City Council - Regular Meeting

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Wow. Wow. Heat. Heat. Hey oh. Oh. I appreciate having a full room for an important night. Uh, welcome to the May 18th edition of your Goldsboro City Council, our regularly scheduled meeting. We have a lot of recognitions and presentations this evening. As always, it is a distinct honor and privilege of this council to be able to call attention to things in the way that our policies prescribe. and we'll be doing so this evening. After that, we'll move into the public hearing for our budget and then after that, we'll move into general public comment period and then on and on with some other uh business items. After we get through the recognitions and presentations before we get into the public hearings, uh we will allow those who do not wish to stay for

the other pieces to be able to exit uh without interrupting the meeting. So, don't worry about that. So, with that, I will officially call us to order. It is roughly 5:32 according to Apple. I'll take this as an opportunity just to remind everyone, silence your phones, watches, all the other fun things as we get going. So, we will begin as is our tradition with an invocation this evening from our fire chaplain, Archbishop Anthony Slater, followed by our pledge of allegiance. Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor Protemp City Council. Good evening.

And everyone who's here tonight. Let us pray. Our father and our God, we thank you for this moment that we can come together with the meeting of the minds. We thank you Lord for the con constituents that have come together Lord just to even be a part of the function tonight. Father, we ask you to bless this great city as we continue to strive forward and make things more and better. Father, we ask you to allow us to come together as one in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you.

Please join me in the pledge. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. That gumption more like amplify. Yeah. All right. Madame deputy clerk, if you please conduct a roll call. Yes, sir. Mayor Gayler, present. Mayor, present. Counciloman, present. present. Councilwoman Taylor present. Councilwoman Matthews present. Councilman White present. All right.

All present and accounted for. Uh we will continue moving with moving forward with our meeting. And I know I say this every time, but I mean it. Thank you for making time to be able to be here and all the time that it takes to be able to be up here on this day and represent the people. Next, we'll move to an adoption of the agenda. Mr. Livingston, is there anything from staff? Any requested changes to the agenda? No, sir. Mr. Mayor, I've heard nothing. All right. Council, are there any uh requested changes to the agenda as presented? Hearing none, I would entertain a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. So moved. Second.

Motion's been made and properly seconded to uh adopt the agenda as presented. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll vote electronically if you tell me to. If not, I'll do show of hands. Well, I'm coming. All right. All by show of hands, please. All in favor? All oppose. Saying seeing none. Motion passes unanimously. All right. All right. Let's move forward with our recognitions and presentations. We're now on section four of the agenda. For those following along, we'll begin with item 4.1, our employee and supervisor of the quarter awards, Mr. Livingston. Uh this one is uh for our Terry Weber. She's outstanding achievement. I don't know if she's here tonight, but I'll

she is not. She's on vacation. Um, well, if it's if it's okay, mayor, I can read it here or I can go down there or we can give it to How about we give it to Catherine accept on behalf? I got all three of them right there. Okay. Thank you, sir. So, as been stated, can you all hear me?

Okay. So, this is a employee of the quarter award third quarter fiscal year 2025 26. It's been awarded to Terry Weber for outstanding achievement. Terry is a shining example of what it means to be an outstanding employee for the city of Goldsboro. She consistently demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and a calm solutionsoriented pro approach in everything she does. No matter what the situation, Terry handles department challenges with grace and composure, creative creating a positive and productive environment for those around her. One of Terry's greatest strengths is her willingness to provide support across all areas of the city of the Goldsboro team. She regularly goes out of her way to assist others, never hesitating to step in when help is needed. She does so with a positive attitude and a genuine smile which not only makes her approachable but also fosters strong collaboration across city departments. She is a st a standout a standout example of her dedication in in her assistance with budget related matters. Uh recognizing the complexity and complexity of her work, Terry immediately took initiative and approached it with confidence and determination. What could have been an overwhelming and time-consuming responsibility was handled seamlessly due to her efforts. She went above and beyond expectations by carefully assisting with organizing, reviewing, and ensuring all necessary details were accurate and properly completed. Her work made the process straightforward and efficient, ultimately allowing for smooth and timely submitt. Her ability to take ownership of and of assisting with such critical task and helping to execute the task with precision speaks volumes about her reliability and expertise. Terry's strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable member of the Goldsboro team. Um, Terry is truly a phenomenal teammate and deserves recognition as employee of the month. Terry's work ethic and accomplishment

reflect well on her herself and the city of Goldsboro. Awarded this day, May 18th, 2026. And Katherine, if you would like to say a few words. I know that we work closely with Terry uh and and do frequently and but she was really a stalwart uh throughout the budget process.

Absolutely. Um thank you, Nan. I appreciate it. Um it you know, this award says everything about Terry. Uh she's an excellent employee. I don't know what we would do without her in the finance department. I know that I rely on her very heavily and I know all the departments do. Um again, you you know, you've got the whole package with Terry. She's smart, she's efficient, and she's friendly and she, you know, believes in customer service. So, you can't teach a lot of that. So, we are very blessed to have her. Our entire finance department, I mean, they they're awesome people. and Terry is is one shining example of that and I am so thankful that she was recognized this quarter. So, thank y'all very much.

Thank you.

Okay. uh second supervisor of the quarter award award third quarter fiscal year 2025 2026 has been awarded to Allan McCoy for outstanding achievement under Allen supervision the collections division and for y'all who are wondering what the collections is it's distribution and collections some of you might not know that of water and sewer so just so that's just so you know um but under Allen supervisions the collection division completed 88 work orders in the month of January alone own. He is always willing to come in and assist with sewer line issues and water issues as well. He takes great pride in his work and the overall well-being of the entire distribution and collections department. During a recent severe winter storm, Allen demonstrated exceptional leadership and professionalism by sacrificing his personal time to lead his crew through grueling conditions. Under his guidance, the team successfully repaired five different waterline breaks and freezing temperatures in less than two days. His proactive management and technical expertise were critical in maintaining the city's water pre pressure, preventing unsafe water conditions for our citizens. Allen's dedication to public service and his ability to motivate his crew during a crisis perfectly exemplified the city's go city of Goldsboro's commitment to customer focus and operational excellence. Allen's work ethic and accomplishment reflect well on himself and the city of Goldsboro, awarded this day, May 18th, 2026. All right, we got Bird or Richard here. Which which one? And oh, Allan's here, too. All right. Yay. Yeah, these guys uh really did a great job. They do all the time. And during the storm was a really major storm and they really knocked it out of the park. Congratulations. But you hold this right here. You got any words to say?

Okay. says it all. Richard's got the mic. Okay. I just want to say thank you to Allan for all of his hard work. You know, what we do isn't glamorous by any stretch of the imagination. Like you like the manager said, most of y'all might not even know what the collections division is, but Allan does a great job keeping up and making sure everything runs smoothly and keeping this city rolling. So, we just want to say thank you for all your hard work, and we're glad that you were able to get the recognition that you deserve. Thanks, Alan. I do like this is all about me in two more years.

This is not about me. It's about the guys that work under me. It would be without them. It would be no me. So I give them all the credit. Okay. Thank you. All right. All right. And to uh repeat what Allan said, Allan, we give you credit for leading them gentlemen and ladies and gentlemen through that storm because without them and your leadership, we couldn't have got through those five and I mean there was four in one day, right?

Okay. Um it's an astounding feat to do something like that in freezing temperatures. No one really notices these guys until your water and your sewer is not working. Okay. when it's working, you guys don't even see them. Okay? And that's what makes me so proud is when the calls are minimum and you guys don't see them and they're doing their job. Um, that's that's fantastic. And when they do go out to respond, their customer service, uh, their response is fantastic. And I just I just received these guys last July for one year. So far, it's been a year with these guys. And I'm just so proud of them. So, thank you very much for what you do. Or just slide. So you look straight at it. Just smile. Yes, I have.

Oh. making it.

All right. So, we got one more uh for this evening. Supervisor of the quarter award for third quarter fiscal year 2526. It's been awarded to Joshua Shockley uh for outstanding achievement. Joshua Josh Shockley is highly deserving of recognition as supervisor of the quarter for his exceptional leadership, operational excellence, and commitment to outstanding customer service at the Goldsboro Event Center. Josh consistently delivers superior customer service in alignment with the city's mission and ensures the facility remains clean, functional, welcoming for renters, city departments, and the public. He effectively manages all daily administrative option operations including bookkeeping, tours, contracts, fee collection, vendor coordination, supply ordering, permit maintenance while maintaining accurate records and documentation. He oversees the successful execution of events by ensuring proper staffing, safety protocols, and operational procedures are in place. Josh regularly serves as the manager on duty and remains on call as needed, demonstrating reliability and accountability. He conducts pre-event walkthroughs, provides logistical guidance to clients and service providers. He completes postevent evaluations to support continuous improvement. Josh excels in client relations, clearly communicating city policies and facility capabilities while proactively resolving render concerns and handling emergency situations professionally. He supervises, trains, and schedules part-time event staff, fosters a positive team environment, and provides performance recommendations to the director. He also assists with budgeting, operational planning. Additionally, Josh builds strong relationships with vendors, community partners, supports economic development and tourism, collaborates with city departments on special projects, and oversees facility maintenance in coordination with parks and recreation.

He keeps the director fully informed through regular communication and weekly meetings. Josh has taken ownership of the Goldsboro Event Center with strong dedication, leadership, and professional professionalism, which makes him an outstanding candidate for the supervisor of the quarter. Josh's work ethic and accomplishment reflect well on himself and the city of Goldsboro, awarded this day, May 18th, 2026. I I will say I get emails regularly about Josh's excellent customer service skills and how people tell us that or tell me that uh the event center is now being run better than it ever has been. We continue to try to invest in that and and but really the investment comes from these guys especially Josh who's putting in his time and effort to because he has a passion and love for it. is going well and above and beyond just by using his time and even sometimes some of his materials to make things better there. So here you go Josh. We uh we greatly appreciate

Okay. I know you want to say some things. I don't really I don't really All I have to say

I'm I'm loud enough. So, um I believe it was uh late 2001, early 2002. I I uh cornered my man Adam here and said, "Give us the event center." 2000 early 2002. I stole him from Parks and Wreck and he's taken it and ran ever since then. And I makes my job easier. I think I've only worked one event since I hired him and I didn't have to stay all night. So, it was it's it's actually it's been a it's been a great thing for the golf course and the event center. Um, honestly, I think he should win it every quarter, but you know, you can't do that. U, but thank you very much for um getting him in. That's the second award, I think, in two years.

Two years.

Two years. So, hopefully there'll be a third one next quarter. be very appreciative of all the support that I get obviously from Obie, Felicia, the city council, um the community members, Mr. Eddie, the fraternity, the sororities that I that I meet with monthly, quarterly, yearly. We having a lot of repetitive business um with different award ceremonies, with different community projects. Um like I said, I take ownership for it. It's not a job for me. Um it's a passion. It's the community service. It's what can I do to make Goldsboro better? What can I do to make the city better? What can I do to make the event center better? So, I appreciate the the honor and the and the support from everybody. Thank you. Okay. All right. Thank you to each and every one of you uh who wrote the nominations or those who have earned the nominations and those who work in support of those who received the nominations. We always are are privileged to be able to show off the good work and really call attention to those things that really exemplify excellence in our in our city and in the organization. So, thank you one more time and congratulations to each of you. Next, we'll move to item 4.2, another proclamation. This is recognizing the Malpus Brothers. Malpus Brothers recognition. This is a

proclamation. The procedure for these, by the way, what we'll do is I will read it into the record and then I will come down front and those who are present who would like to actually receive it, uh, we'll do so. We'll give you the chance to speak if you would like to do so. And then, of course, we'll hold for a picture if that's okay. All right.

You just got starruck. Whereas the city of Goldsboro Whereas the city of Goldsboro takes great pride in recognizing individuals whose talents, accomplishments, and dedication bring distinction and honor to our community. And whereas the Malpus brothers, Chris and Taylor Malpus, proudly held from the city of Goldsboro and Wayne County and have represented the musical heritage of Eastern North Carolina on stages across the nation and around the world. And whereas through their authentic dedication to traditional country music, the Malpus brothers have earned national recognition for preserving and celebrating the classic sounds and storytelling that define America's country music tradition. And whereas the Malpus brothers have had the distinguished honor of performing on the legendary Grand Old Opry, one of the most celebrated stages in country music history. And whereas their growing influence in the country music industry, hosting their own podcast and television program, further sharing their passion for classic country music with audiences everywhere. And whereas in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the preservation and promotion of country music, the Malpus brothers were recently inducted into the North America Country Music Association International Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor that celebrates artists who have made a lasting impact on the genre. And whereas the city of Goldsboro is honored to celebrate the Malpus brothers for their musical achievements and for proudly representing Goldsboro and Wayne County wherever their music takes them. And whereas we commend Chris and Taylor Malpus for their dedication to their craft and wish them continued success as they share the rich tradition of country music with audiences everywhere. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Goldsboro City Council does hereby recognize and congratulate the Malpus Brothers for their remarkable accomplishments in country music and for bringing pride and recognitions to the city of Goldsboro and Wayne County. and witness whereof, I have here to set my hand in a fix the seal of the city of Goldsboro this the 18th day of May, 2026.

Is this my first time? Yes, sir. My little boy said, "Are we in court?" No, you you are not anymore. Absolutely not. You don't have to worry about any uh any speeding tickets right now. I have a little bit of PTSD from speeding tickets. So, yeah. Well, the road's a dangerous place, you know. Well, here we'll hold this and then if y'all have anything that you'd like to say, of course, the opportunity.

Sure. Thank you. I just want to say uh we we could have moved to Nashville many many of times with the music that we're we do. It would have been a lot more easier in some ways on us traveling. But we choose to live in Wayne County because of the people here. Everybody here's so good to us and it's really a family and we this is where I plan to live and die is in Goldsboro. It's where I live. So

it's going to be a way as all And I'll agree with that. It uh everywhere we've been all over the world, people in Goldsboro there, we're we're different kind of people. And uh we should all be proud all be proud. I will say when we go way off, everybody thinks that we all talk and we all have hair like this in Gold. Exactly. I'm sorry. Well, thank you for Thank you, sir. Well, thank you for making sure that folks know the pompador is well represented in Goldberg. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Travis,

wow, that's awesome. Somebody sing.

Next, we'll move to item 4.3. Another local legend. A proclamation. A a proclamation honoring Mr. Jerry Johnson. Whereas Mr. Jerry Johnson has faithfully dedicated his life to serving the citizens of Goldsboro and Wayne County through education, mentorship, athletics, leadership, and community involvement. And whereas Mr. Johnson has committed more than 40 years to education and athletics, including dedicated service within goals within Wayne County Public Schools, where his leadership and mentorship as assistant principal at Dillard Middle School left a lasting and positive influence on generations of students and families. And whereas Mr. Johnson has served as a mentor and role model to many young people throughout the Goldsboro community through his leadership, encouragement, and commitment to youth development. And whereas Mr. Johnson has contributed greatly to athletics in the Goldsboro community through decades of service as a respected athletic official and booking agent, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and athletic leadership. And whereas Mr. Johnson Johnson's commitment to service, mentorship, scholarship, and community engagement has left a lasting and meaningful impact on the citizens of Goldsboro and Wayne County. And whereas Mr. Johnson has remained actively involved in community and educational initiatives, including the Jerry Johnson Aggie Baller Classic Scholarship Tournament held just last month or one week more than last month, which for more than a decade has supported and encouraged middle school boys and girls throughout the community. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Gsboro City Council does hereby extend heartfelt congratulations and recognition to Mr. Jerry Johnson for his outstanding leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to the youth and families of the city of Goldsboro and Wayne County through the Jerry Johnson Aggie Baller Classic Scholarship Tournament, which for more than a decade has positively impacted the community by promoting athletics, education, and scholarship opportunities, ensuring brighter futures for the youth of our community that

inspire excellence both on and off the court. and witness whereof I have here to set my hand and affix the seal of the city of Goldsboro this the 18th day of May 206. Mr. Just don't use my Let's do that. I hear you. Oh, here you sir.

Thank you twice right there. Right. Let me uh

appreciate Thank you to the leadership and the representatives of Wayne County and Ghostba, but I call it my home now. And as you said, I find that the people here are as fine as I found anywhere. Now, you know, it's often said that individuals pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If you try that, you see that doesn't work. Regardless of what you achieve or what you have accomplished, you've stood on somebody's shoulders. And I have so many here tonight whose shoulders I've stood on to be where I am, who I am, what I am. I owe it to so many of you there in the audience and I say thank you. Now, Mr. Arthur, I'm going to recognize some people who came here on my behalf. I'm not going to be too long, okay? Because we don't know what you call long. First, I'd like to recognize my wife. I'm not going to ask you to stand in this situation. Just wave your hands. My wife

as one of our church members often tells asks me says, "Where is your better 75%." Not your better hat on that. Without her support, I wouldn't be at this spot. I'd also like to recognize my biological family. As I said, I'm not from Goldber, but my daughter and son-in-law travel from Raleigh. Wave your hand, Harold and Shannon. Okay. The best daughter that I have and the best son-in-law that I have cuz I only have one. Then I'd like to recognize my church family, First African Baptist Church, 802 Harris Street. FAB say you wave your hand for your encouragement and your support. I thank you on that. And then I'd like to recognize my fishing family. I'm almost going to ask them to stand, but I'm not. All of those that are within my appreciating family, raise your hand. Hi. There we go. Thank you. And then I'd like to recognize my A& State University alumni group. All of those Aggies, raise your hand. Oh my gracious. Okay. And I'd like to say a special thanks to our president, Alvin Ward. He's the reason for that. He put me He's

the one that came up with this idea. Never in my life had I thought about an award like this. Maybe in sports, maybe in education, but not in this. Thank you, Alvin. And then last but not least, my fraternity brothers, Alpha Afro fraternity, the oldest afroamerican fraternity in the nation. Raise your hand, brothers. Thank you. As I said, those are the shoulders that I stood on. Those are the ones that lifted old Jerry Johnson up. And all of those Dillard middle school students, you were in that group, raise your hands and hold them up there. There we go. That's right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Maggie. Next, we'll move to item 4.4 on our agenda. A proclamation recognizing Dillard Goldsboro alumni and friends. Whereas, Dillard High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina, was the

outgrowth of a private school founded in 1866 for black students and has a rich history of providing education in the black community. And whereas the Dillard Goldsboro Alumni and Friends Incorporated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Dillard High School and Goldsboro High School and providing educational opportunities for students in the community. And whereas the National Scholarship Committee of the Dillard Goldsboro Alumni and Friends Incorporated is responsible for selecting recipients and awarding scholarships to high school students in the community, providing them with the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their goals. And whereas the Diller Goldsboro Alumni and Friends Incorporated is hosting their 71st annual homecoming during Memorial Day weekend from Thursday, May 21st, 2026 to Sunday, May 24th, 2026 to honor the history and achievements of Dillard High School and Goldsboro High School alumni. Now therefore, be it proclaimed, the Goldsboro City Council does hereby affirm its support for Dillard Goldsboro alumni friends incorporated and their efforts to preserve the history and legacy of Dillard High and Goldsboro High. We commend their commitment to providing educational opportunities for students in the community and recognize their contributions to the betterment of our city. We urge all citizens to join us in celebrating the Memorial Day weekend of 202026 and to support the Diller Goldsboro alumni and friends incorporated in their endeavors to empower the next generation of leaders through education. And witness whereof, I have here to set my hand and affix the seal of the city of Goldsboro this the 18th day of May, 2026. What's this first?

one take.

I'm not going to welcome folks to the weekend.

