City Council - Regular Meeting

city council meeting to order and ask all to rise for the invocation and pledge of allegiance. Good evening everyone. Let's pray. Dear heavenly father, thank you so much for this day and thank you for the many blessings you've brought upon our community. I pray for the mayor and council members as they're making decisions for our community. And I pray that everyone um speaks wisely. In your name we pray. Amen. Would you join me in the pledge of allegiance? 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.

Thank you. First item is the adoption of the agenda. We do have during the pre-aggenda meeting, we moved item E and item O to the regular agenda. Item O was number 16 in your uh in on the agenda tonight and we are we need to delay that and take that up in May. So that'll be in our uh May 11th meeting. So, um on and and we also moved uh item uh 14 to the consent agenda. So, we went ahead and and uh handled that. Are there any changes other changes to the agenda? If not, do I have a motion to approve the amended agenda? Do

I have a second? Second. We have a motion and second. All in favor say I. I

all any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Um item f five is the code of eth 2026 code of ethics and front and seat front and center strategic plan. The city council as usual strives uh to follow the code of ethics and strategic plan. We have several presentations tonight. The first presentation on the agenda was an Arbor Day proclamation, but uh we actually do that at the event Saturday. So, uh when you're at the Arbor Day celebration this Saturday, the 18th, uh we encourage you to come out and we'll do the proclamation at that time. Uh the next uh the next item on the agenda is the line workers appreciation day proclamation. So I ask uh is Jared do we have Jared and Josh Haw Sigman and Hunter Gallagher here? If you'll meet me at the podium, please up's got to get a good picture. Oh, I got the wrong one.

You almost got the the one for the children.

Right. Well, congratulations to everybody.

All right. Whereas on January 3rd, 2017, the 115th Congress of the United States adopted House Resolution 10 recognizing line workers and their vital contributions to public safety and designating April 18th as National Lineman Appreciation Day. And whereas on the April 15, 2015, the North Carolina General Assembly ratified House Bill 140, establishing the second Monday in April each year is line worker appreciation day in North Carolina. And whereas the city of States will proudly operates a public power utility and our line workers are essential to delivering safe, reliable electric service to homes, businesses, and critical facilities and throughout our community. And whereas line workers are highly trained professionals who work in challenging and dangerous conditions to build, maintain, and restore the electrical infrastructure that powers daily life. And whereas these dedicated men and women serve as first responders during storms and emergencies, working long hours, often in hazardous environments, to restore power and ensure public safety. And whereas their commitment to excellence, safety, and service reflects the highest standards of public service and plays a critical role in supporting the quality of life and economic vitality of the city of Statesville. And whereas the city of Statesville recognizes and deeply appreciates the skill, sacrifice, and professionalism of our public power line workers. Now, therefore, I, J. Douglas Hendricks, mayor of the city of Statesville, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 13th and April 18th, 20126 as line worker appreciation days. Thank you.

April, do you have to take a picture?

Oh, J. Well, I just want to say thank you, mayor. Thank you council uh for this recognition and for the support and the trust you put in our team each and every day. We appreciate it. Thank you. Our next um proclamation is regarding the National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Do we have anybody to accept this award for There we go. From Dove House. Thank you, Katherine. And Chief, you want to come up or is somebody from the police department coming up? Oh, there's Na. Awesome. Whereas child well-being is not just a moral imperative but the foundation for building statesful's future success and prosperity. And whereas all children deserve to grow up in environments that offer positive childhood experiences that promote healthy mental, physical, and emotional development. And whereas communities that have the resources they

need to ensure all families can access supports when they need them, free of judgment or barriers, can reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect while promoting parental and family resilience. And whereas child abuse and neglect are preventable and the responsibility to help every child meet their full potential lies within every community member, organization, and leader. Recognizing that promoted promoting positive experiences for all Statesville families strengthen strengthens the future of our city. And whereas collaboration among families, educators, early care providers, health care providers, faith-based organizations, local businesses, social services agencies, law enforcement, and community groups are essential for creating the positive environments and experiences children need to lead a healthy, purposeful life with hope for the future. And whereas during child abuse prevention month, we recognize the importance of strengthening families and and creating nurturing environments where all children feel supported, connected, and able to thrive and able to thrive. Now therefore, I, J. Douglas Hendricks, mayor of Statesville, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as child abuse prevention month in Statesville, North Carolina, in partnership with Iredell County Department of Social Services, Arredell County Guardian Ed Lightam's office, Fyrose Parenting, Dove House Children's Advocacy Center, and Arredell County Partnership for Ch Young Children. We urge all citizens to recognize this month by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families. Thank you.

Okay, now we have a special recognition. We would like to recognize uh Miss Statesville, this year's Miss Statesville, Amber Pototts, and this year's Miss Teen States Statesville, Isabella Defor. So, if you ladies would like to make your presentation, that's great. Thank you, Amber.

Good evening, everyone. My name is Amber Pots and I'm honored to serve as Miss Statesville. I'm a licensed cosmetologist and a proud advocate for skilled trades through my community service initiative, The Power of Skilled Hands. My initiative focuses on raising awareness about career and technical education and the incredible opportunities available through skilled trades. So many students have talents that shine through hands-on learning. Whether that's in a cosmetology, welding, construction, or automotive technology, or other technical careers, these fields not only provide meaningful work, but also offer sustainable and rewarding career paths that are essential to its success in our community. Through the power of skilled hands, I work to connect with students, schools, and community leaders to highlight the importance of CTE programs and encouraging young people to explore the many pathways available for them after graduation. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity to share this message and support the amazing work being done with Ardo County schools and programs like cats and prepare students with real world skills in our future. I also brought my little activity book that I share with each classroom that I go to and it just helps them learn more about what you know um schooling that you have to go to to get to the trade that they would like to include. And so I have a bachelor's degree in business analytics, which is, if you don't know what business analytics is, it's a lot of computer work and a lot of coding. And so I used my degree to be able to code each page of my coloring book and exactly what I wanted it to be um for the children. So I thank you for your time and your continued support and workforce development in our community.

Thank you.

Thank you. And ladies, I do have a some pins for you. Statesville pens for your sashes. Uh, hi everyone. My name is Isabella D. Fiori and I am the Statesville's team 2026. Uh, first off, just thank you guys so much for allowing us to come and speak to you all about our community service initiatives and the works that we've done so far here in Statesville as well as surrounding communities. Uh, my community serve initiative is Bella's backpacks. And so I actually brought a little example bag. There is about 20 items in here, so I will not be unpacking it. Um, but I wanted to show you guys what the bag looks like. Uh, these bags were sponsored by Novant Healthcare. So, shout out Novant for providing these bags for me. But I am actually in partnership with the Dove House. I've been in partnership with them for about four years now, ever since I first started my Bella's backpacks. and it has been tremendous being able to work with them and support the children that they help as well as other child advocacy centers across the state of North Carolina that serve Davy and Davidson County, Wils County um and then other areas up in western North Carolina as well. I'm really grateful that I've been able to do that, especially through uh my title with the Miss America opportunity. It's given me a platform and a larger voice to be able to share what I'm passionate about and talk about why this cause is so important. This month being child abuse prevention month, I am posting on social media. I'm talking to people out in my community about uh why this cause is so important and why they should spread awareness about it. Um because it does affect how our youth grows up. uh no matter what kind of abuse they have endured, whether that be mental, physical, verbal, emotional, it's um it puts a strain on how they grow up and how they live. So, I'm really glad that I am able to have this opportunity to

speak to y'all as well as many others out in the community about what My Bell's Backpacks does. I'm actually having a community packing event on April 24th from 5 to 7:00 at the Dove House. Uh, so,

sorry, May 1st. We had to change that date. May 1st, um, from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Dove House. So, people out in the community can come and take a tour of the Dove House and see what they do for these children, as well as pack one of these bags themselves. So, they can also experience what me and my mom and um, my uh, miss over here has helped me do um, so far with my Bella's backpacks. Um, and then as well as talk to you all about what I've done in the past and what I plan on continuing to do now and in the future with my Bella's backpacks. I have a Kendra Scott fundraiser as well coming up on May 2nd at the Kendra Scott in Burkdale to raise money for my Bella's backpacks as well. Um, and so if you want to come out to Kendra Scott or order something online, a portion of everything bought that day goes towards my Bella's backpacks and the children that I support. But I just wanted to thank you all so much for again allowing us to come and speak to you all about our community service initiatives and why they're so important to us.

