City Council - Regular Meeting

the April 13th uh off schedule regularly scheduled meeting of the Goldsboro City Council. Uh hope that everyone had a a wonderful uh spring break, a wonderful Easter holiday, time with family, and we have a robust agenda ahead of us this evening. But uh we will move straight through things. As always, we're going to take our time with things. We're going to make sure that we are able to discuss them and if we see that things simply cannot be resolved then we'll table them and we'll continue to move forward and do the business of the people of our city. But with that let's begin as our tradition with an invocation followed by pledge of allegiance and then we'll move into our agenda. Father we our police chaplain will lead us in prayer.

Let us pray. Gracious, loving, and almighty God, we give you thanks for the abundant blessings of this life. We thank you for gathering us together here this evening. We thank you for this great city and all of its residents and leaders. Father, we ask that you pour your spirit upon us this evening as we gather to do the the business of the city. Give all the speakers courage and wisdom in their thoughts and in their speaking. give these leaders wisdom and grace to make decisions that are in the best interests of everyone in the city. And Father, we continue to ask your blessings over those that are attached to the armed forces armed forces, particularly those stationed to Seymour Johnson and those deployed abroad. Father, we ask that you watch over them and bring them home safely at the end of their deployments. All this we ask in Jesus holy name. Amen.

Amen. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right. And as we do have a full gallery, I'll just ask that everyone, including myself, silence your watches and phones and tablets and all the other fun things, including this one. And as we do that, uh, Madame Clerk, if you please conduct a roll call. Mayor Gayler, present. Mayor Pro Tim Weekes, present. Councilwoman Jones, present. Councilman Boyette, present. Councilwoman Taylor, present. Councilwoman Matthews, present. Councilman White,

present. All right. all being present and accounted for as I do every time. I appreciate everyone being able to be present and all the work that every member of this council does. I will move into adoption of the agenda. Council, there is an agenda presented uh that is uh been distributed uh both publicly as well as individual council members for review. Um Mr. Livingston, are there any recommended or requested changes from staff at this time? No, sir, Mr. Mayor. All right, council. Are there any requested changes to the agenda at this time? Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. So move. Second.

All right. Motion has been made and properly seconded to adopt the agenda uh as presented. Any debate? Hearing? None. We'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. Motion now pass 70. We have an we have an agenda. Next, we're going to start off this evening with a little bit of celebrating. So, I can tell everyone that uh one of the absolute highlights of being up here was getting a phone call that said, "Hey, we're getting ready to go escort a bus full of uh soon to be celebrities back into Goldsboro. Would you like to join?" And I said, "Well, yeah, that sounds pretty good to me." So, uh, to all of those involved, thank you. And to ladies, their families, their coaches, this one is for you. Proclamation celebrating the Goldsboro High School Lady Cougars 2025 2026 state championship victory. Whereas, the Goldsboro High School Lady Cougars achieved a historic 5446 victory over East Suri to win the 2026 NCHSAA 3A girls basketball state championship. their first title in more than 40 years. And whereas the team demonstrated outstanding performance, leading 2117 at halftime and finishing strong behind contributions from Amaya Ford with 14 points, Isaiah Ber and Amari Buckhong with 11 points each and additional scoring from Naira Smith, Kennedy Barber, and Alyssa Brown. And whereas under head coach Kadayiah Bryant and L the Lady Cougars excelled through disciplined defense, teamwork, and a dominant postseason run to secure the championship. And whereas the team also upheld a strong commitment to academic achievement, exemplifying excellence as student athletes both on the court and in the classroom. And whereas through

hard work, perseverance, and teamwork, these student athletes have represented their school and community with pride and excellence both on and off the court. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Goldsboro City Council does hereby recognize and honor the Goldsboro High School Lady Cougars as the 2025 2026 NCHSAA 3A girls basketball state champions and commend their excellence in athletics and academics and encourage all citizens to join in celebrating the success of these outstanding young women and their contributions to the legacy of Goldsboro athletics. and witness whereof, I have here to set my hand and affix the seal of the city of Goldsboro this the 13th day of April, 2026. Would any representatives or all the representatives from the Lady Cougars please come forward? You know what? Battery may be dead on this one. So, grab this right here.

Would anyone like to speak on behalf of the team?

Congratulations. Um it's an honor to bring this championship back home to the city of Goldboro. Um you know we were here a couple of years ago when we went um what 23 and two and then you know a tremendous season the um year after that but then to finish it all off with a state champion at the end of um this 2026 season um it's just amazing. So, I'm, you know, I'm just glad we were able to honor Uber Grow High School and the city of Gossboro and bring some pride back to the community. However you want to do it. If you want to slide right in the middle if you want to hold this right here in the middle.

Okay. If y'all and then slide slide this way towards me. One one big step. There we go. And now you take over and tell us where to go. Hey, Mr. Mayor. Can Can we be a part of this picture?

Absolutely. Absolutely. If any of the council or every member of council would like to come around and take uh take positions on the wings, I think that'd be fantastic. staging. Congratulations. Thanks. Hey m and Mr. Mayor, I know I'm over stuff. Before y'all leave, could Hey, could we get their um their parents up here as well? Because it would without them, they wouldn't be here as well. So whatever whatever coach and players want to do, you're here right now celebrating. I want to get parents up here.

That's the best. Look at me. Sorry. All right. Yes. All right, everyone. We'll pause just for a second and allow them to uh make an exit. Fewer people.

All right, we will continue our meeting with item 4.2 on our agenda. Uh, the Goldsboro Housing Authority Board uh has appointed a new CEO and we would like to hear from the board chair as well as our new CEO. Thank you. Good evening, mayor and city council. It is my pleasure to be here with you this evening. Um, want to make an introduction to the Post just one second. Sure. Uh, would you mind just pull that door too quick? They have a large a large crowd that they need to keep having fun and celebrating. Yeah, that's all right. We're not going we're not going to call the scene about. We're just going to pull this door to you right here and then we'll keep on going. Thank you, Mr. Tom. There you go. Please.

Sure. on behalf of the uh board of commissioners for the housing authority for the city of Goldsboro, I wanted to introduce you to the CEO. Um she's about three weeks in um but did want to come and just make an introduction and I'm sure you'll hear a little bit more about uh when you guys can interact a little more intimately in the near future. Um but please uh join me in welcoming U. Michelle Wiggins.

Okay. Well, not as exciting as the basketball team winning. Um, but I appreciate you allowing us the time to come before you today. Um, to the community at large, too. Thank you, um, for being here and being supportive and let you know that the board of commissioners will be discussing at our Thursday board meeting about a schedule for a meet and greet. So hopefully uh we can share that information with you guys and would love to see you there and talk more about what we might be able to do to work together. Appreciate those of you that I've already spoken with and had the opportunity to begin collaborating with. There will be a lot more of that in the future. I'm very hopeful and very excited about things to come for the housing authority and I'm glad to be back. I spent about eight years at the housing authority before and was very involved in a lot of their redevelopment efforts in the past and I'm looking forward to doing more of that in the future. So, thank you for your time and hope you have a good evening.

And appreciate you being willing to come forward and and be introduced this evening. Uh, as you already said, we will be arranging times that council members can go and and actually speak with uh with Miss Wiggins and the board and with other other staff members with within the authority. you know, there's some really, really solid plans, some things that can really do good things for the residents and for the community at large. So, I appreciate you being willing to be here this evening and good luck. And good luck.

Next, we will move to item 4.3, a National Volunteer Appreciation Week proclamation. And if I am correct, it's the next one on my stack. National Volunteer Appreciation Week proclamation. Whereas a sense of caring and a desire to have motivated or excuse me whereas a sense of caring and a desire to share have motivated many men and women to volunteer their time and services to the needs of others in the Goldsboro community. And whereas volunteers help the sick, the needy, the disabled, and enrich our lives through the arts, recreation, and cultural activities. And whereas the city of Gsbor has many dedicated volunteers who give their time and expertise on boards and committees that benefit our citizens. And whereas volunteer action is a powerful force for the solution of problems and volunteers are increasingly recognized as as an important partner with governmental agencies. And whereas volunteers have become an essential part of any prosperous community and volunteer services help expand programs and stretch our tax dollars. And whereas Governor Josh Stein and the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service recognizes volunteers across the state for their contributions to each 100 counties and the United Way of Wayne County will recognize those volunteers and all Wayne County volunteers on April 27th at 5:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theater. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Goldsboro City Council does hereby proclaim the week of April 19th through the 25th, 2026 as National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and urge all citizens to recognize and thank our volunteers across the country and within Goldsboro as we acknowledge the importance of our volunteers and take the time to officially thank them for all they do. And witness whereof, I have here to set my hand in a fixed seal of the city of Goldsboro this the 13th day of April, 2026. And I believe we have the executive director, president of our United Way chapter, Miss Sherry Archer, present.

Would you prefer to address the audience or to address the council? Do a little, whichever you prefer.

Thank you. And thank you for reading that. My allergies. Thank you. you. I didn't know if I was going to be able to say that whole thing. Um, on behalf of the United Way of Wayne County, it's our pleasure to be able to serve as the um, host for the Governor Service Award. And so, we're looking forward to recognizing many uh, volunteers, but specifically, we have five that were selected from a committee of this community um, that went forward to be part of the service awards as well. So, they'll be recognized um, with a a little bit more recognition on the stage. We look forward to you joining us as well as um base personnel and the county commissioners. Thank you. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. Quick point of order. I believe you need to be excused, correct? Yes. Uh, council, at this time, I would entertain a motion to excuse Councilwoman Matthews. She has a professional commitment and would like to be able to preserve her vote in her absence. I'll make a move. All right. Second. Motion has been made and properly seconded to excuse Councilwoman Matthews until she's able to return. Uh, is there any debate? Hearing none. All in favor? Uh, Miss Gats, would you like us to do electronic or I just pulled it up? Yes, sir. Uh, please vote electronically if possible. Well, all right, then.

All righty. All right. We will see you in a few moments. All right. Next, and since uh since she happened to mention it, the I feel like the month of April in Eastern North Carolina ought to also be Berry White reenactment month due to all the pollen. I promise you I'm not up here spreading uh the wealth amongst my council mates. It is purely re It is purely pollination. All right. Next, we will move to item 4.4. Mr. Livingston, if you please. Uh, I think I'll defer to our our department head, April, Miss April's choice to introduce our new

building mayor and council. Um, I'm happy to announce that we have fulfilled our chief building inspector position. Well, um, building co-manager position. Um, and Mr. John T. Brown is here and I will allow him to, um, provide an introduction of himself. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, mayor, uh, city council, city manager, city attorney.

Yes. Uh, my name is John Brown. I'm, uh, the building inspections manager for city of Goldsboro. I'm excited to be here, excited to be a part of this, this city. It's, it's been a great three weeks that I've been uh, working here, and it's been very very enjoyable. Um, I came from New Hover County as a chief building inspector there and have about 40 years of uh, construction and inspections experience. Look forward to working with each and every one of you sitting down spending time with you so that I understand how we make a vibrant and prosperous Goldsboro. I thank y'all. Thank you.