No, absolutely. Um, thank you to the council uh for for your continued support. Thank you to this community for your continued support. I'm going to echo Coach Johnson and say that uh we're not here because of anything that that those of us living today have done. Uh we definitely stand on the shoulders of some amazing people who 71 years ago uh had the idea to to preserve a legacy of of fellowship, scholarship, and service. and and I'm honored and touched to to lead this organization. I'm a 71-year-old organization that means so much to this community and to this city. And again, I invite you all uh to this weekend uh most importantly, Thursday at 7 p.m. at Dillard Middle School where we'll hopefully be awarding another record uh amount of scholarships to a record number of students. Uh so I encourage you all to come out support uh that program and definitely see us in the pro in the parade on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. Um again to this community uh to this council uh just to everyone thank you so much for continuing to support Dillard Gber alumni and friends. Uh it really means a lot uh to us to always be able to come back home and know that this remains home and and our our community still supports us. So, thank you guys so much and we will see you this weekend.

Speaking of public works, we will move to item 4.5 on our agenda. was already alluded to earlier in a uh employee award and recognition. Now we'll do a national public works week proclamation. Whereas the employees and professionals who serve in public works provide essential services that support the daily lives of the residents and businesses of Goldsboro. And whereas public works professionals in the city of Goldsboro focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are vital to maintaining a safe, sustainable, and resilient community and to protecting the public health, quality of life, and well-being of our residents. And whereas these essential services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of the public works professionals, including engineers, managers, operators, technicians, and employees at all levels who are responsible for maintaining and improving the city's streets, storm water systems, water distribution and treatment systems, wastewater collection and treatment systems, public buildings, sanitation services, and other facilities essential to daily life in Gsbor. And whereas 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association and the Canadian Public Works Association. And whereas it is in the public interest for our residents, civic leaders, and youth of Goldsboro to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs within our community. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Gossburg City Council does hereby designate the week of May 17th through the 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week, and encourage all residents to recognize and thank the dedicated public works professionals who contribute to the safety, health, and well-being of our community every day. A witness whereof, I have here to set my hand and affix the seal of the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, this the 18th day of May, 2026.

Mr. said, "Who would you like to respond?" Jamie, this one, don't you? I got cut off on that one. Y'all saw that, right? Mayor, you do it better than me.

Okay. So, um again, good evening. Um it is my honor to give this presentation to you guys because um a lot of the work they do is very thankless because every day they're dealing with um you know operations in the field and it could be whether it's um cleaning the ditch or mowing the lawn or taking care of our roads and all those other important things that you know sometimes get overlooked. uh they're out there working every day and especially when you know in the heat of the moment whether we've got an emergency going on our public works crews out there you know maybe clearing the streets for our public safety folks it's very much a team effort around here and I I just want to say thank you to both of you guys and these guys are outstanding leaders in their field and for this department so I'm very proud that they're leading the public works team and I'll this is Jamie and I'll let Gilbert Todd and let you all kind of say a few words if you want to

well I every day I'm proud to go to work. I work with a lot of great men and women who put the citizens first and every day we do things you measure how many yards of concrete or how many feet of pipe we clean or physical task every day. And so we have something we can be proud of. And so we're always battling for the budget. We want new stuff and more trucks and more of everything. But it's just every day we have a determination to do all we can.

Yeah. And I'll just piggy back on that uh to the mayor and council. Thank you for the recognition. Uh the the the men and women back at public works, they do a lot of good work. Uh and sometimes they don't get recognized. And so this really really means a lot. Uh and to the community, thank you guys for uh supporting us, for slowing down, getting out the way when you see us in the street. Uh but but this work takes place a lot of times behind the scenes. Uh one thing that I can say for the for the men and women at public works that they really take pride uh in what they do and so to have this have this honor is uh I really appreciate it. All right, we have one final item under section 4. It is a retirement resolution for Mr. James Wells council. The as a reminder, this one being a resolution will require a vote uh and actually to be incorporated as a uh as a motion. And so what I will do is I will read the resolution. If it is approved as as presented, I would request a motion to approve and then a second and then ultimately a vote to do so. So with that, we'll move to resolution 202642. resolution expressing appreciation for services rendered by James Wells as an employee of the city of Goldsboro for more than 31 years. Whereas James Wells retires on June 1st, 2026 as a utility systems senior heavy equipment operator with more than 31 years of service with the city of Goldsboro. And whereas James began his career on November 21st, 1994 as a laborer too with the general ser general services streets and storm

sewers department which today is part of the public works department. And whereas on March 7, 2001, James transitioned into the position of motor equipment operator 1 and assumed the duties and responsibilities associated with the role. And whereas on January 1st, 2016, James transitioned into the position of utility system operator and assumed the duties and responsibilities associated with that role. And whereas on July 1st, 2021, James position title was reclassified from utility systems operator to utility systems senior heavy equipment operator. And he continued to serve with dedication in that capacity until his retirement. And whereas James has demonstrated exceptional dedication and efficiency in his service. earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the citizens of the city of Goldsboro. And whereas the mayor and city council of the city of Goldsboro are desirous on behalf of themselves, city employees, and the citizens of the city of Goldsboro of expressing to James Wells their deep appreciation and gratitude for the service rendered by him to the city over the years. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and city council of the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, that we express to James Wells our very best wishes for success, happiness, prosperity, and good health in his future endeavors. This resolution shall be incorporated into the official minutes of the city of Goldsboro and shall be in full force and effect from and after this 18th day of May 2026. Council, if it's the will of council to entertain a motion to adopt the resolution as presented.

So moved. All right. Motion's been made by proim, seconded by councilman. All right, Miss uh Miss Reese, you have that one. Perfect. All right. Motion made properly. Second. Is there any debate on that hearing? None. We'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. Madam Deputy Clerk, please let me know. Yes, sir. All right. All votes have been in the tallied. Motion passes. Resolution is adopted. Mr. Livingston, is there a presentation to be made this evening? Um, I don't think he's here. Um, so he was not able to be present this evening. We certainly extend our well wishes. Please, we will uh deliver this to him in person. But uh I know that he has folks that are watching. So he's already retired. He's enjoying retirement.

Well, exactly. I get it. I get it. But we'll get it to him. But want to make sure that he is proper. He's earned it though. Absolutely. 31 years. Folks, that concludes section four of our agenda. Uh the recognitions and presentations. We certainly encourage anyone to stay for public hearings for the annual operating budget and other business items. However, if you would like to exit, uh we'll pause for just a second and let everyone do so. Oh no.

Council. Hey, council. So y'all can hear me. We will stand in recess until uh until uh 5 minutes after sorry 6:25. Okay. We'll stand in recess until 6:25.

That was good, guys. Thank y'all for uh for bringing these things forward. Uh there's a lot of things that need recognition in this community and the the way that we do them is by doing our best to communicate amongst ourselves and with our constituents and and to see those things and to catch those things. And so I appreciate the um the work of this council and the help of this council making sure that we do as much as we can within reason. It's it's a a privilege to be in these chairs. Good.

Mr. Livingston, I will turn it over to you now for item 5.1, the public hearing on our FY 26 26 2627 annual operating budget. The process for the uh for this item will be a briefing from Mr. Livingston and Miss Gwyn, I'm assuming. And then after that, then we'll actually open the public hearing, that kind of thing. If there's any questions after the briefing before we open the hearing, I think it would make sense for us to to get clarifying questions out of the way just to make sure because I want the public to be able to comment on true information. So, if there's anything clarifying uh if there are any changes, things like that, we'll discuss it after the fact. There are two opportunities on the agenda this evening. So, I want to make sure everyone sees that. Under old business 8.1, we will come right back to the budget as well. If there are items that we can discuss right here under 5.1 after the public hearing, we certainly can do so. If you forget to bring something up under 5.1, then after the public comment period and after the consent agenda items are discussed, uh you'll be able to bring that up under 8.1. So, just want everyone to make sure they saw that there are uh two different spots on the agenda. That's not a typo. It's intentional to give you a chance to digest and think through things. Mr. Livingston, floor is yours.

Thank you, Mayor Councel. Um if we can bring up u my presentation on that. Um I I guess now we get to the exciting part. You see all the people here still waiting for the uh budget presentation. So so exciting. Um anyway, let's u if you'll give me the clicker, I appreciate that too. So the budget process is um as we all know, it's not something that really starts in one week and finishes in, you know, a week or two. It's it's essentially a 9-month process and uh more and more it seems to even sometimes drag out a little bit longer because of the complexity of it and um so I wanted to take a little bit of time to go go over the process for the public and for the city council. It's pretty much a refresher so apologize for that. But um even though it's listed up here that we kind of start in January, it really we start in early fall and and this year it was a little different because for the first time in a very very long time, we developed a capital improvement plan which was an essential step for the city because uh coming out of a a period where we weren't able to borrow funds, we really needed to prioritize uh the essential services and the essential needs of the various departments and where the city wanted to go and you as a council wanted to go as a whole. So, we we developed a capital improvement, a five-year capital improvement plan that was brought to you on January 5th, which you adopted. Um, so that was step one because I felt like that again clarified what our capital needs were and what we felt like was um the highest priorities and what it was worthy of funding. Not that it all wasn't worthy of funding our needs, but we have to be able to prioritize to be able to select those things that are most important and most fundamental to our mission. And then the second thing we did uh in February, I've tried to keep these to months, was our council budget retreat. So for those in

the public that may not realize it, that the city council, their overall job is to provide priorities and um and this this budget is a priority based document. So it reflects their priorities as well as the department's priorities and more importantly it reflects your priorities as citizens because this year not only did we you know the city council meet with us to talk about their priorities based on input from the citizens but we did a a survey that you know some of you may or may not have taken part in but the survey was uh put out and it was brought to us the results were brought back in December and that also kind of I guess It provided a little bit of baseline or framework for the city council to kind of say, "Hey, we need to address things." For example, streets was one of the top priority. It was the top priority within the survey. Ironically enough, that was also the top priority of this city council. So, when I when I saw that, I was like, well, that's good news because the city council and you as citizens are aligned well with that and you recognize that that's a major need. So that is a thing that we will be addressing or we have addressed in this budget. Um so in March we move on after the retreat and that that retreat sets all those major priorities which basically was public safety and uh infrastructure improvements including streets and uh economic development those and and jobs and and just a lot of different things were priorities. But there was there were several priorities but that we probably had a list of about 10 or 12. Um then in March we had the department budget meetings and this is where after guidance that we're sending out to the department heads. They come back with their budget requests. We meet with the finance department and we also meet with the budget committee and go over the budget requests. We have a budget committee here that basically looks at it and provides highle guidance to us as far as you know okay does this line up with the core values of the

city. What is the issue with this or what do we want to see done here? they help us provide that guidance. Then in April, we go to preparing and uh um and balancing a manager's recommended budget. Uh in May, we also do the official submittal of the budget. So, we were on schedule this year and we we've done that and that budget has been uh out in in the public for public consumption and tonight we're having the public hearing on May at the 18th. And so we'll also determine after tonight's public hearing what we feel like we need to do next. Uh obviously one of the things we have to do is adopt a budget by uh the end of this fiscal year or we'd be like the state government or the federal government and do continuing resolutions. I don't think that's necessary. I think we can do better than that. Okay. So budget inputs and directives. I kind of jumped the gun on this, but um I I I won't spend a lot of time here, but this uh community survey was really important to us. This was new priority. It's something we plan to do at least by annually. Um I talked enough about the five-year capital improvement plan. Council directives and priorities is determined by the budget retreat. The last one on here that I didn't really touch on is as a local government sometimes things get shoved down our throats, for lack of a better term, and we have to deal with these unfunded mandates from time to time. Um, things like the federal government's lead and copper rule, um, which we're finishing that project up, but those were things that we didn't get fully grant funded to pay for. the POS POS or also known as Forever Chemicals. Those things uh we're going to have to um comply with unless the rule changes and they cost millions of dollars. You know, we get grant funding for these things, but you know, it doesn't cover everything and there's always several million dollars that we have to come up with as part of these unfunded mandates. And the last thing I

want to mention on there was new this year and and quite frankly, I I I really I I really have some heartburn over was this 2.4% 4% search charge on the city payroll. And for the voters and citizens out there, what this is is we are under the state health care plan, which is a good plan. Um, and we're we're um happy to be in the plan, but it's been running into some financial um I would say challenges. And so the state decided in their wisdom that they wanted to help offset those costs. So they just randomly decided they do a 2.4% 4% search charge on all the entire payroll, not just those that are on the state healthcare plan. Not all of us in the city of Goldsboro are on the state healthcare plan. So, this that cost us some money. These were unant anticipated things that we had to adjust to. Um, we're still working on how to uh deal with that, but we it's funded in the budget because, you know, we had to and we weren't going to be given a choice and the state just basically has that ability to tell us what to do from time to time, as does the um the federal government as well. So, what are some of the budget challenges? Um, this year, you know, we are blessed to have some growth, but I I will say that it's modest revenue growth. Um and it's sort of challenged with the see it mirrors what people are dealing with in their own lives. While you know they may see some revenue growth if they're fortunate in their household, it's kind of offset a lot of times by these economic inflationary pressures. So um that that is a challenge for us as well. We have significant infrastructure and capital needs. Um the one thing that we will uh are are doing is addressing the roads. We had a pavement condition rating or study index that indicated that our a lot of our roads were below uh where they needed to be in terms of maintenance. So there was approximately

50 million as I recall in in road paving needs. So this is going to be a long-term um challenge for the city to continue to fund those road road improvements. Um, I explained about the uh sir charge that was about a $850,000 estimate is what that additional tax or payment that we'll have to make to the state. That's about two and a half pennies on the tax dollar. So, if you wanted to think of it like that. Um, one of the things that I was, you know, asked, well, I don't know that I was asked to do this, but I knew that we needed to try to do it. So I said that we were going to do it and that was to maintain operational cost at prior or current estimated year expenses. So that was one of the guidance that I sent out to the to the department heads and you know there was in some areas that you know came in above but for the most part people and the department heads did a good job and keeping those costs down to the current year operational year-end estimates. Um, so no new taxes or increases in the general fund or property tax. So we didn't look for any new taxes. We didn't say, uh, we're going to just raise the property tax. And sometimes people think that all local government does is it just raise the taxes without thinking about it. Well, I can tell you we think about it a lot. And, you know, up here and myself included, we all pay property taxes. So we know they're essential to fund the government services. and and I'll talk about what they fund later, but we also recognize that, you know, these are these are pretty tough times. Um, you know, they're pretty tough times. So, uh, we we tried to to do that with this budget and there are no increased property tax in the general fund, which is basically those most of the people in this in the city of Goldsboro are are have that have property are in the general fund. No new positions, uh, no full-time new

positions. And there were several requested. We didn't authorize those. So, so a little bit diving into the numbers here. Um, and I I think you can see this pretty well. The general fund is our largest fund. It's um 61.182 million. Um that accounts for about 2/3 of the budget. That's um you know that that's a good chunk of it. That's kind of normal for most general funds in cities. is our size. Utility fund, you know, that's about 28 to 30% and and that's kind of typical. Those two, excuse me, those two funds are the most important funds. I say that because not just because the largest amount of money resides in those, but because they provide the I I guess the most important services. I would say that the general fund in particular funds all government activities such as police, fire, public works that we talked about all those major departments. the occupancy tax. What that is is uh when you go and for those of you who might not know this, when you go stay in hotels uh or they people come here to Goldsboro like this weekend, we'll have a lot of Dillard alumni coming in. They'll pay occupancy tax as part of their stay, you know, in the hotel and that gets remitted uh to both the city and the county and and we're able to use that uh for travel and tourism purposes. So, we also have a storm water fund and that is a differing rate, but it's basically based on an equivalent residential unit. So, for a residential unit, um it's currently $4.75. That stayed the same. Um we used that to mitigate flooding within the city and we've done uh a lot of great work, I think, in our storm water fund to mitigate flooding. So you're not seeing um you know the issues that we've had in the past and we're always um in investigating in our storm water program

ways that we can not just educate people but we can improve the storm water conditions within the city uh through repairs or added new storm water facilities. And we also manage when new growth comes in that those storm water improvements are be made are not just made in conjunction with our regulations but maybe offset some of the issues that we have elsewhere in the city and help with the storm water issues over over time. The downtown district um that is an area that you know is what's called the municipal service district. So, that's a um it's a small area within the downtown that is an extra layer of taxes on there designed to um fund additional services in the downtown area or maybe specific improvements or incentives to those that are in the downtown area. Uh it's a relatively small fund, but it's very impactful in that, you know, we uh the downtown is the heart of our city and it is one of the it is the top listed item as as far as on that citizen survey that people find out about Goldsboro. What do they think about Goldsboro? Well, they think about the downtown. They rate that as the best. So, we ought to recognize that as our shining jewel and we want to keep it shining and so that's the downtown helps us the downtown district. The MSD fund helps us do that. Um the other ones are smaller ones and I'm not going to get into the details of those. We just sometimes by statute are kept um those up internal service funds that we use. But the the entire budget is $103.2 million budget. And that's about you know you can see there it's a little bit around 9 million $10 million increase. And you might think, well, that's a 9% increase. That's a lot of increase, but it's not that much because um what we did is we set aside roughly that same amount, that difference amount uh for capital needs for the um so we actually

the city council said we're going to take some of our fund balance because we have um a more adequate fund balance now and we're going to address that uh capital improvement plan by funding things not just like the roads but also equipment, vehicles, fixing and repairing things that are important to the city. So, that was a deliberate. If you took that out, we'd have basically a flat budget or very close to a flat budget just growing maybe in line with what the you know consumer price increase is, which is around 3% or a little bit over now. So, this is what that looks like and um a pie chart for form for whatever that's worth. That just shows you that that utility fund and in the general fund again funded mostly by tax dollars, property tax dollars and also sales tax dollars. That's what that looks like. So this is expenditure summary. And so it's important to think about what our city uh spends the money on. You know, I'm sure that those of you that are taxpayers or citizens in general want to know what we're what they're spending, you know, their hard-earned tax dollars on. Just like any organization, I've always said that the most important is your uh personnel. So salaries and benefits are 48% of our um total pie and that's kind of normal with most organizations I would say even in the private sector. But um you know that that's what that is salary and benefits. They're the ones that get out and do the the work uh every day whether it's police, fire, public works, parks and rec park parks and recreation. and we're a full service city. Um operating expenses, that's about 25%, so that's a significant portion as well. Um and the other things are capital outlay at uh 11% and debt at 9%. So that's just an interesting graphic to me. I think it's

pretty well balanced um in terms of our operating expenditures and and shows nothing that is out of whack. pretty much normal throughout the um if you compare cities our size or or what you know what they're spending their salaries and benefits or operating costs their debt you know you know we wouldn't want our debt to be like 30% or something like that so it's it's it's it's a low debt percentage number general fund revenue so general fund revenue again this is the revenue that goes mostly from our property tax and sales tax there's resources of revenue that um I think are the most important. Starting with our property tax and um our property tax revenue is about 28.48 um million that accounts for 42% of our revenue and um just so you know that 42% of our revenue and just that 28.48 you're saying what does that property tax fund in the city of Goldsboro? Well, if you take a look at what our public safety expenditures are, which I'm going to show you in the next slide, it's um right at 29%. So, it's roughly a million dollars more just to from our property tax just to fund our police and fire. So, the property tax just fund two departments, large departments in the city, but nevertheless, only two departments. That's police and fire. So where does the other funding come from to fund things like parks and recreation, finance, planning, administration, but it comes from other fees like sales tax uh revenue and things like that. Um charges for other services which become increasingly important uh these days. Um but if you look at these slices of this pie, you can see that you know charges for services they don't amount for a whole lot. It's not insignificant. 10% of our revenue stream. So, you know, in the

