City Council - Regular Meeting

My school testing testing I think the same thing earlier I was like ah that's thank goodness Yeah. Testing. Testing. So he drew the shorts.

Oh, really? call the meeting to order. But before we have the prayer, I'm going to make an announcement to let you know what's really going on tonight. Today, Loyal, North Carolina is 147 years old. Our birthday is today, February the 10th. And we started in 1879. We're 147 years old. But in honor of Lo's birthday, after the invocation, we got cupcakes out there and water for everyone. So, we're going to have have Tommy lead us in happy birthday to Loy after we get through the invocation, pledge of allegiance. Go ahead, pastor, if you would.

Thank you.

Good evening. Thank you to the mayor and to the city council and the other um officials who are here. Uh always appreciate the invitation to be here on behalf of Loly United Methodist. Let's bow our heads in prayer. Oh God, we thank you for this day that you have provided. We thank you for getting us through the recent severe weather. And help us to remember that even with the dangers that it brings, that the beautiful snow, the pristine white layers that were covering everything are a reminder of your beautiful creation and the variety of it. Oh Lord, we thank you for all of those who live in and serve this city. We ask that you would always be with Lowel. As we celebrate its birthday today, we remember its long history and heritage and how important it is to all of us who are part of it. We ask that you would continue to be with those who are hungry and homeless and hurting even at this very hour as we do the city's business, particularly if we see continued winter weather. Please protect those who are most vulnerable. We ask all these things in Jesus' name. And all God's children assembled said together.

Amen. Amen. Now we'll have the pledge of allegiance. I pledge alce 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. Now ask Tommy to lead us in happy birthday to L. They want to have that cupcake. Go ahead. U Mr. Mayor, I would like to definitely sing happy birthday to this wonderful city, but I want to make sure it's okay with the council because I know they had some kind of ordinance that uh there will be no singing. Am I right, Mr. Chitwood? Y'all do what you want to do. Is it okay, Shane? I don't have a problem with

Chief B. Let's stand and sing happy birthday. It's great town. Thank you. Happy birthday to Lord. Happy birthday to Lord. Happy birthday, dear Lord. Happy birthday to you. Let's go out here. Let's have the cupcakes and water before we have the meeting. Let's Let's enjoy ourselves. Come on. We got plenty. If you don't mind, let's go ahead and continue with the meeting so we can get out of here tonight. They can go grab one.

I want the citizens to have an opportunity and that way they can the meeting out. They can unfortunately that's not a part of the agenda. If it was on the agenda, we could take a moment, but anyone in the audience can

if y'all want to get a donut I mean a cupcake help yourself. That water out there. Help yourselves. Thank you. Sorry about that. I didn't know I violated the constitutional rights of American people. I think it's enjoyable. It's a pleasure to to even know that, you know, that our city is 147 years old on. I think it's great. We've we've persevered and I hope we have another 147 years of the great greatest success that we've already encountered. And thank all. All right. The first thing on the Mr. U let's see here. Yeah. Public comments. Yeah. If anyone would like to speak, public comments. If you'd like to step up to the podium to state state your name, your address, and if you have any comments, we we'll take your comments now. Public comments if anyone would like to speak. Okay, there being none, we'll just continue with the agenda. And the next thing is going to be

I think they I think they heard the announcement. So anyway, public comments. There's none. Then we need the adoption of the agenda for this for this meeting. Make a motion to adopt the agenda. Second. All in favor? Thank you. All right. Now we have the pro approval minutes of January 13, 2026. Make a motion we approve the men for January 13, 2026.

Second. Okay. Proclamation. You going to call for call for a vote? I thought you already voted. No, you got to call for the vote.

