City Council - Regular Meeting

Yeah. All right, guys. Good. City staff. Good. Hi. Welcome. Thanks for being here. Um, I'm going to call this February 10th meeting to order. Um, I want to do a little bit of housekeeping first. Thank you all for being here. We've got a packed house here and then we also have overflow. Thank you to Jeff and putting all of our technology together. Um, so that's awesome. There's also QR codes um as you enter and that's going to take you directly to our city website or the city YouTube site um if you have to leave and you want to follow along. So you can go to those and then just click the live recording to follow along. Um there is about a 30 second delay between this room and the next room. So give us grace as we're figuring out all of that. Um is there anything else Megan you wanted? Okay. Um but thank you guys for being here. Um I would like to call up Dr. Thorp um to give our invocation at this time. Oh, one more note. Since we're very very much have overflow, everybody, if you could pay attention to talking into the mic. That's a reminder for up here and for speakers. Thank you.

Good evening, Mayor Di. Good evening to the council. Uh let us pray. Lord, again, we thank you once again for this opportunity. We thank you for this time together, for the privilege of serving our community. We thank you for the gift of leadership and for the opportunity to work together for the common good. And Lord, we just ask you for your wisdom to guide us and every decision made in this council. Grant discernment to the the members as they deliberate on matters that impact the lives of so many. Help them to lead with integrity, courage and compassion, seeking justice and fairness in every action. We pray for unity among this body that differences may be bridged with understanding that the voice of every citizen is honored. And may the work done here tonight reflect your righteousness and bring lasting blessings to our city. We commit this meeting into your hands trusting that your spirit will guide us in every word and every decision in Jesus name we pray together. Amen.

Amen. Thank you Dr. Thorp. Um if you can rise, please rise with us. To the flag of the United States of America to it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you all. Um at this time I would like to recognize Grace with the visitors bureau. No. Yes. Okay. Grace, you got the floor.

Thank you. Um good evening everyone. Um and thank you um for having me here today. Uh in front of you I have um provided the proposal that was presented to us. Yes. A little bit more Mike if that's okay. Thank you.

Sure. um the proposal that was presented to us from Legit um Productions out of New York City. Um they reached out a few weeks ago in regards to um uh creating an episode for their sixth season of um Art in America, the story of Art in America. Um specifically, they reached out to do this in Burlington. Um and through my conversation with them um you know we would be required to provide them a list of couple of dozen different artists and their works and uh mediums and um at the end of the day the director would be deciding what's going to be best to create this episode. And if we actually um just go to the um I want to say page three um the one that shows the seasons maybe page four. So you can see um the development um that uh this production um has been in. Uh they did come out in season 2 to Raleigh and Asheville and I did reach out to both of them um obviously to confirm it but you you can find their um episodes online um and um they worked well with both of those communities. So we're excited to you know have this reach um them reaching out to Burlington. Um however with that said we realize a lot of our artisans um do work in other communities. Uh so I proposed that if possible if they would consider um coming to Graham because they said they really want to stick to just one community unless that community was in just a couple of minutes from the other. So um as we explore artisans there's that opportunity to represent have Graham represented in this episode. Um

and this is uh streamed. This is a prime video um production uh that will be um across those uh prime video 2B um ovation if you head to the next screen for me. um and and some that I haven't even I don't even recognize um but where you can see um the reach that it has um the ability to um get folks engaged and learn more about the arts in our community. Um so our board has met um and we discussed this and um we do believe it's a value um to our community. Um, and what we would like to do is obviously work with them with Burlington and we have made a request from them. If we can get them, you know, to also include Graham, that would be great. However, you have an opportunity to be recognized as a collaborator within this episode as well. Um, and if you decided to do that, then you get credit on, you know, on the show. Um, if not, you still may be in the show because the artists do work throughout the area. So, um, the total investment is actually $27,000 and um, our board has committed to cover $13,500. The city of Burlington has committed to the same. Um, so that takes care of the representation for us. However, if Graham would like to have um to be at that table to have some input on some artisans to present to the um director and then let them navigate how that episode will work, what's best for them within the series because it's not just about the art. They'll also be interviewing historians in our county um

and um folks to talk about tourism. This one is actually geared um to tourism and um let me go through here because he has quite a bit in here. So this one particularly for season six the entire season it's called public art in American story. It will be focused on the role of the public art in American cities from revitalizing local neighborhoods, improving tourism attractiveness, and telling stories about the history of the city. So, that's the goal in the um in the making of this um particular episode for us. Um I will let you know that um as part of this, we want to use it as a catalyst to create an initiative, an art initiative or even a trail um to highlight our local public art and drive visitors to our area.coucourage encouraging them to stay overnight obviously um but it does create another tourism product and I know we have this product here um but we'd like to look at using this as a catalyst to um make it stronger um so with that said um if the city of Graham is interested in participating as um one of the um folks that um you know come into this development for this um this investment um we are asking for $7,000 of the total 27 thus reducing both the um Alamance County Tourism um authority in the city of Burlington's um commitment down to 10,000. Um and so I don't know if anyone has any questions. Do you have an idea of uh an artist or a historian that you picture representing Graham in this? I know that that's a pitch to the director and they make that call, but

I know we have lots of artisans here. Um, I will be honest, someone that I think of right away happens to be Beachwood Metal Works and Casey who has done a lot of work across our area. Um, and of course tie into Alamance Arts and and so um but there, you know, we we've had some discussions uh with a handful. Um but certainly um there's lots of opportunity um to think, you know, what does that look like? Murals, artist, um art and parks. Um so hands-on uh they definitely want to be able to get into the artist studio and their space to showcase the work and how they do it. Um the episode is just shy of 30 minutes, so that'll fill in pretty quickly. Um, but I believe it's about they're looking for about 20 to 22 artisans to have a list from, contacts, what it is they do, how they do it. Um, kind of like a bio biography to each and then they'll decide from there, reach out to them. Of course, we need to know that they're interested in doing it. So,

okay. Any other questions for Grace? Okay. Thank you, Grace. You're welcome. Uh, council, is this something that you guys are interested in? I did talk to Megan and she said that sales tax could support this if we're interested. What's the deadline?

I was just about to say that um they're going to start to work on the production um later this summer according to the paperwork they've sent to us. It'll and then it'll be out um spring of next year. So the reality is we're committed in um where you can come in really I would say is pretty flexible. So if you decided within the next couple of months we definitely want in that's fine. we're going to tell them. But what I would like if we can develop it, but they start to create or decide on the artists and it doesn't work out to cover Graham maybe the way you may want it, um, then you probably wouldn't be investing in it. But if you want to secure that um representation, I would probably say within the next 30 days.

When is the arts When is the arts around the square? May 16th. It's not going to happen around May or no. Okay. I just thought that might be some great time, you know, to film around as far as Graham. Yeah. They are hyperfocused on the individual in their artwork. So you're looking for artists from Burlington.

It is primarily Burlington. Now, if if if you were to be an investor, if City of Graham was to be an investor, then we would say, okay, the city of Graham definitely is at the table and here are some, you know, artisans um from Graham to consider and ask that that the director builds some way somehow, even if it's just one artist, but that would be fair that we're we're covering and having that exposure specifically and including Graham Any thoughts? Well, let's not make we I don't want to make a decision tonight because it's worth

discussing. Okay, Megan, can we put that on the agenda for next week or next month? Sure. Okay, sounds great. Thank you, Grace. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you. Okay. Um, at this point, I would like to recognize parks and recck director Brian Faucet. for our 911 5K fundraiser. Thank you, sir, for being here. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, council. Um, I'm actually going to hand it off to, uh, Chief Tommy Cole from the fire department. Chief Cole, are you handling what's this? Okay. Um, and would like to call forward my staff, uh, Michelle Schaefer and Brandon McCandless as well.

And I'll do the same. Captain Chris Stokes, if you'll come forward, please. Chris, mayor and council, it's always exciting time for us to tell you about the amazing things that our work uh our departments are doing and to work with other organizations outside of Graham to support the missions that we all have as department heads and departments itself. So, at this time, I'm going to ask Ken Wisley if Ken would come up as a one of our partnering agencies or yeah, partnering agencies representing them. So, um, and I'm gonna hand it off, too. So, it's a night of handing off. So, so Captain Chris Stokes is our community engagement captain and community risk reduction. So, Chris, this is kind of his show. So, uh, in the past, Captain Jason Moore has been the one that's been up front and really kind of got it all organized from the get-go. That's we've rotated responsibilities. So, uh, Chris now takes over community engagement. So, I'm going to let Chris speak and uh if there's anything he doesn't know because it's new to him, I'll I'll pick up.

Uh this was our fifth year partnering with the Ken and Children of Fallen Heroes uh for this event. We look forward to this event. Uh it brings the community together to honor the lives lost on 911. Uh we've raised over tens of thousands of dollars for this event. Uh this year will be a special one because it's the 25th year anniversary of September 11th, 2001. So that we gonna do it big. Do it big this year. Yep. So at this time we have a a check. Just talking to the mic. Oh, sorry. I thought you wanted me to look over here. No, I'm sorry. The mic.

Okay. The mic. Okay. At this time, we have a a check presentation that we'd like to give Ken and u you want to speak on behalf of your organization, too, before we do that because we'll tend to leave and not handle the good stuff. So, I'll let Ken speak for a moment.

Good evening, everyone. I'd like to uh personally thank you for everything that you've done for Children of Fallen Heroes. This is a very, very special place. I lost my father 53 years ago, not even 20 miles from here. flightwise. And I made a promise when we f first started this that we were working and we were going to acquire land and we acquired the 82 acres um of land that we're building a children of fallen heroes retreat and STEM and arts education center. We have broken ground. We have moved a lot a lot of dirt. Uh we've got Mr. uh Rod Lynch with Nullberg Farms who has helped us. He is a very well known in North Carolina doing the Wyatt Foundation, US Open, many others and teaching us land stewardship. The one thing that nobody knows about that what I want to do is that I want to make sure that Graham is recognized as in the foundation for the land. So, we'd like to get together with y'all soon and and get a plaque made and everything so that you are part of the foundational. this is going to be around for hundreds of years and we couldn't do it without y'all and uh and the fire department. So once again, thank you to the fire department. We have a another little special gift that we'd like to do real quick while they're doing a presentation.

One of the things that we are known for is that we teach drone and aviation classes as part of our program. and I have uh spent many years doing drones and we know what the fire department does day in and day out. And um I wanted to present this drone to them that we that we got for them. This here is a a very special drone. I'm going let you open it up. This is an anti-gravity drone. You're going to be able to get a 360 view of Graham and so you're going to get a lot of good material to use

and to help promote this wonderful city. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. You also I'm sorry I almost forgot because my brain was been going. I've been nothing but on the esavator for the last past two weeks. But Brandy and the city at Graham Parks and Recck uh has spent a tremendous amount of time with us and we're looking forward to partnering with them and bringing after school programs here into Graham. Randy Michelle, do y'all want to come up here to take a picture?

While they're coming up here, I'll just speak real quick on the drone program. So, police and fire, we've uh we've been training. We have licensed pilots in both police and fire. So this will do nothing but uh enhance the program delivery that we can do with drones and which is super important as we know u for the work that we do for police and fire. So thank you chief y ready

we're going to do one more. Don't go anywhere.

That's a big beautiful ch Oh. All right. Next, we're gonna uh recognize the Graham Fire Department as an outstanding volunteer award from the United Way of Alamance County. And I'm going to recognize Megan Garner.

Thank you, Mayor. And if I would um the fire department not leave the room yet, if y'all are able to come to the front while we do this recognition. And I and I will just um clarify on the prior matter. We may need to bring we'll look at the statutes, but we may need to bring action to city council next month to formally accept the donation. So, if you see that, just understand that that's a a formality that we may be required to do by law not to be um a downer on on the donation, but we do have to stay within compliance. So, if the fire department, if y'all could if y'all could um please come to the front. I will say under the leadership of Chief Cole within the last year, maybe a little longer, he's um started serving on the board and the Graham Fire Department along with Burlington Fire Department was recognized as the recipient of the Alamance County Outstanding Volunteer Award. These folks take time monthly to go help unload a lot of items that used to take a day or more to do. Strong individuals, very efficient at what they do, have really helped cut down the time to do this. It is a tremendous service to our community that they provide and their assistance to the organization and that the organization provides to citizens within Alamance County who have a need. This was led by Chief Cole in in his department. That is absolutely something that they need to be recognized and honored for. And this is just yet one more example of how members of our city and specifically the Graham Fire Department go above and beyond in trying to serve members of our community. They are going to submit this award at the state level as well for additional recognition. Um, but truly winning this

award at the local level is a tremendous recognition for them. So, if city council would would go to the front, we do have a certificate to print to present to the individuals. Do you want to just stand up here? Okay, here you go. Thank you. So, while they're while they're doing this and the mayor is presenting it to the fire department, I do just want to say on behalf of the city and even the city council, we sincerely appreciate what you're doing and the service this provides, and we applaud you for the time and effort that you put into this. It's certainly something to be recognized, honored, and appreciated. So, thank you very much. Thank you guys. I will add that the staff report says there's anywhere between 15,000 to 25,000 pounds of food that they move every month. It's not just some groceries. They're moving stuff. Okay. Um, I would like to pause here and just by a show of hands, raise your hand if you're here to talk about the park. Okay, those are the people in this room. I'm sure there's people in the other room as well. Um, because we have a great deal of community involvement and participation. Um, I'm gonna ask that council, let's first let's move up the park conversation to now and let people talk because they're here to add their voices. Um, and I would like to give them a chance to speak before our discussion and also mitigate some of the at capacity that we have for buyer

looking out for us. Um, do I have a consensus from council to allow us to move up the park conversation and let people speak before our discussion?

Do you mind turning on your mic? I'm sorry. Understand what you're trying to do.

Um, there's a lot of people here and they're waiting to to add conversations. I don't know if Chief, do you know if there's anybody waiting outside on top of just the overflow? Okay. People are here and in the overflow room waiting to weigh in to the park. I would like to I'm asking council to move the park discussion from number five to now and then letting people talk now so that we do have a lot of business. Hold on. Let me let me finish talking. Thank you. Um we do have a lot of stuff to get to but people are are taking a chunk out of their night and they want to talk and I'm asking that we we let them talk. I'm I'm also trying to make Chief Cole's job a little bit easier so that we don't have 30 people in in overflow on top of this.

Well, the park, speak to your mic, please, Ricky. The park pro um project is not up for discussion. It It's not a public hearing, right? I'm asking that we let these people speak before our discussion because they took time to be here and I think they have voices that want to be heard. Yeah, I'm I I agree with Ricky because of what, you know, we were just handed, but there's also um don't we have some business owners that are signed up to speak on in the uh agenda?

In the agenda, we don't have anybody speaking right now. It's all in public comments. And so everybody that wants to speak on the park, they'll either speak before our discussion where I think it might be a little bit more informative or they'll speak at public comments. Move the public comments up to the beginning is what you're asking to do, right? That's what you're asking. I I don't know if everybody's here to speak on the park, but I'm asking for the people that want to speak on the park to be let to speak on the park. Given what's on the agenda, we should stick to the agenda. Okay, hold on. Hold on. I got it. Thank you. Um,

the number of items on the agenda that involving the city, I think we can take care of that. Okay, Bonnie, is that your opinion as well? I don't I don't really have any problem with it with moving it up. No. Okay. No. No. Keep it where it is. No, I don't have a problem with it. Okay. So, we do have me Bonnie. I would like to point out that I believe there are some businesses that are here to speak about the alcohol. Yeah, the alcohol and the the dog thing. Yeah.

No, if I I I think you know in the um can't think of it right now. Um it what would be preferable is is since since a lot of you are here to speak on the same thing if you could designate maybe one or two to speak for you. Hold on. Hold on. I mean I'm fine with that. That's Let's go ahead and you want to move it off. Okay. So maybe I think Okay. I think what Jim is saying though we do have some businesses here to talk about the arts around the square thing, the alcohol sales and the dog friendly event. And I I think we should be respectful of them. They are on the agenda and let's do that first and then let the public speak.

The the businesses have not been recognized. We would have to as council allow them to speak. They're what do you what do you mean? Because here, right? They're here. But I'm saying right now if we don't allow anybody to speak, public comments is the only time that people can speak. I'd like to make a motion that we move the public comments up to right now and let them speak. Okay. Hold on. Do we have a second? I'll I'll second it. All in favor? I I.

