Jan 14, 2025 Board of Aldermen

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YEP.

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

PRAYER TONIGHT WILL BE GIVEN BY ALDERMAN ROYAL.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US THAT WE SHOULD PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN LEADERSHIP AND IN AUTHORITY OVER US.

SO IF YOU WOULD, WOULD YOU BOW YOUR HEADS AND PRAY WITH ME? FATHER, WE PRAY TONIGHT IN THE NAME OF JESUS THAT YOUR WILL WILL BE DONE.

THAT YOUR NAME WILL BE EXALTED, AND THAT YOUR GLORY WILL BE SEEN.

I THANK YOU FOR THIS BOARD OF ALDERMAN AS WE GOVERN THE CITY OF NEW BERN, THAT YOU WILL GIVE US WISDOM, THAT YOU'LL GIVE US UNDERSTANDING, AND YOU'LL GIVE US CLARITY OF YOUR WILL.

I PRAY, FATHER GOD, THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THAT WE WILL HAVE IN HEART THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY, AND THAT WHATEVER WE DO WILL BE IN FAVOR OF OUR CITIZENS.

I PRAY THAT EACH MEMBER OF THIS BOARD WILL HELP THE WISDOM AND STRENGTH TO KNOW YOUR WILL AND TO DO IT, AND TO BE MINDFUL THAT WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.

I PAUSE ALSO TO PRAY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING MASSIVE DEVASTATION IN CALIFORNIA, MAY THEY BE COMFORTED BY YOUR STRENGTH.

YES.

AND BY YOUR LOVE.

YES.

IN JESUS' NAME I PRAY.

AMEN.

AMEN.

AMEN.

IF YOU'RE ABLE TO STAND, PLEASE DO SO.

WE PLEDGE TO FLAG OUR COUNTRY.

I PLEDGE JESUS TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UN GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ALDERMAN REEL.

HERE.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

HERE.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

HERE.

MAYOR ODOM.

HERE.

ALDERMAN KENZIE.

HERE.

ALDERMAN.

BEST PRESENT.

OKAY.

BOARD.

UM, NEXT

[3. Approve Agenda.]

ANY CHANGES THAT YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE TO THAT MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS IS.

SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? AGENDA IS APPROVED.

NEXT

[4. Request and Petition of Citizens.]

FIRST UP IS S SEAL WASSERMAN.

GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO, UH, SPEAK.

UM, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIVE IN NEW BERN AND HAVE OPTIMUM, YOU NO LONGER HAVE CBS AND A FEW OTHER CHANNELS.

THIS COMPANY HAS A MONOPOLY.

THEY'RE SERVICE IS RIDICULOUS.

THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATION THAT THE CHANNELS WERE GOING TO BE REMOVED.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY CAROLINA COLORS HAS SPECTRUM, BUT WE DON'T HAVE IT IN THE WESTERN PART OF NEWBERG.

IF THE COMPANY, IF THE, THE SPECTRUM AND OPTIMUM WERE BOTH IN COMPETITION, WE WOULD HAVE BETTER SERVICE, BETTER PRICES.

I BEG YOU.

PLEASE CONSIDER ALLOWING SPECTRUM, WHATEVER THE PAPERWORK THAT HAS TO GO THROUGH WITH THE FCC AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

BUT PLEASE, I AM SITTING THERE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HAVE NO SOUND.

I WENT FOR ONE MONTH WITHOUT TV, WITHOUT CABLE TV BECAUSE I COULDN'T ARRANGE MY SCHEDULE TO MEET WITH THEIR SCHEDULE.

AND IT WAS AFTER THEY HAD DONE AN UPGRADE AND KNOCKED ME OUT THE, I WAS TOLD I WAS GOING TO GET A REFUND.

$14 FOR NO SERVICE FOR ONE MONTH.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

UM, MS. WASSERMAN, JUST SO YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE MR. ATTORNEY, IF YOU CAN CORRECT ME, I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, UH, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOOK THE FRANCHISE RIGHTS AWAY FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE NO CONTROL WHATSOEVER.

IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO COME AND INSTALL LIKE METRONET DID, WE WOULD WORK WITH THEM AND THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO OTHER THAN JUST ASKING MORE COMPETITION TO COME, WHICH WE'VE DONE.

UNFORTUNATELY, METRO NET DOES NOT PROVIDE CABLE SERVICE.

[00:05:01]

SO YOU HAVE TO GO TO SOME OTHER ENTITY AND THAT IS A DISSERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF NEWBURGH.

AND IF THAT MEANS WE NEED TO GO TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THAT'S EASILY SAID AND DONE.

I KNOW.

UM, OUR REPRESENTATIVE AND I KNOW OUR SENATOR.

I WILL TAKE IT UP WITH THEM ALSO.

ALRIGHT.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

RESPECT FROM .

UM, THERE IS ANOTHER COMPANY IN CAROLINA COLORS.

IT'S IT'S PART OF YOUR HOAI THINK IT COMES AUTOMATICALLY.

YEAH.

OKAY.

NEXT UP IS HELEN ROBINSON.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

ALDERMAN ALDER WOMEN.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE TIME AND ENERGY THAT YOU SPEND IN DOING THE BUSINESS OF OUR CITY.

I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

THANK YOU.

I WANTED TO JUST SPEAK BRIEFLY ABOUT, I CALL IT THE MESS IN WARD SIX.

IT'S BEEN MONTHS NOW AND WE HAVEN'T YET RESOLVED THE ALDERMAN RACE.

AND I JUST WANT TO, UM, SHARE MY VIEW THAT, UM, I THINK DANA IS A NICE GUY AND HE SERVED THE CITY FAITHFULLY.

AND I THINK IT'S TIME FOR SOME FRESH LEADERSHIP AND I HOPE WE FIND A WAY FORWARD SOON.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

NEXT UP IS JOHN CHO.

UH, MAYOR OLDMAN.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME MY FOUR MINUTES OF FAME HERE.

UM, BRIEFLY, UH, I JUST WANT TO ASK AND MAKE A COMMENT.

I KNOW THAT THERE IS AN OPENING FOR THE RESIDENTS FOR THE MSDS, UH, ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS THE RUBRIC THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING USED? 'CAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS A ROTATING SEAT, SO THAT WAY SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD BE ABLE TO BE PART OF THE MC ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS ONE OF THE RY WHO ACTUALLY PAYS INTO THE MC TAX.

SO, UM, THERE IS A METHODOLOGY THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING USED BY THE CITY AS TO WHO GETS TO BE PART OF THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

UM, MR. CLERK, I BELIEVE THE ONLY VACANCY IS THE EX-OFFICIO FROM THE BOARD VACANCY.

IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.

SO MR. CHO, THE ONLY VACANCY THAT'S ON THE MSD ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOW WOULD BE SOMEONE FROM THIS BOARD ON THIS BOARD OF ALDERMAN TO SERVE.

THAT'S THE ONLY VACANCY THAT'S OPEN RIGHT NOW.

OKAY.

WHAT, WHAT IS THE, THEN THE RUBRIC FOR SOMEBODY NEW TO COME IN TO BE PART OF IT WHEN THERE'S A ROTATING SEAT? MR. ATTORNEY DOESN'T, DOES IT COME TO THE BOARD? IT, IT DOES COME BEFORE, COME BEFORE THE BOARD AND THE ORDINANCE OR THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THAT COMMITTEE SETS FORTH THE DIFFERENT, UM, TERMS AND THEIR EXPIRATIONS.

SO YEAH, MAY MAYBE, UM, IF CITY CLERK COULD EMAIL YOU A COPY OF THAT RESOLUTION, THAT THAT SETS OUT ALL THOSE DATES AND TIMEFRAMES WOULD BE HELPFUL.

THAT'D BE TERRIFIC.

THANK YOU.

SO, YES, SIR.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

UH, NEXT

[Consent Agenda]

IT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD ON ITEMS NUMBER FIVE THROUGH SEVEN.

MAYOR, IF THERE'S NO CHANGE TO THIS, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE WILL HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE STARTING WITH ALDERMAN FRILL.

ALDERMAN FRILL.

YES.

ALDERMAN MEMORIAL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

YES.

ALDERMAN KENZIE.

YES.

ALDERMAN BEST? YES.

MAYOR ODOM.

YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

[8. Presentation of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024.]

MS. OSTROM, GOOD EVENING BOARD.

THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 AUDIT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED AS OF NOVEMBER 15TH, 2024.

AS IN THE PAST, THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDES MEMBERS FROM THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, THE CITY MANAGER, THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND THREE BOARD MEMBERS, WHICH ARE ALDERMAN PRI, ALDERMAN ROYAL, AND MAYOR ODOM ME AT THE BEGINNING, MIDWAY THROUGH AND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE AUDIT WITH THE AUDIT STAFF.

THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE IS TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY AND ASSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERNANCE.

THE COMMITTEE HAS MET AND REVIEWED THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND DISCUSSED THE AUDIT OUTCOMES WITH THE AUDITOR.

IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS IN YOUR, WHAT IS IN YOUR PACKETS TONIGHT, I EMAILED A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF WHAT WILL BE COVERED AS WELL.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT AND THANK THE ALDERMAN FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE FY 24 AUDIT COMMITTEE.

AND

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AND NOW I PRESENT TO YOU, MR. ALLEN THOMPSON WITH THOMSON PRICE.

SCOTT ADAMS AND COMPANY, MR. THOMPSON WILL DIS DISCUSS THE CITY'S ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE REPORT AND THE AUDIT RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2024.

THANK YOU.

AND, AND GOOD EVENING.

YOU CAN FLIP.

THAT'D BE AWESOME.

OKAY.

IT'D BE, IF YOU GO TO PAGE ONE, THAT'D BE AWESOME.

YOU SHOULD HAVE A, A SMALLER PRESENTATION LOOKS LIKE THIS IN FRONT OF YOU.

UH, THANK YOU.

ALL THE MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, UH, WE, WE FIND THAT AS AN AUDITOR, UH, VERY HELPFUL TO US.

IT GIVES US DIRECT FEEDBACK ON ANYTHING THAT THE BOARD, UH, IS INTERESTED IN, IN TERMS OF SPECIFICS.

SO IT GIVES US A, A GREAT IDEA AND GIVES US FEEDBACK ON WHAT YOU MAY WANT US TO LOOK AT OVER AND ABOVE WHAT OUR NORMAL AUDIT PROCEDURES MIGHT BE.

AND THE MAIN THING YOU HIRE US AS AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT FIRM TO DO IS ISSUE AN OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS A WHOLE.

WE ISSUED UNMODIFIED REPORT, WHICH IS A QUOTE UNQUOTE GOOD REPORT, BEST REPORT, HIGHEST REPORT WE CAN ISSUE ON PAGE ONE UNDER SIGNIFICANT AUDIT FINDINGS, QUALITATIVE ASPECTS OF ACCOUNTING PRACTICE SAYS IN EACH OF THOSE THREE PARAGRAPHS, THERE'S A KEY PHRASE OR A SET OF WORDS, APPROPRIATE ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT DISCLOSURES.

WE WERE FINE WITH ALL THREE OF THOSE.

AND THEN ON PAGE TWO, UH, THERE WERE NO DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN PERFORMING THE AUDIT.

THERE WERE NO UNCORRECTED MISSTATEMENTS.

THERE WERE NO DISAGREEMENTS WITH MANAGEMENT.

MANAGEMENT DID PROVIDE US WITH A REPRESENTATION LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 15TH, AND WE'RE UNAWARE THAT MANAGEMENT CONSULTED THE OUTSIDE ACCOUNTANTS, AUDITORS, ET CETERA.

UNDER THE TWO COMMENTS THERE, UH, BULLET POINTS, UH, WE BELIEVE THAT CONTINUING EFFORTS NEED TO BE MADE TO ENSURE REVENUES ARE COLLECTED FOR PROJECTS WITH NEGATIVE FUND BALANCES.

OTHERWISE, TRANSFERS NEED TO BE BUDGETED, RECORDED TO CLEAR THEM UP.

AND THEN MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO REVIEW THE USE OF CONTRA EXPENSE ACCOUNTS AND HOW TO PROPERLY ACCOUNT FOR ASSET ADDITIONS AND OPERATING FUND PROJECTS.

UM, ADDITIONALLY, THE EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT ENTRIES ARE REQUIRED FOR GABY'S 87 96.

AND THAT'S THE LEASES AND THE SUBSCRIPTION BASE SOFTWARE, UM, UH, STANDARDS THERE.

AND THEN IF YOU'D BE KIND ENOUGH TO FLIP OVER TO PAGE FOUR ON PAGE FOUR HERE, UM, THERE'S ONE MORE PAGE I THINK.

SO WE WE'RE NOT SAYING THESE ARE ALL THE KEY NUMBERS IN THE AUDIT REPORT, BUT THESE ARE DEFINITELY SOME OF THE KEY NUMBERS IN THE AUDIT REPORT.

