City Council - Regular Meeting

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going to call the uh meeting to order. February 3rd, 2026, snow edition. Uh thank you all for being here. Uh if we'll take just a moment for silence. [snorts] If you would please join me for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I'd like to welcome everyone who has joined us today. We're always happy to have you here with us. We do follow a written agenda which is available on our website at salisburyc.gov/aggendas. City council meetings are broadcast on WSRG, our local TV government station, which is available on Spectrum channel 16 and Hotwire channel 394. Meeting air times are posted on the station's website, wsrgtv.com. You can also watch current and past city council meetings on demand from the city's website at salisburyc.go. go/videos. Uh before we move to adoption of the agenda, uh we will have to do an amended agenda. Item number nine has been removed and move to February 17th 17th due to the public hearing notifications. So can I get a motion to adopt the agenda as amended?

I make a motion to adopt the agenda as amended. We have a motion. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose? Motion passes. Um, next like to move on to agenda item number five. Council to receive an update on emergency planning related to the recent weather events and the Monk's Walk for Peace and to recognize Battalion Chief of Emergency Management Adrien Gant for her work during these recent events. I'll turn over to city manager Mr. Green.

Mayor, members of council, good afternoon and thank you for your flexibility and being here at 4:00 today. um like to uh start today with a little update. Uh it's been a very busy couple weeks for police, fire, public works, utilities, and emergency management. Just last week, you heard from Chief Parnell and Chief Gant about uh our activities in developing and continuing to plan for emergency management. Uh the chief indicated it was just a few months ago that Chief Gant was promoted to being chief of emergency management. And so I don't know if we can blame this on her or there's something going on, but just in the past couple weeks alone, uh we've had some very positive things including a walk for peace and uh uh parade to celebrate MLK Day. And we've also had an ice storm and the storm of the century here uh this past weekend. Uh, I'd like to turn it over to Chief Parnell to uh kind of give you all an update on uh some of the happenings over the the past couple weeks, but then turn it over to Chief Gant to really uh update you. And I know we all want to share our appreciation to Chief Gant and her new role and her leadership um over the the past several weeks. Chief,

thank you, sir. Uh again, uh Mayor, council, it's an honor for us to be before you once again, and we always appreciate a chance to communicate with you, uh like this. Um other than and it's very important that we get to recognize Battalion Chief Gant for all her outstanding leadership to as a as an update, I think we can tell you that we are expecting some uh thaw and melting over the next few days. That's uh that's uh the weather report that we have and we're we're pleased and glad to report that the thaw and the freeze and the thaw and the freeze of course presents challenges for our SRU folks. So, uh we're certainly praying for for their safety while they're working in the streets and taking care of the u the water main breaks. But the most important part is the traveling public is getting around and that's much due to the excellent work that our public works f folks are doing and have done for the last many days. Tonight we get to recognize Battalion Chief Gant. However, at the retreat, as Mr. Green mentioned, we were able to review with you and share with you that Battalion Chief Gant was assigned as our emergency management coordinator, the very first specialized uh emergency management coordinator here for our city. Uh, and I'd like to report that since October 15th, which was the opening of fire station 3 and the first unveiling of the emergency operations center that was built there. Uh, Chief Gant has been tremendously busy. Now, she was always busy before, but this is an extra uh icing on the cake, if you will, uh in regards to the emergency operations center, which is the the um key key location for coordination and communication when our city responds to

and works in mitigating, responding to, and recovering from disasters or events. Uh dece December and January were tremendously busy. Again, as Mr. Green mentioned we had the walk for peace that required a lot of coordination. Uh and uh Chief Gant took that project on as a very close and specialized um and unusual event. Right. It's it's it's not often that you have a rolling 24 member walking down the street and cared for from city limit to city limit their safety and the safety of thousands of people that came out to view them. All at the same time, we had the MLK uh uh parade over on MLK Avenue, and it was uh again a passion project of uh Chief Gance to make sure that that was it was safe for our uh spectators and our participants. So, uh she she takes this stuff as a passion and she did a great job. And then we had just two weekends of bitter cold ice and snow. And I mentioned the cold because we talk about the ice and the snow. It impairs our our our driving, but the bitter cold for the population that doesn't have heat or doesn't have shelter is is yet even another um layer of concern and care. And Chief Gant communicated with the warming shelters um and helped arrange for the opening of the YMCA when it was necessary to take care of uh those folks that needed that. So, the epic snowstorm and unprecedented snow that uh we we just had, Chief Gant with vigor, passion, and uh glor uh gusto took the reigns and provided leadership and direction and coordination. And I I'm very very proud of her. I'm proud of what she makes the