Okay. All in favor the minutes. I think I thought you already voted on. My fault. Proclamation uh January 1st uh January uh January 2026. recognition of uh the month of February as Black History Month. I have a proclamation here I'm going to read out for us. Whereas February has been designated as Black History Month in which we pause to reflect on the contributions of the African-American community. And whereas in 1915, Harvard trained historian Carter G. Woodson began this began the association for the study of negro life and history. An organization that dedicated research and promoting achievements by black Americans and other people of African descent. Known today as the association for the study of African-American life and history. The group sponsored the National Negro History Week in 1926, 100 years ago, choosing the second week of February to conside coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Frederick Douglas. Whereas in 1976, Black America Month was finally recognized by President Gerald Ford to honor and affirm the importance of black history throughout our American experience and serve to promote culture and enhancement and ethnic pride and self-esteem by celebrating the lives and achievements of great African-Americans. And whereas Black History Month is a time for all Americans to remember the stories of teachings of those who helped build our nation, took a stance against prejudice to build lives of dignity and opportunity, advance the cause of civil rights, and strengthen families and communities. Whereas during Black History Month, all Americans are encouraged to reflect on past success and challenge of American African-Americans and look to the future to continue to improve society so that we live up to the ideals of freedom,

equality, and justice. Now therefore, that the city of Lel city council hereby proclaim that February is honored as Black History Month and urges all citizens to join in and pay in tribute to the noble struggle of African-Americans and encouragement and encourage appropriate programs and activities that honor the significant contributions African-Americans have made toward our town, state, and nation. This the 10th day of February, 2026. We need a motion to adopt this.

Make a motion we adopt this proclamation. I have a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Unanimous. Now, we have a I want to recognize an officer, Officer Farmer. Um he did a heroic thing on November the 14th, 2025. One of our business people here in town almost suffered a fatal accident when he fell on fell a truck wheel hit him and knocked him to the ground. But Officer Cameron Blake Farmer quickly moved into action administering life-saving medical skills to control bleeding to pre prevent the patient from going into shock. But I'm going to read the whole ordinance, please. Okay. This resolution acknowledges the service of police officers. All the police officers, but especially one that went out of beyond the call of duty. Whereas the city of L seeking acknowledge officer Cameron Blake Farmer of the city of Ly Police Department for his knowledge, dedication, his professionalism during a near suffering from a traumatic head injury. Whereas loyal police officer Cameron Blake Farmer responded to the mercy call for help that was dispatched to EMS at 308 North Church Street, Lo, North Carolina Deals Automotive on November 14, 2025. Whereas Officer Cameron Blake Farmer quickly moved into action administering lifesaving medical skills to control bleeding and to prevent the patient from going into shock. Now therefore be it resolved by the city of ly and the city council of ly that on behalf of the citizens and council of ly we hereby recognize acknowledge the bravery professionalism training and compassion

of officer Cameron Blake Farmer this resolution is to be adopted on the 10th day of February 2020. We have a motion. Make a motion to adopt. Have a second. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. And thank you to Officer Farmer David. Would you like to say anything at this time at the Well, I wish he was here, but I mean I I really appreciate it. All right. Yeah, I said he really saved my life. And that's right. We're glad to still have you more than the EMS did, evidently.

All right. We're glad to have you still here. And thank you, David, and and sorry you had to go through what you did, but we we're lucky to have the people there to help you. And God bless you. All right. The next thing on here is the U consent agenda. Adopt the consent agenda. We have a motion to do that. Make a motion we adopt the consent agenda. Have a second. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. And approval of the minutes of December 9th, 2025. We need motion for that. Make a motion to approve the December 25th meeting. Have a second. Have a second. Second.

Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. He's Shane. Second. All right. The new business, the rec center gravel contract. Uh Tom.

Yep. So, in your in your packet right now, we have uh we discussed um about creating some additional parking at the low rec center. Um if you're facing the low rec center on the right hand side, there's a large uh grassy lot there. Um, we went out and got three bids and those bids are in your packet and the city of Lo's recommendation is to go with the Mason grad to complete the work at 13,500. I have a question. Um, it says part one, part two. Yes. So, so that means 135 part one and they're going to come back and do part two or that

So, so the part one is just for the gravel 135. If we wanted to do the paving part, it's 135 plus 149. Yeah. So, our recommendation is just to go with the graveling of that space at 13,500 with Mason grade and paid a motion in a second before we have discussion. If you're going to do this, I have a motion to do this. Make a motion to approve mason grading for part one. Second.