Thank you.

Thank you. That's fantastic to have have young folks like that representing this city. Um, thank you so much, ladies. Okay, next we move into the public comment section. Uh, we will go in the order of the signup sheet. And I believe we only had one person sign up for uh public comment and that is Nicholas Gerzinski. Nicholas. Oh, and Fred signed. Fred, you signed up for the public hearing. Did you want public comment? Okay. Come on up, Nick. Mayor, Council, I appreciate you having me here today. Um, I come on behalf of myself. I do serve on the Troutman Town Council and I just wanted to thank you all for uh what you do here with Statesville with working with Troutman and some of our current wastewater situation issues and and looking forward to hope hopefully uh working towards a regionalization plan and uh some some opportunities that may solve some wastewater issues that Statesville is facing now as well as uh Troutman and Morsville. as Troutman and Moresville are currently in moratoriums in different areas of development and uh

we're just really thankful and looking forward to uh any future talks and negotiations that we might have in coming to a regional plan as we seek federal funding uh and grants that come at a um more available opportunity as we work as communities together and not individually. and uh continuing to build relationships amongst our communities. Thank you. Thank you, Nicholas. Mr. Foster,

good evening. My name is Frederick Foster. My address is 466 Charles Street in the town affectionately known as Rabbittown. Tonight I'm here to um during the comment section is to uh give Councilwoman Lisa Pearson a congratulations on her efforts working on the Green Street committee. um what she's doing is um very hard and she's been getting hit with a lot of criticisms which I don't think is fair, but um I know that um there's been a lot of things on social media that's been posted about this Green Street um community and I also been receiving a lot of calls and I've been trying my best to make sure that I refer the calls over to to Miss Pearson. But one of the concerns were about the property over there where the old funeral homes at. There were some members of that family that was concerned that, you know, we planning on doing something with that building, but they don't like all the attention that they're getting. I once again referred them to Miss uh Pier, Councilwoman Pearson. Um I told him, I said, "Well, the city doesn't have no way of taking your property unless they do intimate domain." I don't think they're interested in doing that, but uh there's a lot of concerns about it, but they they are planning on doing some work to improve that that uh cemeter I mean the uh the the uh old funeral home that used to be Morning Side School. But um like I said, um Miss Pearson been getting hit with a lot of negative comments, even myself. I'm not even on council anymore and I've been hit with those comments myself. But um I just ask that you know some of these people be patient with her and also I ask the council when Miss uh Pearson is presenting things to to be more open and to work with her which I'm sure you will. Also I'd like to make another comment about uh states housing authority. Uh I know that u when I was on council it was kind of a rocky relationship when I was on there. I was

supposed to be appointed as a liaison and I was flat out told no by one of the senior representatives that was there. But over the time I noticed that things are changing and I hope that the city will be able to work with housing authority and have a good relationship. One thing I can say, one good thing about the housing authority when we was trying to relocate the fire department, they was a big help in us getting that building built. Um without them putting it in that location, we probably wouldn't have that fire department today. So big hands up to them were working with us. But I thank you for your time. Y'all have a good night. God bless. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Buster. Welcome. Appreciate it. and thank you for your continued service to Statesville.

Okay, Ron. Uh, city manager report. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, City Council. So, as I usually do, I'm going to start off with some construction updates. Uh but we've been kind of moving through a lot of our big projects and and so uh this this uh list is dwindling somewhat. So I'm going to start with the police department. Um Trad Street, I think I'd told you previously that we were going to get it open pretty soon. We're looking uh to reopen Trad by the end of April. Uh the uh call center, which y'all, if you remember some of you that weren't on council, we were expanding our call center. They're going to start dispatching fire and police. Um that should be completed by the end of April as well. And the parking garage hopefully will be opening up in midsummer. And so I've gotten a lot of questions about whether this is going to be a paid uh payto park situation. Uh it is not at this point other than for the apartments. So the apartments that come at a later date have two floors I believe that are dedicated to them that we will end up charging them to park. The next large project you've heard some about is the municipal operations center. Uh this is beginning to move along a little quicker. Uh we've been in the site planning and and basically schematic phase. Uh today we actually had a call looking at elevations for the buildings, some 3D renderings to kind of give the architects um some go-ahads on on the next phases. Um we're talking about pricing. This is going to be a pretty expensive um building. As we've mentioned previously, um finance and myself are working with Davenport Financial Advisors to um to develop a

funding plan for this that we're going to bring to you at some point. I do anticipate that uh we're probably going to re recommend going after after a limited obligation bond uh with some of the funding having to take place in this upcoming fiscal year. So getting into department projects uh rev which is recreation and economic vitality. So uh we over at the event center uh the audiovisisual project should be kicking off this week. This is a a big change. This is bringing the the facility back or up to speed from 1999. Um so we're we're getting we're getting close to current now. Um big project again starting this week. We should be done sometime I would say by the middle of May. Kimbro Park. We got the shelter and sidewalks put in. So Kimbro is basically done. And there's going to be some additional work on the trail and um you know some other smaller things, but Kimbro has been it's taken us quite a while because of some backorder project or um materials in the in this shelter itself. Uh but we're finally there. Newtonville Community Park. So this is basically redoing the whole park. Um all we had recently was a greenway and playground for younger kids. So, the playground installation is complete. Uh, pickle ball pickle ball courts are underway. Um, I think we it's two or is it two? Yeah. So, we we're going to get two new pickle ball courts uh out at the park. Disc golf will also be coming and um a parking lot. So, we're kind of in design trying to figure that out as well. So, making that a much more functional uh park for everyone. the waterline project. Um I think some of our paving issues are uh are getting cleaned up. Um they're going to continue because we as we make cuts to,

you know, to the roads that we've already been in there, there's going to be some issues moving forward on that. Uh but for the most part, uh it the bigger problems that we've had particularly on Stockton and Brookdale are gone. Um, not perfect, but we're we're moving moving through that. Um, so we're actively working on the Meeting Street and uh Shelton Avenue corridors. Now, Shelton, luckily, is is largely out of the rightway or out of the road and in the ride ofway. So, that's not going to impact that uh quite as much. And then we're almost 60% complete on that project. So, moving into the drought. Um, so we're in stage three. three of the drought and um you know we just we're lucky. Look at that in the red area. We we barely got in. Um so uh but what does that mean? So that means that the burn ban that we have had for quite some time is is going to continue in place. There's going to be a limit on outside watering. Um cannot fill up swimming pools at this point. You can top them off. You can't wash your car in your front yard. um you know car washes recycle water whereas the you know we're you know using it and it's going into the storm drain when you do it uh at your house. Um civil penalties can be issued. That is not something that we want to do. We're not trying to be punitive about this, but we really do need community cooperation. Um otherwise Dr. Vaughn's going to be out there with his t ticket book um going around the neighborhoods. So that's not something we want to do, but it's it's to that point. You know, we're this is stage three. This is um this is the extreme drought. We only have one more category to go. So this is serious. Uh we are very fortunate that we do have I mean it's not an issue that we're going to run out of water, but we have access to

the to Lake Lookout. We have access to the South Yaken River. So, we have an abundance, but looking at it from a regional perspective, we have to do our part. I would recommend anybody who has questions about this, you can go to the city's website. April's done a really good job of getting information on there, the dos and don'ts and things of that nature. Public works uh contractor has started finally on Alexander and Stockton streets. Um, and if you notice downtown, um, it if you're not paying attention, you may not notice it, but we had black, uh, gutters, um, or curb and gutter, basically the gutter pans, uh, that they're being changed back to, uh, asphalt or concrete color. So, that is a project that started when the streetscape was done 11 or so years ago. And um it had the effect of, you know, looking making the lanes look a little wider. Well, the asphalt has faded such that now it looks better if you have the, you know, traditional concrete color. So, we're working on that, doing all that work at night. And then finally, we're putting in the u the crossing beacons that we have all over downtown. We're finally getting to Broad Street, Statesville Public Power. I give a shout out to Is Jared still here? He's left. Um, so, uh, Jared and Cody went to receive the the diamond level reliable public power provider in the highest level safety award for 2025 from the American Public Power Association. Sure, awards are great, but that just shows that these folks and all of the linemen that were, you the two that were here and everybody that we have in that department are focused all the time on making that the best department that we have. I'm very very proud of them and their and that entire staff planning uh so permitting and

