Mar 12, 2024 Board of Aldermen

UH, BOARD ITEM NUMBER THREE IS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

UH, BEFORE WE GO TO ITEM NUMBER THREE, I'VE GOT A NOTE THAT WE HAVE A COUPLE OF BOY SCOUTS HERE.

WE HAVE MATTHEW MOORE AND SULLIVAN POP.

UH, SO WELCOME TO THE MEETING TONIGHT.

I ALSO HAVE A NOTE NOT TO CALL YOU UP BECAUSE YOU'RE SHY, .

UM, SO, UH, SULLIVAN, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT LIKE YOUR MOM BECAUSE WE WOULD CERTAINLY BE HAPPY TO COME UP HERE AND TALK TO US, BUT, UH, WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE TONIGHT.

[3. Approve Agenda.]

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES? ? SECOND.

NUMBER FOUR, REQUESTING PETITION OF CITIZENS.

I HAVE A MOTION.

A SECOND TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? OKAY.

NEXT UP IS ITEM

[4. Request and Petition of Citizens.]

MADAM CLERK.

FIRST UP IS OT WOMAN ISHA HARRIS.

2 22 MONTEREY CIRCLE.

GOOD EVENING BOARD.

UM, GOOD EVENING.

I AM HERE IN, UM, SUPPORT OF THANK YOU, THE REDEVELOPMENTS, WORK WITH THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

UM, AS A FORMER ALDER WOMAN, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES, UM, YOU KNOW, WE WORKED TOGETHER TO, UM, MANAGE TO DIVIDE THE ARPA MONEY AND BE ABLE TO PUT IT TOWARDS OUR INDIVIDUAL WARDS AND ALSO COME TOGETHER TO ALLOCATE MONEY TO THIS PROJECT.

I'M SPEAKING DIRECTLY AT YOU, BUT I'M ALSO SPEAKING TO THE COMMUNITY 'CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TURN AROUND.

UM, AND, AND MY THOUGHTS AND PROCESSES.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE THAT MAY BE IN, IN OPPOSITION OF THIS, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY TIMES THAT WE HAVE COME TO THIS BOARD, UM, SO MANY TIMES THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CRY FROM THE COMMUNITY, THAT WE'RE LACKING RESOURCES.

UM, THIS IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THIS RESOURCE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE SOME DISCREPANCIES ON THE BEGINNING, RIGHT? BUT WE NEED TO PRESS THROUGH BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE OVERALL BENEFIT IS THAT THERE ARE GONNA BE RESOURCES IN THIS COMM IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE MAJOR PARTNERS THAT WANT TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

AND I FEEL THAT IF WE PUSH BACK ON THIS, WE ARE GOING TO BE STAGNANT IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN WE NEED PROGRESS.

UM, THE RESOURCES THAT WILL BE PROVIDED IN THIS FACILITY ALONGSIDE, UM, THE STANLEY WHITE ARE, UM, A GREAT DEAL TO THE COMMUNITY AND OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO I REALLY HOPE THAT THE BOARD TAKES IN CONSIDERATION BOTH SIDES, BUT ALSO MAKES A DECISION HOLISTICALLY FOR OUR CITY IN THIS DIRECT COMMUNITY THAT IT IMPACTS TO LET THIS COME TO THAT AREA.

LET IT COME NEXT TO THAT BUILDING ON THIRD AVE.

LET IT BE BUILT AND LET'S WORRY ABOUT THE SERVICES INSIDE.

IF WE ARE CONCERNED THAT IT WAS MOVED FROM THE KOTTER SPOT OVER TO THIRD AVE, WE HAVE TO GET PAST THAT.

IF THE BUILDING COULD BE BUILT AND THE RESOURCES COULD BE PUT INTO THIS BUILDING, LET'S HAVE CONVERSATIONS ON HOW THAT LOOKS.

IS IT SLIDING SCALE? YOU KNOW, WHERE THERE BE A BENEFIT TO PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COLLEGE IF STUDENTS, YOUNG ADULTS ARE GOING TO NURSING PROGRAMS, AND FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO CLINICALS THERE, WE HAVE TO LOOK BEYOND THE LOCATION BECAUSE IT'S STILL IN THE DIRECT COMMUNITY.

SO I REALLY HOPE THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE THESE RESOURCES ARE NEEDED IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I YIELD MY TIME.

GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

NEXT UP IS EILEEN RUSSELL OF 7 31 THIRD AVENUE.

[00:05:04]

I'M EILEEN RUSSELL.

UM, IN THE SHADOWS OF THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER, THERE IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS BEING IGNORED.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE INDIGO RIDGE SENIOR APARTMENTS.

THE PROPOSED, UM, MEDICAL, UM, URGENT CARE CENTER WILL BE SITTING IN OUR BASIC FRONT YARD.

ALONG WITH THAT, THERE ARE RAMIFICATIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION.

WE MAY NEED MEDICAL FACILITIES AND THE COMMUNITY COULD BENEFIT FROM THEM, BUT NOT IN OUR FRONT YARD.

YOU BRING PEOPLE IN THAT ARE HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR PROBLEMS WILL BE, BUT THEY WILL BE PRIVY AND HAVE ACCESS TO OUR HOME.

WE DON'T HAVE THE SECURITY.

I'M SURE THEY'RE NOT GONNA PROVIDE SECURITY THAT'S GONNA WATCH PEOPLE COME IN AND OUT OF THAT FACILITY.

UM, OUR, OUR ABILITY TO HAVE QUIET ENJOYMENT WILL BE INTERFERED WITH BECAUSE THAT FACILITY IS GOING TO BE OPEN MORE THAN LIKELY AFTER HOURS OR BEFORE HOURS THAT WE'RE UP.

WE ARE RETIRED PEOPLE, WE ARE SENIORS.

WE HAVE PUT OUR TIME, EFFORT INTO THIS COMMUNITY OR OTHER COMMUNITIES, AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO REST AND RELAX IN OUR HOME.

THERE ARE TRAFFIC CONCERNS THAT WILL BE HAPPENING AS WELL.

SO I, I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED RESOURCES, BUT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT THAT CAN BE PUT INTO.

THIS IS PRIMARILY A RESIDENTIAL AREA.

WE HAVE A NICE LITTLE PARK THAT'S BEING REDONE.

STANLEY WHITE, THEY SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

PUTTING THAT BEAUTIFUL BUILDING UP ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING MORE, AND I WOULD LIKE THAT TO BE CONSIDERED.

UH, ALONG WITH THAT, YOU ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE AS THESE SENIORS, WE MAY NOT BE THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF NEW BERN, BUT WE ARE ENTITLED TO A NICE PLACE TO LIVE.

AND THERE ARE NOT A LOT THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

UH, INDIGO RIDGE IS FIVE YEARS OLD AND IT HAS THIS CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS, AND WE'RE ADDRESSING THEM AND TRYING TO GET THEM TAKEN CARE OF AS WELL.

BUT WE DON'T NEED TO EXACERBATE THAT SITUATION BY PUTTING SOMETHING IN WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE CONCERN THAT OUR PARTICULAR COMMUNITY DOES.

IS UNLESS SOMEBODY COMPLAINS, THOSE DON'T GET ADDRESSED.

NEXT IS RUTH COOPER OF 10 22 COLTON WAY.

HI EVERYBODY.

I KNOW YOU PRETTY WELL.

I AM RUTH COOPER OF COLTON WAY.

I JUST WANNA THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS NEW BURN CAN'T BEAR LITTER, NEW LITTER REDUCTION CAMPAIGN SENT TO LAUNCH TOMORROW AT THREE O'CLOCK.

I WILL BE THERE.

I IMAGINE I WILL SEE SOME OF YOU THERE.

I HAVE RELATIVES COMING IN FROM SAN FRANCISCO TONIGHT.

I'M GONNA TRY TO BRING THEM WITH ME.

I FIGURED THEY'LL BE AWAKE BY THREE O'CLOCK.

SO, UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS ANTI LITTER CAMPAIGN.

UM, ALSO, JUST SO YOU KNOW, I GAVE MS. BLANCO A PICTURE OF DAFFODILS THAT ARE BLOOMING IN DUFFY FIELD.

UH, THE DUFFY FIELD PHOENIX PROJECT PLANTED THESE THIS FALL, UH, AND THERE'S LIKE A HUNDRED OF 'EM ARE STARTING TO BLOOM.

THEY LOOK REALLY NICE.

AND, YOU KNOW, OUR PLAN IS TO NOT ONLY PICK UP LITTER IN DUFFY FIELD, BUT TO BEAUTIFY IT.

AND NEXT MONTH, I'LL SORT OF GIVE YOU ANOTHER BLURB ABOUT OUR NEXT BIG LITTER PICKUP IN MAY 4TH.

UM, ALSO, UH, I'M AN RN.

I GOT MY LICENSE AND BACHELOR IN NURSING IN 1984, AND I ACTUALLY TRANSFERRED IT HERE, SO I'M STILL AN RN.

UM, I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THAT THERE WAS GONNA BE A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER ON BLOOMFIELD STREET AND WATCH THAT BUILDING COME DOWN.

AND THEN AGAIN, I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THAT IT IS GONNA BE OVER ON THIRD AVENUE, WHICH TO ME, YOU KNOW, LOOKS LIKE IT'S A BIG ENOUGH SPACE FOR THE BUILDING AND THE PARKING.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHILE BUILDING A ANOTHER BUILDING, ANY PLACE IS GONNA HAVE SOME IMPACT ON THE NEIGHBORS.

I THINK IT WOULD HAVE A GREATER IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST DUFFY FIELD, BUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

IT'S TO BE A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER FOR WHOEVER NEEDS IT.

AND IT'S DEFINITELY NEEDED.

