Aug 11, 2026 Board of Aldermen

UH, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE SOME, UH, VISITORS FROM LEADERSHIP CRAVEN.

IF YOU'RE WITH THAT GROUP, IF YOU WOULD JUST RAISE YOUR HAND SO WE'LL KNOW IT'S YOU.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE TONIGHT.

I WON'T PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, LIKE I KNOW SOMETIMES THEY'LL ASK YOU TO COME UP AND GIVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION, BUT WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU THIS EVENING.

ITEM NUMBER THREE IS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

BOARD

[3. Approve Agenda.]

WHAT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD? I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE AGENDA.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION.

AND SECOND, IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

A AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? AGENDA IS

[4. Request and Petition of Citizens — Agenda Topics.]

APPROVED.

NEXT IS REQUEST AND PETITION OF CITIZENS FOR AGENDA TOPICS.

MADAM CLERK.

UM, MR. BUFFET, YOU'D LIKE TO COME SPEAK ABOUT THE NO WAKE ZONE IN BRYCE'S CREEK HARBOR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR.

HELLO, MY NAME IS PHILLIP P BUFFET JR.

AND LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, I LIVE AT TWO 13 SHOREVIEW DRIVE IN THE COMMUNITY OF BRYCE CREEK HARBOR.

I TRULY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU AND I'M TRULY BLESSED TO BE HERE.

SO THE RESOLUTION, I TALKED TO ALDERMAN, UM, ASKED HER ABOUT THIS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, AND WE, OUR QUARRY, UM, BASICALLY IS A FUN PLACE TO COME TO.

AND I LIVE RIGHT ON THE QUARRY.

IT'S A FUN PLACE TO COME TO FAMILIES FROM ALL OVER.

COME PUT YOUR BOAT IN THE WATER THERE, PULL OUT THEIR RAFTS AND THEY FLOAT AROUND.

THOSE ARE THE, WHAT I CALL GOOD PEOPLE.

THEN YOU GOT THE PEOPLE, WHAT I CALL THERE YOU ARE THE SENATOR CIRCLE PEOPLE.

OKAY, LET ME STEP BACK A QUICK SECOND.

THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY USE THEIR JET SKIS TO GO OUT AND DO IT ON THE, ON THE, ON THE, UH, BRYCE CREEK.

EVERYBODY ROCKS EVERYBODY'S BOAT.

WHEN THEY COME AROUND, THEY, THEY UNDERSTAND THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOT GONNA BE BOUNCING AROUND THOSE CENTER CIRCLE.

PEOPLE COME INTO THE QUARRY EITHER ON BOATS, EITHER ON JET SKIS, AND THEY JUST FLY BY AND ROCKS.

OKAY? SO, UM, I TALKED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOA AND I CONTACTED ALDERMAN, ASKED HER ABOUT IT, AND, UH, I JUST THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO DO THAT BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, NOW WITH SIX DOLPHINS IN THE WATER, OKAY, THE NATIONAL NORTH, NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE KNOWS ABOUT THAT.

YOU COME THROUGH THAT QUAT X AMOUNT OF MILES AN HOUR, YOU'RE GONNA WHACK ONE OF THOSE SIX, UM, DOLPHINS.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING, GOOD MOVING PARTS TO PUT THIS NO WAKE ZONE IN PLACE.

SO, UM, I

[00:05:01]

APPRECIATE IT.

IF YOU SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT THAT AND MOVE IT ON TO THE STATE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

HEY, PHIL, IT'S IN THE WORKS, PHIL.

IT'S IN THE WORKS.

UH, WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD ON ITEM, UH, THERE, THE CONSENT AGENDAS ITEMS FIVE THROUGH 11.

THAT IS ALL FOR ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

[Consent Agenda]

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

HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE? LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN FERGUSON.

[12. Presentation by Amusement Entertainment Management, LLC of Market Feasibility Report for Family Entertainment Venue.]

CARRIES.

NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER 12, PRESENTATION BY AMUSEMENT ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC OF MARKET FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT VENUE.

MR. HUGHES.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND OTTERMAN.

WE CONTRACTED WITH AMERICAN ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT AND JERRY MARLA TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR US.

JERRY IS REMOTE TONIGHT, SO, UH, I THINK COLLEEN'S GOT HIM ON YOUR SCREEN, SO AND SO, JERRY, WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND TURN IT OVER YOU TO YOU AND LET YOU GIVE YOUR PRESENTATION.

WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UH, GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

UH, MY NAME IS JERRY OLA.

MY FIRM, AMUSEMENT ENTERTAINMENT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIZES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCATION-BASED ENTERTAINMENT VENUES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE BUILT APPROXIMATELY 600 VENUES OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, ONE OF OUR MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS HAS TAKEN PLACE IN SURF CITY.

UH, SOME OF YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT BUSINESS, HIGH TIDES AND GOOD VIBES.

UH, THAT WAS A 40,000 SQUARE FOOT MULTI ATTRACTION DEVELOPMENT THAT WE CRAFTED AND LAUNCHED IN EARLY DECEMBER OF 2025.

SINCE THAT TIME, UM, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY OF NEW BERN IN EXAMINING THE EXTENDED MARKETPLACE, AND I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE DETAILS OF THE MARKET FEASIBILITY STUDY THAT WE HAVE PREPARED ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.

UM, COLLEEN, IF I COULD ASK FOR THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

JUST AS AN OVERVIEW, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU, UM, EVERYONE HERE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE APPROACH THIS WORK IN GENERAL.

FOR STARTERS, WE'VE LOOKED AT THE GREATER NEW BERN MARKET FROM A 30 MILE SPECIFICATION, AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE'RE LOOKING AT RESIDENT DATA, VACATIONERS VISITORS TO THE MARKETPLACE.

WE'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE FLOW OF MOVEMENT RESIDENTS AND TRANSIENT VISITORS TO THAT GREATER QUARTER.

AND WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IS WE'VE BROKEN THE MARKET DOWN IN THREE PIECES, THE PRIMARY, THE SECONDARY, AND THE TERTIARY BANDS.

THIS HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE PLACEMENT OF POPULATION AS WELL AS THE OPTIONS THAT THESE CONSUMERS HAVE FOR OTHER ALTERNATIVES IN THE LEISURE SPACE.

WE ALSO HAVE EXAMINED THE MARKETPLACE FROM A DRIVE TIME PERSPECTIVE.

UM, THOSE OF YOU THAT MAY HAVE VISITED ENTERTAINMENT VENUES OR ENTERTAINMENT INSTALLATIONS IN THE PAST WILL TYPICALLY FIND THAT THERE'S A REASONABLE DRIVE TIME THAT HAS TO BE CONSIDERED HERE.

AND IN THIS CASE, MOST CONSUMERS WILL TRAVEL ABOUT 35 TO 40 MINUTES FOR AN INSTALLATION OF THIS STYLE.

NOW, WHEN WE TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT ON WHAT IS CREATED AND WHAT CAN BE CREATED IN NEW BERN, WE WANNA BE THINKING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THAT PROJECT IS TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY AND WHAT WILL CAUSE THOSE CONSUMERS TO WANT TO GET IN THE CAR AND DRIVE FOR A SHORT WHILE TO GET TO OUR DESTINATION.

THIS SLIDE OUTLINES ESSENTIALLY THE CURRENT RESIDENT POPULATION OF THE MARKETPLACE.

GREATER NEW BERN IS A MARKET OF ABOUT 300,000 CONSUMERS, AND WHAT YOU'LL NOTE HERE IS THAT THE LARGE CONCENTRATION OF CONSUMERS ARE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY'S CORE.

NOT PARTICULARLY UNUSUAL FOR A MODERN CITY DEMOGRAPHIC, BUT WITH THAT IN MIND, WHEN CREATING A, AN ENTERTAINMENT EPICENTER FOR , ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANNA MAKE SURE OF IS THAT WE CAN PULL THOSE CONSUMERS INTO THE HUB POINT WITHIN THE CITY ITSELF.

