Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. The time is now 6 pm and the Spring Lake Board of Commissioners work session is now called to order. I would like to invite Pastor England to the podium to lead us in our pledge of allegiance and invocation. Please stand and join us if you choose to. And Pastor England at the end, could you please let us know your church and location? Father, we just thank you, Lord, for the opportunity and the joy, Lord, to just be able to come before you now, Lord. Uh God, we thank you for servant leaders, Lord. Those uh the board of commissioners, the mayor, and all the uh the police, the fire, and all that will will lead us, Father, and and and serve us, Lord. God, we thank you for what they do each and every day, boy. We just ask you to just bless them uh Father with their with knowledge, with wisdom, with courage and boldness to do what it is that you called them to do, Father. And lead us in unity and lead us in love, Lord. God, we thank you for them, Lord. We ask you just bless all that's said here tonight, Lord. Uh said and done, Lord, that it it's for up of Spring Lake and and for the glory of you, God. We thank you now for what you're doing. Bless our time together. Bless us as all you can, Father, in the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Amen. I aliance 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. That's 2011 South First Church. Thank you so much. You got to invite us out, not just like it's a public comment. Come on. Come on out. Come on out. Hey, by the way, uh since I I have the I have the night at March or April 11th, we're having our car show. So, everybody come on out.

Main Street. Gotcha. We'll get We'll hear it again. Thank you, pastor. We will now move on to agenda item three, additions and deletions. We do have a few. Um, we are going to add a proclamation to presentations. Item D or excuse me, item C. Okay. Um, I will we're going to add uh proclamation to agenda item C. And under new business, item D will be the Chapel Hill Plot and item E will be budget amendment 18. These are items we're adding to the agenda. So you should have received agenda item uh the budget amendment last week I believe.

So um last Friday

last Friday the budget amendment was sent out and then we do have a proclamation under presentation and the Chapel Hill plan was discussed in close session just for your understanding. So I entertain a motion to approve um the additions and deletion. Oh I'm sorry. And we're also going to delete um both presentations, minimal housing update and the Lily and Black Elementary feasibility study. So pro the proclamation will be our only presentation for tonight and week a commissioner Cooper. U so move. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor?

I. Any opposed? Motion carries. We will now move on to the approval of the agenda with said additions and deletions. Oh, we just did that. I'm sorry. Consent. Consent. My fault. uh approval of the consent items which are the draft minutes of the March 9th regular meeting and um community appearances sustainability committee is removing Mr. Lloyd Evans. Commissioner Cooper. So move. Commissioner Thompson. I second. Any discussion?

All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. We'll move on to our presentation um 7A, which is our proclamation honoring Commissioner. Jackson, mayor. We didn't get any public, did we? I am all kinds of off today, y'all. I am so sorry. Hi guys. Um, and we will begin with Miss Andrea Rose. She has an idea. She's not here. Oh, she's not here.

She is not here. So, we will move on to presentations. Agenda item 7A. We didn't know we was going to act like a proclamation honoring Commissioner Jackie Jackson in recognition of Women's History Month. Thank you, Mr. Jackson. You to this evening. picture. Yeah, I'll do it.

It's a little drop down right there. You need me to hold anything? Yeah. I pray that I go all goes well. Nothing happens to me because we're all in this together. Okay.

Thank you. We read that proclamation and Okay. Got two things. this down so people can hear. Okay. Proclamation of the board of commissioners recognizing Jackie, excuse me, Commissioner Jackie Jackson, Women's History Month. Whereas March is nationally recognized as Women's History Month, a time to honor and celebrate the contributions, achievements, and leadership of women throughout our nation and local communities. And whereas the town of Spring Lake Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of acknowledging individuals who have made a meaningful and lasting impact within the community. And whereas Commissioner Jackie Jackson has deca dedicated more than 20 years of service to the Spring Lake community through leadership, advocacy, and volunteerism. And whereas Commissioner Jackson has played a vi vital role in the teens do care program providing mentorship, support and res resources to youth and families in need. And whereas her work supporting pregnant teens and families along with her commitment to food distribution efforts and providing book bags, clothing, and essential items has positively impacted countless residents. hand. Whereas her continued service reflects the spirit of Women's History Month through compassion, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Town of Spring Lake Board of Commissioners, duly assembled. That the board hereby recognizes and honors Commissioner Jackie Jackson for her outstanding service and contributions to the community in celebration of Women's History Month for March 2026. Be it further proclaimed that the board expresses its sincere appreciation for her dedication and continued commitment to the citizens of Spring Lake. Be it further proclaimed

that a copy of this proclamation be presented to Commissioner Jackie Jackson as a symbol of the board's gratitude and recognition. Adopted this 23rd day of March, 2026 by the town of Spring Lake Board of Commissioners. You're welcome. Thank you,

