City Council - Regular Meeting

here. Are we ready? Okay. Push it again.

Welcome here tonight to the city of Graham council meeting agenda for December 9th, 2025. like to call this meeting to order and I'd like for Pastor Brian Biggers of Grace um to please come forward to give our invocation. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Right here. I just want to say before I do, I love my town. I This is my little adopted town. I grew up in Charlotte, married a girl from here, and we love it dearly. This is the neatest town to live in. My rep from Samaritan's Purse came from Soul, South Korea a few weeks ago to visit. And we just walked around. He said, "I'm going to move to a place like this." I think sometimes you're in something that's so good you take it for granted if you're there so long. So, I love my town. Love what's going on. Just want to say that. All right. Let's have our implication. Lord Jesus, we love you. Thank you for the day. Everybody in this room wants the same thing. We want a great place to raise our children. We want a great place to live that's safe. And we want to thank you so much. You've blessed us so much. You who ordained government and you who ordained people to come together as you said, seek the well-being of the town that I've sent you to, we come humbly to thank you for the way you've blessed this place. People get along down here. Commerce is good. This is a safe place. This is the sign that you've blessed us and we're very grateful. And then we pray for special grace for our leaders. Your word said, "Pray for the leaders I've set among you." And we pray for wisdom and grace and insight for them. And we want to thank you for your great kindness. Thank you for the way that we've got a place where we can raise our families, make great friends, lifelong relationships, make a living, and be blessed. One of the cutest, greatest little places. We're grateful for it. And we give you all the praise and glory for your goodness. Thank you for your great kindness. Thank you most of all for loving us more than you loved your own life so that we could have the greatest life possible. Jesus glorified. In his precious name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Miss Mayor. just want to say how much uh Pastor Biggers has meant to this community. He has uh certainly been a been been very instrumental um as as my pastor and also um several community members pastor here and um he had a little office down here for a while and worked at the hardware store for a while and um I think that's

the best ministry you ever did probably working at the hardware store getting to talk to people every day and help them fix things with with what jiggies and and uh they'd come in there and not know necessarily what they wanted, but you figured it out and you guys kind of jerryrigged things together. So, um, but, uh, just an amazing person, an amazing spirit and, um, how much, uh, you've meant, you know, personally, you know, to not just to this community, but me personally, you know, the relationship you have with my children meant the world to me. Thank you very much for being here. If you'll please stand tonight uh for the pledge of allegiance.

Thank you 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. [clears throat] We do have Ricky down here. uh our our little um handicap seating over here. Unfortunately, um Ricky just had some surgery and we appreciate him coming out. I know he's not feeling the best, but we appreciate him being here tonight. Um we're going to say the approval of the city council meeting minutes. You guys have read those. Um, is there any um changes to those city council meeting minutes for no the November 4th city council minutes as well as the November 7th and November 24th and the special meeting minutes?

No. Uh, okay. Do I We have a more motion on the floor. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? I. Motion carries. Uh, approval of the Graham Regional Park master plan. believe we have someone here to present for that as well.

Good evening. My name is Michael Alderman. I am a project manager and a professional landscape architect with Withers Ravenel. My address is 2430 Kennington Road, Raleigh. And I have uh Kristen here. You can introduce herself. Hey, my name is Kristen H. Hearnden. I'm with Withers Ravenell as a client experience manager and my address um is uh 528 Hillwood Court, Greensboro, North Carolina. So, are you sure you didn't? [laughter] I was not prepared to do that. I'll put you on the spot. I sort of just remembered stump you there.

I appreciate you having us here tonight. Um this is our second time coming in front of the council. Um I think in October we uh presented the draft master plan and um really received some good feedback. Um not a whole lot of changes came from that process. Um, but we're super excited to have a group of people. I I didn't know we're going to be here, but um, maybe I could I could do a a quick show of hands. Who here maybe participated in the Graham Regional Park master plan surveys over the last year? Okay, a few hands. Uh we did get some really great responses um from a large uh portion of the community, but um this park is going to be a regional park that's not just serving Graham. So we also noticed that we were getting responses from all around Alamance County. So that was really positive to see and um hopefully we've captured all the community's desires in this uh final master plan. Uh next slide, please. Uh so just to recap um where we left off last time um for those that weren't involved in the in the process or weren't here at our last presentation um this has basically been a four-step process. So way back at the start of this year, we we started with a site analysis where um we'll get into sort of some of the things we did in that process, but really understanding the site and its characteristics. Um and then once we went to the community, we uh were able to get some feedback on different program elements. And so we had three community meetings. um one at the park, one at uh sort of downtown

Graham and the third one at the rec center here in Graham as well. At the third um meeting we did present some concept options um and from that we um gathered a whole bunch of feedback and drafted the f uh the draft master plan. Um we took that to the recreation commission and also to council received more feedback and now here we are presenting the final plan. I can't remember what slides you're going to go on. We got that enough. [laughter]

Um so just to give some background um really just understanding the site context was important. Um some of the the neighboring communities um the road access um some of the other um uses around this site. So, there's a a school close by and obviously um if you've been out there, the existing uh playground is already loved by that community and and we hope to build on that. Um skipping ahead to uh this is a site analysis diagram where we um looked at what the land was presenting us and um seeing there were some disturbed areas, some natural areas we wanted to to to keep um and enhance. Uh and that led us to what we call a a development diagram that um showed where potential park amenity opportunities could be. Um and some of the other program that we needed to account for in the final plan. Um yeah, go ahead.

Yeah. Um and as Michael mentioned, we had three separate community meetings. The first one being out at Graham Regional Park. Uh that one was um occurred with another program that was put on by the parks and recreation department. Um and then by the time we got to that third and final meeting, we came up with um three different concept plans. Concept A was very athletic heavy. Um so it had your sports fields. Um of course it had the most popular thing everyone wanted was a splash pad. Um, and then concept B was a balance between concept A and C. So, it had your athletic fields, but also more of passive recreation, more of just the the nature, not so much programming. Um, and then that concept C was more of your passive recreation. As you can see over to the left as well, um, voted on by the public, it was pretty, um, pretty balanced over what everyone wanted. So, we eventually ended up going with concept B. Uh the very balance between knowing that um we wanted some athletic fields out there. We wanted some revenue generating program and facilities. Um and we also heard the public wanted more opportunities to bike and walk and just go out there freely to enjoy nature. Yeah. Uh, so this is the draft plan here. Maybe we could zoom out just a hair or is that too? No, we're not going to do that.