I THINK IT'S, IT'S FAIR TO NOTE THAT THE RESIDENT POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW MODESTLY THROUGHOUT THE MARKETPLACE, AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION FOR AN ENTERTAINMENT PROJECT BECAUSE MANY TIMES WHEN WE TEST SUSTAINABILITY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT PROJECT REMAINS RELEVANT, 10, 15 AND 20 YEARS INTO THE FUTURE.

TRANSIENT VISITOR MARKET IS ONE WHERE WE HAVE TO PAY EXTRA ATTENTION BECAUSE AS WE'VE LEARNED IN, IN SURF CITY WITH THE OPENING OF THAT PROJECT, THE SEASONAL VISITATION INTO THAT MARKETPLACE IS SIMPLY REMARKABLE.

ALSO, IN OUR ANALYSIS, AND AS A POINT OF CONSIDERATION IS THE TRANSIENT VISITORS TO THE MARKETPLACE.

WHILE NEW BERN'S CORE POPULATION STANDS AT ABOUT 300,000 CONSUMERS IN THE REGIONAL AREA, THE

[00:10:01]

TO THE POINT WHERE THE ATTENDANCE LEVELS AT THAT FACILITY INCREASE SIX AND SEVEN TIMES THEIR STANDARD PERFORMANCE LEVELS DURING THE OFF PEAK MARKET, NEWBURN WILL LIKELY ENCOUNTER A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THAT SAME PATTERNING BECAUSE AS WE SEE IN THE COUNTY, VISITATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY FROM TRANSIENT CONSUMERS REMAINS STEADILY STRONG INTO THE CURRENT OPERATING YEARS.

WHAT ARE THE AREAS THAT WE FOCUS SOME OF OUR TIME ON IS UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IN THE NEW BURN MARKET.

AND THAT MEANS WE'RE EXAMINING AMUSEMENT AND LEISURE VENUE, BOWLING CENTERS, SKATING RINKS, CINEMAS, ALL FORMS OF LEISURE ENTERTAINMENT.

WHEN WE ANALYZE MARKETS, WE REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE BENCHMARK STANDS CURRENTLY BECAUSE ANY NEW INSTALLATION INTO THE MARKETPLACE HAS TO DELIVER SOMETHING THAT'S EVEN MORE SPECIAL WITH REMOTE CURRENTLY EXISTS AND SOMETHING THAT'S CAPABLE OF DRAWING REGIONAL CONSUMERS INTO THE CITY HUB.

THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE PROVIDES A LITTLE BIT OF AN OVERVIEW OF THE AMUSEMENT VENUES THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN PLACE.

NOW, AMUSEMENT VENUES IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE ARE WHAT WE CLASSIFY AS SINGLE USE OFFERINGS.

THERE ARE, THERE'S AN AX ROOM, THERE'S AN ESCAPE ROOM IN TOWN.

THERE ARE, THERE'S A MUSEUM INSTALLATION, A CHILDREN'S PLAY FACILITY.

THESE ARE ALL FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD USES, BUT NONE TRULY REPRESENT MULTI ATTRACTION CENTERS.

THE INSET MAP FROM THAT EARLIER SLIDE IS SHOWN HERE, AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A CONCENTRATION OF SMALLER BUT EFFECTIVE LEISURE OPTIONS FOR CONSUMERS.

AGAIN, THESE ARE NOT MULTI ATTRACTION VENUES.

UM, NOTHING WITHIN THE CURRENT PORTFOLIO EVEN REMOTELY RESEMBLES WHAT WAS PUT IN PLACE IN SURF CITY, WHICH IS A 40,000 SQUARE FOOT INSTALLATION.

THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE SHOWS THE NUMBER OF BOWLING ANCHORED FACILITIES IN THE MARKETPLACE.

AND WHAT YOU'LL NOTE THAT THERE ARE NONE PRESENTLY.

UM, THIS IS AN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE BECAUSE BOWLING AS BOTH A SPORT AND A LEISURE RECREATION ELEMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR IN THE UNITED STATES.

100 MILLION PEOPLE BOWL AT SOME LEVEL OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

AND WHAT WE SEE IN GREATER NEW BERN IS WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO WHAT, WHAT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST SOCIALLY DRIVEN ATTRACTIONS IN MODERN DAY MARKETS.

THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE SHARES WITH YOU THE CINEMA AND PERFORMING THEATER SIDE OF THE MARKETPLACE.

AND IN THIS CASE, WE HAVE FOUR PARTICULAR INSTALLATIONS IN THE GREATER MARKET.

A FEW ARE PERFORMING THEATERS, OTHERS ARE MORE TRADITIONAL CINEMAS.

AND WHILE THIS OFFERS A LEISURE OPTION FOR CONSUMERS, CINEMA IS VIEWED VERY DIFFERENTLY TODAY THAN WHAT WE VIEW LOCATION-BASED ENTERTAINMENT TO BE, WHICH IS A MUCH STRONGER DRAW.

AND THAT'S SIMPLY A REALITY OF WHAT'S CHANGED IN SOCIETY.

MANY CONSUMERS ARE ABLE TO RENT OR PURCHASE A FIRST RUN FILM AND WATCH IT IN THEIR OWN LIVING ROOM TODAY.

THE NEXT FEW SLIDES ARE GONNA GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF A, AN OVERVIEW OF THE VISIONING AND EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL PROJECTS THAT END UP IN MODERN DAY MARKETS TODAY.

THEY HAVE VERY APPEALING EXTERIORS.

UM, THESE ARE ALL MULTI ATTRACTION CENTERS WITH MANY DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES UNDER ONE ROOF.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE REFER TO AS A BOWLING ANCHORED ENTERTAINMENT VENUE, NOT YOUR TYPICAL BOWLING ALLEY FOR SURE.

TODAY'S FACILITIES ARE MUCH MORE MODERN IN THOUGHT, UH, AUDIO VISUAL AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS MAKE USE OF TREMENDOUS TECHNOLOGY.

YOU'LL NOTICE A LOT OF COMFORTABLE FURNITURE, SUBDUED LIGHTING, MUCH MORE CASUAL EXPERIENCES.

ALL OF THESE FACILITIES TODAY ARE DESIGNED TO APPEAL TO THREE CORE SUBSETS, THE FAMILY USERS WITHIN THE MARKETPLACE, THE ADULT USERS, AND THOSE THAT ARE SEEKING A SOCIAL OUTLET OUTSIDE OF THE HOME.

AND OF COURSE, THE EVENT IN CORPORATE USERS.

BUSINESSES HAVE BECOME VERY BIG USERS OF MULTI ATTRACTION ENTERTAINMENT VENUES BECAUSE THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD SALES TRAINING, TEAM BUILDING, HOLIDAY

[00:15:01]

PARTIES.

ALL THE THINGS THAT BRING COMPANIES TOGETHER TODAY TYPICALLY TAKE PLACE IN VENUES OF THIS STYLE.

HERE'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF FAMILY BASED ATTRACTIONS UNDER ONE ROOF.

SO WHILE WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF HAVING BOUTIQUE STYLE BOWLING LANES IN A FACILITY, WE ALSO UTILIZE ELEVATED ROPES COURSES, BUMPER CARTS, LASER TAG ARENAS, A VARIETY OF INTERACTIVE AND VIRTUAL REALITY ATTRACTIONS, AMUSEMENT GAMING, ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS COME TOGETHER IN ONE PACKAGE.

MOST LOCATION-BASED ENTERTAINMENT VENUES ARE TYPICALLY FIVE TO SIX ATTRACTIONS WITHIN THEIR PORTFOLIO.

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE.

AND THIS IS ALSO, UH, A DIRECT PHOTO FROM HIGH TIDES AND GOOD VIBES IN SURF CITY.

THIS IS A MULTI-LEVEL PLAY UNIT, WHICH IS EXTREMELY POPULAR IN SURF CITY.

THIS IS REALLY DESIGNED FOR KIDS AGE FOUR TO 12 WITH THEIR PARENTS IN TOW.

THE GREATEST THING ABOUT ADDING ELEMENTS LIKE THIS TO A VENUE IS THAT PARENTS AND KIDS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE SAME VENUE, BUT HAVE SPECIALIZED ATTRACTIONS THAT APPEAL TO EACH OF THEM DISTINCTLY.

