City Council - Regular Meeting

Testing, testing, testing.

You're going to end up with the sheriff. Talk to Shane coming.

Huh? Right on time. All right. Okay. We'll go ahead and uh call the meeting in order and ask Pastor Ellen to lead us in their invocation. Everyone please stand. Welcome. Everyone welcome.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's always a privilege to represent Lois Meyer United Methodist Church. Thank you for your invitation. Thank you to all the city council and city staff as well and to particularly um the member of our church um Councilman Dwayne Chitwood. Let us bow our heads and hearts together today. Oh God, we come before you with great gratitude. Particularly, we are thankful for the recent Easter season. We thank you for the gift and the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for being a God of love who is with us now in this very room. You never leave us or forsake us, oh Lord. Your grace has brought us safe thus far, and your grace will lead us home. We thank you for making each of us in this room, every person we meet, every citizen of this city and every city in your own image, oh Lord, with dignity and infinite worth. We thank you for the calling you've given each one of us to be good stewards of your creation, to bless and work for our city here in Lowel, to love our neighbors as ourselves. Thank you as well tonight, God, for these your servants. Our mayor, our city council members, city manager, and all our city staff. We are grateful for everything that they give us each and every day as they work for our community and the betterment of it. We also give thanks for the way of service that has been chosen to take up on behalf of all of us. We all come to this room tonight as complex human beings carrying burdens, carrying joy and hope, trusting that you alone can hold us together, oh God, in your love and peace. Help us, Lord, to trust you more, more than our fears and our wounds, and even more than our accomplishments. Let us lean on your everlasting arms tonight. We pray all these things in the name of the one who comes and all God's children assembled said together.

Amen. Amen. Thank you. Before we have the pledge of allegiance, I'd like to say this. It's time for us to be thankful for our soldiers, our military people, all these people laying in the street protesting what's going on in the world. But those soldiers 18, 20 years old out there on those battleships and on and out there flying overhead trying to take care of us. We need to remember them and let that be a lesson to all of us. Thank God for them. Thank God for our pastor here being with us tonight. Thank God for all of them. Amen. And now we'll have the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. I pledge allegiance 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. Thank you.

And thanks everyone. Thank you for being here. All right, we got one member out tonight. Looks like Mr. Robinson. So, we'll make that duly noted. All right. Then the uh first thing on the agenda will be the public comments if anyone has anything to say. Just don't need to adopt the says public comment. Okay. Sorry. My I'm sorry. Okay. Yeah. Please if you be the attorney, I'll try to be the mayor. Fair not. Thank you. All right. Let's get busy. Oh, sorry. Are we Yes, sir. Yeah. Just state your name for the for the record, please. Microphone here. Thank you. We appreciate you being here.

Uh my name is Steven Artga, member of the city of Lowel. Um I just had a

Oh, address uh 1203 Jenna Land Court, Lel, North Carolina. Uh am I good to go? Awesome. Yeah, I just had one primary sort of comment question. Uh we moved in about a year ago and when we had moved in I saw an article in the Gasting Gazette I think from maybe like 3 years ago that they installed smart water meters like the the ones that could be read without manually you know 3 or 4 years ago and I know in the article it had mentioned having the ability to like access that data in real time like actually being able to see your water usage. Um, I know last year around this time in the summer there was a large issue with the with the water usage and people were complaining about it and I think one of the biggest issues regarding it is surrounding visibility. People have no idea how much water they're using and then they get this bill at the end of the month and it's like you've used you know this many cubic feet of water and they have absolutely no visibility as to oh that was on Tuesday or that was on Thursday and so maybe it's something that I'm missing but it from from my understanding it seemed as if the article written indicated that with these smart water meters there would be some sort of uh visibility into up to the minute or you know up to the hour water usage. uh if the city's not planning on like fleshing out some sort of whole application or something like that, just anything with like raw public accessible data I think would be very useful for the citizens just to be able to see where their water usage is from day to day. Uh with the electrical usage, I can log on my Duke Energy app and see that, oh, my electrical usage spiked at this time. Now I know what I need to conserve with the water usage. We're just completely flying in the dark on it. So, uh the issue is going to crop up again with the new construction houses and more people moving in. people are going to have these shocking water bills with zero visibility. Uh I don't know if we had the opportunity to be part of that that that two rivers utilities and we're managing it ourselves, but just a myriad of issues compounding and I think it's going to create more problems in the upcoming months.

