City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. This is Mayor S. Jefferson convening regular meeting of the High Point City Council. Here with me on the dis every member of council is present save council member Williams and council member Moore. Before we get started with our agenda, we ask you all to join us for a moment of silence and for the pledge of allegiance. Amen. 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. We have our agenda for this evening. There's one change uh that we're looking to make. It is to add a resolution opposing legislation that would limit local government authority set property tax rates. I'm going to ask that that be added to our agenda. And I'll go ahead and make a motion to adopt our agenda with that added as an item under general business. Is there a second?

Second. Second is recognized council member Johnson. Any discussion on uh the motion to adopt our agenda with that additional item.

All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any against? The eyes have it. And that motion passes. Now, this is my third year serving as mayor of High Point, North Carolina, and I've read a lot of proclamations and resolutions. And so, every so often I get a proclamation uh that is my very first time doing it. And uh it's exciting because I never heard of this. Um, but given my passion for education, when we heard and got a request about this, I just could not say no. And my passion for inclusion as well. And so I'm going to invite up Lisa Pluff and the team of folks who are with her. Lisa, will you let us know who all you have?

Yes. You come on. Oh, we know Stephanie and Sam. Lisa, good to meet you. S, how are you? How was Over the Edge on Saturday? Recording in progress. Oh, Ra Raven went over the edge and she said she had the most fun ever. Are y'all familiar with Over the Edge? Just real quick, point of privilege. The Ark of High Point uh this past Saturday, it's one of y'all's biggest events every year, right? It's a fundraiser. Yes.

And it's called Over the Edge. And uh for some reason, people are very bold and must have really good life insurance. Um because they choose to go over the edge of a building. They grappled down and uh my wife didn't tell me until the last minute that she was doing it. Otherwise, I would have got a bigger insurance policy on it. And uh No, I'm kidding. I'm kidding. She told me she was raffling down on Saturday and she told me that she had so much fun doing it. Going over the edge. Say she's doing it again.

She says she's doing it again. Okay, I got time to prepare. All right. Um excited to see you again, Stephanie. And then Lisa, appreciate you bringing this proclamation request to us. And Sam, always good to see you. Whereas college students with and without intellectual disabilities can attend college together. And whereas today there are about 5,000 colleges and universities in the United States and just over 300 have options for students with intellectual disabilities. And whereas there are at least 15 inclusive post-secary education options at universities and community colleges across North Carolina. And whereas North Carolina has committed to inclusive post-secary education with the passage of legislation supporting scholarships and further development of inclusive post-secary education options for students with intellectual disabilities. And whereas the North Carolina Post-Scary Education Alliance, the Think College National Coordinating Center, and its inclusive higher education network have designated May 1st, 2026 as inclusive post-secary education day. And whereas access to post-secary education and training is vital to prepare individuals with disabilities for the workforce. And whereas city of High Point encourages students, families, and educators to join with universities, colleges, and communities around the state and around the nation in celebrating inclusive post-secary education day. Now therefore, it be it resolved that I, Serial Jefferson, mayor of the city of High Point, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 1st, 2026 as inclusive postsecondary education day in High Point and commend its observance to all citizens.

Sam graduated from US on behalf of tomorrow program and then I'm also the president of the art of North Carolina. So Okay. Well, thank you for your service and congrats Sam. Congrats. Count one, two, three.

All right. THANK YOU. NOW, THIS ONE I HAVE DONE BEFORE AND I'm excited to do it every single year. Uh, it's National Library Week and so we're going to invite up our director of the library, Mary Seismore, as well as our libraryies board of trustees, which I see a number of our friends around the room. Will you all please join us up front as well as any library staff who are here as well? Hey, how are you doing? Now, Mary, if I'd have known all my friends were on the library board of trustees, if I'd have known that, I might have joined y'all's last meeting. Look at this group. All right. Whereas libraries, hold on one second. Our library board of trustees liaison, council member McKver, would you like to join us down here as well?

Yeah. A little bit slow that you got. All right. Whereas libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering welcoming spaces where individuals of all ages can explore and discover. And whereas libraries serve as vibrant community hubs, connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement and cultural enrichment. And whereas libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive. And whereas libraries partner with schools, businesses, and organizations to expand access to essential services and strengthen the community. And whereas libraries empower job seekers, entrepreneurs, and young learners through resources, training, and programs that support education, career growth, and economic success. And whereas libraries and library professionals champion intellectual freedom and create inclusive spaces for exploration, collaboration, and expression. And whereas libraries across the country are celebrating National Library Week under the theme find your joy. Now therefore, I, Serial Jefferson, mayor of the great city of High Point, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 19th to April 25th, 2026 as National Library Week in the city of High Point, North Carolina, and encourage all residents to visit their library, explore its resources, and celebrate the many, many ways that it

enriches our communities. Can we please celebrate this incredible occasion? All right, for our photo, we're going to have to get two or three rows. And so what I'm going to do is ask all our front row people to come to the front and all of our back row folks to go to the back. And most times you know which row you're in most times. And I'm going to ask you right up front to hold this for us. Okay. Can you hold that? So we can see everybody go on that to the my left your right. Perfect. And then just right. I'm sorry. Yeah. Right in the middle of these two. Right here. Yes. Perfect. Perfect. Okay. Here we go. Count of three. One, two, three. One, two, three. And last one. One, two, THREE. Just share a little bit about library and let them know what's going on this weekend. Will you let them know what's going on? Yeah. Yeah. And let them know about the anniversary. You all can vote.