BOARD, UH, NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER 13 AND WE'LL ALSO CONSIDER 13 AND 14 TOGETHER.

AND ULTIMATELY, THE FINAL SLIDE HERE IS WHAT WE CALL THE GLUE FOR ANY ONE OF THESE FACILITIES.

THE RESTAURANT AND BAR PROGRAM IS A CRITICAL PART OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND REALLY COMPLETING THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS.

EVERY ONE OF THE VENUES THAT WE CREATE TODAY HAS A FULL FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROGRAM, A FULL BEVERAGE PROGRAM.

THE CONCEPT HERE IS THIS IS A VENUE WHERE YOU GATHER ADULTS, FAMILIES, CORPORATE USERS, EVENT USERS, THAT INCLUDES HOUSES OF WORSHIP, SUMMER CAMPS, CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS.

EVERYONE THAT NEEDS A PLACE TO COME TOGETHER COMES TO A MULTI ATTRACTION VENUE.

THESE PHOTOS ARE JUST A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF PROJECT STYLES THAT WE HAVE CREATED OVER THE YEARS AND A LITTLE BIT OF THE VISIONING THAT WE SEE FOR THE NEW BURN MARKET.

FROM AN ECONOMICS PERSPECTIVE, THE FIT IN NEW BURN FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 30,000 SQUARE FOOT INDOOR VENUE WITH FIVE NODES OF ENTERTAINMENT WITHIN IT, FULL FOOD AND BEVERAGE, AND THE ABILITY TO SERVICE EACH OF THESE AGE SEGMENTS OF NATURALLY.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

DOES THE BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS? JERRY? IT DOESN'T APPEAR THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.

AND, UH, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR, UM, GIVING US THIS PRESENTATION.

I'M SURE IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS THAT COME UP IN THE FUTURE, UH, THE BOARD KNOWS HOW TO GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU, BUT, UH, WE APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION AND, UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO UTILIZING THAT.

MR. HUGHES, ANYTHING TO ADD? YES, DO WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT, UM, IF THIS IS, UM, THIS REPORT IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER THE COMMUNITY, UM, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PAGE, SO ANYONE CAN DOWNLOAD THAT.

WE'VE SHARED THIS WITH OUR PARTNERS WITH RETAIL STRATEGIES AND WE, WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF SOME, SOME, UH, DEVELOPERS THAT DO THIS TYPE OF THING.

SO WE'RE GONNA SEND THIS OUT TO, IN HOPES THAT WE CAN ATTRACT, UH, A BUSINESS LIKE THIS.

BUT, BUT, UH, JERRY, THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION.

I THINK WITH, UH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DETAIL THAT THAT IS IN THERE, IT, IT SHOWS THAT NEWBURN CAN'T SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WHICH WAS OUR GOAL TO BEGIN WITH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

IT'S ALWAYS, UH, A LITTLE TRICKY WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE PARTICIPATING REMOTELY, SO I'M GLAD THAT, UH, THAT WORKED OUT WELL.

[Items 13 & 14]

UH, SO I'LL READ THOSE NOW.

CONSIDERING AN ADOPT, CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION APPROVING A GRANT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON.

AND THEN NUMBER 14 IS CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION APPROVING A GRANT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM FOR OVERTIME.

CHIEF GALLAGHER.

THANK YOU MAYOR BOARD.

UM, I AM BEFORE YOU AGAIN THIS YEAR, LIKE I HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WE'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE THESE GRANT FUNDS, UM, FOR OUR EFFORTS IN, UH, TRAFFIC SAFETY.

FIRST ONE I'LL TALK ABOUT IS THE $30,000, UM, LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT, WHICH PROVIDES US OPPORTUNITIES TO USE THESE FUNDS FOR TRAINING PURPOSES, UM, EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, UM, AND ALSO UTILIZING EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT OUR REGION.

THE COORDINATOR FOR, FOR OUR REGION HAPPENS TO BE LIEUTENANT ZERBE, WHO'S ONE OF OUR,

[00:20:01]

UM, POLICE OFFICERS.

THE SECOND GRANT IS $20,000 FOR OVERTIME EXPENSES SPECIFIC TO, UH, ENFORCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

UM, I I THINK I'VE SPOKEN TO EVERY BOARD MEMBER HERE WHEN I SPEAK TO COMMUNITIES, UM, THEIR NUMBER ONE, UH, COMPLAINT THAT I HEAR CONSTANTLY IS SPEED ENFORCEMENT AND, UH, UH, THE NECESSITY TO TRY TO SLOW DOWN SOME OF OUR DRIVERS.

AND BOTH OF THESE GRANTS, UM, CERTAINLY HELP US WITH RESPECT TO THAT EFFORT AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE REGARDING THESE TWO GRANTS.

BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS IF THERE NO QUESTION.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE A GRANT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON PLUS CONSIDER ADOPTING A RE OR ADOPTING A RESOLUTION PROVEN A GRANT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNORS HIGHWAY PROGRAM FOR OVERTIME.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

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

BOARD, UH, NEXT UP, UH, WE HAVE ITEMS 15 THROUGH 18.

[Items 15 - 18]

UH, THEY'RE ALL VERY MUCH RELATED, UH, SO WE CAN CONSIDER THOSE TOGETHER AS WELL.

SO ITEM NUMBER 15 IS CONSIDERED DOCTRINE RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF A PORTION OF FISHING CREEK DRIVE IN PHASE SIX OF BELL OAKS.

ITEM NUMBER 16 IS CONSIDERED ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN STREETS IN CAROLINA COLORS.

BAYBERRY PARK, PHASE THREE, ITEM NUMBER 17 IS CONSIDERED ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 70 99 STOP INTERSECTIONS TO ADD CERTAIN STREETS IN CAROLINA COLORS BAYBERRY PARK PHASE THREE.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS ITEM NUMBER 18.

CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 70, TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE SECTION 71 32 TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE SPEED LIMITS TO ADD CERTAIN STREETS IN CAROLINA COLORS.

BAYBERRY PARK PHASE THREE.

MR. CHAS, WELCOME.

YES, GOOD EVENING.

BOARD MAYOR ITEM 15 AND 16, UM, ARE REFLECTIVE OF A REQUEST THAT PUBLIC WORKS RECEIVE TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES IN PHASE SIX OF BE OAKS DEVELOPMENT AND THE BAYBERRY PARK PHASE THREE WITHIN CRAVEN, UM, WITHIN CAROLINA COLORS.

ALL IT WORKS IS COMPLETED, UM, BUILT TO STANDARDS INSPECTIONS AND HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STREETS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED TO MEET THE CITY OF NEW BURN DESIGN STANDARDS.

THE STREETS, UM, OR PORTION OF STREETS BEING CONSIDERED FOR ACCEPTANCE IN THE BAYBERRY PARK PHASE IS BAYBERRY PARK DRIVE, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 0.22 MILES CINNAMON RUN, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY TWO 5.25 MILES ALLEN, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY, UH, POINT 10 MILES.

THE STREETS WITHIN BAY, UM, WITHIN BILL OAKS IS A PORTION OF FISHING CREEK DRIVE THAT IS IN APPROXIMATELY 0.17 MILES ITEM 17 OF THE AGENDA.

WITH ACCEPTANCE OF THESE STREETS, IT IS NECESSARY TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 70 OF TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE SECTION 70 DASH 99 TO ADD THOSE CERTAIN STREETS IN THESE PHASES TO THE STOP SIGN ORDINANCE LIST.

ADDITIONALLY, IT IS NECESSARY TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 70 TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES 70 DASH 1 32 TO INCLUDE THESE STREETS IN THE SCHEDULE OF SPEED LIMITS AND ALL OF THESE SPEED LIMITS WILL BE 25 MILES AN HOUR.

MR. GILES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF, UH, OUR NEWER BOARD MEMBERS, UH, COULD YOU JUST BRIEFLY EXPLAIN WHEN THE CITY ACCEPTS THESE STREETS, HOW THAT ADDS TO OUR POWELL BILL REIMBURSEMENT? SO, SO THE BA THE POWELL BILL'S BASED ON SEVERAL FACTORS, BUT ONE IS THE MILEAGE OF STREETS THAT WE MAINTAIN WITHIN THE CITY.

