Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Everybody's in here. Good afternoon everyone. The time is now 300 PM and the Spring Lake Board of Commissioners work session is now called to order. Um I would like to Are you doing our pledge? Yes. Please take the podium, Pastor Marsh, and uh lead us in our invitation and pledge of allegiance. Awesome. Yes, you uh on May 7th, we have our National Day of Prayer uh be located right now here at the uh Mong Parkway and inviting all you to come out at 12:00 noon uh for our national day of prayer for our country and community. Awesome. Is there a flyer for that? What's that? Is there a flyer for it? Yes. Uhhuh. Do we have it? I I'll I'll send it to her.

Thank you. All right, let us pray. Father, we thank you. We give you honor. We reverence your holy name. God, we come on this afternoon. And God, you said in all things, let all things be done decent in order. And oh God, according to business, let it be structured, oh God, that all should benefit, oh God, for your glory. We ask, oh God, that you continue to bless this town. Uh continue to oh God, cause your face to shine upon all the residents here. Protect the residents in the community in the name of Jesus. Father, we thank you, oh God, for the leadership of this town. We ask that you continue to bless them, oh God, as they make crucial decisions, oh God, affecting the people, oh God, here in the spring. We ask, oh God, your choices, blessings in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.

Now for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much, sir. Thank you. Appreciate you.

All right. We will now move on to additions and uh deletions and we need to add um attorney client privilege to close session. So that'll be uh NCGS143318 1183. And I'd also and that'll go right under um close session. And then I would like to add to new business um as agenda item C non C a discussion about the kiosk. specifically the kiosk removal just so

are there any other additions or deletions? Yes. see if this is in order on um the meeting for April the 13th on page 11 that was put in there and we approved those minutes on and it's on page 11 for the um the town town manager uh re it says recommended town manager listing and we approve that. So we I mean we approved it in the minutes but we never approved it on the board. So that needs to come out.

I'm I'm not sure what you're You still don't page 11 in this packet. No, no, no. That's what I'm saying. Make sure on page on the last board meeting last agenda packet. Last agenda packet and that was on April the 13th. Right. We approve the minutes for March the 19th as well as March the 23rd. The work session on page 11 is where you uh draft it up recommended town manager listing. So that needs to be removed because we never approved it. Right. I clarification.

Yeah, I can clarify that. That was just it was what she submitted as her. It was not. There's no nothing in the minutes stating that this was approved. Right. I didn't see anything, but I just want to make sure. Yeah, that was just from mayor's what she provided. I just did it. Yes. Okay, we're good. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other additions or deletions to the agenda hearing? None. Entertain a motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Thompson. So move. Commissioner. Any discussion? All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. I will now move on to the approval of the consent items, which are the draft minutes of the April 11th, 2026 special meeting, which was our budget retreat. Commissioner Thompson. So move. I'll second that motion. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. We'll now move on to public comments, beginning with Aviana Washington. Don't believe she's here. Just want to make sure we still call out.

Nathaniel Finch, Senior. Who's that? I don't know. That's a new name. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Senior. I live at 735 William Drive for the last 30 and a half years. I come here today to invite everyone to the box for the community. It's uh Saturday uh 2nd of May at 3 starts at 4. I also would like to get uh a meeting with the uh You don't be here. We'll be here.

I also like to get a meeting with the mayor and the town manager uh Monday next week. Maybe we got the next 15 20 minutes max about trying to get the uh FA I mean a P started with coach Tony myself and the community so we can come up on the same owner and maybe city could uh guide us and direct us and I've been scuffing tired. So the fun we work we make this uh this term we going to have a pizza day at a book pizza for the community I engage to whole county so uh county so between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. But

and I'm sorry. What date? June 6th. June 6th. Pizza. What time? 11. 11. 11 in the morning. I should have said first 150 people. Too late, but that's too much. So, we'll be all right. I have to wait to see all you got. Now, what what's the time? How do I make? You just be with Kartley and she'll set up the time for that. Mr. Fitch, I believe I have your email. Okay. I'll send you I'll send you an email.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

All right. We'll now move on to our first presentation and it's an update on the grants from the arts council and mural dedication. Miss Wil.

Hello there mayor and commissioners and town man. Good to see everybody again and I have out update from the appearance committee. So, uh, we have two grants that we're currently working with from the arts council. So, this one that you're looking at right now, this is for the municipal arts allocation. So, we're able to do this mural here and we are calling this the beauty the embrace the beauty of change because it has that saying on there. And so, you can't you cannot see it in the big picture. So, we got a a close-up picture, but we've got um military soldier and the uh flag and a whole field of sunflowers. Okay. And then the the beautiful. Now the the one on the right, I'll talk about that in a minute. That's at the park. So, uh so this is a more detailed closer detail of the soldier. So that's a municipal arts allocation. Also, we had enough money left over from that to do a smaller project along with it. We're doing the little library. And if you've seen in neighborhoods where they have the little libraries with books in it, we're able to purchase three little libraries and we're going to put them in at the park. One at the park. We're going to try and put one at the rec center and the third one. We need recommendations where we put the third one. We don't have that determined yet, but we would like, you know, if you have any ideas where would be a good spot for the third one. Uh we're open to suggestions on that. So that is a project that we're working on as well under the municipal arts allocation. Now we also had another grant and it is called project support grant and that grant we're using it at Mendoza Park and we have eight concrete

slabs like this and we're doing games. So this is just little paths that little children can walk on just the different little trails. And what we're doing if you remember we already have a mural there with the state symbols. So, we asked the artists when you're doing your slab uh connect with that mural. Do something with the state. And you can see the state uh berry is a strawberry and blueberry. So, they use that the pine trees. So, they they incorporated a little bit of that. You could kind of see a little bit of one of the other games that has a bee, which is our state insect. And then the one on the left, that's going to be some uh dogwood flowers, which is our state flower. So, we've got lots of activities and games. Some of them are going to be alphabet and number games and just different things like that to get uh students engaged, learning and getting active. So, that's the municipal arts allocation and that one is the project sport grant. So, both of these uh this one is already the one for the soldier is already finished. The one in the park we're going to finish it hopefully by this weekend. hopefully get we're going to do striking around each game and then we'll have our mural dedication two of them. We're going to have it on May 16th and you'll put that on your calendars. Hopefully you guys can come out to that. It's going to be a Saturday and we're going to do the first one at 10:00 a.m. at Boyds, which is the little store right before you get into the park. And then immediately after that, we're gonna walk over to the park to the next mural dedication, get our exercise in, or you can drive over. But so we're hoping to do like from 10 at one location and 10:15 the other location or, you know, pretty much close to that immediately following the first