Mr. R, I'm going to commend you right off the bat. Something that I believe that you want to do that I absolutely echo is making time to sit down with the development community around us that tends to be your frequent flyers in our area and offering some instruction. Again, as I've as I've said with April many times, I do not want to lower the bar, but I do want to help people understand how to get over the bar. And and when you have high standards, which I believe we do and I believe we should, I also think that comes with that some degree of necessary explanation of how to be able to do things. And already hearing from uh from April some things that you want to do to be able to engage with that community, help them understand the process, help them navigate it to the extent that you can while while remaining an inspector, obviously I think is just fantastic work. It's a cultural shift that I think is just going to be wonderful.

Yeah. Well, I I look forward to it. I know the uh homebuilders association is excited. Spent quite a bit of time with those folks and uh gotten to know them very well and look forward to I said working with them. Ease of business has been my my main motto. U but I also understand that we have to protect the citizens of Goldsboro. Absolutely. And have great buildings and that's what we're going to achieve. So have a good evening. Thank you. Thank you so much. Sure. Thank you. All right. Next, Mr. Livingston. I've uh I believe item 4.5 and 4.6 are just for uh reading, right?

All right. We'll move to item 4.5, which is a retirement resolution for Mr. Don McMullen. A resolution expressing appreciation for services rendered by Don McMullen as an employee of the city of Goldsboro for more than 23 years. Whereas Don McMullen retires on May 1st, 2026 as a distribution and collection system superintendent with more than 23 years of service with the city of Goldsboro. And whereas Don began his career on January 2nd, 2003 as a laborer run with the public works department in the streets and storms division. And whereas on March 6, 2013, Don was promoted to distribution and collection system superintendent. And whereas on July 1st, 2025, Don's position as distribution and collection system superintendent was reassigned to the public utilities department, and he has continued to perform his duties in this role with dedication through his through to his retirement. And whereas Don has proven himself to be a dedicated and efficient public servant who has gained the admiration and respect of his fellow workers and the citizens of the city of Goldsboro. And whereas the mayor and city council of the city of Goldsboro are desirous on behalf of themselves, city employees, and the citizens of the city of Goldsboro of expressing to Don McMullen their deep appreciation and gratitude for the service rendered by him to the city over the years. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and city council of the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, that we express to Don McMullen our very best wishes for success, happiness, prosperity, and good health in his future endeavors. This resolution shall be incorporated into the official minutes of the city of Goldsboro and shall be in full force in effect from and after this the 13th day of April 2026. And next, as soon as I can get it up, we will continue with item 4.6, which is a retirement resolution for Mr. John Heath. Resolution. Excuse me.

Need a motion. vote as that is a resolution to be incorporated fully into the minutes. I would entertain a motion to adopt the resolution for Mr. Don McMullen as read. So moved. Second. Motion has been made and properly seconded. Take your pick. Okay. Uh is there any debate on that motion? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Uh vote electronically if possible.

All right. Perfect. All be all votes being in the affirmative. Motion passes. We will now move to a resolution if I pop you up. Uh expressing appreciation for services rendered by Mr. John Heath as an employee of the city of Goldsboro for more than 13 years. Whereas John Heath retired on March 1st, 2026 as a meter reader with more than 13 years of service with the city of Goldsboro. And whereas John began his career on August 22nd, 2012 as a utility field service technician with the maintenance department. And whereas on January 1st, 2016, John's job title was changed to meter reader. And he continued to serve with dedication in his role until his retirement. And whereas John has proven himself to be a dedicated and efficient public servant who has gained the admiration and respect of his fellow workers and the citizens of the city of Goldsboro. And whereas the mayor and city council of the city of Goldsbor are desirous on behalf of themselves, city employees and the citizens of the city of Goldsboro have expressing to John Heath their deep appreciation and gratitude for the service rendered by him to the city over the years. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and city council of the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, that we express to John Heath our very best wishes for success, happiness, prosperity, and good health in his future endeavors. This resolution shall be incorporated into the official minutes of the city of Goldsboro and shall be in full force in effect from and after this the 13th day of April 2026. Council would entertain a motion to adopt the resolution expressing appreciation for Mr. John Heath as read.

So moved, Mr. Mayor. Motion's been made. Is there a second? Second.

Motion's been made and properly seconded uh to adopt the resolution as read. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes being in the affirmative motion passes. We'll move to our last pro our last proclamation which is a uh another another special treat. There is a statewide proclamation uh for line worker appreciation day for the folks that uh get on get in the b the trucks and climb the poles and keep our power on every day. And we are following suit. I was able to sit down with uh members of the Duke Power team that do the work whether it's snowing or raining or windy or whatever else and got to hear some of their stories and learn about them and their families and very much appreciated the time. And so this proclamation is for them. Whereas on April 10, 2013, a resolution was passed in the United States Senate to recognize April 18th annually as National Line National Linemen or line worker appreciation day. And whereas the profession of the electrical line worker is steeped in personal, family, and professional tradition. And whereas line workers are often first responders during storms and other catastrophic events, working to make the scene safe for other public safety officials and to expedite the return of vital electrical power to our communities. And whereas these brave men and women work with thousands of volts of electricity high at top power lines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, risking and sometimes losing their lives to keep electricity flowing. And whereas line workers are often faced with dangerous conditions far from their families as they work to construct and maintain energy infrastructure throughout the state of North Carolina and the United States. And whereas line workers must use their technology, their technical knowledge, physical strength, and ingenuity to achieve success and challenges they face every day. And whereas the city of Goldsboro than thank these men and

heroic line workers who brave hurricanes, ice storms, snowstorms, floods, and other natural disasters to maintain our community's energy grid. Now therefore be it proclaimed that the Goldsboro City Council does hereby proclaim April 18, 2026 as line worker appreci appreciation day in the city of Goldsboro. A witness whereof I have here to set my hand and affix the seal of the city of Goldsboro this the 13th day of April 2026. All right. And we will deliver that to them in the coming days. Next we will move into our public hearings. Mr. Livingston, I will yield to you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The first uh public hearing we have is for SU 326. It's a multif family development off of New Hope Village uh New Hope Village off of u uh New Hope Road. So I'll have uh the planning department give that brief. Mr. Talton. Yes, sir. All right. And this being a special use permit, please approach the clerk and council, if you would take a moment to uh refresh yourself if needed on the motions for special use permits. I believe that little flyer is back in front of you, but we we will be going through that fourpart motion test if we choose to move to that part of the uh of the item.

Good evening, mayor, council, men and women. Um good to see everybody tonight. Um as the mayor said, we will be reviewing one special use permit. Um and that the location of this special use permit is at the south side of East New Hope Road between Bayer Creek Road and Newsome Road and it is for a multifamily uh apartment and town home complex. Moving forward, the applicant is Mr. Howard Sa. Mr. Saul is here with us tonight. He's also a civil engineer. Blanchard and Associates is with us as well. Thank you for coming. The current zoning for the property is R six. Um the existing land use is currently vacant. Uh the land use designation is medium density. And as we spoke before, the applicant is requesting a special use permit to build a 144 unit multif family and town home development complex located in a residential six zoning district. On June 20th, 2022, the property was reszoned from residential 12 to residential 6 by Goldsboro City Council. The residential zoning district was established to accommodate both single and multif family residential uses and to prohibit all activities of a commercial nature except for certain home occupations. Multif family dwellings shall have 6,000 square ft of land area for the first unit with an additional 2,000 square ft of land area required for each additional dwelling unit. According to the city's UDO, multif family and town hall developments are permitted in the Rick zoning district only after attainment of a special use permit approved by city council. The approval criteria for multif family and town hall developments uh is in accordance with our UDO. I won't go into

explaining all of them, but I will just briefly highlight the the sections that they are required to cover. Open space equal to at least 20% of the entire development shall be preserved, maintained, improved by the development owner for active recreational use by residents of the development. Open space ownership. The required open sha open open space shall be held in common ownership for the perpetual benefit of res other development by legally established corporation or other legal entity will be dedicated through the city of gossboro as a public park. Building separation there share be separation of at least 20 ft between buildings. Landscaping shall be in accordance with our landscaping commercial landscape ordinance. Pedestrian facilities shall be provided. That includes interior pedestrian sidewalks as well as exterior sidewalks along the main corridor there along East New Hook Road. Access shall be provided to the property. Utilities shall be installed underground. There shall be a commercial lighting plan for the development. signage, storage for each unit, a refuge collection area, and they shall provide a 20ft side and rear setback for all buildings. So, if you look here, this is our zoning map. As you can tell, majority of the property is R12. To the east and west of the property, you'll see some R16, R9 to the south. again to the north R16 a little office and residential and general business isolated general business and R16. Moving to our comprehensive land use map. And before I go on, I'll just draw note to you'll see to the west of the property are some multifamily

developments existing and also to the east you'll see multif family and residential developments. Here is our comprehensive land use map which does show medium density residential. uh in these areas uh our UDO specifically our comprehensive land use plan encourages higher density uses when there is water and sewer or where there are plans to extend water and sewer in the area. We do have utilities just to the west of the property. Uh if this permit is approved and the site plan is approved, the developer will be required to extend services to the property. Here is a site plan, one of the sheets, the overall site for the development. I'll go into showing you that there are one, two, three, four threestory multif family apartments. And as you'll see on the northern side of the property or the west side really will be 1 2 3 4 5 6 seven sets of town homes four in each unit. Again at this point in time we're showing in what we've been told is 144 units unless that's changed and so that still stands. The discussion the buildings and lot again there will be four three-story multif family apartment buildings and 28 town homes for a total of 144 units. Residents will be able to access the site from each new hope road. There may be additional access points to the site if the fire code requires it. Engineering the property is not subject

is not located in a special flood hazard area. City water sewer utilities are available within a thousand feet of the property along East New Hope Road. Annexation. The subject property is located outside of our corporate limits. If this property is developed for future use, developer will be required to petition for annexation to the board. TRC review. If the permit is approved by council, the site will be reviewed by our technical review committee at which time they'll have to require compliance with all of our UDO regulations. At that time, that would also if it triggers a DOT uh traffic impact, that would happen at that time, right?

Yes, sir. At this point in time, we have spoken with NC DOT and I believe the applicants have as well. At this time, DOT is not requiring any road improvements. uh they are requiring some markings of of of stripes and improvements within the roadway but at this point in time based on the information they have there will not be any required improvements to the site. So staff's evaluation is that the proposal would not pose any immediate threat to public health or safety. There was no evidence presented with the application that indicates the use will injure the or will injure the beneficial use of adjoining or budding property. The proposed use will be located in an R six zoning district. The proposed use for multif family town home development would be in harmony with the zoning district and the surrounding area. The land use plan shows the property as being in medium density residential land uses. The proposed use will not serve as a detriment to the designation as this land use supports goals identified by the city's comprehensive land use plan and land use map. Planning staff have no objections to this proposal. Again, I will let you know again this is a quasi judicial hearing. uh your evidence your decision will be based off of evidence presented sworn testimony staff's report what you've seen in the PowerPoint presentation tonight and of course once the mayor opens up for public hearing any testimony that is offered um at this point in time I don't have anything else to add mayor unless council has any questions of me

all right council we have any questions for staff Mr. Mr. Whit, I was reading ahead of you and then did not hear what you said regarding annexation status. Is it ETJ now or is it already? That is correct. And the ETJ will need to be annexed into the city of Goldsboro's jurisdiction. And I would assume because my district neighbors this that it would be added is do you guys make that decision? Yes, sir. So it would be added to my district. Yes, sir. Sorry, I missed that part earlier. No problem. No problem. And that would be a separate annexation petition that would then be heard of council and then we'd set district and all that other the political boundaries and all those things at that time as well. Yes, sir.

