City Council - Regular Meeting

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like to call the regular meeting of the Morgan City Council, March the 2nd, 2026 to order. Renee, do we have anybody for public comments, please? Okay. If not, we'll go into our pledge of allegiance. I'll ask Councilman McWain to please lead us in the pledge of allegiance. If we please rise.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This time I'd like to call Amy Kincaid, associate pastor at the Boone Church to lead us in an invocation. Amy, welcome.

Thank you. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, I thank you for this day and the opportunity to come before you in prayer. I ask Lord that you bless this city council meeting and the duties responsibilities entrusted to these leaders. We ask for your wisdom and guidance. Lord, I pray that you unite this council in purpose. Help them to see beyond their own individual perspectives and work together for the shared good of this community. Lord, I pray that you bless the economy of this community so that it will strengthen families. It will support businesses and opportunities for growth. Lord, that other communities, they'll look over here and wonder what is going on over there in Morgan. Lord, I lift up our public safety to you, the firefighters, the linemen, the first responders, and all of those having to respond to emergencies and really tough situations. Protect them, dear Lord, as you protect us all. Bless our community as a whole, our children, Lord, our seniors, educators, our faith, and our civic leaders. As this meeting proceeds, Lord, may every action align with what strengthens unity and hope. Lord, I entrust this time in their agenda to you and ask your blessing upon this our city. In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Amy. I'd like to introduce council to my far right. Wendy Kato, our mayor pro Tim. Chris Jernigan, city council. Keith Risby, our city attorney. I'm Ronnie Thompson, your mayor. Sally Sandy, our city manager. Butch McWain, city council. Molly McKay, city council. And we have Renee Carwell, our city clerk. Uh our interpreters for the deaf, Ernest Williams IV, and Linda Farford. Uh first some service pins that we need to present. Um our first service pin is to Billy Costner. Is Billy here tonight? He is.

If Billy will come forward and I'm going to ask Molly McKay if she'll make that presentation. Congratulations on such a lengthy career. We appreciate your service and want to recognize you for the city. Thank you. Thank you. Billy, would you like to say a word? OKAY. Billy was 25 years the lead line clear crew at electric services. We also have Chris Ferris for 20 years as a lab supervisor in water resources. And Chris was not able to be here today.

Chris is not here. Okay. We have some resolutions on retirement. Uh our first resolution is a resolution honoring K9 Jaros. Like to read that resolution. Whereas police Kane Jaros has faithfully served the Morgan Department of Public Safety alongside his handler PSO Stacy Huffman since he was placed into service in 2017. And whereas Jarus has been certified by the North American Police Working Dog Association in the areas of obedience, narcotics detection, tracking, area search, article search, and apprehension. And whereas Jarus has assisted in the tracking and apprehension of multiple suspects and has located 18 persons. And whereas Jarus has seized over 150,000 in US currency, recovered 34 firearms connected to criminal activity and assisted in the seizure of narcotics and controlled substances. And whereas Jarus has participated in over 200 public demonstrations which has helped strengthen the relationship between Morgan public safety and the community. And whereas Jarus has reported for duty every day ready to serve, protect and defend. And whereas Jarus has performed his canine responsibilities as a professional police dog with the highest standards and has demonstrated his unwavering dedication, courage, and loyalty. And whereas Jarvis has been well loved by his handler PSO Stacy Huffman and leaves her with many memories of a partnership that was forged through love, trust, and respect. And whereas now is the time for Jarus to remove his police vest and all the responsibilities that come with it and enjoy the carefree life of being a dog. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city of Morganington that the mayor present the resolution to Jarus in recognition of his dedicated service to

the city of Morington adopted this second day of March 2026. Ronnie Johnson, Mayor Sally Sandy, city manager to have a motion to accept this resolution. So move to have a second. Second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Okay. Right. Chief, would you like to say something? I would. Council Mayor Sally. Uh, good evening. This is obviously we're here for Jerus's retirement, but a lot of what the public doesn't know is that Stacy has decided that this will be her last K9. So, she'll be retiring as a K9 handler. Not from the department. Good.