AND I DON'T THINK THE TRAFFIC WOULD IMPACT DUFFY FIELD AND A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS TOO MUCH.

I MEAN, I'M IN DUFFY FIELD ALMOST EVERY DAY.

AND, UM, I MEAN, I COME DOWN THAT STREET ALL THE TIME, BUT, UH, I JUST REALLY THINK DUFFY FIELD AND THE WHOLE CITY OF NEW BERN NEEDS A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER.

AND SINCE THAT'S WHERE IT LOOKS LIKE IS THE BEST PLACE TO BUILD IT, THEN I'M FOR IT.

UM, I THINK THAT'S ABOUT IT.

THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT'S KIND OF COME TO MY ATTENTION RECENTLY IS THAT IF, UH, PEOPLE LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND THERE ARE, UM, DISCREPANCIES IN THAT APARTMENT, IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT AREN'T FIXED, UM, I DON'T, I THINK I HAVE MY PAPER RIGHT HERE.

UH, THE HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS, THERE'S LIKE 13 ASPECTS THAT HOUSING IS SUPPOSED TO MEET.

BUT MY UNDERSTANDING

[00:10:01]

I KNOW HOUSING ISN'T SOMETHING THAT THE ALDERMAN OR THE CITY NEWBORN WANTS TO REALLY DEAL WITH, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS HOUSING CONCERNS.

IF TENANTS ARE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP OR EVEN THEIR NEIGHBORS ARE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP, AND IF IT TAKES A COMPLAINT TO GET SOMETHING DONE, THAT'S TOO BAD.

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF ANNUAL OR PERIODIC CHECK OF APARTMENTS TO SEE THAT THEY MEET THE SANITARY CONDITIONS.

THEY HAVE SMOKE DETECTORS, THEY'RE SECURE.

THERE'S NO LEAD BASED PAINT.

JUST, JUST, THERE ARE LIKE 13 KEY ASPECTS OF HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMEHOW WHAT WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, IF YOU CAN MARSHAL, YOU KNOW, SOME OTHER GROUP TO TAKE OVER THAT IDEA.

BUT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THINGS GET SO BAD THAT SOMEONE COMPLAINS.

ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE IS IN AN APARTMENT AND THEY'RE AFRAID TO COMPLAIN.

THEY'RE AFRAID THEY'LL GET KICKED OUT AND, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW HOW LITTLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THERE IS HERE.

SO IT'S A HARD SITUATION.

BUT THANKS AGAIN FOR THIS AND I REALLY HOPE IT GOES WELL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY YOU'RE PLANNING TO DO TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND STUDENTS ABOUT ANTI-LITTERING.

I HOPE YOU'RE TELLING 'EM IT'S A, IT'S A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE.

I MEAN, YOU CAN FIND PEOPLE, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW.

IT'S NOT JUST A BAD IDEA.

I MEAN, WE NEVER LITTER, BUT SOME PEOPLE REPEATEDLY LITTER.

SO HOW TO STOP THEM? I DON'T KNOW.

IF YOU GOT GOOD IDEAS, GO WITH THEM.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

NEXT UP IS MR. JIMMY DILLA HUNT, SENIOR OF 1702 HAZEL AVENUE.

GOOD EVENING, DERMAN.

AND IF YOU'RE AWARE OF FIRST THIRD AVENUE, STOP OUT THERE IN MY PARKING LOT AND YOU CAN COUNT THE TRAFFIC THAT GOES THROUGH THERE.

I'M A BIT SURPRISED I DIDN'T NEVER HAVE THE OPEN QUORUM FOR THE, UH, I GUESS THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CENTER THAT THEY PROPOSED.

SO I'M A BIT SURPRISED ABOUT THAT, BUT I DIDN'T COME DOWN HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

I CAME DOWN TO TALK ABOUT FIRST AVENUE, UH, AND FABER.

NONE OF Y'ALL HAVE BEEN DOWN FIRST AVENUE.

PLEASE GO DOWN FIRST AVENUE.

I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH THERE TODAY.

I SAY THAT GENTLEMAN AND ABOUT FIVE MORE OF HIS COMRADES WERE THERE.

AND THE DRUG INFESTED AREA ON FIRST AVENUE, WHICH SHOULD LEAD FROM CHAPMAN STREET.

YOU SHOULD HAVE A THIRD PATH ALL THE WAY THROUGH INSTEAD OF GOING DOWN FIRST AVENUE, ALL THE TRAFFIC IS DIRECTLY DOWN THIRD AVENUE, WHICH CREATE A BIGGER PROBLEM ON THIRD AVENUE.

SO IF I COULD DEFINITELY, I COULD, WOULD LOVE TO GET THAT ADDRESS.

SECOND AVENUE IS BEAUTIFUL.

WELL, I WON'T SAY BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S BETTER THAN FIRST AVENUE.

AND I'M ALSO, UM, CONCERNED ABOUT THE DFI AREA.

WE HAVE SOME NICE ELEVATED HOUSES THAT ARE BEING ELEVATED.

SOME OF 'EM HAVE BEEN FINISHED.

BUT THE QUESTION I'M ASKING YOU GUYS, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE REST OF THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE IN DEVILLE NEXT BIG FLOOD? WE HAVE LIKE, UH, THE LAST ONE WE HAD ALMOST DROWNED MYSELF.

MATTER OF FACT, I WAS ON CNN JUMPING IN A BOAT TRYING TO SWIM OR GET OUT FROM, KEEP FROM GETTING DROWN.

IF YOU GUYS DON'T REMEMBER SEEING ME ON CNN I'LL TRY TO GET YOU A PICTURE.

MY HOUSE ISN'T ON THAT LIST TO BE ELEVATED.

I'VE WAS IN FIVE FOOT OF WATER, SO I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT ALSO.

AND ANOTHER ITEM I HAVE IS THE PARKING.

UM, WELL, I'M GONNA BRING UP FIRST AVENUE AGAIN.

WHY SHOULD THERE BE PARKING ON FIRST AVENUE ON BOTH SIDES? YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH IF YOU GOT PARKING ON BOTH SIDES.

AND ONCE AGAIN, THE TRAFFIC FROM CHAPMAN STREET, FROM EVERYWHERE COMING OUT OF DUFFY FIELD, GOING THIRD AVENUE.

SO I DON'T THINK NOTHING ELSE NEED TO BE PUT ON THIRD AVENUE, BUT MAYBE SOME NICE INDEPENDENT HOUSES FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND I'M NOT GONNA GET INTO THAT SITUATION TONIGHT BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS ON YOUR AGENDA.

MAYBE THAT WOULD COME UP ANOTHER TIME.

AND I THINK Y'ALL, AND I WISH YOU WOULD CONSIDER THIRD AVENUE AS A RESIDENTIAL AREA, NOT A THOROUGH FAIR FOR THE TRAFFIC COMING OFF OF COMING OUT OF DUFFY FIELD.

IF FIRST AVENUE WAS AVAILABLE, THEY WOULD GO STRAIGHT THROUGH, STRAIGHT TO BRO STREET.

BUT IF YOU GET CHANCE, I WOULD ASK YOU, I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO RIDE THROUGH FIRST AVENUE JUST ONE TIME.

[00:15:02]

IT'S, IT'S TERRIBLE.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

BOARD WILL LOOK AT, UH, THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THAT IS ALL OF THE PETITIONS OF CITIZENS FOR TONIGHT

[Consent Agenda]

NOW.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? MAY I MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IS SECOND? HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

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

CONSENT AGENDA CARRIES.

NEXT UP IS

[9. Presentation by Redevelopment Commission on a Proposed Health and Wellness Center.]

ITEM NUMBER NINE IS A PRESENTATION BY THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ON A PROPOSED HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER.

MR. HUFF, GOOD EVENING BOARD.

GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.

YOU GUYS READY? COME ON THOUGH.

DON'T BE SHY.

, COME ON.

YOU SEE HOW THEY TRIED TO DO ME? THEY WANTED ME TO STAND UP HERE BY MYSELF.

BUT, UH, THIS HAS BEEN A TEAM, UH, A TEAM EFFORT THAT SPANS, UH, FOR MUCH LONGER THAN MY TENURE ON, ON THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

AND SO IT WOULD BE, UH, AN ABSOLUTE TRAVESTY FOR ME TO STAND UP BY MYSELF.

SO AS A STAFF, LET ME JUST, UH, ON BEHALF OF THE, UH, REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE WORK THAT WE GET TO DO.

UM, WE ALWAYS ON THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SEEK TO LEAD THE WAY FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND IMPROVEMENT BY DIRECTLY, UH, ADDRESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS.

WE DO THIS BY REBUILDING AND REHABILITATING THE COMMUNITY IN ITS OWN UNIQUE WAY THAT CELEBRATES AND HONORS THE RICH AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE, AND ULTIMATELY PROVIDES RESIDENT AND THE COMMUNITY WITH AN AREA THAT CULTIVATES CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOSTERS DIVERSITY AND PROMOTES GROWTH AND WELLNESS.

TONIGHT WE ARE HERE TO PRESENT TO YOU AN IDEA THAT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T GO OVER SOME OF THE WORK THAT'S TAKEN PLACE TO GET US TO THIS POINT.

FOR YEARS, COMMISSIONERS, CITIZENS, STAFF, ALL THEIR PEOPLE AND EXPERTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, HAVE BEEN ENLISTED TO POSTULATE IDEAS ON A HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCE THAT WOULD SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY AREA.

AT LEAST SINCE 2014, THE CITY OF NEW BERN'S GATEWAY RENAISSANCE PLAN DOCUMENTED BARRIERS TO ACCESSING HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCES EXPERIENCED BY RESIDENTS OF THE NEW BERN REDEVELOPMENT ZONE.