aggregate it's it's not insignificant, but it's not nearly as significant as say, you know, your revenue from other agencies or tax revenues. Fund balance. In this case, again, we withdrew 4.2 million on purpose to again address a lot of those capital needs through a planned expenditure and a withdrawal from our fund balance. And and that's not a structural imbalance. Here in the city of Goldsboro, we have fund balance policy. We're maintaining that fund balance policy. We're above our thresholds. This is a way that we've said we're going to use some fund balance to help pay for these uh top priority items while uh also using the additional revenues at the end of the year to replenish those areas where we feel like they need to be replenished, whether that's roads or or capital equipment or fixing some of our buildings or whatnot. So those are all types of things that you know we try to pay for through these uh strategic reserves and also through using the tax revenue and using it wisely and putting it back into investments and things like that but mostly just identifying it and prioritizing it where it's you know where the citizens and the city council wants to see the money go to. So this is kind of an interesting graphic because I've kind of spoke to this a little bit but this shows it in more detail. So this is a as you can see it's a $100 bill. So what this graph here is selling telling us is for every $100 of of money that's spent that revenue that comes in $43 of that is spent on public safety. Uh $21 is on general government. So for you know general government is again like uh public works, planning, administration, finance, things like that. cultural resources. Uh that's 10 uh million. Uh environmental protection. For those of you wonder what environmental protection is. I I used to

wonder that a long time ago when I was in government, it's just sanitation. They just put a fancy word for that, but that's what it is. Um debt service, it's about the same. 9 million other is 9 million. So, I thought that was a good a good graphic depiction of of how your tax dollars are spent. But for those of you that just like regular black and white things, here it is written in black and white. So, for a little bit more uh boring graphic there, but u same thing just shown in a graph form. All right. So, I talked a little bit about or a fair amount about some of our capital because I feel like that was what the difference between this year and last year. Um, by and large it is because we've decided that we're going to use some existing or take money away from fund balance and start applying it to the areas we need to. So, in your in this slide, you see what was requested versus what was recommended to um for for capital reasons. So, we've got 1.2 million in building and improvements and and that doesn't include the grant monies that I I don't think it does, Katherine. The grant monies that we're in. So, we've got some grant monies going to that too. Rolling stock and equipment is 2.7 uh currently vehicles 3.5 and and we have a lot of vehicles and they were in, you know, a few years ago they were all well over six or seven years old. So we needed to start addressing that issue or we're going to be in a you know a crisis where they're all breaking down at the same time. So we've been you know reinvesting in vehicles. So that's an example of that distribution system. That's what you know that's the that's our water and sewer. And so the total of all funds of capital uh these are type A

or class A high priority needs is 11.2 million. And um so this is a slide that shows it just basically charges for fees and service when you start looking at utilities. Utilities is what's called an enterprise fund. And for that we just mean that it's supported by user fees. So when you look up there charges for fees and service that accounts for 91% of the um revenues that come into the enterprise fund. Uh and that that's so that's that's what it's by design. Um you pay for a service um it's supposed to be reflected in the that the cost in our our of that. So that's where it goes to. So how what do we spend our revenues on in our utility account? Um that's what this PI depiction does. Distribution collections is uh 4.1 million at 14%. Um the debt service is at 8%, utility fund capital expenses is 11%. Building and meter service is 7%, compost facility is 7%, water reclamation facility, that's our largest and these are that's our sewer treatment plant that's 20%. Uh transfers and shared services 16% and our water treatment plant that's where that's our water plant that's 17%. So those breakdowns are are are you know you're generally going to see maybe a little bit larger ones in some other jurisdictions on your water and sewer side but they don't have things like compost facilities and things like that that kind of also take a little bit of that that pie uh away. So now some of you are probably interested in this slide because you know I think it's important to know where we stand in terms of our rates. So, our water and sewer rates, we frequently benchmark

ourselves around the state and there's really good websites that you can go to. Um, anybody that's watching can go to the UNCC School of Government's water and sewer dashboard and uh put in Goldsboro's uh name, put in any other municipality's name that you want to and query it by water or sewer or water and sewer. This bill is for water and sewer. It's a combined one. So, that's what you're looking at here. It takes the um the average of that bill based on statewide averages which they use 5,000 gallons which by the way I'll get to a little bit later here that is not the Gold Spurs average. Um our average is a less than that. Usually around a little like around 3,000 maybe a little more but according to our look looking at our system that's what that's what our billing system tells us. But that is what we're we're sort of in the middle. This this right here shows in included with a 5% rate increase. Doesn't really move the needle very much, but that is what that is uh compared to some of our uh you know regional I say regional other utilities in the region. So this right here is a very good slide. This shows what the rate effect would do on a current bill. And I'm hoping that you can read that. I can read it here in front of me, but it's a little bit more challenging on that. But um so one of the things we're doing this year is we're putting in a tiered rate which is new for this year going forward. The tiered rate system allows those that conserve water um they they will get a discounted rate because as you go up it it it sort of I don't want to use the word penalizes you but it costs more as you as you use more water. So the tiered rate says if you conserve water you're going to be rewarded and you can see that in the in the graphic how it breaks down as you know if you look at the right hand side there you can see how it

changes uh in the difference. So one of the things that you know we're proposing in the tiered rate structure is to you know not only do that but implement some changes within our software system and that'll be later on this year hopefully by the end of this calendar year. We can have software system in place that allow you to go online or from your smartphone and manage your account for like leak alerts and things like that or you know you can say I want to put in this amount so when I get up to x number of gallons it's going to alert me and I'm know that I if I want to go over 3,000 gallons I'm going to need to slow down on my water consumption. Maybe run the dishwasher a little bit less wait till it's fully filled up or something. That way you can save some money because even when we look at our cost to provide the average uh water and sewer user at 3,000 gallons right now, this is a total cost of everything. This is a total combined bill. So it includes your storm water at $475 per residential unit and our current garbage which is $26. The average consumer water and sewer pays $9410 with the tiered rate proposal and a $2 increase in garbage which I'm going to talk about. It was proposed to be $4, but I think we can do get by with $2. And I really kind of trying to recognize that these are hard times that people are in. It's it's 9525 and that's an increase of $1.15 a month, which I think is is is doable. And um you know, we have to look at increases too so that we can cover our costs as these inflationary pressures hit us really hard. So, that's uh I'm I'm sure a graphic that we're going to want to come back to. But, um you know, that's that's the sweet spot in there is that 3,000 gallons. And it does happen to be that 60% of our customers are in that range. So, that is the majority of our customers. So, we feel like the tiered rate system, and this is something the

council wanted us to do, is going to have a positive effect on helping people that are on fixed incomes or people that just just choose they're going to try to conserve water. Alternatively, if you're not into conserving water and you want to use a lot of water, well, that's fine. You're going to just pay a little bit more for it simply because that's the way it's structured. Um, so that's that that's the tiered rate. I don't know if I did such a great job explaining it, but here's here's a kind of a breakdown of what our customer base looks like. See the yellow, that's um over 3,000 gallons. That's 5,148 accounts. We have quite a few also that are are less than that. I think that's 2,800 looking at that. Um that's um 22% there. So we have an interesting breakdown there. Um so it's that shows us that the tiered rate will actually be effective terms of our base there.

Keep going.

Can y'all still see that one? If we borrow this one So, so what does this budget accomplish? Well, as I said before, it maintains the current general fund property tax rate. Uh, creates an annual spending plan and policy that prior to our city spending based on citizen input, council directives, and department head needs. Funds all level A high priority essential capital needs. Creates greater equity by establishing tiered utility rates, which I discussed just a minute ago. directs significant funds towards infrastructure uh and and handles mandated uh items like new streets resurfacing program at approximately what 3.2 million. One thing that we did in a previous I think the last budget year which is very very important we've taken what what funds a lot of this which is the POW bill we get $1.2 2 million a year. And if you think about it, that's not a whole lot to fund $50 million worth of improvements. But we earmark that so it's in a special revenue fund so that we can continue to build on that. And you can also take some of your undesated fund balance that you put in one of your buckets, your street bucket, and put that towards it and start building that that amount for streets up if you want to. This budget invests in capital equipment for essential services expand to that enables to expand or improve upon where needed. A lot of our uh particularly a lot of our public works equipment has really been upgraded lately and and that's very important because if we're out there and it's breaking down, which we've had a track record of, unfortunately, as we get newer stuff, we're going to have le fewer and fewer breakdowns. Also, it is something in keeping with what we did this current year is we have a council contingency line item of 50,000 for any uh unanticipated or unexpected council needs.

So, one of the things that we are requesting here is the reinstating the MSD rate. This is that municipal service district that I talked about that funds downtown improvements. The importance of the downtown improvements is that once we use the MSD to help with downtown improvements, it puts less of a burden on the the general fund, which also uh you know is you know used to fund the downtown. So over and above what the general fund can do, the MSD allows things like additional services, for example, maintenance, um grants to go back to um businesses downtown. For example, one of them here is facade grants, improving street level aesthetics. You're seeing that happen now. We're we're we're giving out I think 90,000 recently overall in facade grants. Um the priority one is also fire suppression design fees rehabilitating existing structures on Walnut Street. You see they're vacant to vibrant um program for economic redevelopment. We got two buildings that are being uh rehabbed uh or will be one's under one's will be Italian restaurant with a rooftop bar supposedly. Looking forward to that. Not bar but restaurant. I guess it could be a bar too but anyway that's that's things that are coming. So, those are healthy things for the downtown. Um, but one thing they want to focus on is rehabbing these um older buildings that, you know, need some TLC. And that's going to be through code enforcement. Uh it's a kind of kind of like looking at them and saying this one needs more work and working with the property owners to try to upgrade these buildings so that they're they're not eyes is eyes and it will encourage more investment or reinvestment in downtown. Um the downtown has been heavily invested in through grants over the last seven or

eight years. I think you all you all know that we spent uh tax grant money tiger grants about 13 million or so. We've in turn had four or five times that amount of private investment follow up on that. So the downtown investment has has been a good one for Goldsboro's workforce. But this is one thing that we need to be sure of that we continue to invest in the downtown and that's why the MSD rates reinstating them to where they were before we went back to the revenue neutral last year. reinstating them to the current rate of the 23.5 is what what what we're asking him for. So just an overview of the proposed changes within the budget. 5% utility rate tiered rate increase starting August to September. Are we still on track for that, Katherine?

Okay. So $2 increase in sanitation fees. I know we advertised it as four, but I I told the council I'd like to go down uh $2 on that. Just trying to uh be just being sympathetic. I' I've listened to people. I I know the concerns about there and I know it's tough times. So, we're trying to be cognizant of that greater discount for city recreation users, um for recreation users and increasing the fees by 50% for outside the city users. 50% sounds like a lot, but when you realize that it cost us about $100 or more per player in youth sports and some many of our other programs, we currently charge $45. So, this proposal would go up to $50 for inside the city and $75 for outside the city where it's currently 45 and 60. And then as I just discussed reinstatement of prior year MSD current tax rate at 0.156 to the previous rate of 235 235. So the next steps tonight we have our public hearing and then we've yet to determine what what kind of budget work session we want to do if any after this and then a budget do adoption by June 30th. That's all I have Mr. Mayor.

All right. Are there any clerical questions before we get into substantive content or requested changes or things like that? Are there any clerical questions from council members before we open the public hearing? U Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I'm not sure if this is clerical. We're just wondering um may I thought those were really good um slides, the $100 bill in particular and then the tiered rate. I know we shared this information before, but is it possible that we could um get your slides to use those as talking points? I thought you did a good job of really highlighting um what I think the community needs to know about the budget for those who can't really get into the weeds of it. Um just love to share some of that information.

We'll make sure we have it available to the public on our website and also you know we'll send it out to everybody too if you want. There's no intellectual property here. This is all all basic uh fundamental government stuff here. Thank you. Yes sir. just a thought it might be good to put that uh graph in the utility bill form of an insert or something.

We're we're actually and I think I don't know if Latoya is here but we're really working hard on a lot of stories that we're we're getting out working working several stories up on the budget this year and I think we're kind of I say we're a little bit ahead of the curve on that. um you know cuz we've had the budget out there for a while in in these nights like this talking about them with people and with the city council. We've talked about it a couple times now. It just gives it more time to to marinate um uh with the citizens and um you know there's been articles in the paper, but yeah, I think getting it out in the utility bills is certainly something we'll we'll we've done I think in the past and we'll certainly do it again.

Yes, sir. I I just want to say this because I I I may not remember to say it at closing points. Um in February at our work session, we talked about communication and education and um you certainly did an excellent job with that $100 bill. I know um in our finance uh committee meeting I shared a um a pie um presentation of how the money was spent being spent full of water and you surpassed that because that $100 bill I think that is really great and we need to try to put it on our Facebook our individual Facebook so that everybody but like I said you listened because communication and education was one of the main things that we talked about in February and u making sure that our constituents understand um what we're up against and what we're trying to do to make our city better. So, thank you,

council members. Seeing no other hands, if it's all right, Mr. there's nothing further from you in response or otherwise then I'll go ahead and open the public hearing uh and we'll yeah go ahead and do that. So this is the officially the public hearing for uh item 5.1 our 26 27 26 27 annual operating budget. Uh as has been overviewed the uh general rules of engagement this evening are there is a fivem minute timer per speaker but obviously everyone present that desires to speak can do so. So with that, uh, is there anyone wishing to come forward and speak on item 5.1?

Second call. Is there anyone wishing to come forward and speak on item 5.1, our public hearing for FY2627, annual operating budget? Yes, sir. Yes.

Come on up. There you go. And if you would, whenever you approach the uh whenever you approach the podium, if you would just please uh just state your name and address. All right. Uh, Antonio Smith, uh, 202 South William Street, closing, North Carolina. Um, my first time doing this. Familiar faces. Mr. How? What's up, mama? How you doing? Um, the presentation was really cool. I liked it. Um, I saw a little $100 thing and I I just want to speak on that. Um, I teach at East Wayne High School. It's my fifth year. Um, also my last year and um, I was riding my bike through downtown last year sometime and y'all been doing a great job with downtown. Um, when I was young, I grew up in late 90s, early 2000s. It was a lot of uh, doors with the wood on it. Um, it just look kind of gloomy downtown and uh, now it's a nice place to be. You know what I'm saying? Um, I think that's a great thing y'all doing. I walk my son out there to ride my bike and all that. So, um while riding my bike one day, I came across this building um on the window it says speaking for the speeches and um this organization down there. Walked inside and I asked them were they looking for someone that can help with like creative writing workshops for the kids and um mentoring type of thing, get that kind of vibe. Um and they welcome me in. So, it's been a slow process, you know, um trying to get adjusted with everything. But when I saw the $100 thing, I took a picture of it and um it's just my opinion. You know what I'm saying? You know, $43 public safety, $21 general government, $10 recreation, environmental protection, all that. I was trying to figure out where does uh like teaching the youth fall into that

department um and and helping them get providing them with good examples. And so I thought about like culture um I don't want to call it recreation because it's really not recreation. Um but I feel like it might be viewed that way. um public safety. I think that's a a huge thing when it comes to the kids because like y'all know a lot of kids being murdered. Kid the other day that my my first year teaching, he was a senior. I saw him three times athlete. He got murdered the other day, Xavier. And um I feel like in my personal opinion if you know you take let's say you took $3 off the public safety and you put like $3 into the culture aspect of things. Um even with the environmental protection, you know, you got less people less less fear. You got less fear. Um then that's better for the environment. You know what I'm saying? So, if you take $3 off the safety and move it down that way, I feel like that mean I can help, you know, with people who want to. I know a dude in the gym I met the other day. Uh, he work planet fitness. He was like, "Yo, I just got my mental health license. Um, I'm independent. If you know anybody in the school system or any kids that's looking at it or parents, let me know." And I was like, "I got you." You know what I'm saying? I make music on the side. And so, like, I got a decent following with that. And I also coach basketball. And so I'm like, "Okay, I gotta connect." But it's just not enough. You know what I'm saying? Um, like I'm the or I'm helping out, I ain't looking for no money. I ain't tripping. I enjoy it. I like writing. It's a good vibe. You see, I got tax. I like writing. It's all in my face. Um, but I feel like if y'all would consider, especially if y'all put that $100 out on Facebook and everybody see that, I already know how they gonna think. They gonna think that's a lot of money over here. It's a little bit of money over here. if y'all just consider it for the budget. Even a dollar, I feel like it can go a long way because, you know,

when people go out and they do things and and they put their time into it, it just feels good um when you leading the youth um to come home and you know, feel like you you you're valued. You know what I'm saying? Just feel good. Like even with teachers, y'all know teachers won't make that much money. You know what I'm saying? It's whatever. Oh, I won't make that much money. It just feel good. Like, you know, we find out find out we get a raise or something. That's what's up. Um, so I just want to say I like the $100 thing, Mr. Livingston. Um, and I feel like when y'all come together and uh, talk about everything, you know, just think about a little bit because police are important. Uh, I got 30 more seconds. We grew up in the projects. We grew up in West Haven. Uh, I remember we used to go outside, firemen come up, we run around the sprinklers. That was fun. Good memories. Also got bad memories with the cops. A lot of us got good memories and bad memories. You know what I'm saying? So, um, I value the police. I think it's just a little bit of fear, but I think if you put a little bit of money in other things, it could like make downtown even better. You know what I'm saying?

So, yeah. Appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you.

Is there anyone else wishing to come forward and speak on item 5.1, our uh 2627 annual operating budget? We'll do this is a I guess now will be fourth. We'll do a final call for the public hearing on our FY2627 annual operating budget. Anyone else to come forward and speak. All right. Seeing none, I will close the public hearing. Council, are there any while we're here? And again, we'll we can bring this up at 8.1 as well, but are there any specific points that we want to discuss right now? I know a lot of work has gone in gone into this budget. There have been, you know, multiple um, you know, exchanges with council members, meeting with the manager and putting time in that way. Of course, we've had our retreat. We had our work session. We've had uh this brought before council at least once prior to tonight and of course tonight as well. So, I don't think it's new necessarily to anyone, but I'm not going to put everybody on the spot, but if there are council comments, certainly would be open to entertain them now. All right. Hearing none, we will move to section six of our agenda, which is our public comment period. Uh if you would uh Miss Reese, if you would please gather the uh the clipboard. If anyone I realize there was a little bit there was a lot going on when we first uh got going this uh this this evening. If anyone did not get to sign up for the public comment period that intended to uh approach the deputy clerk if you would. Otherwise, Miss Reese, who's our first speaker?

Our first speaker is Miss Nancy. Thank you for the opportunity. My name is Nancy Fallon and I have resided on Dawn Circle in the Pill Hill section of the city for 20 and a half years. Pill Hill is a wonderful subdivision to live in if you have good neighbors. I want the city citizens of Wayne County to know that the second week of February 2026, someone attempted to remove the metal box from the wall that houses the wiring to my home. Just imagine yourself coming out and seeing that this had happened to you. Then you would understand how I felt then and how I feel now. Duke Energy responded very quickly. The technician was able to push the box back into place and we both ascertained that the we both ascertained that the weather did not cause that the wind did not cause this problem. A neighbor is seemingly responsible for this criminal act. This neighbor has harassed me for approximately four years and continues to do so now. There were quite a few parents of young children who were bringing their children into Dawn Circle, sometimes twice monthly. Seemingly one or more of them knew in advance that this criminal act was going to take place. Other parents seemingly were alerted. If this is the way it happened, I thank whoever alerted other parents. Parents, please continue to protect your

children. I have so little time to explain what has happened in this case. Pill residents, I'm sure most of them know that this have happened. And even though this happened back in February, I've had a couple of procedures done. and I didn't really want to come here and present this to you because these are my neighbors and I've given them ample time to come and apologize to me for this act that they've done and that has not happened and I would like to meet with the city uh the city manager in reference to this because I have information on this and I would like these people to to uh be brought to justice in reference to this and I can't give out that information here but I would like to speak to the city manager about it because I do have information in reference to it. I am nervous standing here as you can see and I and I don't like being here. I'm insulted. I'm embarrassed and it's an embarrassment to come here after you live in your home 20 and a half years and you haven't had a runin with the law. But for some reason, they have not wanted me in that subdivision since I moved there because things have happened to me since the third day I moved in there. So again, thank you for the opportunity,

Miss Fallon. You can meet with me anytime. You don't need the city council's permission. I'll I'll be h I'll getting your number. We'll set an appointment. Thank you so much.

