City Council - Regular Meeting

How you doing? on YouTube. You got over a million. I think you Yeah, I think they finally got it.

I mean, his words do like Victor does. How you feel, man? I' been laying low, man. Try to stay out of here. I got a bottle of the whole ride, the green labelled single barrel. What's that?

Look back at it. It's over 100. Yeah. Yeah. But it's uh it's good. That's good. I can use one right now.

Smoke. It's going to be good.

That's the only way to tell them. Friday afternoon. Are you all right? question. Where is

my snowsho? He stepped in front of name Chicago. They can make their own like maintenance. She got the right tool for the job. everything from a dick. Mr.

Coyot,

I hope they got plenty of money. they went to and that's when we found out they had one. So there are already leases on all the towers written probably because of his asset. I don't really

and it's not like the real question is can we add more traffic for the towers I got it might not come out put it on up. They It's not It's not

I see if they follow up with him. They don't follow. I think something is him. several thousand access. It's been a long time since I've looked at it.

I want to find out. track star about a track star or something. Oh, really? Do my boy played something

baseball tournament over there. They're little buddy got kicked off the basketball team. He don't have anything to do with it. My friend, his little buddy,

she watched me.

Yeah. Yeah, man. They they told you the Rocky Mountain Senior High. They beat them and then Southwest edge almost. They lost moment and Faith Christian.

Yeah. Yeah. Cuz he fell on the anybody in the conference. So they got so Where do you got to go?

Huh? I have

the five annual track field high jump here today. I guess they recognize him like it's been years since I've

Yeah, I guess you're right. Tena said Tena said you want that space. Tena said you want that space. That space. We we'll show it to you on the 16th. I think it's going to be around 4:00. Right. Right. Right. I got to go to Muffin Bar, too, and I'm coming back.

It's It's the smaller of the spaces. It uh it probably be right for what you want.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. I don't Don't stop. I wouldn't have to first probably get We may Yeah. just

Let's go. Feel like drop kick in my spine.

I don't I didn't do anything. I just stood up just tightened up. something about Yeah. What What do you You could probably do cubes. I mean, just meeting people. It's It's really one big room. Storage closet. Yeah. I don't have a problem.

It It probably does need some work. The leases, the way they're structured now, interior upsets on the tenant, but you can do as much as you want to or as little as you want to. be able to find some smaller space elsewhere. Oh, no.

I may have some space in the train station. Yeah, I'll be calling people if you want. That's oneonone.

It's been minutes since I've stepped in it. You know, we got so many spaces around, but I remember this being one big square.

I saw him when we came. He said he had the officer. Yeah. They had a uh her dishwasher. She was above the law office. Her dishwasher faded and it just kept running and everything. So, we had to we had to repair all that and move her into that small space again so she could operate.

Doesn't happen often. It's happened. follow of a regular scheduled meeting uh the city council at this time I'd like to please ask everybody please stand and observe a moment of silence prayer Thank you. This time I'd like to ask the clerk to please call the role. Here

Robertson here. TJ Walter here. Harris here everybody's in attendance at this time. Uh I would like a well I'm looking for a motion to approve the minutes of consideration of the minutes of the regular schedule city council meeting which was held on February 29th of 2026. Is there a motion? So move motion made by council man Walker. Is there a second? Second. Second made by Councilman Tom Harris. Is there need for discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I.

All those like sign. Okay. Um item passes. Is at this point. Is there consideration of any additions or deletions that we need to consider for the u change in the agenda tonight? Okay. Hearing none. Um, in the absence of our manager for the preview update, uh, well, I'll turn it over to him right now. Sorry.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would like to take a moment to share a few updates related to public safety, community engagement, and the upcoming opportunities across Rocky Mountain. First, I want to make the residents aware that a statewide ban on open burning remains in effect. North Carolina Forest Services issued this ban due to increased wildfire risk, ongoing drought conditions, and the potential for limited rainfall. These conditions increase the risk of rapidly spreading fires and is important that we all do our part to reduce potential fire hazards. We encourage residents to remain mindful of these restrictions as we work together to help protect our community and surrounding areas. Secondly, I I would like to highlight an upcoming Arbor Day celebration scheduled for April 24th at Farmington Park. This event will include participation from the mayor and members of city council along with a ceremonial tree plant. Arbor Day reflects a long-standing tradition of environmental stewardship and here in Rocky Mount that commitment is ongoing since 1991. The city has planted and distributed tens of thousands of trees and seedings throughout the community. Finally, I'd like to recognize community arts initiative taking place this Saturday, April 18th, at the Imperial Center for Arts and Sciences. The Paint Voices of Our Community event brings residents together to create artwork that will become a part of a traveling exhibit. This initiative is made possible through partnerships with Trillium Health Resources, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, UNCC School of Medicine, and the Village of Care. That's all I have for this evening, Mr. Mayor.

Hi, Mr. Manager. Do I have any comments or questions for our manager? Okay, hearing none. Um we'll do now is we'll move on to stationations recognitions number seven. Uh consideration of the resolution and I'll read the resolution recognizing graduating Rock Mountain High School junior Candre Davis on winning the North Carolina High School 5A indoor track and field high jaw state championship. So with that, I'd like for council to consider the following resolution tonight. And as David Canantress Davis, a Rocky Mount High School junior, competed for the Rocky Mount, I'm sorry. Yeah, that too. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association 5A indoor track and field high jump state championship in Winston Salem. And whereas the high jump is a complex track and field event that requires a unique balance between strength, speed, power, technique. And whereas Candre entered the championship competition ranked in sixth place. And whereas Candre achieved a jump height of five feet 2 in placing her and two other athletes tied for the championship. And whereas due to the Cantric's precise consistent approach, she was able to achieve her jump height in fewer attempts than the other two athletes that jump that same height, claiming the 5A jump state championship title. Whereas contributing to Cantric's success was her coach Sonia Thicket and her family members who provide unwavering support. Now therefore be it resolved that uh I and Saki Mountain City Council hereby congratulate Kry Davis on her championship win. And be it further resolved that this resolution shall be spread upon the pages of the minutes of this proceeding and a copy shall be presented to Kandre Davis in recognition of her significant accomplishment. um to be adopted this

13th day of April 2026. Is there a motion to adopt this resolution? So move. Is there a second? Second. All right. All in favor? I I

Congratulations. Can please come for I don't know. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations.

Okay. I'd like city council to consider a resolution recognizing and congratulating Northern Dash High School junior Kik Evans on winning the North High School 6A indoor track and field 500 meter dash championship. Um whereas Kique Evans a Rocky Mount high we'll be fixing that for you. Whereas Khalif Evans, a Northern Nash uh high school junior, competed in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 6A indoor track and field 500 meter dash state championship in Winston Salem. And whereas the 500 meter dash is considered a highly difficult track and field event that requires a unique balance of speed, timing, and endurance. And whereas Khique finished the race with a time of 104.59 claiming the championship title and whereas contributing to Khik success was his coach Jacob Eulock and his family who provided unwavering support. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, as the mayor, city of Rocky Mount and Rocky Mount City Council, hereby congratulate Kique Evans on his championship win. And be it further resolved that this resolution shall be spread up on the pages of the minutes of this proceeding and a copy shall be presented to Kique Evans in recognition of his significant accomplishment to be adopted this 13th day of April, 2026. Is there a motion?

Motion made by Councilman Knight. Is there a second? Second. Second made by Councilman Walker and Councilman Robertson. All in favor, please say I. I.

All right. Congratulations. 32 still. This time, I'd like to uh ask council to consider a resolution recognizing and congratulating the Northern Panache High School basketball team on winning the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 6A State Championship.

Whereas the Northern Ash boys basketball team completed their season 25 and three, establishing themselves as a top competitor. And whereas the Knights finished third place in their conference, then went on to have a historic postseason run, entering the finals on a sixgame winning streak. And whereas the top seated Knights rallied late the championship game against Kings Mountain to force overtime. And we're asked tonight scored twice in the final 22 seconds of the 4minute extra session to capture the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 6A state championship with a hardfought 6160 overtime victory over Kings Mountain. And whereas this victory marks the first state basketball championship for Northern Nashville varsity boys basketball since 1968. And whereas this championship brings pride not only to the Northern Match Knights themselves, but to their families, their school, and their community. And whereas there there were outstanding individual players on this North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championship team. The success is credited to a total team effort from the following team members. Kingston Little, Jamir Harris, Christian Barnes, Terrence Sanders, Bersaunders, Amir Russell, Omar Porter, Quay Williams, Quante James, Nicholas Tucker, Deaya Odum, uh Garrick Miller, CJ Mercer, Jur Jury Morbitz, Josh Davis, Chris Silver, Jacquine Arrington, Samrian Bulock, Tristan Battle, Chase Morgan, and Cam Freeman. And whereas also contributing to the team success was their head coach Henry Drake, assistant coaches Ashley Davis, Mitchell Wells, Michael Delo, Darius Spragley, stat statistician Joel Drake, managers Williams, Jamar Shaw, Joseph Richardson, and their school administration,

parents, families, and classmates who provided unwavering support. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, as the mayor of Sun Rocky Mount and the Rocky Mount City Council, hereby congratulate the Northern Nash Knights boys varsity basketball team and his coaches for their outstanding season and state championship. It be a further resolve that this resolution shall be spread upon the pages of the minutes of this preceding copy and a copy shall be presented to each team member of the coaches and staff who were instrumental in the success of their season. to be adopted this 13th day of April of 2026. Is there a motion? So move. Motion made by Councilman Walker. Is there a second? Second. Second made by everybody.

All in favor say I.

Congratulations, Scott. It must be Thank you. Thank you. I mean, I'm not I'm saying

Okay. Three, two, one. Anybody else?

Yes. A good Good job. Hey I'd like to read following proclamation from the city of Rocky Mountain. Whereas April 2026 marks the 58th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the 43rd anniversary of the State Fair Housing Act of 1983. And whereas the state fair housing act of 1983 and the federal fair housing act of 1968 and the Rocky Mount Fair Housing Ordinance prohibit discrimination in housing due to race, color, religion, sex, nationality, handicap or familial status. And whereas all North Carolinians have the right to live in the community of their choice without

fear on the same terms as their neighbors. And whereas the Rocky Mount Human Relations Commission through coordinated efforts with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Fair housing organizations concerned citizens and the housing industry promotes broader housing choices in Rocky Mount. Understanding the state fair housing act and the federal fair housing act to encourage integrated communities andor neighborhoods and works to ensure accessible housing for the disabled and to eliminate discrimination in housing. Now therefore, I as the mayor of the city of Rocky Mount do hereby claim April 2026 as fair housing month in the city of Rocky Mount and consent commend its observance to all citizens. In witness hereof, I appear unto my hand and calls the seal of the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina to be a fixed this 13th day of April, 2026. This was three, two, point. Thank you.