Miss Jackson. Miss Jackson, I've seen you in action and you said you were surprised for National Women's Month that I recognize you. I believe we should uplift one another. You've done great things in this community and I ask that you'll continue. I saw you on Main Street when Mr. Burgess all the children that came out. You personally came out of your own pocket to give away and this means so much to me and I'm glad that the board joined in and the community as well. Commissioner Jackson, Jackie Lee Jackson, in recognition of Women History Month for 20 years of vigorous leadership, integrity, and commitment, and excellence. Your achievement inspires progress and empowers future leaders. Thank you for what you're doing for the great town of Spring Lake. Thank you for stepping up to have help to keep these schools open and you call them your babies as you did on Saturday. So truly from my heart, this is presented to you. Hold on, Miss Jackie. I was going to wait till you come back up here.

Thank you for taking my job. My job. All right. Ready? One, two, three. I'll take another one, two, three.

Thank you. I just want to say thank you so very much. This means a lot. you do sometimes you do so much till you forget that you're doing it just becomes natural. So this is very much welcome. I like to think um thank the Lord and everyone, but I'd like to say a very special thank you to one person that I couldn't have never ever done this without my ride and die. And that's my mom right there. Damn, MOM. My mom, that's my mom. I appreciate her and everything. And I appreciate everybody for this beautiful wonderful thing. So if I don't say nothing good then I get no thank you.

Y'all know we love the warm and fuzzies here at the town of Spring Lake. So I am going to do take a point of privilege. Um, I do know Miss Andrea Rose signed up for public comments, but you just barely missed it. And so I am going to take this time out to give you the opportunity to speak if you

I know it happens to all of us. So I got you. It's okay. I so my apologies. Um, but It's recovery from Facebook and I just wanted to say

this Friday is Alana's 13th birthday. So, I've been doing a lot of thinking and stuff. So, um I don't know. I'm just uh I feel like God put an idea on me to kind of say like cuz I got the idea I guess from Orange County Sheriff's Department where they're going around like from community and like ice cream to the kids and stuff like that. So I was thinking that maybe we could do something this summer for the kids and I was just saying that I would actually put some money up if that's possible that I would use some of my money to do it. Um, so I don't know where to start with it, but I would like to eat like all um ice cream to the kids. So that's just all I have tonight.

Thank you. No problem. Thank you. Okay. So, we'll move on to our first um new business item, which is the revision of 26005 related to to development 0102-23 and parcels to parcels. I am struggling today. Parcels 21 and 38. Mr. endorse them. Did I say that right? Okay.

Good evening members of the board of commissioners from Spring Lake. My name is Timothy Doris. I'm a planner level two with the Cland County Planning and Inspections Department in the current planning division. I'm here tonight to discuss REB-26-00005 which is related to some previous cases that has seen and is also related to a plat case PL-003-26. So tonight's item is to let you know ahead of time for two separate motions to be made. the purpose of the revision case and if approved the final clap case uh immediately.

So Mr. Dome I before I want to go through one entire um presentation first and then we'll take the vote. Yes ma'am. And then we'll go through the next.

Yes ma'am. Yes ma'am. Just wanted to let that be uh clear ahead of time. So that is so to start with we will of course begin with rev-26-00005. What this is is a revision. It is a revised preliminary plan related to the original approval of what was at the time a three-phase multi-phase three-phase southern development. Uh there was a previous revision to add fourth phase to the project. This is related specifically to phase two of the development. Phase one has already been platted and has been built. Phase two related to DEV01 02-23 which is then related to the conditional reszoning the project received under P21 S-13. So essentially what this revision is is for phase 2 only they are seeking two revisions. The first is a lot reumbering. They are not changing the number of lots but they are changing the lot numbering to match their current development schedule with the lots. And the second change that's been requested is the addition of a drainage and storm water easement between the newly renumbered lot 77 and 78 to show a storm water control measure that would be under the ownership and maintenance of the Kalin Farms Homeowners Association. So for REB-26-00005, those are the only uh significant changes being made. No other minor major changes are proposed. Uh the PLA has been reviewed, the revised preliminary plat has been reviewed by the current planning division for crumbling county or consistency with Spring Lakes code ordinances. And through the review, the

plat that is before you, the revised bonary plat that is before you has been found consistent with the spring lake code of ordinances as also provided the transmittable letter and also for uh convenience. Currently has also printed out the approval letter and the revised blending flats in the opportunity that it is approved tonight for their vision. So that is a quick summary of it though we'd be happy to answer any specific questions you may have or if you have just any clarifications you need.