This is a very special This is a very special National Library Week because this year is our 100th anniversary. So, we have all kinds of things planned. Uh we've actually already started. We have lots of programming. And Julie Rener, who is our marketing coordinator and digital services librarian, is going to give you a little bit of what's happening just this week. Thank you. Good evening. Thank you. Um we're really excited um to be celebrating this week. Um we have a number of great things going on. Um first is we have a really great display in our lobby that's talking about all of the outreach opportunities. the way that the library goes out into the community and represents um and just helps people where they are in the community, which is one of the um real goals of the library is not just to serve people in the building, but also to go out into the community. Um we also have a very special film screening tomorrow evening at 5:30 where um a screening location for the Riverrun International Film Festival of the acclaimed documentary, The Librarians. Um, and we're going to be offering that as a free screening tomorrow evening at 5:30 in the Morgan community room. Um, and we also will be kicking off very soon a community art project. We're going to have um invite artists in the community to um submit 10 by10 canvases that will be included in murals on all three floors of the library just talking about what the library means to them. So that's that's what we have going on this week, but stay tuned. um watch the library's web page. There's a anniversary web page um and there'll be upcoming announcements about future events coming as well. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Thank you. And I just want to say to to Mary and everyone on the library board, uh Mary Seismore, I just want to tell you that I do miss being the liazison on on your board. I know that Patrick's doing a great job, but I also want to tell y'all my daughter loves the library. She's easily um gotten 30 books at least this year and she does all your online stuff, so she really enjoys it. So, thank you so much for everything you do. A great service for our city. Thank you. Agreed. Absolutely.

All right. Well, thank you all. Uh, next on our agenda, uh, we'll go ahead and entertain a motion for our consent agenda items. Is there one? Motion approved. Second. It's been a motion made by Mayor Pro Tim Peters and seconded by Council Member Holmes to approve our consent agenda. Is there any discussion on the motion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I.

Any against? The eyes have it. And that motion passes. Next is general business. Item 2026-76, consideration of 2026 city sponsored special events. Council is requested uh to consider the proposed 2026 city sponsored special events list and authorize city officials to execute necessary documents. Um our prosperity, livability, and safety committee has reviewed this item. Um and prior to entertaining any motions, I'll ask if there are any recusals to be offered. Mr. me. I have three I mean three different conflicts. Okay. So,

and to be clear, that's for Col Train Festival, Uni Festival, and Social Society October Fest. That's correct. Okay. Um so, I'll make a motion to recuse Councilman Harmon from um the vote that we will take on those three being approved. Is there a second to on that recusal? Second. Second. Recognize Council Member Holmes. Any discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any against? The eyes have it and the recusal is accepted. Um then first we'll take a motion if there is one to approve cult train festival uni okay festival and social Saturday October fest. Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Second. Second.

Motion made by mayor pro Tim Peters seconded by council member Holmes to approve cold train festival uni festival social Saturday October Fest with council member Harmon being recused from the vote. Is there any discussion? All those in favor please signify by saying I. I. Any against? The eyes have it. And that motion passes. Now for the remaining of the events for council member Harmon is not recused. Uh is there a motion to approve those items? I need to recuse myself from the visit high point. Are you a voting member or the Asison? Voting member of of visit high point. Yes.

Okay. All right. Um I'll make a motion to recuse uh Mayor Pro Tim Peters from visit high points uh vote for city sponsor special events. Is there a second? Second. Second goes to council member Holmes. Any discussion on that motion for Mayor Pro Tim's recusal from the visit High Point approval. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. Any against? The eyes have it. The recusal is accepted. Now I'll make a motion to approve uh visit highpoint in terms of it support as a city sponsored special event for 2026. Is there a second? Second.

Second. Recognized to council member Johnson. Any discussion on that motion to approve visit high points funding for a city sponsored special event. All those in favor, please signify. One second. Just to clarify on that motion, there are multiple visit highpoint events on this list, just to be clear. Um, so for council's sake and let the record reflect, every visit highpoint event that is on this list, we're not naming them it sounds like right now because I don't have off the top of my head. Um, but every visit High Point event that is on the list is now being voted on separately without Mayor Pro Tim Peter's vote. Does that make sense? Yes. All right.

Um, my motion still stands. Your second still stands. Okay. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any against? The eyes have it. And all of Visit High Point's events have been approved. Now to approve the remaining events with council member Harmon and Mayor Pro Tim Peters back in. Uh, is there a motion to approve the rest of our city sponsored special events? So, move. Second. Motion's been made by council member Holmes, second by council member Andrew. Any discussion on that motion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I.