THE 2016 CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES GREATER FIVE POINTS TRANSFORMATION PLAN.

I PRACTICED IN THE MIRROR, I GOT IT FURTHER ANALYZED AND EXPOUNDED UPON THE NEED FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCES IN THE REDEVELOPMENT ZONE.

ADDITIONALLY, THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION'S REDEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN IN FEBRUARY OF 2020 SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY A GOAL OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HEALTHCARE AND WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT ZONE.

SO TO SAY THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A WHILE WOULD BE WHAT I CALL AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR A LONG WHILE.

AND SO SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NEW BERN, ALONG WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO PLAN NOT JUST FOR A RESOURCE IN, IN THE GREATER DUFFY FIELD AREA, BUT ALSO, BUT FOR A SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE THAT WOULD SERVE SPECIFICALLY THE INDIVIDUALS EX EXPERIENCING THESE BARRIERS.

IN LATE 2023, THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ENTERED INTO CONVERSATIONS WITH CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM WITH A SIMPLE IDEA THAT WE COULD PARTNER TO TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A PROJECT THAT COULD GROW.

DURING THOSE EARLY CONVERSATIONS, THE CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM REPRESENTATIVES BEGAN TO CATCH THE VISION OF A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINIC TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE RESOURCES AIMED AT RESIDENTS WHO STRUGGLED WITH BARRIERS TO THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

THERE WE GO.

SORRY, I FORGET TO PRESS THE BUTTON.

SOMETIMES.

AS, AS THE IDEAS FORMED AND BLOSSOMED FOR THE COMMISSION, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT A LARGER PARCEL OF LAND WOULD BE NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE THE BREADTH OF RESOURCES

[00:20:01]

AND SERVICES CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM COULD PROVIDE.

THE COMMISSION HAS IDENTIFIED 7 27 THIRD AVENUE AS AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR THE NEW HEALTHCARE FACILITY.

THIS, THIS PARCEL IS A CITY OWNED PROPERTY DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE FORMER SITE OF STANLEY, THE FORMER SITE OF THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER, AND THE NEW ONE.

IT IS ALSO LOCATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE INCO RICH APARTMENTS, AN APARTMENT COMMUNITY.

FOR THOSE OVER 55, THIS PRESENTATION IS MEANT TO INFORM THE GOVERNING BODY OF A PROPOSED AGREEMENT AND TO BRING THE CONVERSATION OF, ON THIS DEVELOPMENT TO THE PUBLIC FOR ENGAGEMENT IN FEEDBACK.

THIS COMMISSION, THE COMMISSION PLANS TO MAKE A FORMAL REQUEST OF THE BOARD IN THE COMING WEEKS.

AT THIS TIME, THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, UH, AT THAT TIME, EXCUSE ME, THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NEW BERN WILL REQUEST THAT THE CITY OF NEW BERN CONVEY 7 27 THIRD AVENUE TO THE COMMISSION, SO THAT THE COMMISSION CAN SUBSEQUENTLY BE RECON CONVEYED TO THE PROPER, TO CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM, SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS REQUIRING CAROLINA EAST TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A CONVENIENT CARE CLINIC FOR NO LESS THAN FIVE YEARS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE COMMISSION WILL REQUEST AT THAT TIME THAT THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF THE REMAINING $313,018 AND 88 CENTS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO THE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER.

THE HOSPITAL WOULD TAKE THE CITY'S INVESTMENT AND ADD THEIR CORPORATE INVESTMENT INTO THE BUILDING AND OPERATION OF A CONVENIENT CLINIC FOR THE COMMUNITY.

CAROLINA.

CAROLINA EAST INVESTMENT WOULD REPRESENT ONE OF THE LARGEST PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN THE REDEVELOPMENT ZONE SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT.

TONIGHT I'M JOINED BY MS. JUDY PIERCE FROM CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM.

SHE'S BEEN AN INVALUABLE ASSET AND A GREAT PLEASURE TO WORK WITH AS SHE'S LIAISON BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE HOSPITAL.

IN ADDITION, YOU WILL HEAR FROM THE COMMISSIONER WHO HAS CHAMPIONED THIS PROJECT FOR AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN INVOLVED.

COMMISSIONER TABARI WALLACE.

I ALSO WISH TO NOTE THE COMMISSIONERS HERE TONIGHT WITH US IN SUPPORT OF, UH, OF THE HEALTH CENTER.

COMMISSIONER LEANDER MORGAN JR.

AND COMMISSIONER JULIUS PARHAM.

SO WITH THAT, I'LL HAND YOU THE FLOOR.

MS. JUDY.

MANY WHO CANNOT LEAVE WORK FOR NORMAL WORK HOURS, OR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CONVENIENT HEALTHCARE BEYOND THE NORMAL WORK DAY OF 5:00 PM FOR THESE REASONS, WE WILL HAVE HOURS TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE WHO WORK AND CANNOT LEAVE FOR THEIR CARE.

IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING.

AS SAID, MY NAME IS JUDY PIERCE.

I SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF MISSION EFFECTIVENESS WITH CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM.

CONVENIENT CARE CLINIC.

A DREAM BECOMING A REALITY.

CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM WILL DELIVER CONVENIENT CARE TO THE RESIDENTS OF CRAVEN COUNTY, SPECIFICALLY THE GREATER DUFFY FIELD COMMUNITY.

THE BUILDING WILL AESTHETICALLY COMPLIMENT THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER NEXT DOOR.

THE MISSION OF CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE FOR ALL PATIENTS IN OUR SERVICE AREA.

WE CONSIDER THIS A PRIVILEGE AND WELCOME THE DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITIES AS WE CONTINUE TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, TRUST AND EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE.

CAROLINA EAST.

CONVENIENT CARE WILL PROVIDE WALK-IN AND SAME DAY CARE TO THOSE IN MOST NEED, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH CHRONIC DISEASES, IE DIABETES, COPD, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, ET CETERA.

ADDITIONALLY, WE WILL BE A SOURCE FOR EDUCATION AROUND WELL CARE AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT.

TOGETHER WE WILL BUILD UPON THIS FOUNDATION LIKE ALL CAROLINA EAST PRIMARY AND WALK-IN LOCATIONS.

NARCOTICS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON THE PROPERTY.

THE CONVENIENT CARE CLINIC IS NOT URGENT CARE.

CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE OUR ENDEAVORS TO AUGMENT, NOT REPLACE THE INCREDIBLE WORK PROVIDED BY CRAVEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, MERCY CLINIC, AND GOSHEN CLINIC, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING THE WHY.

GOOD CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM WITH OVER 3000 EMPLOYEES CARE ABOUT YOU, YOU, AND, AND ME, AND ALL THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE.

OUR COMMUNITY.

RESIDENTS AND LEADERS HAVE HEARD THAT THE HEALTHCARE IS A TOP OF MIND CONCERN FOR

[00:25:01]

PROVIDING CONVENIENT CARE WHEN THE COMMUNITY NEEDS IT MOST.

AND EITHER WHETHER THEY NEED A CONNECTION OR A RESOURCE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, MERCY CLINIC, OR OTHER ENTITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, OR REFERRING THEM BACK TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT MERCY CLINIC, WHERE THEY HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED A RELATIONSHIP.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO US SO THAT THE INDIVIDUALS CAN BENEFIT FROM THEIR SERVICES, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO THEIR MEDICATIONS THAT THEY MAY BE RECEIVING.

YES, CHALLENGES EXIST FOR MANY WHO ARE WITHOUT RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION.

AND YES, WE HAVE BEGUN DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER HEALTHCARE AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT SECURING TRANSPORTATION WHEN NEEDED TO PROVIDE RIDES TO PRIMARY CAREGIVERS AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

ARE OTHER PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY, CAROLINA EAST MEDICAL CENTER, YOUR MY, OUR LOCAL HOSPITAL AND CONVENIENT CARE CLINIC, WILL AND SHALL CONTINUE TO OFFER QUALITY CARE AND EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE.

EVERY ENCOUNTER, EVERY OPPORTUNITY AT ALL LOCATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT.

IS SO MUCH BEFORE THEY SEEK HELP BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

FOUR AND A HALF YEARS AGO, WE EMBARKED ON A MISSION, UH, WITH THE GOAL OF REVITALIZING THE GREATER, UH, DEAF FIELD COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THE FIVE POINTS COMMUNITY.

THE FIRST HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE THAT WAS, UH, THE, THE ORIGINAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS, UH, TEAM OR WORK GROUP IS WHAT WE WERE, WE'VE BEEN CONDITIONED TO SAY, UH, THE FIRST PLANS TRAJECTORY FOCUSED ON EDUCATION, SPEAKING, UH, SEMINARS AND SURVEYS.

WHEN THE FIRST WORK GROUP RECEIVED A LITTLE BIT OF PUSHBACK BECAUSE THE CURRICULUM THAT WE FOCUSED ON WAS STRICTLY ABOUT SLAVERY.

UM, THEY GAVE IT UP AND TURNED IT OVER TO THE CURRENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS, UH, TEAM.

NOW TODAY, WE STAND IN THE FORKING ROW.

WE CAN EITHER GO ON ONE SIDE AND GO TO PROGRESS OR WE COULD EITHER GO TO THE OTHER SIDE AND GO, GO TO SOME REGRESSION.

THIS DAY ALMOST NEVER HAPPENED.

THE NEW AND CURRENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER JOINED FORCES WITH MR. REGGIE JONES.

HE HAD A VISION OF HAVING THE CIRCLE OF HOPE COMPLETED, HIS NETWORK, WHICH INCLUDED AND I HAVE TO GIVE HIM CREDIT.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL DUKE MERCY CLINIC HOSPITAL FOUNDATION, NEW BERN HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ECU LINCOLN COMMUNITY CENTER, UH, HEALTH CENTER, AND MANY OTHERS.