fire department look like when and the city when we when we get together and we collaborate. And if it were not for her leadership, I would be glad to say that we wouldn't have the uh collaboration and the success that we had as a city recovering from those storms. So, uh, Mayor, you asked and you wanted and and Mayor Prom asked about being able to recognize Chief Gant tonight, and I'm I'm glad that I was able to corral her up and get her to sit down long enough to be before you. So, thank you for recognizing her. Thank you for recognizing all her her efforts. Chief Gant, do you have anything to say?

Thank you. And I mean, it's truly an honor to be here and to be in front of you all, but it's not this is not about me. And I think those of you that know me know that that's how I am. This is this is not about me. It's a true team effort. And um if it wouldn't be for the team of a lot of others, um you know, we would not be sitting here today and we wouldn't be successful in all of these events. So, um it truly takes um it truly takes everybody and I'm just kind of the spokes on the wheel that just try to I see it that way is pulling everybody together and it's it's you know it's just a true collaboration and teamwork and um that is a true passion of mine. So, um I do appreciate that. I appreciate you allowing me to be in this position to make those things happen, but um by no means is it about me. It's about everybody else that has allowed those things to happen. So, thank you. Thank

you, council. Anything to add or comment.

I'd just like to say welcome uh Chief Gant. We're thrilled to have you and um we did hear that you always give everyone else the credit and so you you did it and and that our information was correct and that's one of the wonderful gifts I hear in the many that I do about you. But you join an extraordinary staff as as I'm sure you know but we're thrilled to have you. I've never had a January that was like this. It was it was something else. So hopefully things are going to calm down and maybe it'll be a little bit easier for you. But um thank you so much for all you've done for us and can and continue to do and joining us. Thank you.

Thank you. I mean I I definitely echo that. Um being on the other side, you know, playing in June with you, I know how thorough uh you are. You you wake up early and be the last one to leave to make sure that everyone is safe and sound. So, it's a pleasure to have you on the team and being able to work with you or uh whether it's planned Junth and just having you. So, and we're grateful. We're grateful to have someone like you and you and your team. Absolutely. My pleasure. Thank you. You know, they say leadership is being in the spotlight even though you don't want to be. And you're one of those people. You just shine

even though you're not seeking to do that. So, as already been said, we're fortunate to have you. Thank you. Thank you very much. You make police department better, you make the city better, you make us all better. Thank you.

Absolutely. And you're right. I don't know how you got uh Chief Gant here. uh between cooking breakfast every morning for all those folks out there doing some really tough jobs this last week and then from being the master of ceremonies at the evening of valor to salute all the Salsbury firefighters and the awards and recognition. So uh you uh deserve some sleep, ma'am. So uh [laughter] thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Green, anything else to add? Just a round of applause for uh Chief Gan and for all the city employees who have worked tirelessly to respond and plan for and uh address the the storms we've had take care of uh our citizens. We've been very fortunate. Uh, no accidents reported for any city employees, no injuries, unless I hear some I'm seeing no. I hope Chris is shaking his head. No, too. Um, but just amazing the work from police, fire, emergency management, public works, utilities, uh, all the departments just working together as Chief Gant said. And I I just wanted to say thank you and give a round of applause to the city.

Chief, can you stay up? Uh Chief Parnell, sorry, too many chiefs. One uh other quick thing. Uh, Chief Smith wanted to crash this party and reluctantly [laughter] reluctantly make a presentation to the fire chief and to Chief Gant. Uh, and I'll let him tell a little bit more about it. All in good fun, but raising important uh money for an important cause.

