Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you. At this time, I'd like to call our town council meeting to order for February the 3rd. Could we please stand for our pledge? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, I invite you into our meeting tonight to lead, guide us, and give us share your wisdom with us that we will make the right decisions for all the citizens of Nashville. Amen. Amen.

Before we uh get into our meeting, I'd like to ask Jason if he'll come and talk. And this should be on the the the streaming.

Morning, Council Mayor. I'm happy to report that we did have a total system uh decreasing water pressure. We are actively turning the water back on now. So citizens should be over the next 15 to 20 minutes hour notice that the water pressure is increasing. Uh we are asking the citizens to uh our warm water advisory. I have been in touch with the NCD. Um we do not have any contaminants in the system. We had a a break a positive pressure break. So we did not have any siphonage of any kind of bad water back into the system. It was all ordered. It was pressurized coming out of the system. On Brooklyn Boulevard and Railroad Street, we had a 2-in valve. In the process of getting that 2in valve repaired when the blocking was pulled back, it it it showed that there was a 6 in line there that had a big hole in the back of it. So once that blocking was left, the full extent of the damage was shown. Uh we utilized all the valves we had in the area and unfortunately we're not able to get a good shut out. We contracted with Chuck Brow and his group with Brow and Suns to help us with the repair. Uh they're actively right now back filling and stuff like that. So um just a bad situation, but I reassure you that the the water is coming back on. Uh we did leave water in the water tower. So once we get some of the valves redone, open up the valves from Rocky Mount that we closed um then we'll be able to open open the tank full system pressure.

Good. And Jason, thanks for everything because I understand y'all worked last night till 10:00 and uh I just appreciate you being so diligent about keeping our citizens water and things like this happen. There's nothing we can do about it. We have old system, but you did your best and that's what we thank you for. My hats off to my entire team on this has been a complete public works. I've got guys from street sanitation. Everybody's out there pulling their part to do this. Would you please let them know how much we appreciate their effort?

I did want to issue an apology to Rocky Mount. There's been some misinformation. At no time did Rocky Mount cut us off. Uh Rocky Mount's been a great steward to us. Uh they actually give us a a helping hand today. Their superintendent for water and sewer reached out. I reached out to him. he was able to give us some assistance and then we made the decision as the town of Nashville to cut the water off to have to make this repair. So, Rocky Mountain no late. Thank you so much, Jason. And again, we appreciate give you I want to get back out there just make sure give you an update on some PR stuff we're doing

and mayor before he takes off just for a point of clarity. uh any boiling boiling water advisory for any of our cit citizens and if so for how long?

So for the next 24 hours uh 24 hours is what the state is saying. Um we're going to do some backseat testing tomorrow which is required anytime we lose system pressure. But again there's no contaminants that have been in the system. This was a leak. We've dropped below pressure. So per DEQ we're going to take some boil some back samples make sure the water is perfectly fine. So, we just ask you as an advisory to boil your water and then use it. If you need to take a shower, obviously you're not going to boil that. But if you're going to drink it, brush your teeth and stuff like that, boil that or again, you can get a bottle of water. But that should be cleared up and we'll u post it on Facebook, social media just as soon as we get those test results back. So, I anticipate taking those tests either tomorrow depending on when we get the water back level, right? Tomorrow, tomorrow afternoon, and hopefully those test results will be back Thursday. So just water advisor.

Thank you. Thank you so kindly. Any other questions? Thank you. Thank you, Chief.

So, as Jason was talking about, what we've done is uh Trip, who's the emergency manager for the county, reached out to our office today and talked with us about getting some pallets of water here. So, he reached out to the state emergency management. What they're going to do is they're going to send a trailer truck tomorrow morning with pallets of water. We're going to unload it at station one across from beside town hall and we will have the water down where we can disperse it out for folks that need water here in town. So that way that can be taken care of. I will soon as we get the truck here, we get it unloaded. I'll get the blasted out on Facebook where we can let everyone know that is here so that way people can come get cases of whatever they need. So we're working on that. Um also during this time we never lost uh fire uh suppression. What we did was we notified all our mutual aid departments and put them on alert that we needed tankers. The tankers would have come in and we would have made a suffic firefighting and never lost the ability to do that. So even with the hydra system going down and I will I will give Jason's crews kudos because I've been out there with them most of the day. Dan worked outstanding and Ed's group has worked out too. We're in good shape now, but probably after midnight before we would have hydro pressures, but I'm going to keep our mutual aid departments on work. They're not going to go back to regular running until 7:00 tomorrow morning with us. So, that's

Thank you so much. And our town manager was out there last night from 7 to 10 helping them too. I don't know what he did, but he was out there cheering them on. Thank you, Randy, for your effort. Also, mayor. Uhhuh. Lou, if if you would tomorrow when the chief either Jason gives you to go ahead with with the water back up. I'm not not water that the pallets have come in with the water once we get that situated. Would you notify all the council people? I will because we'll start getting phone calls in about water. Okay. So, we can do that. Also, one thing I shut in or someone that doesn't feel like they can get out, me and Jason talked about we find someone cruise from the town that can run cases out to people that are shut in that can't get out. So, thank you.

Very good. Thank you so much. Um and we're going to move on to Tresa because she has to drive um a distance to get home. So, Tresa, take care of your item, which is the budget amendment. And that is actually item number, what is it? 7B, the back of your book. Good afternoon. Um, I to present budget amendment number 15. What page is it? I'm sorry, it's 176. Yeah, 176. Sorry.

Budget amendment number 15 established the red oak water the red water capital project fund in the amount of 1,539,990. Funding for this project will be provided through the transfer from fund from the enterprise fund to fund balance. Sorry. Funding for this project will be provided through a transfer from the enterprise fund balance to fund 61. Budget amendment number 15 increases the revenues and expenditures by 1,00 1,539,990 for FY26. Do I hear a motion to approve this budget amendment? Move to approve. Is there a second? Second.

All those in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. I. Motion carries. Were there any uh public comments tonight? Is it turned on? It's on. I turned it on. Oh, I'm sorry, Mayor. I was trying to do that. That's on back here. Yeah, we can hear. Okay. Yeah, I can hear you. You can't hear yourself.

There are no public comments tonight. So, we'll move on with our agenda items. The first one is the Regency Sewer Project. And one of our council uh ladies is out tonight uh due to illness. So, it's just three here tonight. So, um Regency Sewer Project Randy. So, mayor and council, we we received uh four bids for our Regency uh sewer repair and rehabilitation project. Um the bids were included in the packet. Uh the the four were precision earth and pipe from Raleigh for 881,791. Ralph Hodgej construction from Wilson 1,141,881. Ed Grasswell and Sons from Rocky Mount 1,192,155. HG Reynolds uh from Henderson, North Carolina for 1,431,764. Our project engineer, Mike Tolson with Mac and Associates, had gone through the uh the bids and verified them and is recommending award uh a construction contract to Precision Earth and Pipe uh for the project in the amount of $881,179. So, uh, we have with us, uh, in the packet tonight, resolution 2605, which awards a contract to precision earth and pipe in that dollar amount for the council to consider and act on.

Are there any questions for the manager? I I Randy, I've got a question. Uh, the low bidder is roughly $260,000 less than what the next highest bidder was. And Mr. uh, Gay is not here to explain. Are we sure we're gonna be getting a good contractor to do this work for us being that much of a lower lower bid?

Yeah, I I was uh concerned about that also. And and uh Mike has gone through and double checked their numbers and talked to the company regarding their bid and uh they stand by their bid. Now they submitted a bid bond so and uh we'll have a performance bond. So if they get into this project and they find out uh that there are insurance bonds in place, I don't want them getting down the road and saying, "Oh, oh my goodness, we got to raise the price up some more." Cuz the cheapest build is not always the best build. Understood. Yes. I I was concerned about it being that much less than what the other one was. Yeah. But that's what we rely on the expertise of our our project engineer for.

Okay. And and do we have a clause in in the contract that on the completion date if they're not finished by a certain date that they start paying us back? Yeah, that's standard language in our construction projects. You know, there there's a given number of days uh uh for completion. If they fail to meet that, there's typically a $500 a day penalty that they pay to the town for not reaching that substantial completion date. Now there there's some variances in that if you string a bad weather uh things like that. All right.

Okay. If there are no other questions, do uh I hear a motion to approve resol resolution 2026-05 awarding and $881,719 construction contract to precision earth and pipe for the Regency estate sewer repair and rehabilitation project. Based on Ren's explan ex uh explanation for what I I move to approve it. Second. All those in favor let it be known by saying I. I. Motion carries. The next item on our agenda is the Exus uh sewer project.

Mayor and council. We also had a bid flooding for the uh Exus Sewer uh project and uh we got five bids on that and they came from HG Reynolds in Henderson uh Reynolds from Henderson, North Carolina for $562,876. BCS contractors from Nashville for $570,496. Ed Brazwell and Sons from Rocky Mount for 578,961. Precision Earth and Pipe from Raleigh 584,529 and Ralph Hodgej Construction Wilson for 668,696. Uh again, our our project engineer is Mike Toulson with Matt Gay and Associates. He's gone through the bids and verified them that they total what what u the numbers that the contractors put on and he is recommending award of this project to HG Reynolds uh for the project in the amount of $562,876.

Any questions for Randy? If not, do I hear a motion to approve resolution 2026-04 awarding a $562,876 construction contract HD Reynolds construction Henderson, North Carolina for the Essex Road Sewer Extension Project? Move to approve. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor, let it be none by saying I. I.

I. The next item on our agenda is the uh special event applications. Mayor and council, uh we have these special event permits uh annually for the uh farmers market, the blooming festival uh in the children's Christmas parade. And since several of these are koi, I'll have koi take over.