THROUGH OUR TWO YEARS OF MEETING WITH THESE PARTNERS, TWO YEARS OF MEETING WITH THESE PARTNERS, THAT PROPELLED US TO STAND IN FRONT OF YOU ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND ASK FOR THE $350,000 ENDOWMENT SO WE CAN BUILD A BUILDING, UM, AND MOVE FORWARD.

AND I STAND HERE THANKING YOU FOR A SECOND TIME FOR THAT ENDOWMENT.

BECAUSE IT WAS APPROVED.

ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED, THE AFOREMENTIONED PARTNERS OFFERED ASSISTANCE, BUT DUE TO CERTAIN PROCEDURES AND POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS AND COVENANTS OF THEIR ORGANIZATIONS, THEY COULD NOT ASSUME PROGRAMMATIC AND LEGAL OPERATIONAL STEWARDSHIP OF THE BUILDING.

SO WE WERE BACK AT PHASE ONE, THEN THE PHONE RANG EARLIER LAST YEAR, THE PHONE RANG AND OUR PARTNER, THE CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM SYSTEMS, THEY ROLLED IN ON A HORSE, A WHITE HORSE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE WE WERE GOING TO GO TO FINISH THIS THING.

UM, TO FILL, TO FILL A VOID THAT HAS EXISTED IN OUR COMMUNITY SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE QUEEN, SHE HAD NEVER SEEN A HEALTH CENTER ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN IN THE FIVE POINTS COMMUNITY.

THEY STEPPED UP AND SAID, WE WILL ASSUME THE PROGRAMMATIC STEWARDSHIP OF THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER.

AND WITH THAT COMES SITE INSURANCE, BUILDING MANAGEMENT, DOCTORS, NURSES, AND EQUIPMENTS, ET CETERA.

WE WENT FROM SCREENING PAMPHLETS, INTERNS, AND FORMS AND EDUCATION TO ACTUALLY CERTIFIED DOCTORS, NURSES, TECHNICIANS, AND EQUIPMENT, ALL TO HELP SERVE A COMMUNITY IN NEED.

IF YOU CONVEY THE LAND AND THE DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN ATTACHED TO THE FORMER PROJECT, NO LONGER WILL THE SCHOOL NURSE BE THE PRIMARY AND FIRST STOP FOR OUR CHILDREN IN SCHOOL.

NO LONGER WILL THE PEOPLE HAVE TO SIT AND AILMENT UNTIL IT IS NO LONGER TOLERABLE.

THE PAIN

[00:30:01]

NO LONGER WILL OUR PEOPLE HAVE TO WORRY WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GONNA GO SEEK MEDICAL CARE OR THEY GOING TO PAY THE RENTER THE MORTGAGE.

YOU NEED FIVE THINGS TO TRULY REVITALIZE A COMMUNITY.

YOU NEED SCHOOLS EDUCATION.

UH, CRAVEN, UH, CRAVEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TOOK CARE OF THAT PART AND THEY KEPT JT BARBER RIGHT WHERE IT IS.

HOUSING THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION WAS, WAS WE WERE ASSIGNED TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

AND WE ARE WORKING ON IT MEDICAL.

THE HOSPITAL HAS STEPPED UP TO TAKE CARE WITH A CONVENIENT CARE TO ADDRESS THAT NEED RECREATION, THANK YOU TO THE ALDERMAN HERE AND PRIOR ALDERMAN FOR STANLEY WHITE, BECAUSE IT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD UP THERE GOING UP AND FINANCE SLASH FOOD FOOD.

HAZEL ROYAL, OUR ALDERMAN HAS ALREADY, SHE ALREADY HAS A FOOD DROP GOING ON IN IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE JUST NEED TO EXPAND UPON THAT.

AND IN FINANCE, MY PARTNERS, VICTOR DOVE AND SEVERAL OTHERS ARE ALREADY WORKING ON THAT.

SO WE CAN BEGIN TO BRING SOME OF THAT INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE, IF WE CAN PREDICT IT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE CAN PREVENT IT.

WE KNOW THERE'S A NEED HERE.

THE SUFFERING OF OUR PEOPLE.

WE'LL STOP WITH YOUR ACTION.

I THANK YOU AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTED THROUGH THIS JOURNEY TO GET US HERE TODAY.

BUT I WANNA CLOSE WITH, WE ARE UNITING OUR UNIQUE RESOURCES FOR A MAJOR COLLECTIVE IMPACT.

NOW YIELD MY TIME.

THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO SAY AFTER TABARI SPEAKS, BUT DROP THE MIC.

BUT, UH, WE DID WANT TO GIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR QUESTIONS, UH, BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS, THIS, THIS WHOLE PRESENTATION, THE REASON WE'RE NOT HERE REQUESTING THAT YOU, THAT, THAT YOU JUST ADOPT THE AGREEMENT AND MOVE FORWARD IS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO INVITE TIME, UH, FOR PROCESSING AND FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS.

SO, UH, DOES THE BOARD HAVE, UH, QUESTIONS FOR US? QUESTION ANYONE? I'D LIKE TO SAY TO MS. PEARSON, YOU ARTICULATED VERY WELL, WAS WELL RECEIVED.

MR. WALLACE, THE BIRTH HAS NOW BEEN BORN.

UH, I FEEL VERY STRONG ABOUT THE SITUATION AND, UM, I'M ABOARD.

THANK YOU GUYS SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS SITUATION TO MAKE IT REAL.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

DISCUSSIONS, WELL, WE'VE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS REALLY SINCE THE DECISION TO, TO MOVE IT ABOUT WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN THERE.

UM, I STARTED OUT BACK IN 2019 WHEN FORMER ALDERMAN, OLDER WOMAN, HARRIS AND, UM, OLDER WOMAN BINGLE AND I TALKED, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS PROJECT, THE NEED FOR IT.

UM, AND I'VE BEEN BEHIND THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION EVER SINCE.

Y'ALL HAVE TAKEN SOME HARD HITS FROM SOME TIME FROM THE PUBLIC ON CERTAIN ISSUES, BUT THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED.

UM, YOU DID NOT LET THAT DERAIL YOU, YOU KEPT ON FIGHTING BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THE NEED FOR THIS CLINIC WITHIN, I'M GONNA SAY THE BLACK COMMUNITY, BUT THIS CLINIC WILL SERVE ALL CITIZENS OF THIS CITY.

SO I JUST WANT TO LET ALL OF YOU KNOW THE HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS, TO THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, CONTINUE TO WORK HARD, CONTINUE TO FULFILL YOUR GOALS.

AND I AM WELL, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, I'M BEHIND THIS PROJECT BECAUSE I INITIALLY WANTED IT ON BLOOMFIELD STREET.

YES.

BUT THAT DIDN'T PAN OUT TO BE THE PROPER LOCATION.

SO I DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

I GOT OVER THAT BECAUSE I KNOW THE NEED FOR THIS CLINIC.

SO I'M ON BOARD WITH YOU.

I THINK THIS IS TO HAVE CAROLINA EAST MEDICAL CENTER ON, ON BOARD WITH, UH, WITH US TO MAKE THIS PROJECT COME TO FRUITION.

I JUST SAY THANK GOD AND THANK YOU ALL.

GREAT JOB, JED.

THANKS .

DO A GOOD, YOU GUYS DO A GOOD JOB.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANYONE ELSE? UM, THERE'S REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT ELSE TO SAY, BUT, UM, THE BLOOMFIELD SITE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP A COUPLE OF TIMES TONIGHT.

SO DO YOU HAVE PLANS AS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE BLOOMFIELD SITE SHOULD THIS PROCESS MOVE FORWARD? THE COMMISSION HAS STARTED, UH, STARTED

[00:35:01]

AND WE HAVE SO MANY IDEAS WE HAVEN'T SETTLED ON ONE BECAUSE, UH, WE WANT TO GET DONE WITH, UH, WITH, WITH THIS PROJECT FIRST.

BUT WE WILL, WE, WE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE SOMETHING ON THAT SITE AND, AND WE DO PLAN TO, UH, ATTACK THAT.

CAN I SAY IMMEDIATELY? NO.

YES, ABSOLUTELY.

IMMEDIATELY.

COMMISSIONER WALLACE SAID, I COULD SAY IMMEDIATELY, I JUST BRING THAT UP.

'CAUSE I THINK SO MANY THINGS ABOUT REDEVELOPMENT AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS ABOUT MOMENTUM.

YEAH.

AND YOU BUILT THREE VERY NICE HOUSES THANKS TO ALDERMAN ASTOR FOR HIS ALLOCATION OF ARPA FUNDS.

UM, AND I JUST FEEL LIKE WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE WERE AT THE STANLEY WHITE, YOU KNOW, TOPPING OFF CEREMONY TODAY WHERE THEY PUT THE LAST BEAM AND THEY WELDED IT UP.

SO YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF MOMENTUM HAPPENING.

AND ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE LISTENED TO ME BEFORE, YOU'LL, YOU'LL KNOW I TALK ABOUT HOW SLOW THINGS MOVE IN GOVERNMENT.

SO WHEN THINGS ARE MOVING AT A, A STEADY PACE LIKE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW, WE WANT TO KEEP THAT MOMENTUM GOING.

SO LET'S NOT FOCUS ON THIS PROJECT AND FORGET ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND START ON THE NEXT ONE SO WE CAN KEEP IT GOING.

SO ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S, THAT'S MY WORDS FOR THE EVENING.

BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU, SIR.

CAN YOU DO, CAN YOU GIVE DEB, DEB, IS IT OKAY IF I ASK HIM TO GIVE A QUICK UPDATE ON THE THREE HOUSES WHERE WE'RE AT? SURE, SURE.