Okay. And we have a motion in a second. But under second by Mr. Bates, Mr. Smith made the motion. Under discussion, how much air are you talking about for to pay this much money? Uh, it's going to be 97 by 70. 9,570 ft. Yeah. 97 by 70. 97 by 70. That's about what? 60 about 7,000 square ft or less. about 6,700 square feet. And all this is is grading out and putting gravel. Correct. That's correct. It's grading and grabbing the parking lot. Um adding one 150 tons of stone to the parking

um to that area. Like I said, to the right of the rec center.

Here's here's my question. You know, we can get gravel ourselves and we got a city crew out here and all it takes is scraping it out and fixing the covers and putting in some piping to where the water run away. And I don't and shouldn't take us but a couple days to, you know, to do it ourselves. I don't see why we need a contractor to do something that we have the equipment to do. It would save us a fortune. We're already paying the labor. That's up to the board. I don't make decisions, but I have an understanding of what things cost. And you're talking about a lot of gravel, and that would cover way more than the amount of square footage you're talking about. But it's up to the board. I think our public works is already overwhelmed with the work they've got going on and be better off just to contract it out.

Yeah. But you I don't think that we finally understand this could not this doesn't have to be done just take the crew and just go do it. They can do a little bit here and a little bit there and and the job's done. It saves a for thing about that is is people continue to park right there and tearing it up as they as they're doing it. They're still going to park there. So I I agree with going along with this with the contract out but you have really no parking. There's not you got a you got the power lines that you're talking about in there. I mean don't think anyone's really looked at what you're paying for. I mean paying to have that right beside the

Yes. the building an enormous amount of money to pay a little bit. I mean the it's only going to be concrete. You're not paving anything. You're grading and putting gravel. Grading putting gravel. You should put some covers out there to carry the water away. It needs to be done engineered right. But you know, if you still going to come back do part two or whatever you're talking about, it's not if it's going to be $27,000 for that little bit of grading and paving that we could do the grading and get by with it for a year or two and it's a whole lot better than what you have. So you're saying just grade it and not put gravel on? Grade it and put the gravel on it. Let the city crew do it and save the money. But I mean like he just said, aren't they stretched thin as it is? And it's not something I'm asking you. I mean,

we have a crew out there and we have equipment to do it. We can grade it ourselves and we can put the cover in ourselves. That's what we do. That's what the public works does. I don't think any other city would entertain the thought of making a parking lot out of a small area like that and going out and taking bits when you have a crew that doesn't. It's just using it's utilizing their equipment and our people. But you it's up to you. Y'all make the decision on what you do with the money. I don't I don't know what equipment they have, but I don't think they have the right equipment for the grade like a skid suit or something like that. You can't just take a a backho out there.

You can take a tractor out there and you can grade it out. And it's just common sense. And you can take and dig out dig out your ditches and have a cover and fix it and make the See, are they putting in covers out there and it's price? There there's a culvert that runs down Roguson. There's a cover out there. It has no concrete covered in the cover. It's just a ditch. That's right. And that's a ditch to take it carries water and mess all that other folks homes and things like that when you could install it correctly and make it worthwhile.

Not to where it's going to, you know, continue deteriorate other folks property as well as our own property and that's up to this council. They got a motion to second. Any more discussion? All in favor? All opposed? Unanimous. Thank you. All right. The next thing is the discussion on renaming the rec center.

So, uh it's we've talked about the what the name should be for this little rec center and I think with all the improvements that we've currently done to the the actual rec center itself. Um, with the adding this addition of the parking lot, I think it's time that we go ahead and name this rec center the L rec center. Um, in your packet, um, I have some I have a rendering of what this the proposed sign would look like. Um, just this is just a mockup. Um, that just says L rec center, but it is our recommendation that we go ahead and name the L rec center as is L rec center. I can't tell in the picture, Tyler, but is that lit at night time or is it

It's not It's not going to be illuminated. Okay. But I guess we could put some some kind of light somewhere on the building to illuminate. Yes. And and and I can also get u pricing on what it would cost to have an illuminated sign as well. I could get both of those. Like Mr. Bates said, I think putting the spotlight something on it would be fine. I think that'd be cheaper than Yeah, it would. I believe so. Goes out having to replace. That's right. But again, it's our recommendation that we move forward with just naming this uh the rec center the L recreation center.

I'll make a motion to approve the signage as is L recreation center. Second.

