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[1. Meeting opened by Mayor Odham. Prayer Coordinated by Alderman Brinson. Pledge of Allegiance.]
EVENING EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY 28TH, 2023 NEWBURN BOARD OF ALDERMAN MEETING.UH, THE PRAYER TONIGHT IS GONNA BE COORDINATED BY ALTMAN BRINSON.
IN FACT, I WAS JUST TALKING TO HIM.
HE'S THE PASTOR AT UNION POINT CHURCH ON TRENT ROAD, UH, BASICALLY FROM DOWN EAST.
SO HE'S FROM AROUND HERE AND, UH, HAD A CALL IN TO COME TO NEWBURN AND, UH, STARTED A CHURCH.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.
JESUS, WE THANK YOU FOR GATHERING US TOGETHER.
EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM RIGHT HERE LOVES EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND SPECIFICALLY NEWBURN NORTH CAROLINA TONIGHT.
AND SO WE PRAY TONIGHT THAT WE WOULD MOVE IN THE SPIRIT OF UNITY, AS PAUL SAYS, TO THE EPHESIAN CHURCH, UH, TO MAINTAIN THE SPIRIT OF UNITY AND THE BOND OF PEACE.
AND SO WHATEVER BUSINESS LAY BEFORE TONIGHT AND ITS AGENDA, I JUST PRAY THAT EVERY PERSON INVOLVED TONIGHT WOULD CONTINUE IN THAT BOND OF PEACE.
MAY NEW BERN BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF PEOPLE CHOSE TO WORK TOGETHER AND NOT AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.
AND WE PRAY THAT YOUR KINGDOM WOULD COME RIGHT HERE ON EARTH IN NEW BERN, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN IN ALL THINGS THAT WE PARTICIPATE IN.
WE JUST ASK THAT AND YOUR SON'S NAME, JESUS.
YOU WOULD PLEASE LET STAND AS WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TH OUR COUNTRY.
I PLEDGE TO THE TESTIFY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH HE STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
HEY, MADAME CLERK, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ALDERMAN TRIO.
[3. Approve Agenda.]
BOARD.UH, ITEM NUMBER THREE IS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES? IF NOT, I ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
ANY OPPOSED? OKAY, MOVING ON TO
[Consent Agenda]
THE CONSENT AGENDA.IT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD.
UH, MAKE A MOTION TO ADMIT WE ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA.
SECOND, HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.
LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN PRE ALDERMAN.
THE RESOLUTION TO CLOSE THE 400 BLOCK OF P*****K STREET YES, MA'AM.
I HAVE A QUESTION REGARDING THAT.
WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN STREET CLOSURES WHEREIN MAYBE, UH, ATTORNEY DAVIS CAN ANSWER? IS THERE A POLICY THAT NEIGHBORS HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED? THERE HAD TO BE SIGNATURES OR WHAT, WHAT REGULATES STREET CLOSURES? YES, MA'AM.
THE, THE BOARD HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO CLOSE THE STREET, AND THAT'S THE ONLY LEGAL REQUIREMENT.
BEYOND THAT, STAFF MAY HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN THE CODE THAT REQUIRES ANY FORMAL NOTICES.
SO I HAVE SEEN WITH SOME STREET CLOSURES, RESIDENTS ARE NOTIFIED.
IS THAT JUST AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PERSON WHO HAS PETITIONED FOR THE STREETS TO BE CLOSED? BECAUSE AGAIN, WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY IS THERE IS NO REGULATION OUTSIDE OF THE BOARD VOTING TO DO SO.
SO ALDERMAN ROYAL, IN THE APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT, IF THERE'S GONNA BE A STREET CLOSURE, THERE IS, UH, UH, AN ITEM MARKED ON THERE ARE RESIDENTS NOTIFIED.
AND SO WE, WE DO EXPECT IF THERE'S A STREET CLOSURE THAT, THAT THOSE ARE AFFECTED OR NOTIFIED, WHETHER THAT BE SOMEONE GOING DOOR TO DOOR OR POSTING SOMETHING TO LET THEM KNOW WHEN THAT STREET CLOSURE IS GOING TO BE.