one. And in in addition to that, Boyds is so excited about having their mural. They are also doing an art celebration that day at their location and they're going to have arts and crafts, different vendors there on the same day to kind of commemorate the new mural at their business. So, bringing more business to their business and to the community. So, we're excited to hear about that. So, that's just something we can add to our calendars and we are going to try to market that and get everybody to be aware of what's going on that day. So, we're going to do some marketing events for that. And then, um, we do want your, uh, input if you have any ideas on the concrete slab games. That was just what we called it because we needed to describe it to the arts council what we're going to do. But, we need a name. So, we have some names here. Uh, Mendoza Park Games Labs, Mendoza Park Game Zone, Fun Slabs, Playscape, Play Plaza. All of them beginning with Mosa Park. So, if y'all if any of those ring well with you, let us know. The art we're going to have a meeting about the names uh at our next meeting in May, which is the second Wednesday in May. So, y'all talk to Mr. Burgess and let him know if you have any names that you liked more so than the others. And we're also going to be taking book donations for the little libraries. So, um if you have any, let me know. Mr. just know we will collect those books and we'll be putting them in the little libraries once we get that established. And I think that's all I have.

Any questions? Yes. First, thank you so much. I'm sitting here with so much pride reminiscing on when you first brought the whole project to us a few years ago and us talking about how we can paint the town and what art can do. Now here we are on mural number this is four um I mean including the paint slit out of it.

I mean we have come a long way. So kudos to you um and the team for putting this together because this has been a labor of love and it is absolutely important in beautifying our town. So thank you so much. Um as far as the book little library location placement if we have one here at the rec center and then we're doing one on the northern part at Mendoza. Why not put something on the other side of town like on this by where the schools are? That way we've got all of the areas kind of covered and maybe access. And then um what kind of books are you looking for the little library? Are you putting an age range on it or you So it's every reading level.

Okay. So from from infants, you know, they have those little touchy feely books to to the grown-ups reading all levels. Okay. And it is a good size. Um we actually took the idea from um Commissioner Burgess. He has one at his location and we're going to do the same size. That's awesome. Um and one more suggestion. One of my favorite games growing up was four square. Oh, four square. It's just simple. It's outlining the four squares. And yeah, you see the bead that's one corner of four square.

Okay. So each corner has one corner has a bee, one has a flower, one has a strawberry, and the other one has something else. I can't remember what's at the other corner. Oh, cardinal. Awesome. Yeah. Okay. Got you covered. Yeah, you do. Awesome. Were there any other questions or comments? You answer all Well, she answered all the same ones I awesome. Anyone else? Thank you. Thank you so much, Miss

Oh, I love it. All right, we'll now move on to our old business update regarding annexation and reszoning petition for 945 L18 highway. Madame clerk, thank you, mayor. Please excuse me for reading, but I wanted to make sure I covered all points. Um, in in accordance with NCGS162A 209, the town has completed the required 45day public review period. The analysis was posted on the town's website from March 10th through March, excuse me, March 10th through April 28th, 2026, and no public comments, questions, or concerns were received. The next step in the process is the required public hearing notice. Notice of the hearing will be published in the Fable Observer on Friday, May 29th and Friday, June 5th. The public hearing is tenly scheduled for Monday, June 28, 2026. If you see on your agenda cover sheet, the dates are different.

Yeah, they are. I spoke to I spoke to David Honeyut on Friday and he will be able to attend the public hearing on Monday, June 8th for any questions or concerns that may arise. He was unavailable for the May 11th meeting. Um, and he preferred to be at the public hearing in case there were any questions or concerns the board or any citizens may have. We are our goal here is to have it adopted by the next fiscal year which is July 1. So we're still in the clear. David said it was fine. But following the public hearing the board may consider adoption of the SDS by ordinance. If you correct the date

it is um the public hearing is scheduled for June 8th and they will be published in the FA observer has to be published twice. May 29th and June 5th. And that's my update.

Any questions or comments from the board? Let me give you a second. All set. We're good. All right. We will move on to our uh update regarding our system development fees. Annexation 945 Lington Highway old uh Oh, I'm sorry. I did it reversed. I'm sorry. It was I reversed it. I apologize for that. That's why I was wondering I'm like it's going to be

I apologize. I had it wrong on my paper. I apologize. All of that is what we're going that was for nine. The what I just spoke for was for 8 B. Now I'm speaking on 8A. I apologize board for that.

Okay. So, as we know, the petitioner has submitted a request for voluntary annexation of property located at 945 Lington Highway into the town along with a reszoning request. The town will proceed with the annexation in accordance with NCGS1 168-31. A public hearing notice will be published in the FA observer tomorrow, a Tuesday, April 28, 2026. And the public hearing is scheduled for May 11th. The resoning will not be handled concurrently by the town. Instead, it will be processed through Kland County Plan Inspections and reviewed by the Joint Planning Board, consistent with established practice and statutory requirements under NCGS160D.

Is that the way it was always done? Apparently, that's the way it's supposed to be done because it's considered a zoning amendment and it needs to go before the joint planning board because they get feedback from like RUAC um DOT. Got it. So, yeah, that's the way it's supposed to be done. Okay. Um, this approach ensures consistency with prior cases, alignment with the county's role in zoning, and compliance with state law as initial zoning of annex property is considered a zoning map amendment and requires planning board review. And that's my update. Sorry for mixing that. That's okay.