Good evening, mayor and council. Um a lot of these are very similar to our events last year. Um, starting with the farmers market, we have it starting uh April 17th and running every Friday until August 28th. And the time for those, we have on the permit from 11 to 9:30. The actual farmers market, we're planning to be the same time as last year, which is 3 to 7. We give ourselves some flexibility in there in case we want to have the food truck come early or if we have music playing later than the um market. And um then after August 28th, we do one market per month in the fall. The dates for those are September 18th, October 16th, November 20th, and December 4th. Um, next for our events, um, we have the trick-or- treat street event which is scheduled for October 26, uh, October 30th, 2026. And it will be very similar to this year's event, same time. Uh that is an event that we partner with the uh Nashville Police Department, Fire Department, National County Sheriff's Office, uh National Chamber of Commerce, Carol Library, County Recreation. We block off the downtown street. We have a lot of people come where they can give out candy to people that are decorating that are wearing costumes for Halloween. We have a costume contest as well as food trucks. And then we end the event with a driving style movie in the county courthouse parking. And the last one we have is the downtown Christmas celebration which we partner with the National Chamber of Commerce.

That event is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th from 1 to 7. And again, we invite children from the area to come and decorate a bike that they ride through a parade. Prior to the actual parade, we have some activities in the the courtyard of the county building. Um the bike parade ends at our Christmas tree. We have a quick Christmas tree lighting ceremony and then Santa comes for pictures. Um, and the last one we have today is the women festival. And I know is here. Would you like to say anything about

I went out of order, but um the last permit we have today is the annual blooming festival, which is always Mother's Day weekend. Uh, we do have the carnival starting on Wednesday, May 6th, and runs through May 9th. And the actual festival is on Friday, May 8th and through May 9th. Um the festival features live music on uh Washington Street and downtown as long as several vendors on Saturday. There is also a parade that runs um starts on First Street Extension, goes down Washington Street, turns on Austin Street, back on Church Street, and then um up Body Street. I'd like to answer any questions you may have. Cor, if you would please uh make note or reiterate that the the Blooming Festival is s on the the 8th and the 9th, but it's actually kicks off on that Thursday at the Methodist church. Uh which every year we we we struggle to try to make sure it fills up. There's always great entertainment on that Thursday night and people seem to overlook that or don't realize is there. But on Thursday night is the actual kickoff for the Blooming Festival for entertainment.

Arts council. Arts council. It's arts council. What did I say? Methodist church. Arts council. I'm sorry. Yes, sir. And that's the the kickoff concert is when Barber at National Arts and it is a free event kicking off the start of the So there are no other questions. I have one one one comment is just the point of um just so you won't use the same map on um I lost the page but on the map for the um the bike parade or any of these maps make sure we include the church street parking lot that we put rock on because it wasn't on page 24 it wasn't wasn't marked yes sir make sure to add that right

any other comments if not um do I hear a motion for us to open for a public hearing concerning these uh special event applications. So move. Is there a second? Second. Is there anyone that would like to speak concerning any of these? If not, do I hear a motion for us to uh close the public hearing? Move to close. Second. All those in favor? I. So, at this time, do I um agree uh hear an agreement to approve all these special event dates that was given to us by Corey? So, move. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor, let it be known by saying I.

I. Okay. The next item on our agenda is the um conditional reszoning Brazwell Mill's truckyard.

Good evening, mayor and council. As you know, last year we had Brazwell come in for a reasonzoning of these properties that the town initiated. After discussion with the council that evening, we told Brazwell we thought it would be better fitted if they go with conditional resoning. Trey did agree with that and thought that that would be a better use for those properties. So this evening, we have those properties before you again. 113 East Railroad Street, 117 East Railroad Street, 813 South Austin Street. Those properties are either zone R10 and B1. Trey is asking for conditional non-residentidential zoning industrial. If you turn to page 31 in your packet, you can see Trey has sent a letter stating he is unable to attend tonight due to some other endeavors he had to be to, but he entrusted the town to be able to get the application and present it to the council. Trey just went back in and updated the application on page 32. He changed from just outlined industrial reszoning to conditional conditional non-residential industrial zoning. The question is still the same and the answer still the same. On page 35, Trace submitted the deed. On page 37 in your packet, you can see the letter that we sent out to 75 property owners. We have submitted all 75 of those property owners in your package for the record. On page number 41, you can see the properties that we are asking to have resone to 117. The parcel that's right off South Austin Street, which is the truck washing bay, and the parcel that is off of Railroad Street. As we stated, Trey has proposed this has agreed to the time when we proposed it to him. If you look north of the property, it is I1 industrial use, Bradwell Milling Company. South B1, the truck washing station. East is I1 Industrial Merkantile and to the west is R10. I believe the town council is pretty much prefer familiar with B1 R10

zoning. I think you'll already understand what conditional zoning non-residential is from the other ones we done. Our comp plan has this slated for low density and right now our low density the preferred use of single family detached homes instit institutional uses. If you turn to page 46 you can see a description of the property right there. 117 East Railroad is 0.38 acres. South Austin Street, the truck washing bay is 0.89 acres. 813 South Austin Street is 0.63 acres. Currently, right now, they're being used for the manufacturing milling operation, the truck wash station, and the vacant land that falls in the town Nashville zoning jurisdiction. If you look on page 46 and 47, those are photos of the property where we posted the sign. Same thing on page 48. If you look at the bottom of 48, you will see that we pretty much have given you a vicinity map showing the properties once again where they are zoned today, B1 and R10. And if we go to page 49, you'll look at our future land use map. As we stated already earlier, it is slated for low density residential. If we look to the project's history, Brazwell Farms upon the town Nashville request submit application on Friday, August 18th, 2025. An updated version of the application was resubmitted September 25th, 2025. The properties are being serviced by Town Water and Sewer in the town of Nashville at the property at 813 South Austin Street. Public hearing notices were mailed out to 75 property owners within a 500t radius for on July 25th. That was for the first reasoning case. The town of Nashville had a public hearing on this matter on August 26. During that evening, a letter was read out loud for the reasonzoning hearing prior to the engagement being submitted. The letter was also attached to your packets. That letter is from Miss Sher Alexander on 811 South Austin Street. The planning board had even approved the reasoning request by a motion by Ross Strickland, second by

Eddie Thomas. This was brought to town council on September the 2nd where a motion was made by council member Larry Taylor and second by council member Xavier Harrison that the motion take no action on it and that they go back and speak with Trey about doing conditional resoning. Once we spoke with Trey and he agreed to conditional resoning. We sent letters out again to 75 property owners on a 500t radius on December the 12th. The reasoning sign was placed back on the property on December 17th. The notes of this hearing for both committees for the town council and the planning board ran on January the 15th, 22nd, and 29th of the Nashville graphic. The front door was posted on December the 11th. The town of Nashville Harold Doulie Library and our parks and recreational center posted their notes on December 17th. The town Nashville TRC technical review committee reviewed this on July the 28th where they recommend approval of the reszoning and that was for the first one. We sent this out electronically again to the TRC where they will improve approve the conditional reszoning. Now the s property is not located within the flood plane and the s property is located in the Stony Creek upper Stony's Creek subwaterhed and the subject property is slated on our future land use as low density. On January 20th 26 the town council planning board voted in favor of this even though it was inconsistent with our future land use map. They felt that this was needed because the campus is already being used for what's already in operation as a non-conforming use. Our comprehensive plan shows that you have to have a reason why you're not designated as spot zoning. The request not spot zoning because the surgical property will be reszoned to conditional zoning non-residential industrial where these uses are allowed. The future land use plan has this property slated as low density residential but reszoning the property to CNR industrial allows the growth of Bradwell Milling Company and a controllable method that continues to promote harmony with the neighboring properties. The allows are being asked

for have already been in use on the property as a non-conforming use. The subject property is in harmony with the request since the property does have road frontage off East Railroad Street and South Austin Street. Mayor and council, that is the TRC's recommendations. That is the project in a scope for you. So, mayor, I will yield back to you to open up the public hearing. And if anybody signed up, we will allow them to speak. If not, we can poll audience. Mayor. Okay. Do I hear a motion to to open up the public hearing? So, move. Second. All those in favor? I

Is there anyone in in the audience that would like to speak to this conditional reszoning of Brazil Mill truckyard? If not, do I hear a motion to close the public hearing? So move. Second. Second. All those in favor? I. So, at this time, um, do I, um, hear, um, a motion to, um, to approve the the reszoning of the parcels on East Railroad Street and East, uh, Railroad Street and parcels on South Austin Street under conditional non-residential eye and resone the property with ordinance 2026-02. Mayor,

yes. Before we do that, I just have a point a question of clarity. Okay. Yes, sir. Uh Sean, uh just a point of clarity in layman's language. Uh essentially what you said was uh this is reszoning language cleaned up. Yes, sir. To modernize where we are with our ordinances as we are updating our ordinances. But nothing has changed as per usage for what Bradwell Milling will be able to do with their property other than what they're continuing to uh maintain and what they've already been doing.

Yes, sir. Commissioner Harris, that is correct. Trey will continue using it for storage of goods indoor outdoor manufacturing assembly process and distribution ammo feed preparation, motor vehicle maintenance and repair the truck washing base station and the feed mill. Pretty much he will not be adding anything on if he ever decides to add on. Of course, he would have to come back before the planning board and council. And Trey has been aware when we sent out the first letter saying that if this is approved, it does not go in effect until he signs to agree to the consent to the conditional reasoning. But nothing will be added on from the scope of what's already going on there, sir. Thank you for the clarity. Yes, sir. I'm ready. Okay. Did I get a motion to uh approve this? Move to approve. Second. Second.

All those in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. Motion carries. The next item on our agenda is zoning ordinance amendments. Court. Sean. Good afternoon, mayor and council. Give us a brief second to plug in Mr. Harvey. He truly apologized this evening for not being able to make it. He uh with the weather stuff, it was just not good time, but he said he was here to be glad to be here virtually. Michael, can you hear us, sir?

I was coming through the uh It might be trying to get sir. You coming? I think you're coming through the projector. I can hear you. Can you hear me? Yes, sir. We got to just get this bike lined up to the proper place.

All right, Michael, we will turn it over to you, sir. Well, good evening. I hope everybody's as safe as they can be. I've heard on the news you all are having a lot more fun than you want to. So, God bless. All right. Um, Sean, am I on video as well or just audio?