Are there any questions, comments or clarifications uh from the board? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve REV-26-00005. Commissioner Cooper. So moved. Is there a second? Commissioner Jackson, I second. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. All right. And we'll move on to the next uh motion which or the next agenda item which is PLAT-00003-26.

Yes, ma'am. So this is related to phase two. Um because of the substantial infrastructure improvements that have been made and see as the revised final plat as we've just seen was approved by the board of commissioners. This is the final platform for phase two so that the developer is able to pl the lots to then be able to sell them and also have building permits pulled for the lots to be developed upon. Current planning again provided a consistency review and found that again the design scope and the overall development of phase 2 for the final flat was consistent with the revised preliminary plat that had just passed. So in terms of both plats they are consistent with each other and therefore also consistent with the spring lake code of ordinances. Any questions or comments from the board? I chain a motion to approve or deny PL A- 0003-26. Commissioner Thompson.

So move. Is there a second? Commissioner Burgess. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, sir. Thank you. and we'll move on to agenda item guys. 619 and we're almost done. I just looked at my phone like whoa. Don't jesus.

Smart man. Smart man. Agenda item AB, resolution 2026-05, the resolution of the board of commissioners of the town of Spring Lake, directing the clerk to investigate a petition for annexation from Rhonda Jackson for the property located at 945 Lington Highway received under GS or NCGS 168-31 and directed staff to conduct a feasibility study. Madam Montrey, yes, ma'am. Thank you board. All this is is just an annexation that is your mic.

Thank you. So I received a petition of annexation continuous uh at 1945 Willington Highway. They are currently zoned residential. Uh they are wanting to be reszoned uh commercial CB. So uh we can the board has the police powers to do a resoning at the same time as an annexation. So basically this resolution is for me to continue with the feasibility study and get with um staff to make sure it is feasible for the town of Spring Lake. And I'll bring that information to the next to the next meeting. Commissioner,

you said 1945 was 9:45. Oh, did I say 1945? I meant 9:45. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions or comments from the board? So, I'll now entertain a motion to approve resolution 2026-05. Mayor Rosen. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I'd like to approve resolution 2026-5, the resolution for the board of commissioners, Missibility. Commissioner Jackson, I second. Any discussion? All in favor?

Any opposed? Motion carries. Agenda item 8 C is resolution 2026, resolution of the board of commissioners of the town of Spring Lake declaring surplus property, excuse me, surplus of personal property. Um, Mr. Overton. Good evening. Uh we are requesting we are requesting uh to declare two pieces of equipment as surplus. Uh we have a 2007 Sterling Street sweeper which is 19 years old. Uh it was rearended by another car a few weeks ago. Uh the insurance company has declared it to be a total loss because the uh estimated cost to repair it is $15,761. The value of it is less $15,600. So, the insurance company has offered to give us 15,600 minus the $1,000 deductible or $14,600 and they would own the street sweeper and they would get it. They'd sell it for salvage. They've estimated salvage value at $1,200. Or they will pay us 13,600 uh or 13,400 minus the 1,200 salvage value. and then we can turn around and sell on gov deals. In talking with uh Steve Wing uh in our street department, he believes that we can sell on gub deals and get more than 1,200 for the parts because the engine's in good shape. The chassis is bent, so we it can't be repaired really satisfactory. The other is the

backhoe, the 2001 John Deere backho we talked to you about at the last meeting. uh that needs $35,000 worth of repairs and you agreed that that's not worth it on a 25 year old back home and you've already approved that we've already ordered a new backho to replace it. So, we're just asking that you declare these two pieces of uh equipment as surplus and allow us to sell them on go deals. Any questions or comments? Mr. Burgess, excuse me, Commissioner Burgess. the uh street got hit in the back. Yes, sir.

Was a lawsuit anything? Not not that I'm aware of. Not yet. We filed it with the insurance company and they will take care of it. They've offered us. This is what the insurance company's offered us. U I do not know an accident. You know, was there any accident report file on that lady? Whoever get this free sweeper. Oh yes, sir. Yeah. Okay. So, the insurance company's is uh taking care of that. But what they're offering us right now is the value of the street sweeper. It's 20. It's 19 years old. So, it's not worth a whole lot.

Chief John was the person charged with it. I would have to check routinely there would be once insurance settles then if your attorney would dismiss those charges but to answer your question specifically I would have to give my

Mr. Bordon. Yeah, I I think what Commissioner Burgess is really getting at is this our insurance or the at fault potentially at fault drivers. This this is the offer on the league the insurance this is from our insurance. Okay. Whether they would go back and try to get the uh throughation through subregation through the uh other drivers insurance. We don't we don't as we see here we don't even know if they had insurance. Yeah, we don't. Okay. Thank you. Commissioner, hold on. Um, Mr. B, you got more. If we sell that truck, we can't go back on their insurance if they had insurance.