SO WHEN WE ADD THESE STREETS, THAT IS ALSO AN ADDITIONAL CALCULATION AS IS POPULATION AND SEVERAL OTHER FACTORS, UM, FOR OUR BILL REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE STATE.

AND THEN SOMETIMES, UH, YOU WAIT TOO LONG AND YOU GOT SHOULDER ISSUES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

DOES THE BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS? UH, MAYOR, I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

UM, I KNOW YOU HAVE A PROCEDURE PRIOR TO PRESENTING THIS FOR THE BOARD OF LAWMEN.

UM, THERE'S BEEN AN INSTANCE OR TWO IN, IN NEW BERN FROM A PROBABLY A ABILITY TO TRAVEL THE STREET, BUT MORE OF AN AESTHETIC WHERE, UM, WHEN THE ROADS ARE TAKEN OVER, IF THEY'RE TAKEN, IF THEY'RE PAVED TOO EARLY, THEY CAN BE DAMAGED

[00:25:01]

UM, I HAVEN'T PHYSICALLY TRAVELED EVERY ONE OF THESE ROADS, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN ROADS IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS TAKEN OVER.

YOU MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH WHERE DURING THE CON, AFTER THEY WERE PAID CONCRETE TRUCKS HAVE INADVERTENTLY DUMPED WASTE CONCRETE PHYSICALLY ON SUMMER ROADS THAT WE'VE TAKEN OVER.

AND I WANTED TO SEE IF THAT COMES INTO YOUR CHECKLIST AS TO WHETHER OR NOT, UM, PRIOR TO, I KNOW RIGHT NOW, IF I KNEW ANY OF THESE HAD WHAT I KNOW IS IN A COUPLE PLACES IN NEW, I WOULD NOT BE APPROVING THEM TONIGHT.

SO I KNOW Y'ALL LOOKED THESE OVER PRETTY GOOD, DON'T YOU? YES.

AND, AND WITH THE FACILITATION OF, UM, HAD ADDITIONAL STAFF IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, WE'VE GOT ACTUALLY, UH, PROJECT COORDINATORS THAT, THAT GO OUT AND ATTEND THE COMPACTION TEST.

WHEN THEY DO PROOF ROLLS, THEY ALSO DO THE FINAL WALKTHROUGH WHEN WE RECEIVE THESE REQUESTS FOR ACCEPTANCE THAT WE GO THROUGH.

AND IF THEY'RE PUNCH LIST ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED SUCH AS CONCRETE OR SHOULDERS, THOSE ARE ADDRESSED WITH THE CONTRACTOR AND DEVELOPER PRIOR TO US BRINGING IT TO THE BOARD FOR ACCEPTANCE.

AND WOULD YOU, WOULD YOU SAY MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THE, WHEN WE TAKE 'EM OVER THAT ALL CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETED OR THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE THERE ARE LOTS THAT ARE NOT COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED? NOT, NOT NECESSARILY.

NOT ALL LOTS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.

UM, THERE ARE SOME PHASES THAT WE DO ACCEPT TO BUILD OUT FASTER THAN OTHERS, BUT USUALLY WHEN WE'RE GETTING INTO 50% OF THE HOMES THERE, THE DEVELOPER'S READY TO, TO START THIS PROCESS.

SO THEY'RE STILL COMPLETING HOUSES, BUT YOU WILL HAVE SOME INDIVIDUAL SOLD LOTS WITHIN THOSE DEVELOPMENTS THAT THE PURCHASER HAS DECIDED NOT TO BUILD FOR A WHILE, SO CORRECT.

JUST LIKE EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD YOU MAY HAVE VACANT LOTS THAT ARE PRIVATELY OWNED, THAT WILL GET DEVELOPED AT A LATER DATE.

SO DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT NONE OF THESE STREETS ARE LIKE WHAT I'M TELLING YOU, YOU, YOU PROBABLY KNOW ABOUT THE THESE STREETS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE? YES, SIR.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, MR. MAYOR, IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I MOVE TO ADOPT ITEMS 15 16 17 18 FOR APPROVAL AS PRESENTED.

WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE? LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN ASTOR.

MAYOR M? YES.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT IS

[19. Consider Adopting a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Professional Services Agreements for the General Obligation Bond Stormwater Projects.]

ITEM NUMBER 19.

CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND STORMWATER PROJECTS.

MR. CHIS? YES, THIS IS IN REFLECTION OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND RELATED TO THE STORMWATER OF THE $6 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR 11, UH, STORMWATER PROJECTS.

A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING SERVICE FOR THESE PROJECTS WAS PUBLICLY ADVERTISED ON MARCH 27TH, 2026.

STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATION WERE RECEIVED AND OPENED ON APRIL 14TH, 2026.

EVALUATIONS WERE COMPLETED IN MAY SIX.

FIRMS SUBMITTED QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AND BASED ON THE VALUATION PROCESS, THE CITY IDENTIFIED THE HIGHEST RANKING QUALIFIED FIRM FOR EACH OF THE 11 PROJECTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY PURCHASING POLICY.

ANY CONTRACTS FOR ENGINEERING TYPE SERVICES EXCEEDING $50,000 HAVE TO HAVE BOARD APPROVAL FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THOSE AGREEMENTS.

WE'RE CURRENTLY IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THOSE FIRMS RIGHT NOW.

WE ANTICIPATE THESE PROPOSALS TO EXCEED $50,000 AS WAS PRESENTED IN OUR BOND PACKAGES FOR THESE PROJECTS.

AND SO WE ARE RECOMMENDING THE BOARD ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DECISION MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH CONTRACTS AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE 'EM COMPLETED.

THIS BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AND THOSE THAT ARE LISTENING, JUST TO KIND OF CLARIFY EXACTLY WHAT THIS ITEM IS, THE PUBLIC OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED THE BOND PROJECTS.

PART OF THE BOND IS TO DRAW DOWN FUNDS THROUGH ESSENTIALLY LIKE A LOAN CLOSING.

AND SO CLOSING DOCUMENTS WILL HAVE TO BE SIGNED AND EXECUTED.

UH, IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU'LL HAVE CERTAIN PROJECTS LIKE THESE LISTED FOR STORMWATER, UH, WHERE YOU HAVE THE PLANNING, DESIGN, ENGINEERING TYPE OF AGREEMENTS.

THOSE AGREEMENTS, NOT THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION, BUT THE DESIGN AGREEMENTS WHERE YOU'RE ASKING FOR A RESOLUTION THAT AUTHORIZES ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO EXECUTE THOSE AGREEMENTS ALONG WITH CLOSING DOCUMENTS FOR THOSE BONDS, RIGHT? CORRECT.

FOR, FOR THE ENGINEERING SERVICES, ONCE WE HAVE 'EM ENGINEERED, WE'LL PUT 'EM OUT TO BID AND THEN WE'LL HAVE BRING THOSE BID PACKAGES BACK FOR APPROVAL TO THE BOARD.

ANY QUESTIONS? WHAT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD ON ITEM NUMBER 19, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO CONS TO ADOPT, CONSIDERING ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS STORMWATER PROJECTS.

[00:30:01]

SECOND, HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE? LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL STARTING WITH ALDERMAN WHITE.

20, ACCEPTANCE OF TAX COLLECTOR'S ANNUAL SETTLEMENT FOR TAX YEAR 2025.

[20. Acceptance of Tax Collector' s Annual Settlement for Tax Year 2025.]

MS. OSTROM, UH, NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES REQUIRES THE TAX COLLECTOR TO ANNUALLY SUBMIT A SETTLEMENT OF TAXES TO FUNDING BOARD, UM, REFLECTING THE TOTAL LEVY RELEASES.

WRITE OFF IN DELINQUENCIES, UM, THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU.

THE UM, 2025 TAX SETTLEMENT REPORT, A 99.43% GENERAL COLLECTION RATE AND A 9.93% COLLECTION RATE FOR THE MSD IS REQUESTED THAT THE BOARD MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE SETTLEMENTS, WHICH WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE MINUTES.

