE A LIFE? DOES IT HAVE A 24 MONTHS SPAN? WHAT, WHAT POINT CAN WE SAY SEE YA? YES.
MA'AM THE, UM, THE EXPECTATION WOULD BE TO MOVE FORWARD IN GOOD FAITH SOON NOW TO, TO START ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS SO THAT A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, A CONTRACT WOULD FOLLOW IN A MATTER OF MONTHS, NOT YEARS.
SO DON'T, WE HAVE TO RESOLVE THE PARK ISSUE.
THAT WOULD BE, THAT WOULD BE STUCK.
THOSE CONDITIONS WOULD ALL BE SPELLED OUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
IF THIS, THEN THAT, WELL, WHAT, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS AND HELP ME PLEASE, IF THE NATIONAL PARK FAR FOSTERS, WHATEVER THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAS TO APPROVE AN ALTERNATIVE SITE.
AND THAT PROCESS TAKES A YEAR, WE'RE SAYING THAT WE'RE OKAY WITH EXPLORING THIS OPPORTUNITY SO THEY CAN START MAKING PLANS AND PREPARATIONS FOR THIS SITE.
WHAT IF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE COMES BACK AND SAYS, NO, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY VALUABLE VALID OPTIONS.
SO NOW A WHOLE YEAR HAS BEEN WASTED ON THIS UNION POINT SITE WHEN THERE'S NOT AN OPTION.
I, I THINK WHAT, WHAT THE EXPECTATION IS IS THAT WE WITH, WITH GREAT PRECISION CAN ADDRESS THE, THE, THE PHASE ONE ON THE PRIMARY PROJECTS.
UM, RECOGNIZING THAT THE SECONDARY PROJECT IS GOING TO HAVE MORE GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS TO DEAL WITH RATHER THAN DELIVERABLES, BECAUSE THERE ARE SIMPLY TOO MANY QUESTIONS.
[02:20:01]
GOT TO GET OFF THE MARK.IF, IF THE PRIMARY PROJECTS ARE GOING TO GO FORWARD, WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO, TO ADDRESS THEM ALL IN SOME RESPECT, RECOGNIZING THAT THE SECONDARY PROJECT IS NOT GOING TO HAVE THE LEVEL OF DETAIL, BECAUSE WE SIMPLY DON'T KNOW GOT IN REGARD IN REGARDS TO, UM, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION.
CAUSE I'VE GOTTEN THESE QUESTIONS TOO.
UM, THE KESSLER GROUP ACTUALLY PURCHASED THE ELKS BUILDING, CORRECT? YES.
SO NONE OF THIS HAPPENS, THEY STILL HAVE THIS HELPS BUILDING JUST LIKE THE LAST DEVELOPER.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT, SCOTT, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION IF, UM, IF WE APPLIED TO THE NATIONAL PARKS, UH, AND WE HAVE TO FIND SUITABLE PROPERTY TO REPLACE THE PORTION OF THE PARK, WOULD A SUITABLE PROPERTY REQUIRE TO BE BOARD? YES, SIR.
MY EXPECTATION AND LISTEN, WE DON'T NEED TO BE CUTE ABOUT THIS.
I THINK THE SUDAN TEMPLE PROPERTY IS THE TARGET PROP, RIGHT? THAT, THAT, THAT IS THE MOST LOGICAL REPLACEMENT COMPARABLE PROPERTY THAT I CAN IMAGINE THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREEING TO.
SO I WOULD EXPECT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER.
AND I WOULD EXPECT THERE TO BE A CONDITION THAT WE FIND A WAY TO CONNECT THE TWO FOR PEDESTRIAN ACCESS BETWEEN THE PENINSULA AND THAT STUDENT PARK PARCEL.
AND WOULD THIS BE THE FIRST STEP FOR THE KESSLER GROUP IN THE CITY OF NEWBURN IS TO GET THIS PERMISSION? NO, REALLY NO NEED TO EVEN PROCEED IF THEY COULDN'T GET THIS WELL, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING IS, AND AGAIN, THIS IS ALL SUBJECT TO FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH THEM.
BUT WHAT I'M IMAGINING IS THAT WE WOULD HAVE A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WHERE WE HAVE ALL OF THE ISSUES RESOLVED FOR THE PRIMARY PROJECT TALBOT'S LOT.
WE WILL HAVE THAT LOCKED DOWN.
WE WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR SPECIFIC ASK IS.
WE'LL UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE CITY.
AND WE CAN, WE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT TO MAKE THEM BREAK GROUND AND MOVE FORWARD.
WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT YEARS FOR THOSE PROJECTS TO START AT THE SAME TIME, WE CAN START WORKING DOWN THE PATH IF WE EVER GET THERE, RIGHT? IF WE GET THERE, WE WILL WORK DOWN THE PATH TOWARD THE UNION POINT PARK PARCEL.
AND ALL WE CAN DO WITH THIS VERY FIRST STAGE IS IDENTIFY ALL THE STEPS AND ALL THE OBSTACLES TO GET THERE.
BUT WITH SOME PARAMETERS AROUND THAT PROJECT, THE PARAMETERS BEING WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT PROJECT SUBJECT TO ALL THE APPROVALS THAT ARE REQUIRED, PROVIDE THAT THE CITY'S GOING TO RESERVE X FEET ALONG THE WATERFRONT, THAT RESTAURANTS ARE INCORPORATED, THAT PUBLIC HAS ACCESS.
ALL THOSE ISSUES WOULD BE MORE SCOPED OUT, BUT IT WOULD LACK THE PRECISION BECAUSE WE WON'T KNOW WHAT THAT PROJECT LOOKS LIKE UNTIL YEARS IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE THAT, THAT PROJECT UNDERSTAND IS GOING TO BE, IF IT EVER HAPPENS, EVEN IF EVERYTHING GOES PERFECT, YOU APPROVE IT.
WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, BEFORE THAT WOULD EVER START, WENT TO THE AGREEMENT SIDE.
NOT NECESSARILY NOT FROM APPROVING AN MOU.
I WOULD HOPE THAT IF YOU KNOW, YOU STAFF GOES BACK BASED ON HOWEVER, WE GO HERE THAT REGARDLESS OF UNION POINT IS ON OR OFF THE TABLE, THAT IF THEY DID COME HERE AND LOVE NEWBURGH AND WANTED TO DEVELOP IT, THAT ONE AND TWO WILL MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT HAVING UNION POINT BEING THE DISRUPTIVE.
BECAUSE IF THAT'S THE MAIN FACTOR, THEN DID THEY REALLY WANT TO COME HERE AND CREATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS FOR OUR COMMUNITY? I'M DONE, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, UNFORTUNATELY I JUST THINK IT'S A BUSINESS DECISION.
I THINK YOU UNDERSTAND IT MAY BE THAT THE ECONOMICS NEED TO WORK FOR ALL THREE TO WORK FOR ONE.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN, UM, LYNN, YOU CAN HELP ME.
I THINK IT'S BEEN FOUR OFFERS FOUR ON THE ELKS BUILDING AND, UH, FOUR OF THEM THAT FELL THROUGH AND THAT WAS SPENDING ABOUT $12 MILLION TOTAL IN THAT BUILDING.
AND NOBODY COULD SUSTAIN THAT.
NOBODY COULD SUSTAIN THE MODEL.
THEY COULDN'T BORROW THE MONEY, THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.
AND THAT'S WHY THAT BUILDING HAS BEEN LIKE THAT EVERYBODY 20 YEARS, THAT BUILDING HAS SAID, YEAH, BUT I, I D I AM FAMILIAR WITH A GROUP, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GOING TO DISCLOSE THAT THAT WAS INTERESTED IN THE ELKS BUILDING AND THEY WEREN'T GETTING THE SAME INCENTIVES OR POSSIBLE INCENTIVES TO BUILD UP THAT BUILDING.
THEY HAD TO BUY IT FROM THE OWNER.
THE PROBLEM WAS THE OWNER WAS NOT WILLING TO MAKE IT LOOK, WORK FINANCIALLY.
AND THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE TRYING TO BUY IT HAD TO BUY IT AT, LET'S SAY A MILLION OR 1,000,005.
THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO TAKE LESS THAN 2.2, 5 MILLION, BECAUSE THAT'S
[02:25:01]
WHAT IT'S SOLD FOR.THEY COULDN'T GET IN THE FRONT DOOR.
AND THEN WHEN THEY WENT TO BORROW, THEY COULD NOT MAKE THE ECONOMICS WORK.
AND THESE PEOPLE ARE GONNA PUT 25 MILLION.
THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT, DO IT RIGHT.
AND THEY PAID THE 2.2, 5 MILLION.
AND WE DIDN'T, WE NEVER, SO THIS, THIS TALKS ABOUT INCENTIVES IN REGARDS TO TRYING TO GO AND GET GRANTS AND TRYING TO HELP THEM IN REGARDS TO THAT BUILDING.
SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR STATEMENT.
I'M A REALTOR AND THERE'S GOOD BUSINESS AND THERE'S BAD BUSINESS.
SO AS A REPRESENTATIVE, I'M NEVER GOING TO HAVE A CLIENT AND TAKE THEM TO SOMEWHERE, OR PUT THEM IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PURCHASE A HOME.
AND IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT.
UM, SO I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF BUSINESS, BUT LIKE I'VE ALWAYS SAT ON HIS BOARD FOR THE FOUR AND A HALF YEARS THAT I SAT HERE.
I DON'T CARE THAT IT'S ELECTION SEASON.
I'M ALWAYS GONNA STAND ON MY MORALS AND MY TRUTH.
WE ARE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE WHEN THE PEOPLE COME HERE AND SPEAK ABOUT THE CONCERNS BECAUSE THEY ARE, TAXPAYERS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO LISTEN BECAUSE WE WOULD NOT BE IN THESE SEATS IF THEY DIDN'T PUT US IN OFFICE, THAT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
BUT I ALSO DO SIT UP HERE AS A CITIZEN THAT DOES PAY TAXES.
I SHOP AND EAT AND ENJOY ENTERTAINMENT IN THE CITY.
I GO, WHENEVER THERE'S SOMETHING TO DO OR IS FEASIBLE, FEASIBLE FOR ME TO GO.
BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF HOTELS HERE.
THERE'S A HOTEL NEED TO BE DIRECTLY OVER THERE.
SO I FEEL LIKE, YES, I HEAR WHAT OTTOMAN ODOM IS SAYING ABOUT 30 DAYS.
IT CAN, YOU KNOW, IF THAT'S WHAT WE DO TO PUSH IT BACK, TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING, I'M STILL ON THE, THE, THE STATEMENT OF THE ELKS BUILDING AND TALBOT, OR EVEN THE ELKS BUILDERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT US HAVING THAT DECISION IN REGARDS TO GETTING POINT PARK.
BECAUSE IF THEY CARE ABOUT THE CITY, THEY'RE GOING TO MISS SEVERAL OF OUR EXPERTS HERE IN NEWBURN, TDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND, UM, THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR HOTEL ROOMS. AND I'VE GUARANTEED THAT THE OWNER OF HOW MANY GRAND HEMION HOTELS, 17 GRAND BOHEMIAN HOTELS HAS INVESTIGATED THE NEED OF ADDITIONAL HOTEL ROOMS IN NEWBURN BEFORE HE DECIDED THAT HE WANTED TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY HERE.
BUT IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THERE'S HOTELS AND THEY'RE HALF NOT OCCUPIED.
SO I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU GUYS TO EMAIL ME THIS STATISTICS AND DATA OF THE HOTELS BECAUSE WE HAD, IS IT THE FACT THAT THEY'RE NOT DIRECTLY IN DOWNTOWN BECAUSE I LIVE NEAR THREE HOTELS.
SO , IF WE CAN'T ATTRACT CONVENTIONS, BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET ENOUGH ROOMS WITH, TO ATTRACT A 500 PERSON CONVENTION, YOU NEED AT LEAST 200 ROOMS, AT LEAST THERE.
AND THEY, THERE WERE ACQUIREMENT FOR CONVENTION TO COME HERE IS THAT IT IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE CENTER.
WE DON'T HAVE A NUMBER OF ROOMS TO MEET THAT.
THEREFORE, THEY'RE GOING TO GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, WILMINGTON, JACKSONVILLE, OTHER CITIES THAT ARE PROVIDING THIS.
WE WERE AHEAD OF THE MARK WHEN WE BUILT IN 2000, WE'RE BEHIND THE MARK NOW, IS THAT CORRECT? UM, MELISSA, UH, AND SO THE REASON THAT THEY'RE EMPTY AND HE SAID THEY WERE EMPTY IS BECAUSE HOTEL ROOMS, EBB AND FLOW DURING THE WEEK, YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME BUSINESS PEOPLE AND THEN COMES THURSDAY.
YOU START GETTING WHAT THEY CALL ONESY TWOSY BUSINESS, RIGHT? AND YOU GET ALL THE VISITORS AND OTHER PEOPLE COMING IN AND THEN IT FILLS UP.
NOBODY, NOBODY AT ANY TIME AND ANY CONVENTION, HOTEL, CITY, I DON'T CARE.
YOU CAN GO ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS GOING TO HAVE A HUNDRED PERCENT OCCUPANCY AT ALL TIMES.
I THINK WE SHOOT FOR ABOUT 80, 80 IS GOOD.
UM, AND SO IF WE CAN HAVE AN 80 TO 85, THAT'S PROFITABLE TO OUR HOTELS AND I, AND I UNDERSTAND CAUSE I'VE ALSO WORKED IN THE HELICOPTER AND THE HOTEL.
SO YOU DO UNDERSTAND THE EVENING PART OF DOING THE WORK, BUT MY MAIN ISSUE, YOU KNOW, OR THE THINGS THAT I ALWAYS SAY IS THAT, YOU KNOW, I'M ALL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
I, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
UM, IT JUST, IT'S NOT, I DON'T WANNA USE THE WORD FRUSTRATED.
IT'S JUST SO CONCERNING THAT WE HAVE THESE HEAVY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ALL OF THIS BUSINESS COMING IN, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THESE DEEP DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ALREADY LIVE IN THIS CITY THAT DO NOT HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME, THIS IS A FORM OF HOUSING BECAUSE IT'S A HOTEL.
I'M NOT AGAINST HOTELS BEING HERE.
I'M AGAINST THE FACT THAT WE CAN NEVER FIND TIME TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUFFERING.
[02:30:01]
WE CARE, OR WHY DON'T WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THAT LIVE IN THE CITY THAT DON'T HAVE GOOD HOUSING.I MEAN, WE, YOU KNOW, CAN WE MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS OR GIVE THE STAFF 30 DAYS TO GET BACK WITH THE KESSLER GROUP TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY STAND, OR I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH APPROVING THE MOU, REMOVING THE UNION POINT PARKED, UM, AFTER THE CONVERSATIONS.
WELL, LET ME MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD YOUR MOTION.
YOUR MOTION IS TO REMOVE, I AM THROUGH NOPE, YES.
NO, I'M, I'M, I'M ASKING TWO OPTIONS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT EVERYBODY IS WANTING TO DO.
EXCUSE ME, MAYOR, BUT BEFORE Y'ALL YOU ALL MY HARRIS AND MAYOR MAY DECISION.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS BOARD ON THIS SUBJECT BEFORE Y'ALL MAKE THIS CHANGE? THAT'S WHAT I WAS ASKING.
DO WE WANT TO TABLE IT AND HAVE THE STAFF MOVE FORWARD? BECAUSE WE'RE, WE'RE JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE SAME THING.
AND I KNOW I ASKED HIM, IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION AND I'M GOING TO ASK THE ATTORNEY OKAY.
UM, WHAT WOULD THE DIFFERENCE IN APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TONIGHT AND THE DUE DILIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE CITY WITH THE QUESTIONS, CONCERNS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE, UH, DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEVELOPER THAT THEY, UM, FOR TERMINATION PURPOSES, IF, IF WE DO NOT LIKE RESPONSIVE THE DEVELOPER TO THE QUESTIONS, WHAT IS DIFFERENT THAN THAT? AND WAITING 30 DAYS THAT IN THAT 30 DAY PERIOD, ARE THE DEVELOPERS GOING TO COME OVER HERE ON THE FENCE AT WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO DO AN ELMO, YOU, OR ARE THEY GOING TO BE AS DUE DILIGENCE IN PREPARING THE INFORMATION TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? UH, COULD WE NOT WITH THE MOU APPROVAL, IF WE DON'T LIKE THE QUESTIONS THAT THE DEVELOPERS ASKING THAT WE TERMINATE OUR RELATIONSHIP? UM, SO I NEED SOME CLARIFICATION ON THAT BECAUSE I'M HERE QUITE A FEW THINGS HERE.