But you'll notice some of the things in option A and C also made it into this plan. U, it wasn't just a direct, you know, copy of uh that balance scheme. Um but again, we wanted to highlight what we were hearing from the community. Um which was uh a variety of recreational opportunities. Um, you know, we heard so much about splash pad and water play as a um something the community was really excited about, but we also knew that um we would need a certain number of athletic fields um for this to be a regional park and draw in um sort of larger numbers um for larger events. Um and that number was about four to six. So, so this draft plan, um, we've got, I think, five, um, natural surface fields and two synthetic fields are proposed. Um, we've got tennis courts, pickle ball, um, and, uh, sort of a central hub area of of, you know, what we're calling that balance. We we sort of wanted to bring that back. We want this this park to be, I think, a place for everyone to feel welcome. um not just those, you know, enjoying the athletics, but the amphitheater is a great place for events. Um a meadow for for the neighborhood walking. Um and we've got things like bike trails as well. So, um we took feedback from from the recreation commission and and the last council visit and really just refined the plan over the last sort of month and a half. Um the previous plan was um more sort of handdrawn and and this is you know truth through our computerated uh design programming. So um things like parking uh fire access became more fine-tuned. those athletic fields are drawn, you know, to the right dimensions and um really it it probably looks very similar to the last plan, but um we feel

really confident that this is a plan that, you know, you can move forward with in in the future phase. So um I'm happy to go sort of maybe high level around each of the areas like I did last time. Um and and here is an example of some of the the features um within the park that we're proposing. So uh splash pad rose to the top u from our community survey, adventure play, um sensory garden, u public art, I mentioned six pickle ball courts, uh three tennis courts, so providing um another recreational component there. um three additional playgrounds and we've sort of scattered those adjacent to the various athletic fields. So um younger kids could sort of um play while maybe the older kids are sort of on the fields and vice versa. Um I mentioned seven multi-purpose athletic fields um including the the two synthetic fields. Um one um real noticeable uh feature of this plan is a large covered pavilion um which offers a opportunity to have uh four basketball courts. Um but also um could be used as an event space, things like farmers markets, um larger sort of covered events, especially if um it's, you know, not the best weather. It's also that flexible option um to to have u people in, you know, covered out of the rain. Um and that really anchors that whole central area. Um then we've got and maybe we can go back up to the plan. Sorry.

Um just so you see that what white box in the middle of the plan? That's that covered pavilion right by the um athletic fields.

Um as you go west from there, there's um ample parking down towards a uh an amphitheater that's sort of nestled in the trees. Um there's restrooms. Uh, one of the things we heard from the rep commission was, is there enough shade in this plan? So, we we've tried to add trees, potentially some shade sails to um to to provide shade out here. Um, obviously in those wooded areas, um, we see that more of that natural trail system. Um, there's two sort of main loops. There's the inner uh, loop trail which will be completely accessible. um that's that yellow um trail and that's about uh 08 miles. And then there's a larger sort of trail system uh which is a dashed red line which is about a mile and a half and and it just gives people flexibility to access various parts of the site. Um yeah, so that's the plan. I'm happy to answer any questions about uh the plan itself. Um but just to recap our schedule, um we are in the final master plan stage and tonight is our city council presentation where I think we're hoping members of the council can vote and um I guess approve the the final plan and and recommend it. If we jump to the next slide, um

can you show us where the new property is that we just got under contract for? Yes. So, I understand um that that parcel um council has voted to approve um you can purchase that piece of property. Um is that in the corner there where we're showing the first?

Yeah. The two synthetic uh fields uh opens up a lot of athletic programming opportunities that that site is quite um flat and ready to be developed um more so than some of the other parts of the site. um which is why we sort of um noted it for that athletic programming that does need to be quite flat. Um so again, we're just super excited that that could be integrated into this plan and offer more opportunities for recreation and then the food truck connections.

Yes. Um so I I did bring along uh this report. So as part of our uh contract with the city is that we are to to provide a full master plan report. Um and so in the language of this document is things like um we have an implementation section. So things like utility connections that you'll need to be mindful of in the plan. Um and one of those things is sort of site lighting and site electrical. Um, I think what we noted here was that in that parking area by the athletic fields, um, we could provide sort of electrical pedestal, uh, hookups for food trucks, um, as well as any other sort of electrical needs for maybe an amp system or something along those lines. And we we'll be happy to share

that a up there. That's where the fire um potential fire station is, right?

Yes. So, uh, currently that land, um, has been designated more so to the the central area, um, with communication with, uh, the city staff and I think that with the fire department, um, it was determined that there might be a better spot for the fire, um, uh, department to be located, and that's what you're seeing on the plan. Um, so that would just need to be coordinated with the various agencies that were helping sort of define that that area originally. So I'll go to the next uh slide just after the schedule. So we did want to give some considerations to phasing. Um, this is a really kind of ambitious plan. um it's a long range vision for this uh property and so some of the considerations for maybe a potential firstphase project um would be you know what funding is available um I think you know that first step would be to identify a budget and also identify funding strategies whether that u is through capital grant money or or other grants um and then obviously you know what is the community tell telling that they want to see in this park. So, we heard so much about water play, but um so splash pads um but also athletic fields and um providing inclusive access to trails. And so those were the sort of top things that came to mind. Um some other things to think of and consider would be economic development impact. Um we know investment into this park um may want to see some sort of return. Um so you know are we providing athletic fields in that first phase that could be booked and rented by you know people in a broader community. Um could there be ampitheater that brings in economic

