City Council - Regular Meeting

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Hey. Hey. Hey. a significant agenda this evening and I know everyone in the midst of the holidays is ready to get back to uh to their other their other events. So, with that, we will call this to order and uh begin in our traditional way of having an invocation followed by the pledge of allegiance. Uh Father Wy, our police chaplain, if you'd come forward and lead us in invocation.

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. Father, we thank you also for the opportunity to gather as a community last week to usher in this holiday season. We thank you also for the leaders of this community and all its citizens. Father, we ask that you bless this meeting. Bless this time together. Give our leaders wisdom to make decisions that are in the best interest of all that live, work, and play in this great city. And Father, we ask that you send your spirit upon each of us as we leave this place so that we might represent you in the world. All this we ask in the name of your son, our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Please follow join me in the pledge. 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, madame clerk, if you please conduct a roll call. Mayor Gayler, present. Mayor Pro Tim Jones, present. Councilman Boyette, present. Councilwoman Taylor, present. Councilwoman Matthews, present. Councilwoman, present. Weeks, Councilman White,

present. All right, all present and accounted for. It [clears throat] is good to see everybody. Uh for our agenda, our clerk just made motion or made mention that there was the desire to remove from new business uh item 9.4. Simply uh put that on our next agenda, but to remove it from this agenda, if there is no objection to doing so, we can uh discuss that between now and next meeting and have it back under new business at our next meeting. Yes. All right. So, with the Mr. Uh, Mr. Manager, are there any other changes from staff? No, sir. Mr. Mayor, council, are there any other uh requested? Yes, ma'am.

Need to add the resolution. Oh, yes. Go ahead. The welcome resolution. And then we would also like to add, and I thought that had already been done. We'd like to add an item, a resol resolution honoring the life of a dedicated goals for a citizen that we will reach. Uh, we'll get to in just a little bit. Lady, uh, Aen George. Motion to approve with the um addition with the resolution. All right. So, the the addition the uh the addition and the subtraction. Correct. Yes. All right. And Council White, you second. Sure. I'm sorry. I heard I heard a voice. [laughter]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I heard I heard a uh I heard a voice. I was looking that direction. I Who second it? I did.

You did? Okay. Sorry, Councilman Boyette. here. Second on the record. Uh we have a motion to approve the agenda with the stated modifications of removing uh boards and commission's yearly appointments and adding a resolution for Miss George. Um is there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please vote accordingly if possible. All oppose, same sign of course, but voting. All in favor, please raise your hand. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes unanimously. All right, perfect. I think I may have been the hold up on that one. I forgot to hit save. All right, so with that, let me make a quick note. All right, council. I believe that I may have just misstated this. The addition for the recognition should be under section 4 recognitions and presentations. So it should be item 4.3 not under new business. So um goofed on that one. Any objection to moving that. All right. Perfect.

So with that, let's move to item 4.1, which is a resolution in memory of County Commissioner Wayne AOP. And this being a resolution does require a vote of council. And so I will read the resolution and then uh if there's no objection, we'll entertain a motion and a second and then actually vote on this resolution after which time it would actually be in force. [clears throat] Resolution in memory of Wayne AOK com or Wayne County Commissioner George Wayne AOK. Whereas George Wayne AOK was born in Wayne County and was a resident of Wayne County until his death on November 18, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Linda AOK, three children, Meredith Peters, Trey AOK, and Will AOK, and four grandchildren. And whereas Mr. AOK was the county commissioner at large since 2012 and served the citizens of Wayne County with dignity, [cough] fairness, and respect. And whereas Mr. AOK served as a member of the Nuna Fire Department, Mr. Akok is a past president of the Wayne County Fireman's Association. He is also a member of the Wayne County Planning Board where he served as chairman for three years and served on the Wayne County Wayne Community College Board of Trustees and the Northwestern Wayne Sanitary District. And whereas Mr. AOK was a lifelong resident of the Nuna community and owned and operated Nana Storage. He operate operated Wayne AOK trucking from 1971 through 1992 and worked for Dean Foods in Fa and Wilco transportation services in Mount Olive and whereas Mr. AOK was a longtime member of Pikes Crossroads Pentecostal Holiness Church and also loved attending the first church in Goldsboro. He was a servant leader and will be missed [clears throat] not only by his family and friends but by the citizens of Wayne County and the city of Goldsboro. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and the city council of the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, that we

express to the family of Mr. Wayne AOK our heartfelt belief that in memory of his good works and character will be and remain an inspiration to many and a blessing to all. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after December 1st, 2025. Council, do we have a motion to adopt the resolution as read? So move. Second. Motion's been made and properly seconded. Is there any debate hearing? None. Please vote electronically if possible.

My name. [clears throat] All in favor, please. All in favor, please. All oppose. Same sign. Seeing none motion [clears throat] passes unanimously. All right. Next, we will move to I tell you what, if y'all will allow me because I have to find something in my book. I would like to go ahead and move to item 4.2, our planning commission annual report. All right, Mr. Rose, if you would. How you guys doing? Good to see you again. Hey, hope you

good to see you guys again. Um the [clears throat] actually had a pretty good year I think. And um let me see if I can work this um planning board of adjustments comprised of five citizens that live within the city limits and two members appointed by Wayne County that reside in the city's ET ETJ. Meetings are held the last Monday of each month at 6 pm in the large conference room. The planning commission reviews petitions for zoning changes, street closings, renaming, and similar items as required. As the board of adjustment, the commission appears and decides cases regarding variances to the zoning code and appeals. Now, for the past year, I'm not going to go through every one of these because I think your time is valuable because each one of these have been on your desk already and been approved or turned down and they've all been approved um if I'm not mistaken. Um, so what I'm going to get to, and if you have any questions about these deals that we've made and uh done with these um developments, you know, please ask a question now, but I don't think you do because you've already seen it. All right. Why I got the job. [laughter] Move it along. This is what's important. The UDO. Let me grab my book here. That's um that I wanted to go over with you. Um first of all, I had to be educated and I'm sure some of you need to be educated too cuz

if you don't ask questions, you don't learn. The UD UDO is the UNI uh unified development ordinance and right now we're doing our comprehensive land use and I'm sure you guys are familiar with that. Uh I think it's got to be done like once every 10 years or something like that. But our unified development ordinance is 15 to 20 years old. Once we get our comprehensive land use back from uh the folks that we've hired to put that together, [sighs] it's it needs to go with our UDO to be able to flow into it, which it's not going to be able to do. I would some money is going to have to be spent I believe on the uni on the UDO for all of it to go together or the comprehensive land use plan. It's like throwing money away. So I would start thinking about that. Also I would think about streamlining our zoning right now. you know, you've got like INO commercial, you got residential 16 69, all these different plans. I would streamline it because all all of y'all already have zoning for when it's uh conditional. Why not break it down to industrial, commercial, and residential? Instead of these people who were coming in who have plans for a development or something of that nature, they have to come to us. They got to get a variance first. A lot of time, a lot of money wasted on that. Then they got to come in and get it approved after they get the variance changed their plans. If I believe if you were just to streamline

it to those three and then as the council and the planning board, we can make the decision on how it if there shopping center would work in this. We don't have to have if we have it zoned for that, then we have to go through other these hoops that well 10 years down the road or 5 years down the road that might not be working out for that area. But if we leave it open, we can go into it anytime and have it the way we want it. It's all conditional anyway. So, I would look at that. Um, that is a big part of what we got going on right now. Is there anything you guys want to say? Anything you want? Better say it now. [laughter] Um, I would else he's got up here. That's it. [clears throat] Do you guys have any questions for me on this UDO and the um comprehensive land? If it, like I said, if it [sighs and gasps] come and before this guy gives you your report back or this company gives you the report back on the comprehensive land use, if they're going to have everything kind of zoned out to where it's um R16 or the more complicated way, say we want it out to be I um C or or R just three. That's all we want is three. Cuz if it's zone shopping center and somebody wanted to put in office complex, they can't do it. Then they got to go get a variance and all that. It wraps these guys up. I need them to be

making getting people happy, these engineers, and getting plans out and getting bulldozers on ground [clears throat] and start making money for the city. That's all I got to say about that. One one last time for uh for the record, planning commission meetings are when they are the last Monday of the month and uh they're open to the public and they're open to the public want folks to know kind of the process. you know, the the public hearing happens here in front of council, right? But, you know, any of the the detailed analysis, you know, generally happens in PL in the planning commission at [clears throat] the board of adjustment first, right?