IF YOU WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MOU 10 NIGHT AND NEXT, AND TOMORROW STARTED A ROBUST DISCUSSION WITH THE DEVELOPER, ASKING THEM ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT CONCERNED YOU AND YOU WERE DISSATISFIED WITH ANY VISION OR ANY ISSUE, THEN YOU CAN BACK OUT THE NEXT DAY IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT.
SO FROM A LINKEDIN PERSPECTIVE, TO TRY TO GET THE CONCERNS OF THE PUBLIC ANSWER, LEGALLY, IS IT BETTER TO DO AN MOU AND START THE NORMAL PROCESS THAT WE ARE WAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE OF PROVIDING TRANSPARENCY VERSUS JUST GOING THROUGH A PUBLIC HEARING, WHICH SOME CITIES DO.
WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT CONCERN THE PUBLIC AND THAT ENLIGHTENED THE BOARD MORE.
OR DO WE WAIT 30 THAT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN 30 DAYS IF SOMEBODY AND THIS NOT SEVEN PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE THIS CITY TONIGHT OR WAIT 30 DAYS AND AN MOU TONIGHT CAN BE TERMINATED.
NEXT, NEXT MEETING THREE WEEKS FROM NOW, TWO MONTHS FROM NOW, IF WE DID NOT LIE, THE ANSWERS THAT THE PUBLIC DISASTERS THAT WE'RE GETTING BACK FROM THE DEVELOPER, I HAVE, I HAVE QUESTIONS FROM TONIGHT.
SO ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE THE CITY TONIGHT? IF THE DECISION IS NO, THAT WILL NOT BE THE FIRST NO DECISION TO IN MY YEARS ON THIS BOARD, IF IT WAS, YES, WE WILL PROCEED FORWARD AND WE WILL FIND THESE ANSWERS AND WE WILL DECIDE WE DO NOT.
WELL, WE DO, WE DO NOT WANT TO GET MARRIED AS HAS BEEN TALKED TONIGHT.
WE DO NOT WANT TO PERTAIN ALL WE WILL, BUT IN ANSWER TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I'M SITTING ON A CORNER.
UH, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I WAS ASKED TO GO TO MALE MILK PLANT.
I THINK I KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN OUT THERE AND I'LL STAND ON THE CORNER.
AND, YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA BE PRETTY QUICK ON YOUR FEET IF YOU'RE THE MAYOR AND THIS SHOULD RAN.
AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF MY OWN CLEANSER, I WAS ASKED THIS QUESTION BY A NEWS REPORTER.
WELL, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT? AND I SAID, I'M GOING TO TRY TO GO OUT AND FIND 115 JOBS TO REPLACE ONES WE JUST LOST.
WELL, I THINK MR. DAVIS, WE DID SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS.
[02:35:01]
WE HAD, YOU KNOW, A YEAR AND 23 PARCELS OF PROPERTY WERE ASSEMBLED AND THE CITY PARTICIPATED AND WE COULD HAVE TERMINATED MOU IF WE WANTED, BUT NO, UH, WITH OMENS LEADERSHIP, PRIMARILY THE HARRIS TEETER $40 MILLION INVESTMENT HAPPENED, BUT IT STARTED WITH AN ELMO.YOU THAT COULD HAVE BEEN TERMINATED AT ANY TIME.
IF WE COULD WORK WITH THE DMT, IF WE COULDN'T WORK WITH, WITH THE ZONING, IF THEY COULD ACQUIRE THE PARCELS.
BUT THE JOURNEY STARTED WITH ELMO.
WE HAD TO DISCUSS A CHOICE AS TO IF IT WAS GOING TO BE DUKE ENERGY OR A CITY OF NEWBURGH.
WE VOLUNTARILY KIND OF BACKED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO KILL THE DEAL IF THE GEOGRAPHIC, UH, CHOICE OF DUKE OR SO WE HAD TO GIVE AND TAKE THERE SAY THEY ONLY HAD TO GO TO D DMT AND WORK OUT SOME ENTRANCES EGRESS INGRESS IS THAT WE'RE SAFE.
THAT DIDN'T MEAN THAT HARRIS STEVE CENTER, THE LARGEST HARRIS THEATER IN THE WORLD WAS GOING TO COME AND HAPPEN THERE.
I'M TRYING TO START A PROCESS TONIGHT AND I NOT BE A PART OF ENDING THAT PROCESS NEXT MEETING THREE MONTHS FROM NOW, IF I DON'T LIKE THE ANSWERS THAT YOU MAS, THAT KESSLER IS GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER SO, UH, UH, THE CITY ATTORNEY, SO THE BEST MOVE FOR US TONIGHT IS TO GO FORWARD WITH THE MOU THAT WE CAN.
WE STILL BE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MAKE THAT FINAL DECISION.
THE POLITICAL QUESTION IS YOURS TO MOVE FORWARD OR NIGHT OR NOT THE LEGAL QUESTION.
UM, IT IS, IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOW, YOU CAN PUT A STOP TO THE PROCESS, RIGHT? THIS DOES NOT OBLIGATE YOU TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN TALKING, KEEP TALKING IN GOOD FAITH.
IF YOU ARE ALL RED LIGHTS TONIGHT, SPARE ME THE MISERY, PLEASE.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE SENSITIVITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
I CAN TELL YOU, I HAVE GOTTEN PERMITS BEFORE THE FIRST QUESTION YOU ASKED WHEN YOU GOT TO GET A WARFRONT PERMIT, IS IT THE 30 FOOT OR THE 75 FOOT RULE? I WOULD THINK IT'S PROBABLY, I DON'T KNOW, BUT YOU GET THE MAN OUT THERE WHEN YOU GET A MAN OUT THERE, YOU ASK HIM, IF YOU CAN TAKE THIS STUMP OUT, IF YOU CAN PUT BOTH KID HERE, IF YOU CAN BACKFILL HERE, I'VE DONE THAT BEFORE AND ON.
ONE OF THOSE OCCASIONS HAPPENED TO BE MY OWN HOUSE, A STUMP IN MY BACKYARD, ANNA, I COULDN'T PUT IT BY THE HOUSE.
I SAID, HOW MANY AGENCIES TECHNICALLY BETWEEN THE BUILD PERMIT OFFICE OUT HERE, THE STATE AND THE NATIONAL AND THE CLEAN WATER, HOW MANY AGENCIES ARE OUT THERE? YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? THERE ARE THERE'S 27 OF THEM.
THERE ARE A LOT OF HOOPS TO FOLLOW, TO GO THROUGH.
AND GUESS WHAT? WHEN THEY GET THROUGH THEM HOOPS, THEY GOT TO GO THROUGH THE HPC.
DOES ANYBODY EVER REMEMBER DETERMINED MASS, THE CRAFTS, BUILDING THE GARDEN, THE DELAY, THE PROCESS.
DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER THE MONOLITHIC? I REMEMBER MY ASS, LACK OF MAPS, ASSHOLE, CRASS, TOO MUCH MASS.
WHEN THE TULSA GROUP WANTED TO DO THE TOWERS, THINGS ARE NOT EASY.
THEY, THEY ALL START WITH SOMEBODY INTERESTED IN INVESTING MONEY IN YOUR, IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY DON'T START THE PROCESS OF GOING DOWN TO THEIR BANK AND SAYING, CAN I HAVE SOME MONEY? I WANT TO GO TO THIS.
THAT'S THE UTOPIA OF NORTH CAROLINA, NOT THE SOUTHEAST.
SAY, UM, THE FIRST QUESTION SAYS, WELL, WHAT'S YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY? WELL, WE DON'T HAVE ONE.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T HAVE? WELL, WE HAD TO WAIT 30 DAYS TO SEE THEY, THEY DECIDED NOT TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP TO MOVE FORWARD.
WE GOT SO, BUT SHE WON'T START PROCESS OF BORROWING MONEY AND YOU, YOUR CITY DOWN THERE DOESN'T EVEN WANT TO GIVE YOU AN AMMO.
WHEN YOU GOT YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER, THEY MIGHT GO DOWN THERE AND SAY THE APPRAISAL DOWN AND WORK OUT THE SENSITIVITY OR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.
DON'T WORK OUT THE AMOUNT OF SETBACK BECAUSE IT IS A 75 FOOT, NOT THE 30 FOOT ROW.
I CAN TELL YOU, THERE'S A LOT OF HOOPS TO GO THROUGH,
[02:40:01]
TO START PROCESS.IF SOMETHING DOESN'T WORK OUT, IF WE DON'T GET ANY ANSWERS, WE WON'T, WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU THE ANSWERS.
IF, IF THEY ARE NOT RIGHT ANSWERS, WE CAN KNOW BOY MOU.
IF WE KNOW AVOID TO HIM OR YOU CAN, WE DO IT JUST FOR THE POINT, IF THEY AGREE, RIGHT? WE CAN'T FORCE ANYONE TO DO ANYTHING.
THEY CAN'T FORCE THE CITY VIEW OF ANYTHING.
AND WE OBVIOUSLY CAN'T FORCE THEM TO DO ANYTHING.
WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A MEETING OF THE MIND THERE, THE, THE TERM OF, UM, LEADERSHIP.
IT'S NOT A LACK OF LEADERSHIP IF YOU DECIDE TO WAIT 30 DAYS, BECAUSE WHAT'S THE SENSE OF APPROVING AN MOU AND NOT JUST HAVING A CONVERSATION, IF, I MEAN THEY'RE BUSINESS PEOPLE.
WHY CAN'T YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION AND GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BEFORE YOU SIGN AN MOU.
MOU FOR, TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS OF WHAT THE CITIZENS AT THE FIRST THING THAT , THEY'LL MEET WITH PLAYING WORK.
AND IF THEY GET A KNIFE, THEN THAT'S IT RIGHT THERE.
I MEAN, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF SENSITIVE ISSUES.
WOULD THAT BE IN ON THAT WORK RIGHT THERE? I DO NOT TO DO DUE DILIGENCE AND I CAN'T, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I CAN'T DO DUE DILIGENCE.
AGAIN, I HAVE HEARTBURN, ESPECIALLY AFTER HEARING A LOT OF PEOPLE TODAY AND THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS, I HAVE HEARTBURN ABOUT THE UNION POINT SIDE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO MISS SOMETHING THAT I'VE MIGHT HAVE MISSED OR NOT KNOWN ABOUT OR OTHERWISE WITH ALL OF THE PROJECTS COMBINING, WITHOUT DOING MY DUE DILIGENCE.
AND IF THE MOU DOESN'T FIND ME AND ALLOWS ME TO DO DUE DILIGENCE, WE ALL BUY REAL ESTATE.
YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A DUE DILIGENCE PERIOD.
YOU SIGN BASICALLY AN MOU, WHICH CONTRACTS, WELL, WHAT LETS YOU HAVE APP.
I JUST FEEL THAT I WOULD AGREE.
I WOULD NOT BE DOING MY JOB IF I DIDN'T LISTEN TO ALL SIDES TO THIS SIDE, TO THAT SIDE, DO MY DUE DILIGENCE.
AND LIKE I SAID, THE 30 DAYS WE COULD COME BACK AND SAY, NO, GO IT.
WE'RE NOT ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE WEREN'T, BUT I FEEL THAT I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD.
I WANT TO DO THE DUE DILIGENCE.
I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY AND WE CAN BUY IT AS LONG AS I KNOW THAT WE CAN BACK OUT AT ANY TIME AND WE CAN WALK AWAY FROM THIS I'M UH I'M OKAY.
FIRST LANE, I KNOW THERE'S GOOD SOUL TEST.
WE ALL KNOW WHAT THEY USED TO BE DONE.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE UNION 0.4 THAT'S EXACTLY.
BUT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING THEY DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.
SO WHY CAN'T YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THE KESSLER GROUP ON THE CAT ONE IN PART TWO, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
AND WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME IS LIKE, ONE OF THE GENTLEMEN SAYS IS THAT IF UNION POINT PARK IS NOT PART OF THE DEAL, EVERYTHING IS OFF THE TABLE.
WHEN WE SAY TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE, WHY DOES ANY POINT HAVE TO BE PART OF THIS CONVERSATION? WHY CAN'T WE TALK ABOUT WANTING TO, OKAY, WELL, THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SPEND MONEY ON ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS.
AND UNLESS THEY KNOW THAT THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO THEIR INVESTMENTS HERE, LABOR WE'RE COMMITTED TO THEIR INVESTMENTS BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO WORK OUT INCENTIVES FOR ONE AND TWO.
WE'RE NOT COMMITTED OR SOME OF US ARE NOT COMMITTED TO DISRUPTING UNION POINT PARK.
AND SO GIVEN THE 30 DAYS, 30 DAYS THAT ASKED THAT SIMPLE QUESTION OF, IF YOU GET POINT IS, ARE OFF THE TABLE AND WHATEVER LEGAL GUARDIAN JARGON YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY, ARE YOU STILL WANTING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ONE AND TWO? IF THE ANSWER'S NO THAT THEY NEVER WANTED TO INVEST IN THE CITY WITHOUT DISRUPTING UNION POINT, OR YOU ASK THE QUESTION, IF YOU, YOUR POINT IS NOT ON THE TABLE, DO YOU STILL WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ONE AND TWO? THAT'S A SIMPLE QUESTION.
UH, THIS IS THE ELECTED OFFICIALS DISCUSSION, SIR.
THIS IS THE DISCUSSION PHASE OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
IF ANY, TWO MEMBERS OF YOUR MAKE A MOTION SECOND TO START PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
I WILL AGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE I ALWAYS DID.
BUT IF THEY DON'T, THERE IS NO PUBLIC DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS THE PHASE OF THE CITY OF NEWBURGH LAKE OFFICIALS, DISCUSSION STAFF INCLUDED SOMETIMES THANK YOU.
I FEEL WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE, UH, THE MOU AND THEREFORE, DURING THE CONVERSATION,
[02:45:01]
WE CAN DECIDE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.THEREFORE, WE GET ALL THE ANSWERS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD.
WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS OPPORTUNITY IS GOING TO COME ABOUT AGAIN.
OKAY? SO WE NEED TO MOVE NOW IS TO MAKING THE DECISIONS.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.
YOU HAVE SOME TIME YET THIS HALLWAY, BUT YOU GOT TO MAKE THE CALL.
I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE MOVE FORWARD TO THE MOU.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
DOES EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND THE MOTION? UM, YES.
WOULD YOU CALL IT? WE'RE ALL STARTED WITH ELVIN BANGLE YES.
NO ARGUMENT ASKED HER NO MAYOR OUTLAW ALDERMAN KINSEY, ALDERMAN.
SO WOULD YOU GIVE THE TITLE? OKAY.
LET'S GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
UM, CAN I MAKE ANOTHER MOTION OR A SUGGESTION? OH, WELL, YES.
IF YOU WANT TO STAY ON KNOW THE, THAT WE CAN DO THAT.
I WOULD LET THEM MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT THE STAFF GO BACK AND TALK TO THE KESSLER GROUP ABOUT THE QUESTION IN REGARDS TO THE PROJECT, WANTING TO, WITHOUT UNION POINT AND RECEIVE AN ANSWER BACK ON THAT.
I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THAT WHATSOEVER.
I JUST WANT TO KEEP THE DISCUSSION MOVING AND MR. SIEGEL, CAUSE I SEE YOU IN, CAUSE I SEE YOU IN HERE.
JUST ONE COMMENT, MAYOR, WOULD YOU ALLOW ME TO MAKE THE COMMENT? YOU KNOW, PLEASE HAPPY TO GIVE YOU GOOD INFORMATION.
I FEEL A LOT OF WHAT'S HAPPENED IS BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT GOOD CORRECT INFORMATION.
ONE OF YOUR REPORTERS ON AN MOU WHO DIDN'T KNOW WHAT AN MOU WAS, SO IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT.
SO PLEASE I'M AT YOUR SERVICE.