SO I'M, I'M ACTUALLY GLAD YOU ASKED 'CAUSE I'VE BEEN BURSTING AT THE SEAMS. I WAS THERE THIS AFTERNOON.

WE PUT IN STOVES AND REFRIGERATORS.

SO APPLIANCES, FIXTURES, EVERYTHING IS IN.

AND SO WE'LL BE CUTTING RIBBONS REAL, REAL SOON.

AND, UH, FOR ANY CITIZENS INQUIRING, UH, ABOUT THOSE, UH, UH, ABOUT THOSE PRO UH, THOSE PROPERTIES, YOU CAN ALWAYS SUBMIT A REQUEST TO PURCHASE.

WE, WE HAVE AWAI UH, UH, WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE IN LINE ALREADY.

SO REQUEST TO PURCHASE IS AT CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.

FEEL, FEEL FREE TO DROP THOSE OFF AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE NOTE OF YOUR NAME AND WHEN THEY ARE, UH, WHEN, WHEN THEY'RE AVAILABLE.

WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT, UH, PUBLIC NO, NO.

I LEFT ONE COMMISSIONER OUT EARLIER AND I DON'T KNOW WHY 'CAUSE HE WAS UP HERE.

BUT COMMISSIONER DILLON ALSO REPRESENTS THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

AND I WOULD ALSO BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE, UH, CEO OF CAROLINA EAST HEALTH SYSTEM.

MICHAEL SMITH IS HERE IN SUPPORT TONIGHT, SO I APOLOGIZE.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY WHO CAME OUT.

IT CERTAINLY MEANS A LOT.

YES.

UH, NOT AS EXCITING, BUT STILL IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO AS ITEM NUMBER 10, TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE US POLICE CANINE ASSOCIATION, CHIEF GALLAGHER.

[10. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the US Police Canine Association.]

THANK YOU MAYOR FOR CITY MANAGER.

UM, I'VE OFTEN SAID TO MY STAFF, UH, WE HAVE TO BE VERY DILIGENT IN THE, UH, FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP OF THE MONIES THAT WE RECEIVED.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE OFTEN SAID TO THEM IS, IF YOU CAN FIND THE MONEY THROUGH GRANTS, LET'S TRY TO, UH, MINIMIZE SOME OF THE TOUGH DECISIONS THE CITY MANAGER AND THIS BOARD HAS TO, TO MAKE WITH RESPECT TO WHERE ALL THAT MONEY COMES FROM.

UM, WE HAVE FIVE CAN CANINE, UM, ANIMALS AND, UM, ON OUR AGENCY, UH, AX IS OUR OLDEST CANINE.

HE IS NINE YEARS OLD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS IN DOG YEARS, BUT IN PEOPLE YEARS, HE'S NINE YEARS OLD.

THE AVERAGE, UH, LIFESPAN OF A CANINE OFFICE IS BETWEEN SEVEN AND 10 YEARS, DEPENDING ON THE, THE DOG AND, AND THE DOG'S HEALTH.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK A GRANT.

UM, FOR, UM, $7,500.

WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MATCH THAT BY 25%.

THE COST OF A CANINE IS A LITTLE OVER $18,000.

WE HAVE SUBMITTED IN OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET FOR THE COST OF A BRAND NEW DOG OF, OF A TOTAL COST OF 18,500.

WE WOULD BE SPENDING THE MATCHING PORTION.

UM, AND IT, WE, IF WE ARE APPROVED FOR THIS CAN NINE, UM, GRANT APPLICATION, IT WOULD REDUCE OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REQUEST FROM EIGHT THOU 18,500 TO ACTUALLY $11,000 OUT OF POCKET FOR US.

SO WE, UM, REQUEST THAT THE BOARD APPROVE OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE FOR THIS GRANT.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEES, BUT WE ARE, UM, OPTIMISTIC THAT IF WE SUBMIT OUR APPLICATION EARLY ENOUGH, WE WILL BE GRANTED THIS OPPORTUNITY.

AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND I HAPPEN TO HAVE MY CANINE LIEUTENANT IN THE, UH, ROOM.

IF I CAN'T ANSWER IT, HE'S HERE TO GUARANTEE AS WELL.

MR. BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.

[00:40:04]

IF THERE'S NO QUESTION, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THIS SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE US POLICE K NINE ASSOCIATION.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU.

CHIEF, HOW MANY TOTAL K NINES DO WE HAVE? NOW? WE HAVE FIVE.

SO WE HAVE AROUND THE CLOCK.

24 HOUR SERVICE.

THAT'S CORRECT.

IF, IF NEEDED, CORRECT? YES.

VERY GOOD.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALRIGHT, LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN ASTOR, PLEASE.

[Items 11 - 16]

UH, I, ITEMS 11 THROUGH 16 ARE ALL PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.

IT'S ALL FOR ADOPTING RESOLUTIONS, APPROVING SALES OF DIFFERENT PARCELS.

UH, IF THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO, YOU CAN CONSIDER ALL THOSE TOGETHER.

AND THAT'S ITEMS NUMBER 11 THROUGH 16.

SO I'LL ASK MR. HUGHES IF HE WOULD GIVE US A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF EACH OF THOSE.

MAYOR FIRST PROPERTY IS 10 13 BLOOMFIELD STREET.

AFTER RECEIVING A BID OF $3,000 FROM LAY TEAM, UH, AND REMODELERS, THERE WAS NO UPSET BIDS RECEIVED.

THE PROPERTY IS A VACANT 0.116 ACRE RESIDENTIAL LOT.

WE RECEIVED THIS PROPERTY IN 2009 THROUGH TAX FORECLOSURE.

IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD FOR THIS BID, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $1,144 71 CENTS, AND THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $1,855 AND 29 CENTS.

THE NEXT PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 10 17 BLOOMFIELD STREET.

THE LAY TEAM AND REMODELERS LLC ALSO TENDERED AN OFFER OF $3,000 FOR THIS PARCEL.

UH, NO UPSET BIDS WERE RECEIVED DURING THIS PROCESS.

PROPERTY IS A VACANT 0.143 ACRE RESIDENTIAL PARCEL.

WE RECEIVED THIS IN 2018 THROUGH TAX FORECLOSURE.

IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD FOR THIS BID, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE 1030 $5 28 CENTS, AND THE COUNTY WE WILL RECEIVE $1,964 72 CENTS.

THE NEXT PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 1302 WILLIAMS STREET, PR PROPERTY GROUP LLC MADE AN OFFER OF $3,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THIS PROPERTY.

NO UPSET BIDS WERE RECEIVED.

THE PROPERTY IS A VACANT POINT.

1 1 9 ACRE RESIDENTIAL LOT.

WE ACQUIRED THIS IN 2006 THROUGH TAX FORECLOSURE.

IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD FOR THIS BID, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $1,192 4 CENTS AND THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $1,807 96 CENTS FROM THE PROCEEDS.

THE NEXT PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 1407 GARDEN STREET PR PROPERTY GROUP LLC ALSO TENDERED AN OFFER OF $2,700 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THIS PROPERTY.

THIS VACANT PARTIAL IS 0.085, UH, IN SIZE, ACRES IN SIZE.

WE RECEIVE THIS PROPERTY IN 2015 THROUGH TAX FORECLOSURE.

IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $706 92 CENTS AND THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $1,993 8 CENTS FROM THE PROCEEDS.

THE NEXT PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 1411 GARDEN STREET PR, PROP PROPERTY GROUP, LLC TENDERED AND OFF OF $2,000 FOR THIS PROPERTY.

NO UPSET BIDS WERE RECEIVED.

THIS IS A VACANT 0.093 ACRE RESIDENTIAL LOT THAT WAS ACQUIRED, UH, IN 2015 THROUGH TAX FORECLOSURE.

IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD FOR $3,000, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $1,275 26 CENTS, AND THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $1,724 74 CENTS FROM THE PROCEEDS.

AND THE FINAL PROPERTY IS 1904.

WASHINGTON STREET PR PROPERTY GROUP LLC SUBMITTED A BID OF $10,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THIS 0.37 ACRE RESIDENTIAL PARCEL.

WE ACQUIRED THIS IN 2015 THROUGH TAX FORECLOSURE.

IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD FOR THIS BID, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $4,187 AND THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $5,813 FROM THE PROCEEDS BOARD.

HAVE QUESTIONS? IF THERE ARE NOT ANY QUESTIONS, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SALE OF 10 13 BLOOMFIELD STREET.

10 17 BLOOMFIELD STREET, 1302 WILLIAMS STREET, 1407 GARDEN STREET, 1411 GARDEN STREET, 1904 WASHINGTON STREET.

CONSIDERED ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF APPRO, A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW BERN AREA IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATION, INC.

OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

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

[00:45:01]

THANK YOU ALL FOR, UH, YOUR WORK THERE.

COMBINING THOSE, ITEM NUMBER 17 IS

[17. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving a License Agreement with The New Bern Area Improvements Association, Inc. Extending the Use of 800 Cedar Street.]

EXTENDING THE USE OF 800 CEDAR STREET.

MR. HUGHES, I'D LIKE TO ASK CARRIE WARREN TO COME UP AND PRESENT THIS ITEM.

GOOD AFTERNOON BOARD.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

AND MAYOR.

UM, SO WE ARE REQUESTING TO EXTEND THE LEASE OF THE OMEGA CENTER TO OFFER CONTINUE OFFERING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS UNTIL THE CONSTRUCTION OF STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER IS COMPLETED.

UM, AND I THINK THE LEASE ON THAT'S GONNA BE 25,971.

AND THAT WILL, I'M LOOKING ON MY PAPER.

AND THE FIRST OF THE 2025.

YES.

WE'RE WE'RE LOOKING TO EXTEND THIS THROUGH JANUARY 20.