That's potentially correct. Potentially. But if I think I think what Mr. Overton is saying is that the it's up to y'all. I mean, but I think what he's saying is this is quicker and then the league through segregation can go after the insurance. Just looking to get the most out. Yeah. That in all honesty though, whether it's from our insurance or because I did insurance defense for a long time, whether it's our insurance or we go after their insurance, the numbers aren't going to change or at least not significantly. It might be like a couple hundred dollars, but it's going to be the same. Yeah. They're only going to pay us what the vehicle is worth minus our deductible,

right? And um that's only 14,000 or 13,000 if um we keep the vehicle and sell it ourselves. Was that it? Commissioner Brand Commissioner Jackson. Mr. over to. So you're saying that we're they're going to pay us 13,000 if we take the second one. 13,000 and then we still can sell it. Yes, ma'am. We would we they would not they give us 14,000, they own it and then they sell it. They give us 13,000 then we still own it and we can sell it on dub deals and hopefully get more than the difference of,200.

One more question, Mr. B. That's 13 minus the deduct. The 13 is is already after the deduct was taken out. Yeah, thank you. Now, that was a good question. We had already went over this

and agreed to what you what you're saying, but the question that you just asked, and I would like to see that information come back from the chief uh about the secondary insurance. This is our lead uh but the secondary insurance because you're right, if we sell it and if it's gone, then if they have uh did they investigate it already? He said he's going to check and see. I think uh we could table this but still sell it. I don't know how soon they need to. But you can declare it surplus and we can wait till we get an answer to sell. Yeah. So we want to declare declare it surplus. Uh because you know I agree with you right away,

right? Okay. Because that's a good question that you asked. Thank you. All right. I'll entertain a motion to um for resolution 2026 um to declare surplus property. Is there a motion? Commissioner Jackson, I'll make a motion that we um approve 2026 resolution of the surplus property with understanding not to sell it. So we find out what's going on. That was the motion. Is there a second? Commissioner Thompson. So move.

Uh any discussion? I said.

All in favor? Any opposed? The motion carries. All right. Move on to 8 D board approval of the final plat for 146 Chapel Hill Road. Please.

Okay. Um so this is a set of buildings that was approved a long time ago. It's already been built and when it first came to the board, it was presented and approved as essentially even though they are laid out like town homes but essentially like an apartment complex. And later on at some point, even though it's been some time ago, the developer uh came back to apparently town staff and said, "No, no, we really did need for these to be town homes that could be individually parcelled out." uh staff at the time went along with that. Uh which I'm not necessarily saying was wrong. Uh it's just it probably should have came back before the board. Um however, now that these have been built, uh we sent it back to the county and the county said, "Whoa, whoa. We weren't apprised of this situation." Of course, we use this the county to consult with uh to tell us things like this. And long story short, at the end of the day, these are already built. staff had told them it could be done this way. U and so I recommend uh that y'all approve this make a motion to approve to approve it because if not if we held their feet to the fire then in theory because they were built to residential code as opposed to the code for apartment complexes uh they would realistically have to tear down these buildings which would be waste and could potentially result in some type of litigation even though I don't think we've did done anything wrong. Uh, however, it's my understanding in previous conversations with the board and this message has been sent, uh, this is kind of a a one-time uh, deal as far as approving something like this because admittedly, the reason the county did raise some concerns based upon our own ordinances, if they had originally submitted it as town homes,

the board could have still approved it, but it would have had to have gone through a a little bit different process, uh, which they did not go through, But at the end of the day, these things are literally, y'all have all seen them. I mean, they exist. Yeah. So, Chapel Hill Road. Yeah. This is what we talked about last week. I know. Where are they located? This one. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Uh 146 Chapel Hill Road behind a

church. So, they exist. Um and you know, I don't think the developer had any intent. Um and they certainly had extensive communications with town staff. Uh it's just it was never brought back to the board. So, uh really what I would recommend as town attorney is that y'all approve this. Um should have been brought back to y'all sooner. Not sure why it wasn't, but it just wasn't. But here we are. And so I would ask that y'all listen. Are there any questions or comments from the board? Yeah.

Um and again we were uh in our special meeting last week we were able to discuss the intricacies and details of um of the situation and the recommendation of our attorney is solid. Um so I will entertain a motion to approve the final plaque for 146 Chapel Hill Road. Commissioner Cooper moved. Commissioner Jackson. I second. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries.