For those following along. I see another hand up over here.

All right. Then with that, it is our practice that we then invite the applicant up to fill in any additional information from staff's briefing and then be able to hear any questions from council. that uh allows the public who are present to be as informed they as as informed as they can possibly be once we open the public hearing. So with that, Mr. Ch, the applicant all perfect then we'll invite the applicant up to come forward and speak and if there are any uh gaps in the presentation that they'd like to fill in, they're welcome to do so. Please approach the Hey, good evening.

All right, good evening. Brought Steve with me. He's our engineer in case there's any technical questions. So, council, uh, is there are there any pieces of the brief that you would like to elaborate on? Are there is there any other details that you'd like to add to the brief? Well, I think it was pretty straightforward. So, okay, council, any questions? Council, are there any questions for for for the applicant at this time? All right. Hearing none, then y'all have a seat. Oh, yes, sir. Sorry. Mr. Lawrence, we just need them to state your name for the record. Came up. If both of you would please just state your name for the record. Oh, Howard S. Steven Blanchard. Thank you.

There you go. All right. Y'all have a seat and then we will uh open the public hearing. All right, everybody. Uh, we will now move to the public hearing. Uh, this is the public hearing is officially open. Uh, public hearing for item 5.1 on our agenda, SU 326, a multif family development along New Hope Road. Is there anyone wishing to come forward and speak? If so, please approach the clerk. Second call. Is there anyone wishing to come forward and speak on SU 324, item 5.1 on our agenda? Third and final call. calls. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak on SU 326, item 5.1 on our agenda? Seeing none, we will close the public hearing and we will uh return to deliberations. Council, uh would you like me to invite either the applicant or staff back up? All right, seeing no or not hearing any requests, there are four motions as everyone is aware that uh we have to work through for a special use permit. At this time, I would entertain a motion related to item number one. Uh, if it pleases council,

mayor, I move that um a motion that the use would not materially endanger the public health or safety. All right. A motion has been made that the use would not materially endanger public health or safety. Is there a second? I'll second it. All right. Motion has been made and properly seconded that the use would not materially endanger. Is there any debate on that? Uh, hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. You good? See if if you type click e vote up at the top and see if it'll let you in. Just or just or just rate raise your hand and state your vote. Yeah. Uh yes, I'm in the in favor.

All right. Motion passes. We'll move to item number two. Motion the use would or would not substantially injure. Would entertain a motion. Mayor, I'd make a motion to that effect. All right. Uh to which one that it would not will not all substantially second at the all right motion's been made and seconded by the pro Tim that the use would not substantially injure the beneficial use of adjoining or abudding properties are in debate hearing none we'll call the vote please vote electronically if possible all right votes have been tallied motion passes um we'll move towards item number three I saw your hand I'll make a motion that the youth will be in harmony with existing development and uses within the area in which it is located.

Second. All right. Motion's been made and properly seconded that the use would be in harmony with existing development and uses within the area. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes have been tallied. Motion passes. And then we'll move to item four. Would entertain a motion that the use would or would not be in general conformity with the Goldsboro comprehensive land use plan. I move that the use will be in general conformity with the city of Goldsboro comprehensive land plan. All right. Second

and seconded by uh Councilwoman Taylor that the use would be in general conformity. Is there any debate? Hearing none. We'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All those have a mentality. Motion passes. SU 326 is granted. Mr. Livingston, anything further on item 5.1? No, sir. Mr. Perfect. Hey, just before it has nothing to do with the vote or anything. Just out of curiosity, there's already a new hope village on that road. I was just wondering is that something that we is does that make a difference? Mr. Leon, you're better equipped to answer that one. The naming of it. I'm It's a New Hope Village Drive, but it's not the New Hope. I mean, it it

Well, the drive is the street that leads into New Hope Village. They call that New Hope Village Drive, but the actual subdivision is New Hope Village. So, I was just wondering. No, that's a completely good question. We need to get branding right. Uh, well, how about this? Let's advise planning to please do make sure that when you're working with the applicant, let's make sure that we're not double booking any branding that we make sure that things are clear. Everything from the post office to police response, it it certainly is relevant. So, let's make sure that we that we get that right uh once things are actually put in motion. Councilman, that's a good catch. anybody else to that point as everyone refers to that development as New Hope Village and has for some time. Yeah, we definitely don't want any of

emergency services, right? Emergency services post. We we don't want any uh any goof ups there. So, let's please do make sure that we're getting that one right. Planning, you got you know, you got your advisory notice on that one. There we go. All right. Let's move to item 5.2. Mr. Livingston, if you would please. Uh this uh 5.2 got to is a public hearing for substantial amendments to the annual action plans and uh that we've had several of them this year to try to keep ourselves update with some of the changes that are uh we've made and I'll have choice to the brief. Yes, sir. Perfect.

Good evening again. Um so we are requesting city council to approve um a sub substantial amendment to the annual action plan um plans. Um we are asking for 2018 to 2019 2019 to 2020 2021 and 2022. Um the the purpose of this is to add a new activity. So, anytime we are making a change or being more specific about how we use CBDG or home funds, we have to go back to the annual action plans that those funds were allocated in um and update the plan um to be specific. So, the particular activity that we um we're adding to the plan um is the Abbott crossing um um affordable housing development project. Um, so that is um using about $900,000 in home funds. Um, and we to just do it right. I appreciate the work that you and the department are doing because we are trying to be very methodical because we've already actually approved the expenditure of these of these funds within another box of federal sort of bureaucracy, if you will. And now going back and making sure that every layer is touched appropriately so that there's there's no audit findings, there's no issues down the road. I certainly appreciate the work. This is this is not new to council. This is a a piece of business that is is certainly underway, but is there any no additional expenditures? Correct.

No additional expenditures.

Okay. So, council, any comments or questions for Miss Miss Choice? All right. So, then with that, we'll allow you to take a take a quick seat and we'll open the public hearing. Uh everyone, this is a public hearing for item 5.2 on our agenda. A public hearing for substantial amendments to the 2018-19 uh 20192021 and 2021-22 annual action plans. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak uh please approach the uh the clerk and I misspoke. You can actually just come straight to the podium. Good evening, Councilman C mayor and Mayor Pro Tim. I was just um I'm Phyllis Merritt James, 503 Cardinal Drive, Gman, North Carolina. Just had a question in reference to the allocation. I know years ago I've been at several um meetings where you talked about the allocation of these funds and with this dele this um determination to do this village or this project trying to see how it fits into the overall monies that we're going to divert to like the West Oak um plans and subdivisions. Um I know a lot of the monies were direct. We had like $1.6 $6 million and things were set to address our homeless population, low moderate income housing. I just want to make sure because this area is going to be over there toward New Hope and I just want to make sure that we're not forgetting our commitments that we made for the West Oak. We had a bunch of open sessions, a lot of excitement around building in those areas and we're going outside of that realm. So, I just want to make sure that the monies that we're

allocating are still with the main focus that we're looking at to begin with. Thank you. Well, after the public hearing, we'll invite you back up if you want to address any any specific points. Okay.

Anyone else wishing to come forward and speak? Item 5.2. Last and final call or third and final call uh for a public hearing of substantial amendments for uh assorted annual action plans item 5.2 on our agenda hearing. None. We will close the public hearing. Uh Miss Choice, if you please come back to the podium just to entertain any remaining questions for council. Um as far as this this particular piece of property, Abbott, where would you tell us where where the one that this funded is? This is on Graves Drive off of um Berkeley. I think you go down to where the McDonald's.

Oh yes. Um so this project is it's going well. Looks like it's almost complete. Um but um it does fit the funding criteria for home. It is funding a new construction multifamily rental housing um project which fits um and is eligible for home funds. And this one is income qualified at least a portion of it is income qualified, right? Low to moderate income. All right, council. Any remaining questions on item 5.2? All right, hearing none. Uh at this point, Mr. Mr. L and M. Choice, we're to vote to approve the changes.

All right. Perfect. So, council, there is a resolution in the packet that if it is a will of council, would entertain a motion to approve the resolution as presented. So, moved. Second. Motion has been made by Pro Tim and second by Councilman Boyette. Any debate? Hearing none, please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes having been tallied. The uh motion passes. All right. With that, we'll move to item 5.3, which is a second amendment to the economic development agreement between the city of Gsbury and Wayne County, actually expanding what we're doing a little bit. U Mr. Livingston, if you'd please deliver the brief or call someone forward.

Oh, no. I got this one. Mayor, thank you. Um this is essentially just as you said uh an addition to our existing agreement which adds another lot into Park East uh due to they created another lot and they've got the opportunity to develop that lot which essentially uh in those areas we share property tax 50/50. Uh we do this also in the what was formerly the Goldsboro business campus. Now it's a Wayne business campus. This is still a bit of a novel thing between cities and counties. It's um it seems to be working quite well though. It's working. Yes, sir.

Good. Well, council, any comments or questions for Mr. Livingston before we begin the public hearing?

Hearing none, we will open the public hearing. This is now a public hearing for item 5.3 on our agenda. It is a second amendment to an economic development agreement between the city of Goldsboro and Wayne County. Well, anyone wishing to come forward and speak, please do so. Second call on item 5.3 on our agenda. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak, please do so. Third and final call on the second amendment to an economic development agreement between the city of Goldsboro and Wayne County. Item 5.3 on our agenda. Uh, third and final call to come forward and speak. Seeing none, we will close the public hearing and we will move forward. Council, are there any remaining questions for Mr. Livingston? Hearing none would entertain a motion to adopt the resolution as presented. So moved. Second.

Motion has been made and properly seconded by Councilwoman Jones. Uh is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes having been tallied. Uh the motion passes uh and the resolution is approved. All right. Council. Uh next we'll move to our public comment period. Anyone who is not uh assigned to speak at the public comment period wishes to do so, please do and then we will hear those wishing to speak.

