City Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome to the U meeting. I'll go back here.

Welcome to the meeting of the Morganington City Council. Um, this was to be our February 2nd meeting, but because of the weather, we had to come into the 9th and we got a good turnout tonight. So, that's really, really good. Um, let me introduce um the council. To my right is Chris Jernigan and Keith Riggsby who is our city attorney, Wendy Ko, mayor prom, Sally Sandy, city manager, Butch McWain, councilman, and Molly McCay, councilwoman. And I'd like to recognize Renee Carwell as the city clerk and Jesse Lman as the assistant city clerk. And our interpreters tonight are Tiff Tiffany Patterson and Ernest William IV.

And you may want to tell him Ronnie's not here. Oh, the reason that I am here in this position is that Ronnie Thompson is out of town and couldn't be here tonight when the dates were changed. I would uh do we have anybody here for public comments? Renee. Okay. Uh Chris, would you lead us in the pledge of allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Tonight, Keith Bowman will give our invocation.

Apologies, I'm not Pastor Logan, but what I have to do, I just pray. Lord God, uh I humbly approach you as uh a prayer to request for your favor and provision. Uh Lord, you've truly blessed us. Um I pray that we never take that for granted. We're here. We're upright. We're breathing. And Lord, we're very thankful for that. I pray that you show your favor in the decision- making. Lord, I pray that your hand is upon uh each person here, all those that are making the decisions. And Lord, I pray that it's selfless. I pray that it's uh it's thought as in being a servant for you, Lord, and just uh everything that we approach uh daily that you are priority in our life. and Lord that we allow you to just work in our hearts and um just let us display the love that you do. I am very thankful for your love and grace and mercy that you show us each and every day. And Lord, we live in a a place where we're free to do a lot of things and we're very thankful for that. And I just pray for this city and um I pray that those that live here and those that visit here, Lord, that they're always protected and they're safe. And Lord, I just pray that we always keep in mind that uh your scripture says that uh the grass withers and the flowers fade. And Lord, but your word stands forever. And I just pray that we always keep that in mind that the things of this world are temporary. And Lord, that they are um they will fade away at one at some point, Lord. And I just pray that we lean on your word and um your love again that uh that guides us each and every day. I just thank you for everything that you do for us. Amen.

Amen.

Um as is our uh as we do every year is we recognize our citizens who have um been with us uh for a long period of time. And tonight I would like to recognize Jeff Beachch for his 25 years of service as a concrete finisher in the streets in public works. Jeff could not be with us tonight but we wanted to recognize him. Also, we um have a resolution honoring um Tammy Kilpatrick, who is retiring from the city of Morgan. Again, she could not be here tonight, but I would like to read the resolution. Whereas Tammy Kirkpatre joined the city of Morgan as an accounting manager in the finance department on March 1st, 2001. And whereas Tammy Kirkpatre has faithfully served and given of her time and effort for the citizens of the city of Morganington for over 24 years. And whereas Tammy Kirkpatre retired from the city of Morgan as a member of the accounting division in the finance department on January 2nd, 2026. And whereas the Morganington City Council wishes to officially recognize the contributions of Tammy Kirkpatre and express their appreciation for a job well done. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city of Morganton that the mayor presents this resolution to Tammy Kirkpatre in recognition of her dedicated service and lasting contributions to the city of Morgan. Adopted this 9th day of February, 2026. signed Ronnie Thompson, mayor and Sally Sandy, city manager.

And we need a motion. I will make a motion to accept that resolution. Do I have I'll second it. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. All opposed. Okay. Under public advocacy, can I start by thanking everyone? Yes.

Can I interrupt you? So before we get into the items listed in the agenda, I just want to say very heartfelt thanks to all the city employees and and the folks who prepared for both storms, the ice storm and the snowstorm who who spent a lot of time getting our ducks in a row ready to respond to what we had. And that goes across every single department. There was no one untouched by it. Um would like to give extra shout out to public works. Um and and we had some citizens here tonight who have come to let us know what a monumental job was done in getting our streets cleared and and our sidewalks and getting us able to to to use our community again and also to distribution and collection and water resources. Uh cold weather is not good for those guys and they they battled quite a few water breaks in in the cold weather. Um, electric must have held their nose just right this time because we didn't get that freezing rain and we are grateful for that and um, a big shout out to everyone.

Absolutely. Well, it is my pleasure to um, recognize the fact that our own Sally Sandy um, received the recognition 2026. And if you'll tell me those those letters. North Carolina North Carolina City and County Management Association local government manager of the year. So um at this point in time I'd like to recognize Sally for that effort and and it is my understanding Sally that this only began about five years ago that they started uh doing the recognition um for this managers. So

that that is true. This is the first year that I think they divide it into the small cities and the large cities and anything 10,000 or above is considered a large city. Wow. So, yeah. Fantastic. Very proud. There are like 200 cities in North Carolina that have under 10,000 population. Wendy, can I say a couple things? Of course. Thank you. So, I um this this process was um a little tedious. Um Sally and I were were going to attend this this conference and um I received um the email that said, you know, please nominate if you have someone. And immediately