Madam Deputy Cler, who's our next speaker? Yes, sir. Our next speaker is Miss Antonet Williams. Good evening, council. Good evening. Good evening.

Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of assisting a homeless family this week. A father, two teens, and a toddler. They are faced with the choice of now living with a relative who has bed bugs or sleeping in their vehicle. Upon calling 20 different social service agencies, I consistently was told, "Call someone else." Right here in Wayne County. Call someone else. What do you do when there is no one else to call? You sleep in your car. We need transitional housing in Goldboro. I'm not talking about what I think. I'm talking about what I know. I have lived in transitional housing several years ago with my three young children and I thank God for that facility every single day because without that facility no telling where me and my kids would have ended up. I am not speaking to you as a citizen of this city. I'm speaking to you as a human being who has compassion and who wants to help. I will take grant writing classes. I'll serve on any committee. I'll help with any fundraiser. We need this in Goldboro. You talk about the buildings. I drive around this city as a Uber driver and I see so many buildings that could be used to assist with this problem. The city voted to shut the Irish in down and I understand why, but why can't that building be

I just a matter we'll give you a time back because factually speaking that didn't happen. The council did not shut down Irish.

Okay. I know. But it was shut down. But I get that part. Um, but why can't that building, those buildings be refurbished and and given back to the people of the city to be used for transitional housing or or many of the other buildings that are open. It doesn't necessarily have to be the Irish. I just thought of that one because it has two separate buildings. So, that's a lot of space. a lot of space that can be utilized for uh transitional housing that can help with job placement, um social services, mental health, which is so desperately needed. I spoke with the father who is going through this crisis and he bought me his weapon and he said, "Please put this in your safe because it is not safe for me to have it right now." So there, this is just one family. What about all the families that were vacated from Tent City? Where did they go? We can't just pretend this problem doesn't exist and beautify downtown with pretty statues and beautiful murals. We have got to take care of the people. Thank you.

Thank you,

M. Sorry. Wilkins. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. Good evening.

I am Linda Wilkins Daniels, founder of Speaking for the Speechless, uh a non a nonprofit organization located at 204 East Walnut Street here in Goldsboro. Today, I rise to bring awareness to an illness that has been devastating to so many families. On the afternoon of August 29th, 2025, my niece, Yolanda Latrice Wilkins, was admitted to the ER for complications with her gastrointestinal system. Around 1:30 a.m. on August 30, 2025, she succumbed to kidney and respiratory failure. Yolanda was neither aware of the uh aware of sepsis nor its symptoms. During the funeral, I made a promise to myself that Yolana's death would not be in vain. So, here I am. Dur in 2024, Governor War Cooper proclaimed September as sepsis awareness month. That proclamation outline the following. Sepsis awareness month is has been September has been designated as sepsis awareness month. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout the body with more cases starting before a patient gets to the hospital. Each year at least 1.7 million adults in the United States develop sepsis and at least 350,000 adults develop sepsis die during their hospitalization or discharge to hospice. But the most important thing I want to convey to you is that

sepsis is really a deadly disease and it kills more Americans than prostate cancer, breast cancer, and opioid overdoses combined. It is the most expensive cause of hospitalization in the United States of America. And we must continue to spread awareness. Speaking for the speaking for the speechless organization embraces the challenge and responsibility of spreading sepsis awareness by launching the Yolanda Latrice Wilkins sepsis awareness campaign. Notice symptoms. For additional information, you can call 919-2881215 or go online to speaking forthepechless.org. Speaking the number four, the speechless.org. Thank you. And I yield.

Thank you, Mr. Daniels. All right. And our final speaker is Mr. Frankie. Okay, Mr. Frankie Coop.

All right, then we will close our public comment period. Good feedback as always u from our members of the public who are able to come forward and speak during the public comment period. Council, it is now our uh now on our agenda. We will move to section seven, our consent agenda. There are a lot of items that are there. Many of them are are routine things. All of them are things that should feel familiar. Mr. Livingston, if you'll please uh hear and and resolve any remaining questions on the consent agenda, after which time we'll entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda or modify. Mr. Livingston.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um the items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine in nature. there. A lot of it for budget reasons, cleanup things that we have to do to amend things like our project ordinances and budget ordinances so that we will be compliant with um auditing requirements and general statute regulations. Um that's why they're on the consent agenda. I think you're familiar with a lot of these ones, but if there's questions that anyone has, I'll be myself or the finance officer here to answer them. All right, council. Are there any remaining questions on consent agenda items 71 through 713? Hearing none, would entertain a motion to approve consent agenda items as presented.

Our motion has been made and properly seconded by the prom. Uh and any debate on that hearing? None. We'll call a vote. Please vote electronically if possible. If anyone has any issue, please let me know and we can vote by a different method. Jones, if you don't mind, just state your vote. State your vote for the record. Yes. Affirmative. Okay. Uh, all votes have been tallied. All votes in the affirmative motion passes on a 70 vote.

All right. Consent agenda items uh are all approved. We will now go to old business item 8.1 our budget discussion. We'll return to this council. In order to be able to give our manager and our uh finance officer any clear disc any clear directions, I wanted to provide an opportunity for us to bring forward any specific line item concerns, any specific motions for adjustment if there are any at this point and then after that we can talk about what our next steps are. Are there any specific items that we would like to bring forward for discussion?

Yes, sir. since I brought it up the subject up at the last meeting. Um, regard my concerns were related to the um increase in our u proposed increase in the trash um fee and the um questions that I had regarding the um increase in fees for the parks and wrecks items. and I have uh been able to speak with staff and got my um issues addressed and um I'm I don't have anything else that's an issue to me in in the budget at this point. And since I brought those items up at the last meeting, I felt like it was only fair to say that that I've got those issues resolved. So, I don't have anything further for budget discussion personally.

And Mh. Yes, sir. Mr. I I I do just have some some um some stuff that I would like to get looked at. If it's all possible, can we have a um a full budget or of the the Paramount so we can um see if it's actually turning a profit or not? It's not. Yeah. I mean, we know we we it's in, but we know it is not it is one of those things that is um that none of them really do with the possible exception of like DPAC. And so, right now, I think that Mr. Twist, if he were present, could tell you that we're on the upper end of revenue and and cost recapturing, but no, it's certainly not turning a profit.

So, so but to your point, you Yes, absolutely. You can get documentation, right? So, so with that being said, is is it time for us to to look at new strategies to see if we can get oursel to operating to where we're flat, at least flat? Uh, well, I think the strategy there if you're looking at cost recovery is it goes back. It's a user charge. So, you know, um do you want this to be more of a a a thing that's like for people that can, you know, how much can we charge and still kind of get a packed house, so to speak?

Well, well, I guess my my thing would be um I I got that, but I don't think it should always revert back to how much we charge a person or or or maybe it's just strategy of how we get people in there. You know what I'm saying? Or the frequency. I don't know that. That's why I'm just bringing that to the table to see if we can sit down and have a discussion on how we might be able to to be flat at least operating flat and not in the negative. That's just my my concern. That was one of them. The other one is um Mayor Pro Tim also brought up about the cell phones. So, in me looking, I haven't made it all the way through the book, but in me looking with the cell phones, um, I would like to just see if we have any way we can see whoever has phones, how many are actually being used, like a data pool or something, not to see who they're talking to, but if we paying a stipen for phones that are not being used, I think that's,

you know, we can get that information. Katherine has that information. There's one department I'm just bring just I'm not going to name the department or whatever but there's one department that has 13 cell phones. So I just wanted to see you know what what the the the the practicality is of that those are very reasonable questions and uh the rest of it I I'll um I'll wait to to sit down and talk with with u the city manager off when I have my appointment with him. Okay. So yes, ma'am.

So for clarity, just to make sure sure I'm not asking some of the same questions you are. So for clarity, I think what you're saying is on the Paramount, you would like a year to date. Um, so far for this fiscal year where we are year to date with the fair amount, right?

And then on the cell phones, um, could we just see that go line for 1224 and maybe 3210 across the board? And then Matt, maybe you could u Mr. Livingston give us the departments who all's getting um the cell phones. Do our employees use any type of data log or um echyros or any type of system to log what kind of activity our cell phones are actually getting after the 5:00 hour?

Uh not that I know of. I think we just use them for mostly on call um or department heads. Um so it's it's after hours that those ones are assigned phones whether it's somebody in distribution collections uh that has to be signed or you know even people that like the wastewater treatment plant that get called back into work and things like that. But we we'll certainly look at all that. Katherine, is that a question maybe you can address because I'm not familiar with the program that she's talking about. So in the the 1224 line item, that would be a stipen. So that would be a personal phone. So no, we don't. We we tax it. So they have to pay the tax on that. So we do it under a non-accountable plan. So that's why um if it were an accountable plan, it's just like doing mileage. You'd have to make a record and a log of every call or or I mean every trip you made, you know, or every call you made. Um, so there's really kind of two questions that I was wondering about. I was a little bit confused. Um, there is a different line item. This telephone and communications where city issued cell phones are located. And so there is data information um, with that uh, that we can pull. Depends on, you know, Matt can let me know exactly what it is, but we can pull that information. And then like I said, there's the other line item, Miss Weeks, that you mentioned. That's the stipen that's individual.

I think we would like to see the GL line for both of those. Um because on the stopping, if you could also if on both of those GL line items, if you could um break it down for us which employees are getting the stopping. I think it's important for the council to know who are those departments and who are those employees getting those stopins. Um and then also um just break those two GL line items down so we'll know who's getting a stop in versus a city issued telephone. Um yes ma'am we can sure do that. Um and then on the the telephone and communications are you asking for a detail of who has a phone for that? Okay.

Well actually for me I want to know I understand there like 13 in one section. I'd like to know with with the phones that we have handed out, issued out, how many are actually being used and how often are they being used? Is the juice worth squeeze is really what I'm asking? Gotcha. Okay. Okay.

But I think for clarity, she's saying that I know in a lot of cities that they keep a database that shows you how often the employees are using the phones actually after hours. We're not talking public safety. We're talking about, you know, like admin staff, um, different departments. We as a city do not keep any kind of database that logs activity of usage of cell phone usage. Not for personal not for personal phones. No, ma'am. Okay. All right. We can pull something together. Yes, ma'am.

Um, this is for Matt. if you wouldn't mind repeating um going back to that tier rate um slide that you had and you mentioned there were 60% of our users that fell into that category. Can you tell me what that category is again? So yeah, that's uh 3,000 gallons and below. Okay. 3,000 below. Yeah, we we were pulling this information. Is that that accurate, Katherine? That's

so um Matt asked me about this uh today. So we made a quick data pull. So what we did was a sample and we looked at April and four billing cycles. And in that four billing cycles he he included that slide that um I put together for him today. So between under 3,000 it was like 61% of those 13,000 some odd customers. Then over 3,000 is 39%. the the asterisk to that is that um it's every customer. So, it's inside the city. Um because our computer system, our billing system we have now does not differentiate between like a residential, a commercial or industrial customer. So, but most of those, you know, most likely are going to be over 3,000 anyway. So, we were just trying to get a snapshot because I believe even Mr. White, you had asked about that is how many people does this affect? So it this was kind of just like a a general statements just a one slice but that's basically so I would probably expect somewhere in that range of like maybe 55 to 65% or under three.

Okay. Um, that's good to know because what it what that says to me is and correct me if I am wrong is that if we move to the tier system, our users primarily probably our residential users because you just said it includes all of our water users, right? Would probably see a decrease and it's only res residential only

on the residential side which is what I'm what I'm focusing on right now is is how it affects the residents. So, um, we saw for those people who were not liberal users that it would probably go up a $1.15. Um, and I know on one of our slides, y'all, I can't remember, but it actually showed the negative number. Can you guys share that? Do you know what that negative number was? Was it $238? I think what it was was that was the combined one, just water and sewer. And then the $1.15 you're talking about, it was it had the garbage in it. So it was the whole whole bill. Okay. Yes, ma'am.

And and I wanted that the purpose of that slide was to illustrate the total cost with what we're proposing here. And it was to say, okay, when you when because they look at an entire bill, they're not necessarily we we need to do a better job in sort of demarking what that bill means and we're going to do that. But ultimately what they care about, and I'm not speaking for every consumer, but generally they're wondering if their bill is going to go up or if it's going to go down. If they use more, obviously it's going to go up. But under the conservation rate, if they use 3,000 gallons or less, according to that data, it only goes up a $1.15. And that includes the increase in the garbage of $2. So what the tiered rate system is doing, and I looked at it without the increase in garbage rate, and you could see some actual reductions in those 3,000gallon ones because what's offsetting the that uh um is the is actually the tiered rate. it's it's offsetting it, but then the two $2 is making it kind of level out to where it's a slight increase on people even even the conserving users, but it's it's nominal in in in my opinion.

Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

Yeah. Um I want to clarify something. I spoken with the city manager about um a recent $250 billing to GWTA that it was being build from DGDC but it was not the city is billing GWTA. So, could you tell and um when did the city start because it was really strange uh GWTA wasn't getting a bill a bill and then all of a sudden uh we started receiving 200 $250 billing from the city. Could you just Yeah, I know this is I just

No, that that's a great question and and every now and then because I think it speaks to a couple issues. We we try to reconcile our accounts or we do reconcile our accounts because I I asked them, we need to make sure that what we're out what's out there in the field is what we're charging for in our in our records and in our system. So, that was one of those ones when they were doing their accounting and their reconciliation the books, they noted, okay, here's one that we're not charging for and it's kind of slipped underneath the radar for a while. We picked it up in one of our reconciliations and I did talk with the uh Mr. for Wilkins about that. Uh Don um and and he understood. He he he he said, "Okay, yeah, I get it now." Um I said, "You know, if you don't want it, let him know." That's an eight yard container trash service that we dump. I think it's either weekly or bi-weekly. I'm not really sure. I don't remember, but it's around $250.

Okay. Is there anything else you want to add to that, Katherine? Is that No, that was the reconciliation. Is it a commercial refuge container? Yeah, an eight yard dumpster. Sir, that's a big one.

And the other thing is that we have has the the committee has not met in a while, but uh the Paramount we did have a committee um taking a look having a conversation about having a greater variety of um entertainment at the Paramount so that we could bring in more revenue. And we did site um some different groups that we would like um to bring in. Um so that conversation was being had. So we do need to go back to it. We do need to get that group back together and talk about that. I did want you to know that there was a conversation. also think get anytime as we're I mean this is hiring the manager and setting the budget it's the most important thing that we do on this on this day and so if there's uh individual department heads that you know you have questions about their stuff and and whenever you go and meet with uh with Mr. Livingston, give them a heads up and don't be surprised if don't be surprised if that individual department head is able to be there to be able to go through those individual pieces with you. You know, they're they're trying to make themselves as available as possible. Want everyone to be able to make a good decision.

All right. Yeah, I saw I saw Oh, and my last thing is I know um the city manager sent out something about a A plan and a B plan as far as rates are concerned when it comes to the uh parks and wreck. I just want to know are we going to is there like a we have to choose between the two or what what are we doing with that?

So, great question. Um I'm recommending that we go up 50% which is getting some feedback on those. it was 100%. We're basically doubling the rates for the outside. Looking at some of the comments and the feedback of people that I know, I felt like it was better for us to take that a little slower. So now it's going up 50% recommended. So it's not as impactful. Um I use the youth sports example because that's the one that most people or that's where our largest numbers are at. So for out of town citizens or it would be $75. Right now it's $60. So it' be a $15 increase. Um, and essentially that's what we're advocating for in that program. I I've talked with the parks and recreation director about it. Uh, and also it's important to note that we don't ever turn anybody away from our parks and recreation programs. If there's, you know, a someone that really needs it, we're going to we're going to get them into the program and get them get them signed up. But it it's a it's a fairly low increase, but it sort of addresses that issue that you talked about was how we get parody between, you know, the county, which is is not funding our programs, um, and and the city, which is totally 100% funding all the programs and all the services for recreation throughout the county.

I appreciate that.

I'll also add to that before I yield to M Council. I saw your hand up too. Um, I appreciate you and PNR staff taking a look at the different county recreation associations that are out there and seeing what other youth sports opportunities are available in Wayne County if you're a county resident and looking to make sure that we are we're cost competitive, you know, with what they are. Uh, we still want we still want to be an option. We don't want to completely price ourselves out of the market, but we also have to make sure that we're not further subsidizing recreation programs for residents outside of the city limits on the backs of residents inside the city limits. And so I think that what you've done is has created a nice balance. And I think that the conversations that now Councilman White has pressed on a number of different times I think have yielded a good result. My humble opinion. Yes, sir. two things. Backtracking just a little bit on the back to um what um Councilwoman Matthews brought up related to the the tiered structure. Um, I appreciate the additional information from from the manager that her question brought out just to be so that the public can better understand and h have a better understanding of that because whenever I brought that up at the last meeting, my thinking was how how many by percentage and that was what Councilwoman Matthews asked about. How many by percentage of our water users would benefit from a reduction through the new tiered system and it was basically 60% of of our rateayers would benefit. So, I I I knew that there was going to be a benefit, and that's why I

was concerned about the $4 increase on trash related to that because I if we were going to save a dollar and add a dollar back, then we're still doing a service, so to speak, for for our rate payer to be able to balance that. So there's a there's going to be a reduction and even with the increase of $2, there's still a little bit of a ri a little bit of a reduction there. So we're controlling that cost burden um as much as we can for for our citizens. So that that and and it's the more than half of our residential rateayers will be able to be um positively affected by that. Um, the other thing I really hadn't thought about in a while, speaking of paramount, um, I know that our the things that we provide, services provide, cultural stuff, whether it be parks and wreck or the golf course or whatever, that those things are not designed to to make a profit and and I get that. But to to Councilwoman Councilman White's point, we haven't had um uh the director or anyone in a while sort of come and speak to us about that operation. And I know when like last budget cycle, we had questions about DGDC and and the department head and various folks come and spoke to the council and presented on that. maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to have um Adam and his folks just come, you know, bring us a little slide presentation or whatever. I mean, because thinking back on it, and the mayor may be able to speak to this since he's familiar with these kind of things. I remember in 2005 when the Paramount burnt down, please correct me when I sp finish this. When the Paramount burnt

down, the city was unable to fund or figure out how to fund to replace that structure and that service that was being invited provided for the community. So, Mr. Will and his foundation, if memory serves me correct, handled the built the building, paid for the building, and handed it over to the city and said, "Here's a building free of charge. You guys just staff it and move forward." So, that maybe would factor in when we hear the presentation about how how how all that skews down. Uh, what are what are we getting for our money? in in terms of dollars of income versus what was given to us to present that. And maybe there's some sort of I'm not saying there is, but maybe when we hear the whole picture, it it seems a little more palatable as to what the the offset is. And it would also and I do not know the answer to this because I've not seen it in some time. probably would be good for that presentation to include just how much subsidy to that program is coming from the foundation because I know a ton of the um programming and stuff and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think a lot of that programming is paid for by the foundation. Is that is that accurate? Okay. because I don't I don't know all of the ins and outs of that and and I you know frankly I just hadn't dived into it but now that council member White brought it up and yeah okay I want to know too you know to know a little bit more information about it so if you guys think it would be okay to have the department head come and bring us a little presentation I

with the mayor's permission to get it on schedule yeah yeah of course I don't know that it u I think we need to decide do we need to have that presentation as part of this budget ordinance. I.e. that would be at our next council meeting or do we or is that something that we want to have them come forward and discuss a end of year financial recap that includes the full profit and loss for the paramount once that is compiled probably in July or August. So then I I just need guidance from council on if you want an end of year reconciliation. Katherine I'm assuming they're uh July 1, June 30. Okay. So, yes, sure.