Mayor, our first speaker is Willie Baptist. Good evening, Mr. Baptist. Good evening, everybody. Hey,

C women, cough men. Good to be here. Um, and oh my lady, how you doing? Um, I'm here as a complaintant because uh I don't know if any of y'all ever been called a liar or referred to as lying. I haven't. I don't like it. I mean, somebody may have, but I don't. I had an incident that happened on uh February 11th. Uh, I had to go to the DMV. Anybody registered DMV? It takes a long time to get that appointment. Well, that morning I got that appointment and so I got up the regular time to get up and go to the uh Greenville. Okay. on my way. I'm driving down Elm Street between Jefferson and Best Street and there was some work being done on the corner of Elm and Prince. There was a hole. Okay. A hole I ran. But the sign for the work was after the fact. There was none before it. It damaged my car. But I didn't have time to stop because that appointment was very important to me. I couldn't miss it. When I got back, they had filled some of it. So I filed a u grievance with uh one of your department heads and uh he sent it to the insurance and they came back and said that uh I have no they have no proof that there was a hole in the ground. I talked to another department head and he told me that I it didn't happen the way I said it as if I lied to him. I don't like being called a liar. I know there was a hole in the ground and I know it damaged my car. See, uh it's

point of it is you know I the money is not the important part of it now. It's the fact that somebody doesn't uh accept what I said as truth. You know, I have no reason to lie to anybody. Nowhere in my history do I lie to anybody. So, mayor, I'm telling you, your department head wrong. I don't like to be called a liar. I don't like to be referred to as a liar. This happened. There was a hole. It damaged my car. And they don't have proof of it. And I couldn't go to any neighbors around there and ask them, "Do you remember the hole in the ground?" Because it's covered up. Now, if you go over there now, it is partially still dented in. It's It wasn't fixed properly. It It shows that there was some problem with that spot. All I'm asking is somebody step in and come up with a resolution on this because I I I I don't believe uh it was handled properly. That's all I got.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. That was our last speaker. Mr. Mr. Lson, do you have dates and times on this one? We we'll um get back with him. He's got his contact information. We'll find out more, Mayor. Thank you. All right, that closes our public comment period. Mats, correct?

All right, next we'll move to the consent agenda. It is lengthy, but I believe everything up there is things that are appropriate for a consent agenda. Council, as always, if there are any remaining questions for any of these items, uh, now is the time to do that. Mr. Livingston, if you'd please hear and entertain any remaining questions on the consent agenda and, uh, then we'll call for a vote. Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. We do have several items because we got a lot of things going on in the city, which is always a good thing. Um, I'll be happy to answer any questions or any specific ones if there's any, or we can entertain them as a group and vote on them. It's one vote all items.

One that I'll call the public's attention to uh item 7.6 the Noose River hazard mitigation plan. Uh that that is one that it is substantial in a good way. Again, it's appropriate for uh that. There you go. You put up on the screen for me. It's appropriate for consent agenda, but it is something that is is noteworthy and certainly is evidence of us continuing to plan for things so that we know what we're asking for when it comes to funding and resolution assistance. So, I appreciate everybody's work on that council. Any other any other questions on consent agenda? Hearing none, but entertain a vote to approve the consent agenda as presented. So, moved.

Motion second. Motion's been made and properly seconded by Councilman Boyette to approve consent agenda as presented. Uh any debate hearing? None. We'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes haven't been cast. Consent agenda items, all of them, uh 71 through 79 are approved. Right. Next, we will move to item 8.1. Mr. Livingston, I believe this one's for information only, correct?

Yeah. Yes, sir. It was more of an update. I just really wanted us to be very transparent with the city council and we have the engineering services manager here um just to kind of there's been a little bit of a change since we last discussed this. We still have every intention of doing this project and keeping it on schedule, but I'll have Jonathan explain what has transgressed since the last meeting.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um so there is a resolution attached with this. We are asking for council to retract the agreement that we entered into on March the 20th. Um we we got some information that the the developer has filed for bankruptcy. Um the the the property the development is still being held by the engineering firm and the property owners. This is just the developer that was going to come in and build the units. Uh they were going to build 180 single family homes. So, they've just kind of filed for bankruptcy. We don't know the extent to what they're they're reorganizing or what they're doing. We were just told they filed for bankruptcy. Um, we talked to the engineer. They are very confident that another developer will come in soon. Um, they've actually had a couple, I think, reach out to them and talk to them about it. So the the resolution is to retract the agreement that we had in place with BRD land investment and then when a new developer comes in we'll reach back out to the engineering and engage in a new um cost sharing agreement.

I appreciate this one being caught and by doing this right now it was never fully executed. The other side never signed it and so we notified them as soon as we learned this. Hey, by the way, we've got a we're we retract our partially executed version. Please send us the partially executed ones back. Jonathan has them in his possession, but this also allows us to get on record that we have uh formally retracted that. Right. And one other item I would note is that this doesn't materially change anything. We're still going to be out there and staying on schedule with this project because it's important for us to do this project.

So, when when is it scheduled for? I I'd have to talk to public utilities. Um, you know, they they are having a couple of people leave. Um, you know, Don McMullen being one of them who's retiring at the end of the month. Um, so they're going through some sta some staff changes, so maybe push back a little bit, but I have I got to talk to them and and kind of drive down some dates this calendar year though. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. We should be able to do it this calendar year.

Council, any comments or questions on this one? All right. Hearing none, then I believe there is a resolution. There is a resolution attached within this one. Would entertain a motion to adopt the resolution retracting the cost sharing agreement um as presented. So moved. Motion's been made. Is there a second? Second. All right. Motion made and properly seconded to adopt the resolution as presented. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Uh please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes haven't been tallied. Motion passes unanimously and thank just do uh update us

as work actually begins and you have some dates. That way we can help spread the word about traffic and things like that. We will. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Now, let's if I can close that tab, we'll go right back over to the agenda. All right. Let's begin our new business. Let's begin with item 9.1. Mr. Livingston, if you'd please uh deliver any brief and then call any speakers forward. Um I think we have Miss Keriana Taylor here uh this evening. Um I'm just looking forward to hearing what they've been that has going on. Looking forward to that. I like these pictures in the agenda packet. Hey T, good to see you as always.

You as well. Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, and council. Um, I'm here again yet again presenting for the Junth Unity and Heritage Festival, formerly known as Jams Out Junth. Um, and I am super excited uh for the 2026 year. Uh, again requesting for sponsorship. That's a picture of me. I didn't put that in there, I promise. Um, but uh this year we're looking to have it the day after Junth just because it always falls on a Saturday. Uh, best time to have the festival. Uh, so this would be the sixth year and um this year the change would just really be the time. Um, we're looking to have the actual event from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We did take a survey and asked uh patrons last year and festival attendees what was the one thing they would change and it was the time. A lot of our vulnerable uh population was saying it was too hot uh for them that day um having it a little earlier in the day where the sun is peaking. So, we we are requesting for um street closure to be I'm sorry, we're requesting for street closure to be from 1:00 p.m. just for uh booths to and vendors to be able to set up to 8:00 p.m. And that uh would be from center center street from Chestnut to Spruce. Um and also um I'm here on behalf of Curtis Media Group who is um going to also be the venue sponsor this year. And this will be it's no different from what we've done in the past partnering with the city. But the difference is this year uh Curtis Media Group has included 983 WGBR classic hits. A lot of uh our Goldsboro citizens listen to that show with Jeff Pharaoh and um and also added more with Goldsboro Daily News along with 927 Jams. And so the city would uh be able to uh use themselves as a sponsor um on on this event. and um and I'm trying to get the right word that

I'm trying to say, but uh pretty much promote the city as a sponsor um on this. And so that total investment will be $2,500 and that's what we will be requesting for sponsorship uh this year. Um also I would like to uh request the use of the hub uh of course it is a city of Goldsboro venue uh electrical outlets with working power for our food trucks. uh some police coverage during the event, fire department on site as well as trash service delivery and removal um in that street closure as well as the land use right beside welltraveled beer uh that we know as Freedom Fest so we can I mean Freedom Field so we can uh have the bouncy houses there. And this is just a little bit more about the sponsorship um Curtis Media Group serving as the media and venue sponsor um and what we're requesting from the city. And these are these are just some pictures from over the years uh that we've had the event

that Mr. Livingston financially this was included in the budget, correct? Yes, sir. It it was a budgeted perfect item. All right. So just reminding council this does not have to come by general fund. This was an anticipated and budgeted uh event sponsorship. So what is the appropriate way to do this because there's the fee waiver component of it and then there's the affirmative sponsorship. Can we do it allin one by voting to adopt the package as presented or do I need to break it apart? I think we traditionally have broken it apart as I recall. Yes ma'am. If if we could do the sponsorship with the fee waiver and stuff, then the next item is going to be the street closure request itself. Okay. Okay. So, if we could do all of this in one, that would be helpful. Okay.

Like waiver waiver of the use of the hub, the street application, street closure application fee and sponsorship. Okay. So, would you like us to go ahead and review the street sponsorship now? Then it's on the It's the next I know. That's what I'm saying. Do you want us to go ahead and move to that one and then take one vote at the end? You're good with that? You're good with that? You're good. Y'all good with that? How about we go and move to the street sp the street closure? Okay. Uh, it sounds like a good idea. Okay. Yeah. I can't take credit for it.

The street closure would be to ensure the safety of the festival attendees. So, it would be from uh Center Street to Spruce and Chestnut and from 100 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. just to ensure that vendor setup happens and shut down so we can reopen the street uh for our downtown businesses and regular operation.

All right. And I believe that the well I say that the special event application is included in the packet uh for council's review. I'm confident that everyone already has. So with that, council would entertain Are there any are there any questions or comments before I get into the voting? Council would entertain a motion to approve the fee waiver for the street and use of the facilities that have been stated. Now if if they'll if they'll pull up if it'll pull it up, I pull I pulled it up there for you. All right. And if we could do two. Okay. Well, let's do this one first and then come back and do the street closing application.

Okay, it can y'all pull up Civic Plus, please. Thank you. All right, so this would be the use of the hub. Well, they've moved it all into one. That doesn't have the street closure part. That's just a fee. So, oh, just the fee. Okay, perfect. the use of the hub, the waiver of the hub, the fee for the hub, waiver of the fee for the street closing and the city sponsorship and the already budgeted amount. We entertain a motion to that uh to that statement.

Motion's been made and properly seconded to uh uh approve those expenses. Please, is there any debate? Hearing none, please vote electronically if possible. And again, that is for the fee waiver for the hub, the fee waiver for the street closing app fee, and then the city sponsorship and the already budgeted amount. Just waiting on Councilwoman Taylor's vote. Did you time out a little bit? Something different, but okay. I'm still

All right. You're good. All right. Uh, all votes haven't been cast. Motion passes unanimously. And so now, Miss Guts, if I heard you correctly, now you would like us to move to the actual street application. Correct. Street closing application. Right. Yes, sir. I'm pulling that up now for you. All right. Now, the street closure request. Would entertain a motion to approve the street closure request as presented. Motion's been made. Is there a second? Second.

Motions have been made and properly seconded by Councilwoman Taylor to approve the street closure request as presented. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we will please vote electronically if possible. Okay. All right. All votes having been cast. The motion is approved. KT, anything further?

