City Council - Regular Meeting

Testing, testing, testing.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thanks to the city council members and the city staff. Um, and I particularly appreciate uh Mr. Chitwood who's a member of our congregation at Lismire United Methodists. Good to be here to represent the church. Let's bow our heads and hearts together in prayer. Creator God, we gather tonight with gratitude for this community and the privilege of service. We ask for your wisdom to guide our mayor, city council, and city staff as they make decisions tonight. Let us seek unity rather than ferment division. Let us strive for servant leadership rather than framing controversy. And may we ask for guidance in making decisions that benefit all residents and protect the community's well-being. Grant us the humility to listen to one another, the courage to lead with integrity, and a focus on the common good of every citizen, especially the most vulnerable among us. May our discussions be marked by respect and our decisions bring stability, safety, and prosperity for our community. Help us to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, oh God, and we place this meeting and our community under your care. And all God's children assembled said together, "Amen." Thank you very much. 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. The first item on the agenda is going to be public comments. question need adopt agenda for this meeting.

Make a motion to adopt the agenda for meeting second. All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. I approve of the minutes of February the 10th, 2026. Council minutes. Make a motion to approve the February 10th 26 council minutes. Have a second. Second.

All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. Special presentation of February 26, honored women's history month. The proclamation is going to read like this. Whereas Women's History Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous impact women have had on our nation, communities, and families. And whereas from the nation's founding to their present, women have played a critical role in building, sustaining, and advancing our society, acting as leaders in business, education, science, and public service. And whereas we honor the trailblazers and everyday heroes who have broken barriers, barriers, I'm sorry, and fought for most just, equitable, and inclusive world. And whereas the we affirm our commitment to ensuring that the achievements of women and rec are recognized and we continue to support the empowerment of women and girls everywhere. Now therefore I may lar do hereby proclaim March 26th 2026 as women's history month. I encourage all citizens to recognize the invaluable contributions of women to our community and nation and and witness there if I have here unto send my hand this the 10th day of March 2026. Need a motion adopted.

Motion we adopt this proclamation.

Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Thank you. Unanimous. All right. Presentation of the 202425 financial statement audited by Butler. Okay, I think you all have a copy of the the finalized financial statements from June 30, 2025. Um, the audit for the June 3025 year was completed in November. Uh we submitted it to the LGC in December and they approved it in early February. There was a little backlog on their end because they extended the deadline this year to December 31st. So they were um trying to catch up. When I talked to somebody there, they said they had 200 more to review. So uh they they did approve yours in in early February though. So that's why we were scheduled for the March meeting. Um but everything was done on time this year. Um the city has met the audit requirements of the local um North Carolina general statutes and these financial statements uh fairly represent the financial status of the city as of June 30, 2025. Uh I'm just going to point out a few highlights and then if you have any questions, I'll be happy to try to answer. Um the combined assets exceeding exceeded the liabilities by 11,345,000 uh for the year. You can find that number on page six. Um the unassigned fund balance which is the amount that the city can spend uh without any kind of restrictions at June 30 total 2,514 and that number you can find on page 14. Uh again those are monies that are not restricted at all. So that's 2,500,000.

The city's general fund ended the year with net income of 1,81149. Uh you can find that on page 16. Uh the enterprise funds uh ended the year with a decrease in net position. uh and that consists of a decrease or a net loss in the water and sewer fund of 371,643 and the storm water fund had an increase or net income of 69,199. So the total combined assets of the city at June 30, 2025 amounted to 15,785309. This was an increase from the prior year of a million1161 1116. Um, so those are some of the highlights. So it was a a a good year for the city overall. Um, even though you did have a loss in the water and sewer fund and I know you've had a little bit of concern about that. So there was a loss there. Um, but overall the audit went very well. We didn't have any trouble getting any information this year. the staff was very um good about getting us the information that we needed. Uh so I appreciate um city manager and the staff working with us to get everything done timely this year.

Any kind of questions? What did you say the total uh cash value of the city? You said 15 million. Is that the cash value or is that just the um that's your total assets. So that would include cash, um, property, equipment, uh, receivables, anything like that. 15,785. The total cash on hand at the end of the audit, I mean at the end of the budget year.

Yeah, the cash on hand. Um, if you go to page 12, you will see um, exhibit one, you'll see you've got you head over It's close to 9 million. If you look at the first item, it says cash and cash equivalents of 3,626271 and then you had restricted cash of 5,442882. So you'd have to add those two numbers together. Uh so a little over 9 million in t in cash at June 30, 2025. Not the you know this is the what what's the what's our cash availability now in this month of uh March ended in February.