Second. All right, here's under discussion. The guy that spent all the money and built that building, Joe and Joe Hudson built that building, Court Robinson donated the land and the city came out with grant money and $500,000 to purchase that building. How can you leave out the people that originally did what we had? We had nothing. Mr. Robson donated the land. Mr. Hudson paid for the building. You don't want to put his name on there at all. And he should have enough about us to understand this to let the citizens name this thing. Let the citizens go out and recommend some names for it rather than the council sitting here and just saying this is where it's going to be. The people should be involved in anything we do. And it should be time for us to let folks have an a voice in what we name anything. Whether it be the community center, whatever we do, if we change something or whatever, to let the citizens have a voice in it, rather than this council sitting here saying it should be named the loyal recreation center. It makes no sense to leave the people out that donated the land and built the building. Even though the city went into the Salvation Army and gave him a half million dollars for this property that we've already spent enormous amount of money on the roof and all the up upgrades and things like that, not even having adequate parking out there, it's really a joke as far as what you the money that you're spending now to do the the parking along with this. You need to take time to study these things before you rush in here like something's got to happen yesterday. Fixing that parking lot's good. Here's the thing about it. It's been a long time coming. And what's the hurry whenever you can take your time, spend a little bit of money and take care of things and also naming something that has no bearing on the people that the history of the building and that is wrong as two left shoes because they should be honored forever.

Not disregarded just to name it Low Recreation Center which is a joke. We didn't built buy the building. They got a grant by the building. It's in L. Yes. But L has nothing to do with that building being that's been built down there and paid for by a citizen in L. I don't I don't see how you cannot have consideration with for the public to come in and name it. What's wrong with, you know, tableing it for a month or two to give the citizen opportunity to come before this board with some names for it. Let the citizens name it, not us. We don't have that. I mean, you have that right. Yes. But you should consider the citizens. Why are you going to determine? Let the citizens determine.

But how are you going to determine what if what if you get 10 different names from the citizens? That's right. Then you can make a decision. It's got to fall back to the council that decision you have now as one. You should honor the folks living here that that especially the ones that paid the money, provided the land. You don't think their name should be considered as part of it? I understand the discussion, mayor, but there's tons of people that

that building could be named after and naming after one. I I don't think that's fair. I think we keep it generic and um this has been discussed. Um I know at least at the budget meeting, we had discussion about it and then I think we've had prior discussions, but it's I think we just leave it generic and bill

may not have been, but I'm just saying we leave it generic. the guy that the people that provided the land that donated the money to build the guy built the building out of his own pocket. Not government money, not citizens money, his money. And that building would not be there if he hadn't if Mr. Robinson, Mr. Hudson had not done what they did for this town. We had nothing nothing. And you still have barely a a hint of what needs to be there. There still should be the salvation to be a Boys and Girls Club, not a city going out there and entertaining stuff that we do. Pickle ball brings no money to the city. A waste of money and all the things that we do out there is not what we need. It's good to have recreation. Absolutely. But you need to have control recreation, not to where people can come in here and not pay anything. Pickle ball brings in a lot of money. In the city of Charlotte, it's one of the biggest grow fastest growing businesses. Pickle ball. We don't charge anything. We don't even know who uses it. our citizens or who we don't know the itinerary but all we do is provide money but I suggest that we table this thing until the citizens have an opportunity to speak about renaming this thing because Mr. Hudson's family Mr. Robinson's family are the ones that donated the money. That's my recommendation. What y'all do is you taking this boy

and I'm I'm fine with little rec center. It's kind of in line with a I mean it was a little boy club as I was growing up. Joe Hudson boys the little boys club when I was growing up. Jr. Hudson and for us to maybe have a plaque or something in honor of those guys put on it somewhere. I don't have a problem with that. But as far as the name for me, I'm fine with Lil Rec Center. That's just me. All right, let's call for the vote then. All in favor? All I am, but I don't have a vote. Uh the next thing is the um if you got answer to the public, not for me. The next thing is the city manager report. Go ahead. I got one more thing. 6C.

Oh yeah, I'm sorry. Seven.