Are there any questions regarding the annexation and resoning petition? No, no questions. All right, we will move on to our new business and we'll begin with budget amendment 22 FY2026. Mr. Overton,

good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Um, we received a grant from the state of North Carolina of 250,000 a couple of years ago. Uh, that grant was to accomplish three things. Buy some new software, which we bought the Gov software where you can, you know, if you see a pothole or a complaint or something, you go online to it. We bought new software for the um um permitting for the inspections and fire department. And we also bought new computers, monitors, scanners, and a bunch of hardware with this grant. And the last thing the grant was for was to get all of our paper files copied in a digital format. We had boxes of boxes of the files that went back for years. Uh we had bought all the software. We bought all the computers. Everybody's got new computers and stuff. Uh and we had a little bit of money left over in for software computers. What? and the grant has earned 8,000 of interest while it was sitting in the bank when spend. So what we're asking is to take the remainder of that money and move it from hardware and software to finish copying the digital files. So we still have a lot of boxes. The only increase is we're also using the interest it's earned but and that will hopefully get this grant closed out by the end of this year. Commissioner Cooper.

Um, I move that we approve this uh budget amendment. There a second. So move. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh 9B, consideration of cell phone service and device changes. Um interim town manager, Mr. English,

I just did it. Anyway, um so when I first was hired um I was introduced to an app um for my phone for town business and I have not understood how to use the app. I never even known that they had such a thing that existed. So, it's been extremely difficult to do any kind of work through the the way we have our phone now. So, I would like to um I would like to speak with the board about considering using a real cell phone for my town business and um bring that to you all for discussion today. Um so, that's really all I have for this particular item.

Mayor, thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh, I think that's a great consideration. When I first got on the board, uh, it got twisted up. I was all on Spring Lake Matter and a whole lot of stuff. So, anyway, uh, I'm accustomed to having a different cell phone instead of this. And I think Carly was explaining how we got twisted over even with the town's uh, phones and stuff like that. So I am uh agreeing that we should have and I think you have the the phone uh Carly

to go to a separate phone besides my personal phone. U my son did try to hook me up. Carly tried to hook me up. We call it and all that stuff and everything was just too much going on. So, I am in um great need and appliance to try to get this done and get another cell phone besides my personal phone. Thank you, Commissioner Gri.

Thank you. Um the reason we went to the U one call was a cost saving. We've had to cut we've had to cut positions and we've had to cut services and this was a cost savings. And sometimes you just have to buckle up and figure it out when we don't have the money. We lost half of our sales tax. We keep telling you all that. So we can't keep funding things we don't have the funds money for. So that means a new phone bill for the town. And how much I want to know what it's going to cost different from what we're paying now.

I know the hardware won't cost anything. There's several cell phones already in Carla's office. As far as the service, I'll let her speak to that.

Um, well, our app actually per line only costs the Verizon One Talk app actually costs $15 per user, but if we get cell phone service, don't quote me on this, is going to be about $30 $35 per user each month. And then just to add, the only phone that's being changed so far sounds like mine and commissioner I'll let the other board members but speak, but it would only be mine right now and then Commissioner Southern Madame Pro Tim Sutherland. Thank you. Um so that's but we could talk about others but it would just only be right now Commissioner Cooper too. So

that's a difference. Go ahead. As a government, we are supposed to do everything the same. You can't do this for this person and that for this person. This change, I believe, was also for staff, but um was it Jimmy? Was it also staff?

Yeah. Yes, ma'am. We have a $50 per month. Okay. All right. Uh each employee full-time, part-time, and the commissioners and mayor receive $50 a month cell phone uh reimbursement. Okay. The employees have to use their cell phones to clock in each morning. The ones that are hourly and clock out at lunch and clock out at the end of the day. The cell phones can also be used for the u that gov app, whatever. Um, and so all employees get that. Um, if you were to change to for us to buy a cell phone for uh the commissioner or the manager, then I would recommend that if we're paying for the cell phone that they would not get the $50 cell phone allowance because then you'd be paying for it twice. Commissioner Jackson,

you um so the app is $15 and the and you have the cell phone. So you can use the cell phones that you have and then the service is 35. I agree with Mr. Overton that if that is changed and just use the cell phone and you still coming out but not 50. You'll come out with 10 15 whatever if you're going to use a 50 but just cut it off and use the cell phone. Madam clerk, did we create a policy around the cell phones?

No, we I we had a cell phone policy but it was um dissolved when we did the new personnel policy handbook. Thank you. Um Mayor Pro Tim and then Commissioner I'm sorry, Commissioner Jackson, will you finish? Yes. Miracle 10 followed by

there would be a cost savings and I agree to give back the $50 because I told him I didn't want it in the beginning. I just wanted that phone that Carly told me that she had it that I could have utilized and that's what I want if we already have the software. I don't need the $50. I need the cell phone separate. We've done it before. We know we can have it. So, it's not going to be any additional monies if you're giving us the 50 and whoever else. And if the um the employees want to buy in with that, then I think they should be allowed to as well. That would be a decision for the manager, right? If they want to he mentioned it

employees. So, this this change is for the mayor, the council if they want it and the employees going need to stay with the allowance. Miss Cooper said all the way across. So that's why I mentioned if they wanted to when you said the employees but okay um I said what I said because as a local government we're supposed to move um in synchronization. So if we do this for one person it should be done across the board. That's usually um done by policy or decisions made in the budget. This was a budget decision. Now, if you it would be different if you were changing it in the budget next year, but it was a a decision in the budget because again, we needed to save money and we keep uh bringing up stuff that's going to cost more money. And I mean, because eventually you're going to have to replace those phones and you still have to have the service line. So, I still think before you bring this up, you need to bring up cost. We should never make a decision without knowing what the final cost would would be. Is it is it going to cost us more? Is it going to cost us less? So I I don't think we should be making decisions like that without information.

Mr. Bordon, uh just briefly, Mr. Overton, I apologize. You might not be able to remember it off the top of your head either, but for uh Mr. English, he has a credit in his contract for a cell phone. Correct. No, he gets the same $50. That's what I'm saying. But that's Yeah, but it's in It's in the Okay. Yeah. All right. So, he gets $50 just like everybody else every month. Yeah. I guess that's just just practically. Can I just use it for the phone? For the phone. And No, no. Right now I'm using the app. Yeah. So, I can switch it to But you can add Let's not go back and forth. You can add a number another number to your phone. You can add two to four numbers on the phone. I clarify.

