City Council - Regular Meeting

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[music] [music] to order. I appreciate everybody being here. If your calendar is like uh mine was this last weekend, you are ready to take a uh little bit of time off this afternoon or this evening or this week. So, we will move through our agenda uh efficiently, effectively, giving everything the amount of time that we choose to do. But, uh, ultimately, seasons greetings. Uh, happy holidays to everyone. I appreciate everyone being here. Council members, I know how busy your schedules are. And again, thank you for, uh, for making this a priority and making this all happen. Take a moment to silence my cell phone. Ask encourage everyone else to do so as well. And we will move into uh, our enter our schedule of business. So, with that, we'll begin with an invitation from our fire chaplain, Archbishop Anthony Slater, as well as a pledge of allegiance. Sir, if you would.

Thank you, Mayor Mayor Prom and Council and all staff. Um, I would ask you with heavy hearts tonight. We've lost one of our generals on yesterday. If you don't mind, I would ask for a moment of silence in the prayer as well as um, Apostle Nuomo. Edwin Newsome has gone on to be with the Lord. And let us pray. Our father and our God, we thank you for this moment that we can gather to do business. We thank you Lord for this great city that you have allowed us to be a part of God. Father, we ask you to bless and cover the Newsome family as we begin to continue on our daily lives. Father, we ask you, Lord, even this group, Lord, as they work together to make Goldboro a better place and not forgetting you. Father, we thank you for this season. And we pray for those Lord that are unhoused God that that are out there in this cold. God, we thank you Lord that a way will be made and a way is happening even as we stand to continue doing your will. Father, we thank you in advance for what you're getting ready to do this season preparing for next year. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Please join me in the pledge. I pledge algiance 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.

All right, madame clerk, if you would please conduct a roll call. Mayor Gayler, present. Mayor Pro Tim Jones, present. Councilman Voyette present. Councilwoman Taylor present. Councilwoman Matthews present. Councilwoman Weekes present. Councilman White present. All right. All present and accounted for. We will move to section three and adoption of the agenda. Is there Mrs. Guts? Is there is there a modification to the agenda under presentations?

Under presentations. Yes. Okay. Then under presentations, it is requested that we please add a resolution in memory of the gentleman uh yes uh Mr. Newsome, Pastor Nome, who was uh who passed yesterday. I'm starting over my words right now. We'll work [snorts] on that, too. But that'll be item 4.4. Mr. Livingston, is there any other changes from staff? Not that I'm aware of, mayor. All right. Good.

Well, council will entertain a motion to approve the agenda as as modified. So move. All right. Motion's been made. Is there a second? Second. All right. Motion's been made and properly seconded to approve the agenda as modified. Is everyone able to vote electronically? If so. All right. Motion made properly say. Is there any debate hearing? None. We'll call the vote, please vote. All right. All having voted in the affirmative, we have an agenda. So, with that, we will uh roll directly into our recognitions and presentations. Uh Mr. Livingston, I believe we have two uh presentations from our commissions. Correct.

Uh yes, sir. Uh travel and tourism. Who do we have present to come? Amanda, Justice, and Julie. Wonderful. Wonderful. Well, let's move forward. Uh, Miss Gray, welcome. Miss Justice, I see you back there as well. We'll begin with item 4.1 on our agenda. Hello. Hello, Mayor and City Council. I am proud to be here and as the chairperson of the Travel and Tourism Board, I would like to present what Goldsboro Tourism Council what we have been able to do in this fiscal year. Just click through. There's a clicker. Oh, sorry about that.

You're fine. All right. So, our missions and goals is to enri en enrich the quality of life and encourage economic development by promoting travel and tourism in our community. Development of Goldsboro and Wayne County as a unique travel destination. And being that I was born and raised here in a native, I can say that is so. All right. We meet every fourth Wednesday jointly with the Wayne County Tourism Development Authority in the Travel and Tourism Conference Room located at 119 C uh North Center Street in downtown Goldsboro. Goldsboro Tourism Council is appointed by the city council and is comprised of three hotel years, three citizens and interested tourism and three exposier officers. It's appointed by the county commissioners, the Wayne County uh tourism development authority and is comprised of 12 members. A third of the members must collect occupancy tax. Half of the members must be active in the promotion of travel and tourism and two officers. What do we do? The travel and tourism office works with area hotels, attractions, events, festivals, and other visitors related to organizations to create to implement programs to increase business travel, leisure travel, sports travel, agra tourism, military related travel, and visiting of friends and relatives traveling into Goldsboro. Thus increing increasing the economic impact of the visitors in this area. So, our 2025 victories, uh, one of them

was the cycle NC. We had 750 cyclists from 38 states, plus Canada, Scotland, and England. One of the youngest riders was 12 years old, and one of the oldest riders was 88 years old. They rode an average of 67 miles per day. Estimated economic impact. 250 riders spent the night in our hotels at an ADR of $95. That equals $23,750 in hotel revenue. According to the Pacer AI, cyclists averaged $83 in food purchases. So, it was $750 riders times $83. So, that's $62,250. The estimated economic impact of just this group alone was $86,000 to our community. And here's a few pictures of them camping out at um the hub downtown in Goldsboro and also um at Well Travel Beer and enjoying um Bricks Pizza downtown. An another 2025 victory is visit Goldsboro Wayne County won the platinum marketing achievement award in the special events category during the North Carolina travel industry association conference. We partnered with 57 marketing to create a video campaign for the wings over Wayne airship and that here is the award and we're going to play that video now. Whiskey offer whiskey 2025. Clear for takeoff. The wait is over. The dream is real. The 2025 Wings over Wayne Air Show is headed to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base at the speed of sound. The US Air Force Thunderbirds scream into our skies made third and fourth. Watch it all as these elite pilots perform daring acts of courage and skill. It's the most epic

event of the year. Don't miss your chance to see the Thunderbirds and other amazing performers all for free at Seymour Johnson Airport Base in Goldsboro, the Wings of White Air Show. Be there.

All right, our restaurant solicitation event. We did Visit Goldsboro created a restaurant solicitation brochure that was distributed on November 4th event that was co-hosted by Visit Goldsboro downtown development planning and the city manager's office. 30 potential investors and community skate skate holders attended the presentation at the Boxwell Center followed by refreshments at the Homewood Suites. All right. And here is a few of the pictures of that event of the food and the orurves um that to uh Homewood was able and the presentation at the Maxwell Center. What do we do? We fulfill 3,000 plus inquiries annually, maintain the visitor center, sell TotallyFly merchandise, bring in travel and media riders into the area, and personal visits to the welcome centers. We distributed visitor guides, brochures, and flyers to 13 welcome centers, area visitor centers, museums, attractions, and other tourism offices. and we belong to four tourism related associates associations and currently serving on three of the statewide boards. We also attend leg uh legislative legislative receptions, correctional visits to promote the tourism industry and we participate in travel related trade shows and we co coordinate monthly civilian tours to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. What do we do? We promote attractions. We promote festivals and events. We also recruit and promote sporting events at the sports complex. And the results, domestic visitors to

Wayne County spent 270 a 27 million in 2024, a 2.3% increase over 2023. 1,273 jobs in Wayne County were directly directly attributed to the travel and tourism. State and local tax revenues from this uh the travel to Wayne County amounted to $13.72 million. Y'all have any questions?

Council, what questions do we have for Miss Grace, the the chair of the Gsburg component of our travel and tourism efforts? I'll just offer this. In the last couple of meetings, we've discussed our parks and recreation master plan and we've discussed how incredibly vibrant our park system is and the draw that it pulls in. Um, this is I'm just speaking for for myself on this one, but ways that we can leverage these assets and then also be able to help pull funding back to these asset assets I think is going to be critical. the Brian mold sports complex being able to I know we're not allowed to call it Quidditch but whatever it's called like you know Quidditch [laughter]

yeah the different events that that that the team has been able to pull in over there that place is always busy in addition to the local uh the local clubs and the normal parks and recreation activities and I want to be able to I'm saying this publicly now you know us and the county we want to be able to work together to ensure that those facilities remain high quality and to be able to expand and the offerings and to be able to then promote them as draws to our our city and our county. And I appreciate the work and the cooperation that's happened over the last year for doing that and I look forward to expanding it in 2026. And we look forward to it as well. Council, any other comments, questions?

All right. Thank you so much. Well, thank y'all. Thank y'all very much. Have a great night and merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. You as well. [clears throat] All right. Now, let's move to item 4.2. Uh, Mr. Livingston, any uh any brief or intro on this or just roll directly into the mayor's committee for persons with disabilities? I think we can roll right into it, Mr. Mayor. Perfect. Who will be coming forward to present? Ah, lovely. Come right on. I don't want to steal anybody's mayor. There you go.

Mayor Pro Tim, council members, good evening. I'm Wanda Beckton. I currently serve at least until the end of this month as the chair for the mayor's committee for persons with disabilities. Just as a reminder of what we are, um we are a committee that um publicizes conducts publicizes activities um designed to promote the well-being of people who are identified as having disabilities. We are composed of 16 members and we are considered the largest of the city councils or the city boards and commissions. So just to remind you of what we do, you see a list of of things over to your left. The goals of our committee are to promote the establishment, improvement of rehabilitation and recreational facilities. And I'll talk a little bit more about that uh toward the end. support and promote legislation uh advocating issues of interest for persons with disabilities and advising the city council about the goals, recommendations, and activities of the committee. And here you can just see a a word mash of all of the various things that we are part of. So, in offering community support, the mayor's committee for persons with disabilities supports other community organizations by volunteering time, resources, and support. Some of the photos that you see here are um the individuals there with their fishing gear. We helped to support by supplying supplies to Wayne Opportunity Center um so that they could uh participate in a fishing trip. And then at the bottom there, we participated in a day at the

park where we gave away a whole lot of Mount Olive pickles and that and they kept coming back [clears throat] for more. It wouldn't be Wayne County without, would it?