Yep. So if um we need to set a public hearing for the Lowry Lane subdivision, the planning board met on Monday, February 9th, 2026 and unan unanimously approved the development agreement to move it to the next phase, which is the city council to set a public hearing. I'll just go over a couple of highlights um of this development. Um this the development is going to be known as Lowry Oak subdivision. It contains an 18 lot uh single family lot subdivision. Um this is in the SFR3 district. It's going to have um one lot uh one home per lot. Um this contract is valid for two years. The developer is responsible for um providing any extensions to infrastructure. So, water, sewer, roads, sidewalks, that is all u paid for by the developer. Um all of the plans have been approved. The the final plat has been approved. Um and the bond has been posted. Um the the final piece that they need is to for us to set a public hearing for this development. And that uh public hearing should be set for um March the 10th at uh 2026 at 6:00 here at city hall.

I just need to make a motion to have a public hear set up public hearing. Right. Yes, sir. Made a motion to set a public hearing for the uh the subdivision Lowry Oaks. I'll make a motion to set public hearing for Lowry Lane subdivision on March 10th at 6 o'clock 26. I second. Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. All right. Go ahead, Tyler. What you got?

Um for the city manager report, just have a couple of u couple of updates. Uh would like to recognize all the staff uh police, public works for everything that they did during the uh the winter storm that we had. Um they both did an outstanding job. Public works, you know, worked around the clock for, you know, basically two weeks straight making sure everything was was intact. Uh they ran into some other things that they had to do along with removal of the snow, removal of the ice. So, I just want to give a hats off to the those departments. Uh, second thing is um for the active 50 and up, the Valentine's Day lunch is going to be th this Thursday at 12:00 at the Lord Church of God. And the lastly, oh, two more things. Uh, March 6 is our budget retreat here at 12:00 at City Hall. Um, lastly, March 4th at 5:15, the League of Municipalities Town and State Dinner is going to be in Concord. If any of the board would like to come, please let me know so I can get us registered. But again, that's going to be March 4th at 5:15 in Concord. You have anything else?

That's all I have. Madam attorney, do you have anything? No reports today. Thank you. Um James, I'd like to ped the same thing as far as the departments that uh Tyler noted. I mean, I know some of these public work guys have been working almost all night long on some of these leaks. So, you know, just hats off to those guys for for putting in the work. Anything else? That's it. Scott, same thing. I just like to recognize the departments for being out here and keeping the town running. Anything else? That's it. Mr. Chipwood,

same here with the employees. Uh I appreciate all of them what y'all done. Uh especially the public works out here with these cuz I called in one last night when I got out of the Masonic Lodge. It was a nice one. Uh but appreciate what they're doing with all the stuff. Everybody, police, everybody. So, same mayor, public works, police, fire, um, everybody that kept this city running during the, uh, two storms we had and and that continues to keep our city running. And thank you very much, Mr. West.

Just want to say the same thing. Thanks to God for the public's work at doing a marvelous job, all the departments, and this is Black History uh, recognition month that you gave a proclamation. I just want to uh, thank uh, Mr. Jackson for getting with the people. But they sold the land at the corner of Kinworthy and Main Street. There's a big I is it Times Turnaround or whatever the name of the store is, but it used to be a black lady there when we were growing up. Her name was Pearl Woods. And um we had a uh uh she had a store right in that particular area where the flat plaques. So, I want to just recognize her and thank God that the Times turnaround is still there. I'm sure she's smiling in heaven about that. and want to recognize uh Mr. Cleveland Patterson for being one of the first auxiliary policemen uh on the force and Stephen Key. And then there were a gentleman named Bobby Reid and mayor I remember you I know you remember him. He was a great worker for the city of Loyal. Uh he was great uh afroamerican and he did a lot for ly and I just want to uh thank all those people like that include my dad who was first to run for council. didn't win, but he gave me the mantle and thank God I did win. So, there are a lot of uh historical black people and thank you for giving that proclamation. Thank you.

Here's here's what you have anything else.