Any against? The eyes have it. And that motion passes. Thank you all. Next is 2026-125 public hearing regarding the draft 2026 annual action plan. Council is requested to consider the draft 2026 annual action plan, conduct the public hearing, and authorize appropriate city officials to execute necessary documents. I'll go ahead and open the public hearing. I recognize Nina Wilson, director of our community development and housing department.

Good afternoon, mayor, members of city council, madame manager. Um we have our annual action plan, the 2026 draft. it has been out um for public review for a 30-day public review and comment period now since um April the 3. And so the public hearing is part of that citizen participation process. Um official allocations uh were not uh we had not received them at the time the draft went out. Um our draft went out earlier well earlier that day on the 3rd and the official allocations came out around 5:00 I believe that afternoon. So, um the draft did go out with estimates, but our annual allocations for 2026 for the CDBG um grant, we received $855,552, which was a $14,000 increase uh from the current year. And then our home allocation for 2627 is $417,13852, which is a reduction of $6,935.38. And we are looking at the um intended or proposed programs for next year. Um, as far as allocating the funding that was provided and some additional program income, we do receive um, a small amount of program income each year from uh, loans that were done under our rehab program and the down payment assistance programs in prior years. And so we do still receive some program income from those uh, projects. And so the city uh, of High Point proposes the following allocation of federal funds to support housing, community development, and public service activities. These investments are aligned with HUD program requirements and local priorities to strengthen neighborhoods, expand housing opportunities, and support vulnerable populations. And for the community development block grant or CDBG um

program, we are proposing affordable housing program delivery cost at $260,796. Community capacity capacity building delivery cost at $222,961. public service grant program, $75,000 uh dollars. And we have received applications from several of our local nonprofit organizations and the Citizens Advisory Council will be considering those requests at the meeting this week on Thursday. And so when we bring the plan back for final approval, we will have those final recommendations for you. and the emergency and urgent repair program $172,135 um and CDBG program admin $134,660 for a total of 86552 for CDBG and then for the home program um we are looking at CHTO the CH the CHTO apprenticeship program um at $15,000 um CHTO activities which is primarily the single family new construction um 212 12,000 $212,43852. Um the DPA uh and core city home buyer incentive program 174700 and for home program administration $40,000 and that gives us a total of home funding of $442,138.52. And um this basically will provide $1.3 million of total investment across the two programs within our community. We'll continue to focus on affordable housing development and preservation, support of our CHTO, investment in home ownership opportunities through down payment assistance, and funding for public services and emergency repairs to assist vulnerable populations. Are there any questions?

Any questions for staff at this time? I have a couple. Yes, Council Harmon. For the general public, do you want to find to define CHO for the general public? Sure. Community housing development organization. Those are nonprofit housing development organizations. Thank you. I'm just curious as these amounts are so they're always specific, but if if there's an overage or underage, how is that? Do you have to get approval from HUD or is that then it's like it's within 10% of a category, you don't need to get approval?

No, we don't. As part of our citizen participation plan and according to the regulations, if we need to amend our plan, we can do something what's called a minor um amendment or a substantial amendment. And a substantial amendment is typically if we are looking at a change of 20% or more of our allocation. And there are other things that you look at too. If it's a new program or a new project, um we we look at several things that that are outlined in the regulations, but just for the regular program, we can make minor modifications to the budget. Okay. All right. Thank you.

Do you mind, Nina, just speaking a little bit more there? You mentioned within the CHTO program you all are doing the Chto apprenticeship. Um that that might be my first time hearing that. Do you mind just giving me a little more information and maybe for the public sharing a little more about that?

Absolutely. Habitat for humanity they actually have an apprenticeship program and they she works with I'll say um Susan Wood with Habitat. She uh works with us as far as our construction training program. So whenever we have graduates of that program, she has actually been able to hire a couple of those graduates from the CTP program, construction training, and um they work under that apprenticeship program. And it's not just our folks, but she does bring people in from other uh other situations, organizations um that are part of that uh apprenticeship program.

Thank you for sharing that information. And I'm always thrilled to hear about opportunities like that that not only support in this case housing and community development but also workforce development um which which I just think is so critical now job training. Yes, I can brag for a minute on Nina. So, I had the opportunity on Friday to meet with a an employer that is a pretty big employer here in High Point on Friday. And he he was specifically wanting to know about housing for some of his employees and that live in Ashurn, some other areas, and you were so so helpful, so knowledgeable, and thank you for taking our call and for helping him. So, that was great. Thank you so much. Absolutely. You're welcome.

Are there any other questions for staff at this time? Nina, thank you so much. Okay, thank you. Um, on our signin sheet for today's public hearing, I see David Rollins. David, would you like to come forward and speak on this item? Yes, sir. If you'll come to the podium, we ask just for the record if you don't mind stating your name and address. Uh, and then you have three minutes to address council.