Uh that's exactly right. And we were supporting supporting our businesses as well. We also conduct a lot of education. Uh we take every opportunity available to us to educate the public on various topics concerning or related to disability awareness. We've included educational materials in our Goldsboro newsletter, city of Goldsboro newsletter. Uh we try to highlight various um uh issues uh depending on the month um to bring awareness for for various topics. Some of our members have spoken at many civic organizations uh such as the New Hope Ruron Club, the Kowanas, Rotary Clubs, um Goldsboro of Goldsboro and the Three Eagles. Um and we educate them on specific topics. I know I uh was uh given the opportunity to speak to the Rurin Club and we talked about I talked about vision and hearing issues uh especially in young children. We do maintain a Facebook page and we have updates concerning various awareness days and local activities. One of our favorite activities of course is the how Kplunk awareness walk which is held um the first Wednesday in May of every year. Uh again this is to raise awareness, advocate and celebrate those who are living with disabilities. It is one of the largest events uh that we have um that is attended. Uh we engage hundreds of attendees and volunteers. We recently celebrated our 28th year for our walk. We had at least what was registered. We had 360 attendees uh over three counties and 12 organizations uh were represented. Again, we had other volunteers that did not register. So

that number may have been a little bit more than that. And here are some pictures that you can see of our some of our attendees. We also have um a band from Caswell Center that comes and has played for us um as well. And and it's always a joy to have rock creation uh participate in various things that we've we've done. Another one of our events is the uh annual awards um banquet [snorts] uh or celebration. Uh it recognizes community nominated persons and businesses that have either overcome their disability or have gone the extra mile to serve or work with people with disabilities. It highlights the national disability employment awareness and inclusion month which is in October. uh categories are uh the mayor's trophy, the employee of the year, employer of the year, and committee member of the year, and the most accessible business. Um we because of some interruption uh for this year, we did not have that, but we will be bringing that back in 2026. We also advocate for inclusion. Um, we worked with the city of Goldsboro's public works department to identify and repair issues in sidewalks that were con considered hazardous for individuals with diverse capabilities. We worked with the city of GRO's engineering and planning departments to uh create additional diverse handicap parking um accessible to folks downtown. So we were uh very very happy to that they were able to work with us and to um listen and um and [clears throat] help us with

some of the things that had been identified. Some of the uneven pavement uh was uh corrected. I think the last time I spoke I had shared a personal um situation where uh one of my aunts visiting from out of state [clears throat and cough] had tripped and had quite a spill. Um, and so we I'm very I'm personally very appreciative that that was addressed. And to end this, the biggest highlight of our um accomplishments this year is our inclusive playground. Okay. Um the mayor's committee for persons with disabilities spearheaded several fundraising initiatives to fund various activities throughout the year and future projects including lobbying lobbying our state representatives and finding grants. Uh the most important being for our inclusive playground. We partnered with Trillium and the city of Goldsboro leadership uh and the playground is finally 95% complete. We still have a few things uh left to do, but we are anticipating by the end of this month those things will be taken care of. It is located at North End Park. I encourage any of you if you're by that way to stop and see it. Um as I said, it's not completely complete, but we're looking forward to it uh a ribbon cutting being done sometime in January. Uh maybe early fee February depending on how the weather holds out. Our committee meets every third Thursday of the month from 12 to 1 in the large conference hall right here at city hall. Uh we our liaison department is parks and recreation. Uh our advising department and is community development.

Our exeicio is uh council member Brandy Matthews. And um again I just encourage you to check out our Facebook page. Um, I look forward to um the things that they have coming in the in the 2026 um year. And if you have any questions, I'll be glad to entertain those. Now, council comments or questions for Miss Beckton. I'm excited about the park

playground. I think I think it's it's really really exciting that in one year we went from zero to two because now of course we have the the new one at North End as well as the one that we just absorbed by being able to sign the lease over at the former former Edgewood Community Center. And so that of course has got to be some repairs have to be put in place, but we now are ending 2025 with two. And that's just it's probably not going to happen again next year because I I don't know how in the world how in the world these things work out without tireless amounts of advocacy from you and and the the commission and and fellow council members. But um that's it's a pretty good year and really do appreciate also the work that you and the commission were willing to do when council was interested in pushing something back to a committee to be able to get advice on handicap parking and where some different things need to be being willing to offer an opinion and then allowing the city manager to bring back a a properly baked plan for council to then be able to to look at it. Thank you for the work that you're doing and even though you know it may be in a different capacity. I look forward to doing more of it in 2026, you know, with you and and the other members of the commission.

And I do want us to just give a special thank you to Crystal Fuller. Um she was she has been very very supportive. Council, any other comments, questions? All right. Thank you so much, Mr. Lemson. I know you're going to want to do 4.3. Thank [clears throat] you, Mr. Mayor. Um, we have made our hire, and most of you are aware of this, of our assistant city manager, Kellyanne Williams. Um, I already feel like we've made a good decision here because of some of the things she's already demonstrated to us. So, um, she's here as we've made a practice of our significant hires to introduce herself and, uh, tell tell us a little bit about herself.

Good evening. Good [laughter] evening. Um, good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tim, um, members of council, staff, of course, and, um, the public. I'm really encouraged to be here. Um, my name is Kellyanne Williams. I have, um, primarily worked in Eastern North Carolina, um, Wilson, Rocky Mount, Zebulun, and the Electra Cities communities in eastern North Carolina. Um, I have a a strong background in downtown development, economic development, and community development. So, I'm very excited uh for all the opportunity I see here, and I'm excited to work with you all and work with members of the community. And thank you for having me. Yeah.

Thank you. Welcome. [laughter] Welcome. Thank you so much. All right. YES. [applause] I know the council has had opportunities and we'll have more opportunities to be able to go up and down the day and have one-on ones. I think that's uh it's really really helpful to get to actually get to have a frank conversation with someone and just kind of start building that rapport and that relationship. It's important that we all have that. So, thank y'all for making time for it. Welcome and thank you for joining the team. Thank you.

Now, we'll move forward to item 4.4, four, which is a resolution for Apostle Von Nuome. I believe there are two members of the family, Mr. Goldsby and Mr. Yelbertton, I believe, are present. And y'all just hang out for just one second. What we'll do, uh, this is a resolution, so it will have to be voted on by council. I will present the resolution. I'll read out the resolution to council, at which time we would then entertain a motion to adopt the resolution uh, as as read. So with that, resolution 2025 104, a resolution in memory of Apostle Edwin von Nuome. Whereas Apostle Edwin von Nuome, a native and lifelong resident of Goldsboro, North Carolina, faithfully devoted his life to serving God, strengthening families, and uplifting the city of Goldsboro and surrounding communities. And whereas Apostle Nuome was the founder and senior visionary leader of Impact Church Goldsboro, a ministry birthed out of decades of faithful pastoral leadership and a deep commitment to building people and impacting the city. And whereas Apostle Nuome was a licensed real estate broker whose entrepreneurial vision and commitment to community revitaliz revitalization inspired the redemption buyback and build up community development project aimed at restoring distressed properties and strengthening neighborhoods throughout the city of Goldsboro. And whereas Apostle Nuome was the devoted husband of Dr. Katherine Nuome, a loving father of Edwin Devon Jr. Kayla Joy and Emanuel and a cherished grandfather exemplifying strong family values, integrity, and cernet leadership. And whereas Apostle Edwin von Nuome faithfully lived out the divine mandate on his life to build people, impact the city of Goldsboro and the surrounding areas and advance the kingdom of God, leaving an enduring legacy of faith, empowerment, and community transformation. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and the city

council of the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina, that the mayor and city council extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences and formally honors the extraordinary life, distinguished service, and exemplary vision of Edwin von Nuome, whose steadfast commitment to faith, family, and community left a lasting and indelible impact on the city of Goldsboro. This resolution shall be in full force in effect from and after December 15th, 202025. Council, is there a motion to adopt this resolution as presented? So move. All right. Motion has been made and properly seconded. No. I made it made and then properly seconded. All right. Perfect.

Uh with that, is there any debate? Hearing none, we will call the vote uh when it pops up. All in favor? Tell you what, mine is not popping up. Mine went. All in favor, please raise your hand. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes unanimously. So with that, Mr. Goldby, Mr. Yelpton, if y'all would There's some members out there, too. There's some church members out there. Okay.

[snorts]

just introduce yourself. Okay. My name is Pastor Robert Yeverton. Uh I've been with Apostle for a little over 30 years. Um first it was Spiritfield Family Worship Center and we transitioned over to Impact Church of Goldsboro on behalf of the family Dr. C. um their immediate family and all of the family of impact would like to say thank you um for this um this honor um Apostle will be missed but we are determined to carry on his vision and I'm excited about that and um we just thank God for the time that we did have with him. He impacted all of our lives and again we are um determined to carry on his vision and support the city and all of the surrounding areas through the works of our hands at impact. Thank you again, mayor, and everybody on the council.

[snorts]

Thank you. Thank you.

[clears throat]

All right, with that council, it has been an incredible 2025 for leadership in this city. I know I said that last time thinking we were done for the year and I was wrong. So that being done, we do appreciate the life of Apostle Nuome and uh those so many who just simply try to make things better and leave it better behind them and it's an inspiration to all of us. With that, we will move into our public comment period. Miss gets uh at your leisure, if you please get us started. Our only speaker on the list is David Craig. [cough and clears throat]

Good day to you all. Um, no. Oh, go. Well, there you started. No, no, no. We'll restarted. Yeah, [laughter] let him get past that one. That way, I'm not standing in front of you. Uh, and there is a copy for uh Mr. Lawrence as well. I know.

Yes, ma'am. Um, the handout that I gave um is really not the comments that I'm going to uh share with you today. That's um some information or proposal that I wrote up. Um I want to thank uh the mayor as well as the city manager for scheduling an appointment to meet with me to discuss some things that's you know that I care about concerning our city government. Um, upon really thinking about it, I I did not want to be um I didn't want anything that I was saying to be misconstrued. Uh, not that you would do it purposely, but sometimes, you know, when you're passionate about things, um, that tends to happen. So, what I've decided to do was put it in writing. And uh I would really desire for each of the city council members as well as Mr. Lawrence to read what I propose. Um and it's fine if you don't uh agree with it or whatever. Um, I just I'm just at a point where I [clears throat] want more from my city, but honestly I you know, until you who lead the city are better, I don't think the city's going to get better. Now, that isn't to say that the city hasn't gotten better, but what I'm talking about is some great change. So with that being said, please read that and uh you know contact me with uh how you all want to proceed or not want to proceed. Um I do want to make a comment uh concerning uh what I saw in the agenda packet um concerning uh the

audit. So I'll ask I'll ask you this question. What does it mean when a municipality has to pay back money to HUD or other government agencies despite the same municipalities financial audits appearing to show to show no major areas of concern? Just because one's auditor does not see a problem does not mean that one is not present. I note on page 185 of the agenda packet, the graph shows a great disparity between utility fund revenues and unit and utility fund expenditures. However, on page 188, the city's water and sewer capital asset ratio is 32. Why is this the case? I know why. The question is, when the city of Goldsboro provides its response letter to the LGC, will the city of Goldsboro be totally forthcoming or not? I look forward to engaging in a robust examination of that letter's assertions. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Thank you. Thank you. That was our only speaker. Okay. All right, council. We will move to our consent agenda. Mr. Livingston, if you'll please hear any remaining questions and if if there are none, then we'll move forward. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We have three items in the consent agenda. Um, department monthly reports, which is a routine item, approval of minutes, which is also routine, and the approval of resolution, proclamation, and letter policy, which you were uh reviewed at the last meeting. I'll take any questions on any of those items. Otherwise, as a routine matter, we would vote on them all under one vote.

All right, council. Any comments or questions on items and under the consent agenda? Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? So moved. All right. Motion to made. Is there a second? Second.

Motion made and properly seconded to approve the consent agenda as as presented. Is there any debate on that? Hearing none, we will call a vote. Please vote electronically if possible. All right, all votes have been cast. Uh motion passes unanimously. Consent agenda is approved. As you'll see, there are a lot of things that uh kept on old business. I think that is for somewhat self-explanatory purposes. With that, let's move directly into item 7.1. Uh Mr. Livingston, if you'll get us going.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We have uh Crystal Morphus here. Uh she's going to introduce her business uh development services report. Um she's with Creative Economic Development Consulting and I don't know if Kelly you had any immediate remarks beforehand, but she's here to present that uh tonight. Oh, it's April. I'm sorry. There you go. It's been corrected. [laughter]

Um good evening uh mayor mayor prom council. Um I'm here to reintroduce Crystal Morpheus. She's the consultant with Creative Economic Devel um economic development consulting. And back in August, you approved her um her work to to create and develop a business development framework and plan for development services. And so part of that work uh was to engage with members of the community, with staff, and also to engage with you all. And that's the last piece of the puzzle. So today she will do a review of her draft. um receive any comments you may have, but she will also offer one-on-one um conversations with you as the final piece um um of you know just receiving comments um as we think about how we grow and develop uh businesses in in Go. So I will allow Crystal to come up and speak.