And we will now move on to our budget amendment BA18 for FY 2026. Mr. Overton, I apologize for getting this budget amendment to you on Friday instead of earlier in the week. We only received these invoices. It was only a day late.

Anyway, unfortunately, we've had some sewer lines to collapse uh on Weaver Street. Uh that whole street sewer line had to be replaced because of collapse. Uh the contractor RLT had to go out there for several days and pump out the line every day so that the people on that street could continue to uh flush their uh toilets because the line had just completely collapsed. U in that line item for repairs and maintenance of water and sewer lines, we had about $90,000 left in that line item. Um, and we had a a purchase order with RLT to do a repair. Unfortunately, uh, the cost of the repairs on Wever Street were 163,000. Okay. Uh, also, we had a line to collapse, uh, on Bragg Boulevard. Uh, they had to replace that sewer line. They also had to tear up the street in the parking lot and then repave it. Uh, that was 44,000 due to repaving. Uh the total cost to replace the line and repay was 81,000. Uh we had another leak on water leak of 9500. Uh we had someone run their car over a fire hydrant on road and we had to replace the fire hydrant to fix the pipes under it. That was 26,000. And then the sewer line at Dunkin Donuts fogged up and it cost 900 to unplugging. So, the total cost came to $282,000 last week for repairs. We had about $90,000 left in that line item. Uh so, we're asking you to do a budget amendment. We tell you how we're going to pay for this several ways. Number one, in the water and sewer uh

operations department, we had budgeted a water resources director at a salary of 85,000. that position has been vacant the entire year. So, we haven't had to pay that. Um, we've also had a couple other vacancies and some maintenance texts that have been vacant for a few months. So, basically, we have 125,000 of unspent salaries because those positions were vacated. Uh, since we didn't pay the salary, we also didn't pay the payroll taxes, the health insurance, or the state retirement. So, we have some money left over there. Uh so altogether that's about 150,000. That's not enough. Um also uh Miss Deanna who was uh helping out in u because of that vacancy water and sewer operations. She's now going back to storm water. So we're uh needing to hire the engineers to help us with water and sewer for the rest of the year. So, what we're asking is to transfer that vacant salary and benefits to pay for these water and sewer repairs and to also add some money to pay the engineers for the rest of the year. And uh we're going to reduce salaries and benefits, but we're still going to be about 100,000 short. So, we're asking to take 100,000 out of fund balance in the water fund to make up the difference. And the year isn't over yet. There may still be other repairs to come.

Thank you, Mr. Overton. You're welcome. Uh for those the the the funds coming from the salary positions, those will be replenished in next year's budget because we're still pursuing uh someone for those positions. Correct. Yeah. We we only took the eight months that were vacant. There's still the four months left to take somebody with bill the rest of take off. That makes sense. I needed it off and I didn't take it off. But that makes sense. That's why you're our finance director. Um, a lot of lights came on and I think Commissioner Burgess was first.

First thing, the job overall said you call it. That's a competition. I'm sorry. What was your question again? The address 118 is that competition auto where the the leak was. I'm not sure the Yeah, I'm pretty sure

Well, if you haven't looked, that church over there beside it got paid, too. Are we paid paying for that? Yes, competition comp uh competition auto is uh 1118 North Brad Park is a church that parking lot got paid at the same time. No, no, we don't we could didn't pay for their parking lot. Okay,

we're paying for the parking lot that they tore up to get to the sewer line and that's what we're paying for. And that's it. The next question is, the car hit five, you have insurance. We don't know who the car was hit at night or on the weekend. We know we don't know who hit it. So, no sir, we don't have any uh insurance to file against because we don't know who the driver was. Is that Mayor Bin? Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I'd like to make a motion that we approve budget.

Hang on. First, I'll I'll come back to you for the motion, Commissioner Cooper. Um, yes. Uh, so those repairs, we put uh new uh infrastructure in there, right? Yes, ma'am. So you said that was 200 what was all these four or five repairs combined were 282,000. So can we subtract that from the 75 million we need? Yeah. Yes. So, you won't have to replace you won't have to replace those again for another 50 years. 74, 2017.

And uh I did have a question that didn't uh totally have to do with this, but uh gas has gone up considerably and it's going to continue to increase. How is that going to affect our budget? Well, it's well, it's going up 10 cents every day last week. Um, and diesel right now, I saw it at $539.