WAS THAT PROTOCOL FOLLOWED WITH THE CLOSING OF 400 BLOCK OF P*****K STREET? UH, NORMALLY WITH DOWNTOWN ITEMS, THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS COUNCIL NOTIFIES, UM, THE ADJACENT OWNERS.
IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A STREET CLOSURE, THAT'S NORMALLY WHAT HAPPENS WITH DOWNTOWN CLOSURES.
I BELIEVE WE ARE ROLL A CALL WITH ALDERMAN ROYAL.
[6. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Sale of Parcel ID 8- 039- 197 on College Street.]
ITEM NUMBER SIX, ADOPTING RESOLUTION[00:05:01]
APPROVING THE SALE OF PARCEL ID.8 0 3 9 197 ON COLLEGE STREET, MR. HUGHES.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR ALDERMAN, JESSE ADAMS SUBMITTED THE OFFER OF $2,250 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THIS PROPERTY.
IT'S TAX PARCEL ID EIGHT DASH 0 3 9 DASH 1 97.
THE BID WAS ADVERTISED, BUT NO UPSET BIDS WERE RECEIVED.
THE PROPERTY IS A VACANT POINT, 11 ACRE RESIDENTIAL LOT ACQUIRED BY THE CITY IN MAY OF 2000.
IT DOES HAVE A TAX VALUE OF $4,500.
CAN WE DO SIX AND SEVEN AT THE SAME TIME? OKAY, SO LET ME, UH,
[7. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Sale of Parcel ID 8- 039- 203 on Saint John Street.]
JUST INTRODUCE ITEM NUMBER SEVEN AS WELL, IF THE BOARD WANTS TO CONSIDER PUTTING THESE TWO TOGETHER ON.ITEM NUMBER SEVEN IS CONSIDERED DOCUMENT RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SALE OF PARCEL ID 80 39 203 ON SAINT JOHN STREET, MR. HUGHES.
JESSE ADAMS, AGAIN IS, IS PURCHASED, UH, MADE AN OFFER OF, PURCHASED THIS LOT FOR $2,250.
TAX PARTIAL ID IS 8,000 39 2 0 3.
THE BID WAS ADVERTISED, BUT NO UPSET.
AND THIS IS ANOTHER 11 ACRE, UH, RESIDENTIAL LOT WAS ACQUIRED BY THE CITY IN MAY OF 2000 AS WELL.
AND THAT'S A TAX VALUE OF $4,500.
ON ITEM NUMBER SIX AND SEVEN MAY, I'M MAKING A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF PROVING THE SALE OF PARTIAL ID EIGHT DASH 0 39 DASH 1 97 ON COLLEGE STREET, AS WELL AS PARTIAL ID EIGHT DASH 0 39 DASH 2 0 3 ON SAINT JOHN STREET.
SECOND, HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND ON ITEM NUMBER SIX AND SEVEN.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
LET HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN ROYAL.
[8. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving Reimbursement to the NC Department of Transportation for Fabrication and Installation of New Bern High School 4A Championship Signage.]
NUMBER EIGHT, CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION APPROVING REIMBURSEMENT TO THE NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION OF NEWBURN HIGH SCHOOL FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP SIGNAGE.MR. HUGHES, I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. CHILDS TO COME UP AND MAKE THIS PRESENTATION.
ANY BOARD MAYOR? UH, MAY I HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION, UH, FROM THE MAYOR AND, AND SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS? THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR US TO INVESTIGATE INSTALLING SIGNS ENTERING TOWN AT THE CITY LIMITS, RECOGNIZING FOOTBALL TEAM'S MOST RECENT FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP.
I'VE GOT AN EXAMPLE THAT WAS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE, UNFORTUNATELY, UM, CAME FROM HAVELOCK, BUT THAT IS THE CLOSEST THAT WE'RE, WE'RE THINKING SIMILAR TO THE SIGNAGE, WHICH IS BELOW THEIR ENTRANCE SIGN COMING INTO TOWN.
UM, FROM, FROM OUR LOOKING AROUND OF WHAT WAS BEST SERVICE, WHERE THE SIGNS WOULD BE LOCATED, WE'VE IDENTIFIED THREE LOCATIONS.