Item number eight are petitions to be received from the public. Now, this is an opportunity for public comment and we thank you for coming to the city council meeting tonight to share your views. We value all citizen input. Speaker comments are limited to a maximum of three minutes during the public comment period and at the conclusion of three minutes. Each speaker shall leave the podium. Comments must be directed to the full board, not to an individual board member or staff member. Although the board is interested in your comments, speakers should not expect any comments, action, or deliberation from the board on any issue raised during the public comment period. At the board's discretion, it may refer issues to the appropriate city officials or staff for further investigation. If an organized group is present to speak on a common issue, please designate one person to present the group's comments, which shall be limited to a maximum of three minutes. At this time, I'd like to invite Robert E. Portell to the podium. Good afternoon.

Afternoon Robertson. Yes, sir. Council,

the rest of the platform and personnel. First of all, I'd like to apologize uh to a individual that's looking at me right now. I quoted uh last month I pulled his salary. I said was 640,000 was the inquiry. Okay. It was 400 and uh no 240,000. So, uh it I'm staying and uh sincerely apologize and just like uh Reverend Jackson said char to my head not to my heart. Uh last month that there were three comments uh at the very end. hours uh did not have an opportunity to make it and uh try to make it uh nationally. Okay. Could you all in the effort to ch uh save money to do a Robert Davis uh thing? you know, he's the uh well for the chairman of the Nash County U Commission and he would take his people down to Raleigh at any time to his people and they ask for monies and they will get monies fund for any projects at any time. Been doing that for years. I feel like that we could possibly do the same thing if we had the heart to do that.

I serve on the Nash County uh planning and zoning board and I have privile to few things. Nash County has a budget of 15 billion billion dollars. Why can we tap in to some of that money? Why not? Some of that money is our money. We pay taxes in Nash County, uh, property taxes, tax on our cars. Why can't we get with the get with them? And since we are in D streets and we are why can't we tap in to some of this now the previous city manager.

Thank you Mr. Bill. I'd like to invite Sean Re to the podium. This is related to internet cafe. Would you rather wait till the public hearing component of that or would you like to register it now? I'm sorry. Uh we have a public hearing on that particular matter. Okay. When is public hearing? Right after the consent, I believe. Yeah.

Item item 10B. Is that right? Yeah. Item 10B. It Okay. I can wait. You can hear me for three minutes and then I can still do that. Whatever you want. If you just want a little background on Well, just use your three minutes here. We'll make sure we push it over there. How about that? That sounds great. Here we make a house.

Yes, sir. Got it. My name is Sean Rim. I am the co-owner of To Be or Not to Be Marketing. DBA is Miss Lady Gamble, Miss Lady Vegas. We are an online social casino. We currently operate in the United States. We do have a partnership with We Play, AE Gaming, and Sweet Kings in Europe. We uh have a multi-gaming license as well. We've been operating in the space since 20120. Uh we've done every version of online gaming from slots to live dealer to sports betting to fish table games, etc., etc., etc. My proposal was to not talk you guys into permitting it. That's not what I wanted. If if you were going to permit it, my proposal was there is a more professional um and a more symbiotic relationship between the city and the operator. I do believe with the proximity of I95, okay, that Rocky Mount can be with a properly functioning game room focused towards uh hospitality and service. I've been in the hospitality service industry. I've been a general contractor. I heard you guys talking over the speaker before about CEOs. So, I know I know all about that. I had a commercial contractor's license and I've been on online gaming space. So, I do and marketing. So, that's what we are. We're a marketing company. I do believe that Rocky Mount can be geared towards a quasi tourist destination for this kind of gaming. Um, I see you're an attorney, Mr. Tur. And we we we work with an attorney in Raleigh, uh Keith Anthony, so would be very close. He does a lot of our gaming, has written our 50 state opinion letter along with Alan Wilmont out of Florida. So that's really my proposal. If you choose to permit it, that's what my proposal was that it would be more professionally done and would work in conjunction with the city. The city could also become a a lot of states what they do with particularly in sports

betting and lottery is they have a um propo uh oppose uh approved excuse me approved software that they use for sports betting and lottery. No one to my knowledge has done this for live dealer or slots. I've already spoke to a couple of my gaming partners to where the city could become subcontractors or sub dealers for that for that software. you would also benefit economically from that as well. So that is my proposal and I will end it there. Thank you, Mr. I'll pass your information along to our city manager for a followup. Okay.

At this time, I'd like to invite Woodansy to the party. Thank you. Good evening. Um, I didn't really have much to say tonight. I just want to um thank y'all for uh the presentation at the LGC. Thought y'all handled it real well. I had no doubt that the verdict would be what it is. If people had been paying attention, they would have known what the verdict would have been to. Um, uh, I want to thank the city managing staff and finance director and all for all you're doing and all that you continue to do. I just hope people will stop the noise and give you the opportunity to do your job because it's plain and clear if you don't then will take over. So, I don't know why other people want to run it from the street. They did be trying to find a way to help this situation instead of fighting you. Yeah, I don't live my mom. Been working here for 39 years. Got more family over here than some of y'all probably got friends, enemies. It don't matter. Remember a long time ago. Whatever you do, you can't separate it. Everybody benefit. life fully paid over NAACP and others just took on another possession. I'm going to fight for the least of them because a lot of people won't come up here and fight simply because of retaliation just like the disrespect that you get y'all guys get but they don't want the respect disrespect when y'all return it. Y'all good cuz I do every moment cuz I

everybody grown. If you want to be treated disrespectful, you want to treat other folk disrespectful, then you going to get it disrespected. So y'all continue to do what you do. shut down in office. I have no confidence. No, I am confident that you all will bring Rocky Mountain back, make it better than it was, and I'm talking about back to the uh uh early 20s and going back before then because I know I I've been coming to this meeting along the end of them up here council me and I seen where came from and I see where they going and y'all can keep on with the noise all you have to y'all the one you need to get on board and stop the noise. So again, I just want to say thank you'all for all you're doing. I do all my shopping in Rocky Mount. I work in Rocky Mountain. I be I I spend more time rocking out than I do in Valentine, but I'm all over the place. So y'all continue to do what you do and and and just sit down in North.

Thank you. Like to invite Rolanda Williams to the podium.

All right. I'm not as nice as everybody else is, so I'm just going to speak it. First off, I'd like to say good evening, fellow citizens of Rocky Mountain. I want to thank you first and foremost for recognizing the exceptional qualities of our athletes. It's nice to see some real positivity for a change. So, thank you for that. And it's me, Meranda Williams. I'm still pissed off and outspoken. I have to comment on things. You said that in the last meeting as I didn't have an option to speak otherwise. I want to clarify that you remember you guys made this personal when you basically threw everything back on us. There had to been other ways that could have been taken and other paths that could have involved us more. Um the problems lie with the leadership and the responsibility that's associated with it. We want like a complete list of cuts that you're making. Show us you're making an effort. We see your lips moving but we don't see any coming back at us. Um and it was said that the financial problems are embarrassing for the city. No, not for the city. Let me enlighten you guys. It's the actions and is the true embarrassing that you guys have shown us. It's called the leadership that you're showing us. You hire the city managers. They work for you who in turn work for us. I simply don't believe when you claim that you don't know how this happened. We the people of Rocky Mount aren't upset about needing or using the funds to keep up the infrastructure. It's the fact that the funds were there and they were taken out of the account and used for other things and you depleted it. The real issue is we're not naive. We know we in order to maintain I'm sorry to maintain service there has to be money to do so. But you're making us pay for the misuse of the funds. That's where the injustice still lies on us as your piggy banks. The ones forced to pay for your incompetence and we continue to suffer for it. I've always heard if you can't do the job then go home. or you'll be told you're fired.

And if you can't do the job that you're elected to do, step down. Simple. The sad thing is you just went through the guise of bump and circumstance to make us feel like we had a chance to make a difference when you already had your minds made up with the exception of two. Shame on all of you. As for the one saying, you understand the hardship put upon us stating, "I understand. I have empathy for him. I'm a resident. I live here. I pay utilities as well. Unfortunately, this is something we all got to kind of go through. Getting paid what you do. Shouldn't you be more understanding of our plight and the repercussions of your actions? What I call bull crap because several of you should you should know all about it. You do not put yourselves in our shoes. We know someone that stole from us, never paid us back, and yet votes for us to pay while this balance is still outstanding. That's hypocritical. Go to work for it. You really expect us to believe you understand? Please. We don't have access to this building or misappropriated funds, receive the older inflated salaries, or simply refuse to pay our bills and get by with it like you all do. We don't have our own companies to fall back on.

Thank you. Williams. Thanks to the party. Good afternoon, Mayor Robertson, city councilman and all present. Today I have a public petition to present and I would like to request to come to be added to the agenda if I can to present my petition. We'll receive your petition and it'll become become part of the minutes right now or later.

Uh what are you asking to read the petition? Well, I was going to read it and submit it to you for public record.

Well, yeah, you can read it. You have two minutes and 30 seconds. We time for you to have this conversation and we'll add it to the public record. My goal was 100 signatures in two days when I caught my fighter and I have before me over 200 signatures. It's dated for April 13th, 2026. Petition organizer Matlin Oi. It reads, "We, the citizens of the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, do sign this petition demanding the immediate reduction of salaries of all city employees who receive $125,000 or more annually by at least 8%. These high salaries have been part of the overspending that helped cause our current financial crisis. This reduction is more fair to families than cutting jobs. Furthermore, reducing the highest paid salaries can help save other jobs and would be a show of good faith and sincere solidarity with the citizens and their families who will have to make do with much less in order to continue paying the salaries of city employees through taxes and utilities. stands in there. This time I'd like to invite Alex Britain to the podium.

Good evening. All right. I um came this evening to specifically to thank you for the Archie Charles and the DOT department. I uh am a senior at Greg Core Apartment and we needed a crosswalk and they did it and I take some days and go down there and watch their work. They did a beautiful job and I just want them to know and I thank God for putting the right people in the right place for what we needed. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you. I'd like to invite Crystal Nemes Anderson to the podium. Sure. I'll recognize you, Council Robertson. Yes. I want to thank you for advocating for that. Um 72 apartments are there in Grant Court of Seniors. And the first thing she told me when I um was elected is um we need that crosswalk. I met out there at night. You walked across that street. I almost got hit by a car. It was crazy. So, I want to thank Archie Jones and Donna Perry and his team and the DOT. I talked to those people and they made it happen and I'm so thankful for you advocating and other the other young elder that advocated along with you.

So, thank you. It's a team effort and thank everyone that was involved. This morning,

good evening, mayor and council members and city staff. I'm here to speak about something foundational to every decision the city makes. How we structure and stabilize our funding for city operations. When the foundation is unstable, every service, public safety, infrastructure, staffing, and long-term planning feels the impact. Right now, Frankie Mount relies significantly on utility revenues, water, sewer, and electric systems to help support general governmental operations. While utilities are essential services, the challenges comes when they are also used as a financial bridge for poor city spending. Utility revenue is not guaranteed in the same way as tax revenue. It fluctuates based on usage, weather patterns, economic pressure on households and payment delies. That means the city's operating stability becomes tied to variable variables outside of long-term control. Property tax on the other hand provides a fundamental more stable base. Land cannot be turned off, cancelled or avoided. Ownership is continuous and assessed values provide a predictable framework for revenue collection. Because of this, property tax is the most reliable foundation for funding essential city operations. When we underutilize that stability and instead shift general enterprise services and core government. When we I'm sorry. When we underutilize that stability and instead shift general operating costs into utilities, we blur the line between enterprise services and core government functions. Over time, that structure creates risk. It places pressure on utility rates, increases the likelihood of affordability issues, and can contribute to higher delinquency rates that then feed back into the city's budget and stability. It also makes city operations indirectly dependent on whether residents can consistently pay utility bills rather than on a stable tax base tied to property ownership. That is not a

resilient model for long-term service delivery or workforce stability. and it contributes to the strain we see in retaining disparent staff and maintaining consistent service levels. A stronger approach is to clearly separate funding sources. Utilities should fund utility system maintenance, infrastructure, and service delivery. General government services should be primarily supported by property tax, which offers predictable and transparency. This alignment strengthens financial planning, reduces volatility, and creates a more unstructure for how services are funded. If we want long-term stability, we have to fix the foundation and not just adjust the systems. It's similar to waiting on child support. Thank you.