Um, but but as a handler. And I'm going to reiterate here shortly of of some of the statistics that that uh you mentioned, but I want to speak a little bit about Stacy and and how valuable she has been to the agency. For over a decade, Stacy has exemplified what it truly means to serve. As a K9 handler, the job demands more than skill. It requires patience, trust, resilience, and an unbreakable bond between handler and canine. She brought all of all of that and more to every shift. Her dedication was evident in the early mornings, the late nights, the callouts, the training days, and the countless hours spent ensuring that she and Geros were always prepared. Professionalism designed to defined her work. Whether on a high-risisk call, conducting a search, supporting fellow officers, or representing the department in public demonstrations, she carried herself with integrity and confidence. She understood that being a canine handler meant being held to a high standard, and she met that standard every single day. For over eight years, she and Geros have contributed to safer streets, successful searches, critical apprehensions, and meaningful community connections. The impact of her work may not always be headlines or headline, but it has made a difference in this department and in the lives of the people she served. Some of the statistics with Stacy working with Geros located 18 persons during traffic and building searches seized over $150,000 in US currency. Recovered 33 firearms connected to criminal activity. Assisted in the seizure of 3.8 8 kilos of marijuana, 1.5 kilos of meth, 260 gram of fentanyl, 593 gram of cocaine, 355 gram of heroin, 443 dosage units of

illegally possessed prescription narcotics, and she participated in over or Gerros participated in over 200 public demonstrations. All that for our community. So on behalf of everyone here, thank you for your service. Jerus, thank you for yours as well. Can Can Jarus handle applause or will that app? Yes. Yes, please.

A, you want to say some things, Stacy? Stacy, that was for you as well.

All right. First of all, um it is truly an honor to stand before you guys today. Um it's hard to believe that almost nine months the year I was standing here thanking you guys for allowing me to handle K9 Shrek. Um unfortunately as we all know he passed but you granted us the ability to gain g9 jo um every day he come ready to for work. That's all I can say about him. His intensity his drive and his heart is one of the best I've ever seen in a canine. Um what some don't know recently um during a a routine getting ready for work, he started um uh basically yelping that something was wrong um took him to the vet where we determined that he actually slipped a disc in his neck. So to prevent further harm to him, uh we felt like it was humanely best for him to retire and live out his best life. Um I'm happy to say that he gets to live out his best life at my house with my family. Yes, today stepping away from active duty is bittersweet. Um, it's also our responsibility to ensure Jay enjoys his retirement. I sincerely want to thank the city council and mayor for your unwavering support of the K9 program. Your commitment to funding, training, equipment, and resources make the program possible. Because of your support, officers like me have the tools we need to protect the community, and partners like JRus have the opportunity to serve at the highest level. K9 JRos will leave behind a legacy that will continue long after today. In every track completed, every search conducted, every life touched through his demonstrations and community engagement, his impact will remain. He is more than just a working dog. He is my protector, my partner, a symbol of courage, loyalty, and unwavering service.

He see this a lot. You going to come up? Jarus, it's been an honor to have you beside you in my career. Oh, thank you, buddy. That's awesome.

And then we have one more resolution that actually allows Geros to fully retire and to reside with Stacy. Okay. So, we just need a motion and a second to that resolution. Okay. Do I have a motion? Motion to adopt resolution retiring K9 Jarros Morgington Department of Public Safety with nine years of service to the city of Morington and adopt retirement resolution in honor of K9 Jaros. Thank you, Chris. I have a motion to have a second. Second. Thank you, Butch. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Motion passes. Thanks.

Okay. Uh next we have a resolution um honoring Brooks Kirby. Whereas Brooks Kirby joined the city of Morington as technical services supervisor in the electric service department on June 19th, 2006. And whereas Brooks Kirby has faithfully served and given of his time and effort for the citizens of the city of Morington for 20 years. And whereas Brooks Kirby has involved himself in electric cities, serving as a power agency director and a rate committee member. And Raz Books Kirby has dedicated his efforts in keeping the lights on for the citizens of Morgan, including the incredible response to Hurricane Elaine. And Raz Books Kirby retired from the city of Morgan as director of electric services on March 1st, 2026. And as Morgan City Council wishes to officially recognize the contributions of Brooks Kirby and express their appreciation for his leadership, service, and a job well done. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city of Morington, that the mayor present the resolution to Brooks Kirby in recognition of his dedicated service and lasting contribution to the city of Morgan adopted this second day of March 2026. Ronnie Thompson, Mayor Sally Sandy, city manager. I'm ask Councilman Chris Jernikan if he'll make that presentation. Brooks, if you'll come forward, please. I know that you don't have your chew toy with you. I'm going to first of all say I've enjoyed serving alongside you, but I'm not going to rub you under the chin. I appreciate that.