UM, THIS IS ON US 70 WEST, COMING OVER THE TRENT RIVER BRIDGE, COMING UP TO THE PEMBROKE ENTRANCE.
SO THE ONE ON THE RIGHT, IT WILL GO BELOW THE PEPSI SIGN WHERE WE CURRENTLY HAVE A WELCOME TO NEW BURN SIGN.
THE SECOND IS OFF OF HIGHWAY 70 COMING INTO TOWN, ENTERING GLEN BURNING EXIT.
IT WOULD GO BELOW THE, THE CITY ENTRANCE SIGN AND THE PEPSI RECOGNITION SIGN, AND THE THIRD BEING CLOSEST TO THE HIGH SCHOOL ON HIGHWAY 17.
AND THIS WILL BE VERY SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS TWO FROM CONVERSATION WITH NNC D O T.
THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH EACH ONE OF THESE WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $400 EACH.
THAT'S FOR FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION PROVIDED BY D O T.
SO TO FACILITATE THAT WE'LL REQUESTING IS THE BOARD ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO REIMBURSE NNC D O T FOR THIS COST BOARD.
HAVE QUESTIONS? I'LL, SO THE, UM, BIRTHPLACE OF PEPSI SIGNS WILL STAY THERE AND THEN THE, UH, CHAMPIONSHIP SIGNS WILL GO UNDERNEATH IT.
IS THAT THE IDEA OR IS IT THAT THAT WOULD BE THE PLAN RIGHT NOW.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING REIMBURSEMENT TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION OF NEW BERN HIGH SCHOOL FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP SIGNAGE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
LETS HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN AS ALDERMAN ASTOR.
ALDERMAN KENZIE MACKENZIE? YES.
[9. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.]
ITEM NUMBER NINE, CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A M MOU WITH THE BUREAU OF A T F.MR. HUGHES, I'D LIKE TO ASK CHIEF GALLAGHER TO COME UP AND MAKE THIS PRESENTATION.
UH, BOARD, UH, WE ARE REQUESTING
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THAT YOU APPROVE THE MOU, ALLOWING THE NEW BERN POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE, UH, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, SPECIFICALLY THE ATF, TO ALLOW US ACCESS TO NEST, WHICH STANDS FOR THE NATIONAL, UH, CORRECTION.UM, THE, UH, UH, NIBIN ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT SYSTEM.
THIS GIVES US REAL TIME ACCESS TO ALL THE BALLISTIC DATA WITHIN THE NIBIN SYSTEM.
UM, THIS ALLOWS US TO ENTER OUR OWN BALLISTIC EVIDENCE INTO THE SYSTEM AND RETRIEVE FROM THAT SYSTEM ALL, UH, DATA STORED.
THIS WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CROSS REFERENCE OUR BALLISTIC INFORMATION WITH BALLISTIC INFORMATION FROM THE REGION, THE STATE, AND THE COUNTRY.
THIS GIVES US AN ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATIVE TOOL TO SOLVE FIREARM CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS WITHIN OUR CITY.
THERE IS NO COST TO THE CITY OF NEW BERN OR THE NEW BERN POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND WE WILL ASSIGN STAFF SPECIFIC TO THE ABILITY TO ENTER AND RETRIEVE INFORMATION.
AND ALL INFORMATION RELATING TO BALLISTIC EVIDENCE WOULD BE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PURPOSES.
PURPOSES ONLY THE COURT HAVE QUESTIONS, NO QUESTIONS.
AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING IN THE, UM, UM, WHAT NUMBER ARE WE ON NOW? NONE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN KINZIE.
[10. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amended Grant Contract with NC Land and Water Fund.]
CARRIES.CONSIDER ING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AMENDED GRANT CONTRACT WITH THE NC LAND AND WATER FUND.
MAYOR, BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS ITEM, I'D LIKE TO ASK CHRIS SEABERG TO COME UP.
CHRIS IS OUR NEW COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, AND I'D LIKE FOR HIM TO GIVE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF HIMSELF AND THEN HE'LL GO RIGHT INTO THIS ITEM.
UH, GOOD EVENING, MARION BOARD.
I'M THE NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER.