And um you know, anyone that's interested in how that goes is obviously open to go and attend a a commission hearing as well and would encourage folks to do so. But the the feedback, [clears throat] it's interesting feedback. I think it's worth it's worth us having a conversation about how how prescriptive, you know, we want and need to be. I think it and the UDO and comprehensive land use plan definitely need they need to fit together. And so, yeah, that's a conversation. I don't want to be wasting money. Sure. I want it to make money for you guys so y'all can give it to your constituents. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter] Fair enough. In the long run, council, any other comments or questions on this item? All right. All right. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your time. How many years you been on plan commission now? I think three. Three of them. Thank you for doing it. Thank you. No problem. I am sure. Yeah. It's an important role. is one of the only commissions that is statutoily mandated to as that's as why this one you have to you have to really put in some time and some education understanding what you're doing because there's there's legal implications for this one. So, thank you for putting yourself out there. No problem. Appreciate it. You guys got any questions? Got my number. We'll do it. [laughter]

All right, council. Now we will move to Now we will move to item 4.3 which is a resolution in memory of Elder Aen Lewis George and Miss Gats is okay if I walk this on as item 4.3 since we stated for the record. Perfect.

All right. Whereas Elder Aing Lewis George departed this life on November 29, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of faith, leadership, and service. Whereas Elder Lewis George w was a devoted mother of five, grandmother of nine, and great-g grandandmother of seven, and her passing is deeply mourned by her family, friends, and all who were touched by her generous spirit, kindness, and unwavering commitment to others. And whereas Elder Lewis George was a faithful and active member of New Stony Hill Holy Church, where she served as a licensed and ordained minister, offering spiritual guidance and compassion to her congregation and community. And whereas Elder Lewis George was a pillar of the Goldsburg community for decades, founding the Holy Ghost Drawing Center, Community Crisis Center in 1982, where she served as president and CEO, providing critical support and resources to countless families and individuals in need. And whereas Elder Lewis George's enduring impact on the community through the through the community crisis center continues to uplift and strengthen the lives of residents, ensuring that her work and example will be felt for generations. And whereas the city of Goldsboro honors her life of service, her dedication to improving the well-being of others, and her invaluable contributions to the city's history and fabric. Now therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and city council of the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, do hereby extend our deepest condolences to the family of Elder Aen Lewis George, and express gratitude for her extraordinary life, her compassionate service, and the profound and lasting legacy she lives within our community. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after this first day of December, 2025. Council, is there a motion to adopt as presented? So move.

All right. Is there a second? Second. All right. Motion having been made been u motion motion having been made and seconded. Is there any debate hearing? None. We'll call the vote. All in favor, please vote electronically if possible. [clears throat] All in favor, please uh raise your hand. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes unanimously. Right. Are [clears throat] you here for M? Are you here on M Mr. He? Lovely. I didn't know protocols. No, that's okay.

That's all right. [clears throat] Good. That is perfectly fine. I wasn't sure if a member of the family and I knew that I would be seeing Okay. If you would like to hear vote.

Okay. I'm I'm big mic. But we thank y'all for uh considering and uh Eddie Lewis George and Community Crisis Center. We thank you for all that you have done through the years and uh and continue to do. Uh we still will be doing what she had commissioned and called us to do. We're going to feed the feed clothe uh whatever we can do to also work with the city and work with the council as much as possible because there's many needs in Wayne County and around the area. We're still going to be there to meet those need as much as possible with your help and we thank you so much. Back to board me. We haven't board me at times. I'm going bring it back over there. But thank you again.

Thank you.

Thank you for having Thank you. This has been a tough year for legacy. servants in the city of Goldsboro.

But as always, that is a call to the next generation of of those who are interested in stepping up and leading their community and um there's a lot of them interested in doing so. So, I think the future is is as bright as it has ever been, if not brighter. So, with that, uh let's begin section five, our public hearings. We'll begin with item 5.1, Mr. Livingston, if there's any brief from you. If not, turn it over to member of planning, however you see fit. Um, I think we're ready to hand it over to planning. We have no number of public hearings.

Good evening, council, mayor. Evening. I hope everybody's had a good Thanksgiving. try to keep this uh coat button tonight, but I think I've eaten a little too much turkeys. It was feeling a [laughter] little tight. I had to bargain. Don't worry, you're just on camera.

Maybe they have the narrow lens on and not the wide lens tonight. Uh if you will, [laughter] let's uh start with our first uh annexation request. This would be one of three. Uh this one tonight is going to start we're going to start with Eagles Reach non-ontiguous annexation. If you recall, um, city council did approve this conditional reser request for 174 residential, uh, town home development and three commercial lots uh, located on the southwest side of US70 West, north side of Westbrook Avenue, and on both sides of Isaac Smith Road. It's approximately 43.24 acres. [cough] The owner is land Go Land Group LLC and applicant. Again, the conditional reszoning was for R six and general business. Here's the property we are referring to here. here located at the Rosewood Walmart intersection at 581 and 70 west. Because it is part of a satellite annexation, there are certain criteria that it must meet. Uh it meets all these criteria. Number one, [snorts] that it meets the general statute 16858.1 for non-ontiguous properties to be annexed. that the nearest point on the proposed satellite corporate limits is not more than three miles from the primary corporate limits of the annexing city. That no point on the proposed satellite corporate limits is closer to the primary corporate limits of another city than to the primary limits of the annexing city. And that the area is situated that the annexing city will not be able to provide the same services

within the proposed satellite corporate limits that it provides within its primary corporate limits. The area E the area within the proposed satellite corporate limits when added to the area within all other satellite corporate limits does not exceed 10% of the area within the primary corporate limits of the annexing city. Here is a picture of the existing farmland. [cough] Here is a depiction of the the town home subdivision showing the town home development here and for future development one day uh commercial lots. Uh at this point time, mayor, uh if you will please, city council needs to review the petition, conduct a public hearing, and make a decision to approve or disapprove the requested petition for voluntary non-ontiguous annexation.

All right, council. Are there any questions for Mr. Talton at this time?

All right, hearing none, let's go ahead and move forward with the public hearing. Uh we'll officially open the public hearing for item 5.1 on our agenda. It's an annexation, a non-ontiguous satellite annexation petition for Eagle's Reach just off of Highway 70. Anyone to come forward and speak? Second call. Anyone to come forward and speak for annexation 4-25? Third and final call. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak for item 5.1 on our agenda, annexation 4-25. Seeing none, we will close the public hearing. Council, are there any remaining questions for staff on this item? Hearing none. Is there a motion to adopt the uh is there a motion to adopt the ordinance as presented?

So moved. All right. Is there a second? Second. All right. Motion's been made and properly seconded to adopt the annexation petition as presented. The or the ordinance uh annexing the subject property effective this evening. Is there any debate? Hearing? None. We'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. It didn't pop up. If you'd just state your vote for the record. How about that? Yes. Yes. Perfect. All right. And Taylor, you're good, too. Yes, I'm good. Mine all right. Perfect. [clears throat]

There it goes. All right. All having voted in the [laughter] motion has passed 70. The ordinance adopting the annexation petition is approved. We just expanded our city. All right, let's step into item 5.2. Mr. Livingston or Mr. Talton, [cough] hand it over to planning mayor. All right, perfect. Let me just keep calling on him. Leave you out of the roll.

Uh the second uh contiguous or the second annexation, which is a contiguous annexation, is for a Mr. Joe Lionelli. Mr. Lionelli wanted to he had purchased property off of West New Hope Road for a single family dwelling. He needed access to water and sewer. Um water and sewer was available within 1,000 ft uh in order to access those services. He needed to be annexed into the city of Gsboro. So this is what we believe to be a simple uh annexation request. I'll go through just a brief instruction here. It's located at 1810 West New Hope Road, approximately 2.19 acres. Owner and applicant, Mr. Joe Lionelli. Current zoning is R16. The proposed uses for single family, please uh disregard commercial development. Quest the applicant's [snorts] requesting again annexation of one parcel totaling 2.19 acres. Here's the property as you [snorts] see the dash line. Currently, the house is under construction and should be ready for final inspection within the month. Air proposed meets the requirements for contiguous annexation. The petition was received by the city signed by all owners and the city clerk has certified sufficiency on the 14th of October 2025. Here's a picture of the existing property before the home was placed. And again, mayor, I'll turn it back to you. Requested to review the petition, conduct the public hearing, and make a decision to approve or disapprove the [clears throat] request.

All right, council. Uh, any questions for Mr. Talton? Hearing none, we'll open the public hearing. This is now uh an open public hearing for item 5.2 on our agenda, annexation 5-25. Anyone to come forward and speak? Second call. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak on item 5.2, two annexation 5-2 on New Hope Road. Third and final call. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak for Annexation 5-25? Seeing none, we will close the public hearing. Council, are there any remaining questions? I I do just a quick one.