It was. And I'd like to say thank you, Chief Gant. I look forward to not hearing from you for a few weeks. [laughter] Um it's been an unprecedented January and on the busiest Saturday that we've [snorts] probably ever had in the city. It seems like uh we had our second annual um softball tournament, fire versus police and all the proceeds that go and it kind of kicks off our fundraiser for the North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run. And in prior years, our agency, prior to last year, our agency um peaked at raising about $8,000 a year for Special Olympics in North Carolina. Last year, after kicking off with the um softball tournament, we were able to reach uh $25,000 that we donated to Special Olympics in North Carolina. Um this year's uh game was uh a very good game and it's not about the score, it's about the [laughter] it's about the uh the purpose and the cause. And last year we started off and we raised $6,000. This year we start um after Saturday's softball game, we raised $8,000. So we're on pace uh to beat that. We set our goal to reach for North Carolina Special Olympics of $30,000 this year from the city of Salsbury. [snorts] And last thing I'll say, and this is in part a lot to do with the partnership with the fire department because in prior years we never partnered with them. Uh Chief Gant did have a hand in that uh allowing us to partner with Kataba getting us the field on the certain day and then thankful to the firefighters that came out that helped raise money for the event and got us kicked off last year. Um, and out of all of, you know, over 400 law enforcement agencies in North Carolina, we finished 21st for the state. Uh, so next year we hope to break top 20. We at least hope to get most

improved this year when they go to the conference. But I do officially have to pass the torch, [laughter] which I plan on taking back. And the top one had us last year's undefeated since it was the first year. But this year the fire department did win fair. Well, they won. [laughter] So that goes that torch to them to the hold wherever they want to place for the year. The uh the winners are Special Olympics, right? We Yeah. Yes. The fire department scored more runs than the police department, but the real winners, they are are the Special Olympics.

They are. And all the money raised for Special Olympics, it goes for athletes do not have to pay for lodging, food, travel, whether they're competing at a local, regional, or national level. So we're we're it's the law enforcement torch run is the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics worldwide, and we're proud to be a part of that. So are we. And I I think too uh chiefs are very involved and supportive, but Sergeant Bal is really one of the leaders of of this.

Yeah. Sergeant Walker, Sergeant Bal, and we have several other events coming up throughout the year. Used to be we used to do one or two events through the year. We'd raise our money, but uh I turned the reigns over to Sergeant Bout three years ago and he went crazy. So um there's poker runs, there's there's a polar plunge coming up. Polar plunge. um cop on top. I mean, they'll be on top of a doughnut shop, coffee with cops, everything they can think of. They're um I think even one of them is pulling a fire truck. So, so look for upcoming events or special events. Thank you. Thanks, Chief.

Thank you. I think Ann wants to uh get that picture of that handoff. Oh, yeah. [laughter] wipe those tears. [laughter]

Thank you. And and thanks again um Italian and Chief Gant for all your work. Mr. Green, anything else? Uh that's all, mayor, council. Thank you. Gotcha. Thank you all. All right. Uh council moving on to agenda item number six. Mayor to proclaim the following observances. African-American History Month, February 2026. Human Relations Month, February 2026. Uh council to consider the consent agenda. Council received the consent agenda before the meeting. Council, do you have any items you'd like to remove, discuss, or can I get a motion to approve? I'd like to make

a motion to approve the consent agenda. Uh council we have a motion. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose? Motion passes. Uh moving on to uh agenda item number eight. Council to receive public comments. Um I will now open the floor for public comment. Each speaker will have three minutes to address the council. The rules of procedure for public comments are located on the back table in the lobby and at the speaker table. Before we begin, I just want to reference item number 11 in the rules of procedure. Speakers will be courteous in their language and presentation. Personal attacks will not be tolerated and will be deemed out of order. I encourage speakers to be courteous in their language and respectful of council members, staff, and other members of the public. Thank you, Connie. Turn it over to you.

