City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome everyone. Like to welcome you to our uh meeting for the first of the month. I hope uh everybody's feeling the breath of spring as the weather's changing. Welcome. Uh, I'd like to call our meeting to order. I'm Mayor William Harris and as we start, we will have our invocation and pledge of allegiance. I'm going to ask uh Commissioner Adcock to give us our invocation and I'm going to ask Commissioner Smith to give us the pledge of allegiance. Let us please stand. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we just thank you for all the blessings that you've given us. We thank you for this uh beautiful town that we call home. Lord, we um thank you for the weather that we've been having and just all of the the good things we have. Lord, we ask that you um look over our country and look over um all the things that are happening in our world. I just pray that uh your will be done. Lord, let us have a good meeting tonight. And in Jesus name I pray.

Amen. Amen. Thank you. Now we have the pledge of allegiance. Please join me in the pledge. 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 very much. At this time, I will ask town manager Adam Mitchell to review the meeting protocol for public participation as it relates to this meeting.

All right. Thank you, mayor. Uh, good evening. Good evening, board. It's nice to be here this evening with you all. Tonight's town board meeting is both in person and livereamed on the town's YouTube channel and Facebook page. Tonight's meeting contains a public comment period and two scheduled public hearings. The public is invited to comment in person. When it is the appropriate time, Mayor Harris will call on those wishing to address the town board. All attendees that have appeared in person to address the town board during the public comment period should provide your name and address on the green registration sheet by the podium prior to the public comment period beginning. All attendees that have appeared in person to address the town board during a scheduled public hearing should provide your name and address on the white registration sheet by the podium. We ask all those wishing to address the town board either during the public comment period or a scheduled public hearing to begin their comments by clearly stating their name and address for the public record. The public is asked to keep all comments to three minutes so that all that wish to speak may be heard in a timely manner. To be respectful of those that may have different views on matters addressed by the town board, we ask that all in attendance respect the decorum of the meeting by refraining from clapping, making loud noises, and generally showing support or displeasure for comments made during the public comment period or public hearings. Police Chief Smith will be asked to escort from the boardroom anyone not respecting the process. And it is the discretion of the mayor as presiding officer whether to continue the public comment and or public hearing periods if the meeting protocol is not followed. This concludes the protocol for tonight's meeting. Mayor Harris.

Thank you, Mr. Town Manager. Our next item is approval of the minutes. Item 3A. Do I hear a motion to approve the March 24th, 2026 Town Board of Commissioner regular schedule meeting? So moved, Mr. Mayor. Do I hear a second? Second. It's been moved and seconded that the minutes be approved. All those in favor, let it be known by saying I. I.

Any opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Our next item is item 4A, which is the recognition of police department, the advanced law enforcement certificate. Chief Smith. Good evening, mayor and commissioners. It certainly uh is great to be with you tonight. And as always, I like to brag on the successes within the police department. And tonight, I'm going to do that. Great.

So, I'm very proud to recognize four officers tonight. Unfortunately, at the last minute, Sergeant Daryl Plant and Sergeant Joshua Starky were not able to join us tonight. But I do have here in attendance Corporal Steven Diggs and Corporal Kevin Bisset. These officers have recently earned the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate. The Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate is one of the highest professional distinctions of law enforcement that law enforcement personnel can obtain in North Carolina. Achieving this advanced certification demonstrates not only a strong foundation in law enforcement, but also exceptional commitment to ongoing professional development. To qualify, recipients must hold a valid general law enforcement certification reflecting core competencies and ethical standards, accumulate a specific number of points, which can only be earned through a combination of formal education, specialized law enforcement training programs, and verified hands-on experience as a sworn officer. Points are awarded based on both the duration and substantive nature of the officer service. And these requirements illustrate the advanced knowledge, skills, and real world experience the recipients possess. Sergeant Daryl Plant serves as a supervisor in the traffic unit in the field operations division. Sergeant Joshua Starky is a supervisor in our criminal investigations division. Corporal Diggs is the community outreach and engagement officer in the administrative services division and works very hard to strengthen the relationships between law enforcement and our community. And Corporal Kevin Bisset is currently assigned to our uniform patrol in the field operations division playing a vital role in our

day-to-day public safety. The efforts and achievements of these officers are a testament to their dedication, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond their service. So, one thing that we are proud about is numbers and the accomplishments of our intermediate certificate and the advanced certificate. And currently we have 34 officers within the department that have obtained I'm sorry 13 have obtained their intermediate certificate and 34 officers in the department have obtained their advanced certificate and we are very proud of that and it's continuing to grow every time. I know you've seen this on the agenda many times before, but to me it's very important because we're showing not only the the basic training that we're getting, but we're always trying to progress to that intermediate and advanced level of training. So, please join me in congratulating these four gentlemen for their outstanding work in obtaining their advanced law enforcement certificate. I'd like to present these two gentlemen with their certificate tonight. Corporal Bisset, congratulations, sir. Corporal Diggs, congratulations. Thank you both for your hard work. Thank you. Outstanding. I'd like to compliment each of you for this great achievement. It took effort to do it and a lot of toil and sacrifice and it just is an a testament to your commitment to the law enforcement field and it speaks volumes for our department here in regards to being professional looking for advancement in the field of criminal justice and most of all you're serving and protecting our community. So thank you very much. Any other u commissioner or have have anything to

say? Any comments? Mr. Mayor, I would like to add it's exactly 40 years ago I received my advanced certificate. Yes, it looked very similar to that. I was very proud of it. So, I know the sense of pride that these four officers have Chief Smith because I can remember 40 years ago how proud I was when I got mine. So, I'm very proud of you guys. Great job. Thank you. Great job. Thank you very much. Little picture.