Thank you. Like to invite Alana Austin to the podium. Good evening. Good evening.

My name is Alona Austin and I am a North Carolina native and graduate student at UNC Chapel Hill. Po for the past year has been working with a team of fellow students on initiatives with the rural opportunity institute which is based here in Rocky Mountain. Between 2024 and 2025, the amount of homicides in Rocky Mountain 167%. And compared to the national gun homicide rate, Edgecom County has 3.4 times more gun homicide instances. In light of these numbers and the vast loss they represent, our focus of research has been on gun violence in the area and specifically how something like community violence interventions may be able to reduce these numbers. Community violence interventions approach gun violence from the perspective that gun violence is a public health issue by targeting the most the most people at risk for being a victim of gun violence or previous victims of gun violence. The core component of community violence interventions focus on three main areas. First, interrupting cycles of violence. Secondly, prevention retaliation. and most importantly making connections with community members and all those impacted by gun violence. As a current middle and high school counselor myself, one type of community violence intervention of particular interest and effectiveness in its regard is youth programming initiatives. Youth summer employment opportunities that allow for competitive income and skills building are shown to reduce involvement in community violence. And when combined with mentoring and mental health support, rates of school-based violence and community violence have been shown to decrease significantly. Gun violence is in fact costly with the highest cost being the lives lost and the grief of the loved ones left behind. But it is also preventable and investing directly in community violence interventions, specifically youth

focused employment and mental health initiatives that um can become a reality. Thank you for your time and if there are any questions from anyone on the council or anyone in the audience, myself or my team would love to be able to share our research and what um recommendations we have for policy. Thank you. Thank you. like to invite Hillary Ray to the party.

Good evening, members of the city council, Mr. Mayor, and members of city staff. My name is Hillilary Ralph. Um I am part of the same UNCC graduate school team as um Miss Austin who just spoke. Um, but I'm here to speak about a different aspect of what we've been working on, which is hospital-based violence intervention programs. These are highly effective programs for reducing gun violence, and they are widely used across North Carolina, but they have not yet been implemented in this part of the state given the severity of the problem here. This is an opportunity that has the potential to save lives. Hospital-based violence intervention programs focus on victims of gun violence who survive shootings. Victims who survive shootings are at higher risk than other people of being victimized again. So by connecting victims with case management, community services and safety planning, these programs effectively reduce the rates of repeat injury. They are also cost effective. As um Alana mentioned, the the greatest cost is of human life, but economically a single firearm homicide costs taxpayers over $600,000. The implementation of violence programs and particularly hospital-based violence programs cost much less than the cost of allowing violence to continue. These programs exist in almost every level one trauma facility across the state. We have them in Winston Salem and in Durham and in Raleigh. And in Charlotte, they are not yet at ECU. This is an opportunity to save lives. ECU is working on trying to get funding, trying to get something like this started because of ECU serves a large area that is fairly dispersed. Local community partnership and follow-through is going to be really important to make sure that these programs are effective. So, we wanted to raise to the city council that this is

an opportunity for the city council to partner with folks at ECU, to partner with folks in the local community to figure out how people who are currently victims of gun violence can receive services and can receive the sorts of connections that will prevent repeat violence, that will prevent future homicides and future injuries. Um, we have some printed materials here with us today and you have my contact information. We've been working on this project for a full year and we would be happy to share some of our resources that we have developed with the council to show you more of what we've been working on with this. Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to invite Frank Henderson to the podium.

Good evening everybody. Good evening.

What's up, Mr. Mayor? How you doing? Good. Council, city manager, everybody here. It's an honor to be here. This is a beautiful, beautiful night in a beautiful, beautiful city. And I love it to death. I do want to say one thing. Um, you cannot lead by going backwards. And I've seen everything. I've heard everything. But I just want to say this. I am 100% committed to my vote. Councilman that I voted for, I voted for him because I believed in him and I still believe in him. I believe that I pastor a church in this city. And there's somebody in this church that I pastor that sits in every one of y'all's wards. And when I talk to them, I tell them, "Believe in your counseling. I don't care what has gone down. Things have been put in place to handle that. We can't go backwards and we can't go forward worrying about what happened in the past. Things have been put in place. You guys have come. You have said that you were going to do what needed to be done. You sat down and listened to recommendations. You're sitting here right now leading from the front and I appreciate that with everything in my heart. I believe that you guys will do everything that needs to happen. And because of the tough times you've been through, I respect you more. Most people would quit. None of you have quitted. None of you have abandoned the ship. You've taken everything that people can say and you still come and you sit right here. You know what's going to happen when you sit right here. You know what's going to be said. And the last thing I'll say is this. No matter who you are living in

this city, we on the same boat. Got to grow together. We got to get rid of confusion plank. And we have got to learn how to collaborate together. If we collaborate together, I guarantee you in six months time, people will forget about everything that's went down. All we got to do is point forward, set our faces like flint, and get the job done. But I just wanted to make sure I came by tonight and said this. I believe in all of you 100%. Thank you.

I'd like to invite Regina Town to the podium. Amen.

I didn't come to cause any confusion. I come to get some understanding because I have a granddaughter that's coming up. she's 17 to vote and I want her to get to vote um not because she like you, not because she know you, because she believe that you would do the right thing for her future. And I went back and I got your counsel um section 32 C that your councilman must live within the ward where he where he has been elected. If he is not within his ward then he has to resign and appoint the council has to appoint someone else. I ride up in the streets of our county. There's no way we have had a whole lot of things that go on in our war. If our councilman would come out within the community and speak on it then the killing that happened at three in Raleigh belong. I never see nobody out there. I didn't see nobody out there. I didn't see nobody up in Little Raleigh. I didn't see nobody. I didn't hear nobody. If he noted doing what he's supposed to do within his lines of his border with you have um this is your border. This is was here before you. He not um you getting grandma used to say stealing. We used to call it fraud. Now he call it scam. You not supposed to get paid for nothing if you're not coming out for the council of the city. We pay you to come out to protect us. You took an oath to come out. This is your This is you. And if you're not within your lines of the gods of the war, then you're not qualified to be over the war. We don't need it. And anytime you go down Fountain Street and Hillsdale there, the roof is laying in a building that been there for years. They used to cut hair in it. Right down South Rocky Mount,

the structure, the roof is on the bottom of the structure of the house. Go down a little bit further. My grandmother used to live 22. So that got to be 20. Little yellow house. Look like somebody either ran it or kicked it. And you you you're about us. When they shoot us, you about us. You don't duck when we duck. You don't What is that when they boom boom? You don't ask no questions because you don't live where we live. There's no way. There's no way because you would care about us. You'll be concerned about us. You going to help them men right there. Y'all don't help them. Y'all don't help us over in Little Rock over hills over on Happy Hill. When you close that dog on homeless shelter, Happy Hill is in for a rude awakening. They already got the vacancy over there living in abandoned house right now. And you for us? No, you're not. You're lying. And I'm going call you a liar to your face.

It don't be matter to me. I be cool to come out of a bag on me. It really doesn't matter cuz I don't have to go home with one of you.

Thank to the party. Hi there. You getting kind of used to seeing me. Sorry. Um, I want to bring up something a little different. I'm a user of our dog park in town and recently apparently the cops have been stopping by just to monitor and make sure we have our dogs on a leash before we go in the dog park. Some of the people even state that they've been threatened with the next time they're seen without a leash on the dog, they're going to be fined. I know we're in financial trouble in this city, but I don't really think you're going to get enough out of the dog park to make up the difference.

Okay. We're we're pretty much a self-contained community there. We police ourselves. Believe me, any dog walking in off leash is one that is a pet that is so well behaved that nobody questions it walking in off leash. So, as a member of the dog park community, we would appreciate it if you guys would just take care of the murders and the other things going on around and kind of let us monitor ourselves because I think we do a pretty good job. And I did want to add something to um one of the earlier people who said something about the property taxes. As a homeowner, all I got to say is I don't think it's very fair to put all of the expenses of the city on the people who own homes when we have a lot of renters who therefore would be not contributing. to that fund. I think there's got to be some kind of medium ground where some of the electrical is used for it along with the taxes. But as a person who has to pay the property tax, I really won't appreciate it going up any more than it has already gone up. But that's just my personal opinion. You guys have a nice night. I'd like to invite Earl Jones to the podium.

Good evening. I'm Earl Jones, W 6 Tagon, proud Navy veteran, tired set employee, product tracer, and a voice for all citizens of Rocky Mount. Today is day 119 with respect to utility billing disaster. Still no answers. Three things still requested of you to address. We want 12 bills per year. more respect from you to us and refunds for overbuild services. Uh I've been doing some number crunching on our city manager and business service director salary comparisons between Rocky Mount and Greenville. It's my understanding Rocky Mount city manager makes 263,000 per year. Greenville 217. Rocky Mount's population 54,500. Greenville's weighted average population 87,250. That equates to every man, woman, man, and child in Rocky Mountain paying $4.83 for our city manager. Greenville citizens only pay $249 for their city manager. and they don't have a standing date with the LGC.

Now consider the Rocky Mount Director of Business Services makes 101 181,000 per year. Greenville 81,000. So the cost per citizen of Rocky Mount $3.32. Greenville pays 93 cents and no building disaster or audit required in Greenville. Aligning these two salaries alone with equivalent per citizen cost rates would save almost $258,000 annually with many more to come approximately 60 I believe. We simply cannot afford you and we're getting poor performance to boot. We're all in this together. This is shared pain and it's your turn. The LG said see you need a bulldozer, not a shovel. Start at the top and cut a shony how to start. So get jiggy with it. Coming soon. internal controls on cash collections at the event center. And why are city manager employees not subject to 401k cuts like other ranking file and essential employees in other departments within the city? If that's true, it doesn't strike me as fair and equitable at all. Thank you.

Like to invite Dr. Coup and Sure. I'll recognize you manager. Thank you. Uh, every city employee that's not a law enforcement officer did receive the same uh, cut for the 401k as all other general employees. And there's been a lot of talk about my salary, other folks salary, green bill salary. The numbers that have been stated tonight are all inaccurate. I would recommend if someone wants to get the accurate figures, they contact the local government. It's all public information and do a public record request. That way you can get accurate figures on your salaries not only just in Rocky Mountain but every city and county within North Carolina. Thank you. Thank you Dr.