And that's a hard act to follow. It is. But I'm going to tell you, your service to this city has just truly been amazing, Brooks. I appreciate it. And you have been such an inspiration to a grand team. The the team that we have here at the city that goes out on those calls in the middle of the night, fixes everything. And you've been a part of all of that for 20 years. seen all the snakes, all the squirrels, all the things that have gotten into our power lines and and every time I've ever called you with a citizen's request, you've always said, "I'll I'll take care of it. I'll do my very best." And we appreciate you. We're going to miss you. And I I can't say enough how much you have done for this city and how much we appreciate you. Thank you. Yes, sir.

Thank you very much. I just won't take long. Uh, as Chris pointed out, it's hard to follow an animal act, but uh, I just want to thank my fellow departmental personnel for their dedication and their faith and their hard work. Also, my fellow employees here at city hall, the different departments, and for you, council, and you, Mr. Mayor, and especially Sally. Uh, I've worked at a lot of different places over the years and this is the best place I've ever worked. Wow.

And it wasn't the environment, it wasn't the job, it was the people and I'm so grateful and honored to be part of it. Thank you so much, Brooks. Thanks for all you did. Thank you. One last thing. My wife so much. Good job. Better not forget her. Okay. Don't slide.

We did not do a motion in a second. We need a motion and a second. I need a motion uh to accept the that that retirement the retirement resolution. I make that motion. Okay, we need to have a motion to have a second. Second. Thank you, Molly. All in favor say I. I. Thank you. Okay, next is uh public advocacy. Well, we have Brand

need to read one more uh retirement resolution. I could find it. It's a resolution honoring Brad Boris who could not be with us tonight. Whereas Brad Boris joined the city of Morington as director of water resources on December 10th, 2012. And whereas Brad Boris has faithfully served and given of his time and effort for the citizens of the city of Morgan for 13 years. And whereas Brad Boris has represented the city of Morgan on the Kataba watery committee and protected the water supply in the upper Kataba basin. And whereas Brad Boris retired from the city of Morington as director of water resources on March 1st, 2026. And whereas the Morgan City Council wishes to officially recognize the contributions of Brad Boris and express their appreciation for his leadership, service, and a job well done. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city of Morgan that the mayor present the resolution to Brad Boris in recognition of his dedicated service and lasting contribution to the city of Morgan adopted this second day of March 2026. Ronnie Thompson, Mayor, Sally Sandy, city manager. I do have a motion to accept this resolution.

So move. Have a second. Second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Okay. The motion passes. Okay. Next under public advocacy. And before we do that, may I introduce Randy? Okay. Okay. So, may Randy, may I call you up to the podium? That's all really tough to follow.

It is. You got it, though. So, we we have retired uh Brooks and Brad tonight and would like to introduce our community to Randy Smith who has joined us. Friday was his first day. Today is day two as our new director of water resources for the city of Morgan and we are really excited to have you as part of the team. I'm very excited to be here. Thank you. I look forward to to many years and I'm from this area, Morgan. So, you know, really consider it full circle and ecstatic to be here. So, excited to be a part of this great team. Thank you, Randy. Thank you, Randy.

Okay. Next uh under public advocacies is recognition 2026 2029 platinum RP3 designation that the city of Morgan Electric Services was given by the American Public Power Association. I'll ask Chris Jernigan to make that presentation. I believe Garrett is in the room. Garrett, if you'll come forward, make them come up. Brook, you might as well come back up, too. Come on. Bring your whole staff up. Okay. Yep. Y'all come on. Come on. Yes. Yeah. Get up here. We don't allow shallness. No shyness allowed in this room.

Besides, Roger, you look very nice. Y'all clean up very well.