Yes, sir. [clears throat] With with the uh with them want to annex and come into the city for um sewer and water. I just want to make sure that with the the amount of uh buildings and things they're gonna put out there that that the water pressure will be sufficient out there as far as that or will we get to see a plan or or some type of uh drawing?

Yes, sir. So, Councilman White, one of the things we do, we we check in with members of our TRC, our technical [clears throat] review committee, and one is through fire and one is through public utilities to make sure number one, there's access to water and sewer, and that there are no issues with capacity, volume, or pressure. And neither one of these two agencies or departments uh gave us any clue that there was any issues. and they both have um uh said that in the form of an email to our office saying that everything was good on their end. So we feel confident. All right, that's all I have, Mr. Perfect. And this one is [clears throat] just the single house. This is not that large property that we looked at a year or two ago, right? That's correct. This is just the one individual. All right.

Yes, sir. Because it is something to keep an eye on. Councilman is certainly certainly looking is certainly thinking ahead. Yes, sir. All right. Any remaining questions on item 5.2? two hearing none. Do we have a motion to adopt the ordinance annexing the subject property effective this evening? So moved. All right. Motion's been made. Is there a second? Second. All right. Motion made and properly seconded. Is there any debate? [laughter] Seeing none, please vote electronically if possible. All right.

Just state your for the record if you would please. Yes. All right. Perfect. All right. Motion having been made, seconded, and voted in unanimously in favor. Uh, annexation 5-25 uh passes. We just expanded the city a little bit again. All right, we will now move to item 5.3, Mr. Talton.

Thank you, mayor. Uh, this is our third and final annexation request tonight. Uh, this will be for Hucker Trace. It's a non-ontiguous annexation. Um, [clears throat] if you'll recall, this was for a 120 single family lot and four commercial lots for approval by council. Council continued this conditional reszoning on November the 3rd until January 5th of 2026. Um at this time staff is not aware of any withdrawal of the annexation even though the zoning is not in place for the property at this time which is okay. Um but u wanted you to be aware of that. Bless you. And if there's any other questions you might have let me know about that particular um bit of information. We'll move forward. This property is located on the south side of Tommy's Road between US 117 North and Deans Lane. Owners Marks Farms LLC and applicant. Again, the request for reszoning was for residential 6 and general business conditional zoning district. Here's a property if you can follow the pen here. Let's see. Right here. I'm sorry. all the way around. Again, at this time, the non-ontiguous annexation meets all of these requirements. Here's a picture of the road from the highway 42. There again is the proposed single family subdivision with

commercial lots up front along this time trail. Mayor, if you don't have any questions question, please let me know. I just want to be really clear. So obviously I want I want to annex into the city because you know that's part of my role is to be able to expand the footprint and the corporate limits of of the city when appropriate. By doing by approving the annexation that does not have any bearing on if the current proposal ultimately gets approved or not. Right. That's correct.

So ultimately the annexation we could do the current currently proposed development could get voted down. It remains in the city for whoever tries to develop it in the future. Right. Correct. Be correct. Yes, sir. Okay. And again, we are not aware like they know they know this is happening because it's been on the public hearing has been noticed publicly. Yes, sir. They have had every opportunity to withdraw if they chose to, right? Yes, sir. Okay. They have. Yes, sir. And unless they're present tonight and request in advance to do so, then of course council can make that decision. Of course. Of course. Yes, sir. Okay. Council, any comments, questions? Yes, sir.

I was [clears throat] just going to point out that it's been my experience too over over the years with with planning that the reason that I would guess that the applicant in fact did not withdraw the request for the annexation is because whatever decision that this board makes moving forward with that property, it's going to have to be annexed in order to uh have utilities provided to it either way. So I I would if I had to guess I would say the applicant probably wanted this to continue on so this part's out of the way and the only thing we have to do as a council is make decision on what happens with the property once it's annexed. Would you

I would agree with that. Yes sir. Council any other comments questions.

All right then let's move forward with the public hearing. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public hearing for item 5.3 on our agenda. It is annexation 6-25, also known as uh Tucker Trace. Is there anyone to come forward and speak? All right. Second call. Is there anyone to come forward and speak on uh annexation 6-25, item 5.3 on our agenda? Third and final call. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak on item 5.3 on our agenda? Seeing none, we will close the public hearing. Council, are there any remaining questions on this one? All right. Seeing none, is there a motion to adopt the ordinance annexing the property? So move.

Motion's been made. Is there a second? Second. All right. Motion's been made and properly seconded to adopt the ordinance uh annexing the property. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Uh all in favor, please vote by show of hands. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes unanimously. [clears throat] All right. Wonderful. We will keep moving with item 5.4. Mr. Lewis, you want me to come back to you for this one? Well, this is just legislative reszonings uh these next two. So, I will let planning handle that as well.

Mr. Talton, council, we have two uh straight reser requests tonight. The [clears throat] first one will be for Mr. Paul T. Williams. property is located on the west side of US 117 North between Carolina Commerce Drive and Tommy's Road. This is not too far from the uh proposed subdivision which you just approved annexing. We'll show that in the next slide. The owner is Andrews Farms of Wayne County. The applicant is Mr. Paul T. Williams. He's looking at zoning property which is currently zone residential 16 to general business. The surrounding zoning is general business to the north to the south general business to the east general business and R16 and to the west is general business woodlands and used as a contractor's layown yard. So, here is a little bit of the property we looked at that you just annexed here. But right here is the subject property. And again, all around this property is uh general business. And uh if the property, as you can tell, it's it's this business here used to be an old convenience store. I believe this is a forgot [cough and clears throat] what brand service station that is, but uh this new service station um not long after it was built, this convenience store shut down. Uh the convenience store is actually situated across two parcels. Uh if the reszoning is approved, these two parcels will be combined. This is description of the R16 residential zoning district. If you have

any questions, let me know. We have a description of the general [clears throat] business zoning district which is to accommodate the widest range of uses providing general goods and services to the community and provide for the development of municipal service sites. The land use plan locates this parcel within the mixed use 2 lane use designation. The mixed use two land use categories will allow a mixture of uses which may have an impact on or produce some conflict with lower density districts. Let's see. The proposed reszoning is consistent with the land use and density recommendations of the UDO. [clears throat] Here's a picture of the old convenience store. Here's some property just to the east which is the subject property which is currently woodland. And of course you'll see here's the property that's currently woodland that being reszoneed. This is a reszoning for approximately 1.6 acres to be resoneed from R16 to general business. This is a straight reszoning. This is not a conditional zoning. So everything in the general business zoning district under the table of permitted uses would need to be considered as permitted uses by right. There are some special uses within the general business zoning district. Um and so if you have any questions I have a copy of the general business table of permitted uses if anybody wants to look at them. But at this point in time, we do not know of any uses currently that the owner or the applicant are looking at at this time. The subject property is located east of North Carolina Warehousing and TA Loving Company off of North William Street. Again, the land parcel will be required to be recombined with other parcels in the same ownership and annex into the city limits.

We have distributed this uh planning staff has distributed to the city engineering and fire marshall's office. uh city and water and sewer available to serve the site. It is not located in a special flood hazard area. [snorts] The staff's recommending approval of the request. The proposed zoning and range of uses are compatible with the zoning patterns and land uses. The opinion of staff is that the recon resoning request is consistent with the recommendations of the comp plan and the land use plan map. We believe that this reszoning can provide for public safety and meet transportation utility demands while pro maintaining sufficient levels of service to existing developments and that the proposed general business zoning district will not impair or injure the health, safety uh welfare and safety of the public. The planning commission at their October 27th meeting voted to recommend approval. Council, City Council's now request to review the petition for resoning, conduct a public hearing, and make a decision in accordance with the attached consistency statement to approve, deny, or table the request. If you have any questions, mayor, council, I'll be glad to answer them at this time.

Procedurally, this one is a pure up down vote. Right. Yes, sir. A single up down vote. That's correct.

All right, council. What questions do we have for Mr. Talton before we sit allow you to sit down? Anyone? All right. So, with that, let's go ahead and open the public hearing for item 5.4. Right. [cough] Or I went backwards. Oh, we're good. All right. Let's go ahead and open the public hearing for item 5.4. This is RZ 325, Paul Ty Williams Property. Is there anyone wishing to come forward and speak? Second call. Item [clears throat] 5.4. Uh, RZ 325 on our agenda. Anyone wishing coming wishing to come forward and speak? Third and final call. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak on item 5.4 RZ 325. All right. Seeing none, we will close the public hearing. Council, are there any questions for Mr. Talton, Mr. Livingston, etc. on this item? All right. [clears throat] Hearing none, is there a motion to adopt the ordinance as presented?