All right. So, thank you all for the accommodation. Uh, my road is still not uh plowed, so it's still a sheet of ice, and it's it's been fun uh staying at the house. So, as I understand it, the next agenda item is the review of three separate ordinance regulations uh concerning amendments to the zoning ordinance and the town code to address uh various land use issues. And if you'll forgive me for just one second, I want to pull up the agenda packet. As I understand it, and if it's at the board's pleasure, the first item is the proposed amendment. uh dealing with the creation of the I2 heavy industrial district. Is that correct? All right. If you will forgive me, everybody should be able to see my screen and should see the ordinance amendment. Correct. Okay. So, uh, we were directed by town staff, uh, to initiate a process to create a zoning text amendment to, uh, create a new what we're terming heavy industrial district I2. So, the amendment involves uh, amending section 18-86, as you can see here, to create reference to the district. The next amendment uh obviously comes down to um the Nashville Dimensional Standards in section 18-89 where we actually created the minimum uh lot width and the setbacks for the district. As you can see here, uh we obviously mirrored and paired this with the existing I1 district uh for simplicity's sake.

Everything okay on your end? Sorry, I just heard somebody talking. I didn't want to interrupt, so forgive me. Next, we did an amendment to section 18-108, description of districts, where we created the definition of the district, which you can see here on the screen. Um, this was something that both Randy or all three of us, Randy, Sean, and I put together. Um, I believe it captures the overall intent and purpose of the district. Uh, to allow for what I will call your heavier industrial land uses. Um, it also would allow for scientific technology land uses, wholesale distribution land uses, storage, manufacturing, and production. Um, we added language at the manager's office request which I've highlighted. Uh, industries in this district shall take all necessary actions including but limited to installation of apparatus and technological equipment available to prevent negative impacts on the environment and the community from the emissions of smoke, dust, fumes, noise and vibrations. Remember, your ordinance has some references to regulatory standards controlling these, but primarily the chief uh regulatory standard that uh applicants would have to abide by are those covered within state law uh specifically dealing with uh both noise and air quality issues. So, as we continue to move forward, the next amendment to the next amendment to the code actually came down to the actual table permitted uses which I've highlighted where we actually created the I2 district and I'm sorry if the question is what page I'm afraid that all I have is the

text amendment Sean sent me so I don't have the actual packet itself so my apologies um we are Sorry. Thank you. Um, it was decided that what we would like to recommend we do is create the district and then at a future uh session the planning staff uh the manager uh would give me direction on land uses. And I don't want to speak for Randy or Sean, but one option that was discussed uh was joint sessions with uh the planning board and town council either at one session or independent sessions with both uh both boards separately to try to identify land uses that would be appropriate for that district. We are certainly able to proceed anyway the town uh council advises. Uh but for the purposes of this amendment, we are not populating the district yet. And that was the last uh section of the code amended. And and part of the reason that we didn't want to choose land use is because uh everyone determined it would be beneficial to have a conversation about what standards would exist in the I2 district. Presuming the town council uh voted to approve um the creation I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you all have at this time. I'm going to stop sharing my screen. I'm going to try to stop sharing my screen. There we go. We're going to later on we're going to make it so it's not really there yet. It's kind of like the building will be there. We just won't have particular land uses slated for it. We're going to come back and do that in

round two. We thought it would be best just to go ahead and introduce it first.

Introduce the district first and then come back in the next round and say these are the table and we're going to probably start working on that first thing. We thought we got an idea already. Our table is what we want to go in there. We just wanted to go ste. So I guess I guess my question is what happens if somebody comes in tomorrow and says, "Hey, I heard y'all voted I I too. I want I want to be in that." But we don't have anything to give them. So how do we proceed from there? What we do council man is we will probably if somebody didn't come in tomorrow and say I want to be in I2 we would just tell them that right now the town is in order some great uses for our two and that we can take that into consideration but right now we would still treat them as we treat everybody else our district and say our district just make just make sure you keep in the forefront of what the council wishes worth. Yes, sir.

You know what I'm what I'm Yes, sir. Let's go. Let's don't be creating stuff. I'll hold my peace for now. But you know, you know. Yes, sir. Mr. Harvey, new side of what we want.

Maybe you explain it to me a little bit. Instead of doing it twice, why is why we doing it once? That's the question, I guess. He's talking. I'm in support of it. I just I just my mind's telling me we just need to wait and do it all one time. But tell me why we need to do it twice and I'll I'll listen.

Hey, Michael, were you able to hear that question from the council, sir? I I was and and my the only answer I can give you is that this was the preferred methodology that the staff from the manager's office felt would be most advantageous to create the district and allow both the planning board and the elected officials appropriate time to determine what land use was would fall into that category to actually create the district and potent anyone that wanted to look at I2 uh and have it be a cooperative proactive discussion versus a knee-jerk reaction. If the board chooses to delay, uh, then we would need to meet with the planning board, uh, to discuss land uses and meet with the town council also to discuss land uses before we create the district.

Reveal a little bit of tradition. Understand where you're coming from. Keep in mind, they've created created the created this. They just have not assigned physical things to go into the district. I got that. But but even at that point, it still has to come by by this board, right? So we still have to I guess it's okay. I just Yeah, just that's kind of one of them put before. Do we And we need to have a public hearing on this, don't we?

Yes, we do. Sean, one option the board has is to indicate that they are satisfied with the amendment packages presented, but before adoption, they want to see they want to have meetings with both the planning board and obviously uh with themselves with staff to discuss land use options to populate the district. But if they want to give tax return approval to the the definition of the district and how it's been laid out in the code and authorize staff to discuss land uses over the next 30 to 60 days, uh we can certainly do that if that would uh address the board's comfort level. Well, I think we need to consider what they've asked for and he gave us that

and so I think we need to go with this and then like you said, you know, then fill in the blank, but give them a right to go on and do that. Then we can have our meetings together. That's my thinking. We probably can have you a drafted version table that I use and it can turn around. Me and Michael have already had some offline discussion. We know what he's been out to. that I need to go forward with this approve this. We've got to have a public hearing first and then Okay. Do I hear a motion to open the public hearing to consider this matter of our zoning ordinance amendments? So move. Second. Second.

Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak to these zoning ordinance amendments? If not, do I hear a motion to come out of the uh uh public hearing? Second. And so now, do I have a motion that we um approve this land use regulation creating the I2 heavy industrial district, use sign regulations, do flood damage prevention regulations, and approve the amendments with the passage of ordinance 2026-03. Move to approve. Oh, hold on. Hold on. May before we move forward, Michael will do the public hearing for the sign and the flood prevention ordinance. Okay.

So we can make sure we cover both of those. So before we make a motion to approve, just withdraw it and then we can let them cover those. Then we can come right back to your final motion. Yes, ma'am. So we won't have to do a pin here in favor, right? So I'll throw my motion. Michael, we'll turn it back over to you, sir, to go over the sign convention. Then we'll do another public hearing. Then we'll go in.

Okay. So, I'm sharing my screen again. You should be seeing the flood damage prevention ordinance. Um, so a couple quick things for everybody's edification reminder. Um while you have some liberality to adopt a flood ordinance uh that has more restrictive standards than FEMA, you have to adopt an ordinance that meets their minimum model code. Um, I am not of the opinion that the town of Nashville, nor any community in North Carolina, right now wants to be looking at increasing uh flood damage prevention standards um for the simple reason that there's an argument that that could constitute the creation of a nonconformity which is no longer permitted under state law. So until we get a fix to what was adopted uh in December of 24, uh what infocus staff has done is provide the town with an updated ordinance that meets the minimum model as required by FEMA for you all to continue to implement and enforce flood damage prevention regulations. Uh, a lot of the updates involve making sure that all of your definitions, which is what I'm cycling on the page now, are now updated and consistent with what both the state FEMA staff and the

federal FEMA staff have told local communities uh they have to uh be compliant with. uh one area where there's concern about uh how we are going to continue to meet uh some FEMA requirements uh and I'm going to skip now to the definition of regulatory floodway to give you my example. Um, one of the things that you'll hear from FEMA is that the flood insurance rate maps or firm maps are the best available data identifying uh where flood flooding is going to occur during a storm event, how and how high it's going to be. Uh, communities are encouraged, however, to adopt uh more restrictive standards to try to address impacts to public health, safety, and welfare. That's typically called a base flood elevation or BFE where units of local government are encouraged to actually require additional elevation for the first floor of habitable living space and utilities in order to ensure that the flood regulations are actually accomplishing what they're designed to do. The town currently enforces a two-foot freeboard requirement. So, let me explain what that practically means. If you're in a flood zone and FEMA's determined that uh there is a base flood elevation of 750 ft, meaning that their hydraologic u engineering model suggests that's how high um flood waters are going to get. you required an additional 2 foot, meaning that the first floor of habitable living space and the and all utilities have to be 2T above 750.

Specifically, 752 ft becomes the regulated uh flood protection elevation. FEMA is now recommending communities look at 4T to even 6T. That's not something North Carolina communities can do at this juncture because of how state law was changed. Um I can tell you being a certified flood plane manager for about 20 some odd years um the two-foot freeboard requirement is the basic standard. four or six foot is probably more advantageous and I would encourage communities to think about that with the one glaring exception that we can't do anything until the state of North Carolina addresses how we are to look at the creation of nonconformities if in focus staff were to recommend that you ele uh you change your your elevation model to a 4ft freeboard um existing structures in Nashville would be classified as being non-conforming and that sets those property owners up to fail. Uh so that's one example of of where FEMA actually encourages more restrictive standards that we just don't feel comfortable recommending you do until the North Carolina General Assembly fixes how downzoning and the creation of nonconformities is addressed. Are there any questions on that before I summarize the rest of the ordinance? Pages page page 68 potential elevation.

I don't What line is that? I don't see that that it's uh page 68 bill council. It's the second uh definition regulatory flood prevent protection elevation. Michael will yield back to you, sir.