I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ANY INFORMATION.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT GOOD INFORMATION IS OUT THERE AND THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PROCEED WITH, UM, DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE THAT NOTHING'S IN STONE YET.
AND THAT WAS THE ONLY THING I HAD.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BOARDS WE'LL GO HERE.
WE'RE JUST SAYING, DOES THE BOARD HAVE AN ISSUE WITH STAFF MOVING FORWARD TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION ABOUT PHASE ONE AND TWO AND LEAVING OFF UNION POINTS? NO, THE MOU WAS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH EVERYTHING WE DID IN THIS DISCUSSION.
NO, IT'S NOT APPROVED, BUT IT WAS NO, RIGHT.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE TAKE A 10 MINUTE RECESS.
YEAH, I WAS BORN HERE AND WE READY TO START? LET'S GO AHEAD AND
[Consent Agenda]
GET THE CONSENT AGENDA.THE MAYOR, I WENT TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IS SECOND MOTION.
SECOND, IS THERE DISCUSSION SEEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, SAY AYE, ALL OPPOSED.
SAY LET'S GO NUMBER 12, 9, 11.
[9. Presentation of Cost Estimates to Construct Roads and Install Utilities on Unimproved Rights of Way in Pembroke.]
GO TO NINE.IS A PRESENTATION OF COST ESTIMATES TO CONSTRUCT ROADS AND INSTALL UTILITIES ON AND UNAPPROVED RIGHTS OF WAY OF TIM BROOK.
AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK ALKA BLADES, COME UP AND MAKE HIS PRESENTATION.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
PLEASE BRING THIS ITEM FOR YOU.
THAT WAS QUITE A RIDE TO HERE.
I MISS SEEING ALL OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE THOUGH.
WELL, UH, MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF BOARD, UH, THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, UM, WAS PUT TOGETHER BY STAFF, UM, IN RESPONSE TO WANTING TO KNOW THE IMPROVED RIDE WAVES AND COMMUNITY CALLS AS,
[02:50:01]
UH, COUNCIL KNOWS, AS THE BOARD KNOWS AS PENBROOK, THAT WAS, UH, ANNEX 1991.AND, UM, WHAT WE HAVE IN THE PRESENTATION, THAT'S THE AREA, UM, THE UNIMPROVED AREAS OF ABOUT 27%, IT'S ABOUT 70 SOME ODD PERCENT IS, UH, UM, PAID, UM, THE CONDITIONS AND THE CONFLICTS.
AND I GUESS YOU WOULD CALL THEM AND CONSIDERATIONS THAT WE'VE OUTLINED FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENED IN, UH, RESULTING IN THE UNIMPROVED UNIMPROVED AREAS OR SOLE CONDITIONS AND THE DRAINAGE, NOT TO READ EXACTLY WORD FOR WORD, BUT, UH, JUST TOUCHING ON SOME OF THE HIGH POINTS.
UH, THE OTHER PART WOULD BE A CONFLICTS WITH THEM.
IT'S COMMON TO FIND BUILDINGS SUCH AS HOUSES AND STRUCTURES THAT ARE SITTING WITHIN THE EXISTING DRIVEWAY.
UM, MOVING ON, YOU ALSO HAVE CONSIDERATIONS OF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES THAT ARE ALSO, UM, CONFLICTS WITHIN THE RIDER-WAITE ONE CONSIDERATION THAT, UH, IF WE WERE COVERING THE LAST BULLET IS A STORM WATER, UM, UH, CONTROL MEASURES THAT WE HAVE TO PREVENT.
UM, WE WOULD BE DISPLAY, WE WOULD BE CHANGING APPROXIMATELY 6.3 ACRES, BUT WHAT IS NOW PERVIOUS AREA TO TIMBER IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT.
SO WOULD THAT, UH, THE ESTIMATE STAFF HAS COME UP WITH, UH, IS IN, UM, APPROXIMATE DOLLARS, 70 MILLION THAT COVERS FULL STANDARD IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING THE, UH, UNDERGROUND, UM, UTILITIES AS WELL.
UM, WITH THAT, UH, THERE ARE SOME CAVEATS THAT'S COVERED BELOW WHAT THE COSTS WOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT AS WELL.
BUT I WILL PAUSE THE PRESENTATION, STEVE, FOR ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD LOVE IT.
MR. MENDEZ, COULD YOU COME UP JUST TO SAY WHAT YOU MIGHT'VE KIND OF WENT UP? I KNOW YOU, I KNOW YOU DON'T MIND CAUSE YOU KNOW, ALL THIS STUFF.
WHAT YEAR DID YOU COME TO WORK WITH SID? OR WHAT YEAR DID YOU COME TO WORK WITH THE CITY? 1,987 OR SO, UH, THEY ANNEX WHEN YOU COULD ANNEX, I BELIEVE PINE CREST AND THE PEMBER CARRIER.
AND IMMEDIATELY YOU GOT STARTED, WENT IN THERE AND TRIED TO SEE WHAT STREETS NEEDED PAID IN WHAT SEOUL CONDITIONS, WHAT, UH, CONTOURS, WHAT DRAINAGE ISSUES WERE GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.
AND IF YOU COULD JUST, IF YOU DON'T MIND, UH, YOU CERTAINLY WOULD HELP ME.
AND I KNOW YOU'LL HELP ELECT OFFICIALS.
WHAT HAPPENED THERE? I KNOW THERE WERE ACTUALLY SOME LEGAL QUESTIONS.
UM, THE, THE ATTORNEY MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH ME, BUT THERE WERE, UM, CLOUDS ON SOME OF THOSE WRITEAWAYS OR LACK THEREOF, UM, UM, PRESCRIPTION EASEMENTS, I, YOU KNOW, JUST A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.
SO TELL US, TELL US YOUR 2 CENTS.
I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 1990 WHEN, WHEN THAT ANNEXATION HAPPENED.
UH, AND WE ANNEXED WOODROW PENBROOK, UM, OKAY.
OH, TOWN, WHOLE TOWN WAS PART OF THAT.
I'M LIKE, BUT ANYWAY, IT WAS QUITE A BIT OF, QUITE A BIT OF AREA THAT WE, WE ANNEXED IT.
UH, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT 1990 AND WHAT YOU'RE REQUIRED TO DO UNDER THE ANNEXATION LAWS.
AND WE WENT OUT TO, UM, MARTIN MARIETTA THIS TODAY.
UH, BUT, UH, YOU'RE REQUIRED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDED TO EVERYONE ELSE, ALL THAT WAS BACK IN THE DAY WHEN YOU CAN IMAGE, BUT YOU REALLY CAN'T POSSIBLY ANNEX ANYMORE.
AND, AND WHAT, UH, WE DID, UM, SPECIFICALLY WITHOUT MY PEMBROKE, WE DID THE SAME THING IT WOULD RUN.
UH, AND WE DID A LITTLE OF THAT IN PLEASANT HILL.
THERE WERE UNIMPROVED STREETS THAT FOLKS LIVED ON.
THEY WERE PLANTED RIGHT OF WAYS.
WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING AS YOU, YOU DO, YOU PLANT RIGHT OF WAYS AND, UH, GENERALLY, UH, CONTRACTORS OR DEVELOPERS BUILD STREETS.
BUT IN THIS CASE, WHEN WE DID ANNEXATION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES AND, UH, BE FAIR TO THE FOLKS THAT WE ANNEXED, UH, WE WENT IN AND LOOKED AT EVERY STREET THAT IN THOSE AREAS, THAT FOLKS WERE RESIDED ON.
AND IF THEY DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A PAVED PUBLIC STREET, THE CITY, UH, CHOSE TO, UH, IMPROVE THOSE STREETS
[02:55:01]
IN WOODROW, PEMBROKE, AND, UH, IN PLEASANT HILL AND PUT THOSE FOLKS, YOU KNOW, IN BASICALLY THE SAME CONDITION THAT EVERYONE ELSE, UH, PROUDLY, THEY DID EVERYTHING THAT WAS A DEDICATED RIGHT AWAY, THAT DEDICATED RIDING BLENDS.AND YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, TODAY, I DON'T KNOW, I'M SURE, UH, SOMEONE IN THE CITY CAN TELL YOU, BUT THERE'S PROBABLY, UH, 20 MILES OF UNIMPROVED FREES THAT HAVE BEEN PLANTED IN THE CITY OF NEWBURGH.
BUT AGAIN, UH, THE POLICY OF THE CITY OF NEWBURGH HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT DEVELOPERS DEVELOP THE STREETS AND WHAT THE CITY CHOSE TO DO IN THE CASE OF PEMBROKE OR WHATEVER, UH, THAT THOSE FOLKS WHO BROUGHT INTO THE CITY AND WE'RE GOING TO BE FACED WITH, UH, TAXATION FROM THE CITY, THE CITY FUNDED THE FOOD COST TO BUILDING THOSE STREETS, ANY OTHER STREETS THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT IN THOSE AREAS? TO MY KNOWLEDGE, UH, SINCE THAT TIME, UH, EITHER THE DEVELOPER DID IT, OR I REMEMBER A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN WE WERE THERE, THE RESIDENTS WHO WANTED TO DO IT, WORKED WITH THE CITY, WE WORKED WITH THEM AND, BUT THEY PAID FOR THE EXTENSION ON THE STREET.
SO THAT'S BASICALLY HOW YOU GOT WHERE YOU ARE.
BUT I WANT TO GO TO THE ATTORNEY MINUTE AND COME BACK TO YOU.
UM, LEGALLY IT'S WHEN YOU INVOLUNTARILY ANNEX, YOU HAVE ONE OR THREE YEARS, I CAN'T REMEMBER TO PROVIDE THEM SERVICES.
I DON'T WANT TO CALL THE YEARS MAYOR, BUT JUST TO PUT A FINER POINT ON WHAT DANNY SAYING, MY RECOLLECTION TOO IS JUST TO BE CLEAR THAT IF THERE WAS A HOME HALFWAY DOWN A BLOCK, WE WOULD RUN THE STREET TO THE HOME.
SO, SO THAT'S WHY SOME OF THOSE STREETS STOPPED SHORT BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS ANNEX, WE MADE SURE THAT EVERY HOMEOWNER HAD A DRIVEWAY THAT CONNECTED TO A PAGE SURFACE, ANYTHING THAT WAS VACANT WAS GOING TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A FUTURE DEVELOPER TO COME IN AND PAID THAT STREET TO ACCESS THOSE VACANT LOTS.
SO WAS ANYBODY DISENFRANCHISED AS FAR AS IF THERE WAS A PUBLIC RIGHT AWAY? NOT THAT WAS ANYBODY NOT PROVIDED, UM, PAVED, PAVED ASPHALT STREETS IN THAT AREA.
DID WE MISS ANY? I, YEAH, I COULD SIT HERE AND SAY IN, IN MY OPINION, UH, AND IN MY RECOLLECTION, NONE BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY HEARD IT, ARE WE SAYING THAT IF SOMEBODY HAS A FIVE ACRE, 10 ACRE TRACK, THEY WOULD NEED TO PUT IN THEIR ROAD SYSTEM FOR THAT TRACK.
BUT IF WE HAD SOMEBODY THAT SAW THE VACANT LOT FOR 20 YEARS, IT'S JUST NOW MOVING BACK TO THE AREA THERE'S A DEDICATED RIGHT AWAY.
I KIND OF FEEL LIKE THE CITY BE OBLIGATED.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S A CONFUSION THAT, RIGHT.
BUT IF IT'S RIGHT AWAY, NO STREET UNTIL IT'S DEVELOPED AND IMPROVED AND ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF NEWTON.
NOW THAT THE CAVEAT ON THAT IS, AND THAT'S WHAT I ALWAYS TRIED TO TELL THE BOARD.
AND I'M RETIRED NOW, AS I CAN TELL YOU GUYS WHAT ALWAYS TRIED TO TELL THE BOARD, WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IN THAT, IN THAT GENERAL STATUTE, IT SAYS IF THE CITY DOES ANY MAINTENANCE WITHIN A PLANTED RIGHT.
ONE, THEN THAT BY THE LAW CAN REQUIRE YOU THEN TO MAINTAIN THAT STRIP.
BUT, UH, THAT'S WHAT YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL, BUT GO, LIKE I SAID, YOU PROBABLY GOT 20, 30 MILES OF PLANNED STREETS IN THIS TIME.
AND YOU KNOW, IF HE WON'T SPEND THAT MONEY, BUT THAT'S WHAT DEVELOPERS DO WITH BUILD GROWTH POLICY.
I'VE NEVER MET YOU, BUT I HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT YOU.
UM, I HAD CALLED GEORGIA SPOKE TO HIM.
CAUSE WHEN I SAW THAT NUMBER, I WAS LIKE, HMM.
MAYBE I, THERE WAS A MISCOMMUNICATION ON WHAT I WAS ASKING FOR.
UM, SO THIS IS GREAT INFORMATION.
UM, I THINK I WAS GOING BACK TO THE PRESENTATION IN REGARDS TO LIKE WHERE IT WAS LIKE STREETS OR GUTTERS OR ON ONE SIDE COULD BE A STREET DITCHING IN THE PURBRICK AREA.
I THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT I'M OVER THE CAT HERE IN THAT MASHED UP.
UM, IN REGARDS TO PERM BERG, WHEN IT COMES TO, UM, THE, THE GUTTER DITCHING AND HAVING SIDEWALKS, THAT'S WHAT I WAS REALLY WANTING TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING ON.
UM, I REMEMBER THAT GEORGE PUT TOGETHER INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO BEING ABLE TO PUT STREETS ON SOME PARTS INSIDE OF THAT.
AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET OUT.
[03:00:01]
WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY, BECAUSE IT WAS JUST THAT ONE PIECE OF PLOT OF LAND, BUT BEING HERE AND ALL THE WORKING OR EXPERTISE.DO YOU THINK THAT SIDEWALKS CAN BE PUT IN PREM, BROOKE IN SOME SIDES OF THE STREET SIDEWALKS IN PEMBROKE? YES.
I MEAN, YOU HAVE NO CURVE TO GO.
THERE'S REALLY NO PLACE FOR THEM.
YOU KNOW, BUT AGAIN, WE GO BACK TO THE THING, UH, AGAIN, I'M RETIRED.
I CAN SAY THAT THE CITY DOES NOT, THE POLICY OF THE CITY OF NEWBURGH IS NOT TO BUILD SIDEWALKS.
WE MAINTAIN SIDEWALKS THAT DEVELOP THAT DEVELOPED WAS BEATEN.
AND, YOU KNOW, UH, YOU CAN WALK ON THE, ON THE EDGE OF THE PAVEMENT AND BE JUST AS SAFE AS YOU OWN THE ROAD IN A NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE TIMBER, BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT RUNNING 50 MILE AN HOUR.
DO YOU, IF YOU HAVE SIDEWALK, THAT'S FINE.
BUT AGAIN, AND I'M A TAXPAYER NAME WITH THE CITY TO GO OUT AND JUST REALLY NEARLY STUART PULLED US UP OR GIVE YOU WHERE, UH, THAT'S A DEVELOPMENT JOB FOR THEM.
I THINK THE MAIN THING ABOUT WANTING TO BE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAD SIDEWALKS THAT WOULD LOSE, UNFORTUNATELY WE GO BACK TO WHERE EXACTLY.
AND THIS IS NOT GEARED TOWARDS YOU AS THE GENERAL CONVERSATION.
I THINK THE MAIN ISSUE IS THERE'S NOT ANY STREETS IN CHROMEBOOK AND THE CHILDREN WALK ON THE ROAD.
UM, AND THAT IS SIDEWALKS ARE BAD SIDEWALKS.
UM, SO THAT'S, I JUST HEARD BROOKE WOULD LIKE SOME SIDEWALK, UM, NO SIDEWALKS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD EITHER Y'ALL HAVE ANY SIDEWALKS OVER WHERE YOU LIVE.
THEY UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERY STREET AND PER BROOK.
QUESTION FOR FORMER, GIVE IT UP AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.
SOMETIMES WHEN WE GET OUR PROJECTS THAT YOU'RE HELPING US OUT WITH GOING WHILE WE GOT YOU, WE'VE GOT THE FIRST CAT B PROJECT ON THE STREET AND WELL, WE'VE GOT TWO OF THEM OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S WHERE IT BELONGS THAT A'S ABOUT FINISHED.