Yeah. On behalf of the mayor and the council and especially the citizens, it's an honor to be able to present you with this as platinum member of the RP3 public power provider. And I'll echo again what I said to Brooks. We have the most amazing team of electric workers and linemen and staff in the office and everywhere of any city. I hear that from others within the electric cities. They talk about Morgan. They talk about our staff. They come to our aid quickly because they know they're going to be working with top-notch professional people. And they love all of you the way we love all of you. We greatly appreciate you.

Thank you.

You want to put him back? Uh, I'm not prepared for a speech. I wasn't planning on this, but thank you, council. Thank you, Sally. Thank you, mayor. Um, we had, this is for efficient, reliable, safe electrical system. And it would not be possible without all these guys and the ones that did not show up. That's right. So, thank you to them. They are the ones that done it. I just done the documentation. Thank you. Thank you. We're proud of that.

Okay. Next, we have a proclamation from the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, Burke Impact Group, VI Challenge Month, April of 2026. I'll call on Wendy. Wendy, do you have that? Okay. If Wendy, present that to Tanya Stevenson. I think she is in I don't have a physical one. Molly has Molly, I'm sorry. Molly, would you make that presentation, please?

Molly, come on behalf of the city council and the city of Morgan. This is a resolution or proclamation declaring April 26, 2026 to be the Burke County Chamber of Commerce. Burke Impact Group Challenge Month and I I want to thank you for all the efforts that y'all have put into this. It's a whereas the Burke Impact Group Challenge led by the Burke County Chamber of Commerce builds upon the success of the community's annual litter sweep efforts conducted over the past four years. And whereas his expanded month-long initiative provides increased opportunities for residents, businesses, civic groups, and organizations throughout Burke County to participate in meaningful community improvement activities. And whereas the BIG challenge is intentionally designed to be inclusive of individuals of all ages and physical abilities by offering a variety of ways to serve beyond traditional litter pickup. And whereas these activities may include beautifification projects, volunteer service, environmental stewardship, and other acts that strengthen community pride and engagement. And whereas the Burke County Chamber of Commerce continues to demonstrate leadership in fostering partnerships that promote cleaner, more connected, and more vibrant community. And whereas the Burke Impact Group Challenge encourages citizens to take collective ownership in preserving the natural beauty and quality of life in Burke County. There. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the city council of the city of Morganson hereby designates the month of April 2026 as Burke County Chamber of Commerce Burke Impact Group Challenge Month and encourages all residences b all residents, businesses, civic groups, and organizations to participate in activities that make a positive impact

throughout the city of Morington and Burke County. Adopted the second day of March, 2026. Congratulations and thank you for all that you do for this community. It's a privilege to hand up to you. Thank you.

Thank you, Molly. Thank you, council members and mayor and manager. I appreciate you so much u making it um our big ch our big challenge month. We're still learning how to do this. Um because we have been doing the litter sweep for several years and we we really got a lot of people who said, "I'd love to do the litter sweep, but I'm not available at that time or I don't have the physical abilities to do the litter sweep." And so we feel like this is a way of encompassing all those people. So there's no excuses now. And people can um choose whatever project they want to do. And we want to celebrate it. But we really want to make a big impact in this community other than maybe just cleaning up streets, which we still do. And we still provide the pro the the items needed to do a litter sweep. But this way if somebody wants to do a baby shower for one of our nonprofits or if they want to build a ramp or build a habitat house or um just go serve lunches at um one of our soup kitchens, they can do that. And we're going to celebrate it with a big celebration early May. So thank you so much to the city for uh being a big part of this and helping us get the word out about it.

Tanya, thanks for all that you and the chamber do. Thank you so much. I have an announcement that the city of Morgan business office will be temporarily closed beginning on March 16th, 2026 until March 20th, 2026. And Jesse's going to come up and talk about this. And Jesse's going to come up and talk about the closure.

Quickly, um I mentioned on Friday, right, we're changing utility billing software. We've talked about it quite a few times. So, the day has finally come. We're apprehensive, but honestly very excited. It's going to be a great customerf facing side that we've not been able to do. So, just a reminder that we will be closed. Business office, not city hall. We'll be closed the week of March 16th, Monday through Friday. Um, and that's really for us to fully integrate, have everything switched over because we won't be running the old system. We're completely moving to the new system. So, after that week, we'll have a lot of information out. We're working with Janelle on website through our different um new sources, our social media on how customers can get their new account because it's a completely new account number that you'll have to get set up on our new customer portal for online access kind of to everything that we've really not had before. So really excited. Uh we won't have any due dates that week. There was a March 16th due date and it's been moved to the following week and we won't have cut offs kind of before or after. So trying to be as flexible as we can and u really excited about it.