Um, we budgeted our gas at the beginning of the year at $4 a gallon. For most of this year, it's been between $250 and $289. So, we are under budget. The reason we budgeted at $4 a gallon, and that's the highest I've ever seen, you know, around here in my life, was $4. And we know the price of gas is volatile. It can go up and down. So, we did build a cushion into each department to cover their gas. If it doesn't go up any more, we will be okay. But our cushion uh now is very small. If it goes above $4 a gallon, then we may come back to you with a budget amendment later this year. But let's pray that it does not go higher than that.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Madam May. I think you're very smart of you. told me that the other day. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we approve budget amendment BA18 FA20 26. Is there a second? Commissioner Jackson, I second. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. All right, we are now on to our reports and I have a few things that I want to zip through very quickly. Um, first I want to acknowledge our um, superintendent for our park systems here at Carver Creek State Park. I know your positions higher than that and I always say superintendent because she's way higher up than that, but what's your official position? It's superintendent of street. Okay, you got it right. Okay, I think this time, but thank you for being here. Thank you.

Um, I also want to, um, take a moment to remember, um, one of our citizens who passed away, um, Miss D. Oh. So, uh, just being out at the Easter egg hunt this past weekend and looking over at the First Baptist table and her not being there, uh, my heart broke. And so, uh, I just wanted to make sure that we acknowledge her and we remember her uh, for all the light that she brought to our community, all the joy and happiness. Um, she will be missed. So, um, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge her as well as, uh, Sandy Cookman. She was the co-owner of WIDU, also very instrumental in providing, um, awareness and information to our community for decades. Um, so both of those souls will uh, be heavily missed. Um, and I just wanted to take a moment to honor them. That was tougher than I thought it would go. So, um, board of education meeting, um, was a few weeks ago, week and a half ago. We had a an amazing turnout. Several of our administration was there, tons of people from the community, but the work is not done. Um, Commissioner Jackson, and I'm sure she has more things to say about this, as well as uh, former Commissioner Robin Chadwick have been spearheading this event. We need your help. We need your voice. We need you to be angry that they are trying to co close a third school. We lost Bay Rood. We lost Lilian Black. And now they are trying to take Manchester Elementary. They cannot do this to our community. This is terrible for our

children. It's terrible for the stability of our community and it's absolutely detrimental to the growth, the forward growth. um and future growth of our community. People do not move to communities with no schools. People will not move to a community so when they Google it, the first thing they see is this school closed. We have been working hard and diligent for the past several years to turn this community around. And we will not allow our children now to be used as another tool to slow our progress down. It cannot happen. Um, this makes me angry. My my daughter's in college and I am angry that they would displace our children again. So, I hope you're just as angry as I am. And I hope you come out. Commissioner Jackson, do you have the board meeting dates for the um board of education?

April 8th. I know there's one coming up this Thursday at 8:30 a.m. on the um on the board site, but there is supposed to be one at 8:30. And there are they're trying to sneak it in because before they can close the school, they have to do three things. One thing is they have to have a public forum in Spring Lake. They're trying not to do that. So, we're going to be up there Thursday morning at 8:30. And I went to the legislative meeting that went with the school board. They will turn the school board turn in turn will sell it to the board of commissioners of Fville come the county for a dollar and then they can do what they want to do with it.

$527,000 and to sell the school back to the county for a dollar for our children is crazy to me. That is crazy to me. And the only two things that they're saying is they're saying one that of the repairs it cost so much for the the building to be repaired, but it's their fault they didn't repair. They're are in charge of of all their repairs. They didn't do it.

Two, they're saying that um Manchester only has 200 and something students, supposed to be 400 students there. But what they're not figuring is the growth that we have. We got the the phase two for Kait Caitlyn Farms coming in. We're estimating anywhere between two to 300 kids coming out in there. We got these apartments on Chapel Hill Road and we got other places coming in. So, they're not phasing in growth and you cannot do that. That is crazy. So, the board members, they went from three to six. Now they're at four votes against and five four. They just need one more. And that's where y'all come in.

Yeah. And um um they're spearheading it and they're trying to sneak it in on Thursday. I don't think they think Spring Lake has a voice. We have a voice and we have a mission. Our children are our everything. They are our future. And it's going to take a lot of us to come up there. Even if you don't want to say anything, just show your body, make a sign, or do whatever to let them know that it is not acceptable and you're not going to hold us accountable for your mistakes. You get money for maintenance and you should have repaired the building. And then at the end of the day, we don't even want the building. We want our school open. We want a new building. That's right. Period. That's right. We don't even want the building. You want the building, take it. Our school needs to be open and give us a brand new building. We deserve it. With us moving forward, Spring Lake moving forward, then move forward with a new school system. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Jack. Don't get me started. Don't get me started.