DOES BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS? NOT WHAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD ON ITEM NUMBER 20, MR. MAYOR, I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE TAX COLLECTOR'S ANNUAL SETTLEMENT FOR TAX YEAR 2025 AND ITEM 20 IS PRESENTED.

I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[21. Consider Adopting a Resolution Providing for the Sale and Issuance of General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds, Series 2026.]

IS ITEM NUMBER 21.

CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION, PROVIDING FOR THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BOND SERIES 2026.

MS. OSTROM AN APOLOGY.

KIM, I THINK I GOT OVER MY SKIS A LITTLE BIT AND COMBINED 19 AND 21 THAT ESSENTIALLY DO THE SAME THING, BUT LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PRESENTATION .

UM, SO WE HAVE REACHED THE NEXT STEP FOR THIS SALE IN ISSUANCE OF THE GEO BONDS AND THIS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZES A SALE ISSUANCE OF THE CITY'S GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SERIES 26 IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $13 MILLION.

THE STRAIGHT SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS OF 5 MILLION PARKS AND RECREATION PROJECTS OF 5 MILLION AND STORM WATER IMPROVEMENTS OF 3 MILLION WILL BE COMBINED INTO A SINGLE BOND ISSUANCE.

THE LGC WILL ADVERTISE THE BONDS AND CONDUCT A SALE.

THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHES THE DEBT REPAYMENT STRUCTURE POINTS THROUGH AS BANK AS THE BOND REGISTRAR, AND TRANSFER AND TRANSFER AGENT, PAYING AGENT, AND IT AUTHORIZES CERTAIN CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE THE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE SALE AND, AND ISSUANCE.

IT IS REQUESTED THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION, WRITING A SALE AND ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED 13 MILLION OF GENERAL ALLEGATION FACTS.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? UH, MAYOR, NOT SO MUCH A QUESTION, BUT IN, IN ALIGNMENT WITH, UH, WHAT ALDERMAN FERGUSON SAID, JUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY, UM, THAT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ABLE TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND THEY'RE NOT GONNA MAKE DECISIONS ON PARTICULARS ON HOW THE BOND MONEY IS GONNA BE SPENT.

THAT IS CORRECT.

CORRECT.

IT'S WITHIN THE, THE, UM, BOND OF, SO, SO THE BOARD CHOOSES THE PROJECTS AND THIS, THIS ACTION IS SIMPLY TO ALLOW STAFF TO SIGN THE DOCUMENTATION.

I THINK THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION OUT THERE, SO MM-HMM .

THERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE JUST, YEAH.

AGAIN, JUST ECHOING THIS IS, AGAIN, BOND PROJECTS THAT WERE, OR THE BONDS THAT WERE APPROVED.

THIS BOARD APPROVES THE PROJECTS.

THIS IS DRAWING DOWN MONEY, UM, FOR THE PARTICULAR BANK THAT WE'RE USING.

AND THEN USE SIGNING DOCUMENTATION, ESSENTIALLY CLOSING DOCUMENTS FOR THAT BOND SALE.

THE BOARD ON ITEM NUMBER 21.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION, UH, TO APPROVE PROVIDING FOR THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OF GENERAL, GENERAL OBLIGATION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BOND SERIES 2026.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

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

IT CONSISTS OF 360,000 FROM THE ASSESSED MOTOR VEHICLE FEES AND THE 420,000 FROM THE STREET DIVISION.

[22. Consider Adopting an Ordinance to Amend the Roadway Improvements Project Fund.]

NEXT IS ITEM NUMBER 22.

CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ROY ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FUND MS. OSTROM.

THIS ORDINANCE AMENDS ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FUND BY $780,000.

[00:35:01]

BUDGET FOR ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT EXPENDITURES, UM, WHICH WILL BE A TRANSFER IS REQUESTED THAT THE BOARD PROVE THIS BUDGET.

DEFENDANT, THIS BOARD HAVE QUESTIONS.

MAY I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FUND? SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

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

UP IS, UH, NUMBER 23 APPOINTMENTS.

[23. Appointments. (Part 1 of 2)]

ARE THERE ANY APPOINTMENTS TONIGHT? YES.

UM, FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, WE NEED TO REAPPOINT LEANDER MORGAN JR.

AND ALSO VICTOR DOVE.

UH, WE HAVE TWO APPOINT REAPPOINTMENTS, LEANDER MORGAN JR.

AND VICTOR DOVE TO THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

AND THEN MAY I HAVE ONE AS WELL? UM, FOR ROBBIE MORGAN TO THE REDEVELOPMENT? OH, THAT'S, THAT'S LEANDER MORGAN.

OH, I'LL MAKE SECOND YOUR MOTION.

ALLMAN BRIAN.

ALL RIGHT.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND TO REAPPOINT THOSE TWO MEMBERS WHO ARE BOTH ELIGIBLE TO BE REAPPOINTED.

YES.

IS THERE A FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? OKAY.

THOSE ARE REAPPOINTED.

UH, ALL BEST.

YOU HAVE SOME? YES, I HAVE.

UM, WOULD LIKE TO, UM, MR. GREGORY RUS, UM, HOPE I PRONOUNCE HIS LAST NAME.

RUSH.

HE'S WITH, HE'S BEEN ON THE HPC BOARD AND HE'S, UH, FOR, UM, REAPPOINTMENT AND HE DESIRES TO DO SO.

SO, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT HIM TO THE HPC SECOND.

HAVE A MOTION.

AND SECOND, IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

A AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? HE IS HEREBY REAPPOINTED.

ANYBODY ELSE?

[24. Attorney' s Report.]

REPORT A FEW UPDATES FOR YOU THIS EVENING.

UH, ATTORNEY'S REPORT, PORT NIGHTMARE CITY MANAGER'S

[25. City Manager' s Report.]

PROJECT UPDATES FIRST, THE PIER PARKING LOT.

PROJECT CONSTRUCTION STARTED OVER A WEEK AGO, SO WE EXPECT COMPLETION OF THE PARKING LOT WITHIN ABOUT FIVE WEEKS.

WE ALSO EXPECT CONSTRUCTION ON THE RESTROOM STRUCTURE TO START WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

SO WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

UH, ALSO WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS PAST FRIDAY WE RECEIVED A $50,000 CHECK FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE HABITAT FOUNDATION FOR SPONSORSHIP OF THE RESTROOM FACILITY.

SO THANKS ALDERMAN ASTOR FOR YOUR HELP WITH THAT.

THAT MAKES A TOTAL OF $165,000 FOR THE PIER AND RESTROOM PROJECT THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE HABITAT FOUNDATION AS ALLOCATED TO THE CITY OF NEW BERN.

VERY, VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

ALSO WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT THE P*****K AND MIDDLE STREET CROSSWALK PROJECT WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 24TH.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT PROJECT TAKING APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS.

WE DID NOTIFY RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS A FEW WEEKS AGO ABOUT THIS.

A MAILER IS ALSO, I BELIEVE A MAILER HAS ALREADY BEEN, BEEN SENT OUT.

SO EVERYONE SHOULD RECEIVE THAT.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO UPDATES LEADING UP TO THE PROJECT.

UH, WE HAVE, UH, ROBUST SIGNAGE THAT WE'LL BE PUTTING OUT AROUND DOWNTOWN AS WELL TO REMIND FOLKS THAT BUSINESSES ARE OPEN, SIDEWALKS ARE OPEN, IT'S JUST THE CROSSWALK AREA, UH, THAT THAT WILL BE INTO CONSTRUCTION.

UH, ALSO YOU'VE GOT, UH, A BEFORE AND A PROPOSED AFTER IMAGE OF WE'RE GETTING READY TO DO SOME WORK IN BEAR PLAZA IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS WITH SOME ELECTRICAL UPGRADES.

AND THAT'S BEEN A CONSISTENT REMOVING THE RAISED ROUND BED IN THE CENTER OF BEAR PLAZA, UM, TO MAKE MORE OF AN OPEN SPACE.

UH, SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT PROJECT.

IT WILL GO BACK, UM, WITH, UM, THE, THE BRICK PAVERS, UH, IN THE CENTER THERE.

AND SO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WHERE WE CAN DO A VARIETY OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THERE.