All right. So again, what what in focus is recommended and the town staff has concurred with is we're maintaining the existing regulatory limitations you already impose through your flood plane program. Uh we're not going to be recommending or suggesting a higher standard at this time. Um so all the definitions have been updated and modernized to meet uh the minimum code requirement for FEMA. Uh that includes uh how we deal with substantial damage and substantial improvement. Uh if you have a structure uh that is damaged uh exceeding 50% of the market value of the structure. It has to be brought into compliance with the flood regulations which typically means you have to elevate the structure. That is a standard uh FEMA requirement and it's designed uh to ensure that if you either make improvements or you have substantial damage or impacts to a structure uh that the property owner is obligated to address compliance with current flood regulations. Um so we are meeting the FEMA minimum model requirements for that. Um we have included the new definition of technical bulletin because FEMA is asking us to asking all participating communities to adopt it. Um basis for establishing the special flood hazard area. This was highlighted uh as a tickler for me and Shawn to make sure that I had the right date for when the town originally adopted its flood standard. There's no other rationale for being highlighted at this point. Um but I wanted to bring that to everyone's attention. Um remember that this ordinance is enforced by a designated

flood plane administrator which can be any one of your staff. Um but remember FEMA does require someone to be formally designated as the flood plane administrator. Um they want someone accountable for all lack uh for a lack of a better way to put it. So we are maintaining that requirement and that provision in the code. Uh as you continue through the ordinance, you actually have the independent requirements for what an individual has to uh go through and the procedures they have to follow uh to get appropriate permits for the development in and around a special flood hazard area. Uh that's covered in section B, flood plane development application permit and certification requirements. Um the elevation standards again now reflect what both state and federal FEMA officials have agreed are the appropriate um benchmarks to establish where elevations are taken from as it relates to what establishes the special flood hazard area. Uh we have updated references in your current ordinance to the applicable FEMA forms that have changed terms of elevation certificates, flood proofing certificates. Um we have also spelled out and here's the elevation certificate section here folks. We have also spelled out as now required by FEMA uh specific the specific responsibilities and duties of the flood plane administrator and they're voluminous. Um remember that from a corrective procedure standpoint um due to changes in state law it's no longer a criminal penalty to violate the flood ordinance. It is a civil penalty. So people will be fined. You can take an

individual who violates your flood ordinance to court, secure an injunction, secure civil penalties, and secure a corrective order. But just like with zoning regulations, you can no longer uh implement criminal penalties uh as relate related to the enforcement of this ordinance. Also, much the same as zoning, everyone who is given an order related to the enforcement of this ordinance does have rights of appeal. The appeal goes to your board of adjustment, which we have spelled out the variance procedures herein. They are more arduous than those typically found in North state law and your current ordinance with respect to a variance. Um, the board has to make the following findings. And I'm going to reduce the page a little bit so you can see. Thank you, Sean. So, most variances under the uh current state law have to make have to go through where the board makes four specific findings. FEMA has a much more arduous process and since it's their ordinance you're enforcing, you have to play by their rules. There's also an expanded conditions for variances than what you currently have in your ordinance. Uh we have centralized all of your standards. They currently appear in two or three different sections on the general standards of flood hazard reduction including what can and cannot occur within a special flood hazard area and then section B refers to the specific standards. Uh there was a question at the planning board uh concerning if there was opportunity to uh modify or tweak um FEMA's preferred model ordinance and

its language. And the answer is that's not my recommendation. Uh my recommendation to the town is that they adopt FEMA's ordinance updated appropriately for references to the town of Nashville's current flood program, terms of what is and is not enforceable, as well as make appropriate reference to the town of Nashville as the enforcing aid entity of this document. Um, I'm not interested in setting up the town of Nashville to fail with having to meet with either state or FEMA federal staff, especially after a cataclysmic storm event, and argue why some of the provisions of the ordinance are not enforceable and potentially limit the town's opportunity to take advantage of disaster recovery aid. Does anyone have any questions at this time board? If y'all are ready, we can move to 119 to sign orders the in focus. Mr. Argus update about this or not? Yeah, we let's do a public hearing on this and then we'll say we did them all three.

Um at this time, do I hear a motion that we um open public hearing concerning the flood uh damage prevention that we've just gone through? So move second. Is there anyone here that would like to speak to this? If not, do I hear a motion that would come out of the public hearing? So move second. carries board. We can go to page 119 to sign an ordinance and we'll do a public hearing on that one. What's Mr. Harbicky, please? Mick.

All right. So, the sign ordinance um what town staff had asked us to do is take your existing sign regulations and update them to ensure compliance with uh Supreme Court case Reed v. Gilbert, which obviously established that you have to have contentneutral regulation, meaning it doesn't matter what the sign says. It only matters its height, its area, and its location. Um, there are several provisions of your current regulations that could be construed as regulating signage, which you cannot do. So, we worked with your planning staff and your manager to come up with a draft sign ordinance that was contentneutral. And I'm going to share my screen. Can everybody see the sign ordinance? Okay. We have bolstered your findings section as noted here uh dealing with uh that while signs do serve a legitimate public service uh purpose, there is a need to and a need to preserve the right of free speech, uh there is also a need to promote the reasonable, orderly, and effective display of signage so you don't create uh a negative impact on the local environment. Uh so we have expanded your finding section, your overall purpose and intent section and to ensure that there's adequate reference to the town's ultimate um goal and interest which is the fair and equitable development of signage. That doesn't create a visual blight in the

community while protecting uh local property owners rights to free speech. Um, we have a provision dealing with outdoor advertising. Uh, and I'm going to turn that uh in a moment. We're going to turn it over to Randy. There is a modification uh that is recommended. We'll get to that in a moment. Uh, remember that uh there are state and federal regulations that preempt a lot of what communities can do as it relates to outdoor advertising u otherwise known as billboards. Um, and bluntly, what this standard does is effectively state that the town has outdoor advertising standards, but if there is a conflict uh with either state or federal regulations, uh the state and federal law will preempt. My hope is that we have crafted a standard that will not have to be preempted. But I will tell all of you listening to me what you already know. Uh the North Carolina General Assembly uh has over the last decade loosened standards related to the maintenance uh and development of outdoor advertising structures. And it is conceivable uh that communities at some point in time in the future may lose general rights uh to regulate billboards um which would be maintained and and regulated probably under the North Carolina Department of Transportation's permit process. For now, what we've done is amend your code to update references to federal and state rules that could preempt local regulation to clarify that your ordinances are enforcable when there is no conflict and that you still have

legal authority to regulate outdoor advertising at least for the time being. We have expanded your uh applicability section. There really are four types of signage that you allow in your jurisdiction. There is signage that's expressly prohibited. There's signage that is authorized, meaning it can be erected without any permits by the town. Signs that are permitted, meaning they have to get a permit, and then limited duration. Signs that can go up for a select period of time. Uh and this ordinance does break out and establish the standards by which uh an applicant would have to the regulations they would have to abide by or standards they'd have to abide by in order to facilitate erection of the sign. Also at your planning staff's request and we worked on this for quite a while. We've included graphics and pictures denoting how the town staff is going to be making determinations with respect to first bullet here is sign height. How height is measured sign area how sign area is calculated. We've provided graphic examples so that the lay person can understand how the staff is going to be looking at their sign. Your current ordinance didn't have this. In fact, as Shawn pointed out uh to me when we began this review, there were certain elements of your current sign regulations that actually contradicted each other as it related to how the staff would determine what constitutes the sign area and what didn't. So, we wanted to make sure that we gave you the tools necessary to be definitive when enforcing the standard and also helping uh the applicant understand what

he or she is going to be allowed to do in your community. We have provided to the best of our ability examples of several different types of signs. Um we are now looking at a uh multi-phase sign. Um, both your current planning staff asked if we could create a rendering, a picture explaining how the measurement would take place and what would be classified as a multi-phase sign, what could be approved by the town staff. They felt that this met their requirements, so we included it. Remember that um you are one cog in the permit machine when it comes to signage. You're issuing a zoning compliance permit. In many instances, signs are required to get a building permit as well through Nash County. So we included language that addressed that. Remember with respect to sign variances uh the only thing that can be varied um pertains to height and location. An individual cannot seek a variance to get more sign area than currently afforded to the district. Bluntly, there is no hardship from that standpoint. If the town wants to allow larger signage for all parties, it would simply have to amend the code. So, one example is I'm and I'm picking on I'm just going to use the example of BB&T, a local bank who may have a u may have a branch in your downtown area and says, "Well, we really need a bigger sign. Um, we instead of a 24 foot sign, we want a 48 foot sign because we need to attract people to our bank." Well, the problem

is if everyone around you is complying with the 24 square foot sign limit, there is no unique hardship other than well, we want a bigger sign. Uh so we've included the language in the code effectively saying there is no variance proceeding from sign area requirement because it is a commonly enforced standard within the community and there's no opportunity to get a larger sign unless you want to amend the ordinance and allow it for all parties. Um your current sign regulations do not deal with non-conforming signs and sessation of use very well. So, we added standards to address that. We believe it gives your staff the tools to be more successful in sign enforcement. We also add a provision dealing with the removal of unsafe signs, a sign that may be uh deemed to be a hazard, poorly maintained signs. Uh, we have also included at Shaun's request a provision dealing with historic properties um and their right to erect a landmark sign or display signage advertising a local historic district. Any questions thus far? So, we're going to give them 120 days if they um non-conforming. So, let's pretend that McDonald's, who has a huge sign, changes companies. If if a new company goes in within 120 days, are we still going to allow that sign to be there with a new sign, or are we going to make them take it down because it's a new company?

So, if I if I heard the question correctly, and I'm sorry, I just I I was listening. think I'm having a speaker problem. So, you have a business and it was a McDonald's. If the McDonald's goes out of business, um, then there's an obligation for McDonald's to remove the sign within 120 days of the use of cessation. If a new business wants to go into that location, then they would have to erect a sign that complies with your ordinance is the direct answer to your question. So if McDonald's has a sign that is too large, any replacement of that sign has to be consistent with the standards upon which are enforced at the time of the actual sign permit application.

All sign comes down if the business is gone. Is that what we're saying? We have four businesses, maybe five that have I don't know 200 foot signs that are nonconforming. Just want to make sure it's clear for all of us what happens if if one of those goes out of business and I see the 120 days but I'm not clear on what I understand. So I want to make sure either either is worded correctly or or make sure I'm reading it correctly.

So I guess I I don't I didn't hear all of it. And I don't understand the concern, but is the concern that 120 days is too long for them to remove the sign or signs that are nonconforming. They're 200t high currently. As long as that business, my understanding, long as that business is there, they can keep it. But if that business closes, what happens? When that business closes, they have 120 days to remove the signs. Make sure it's clear.