AND, UH, I THINK THEY'D GO IN.
YES, MR. JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
THE ANNEXATION WAS 1990, BUT IT WASN'T MEANT THAT TO 1991.
I GOT THE DOCUMENT RIGHT HERE.
YOU, WOULD YOU BACK UP TO THAT VERY FIRST SLIDE? YES, SIR.
I'M ASSUMING THIS IS SHOWING WHAT IS THE BLUE REPRESENT UNIMPROVED STREETS.
I ALSO GREEN OR WHATEVER THAT HAS, UH, PAID A PORTION TOO.
WE DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT THEM INTO THE PRESENTATION IF WE CAN GET THAT TO THEM, TO THE BOARD.
AND I'LL ALL THESE STREETS CUT THROUGH JUST AS THE MAP SHOWS.
THAT'S THE PLANET AS DANNY MENTIONED.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION.
ANYTHING ELSE? MA'AM SO ALL OF THEM, UH, HARRIS HEART, YOU WERE A THIRD.
THIS WAS REFERRING TO WHEN WE WERE SPEAKING AT, UM, I GUESS OUR MEETING LAST MONTH ABOUT THE UNPAID ROSE IN FERNBROOK IS THAT THIS, THIS GOES BACK TO, UM, WELL, IN JULY OF LAST YEAR, WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THAT ONE ROAD TO GET SOME PAVEMENT ON IT, UM, BUT ALSO WHEN, UM, GEORGE CREATED THE PREMPRO COMMUNITY SIDEWALK INSTALLATION, UM, AND PACKED OUT WHERE IT WAS, UM, I CAN FORWARD YOU GUYS THIS, UM, AT THAT TIME, THE ESTIMATED COST WAS $422,000 TO BE ABLE TO PUT SIDEWALKS IN, UM, THE SPECIFIC AREA IN PRIM BROOKS SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE SIDEWALKS TO WALK ON.
AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS REALLY WANTING TO COME BACK ON BECAUSE THE NUMBER IS NOT 9.7 MILLION.
UM, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY'VE BEEN
[03:05:01]
ASKING FOR SOME SIDEWALKS AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO ASK FOR SIDEWALKS.UM, I THINK THERE'S A EQUILIBRIUM SPOT ON THIS.
WHEN IT COMES TO SIDEWALKS, I JUST FEEL WE HAVE TO KEEP GOING AND LOOKING AND SEEING WHAT WE CAN DO, WHETHER IT'S GRANTS OUT THERE OR SOMETHING, BUT, YOU KNOW, TO GIVE A COMMUNITY SIDEWALKS, IT MEANS A LOT TO THEM TO HAVE SOME SIDEWALKS.
AND I'M GOING TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOU GUYS, SO YOU CAN SEE THE PRESENTATION.
AND I THINK 40 $200,000 IS A LOT MORE REASONABLE THAN 99.7 MILLION.
SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO SIDEWALKS IN PROGRAM AT ALL, NOT ONE STREET.
I'VE NOT SEEN A SIDEWALK IN PRINT BOOK.
AND SABRINA KNOWS THIS FROM THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
THERE ARE QUITE A FEW STREETS THAT WOULD NOT HAVE SIDEWALKS IF THEY WERE NOT ONE WAY.
NOW I KNOW THAT'S QUITE A CHANGE FROM USUAL TWO-WAY TRAFFIC, BUT THE ONLY WAY ON SOMEBODY'S STREET IS NARROW AS THEY ARE.
WE'D HAVE TO DO ONE WAY AND YOU'RE GOING TO PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE YOU, WHAT'S YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THAT? HAVE YOU HAD SITUATIONS WHERE OBVIOUSLY FOR 50 YEARS, SOMEBODY TO WHITE TRAFFIC AND IN ORDER TO PUT SIDEWALKS IN, YOU'VE GONE WITH THE ONE LIGHT? NO, SIR.
WELL, YOU WERE SPENDING TO SAY HOW GREAT IT WAS.
I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD HAD OCCASION IN HIS VARIOUS, UH, DIFFERENT CAPACITIES, IF, IF THEY HAD TAKEN THEM TWO WAY STREET AND MADE A ONE WAY AND THEN HAD PLENTY OF ROOM FOR A SAFE SIDEWALK.
THAT'S WHAT JAMES DID WAS MADE A RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.
I WILL SAY THAT, UM, WE'VE HAD TWO MEETINGS, THE NPOS TWO MEETINGS NOW.
UM, I KNOW CARRIE'S BEEN THERE.
UH, WE'VE HAD A POLICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE, BUT THE PLAN TO UPDATE THE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN, WHICH IS NOT WHAT I REALLY ASKED US FOR, FOR US TO DO.
I JUST ASKED TO KIND OF UPDATE THE PLAN, BUT WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE MOTIONS.
UM, THAT PLAN SHOULD BE READY SOMETIME THIS SPRING.
AND I'VE ASKED THEM TO TEAR IT, TO LOOK AT THE HIGH PRIORITY SIDEWALKS, WHICH WOULD BE TO FILL GAPS IN WHERE WE'D GOTTEN NEW DEVELOPMENT, WHERE WE'D GOT A SIDEWALK AND THEN THERE'S A GAP.
AND THEN THERE'S A SIDEWALK THAT WOULD BE LIKE PRIORITY ONE.
AND THEN THE NEXT LEVEL DOWN WOULD BE TO GET TO GET FROM NEIGHBORHOODS TO MAIN CORRIDORS.
AND THEN THE THIRD WOULD BE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE THERE'S A TON OF RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORS THAT DON'T HAVE SIDEWALKS.
SO WE WOULD HAVE TO FIGURE OUT, PRIORITIZE THOSE.
I KNOW SOME COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW, WE'VE DONE STUDIES AND THEY DON'T HAVE VEHICLES.
SO THERE'S MORE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC, ALL THAT WOULD NEED TO COME INTO PLAY WITH THAT.
BUT I JUST FORGOT TO LET YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHERE THAT BATES AT.
IT SHOULD BE TO US SOMETIME IN MARCH.
SO ARE THEY GOING TO CONTINUE TO CONNECT? UM, CAUSE I KNOW THAT WE SPENT, I THINK IT WAS $250,000 FOR THAT CORRIDOR ALL THE WAY TO TRENT WOODS ON IT STOPS.
UM, AND HOPEFULLY THEY DECIDE TO PICK UP PUTTING A SIDEWALK THERE SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY CONNECT TO COMMUNITIES.
BUT ACTUALLY IS THERE, HAVE WE, BECAUSE I HAVEN'T DROVE OVER THERE.
IS THERE A SIDEWALK GOING FROM THE PER BRICK AREA BEING ABLE TO GET TO THE WALTZ CENTER? ARE WE MR. HUGHES? WHERE ARE WE OWN? OUR $250,000.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THAT DAY.
THAT'S ACTUALLY COMING UP FOR ANOTHER WELL, OKAY.
NO, WE'LL WAIT, BUT I KNOW, I KNOW IT ALL TIES INTO THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, I SENT STAFF SOME PICTURES OF SOME ISSUES.
UM, AND TO THE DEAF BUILD AREA, THE DAY I WILL TELL YOU IS FRANKLY, IF YOU WOULD GO OVER THERE AND SHAVE OFF OVER THE OVERGROWTH OF GRASS AND DIRT, PROBABLY GET IT ON A COUPLE OF FEET OF ROADWAY AND IT'S JUST NOT SAFE.
I MEAN, UM, THERE SO VERY DANGEROUS STREET, HE SAID, I JUST REALLY THINK YOU NEED TO AGREE WITH THE GIBSON SIDEWALKS ON FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS, TYING HIM TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE STANDING WINE AND LIBERTY TO TRENT WOODS.
THEN WE RECEIVED THAT MACHINE IN, UM, THAT DOES THAT.
I REMEMBER ON THE BUDGET LAST YEAR, I THINK IT WAS BUDGETED WITH GEORGE SAYING THAT WE WERE GETTING, AND HE GOT A, SOME TYPE OF LAWNMOWER WITH A DISC OVER IN FRONT.
AND YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE IN A BICE AREA, THAT'S GOT ABOUT A TWO INCHES OF GROWTH ON THAT.
DISC IS FINE, BUT FOR SOME OF THE ISSUES, YOU GOT A MECHANIZED PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WITH A WIRE BRUSH.
THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KIND OF MOTION IN THE NECK MASS RATE.
[03:10:01]
UH, MAYOR, WHEN DID YOU MADE A STATEMENT ABOUT SOME STREETS OVER IN DUFFIELD BECAUSE THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT I'M WORKING OUT AND TRYING TO WORK OUT RIGHT NOW AND WITH, UM, WITH PUBLIC WORKS BECAUSE GARDEN STREET IS ONE OF THOSE STREETS AND LANE VERY BAD.AND, UM, FOURS, OTHER STREETS ARE CONCERNED ALSO.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE TOOK A LINCOLN, UH, LOOK AT LINCOLN STREET.
THAT'S PART TWO OF, UM, AND REDEVELOPMENT AND SOME OF THE MEETINGS, THEY ARE ULTIMATE INVESTS THAT, UM, AS THEY'RE ACQUIRING PROPERTIES, THEY'RE GONNA LOOK AGAIN AT, BECAUSE THOSE STREETS LIKE THE AVENUES ARE.
SO NOW THEY HAVE ACQUIRED A BUNCH OF PROPERTIES ON FIRST I BELIEVE, AND FIRST AVENUE, AND THEY'RE GOING TO GO IN THERE AND THEY'LL EITHER HAVE TO MAKE IT ONE WAY OR SIDEWALKS.
JUST ONE SIDE OF THE STREET WHERE THERE'S NO HOUSES.
NOW THAT'S BEEN A LOT OF THE PROBLEM.
LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, THE STREETS ARE SO NARROW.
YOU KNOW, WHERE MS. SAMSON IS, THE STREET IS REALLY NARROW THERE.
SO HOW DO YOU DO THAT TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR THE VEHICLE? BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THAT OVERALL PLAN.
MAYBE WE, WE HAVE TO REROUTE THINGS AND MAKE THEM ONE WAY TO PROVIDE THEM ONE SIDE OF THE STREETS.
WELL, I AGREE WITH THAT IN CERTAIN AREAS, THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN PUT A SIDEWALK IN IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, THAT STREET TO BE A ONE-WAY STREET.
BUT WHEN I'M REFERENCING GARDEN STREET, THAT'S A TWO WAY STREET.
AND I DECEIVED THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH SPACE THERE ON ONE SIDE OF THE STREET.
AND LIKE MAYOR SAYING, WHEN YOU GO IN AND YOU ADD BACK SOME OF THAT GROWTH, THE SAME PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING OVER ON LINCOLN STREET.
AND IT PROBABLY WORKS DEPARTMENT.
WE DO HAVE A PROJECT GOING WHERE THEY'VE TAKEN OUT SOME, UM, TREES ON THAT STREET, WHICH WERE, WHICH CREATED SOME ISSUES FOR CARDS PASSING ON A, ON A TWO LANE STREET.
SO THAT PROJECT IS IN IS, IS GOING FORWARD.
BUT WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT MORE LATER WHEN WE GET SIDEWALKS, I MADE IT ON WHEN KENZIE, NO, THEY HAD THREE DDOT, UM, STAFF MEMBERS AND YOUR SALES MAN, SOME OTHER, UM, UH, OF YOUR STAFF, BUT YOU KNOW, KIND OF IMMEDIATELY HIS SAFE ROADS, MONEY THAT HE WAS ABLE TO GET THROUGH.
UH, HE OVERHAULED, UM, ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT THING IS TYING INTO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ALL OF THE SAFE ROADS HE'S ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO GET FOR HIS AREA, BUT, UM, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT.
THEY WERE TOLD TO KINSEY REMOVE ALL THE PINE TREES THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, PUTTING ALL THAT KIND OF STRAW OUT ON LIBERTY ROAD BETWEEN WHAT, UM, THE FUEL MARK AND THE OTHER PANTS, RIGHT MEAN, WELL, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT RIGHT AWAY.
I'M SURE THERE'S ENOUGH RIGHT AWAY THERE THAT THERE'S PROBABLY A RIGHT AWAY THERE.
THEN WE, YOU KNOW, WE'D PROBABLY GO IN THERE AND GET THOSE TREES CUT IN PREPARATION FOR THE SIDEWALK AND GETTING BACK WITH US WITHIN 30 DAYS TO LET US KNOW THAT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT CUTTING THOSE TREES BACK TO KEEP THE PINE STRAW OFF BECAUSE WHO'S GOING TO COME, WANTS TO BRIDGE IS DONE.
THAT'S WHEN THE NEW SIDEWALKS COME IN, IT'S ALREADY INCLUDED IN GREAT, WELL, THAT'S GOOD THAT YOU GET IT STRAIGHTENED OUT.
SO, UH, WHAT'S THE BOARD OR WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH THIS? SO THAT WAS IT THAT WE WERE JUST, YOU KNOW, GIVING INFORMATION BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS THE PROCESS.
UM, I DO WANT TO SAY WHAT MY FILE TIMBER AND THE NEED FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND THE TIE INTO TRENT WAS TRENT WAS, IS GOING TO EVERY STREET IS GOING TO HAVE SIDEWALK.
NOW THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.
BUT HAVING SAID THAT, I KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN LIKE FOREVER WANTING TO GET THAT STAMPED.
CONCRETE BASKETBALL COURT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT ON FEMA, BUT IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE WITH $250,000.
I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT A MINUTE.
I MEAN, HERE WE ARE, YOU KNOW, LIKE FIVE MINUTES, FERNANDA THIS QUARTER, THIS FISCAL YEAR.
AND UNLESS I GET CORRECTED, WE GOT ONE BIT OF MONEY.
THAT'S NOT BEEN APPROPRIATE YET.
WE KNOW THAT THE ASYLUM OFFICER NEEDED TO TIE STEALING WHITE HENDERSON PARK GARDEN STREET INTO THE SIDEWALKS AT THE CITY GOT 10 YEARS AGO, GOING BACK TO JT, BARBARA.
AND WE'RE JUST SITTING HERE WITH MONEY IN THE BANK.
AND I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO JUST HOLD IT OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
IF WE DON'T GO IN AND GET SOME SIDEWALKS BUILT.
BUT I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE GOTTA WAIT ON THE HENDERSON PARK OR SAM, WHY DON'T WE JUST GO AHEAD AND BE PUTTING THAT MONEY TO USE RIGHT NOW? I DON'T GET IT.
WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT ON THE FEED FINGER REIMBURSEMENT OR FEMA'S APPROVAL, BUT IF PUT THE SIDEWALKS IN MAYOR, IF WE CAN GET TO THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA OF SIDEWALKS,
[03:15:01]
YOU'LL SEE WHAT STAFF'S GOING TO BE, UM, TALKING ABOUT.IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS SLIDE? NOPE, THAT'S IT.
UM, WHAT I WAS REALLY LOOKING TO TALK ABOUT IN YOUR EMAIL IN REGARDS TO ACTUAL SIDEWALKS AND WHAT YEAH.
NOW I'LL DO ONE, UM, WHILE WE WERE, BEFORE WE GET OFF THIS ITEM, YOU KNOW, HOW A WOMAN HARRIS AND ALL OF OUR BEST WEEK, WE WERE GOING TO MEET WITH STAFF.
THE PUBLIC WORKS CONCERNING AND WE'RE GOING TO GET DANNY AND, UM, THE HISTORY ON THIS PUMP STATION.
WE STILL WANT TO GET THAT DONE.
SEVENTH STREET, PLEASE GET HER.
DO WE CAN ALL MEET THEM THAT, OKAY.
[10. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving a Water and Sewer Use Agreement for 3436 Old Airport Road.]
NUMBER 10, I AM NUMBER 10 IS CONSIDERED A RESOLUTION TO PROOFING A WATER AND SEWER USE AGREEMENT.UM, THE OWNERS OF THIS PROPERTY PROPOSED TO BUILD A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE ON THE PROPERTY, WHICH IS CURRENTLY OUTSIDE OF NUMEROUS MUNICIPAL CITY LIMITS.
THAT DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE A CALCULATED AVERAGE DAILY SEWER DEMAND OF 360 GALLONS PER DAY.
TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARD WATER AND SEWER SURFACE CONNECTION CANDY PROVIDE TO PROPERTY WITHOUT THE NEED TO REMAIN EXTENSIONS.
SECTION 74, 74 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REQUIRES THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO ENTER INTO A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY FOR WIRE TO, OR USING A MEMO FROM MR. HUGHES'S ATTACHED.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.
THIS WAS A NORMAL WHERE A SYSTEM HAS ASKED TO BE ANNEXED.
THAT'S ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING.
I MAY HAVE BEEN ON MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, APPROVING A WATER AND SEWER USE AGREEMENT FOR 34 36 O AIRPORT ROAD MOTION.
AND SECOND IS THERE DISCUSSION CNN, THIS HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN ODOM, ALDERMAN ADAM MENDEZ, ALDERMAN KINSEY MAY ARE OUT LONG ARGUMENT.
ASTERS OUT A WOMAN HARRIS ALDERMAN
[12. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Amend the Classification Pay Plan for Fiscal Year 2021-22 to Add Executive Director of Redevelopment Commission.]
LET'S CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE CLASSIFICATION PAY PLAN FOR 50 YEARS, 2122 TO ADD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.SO THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR THREE OR FOUR YEARS NOW, AND THEY'VE BEEN RELYING ON THE, THE WORK OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF THAT STAFF HAS BEEN QUITE BUSY WITH THEIR DAY-TO-DAY JOBS AND DEALING WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION HAS, HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.
UH, I HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH FORMER DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
HE DID RECOMMEND THAT WE ADD THIS POSITION TO HELP TAKE SOME OF THE LOAD OFF THAT EXISTING STAFF.
AND AT THIS TIME WE'RE ASKING FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER ADDING THIS POSITION.
UH, THE, UH, THIS WOULD BE IN THE PAY GRADE OF 27, WHICH IS A MINIMUM SALARY OF $71,763 MIDPOINT SALARY OF $94,279 AND MAXIMUM OF $116,795.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
BUT I THINK SOME OF THE ALL WOMEN WILL WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SCOPE OF WORK AND THE RELATIONSHIP AND THE COMMUNICATION LEVELS THAT BE NEEDED BETWEEN THE ZONING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND THE HOUSE WITH AUTHORITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL COMMUNICATING BETTER.
UM, SO I, I, I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL ORMAN THAT ARE VERY CONCERNED BY THIS.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE, UH, I, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HIGH AT HIRING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST, THIS COMMUNITY, AND THIS REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT HAS BEEN IN THIS GAME FOR AWHILE, UNDERSTANDS IT, KNOWS IT AND GO TO WORK.
I DON'T MEAN TO TRAIN SOMEBODY ON THE JOB AND IF WE HAVE TO UP THE SALARY, WHATEVER, I ASSUME YOU WOULD COME BACK, I KNOW YOU PUT A RANGE, YOU HAD TO START SOMEWHERE, BUT I DON'T WANT THAT TO PRECLUDE US FROM HIRING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT THERE.
AND IF WE HAVE TO GET AHEAD OR SOMEBODY TO FIND THEM, I JUST WANT SOMEBODY THAT'S GOING TO COME IN AND TAKE THE COMMISSION WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.
THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN, THEY HAVEN'T HAD FULL-TIME LEADERSHIP, BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A FULL-TIME DIRECTOR.
THEY HAD SOMEONE WHO HAD OTHER DUTIES IN OTHER PLACES.
SO NO FAULT OF MR. JERRY'S, IT WAS JUST THAT, THAT WAS NOT HIS FULL-TIME JOB.
THIS WILL BE A FULL-TIME JOB THAT THEY WILL KEY IN AND LOOK AT THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF YOU WOULD SERVE ON A MAN OR A WOMAN HARRIS AND I'LL DO, WHICH WOULD WORK WITH THE STAFF, IF YOU WANT TO ZOOM MEET OR WHATEVER, UH, TO DEVELOP SCOPE OF WORK.
AND I THINK, UM, I HAVE ASKED FOSTER ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
AND I THINK WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO IS HAVE SOME OF THE COMMISSION MEMBERS SHOULD BE INVOLVED AND THEY SHOULD BE PART OF THE MEETING.
[03:20:02]
RIGHT.BUT THEY SHOULD ALSO BE PART OF IT SINCE THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE ONES WORKING WITH THE DIRECTOR AND THE MOVING FORWARD.
SO I WOULD ASSUME THE CHAIR, OR MAYBE IN THE VICE CHAIR OF REDEVELOPMENT, MAKE IT MAYBE A POINT TO REFER PEOPLE AS WELL.
SO WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU'RE GOING TO BE DISSOLVED IN SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, SOME OF THE MEMBERS THAT ALREADY THERE ARE NOW NO, SHE WAS SAYING THAT THAT SOME OF, SOME OF THE MEMBERS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN, IN THE SELECTION OF ALL RIGHT.
UM, WHAT, SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS YOU'RE GOING TO BE USING SOME OF THE MEMBERS THAT IS ALREADY CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
WELL, TO WORK WITH, HOWEVER, THE HIRING PROCESS, I'M TALKING ABOUT HIRING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
UM, AND LOOKING OVER THIS, UM, UNDER EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE, UM, I WOULD RATHER SCRAP THE FIRST COUPLE OF LINES AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE THAT THEY'VE WORKED IN PLANNING, ENGINEERING, AND ARCHITECT, THAT THIS IS WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY DONE.
UM, AND AGAIN, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A HOT TOPIC IN REGARDS TO, YOU KNOW, THE EDI, WHICH IS DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION, UM, I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMISSION IS A PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS AND THAT, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF WE DO HAVE TO GET A CONSULTANT TO GO IN AND LOOK FOR SOMEONE, BUT THEY HAVE DONE THIS WORK, THEY HAVE PROOF THAT THEY'VE DONE THIS WORK DOES THAT.
I JUST DON'T WANT TO GET ANYBODY THAT MAY HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOME POOL IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY KNOW HOW TO GALVANIZE AND COMMUNICATE.
I WANT SOMEONE THAT'S DONE THE WORK BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT.
SO THAT IS ONE OF THE BIG THINGS ON MY, I AM GOING TO BE IN SUPPORT OF, OF, UM, YOU KNOW, APPROVING THIS.
BUT I DO WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME, YOU'VE MASTERED THE FIELD THAT YOU'RE IN AND THIS IS IMPORTANT.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO UP THE PAY, THEN I'M FINE WITH THAT AS WELL.
BUT THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE BEST PERSON FOR THIS JOB.
AT SOME POINT, I WOULD HOPE THAT THE THREE OF YOU WOULD REPORT BACK TO THE FULL BOARD, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER YOU SEE THAT BETWEEN FOSTER AND SONIA, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SET UP THE PROCESS AND THE APPLICATION AND DECIDE THAT THEN WE'LL JUST WORK WITH THEM AS WE'VE DONE IN HIRING ANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE'VE HIRED WELL FROM, FROM OUR DISCUSSIONS RECENTLY WITH HOUSES OR IN SOME OF THE VERY POSITIVE LEAVES THEY THEY'RE MAKING, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S MORE AND MORE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION NOW IMPORTANT, THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY, THEY WOULD HAVE GOT TO WORK.
AND I THINK THAT, AND DON'T, THEY, IF THEIR CONSULTANT WOULD COME, I WOULD TAKE THEM ALL DAY.
BUT WE, WE, UH, FOR BEST INTEREST OF THE RESIDENTS, WE GOT TO LEAVE THAT COMMUNICATION LEVEL ALONE A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN WHAT WE PAY IN.
WELL, LOOK, I SUPPORT BETTER COMMUNICATION AND GETTING THINGS TOGETHER, BUT THEY HAVE A LOT THAT THEY NEED TO DO OVER THERE.
WE NEED TO FOCUS ON MAKING SURE WE TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE GOT GOING ON BEFORE WE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT, I KNOW WE'LL SUPPORT, BUT THE REDEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.
AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE COMMENT, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE MAY FEEL THAT THEY HAVEN'T DONE A LOT AT THIS MOMENT.
OBVIOUSLY YOU NEED FUNDS, BUT I DO FEEL THAT THEY HAVE GARNERED THE RESPECT AND MAJORITY OF THE TRUST OF THE COMMUNITY WITH ALL OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN GOING ON, WORKING WITH HABITAT, MR. REGGIE, AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON, WE NEED SOMEONE THAT IS GOING TO BE THE BEST FIT FOR THIS.
SO IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS, I LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO, UH, TO, UM, APPROVE A MOU.
IT'S BEEN A LONG NIGHT, UH, RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE CLASSIFICATION PAY PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 21, 20 22, TO ADD THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
AND SECOND IS THERE DISCUSSION, SEE, NONE OF US HAVE BROKE OFF STARTING WITH ALBAN BINGO YES.
OUT A WOMAN HARRIS ALDERMAN ASKED HER MAYOR KINSEY IN THE BEST ALDERMAN.
[13. Consider Adopting a Budget Ordinance Amendment for FY21-22.]
CARRIES ITEM NUMBER 13 ITEMS CONSIDER A BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR FYI 2122 AT THIS TIME.SO THE GENERAL FUND IS AMENDED TO APPROPRIATE 60,000 FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION THAT YOU JUST APPROVED.
THE MID, THE MID POINT ANNUAL ESTIMATED SALARY OF 94,279 PLUS BENEFITS TOWARDS APPROXIMATELY 130, 2000 AS WE WERE ABOUT 58% INTO THIS FISCAL YEAR.
[03:25:02]
AS ESTIMATED FOR THE REMAINDER.ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL FUND HAS ALSO AMENDED TO APPROPRIATE 6,500 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE IT RESTRICTED ACCOUNT FOR THE CRADLE POINT ANTENNA INSTALLATION, NINE FIELD POLES.
THIS WAS APPROVED AND APPROPRIATED IN FISCAL YEAR 21.
HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT RECEIVED AN EXPENSE UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF 2122.
THE PO WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ROLLOVER THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A FEW MONTHS AGO.
UM, THEREFORE WE NEED THE BUDGET TO BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THIS EXPENDITURE.
THE MSD FUND IS AMENDED TO FOR FREE 30,000 FOR THE COST OF SURVEYS, TRASH RECEPTACLES, AND PARKING LOT AT SCIENCE, WHICH WAS APPROVED AT THE JANUARY 26TH, 2022, THE MAYOR WAS GOING TO SAY, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPTED BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR FYI 21 DASH 22 SECOND MOTION.
AND SECOND THE SERVICE DISCUSSION SAY, AND NONE OF US HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALL.
MAYOR ASKED HER OUT A WOMAN HARRIS.
[14. Update on Sidewalks.]
ITEM NUMBER 14.SIDEWALKS WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. COMPLY TO COME BACK UP.
IT'S NOT A MAYOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
PLEASE BRING THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU, UH, THE BOARD MAY RECALL AS PART OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET $250,000 WAS APPROVED FOR THE SIDEWALK OF GROUPINGS.
WHAT IS A CONTAINED IT'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE QUICKER? WELL, THE BOARD CAN SEE IT IN THEIR, IN THEIR PACKET.
UH, WHAT'S LISTED ARE THE PROJECTS THAT THE STAFF IS BRINGING FORWARD TO YOU THAT HAVE BEEN VETTED AS FAR AS PROVIDING CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING SIDEWALK, AS WELL AS REPLACING A DAMAGED SIDEWALK.
AND, UM, PREVIOUS APPROVAL THAT WAS GIVEN WHAT MAY RECALL IS THE COUNCIL BLUFFS, UH, REPAIR THAT WE ESTIMATE RIGHT NOW TO BE AT 60,000 AFTER THE PROJECT HAS BEEN CONTRACTED.
WE HOPE TO START THAT, UH, ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACTOR, UM, IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
SO I WILL CONTINUE WITH THE PRESENTATION.
UH, SO THIS IS QUEEN AND, UH, AND GRAVEN, AND THAT STREET START AT THE TOP, UH, ESTIMATED 38,000.
I'LL JUST ROUND FIGURES AND JUST GO THROUGH IT.
AND IN THE PRESENTATION, UM, THE SIDEWALK IS FOR THE, UH, NATIONAL CEMETERY.
IT TAKES IT THROUGH, UM, AND ACTUALLY CUTS THE CORNER INTO THE PART OF THE CEMETERY.
UM, AS YOU CAN SEE ON A, ON A CORRECT, UH, ALBERT, THAT'S GOING, UH, ADJACENT TO PIERCE PARK.
CAUSE ANYTIME YOU HAVE SAID THAT NATIONAL CENTER BY PARKS DOWN THAT ROAD AND THEY WALK OUT IN NOTES ROAD, I'M JUST CURIOUS, WHY DOES IT, WE OWN THAT LAND NOW AND THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO STAY OUT THAT CORNER.
TURNING RIGHT THE WALLS ADJACENT TO THE ROAD AT THAT AREA.
SO THAT WOULD BE A CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE TO HAVE TO MOVE THAT OUT OF THE WAY.
IT JUST IS A NATURAL TIE INTO THE PARK.
AND THEN SHORTLY MEANDERS IN THROUGH THAT AREA, REPORTING OBSTACLES, UM, THE CONNECTION FOR THE ONE BLOCK FOR THE YMC.
UM, WELL I THINK I MISSED ONE WHERE I WANTED TO SHOW YOU FIRST.
I THINK IT WAS THE COUNTRY CLUB THAT, UM, IS QUITE, UH, A SECTION OF SIDEWALK THAT, UM, IS, IS BADLY NEEDED.
AS FAR AS IT'S BEING ESTIMATED AT 77,000, I DON'T REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THIS.
I'M NOT LOOKING TO PUT SPOT AT NIGHT.
I FEEL THAT THERE'S SUFFICIENT FUND MOUNTS.
THE CITY SHOULD LOOK AT ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND MEDIALLY, IF YOU NEED A HIGHER CONSULTANT, FIGURE OUT A NETWORK SERIES OF TIME IN THE SIDEWALKS THAT WERE ALREADY PUT IN AROUND J T BARBER YEARS AGO IN A LA BARKSDALE AREAS, TOWN, HIM AND GORDON STREET, BRING THEM UP IN ANTICIPATION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AT HENDERSON PARK AND THE NEW STANLEY'S WIFE THAT TIE IN WOULD SAY CROSS, CROSS FALLS, CROSSOVERS TO FIRST STREET TO
[03:30:01]
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER AMENITIES THAT I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IT.IF YOU'VE BEEN AWARE THAT GEORGE HAD TO ENGINEER, I KNOW HE CAME TO LOOK AT MIDDLE STREET AND WE HA I HAD HIM GO TO FIVE POINTS AND LOOK AT THE CROSSWALK THERE AS WELL AS FIRST AND, UH, BROAD, UM, TO LOOK AT TRYING TO DO SOME KIND OF CROSSING LIGHT OR WHATEVER, BECAUSE IT'S SO DANGEROUS TO CROSS IN THAT AREA TOO.
AND, UM, I BELIEVE GEORGE IS WORKING WITH AN ENGINEER AND THEY'RE GOING TO COME BACK WITH IDEAS FOR HOW WE CAN GET PEOPLE SAFELY ACROSS THOSE STREETS.
CAUSE ESPECIALLY IN FIVE POINTS, IT'S REALLY DANGEROUS WITH ALL THAT TRAFFIC COMING.
AND WE TRY THAT WITH BUILDING UP THAT AREA.
THE DAY TO BARBARA, I WAS BACK IN THERE NOT TOO LONG AGO AND IT REALLY NEEDS SOME DESIGNATED CROSS-WALK AREAS.
WILL, ARE YOU SPEAKING OF THE AREA ON BROAD STREET, RIGHT? IN A WHERE THE SERVICE STATION USED TO BE CONNECT FROM THERE ACROSS? YEAH, NO, IT WOULD BE FOR WHERE THE NEW STANLEY WHITE'S GOING TO BE, THAT CROSSWALK THEY'RE GOING.
SO PEOPLE COULD GO TO THE BOLT CENTER THAT INTERSECTION THERE, PLUS THE INTERSECTION AT FIVE POINTS.