I get that information for you tomorrow for don't have it tonight. I don't have it tonight. We don't have a financial statement tonight. The fine statement is in the packet. Yes. Should not be in there as far as how much money we have. Well, this was this was printed last week. So it's not going to be up to the actual today. The month ends at February the 28th, correct? This is March the 10th. Yeah, but I don't have I don't have it as the exact day as of today, but I can I can certainly get that for you.

You know, we're in a peak time getting their money coming in, you know, from tax and things like that. But, uh, overall, we're you said we're we're not we're doing pretty good other than the water and sewer had a little little hiccup. But, yes, overall, you know, you ended the year with 1.8 8 million uh net income. So that's a pretty good pretty good year even though the water and sewer fund had a decrease. Why are we just now getting this the book that you give that you give us tonight? What should we had this prior to the meeting? Well, um we have to wait on the LGC to approve it. So once they approve it, we usually run it uh and then we normally just bring it to the meeting. You get that online and it is online now too. Yeah,

it's been online since probably a little after probably in February when they approved it, they usually go ahead and post it. I mean, you brought the hard copy tonight and I like the hard copy. I don't like I mean, you you take the time, but I work all the time, but this hard copy, it would be nice to have it prior to our meeting. It's like we get to put this off to our next meeting. It's already it's already been approved by the local government. Yeah, we can't present it until it's been approved by the LGC, but it been good to have have in front of us. But I understand, you know, going online, that's that's okay. I just like to look at all the figures and things passed with audits and things like that before you set a budget. It's the most important tool we have in the book is the audit itself. Any questions from the council?

I got a couple things I'd like to run through. If you look at page 61, which is the schedule of revenues and expenditures, I just want to make sure I'm I'm right on this. I think so. But so if you look at our revenues for the abalorum taxes, we budgeted 2.546, but we actually took in 2.525. Is that correct? That's right. And then uh unrestricted which is the local sales tax, utility franchise, beer, wine tax, court cost. We budgeted 1.349, took in 1.645. Yes.

So the 300,000 increase. Same with all those. I mean it's the uh I'm assuming the same on the schedule of revenues on the next page for the expenditure. So, general government were budgeted 2.5 but only spent 2.399. That's correct. Mhm. Public safety budgeted 1.5, spent 1.344.

Mhm. And then the uh you look at page 67 that year funds. I'm assuming that's the $2 million for the that was the money from the for the demolition demolition. Demolition.

So you'll see there's 32,514 left in that fund. Yeah. And one big one that caught me is page 68. So for the water sewer, we budgeted 3.629, 629, but the actual was 1.796.

Yes.

Of course, our expenditures, we budgeted three and only expended 1.4, which kind of match up a little better, but Right. Okay. I don't

see how it can be that far out of kil. It's budgeting $3.6 million for water and sewer revenue and only taking in 1.8. And how how much would that be per month? That' be about And then for me, the last one on page 73. So our tax levy, which I'm saying we seem to be pretty damn close on that one, I'm I'm guessing. So, uh, our collection rates 99 pretty much 99%.

Mhm. It is. So, our actual take in was 2.518. That's right. Okay. That's all That's all I have. I don't see how the how the expenditure and the revenue for the water and sewer could be that that much out of kilter. How how can that be? May have been budgeted for one of the projects or something that didn't I'm not sure.

That's what I was wondering if maybe there was a large grant or something that you maybe thought you might be getting um that didn't come through. thinking that may be part of the sewer plant that didn't we didn't get through that year. But

as far as water loss and things like that, we all know we have a water loss every month. As far as how much water we're losing, not being, you know, going through getting paid for it never makes it to the billing cycle as water we're losing. Overall though, the general opinion of the local government commission gives us about 103, right? Got a got I got an outstanding grade. You did? Yep. Everything was great. That's good. That's all you can ask for. That's right. Get that 103. That's right. We thank you. Did anyone else have any questions? Looks like we're in business. That's good. Well, thank you for allowing us to be the auditor for city of L. We appreciate it.

Thank you. We appreciate it. Thank you. So if you look at page 71, I think that kind of explains that I think we the sewer improvement project we looks like we may have tried to budget 1.9 but only took in about how much we actual current year was 41. So that may be where some of that 1.8 8 kind of page 71 I don't know what I don't know what we could have budgeted you you remember

I'm saying I think if I'm you know I think that's it 1.9 that we that's how much we thought we would expend that year and we haven't made it that far yet any any other questions on on the audit from anyone. Thank you. Uh let's go ahead and move forward and get on this consent agenda. Get a motion to approve that. We need a motion to approve the consent consent agenda. Any changes in the consent agenda? I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Thank you. I have a second. Second.