Mayor, our first speaker is Mr. Martin Wheeler. Welcome, Mr. Wheeler.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Members of the city council, thank you for the opportunity for allowing us to speak to you. I am the president of Allabboard Carolas, which is a 501c3 nonprofit that endeavors to encourage rail passenger transportation in the state of North Carolina as well as South Carolina. We also have now a Charlotte chapter called Allabboard Charlotte and they have put together a campaign here to try to work on getting more train service to not only your town but other towns along the Piedmont corridor. You may be aware that on July the 10th of 2023, the NCTO rail division implemented a new timetable for a fourth Pedmont train between Charlotte and Raleigh. In an effort to achieve the Charlotte Raleigh trip time of under three hours, two trains dropped their stops and your city is one of those as well as uh Canapapolis. Regular scheduled trip time between Raleigh and Charlotte is 3 hours and 10 minutes. The trains which skip Salsbury and Canapapolis save 12 minutes off their regular schedule. 12 minutes is saved by denying passengers in Canapapolis and Salsbury the additional travel options that they would like to have. I'm sure this skip stop scheme has a direct impact on Salsbury, Canapapolis, and the surrounding area. The scheme limits the ability of someone coming to the VA, perhaps here for an appointment. It also limits the ability for a family day trip to the transportation museum at Spencer or Salsbury. Also, students returning home or to the school in Greensboro, Durham, and Raleigh have limited travel options. For Canapapolis, it limits the ability to work late at the research campus. for both cities. It limits the opportunity for leisure and business travel. We feel it's important the service we all pay for with our tax dollars is available to all who want to use this

service. We've made our comments clear to the rail division at NC DOT at public meetings in Canapapolis and Salsbury uh through word of mouth at many different occasions. Uh they have their game plan. Their game plan seems to be mainly the fast trains to get the trains as fast as they can between Charlotte and Raleigh and that's their major goal at this point. Uh they do see some value in additional train stops but apparently not enough to change their reasoning at this point. So it seems like that we have to do something else to to perhaps make something happen here. Uh, I think the only way we're going to correct this situation is asking you and all elected officials in your areas to uh contact your North Carolina senators and state representatives, perhaps passing resolutions of support for additional train service, reinstated skip stops, if you'd like to word it that way, and and send those comments to them because that's where the that's where all the action is in the legislature. I remember back when our association back in their fledging leers in 1985, we had to go to the legislature to get that $500,000 for that first Carolinian train. So that may that probably the best way to handle this situation. So, we hope you'll take attention to our information and the packets that we provided for you here that gives you all information and we're certainly willing to uh assist in any way in your efforts if you desire us of more passenger rail transportation here. We're very happy to see what's happening with the station, what you've done with the station.

Thank you, Mr. Wheeler. Everything. Thank you. Thank you. All right, mayor. Our next speaker is Mr. Clyde. Hello Clyde.

Thank you very much. Clyde on East Bank Street. I sat through some of your planning sessions and would like to say that I noticed the word art, music, religion, fun was not mentioned. And we we are uh remiss. A lot of cities own the museums, the libraries, the theaters, and they pay for all of those. And we are so lucky to have a lot of sponsors and a lot of people who do that for us. But don't forget that we have artists out there and we have people who are performing artists and we rely on whoever we can get. But I noticed that that was not mentioned with the city. While we're talking about history, the schools, you know, have, you don't have anything to do with schools, but they have uh released history as something they have as STEM, and history is not included in the schools. So, we need support for history, music, arts, and things like that. While we're on it, this is the semiquinnent. Repeat after me. Semiquentennial. And I have tried I've gone to lots of uh commissions within the city and the answer is we don't do that. And shame on you that we are a city in America in North Carolina and we are not going to celebrate the centennial, the semiquincential in any way so far. But we could have bus tours. We could have displays downtown. We could have walking tours. But so far, all the commissions I've gone to, the answer twice is we don't do that. While we're on the history department, the I notice the new flags have been made. We

still have the wrong date on the flag of the city of Salsbury. It's 1755. And we have told you that many times. But I don't know why when we make new flags and new seals. We don't look into that. And the county, I understand, is doing a lot of work with the bsentennial, but it's up to the city to do their part. Thank you. Thank you, Claude. Conor, that's all our speakers for today. Got you. Thank you. Um, Mr. Green, I would um I know that we are actually planning uh send the 250th anniversary with some other partners that uh obviously the public doesn't know. Do you have anything you could share at this point?