So move, Mr. Mayor. All right. Motion has been made and properly seconded to adopt the ordinance as presented. Uh, all in favor or is there a debate? Sorry, is there debate? Uh, seeing none. All in favor, please vote by show of hands. All in favor, please vote by show of hands. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes. Uh, motion passes unanimously. All right. Is yours back up voting now? All right. Perfect. We'll return to voting electronically on the next one. All right, Mr. Mr. Talton, item 5.5 for us.

Yes, sir. Mayor, our last item of business from the planning staff will be uh a reszoning proposal by Mr. Mark Richie. This property is located on the north side of West Grantham Street between Clarage Nursery Road and Neville Street. Approximately 1.75 acres is associated with this property. Mr. Richie is the owner and applicant. Current zoning is for the general industry zoning district. Proposed zoning is for general business. The land use designation is industrial. The absence requesting a reszoning from general industry to general business.

Institutional or industry? industry. General business. Yes, sir. From institution, general industry. Was there a typo? From general industry to general business. Okay, we're good. Okay. All right. Very good.

So, you'll notice to the north general industry to the south general industry and general business. To the east, general industry, to the west, general industry, and general business. Again, the property is highlighted there in blue, but right now it is currently a part of this larger parcel. It's like the shape of a boot, like Wayne County's boot almost, but this section here is a multi-use uh commercial facility. And if the reszoning is approved, as you see here, it will be subdivided and this property will sit on its own. Currently, there is an existing car wash there. Uh the applicant believes that having a general business probably would make it more marketable, provide more uses for that particular spot. Uh he is proposing to leave what you see in the rear as general industry. [clears throat] This is a straight reser request. There are no conditions that are being asked for. So all the uses in the general business zoning district need to be considered including their special uses. You'll see the general industry description and the general business description. If you have any questions, please let me know. Again, this is the land use plan showing that it is part of the an industrial land use designation. city's land use plan locates it within the industrial land use designation. Uh these areas are established to protect industrial areas from the prime industrial operations and for the distribution of products at wholesale. The general business zoning district is not a corresponding zoning district within the industrial land use designation. Although not consistent with the future land use plan plan, the

proposed resoning will be compatible with surrounding zoning patterns and existing land uses. So again, this is a resoning proposal for just under an acre to be resone business owning district. You'll see the address below. Previously operated as a car wash. Again, the applicant will subdivide the property into two separate land parcels in accordance with the respective zoning district if the reszoning is approved. We have no issues from either agency of the fire marshall or from city engineering. Staff's recommendation is to approve this reszoning request based off the range of uses permitted in the requested zoning district since they're compatible with the surrounding zoning patterns and land uses. That the resoning is compatible with the city of Gold's comp plan and map. That city services can be provided to meet transportation and utility demands while sufficient levels of services are provided to existing developments. and that the proposed reasonzoning will not impair or injure the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. Planning Commission at their October 27th meeting voted to recommend approval of this request.

Now, Mayor, I will turn it back over to you for the public hearing. If you have any questions, please let me know. Council, any questions for Mr. Ten? Hearing none, we will move to the public hearing. All right, we are open a public hearing for item 5.5. This is RZ425 property on Grantham Street. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak. Second call. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak item 5.5. RZ 425 on our agenda. Uh third and final call. Anyone wishing to come forward and speak on item 5.5. All right. Hearing none, we will close the public hearing. Council, are there any remaining questions for Mr. Talton? [clears throat] All right. Seeing none, is there a motion to adopt the ordinance as presented? So moved.

All right. Motions are made. Is there a second? Second. Motion's been made and properly seconded to adopt the ordinance as presented. Is there any debate? [clears throat] Seeing none, please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes having been cast. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Mr. Thank you.

Thank you, guys. Mr. Lawrence, do we have anything for closed this evening from you? No. Okay. [laughter] I believe Councilwoman Weeks was speaking [clears throat] before I could even respond. [laughter] I was just wondering what your opinion on the matter was. I was just helping you out. [laughter]

Mayor, there's no one signed up. All right. [clears throat] Then we will move to our consent agenda. Item seven, Mr. uh Livingston, if you would please brief us or hear any remaining questions on 71 and 72. Thank you, mayor. Uh item 71 is the approval [clears throat] of the parks and recreation master plan, what was presented at the last meeting. Um and item 7.2 two is a revision of the Wayne County United Soccer Club agreement and I'll entertain any questions. Uh if the board should have any for me. Item 7.2 again this is something that council approved months ago and then the the technical correction. There was a term change. It wasn't a financial change.

No financial change. It was the uh period of the term and [clears throat] the uh the start and end date basically. and the termination clause was lengthened. Okay, perfect. So, council, again, this is something that we have seen, we have approved. Are there any objections to anything on the consent agenda or any remaining questions on anything on the consent agenda? All right, hearing none. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? Second.

All right, motion's been made and properly seconded. Is there any uh remaining debate? Hearing none, please vote electronically. All right, all votes haven't been cast. Motion passes unanimously. Consent agenda is approved. All right, there is no old business, so we will move directly into new business. If we could hear item 9.1, Mr. Lson. So, this is a roadrun sponsorship request. I believe the petitioner is here. Um, and if they don't mind coming up and elaborating on that sponsorship request, please. [clears throat] Hold on, Neil. This one is uh reaching me.

No, Neil, you jumped the gun. Don't go don't go far. We're going next. Yeah.

I'm Scott Edwards with Greater Goldsboro Road Run and Sunrise Kanas, and I'm here to speak to you about having our event down on Center Street again this year. We've uh we've been uh serving Goldber having our road run for 47 years. We're the second oldest event in the state of North Carolina on a road run. And we're looking to have the event Saturday, March 28th of 2026. And my purpose of being here is to try to get access and continue using Center Street like we had have had the last 15 years. We've had it available for us to start and finish our run basically to showcase the city of Goldsboro with that as well. Um, you know, it's a short event. It only lasts from like 9 to 11:30 on Saturday morning. We're in and out and gone by well before noon. Our event, you know, our purpose is, you know, to raise money for the children and youth of Wayne County, the needy children and youth. That's what the money goes for. We have a golf tournament and a road run for that purposes. Um, you know, another purpose is do know to showcase the city of Goldsboro, you know, to have people come downtown to uh we'll put logos on the t-shirts. So, put City of Goldsboro on that. One of our requests is to basically have access to to the um to Center Street and but also to to get a waiver on the tier 4 $400 fee that that is levied on that. our cost, our cost goes straight to supporting the people in Wayne County and we spend so much money up front putting on the event um having it timed and so forth to USDA regulations and so forth. So, uh everything that we can we want to put into things like uh reach out and read the boys and girls club here, the children's [cough] home, anything that's mostly in the in the Wayne County and city of Gsboro. uh just um we we average about uh 220 people a year. We've been up to as many

as 330. We've been down to close to just over 100 just after the pandemic.

The only [clears throat] two years that we didn't have it was um we didn't have it downtown was when streetscape was under construction. We had to go down to Stony Creek and of course we didn't have it in 2020, the year of the pandemic. So my request to to you guys is to uh we like to have Goldsboro as a sponsor of our event and you know give that to a free advertisement for sponsorship on the shirt and uh online as well and also on the brochures you know this the sponsorship you see the do more see more on the logos. I've I've seen it up here on the screen here a little bit before but uh anyway that's that's my request. We we support uh you know up to 20 organizations in the city of Goldsboro and Wayne County all over and that's where all the money goes for everybody else that we're all volunteers for uh Kuanas.

So council it certainly is not abnormal for this council to choose to do a um a waiver of the fee in as an inind contribution in return for you know for marketing for nonprofit organizations that have events. the uh manager by um by right under policy as this this being a legacy event could have I believe handled that piece of it but this is in front of council to be able to discuss if we want to do the uh the waiver as an inind contribution so really that is the main question for this council again it's something that [laughter] is not abnormal for us to do Mr. Livingston if you have any comments or questions. No, it's just that it's the waiver of the fee that's in question here. Whether or not, you know, I don't have the authority to wave a fee in this in this regard. Maybe the city council would have to do that in exchange for sponsorship unless you decided to do that for every year going forward and saying that would be you could do that, not have them come up here every year if you wanted to, but that's that may not be what you want to do because new councils could come in the future. I [snorts] think we probably need to go year by year. I wouldn't want to, you know, encumber in that way, you know, future additions of this council. But that being said, I I

I didn't recommend it. I just said you could. Yeah, it could. Could [laughter] u I believe it's happened in the past for this event though, hasn't it? It's my understanding. Yes, it has. Okay. I don't Either way, I I support doing it just like I've supported doing it for other for some other large nonprofit events that have happened in the city. Um, that's just my humble opinion. I'm one vote on it. But council, what comments, questions do we have? I got a couple of questions.