AND WHAT WE ATTEMPT TO DO IS PUT THIS FIRST COLUMN OF 2024 YEAR END NUMBERS, AND THEN THE FOUR PRIOR YEAR AUDIT NUMBERS THERE IS TO GIVE YOU, UH, SOME CONTEXT AND NOT JUST A NUMBER IN SPACE.

SO IS THE GENERAL FUND FUND BALANCE OF 36 MILLION, IS THAT NUMBER GOING UP COMPARED TO PRIOR YEAR NUMBERS? AND IF YOU GO BACK TO 2020, YOU CAN SEE THAT NUMBER AT 21,000,681.

AND OBVIOUSLY THE CURRENT YEAR NUMBER THERE IS 36,052,000.

UNAVAILABLE FUND BALANCE, 11.5 MILLION RESTRICTED AND ASSIGNED AT 14.7.

THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES AT 42 MILLION 8, 9 1, AND THEN THE FUND BALANCE AVAILABLE AS A PERCENTAGE AT 57.22%.

AND THEN THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE THERE AT 20 MILLION 1 0 5 8 29, THE CITY DOES HAVE A POLICY THAT RESTRICTS 25% OF FUND BALANCE.

IF YOU WERE TO LOOK IN YOUR AUDIT REPORT, YOU'D SEE ON PAGE 63, THAT NUMBER I THINK IS A LITTLE OVER 11 MILLIONS, WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THIS NUMBER BECAUSE THAT'S A CITY RESTRICTION, A BOARD RESTRICTION, IF YOU WILL.

AND THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE IS A PERCENTAGE AT 46.88%.

THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE IS A PERCENTAGE, AGAIN, IS 46.82%.

AND THEN THE REVENUES OVER AND UNDER EXPENSES BEFORE TRANSFERS.

UH, IT'S A NEGATIVE 5.7 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND.

THE ELECTRIC FUND WAS A POSITIVE 405,000.

THE WATER FUND THERE, POSITIVE 1,000,651 AND THE SEWER FUND A POSITIVE NINE 26,000 WITHOUT READING ALL THE FIXED ASSETS NUMBER THERE.

YOU CAN SEE 'EM FOR THE ELECTRIC, THE WATER, AND THE SEWER FUNDS THERE.

THE TOTAL FIXED ASSETS ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION IN CASH.

AND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IN EACH OF THOSE IS NOT THAT THE QUOTE NET POSITION IS INCREASING AS MUCH AS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A POSITIVE CASH FLOW IN EACH OF THOSE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE, IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, NO INTENTION OF EVER SELLING ANY OF THE ASSETS OF THE UNDERLYING FUND THERE.

[00:15:01]

AND I, AND I'LL SAY, UH, POSITIVE OPERATIONAL CASH FLOW, UM, BECAUSE YOUR CASH FLOW COULD GO DOWN BECAUSE YOU MADE A SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, BUT YOU COULD STILL HAVE POSITIVE OPERATIONAL CASH FLOW.

THEN YOU SEE THE CASH IN THE GENERAL FUND THERE AT 28.9 MILLION.

IF YOU WOULD GO BACK TO 2020, YOU CAN SEE THAT 10.7 MILLION.

AND THEN THE ELECTRIC FUND AT 10.8 MILLION.

WATER FUND THERE AT 15.8, THE SEWER FUND AT 7,000,058.

AND THEN THE FEMA, THEY'RE, UH, 1,000,200 56,000.

OTHER GOVERNMENTAL IS AT 5 MILLION 9 56.

AND THEN THE FUND BALANCE.

AND THAT POSITIONS THERE AT 36 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND AGAIN.

AND AT THE ELECTRIC AT 50.7, WATER AT 50.2, THE SEWER FUND AT 68.5 MILLION, THE FEMA IS A NEGATIVE 832,000.

AND THEN THE FUND BALANCE OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL IS 6,000,149.

YOU CAN SEE YOUR PROPERTY TAX RATES THERE.

NEXT, ON THE NEXT LINE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE CURRENT YEAR HAD TO DIP BECAUSE OF REVALUATION.

YOUR COLLECTION PERCENTAGE AT 99.44% IS EXCELLENT.

AND THE PROPERTY VALUATIONS AND LEVY AMOUNTS THERE, UH, IN THE NEXT TWO LINES.

AND THEN YOUR DEBT, THEY'RE BOTH FOR GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES AND FOR BUSINESS TYPE ACTIVITIES.

IT COULD BE KIND ENOUGH TO FLIP OVER TO PAGE FIVE.

I WON'T READ EVERY SINGLE LINE OF THAT, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE BREAKDOWN OF YOUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES THERE WITH A TOTAL OF 40 MILLION 4 76.

IF YOU GO BACK TO 2020, THAT, UH, SAME NUMBER AS 30,629,000 AND THE EXPENDITURES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, 46,000,193.

AND THE EXPENDITURES IN 2020 WERE 33.4 MILLION.

SO BOTH ARE, UH, TRENDING UP SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND ON PAGE SIX, YOU SEE YOUR TOTAL FUND BALANCE RESTRICTED AND ASSIGNED AND COMMITTED ARPA FUNDS THERE, UH, IN BAR CHART.

AND THEN ON THE BOTTOM, YOU SEE YOUR ANALYSIS OF FUND BALANCE AVAILABLE COMPARED WITH YOUR GROUP WEIGHTED AVERAGE.

YOU CAN SEE IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS YOU WERE BELOW.

AND THEN, UH, THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, UH, YOU'RE ABOVE THAT GROUP WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER.

AND THEN ON PAGE SEVEN, YOU CAN SEE YOUR ANALYSIS OF UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCES PERCENTAGE.

UH, WE PUT A GREEN DOTTED LINE THERE TO SHOW THE EXCLUSIVE OF FEMA HURRICANE FLORENCE FUND BALANCE.

AND THEN ON THE BOTTOM YOU SEE YOUR REVENUES OVER AND UNDER EXPENSES BEFORE TRANSFERS AND CONTRIBUTION FOR EACH OF THE FOUR FUNDS, THE GENERAL ELECTRIC ORDER AND THE SEWER FUNDS.

ON PAGE EIGHT, YOU SEE AT THE TOP, THERE ARE TWO PIE CHARTS, UH, FOR CASH BALANCES AND FUND BALANCES, AND WITH THE RESPECTIVE NUMBERS RIGHT UNDERNEATH THAT.

AND YOU CAN SEE CASH BALANCES AT 62.7 MILLION AND TOTAL FUND BALANCES THERE AT 205.6 MILLION.