development has been pretty consistent with last year. Last year was a little bit slower than uh 2024 uh but very consistent still. Uh what we are seeing is that large developments the the entitlement process the actual going through the uh resonings and things of that nature they're down as you all have seen. Uh but they're not gone. We're still seeing some and and so that activity is there, but it's just not the rush that we were feeling over the last few years. Permits are stable. Uh and in the TRC, we they had 13 reviews that they're working on uh kind of this month. It's it's kind of a rolling calendar. Some that I pulled out. The Gateway on Broad, which is going to be the big com the new commercial uh development at uh 77 and Broad Street, is in the house, so to speak. And so they've been reviewing those plans. Um as well as two new subdivisions, uh two town host town home developments and one apartment com or development as well. You all are seeing a lot of these at the three 3x3 meetings, but I thought it would be good to actually take it another step and show you tell you what's in the TRC. And then in for homeless or for code enforce enforcement, code enforcement's going along with their typical um minimum housing and and weeding lots and cars in the yard and things of that nature. But I wanted to point out um one that we also or that they also deal with are homeless encampments. That's kind of a, you know, a squirrely problem in that, you know, you have places where where folks are camping out and we we try to address those problems and then that, you know, it's just moving around town, but but they do actively work on that as well as the police department as well. So, key dates move coming up. Um, I think the mayor mentioned Arbor Day. Um, so at the co soccer complex on uh April

the 18th, spring litter sweep is on the 25th and that's one where we actively solicit volunteers come out and help uh to uh to clean up Statesville. Um last year was our first year doing it in this fashion. Uh we had a good turnout, but I'd love to see more now. So absolutely if you're interested in getting more information on that, that's on the website as well. would love to see a big turnout. Uh downtown the DSD winewalk on the 25th and then May fifth May 1st is our first Friday after 5 open positions. I won't go through all these, but you can always find those on our website. Promotions and transfers. I won't go through all of these as well or at least all the detail. Uh but Atri Killian, Scott Long, Andrew Mason, Christy Cleary, and Craig Wolf in our police department. And two significant ones there are Craig and Christy going to the captain level. That's a that's a step below assistant chief. So that's um leadership that's been moving up through the ranks. Real proud of those folks. Public works, Tommy Robinson, public utilities, Brian Fox, uh Leanne Carico in the event center, Kaden Renegger in the back room in IT and in fire, Joseph Taylor and Justin Ys. Career development. Again, I always try and point these out. This these are actions that the council has taken in the past to help our folks grow within the pay scale. And then police Nicholas Dvita and fire Daniel or Scott Mitchell. New employees, Norah Dehod, Leah Smithy. These are two of the telecommunicators that I mentioned earlier with the expansion of that that division. And then Adam Spilman, who is our new crime analyst, who I hear uh is doing a great job and can u is going to be very helpful in helping us to pinpoint things, h hotspots, areas that we need

to focus on, things of that nature. And then finally, Courtney Rudd in it. And I would be glad to answer any questions about this or other things that you might have on your mind. Any questions for city manager? Thank you, Ron. Thank you, Uh, not at this point, right?

Yes. Go ahead. You can come over here with Ron. Hi, I'm Alicia Standish and I live in Statesville um over in one of the new developments. My question on what was presented is near and dear to my heart. Some of you may recognize me, some of you may not. I've appeared before y'all off and on for five years now. when you spoke about the diceiness, I don't remember your exact words of the homelessness in the encampments. I understand it's a sight for sore eyes. It can cause crime, etc., etc. What I don't understand is what are we doing to help the homeless people so they don't have to keep changing sight to sight or becoming a part of the system be it the legal system um or be it mental health systems or whatever. What are we doing to address the problem not the issue? Thank you.

Thank you for the question. That's a good question. So we we don't spend all of our time chasing people. I didn't if I and if I insinuated that that's not what I meant.

So when I know Miss Leslie Marian whenever she's a um thoughtful um representative of our planning department who always tries to partner when when she's dealing with a problem whether it's this one or another she'll try to partner and and put people with resources the police department as well. Um, I've taken tours of some of the bigger encampments when uh when we had some of those. It was not it was relationship building and it was also putting those folks again together with other resources. Um, sometimes that works, sometimes that doesn't. And that's why I said it's kind of a squirrely problem because it's not only hard to it well, we can't fix it. We just we just can't fix it. We're trying to in in a lot of ways play triage. Uh, but it always includes putting people together with services.

Thank you. You're welcome.

Thank you, Ron. Okay, next we're move to the consent agenda. All these items are considered to be routine by the city council and will be enacted by one motion. So, uh, item A, consider approving the March 12, 2026 pre-agenda meeting minutes and the April 13th, 2026 regular meeting minutes. Item B, consider approving the second reading of an ordinance as a summary adjectment vacating and closing both dwelling and accessory structure at 219 Monroe Street as unfit for human habitation. Item C, consider approving a second reading of an of an ordinance to annex AX2602. That is 552 Buffalo Scholes Road for approximately 3.12 acres located at the corner of Buffalo Scholes Road and Johnson Drive. Item D is consider approving the second reading of TA26-01 update to the water storm water ordinance. Item E is consider approving a resolution to amend the regular meeting calendar. Item F is consider approving the electronic records and imaging policy. Item G is consider approving an annual request from the uh the ABC statesville ABC board to approve the city's adopted travel policy. Item H is consider passing a resolution directing the city clerk to investigate a pet petition of annexation AX26-06 Turnersburg Highway filed by Thomas Danton on behalf of Quick Trip Corporation for the parcels located to the intersection of Turnersburg Highway and Interstate 77 and receive city clerk s certificate of sufficiency and consider passing a resolution fixing a date of May 11, 2026 for a public hearing for the petition for annexation.

Item I is consider approving the Henry Street rightway abandonment order. Item J is consider approving the interlocal agreement between the city of Charlotte CRTPO and the city of Statesville to fund and manage the microtransit transit planning study for county using federal transportation funds and local match. Item K is consider cancellation of professional services with code write planners LLC for any remaining work on the unified development code. Item L is consider approving the lease agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of the Piedmont. Item M is uh consider approving the NC DOT project U5964. That's the five points location utilities municipal agreement. Item N is consider approving a resolution opposing state legislation limiting local government's ability to increase property tax. And uh the recently added item 14, consider approving Mayor Hendrickx to be the voting member for the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Are there any items on the consent agenda that need to be moved to the regular agenda?

Mayor Hendricks, there's a typographical error on number A. um there because our meeting minutes for April 13th. Today is April 13th. I think that's supposed to be March 16th. Is that something that we need to move out to change? I think we can just amend. Can we just amend it since you caught it then? We can we can amend it now. So, please change on item A, April 13th to March, you said 16th. Thank you. Okay. So, would you uh make that as an uh motion to accept the amended agenda?

I would. Okay. So, we have a motion. Do we have a second? Seconded. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. Motion carries unanimously. Okay. Now, we will move on to the regular agenda. So item 10 is uh conduct a public hearing regarding the condemnation of an abandoned dilapidated dwelling in any accessory structure located at 409 Monroe Street and consider approving the first reading of an ordinance to demolish the dwelling is unsafe and dangerous and in dangerous condition. Um I will open the public hearing and Miss Marian.

Good evening Mr. Mayor and city councils. Yes, this is um to conduct a public hearing regarding the condemnation and demolition of an abandoned dilapidated dwelling and accessory structure located at 409 Monroe Street and to consider the first reading of an ordinance to demolish the dwelling as unsafe and dangerous conditions. Here we have the location map showing you the vicinity of this particular property. 409 Monroe Street. The tax value of this dwelling is $25,580. The back taxes owed is $5,242 and trash removal in the amount owed is $150. This house is exposed to natural elements and wildlife and the utilities was disconnected in 2023 and there is a balance owed of $1,851. This property is located in Ward 6 and this appeared on our 2020 housing list as part of the 159 inventory. Here we have two pictures of the front porch. The first picture to your left um as you can see this is the ceiling. There's extensive rot to the point that boards are falling from the ceiling. We have just below part of the porch that's showing rotted and that's actually a hole that's exposed in the ground. Um parts of the porch does have very weak and unsafe boards. Here we have the back portion of the house. Um this is actually the exterior wall. There is no roof. Uh there is no floor. It has completely collapsed. This house is very unstable and unsafe. So a

point of entry to do an interior inspection was not feasible at all. There was no known electrical plumbing. Um there is no known kitchen intact and uh no known heat source as well. Here we have a closer picture showing you the bathroom facilities. Um there is no enclosure. This is standing from the outside and looking into the back portion of the house. the structural integrity of this house. As you can see, you can actually visibly see studs showing. So, there is no back structure. Um, the second picture is the west side of the house. It's foundation issues. This house is actually starting to collapse on this portion as well. Um, there is roof damage. The snow pretty much covers up what you can't see, but it's potential structural failure and it will eventually collapse. So here you have another viewpoint of that structure. It could have been um an abandoned addition to the property. It is a lot of accumulated trash as you can see and the right picture is showing a collapsed accessory structure. So 409 Monroe Street, it constitutes blight, deterioration to other property values in the area and it is determined that the repairs has exceeded or will exceed to render it fit for human habitation of 50% or more of the current value of the dwelling. So staff recommends to demolish the dwelling located at 409 Monroe Street. Are there any questions?