So I think that the biggest thing, you know, we read the meters here in the office and if you have a spike in your water bill, they they usually let you know that something's going on. That's the good thing because they they monitor it pretty good. I know I've had a leak. They they let me know I was having a leak and I appreciated that. But as far as you know up to date minutes or whatever on you can anytime you feel that you need to have a have a question just call city hall and ask for Pam. She's in over the water department and she'll be glad to help you and that's a good idea to stay on top of it because you don't leave blind side either. Usually if something's going wrong they'll let you know and that and that helps you because you can get a plumber out there because if it's going up real high you you know usually you'll have a leak or something. But I appreciate you being here and I appreciate you speaking. That's that's what this is all about. A democracy, our little town to where people have have a place to come and vent their issues and thank God for you.

Anything else? No, sir. All right. Well, thank you for being here. Anyone else like to speak?

Candy Thunderberg, 600 Robusen Boulevard. I know y'all are getting ready to have another budget meeting on Friday. you can't speak on Friday. So, I was just going to bring some thoughts forward to you you guys tonight. Um, in 2021 and 20 the 202122 budget, the council at that time increased taxes by 6 cents. Um, because the police department and I think Mr. Bates, he was the chief at that time, which he did a great job as an officer and the chief. um they wanted two police officers, three new cars, and body cams for each officer. So, we increased um the budget, the taxes, excuse me, by six cents. And actually six cents on $100,000 house is only $60 a year or $5 a month. Okay. Um and the reason uh Mr. Chief Bates at that time requested these things was uh he's very concerned about the safety of his officers working alone at night and and now um with the increase in crime and everything's coming from Charlotte and for some reason everybody finds lawy um I feel like we need to increase uh our police department again and for this budget I know the only thing I know they're wanting two police officers two cars, an increase in pay. And I believe to get two police officers, it's going to take four cents increase. And on a $100,000 house, that's $40 a year or $3.33 a month. On a I'm going to go from 100 to $400,000 house is $160 a year and $13.33 a month. And I really hope that y'all will think about that. I don't know a whole lot of the numbers anymore since I'm not on council, but we need more

police officers. FBI stats several years ago, we're down four or five officers. So, if they're requesting two police officers and two cars, I hope you guys will give that to them because we need to and with all the houses that are just been built and there's more coming, we're going to have to have two p two police officers maybe every year for until we can get it built up. And I know y'all kind of were waiting on that tax revenue to come up, but it's not going to be here this year or next year or maybe not the next because all the houses won't be built out. So if you increase it now, this time, cut it again. You cut it 13.5 cents um two years ago and with that now there's a time that if that hadn't have been cut, we wouldn't I wouldn't be asking for a tax cut because definitely wouldn't have needed it. Thank you.

Thank you. I just, you know, what you say is true. You know, your taxes are always high. I agree with you. And whenever you folks had the re-evaluation, you didn't pay that any attention. That's why we were able to cut the taxes, Candy, because y'all didn't re when you had reevaluation, you didn't reduce the tax rate, not one cent. But since this council's been elected, this this city's been taken care of. This is the greatest council in the history in the history of cutting your taxes from 49 cent to 35 cent. And we're still we have we have a hangover. We got the fire department that we're paying this 11 and a half cent tax to the fire department. But people don't understand how tough it is to balance the budget and to keep and to keep things going. And having to borrow garbage trucks from another city is not nothing to do with our tax rate. It's because of lack of uh interest from the employees, especially public works director not to keep this facility to keep just equipment up to date. I haven't seen a truck wash since he's been here. I haven't seen anything. The tires are flat. The tires have steel. showing and then the police chief over there had his officer come over and read me the ride actually when I was over at the public works compound whenever one of the public works employees called and said I was over there harassing them. Listen, you got steel sticking out of the front of a tire steering tire. You better believe old Larry's going to be over there to let you know you don't drive those things on the highway and the policeman need to give them a ticket when they're not. I don't care if they work here or not. Listen, I'm talking. You're not interrupting me.

You're not interrupting me. You're out of order. I'm not loud. I'm talk. Listen, I'm 71 years old. I want to be able to hear what I'm saying. Well, then listen and have an education. He's not out of order if he's bringing this up in during public comment. This is public comment. Listen, I'm comment you have a a council member that wants to be recognized.