Do we know for how long um the Paramount's been in the negative? Because I thought at one time they were bringing in money and I'm just curious. Yeah. Because when I first got on council, I if I'm not mistaken, there was a presentation and maybe it was during budget time. It's been a few years and they were bringing in money and um I remember they were being um congratulated for that and so I'm just curious is if now if they're losing money so to speak what changed?

I mean you know they're they're still as popular as ever they're so shows sell out. So the answer to that question is it really depends. I hate to be is to how you're calculating. If you do it on a showby-show basis and just don't calculate just don't calculate all the indirect cost and the direct cost. Yeah, they make money if you just calculate the direct cost. But if you start adding in the indirect cost, the lighting and all these other kind of and the maintenance of the building and all the other operational costs be behind that, it it's going to be, you know, and I don't want to speak to this without seeing the numbers, but there's and and Katherine probably can a little bit better because she's been looking at them longer than I have, but when you when you look at all the cost, it it's it's not going to run in the positive because you'd have to offset that with tremendous tremendously higher uh charges to to people to make it actually profitable. Is that accurate assessment?

So maybe it was the way that it was presented to us. They presented the in a different They are what I can't what I can say while you're excuse me, but they are of the community back theaters. Adam has been awarded and gosh, I wish he was here. I hate talking about him while he's probably like listen he's probably listening to this thing just like screaming at the speaker. But um but you know, he has been awarded for being one of the most effective at financial recovery, you know, of of your community theaters in the state. Uh but

yeah, I I mean I think that's um very true. So um I typically do a self-sufficiency calculation for Paramount, GC golf, and garbage. Okay. Um and that was normally in the booklet that I would do. So we didn't do that this year. Um but I have that prepared and I can, you know, send that to to Matt and he can distribute it to you all. And normally I I wish I could remember the exact percentage, but I want to say that Adam said amongst the national statistics of public performing arts is usually in that like 40%, but he always well outperforms that by the revenue that he brings in from renting and ticket sales and things like that. And I know that he's told us in staff meetings, you know, they try to keep the programming affordable for folks, which is one reason that they try not to raise the prices so much, but he monitors his pricing of his rentals of the programs and the tickets and things like that. So, um I I do have that information, can provide it to you, and I I can't remember how many years I've got back, but I would probably say I probably have about 10 years. uh and just need to do some updates to it since I haven't done that yet, but just need to update the current year and we can put in what he's expecting to spend so you kind of get a proforma of what we think June 30 is going to look like for this year. So

I think that Yes. Yes, sir. and to that if if she's going to send it out, does that include the Brian complex? No, sir. I I don't actually keep any I don't keep any separate data on that. However, I do know that in the past Felicia Brown has um I believe she keeps uh Herman Park, WA Foster, and Brian Multisports. I I believe she keeps statistics on that because the way that they code the records doesn't allow us in finance to be able to see in that much granular detail. I I the only reason I'm asking, I would just like to see all the things that we have a vested interest in, how well they're doing. I'm not I'm not criticizing. I I I'm just curious.

Does that include stuff like the compost center? You don't see that. Okay. So, what can we do as far as the cost recovery sheets? Because again, you build them and keep them anyway. Well, and and I do that in the general fund. I don't specifically do that. For example, like compost. Um so, the the delta on big. We know we know we're losing money, but still we have to do

any but right. We would have to pay a whole lot more if we had to pay to have it hauled off. So, I mean like trying to do it, you know, it's one thing to say, "Let me see Paramount, let me see Garbage, let me see Jason and Golf." Okay. Um, it's one thing to do the four, but if you want me to start adding on a lot of other stuff, it's going to take some time. And and and so, I mean, if if the priority would be the Paramount, then let me do that and get that to you and then maybe we can see what we can develop. Okay. If if that would satisfy that.

Sounds great. I I think for me for the paramount I I we need the guys to set our eyes on the actual financials. I'd like financials year to date for um 24 25 and then 25 26. So I'll have two years of financial numbers to compare. Okay.

Have an insert. Um, I just went to the monthly reports and um, if y'all pull those up, it shows all the way dating back to July 24th and there's a chart that says expenses at the top and revenues at the bottom. And I'm not going to say these numbers out loud, but it gives you a clear indication of where we are. And we cannot argue numbers. They're right here um, to show you in real time what it's looking like. And even the comparison of where we were in 24, we know we're still coming out of CO, still trying to recover from that, but it's a pretty consistent trend and you guys can just get a little glimpse of of what that looks like at least from 2024. I'm glad you said that. I'm sorry.

The only problem about that is it didn't show you the actual GL lines. It just it's just a brief summary for me. I was asking um parame um

in are you just the parabal is that what okay that that's not a problem it's just I worry about when we run a GL or we even run just a trial balance like for the budget side it's really long and you you know you get buried so if I if I can pull that that's like a page or two pages that's no problem I did want to add one more thing Miss Taylor was talking about the profit on the paramount if you remember when it was co um they got a bunch of grants, a lot. So, they actually did turn a profit. So, you remembered correctly. Um, and I'm not sure how much it was, but I want to say he got a very large like maybe it was $200,000 grant for co and and it it made a really big difference u for them that year. But generally, their operations are pretty steady except for the co money that did help. So,

yes, sir. I've seen your hand up. Well, I was just going to sort of point out what I what I said a while ago or the point that if I mean obviously anything we can get to run in in the black beats running in the red any day of the week. So, I'm I'm all for us trying to figure that out. But the the offset, at least at this point in in my mind, which is why I brought it a while ago, is okay, we're the the operational cost that the manager pointed out to like, okay, well, the lighting or your, you know, stage director or whatever salary is not factored into that cost. Then when you weigh that against, okay, we're going in the hole to pay the lighting bill, but the building was give to us, then where where does that where does that factor in in are are we losing or not? But I'm all for let's see the whole picture because the only thing honestly I've ever paid any mind to is exactly what Councilwoman Matthews just pointed out. I always sort of eyeball, you know, the overview of each department and in particularly particular I always was sort of looking at the golf course because I like to see how that that trended. But yes, it's only the small overview that's what what's in there. So I'm I'm I'm okay with looking at anything like that. we can see if there's something we can do to make to make it better. But I do have a sort of feel like I have my arms around how it operates at present related to us subsidizing the property that was given to us and the foundation supporting and and all that stuff. So we're we're very fortunate to have the foundation that participates in

in that. But yeah, if somebody come made a presentation, that'd be great.

Do it. Um guys, I just had one recommendation for the council and for Mr. Livingston. Um I met with Mr. Livingston um and Miss Kellyanne last week and thank you so much for your time. You are a phenomenal um leader and we're grateful for you. I had a recommendation for the council and for um the finance um committee. So the downtown development, their budget increased over $100,000. 20,000 plus of that tax monies um is going to be for new art for downtown. Over $70,000 of that is for a 10-year plan for downtown Goldsspray. Um in doing research and making some calls at the state, there's a grant available with the North Carolina Main Street Conference um to help you with a new 10-year master plan. And also, we have the MSD fund. And also, of course, we know that the downtown development has a nonprofit, the DGDC, which also has um their financials that are available for any of you to review. My recommendation would be that we take that $70,000 and ask um that that um be deferred um to either a grant with the North Carolina Main Street Conference or we defer some of that to the MSD fund or we also ask that nonprofit if they would um contribute at least half of that. And then my recommendation to this council is that we take that extra um taxpayers money and put it into another area. Um Miss Matthews, you have reme I remember recall that you had mentioned in one of our um meetings that you would like to see the park over in district 4, some lighting and some other things put in place. And I would like to recommend to this council that if we could defer some of that money in other areas, then we can take the taxpayers dollars and put them in um take that funding and put

them in some of those parks to kind of upgrade those parks and those lighting in that area. So that is just something to put to you guys for consideration. $70,000. It's It looks like we could use the grant, the MSD fund, or even ask the nonprofit if they would contribute a portion of that and then we could have more of the taxpayers dollars to put in other areas that are needed as well. So, that's just something for you guys for your consideration. Can I repeat that so I make sure I got it? So, you're talking about 70,000 to move out of the downtown development,

sir. for the downtown development corporation. Their budget increased over $100,000. 23,000 of that is for new artwork for downtown. And it's not artwork that we will own, but we'll actually be leasing the artwork. And so 70ome,000 is for a new master plan, which I think is very well needed for our area. But we have a North Carolina Main Street. We have a grant that is available to help us with our master plan. We also have our MSD fund that um is available. And then of course the downtown development um has the nonprofit arm. If we could at least split some of that cost or even defer some of that money through the grant or through the MSD fund, then I would like the council to um take that extra funding and then put it um you made that request in one of our meetings um that the lighting and some other things need to be updated in the um please make sure I'm saying the right street area, the Sloum Street area, Middle Park area. And so I feel like it's time that the taxpayers need to see some of those monies going into other areas, the taxpayers dollars instead of just downtown area.

Okay, that's just a recommendation. I just wanted to understand. I got it. Um, no question. Just a procedural question.

Yes, sir. So if to to be able to have staff look into that. Is that something that we absolutely can look into and figure out do we need to redirect budgeted funds. So this doesn't hold up the budget process. Meaning if we just just say we adopted this budget as is at the next meeting or whatever that money that's been allocated in that budget if after it's studied and brought back then and manager brings that back to council then we could do a resolution or whatever to move those funds around after the fact on with with the budget process. Right.

Yeah. I mean, you there's a number of things you could do and one of the things you could do is say, "Well, we're going to study this issue and not really prepared and need to look at this. We could move those funds over to a to the contingency line item where the council only has uh author authorization to spend it as we look at further into that or we can go ahead and work amongst ourselves and decide this is the plan going forward. But if it's going to take, you know, a month and a half to do, then I would suggest we use the maybe something such as a contingency fund, moving that money over into there, and then the council can decide once we uh kind of come to a a more an agreement.

That works for me. Well, let's we'll we let's let Counciloman Matthews, you know, speak and then we'll then we'll see if there's anything to put in the form of a motion so that there's a clear articulation of what it is. If you don't mind, Council Matthews. Oh, it it was I think Matt just spoke to Excuse me. Um, city manager just spoke to it. I was just thinking it seems like those are questions that we could ask and probably get answers very quickly um on. So, I just didn't know the feasibility of of the request, which I support. Um, so just didn't know. So he kind of addressed that issue.

Well, there's also the just because you apply for a grant doesn't mean you're going to get it. And if we are due for a 10ear plan update so that we, you know, you got to have those things in place to be able to qualify for additional grants, then I think that we don't want to fall behind on that. Again, I'm not the subject matter expert here, but I would assume that that is true. is the same reason that we've done our parks and recreation master plans and our land use plan and all the other things that we've done to make sure that we've set the wheels in motion for us to be able to qualify for other grants that and I wouldn't want to effectively raise the MSD layer of taxation and then just simply offset all of it back into into something else. I feel like that

sort of um under undercuts the uh the investment that we're asking folks to make there. So, I think that this one the the concept I think has been clearly articulated. Mr. Livingston, if you don't mind, um, let's take this one under advisement and see if there is a if if there is a good way on this one. And then of course we we're not voting on this thing this evening anyway. But I think that the intent and the goal has been stated of trying to one get some investment into uh into parks and other parts of the city, but I also think that if we're making an adjustment to the MSD layer that we also don't want to be seen, you know, undercutting and offsetting that. So let's let's see if there's a way that we can do both.

Okay. If you'll check, Kellyanne, that grant is specifically for the master plan. Okay. I I will say that those grants are available. Um the ones that they provide um through Main Street program are more for the smaller communities 5,000 and below. They don't do the market study. What what the what they're asking for and that's the reason why there's a fairly high price tag with this one is much more in-depth study. Um so I don't think they have 70,000 available. I think it's more and maybe Kellyanne can speak to this. I think it's more like maybe a $10,000 grant. You know, Kellyanne,

I don't remember. Yeah. And no matter what it is, we we we're going to apply for it. Yeah. We get

Yes. Good evening. Uh a as Matt was saying, as as um city manager Livingston was saying, I don't know the exact amount, but it is the case. And I I believe actually Goldsboro has already received the um planning grant that you're speaking of. It's very it's a highlevel planning grant rather than a master plan which does a market study, looks at all sorts of various solutions to um revitalization work with the downtown. Um it so as um city manager was saying what we're the $70,000 will go towards is a very much more comprehensive plan than what we've done through Main Street in the past. Excuse me. But we can look into it. Absolutely. And we will look into it

if we're eligible. If there's something that's out there for us to apply for, then we certainly should. And we may or may not be awarded it for a v a v variety of reasons. Yeah. But especially if we've received it in the past, right? But we should certainly pursue it. All right. Yes, sir. Um just for for Miss Williams. No. All right. He I wouldn't leave the room,

but Yeah. All right. Um, I was just going to further say that I'm I'm all for looking and trying to figure that out and and whatever it turns out that the city is going to have to pay dollar-wise for that study. Um, which we all understand that we need to have these kind of studies done. I do not think, and the mayor sort of tagged on this already, I don't think it would be um I don't think it would be acceptable in my mind to make the MSD fund pay for that particular item

or to fund some fund that particular item. This has nothing to do with the artwork piece or whatever. That's that can be a different discussion. But so far as the city, a city department deciding that it needs to undertake a study just like we've done comp plan study and parks wreck master plan. So when we do all of these studies that that's a city expense, not the the downtown property owners MSD fund shouldn't have the the downtown property owners shouldn't have to bear the burden of a master plan for our entire downtown that benefits the entire county. If that makes sense. Well, it's good that with these, you know, we there's ultimately going to be some differences of opinion and and that's that's a good thing. That's how you get to a spot that that works. I think this has been good discussion. I think that Mr. Livingston, I think you have some directive to go back and let's see if there's an adjustment that can be made to where that both can be achieved.

And if not, then we have a decision to make. But let's let's go get some good information so we don't beat this one too far. Or could you even defer your art, your $23,000 worth of art to the MSD fund? The problem that I'm seeing is we've got murders going on. We've got our kids acting out and we say we want something positive for them, something positive for them, but then we've got parks that are not even safe enough for them to play in and equipment that's dilapitated. Could we take is it time for us to consider other areas to put some of our funding into?

I mean, that's certainly up to you guys with this city council. I, you know, as far as the MSD fund, those monies have to be spent within the MSD, but as far as reducing their budget request, you know, that's totally up to you guys uh, you know, prerogative there. Does that does that answer the question? Yes,

I I have a question. I think and a statement. So, I think one thing we all can agree on is that we all are concerned about our our parks. I know we had the discussion in our work session about the the money, the co money. Did we ever figure out what we were doing with that? We we have and um we're actually working towards some uh grant money that we can spend uh to address some park issues in your your district, Councilwoman Matthews, and I think Kellyanne's talked to you about that. Um and also the uh in the in the budget there is that ability to spend that on the multisports because that's not anything more than what we've had, but that's travel and tourism dollars. They've already approved that. So, and that would use the Corona virus money. So we are taking care of that matter.

So that's what we're So we're going to use the use I'm sorry. No, but I because I I know we discussed it when we were having our but I didn't never exactly hear for sure if that's what we were going to do with that. that that's what it seemed like the takeaway I got was just to go ahead and go forward with the request as uh recommended and as approved by the travel and tourism board to use those monies that they have within their um you know within their budget to do the um to do the multisports lighting. So, yes, sir.

So, so are are we saying that that because I thought it was brought to the council to decide what we going to do with the Corona virus money and I I do understand you keep saying the tourism budget, but have we decided as a council what we were going to do with the Corona V because I thought that was our decision to make. Does does there need to be a vote on the coronavirus funds because there hasn't been a formal vote on the corona.

No, no. I mean the the the the challenge was there as we explained last time was that you know we don't have very many part projects to choose from that qualify. So we're running against time here and um you know I I don't want to run the risk of losing that funding and and that's what we're up against right now. And it does like things like the parks and recreation those playgrounds and those kind of things they don't qualify for corona virus. That's the challenge of the corona virus funds. It the the abil what you can fund is extremely limited. Question.

So then just as a a procedural question then do you need a budget ordinance to spend those dollars? Do we need to vote on a resolution to spend those dollars? Yes.

No. Um what what we we w I will have to bring back a budget ordinance amendment for the capital project for that special revenue project to move it into public facilities because I don't think it's there now. I think it's in a different category. Um we just need the consensus from the council that that's okay to do that. Okay. So, probably it won't be this next meeting. It'll be the last meeting in June. I will bring that back because the the clock is ticking. Um, we actually have to have the project done, build, paid, and then drawn out of our credit line with HUD and all that has to be done before September the 10th. And we have to deal with procurement. So, there there's a lot we we're on a really really short timeline for that. So,

so then Katherine, for the to be able to give clear guidance, I think we probably need to I didn't mean to call it Miss Gwen. Um, if we if we need to debate that this evening to amend the amend the agenda, have this as an old business or have this as a business item now for the sake of us being able to vote on it to give you clear direction. Is that what's necessary or do we have it? It's all we need from you is to say yes, we're okay with spending the Corona virus for this because it's not going to be like, okay, this you're going to have to prove it anyway when the expenditure comes along. Okay? I mean, it would be it would behoove you to say, yes, we have a vote on it. Yes, we want to do this.

Okay? I would like that, but it doesn't have to be a formal resolution. Just a vote that says yes, we're willing to use the Corona virus funds for lighting at Brian Multis Sports Complex. Okay. So, council, uh, yes, sir.

So, make sure I'll remember correctly from the budget work session, we're the money that we're going that we're speaking of to spend to do that project. Wasn't the payoff from that going to be that if we spent that money for that purpose that it was going to get a couple hundred,000 worth of grant money from somewhere else or through travel and tourism to pay for a big chunk and by us spending that money on that it was going to allow them to get a couple hundred,000. Well, it wasn't a grant. It was using fund balance out of occupancy tax. Was it three fields, Kelly, or It's three fields.

Okay. I just want to make sure I remember the details. Miss uh Mr. Do you feel comfortable just kind of refreshing folks memories? I think so. So you were at the travel and tourism development meeting when that vote was taken. That was for you go. Yeah. So I I believe at the what we're referring to is at the budget workshop there was an option A and an option B. Option A was going to allow us to use the CDBG CV money combined with the occupancy tax dip into the um reserves the fund the what are we calling that travel and tourism fund. Well, no. The That's not the budget.

The right this was just what we were this was the scenarios that we built out the reserve funding for new facilities the in combination with the CDBGCV roughly 300,000 and occupancy tax money for up to two fields 500,000 to be able to finish out all of the fields at Brian Multisports complex. That was option A. That was the scenario built. or option B, which was just use the CDBGCV and the occupancy tax money to get the two fields done, the the same fields that the um that the travel and tourism board had voted to fund. So that that's what we were talking about was really an economy of scale um scenario rather than the CDBG leveraging the CDBG did leverage more fields but in the sense of um just allowing us to kind of bundle and save rather than the CDBG doesn't activate additional funding from the occupancy tax.

Yes sir. Last thing while last question so now that you say that I'm like yep that that's it. I remember that. So I thought that we reached consensus during that meeting to go with option A because of the value got per dollar spent. Am I mistaken? That was the general head nod was yes.

I I don't think it was the general head nod. That that that that wasn't cuz I walked out of there not not clear of what I actually was clear. So that's why I'm asking now if the right thing to do is to is to take a vote here so that we can make a formal decision on option A or B. I realize that we would need to modify the agenda, put this as an 82 and then go ahead and giving y'all direction on this. But if it's the will of council and council has the bandwidth this evening to do so, I think giving uh giving staff clear direction on these would be prudent.