Yes, ma'am. And then I understand what you're talking about a legacy event. I'm I was trying to review our policies that we had put in place on the races. So, I have a couple questions for you, Scott, because I'm 100 I matter of fact, I benefit from the race. um you guys give generously to us, but um if the race is from um 9 to noon, okay, you're saying 9 to noon, then we would shut we would have to shut it down even earlier, probably 7:30, so that you guys could get everything into place. Are we talking about two questions? Are we talking about shutting down both sides of Center Street? Because I get I get that you guys have been doing it a long long time, okay, but the makeup the cosmetic of downtown is totally different now. We have restaurants. We have breakfastes going on. Um and so are we talking about cutting um shutting down both sides of Center Street. And then um the other thing is I was thinking that our city manager had gotten with Run the East because I know you guys use Run the East. and we had looked at doing a different where we're starting down at the hub so that the businesses that are on Center Street that are open for breakfast and lunch would not um have to take away that parking. So, those are two questions I have.

Part of our problem is that we're a bigger race than that race was. We we have people starting at three different places on Center Street and if they're all at one place, you have them overlapping and jammed in on one place. We start at Walnut Street, the 5K starts. 10K starts at the fire department. Then the one mile, which takes up most of the center street timing about 30 minutes or so. It starts down at Spruce, goes down toward dash and comes back and we all finish at the hub. So, um, and part of the issue also, you have to consider the NC DOT as part of it because the other race had to go back down to John Street and they were going down John Street. I don't know how they got the approved for from the DOT with that much of John Street being accessed. Maybe it's because they're a smaller race, but I know last year we had to get a a permit from the DOT just to cross it and get the lights on flash. And I'm not sure if they would even allow us to go down John Street for three or four blocks like that other route had on it. So that's just a small piece there. But it's just so much more convenient for us to split up three different races cuz we have three different races and start them at different places and have them all finish at the same place. And normally the last runner is finished by, you know, 10:30 or 11, you know, and we're cleaning up and gone from the site basically by 11:30. I mean, we're we're done and gone. And and half of Center Street is open by, you know, 9:30 or 10 or so. the half that's uh the far side of the hub is is is open once the one mileers get past that. We don't use it for anything else other than finishing basically.

And then Matt, the other concern I had was I don't know what happened last year, but the parking lot beside of the DGDC for some reason got closed during the race. So there was absolutely nowhere for any employees or any staff to park because Center Street was shut down and the parking lot was shut down. So employees that are on Center Street were having to walk all the way down to the hub to park. So that's a concern for me that I believe that we would at least need to leave that parking um parking lot open so that people who are actually on Center Street would have somewhere to park. I remember that. Yeah, I remember too. No, come get

Yeah, we almost don't really need to shut down much of Center Street once the walkers get by because it's our other streets are open and people are driving by the runners on the other streets, you know, Malberry Street, you know, as well. Would it be an option, [clears throat] mayor, that if it is approved or Matt, whomever, that um once that last runner has got through that we could go ahead and open that section of um center street so that the businesses on that end could function. I think that would be the ideal solution as we kind of monitoring and and formally do that in a lot of ways. We kind of open it up because people start coming down there and we

and I think you guys did everything right last year. I think it was on our part. We didn't communicate through the proper channels and so that parking lot inadvertently was shut down and there was nowhere to park. The police department did a great job helping us out last year and in the years we had a lot of personnel there and it was super helpful. We'll make sure John's I don't know what happened last year. Never got answer on that one. Council Boyette and then I'll actually council me did you have anything further just I didn't good question. I didn't hear the answer to Councilwoman Week's question regarding are we are we closing both sides of Center Street.

Yeah, I do sign up to close up both sides because the one mile runs down the u the opposite side of the hub that they walk down. Excuse me. They walk down and they walk back. That's little kids normally a lot of times. That's that's why we that's the only why we have that part closed. And what time does the first runners go out? n everybody starts at 9:00 everybody starts and the one mileers are usually done by 9:30 to 10 so that one side of the street is pretty much open

since we're trying to iron something out here so that we won't have to deal with this in the future is it possible that maybe it would be a help to roll it back 30 minutes or some something another I'm just sort of thinking out loud to how to best mitigate you know, the the concerns of the businesses. So, I mean, it's just toss that out there. Well, and if we can get a commitment that we're open, that we're reopening what would be the south side of Center Street, [clears throat] right?

Yeah. The Yeah. Yeah. The the south side of Center Street, you know, effectively 945, you know, that I think also helps, you know, mitigate the impacts a lot as well. The south side, meaning this side, the side, the side facing the Paramount. Okay. Yeah, that's probably the west side. I the west side. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And leaving parking lot and leaving that John Street parking lot open or figuring out how to get that right. Did you have anything further?

Well, I was just going to say and if we can work through this and get get it all worked out, I agree that it needs to be placed on the agenda because there's going to be another council that comes along after us. But maybe to to make matters easier, we could put it as an consent agenda item and that way we only have to address it if we need to and then that saves the trouble of presentation. Again, just food for thought. That was all my comments, Mr. Mayor. All right.

Well, you guys already said it. I the only concern that I actually saw last year for me was the parking lot over there and because once you ran down the the side where laughing was and then you came back up that way it was freed anyway. So maybe we it's a matter of documenting it.

Yeah. Our race is a is a double loop for the 10k. They run that loop twice. When the tank carriers come back around, they run back down Walnut Street and loop it again and finish. So, everybody finishes up. They start at the same time and they finish at the same location. It makes our personnel easier cuz we um we just, you know, you get short-handed on volunteers and it's hard to we try to manage every intersection, especially the ones with the stop lightss and things like that to have an adult there. Yes, sir.

Um so, I just want to go on record saying I support the Ganas. I support races and I support shutting the streets down center street for those events. However, to this board and to staff, we have sat here for a few minutes and found creative ways to accommodate this race. We have offered suggestions um and we had an applicant come before us last year um with little to no conversation. We said no and created a policy that supported our no. So I want us to be very careful because the community is watching and even though this is a legacy event, we didn't give any other races an opportunity to become legacy. It was a automatic no. They have the same request. They have the same time frames and it was a no. So I want us to consider that we put a policy in place. We should follow the policy. whatever that looks like because I'm pretty sure that organization could have offered us a a logo on a t-shirt as well. They could have and they and I think they even offered to to to share that the the city of Gosboro supported their event. So, I just want us to keep that in mind. um I support what you got going on and I'm okay with closing the streets at any time, you know, but we have turned down other races um with the same request and I just want us to remember that when we start making decisions.

Back in the old days, we used to have to get a signature from every business owner approving it. I mean, just to be honest with you, we they used we used to have to get them to sign the form everybody up and down the street, up and down Walnut Street, and we may have been affected or may possibly been open at the time during the race. They got pretty cool business owners. They used Yeah, it's just a few. All right, council. Any remaining comments, questions? All right, hearing none. Uh, procedurally, Madame Clerk, help me make sure we get a uh a drafted motion correct. A is there a motion [laughter] to

Well, it's not pure. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I was going to say in kind. It doesn't really matter though if if everyone understands what that means. We're approving the sponsorship as a $400 waiver of the fee. So, effectively, it's an inind contribution, right? Um, Mr. Fix the John Street. All right. All right. So, is there a motion for that? [laughter] For both things or Yes, for for both things with the stipulations of everything. Yes, with with the stipulations of of getting Yeah. So, moved I make a motion. Perfect. Second. All right. Motion made and properly. Second. Is there any further debate? So, [clears throat] real quick.

Yes, ma'am. So, is that going to be a thing that we do if organizations say, um, can you wave this in and I'll give you this? Because that's something we have to consider because why would we tell one organization no and we told another organization, yes, I'm in support. I'm in support of it. I'm just saying that's something that we have to consider because we literally just told somebody no last year with the exact same request and desire for downtown and we told them no.