Thank you. Just one more thing. Fine to say anything I'm going to say this is public. I'm telling you it's good. But sometimes people think because information is related the public is accurate. Primary difference between Greenville and Rocky Mountain. Rainfor does not manage their own utilities. They have it separate until all of those.

I'm sorry. Thank you. I apologize about Thank allergy. See my allergies. Greenville does not manage their electric and gas utilities. Is that correct? They have an entirely separate organization with a leader or full staff and their rates are higher than us. So if you want to do a dollar fordoll comparison, you got to add the city manager salary plus the Greenville utilities leader. If you want to talk collections, Greenville, they only collect property taxes. They don't collect utilities. So if you want a dollar fordoll comparison, you have to work with a dollar fordoll operational comparison.

Just want to clarify that the situations are not the same. Building is not the same. We're in a horrible situation. We talked about it. Appreciate everyone's concern. Uh but it's really not fair to um not have the correct information while we're all going through fixes. We understand. We understand.

I don't have it. I think that Mr. Manager just told you how to get it. And and I think we have also made comparisons. You know, we've done all kinds of comparisons. Uh, but I'm just wanting to correct the data and if you want to make a dollar fordoll comparison, let's make sure that the situations are the same. That's all I say. Thank you. Thank you, Dr.

Good evening. As elected officials of the city, you're given the mandate to govern wisely and most importantly to take care of the finances of the city as you vote your own home. The citizens demanded transparency and accountability. You have failed us on both fronts. I would like to know what are some of the cost cutting savings you have carried out. For example, how many people have been laid off and from which department and how many have you s how much have you saved from that move as well as what is what would be the impact in those affected departments. This request may seem extreme but given the severe predicament you have placed us. I feel we have no choice but be more vigilant over how we're being governed. One area I've noticed while work while working in the workforce affordable housing commission is the presence of many abandoned homes, many of which were left due to unpaid back taxes. If so, why has the city council been being so reluctant to go after these accounts? And if indeed you have sold the tax for closed homes, how many homes and how much was the city able to get? If you do not regroup some of this money and still consider raising property taxes on top of the utility raises, you will be turning away a lot of actual taxpaying residents who will be moving away from the city because it has become increasingly unaffordable for them to live here. Another dangerous trend that have also emerged that I noticed the tendency to blame the problem on the poorest and the most disadvantaged in the city and that happened to be the African-American major majority and if we're not careful this budget crisis could potentially spark increasing racial tensions. We do not need that. We need to tone down all the toxic racism running rampant in social media. Stop the blame game on

each other and deal with the facts rather than the rhetoric. Victims should never feel that the cause they are the cause for their victimization. Instead, structural issues should be addressed. Whenever there's a financial crunch in any institution, whether it is the city or the colleges or the hospital, the first to be cut are always human related services and and their departments. In this case, it will be cultural events, housing, parks, etc. In colleges, humanities gets the cut first. Eventually, we become a nation of automatans, bar of humanity. That will be the biggest tragedy for everyone. Thank you.

Thank you. Like to invite Veronica Jennings to the podium. even everyone. Um, I just have a couple of comments. Um, one, I want to repeat a request I made a couple of months ago. Itemize bills for services that the city charges, not only just utilities now, but water, sewer, everything. We need to know what is the rate so that we can multiply and divide and do our own math and see if it matches up. This these increases you gave us 15% almost in every one of these. We have no idea what the base rate is and it needs to be on our bills every month so that we can track these things. Um and so because uh and not be subject to sudden changes in budget crisis. Number two, it's time for the 2027 uh fiscal budget. And I'd like to know when um have a schedule, when are the public hearings, when are we going to see that budget? Um and u what's going to be the input that we as citizens get into that budget. Number one, no property taxes. This will be the third year in a row. I am a retiree. This is starting to really pinch everybody's pockets. Enough is enough. It's time for us to cut that budget and start to really cut expenses. Uh the other thing I want to speak on is an item that's coming up on this bud on

this um agenda tonight and that is item 14, the reclassification of a position to create a new budget position in the city manager's office. The one thing that we have been trying to talk our citizens have been talking about is cutting expenses, high salary positions. And this is another example to me and I guess and I hope that this council will speak up when that's when this opportunity comes because this is what happened before with a previous uh city manager adding people and salaries because we're adding now another person. You have two assistant city managers. Why can't one of them be your budget person? What is the other budget people doing in the city? because we already have a budget person that does this. I hope that there's some conversation around why are we adding people, cutting the lower end of our people who are on salaries and not the high end. It's time for us to move up and get to the real the real problem here. That's what I would hope that you would look at when you look at this um about this because you're cutting out the director of communications and the one thing that this council as and this city does very poorly is communicating with your citizens. We don't get any information or initiatives here in this um from from this council. Thank you. I'd like to invite Richard Pway to the podium. Mr. Mayor.

Yes, sir. I'll recognize you council. Mr. Pway is way forward to the manager talk about the budget dates that we discussed earlier. And then um the budget dates for May 13th, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. until and on the 21st are the currently scheduled ones starting at 10:00 a.m. They are public meetings and will be noticed. Right. And that was just made today in the committee. The what's the dates again? 13th, 14th, and 21st starting at 10:00 a.m. They will be noticed tenative uh public hearing on June 8th, possibly uh June 22nd, but that's tenative schedule. We'll know that till we have the meeting, sorry. Correct.

Mr. P, good afternoon.

Afternoon council. I am a child are hearing about all this other stuff going on and people coming up here getting on one or two people about what they done when they had city manager Keith Rogers who sat in their desk for almost two years and they never complained about him. to complain about Tony when she was in the in that seat, city manager seat, but they never came up here and talked about Keith Harden when he was going wrong. But yet and still, they get on one or two people who were trying to do something and they talking about how he didn't do this and how he didn't do that. But the rest of the people when they was trying to get something done, everybody else was sitting up there talking about, "Oh, let them do their job. They going to do their job." And yet still they was doing job. We tired of it. Stop pointing your fingers at the two people and throw up point your finger at the people that didn't do. And the Bible said let him who without sin cast the first stone. And if you got sin in your life and you trying to tell somebody about their sin, why you going to throw a stone? I'm not trying to throw no stone. I'm trying to pick up a pelvis. I'm trying to put it back in the water and get that water moving smoothly. That what we want the city council to do. Get the room to be the seat on the ride.

People used to talk about it. See on the ride. You used to have it on the TV coming on TV. I don't hear that no more. They done faded it out. Why can't we get back to being sit on the ride? Thank you. Thank you. Like to invite Darlene Spin to the podium. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening.

Not much on my plate today, but I did just want to point out a couple things. Our newly elected councilman Charles Watson for War Three, which I reside, doesn't have his picture out there on that display as of yet. Today is April 13th. He was sworn on December 8th. There's no reason, no acceptable reason why his photograph is not out there. That's number one. Number two, we the citizens that come before y'all, we come with suggestions. We don't try to be the city manager. We don't try to be a counsel. recong suggestions hoping that you're actually listening to them and maybe even taking into consideration. What we would like to know also is some of the updates for some of the cuts that have been made since you met with the LGC. not just a overlay or detailed and how it's going to benefit us in the long run so we don't have this shortcoming again. Third, although there's no money in the budget for traffic studies at this time, we request in Ward 3 a study along Arlington Street starting from Bali Boulevard to Dun Street where it ends. We have expressed this concern numerous times over the years and nothing has been addressed. Anytime

you park your vehicle on the street 3:00 in the morning, somebody comes along and hit the park car, tears it up or they come around that corner because a road dips out and they're doing 40 and 50. It may not seem like that's fast, but you it's a main road. the tractor trailers come through there, they're running just as fast. God forbid that kid's ball goes out into the street and this is all day. This is all day, all evening. God forbid that child's ball goes out into that street. Then what? We're sorry. We want to just name that street after that child and memory that child. That parent doesn't want to hear that. We need to slow these vehicles down at all costs. If you would take into consideration maybe for find some money for a study, that would be wonderful. Thank you.

Thank you. by Fred Pist. Good evening. I'm Fred Aes on November 6 and Mr. Mayor and members of the city council here. You have a lot of things I'd like to say tonight. You've heard a lot of things said to y'all over the period of time. But I'm mad as hell and I'm not taking anymore. Some of you may or may not remember that gun by Peter Fish from the 1876 film network, but is certainly applicable today. Appropriate for every citizen committee. I've lived in Rocky Mountain since 1989. I've been friends with two council members and the mayor since that time. With all the shenanigans regarding the city's finances coming to light and how they caused significant harm to my will being financially. I'm not sure that is the case today. It seems to me that this mess all started under the previous mayors and is continued up to the current day. The common denominator is the two council members, Mr. Knight and Mr. Black.

Mr. I just I'll ask you to refrain from naming folks. That's right.

Okay. Two city back council members have been on the city council and you can figure out who they are and then the two council members and they obviously came in but problems not only persisted but governors. I watched the meeting where the rates were increased and I noticed that all the council members and the mayor couldn't wait to vote for the motion to increase except for Mr. Robert and Mr. Walker, thank you for that. They both wanted more information in order to make an educated decision. Why have y'all not done that in the past? Um, are you complicit in all the nefarious deals or just plain stupid?

I don't think it is the latter, but neither sheds good light on any of you. One thing that I've not heard from any of you is I'm sorry. That wouldn't fix anything, but it would have gone a long way to starting a healing process. I think all of us should resign with very minimal, give up their salaries as cuts and have you looked at us selling electric cities to Duke Power. That would be another story. Raising utility rates and property taxes is not the answer or discussion when you call.

Thank you. Thank you. Like to invite you to the podium if you would. Sure. I'll recognize you.

Sure. Well, it's fresh on my mind. I would like to get it off my mind. That's a phrase you mad as hell. I've said that before. And if you get your facts correct, sir, Luke Blackwell and Andre Niger, yes, we've been here 20 some years, but we didn't have a deficit when we was here. Roshia small town living with $15 billion in the bank. Chief Roger came with $40 million from city manager Peter Barney another 40 million. So I say to you, do your homework. Get the facts. Look at the videos before you come down here blaming somebody with impacting information.

God bless you. God bless you. Bless you. Please.

Um I can't speak about utility issues. It didn't just start a couple of years ago. This [ __ ] has been existing since I've known since 1999 with hurricane Floyd when we had issues with the city of Rock utility. We could pay our bill or go without and a lot of us went out because they say the city of Rock is municipal government that's governed within themselves. So they make their own rules, make their own policies and then you got a problem with what they decide then you have to come back together. We even went to the utility commission and they told us they had no jurisdiction. They were sorry. As a matter of fact, we had an elderly person that was here. We found out that it was a debt from the sheriff Harris energy nuclear plant investment in that went badly up and they prim the bills to the toward us. Y'all didn't have no meeting or whatever would have asked us to be liked and appreciated. We're going to do it. They did it. And the majority of the debt that was paid back that was added on to the bills to the people of African-American poor people that was the white people also no disrespect but a lot of them was in nursing homes other places and they still was getting bills and we were told we was going to pay these bills and go without and a lot of people went without a matter of fact there was a man that lived on county side and was a little house on county street that died because he couldn't afford to pay for debt that was owed by somebody else that they added on to the bill that just told us we didn't have no sales either we can pay the bill and go there charge for city gas was not my matter of fact they didn't erase mine they had my bill give up to about $10,000 and then it sounded that I had to pay $190 something dollars about two years ago and that was all that was owed and my thing is is like I said sir even with this bringing in this 336 acres of land that you purchase to put a casino or whatever on you if you paid $15 million for that and you can take that money and put it back towards getting these utilities paid down.

