May 09, 2023 Board of Aldermen

[1. Meeting opened by Mayor Odham. Prayer Coordinated by Alderman Royal. Pledge of Allegiance.]

[00:00:04]

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE MAY 9TH, 2023 NEWBURN BOARD OF ALDERMAN MEETING.

THE PRAYER TONIGHT WILL BE COORDINATED BY ALDERMAN ROYAL.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

LET US PRAY TONIGHT.

OUR FATHER, WE COME TO YOU AGAIN TO DISCUSS THE BUSINESS OF OUR CITY.

WE ARE TRUSTING THAT WE WILL BE LED BY YOUR SPIRIT, THAT WHATEVER WE DO, AND OUR DELIBERATIONS WILL BRING EQUITY TO ALL PEOPLE, AND THAT IT WILL BRING FAIRNESS.

WE PRAY, FATHER, THAT YOU WILL HEAR OUR, UH, VOICE TONIGHT, AND THAT YOU WOULD GIVE US THE WISDOM THAT WE NEED TO MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD FOR ONLY YOU HAVE THE ANSWER.

AS WE LOOK TO YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM AND YOUR GUIDANCE, WE ASK THIS IN JESUS' NAME.

AMEN.

AMEN.

AMEN.

IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME FOR THE FLAG PLEDGE.

PLEDGE ALLEG TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.

ADAM CLERK, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ALDERMAN PRIL.

HERE.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

HERE.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

HERE.

MAYOR ODOM.

HERE.

ALDERMAN KINZIE.

HERE.

ALDERMAN.

BEST PRESENT IS THAT ALDERMAN RENSON HERE.

OKAY.

[3. Approve Agenda.]

SOLE MOTION.

HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM ALDERMAN MCKENZIE.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? AGENDA IS APPROVED.

[4. Request and Petition of Citizens.]

THANK YOU.

FIRST UP IS JOYCE PRICE OF 3 0 5 P*****K STREET.

OKAY, MR. MAYOR, UH, I'LL DISCUSS H****R.

ALL RIGHT.

DAVID H****R OF 2 49 CRAVEN STREET.

YES, SIR.

COME ON UP, DAVID.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR ALDERMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TIME.

WE APPRECIATE YOU, WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

AND BY THE WAY, THE ANNEX LOOKS FABULOUS.

IT'S COME ON.

GREAT.

UM, MY NAME IS DAVID H****R.

IF I HAVEN'T MET YOU BEFORE, I AM THE MANAGING PARTNER OF STANLEY HALL BALLROOM ACROSS THE STREET.

I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF, UH, MS. CHOICE PRICE, AND DANNY STRANGE.

MY OTHER PARTNERS.

I'M ALSO REPRESENTING, UH, MS. PRICE, UH, AT RIVERTOWN BALLROOM, THE DANCE STUDIO ALSO ACROSS THE STREET.

UH, I'M HERE TO DISCUSS SOMETHING I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE ALL WEARY OF, UH, BUT IT'S, IT'S, IT'S BECOME A GROWING CONCERN OF OURS.

MY BIGGEST, UH, INTENTION TONIGHT IS THAT WE MAKE IT KNOWN THAT OUR SILENCE UP TO THIS POINT IS NOT NECESSARILY CONCURRENCE WITH THE POLICIES THAT, THAT ARE COMING DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT WE FEEL MIGHT BE COMING DOWN THE ROAD.

THAT IS STREET CLOSINGS AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS.

UH, A LITTLE HISTORY, UH, RIVERTOWN BALLROOM HAS BEEN ACROSS, BY THE WAY, IT'S RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, OUT OVER HERE.

RIVERTOWN BALLROOM HAS BEEN HERE FOR 20 YEARS.

UH, STANLEY HALL BALLROOM HAS BEEN HERE FOR 10 YEARS.

BOTH BUSINESSES WERE LOCATED DOWNTOWN WITH AN IDEA THAT PHILOSOPHY, THE, THE CHARACTER AND THE FIELD OF OUR BUSINESSES WOULD REPRESENT THE HISTORIC, SOPHISTICATED DOWNTOWN ENVIRONMENT, THE VIBRANT CITY THAT WE HAD.

AND AT THE TIME, THOSE BUSINESSES STARTED PARKING AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS AND STREET CLOSINGS REALLY NOT PART OF THE BUSINESS PLAN.

SO WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW REALLY IS HAVING A DIRECT EFFECT ON US EACH YEAR BETWEEN THE TWO BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE ABOUT 15,000 CUSTOMER CONGRESS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT COME IN FOR WEDDINGS, DANCE LESSONS, UH, BUSINESS MEETINGS, OTHER THINGS THAT WE DO IN OUR BUSINESSES.

UH, OUR INFORMAL SURVEYS INDICATE THAT EACH OF THESE PEOPLE, EVERY TIME THEY COME TO OUR BUSINESS, SPEND ABOUT A HUNDRED DOLLARS, ABOUT A HUNDRED DOLLARS EACH DAY THAT THEY'RE HERE.

SO WE FEEL THAT ASIDE FROM THE REVENUES WE GENERATE FOR OURSELVES, THE OUTSIDE REVENUES TO THE CITY ARE SUBSTANTIALLY.

UM, IN ADDITION TO THE CUSTOMERS AND PEOPLE WE SUPPORT DOWN HERE, UH, WE HAVE CATERERS, WEDDING PLANNERS, DJS A HOST OF OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES THAT REALLY DON'T FALL UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF STANLEY HALL RIVERTOWN, BUT REALLY DO CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH US.

MY POINT IS WE REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY IN BUSINESS DOWNTOWN.

OUR HOPE, OUR BUSINESS PLAN, UH, ESPECIALLY WITH STANLEY HALL BALLROOM, IS THAT, UH, OUR, OUR, OUR MARKETING TRUST IS THAT

[00:05:01]

I'VE BEEN A PARTNER FOR SIX YEARS.

IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS I WAS A PARTNER AT STANLEY HALL.

OUR REVENUES INCREASED 25 TO 40% YEAR OVER YEAR.

AND WE WERE DOING WELL, NOT WITHSTANDING COVID IN THE PANDEMIC.

ABOUT THE TIME THAT STREET CLOSINGS AND RESTRICTIONS HAPPENED, OUR REVENUE STARTED TAKING A BACKWARD TURN.

WE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 40% DOWN FROM WHERE WE WERE PRE COVID, AND THAT'S HAVING A REAL IMPACT ON US.

ANECDOTALLY, UH, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, WE CAN TALK ABOUT A LOT, LOT OF OTHER ISSUES, BUT I PROMISE YOU EVERY BRIDE THAT I TALK TO IS GOING TO ASK ME ABOUT PARKING.

ON ONE HAND, WHETHER IT'S TRUE OR NOT, AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S TRUE CAUSE WE'VE REALLY NEVER HAD A, A REAL PARKING ISSUE WITH OUR EVENTS.