UH, WE DO HAVE BEFORE YOU, UH, CONTRACT EXTENSION OR, OR AMENDMENT CONTRACT IS FOR $150,000.
UH, GRANT FROM NORTH COUNTY LAND WATER FUND.
THIS BOARD, UH, THIS GROUP DID APPROVE, APPROVE THE ORIGINAL ON MARCH 22ND, 2022.
UM, ON SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2022, THE NORTH CAROLINA LAND WATER FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED AN AMENDMENT START DATE FROM THE PREVIOUS SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2022 TO JUNE 30TH, 2023.
OTHER AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE CONTRACT.
AUTHORIZATION MUST NOW BE GIVEN TO THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THIS AMENDED CONTRACT.
ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, I AM OPEN TO THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.
BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS ON ITEM NUMBER 10, NOT TAKE MOTION.
I'D LIKE TO ADOPT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AMENDED GRANT CONTRACT WITH NORTH CAROLINA LAND AND WATER FUND.
SECOND, HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN BRINSON.
AND, UH, WELCOME AGAIN, CHRIS TO THE TEAM.
[11. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Memorandum of Agreement with NC Emergency Management for the Duffyfield Stormwater Enhancement Grant.]
ON TO ITEM NUMBER 11.CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE, UH, M MOU WITH THE NC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR THE DUFFY FIELD STORMWATER ENHANCEMENT GRANT, MR. HUGHES.
SO MAYOR, WE WERE AWARDED TWO THOUSAND TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED NINETY ONE DOLLARS BY THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DISASTER RELIEF AND MITIGATION GRANT FUND THROUGH THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THIS GRANT WILL, UH, BE USED TO START ON THE INITIAL PHASES OF THE DUFF FIELD STORMWATER PROJECT.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE THESE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO GET STARTED.
AND THIS, UH, WE NEED TO GET THIS THING SIGNED SO WE CAN GET OUR, OUR FOLKS READY TO ROLL.
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NOT TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON ITEM NUMBER 11, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR THE DUFFY FIELD STORMWATER ENHANCEMENT GRANT.LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN PRI.
[12. Consider Adopting an Ordinance Amending the Drainage Improvements Project Fund.]
NUMBER 12, CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FUND MR. HUGHES.THE ORDINANCE AMENDS THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FUND RECOGNIZED FUNDING THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED IN THE AMOUNT $2,586,291.
MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FUND.
I HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH THE ALDERMAN ROYAL ALDERMAN ROYAL, YES.
[13. Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 70 " Traffic and Vehicles" Section 99 " Stop Intersections" of the Code of Ordinances.]
NUMBER 13, CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 70, TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE SECTION 99 STOP INTERSECTIONS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES.MR. HUGHES, I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. CHILDS TO MAKE THIS PRESENTATION.
WHAT WE ARE REQUESTING IN THIS IS A RECOGNITION BY THE CHIEF POLICE AT A REQUEST TO PUT AN ALWAYS STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF QUEEN AND GEORGE.
CURRENTLY THE INTERSECTION IS CONTROLLED BY TWO STOP SIGNS, BOTH ON QUEEN STREET.
UM, AND THE CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE CHIEF TO MYSELF WAS INCLUDED IN A PACKAGE WITH THE REQUEST AND, AND THE REASONING BEHIND IT DUE TO THE NUMEROUS NEAR MISSES AND, AND BASICALLY COLLISIONS BETWEEN VEHICLES AT THAT INTERSECTION.
UM, WE EVALUATED THE INTERSECTION, UM, WITHIN PUBLIC WORKS AND RECOGNIZED THAT THE INTERSECTION IS NOT A TRUE 90 DEGREE ANGLE.
THERE ARE SIGHT LINE ISSUES ALSO AT THE STOPS ON QUEEN STREET CURRENTLY.
SO THE IMPLEMENTATION WE BELIEVE WOULD CORRESPOND WITH THAT OF THE CHIEF POLICE TO GO AHEAD AND IMPLEMENT A FOUR-WAY STOP.
SO THE RESOLUTION WOULD BE TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE GEORGE AND QUEEN AS A ALWAYS STOP INTERSECTION BOARD.
HAVE QUESTIONS ON ITEM NUMBER 13, GEORGE.