Any discussion? All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. new business in order. We had to set a public hearing for article 8 text amendment. When would y'all like to set this? Um, no, we need to go into we need to go into public hearing. Oh, I'm sorry, Larry Oaks. I'm sorry. Yeah, we need to go into public hearing. Yeah, we need to open the public hearing now for the Lowry Oaks development agreement. We're now in public hearing for Lowry Oak subdivision. Anyone have any comments on the Larry Oak subdivision? Need a motion to go in public hearing. Mayor can do that. Need a mo make a motion we go into public hearing development. Second. Second.

All in favor. Thank you. Just trying to save time. That's all right. All right. So, we're in public hearing now. Tyler, you can take the ball and run with this. Nobody wishes to speak. We can close the public hearing and go for approval. That's true. We have to give an opportunity. Does anyone have any any comments on the public hearing for Lowry subdivision? There being none, we can move forward on with taking action. Make a motion to go out of public hearing. Second. Second. All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. All right. So, go ahead, Tom. Okay. You want to adopt it as written?

Yeah. Yeah. We want to we want we need we just need a motion to adopt the development agreement for Lowry uh Oak subdivision as written. Okay. I have a motion. Make a motion we adopt this. Say it again. Um, adopt the I make a motion we adopt the the development agreement for I got a motion. I have a second. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. All right. Next thing be the city manager report. I got I got one more thing. I got I need I need to set a public hearing

um for a article 8 text amendment. I'll just briefly go over what this is going to do um and where this is actually located. So, um, we received a request, uh, the well, actually the request is to consider, uh, proposed text amendment to the city of L's development ordinance, article 8, table 8.1, table of use, section one, general uses, to add the following uses to the MU2 district. Motorcycle sales, new and used, uh, parts and service, and recreational vehicle sales, new and used. this this um request is to add this as a listed use in the MU2 uh district. So after uh the planning staff uh has reviewed this along with the planning board, it was discovered that there are several uses that needed to be added to the MU2 uh mixeduse district that would increase economic development potential for the city of LOL. Um the uses as mentioned above which are the motorcycle sales uh and recreational vehicle sales um would be added to this table of use. The proposed change would maintain the focus of the goals and objectives adopted in the comprehensive land use plan and in summary um the city of law development ordinance provides for this amendment uh supplements or changes to the zoning uh ordinance text and zoning district lines and designations. The proposed change would not adversely impact the overall standards and regulations currently in place but provide future economic development for this uh opportunity. So basically what what we're asking for is to add uh motorcycle sales and RV sales to the MU2 district. List that as a listed use because the uh former Indian motorcycle dealership has gone out of business. Um, and right now the group

that wants to move in there is a camper uh a camper sales business that's going to sell Airstream. So, they will be allowed to operate um they will be able to operate out of the Indian Motorcycle Shop under a legal nonconformity. However, there's a there's a parcel right beside there. It's a vacant parcel that currently falls under the MU2 zoning district that does not allow that um currently, but they want to build a prep shop there so they can prep the campers before they sell them. So, in order to make this happen, um we would need to add this as a listed use uh under our table of uses.

How how much land space Indian land how much land space was there total? I think about two acres. And the property beside of you're speaking about how big is that parcel? Um I think I think Shane's 1.18 1.1 is the partial. Yeah. Nothing's nothing's on that property. Nothing's on that property this time. Not currently. Not. So you're just wanting to set a public hearing, right? I'd like to set a public hearing for April 14th, 2026 at 6:00. Need a motion to set this public hearing for April what? April 14th, 2026 at 6:00. Make a motion we set a public hearing. Okay. on April the 14th at 66 6 p.m. Thank you. Have a second. Thank you. Have a second.

Second. Have a second. Any discussion? I'd just like to note I mean nothing major but you know if this change is made it's made to all MU2s which there's not a lot of MU2. How many how many areas do we have with MU2? Where are they? We've got we've got about eight to uh eight to 10 areas and I can I've made a list right here. I can read them all.

Go ahead. Uh we have two parcels on L Road. Uh one on Oakland Drive, the Reed Street area, uh Ford Drive extension, which is currently occup will be occupied by the uh Willow Creek town homes. Um Ash Street and Highway 7, which is um slated to be an industrial flex space. Um and one additional one on so three on L Road, but that's that's all I've got written down off here. And I've got that off of our zoning map. And Shane, if you point out any Yeah. And the front of those are off of off the same exit. Just the opposite corner is probably about, you know, I don't know. I'd say six or eight of those parals, which is all business. Yeah.