It doesn't make any sense. And like I said, I myself ain't saying negative about nothing. Nobody sitting up here because a lot of these people wouldn't even know where I found in 1999. And if they were, they didn't have possession. The evil that's in operation behind the scenes in this city. This city was taken from the indigenous people that owned the land. And then people came in on Mr. Black Brazwell or whoever it was that became the mayor, then his grandson that was city manager or whatever position he was and they started a war and took the sober from the get together. You have to deal with the evil that's in the operation behind the scenes. When you come here and take somebody and start a war, murder people and the ones that lost the battle, whatever they go to other states and live in the city, come in and say this is fine to be done. And I after that fact even after the hurricane Florida used to be city council member named Chris Miller she sat in her seat and said when the city wanted to purchase one of the other citizens property and they would sell it. She sat in the city council seat and said well he dead now we can take it. So the spirit of murder is done operation. You got robbery all the evil behind and there's important we have taken it to and still pleading it before God. And I pretend you to be ask God be seated and ask to hear and judge over this because this been going on for too long and that the president bloody crowd be gone a got no

I'd like to invite more men to the podium. That's all I got to say. He was upset. Um, one little thing, and I know this doesn't really mean hill of beans to anybody, but I wish that y'all could switch that public petition. As far as I know, a petition is a list of people's names who are for or against something. Why can't you just call it public concern? That means I'm concerned about something and I want to come say something to y'all and maybe you'll listen and maybe you won't. Um, also save money. I don't really I shouldn't say I don't care, but we we don't have any money, so we shouldn't have parades for Christmas or whatever. Um, we're down to the bare bones. go next door, go to Tora or go somewhere else and watch their Christmas parade or Fourth of July fireworks and then we don't have to shell out for all that stuff and they're right next to us. Um, and as much as I hate to say it, that music festival that's on the Imperial lawn, I love that. But stick that throw that out because we don't have any. A friend of mine wanted to know how can we pay bills and salaries and we really don't have any money. I mean we probably have some money to run something. I would like to know how in the world Rocky Mount got

over let's just say the smallest one $60 million that got lost. Where do we get 60 million? This is Rocky Mount. This is not, you know, New York City. Um, also, and I was going to talk about this, but I I I talk slow or something, but everybody in this city needs to buy the Saturday through Monday, April 11th through 13th dates.

There is a man, not just a man, he is an army brigadeier general. That means he's not one of those grunts. This guy's obviously got good sense. I don't know him, but he did a beautiful um essay, I guess, on a found a scapegoat, not the source.

This man makes so much good sense. He said the real problem is long-term city members hold the real power. the mayor has almost no power. Turnover in key financial positions um went unressed and that happened on small tunies. She got everybody all upset and they all left. Thank you.

Like to invite to the voting Thank you, Mayor, town hall manager, city council, and to each of you in your respectable places on this afternoon. I stand before you with the concern that so many of us in the city of Rocking out that receive utility bills have. Um, not to sound like a record, but on Friday, last Friday afternoon, I went to the city to pay my taxes and also to have my draft taken off of my account for my utilities. As someone have stated before, you all just don't communicate well. when you first did this in January

because I have a draft on my account

and I pull money from one account to another account to make sure that I meet my budget every month and I did that and then I had chance to bounce because you all pulled out for utilities. If I had not gone on Friday to take care of some distance of taking care of my taxes and other business, I would not have found out that on April the 28th, that I will also be getting another bill, which I had just paid one bill for $392 on the 1st of April. And on the 28th of April, I will be paid another year for $198. I would not have known that if I had not taken a trip to the city utility building to take care of these other business and to ask for the draft to be taken off of my account. We have to have a better communication with the citizens of Rocky Mountain. You have elders that don't know anything about the second bill even though they say that we won't pay a bill in May. I'm just trying to figure out now. Could you please tell us now would we pay two bills in June,

July, August, September, October, November or December. Please make it make sense. That's all you got to do is just make it make sense. And for my last the Bible says cry loud and spare not when we have opportunity to speak up for ourselves and our cities and the citizens here. We should cry loud and we should stand not. Thank you. The Bible also says, "Do things decently and in order."

Thank you, Mr. As long as we're in order. Cry out loud. At this time, this time I uh brings us to the consent agenda. This time I will uh would like to receive a motion uh to approve consent agenda as written inclusive of adopted resolutions approving the tax releases authorized staff to apply for grant authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute documentation and certifications including subsequent grant agreements behalf of the city and instruct department of development services to prepare feibility study. Is there a motion move? Motion made by Councilman Dal.

Second by Councilman Harris. Is there any need for discussion? Hearing none. All in favor please indicate by saying I. All the post like sign agenda is is approved. Brings item number 10. Consideration of the recommendations for the planning board meeting which was held on February 10th 2026. Acknowledge the receipt of the planning board minutes. This not public hearing. Is there a member of staff who'd like to walk us through what public hearing needs to be about?

Yes, thank you. Uh, this agenda item is for a reasonzoning request to reszone approximately 2.6 6 acres at 1400 Northfield Boulevard from B2 commercial corridor district to B5 a district to better align with the existing development pattern along this major commercial port. There is a mix of commercial and industrial uses in the immediate area including properties that were recently in the recent past reszone to E5 nearby. Um while there may be typical impacts such as increased traffic or intensity, these are expected along a you know major corridor and would be addressed at the time site development plan submitted. uh request is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan uh supports economic development and represents a logical extension of existing planning board has recommended to other answer any questions you may have. If I have any questions open.

All right. At this time, I will open up the podium to any I'm sorry. Yes. Council repres. I was I received a question about the budget impact. I saw on the documents they said no budget impact in regarding the feasibility study. Um is would that have any budget impact? This a question I receive.

Sure. The reasoning of the property will have no budgetary impact on on the city. Any other questions? Okay, this time I will open the podium, open the floor to any member of the public who wishes to speak to the matter before us, which is requested by Herbert Sutton property owner to resone plus or minus 2.58 acres located at 1400 Northwest Boulevard from B2 which is commercial corridor to B5 CD which is conditional commercial services. any member of the public who wishes to speak on this particular matter. Again, I'd like to invite any member of the public here who wishes to speak on the W. Herbert Sutton property owner resoning request of plus or minus 2.5 acres located 1400 Northwest Boulevard from B2 to B5 CD. Okay, seeing none. Hear none. I will close the public comment period. This time I'll receive a motion to adopt the ordinance. So move.

Motion made by Councilman Dal. Is there a second? Second. Second made by Councilman Paris. Is there any for discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. I. All post like sign. Resoning carries. Uh item 10B which is a public hearing relative to the following land development code amendment recommended for approval and found compliance with comprehensive plan by the planning board. I'll again turn it over to you Mr. to give us an overview.

Yes sir. Thank you. Um, within Rocky Mount, there are a number of internet cafes that are currently operating without clear authorization under the land development code, which is limiting staff's ability to effectively enforce compliance. The proposed amendment addresses this gap by creating a defined regulatory framework uh, which would establish where the uses may locate and under what conditions. Um, several municipalities across North Carolina have adopted similar ordinances to successfully manage and reduce internet cafe activity. And based on these outcomes, staff believes the amendment is practical and defensible and the planning board has recommended approval. Happy to answer any questions you may have. Are there any questions?

I don't know if this Yes, sir. Cal, this goes over and from the community the whole we spoke about this earlier, but it might be um better answered by the attorney, but the internet cafe skillbased gaming is is not something that city rocky mount has approved. is what the state of North Carolina allows um and would just to best suit the city of Rock Mount to comply with the state of North Carolina. Um still allowing what's allowed within the state. Is that accurate?

Uh Councilman Do that that that's correct. Uh games of skill are legal in North Carolina. that is the the land use that the text amendment would uh provide some ground rules to regulate as well as you know allocate which zing districts that use fall but but that is the use that our our north courts have said is so yes I'm sorry are you finished yes sir coun

again my my concern is um if we are allowing this addict as a permitted use of land development code that um once we issue those permits uh the owners of of these establishment will not be targeted for um closed down by law enforcement and I understand you know our chief here that we may not uh enforce that but I asked the question again with the uh sheriff in recent past have been has been where those establishments were shut down for all. Well, not Christmas. I just want to make sure that city of Rocky Mountain had a share of stone and partnership. we all on the same page that we are issues sir.

So you may not can answer that attorney and achieve the question. the the proposed land development code amendment would address the uh use from a land use perspective and um the the definition of of skill-based gaming and internet cafe as proposed is that it it's any business enterprise that's deemed legal by state law where persons utilize electronic machines uh to conduct games of skill. build of cash, merchandise or other items of value are redeemed or otherwise distributed whether the value of such distribution is determined by electronic games play or predetermined odds. Um, further any business operating more than two standalone electronic gaming machines uh shall be considered a primary use even if it is associated with or located alongside another permitted primary use and this use does not include any lottery by the state of North Carolina. Um so again the the proposed amendment above would address the land use and it's clear in the definition that what we would be granting the certificate of occupancy for is uh what state law to do legal

I understand

I understand everything that you said but again I'm asking a question and maybe I don't know if it's any of the other council members concern that we need to consult or with the sheriff. I mean I don't I mean we permitting this and then somebody you know get shut down and get fined to me that's a double standard. So let's just I don't want to put anybody in that position but if we can permit it then somebody and just if I venture to state that any facility that you know offered a service or product that uh was deemed legal by the state would would not run into that concern.

So thank you all. Council TJ Walker, I'll recognize you then I'll recognize you. Did you still want to speak to Councilman Thomas? Sure. without.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I um I know Planet Bo has been working on this over I believe we first received beginning conversations last year uh tonight or really Friday when we receive a gender necklace. Um was the first I saw the actual unwinding and developing of the gender item you see tonight. Uh so that for for saving more time um and conversation uh many of the owners uh said NC I'll make a motion to table this item tonight

do a motion to table at least the consideration of the ordinance but I think it would be appropriate for us to at least receive public hearing tonight if that would be appropriate assuming you get a second on the table. Second. All right, I have a second on that. All in favor of tableing it tonight by show of hands say I How many is that? One, two, three to table it. Okay. All opposed. Same signal. Okay. We'll consider the matter tonight. All right. Councilman uh DR and then I'll recognize you, Councilman. So,

Mr. Fook, I think you answered it. We're we're not we're not considering whether this is legal or not. We're just say we're just saying in the land development code we're in the city of Rocky Mount where this would be allowed um for skill based gaming. So as I noted um there are existing uh internet cafes that are operating um nearly all of them um are were granted a certificate of occupancy for something other than the activity that's occurring at at those locations. Um, enforcing the land development code uh with trying to shut those places down without having uh the use defined and permitted within certain locations in the city makes uh puts us in a disadvantaged position.