Yeah. And and just to clarify, I think uh Katherine helped me out here. What's currently modeled in the budget is just the CDBGCV monies and the occupancy tax money to for a total of about half a million dollars to fund those two fields. We have not um allocated any of the reserve funding to do the additional fields at this point. So

all right. Right. But thank you for clarifying. That's why you know basically the board's already voted to approve this and it's only expenditure the tourism board. It's not using any uh dollars from the uh it's technically city's money because we over travel and tourism is a partner with the county but they've they've already approved this expenditure. So it's the corona virus one that we need approval on. So then question where Yes ma'am. I I have a question and I totally get what what we're trying to do, right? We're trying to spend the money before we lose it. But

how many of our parks in the city are actually in our LMI communities? Do we know like I could I could I'm sorry I can't tell you right off the top. The reason why I'm asking is maybe there's some money in our CDBG funds that we could use. I know we've talked before about using um funds for different things because of being in LMI community. So, I'm just curious as to there's if we have to use this, use it or lose it, so to speak, for these funds. Um, what funds are available for a special use to get these parks in order? Well, let's see. Is there a is there an answer to that question before we go to the next question?

Maybe. I mean, I I can I I'll do my best. councilwoman. So, CDBGCV as as um city manager has indicated is very very specific um ways that we're able to spend. Um the Brian multisports complex is in an LMI census track. Um it's also available to be used by the entire city. It's not just, you know, uh restricted to that district of of who our users are. Um, the lighting specifically, the reason why the CDBGCV were able to make a case is because the Brian Multisports Complex is a huge field, a huge park. uh one of our I won't say our largest, I'm not sure exactly about that, but essentially the spread that you're able to get if you were to social distance at that park with the with the lighting that already exists and the walking track that goes through the park is a better um justification than a regular park with as many contact surfaces as there are. So essentially look at a swing set, a slide, monkey bars, all of that. That's actually not a great park during COVID because of all of the contact surfaces. So what we're able to say about Brian Multisports Complex is it's essentially a wide open um field that you know eight fields to be specific that you're able to use in Rome. And that's how we've been able to make a corona virus tieback and make that justification. Yes, sir.

I guess when we had actually had the conversation, we asked if there were were were a list of things that we could use it for. That was one of the hang-ups, right? Cuz we asked for a list back and I did I do know that the city manager came back and said, "We need a project that is shovel ready so that we can we can expend the money." I do but but then in my mind I asked these questions. My question is, I understand that that we'll put the lights on those three additional fields and then it will help Brian Multiplex, but we're still going to incur additional cost cuz we'll have to pay the light bill. So, I wanted to know everything that that encapsulates this project because it's not just putting up the lights and then we done. It's we put up the lights, they on. Now we got another bill because we'll have to pay for the bill. I'm not saying that I'm opposed to it. I do have my apprehensions because I don't see our LMI communities really using that facility like that. But however, I don't want to lose the money either. Right. So I I'm I'm with that, but I just need those questions answered as far as we're going to incur the light bill. So there's an additional cost that comes with putting the lights up. the uh the I will say that the times that we're out there for soccer games and stuff is packed. It is packed and it is used by by kids of every demographic and of every every household style. And the the benefit to the city is that it would expand the number of fields that can be used when it's dark out. It's pretty obvious. That's a fairly simple one, right? The benefit to travel and tourism

is that it could be used to recruit additional tournaments and things that could then play after dark. And so the the the light bill when there's our parks and recreation programming going on over there, you know, that that is that is ours to eat. You know, it's just part of the the growth of our programs. But the ones when it's tournaments that would be generating revenue and so it's it is both ways. You're you're I totally I totally agree with with

I guess my apprehension u Mr. matter is that we we it seems that right now everything is ours to eat. So at some point we got to get full and start asking other people to partake and come to the table. Right? So I'm looking at it from from a standpoint of you know what I'm saying? I'm not saying that we shouldn't do it. I just would like to see the data. You know what I'm saying? I would like to see you know what I'm saying the the light bill. How many how much is the light bill now for the two fields that's already lit? Yes.

Then we can get some kind of hypothetical bill going on so we can make an informed decision or at least go through cuz I know we're probably going to side with putting it up because we're in a time crunch. But I'm I just need I just want to see the data so we'll know exactly what we're walking into or at least have an idea of what we're going to incur going forward. That's all I'm asking. Councilman, we've already done a little bit of research on how many how much the light bill is for the three fields that are already lit. It's it's hard to extrapolate exactly, but we I I I believe um our parks and recck director has done a little bit of that research already and and I think we'll be able to get those numbers to you pretty pretty quickly.

Good. So, yes, sir. So to Councilman White's point, so when we get those numbers, then we'll be able to see, of course, the expenses we're going to incur, but then we'll also be able to compare that to the increased revenue that the expense will bring in. We'll be able to see all of that collectively,

right? We Yes, we could we could try to do that as well. And it's, you know, it's it's hard to guarantee the number of tournaments we will be able to get, but we can certainly extrapolate and say, hey, if if three fields are being used now and these tournaments book us, um would they could they book us for the other five additional fields or even just the two additional fields if that's all we move forward with, we're able to make some assumptions there for for sure. And I heard some discussion and I don't remember if it was sitting around general conversation with travel and tourism or if it was during some sort of official presentation but I remember being said that they and parks and wreck as well that there was a huge demand that and and we're not able to provide that service and of course if we did and we made that decision to do that and then that brings more use of the park and that brings more hotel stays and and all all of these things. But I think it in order to process it and make an informed decision if we can see the revenue projection as well as the expenses so that we can get our arms around the whole the whole shenanigan. So

maybe the revenue will offset directly question. All right. Yes ma'am. And then yes ma'am. Okay. So question and kind of statement and and um Miss Kellyanne this may not even be for you whoever it's for. Um the first thing is have we asked for an extension on these funds the use of funds. Right now our deadline is September 10th. There is discussion federally that they may extend it. However, we're working towards the deadline we have today. Okay. Um, the second thing is I know we talked about um, and I'm and I'm glad that you shared that point because it was the first time I heard it tonight about the the touch, park equipment, the

but I've been at that complex and I've seen flag football, I've seen soccer, I've seen all the things and they all touching and they all running together and in circles. So, are we justifying it from the walking loop? Are we justifying it from the square footage? because every sport that I've been out there to watch, they've been in each other's faces, which is not social distance in my opinion.

Yeah, sure. Great point, Councilwoman. So, yeah, what we have to put our mindset back in, even though it's an unfortunate mindset to to think about is if this was pandemic and we were social distancing. So, what we're what we're actually talking about is if all of us went out with our, you know, picnic blankets and separated out, could we do it effectively at Brian Multisports Complex? We could because it would allow us enough space at at that point. Any sort of contact sports would not be taking place. And then the walking trail itself, um, you know, obviously would be able to be used in a social distancing way as well. Um the a as far as I'm aware out there about the only things that you're maybe you're interacting with are the the but the button to turn on the spray park and the the goal I guess you know any sort of goals that are out there as far as contact surfaces as opposed to a traditional playground. But again in co times what we would be talking about is strict social distancing no contact sports. So, and I I do want to be careful about that because as we're justifying the CDBGCV, we have to be careful that we're not talking about the benefit to the sports complex as we use it today. It's for readiness in the event of another pandemic. Readiness and response. how we would h if if another pandemic was to occur, would we have a facility that could have extended hours that people could social distance? Not so that we could use it for sports.

It is having to a little bit just I'll say the quiet part out loud. It's a little bit of having to play the game when it comes to the federal rags on any of the the CV funds. Um it's Yeah. Yeah. It it's it certainly sometimes feels like a shell game and I don't know that I should have said that on the record but there it is. Yes, ma'am. I have a couple questions and it may be a question for Miss Gwen. You might know. Um so I know we have are doing the work out at North End Park, right? Did they redo the lights there? Do you know? I don't know.

So do we know Councilwoman Matthews? Do we know when the last time the lights have been done at Mini Well Park?

Um, we just uh the city had some um grant funding for the track. So, those lights, they got new LED lights at the track, which was a big win. That was a couple years back. Um, as far as the actual park, I'm not sure um what that looks like. um we've been talking about um this further down at the Grand Day Point because even though the park is theirs, we maintain it and there's some grant funding that has been just sitting that we could use to occupy to to upfit that park down there. So um so so I guess my ask is going to be

can we just make sure that we are working towards getting our our lights at these parks on the south side of town and in the other I understand what you're saying about that's a LMI community and I understand about the um the CDBG CV funds and the whole social distancing and everything but we have to remember a lot of the kids that go to that park, they have rides and there's a lot of parks in Goldsboro that people go to and they have to walk, right?

So, we just need to make sure that these parks are lit up and that everybody's being appreciated and treated the same. So, I mean, since it's coming up, I would just like to say like I I want to just make it a a thing pretty soon that we look into these lights and and in all the LMI communities, make sure that if a child wants to go to the park, they are they have plenty of lighting like to walk even on the sidewalk. you know, some of the street lights like down when they're walking places on the sidewalks on certain sides of town, the street lighting is not good. And I understand that they said that we have to have we can only have street lighting like every what is it 500 ft or something.

I I'm not really sure who they are, but what we can do is uh get DOT to put up a street. Jonathan says yes. Right. That's right. So we have to have it's 500 square like 500 feet but sometimes those 500 feet it seems like way you know like it doesn't seem like it's 500 ft because there's some really dark places where over sidewalks where people are and that's the do standard and but you know lighting up our properties and things like that you know it's it's it's sort of is our call but you know it just depends done. It's a situationbased thing.

Yeah. I just really want to look at our parks, look at our lighting. I know we're getting some lighting work done at Herman Park, but you know, I just want to make sure that like at North End Park, at at Minwell Park in those parks where the kids are out there playing ball late at night that we have the lighting because we want them to be doing anything except for getting in trouble. And council, are you saying that for CDBGC for the use of CDBGCV? I'm just saying foreneral however we have to do it you know if there is a way not for this CV money

but if there's a way that we can use funds that we have in you know for our LMI communities let's find a way please like I just want to kind of like request Yes. Yes ma'am. This going to be my last name Kelly and thank you for being so patient. Um, I get what you're saying about your explanation as to how we can use that, right?

But that explanation tonight is the first time I've heard it. We talked about recruitment. We talked about being able to host new events. We've talked about everything that those lights would attract and it was nothing about social distance. Like, I feel like we're using that as a win for for our gain when it comes to competitions and all that other kind of stuff, which I I I understand that concept, right? I think for me, I would like to know if we could get an extension on those grant funds. And then two, I would like to know where else, and I appreciate those of you who mentioned um the South End and and staff has been working to kind of get some things done down there. So, um but just what other things can we do? And is this an opportunity for us if we can get an extension for us to get creative and to come up with a project like because I would like to see the city council even if it's not like produce something that we can say as a board this is what we did like all the time we know we got to make certain decisions about certain things if it's not going to be us it's going to be another council but I have yet to see a board say you know what being that homelessness is an issue this is what we as a council are going to decide to do so I'm wondering wondering with that can is there an opportunity for us to do something like that? Like I thought about the bus shelters and I thought about benches. You know, these are these are amenities to me. These are services that we should be providing anyway, but everybody's talking about there's no money to do these things. And then we're also trying to figure out whose responsibility it is to even provide that service. So I I think for me I am not in favor of using that money in this regard. And I I just think that I would like to see us see if we can get an extension on that on that on that money and then what other opportunity and I appreciate all your work on this. But I just want to see where else we could possibly use the money cuz I I just haven't heard those options yet cuz we we don't know there might be some opportunity for us to do

it. I've known us to get things done really really quickly, you know, in certain spaces. So this might be a good space where we can practice that resilience again. As of right now, the asks for an extension, the the money has actually already been extended several times. Oh, wow.

Yeah. CDBGCV, not necessarily by our ask, but by the federal government just allowing extensions cuz many communities had a hard time spending it. Um, if if we were to ask, I don't know that they would do a one-off extension, but again, the discussion federally is potential extension. I I I don't know that we can count on that. It's it's a it's a small discussion. I don't know that we can count on it. So, we're just trying to move as efficiently as possible with the deadline that we have. Um, as far as the social distancing discussion and the you know, the economic discussion, they were kind of conflated because we were also talking about the occupancy tax money being matched with it. Um I think at the last um council meeting I may have mentioned the restrictions about CDBGCV. Um but but you know certainly it it wasn't to you know the mayor touched on it um I think the most diplomatically sometimes with the the fact that the these are federal this federal monies and it has very strict federal guidelines. you have to be um very creative in how you're justifying it. And I really do believe that there is a legitimate LMI benefit to this park so that we're able to justify it to the federal government. Um if there wasn't, I couldn't stand up here and and make it up. But the but are there other uses? Maybe. But as far as in the timeline,

that's that's the constraint really is our constraint is not our need but our the amount of time we have. I appreciate you. Sure. Yeah.

So, uh Yes, sir. So would it would it be possible to to move things along to say to reach a consensus and say if there if we are denied an opportunity to extend? Should we reach consensus and say okay if you if you can't get an extension and you've got to spend the money and this is then okay let's go ahead and and do do this so that we're not holding things up. And then if an extension does come, then okay, hold up. Then let's go back and talk about it again. And

I have a suggestion for council if you'll if you'll humor me. Next council meeting is when we hope the next regularly scheduled council meeting is when we would hope to be able to vote on a budget. Can this also be an item that we can go ahead and vote on in the mean the time between now and then? You've heard heard the questions and frankly the questions haven't really changed either. Like let's let's get let's have some conversations. Let's get answers to the questions. Let's make sure that everyone is is has what they need to be able to be read up on this and then make a final decision on the CV funds. be it for this or if we're able to if we think we're going to be able to get an extension not for this and then if we lose them we lose them but you know I hope it doesn't come to that but if that if that's the sort of principled approach then it is what it is. So let's if you'll allow is I do want us to be able to move to any other points within the budget as a whole. I'd like to have this as a point under old business at our next council meeting to be able to vote on prior to the budget itself. That way then we can make a final decision and then you can we can vote on a budget.

I have just one thing. So I know we're under time restraints for that money, right? So being that the next council meeting is not till a couple of weeks away, is that going to affect the timeline for having to spend this money? So is that something that you could like tomorrow maybe require if there is a possibility for extensions and then let let us know by email or something? So that way like um Councilman Boyette said, maybe if we have consensus about using the money if there's no chance of getting the extension. But I don't want to. Two weeks could be a long time if in fact there's only a couple of months left. If that makes sense.

Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Councilwoman. Um I think that what would be challenging is even if we ask for an extension, we might not get that answer within the next two weeks. Um it it might be you you may have a meeting before that answer, but we can certainly put the request out there. Again though, just because um this funding is not necessarily specific to us, it's not like our home or CDBG like other entitlement money where we're able to sometimes ask for extensions. It is um um ARPA funding that was distributed during um COVID. It typically gets extended as a program and not by not by grantee.

Right? So, if they're going to make this decision, it's going to be on a Yeah. Yeah. as a program across the board. Um rather than to City of Goldsboro or oneoff communities. Um I definitely don't want to lose the money. I just hate that it took so long for us to to get into the discussion of how we're spending it. So, I don't want to lose it.

Yeah. Ben is there to council Voyet's point is there if a motion would even be appropriate right now and Ron it may not be but if there is the desire of council to articulate a specific path forward of please pursue an extension if an extension cannot be granted then we grant permission or grant or state a desire to use the money for this project or is there another there's not another shovel ready project sitting there

there there's not but there's also another option of just okay let's say the corona viruses aren't the option that you want to use and we are able to find some other expenditure you've still got the travel and tourism board that says they're wanting to use to spend their money and basically do this and not not at the city's expense at all trying to help balance the travel and tourisms protect their fund balance But there this project's going to move forward either way because the travel and tourism has you said they're going to spend their money on on the two fields and they're going to use their fund balance to make it happen.

Right. Two fields at Brian Multisports Complex are has been approved for funding by you know with occupancy tax through the travel and tourism regardless what we were just trying to do is as I'm as I mentioned economy of scale and be able to use money that's in a use it or lose it position. Again, my personal position is we have the money in a use it to lose a position. We have the travel and tourism board which is made up of members appointed by the count by the county government as well. So, that was one of the clearest paths to us being able to get money that is not specifically city of goals property tax dollars to be able to get the county funding in some way on the hook for something. And so I really appreciate them being willing to to step forward and and make this investment because they they saw it as a vehicle for doing it. My personal opinion is that I would like to be able to move this the CDBGC funds forward, be able to couple them with the travel and tourism dollars and be able to maximize the the number of fields that we can do. Right now I'm one vote. That is where I believe we ought to go, but council's asked some very clear questions. If we believe that we can get answers to any of those questions, we're going to be meeting again anyway. Is it, y'all know this more than anyone else in the room, is there a window for us to have an actual vote on this next week or at this point are we passed that and you really need us to give some clear direction tonight? That's really all I need to know.

U Mr. Mayor, I am not prepared to say that I am in support of if we can't get an extension to go ahead and move forward with this lighting project. Understood. I'm just asking staff of what the I know, but you asked the council. So, I was just making it known that I'm not prepared just like you gave your opinion of if you were prepared, right?

The the timeline being affected by two weeks will will just simply, you know, it'll it'll simply crunch us. Um, I don't know that it makes it impossible waiting two weeks. You know, I'm not going to, uh, chicken little it, uh, you know, so badly to say that two weeks will, you know, affect our timeline that drastically. However, you know, it's going to eat up our our cushion, so to speak. So, for example, at the next council meeting, if we had uh clearer direction, we might could come forth with uh substantial amendments to the annual action plan and the consolidated plan like you all have done had to do recently for with the home monies. Um, and that would move the needle forward on us being able to to get this project moving along. Again, I don't know that two weeks

we dramatically affects it, but it it will certainly eat up our window and and put us in potentially a precarious timeline.

I think we can I agree with Kellyanne, we can defer this decision, but it's not necessarily impacting budget adoption and it's getting thrown into that and it doesn't need to be. But what it what we can do is bring back some other potential options. But that's been the challenge for us is finding shovel ready eligible projects for this type of expenditure. It's not like okay this qualifies why don't we do this. It's more like trying it's really hard to find a project at this point in time that shovel ready that we can go forward with. But we we will do our best to bring you back some options if there's any and and also talk about the feasibility of how we can spend our corona virus funds period without necessarily just just what what we think our options are and and then we'll need a decision right away as far as that goes so that we can say you know because right now I'm hearing I don't even know if there's a majority of this board really that feels like they want to spend it on on lighting. If that's the case that's fine. We know that. I'd rather know that than than us spinning our wheels and trying to say, "Okay, we think this is a good project. The city council supports it." I'd rather know you say now, "We don't think lighting is a good idea with it. We won't do it." Because I kind of thought that that you guys thought that that was the case that maybe you felt like lighting was good.

Right. So then Oh, yes, sir.

Well, based on the conversation that that we had at the at the work session or whatever, I I agree. Yeah, I thought that the consensus was that we thought that was a good spend. But to the other end of the table's point, if we can find something else to possibly do with the money, then I'm okay with looking at that and let's see what we can do with the money. But I sort of agreed with we need to go ahead and make give direction to staff to say in my opinion and as the mayor said, we need to go ahead and say if you can't find anything else to do then go ahead and do this because we don't want to lose it. I'm I'm willing to put that in the form of a motion and give staff direction because we're not saying don't look at other items. we're saying or I would be my intent with that motion is don't lose this. If you can't find something else to bring back to us, then I'm I'm in I want to make a motion to approve it.

All right. Um motion has been made. Mrs. uh Ms. Reese, do you mind uh making sure that you have a clear articulation of the motion in the notes? Obviously, you've got on video. Um, so the motion would be, if you don't mind stating as concisely as you can, so we make sure we know exactly what we're discussing, to approve staff to spend these funds as discussed for fully providing lighting at the Brian Multisports complex unless if there's no other option available. Okay, I think that would satisfy everyone at that point.