I just want to formally, like I always do, invite every single member of the council, mayor, mayor prom to come to the event, have a few words. Uh, of course, uh, float around and meet with the citizens as well. Last year was really, really great. Uh, we had some really great partners who are partnering with us again this year. Um, and it it it was really really great. We had vendors from all walks of life. And I just want to invite the community formally um again from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on June 20th downtown Goldsboro at the hub. And we are taking vendors. So if anyone in the community wants to be a vendor uh info@jungoldsboro.org is that email. C can you say that one more time? info@junthgoldsboro.org. Okay. Thanks.

Thank you. Thank you. All right, council. We will now move to uh item number 9.3. I will caution you this one is it's a bit complex. It's a bit complicated. We're going to take our time with this. Ask questions. Understand what it is that we're talking about and how it fits within uh both the individual developers goals and objectives as well as the city's goals and objectives. But um don't feel pressured. Sit here. Take your time with it. We're going to ask some questions. Mr. Livingston, floor is yours.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, this was just a really brief one on this before I introduce uh Kelly to to kind of give the overall briefing. It is a uh project, a housing revenue bond uh request that we would endorse, but it doesn't pledge the full faith and credit of the city. We're not on the hook for any kind of financial um obligations with this. It just endorses that says that we have approved this project and we we um say that, you know, we're going to you know, we're not going to stand in its way of being developed. Um, so Kelly, if you're if you're uh up to it, can you kind of give us a a little bit more detailed briefing on that since that was not very scientific on my part? I apologize.

I brought the scientists. So, council, I want to introduce Kristen Mc Kristen Kirby with McGuire Woods. She represents the developer. She is the expert in this. Um, we can answer any questions post her presentation, but I think she can give you all the reasons why this is something this developer is seeking this support for these pre-application um, bonds and your support for those. And then from there, if we have any questions specifically for staff, we can take it from there. Sounds good. Welcome.

Thank you, mayor. Um, good evening, mayor, council members. My name is Kristen Kirby. I'm a partner with the law firm of Maguire Woods. um we serve as the city's bond council and we would be acting as bond counsel in connection with this financing. So just wanted to clarify that I don't represent the developer rather we'd be um serving as bond counsel to the city and representing the city in connection with this financing. Um, I believe the city is already somewhat familiar with this project as the zoning um for the site was already approved back in November, but this is a financing um under which the developer would be acquiring the historic Bordon Mill and converting it into 144 units of affordable housing. Um those units would be set aside for individuals and families earning between 30 and 70% of area median income. Um the developer is looking to finance this project with um excuse me through the low-income housing tax credit program. um to use the 4% low-income housing tax credits and to receive those tax credits, a portion of the project has to be financed with taxexempt bonds. To use that type of bond financing, you need a governmental entity involved to issue the bonds. Unlike when the city is doing its own bond issuances for its own projects, in this case, the city is acting merely as a conduit issuer. So you are providing the means by which the developer is able to access this type of financing. But these bonds are in no way a debt of the city. So these bonds do not affect the city's credit ratings. They don't affect your legal debt limit or your debt ratios. Um they don't generally show up in your financial statements except for there's a Gazsby requirement that you include a footnote about conduit debt just acknowledging

that you've done it. Um so as was stated the you know the city does not have any financial liability with respect to these bonds. The bonds are repaid from the payments made by the developer from the revenues of the project and the bonds are typically secured by a deed of trust on the project. Um so in any sort of worst case scenario default you know the lender and the bond holders um can only look to the property and to the developer for recourse not to the city. Um the developer is requesting a bond issuance in the amount of $13 million. The resolution that's before you tonight is a preliminary resolution essentially indicating the city's willingness to be the issuer for the bonds if the project is approved for the bond allocation and the low-income housing tax credits by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, which is a state agency that oversees the application process for this type of financing. Um, this enducement resolution showing that there is a bond issuer on board to issue the bonds is required as part of the developers application to the North Carolina Housing Financing Finance Agency, excuse me, um, for the bonds and the tax credits. So, that's why it's coming to you now um, fairly early in the process. So this project would come back before the city council at a later date closer to the closing of the financing for a public hearing on the project and for a final approval of the terms of the bonds, approving the forms of the documents, authorizing, you know, city officers to sign the documents and such. So at this stage, the resolution is really just indicating the city's willingness to be involved

and to serve as the bond issuer. that allows the developer to complete their application for the bonds and the tax credits. And then if they are awarded um that the bonds and the tax credits, then again, we'd come back once the closing process began and the project was ready to move forward to closing. Realize that's a lot of information very quickly, so I'll pause there if there's questions about this. So the benefit to the city is that the thing happens. The benefit to the developer is they get access to a stream of capital that they otherwise would not have access to.

That's correct. By using taxexempt bonds, of course, they're able to use the low-income housing tax credits because if you finance a certain portion of the project with taxexempt bonds, you automatically qualify to receive those tax credits which are then sold to an investor. and the equity from the sale of those tax credits is used in the pro to um develop the project. Also, you know, typically tax exempt bonds have a lower interest rate than conventional debt. So, that's an advantage and they can't use the tax exempt bonds or the tax credits without a governmental entity involved to issue the bonds.

Want to ask a question that you may not know the answer to, and that's okay because it's not your problem, but I'm I'm asking anyway because you're the expert. We've seen all the stories on about what are being deemed tax loophole property. It's not a loophole. It's the intent of the rule. The intent of the law is to get more Sorry, cough drop. No, that's okay. To get more housing on the ground, which is a wonderful a noble goal at the end of the day, will this project to the best of your knowledge be a property tax revenue generating property or do we believe this one is probably going to fall outside of that soon? one of the tax advantage properties.

Um, so my under I actually asked the developer that question today. My understanding is that they have not yet made a final determination if they will seek a property tax exemption, but they said that is unlikely at this point that they will do so. Unlikely that they would ask for a tax exemption. Um, the way that tax exemption works, you have to have a nonprofit developer involved in the ownership structure, which currently I don't think is planned. Um, in terms of overall property taxes, uh, and this is not my expertise on property taxes, but, um, property taxes for developments that have been awarded low-income housing tax credits are

those property taxes are calculated based on the income method. So, and taking into account the fact that the rents are lower and the rents are capped. Um, so it is by statute taxed a little bit different regardless of whether there's a full exemption or not. Okay, that's good. Thank you. Also, those are my my two questions. I a big one for me was how does it impact the full the full faith and credit of the city of Goldsboro. I wanted to make sure that we were very clear on exactly what the burden to the taxpayer potentially could be. that has been answered that it is not a burden to the taxpayer regardless of worst case scenario. That's correct.

But those are my questions. Council, I yield to y'all for additional questions. Anyone? Of course. Yes, sir. So, is this all low income or is this what we consider workforce housing? I was I think it's more workforce housing. I'm sorry. No, I'm sorry. Um, so this is I guess low and moderate income. So it's the unit mix they're looking at would be individuals and families at 30 to 70% of area median income. So looking at average income for the census area that the city's in folks that earn between 30 to 70% of that amount. And so this is

so this is considered low and moderate income because low income by statute is sort of 60%. Um workforce is usually 80 to 100 is how I see that. So, it's it's I will note and I wish that Miss Wiggins was still here so we could, you know, put her in the in the

the spotlight just for a second here and get and get her opinions as well. But a piece that I continually hear since we're in the deliberation part, a a piece of our housing mix overall that I continually hear as lacking is folks that are trying to exit housing authority properties. the next step or the next rung on the ladder is too high. They can't quite reach it. And it has been explained to me again I don't have this in contract but it has been explained to me that a piece that we are missing is this piece that wrong. So then people can step up to the 80 to 100 ultimately to market rate.

Again that is pure conjecture but for your consideration. I mean we have a lot of employees if we look at our average salary you know if it's around 40 something or it it's uh they qualify for these so and I don't I don't consider those low income right so that's fair point yes sir I don't remember on this particular development how many of the total units were market rate versus the amount that were LMI not necessarily what the percentage of the LMI was but how many were market rate.

I don't think there's any market rate units in this portion of the project. So in the it's 144 units. All of those are between 30 to 70% AMI.

And I that's what I understood and so I wanted to make sure I didn't mishar that. But so there other projects that I'm aware of like the one that we're just speaking of for Abbott Crossing that's in my district. I'm I'm familiar with where on there's market rate then there's x amountage x amount of units at this percentage and that so forth and on. So what may is there another advantage or another piece of the what's the advantage for the builder or developer to do no market rate within a development. So with this type of financing, so with to to use tax exempt bonds, you have to meet certain low income set aside. So it's a requirement that you have at least a certain portion at certain income levels to even qualify to do the tax exempt bonds, right?

That have been, you know, those um rules are established by the federal government under the tax code for these bonds. So um now that it's not a 100% requirement. you either have to have 40% of units at 60% or less AMI or 20% of units at 50% or less AMI, but also you only get the tax credits with respect to the units that are restricted by affordability. So, by doing the whole thing um at 30 to 70% AMI, which will average out across the units to about 60% AMI if you looked at it all, then they're able to get tax credits for all 144 units. If they had some market rate units, they wouldn't be able to get tax credits on that.

Got it. Last question. So, does the will any of those units eventually become market rate at the end of a certain time period like I'm familiar with with other projects?

Sure. So, it it it's possible once the tax credit compliance period is over that they could change how the sell the property to somebody else to be something different. Um the bond rules require that the property remain affordable for the longer of 15 years or for whatever period the bonds are outstanding if that's longer. Typically with the tax credits we see that extended to 30 years. Um and it can go even longer if there's any sort of HUD financing, section 8 financing or anything like that that has additional um require requires that that stay on longer. But at at a minimum it's going to be 15 years. Most likely at least 30.

Okay, that was all my questions, Mr. Mayor. Council, anybody else? All right, then. Um, council, I believe the next action item would be the actual resolution that is in front of us. And again, this is a preliminary uh resolution. There would be additional uh conversation and opportunities to exert influence on this development. But is there a motion to adopt the resolution giving preliminary approval for the issuance of bonds? Some moved. All right. Motion's been made and and seconded by uh Councilwoman Jones. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible.

It's not coming up. It didn't pop up. Would you just say true for the record? Okay. Yes. Okay. There we go. All votes have been cast and the affirmative motion passes. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you very much for this is another one that the um I know the developer has I have not personally spoken with the developer but I know I've heard several different iterations of the project and so at one point I think they were hoping to go one direction and then gradually in a different direction. So, but while while we still talking about it,

my only concern about this project is what you brought up, Chris, about how long will it stay LMI housing. You know what I'm saying? Because it it defeats the purpose if after 15 years, it goes back to fair market rate. And we haven't made any substantial changes, you know, as far as economic development within the city. And to that end, one I agree and we're on the same page with that. I also am encouraged and I understand due to the size and the scope of this development and where it's at and what it was intended for, I'm completely in favor of it being all uh income adjusted. But some of the smaller projects that we've done, which is why I was asking that question, there's a certain percentage of those that are market rate. So if you have a development just to make up a number and you got 50 50 units and a certain amount of them are market rate and a certain amount certain amount or a different percentage of that adjustment, you really do have a complete mix of your population in a single community instead of it being looked at as one one type or the other. So I that's why I was asking those questions. I get why this one is what it is and where it's at. But on some of the others that I'm more familiar with with that breakdown, I was just curious. That was why I asked those questions.