Yes, ma'am. And uh working with Rowan County. Rowan County is taking the lead on that and we're part of a team that is looking to participate and plan in that. So, we'll uh I think the the goal is to have a countywide celebration Great. Thank you, Mr. Green. Yep.

All right. We will move on to agenda item number 10. As a reminder, item number nine was pulled prior to approving the agenda. Council to consider allowing the petitioner to withdraw the reszoning application in case number RZCD 20240016 for 35.88. 88 acres located at 1810 Enan Church Road identified on tax map 329 parcel 030 and 385 in accordance with section 15.9.8.2 of the land development ordinance for the city of Salsbury. Uh presenter will be planning director Philip Lucadoo and I don't have any other numbers to read off Phillip. So take it away.

Thank you mayor, members of council. Uh Victoria was going to be here to uh to present. She's been out under the weather today. So uh we received after the last meeting, we received the uh request to withdraw this u petition uh by the applicant and and pres representing the developer. So we are in possession of that. It's sufficient. So it's up to council for consideration for withdrawal of that request. Council any I mean I know we talked about this at the last meeting. Any questions for uh Mr. Lucadoo? If not I will uh accept a motion. I'll make that motion.

Motion to adopt excuse me council to consider adopting a budget ordinance and amendment. Sorry. Motion to Motion to allow the petitioner to withdraw the reszoning application in case number RZCD-2024-000016 in accordance with the section 15.19H2 of the land development ordinance for the city of Salsbury. Council, we have a motion. All those in favor say I. I.

Any oppose? Motion passes. Thank you all for your work on this. All right, council. Moving on to agenda item number 11. Council to consider adopting a budget ordinance amendment to the full year 202526 budget in the amount of 711,551 for additional property tax revenue to be used for one-time expenditures. Our presenter is finance director Wade Furches. Welcome, Mr. Furches. Thank you, mayor. Privileged to be here. Uh I take you back to the retreat a couple weeks ago. Um we talked about during that retreat that we expect to have some additional revenue tax coming from property taxes and interest income. So um we I'm just reviewing some slides that we had at that uh presentation 20. Uh so we talked about how is FY26 going highlighted item 604,000 and we expect an additional uh tax revenue and then we talked about uh some additional interest income. We budgeted 1.2 in the general fund. We think we're going to get somewhere around 1.3 to 1.4 million. Uh so some extra revenue there. Then we presented you with a list of items. Um I know that's kind of small print. I could have made that bigger I guess. Um that we would like to uh request that you fund with this additional uh revenue. Uh we worked with department heads. We worked with city manager to formulate this list. Uh the largest item on there is uh additional asphalt reservicing. This is in conjunction with our annual repaving. Um, in order to be able to to do the complete list that we intended to do, we need to fund $300,000 in additional

revenue. Uh, there's some money on there to do some facilities renovations uh at two different uh locations in the city so we can move uh city offices to those buildings. Uh you see there the the list, the complete list that we're recommending. Uh I ask that you review that list if there's anything that you would like to discuss. Uh, I'll certainly be glad to do that. Um, and and I'm I'm going to leave it on this screen. The next the next screen says that we uh we wish to uh council to adopt the budget ordinance amendment in the amount of $711,551. But I'll take it back to the screen so you can uh review that study. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to try to answer them.

Thank you, Wade. I know we did talk about this in our uh retreat. Council, do you have any questions? No questions, Mr. Green. Anything else to add, ma'am? Uh other than uh just draw council's attention to the last item on the list. There were questions about moving forward with a master plan to look at a community center and swimming pool, and that's what that item. We've worked with the um architect, the the firm that did the first study, and this allows them to move forward looking specifically at a Salsbury Community Center and swimming pool.

Gotcha. Okay, council, have any questions? I will uh accept the motion. I make the motion to adopt the board budget ordinance amended to the FY2025. of the uh 2026 budget of the city of Salsbury, North Carolina appropriate additional property tax revenues for onetime expenditures in amount of $711,000500 excuse me $711,551. Council have a motion. All those in favor say I.