All opposed I I Ricky. No, hold on. We got to figure out where handle the arts around the square thing first. Hold on. I need to know where Ricky was in the vote. Go ahead and move it up. Let's get them out of the way. Okay, we will do public comments now. Mayor Dicki, may I just ask a clarification question so that we're all on the same page? Just to confirm, is it's everyone under public comment regardless of what topic will be heard now. Is that we're not going to go through and parse out what item? We're going to let everyone who's signed up speak now and then we'll just continue on through the agenda. Is that the motion?

Okay. Was the motion I just wanted to make sure for clarification. Can I can I ask that we move up the park as well after people speak so we can discuss it directly after discussion there just a decision that has to be made. Can we move up the decision that has to be made just so because I think people are going to hang out to see what decisions made. That's all probably that's part of the civic responsibility. All right, let's do it. Um, do I have all the public comment sheets? Do you know? Yes. Okay, awesome. Um, all right, we're opening up public comments. Did we do that correctly, Megan?

Yes. Great. The only item I will say is if you are moving the request for quala for qualifications for cesco centennial a motion on that would be helpful as well if that's the desire of the council. I I think that the desire of the council is to insert the public comments and then run the agenda as Okay. Thank you for that. Yep. Is that correct council? I spoke correctly.

Great. All right. I'm going to call out three names and that just gives the people in the other room if they're in the other room to come in here. But the first name is Paul Keller, Crystal Lawson, and K. McMullen. Um, so if Paul Keller could come forward, um, state your name and state your address and thank you for being here.

Uh, hi, my name is Thank you for letting me speak. Uh, my name is Paul Keller. I'm a retired business owner uh former tenant in the Paris building which is where the Verdict restaurant is. Um I was there for approximately 5 years and uh I'm also a resident city of Graham 410 Stone Hedge Drive. Um I wanted to address the issue of parking. Uh parking downtown has been an issue uh for me for the past 10 years. U my customers would complain about parking and on occasion I even paid for parking tickets because our appointments ran over in time. So my issue with moving the park and taking away 25 parking spaces makes no sense at all. Plus 25 plus parking spaces. I don't know anyone in favor of this position other than a few city council members. I'm extremely disappointed that when the council had an opportunity to listen to a business owner directly affected by this proposed move at the last meeting, he was told he could not speak. You are our you are our city council where the reason why you are here. He should have been accommodated. I'd like to also address the settling issues at the park. Um I feel like we should just recede the lot, plant flowers, small trees, and consider building another memorial if appropriate in the future. and when the funds make sense until that um at this uh I also propose that we have a referendum on this issue. Let the voters speak. At this point, nothing short of a referendum on this topic is acceptable. Thank you.

Thank you, Paul. Um one note that I meant to make, um if you could address council as a whole, that would be awesome. Um Crystal Lawson, thank you for being here. If you could state your name and address.

Um, my name is Crystal Lawson. I live at 2320 Cooper Road in Graham. Um, good evening, mayor and council members. Um, I'm a long-term resident of Alamance County and a current small business owner in downtown Graham. I'm here tonight to speak in opposition to the proposal to relocate the downtown park into an existing public parking lot. It is my understanding that this change would eliminate approximately 24 parking spaces. And as we all know, parking downtown is already very limited. Losing 24 additional spaces would significantly impact accessibility for visitors and residents, customers. Downtown businesses rely heavily on convenient parking. When visitors cannot find parking, they are less likely to stop. They're less likely to shop. They're less likely to to dine or attend other events. This proposal raises serious concerns about the long-term economic impact on downtown businesses and the overall vitality of our downtown area. I respectfully ask the council to carefully consider um any alternatives that support both green spaces and the practical needs of our residents, visitors, and small businesses. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you so much. Thanks for being here.

And Mayor Dicki, if I may add, I believe we only have one individual in the overflow who was signed up to speak and that was um Jennifer Brento, if the last name is I know on the signup sheet. Okay. When I get there, I'll notice. Okay. K. McMullen,

thank you for being here. Can you set your name and your address, please? name.

My name is Kay McMullen. I live at 818 River's Edge Drive, Graham. That is out of the city, but I I resided 36 years at Eastway Lane in Graham. I voted at every opportunity. So, I was not able to vote for the councilman this time or the mayor, but I was uh I spoke at the last time we we did have a public hearing about the park and I opposed it moving it as I still opposed moving it. But I would like to comment that um on the last agenda, the park was a very insignificant item on the agenda. Yet when I read the report from the Alamance News, which I thank Mr. Bodie every time for what he gives us, um I saw that the a ninepage proposal was submitted and it had some significant gaps in it. I thought there hadn't been any uh com communication about taking 20 parking spots and what that might do to the city. Um it talked about naming renaming the park. uh Graham Park. It uh talked about in increasing the size and having community No, Mr. Hall,

hold on. Hold on. Let her finish with her time.

There was some talk about possibility because it would be much larger to have community meetings there. There was hardly any mention of the history and the reason that we have the park there existing right now. So I was very upset and concerned that then the mayor asked that you wait one more month so the public could have some opportunity for input. But no, that was not allowed. And I didn't understand why. I thought it was an excellent opportunity for those of us who are very interested in this topic to give you our opinions again and I do feel that this was not well done. That's my take on it. But I ask you to reconsider. I know you'll say you've already made a decision. You've voted. It's done. It's done. But things can be undone. And I hope now you will listen. It was also pointed out at the last meeting as my understanding that uh there were not many people in the community who had much oppo opposition to it because only about seven or eight of us spoke. I was one of those who did speak. But I think you can see from the audience that we do have a lot of people who have opinions about this and have deep feelings about it. And I really feel for those who their parents probably purchased bricks to be in the park, which I did not, but I think it would be the best thing to keep the park where it is. Thank you for your time.

Thank you, Miss Kay. Randy Phillips, thanks for being here. If you could say your name and your address, please. Randy Phillips, 130 Burton Street, Graham. I have two concerns that I want to bring up before this council. My first concern, I just want to express how disappointed I am with this council. It seems to me that the ma majority of you are trying to finish someone else's agenda and not listening to the citizens you were chosen to represent. Two of you had stated just a few months ago that you were opposed to moving this sesquentennial park. Now, as a council member, I know that you have to keep an open mind so you can listen to all that is said from both sides and make a decision on what the citizens want and what is best for the city. Every time this issue has come up in the past, the council has stated that was there was not enough money to make the needed repairs to the park and it should be moved. Council member Hall presented a plan at the last meeting, but there were uh a few questions that came to me as soon as I saw the drawings. One big issue is that changes will have to be made in the Elm Street side of that parking lot to make it usable and safe. This was not included in Council Member Hall's presentation. The work on the on street side of the parking lot will have to be done during the construction of the new park. This in turn will increase the cost of moving

the park above what council member Hall has stated in his presentation. Now, it seems that there is enough money to make the repairs to the park and not move it, but most of this council still wants to move and spend at least onethird more money to have that park moved. Now, there seems to be a big rush to get this done. It is starting to seem to me that there is an ulterior motive for moving this park that the council has not been willing to share with the citizens. My second concern that I have is loyalty. Loyalty is an admirable state. I was told by someone during the campaign last year that they were loyal to one of the candidates and that they did everything they could to help that candidate. I admired that. Now there is a new council seated with two new members. I feel that your loyalty as a council has been misdirected. Your loyalty should be with the citizens of Graham that you are here to represent and not just one or two people.

Thank you. Thank you, Randy. Cheryl Schmidt, please state your name and address.

Good evening, madame mayor and council. My name is Cherylyn Schmidt. I live at 1981 Riverwalk Drive. I am a newer resident of Graham and don't have the same sentimental attachment to the SESA Centennial Park as others in this community, but I have enjoyed sitting there eating lunch or reading a book while waiting for a friend. I have a couple of issues with the proposed park plan as presented at last month's council meeting. The idea of a walled, gated, and locked park not on the central square of town holds little, no appeal, but mainly to pass a plan with no funding and no plans for funding is fiscally irresponsible on the part of this council. I hope the council will reconsider its previous decision and use existing funds to remediate the park's issues in its current location.

Thank you, Cheryl. Paty Bailey All uh Allard Allard. Thank you. Thank you. Uh your name and address, please.

Sure. My name is Paty Bailey Allard, 6146 Snow Camp Road, Graham. Um my family has owned over 200 acres of land in this in uh in this county and and been involved in the city since or over 200 years since 19 What number is that? Thank you. Thank you a very long time. And I want to say that I know that this park has been a burr in your side. So I really appreciate your your hearing us out. Here's the s situation. It seems like that we've come down to a park in a parking lot versus the park that the people want. So I'd like to address the financial issues involved here. Couple of facts. the park where it is uh and has been quoted as costing less than than moving it. Just that simple. This council does not really know what the actual cost of moving the park is except there is one thing that has been noted for sure that it's going to cost more to move it than to repair it. There is money already flagged to repair it. There is not enough money to move it. the people want to repair it and keep it where it is. And frankly, that is pretty simple math. Now, regarding the park in the parking lot, I I really seriously want to applaud you for what you've put together. A lot of people talked about it. Uh you put together a really beautiful PowerPoint presentation and it was lovely. It was lovely and you had a lot of good ideas. Hey, let's have a food uh farmers market. Let's have food vendors. Let's have this. And I think that's terrific. You can do that now. You can immediately have a farmers market in there. You can have food vendors. You can have You can do it now. And the parking spaces that are lost are

only temporary. There is absolutely nothing that says you must have a park with people's names on the bricks to hold a farmers market. And by the way, if I could just add as an aside, there's been many comments here that this is a temporary park or a popup park. Our mother was Pat Bailey and she was the co-chair of the Sesqua Centennial that made this park happen. And I assure you as as I breathe, there is nothing temporary about this. It's been in place 25 years, and you don't make temporary when it's bricks and steel. As to the concept sketch, I want to say it was lovely. It really was. Um, but that's just it. It's just a concept sketch. There's no financial analysis. And there's just no there's just not the business case that has yet been developed that would make any reasonable person make a reasonable decision to move it. I myself have been a business consultant with companies that include Microsoft for 35 years. Microsoft, AT&T, Cisco, companies in many countries including this one. And I can tell you there is no business in the country that would agree to make such a strong financial decision with the minimum case, the concept case that was put forth here. So I'm begging you on behalf of our family, be businesssavvy, get some more information before you actually close the door. Consider that you have a bird in the hand. There's $400,000 already designated for this park. What is the use it or lose it window on that money and I'm just begging you listen to the people at least ask for a let agree to a referendum and get some more facts before you close the door. There are so many people here who believe that this

is worthy. Thank you for your time.

Thank you, Pam. Nadia Pickkins. Hello, my name is Nadia Ulus Pickkins. Uh, I live at 114 Florence Street. I have been a Graham resident for 45 years, born and raised, and recently I became a business owner also here in Graham. on West Gilbert Street. My father was former mayor Ulus. I'm here with my mom, Judy Ulis, and this is my son, Riker. What? Not said, so I'm sorry. Um, we have uh three generations here. So, this this park is of great importance to us and our family. Uh, a lot of residents have spoke out. They voiced their petitions online post here tonight. and my family is here as well. We want it our park. We want our bricks to stay there. Um, we do not want it parked. We don't want it moved. They weren't bought for temporary reasons. Um, did you want to say something, Ricker?

Yeah. Hey, but remember this one thing. It would it cost so much like $400. I mean for thou close to half a million just to fill that hole that you need to have to before that collapse. Where are we going to put the park? Where? That's right. There's no one in town. Nowhere in town. But it's going to cost. Thank you. Thank you.

Jane Albbright. Your name and your address, please. Time out. No, just kidding. I'm Jane Albbright. My address is 231 South Marshall Street. I was raised there in the shadow of the courthouse. Um, my history with this town. First of all, thank you very much, city council and Megan and mayor for having us all here, for hosting us. My dad daddy Jimmy Albbright was a city councilman and my brother Jim Albbright was a city councilman. So, I know firsthand how much hard work you put in that we don't know about, and I appreciate that. I believe you have integrity. I believe all those things. We voted you in, and I would like to stand behind you. Um, the history of the park that I know about, I was off somewhere coaching some basketball game when they built it, but I've learned a lot about it and I've been there many times. Um, my parents showed me the bricks. I mean it it I know all about it but it started out as a Eve Carman's dad it was a gift and all these people you know they just gave they gave the pergula they gave the steel they gave the bricks they didn't charge in you know there was a town bring it together let us kind of have a love fest really and celebrate and um then they ran into a big big hurdle a wall of fiberglass I'm told that they stop can't do this there's uh it's unsafe. And so what did the town do? They raised $50,000. People like Carol Fogleman, Ray's wife, uh raised the money with bricks, $100 a piece to just get over that hurdle and it brought everyone in this town together. And that's what we're speaking from our hearts. There three governors from Almetz County. Their names are on the, you know, Governor Holt, Governor Bob Scott, Governor Kcott. They're there, right? I

know the entrance, one of them says the city of Graham and one is Alamance County. A gift to the most beautiful town in the county. And we want it to stay beautiful. Uh, I've been told that if you go down the street, Governor Holt is buried in that cemetery. So, I think that's true. I've never seen it. I uh know that y'all are absolutely sick of this issue and I apologize for myself that this is the first time I've been here to voice my opinion. Um I think you can tell what it is. Would can I say would you stand up if you want to? Is that legal? Can I say would y'all rise if you just don't say anything? We want to be already rise if you want to keep the park where it is. Jim, my brother did the survey. I think 400. Y'all can see. Thank you. I think I think he said there were 433 people that filled it out and uh 92% said please keep the park. So, we do care. I'm sorry we didn't ex I know some people did express it, but I am I would get down on my knees and beg if I could. It's uh very important to keep the beauty there to keep it's just the connection in a world where people are on social media. We could even put a sign up to say no phones there. I don't I don't know what to do. that we will sit and we will talk. It will be a third place in town but it will be beautiful and we need more beauty and there has been a hurdle the money. The money I think is there now but we will come together and do whatever we have to do. If we find fiberglass in that hole we'll figure it out. We will help you. So my challenge to you is this has gone on a long time. Be the council that does the right thing and keeps the park. Thank you very much. Thank you, Jane. Eve Eley, thank you for being here. If I could get your name and address, please.

Almost had to keep standing on that last one because I'm afraid I couldn't get back up in time. Um, yes, my name is Eve Carmen Eley. Um, I reside in Charlotte at 10613 Flagan Way. Did I need to say that? Your address? Good.

Um, so I am not a current resident of Alamance County or Graham, but I have been. I'm a graduate of proud graduate of Graham High School. Um, and I'm married to good old Graham Boy by the name of Johnny Eley, who used to live on West Gilbert Street. I heard that mentioned. He's also known as John Boy of the John Boy and Billy Show. And he said to tell all y'all, duh. He said, you know what he meant. Um, he also let me borrow his key to the city just in case I couldn't get in. So, I've got that here. He said he did want it back, though. Um, thank you so much for this opportunity. It's so nice to be back here in Graham. I haven't been here since my my folks passed away. Um my dad Herb Carmen who was an architect um with Ali Williams Carman and King your local um architectural engineering firm. Um and he and my mom love this county and the city of Graham. Um he did gift the plans to the city along with many others that that gave so much to make that park possible. You know, you have a real special thing here. As I drove back into town, approaching that courthouse and that courthouse square, I almost teared up. Um, my husband is retired recently, so heck, we may come back here if you have us. I got the key, so what are you going to do about it, you know? Um, and you have a lot. Okay, you've got this beautiful, unique city center with a unique character that includes a unique park that's not like any other. You got a lot of folks that truly care

about this unique character, the identity and the legacy of the historical city center and many of them and part of it is that many of them had a part in that um with the building of this unique park. My dad incidentally was a a student of Frank Lloyd Wright if you know him was a famous architect and that influence was a part of many of the designs that he did and this one was no exception. It's a little different looking. Okay. Um the brick and steel structure both contrast and compliments the quaint shops that are around on all the other corners. The park sits in the shadow of the historic courthouse. along with the picturesque city clock um that I think is fabulous that sits as a reminder of the elements of time and space. Um also that clock reminded me today that time can stand still and uh I I'm going to hit up John Boyd to see if we can help fix that clock so that it doesn't stand still time. Um, this has been called a pocket park. And I guess it is. Um, and if so, Graham, you were way ahead of the curve on that. Even on my dad's plan that I did I bring up here? Oh, I didn't. Um, okay. Even on my dad's plan, it says Cesquitial Cesquincential Garden, not a park. But anyway, um I understanding the problems that you have. You look like you have a cons a constituency that really wants to find a solution, not pull the park up by the roots and replant it somewhere else.