All right, motion's been made. Is there a second? I'm going to second it and I'm going to base it on the ROI, the return of investment in the lighting in the actual area. Hopefully, the ROI will offset any expense from the light bill is what I'm looking at. So, I'm going to make a second.

All right. So, motions are made and properly seconded. So, now we're in the discussion stage. I still think that there needs to be, you know, clarification to questions that have been asked and just my debate here. Uh, I think that, again, I'm I'm going to vote in favor of this, but I think that some good questions have been asked about the finances of the month-to-month carrying costs of additional lights. You know, assuming they're running for six hours a day, what does that look like? I think those are very reasonable questions that uh that should be answered, and I would still like that information regardless of the outcome of this vote. I would still like that information to be distributed to council before our next before our next meeting. We've been working on that. We're we're about ready for that.

Okay. All right. Is there any other debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right. Uh, abstensions count as yeses. Correct. That's correct. Okay.

No, that's fine. I was just just again I was just state stating for the record the uh Okay. So motion and it can still be documented as as an abstension. Uh I think that would be a more accurate way to reflect it in the minutes. All right. So motion passes on a uh a 60 vote with plus one abstension. All right, that conversation uh having been moved along at least for right now. Back to our budget books. You know, this is a good opportunity. Are there other specific points that folks want to bring up for debate right now? Going once, going twice. All right, hearing none. Uh I'm not going to call for a vote on the budget tonight, obviously. Uh but anyone that has or hasn't, uh do make sure that you have time to go and sit down with uh Mr. Livingston and any department heads that are relevant if you have specific questions. Uh if you like me there, obviously I will always do what I can to make myself available. If not, that is I won't be offended,

mayor. But uh yes, sir. Just one point of comment because it was brought up and I think it's fairness is um do we want to do another budget work session or are we okay with um not doing one at this point in time? Well, and part of what I was trying to do tonight was to make sure that there was ample opportunity for robust discussion just in case schedules did not permit to that. But that's ultimately a a councilwide discussion. uh is there a desire uh to try and and schedule something before our next uh before our next meeting? And obviously at our next meeting, it would not be on the consent agenda. It would still be a proper old business item for robust discussion.

Mr. Mayor, I think it is absolutely imperative that we have a work session. I think it's important we can have our individual meetings with Matt, but I think it's important also to hear from each other and how we feel and how we view stuff. I learned just as much from you guys just hearing your opinions and how you process budget items. So, I I think it's necessary even if we don't want to. I think we absolutely should have one. Are there any other thoughts or opinions on this?

I'm going to ask for uh for council's guidance if we if we were to do something knowing that knowing that schedules are are complicated. Uh, I would probably recommend doing it as a um as a a pure open like Q&A session with with the manager. Uh, I guess we would have to call it to order if if four members showed up, but um, council, are there any other thoughts or conversations for or against? And do we need to call a vote? How do we want to do it? Um,

well, I'll be honest with y'all, Mr. Mayor. Um, yes, sir. Uh, I am going to meet with uh with uh the uh city manager off to the side, but I can't see the value in hearing. Um, I learned some stuff tonight just by talking with with the council members. So, I'm not opposed to that either. Well, I plan to um meet with the city manager and I already had asked some things with u Katherine and I'm good. same.

All right. You know, I I personally, you know, I don't have anything to bring up and necessarily left, but and I don't really want to call a meeting if it's not the desire of the majority of the board to do so. Um,

so it's also an issue of transparency for our people. I get it. You guys got it. Fine. your questions are being answered, fine. But we also had our first work session to discuss this budget without the cameras on. I have never heard of that before and I've been sitting up here for almost 7 years. There was no cameras in that room when we first discussed this budget. So, the opportunity that we can have to have some transparency because these questions that I'm asking are not just for Brandy, they're for everybody that I represent and they're for everybody who's listening. So for us to say, "Oh, I'm fine with the budget as is." I don't even think that's a fair position for you to take, not out loud when everybody, this is going to affect everybody. This ain't our money. This is the people's money and we need to discuss it. We've always done that.

Yes. I am good with I know you. What I am saying is I am good with discussing my questions with Matt and Katherine. Now what I discuss and say I do share with my district and they give me feedback. I have no problem with being transparent because I always have been. That has never been an issue.

I also think it's a terrible use of time of our staff to have all of these meetings that could last for hours when we can sit there at one time because your question may be my question, too. So now our staff is answering the same question seven times. That's ridiculous and not even a good use of their time. And I think we should consider them as well. How they have to really prepare this budget and now they got to carve out all of this time to sit here and answer our questions. I'm glad that they do that. Thank you to both of you who do that. And to the department heads who now have to get pulled off their jobs to come and answer our questions, too, when we can just do it at one time. I council woman and then council. Councilwoman,

I personally don't mind either way. If if we schedule a meeting, then I I I'll be glad to come. So, um can we schedule a meeting and then those of us that want to come come? I mean, can we do it like that? Because I mean, I don't I don't mind either way. I I like to discuss and listen and learn myself and I also like to ask questions to you know the city manager and

would uh Yes, sir. I don't want to cut you off. Yes, sir. Um, I'm going to make the same remark that I made this at this stage last year, which is I'll do whatever the majority of council wants to do, but we were encouraged to come individually to Matt and Katherine specifically to ask our questions. And I've done that and I'm I'm through that process and finished all that up. So, I'm good. But as I said 12 months ago, I'll do whatever the majority of the council wants to do. But me personally, I've already met with staff as directed and got the answers to my questions and um I'm I'm ready to ready to go as is. But whatever the majority of the council decides to do, I'm I'm down with.

Let let me let me make this very clear. Um

I like one onone. I like sitting and talking with the both of you. Now, do I care if we have another meeting? It is fine. But like I said, I like meeting and talking with Matt and I like meeting and talking with Catherine. I like that oneonone. If the council wants to have another meeting and listen to what everybody has to say, I have no problem with it. But I want you to understand me that I like the one onone. So then it sounds like our our path forward is to look at calendars ask we'll ask the clerk to see if we can find some times and if four show up then we'll gavvel it in you know we'll make sure that those who are uh the most desirous of uh having the meeting that their that their availability is um is prioritized and then we'll um then we'll make sure that as much information can be shared as possible. I'm not going to ask folks to pull out their phones and look at their calendars this evening, but uh we'll we'll get on that first thing uh first thing tomorrow morning if that's okay.

Mr. Mayor, if I may, at our last meeting, we already said that we were going to choose a day on our calendar. And I am taking a huge offense to the word if being thrown across this dis. If people want to show up, if we can find the time, we come to these meetings on Monday to sit at this diet when the cameras are on the smiling green. I know we can find time. There's stuff that we got on our calendars all the and people make time. The fact that you guys are saying whoever wants to come if you can come but we also have to recognize

I'm not I wasn't finished Mr. Mayor that is to me that is offensive to those of us who are going to make the investment to be there and to all the people who who voted for us to be there. It's important. We make time for everything else. And y'all throwing out if and whoever wants to come and if your schedule allows, those are not the type of words that we say cross this diet. And I'm offended by him. I think it's also wildly inappropriate to imply that someone cannot do their job of ensuring that they are working for uh for strong financial oversight for this city when the cameras are not rolling and when they're having conversations directly with council heads and directly with the manager.

That's how you took it. That's not what I said. That's how you took it. That's your perception and I respect your perception, but that is not what I said. That's not what I said. That's not what I said, Mr. Mayor. Understood. Thank you. Okay. Our next uh our next piece on this and then actually no before we before we leave this council, what we will ask to do is we'll ask uh ask the clerk to reach out to council members in the morning and let's find some calendar availability. Well, you can either either do a doodle poll or we can do you know whatever you know the right thing is there including just asking calling and asking but we'll ask the clerk to please call and get some dates and times tomorrow morning.

All right. If it is okay with council, let's move to section nine on our agenda. Let's move to item 9.1. It is a uh Jeep Show and Shine uh Special Olympics of North Carolina torch run street closure request. Mr. Livingston, I'll yield to you on this one.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is a street closure, as you mentioned, for 200 block of South Center Street, both lanes from Chestnut Street to Spruce Street. Date of the event is June 13th, 2006. Uh, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Setup time from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Um, it is it is anticipated to be a fairly large event. Um, as most of you are probably aware, it's a it's a fundraiser by the Goldsboro Police Department. For those of you that may be not aware of that, for Special Olympics and law enforcement torch run, uh, Jeeps pay an entry fee and will be judged at the event. All proceeds go for the I think it's uh, the SNC law enforcement torch run. So, because it is a center street closure, it does require city council um endorsement, for lack of a better term.

All right. Is there uh would you like to pull up the uh the application and walk through it or is there anyone to do so? I know it's one that No, I mean Oh, it's just the application that's in the packet. Okay. All right. Council, on this one, I know we're familiar with this event. It has happened in the past as well. Are there conversations to be had? Hearing none, I Yes, ma'am. If there's no conversations at this point, can I make a motion? Yes. Yes. Okay. If there's no conversations, then I'd like to make a motion to approve, please. Second.

All right. Motion has been made and properly seconded to approve the application uh presented under item 9.1. Is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes haven't been cast. Motion passes unanimously. All right. Let's move to item 9.2. Mr. Perry, actually, sorry, Mr. Livingston, and then you can um thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a brief summary on this. Um, as you guys know, we were notified and through our annual bridge inspection process that one of our bridges, the bridge on Harris Street actually uh has failed um and the NC DOT has asked that we close it down. Um, we're not really um happy about that, but we also know there are things repairs we're have to do. So, we've started to move uh in that direction to assess what damages are there, what's the structural condition of the bridge and hiring someone to do this and what our options are. So, tonight uh Jonathan Perry is going to uh brief you on that and where we stand and what our recommendations are.

Sorry, just trying to get that right. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um we're going to do things a little bit different tonight. I do have a presentation and then I'm going to bring the uh the laptop over and we're going to look at it on Google Google Maps kind of real time and kind of show how we're going to try to set up the the message boards and and stuff like that. Um so I don't know if you're aware or not but the city does own and maintain six bridges throughout the city. We've got Berry Street, Harris Street, Best Street, Wayne Avenue, Retha, and Sloum Street. Um, so part of the federal and state bridge inspection program, DOT does by they perform by annual bridge inspections for us. So we just got ours done this year in 2026, so we won't get them again until 2028. On April the 1st, we received a letter from Stantech there who performed the work for DOT. Um, they found critical four critical fines on the Hair Street Bridge. Uh, they give us 10 days to set up a repair plan and 45 days to have the work completed. Obviously, we don't have anybody on staff, so we had to reach out to a on call engineer and we just didn't meet the time frame. So, that's kind of why we are where we are today. Um, we did reach out to Weather. Weather is going to do uh perform the engineering work for us. They're going to put together the plan and they're going to put together the the design work to try to get this thing fixed for us. So, this is kind of where it's at. Uh, it's between South Andrews and South Madison. It's a 30 foot long bridge that was built in the 60s. The bridge is only rated for six tons and there are there are three lanes. You got two travel lanes and then you got a

turn lane in the middle. Uh, it's got 19 pre-stressed concrete channels underneath. They're they're kind of U-shaped. They don't build bridges like that anymore. So, it's just kind of an outdated design. The channels that we're going to be looking at are 2, six, and 16. And obviously, they're in the outer travel lanes. Uh, the the the turn lane in the middle is fine. It's just the two outer travel lanes. That's just a street view. We'll get to that back in just a few few minutes. But, um, so here is this is what pre-stressed channel number two looks like underneath. Um, there's a 150 inx 3 in x 10 in spall with exposed concrete, exposed rebar. Spalling is uh breakdown and chipping away of concrete. Um, you know, it could be there's a couple causes. you know, you got freeze thaw cycles. Moisture gets in just causes everything to expand and then it just breaks over time. Same thing with the rebar. You when that moisture gets in and hits that rebar, it expands as well and it does the same thing. It just stretches and then causes that concrete to bust. Um, but you can see I mean you can see the shape of the the some of those pillars are in. Um, that's number two. This is number six. You can see how much exposed rebar is there. S kind of the same story here. Um there are some of our rebar strands on this this pre-stress channel that's got 50% loss on it. Um some more pictures from the other end of number six. And then number 16 is our worst one by far. Um as you can tell, there's a large portion of the concrete that is just spalled away. And we've actually got one rebar strand that's just broken into. Um, so we just we got to get this fixed.

I do have it set up for questions right here, but I do want to pause on the questions and move over to the laptop and then just kind of show some other things real quick. So I don't know if Cheryl it y'all can hear me to switch over to the other laptop. I got it up now. Cheryl, if you want to bring it back up.

There you go. Jonathan, when you were briefing me on this, you should have corrected me because I thought it was back further towards the 90 degree in the woods. I didn't realize it was further up. I don't know why. I drive over it a couple times a week. I just had it pictured further back in the woods.

Yeah. No, it's kind of it's kind of in between there um in between everything. Um so this is where the bridge is located here where the cursor is. So, what we're going to do or what we're going to try to do is set up some message boards. Um, and we're going to try to get some I have reached out to Weather. They're going to kind of put together a traffic control plan for us. But kind of what for tonight, what I'm envisioning is maybe having a message board here and then having one over here. And that's to keep that truck traffic. We're going to try to keep the the bridge open for pedestrian vehicles, passenger vehicles, I guess I should say, not pedestrian vehicles, but for passenger vehicles and your larger trucks that are six tons and more. We're going to try to keep them off of hair street all together and we're going to set up message boards on either side of Sloum facing each way and just kind of send them down all the way Sloum down to Ash. Um, and on the other end, we're going to come down and kind of my vision here was to maybe set something up here towards Elm Street or towards Berkeley and get everybody to turn down Spence and just go that way instead of going all the way down Elm cuz as you're aware, Elm Street's already closed there because we have a sewer issue which hopefully by this week or early next week they're going to be starting on. But just just a caveat there. Just throw that in there. Um but anyway, so we're going to kind of send them down there and then, you know, the large truck traffic can go down Asht Street and go anywhere they need to go from there. Um so that's kind of kind of the quick and dirty where we are. Um I don't know if y'all have any questions or

Jonathan, can you go through the design?

Yeah, so they're looking at probably five plus months. Um, they got to go out and do they want to do their on-site inspection, look at everything. Then they're going to put together a design, get us the or get us that 10day repair plan, get that back over to DOT, and then they're going to work through the design. Then we got to go out bids. So, I'll be coming back again um to go through the bid process and and award the bids. Um, you know, there there are there is going to be another component of this coming later. you know what we want to do with the bridge. When I talked to the I went out there when the guy was inspecting from Stantech and he told me this bridge probably had a 5year lifespan left on it. So, we've got a larger decision to make. This is just a temporary fix um just to get it back operational and up and running. So, there is more to come on this on the back end. We're probably going to have to replace it. I've talked to our our engineer Weather about, you know, just getting out of the bridge business altogether and maybe going box cover. They're saying that may be a little more expensive. I don't know. That's just the back of the napkin. They're just trying to figure it out, looking at aerials and stuff. So, they haven't actually come here yet and looked at it. So, once we once we get to that point, we're going to kind of discuss further what needs to be done. So, council, I want to give u give Jonathan and and crew a lot of credit. When

this was when I was first briefed on this, DOT was saying, "You need to close the thing or make it one way right there in the middle." Correct. And you guys taking the time to go back and look at this thing and say, "Okay, this is a heavily trafficked corridor. How can we get the truck traffic off of it so we don't have safety concerns, at least immediate safety concerns, keep traffic flowing? I I really appreciate you taking the time and going back and look at that. I realize that the easy most riskadverse thing would have been DOT says do this and we do it. Period. Right.

And if you believe in your heart of hearts that that is what needs to happen from a citizen safety standpoint, you say it. I'm confident this council will will back you on that, right? But if there is a way to keep that heavily trafficked corridor flowing and get the truck traffic diverted, um I I appreciate you going back and figuring that out. All right, Matt, you were saying sorry.

Well, I I think the you know, couple things. One is that, you know, it's important what kind of design we look at as far as the repair goes. And I I wouldn't want us to repair this bridge. I think we need to if we're going to be doing something. We need to see if we can try to seek some funding somewhere. And um I've I've asked our NPOS to look at that. But the reality is there might not be any money there. But rather than do a short-term repair, I think, you know, if we're looking at a bridge that's already pasted its life or right there at its life cycle, then I think things like Jonathan said, like the box culvert, which is essentially a large and and we might be able to use storm water funds for something like that. So that would be able to, you know, not really impact our our um general fund as much, at least some storm water funds, you know,

to help offset those costs. We got to think through this some and we just we just haven't had time to really think about it that much other than what are we going to do as far as the traffic management end of it and you know let's all of a sudden let's figure out a way ahead but we've got to think the next step is how are we going to fund this and what's the most sensible way to go forward with a long-term fix out here. not not a not a type of fix that's going to last another few years and then somebody's looking at, you know, spending more money cuz costs have gone up. Yeah, there there is a a water line at play here as well. Um it's kind of well, it's not kind of, it is laying on top of the ground underneath the bridge. So, we're going to have to directional drill that. And that's I mean that's that's going to be costly as well. I mean that's two $250,000 right there just to do that. Um, so it it's going to be expensive either way, but we're going to we'll try to get it figured out

and that where we can use some utility funds for that kind those costs or whatever. So, this is things that we were we're thinking through. All we're doing today is letting you know of the problem and and the potential for some solutions and where things are at and and we don't want to close the road even though because we don't think it's but but it is a problem that trucks are using that. That's why it's in the shape it's to begin with. So we got to think from a policy perspective. That's an area we don't want. We need to have a truck route set up there. So I was going to say that that's a residential area.

Yeah. We don't need truck. We can set up a truck route from a policy perspective. We can say that we can start setting that out. No through trucks or whatever. We can do the signage emergency now, but then we need a policy that says no through trucks. And and it makes sense because we've got justifications. It's residential as you alluded to, but we also have a bridge that's, you know, failing us. Excuse me. Yes, ma'am.

I want to say I know we're talking about the bridge, but this is the same situation that I have at in dealing with the bridge, those trucks, which we have talked about, those trucks are still going through that community and it is damaging those roads. So we definitely need an ordinance not just for the for the bridge but for other areas too and make sure that it is enforced.

Well, that's a typical thing that you see uh nowadays because it is amazing how much damage a truck an 18-wheeler truck can do as opposed to that's like a a vehicle going over something 30 or 40 times is does about the same amount of damage as a truck does just once. Mhm. Yes, sir. Um, do we do we have or I remember from my law enforcement days there's a city ordinance that spec was specific to no 18 wheelers on residential streets. Is that do we not have that in place in the city now? Well, it depends on which street you know there's you have to have an ordinance

city own street. Okay. I don't think it's I don't think it's, you know, because you've got a lot of delivery trucks and everything else. I don't think it's specific enough to really say this is, you know, no trucks allowed kind of thing. And and honestly, we don't have any signage out there. So, if there was an ordinance created, we didn't implement it right because we don't have the signage out there to direct people and say you can't come down this way because if we because not only the signage, then we're going to have to enforce it so that we kind of set the tone, so to speak. Okay. Well, I'm glad this conversation jarred my it just

called that caused that to be brought up because that reason that light bulb popped on. Not only that, but I get complaints in my district um pretty frequently about long-distance truck drivers that come home to their residents, one would assume, and they're parking the trucks on the streets where it is not really they shouldn't be doing that. And I always thought there was an ordinance that prevented that. So if there's not, then yes, we probably need to

I think we do have an ordinance for those 18 wheelers not to be parking in residential neighborhoods. What we don't have in this case right here is a a a truck route, you know, say a no trucks prohibited and and that's a typical tool that municipalities use. Okay. Yes, sir. Hey, just a question. I can't remember if that bridge was classified. Was the classifi class classification of that bridge up there like six tons? Yeah, six tons. It was there was clear I I just So the problem the problem with that is is the signs attached to the bridge. There's no there's no approach signs. Okay. That says six tons. So that is that is once you're there. Yeah. Yeah. I mean once you're there, there's no turning around. But but you know that that is one of the recommendations.