Thank you so much. We move to item five, the public comment period. At this time, the town clerk will call on individuals that are in attendance and have registered to address the town board prior to the meeting. The public comment period is a time for the public to address the town board about any matter that is not subject not the subject of a scheduled public hearing. Those speaking are asked to begin by clearly stating your name and address for the public record. Please limit your comments to three minutes in order that all who wish to speak may be heard in a timely manner. Town Clerk Wilder. Do we have anyone signed up for public comments?

Alexander Bird Alexander.

Good evening.

Good evening, uh, Honorable Mayor Harris, members of the commission. My name is Alexander Bergos. I live at 504 Long Lake Drive, Fugquway 27526. I live on the corner of Fontana Lane and Long Lake Drive. We have been we've been having a lot of illegal parking going on in the front of my house and adjacent to my house. In fact, this morning I saw Chief Smith and said good morning to him. Um, so he's aware of the amount of vehicles that we have parked in the surrounding area of our neighborhood. oftentimes these vehicles are parked on the grass. They're parked facing away from traffic. Um, predominantly they're teenagers that attend Willow Springs High School and for some reason they choose not to park in the school parking lot. I understand that the school charges an exorbitant amount of money to park in their parking lot. Um, but for some reason, I guess word got out that we are across the street from an empty lot that has a path that leads directly to the school, which is like a shortcut for these children. And so, they park surrounding our house and walk to school from there. One of the problems that we're having, aside from them having so many vehicles, they're doing illegal turns to turn around and park, they're making a lot of noise. I'm personally not home when they're doing this, but my wife is constantly calling me and texting me saying, "Dors are slamming." You know, young teenagers, young rambunctious teenagers. Hey, hey, what's going on? Pop, pop, pop. Doors. And it's becoming a public nuisance and is driving my wife crazy. And she has instilled in me to come in today and make a public comment about it. I don't know what could be done about it. And I know the chief is aware of the amount of vehicles that are present and that they're legally parked. and we just hope that something could be done so we could have some peace in that neighborhood.

Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments for giving me the time to speak. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. We hear you. Thank you.

Anyone Anyone else? Sorry. Sorry, Mayor Harris. Thank you, Mayor Harris, esteemed council members and town officials. I'm Mark Ammon. I live at 811 Long Lake Drive in Fugquway Verina. I come before you tonight with a safety issue and a request. My family and I moved to Fugquway in 2019 to an idilic culde-sac street in the North Lake subdivision and I deeply regret it. Since Willowis Springs High School has opened, our quiet culde-sac has turned into an unregulated student parking lot, unregulated carpool lane with major traffic impediments, speeding, loud engines, loud music, lording, littering, all in the midst of the neighborhood foot traffic. Um, this starts about 7:00 a.m. every day and lasts for about a half an hour. And then there's lunch from 10:30 to 11:15. And then there's the carpool pickup lane, which um the chaos of everyone trying to get in and out of the culde-sac at the same time can cause backups all the way down to the um the traffic the nearby traffic circle. and down by the pond. Just a second.

So on Friday 3:27 at lunch, there was a fight in my front yard. I heard the yelling. And when I refer to lunch, that's the high school lunch. I heard the yelling, but I didn't pay much attention because it's always very noisy in my front yard during high school lunch. I looked out in the window just to see just in time to see a car speed away. This situation is clearly unsafe and should not continue. So now I have a request. I want all of you forget about me and forget about Long Lake Drive and Willow Springs High School and imagine that this is happening on your street every day in front of your house. What are your first steps? What expectations would you place on local authorities? And finally, consider this. We need to regulate the students, not the residents. And it very simply stated that students should park and carpool on campus only. And where adequate facilities for parking and carpool exist, it's reasonable to expect the local and for authorities to enforce such a regulation. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your comments. Thank you very much.

Uh Mr. Mayor, if I if I may, Commissioner Vora. So, I'm not uh clerk, is there other two more?

I suspect they're going to speak on this same issue as well. I don't know, but I'll just I just want to add that u Mr. Ammon is my direct neighbor. we share a fence uh that you know our our properties are connected and so I can attest to exactly what he is saying and it it is quite a nuisance and I I understood that and want to thank um Mark and Chief Smith for meeting with him today and and discussing these issues. I I think I've had some phone calls today actually. people have called me uh about the same issue and we had another speaker today and I think kind of the what people are in the neighborhood are looking for is kind of a a surgical solution to this cuz you know it looks like we're trying to attack this problem with a big hammer and you know maybe there are other other ways we can look at and I think that that's kind of the general attitude people are saying well can can we regulate the students as Mr. has said or can we you know can we come up with some something creative some I know we've worked with the school I know that you know I'm um Mark laid out in his email that the the town has been working on this for a year or two at least. Uh but it it's quite a problem in this neighborhood and I have folks come up and talk to me almost every day about it. So, I just I really want to emphasize Mark's point and thank him for coming and speaking with us tonight.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Anna Clark.

Good evening. Thank you so much for allowing me to be here. I'm going to actually elaborate with new information on Long Lake Drive that you have not heard already. My name is Fiona Clarkin. I'm at 804 Long Lake Drive uh in the same area uh near the culdeac. Um what I'd like to present is more of a view of the safety and environmental impact um that this situation is having um due to the students. They park and walk to the c from the culdeac. The greenway path is what's connecting our development with the school. So they are walking on the greenway path to the back of the school um instead of parking in the school parking lot. Um and this has created a number of issues. We've heard some already. What we haven't discussed is the safety factor. Um due to the volume of cars that are lining the street every day, it is near impossible in our opinion for emergency vehicles to quickly access any of the homes there. Um, we've documented illegal activity in addition to the fist fighting. There's been graffiti on the um, uh, environmental uh, I'm not sure the pumping station. There's been graffiti. There's litter left behind by these students um, practically every day. And um, the noise is just it's torture. That's what you wake up to in the morning. The boom. We have gone out and said, "Could you please turn your radio off?" They sit there with the boom boom boom vibrating at 7 o'clock in the morning and as was discussed to hear, you can tell what time it is by the activity that's occurring. I will be sitting there and say, "Oh, wow. It's 10:30 already." Because you hear the muscle cars revving up, the speeding, the noise, and then they come back from lunch. And then you're like, "Oh, it's 2:30 already."