Can we Can we Can you point to me where that where that says that? Is that page 125? 125. Michael, yes. 125. We're talking about the 120 days. Bill just wants to make sure in the wording what we have it stays like he just said if the business closed after 120 days the sign has to be done. Yeah. That's what the standard reads now. Correct. That's what we're proposed. If if if you've got four people out there that are 200 foot signs and that's based on the current of state law,

right? Remember that there is discussion that the general assembly in fixing down zoning the downzoning component would actually establish a new non a statewide new non-conforming standard uh that we would have to incorporate into this code. So my answer may change if state law changes um based on the current bill that the general assembly had been reviewing. out of those four. Yes, sir. Say McDonald's goes out of business or whatever. The sign has 120 days, the company has 120 days to remove that sign. Correct.

If a similar a similar business was to go back into that same location, would they be able to go back with a 200 foot sign or they had conform to the new regulations? That's my question. They have to conform to new regulations. So, how would it be fair to the other three? I mean to to the new one when the other three can keep theirs up and the new person cannot. The word that we typically hate to say in land use and zoning grandfather did and when you deal when you deal with restaurants

also remember we added a provision dealing with demolishing. So let's let's take the example of McDonald's again just because it was brought up. If they pull a permit to demolish the existing McDonald's, the signage has to be removed as well.

King Chicken, right? Okay. Build builds a place down there or hotel in the same vicinity. Yes, sir. You telling me now that they cannot put a a 200T side up? We didn't allow Burger King. They wanted, right? We didn't allow Burger King. I'm okay with that. Make sure it's clear. I'm okay with make sure it's clear. That's the That's the role we're looking at. If uh you go and it tears down, you have to comply with today's order. So, what's the proof?

Okay. Reason I ask that question cuz when it comes to restaurants or hotels or something like that, that may be a drawback for a hotel chain to come into town, right? They can't put anything good down the road. We don't want to go down the road. We know we're here. That's right. Is that something that the council want us to address to look at to maybe go back with the Lows and having those high-rise signs off of the B1 district right off the 64 bypass?

I'm just I want to be fair to all. Well, from a from an economic perspective, mayor, if I may, from an economic perspective, I hear where you're coming from, and maybe that does need to be reviewed because you don't want to lose economic growth in the future

over a signage. So, you you're going to need a little bit of lenency there, whether it's conditional or whether it's case by case. So yeah, let's let's review that piece and and let's see what we can come up with that would be doable uh as it relates to our um updating of our ordinance, but at the same time in preparation for uh future economic growth. We got 200 ft on the west side of town, but on the east side of town it the signs are down. You don't have any real signs. Yeah. Well, it's not height. Not height. You can't build a highway now.

I know. Yeah. On the east side. No way. If I want to put a building behind uh hurricane, you couldn't put you couldn't put a highway. But why would it deter me to try to put my business out there when all my competitors next to me for 200 sign and like birthday mine is down low. Is that be afraid of me? You see what I'm saying? That's what you said, Captain Taylor. I totally understand what you said. Well, Burk came to us after the building, but that's Oh, yeah. Okay.

Now, like I said, if y'all want us to, we can we can address that option and craft something just for that section over here in the B1 district. If you're off of West Washer Street over here, there's a height requirement that can be adjusted. I mean, if if we if we entertain the thought, I would want a a foot um distance from the highway to be the the market. So in other words, I wouldn't want it in downtown obviously, but if it was 500 foot from the highway, I'd like to sit, you know what I'm saying? I mean, I think the distance to the highway should be the the market, but again, I don't know if I want to cut that.

I didn't bring it up for that reason. Right there. Again, mayor, I I I think based off of the discussion that we're having as a council, I think it would be advisable that we look at that lang that text language. Yes, sir. Uh and and try to see what options we may have and then try to move forward. But other than that, I I think the u the language looks good off the rest of what we're talking about. and and and and the only reason I make that caveat there again is because of future economic growth that potentially could come to the area and benefit this this community. Yes, sir.

What we could do, mayor and council, is continue on what's been proposed and if we do approve this tonight, we can have Mr. Harvey to Luke Car like Councilman Love and Council Taylor said a height requirement on this side of Nashville plus 64 bypass and so many feet from the 64 bypass intersection to be a reason justification of being able to have a higher height sign and then possibly bring that back to you within a month or two.

So So Sean, I'm I'm sorry. I'm trying to take some notes and then and then I want to make sure that I'm I'm capturing the board's request that the board would like to talk about opportunities to increase sign height in certain districts. Yes, sir. Our B2 district over by the 64 bypass where the McDonald's, Bo James, and Zach is located at be x amount of feet from the 64 highway to be able to have that height adjustment of a higher side. Okay. or you have to do at the other exit too is it also exit off of you road.

The only thing I'm going to caution and it's it's not a problem for the elected officials to worry about at this stage of the conversation. As long as we're not inadvertently creating a non-conforming scenario, then then we have some some flexibility. Uh, we also are going to have to probably create some form of distinction because what you have zoned near the bypasses, isn't it primarily B1, Sean? Yes, sir. That's correct. Okay. And and you have B1, I'm sure, throughout the town where you may not want a 60ft tall sign, for example. Yes, sir. That we do.

We may have to come up with some form of overlay. to ensure that we're properly defining who gets the advantage of Tyler signage and who doesn't, we'll have to come up with some solution that protects the town from liability. So, it it is to the board members who asked, it is plausible if you're trying to increase or be more more flexible to address uh economic development activities. Um, and that is something we can certainly bring back if the board wishes to proceed with the signed ordinance as written and come back with a tweak or if the board would prefer we we bring back language through the planning board, we can do that, too. It's it's I'm at your disposal.

The word you used advantage kind of concerns me.

I hate to get I mean, you know, I don't know why we stopped in the first place. I I don't know what the answer is. Um having the high ones and I don't know if I want to have the high ones again. I'm open for discussion but at the same time I'm I'm concerned about advantage. So we can continue the conversation another time but um I have some pause for sure. Do you want Shawn to consider the tall signs on that uh where the others are or what's your desire? He needs to know which direction to go.

Mayor, I think I was pretty clear when I made my statement a few moments ago that I like the text ordinate uh amendment. However, based off of what we were talking about with the large signs, uh, for the caveat based off of future economic growth that they would go back in and look at just that particular piece and try to give us some different language. I don't want to get tied up into the word game, advantage, non-advantage. But we looking at it from a uh an economic future perspective and if they can give us that leeway, I think we can move on at this point. Does everyone agree? Sean, I agree. Yes, that one. Michael, if you want to proceed on, sir, with the All right.

Sign ordinance and then you can get offline with the stuff that was discussed this evening. That's fine. Uh, we've added language dealing with utility clearance. Um, the individual

erecting the sign is responsible for ensuring appropriate clearance from any and all utilities. Um, this is important. the town is not responsible for damage or repair replacement of signs and supports that must be removed. Uh if there is a need to address utility clearance issues, um what I don't need to happen is for you all to issue a permit and then the utility company make the statement that well we need a 15t or a 20 foot setback um because that's that's our policy. Well, that's a private matter between the sign uh the the the sign provider, the person that erected the sign and the utility. The town should not have any involvement of that because the town doesn't have the authority to effectively regulate setbacks from utility apparatus or even easements. That's that's their purview, not yours. And one of the concerns I've actually see happen in other communities is that the unit of local government gets dragged kicking and screaming uh as it should kick and scream into a fight between the property owner, the individual erecting the sign uh and the unit of local government with the unit of local government has basically told, "Well, you permitted the sign. You need to compensate us for the loss of the sign." No, because it's not a standard enforced by the town. So we did include language to address that problem. We have addressed wind load requirements that go to building code. Um I have a new subsection I that was added at Shaun's request dealing with off- premise commercial signs uh except multi-tenant signs in the B1 district. Sean, I'm not sure if this made the board's copy or not, but I wanted to highlight it and maybe give you an opportunity to explain a little

bit as well. Um, this is to address some existing development in your community and again not create non-conformities but also provide some level of flexibility for a multi-tenant development where you may effectively have a sign that may not necessarily be on the subject parcel u where the you know shopping center, office complex, business park is located. lot of mixed use is going to be coming into the town as they repurpose some of these older heavy mercantile buildings for mixed use and you may have it where the person may not want to place the sign right in front of the building. It may be a parking lot or something before the building. They may want to place there so it's closer to the street. So this is why me and the town manager both came up some conversation with Mr. Harvey to have some changing the words so that we can allow these type of signs

and we can read it for you. Yeah, cuz we don't have that, right? No worries. 128.

I'm going right here. All commercial signs are not permitted except multi-tenant in a B1 zoning district at the primary interest of a multi-tenant development. One off-site freestanding sign may represent a businesses on individual parcels with a shopping center on which all parcels or storefronts are allowed on one place not lot to seed 20 square ft. The name of the motiv may be added but is also not to exceed 20 square ft. The total area of the sign shall not exceed 200 square ft including the shopping center name. These signs must not exceed 30 feet in height and all interior freestanding signs shall be separated from this sign by not less than 150 ft.

So basically what you're saying is it'd be like a a little marker for each tenant that's in that one building. Yes, sir. And then it just have the sign perfect example would be if they decide to apply for one somewhere like the Nashville Junction. You got the building here, the parking lot. If they put the sign right there in front of the junction, you're going down Barn Street. But right there on that little corner, there's a great place where they can put a signage showing these are the business here. This is a Nashville junction at that time. Not to exceed 33. For the board, this here's here's a pictorial example of a multi-tenant development sign we've included in your code. Is that in our package?

It is. It is page 140. Well, we've got something very similar out of Walmart. Yes, sir. That's a standing billboard style. This will be more your one that's lower to the ground. Okay. I just wanted everyone to see kind of an example what multi-tenant would be looking like.