That will not be the same and we all know that. Um I thank you so much and um the people you serve here tonight and many others. Thank you. Couldn't be here. I appreciate your time. Thank you very much. Thank you. As my husband will tell you, I am a little longwinded. Daniel Alvis, can I get your name and address, please, sir? Your wait by time to go before me. He's got somewhere else to be. Yeah, I'm okay with that. Is that all right? I'll take it. Thank you.

Jim, your name and address when you make it up here, please, sir. Jim Albbright, 232 South Marshall Street in Graham. Uh, born a square mileer and have returned to the square mile to live right across from my sister Jane. So, love being back. Um, didn't love the last meeting. didn't love the fact that a uh item was on the agenda for discussion and it was voted upon unlike uh an item that was on today's agenda that was uh just discussion and was chosen not to be voted on just to kind of put off. But anyhow, uh my involvement mainly uh has been to come up with a survey. I saw the um uh some responses on my sister's Facebook page about people that wanted the park to stay. So, I just decided to put the survey together. So, each of you should have a survey in front of you that um I just kind of um have never done anything like this before. It's a survey monkey. So, I'll just go over some of the results. Um we did have 433 people respond to the survey and um uh first question was, are you a resident of Graham? Uh 50 about 60% of Grahamites did respond to that and then 40% did not. Um, my second question was, if you didn't, if you weren't a Graham resident, what's your connection to Graham? And this is where I kind of got blown away at some of the responses. And I think I uh copied you all on each of those responses. There were 187 responses. Um, I'm a native of Alamance County, born and raised here, lived in Graham in the past, but have family members who still reside in Graham. I currently live in southeast Burlington, about a mile from Graham. We frequent Graham Court Square and the restaurants and stores there a lot. I absolutely love downtown and Court Square. So, um, just 180 amazing responses that showed me that this is not just a city of

Graham issue, but it was a it's a county issue and actually even beyond for people that have lived here. Um, I asked people if they have wondered how involved they were in local politics. Did you vote in the past municipal election? And uh most of the people from Graham that responded did vote in the past election. Which brought me to uh question number four. Do you support moving the park? Yes or no? Um uh out of the 428 responses, there were 392 that did not want to move the park or about 92%. So 36 people weighed in that they support uh moving uh the park. Uh question number five, just wondered if you voted for a candidate that supported your stance and um uh a large majority said yes that that was actually a reason why they voted for people was based on their um question or stance on this particular issue. Question six, have you seen the proposed park plan that was shown? Um there were about 57% that had seen that. Um will you be attending this city council meeting? uh and um actually had a really good response on that. About 150 people said they'd be here. So, there is a pretty good crowd here. I don't know if there's 150, but uh pretty good crowd. And then uh the last question I I took off of the Alamance News just uh Jim Young uh uh stated we should explore grant funding, public private partnerships or modest bud budget allocations. Lots of ideas. Um that's my comment of of how to save this park. most importantly, we should let the public weigh in. And unfortunately, we are given the chance to weigh in after a vote was made. Um, and then he brought up uh may possibly through a voter referendum. So, I just threw that question in there and the vast majority of people uh did support a voter referendum on this issue about the same amount that uh opposed moving the park.

So, thank you for your time this evening. I yield the floor to the next person. Thank you, Jim. I appreciate you. Daniel Alvis take two name and address please sir. Daniel ISIS 1022 Noah Graham.

You know last we talked about this part with the last C cancel was back in September and we were all left under the impression we was going to table that thing so we could have discussions. Well, we never got to discuss it at the last meeting. Y'all chose to vote and move this spark. That's that's not what these people are wanting. That's not what people in Graham want. It's very obvious on social media that a small majority says, "Let's move it because they really don't have no interest here in Graham." Most people that want to keep this park have a big stake here in Graham. Everybody thinks I'm for keep not wanting to move because of that parking lot over there. The parking lot don't affect me as much as affect these other businesses. I got parking across the street for my business. If you go over there anytime during the day, the parking lot's full. And if most of the people were at the Verdict or somewhere on Main Street because it's no other parking, there's no parking, not enough parking on Main Street to support the businesses are there. So, please reconsider your last vote and let's keep the park where it's at.

Thank you, Daniel Susan Gross. You're good. Take your time. Name and address, please.

Hi, good evening, council. Uh, I'm Susan Gross, 2342 Atwood Drive, Burlington. And my family also owns the 250 acre farm since before 1827. And uh what I have here has been stated over uh by many here, but after attending the last council meeting, it was noted that only by only eight people showing up here to voice their opinion about the council, you decided to move on. And I thought that's just not how it's done right now. So I was one of the first people to turn to social media for informal ask of the residents on their opinion about moving the park. and only over 200 people replied under my own post. At that time, Jim turned up with his survey. I did not know Jim before uh a week ago, but through the survey and through going through Next Door, um we got all these responses to you of people that really want to keep this park here. Um there was one other part uh I read all the comments what people had to say and one point that has not been brought up tonight is that um the parking lot serves for people there's a lot of people that don't like to pull out of the angled parking that you have u around the square in the town. They'll use that other parking lot because it's a more comfortable place to park as opposed to the regular parking. Um, and one other point I'd like to state is it was brought up at the meeting last month that um there there was asbestous under there, but I read the toxicology report and it's clearly states um after a review of the asbestous um results that there's none detected there. Now, there are a few other um elements there that are not um good, but they're not they're below the industrial level, and that can

easily be taken care of. So, the survey says keep the park where it is. Thank you very much. Thank you, Susan. Sam Powell, your name and address, please, sir. Thank you for being here.

Thank you, Mayor Councel. Sound pile, 1067 East Lake Drive in Burlington. Uh, and I I brought a picture tonight. Um, and and well, let me give my background. I I was on the Burlington City Council. Bob Ward was attorney. He can attest that. Uh, for 12 years. I was a county commissioner from 1998 to 2002. And during that period, we built the park. I was also a co-chair of the committee that built the park with Pat Bailey. And if you look at the picture that we have here, uh I'm here with the shovel. This is Pat Bailey. And so we were doing the groundbreaking as we talked about. Here's Herb Carman who was the architect for the project. Mayor Vic Ulus is here and several others. And I I'll just I'm opposed uh to moving the park. And the primary reason is you can't just pick that up and move it somewhere else without losing the whole meaning of what the park is about. So, if you're going to move it, if that's what you decide to do, don't worry about paying the cost of moving all that steel and and everything because it's build build what you want somewhere else because you want something else. But moving that park doesn't make economic sense. What is that park? That park is an icon for the city of Graham and the county of Alamance. It represents the advancement of the city since 19 since 1851 and the county since 1849. And that advancement that has been made over the past 150 years for the

citizens. 500 people paid $100 each for those bricks, put their name on them, and in the process we raised $50,000. Now, most of the park was donated, but the $50,000 was needed because when we went out there, there was a fiberglass covering on the side of the building just to the north of the park. It had separated. The fire department of Graham came out and told us that we could not use that site until that was addressed. So, what we ended up doing was building putting in a foundation and building a brick wall attached to that building. And that brick plus some other brick cost us $50,000. That's why we needed to raise the the money uh by selling those bricks. I wanted to uh suggest or tell you also what happened. Uh that parking lot or that lot there had been used as a parking lot for several years before we put the Cesco Centennial Park there. It was a graveled lot. I don't know how long it was used, but it was a long time and it didn't have any problems with sinking in or any other problems. It was a good solid foundation. And when we built the park, we built uh that on top of that rock that was there and we put a 4-in thick concrete reinforced pad down that the bricks were sitting on top of. So the concrete pad went down, then some sand, and then the bricks were just laid there. They're not uh cemented in. They can be moved. And um the uh pergola that was put there, that metal structure,

uh we put a water uh source there so you could uh water plants, not have to bring water in. It was already there. Uh that pergola was donated by Butner Steel down 54 and a very nice gift. Thank you for your time, Sam. Anyway, thank you very much. Thank you.

William Snider, your name and address, please.

My name is William Snyder. I live at 658 James Griffin Drive in Graham. First of all, thank you guys for allowing us to speak. Um, I no longer live in the city of Graham, but um, I do own a building and operate a business in downtown Graham uh, right adjacent to the site that you guys are proposing moving moving the park to. Um, I highly recommend that you guys reconsider moving the park. I think the park where it is uh, makes more financial sense. It also makes more financial sense for the businesses that operate in and around the space that you're trying to move the park to. Um, it was mentioned that the parking lot that you guys were going to swap spaces for the parking lot where the park's going to go and with the county's lot. That county's lot sits directly behind my office. So, I see that parking lot every day. That parking lot is full. Today at lunchtime, I went out at lunchtime because it was nice. Finally got to go outside and enjoy walking around. There was two empty spots at lunch. probably where folks that were working downtown were um not at not at work at not at work at the moment. So there you're not swapping spots. There are no spots available in that lot. Um office used to be down 54 and to be honest I didn't really know how busy the Maple Street quarter was where my office is located. Um there are certain times where there is no parking no parking available. I'm fortunate enough I have my own parking lot. So, I don't have a I don't have a parking problem, but I do have a parking problem when there's no additional parking. There are people that that think that my parking lot is um is city parking and they and they park there. And I really don't want to tow people, but if I don't have parking for my my clients, I we'll have to have to resort to that. But I really come to speak on behalf because I am fortunate enough to have a parking lot. the businesses that are around me. You guys know as consumers when you're going to a business, if you go to, let's say, the

coffee shop or um whatever the business may be there, if you have to ride around two or three times and you can't find a parking spot, guess what's going to happen? You're not going to go back because it's not convenient for you. Just face it, we are we are all short on time and we have a short short patience. That's why everything is bought on Amazon. So, we have you guys have to reconsider and support the downtown businesses in that area. We can't afford to lose the parking lot. Thanks for your time. Thank you so much, Carol. Carol ready.

Name and address, please.

Uh, I'm Carol. I'm actually a resident of Maryland. Um, I do stay here in town sometimes on at uh at 505 Paris Street, which is my mother's house. Uh, my grandparents were the Jarretts. They lived on Denny Circle. My um grandfather has a brick that we bought for him. He was a a builder in town and um he uh frequented the Wrath Skeller that was on that site. Um, we have pictures of him with Connor Jones, a local reporter for the B for the Burlington Times News. Um, you know, and it's the the brick in that place has significance for him. It has significance for my mother's maternal grandparents. My grandfather Cook um played Bidwist and with what's the the current wits that was the the filling station that you lots of people like to talk about and you know my grandfather played you know and that brick his brick has significance there my his wife my greatg grandmother um longtime resident of Word Street she um she's also represented on that same brick and she was not a full-time time employee of the silver coach, but she frequently filled in for the Davis's who were her neighbors just across Word Street. And that that brick in that place has significance for her. Moving it to that alley, that parking lot has no significance. That's hiding it. And it's not, those bricks are not meant to be, you know, a party space or a rental location. They were purchased and intended for the the memory of the people whose names

are on them, whether they were living at the time or have since died, whether they're still living. Thank you. Thank you, Carol.

Keith Westbrook 604 and Graham. I'm a little upset because at the last meeting it was like everything was already said done deal and you didn't listen to not one person that was out here and you said five or six people was the only ones that wanted to stay there. Oh, I see more than five or six people here tonight and there was more than five or six people here that expressed their concern. We got a major parking problem in Graham and you want take more parking spaces away. That's the first thing. And the second thing is the people of Graham want the park where it's at. And I expressed that last moh in September. And I feel like it was just like who who are you? Who are you? Nobody cares. Well, somebody's going to care because there's a whole lot of people want that park stay where it's at. In my opinion, the park should stay where it's at. Fix it. That's why people love it is because of where it's at. It's not because it's over in the corner in the parking lot. It's because of where it's at. Thank you.

Thank you, Katie. Janice McSherry. Janice McSherry. We're gonna jump on to Sam Kahun. I say that right? Um and we'll come back to Janice if she's back there. Thanks for being here, Sam. Name and address, please.

Sam Kahune, 219 South Melville Street. My name is Sam Cahoun and I want to thank you, the mayor, city council and the residents of Graham for the opportunity to speak tonight about Centennial Park and the original courthouse bill and the memorial elements associated with the site. I want to be want I want to begin clearly. I understand the council has voted to move the park. My comments tonight are not about relitigating the vote. They are about the legal constraints that still govern what the city can and cannot do with the historical memorial as it moves forward. The issue tonight is the memorial and its setting. The courthouse bell and its plaque are permanent objects of remembrance. They were in intentionally placed within Sesquentennial Park as a civic memorial in public view adjacent to the courthouse and in historic in the historic center of Graham. Sesquentennial Park itself is part of the memorial prominence, honor and visibility. The civic parking or the civic park setting is what gives the memorial its meaning and dignity. That setting also includes memorial bricks purchased by the residents of Graham, further confirming that the site was intended to be permanent place of public remembrance. The plaque itself makes the intent unmistakably clear. It reads, "Presented to the citizens of Alamance County in memory of Dr. Clinton S. Krishman, who served as a family pre uh physician from 1946 to 1992, bell on permanent loan by the Kushman family of Graham." That language matters. This memorial was explicitly presented to the citizens of Alamance County and intended to remain part of the civic landscape, not stored, obscured, or relocated to a lesser setting. Under North Carolina General Statute 100-2.1, an object of remembrance located on public property may not be permanently removed.

Temporary removal is allowed for safety and preservation, but permanent removal is not. Permanent relocation is allowed only if the new location maintains similar prominence, honor, visibility, availability, and public access. This standard matters because prominence is contentual. There is no other location in the jurisdiction that matches the prominence and access of the park adjacent to the courthouse on Main Street in the historic heart of Graham. Relocating the memorial building behind buildings into a parking lot and onto museum ground is not similar prominence. It is a downgrade. In 2020, the during the protest, the city asked the Christian family to remove the bell due to safety concerns. Family agreed and the bell was removed temporarily for preservation and safekeeping. The bell was not returned was never returned. Temporary removal for safety does not authorize permanent relocation, elimination of a memorial, or placement in a diminished setting. This is not an abstract concern. Just last year, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that Alamance County could not remove a monument in front of the courthouse because the monument protection law limits government's authority regardless of personal views. And the legal principle is clear. Local governments do not have unlimited authority to move or remove historical memorials. That same principle applies here. So my request tonight is straightforward. As city as the city proceeds, please ensure that the courthouse bell plaque, memorial bricks, and their civic park settings are not permanently removed or unlawfully downgraded and that any action taken fully complies with North Carolina law. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you, Sam. Julie Manning.

Good evening everyone. My name is Julie. I live at 234 Webster Road, Graham, North Carolina. I am here to speak in support of keeping the downtown Graham Park exactly where it is. I want to start by acknowledging something important. I understand that you are being told it may cost more to repair. There was mentioned that maybe future repairs could happen after the 400,000. These are all hypothesis at this point to my understanding. I also understand the pressure towns face to attract business and revenue. What I am asking you is to consider tonight something that goes beyond a line item in a budget. This park is not just land. It is use. It is life. It is where people decided to sit with their coffee from press or lunch. It is where people decide to meet neighbors, pause in the middle of a busy day. It adds charm and identity to downtown Graham, something you cannot manufacture or relocate once it is gone. across North Carolina. It is obvious we are all seeing a troubling pattern in towns like Mebban or Stokes County. Many, many others. Dozens or hundreds of residents will show up, speak clearly and passionately about what they want for their community, and the council will vote the opposite way. Those decisions do not just move projects forward. They erode public trust and they make headlines. Do I need to ask all of you this sincerely? Would you like the next headline to be about Graham? Do you want Graham to be another example of a town where residents clearly spoke and leadership chose not to listen? I notice a lot of not eye contact, by the way, because right now the public will is

clear. People want the park to stay, not moved, not replaced, not reimagined elsewhere. here in the heart of downtown where it already serves its purpose. Tonight, you have the opportunity to show that Graham is different, that this council truly represents the people who live here, not just projections, developers, or short-term gains. Please listen to your residents. Please keep the park where it is. And please choose to be remembered as a council that protected the heart of Graham, not one that sold it. Thank you.

Thank you, Julie. Chief, did we have a Janice in the other room or did Okay, great. Okay, great. Um, Jill Bullis. Two more pages. Hi, Jill. Name and address, please, ma'am. My name is Jill Porter Bullis. This is my second time. excuse me, 500 Wwood Lane since 1998

and born and raised since 1965 on what used to be Hampford Brickyard Road, which is now Hampford Road. Uh, I've lived in Alamance County my whole life. This is my second time addressing the council. Thank you for letting me speak again. I am, as I was last time, in opposition of moving the park. I sat on my couch during the last meeting appalled at the lack of what I consider disrespect to our new mayor and her pleading with the council to allow continued public input on this matter and then a vote was a motion was made. It was seconded and the vote was done. Um, my biggest concern is if you don't amend the vote, that my request, as I spoke last fall, is honored that my family's bricks get returned to my family. I do not want them moved, nor does anyone else in my family. So, if there's a brick with bullets on it, we want our bricks back if you don't amend your vote. And I would also like to play a little bit off of the last comment about the lack of eye contact. You are elected officials. You're not the citizens out here, but when you sit out here and you watch eye rolling, when you watch people that look to be asleep or nodding, it is troubling and disappointing to me. So my challenge to the council throughout the remaining of your term is to be attentive to the citizens of the city of Graham and respect each of their points whether you agree with it or not.