the staff that I gathered around, we immediately thought there's probably nobody in the state that's more um deserving than than than this award. So we we kind of Sally said we were all scheming and that kind of thing, but we were not. We were following process and so we had kept it secret and we we put some stuff in and and Miss Ko wrote a letter and several others and um we knew about this for about a month and so trying to keep it secret. Um of course the weather didn't participate with us very well because Sally said, "Rob, you know, the weather's getting bad. maybe we shouldn't go. And I said, Sally, this is my first one. I really would like to go. So then it came, well, we we'll condense it and shorten it. And I said, well, okay, as long as we can go to the lunchon on Thursday, because I think that would be, you know, it's kind of a formal thing. And and so trying to to and then I had her husband lined up to uh to go. And of course, she shot that down. He didn't have no business going. So So it was a series of events that took place to to keep this secretive. And uh but we pulled it off. Um so um but uh I can't think of anybody more fitting that deserved this. And I want to read something part of the the the the letter that we sent in. The staff and I we all got together and all kind of took put our minds together. So I'm just going to read a little bit of this. Um, with 30 years of local government experience, Sally brings depth of knowledge and perspective to her role that instills confidence throughout the organization and supports continued growth at every level. She serves not only as a leader, but also as a counselor, a mentor to staff and colleagues. I added the counselor part

because I need some every now and then. Um, Sally engages in complex discussions regarding a $300 million master plan with state and federal representatives while also speaking with compassion and clarity to a local family devastated by the loss of their home from a hurricane. This balance reflects her servant leadership and her belief that effective local government can and should improve the lives of the people it serves. And I think that doesn't sum up all of her life,

but a lot of it. And I say uh with along all of my other employees and everybody listening listening at home, um welld deserved. Thank you. Amen. I think we can do it. See, y'all know I don't do this well. Oh Lord.

Wasn't expecting that either, huh? No, they really surprised me. And when Joe Sandy said, "I think I'm going to go to the meeting with you." I said, "What for? You're going to sit in a hotel room? That's dumb." That's what she said. Anyway, thank you. Thank you very much. Do I get to say something? You do. You do. Wait. I'm sorry. You want this? Let's come here. We're good at this, aren't we? I'm not very good at this.

Okay. So, do I say it here or there? I don't know what I do. Um, so first of all, they really did surprise me. Second of all, this belongs to an awful lot of people. I also cry a lot in public for those of you who aren't here at a lot of our meetings, retirements, all kinds of things. Um, yesterday was my 33rd anniversary with the city of Morgan.

I started here 33 years ago as the finance director and in 1998 became the manager and when my husband and I moved here in 1993, we said, "Well, we're going to live here for 5 years and be gone." So, that plan did not work um because we are still here. This really was earned by former mayor Mel Cohen who had the guts to um take a chance and let me do this and encourage me to do this to city councils and they've been great and folks who have been very supportive uh to a staff second to none employees that I can't possibly say enough good about every single day. They are the ones that make this community work. They're the ones that in the last two weeks went above and beyond to make sure that our lives were easier um to my family because they have supported me a lot. So, this really was earned by a whole lot of people, not just me. But I'm awfully proud and thankful that I've had the opportunity to be here this long and to continue to serve our community. So, and that's it because I can't say anything else. Thank you. And thank you, Rob. By the way, they didn't give me any of that information, so thank you. Um uh also I'd like to uh recognize the fact that we have a proclamation for 2026 Black History Month. Um Alisa Connley will be accepting it, but I'd like to read the proclamation, please.

Whereas noted historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson announced the second week of February as Negro History Week in 1926 in order to increase public awareness and appreciation of the important role that African-Americans have played in shaping America's history. And whereas the United States government officially recognized Negro History Week in 1976 as part of the US bicesentennial expanding it to Black History Month. And whereas America is a melting pot of cultures and ethnosticities, all part of the land of the free, Black History Month fosters cultural awareness and understanding while encouraging education about contributions made by Americans of color. And whereas the contributions and partnerships of African-Americans have been vital to the growth and development of the city of Morgan. And whereas the theme for the Burke County NAACP for Black History Month is our time is now. The Burke County NAACP was chartered on February 11th, 1935. Now therefore, I, Wendy Ko, Mayor Prom of the City of Morgan, on behalf of the Morgan City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2026 as Black History Month and encourage the local citizenry to participate in the Black History Festival on February 28th, 2026. proclaimed this the 9inth day of February, 2026, and it is signed by Ronnie Thompson, the mayor, and Renee Carwell, city clerk. And Molly will present the proclamation.

It's certainly my pleasure to be the one to hand this to you in recognition of all the important contributions of the local chapter of the NAACP and all the hard work that you do on their behalf. Thank you for your efforts. Thank you. Good evening to everyone here tonight and good evening to the honorable mayor Ronnie Thompson in his absence to Mayor Pro Tim Wendy Kato to each of you Morgan City Council and to everyone in attendance tonight. It is an honor to accept this Black History Proclamation on behalf of the NAACP Burke County and the community. February 2026 marks the 100year anniversary of the recognition of black history in the United States. That is 100 years of excellence, community, and history. Dr. Carter G. Woodson's vision in 1926 was to integrate black history into American history. To integrate that history into the educational curriculum, public libraries, churches, and communities. Dr. Woodson bought attention to the unnoticed, the unreported, and the all too often unrecorded contributions that African-Americans had made in our country. Our theme this year is our time is now. Black History Month is a time to recommmit, to reflect, and it is a call to action. City of Morgan, it is our time to work

together in community to continue building a city where every person is valued. A city without barriers, where real change happens and where justice is not promised, but it is delivered. You are invited to come out and join with us on February the 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm at College Street Recreation Center where we proclaim, we honor, and we remember the contributions and the legacies of those who helped to build our nation. Those who fought against injustices to secure opportunity for all citizens. those who advocated the cause of civil rights and those who strengthen our families and our communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Prom. If I could just a moment, I' I'd like to point out for anybody that didn't notice the date in the proclamation, this unit is 91 years old. It was one of the first chartered in North Carolina, and we're proud of of of that. fact and I think it's really shines well of our community also and thank you President Connley.