THE BOTTOM CHART THERE SHOWS, UH, WHERE Y'ALL WERE TRACKING RIGHT ALONG WITH THE GROUP WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNTIL THE REVALUATION, AND THEN THE DROP SHOWED YOU, UH, COMING DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND THEN ON PAGE NINE, YOU SEE THE, UH, THE CITIES ALONG WITH THE GROUP WEIGHTED AVERAGE AND THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE THERE.

FOR PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION PERCENTAGES, 99% OBVIOUSLY IS A VERY GOOD PERCENTAGE.

ON THE BOTTOM OF THAT CHART, YOU CAN SEE WHERE YOUR AVALOR TAXES, WHY WE TALK ABOUT IT SO MUCH, BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE OVERALL GENERAL FUND REVENUE.

AT 47.84%, THE SALES TAX, WHICH IS IN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE, THERE IS ANOTHER LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL REVENUE.

AND THEN ON PAGE 10, YOU SEE A BREAKDOWN OF THE EXPENDITURES BY PERCENTAGE WITH PUBLIC SAFETY BEING THE LARGEST THERE, SLIGHTLY OVER 50%, 50.6%, THEN PUBLIC WORKS BEING THE NEXT GENERAL GOVERNMENT.

UH, FOLLOWING UP ON THAT.

AND THEN FINALLY ON THE LAST PAGE, THERE'S A COUPLE, UM, THEY CALL 'EM EPIC, WHICH IS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OF CONCERN THAT THE LGC, YOU'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD LONG ENOUGH, YOU MAY HAVE REMEMBERED, UH, THE OLD UNIT LETTERS.

THE LGC USED TO SEND OUT THIS REPLACES THAT QUOTE UNIT LETTER.

UM, AND THE FIRST ONE IS THE ELECTRIC FUND.

THEY'RE BASICALLY LOOKING FOR, UH, UNRESTRICTED CASH TO BE GREATER PERCENTAGE.

YOU CAN READ THAT, UH, WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.

I THINK MS. KIM'S ALREADY PREPARED THE

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UM, AND THEN ON THE BOTTOM, THERE WAS A PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENT.

UH, THE CITY USES DEBT BOOK, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR, UH, OR MOST WELL USED, UH, GROUPS TO CALCULATE, UM, THE SPIT A AMOUNT SUBSCRIPTION BASED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSETS.

AND BASED ON THE TIMING OF THAT, UM, THERE WAS A CALCULATION ERROR IN THAT IT DIDN'T CHANGE MONEY.

IT'S A CALCULATION ERROR ON, IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH ACTUARIAL, IT'S ALMOST AN ACTUARIAL TYPE CALCULATION.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT THAT, UH, PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENT WAS ABOUT.

WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE FOR ME, NOT JUST NOW OR ANY, ANY TIME.

AND I THINK SEVERAL OF YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH MY COLLEAGUE HUNTER, AND YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME TO CALL HIM AS WELL.

UH, WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.

WE THINK IT'S HELPFUL, THE FEEDBACK INTERACTION THAT WE'RE GETTING.

HOPEFULLY THAT'S PRO, UH, HELPING YOU AS WELL.

BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

NEXT UP IS

[9. Conduct a Public Hearing and Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Annex Portions of Tax Parcel IDs 8- 222- 18001 and 8- 222- 136.]

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PORTIONS OF TAX.

PARTIAL IS 8 2 2 2 1 8 0 0 1 AND 8 2 2 2 1 3 6.

MR. HUGHES.

THANK YOU MAYOR ALDERMAN.

IF WE RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM TANYA DELLA HUNT TO ANNEX THE PROPERTIES IN QUESTION, UH, THE TOTAL PROPERTY IS CONSIST OF ABOUT 1.246 ACRES.

THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT SEVEN 60 AND 7 84 HIGHWAY 55 WEST.

IF THE ANNEXATION IS APPROVED, THE PROPERTY WILL BE IN WARD FIVE.

AFTER CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING, THE BOARD IS ASKED TO CONSIDER THIS REQUEST BOARD.

HAVE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY.

AT THIS TIME, WE WILL OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER NINE.

IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST OR HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE.

AT THIS TIME, MAYOR, MAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

A AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.

WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD? ON ITEM NUMBER NINE, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO ANNEX PORTIONS OF TAX PARCELS ID.

EIGHT DASH 22 2 DASH 8 0 1 AND EIGHT DASH 2 22 DASH THREE SIX SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MAYOR, JUST, UH, ONE QUESTION.

SURE.

UM, I GUESS DIRECTED TO, UM, THE CITY ATTORNEY, TYPICALLY WITH, WHEN WE RECEIVE A REQUEST TO ANNEX PROPERTY, WE'RE DEALING WITH THE WHOLE LOT SIZE.

THESE TWO PROPERTIES WERE ONLY BEING ASKED TO ANNEX A PORTION OF THE LOTS.

UM, IT JUST SEEMS A LITTLE BIT OUT OF THE ORDINARY, BUT, UH, I JUST, MY QUESTION IS, DOES THAT PRESENT ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE? UM, IN ANY WAY BY, BY ONLY ANNEXING PORTIONS OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY? UM, IT, IT DOESN'T AS LONG AS IT'S IN COMMON OWNERSHIP.

AND THIS IS, UM, IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

IT IS UNUSUAL.

UM, BUT IF YOU RECALL, OFTENTIMES ZONING LINES WILL SPLIT PARCELS JUST LIKE ANNEXATIONS CAN AS WELL.

NOT TYPICAL, BUT, BUT IT'S DONE.

OKAY.

THAT'S ALL.

MAY.

OKAY.

THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

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

ALDERMAN ROYAL, YES.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

YES.

ALDERMAN KENZIE.

YES.

ALDERMAN BEST? YES.

ALDERMAN KRELL.

YES.

MAYOR ODOM.

YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT

[10. Conduct a Public Hearing and Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Rezone Tax Parcel ID 8- 222- 204.]

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE TAX PARCEL ID.

8 2 2 2 2 4.

MR. GOFF EVENING MAYOR, THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN EVENING.

THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT IS THE REZONING KNOWN AS US INVEST.

UH, THAT CASE NUMBER IS REZ 29 76 DASH 2024.

THE APPLICANT IS US INVEST, UH, AND THE OWNERS ARE TERRA FROM A LAND COMPANY, UH, BOTH REPRESENTED BY KENNETH WENRICK.

THE LOCATION IS JUST NORTH OF WEST PLEASANT HILL DRIVE AND IT'S IDENTIFIED BY THAT PARCEL, PARCEL NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

IT'S CURRENT ZONING IS A FIVE OR AGRICULTURE

[00:25:01]

IT'S APPROXIMATELY EIGHT AND A QUARTER ACRES IN SIZE.