Thank you for your time. Thank you Jill. Eric Chrisman. Eric Chrisman.

Name and address, please, sir.

My name is Eric Chrisman. I live at 208 Albright Avenue in Graham. I just want to make a quick comment on the January meeting and the decision to move the Susco Centennial Park. To the viewing public and the reading of the minutes, this appeared to be a well-coordinated operation to achieve your goal of vacating the current location. The council noted several times that only eight citizens spoke up at the last public meeting to discuss the park and only one person was in favor of moving the park. That seems like 88% of the participants were not in favor. But the members of the council may or may not be acolytes to another party that may or may not have an interest in a vacant lot on Court Square. I can understand your decision to go against the will of the people that spoke in favor of leaving the park in its current position. I dare say that more than 88% of the persons here tonight are not in favor of moving that park. So, the park is moved against the will of the citizenry. The vacant lot according to members of the council will be declared surplus property and sold. So the court square will have another vacant space. One of the largest buildings on the square is the next building which has been vacant for what more than 60 years. I guess if commercial space in Graham is that scarce that the city deems this surplus property on the court square. There's just no logic there to that. We already have a hole in the ground about a half a block south of the court square. Another hole in the ground on Court Square, I guess, would seem appropriate. I imagine that the property is if it's vacant and it's a hazard of possible contaminated material. The city would have to erect a fence around the space. So, we have an overgrown fenced in vacant lot is certainly an attractive alternative to fixing the existing park. I was impressed with the mayor prom's presentation and amazed at the fact that

no one in the council had seen that meet before the meeting or so you stated in your remarks. It appeared to some in attendance that the mayor pro Tim was reading the description of the proposal for the first time. Maybe I'm just naive but if the city is going to spend more than a half a million dollars the city manager and the council would hire a professional designer to utilize the space. And maybe I'm also naive to believe that the council would jump to such a dra drastic step to move the park without more public interest. I know the council was pointed out about kicking the can down the road, but why not present the proposal to the city and let them decide? In the past, a plan was presented to alter the downtown appearance and some merchants revolted and you can still see signs in shop windows that say, "Leave Graham the way it is." If you are confident that one person's voice and eight persons that attended the open meeting was the will of the residents, you should have no problem in having another discussion. Now, it's not like this is a novel idea for the council. At the very same meeting, the voting for nominations for the historic resources commission, there were four applicants that request an appointment for the two positions. However, from the minutes you approved, and I quote, "Council member Young stated the city clerk had several people who wanted to apply but missed the deadline." And he also knew of people who wanted to apply. He asked the appointment be table for a month and readvertised. Mayor Dicki stated that she would like to proceed with replacing those two seats, giving many more opportunities for people to join in the spring. A motion by council member Young to table reappoints to the Historic Resources Commission and readvertise on social media for more applicants. Seconded by Mayor Prom Hall. The motion passed 4 to one. Mayor Dicki voted no. So we play by the rules when it's convenient and not have another public hearing on the park yet postpone

appointments when the person that missed the deadline to apply and other people we know wanted to apply. And I can guarantee you that the persons nominated that committee will not be Thank you, Eric. I appreciate your time. Thank you. Beth, I apologize. I'm having a really hard time reading the your last name, but if there was a Beth that come on up. What's your last name? I'm so sorry, Beth. Daddy's pictures on the wall of the shop. We've been I love it. Your name and your address, please, ma'am.

My name is Beth Belchure. I live at 2152 Lake Point Drive. I was born in Graham. I was educated in Graham. I moved away as my friend Jane did, but I'm back. And I'm very disappointed. That's something that um means so much to my family. My family's working class. My great uncle was the jailer in the old jail. My cousin William was the police chief. My uncle Vance started the rescue unit. My dad is 92. He's very upset that the park is being considered to be moved because he daddy's grew up here Elm Street his whole life. And he said, "You can always find some contention in Graham." But when that park was presented, people came together, they got their pennies, they made contributions. That was a unity moment for Grant and we want you to keep it that way. Thank you.

Thank you,

Ronnie Eley. Thank you for being here. Your name and address, please.

Ronnie Oley, 510 Menal Terrace, lifelong resident Graham, 65 years. Am square mileer. I appreciate the castle here. Madam mayor, something has to be done. We realize that uh with the park, but what happened last month, I'm truly ashamed of some of you that I voted for in this recent election that said one thing and did another. Madame Mayor, I owe you apology. I did not vote for you, but you stood up for what you thought was right and what to do got outvoted. So, we got to do something. Let's let's do this. Why can't we get an engineer? I I dare say someone in Alask County engineer will probably volunteer their time proono. I don't know. but uh and see what can be done. It's got to be fixed. Let's take it apart, fix it with the money we got. If we need to raise some money, let's sell some more bricks. I mean, I'd be more willing to do that. Uh and honor my dad. Uh he was a lifelong resident. Taught me to be proud of this city. I call my little Mayberry. And uh y'all are way too young to remember, but my dad, Richard Eley, longtime police officer here in Graham. Love this place. I like to thank Mr. only here for being here and and letting us know when we can't be here. I work a lot of time on Wednesday night, Tuesday nights, but he puts the paper out and we read it diligently and without that a lot of times I wouldn't know what's going on. So, I appreciate him. But I do wish you would reconsider your vote. It can be done. It can be undone. Uh many times, uh what's right is hard and this may be the right thing to do. I believe it is. But leave it where it's at. Let's fix it. Let's get on with Graham. And I know it's been a burden on your side, but again, we we voted you in to do a job and we appreciate what you do, but I do wish we could reconsider and leave it where it's at. And I appreciate your time. Thank you.

Thank you.

Todd Pickard Todd Pickard 200 Wilson Street Grant. I've listened to a lot of comments and a lot of things everybody said tonight. And one of the things that stuck out through everything everybody said is history. History is something that's very important to all of us. And the history of that park is quite interesting. I've learned things that I didn't know. I've learned things that I did know. And I've also I asked a good friend of mine, Miss Kay McDer, who was involved in the building of the park and everything. I said, "Why was the park originally put there other than memory?" She said it was a place for people to sit and relax and rest while they were walking through downtown. Well, according to your proposal, you're moving a part to a place that's not convenient to people who are walking downtown Grant. You are moving history. I've worked in the customer service industry for about 40 years now, and I've learned to read my audience. I've learned to read my customers, and I've learned to do things that they want done. And all I've noticed here tonight is that I've seen a lot of you council members up here paying good attention listening to every word everybody has said. Others not so much. And it's kind of a disappointment. I believe the comment was even made at the beginning of this that we needed to get these people out of the way. Um I'm sorry that your citizens are in your way, but one thing I'd like to say, out of sight, out of mind. So, let's move that park out of sight so it's out of everybody's mind. I mean, this has been a beautiful thing that we have here in Graham. And now all of a sudden, you know, we want to move it to a parking lot where no one who other than the people who intend to go

there will ever see that park. What representation of history is that? The representation that history can be moved if we want it to be. things can be changed in history. No, we are to learn from history. We are to learn and move forward as a community. And I do not see a community up here. I see people who have decided that they want to do something. They for whatever reason they think it's in the best interest, but I don't think they're listening to their community. All I would ask is that again we stop and we think about what's going on. What the people want, not what a few won't. And let's preserve history. Let's make Graham that small town that everybody loves. All these people that have come in here tonight have agreed on that, that they love Graham and they would love to see Graham flourish. Then things like this does not make Graham flourish. I thank you for your time. I would also like to mention one thing about Arch Around the Square. I know you haven't got into that yet. Kind of a c, you know, an ancillary thing on that. If we want Arch around the square to be a success, we have got to bring the children back. We have to have children performing. You have children performing, you have parents, you have grandparents, you have aunts, uncles, neighbors, all that will come up here and attend. and that will bring more notoriety to the city of Grant and will be another bright spot in our town. I would like to thank you all for the attention to this matter and I would really like to see some of you city hall members let us all know that you do care and that we are not in your way.

Thank you, Todd. Renee Russell.

Name and address, please, ma'am. Yeah, my name is Renee Russell. I live at 218 Ward Street in Graham. I also own 64 Harvard, a business downtown on West Harden Street. So, um I also want to keep the park as Can you speak in your mind? Yes. Thank you.

Um so, one of the things I've heard a lot tonight is about Graham coming together. Um, and it reminds me of the story that uh, Mayor Peterman told me when I sat on the appearance commission and talked about how telling me about Pumpkin Hill where all the town came together and they all brought paint and they mixed it together and it made this ugly orange color and everyone painted their house the same like orange color. And hearing about the Sesquit Centennial Park kind of feels like that as well, that it's the community coming together and just building this great thing. And that feels like really what Graham does. Um I know uh Bonnie had brought up, I think months ago, that if we cared about the park and we want it fixed, maybe we could raise money. We didn't raise money to do it, so maybe we could now. So if that is something that if it's just so much like let us raise the money to fix it. Maybe the appearance commission. We sat on the appearance commission and they're always looking for projects and that could be something that they take on a way to keep the park the way it is where it is but you know fix it and that kind of thing. Um, I also just want to make a comment on how we communicate with each other on social media. Um, I can say that watching some of the council members communicate with citizens and argue and fight is really I don't really know what the word is, but it yeah, it's embarrassing. It's

just it feels childish. And I just want everyone up there to know that we read those things. And I am significantly like You guys are too old to be acting like this online. And that is the end of my comment. So, thank you. Thank you. Your name? Joseph Bulis. Name and address.

My name is Joseph Alexander Bulis. I live at 2068 Cooper Road. Um, the first thing I wanted to say was that I am in law school and the first job I got in my first year of law school was at the courthouse with Meredith Edwards and Christy Culler and they said, "We've got the perfect office for you." and they took me up to the third floor and they put me in an office all by myself that looked over facing north with a great view of the park and of Graham cinema and Graham furniture. And as I sat sat there throughout the whole summer and for eight hours a day I got to see as someone before me mentioned this little Mayberry. I mean I grew up my dad watched Andy every day after work and I thought that's the perfect town to grow up in. And I thought this is the this is my my Mayberry. And I watch people walk into the park and eat their lunch or I would watch Graham workers go and plant flowers. And I would even watch people go up and help the workers plant the flowers. And it was the one area of Graham that didn't feel commercialized and hustle and bustle. And it wasn't about making money. It was just a public space where people got to go and enjoy. And I think that that's what so many towns lack. I lived in Charlotte for four years and there wasn't a park that you could just go and sit and eat your lunch in Charlotte uh in downtown in in Meckllinburgg County. I mean, that just didn't exist. And that's what made Graham such a beautiful place. Now, outside of the beauty of the park, I think the next issue that I have is procedurally this has just felt like a slap in the face to the citizens of Graham. If the park needs to be moved,

then I think that is uh a something that's on the table perhaps. But I think that there are council members who could approach this in a more meaningful way and hear out what the citizens of Graham want said, hear out maybe other ways instead of just rushing it along. I think that you're voted for by the people and you represent the people. I mean, that's the core foundation of this country is that you represent when you're in office, the people that voted you into that office. It's not, yes, you do what is best for the town, but what is best for the town may be what's best for the citizens. And a public space is something that's owned by the citizens of that town. And just moving it, as many people before me have said, it wasn't put there. That's that's 90% of the importance is the location that it's at. So that it's viewable by not just the people who actually have bricks there, but by people who are coming from other states, other countries. They may say, "Wow, that's a beautiful park that is memorializing the people that live in the city." And so just moving it defeats the purpose of why it was actually built. You know, yes, it was built uh for the county. Yes, it was built uh not per se in technical memorial of someone, but it was funded by the people in this city. And so I do believe that if you're going to move it, just don't even worry about moving it. Just take the time and the money to figure out where everybody has relatives that live and just ship them the bricks and forget about it. And that can be your legacy as council members. And that's fine with me. I mean, that that's okay. But that if that's what it is about, if it's not a memorial, then just give us the bricks back and I'll put them in front of my house. My

grandfather bought me bricks and so I'll just put them outside of my house. I don't want them behind somewhere else. That's not that's not the point. So, thank you. Thank you, Joseph Jennifer Bridto. I believe she was the one in overflow. Okay, she's in here. Okay. Name and address, please.

Let me move this. I'm a little short. Uh, good evening, Mayor uh, council. Uh, my name is Jennifer Breto and I live in 605 North Main Street. And, um, I want to first of all say I'm so honored to be in this room with all of you. Um, it's been extremely moving. I think that we are surrounded by now by the greatest of all times, the goats, OGs, the living legends, and not even one of these legends want to move this park. Let that sink in. So, I wrote this because I don't want to ramble, right? So, I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. I am here today as you know to speak about the decision to relocate the Sesquisentennial Park which by the way took me forever to be able to say it. This was uh this park was created through private community donations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Alamance County. It was not city funded. The engraved bricks and elements of the park reflect families moments and shared history connected to Alamance County with Graham serving as the county seat where that history is marked. The community has stated repeatedly its desire to maintain its park in its current location. Its location beside the courthouse matters to the community. It's a place where people naturally gather, reflect, and take in the resilience of the town over time. I also want to highlight that some council members

ran for office on the promise to fight to preserve this park and maintain its location. You know who you are. Yet they later voted against it. The current plan is to move it rather than repair it. Even though repairing it is less expensive, declaring this land excess as selling it and selling it raises reasonable questions about how communitydriven spaces are protected and honored when they're built with resident contributions. When a resident funded memorial space is removed instead of repaired, especially against clear public preference and no financial justification, it raises reasonable questions about priorities, motives and abuse of power. This counts of actions erode trust trust in our government. I understand I understand a vote has already been taken. At the same time, in local government, council decisions are not inherently permanent and can be revised before final action is taken. I am asking you tonight, that this issue be reopened and placed back on future agenda so the opinion to repair and keep the park in its current location can be fully reconsidered. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, that's all of my list, but I've got two that were emailed in. If you'll bear with me, I will read on their behalf. Dear Graham City Council members, my name is Leah Cutlip. I'm a 26 uh year resident of Graham who is legally disabled. After reviewing the new park proposal, I feel compelled to share the perspective of a resident with disabilities. My family and I regularly patronize downtown Bis Graham businesses, often on a weekly basis. However, finding nearby accessible parking has become increasingly difficult. Physical disabilities already make dining, shopping, and fully enjoying downtown more challenging, and limited parking further compounds these barriers. When parking near the square is unavailable, we often rely on the lot beside the Graham Historical Museum. As Graham continues to experience rapid residential growth, downtown traffic and parking challenges will only intensify. I have also observed an increase in vehic uh vehicle and pedestrian traffic incidents raising additional safety concerns. For these reasons, I do not support the proposed new park project. Specifically, I strongly oppose relocating Sesqua Centennial Park and believe this cherished green space should remain in its current location, preserving the charm and character of downtown Graham. I feel it would be more beneficial to allocate funds towards repairing and improving the existing park while pursuing grant opportunities to help offset those costs. Additionally, I am opposed to the proposed removal of the public parking lot at the relocation site. Eliminating these spaces would create further barriers for individuals with disabilities and mobility impairments who wish to access downtown businesses. While able-bodied individuals may find

it reasonable to park further away, walking additional blocks is often an unreasonable and sometimes impossible burden for those who have mobility challenges. Reducing close accessible park public parking would significantly limit downtown accessibility and negatively impact the ability of individuals with disabilities to support and enjoy local business. If I am forced to rely on distant satellite parking, I will have no choice but to severely limit my visits downtown and only come when parking close to the square or specific business is available. Finally, the propos proposal to move the park, sell the property via auction, and shift responsibility elsewhere elsewhere feels concerning. It places Graham at risk of a long-term construction eyesore and continued disruption of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. While the new park is presented as a potential revenue generating opportunity, many logistical and policy details regarding its management and maintenance remain unclear and could introduce additional challenges. Respectfully, I respectfully ask the council to consider these concerns carefully and to evaluate the proposed project through the lens of accessibility and inclusivity for all residents. Thank you for your time and consideration. Okay,