Yes, absolutely. So, for clarification, so we don't get too buried on this, I think what the attorney just said was, I have an allowance, so I would just like to use the phone that Carly has that we've already purchased through the town and put my $50 allowance towards the activation of the phone that Carly currently has in her office since my contract states that I have a phone allowance. I think that's what I was offering as a potential solution, but it's up to the board. But yes,

again, what I I I think understand what you two the point you two are making and the point that Commissioner um Cooper is making is that if we move, we move as a body. So, if we do it for one, we do it for all or is I don't even know if it's possible to separate it like that and make it optional. So before we make a decision on it, can we one get the numbers on the cost savings or uh what the cost is going to be for the adjustments and if it's possible um to have one person on one thing and one thing on the other, let's just make sure before we vote on it, we get all of the information. Uh because if it's if it's as simple as you guys get the phones and just release release the stipen, I don't think this is something worth spending a whole lot of time on if the money isn't a big change. And just point of clarification, Madame Mayor,

we're just speaking of the board, not my staff. Right. That's what I and that's the clarification I was making. We when we're talking about cell phones, it's just for this body. All decisions made with staff comes directly from the manager. So, are we okay with that? Can we let them get some information, bring it back to us, and we can decide how we move with the cell phones because it Let's make it easy. Yes, ma'am. Oh, I'm sorry. I see your mic. Um Carly, the cell phones that you have now is the board, mayor or whoever are they can we buy those cell phones from you? Oh, no. These are town cell phones that were our that were the former board's town cell phone before we switched over to the app.

I understand that. But can the board member purchase it from you so you have nothing else to do with Mr. Porter? We would technically have to like declare it surplus. Yeah. You can do that and then you can purchase it. Uh, anybody can purchase it. Good. So, it go through on um it's it's a pain. The same way we would have to do like any equipment. We don't have to surplus go to good deals. They will bid on it cuz I was saying because like my service I have Spectrum. If I bring a phone over, Spectrum will give me free service for a year. So that's why I was saying that's why I asked if you could just buy the phone then you can get the phone and then Sprat will give you free service for a year.

I think that might be a little difficult is mingling personal and business. I think the best way is to to check and see that way if if we can figure out if it's a minimal cost difference give them if that's easier. I would rather you have what's easiest and we just move on spend a whole lot of time circling. Is that okay? Are you Thank you, mayor. Are you asking to bring this back on to the board on the next meeting? Is that okay? Next meeting. We'll do next meeting. Just bring us the in with cost um for the phone cost for the apps. Um and if we are able to have it optional, the phone or the $50.

Okay, got it. Thank you.

All right. Next item is 9C, the kiosk, a discussion on the kiosk removal. So, um, I added this today because I was pulling in and I saw construction happening in the in the driveway. I didn't know what it was. Madame clerk let me know that the kiosk was being removed. I then went to Mr. English and asked, "When did this decision happen? Who decided to remove the kiosk? Why are we removing the kiosk when we just did a budget amendment for $78,000 to install it on top of Mr. Overton? Was it Can you tell me the cost of the kiosk? The purchase, not the budget amendment.

Uh the kiosk I think were $25,000 a piece. That's $50,000 and then the installation I think the total came to about $70,000 for both of them. So, the exact amount about $70,000 just for the equipment and then another 78 the $70,000 included the equipment and installation. Got it.

Okay. So, that $78,000 that we just approved last year that we are now taking out and that money is money we can't get back. So, we're looking at employee time. We're looking at material uh for the installation and now we're taking it out. this is all us wasting money and then it happened. Um, I didn't know about it. Commissioner Cooper say she didn't know about it and I heard Mayor Pro Tim also say that she didn't know about it. So, this nobody knew about this decision. So, can we get some information?

So, I'm going to I'm going to repeat what I said in my office. When I first was hired, the conversation started about removing the kiosis. I gave you a report that shows the minimal amount of usage for the kiosk. You're talking about what you just gave us, right? That is.

So, there's been citizens here speaking to it uh on numerous occasions about it. Um we looked at the report, we realized and saw that there was no usage for it at Manchester at the fire station. uh this location as well. Uh there's minimal usage. We are not throwing away the kioses. We are going to identify and I would love the town support to identify where would be the most active location where we could get the most traffic from those kioses. So the the goal is to yes remove the kioses, which we did today, but then to identify a location that would be most feasible. And so, um, I've had conversations. Uh, Commissioner Burgess, if you could speak to it as well. Uh, we've talked about this before.

Go ahead and finish what you're saying. No, I'll finish. I just wanted to Oh, she was just getting water. One moment, Commissioner Burgess, why wasn't this brought to the board prior to any construction happening? As I mentioned, because the citizens had not been using the kioses and they would they want the drive-thru to come down. What citizens? How many citizens? The feedback I received from the board. What? What board? We got four right here that knew nothing about this.

Hold up. I'm speak I'm going to pass. I am having dialogue. That's all I want you to hang on a second talking to him and then it's going to commissioner Burgess mayor prot again citizens feedback some of the board members as well as looking at the report period that's it that was the that was the decision that was made based on those so we made the decision with no plan on what to do next it was only and it was based on the conversation that you had I'm asking clarifying questions it was based on the conversation you had Mr. Burgess, multiple, excuse me, Commissioner Burgess and citizens.

Can you clarify the citizens? Like how many cuz if we're basing this on, you know, three or four people then that that's not the citizen. Um it just it it feels halfcocked. It's not it's not a full plan and we're we just spent all of this money and so now we're talking about spending more money to put them somewhere else. Money that we already don't have. We're already in a very tight situation and now we're looking at I don't know another rough estimate $20,000 plus to put them somewhere else.

Again, if you look at the report, there was no usage at the fire station. Mr. Overton, is there any way you can speak to have we had any issues with um has the the lack of payments increased?