Because then you hear the insanity start up again. Every day during the school when there is a break like the recent Easter spring break, it was unbelievable piece. You realize what you could have that we don't have due to these students who are not parking at the school. Um, so as we're saying with safety, when they park both sides of the street, it's impossible to pull out of your driveway safely without hitting them um and and messing up your car and the narrow clearance is is dangerous from a safety factor. Um whether it would be a firetruck or an ambulance. Our neighbor um was a gentleman had a lot of health uh issues. His wife was so nervous. She used to go out and speak to the students and say, "Please, please do not park where you're parking right now because my husband is ill and I it makes me so nervous that emergency vehicles who had to come out often, unfortunately to him, would have trouble accessing him." Um, these students will sit for hours in their cars loitering. I we've had reports and people have actually seen that they're having sex in their cars. There's been drugs, paraphernelia, um other and other things that are occurring there. Is that my time?

Yes. Oh, okay. Sorry. I'm a first. I'm a newbie. You did well. Thank you. Thank you so much for listening. Appreciate it. You did well. We have Coleman.

Good evening. Good evening.

Uh good day to everyone. Um, I'm actually here not to complain this time. So, for some of y'all who u remember um me speaking about 490 Longfellow Street, I really just wanted to come and say thank you for um what you did do. Um the the construction um was halted. I don't know all of the details about what happened, but the lot got cleared off. And um I'm speaking about my mom's house at 490 Longfellow Street with Judson Smith was doing a project that I think we can all agree was a disaster. Um, I think I think from the very beginning I I was trying to um speak about how it was going to be almost virtually impossible to build a house there without encroaching on my mom's property. And um I think that was proved to be correct. U but I I want to thank you all for what you did do to to to halt it. Um um just being able to look at um like I told you, it was so close to my mom's house. Um, we never bought the property uh when it was first auctioned off because we were always told that there was not enough room to um to build on. That's why we never bought it when the auction come up because I called Fquay several times and they said it'll never be be able to build on. But TCR kind of changed that. And so um but I, you know, I'm grateful now. Um Mayor Harris, I say congratulations to you. Last time I was here, you was commissioner. You've known me all my life.

Yes. Um, and your h the house that you raised your family in is two houses over and we could always come out on our deck, look straight over, see our church that my mom has gone to all of her life, see your house and you know, we all grew up there. So, just to um to where it is now, we're grateful. Um, I understand that he's probably going to try to rebuild. We can't stop that because I understand the whole thing of, you know, highest and best use um that is part of Fugquay's vision. Um but the building the property did not allow the highest and best use for um 490 Longfellow Street that used to be 420 but um it got changed at some point. So um we're grateful today. Um we hope it stays that way. Um but I'm pretty sure he's going to find some money to try to recover and rebuild again. Um, but as much as I came over here in the process when we were trying to prevent it all from happening, I do want to come and just say thank you for um, what you did do is is down right now. The lot is cleared and and we're grateful for that. So, just want to say thank you for that.

Thank you. Thank you very much. That's all.

Okay. Um, thank you very much, um, Mr. Coleman. Appreciate that. to the uh citizens who have come who are experiencing such great disruption on Long Lake Drive. uh no neighborhood should have to contend with what you are contending with and from what I understand the staff and the management have been working hard to try to find a solution to such a you know it's a very uh complex problem in one way but in another way is something that we have to as a board solve and we appreciate your patience and we appreciate you giving the staff and our police uh department an opportunity to work to a solution. And I believe I'm always optimistic. I believe that there is a solution. We just have to continue to work to find a solution where your your neighborhood can be what it should be, which is peaceful and serene and where you have an opportunity to enjoy your home as a refuge. So, we certainly identify with your concerns and we hear you as a board and we are committed to finding a solution to that issue. From what I understand, it's been going on a while and it's come almost to this point where you're coming before the board, which I think is timely that you come and you express your frustration and your concern. But please know that we are committed to uh a higher quality of life here in Fugquway Arena. That's one of our core values. So we value you as citizens in our community and we value your right to have a quality of life that's amanable to all of us from the from the standpoint of we want you to be happy and satisfied and safe. So there's

a commitment from us and our board to continue to find a solution. And I believe we can get there if you just give us an opportunity to further look and investigate and see how we can move forward to solve this this such an very important issue. So please know that you're being heard. Please know that we appreciate the way you handle this handled yourself in regards to this issue because I can imagine it could be frustrating. You hear noises, you hear students, and you don't necessarily have any control over over that kind of behavior. But there is a solution, and I'm sure we're working toward getting a solution. Please bear with us if you would. Any other comment from any other staff? Um, sister town manager Matthews, you've been involved in this. Any other comments would you would like to make?

Sure. I'd be happy to kind of quickly walk through some of the steps that the that the town has taken. Okay. Working with our partners. Okay. Uh if the mayor would like,