No, we want you started. And I want y'all to get just as fired up about this, too. This is a big deal. We cannot be quiet about this. And we can't do it alone. We need you. You have to come and do this. So, I I'm with you. I'm sorry. We going to have to take a moment and pause and talk about Manchester. So, anyway, um Focus Group 4 had our um third meeting, fourth meeting, I'm sorry. uh and the next one will come out and within this week I'll give you uh the next meeting date for our focus group four meeting um the state of the county which is an address provided by our Cumberland County chair commissioner Debier um please go to the Cumberland County website to YouTube and watch this be aware of what's happening in your county because what happens in your county directly affect affects what happens to you right here at home. So, um, be aware of what's happening on the county level. Um, I want to make sure we lunch with the mayor is on the 25th at Kay Food. And I'm laughing because I almost got in trouble. So, the day before on the 24th is Madam Carly Aldri's 21st birthday. She'll be 21 and my wife on the 25th will be 22. So, happy birthday to the both of these uh my favorite Aries. Um I want to again go back to this Easter egg hunt. It was phenomenal. Unfortunately, I had multiple events on the same day, so I got to come out there in heels and way overdressed for the event, so there was no Easter egg picking up for me. Um but I've heard nothing but good things about this. And we want to see more events um from our community happen on Main Street. we are in support of anything

that you want to do to bring the community back together and bringing it back together at our town center um is even more important. So uh thank you all who participated and helped orchestrate that um and we look forward to more events like that happening in our community and that is all I have. Mayor Prov is on you.

Thank you madam mayor. Um again u I had the opportunity Reverend Dobins and Reverend Subwin to go personally visit indeed. Um she has certainly been a trooper uh for the Lord. She been on the battlefield. Offic she was looking for you and you sent the card and she was well pleased. Well pleased. So, um, the Easter egg hunt on Main Street. It went well. I had an opportunity to visit the band. The young lady, she told me she was about 70 and she was up there dancing to the band and I had to go join her. Didn't know I could still do it, but I did. Had fun. But, um, Miss Samper, we have been as well because I'm accustomed to the Easter egg hunt at Mendoza Park. We did some research. Uh the town manager, you did some research and I did some research. So, I'm well pleased. On April the 4th, the Mandoza Park will also have their annual Easter egg hunt. But we want to continue to do that as well because it's surrounding kids. And I heard that you're going to be volunteering um and you and your ministry staff. So, I'm going to join you all as well. So, I'm glad to know that they are going to have that Eastad hunt. Um, the mayor called me um today for the state of the county and glad that I went and make sure you tune in and find out what's going on. Uh, we are part I believe in networking. So, we'll continue to network with them. And as Miss Jackson stated, we talked about the schools. We don't we want a school to be here, but we want a brand new school. We

pay high tax dollars here. High tax dollars in Spring Lake, more than any other municipality. So, we deserve to have a brand new school, but we have to advocate. We have to work together, Miss Sanford. There is power in numbers, and unity. When it says unity for prosperity, that's what I think it said. It's been saying it for a long time. So, uh, that's what we'll continue to do to work forward to move the town forward to make sure we have can educate our children and not on a level one. It's not only just having a school. We need that level to go up for our children because most parents are looking to make sure that it's not a level one, you know. So, we want to make sure that we'll continue to fight hard and for a brand new school in the town of Spring Lake. Um, I think that's all I have. So, thank you very much for this opportunity and thank you all for coming.

Commissioner Thompson,

I have three things. On the 4th of April at 08, we will have our monthly town cleanup. So, um, if you would like to participate with the town cleanup, please come. That'll be 1195 North Brad Boulevard um, in the Southwest Plaza. and also on the 11th of April over at um Main Street, 2011 Main Street. Um that's the fifth annual car and truck um show and that starts at 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is free admission, so it doesn't come cost anything to come in um participate with that. And also on the 11th of April at 10 to 4 over at the Spring Lake Recre Center, um the military veterans affair um advisory committee will have the veteran service day and it starts from 10 to 4 if you need know of anyone that needs um help with their claims or anything like that. Um and I think they're going to have some um different resources over there. So feel free to come out. And that's all I have now. Pastor England, can um do you mind giving us Miss G's funeral arrangements um so that we can make sure that's out?