Good to be back in front of in front of you. Thank you for some time on the agenda, give an update on this uh planning process. Um but then also ask for your feedback as April said this evening. I'm uh glad to accept your comments, but then um through the uh city manager's office and through uh April, we'll offer um some individual time with you as well um to uh respond to this draft uh so that we can get to a final draft and staff can um can get moving on it. So this is a a slide just to remind you of the scope of work. Um when I was in front of you just a couple of months ago walked through that scope of work. Uh we started off with some alignment. Um this is with current efforts in the city as well as current planning efforts. We then did some broad engagement with your allies in business development. So downtown and economic development and the different allies and organizations that support the city's work in business development. We also uh incorporated best practices from other municipalities in this state and other states and you'll see some references in the draft to policies and programs in other best practice cities. Then we worked on the development of the framework for the strategy and uh reflected upon that with our planning committee which included um city staff uh manager the mayor is on that planning committee. We have some draft performance measures and we're here at this uh phase of the the draft strategic frame framework to share with you. So these are the three goals um that all the strategies fall under. We kind of did a takeoff on your um be more uh be more, do more, see more with invest more, grow more, prosper more um just as a framework uh for business development. Uh the first goal is really about building capacity and resources within the city to support business growth. And I'll talk more about each one of these.

The second is around space. Um whether you're a one or two person shop or a 100 employee uh company, you need space for your business. So that's um really under goal two. And then the third is to communicate the city's advantages for businesses to start up and grow here. So it's that promotion, marketing, and communications piece under that capacity building. um the strategies around staff and resources to support not only businesses but your development allies. Goldsboro has a pretty strong infrastructure of organizations and agencies that support community and economic and business development. And so part of the city's resource development is to make sure that um you are supporting their work and communicating and and liaisoning with them. Um, so the first I won't go through each of these in detail because I heard the uh mayor's first comments about brevity. [laughter]

This is well I wanted to make sure that we got to to these things. There's a lot of questions. This is important things. This the first time that at least that I can recall that the council has made such a deliberate investment in trying to make sure this ecosystem exists. So believe me, we're not trying to push you out of here. So I'll stay until about 7:30. Is that good? [laughter]

Maybe not that. I'll go through this, but welcome the the interruptions and questions along the way. Um the first is about designating the assistant city manager to oversee and guide so that you've got some leadership um leadership focused on and guiding this strategic framework. But really the implementation is going to be with the director of development services and designating that position as the main liaison for business in in the city. Um, you can think of it as a business liaison or on budsman, but anybody in Goldsboro should know who their single point of contact is for business development. And within the city, um, we talk about having a culture of no wrong door. So if someone shows up at one city office, they know, oh, this is the place where you need to go. It's not a trying to do a roundroin to figure out where you need to be. So really being that business liaison and directing a business forward culture in the city. So there are several action steps around customer service and other types of training so that really the departments that are involved in business development. So think of all the planning and review processes that they really have that mentality of a business forward approach to their work. Um, you have some infrastructure already in place with the task forces, the neighborhood task forces that some council members have been involved with. We talk about strengthening those and expanding them for more engagement in neighborhoods so that neighborhoods have a direct input into city um, uh, planning initiatives to uh, understand how to hear from them how they want their neighborhoods developed. And a little bit later, I'll mention activity nodes in different neighborhoods. And then the last bullet on this uh slide is really investing into systems that will help streamline the process for business so that they feel that they are working at a at a expeditious um uh pace through

uh all the permitting and procedures they need to get started up and get operating. Also under that capacity building is really having the city act as the uh leader in building a collaborative. One of the things we heard from your allies and partners is that there's no one central way or central group now bringing them together so that the left and right hands are communicating. So, we recommend building this business collaborative to bring together all of the agencies that are involved in downtown and community and economic development. Share the strategic plans of these organizations. Identify how you can leverage up their talents and resources and expertise and connect them with resources in the city again through that single point of contact. Um, one of the examples that has come up in in our work is um, reflecting back to the tourism u, presentation on the cyclists that were here. Um, that type of event really across the city. You could have engagement from downtown and of course tourism was involved but you could have engagement from other organizations to maximize the economic impact and promotion of that event. That's just one example under the uh, space for business. Thinking about again all the spaces that businesses need to start up and grow. One of the strategies that other communities have used is to designate certain corridors as revitalization um districts or corridors. So Goldberg has done a great job with downtown and downtown's been doing really well, but how can you take that same focus and energy and investment and apply it to some of your commercial corridors that really are in need of revitalization? So designating those corridors and you can target them for specific infrastructure investments for example, streetscape planning um as

a visual way to connect them. Uh one of the things we heard from some agencies is businesses need a a a place outside of downtown but they need to feel it's a high energy place. Not every business can be in downtown. So a way to make a corridor a high energy place can be through streetscape infrastructure visual connections as well. And one of the ways you could um you could pay for that, for example, I move did I move ahead? There we there we go. One of the ways to pay for that could be considering special assessment districts. Some areas use those. I mentioned neighborhoods and uh working to better organize neighborhood engagement and feedback. One of the things you could do is to look at activity nodes in neighborhoods. These could be small areas of commercial and business development. It could be walkable markets for example to the neighborhood um and allowing them some local services through these activity nodes. Um again it could complement the revitalization corridor concept. Here we go. Creating u additional space for business to start up and grow in the city. We uh recommend inventorying vacant and underutilized properties. Often times you will find sometimes city-owned or county-owned property um in the city but also just some other vacant and underutilized properties and targeting them for redevelopment. You would prone to prioritize an anchor property. So think of one of the commercial corridors that in your mind would be an an ideal corridor for revitalization. identify an anchor property within that corridor that you could then promote that anchor property and then connect the developer to some of the um support programs that are available like vacant building reuse at the state level for example. Um one of the other things we talked a lot about with your partners is the concept of an entrepreneurship hub. So that hub could be have some incubation space, it could have some

co-work space, it could have maker space, it could have a lot of different activities in it. One of your ideal partners for that could be the community college. Sometimes in other places, community colleges take a leadership role and it could be a public uh partnership between several organizations. So the city and the community college, maybe the county and others could come together um to support the concept of an entrepreneurship hub that would really spark business startup um in the city under again space for business. thinking about grants and incentives about how to finance that. Uh, one of the things we asked the city to consider is repealing the business license um fee. That only generates about $40,000 in revenue for the city. Sometimes it could be viewed as negative. Um, ever since that was dropped at the state level. Um, fewer cities actually have a business license fee today. but then replace it with something that would encourage a redevelopment. For example, like a dilapidated building ordinance or some encouragement to have businesses start up, especially if you're thinking about those revitalization corridors. Again, trying to activate other areas around the city other than just downtown uh which has done very well. Other things you can do is to change eligibility requirements for city uh programs so that in the revitalization corridors maybe there's a lower threshold for investment or more grant or loan or incentive programs um available. Also giving some priority to businesses in those zones or in the activity nodes. Uh we do site some new incentive tools the city may want to consider. For example, um, Hickory has a really good incentive tool package that includes even landscaping matching grants that help with beautifification in certain corridors that they've targeted for revitalization. And then we do site a program in High Point that um, invests in the community in neighborhoods. Again, we talked when we thinking about activating neighborhoods and engaging neighborhoods. That community grant

program in High Point is one that we would like for you to explore. under the promotion and communication. You have to tell folks that Goldsboro is a great place to do business. You know, it is, but you have to communicate that um externally. And so we recommend kind of taking off from your tagline and and using that in marketing and promotion. Just for again this purpose, we uh we said invest more, you know, prosper more. But you could have a marketing agency take off on that um tagline for business development. Uh we recommend creating a marketing plan specifically for uh business development in the city with an external website that's really a business forward sales um message for the city. And we have several recommendations about social media campaigns and toolkits that really help promote um all of the properties that you have here and the business development opportunities. Now a marketing plan is different from a communications plan. So we also talk about a communication strategy. Um these are like communicating how you start a business in Goldsboro. This is the step by step that you go through which um promotes the city's uh liaison, your onbudsman as that single point of contact and it has some call to action on the website like request a meeting, contact us, we want your business um in Goldsboro. We do recommend uh considering a marketing position or contract services for marketing um to really uh ramp up the city's promotion of Goldsboro as a place to do business and really focusing on these revitalization corridors where you want businesses to locate. We do have a recommended implementation schedules years 1, two, and three um that we can talk through. But really the year one is about forming that business collaborative so that your partners are all engaged and on board. Uh beginning some of your internal streamlining of steps for businesses to start up and to grow. thinking about those

revitalization corridors, designating them so that you can build upon them in your uh comprehensive planning that activity nodes as well and then making that uh or creating that vacant building or vacant uh and under utilized property inventory so you can start marketing and promoting those. So we have several uh items for years uh one two and three. We do have draft metrics as well. How are you going to measure this strategic framework and how effective it is? Will you ask the people that that you're working with uh with surveys with businesses, surveys with your allies, with real estate developers to give you feedback um so that you can continue to iterate on this and improve. You can actually measure the city's brand awareness with business. So you can measure it today as a starting point and measure it you one years, two years, three years out. Um are people using your programs? Are they using your toolkits? Are they downloading your toolkit on how to start a business in Goldsboro? are they accessing your incentive programs, your grant programs and then of course uh the ultimate um measure is whether you are getting more investment especially in the areas that you've identified and focused on. So um as we've said I will appreciate and welcome any questions and feedback um this evening and then I will work with your staff to offer um all of you uh meetings with me to give individual feedback. Maybe you want to read it and digest it some more. After we receive your feedback, we'll create a a final draft, final report that will circulate to our planning committee and then we will finalize it. Um you guys will adopt it and staff is eager to get to work on it. So with that, I'll be glad to take feedback tonight. Um answer questions. So council obviously want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to digest this before you you have your only chance to ask questions but is there anything

for now is a lot of this is going to be a reading intensive uh period of time for us. This is a really important plan. Even the pragmatics of uh revoking the business lensure requirement but then having a a vacant building registry or something like that that that requires to maybe [clears throat] offset that revenue. being able to look at how we engage um different pockets of of our community geographically speaking to see what what their appetite for redevelopment in certain areas is being able to do things that again is is respectful of each of each piece of the city. So, I'm going to stop talking. Is there anybody that has anything to add or questions [clears throat] for this evening? Seeing none, we look forward to being able to schedule the uh series of one-on- ones or phone calls, Zoom, however you choose to do it. Uh Mr. Leon, I'm sure that you'll be, you know, coordinating those things over the next few weeks. And thank you again.