I THINK 25% OF THE FIVES HERE GETTING CERTIFICATIONS THAT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ARE WALKING THERE TO GET, GET THEM AND ALL THAT WE CAN, WE CAN DO MORE IF WE GET THE SIDEWALK, LET'S SAY THAT THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO TIE IN TO YOU COME DOWN GARDEN STREET AND YOU COME ACROSS ON DOWN CROSSOVER, THE STANDING WHITE BRICK CENTER, WHATEVER THE BALLPARK THERE AND SIDEWALK TIES INTO THIRD AVENUE, WHICH WELL, I THINK HE SHOULD LOOK AT, WE'VE ALREADY APPROVED THIS.
THIS IS IN THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET.
I THINK HE SHOULD, MAYBE STAFF COULD REPORT BACK TO HIM.
AND MAYBE LOOK AT A BUDGET AMENDMENT AND, AND, AND REALLY IN TIME, I MEAN, I MEAN, I DON'T WANT TO FINISH THE APART AND STANLEY WHY, AND THEN WE START THE SIDEWALL PRO WE ALL HAVE THAT IN PLACE, YOU KNOW, AS PART OF THE COMPLETION, HOWEVER YOU HAVE SOMETHING THERE.
I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T GET DAMAGED THROUGH CONSTRUCTION, BUILD IT AND YOU HAVE TO TEAR IT OUT AND REDO IT.
WELL, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY AT HENDERSON PARK, RIGHT? I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT TYING IT IN, IN THE GREENWAY.
WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THAT NOW.
I WOULDN'T PUT THOSE IN RIGHT NOW, OUR NEED FOR SIDEWALK DOWN GARDEN STREET.
AND I KNOW MR. WILLIAMS AND MR. NELSON CONTACTED ME IN REFERENCE TO THAT.
UM, THAT'S A HEAVILY TRAVELED PEDESTRIAN STREET, UM, AND I'M JUST, I'M REQUESTING FOR, YOU KNOW, A SIDEWALK ON ONE SIDE OF IT STREET.
AND LIKE YOU SAY, PRE EARLIER, MAYOR, IF YOU GO IN, I DON'T KNOW THE PROPER TERM FOR IT EDGE UP THIS STREET BIT.
YOU PROBABLY THERE'S SO MUCH STREET AVAILABLE THERE THAT WE CAN HAVE A SIDEWALK PUT IN THERE.
AND WHAT IS OKAY, WHAT IS THE MENTION OF THE SIDEWALK HAS TO BE ABOUT ORDINANCES AT FIVE FEET, 18 TO 22.
HOW MANY OF YOU TELL BY THE SIDEWALK YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT SIDEWALKS FIVE FEET.
SO IS THERE ANY ROOM FOR SHRINKAGE? I MEAN, I KNOW IT'S TWO, FOUR AND A HALF OR FOUR.
WELL, WE DO HAVE IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS.
NO, THE CYRUS, THOSE ARE FOUR, BUT THE STANDARD TODAY THAT WE BUILT HERE IS FIVE.
SO IF THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT AREA WITH THE STREETS, SO WHY CAN'T YOU PUT A FOUR, FOUR AND A HALF FOOT SIDEWALK THERE ON ONE SIDE? OKAY.
WELL, WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU GENTLEMEN DECIDED THAT Y'ALL WANT TO GO OUT AGAIN TO LOOK AT THAT AREA, WOULD YOU PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL AND LET ME KNOW.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH GOING OUT WITH YOU TO LOOK AT THE AREA BECAUSE I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHILDREN IN THAT AREA AND THOSE THAT WALK DOWN THAT SIDEWALK, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONLY IS IT FOR A HEALTH REASONS, BUT IT'S ALSO FOR SAFETY REASONS AS WELL.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING AT BECAUSE I JUST, THAT IS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT I KNOW GARDEN STREET WOULD EASILY TIE INTO THE GREEN SPACE THAT YOU WERE SAYING TO STANLEY WHITE AND OVER TO BROAD STREET IN VOLT CENTER.
JUST GIVE ME A CALL AND LET ME KNOW.
THAT CONCLUDES, UM, ANY ACTION THE BOARD WANTS TO TAKE ON THIS OR THIS ITEM, THE STREET, AND COME BACK AND GIVE A DISH.
IF WE COULD, YOU KNOW, TABLE BOOTHS UNTIL THEY GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND LOOK AT THE GARDEN STREET.
AND THAT'S WHAT MAIN STREET DOWN REALLY MAIN CONCERN ABOUT RIGHT NOW.
AND I KNOW THE OTHER TIE INS IS NEEDED AS WELL IN THE AREA.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE A SAFE SYSTEM OF SIDEWALKS THAT ARE WILLING TO GO THE
[03:35:01]
UMC W CAMPUS AND SEE THEY'RE STAMPED CONCRETE, CROSS WALKS, UH, CROSSOVERS, UH, CALMING IN NO WAY, UH, IS EVASIVE LIKE A POLISHED STREET, SORRY, NAME, UM, YOU KNOW, BY TRIAL PILOTS.BUT, UM, BUT THIS IS, IT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A ROUGH RUMBLE TO IT, BUT YOU KNOW, IT, IT COMES, IT'S VERY COMMON.
YOU AND STEVE DEBBIE CAMPUS, YES.
SO SOMEBODY REALLY NEEDS TO GO OUT AND TRY AND PALACE, AND IT'S NOT A SIDEWALK.
I DON'T THINK IT'S A ROAD, BUT THAT BRITAIN, THE STATE VOC INSTALLED YEARS AGO WAS, UH, IS FALLING APART.
AND I'M SCARED OF SOMEBODY THAT'S GOING TO GET TRIPPED UP IN.
WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD TO REPLACE A BRICK IN THERE RECENTLY IN THE CROSS WALKS AND TALK TO PUBLIC WORKS ABOUT SOME AREAS THAT HAVE DIPPED DOWN.
SO THEY'RE, THEY'RE WORKING ON THOSE AREAS, EVEN GEORGE STREET.
[15. Appointment(s)]
THAT'S GOOD TO APPOINTMENTS WITH I'LL RUN OVER ON THE BENCH.[16. Attorney’s Report.]
LET'S GET INTO ATTORNEYS REPORT 45 MINUTES.I MEAN, YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY,
[17. City Manager’s Report.]
JUST TO REMIND YOU THAT OUR BUDGET RETWEET RETREAT WILL BE THIS FRIDAY AT 12 NOON AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN THE CAR.UM, MR. HUGHES, UH, REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS DID WITH THE LETTER.
AND, YOU KNOW, IF I HAVE FAILED THIS CITY AS A LATER OFFICIAL, IT IS NOT DOING MORE ABOUT LETTER FINDS.
UH, I'M NOT TRYING TO GET INTO IT.
TYPE OF POLICING AND AERIAL SURVEILLANCE, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS OF TOWN IN MY OPINION, THAT THAT ARE TRAVELING HEAVILY, BUT ARE, UM, I COULD SIT HERE AND NAME THEM WHERE THEY, THEY INVITE.
AND I'LL, I'LL GIVE YOU ONE AS AN EXAMPLE, UM, OVER BY WEST NEWBURN REC IN THAT CURB, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST A PROBLEMATIC INVITATION FOR LITTERING.
IT'S AN AREA WHERE FOLKS, YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY LITERALLY WAIT TILL THEY GET LAUREN DRIVING OFF.
AND I THINK THEY WANT ROLLING DOWN.
AND THE THIRD TRASH OUT JUST TELLS US AN AREA.
W UM, I HAD A COMMENT COME TO ME FROM HYDRA.
SO HYDRA HAS A CLEAN UP COMMITTEE THAT THEY WORK.
THEY GO OUT, I BELIEVE ONCE A MONTH, MAYBE.
AND WHAT THEY CAME BACK AND SAID TO ME WAS THAT MOST OF THE TRASH THAT THEY PICKED UP IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND THAT SURROUNDING HISTORIC DISTRICT WERE CIGARETTE BUTTS.
IT WAS MORE OF THAT THAN IT WAS TRASH AS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IT.
SO THEY ASKED ABOUT AT UNION POINT PARK, OR MAYBE SOME OF THE OTHER VISIBLE AREAS THAT WE HAVE EVEN ANYWHERE IN OUR CITY, THOSE SMOKE THINGS WHERE YOU SOMEPLACE TO PUT YOUR CIGARETTE INSTEAD OF FLICKING IT ON THE GROUND.
SO IF THERE WAS ONE OF THOSE CONTAINERS, THEY MIGHT NOT PUT IT RIGHT.
WE CAN DEFINITELY LOOK AT PUTTING SOME IN HISTORICALLY, THEY DON'T REALLY WORK.
THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH THOSE, BUT WE CAN, WE PUT, IT WAS JUST A SUGGESTION AND I TOLD THEM I WOULD PASS IT ALONG.
BUT THEY SAID THAT THAT MAJORITY OF THE TRASH THEY PICKED UP OR CIGARETTES THOUGH, WELL, IF WE'RE THERE TO GET THE, THE GARBAGE TRUCKS FOR THEM TO TOUCH THE, TO COMPLY, WE HAVE A GRIP ON A LOT OF THIS.
UM, ANYTHING WOULD MANAGER'S REPORT?
[18. New Business.]
NO, SIR.NEW BUSINESS OWNER BEING, UM, UH, YEAH, I DO WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE ALDERMEN.
UM, HARRIS ASKED ME SO ON MONDAY, UH, IT WAS MYSELF AND THE MAYOR, UH, MET WITH THE CITY MANAGER, UM, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY, UH, MOSTLY, UH, AND WE HAD MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY.
I BELIEVE IT WAS, UM, JIM HACKETT, UH, ANTOINETTE LASKEY, AND CRYSTAL AND ME AND, UH, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, MARVIN WILLIAMS WAS IN ATTENDANCE AND THE MEETING.
UH, WE HAD A GREAT DISCUSSION ABOUT, UM, A JOB DESCRIPTION, UM, AND THE DUTIES OF A DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER.
UH, WE THREW A LOT OF IDEAS AROUND AND WE AGREED THAT WE WERE BETTER TO WORK TOGETHER AND WE SHOULD FIND WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER.
AND, UM, THEY WOULD LIKE TO STILL COME AND DO A PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
[03:40:01]
UM, AND I ASKED THAT POTENTIALLY TO HAVE THEM WORK WITH STAFF TOGETHER TO PUT A PRESENTATION TOGETHER, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN OUR FIRST MEETING.THIS WAS THE SECOND FOLLOW-UP MEETING IN OUR FIRST MEETING THAT ARE ALREADY BEING INSTITUTED.
SONYA WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE AND WE TALKED ABOUT, UM, AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM THAT'S ALREADY STARTED WHERE WE'RE TAKING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND TRYING TO EXPOSE THEM, OR THESE ARE PAID INTERNSHIPS INTO OUR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
WE HAVE SOMEBODY CURRENTLY THAT'S GOING TO BE WORKING IN THE LAB AT THE WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY A GOOD THING.
UM, WE'RE ALSO, WE ALL AGREED THAT TRAINING WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE HAD TO DO THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS NEEDED, UH, THIS DEI TRAINING AND THAT A CONSULTANT FOR POTENTIALLY INSTEAD OF HIRING A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE, THAT WE WOULD GET A CONSULTANT TO COME IN AND TRAIN.
SO WHERE WE'RE AT IS TRYING TO BRING A COUPLE FROM MAYOR AND CITY STAFF TOGETHER TO LOOK AT A PRESENTATION SO THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, DO YOU REMEMBER IN 2018, WHEN I ASKED THE BOARD ABOUT THE REAL, UM, CONSULTANT TO COME DOWN HERE AND TALK ABOUT RACIAL EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, I STILL HAVE THAT CONTACT INFORMATION.
CALDWELL WAS ACTUALLY A PART OF THAT PROGRAM.
THAT'S HOW I MET HIM AND HIM AND ARIEL, ARIEL.
AND THEN HE WENT OUT AND DEVELOPED HIS OWN BUSINESS, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE THAT INFORMATION TO YOU BECAUSE THAT IS ONE THING THAT I SAID A LONG TIME AGO THAT WE NEEDED, WE NEEDED TRAINING ON DIVERSITY AND EQUITY.
UM, NO, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT'S, YOU KNOW, I'M, I'M GOING TO BACK AWAY.
I'VE, I'VE, YOU KNOW, GIVEN VOICE, THEY WANT A VOICE AND I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT VOICE.
AND SO I THINK STAFF WORKED TOGETHER ON THE AGENDA.
YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THEM TO TRY TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE, I DON'T EVEN WANT TO PARTICIPATE WHEN THERE'S THE NEXT MEETING.
I'M ONLY THERE UNTIL THERE'S A FORM AND THEN I'LL BACK OUT.
UNFORTUNATELY I WASN'T ABLE TO GO WHERE IT WAS ON A FRIDAY THAT I WAS OFF RPO, BUT TO GO CAUSE I'VE MET WITH THEM, WITH US ANTOINETTE AND THEN BEFORE, SO I'M ON MY, A, YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY AND STAFF FROM THE CITY IS GOING TO WORK TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH, UH, INFORMATION THAT THEY WILL BE COMING FORTH TO THE BOARD WITH A PRESENTATION.
OH REALLY A SAD NOTE BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE, BUT OUR GOOD FRIEND, JERRY HOBBINS WAS A WONDERFUL CITIZEN IN THE FIRST WARD PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK.
AND I'M SO SAD FOR MANY OF YOU REMEMBER, JERRY WAS THE ONE WHO ALL HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY.
AND HOW MANY TIMES HE WALKED UP THESE STAIRS, HE COULD BARELY GET UP, BUT HE DID.
HE WAS A CHAMPION FOR DOWNTOWN NEWBURN, LIVED HERE, MOVED HERE FROM THE BRONX.
I LOVED TALKING TO HIM AND HIS WIFE HAD DIED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT MY, MY ONE REGRET IS I PROMISED HIM THAT THE CITY HALL WOULD HAVE AN ELEVATOR.
AND I PROMISE YOU THAT EVEN THOUGH HE'S GONE, WHEN WE DO CUT THAT RIBBON AND WE OPEN UP THAT ELEVATOR, WHETHER I'M HERE OR NOT, I WANT SOMETHING SOMEWHERE AND I WILL PAY FOR IT TO SAY, UM, JERRY HOPKINS WANTED THIS AND DON'T FORGET MYSELF WITH SAMSUNG AND BRANDON HILDRETH BECAUSE BRANDON REALLY HIS MOM AND DOG, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT REALLY SUPPORTED US THROUGH THAT.
AND WE WILL SAY THE BID OPENING FOR THE ELEVATOR PROJECT IS NEXT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
WE'LL BRING THE TWO TO THE NEXT BOARD, MAYBE FOR THE AWESOME, BUT I DO WANT TO SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO GARY'S FAMILY.
I SAID SUCH A SPECIAL MAN, AND I WILL MISS HIM GREATLY.
TONIGHT I HAVE A LONG LIST FIRST AND FOREMOST.
UM, FOSTER, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KNOW THAT, UM, THE CHESS TABLE, UM, HAS BEEN IN ONE CHESS TABLE, WHICH I'M EXCITED ABOUT.
I ONLY SAW WHEN THERE'S ONE IN THE DRIVER SIDE ON QUEEN STREET SIDE, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING, AND THEN THE OTHER OVER UNITED WAY CAR.
SO ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO CHALLENGE ME AND CHECKERS OR CHESS, EMAIL ME AND I'LL BE THERE.
AND ME AND BEN WOFFORD, I HAVEN'T TOLD THEM YET.
I'M GONNA FORCE HIM TO, WELL, UM, YOU KNOW, NOT NECESSARILY A RIBBON CUTTING, BUT WE'LL GO OVER THERE AND WE'LL PLAY SOME CHESS.
UM, SECOND, I WANT TO, UM, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND A MOVIE PREMIERE AND JONES COUNTY FROM ONE OF OUR OWN DEJA FULL MORE.
UM, AND I JUST WANT TO GIVE HER SO MUCH CREDIT.
UH, SHE WORKS FULL TIME FOR THE CITY.
UM, SHE PARTICIPATES WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT.
SHE GOES OUT INTO COMMUNITIES, YOU SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND SHE
[03:45:01]
CREATED A MASTERPIECE AND PRODUCED HER OWN MOVIE.UM, AND IT'S ACTUALLY IN WORKS WITH BET.