JANUARY 31ST, 2025, JUST IN CASE.

UM, WE, WE THINK WE'RE GONNA OPEN UP THE NEW RECREATION CENTER IN DECEMBER, BUT JUST IN CASE THERE ARE SOME DELAYS, WE WANTED TO HAVE A CARRY OVER TO THE END OF JANUARY.

THIS IS TO ALLOW, UH, PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE TO OFFER PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, UH, TO THE CITIZENS, UH, IN THE DUFFY FIELD AREA, UH, UNTIL THE NEW RECREATION CENTER IS COMPLETED.

BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.

I DO ALL MCKENZIE, THE PROGRAMS THAT'S BEEN OPERATING THERE.

HOW CAN YOU GIVE US SOME, UH, INSIGHT ON SOME OF THE PROGRAMS AND WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH THEM? I'M FURTHER REFER THAT TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.

SO, UM, SOME OF THE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SENIOR FITNESS WEEKDAY WALKING.

UM, WE WERE DOING AFTER SCHOOL THERE, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM WHEN WE WERE OPERATING IT THERE.

AND SO WE ENDED UP COMBINING IT WITH SOME OF THE WEST NEW BERNON AND IN THE PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CENTER.

'CAUSE WE ARE DOING AFTER SCHOOL AT PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CENTER.

SO WE'RE NOT DOING AFTER SCHOOL OVER THERE CURRENTLY.

UM, WE HAVE BEEN OFFERING, WE DID DO SUMMER CAMP.

WE HAD A FEW KIDS OVER THERE AND WE ENDED UP, UM, HAVING SUMMER CAMP OUT THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

AND THEN WE MOVED IT OVER TO WEST NEWBURN 'CAUSE WE HAD A STAFF THAT WAS OUT.

UM, WE'VE DONE LITTLE BEAKER SCIENCE LAB OVER THERE THAT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.

UM, BUILD A BOT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL FOR YOUTH.

UM, WE'RE GONNA BE FOCUSING ON MORE SENIOR AND NON-SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN STARTING THIS TIME BECAUSE MOST OF OUR PROGRAMMING THAT WE CAN DO OVER THERE IS BEFORE, AFTER SCHOOL BECAUSE WITH STAFF WHO ARE DOING AFTER SCHOOL, UM, PROGRAMMING, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO COVER ALL AREAS.

SO WE'RE GONNA FOCUS ON MORNING PROGRAMMING OVER AT DUN OMEGA CENTER.

SO WHEN WILL THAT START? THAT WILL START ONCE THIS, UM, LEASES RESIGNED.

'CAUSE CURRENTLY NOW THE LEASES ENDED.

ALRIGHT, SO APRIL 1ST OR A LITTLE BIT BEFORE, ONCE WE FINISH THIS LEASE QUESTION FOR EITHER THE MANAGER OR ARVIN ASKED HER.

I THOUGHT THE FIRST TIME WE DID THIS, THIS WAS REIMBURSABLE BY FEMA.

'CAUSE WE WERE OUT OF THE FAMILY WHITE.

IS THAT STILL THE CASE? SINCE IT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND IT'S A FEMA PROJECT.

I THINK WE ADDRESSED THIS THE LAST TIME AND, AND, UH, WHEN WE SPOKE WITH OUR CONSULTANT, WE, WE, WE, IT WAS NOT REIMBURSABLE ON THIS.

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WE'VE, WE'VE RE-UPPED THIS LEASE AND IT WAS NOT, UH, REIMBURSABLE ON THE, ON THE LAST TIME, BUT THE FIRST TIME IT WAS.

FIRST TIME IT WAS OKAY.

SORRY.

THE REQUEST WAS ISSUED BY THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ON MARCH 23RD, 2023.

IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION.

TO APPROVE A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW BURN AREA IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION INC.

SECOND, HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN BEST? ALDERMAN BEST YES.

[18. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Accept ARPA Funds from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund for Water/Wastewater Infrastructure.]

18.

CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT ARPA FUNDS FROM THE STATE FISCAL RECOVERY FUND FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

MS. HARMS. GOOD EVENING.

EVENING.

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2022, THE CITY APPLIED FOR FUNDING OF $4,149,360 FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

LOCAL ASSISTANCE FOR STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS, STORM STORMWATER CONSTRUCTION GRANT, A LETTER OF INTENT TO FUND.

[00:50:01]

AND WE RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP LETTER, UM, FUNDING OFFER DATED FEBRUARY 28TH, 2024.

AND ONE CONDITION IS THE BOARD MUST ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE GRANT FUNDS.

THIS RESOLUTION IS FOR THE BOARD.

HAVE QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.

IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A RPA.

THE A RPA FUNDS FROM THE STATE FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

NUMBER 19, CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FUND ALSO MS. HARMS. OKAY.

HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

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

THAT'S, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

SO THAT'S GONNA BE VERY HELPFUL.

SO ITEM

[19. Consider Adopting an Ordinance Amending the Drainage Improvements Project Fund.]

SO THIS ORDINANCE AMENDS THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FUND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GRANT FUNDS THAT WE, THAT WERE JUST REFERENCED IN THE PREVIOUS ITEM.

ALRIGHT, MS. FOUR HAVE QUESTIONS.

YOUR I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDED A DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FUND.

SECOND, HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE UNLESS HAVE A ROLL CALL.

STARTING WITH ALDERMAN ROYAL.

[20. Appointment(s).]

DO NOT SHOW ANY APPOINTMENTS FOR ANYONE, BUT, UH, JUST A HEADS UP.

UH, WE FIXED THIS, UH, A COUPLE YEARS AGO TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE WERE ALL, UM, STARTING ON TIME AND ENDING ON TIME.

SO A LOT OF THESE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, THEIR APPOINTMENTS WILL END ON JUNE 30TH.

UM, SO JUST A HEADS UP THAT THERE'S GONNA BE QUITE A FEW APPOINTMENTS THAT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE COMING UP.

SO I, I'D LIKE TO ASK THE CLERK IF SHE WOULD, UH, IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WHEN SHE GETS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEND US ALL WHAT THOSE EXPIRING TERMS WOULD BE.

SOME OF THEM ARE BASED OFF OF SPECIFIC WARDS.

SOME OF 'EM ARE JUST GENERAL BOARD APPOINTMENTS.

AND THEN ALSO, UM, OUR NEW BOARD'S RULES AND PROCEDURES.

UH, IT'S BEEN POINTED OUT THAT IN ORDER FOR US TO CONSIDER SOMEONE TO BE APPOINTED, THEY SHOULD SUBMIT AN APPLICATION OR A FORM OF INTEREST.

THOSE ARE AVAILABLE HARD COPY FROM CITY HALL OR THEY'RE AVAILABLE ONLINE.

UH, THEY ALSO GET PURGED EVERY YEAR.

I LEARNED.

SO, UH, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE WORD OUT.

I'M SURE COLLEEN WILL HELP US WITH THAT.

BUT MAKE SURE WE LET OUR CONSTITUENTS KNOW THERE'LL BE QUITE A FEW OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE COMING UP IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

SO ANYTHING REGARDING APPOINTMENTS? ALRIGHT, ITEM NUMBER 21,

[21. Attorney' s Report.]

ATTORNEY'S REPORT.

UH, MAYOR MEMBERS, THE BOARD, YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU, UM, SOME PROPOSED EDITS TO YOUR RULES OF PROCEDURE.

YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY GIVEN ME SOME DIRECTION, UM, WITH RESPECT TO TWO ISSUES.

ONE WAS, UM, CANCELING A REGULAR MEETING DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY, AND THE OTHER WAS CLARIFYING THE PROCEDURES FOR CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

WHILE I WAS IN THERE DOING SURGERY ON THOSE SEVERAL ISSUES, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE BODY OF RULES AND UPDATE THOSE WHERE WE'VE HAD STATUTORY CHANGES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO THE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES BEFORE YOU ARE SIMPLY INCORPORATING WHAT THE CURRENT STATUTES REQUIRE, WHICH IS A WAY OF, ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DISCRETION AS TO HOW YOU WANT TO HANDLE THOSE.

THE ONE ISSUE, UM, THAT YOU DO, THAT I INCLUDED AT THE VERY END IS WHAT IS CALLED ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION IN A MEETING WHEN YOU CANNOT ATTEND THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN A, AN ELECTRONIC BOARD MEETING DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

UM, YOU, SOME OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN SERVING FOR A WHILE RECALL THAT IN PREVIOUS YEARS, UM, WE HAD THE ABILITY UNTIL IT WAS CLARIFIED BY STATUTE TO MEET ELECTRONICALLY.

NOW WE HAVE ONLY ONE VERSION OF A TRUE ELECTRONIC MEETING, AND THAT IS DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THE VERSION I'M OFFERING TO YOU TO REFLECT ON IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO ENABLE A PUBLIC OFFICIAL WHO CANNOT ATTEND A MEETING TO PHONE IN OR ZOOM IN,

[00:55:01]

NOT BE COUNTED AS PRESENT FOR A QUORUM BECAUSE THE STATUTE DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THAT.

BUT AT LEAST YOU COULD CALL IN OR ZOOM IN AND BE, BE AVAILABLE AND COULD ASK QUESTIONS DURING A DISCUSSION, BUT YOU WOULD NOT BE COUNTED, UM, FOR A QUORUM AND YOU COULD NOT VOTE BECAUSE THE STATUTE DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THAT.

I FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT ANY OF YOU WHILE TRAVELING OR AT HOME CAN WATCH THE MEETING LIVE, UM, ON THE INTERNET IF YOU'D LIKE.

I JUST MENTIONED THIS AS, AS A, AN OPTION THAT SOME CITIES, UM, THINK IS, IS HELPFUL.

OTHERS DO NOT.