There's no one. You said abandoned. So there's no y'all haven't had any reports of anybody trying to live in the house or go in the house or or can you get inside the house period? There has been no no police reports of anyone trying to um live in this property. Um there has been conversation with myself and heirs to the property that no one has lived in this house in in quite some time.

Thank you. Any further questions from Miss Mary? Okay. Uh, no one signed up to speak um for the public hearing. Is there anyone else who would like to speak? Okay. Yes. if you want to speak about this specific item. So, nobody wanted to speak on this item. I like to say in reference to the owners of this uh property, it's been in our community for a long time and it's sad to see that a house structure is like this, but I'm grateful for the work that the city of Statesville has done to try to keep it safe from everyone else being hurt in the community. And uh for those people that own this property, I hope they understand that the city of States was doing their job and that um there was help. If they didn't get the help, that's on them. But we didn't come just to destroy somebody's home. It was in a position to where we had no other choice but to do what we have to do. And and that's for that house to come down.

Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you for your work. Thank you. Any other questions for Miss Maring? Hearing none, I'm going to close the public hearing. Any additional questions from the council. Is there a second on the motion on this condemnation request? Seconded. Did we and do we? Yeah, Mr. Mayor, I'll make the motion that we approve the first reading of the word. Sorry. We have a first and a second. Any discussion on the motion? Uh, everyone in favor of the motion, please say I. I. Any opposed?

Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Item 11 is conduct a public hearing regarding the condemnation of an abandoned dilapidated dwelling at located at 1115 Old Charlotte Road and consider approving the first reading of an ordinance to demolish the dwelling as unsafe and d in in dangerous condition. Miss Marian, once again,

yes, this is 11:15 Old Charlotte Road. Um, we are asking for a hearing to for condemnation of an abandoned dilapidated dwelling. Um, this is a consideration also for the first reading of an ordinance to demolish the dwelling as unsafe and dangerous conditions. Here we have a location map showing you the vicinity of this particular property. And here we have the tax value of 1115 Old Charlotte Road as $24,310. Back taxes owed is $3,111. And there are leans owed to the city of Statesville in the amount of $4,850. This house is unsecured. It exposed is exposed, excuse me, to vagrants and wildlife. Utility services was disconnected prior to 2020 2014. The balance for utilities for reconnection is in the amount of $4,813. This particular property is located in our W 3 and it appeared on our 2020 inventory list um as beyond reasonable repair. Here we have a picture of the front door is showing it's unsecured and is as you can see there is collapsed ceilings. Um if you look at the picture on the left the windows are missing. The door is unattached. I think this one may be attached but it's opened. Uh this is a picture of the back door. That one is unattached. Um deteriorated back porch as well. So here we have a picture of part of the living room um or a middle room. It was pretty much unsafe to enter. It's

showing a lot of uh wood debris. There is a lot of um contraband things that um is exhibiting that vagrants have been using this particular property. Um the interior shows a lot of severe holes. There's holes in the walls. As you can see, there's missing um electrical material and plumbing material. And this is the back door that's laying down in the entry into the back kitchen. We cannot determine the extent of electrical or plumbing damage, but there is also no heat to this particular property. So, here we have a rare room um towards the back portion of the property. More extensive gutting. Uh the ceilings has collapsed in a large portion of this property explo exposing more plumbing and electrical. Again, there is no kitchen, um no sink, no cabinets, no appliances that could be found. This particular interior room is filled with a lot of debris, um personal debris, rubbish, and wood debris. The interior room is partially again gutted. uh windows are missing um collapsed ceiling interior walls as you can see and a portion of the windows have been boarded up. So here we have the north and the south exterior walls where you can see um windows are actually missing a total of nine windows to this particular dwelling and they all have been either broken out or partially boarded but they are not there. There is some sophet and some siding damage as well. 11:15 old Charlotte Road does contribute

to the blight and deterioration of the property value in the surrounding area. It has been determined that the repairs needed of this dwelling to render it safe for human habitation does exceed the 50% um of the current value of the dwelling. So staff recommends to demolish the dwelling located at 11:15 Old Charlotte Road. Thank you. I will open the public hearing. Um are there any questions for Miss Marian? Miss Marian, you did say that um illegal hyphenia was found there. So people are going inside there and using in this property that they have been people cited in going into this um dwelling.

Yes, ma'am. And there has been at least one police call to this property that I'm aware of. Any other questions? No one signed up to speak uh regarding um 11:15 Old Charlotte Road. So, I will call us out of public hearing. Um are there any additional questions from council? Second. We have a motion and a second. Any any further discussion? All in favor say I. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Miss Marion.

Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Item 12 is conduct a public hearing and consider approving the first reading of the resoning request ZC26-08 Killington Reserve Apartments to reszone from CUB5 Conditional zoning district to R5MF CZ conditional zoning district. Um Mr. Kirkindall, good evening and thank you Mr. Mayor and councel. Let me go ahead and I'm sorry I need to open the public hearing now. Mr. Kirkandol.

All right. Thank you again. So, yes, for this reasoning case, it is filed by KRP Investments on behalf of the property owners. We're looking at five and a quarter acres over two parcels, and they are requesting reszoning from a conditional use B5 district to an R5 MF, which is a highdensity multif family conditional zoning district. The property is located at the corner of Garner Bagel and Buffalo Scholes Road. It is located within the city and it is going to be a low-income housing tax credit project. Here is a view of the site from Buffalo Scholes Road. Here is an aerial view of the site. Buffalo Scholes is to the left. Garner Bagels towards the top. For the surrounding zoning districts, we have R5M and R5MF. R5 is a highdensity manufactured housing district. And then R5 MF is a highdensity multif family district. And there are single family, multif family, duplexes all around this site in just about every direction. When we look at reszonings, staff looks at the 2045 land development plan and the 2045 LDP calls for this area to be complete neighborhood 2. And what that means is it supportive of a residential use for this area. It is located within the tier one growth area. City water and sewer are available and statesville public power would provide electric to the site. So this particular project would be a familyoriented LITC project and so they are proposing 74 units 14 of

those to be onebedroom 36 to be two and 24 to be three. Here are the elevations provided by the applicant. So in this particular zoning district active open space is required and so the required amount would be 0.53 acres and the applicant has provided that and you can find that on your site plan and that would include open space and amenities such a amenities such as the clubhouse as shown here and that would have a multi-purpose room a computer room and a male receptacle in it. Additionally, throughout the site, a playground, a picnic shelter with grill and picnic benches, and then three benches throughout the site as well. As a requirement of the conditional zoning, a community meeting is held that was held back on March 9th and there were no attendees. TRC has reviewed the proposal and it does meet their minimum criteria. In addition to what we've discussed, the applicant has agreed to the following conditions. And so with a conditional reasonzoning, they would be tied to the concept plan. Um the maximum 74 units, we do allow a reduction in up to 10% and that is just as the details are massaged out for the site with engineering and that can be authorized by staff. Our 20 uh 2019 mobility and development plan does um ask the Buffalo Scholes be widened to 80 feet and so we would request 40 feet dedicated from the center line of Buffalo Scholes for rideway and then there sewer would need to be relocated within the site and so with the relocation of that sewer site if approved we would want a 20 foot

easement which is the standard for public utilities. So recommendation. So the 2045 LDP is supportive of these parcels being re reszoned as it calls for this area to be complete neighborhood 2. It's located within the city limits and all utilities are available. Therefore, both the planning board and staff recommend option one in your packet, which is approval of this request contingent upon agreeing to the conditions listed on the concept plan. Thank you. Are there any questions for Mr. Kirk doll?