You guys, in my opinion, you guys are hitting on the the two sides of this thing that you you you have to hammer on because I do not want to be part of creating another massive poverty pocket. You know what I mean? like I I don't want I don't want any part of that. I don't think it serves the people that are there. I don't think it serves the city around it. I don't think it serves the city as a whole. And so, you know, whatever we do, this this project included, whatever we support, it has to be something that helps the people who were there. And I think having mixture of incomes, a mixture of uses works. And so, I think there's still plenty more conversation that's going to have to happen, you know, even on this one. But um I I think this is a a good opportunity to get a fixture of this community that that that mill back into some use and then also I think now we're going to have the ability to steer it a little bit and have some good conversation.

Yeah, I I do I do I agree with with rehabilitating the the board and meals, but like you said, Mr. Mayor though, we we are we we are trying to move away from the model Yeah. of of just having one one one set, right? And because we see that it doesn't work. I'm glad this I'm glad this council is proactive in its thinking on these things. Yes, ma'am. Oh,

I'm really um hi Kell. Good afternoon. Um I really wish Kelly was here because he's more familiar with this project than I am. However, I did want to mention just based on the concerns that this is just phase one of the project. I think the other phases do intend to be workforce housing and commercial. So, it's not going to be as incomerestricted as what the consultant just presented. It will have um a greater mix ultimately when it's completed. When it's built away. That's right. Yeah. This was just one phase, one one portion of the overall complex. That's right. It's a big piece of property. It is a very big piece of property and I just I wanted to temper those concerns.

Thank you. I mean, there's also a mix of commercial there. It's a planned unit development, too. That could be wonderful. All right, council. Um, I need a quick uh a quick nature break. So, I'll tell you what. How about we recess until Is too much? Is that all right for everybody? All right, let let's take uh 10 minutes. We'll reconvene at uh 10 after 7.

brief recess there. And first things first, let's entertain a motion uh to um to welcome back uh Councilwoman Matthews back into voting status. So move. All right. Motion's been made and seconded by Pro Tim to um welcome Miss Matthews back. Councilwoman, uh, any debate hearing? None. Um, would you like to do a vote electronically? Hang on.

All right. Uh, hearing no debate. Please vote electronically if possible. The pocket park. The pocket park. Wait, it's a pocket park. It's on the pocket park item. It's a motion. Yeah, we're pulling this one up first. So, it should say motion Matthews. Matthew right now cuz there's not a separate spot I can put that motion somewhere else up. All right. Show a hand. I'll fix it. You'll fix it. All right. Let me just mark it and I'll delete the motion.

All right. Perfect. Delete the motion and then we'll Yeah. You'll be able to have it in video for the for the record. So, uh, all in favor of the motion to, uh, readmit, for lack of a better term, uh, please vote by show of hands. All in favor, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes unanimously. All right. Excuse me. All right, Miss Gats, we good? Yes, sir. All right. So, with that, let's move to item 9.4, Mr. Livingston, and then you can pass it off to whomever.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, item 94 and 95 are both u designating our parks to our newer smaller uh pocket parks and um get them to introduce that business item and ask you to adopt that as a city park. And I've got Miss Felicia and Aaron also here to uh kind of give you an update on that. And hopefully we'll be doing a ribbon cutting soon. Good evening, mayor and council.

So, as Matt said, we've got two park designation um proposals for you or resolutions, starting with 9.4, which is designating the James and Pine Black Business District Memorial Parklet. Um so, I'm going to give the background and discussion really briefly, and then I'm going to turn it over to Felicia to speak to the maintenance piece of it. So, for starters, the city has partnered with the Downtown Goldsbury Development Corporation to develop a memorial parklet at 401 South James Street to honor the history of the James and Pine Black Business District. In order for this property to be formally recognized and managed as a public park, it must be officially officially designated as such by the city of Goldsboro. Chapter 97 of the city's code of ordinances establish rules establishes rules and regulations governing all park properties including definitions, permitted uses, operational hours, and enforcement provisions. Formal designation ensures the property is subject to these established standards and protections, and the city's parks and recck department will maintain the park. Adopting the park designation for the James and Pine Black Business District Memorial Parklet will align the property with chapter 97 of the city's codes of ordinance. This designation provides a regulatory framework that governs park usage, including but not limited to, as I said, hours of operation, protection of park property, and enforcement authority. And those hours, um, in case you are not aware, are 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the summer and then 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the winter. So, the park designation restricts things like firearms, overnight use, um, protects property, right, and allows the city to enforce any issues that occur. Additionally, designation ensures the parks and recck department has clear authority to manage, maintain, and regulate the site consistent consistent with other city park facilities. This action represents a procedural step

necessary to incorporate the park into the city's official park system and to ensure consistent application of policies and public expectations. In addition to the adoption of of the park designation, the attached resolution for the James and Pine Black Business District Memorial Parklet, I'm going to say that about 20 times tonight, authorizes the city manager to execute a contract with Playtime Installers, who is our landscape architect on the project for the landscape and park design and the installation. So, this initial phase of construction is scheduled to be completed in June, just in time for Junth. Our goal is to do a ribbon cutting in conjunction with the Junth event. And then um I've already applied for some additional grant funding. So we're hoping that there's more to come. But I did include the contract in your packet. The contract is primarily between the DJDC and the contractor because the DJDC is funding the park construction. And then um on the city side of things, Matt, hopefully you all are authorizing Matt to sign the contract stating that the construction can occur on this site. So I just want to show you all a couple of photos. On the left, you can see um what the park looks like currently except our sign is down at the moment. Um but we've done a little bit of work already. We've had some forestry mulching in there, you can see on the right, a lot of overgrown trees. So, we removed a lot of the underbrush, cut it back, and then landscape design donated the landscaping materials and the staff time um to plant some pretty rose bushes in the front that are in bloom right now, which is great. And um this is a just rendering of what we are hoping to see with the park. A couple of changes to this because this is an AI rendering that our contractor supplied. The um stone on the right will not be part of this phase of the

project. However, the rest of the pavers and landscaping will be. The landscaping goes all the way up to the wall of the adjoining building that's there currently. And then the brick pavers, the um this initial phase includes the foundation of that. And hopefully the committee for the James and Pine Black Business District Memorial Parklet will put together a fundraiser to sell bricks and um raise funds for some additional signage to dress up the area. There will be a 20 20 by 20 um shade over there as well as some picnic tables and benches to dress up the space. And then in the future uh we are also hoping to add a mural. Currently, the property next door is not in the best shape. So, um I think it's imminently to be raised, which means that painting a mural on the side would not be the best investment. Um but we have some ideas in working with our contractor to put up some other materials for a temporary um or a different wall that is not actually utilizing a building wall um to have a mural in the future. But as I said, I've already applied for another grant. Um, and hopefully that can fund some additions. And without further ado, Felicia can speak to you about maintenance. Good evening, everyone. And so with this uh parklet becoming part of our parks and recreation parks that that we maintain, um, I met with Aaron on the site. She and my assistant parks recreation director and our park superintendent. We discussed as far as what the plans were for the park and everything and um discussing it more with my park superintendent. The cost for us to maintain will be very nominal. Um Aaron doesn't know this but we were also talking about like adding a couple of uh trash can retainers as well cuz when we're when we look at cutting the grass in a park, we also take the trash out and have trash cans there will

encourage people to put trash in a trash can instead of on the ground. But with all that, taking that into account, it's it's not even going to cost us an additional $1,300 a year to maintain. And that's like staff time, materials, the time it takes there to cut, edge, all that. So, it's like I said, very very nominal cost for us.

If you feel comfortable, you know, with the maintenance because again, these are these are kind of things that when they're done, they need to be done. They need to be done well because you're honoring, you know, an entire history and so they it can't be left to look bad, right? And so that was a a big point of emphasis in our agenda setting meeting was making sure that this wasn't another thing that oh parks and recck will handle it. Well eventually parks and rec runs runs out of steam, right? And so we wanted to make sure that you have what you needed to be able to do this because again I mean we're adding you some nice amenities around town. Perfect. Then the action item from us is the resolution as presented. Correct.

Correct. And I did want to share I um passed around an amendment to the contract. Councilwoman Jones offered some great input to our contract and I've added um several elements from her input in the amendment that you have in front of you. It has been approved by the contractor and the DGDC. Once you all sign it, I'll take it to them to sign as well. So will we do this in one motion adopting the resolution as presented or will we do this in Actually, I guess it would be this resolution is to sign the amended version, right? Okay, perfect. Council, any discussion? I just I just got a quick question, sir.

Plan sounds well. I'm excited about what what we're doing. I just want to know going forward. I understand we can cut the grass, but there's going to be a shelter out there and there's going to be some other things that's going to need some type of maintenance going forward in the future. So, so I want to make sure that we are postured because right now we're stretched thin when it comes to maintaining our parks because we don't get any help. We don't only show in town. I want to make sure that we're postured to be able to take care of it properly going forward. While it's new, it's good, but it will eventually need some love. So, I just want to make sure that we have the resources or we're going to allocate the resources to maintain both parks because they're going to be some type of structures out there that will need some type of maintaining, not just grass cutting.

I have

Yes, ma'am. Um I have um spoken with uh different organizations and they are willing to I know that adopt the we're going to adopt a block and um we will put in what we would like to work with uh parks and wrecks to kind of balance off and and do our schedule and do some of those things. I spoke with them uh about three days ago and they are very excited about partnering with you to um help maintain that area. And now that we do have a strategic plan in place and a financial plan in place, um we will be able to do um more fundraising. And as far as the Muriel, um we are thinking about um having a little fun with the art council, which they don't know that yet. Uh and getting them to come up with the design and see which design is used, which would be great because it would be coming from some of our artists right here uh to come up with a um design um to fit that frame. and someone has already stepped up to do a uh wood pine frame to replace the the white piping that we have. So, I'm really really excited and with the strategic plan, we will be able to uh write sponsor letters. So, that's what the committee is up to.

Perfect. And thank you for your work on that committee. It's really helping us move in the right direction. Well, then council would entertain if we haven't already. We I've got adopt the resolution for part designation and authorize the city manager to sign the contract. All right. And would entertain a motion to that effect? Yes, please. I would entertain a motion to that effect. All right. Motion has been made. Who Who made it? I did. You didn't. And who seconded? I do.

Perfect. Motion made and properly seconded to adopt the resolution as presented. Is there any debate? Hearing none, please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes have been cast and voted in the affirmative motion passes unanimously. All right. Good work. Well, don't go too far. Item 9.5. Let's talk about the West Oak Pocket Park. Yes, sir. Madam skipping over you. Is that right? Okay. Good. Do I progress the slides, Laura? Or there we go. Okay, so I just have one slide on this. Kellyanne mentioned that we should have some photos, which is a great tip this morning or yesterday.