As someone comes in this council room and tells us about the tax rate, I have as a mayor, I want to let the folks know that we're not stupid. That we know what it cost to run this city. And that's what I'm that's what I'm speaking about. these folks these folks that continue to hack to hassle us about tax rate and things like that. That's not true. That's we're in good shape. We're still in good shape and we'll be able to balance this budget this year. But I I'll hush and I'll move on to my comments. Yes, please. Never say you were stupid. I'm not stupid. I uh like all of you, you're very smart people. You better believe it.

The city is doing great, but we need new police officers and everything for the city to have. then increase the taxes before cents. It's nothing. Nothing. Listen, if we if we if we need to raise taxes, we'll raise taxes. But right now, enjoy.

I hadn't had I've had none of you folks that had your taxes cut come up here and write a check for the difference what you were paying. You don't have to, but if you feel like you want to make a donation to the city, we're always open. And if you want to write a check, we'll take it. And thank you. Now, what's the anyone else having? I'm just glad I was able to speak and I'm sorry if I interrupted anyone, but I did not. But if you have anyone else that would like to speak, please do it. That's what this is open. This is an open meeting. If you have anything to say, please speak. And thank you, Mr. Chipwood, for interfering. The next thing on the agenda, the next thing on the agenda will be the adoption of the agenda for this meeting. Make a motion to adopt the agenda. Hold on. We need to make

to add 6B and 6 C to the agenda. Okay. I'm sorry I didn't see that. The motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of 6B and 6 C. All right. Thank you. Any discussion? All in favor? Thank this this adopt the agenda for the night with this two changes. Thank you. All right. The next thing on the agenda is going to be the approval of the minutes from uh 310 2026. If you have any questions or if you'd like to approve the agenda, I mean approve the uh the minutes, please do so at this time. Make a motion we approve the minutes for March 10th, 2026. Second.

Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. Now, we can uh do the uh what what's the special presentation? What is that for? I mean, it's on here. I just I didn't know either. Since you want to be the mayor, I guess you could tell me what it was. Thank you. consent the consent agenda. Please please say the same. All I all I was asking you to do was say it in a quieter voice. There's no reason to yell. I only have one. We're all amongst theelves right here all in the same room. I appreciate your interest, but I'm going to I'm going to be heard whether you understand it or not. I want you to understand what I'm saying. That's why I speak loud because I want you to understand what I'm saying. Okay. The next thing on here is the consent agenda. I just turned it off. Well, thank you. The consent agenda, please. Uh if you want to adopt,

I'll make a motion. We adopt the consent agenda. Entire consent agenda. Thank you. Second. Thank you. Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. Public hearing for article 8 text amendment. You have that Tyler? Yeah. Uh we're both uh we'll open public uh public hearing to consider proposed text amendment to the city of laws development ordinance article 8 dash uh 8.1 table of view section one general use to add the use of motorcycle sales new and use arts and service and recreational uh vehicle sales and use to the MU mixuse district as a listed use. Okay, we're now in public hearing. If anyone has a comment on this, we need to make a motion to go in public hearing. Make a motion to go in public hearing.

Second. I thought the mayor could just automatically say go ahead and go in public hearing. It should be. It's on the mayor. Excuse me. I should have said that. Yeah. All right. So, we need a motion to go into public hearing. Got a motion to second. Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. All right. Okay. We're in public hearing. If anyone would like to speak at this time about the matter we're talking about, you're welcome to. Anyone? There not been any comment from the public. The council have any comments?

So that the we're approving for all the multi-use be able to do motorcycles and repairs for all multi-use or just that one section. We're talking about it this list. So when this is Yeah. So, if this gets approved, um, it would be for any of the MU districts, MU2 districts. So, I thought we were just going to do that reszone that down there. That's Yeah. So, there was Huh? for the campers for the campers and

and we can and you can amend this of how we're how this wants to be approved by saying how you'd like if you want to make that like a conditional down there for that you could do that correct so what is proposed is just adding the two uses that motorcycle sales and then auto sales in the MU2 district for the whole district for the whole district that site anything that's currently zoned MU2. That's correct. Maybe reszone MU2. So, so for instance, if some of a housing development is MU2, they could have a motorcycle or camper repair in there is what it's saying.

That's right. Yes. And the the person that asked for this, I guess it's a person, correct? Business. Yes. Business, whatever. Are they here? Are they present tonight? They are not here tonight. So could So could I make the motion to make it conditional for that property only?