Thank you very much. And I just want to say again, kudos to um your staff and the mayor who have been engaged with this process all along the way, providing really good input. And also to all of your partners. They were very excited to to talk um to talk about development in Goldsboro. They're very complimentary of the work the city has been doing and they look forward to having stronger um stronger partnership with you and more communication and working more closely together.

Well, as you and I discussed it on one of the the team's calls, this one was a few weeks back. A lot of the things that that we will see in this draft are things we've heard before. A lot of these are are things and ideas that have surfaced a couple times since 2015 16. But, you know, it's a is a different it's a different group. It's a different atmosphere. It's a different moment. And so, keeping the pressure on and being able to ultimately try to get some things across the line, I think, is is really critical. There is a lot of value in putting um all these ideas in a framework on a piece of paper, the leadership of this city, adopting it, and then having staff come to you and integrating it into their program of work and getting it done. There's a lot of value in that.

Thank you so much. Thank you. All right, Mr. Livingston. If we can move into item 7.2, our audit results. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We have Chad Cook here to present our annual audit. Um, the Forbus Matters Mazers Mazers. Look forward to hearing his presentation there.

And as we begin this council, as you're wrapping your head around this, remember this was July 1, previous year to June 30, current year. All right? So, this is not what we're talking about what we're doing at our current budget year. This is last budget year. Now it's all been buttoned up. We're getting our audit done on time because that is what we committed to doing. And so this is is that piece of it. But that's our window of time as everyone is looking back at things. There floor is yours.

All right. Thank you, mayor. Um again, my name is Chad Cook. I'm an audit director with Forvis Mazars out of our Greensboro, North Carolina office. Um I've got a presentation tonight really to walk through as the mayor just mentioned the June 30, 2025 financial statements. Um, our audit was conducted in in accordance with a few standards. And so you may recall from prior years based on the level of state and federal funding that the city receives, you may require compliance audits in certain years, either a state compliance audit, a federal compliance audit or both. U, this year we did have a state compliance audit. So because of uh significant funding received both under the POW bill, which is a recurring annual allocation from the state, um, but also uh state funding related to the Mount Olive Pickle Company plant. Um in fiscal 2025 we had some additional procedures to perform there this year. Um and so as you can see our audit was conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. We also conducted our audit in accordance with government auditing standards because of that significant state funding this year as well as the audit manual for governmental auditors in North Carolina. Uh there was no uniform guidance or federal compliance audit this year because the federal expenditures for the city did not exceed $750,000. So, no no compliance procedures performed related to federal dollars. Um, as a reminder, the purpose of our audit is to obtain reasonable rather than absolute assurance about the the financial statements and and we're issuing an opinion that indicates the financial statements are free from material misstatement. Um, we also consider the city's internal controls of our financial reporting and compliance uh during the course of our audit. And and though we do not uh directly express an opinion on their effectiveness, we are required to report to you all if we come across any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the internal control processes. Uh happy to report this year we we did not have any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses uh to report. [cough] [clears throat] Uh moving on to the next slide. Again, we've audited the financial statements as of and for the year into June 30th, 2025. And we'll be

issuing unmodified opinions on those financial statements. unmodified or clean opinions. Um this means we found the the financial statements to be fairly presented in all material respects. Uh one thing we do like to point out there is some other information included in the financial statements that we do not directly report on that that's made up of the required supplementary information, supplementary information and others. So within the financials, you know, there's a lot of lot of stuff 200 pages long. Our opinion does not cover like the statistical information, demographic information, things like that at the back of the financial statements. Certainly anything that's in the supplementary [clears throat] information that's financially related, we will tie to the financials and make sure it's it's it's fairly stated, but we do not, you know, directly provide an opinion over that statistical or demographic information. All right. Um, we're also issuing unmodified opinions on the city's compliance with the major state programs. So again, the two programs were the Powell Bill as well as the Mount Olive Pickle Company plant. We had to perform both internal controls and compliance procedures related to those programs this year and had no findings as a result of of those audits. [clears throat] Um, moving on, we've got a couple slides to just highlight financial information. So, the first being the the general fund and kind of taking a look at the general fund fund balance summary. Um, you'll see the total fund balance for the general fund as of June 30th, 2025 is up to 33.7 million. Um, so certainly has come a long way since 2021 when we when it was at 10.6 6 million. Uh the current year increase is about 5.2 million. Um and the fund balance available for appropriation. So this being basically your assigned and unassigned fund balance. You know, nothing that's restricted or or committed. Um has risen from 4.7 million in 2021 all the way to 25.6 million in 2025 with the current year increase being about $4.9 million. Um down at the bottom you'll see available fund balance as a percentage of expenditures and transfers to other

funds. U you may recall back in 21 we were you know dangerously low uh to to the state minimum. Uh there there is a a financial performance indicator of concern that the state has within a template each year based on your financial results. If you're below a certain percentage which I believe is 15 um you will have have to respond to the state you on your plan. So back then you were below that percentage but it's it's been creeping up slowly improving and this year we're all the way up to 51.6% 6% as of June 30th, 2025. As a point of reference, the state does put out some some peer averages. So on the LGC's website, you can pull data for all of the the units across North Carolina. Um, and the most recently available data is based on the June 30th, 2024 financial statement audits. And you can see the peer average municipalities in North Carolina that have more than $10 million in general fund expenditures and also do not have an electric component, um, is 57.7%. So getting very close now to that average, still slightly below it. Um but but you know certainly trending in the right direction there with the general fund. Um this this next slide is really just kind of a a graphical depiction of that. But you can see you over time the the top being total expenditures the the yellow line and then the blue being the fund balance available for appropriation. So certainly expenditures are you know increasing over time but the fund balance is ticking up either with it. Um moving on to the utility fund summary. Uh so this is the utility fund on on the budgetary basis. So your your water and sewer activities um revenues increased from you know back at the beginning of this this slide 19.8 million back in 2021 up to 25.8 million in 2025. Uh expenditures this year were you know just under $19 million on the budgetary basis. And working capital has climbed to about 38.2 million. that that consists of current assets excluding any restricted cash um minus your your current liabilities. Um this next slide again is just a graphical depiction of those figures. So you'll see at the top that's working capital which has

continued to climb. Um revenues on the budgetary basis have have been uh increasing um but you know the expenditures have been increasing right there uh in in line with it. Um other required communications. So this is this is a lot of information but essentially [clears throat] if we were to come across any uh unusual policies or methods or if there were disagreements with management um we had to have consultations with other accountants maybe things that we disagreed on on the way that a certain the presentation of something in the financial statements or if we just encountered difficulties in the audit we would be required to report those. A lot of language here that just says you know we have no no matters that are reportable anywhere there. Um the only thing we do note on this slide significant accounting policies u within note once the financial statements there was a new accounting policy implemented in in fiscal 2025 which was gazsby 101 related to compensated absences. I won't do a deep dive on it u but basically the gazsby changed the way financial or excuse me the compensated absences are being accounted for across the board. Um and so all all units were required to implement that as of July 1st 2024. It was a lot of work for the finance team just going through the new model and performing the calculations. Ultimately, we determined the way that the the compensated absences have been reported in the past were materially correct and so there were there were no changes that were needed. Just a lot of work going into proving the fact that it was you know an immaterial adjustment there. Um other things we like to point out in the financial statements each year we do like to mention that you know certainly the financials include estimates which are you know based on management judgment. um the ones that we believe to be key estimates in the financial statements for Goldsboro. Uh first are the allowance for any uncollectible receivables. Um second, there are pension and OPED related liabilities and other balances in the financials which are based on information provided by the actuaries. Uh there's also a liability for inc incurred but not reported uh claimed liabilities. So this be insurance claims on the self-insured workers comp plan. And then lastly,

terms and discount rates that are used for the calculation of lease and subscription. So, IT subscription liabilities. Um, certainly we review all those estimates as part of the audit, make sure that they're reasonable, they're in accordance with industry standards, recalculate them, but nonetheless, we do like to point out should any of those assumptions be off, there could be material changes in in the financial statements, financial performance indicator of concern. So, I believe this was this one was mentioned a little bit earlier in the public comment period, but this is a recurring financial performance indicator from last year. So, at the conclusion of the audit, we fill out a data input worksheet for the LGC. Based on the information you feed it from the financials, it automatically tells you if you have any financial performance indicators that they want a response to. The only one that's kicking out for the city this year is uh related to the city's water and sewer capital asset ratio, which is basically the remaining useful life of the water water and sewer capital assets. Again, this this is certainly an estimate. So, you know, the city, for example, if the city is using a 50-year life on the water and sewer infrastructure, you're 35 years in, you got about you 15 years left. Um, it's it's completely an estimate. It doesn't necessarily mean that that's, you know, that's that's the amount of time left. But the ratio is at.32, which anything less than 0.5 is determined by the LGC to be a financial performance indicator of concern. You have 60 days from the day that this is presented to you to respond to the LGC. So based on tonight's meeting date, that would be February 13th, 2026. You'll need to have a response in to the LGC, you know, just related to u yeah the recognition of this financial performance indicator and then your response to that. Um this last slide just has some my contact information if there are any questions. But um yeah, that that concludes the presentation and certainly happy to to answer any questions about [cough] the audit process [clears throat] or those financials at this point.

I'll open the floor for comments and questions. You going back one slide. Sure. So on this one, obviously there's nothing we can do to turn back father time on the age of bricks and mortar. Uh I'm assuming the the response is simply yes, we're aware, hence the plans to modify. Is that basically what the responsible down to? Okay, we've had the same one. We'll probably have a very similar letter, similar response. We're actively trying through our CIP to replace our aging infrastructure. It's not an overnight process. we didn't get that way. So, it's going to be systematic.

Well, and this the fund balance increase ultimately is going to end up needing to be used for so much of the capital assets. Not necessarily utility fund. I'm not trying to comele here, but you know, there's so many things that need investment. So, it's it's not just going to go sit and go stale. That's correct. [clears throat] Council comments, questions. All right. We'll receive hard copies this year or are we just doing the digital copies? How are you doing the audit report? However you all would like it. We we can certainly print hard copies if anyone would like that. And I think in the maybe last year was just just digital, but happy to do you know whatever you want. Well, it's the pleasure of council myself. Go ahead.

Paper preferably. You mind going ahead and printing three or four of them and then Yes. That's not Yeah, we can we can print and buy them and I'll I'll have them shipped to to Catherine. Lovely. All right. and council. So, you know, Katherine uh had a family emergency hop up later in the day. So, that's why she's not here. Um she's certainly not trying to avoid this particular uh this particular presentation, but uh she was addressing a family matter. She we wish her safe travels and a speedy return.

I just wanted to publicly thank Chad and his team and in our finance office and a lot of the department heads have, you know, this is a tremendous every year you do the audit and you think, well, it's a routine thing. Well, it's not always routine. There's always changes in the Gatsby rules and a lot of times there's lots of different balls you have to unwind and and to dig down in deep into things. It's a lot of work is what what Chad alluded to and uh that and balancing their day-to-day jobs is a challenge and I really do appreciate all the hard work and effort they've been and the hours they're putting in and the effort they're putting into this process. to that point just culturally where we are. My first December in office, we were having a team's meeting on the 23rd making it inc incredibly clear that it was not tolerable to be months away and now here we are December and we're we're here.