BUT I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF RIDES LEAVE AND BOOK AT OTHER VENUES CAUSE THEY PROCEED.

IT'S A PROBLEM HERE AND I CAN TALK TO 'EM BLUE IN THE FACE AND IT'S NOT GONNA CHANGE THEIR MINDS AND MY TIME'S UP.

I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS WILL CONSIDER, LOOK AT THIS POLICY AGAIN AND TAKE A INTO CONSIDERATION THAT STANLEY HALL IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN.

AND I THINK THAT WE CAN CALL SIR.

THANK YOU MR. H****R.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

IS JOYCE PRICE GOING TO SPEAK? I PREFER.

OKAY.

VERY GOOD, THANK YOU.

NEXT UP IS RUTH COOPER OF 1022 COLTON WAY.

UM, HI.

IN CASE YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE ME WITHOUT MY GREEN T-SHIRT, I AM RUTH COOPER.

I DO STILL LIVE ON COLL WAY, UH, EVEN THOUGH I SPEND TIME, ENERGY, AND MONEY IN NEWBURN.

UH, THIS PAST WEEKEND, ALDERMAN BRINSON, MY HUSBAND AND I, TWO FRIENDS FROM THE Y M C A, TWO WOMEN FROM MY CHURCH AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DUFFY FIELD PHOENIX PROJECT, SPENT A FEW HOURS HELPING CLEAN UP ALONG THE STREETS OF DUFFY FIELD.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROVIDED VEST ROBBERS AND OTHER SUPPLIES.

AND, UH, TONIGHT GEORGE CHILDS TOLD ME THEY PUT UP A NO DUMPING SIGN, UH, BY ONE HEAVILY DUMPED AREA IN DUFFY FIELD, WHICH MIGHT HELP.

UM, I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE OTHER SPONSORING GROUPS DIDN'T SHOW UP.

WHEN I ASK WHY PEOPLE DON'T TURN OUT, I WAS TOLD THAT MANY PEOPLE IN DUFFY FIELD ARE JADED BY THE PROMISES AND PLANS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE FOR DUFFY FIELD, BUT DON'T COME TO FRUITION.

YOU KNOW, I HAVEN'T LIVED HERE THAT LONG, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST, BUT I'VE HEARD THAT IN THE PAST, MONEY WAS EARMARKED FOR DUFFY FIELD, BUT GOT USED IN OTHER AREAS.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

UM, THE STANDING WHITE REC CENTER, YOU ALL KNOW, WAS FLOODED BY FLORENCE IN 2018, AND THE TISDALE HOUSE IS STILL STANDING WHERE THE NEW REC CENTER IS TO BE BUILT.

BUT I'VE HEARD IT'S GONNA BE MOVED BY MAY 20TH, THAT THE TISDALE HOUSE WILL BE MOVED BY MAY 20TH.

UM, SO, UH, AND A PRESENTATION BY THE CPL ARCHITECTS ON BIDS FOR THE CENTER WILL BE MADE TONIGHT, BUT IT WILL BE YEARS BEFORE THE KIDS AND ADULTS IN DUFFY FIELD HAVE A PLACE TO GO FOR FUN AND MEETINGS.

UM, THE BUILDING AT 9 0 8 BLOOMFIELD STREET WAS DEMOLISHED, WHICH I WAS THRILLED TO SEE, AND THE DEBRIS FROM THE TWO LOTS.

NEXT DOOR WAS REMOVED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, BUT ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE IN THE SUN JOURNAL, JANUARY 9TH, 2022, A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER WAS TO BE BUILT THERE.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING RECENTLY ABOUT WHERE THIS HEALTH CENTER STANDS.

I'M AN RN LICENSED IN NORTH CAROLINA.

I'D LIKE TO SEE THIS BUILT BEFORE I'M TOO OLD, A PRACTICE THERE.

SATURDAY, AFTER THE CLEANUP, I WAS WALKING AROUND DOWNTOWN, TAKING DOWN FLYERS.

I HAD POSTED ABOUT THE CLEANUP.

AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN WAS SITTING AT A TABLE ON MIDDLE STREET.

HE NOTICED MY RED DUFFY FIELD CLEANUP T-SHIRT AND ASKED ABOUT IT.

THEN HE ASKED IF I LIVED IN DUFFY FIELD.

I TOLD HIM NO, THAT I LIVED IN TRENT WOODS.

HE LAUGHED.

HE SAID HE WAS PARTIALLY DISABLED, COULDN'T AFFORD HOUSING, AND WAS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

HE SAID PEOPLE WITH GOOD PENSIONS LIKE ME MOVED TO NEW BERN FROM NORTHERN STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES.

BUT MANY OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE COULDN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE SHARED A MEAL AND TALKED WHILE HE CHARGED HIS PHONE.

THEN HE CALLED SOME PEOPLE ABOUT A POSSIBLE PLACE TO SPEND THE NIGHT.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A BETTER, EVEN LESS EXPENSIVE LIFE IN NEWBURN THAN WE DID IN CINCINNATI.

WE HAVE A HOUSE SURROUNDED BY TREES AND FLOWERS.

WE'RE ONLY A MILE AND A HALF FROM GROCERY STORES, LOWE'S, THE WISES, MY CHURCH.

IF I WERE WEALTHY OR WIN THE LOTTERY, I WOULD BUY SOME LOTS IN DUFFY FIELD AND PUT UP AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BUT UNTIL THAT DAY COMES, I HOPE THE CITY WILL DO WHATEVER IT CAN TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I KNOW THIS IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT ANY CITY FACES.

I KNOW

[00:10:01]

UM, THANKS FOR BEING ON THE BOARD AND FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR NEWBURN.

AND A SPECIAL THANKS FOR WORKING ON AN ANTI LITTER CAMPAIGN.

THE PEOPLE WHO I'VE TALKED WITH WHO PICK UP LITTER AS PART OF CLEAN SWEEP OR THE DUFFY CO CLEANUP, ARE ALONG ROAD SIZE, ARE TIRED OF DOING SO, AND MAY NOT CONTINUE TO PICK UP OTHER PEOPLE'S TRASH.

I REALLY THINK GETTING FOLKS TO LITTER LESS IS THE ANSWER.

I'D BE GLASS GLAD TO PASS OUT MY GREEN T-SHIRTS AND BIODEGRADABLE LITTLE, UH, TRAVEL LITTER BAGS IF YOU HAVE AN AVI TO ANNOUNCE A NEW BURN ANTI-LITTER CAMPAIGN.

THANKS.

THANK YOU, MR. COOPER.

THANK YOU.

THAT'S, UH, THAT'S ALL THE PETITIONS TONIGHT.