I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you, Wade, for your work on that. Uh council to consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Connie, turn it over to you. Thank you, mayor. Um, we have some openings on the housing advocacy commission and our council liaison is council member Black. So, I have two uh I'd like to recommen recommend uh Nina Thomas and Mr. David Post to fill our two vacancies. Council, we have u I guess that's in the form of a motion to appoint Nina Thomas and David Post. Uh all those in favor say I.

I. Any opposed? Potion passes. Uh, welcome Nina and David to the Housing Advocacy Commission. Uh, Connie, anything else? Ma'am, that's it. Okay, great. Thank you so much. Um, moving along. Um, city's attorney's report. Nothing for my report tonight. Thank you. Thank you, Graham. Appreciate it. Um, Mr. Green, city manager report.

Mayor, members of council, just one thing. I'd like to invite our utilities director, Jason Wilson, to come up. Uh, I mentioned earlier how proud I am of the team working together to address the concerns regarding the snowstorm, police, fire, um, and public works in particular were out all weekend, whether it was scraping the road or assisting motorists and citizens in a time of need. Uh, just tremendous work. Uh, SRU is now [clears throat] working hard addressing some of the water breaks that we've had from the dropping temperatures. Uh, incredible work and very dangerous uh, conditions with the snow and ice and dealing with a lot of water that is escaping from the pipes. Uh, the team is just doing a tremendous job. I appreciate Jason's leadership and before he starts and give you an update, uh I just wanted to say thank you to Jason and thank you to the SRU team for doing some great work. Thank you.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Green. And uh kind of echoes Adrian's comments. It's about the team. It's not about, you know, the the leadership at the top, but appreciate what our folks are doing. Uh as expected with the drop in temperatures, um we we are experiencing uh significant uptick in the amount of water line uh leaks and water mane breaks that we're seeing and responding to. I think uh since the start of yesterday, we're tracking about 26 um and another one just got called in um since we started started here. Uh so they've uh I think we've got about eight still active right now. Uh so they they've been working hard and so they're they're wrapping up today. Uh it's a lot safer to do it in the daylight and and in warmer temperatures. Today was a good day. Got got good temperatures and um but we're catching up, but the thaw may be as bad or worse than the freeze. So, we'll see. It's the shifting ground that kind of is a challenge for us. So, uh but uh we were running four crews yesterday. We're able to to add a fifth today with some contract uh labor there. So, we're we're making progress, but um just be patient with us. We kind of triage those and prioritize them and we we fix the the most critical first. So, you know, I know um mayor, you've specifically gotten some some calls and some Facebook messages. So, we're we're working hard to get those addressed and try to keep people up to date. So, I'd be glad to try to answer any questions anybody may have.

Gotcha. Thank you, Jason. Um I know that um and I would have to thank the um communications team. They have really been for people who are on social. They have really been out there pushing the messages, telling who to call for what. And I think that was part of the people reaching out where they're like, I don't know who to call. You know, it's that panic sets in because you never you don't you know, it's just a panic. So, thank you all and your team so much for doing that. Yeah, we know that after the storm, there's this other storm that happens for you and your team for sure. So, um thank you for your responsiveness and that just to think about 27 and it's freezing out. So, you guys are doing really great job. So, thank you. I have yet to get wet. So, it's all about [laughter] it's all about them. So, uh we do appreciate our team. We do have a good group of folks, not just in our department, but citywide. So, we're getting support from other departments as well. So, we we do appreciate all that.

Got you. Thank you. Thank you,

Jason. Thank you, Mayor Council. One last thing, Mayor, thank you. You recognized engagement. Uh I wanted to thank Ann and her team. Uh we've really worked hard to try to communicate to the community, make folks aware when it was so icy and and snow was coming down, asking folks to stay home, uh letting them know about openings and closing and providing some safety tips and an and her team have just done a tremendous job of providing that information, accurate information in a timely manner. So again, just shows the the teamwork that's gone into this. One last thing, uh we had the delayed opening today for safety for our employees and for uh citizens. Of course, we were closed yesterday. Tomorrow we are opening on a regular schedule.