I understand what they did a great job. No one can take that away from them, working on things like that to help us get through the snow and the ice. We got to have some common sense. We can't keep fixing the same old water lines over and over and over. It keeps it up keeps them up all night. these little 2-in water lines coming off a 6-in water line up here on Main Street like I talked with you today. What needs to be done is to go out there and replace that line with a 4 inch line. It wouldn't cost that much. Eliminate these problems. We see you what what the council don't really understand, I don't think, is how much it cost us every time we have a leak and and every time that we fix these things over and the same old leaks and we all we do is put a band-aid on and walk away from it and come back two weeks later. That's like like in cold weather, icy weather like this, you're going to have problems. Yes. But you don't need to have the same old problems over and over again. It causes water. We lose mount large amounts of water. Time consuming people having to lose their water to get ready for school and things like that. And we have to be leaders. We have to damn sure be good stewards of the money. If we can't take care of the money and be good leaders, there's something wrong with us. You can't continually throw money away and tell me you're doing good. said, "How you don't even have an idea how much water loss we have just this month alone." And today they came up and read the meters. Now, have you had any studies at all to see how much how far over we are as far as how much we that we're, you know, the pe the citizens are paying the water bills, but these water leaks, we don't get anything for that. But you take the money that you have in the bank sitting over there drawing nearly nothing and and bring the city up to like it should be. The ballpark out there is a joke. all that all that parking out there in the mud. We did and another thing, Tyler, we paid all that money for the hardwood floors in the gym that still has cracks and holes around the whole edges that moisture gets in there and you have all that enormous amount of mildew in that building in that building you renamed

LOL putting their name on it and I'm ashamed of what we have out there. We we should take care of what the buildings that we have. just like this building whatever anything we own and in the future come up with a plan like I ask you today have you talked to anyone today about a 4 in water line what it would cost to run about 400 ft of water line I haven't but I can say that they didn't they did replace that line up there when they repaired it they didn't they didn't put a clamp on it that's a 2in water line that's

it's been leaking three times this month three times not one three now you tell me how's it how is it fixed how is it fixed. If it's leaked three times, a major water leak all night, the staff had to staff there all night long in the cold, fixing these crazy water lines, you as city manager and us as a council should be providing good equipment and taking care of these things as it happens and and and stay ahead of it, not wait until you have a major water leak and we have the money to take care of it. And just like this deal we got going with the sewer down here. And I've got a list of amounts of sewer that we're using is 200 and some thousand gallons a day.

And we have a tank for what 650,000 gallons. Nowhere near capacity. The road going in out there is a joke. You know that. You've been you've been here long enough to know we have no way in and out of that sewer plant down there, especially inclement weather like we've had just experienced. and all that slag and all the salt and things they put down there is washing into the river. There's no And I I'm not discrediting our staff. I'm discrediting you a city manager and the public works director for not doing their job. And and anytime that you have a leak at three times in the same property, do you think we have a problem? Sure we do. And you're talking about what they patched last night was that in front of the uh Sonic Lodge. They didn't replace that whole line for that needs to be replaced.

I didn't say they replace. They replaced the section that was That's right. That's broke. A band-aid. And that's what we continue to do. A band-aid. It needs to be replaced and put the 4 in line out there that's going to accommodate the citizens of L and stop them from losing water and stop us from having to pay water that's going in a ditch that's just tearing up a road property all around it. I'm not opposed to to to replacing a lot of water a lot of water lines, but when we have a leak like that, we can't just go out on the spot and replace the whole line. I We've got to plan for that. And I agree that we need to plan for that. But you can't just go out when they have the leak like that.

How many feet did they dig last night? How many feet did they dig on the previous two? And then you're only about 50 60 ft from the whole line being replaced. I'm not opposed to to planning to to fix it. But I mean I think we got a plan to do that.