Uh I don't I I can't tell you exactly how much money has been used at the paid through the kiosk, but I do say that we do receive money every week through the kiosk. We're getting deposits from it daily. Mr. Dennis has spoke. They're not using the one at the Lilington fire station. The reason they're not using that is it's was it's not beside the driveway. It's in the middle of the grass. You got to get out of your car and walk to it. That's probably the reason that's not being used. This one is being used

and it's being used uh almost daily. Okay. Now there again there's not a huge volume there but the purpose of the kiosk is this. We have 400 people that pay late every month. Some of them it it's the same ones every month that pay late. Others it may be because they're commuting to faded deal or Sanford or wherever they work. The kiosk allows the citizens to pay after 5:00 on at nights and weekends or in the morning on work before when we're not open here that they can use the kiosk. Uh my understanding I don't know cuz I haven't talked to citizen is some of the elderly citizens are not comfortable with it but they have other ways they can pay. the younger citizens are probably the ones that are using it and it will in time probably see more use because young people are used to doing that. Um maybe that wasn't put in the best location but to take them out uh is throwing away $7,000.

Thank you Mr. Commissioner Burgess.

People come here regularly and they discuss these kiosks. It's no surprise to this board because they do it all the time. They don't like them. They're not being used enough. Part of this board didn't vote on the kios. If I'd have been on the board, I wouldn't have voted for it. This town's been operating since the 50 in that one. But there been many citizens come here and speak about the P. Me personally, I was all for taking them out. It's not that we're losing money. The company that own that that sold us these can buy them. Not buy them back, but they're they offered according to Mr. Dennis that they might be able to settle for us and and also just to add to that.

Hold on, please. No, I'm done. No, I was just going to No, but that's why we got the light system so we can clarify in order. You said you're finished. Commissioner Jackson,

there is a lot of that do not like that chaos. Um, you talk about the young people versus the old people, the majority of this town is middle age and and older. Um, even if it's not, cuz I don't have the numbers there. Just like Mr. Overton don't have the numbers for him. Just like you said, town manager don't have numbers. Nobody has numbers. But what you hear in the street is the complaints about the kiosk. If the kiosk, if you worry about the $70,000 that you spent, then let's find another place to put them. There's not good for the driving. You got more people inside the building now because the chaos cuz they don't want to use it. If the kiosk was a hit, you wouldn't have anybody coming from outside to inside. Sometime them lines are wrapped around the corner with the people trying to pay on the inside of the thing. Number two, if I'm not mistaken, and please correct me if I'm wrong, is that not a day-to-day operation decision

to remove the kiosk?

Yes. I that the issue was it it never came before the board and that to for something that costs that much and now we're paying we're going to have to pay staff. This is removal time. It's maintenance. My concern is one the misinformation that the board is getting. Now feeling that this decision is made coming uh unilaterally and not coming from a board discussion. That's if if we if the the The vote of the board is to get rid of the kiosk forever. That's that is the pleasure of the board. However, we cannot have individual board members making decisions with the manager and it does not come before the board. We have to and like I said, if if we decide that the residents don't want the kiosk, perfectly fine.

So, that answers my question. So, it's not a day-to-day operation. I I honestly I don't know. I would have to defer to the clerk and the attorney for that. Yeah. If we could find out that if it's a day-to-day operation, then we would know whether to discuss it or not because the board members are not allowed to discuss day-to-day operations. So that might so that might be a way to look at it to see to go from there. So is it possible until we can get numbers and get figures that we bring it back to table it to bring it back because this discussion just like the cell phones is going to be useless until we have information doing what we need to do again like I said for for the what the working is and if it's dayto-day that's fine but my huge issue is

that all of us know nobody knew this is a major cost associated but it was a day-to-day operation nobody needed to know because that's the town manager. No, no, no. When it comes to money, you always have to know. That's what I asked. That's what I asked you. Is that something that we were supposed to know or is that something that he could have moved on his own? So then that's what we're trying to find out. That's what you just said. Find out from the clerk and the attorney. So that's what I'm saying. So to reiterate all of that over and over is just reiterating it and depends on how much it cost how we're supposed to and that was it. Exactly. Yeah. I mean I think that's what Mr. Robertson Hold on. Hold on. cuz we were going in order and I paused. So, were you finished? Yes, it's my Thanksgiving.

No, no, no, no. I'm sorry. I was just going in order. Um, Mayor Pro Tim,

thank you, Madam Mayor. We're talking about that kiosk. I came to the meeting when they first purchased it. We didn't have a public forum for the community about the kiosk being purchased, the $70,000. four days before we got voted in, they put it out there, not giving us the opportunity as a board to vote on it how we should have it and it was purchased at the latter time that we got voted on. So, I don't think that was uh appropriate how they did that knowing that it was going to be a new board when they put it in four days prior. You can check the dates. did not have a public form for the citizens to state uh if we should purchase one because it is their tax dollars and why was it purchased in beginning without a public form of the citizens understanding because we are getting a lot of feedback from the citizens stating that they don't utilize it. So I do feel like it was a $70,000 waste of my tax dollars and the other tax uh dollars. Now, did I know that it was going to be removed today? I did not know that it was going to be removed today and I didn't.

But the question that was asked is this a day-to-day operation. Now, it has been several different discussions of public forum that individuals have come up and talked about that kiosk machine. We're out there uh at the stores and different places and elderly people and stuff. Now, if we can move it somewhere else, we can. But to recommend somebody on this board today, if it was a dayto-day operation is totally out of order because I think the citizens should have been able to speak in the beginning before 4 days when we get sworn in that they put that kiosk out there and not give us the opportunity to vote on it as a new board. But that's where I'm not being moved today though. I did not. And uh just for clarification, this is not reprimand, but we have to have conversations like this from the day. This is public business and we can't this isn't a close session conversation. So anytime we have questions like this, it has to come from right here. So this isn't a reprimand. This is