AND I'M GOING TO DON'T NORMALLY DO THIS AND I DON'T WANNA SET THIS PRECEDENT, BUT I'M GONNA TAKE A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO ADDRESS A FEW THINGS.

UH, MR. H****R, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EMAIL THAT YOU SENT.

THE CITY MANAGER MYSELF DID RECEIVE THAT.

UM, I WANNA DISCUSS THAT WITH THE MANAGER AND ALDERMAN PRI, UH, SINCE IT IS IN HIS WARD.

UH, ANYTIME YOU WANT TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH US, YOU KNOW HOW TO GET UP WITH US OR YOU'RE NOT LIMITED TO FOUR MINUTES AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

UM, AS FAR AS THE COMMENTS, UH, THAT MS. COOPER JUST MADE, UM, THESE ARE FRESH ON MY MIND CAUSE ALDERMAN BRENTON AND I ATTENDED A MEETING AT THE OMEGA CENTER THIS WEEKEND WITH SOME FOLKS ABOUT THE, UH, DUFFY FIELD AREA.

UH, THERE'S BEEN ABOUT 8.5 MILLION IN DRAINAGE FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN SPENT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS OR SO FOR DUFFY FIELD.

THAT'S OFTENTIMES THINGS THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY SEE, BUT IT'S A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT THAT'S BEING MADE IN THE COMMUNITY.

UH, WITH RESPECT TO THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINIC, UH, THIS BOARD, UH, ACTUALLY THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN, SO A PREVIOUS BOARD ALLOCATED $350,000 ABOUT 11 MONTHS AGO FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO BUILD A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER.

UH, I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE CHAIRMAN LAST WEEK ASKING THEM WHEN THEY PLANNED ON BREAKING GROUND.

AND, UH, THEY ARE SHOOTING FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE.

UH, THERE HAS BEEN SOME PROGRESS MADE THERE.

THERE WAS A HOUSE ON SITE THAT HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THAT.

AND THEN THE LAST COMMENT AS FAR AS, UM, SOMETHING FOR THE CHILDREN, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE CITY'S FAULT, I GUESS.

WE HAVEN'T DONE A GOOD ENOUGH JOB, BUT WE HAVE LEASED THE OMEGA CENTER, UH, FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, I BELIEVE THREE OR FOUR YEARS, UM, TO PROVIDE THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROGRAMMING THAT WE HAD AT THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER.

AND, UH, I'LL LET MR. HUGHES MAYBE ADDRESS THAT.

UM, YOU CAN DO IT NOW, OR MS. WARREN IF SHE'S HERE, IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO COME, MAYBE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC THAT THERE ARE SOME PROGRAMS BEING OFFERED.

RIGHT.

I'LL ACTUALLY ASK MS. WARREN TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED AT THE OMEGA CENTER.

THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND BOARD.

UM, WE HAVE BEEN OFFERING PROGRAMS OVER THERE FOR SOME TIME NOW SINCE STANLEY WHITE CLOSED.

UM, WE HAVE WEEKDAY WALKING OVER THERE FOR SENIORS.

WE'VE BEEN DOING A AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM OVER THERE, WHICH HISTORICALLY HAVE HAD ABOUT FIVE KIDS AND WE HOLDING IN IT MM-HMM.

.

UM, WE'VE DONE SOME SCIENCE PROGRAMS OVER THERE WITH KIDS, WHICH HAVE FILLED UP.

UM, WE'VE OFFERED SOME, UM, BLACK HISTORY MONTH BINGO OVER THERE.

UM, WE'VE DONE SOME FOUR SQUARE DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WE ARE OFFERING PROGRAMS THERE.

UM, WE TRY TO GET THE WORD OUT BY PASSING OUT FLYERS TO THE COMMUNITY.

THERE'S A LOCAL CHURCH THAT GRABS FLYERS FROM US AND TRIES TO TAKE 'EM AROUND AND GET 'EM OUT.

UM, SO WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS OVER THERE.

UM, AND A LOT OF OUR STUFF'S ON THE WEBSITE.

PEOPLE CAN GO SEE IT ON OURPAGE@NEWVERNONC.GOV AND, UH, CALL US WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

EXCUSE ME MS. WARREN, FOR THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, IS THERE A CHARGE FOR THIS PROGRAM? THERE IS A CHARGE.

IT'S, UM, I BELIEVE IT'S $25 A WEEK FOR THAT, FOR CITY RESIDENCE.

OKAY.

SO, SO IF I, THERE'S A HOUSEHOLD OF THREE OR FOUR KIDS THAT'S A HUNDRED DOLLARS A WEEK.

WE HAVE REDUCED COSTS FOR SOME, LIKE WHEN THEY HAVE MULTIPLE KIDS, WE DO REDUCE COSTS.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS? I JUST SAY JUST MR. MARY SIM AS SIMPLE AS MENTIONED.

WOULD NOW BE A GOOD TIME TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE TISDALE HOUSE? SURE.

UM, CITY MANAGER.

SURE.

THAT, THAT TAKES CARE OF ONE OF MY ITEMS FOR THE MANAGER'S REPORT.

SO WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS WITH DAN TOWER, WHO IS THE OWNER NOW OF THE RIM STREET PROPERTY.

AND HIS, HE HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE HE PURCHASED THE PROPERTY TO MOVE THE TISDALE HOUSE.

UH, HE'S BEEN WORKING WITH CITY STAFF QUITE A BIT.

UH, I'VE BEEN TO A FEW MEETINGS.

THE CITY MANAGER HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL.

RIGHT NOW.

THE GOAL IS FOR THEM TO MOVE THAT HOUSE ON MAY 20TH.

AND I THINK THE ONLY HOLDUP THAT IS, UH, THE ONLY ROADBLOCK THEY HAVE IS GETTING THE D O T PERMITS, IS THAT, UH, HOUSE WILL BE TRANSPORTED ON, ON THE STATE ROAD.

UM, HAVEN'T HEARD YET WHEN THEY'RE GONNA GET THAT PERMIT.

THAT'S THEIR ONLY HOLD UP RIGHT NOW.

SO THE GOAL IS MAY 20TH.

THANK YOU.

ANYTHING ELSE? WHAT ROAD IS THE STATE ROAD OVER THERE FIRST?

[00:15:01]

OKAY.

OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE WHO

[Consent Agenda]

UH, MOVING ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

IT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD.

MAY I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IS SECOND.

HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

AS IS ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE? LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN FRILL.

ALDERMAN FRI.

YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

YES.

ALDERMAN KINZIE.

YES.

ALDERMAN DESK? YES.

ALDERMAN B BRINSON? YES.

MAYOR OUM? YES.

CONSENT AGENDA CARRIES.

MOVING ON

[11 . Presentation by CPL Architects on Bids for Stanley White Recreation Center.]

UH, MR. HUGHES, I BELIEVE YOU'RE GONNA HANDLE THIS ONE.