development through you know hosting large events. And then finally when when we identify that first phase it's it's about also understanding uh the infrastructure requirements. So, how are we getting people in and out of the site and what utilities it required? And so, the lines might start to bleed between um say if we were to do the central phase first, you might need to do some of the road improvements to get there and some of the utilities. And so, I just wanted to highlight sort of the next steps. So say if we were to approve this plan tonight, um it would be sort of the next step would be to define that phase one scope and budget. Um so that includes you know potentially pursuing grants and funding and there might be another public engagement step um that could be required as part of a grant funding um initiative. Uh and then also identify volunteer opportunities. So there there might be some local groups that can help provide trails on day one. Um which is not something that you would have to sort of build yourself and include in the budget. Um and it's those kind of small wins that go a long way. Uh once that sort of phase one scope's been identified, you could go um to an RFQ process for the design and permitting for um just that phase one. And so those are the construction drawings that you know will eventually get built. So this is more of a guide to the park plan whereas um that permitting and design scope would be you know how what are we building and you know you've done that at that initial uh uh playground part of the site already. What's included as in that phase is is those blue items there. So due diligence including survey sue which is like underground utilities um geotechnical

reports and things like that. Uh once we have all that information then you can start drawing. So uh schematic design maybe that's an opportunity to come back to the council and say here's what you're getting that first phase. Does this look good? All right let's hit the ground running and go into design development and construction documents. Um, as you get through that process, there'll be permits required. Um, and once all those permits are in hand, the drawings are ready, you can go out to bid and then into construction. So, um, hopefully that just helps people understand the process to come. Um, this is a a long range vision and and just the first step, you know, across, you know, potentially two or three or four phases.

That's all I got. So, it's a lot of hard work and I just um appreciate all the hard work that a lot of people don't know. Kristen, you know, used to work here at parks and wreck and so she knows us from the inside out and we really appreciate your um help specific on this project and um I know it was a it's it means more to you than just work. So, um you know this community and um we appreciate your um I feel like you put a lot of extra effort into I don't know if you build for all your hours, but I appreciate um you know I can tell that you have a real genuine um interest in in really coming up with something that's going to be amazing for this community and I appreciate that and um it's not just another job for you. So, um, but, um, I'd love to be able to see, um, the project, not just, you know, it's it's more than just to get we go out and we get funding and grants and everything to build something, but, you know, [clears throat] one of the issues that even Burlington, I think, has had with like their pickle ball amazing facility and all of that is, um, you know, the cost of it being ongoing um, to taxpayers. And so I love the idea of us making it something that it's actually revenue generating um and doing something in a way that uh is going to um even if it's not a direct revenue into the city that the city wins from it from either people traveling here to play travel ball or to play some sort of sporting event and staying in the hotels and us getting occupancy tax from the state in that way or something that's going to generate some revenue because the cost of maintaining the facility even after it's built is going to be exponential. So, um, but I love the idea of that. And the reason why I love the idea of the fire department uh

substation being there is because number one, it puts both police uh who I believe would have some sort of um substation there as well um with the fire department and the firemen are just such great group of people that absolutely just it it doesn't even have necessarily have to be their event, but when there's an event around and they that's going on, I just always see the firemen pitch in and um you know from working at parks and wreck. Um labor is scarce, volunteers are scarce and having that extra labor force there actually located at the park. Um they're always willing to lend a hand and I I love that about um our first responders. They're they're so good to be able to be there and in the event that we did have a medical emergency, they would also be there. So having them at sporting events, um having them where recreation happens and kids fall off, you know, um playgrounds and things like that, I think will be a good positive thing for Graham and and also the security of them being around 24 hours a day for our parks um that are accessible by, you know, people coming in there and stuff. So um a lot of good positive things. I hope that uh the facility that's built um will take into consideration not just them getting out and we talked about this. We just had a public meeting um that not too many braved the ice for last night. But um but uh the fire chief was there and uh myself and and uh one other person. But not just access to Jim Miner Road, but also access to the park that makes it not just like a blank wall there that that's a back wall to the park, but actually maybe open fire bays. Um that uh even though they're not going to necessarily be going out there, it's

more of a welcoming type. You know, it looks more of like a the front of a building rather than the back of a building that faces Jim Minor. So, um I know all of those are more detail oriented and this is more high level, but uh love to be able love to uh um I love the idea of what you see it could be and how wonderful it could be for our community and Riley Meadows and all of those different developments that are right there across the street from it. Um I think it'll even make that even much more attractive. Um but appreciate all you guys hard work. Did you have any uh questions, Bonnie?

I do not, but thank you again for all your hard work. It really shows and that as the mayor said, it it shows how much you care about this project. You really truly do care and public input has been great. I wish we had the money to just fund it all at once, but we don't. We have to do it in phases, but um I just think it's going to be brilliant. It's going to be beautiful and I think it's going to be a real asset to this community and draw a lot of people from Burlington and Mebban and other other places that are going to want to come to our park and I just think it's going to be great. So, well, you have any questions? Nobody said it at all. Okay. All right. So, I need a motion on the floor for approval of the Graham Regional Park Master Plan.

I make a motion that we approve the Graham Regional Park Master Plan. I'm sorry. All in all all in favor. Did you have Oh, Ricky. Okay. All in favor? I I motion carries and thank you so much for that. Thanks everyone. Thank you. You're welcome. Thanks for being here. Okay. So, we're going to have a a presentation of a a plaque to Mayor Jennifer Tally. If uh Jennifer, Phil, come on down.

I'll try to get over your unless you want to.

Okay. So, what we have here uh is a plaque. Okay. I'm sorry your other president is not ready yet. So, you'll just have to come back in January after your huge wonderful vacation to Hawaii and uh we'll give you your next present. Uh but this one says, "In honor of Mayor Jennifer Tally, thank you for your outstanding leadership, dedication, and years of devoted service to our community. Your vision and commitment will be remembered with great appreciation. 2022 to 2025, City of Graham, North Carolina. Here's the Here's what the plaque looks like. and we do thank you for everything you've done for the city, everything you've done for everybody. You've done a tremendous amount of work for this city and you know, I I just can't say enough about how much you've put into this job. Uh even even if when it neglected your own businesses, you took time away from your own family. We appreciate everything you've done for us. Uh Bobby, did you Ricky?