I'm just talking about the way this is speaking to a big decision that was made without the the board's knowledge. That is my that's the whole reason for the topic of discussion today. Um, Commissioner Cooper.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, my biggest problem is, uh, as a board, we should all get the same information. M. Commissioner Burgess should not know anything about the operation, day-to-day operations of this town that I don't know, that Commissioner Thompson doesn't know, that uh, Mayor Mayor um, Anthony knows because and this right here was a big deal. And to be honest with you, I've talked to some of the younger people who really appreciate being able to go and make a payment after hours. That is a that is a big thing because if you are right before the cut off over the weekend, you can go pay your money at the kiosk. It's there 24/7 and it's a lot of money that was part of the budget. It's not anything that required a public hearing. Uh we had been talking about this for several months. Again, I think you all do not understand the levity of how much money we lost in that last budget and how we had to scratch to get people um to take care of people. We had to give up the whole board had to give up their health insurance and they've had that for years. So this is Again, if one of us knows something, it all of us should know something. You get what I'm saying? So, you said people complain. Most of mine are people who like it and have the opportunity to go after hours. Now, me, I do autographs. So, it doesn't matter to me, but I'm just saying and it's anything new takes a while to take hold. We've not had this the whole year. Anything new takes a while to take hold.

If you have open you open a new business, it takes a while to take hold. So I think this was pre-meditated and it should it should have happened after everybody was told about it. We should never hear anything in the streets uh that the board should know that you haven't shared with all of us. That should never be the case, Mr. Border. Yes. Uh whether it's daytoday or something that needs to be brought before the board uh would depend upon how much it cost. I don't I think Carly had that number. I believe if it's over 30,000, it needs to be brought before the board.

Yeah, that's essentially why Mr. Over Mr. Overton has to come in and ask for budget amendments. Um so that that's really the board oversight. I doubt it cost 30,000 to remove those kiosks today. So it cost 70,000 to put them in. Yes, I know. But what I'm saying is if we don't if we don't use them, uh then it would take board approval.

If we don't use them, it would take approval to get Jimmy to be Mr. Overton, I'm sorry, uh to be able to sell them or something like that. Um so is it technically um something that required a board vote to remove them? Probably not. But you know, is it was it on the front end and now is it going to be on the back end if y'all want to sell them? Yes. Does that make sense? Commissioner Johnson, I turn my light off.

I I think the end thing was just about us not knowing as a whole. I think that was the biggest issue. It's not how much it cost. It's just that we should have known. Um and and if one person knows, all of us should have known. And you know, sometimes we have to move with the times. You know, this is not the only business that has kioses that that accommodate elderly and and or young people because like if you think about the light bill around here, there's no kiosk for you to pay. There's several other ways. So, if you don't drive to the drive-thru, you can mail it in or either do online and same with this. So, you know, and we don't, like you say, you don't know numbers, but sometimes you have to move with the times, you know, just because we've been here operating for 50 years, I mean, you have to come with the times, you know, move with the times, you know, update things. So, it's not in the Flintstone age anymore. So, I mean, but I think the end fact was just that we all do not know. That's all I have. Commissioner Jackson.

Um, people been paying at the drive the box out there from from here to so whenever you say move with the times. If it ain't pay if it don't need fix, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. They have a way to pay their bill after hours. They've been doing it from day one. There has never been a complaint with the town of Spring Lake and their water bills paying their bills after hours. They got a dropbox out there that has been working. There was no reason to buy it. You keep bringing up the cost of the chaos. It may not have been a cost you should have done in the first place. So, at the end of the day, if we're going to talk about removal, then we need to talk about removal. And don't keep talking about cost as if you're trying to brainwash people to understand that $70,000 that was there that may have never should have been spent in the first place that may have caused us to be where we're at now because of decisions that was made in the first place. So now you're saying that you're almost positive that this right here is not something that the board needed to do. It's not it's dayto-day operation. Then we really need to stop talking about it because we're breaking statute. We really need to just stop the conversation.

Shane is the cost. That's what she was just the the cost is the cost. The cost is gone. If we're talking about the removal, your complaint is that he removed it. That's your complaint. Has nothing to do with the cost. Your your complaint is he removed the kiosk without everybody knowing, right? The fact is it's a dayto-day operation. We don't need to know cuz we trust him because maybe he know.

Maybe he know because they were talking. Just be talking. Not that he was reporting to him that they talk because Mr. Commissioner Burgess calls him, checks on him, see if he's all right. Just like I do, just like all of you should. How you doing? Is your new your new position? Is everything going all right? You know, that's what we should do as a board in general because some of us decide not to interreact with our new interim town manager. That's not his problem. That's your problem. Simple as that. Then that's just how it is. You just do what you do. You're comfortable with. I'm pretty sure if you ask them, they would tell you the conversation was just here and there. It may be. I don't know. I wasn't there. But I'm just saying if he has to report to the board as a whole, then he would have. If it's just about the removal of the chaos, he didn't need to. It's not day. It's among daytoday operations. You keep want to say you want to deal with the cost. The cost if it's under $30,000 it is daytoday operation. Correct.

No, that's not what they I'm just asking. I'm asking the lawyer. That's what the lawyer just said. Yeah. So, depending on the cost, it would be daytoday. I think what um what I would say and I I'll turn off my lights so so but what I would recommend before this gets too much more uh heated on on both sides of this issue. I mean I don't live here so I don't care.

Yeah. Uh but um why don't we come back next time with information as to could we even sell could they help us sell the kiosk how much would the that be and yeah I mean uh and then what would it take to put them back because if we if we're going to sell the kiosk that is a board decision because you have to declare it surplus Mr. Overton would have to come up and, you know, do a, you know, have y'all vote on a surplus, uh, property thing. Uh, and then how much would it cost to install them somewhere else? But right now, we're talking a lot about what we don't know. So, I would just say table it, come back with numbers. That's my humble suggestion.

Mr. English,

and I agree. I do want to make it clear that we still own the kioses. What I have in my report today is I would like to talk with residents, have a community form, put the kioses right there and say, "Look, you all these are your kioses tax paid by taxpayers. Where would you like to see them installed? I'm sure we can have them installed at at the most traffic area in the town of Spring Lake." So, it's not that I'm saying, "All right, let's take them out and then we're going to toss them in the trash." That's not the case. So, I would like to put as I put in the as we see in the reports, they're not being utilized most effectively to get the return on the investment for the $70,000. So, I'll end it there and we can set up some time to talk with residents about what we do or where would where they would like to see their kioses go. Clerk, can you add that to the next updates and we are going to move on. All right. Of agenda item 9 D is the mayor's report. I do not have much other than the Manchester public hearing um for the school closure is today at 6 p.m. at Manchester Elementary. Um uh we still have I do believe we are planning to have another budget workshop.