Thank you, Councilman Jarwolf. So too, I just got a question that asks um can you clarify that it's pretty much it still won't be closed to I guess neighborhoods like certain schools. Can you uh pretty much talk about that like public parks stuff that it would be not able to go around if you

Yes sir. Um the skill-based gaming internet cafe land use would be permitted in the um B2 and B5 districts which are commercial zoning districts uh in Rocky Mount. And one of the uh conditions that the operations would have to meet is separation from other uses. Specifically, they need to be at least 500 ft from any existing um residence of school, church, or public park.

And just and I'll recognize you, but just to be clear, I think I think there's a little confusion out here. What we're doing here tonight, what you were proposing that we do tonight is define an internet cafe or what was previously known as a sweep stakes um into our different uh zoning ordinances. And those establishments that currently exist will be able to continue in their operation assuming they received a certificate of occupancy prior to and had indicated that this is their line of business. businesses that have not done um will have to reapply for seeup and so a condition in which that might would have existed if I at least a spot on the strip center somewhere and I said I was a furniture store and I converted to a game of skill I suppose or internet cafe we're calling it uh that would require the issuance of a new co uh the enforcement component of that would require city of Rocky Mount and annual inspection to be able to identify that the zoning finds anybody in Sweet Stakes establishment or internet cafe is having greater than two games of skill located within that facility that that's really what we're talking about. So, we're not making a declaration whether this is legal, whether this u is appropriate or inappropriate. We're just saying based on our zoning ordinances, uh, it fits into a particular category and that category then defines where these things come.

Yes. Perhaps an oversimplification, but that I think hopefully clears that up for folks. And I'll recognize you, Councilman Harris, and I'll recognize you, Councilman Knight. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, for the public's sake and for my personal information, who determines whether an establishment is a game of chance or skill base?

Yes, sir. Um, that is left to law enforcement um particularly uh across North Carolina. I do believe that is done by the AL. I think you're correct but I just wanted the public to know we do not make that decision. Second question and I go for this and many of the whole you have identified a number of the existing sweep stake places but the city has to my knowledge no knowledge of how many convenience stores within city limits operate these skillbased machines. Is that great? At this particular moment, I don't have an exact number. Um, the city conducts annual inspections of nonresidential occupied buildings. And upon those inspections, if it's determined that there is a permitted use that is operating more than two um games of skill, then they will be required to apply for a certificate of occupancy as a skill-based gaming location and meet these proposed conditions. In the event that they don't, they would need to remove those those games.

But if I operate such an establishment and the fire department came by in February and I might think, well, they're going to be coming back next year, January, February. Could they not have more than two games or machines? All I'm concerned is how quickly are we going to be able to to go to all of these establishments and and and make sure that they understand what the new regulation is and how they can stay within the the new code and

Yes sir. I I understand. We have plans to notify those that we are aware of immediately of the new regulations. And again, we perform those annual inspections and um you know with the staffing levels that you know we we have the resources. uh the annual is realistically um the the the cadence the schedule that you know we'll be able to determine whether these places are offering you know the games and are in compliance with our land development

but the number of convenience stores is the big question mark and that's yeah so within the next 12 months um staff will have been in all of those locations and again if we find that they're out of compliance then they'll be made to come into compliance. That's all.

Thank you Councilman N. I just want to say I'm going to vote for it but at your own risk whoever listening whoever own you open up one in Edgecom County uh the sheriff as he said has the authority to shut them down uh the complaints are coming to you citizens. So I'm just letting you know getting your heads up. We're going to approve it at your own risk. I don't know what Sheriff Stone would do in Nashville County, but in the Edgecom, it would be shut down. Not me saying that it's the sheriff county. That's why I'm just saying, you know, we allowing this as a permitted use and it seem like we setting people up. I know we have to try to regulate it, but we don't enforcement agency.

Exactly. Go ahead, John. Councilman Jabar comment uh Joseph they do have I guess for the public to know what 60 days to get a new uh co. Yes sir. So the voting on pass tonight. Do everybody have to come back and get a new CO or is it just the ones that are not in compliance?

Yes sir. Presently, there are six locations that were granted a certificate of occupancy for Internet Cafe during a period in the past when that was a permitted use. This is not the first time internet cafe has been listed within the land development code. Um but other than those locations, yes, everyone um found to be operating an internet cafe uh would need to apply for a new certificate of occupancy.

Thank you. Um, this time I'd like to invite any member of the public who is here to speak on the text amendment chapter 1 section 102 terms and uses defined chapter 5 section 503 table 52 general use table and the purpose to add internet cafe u parenthetically sweep stakes establishment as a permitted use with specific requirements to ensure harmony with other environments. Is there any member of the public who wishes to speak? Uh you've already spoken, sir. Correct. Okay. I could add some light to the laws if you like.

We we'll certainly add uh we'll allow you to come speak. Three minutes. Anybody else who wishes to speak, you'll queue up. That'd be great. So, uh, in the proposal that I gave the city manager, our North Carolina opinion letter was in there and it does state that the state of North Carolina regulated machines, not skills-based games or sweep stakes. The difference between skills-based games is there's a pattern, a component where you choose a pattern and it's not it's not an impressive skill, but they call it a skill nonetheless. Sweep stakes is no purchase required. If you go back to the 1980s when McDonald's did the monopoly game, you had to go in and make a purchase. Federal government determined that that was gambling. So McDonald's had to switch their the the mode in which they issued the monopoly tickets. One of our attorneys out of Florida, his name is Matt Mor was on that case. What they what they had to do was switch to a sweep stakes base where there's no purchase required. anyone could walk in and say, "I want a Monopoly ticket and get one." If they wanted to then enter in for more entries, they can make a purchase for a soda or a fry. They would get that ticket and that would enter them in for more entries. So, that's really the sweep stakes online. That's what we do is the sweep stakes. We have two digital wallets. Someone signs in, they get free tokens to play, and if they want to make a purchase for more tokens, they're rewarded that when they make the purchase. to do that legally here. We could sit, we would be more than happy to sit down and create how we could function sweep stakes. Um, and that's why I pointed out our attorney uh, here in North Carolina, Keith would be willing to sit down and say, "This is what we have to do to function the sweep stakes." And I also said that you guys could operate as a subcontractor for the games. Well, we

would have to get the games through you. You could say these are sweep stakes. You could say these are skills based. that will put you as the as the person arbiter of the games itself so that you would understand how that works. But really what it boils down to in the state of North Carolina is the um regulation of the machines. Thank you. And please state your name for the record. Sean Ren. Thank you. Yes, sir. Is there any other member of the public who wishes to speak on this particular matter? Yes, ma'am.

I speak on war three one two and four. The machines are in those wars right now. You go to the store. Woman in there with a baby sent machine pumping a cigarette. Yes.

Kids in the car. H we got a high drug rate in rock high. They have not put anything in place to solve that. Homeless is really ramping rock have not put anything in place to solve it. And you bring a slot machine. I told you don't come where we don't live where we live. You don't come where we come. Ride them four walls. You'll see the children in the car while mama's sitting in the on the slot machine with the baby in her lap. This is reality. This is real. This is how it is in Rocky Mountain. I don't care how much you get together with whomever you may get together with. It's real. This is real in Rocky Mountain. We have three things and you bringing gambling and we got drugs and homeless and then you bring in gambling. Really?

Come on. Come on now. We didn't It's enough. Y'all give us anything. Y'all think we'll take anything. You know that ride. Go over there probably road crossing the Dollar Tree. Children in the car running in the store with a cigarette puffing and the children are in the car. This is reality. This is real. This is in form. Come on. Really? If you would please state your name for the record just to Yeah. Okay.

Any other member of the public who wishes to speak on this particular matter?

Veronica Jennings. Um I just want to ask a question because in the backup material it says here that half of the current operating gaming establishments and that's 24 according to this report would not be permitted if you pass this. Um so I'm trying to understand are we tightening it? Are we allowing more? What are we doing?

I can take a stab at that. here. We are not trying to make a determination whether this is legal or not. Uh we know that they exist within the city of Rocky Mountain and we are attempting to uh put it within our zoning ordinances to be able to determine where these institutions can be located. Uh enforcement is up to the state of North Carolina uh and ultimately to the district attorney in our particular area forcement. Uh so you know what we're trying to do is determine where if anywhere uh in the city right now these places can be zoned or allowed by virtue of our song. So any other member of the public who wishes to speak on this particular matter. All right. Seeing none I'll close the public portion of this. Uh see Councilman Blackwell you'd like to speak. Council Robertson you still care to address. I'll recognize you after Councilman Blackwell.

Okay. Thank you so much. Um, thank you um, Mr. Book for the presentation and uh, just to address and Miss Towns I want, if you don't mind, I want to address what you just stated. Uh, I'm going to support this effort, not because we're bringing it just because what you state is already here.

And the ordinance also says that these activities will not be allowed in historic communities and redevelopment communities. You know what a redevelopment community is? That's a neighborhood that has been identified as having a very high rate of poverty. Um, a level of standard of affordable housing and that has a uh challenge in housing stock availability and it needs to be improved. This ordinance would say those businesses are not allowed in that neighborhood. It restricts the definition of what is legal and it restricts them to only commercial corridors that already prove that they have high levels of traffic. Then it defines that you must if you have these uh units there have to be at least two. Is that correct?

That's correct. It has to be at least two. And that you can't just be a store with two machines. If you have the machines, you got to declare yourself a sweep stakes cafe. Not more than two.

More than two. Okay. But what it does do is it begins to put some guard rails around what the business is right now that's completely unregulated. It's completely unregulated as it is. And now whether or not our priority in policing is to shut it down or keep it open. We're hearing from the counties that they're waiting for us to move so they can do something. The other thing that that we do have the capability to do is enforce fines and fees. And I just wanted Joseph to tell us again, we heard it in a different way, but I think the public needs to hear and especially the owners of these facilities, what you going to pay if you don't do it right.

Yes, sir. So, this land use would be subject to uh enforcement as any other land use uh permitted or unpermitted in Rocky Mount. Uh the provision is that the first offense of a U development code regulation is $100. Each day is considered a separate offense with increasing potential for increasing fee amounts to $250 for a second offense and $500 for each offense thereafter for a particular location. Mr. Mayor, Councilman,

is the public comments closed? I'm sorry. Is the comments closed? Comments are closed. Okay. I'm sorry. Yes. I I think um Councilman Blackwell will address. I just wanted to make sure that Miss Townson concerns were addressed and I didn't put clarity on it. Some of those stores I already have boarded too and I've seen people in that go and so we see what you see. You may not see me but I see what you see I've been saying 58 years going down in the hood. I see what you see

and so do they see what you see. And so my my struggle here is because I've heard some shares and I know we're not voting on the guy's you know I I just think it's if we get there okay and I want to ask you Joseph uh Nashville and Tarbor and Greenville do they have this in their use and that will help me decide on how to prop this and again at your own sum you can just tell me yes

yes greenville Wilson the town of Nashville those communities were among those that we u survey in develop thank Yes, Councilman TJ Walker.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And uh although I know that we are not voting um on Portion tonight, this does open the door for former enforcement. Um, and my hope is that as we move forward as a council, uh, we place the same attention, uh, and, uh, foresight into the same accountability and enforcement for blight, for abandoned homes, uh, tax foreclosures that are within those communities that, um, Miss Tal as well. So, um, I know this. So thank you man for clarifying that but I know what this ordinance mean and what it does and it opens up the door for so in that vein um I just pray that when we get to a place financially uh Mr. Manager and council that we have the same intentionality for policies and ordinances that we already have in place that we are not enforcing. Thank you. Okay. Yes. Uh, Councilman Council called the question.