THE BEARS WILL STILL STAY IN PLACE, THEY'LL BE IN THE CORNERS, AND WE MAY EVEN ADD SOME BEARS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU HERE.

I JUST WANNA MAKE IT CLEAR IN THE MINUTES AND TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE BEAR PLAZA PROJECT, I BELIEVE WAS, HAS BEEN DISCUSSED FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS, IF NOT YEARS, WITH THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THAT GROUP HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS.

THIS WAS PART OF KIND OF A LARGER PLAN WHEN, UH, WE'VE APPROVED THE EXPANSION OF BEAR PLAZA FROM MIDDLE TO CRAVEN WITH BRICK.

SO JUST SO AWARE THE PUBLIC WAS ENGAGED THROUGH THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH OFFERS PUBLIC COMMENT.

SO THIS IS NOT GONNA, IT'LL COME AS A SURPRISE TO SOME PEOPLE WHO AREN'T WATCHING.

BUT, UM, THOSE INVOLVED AND PARTICIPATE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

AND, AND TO YOUR POINT, ALDERMAN FERGUSON IS ACTUALLY THE FIRST PHASE OF THAT INTER CORE PROJECT, WHICH WE ANTICIPATE KICKING THAT OFF AFTER THE HOLIDAYS AS WELL.

NOT SOON ENOUGH.

AND, AND, AND ALSO FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC WHO MAY LOOK AT THIS PICTURE, AI IS REALLY GOOD, BUT I BELIEVE WE'RE NOT GETTING RID OF THE DRAINAGE GRATES THAT

[00:40:01]

ARE IN THERE.

DRAINAGE GRATES WILL STAY THERE.

THEY WILL STAY 'CAUSE THEY'RE NOT IN THE PICTURE.

SO I WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT THE DRAINAGE GRATES WILL STAY.

ALSO, OUR WORK, WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS ON HENDERSON PARK PROJECT.

UH, THE LAST PROJECT THAT WE HAD SCHEDULED OVER THERE DURING THIS PHASE WAS THE INSTALLATION OF SO ON THE NEW BALL FIELDS THAT THEY ARE HALFWAY FINISHED WITH THAT.

SO WE DO LOOK FORWARD TO A RIBBON CUTTING OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AT HENDERSON PARK IN SEPTEMBER.

SO LOOK FOR THOSE INVITATIONS.

DO YOU HAVE A DATE FOR THAT FATHER YET? UH, NOT YET.

IT'LL BE AT SOME POINT.

WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE'S SCHEDULE IS CLEAR FOR THAT THOUGH, BECAUSE IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO HENDERSON PARK, IT IS A FANTASTIC, FANTASTIC FACILITY AND I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU.

I KNOW MY KIDS AND MYSELF LOVE IT.

SO I KNOW YOU DID ALSO SOME EVENTS.

SO LAST WEEK NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WAS CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

THAT EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR UNION POINT PARK ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH.

SO CHECK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THAT.

ALSO WANNA LET YOU KNOW THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC MEETING ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 18TH FROM ONE TO FOUR AT THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER TO GATHER FEEDBACK ON CONCEPT PLANS FOR THE DUFFY FIELD CANAL RESTORATION MASTER PLAN.

UH, THIS IS THE SECOND MEETING THAT WE'VE HAD FOR THIS.

THE MASTER PLAN, ONCE IT'S COMPLETED, WILL ADDRESS EROSION OF THE CANAL, HABITAT LOSS AND RE RESTORATION OF WETLANDS.

CREATION OF THE PLAN AND PROJECT CONCEPT WILL HELP ENHANCE WATER QUALITY AND DUFFY FIELD AND HELP REDUCE THE FLOOD RISK.

UM, THIS PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED BY A NORTH CAROLINA DEQ GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $367,000 THAT WE RECEIVED ABOUT A YEAR OR SO AGO.

I ALSO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE DEDICATION OF PATRIOT SQUARE, WHICH IS RIGHT OUT HERE AT THE FLAGPOLES, WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 21ST AT 1:00 PM SO, UM, BE LOOKING OUT FOR THAT.

AND FOOTLOOSE ON THE NOOSE.

WE HAD OUR LAST CONTRACT THIS PAST FRIDAY NIGHT.

WE HAD 6,200 IN ATTENDANCE.

THE WRECKER CROWD WAS 6,700 IN ATTENDANCE LAST YEAR FOR THE SAME BAND.

NOW DOES THAT COUNT ALL THE BOATS OUT THERE? IT DOES.

HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.

IT SURE DOES.

YES, IT WAS, AND IT WAS A ROBUST CROWD OUT THERE.

OUR NEXT CONCERT WILL BE ON AUGUST 28TH WITH TELL ME LIES ON SEPTEMBER 24TH.

WE'LL ALSO HAVE BRITISH INVADERS RIGHT BEFORE THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.

UH, WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR ON THE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE GRANT.

WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM THAT ANY DAY NOW.

SO ONCE WE HEAR SOMETHING, WE'RE CERTAINLY GONNA LET YOU KNOW.

ALSO, AS YOU REMEMBER, WE APPLIED FOR A PARKS AND RECREATION TRUST FUND GRANT, SO THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, AND I'LL BE TRAVELING TO RALEIGH LATER THIS MONTH, UH, TO HOPEFULLY BRING BACK A $500,000 GRANT.

SO WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED ON THAT.

SINCE WE WILL NOT BE MEETING AGAIN BEFORE LABOR DAY.

I WANNA REMIND YOU THAT, UH, CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH FOR THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.

AND FINALLY, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALDERMAN FERGUSON, WHO WAS SELECTED TO SERVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES.

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO BRENDA BLANCO.

ON AUGUST 22ND, SHE WILL BE INSTALLED AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS.

SO CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT'S ALL WE HAVE TONIGHT.

OH, UH, MAYOR, I DO, I DO

[23. Appointments. (Part 2 of 2)]

I'M SORRY.

SURE.

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, UM, MR. ERIC THOMPSON, UM, DESIRES NOT TO SERVE AGAIN ON THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT MS. BARBARA SAMPSON TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I SECOND.

ALRIGHT, I HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

ANY OPPOSED? OKAY, SHE IS APPOINTED.

DUFFY FIELD, AUGUST 29TH.

THAT'S IT.

ALL WHITE.

DID YOU HAVE, UH, YES.

MR. HUGHES, WOULD YOU MIND SAYING WHAT THE DATE IS FOR THE DUFFY FIELD MEETING? LET'S SEE.

THAT WILL BE ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 18TH FROM ONE TO 4:00 PM AT THE STANLEY WHITE RECREATION CENTER.

WE'LL PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR.

SO IN CASE YOU'D LIKE TO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

UH, MOVING ON TO NEW BUSINESS ALDERMAN FERGUSON.

[26. New Business.]

WELL, UM, THE MANAGER TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF THE THUNDER.

I WAS GONNA TALK ABOUT THE PATRIOT SQUARE DEDICATION, UM, ON AUGUST 21ST AND THE BEAR UNVEILING, I MET WITH THOSE ORGANIZERS AND THEY HAVE, UM, THEY WANTED ME TO GIVE YOU ALL THE UPDATE THAT THEIR GOAL WAS, UH, BETWEEN 49 AND 50,000.

AND SO FAR THEY HAVE RAISED 42,000.

SO THEY'RE ONLY ABOUT 7,000 FROM THEIR FULL GOAL.

UM, THEY ARE ON TRACK TO MOVE FORWARD BY, UH, TO, TO HAVE THE FULL INSTALLATION WITH THE MONUMENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

UM, BUT AUGUST 21ST, THAT DEDICATION HERE I THINK WILL BE A LOT OF FUN.

REALLY INTERESTING AND GREAT.

I MEAN, I GOT A SNEAK PEEK AT THE BEARS THAT ARE GONNA BE OUT THERE AND THAT'S GONNA BE, UM, JUST VERY EXCITING.

SO I HOPE YOU ALL WILL JOIN US.

UM, AND THAT'S, THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

I'LL REMEMBER BRIAN, YES, ON AUGUST THE 18TH, I AM PLANNING ON DOING A RIDE THROUGH TOUR THROUGH SECOND

[00:45:01]

WARD.