Next um I'd like to make the announcement that we will hold a city council workshop on Friday, February 27th at 8:15 beginning at 8:15 and will end at 4:00 at the Morgington Community House and various other locations. Upcoming events Art in the Hall. February and March 2026 features Robert Patton's American flag assemblage, a special flag display to launch a year-long series of displays celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary. The display serves as a sampling of more than 20 revolutionary uh era flags from Robert Patton's personal collection. Mr. Patton represents the Historic Burke Foundation, Colonel Alexander Irwin Chapter, Sons of the American Resolution, and the American 250 North Carolina Burke Committee. Also, the American Red Cross blood drive will take place on Thursday, February 5th from 9:8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the council chambers here at city hall. And this is open to the public. There will be a winter popup market Saturday, February 14th at 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on 111 North Green Street. Parks and Recreation, baseball, and softball registrations are online and is now open through February 18th. Bethl Park update. Brian, are you here for that? Everybody's waiting waiting to hear this.

Sure they are. Um and thank good evening council uh city manager I did want to say backing up to baseball softball again this year the top of meadows is not open yet so uh we will be all of that will be played

still at is still still at Shuy Park and Jean Turner we made it work last year with I think we had 368 370 kids so it was uh it's not easy but we made it work. We'll be doing that again this year and then hopefully next spring we'll be able to to be back in our at Kataba Meadows. Also, another bit of good news, our playground that was approved uh a few months ago uh for Drexal Heritage Park was delivered uh today and they have begun installation. So hopefully in the next two weeks that playground will be completed and um and ready for for people of the community. And with uh regards to Bethl Park, we are we're very close uh for the interior of the park. Uh thanks to Wildlands and Baker Grading, uh the the interior of the park, the streams stream work has been completed, the bridges have been set and uh are able to be driven on at this moment. the the final pieces of that. Uh we've electric the electric department has a little bit of work to to finish up. We we have some finish grading that will need to be done inside the park. And at that point, we can we've got a little bit of signage and u some other safety measures we'll put in the park, ballards and and uh some other things like that to keep people out of certain areas. The we've it it's still currently closed. We've still still got people walking around in there and driving trying to drive across the bridges. But, uh, but we're very close. The once we get those those pieces finished up, we're hoping in the next weeks um hopefully not months, weeks to be able to have the interior of the park open. Uh that's uh a new dog

park, eight pickle ball courts, a footel court, uh some resting benches with shade, and a new playground. So that's it's very close. And walking track

and a walking track. The the walking track is is approximately a half a mile. So it's due to the some of the stream work that had to be done. It was originally about 3/4 of a mile, but it'll be half a mile. And uh the the the final piece of of the whole project are the bathrooms. We that part we we will open before the new bathrooms are done. We'll still have the the bathrooms up on the hill. We're working on cleaning those and and and maybe freshening those up a little bit, but we'll add some new bathrooms to the the large park parking lot area uh that will be uh ADA accessible and you just will be able to come in uh leave the restrooms, go into the park. you don't have to climb the hill to to go to the bathroom. And uh those uh we have until late late fall to get that part of the project done, but we will open before before the those bathrooms have been started. But uh again, we are we're very close to to Bethl Park being opened. And to finish up, we do have a video to show uh some of the progress that has taken place at the park that Janelle and and Chad Metford uh did for us. So Chad, if you want to go ahead.

Heat. Heat. Nice. You guys have any other questions about Bethl before we

Thank you for all your hard work. Absolutely. It wasn't just me. It was a team effort. There's some in this room and some that aren't, but uh it it has been it's it's been fun. Um and uh the last thing uh is uh at KMA on Friday, February the 20th at 7:30. Sir K Flip Fabri, it's called Blizzard. I can I can recognize that one. Blizzard. And so, um, if you haven't gotten your tickets, please go ahead and get your tickets then. Now, Sally, is there anything on the municipal power agency?

Uh, nothing, but rate committee is meeting to get budget numbers together. Okay. Next is our consent agenda. Um, all items below are considered to be routine. So, um, Sally will go over them and if should any of the council want anything removed after she goes over it, that would be the time that we do that.

So, three separate items. For those of you viewing at home, it is minutes from our January 5th meeting. uh the approval of the 2026 downtown calendar of events and the associated ordinance that schedules the temporary street closures involved in that. And then setting the date for advertisement of unpaid real estate taxes and that date would be March the 7th, 2026. And that is required by law by North Carolina law and that's it. Does anybody wish to have any of the agenda items removed? If not, I'll need a motion to accept the consent agenda. So move. Second.

Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Okay. Now we go into new business. Okay. Okay. The first item is the consideration of approval of a resolution and ordinance amending certain downtown parking. Oh, we got to do the public hearing. Oh, I'm sorry. First, sorry. Sorry. Yeah, that's okay.

Okay. I'm going to be opening up a public hearing for the consideration of a request submitted by Robert Bigalow to reszone 6.15 acres located at 595 Cosby Road. Public hearing is open.

And Madame Mayor Pro Tim, if I may, I'd like to place on the record the fact that my husband, Peter Wallace, serves on the planning and zoning commission that previously reviewed this application. Uh I personally, and neither he nor I have any personal or financial interest in this property. So my putting this on the record is merely to make it an effort at transparency. I do not feel that there is a conflict of interest that precludes my participation in this um hearing and decision. Thank you, Molly. Okay, Wendy.