But that's something else we we we want to look at. Yeah. Those classifications. That's right. All right. We're we're just looking to brief you and and and and say this is the plan and we want to know if that's okay with you. We're going to try to keep it open. We believe that's our recommendation. We believe that with advanced notices and then we're going to come back and try to get you to adopt a a no through truck uh route. Yes, ma'am. U Mr. Jonathan, one of the um residents asked if the the bridge is safe. So, can you just out loud say the safety of the bridge for everyday travel for those?

Well, I mean I I can't I mean I can't say for certain that it's the bridge is safe, but I mean we're going to leave it open for passenger vehicles. Well, use the engineering term. The there is no imminent failure point. Okay. Use the stand letter. Yeah. Um you know there you're you're the engineer, not me. Yeah. No, I mean I mean I do I think it's safe for passenger vehicles. Yes. We're going to do everything we can to keep the larger vehicles that are rated over six tons off of the bridge so that it doesn't fail. Is that good or no? Good. Thank you.

You should try politics. Man, John, you're right. So, the the critical find letter, you know, uh purely states that they believe that that repairs need to be made, but is highly recommend repairs within one year. It does not say repairs imminent. This thing's about to fall. Right. If it said that, then it would truly say that, right? It says priority maintenance, critical findings. uh highly recommend repairs within one year.

That's be very very clear, you know, we're that's why we're trying to, you know, prolong this thing to make sure that we're not taking the risk of allowing heavy traffic to continue going over it because that's going to possibly even make that year less. No, trying to take some reasonable precautions, but as far as general passenger traffic, the engineering study did not recommend stopping passenger traffic today. and and and I have been um working with Latoya. She's aware of this. Um we're going to put out some kind of press release. We were just wanting to get through tonight to see what all was going to happen, but we can we can put that in there. We can we can reference the letter when we send it out. Yeah, I think that would be the right way to do it.

Yeah. All right. So, with that one, there is no vote to be taken. Any other comments or questions for Mr. Perry? Mr. Levis, anything further add on this one? No, sir. Thank you. All right. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Let's uh step to our final item under section nine, item 9.3. Mr. Livingston,

thank you uh Mr. Mayor. Uh we have a report and I I apologize for you having to wait so long. I I mean, yeah, I hope you learned a lot tonight, but in for for veteran standown, which is something that I think uh Councilman White, you're very familiar with that. And there's other cities in the state of North Carolina, particularly military host cities, uh, like Goldsboro is that host these veteran standown events. So, um, I I wanted them to come and sort of brief the council and and and sort of let them know what so you guys know what they're planning on doing and just so you're informed.

Thank you'all for being here. And I realize that you now been here for almost well, four and a half hours. Thank you for sticking with us tonight. It's an important, you know, gathering tonight. So, thank y'all for being here. You're welcome. Well, I first I have to say thank you all for your passion and your commitment to the residents and the beneficiaries because I live in the county of Goldsboro. This is amazing. I appreciate all of you.

So, thank you so much. And um so, good evening to everyone. And my name is Tracy Harriet and I am a Hudvash senior case manager with the Fedville Veterans Administration's Coastal Healthc Care System. And my duty station is the Gbor Community Outpatient Clinic uh located across on um Hospital Road. And what we're here to talk about is our veteran standown. And so you won't get tied up in terminology. HUDVASH stands for Housing and Urban Development Veterans Administration Supportive Housing. So that is my role with the VA. And um we want to talk to you talk to you about um partnering with the Veterans Administration, the New Hope Community Center of Wayne County, and the city of Goldboro is partnering together to do a veteran standown. um our veterans uh we we don't want any veteran to live or die on the streets of our nation. Um in Ghostboro, we do face a homeless homelessness crisis and there are hardships. We have a lot of veterans because of course we have Seymour Johnson and our veterans do stay here in our in our community. Um which is why I'm here. My father was stationed there and so he retired here and our family continued living in this community and we love this community. Um but behind every need is a hero story and they require rapid access to health care, housing and baseline support to survive and recover. So my colleague Charmaine is going to continue. So my name is Charmaine Dees. I am the healthcare for homeless veterans outreach social worker. So what my primary role is is I serve five counties with Wayne County being the one that has the hood vouchers

that she mentioned is I advocate for veterans um to utilize um the vouchers. I walk the streets. I collaborate with many communities and our partners to find veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. So no veteran who has served should be homeless. but because of several different situations that may have contributed to the homelessness. So what our role is in the HUDVASH program is a housing first model. So our goal is is to house every veteran experiencing homelessness and then we can provide interventions that will link them with health care, medical needs and any other services that are needed. So that is what we hope this standown will do is just kind of be a forefront to just kind of bring everyone together. So with this standown, we hope to do it at the hub. We would like to close um the street between Chestnut and Spruce, I think. Um so that we can bring community partners together so that this is kind of like a one-stop shop so that veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness, they can link with the VA. We can go ahead and assess them for a housing voucher. If they're not linked with medical services, we can get them enrolled in the VA health care system. we can get them enrolled in benefits, learn about other resources within our community that they can utilize and that can start them with having a relationship within our community to end homelessness. Um, as he mentioned, there are standowns that are done um in several different counties as a part of our team. We host a standown in Fedville every year. You may have seen it on the news where we have maybe over 35 providers that are there that give resources um such as like hygiene products, food, um different resources to the veterans that come out. So hopefully by being able to do a standown here in Wayne County, we're able to

build a relationship with people who are at their most vulnerable state. My name is Janice Johnson and I am the executive director for New Hope Community Center. We're 501c3 and we've been in the housing business for approximately 12 years. Well, we started about 12 years ago. It took took us some time to kind of get to where we are now, but we house um homeless veterans or unsheltered veterans. And uh for anyone who has served our country, protected us, um we certainly don't want them to be on the streets. And so it has really been a privilege for us to work with the VA administration in order to get these individuals housed. So we're not just landlords, we are community, we build community. We have collaborate with several different organizations to make sure that all of their needs are met. And so the purpose of the standown is to make sure if there are any veterans in this community who need that support that they're able to come out, get that information. And we are able to do whatever it takes in order to get them housed because it is virtually impossible to serve an individual if they are homeless because, you know, they won't have a permanent mailing address and all the other essentials that you need in order to to be able to live, you know, um, a life that's that's comfortable that that we sometimes take for granted. we get up in the mornings and we flip a switch or we adjust our thermostats and uh we certainly want our our veterans to be housed. So, we are very pleased to be able to collaborate with the Veterans Administration. We're

the first ones to bring tiny houses to Wayne County and we're very proud of those units. And so, our ultimate goal is to build a tiny house community. So, you'll be seeing more of us as we journey on with with our ambitious goal of uh building that community. And so, um right now, we're hoping that we can target those individuals who are in the community who may need that support. So, that is why we're here petitioning to you all. So, um we have put in the application to do a veteran standown on July the 15th. What we are requesting is that the fees and the permit um are waved as well as the closure as I mentioned of the street as well as provide the additional supports like police to help us carry out this event. We have already been collaborating with several community providers that are eager to help serve this population and work with us as we do this standown and this is our first one. We are hoping that we can collaborate with many providers and make this a success and that we can continue to do this from here on out. Um ultimately, you know, we just want to honor those who have served. As they mentioned, we are a military time. We want to give back to the ones that have protected us. Thank you.

Thank you. So, Mr. Lucen, the appropriate thing to do now, we don't have the application in front of us, but we've already been briefed on what it would be if we go ahead and entertain a motion to approve a fee waiver and the street closure. Do would then would you be able to move forward or would you That's kind of what I was hoping would happen because I I felt like, you know, this program I I I'm familiar with it and I think it's a no-brainer. I mean, I hate to go out on a limb like that, but I think us supporting as a military community just and just helping the homeless, whether they're, you know, even this smaller portion of homeless, we still have some of those here in Goldsboro, so we can use their help. Would you need to bring it back on a consent agenda or if you get

I don't I don't think so. If you're inviting on to say we support this as a city supported and we do those things, we wave the permit fees and we're we're good to go. Okay. So, motion's been made. Is there a second? Second. All right. Motion's been made and properly seconded. Is there any other debate or discussion? I do have a No, no, no. Um I'm for it. It's all I've been talking with Miss D's, but um I have I've been working with um Captain June to um bring the trauma center down to uh to help with with uh some of your medical needs as well. So, we're looking forward to it. And Madam Secretary, uh we we put it on her calendar. So, hopes that she'll be here to uh to actually support. Wonderful. Thank you so much,

Miss Dave. If a local provider had a referral they wanted to make, who would they reach out to locally to make a referral? They can reach out to me or Tracy. I'm the outreach social worker, so I am the first contact. So, usually when there is a veteran who is homeless, um, I did leave some of our brochures with my contact information on the back. they can call me directly and I can assess to see if they are eligible for our program. If they are not enrolled in the VA healthcare system, I start that process and if they are not eligible, I try to link them with different resources where they can still be housed. So that 877 number would be the contact number for you.

No, the 910. That's me. But the 877 number is the national homeless hotline. So they can call that 24 hours a day and then one someone from our team will be following up. But usually if it's from Goldsboro or one of the five counties that I serve, which is Wayne, Lenor, Dupin, Samson, and Jones County, I reach out to them directly. And last thing, will you be advertising in the other four counties? Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. Council, any other comments before we vote? Yes, ma'am.

Oh, no. I just want to thank you for everything that you're doing and we really do appreciate you ladies and what you're doing. And Miss Tracy, she probably doesn't want me to tell anybody, but I was her babysitter. Oh, no. So, I'm so proud of you, Y. Thank you. Well, with that, we have a motion. We have a second. Uh, seeing no further discussion, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. Oh boy. All right. If not, do you mind just state your vote for the record? In favor. In favor. Yeah. Um, who are we missing? Oh, there you now you're up. I had already closed out. Sorry.

Oh, perfect. And and you and you're voting in, you know, just stating your vote for the record in favor. Okay. So, uh, all votes have been tallied. Motion passes on 70 vote. Ladies, thank you all so much for your patience tonight as well as what you're doing. Thank you so much. Thank you. All right, let's discuss uh section 10. Mr. Livingston, your manager's report. Um, nothing further to report, mayor. Okay. All right.

Then we'll go into comments in just a second. We'll let them exit and then we'll move to council member comments. It is the second meeting of the month and as is tradition we'll begin with the councilman from district 6. Councilman White, floor is yours. Uh thank you Mr. Mayor. I don't really have anything. I just um hope that everybody have a safe and wonderful um uh Memorial Day weekend. Um enjoy all the festivities that is happening in our city and uh thank you to all the city workers who are doing a fabulous job. I try to stop and give a pound anytime I see them out doing their thing. So that's all I have. Thank you sir. M for no comment. M for

Mayor I wanted to congratulate Councilman Chris Voyette for his award um for certificate of a municipal dedication from the North Carolina League of Municipalities. We see you I understand when I was um speaking with some of those representatives that only three out of a thousand of the attendees received that award. So I just wanted to say on behalf of the council that um we're proud of you and thank you for your representation for the city of Goldsboro. Also, thank you to Pastor Terry Jones and the city church for um inviting me to come in to represent the council for National Day of Prayer. I enjoyed our time together. Extremely grateful. I hope that you guys will continue to make that an annual event. And then also Pastor um Christian Powell and his team over at Faith Church that made us all feel so so welcome at the National Day of Prayer and um putting us with prayer partners that have agreed to um pray for us for the rest of the year. So I just wanted to thank you for that. And then lastly, I want to congratulate the Goldsboro Police Department, our chief um for working so intentionally with the North Carolina SBI Internet Criminals Against Children Division. We have had multiple arrests just this um month in the sexual e exploitation cases, especially sexual exploitation of children. And so I wanted to congratulate our police department um and their work um in joining with the SBI to um get those cases um underway. And that's all I have.

Thank you. Yes, ma'am. No comment tonight. All right, sir.

All righty. Uh a couple things. So, um, budget committee, thank you to to the those of you on the budget committee and all the hard work that's gone in u behind the scenes to get us to where we're at. Um, I'm I'm happy that we're ahead of schedule. Knock on wood. I don't want to jinx that, but we're we're we're in good shape budget wise and and I'm happy about that. and that's due in large part to all the work that's gone into with so far from the staff and the budget committee that's got us to that point. Um, I also like to say congratulations to our employee and supervisor of the quarter award winners. Um, and and make sure to congratulate them again. Um, the next thing a little bit of an update on some drainage projects. So, um, we have already voted and already had a vote on the Musgrave Manor drainage project that, um, was something that Mayor Allen was trying to get done for, for that, uh, neighborhood and never was able to get that across the line because those things don't happen overnight. And when I got elected, um, even though that's Councilwoman Taylor's district, I I the folks in that neighborhood asked me to sort of try to pick that torch back up and get it across the line and and I did and we did. And um, that was about a million-doll project that the the manager and staff figured out how to get that done inhouse and got it done for a quarter of that, I believe, was was the the figure. So th everyone in that neighborhood is extremely grateful for the for the city and finally getting for us getting that across the line. Which brings me to the next one that's um another drainage project that's in my

district um that I I got involved with trying to get something going with it back 2014 2015 and as we know you know the wheels turn awfully slow with with these kind of things particularly when it's in you know DO's involved and and and I just would like to say thank you to our streets and storm water uh team um and and our supervisor. They've been extremely helpful with helping get this the wheels turning again. And I I've been able to um be in contact with some folks more so than others with DOT due to other things I'm involved in and finally was able to get the right people at the right time in the right room to have a conversation with and bring that back to to the forefront and along with the our streets and storm waters team being able to provide me with some updated information and so forth and on. I'm happy to say that that that particular project has been approved. DOT's found the funding to do it and it's being funded by DOT, not city city funds. So, um that's over on Piedmont Airline Road. There's been a um a covert there that runs under the road that's been deteriorated, damaged, and undized. Um well, it was first come to light in Floyd 99, but it's been causing trouble with drainage in two different neighborhoods uh in my district um all these years later. So that's um they're out there surveying and the our city crews have cleaned um I think probably about 3,3500 foot worth of ditch line and coming and going from where this DOT project's happening. So, it there's it's been a group effort, but the good news is we

got another major drainage project across the line. Um, and I just wanted to point that out. I also like to say a a special congratulations again um to the Malpus Brothers and being being recognized and us being able as a council to to rec to recognize them. you know, most of us have been knowing them a while, but their their grandparents uh had a had a business in in my district in in district 2 and th those guys been probably about 15 years ago now. They had a a video on CMT that did very well and and and got a lot of traction. And um ironically, that video was formed was filmed a majority of it in district 2 in Goldsboro. And that that video, I think the name of the song was memory that bad. But if you if you YouTube that video and look and oh there's Ash Street and there I mean there's it's pretty cool that that that was uh they're part of the Goldsboro history and I'm glad that they were recognized. Um all as always, thank you to all of our hardworking city employees and staff. You're all valued and appreciated. The city could not run without you and I sincerely mean that. And last but not least, last but certainly not least, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Morgan family and the loss of Mr. James Morgan. Most people know him by Bo. is a patriarch, as I'd like to say, of the Central Heights community and the leader of the Central Heights uh outreach pro community outreach program. That that organization has done a lot of good. Um the torch has been passed to um his uh one of his children that's now president and heading that organization and it's in

good hands. But I'd certainly again like to extend my sincere condolences to the Morgan family and that community's family and the loss of their leader and their father over there. That's all my comments, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, sir. Ma'am,

yes. I I promise I will be brief. Um I too would like to congratulate you, Councilman Chris Boyette. um thank you for all your service and and your wisdom that you share especially with me and with this council. But I I really do appreciate all that you do. I would also we had a lot of great recognition tonight and I would like to say congratulations to those as well and congratulations to Mr. James who is retiring. I also would like to thank Miss Roxy Davis. every year she supports me at faith and we have developed a really good friendship and she prays for me which I I need much prayer and I really appreciate the relationship that we have also um have a wonderful and safe Memorial weekend to everyone. Um I am uh very thankful and proud to um the Dillot alumni community. Thank you for all that you do uh for this city. Uh we really do appreciate you. I'd like to also thank the staff for all that they do for us. Um and the budget committee, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part. Thank you, mayor, for putting me on that committee. I have learned a lot and I really do appreciate that. Thank you, Matt, for um receiving all my calls in the middle of the night, in the daytime. Anytime I think about something, I call Matt and then sometime it's 11 o'clock. But uh thank you because you do answer. And if you don't have the answer, you make sure you have it that next day. And I appreciate it. And I'd like to thank

Miss Katherine as well as um for looking into a situation for me financially. and I I really thank you for that. And um the clerks, I understand you guys had a wonderful conference and I really appreciate all that you do. Thank you.

All right. All right. So, um my comments will be a little bit Well, we'll just get into them. First off, foremost, Eastern W Eastern Wayne RTC. look forward to seeing uh all of the junior all the cadets tomorrow night. So proud of everything that you guys and girls have done this year and look forward to celebrating you. It's a distinct pleasure to be able to go back to my alma mater and and be there to uh to recognize the the absolutely awesome young people that are coming back through. So you's got a lot going for it and could not be uh more excited to be back over there later this week. Speaking of that, Central Eastern Wayne and then Dillard and Goldsboro alum al alumni associations huge weekend coming up. Want to remind everyone, be safe, make good decisions. You're here to celebrate, have a good time, not end up in the hospital making a memory from where you broke a arm cuz you fell off the curb. Make good decisions, have some fun, reunite with some people, and I really look forward to celebrating with uh with everyone from both organizations here in just a little bit. Next, the summer camps. Y'all know it's summertime and I want to commend public safety and parks and recreation for what y'all have built. So, Goldsboro Police Department and Fire Departments, you guys combining for a public safety camp for ages eight up through, if I'm not mistaken, 13 or 15. May have gotten that one wrong, but I know the eight part. Don't ask me why, but uh the uh it's just an absolutely awesome summer camp. There are a couple of spots left. So, if you're still listening, you're still awake right now, I'm sorry. But, uh, if you have a grandchild or a child, you early teens or, you know, a little bit older than Nate, should probably give that one a look. It's going to be absolutely fantastic. Next, uh, Parks and Recreation has all of the week-long sports camps. They've got saltwater fishing, they've got freshwater fishing, they've got basketball, they've got, uh,

you get the idea. And they've got really, really solid programming. They're going to make sure that um that the kids are are able to to stay engaged some this summer. So grateful for what they've done, making sure they're able to support parents who like myself and my family, both of us work. So, you know, you got to have some have some uh plans in place. So, I look forward to being part of those. And again, huge amount of gratitude for the work that they do. Lastly, before we uh have another regularly scheduled meeting, there will be a change of command on our base. And I just want to publicly say to uh to Jester, you've been absolutely fantastic to get to know you, your family. Y'all are just absolute class acts. I've enjoyed you becoming friends. I look forward to watching you guys in the next chapter as you move to a different location and totally different industry. And and as you uh evolve into your role in the ministry, I know that you and the flock that you'll be guiding are going to be just as successful as the men and women that you have looked after at this base and under your command prior to it. And Stitch, um you got a heavy lift in front of you. It's a really strange time in the F15E community in global comm global geopolitics are not getting simpler and I look forward to working with you. You've got a awesome support system around you. You've got some amazing commanders around you and I'm just could not be happier for who's going to be taking the reigns after uh after my friend steps down. So with that concludes my comments. I will yield. Mr. Lawrence, good news or bad news?

No close session. All right, I'll let y'all interpret that the way you choose. No comments here. There you go. All right. Council will entertain a motion to adjurnn. So motion's been made and motion's been properly seconded to adjurnn. We'll take a quick vote. All in favor, please vote by show of hands. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes. We stand adjourned. We'll see everybody soon.