I feel the same way what Bobby um Bonnie said. You've um gone out of the way to help us all and truly appreciate what you do. Jennifer, did you want to say anything?

Well, I haven't done it alone. I I'm exceptionally proud of the work that we've done here at Graham. Our staff is excellent. um Megan, Aaron, uh Renee, and um certainly all of our department heads have done an excellent job. We've brought in over $19 million in revenue. And to put that in perspective, our budget is only $23 million. So, bringing in $19 million has helped us exponentially with uh uh infrastructure projects. We only have a $13 million water sewer fund. So bringing in that extra money has been, you know, really, I [gasps] mean, a huge difference. We've been able to implement the largest, uh, property tax decrease in the city's history. And we've, um, when I took office, I think our sales tax revenue was only 4.2 million. Um, we actually even during COVID, even before that, um, we were one of the few cities that our sales tax actually increased. And that just goes to show um just how wonderful our community is that when we are in dire times they really rally and um you know since taking office as mayor our our sales tax revenue has increased by over 50% and that is um you know phenomenal. Most cities hope to have 5% increase. And um I think that you know it's really important to try to make your town a destination to bring people here so that people can um spend their their tax dollars here and then uh that keeps property taxes low. So that's a good thing for Graham when we have bring a lot of visitors off the interstate and bring them from around our surrounding community. And I think we've been very very successful with that. And um I just want to say thank you to our legislators. I think we have some tonight. Steven Ross, who has Is he

here? Thanks, Steve. Um Amy Gaye, if you'll look to the back there, um uh and Dennis Reell, who I don't think could be with us tonight, but they have been instrumental being able as a um local legislature to work with the state legislature um to bring in money um to the state that I'll say historically Graham has never received a penny in the state budget prior to our service on this council. And um you know um Joey who's here um uh Bobby Ricky um you know we just uh Bonnie everybody here has worked really really hard for our community and um we we do it because it is a sacrifice. I mean anybody that thinks that you benefit from being on this council just has clearly never served in public office before. But um it's certainly something that uh you have to take a lot of the hits and the criticisms. Right. Right. Steve and um you just keep going and and plugging away and you know that the work that you're doing makes a difference and has um helped people and um I think that um I don't need a title to do that. that I've did that long before I ever became the mayor or ever sat on the city council 20 years ago and I will continue to do that. My love for Graham will never change. I love this city and I love our employees and just appreciate you guys giving me the honor to serve. So, thank you so much. Also,

oh, also we have this uh poinsetta for you to take with you. I hope it doesn't die while you're in Hawaii.

Come on. Thanks mom. Go get it. Good evening. At this time,

got your poinsetta. Oh, okay. At this time, I will confirm the certification of the election held on November 4th, 2025 as certified by the Alamance County Board of Elections. Votes for mayor, Chelsea Dicki, 1,363, Jennifer Thally, 1,25. Let it be confirmed that Chelsea Dicki is the duly elected mayor for a two-year term expiring December 2027. Congratulations.

Votes for council members. Bobby Chin 1,161. Jim Young 1,15. Randy Phillips 1,091. Daniel Alvis 924. Let it be confirmed that Bobby Chen and Jim Young are the duly elected council members for a 4-year term expiring December 2029. Congratulations. So, at this time, um I would ask for Chelsea and u Mr. Hunt Johnson to come forward who will administer her oath of office. Okay, he's gonna hold that,

right? Somebody hold this. I got to Right. Sorry. [laughter] We good? Yes, I think we're okay. Okay. Um um Miss Dicki, you've placed your left hand on the Bible and your right hand. Um repeat after me. I state your name. I, Chelsea Dicki, do solemnly and sincerely swear do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution and laws that I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States of the United States into the Constitutional Powers into the Constitutional Powers and authorities and authorities which are or may be established which are or may be established

the government thereof for the government thereof that I will endeavor to support that I will endeavor to support maintain and defend maintain and defend the Constitution and laws the Constitution and laws of said state of said state not inconsistent with not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States to the best of my knowledge and ability to the best of my knowledge and ability and that I will faithfully discharge and I that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office the duties of my office as mayor of Graham as mayor of Graham. So help me God. So help me God.

Congratulations too.

And at this time, if we can have um Council Member Bobby Chin come down front and the Honorable Judge Craig Turner will do his oath of office. Council member, place your left hand on the Bible. Raise your right hand. I state your name. Uh Bobby Chen. solemnly and sincerely swear do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution and laws I will support the Constitution and laws United States of the United States and the Constitutional Powers and the Constitutional Powers and authorities

and authorities which are or may be establish which are or may be established for the government thereof for the government thereof that I will endeavor to support that I will endeavor to support maintain and defend maintain and defend constitution and laws the constit Constitution and laws of said state of said state not inconsistent with not inconsistent with Constitution of the United States of the Constitution of the United States to the best of my knowledge and ability to the best of my knowledge and abilities and that I will faithfully discharge I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office the duties of my office as council member as council member help me.

So help me God. Thank you. So, at this time, we'll ask Jim Young to come forward and Representative Steven Ross will administer the oath of office. Raise your right hand. Good. Good. All right. Repeat after me. I I Jim Young. All right. Do solemnly and sincerely swear

do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution, the laws that I will support the Constitutional Laws of the United States of the United States and the Constitutional Powers and the Constitutional Powers and authorities and authorities which are or may be established which are or may be established for the government thereof for the government thereof that I will endeavor to support that I will endeavor to support maintain and defend maintain and defend the constitution and laws the constitutional laws of state of said state of North Carolina or said of said state not consistent with not consistent with the constitution of the United States the constitution of the United States

to the best of my knowledge knowledge and ability to the best of my knowledge and abilities and that I will faithfully discharge that I will faithfully dis discharge the duties of my office the duties of my office as council member as council member. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations.

Thank you. All right, let's call this meeting back to order. Um, I just wanted to take a minute and say thank you. Thank you to each of you guys. Um, y'all are the reason why we're here. Um, and I am grateful and um, incredibly honored to be up here serving you guys. Um, so thank you guys. Um, Bobby, did you want to say anything? No.