So this will integrate a lot of systems together. Correct. Um yes and no. We're really just completely our current system how we take payments out front and how we bill. We're just moving to a completely new platform. Um and then it's allowing us to have the online taxes that we weren't allowed to offer before and then it integrates back into our current financial software. Okay, Jesse. Thanks. Any questions? A question that that I've been asked is will people need to if they currently have a um you know if they currently have a number will you be will the office be switching them to their new number or do they have to come into the port

the office will so if they will have a new customer account number yes everyone will have that you will obviously have access to it in your paper bill if you don't want to do the online form you will so we'll have all of that out to you and Then for you to set up your new customer account, you'll have to have that new number. So yes, we will give you your new number. Most more likely than not on your first bill will probably be the easiest way to do that, but you're definitely more than welcome to call or come back in person when we open back up. Best of luck. Thank you.

Under upcoming events, we have Art in the Hall. March of this March features Robert Patton's American flag assemblage. It's a special flag displayed to launch a year-long series of displays celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary. The display serves as a sampling of more than 20 revolutionary era era flags from Robert Patton's personal collection. Mr. Patton represents the historic Burke Foundation, Colonel Alexander Irwin chapter, sons of the American Revolution and the America 20250 NC Burke committee. Robert, I think you want to make a presentation.

Each of you has four items and one of those items is a flag. The other is a description of the flag. The other two are vexalology programming to say when I'm done with what I have to say, you will all be certified vexalologist.

I've been called a lot of things, Robert, but never that. And the other thing you've got is a is a little display of the flags of a number of the flags that I have with a brief very brief description and a picture. What I would like to ask you to do, well, first let me reflect. The last time I was here, I brought other displays and put one at each of your places and you wanted those items and I was unwilling to give them. There wasn't anything at your desk that was valued less than $1,000. The things I've got for you tonight, and I'm going to ask you to hold them up. going to ask you to hold the grommets in your left hand and the other end in your right hand as far as you can reach. It's a 3x5 flag. So, if you've got a five foot span in your wingspan, everybody will get to see the flags. The other thing that I'm doing tonight is I'm going to give you those flags, but I do have a suggestion to go with you're accepting the flag. There is a flag flying in front of my house. It's the cowpins battle flag. It's 12 stars with one in the center. And it's the the reason for it and the most important reason for me to fly it is it represents General Daniel Morgan who our city is named for. And that battle at Cowpens is still studied today at West Point. So

no further discussion about that. If you would stand and hold your flags. Okay. And Chris, you need to turn yours around. It's bad. You said left hand, right? I was wrong. I was wrong. Need your right hand. The other hand right hand grommet. See right hand in the other left.

So Wendy has the uh battle flag from Cowpens. The unit or die flag is a flag that was created in 1775 by Ben Franklin in a publication in Philadelphia. That flag is probably the end of the war flag and it was flown at the battle of Yorktown and that was January, excuse me, that was uh October 19, 1781. Liberty of Death called Peppermint. I love them because Daniel Morgan took his coal pepper million into Williamsburg and when they arrived scared the people to death. They were wearing mohawk haircuts and looked like Indians painted up like Indians. So they were an unusual appearing group. The next flag is the first flag that was approved by the Congress of the United States in 1776. It flew for two years and then there were other flags that took its place. The next flag is truly one of my favorite flags. It's the Syrap flag and that flag was designed by Benjamin Franklin in a letter that he sent to John Paul Jones. When John Paul Jones had captured uh therapy ship from his Bonome Richard ship that sank in the battle, they locked the ships together. They stopped fighting three or four times because of fires in both ships. You can imagine that they actually stopped fighting to put out the fire and then started fighting again. So that's that that's the design. That's not what Franklin intended, by the way. He did not intend to have blue stripes in it.