Yes, thank you. Um so, as um Wendy said, this is an application to reszone. It's a 6.15 acre parcel recorded as 595 um Cosby Road. Chad, if you can go to my screen maybe. Okay. Um so, you can see the location there. It's located immediately adjacent to the I40 and Cosby Road exit 98 um westbound exit ramp on there. Um property is currently zoned exclusive industrial district with a phase 2 storm water overlay. Um the lot is currently vacant and undeveloped. So the property well the properties around it to the east and north are owned by the city of Morington. You can see they are vacant as well. They are also in zone EID as is the land across Cosby Road and sort of to the north there. Um, this strip that is in the yellow is zoned MID and is currently developed with single family housing there and then obviously you have I40 to the south of it. Access to the site would be off of Cosby Road. That's a NC do road. So, they're going to make the decision about where that access is and how that functions. Um, the site has the potential to access water and sewer um and electric services all from the city, but they are not quite at the site yet. Um, the exclusive industrial district is established to provide for manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, utility, and similar uses. and it does not allow for non-industrial development because it's trying to preserve land for that heavier industrial development. The highintensity district that of which they're requesting to reszone it to is established to accommodate highdensity residential and a wide variety of civic institutional retail service office

basically commercial uses along main arterials that don't have a harmful effect on existing adjacent neighborhoods or other commercial areas of the city. There is no proposal whatsoever to change the storm water overlay. that would stay um and would be subject to all of those requirements. You have a list of permitted uses um that comparing between the two zones. Um the biggest differences are HID does allow some residential uses whereas of course you cannot develop any residential uses in eid there are also things in the industrial section that often things that have off-site potential off-site impactes like asphalt plants landfills junkyards and things that you can do in EID that you can't do in HID. Um HID likewise allows for some commercial uses that you can't do in EID. So you can't have a restaurant in EID. You can't have any type of retail uses and stuff in EID, but you can in the HID. Um, interestingly, manufacturing, processing, and assembly uses are allowed in both zones. So the greenworks plant across the street or facility um would be allowed in either zone. The difference is that in eid you can do those activities outside an enclosed building whereas in HID they must be inside a fully enclosed building. So um although I won't give you other examples you can think of them around town as to what might be affected and what might not. Um you can also see in your packet the differences in minor differences in setbacks and things that um would be allowed um in the different zones that obviously mirror the types of uses that are allowed on those parcels. Um the city's imagine Morgan comprehensive plan Chad if you can go back to my screen

briefly. Um does did leave this site as eid. Um, I will say that when we did the future land use map, this was one of the hardest areas in the city for us to determine what should it be in the future. Largely because the utilities aren't there now. And we kind of needed to wait on a project for somebody to come in and say, "Hey, we're going to do this because the developer extends the utilities there to determine what may or may not be the best use of that site." Um, we left at EID to again preserve some of that industrial land. Um what the applicant under what we understand they want to do is a truck stop convenience store type location and possibly with then some restaurant uses that would pair with the truck stop. So a truck stop could be done in either zone. So we're not really talking about that part of it. We're talking about the ability for them to pair it with a food offering or light retail uses that would not be allowed in eid. You don't really want to take the general public to a place where you have big trucks and stuff all going in and out like across the street where the caterpillar plant and the Unix plant and all of those things are. You don't really want them wandering around because there's a great sandwich shop in there or there's a bank in there or something. But on the corner of an interstate interchange, that might be where you'd like to find some of those uses. Um, importantly, if you do choose to reszone it, you do you do have to make that specific statement that it is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and then the map and the comprehensive plan gets changed as well when you reszone it. Um, when we reviewed again this section and and the proposal, we noted there while there aren't a lot of um service uses there, there's actually nowhere for anyone in that industrial area to go for lunch in this neighborhood. So, they end up driving all the way in to um a couple of places in Glenn Alpine or further into Carbon

City or or elsewhere along the interchanges to be able to access some of those basic services. Um so, a resoning to HID could see development that is in keeping with other of those commercial and industrial developments along Cosby Road. Like I said, the Greenworks facility across the street um could be there, could be a truck stop, could be convenience center, could be um a restaurant or retail that could service the wider community. What it would do is then not allow the things like a junkyard next to these people's houses that are already established there. So hopefully providing some use that would be a little bit more consistent there. So, while the buffer is reduced from 50 to 20 ft, if it's an asphalt plant, I'm not really sure that's going to matter very much on there. Um, so in looking through all of those, I want to be very specific that um when we reszone that, we do not feel that the traffic is really going to be much of an issue because the majority of the traffic from this site is expected to be off of interstate and back on the interstate. While people along Cosby Road be expected to use it, the big draw is probably going to be the existing industrial areas that are right there. It's very difficult to get, as we heard at the hearing, a transfer truck down Cosby Road. We don't expect a lot of them to be going there, and that can be um modified. DOT would require a traffic study for any development of this parcel given how close that it is to the interchange and how the accesses and things would work. And we do understand that the applicant has one underway with DOT. Um, and implementation of any proposed updates to roadways, etc. would be at the developer expense in order to meet those DOT requirements. Staff and PNZ unanimously supported the recommendation to undertake this resoning from EID to HID. for those reasons um listed in your packet. We did

receive one comment by email that you guys have in your packet. Um it dealt mainly with traffic and speeds of vehicles along Cosby Road. Um not really related to the reasonzoning of this particular parcel and we have made public safety aware of those concerns about um the speeding if if it exists along that road. So that is my proposal. encourage you to read that or I'm sure you have read that piece in your packet. Um happy to let the applicant you won't speak or if you have any questions for me to begin. Yeah, you're ready for

All right. Is there anybody here that would like to speak for or against um Yes, sir. Please state your name and your address, please.