Yes. Um, and so that will be put out as soon as that date is solidified. Um, I got to do a lot of fun stuff in the community this past weekend. Got a chance to to host or to judge the Miss Manchester Miss Manchester pageant which was always a good time. It was so much fun and that is the highlight of my day. Um, and so I want to make sure that from that event we can see and which is why I've made sure I posted a lot of pictures is that the community cares about Manchester. Manchester has a very active family base, a very active student base and a staff that genuinely cares and a community that will continue to fight for them. Um, and so I just want to make sure that we we keep our community informed on what's happening. Even though this is outside of the wheelhouse of this administration, we still have a bully pullpit and we will use it um to green mile for our students. And that is all I have. Mayor Bton,

thank you, Madame Mayor. Madame Mayor, I pray that you make it back safe from DC. I appreciate it and I truly did and I put it out there to you. So, you're back. I think I should be back in a few. But anyway, um moving forward with the Manchester school, we want to thank um Miss Chadwick is working very hard and uh with the citizens as well as um Miss Jackson as well as us being supportive. Um on Saturday went to Willis Creek. I am an ordained minister, certified, qualified, and went to school for it. Nobody pinned on me. Um but anyway, did not know that one of the board members um is a member of the AM Zion Church um that serves as a board member on the board of education. Anyway, she stated that she was getting so many different calls and people not understanding and she said that she would be there tonight. Um, and you never know who you're working with collectively in Cland County, but we're all working for the same goal, and that's our citizens and our children. So, um, we're looking forward to being at the Manchester school, we're looking forward, even though decisions has probably been made that we'll continue to fight hard for our citizens and our children here in this great town of Spring Lake because I do live here as well as a lot of us been living here for many years. So, we want the best for our children. My children was educated here in town of Spring Lake and uh we'll continue to go forward. I want to thank Mr. English for the hard work that he does. Uh they told me years ago uh when we hire a town manager, 80 to 90% would be the employees dealing with them. I know a lot of people don't like change, but we're going forward in a positive

direction. I do believe uh if one board knows and if you want to know, pick up the phone and call. If I have a question, I'll pick up the phone and call Mr. English and ask Mr. English the questions that I want to know. Uh business must continue to go on for this great town of Spring Lake. We was elected to do the business. The people are the people's business. So, we need to move some things out of the way so we can go forward in a positive direction. Let's continue to work together. for his great town of Spring Lake and our citizens. Thank you very much for this opportunity to speak.

Commissioner Dawson, I just want to thank you. Can you hear me? Okay. I just want to clarify that he works for the board. The board doesn't work for him and and so we have clean up this weekend. Um 8:00 South Winds Plaza. If you would like to clean up, please do so. Meet us out there. We provide everything. You just bring your motivation. And also just to reiterate Mr. Fitch again. Um, Saturday the 2nd of May 2026. Doors open at 3 p.m. over at the race 10 years. Follow me. I stand corrected. Where is it located? Oh, B Ross. I stand corrected. By Ross High School at 3200 Ramy Street, Sville, North Carolina. And that's all I have.

Mr. Jackson, I want to first say that even though he works for the board, we should learn to work together. So that way if one is doing something, the other should be doing. So, just like he should reach out, we should be able to reach out as well. And I want to pick a bone with the mayor. You went to Manchester and did the kids and didn't tell nobody. I know they were gorgeous. It was I know that was an invite in Manchester. Well, you should have told somebody since we're talking about telling somebody, you should have told I would have been right there with you.

And you know, we had one of the school board members show up and a few of the other ones wanted to come, but they had other obligations. So you're not meeting number one. And um they had the community baby shower this Saturday at Burgess Boxing. It was huge. It was I think over 230 um women that had children and pregnant women that received a lot of things. I got to talk to uh Commissioner Kurt Deair. He was out there. He came out there to show his support. So it was a wonderful event um that's going on. So that's all I got to say. Can I ask a question about that?

Yes, um for about that event that you all had the baby shower. I noticed that the judges they can hear you. Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot. I noticed that the judges had one this weekend as well and I think that's something that they're catching on to. So is that for the uh pregnant moms to come out and get things that they're giving away? What? That event was hosted by Spring Lake Family Resource Center here. That's right here in Spring Lake. Yeah, they had one as well.

And that's probably their that was that was her event. Yeah, there's a lot of baby showers that goes on around in the community. There's a lot of them. There's a lot pregnant women. Mhm. There's doctor banks, too. Partnership for children has a doctor bank. So if any if anyone needs any diapers kids. So it's for uh pregnant women and women who have young children. So her stuff was for newborn to 24 months. So basically two teeth

commissioner. No I hate that army. I want to thank Mr. English for what he does. And if you need to know anything or want to know anything, you call him just like I do. I come in here periodically to see him. Make sure everything's going all right. You can ask hard. And I'm sure y'all know I come over here cuz I'm sure somebody's telling somebody, but that's fine. I don't care. I pay my taxes here, too. But uh I want to inate on the mural dedication May the 16th 10 a.m. Please be there. Jackson, I know you be there.

When is it? May the 16th. No, I won't be conference. I I I do a lot of stuff in the community. So that's that's our women's conference. But I'll be there rooting in spirit. Well, we're moving forward in Spring Lake. We're going to continue to move forward. If you don't think so, stay here in Spring Lake and see nowhere. Not going nowhere. Commissioner Cooper.

Um, thank you. Um, last week I attended the U. Mid Carolina Aging Advisory Council. I was appointed to I have a three-year appointment. Um, Don't do that.