Jim,

um, just like I said in the newspaper, I just hope everybody that voted for me, I they are glad they voted for me when my term's over. If it's if it's over, sir. I want to thank appreciate everybody coming out. This is this is really cool. cuz usually I'm up here and it's planning and zoning and nobody comes. But thank you for coming. That as councilman, I'm here to serve all the residents of Graham and I will do it to the best of my abilities and knowledge and do what is best for our community. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you guys. Um okay, so now is the election of Mayor Promp. Um do I have a nomination? Madame Mayor, I'd like to nominate council member Ricky Hall to be mayor prom. Second. Wonderful. Any other recommend or nominations? Okay. Um, all in favor? I those unanimous? Thank you. Congratulations, Mayor Pro Tim Ricky Hall.

We good. So even though he was our mayor pro 10 before um new elections they have to elect. So he has to take his oath again. Yes. Well doesn't matter. It's fine. Okay. But you're opposite of them.

There you go. And I'm just going to read this out for you. Okay. So I and state your name do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States. That I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the state of North Carolina and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established for the government thereof. that I will endeavor to support, maintain, and defend the Constitution and laws of said state not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States to the best of my knowledge and ability, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as mayor pro Tim. So, help me God.

Awesome. Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. Um, next I want to invite Tracy Graasier to come forward. Um, and also congratulate Impact Alamance on 10 years. Thank you so much for being here Tracy.

Thank you. Good evening everyone. I'm Tracy Graasier. I'm the president of Impact Alamance. Uh, on this evening of transition and celebration, we'll continue in that theme. Uh, we're here because of our 10-year anniversary of funding in the community. Before I start, I just want to thank uh Mayor Tally, congratulations, Mayor Dicki, uh council members for your service and for your commitment to our community. We really appreciate the opportunity to work with all of you. So, we're celebrating 10 years of funding in Alamance County. It's hard to believe that we've been doing that. And as we have been looking back over the 10 years, we wanted to come out and to thank our municipal partners for all of the work that you all have been putting into improving your communities over the past 10 years. So when we looked back at the investment that we've made with the city of Graham, it's been about $492,000 and 11 different grants that we have funded uh over the past 10 years. Some of the most memorable include exactly what you were talking about this evening with the regional park. We made an initial investment there of $250,000 for the youth challenge course and the nature of play area. Made some additional investments there on the inclusive playground. Um most of our investments have been in the area of um parks and recreation. You have a great team here, Brian, who we really enjoy working with. We were in the same leadership alamance class by the way together many moons ago. Um, and you all have also done a great job of committing to the professional development of your of your leadership and the police and fire department. They've been really active participants in some of our programs like the leadership institute as well. So, we just want to thank you for your vision and for your passion and for your dedication to your community. None of this would be possible without all of that. and our commitment to you is that that we will continue uh looking for those opportunities to partner hopefully for the next 10 years and many

more after that. So, thank you for that. And um just as a little thank you for somewhere here in city hall or wherever you would like to put it, we had a local artist create some u these drawings for us of one investment from each of our municipal partners. So, from the county and the school system and all of our municipal partners. and we did the um a little picture of the challenge course from the regional park for to represent our partnership with the city of Graham. So, thank you. Now, I'll give that to Mayor Dicki. [clears throat] [cough] Thank you, Tracy. We are so grateful for the work that you guys are doing and we're very looking forward to future partnerships. Um, okay. Next is the consent agenda. Um, I will read them out and then we'll go from there. Um it is to approve an interlocal agreement with the city of Burlington to operate the Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption and Resource Center. Um there are very minor changes that were made to this agreement including meeting annually whether we need to or not and things like that. Um the next is to approve a resolution awarding a police badge and service arm to retired police sergeant Neil Gardner Reigns. C to approve a budget amendment for 26,000 in federal drug funds for use by the police department. D to approve a budget amendment for 25,000 for vehicle maintenance for the fire department's frontline apparatus. and E to approve the following 2026 city council meeting

dates uh at 6 p.m. January 13th, February 10th, March 10th, April 14th, May 12th, June 9th, July 14th, August 11th, September 8th, October 13th, November 10th, and December 8th. And then the final is to approve a tax release in the amount of $39321. Madame Mayor, I make a motion we approve. Second. Okay. Uh, all in favor? I I.

All oppose. Motion passes. Uh, new business. Ready. Uh, we're going to do board assignments for the council. Um, you have on your agenda what previous assignments were. Um, I've got some outline of what previous assignments and new interest were. I will read through them and then we've got a little bit of conversation to have on this. Um, appearance commission and tree board myself. Um, Graham Historical Museum. I will also take that one unless anybody else wants it. Um HRC will Jim and I will split um recreation commi commission uh Bobby Chen Economic Development and Marketing Committee um Bonnie and myself. Um Alamance Community or Alamance County Community Service Agency is Jim. Is that correct Jim? Um Alamance County Economic Development Committee. We have four members interested in this and according to open meeting laws we need to have two at a time at that meeting. Um the audit committee I will take uh PTRC we have uh council member Chen and uh Mayor Prom Hall and then the um advisory [clears throat] committee transportation advisory committee we have four members on that as well. So, I think the uh economic development committee and then the transportation advisory committee we need some edits to.

Bonnie, do you have any thoughts? Uh for which one? Any of them. Um I think all of them are nailed down except for the economic development committee and the transportation advisory committee. Okay. Who did you have for the uh Alamance County Economic Development Committee? That is myself, Ricky, um Bonnie, and Bobby.

That doesn't matter. So, who's the uh who's the main person? Uh Ricky and myself would be uh co-mains on that. Okay. Excuse me. Which committee? Uh Mr. Bony, if you can hold the comments to the end. We're talking about the economic development committee right now. Um, so we'll Can you wait just till the public comments for me, please? Are we talking about the economic development committee that meets with the uh comments chamber? Yes. So, why do we need three people for that?