thanks for bearing with me. Okay. Hello. Due to my commute from work, I will not be able to com attend the city council meeting tonight. My name is Rachel Foster and I am a resident of Graham residing at North Maple Street. I reviewed the MI meeting minutes from the January 2026 city council meeting. I am so happy to hear that the city of Graham will finally be moving toward a plan for Sesqua Centennial Park. The area has been taped and fenced off and overgrown, not contributing to the aesthetic of downtown Graham, and it has been that way for far too long. I love the new plans to relocate Zesqua Centennial Park. The proposed new park will be much larger which offers the opportunity for more people to enjoy the park as well as provide a space for the variety of community events. The current location of the park is small and very close to the street. So this significantly restricts it due to size, noise, and safety concerns. I love the new park location. I love that the new park location will incorporate the arbor, memorial bricks, benches, and metal medallions from the original park. This pays homage to Graham's history and the residents who funded and worked hard to establish the original park. Our town is growing and it's important to us to grow with it and provide the space that is growing to our growing number of residents and visitors can enjoy while also respecting and preserving Graham's history, small town feel, longtown residents. I feel the most recently proposed plan for the new Sesqua Centennial Park marries both the growth and preservation perfectly. I understand the funding for the relocating and constructing the park hasn't been fully worked out yet. If the areas of the current park location is sold, I think it's important that the future development is required to adhere to the historical architectural standards in order to respect and preserve downtown Graham's history and aesthetics. From my

understanding, the $500,000 of funds originally delegated for the crosswalk stamping has been redellegated to the new park. I also understand that the previously encumbered unencumbered amount of 84,000 will now go to the rapid flasher beacons at the four crosswalks downtown. I agree that the flashing beacons are more likely to increase pedestrian safety downtown. I don't see how the stamped crosswalks will contribute to pedestrian safety. The flashers are visible and more likely to catch the driver's attention before they reach the crosswalk. I can speak from personal experience when I rarely yield when I'm rarely yielded to when walking through the crosswalks downtown. There have been many times when I would have been hit if I had taken my ride ofway as a pedestrian for granted and trusted that the vehicles would stop if I stuffed into the crosswalk. I've also witnessed this with countless others downtown as well. One thing I would like to suggest that could both increase pedestrian safety as well as potentially provide funds to the city to cover the remaining cost of the flashing beacons as well as contribute to the relocation of the park is to have law enforcement start issuing citations for not yielding to pedestrians. This may be something that's already being done, but I haven't witnessed this and I haven't heard anyone mention it. And this is a common practice in Graham. We already have funds allocated to law enforcement. So having them protect pedestrians in Graham is good stewardship of the funds and I don't believe the city would incur any additional costs by doing this. If people begin receiving tickets, it would not take long for word to spread that Graham is serious about pedestrian safety and drivers coming through will be more cautious and aware. In addition, the revenue generated from the citations could then be used for city improvements projects such as the flashing beacons and the new park. I would also like to suggest that the crosswalk signal be

installed at the intersection of Harden Street and Maple Street. This is a very busy intersection with both traffic and pedestrian and there's no crosswalk signal here. There is a crosswalk signal located at the other intersection located near downtown and I believe this intersection would benefit for one and to hear my thoughts and concerns. I look forward to what the future holds for Graham. Thank you for the work you do. And that ends public comments. Thank you guys for bearing with us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions. We're the reason you're here. Okay, that's public comments. Yes, take like five minutes. Y'all good with taking five? If you want to continue, I just need to go to the bathroom.

Okay, we'll take two minutes. Get up, stretch your legs. Jim's gonna run.

You got to have a formal vote. got have a vote. I will take a madam mayor. That we uh take five minutes. I second I second your motion. I got

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I got Hey. Glendale. Well,

it's So there is an extension. That's what all obsessed between

kept saying that You know that there was no You have a great They had

D has office again. My god, I've been I He can't prepare all I do what she

Hey guys, this is like a one minute warning. We're gonna get sitting back down here in a minute.

Yeah, I gave it to him. It's 100.2-1. This one right? Hold on. Hey. I'm not staying.

So, I'm not staying. All right, friends. Are we ready? No. Council, are you ready to jump back in? Um, but we'll have give them a chance.

Thank you all for bearing with us. At this time, we're jumping back into the agenda. Um, and we're going to present a proclamation if we can have um Brian Faucet come forward. Not yet. Yes. Okay. Um, guys, this is a lot of me reading off pages today. All right. So today we are uh celebrating and proclaiming um the 20th year anniversary of the Hall River Trail. So this proclamation says Graham City Council proclamation celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Hall River Trail. Whereas the Hall River State Trail is one of North Carolina's most treasured natural resources, following 80 miles of the Hall River State Park on the Rockingham County, Guilford County line to the Jordan Lake Recreation Area in Chattam County, supporting diverse wildlife, rich cultural history, and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. And whereas in 2006, local governments, conservation organizations, state agencies, and community partners joined together to establish the Hall River Trail Partnership, envisioning a paddle and land trail that would protect the river corridor while expanding public access and outdoor recreation. And whereas the creation of the Hall River Trail was closely linked to the development of the Mountains to Sea Trail, establishing the Hall River Trail as an official segment of the North Carolina statewide flagship trail and strengthening its role in connection connecting communities, parks, and public lands. And whereas the Hall River Trail has grown over 20 years

into a regional asset spanning Alamance, Guilford, Rockingham, Orange, and Chattam counties, connecting communities through hiking, paddling, fishing, viewing, and environmental education. And whereas the Hall River Trail has served as a model of cooperation, conservation with local governments, land owners, volunteers, and nonprofit partners working collaboratively to protect land, enhance water quality, and create meaningful outdoor experiences for people of all ages. And whereas the development of the Hall River Trail has contributed significantly to economic vitality across the region by attracting tourism, supporting local businesses, and strengthening the quality of life for residents. And whereas the trails success has been made possible through the dedication of countless volunteers, partner agency, conservation advocates, and community members who have invested time, resource, and passion into protecting and activating this natural corridor. And whereas in 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly authorized the Hall Rivers Trail addition to the state trail system. And whereas the year 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the Hall River Trail Partnership, a milestone that celebrates two decades of progress, partnership, and shared commitment to conservation, recreation, and community connection. Now therefore, be it proclaimed on this 10th day of February, 2026, we, the Graham City Council, do hereby proclaim 2026 as the 20th anniversary of the Hall River Trail in North Carolina and encourage all residents to explore, enjoy, and support the continued stewardship of this extraordinary natural, historic, and recreational resource. I did. Stop.

Okay, moving on. Um, next is our consent agenda. Um, and I would like to pull item B. Is there any other items that people would like to pull? Oh, pull item C from the consent agenda.

Okay. B and C. So, the two items left on the agenda are to approve the January 13, 2026 city council and close session meeting minutes and the January 20th, 2026 special budget planning session meeting minutes. And uh to approve the midyear report and tax releases in the amount of $28,2.79. I need a motion to pass those two items on the consent agenda. So, what are we what are we approving? A, A, and D. Um, we're not pulled. I'll make a motion we approve A and D. Second.

All in favor?

I passed unanimously. Um, all right. for item B. Is Yol Lima here for the Espironza? I was interested in pulling item B because in um Jol Lima's request um in in previous years, the annual Espironza Hispanic Heritage Festival has um occupied that space in the parking lot. And in September, we will either have a park or a parking lot. and I didn't know if they needed that additional space still. And so I would like to pass this B with the option of them occupying the same footprint as they did last year. Um that's why I pulled it. Megan has I was interested in hearing from her if she was here, but do you know if

um we can certainly make contact with her with the event being later in the year. city council may want to consider pushing this to March at which point in time we can reach out to her to try to get an answer on what impact that may have on their plans. That would be wonderful. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Bobby. You want to take C?

You're talking to your mic. I would like to remove the $1,500 being earmarked for the governing body from the budget amendment. Okay. Can you say more about that? All right. Megan, would you provide background on each of the line items on the budget amendment?

Sure. I'll start at the top and I will just mention that they're listed in here sequentially by the number assigned to that department. Governing body is 4100 which is why it is first. The mayor has requested to attend the NC Main Street conference in Newburn with an estimated expense of 1500 to include registration, hotel mileage, and potential PDM, information technology. In prior fiscal years, all salary related expenses were split between fund 10, which is general fund, and fund 31, which is utilities. In the current fiscal year, we split we removed the 50/50 split from 31 but did not allocate enough in fund 10 to cover the salaries and some of the uh benefit items within that finance 4,400. Extensive internal audit work performed for fiscal year 24 by two different outside auditing firms was paid a lot from the current fiscal year. As such, the 2024 audit was delayed in the submission. They also had sales tax work that the outside auditors were were working on. In addition, the sales tax work they did resulted in receiving 100% of our sales tax reimbursement that we were owed, which I think was in the $200,000 range, which was significant for us. So, that was certainly money well spent. But, we do have audit work for 2025 that we're paying. So essentially we're double paying out of the current fiscal year and the funds allocated are not enough will not be enough by the time all the contracts are completed by the end of this fiscal year. In the police department there are or were four retirements that were not budgeted for payouts in this fiscal year. the chief, the assistant chief, and then there was one who already retired and a fourth one coming within

this fiscal year that before June 30 will overdraw salary and related items within the department. And then in non-departmental which is 6,600 in both funds. So in fund 10 and fund 31, general fund and utilities respectively, our bonds and insurance ratings um are premiums for those were fairly high compared to prior year. That is insurance for workers compensation, property and liability were the two main ones in this fiscal year that exceeded the original budget estimates. Those, as you can imagine, are based on claim data for the last three years. which obviously the claim data drives the cost in our premiums for every year. So they have that three-year look back period. So that is a summary of all of those. I will point out that it does not increase the fund balance appropriation. We do have um sales tax revenue received and assuming the trend continues which we have no reason to believe that even if we had a small decline we would have enough received in sales tax revenue to cover that. So there would not be any additional fund balance appropriation required to cover what's before you tonight. Any additional questions? I'll be glad to answer those for you.

Thank you. Maggot, do you have any other questions? No. Okay. Um, do I have a motion to pass the

I make a motion that we approve the budget amendment for information technology $19,000, finance $65,000, police $85,000 and general fund non-EP departmental $60,000 and utilities fund non-EP departmental 60,000. I I will make that clarification that you're leaving out the 1,500. Yes. For me to attend a conference to further our downtown. Yes. Okay.

Hold on, guys. I got this. Do we have a second to Bobby's? Okay, that I'll second this motion. Okay. All in favor? I I All opposed. I I It passes two three. Okay. Um on to new business. Um I'm going to recognize uh Aaron Holland for the acceptance of public streets and rightaway. Please, sir.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh what you have before you tonight is a resolution authorizing the adoption and maintenance of the portions of Wildwood Lane, Langlas Drive and Jerry Court located within section one of the Valeria subdivision. Develop development in section one of the val Valeria subdivision has been completed and the streets have been offered to the city of ground for adoption. These streets have been inspected by public works, the city's engineer, and the planning department for compliance with the proposed development pattern permitted under their approved construction drawings. All public infrastructure in these phases have been deemed complete and meets the standards for acceptance to staff that recommend approval.

Great. Um, and I will clarify that these are only 27 miles of road that we're accepting tonight. Correct. This is uh just the first station. Great. Um, do I have a motion? Make a motion that we approve the um the acceptance of these streets. All in favor or second? Sorry. I All in favor? I. It's unanimously. Thank you. All right. Um, Ryan Faucet, can I have you up here again, please, sir, for discussion options, alcohol sales, arts around the square? Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

So, proposal um in front of council is very similar to what last year's event um experienced. There's been a request from local businesses to have alcohol vendors on the event site for Arch around the square. Uh you have a um a map in front of you. The event site's changing a little bit this year. Um, and so we've uh re kind of allocated, I guess, if you will, the uh streets that will will allow alcohol to be sold. Um, again, pretty straightforward. Uh, I know there's some new council members. Um, but very similar to what the experience was last year, vetted it with, uh, the police department and downtown businesses, and it fits within our scope of the event. Brian, on the map, it's it's everywhere except for the kids zone. Is that right?

Yes. Okay. Um, and are our local businesses able to sell at that event or is it just the vendors? Right now,

just vendors. You have to have a a vendor fee submitted, reviewed by the PD, and um, we allocate space in the event space. Um, right now we've got about eight or nine alcohol selling businesses downtown that I would love for them to also be able to benefit if we're bringing in outside vendors. Let's go ahead and give uh revenue to our businesses as well. Is there a possibility that we can have a temporary social district for this event so that you guys can so we can have our local businesses also sell alcohol?

I thought last year we had our local businesses selling the alcohol out there. I know Forgotten Road's was out there. Um Forgotten Roads was out there. It's my understanding that they have they're the ones that for it,

right? They have to have a special permit. So Hi-Fi right now couldn't you couldn't buy a beer in Hi-Fi and walk out to the festival. And my understanding has been we discussed this um but my after u talking to a couple of business one of which was going to be here to speak but because of the way things went on they they didn't want to wait um but most of the brickandmortar people that I talked to are not in favor of that because they don't have control over someone coming into their business and purchasing beer and then leaving and that would be a liability as far as they're concerned. and they they don't want it. Okay. Did you survey all the nine businesses?

I surveyed the popular ones. How many businesses did you talk to? That would be three. Okay. Um and now you know one I think one or two were here to speak tonight and we lost them. Yeah. They left. I was just gonna say Crystal, do you mind coming up and just speaking next to Brian for a minute? Um, I guess I'm not a popular because you surely had Hold on. Speak into the mic. That's very rude of you. I didn't I didn't mean to imply that. I'm selling. Well, you did. It's very rude. Thank you. Uh, your name and your business that you own.

Um, I own Lawson Power K. Um, I don't I did not come to prepare to speak about this, so I apologize. Um, I would need more information. Um, I think if we bring in uh alcohol vendors, you are taken away from the brick and mortars. Um, so I do uh agree with some of what Bonnie is saying. Um, a designated beer garden would be I think a nice if you want to keep it away from children obviously um would be something that we could discuss. a designated area if people walked out. Um, but I agree with businesses selling it that already sell it and not bringing in outside vendors.

Okay. Thank you. Thanks for being brought up impromptu. I appreciate it. Um, Madame Mayor, may I address that point, Brian? Yeah. Um, so last year's, um, I guess approval from council was four vendors and don't put me on the record, but the two that we we had two and they were both downtown businesses. Um, and I think the other two were regional in scope and to be able to serve in that space, you have to have different licenses and that sort of thing. So, we attempted to have local businesses as our vendors. Just wanted to clarify that point.

Sure. Um, I just want to like if Forgotten Roads is able to benefit off that, I would love for all of our local businesses to also have that equal opportunity and we could do that through a a temporary social district for this event. But forgotten, sorry, Forgotten Roads did the paperwork to get that special license. Yes, sir. Those are also cost prohibitive.

Well, for local businesses that sell alcohol, if you want to participate, then go through the process that it's in place because by allowing folks to go into established businesses and then walk out with alcohol, you're now transferring the liability to the city. is those four vendors who were there last year, they went through the process to be licensed. Those four vendors went through the process to be licensed to sell alcohol during arts around the square in designated areas. So if you at Power Aid want to participate then apply for a license the special license to allow you to do that.

It's my understanding that a business like Crystals is not eligible because you have to make the product to be a vendor like that. Um the the other point that I want to make is I'm trying to mitigate confusion. Um, we are one of the few towns in Alamance County that doesn't have a social district. And if somebody sees alcohol walking around in the street and they're in an establishment and want to take it out on the street, I don't want them to slip through somebody's fingers and accidentally walk out the door. And that is bad for them and bad for the business and bad for Graham. Um, so that was my pitch was to to get it less confusing and have everybody be able to be beneficial. Um, but that's my idea if if I'm the

I mean, we didn't have any issues with it last year the way we did it last year with the four different locations. You know, we tried to keep them away from children or anything like that, any kind of children's things that were going on. Mhm.

We didn't have any issues and we had our, you know, local businesses were out there. Um, uh, I I'm just not really in favor of people being to walk able to walk in and out of establishments with alcohol in their hands. Just just willy-nilly. I don't I'm not really uh it I'm not comfortable with that. Yeah, the I agree with Bonnie because that would require us to have more police officers downtown, which is an added cost to the city by having to pay either overtime or comp uh we to have a social district, doesn't the state have to get involved in that because they set the rules?