So it's with absolutely no deficiency, right? That speaks very highly of our city staff and our finance department and we're extremely grateful for that because that's unheard of in a lot of audits and so we're extremely grateful. Yep. And and I'll echo Matthew's comments and it's it's a ton of work for Katherine and her team and they do a great job of keeping up with our hundreds if not thousands of requests related to the audit and so definitely appreciative of them to kind of keep us on track. It's good to be where we are. Indeed. All right. Thank you so much. Thank you. Safe travels back. Is it Greensboro office? Greensboro. Couple hours. Safe travels back. Thank you.

All right, let's move to item 7.3. Speaking of things that are very expensive. Uh, yes. So, Le, if you have any any brief on this one or if we're just

So, the legend. What what this is is um we've uh moved 1 point close to $1.9 million into a a fund to go ahead and start uh working on the basis of design report by our consultants to get our 30% design so that we'll get an idea of the cost for the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant. And um so that's what uh item 7.3 is that we're asking for approval of the basis design report for the reclamation facility upgrade. So council, this is something that in concept we have discussed many many times before this evening, but wanted to make sure there was an opportunity for any remaining discussion or simply a motion to approve. Are there any questions of where we are at this time from council?

Hearing none. Is there a motion to approve the resolution as presented? So move. All right. Second. Motion has been made and properly seconded to approve the resolution uh approving the funding uh as presented. Is there any debate? Hearing none. Please vote electronically if possible.

All in favor please raise your hand. All oppose. Same sign. Seeing none, motion passes. All right, we will move to item 7.4, which I believe is related, Mr. Leon. It is, mayor. It's essentially the capital project fund ordinance for that same uh issue that we just spoke about the 1.8 8 well 1.9 million to uh move towards or forward with that basic uh basis of design report so that we can uh determine the cost on the the estimated cost on the treatment plant expansion and this is coming out of our capital reserves that Chad just talked about within our utility fund

council is everyone everyone clear on why it's two votes for the same piece of business one is approving a resolution to do it the other is approving the actual line item change on the budget. Any questions or comments on that? Okay, just making sure everyone's clear as we can be on that. Um, is there a motion to approve the ordinance as presented? So, move. Motion's made. Is there a second? Second.

Motion's been properly seconded. Uh, is there any debate? Hearing none, please vote electronically if possible. If not, please just notify. All right. All having voted, uh, motion passes unanimously. All right. Now, let's move to item 7.5. That's right. Yeah. Item seven, Mr. Livingston.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, this is the ordinance amendment that we had discussed at the last meeting. Uh, we made some minor modifications to it so that and I have uh Mr. Jamie here to talk more about those so that we can um get a better handle what we feel like is going to be a better handle on our yard waste going forward into the future. Go ahead. Good to have you back. You last time we hammered on a couple of different paths forward on this thing. So, where did we ultimately land?

Well, I kind of wanted to make some tweaks. So, we made some tweaks and given how the uh the marketplace functions and how much contractor work we have, we've decided to focus on limiting the size of the loads, the four cubic yards and identifying only single residential properties. That way, it excludes all commercial properties without trying to list each one individually. So, we think we have something here that's going to work. Uh right now there's a ton of leaves on the ground. We're picking up record amounts as you saw on the report for the month. Uh but I think this is a way we can accommodate a bi-weekly schedule and also u have an amount we can actually collect given our current resources.

Council, I know that this has been was distributed as part of the agenda pack. Are there any questions for Mr. Stanley? So ultimately the uh the limitation is going to be on volume and if it's a general residential or a single family residential property regardless of who is cutting that grass it's not an issue we're just focused on size right

that's right because I mean frankly I think about 80% of our residents have hired landscapers now it's not a do-it-yourself u city but we still have to make sure we take care of the original intent here which was the do it yourself Hallmark. And so now we've got to just really hone in on focusing on only eligible properties. And of course, that's training for us. We've got to learn to say no. And uh and I think we need a couple of months to see how it measures out and go from there. Council, uh last chance. Any other comments or questions on this ordinance amendment as presented?

All right. Hearing none. Uh, is there a motion to adopt the amended ordinance as presented? So moved. All right. Motions are made. Is there a second? A second. Motions are properly seconded. [clears throat] Uh, is there any debate? Hearing none, we'll call the vote. Please vote electronically if possible. [clears throat] All right. All votes have been cast in the affirmative. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you for your work on this. Thank you all so much. And u obviously we'll be tracking it very closely. Thank you. I I I don't have any any sir about what we just voted on, but I do just want to ask, did we send the um and it [clears throat] should be self-explanatory,

but have we sent the um the message out to the businesses? And the only reason I asked that because I've been riding past a couple of businesses and in my mind I say, "Well, we ain't going to pick that up." Right? You know what I'm saying? I'm just being honest. You know what I'm saying? I don't know if they got the message or not. So, that's why I'm asking. What's the plan now? Because it's official now. So, what is the plan of kind of rolling this out phase again? Because, you know, we voted on this. It was unanimous and so we're going to have to stand by it as well. So, Councilman White's point, right? You know, I'm seeing things that we're going to have to say we're not that's not going to get picked up, right? So, what what's the what's the way to roll it out?

This is the real world. I mean, right now, we're going to pick up everything that's on the ground right now. That's our plan to give people a chance to get used to it. I know of a dozen locations that are, let's say, not eligible now that have debris on the ground that we've been picking up for years. We're still going to try to clean this up as we go. Um, it's taken about a month to get through the city like it has the last couple of months. We're going to continue to try to pick up as much as possible and we'll have some information to go out the or uh the ordinances for sure and kind of highlight this. Uh, I've been kind of missing the Toya lately, but we're we're not going to just go cold turkey tomorrow at 8:00 and cut off people that we've been picking up for decades. Uh, we're going to ease into it, but I think by the first of the year, we should be able to be on schedule and follow this ordinance.

We will make an an earnest effort to get to notify everybody of the the ordinance changes and what we're doing because that's the only way it's going to be effective. We got to get it out there. So, we have a lot of work to do along those lines. Well, I I think you're going to have to give yourself some grace as you're as the guys and girls are out doing the works, identifying the properties. Probably not just doing a Facebook post on this one. I think we're going to have to even though it's going to take them a little while, have some post-it notes in the truck and say, "I got to make sure this [clears throat] one gets a letter." Well, we we have some information we can hand out, but we really want to do not just Facebook, but put on our uh the city's website and maybe next month's water biller.

Yeah. get it out accurate because that's probably the most effective way to get a message out. Well, and even even with the water, I get it. I mean, there's this is going to be a a phase thing. You if the tenant is a general commercial tenant and a landlord owned property, they've especially some of them the the the water is part of the lease. So, the people actually there generating the waste never see the water bill. So, whatever you got to do, you have our support. Sending letters, right? We may blow the postage budget on this one, but it's important.

We we'll uh of course, we know everybody. We've been doing this for a long time. We will uh we're good about customer service. We take a lot of calls. We will process what we need to process and uh uh we will be proactive and trying to take care of everybody that we're supposed to.

Council, anything else, Mr. Stanley? I do have something, but it it's not related to this. It is related to what he does. First, I want to um thank you so much for working so hard uh the North End area and getting the trash picked up over there, but there was another concern and I was trying to follow up and that was the the sewer and the water. Yes, ma'am. that that streets had an issue with the silver line before and I talked to my buddies over in distribution and collections and they did go address that that issue. Okay. They were familiar with that that line.

Okay. Cuz they were saying that they could not find it. Well, I I'm I'm not in charge of uh distribution collections anymore. Okay. That's public utilities, but I talked to Don and they were they were going to go look at it. So, if there was something we could do, they did it. If not, it must be a private issue. Okay. All right. Thank you. And we'll and we'll follow up after after the meeting as well. Just make sure that that way you're able to give constituents, you know, very specific information. Yeah. Perfect. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? Yes, sir. So, that transition is complete now with the re reorientation of distribution collections under starting July 1st since it's been in place. Okay. Good.

The transition was right at the fiscal year beginning. Of course, now they [clears throat] still operate out of our facility. their offices there and their equipment's parked at at public works, but uh yeah, they do report all the way through uh through BERT at public utilities. Okay. Thank you. It's not been an issue whatsoever. Good. All right. Anything else? Going once, going twice, three times. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, sir. All right. Council, we are at a natural transition point, so I'm going to ask, is it the pleasure of council to recess for a uh for a seven or eight minute nature break, or are we going to keep rolling? everyone. All right. All right, then we'll keep rolling.

So, with that, let's move to new business. Uh, item 8.1. Mr. Livingston, we're not going to take care of 7.6. Um, I'm sorry. We We could move for ahead. No, no, no, no. Let me get back [laughter] to it. I have an old copy. Excuse me. Board, I had that one under new business. Our our next item is 7.6, which is review of city hall and council safety proposals. and we have a deputy city manager here to go over some options that we've been looking into and would like to have that discussion with you. Kelly,

actually, Mr. L, that was I just simply have an old copy of the agenda. So 7.6 on our agenda was as published is boards and commissions appointment discussion. I apologize. I'm just looking at the agenda. Yeah. So that that's a discrepancy between the printed copies and the hard copies. Let's go with what was published digitally because that is the one that the vast overwhelming majority will have seen. So Kelly will come right back to you. So with that, where Laura go? What?

She went to the restroom. All right. Then uh when she gets back, we will go into seven. Wait, y'all have this very very 6. All right, come on back up. You're right. You're right. You're right. This is very different than the coffee that I have. We're in the short rise for this year. Yeah, we are. It's a holiday season. [laughter] Thank you. Yeah, you're good. You're good. No, this one was Thank you. Appreciate it.

I'm not all you. Mayor, mayor prom council. Um, I'm going to take a point of privilege and take a timeout. I used my career for majority of my career. I've been up with you all many times in different communities and experiences and I want to commend you and what you're doing in 2025 and what I look forward to in 2026. You're doing good work. There's a lot here in these agendas. There's don't fool yourself. There's a lot here and I'm looking forward to continuing it. So, thank you very much. I just want to take a moment and thank you all for that. So, it's been a great pleasure uh to be here and and tonight we're going to talk about one of the trending issues you've been talking about, which is city hall safety. I think about two months ago, you kind of said, "What can we do to make sure that not only is city council meetings more safe, but also city hall and and what we have going on in city hall operations?" And for the most part, city hall is generally a good, safe, secure place. But there are particularly at the entrance of city hall is probably a place that we don't have much security involved and hasn't had since we built this building. It's been a very open environment, very userfriendly. I've sat down there. I've told Matt this. I've sat there in there now the last two months for periods of time just watch the flow of traffic and it is busy. But what it isn't is a place where people are getting checked or secure and there are some places that are could be potential concerns if we believe we want to address those. So what we've done with Robin is taken an opportunity to take a look that Robin has gone out and talked to the police department, talked to our insurance company, looked at best practices and we've come to some conclusions that you may want to consider. Again, this is your choice what you want to do on this. And we've

kind of presented to you two phases, what I call building more security. One is an interim step and one might be a more permanent step. The interim step is very similar to what we do what Wayne County does right now which is they have [clears throat] personnel security private personnel up at the front entrance of Wayne County courthouse if you've been there and they essentially make you go through a security gate a place that I you know they have the opportunity to wand you if need to. You had to pass your belongings through and you come through and essentially have some asurances that the individuals coming into that building are a not a threat to the operations. But we would recommend that if you're interested in something like that, we do have a couple of opport we've met with a couple of agencies who provide those services. the one that provides it for Wayne County. Another one that has given us a quote, they have said they've given us a pricing for that. I've laid it out in the in the memo essentially just to even get started to do that. It's about another $51,000 for the balance for this balance of this fiscal year starting about February 1. We probably couldn't start it by January one. We don't have it in place. What will be interesting about that is that area is kind of tight in there too, right? When you come in there because the entrance desk and that front area and so we'd have to kind of look and see how we would situate that and walk through it and make sure that it worked properly.