Yes. Thank you. Well, good evening, mayor and, uh, council members. My name is David Rollins. I live at 301 Toterra Place in High Point. My concern is about street flooding that impacts my home and others in the neighborhood where I live. My wife and I bought our house on Toter Place August of 2017. While we we realized that the intersection of Toterra Place and Holton Place, which is adjacent to our property's a low area, we saw that it had three storm drains. Over time, we discovered, especially in the summer months, the storm drains can handle most rainstorms, but not all of them. The water can periodically overwhelm the storm drains back up into our yard and can even come against the foundation of our house. When it does this, it creates a stream of water running down between the back of our house and our neighbor's house behind us. It did it twice last summer on the same night during a slowm moving during slowmoving sales of rain across the Piedmont. It got water into the crawl space, ruined the pump under the house, shut off the air conditioner. Fortunately for us, the system was still under warranty at the time. I talked with at least two other neighbors about this problem. When it backs up like this, it creates a stream of water in the neighborhood. It gets into basement, damages property of at least three other homes, and perhaps some of my other neighbors have been here. I don't know if anyone else has responded.

I've called the city of High Point on occasion to come and periodically clean out the drains to try to improve the water flow in the storm drains, but this is only a temporary fix. Works for a while. Excuse me, Mr. Rollins. Are you here to speak for or against the community action plan that's been presented or are you here to speak as in public comment? I'm just here representing me. I'm not here to Okay. So, what I'm going to do is pause you. Our public comment period is the first Monday of each month at 5:30, but we do have staff members here. Um, our assistant city manager, Damon Dane, will be glad to take down your information and speak with you about it. Um, during this public hearing, we just have to reserve it specifically to this agenda item. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Rollins.

Okay.

Is there anyone else who wishes to speak for or against this item during our public hearing? Yes, sir. If you'll come forward, just state your name and address for the record. And you have three minutes to address counsel. Good evening, mayor and city council. I'm Carl Verling. I'm actually one of the members of the citizens advisory council. Nina and her staff have done a fantastic job putting together this plan. One of the biggest issues that we face is an increasingly vulnerable population. I had meeting today with somebody concerned about seniors and more and more seniors are being displaced every day because they can't afford the housing. One of my neighbors actually received assistance through the community housing solutions program because they have all this work to do. They're a widow. Also, we're looking at more and more homeless people, more people being displaced than ever before. So, Miss Wilson and her staff have done a phenomenal job developing a good solid plan. I wish we were talking about millions and millions of dollars, just not a couple of million dollars because the needs in this community are continuing to increase and it's up to us to come up with creative ways in order to address the issues and Miss Wilson has done that. So, I recommend that you ratify the plan as a good solid plan for the city of High Point going forward. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.

Thank you, Mr. Verling. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak for or against this item? Seeing none, I'll go ahead and close our public hearing and uh entertain a motion for approval. So move. Second. Motion's been made by Council Member Andrew to approve uh this plan and a second by Council Member Johnson. Any further discussion on this item? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any against? The eyes have it. And that motion passes. Thank you.

Next is item 2026-113, public hearing regarding economic incentives for project launch. City council is requested to consider a request from project launch to authorize performance-based incentives to assist in renovations to 1321 Long Street amount of $75,000 over a 2-year period. We'll conduct this hearing and authorize the appropriate officials to execute. Uh, with that, I'll go ahead and open the public hearing and recognize our economic development director, Mr. Peter Bishop. There we go. Thank you very much and good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of council, and metam manager. I am Peter Bishop, your director of economic development. A pleasure as always to be with you tonight to talk about Project Launch. Now, Project Launch represents a slightly different type of uh company and opportunity for the city. Um it is actually a new venture capital firm that would be uh renovating a building. Um and the tenants of the firm would be that venture um firm as well as several startup companies um that would be inside the building. Uh it's essentially a private business incubator and a startup accelerator. Um this project uh portends to create 40 jobs over the next 5 years in a forecast. The actual project involves the renovation and investment of over $300,000 into a vacant office building at 1321 Long Street. And that renovation cost will go to uh exterior and interior upgrades for the facility uh to create a collaborative modern office space for the the parent firm and the new startup companies that will be inside the building. Um the city of High Point Economic Development staff is recommending to city council a $75,000 building upfit grant. Um, this local incentive is based on the city's job uh creation and building upfit policy. Uh, as this property is in the city limits of High Point and Uptown High Point, the building is served by the

city of High Point's water and sewer services and electric service. Um, project launch is uh seeking an immediate decision this evening from city council to move forward uh on an incentive uh package uh so they can choose High Point for this project. Um, we are in active competition with other downtown communities within North Carolina. Uh, as you can imagine, in a very competitive landscape and with a very uh innovative uh business concept and the opportunity to grow new jobs and grow new companies rather than um uh recruit new ones to to the city, this is a very attractive pro uh project for uh other communities including High Point. uh the location of project launch. Um this office building as you see an elevation picture and also an aerial uh in uptown about 15,000 foot office building uh just off of North Main Street and Rock Spring on the corner of Rock Spring and Long. And it is now my pleasure to introduce uh Drew Hair who is here to talk more about uh Project Launch. Um very glad that he brought his family as long along with him. So let me get you set up here. I have to show you how to lower this a little bit.