Well, my not not that it's nec not it's really necessary, but my my response there is I think you have to look at the size of the event and the impact of the event as well. you know, just like uh you know, with other parades that want to happen along Center Street, you know, we have certainly done the waiver of fees for for inind contributions for those sorts of things. I think we've got to look at, you know, there's a we want folks to have events in in downtown on Center Street. I think we've also got to look at do we need to have a a certain weekend that we all that we set aside as and I'm thinking about something that Boston and New York do even though they're much much larger. That is if you want to have your event and you anticipate runners under a certain cap, we're going to set aside this morning to have a a multi-run day, that kind of thing for those events to be able to kind of grow up but still be able to use that amazing venue and then set up their their tent, their camp and individual pieces and then be able to have a dedicated start time. Um, but I think that I think we got to figure something out there. And I also think you have to look at the the size of each individual event because you know like like the counciloman like actually both councilwoman said we got to look at the impact of the businesses but I think we also got to look at allowing different organizations an opportunity to benefit from the amazing venue that we have on center street and allowing them to become legacy events. So, how we get there, I think, is uh is still a conversation we got to finalize, but I would certainly be in favor of finding a way to package up an opportunity for some of the smaller ones to be able to participate and be able to take advantage of this of the space. That's just my humble opinion. That's not on the agenda at this particular moment, but that is my opinion. All right, motion has been made, properly seconded. Uh any further debate hearing none, we'll call the vote. It's already up there. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. All right. If you would just state your vote for the record.

Yes. All right. Perfect. All right. All votes having been tallied. Motion passes. 7 nothing. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you'all for your time. I appreciate all y'all doing in the city. I know it takes up a lot of your time and thank y'all. Thank you. Thank you. Good night. All right. Now, uh Mr. Livingston, let's move to item 9.2. if you have anything to add then we'll invite Mr. Nilla up. Okay. Oh sir, it's just their capital campaign for the Wake County Development Alliance and Mr. Benton is here to give us an overview of some of the things they've got going on and what they're looking for.

Good evening. Good evening.

Um thank you for allowing us to present uh on behalf of the Wayne County Development Alliance. Uh I am the chairman of the impact Wayne Capital campaign. And of course when you say I'm the chairman u camp the capital campaign there's one person it's me. So there he is. But just a couple things about me. Uh I've lived in Wayne County my entire life. Um I've worked in the city of Goldsboro since 93 uh for BB&T which turned the truest and ended my career as the market president there for BB&T in Wayne County. Uh I've served on the development alliance board for two separate occasion and was um was chairman on one of those occasions. Uh our request today is for $150,000 um which is slight increase over $125,000 that was the previous campaign and I think we can all agree that cost of doing business has gone up pretty substantially in that same period of time. Um so since our last campaign you know we've really evolved our operating model uh moving new industry recruitment to a regional concept. So there was a partnership established which was with the global transport which includes Wayne Leno green and the global transport. Um you know myself I was a bit skeptical of it but you can't argue with the success we've had. Um, you look at the 1,400 new jobs that were created in the last five years and the 400 million capex spending, which was is unprecedented. I would tell you that I feel like we didn't do an official tally, but I think that probably does what we did the last 15 years. So, really, really good stuff. Um, couple of ones that I would like to highlight. Uh, the Malaw Pickle Company expansion which is out outside of town of Goldsboro. uh 45 million in capex spending, 167 new jobs, and an additional $50 million in infrastructure grants. We had Pelisan in Industrial Park with 86 million in

Capeek spending, 216 jobs, and this is the first US presence for this company. They're Turkish company, first US presence. I thought it's pretty incredible. Uh and then of course on uh near the fairgrounds we had G um Walka 140 million in capex spending 330 jobs with an average wage of $62,000. So it's really interesting that all these companies are really either in the industrial part or close proximity to Goldsboro. So good things. So you may ask what are we going to do with our campaign funds going forward? Well, what we found out is to attract and retained industry, you've got to have product. And when we had the two shelings in the uh industrial park, it attracted a number of prospective companies came. Pelon was a big success and we're now in the planning stages for an additional shell booms to be constructed. Uh with the with the success we've had in the park, however, there is a problem. you know, when these these sites are 10 to 15 acres each, we're now running out of land. So, the the WCDA must acquire or control additional acres for future development. And that will be one of our major capital expenses going forward is acquiring land or getting control of that land. Um we actually did some interviews uh with an outside consultant on both our investors and our community leaders and one thing was determined our staffing was simply not sufficient. So what we have done is this past year we have hired an administrative position that's going to uh assist the existing industry director Julie Graham. Um, in 2020, uh, the WCD president of the time, which was Mark Pope, assumed the role of the, uh, uh, the president of the NC GDP edr, North Carolina Global Transport

Economic Development Region. Um, but it's just simply not practical, Mark, to perform that job and do the job for the uh, WCDA. So the WCDA board has has approved putting a part-time position of a WCDA president in place in 2026. Both these positions will be added expense for the WCDA. So in wrapping up, you know, the WCDA has been extremely successful in the past 5 years. Our regional alignment for re uh industry recruitment coupled with product and the willingness for our our county and city to work together to recruit and retain industry is paramount. We must continue to develop our industrial base so our county and our city and our citizens prosper and I'll take any questions about the campaign that you have.

So this evening there's not a specific a specific ask. This is G kind of giving an overview of where [clears throat] where WCDA has been in the last few years. The the organizations that have landed, you know, right here in in Wayne County in Gsbor, you know, the the list on the back of on the back of the flyer, you know, you you actually are the one that pointed this out. Just the the overwhelming majority of those are ETJ if not inside the city. Uh, is pretty pretty neat. Pretty pretty neat. Council, what we're going to need to do at some point soon is figure out how we want to support WCDA. Uh, and it's going to have to be something that uh WCDA and our manager, you kind of hash out and ultimately there's going to be a request that comes back to council. That's not in front of us this evening. The actual amount is not in front of us this evening, but at a future meeting or there will be. So, what I'll encourage you to do is ask some questions. If you're not ready this evening or you'd prefer to ask them in a one-on-one setting, reach out to Mr. Benton and ask to have a conversation with he and the manager and kind of wrap your head around what it [clears throat] is that we want WCDA to do. Now going into this next year, you have the city of Goldsboro business development plan that is intended to do a certain piece of the pie. WCDA is intended to do a certain piece of the pie. And we want to make sure that we talk about how those are going to interact together and how they're going to support each other because believe me, they are not designed to compete with each other. Nor is their bandwidth in either in either particular piece to compete. So, what I'll encourage and then I'll stop talking is if you have any questions this evening, ask them. But then also, let's set some time aside if you want to

do it one-on-one or if you want to do it in small groups, that's fine, too. So, let's make sure that we have an understanding of what WCDA as a partner for the city does and how we're interested in moving forward over the next year. So, without any comments or questions for uh Mr. Benton. Yes, sir. So, one one u Mr. Mayor, I thought you did put a dollar amount out there. Sure. I did. 150,000 is what we're asking for, right? And and when I when I when I put that number out there, what our campaign um ask are say we'll do a number for five years, for example. So, in this situation, we ask for $150,000. Starting in 2026, it will be $30,000 a year for five years.

But but and to your point, you're exactly right. There is yes, that number is out there as a topline proposal as as has been our practice. I don't ask council to see something to vote on something in the same meeting. Absolutely. And so what I meant is this is in front of us. It's not not as a an action or a vote item this evening. Yes, sir. I got you. And my next thing is do we have a a activeou with this organization?

We don't. This is something that we have been working on trying to see if we can replicate the county's with WCDA. There's been there have been agreements. There has been the most recently signed one that was actually under a previous city manager that outlined specific things that they were going to do, but it wasn't titledou, but there was some some direction and some expectations, but that one predates me. Okay. So, so I I will say I I have a um some apprehension if we move forward without clearly defining the roles and the and the um deliverables that that will be for the city. And then my last thing is who selects the members? members of the board. Yes.

Do you know the answer to that? Because you have bylaws, but I I'm not on your board. It's been the county. So, the bylaws are So, and again, I'm It's been about three years since I've been off the board because I'm just a I'm the I'm a fundraiser, right? Uh but you know, you've got a certain number from the city uh that's selected by the city.

Uh there are certain members from the from the county. Uh and then there's [clears throat] two sitting uh county commissioners on the board and I know there's one city council member on our board which is Univers. But but who so the city selects those who sit on on behalf of Gbor? So that that's what that's what is that what I'm hearing. I'm just making sure that I heard that that's correct. I believe so. But I want to see the actual bylaws to be able to confirm that because I I don't know the answer to that question in black and white. [clears throat] I can f I can find all that out for and get you that information for sure. Yes, sir.