All right. So, want to remind everybody that I said there were um signs that could be erected, authorized signs, uh that don't necessarily require a permit. Um announcement signs would be allowed in any district. Um this could be and include political signs during um campaign season or even what I'll call public message signs. They're permitted in all districts. They're limited to six square feet in area and a 4ft height. And they cannot be illuminated. Just a just a sign put on someone's property. An address sign should not require a permit, nor should internal directional or safety signs. Um, so when you have a large-scale commercial development, you can have signage directing people to specific land uses, uh, entrance exits, loading zones, etc. Those are four square foot in max area, 4 foot in height. Flags, we have established pole allowances. In residential, uh, one pole per lot with a max three signs on the pole. In the non-residential, you can have three poles per street frontage. And we do have some standards regulating flags, uh, consistent with recent changes in state law. We have references to historical and memorial markers, uh, menu board signs, of one sign per drive-thru, limited to 24 square ft in area. We establish regulations for murals. If they don't contain advertising material, they don't count as signage. You can have one on the side or a rear facade.

That's what was suggested. U that's what we suggested. The town staff concurred. We established standards for real estate and construction signs. We also established standards for vending or automated teller machine and window signs. Window signs can only be a certain percentage of the total window area. Um some other signs that are authorized not subject to additional standards. Remember fence wrap signs when you have a construction project uh you can have a fence wrap uh put around the construction fencing having advertising material for the development uh that's exempted from local regulation by North Carolina General statute which we included the reference. Um we have established specific standards. Um number limit setbacks etc. How directional and safety signs are handled with respect flags. Remember what state law says. You can only regulate the American flag if you do an evaluation uh and provide written findings identifying a public health, safety or welfare concern. justifying the enforcement of a flag size limit. An absence of of the community doing that, you cannot establish a size limit for the American or the flag of the state of North Carolina. If you want to base a standard ones, you have to involve the North County Department of Transportation. They have to make a finding. This all results from a court case uh that happened in Greenville concerning a large American flag. I believe at an RV um sales depot. The only thing you can regulate is pole and max flag size provided it's not the

provided it's not the American or the state of North Carolina flag. And then we've established a residential district limit of 50 foot. We've provided a graphic examples of the institutional and directory signs and how they are to be uh developed and what they're to be classified as. Here's the pictorial example of a menu board. Uh the standards on murals, real estate, construction signs, uh they can't be placed within any public rideway and they have to be removed within 30 days of their property being transferred. That's either sold, leased, or rented. um the example of window signs in terms of what constitutes the 25%. We hope that the graphics at least convey what standard the town is looking to enforce. With respect to permitted signs, we have spelled out max number size and provided examples of what those signs look like. A lot of these standards are existing regulatory provisions. Freestanding sign monument, freestanding sign polemounted. We've also, as you've already seen, provided freestanding sign multi-tenant. That was at um both planning staff members request. I thought that was going to be essential. We agreed. We established the setbacks, the clearance, any landscaping requirement, a height limit. um and all other assortment of standards allowable sign area wall signs again the caps are consistent with your current ordinance a projecting sign you'll find this primarily in your B2 district I know where it comes off the uh the side of the structure 20 square four 24 square foot max limit

uh awning sign and how that's measured and regulated is listed here. Marquee sign. This could be a movie theater or it could be um someone that has a projecting architectural apparatus from their structure, how large the sign can be. Obviously, as an example, there's going to be no canopy or excuse me, no landscaping required with a marquee sign. Just to give you that one example. Canopy signage. This is typically on gas stations or garages. Uh establish a sign limit. Gas pump signage. Uh four square foot above or on top of the actual canopy itself. This is the outdoor advertising section. And this is where I'm going to ask the town manager. Randy, I know that there was a district that you that we had discussed the planning board adding And was it the A district?

That was in outdoor advertisement, Michael. Yes, sir. They got right here. They got the for them for you, sir. That's where it was at, right? But this is what a A1. Okay. carriers. We have some outdoor advertising billboard signs. Then we thought that it was kind of it was just missing. We didn't think about it. So after have discussions with local sign maker Tim Glasco, he brought to our attention. We went in and got it added back in. Where's that at? And that is on page 148 where you can see guys allowed in B1 and A1.

Now we have a pictorial example of a billboard sign. We can certainly change the pictorial example if the board directs. It's what I have in my draft ordinance and some communities adopt it as is, some don't. I leave it up to you all. And we conclude the signed ordinance by establishing electronic sign standards. And what this is primarily designed to do is to ensure that you don't have an electronic sign that is so bright that it creates a public safety hazard for motorists or pedestrians. Uh limited duration signs deal with your temporary banners um now open or even penants. uh they're really designed to advertise uh special events or other activities occurring at local businesses. There is a permit requirement. There is a time limit. Your current ordinance references that they're time limited in duration, but it doesn't necessarily spell out what that time limit is. We say 30 days. And with that, that is a good synopsis of the signed ordinance as proposed.

Were there any questions? Any questions? We have to have a public hearing on the signs. Yes, ma'am. Do I hear a motion to open the the um for a public hearing for our signage? So, move. Is there a second? Second. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak to that? Nancy Westbreak, Nashville Graphic. I have four questions and I think it would be easier if I just ask them each one at a time rather than hit you with all four at once. Is that okay? Yeah.

Okay. Question number one, concerning the multi-tenant sign. Um, in the past I believe there's been some discussion about concerning the Nashville Junction potentially having a sign in the public right away at the intersection of Barnes and West Washington. Would this be allowed cuz it's not his property there? But the discussion that I've heard in the past, and I can't place where I heard it, was it was having to do with the junction expressing a desire to let people know they're there. People coming in on the main thoroughare of West Washington. So, I'm trying to figure out if this would be allowed there, a multi-tenant sign offsite. It cannot be allowed in the public right away, but it could be allowed on the town's property in that area.

The town was part of the junction. And if you if I can interject quickly, that's one of the reasons this section was added subsection I to address that very question. So, your answer is it couldn't be in a public rightway, but it could be put on town property wherever town property is. Yes.

Okay. Okay. Question number two. Um, I had I asked Sean for some clarification before tonight's meeting about the A-frame sandwich signs and but I didn't hear that addressed tonight. And I wanted to make sure that I understood that those type of signs that are currently in temporary use along West Washington in front of the stores, those are okay and would not need to be regulated because they're temporary. That's correct. That's correct. Yes. We're still going to treat them as temporary signs because at the end of the day, right, you can take this side and put back in the building.

But I Is that in here? Cuz I didn't see it. Sean handles those as temporary signage.

Okay. All right. Uh, question number three. I could be wrong about this, but I think prior to my coming to the graphic, there was discussion at some point about the sign in front of Nash Arts. Um, as far as questions about if it could be changed, is it big enough? Something about its placement. So my basic question there is under these new guidelines would there be any changes permissible to the Nash Arts sign the way it is now?

We would have to check the zoning NC to see where it falls at and then they would just apply by the applicable standards of the ordinance. So answer is it kind of depends on what zone they're in and what they're asking. Yes. I can't tell you right now. We would just have to tell them to once we find out their zoning, we would tell them these are the standards that the sign must be meet to if they want it expanded or tear down and build a new one. Okay. And then the last question should be easy. Um, what are the names of the four businesses with the giant signs that you were referencing? The really tall ones. You said there were four. All the ones. Bo James, McDonald's, Hardies,

McDonald's, and who? How about and Riies? Riies is the fourth point. That's right. It's ri. Okay. I'll give them to you at the end of the meeting. I'll pull it up. Okay. Um, and they're like really really All right. I'll ask you that question later. Okay, cool. Thanks. Thanks, Nancy. Cliff question is as far as sign square footage and everything. How would that compared to what we signs that are existing now? How many signs would be out of compliance with what your new new things are?

Cliff right now according to me and Mr. Harvin we read everything it wouldn't be done. We're just kind of giving some more regulations to signage, give some more illumination, stuff like that. But I I'm guessing the effect of of how it would be in in Nashville where a sign would be that now if it's now uh 8 by8 sign and you're saying it can only something else could be only be a 6x4. Do do you have that many? Yes, sir. That that are not would not fall into that range or or do you have an idea? Right now, I don't think we have that many that would fall into that range. It's a very slim number if there is. Would there be grandfather?

And that's where it goes. And once again, that grandfather did that term that we don't like to use. only if they need to change or the business changes with the change. But just say where I'm at now, if right change out the Edward Jones sign and it whatever square footage it is now if it is going to be a bigger one or whatever, could it go or it would have to be determined by whatever you're applying now? You're in DC. Just just kind of curious to see if places downtown would would change out signs, what what would be the effect existing?

So just for downtown, what you have is a wall sign that is V2. So the new orders would say you'll be capped at 200 square ft in the B2 district. No, you'll be capped at 100 feet in the B2 district. So it pretty much be about exactly where you at now. Okay. Just I wanted to see if it was going to impact position. Yes, sir. We don't want to hear. Thank you. Anybody else?

So I I see where um we need your name, your address. Oh, uh 400 Glover Park more and me. So you talked about the signs where these businesses are like example McDonald's. So if McDonald's say went out of business and it was on line for sale uh somebody purchased it within 30 days, who's responsible to take that sign down? It's fall under the business owner who purchased it.

But what if the building is already out their name? The whole property is out their name. The new property owner takes on it be just like how we treat code enforcement. Me and you could be it could be a house that I own that's in heavy news and stuff junk everywhere. We sell it. I sell it to you and the town goes out and sees it. You become the new owner having to get that property cleaned up. So that's how we were treated. So what if what if it wasn't disclosed at the time buying

that would be between you the real and your legal representative. The town wouldn't get involved. The town would only the town only can serve who's on the property tax card record. So if you are the new property owner, we can serve you. But if you say this was disclosed to us, then you can get in contact with your realtor, your legal team to get in contact with our realtor legal team say why was this not disclosed before closing. Thank you. Appreciate it. Anytime, sir. Thank you. Anybody else?

I want to piggy back on Cliff. Make sure it's clear. We're not making people change their signs. It's only if they want to change a sign or the business changes. Yeah, we can't we can't create non-conformance with the downs on the bill, right? With the downs on the bill that passed the general assembly about a year ago, we can't create non-conformity, right? That's why Michael was saying to us about we're not going to go make Cliff change the sign. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Yes, sir. No, no, they're all in. This is what we're trying to get with this ordinance. Yes, sir. Any other questions? If not, do I hear a motion that we close the public hear? Okay. Second. Thank you. Everybody agree. Okay. Um, so is there uh some council person that would like to make the recommendation with uh the adjustment that um Um, Councilman Harris made for um to approve this.