But um and we haven't necessarily got to that step yet. We just kind of walked through it with some folks and said, "Tell us about this." But we haven't said, "Okay, how do you measure this out? How do you work that? they make sure two security people are there and and work through it from 8:00 to 5:00. The other part of that is in also securitizing your meetings here. If you want to take that step, we would recommend that we would continue using the front entrance if we took this first step. use the material that we brought forward in that and have all the public come through the front entrance and have that be the area again that uh they would go through make sure there's security and then walk through and use the upstairs elevator come across come through here and come into the chambers this way. So, we would not use the chambers or not use this entrance at this building for the entrance to your council means um that we would recommend using police department offduty employees. They don't have enough staff to do it 8 to 5 weekdays, but they do have enough staff potentially to do it on your meeting nights. Um and they also have more flexibility. If you go short meetings or long meetings, they would be here and we pay their going rate. So essentially provide all those services and I we call this the interim step or it could become the permanent step. We don't know but that would be about $51,000 or thereabouts and we probably even try and refine that more and probably even come in more higher estimate than that just we had enough money for the rest of the fiscal year of 202526. And then you'd have to continue that service every year and budget appropriately funds to continue that service after that. the permanent plan that Robin and I have been talking through is that how do we uh the pro the word it's in the the

lingo or such as harden and make the entrance to city hall more secure so that you don't have to have security staff available all the time but you have a secure entrance to the facility have a secure entrance or a methodology to pay your bills and such like that. You don't have security here present, but your building, your remodel would make it. So, we've gone through and talked to a couple people through that. We've walked through that. It seems like it's feasible. I don't have any clue how much it's going to cost. It could be an expensive remodel, but it may be beneficial to explore that further because if you're spending 100,000 plus for people, put that towards a building remodel and your payoff might be worthy and you may be permanently done with that issue for long term in this building. So, we've looked at kind of how you would secure that as you come into a front entrance way into [clears throat] city hall and then you kind of build some barrier of some sort or something to make sure that people have the ability to come through, but you still need to service that cashier and that utility payments. And we haven't got that quite figured out yet, but we'd have to work through that and figure that out. So, we want to know if you are interested in continuing to pursue this. If you are, then we would come back in January with a proposal to provide the interim security. And if you are to look interested in looking at permit, we'd probably go ahead and do some sort of bringing on an engineer or an architect of some sort and start talking about how we can harden the facility and make it more of a permanent secure facility. So with that, did I cover everything, Robin? Yes, sir.

With that, we stand ready for your discussion or questions you may have. So what exactly this evening you know we've outlined a potential long-term we've outlined a short term we've outline we would like to know whether you want staff to spend any more time on this issue one two if you do what would you like us to pursue if it's a temporary we would come back in a month of January with a proposal to do that and then if you want us to continue this journey on a permanent we would start working on that for a fiscal year 2627 budget consideration probably council. Yes sir. [clears throat]

Would it be possible to take this up as official discussion at the retreat would be one question and then another statement of my opinion. I I think that I would like to see um us move forward with at least gathering a cost estimate on uh fortifying the building as as he discussed and that way we can make a informed decision cuz I think that needs to happen really regardless. I mean yes ma'am

I think we need to move forth. I've had some conversation with uh some of the staff and I have been on my way um up to the office and there have been uh some combative customers um really um angry at the receptionist [clears throat] right there at the desk and she you know really didn't know what to do. I turned around when he um and the individual kind of calmed down. But we really need to take a look at that and then how to secure um the individuals that actually taking um the water payments as well as the city council. Um I've always felt and this was four years ago. I felt like that we need to have security here. So, I really would like to see us look go forward.

Council, any other comments? Sit down. So, the only Yes, sir. I was just going to say one idea I had thought of in in times past when it comes down to considering remodel or fortification of the building. Would it be possible to look at when we incorp when that's incorporated or done of possibly having the access to um your water department personnel through like when you come in then the access be right there on the right. So they're secure in that area they're at and they're basically at a at a I think that's a highly probable

uh situation. Um, again, we want to look at the how that wall is built and whether there's a closet in between there also just so and and but that that gives us an opportunity I think also. Yeah. I figure while we're looking at doing something, let's explore.

Mhm. Yeah. Well, it's something beyond my capability, but we got to bring in somebody who specializes. We can look at those and see if they have some ideas. Our general opinion is the hardening of the structure would be best long term, but it's going to require that we invest and get, you know, someone that's a security expert or just an architect in general that's going to be able to design something that's not just going to meet code, but it's also going to have a certain level of safety enhancements built into it over the long haul as opposed to having personnel out there that would save us money. We feel that's generally the way to go. That would be my recommendation, but I mean it's up to you guys. But that's going to be a longer term planning element to put into the budget for next year.

Well, in my question, last question was going to be is it possible is it too s we not have enough time to where you could get something like that together in time for the retreat or I I can't promise that right now, but possibly we can do our best try to get something. So for the sake of this evening, you know, the only comments have been in favor of would you like some sort of formal vote so that you can document the authorization of council to continue expending staff time and resources on this?

I actually I think I would because it's been sort of a contentious issue in the sense that we haven't really we've talked about it. Some people have wanted then it's become do we really need it? So I'd like to know. Well, if we're How about this? Council entertain a motion to authorize staff to continue expending a reasonable amount of time and resources to uh to create a plan that would allow for the hardening of city hall for council as well as employees and general operations. So, move. Okay, that was a lot. It was, but it's [laughter] recorded. Yes.

And it hits the points. It's not just for us. Yeah, it hits the points. It's not just for us. It's it's for our employees. It's for our operations. It's not just for our meetings. [clears throat] And it would be the plan as well as any engineered drawings would be necessary to uh to see what we're building. Now, this is not part of the motion, but I'll also add it cannot be ugly. We've got a beautiful complex here. It cannot be some ugly appendage stuck on here. Um, we've And I'll also note we got a lot of other things we got to spend money on. So, this is not the Cadillac plan. This is a nicely appointed Camry plan. All right.

I was like, I can bring my tools and a tape measure. Yeah. Yeah. We But this again, it's got to look. So, that is my I'll say entertain a motion. I believe that you So, Mayor Pro Tim stepped forward and made the motion. Is there a second? I'll make a second.

All right. Motion's been made and seconded. Um, you'll have to go back and get it from uh from the record, but I'm not putting I didn't put a specific dollar figure on there. I think council or I think council understands and staff understands this is not authorization to spend $100,000. This is authorization to build build a plan. Understood? Everyone generally clear? Is there any debate on this? All right. Seeing none, uh, we'll call the vote. Uh, please vote electronically if possible. All right. All votes haven't been cast. Votes are in the affirmative. Go forth.

And just to clarify then, Mr. R, thank you for that motion and clarification. Um, that was for the permanent. Do you want to pause on this interim because that permanent is probably a year and a half out, right? Minimally,

possibly. Possibly. I I think that you've this is my opinion. This is a whole council, not just a not just a me, so y'all chime in here. I think that the overall goal, as I understand it, is to get this place to where that we feel like our employees are protected and then can also support ensuring that this chamber is safe. I I think that's the goal and I I don't think that there's We've increased personnel. We've increased resources for the meetings while still allowing folks to feel welcome and and present here. I'm thinking that what I'm picking up on is the larger need to secure the facility for our operations and then obviously we'll be a beneficiary of that.

And so we can move this along if we can get to some point where we can have a resolution on the interest for the budget or how it could be. If that's a no, then you could come back to the interim period and think about that too. So I believe it. Yes, please. So what we're saying is we are not making strides for the interim because in my mind the interim phase is what secures it right now. The plan to remodel is what secures it later. So if our goal is to secure it right now, we should focus on the interim and focus on the larger picture which is the remodel or whatever that looks like. But if we want to get the building safe now, we need to be looking at the interim.

The interim as I heard it was just for the meetings. No, it's it was 8 to 5. Okay. Bringing in some security group for 8 to 5 operations. Okay. Council, what's the pleasure? Council, well, [clears throat] is our pleasure. I I'm of the same. I think we need to to put a stop gap until we we get a permanent fix if safety is the concern. Is it something that we have an exact number in front of us? He gave us a number. So we have an estimate. You have an estimate, right? Yeah. And we would bring back a proposal in January.

All right. So council, is it the pleasure of council then to have that actual uh resolution and then the appropriate budget ordinance as part of the agenda packet the first meeting of January? Second. Second meeting of January. I'm in agreement with that. Okay. All right. And that would be for the interim player. I agree. All right. Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir. What uh effect budget budgetwise is that going to be just on current? You know, obviously we don't have that budget in this year's budget year, but we would do a budget amendment to make it happen. Um, from from You're not talking about a whole fiscal year. You're just talking about a few years.

Our new fiscal year will start. It may be that we could identify funding somewhere for that amount, but um likely um we would probably just use fund balance just because we don't we we had a contingency fund. I don't know that we've tapped into that or not, but we can look into all the options, but we would have to do a budget amendment. That's the bottom line. But that was going to be my question is do we have anything in contingency left at this point? So we didn't have to do anything with general fund if we don't have to. We that would be our first we would look closely at the existing budget to see if we could identify funding opportunities. If not, we would go to fund balance.

Thank you. All right. So, we'll uh look forward to an actual resolution uh the perfect budget corresponding budget ordinance at the second meeting in January. Yes, sir. All right. Thanks. Uh thank everyone for their for your work on that. It's been a long conversation, but it needs to be done right. Yes, ma'am. And I'm not trying to interrupt you, so we don't have to finish that motion or anything where there was a first and a second made for that since we just We just rechanged it or whatever took for the interim. I meant for the um for the interim.

Okay. Now, it was my understanding that we took a vote that we wanted to move forward. We really didn't discuss how we were going to move forward. Is that correct? We we did. All right. So, the Okay. And then it was talked about we should do interim. So, that motion is okay because we talked about we were going to move forward. Yeah. the the motion the motion that I articulated was for the longer term let's get a a proper holistic plan in

place one um council is certainly verbalized the desire to move forward on interim plan uh we've given direction to uh to the manager the actual resolution would then be voted on at the second meeting unless there if anyone wants wants to make a motion asking staff to formally create that resolution we certainly can but I think the desire of council has been articulated and then obviously before it's before funds are truly committed, there would have to be a proper vote. Yeah, I don't feel like there's a need to I'm good with that. Okay. All right. Thank y'all for trying to keep everything on the rails. I appreciate that. Thank you for listening to me. Sure.