AND, AND RECOGNIZING AS WELL THAT OTTOMAN PEARL COULDN'T BE WITH US THIS EVENING.

I I DON'T NEED A FIRM ANSWER THIS EVENING.

I JUST WANNA RAISE THAT TO GET YOU REFLECTING ON YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ABOUT WHETHER THAT IS HELPFUL OR NOT.

I'D LIKE TO GO BACK ON SOMETHING.

, UM, THE APPOINTMENTS, UM, A LOT OF THE APPOINTMENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN MAKING IN THE PAST, UM, ARE WE LOOKING AT FOR CITY RESIDENTS ONLY ARE, OR YOU, YOU CAN ACTUALLY LIVE OUT OF THE CITY LIMITS AND BE APPOINTED? YES, SIR.

GREAT QUESTION.

AND THAT VARIES BY BOARD OR COMMISSION MANY TIMES.

UM, OUR STATE STATUTE REQUIRES THAT YOU BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY CORRECT.

TO SERVE.

CORRECT.

OTHER TIMES THE STATUTE DOES NOT.

AND THEN WHEN THE STATUTE DOES NOT, IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO THE BOARD TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, TRYING TO MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING, IT DEPENDS UPON THE BOARD, THE BOARD UPON WHICH YOU ARE SERVING THE PERSON WOULD SERVE.

EXACTLY.

YEP.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I'M GOOD.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT EACH PARTICULAR BOARD MAKES THAT DECISION? NO, MA'AM.

THE, THE, THE, THE, THE STATE STATUTES TELL US WHETHER OR NOT A MEMBER WHO'S APPOINTED TO A BOARD MM-HMM.

HAS TO BE A CITY RESIDENT OR NOT.

CORRECT.

AND, AND THAT IS BOARD SPECIFIC.

DEPENDING ON THE STATUTE.

RIGHT.

AND THE WEBSITE.

I KNOW THE CLERK IS PAINFULLY AWARE OF THOSE METRICS AND HELPS GUIDE PEOPLE THROUGH, THROUGH WHAT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE ON.

RIGHT.

UM, MR. UM, MR. TURNER, I KNOW YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T LOOKING FOR A DECISION TONIGHT.

JUST MY ONLY FEEDBACK ON THAT LAST ISSUE THAT YOU MENTIONED AS FAR AS PARTICIPATING REMOTELY.

BUT THAT'S REALLY JUST TO ASK QUESTIONS.

EXACTLY.

UM, YOU COULDN'T VOTE.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MENTIONED ALDERMAN PRIS NOT HERE TONIGHT.

SO ALDERMAN PRI DECIDED HE, IF WE ADOPTED THIS RULE, I WANNA MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR.

HE COULD HAVE DIALED IN OR ZOOMED IN AND LISTENED TO THE MEETING AND CHIMED IN WITH QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

BUT WHEN WE ACTUALLY TOOK A VOTE, HIS VOTE, HE WOULDN'T HAVE VOTED.

NO, SIR.

AND YOU HIT ON THE HEAD THE, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE ABILITY TO ASK QUESTIONS.

EVERYONE'S FREE TO WATCH THE MEETING, OBVIOUSLY ON THE INTERNET.

UM, THIS RULE WOULD SIMPLY ALLOW YOU TO ASK A QUESTION.

, WHILE YOU ARE ZOOMED IN OR CALLED IN, IS HE COUNTED AS PRESIDENT IN THE MEETING OR NO SIR? NO, AND THAT'S THE BIG DIFFERENCE.

YOU ARE NOT COUNT LEGALLY.

YOU ARE NOT COUNTED AS PRESENT, WHICH IS WHY YOU CANNOT VOTE.

SO THE ONLY THING, THE ONLY THING THIS WOULD ALLOW IS FOR YOU TO WATCH AND ASK A QUESTION AND THAT'S IT.

I, I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE A REAL STRONG OPINION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ON THIS.

I WOULD JUST SAY THAT HAVING GONE THROUGH COVID, SOME OF US THAT WERE ON THE BOARD AT THE TIME AND PARTICIPATING REMOTELY AND YOU KNOW, I'VE, I'VE BEEN AT CONFERENCES BEFORE AND LISTEN TO A MEETING AND TRY TO KEEP UP THAT THE TIMING'S ALWAYS OFF.

IT'S VERY HARD TO DO THAT.

UM, SO IF, IF YOU WERE TO ASK ME, I WOULD PROBABLY SAY NO TO LEAVE THAT OUT.

UM, BUT AGAIN, I WANNA BE RESPECTFUL.

IF SOMEBODY CAN'T MAKE A MEETING AND THEY WANT TO DIAL IN AND ASK THE QUESTION, I DON'T WANT TO STOP THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO DO THAT.

I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW OFTEN IT WOULD HAPPEN.

SO MAYBE IT'S A MOOT POINT.

BUT, SO YOU WANT US TO GIVE YOU SOME DIRECTION AFTER WE THINK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT.

REFLECT ON THIS.

YOUR HOMEWORK IS REFLECT ON THAT NARROW ISSUE.

UM, I'M ALSO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTED SECTIONS THAT, THAT ARE BEFORE YOU.

UM, AGAIN, THESE ARE ALL DRIVEN, UM, BY STATE CHIEF.

I GIVE YOU A NARRATIVE, UM, WITH SOME OF THE STATUTORY REFERENCES SO THAT YOU COULD FOLLOW ALONG.

UM, THIS IS JUST A GREAT PLACE, UM, TO HAVE THOSE RULES AND HAVE 'EM UPDATED SO THAT IT'S USER FRIENDLY.

UM, UM, AND TO THE, TO THE ISSUE OF, OF CANCELING A, A REGULAR MEETING DUE TO A STATE OF EMERGENCY, UM, WE DO HAVE A STATE STATUTE, UM, THAT ALLOWS THE MAYOR TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THAT WOULD BE TRIGGERED TO, AND, AND I'M GONNA SPLIT HAIRS.

, UM, EVEN IF THE GOVERNOR ALREADY HAS.

SO THAT, THAT'S THE TOOL

[01:00:01]

THERE'S NO STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR A BOARD TO CANCEL A MEETING.

UM, SO THE CANCELLATION IS EFFECTIVELY A NOTICE THAT A QUORUM WILL NOT BE THERE SPLITTING HAIRS, BUT, BUT THAT'S THE WAY WE GET AROUND, NOT CANCELING IT.

SO THE BOARD HAS THIS.

WE'LL TAKE IT BACK.

IF ANYBODY HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS, THEY CAN CONTACT YOU.

PLEASE DO.

ALRIGHT.

ANYTHING ELSE, SIR? THAT'S, THAT'S IT, MAYOR.

UM, NEXT

[22. City Manager's Report.]

UP IS NUMBER 22.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT.

A FEW ITEMS TO UPDATE YOU ON MAYOR FIRST SHOT SPOTTER.

UH, WE ANTICIPATE THIS GOING LIVE AROUND MARCH 21ST.

APPROXIMATELY, UH, POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF ARE CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH THE TRAINING WITH THE SPOT SHOT SPOTTER CREW.

SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, HOW THAT THIS PROCESS IS GONNA GO AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THE REGULAR UPDATES FROM THE POLICE CHIEF ON THIS.

UH, ALSO WANNA REMIND YOU AGAIN ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CLEANUP DAY THAT'S GONNA TAKE PLACE TOMORROW.

THIS WILL BE ON PINE TREE DRIVE.

THIS IS GONNA START AT 3:00 PM ALSO WANNA REMIND YOU, AS PART OF THIS COMMUNITY CLEANUP DAY, THE, UH, BASICALLY COLLEEN GEORGE CHI AND CARRIE WARREN GOT TOGETHER.

THEY LOOKED AT THE ENTIRE CITY AND GEORGE PROVIDED INFORMATION ON THE, UH, REALLY AREAS THAT, THAT ARE IN NEED THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

AND SO EVERY SINGLE WARD IS GONNA BE TOUCHED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

UM, WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING A MONTHLY CLEANUP FROM MARCH THROUGH NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR.

UH, BUT THIS DOESN'T PREVENT FOLKS THAT ARE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES FROM WANTING TO DO A CLEANUP DAY AS WELL.

AND SO WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THAT.

AND IF THERE ARE ANY COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE CLEANUP DAYS, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO PUBLIC WORKS.

THEY, THEY CAN PROVIDE TRASH BAGS, UH, AND THINGS LIKE THAT FOR YOUR CLEANUPS.

AND I WANNA REMIND YOU OF OUR MOTTO.

KEEP NEWBURN CLEAN.

WE CAN'T BEAR LITTER.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ATTENDING THE TOPPING OUT CEREMONY TODAY.

WE HAD SEVERAL MEMBERS FROM THE GOVERNING BOARD, THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SEVERAL CITY STAFF MEMBERS AND THE CONTRACTORS AND SUBS THAT WERE OUT THERE.

UM, EVERYONE THAT WAS IN ATTENDANCE GOT SIGN THE, THE, THE FINAL BEAM THAT WAS GOING INTO, UH, THE FACILITY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HOW, UH, THAT FACILITY PROGRESSES OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AND ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THE NEXT THING I HAVE FOR YOU, AND COLLEEN, IF YOU COULD SHOW THE MAP.

UM, AT THE OCTOBER 10TH, 2023 BOARD MEETING, THE BOARD ADOPTED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 15 DASH 3 43, FLEXIBILITY AND ADMINISTRATION REQUIRED OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES.

THIS TEXT AMENDMENT EXPANDED PARKING EXEMPTIONS DOWNTOWN, ESSENTIALLY FROM HANCOCK STREET TO EAST FRONT STREET AND SOUTH FRONT STREET TO BROAD STREET.