I make a motion with the clarification on um Council Harrison also adding that section I I believe that was the only section we added, right? Yes, sir. Okay. Um that we we u approve all three of these as as written with the changes mentioned. Do I hear a second? Second. All those in favor? Let it be known by saying no. Did you vote? No, I didn't.

Okay. Motion carries. The next item on our agenda is Corey with the splash pad rules and rates. Good evening again. So, as you know, our Glover Park splash pad is nearing completion and is planned to be open for the 2026 season. Uh the parks and recreation department along with the parks and recreation advisory board has been working on establishing the operating procedures for the splash pad. And attached to your agenda are two documents. The first document is a draft set of rules for the usage of the splash pad. These rules were drafted by town staff using other municipalities across North Carolina as a guide. And these rules were reviewed by the League of Municipalities and by the advisory board who is is recommending their adoption. Uh the second document outlines the recommended season length, operating hours, and rental rates for the splash pad. And again, these were drafted looking at uh that information for other splash pads across North Carolina. Uh so the parks and recck department and the advisory board are requesting that the council adopt the rules, season length, operating hours, and rental rates for the Glover Park splash pad. And I did want to make one clarification on the page that has the um operating hours and rental rates. Um what we have there, we have the season length that we're requesting is May 1st through September 30th. The operating hours are Monday through

Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sundays 1 pm to 6 pm. the rental times. And this is where I need to uh make a correction. For Monday through Saturday, the rental time would be 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and Sundays would be 11 a.m. to 100 p.m. And as far as the rates for that 2-hour rental, what we're recommending is $50 for Nashville residents and 75 for non-residents. And I will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Corey, out of curiosity, I was just wondering who's going to make sure these are enforced.

So, the um the splash pad is going to be used at your own risk. We will post these at both of the entrances to the splash pad and it is up to the the users to um abide by them. Like if there's somebody running in rough play, you know. Yes. It's up to them to follow the rules. Again, if somebody reaches out to us, I mean, we can certainly go over there and enforce it as needed. Okay. Any other questions? I'm excited it's going to be open. I have a couple things. One, on on the rules at the bottom, some reason it has Lloyd Park Drive in there, and I don't know that was just a and I did notice that when you go to Google, that is how the address for the park

uh appears, but we will make sure that we get that correct for the signage. And then I I think we need to make it $100 for non-residents, not 75. We need to take care of our citizens and they're paying taxes. Um I think we need to make it 50 and 100 instead of 50 and 75. And I I don't think that'll be a problem. I need to go back and look at the language from the part F grant. I know they have some requirements in there as far as how much a percentage-wise how much more your non-resident fee is based off of your resident fee. And I can't remember offh hand if that's 50% more or 100% more, but I I can verify that as well. And um if if a 100 is outside of that, we can come back and address it. And I just had a question, you know, why are we going to September 30th? I was thinking maybe we'd close at Labor Day, right after Labor Day, you know.

Yes, ma'am. And and you know, this is what the the advisory board is recommending. A lot of your splash pads do run Memorial Day to Labor Day. Yeah. Um I think the thought process is here in Eastern North Carolina, we have a lot of days that are still warm after that date. So, we just wanted it to get as much usage as as possible. That is fine. Any other

mayor, if I may, Corey, what other um communities did you um get your committee look at when they uh looked at these particular guidelines? Uh it it seems very appropriate, but I was just wondering was there a particular community or so uh that you did consider? So, uh, originally we looked at Rocky Mount because it was the closest one we had to us and our advisory board had asked for more data and I do not have that list in front of me, but I want to say that um, we looked at um, probably 30 to 50 different municipalities across the state. It was it was a lot of them that we looked at.

Yeah. Like I said, what you have uh, actually appears to be uh, fair and appropriate. Yeah. Thank you, Corey. And may one more question. Sorry. Is a a staff person going to turn off the water at these times on these days or is it

the way our splash pad will work when you first enter the splash pad, there will be a little pedestal with a button on it. So, for anybody to use the splash pad, they just come up and hit the button. The water runs for 3 to 5 minutes, whatever we set it at, and then it'll cut back off. and all they have to do is go back and push the button. We will program it on our side to where it will only work during these hours. So, if somebody goes and pushes the button in the middle of the night, it just won't come on. Yes. Any other comments? If not, do I hear um a motion or a recommendation to approve Glover Park splash pad rules, season link, operating hours, and rental rates? Move to approve.

Second. All those in favor? I I motion carries. The next item is the Stony Creek Environmental Park grant application. Corey. Yes, ma'am. And just to clarify on that last one, was that including the non-resident rate train change that looking at that? Yeah. Okay. So, is that is that your motion? No, I was I was putting the motion to keep it at 75. Were you in agreement to 75?

Yeah. I I don't want to over I don't want to overdo for something fun for the for the youth. Uh youth don't have jobs even though I know parents do. But uh and and and here's the deal. This is going to be our inaugural season. So let's start it. Let's try it and see how it works and then we'll go from there. And if we need to make assessments uh after this first inaugural year, we can do so. But this is something fun and exciting for the community and especially for our youth. And uh we want to be intentional about that. Well, just for clarification, it's only for parties. The rest of time is free, right? Correct. Yes, sir. Yeah. And we do um normally do a fee schedule review whenever we do the budget as well. So, if we need to look at something then, we certainly can.

Certainly. And thank you.

Yes, sir. So, on to uh Stony Creek Environmental Park. As you know, the the town is currently completing a master park plan for Stony Creek Environmental Parks, which will be completed by April of this year. Um, using public input from the master plan, the parks and recreation department is requesting that the council consider applying for funding to add slashimprove outdoor recreation assets to Stony Creek Environmental Park. And in your agenda report, I did not put what those elements will be. And that's very intentional. Um because as part of that ma master plan, we have scheduled public engagement sessions for that park. And I have uh I hope you noticed the sign on the way in today. I've also distributed these to the council and I have them available here for anybody in the audience. Um but our public engagement sessions are scheduled for the third week of February and we have four dis different sessions different times of the day. Um we are asking the the public to come out and tell us what they want in their park and we will use that information to determine what those uh improvements would look like in Stony Creek Park for the grant applications. Um, so we do ask, you know, the the council and everybody please help us in spreading the word to let people know that that we need their input on one of those daves for that plan. Um, the two funding sources that we would like to apply for, the first is the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund or part F for short. This is the grant that we applied for and received for Glover Park as well. Part F is a dollar for-dollar matching grant to local governments for the acquisition

and/or development of park and recreational projects to serve the general public. A local government can request up to $500,000 per application. This um part applications are due May 1st of 2026 uh with funding notification in the fall, normally in August. The second uh funding source is the Land and Water Conservation Fund or LWCF. LWCF is federal funds which in North Carolina are administered by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. LWCF pres provides up to dollar for-dollar matching grants to local governments for the acquisition and/or development of parks. A local government can request up to $500 per application. LWCF funding for the 2026 27 cycle um opens May 1st. Uh the deadline has not been posted yet, but it typically is in the fall. And I believe since I typed this, the the application deadline is November 1st of 20 26 and notifications are made in the spring of the following year. Uh Griffin Grant Works has submitted a proposal to the town to complete the applications for both grants. Uh the cost for these professional grant writing services is $13,750. Uh since these fees are less than 50,000, the town can exempt itself from the qualificationbased selection procurement process required by North Carolina General Statute 143-63.31

for professional services. We are requesting the council adopt resolution 2026-03 to exempt the town from the qualificationbased selection procurement process required by general statute 143-64.31 for professional services and award a 13 uh,750 professional service contract for Stony Creek Environmental part grant writing project to Griffin Grant Works. And David Griffin from Griffin Grant Works is here with us tonight. If you have any questions about either one of those applications or the the park plan itself, um I'm sure he'll be glad to answer them and share his expertise and I will be glad to answer any questions the council may have.

Any questions? Would you like to hear from David? Do you have any questions for him? Corey, have have we have we visioned where we going to get this dollar fordoll match for this at? What fund we going to put it from? Yes, sir. So, that is the wonderful thing is that part F and LWCF can match each other. So, the the plan is is to apply for both with the the matching funds matching each other from each pot of money. Um David, do you want to provide any clarification on that or is that

uh typically when you apply for LWCF, you are using part of as a match. There's a few other grants out there that you can also use for additional match money if need be. Um I was having a conversation earlier with Koi. Part of you're actually rewarded if you overmatch. LWCF you actually penalized if you overmatch. So, there's just odd little parts about each uh grant, but with with the project at Stony Creek Environmental Park, that will line up nicely for the two parks, the two grants uh counter matching each other. If we do not get the grant, we still owe you $13,000. Yes, sir.

Okay. And there is no match for that. Have you written grants for us before?

No, ma'am. These will be the first ones for Nashville. I've been writing Rocky Mountains grants uh for the last since 2002. So I I did that for those. I have a really strong history in uh grants. There's there's no you know there's never any guarantees in life in any way. The last three part of grants I've written for Rocky Mount. Scored number one in the state. Uh scored number one for Battle Park. scored number one for Sunset Park, scored number two for Steth Tower Park was voted number one for Stalbert Park. Uh both Battle Park and Sunset Park received uh LWCF funding as well and Stith Talbert uh it's actually with the state LWC's a little more expensive because it's more of a negotiation with the state and the National Park Service part if you turn the grant in and that's it.

We're just going to be positive and believe that you can write us some good grants. we can get. You've got a good project. Uh LWCF lines up well with outdoor recreation and so that's you know I wouldn't be taking it on. I'm retired. I wouldn't be taking it on if I didn't think you had a strong application and uh you've done a really good job on all your previous planning documents and I would like to commend the town for that. we've already as part of the uh park plan. There's 24 existing plans that we've already reviewed that deal with Stony Creek Environmental Park and they all align very nicely. So that's that's all that all goes towards a strong application.

Are we are we allowed to pay you from the out of the grant? There are certain it depends on how it is. uh part of has that has certain elements but it it's it's very detailed and I I'll just leave it at that uh of what can do and how on the on the back side but the be the best thing to do is just assume whenever you're going to hire grant writer you're going to pay that money up front and you're paying 13,000 for a strong possibility at a million if we get one and don't get the other, then we have to figure out a way to pay for the match.