YES, SIR.

SO BIDS FOR THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER PROJECT.

WERE OPEN ON APRIL 25TH.

FIVE BIDS WERE RECEIVED AND TA LOVING COMPANY SUBMITTED THE LOWEST BID OF $13,180,400.

OUR ARCHITECTS C P REVIEWED THE BIDS AND THEY, THEY'VE RECOMMENDED THE CITY ENTER INTO CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THIS COMPANY.

SO WE'D LIKE TO GET DIRECTION THE BOARD ON THAT.

UH, IF YOU AGREE WITH THE PROCEEDING, THE GOAL IS TO BRING THIS, UH, CONTRACT BACK TO THE GOVERNING BOARD, UH, HOPEFULLY BY THE NEXT MEETING SO WE CAN PROCEED.

THE ESTIMATED TIMELINE FOR CONSTRUCTION ON THE RECREATION CENTER PROJECT IS 14 MONTHS.

BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.

QUESTION, WOULD YOU GIVE ME SOME BACKGROUND ON CPL, PLEASE? CPL IS A, IS, UM, THEY STARTED OUT AS A, UM, A, UH, REGIONAL ARCHITECTURAL FIRM IN THE GREENSBORO AREA.

THEY HAVE SINCE COMBINED AND EXPANDED, SO THERE'S SEVERAL OF THE, OF THE OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE, THE CAROLINAS.

THEY SPECIALIZE IN PARKS AND RECREATION RELATED ARCHITECTURE.

SO THEY'VE DONE QUITE A FEW RECREATION CENTERS.

THEY'RE DOING SEVERAL, UH, RIGHT NOW.

UM, THEY ACTUALLY DID THE DESIGN ON THE STAND ON THE, UM, THEY DID THE DESIGN ON THE EN AQUATIC CENTER BACK WHEN WE BUILT THAT.

THEY ALSO, UH, TOOK US THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND THEN ALSO BEFORE THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER AND ALSO THE CONCEPT PLANS FOR THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER.

THANK YOU.

NOTHING FURTHER, MAYOR.

THANK YOU.

FOSTER, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU REGARDING SOME OPPORTUNITY TO VALUE ENGINEER SOME OF THIS.

UM, I LOOKED, YOU AND I WERE HERE WHEN THEY OPENED THE BIDS UP, AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S SEVERAL ALTERNATIVES THAT WERE INCLUDED.

AND, UM, I, I SAW A COUPLE THINGS MYSELF THAT I THINK COULD BE VALUE ENGINEERED.

FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THAT TERM IS, IT'S TO LOOK AT THE WAY SOMETHING IS SPECIFIED AND TO FIND AN EQUAL OR BETTER WAY OF DOING IT THAT'S CHEAPER.

AND, UM, HISTORICALLY, UM, NOTHING AGAINST ARCHITECTS, BUT ARCHITECTS GET PAID AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE PROJECT USUALLY.

SO MOST TIMES THEY'RE NOT REALLY ENGAGED OR MOTIVATED TO FIND THE CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE.

HOWEVER, WE'RE THE ONES AND THE TAXPAYERS, THE ONES PAYING THE BILL.

SO HAVE YOU HAD ANY DISCUSSION WITH THEM OR ANY DIALOGUE ABOUT VALUE ENGINEERING? ANYTHING THAT'S POSSIBLE? WE HAVEN'T.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS GOVERNING BOARD HAS AS WELL.

UM, THE BOARD MADE IT PRETTY CLEAR THAT THEY WANTED TO, UH, YOU WANTED TO SEE, UH, BIG'S BANK BUCK OUT OF THE RECREATION CENTER PROJECT.

AND VALUE ENGINEERING WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS FOR THEM TO LOOK AT.

UH, HENCE THE PRECAST OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING.

SO IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH CPL, WHEN THEY'RE, IF THE BOARD APPROVES TO CONTINUE, THEY'RE GONNA COME AND ADDRESS, UM, THE VALUE ENGINEERING AT THE NEXT MEETING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE AND OTHER THINGS THEY CAN DO MOVING FORWARD TO HELP WITH THAT.

VERY GOOD.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IT'S PLEASURE OF THE BOARD ON ITEM NUMBER 11.

WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO HERE? SAYS PRESENTATION BACK.

ARE YOU ASKING US TO APPROVE, UM, TA LOVING AS THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR STANLEY WHITE AND TO ALLOW US TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THEM? MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH TA 11, WITH THE STANLEY WHITE CENTER AT A PRICE OF, DO I NEED TO INCLUDED PRICE? OKAY.

IT'LL BE BEFORE YOU SECOND.

HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN ROYAL.

ALDERMAN ROYAL, YES.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

YES.

ALDERMAN KINZIE.

YES.

ALDERMAN BEST? YES.

ALDERMAN BRISSON.

YES.

ALDERMAN PR.

YES.

MAYOR ODOM.

YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

FINALLY, IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET TO THIS DATE.

[12. City Manager's Presentation of Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget.]

BUDGET.

MR. HUGHES MAYOR AND PLEASE TO PRESENT OUR, UM, BUDGET PRESENTATION FOR THIS YEAR.

[00:20:01]

YES.

IS THE POWERPOINT OF THE PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THIS TREE, OR SO WE'LL TALK UP A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BUDGET TIMELINE.

WE STARTED BUDGET PREPARATION IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.

FINANCE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THAT, AND THEY SEND INFORMATION OUT TO THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS ON WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.

DEPARTMENTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THEIR OWN BUDGET.

THEY PRESENTED THIS TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE MANAGER, THE ASSISTANT MANAGER, FINANCE DIRECTOR, SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, AND HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR.

THOSE MEETINGS WERE HELD IN MARCH THIS PAST WEEK.

ON MAY 1ST AND SECOND, WE HAD A BUDGET WORKSHOP TO, TO GO OVER THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND THEN HEAR FEEDBACK FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD.

AND TONIGHT I'M MAKING THE PRESENTATION BASED ON THE FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED.

SO WHEN WE STARTED DEVELOPING THE BUDGET, WE LOOKED AT GOLDEN OBJECTIVES FROM EACH DEPARTMENT.

WE, WE LISTENED TO THE FEEDBACK FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD, NOT ONLY FROM THE LAST FEW WEEKS, BUT AS, UH, WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH MEETINGS AND OTHER WORKSHOPS.

AND WE'VE ALWAYS LOOKED AT FOCUSING ON RESILIENCY.

OUR UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPROVES STREETS AND SIDEWALKS IS, IS KEY FEATURES TO THE BUDGET.

SO OUR PROPOSED FY 24 BUDGET, THE GENERAL FUND, $49,108,097.

OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS BROKEN DOWN BY WATER FUND $12,724,602 SEWER FUND, $13,461,244.