THIS VICINITY YOUR MAP SHOWS ITS LOCATION, AGAIN, JUST NORTH OF WEST PLEASANT HILL DRIVE.

YOU MAY REMEMBER LAST YEAR THERE WAS A PARCEL ADJACENT TO THIS THAT CAME WITH THE SAME REQUEST.

UH, THAT IS THE LARGER PARCEL OFF TO THE RIGHT.

UH, THIS SIGN WAS POSTED ON JANUARY 3RD TO SATISFY, UH, THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR POSTING NOTICE AS WELL AS LETTERS BEING MAILED OUT.

AND THE VICINITY MAP SHOWS ALL THOSE WITHIN THAT BLUE HIGHLIGHTED AREA WHO WERE MAILED.

NOTICE OF THIS REZONING A SUMMARY OF THE AGRICULTURE FIVE ZONING DISTRICT.

IT, UH, FOCUSES ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RELATED USES.

IT CAN ALSO, UH, ACCOMMODATE RESIDENTIAL USES AND LIMITED USES THAT SUPPORT THOSE INDUSTRIES.

AND THE RESIDENTIAL SIX ZONING DISTRICT SUMMARY, UH, IT'S A MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TYPE DISTRICT.

UH, MINIMUM LOT SIZE IS 6,000 SQUARE FEET.

IT ALSO ACCOMMODATES SINGLE FAMILY USES AS WELL AS MULTIFAMILY USES, VERY LIMITED COMMERCIAL USES OR NON-RESIDENTIAL.

THE USE COMPARISON CHART SHOWS VARIOUS USES THAT ARE PERMITTED EITHER BY RIGHT OR BY SPECIAL USE.

UH, GENERALLY SPEAKING ON OUR TABLE OF PERMITTED USES, THERE ARE MORE, BUT IF THERE'S NOTHING LOCATED NEXT TO THAT USE, IT'S NOT PERMITTED AT ALL IN THAT ZONING DISTRICT.

UH, SOME EXAMPLES ALLOWED IN BOTH IS SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL.

UH, A DIFFERENCE WOULD BE IN THE R SIX MULTIFAMILY IS ALLOWED IN THE A FIVE.

IT IS NOT.

THE EXISTING ZONING MAP SHOWS THE LIGHT GREEN AS AGRICULTURE FIVE.

SO THIS PARCEL IS, UH, ADJACENT TO SEVERAL LOTS, ZONED A FIVE.

AND TO THE RIGHT YOU'LL SEE THE R SIX ZONING DISTRICT.

SO IT IS ALSO, UH, ADJACENT TO THAT ZONING DISTRICT TO THE SOUTH, YOU'LL SEE A, A MANILA COLORED ZONING DISTRICT THAT IS A LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL R 20.

IN THE FUTURE, LAND USE CATEGORY FOR THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS DEVELOPED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

UH, AND THIS IDENTIFIES THIS PROPERTY AS BEING PRIMED FOR DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION.

UH, IT DOES TALK ABOUT RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES RANGING UP TO FIVE DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE AND HIGHER DENSITIES UP TO 12, UH, WITH MULTIFAMILY USES.

AND THIS IS ALSO WITHIN THE NC 43 FOCUS AREA.

UH, AND THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2010 LAND USE PLAN AS WELL AS THE 2022 UPDATE.

UH, AND THIS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS AREA WOULD'VE BEEN ONE OF THE PLACES THAT IS SLOW TO GROW, UH, AND IS ALSO PRIME FOR GROWTH.

AN AERIAL IMAGERY OF THIS PROPERTY SHOWS THAT IT IS CURRENTLY FORESTED AND UNDEVELOPED, UH, AS IS THE ADJACENT PROPERTY TO THE RIGHT.

AND THIS IS, UH, AGAIN, ANOTHER PHOTO OF THE SIGN, BUT IT DOES SHOW THE EXISTING CONDITIONS OF VEGETATION AND WOODS FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD HELD ITS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 14TH AND VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THIS REZONING.

UH, AND THIS RECOMMENDATION WAS BASED ON IT BEING CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S LAND USE PLAN AND ITS UPDATE.

UH, ANOTHER CONSIDERATION, UH, FOR THIS PROPERTY IS THAT IT IS ADJACENT TO BOTH A FIVE AS WELL AS OUR SIX ZONE PROPERTIES.

AND I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE WARD.

DOES THE BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS? YES, I DO.

YES, MA'AM.

YES, MA'AM.

UM, MR. COLE, UM, I GOT SEVERAL, UM, CONTACTS FROM CITIZENS THAT LIVE WITHIN THAT 100, UH, FOOT AREA.

UM, AND A LOT OF 'EM HAD CONCERNS.

SO CAN YOU GO BACK TO WHERE, WHAT IS THE, SOME OF THE USES FOR THIS IF IT BECOMES A RESIDENTIAL? UM, SURE.

NOW THE, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER WANTING TO REZONE THEIR PROPERTY AND POTENTIAL, UH, WHATEVER THEIR PLANS MAY BE FOR DEVELOPMENT.

BUT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM, UM, IF IT WILL BE ALLOWABLE FOR, UM, UH, I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST TRAILER PARKS.

OKAY.

BUT TRAILER PARKS WITHIN THAT PARTICULAR ZONING AREA.

NOW I DO KNOW THERE'S SOME OVER ON 43.

UM, BUT, UM, WITH THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF PROPERTY, UH, CAN A MOBILE HOME PART COME WITH THE, WITH, ON THAT PROPERTY? I DO KNOW THAT, UH, INDIVIDUAL MOBILE HOMES, LIKE IF A SINGLE PROPERTY OWNER PURCHASED IT, THEY COULD PLACE A MOBILE HOME ON THERE.

I BELIEVE IN THE R SIX ZONING DISTRICT, THE MANUFACTURED HOME PARK WOULD BE PERMITTED BY SPECIAL USE.

OKAY.

UH, SO BOTH MULTIFAMILY AND A MANUFACTURED HOME PARK IF PROPOSED WOULD GO BEFORE THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

OKAY.

UM, THAT'S STILL, THAT'S THE ONLY, UH, LIKE I SAID, AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WANTING TO BE ZO THEIR PROPERTY AND MOVING FORWARD MAY WANT TO DEVELOP THEIR

[00:30:01]

YES, SIR.

SO, UM, AND THAT'S, THAT'S THE ONLY QUESTION THAT I HAVE HAD FOR YOU.