I would I think I think they I think the citizens here need to. So over the past particularly over the last 15 months going back longer than that but especially over the last 15 months uh about that time the HOA of South Lakes and North Lakes approached the town and uh town management the police department and public works department met uh with our partners at the HOA board at South Lakes to discuss a number of their concerns around student parking on neighborhood streets. in the areas that that you just heard around Carpool drop off, especially on that Long Lake Drive loop at the culde-sac, but also adjacent to a an HOA open space next to Fontana Lake Drive. Uh parking and drop offs uh that were actually occurring at one point in time on the HOA property. people were driving onto the on the property uh the HOA property and some unsafe and nuisance driving behaviors uh occurring in the neighborhood. And so, uh, several of these issues were, uh, things that the town could take immediate, uh, regulatory and focused enforcement action with, which the police department, uh, did take. Uh, addressing cars that were parked in intersections, too close to an intersection, obstructing a stop sign, blocking a driveway, uh, parking too far from a curb, for example. Those are things that can all be cited. as well as if uh our police department which uh had has had numerous targeted enforcement campaigns to site speeders, illegal U-turns, people running stop signs, those violations of the law. What they cannot issue tickets for in a public street that does not have a no parking zone is uh parking

uh ticketing someone for parking legally on a public street. Uh and so uh we discussed some of the concerns with the HOA board. One of the issues was drop offs at Long Lake Drive and Fontana Lake Drive where uh some of the students were cutting through HOA property onto the school campus. Uh that is actually HOA control property. So they uh explored measures to either fence it or plant landscaping. I understand from the HOA board members that there was some mixed opinions in the neighborhood because some of the walkers were residents of the neighborhood that used that as a shorter path, but that is an area that uh the HOA could take fiscal measures to make that a less desirable cut through. Uh some of the issues being experienced were a high volume of turnaround traffic uh because of carpool traffic that was turning around in Long Lake Drive to go back right to turn right uh off of Old Honeyut Road into the carpool lane. And we worked with our school resource officer to reopen the left turns off of Old Honeyut Road. And that along with police department ticketing of vehicles doing the illegal U-turns seemed to mostly eliminate the turnaround traffic in the neighborhood. Uh but it and then the other issue that we observed and communicated with the school was that there appeared to be 40 to 60 available student parking places on a daily basis. Uh yet uh some of the students being cited had communicated they were unable to get a parking permit on campus even if they would purchase one. So we communicated with school administration. Uh they then after first quarter of this school year released permits to

sophomores that were interested in purchasing them. So they had the opportunity. That having been said, there are still uh a couple dozen students on a daily basis that choose to park on the neighborhood streets either for convenience or cost reasons uh or not getting a parking permit. And uh so those are are the issues that uh our police department uh goes out periodically as they did earlier today, sites tickets of vehicles that are illegally parked that are parked too far out into a street or an intersection. The kinds of things that are against the law and could uh and could impair access by emergency vehicles. Uh that having been said, we've sent our fire trucks and our garbage trucks around the culde-sac. They're able to deliver town services on these streets provided when there is parking on both sides provided they are legally parked. And so, uh, the remaining potential solution, although it does not come without its downsides, is establishing a no parking zone, uh, on Long Lake Drive or Katherine Lake, uh, or potentially even further streets. Uh, the challenge that comes with is that this would apply whether it's daily or during school hours. This would apply to residents and their guests and contractors as well as it would park for for students. Uh while the while the school can take action and regulate students differently from residents, the police department cannot. Uh they must apply the law equally uh to all on a public street. uh there is no feasible way to ascertain if a vehicle is is a resident's vehicle versus is uh a

resident from outside the neighborhood if it is legally parked. And so, uh, as re as far back as last April or May of last year, uh, town management and our police department and public works communicated to the HOA board of directors that management and staff would recommend a no parking ordinance in some form or fashion given this unique proximity and issue is related to the high school. uh provided there was support from the HOA board of directors representing the neighborhood as a whole because these impacts would likely spill over to other streets as well as having 100% support of the directly impacted homeowners on the blocks where that no parking zone is proposed. The reason for that is uh is that there may is that there may and there are numerous residents that would like to make the sacrifice of being able to access their own street parking to have this headache go away. But there are others that find that access important for their landscapers, their home health aids, their uh family or guests that come in from out of town. and don't support it. And it's challenging to recommend for management to recommend an ordinance that would uh require some of the residents to to give up a right to park on street that they've come to enjoy to satisfy another group of homeowners. And uh when the HOA board sought signatures last August and September, uh my understanding is they were able to get they shared the results of that.

They got about 60 to 65% support on each block. And so you've got, you know, 60% 2/3 for one/3 against. And it's very challenging to take away from one/ird to give to the two/3s. But that, you know, we're still willing to recommend it if the neighborhood has consensus around it.

Okay. Any other any other questions or comments? Thank you for that update. Thank you. I have one question and this may the attorney is not here, but I have maybe you can answer this question. Uh would the or have you would the HOA have the authority to institute parking permits and could they legally do that? The the HOA uh would not have any authority to issue parking permits on a public street.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. That would that would that was my question. And if and if the HOA was delegated the ability to issue parking permits, it would make it very challenging for our defeat police department to to enforce privately administered parking permits. Thank you.

Thank you so much. That was that was the question that well we will continue to discuss and see if we can find solutions to this very complex problem and and please know that we we are working very hard to try to get a solution that we will be we think will be adequate and solve this problem. Um that's um you know unless there's any other comments I think that the town management and police department and we'll continue to discuss to see if we can get a solution legally where we can enforce uh what we can in that particular area. One other comment

and I will just add uh police chief Smith and I met with Mr. Ammon today and we communicate with him. But for the benefit of those that may be in the audience or listening, if you observe violations of the law that are occurring, whether it's a physical assault or littering or sexual activity in public or any of these other uh illegally parked vehicles, any of these things that are violations of the law, please report it to the police department when it's occurring and they'll be happy to address it. While parking legally on street is not a violation of ordinance, these other activities when they are occurring are uh now some of them that may occur overnight or after hours, you know, as you know, it was very challenging to to catch someone for littering unless you catch them in the act of littering. But uh where we can uh enforce we will. It just needs to be reported to the police department.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. No further comment. We'll move on to item 6A, items tabled from previous meetings. There are no items tabled from the previous meeting for the April se for the April 7th, 2026 town board meeting. That's item 6A. Now we will move on to uh public hearings. That's item seven. Public hearings are a time for the petitioner to present his or her request and for the public to give input and voice their favor or opposition to the request. If you wish to speak and are physically in attendance, please step forward to the podium one at a time. Provide your name and address on the registration log at the podium and clearly state your name and address for the public record. We ask all those addressing the town board to please limit your comments to three minutes in order that all who wish to speak may be heard in a timely manner. Uh before we move to public hearings, I want to just go back to address those residents at at Long Lake Drive. Please know that uh we will continue to work on this. We hear you. We're not dropping this at all. We will continue to try to find a solution. Just wanted to let you know that. So, as we move into public hearings, uh we're going to move into item 7A, public hearings. That that item is a voluntary annexation petition with Colin H. Grimes, Jennifer P. Grimes, David Charles Davis, Duva Davis Scott, Revokable Trust, and Rebecca Shelton Davis, 5441 05301

and 5255 Wade Nash Road, ANX 2023-13. And this item is to be tabled. More information about this agenda item will be presented by planning director Davidson.