Yeah. That's great. And there you go. You can use this. Can you just go back to the beginning of that? Yeah. There you go.

Is that it? Should be one more back. There we go.

There we go. Great. Great. First, thank you, Peter. Uh, thank you to, uh, city council. Thank you, Mayor Sirill. I appreciate everyone's time and energy in this process. I very much appreciate the consideration to, uh, this project. I'm Drew Hair. I am the founder and owner of Team Launchpoint. Team Launchpoint is the business entity that we'll be discussing here this evening. I'm also the founder and owner of Growth RE. Growth RE is the commercial real estate company that owns the property on Long Street amongst uh some other properties in High Point. And I'm also the founder and owner of RDFleet Logistics Company here in High Point uh founded here in High Point. Uh so as I'll showcase uh this evening, Launchpoint is a very unique um one-of-a-kind business venture because we're not a single business. We are building businesses and uh this is a new concept. Uh I believe we're creating a new business category. I'm coining that category venture creation. So, Team Launchpoint is a venture creation platform. Uh, I see this as high impact for the city for similar reasons that Peter outlined. Uh, as we are are all aware, businesses create a financial impact. I'm sorry, an economic impact in the community. Uh, I see this as compounding that impact through creating multiple businesses. Um, my personal background uh and passion is in business startup. it's in uh creating fast growth businesses and businesses that disrupt. And so I'd like to u as an introduction to this project go over uh some of that uh that background. So in 2018 late 2018

I founded RUD. Uh RD's a vehicle management company here in High Point. Uh 2019 was really a kind of getting set up year. uh and then 2020 and 2021 uh the company experienced a lot of growth over the past six years. We have run have have successfully scaled nationally and that's been substantial year-over-year growth. U a slowest growth years have been plus 40%, our fast growth years have been 400 plus% growth. And so, uh, consistent year-over-year growth, uh, every year today in High Point on Main Street, our team at RUD touches over a 100 vehicles nationally every single day. So, again, we're managing commercial vehicles. We touch a 100 vehicles every single day. Uh, and we're just getting started. Uh, in 2021, I had the opportunity to structure a agreement with council and with the city. This was an expansion plan, expansion program to move Rudd's office to downtown High Point. It included retaining 10 jobs, adding 20 new jobs, and investing about $250,000 into a building that we were proposing to lease at the time. uh that program has been uh since successful in 2024 with the incentive uh in 2025 I believe successful for all u in 20ou 2024 I then acquired the building at 209 North Main this is RUD's headquarter office uh in order to do that I launched a real estate company growth RER has a company mission of revitalizing through business first develop Velment and that's what we did at 209. That's what I intended for us to do on Long Street. Um over the past year, Growth RE has purchased three additional

commercial properties in downtown in addition to uh the one we're talking about here. Uh the same intent with those properties is to continue with that uh business mission of revitalizing through business first. And then 2026, this year uh founded Team Launchpoint. Team Launchpoint's mission is to launch new startup businesses in High Point. Team Launchpoint. Uh at Team Launchpoint, we're taking ideas, in innovative ideas. We're creating, developing, funding, and scaling them to be market disruptors. So, you know, what does that mean? What does that look like? Well, when done successfully, it looks very much like you see what we've done at RUD. So RUD is a fast growing market disruptor in our space. That's what we're looking to do at team launch point is to uh create those other businesses doing the same thing. A quick look at uh some of the recognition RDS received. So the Tribe Business Journal is uh one of the local publications that ranks fast growing businesses in the area. They ranked them by a two-year period of year-over-year revenue growth. You can see since eligible, RUDs received uh uh rankings in that um uh in that uh program or or measurement. Uh fifth place, 15th place, 11th, and sixth place. Inc. 5000 does the exact same thing from a national perspective. So, they're looking at three-year growth, year-over-year revenue growth. Uh every year we were we've been eligible, we've been honored with uh with that recognition. In 2023 in place 390, that was that made us number eighth in the state and number one here in our metro and in the um triad. It's one thing to uh have a big year or

to grow, you know, stack two years of growth, but to consistently grow at a fast pace year-over-year for six years. Uh that's what a fast growing market disruptor looks like. That's what we're we're going to be doing at Team Launchpoint. Uh one of the awards I'm most proud of is last year we won best places to work in the Triad for the small business category. Uh some of you uh that have heard me talk about RUD before know it was my top objective creating RUD to create a positive and motivated workplace. So that O award sort of showcases uh some some success that we're having there. I'm very proud that our team enjoys being a part of our team. Uh and then lastly, 2021 through 2024 meeting the commitment that we made to the city of High Point and and that initial incentive. Uh what I want to point out is uh as you can see there's there's no other recognition here from 2021. So city of High Point and council uh showed belief in uh myself and in Rudd well before there was a track record to do so. I uh have a lot of appreciation for that. Thank you very much for that. And on that it's time for phase two. Uh phase two is a bigger plan. It's a bigger impact. Phase two if you can see the screen is team launchpoint. So team launchpoint name represents uh the moment of takeoff. It represents our purpose as a company which is to create develop fund and scale market disrupting businesses and it represents business being launched in high point. uh as I mentioned this is a new concept again I feel we're creating a new category c business category and I'm calling that category uh venture creation different from venture capital venture capital is a company that invests money into startup businesses we're actually founding and building those startup businesses team