Um, West Oak Pocket Park. I won't read through the full background and discussion because it's similar language in terms of the designation of the park and why that matters. Um, but I did want to share some progress photos with you. As a refresher, this was a partnership with the housing authority um as part of their West Oak Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant. They had to complete or we because it was a partnership um had to complete an early action project. The goal was to show our excitement about the future of uh having a choice neighborhood in our community. And um this was just kind of icing on the cake. If you have been out to GWTA, there was just a big chunk of green space about 10,500 square feet. Um, but it was underutilized space. So, someone on the planning committee came up with the idea of putting in a pocket park in the space. Um, so we were fortunate enough to partner with Bill Ellis of Playtime Installers, who is also doing the James and Pine Parklet, and he came up with all of these fun and creative colorful ideas. It is essentially done with the exception of a covered shade. Um, it'll be a bright green shade sail out there and then there is a rock and ropes course. You can see I forgot I have a little pointer here. You can see the base of the rock and ropes course here, but there's actually a netting that goes across so kids can climb. Um, I was actually just out there meeting with this team last week and there were some kids out there playing which is really nice to see. Um, so hopefully we'll have a ribbon cutting for that soon. I anticipate the shade coming in in about two weeks. Um, so that's all the update that I have on that and then I have the resolution to adopt it as a park. Felicia, do you want to speak to maintenance? So for this uh pocket park here, um, we estimate it's going to take us a little bit longer to keep it maintained just

because of the different dimensions of it. you have like the astroturf, you have the grass, you have the different play structures. And this um would take a little bit more fine-tuning by my staff as far as making sure we edge everything and cut the grass because we are cutting around structures whereas at with the park at James and Pine, it's pretty much an open space. And that's why I say not that they'll zip through it, but it's easier for them to cut. Say all that to say, um, the estimation of time as far as it will take us, you know, to do it would be a little bit longer. And so that cost estimate is like is around $2,500 additional a year for us to maintain it. Still not a lot, but I wanted to explain why it was such a difference and it has to do with the fabulous amenities that that that's there. You want to make sure that we take care of it, not just mow over it. So, like I said, taking our time to make sure we cut it right. I appreciate the the attention to detail because again, we want to make sure that we are, as has already been stated here and was definitely stated um in in other conversations, we got to make sure that if we're doing something, we're budgeting for the long term because when you have something, you have it in perpetuity. You got to plan in perpetuity for it. And so, I appreciate you you thinking intentionally about that. And we certainly will on our side as well.

So, council, any comments or questions on this one? Of course, this is a result of the West Oak neighborhood and the choice neighborhood's plan. Obviously, there's a whole lot more to that, but this particular piece of it. So, at this point, would entertain a resolution to designate this park or the West Oak Pocket Park as a component of the Golsboro City Parks and Recreation Asset List. So, moved.

All right. Motion's been made. Is there a second? Motions have been made and properly seconded uh to designate the West Oak Pocket Park as a park within the city of Goldsboro. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes having been cast. The uh designation is done. Thank you all so much for your time and your work on this. Thank you. I'll let you know when the ribbon cutting is.

I look forward to them. Look forward to both of them. All right. Uh council, let's keep moving. We will go to uh these next three are going to sound very similar because they are. Mr. Livingston, I'll let you go ahead and guide us through 967 and 8.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. 96 is accept initial bid and authorized finance to advertise for upset bids. This is for 609 Popler Street. Uh the current uh bidder is Grasshopper Acquisition and Design LLC. All right. Is there any uh any additional brief or does council have any additional questions on this one? It's in in the packet. You've got the map and everything of where it is. All right. Would entertain a U motion to adopt the resolution as presented. Oh, no. One second.

We have to do two. I don't think I see one. Sorry. Your phone. This the one you need two different motions on. Are we good now? So, you just need one now. Thank you. Apologize. Just want to make sure we were good. All right. Council, any comments or questions on uh the resolution uh on 609 Popular Street? All right. Hearing none, will entertain a motion to adopt the resolution authorizing uh the upset bid for 609 popular street. Motions have been made. Is there a second? Second.

Motions are made and properly seconded to adopt the resolution as presented. Is there any debate? Hearing none, please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes haven't been tallied. Motion passes and the bid is the resolution is adopted. So now we'll move to 97. Mr. Livingston.

This uh is a similar situation here. to accept initial bid uh to authorize finance to advertise upset bids for 2618 Hill Drive Circle to Selena DM Dean. It's also in your agenda packet if you wanted to look at the more details of that one.

All right, council. Are there any comments or questions on uh on this resolution? Hearing none, would entertain a motion to adopt the resolution as presented. So move. Motion's been made. Is there a second? All right. Motions have been made and properly seconded to adopt the resolution as presented for upset bids for 2618 Hill Drive Circle. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes have been cast and tallied. Motion is uh motion carries. Mr. Livingston 98.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is another accept initial bid to authorize finance uh to advertise for upset bids uh for 2620 Hill Drive Circle also to Selena DM Den offer of $8,500. All right, council. Again, very similar process. Everyone here is experienced with this upset bid process at this point. Are there any comments or questions on the resolution or on the the piece of property? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Is there a uh motion to adopt the resolution as presented? So moved. Is there a second? Second.

All right. Motion's been made and properly seconded to adopt the resolution uh authorizing finance to advertise upset bids for 2620 Hill Drive Circle. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes haven't been cast and tallied. Motion passes. Council, last item for open session, well, prior to the comments and managers report, last business item is item 9.9. And this one is another large piece of business for us to understand and digest. Um, feel free to ask questions on this one because it is a large piece of business that reflects a lot of things that have already been approved, but we want to make sure we understand how they're being executed. So, Mr. Livingston uh forers.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, this is a resolution authorizing the filing of an application uh for installment financing for numer several years, some five, some 10 years, but it has to require local government commission approval. So, we're on their schedule on their consent agenda. Um it it is a whole bunch of different uh items. Uh rolling stock mostly uh low interest rate of 3.23 23 um was the most favorable among the proposals as we went out to bid for it. Um we uh we have Katherine here if you have any questions, but it's a $3.8 million fixed interest uh loan. Again, with um times of 5 to 10 years, depending on the piece of equipment, generally the rolling stock, we don't finance for more than 5 years unless it's a larger equipment purchase like a like a vac or something like that. We finance for longer terms because their life or fire truck because their life lifeline or lifetime is usually 15 to 20 years sometimes more depending depending on how things go but uh I don't know if Katherine you wanted to add to anything to that um

question council for uh as again this is in our in our packet I'm sure everyone has already seen it uh I would call your attention to the IFC summary memo, the 2026 IFC summary memo. And then as you look at, for example, the page uh page four of the first component of that breaks down the yearbyear amount of uh of funding that would be uh that would be pulled out. And then when you get into the actual PowerPoint presentation slides there, the summary of financing proposals, you can slide down and you can actually see a breakdown of uh vehicle and equipment financing list. And that is slide three also by Davenport. But a lot of equipment, all stuff that was already said that we wanted to do, but this is the actual financing vehicle to make it happen.

Where is the equipment at? Right. Right here. It's page 1060. If you look at it, you see some of it on here. And and this is kind of the result of of we're having to play a little bit of catchup here um from the last several years. So, as every year gets goes by and and able to borrow some money, we're able to um recapitalize a lot of our equipment and rolling stock. So, when you say rolling stock, we talking backho or we talking cars?

We're talking mostly cars. uh like that are on the road mostly, you know, not things like like your typical uh public works to things like um uh you know, larger dump trucks and things like that. Yes, sir.

There's many patrol cars that were much needed as well. Um, I was just going to make a comment that I I don't know if it was Davenport or finance, whoever put that um, what's together in the packet did a very good job and it's really it was easy for me to dissect and digest exactly what was going on and um, who kudos to whoever put that together and what's in in the packet. And as as you pointed out, Mayor, this is things that we were in dire need of. um by the time we've got into these seats where things were just behind. So, I'm excited to see us continue to move forward and I'm sure our um hardworking employees are as well to see the much needed equipment they need to do their job and do it comfortably. Well, and and I'm not going to get on this soap box right now, but council, without us making and and Matt and Katherine, without without us making some very intentional decisions, we're not in a position to be able to even go out for financing.

So, what the work that we've done over the last, again, this is not intended to be a pat ourselves on the back kind of thing, but it's worth stating two years ago, this financing simply would not have happened. So the fact that we're in this position now is uh speaks to the intentionality of how we've gone step by step about things. All right. So with that as to not belabor that point that I think has already been made multiple times. Are there any remaining comments, questions on item 9.9, the resolution associated? All right. Hearing none. Is there a motion to adopt the resolution as presented? So move.

All right. Motion has been made and properly seconded to adopt the resolution as presented. Uh is there any debate? Hearing none, please vote electronically if possible.

You're good. You're good. You're fine.

He just there. Perfect. All right. All votes having been tallied. Uh votes in the affirmative item N resolution under item 999 is uh is approved. All right. With that, uh that concludes the business items for open session in our meeting this evening. Uh Mr. Livingston, if you would please deliver your report.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a couple things. Won't keep you very long. Uh we're making a lot of really good uh progress on the budget. uh should have something pretty much balanced to present to the budget committee in this week's upcoming um budget committee meeting. Um so very thankful for that. Um there are some things that uh we'll have to discuss when when we bring the whole budget session on the 24th um that that are need of consideration, but all in all, we're doing a whole lot better than we have in past years as far as getting to the uh nuts and bolts of things, so to speak. Um so I'm looking forward to that and um that's about it, Mayor.

Perfect. Well, sir, we will move into our mayor and council member comments. It is our first meeting of the month. We'll consider the the work session Friday after next to be the second meeting of the month. And as is tradition, we'll begin with the council member from district 1 to begin our comments. Councilwoman, floor is yours. Okay.

Yes. Um this month is child abuse month. Um, and I want us to to to realize, and most of us do on this council and in our community, that every child deserves good housing, education, food, and to feel safe at night. And so, let us consider those things. And um, when we see something, say something. I know that we say that all the time, but you know, please do. And it is also um the military child month and you know military children go through a whole lot when their parents are deployed and so let us you know keep them in mind. Um I would like to thank the community for whoever's listening D9 and all the organizations as I ride through the u the city of go I see so many good things happening I see so many organizations stepping up and helping the community and helping the children and I just want to thank you and I just want you to know that if I see it other people see it and I want to thank you so much for that. Um, I also want to thank uh the police department for always being out there at in in district one where the um daycarees are and especially on James and Pine for always just, you know, just riding through there and watching out for those children because the children are our future. And um I want to thank them. Also want to uh thank Jonathan what for what he's getting ready to do for an area in my

district. I'm really excited about that. It may seem minor to some people but it it means a lot to me and I appreciate you for just listening and also uh Chief West as well. Also um there was one more thing I wanted to talk about um West Haven. I was out there today and there was no internet because the um the Eastern Lighting Company is out there working on backup for electricity and I'm really happy about that because I do have some constituents out there that are on oxygen and whenever we lose power that's very detrimental to them and I've had to call in you know several times and then try to help you know them get somewhere because they need their oxygen. So, I was really glad to uh see them out there today. I was doing a wellness check on a young man and I saw them out there and um I'm just very appreciative. So, you may not have any internet. You might have it on by now because that was earlier today, but uh the West Haven community, you may not have internet because they're really working on something good for you. So, um I would like to thank them and um I think that's it. I'm really glad about um having our strategic plan and being able to move forward and uh we will be having more meetings. We have reconstructed the organization and um we're looking forward to moving forward.