All right. Having done that, let's move to item 7.7. And correct me on this one. There were two that asked for more time. Planning and CCRD. Yes, sir. That's correct. All right. Perfect. So, those two do not need to be discussed this evening. Obviously, any questions can be asked,

but the rest we'll pull up the model resolution. So, I did also print I've also added a resolution proposed resolution for new members and then um members who will be um leaving their boards offer of appreciation but that is in your folders. Um and then I in the resolution I did remove the commission on community relations board until they've met on Wednesday and then the planning board till they meet at end of the month.

Perfect. And and for clarity on the planning board, there was an additional application that uh they desired to consider and I think it's appropriate to give them the chance to do that. Yes, sir. So, do we just need uh to vote on the amended resolution as presented? Is that I want to make sure that we are all looking at the correct. It really wouldn't be an amendment because I it wasn't posted. It was only handed to council. Okay. So, it would just be a regular resolution. And there, just so council's aware, there are also on your chart that's in your folder, there's um two absences that were recommended for removal on the tourism board, just so that you're aware.

I have a question.

Yes, ma'am. Um, so I did notice that um the community relations and the other group didn't have any recommendations. However, as much as we want to get this done, looking at this, there were applicants whose first choice was to be on community um the relationship and development board and they were placed on their third choice by a organization by a board that had met and made the recommendations. So me personally, I don't want to make any recommendations or decisions because I would like to honor people's first requests as much as we can and then um that will also allow us to fill more vacancy. So for example, if I may, Latoya Stalling's first choice was the community relations board and she was added to well she was recommended to the recreation advising commission which was her third choice. But if the CCRD was to meet and see that as her first choice, they may put her there, which gives us a vacancy there and we can add someone else that was placed on another board. I think it's worth I think it's worth doing that be so we can get our folks involved who really want to participate who have put their applications in. So, I'm recommending that we just wait until we have all of the commissions submitted their recommendations because the other reason is on the I'm missing something on the resolution that was provided to us. Yeah. Can I use yours real quick? like for the um travel and tourism, there was two people that were added up there. However, there's nothing on the actual paper that we received that looks like this.

It should be. So, I think you were just given the wrong copy. Okay. Because I'm looking at Edward Davis, which was his first choice, and he's a hotel year, and I say that word wrong. I think um that was his first choice and then of course Alicia, but I see someone whose second choice. So I say all that to say well and and I apologize for interrupting you, but Mr. um Davis, he's he's already on that board as part of the county part. So part of the TDA. So he's still basically on the board. He's just not on the county part. He's on the city part. I mean city part instead of the county part. So I need to update in one of these.

Yes, ma'am. Tell you what, u let's go ahead and continue our conversation. But uh given that there are two missets, are there any are there any here that you are confident that we could approve or as uh well actually was that in the form of a motion? Did you make formally? Would you like to state that as a motion to table? Yes, I would until um all boards have uh met and reported. All right. So, uh obviously as chair, it's my role to honor any motions. So, motion has been made to table. Is there a second? I'll second.

All right. Motions have been made uh made and properly seconded to table this until both uh the remaining commissions have had the opportunity to meet and put forward their recommendations. Is there any logistics issue with that? I don't think so because I think most of them I mean they're not they're the next set of rounds by the time they meet again I think it'll be fine because council meets January the 5th right which is early enough in the month that they can still notify whoever's been appointed so I think we're good okay we just do it all at one we'll do it all in one fell sw so with that I'm fine with that motion has been made and properly seconded to table this uh discussion to the first meeting in January yes sir

all Is there any further debate on that? Seeing none, let me wake my iPad up and hopefully cast a vote. Uh, seeing none, we will call the vote. Yeah, my All in favor, please raise your hand. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes unanimously. We will take up boards and commissions appointments, the first meeting in January, and we'll please uh do everything we can to make sure that the two remaining ones have an opportunity to meet prior to sir. Thank you.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you for all your work on this. It is a lot of doing. All right. Now, let's move to council uh council committee appointments. Uh this last year is this one. I'll get there in a second. This last year we have had um I think good involvement in uh in certain committees and other commit other committees simply we haven't um haven't fully utilized and I'd like to do more things in 2026. So as I find it

it's not in paper copy. It's just on the it's just the electronic copy. All right. Perfect. I got you. I got y'all. Page 205.

All right. Perfect. So, as it sits right now, the [cough and clears throat] GWTAC board is uh Miss Haywatha Jones, Miss Jamie Taylor, and then Miss Felicia Brown. The transportation advisory committee is myself, uh Councilman White, and Councilman Boyette. and the WCDA position as was discussed actually I guess it was last week as Councilman Boyette. I'll just be blunt. My desire is to keep these the same. I believe that we have developed good continuity and I would like in this second year for us to develop even more robust work plans and even more robust engagement. My personal experience has been that if you're on something for for just a year, by the time you finally understand it, you're cycling off. And so my recommendation to council is that the city of Goldsboro special committees especially that we leave them alone and allow folks to see if we can really materialize into some really strong value in year two and then after that obviously at that point we'll have done it for a couple of years and if we want to change we'll change but that is just a recommendation. There's certainly nothing uh binding to that other than simply my opinion. So, I'll open it up to council for any uh any requests or uh or also opinions.

We need to if we're just good with it like it is, do we need to vote on that or it's good like it is? If it's good like it is, then we'll need a motion to uh accept as currently and uh continue the appointments for a second year. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. [clears throat] Um just a a minor correction for um my name. I am no longer Mayor Pro Tim. So, Oh, sorry about that. But thank you. I apologize. But you are still interested in supporting the committee. Absolutely. I apologize. Good. It's been a very It's been a very strong year for the Committee for Persons with Disabilities, and I look forward to another strong year. Well, if if council is comfortable doing so, council, make a motion. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. Make a motion. We accept it as it is.

All right. Motion's been made. Is there a second? Second. All right. Motion's been made and properly seconded. Uh, is there any further debate? Hearing none. All please vote electronically if possible. They're coming along. You know, I thought about turning this into a general assembly thing where it's we'll pause 15 seconds for votes or something like that, but All right. All votes have a mentality. The affirmative motion passes. I appreciate everybody's work on these and look forward to having some conversations uh in January about ways that we can even even better engage uh each of these each of these committees. Yes, ma'am.

I'm sorry. I had one more comment to that. I mentioned a couple of months back I think that we as a council start making reports for these committees that we sit on so that we know um what's going on cuz otherwise we usually just don't know. so we can, you know, know what's happening and then also support one another um in our efforts. Maybe that's something we can do monthly um or add to the report. That's just the idea um to the monthly reports that staff put out.

I think that would be a good a good way to supplement things. You know, we've um I'm in agreement. the as you've seen the city boards and commissions like commission, community relations, historic district commission. Something that the clerk and the clerk and I have tried to do over this last year is make sure that every one of these commissions gets in front of us at least twice per year, preferably once every four months, so three times a year. Um because to your point, often times these things just sort of run in the background and you never really hear about them. So I think that that could be very beneficial for all concerned. Uh those that have staff liaison, for example, TAC, I think that that would be really good for um our uh MO liaison to send out those those reports to all of council to make sure that they're aware. So I think there's there's certainly some value in that.

All right. Now, with that, let's move to item 8.2, two. Uh the selection of the mayor pro Tim for 2026. Yes, sir. I'll make a motion that we um uh nominate or name uh Councilwoman um Weeks as our mayor prom for next year. Second. Okay. A motion has been made and properly seconded to uh name Councilwoman Beverly Weekes as the mayor prom for uh year 2026. Uh motion been made and seconded. Is there any further discussion? All right, seeing none. Oh, yes, ma'am. Go ahead. Please. Um, how do you feel about that?

Um, I think I would be honored anyone else that would be nominated and honored. I guess I should have asked you accept, [laughter] but I believe I would be like any of the rest of you. honor to I think it would be great to have another one of our ladies represent us. All right. Well, motions are made and properly seconded. Is there any further debate? [snorts] All right. All second. I do. Thank you.

All right. All in favor, please vote electronically. All right. All motion passes unanimously. All right. Congratulations this week and thank you for your work and council. Thank you for your work on all of these committees. Uh if you see that there are additional things that this council, Mr. Livingston, myself can do to support you. Um especially on these special committees. Um let's let's see what we can do to support each other and bring some value in 2026. I look forward to working with every one of you. Uh, I'll probably go ahead and count this as my comments, but it's been a phenomenal 2025. Uh, there's been times where we've, you know, hammered some things when [snorts] we really needed to, and that's that's healthy. That's what you're supposed to do. And, uh, there's been times where we've just simply worn out our city manager's phone, just constantly talking through things to make sure that we all understand things and come to meetings prepared. And I feel like we are in a fantastic place as a group. I like the fact that we don't always see eye to eye because you got to have differing opinions to be able to actually make sure that you're getting something on paper the way it needs to be. So with that, uh, Mr. Lemson, we'll move to your report. Thank you, Mayor Councel, I'd like to start off my manager's report with some good news. I I told you this last week, but I think it's worth honoring uh or mentioning again, and that is that city of Goldsboro was recognized for the Dick ShraMM Community Relations Award for the best in air show. Um, so that's quite the accomplishment there. Additionally, uh we were the number one military air show of the event of the year by the Thunderbirds. Actually, the Dick Shrim is a community relations award. So, it's more about how the community DDD out the citizens and staff, everyone really kind of came together support the uh whole event there. Um, also, you know, you've asked me about putting together something for, you know, speaking of

this year and actually the past two years, um, some of the things that we've accomplished and mostly the city council and there's a draft here of some of the, um, midterm accomplishments. Before I kind of went any further with this, I didn't know if you really kind of wanted us to drill down a lot more on like putting in facts and figures with this or is this thorough enough for you guys purposes? just let me know. I mean, like we can talk about what the percentages were, you know, up for this or that or how much we reduce crime. If you want to have that detailed level of a report or is this more good enough for you for the elevator speech, so to speak. Um, these do tie back to some of the original strategic priorities that you mentioned when you were first coming on board uh with the city. Any questions about those?

Yes, sir. I knew we were in the process of compiling that information, but was it put together and I miss it? It's it's there right now and I'll send it out electronically. Um, you know, but um it's and it says big draft word on it. So, yeah. I'm sorry.