launchpoint is a venture creation platform our initial portfolio companies so these are companies that are going to be founded by team launchpoint, owned by team launchpoint. Initial portfolio companies are going to be in the logistics and vehicle mobility spaces. Uh this space is currently getting uh having a ton of change and disruption through things like autonomous vehicles, self-driving vehicles, EVs, alternative fuel, uh ride sharing has been very disruptive to to this market. AI of course is disruptive to to so many markets right now. It's a great opportunity for uh and and a great platform for us to uh build businesses in that space. We have two scheduled business launches in 2026. Uh these two business launches are are scheduled and and ready to happen. Once they happen this year, that will create no less than five uh professional office jobs located here. uh with the plan being in the Long Street office. Uh everything we're talking about here is 2026. It's this year. So I think that's very exciting. Uh the the future and opportunity here is even more exciting because we're not just creating a business with Team Launchpoint. for creating the uh capacity, the capability, uh knowhow, expertise to be the absolute best at coaching and guiding and developing and funding startup businesses. So, this platform will create 40 plus jobs in the next four to 5 years. But even more exciting and potentially more impactful for High Point is this will create a local expertise in funding and incubating startup businesses. So that gets me excited. Uh because of that I see Launchpoint

transforming the Long Street area into an area of startup innovation. So we have a picture here of the plan design. So you see on the left is the current facility. It's a greatl looking facility, very traditional look to it. It's previously an accounting firm. We want to really reface the building, make it look like an an a center of innovation, something that's exciting. And so you see the rendering there of the team launchpoint building. The inside of the building, the same thing's going to be taking place. So currently, it's a very segmented office. It's got great windows around the building. uh the the center of the building doesn't get any of that sunlight because the the whole building is segmented into offices. Perfect for an accounting firm, not perfect for uh what we're going to be doing here. So, the inside of the building is going to be opened up. Uh it's going to be collaborative, but it's going to be set up for multi- business use. So the initial uh buildout, the goal is to have the building set up so five businesses can operate. Five businesses that don't necessarily overlap in any way uh but they can operate independently without interruption. And uh the the budget that we have right now for phase one is $300,000. Those funds would get invested most likely this year. So, uh, we we've set a two-year period, but, uh, phase one would require most of that budget. Uh, and that is all I have. I'd love to answer any questions that anyone has.

Mr. Hair, thank you so much. Are there any questions from council for the applicant or even for staff? It's all very exciting, I will say. Yes. No, I I I think it's impressive. And it's definitely what we're looking for in High Point and the launch point was very clever. Alan, thank you. And my only comment is thank you for investing in High Point. I can see that you're very passionate about it and this seems like a great idea. So, thank you so much. Thank you very much. Any other questions or comments? Oh, thanks for picking Ward four. Appreciate it. Oh, yeah.

Yeah. Um, thank you. Thank you very much. Uh we don't have anyone on our signing sheet to speak during the public hearing, but is there anyone here in attendance who wishes to speak for or against this item? Seeing none, I'll go ahead and close the public hearing. And I'll make a motion to approve this item. Is there a second?

Second. Recognized to council member Andrew. Any discussion on the motion to approve this item? I'll say briefly um again appreciation for for the work that you and your team are doing. Um entrepreneurship I have a deep appreciation for it. Um it's risk that people take on uh but it's that same risk that's made our country so special and it's what makes our community of High Point so special too. And you all being a part of that and knowing that uh you will help shepherd many more ventures um through that process. Also knowing that um it facilitates and creates workforce opportunities is also really awesome and we wish you all the best uh Drew you and your family and your team in terms of doing this. So thank you. Um with that said all those in federal please signify by saying I.

Any against? The eyes have that motion passes. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Our last item in general business is an added agenda item. It's our resolution uh of the High Point City Council opposing legislation that would limit local government authority to set property tax rates. Uh for those who haven't been following this as much, our North Carolina General Assembly um has been entertaining some motions or some proposals with regards to property tax rates across the state. And to be clear, um, this council is not one, um, that doesn't understand the impetus for the discussion. In fact, this council has said plenty of times and has demonstrated, um, that after property valuations that we have actually voted to to reduce our tax rate to make sure that we can be uh, commensurate with with current environmental circumstances while also trying to sustain growth in our city. So, we understand the balance of that conversation. Um what council also recognizes though is that folks in Raleigh um who just don't spend time on the ground um many of them have never sat on a city or town council um many of them may not recognize sometimes that uh property taxes which fund our general uh fund uh revenue and then general fund expenses I should say um goes towards public safety in terms of police and fire goes towards community development some of which you heard this evening and goes towards economic development, which you heard this evening, goes towards transportation and infrastructure and so many other pieces that make local government go. And um council members have a huge responsibility of understanding um how complex it is to support all those endeavors and those services to make sure that we have a budget that can sustain that that can accommodate um the kind of quality of life for our citizens while being mindful of the burden uh that comes from um increased property