For the most part. Who who actually owns the Indian. Who owns the property there for the Indian motorcycle place? Uh, airtime. Air time. Okay. And it's just going to be a lease place is what this is, correct? Yeah. They're going to do a a string campers. All right. We got a motion second to uh have this public hearing set. Any more discussion? All in favor? Thank you. Anything else on on from on that? All right, Tyler, if you want to take off, city manager.

Yep. I just got uh just got one thing here for us. Um just obviously want to thank everybody here. Thank the council for what they did last week at the budget retreat. I think went really well. Um, thank the staff for everything that they're doing. Um, but just want to make everybody aware that the next budget retreat will be on April 17th uh at 12:00 here at city hall. So, April 17th, 12:00 at city hall. Um, that's where we'll kind of try to finalize um kind of where we want to be with this with this upcoming budget. Um, but I think so far we've had two budget retreats so far and I think they've been very productive. uh um council and you know we're we're I think we're making really good progress on kind of where we want to be. Um and again thank everybody at city hall, police, public works, recreation. Um thank you for everything that y'all are doing.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Turney. I don't have anything to say. Mayor Mr. Robinson, I don't have anything. Mr. Bates, I have nothing. Mr. Chitwood, I have nothing.

Mr. I got just very brief things. Um I've seen the some complaints about the graffiti at the Masonic Lodge that is already being in the process being take care of. Uh the homeless camp on Ryan Oakland is in county uh county's district and our police department is working with the county to find a solution to take care of that homeless camp on Ryan Oakland um currently and uh we are still working on the parking lot beside the boys club getting that fixed and ready to go or the rec center. I apologize. cuz I'm used to calling at the boys.

Yeah. And I can just kind of just add one thing about the one on Ryan Oakland. Um the police were out there today and they've been out there previously. They that property should be cleaned up. Carl, correct me if I'm wrong, by no later than lunchtime tomorrow. That's correct. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. We've been working with county staff and our police been working to get that resolved. So, yeah. And thank you uh staff and admins for all you do. That's it. Mr. Leman

just want to say I'm happy to receive a commendation from the state of North Carolina from the governor says congratulation your election of city council member being a public service a special calling these days for a host of reason too many people are disillusioned with their government by delivering for the people however we can restore people's trust to that government and working for them after a year serving as governor North Carolina I wake up motivated every day by the people I've met, by the hard work they are undertaking to build better futures and to care for their neighbors. And my hope is that you and your council will do the same. I am pleased to be your partner in the work improving the lives of people of our state. If there is anything my office can do to support you in office, please do not hesitate to let us know. Sincerely, Josh Stein, Governor, state of North Carolina. And the reason I read that is because we read one from Tim Moore when I first got elected. And the point is when we go into doing things for our city, it's always good to have allies whether it's from Tim Moore or or Josh Stein or the legislature. So I'm just proud that they know that we're here. Thank you.

Thank you. I um under my reports uh I had several citizens call on Moose Street the cut through traffic and after we paid the street they used it for a little reasonway racetrack through there and they requested at least two speeds on that road to slow the traffic down because there's a enormous amount of children that one family there that has like six children and they're concerned about you know someone getting around over by a vehicle and I think it's a good idea to uh put that on Uh maybe you can do a study on it. Report back to us at the next meeting, Tyler, and give us a study on that. Road was that Mar Moose Street right there and coming off Redbub.

I would say I think half of that street is not in the city of law. Half of it is the half that is that may warrant one street. The lady's got six children. She's a little Oh, I understand. I mean, I'm not I mean, she But I'm just saying that'd be good though. If they just put one, that'd be good. I'm just saying but two would be great.

Yeah. And that that is a cut through down there as we all know. Another thing that brought to my attention on March the 29th is going to be National Vietnam Veterans Day. So I didn't have anything prepared tonight. We I just found out about about 5:00. But we do need to have some type of recogn vote to recognize. We can do that now. I guess just to recognize National Vietnam Veterans Day, but we don't really need a proclamation. We just acknowledge it. Correct. without a proclamation. Just have a vote to acknowledge that we understand that there is going to be a national veterans day and we have veterans here in war that served in Vietnam. It would have been nice to know it earlier if I didn't find out about the 505. Is that is that appropriate? Uh, Mr. Attorney,

it's up to the council want to make a just to recognize that that is ceremonial vote. They can do that if that's if that's appropriate. Anyone like to make that motion to recognize National U Vietnam Veterans Day from the city? I'll make a motion to recognize National Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29th. Thank you. I have a second. Second. Any discussion?