If we did a social district, we would have a public hearing, we have to change an ordinance, and then we have to file with the state and ABC. Um, is there I'm sorry. No, go ahead. Is there a Hold on, Crystal. Hold on. We've got it. Hey guys, I got it. Thank you. Public hearing. Go ahead. Um, what I'm thinking is what kind of expense would that put on the on the brick and mortars? I mean, to just to be involved, the expense is is to purchase the correct cup licensing and

no, they don't have to do any kind of licensing. It all is um it's whatever you you are authorized to sell in your space that can walk out of your business in a very designated place. Um and we would only do it for this one event. Um just trying to make sure that we're spreading our our opportunities around. But um sounds like we've had a discussion. Do I have a motion u to give Brian some direction? So the motion before us here is for what happened last year. Okay.

Not the social district, right? It's only for the alcohol vendors not to allow people to walk in and out of stores. Okay. I make a motion to approve the sale of alcohol during the arts around the square event and to suspend chapter 12 article 1 division 1 section 12-11 wine or beer container public display within within the approved event areas for the duration of arts around the square on May 16, 2026. I second your motion by All in favor? I

uh madame mayor that social districting I mean it is something that maybe we could address later on you know just at a later time in the were you in favor or opposed sorry Jim I of what we just voted on I voted for it okay um and what was the vote sorry it was five it passed unanimously I just think that there could have been a better way to do it But 50, you got that. Don't go anywhere. You are next on the agenda. Go.

So the next proposal is also for Arch around the square. Uh the department has been approached by say a handful of dog organizations uh within our county to be involved with Arch around the square in various capacities. Uh there's a a current ordinance on the books that prohibits um dogs from being at basically city events, whether it's parades, anything that we do down downtown as a recck department or anything else. Parks are fine. Um but we we have restrictions based on on the ordinances quoted in front of you. The ask is to suspend this ordinance for arch around the square. and Michelle can come and speak more directly to what those aspects would be that would include dogs um and why we are just asking for a suspension for this one event instead of a suspension of the ordinance alto together that would then allow dogs at all of our events. So I would if it pleases the council if Michelle could come forward.

I'm on Michelle.

Good evening council. Um, in the proposal, we did do our staff recommendations of if this ordinance is lifted, what we do recommend setting as the event standards. So, just to reiterate, um, if this would approve, uh, if dogs were allowed, we would require that they be on six foot or shorter leashes. Uh, no retractable leashes would be allowed. Um, dogs, uh, we would recommend that dogs be fully vaccinated in accordance with state and local requirements, um, which in North Carolina is the rabies vaccine. Uh, pet owners would be responsible for clean up pet waste immediately and profering of it disposably. Um, we would help encourage that by having waste stations and um, waste bags throughout the event space. Uh dogs displaying aggressive behavior or creating safety concerns would be removed from the event area um at the request of public safety officials and dogs must be under the control of their owners and handlers at all time.

Thank you. Yeah, if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer. Yeah, I'm just trying to understand like okay, I mean why do you want it for this event specifically to have dogs there? Sure. So um current what is the what's the goal? I mean what are we

Yeah, absolutely. So currently um we have a community partner application where nonprofits can apply to attend arts around the square. Uh we have had uh two uh animal organizations. So Little Blue Tattoo Rescue and the Humane Society of the Alamance um of Alamance County applied to attend the event. Uh we also if approved we would also have spoken with Burlington Animal Services and they would like to attend as well. I feel that arts around the square out of all of our current signature events would be one that allows it to be a common enough environment for dogs to come. Uh I think this also allows a demographic uh specifically younger uh childless uh individuals who love to bring their dogs to events. This is a great one for that. Uh this is also why I'm encouraging the ordinance to be lifted just for this event, not necessarily other events. Uh since our other events are a little bit more child focused or music focused where it can be loud and irritating for dogs. I would love to um see an art component if we allow this ordinance to be lifted. Um I have done with an other nonprofits where dogs can create their own art. Uh so that would add another component of fundraising potentially for one of the rescue organizations and um personally just have a passion for K9 recreation as well. So this kind of opens that segue into creating a K9 recreation program here in the city of Graham.

Thank you. Any other questions for Michelle? Yeah. What what about pit bulls? Are you going to allow pit bulls downtown? Uh, absolutely. So, just for me, uh, breed standards are based on prejudice in the same way that there's prejudice for skin color. So, pit bulls as well as any other breed is based on training and environment. So, there would be no breed restrictions. And and did you say I hate to jump back in, but did you say that um you were going to recommend that the dogs have all their shots? Yeah. So it would and not Yeah. make it mandatory.

Um especially with the structure of arts around the square um having sort of free flowing entrances, it would be near impossible to verify um vaccination status. But just as in a dog park, you know, you're not verifying vaccination status, but there are dog park rules that set standards. Uh it is of just this expectation of societal like ordinance. Now obviously if something were to occur uh you know having this recommendation does help with the liability on the city because if we have no recommendations for vaccination status then that does allow uh the liability to fall a little bit more on the city versus saying hey we made an effort of like saying that you should only bring your vaccination your vaccinated dogs to the event and you chose to disregard the event rules. Have we checked with our insurance?

Uh, not that I'm aware. So, that would be something that uh we could definitely do if it's not wanting to be passed tonight. If that's something that we want to discuss. Yeah, I think we would be wise to check into that. I mean, before we uh proceed. So, it's just my opinion, but that the consensus of the council. You want to check in? Yes, ma'am. Okay. Do we have a month to let those vendors know? Yeah, absolutely. I'll give them an update and we can work on that. Okay, that would be great. We look forward to seeing you before the the March. Council, you need a motion to table that. A motion would be fine.

I make commission that we table this to our next agenda meeting. Second it. All in favor? I passed unanimously. Thank you guys. Thank you. Okay. Number four is rules of procedure for city council. Um I'll recognize Megan Garner. We tasked you with this and you gave us a lot of reading. I did. Uh, madame mayor, I mean, if I may, I'd like to propose that we move this um procedure

discussion to a a special meeting where we can devote all our time to it and get into all the legalities because there's 42 rules we're we're talking about imposing on ourselves and I want to make sure that we have proper time to discuss it. Does anybody else second that? I second the motion. All in favor? I I Do you want to pick That passed unanimously. Sorry. Um do you want to pick a date right now? Um we can I guess it would be fantastic if you could to go ahead and get it on the calendar. Yep. Um the Lord is present.

Yeah. Because we'll need we'll need the attorneys there, too. So, can we do next Wednesday the 18th? Nope. Oh, that's right. That's right. Bobby, how about next Tuesday the 17th? I can't do that. Thursday the 19th. Nope. Megan and I are out. Um, uh, can we do March 2nd? Let me look here. How about that's a Monday? February 24th. I can do March 2nd. Could we do it at the the meeting we just set up for the end of the month,

the financial one? Yes. Um since we know everybody's going to be there. Yeah. It's just going later. Is that okay with everybody? Yeah, that's fine. I'd like to make a motion that we move that item. What we talking about the the pets? Nope. Rules and procedures for city council. Sorry, I'm lost today. Rules and procedures for the city council. We hold that for the uh finance meeting on the 23rd. 23rd at 3 p.m. Sir, all in uh second. I second the motion. All in favor? I I

unanimous. All right, here we are. I want to take a minute and thank C council for letting our public comments happen before um our discussion here. Um and I want to take a minute. Bob, did you pull up anything for the the 100.2-1? Hey Bob, can you talking to the mic? That's okay. Okay. Uh we pulled it up and looked at it. I have not had a chance to read it. Brian, did you read it? I know you pulled it up, but I read it. Hey, Brian, can you talk into the mic, too?

Thank you. I get the phone. Yeah, before making any kind of decision, I I mean I think I think it is correct that um about the relocation has to be something specific and temporary, but I don't want to really say that 100% sure with just reading it in about 10 seconds, 10 minutes. I'd rather look at it a little bit closer because most of the statute does talk about state property and not necessarily local government property. But I do think it covers that. But I would like to do a little more thorough dive into it.

Okay. Um, we'll do some discussing if you can keep looking into it if that's okay. Yeah. I Okay. All right. Y um All right. I want to open this up to council. We've heard a lot of um opinions and thoughts today. Um how are we feeling, Bobby? Is this your water? No, mine's over here. Okay. Who'd like to open up? Um, I have a a motion I'd like to make. And uh, can we do a little bit of discussing before we do motions? Jim,

I'm it's it's not about that. Okay.

Okay. I'm I'm sorry. I just I didn't see any other time when it would it would be convenient to do it or best best time. Um, before I make this motion though, I want to say this. I know not everyone will agree, and that's okay. I'm not here to make enemies. I'm here to stand for what I think is right for our community, even if we disagree. And I hope everyone will see that I'm trying to be fair and thoughtful, and I respect every voice here that's been here tonight and the previous meetings, um, as well as the ones that I've watched as a citizen, um, take place over the past year or so. And I believe everybody here, regardless of what some of you might think, that we all want what's best for Graham. And my motion is I move that we reaffirm the council's May 13, 2025 decision, which passed 4 to one to dismantle the pergola, remove and store all memorial bricks, and make the area safe. I propose I I propose that staff now act on that approved motion to secure the site. Additionally, I ask that we give time for a public fundraising effort similar to how the park was originally built, allowing time for the community to contribute through donations or memorial brick sales. It would be really cool to see bricks, memorial bricks everywhere, but this is um Yeah, I'm I'm They said I flipped last time and then I was told tonight I flopped. I'm flip-flopping now. Well, I'm sorry, but I believe that when you're when you're a leader, you you still have to have an open mind to listen to everything. And I had a whole list of quotes. I was going to bring it

up. You I even had a Barack Obama quote. So, um I'm not a fan, but whatever. He was Anyway, can I

I I just think that I I I don't understand why um it was never it never happened when that motion was made and it was passed. Um I watched that meeting probably six times Sunday and it just burned me up. I was so mad because I I felt like I was misled. Um, and I don't I I'm not I'm not calling out anybody and I don't think Ricky Ricky misled me in any way. I think Ricky was misled as well with about and I'm only talking about the Alamance County Park. Um, I believe he was told something and then the story changed when Alamance County, uh, the Alamance News checked on it. But I still think that we should follow through with that motion and give the public time to come up with some funds. Chelsea, you've talked about getting grants from Duke Power, uh, Impact Alamance. The folks out here tonight have said something about raising funds. Okay. It's, you know, people have been saying that since last year, before I was ever up on here, before I ever thought about running for city council, you can talk all you want. You've got to start doing something. Start raising some money. Sell some bricks. I I I'm I'm just I'm doing what I think is right right here. And if if if I'm I'm making more people mad, you know, because I'm I'm changing what I think is right, then so be it. I'll deal with that. I've, you know, I've I'm Look at me. I've been bullied my entire life. So there's no nothing anybody in this crowd can do to hurt me. Um I just I just think that it's the right

thing to do that we the council honors that motion from May 13th of last year. Can you reread that that motion specifically? Thank you. I have it. I I tried to pull it up in in the minutes. Um it was basically to to go ahead and dismantle the park because it was sinking and it was unsafe. That was the main the main part to go ahead and remove the structure and the memorial bricks and store them at the city until we decided what to do with it or what how to proceed. It was that was the motion. That was the original

motion that was made and and it never happened. We we approved it, but it never happened. We'd be that much farther ahead if it had is all I'm saying. So, but yeah. Could you read it? I can't find it. There's stuff this is pulling up

the minutes the minutes um that that I have right here. Uh Mayor Tally stated the vote was 4 to1 to move forward with removing it and making it safe. Then hear from the public how to repurpose the space without the cost of repair, which would be close to half a million dollars. The city did not have the money to do that at this time, but something needed to be done now to make it safe. She stated all the memorial bricks would be saved and repurposed as well as the clock perglant and the benches. Um, and you know it it's so frustrating because I went back and watched all of those meetings and I'm going to tell you one of them was like four hours long and and even here I know I know I'm trying not to fall asleep. It's and I asked for this. So, it it's just frustrating to see in those meetings. And I'm not I'm not trying to to to degrade any any single council member or anything. I'm just I I sat there and watched these things and and it was always, well, we've got to do something about it or or it's just going to get worse. And it was over and over and I watched a few times where the staff all begged for some direction on this and they were given direction but then it just kind of went away. Nobody nobody thought about it after that. And then they had another meeting in September where the people came and spoke and nobody brought up that that meeting for May where it was approved to dismantle it um put everything in storage and make it safe. So, um, you know, my motions out there and I, you know, I'm I thought about this quite quite a lot since you for at least the past three weeks and I just feel like this is the right thing to do.

Are you proposing any reallocation of funds for this project or any steps forward after tearing it down? I just don't want to be left with like there's not a direct after. I think I think that's something that for council to to decide, but I do believe we need to give give the people that support it an opportunity to come up with the funds um and and put the B park back the way they they wish. Even if if we have the grant funds, you still want to put it back on the people to fundra? Yes. Yes. because it wasn't put there with Graham dollars and and that money is Graham dollars. Hold on, guys.

One of one of the things that I don't I that and I I have actually signed up to speak at the next county commissioners meeting because I was wondering why would the county not want to get in on this? You know, why why don't they want to do something? And I'm not trying to pass the buck or throw it on to somebody else, but I do plan on going and ask them and it might fall on deaf ears, but you know, it was the the 150th anniversary of the Alamance County and and now it's Graham's burden to to deal with it. And Alamance County hasn't hasn't I haven't heard anybody from Alamance County offer anything. So, and is it wrong to go ask them? There's also a little bit of um it was new information to me that the grant funds that we were reallocating last month, they are due to be spent down by June 30th. Now,

we are working on a timeline, right? Um even the RFQS that we got in cannot operate on that timeline. And so if we don't spend down the funds, we're giving back that money. But we have 500,000 that we could use still. Well, well, I have a motion that that we reaffirm the previous motion from May. Um, that is something that can be a totally different motion. So, I you know, do I get a second on my motion? Can we finish talking? Sure. It it's a bigger picture thing and I just want to make sure Chelsea

it it's not a it's not a bigger picture thing. This is a motion that was made in May. Disassemble to disassemble it to put everything in storage and make it safe. Make the area safe. Those were the words. Make the area safe. I don't think there's any bigger picture to that. Only hesitation is to do that and then it stops there. And I want to make sure that we're committing to bring it back after we put it in storage. I don't want it to sit in storage and be an empty lot.

Well, I mean, that will give the people time to to raise the funds. Do you I mean, have you talked to anybody about the grants that you you mentioned you mentioned them the 25th meeting you came up when you were, you know, announced you were running for mayor and that you could get the money from Duke Duke Energy or Impact Alamance. There's people that are still willing to partner, but right now they're looking at us and saying, "You're tearing down the park and and they're not ready to partner with us." I I just put it out there. You did. I haven't talked to anybody in the last 30 seconds. Let's get a Let's get a Let's get a second and and vote on it to reaffirm that previous motion. And it's a start because either way either way it has to come down.

It has to come down. That's the first step. It has to come down. So, why not give them the opportunity? It It just doesn't make sense. I'm I'm Go ahead. I've made my motion. Okay. Thank you, Jim. I second that motion. Okay.

Thank you, Mark. the um I mean I think we need to discuss some more, but um I do I do agree with what you're saying because I was the one that made that motion back last year and I was astonished that it didn't happen. Um but um because we did vote for it and I I was concerned about safety. That's what I was concerned about was the safety of it. And and I knew it had to come down regardless of what we did. Whether we repair it and put it back or whether we move it or whether we just tear it down and sell it, it has to come down no matter what we do,

right? And I said this last year. Um, so I do think that we need to um, you know, we need it's got to be started. Okay. As far as the grant money, you know, I did

I Yes, we have 400 and what is it that we have about Yeah, that's fine. Um, I don't think it was enough for the the um bid that we got to absolutely fix it and put it back. We'd need a little bit more. Um, you know, somebody when they spoke I don't I'm sorry I don't remember who spoke about it. I did write down all your names though, but I don't remember who spoke about it. Somebody said um that Graham didn't put it there. Graham Alamance County put it there. It just happened to be on Graham property. Um so and and I brought this up at a a previous meeting as well. Why isn't Alamance County helping us then with the money? Why? you know, so you know,

I did check with uh I I did inquire about the previous bids and since they're expired, I asked I asked for them to be I I requested that those companies be contacted and asked if they would honor their original bid. The answer was no, but which I think that would have probably sped something up, but we don't have to wait for bids or anything. But, you know, I'm

Yeah. Yeah. And you know, they're going to be more now because they expired quite a way quite a long time ago. Um because I think they were only good for like 60 or 90 days. And this we've been discussing this for two years now. So um you know I don't have any problem with giving people time to you know try to raise the money what whatever monies they can. Um there were, you know, the park was put there by donations and I don't have a problem with that. But that being said, we do have we'd have to reallocate the grant money somewhere else.