It was just the interest from people. Myself and Ricky were co-leads on that and you said you expressed interest in there. I just wanted to Well, I didn't understand how you got on as co-lead when I had asked for it. So, I was just curious. We can also rotate, but three of us do not need to show up to that meeting at at one time due to open meeting laws. Well, I would like to be the alternate for the economic uh development committee. So, I still want to to be the alternate for that.

Yes. Yeah. The chamber. Yes. [clears throat] Guess we'll have to vote on it. Yeah. we've got to put something forward um for the transportation advisory committee. Um Mayor Proim is the vice chair of that already. Um and then Bobby, did you say that you were willing to step off of that one? Okay. Um and then Bonnie, you're still interested in being the alternate on that one. Yes.

Okay. Um can you take the alternate on that and I'll take the chamber? Now, I'll let you take the alternate on the transportation and I'll take the ch I'll take the economic. Okay. Let's um alternate on the chamber so that we're we're both in the room every That's too confusing. I'm not going to alternate. That's ridiculous. Okay. Yeah, we need a we need a first and a second. You know, we need a main and an alternate. That's all we need. I think alternating will get way too confusing. Okay. Um, is there another way that I am also able to have that seat at the table?

We have to vote on it. I mean, we can vote, you know.

Okay. Um, well, I will make a motion. Um, and I'm going to read all these out, but I will make a motion that um, I will be the liaison for the appearance commission and tree board Graham historical museum. Jim and myself will be on the historic resource commission. Bobby will be lead for recreation commission. I've got Bonnie Whitaker and myself down for the economic development and marketing committee. We've got Jim for the Alamance County Community Services Agency. We've got um myself and Ricky as the economic development committee for the chamber. And then al have the audit committee. PTRC will be Bobby Chin and Ricky Hall. And then Mayor Proim and Bonnie will be on the transportation advisory committee. Do I have a second? [clears throat] It's a mouthful.

I thought that uh for the Elements County Economic Development Committee, probably can use your mic. with the econ Alpha Alamance County Economic Development Committee. I thought we had Mayor Pro Tim Hall and I thought Councilman uh Whitaker was going to be the alternate and you were going to be the alternate on the transportation advisory board.

I [clears throat] also need to be in the room for the Alamance Chamber. Would you like to make a motion, Bobby? Okay. I'll make a motion that the members for the Alamance County Economic Development Committee will be represented by primary Mayor Pro Tim Hall, alternate council member Whitaker. Second. All in favor? I. Um, okay. Okay. So, that gives us May I number seven? Was that a unanimous vote or one against?

Okay. Y um Okay, that is that one. Does anybody else want to lump the rest together or do we need to do them all separate? All right, let's go through it. So, you're on the tree board. Sure. I will second that. Okay. All in favor? All right. I All opposed. All right. Number two, Graham Historical Museum. No. Who was? I Nobody else was interested in that one. I'll be happy to take that one. Okay, great. So, I make a motion that Bonnie Whitaker is the liazison for Graham Historical Museum.

Second. I. All in favor? I. That's unanimous. Megan. Um, recreation. I make a motion that Bobby Chin is the liazison for recreation commission. Skip the uh historical resource commission. Oh, you're right. Uh I make a motion that Jim Young is the lead. Chelsea is the alternate at HRC. Second. All in favor? I I recreation commission. Bobby I make a motion that Bobby Chin is the leazison for the recreation commission. Second. All in favor? I I

I make a motion that Jim Young is the leazison for Alamance County Community Services Agency. You skipped the economic development and marketing committee. Thought we already did that one. We've already voted on that one. We didn't do that one for this for the county. Yeah, we did the chamber. I'm sorry. Who? I make a motion that Bonnie Whitaker is the lead and I am the alternate for the economic development and marketing committee. Second. All in favor? I make a motion that Jim Young is the leazison for the Alamance County Community Services Agency. Second. All in favor? I.

All right. Now we're skipping the chamber one because we did that. I make a motion that I am the liaison for the audit committee. Second. All in favor? I. Um, I make a motion that council member Bobby Chin is the lead and Oh, Mayor Proim would be the mayor. Yeah, Mayor Proim is the alternate for the Pedmont Triad Regional Council. I second a motion. All in favor?

I. And then finally, I make a motion that Ricky Hall is the primary and Bonnie Whitaker is the second. You're the second. You're the second now. I'm the second now. Okay. You make the motion, Bobby. I'll make a motion for the transportation advisory board primary mayor prom hall alternate mayor Dicki. Second. All in favor? I I I All right. board.

Now I would like to open up public comment period. Do we have anybody written down or anybody that would like to speak? We have certain. Okay. Um moving on.

Can you state your name and your address, please? I am Renee Russell. I'm at 218 Ward Street in Graham.

Um, so I am I used to be on the parents commission. I was on there with you. Um, and I remember that when we got out of the main street program, there had been talks about the economic development and marketing committee. Um, and after being not being reinstated on the appearance commission, that was something I was interested in. And so, this is the first time I'm hearing about this economic development and marketing committee. And when I went on to the website, I see nothing about it. And so, I'm hoping to get some information about what that is and what has been done since there apparently was it exists.

Wonderful. I can address that. Um, we'll address it during our comments. Yeah. So, thank you for your question. We'll address it right after. Thanks, Renee. I appreciate you being here. All right. Um, city staff comments. Megan, you got anything? No, ma'am. Aaron. All right. Rene, thanks for the cake. Um, all right. City council comments. Jim, you want to kick us off? Um, yes. I do have a statement I'd like to uh read and have put in the minutes and I've got a copy for everyone.

Okay. Thanks, sir.