And I'll send this out to you, like I said, electronically um so that you can provide some feedback and you can just have it there. Um, one of the things that, uh, you know, we've we've made a lot of progress on the organizational study and, um, I think we're pretty much 75%, you know, you know, there with that. All of the organization study recommendations probably aren't doable within, you know, a year or two for that matter. Some of them they may not even be worth, you know, they may not really fit the organization. Um, but we're, uh, making some progress there. in your uh folder here. There's also the finalized um org chart just for reference there. Um the budget retreat coming up February 12th and 13th. I'm going to try to do things a little differently there. We've got Joe Durham back, so he's not different, but we are going to do a team building activity. Um so that's something I think we're all going to look forward to. We also um got a good deal on reserving some space at Laneree Golf and Country Club just to have a little bit of change in venue. I think they were going to charge us like500 or $600 for both days. So, I felt like that was a pretty good good deal there. Um, so we're we're planning that. Uh, and we'll be doing more planning on that. The community surveys are basically done. The the consultant is uh tabulating and doing the analysis and we'll be coming back over report and meeting in January. So, you'll have the findings of that community survey. Um, and actually people did actually get a uh if they filled out the survey, the five people won $100 gift certificates and that was a real deal. It wasn't it wasn't spam. Um, and so this Thursday we also have the employee service award. So I hope that each one of you can make that. It's at 8:30 at the Goldsboro Event Center. Uh, we recognize the hard work and dedication while ringing in the holiday season for our our employees. Department

year-end reports. uh the next two weeks, you're not going to see uh don't don't cry on me, but you're not going to see the weekly update because I'm sort of letting them focus more on the end of the end of the year report [laughter] to get something maybe a little bit more meaningful and impactful there. Um and just the rest of the stuff in there is just some stuff about forecasting the budget and things like that that I see or concerns going into. We've had one meeting with the budget committee. We've got some that'll be scheduled out as we move through the uh upcoming year and we start planning out our budget. Um other than that, um I don't really have anything else. Mr. Mayor, that I'm going to say this publicly. I've already told you privately, but I'm going to say it publicly as well. These accomplishments, I don't care if it is a narrated PowerPoint that then you just ask co-pilot to make pretty. You need to highlight yourself and the employees that have made 2025 successful.

These things absolutely need to be either in video format. We don't have the state of the city address thing anymore like the chamber used to do, right? That that that particular event was fantastic, but for reasons that I completely understand that's we moved away from that. But I've said it to you privately. I'm going to say here publicly now as well. I do not care if it is literally a narrated PowerPoint. You need to highlight these people and yourself for what work has happened in 2025. Um that's not a political grandstanding thing. That is a you got to show the people the return on their investment. And I think that you and these department heads and the people that are actually putting feet on the street have had an incredible year. And I want to make sure they get highlighted and that those accomplishments get publicized and made public. My humble opinion. Everyone can disagree with these. That's my humble opinion.

All right. With that, let's move to mayor and council member comments. It is the second meeting of our month, final meeting of the year. And so with that, we will begin with Councilman White. Any comments from you? Yes. Just very briefly, uh my um sincere and deepest condolences to the uh the Newsome family. I went to high school with him and we sort of like a mentor to me um playing basketball. He was well known for playing basketball in this area. So, uh my deepest condolences. I wish everybody a happy uh holiday season. Um since this is the last meeting of the year, um be safe and um enjoy uh your families. That's all I have. Thank you, sir. Ma'am,

um [clears throat] Mayor, I just wanted to echo what um Councilman White said. Um I think Apostle Von Nuome just really had a magnificent impact on our entire community. Also, I wanted to um thank Mr. Risha Benton and our community soup kitchen for staying open um on the cold nights for our unhoused community. Um extremely grateful. Uh, I think they closed the doors at 9:00. So, if you know someone and they're out in the cold elements and they need a place to stay, um, they have open those um, open the soup kitchen up on extreme temperature nights. And I know that she had posted that they were also looking snacks and drinks for the unhoused community. So, if there's anybody watching and you maybe could help out in that capacity. Um, and also merry Christmas to all of our staff, um, our leadership team, everybody who serves for the city of Goldsboro. Um, I know I speak for everybody up here that we are extremely proud of you guys. We love you and we thank you for all you do. And, um, I'm not going to get emotional on the last one, but I just want to thank you all for your vote of confidence tonight. I wish my father was around um to see this, but I'm extremely extremely grateful for all of you.

What was yours? Um I echo those sentiments. Um just want to say happy holidays to everyone and I'll see you in the new year. [snorts] [clears throat]

Um, yes. First of all, I would like to thank um some of the members of the council for trusting me with being me a pro Tim. I really have enjoyed um this year, working even closer with um some of the staff. I've always worked with them, but I worked a little closer with them. and um working with uh the mayor uh it was a really good experience and I think that everyone should be afforded the opportunity to do that. So I thank you guys for allowing me to have the opportunity to do that in my 72nd year.

Um also uh I say the condolences to the Newsome family. Um they are part of our family. Um, Kaylee is married to my cousin [snorts] and so we are while we're not close close uh he was very instrumental in um my district and with the impact church and so I'm just um very very sorry and my heart I know how it is to lose a good father uh and that's not everybody you know doesn't have the opportunity to have a very good father and he was a good father from what I could see and a mentor. You've you've heard all that. Um also it was really good to see as I went through my district because most of the time uh when I walk and ride through my district on James and George Street, I can see the unhoused. So, I was very glad to know that the soup kitchen had opened up and there has been um scarves and gloves distributed uh to them um so that they if they do decide to walk out during the day that they will be warm. Uh also, I had some really excellent news that I wanted to um share um regarding GWTA. I am I'm now the chairwoman of GWTA and I wanted to share with you that um the judge has recently determined that the 3% reduction cannot be enforced at this time. So uh the 3% Medicaid reduction cannot be enforced at this time. So that means that GWTA can continue to provide uh rides to those individuals especially those um medical

appointments, dialysis. I was really concerned about the dialysis and um the medical appointments and also uh we will be in the near future I don't know when so don't hold me to that but we will [snorts] be getting eight uh new buses. Uh also um we are in a we talked in our meeting about um more opportunities for fair free services and we're going to be exploring that and Christmas Christmas Eve and Christmas uh will be free and the Friday after New Year will be free and so um I want to thank the staff. I appreciate you and merry Christmas.

Um, I just want to send my condolences as well to the Newsome family. Um, also like my fellow council members, I appreciate the soup kitchen for opening their doors in such cold weather to the unhoused. Um, I want to thank our city employees for working so hard. Um, for everything they do to make this city flow. Um, I also want to thank my fellow council members. Um, I'm very proud of the things that we have gotten accomplished this past year and all the things that we are working on. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2026 is going to bring. Um, I want to thank Matt, our city manager, for all of his support uh when we needed it and for having our back on our ideas that we bring to him for our districts. no matter how crazy or how smart or how however they may be, he always has our back and and helps us through those. So, um I want to also thank uh Council Member Hawwa Jones for serving as our mayor pro Tim this past year. She worked really hard on it and I know that she um went on trips and filled in and um she did it with with

Thank you. Thank you. Great. Great job. So, um I also want to thank well I want to congratulate Mayor Pro Tim Weekes on her appointment or her pick as our mayor prom. It's a big thing and a big job. So, also um I got a couple more things. Hold on. Okay. Happy holidays. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. [laughter] That's it. Okay, count it.

Regarding regarding prom, yes, thank you for your service this year. You've served us wonderfully. I've had numerous compliments on the functions you've attended and represented us and represented us well. And I know it's a lot of commitment and it takes a lot of time to be able to to do that and really and really do it. And I'm congratulations to you. I look forward to you being able to serve in that role as well, Council Member Weekes. Um, isn't it wonderful how much that we and this city and its staff and this council has got accomplished in the last 24 months? We're halfway through our term and look at what we've been able to do when we all work together and how far the city's come when you look at that list of accomplishments. And just think about those things and and the staff and everyone that's been a part of that and helping us with our efforts. It's it's it's really really something to be proud of. Um, welcome and congratulations again to our new assistant city manager. Look forward to to working with you as well. Um, the parade, nobody mentioned the parade, but um, wow, the parade this year was just uh, phenomenal. It was a little chilly. And thank [snorts] you to all of our staff and all of the volunteers and everyone that uh helped put that together so that we could ride in the sleigh and wave at folks at the front. So, there's a lot of work that went in went involved with that was involved with that. So, thank thank you to to everyone. I'm looking forward to our employee service award breakfast this week. It gives us an opportunity to tell our employees again how proud we are of them and how much we value and appreciate each and every one of our city employees and our staff. And I'd like to wish everyone a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a happy new year. That's all, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you. All right, y'all buckle up. This going to take a while.

I'm just kidding. Um, I do want to echo my council, my council mates extending heartfelt condolences to the sudden loss uh in the Newsome family. Uh, that is unexpected to the point that even church services that day um were impacted. Um, incredible loss and my my prayers and condolences go out to them. I also want to say thank you to Mayor Pro Tim Hayawata Jones. phenomenal year. Me learning how to be mayor, me learning how to use this position. Um, it is it's certainly taken uh taken some lumps and progressing from mayor mayor pro Tim uh Brandy Matthews who taught me some things to Mayor Pro Tim Hwatha Jones who taught me some things and now I look forward to learning some things from from council now mayor pro Tim elect I guess is the right way to put it uh Miss Beverly Weeks. So welcome. Thank you. And I I really do look forward to working with you. It's going to be a phenomenal year. I have absolutely no doubt because there are an abundance of opportunities where this city needs to be represented and deserves to be represented and this council is expected to be represented. And I look at just this past weekend alone, not even getting the parade that that's already been touched on. um huge Saturday wreath laying at Willaddale. 800 wreaths laid to adorn the markers of veterans in Willowdale Cemetery. was able to be there and to speak and to just simply reminisce and hear people talking about those that they knew and then those that they do not know that they have taken the time to research and get to know the story of the dash in between the date someone's born someone

ends that predates their own personal existence and uh to the Will Cemetery Preservation Society uh just a huge amount of gratitude for what you do because it does make a difference in in how the entire cemetery operates. And then the Eastern uh Eastern Regional Veteran Cemetery, their event at noon, another 1,200 wreaths if if I have that number correct. Again, a huge amount of respect being paid uh to those who made our way of life possible and a huge debt of gratitude to those the volunteers that have made that work and the donors and sponsors that have made that happen. And then of course uh the Saturday evening, the Holy Ghost Drawing C Center's Community Crisis C Center's uh fundraiser, first annual fundraiser in memory of uh Elder Aden George. Uh wonderful event. I'm so grateful to that family, their desire, their intent, their vigor in their efforts to preserve her legacy and continue that work. There are countless organizations, this being a really, really good example of one, where that the city simply is better with them than without them. And to those volunteers that are continuing to pick up that mantle, I say thank you. to that family that is lives in a different city now and is coming to make sure that they see that legacy continue and see the work continue because they see the need and the opportunity. Uh just a huge debt of gratitude and thank you with that.

I like to say one sec. Uh with that we will have a proper swearing in first meeting in January and that way you can allow those who you wish to be present to be present. And uh one final time to uh Mayor Pritam Hwatha Jones, thank you for this last year. To all of our city staff who have busted their absolute, you know, wants to get through this last year and get through this winter, this little cold snap. Thank you for your time, your work. Yes, ma'am. There was one thing that I I failed to say. Um [snorts] I did say congratulations

to Mayor Pro Tim, but I am looking forward to working with you. Thank you for all that you do for the community. You served us with great excellence. You and previous mayor pro Tim too. So thank you. Correct. Learning from friends Mr. Lawrence good news bad news. Well mayor I'd like to make one statement please. [laughter] Nobody. My gift to you guys is no closed session tonight. There you go. Heavenly Father's gift to all of us was Jesus Christ. Allowed us to remember that during this season. Thank you.

All right. So with that, uh, is there a motion to adjurnn? So move. All right. Motion to [laughter] made it and properly seconded to adjurnn. There's no debate on that motion. All in favor, please raise your hand. All oppose, same sign. Seeing none, motion passes. [clears throat] We stand.