SO I'M GONNA START OFF WITH PRIER FROM TWO TO THREE 30 AND SOUTHGATE FROM THREE TO THREE 30.

SO IF YOU LIVE IN THOSE AREA, PLEASE COME OUT AND WASH YOUR CONCERNS.

ARE YOU GOING TO, UH, LOOK FOR THE FERAL CATS WHILE YOU'RE IN SOUTH GATE? Y'ALL TALK ABOUT THOSE CATS ONE MORE TIME.

, WE CAN GET YOU A POLICE ESCORT.

? NO THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, ANYTHING ELSE? I, ONE MORE.

UM, NOW YOUR TIME'S UP.

MAY BIRTHDAY, .

IT'S COMING UP AUGUST THE SECOND, I MEAN AUGUST THE 20TH.

I'D LIKE TO WISH HIM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

65 LOOKS GOOD ON YOU, MAYOR.

IT DOES.

I'VE AGED QUITE A BIT SINCE YOU'VE BEEN ON THIS BOARD.

THANK YOU ALDERMAN BRYANT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO ALDERMAN ASTOR NEW BUSINESS.

YES, MA'AM.

UM, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE BOARD THAT, UM, I COULD USE $10,000 OF MY A RP MONEY FOR THE NEWBURN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOR THE FIRE STATION DISPLAY.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT 500, $500 FOR, UM, ITEMS THEY WOULD NEED FOR DISPLAY LIKE CHILDREN'S TURNOUT GEAR, SO ON SO FORTH.

SO TEN FIVE HUNDRED TOTAL, 10,500, TWO DIFFERENT VENDORS OUT.

EXCELLENT.

UM, AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY IF, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN THIS PLACE, YOU NEED TO STOP BEING MM-HMM .

I TOLD YOU, DIDN'T I? YEAH.

SO, UH, OKAY.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND FOR 10,500 FROM WARD THREE ARPA ENABLED FUNDS.

UH, WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND AND FURTHER DISCUSSIONS HEARING NONE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

AND MAYOR, I ALSO WAS JUST, I I'VE BEEN ON VACATION SO I HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE LOOP ON THINGS, BUT DID WE ISSUE A BURN PERMIT YET FOR COUNTY LINE ROAD? AND ARE THEY USING, UTILIZING? THEY HAVE.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO LET US KNOW WHEN, WHEN THEY STARTED THAT.

THE, THE PERMIT HAS PROBABLY BEEN ISSUED, BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN BEEN NOTIFIED.

MARVIN, DO YOU HAVE ANY UPDATE ON THAT? UH, WE DON'T HAVE AN UPDATE ON WEATHER BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANY BURN WITH ALL THE RAIN.

SO THE LAST, UH, UPDATE THAT I SPOKE TO THE FIRE CHIEF, HE INDICATED THEY HADN'T STARTED ANYTHING YET.

ARE THEY, DO THEY HAVE THAT EQUIPMENT ON THE SCENE THAT YOU KNOW OF BY ANY CHANCE? THE BURN? NOT THAT I KNOW OF.

FANS.

COMPANIES AND CONTRACTORS THAT'S COMING THROUGH HERE AND IF THEY CUT A POWER LINE OR WATER LINE, HOW EXPEDIENTLY WILL THEY BE REPAIRED? SO IS IS THAT A, A ISSUE THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST THAT IT TOOK SOME DAYS FOR THOSE REPAIRS TO GET DONE OR IT'S IMMEDIATELY DONE FOR WATER AND ELECTRODES IS CONCERNED? RIGHT.

IF YOU HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, I WOULD LOVE TO GO OUT AND SEE THAT, THAT THAT WAS THE INTENDED TO START WHENEVER THEY GET IT IN IN PLACE.

THAT THAT WAS, THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'D ALREADY DISCUSSED WITH THE ON ONSITE SUPERVISORS.

WARD FOUR HAD ITS FIRST, UM, RESIDENCE COUNCIL MEETING ON THE THIRD OF THIS MONTH AND IT WAS WELL ATTENDED.

UM, AND OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON THE 3RD OF OCTOBER.

WE CAN'T MEET IN SEPTEMBER BECAUSE OF THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.

UM, THERE IS A WEBSITE ON FACEBOOK THAT EVENTUALLY SOMEBODY WILL LET YOU INTO.

UM, THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE OUT THERE AND INTERESTED IN JOINING, UM, THAT INFORMATION STREAM AND, UM, THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS GONNA MEET AGAIN THIS MONTH AND THEY HAVE GIVEN US ABOUT 15 PROJECTS THAT THEY'RE EXPECTING US TO PUT INTO A PRIORITIZATION ORDER.

UM, I'VE SPOKEN WITH TWO OTHER ALDERMEN AND ALSO THOSE OF YOU OUT IN THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DOT PROJECTS, PLEASE CONTACT ME THROUGH MY CITY EMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOUR INPUT AS WELL.

UM, YES, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK, UM, MR. CHILES, UM, AND HIS STAFF, UM, ON GLEN BURNIE ROAD, UM, BY, UM, BOJANGLES AND THE LAUNDROMAT.

THERE'S A MEDIUM THERE THAT REFLECTORS WAS TORN DOWN AND HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED.

AND I HIT THAT REFLECTOR, NOT THE REFLECTOR, THE MEDIUM, AND IT BLEW OUT MY FRONT TIRE.

SO I CONTACTED MR. CHILDS AND HE IMMEDIATELY GOT ON IT WITH N-C-D-O-T AND I SAW YESTERDAY THAT THE TWO REFLECTORS ARE PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE THAT'S GONNA ELIMINATE A LOT OF ACCIDENTS THERE.

AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE ACCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED THERE, UM, BUT JUST HAVEN'T BEEN REPORTED.

BUT, UM, I WANT TO THANK HIM AND HIS TEAM FOR THAT.

AND ANOTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS BECAUSE I'VE GOTTEN SOME CALLS FROM CITIZENS BECAUSE OF THE, UH, GAS LINES THAT HAVE BEEN HIT.

UM, A LOT OF CITIZENS ARE A LITERAL CONCERN ABOUT THAT.

AND I'VE HAD SOME CITIZENS THAT ASK ME ABOUT THESE CABLE

[00:50:01]

TYPICALLY WHEN, WHEN THOSE THERE ARE STRIKES, THEY'RE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE REPAIRED PRETTY QUICKLY.

IT, IT'S, IT'S HARDLY EVER DAYS THAT THAT OCCURS.

IF IT'S, IF IT'S A WATER OR ELECTRIC, OUR CREWS ARE OUT THERE, RIGHT THEN WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE WITH, WITH SOME OF THE OTHER UTILITIES THAT WILL GET OUT THERE QUICKLY AS WELL TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

ON SEVERAL OF THE STRIKES THAT WE HAVE REPORTED TO THE GOVERNING BOARD OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, UM, THERE HAVE BEEN LOCATES ON ON THOSE, UM, UH, GAS LINES, BUT THE LOCATORS HAVE ACTUALLY MISSED THE LINES.

IT HAS NOT SHOWN UP.

UH, EXAMPLE OF THE ONE RIGHT OUT HERE AT THE FLAG POLES THAT OCCURRED, UH, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

AND SO THAT OCCURS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

WE HATE THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENS, BUT, BUT, BUT MISS LOCATES DO OCCUR.

AND THAT'S IT, SIR.

ALDERMAN OUTLAW, UM, TO ALDERMAN BEST CONCERNS, UM, TUB IS NOT AWARE.

A LOT OF THIS TYPE OF WORK GOING ON IS WITH SUBCONTRACTORS AND THERE ARE SEVERAL BIG ONES IN THE AREA THAT ARE UTILITY CONTRACTORS THAT ARE SUBBING SUBS.

AND, UM, THE BEST THING I CAN TELL PUBLIC, IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS, PLEASE FOR, TO HELP ALL OF US GO TO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK, TAKE A PICTURE AND LICENSE PLATE AND SEND IT IN TO THE STAFF BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT A TRIPLE LAYER OF ACCOUNTABILITY OF WHO IS ACTUALLY DOING THE DAMAGE.