Sure. My name is Patrick Bartholomew. I live at 511 Cosby Road where I've lived for the last 14 years. Um, I'm not really opposed to this, but what I the concern that I have living on Cosby Road because it happens now despite what people have saying about this is probably four to five tractor trailers drive past my house every single day down Cosby Road. And there have been numerous times when I have been driving on Cosby Road past my house where I've met a tractor trailer who's coming through the curves and he's in both lanes

and he might be apologizing but at the same time I have a 16-year-old grandson who's learning to drive who's just about to get on the road and when he comes across that I'm not sure he's going to know what to do. Plus I'm not sure he needs to know what to do. That tractor trailer is supposed to be in his side of the track. I would be concerned that the roads as they currently are barely support the traffic that's on them now, including the heavy trucks that drive on them because a lot of tractor trailers do drive on them. Is what we can do to prevent that from happening. Right now there's a silly little sign there that says tractor large trucks tractor trailers not recommended beyond this point. Well, you know who pays attention to that? Nobody. They all go right on past it anyway. They drive right past our house. And several times folks have gotten to the point with their big trucks that they've had to back up and turn around and come back, which causes a lot of traffic um hassles when that happens. But every day, and I'm retired, so I'm home a fair amount. I see this tracks are traveling up from the interstate because I'm pretty sure Google tells them, "Oh, this is a way you can get into Morgan. It's a major access into Morgan." And so they take it because they they don't live here, but they come right by and I doesn't bother me to come by my house. What bothers me is that there's the road is not designed to handle vehicles of that length. And so far, I haven't heard anything that says there's something in this plan to say traffic can't turn right out of this to go down that road or prevent it. as well as the damage that has been done to this road because it's not designed to be a road past Greenworks where tractor trailers are expected to be driving on and yet they do and so we see the roads breaking up and cracking and all the rest of that and I'm sure that's not high on the priority of what roads need to be

refinished or refixed but those are the concerns that we have as people who lived right there in that area um that so far we haven't seen or read or heard anything. So, I'd be interested to hear what plans are in place to ameliate that. But right now, I don't I'm not aware of anything that would do that. But I really don't want those tractor trailers coming down there because I don't think it's fair to people driving on that road who live in there and who drive on it on a regular basis.

So, thank you very much. Anybody else? Good evening. I'm Robert Biglo with uh with XPR and uh this is uh our proposal you're considering tonight. you know, in in response uh to the gentleman's um uh concern, and I understand it extremely well, the uh the traffic that we're seeing, the traffic patterns that we've been studying through JMT and through Kimley Horn on this particular site, uh have been in place for some time. And in talking to Green Works and some of the surrounding uh groups that have trucking, nobody wants to use Cosby Road as an access into the city of Morganington. Unfortunately, I think Google directs many people uh down that road mistakenly. And it certainly is our intention to work with both the city and the NC DOT to uh and ameliate is a is a great word to use to ameliate that situation by restricting uh truck turning a right on the Cosby Road. Our intention is only to take as as much of the traffic off of Interstate 40 into the truck stop center. And we certainly have worked with NC DOT to the state to make sure we have the appropriate axle diesel lanes, the appropriate stems coming into the actual ingress point to make sure that there's stacking and appropriate turn radius or radi to make sure the trucks can take a left out and get back onto the interstate. But we're willing to place signage, whatever else we can to deter truck traffic from going to the right because I agree with everything he said. Uh that road is not built for truck traffic. So whatever we

can do to help that situation, we will. So thanks. Is there anyone else who'd like to speak tonight? Consider it closed. Mhm. Close the public hearing.

What is the attent intention of the council? I'll enter a motion to approve the reszoning of 595 Cosby Road with pin number 1772335858 from exclusive industrial district with the phase 2 storm overlay to highend density district with the phase 2 storm water overlay which is inconsistent with the adopted mission 2030 comprehensive plan but is considered suitable as the potential for development of the site with general commercial uses as permitted under the high and density district will fulfill community needs for service users in this locality and could also service travelers as I come as is common at interstate interchanges. It's also permitted uses in the exclusive industrial district that could have potential unfavorable off-site impacts for existing residential dwellings in the locality would now be prohibited in the highintensity district. Manufacturing, processing, and assembly uses inside fully enclosed buildings would continue to be permitted in the highintensity district. Utility and traffic impacts for future development can be managed at the time of development and are not expected to create any issues for the existing community. And preserving the phase 2 storm water overlay will ensure the continued application of the city's phase 2 storm water ordinance.

Thank you, Butch. Do I hear a second? Second. Second. Any discussion or any questions for Wendy? I I assume that that road is a DOT road all the way in. It's not and no part of that is ours. That is correct. But we can approach with these problems to the DOT which I'm sure the the developer will too. DOT has already contacted the city about the traffic impact assessment and has expressed willingness to work with us on making good

changes I guess that they could to that road but it is up to them. The the zoning though really doesn't affect the truck stop proposal as again is allowed in either zone, right? The question is really whether or not the um the proposed potential restaurant outlets, so fast food restaurant outlets, which are probably going to be visited by regular personal vehicles rather than the tractor trailer trucks. Um whether or not those would be allowed on the site. Obviously, if the semi-truckss have parked at the truck stop, they could also utilize the restaurants. So, or retail uses or or other things that would be there.