No, there's not a proposal just as to that property. The only option right for tonight is to change the zoning ordinance. That's kind of what the public hearing is about. If you you can choose not to change it. You can vote against it and then they could come back and try to reszone the property to something that would allow that particular I thought that's what we spoke. I thought that's what we the zoning is currently MU2. It's just adding the listed use for motorcycle sales there currently.

Right. So if it's not allowed if motorcycle sales are not allowed in MU2, they'd have to reszone it to 74 commercial or vehicle service, they'd have to come back as a reszoning to propose a particular zoning district that would allow that use. Correct. Well, this will just be a pre precursor and then we'll come back and adopt it to to to be the right ordinance in the book for whatever ordinance you're calling for. What What's the zoning ordinance you're looking for for this? What will be the correct zoning ordinance? Is that what you're changing it to? Is that what you're I'm not changing anything. I think there's a public hearing to add as a listed use to to MU2.

Correct. Well, that will change it from MU2, will Not still MU2 doesn't requ one amendment to put this in this for this one particular business but all all the areas MU2 will be have have motorcycle sales everywhere as an option is not just so it's just not it's not a true ordinance it's just this one field it's just an amendment yeah for this one particular individual well no it's actually a an amendment for all of MU2 that's what it should be I agree but not just for this one particular business if he's going to change is only it needs to be in that for the whole ordinance. That's right.

My my concern is if we have like a residential area or something within that mix use zone, then you're giving them access in residential area.

So that so you under other under other zoning regulations, it wouldn't They would they would be consider because under the under this one they would have to have like certain criterias and they meet those criterias for like storage of things. So they you wouldn't have like 20 recreational vehicles out in a residential area to work on because excuse me there's never if a person wanted to come before the council and ask for that they'd have the right to do the same thing as this as these folks are. Correct. Correct. There's other there there's other requirements that they would have other mitigation circumstances where correct

govern. So so that the likelihood of that happening in a residential area would not be likely because again there's going to be other stipulations that they would you put something on the books he put something out there and people read what's happening. I mean that you know people are are not stupid. They understand when you make changes in zoning and they're looking for they're looking for a way to enhance their property and make money. You know you open up the can of worms. I think it either it ought to be up or down to be included in that ordinance or not. It's not likely to happen. True. But is that 1% that did a good? No, because you because they can't they're not going to have the the amount in a neighborhood to store the the vehicles or the

they specific footage or acreage have. Yes. So, they had to have a square so much square footage to be able to do that. That's right. Yeah. Because you you couldn't park them on the road or in in the green. That's what I'm trying to figure out. I mean, excuse me. I think you're right. You're on the right track. Here's the thing about Do you know of any land space that would be available in that particular zoning now that would have a place for that? Is this the only place out here on 85 that would be to do that? Correct. There's I there's a there there's a cuff. We have we you just don't want to open yourself up for account something that you might get slapped in the face with or we might get slapped in the face with. Is it still open for people? Yes, you can. You're in the public hearing. Yes, we're still in the public hearing.

So, my question is if you would stand up and state your name, please. Thank you. Thank you. That way we got the clerk can put your name down there and let them know you were here tonight. Thank you. It's a 808. So, my question is instead of that. Uh, so my question is instead of like diluting down the MU2 side of it, then why can't we just have that individual just reszone it to what his criteria needs for his specific building instead of muddying it all for MU2 all around the board? And if it goes from that zoning to a different zoning, is there a different tax bracket that he has to pay for that property or anything so it stays the same? Yeah, it would.

Okay. So, I mean it I'm not telling you what to do. It just makes sense to quit adding on to MU2 that's affecting all MU2s is just have this individual come back and reszone for his particular property to better suit his needs versus a blanket effect for everybody's the property excuse me the property around you're talking about reszoning what's beside of it now what's all the whole the whole area down there on Indian walk is MU2 currently um and So, so any of those business would be able to do what they're doing. Correct. So, they would be able to do it. So, that's more than one area. Correct. Correct. That's what I'm asking.