UM, MAYOR, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GOT THAT INFORMATION FROM KEVIN YATES WITH, UM, REESE ACROSS AMERICA, BUT THEY'RE HAVING A, UM, A MOTORCYCLE RIDE ON A RIDE FROM ON SEPTEMBER 26TH.

I KNOW THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OFF, BUT YOU KNOW, IT'LL BE A BIG EVENT STARTING AT NEW RIVER HARLEY IN JACKSONVILLE AND THEY'RE GONNA RIDE TO NEW VERN AND MAYOR, IF YOU WANNA BORROW MY MOTORCYCLE, YOU IF YOU'LL GET THAT ENDORSEMENT, YOU MAY IT.

I BELIEVE OUR HAIRSTYLES ARE ABOUT THE ONLY THING WE HAVE IN COMMON WHEN IT COMES TO THAT MAYOR.

YEAH, HIM AND I DON'T, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

BUT ANYWAY, UM, YESTERDAY FOR ANY OF THE ALDERMAN OR THE PUBLIC, AGAIN, UM, WE HAD A LOT OF RAIN AND IT WAS IN A VERY QUICK PERIOD OF TIME AND I'M JUST GONNA REPORT FOR MY WARD, BUT I KNOW SOME OTHER WARDS THAT HAD SOME ISSUES.

UM, IF WE NEED TO TAKE IT OUTTA MY DISCRETIONARY, IF WE NEED TO TAKE IT OUT OF MY REMAINING RECOVERY MONEY.

UM, WHEN YOU DON'T PROPERLY SIZE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EVENTS LIKE YESTERDAY, UM, IN THE, IN THE KINGS ROW AREA, THERE WERE SEVERAL SITUATIONS WHERE THE WATER I WAS IN MY BIG TRUCK COULDN'T GO THROUGH IT.

UM, AND PARTICULARLY WHERE IT WAS WAS AT JIMMY JIMMY'S CREEK DRIVE AND YARMOUTH, UH, IF YOU GO OUT THERE AND LOOK AT THE TRASH LINES, UM, AND THE CONCERN THERE IS THAT WHEN YOU'RE OUT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER BACK OUT TOWARD GLEN BURNIE AND THERE'S A DITCH ABOUT FIVE FEET DOWN THAT COULD HAVE CARRIED THAT WATER OUT.

BUT AGAIN, UM, AS A CITY, AS THE STAFF, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHEN WE DON'T, UH, PROPERLY ENGINEER FOR RAIN EVENTS, WHICH AGAIN, THAT WHEN YOU GET A RAIN VENT LIKE YESTERDAY, ALL BETS ARE OFF.

THERE'S NOTHING SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO CARRY ALL THAT RAIN.

BUT SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THERE'S A RELEVANT RANGE OF WHERE WE OUGHT TO BE.

UM, I NEED PARTICULARLY GREENBRIER DID, DID WELL.

IT, I WROTE ALL, I MEAN THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD.

THANK YOU BOB CHOWS FOR DESIGNING THAT PROPERTY.

KINGS ROAD AND EVEN CYPRESS SHORES WHERE I LIVE.

UM, THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WATER AND AGAIN, THE INVERT OF WHERE IT WORKED HAD GONE, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY, UH, DIFFERENTIAL TO WHERE THE WATER WAS THAT WAS PONDED.

UM, SO AT VERY BEST TO COME IN FOR A LANDING ON THIS, I'M, I'M REQUESTING PARTICULARLY IN KINGS ROAD THAT ALL THE SHOULDERS, WHICH ARE CITY SHOULDERS, ALL THE CULVERTS BE VACUUMED OUT BECAUSE BETWEEN RIGHT NOW AND WHEN OCTOBER'S OVER THIS IS WHERE THESE RAIN EVENTS, THE BIGGIES

[00:55:01]

COME IN.

AND I, I'D APPRECIATE SOME LOVE AND IF IT NEEDS TO COME OUT OF MY DISCRETIONARIES, I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO DO IT AND I'D LOVE TO RIDE AROUND WITH STAFF TO SHOW 'EM SOME OTHER THINGS.

THANK YOU, SIR.

SO, SO, SO TO PIGGYBACK OFF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, UM, MR. CHILES, I'M NOT SURE OF HOW IT WORKS, HIM AND, UM, MR. AVERY SMITH ARE AWARE OF THESE POINTS WHERE THE, THE HEAVY RAIN WAS AFFECTED, THOSE AREAS THAT WAS AFFECTED.

MR. HUGHES, ARE YOU AB ABSOLUTELY.

SO THEN IF, IF MR. OUTLAW IS GOING TO REQUEST MONIES TO GO TOWARDS GETTING THOSE AREAS CLEANED OUT, I WOULD, I ALSO HAVE MONIES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO GET THE SAME, UM, KIND OF SERVICE WITHIN WARD FIVE.

SO I GUESS WE NEED TO GET WITH MR. CHILDS OR MR. SMITH TO SEE WHERE THOSE PROBLEM AREAS ARE.

YEP.

WE'LL, WE'LL WE'LL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU TOMORROW, OKAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IS REQUEST PETITION, PETITION OF CITIZENS MME. CARTER.

UH, THE ONLY THING I'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE, UM, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN ME AND SOME OTHERS, UH, ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 23RD AT 10 O'CLOCK AT THE ST.

PETER'S AME ZION CHURCH, UH, ON SIX 17 QUEEN STREET, UH, FORMER ALDERMAN AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA LEE WILL BE PRESENTED THE LONGLEAF ORDER, THE ORDER OF THE LONGLEAF PINE.

AND THAT PRESENT PRESENTER WILL BE CONGRESSMAN DON DAVIS.

SO HE WILL BE THERE TO MAKE THAT PRESENTATION.

SO I WANTED TO MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

UH, THAT IS ALL THE NEW BUSINESS.

UH, NEXT

[27. Request and Petition of Citizens — General Topics.]

UH, REX HERMAN.

GOOD EVENING MAYOR ALDERMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN.

MY NAME IS REX HERMAN AND I'M A RESIDENT OF NEWBURG LIVING AT 3 0 7 P*****K STREET, ABOUT A HUNDRED YARDS THAT WAY.

I AM HERE THIS EVENING TO RESPECTFULLY INFORM THE BOARD THAT I AM LAUNCHING A NEW SMALL BUSINESS CALLED LANTERN LIGHT TOURS.

THIS WILL BE A GUIDED WALKING TOUR FOCUSED ON NEW VERN'S RICH HISTORY OF FAITH, RESILIENCE AND STORIES OF REDEMPTION THAT ARE WOVEN INTO OUR COMMUNITY'S PAST.

THE CHURCH WILL BE CONDUCTED ON PUBLIC SIDEWALKS AND STREETS IN THE DOWNTOWN AND HISTORIC AREAS, PRIMARILY IN THE EVENINGS.

GROUPS WILL BE SMALL AND RESPECTFUL OF RESIDENTS PROPERTY AND THE QUIET ENJOYMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS.

I WILL OPERATE FULLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE CITY ORDINANCES, STATE LAWS, AND ANY PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO GUIDED TOURS OR SMALL BUSINESSES.

MY GOAL IS TO CREATE A POSITIVE VISITOR EXPERIENCE THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE CHARACTER AND HERITAGE OF NEWBURN, SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL TOURISM ECONOMY, AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO SPEND MORE TIME EXPLORING OUR DOWNTOWN SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, AND ATTRACTIONS.

I BELIEVE THIS TYPE OF OFFERING COMPLIMENTS TO MANY EXCELLENT SELF-GUIDED AND EXISTING GUIDED TOURS THAT ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE IN THIS CITY.

I WANTED TO INTRODUCE THE CONCEPT TO THE BOARD AS A COURTESY AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS NEW BUSINESS.

I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE BOARD OR CITY MAY HAVE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH ANY APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS AS I COMPLETE ANY NECESSARY STEPS TO OPERATE PROPERLY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE TO NEWARK.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THAT'S ALL THE PETITION OF CITIZENS AND I DON'T BELIEVE WE NEED A CLOSED SESSION.

NO, SIR.

UH, SO IF NOT, I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

MAYOR.

HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.