Mr. Girkind Doll. Um what is the uh price range for these uh units and also the price range of this union in the in the beginning and end time for this project if passed. So I'm not familiar with the process as far as like federal and state funding and how that goes. Um I know they have the parameters for percentages of AMI. Um that has not been median income area median income. um that has not been provided by the applicant. So I'm not sure what is proposed. And just a reminder for council, we can't consider, you can certainly ask that question, but we can't consider that as we make our decision. I was just asking for the public.

Absolutely. Thank you. Approval of this uh the approval of this project force or affect a reconfiguration of the that intersection at Buffalo Scholes Road and Garner Beckel Boulevard. in reference to

the stop light that's there now and no no turn lanes uh coming up Buffalo Shaws on the Garner Bagel was just it's kind of a not well configured I don't know who's in charge I guess the DOT so both facilities are DOT um if Mr. Bridges is here possibly. No, he's not. Um, this size of a development does not warrant any type of traffic study um at this scale. Any more questions for Mr. Kirkindall? Okay, we'll move into the public hearing portion. We have one speaker, Craig Stone. you council. My name is Craig Stone. I represent KRP Investments in Winfield Forward. We appreciate the ability to present um this would amount if successful a 16 million to $17 million investment in the community. We are currently finalizing the plans right now as the very very competitive process goes through um in the QAP to compete for the low-inccome housing tax credits um in its annual cycle right now. I'm not sure if there are any questions I could answer at this time, but I wanted to present myself in case there were any questions we could answer.

Mr. Nicholson, did you want to ask him the question about the where is the entrance and how far is it? Do we have an idea how many feet it is?

One thing I would say that ultimately will not be up to us. We will present uh to the city and there will be a TRC process that goes through and allows DOT and other folks to look at what we present and then make recommendations and comments about that. And so I think we have something at this time. I'm not sure Buffalo uh Scholes will be um an option as far as DOT goes, but I will say there is a check and balance there that we will present and then there will be a process where we work together to make sure that we meet whatever requirements um staff and other folks um have.

Mr. Stone, can you tell the council about the type of residents this community will serve? Um, I have worked my whole life in um the low-income housing tax credit program uh that was generated in ' 84 um and been quite successful. I think it's had a 06 failure rate um since its inception. It allows private companies like ours to invest in a community and provide guarantees. The guarantees here in most cases it will be 30 years a 15 uh year initial commitment and then an extension. And what it allows us to do is service folks that are the workforce of the community. Whether that be the first year um fire folks, uh police, um all of what you would and I would truly say are the workforce that drives the community, the linemen that were up here earlier, uh people like that. It is a driver economically uh in most cases that allows initial investment in a given area to then extend the community's ongoing further efforts to promote housing. It also allows you to uh when businesses come to town to be able to show new housing. Uh these are uh all brick uh Hardy plank siding. Uh we are the builder managing agents. So there's continuity in all of those things. And uh we're a North Carolina based company out of Jamestown, North Carolina. Um and so this is all we do and we hope to serve those folks in this community that need desperately need housing.

I want to say I appreciate the fact that um you all considered us and I appreciate the fact that you have a a category of what you're offering to the city. Most people they go with the age 65 55 and up. But you're offering um this uh staple you you offering service for the citizen not just the essential workers but people that work every day young people who starting a new family and the structure that you're doing and I and I'm glad for that factor that that it's being multitaskked because it's so important. Either you fit in one category or you don't fit in any category. So I'm grateful for that. Would it ever come a time where be on a on a sliding scale where it's based on your income? Would it just be standard financing or would it be where you all would consider people at a on a scale rate?

Um this is based on a um AMI um area median income. So there is to a certain degree a process that we go to. Uh the program works well because what it ensures is the folks that are at those particular levels of area median income, we're meeting them and serving them. We're not uh renting to folks that make too much money. And so there is a very rigorous process to go through to approve. We actually audit uh everyone that comes in, so to speak, to be able to look at and make sure that they meet those area median income categories. We're finalizing that right now. And so in most cases it's uh anywhere from 50 to 60% of the area median income. And I think we haven't quite finalized everything here with this particular application. Generally what that means is you've got a lot of folks that that capture that are in a real need in the community.

Appreciate it. Thank you. Any further questions for Mr. Stone? Thank you. Okay. Any um any questions from from council for Mr. Kirkindall? Additional uh is there a motion on this resoning request and if so if you will use we need to close the public hearing. Oh sorry closing the public hearing. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, so is there a motion uh on the resoning request? And if you will read the consistency statement that staff printed out, I think it's page 260 in our booklets. Mr. Mayor, I move to unless you No, you go ahead. Uh I move to accept option one to approve the zoning amendment uh with agreed upon conditions and it is consistent with the city's comprehensive land use plan is reasonable and in public interest because of the 2045 land development call land development plan calls for this area to be complete neighborhood too which includes residential uses. Second second.

Okay, we have a first and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I.

Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Thank you so much. Okay, item 13. We're going to conduct a public hearing and consider passing the first reading of the resoning request ZC26-07 James Farm Road Hill Apartments Statesville NC to reszone from B5CZ conditional zoning district to R5MFCZ conditional zoning district. I will open the public hearing and Mr. Campbell. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, council. Tonight I am coming we have the applicant coming to you requesting a reszoning Solstice Partners LLC on behalf of the owner Fort Dobs LLC to request two parcels from CUB5 Conditional use general business to R5CZ highdensity single family residential conditional zoning district for another lowincome tax credit housing project. Here's an aerial photo of the site. The site is currently mostly wooded and it is surrounded by existing single family attached and single family detached housing. Here is a site photo from James Farm Road. Regarding the zoning, we have a little bit of variety going on. We have some highdensity multif family, some urban fringe low density R10 urban low density, and we also have office and institutional complex to the south of the site right there. The 2045 land development plan calls for this area to be complete neighborhood one which would support residential uses. It is in a tier one growth area. Statesville Public Power and Duke are both in the area and it will be customer choice. Arredell Water Corporation will be the water service in the area and there is sewer. I will note that the

demand in the sewer in the area could create a betterment requirement. So on your screen is a site plan. The applicant is proposing four twostory multif family residential buildings and a singlestory community center with a maximum of 72 units including one, two, and three bedrooms. The amenities that they have included are a covered picnic area, playground, and totes computer center. On the screen now is an architectural rendering showing a mix of building materials on the facade of the structure. With the conditional resonance, the applicant is required to host a community meeting. That meeting was held on March 9th, 2026. There were three attendees that came and none raised concern. We had one member from Arredell Water Corporation as they have a well site adjacent to the property basically just of interest. Technical review committee has checked the with the proposal with the UDC and confirm that the minimum requirements have been met. The applicant has agreed to the following conditions. Um that this will be a family oriented community for affordable housing as defined through their lowincome housing tax credit. The development will include a minimum of 64 multif family homes and a maximum of 72 multif family homes. An increase or decrease outside of this range shall be deemed a major amendment and shall not be adjusted by staff. If there is a major amendment, they would be coming back to this board. Um, we have requested that the applicant in provide an enhanced landscape buffer, a 25- ft type E to shield the backs of the building from the existing single family homes along Turnersburg Highway and to also shield view from traffic. We

have requested that they provide enhanced landscape entrance into the complex, which really just means flower beds, a nice sign, etc. Um the mobility plan shows that the rightway along James Farm Road will be 80 ft. So we are requesting that they dedicate 40 ft of right away from center line along James Farm Road. Public Utilities is requesting a 20ft easement for the existing sewer line that is on the property. Um we have requested that they include the amenities previously mentioned with the cover picnic area, the multi-purpose room, and the playground. and that the concept plan and subsequent submitts to the city for plan review shall list the approved conditions that are listed on this ordinance. So with that staff can make the recommendation because the land 204 the 2045 land development plan is supportive of these parcels being reszoned as it calls for this area to be complete neighborhood 1. There are services available in the area and it is within city limits. Therefore, staff and the planning board both recommend option one in your packets, which would be approval of this request contingent upon agreeing to the conditions listed on the concept plan. Thank you. Are there any questions for Mr. Campbell? Hearing none, we will move into the public hearing portion.

Oh, Mr. Mayor, we um we have three people signed up. We have Mr. and Mrs. CE Mayberry. Um, if you will come up, that'd be great. Thank you.