That would be a conversation I think Koi and the manager and you would have but also you can start looking at different funding sources as well. Uh right now I know you already have the water resources development grant. Uh you're using that for the actual environmental enhancements. That same grant does have recreational aspects to it that you could apply for. There's a recreational trails program grant out there. There's just multiple funding sources and we are in the golden age of grants for parks and recreation. This is there's more more money available right now than ever. David, could you step closer to the microphone so the audience can hear you? Oh, absolutely. I'm sorry.

Well, it's exciting and and uh our parks and rec directors done a great job we think on doing getting us involved in all of this. So, thank you. Thank you. Any questions for item two? Thank you very much. If not, do I hear a recommendation to approve resolution 2026-03 uh with Griffin Grant Works for the preparation and submission of the grants for the environmental park. So moved. Second. All those in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. Okay. Get to writing and do it good.

Thank you. Um Corey, no. The next item is our sidewalk replacement project. Uh mayor and council, as you know, for this uh fiscal year, we we budgeted uh $245,000 for sidewalk replacement. Um most of that's coming from our PAL funds and 20,000 from the MSD fund. And uh the the list of sidewalks to be repaired has been completed. Um, our public works staff has gone through and and measured all of the defective sidewalk. Well, most all the defective sidewalk. Larry, I don't think we've gone down your neighborhood yet, but that's probably

I was going to ask that question, but you as you answered it for me.

That's probably the only one we've left out this far. So, um, we we got a we got a cost estimate from our engineer, Stocks Engineering, as to what sidewalk tear out and replacement, uh, costs, and they're saying it's about $14.50 a square foot. And uh when we when we broke down the sidewalks by area MSD and nonMSD uh we we came up with uh for the MSD which is in your packet u they're they're not exactly in order but um the MSD is sidewalks are on on page uh 172 there there's a total of 8538 8 square ft. And I know it says 15, but that's only because I didn't make the cell wide enough to say 14 12. But 14.5 uh feet or uh dollars per square foot brings it to 123,81. And then if you go back to page 167, all the other sidewalks, which there there are more lists locations, but not as many square feet. It comes to 100, uh, 862. So, we have enough money budgeted to take care of both these sidewalk lists. If when we let this forbid, it comes back at at $14.50 50 cents a square foot or less. Uh having said that, um the greater cost is actually in the MSD. And uh you know, we have $180,000 in MSD fund presently and uh we're only proposing we've only budgeted to use

20,000 of it for sidewalks. I didn't know if the council wanted to have a discussion about possibly increasing that dollar amount and offsetting some of the POW money which then could be used for more street repair and overlaying. I would think we need to try to increase it a little bit. Yeah, I would agree with that. You know, the recommendation that we got from the downtown strong advisory board when we did the last budget was 20,000. That's what their recommendation was. Uh but I at that time we didn't have all the sidewalks that were bad in the MSD measured up. We do now. And I think they would be willing to give more really because um

but I'm I'm thrilled to see this because our sidewalks were really in poor condition and it's really nice to see them get in up to par so that people can actually walk around out of town and enjoy just walking. But um council, what do you think about the MSD request some more funding? See if they go for 40, Randy. Okay. And we have time. I mean, I'm I'm ready to let this out. Uh how we pay for it doesn't need to be fully decided tonight. Um see what the bid is that you get. Yes.

And then we can go from there. I I have I I think 10 different uh concrete companies that do flat work or sidewalk work that I'm planning to send this to. Um and it's something we're going to do in house as far as letting bid and bidding it out. Um and you know, we've used these same specifications twice before for sidewalk repair and uh we're we're just going to apply them for for these sidewalks here. Do we need a motion? We're just going for discussion.

What What dollar amount would you want the uh downtown Strong uh to consider above and beyond the 20,000 that they've already recommended and the council's already approved for sidewalk? I'm looking at 40. 40. Okay. That's it. The total 40 total 120ome,000 and they're and they're 180 180,000. So 40 stilling hurdle. Yeah. And and not only uh in addition to what Larry is recommending uh you made mention of the uh overlay which gives us a little bit more other funding for um infrastructure. So yes.

Yeah. And and on the street overlaying project what we have tenatively scheduled was cross street uh between um 58 or first street and barn street. Now some not all that needs to be done. I mean, there's a section in front of Bradwell Milling that we recently we we did that doesn't have to be touched, but you know, a lot of that street, it's heavily traveled. It's alligatored and and would like to have it milled and overlaid with a good asphalt layer and then see if we could talk to the DOT about doing a jurisdictional transfer on Cross Street. Um my my thinking is it's a major arterial through Nashville and uh I think they would agree that uh you know they may want to take that over and have responsibility similar to what we did with North Clarin. Um we started that four years ago and we just finished it last year. These jurisdictional transfers don't happen quickly. And then the other the other overlay is what the the difference um on Birwood from like the Elks Lodge all the way to I believe it is South Clarin

to have that overlaid. Now the good part about that is that that street doesn't have curb and gutters so we don't have to mill anything. Um so those those are the two streets we're looking at overlays right now. Now we haven't bid that out yet. So, if you have other candidates that you think need attention, uh, let let me or Jason know and we can see if we can get them worked into the mix. Okay. Do you need anything else on that topic?

I I don't We're going to go ahead and let bid on this then and see what they come back with. And in the meantime, we'll have a a discussion with the downtown strong advisory board um and let them know that the the council would like to spend $40,000 of MSD money on sidewalk repair. Okay. The next item on our agenda is the semiquinnon centennial uh discussion.

Somebody keeps leaving the batteries on. Okay, as we all know, it's the 250th anniversary of the United States. So, we're just kind of gauging your interest. We were talking about maybe doing on something on July 3rd, but that is when Rocky Mount typically has theirs. July 4th is Castellia. So, we're trying to gauge your interest in the town doing something. we have um you know we haven't budgeted anything for this year. So perhaps it in the upcoming budget we can get an idea of what y'all are interested in doing. Um if you want us to try to reach out to the public to get their ideas of what to do. Um we had talked about fireworks but it but we really don't want to compete with Castellia. Um so it could be we could do fireworks. which is just maybe at a different time, but that is our after talking to Koi. We don't have music scheduled for the third at our farmers market because of um maybe the rock, as did you say it was because of Rocky Mount. We just it's a holiday for the town. There's not going to be a lot of people working that day. So, we just kind of want to see what y'all think. It can be going on anytime this year. So, I did go to one of the meetings at Brazwell Library for the county. um that I was sick with the flu and I never got any updates, but I'm back in the loop with their emails now. So, I will be attending a me meeting on the 24th of the of February to find out what everybody else is doing. But I just kind We're trying to reaching out trying to figure out what y'all would be interested in us having to do.

Well, I definitely think we should do something. And I've had citizens call me and I had one that even said they would be willing to serve on a committee if we had one to do something, you know, here in Nashville, but I don't know about the council's things. No, I think we needed to do something. I just don't know when when and what when did what? And so, and how to pay for it. That that is true. And there are a lot of things you can do that don't cost money. You know, there are

that we we could do that would just involve the people and and be a fun time. I think it'd be one of those that we would need some committees in town. Um I remember as a child because I am that old. Um when we all in my grandmother's town, we all dressed up in bsentennial clothing and there were just historic like they were quilting and there was and everybody brought covered dish and I mean it was that kind of I mean it was a very small town. Um, so I think it's worth having a good discussion and if you know some people that would like to serve on the committee, let Lou know, you know.

Yes, please do. And then I'll reach out to them and maybe we'll put out something on social media trying to get a crowd, you know, some people interested in a member of our library would be great. You know, somebody from our library. I do a lot of li a lot of Rocky Mount from what I understand is they're doing things at the library um for them. Um but I also think you know we've got a lot with our splash pad opening up this summer you know things at the park maybe. So I don't know. I think it's something fun and different and unique is is cool. It's probably Yeah. I don't know. We can't compete with Castellia's fireworks. Well, I don't think we should. And I don't think we should either or Red Oak or do they have fireworks? Come back. Yeah, they do. Come back with something. But we can celebrate a different way. We sure can.

I was I was gonna say I think the general consensus is that we are in agreement as a council and mayor that we should acknowledge and do something and moving forward that looks on or takes on the uh identity of getting an advisory committee together and some of our town staff and moving forward. Okay. And as uh Bill suggested, you know, let's think outside of the box, right? Let's try to be unique different and exciting. I think it's an opportunity. I do too. And I think it'd be really good to have an advisory committee of of town members, right? And maybe the paper like Nancy. You could be on the committee. That's what I mean. Yeah. She's creative. Okay. There you go.

But yeah, just get people involved and and maybe we can do something that other people aren't doing that will really attract people, you know, and if it doesn't attract anybody, at least our citizens can celebrate. Exactly. So move forward. All right, we will move forward with trying to form an advisory committee. Okay, that be great. That'll be great.

The next item on our um agenda is the uh change in our council meeting date. Uh, mayor and council, I I would like to ask the council to consider moving our July 15th meeting either a week up or a week behind. So, I could uh return to my native state of Iowa and participate in a family function that we could either have it on July the 8th or July the 22nd. They a week before or a week after. I'm flexible. So, yeah, I'm okay either way. July the 8th is mighty close to July the 4th because people might be on vacation, take off vacation. That's true. So, what do you think about July the 22nd?

So, do I hear a motion to change the date from July the 15th to July the 22nd? So, move. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor? Let it be none by saying I. I. We want that boy to get back to his home state with his family so he'll come back and stay here with us. Well, I think that's the last item on our agenda. Is there anybody else have any comments?

Mayor, if I may, I just wanted to uh regurgitate back to the special use permits for the uh Blooming Festival, Farmers Market, uh October Fest, as well as the children's bike parade. I'm grateful for those that host and come back each year and make that request because that is part of the charm of Nashville. And while we are a governance body, we are excited about engaging our community in those type of activities. So, thank you Core, thank you uh Cliff and all of those with the chamber and those that work to make sure that we have those type of events as well. So, once again, thank you so very much. Anybody else? If not, not to adjourn.

So move second. All those in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. I. Meeting is adjourned.