Okay. I'm sorry. Oh, you called the question. Okay. I'm looking for actually I need a motion and a second to adopt the ordinance. So move. Motion made by Councilman Daltridge. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councilman Blackwell. Need for discussion? All in favor, please say I. All oppose like sign.

I uh motion carries. Item 11 is public hearing as for proposed substantial amendments to the 2018 2020 annual action plans. Amendments describe how the city intends to repurpose 2013,000.7 and federal home CHDO funds to down payment assistance projects to facilitate home ownership for low and moderate income households. Sir, right here to speak to Okay. Yes. Sorry. I should know that. Good evening. Good evening.

I stand before you tonight. Um we're required to hold a public hearing for the proposed substantial amendments for program years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Rocky Mount is proposing to amend the annual action plan for 2018, 19, and 20 to reallocate those home funds from community housing development organization CHTO set aides and fund the down payment assistance program for low to moder families. The next steps in the process would involve it's a 30-day public comment period from now through May 5th. Um a public hearing tonight. It will also be presented at the Edgecom County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 4th. on May 11th is anticipated uh date for the city council meeting to review and approve the submission of the plan to HUD. And then the plan would be submitted to HUD on May 14th and the program year would begin July 1, 2026 June 30th, 2027.

So we will take comments tonight from the public and then people have 30 days to submit written comments as well. Yes, sir. Are there any questions? Yes, sir. Councilman Harris. Uh, thank you, M. McGee. Just for the public, these are federal funds, correct? Yes, sir. Federal funds. No general funds associated. Thank you. Okay. At this time, I'll open uh the floor up to any member of the public who wishes to speak on the amendments for 2018, 2019, 2020, the annual action plans on the home choto funds. Is there any member of the public who wish to speak today? Yes.

I know you are, but if you please state your name for the record, that'd be helpful. My name is Richard Pway. I live at 40 Thomas Street. Thank you.

And for the public housing um who get to select the people that uh is selected to get the loan and how do they go about doing it? Most people do not know anything about diesel that because they either don't read don't have the information or they can't get information and when they do get information they come up there and fill out the application all the money gone then that people when they trying that small people especially college kids that getting out of college want to get a home especially other people that got these low income job the people that working that can't even afford to get there and they got families. How are they going to get there? We need some kind of clarification or some kind of some kind of effort to get let the people know that these loans are out there. Not just for the higher that can afford it and say they ain't got it. But for those that are working at these low hard all of these people that and do have no kind of business on side for these people to get a job to be able to afford to get the loan because they make specification on

that's a great question M you would answer that I think that'd be helpful probably Mr. Bway as well as everybody else.

Yes. So, the city's down payment assistance program is administered by Rocky Mount Housing Authority. We will have a down payment assistance lenders training on April 23rd, which is a Thursday at 10:00 a.m. here in the council chamber. Um, at that time that this session is open to the public. It's targeted towards lenders, also realtors and homebuilders, but the public can also participate and learn more about the city's down payment program. The program is based off of you would actually apply to a lender and you would get an approval letter. You would also submit an application as well to the Rocky Mount Housing Authority. And so we'll have information about this program, but if you'd like additional information, feel free to call my office at 9721100, but it does require you to go through a bank or a credit union, some type of lending institution. And so we've invited lenders to be a part of that training on that day.

So just for my own edification, understanding, so I go through the banking process. The banking process says I can afford a home or the payment on a home provided I need, you know, provided I can make the down payment of X, whatever that works out to be. That's when I make application to the housing authority. Is that correct? Correct. An application would be made to the housing authority. You would also be required to um uh participate or attend the 8-hour home buyer class that the housing authority offers and they're actually offering one this upcoming weekend. You do have to register to participate, but if you miss this opportunity in April, they offer the home buyer education classes by monthly. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there any other member of the public who wishes to this particular matter? have question. M Miss McGee, who is eligible for these loans and is down payments payment assistant variable or is it fixed as far as known as concern?

So for eligibility for the down payment assistance program that's funded solely through HUD funds CDBG and home program funds, you have to meet the income qualifications. that would mean that your income would have to be at le less than 80% of the area immediate income. Um and so of course we would want we would have to collect information um to make that determination for its elig eligibility. It is a uh deferred forgivable loan in the amount of meaning that if you receive 40,000 in down payment assistance, that's a 10-year loan. If it's more than 40,000 to 40 to 50,000, it's a 15-year loan. And so, you can live anywhere in the city and you can receive up to $40,000 in down payment assistance. If you live in one of the targeted areas in the city, then it's an additional bonus incentive you receive and then it's $50,000 total. So extra 10,000 if you live in one of the targeted areas in our city.

So the total amount is $200,000 plus, right? So that provides an opportunity um for at least four home buyers get four people. Yes. in all of Rocky Mountunities. Going to Mr. Po's point is that um you got to know that it's available then you got to know what to do. Absolutely. Then you got to get approved and if you are approved, you might or might not have fun.

Yes. And I also Yes. And I also would like to just say that we we already have a down payment assistance program with some funding and roughly we still have available $500,000. So that would provide assistance to at least 10 homeowners right now. Some hope yes you better hurry then get in line. Yes sir. Thank you. Yes teacher. I would just recommend for any member of the public that may be interested in this and just schedule time to meet with Miss Cornelia and her staff and then that way they can go over all the details and let you know what you could potentially be eligible for. Council TJ W.

Thank you ma'am. Um Mr. McGee, thank you so much for sharing and I know this um actual allocations Higgins as Councilman Black um just alluded to uh but are we having conversations with agencies like building Shalom and others that are already doing the work that through these? Okay. Thank you. Yes sir.

Thank you. Is there any other member of the public who wishes to speak on uh the matter specifically? Uh it's uh to address the hometo allocation of funds $200,000. All right. Seeing none presenting themselves, I'll close the public comment period and we'll move on to item number 12, which is public hearing for the 2026 annual action plan for the down east consortium. Um, and assuming you're speaking to that as well, so I won't steal your thought.

Thank you again. I stand before you this evening um to um hold public hearing regarding the 2026 annual action plan. Um what I'd like to do going to try to go through this as fairly as quickly as possible. So basically tonight's agenda would involve providing an overview of our 2026 annual action plan. Review the community priorities identified in the 2024 2026 consolidated plan. Discuss the estimated resources to be made available um during this upcoming fiscal year 20 2026 2027. And lastly, summarize the proposed projects to be undertaken utilizing community development block grant funds and home funds. So what is the annual action plan? The annual action plan is a one-year strategy um that outlines how city funds or city of Rocky Mount would use CDBG and home funds to support local priorities. The fiscal year force run from July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. and you we would be using goals and priorities established uh with the um recent three-year annual action plan for 2026. This annual action plan would describe how CDBG and home funds would be distributed and and how it would benefit low to moderate income families. The priority needs are increase access and improve quality of affordable housing, eliminate salon and blight, improve public facilities and infrastructure, expand public services, economic development and planning and administration.

The the city of Rocky Mount is an entitlement city and we receive CDBG funds as being an entitlement city recipient. In addition, the Downy's Home Consortium receives home funding as a participating jurisdiction and the city of Rocky Mount serves as the lead entity for the Downy's Home Consortium. The city receives these funds through an annual allocation from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD. Uh these grants are non-competitive funds awarded from HUD based on using a formula which considers the uh community size, demographics, and housing characteristics. The allocations that you see before you are the allocations that we currently receive. We just most recently this weekend received a letter that outlines the um exact allocation amount. What what you see before you is roughly $501,884. Um that allocation is increasing slightly um by $15,000 um that's notated there. These funds would be used the CDBG funds would be used for the following proposed projects. single h single family housing rehabilitation home buyer assistance section 108 loan repayment um that involves the Douglas block revitalization project loan that was done back in 2008 and would be satisfied in after 20 2028 which is in a few years public services and planning administration proposed budget um as you can see um We're required by HUD to set aside 20% of the funds, CDBG funds towards planning and administration. There's a section 108

loan payment. There's also an additional set aside for public services. Um 15% has to be set aside and these are set aides that the federal government requires to set aside. In addition, there's funding that's set aside, proposed set aside for homeowner rehabilitation that would assist up to eight um families, rehab delivery, which would support the rehabilitation effort for uh doing the inspections, preparing the bid writeups, and then lastly, funding for home buyer assistance. Um so, as you see, those amounts are the the anticipated amounts that are are stated there. Um the 2026 home budget as I shared just a minute ago the city of Rocket Mount serves as the lead entity for the Downy's home consortium which is comp comprised of nine jurisdictions in Nash and Edgecom County. Um the Downy's Home Consortium allocates funding for the following activities. Um and those activities include there's also a set aside that HUD requires with the home program of 10% which is roughly 35,880. Um Rocky Mount, the city of Rocky Mount's par from the home funding would roughly be $168,635. Uh there's a 15% total set aside that we're required to set aside for uh CHTO certified CHTO which is the southeastern North Carolina community development corporation 53,821 and then Edgecom County and the jurisdictions in Edgecom County as you can see would be 71,759 whereas the three participate three

participating jurisdictions in Nash County include Middle Sex, Spring Hope, and Whiters um with roughly about 14,353. And then lastly, the town of Sharksburg. The next steps in the process, this would remain on public display and public com comment period where people would have an opportunity, the public would have the opportunity to submit written comments um or to comment this evening. Um on May 6th, we will do a presentation during the Edgecom County Commissioners meeting. May 11th, we anticipate coming back and presenting this before the council for approval and submission to HUD. and then it should be submitted by May 14th.

Thank you. Is there any member of the public who wishes to come forward and speak on the 2026 fiscal year 2026 annual action plan for the Down East Home Consortium? Floor is now open. I invite any member of the public who wishes to speak on the fiscal year 2026 annual action plan for the down east pump consortium plan. Uh please come forward. Not seeing anybody. I'll close the public comment um portion right now. Uh there's there's actually it's going to come before us and back

consider 13. That's right. I hear you. Item 13 is consideration amendment to revise fiscal year 2025 and 2026 by the annual operating budget for revisions to account for changes in repayment to increasing the total appropriations by $610,37 across the gas and sewer funds. Increases in appropriations reflect the net budget impact of adjustments to utility rates adopted by the city council on March 30th, 2026 and effective April 1, 2026. This time I'll receive a motion to adopt the budget amendment. Motion made by Councilman Dodgers. Is there a second?