Good evening. I'm Lydia Mayberry and I reside at 463 James Farm Road with my husband Sunny who's here and our neighbor Wayne Ashley who's also here. And I'm still a little bit confused. I'm not sure which James Farm Road this proposed um apartment building is going on. Um maybe it's the other one opposite us. I can just tell you again we keep coming to your city council meetings um because the we live on a racetrack there. the um cars come and go all night long and in the daytime and just keep on adding apartment buildings and town homes and housing developments. Um the road is dangerous. You can't back out of your driveway. You um can't check your mailbox safely. And we have the last developer that came before. Um I'm not sure what happened to the town homes across in the cow pasture. They're still not being built. The sidewalk is not being built. Um the developer did address the Department of Transportation requesting that our speed limit be reduced from 45 to 35. Of course, we have the school there, Cloverleaf Elementary School and church and three bus stops on James Farm Road that we reside on. So, it it is a still a lot of traffic congestion that we need assistance from somebody, the state, whoever. Um, and I know that we're not in the city limits. We're just kind of on the borderline there. Um, but we do need some assistance with the traffic and you just keep building, building, building and it's just going to get worse.

Thank you. Thank you. You Mr. Mayberry, did you also want to speak? Uh, Wayne Ashley. Okay. And we do have someone else. Yes, please step up and just give us your name and address, please.

I'm Kelly Standish. I'm property owner 137 Mount Bridgeway over in Sullivan Farms. I just purchased a $380,000 home in this development. Um, now where my questions lies, how is this going to impact my property value? Uh, for one, you're going to put a low income housing right here next to these very expensive homes, and for two, it's already 40. Like, as she said, it takes 30 to 45 minutes to leave my neighborhood and drop my son off over at Cloverleaf directly across the street. We don't have the infrastructure to support se what 64 to 75 new homes right here in the same corner. uh without widening the roads, putting in the turns. Uh I mean, the school's already made it to where you can't make a a left-hand turn out of the out of the school parking lot. You have to make a right-and turn cuz there's been so many accidents at that four-way stop sign. And I don't I don't see how this is a positive change for our our area over here. And uh we're already overloaded. We got 222 new homes that were just recently built. And you got um there's a development supposed to be going in across the street from us next on the left side of Cloverleaf. They got the town homes going in on the right side. I just on a two-lane road. I I don't see it. Um and then uh yeah, thank you for your time.

No, thank you for your comment, Miss Campbell. Uh, just to follow up, I spoke with Miss Mayberry about the location of it. James Farm is on kind of like two different sides if you really look at it. So, I did explain to her, but just for the record, it is on the Turnersburg side. Um, you would turn right or left off of Turnersburg Highway across from there is a church over there. The name escapes me. Um, Fair View. Fair View.

Yep. So, it's almost right across the street from there. And um as he just mentioned, I didn't catch your name, I apologize, but uh this project also does not trigger a TIA requirement uh because it is under that threshold um that this DOT requires. So it's at the corner of James Farm and Turnersburg Highway. Yeah. Not the exact corner. It's one parcel off, but it is right there. Yes, ma'am. I do not have the answer to that. I apologize

because the TIA going to have to require any additional traffic study so they can continue to build and be congested, you know, throughout because there's nothing there to to give them a stop. And we as a city, we can't control what we can't control. So, how do we work? Because this is going to be continuous on what how how do we work to get this process looked at and what can we do? Because people buying homes, they want to live, they want to be safe. So, what part do the city play? because we if we're not responsible, we can't do anything. So, Ron, I want to know if there's any way that we can assist or try to bring some balance there with this heavy traffic.

Well, I mean, you do have you do have a say in whether or not you approved these developments. So, that's that's first and foremost. um the fact that it doesn't require a TIA does make it kind of difficult that you know so we don't know what um if any improvements would be required you know based on based on that I don't know if that's something that you know planning or planning and engineering could ask DOT for a technical memo or something similar to that as a potential condition um I think that we have had I don't know what the status is of this project, but there was a reasonzoning on the other side of Turnersburg um recently that was going to bring a light in stoplight in at the intersection. I don't know where that is and if that's actually going to happen. So, that would have some impact on, you know, at least coming in and out of James Farm and Turnersburg.

Thank you, Mr. Smith. And yeah, I'd like to follow up that with um most of you are aware there is a DOT project that is coming down Turnersburg currently. We don't know where that's at. That again is not our project. That's the NC DOT project. But I, if I'm not mistaken, right outside of that parcel will also be affected by that as well. So there is a lot of eyes as far as the traffic goes on this particular area. Mayor, I've got a couple questions once we go out of session. Once we go out of the closed public.

All righty. Um, no other. Yes, ma'am. Just please give your name and address, please. Alicia Standish, 137 Mountain View Road, Statesville. I understand that there's a lot of red tape, a lot of different things that happen in our political system that we the public are not familiar with how it works. But my question is, is it not physic physically irresponsible as well as socially irresponsible to just go, well, that is not required. So, we just don't know. And thank you very much, Miss Allison. Okay. I'm So, my eyes are not good, so I can't read the names. Um, but thank you very much for your input in what you were asking because is this not physically responsible, irresponsible to the answers being, well, this report's not required, so we don't know how it's going to affect our schools. We don't know how. How do we put things in place with a simple, well, I don't know. We'll figure that out when it happens.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else want to make a comment? If not, I call us out of public hearing. Okay, mayor. I got two questions of staff. Yes, sir. Um the first one is dealing with our waters um capacity for fire suppression this project. Has has staff made contact with him on that? No, sir. Was there any concern?

I I don't believe so. No. Uh the representative from Ardell Corporation talked with the applicant while we were there, but we did not request that information. And the second question is for the police chief uh concerning the traffic and accidents. Um is there an issue or concern traffic at the school that you're aware of? The school.

Thank you, Chief. Any further questions? Can I can I ask a quick question? So, um, for a tech memo, since that was brought up earlier, does that require the improvements be made? Just so you all know, th this would have to be agreed to by the applicant. Any conditions would have to be agreed to by the applicant who I don't think is here. Are you representative from the applicant is in the building. It might be fair to see if she wants to speak. You'd have to reopen the public hearing to do so.

Do that. Okay. I've reopened the public hearing. Hi there. I'm Tammy Stern with Solstice Partners. Um happy to answer any specific questions. Were were you in agreement to the eight conditions? Yes. Can you clarify on behalf of the public? This is market rate housing, right? Not

no this is similar to the previous. Okay. Sorry, I missed that. Would you would you be willing to add a condition to do the traffic impact study or traffic impact analysis? So, a tech memo um is the report that um shows trip generation. So, we're we're happy to do a tech memo, but that would not require, and I'm more or less pointing our planning director, that would not require any updates or mandate any updates that were found from that, right? So, would you be willing to do a traffic impact analysis, which would mandate any upgrades if those were found necessary?

Yes. Okay. Thank you.

Cloaf is in the county. Is that right? So the part that we play as a city is one. Should the residents be attending the county board meeting and discussing the same thing that they're discussing with us like the traffic study, the concerns about the growth because it is in the county there. It seemed like it's like a domino. You got the flip side. We on one side, they on one side. So, I just want to know who has that most responsible part in in in working this issue out with the public. Is it the county first or is the city first? We do in this instance because we're the governing body that that approves or denies these. So, the county is sort of held hostage by our decisions. If we approve if we approve things that put them in a terrible situation, they have no recourse other than to raise the taxes on the entire entirety of the county. That's unfortunately how it goes. That's this is the reason why I ask that question because when you're residents we come to the city and sometimes the city is the one that cannot help and have to go to the county. So what you just explained to the people of states I county we do have a part in this you know uh the major factor on whether we give the permits.

Oh yeah we not only have a part in it we have the whole part. So if if they were to go to the county commissioners the county commissioners have no say whatsoever in any of this. So they're in the right place because we are the governing authority that approves or denies these developments with no impact or correction no input whatsoever from the county. So we should be the one Yes ma'am.

that address this wholeheartedly and take this project on from the time that the traffic study and we talking with the developers because the people are depending on us to make the right decision and even though they don't live in the city but it's on us. So we can't look at it like oh well you stay in the county it's not our responsibility but it is our responsibility and the public knows that it's our responsibility at this point. Am I correct ma'am?

All right thank you. Well, that um we've heard from chief only and um as that as our population within the city, even though the county has the school, uh we are required by law by mandate to provide so many officers per thousand people. So, as these as this population continues to increase out there, there's going to be Statesville police presence at some point because that that's our mandate. Um, any further questions for the representative of the applicant? Yes, sir.