Good evening. Um the suggested motion tonight is to table consideration of ANX 202313 an annexation ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the town of Fugquway Vina to include property owned by Colin H. Grimes, Jennifer P. Grimes, David Charles Davis, David Davis Scott, Revokable Trust, and Rebecca Shelton Davis, ANX 202013, and the Associated Declaration of Annexation to the June 16th, 2026 regular town board meeting per the request of the petitioner.

Any further further comment from any board member? Oh, I'm sorry. Um, the petitioner has this is item 7A, correct? Okay. The petitioner has requested that the voluntary annexation petition be tabled to the June 16th, 2026 town board meeting. At this time, I will open the public hearing and entertain a motion from the town board. This motion is to table consideration of this item.

Mayor Harris, I move that we table consideration of ANX 2023-13 an annexation ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the town of Fugqua to include property owned by Colin H. Grimes, Jennifer Grimes, David Charles Davis, David Davis Scott Revokable Trust, and Rebecca Shelton Davis ANX 2023-13 and the Associated Declaration of Annexation to the June 16th, 2026 regular town board meeting per the request of the petitioner. Do I hear a second to that motion? Second.

It's been moved and second that this item be tabled. Uh the hearing is now open and remain open until this matter is heard again at the June 16th, 2026 town board meeting. And the pleasure of the board is to as the motion has already been made and second. All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. I. Any appro any opposed?

Motion carries. Thank you very much. The next public public hearing is a voluntary annexation petition TJ Holmes LLC 6475 Hilltop Road ANX 2026-E1. More information about this agenda item will be presented by planning director Davidson.

Thank you. I'm submitting the agenda abstract and supporting documents into the official records of the town. The purpose of this agenda item is to consider approving an annexation ordinance extending the corporate limits of the town of Fuway Verina following receipt of a petition for voluntary annexation of property located at 6475 Hilltop Road owned by TJ Holmes LLC. The 2.9 acre parcel is non-ontiguous to the town's corporate limits. Town water and sewer are available to serve the property. A fireflow test nearby resulted in adequate flow. Town sanitation and recycling services are also available to serve the property. At the March 24th, 2026 meeting, the town clerk certified that the petition was sufficient and met the requirements prescribed by the North Carolina General Statutes, and the town board adopted a resolution setting a public hearing for tonight's town board meeting. The present total value of the properties being annexed is $330,748. The suggested motion tonight is to adopt the annexation ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the town of Fuway Verina to include property owned by TJ Holmes LLC ANX 20261 as presented and recommended.

Thank you. I'm available with any questions. The hearing is you finish. The hearing is now open. Does anyone wish to speak in favor of the voluntary annexation petition? Does anyone wish to speak in opposition to the voluntary annexation petition? If not, the hearing is now closed. Any discussion by the board? If not, what is your pleasure?

Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to adopt the annexation ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the town of Fquway Arena to include property owned by TJ Holmes LLC ANX 2026-01 as presented and recommended. Do a second. Second. Motion has been moved and properly second. All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. I. Any oppose? Eyes have it. Thank you very much. Now we move to the next item. Item eight, the consent agenda. What is the board's pleasure on the items on the consent agenda?

Mayor, I move to approve item 8A, 8B, 8 C, and 8 D on the consent agenda. There a second. Second. It's been moved and second that item A, B, C, and D on the ascent the consent agenda be appro be approved. All those in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. I. Any oppose? Say no.

Not. The eyes have it. Thank you so much. Now we'll move to item nine. This section is reserved only for items removed from the consent agenda. There were no items removed from the consent agenda. Excuse me. And now we move to administrative reports. Item 10A. First item is the contract award Fugquway Arena downtown pedestrian crossing improvements project $433,900. Uh BA-26-29 $150,000. POA24-07 $150,000. More information about this agenda item will be presented by engineering director Poland.

How you doing, Matt? Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, town board members.

I am submitting this agenda abstract and the supporting documents into the official record of the town. The purpose of this agenda item is to approve a budget amendment and a project ordinance amendment in the amount of $150,000 and award a contract to Holland's Construction Services, Inc. in the amount of $433,900 for the Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Project. The pedestrian crossing enhancements project will construct pedestrian safety improvements at four priority locations right here in front of town hall. Uh downtown Verina close to the Verina station and then also at downtown Fugway near the queue and then the last location is right there at the crosswalk at Fugway Verina High School that leads to the gas station across the street. So the uh the project scope includes but is not limited to the installation of the rectangular rapid flashing beacons or RRFBs, crosswalk upgrades, signage, curbs, and ADA improvements as needed. So, the project was initially advertised and uh only received one bid, so we had to revertise it with Hollands being the lowest uh responsive responsible bidder at $433,900. And the construction is anticipated to start just as soon as we can get this approved and get the contracts executed. So, this is the same contractor that is also doing the work in downtown Verina at the moment. So, he's he is already here and mobilized. So, And so with that, we do have a recommended motion tonight to approve budget amendment BA2639 in the amount of $150,000 along with corresponding project ordinance amendment POA 2614 and to award a contract for the

construction of the pedestrian crossing enhancements project to Holland's Construction Services, Inc. in the amount of $433,900 and authorize the town manager to execute the contract on behalf of the town subject to the town attorney's review as to form. And with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you so much. Yes, sir. Any questions, Mr. Mayor? I have one. Okay. Uh Matt, are these um RFB the type of beacons that the pedestrian pushes the button and then it they obviously start flashing to warn the motors? Yes, sir. Kind of like we have done on 55. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Exactly. Exactly. That's what I thought. I just want to make sure that's all I got, Mr. Mayor. Thank you.