Any other discussion or questions? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

For sure. Next in the agenda is the consideration of approval of a resolution in ordinance amending certain downtown parking regulations. I didn't want to miss a month. Um so we continue to to find the challenges. Uh 100 block of North Green Street had been set as really all day free parking for a number of years. um mostly because it was pretty limited in the business with businesses and and any kind of retail, but that has changed and um people are actually trying to park where there is free parking and so unfortunately a lot of those folks have moved to 100 North Green so now they're taking up all their customer parking of the businesses there. Um I would reiterate that um those folks can park in the 200 block of North Green Street. The businesses um they both on street and in the public parking lot that we operate. There is also parking behind the movie theater. And I wanted to make sure that it goes on record. We will double check that all the lighting is working behind the movie theater that it's bright. so bright that it perhaps bothers you. So, um but but we understand some concern, but I think overall it's more in keeping. And so, we're asking that the 100 block stay at three or come back to three hours.

Yeah, it would match the block opposite that in the same distance from the courthouse square. My my question, Sharon, if I could. The proposed amendment addresses the one location, the 100 block of North Green Street. It says the this block is located more than two blocks from the square. It's a miswriting then. Okay. It's a I'm sorry. It's just I I wrote it wrong. I just wanted to make sure I recognized which block we were talking about. It is the first block. and and if and when Cottonwood gets completed, that's going to put a lot more impact in there for customer needs. So, uh yes, I apologize.

Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to make sure I understood which square, which block we're talking about. Absolutely. What is the wish of council? I'll make a motion to approve a resolution approving the recommended amendments to downtown parking regulations. Do I hear a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. I need a second motion. I'll enter a motion to adopt an ordinance amending appendix one of the code of ordinances to remove all day free parking designations and replace with three-hour parking designations on both sides of the street in the 100 block of North Green Street. I hear a second.

Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I I opposed. And Sharon, will this go out in an email to the group? And then we'll send it out. Okay. Next is the consideration of approval of an amendment change order number five and approval of a budget amendment for the Silver Creek pump station improvement project. Sally. Yeah. We didn't want to have a month where we didn't talk about Silver Creek and so Brad is here. They started before the parking to give us the update. Absolutely.

It just wouldn't be a council meeting without talking about Silver Creek. Um after Hurricane Helen, um there was uh obviously uh a need to get a lot of the equipment and electrical panels that were inundated with flood waters raised and elevated. So that part was designed. However, we needed to get it a little bit higher and make it a little larger than than what was originally designed prior to Hurricane Helen. So, with that, we were going to have to relocate the structure and there was only it's a relatively small site anyway, so we were limited where we could put it. There was an old storage building that was on the site and figured that that would be we could just demolish that and and and put it there. Well, during the construction, we found out that there was an old abandoned wet well structure in pump station, probably built back in the the the 50s or the 60s. um it wasn't on any of the maps that that we had and none of the staff with the city knew that it was there. Uh it was kind of uh concealed the flooring inside the building when the construction was being done. They peeled away some of the flooring and we see this void and it was a large void. You're talking roughly 20 by 20 20 ft deep. it's going to be a huge huge uh undertaking and we were going to have to um fill fill it and it was going to be a nightmare. So what happened was we wanted to look at alternate sites and we did a cost assessment. The

engineer looked at it and we did a a costbenefit analysis and realized that if we were to move a little north, a little south of the proposed site, we were going to be looking at a lot of utility and storm water infrastructure and that was going to be pretty cost prohibitive. So with that being said, uh the engineers and the geotech folks, we were able to look at a just moving it ever so slightly to the north, which would eliminate any utility relocation and only a partial demolition and backfilling of that void where that abandoned pump station was. So that is what this change order is for is to to um bolster that electrical platform in a different slightly different location. And uh it was just the gift that keeps on giving.

It is. And the dollar amount for the change order is $252,34124. Yeah. So, do I hear a motion? I move to approve the change order number five to the existing contract with Brushy Mountain Builders for the construction of the Silver Creek pump station improvements project. The amount of this change order is $252,34124, bringing the new contract total amount to 6,762,18925. Do I hear a second? Second.

Any discussion? So, next month we'll go over the seven million mark probably. Well, we don't have to answer that. Hopefully not. The question I have is though, if you're will the void be completely filled or you just said it would be moved slightly. Will there still be this

partially the the electrical platform the structure that's going to have all that equip equipment to get it out of the flood zone that needs to be just partially moved because the structural analysis of said that when that sits on top of that complete void there was going to have to be a lot of restructural engineering for that. So in in order to eliminate that piece, we were able to move it a little to the north and it will only be a partial backfill. So the cost will be substantially decreased. Half a hole is going to be open then. Okay.

Yeah. Yeah. And that's and that's just it's it's amazing how much fill was going to be required. And again, the structural integrity of that platform sitting on top. We needed to make sure that it was really super fortified and moving it a little bit made all the sense in the world. So, any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. I need another motion.

And and let me So, we have two sources of funding. We have $97,254 still in contingency for this project. And so, we recommend moving that into the construction line item and using it first. and then the remainder $155,088 from the wastewater fund to the Silver Creek project fund.

Need a motion? Make a motion to approve a budget amendment transferring funding in the amount of 155,88 from the wastewater fund to the Silver Creek project fund and transferring funding in the amount of $97,254 from contingency to the construction expense account for change order number five totaling $252,342. A second. A second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I opposed.

And I hope we don't hear too much more from that. Well, we're getting closer to the end, so sooner or later we're going to run out of things to talk about. I hope money except the grand except the grand opening. Okay. We are a consideration of rejecting all bids for the North Green Street streetscape project. Speaking of gifts that keep on giving.