SO HOPEFULLY SHE GETS THAT, BUT IT WAS AMAZING.
SO I JUST WANT HER TO KNOW, UM, CONGRATULATIONS AND GIVE HER HER FLOWERS ON THAT.
UM, THIS, ANOTHER THING IS, UM, SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY, UM, CAME TO ME, UM, CAUSE THEY WERE A LITTLE DISTURBED, UM, ABOUT A SITUATION AND I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS SITUATION, BUT, UM, THEY DO LIVE IN KINGS ROW AND IT HAS TO DO WITH, UM, GETTING REIMBURSED FOR WATERING THEIR LAWN.
UM, SO I WANTED TO ASK KIM, IF YOU COULD COME UP TO THE PODIUM, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH, UM, A CITIZEN BEING REIMBURSED $400, UM, FOR WATERING THEIR LAWN AND KINGSBOROUGH? I DON'T HAVE THE AMOUNT THAT THEY WENT IN FIRST, BUT YEAH, THERE WAS A REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME ISSUE THAT THEY HAD WITH PUBLIC WORKS.
AND UM, SO THEREFORE CREDIT WAS PUT BACK ONTO THEIR ACCOUNTS.
I DIDN'T PROCESS THAT MYSELF, SO I, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THOSE AMOUNTS ARE.
AND THEN WE JUST, UM, TRANSFERRED THE MONEY FROM PUBLIC WORKS TO, TO OFFSET THAT AND THE WATERFALL.
CAN WE, UM, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THAT WAS DONE? BECAUSE, UM, FROM UNDER MY UNDERSTANDING, UM, WE DON'T REIMBURSE CITIZENS FOR WATERING THEIR GRASS.
YEAH, I CAN, I CAN EXPLAIN IT.
UM, DANNY WAS HERE WITH GEORGE AND THE FOLKS IN THE KINGS ROAD COMMUNITY HAS SOME ISSUES AND SOME CONCERNS BECAUSE THE FEMA CONTRACTOR CAME IN AND RE-INSTALLED SOD.
AND THEN THEY GOT PULLED AWAY TO GO TO, WAS IT ALABAMA OR WHEREVER WHEN THOSE HURRICANES CAME THROUGH AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO WATER THE GRASS AND THE CITY AND THE CONTRACTOR PROMISED THEM THAT THEY WOULD DO THAT.
SO THE RESIDENTS ORDER THEIR OWN GRASS THAT IS ON THE CITY RIGHT AWAY.
SO THEY ASKED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR IT.
I MEAN, CAUSE THEN THAT MEANS CITIZENS COULD COME IN WHEN THE CITY DOESN'T REMEMBER TO, OR DOESN'T WATER THE GRASS AND ASK FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
WELL, I THINK IF THE CITY'S RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER AND GRASS AND THEY DON'T DO IT AND THE CITIZEN DOES, THEY SHOULD BE.
BUT IF THE CITIZENS DECIDE TO DO IT AND NOT WAIT ON THE CITY TO DO IT, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE REIMBURSED THAT.
WASN'T THAT WASN'T THE SITUATION.
THE CITY DIDN'T GO OUT THERE AND DO WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO.
DID THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY? SO THE CITY DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND WATER THE GRASS.
WE HAD PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES, RIGHT? SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A WAY TO RECTIFY THE FACT THAT THE GRASS WAS NOT WATERED.
EVEN THOUGH IT'S A PART OF THE CITY'S RIGHT AWAY, IT'S STILL ON THEIR PROPERTY.
AND WE REIMBURSE THEM FOR WATERING THEIR GRASS FORGIVING.
I DON'T MEAN TO MAKE THIS MORE CONFUSING, BUT I THINK WE'RE MISCOMMUNICATING.
THE ISSUE IS, WAS NEW SOD WAS LAID DOWN.
THIS WASN'T JUST WATERING THE GRASS AND THEN RIGHT AWAY, IT'S ALREADY THERE.
IT WAS NEW SOD THAT WAS WEIGHT PLACED THAT IF IT WASN'T WATER WAS GOING TO DIE.
UM, SO IF ANOTHER CITIZEN DID THE SAME THING, ARE WE GOING TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR UTILIZING THEIR WATER TO WATER THE NEW GRADS? IS THAT A POLICY ON THE SAME FACTS? WE ABSOLUTELY.
UM, THE OTHER, UM, QUESTION GOES TO MR. FOSTER.
UM, I THINK TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO, UM, UH, DEAL WAS BROKERED INTO UPFITTING OMEGA CENTER FOR $75,000 SO THAT IT WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY.
UM, THE CHILDREN TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO PLAY BASKETBALL.
THEY CURRENTLY ARE NOT ABLE TO PLAY BASKETBALL AT THE OMEGA CENTER FOR THE CHANDELIER'S BASKETBALL AT THAT LOCATION AND THE SUGARS.
AND, UM, WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY TRAFFIC OR UTILIZING IT AS MUCH.
IS THERE A REASON WHY? WELL, WE HAVE OFFERED A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS OVER THE MEGA CENTER SINCE, SINCE THE OUTFIT PERIOD, AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS EVEN RIGHT NOW.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE STILL OFFER SENIOR WALTMAN AND I'LL HAVE PROBABLY THE FURTHEST TO THE INTERIM, RICK PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, BUT WE'RE STILL OFFERING SENIOR FITNESS AND WALKING PROGRAMS. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. A LOT OF THE OTHER PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN HIT AND MISS, EVEN WHEN WE DID THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH OVER AT THE A MEGA CENTER, WE HAD NO INTEREST IN THAT.
WE WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE COUNCIL, GOING DOOR TO DOOR, UH, ISSUE FLYERS TO LET THE CITIZENS KNOW.
AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, CITIZENS HAVE NOT TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE OFFERED AT THE OMEGA CENTER.
AND WHEN WE DECIDED TO DO THIS WAS ALL THIS LIKE THE DATA IN REGARDS TO THE FOOT TRAFFIC AND WHAT WE WERE GOING TO GET WAS THAT ALL DISCUSSED BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON, I JUST FEEL LIKE
[03:50:01]
WE DIDN'T GET A GOOD END OF THE DEAL BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE MAIN PURPOSE IS FOR THE KIDS TO GET OFF THE STREETS.UM, YOU KNOW, NOT BEING IN THE STREETS, HAVING SOMETHING TO DO SPRING TIMES COME AND SUMMERTIME'S COMING AND THEY CAN'T PLAY BASKETBALL.
AND WE DON'T HAVE A BASKETBALL RIGHT NOW OVER IN THE HENDERSON PARK AREA FOR SPECIFIC REASONS.
SO IT WAS JUST A LITTLE FRUSTRATING THAT THERE REALLY ISN'T ANYTHING FOR THE CHILDREN TO DO.
THAT'S BEEN THE CONCERNS I'VE GOTTEN COMPLAINTS AND PEOPLE ARE JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IN THAT REGARD, I BELIEVE, ARE YOU NOT OFFERING OTHER PROGRAMS? CORRECT.
W WE HAVE OFFERED A VARIETY OF OTHER PROGRAMS ON THE ISSUE, BUT THAT'S THE ISSUE, NO BASKETBALL, BUT THERE ARE PROGRAMS AND THINGS GOING ON WITH OUR SUMMER CAMP AS WELL AND MEGA CENTER, YOU KNOW, TIME TO TIME, THERE'VE BEEN SOME ISSUES WITH, UH, AIR CONDITIONING OVER THERE.
SO WE'VE ALWAYS PICKED UP THE, THE A MEGA CENTER.
IF THERE HAD BEEN AN ISSUE, WE'VE TAKEN THEM OVER TO WEST NEWBURN, WHEREVER FIELD TRIPS HAVE BEEN.
HAVE WE THOUGHT ABOUT PARTNERING WITH, UM, OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, UM, IN REGARDS TO TRYING TO SEE IF WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT WITH THEM TOO, BECAUSE THE CHILDREN NEED SOMETHING TO DO.
UM, WHETHER IT'S US PROVIDING IT OR ANOTHER COMMUNITY PROVIDING IT.
CAUSE I DO KNOW OF A PROGRAM WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY FREE FOR THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, BUT THEY HAVE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES AND I KNOW WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION.
SO I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK OF THAT PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S NOT REALLY ABOUT US.
IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THESE CHILDREN HAVE SOMETHING TO DO THEY'RE BEING OCCUPIED SO THAT THEY DON'T GO AND DO THINGS THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO.
THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHT PROCESS, PARKS AND RECREATION IS ALWAYS HAPPY TO PARTNER WITH AGENCIES.
WELL, I'LL HAVE THEM REACH OUT TO, TO DO THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
UM, THE LAST THING WAS, IS, UM, WE TALKED ABOUT THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, UM, WHEN IT WAS FORMED, UH, WAR TWO OR ONE IN WARD, FIVE IS CONSIDERED EX OFFICIOS.
UM, I DON'T GO TO THE MEETINGS ALL THE TIME.
SO ANYBODY ASKING WHY I'M NOT THERE? I DON'T GO TO THE MEETINGS ALL THE TIME UNLESS I'M CALLED OR NEEDED, BECAUSE I FEEL IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMISSION TO DO THE JOB BECAUSE WHATEVER THEY DECIDED TO DO, WE'VE AGREED THAT IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO COME BACK TO US, UM, TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION.
AM I CORRECT? UM, AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, UM, WHILE AT HOME STUDYING TO WATCH THE LAST REDEVELOPMENT, UM, COMMISSIONED ME IN AND I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR, UM, SOME OF THE COMMENTS IN REGARDS TO THE MCCOTTER HOUSE.
UM, IT'S UNFORTUNATE FOR THE PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS, WE'D GONE INTO THE COMMUNITY, PARTNERED WITH HABITAT, MR. REGGIE, AND ALL THESE OTHER DIFFERENT COMMUNITY LEADERS AND TOLD THESE CITIZENS, UM, THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, ESPECIALLY WITH THE MEDICAL HEALTH FACILITY, UM, TURNING THE MCCARTER HOUSE INTO THAT.
UM, AND A STATEMENT WAS MADE THAT MAYBE THESE SERVICES SHOULD BE MOVED OVER TO THE STANLEY WHITE BUILDING.
I DON'T AGREE THAT THE SERVICES SHOULD BE MOVED OVER TO THE STANDING WHITE BUILDING BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO COMPOUND IT.
UM, DEALING WITH MEDICAL THINGS, MENTAL HEALTH, UM, IS VERY PRIVATE.
UM, AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD PUT IN A FACILITY BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE USE OF THE FACILITY.
THE MCCOTTER HOUSE HAS SAT THERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
UM, AND THE STATEMENT WAS MADE THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THE $125,000 TONIGHT? YOU SEE HOW WE HAD A DISCUSSION IN REGARDS TO INCENTIVES AND TRYING TO BRING IN THE KESSLER GROUP AND ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS WHERE WE FIND MONEY TO BE ABLE TO UPFIT AND CREATE SITUATIONS LIKE YOUR MEGA CENTER.
SO UP AT THE MEGA CENTER, AND TECHNICALLY WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY USE OUT OF IT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED IN THAT COMMUNITY.
UM, IF YOU PUT MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE STANLEY WHITE, THEY DO HAVE TO WALK.
THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE VEHICLES.
SHE'S NOT GOING TO WALK FROM HER HOUSE AND GO ALL THE WAY TO STANLEY WAIT TO GET SERVICES WHEN SHE COULD GET CLOSER SERVICES OVER IN THAT AREA, UM, BY THE MCCARTER HOUSE.
SO I WOULD HOPE THAT THE BOARD CAN GO BACK AND WATCH THAT, LISTEN TO WHAT THE CITIZENS HAVE TO SAY.
UM, IN REGARDS TO THAT, AND I HOPE THAT WE COULD FIND $105,000 TO, UM, GIVE THE REDEVELOPMENT BECAUSE WE SAY IT TAKES MONEY, UM, TO BE ABLE TO UPFIT A BUILDING OR IT'S OUR BUILDING.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO UPFIT IT AND PUT THIS PROGRAM IN THERE.
LIKE WE TOLD THESE CITIZENS WE WOULD, WE SHOULD DO.
UM, AND I KNOW THAT THE MEETING FOR TOMORROW WAS CANCELED, NOT SURE WHY IT WAS CANCELED, BUT THERE'S A SPECIAL CALL ME IN ON THAT FOLLOWING.
THINK TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, UM, WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PICK BACK UP THE DISCUSSION.
SO IF ANYBODY'S INTERESTED, PLEASE GO.
UM, BUT I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO FIND THE $125,000 THAT
[03:55:01]
COULD FIX THIS BUILDING.THAT'S BEEN SITTING THERE SO THAT THAT PROGRAM COULD BE IMPLEMENTED THERE.
LIKE WE TOLD THE CITIZENS, IT WAS GOING TO BE THERE.
UM, I, I HATE THAT EVERY TIME IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO GO ON IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE EITHER HAVE TO FIND THE MONEY.
WE GOT TO FIND A GRANT, BUT WE'RE SO WILLING TO FIND INITIATIVE FOR OTHER THINGS TO COME INTO OUR CITY WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUFFERING AND NEED MEANS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY HERE.
UM, DID YOU SAY THAT THE TOMORROWS REDEVELOPMENT MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED? YES.
I BELIEVE IT'S ON THE 20TH, THE 23RD.
UM, AND THAT MEANS AT SIX O'CLOCK AT THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, UM, BUILDING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
SO, UM, THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.
WOULD YOU, UM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET WITH ME IN A CONSTITUENT AND, UM, MR. WILLIAMS TOMORROW, THE CARTER HOUSE AT THREE O'CLOCK TO TAKE A TOUR OF IT THAT WE'VE ALREADY GOT ESTABLISHED? UM, NOT AT THREE O'CLOCK BECAUSE I WORK, BUT I CAN MEET YOU AFTER.
UM, YEAH, I CAN, UH, WE WE'VE ALREADY GOT IT ESTABLISHED, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY GIVE YOU A SUMMARY BECAUSE SOMEBODY REACHED OUT TO ME WITH THE SAME CONCERN AND I'VE TOLD THEM THAT, YOU KNOW, LET'S GO TAKE A TOUR OF IT AND TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT TOMORROW SO I CAN LET YOU KNOW, AFTER THAT MEETING, BUT IT IS THAT IN THE STATEMENT OF MEANING, LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO GO LOOK AND SEE THAT THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
SO IT'S NOT FEASIBLE TO UPFIT IT, TO PUT A MEDICAL PROGRAM IN THERE, NO, TO GO SEE WHAT CONDITION IT'S IN TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO GET IT TO THAT POINT.
CAUSE EVEN IF, EVEN MY THOUGHT WAS EVEN IF A MEDICAL CUSTOMER HAS SAID SOMETHING THAT WASN'T FEASIBLE FOR A MEDICAL CENTER OR WHATEVER THEY WANTED TO DO, EITHER WAY THE BUILDINGS SHOULD BE FIXED UP.
SO ANY SORT OF PROGRAMMING THAT COULD BE DONE, WHETHER IT'S AFTERSCHOOL OR SUBSTANCE OR WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS, THE BUILDING'S GOTTA BE FIXED UP.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULDN'T FIND THE MONEY AND DO THAT THE CLARIFICATION, BECAUSE AGAIN, I DO ATTEND THE MEETINGS BECAUSE THE COMMISSION WAS SET UP TO HAVE EX OFFICIOS, EX OFFICIOS, AND YOU'RE NOT THERE.
YOU'RE PART OF THE DISCUSSION AND THEY NEED ALDERMAN INPUT.
SO THAT'S WHY I ATTEND EVERY MEETING I'VE BEEN DOING THAT SINCE THE STARK SUPPORTIVE CLARIFICATION.
IF YOU HAD BEEN TO SOME OF THE MAINS, GO BACK TO SOME OF THE OTHER ONES YOU CAN AND TALK TO MS. WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE.
AND SHE HAS WORKED EXTREMELY HARD IN TRYING TO TALK.
SHE'S PARTNERED WITH HEALTH DEPARTMENT, CCHC CAROLINA EAST.
SHE'S WORKED WITH MARGARET SHIELDS AND MR. RUGGIERO AND TRYING TO BRING PROGRAMMING AND WHAT SHE COULD DO TO THE MCCOTTER HOUSE.