Great. Great. Great. Any other comments, questions? If not, do I hear a motion to approve this amendment? So moved. Do I hear a second? Second. Okay. All right. It's been moved and properly second that we we approve this budget amendment. All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I.

Any opposed? None. Eyes have it. Thank you, Matt. Appreciate it. Thank you so much. Uh the next item in the under the administrative reports is item B, agreement to purchase and s and sale of improved real property and budget amendment BA2642 135 North Main Street. More information about this agenda item will be presented by town manager Mitchell. Thank you, Mayor. Mhm.

This is an agreement for purchase and sale of improved real property and an associated budget amendment BA26-45. This is for property located at 135 North Main Street. U as a town uh evaluates the need for future general governmental office space and further assesses the opportunity for downtown assemblage of property to create a downtown park and gathering space. the town was presented with the opportunity to recently purchase 135 North Main Street. Uh currently the building that we're in today, the John W. Burn Municipal Building, has approximately five to seven remaining offices for occupation by town staff. Looking forward, it is likely that that the town will need additional office space within the next 5 years. 135 North Main Street, the property directly across the street, has the capability of adding 15 to 20 additional offices to the town's inventory of space, as well as 38 public parking spaces. This agreement that is before you for consideration this evening is an agreement for the purchase sale of improved real property for 135 North Main Street and it identifies specific terms and conditions which are a purchase price of $2,950,000 an examination period due diligence of 30 days the legal description of the property and documentation on existing leases uh within the within the building. And I've identified on the screen here those existing leases and their expiration period. Some noteworthy uh specifics about the property at 135 North Main Street. It is just a little over 1 acres, 1.094 acres. It is a commercial building that was built in 1987. It includes an improved parking lot with 38 spaces. The property tax value is listed currently at1,512,333.

Last last year's tax bill was approximately 13,000. The property appraised value was uh appraised at $2,280,000 this past uh January. The effective age of the building as listed in the appraisal is six years in age and that is primarily due to um invested improvements in the building since 2021. uh specifically $466,000 of building improvements since 2021. And the building functions presently as commercial office space. I'm recommending that uh we purchase 135 North Main Street for the following reasons. First, proximity to the existing building that we're in today, the John W. Burn Municipal Building. This building is directly across the street. Um and it provides efficiencies for our future in terms of operations and maintenance. Second, it provides additional municipal office and meeting space in close proximity to the current uh John W. Ver municipal building without requiring a major capital construction project with the opportunity for expansion in future years. It provides additional municipal and public parking in close proximity to town hall and uh the future Piney Woodstown Park. Existing town presence are is already in the subject building. Our utility billing um drive-thru window staff is currently in the building already. It's strategically located adjacent to other town- owned property. It's adjacent to the future Ponty Woodstown Park footprint and the timing of the purchase is uh strategic and critical in advance of other nearby planned development. uh the town engaged Leatherman Real Estate Services to perform an independent appraisal of the property. I mentioned that earlier. Other factors and considerations that were offered by the appraiser uh is that there is an extremely limited supply of alternative

properties available for sale in the market and as a result it is common for buyers to pay more than the market value. With future planned development in the vicinity, it is highly probable that the value of 135 North Main Street will significantly increase once the downtown projects are completed as this will drive demand for office space in the area. This map on your screen here just uh shows the proposed property for purchase uh outlined in blue. All of the property in orange is existing town-owned property. And it's noteworthy to uh to visually show the property outlined in purple as the future downtown mixeduse development and parking structure that we currently have a development agreement uh under. Some additional considerations uh that I'd like to bring to your attention are while lease agreements are in are in effect, the town will generate uh just north of $10,000 per month in total lease rent payments. And the town will no longer pay the $1,125 per month in lease rent that we're currently paying for the utility billing department to occupy the drive-through payment office. And there are specific aspects of the building maintenance that are shared between tenants and property and and the property owner and they're prescribed in the existing lease agreements whereby the tenants share in the cost of maintaining the building. So tonight I am recommending that um by motion you approve the agreement for the purchase and sale of improved real property for 135 North Main Street is recommended and present and uh presented subject to legal council review to form authorize me as the town manager to execute the agreement on the town's behalf and approved budget amendment BA2645 which funds the acquisition. And I would just note that we have engaged Hervey and Hervey attorneys to advise as an

independent closing attorney for this transaction. I'm happy to answer any questions that the board may have. Any questions on Manager Mitchell? Any comments? seems like a smart thing to do with its proximity to this building and um the fact that we're already using part of it anyway. That's right. And we know we're going to have a future need for office space. Yes. Any other comment? Do I hear a motion for approval? Oh, what is your pleasure?

Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the agreement for purchase and sale of improve real property from 135 North Main Street as recommended presented subject to legal council review to form and to authorize the town manager execute agreement on the town's behalf and approve a budget amendment BA26-45.

Second. Second. It has been moved and second that we approve the agreement to purchase and sale of improved real property at 135 North Main Street as recommended and presented subject to legal council review to form. Authorize the town manager to execute the agreement on the town's behalf and approve budget amendment BA 26 45. You've had a motion and second. All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. Thank you very much. Thank you.