All in favor? Thank you. And let's see here. Oh, yeah. the uh Tyler whenever we visited down at the uh Loyal Recreation Center and uh we acknowledge that there is a problem in there with with mold in that building. So, how how do what do we your recommendation leadership? How are we going to alleviate this? I mean, we got people in there playing sports every day. I never said it had mold in there. What did you say?

I said it could have mold in there. I I did say it had mold. I'm not a mold expert. So, Then the council needs to direct you to get information as to whether we have it or not after what you and I seen today and and then the Raptors and stuff. But we just need to have a motion from the council to have it investigated because that's that's terrible. We'd let families go out there and and run up down the basketball court and then we open the door the mole knocks you down. But it would have it would be good to just have you have it investigated and take care of it. We should have had it should have been investigated before but it's not our you know this is not our deal. But the previous council whenever they bought it, they should have had everything checked out and investigated. It's like when you had the water leak down there for so long with the roof and now you you witnessed the floors where they put in the floors down there today at the doorways. There there's water coming in there. There's holes in the floor. You witnessed that, correct?

Yeah, but that we didn't fix that part. We only fixed certain areas. What you mean you fixed the floor? You paid them $25,000. That's part of the floor. Yeah, we did. But we did not fix the entire floor. But we only fixed certain areas where that were damaged. So you didn't you didn't figure figure fixing the doorway entrances coming into the gym from the side. We didn't figure fixing the the floors there. We paid $25,000. I believe that's how much it was. And I talked with you about this. I said, "Before you pay them, make sure this is corrected." It wasn't. They got paid anyway. They fix what we we contracted them to fix. You You think we have a problem there at the doorways? There's not there's no water getting in currently.

I don't know. I just I just don't see how we can sit back and let it you know, we got children out there playing and families playing pickle ball and mold in the air and moles on the ceiling, mold on the walls. It should be taken care of. At least at least get an expert to go out there and tell us. Is that is that wrong for the board not to to instruct pilot to have have someone check it? Is that appropriate? I mean, I think if we got mold in there, then we do need to check it out. If we don't have mold in there, then

I went down there Friday. Um, there was a a minute amount of mold at the back door in the gym and there was a I'm assuming it's mold. I don't even know if it's mold because it's painted over. I'm not saying it's mold. and a very small spot in the front left office, I guess you would call it, on the wall. It's worth looking into, see what it is, but it's not We need to have somebody We're not talking about the whole entire gymnasium just being molded as it's being put out to be. It's not being put out to be. You don't need a a motion to do anything. Just do it. Direction. Direction.

Yeah. Just report back to us next meeting. let you know what you find out from an expert on water problems or mold problems or whatever you want to call it. But when you open the doors in the morning, the smell knocks you down. Oh, but anyway, take care of that. I appreciate it. Let's get something done in the right way. And also, Tyler, you are you taking bids on fing the uh parking beside of the uh rec center? You still got bids coming in?

Yes. So what we're going to So what we're going to have well my what my recommendation is for that is to go to continue with the graveling of the lot. However, upon further looking what we think we what we're the initial plan that we had was to create one drive coming into Boulevard. Well, after we had got the folks out there and everything and we we were thinking long term, what we're thinking is is that just by creating one drive off of Roguson to turn in there, there will still be a the ditch line will still be in there. So, what we're thinking now, what we what we should have done initially was go ahead and have a instead of having a short culvert pipe and having a one drive way in, there's a culvert pipe at the stop sign at Roguson and North Main. So, what what we're going to do now, what we're going to propose now is go back, cancel the bids, go back and say, "Hey, we want to extend the current culvert pipe that goes from Roguson North Main down Roguson." They're they would extend the culvert pipe there. And then what we would do is level all that to come flush with the uh asphalt there. So we'll have multiple access points to come in instead of one short driveway entrance.

So that's that's what you're going to go out take bids on the whole thing. Correct. And have it re go out and rebid it. Correct. That's good. And just like prior, you didn't tell the council that you had the city employees lined up to fix the ditch line. They didn't know anything about that. I'm sure they didn't. And then they went ahead, you know, approved the bids at your recommendations the last council meeting and come find out. Our city employees are going to be doing a lot of work out there. But now now it's going to be all it's going to be done by the contractor. Correct. The ditch line, the whole parking area. That's correct. Okay, that's good. And that way you can send it out for bid and have the bid up for the next meeting. That's all that's all I have any. Okay, we just need a motion to adjourn.

Make a motion we adjourn. Second. Second. All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Save money.