Thank you, Mr. Green. Yes, ma'am. Uh council comments. Um Mr. What

uh I just want to say thank you to team Salisbury. Uh I couldn't be a more proud resident of city of Salsbury. Uh to see the way that the team has actually put up work uh tremendous work for the last three weekends. Uh just continue to do what you're doing. It's outside of being a council member. I'm just proud of being a part of the team. Um couldn't be more proud just to be a resident of the city of Salsbury. Um just keep pushing. Keep pushing. We thank you and stay warm. stay safe and just continue to do what you what y'all love to do. It ain't about what we want to do, it's about what you what you all love to do each and every day. So, so thank you Sbury. Thank you to the leadership team u for the constant updates. I mean, they're they're on it. Uh engagement team, social media posters on it. Um I I love it. I love it. I love it. So, continue to push through. Uh we're, you know, stronger together than we are apart. So, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Black. Mr. Jackson, when I saw the list of repairs that had been done, it was unbelievable. Many years ago, when I was a much younger man, I helped fix my father's water line. And it was in the spring. I cannot imagine what it would what it was like to be digging in that frozen soil and doing that work. So, that that's just a testament to to the staff and uh we're probably the envy of a lot of cities.

The uh the unity and the effort that you guys put forward and gals, let me correct myself here. It's just great. So, thank you for your work. Thank you, Mr. Jackson. Mayor Pro Tim, Miss Klutz,

I would like to echo everyone's thank yous. Um it's just an incredible staff and after being away from the city for 12 years and being back and seeing what happens on the inside, it really is unbelievable um how much I mean just thank you to every department just about every department has been involved in this last month and and so many things that have gone on. And a special thank you to our city manager who um Mr. Green keeps us as the city council members updated on everything. And so our phones are just dinging [laughter] constantly um all day and some of the night over the unbelievable things. It is amazing being on the inside and seeing everything that's going on. Um we're very very fortunate. We're very fortunate and blessed in this city to have the city staff and leadership that we do. So thank you at all.

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. And uh yeah, obviously um the work has been um incredible um to hear that we have not had any situations where anybody's got injured. So that's great. So I appreciate that. Also to the citizens uh their patience, you know, outside of one or two, right? People get it. They look outside. We got a foot of snow plus we know it's bad. It's we're not prepared for that. So, thank you all for for your patience on that and and just, you know, letting us know when something happens. You can't fix it if you don't know. So, thank you all for that, your communication. Um, [clears throat] I would just like to give a welcome to Rowan County School Board member, Mr. Jimmy Green. He's sitting in the audience tonight. Hey, Jimmy. Good to see you here tonight. Um, so, um, with that, we'll just, uh, wish everyone safe, warm next couple of days and then spring will be here before we know it because this is only the 87th day of February. So, um, with that, we'll move on to the announcements. And, um, the announcements are a little different because the announcements we were supposed to have, we've had to kind of pivot on a few items. So the um father and daughter dance which was scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed to a later date. We will be announcing that at a later date. Also the wine about winner event which was scheduled for this Friday has also been moved. This has been moved to March 6th of 2026. Uh due to recent weather conditions and concerns for public safety, uh downtown Sisbury, Inc. made the decision to reschedule Wine about Render. It will be Friday, March the 6. All tickets that were purchased for the original date will remain valid for the rescheduled event. And attendees who are

unable to attend at the new date may request a full refund through February the 18th uh of this month. So you can do that by contacting downtown Salsbury. So just out of abundance of safety, we're going to kind of change some events planned for this weekend. And then the event the announcement that does still stay in place is the Salsbury Sculptural Show that's hosted by the Salsbury Public Arts Commission is returning for its 18th year. Artists are encouraged to submit their best outdoor sculptures to be included in the show. Salsbury neighborhoods are encouraged to apply to host a sculpture in their community. The deadline for both artists and neighborhoods to apply is Friday, this Friday, February the 6th. For more information, please visit sisburync.gov/sculpture sculpture show or call 704-638-5240. Uh, and then we're just I'm just going to talk for another three hours so that you all feel at home. Anyway, at this point I would take a motion to adjurnn.

We have a motion. All those in favor say I. I. Meeting is adjourned. 444.