The next item it's other business. The town manager report. Thank you, mayor. Just here we go. All right. A few things just to brief the town board on this evening since our last town board meeting. Uh as it pertains to our public works department. Following discussions at the town board retreat, the public works department assessed the lighting along Academy Street and in the uh vicinity of Lawrence Street. While the lighting generally meets town standards, several locations were identified that needed further discussion with Duke Energy due to concerns about light distribution and public safety. Duke representatives came out uh assessed it with our team and recommended upgrading the existing light fixtures between Jud Parkway and Main Street to improve lighting coverage as well as adding two new lights on Lawrence Street and one on West Academy Street. These changes will cost less than $2,000 annually and they can be accommodated within the current street lighting budget. And so after these upgrades are completed, we will re-evaluate the lighting between Jud Parkway and Main Street just to identify if there's any remaining gaps. But I wanted to circle back with the town board since that was a point of discussion at our town board retreat.

Thank you. Uh the fiscical year 25 painting project at fire station number one has uh been successfully completed. All interior areas except for the apparatus bay have been carefully prepared, patched, and painted. These projects are essential for maintaining our facilities, ensuring that they remain in good condition and providing a welcoming home away from home environment for our firefighters. So, wanted to uh brief the town board on the progress with that uh improvement and maintenance project. Police officer Ellie Klene has advanced through the clear career ladder and has been promoted to police officer 2. We want to congratulate uh police officer to Klene on that career promotion. Tiffany Marchman participated in a panel discussion titled the value of certification. Y'all met Tiffany at one of our previous meetings. She's our procurement and purchasing manager. Um and so she participated in a panel discussion at the recent North Carolina procurement excellence and knowledge conference in Raleigh uh advancing her professional development but also um participating in the professional development of others in that field. So, we want to congratulate Tiffany on that that job well done. The residency with Kevin Spencer at the Art Center was highly successful. Dr. Spencer worked in four schools and 10 classrooms in our area, reaching over 150 students. He also conducted two professional development sessions, collaborated with the Allstars special needs group at the art center, and performed a magic show there. So, we want to thank uh Dr. Spencer for his partnership with our art center and the great work that he did in our community. This month we've got a number of events taking place at the art center, including Wake on Stage on April 17th. We have a local elected celebrity that'll be participating uh in that um who's in the room this evening and

Simply Three on April 18th and the spring dance recital this month as well. And so if you're interested in any tickets or additional information about that, you can find that information on fvarts.org. org. April is turning out to be a busy month for the town's storm water program. The annual town employee litter sweep is set for April 24th to raise public awareness about one of our largest pollutants, litter. Additionally, several private citizen-led litter sweeps are planned throughout the month, showcasing the community's commitment to protecting our town storm water systems and water bodies. And we want to thank specifically our engineering department and our public works department uh for the work that they do to address litter and educating our public about litter as a pollutant. And we want to thank all of our town employees for the participation in the employee litter sweep. It's an important day uh to bring awareness to this issue in our community. Our water supply partners are closely monitoring drought conditions. While there are currently no restrictions in place, residents are encouraged to conserve water. Uh so we want to make sure we mention that our streets will come alive with on planair on Friday April 10th and Saturday April 11th hosted by the FBDA and any guests that are attending the downtown after dark can enjoy the event starting at 6 pm on Raleigh Street this weekend. Um we are in the final preparations for the fisc year 27 budget workshop which is scheduled for April 23rd at 6 pm. Our communications department has been busy as of late uh working with uh finance and our department directors and management on preparing the budget develop the budget video for our budget this year. And since our last board meeting, a couple of events uh that are noteworthy. Uh Mayor Harris was honored at a community event at St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church, which which was a fantastic

event. the Easter egg hunt uh by the town uh and our parks and recreation department was a great event uh even in the face of rain the night before and the FEDA had a fantastic candy hop in downtown as always. Um uh I uh participated in an interview with the News and Observer since our last meeting regarding uh water and uh both the mayor and I had the good fortune to speak at the Wake County Homebuilders Association Government Affairs Committee meeting uh this month as well since our last board meeting. Um and that was an enjoyable time to visit with representatives of the HBA and talk about all the great things that are going on in Fugquway Arena right now. Uh we've had a successful coffee coffee with a cop and a first Friday event in our in our downtown as well since our last meeting. So a lot of uh a lot of positive um uh events that are happening in our community. Uh with that, I do draw your attention to some uh agenda items uh for other business. Our spring concert series is kicking off this Thursday, April 9th, 6:30 to 9:30 at Centennial Park. chairman of the board, a local favorite, will be coming and playing here uh on Thursday night. We encourage the the public to come out and enjoy that event. The police department's friends with wisdom will be held at Kaix Living of Fugquway Verina on Academy Street on Wednesday, April 15th at 9:30 a.m. Our second Follow Me to Fugquway Vina concert of the spring series will host the Embers on Thursday, April 16th at 6:30 p.m. I mentioned Wake on Stage will be at the Art Center on Friday, April 17th at 7:30 p.m. And then we have our food truck rodeo on Sunday, April 19th from 12 to 4 pm in the downtown verina parking lot. So if that wasn't enough for April, then you just have too much time on your schedules and and you need to look for more things to do. But we've

got plenty of opportunities for anyone in our community. With that, Mr. Mayor, that concludes my remarks for this evening. I'm happy to answer any questions that you or the town board might have. Any questions of the town manager? Thank you for such a detailed report. Appreciate it. Uh, Commissioner Haynes is absent this evening. So, Commissioner Adcock, any comments tonight? No, no comments. Commissioner Smith, any comments tonight? Just briefly, uh, and it's only one thing I want to mention because we got so much going along kind of kicking off after the night. We'll be busy, I think, the next few weeks. Yes.

But I did get the opportunity to attend with you, Mr. Mayor, the uh, grand opening of the Kids Strong program. I enjoyed that. I know you did. The remarkable thing about that to me, it's really an international company. Got offices all over the country and even into Canada. And I was uh impressed that they chose to bring one of their offices to Fugquway Marina. I thought it was noteworthy. So, I really enjoyed uh seeing what they offer over there. That's all I have tonight, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Great. Great. It was a great time. Commissioner Warren.