UM, IN, IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS WHERE WE'RE GOING FROM AN INTERSECTION WITH TWO STOP SIGNS TO ONE, THAT'S NOW GOING TO BE A FOUR-WAY STOP, ARE THERE ANY STEPS THAT ARE TAKEN TO ALERT MOTORISTS THAT THE, THE INTERSECTION IS NOW A FOUR-WAY STOP SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCUSTOMED TO GOING DOWN THERE DON'T JUST DRIVE RIGHT THROUGH IT WITHOUT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THERE'S NOW A STOP SIGN THAT THEY HAVE TO, UH, COMPLY WITH.
ARE THERE ANY ANY FLAGS, SIGNAGE, OR ANYTHING TO ALERT THAT WILL BE STEPS TAKEN TO HELP ALERT PEOPLE AND EDUCATE THEM? YES.
AND IN THIS SITUATION AND, AND WITH ALL NEW IMPLEMENTATION OF STOP SIGNS OR CHANGES IN TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS, WE USUALLY, UH, PUT FLAGS ON THE NEW STOP SIGNS, WHICH WILL BE THE CASE HERE ALSO.
THERE'LL ALSO BE ALWAYS STOP PLACARDS PUT ON ALL FOUR SIGNS OF INTERSECTIONS.
SO THE TWO EXISTING SIGNS ON QUEEN WILL HAVE AN ALLWAY PLA ALWAYS STOP PLACARD, AS WELL AS THE NEW SIGNS ON.
GEORGE WILL ALSO PUT BE INSTALLING, UH, STOP THE HEAD SIGNS ON GEORGE STREET BOTH DIRECTIONS TO INFORM MOTORISTS THAT THERE IS A STOP COMING UP.
AND WE WILL HAVE THOSE FLAGGED FOR A PERIOD OF A MONTH UNTIL TRAFFIC GETS USED TO THE NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN.
GEORGE, THERE'S ALSO PLANS FOR STOP MARS ON THAT LOCATION.
WE WILL BE INSTALLING STOP BARSS ONCE WE HAVE THE SIGNS UP.
NOW, THE GEORGE, THE RITA HEAD PACKET SAID THERE USED TO BE A FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN THERE.
THERE WAS, AND, AND MAYBE SOMEBODY WITH A LITTLE MORE DRIVING KNOWLEDGE BEFORE I HAD MY LICENSE.
I BELIEVE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SIGNAL THERE AT ONE TIME TOO.
UM, BUT, SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY WE STEPPED IT DOWN AND THEN NOW WHY WE, FROM, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING TRAFFIC PATTERN.
SO WE, WE HAD A LOT MORE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC.
UM, HAD OUR SHOTS CAME THAT WAY MAINLY BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY ACROSS THE NU RIVER WAS THROUGH TOWN AT THAT TIME.
SO YOU HAD TO COME DOWN BASICALLY TO THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE TO GO ACROSS THE BRIDGE.
AND THAT ALSO SERVED TO BE THE
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CASE WITH WE HAD MEOLA, BOTH THE TIMBER MILLS THAT WERE ON THAT SIDE OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.SO WE HAD A LOT MORE DAILY COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC COMING DOWN THAT ROAD.
ANY MORE QUESTIONS? BOARD MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO, UH, MOVE FOR THE APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 70 TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES SECTION 99 STOP INTERSECTIONS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES.
SECOND, HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
MUST HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN ASTOR.
[14. Appointment(s).]
ITEM NUMBER 14 IS APPOINTMENTS.I DID NOT SEE ANY IN THE PACKAGE OR THERE ANY THAT I MISSED BY CHANCE.
[15. Attorney's Report.]
TO NUMBER 15 ATTORNEY'S REPORT.[16. City Manager' s Report.]
ITEM NUMBER 16, CITY MANAGER'S REPORT A FEW ITEMS TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON.JUST TO REMIND EVERYONE, THE NEWBURN, THE ANNUAL NEWBURN FIRE TRUCK POOL IS GOING TO BE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 11TH.
UH, ACTIVITIES WILL BEGIN AT 8:00 AM AND THEY'RE GONNA HAVE AN OPEN HOUSE THEREAFTER.