Is it Mayor, he needs to come to the podium. If

you need to come to the podium if you'd like to speak because they they're recording this. I'm Kelly Standish again. Um, so I I do understand that that we're talking about the school being u the jurisdiction of the county, but directly across the street, I am the city of Statesville. I pay my taxes. City of Statesville. Statesville police does patrol my neighborhood. I get Statesville uh uh picks up my trash. Um, yeah, I pay Duke Power, not City of Statesville on power, but other than that, I I pay everything else to city of Statesville. And my concerns are, are we going to overpop populate this school across the street by throwing in another development right here? My kids are already sitting in a classroom of 25 students and I probably have the most hyperactive one of all of them. I understand that. But it's torturing his teacher because she's got four of my kids already along with 20 kids that that that are actually behaving. But that's not that's not the point here. Y'all can't fix that one. But um um you know, we're asking a lot of an overt tax system already. And then you're going to throw 67 new homes with as many as three two to three kids. Now you're talking throwing 90 something more kids at a pro a school that's already struggling. And then again, the traffic pattern we are, yes, they didn't report to it, but there's been several accidents. I cannot let my kid cross the street and walk to school because there's no school crossing guard and they're, you know, and people just ignore that stop sign, turn however they want to. It It's

Yeah. We appreciate that. Thank you so much, Mayor. I make a motion that we go out of public. Okay. Going out of public hearing. Any additional comments, questions? Mayor, I'd like to make a motion. Has this has this one more question. Has this one been through technical review committee or not yet? Yes, sir. It uh Councilman Presley, it has been through TRC and they have made sure that it meets all minimum requirements for development. Yep. Thank Sorry. Yep.

Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve um this first reading uh with the stated eight conditions that were presented by staff. um and it is consistent with the city's comprehensive land use plan. The proposed is reasonable in the public interest because of the 2045 land development plan supports this area as sustainable complete neighborhood one which includes mixed residential uses. I'd like to add to that. Can I I need to ask one question. Did you want to add the condition of the traffic study? Okay.

I did not. I wanted he made he made the motion but I think it's important that we do hear about the traffic study because this is a concern for the residents their safety you know getting up in the morning going to work the school the heaviness in the school system not knowing what what the numbers are saying that my motion was made I was not willing to do that because you are in in we just we just did one first before we discuss we did not Excuse me. We We need a second first before we discuss the motion. We need a second. I second. Okay. I would like to make an amendment to the motion to include an a ninth condition, which would be to include a traffic impact analysis.

I second the Okay. The the comment that I've got to make is we're being inconsistent. We just did one. We just did one and we didn't enforce that. Now we're being inconsistent. I have a problem with that.

Sure. So, one of the things that we've seen over the last year is an increase in five developments on that road, which is currently a two-lane road. Unlike the previous developments, because this isn't arbitrary, but it is subjective, is is Garner Bagel can support a huge amount of traffic, which this is right off of. We know that Turnersburg Highway, especially in a southbound direction and honestly in a northbound direction, too, cannot support that. This way is I we get to make up for the bad decisions that were made over the last two years to approve all of those developments on a two-lane road without a traffic impact analysis just because they slid underneath a 100 uh 100 residence margin. This allows us to go ahead and make a good decision, which is not to overload the infrastructure in that area, which clearly can't handle it. Yes, we know that 21 is being upgraded. No, it's not there now. This is not arbitrary, but it does make good governance. The uh the applicant has already said that they will support this. This doesn't make sense to debate. This makes sense to approve.

I agree because we say we don't want to be like other cities. But as we look at the growth compared two years up until now, it's been significant. Mhm.

So we can't that traffic study was done up under certain number a certain you know uh status it has changed and then we see growth is continue to come. So a traffic study now will be more important than it than it was like it was used uh two years ago. But this will bring us up so we can be able to make better decisions about the situation and we're including the public as well and the safety of the kids and the school system. so we would have something to go on and that we can compare. So, I want to see this traffic study so we'll know exactly where we are, what we need to do. And I agree with uh Councilman John uh Robertson Robinson. Council Robinson. Okay. You know,

so Leah, I I'll amend my motion. That was my question. I I can amend my motion to add the TIA. We have a second point of clarification. So if the TIA is done, they are bound then to making the improvements. You're not, unless you call it back here, you're not going to see the TIA. You just have to trust that that's going to that that is what's required and that is what will happen. So we have to call it back to come back to council. Well, I wouldn't advise that because you can't make a difference. If that happens, verifying that you're not going to see it, but you're

afford to do it. Yes. Okay. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any further? Okay, all in favor of the amended motion say I. I. Any opposed to the amended motion? Okay. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Okay. We had um we moved item uh 14 to the next meeting. Um we just need to do some more work on this and um No, that was me. We good. Okay. So, uh, we need to consider item 15 is consider approving a request from the Statesville housing authority to co-sponsor the Levit AM music series. Uh, Mr. Hicks Cool. I appreciate you're entertaining my uh comments this afternoon, uh mayor and and council. Uh I know I just saw you Thursday, but but uh wanted to talk a little bit more about it. U the the Levit U timeline, we'll kind of go through that just a little bit as well. U the Levit grant wasn't something that we um I guess was seeking after. uh a community representative uh actually reached out to three uh nonprofit well two nonprofits and then I think that the city as well um and uh looking to see if if someone wanted to apply for the 11 grant um as we do with with anything that comes before us um we're always willing to to look and sit down and listen and then read through and do some research um we felt it was a a very uh good complement to uh basically what we had started back in 2000 uh whenever we we did the 11521 corridor plan uh and

and I guess you excuse us because we didn't have AI back in 20 2000 but uh we actually called it from urban blight to urban bright whenever we first started with the uh the skill center uh but we felt it was kind of a good continuation uh so so we kind of met with that partner uh we looked at the existing partners that we have which we had already worked with Beasley Media Group out of Charlotte uh for their Power 98 events for the past 3 years. Uh we worked with uh All-Americans on the stage uh for the past 5 years uh actually working on the uh the art and music hub and and the the amphitheater and as well as Insomniacs. Uh Insomniacs was new to to our uh group. Uh we we met with uh our arts council and brought Insomniacs on board. Insomniac, Inc. was actually looking to apply for this grant as well. They were looking at the the block piece instead of the AMP and and there there's a difference that the AMP is actually in in one site and us I guess they they look at it and it's it's underutilized uh infrastructure and they really like it to have been in some type of an industrial blight area at one time which that our property fits perfectly into that. So June 6th was the first we were approached by it. Uh the application was due by June 30th. Uh I reached out to uh Ron and all the other partners uh to get support letters because the the grant is a $40,000 a year grant. It is a 100% match but but half of that match has to be in cash. Half of the amount has to be in in kind services. So that's where we're reaching out to the partners. ISIC or the Ired Statesville Community Enrichment Corporation is picking up the the pure cash match and and we also are actually contributing to the uh a portion of the Anind as well. Actually a

large portion. U so we submitted the application on June the 30th. Um we were alerted with the others that on August the 5th that there had been over 300 applications. Uh thankfully we were one of one of the top 100 uh applications that was chosen. Uh the next phase was a September the 5th public voting phase that went for two weeks. Uh September the 15th we were notified that we were um we came in 40th place uh out of the the 50. Um so again we we were very happy. U and then on November the 18th we were uh notified that we were one of 26 new grantees within the Levit uh family group. That it's it's amazing. uh whenever we started going through the the public uh voting phase, we wanted to acknowledge because if you look at it, 300 uh communities applied to to have music in their communities and to strengthen their communities. U so so we actually thanked everyone who who applied because I mean I know how we would have felt if we would have been in that 200 that that that didn't have the opportunity to go forward. So, uh, Levit had a convening, uh, in Los Angeles in, uh, February the 1st. Uh, I met with with Christine, who was the president of Levit, and, um, she said that they were impressed with the Statesville's application from the moment that it came in. Um, because their strength is is in partnerships, and they really like to see the partnerships uh, within it. A lot of the applicants uh that that came through uh were were just uh city um parks and recreations and they really didn't have a whole lot of partners. So there were only two others in that group of 50 finalists that had as many partners as we did. Uh interestingly in in that 50 finalist was Black Mountain uh North Carolina. Uh but but they they did not

make it. So we are actually the only North Carolina Levit amp uh grantee representative. So,