And I'm glad I'm glad you brought that up. You're right. It's all stuff preventing maintenance is the best maintenance you can have. If you don't change the oil in your car and you don't wash your clothes, you don't take a bath, you don't go to the doctor, you're going to die. The car is not going to run either. So it's all called preventive maintenance. And we have no program called prevented maintenance. We should have. And also prevented maintenance would be to incur building new lines and things like that. And also when you do put a new line in, make sure it's put in correctly. And also this deal with the sewer down here, this $8 some million dollar grant that you got to me. I don't see and how you going to get in there to work. You don't even have a road to get into the building. No. And we told you I know this council's spoken with you before about getting that road fixed and fixing the ditches and things like that. There's nothing been done. and the poor old guy that works out there failed and almost broke his thumb and it's just, you know, we got we got to look out for each other and also to take care of that sewer system out there. We have one guy and one engineer that we're paying about $60,000 a year and I think you're that you're with your recommendation to this council to increase it to $64,000 for an engineer and a guy to run the sewer plant. You couldn't you couldn't pay two rivers and you know what it cost if we had gone to two rivers how much it would have cost but those two guys go above and beyond the call of duty every day. Every day they keep it running and right now you're only using 200,000 gallons a day. Fire arms is closed down at a meal, you know, it's closed down. So maybe maybe someday people will understand we were getting a lot of extra we're having to service a lot of treatment for stuff that we never got paid for and that's the same way today and now we know that we're only using you got you got your records right he turned the records into you is 200,000 gallons a day correctly said when you had the snowfall I mean the ice or water we have the flood

it's went to like 300 something thousand but your average is 200,000 gallons a day and that's taxpayers money and once you get the grant and set the grant up like you're talking about this grant for 8.2 2 million, whatever it is, whatever we spend, we spend it first and then they reimburse us. I've never seen a copy of the grant. Has anyone on the council seen a copy of this grant? Anyone even know what we're doing? Minister, you can go online and look at it. Yeah. You seen it? I have. Okay. What we do is we we we spend the money and we pay for it and then they reimburse us. Correct.

I'm just saying you can go online and I'm just ask I'm telling you, you can go online and read a bit. But the citizens don't have I guess they can as well, but still they need to know how much this deal is costing us and how can you get into the sewer plant and work on it if you can't even get into the sewer plant. The road needs to be fixed. That's the first and foremost thing I would think that would be taken care of is the way to get. You say that like you can't get down to the sewer plant. I went down to the sewer plant multiple times recently and had no issues getting down. You think it's good? Well, I ain't saying it's a great road. It's a gravel. I mean, it's a But I don't think you fix the road and then have all this construction going up and down that road to tear the road up.

It's not. It's called preventive maintenance. Like, would you want to take your truck if you work for the these companies are coming in and you don't even have a way in there and you got to go through those big holes and potholes and no gravel on it. It's not that bad down through there. I've been down through there several times in my personal truck. I don't see an issue with and all the water and all the stuff running to the river. That's a different issue. You're talking about the road. Now you want to go talk about the water. I'm talking about the water. I'm talking about all the stuff that goes into the river. All the sludge, all the mess and all the trash that goes into our rivers. Okay. That's a different that's a different subject rather than

road and ditches have to be cleaned out and and maintenance has to be done. I wouldn't want to work for a company go there and tear my damn truck up going in and out of there with no potholes. you say maybe I don't know maybe you think it's good and that's your opinion as a person I didn't say it couldn't be improved a lot but it's not to the point that this construction company that's going to be coming in do the work mayor is going to have problems getting down there to do the work hasn't this council instructed them to clean that up and take care of that and fix that road and improve that road way to get in and out has not been instructions from y'all I have not heard that I think the discussion was we were going to fix the road once all the improvements were cuz

I don't know. So you can take the $8.2 million and put pavement out there. No, that's not what it's for. But to get in there to work on that plant, you got to have a way in there. They access it every day to go to work. Yes, they do. And it's terrible. So it's terrible. Are you proud of that street? I wish every citizen of the Lord go down and ride on that street and they'll come back and say the same thing. I don't I don't think anybody money take care of it. I don't think anybody on the board's saying that the road is in pristine condition. What they're saying is they're not going to put the money to fix the road when we're going to be bringing heavy equipment down there to tear it up again. Also, I just want to remind everyone that we do have an agenda to stick to and that's not a matter right now to be approved on. It's a discussion. The mayor and council can bring up what they want to at this time and I'm

but I'm hearing approval and we need to approve certain things and that's not a matter on the agenda to approve. It's not on the agenda, but just like them, they had a think chance to bring up what they wanted to, and I have an opportunity to bring up what I want to, whether I get action on it or not. I just want the citizen to know this dire situation. Well, there won't be any action to it. I'm just saying it's on the agenda.