That's it.

Thank you, Councilman Forers. Well, due to the holidays, it's been a month since we've been together here for a council meeting. So, um, as always, there's lots of good things that are happening, um, out in the community and, uh, things that I've sort of involved in. We've had a groundbreaking for one of our economic development projects that happened. I think 330 jobs and about $180 million worth of investment. that groundbreaking is going to kick off for GE Prolleick. Um we had a um meeting of the 70 corridor commission um a few weeks ago that was uh hosted by us and Wayne County at the Maxwell Center um due to the strategic uh location of those meetings around the corridor at Wayne County or Goldsboro only is able to host one every 24 months. So, it was nice to have the uh commission here in town and members from uh Raleigh to the coast. Basically, um the uh this the county and city discussions for uh sewer regionalization are ongoing and continuing uh and making progress. Um uh we should have probably something to to report on here in the next 30 days or so as far as a f next steps. Um, so that's still pedalling along. I regret that I was out of town and unable to attend the ribbon cutting for um um community supporting schools. I I hope some of you guys were able to attend that. I regret I wasn't, but I know that's something that we're all uh passionate about here and glad to see that project uh moving moving forward. Um, also like to mention to our citizens and residents, please continue to use the 311 system when you

have things that you would like to bring to the attention of um, your city. Um, whether it be services or a complaint or something that you've noticed that needs attention. Um, is if you see a pothole or something, uh, use that 311 system. It it it's very effective. I know I've spoke to it uh and spoke on it several times. Um it's very easy to find if you just you don't even have to search the city's website. You can just go to Google and type in GoldsboroNC 311. It'll be the very first thing that pops up in that search and you can click on that link and report any concern that you have or requests that you have of your uh city government because we're here to serve you and to work for you. um out of congratulations and official welcome to our new um director for the housing authority. I'm much looking forward to seeing uh things go in a positive direction there and some things start to happen that I'm sure that I can say everyone up sitting on this day will agree that we we want to see some things progress um with our housing authority. Congratulations also to our new chief building inspector, which I think is referred to now as a building code manager.

Yes, sir. Um, so congratulations to him. And lastly, as always, thank you to all of our hardworking city employees, all of our staff. This city could not run without you and you are all valued and appreciated. That's all, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, sir. Council, floor is yours. Okay. So, um when Councilwoman Jones just said something, it it kind of made me think. Um she said, "If you see something, say something." Uh this past Saturday, I went to the funeral of a longtime friend, a young man that I've known since he was 14. Um his mother and I are very good friends, and he was murdered. Um and his family had to bury him on Saturday. So, it made me think about um something that I saw in the paper, the Gossber Daily News, about uh Goldsboro Police Department's cold case unit. Uh I read in the paper that it was established in 2025. Uh a lot of the people that I saw commenting on that on Facebook, I don't even think they realized that it existed. Um point being, I know a lot of people say they don't want to be a snitch, right? Well, I I can kind of understand if your friend goes into Walmart and you see them stuff something in their pocket. You don't want to snitch on them. But when it comes down to murders, let's not call it snitching. Let's call it justice or or or solving crimes or just doing the right thing. You know, if you have Ring cameras, don't don't say, "Oh, my Ring camera was broke." You know, I mean, I have cameras at my house and anytime somebody commits a crime on my corner, I'm like, "Here, here's my phone. Look at it. You can have it. I'll, officer, I'll email it to you if I want to, if you want me to." You know, uh, officers can attest to that. So, I just really want to say if you have any thing that, you know, sometimes people think like, "Oh, it's nothing. You know, it might not matter." But even the little things turn into big things. You know, it could be just that tip that our investigators need to solve a crime. So,

I just really want to get it out there to the public that we have families that are hurting. Um, people that, you know, their soul is crushed, their brothers and their sisters and their children have have died, that have been murdered, and no one knows what happened to them, you know. And a lot of times you you can get over a lot of things, but it's hard to get over something if you just don't know. you know, you just don't know what happens. So, um, in the Goldsboro Daily News, they did say that you can contact, um, investigator Chase and investigator Gardner at 919-5804242 and 919-5804216 with the GRA Police Department. if you have any information and don't think that the littlest thing it it could help. So, I just want to put it out there to the community to please um if you have any information about any crime and it's and especially uh when people's family are losing their lives, please come forward.

Thank you.

The first thing I want to do is um start off by thanking our code enforcement um department. I have been riding around in my district in the fifth district up and down the streets and u Mr. Lopez you have been very instrumental in helping us to get some signage repaired also um helping us to get some properties um looked at and also some cars that were just parked on the side of the streets in um unlawfully. So I want to thank Mr. Lopez and his department. The second thing is I had the honor of representing the city Saturday at the fourth annual um be the one suicide prevention ride with a couple hundred veterans. And so um it was just so honorable to be in your presence. Um I will tell y'all I do not look good in a motorcycle helmet but yes I um present I was able to put me on a mo motor cycle helmet. I did not ride the bike, but um I was grateful to represent the city and represent all of you and um that great um group of men, the veterans and the women. Um then lastly, I had on our list, I would just like for us to just continue to remember all of our military families, our base and prayer um and the families and um just thank you for your service and also to our city employees. Chris, I love how you just acknowledge them every single week. You matter to us. Um, we value you and we love and appreciate each one of you.

Councilwoman Forers, no comment. Councilman Forers.

Yes. Um to our um Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh to our citizens out in District 6. Uh I'm aware of the speeding on Green Drive. I spoke with Chief West today. Um we gave the description of the cars and um he he we we're on it and we're aware of it. So, thank you for um putting us in touch with that. Um to the fire station five um and district 6 for both what they did at the Y with the life the life-saving procedures that they helped that young man. If it wasn't for them, that young man wouldn't be here. And also on Easter that they came to my residence as I was trying to uh show my expertise in the uh in the kitchen and the stove wasn't cooperating and I had a little electrical fire. So So they came out and um quick response and they uh they helped me out on Easter weekend. So I really appreciate them for the quick response. Um once again to the Lady Cougars uh for for just for not being excellent on the floor but just also in the classroom. They are excellent students. So they're they're to be celebrated. Um month of the military child celebration. Um for those who are interested in Jacksonville on April 17th, our secretary will be there. We're going to honor our um winnerups. They they got nominated for military child of the year and all of our um armed forces. So, we're going down there to celebrate them. Well, they going down there on the 17th to celebrate them and not echo the sentiments of Mayor Pro Tim. Um I I pray pray for our men and women who are in harm's way. I pray that the mission gets done and everybody comes home safely.

Thank you, sir. Um I will just for myself one one final time a huge congratulations to Lady Cougars. uh uh basketball team. And again, you know, we're we celebrate. We're proud of you for for winning the game, but we're truly truly proud and want to elevate you for winning the game of life. You know, being being a uh a scholar in the classroom and then a champion on the court. Uh it's it's got to be both. It's got to be both. And we're we're so proud of you and we want you to keep going and keep holding yourself to that standard because you're setting you're raising the bar for those around you, too, because they're going to emulate you. That that's how it works. And so job well done on that. Uh council, couple of things. Just some u sort of housekeeping things. As you know, we're in budget season. Uh was it Friday after next? We've got a budget work session. We'll get together and and talk through uh some things. The ordinances, and y'all, I know there's been emails about this, but I'm going to say it as well. Um, Miss Getats and crew have worked very hard to get us converted over from the previous repository of our ordinances over to what's called Municode. I'm a big fan of Municode platform even before I, you know, got into this chair. It's just easier to research. If you're curious about different ordinances, you're curious about the policies and how things fit within the city now. They're they're a lot more searchable. And so I know she's got more work ahead of her for getting other things that are not ordinance per se, but are policy or whatever else. And so we've, you know, still got more work to do, but it's already just far far far more user friendly. Which leads me into my next thing, which is let's get past budget, then we're going to get back on the uh get back on the the work for updating ordinances. you know, we've got traffic, animals, and noise outstanding that are already, you know, underway, but I know that uh council members have also brought up the UDO. We've also brought

up, you know, other specific pieces by making MUN code much or by grant by changing our access to MUN code and it just simply being a a really good platform, it makes it so that council members and other members of the public can search for specific things. So then you can bring to us recommended or requested changes, not just simply say conceptually what it is you're looking for. And I know that will help move things along when us as council members are saying what we want to change. It helps us be able to point to specific things along with that. A huge amount of work and uh and amount of gratitude to the folks that have been working on the new city website. Not sure if that went live today or if it's gonna I was just looking at I just got a text from um

Well, but I'm I'm looking at this and it's not the same one.

Okay. So, they probably Well, you got to update the cache in your browser. So, you got to wait for that to expire. So, it may have actually gone live and you're still just looking at a uh a cache version of page anyway. Not to get in the technicals on that, but uh new city website uh if it's not live now, it will be in the in the next couple of days, which is really exciting. Again, getting feedback from the community what you want to see focused on. uh phenomenal job on that. And then uh one final thing for me uh summer camps as we are getting into this time of year uh those of us with kids, we are already scrambling for where kids are going to go uh during summer months when we're still working and they're out of school and they're they want to have some fun. You don't just want to camp them in front of the TV with a a Madden controller in their hand. And so parks and recreation, I know that uh they've got a a huge plethora of of things that they want to be able to do. We got to get that portion of the website ready so that folks can register for those things as well. But I know there's a lot of different groups that have been doing things. Uh police and fire are teaming up to do a camp for for kids. It's a week-long thing. So be on the lookout for for those things. Check out the city Facebook and Instagram pages in add in addition to the website and look forward to seeing as many families as possible engaged with City of Goldsboro this summer. Let's keep those kiddos active out of trouble and maybe even learn something by mistake. You never know. All right. So, with that, uh, that concludes my comments. Mr. Lawrence, we do have a uh closed item.

We do. Uh, which subject line? Potential litigation. Potential litigation. All right. Council would entertain a motion to go into close session to discuss a matter related to potential litigation. So moved. All right. Motion has been made and properly seconded to go into close session to discuss potential litigation. Is there any debate? Hearing none. We will call the vote. Miss Guts are going to do this one. Yes, sir. All right. If uh Oh, I'm That's right. All in favor, please raise your hand. All oppose. Same sign. See none. Motion. See none. Motion passes. Yes. Yes, sir. All right.

All right, council being back in open session and having worked through all items on our agenda, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. Secondly, our motion has been made by Pro Tim and seconded by by Councilwoman Jones. Uh there being no debate on motion to adjurnn, we'll call the vote by our show of hands. All in favor, please show your hand. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes. be sanitized. All right.