Interesting. That's what makes it so unique. And the last one is an important battle to us, the Guilford Courthouse battle. And uh even though we lost the battle, Lord Cornwall is saying if we win anymore, Lord Cornwallis, British general, said if we win any more battles like this, we'll be defeated because we really almost won that battle at Guilford Courthouse. And those are your flags. You're welcome to keep them. I encourage you to fly. Thank you. You have a description of each of the flags and I hope you will share with other people your flag.

Thank you, Robert. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, Robert. And Robert, I want to point out why they may have been smarter than me. I'm the only one who followed directions. Uhoh. Oh, he didn't call. He just didn't call you out. Okay.

Okay. Other announcements. Thank you again, Robert. Thank you for the the gift and thank you for the knowledge. Um, next up we have the Morgan Downtown Development Association annual chili cookoff, which is Friday, March 13th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the community house. Physical tickets are available at the Main Street office or can be purchased online by visiting the City of Morington website. We have the winter popup farmers market on Saturday, March 14th. Uh from 9 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 111 North Green Street. Uh and Parks Recreation, the Morgan Aquatic Center is going to be closed March 12th through the 15th for a maintenance check. We plan to reopen on Monday, March 16th on a regular schedule. Our mountain bike trail opening uh the B might the mountain bike trail at Kataba Meadows will be open for use on Tuesday, March 3rd. There will be an official grand opening scheduled later at a later date. There are three sections that riders can use on from beginners all the way to advanced riders. Currently, you can access the mountain bike trail through Kataba Metas Park or the Rocky Ford greenway access point. A reminder that the section of greenway lo located at Rocky Ford is closed for all traffic as it is unstable and falling into the river. Please remember that the trail is for mountain bike traffic only. Drexel Heritage Park is now open and the new playground is ready for use in the coming weeks. The fencing that was damaged during the hurricane will be reinstalled. Our annual Easter egg hunt at Kataba Meta Park will be Saturday, March 28th. The game start at 10:00 a.m. The egg hunt begins at 11:00 for the

I don't know if Brian has anything else. Brian, would you like to add anything concerning the Easter egg hunt? Well, I think he has maybe some other part news.

Okay, part news. Um I was going to in on the next page we I was going to discuss while uh the Rocky Ford greenway repair but on what you just said yes the um Easter egg hunt will be at Kataba Meadows this year. It's traditionally at the soccer complex which um is not doable right now. We did it at Freedom Park last year. We think the the parking situation and space will be better at Kataba Meadows. Uh, the egg y hunt will be at 11 o'clock. We'll be over at 11 o'clock in 30 seconds. And um the we drop I think there's 10,000 eggs that are dropped for multiple age groups and prize eggs in each age group. Um so it's a fun event. Uh Drex Drex Park is open and ready for use. Um, it's a neat new playground and and then the mountain bike trail. Uh, we'll get it going tomorrow. Uh, it's I know people have been chomping at the bit to to get out there. Some have already been out there, but um, all sections of the mountain bike trail will be open. The there's signage out there. We ask that people enjoy it. Be be safe. The advanced section is scary. Um,

and but that's probably what they want and fun. No, the T. So, it will be ready to go tomorrow. We just ask anybody using it if there's any issues that they see just to contact us and let us know there, you know, the due to its location, there will be trees that that come down and continued maintenance that we'll have to do, but uh we should be ready to go and a grand opening will be scheduled um I would think in the next next several weeks. Brian, that's not going to be multi-use. That's just bicycle. Just bicycles, right? No runners, hikers, whatever. Right. Yes. It's a very narrow It is path. It's unlike the greenway. It would be hard to to to get by one another. Brian, thanks.

Brian, I'd like to ask Mr. Mayor if I could. The the last couple of weekends, I've seen cars parking outside the gate on the uh 18 pro uh access point. That's not going to be opened yet, right? The access point will be open. The We'll open the gate. Just closing off the trail. the we will do our best to greenway park close off the greenway and we've tried that previously and with uh

some no success. Um but uh but we will we're going to continue to to continue continue to lock it and try to keep people off of that section as it is is dangerous whether it it looks so or not. Um, but uh you'll be able to access access the mountain bike trail there. And then the far end of Kataba Meadows behind the softball field, you can access the trail. Uh, that's the beginner section. The section out by Rocky Ford is the advanced section, right? And there is there is some FEMA uh river work taking place at that access point, too. So, there will be some uh other vehicles coming in and out down underneath the bridge.