SHE IS THE ONE AND MR. REGGIE JONES THAT BROACHED THE SUBJECT AND SAID, LOOK, WE DON'T THINK WE CAN GET THE MONEY.
WE'RE JUST NOT DOING ANYTHING QUICK ENOUGH.
WE DON'T THINK THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DOESN'T THINK THEY COULD GET THE MONEY TO MAKE A SATELLITE OFFICE THERE.
THEY ASKED MS. JOE GODSON INFORMATION WHERE RECREATION CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE NOW BECOMING HEALTH AND WELLNESS AS WELL AS RECREATION CENTERS.
SO WHAT SHE WAS ASKING FOR WAS CONSIDERATION TO SEE, SINCE WE WERE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF DESIGNING THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER, COULD THERE BE A ROOM FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS THAT MIGHT JUST INCLUDE, YOU KNOW, UH, DIABETES CHECK OR OUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK, AND THEN SOMEBODY WOULD PUT A PROGRAM TO DO THE WALKING OR WHATEVER IT IS THEY WOULD NEED FOR THAT HEALTH ISSUE.
IT WAS NOT TO ABANDON THE MCCOTTER HOUSE.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GOT THE 125.
WE'VE NEVER BEEN TOLD THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO FIX IT UP.
SO WE HAVE DEEDED THAT HOUSE TO THEM IN ONE OF OUR PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
BUT, UM, I'M AGAIN, THERE'S A COMMITTEE OF, OF MRS. CHO AND MR. YOUNG, WHO ARE COMMISSION MEMBERS AND THEY HAVE WORKED HOUR AFTER HOUR.
AND I'M SURE YOU'VE TALKED TO HER A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT IN RESEARCHING ALL OF THIS AND TRYING THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF THAT COMMUNITY IS PARAMOUNT TO THEM.
THEY REALIZE THAT YOU COULD CARE LESS IF YOU'VE GOT HOUSING OR JOBS OR ANYTHING, IF YOU'RE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND ALL OF THAT IS KEY TO MAKING A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY.
UM, AND WE HAD THE DISCUSSION JUST TO SAY, HEY EVERYBODY, THIS IS THE THOUGHT OUT THERE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WAS NEVER TO ABANDON? AND UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE GOT THE WRONG.
YEAH, WELL, THAT'S, I MEAN, WHEN YOU WATCH IT, THAT'S HOW THE COMMUNITY FEELS LIKE TAMARA SAID IT FEELS LIKE A BAIT AND SWITCH.
BUT IT WASN'T, IT'S NOT THAT SOMEBODY SAID THIS IS THE NEW PROGRAM.
AND AGAIN, THIS CAME TO US OR CAME TO ME BECAUSE I ATTEND THE MEETINGS, UM, FROM MRS. CHO AND THE GROUP AND MR. JONES, UM, SAYING, WOULD THIS BE A CONSIDERATION, TALK TO FOSTER? AND IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, NOW'S THE TIME AGAIN, NOTHING, YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ARC, WE SHOULD COMPACT THE STANLEY WHITE BUILDING WITH ALL OF THIS STUFF.
AND WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, YOU KNOW, MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS, WE
[04:00:01]
NEED MORE THAN JUST DIABETES.BUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE PRIVATE WHO WOULD DO THAT, AREN'T WILLING TO HAVE A SATELLITE AT THE SCHOOL.
WE HAVE MERCY CLINIC UNDERSTOOD, BUT ANOTHER FACILITY THAT WOULD PROBABLY, I MAY HAVE, YOU KNOW, GO OUT AND SPEAK TO THEM.
BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE FROM WHERE THEY ARE.
NOT KNOW YOU HAVE A SECOND LOCATION.
I CAN'T SPEAK TO IT BECAUSE I'M NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE.
I'M JUST GOING, BASED ON THAT, OFFERED TO ME IN, AND I'M JUST SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, LET'S, LET'S TRY AND FIX IT UP AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE.
SO IT'S, AND THAT WE KNOW EXACTLY.
AND YOU HAVE AN IDEA WHAT THE PROGRAMMING IS, BUT I AGREE IF WE COULD TAKE A HUNDRED, 150,000, I WOULD SUPPORT THAT TO AT LEAST GET THE WINDOWS FIXED, GET SOME LIGHT THERE.
WE DON'T EVEN OWN THE LOT THAT'S OUTSIDE OF IT.
SO PEOPLE COULD PARK THEIR CARS.
BUT AGAIN, WE PUT THIS IN THE LIFE OF THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
THAT'S WHY TONIGHT WE'VE TAKEN THE FIRST STEP.
WE CAN GET A DIRECTOR THAT IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON.
WELL, SEE, I GOT THE SAME WHEN I WATCHED THAT, UM, REDEVELOPMENT MEETING, I CONCLUDED THE SAME THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO GET RID OF THE, NOT USE THE MCCARTER HOUSE AS THE HEALTH CLINIC AND WAS MORE SO LEANING TOWARDS THE, PUTTING THAT CLINIC IN THE STANDARD WHITE REC CENTER.
AND THAT'S WHAT I GOT FROM IT AS WELL.
WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TIME? JUST PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ME, I COULD HAVE CLARIFIED THAT.
WELL, WE CAN TO A FEW COMMISSIONERS, SO THEY WERE THERE.
THAT'S WHY I'M BRINGING IT UP.
CAUSE THEY CALL IT NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
NOW I WAS, I TALKED WITH, UM, MR. REGGIE JONES AS WELL.
THAT'S ALL EAGER TO GO WITH THIS IN, THEY'RE WORKING ON TRYING TO GET GRANT MONEY AS WELL.
SO, UM, WELL HE'S MR. JONES IS THE ONE THAT BROUGHT .
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT AS AN OPTION.
THERE WAS, THERE'S NO DEFINITIVE MOVEMENT TO DO THAT, BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE STILL NEED TO FIX UP AND REPAIR OR THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SHOULD MAKE STEPS TO REPAIR THAT BUILDING AND GET IT IN SOME KIND OF USABLE.
WELL, I, I, I, MR. UM, I MEAN, UM, ODOM, ALDERMAN, ODIN, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN Y'ALL IN, IT, WALKED THROUGH WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH THE MCCARTER HOUSE AS WELL.
WE'LL MEET YOU HERE AT THREE O'CLOCK TOMORROW.
NO, I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO HARRISBURG TO BE INVOLVED WITH NO, DO IT AT THREE.
AND JUST GIVE ME THE CLIFF NOTES.
SO I KNOW BECAUSE YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, WELL, NOT, UNFORTUNATELY, FORTUNATELY I HAVE TO WORK A NINE TO FIVE TO ONLINE, SO IT CAN'T BE THERE.
THANK YOU, MR. HUGHES, CAN YOU, UM, GET, UNFORTUNATELY, THE LAST FEMA MEETING WE HAD, I HAD NO, SUDDENLY I WAS NOT ABLE TO JOIN.
COULD YOU GIVE ME AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE RE POINTING PROJECT OR THIS BUILDING WE'VE MET WITH OAKLEY COLLIER, WHICH IS A CONSULT THEY'RE ACTUALLY THE CONSULTANT, UH, THAT HAS THE PROJECT FOR THE COUNTY METAL WITH HIM, GOT A PROPOSAL FROM THEM ON, ON THEM DOING THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR US, BIDDING THE PROJECT OUT.
SO WALKING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND HOW THE GOAL WAS FOR THEM TO BID THAT OUT AND LET'S GET THIS PROJECT TAKEN CARE OF.
NOW I WANT TO SAY ONE THING, UH, OTHER IS THAT I DON'T KNOW, WEEK, 10 DAYS AGO, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
MY WIFE AND I WERE WALKING DOWNTOWN MIDDLE STREET ON A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT.
AND THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY THE MOST ENJOYABLE STROLL I'VE EVER TAKEN.
I MEAN, THERE'S PEOPLE DOWN THERE, EVERYBODY'S TALKING THERE'S PEOPLE IN THE RESTAURANTS.
I MEAN, SOME STORES WERE OPEN AND SABRINA I'M, I'M SORRY.
YOU JUST DON'T GET A FAIR SHAKE ON THAT.
I'M SORRY THAT THINGS ARE SAID AND THAT YOU SHOULDN'T BE, I MEAN, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, YOU'RE THE REASON WHY THAT DOWNTOWN IS LIKE IT IS TODAY AND IT DOES, BUT IT TAKES YOU, IT TAKES YOU SPEARHEAD AND THINGS, AND I APPRECIATE IT.
AND IT'S, IT'S VERY NICE DOWNTOWN.
THAT'S ALL I'LL I'LL EVEN ASK HER.
PART OF THAT IS MY FIRST GALLERY BOARD.
THEY WOULD TALK THEM ABOUT AT BURNED PLAZA, SOME AREAS.
AND, UH, I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AND I JUST HADN'T SEEN GREG SMITH, UH, MITCHELL'S HARDWARE.
AND I SAID, YOU KNOW, GREG KIND OF KNEW THIS, WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT? I MEAN, THIS IS NEW SOMETHING.
HE SAID, WELL, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO? WELL, THIS WE OR NOT WITH THIS NEW BUILDING BEING BUILT WHERE WE GIVE HIM THESE BALCONY THINGS.
HE SAID, WELL, IF YOU PUT THOSE IN THERE, MORE TRAFFIC,
[04:05:01]
PEDESTRIAN, TRAFFIC, PEOPLE FEEL SAFE.PEOPLE WILL CLEAN UP THE BACK, CODER, LOTS MORE.
THAT'LL ENCOURAGE THE CITY AND THE STAFF TO GET PUT MORE STREET MINDSET, END, RESULT, MORE PEOPLE, DEREK CYPHER.
RIGHT? WHAT DO YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE? AND I THINK THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO SABRINA AND GREG SMITH AND OTHERS LIKE THAT, THAT IT HAD THE FORESIGHT TO, UM, TO MAKE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS TO WHERE YOU'RE, YOU'RE SEEING THE ANDREWS.
OH, WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU GOT? OH, MY KIDS ALL REMEMBER THIS.
UM, FIRST, UM, THE BLACK HISTORY PARADE WOULD BE, UM, FEBRUARY 19TH, WHICH IS NEXT SATURDAY.
UM, OF COURSE EVERYBODY ALWAYS KNOWS.
MR. VICTOR, TAYLOR IS ALWAYS THE ONE IN CHARGE OF THE BLACK HISTORY PARADE.
SO PLEASE, UM, IF YOU'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING, COME OUT TO THE PARADE, IT STARTS AT 12, 12:00 PM.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO ASK, UM, AS MARY WAS TALKING ABOUT TRASH ALL OVER THE CITY, UM, IF, WHEN YOU WENT OVER TO THE GARDEN STREET AND YOU SAW THAT TRASH OVER THERE, YES MA'AM.
SO, YOU KNOW, I'M ASKING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT PROCEDURES NEED TO BE DONE OR HOW WE CAN DO IT FOR IS PROBABLY THE WORKS IS INSTALLING SOME TRASH RECEPTACLE OVER THERE ON THAT STREET.
IS THAT SOME MONIES THAT WE CAN GET FROM, EXCUSE ME, WE INSTALLED A MOUNTAIN THAT COMMUNITY JAIL OR TRASH ON THE GROUND RIGHT THERE BESIDE THE TRASH CAN, WHEN I'M ASKING FOR AT LEAST TWO OR THREE AND SEE IF IT'S GOING TO WORK AND THEN IF IT WORKS AND IF IT WORKS, THEN, YOU KNOW, WE MIGHT THINK ABOUT PUTTING THEM IN OTHER AREAS.
I KNOW THERE'S SOME AREAS OVER ON, UM, ON THE, UM, SAMSON SIDE, NOTHING STARTING THERE ON 'EM AND THEY ARE, AND I PUT ONE ON CHAPMAN STREET AND DIFFERENT AREAS, BUT THE REASON WHY THERE'S SO MUCH TRASH GOING DOWN THE GARDEN STREET IS BECAUSE IT'S STORES THERE AND THE KIDS GO THERE, THEY BUY STUFF AND EAT AND JUST THROW IT ON THE STREETS.
BUT, UM, IF, UM, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN, IS THIS SOMETHING I'VE DONE TO PUBLIC WORKS ABOUT TRASH RECEPTACLES, GIVE US DIRECTION.
WE'RE I'M ASKING BOARD THAT I THINK YOU SHOULD GO AHEAD AND LOOK AND SEE WHAT, WHAT KIND OF PERCEPTIVE, CAUSE YOU CAN BUY OPTIONS, ASKING FOR A TEMPORARY LIFT OVER THERE, AT LEAST BY THAT.
I AGREE ABOUT THAT STORE BECAUSE THE KIDS, YES.
MAYBE YOU COULD WORK WITH THE STORE FOR THOSE SILENCES.
YES, I DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TYPE OF MAKE AND I'M SURE YOU'RE TALKING.
WHAT ABOUT THE SAME ONES? IT WAS LIKE RIGHT THERE AT THE END OF CHAPMAN STREET AND THE SAME ONES THAT WE HAVE LIKE DOWNTOWN, UH, AL PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW.
I FORGOT WHAT IT'S WOODEN, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY PAINTED AND THEY'RE INSIDE OF THE ONES OUT FRONT HERE.
I THINK THEY'RE THE ONES THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT'S LIKE THE ONES OUTSIDE.
THEY'RE ABOUT $1,200 FOR FOUR ONE.
OH, W WE, WE CAN LOOK UP TEMPORARY OPTIONS.
I WOULD APPRECIATE IT REPORT NEXT MEANING.
AND HOW WAS YOUR, HOW IT LANDED IF WE NEED TO DO ANYTHING IN FURTHER DIRECTION, IT'S LIKE WHERE'S THE ATTRACTIONS OR SUPPORT TO GET INTO THE TRENCH GAMES.
IF YOU GO OUT AND WALK THE STREETS, PICK LITERATE, WHAT YOU'LL FIND THAT, UH, IS VERY, YEAH.
AND I HAVE TO SAY THOSE TWO LADIES THAT RUN THE CHAT IN THE STORE, THEY WERE REALLY BE AMENABLE TO, YOU KNOW, TALKING TO THEIR, THEIR CHILDREN.
THAT'S COMING IN OUT THAT STORY, YOU KNOW, ABOUT NOT LITTERING, YOU KNOW, BACK ME UP WITH THAT, BECAUSE THAT WAS A CONCERN AS WELL WITH THEM.
OH, UH, JUST ONE THING, MAYOR, UM, STREETLIGHTS ON EDEN STREET.
I'M NOT SURE WHOSE BOARD THAT IS THE ONE RIGHT NEXT TO TRUMP PALACE.
UM, IT'S LIKE, NON-EXISTENT, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THERE'S LIGHTS THERE AND THE TREES HAVE GROWN OVER IT, BUT THAT IS LIKE THE DARKEST STREET WHEN WE LEAVE HERE AND I GO TO HOME, I'LL LOOK DOWN THERE AND IT'S PITCH BLACK AND I DON'T KNOW, TRUMP PALACES IN CONTROL, YOU KNOW, THAT ALL USED TO BE STAYED IN THAT AREA.
AND THAT'S ALL CONTROLLED BY, UM, UH, TRY AND PALESTINE.
I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT, BUT THERE WERE LIGHTS THAT ARE IN THE PARKING LOT THERE.
I JUST KNOW WHEN I LOOK DOWN THAT STREET, IT'S LIKE PITCH BLACK.
SO I'M GOING THAT CAN'T BE SAFE.
CHARLOTTE HILL CHAR TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
AND THERE MAY BE LIGHTS THEY'RE MAKING, CAUSE
[04:10:01]
THERE'S A BUNCH OF TREES.THE STREET HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE SIDE OF TIME HOUSE EDEN IT'S BETWEEN POLLOCK AND THE ROUND, I GUESS A MALT BELLAMY.
ANY OTHER NEW BUSINESS SMELL THE BOARD.
[19. Closed Session]
CLOSED SESSION TONIGHT PERSONNEL? YES, MAYOR, UH, UH, POSSESSION, UH, FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS 1 43, 3, 10, 11 86.DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT? AND HERE YOU ARE DOING IT.
UM, DO WE HAVE MOTION SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION SEEING NONE.
SAY NAY MOTION CARRIES A SESSION.