Yeah. So, basically what happens is, so where the Indian motorcycle uh you where it currently sits, they are allowed to do the recreational vehicle sales there under the old ordinance. It never it did not change. So, they can sell the vehicles there. now where there's a there's a parcel that they also own directly beside of the Indian motorcycle shop now that they want to do use as like a prep area so when they sell the um campers there they can prep them there to get them out to the um new owner how much land space they presently have there how much what's the total area of land space probably like around two acres

it's two acres why I mean what's the need to uh the changes I Because currently right now they can operate their current business at the Indian Motorcycle Shop under the existing or under the old ordinance that it falls under. The the qu the problem that they have is that the vacant lot beside of them they can't do that under this ordinance because there was never an established business on that lot. So it's really only if so this putting this in place they can they can have the camper dealership there right now. That's what I said. So are we dealing with campers or motorcycles?

Recreational campers falls under recreational vehicles. So if it's already that then why do we need to change? Because it's they it's affect the the vacant parcel that sits beside of the Indian motorcycle shop. That's what this is. Seem like they're trying to get more land space. Is that correct? They just want to be able what they're wanting to do. They want to be able to access and use the the the vacant lot beside of the building. Yes, that would increase the property value because the president that and that's what has a good question because that will increase the property value I'm sure because it would go from whatever zoning out to where you can have more activities and make money.

Just need to read rather the motorcycle sales new and use. Should it not say recreational? Yeah. Since we're talking it it Yeah. Recreational vehicles the second line or the last line. Yeah. And service it all fall. It all falls on under that or is motorcycle sales covering where full throttle. No full throttle is able to to operate there already and so would the recreation zone. Yes.

So that's not affecting any other. It's not going to it's not going to it's not going to affect any of the areas. And again, it's just it's the reason for adding this listed use is so they can put a prep shop on the vacant lot. Um there would you need to add the accessory standards in the chapter 10.1-37 like these are here? Yeah, because we were just going to add as a list that you said on

it has to be in the ordinance that you're trying to trying to change all all It has to be specifically what you're doing, not me vague to where they can you can do it yourself or what as only chairman whatever or Miss Dumont whatever it needs to be in black and white as to what you can or cannot do under the changes. If you're going to make a change, it has to it has to be above above board across the line, not bits and pieces. But that's up to the council. I'm not I don't vote. I'm just a po What is it? Figure head. I don't know.

I pulled out the mixed use the our zoning map. There is only four properties in L that are businesses that are zones mixed. That's MU2. It's only four addresses, four and are all business. So there's no residential. Nothing residential. No residential. All right. I guess we need a motion to close the public hearing. Unless the council has any more questions. I'm sorry. Motion to make close public. Have a second. Second. All in favor? Thank you. Now we need to have a motion to adopt it or turn it down. Make a motion to approve article 8 text amendment.

Second. All right. Any more any discussion? All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. All right. Um, see the attorney report. We have items 6B and 6 C. I don't have it in front of me, but what is it? Thank you. Okay. All right. Then I guess it's u accept the city manager's resignation, right? We have a motion to accept the city manager resignation. Make a motion that we accept city manager's notice of resignation. Have a second.

Second. Right. Anyone under discuss anyone have anything in under discussion? I want to say Tyler, I thank you for for for trying to help us in your time here. I think you we we we're learning as we go along. I think you you learn a whole lot. But thank you for your service. Thank you. Thank you very much. Tyler, I just want to say I just came on board in November, but I've enjoyed working with you. I think you've done a wonderful job and uh certainly going to miss you. So wish you well and where wherever you go and whatever you do.

Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else have any comments? All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you, Tom. Uh the next thing will be the uh North Carolina lead municipalities I guess trying to get a city manager or whatever. That'd be up to the council to uh we just need to I guess try to find someone interim to uh we have a budget meeting coming up on Friday. Correct. I don't think we make a motion that we can consider the North Carolina League of Micros.

All right. Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. All right, Mr. Attorney, I don't have anything tonight. Hey, thank you. All right. Okay. How about you? I don't have anything. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Uh, Mr. P. Okay, Mr. Ch, Mr. Smith,

thank you to the citizens and staff, admins, police department for all you guys do. Thank Thank y'all for coming out and we appreciate it. Mr. thing, I got a few things. I want to I want to congratulate Mr. Smith for taking the lead and helping us recognize our our girls basketball team over here at Hullbrook Middle School. 61 wins, five state championships in a row. That's something to be proud of. You It looks like ESPN or even WBTV or someone would come recognize that is a feat that we will never see in our lifetime. But I'm so proud of them and I'm thanking you, Mr. Mr. Smith, for taking the lead on that. You're welcome.