Thank you, Brian. Any other questions? Okay, good luck. It's spring. Spring is coming. So, thank you. Under our performing arts center, uh Friday, March 6th at 7:30, the Italian three Italian teners will be performing. Uh the show on Monday, March 30th at 7:30 was Kinky Boots has been cancelled by the tour group and refunds have been processed. Okay. Next is our our consent agenda. Sally, would you cover that, please?

Sure. Uh, those are three items that we would ask for you to approve in a single motion, unless you would like something discussed separately. Uh, those are minutes from the February 9th meeting. The, uh, motion to approve participating in the urban archery season for 2027. That would be from January 9th to February 14th. And we've done that for several years. and then setting the date for advertisement of unpaid real estate real estate tax accounts and that would be April 4th. Do any members wish to have any items removed from the consent agenda?

Mr. Mayor, I don't believe it needs to be removed, but the minutes do require a correction. Okay. The second page of the minutes under retirements, it indicates that Mayor Thompson read the resolution regarding Tammy Kirkpatrick. And Mr. Mayor, I don't believe you were here. And that resolution was in fact read by the mayor pro Tim Wendy Kato. Okay. Okay. Um any any other corrections? Do I have approval as amended? So move. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Sally, do we have anything from the municipal fire agency? No, it's just budget season. Okay.

Okay. Under new business, consideration of award of contract for engineering service for the Rocky Ford Greenway rebuild and the riverbank stabilization project. Brian, we'll call on you again, please.

All right. Twice in one night. Um, so yes, we uh the Rocky Ford Greenway uh if if you've been out there, you shouldn't be out there cuz it's closed, but if if you have been, it's it's sustain sustained heavy damage. Uh sections of the greenway are falling into the river and uh it's going to take some extensive work to to get that completed. It is also the I guess the last big project from the hurricane for my department and uh we we had uh put on RF RFQ. We had 10 companies submit proposals uh interviewed three and we've selected Wildlands Engineering uh for the design and buildback of the uh greenway there at Rocky Ford. The uh total was $384,000652 uh $384,652. And um the estimated timeline would uh bid bid the project sometime late fall this year. Uh award in February, early next year, and then have construction complete July of 27. Again, all of those are estimates. Uh we felt that out of the three companies that we interviewed, they their ideas kind of fell in line with what we were hoping to see. There's there's little room in that area. We we can't move the greenway off of that spot. There's we've got the mountain bike trail above it, a steep cliff, rock face uh beside it. So, it'll take some work and and uh some uh discussion on how to handle the the stream bank, whether they want to get equipment into the river to block block the river, do work from there, or if they can do from up top. So, there's

going to be several conversations that'll be had on how we handle that and uh through the design process, we'll figure that out and have those discussions and uh get that that part of the greenway back and and running. Okay, any questions? Brian, I need a motion, please. Motion to award a contract for engineering services for the Rocky Ford Greenway Rebuild and Riverbank Stabilization Project in an amount not to exceed $384,652 to Wildlands and to authorize the mayor andor city manager to execute said contract and any other necessary documents. Thank you, Wendy. I have a motion to have a second. Second.

Second. Thank you, Chris. Uh Sally, one question I had this we can use funding from the cash flow loan from the state treasur. Correct. We we are and that is actually your second action to to pay for this. Understanding that we are, as Brian said, this is our last recreation project to enter into the FEMA world. Um and and so with this engineering contract, we will ultimately hope to get this money and money for the rebuild and bank stabilization from FEMA. Okay, I have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? All in favor say I. I.

Motion passes. I need a second motion, please. I'll make a motion to approve a budget amendment to transfer cash flow loan proceeds in the amount of $384,652 to the CA Helen Capital Projects Fund and to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $384,652 to receive FEMA funding reimbursements and transfer from Helen SRF into the Helen Capital Projects Fund for Rocky Ford Greenway Rebuild and the Riverbank Stabiliz ization project. Thank you, Butch. I have a motion to have a second. Second. Thank you, Wendy. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I.

Motion passes. Next is consideration of an approval of an amendment change uh for water and wastewater master planning processes. Ally.