SO IF YOU HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED, UH, OR OR WITNESS THE FIRE TRUCK POOL BEFORE, WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME OUT AND CHECK IT OUT.
SO REALLY A FUN DAY THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUTS ON.
WELL, HOW, HOW MANY PEOPLES ON A TEAM? I THINK THERE ARE SIX PEOPLE ON A TEAM.
1, 2, 3, AND FOUR
MAY, I MEAN, IF FIVE OTHER PEOPLE WON'T BE ON THEIR TEAM, THEN I'LL, I'LL BE HAPPY TO DO IT.
IT'S A LOT OF FUN, SO COME CHECK IT OUT.
ALSO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE ANNUAL ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 17TH.
THAT IS NC ARBOR DAY AT 11:00 AM AT LEANER.
MORGAN PARR WILL BE GIVEN SOME MORE INFORMATION OUT ABOUT THAT LATER, AND WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR 27TH YEAR AS A TREE CITY USA AT THAT TIME.
AND THE LAST THING I HAVE IS A TISDALE HOUSE UPDATE.
UH, LAST FRIDAY WE MET WITH THE OWNER OF THE RIM AVENUE LOT, DAN TOWER, AND HE IS THE ONE THAT, UH, WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO, UM, UH, BASICALLY BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THE TISDALE HOUSE OVER TO THE RIM AVENUE LOT.
AND HE, HE'S GOT A LOT OF THINGS HE'S GOTTA BE ABLE TO PULL TOGETHER, DEALING WITH NOT ONLY ALL OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE HE IS GOT THE PERMITS IN PLACE, BUT ALSO DEALING WITH THE VARIOUS UTILITIES TO MAKE SURE THEY, THEY'VE DROPPED THEIR LINES OR, OR RAISE THEIR LINES.
UH, WE, WE DID MEET WITH HIM TO MAKE SURE THAT HE IS ON POINT AND, UH, IS GETTING THINGS DONE.
HE HAS RUN INTO A FEW ISSUES WITH SOME INSURANCE, UH, TYPE THINGS.
SO WE'RE WORKING WITH HIM TO TRY TO GET THAT DONE.
AND WE, WE HOPE THAT THIS HOUSE IS GONNA BE MOVED, UH, BY THE END OF THE MONTH.
BUT, UH, HE IS WORKING HARD ON THIS AND HE IS KEEPING US INFORMED OF HIS PROGRESS.
SO WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT.
ANYTHING ELSE? THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, SIR.
[17. New Business.]
UH, NEW BUSINESS.WE'LL START WITH ALDERMAN BRISSON.
UM, WELL, FOSTER DID, CAN, I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND IT AND I CANNOT FIND A, THE UPDATE OR THE, ON THE, UH, FIRE DEPARTMENT GRANT AND DID THEY RECEIVE THEIR SCBAS AND SO WE RECEIVED THIS GRANT, UM, DON'T HOLD ME TO THE DATE, BUT WE, WE ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE, UH, I THINK IT WAS EARLIER TODAY.
UM, BUT WE RECEIVED THE GRANT, I THINK IT WAS IN DECEMBER, NOVEMBER OF DECEMBER.
WE RECEIVED THE SCBAS IN JANUARY.
AND THEN ALSO WITH, WITH SOME FUNDS, HARPA FUNDS THAT YOU HAD, YOU, UH, THAT YOU PROVIDED.
WE WERE ABLE TO ORDER A VARIETY OF SCBAS.
THEY HAVE COME IN AND ARE NOW BEING ABLE TO BE USED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
THE OTHER SBAS WERE REALLY NON-COMPLIANT AND SO NOW THEY'RE, THEY'RE COMPLIANT.
THEY'RE KEEPING OUR FIREFIGHTERS SAFE WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO INTO HAZARDOUS AREAS OR INTO A HOUSE FIRE.
ALSO, UM, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THE, UH, I HAVE HAD COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
UH, ACTUALLY WENT OUT AND LOOKED AND IF ANYBODY'S EVER BEEN OUT TO THEIR, THEIR, UH, FIRE STATION, THEY'VE GOT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT.
THEY'RE HAVING A STORE OUTSIDE, OUT BACK.