Second. Second made by Councilman Blackwell. Is there a need for discussion? Yes. Okay. Council Robertson, I'll recognize you. I

think um I was has some questions and I wanted to see if Miss Fy I think I can ask her some of the questions or she would come up. We have a history of overestimating um our revenue and that was a big concern of the LGC. It's been a big concern of mine. So I saw that you're estimating that we're going to receive 2.2. I got the um letter from Ken Hana and I was made aware that you signed it. So I just want to make sure that you're co-signing that and how do you quantify that we will be receiving 2.2 million and over 2.2 That's a million of revenue with this piece. How are you define it?

Well, please answer, but I'll remind you that this is for $610,000 the appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 2026 annual operating. Yeah, I understand that, but it's due to the fact that, correct me if I'm wrong, um, Mr. Manager, that you're you're estimating that we're going to receive over 2.2 2 million she'll get to this number. Is is that correct? 2.2. I'm going let Miss Bobby answer. She's prepared to ask the finance question, but this is a direct uh impact from the recent rate adjustments.

Right. And um so it's the the rate adjustment times the number of accounts we have times our percentage of coherent um normal percentage of completion of election. Yes. Um so we're yeah we so we are you backing it um out to um where Paul has identified the percentage of collections that we can help we get on these type of accounts. So um so that's you hear that calculation

and thank you Mr. Manager for sending the um email. I didn't get the chance to read it because I just received it when I got here but received sending an email with the collection information. So if you can um help me what is our current collection rate? I know as you just raised it on April the 1st. So we we don't have any data on what going forward our collection rate but what is the current collection rate that Miss Paul gave you? the um the percentage that um that she provided us is 90 8% 92%. 92%

um based on these most recent months um but it's normally you once we you have every it the further out we get we collect some more. So it it ranges around 96% in normally and right u right now we're at 94. So you're basing the um 2.2 at 92% collection rate. Um that's the um the percentage that that we're using is 94%. 94%. To be more conservative.

So with the 15% increase, you think we're going to go up 2% in our collection rate? Because one of the things that I'm very concerned about is overestimating revenue cuz and I I think you spoke on that to the LGC as well that it won't be happening anymore and we on a tight leash with the LGC. They're watching everything we do. So to approve that we're going to receive that type of revenue based on our collection rates current and you're saying with a 15% increase you expecting us to get some 2% more in collections?

No. Uh, Council Robertson, that's not what she stated. What she stated is that right now we're currently going at around a 94% collection rate. What we anticipate being is 98% once we have uh reconciled everything and we continue for the next several months of collection. So, I think what you're saying is that 92% in the current month and you give it a 90-day period of time and it climbs closer to 98%. if you're using 94% as a projection to come up with $610,000 that we're asking for reclassification.

That's that's correct. But um but also to um maybe put your put your concerns at ease is for each of these for these months that are in um fiscal 26 that we're in now, all of these funds are going towards the reserve. So we're we're not increasing any expenditures. If you see each each one of these um is um either um going um it's either going towards reducing a revenue that we now believe is overstated or it's going towards rebuilding the reserves in u in those accounts. And depending on if you you flip through the actual entries depending on which type of account we're using it's it's doing that. It's not increase expenditures at all. So this the intent of this agenda ite is to um illustrate that the increases for this fiscal year are going towards um building reserve or taking care of um some of those situations where we probably did overestimate the revenues. And what she's saying reserve she's saying uh basically fund balance. So it's going back to fund balance.

Yeah. But I just my my question and my concern is basically on a 2.2. You're saying that is based on 98%. Is that what you said? Collection because I I heard I heard 92. So it's help me understand. Well, council look because motion in a second. You're you're asking about 2.2 in a projection into the forward in the next year. No, it's not. It's that project which is a more appropriate question for budgets and and I'm and I'm absolutely 100% where you're tracking and I want to know all these answers too, but I'm but I'm not sure how that Let me explain how it helps. Please break it down in a short. Yeah, let me break it down.

We have historically overestimated our revenue. That has been said a numerous amount of times. We're saying, and you help me if I'm incorrect, that by June, are you saying by June because of the utility hike, the 15%, how much are we going to collect by June?

We um the the additional changes are the uh the one the 1.6 million and um but that but that goes towards other other things. So the the change in the operating budget is to increase the operating budget by 610,000. Okay. That's based on how much this this utility hike how much are you expecting to collect by by June?

No. Yeah. No, I'm saying how much in Dallas are we expected to collect? All right, let let me pull this up and look at because this is important, mayor, because we was we was told we was told at the meeting about us overestimating our revenue.

Congressman, I look, I absolutely agree. It's 100% important. I don't know how it's germaine to the $610,000 uh appropriation increase that we're talking about in terms of a budget amendment. Uh we got a motion in a second and I want to hear all the answers and the collection rate. All those things are incredibly important. But we've had our staff say, "Look, we anticipate 92% collection. Based on the last 3 months, um, if you extend that out 90 days in into the future, that rate has been 96% and we expect to get to 98%." In order for her to come up with $610,000, she is conservatively estimating 94%. Of of which, I think I feel like she all the questions have been answered. So what I'm asking is how is the $2 million conversation helpful in getting us to

So we're saying in gas we're estimated to um collect $34,000. Is that correct? 300 and 300 and $4,000 in gas. We're we're we're um looking to collect between now and June 1st. June 30th. June 30th. Okay. So we're in a shoulder months now where gas is not being used as much. So that $34,000 that we expect to collect. Now, how are you quantifying that?

The the rate increase times the number of accounts times um the 94%.

And just let me just be clear, the 94% is a conservative estimate. We feel strongly that we'll be 97 or 98%. So the 94% is very conservative. This is not increasing our uh expenditures at all. This is just revenue received. So if we don't receive that revenue, we'll present another budget amendment that recognized that revenue. The the point is that when the LGC was focusing and mentioned stuff about uh uh over projections for revenue that was based on us using that to balance the budget because we have expenditures. That is not the case here. This is the case where we're just trying to recogn recognize sorry the additional revenue and putting it back to our reserves. Okay.

Oh, let me just finish. So, historically at 304,000 in gas that we projected that we will receive, right? How have because you said that's on a based on a collection rate. Is that based on these months? Historically during these months we received um a certain amount of money that's um close to this 304,000 plus a 15% increase like what have we historically received during these shoulder months in in gas collection. It's based on the collection rate which you just stated the accounts that we have based on the time period that we're currently at.

It's based conservatively on 94%. And what have we historically received during these shoulder months during these months that you're projecting that we're going to receive $344,000? I don't have the dollar amount here, but the percentage is usually higher than 94%. That's why we're being conservative on our estimate. So the percentage rate is typically in the 97 96 range, but we're being conservative saying 94

dollar amount. I understand the percentage, but dollar amount during these shorter months. What have we have have we historically received during these this period of time? Because what was said too was that we have gone for one year where we had reduced income and revenue and then the next year we even raised it higher. So I need to know historically what have we received during these shoulder months and what have we received? Now, when I say shorter months, these are the months that historically people are not using gas during the cold months. So, we necessarily receive 304,000. Historically, what happened to receive during those months?

Council member Robertson, I don't have the historical data in the packet today. Okay. So, I'm gonna I'm gonna let it go, but if you co-sign them, they came to us from Ken. You looked at it. You're putting your name and your credentials and cosigning it and you're saying this is the amount of money that we're going to receive. Based on your on the collection, yes, the best the the best estimate. Yes, the best estimate.

I am saying that. But also what I'm saying is this agenda item is setting those additional funds aside to rebuild fund balance. there's no there's no additional expenditures

that are being made. It's um it's to offset some of those revenues that we do believe were overestimated and and so that's that's the purpose of it and we will um I you know I believe based on information you know I have today that this is a good number. I will also be tracking this number. So, uh, and being a, you know, to, you know, provide, you know, what our, um, you know, how well we're meeting our expectation. Appreciate it. Council recognition.

Yes. Real quick and, and we stated, um, earlier in our meeting that these numbers are being vetted and they're not being overestimated and um, historically normally we collect 96 to 97% taxes and 98% utilities. We collecting the rears and so by June we will have collection February through May. So at this point I would like for you to call question please. All right question. Question's been called. All in favor say I. I. All oppose like sign.

All right. Item 14 is consideration of personal pay classification amendment as follows. And I I want everybody to know and and to understand that we've had extensive conversation on this matter. Uh this move this request is both budget and cash flow neutral. In other words, what that means is FTE and another department. It is unfilled and the rate of pay is consistent with what we're currently spending. So this is budget and cash flow neutral. Uh the reclassification is uh listed below. The range is consistent 122 with the reclassified range. This time I'll receive a motion to adopt the resolution. So move. Motion made by Councilman Knight. Is there a second?

Second. Second made by Councilman Blackwell. Is there any need for discussion? Yes. Councilman Robertson. I'll recognize. Okay. everything that I heard from the LGC um sitting there may um they put us on a short leaf and they um you know if we have one hiccup then we we at risk of being taken with it they taking our restriction so out of respect for them I would like to um table this and get approval from the LGC before we vote on this

okay there's a table is our second for the There is no second. So I've got a motion and a second. Um all in favor, please say I. I. All oppose like sign. Yes, sir. Council motion passes. By the way, you have a comment. I did. Uh I wanted to um I I had as we discussed earlier uh heartburn about this at first, but hearing uh from our manager and clarity around this um Mr. manager, if you could just to the public um speak to operationally how this helps us uh not to be able to find ourselves in the pitch that we found ourselves in before.

Yeah, the goal is to find someone uh with who's qualified and has experience in local government uh budget strategy to make sure that moving forward with the city is going through budget processes that our our numbers are are accurate uh based on the best information that we have available. Uh as the mayor pointed out uh this is not uh creating uh a a net new position. It is reclassifying a position that Arley currently have. And with regard to our uh marketing communication director, uh the assistant city manager that I hired several months ago has been uh doing dual roles and will continue to do roles as a part of our restructure. So in essence, the assistant city manager has been the communication director for the last several months and understands that that's going to be a permanent role for him. So you have a savings in that uh in that position as well.

Thank you. I'll recognize you then. announc Walker

before you get the benediction. I said the LGC must have two faces because they telling me the manager Sher and your staff and at least five or six of us hearing something different. They must have two faces. And you explained to us in the back the whole purpose behind this in the LGC, which some said the LGC would take the uh plan. Mr. Kennedy wouldn't uh recommend the plan, but they accepted the plan at the first. And so um I just want to say, Mr. Manager and staff, keep doing what you're doing. You heard what Reverend Henderson said. you know, let's keep the faith and and and just, you know, believe we're going to get out of this and we are. And so again, Elton and your team, thank you. Thank you for doing what it's hard to do, but you're doing the right thing. Thank you.

Okay, that moves on to uh Councilman Joris Walker recognizing. Uh TJ asked a question. Mor. I'm going to move on to item 15, which is a consideration of resolution amending the administrative policy number Roman numeral 9 uh.1 entitled water sewer extensions and service connections to clarify and streamline terms of service for outside retail customers. Is there a motion? Motion made by council night. Is there a second? Second made by somebody. Is there any discussion on that? I don't think I think I can get up. Okay. All in favor please say I.

All post like sign. Motion carries. Meeting is now.

Thank you. All right. Go ahead. They got to get some