I have a three-year appointment and uh we had a lot of conversations about uh some of the um things they have for um programs they have for our seniors. Um and um I'll look forward to updating um everyone on that. Uh secondly, I will uh echo um Commissioner Thompson. I don't work for Mr. English. He works for the board. The board. We are all part of the board. So, I also work a full-time job and I have my own commitments to my church and my and my other pro um programs. So again, whether you are going out to the uh fair with him or whatever, if you discuss town information that is is as big as the kiosk being removed, it should be sent in an email that, hey, they're not being used and we are removing them. And all of us should receive that email. That is how it works. I would encourage anyone who has not taken their ethics and their essentials of municipal government to take those classes so that you have a better understanding of how all of this works and that's all I have.

Mr. English.

Okay. Now I just have four points since my other point was taken. So, we're continuing to meet with the merger on our merger regionalization feasibility. We met on May 14th with Cumberland County and Haret Regional Water. Our focus group number two, we met April 21st to discuss developing a model to remove blight across our town. And thank you for attending. We are submitting the first draft of our budget to the LGC on Friday. Thank you, Mr. Overson. And I also want to mention that you'll be having a agreement come to you next month from PWC. And this particular uh agreement we worked out with PWC that could uh right now save us about $75,000 for our water. And so I'm looking forward to bringing you that proposal uh or that agreement next next month. So, um, Mr. Overton, since you're here, could you speak to that agreement that we're going to be bringing forward?

Hang on, Mr. Overton, can you speak to the agreement? I asked Mr. Overton to speak to it. I'm asking you to speak to the agreement. We worked out the agreement. Mr. English, you are our manager. So, there's a potential five-year agreement with PWC. Okay. the savings that we're asking for now an additional 30 million gallons of water. Okay. So the details of that I wanted to share that with let the M you can't do that. Oh I just gave you the highlight he's going to go into more detail about the agreement at the end of the meeting. This is on the

deal is go ahead. We have a manager, right? And our manager should be the one passing this information to us. Same thing. Why are you so Come on, let's go. Can Can I Can I Can I share this meeting, please? And so I'm speaking and you have not been recognized. Talking to me. So here we go again. Pause, please. Can we Can we Can we cap a bit of the quorum? office.

I am asking if the manager has the ability to speak to this without Mr. Overton. If the answer is no, then we're fine. For the detail that I just shared, I shared with you the overview. Now, I'm going to let him go into the detail what we're going to be discussing next. Mr. Austin.

All right. As you know, our rates with failable public works are are scheduled to be increased by 21% on July the 1st. Uh based on our current usage, that would be an increase of 275,000 a year in our cost based on our average gallons of water we use. We have an old agreement that's been in effect for several years. Under that agreement, we have to buy a minimum 13 million gallons a month. Okay. Well, we always buy more than that because we average 22 23 million a month. If we The first 20 million gallons cost us $4.62 per thousand. If we go over 20 million, we have to pay extra about a 50% increase, 674. If we go over 24 million, which we have done several times, we have a leak, we pay 692. Starting July 1, instead of paying 462 per,000 gallons, we're going to be paying 559. That's a 97 increase for all the water we buy. If we go over 20 million gallons, it's scheduled to go from 674 to 815. If we have 24 million gallons, we'll go from 692 to 837. So that's like a huge increase where we go over 20 million gallons. What we requested was since we're going to be paying 97 cents more for all the water anyway, would they increase the lowest tier from 20 million gallons a month to 30 million gallons a month? We've only gone over 30 million once in the last four years and that was Christmas 2004 when we had that huge leak. So they have

agreed to do that. Therefore, we will pay all of our gallons up to 30 million at 559. We won't be paying the increase at $8.15 or $8.37. So, the cost of our water instead of going up about 275,000 is only going to go up about 200,000. Instead of having to do a 5% rate increase to pay for it, it would only require a 3.5% rate increase. Um, there are a couple situ they've agreed to a 5-year deal with us getting 30 million. We have a maximum of 2 million gallons a day in case of leaks. So, we'll buy at least 13 million I mean at least 15 million every month. Uh, and we get the cheapest rate up to 30 million every month. So, that should save us 75,000 next year for a 5-year agreement. And they've also said that, you know, we will review this annually. So that um there is one thing if our usage consistently exceeds 28 million several months in a row then there may be an additional cost for the additional capacity. Right now unless we have a leak we're not going to get close to that 28 million. So this is a good deal that they have agreed to. Uh, and again, it would save us about 75,000 over what we originally anticipated the rate increase to be.

Thank you, Mr. Holton. Mr. Border, just briefly, have they prop have they sent a draft contract yet? They're going to and we'll have I'll send it to you. You're supposed to get it to me uh I think by by Thursday, but it might it might be the first next week, but I will send it to you and we hopefully will present it at the next meeting. Mr. Porter. Uh oh. Were you finished, Mr. English? I'm going after him. No, it's ahead. You're still on the man. Okay. No, I was just saying. Yeah. Yeah. No, I I didn't have anything else to say about that. That's That's my report. Mr. Porter.

Uh just briefly, I don't want to get into too much detail on it. Um but because Mr. Overton's out here, so that way we don't have to bring him into close session for the other matters. Uh but the issue with the firm uh on the SLPA thing taking a little bit of a long time. I spoke to one of the senior attorneys uh there the other day. Uh he said he was going to look into it. That was Thursday afternoon. Still haven't heard anything. So I may be asking to look for a different firm because at the end of the day they handled step one but now step two has just not occurred. And it's been a while. Yeah. For how much? 00.

Oh, that's not bad. I thought you were going to say 28,000. Okay, that's all I have. All right. I'll now entertain a motion to go into close session pursuant to NCGS1431 1186 personnel and NCGS 143, excuse me, uh 3181183 attorney client privilege. Commissioner Cooper move. So move. Commissioner Thompson, I second. Any discussion? All in favor? I any opposed? Motion carries. We are now in close session.

That's excuse me.

I'll wait for Jackie Jack. I'm sorry. That's okay. That's okay. I'll now entertain a motion to come out of close session. No action was taken. Commissioner Cooper moved. Is there a second? That's it. Who's that? Commissioner Burgess. Um, any discussion? All in favor? I.

Got you. Motion carries. Meeting adjourned.