[laughter]

business stopping. Okay, I've had entirely too much coffee. Um, I don't, but you can have mine. Let me let me read it first. Okay. I just wanted to uh make this statement and uh and I'm as far as I'm concerned it's the this matter is done with. Um the recent [clears throat] mayoral race in Graham crossed boundaries that should never be breached in a local nonpartisan election. Our city was inundonated with in inund sorry I've had way too much coffee today was inundated with out of state money outside political influence and misleading campaign messaging designed to divide this community and sway voters that is not who we are. It's not how elections and Graham should be conducted. And I believe this behavior eroded public trust and compromised the integ integrity of our electoral process. Local elections should be decided by the residents, not activists, networks, political operatives, or donors who have never been to this city. Our request that this concern be recorded in the official public record,

and I plan to support measures that safeguard future municipal elections from similar interference. No matter the outcome, the people of Graham deserve campaigns rooted in truth, transparency, and basic decency. Moving forward, my commitment is clear. I will serve with integrity and answer to the citizens of Graham and defend the independence of our local government from outside agendas. Thank you. No, I'm sorry. Thank you, Jim. Anything else? Okay. Thanks, Bobby.

Okay. In regards to the economic development committee that we were trying to establish for the city of Graham, the problem was finding folks to volunteer

volunteer for that committee because we this is a committee that we were striving to have business folks uh res uh developers [clears throat] uh lawyer at least at least one so that we would have representatives from those who have an interest or a stake in the development of the economy of Graham. You know, is it was meant to grow our community so that we do not have to rely solely upon property tax to fund our operations. So to to have a committee that looks at economic development, you have to have individuals who have a grounding in in all the aspects associated with it. So it's one thing for some of the committees, you do not have to have a background to serve on it. But when you talk about economic development, we want to have policies and and direction to encourage businesses to come to Graham, not to disincentivize them. So that's why past two years we have not been able to convince folks to join that commission. So, it's not that we didn't want to or we're trying to hide it, but finding a we were striving to get at least five people on this committee and we have not been very successful in recruiting.

Uh, hold on one now public comments are done. Um, Megan, do you know when that is up for um asking for applications again? So we typically advertise for the um committees after the first of the year. So generally Marchish time frame. We'll push out all the vacancies we have. We put them on our website and social media and then there the application is there. So we advertise all of them that have vacancies. So we will have five seats vacant for that commission. Yeah. There have been no appointments made. So mark your calendars if you're interested in serving on that commission. But that will be launched in the spring. Correct. Okay. Thank you. Bobby, did you have anything else to add? All right. Um, Bonnie,

uh, just want to say thanks to everybody for coming out out. We really appre appreciate the big crowd to today in support of the council and the mayor and everyone. Um, I see a lot of new faces out here and I'm I'm I'm glad you guys are here. So, I want to thank the folks uh at the recck department and the folks that did the hard work on uh the park master plan. Outstanding job. Outstanding job. And I'm like, like I said before, I'm really excited about it. So, I want to tell everybody, merry Christmas. I hope you have a really great one this year. And happy new year. And uh stay safe out there. Mayor Pro Tim.

Yeah, I'd like to thank Brian and his staff for the wonderful fireworks and lighting of a tree out there. That's that's awesome. and um wish everyone a very safe and happy holiday.

Thank you. Um I would like to start off my comments by saying a huge thank you to our staff. Um thanks to all of our departments for keeping us safe, for keeping our um life moving in Graham. Um a huge thank you to Gaba for the Christmas parade this weekend, the lighting of the greens, parks and wreck. guys did an a fantastic job. Um, I would also like to add Cesco Centennial Park to the January agenda. I've been talking to some partners about funding for that. Um, and I would love to be able to have the chance to discuss that at January. Um, I'm good.

Okay. I see heads nodding. Megan, you're good. Um, I would also, um, it's come to my attention that we have not formally adopted a policy, um, to run the process and procedures of these meetings. Um, we loosely follow Robert's rules, but being able to adopt something, um, Megan gave us this book. Um, it's the UNCC School of Government suggested. Um, and so I would like to also add that to the January agenda to be able to adopt something so that these meetings are very um, efficient and also we give our staff some more guidelines. Um, so if that's okay with you guys, I would like to see that on the January agenda.

Yep. Um, and then just a big merry Christmas and thank you guys for being here. Thanks for coming and celebrating with us. Um, and we'll see you guys back in January hopefully. Um, at this time we do have to go into close session. Um, and I need a motion and a second to do that. I make a motion that we go into closed session. Second. All in favor? I mayor tally. I'm sorry, Mayor Dicki. I'll have it die hard. I apologize. Yeah. If you could please cite the statute um exception that allows us to go into close session. Yes, it's the North Carolina General Statute section 143 318.11A3.

Yes, ma'am. And and the question regarding that is, is there any specific pending litigation that is the subject of the closed meeting? No. Thank you, mayor. That is required under the law, just so you know. We're now in close sessions, correct? Okay. Yes. Thank you, guys. All right.

Okay. Sorry. Thank you so much. Hey,

how about you get cold,

dude? Good to see all the way back. You need What are you doing? Hey hun, how are you?

How you doing? Yeah. Merry Christmas to you. Yeah. Thank you. You're welcome. You're welcome. Yep. You're welcome. Stick around. Yes, ma'am.

Yes, sir. Mayor whatever you are now about the problem

and why you have

so the um the city staff has really done the negotiations back and forth, but city of Megan hasn't um paid their paid one penny towards the renovation of the um of the new wastewater treatment plant. And I just p I just signed the letter. I didn't write, you know, that's written by st and uh and voted on by council.

I present a closing meeting. Yeah, but I may not have it. Well, but the the question is they say they've ever been consulted about any of the expenses associated with those

and I think they went out and tried to get a better price or something and that's what what we gave them. So hearing a one-sided story. Okay. Well, that's why I'm asking you. Yeah. Isn't it our job to make sure we collect as taxpayers? Um, they get they get the capacity. Well, they're saying things if they don't solely based on paying for which that they supposedly have to pay you $200,000 a year under the contract you originally agreed to back in 17 and any and any any um improvement.

Yeah. And obviously we have a $84 million improvement that's required by the federal government. Talk to the attorney, but you know, we don't make council members don't make that legal inclusion. Did your letter to Me is based on council? Okay.

Is that the recommendation of our city manager? on every single one of them.

How you doing? Are you out entirely yet? Okay. He's an engineer. passing those tests are hard. People engineers

for years. clear. I have the money. local meeting their families. I didn't

see that. I can assure you. Okay.