Yes. So, this is an item that you were updated on at your workshop on Friday and and as you found out, lots of work has been going on with this project. As part of this, as the engineer shared with you on Friday, um we were required to do some flow monitoring and our staff has decided that we have two more locations that if we did some flow monitoring in could better inform the plan and ultimately how we include all the capital projects in in the master plan. So would ask that you approve uh this additional work. It totals $18,246 and would ask that you also would also allow us to change that which can change. So that would take 9979 for cancer. Resolution council motion to approve an to authorize a contract amendment comprehensive master plan project with Garber LLC in the amount of $18,246 to provide two additional wastewater flow monitoring stations.

Thank you, Chris. I have a motion of a second. Second. Thank you, Molly. Any discussion? All in favor say I. Motion passes. Uh, next is consideration of an award of a contract for professional services to develop a unified development ordinance. I'll let Wendy Smith come forward and give us some information.

Great. Well, you guys heard most of this on Friday, but for the benefit of the public, um, you'll remember a couple of years ago, we worked on our comprehensive plan which set the vision and the goals for the city. Um there were about 60some action steps in that and about 14 of those say we need to relook at some of these planning and development ordinances that we have. Um to be clear a lot of people I think are saying it's a zoning ordinance rewrite. It is a review of the zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance, the vested rights ordinance, your wershed protection ordinance, your flood damage prevention ordinance, which flood plane ordinance, and your phase 2 storm water ordinance. So we're going to relook at all of those. They all have varying dates of last review zoning ordinance 2015 subdivision 1993 um with some maybe some minor updates. So looking at all of those, making sure they coordinate, talk to each other, um some references and things that are updating. Some of them refer to things and others that you know they've been updated, they're not there anymore. So just want to really look at that. Um we went out for RFP. We had um six proposals received. Um we did some interviews and we selected Kimley Horn who is the same group that actually worked on our comprehensive plan uh because they actually offered a a lot more community engagement. They had a great team that they put together to look at not just the zoning and subdivision ordinance but all of those um wershed flood plane um storm water ordinances as well. Um, and we really like like their methodology as well as their graphics and ability to simplify it so that hopefully our average person and not just a city attorney can understand all of these pieces even though they are laws. Um, so they're not things that we're just getting necessarily make up or we get to change all the time. They are laws so we do have to do them by the work there.

Um, we will be having community engagement as I said that the public will be invited to. will obviously be inviting the city council and PNZ to be involved in all of that. So, um we kicked that off with a presentation on Friday. So, hopefully you guys will approve their contract tonight. Um so, that's what this agenda item is is to award a contract not exceeding 238,000 with a contingency fee that is in there where as well in case we want to do some additional community engagement and things once we nail all of that down. Okay. And the contingency would be controlled by staff and if we decide we needed another engagement piece of certainly we would tell you and that's when we would use part of that contingency.

What's the wish of council? Motion to award a contract to Kimley Horn and Associates Incorporated for the development of a unified development ordinance at a price not to exceed $238,000 with a $7,500 contingency. and to allow for the mayor and or the city manager to execute all agreements regarding this contract. Thank you. We need to have a motion to have a second. And I probably need to say so it's about an 18month process start to finish. Okay. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Molly. Any further discussion? All in favor of the motion say I. I.

Motion passes. I I this is not a comment of the of but I do want to stress to the public this is your opportunity to have input and when we have these public available meetings please attend um it's how we get the idea of what you want during this process. Yes sir.

Thank you but um next item need a motion to go into close session please. I'll make a motion to go into close session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute section 143-318.11A1 and 143-318 11 A3 to consult with attorney employed or retained by the city to discuss litigation and to preserve the attorney client privilege between the attorney and the city council and to prevent disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to laws of the state and to discuss economic development ment matters as per North Carolina General Statute section 143-318.11a4.

Thank you Chris. I have a motion to have a second. Second. Thank you Wendy. Um so that's a fancy way of saying we have a legal matter and we have an economic development matter to discuss and we do not expect any action to be taken on either of these items tonight. It is just an update. Okay. Do we need to vote? Yes. All in favor say I. I. Okay. Okay. I would like to point out that we did not discuss the Silver Creek pump station. I know. I'm so excited. Anybody else? We're not through. The day is not over. Day true. There could hold your breath. There could be something in