SEVERAL OF YOU MAY HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, AND IT CAME TO, TO OUR ATTENTION AS WELL THAT THERE IS ONE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE BOUNDARY THAT DIDN'T RECEIVE AN EXEMPTION.

SO ON THE MAP, YOU'VE GOT, IF YOU'LL LOOK AT THE, AT THE LOWER, UH, LOWER LEFT HAND SIDE, THERE IS A WHITE STAR ON THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE BOUNDARY IS, UH, BEHIND THE FARMER'S MARKET.

THEN IT BASICALLY EXCLUDES THAT PROPERTY IN QUESTION COMES BACK, COMES BACK OVER AT THE, UM, AT THE BANK PARKING LOT AND CONTINUES ON.

AND SO THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION IS UNDER CONTRACT.

AND THIS ISSUE IS HOLDING UP THE SALE OF THAT, THAT PROPERTY.

THEY'VE REACHED OUT TO DEVELOPMENTS TO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF.

I AM AWARE THAT THE STAFF, UH, GAVE THEM AN OPTION, UH, THAT THEY COULD REACH OUT TO PRIVATE, UH, UH, PARKING, UH, UH, PARK PRIVATE PARKING LOTS DOWNTOWN TO LEASE PARKING LOTS.

BUT REMEMBER, THE REASON THAT WE DID THIS EXEMPTION WAS TO AVOID THAT ISSUE BACK LAST FALL.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, UM, SINCE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD TO REVISIT THE PARKING EXEMPTION BOUNDARY AT THEIR NEXT MEETING ON MARCH 21ST AND COME BACK TO THE BOARD AT THE MARCH 26TH MEETING AND TWO FOR THE GOVERNING BOARD TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.

AND THEN CONSIDER BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT ITEM.

NOT AT ALL.

LET'S GIVE DIRECTION.

YEAH.

SOMEBODY MAKE A MOTION.

I'LL, I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT, UM, CITY MANAGER DIRECTS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO SEND THIS MATTER BACK TO PLANNING AND ZONING TO THEIR NEXT MEETING AND THEN REPORT BACK TO US AT OUR NEXT MEETING.

CORRECT.

OR THE MEETING DIRECTLY AFTER THAT.

IS THAT THE CORRECT? THAT THAT'S CORRECT.

AND, AND THEN TO, UH, ADVERTISE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS YEAH.

AND ADVERTISE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

GOOD WITH THAT.

FOR THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.

LET'S DO THAT.

ALRIGHT, SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE PROCESS IS PLAINTIFF AND ZONING, WE'LL TAKE UP THIS MATTER.

OUR NEXT MEETING OF THIS MONTH.

, LOOK AT THIS PARCEL THAT WAS EXCLUDED.

PROVIDE THIS BOARD OF ALDERMAN WITH THEIR RECOMMENDATION.

CONGRUENT TO THAT OR CONCURRENT TO THAT, WE ARE GOING TO POST A PUBLIC HEARING, A NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD AT OUR MARCH 26TH MEETING, I BELIEVE

[01:05:01]

THAT'S CORRECT.

AND THEN THAT WAY WE CAN MAKE A DECISION.

YES SIR.

SO MR. CITY ATTORNEY IS, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IF THIS BUILDING BECOMES VACANT, IT COULD NEVER SELL UNLESS WE MAKE THIS CHANGE.

THAT THAT'S, THAT'S THE USE COULD NOT BE CHANGED.

AND, AND THAT'S THE PREMISE, UM, THAT DROVE THE ENTIRE CHANGE BACK IN OCTOBER.

THIS WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT.

I, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.

IT, IT SEEMS LIKE IT TO ME.

AND, AND MY PERSONAL THEORY IS THAT EVERYONE WAS SO FOCUSED ON THE PARCELS THAT FRONTED ON SOUTH FRONT STREET.

THAT THIS PARCEL THAT SAT BEHIND THAT SITS BEHIND WELLS FARGO JUST DOESN'T JUMP OUT.

GOTCHA.

BUT IT'S A PARCEL THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY ONSITE PARKING.

SO THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO VERSION OF REALITY WHERE IT CAN EVER COMPLY WITH THE PARKING ORDINANCE AND THERE'S NO SATELLITE PARKING, UM, OPPORTUNITIES, UM, WITHIN 600 FEET WHERE YOU COULD BUY ANOTHER PARKING LOT OR LEASE ANOTHER PARKING LOT FOR 30 YEARS.

SO I, I CERTAINLY DIDN'T CATCH IT BECAUSE WHEN WE DISCUSSED THIS, WE TALKED ABOUT THOSE BOUNDARIES FROM BRAWL TO FRONT AND THEN THE RIVER.

AND THEN WE SAID, BUT WE'RE GOING TO EXCLUDE THE HOTELS SKY SALE AND THE CONVENTION CENTER.

THIS PARCEL IS NOT PART OF ANY OF THOSE E EXACTLY.

AND THE THEORY WAS IF YOU HAVE A GIANT PARKING LOT, YOU, YOU, YOU WANT THIS, YOU AS A BOARD WANTED THEM TO MAINTAIN THOSE PARKING LOTS.

SO, UM, I SUSPECT IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT, BUT P AND Z CAN QUICKLY LET YOU KNOW THAT THEIR NEXT MEETING AND THEN REPORT BACK SO THAT IF YOUR NEXT REGULAR MEETING, YOU CAN DECIDE TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE OR NOT.

EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE MOTION.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? IT'S UNANIMOUS.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

I DIDN'T HEAR WHO WAS THE SECOND ALDER MCKENZIE.

ANYTHING ELSE, MR. MANAGER? THAT'S ALL SIR.

OKAY, NEXT

[23. New Business.]

UP IS NEW BUSINESS, UH, ALDERMAN BRISSON.

NOTHING TO MAKE SIR ALDERMAN BESS? YES.

UM, I'D JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE AND REMEMBER THE LATE, UH, MR. ALFRED BARFIELD.

MR. BARFIELD, UM, WAS A PIONEER AND AN ADVOCATE FOR RIGHTS FOR ALL PEOPLE, EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL PEOPLE.

UM, MR. BARFIELD AND 28 OTHER AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BACK IN 1960, THEY PARTICIPATED IN MARCH INS, I MEAN MARCHES, SIT-INS.

AND THEY PROTESTED IN MARCH FOR EIGHT MONTHS.

AND AFTER EIGHT MONTHS, RIGHT HERE IN OUR DOWNTOWN NEWBURN, THEY PUT A MARK IN ON HISTORY.

UM, MR. BARFIELD CAME BEFORE THIS BOARD, BEFORE THE BOARD OF BALDMAN AND, UM, AT THAT TIME, MAYOR OUT, UH, OUTLAW.

UM, GRANTED THAT PROCLAMATION, MR. BAR ASKED FOR A PROCLAMATION SIGNIFYING THAT THE MONTH OF MARCH BE REMEMBERED AND THAT WE NOT FORGET THE FORGOTTEN 29.

SO HERE WE ARE, MARCH 20, 24, 64 YEARS LATER AND I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET MR. BARFIELD NOR THE FORGOTTEN 29.

UM, ALSO, UM, THIS IS, UM, WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO YOU ALDERMAN ROYAL AND TO ALL THE YOUNG LADIES OUT IN THE, THAT'S PRESENT HERE TONIGHT AND THOSE THAT ARE VIEWING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT FOR ALL YOU DO FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR CITY.

BACK TO? THAT WAS LEFT OVER.

THAT'S IT.

ALRIGHT, HONOR MCKINSEY.

NOTHING TONIGHT, SIR.

HONOR, ASK NOTHING TONIGHT, SIR.

ORMAN ROYAL NOTHING TONIGHT.

UH, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT.

UH, THANK YOU BAR ALMAN VEST FOR BRINGING THAT UP ABOUT, UM, POPEYE BARFIELD AS MOST OF THEM KNEW HIM.

UM, I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND UNFORTUNATELY NOT ABLE TO MAKE HIS SERVICE.

UM, BUT I WAS TALKING TO A GENTLEMAN THAT'S A FRIEND OF MINE THAT'S ON THE BATES FOUNDATION.

HE SAYS, YOU KNOW THAT THAT OWL, HE WAS A GREAT GUY.

I SAID, YEAH, HE WAS.

I SAID, WHY DO YOU SAY THAT? HE SAYS, WELL, HE SAID ONE TIME HE HAD APPLIED TO THE BATES FOUNDATION FOR A GRANT FOR I THINK HE SAID FOR SOME AIR CONDITIONING UNITS.

AND HE SAID THEY GRANTED HIM THAT FUNDING AND HE, HE GOT THE MONEY.

HE SAID THEY DID THE PROJECT AND THEY CAME IN UNDER BUDGET BY JUST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS.

AND HE SAID POPEYE CALLED HIM AND SAID, WE CAME IN UNDER BUDGET A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS.

WHERE CAN I SEND THIS MONEY

[01:10:01]

AND YOU KNOW, THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE CHARACTER OF OF POPEYE.

HE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE MISSED.

UM, I KNOW EACH TIME, UM, AROUND THANKSGIVING HE WOULD REACH OUT AND ASK FOR DONATIONS.

'CAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAD A THANKSGIVING MEAL.

SO I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOMEBODY, UM, THAT WILL STEP UP TO HELP FILL THAT GAP.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT CAN QUITE, QUITE FILL THE WHOLE THING, BUT, UM, MAYBE IF A FEW PEOPLE JOIN TOGETHER, THEY CAN HELP CLOSE IT UP.

SO HE WILL DEFINITELY BE MISSED.

UH, DO WE NEED A CLOSED SESSION? UH, NO SIR.

ALRIGHT.

NO OTHER BUSINESS WILL COME BEFORE THE BOARD.

I ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

YES, SIR.