So, and and Mr. [clears throat] Benton's been away for a bit. So, I I would suggest to get the manager and any member council together with um any a member of the either Mark or someone from our executive committee to be able to answer those questions because as and [clears throat] the mayor knows this because his father was the one that signed the original documents that set this this in motion that this organization grew up out of the old committees of 100 which had nothing to do with the municipalities. It was a it was private privately formed organization. And I don't I'm not going to misspeak obviously, but I'm pretty sure that the current members of the board are selected on selected by the executive committee and voted on by the board in much the same fashion that the DGDC board exists and operates as an independent entity. To my knowledge, the there was whenever the committees of 100 were merged, you had the Mount Olive Committee of 100, you had the Goldsboro Committee of 100, which I was a member of even way back then. But when those committees of

I think there's a Northern Wayne as well.

Yeah. And when those committees of 100 were put together and formed, there was no direct involvement that I recall from an elected member of any municipality. It was called Goldsboro area members, Mount Olive area members, and it was not a part of or intended to be a part of the elected body since an anelected body. And I'm saying all this so I can be corrected if I misspeak on anything moving forward. So it's on the record. So m moving forward into that process. The um county members because it's ultimately a county's organization. The county members are generally elected officials that sit on there from the Wayne County piece. But the Goldsboro piece and the Mount Olive piece are simply Goldsboro area people that I do not think there is any um requirement or any written um part of the bylaws that specifically talks about an elected official. So, that being said, we as a city council, if we said, "Okay, we're going to put forth one of our members of this elected body, which this council chose me to do so, then that name was put forth to the WCDA board and then the WCDA board voted on and accepted that member as uh a board member into the organization." That's what I think and someone will certainly correct me if if I'm wrong, but I would absolutely suggest two things [clears throat] that any member of the council that has questions meet with meet with the manager and have the manager pair

together with the appropriate folks on that side. I'll be glad to help any way that I can. As as Mr. Benton pointed out here, this this campaign happens every five years. I think this is the third one cuz I was actually a part of the fundraising committee on the initial one that happened. So the ask as he said is more this year and so far the the the WCDA and and Mr. Benton have been successful in making that additional ask and being able to say this is why we we've got to have and I've spoke to this recently. We've got to have product out of the ground coming out of the ground. the more that we have, the better off we are. We've saw a proven track record of that. But as the that organization continues to to flourish and do its job, it also is going to need a larger staff. So all we're doing as the city of Goldsboro is we're a member that's being asked to make a contribution to the organization the same as another industry or the same as another municipality or the county or whatever.

And I think we're not trying to replicate anything that's going on with this with the city. We just like to be your industrial developer. That's what we'd like to do. And and please go ahead. Sure. No, go ahead. Sorry. I'm sorry. I pro Tim and then we'll come back to you. Go ahead. I I just would like the opportunity to sit down with someone uh to talk about your your topline amount that you gave us, the benefits and the requirements. So, I am requesting time to sit down and talk with Absolutely. For sure. Absolutely. I [clears throat] I I I asked the same thing. I do want to sit down and learn a little bit more about the the makeup and how how [clears throat] members are selected.

Okay.

Um cuz I truly want to make sure that the city of Gold has ample representation and a voice into what's going on. Um but I also think that sitting the city manager and the county cuz this this seems to be dominated by the county just to be honest with you. Um, so I I I want I want to be able to sit down and we come up with anou with some deliverables and what our expectations are as a city before we we vote on any amount of money just to make sure that we're all on the same sheet of music and we're operating crystal clear and and and just listening to um Councilman Boyette and he broke it down and I really understand it, but we might need to modernize the method that we're using to select members

which let's sorry I want to make sure that everyone has a chance to speak that hasn't yet is anyone who has not yet spoken have an opportunity All right I have a question yes ma'am um did I hear clearly there's two county commissioners on the correct correct and just one from the city yes okay and so would it be ever possible to discuss maybe having two um people from the city council since you have two kitt I mean that that is above my pay grade. Um I do know they have a significant financial um stake in what we do, but I mean it's certainly I'm sure but again that's that's beyond me right now.

Yes, sir. I think it would be a good idea if if you don't mind to go ahead and forward um or get together so that the council can have an opportunity if it's um feasible to be able to review the the bylaws.

Um cuz I don't think that the bylaws state there was an adjustment made to them in the last 12 months or so. And again, I'm saying all this out loud so it can be corrected. I do not think the bylaws specifically state any body have any body of any organization having a guaranteed elected official on the the board. I think that the way the bylaws structured was [clears throat] it still says Goldsboro area people, Mount Olive area people, Wayne County area people, but if we have an opportunity and to see that and our council is going to have an opportunity to see uh the bylaws if that I don't think that's unreasonable so that those that are making the decision are able to know what exactly the structure is of the organization that we as an elected body are choosing to make a donation to. I don't think that asking for anou.

Absolutely not. We we've talked about that already about getting that together, but that's not going to be a problem. You'd want to have that in front of you prior to do that. I'm excited about the opportunity to to continue the work that that board's doing. And I think I think it's good work and I'm looking forward to being a part of this board that votes to continue our support. And I'll just tell you the the the the momentum we've got right now is really good. Uh the industrial park is of course the thing the industrial park is filling and we are going to need to acquire or get control of additional acres. So that's something we need to we need definitely need to work on.

Council, good discussion. Uh uh I think it's been really I think it's been impactful that certain things that I've said very much very frankly to you as [clears throat] well as the leadership at at WCDA that we've got to have documentation of roles and responsibilities. We've got to have these things in place. Uh council has certainly made that very clear that it doesn't really need to come back on the agenda until we have some of those things that we can actually vote on. And so um so yeah. So copy the bylaws. you want to emote view on the Okay. And is there anything else we need to have available? I think it's most important.

And I als I believe I also heard something about having like maybe just like a little work session where we can sit down and have just answer questions and and we can do that in a in a you know some kind of close session to just have a conversation around, you know, what we do. And I can perhaps I can bring Mark Pope and uh Julie Graham, existing industry person here and we can have a conversation kind of show you how we do what we do. Be good. Sounds good. Thank Okay. [clears throat] Thank you very much. Thank you, sir. Anything else? Anything else? Well, I was just saying we can't have that kind of conversation close. We would have to do it. Yeah, we'd have to do it broken up. We Yeah, we'd we'd get it right. We're certainly not going to usurp any of the public meetings laws or anything. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate your time tonight.

Take care. Appreciate it. All right, it is 7 o'clock on the nose. Let's take a quick [clears throat] Y'all want to roll? All right, let's roll. All right. All right. All right. Hey, look. I can see it, too. I'm there. I'm operating out of courtesy and consistency here. All right. Item 9.3. Mr. Hey, I'm here.

I think you're up, [laughter] Mr. Lew. Well, it's a quick background. you know, we're um successfully um moved over into Edgewood and uh things are going well there and entertaining a lot more programs and things like that. But one of the challenges we have is we need to rename it so that we can have a lot more of our events and things like there so it doesn't get confused with the other Edgewood school. But I'm going to go ahead and hand it over to Felicia. She can explain it better than me. It's why she's the recreation director. I'm not. Floor is yours. [clears throat] Welcome.

Good evening everyone. As the city manager has said, we've moved into the location formerly known as uh the Edgewood School. Edgewood still operates. There are students that are attending Eastern Wayne and it's called Make sure I get it right. Edgewood and Eastern Wayne. So, um that's why we were like, we need to come up with another name. Also, per the lease agreement is some language in there with the uh Wayne County Public School System School Board that does stipulate we need to distinguish ourselves as separate from the school system for liability reasons. I get it. And so staff and I have talked amongst ourselves and we've also met with our recreation advisory commission and we like the name Peach Tree Street Recreation Center for some obvious reasons. The address is 1601 Peach Tree Street. The building front on Peach Tree Street and so

logical. It's too logical for

I know it's too logical. It's too logical. [laughter] But, you know, try to keep it simple so people know where we are because we are literally telling people when they call us, well, you know where the old Edgewood School was? That that's where we're at. Or we're like the property formerly known as I'm like I feel like I'm Prince, you know, but it's like the property formerly known as Edgewood Community Developmental School. And so for marketing purposes and when we do flyers, um when we do reservations, uh finance isn't here, but it's like we we can do room rentals, but we can't do room rentals because if we put it in the system, it's going to look funky. Like we can we can say Herman Park, but Herman Park is closed. And so for, you know, auditing purposes, that's not good. And so we just need to have a name so we can move forward. And so that's why I'm here before you tonight. The

council, we've discussed the need for the name change. We've discussed the logic behind this particular uh this particular proposal and we've discussed that it has been presented and discussed at recreation advisory commission that they were in favor. Is there any discussion? Is there a motion to adopt the resolution approving the name Peach Tree Street Recreation Center as presented? So moved. All right. Motion's been made. Is there a second? Second. Motion made and properly seconded to adopt the resolution as presented. Please vote elect. Is there any debate hearing? None. Please vote electronically. My wheels spinning over here. Yes. [laughter] All right. Um, all votes have been cast in the affirmative. Motion [clears throat] passes unanimously. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much. [laughter] All right. Item 9.5. Something that um that I'll go on the record. asked uh for some assistance with just kind of wanting to have some guardrails and guide rails uh in place for these different things and some consistency. Um would you like to brief? No, you can.