Hey Sean, how you doing? What? No comment. No comment. No comment.

What's up? All righty. Have no idea. He is a You know,

what a bad guy.

Sure.

Heard it twice. There's a lot of people alive. There's some stuff going on. Nobody hears about Another one. got 38 years'll be

It sounds like homework. No, it was it was inappropriate outside all that kind of stuff. Yeah. And well, he was at the poll I was

Well, you also Yeah, probably not. decade. I've only ever enjoying Now, by the way, I'm sorry to go back to this with 84 million. I thought you said you got a bunch of grants and stuff for all for the improvements at the wastewater plant. 19 is what you got

and then you got some real low low interest loan or something loan. What's the 1980 was the thing that I said early on about in the state funding for infrastructure but not specifically the waste water. No, we used it for the for the new water line and then we use some for waste water treatment. Is that the new water line down uh Okay. But the 84 is alone. Is it like under a percent or something? really really

all right but you're saying they need to pay part of that their share which as I understand it if I would I looked back up without having the doc the legal documents is what I mean well I'm just all I can go by is what they say well I know but But now there's right and as I understand that y'all gave up basically 20% of the capacity. This predates you as I recall or were you on leave the regular council then lost?

Okay. Um well, and that's the question is part of the battle now because you need the capacity or is it just the money that you want them to pay there. Okay. Now, this is may or may not be related. I'm not sure because there's some sort of issue in which y'all I'm going to call it slow walks the approval for sewer at buckies. Are you familiar with that alleged controversy? Um nothing I mean I don't know my understanding is that the reason is to get

well but supposedly but supposedly the whole industrial park is a joint venture between Graham Neban and uh county right and BIES is technically in the park. It's not an industry, but it is physically in the properties that were designated share,

right? Share the revenues, share the expenses, etc., etc. Um, but I got some indication through the grape vine that y'all were slow approving the sewer setup. Okay. I mean that we don't really

who you point to those people. Okay.

And are you really going to Hawaii? Well, he said she um and did you get it all of you on your credit card? Stuff. Yeah. And was the girl who was with him tonight the fiance or No, I don't know if she was a fiance. The the significant Can I get a picture of you with your

What does it say? Sorry, I didn't mean I can finish. Yeah. How long contention this money at the place mean to start Shantel or spring or a year? urging city

but over what kind of time period? past few months or a year or I don't know that

Bob said he might give some sort of recap when he came out. He was not committ but the reason I pressed about whether there was an existing lawsuit is said they were going to file it today. So if if they did he would need to identify that but he said he was not aware of it. I haven't seen it. I just told it was going to happen. Really? No, but I just have to tell you now it's moved because you can't do anything about it one way or the other. But not always. He lost two open meetings lawsuits with us in which they relied on his advice. and they lost them both. And um secondly, I'm pleased to say they had to pay off our train. So,

well, the first time it was when they were buying um land for the what became the Springfield Park and we cited chapter and verse of an attorney general's advisory opinion that said before you go into a close session you need to identify the property property owner and purpose for which you're considering the purchase. Bob told council we raised that objection we're taking a different view and so they went on into close session without doing so and then they appealed and won some more. So that was the first one was one where we iz them from going on the first one. We did because we didn't we didn't ask for it early enough in the process and so we did and pay all $40,000 over time. I mean that's how much it cost over time. um one of the press attorneys and um and part of that was out of pocket for us and um uh but in the second one we did put in early for it and they had all but a little bit. The second one was because we criticized them for going into close session and they thought it that we were being um harassing. So they sued us for criticizing their going into close session and so which county or Burlington? Both are. Yeah. Um but in in that one the um courts ultimately ruled that you cannot retaliate like that and um they did

award us almost all the attorney fees something like 37 out of 40,000 that time. Um a lot. Yeah. Most of it. Yeah. With any penalty type thing. It's all attorney fees. Yep. No net no net gain in my pocket. Just the fact that I got back what we'd already paid out, that was nice. But

they did us wrong. They did us wrong. In that case, it also was one where they sued us. I mean, you know, we didn't have a whole lot of alternative but to defend ourselves. Um but then we uh also not sued them but we um uh engaged in you know part of the counter suit and whatnot. So anyway, um then you know we're still in spat with the county with the county attorney retaliating against us because he didn't like the story we did on the lady who drowned in the pond beside uh Jim Mina Road. And we're still engaged in discussions with about that. So he retaliated by withdrawing these surprised frankly at how many Billy Clay signs I've seen. Now, what I don't know, and I mean in yards, not just the corners and, you know, right away, but I also don't know how many of them might be Democratic yards that can't really vote in a Republican primary. I don't know people whose yards they're in to know. Huh.

Because I think it would be very logical for Democrats to put Billy Clayton signs in their yards to just show their antagonism to the sheriff. and um but they can't vote. That's speculative. They do have a candidate they're going to pull forward. I've heard who it is. Well, I think it's all they're all part and parcel in my impression. Just like tonight.

Officer Walker probably thinks it's pretty comfortable in here now. Oh yeah, take some take some home. What if I can place comfortable in here? Thank you. Am I there? Great. Uh, can I get a motion to open the session back up? Madam Mayor, we I make a motion we go back and open the session. Second. All in favor? I council.

Madame Mayor, I make I move to authorize condemnation proceedings on the following properties pertaining to the 10-in waterline replacement project. You want me to read all the Okay. No, who could? [clears throat] Now the tax map number 8895214347 8895219154 8894924 889491597 88948228 O 889481393 888 884 897006 8884-67-4800 8884675857 8884677914 888468850885804114 [clears throat] 888477 76890 8884781059 8884788 8456 8884794200 8884870813 8884880248 and 888488-5212

Do I have a Second. A second. All in favor? I. Thanks. Thanks for reading that. Okay. Um I make a motion to authorize staff to take appropriate action to resolve the ongoing dispute with the city of Meban regarding wastewater capacity and related requirements and agreements and employ outside council as necessary. Second. All in favor? All oppose. I need a motion to adjourn the meeting. Make a motion to adjurnn. All in favor? I. Thank you guys. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. You all have a great nine.