THE ELECTRIC FUND, $60,928,292 SOLID WASTE FUND, $4,387,049.

AND THE OTHER FUNDS COMBINED $8,839,918.

TOTAL ANNUAL FUNDS, THE TOTAL BUDGET OF $149,449,202.

THIS IS A 6.8% OVERALL INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS BUDGET YEAR THAT WAS ADOPTED.

THE FY 24 BUDGET PROPOSAL DOES COMPLY WITH NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES.

SO SOME OF THE IMPACTS WE SAW ON THIS BUDGET, COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES.

NOT ONLY DO THEY AFFECT OUR CITIZENS IN, IN NEWBURN, BUT THEY'VE AFFECTED THE CITY OF NEWBURN AS WELL.

AND SO SOME OF THE THINGS WE LOOKED AT AS SALARY AND BENEFITS BACK IN DECEMBER, THE GOVERNING BOARD AUTHORIZE, UH, APPROVAL OF A PHASE ONE OF THE SALARY STUDY.

THE IMPLEMENTATION MOVING FORWARD IS 2.4 MILLION ANNUALLY.

FOR THAT PHASE ONE, WE WERE ASKED TO CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING PHASE TWO OF THAT SALARY STUDY, AND THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL 1.2 MILLION.

SO MOVING FORWARD, THAT IS 3.6 MILLION TO, TO BEAT THAT SALARY STUDY.

WE ARE ALSO RECOMMENDING A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF 3% AND MERIT INCREASES FOR EMPLOYEES UP TO 2%.

THAT REALLY DEPENDS ON, ON HOW, WHAT THEIR EVALUATIONS ARE LIKE.

AND THOSE EVALUATIONS ARE HELD ANNUALLY AT THE END OF EACH YEAR.

THERE'S A MANDATORY INCREASE IN NORTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT RATE.

THAT'S A THREE QUARTER PERCENT INTEREST FOR NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND A 1% INCREASE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

WE ALSO SAW AN INCREASE IN HEALTH INSURANCE COST, UH, OF 11%.

AND THAT'S INDUSTRY-WIDE TREND ON WHERE THINGS ARE GOING.

WE'RE PROPOSING TWO NEW POSITIONS AND SIX RECLASSIFICATIONS OF POSITIONS UNDER OUR PROPOSED CAPITAL.

THE GENERAL FUND CAPITAL IS $3,121,020.

OUR WATER FUND, 683,000 SEWER FUND, 1,461,000.

THE ELECTRIC FUND, 2 MILLION SOLID WASTE FUND, 275,000 TOTAL CITYWIDE CAPITAL 7,540,000, $20 IN THE GENERAL FUND.

2.67 MILLION OF THAT QUALIFIES FOR FINANCING.

AND WE DO PLAN ON, ON GOING OUT FOR FINANCING FOR THAT UPON THE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET.

SO WE'RE GONNA BREAK IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES FOR FY 24.

AND I'LL START AT THE BOTTOM IN BLUE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET, $9,256,845 TO THE LEFT PARKS AND RECREATION, $3,868,451.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, $2,734,976.

PUBLIC WORKS, $8,783,681.

OUR DEBT SERVICE INTER FUND AND OTHER $3,055,720.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT,

[00:25:01]

IT'S $4,119,474.

FINANCE $1,950,629.

HUMAN RESOURCES $960,861 AND POLICE $14,377,460.

SO OUR TOTAL GENERAL FUND EXPENSE IS $49,108,097.

OUR PROPOSED GENERAL FUND REVENUE STARTING AT THE BOTTOM AGAIN, SALES TAXES ANTICIPATING $11,750,000 TO THE LEFT ARE INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES.

$3,752,423.

OTHER TAXES AND FEES, 233,500.

INTEREST EARNINGS 752,000.

MISCELLANEOUS REVENUES $668,280.

OUR INTER FRONT INTERFUND REIMBURSEMENTS $4,069,767.

INTERFUND TRANSFERS $3,964,878.

CHARGES FOR SERVICES.

1,182,000 PROCEEDS FROM DEBT.

$2,666,020 FUND BALANCE APPROPRIATED OF $297,537.

AND A THEORUM TAXES $19,000,771 19,000 7 71 700.

SO TOTAL GENERAL FUND REVENUES $49,108,097.

SOME OF THE GENERAL FUND HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS BUDGET INCLUDE LAND USE ORDINANCE, UPDATE SYSTEM WIDE TECHNOLOGY UPDATES, 10 POLICE CRUISERS, FIRETRUCK PURCHASE FIRETRUCK REFURBISHMENT OF TWO UNITS, GENERAL VEHICLE REPLACEMENTS, STREET SWEEPER, LEAF COLLECTOR, PEG CHANNEL VIDEO SERVER, SIDEWALK AND CURB IMPROVEMENTS, STREET PAVING AND REPAIRS, AND PUBLIC WORKS GARAGE RENOVATIONS.

NOW, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED OR ANY GRANTS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE OUT.

THERE ARE QUITE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT THE CITY OF NEWBURN HAS ON THE TABLE UNDER OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS.

PROPOSED EXPENSE AT THE BOTTOM ELECTRIC FUND, $60,928,292.

OUR SOLID WASTE FUND, $4,387,049.

OUR WATER FUND, $12,724,602.

OUR SEWER FUND, $13,461,244.

OUR TOTAL ENTERPRISE EXPENSES $91,501,187.

OUR REVENUES FROM THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE FEES, 56,681,000 SOLID WASTE SERVICE FEES, $4,070,000.

OTHER REVENUE AND ALL ENTERPRISE FUNDS, $6,345,187.

WATER SERVICE FEES, $11,410,000.

SEWER SERVICE FEES, $12,995,000.

TOTAL ENTERPRISE REVENUE, $91,501,187.

SOME OF THE ENTERPRISE FUND HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE FOR THE ELECTRIC KELL ROAD EXPANSION VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS, SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS AT OLD TOWN RIVER CROSSING AND GREENBRIER AND WATER SEWER FUNDS, WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, A NEW BACKHOE SEWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, WASTEWATER PLAN UPGRADES, LIFT STATION REHABILITATION AND VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENTS UNDER SOLID WASTE, A NEW ROUTE TRUCK AND A CHIP TRAILER REPLACEMENT.

SO NOW WE GET TO THE IMPACT OF REEVALUATION.

CURRENTLY OUR TAX RATE IS, UH, POINT 48 20 2 CENTS PER $100.

THE CURRENT VALUATION IS 4.7 BILLION AS OF MAY 2ND OF THIS YEAR.

SO REVENUE NEUTRAL TAX RATE CALCULATION THAT WE ARE PROVIDED IS POINT 37 30 4 CENTS PER HUNDRED DOLLARS.