Um so because we're going to it's a use it or lose it and you know we're we're coming down to crunch time. We where I'm not sure we could make it if we moved the park and I'm not sure if we could make it if we agreed to put the park back where it is. So, you know, my point being that money's if we don't get an extension is going to be gone. Well, no, that not not necessarily, Megan. No, I mean, we can use it. What I'm saying is it will no longer be available for this project is what I'm saying. Well, because it will be already used somewhere else within the city.

Want to put the park back in its current location. And what is being proposed is you have the opportunity to make it happen uh establishing a committee, raise the funds and we the city will take the responsibility right now to dismantle it, store it. But at least we can clear it, take the fence down because that's got to happen regardless whether we put it back there or not. But from what everyone has said, you want to put the park back where it is. Now, my objection about putting it back where it is was using taxpayer dollars to make it happen. I mean, that's what because that's what's going to happen. But

hold on, guys. I mean, I mean, if you want to be truly fiscally responsible, we we would just take it down, return the bricks, and sell the property. That would be the most fiscally responsible thing we could do. But that's not what our community is asking for, but I'm just saying that would be

Get on, guys. So, you know, and I think we had a lot of people last year, it's been a year ago, had several people that said, "Oh, I can raise the money for that." And I said, "Okay, please do." And then I never heard back from him. It was crickets. So, I mean, my objection is I don't want to use any money that belongs to the city of Graham to put that park back because we didn't put it there in the first place. You know, we didn't use grand money to put it there. Alamance County, it's it's for their anniversary, right? But but what people fail to think about, too, is upkeep. We've been paying repair and upkeep on this park for 25 years.

Hold on, guys. It's cost us Hey, hey, you know what? This is my time to speak. Bonnie, I got it. Um,

look, I want to tell you, it's costing us between 12 12,000 and $15,000 a year to keep this park going. And no one ever stopped to consider that when they put it on our property when when they spent the money and put it on our property. But they they as in Alamance County, nobody's helping us keep it up. No, that's coming out of Graham's money. And I'm sorry, I'm not willing to spend Graham's money to put it back, but I am willing to see if folks can, you know, drum up some funding. I think that was um the driving force be behind me proposing using grant funds from the state. It's still Graham's money,

Burke. Not Alance County's money. It's our It's Graham's money. I'm sorry to bother you. Um can you confirm this 15 to 12,000? Sorry. Make your way up to the mic, please. I can confirm that because that number came directly from Burke today via text message. So, yes. And is that because the foundation is not great or that what kind of maintenance are we looking at?

That's total manh hours for landscaping as well as hardscape. Uh you know repainted a pergola when it was repainted that was you know that that that cost per year is for those items spread out over a number of years. In any particular year it may be higher or lower depends on what we have to do. Has a car ran into it and damaged bricks and had to do masonry work. Um, you know, it was it a really dry year and we had to spend more labor keeping everything alive. Uh, did somebody borrow our plants? Uh, did somebody walk on our plants? All those things, you know, but that's an average what we what we what you can look for year in year out spread over a 20-year period.

Sure. Um, one more question. I know I've asked you this several times. If we committed dollars right now, could we have the park fixed bids out by June 30th? Are we going to lose those funds? Probably not because, you know, the bid is going to have to be redid, you know, rewrote or not wrote, but edited, back out, resubmitted and then go through the process and then, you know, I don't know, you know, contractor's timeline. I can't make any promises to that. Sure. Okay. Thank you, Bob. Did you find anything? Did y'all find anything in that? Can you speak into your mic?

That section 100-2.1 does apply the local government's public property. So, I believe it does apply. So, can you speak a little bit more? What does that mean specifically for us and trying to move Sesquentennial? It's um pretty exactly what the gentleman said who who spoke earlier. Let's see if if it's new temporarily, you know, you have to put it put it back. If you move it permanent, you have to put it in a place of equal prominence. Uh and it can be moved for those reasons for safety reasons or repair or something like that. So, you're saying you can't move a park, not a memorial, not a memorial. Call a memorial. It is.

It was never classified that way. Right. But hold on, guys. Hold on, guys. There's elements in the park that class Guys, got to let me lead the meeting. Um, there's elements in the park that classify it as a memorial and therefore we cannot move the park. I don't agree, but Okay, I don't agree with that. Yeah, we we uh I made a motion. We got a second. So, are we still discussing things that have nothing to do with that motion? Like I said, it's a bigger picture. We've got this pool of money that's going to expire. We've got a Just want everybody to see. Okay. This is partly why the motion didn't go anywhere the first time.

Let's vote on it. Mayor Mayor Dicki, I do apologize. Council member Young, I I have if if it is okay with the council. I have just sort of a list of things that I would like to bring to city council's uh attention just so we're all on the same page on what it looks like with where we are and potentially where we're going to go. I do think having a definition of safe would be beneficial for staff. So, does does safe mean that we can take the fencing down and it's just safe for people to walk on the property? there's grass or most likely grass or something there. Is that sort of our target for safe is one item. And if if you want me to go through the whole list or if you want to kind of mention them as we go, I can I'm good with whatever you want to do.

Go through the list and we'll make notes.

The grant money itself as it passed reads exactly as provides a directed grant to the city of Graham for downtown revitalization. So there isn't really much, you know, specificity to that on how the funds can be spent. We do have a June 30, 2026 deadline. There are other items in the B1 district that could be considered for funding. the amount we have left that was previously before last month's council action allocated to the crosswalk enhancements that were then shifted to the park project are $485,320. So that is the amount as it stands tonight in the system to answer the question um you had earlier. I do think other options that would be wise for everyone to understand and kind of be on the same page. I think if donations are uh or fundraising efforts are considered as a part of the motion and I apologize I couldn't write as fast as you were speaking but I'm sure Rene's got it. I think it would be wise for city council to adopt a donation policy specific to this project. People who make donations to the city can earmark them for a specific purpose and there are accounting mechanisms that we have to handle internally to ensure that their funds are in fact going to that specific purpose for which they made the donation. So I think coming back to you and it doesn't obviously doesn't have to be tonight but I think it would would be wise to happen before any fundraising efforts happen so people who make donations would understand very clearly you know what that look like what looks like for them before they make a

decision to either donate or not. And then I believe my last one is essentially what to do with the bricks. Numerous people have spoken that they would not want their bricks to be relocated. At this point in time, it appears that relocation is is not definitive. So I think if individuals would want their bricks back, we would be wise to develop, you know, just some sort of form that says if I have a brick there, I'm coming up to to city hall or wherever and that this is the brick or the bricks that I have and I'm the person who's entitled to get those. You may have siblings, uh, family members who want the same brick and it would be very challenging for us to sort of administer who may have the right to grab those, but for them to sign some sort of document that says this brick is basically mine for the taking to kind of take us out of what may or may not be an issue. And then it's very clear who wants their bricks and we can kind of shift them from the project. They get their bricks and and in in place as they are before they go to somewhere else. So that's my list at present. Happy to read it again or or do anything you want to with it including nothing. So

thank you Megan. Now this with disassembling the the park and storing it be considered part of the cost or money expended toward it.

The disassemble and relocation would happen by internal staff members, specifically the public works department. There would be some equipment rental, most likely a crane would be one item, possibly some other equipment rental to do that. It's not uh a fast or easy job to go out there and do that, which is honestly why it hasn't happened to date. Our public works department is limited in capacity to devote the manh hours. This isn't the type of project where you want to go out there and start it and stop it, start it and stop it. You really need to devote a significant chunk of time to do it, right? So, the cost for those would need to come from somewhere. I don't imagine that public works or property maintenance or any of those departments that fall within that would likely have the funds already allocated to do that. So that brings up another question is would we

can we use the grant money?

In my opinion, for what it's worth, probably not because it says provides a directed grant to the city of Graham for downtown revitalization. I don't know that disassembly of a park would fall into the category of downtown revitalization. The last thing I want to do is run a foul of a state grant and risk not ever being allocated funds again. And we whatever we do, we also have to amend our scope of work with the state. I mean, we can ask Amy Gayley's office if it would be something we could do um with it. She would know. She's the one that you know that that Mayor Tally worked with to get that grant. So um but

and since it was awarded the office of state budget and management we have to provide uh quarterly reports on activities and the funding. So they are the admin administration the ones who administered the grant. So they would probably need to say yes or no on whether that would fall within the downtown revitalization. I think in the in the uh meeting where it was the motion was made and passed um I think Burke was asked about just cutting cutting the cutting the perglar where it's welded so they wouldn't have to have a crane and and drive down the road and clear traffic and all that. Um because then it can be reassembled um just as easy. Am I right, Bert?

Will you come on up to the front B, please? Sorry, ma'am. To move it in one piece would require a crane. Then we're going to have to have traffic control. The crane is going to have to go to public works because to clear the traffic lights and everything, it will be too wide to fit through any gate at public works. We believe that we could cut it into two pieces and because it was welded together when it's made and just weld it back together and possibly not have to rent the crane, but we may have to have some other things to help us with the job. Thank you. So, why can't we use the c um the the money to go ahead and put the crosswalks in?

That's a city council action for consideration. Honestly, at this point, I don't know that that project would even be accomplished by June 30, 2026. And and to be clear, we have requested an extension of those funds, and there is zero guarantee that that will happen, but we have requested an extension. And and we don't know a timeline for when consideration to that will be given. So, right now, we're moving forward with they disappear, June 30, 2026. And we haven't heard anything back from Senator Gayy's office on the extension request or

we we did she gave us to a a Carly I can't remember her last name um who manages that. Okay. So, we're waiting to hear back from them. Yeah, Carly said that basically she's putting it in the hopper and we'll keep us updated. Okay. But that could that grant money be used for any B1 projects? I think as long as it falls within the city of Graham for downtown revitalization, yes, we would just meet need to amend our scope of work with OSBM, the office of state budget and management. So, do we have anything that would

I'm glad you asked. So, in a previous staff report, and I'm pulling up the attachment, I apologize. I don't have the date on this one, but it's a staff report that was provided to council when perhaps when the initial funding decision was made. It could have been at a the initial pitch. It could have been at a later meeting. I'm just looking at the staff report and I apologize. It doesn't have the date. But resurfing resurfacing municipal lots on West Elm and Maple. Um we had different breakdowns for paving Harden and Maple, Maine and Marshall, Elm and Marshall. Erin, is that list something you can pull up? Um downtown street light upgrade which was approved and funded accomplished. Repaint the metal poles downtown. Duke Energy responded that they have no plans to paint them. Um, the quote we had was years ago and if we wanted another quote, we would have to pay an engineering firm to get it. And this is this list is what I'm reading from and I'm on item three um, at the moment. Resurfacing East Elm from East Harden to home. And you can see what that project would entail. The pedestrian crosswalk improvements downtown was one that was initially funded and then that funding was shifted last month to the park. Item six, tree replacement downtown was approved. Public works has that set for spring. Obviously, now would not be at the ideal time to be planting. Item seven, hanging baskets. We were presented with the quotes to

maintain those. There is the issue of getting an agreement with Duke Energy to hang something else on their poles. May or may not be approved. Would certainly take some time. Um, Paveway Systems pattern pavement. You can see here this was a brick paver. Um, appearance approximately one-third the cost of conventional pavers. It would require require NC DOT plan approval. Brick PA sidewalks was the last one. Um the cost for those at the time of the staff report was $39 to $47 per square foot. So these were items that were prepared by public works at the time that city council considered this before. These are options. paving is a a quick option that could most likely be accomplished between now and June 30. You know, we have a timeline we're working up against. Some of these that require outside agreements would certainly add to the overall timeline. You may have other ideas. I think as long as they would fall into the downtown revitalization, which is key to this, then I think they would certainly be worth council consideration. That was a very long way to answer the question. Is there any aspect of the park that we think that we could start mitigation, complete it by June 30th, and fit the bill for this revitalization? I think it would certainly be a challenge. Um, especially hearing what public works director Robertson said about repairing what we have now. I think the safest thing to not jeopardize our existing funding, which of course we will be audited on and rightfully so,

and the potential for future funding would be not to charge dismantling and making it safe to the grant that those funds would be paid elsewhere. How long does this have to go out for bid? What? What's legally? What is it? 10 days. Uh, give me a minute on that one. It's going to depend on the dollar amount. Formal bidding for construction or repair contracts is 500,000 and above under that.

Yep. informal bidding is 30,000 up to what's the timeline on that? Yeah, I'm gonna have to look up GS43131 to tell you if you have something else you want to discuss while I'm over here. I know it's a hope and a prayer, but I would since we don't have to do design to repair the park. I would love to move forward, hoping that we get the extension, but let's make the motion something bigger than just taking it down. Let's make the motion that we actually want to put it back up as well.

I I think we're best to do, baby step, we get something done tonight. Can we reaffirm that motion? The motion that I made and and that other stuff we can hash out. We're going to be here all night. Not that not that I mean I'm I'm up for it. So,

but I think I made I made the motion. It was seconded and you know, why not vote on it? I have la one last comment and I think it it's because I'm confused because if we take it up without hashing up the next step then half of the community members might come and want their bricks back and half of the bricks are in limbo and like we're talking about it is a memorial. And so if we're putting it back the way it is, we want all the bricks. We want to be able to represent all these community members. But if we if if rightfully so, if people don't know our next step, like you said, this is the first step. I I agree with this being the first step. But I think putting together the whole package so that people understand our vision of where we're going with this so that they can either claim their bricks or leave them to be memorialized in the same location is my point of confusion for this motion specifically.

Okay. No matter how many touchyfey words you use, it's not going to make any difference. I made the motion that we reaffirmed the motion that was made last year. It was seconded. That's a start. I mean, it's a start. All in favor? That's all I'm asking. How are How are we funding that? How are we funding it? The city's going to do it.

Yeah, that was always the intent the that Burke public works would do that. Now, here's the challenge I'll put before all of you who want to build the park back in its current location. Your challenge is to raise the fund raise. your challenge cuz given what we had heard from the contractors to renovate the park, they all came in around $500,000. Okay.

I think it was $479. Hey, $500,000. You take the challenge to raise at least half of it. Hold on, guys. I got it. And then through grants and such, we pay it, you know, raise the funds and then we put the park back in its current location. Bob, does that hold us to repairing the park? the 100 section two.

Does that hold us liable to repair the park? I think we need time for legality check.

Microphone. Okay. Are you are you saying after the removal and storage the does that Well, I I think at a minimum we have to make it safe, right? But after it's safe, does it hold us to putting it back? I don't think it necessarily does. I think you probably have to make that motion. So, we can't move the park, but we can dissolve it according to the bill. Again,

hold on. I really need this answer. You you make and in my opinion I think you think you can remove it. You know what I mean and make it safe and then take some other action. I I would assume you take some other action you know to to do whatever you plan to do either dispose of it, restore it or whatever the you know the uh the wishes of the council would be. Um, I'm confused how we can't move it, but we can dissolve it. We're not Hold on, guys. So, you're

You said that we can't legally move it because it's a memorial, but you're saying that we can take it down, make it safe, but not put it back. So, you're in essence dissolving a park. I I think you'll have to address that statutory issue. You know what I mean? About, you know, it it says, Brian, let me let you weigh in. I think I think it was that said you have to temporary Brian can you hit the microphone? Yeah. And then this is just I can't get it up this um pulled up right now. But if it's temporary remove you got 90 days to put it back. Uh and and if you don't I guess you could always relocate it but it has to be to that relocation of a a place of similar prominence.

Okay. That's just So once we vote to take this down, we have 90 days to put it back. That's what I read. I have I have a question. I mean, I I feel like I'm not even comfortable making a decision tonight because I I really think looking up statutes on phones and stuff and trying to interpret them, you know. I I think maybe our attorneys need a little bit more time to do some research. I I I would say Yeah. I would and I think maybe we need to just you're going to hang your hat on what I'm saying. I'd feel better if I had a little more time to Well, I feel like you're not real certain about it. So, I I would prefer time to digest it really.

Yeah, exactly. So, I mean, I'm personally not comfortable making a decision either way right now. Um, so if I'm reading it right, it says 90 days of completion of the project that required its removal. So, That's that's that's the timeline. 90 days within the completion of the pro of the project that required its removal in the first place. So that 90 days would be whenever it was ready to for the stuff, but that's when the clock would start on that. Yeah, that sounds great. Am I right?

But it still sounds like we are held to repairing it. Overall, we'll let we'll let the the pros do their thing, but it sounds like we are legally held. I at least know we're held to removing it and making it safe.