UM, THEY HAVE REQUESTED A STORAGE BUILDING.
I ASKED, UM, UM, THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN A PRICE FOR A STORAGE BUILDING THAT WOULD BE ADEQUATE.
UM, THAT PRICE HAS COME IN AT $155,000 AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THIS BOARD TO APPROVE THE, UH, A R P MONEY, UM, FOR, TO BUILD SUCH A STORAGE BUILDING TO GET THIS
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VERY EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT OUT OF THE WEATHER.I HAVE A MOTION FROM AND ASTRA TO EXPEND 155,000 FROM HIS A R P FUNDS FOR A STORAGE BUILDING FOR NUMEROUS FIRE AND RESCUE.
ANY DISCUSSION? I JUST HAVE A QUESTION.
WHERE'S IT GONNA BE LOCATED? BEHIND THE, THE MAIN FIRE STATION.
PARDON? NO, I, THAT WAS THE QUESTION.
AT LEAST THAT'S THE LAST I UNDERSTOOD.
IT WAS GONNA BE BEHIND THE MAIN FIRE STATION.
SO DOES THAT TAKE UP ANY PARKING? THERE'S PLENTY OF AREA BACK THERE, I THINK FOR THAT'S, THAT'S CORRECT.
IT'S NOT TAKING UP ANY OF THE PARKING LOT.
UH, LET'S DO A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN MCKENZIE.
ALDERMAN ROYAL? NOTHING TONIGHT.
UM, I HAVE JUST A COUPLE THINGS.
UH, FIRST I WAS ASKED TO ANNOUNCE THE SECOND ANNUAL NEWBURN AUTISM 5K.
LOOKS LIKE IT'S GONNA BE ON APRIL THE 22ND.
UH, TWO 10 EAST FRONT STREET, UH, $30 REGISTRATION ONLINE.
THE RACE IS FROM 8:00 AM TO 10:00 AM AND THEN FROM 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM IS FAMILY FUN AND FOOD.
AND YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AT NB AUTISM 5K DOT EVENT BRIGHT.COM.
AND I BELIEVE THAT, UM, COLLEEN HAS SHARED THIS, OR IF NOT, I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE SHARED ON OUR NETWORKS.
UM, THE NEXT, UM, DISCUSSION TOPIC.
I WANTED TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT, UM, OPTIMUM HAS A NEW STOREFRONT HERE IN TOWN.
SO OPTIMUM, IT WAS, I THINK IT WAS COX YEARS AGO AND NOW SUDDENLINK, AND THEN IT WAS TS AND NOW IT'S OPTIMUM.
SO, UM, IF ANYONE HAS ISSUES WITH, UH, CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH SUDDENLINK OR OPTIMUM, THEY HAVE A NEW STORE THAT, UH, THEY JUST RECENTLY OPENED IN THE NEW HARRIS TEETER SHOPPING CENTER OUT ON MLK.
AND THEN THE, UH, THE LAST COMMENT, I WANTED TO GO BACK AND REVISIT WHAT ALDERMAN ROYAL WAS TALKING ABOUT, UH, WITH STREET CLOSURES EARLIER, UM, FROM THE TIME I WAS AN AN ALDERMAN, I HEARD VARIOUS CONCERNS FROM THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY, UH, THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THE STREET CLOSURES.
AND AS THE ATTORNEY, UH, ELOQUENTLY STATED, THERE'S REALLY NO REQUIREMENT THE BOARD CAN MAKE A DECISION TO CLOSE THE STREET OR NOT CLOSE THE STREET.
UH, MR. ATTORNEY, IS IT POSSIBLE IF THE BOARD SO DESIRED TO SET SOME SORT OF POLICY OR REQUIREMENT, UH, IN ORDER FOR US TO ENTERTAIN A STREET CLOSURE? UH, GIMME AN EXAMPLE THERE, LIKE A THRESHOLD.
UH, UM, YEAH, IT COULD BE A THRESHOLD, UM, COULD BE A LIMITATION ON HOW MANY TIMES IT'S DONE IN A CALENDAR YEAR, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THE, THE BOARD COULD PUT IN PLACE A POLICY, BUT OF COURSE THE BOARD CAN ALWAYS BREAK ITS OWN POLICY BECAUSE YOU MAKE THE RULES.