THE CALCULATION BASIS INCLUDES 2.9% AVERAGE GROWTH OF ASSESSED VALUE SINCE LAST REEVALUATION IN 2016.

WE ARE RECOMMENDING THE BALANCE, THE PRESENTED BUDGET, UH, BY LOWERING THE CURRENT TAX RATE DOWN TO 41 50 9 CENTS.

THAT WOULD RISE APPROXIMATELY THREE AND A HALF 4 CENTS FROM THE CURRENT REVENUE AND NEUTRAL POSITION.

ONE PENNY OF THAT WOULD BE EQUAL TO 100 470 $2,000 ON THE TAX RATE.

SO ON THE NEXT PAGE WE'VE GOT A TAX RATE COMPARISON EXAMPLE, AND YOU'LL SEE ASSESSED VALUES OF PROPERTY.

YOU'LL SEE THE ANNUAL COST OF PROPERTY TAXES AT THE CURRENT RATE OF 48 20 2 CENTS, THE REVEREND REVENUE

[00:30:01]

NOW, AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, MOST IF NOT ALL PROPERTIES HAVE CHANGED IN VALUE.

SO YOU'RE KIND OF LOOKING AT THIS THROUGH A SLIDING SCALE.

IF YOUR PROPERTY, UH, WAS ASSESSED PREVIOUSLY AT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, IT MAY HAVE BEEN REASSESSED AT $200,000.

SO YOU CAN KIND OF GO THROUGH THAT TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT TYPE OF INCREASE PROPERTY OWNERS MAY FACE WITH THAT.

ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE'LL SEE IMPACT OF REEVALUATION ON THE MSD FUND.

THE CURRENT TAX RATE IS 1370 5 CENTS PER HUNDRED BASED ON EVALUATION OF 183.5 MILLION AS OF APRIL 6TH OF THIS YEAR.

THE REVENUE NEUTRAL TAX RATE COLLECTION OF 1120 2 CENTS PER HUNDRED DOLLARS IS WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING AND 1 CENT LEGAL $18,350.

SO WE DO ANTICIPATE SOME POTENTIAL BUDGET IMPACTS.

AND DURING THE WORK SESSION, THIS WAS DISCUSSED A LITTLE BIT.

SO THERE COULD BE AN INCREASE IN WATER SEWER RATES DUE TO INCREASE IN OPERATIONAL COSTS THAT ARE OUTPACING THE REVENUE GROWTH AND CAPITAL PROJECTS.

THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED IN A, IN A FUTURE BOARD MEETING BY THE, UH, UH, PUBLIC UTILITIES.

ALSO, THERE'S GONNA BE AN INCREASE IN SOLID WEIGHT RATES DUE TO THE INCREASE IN THE GFL CONTRACT AND AN INCREASE IN LANDFILL TIPPING FEES.

SO, UH, AND AN OVERALL EXPENSE TO PROVIDE SERVICES.

SO THOSE THINGS ARE GONNA BE COMING A LITTLE LATER.

UH, THE LANDFILL HAS, I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'VE SET THEIR BUDGET QUITE YET.

THAT'S GONNA BE COMING SOON.

AND WHEN THOSE FEES ARE PASSED ALONG TO US, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.

UM, THE SOLID WASTE IS AN ENTERPRISE FUND AND IT'S EXPECTED TO, TO COVER THEIR OWN, UH, COST.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE TRADITIONALLY PASSED DIRECTLY ALONG TO THE CONSUMER.

SO TO COMPLETE OUR BUDGET PROCESS TIMELINE, WE WILL HAVE A BUDGET HEARING ON MAY 23RD, 2023.

THE GOAL IS TO REQUEST ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET AT JUNE 13TH MEETING.

SO WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY FEEDBACK THE BOARD MAY HAVE.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, A UH, A COPY OF THE BUDGET IS ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.

IT'S ALSO AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT THE LIBRARY.

AND CITIZENS CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE@NEWANDNC.GOV AND LOOK ON THE FINANCE PAGE TO VIEW THE CURRENT BUDGET AS WELL.

BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS? YEAH, FOSTER, I THOUGHT UNDER THE GENERAL FUND HIGHLIGHTS, YOU'VE GOT ONE FIRETRUCK PURCHASED AND TWO REFURBISHED.

I THOUGHT WE HAD AGREED THAT WE WERE GOING TO BUY TWO INSTEAD OF REFURBING.

WE DON'T HAVE THE PRICES YET.

WE'VE DECIDED TO KEEP IT LIKE THAT UNTIL WE GET THE FULL PRICES IN.

AND THAT WOULD BE A REFLECTED APPROPRIATELY WHEN THE, IN THE NEXT PERIOD.

THANK YOU.

YES, SIR.

WE HAVE QUESTIONS? YES.

CONCERNING THE RULE TRANSFORMATION GRANT, DID WE APPLY FOR THE $950,000? YES, WE DID.

OKAY.

SO WE HAD SAID IN THE PREVIOUS MEETING THAT IT WOULD BE MAYBE 400,000, BUT WE APPLIED FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT.

AND SO FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT SOME FOLKS WITH BRAD'S LEGACY AS SWISS BAYER HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE MAYOR, THEY DID NOT THINK THAT THEY WERE GONNA BE ABLE TO GET THE FULL $950,000 OF THAT GRANT.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT TURNED THEM OFF.

THE RURAL TRANSFORMATION GRANT COMES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

AND SO THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER COMES FROM A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CATEGORY.

WE STAND A BETTER CHANCE TO GET THAT $950,000 THAN THAN EVIDENTLY THE DOWNTOWN PROJECT WITH THE, WITH THE BRAHAMS LEGACY IN THE, IN THE PEPSI MUSEUM, WE'RE ABLE TO, UM, SCORE WITH THANK YOU.

SO YOU ACTUALLY FEEL THAT WE'LL GET THE NINE 50? WELL, I KNOW WE'RE HOPEFUL.

WE, WE CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

YES.

AND, AND OF COURSE, IT REALLY ALL DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE.

UH, WE DID CHECK TO SEE IF, IF, UM, DON'T KNOW HOW, HOW THEY'RE GONNA DISPENSE THE FUNDS.

WE SHOULD FIND OUT AND, AND I THINK ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO, BUT DON'T KNOW IF THEY'LL DO AN AUTOMATIC REDUCTION DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF GRANTS THEY APPROVE OR WHAT.

BUT WE DID REQUEST $950,000.

THANK YOU.

I, UM, KIND OF, UH, OFF THE WALL QUESTION, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SALARY STUDY.

OUR, YOU KNOW, WITH BOTH PARTS OF IT, OUR EMPLOYEES GOT ANYWHERE FROM A 5% TO 14% RAISE.

IF, UH, IS THAT THE APPROXIMATELY YES.

APPROXIMATELY.

I MEAN, ROUGH.