OKAY.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I HAVE A QUESTION.

YOU MENTIONED ADJACENT PROPERTY.

ARE BOTH THOSE PROPERTIES OWNED BY US INVEST? UH, I DON'T BELIEVE CURRENTLY IT IS BOTH IN OWNERSHIP OF THE SAME PROPERTY OWNER, NO.

BUT ANOTHER OWNER CAME FOR REZONING LAST YEAR, CORRECT.

FOR THE ADJACENT PROPERTY? THAT IS CORRECT.

AND YOU SAID THIS IS ON THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT? UH, THE ONE FROM LAST YEAR IS TO THE RIGHT MM-HMM .

UH, AND THIS ONE DOES, UH, ABUT IT.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING OFF TO THE RIGHT, THAT AWKWARD SHAPED LONG LOT, UH, WAS THE ONE FROM LAST YEAR, AND THE ONE IN THE RED IS THE ONE THAT WE'RE DOING TODAY.

AND THE RESULT OF LAST YEAR WAS FOR R SIX, CORRECT? SAME, SAME SITUATION.

A FIVE TO R SIX.

THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTION? , WHERE WOULD, I'M ASSUMING THAT THE INGRESS AND EGRESS WOULD BE OVER ON THE 43 SIDE, OR HAS THAT BEEN DISCUSSED YET OR SO FOR THIS PROPERTY, IT DOES ABUT A ROAD.

UH, I DO BELIEVE IT IS A DIRT ROAD.

UH, SO LIKELY IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ANY SORT OF SIGNIFICANT USE.

UH, FOR, IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY FOR THE ADJACENT PROPERTY, UH, IF IT STILL REMAINS UNDER A DIFFERENT OWNERSHIP, IF THERE'S A DIFFERENT PLAN WITH THAT.

BUT THIS ONE IS JUST NORTH OF THAT ROAD, UH, WEST PLEASANT HILL DRIVE.

MM-HMM .

UH, SO THEY WOULD LIKELY TAKE ACCESS FROM THERE BOTH INGRESS AND EGRESS.

OKAY.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY.

THIS TIME I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 10.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE REZONING OF TAX PARCEL ID 8 2 2 2 2 0 4.

IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD TO SPEAK, PLEASE DO SO AT THIS TIME, MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SECOND, HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.

WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD? ON ITEM NUMBER 10, MAYOR, I'LL MAKE A MOTION, UM, TO CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE TAX PARCEL ID.

EIGHT DASH 2 2 2 DASH TWO FOUR.

I 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 NO.

ALDERMAN PRI YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL? YES.

MAYOR ODOM? YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER

[11. Consider Adopting a Resolution Approving an Amended and Restated Transfer and Reversion Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Craven County NC.]

MR. HUGHES MAYOR, IN 2019, THE CITY CONVEYED 10 PARTIALS TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING THOSE PARCELS INTO LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSING WITHIN THE 24 MONTH PERIOD.

OF THOSE 10 PARTIALS SEVEN HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED.

HOWEVER, ONE WAS UNDEVELOPABLE BECAUSE IT WAS IN A SPECIAL FLOOD ZONE THAT THAT PARTIAL HAS BEEN RETURNED TO.

THE CITY HABITAT IS SEEKING AN AMENDED AGREEMENT TO ALLOW AT FIVE YEARS TO DEVELOP THE FINAL TWO PARTIALS.

AND TONIGHT WE DO HAVE TRACY LILY HERE FROM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, WHO CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ON THAT.

DOES THE BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS? MAYOR, ONE QUESTION THAT I HAVE.

UM, AND IT'S REALLY A QUESTED, I GUESS, TO, UM, ANY REPRESENTATIVES OF HABITAT THAT ARE HERE THIS EVENING.

UM, THE REQUEST IS TO EXTEND, UM, THE AGREEMENT FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.

I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER THE ADDITIONAL TWO LOTS, UM, WILL BE DEVELOPED SOONER DURING THAT TIMEFRAME AS OPPOSED TO LATER, OR, YOU KNOW, OR DOES HABITAT NOT HAVE ANY DEFINITIVE PLANS, UM, IN PLACE AS OF TODAY WITH REGARDS TO THESE REMAINING TWO HOMES? THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M TRACY LILY, THE ED.

UM, WE

[00:35:01]

THE THING IS, IS THAT WE HAVE TWO HOMES THAT ARE BUILT NOW THAT ARE ALMOST READY FOR THEIR, UH, HABITAT HOMEOWNER.

THEN THE NEXT TWO PROPERTIES ON HARTFORD, WE HAVE PLANS TO BUILD A FOUR BEDROOM AT 2022 WILL BE THE NEXT PER, UM, BILL.

AND THAT WILL HAPPEN AS SOON AS THIS, UH, IS PASSED.

AND THEN WE ARE GOING DOWN TO HAVELOCK.

WE HAVE SOME PROPERTY IN HAVELOCK BECAUSE WE REPRESENT THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

WE'RE GONNA BUILD IN HAVELOCK.

THEN WE'RE COMING BACK TO THE NEW BERN AREA.

SO WE WANT TO GIVE OURSELVES, UH, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE FOUR OR FIVE HOUSES AND THEN COME ON BACK.

AND THAT'S WHY WE EXTENDED IT TO THE FIVE YEARS.

YES, WE PLAN ON HAVING THAT DONE BEFORE THEN.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

WHAT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD? ON ITEM NUMBER 11, MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO, UM, APPROVE A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDED AND RESTATED TRANSFER AND REVERSION AGREEMENT WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CRAVEN COUNTY.

SECOND.

HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

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

ALDERMAN KENZIE? YES.

ALDERMAN BEST? YES.

ALDERMAN CREEL.

YES.

ALDERMAN MEMORIAL? YES.

ALDERMAN ASER.

YES.

MAYOR ODA? YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT UP IS ITEM

[12. Consider Adopting a Resolution to Sell 513 First Avenue.]

CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO SELL.

FIVE 13 FIRST AVENUE.

MR. HUGHES.

WE RECEIVED AN INITIAL BID OF $2,700 FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION.

THAT BID WAS ADVERTISED IN AN UPSET BID IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,885 WAS RECEIVED FROM BCJ DEVELOPMENT.

LLC.

THE PROPERTY IS A VACANT 0.074 AC RESIDENTIAL PARTIAL WITH THE TAX VALUE OF $5,400.

IT WAS ACQUIRED JOINTLY BY THE CITY AND COUNTY IN APRIL OF 2013 THROUGH TAX FORECLOSURE.