valuations. So I I I want to make that point clear for those who are listening because I wouldn't want it to be misconstrued. So I I'll read what we have here as a resolution and then we'll we'll have some discussion on it before calling for a vote. Resolution. Whereas North Carolina municipalities and counties rely on property taxes as a primary and stable source of revenue to fund essential public services including police protection, fire services, infrastructure, and community development. Whereas local elected officials are in the best position to evaluate the needs of their communities and to establish tax rates that are responsive to those needs. And whereas proposed legislation or a constitutional amendment has been introduced that would authorize the North Carolina General Assembly to limit the ability of local governments to increase property tax rates. And whereas such limitations would significantly restrict the ability of municipalities to respond to population growth, economic changes, inflation, emergencies, and unforeseen circumstances. And whereas imposing arbitrary caps on property tax increases could result in reductions in essential services as well as delays in critical infrastructure projects and diminish capacity to respond to safety needs. And whereas municipalities follow transparent procedures prior to any tax changes by presenting annual budgets on a strict schedule, hosting open meetings for citizen input, conducting public hearings prior to the adoption of budgets, and submitting public bonds for voter consideration, and whereas preserving local control over fiscal cons decisions is fundamental to effective governance and accountability to residents. And therefore, be it resolved that the city council of the city of High Point hereby opposes any legislation or constitutional amendment that would limit the authority of local governments to set property tax rates and urges members of North Carolina General Assembly to reject any such proposals. And a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the High Point

legislative delegation and to leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly adopted this the 20th day of April 2026. Um I I I know I said quite a few things in my opening remarks here. I one thought that occurred to me as I was reading this resolution. Um we talk about a very transparent budget process and not only is it transparent um but as it notes here it's it's very strict in terms of the rules that we follow. It's a very strict schedule. Um we don't operate in which we don't pass a budget every year by June 30th. Whereas in Raleigh and our North Carolina General Assembly, they have not passed a budget. Mhm.

Um they do not pass budgets plenty of times. Um and unfortunately I do think they're caught up in the politics of this. Um and they know some luxuries that local government just just doesn't know. Local government operates in pragmatism. And um what we are imploring our folks in Raleigh to do is to operate in that same level of pragmatism and to allow the folks at the local level who know our communities to do just that. um do what's best for our local community. So I that that's my additional statement on this. I do want to open it up in case there are questions from the dis before we entertain a motion.

Um not questions but just some comments you doing some reading on this. Um I wholeheartedly agree that their second term local elected officials are in the best position to evaluate the needs of the communities and the the politics of this um should not be ignored. We all know what's going on in the general assembly. However, um we are hearing from citizens about property tax increases and that probably is the genesis of some of this legislation. Doing some digging, currently the general assembly can only I mean there's a um in the North Carolina constitution um we can impose a maximum of $1.50 per $100 of valuation. So for example, we at 64.75, you know, that gives us 230% increase. So obviously, we're never going to go that high. So there's, you know, there's a lot of room there. However, the we have a transparent process on our budgets, but we still have seen some significant increases beyond population growth and beyond um inflation. For example, over the last 10 years, if Guilford County had kept their property tax increases measured with um normal inflation, there would be $141.3 million less over the last 10 years. So, I can see where people are concerned about increases and trying to limit increases. There are several states, for example, New Mexico caps increases by percentage. And I know like there's some like for example in HOA you can do an a percentage of a certain amount by board action but anything beyond that takes a vote. So I think if the general assembly would clarify what they're trying to do would be better because currently the

language says quote the general assembly shall enact general laws limiting the amount by which the levy of taxes on property tax may increase which may include exceptions. And that is very very vague. if it said something like limit by restricted by 10% 50% 20% something like that um I would like to see that a lot more so having said all that I um I support the spirit of this resolution but I'd like to see more specificity especially on the the general assembly side so hopefully we can start a dialogue because I think there is some um there's some desire from the general public to have some kind of limit on increases. And although we don't know what our Guilford County rates are going to be, that people are seeing that their property valuations went up 20, 30, 40, sometimes 100% and they're very concerned about how much they're going to have to pay once those bills come out. So that's all.

Yeah. No, Council Member Andrew, thank you for for that information. And any other comments or questions from the DAS?

Just a brief comment, Mr. Mayor. Um, in terms of how we fund city services. Um, the property tax rates and the things that we and the revenue that we connect collect there. Um, if this piece of legislation was to be enacted, um, in order for us to be able to make our budgets work, we'd have to seriously curtail a great deal of our services that our city, our citizens rely on or find some other way uh, to collect revenue to be able to fund those. That could be uh, occupancy taxes. that could be a lot of things that also support um indirect business in and commerce in our city. So um in that regard we could limit our economic ability uh by having to look at imposing other more regressive style taxes. So um this particular resolution I think is strong and states our position uh that would allow us to maintain local control over how we generate revenue and provide services to our citizens. if I may. Um, since we don't know what their restriction is going to be and currently property taxes generates, I believe about 16% of our revenue. So, without those knowing those what the general assembly is going to impose on us, we don't really know which way it's going to go. So, um, again, I agree with the tone and the tenor of this letter. I just don't have any numbers to make specific um, you know, to be strongly against it or weakly against it. Yeah.