But but what she's saying is if that's why we need to have our attorneys do a deeper dive before we make any decision. I mean, that's just my opinion. Um, let's let them make a deeper dive into the the statutes that were brought up and figure it out. I I'm not comfortable with them having to sit there on their cell phones and look look up stuff on their phone. I mean, this gentleman, he had time to prepare. He did a great job, but he had time to prepare. Damn it. What's that?

Hold on, guys. If we get into to comments from the crowd, we'll we'll be talking back and forth all day. Um, okay. You're not comfortable doing anything moving forward. Let's try to find some consensus to to put something together for a motion. What was the vote on Mr. Young? This is not a public hearing. 41. This is our discussion. I'm sorry. Hold on. 41 to disassemble it. We didn't vote on that that motion. I thought we just voted on it and it passed. We didn't vote on it. It vote, I think. No. Okay, now we did. We'll vote again.

What? Um, Bobby seconded it. He seconded it and then it stopped. It went into conversation, right? All in favor? I I I All opposed. I me and Bonnie 32 are opposed. You okay, Renee? You're not following. Okay. So, um we reaffirm the May vote of 41 the things that

to disassemble and store Okay. The things that we've got to address is Megan's question of what is safe. Um so that we know how far the town has to go. Be helpful not to have any sort of ambiguity. Yeah. But it's got to be disassembled. Right. The disassembly I'm clear on. It's the safe that maybe I'm a little less. So you're voting on the motion to disassemble and store. He did make the motion.

We We've read it four times and I apologize. We'll read it again for the public because I know I'm I'm getting confused, too. The motion was to disassemble the park and make it safe and stop there. Do the first step and and that's it. And then that motion was seconded by Bobby, right? And then it was voted on by Jim, Ricky, and Bobby. Bonnie and I voted no to that motion. Renee, you good? Y'all understand where we are? I think we need to do some due diligence before we do that. So, I'm just saying.

Yeah. Okay. Now that there is been a motion for the three people especially that voted on this, what is the definition of safe so that the town knows how far to take this? Burke, could you come up please? A we missed you. You need to get a little rolly chair. Yes, sir. What What in your in your mind would be making the area safe once you've got the memorial bricks and the pergola taken down for safe storage. While it's that's happening,

you'd have to haul enough dirt in to fill it up to where it properly drains and then seed and straw it for the short term just you know because you also got to make erosion control folks hat. So we would haul dirt into a place that's already sinking and then we're going to have to dig the dirt out again. Yes, ma'am. Okay. That doesn't make sense to me, but okay. You said for a temporary. What is temporary? so that we know when that cost. So whenever somebody makes a decision and hands us money to do something different. No, I'm saying like I don't want this to sit for six years and say it was safe for the six months, but now it's settling again.

I mean, you you'd have to stabilize it with grass, you know, probably a fescue. Okay, Megan, is that good for you? B, if Burke's good, I'm good on the definition of safe. I I do think that despite whatever happens to make it safe, our next our next steps as staff, if we're to bring something back to you would also warrant some consideration on what you're looking for. Is it to in addition to the, you know, the policies and stuff I suggested, but is it to pass it to potential fundraising efforts? What city role do you want in that? Is it just to help promote? Is it to help facilitate?

Thanks, Burke. Goodbye, Burke. Thank you, Burke. You know, we can get it safe. It It sounds like the three who voted for that are good with Burke's definition of safe, but to keep it from sitting like that indefinitely. You know, what can we do as staff to bring back to city council or who whomever? I'm interested in hearing what Bob and Brian have to bring back. I think that will maybe push us in the right direction. If we are legally bound to repair the park, then we have to repair the park.

Okay. So, we'll just wait until perhaps the March agenda when city council will hear from the attorneys on that. Would that be enough time for y'all? Okay. Thank you for clarification on that part. Yep. Thank you, Megan. Are we good to move off the park? No. You say no. No. Okay.

We need commitment from the residents of Graham that have a hand in us. Y'all all talk if you know it's one thing we all talked about want to keep it there. You built it. And I'm not saying you need to help pay for all of it, but have a, you know, fundraising to raise some of the money for it. That's what we're talking about. Hold on, guys. Let's Let's I'm gonna ask um Jane, can you come up here? Do you mind acting as a spokesperson?

We There's a lot of moving pieces. Um, I think if we could have Jane or somebody um, be a spokesperson, a contact person for all of you guys to come together and then I I it's hard. We had the money to do this. Um, and and now we are running out of a timeline. So maybe next month we can have an extension. That would be great to be able to come forth with you guys. Jane, what were you going to say? I I was going to say, can we meet each other halfway? And I if y'all could use the money that is there to start it and then if it needs more than that, I will be the chairman of the committee and we will raise the rest. That's what we did the town did before. But I want to see y'all heard our hearts and the money's there and that that's what's confusing to me why I mean I think tomorrow they're going to tell you it's got to be paid for one way or the other. So why not use the money that's there and then if we can't if that's not enough I will put my name on it and we will raise the rest and and thank you very much. Does that sound good?

We I mean we I promise you that I promise you my word my debt we will raise the money the rest of it if you use that to try first we will make it happen. It doesn't I don't care how much it is we'll figure it out. Thank you Jane. Hold on hold on. I thought this was a back and forth. What are we doing, Megan? We can't start allocating those funds is what you're you're against that because it's a bad look.

No, that's not what I'm saying. So, if I if I gave that perception, I do apologize. The funds we have, let's just for for simple numbers, we'll say that the project to repair the park is 500,000. We have the 485320 that could be allocated by city council action to begin repair work of the park. Assuming we hold on guys

were able to lawfully expend at least 485320 by June 30, 2026. We would be in compliance with the grant without an extension again which may or may not happen. The difference again just for simple math would have to be city dollars that would have to be allocated in the project ordinance that was originally adopted amended last month and can be amended as many times the city council wants. Having said that, we cannot lawfully pre- audit a contract again in our imaginary scenario here for 500,000 until the total amount of the contract is there for funding. So in the project ordinance, should it be amended again would be the 485320. The difference would be allocated from city dollars regardless of whether those city dollars flowed through fundraising efforts or something else. But that does at least initially put the city on the hook to pay the difference. But if we were able to expend 485 320 by June 30, then we would be in compliance with our grant requirements. Regardless of whether it was 500,000, 600,000, whatever the difference is, as long as we had work, tangible items to show that things happened at that park and we were lawfully build within that, we lawfully spent, then we would be good. And then the project could in theory go beyond June 30 as long as it was only being funded by city dollars, whether it was our money, people who made donations or whatever that looked like. Does that answer your question?

Does that answer I appreciate that. If that could be the last of the comments from the community, that would be great. No, I appreciate all the passion. Um, that does answer the questions. My biggest hesitation now is I don't want to wait a month and and get even closer to the June 30th if we're going to try to put some of this money towards repairing the park because it sounds like we have to repair the park. It sounds like the community is going to raise the rest of the funds and tomorrow Burke's got to open his email and do something um and pick a direction because we've got this money that we're either going to use it or lose it.

Sorry, I look at them because Megan's over there. Sorry. If I may, just at a very quick glance at a published table by the school of government for informal construction and repair contracts that do not involve buildings. A pergola, my uneducated opinion, would not qualify as a building. That may or may not be the case. But according to them, no ads are required um until you hit the formal threshold of 500,000. If you hit the 500,000 threshold, it says newspaper or electronic ads for full seven days before bid opening. Advertising by electronic means only requires board approval. So, we're most likely talking about a formal bid scenario, which would require a 7-day publish for construction and repair contracts that do not involve buildings,

which could in theory start tomorrow if we direct it. Correct. Otherwise, we're well, you're going to have to approve advertisement by electronic means if we don't make the deadline for Thursday's paper. So technically it probably couldn't start before a Thursday council. What?

He's saying tomorrow. So we get we draft an ad, we send it to the publication. your 7-day clock, I believe, and I I do want to check all this because like them, I'm looking at what the school of government has published, but it looks like your seven-day clock would start Thursday, and then we could call a special meeting, select a whatever bid, and then start moving forward within 10ish days. You would select your lowest responsive responsible bidder. Mhm. Microphone. Microphone.

Brian, I talked about it briefly and if you can give us till next Monday, we we might I I think we can crank out something to give you this piece of the puzzle, you know, mean what's required by the statute and that would that would help the decision some. Is there any way we can do it before next Monday? um as possible. You know, uh you don't know what you hit when you start doing the research and and to do it and uh and sort of chase chase down everything we know or you know other similar situations. Okay.

We've got money, we've got a project, we've got a possible forward. What That is currently what we're talking about to replace light. I think we would have to go back with the same design. Sorry. We would have to go back with the same design

with this timeline. We would for sure. So that's not been part of the discussion at all. We don't have time to do design engineering stuff. Right. Well, let let me state my my vision of safety is is totally different from yours or anybody else on the county council. Mine is to remove the complete basement. Whatever was there, it's got to come out. If we don't, we're going to be back at this again in a couple years. Well, it is going to have to be removed regardless. I I don't follow because it has to be removed. We We know that has to be dug out. We We know that.

Okay. You're saying You're saying you don't think it's safe unless we dig it out first, right? Is that what you're saying? Okay.

Can I make a motion? or I would like to reallocate the funds to go forward, have a seven-day bid process and build back Sesqua Centennial Park in the same build and then after that have a a special meeting in the next 10 days to go ahead and get this rolling. That is my motion to take before we hear from Bob. Before we hear from Bob, the community wants it whether I'm legally bound to do it or not. So you're saying we're going to take a 2700 square foot piece of property and still only have,00 square feet of usable space.

I am What a waste. God, what a waste. Guys, let's be respectful. It's got to go back the same way. Um, that is my motion. Do I have a second? Mayor Dicki, do do you mind just repeating that one more time, please? I make a motion that we reallocate the four Oh, it's somewhere 485 320.

Yes. Um to rebuilding Sesqua Centennial Park in the same design. um getting the bids out this week, seven days, and then having a special meeting in the next 10 days to pick the lowest bid at the lowest bid. That's what she said that we are legally bound to.

If you award a contract, it has to go to the lowest responsive responsible bidder. City council can reject all bids, but if you award a bid based on a process, whether it's formal or informal through a bid process, not a qualificationsbased process, it has to go to the lowest responsive responsible bidder or you reject all bids. Was that you're good? I repeated it. Do I have a second? Second. All in favor? I I No. All opposed?

I I It failed. Two to three. I still want to hear back from our legal people first. a fairly long detailed statute and it'll be it'd be good to approach this thoroughly because we don't want to do anything to jeopardize the contracting or the funds or anything. So, we want to be right as as pro well we we'll we'll do a good job on it but we need the time to to delve into it.

Okay. Um we will wait on that. Do we want to table the grant funds conversation as well because it might be tied to whatever Bob and Brian bring back? Yep. Yes. Okay, Megan, you good? All right. Um, that concludes new business. We are on to city staff comments. You, Megan?

I'll jump in first. I only have one. I don't have a list like I had last month. Uh, Council Member Young requested a presentation from the Invictus Task Force before we reach out to get them scheduled. We just wanted to confirm that that was good to add to the city council agenda. It may or may not be March dependent on availability, but we just wanted to make sure that was something that city council was fine with us putting on the agenda. The Invictus Task Force. Invictus. What is that? Child sex predator task force. Ah, okay. Is that a yes? Yes. Yes.

Yes. Thank you. That's all I had. Aaron, nothing. You guys, nothing. Come on. Okay. Um, Jim, you got anything? I think I said enough. All right. Made everybody tired of me. Ricky. Yeah. I got a couple things to say. Okay.

Number one, u Mr. Bony um made out like I was a liar. Um I did speak to um Brian H. Good. I mean not Brian but Brian Baker. I spoke to him on November the 20th at the Alamance County Community Leadership that we had in Wilmington and it was in between the mid afternoon sessions. So, we did speak about the parking and Aaron has been in contact with Brian now and we do have the parking available to us because it's already open. Anything else? Okay, Bobby. Nope.

Nope. Bonnie. Oh. Oh, come on, guys. Okay. Um, I wanted to start and get reports from your commissions. Um, just because I think it it'll be good to provide each other updates and then updates to the community of what the different commissions and appearance or commissions and boards have been up to. So, who wants to start? Well, the historical resources board met um last Tuesday and uh I think we had two uh approved signage for a wellness spa. I didn't I didn't know I was going to have to take notes and I would be tested on this later. Um but uh and I think we've got maybe one more that's coming in for the next hearing for a um sign. I I I believe it's another signage um for the next meeting, but I will I will do better the next time. I promise.

Appreciate it, Ricky. Which one do you want me to talk about? All of them. Okay. The only one that I've been able to attend um because they're the only ones met is the Graham Burlington MO. Um at our last meeting, we started talking about um um funding um grant opportunities and funding for certain roads. Then we moved out of that and went into talking about the um moving uh or ending the spot seven um calculations for this year and open spot eight. That's it.

Thank you. Marks and Rex invites everyone to attend the Hall of Fame dinner. Uh Ron, what's the date of that? April the 11th. Thank you. Thank you, Bon.

The museum board has cancelled both of the meetings that we had. One was for weather uh and I think the other one was because we didn't have anything on the agenda. So, it has been rescheduled for March.

Okay, great. Um, I attended the January um appearance commission. Uh, February is taking place on Thursday because of snow, but we they talked a lot about fall decorations. We granted um some lighting and facade improvements for a downtown business. um and then talked about their year um planning and then discussed the upcoming banner designs. So that's my update. Um I wanted to take a minute and say thank you to Burke for walking up and down so many times. No, I really wanted to say thank you for public works storms and snow and these guys brine the roads and scraped them and we got through all the snow and good job.

We appreciate you and your team. Thank you. Um, thank you to I don't know where Chief Cole is, if he's still in here. Um, but thanks to the fire department and um, keeping us safe. There was a fire during one of the snow weekends. They were able to get it out. Um, the family is is fine. Um, and the police department for keeping us safe, collaborating with other agencies and bringing justice to um, the people that are are making streets less safe. Um, yes,

we have a great place to live. Um, I wanted to take a moment and address the recently, uh, presented town brand. Um, my understanding was that staff intended to gather and and incorporate council's feedback from last month and return to council for further discussion. That did not occur. Um I do believe this process was carried out um in a way that without community input um additionally I have concerns that the logo and type face and color palette is very closely resembles our neighboring municipality of Burlington. Um Graham is a community with its own rich history, our creativity and our vibrancy. Um, and I believe our brand should clearly and confidently reflect our individuality rather than mirroring another city. Um, that being said, I am a team player. I can support this brand moving forward. But I do believe that this moment presents an opportunity to set a higher bar, higher standard for future projects. One that's rooted in transparency and community involvement and a thoughtful process that honors what makes us unique. Um, we're an incredible community and our work and our projects should reflect that and our character and our strength and not de uh diminish it.

Madame Mayor, the logo are not our jurisdictions are not our jurisdictions. They're Megan's jurisdiction. We only have two things to do. Pay the bills, hire and fire the mayor, and hire and fire these two gentlemen right here. of the mayor. I mean, um, I'm in my comments right now. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Is it is it possible just to add something to that if if the council would be willing?

Um, staff was working under direction provided to us by city council. It was made very clear to us that we were not to engage in a widescale effort that was going to cost the city the amount that it would have taken to engage the public in any of that. the prior council, I realize you weren't here at the time, but were very clear and and council member Young also was not here, but they were very clear in the directive that were given to us and we carried out exactly what was assigned to us by city council as it was seated at the time. So, I I do appreciate the opportunity to be able to add that, but we were working within direct guidance, very specific. We are not paying what other jurisdictions paid to do this and to do a full-blown effort. So, thank you.

I I think it looks great. This This is pretty sexy. That's right. And it's a it's a G.

It's a G, not a B. Um, my last note is that there's an affordable housing commission that's meeting in Graham and it's a group of realtors and developers um and municipal representatives and I'm excited about the conversation that's coming out of that. And so if anybody is interested in being a part of that, I would love to be able to connect you guys. Um, that is all that I have. If uh anybody else doesn't have anything, I will take a motion to go into close session. We are considering going into close session to consult with the attorney in accordance with the North Carolina General Statute section 143318.11ac City of Meban versus City of Graham case 25 CV00007126-0000 motion will go in close session.

Second. All in favor? Hi. Thank you guys for being here.

You waiting for a hug? He's directing traffic. Oh, what he's doing, right? All right, we're back here. Madame Mayor, I make a motion that we uh return return to open session. Sorry, I I all of a sudden was like, do I have a second? Second. All in favor? I I need a motion to adjurnn. Madam Mayor, I make a motion we adjourn. Second. All in favor? Bye. Night.