IF THE PROPERTY IS SOLD FOR THE FINAL BID, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $1,710 AND 12 CENTS, AND THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $1,174 88 CENTS.

THIS BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.

IF NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO SELL FIVE 13 FIRST AVENUE.

SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

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

ALDERMAN VEST? YES.

ALDERMAN CREEL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

YES.

ALDERMAN NA.

YES.

ALDERMAN KINZIE.

YES.

MAYOR ODOM.

YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER

[13. Consider Adopting an Ordinance for the Demolition of 618 Crawford Street.]

MR. ZEL EVENING, MR. MAYOR AND THE BOARD.

EVENING.

EVENING.

UM, BEFORE WE PRESENT THIS ORDINANCE, UH, ONE WILL INFORM YOU THAT FILE VIEW DURING THE PRESENT PREPARATION OF THIS ORDINANCE, THE OWNERS OF THIS PROPERTY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH US AND ARE WORKING TOWARDS A PLAN TO ACTUALLY REBUILD THE HOME THAT WE'RE GONNA BE PRESENTING TO YOU.

THIS PRESENTATION IS MORE OF OUR ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE.

NOT SAYING THAT THEY WILL NOT REBUILD.

I HAVE EVERY BIT OF FAITH IN THEM.

THEY WILL DO IT, BUT ON THE OFF CHANCE THAT SOMETHING GOES AWRY, HAVING THAT ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE FROM US STILL IN PLACE IS GONNA BE THE WAY THAT OUR ORDINANCES WERE INTENDED TO WORK.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, STAFF IS SEEKING AN ORDINANCE TO DEMOLISH THE DWELLING LOCATED AT SIX 18 CRAWFORD STREET.

STAFF IS SENT THE OWNER OF RECORD THE INITIAL MINIMAL HOUSING LETTER IN JULY OF 2022, STATING THAT THE DWELLING UNIT LOCATED AT SIX 18 CRAWFORD STREET HAS DEFICIENCIES VIOLATING THE CITY'S MINIMAL HOUSING ORDINANCE.

STAFF HAS ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE OWNERS VIA THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE CERTIFIED NON-CERTIFIED LETTERS WERE DELIVERED WITH LIMITED RESPONSE TO THE OWNER.

WE ALSO TOOK THE, UH, NEXT STEP IN ONE OF THE RULES OF POSTING THESE NOTICES ON THE PROPERTY AND POSTING THESE NOTICES IN THE PAPER.

STAFF FILED A COMPLAINT, A NOTICE OF HEARING IN, IN JUNE OF 2024.

ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS RESPONDED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024 FOR THE HEARING.

IN SEPTEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR, THE ORDER THE BUILDING INSPECTOR WAS, IS, WAS ISSUED AND SERVED TO THE OWNERS TO BRING THE DWELLING BACK INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE MINIMUM HOUSING STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE ORDINANCE.

THAT ORDER EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER OF 2024.

TO DATE THAT THE LOAN STILL REMAINS NONCOMPLIANT, BUT AS I SAID, WHEN I STARTED, THEY HAVE STARTED THE PROCESS OF SUBMITTING ALL THE PAPERWORK

[00:40:01]

THE DEMOLITION ESTIMATE FROM PUBLIC WORKFORCE PROPERTY IS GONNA BE $6,500.

THIS, THIS ESTIMATE DOES NOT INCLUDE ASBESTOS TESTING AND AB ABANDON IF NECESSARY.

AND UTILITY TERMINATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED AT THIS TIME.

STAFF PLANS TO UTILIZE THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THIS PRODUCT.

THE COMPLETE LIST AND CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS IS RELATED TO THIS PROPERTY AS ATTACHED TO THE PRESENTATION TO INCLUDE PICTURES AT THIS TIME.

I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT WE HAVE QUESTIONS.

ARE THEY GOING, YOU SAID THEY'RE GOING TO REBUILD THIS HOUSE OR ARE THEY GOING TO TEAR IT DOWN AND BUILD A NEW ONE? THEY'RE GONNA REBUILD.

I WENT THROUGH THE HOUSE, THE OWNERS WENT THROUGH THE HOUSE.

THE MAJORITY OF THE DAMAGE FOR THE HOUSE WAS IN THE FRONT.

IF YOU SPLIT THE HOUSE IN QUARTERS, THE FRONT QUARTER OF THE HOUSE, MINOR DAMAGE TO SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE.

BUT IT CAN BE REBUILT THE WAY IT STICK AWAYS.

WELL, GOOD.

OKAY.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR US TO STILL ADOPT THE ORDINANCE SO YOU HAVE THAT IN CASE THEY DO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH YES.

AS I EXPRESSED TO THE OWNERS DURING THE HEARING, YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS IS NOT MEANT TO TEAR DOWN HOUSES, BUT YET TO ENCOURAGE BRINGING THOSE HOUSES BACK INTO COMPLIANCE.

BUT WE NEED TO HAVE AN ACCOUNTABILITY PIECE ON THE OFF CHANCE IF SOMETHING GOES AWRY AND THAT HOUSE IS NOT BROUGHT BACK INTO COMPLIANCE IS WITHIN THE TIMELINE OF WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO IF THEY GET THE PERMITS ISSUED TO THEM.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU GIVEN THEM THE, WHEN? ONCE WE ISSUE A BUILDING PERMIT, THE PERMIT IS VALID FOR A YEAR.

BORROWING THAT YOU START WORK WITHIN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.

ONCE YOU STARTED WORK, WITHIN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, THAT PERMIT STAYS ACTIVE FOR A YEAR.

SHOW BORROWING THAT THE PERSON DOING THE WORK CAN SHOW SOME TYPE OF PROBLEMS. SO TECHNICALLY YOU COULD HAVE A PERMIT ON FOR YEARS.

SO I THINK MY QUESTION WAS HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE THEM BEFORE THEY GET THEIR PERMIT? OH, THEY, THEY'RE, THEY HAVE SUBMITTED THE APPLICATIONS.

WE'RE IN PROCESS OF REVIEWING IT.

I PLAN ON HAVING A TERMINATION BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

WELL, WONDERFUL.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD LEAVE.

OKAY.

IT'S A PLEASURE BOARD ON ITEM NUMBER 13, MAKE A MOTION WE ADOPT NO ORDINANCE FOR THE DEMOLITION OF SIX 18 CRAWFORD STREET.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN P PRILL.

ALDERMAN P PRILL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ROYAL.

YES.

ALDERMAN ASTOR.

YES.

ALDERMAN KINZIE.

YES.

ALDERMAN BES.

YES.

MAYOR ODOM.

YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU PATRICK.