Yeah. I I do want to clarify uh to your comment about 16% of our revenue um it should be noted that quite a bit of our revenue um already has a very specific allocation responsibility to it in that if we bring in money from our water and sewer customers or our electrical customers then th that expense as enterprise funds go directly into those services. So, we don't um even though you may say a good chunk of our overall revenue may not come from property taxes, well, all that revenue that comes in from that, it's really just being transferred directly over uh to funding and um the necessary allocations needed for water, sewer, electrical, so on and so forth. uh when you start talking about our general fund uh because we do not charge people for police services. We do not charge people for fire services. We do not charge people for supporting job growth. We do not charge people for so many other things. We don't have tolls throughout the city of High Point. Our general fund is what we use to fund all of those services and those projects. And so, um, I I wouldn't want to misconstrued that property taxes make up such a small amount of our revenue and thus it it may not have as much of an outsized impact if this passes. This would have an incredible impact if it passes. Um, in fact, you can look at other states such as Colorado. Um, I was on a call with officials from around the state and there were some staff members who weren't from municipalities of North Carolina who intentionally left the great state of Colorado. And I don't mean to pick on that state, but they're one of the examples where something like this did pass. And now they're having an incredibly hard time keeping up with supporting infrastructure improvements the way they need to for population growth in that state. Colorado is a growing state and at the rate in which they're able to increase the revenue to cover new services coming in, it's just not fast enough. And so they're struggling there. And you got staff

members leaving because they know that they're hamstrung. So that that's just one example. I think the other thing on my mind is um in all cases you're going to have bad actors and not bad actors may be too strong of a term but in in in every circumstance you're going to have folks who who are not good examples of of how to navigate in this case property taxes. Um, but I think all of us as Americans, what we appreciate is not being punished or having everyone punished for the sort of actions of of a few, right? We know, for example, no one wants all their guns taken away because there's some bad people with guns. Um, I think you do have some folks who maybe aren't being as wise with the way that they're doing their property tax allocation and the state has everything within the right and privileges to do something about those bad actors, but for those who are doing it right, um there's no reason that we should um we should be put at a disadvantage for that. So, um any any other thoughts, questions? And just a couple I mean the property tax is a dependable source of revenue. We actually know how much you're going to get every year, right? And then the other big portion that we get for for general operations is the sales tax and that fluctuates quite a bit. Staff's always trying to estimate how it's going to go this year. If you get a recession, sales tax goes down. So it makes it harder to plan. I think intervention by the state would make property tax kind of like trying to guess like what sales tax is going to be. So be very difficult for us to figure things out. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? Um, let's see. Um, point number one, um, opposes any legislation or constitutional amendment that would limit the authority of the

local governments to set property tax rates. Um, again, from what I understand, they're just trying to limit, well, I don't even know what they're trying to limit, but I think limit um percentages. So, again, I'm I'm going to vote for it, but I I I I'm trying to think I wish it was clearer. That's I guess that's my my concern.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. and and we wouldn't want to misconrue that this is a city council that isn't leaning to fiscal responsibility and being mindful and and I know I've said to multiple folks that with this big county um valuation um that's been done that for me I'm I'm fine for us to cut our rate this year to revenue neutral. So I I've said that multiple times on the record. Um, but I do think local authority means means a ton and chastising everyone for some bad actors. I just think it's it's boring principle. So, all that said, I'll go and make a motion to approve this resolution. Is there a second? Second.

Second. Recognize the mayor pro Tim Peters. Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Any against? The eyes have it and that motion passes. Um, we have come to the end of our meeting. I want to open up the floor or open up the DIS I should say for any announcements from the DIS before we adjourn. The High Point Rockers have their kickoff for the year tomorrow night. So, make sure you go and support our hometown baseball team. Yeah, I' I've got the opening pitch tomorrow. Yay. All right. Haven't exactly been stretching and I need the plate.

That's right. Don't don't don't embarrass your fellow council members, mayor, by uh listen, manage expectations across.

We can't be great at every Listen, I'm great at shaking hands, not throwing pitches, okay? We got to we got to have some balance here. Yes, Monica. Thank you for that. Any other announcements? I know furniture markets here in town, so let's be patient with all of our great guests and visitors who are coming in. We're excited. Appreciate all the hardworking staff who are working with our furniture industry as we welcome so many guests. Um, folks don't realize how elaborate uh everything has to be to make that go over well. Everything from trash pickup to uh law enforcement coordination at the federal and state levels to make sure that everyone is safe. There there's just so much that our teams do and we appreciate you all um for making sure that this goes over smoothly. The largest economic event in the state of North Carolina, believe it or not. Any other announcements from the DAS?

All right. Is there a motion to adjourn our meeting? So moved. Second. Second. Motion recognized councelor Mahomes. Second to council member Andrew. Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any against? The eyes have been. That motion passes.