It's fine. They don't have any action on, but I still have a right to bring up what I want to bring up. And also, getting back to the ballpark deal is a mud hole. It's the It's the worst it's ever been right now for people not to be able to get in and out, access our ball field and things like that and all the vents we have and having to walk through that mud and all that stuff. Why would you not want to put gravel and clean that place up? That's something that you already have a mess in. Is it wrong to fix that? There's not a problem fixing that. I would love to have that fixed, too. But I think for what we've addressed tonight on on the right side of the building, that's going to get us up close to the building instead of having to have people walk from the parking lot at the park all the way over.

I don't know. But you're right, that does need to be addressed as well. Thank you. And also and I think by graveling that side of the building, it's going to prevent some of the traffic that's been parking across the street on on the other side on the power lines because I think people's trying to stay close to the building. So I think maybe putting some gravel down there will invite people to park beside the building rather than walking across the street becoming a safety issue too. Yeah.

And keeping them from making mud holes across the street. And here's another thing. Here's here's what really irrinates me is the fact of this. We own Ruggedson Boulevard. Duke Power used to pay us money for for the property out there. Now we've given Duke Power's given it to Lauren Boulevard is an ideal place to park now. It has grassy fields. People can park there, but yes, they have to cross the street if they do that. But look how much money. What are we doing with it? It's just, you know, it's just a grassy area that we cut the grass on. We don't get anything for from it. Just like in the situation at the B park itself, we we don't need that uh what do you call that thing? Recycling bin out there. We need that like we need a hole in the head. We don't need the uh providing people who make money. Duke Energy make money off of a charging station out there that we don't get a dime from. Not one dime that we get, but they don't pay us any property taxes either. Who in the blank has taken I mean what you you got to take the bull by the horns and understand we're not in the business the city's not in the business of making people money. We're in the business of maintaining and operating our city. And how much money is that is that charging station bringing in the law Tyler? Zero. Correct. Zero. Zero. They charge a fee for it. They make money. Duke Energy send you a bill for all this power. What do you do? You write them a check or you don't have power. What in the how in the world? That's why I wanted our attorney to be here tonight. And I'm sorry not to speak bad of him or whatever, but when you make a decision like that and you lead the council to do something that erroneous and crazy, there's something wrong with with the people leading the city, whether it be the attorney and the people sitting in these chairs to go in there and provide that. I have no no recollection. I see nothing in the minutes as far as what how it was approved. Have you seen anything, Tyler?

I haven't looked. I've asked you to look several times. All the All the minutes are online. I'm talking you're the city manager. You're the one that provides the money for the city. You're the one that has to bring money. We don't pay anything for the charging stations. We pay What do you mean we don't pay anything? We're giving up property. We're giving up parking. We're giving up We're giving them We're giving them a chance to make money off of us with no no money to us. I'd appreciate you quit your yelling. I'm not yelling. I'm speaking. I would like to call point of order so we can move on. That is point I'm speaking. And if you don't like what I'm saying, madam attorney, get your jacket and go. But I've got things here that I want to talk about. Now, there's a motion that's procedural. We do need to cons.

That's fine. You got a motion, a second. All in favor? All opposed? I am. This is the way things happen in law. This is why, sir, we've called the point of order for us to move on to the next part of the agenda. I'm still speaking. No, sir. You're done. We do need to continue. I'll wrap it up, but here's here's what I want to say. No, sir. We're done. citizens the citizens sitting out there at home need to know how their money is being spent and how the roads are being taken care of and why they have these water leaks. That's my final statement.

All right. Now you got on on the next thing on the agenda. You want to go into a closed session to establish to instruct the public bodies uh staff or negotiating agents to talk about things uh in privacy.

going to laugh at you all the way to laugh at. Yes, sir. You all the way to the back. It's worth about $3.5 million cuz you're going to spend about5 or six million just just fixing your your parking lot. Where you going? Got it. Okay. I'm sorry. Yeah. We got to have a motion to go out of his exit session. A motion to adjourn. Right. Make a motion we go out of close session. A motion to journ at the same time. Already done that. Oh, did you? I didn't hear that. You second it. Come out of close session. My fault. I got make a motion we adjourn. All right. Good. Have a second. All in favor. Thank you. Y'all have a good night. Good weekend. Good. That's a pleasure meeting you all.

Thank you for putting up with us tonight. Come back anytime. Yeah. That's a