UM, WHAT'S THE REASONING IN ADDING A 3% KOHLER RAISE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET? SO, AS YOU MAY REMEMBER, FULLY

[00:35:01]

TALKED TO LIVE AND STILL INCREASE THE, THE CPI FOR ENDING, ENDING 2022, AS I BELIEVE, WAS IT 8.5% HENCE THE, THE COST OF LIVING AND THE MERIT INCREASE TO CATCH UP WITH TODAY.

STILL, STILL CATCHING UP.

YES.

MAYOR, IF I COULD, UM, SURE.

GIVEN THAT I WAS OUT OF TOWN, UM, WHEN THE BOARD HAD ITS WORK SESSION DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF THE BUDGET, WAS THERE ANY DISCUSSION AT ALL ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE MSD TAX RATE BEING REDUCED GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE FUND WITH, WITH THE SALE OF THE, THE WHAT WAS FORMALLY KNOWN AS THE TBAS SLOT? I MEAN, THE MSD DISTRICT BUDGET IS FAIRLY FLUSH WITH MONEY AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC PROJECTS AS YET THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

UM, SO I'M JUST CURIOUS WHETHER THE BOARD HAD ANY DISCUSSION AT ALL ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF REDUCING THAT TAX RATE FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.

THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION ON REDUCING IT BELOW REVENUE NEUTRAL.

AND, UM, AS WE DID DISCUSS WITH THE BOARD, WE WERE PLANNING ON HAVING A MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE MS D THIS MONTH TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL PROJECTS AS WELL AS WHAT AN MSD COMMITTEE COULD LOOK LIKE.

AND THAT WOULD GIVE CITIZENS WITHIN THE MSD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON PROJECTS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS WELL.

SO WE KNOW WE DO HAVE QUITE A BIT OF FUNDS IN, IN THE MSD, UM, FUND BALANCE.

AND SO THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT, THAT THE BOARD COULD ADOPT.

UH, BUT WE DO WANNA GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM, FROM THE ACTUAL TAXPAYERS ON THIS FOSTER.

WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU PLAN ON HAVING THAT MEETING? ARE YOU LOOKING TO DO THAT BEFORE WE ADOPT THE BUDGET? YES.

OKAY.

YES.

UH, THE GOALS FOR THAT TO BE IN, IN THE, UH, IT WILL PROBABLY END UP BEING IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

YES.

OKAY.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS ON THE BUDGET? DO WE NEED TO CALL FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING OR HAVE WE ALREADY DONE THAT? I DIDN'T SEE THAT IN IT SENT THE CONSENT.

IT IS A CONSENT AGENDA.

IT'S, IT'S JUST NOT WRITTEN ON THE AGENDA.

BUT WE NEED TO DO THAT.

CORRECT? IT WAS, IT WAS IN, YOU HAD CONSENT, THE CONSENT NUMBER NINE.

OH, GOTCHA.

SORRY.

I SEE NOW ITEM NUMBER NINE.

OKAY.

ANYTHING ELSE? LET'S MOVE

[13. Consider Approving an Amended 2023 Holiday Calendar.]

CONSIDER ADOPTING AN AMENDED 2023 HOLIDAY CALENDAR.

AND, UH, THIS IS GONNA BE DISCUSSED BY MR. HUGHES.

SO, AS DIRECTED BY THE BOARD AT THE APRIL 25TH MEETING, THE 2023 HOLIDAY CALENDAR HAS BEEN AMENDED TO ADD ONE PERSONAL OBSERVANCE DAY TO BE USED BY EMPLOYEES AT ANY TIME DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDELINES THAT ARE FORTHCOMING, PERSONAL OBSERVANCE DAY WILL NOT ACCRUE.

HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE FOR THIS BOARD.

HAVE QUESTIONS MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE AMENDED 2023 HOLIDAY CALENDAR.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN ASTOR.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

YES.

ALDERMAN KENZIE.

YES.

ALDERMAN BEST? YES.

ALDERMAN BRINSON.

YES.

ALDERMAN PRI.

YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL? YES.

MAYOR OTIS.

NO.

MOTION.

CARRIE 61.

[14. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the 2023 Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Program Annual Action Plan.]

ANNUAL ACTION PLAN.

THIS IS GONNA BE PRESENTED BY MS. DI FULLER AND CHRIS SEBER.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR ALDERMAN.

UM, THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED ANNUAL ACTION PLAN THAT WAS PRESENTED AT THE APRIL 25TH MEETING.

UH, WE JUST, UH, BEEN MADE TO PRESENTATION AND HAVE NOT MADE ANY CHANGES TO BOARD.

HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING THE FY 2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN OF C D B G? IF NOT, I ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.

YES.

MAY I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION? APPROVE IN THE 2023 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

ANNUAL ACTION PLAN.

SECOND.

HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN KENZIE.

[00:40:01]

ALDERMAN VEST? YES.

ALDERMAN PRINCES.

YES.

ALDERMAN PRI.

YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ESTHER? YES.

MAYOR ODOM? YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER

[15. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving an Audit Contract for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023.]

MS. OSTRA.

UM, AFTER ADVERTISING THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR AUDIT SERVICES LAST YEAR, THE BOARD SELECTED THOMPSON PRICE, SCOTT ADAMS TO PERFORM THE CITY'S AUDIT.

AGAIN, THE FIRM WAS PRE, HAS PERFORMED THE AUDITS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2019, 2021 AND 22.

THE COST FOR SERVICES IS $42,500, WHICH INCLUDES ALL MAJOR PROGRAMS AND DOES NOT REPRESENT AN INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR.

UM, IT ALSO, I JUST WANNA KNOW INCLUDES THE, UH, AUDIT COMMITTEE AGAIN THIS YEAR.

DOES THE BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS? I WAS JUST LOOKING THROUGH HERE AND I SEE THAT THERE WERE TWO RESPONDENTS.

IS THAT ALL? YES.

AND WATCHING THE THE LIST SERVE THIS YEAR, UM, WE'VE SEEN THE SAME THING ACROSS THE BOARD.

THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME WITH AUDITORS, UM, RESPONDING TO THE RFPS.

THERE'S JUST NORMAL STAFF, I GUESS WE DON'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE.

THE ONLY COMMENT I WOULD MAKE IS I TYPICALLY LIKE TO SEE US CHANGE THIS UP.

MM-HMM.

OCCASIONALLY.

CAUSE FOLKS GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE SAME PEOPLE.

AND I THINK A NEW SET OF EYES CAN OFTENTIMES UNCOVER THINGS, BUT IF ONLY TWO PEOPLE BID, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE.

IDEALLY, IDEALLY, I'D LIKE TO, UM, STAY WITH THOMPSON PRICE THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR, BECAUSE THAT WOULD END.