That would be uh April the 4th. April 4th at 1:00 at First Baptist. Thank you. All right. and Commissioner Jackson. Um, I want to take time to say, um, give my condolences to, um, Miss Calvin's family. Her sister Christine

um, had a very bad accident. I think it was two Fridays ago. Um, and I know most of, if you live in Spring Lake, you've seen her. You either seen her at Dollar Tree or um, Walmart. She sells her little um, knitted pennies. So, she passed. So, I definitely want to say a special to the family on that. Um, as well as the board, again, the board meeting for the school is Thursday at 8:30. If you can come, please come and just stand in numbers on that. And then on August the 15th, the Wley Lee Educational Center senior is putting on a back to school, I want to say, backyard type barbecue. So, we going to have free hot dogs and hamburgers for the kids, as well as give out free clothes, brand new clothes, book bags, and everything. So we're looking for partners um with the women educational senior center and my women's group a few good women. We love building kingdom. So in building kingdom we have to have different types of villages that come on board to help to do do for the community. So if anybody would like to come and join us on that day that would be August the 15th. That would be our back to school event.

Commissioner I'd like to thank everybody that came out tonight. Uh, the Easter egg hunt was a success. Tons of kids, tons of eggs, van DJ. It was put on by the chamber for Greater Spring Lake in Anderson. She does find job. She puts on stuff for the town. Um, the parents committee is moving forward with murals. Industrial Park is getting a add-on and boards. then please. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Cooper.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I also wanted to uh let everyone know that uh Miss Belmo Lee Wright uh passed away. That's Tara Wright and Jerome Wright's mother. Uh you can see Tara at a breakfast with Santa most times every year. Um, and her funeral will be at Coven funeral home on May 28th. The viewing is uh from 2:00 to 4:00 and the service will be at 4 at the Copen Chapel. And I also wanted to uh send a special shout out to Regina Zadu and Reggie Thompson and everybody who made it possible for our um Spring Lake Middle School basketball team, the boys, to go see the Harlem World Trackers. they had they uh they were able to get enough money donated for every one of the players to go. So, if you gave money for that, thank you so much. Uh that's what happens when community comes together. And in honor of women's history month month and in the spirit of togetherness and unity and inclusivity, I would like to honor all women in this community. Those who labor quietly in the background as well as those who lead boldly. We appreciate you and honor you. And can I please ask every woman in here to stand because you're all part of history.

Girl power. That's because women are really important. Just so you know, we deserve a month or seven or 12. We have men. We agree. If you want to stay, Mr. Manager, do you have anything to report?

Yeah. So, uh, I spent the day going through our infrastructure and on a positive note for public works, I did identify along with our finance director, Spring Lakes POW Bill Fund. I wanted to give an overview of that fund just kind of a refresher for those who may not know. The North Carolina Cow Bill Fund is a state shared revenue source funded by gas tax proceeds. These funds are restricted to streets maintenance and repair including paving, resurfacing, and roadway infrastructure improvements. Allocation is based on our population and street mileage, making it a critical funding source for maintaining our transportation network. Right now, the town of Spring Lake has $1.6 million sitting and available to spend on our street maintenance improvements. I will be directing staff to prioritize high traffic and deteriorating roadways for resurfacing and repair. Ongoing assessment of street conditions to ensure efficient use of our power bill funds. And our goal is to extend pavement life cycles and reduce long-term costs. In addition to our infrastructure, I've identified six $1.6 million in improvement for our storm water, identifying and addressing floodprone areas and drainage deficiencies. We'll coordinate our storm water improvements with street projects where possible to maximize efficiency and we'll focus on preventive infrastructure investments to reduce future repair

costs and community impact. This is good news and we're going to get to work on this right away. So, thank you for echoing that. And again, our Manchester Fire District, we did get an update today from uh County Manager Clarence Greer. Uh I submitted uh along with our finance director uh numerous questions just to clarify and make sure that our service delivery and funding structure and long-term obligations are going to get met. So that will be coming to you all you all uh in the coming days. So thank you all. I just wanted to provide that update.

This isn't a a new $1.6 million. This is the million. This is the power bill add up that we it's just so just just a bit of clarification. We weren't allowed to spend any money. So our power bill was coming in when we were under local government control. We were not allowed to spend any money. So that money is still there and it was building up. So the plans are in place and now we're going to to move forward. So it's not that we didn't or we're not just doing anything. we couldn't spend the money. So, just wanted to make sure that that there's clarification there. Mr. Border, were you finished? Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. No. All right. All right then. That is all.

Go ahead. I was supposed to and I apologize. I was told to announce a crosswalk that will happen on Good Friday. Um, so, uh, uh, yeah, crosswalk that will happen on Good Friday. at Rookie Duchi standing at first. Thank you for doing that. That was so out of order, but I'm going to allow it because it's our Easter crosswalk beginning where Ruby Tuesday. Point of privilege. I'm taking a point of privilege beginning at Ruby Tuesday at time 5:30

5:30 a.m. or p.m. 5:30 p.m. Crosswalk beginning at Ruby Tuesday. come out for Good Friday and join uh the walk. That's right. All right. I want to see all of you. You are. Why you looking directly at me?