And thank you. And uh another thing that I it's always been a concern of mine at the lower ballpark. We don't have any asphalt on the parking lot and we have all this pow bill money and things like that. And if we would change it to call it ballpark boulevard and use the pow bill money and alleviate our problems at the uh at the club at the uh new rec center to where you'd have parking and things like that. And also I don't Mr. attorney direct this question to you and that's not the I can't hate you for it because I don't hate him. I want to go to heaven. I don't hold no grudges. But how in the blank and I'm I'm going to leave it as a blank. Were they able to put a power company where they could charge cars on private on public property without no revenue to the city? No revenue. None. How can you how does that how can can any bit can any citizen go out there and put a business on on town property and not have to pay a fee or have to adhere to the zoning or anything? How does that work?

So you'd have to hear adhere to the zoning and you would have to have permission from the property owner to do that. I mean ultimately the council would have to give the permission to do what they did. Correct. Okay. Now you tell me I I've never seen the or I never seen the minutes as to when it happened. But I do want a record of how that happened and how, you know, an individual, you know, Duke Energy is a big company, I guess, and who who actually who owns that who owns the the uh activity going on out there and they're paying no property taxes. What what they're making money. Explain what you're asking. I'm not sure.

I'm asking you how they can have a business to charge cars out there and not no revenue to the city. No revenue whatsoever. You're talking about Herald Ranken Park. Yes. Okay. Where they put the charging station in. Okay. That to me that's the biggest unfair trade advantage in the history of mankind. People out here to open convenience store, they had to go out and buy the property, build the building and whatever. This is a business that they're not they're not spending any money on other than the to put the actual charging station in on our property with no revenue to the city and no one knows who owns it. Who who owns the charging station? Power. Well, let me ask you something. Did you power charge you for your power? Absolutely. At my house, they charge you for when you charge your vehicle.

I'm talking about they charge. You don't get any money out of it. Duke Energy does. That's what I'm trying to tell you. That's a business. We don't get nothing for it. And the town don't get any money from me on my energy bill. Duke Energy does. Yeah, but you're paying a Duke Energy bill. Listen, you're paying a Duke Energy bill. But you're paying You're paying Duke Energy. There's a business out there making money off of you that's hacking the citizens of law. They're making money because they have no they have no overhead. I didn't vote to put it in there. I didn't say you did. The question is this. How did it how was it able to to to go that way? It's above my head. Can't answer it. The city is the owner of the property would have to give permission for Duke Energy to install the charging station.

Yes. And other but listen, Duke Duke charges us for this power for this building. If they're going to make money out there, we should be getting revenue from that property for whatever business it is. Just like any business in town, you get money. How can you say that? that's okay without us getting a penny on our property that we own and they're putting a business on it making money and we don't get anything out of it. How how did that how was that concocted? I don't understand it. Well, that would be based on the city council at the time. Would you attorney at the time? Am I right? Were you attorney? What about the minutes and find No, this is serious business. You don't interrupt me. I don't interrupt you. I'm asking a serious question. How can they make money off the taxpayers alone? I'm going to excuse myself,

please. How can they make money off the taxpayers of low and not and they charge us for everything we use but we don't get any revenue? How can that be? How can that if that's not the that's what the contract says and that's what was voted on and presented to the council, then that's okay. The council in other words, if anyone want to go down to the ballpark and they want to present a to the council, they want to put a business in there, a car wash or whatever, they're making money. Who whatever business they going to put in there, they'll be making money. But to use, listen, but to use the taxpayers's property of the land, and not get a dime for it or get any revenue is ludicrous. I don't care what they say, you say or the pope, anyone. It that's not like a a legal question for me to answer one.

They're making money. You think Do you think they're making money? You think that Duke Energy is making money? That's not the issue. Mr. Mayor, read the minutes has nothing to do with it. You cannot go out. You cannot take You cannot use property like that. The council has the right to to make a decision to let me get me the minutes if I please. Uh just give me the minutes of it. You how you concocted it on your legal I didn't concoct anything. You had to come up with legal jargon for it to be adopted. It has to be a legal situation. We don't have a I'm still going to talk anything. I'm just letting

I appreciate it. That's good. And also, listen, here's this is very important. The city, the United States is going to be 250 years old. We're not we're not doing anything to help us. You know, we don't even have nothing planned for 250 years celebration. But y'all go ahead and go home. Thank you. We appreciate you coming. Money is crazy. I don't