THAT WOULD BRING US TO THE THREE YEAR MARK TO BE ABLE TO DO ANOTHER RFP AT THE END OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

BY THAT TIME, I THINK WE'D HAVE, UM, ESTABLISHED OUR AUDIT COMMITTEE PROCESSED.

UM, UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLES AND WHAT WE EXPECT OUT OF THE NEXT AUDITING FIRM IS WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THIS WITH THIS AUDITING FIRM AS WELL.

OKAY.

IT'S PLEASURE OF THE BOARD.

ON ITEM NUMBER 15, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF PROVEN AND AUDIT CONTRACT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2023.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.

HEARING NONE.

LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN BEST.

ALDERMAN BEST? YES.

ALDERMAN BRESSON.

YES.

ALDERMAN PRE? YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

YES.

ALDERMAN KINZIE.

YES.

MAYOR OEM? YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER

[16. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving the Sale of Tax Parcel ID 8- 006- 173 on Lees Avenue.]

8 0 0 6 1 73 ON LEE AVENUE.

MR. HUGHES, AFTER RECEIVING A BID $2,000 FROM BO DORSEY FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION, NO UPSET BIDS WERE RECEIVED.

THE PARTIAL IS A VACANT 12 ACRE RESIDENTIAL LOT WITH A TAX VALUE OF $4,000.

IT WAS ACQUIRED JOINTLY BY THE CITY AND COUNTY IN OCTOBER OF 2015 THROUGH TAX FORECLOSURE.

IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD, THE CITY WILL BE REIMBURSED.

ADVERTISING COSTS AND THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE PROCEEDS OF $1,822 90 CENTS.

UM, AND YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN YOUR AGENDA PACKET.

THE BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.

MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO PROVING THE SALE OF TAX PARCEL ID.

8 0 6 1 73 ON LEES AVENUE.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ALDERMAN VEST.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

JUST HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN BRINSON.

ALDERMAN B BRINSON.

YES.

ALDERMAN PRI.

YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ASER.

YES.

ALDERMAN KENZIE.

YES.

ALDERMAN VEST? YES.

MAYOR ODOM.

YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER

[17. Consider Adopting a Resolution Establishing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.]

MS. RUTH, GOOD EVENING UP BEFORE YOU FOR CONSIDERATION.

THIS EVENING IS AN OPTION OF A RESOLUTION WHICH WOULD ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN THAT YOU ALL ADOPTED IN OCTOBER OF 2022.

THIS IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT WHICH WOULD ESTABLISH THE LAYOUT OF THIS COMMITTEE, WHICH WOULD BE MADE UP OF ONE ALDERMAN MEMBER, THREE DEPARTMENT HEADS BEING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR, AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, WHICH ARE ALL RELATED, UM, TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN, AS WELL AS THE MPO ADMINISTRATOR.

AND THEN FIVE CITIZENS WHO

[00:45:01]

THE, UH, COMMITTEE WOULD BE INTENDED TO MEET APPROXIMATELY QUARTERLY AND TO FACILITATE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSIST WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT PLAN BOARD.

HAVE QUESTIONS? ALTMAN, BRISON, YOU WANNA PUT YOUR SALES PITCH ON NOW, ? SURE.

UM, THE WAY THAT WE DISCUSS STRUCTURING THIS COMMITTEE, ESSENTIALLY THE FIVE MEMBERS THAT, UH, CITIZENS THAT WOULD BE THERE, IT WOULD BE THEIR COMMITTEE, UH, ALL OF THE STAFF AND INCLUDING THE ALDERMAN, UH, WOULD BE EX OFFICIO AND NON-VOTING THAT WAY.

UM, YOU KNOW, STAFF HAS THEIR INPUT AT THE AL BOARD OF ALDERMAN MEETING, AS WELL AS THE ALDERMAN HAVING A VOTE.

UM, AND SO GOING FORWARD, SHOULD THIS, UH, BOARD APPROVE THIS COMMITTEE, UM, AND SOME OTHERS WILL ACTUALLY GO OUT AND RECRUIT ACTIVE WALKERS RUNNERS, UH, FOR THIS COMMITTEE.

AND THEN WE'LL BRING THOSE NOMINATIONS BACK TO THIS BOARD, UH, OR, OR RECOMMENDATIONS BACK TO THIS BOARD FOR NOMINATIONS.

SO, UH, AND TO ALTMAN PEARLS, UH, DESIRE, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THOSE RESUMES IN FRONT OF YOU SO YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT 'EM BEFORE YOU HAVE TO VOTE ON.

AND I WOULD ASK, UH, THIS BOARD TO CONSIDER NOMINATING MEET AND THIS COMMITTEE AS, AS ALL BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.

IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

SECOND.

SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE UNLESS HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN PRI.

ALDERMAN PRI.

YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ASER.

YES.

ALDERMAN KENZIE.

YES.

ALDERMAN BEST? YES.

ALDERMAN SEN.

YES.

MAYOR ODUM? YES.

MOTION.

CARRIE.

SO IS THIS NOW OFFICIAL MR. ATTORNEY? YES, SIR.

SO WOULD THE BOARD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN, UH, THE APPOINTMENT OF ORMAN BRINSON OR SOMEONE ELSE FROM THIS BODY TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD? NO.

I MAKE A MOTION.

ALDERMAN BRINKS AND SERVE ON THE BOARD.

SECOND.

HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU.

[18. Consider Adopting a Resolution Restating Support and Authorization for the Submission of an Application for a Rural Transformation Grant for the Stanley A. White Recreation Center Project.]

RIGHT.

MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 18.

CONSIDER DOCUMENT A RESOLUTION, RESTATING SUPPORT AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR A RURAL TRANSFORMATION GRANT FOR THE STANLEY, A WHITE RECREATION CENTER PROJECT.

MS. WARREN.

UM, OKAY.

SO AT THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY MANAGER AND THE BOARD, WE, UM, SUBMITTED A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE RURAL TRANSFORMATION GRANT FOR STANLEY, A WHITE RECREATION CENTER TO HELP WITH FUNDING FOR, UH, CONSTRUCTION.

IT WAS SUBMITTED, UM, LAST WEEK, WHICH WAS THE DEADLINE ON MAY 3RD, UM, FOR THE AMOUNT OF $950,000.

UM, AND THE AWARD WILL BE MADE IN JUNE IF WE ARE SELECTED AS ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GRANT OR? SO, SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS WHEN WE APPLY FOR THIS GRANT, WE WERE NOT AWARE THAT WE HAD TO HAVE A RESOLUTION FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD.

STAFF DID HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH, UH, NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

I BELIEVE WE SENT MINUTES FROM THAT MEETING THAT THE BOARD APPROVED IT.

AND, AND SO THEY ALLOWED US TO CONTINUE TO APPLY, BUT RECOMMENDED THAT WE HAVE A RESOLUTION.