Yes. Um, so you will recall that we had been working on this project for several years and that we had received some grant funding to help with this project. And this was the streetscape work from Union Street heading up North Green and to the new lot where where Morgan Savings Bank is is being built. and we have had engineering work done and we have beat our heads against the wall trying to figure out how to do this. We have bid the project twice. Uh the first time we received one bid so we were not able to open it because state law says in a formal bid if you don't receive three you cannot look at the bid that you receive. Um you were then allowed to rebid it. So we worked rebid that went a second time opened bids and we re or received bids and we received one bid again. State law says that you are allowed to open that bid. So we did open that bid and it is $2 million over budget. So that is really a number that value engineering and changing the scope of the project are really not options for. If we change the scope of the project more than 10% then we have to go back through design back through everything that we've done thus far the grant dollars that we had received have a time limit and that time limit is for this project to be completed not those dollars spent but complete project by the end of 2026 and one of them by December 1st of 2026 and there just is no way to do this. Um, you know, if we weren't dealing with everything from Hurricane Helen, maybe we move some things around. We we rep

prioritize. We try to make this work. We do some value engineering, see what we can do, but there's just no way possible for for this to occur at this time. and and we are recommending that at this moment, state law requires that we reject the bid that we have received and and that we put this one on the back burner and come back in the future. I need a motion. Motion to reject bids for the North Green Street streetscape project and direct staff to put the project on hold and to revisit in the future if funding allows. Need a second. Second. Any discussion?

Sally, one question. Will we be able to apply for that grant again if that grant is available? So, so the commerce grants, right? So, they came out as one-time grants, they may have those grants again. I mean, it may if they get state funding for that and those sorts of things. So obviously we'll try to keep a lookout with anything that comes available, but just seems like this one is just not in the cards right now. Too too many strikes against it and it's not like us to give up. But at this point, I think the wisest thing and what we owe to the taxpayers is to not move forward with this at this time.

Well, and we are putting it on the back burner. We're not giving up on it. book at this point in time. It's hard to give back money though. Really is. Okay. Um, any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed.

Okay. Consideration of award of contract for the River Village Boardwalk Replacement Project. Sally.

So, I think Rob is gonna do it. That's right. Yes. So, um I think um anyone that's been familiar with our greenway system knows how important this project is. Uh it is a joining link between two uh greenway sections that connect park systems on both sides. Uh without it um it is um basically would would alter the the route and the path of the greenway. It's also um very important to the revitalization and the build back of the the businesses along this river corridor. And um just to just to tell you a little bit about uh what's involved with this um this will include installation of new concrete foundations with helical piles, reinforced concrete retaining walls, concrete abutments, concrete wing wall. Uh the boardwalk will be constructed of plastic lumber for joist decking and railing. Railing panels are weld wire mesh panels with steel posts for railing. Um there'll be erosion control measures uh safety precautions taking uh fencing, rip wrap uh to dissipate uh for outlets of water and storm water. Um also amenities on this will include benches and chairs that will set on the deck. uh bike racks, um ballards, ballard gates, uh it's going to be lighted um with fencing um and extensive landscape. So, one thing that I hope you heard out of that um description is low maintenance. Um the the build back of this is designed to um utilize um plastics, metals um and supportive document supportive inventory materials that uh will be uh less likely to um be damaged in a flood.

Um fungus, uh bacteria, um things that grow on wood. Hopefully we'll eliminate those in this project. Um we uh council I mean council excuse me staff is um requesting that we we went out in formal bid. We had three bids that came in. The lowest responsive responsible bidder was Wilky Construction in the amount of $2,793,389. Uh staff is recommending um a 5% contingency with that for $140,000 bringing the total to $2,933,389. and I'll um happy to answer any questions or anything if you have any.

And we have a million dollars in grant funding from um Department of Commerce and from the Department of Commerce for the small business program that they had put out and we applied for and then we're certainly pursuing FEMA for the remainder of this. another reason for the change in product and and the way that this is being done to hopefully add resiliency to it for the future mitigation. Yes,

Rob, I do have one question. The excuse me, the decking surface, the basically plastic, lumberj, decking, railing, so forth. Some of the plastic um decking sources can be very slippery when they get wet. What would be the what what type of this what type of material is this that is it going to have that risk of being slippery when it's wet so if it has rained and it's wet or somebody so we don't run into a slip and fall situation.

Yeah. So we looked at that and all of the materials including wood offer um there there's there is um um the consequences of a slippery surface. Sometimes you just can't especially in shaded areas. That was the that was the continue issues we had was the shaded areas in the wood would get mildew on them and they would be constantly slick. This material that we've looked at and speced out has a texturing. It's almost looks like a wood. It's got a texture into it that almost imitates the the grain of wood. Um so it's designed to um be as least slippery as possible.

So we feel pretty good about it overall. you know, standing water in some areas until it dissipates can always be an issue, but for the most part, we feel we feel this product is if not better than wood. Better than wood. Thank you. Yeah. Sure, Rob. I think we all really anybody that used that regularly saw the splitting of the wood. Yes. The splinters, the warping. And this should al alleviate that. 50year. And they have really brought that product a long ways. They have. and and and the ability to um utilize the support structure made out of the same material also saves the fact of your top surface being a 50-year warranted surface and your under support rotting.

So, we don't have that issue with this along with, like I said, the concrete and the helical pile structures. Uh this is designed to weather mother nature's issues in the future and um a lot more so than what we had. Yeah. And we looked at a variety of products and had our engineers helping us to to look at that and to look at warranties to look at at how it had been used in in several of the plastic type products. Rob, what kind of time frame are we looking at?

Uh, as soon as possible. You want to talk to any about that, Brandon? About the end of April, right, Brandon? Second week in March. That's the number one question.