NEXT UP

[14. Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Amend the Schedule of Fees and Charges.]

CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES.

MS. OSTROM, CAN I ASK SOMETHING? YES, SIR.

JESSICA, JESSICA, YOU, YOU ARE.

I WANT TO STICK AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES 'CAUSE I, I GOT A QUESTION.

I'M GOING TO, I'M SORRY, MS. OSTRA.

AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, THE BOARD ADAPTED AN AMENDED SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES.

EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2024.

THIS AMENDMENT PROPOSED TO RESTORE PARKS AND FITNESS, UM, RECREATION, I'M SORRY, THIS AMENDMENT HERE PROPOSES TO RESTORE PARKS AND FITNESS RECREATION FEES AND ADD MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR THE STANLEY WHITE REC CENTER.

THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE PRESENTED TO THE IN THE BOARD PACKET FOR TODAY'S MEETING HAS BEEN AMENDED AND A CORRECTED SCHEDULE HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU.

UM, IF YOU GO TO THE RED LINE VERSION ON PAGE THREE OF THAT, OF THE RED LINE VERSION, THE AQUATIC CENTER SEASON PASS IS $60 RESIDENT AND $120 NON-RESIDENT, TOP OF PAGE FOUR.

THE TREE PURCHASE PROGRAM IS $150 TO $250, DEPENDING ON THE SPECIES AND THE BRICK PAPERS FOR $75.

THOSE THREE WERE PREVIOUSLY ADMITTED AND NOW RESTORED.

IF YOU GO ABOUT MIDWAY DOWN THE PAGE, UM, ON PAGE FOUR, YOU'LL SEE THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER MEMBERSHIP FEES.

AND FOR YOUTH AGES 13 THROUGH 17 CHARGES FOR RESIDENCE OF $15 PER MONTH OR FOR $15 MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP.

AND $150 FOR AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP.

NON-RESIDENT IS $30 FOR MONTHLY AND $300 FOR AN ANNUAL, UM, MEMBERSHIP FOR THE ADULTS AGES 18 THROUGH 61, WE HAVE $20 FOR MONTHLY AND $200 FOR AN ANNUAL FOR RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS IS $40 A MONTH OR $400 FOR AN ANNUAL SENIOR CITIZENS AGE 62 AND OLDER $15 A MONTH

[00:45:01]

AND THEN $30 MONTHLY OR $300 FOR AN ANNUAL MEM, I'M SORRY, $30 FOR MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP.

$300 FOR AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FOR NON-RESIDENTS.

THE DAY FITNESS PASS FOR AGES 13 AND OLDER IS $5 PER DAY FOR RESIDENTS, OR $10 PER DAY FOR NON-RESIDENTS.

THE SCHEDULE OF FEES OF CHARGES WILL BE EFFECTIVE.

JANUARY 15TH, 2025.

THE PARKS REC DIRECTOR, MS. CARRIE WARREN IS HERE AND WE'LL DISCUSS FURTHER AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

OKAY.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND BOARD.

EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

SO, UM, THE FEES THAT WE'RE PROPOSING, UM, THEY'RE GONNA BE IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE BEEN OFFERING, UM, THE NEW RECREATION CENTER WILL HAVE EXTENDED OPERATING HOURS FROM WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE SEEN AT WEST NEWBURN AND WHAT THE PREVIOUS STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER OFFERED.

SO WE'RE GONNA BE LOOKING AT OFFERING AROUND, IT'S GONNA BE 80 HOURS A WEEK OF OPERATING TIME.

AND ON THE HOURS OPERATION ARE GONNA BE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 7:00 AM TO 9:00 PM SATURDAY, 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM AND THEN SUNDAY WE WILL BE CLOSED.

UM, WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT OUR REC CARD, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN YEARS, UH, WHERE ANYBODY THAT ENTERS A RECREATION CENTER HAS TO HAVE A CARD TO SCAN.

THIS IS AT NO CHARGE.

UM, AND THEY REGISTER.

THERE'S AN APPLICATION PROCESS WITH THAT.

IF THEY LOSE THEIR CARD, THERE IS A FEE TO REPLACE IT, BUT THEY DO HAVE TO SCAN THAT EVERY TIME THAT THEY COME INTO RECREATION CENTER.

UM, AND THAT WOULD BE ABLE FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES WE'LL BE OFFERING THAT ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

UM, SO OPEN USE PROGRAMS SUCH AS BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, PICKLEBALL, USING THE WALKING TRACK AT DESIGNATED TIMES THROUGHOUT, UM, THE WEEK.

UM, ADDITIONAL RECREATION PROGRAMS WILL BE OFFERING, THEY WILL HAVE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH 'EM JUST LIKE WE HAVE DONE PREVIOUSLY FOR CAMPS, COOKING CLASSES, ART CLASSES, UM, THE DIFFERENT VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER.

UM, AND THEN THE FEES THAT, UM, MS. OSTROM DISCUSSED ARE WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING FOR THE FITNESS CENTER, WHICH IS A LARGE, NEWER AMENITY FOR THE RECREATION CENTER.

SO THE FITNESS MEMBERSHIP WILL INCLUDE USE OF THE CARDIO EQUIPMENT, USE OF THE WEIGHT EQUIPMENT, USE OF THE WALKING TRACK AND PARTICIPATION IN FITNESS CLASSES.

AND THIS WILL BE DURING ALL OPERATING HOURS.

SO ANYTIME THE FACILITIES OPEN, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS THOSE AMENITIES.

UM, AND THEN THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL FITNESS CLASSES THAT YOU OTHER USERS CAN USE AT A FEE.

SO WE'RE PROPOSING THAT IT EITHER BE $5 A DAY FOR RESIDENTS IF THEY WANT TO DO A DAY PASS TO COME TO THE, UH, FITNESS CENTER FOR JUST ONE DAY OR TWO A CLASS, AND THEN $8 FOR NON-RESIDENTS, WHICH WE PROBABLY DID A DOUBLE THAT AT 10.

SORRY.

UM, SO THE ACTUAL FEE IS GONNA BE IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY BEEN OFFERING AT THE CENTER.

SO ANY QUESTIONS THAT Y'ALL MAY HAVE ABOUT IT SPECIFICALLY? I, I JUST WANNA BE REAL CLEAR ON THAT LAST STATEMENT YOU MADE.

SO WE'RE ONLY CHARGING FEES FOR NEW AMENITIES, SO THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE COULD GO IN AND USE THE FACILITY FOR BEFORE, THEY'LL STILL BE ABLE TO DO IT NOW FOR FREE MM-HMM .