Go ahead. So, essentially I'm just going to keep it really short where the there in your proposal there there's an ordinance that talks about the uh criteria that we would use for um you know resolutions and proclamations. And I'm not going to read it all. uh there to you, but um I think it does help fine-tune what we're what we do or don't do. And so, um it's there for your consideration. Um obviously, it's new business, so maybe you could talk about it tonight and we can tweak it or if you feel feel like it's good, we can bring it back on the consent agenda on the 15th. council. This is, you know, presented to be able to add a little bit of clarity and distinction between what constitutes a letter.

It's a policy, not an ordinance. I I stand corrected by the attorney. Words do matter even though they're inherently ambiguous. And then when you call it an ordinance, yeah, understood. So the the purpose of this was to create uh a universal understanding of the distinctions between what is letter versus proclamation versus resolution. even though of course there is some overlap and there there is some gray area but it is an attempt at creating a little bit of structure. So council any comments or feedback on uh the policy as presented? All right.

So with this as is our practice uh with councils unless there any objection we will have it on the consent agenda for our next meeting just to allow council an opportunity to provide any feedback between now and then if they so choose. All right. So, with that, I will move on to the city manager report. Mr. Livingston.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a couple items here. We uh held our initial budget committee meeting. Uh thankful to the budget committee for giving us some guidance um for the rest of the information for the rest of the board. Our goal is to hold the line in property tax. uh will move ahead with a baseline operational budget, meaning that department heads will be instructed to submit budget line items that are at or below current FY2526 budget amounts. Um, as many of you witnessed, we had a great Lights Up downtown event. I sent a little Placer AI notice out there, 10,300 or so uh attendees. and and best of all, I guess, is a lot of the smiles on kids' faces and everybody having fun and a great social media. Uh, you know, it was all very positive. Um, we're on track to get our audit complete. Um, so that's uh we we have that coming to you on the 15th of December. I've got to do some things there, but we're wrapping that up towards closure and presentation on the 15th of December. Um, most notably, we're seeing increases in all our fund balances. We've really done a phenomenal job, and I'm not going to credit myself or the finance staff is really the ones that have done this, but also the elected leaders here over the last several years to improve the city's finances as much as we have. It's it's nothing short of phenomenal. But I want to caution that and let you know that we're still not where, you know, we need to be as we compare ourselves with other cities, but it it's been tremendous. the the but we're looking to add about a $4.5 million more back to the unassigned fund balance in the general fund alone. Um finished up the department work plans and uh those are in this book here. I'm not going to go over all of them with you, but those are things that we'll talk about at another date. Um and and that just helps guide us with all the numerous dozens and dozens of projects that we've got going on and initiatives that we've got going on simultaneously

throughout the city. Um, as I said last uh time, we've got a work plan the first two weeks, sort of a game plan for the new ACM. They will be setting up meetings with individual council members. I want her to get to know each of you and and hear your concerns or just a meet and greet as well. Um, and again, I sent out some information. Won't go into detail there on the Casey mobile home part. You could see that coming to you. Um, and the on the 15th, we've got the CIP presentation as well. That's been um something that's leading up to the beginning of the budget season. Um and uh we're working on a significant list of accomplishments for the mayor and city council as requested by one of our council members here. Octavius is helping lead that up. Um and I'm also looking at doing a state of the city review in January, early February just to follow up on some things along along those lines. Um and that's all I got. Mayor,

thank you. Can I ask a question? But yes, please. Um, uh, Mr. City Manager, when it [clears throat] comes to that, um, state of the city, would you consider a different time so that more people from the city can more of our residents can attend? Sometimes the morning is just not the best time for people to come and support it, but Okay. If you would consider Absolutely. Yeah. I'm I'm trying I'm thinking of new ideas on how to how to roll this out. I I I we haven't done it in a while and I don't know how I think it'd be great. Okay.

Well, to that point, council, there is even the idea of doing a recorded one, just simply doing a a video uh that could then of course be enjoyed and then having, you know, a set time that from this hour, this day, that hour, that day, if there's questions, you try to be able to answer things. I don't know, there's there's creative ways to do it.

One more thing I I almost forgot to mention. As you see in the parks and recreation master plan, which we adopted tonight, um there is a you know, we're looking at what should be the next steps with TC Ki. Um we've moved all our our equipment and and and things out of there uh and repurposed them over in um well, now it's Peach Tree. I have to call it Peach Tree. And so, you know, we've got an Mr. um Ashford that's still operating over there. provides a good service, but at the same time, you know, we have to start thinking about what the future of that looks like because um I don't know that the city really has a long-term need for for recreation programming at this point. And we've got I think she left, but that's something I want you to be thinking about.

Any other questions for Mr. Livingston on his report? [cough] All right. Hearing none, let's move to uh mayor and council member comments. It is the top of the month. So, we'll begin with member from district 2, council boy.

All righty. I just want to uh wish everybody uh I know they've already had a Thanksgiving, but hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. I know I did and enjoyed time with family. Also like to thank the staff and everybody involved with the lights up um that we just had. That was a very successful event as the manager pointed out and it took a lot of work by a lot of our staff to be able to get that done. Um Berkeley project as everybody is knows has been a little issue but we're getting closer every week that goes by and again it's on time and should be completely done in the next few weeks. So that'll be a plus when that's completely done. Um, and last but not least, uh, thank you to all of our hardworking city employees and our staff and all those that support that. You're valued, appreciated, and this city could not run without you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Councilwoman. Four is yours. I have no comment tonight. All right, Tim. I just want to thank everybody for coming to Lights Up and I just I was glad to see everybody. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed. I want to do just a shout out to Jamie and his crew today for going out and getting the trash that was left over the holidays. They were extremely happy at North End. Thank you very much. And thank you to all the staff. Thank you, Councilman. No comment. Councilwoman,

um Mayor, I want to echo what everybody else has said. Thank you guys. Um to all the staff, the DUDC, Mr. Jeff Holtz and um even our city manager was up there entertaining on the stage and so thank you for a job well done. We'll see everybody at the Christmas parade um Saturday at 4:00. And then the last thing is thank you guys for the resolution for Miss George. She definitely was a she to me and um her life and her godly powerful legacy. Like I just hope that I can carry just a little bit of what she had. She was just a powerful um influence in our city. So we honor her legacy.

Councilman Forier u [clears throat] um uh echo um the sentiments of um hoping everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving as well as um the turnout downtown. Um I do want to speak on the Berkeley U project. Um, I just asked that we look at that light coming off of Royal Avenue going into the new area cuz the turn light is is a caution light. So, so it at certain parts of the day, the uh the traffic gets backed up and and that could be potentially an accident right there. Just look at that. If we could get a turn arrow there instead of just a flashing caution arrow that that that's that that would be helpful. Um, other than that, I I have nothing else. Perfect. I just want to echo so many of the the comments already. The amount of work that goes into being able to host, you know, over 10,000 people from our community right here on Center Street in the center of the heart of Wayne County is just it's amazing. You know, the folks that were out there at 5:30 in the morning getting stuff set up and then staying until midnight that day. I got to go around and shake hands and say thank you, but I really do mean it. Thank you. because these things simply do not happen without the brute force labor to make it actually happen. [clears throat] So, thank you to every single one of you that was involved. And I know we're about to do it to you again with the Christmas parade and with some other holiday events. It's going to be fantastic, but I know it's also a heavy load for for those that are doing the work. I see you. Thank you and uh please keep it up. So, with that, that con concludes my comments. Mr. Lawrence, you've already said that we don't have a closed session, so I'm not going to give you a chance to reconsider. And so with that, is there a motion to adjurnn?

So moved. Motion to Is there a second? Motion's been moved and properly seconded. There is no debate on a motion to adjurnn, I don't think. Is there debate on motion? All right. Uh, all in favor, please raise your hand. All oppose, same sign. Seeing non motions approved.