Yeah. Unfortunately, I'm going to hand this one off to Dave Smith, but uh Dave was in my office asking me about it at 4:45 this evening. He's ready to go. He and I plan to review this and get him started this week. Um the the start time probably is going to be dependent on getting the helical guys mobilized and the lead time on the plastic lumber. Okay. Um, the plastic lumber is an incredible product. Uh, I've I've watched some videos on how it's made. It's made with recycled material. It's low impact where it's made. It's little to zero impact here. And, uh, like like Rob said,

treated lumber is garbage compared to what it was 20 years ago. I I would say that you won't get more than 20 years out of brand new number one grade treated lumber. And this stuff seems to be Theoretically, it's perfect for for for what you do. I'm I'm sure we're going to find some flaws, but um Wilkey is ready to go. Um we we could probably ready to have a precon meeting sometime in the month of February, and we will be able to give some some very accurate lead times during that meeting. Awesome. Fantastic.

We're we're kind of excited to do it. It's it's a new product. None of us have used. Nobody local really used it. So, it's a it's a new thing. and hopefully it's an improvement over over what anybody else has gotten. Great. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay, I need a motion.

It's one of the most exciting and anticipated things next to Bethl Road that I've talked to people about and and the ball field. So I'd like to enter a motion to award a contract to Wilkkey Construction Company Southeast LLC of Lenor, North Carolina in the amount of 2,933,389 including a contingency of $140,000 for the River Village Boardwalk replacement project and to allow the mayor and the city manager to execute all agreements regarding this contract. Do I hear a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. I need another motion.

I'll move to approve a budget amendment to set up funding for the River Village Boardwalk Replacement Project in the amount of 2,933,389.

Second. Second. All those in favor? I I I Okay, we have the consideration of approval of budget amendments accepting and transferring funds related to Hurricane Helen.

So, last couple of months we we took a vacation uh from these and have two to put before you tonight and and it's good news. It recommen it recognizes some funding that we have received um from FEMA for some of the Helen expenses that we have turned in and that we have received $1,359,13 for that. Um and we need to do two budget amendments. one recognizes receiving that and then the second one transfers that basically to the Helen Capital Projects Fund. Okay.

Receive some money. Would you please give me a motion? Generally, I I do. I was waiting on you. I'd love to move for budget amendment to receive FEMA funding reimbursement in the amount of $1,359,13 for the Helen Special Reimbursement Fund. This reimbursements includes $286,435 for wastewater emergency expenditures and 1,72,668 for various projects. That doesn't feel as good if we hadn't already spent the money. I know. Yeah, that's but it is nice to be good. It's still a good thing. Do I hear a second? Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I opposed. I need a second motion. I'll make a motion to approve a budget amendment to transfer $1,359,13 to the Helen Capital Projects Fund. Second. Second. All any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. And we have and I can report one other thing. I'd like to. So, we've talked a lot about our electric restoration that happened back in October of 2024.

Uh, we have finally received notification that we believe that has gone all the way through the FEMA process. Now, it goes to the state and and through that process to ultimately be finally approved and to get a check. But we have been approved for $94,000 um in reimbursement for the money that we spent restoring the electric system. Very good news. Okay, we have one new business. Um a consideration of an award of change order number one to McAdams for

I think we have to do the appointments first. Oh, the appointments first. Okay. Sorry, I can do that. No. Um, there's a consideration of appointments for boards and commissions. This one is to the Morgan Housing Authority. There are currently two expiring terms on the Morgan Housing Authority board. The expiring terms are for Teresa Dehart and Brian Black. They have both been consistent members of the Morgan Housing Authority and are willing to continue serving on this board. Morgantown Housing Authority Director Victoria Smith has requested that Terresa Dehart and Brian Black be reappointed for five-year term which will expire on February 1st, 2031. This is a mayoral appointment and I have been told that I can do this. So, um, uh, mayor, I am to reappoint Terresa Dehart and Brian Black to the Morgan Housing Authority Board with terms to expire February 1st, 2031. And then we have consideration of appointments uh, to boards and commissions. This is a city council appointment and Susan Sheller has requested to step down. Therefore, one position is vacant. Uh, Miss Sheller served on the board of adjustment for several years, and we appreciate her service. Staff received an application from Leanne Britain to fill this vacancy. Staff recommend appointing Miss Britain to serve a three-year term ending on June 3rd, 2029 to replace Miss Shello. I need a motion. Great. I'll make a motion to appoint Leanne Britain to the board of adjustment for a term to expire on June 3, 2029.

Second. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Now. Yes. Yes. All right. We have consideration of award of change order number one to McAdams for structural engineering design services on reconstruction of the Kataba Meadows concession building.

Yes. So, so several months ago you all awarded the contract for the engineering services for the restoration of of the buildings and the fields at Kataba Meadows and the soccer complex. And we did that contract to McAdams. Since that time, they've been working and they've done some more assessment to the buildings and and and looking at our opportunities. Um, we asked staff asked them to also look at ways that we could make those buildings that we are doing work to more resilient in the future. Are there ways that we can improve their ability to take future flood events or to do some of that? And and so they are willing to do that for us. And the amount for that is $6,200. That is the change order. Hopefully, um, what we're going to get out of this, they are designing that we can build back with more flood resistant materials that will mitigate the risk in the future to to look at opportunities to to change and and again, this applies to the buildings. Anything that we can do there that hopefully helps us to qualify for FEMA funding for that And uh I know this says that the the original money for this was um used in the cash flow loan and we would just add this to correct to that.

Okay. I need a motion. I'll make a motion to award change order number one, contract to McAdams in the amount of $6,200 for engineering design services of Kataba Meadows Park Concession Building and to authorize the mayor and or city manager to execute change order number one and any other necessary documents. Second. Yeah, I'll second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I opposed. And is there anything else that needs to come up to council? If not, we are adjourned.