SO IT'S, IT'S FINE TO ESTABLISH SOME GUIDELINES, SOME PROCEDURES IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED IT.
UM, BUT THERE MAY BE AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE THAT YOU MAY ADDRESS AND CHANGE YOUR MIND.
IT WAS, UM, WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS.
SOME, SOME FOLKS IN THE AUDIENCE, UH, HAVE SAT IN ON SOME MEETINGS WHERE THEY FEEL LIKE THAT MAYBE THEIR VOICE IS NOT HEARD.
UM, I WOULD ENCOURAGE, UM, ALDERMAN PRIL, UH, YOU'RE THE LUCKY ONE TO BE IN WARD ONE.
UM, I WOULD ENCOURAGE JUST SOME IMPROVED COMMUNICATION FIRST BEFORE WE START TALKING ABOUT SETTING POLICIES.
UM, BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS GONNA BE THOSE EXCEPTIONS.
AND IF YOU SET THAT POLICY AND THEN AN EXCEPTION COMES UP, WELL THEN EVERYTHING COULD BE AN EXCEPTION FROM THAT POINT FORWARD.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION, IS FOR US TO JUST IMPROVE OUR COMMUNICATION.
AGAIN, THERE'S BEEN SOME OTHER TOPICS, UM, THAT I'M SURE WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT AT SOME POINT IN TIME THAT KEEP COMING UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
AND I THINK A LOT OF IT IS CAUSED A LACK OF COMMUNICATION.
SO THAT WAS MY COMMENTS ON STREET CLOSURES.
UH, ANYTHING ELSE UNDER NEW BUSINESS? WHAT WAS THAT DIRECTION AGAIN? AUTUMN PRE WILL DO WHAT? JUST WORK WITH THE VARIOUS DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CONCERNS AND RESIDENTS TOO, ALONG WITH SWISS BAYER AND THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS COUNCIL.
CAUSE THERE'S ALL THESE GROUPS ALREADY THAT SORT OF WORK IN THAT REALM.
AND I THINK AS AMAN BRISSON MENTIONED YESTERDAY, THE, THE DOWNTOWN COUNCIL THAT HE WAS THINKING ABOUT WAS SORT OF GOING TO BE A DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS, IF YOU WILL.
SO NO NEED TO REINVENT THE WILL.
I JUST NEED THAT FOLKS NEED TO GET MORE ENGAGED AND MORE INVOLVED, AND THEY NEED TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD AND RECOGNIZED.
[18. Closed Session.]
DO WE NEED A CLOSE SESSION? UH, YES, SIR.ON, UH, TWO MATTERS PURSUANT TO 1 43 13 11 A THREE TO MAINTAIN OUR ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE AND
[00:30:01]
A SECOND MATTER, UH, PURSUANT TO 1 43 13 11 A FIVE TO DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY.NEED A MOTION TO GO IN A CLOSED SESSION THAT MOVED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF GOING TO CLOSED SESSION, PLEASE SAY, AYE.
ANY OPPOSED? OKAY, WE ARE IN CLOSED SESSION WAKING US UP.
YOU SAID NOTHING LIKE JOHNNY, BUT BEFORE, BEFORE THAT, I, I DID FORGET TO SAY SOMETHING.
UM, I HAD SENT AN EMAIL TO EACH OF YOU ABOUT A TOUR OF YOUR WARDS.
I THINK WE'VE GOT THREE OF THOSE SET UP.
SO FOR THOSE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THAT, IF YOU JUST LET THE CLERK KNOW, UH, WE'LL GET IT ON OUR CALENDARS AND THEN WE'LL, UH, CITY MANAGERS GONNA DRIVE US AROUND.
I, I ALLOTTED ABOUT THREE HOURS FOR EACH ONE.
BUT, UM, JUST WANT TO MAKE THOSE AWARE THAT HAVE NOT RESPONDED YET.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DOING, IT'S COMPLETELY UP TO YOU.
SO, UH, I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
SECOND, THE MOTION IS TO AJON.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
CAN YOU OPPOSE? WE ARE ADJOURNED.