Yes. Just real quickly, um I just want to thank again the officers that showed up this morning to Long Lake Drive. Uh again, I am a resident on Katherine Lake, which is adjacent to Long Lake Drive and um you know, have to deal with those same frustrations that the my neighbors came out and spoke about tonight. So, um I do want to thank the town for all the efforts that they have put into this problem. And you know, it it's just it's a big problem. Uh it's multifaceted. And so I really hope that uh my neighbors will exercise some patience and and as you said, Mr. Mayor, we know that we are working on this. Yes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Promp Gardner. I think I I'll pass. I I did enjoy the Easter egg starting the Easter egg hunt. Yeah, that is a wild thing. It has a life of its own. Uh I did have my picture made with the Easter Bunny. Good for you.

And stopped by um Candy Hop and then went to um one of our churches here in town in the afternoon to enjoy um enjoyable and beautiful service and tribute to our um to our mayor. And it was uh an exciting time. Um just this I mean it is busy. This is an exciting time to be in Fugqu Arena. So I look forward to this concert series starting and all the other things we have on the on the docket for these these times. There is uh one event that's pre that's precious to my heart that is in going to be at the Kerry Soccer Park and that is a 5K in memory of my late son Mark Hagga and it's to raise awareness for suicide prevention and this will be the 12th time they his fraternity Sigma PI fraternity at NC State has held this event and each year they raise about $15,000 dollars um that goes toward um suicide prevention or some type of mental illness resources. Um and we're I'm really proud of that. It's it's a positive thing to come out of something so negative and it has affected and reached thousands of people particularly this particular um 2025. um the his story and the story of the young man, the Sigma Pi, who's current and um is his third year hosting and putting on this event, running it for the fraternity and um it they chose it for the impact story for the walk for hope from the foundation of hope out out

of um the Angusbar the families project. They had um they have had this walk for 37 years and for the first time um they raised more than a million dollars for mental health research and particularly implementing um a new program in Wake County that they hope will be able to be in all counties across North Carolina that will have digital resources available by their on on children's cell phones. If they need resources, they will be able to access them on their cell phone, which you know, they get a whole lot of things that aren't very positive on their cell phone. So, um it will it will be for for um young people and their who are who are suffering, you know, um from mental illness and issues and their family, their friends and family can access them also. Um, so it's it's and and enough money was raised at the Walk for Hope this last October that they they think they will be implemented in Wake County in the next two years.

So that's an exciting thing. Uh when uh when we lost Mark, it was um in 2010 and uh they told us then when we spoke to groups that um one of our talking points was that uh suicide is the number two killer for 18 to 24 year olds. Today when we speak our talking point is for eight to 21 24 year olds. Did you say eight

eight age eight years old to 24 year olds. It is the number two killer. We still have a lot of work to do but of course part of that increase in numbers is that the stigma for seeking help has has become less. So more people are um going for help and presenting um you know symptoms um that go along with with mental ill you know mental ill illness and mental issues. So um that's a good thing but but it there are a lot of people that need these resources and in most of our rural counties there's not even a person on staff for mental health. So, um the the idea that we can get these digital resources out to the rural counties is something that they um are really hoping for, too. So, and you don't won't bring my boy back, but it sure might help save somebody else's child.

So, that will be Sunday, April 19th at the Wake Med Soccer Park, the Break the Silence 5K in memory of Mark Hag. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Just a a few comments and and I think it's already been mentioned about the celebration that was March the 28th uh at St. Augusta Church. And that celebration was probably prompted by the fact that I'm have deep roots here and I grew up in the community and and some of the people that I grew up with wanted to have a celebration in regards to my being a mayor originally from Fugquway Arena. So it was a great celebration. I was happy to see Mayor Pro Tim Garner and our town manager Mitchell. We had music. We had um just a great time in in celebration. I was deeply touched. by the recognition and the appreciation and was just delighted that u town managers was there and Mayor Pro Tim were there to to experience, you know, what the community was trying to convey to me, which is that they were exceptionally u proud of of my being mayor and they let it be known that they had they were going to support me and I really appreciate that. I was moved. I had family there from out of town, my children. It was just a great event. Surprisingly enough, when they had asked me about doing something like that, I said no. But they wanted to continue to do something nice and I'm I'm just endeared to the community for for doing that. So, it was a wonderful event and thank you all for mentioning it. Uh the other thing that has happened this April had a couple of uh ribbon cutings as chief as I'm sorry commissioner Smith

has alluded to. We had the homebuilders presentation and attended the Maggie awards which was nice and we also had the the Black History stakeholders meeting uh this month. So, yes, April was a a busy month, and we still have a lot of work to do coming up, but uh it's been great. I'm glad that each commissioner here participated when you could. It was just good to see you at these different events, and I think the public really appreciates it a lot. I know I do, and I hope that we can continue to do that. And we we won a Maggie award, didn't we?

Uh yes, we did. Uh the follow me to Fugquway concerts won a Maggie award. Thank you. We did. Thank you for reminding me of that. I just remember the excitement about that. And uh a lot of people from Fugquway, a lot of businesses from Fugquway won several awards. It was extremely exciting to be there and to know that we had that much participation from Fugquway Arena and then we won award for the follow me to Fugquway uh concert series. I just wanted to make one other comment. And it was good to know that uh we got lighting uh on Academy uh Jud Parkway and the Lawrence Street uh lighting following up on that. That was very important. I really really appreciate the staff and whoever made that happen. Um town manager Mitchell, I really appreciate that.

I'm I announced it, but I got to give the credit to Tracy and and Mark for for bird dogging it. Tracy and Mark, thank you very much. All right. really appreciate that. Uh, town madam mitchell, is there a recommended close session for this evening's meeting? There is a recommended close session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143 3181 11183 attorney client privilege and A6 personnel. Do I hear a motion that we go into close session? So move second. All right, we'll go into close session. You all have a good evening. We're going to take a few minutes to have a break.