okay. Again, there there shows the numbers. $40,000 from Levit Foundation, 20,000 from us, 42,000 is what we're going to seek in donations and sponsorships. uh Ankind partnership is pushing at 87,000 for a total estimated 2,26 budget of 189,000 for 11 concert series uh which will take place um four Saturdays in May and then we will resume in September and go through October and all of these are on Saturday uh they will begin at 4:00 usually end around 8 uh with one exception and and I think that one is pulled back from the the this request in the cities because uh we're doing 11 in the series as opposed to 10. Uh the the one is on balloon rally weekend and I think the the police is overstretched that particular weekend. So uh we we uh Ron and I discussed and I I believe everybody's okay. We are reaching out to the sheriff's department. Uh we've already reached out. We just haven't heard back from him. Uh for him to assist us on that, October the 17th, which is what we're calling our EDM night. Uh we do have a duo coming in from uh Berlin, Germany. Uh it is uh one plays the saxophone, the other plays the cello, and they still have the the EDM uh synthesized music as well. So, a little bit more about Levit. Uh they have five main uh points in in their um foundation that they look for and joy. Uh they believe in joy as a universal human right. Uh that free live music outdoor settings has the power to create joyful experience and connections and celebrate our shared humanity. Uh it's catalytic. Uh they partner with change makers and nonprofits across

sectors to activate underutilized public spaces creating vibrant destinations that spark positive impact and advance shared prosperity. Uh the third would be connectedness. Uh Levit connects people to each other and where they live fostering a sense of belonging and community attachment creating a place people love. inclusivity. Uh they support and nurture inclusive gathering spaces for for music ecosystems. So all participating in the Levitic music experience are full reflection of the community. Uh that includes uh anyone with any disabilities, hearing impaired or sight impaired. Uh they are really uh large on making sure that that we have the the equipment there for for individuals who who are hearing impaired. So, uh, we will have the Bluetooth, uh, capability so they can read, uh, what's on the screen, uh, as well as I mean, it's not really a joke. I mean, I would set them closer to the speaker so that you can actually feel the music as well as as reading, uh, into the the music. And of course, their fifth one was dynamic. uh their approach to philanthropy is a nimble and informed by the evolving needs of the grantees and the communities creating a dynamic ripple effect and economic opportunity and social through music. Uh all of that will be taking place at the uh housing authorities main campus. Uh the kie enrichment center uh the building uh is both for educational for for uh computer uh labs. Uh but we converted the the back piece over to a stage. Uh that's where for the past three years we've had the summer block party. Uh but we we really wanted to actually do it uh kind of in the spring and fall to get it away from the heat. But two, we didn't want to interfere

with the Friday after 5 as well. That's why we did it on a Saturday. Uh we will have our first on May the 2nd which will be after May 1st uh for for Friday after 5. And then we will not do anything for the summer. uh and until September and I think Friday After Five still has it in September. So uh these are your 11 concert performers uh for the series. I encourage you to to go to our website. We do have links to uh you can actually click on uh I I would actually click on one if if you don't mind. It's like a 30 second video. Uh do do you mind? I guess the links don't follow through. Okay. Okay. U we we appreciate you entertaining uh to to uh allow the police force to to uh work with us on on this grant. So

So any questions for Mr. Hicks or staff? What do you foresee the role of the police department being? Uh just like with the Power 98, uh I I think two things. They they have a booth uh on the property and and as well they act they walk around through the crowd. Uh just policing it, making sure everyone is safe. Um I I do know I think they made arrest at two of our events uh before, but that that's just it. It's just crowd control and and making sure that everything is safe. traffic direction or anything.

No, we actually uh two two things. We will have volunteers uh for that. Uh we also want to work with volunteer fire department uh to bring in stuff especially for the EDM night. I don't anticipate there being a major issue with the other 10. Uh there probably will be some uh traffic uh control needed especially on the uh October the 17th. And how many people do you think you can fit in that little space off the back of that stage? Well, on these the piece directly behind the building, uh you can fit up to 750 to a,000 standing part standing that paved area back there.

Yes. Yes. And then and then around because you still have the grass piece on the two sides of the building, but then you have the whole field. Now the whole field actually I mean you can put a thousand other sponsors. Pardon? Do you have any other sponsors?

Uh at at this point it is only just the partners who who applied for the grant. So we are going to go through the first four series uh to basically get established and then we are going to reach out to to sponsors. Um Charles Ash who is on our board uh he and I are going to sit down. He he has the idea of who we need to reach out for for the sponsorship. when you did the Power 98 um event and being there and seeing the crowd and seeing how people were, it was healthy. It was a healthy event and people really enjoyed themselves. Kids had a wonderful time, very diverse. And I want to commend the police department because they were out there playing with the with the uh adults, even participating in the dance. So if you don't see what's actually going on and you don't be a part of that, you don't get the true picture of how important it is when a community come together and be able to have that day and that's what changes us. Let's make us who we are. So I'm grateful for that and I like to see that continue.

Thank you. Thank you. So let me be devil's advocate. Okay. Last year and I'm I'm going to put Chief Owen on the spot right now. We had a situation at the event that you guys had. We

Yes. This is the Power 98 situation we had when we had the double homicides in the city. Well, yeah. Was it double homicides? And you know, and I guess that's my issue right now. I know we're trying to build a better partnership, but what if something like that happens in an event because I know last year we had an issue with you guys trying to just trying to get you to communicate just to kind of shut it down because the incident happened right across the street from where your event was. And that was it was just like pulling teeth. And I know this because I was kind of out there and I was like, "Y'all were still trying to have this event while we were while they were trying to conduct an investigation." So then my question to you is if something happens, because I guess we get oursel in a bind sometimes in the city of States when we do this partnerships and our we don't want to overextend our guys, but when a situation happens like this, how flexible are you guys willing to be with Chief in situations like that? Uh she feel free to step in if you need to. I don't want to put you on the spot. Okay. Be sure

to address I guess last year's uh incident I guess prior to our event. Uh I was in complete communication with April. I had called her and she had called me. Um and if I'm not mistaken, we we both agreed. I mean I said that the everybody was on their way there. Um, and she she said she was not asking us to cancel and so we we had did not cancel and the the scene was cleared by the time the Power 98 event that happened. Uh, if you want us to have a a secondary, we're glad to to speak with Ardo County Sheriff's Department and have a secondary in case there is some type of issue. I don't see why the two departments can't work together. I just want us when you say partnership, I want it to be clear that we are a partnership.

Correct. That's that's when I want to be clear that we are a partnership. Chief, you got something you want to say?

Before the chief says something, there was an incident that happened at the event where this woman was asking for help because her boyfriend had assaulted her and it was handled in a way a former director David Sha was on it. They got the young lady calmed down and they made the arrest with the young man. partnership in anything that you do, you there's no guarantee that something won't happen. And our police department has done a great job with what they have to do and keep the city protected. Uh you have to see this and I was there and I was right there when they was doing the transaction. We have many events that come here in Statesville, you know, after five and all those people there and the police department there. You don't never know when something's going to happen, but their presence and I'm glad cuz they they presence was there at this particular event. I just want the public to know that there wasn't like one person there and officers and nobody was there. They was on it. They was on it. And I think that's what the public needs to understand that our police department whether with the housing authority or anybody is that we do the best that we can and if we did it we would have no events taking place. So I thank you for staying in contact with April. I thank you guys. I thank the police department for doing what they did because nobody knew exactly what was going on when they took this gentleman into custody.

Thank you. Doris Chief, did you want I plan to have vendors. Do you have any comments? I'll be at this event. Are vendors going to be there? Are you charging vendors at this event?

Uh, we will not charge vendors for this event. Uh, we will have food truck, at least one or two food trucks and a beverage truck. Uh, also we wouldn't mind having a dessert truck, but but Levit's whole purpose of this is it's free and open because it it wants to invite every socioeconomical u individual there. So, you're encouraged to bring if you want a a picnic dinner. uh just do not bring alcohol in on on you. I mean you you can purchase on once you get to the site. Uh but we will not actually be having any uh but it will be vendors uh on on site. So uh but we will not have craft vendors or any other type. Uh a lot of Levit uh facilities will have uh items like that. They'll do a farmers market. Uh we we kind of wanted to center ours around if if you call it free, it's free. uh you're not going to be pressured to buy anything if you don't like anything. So, and in fact, the Levit thing, the big thing is that they pass a bucket around for for donations. There would be no bucket passed around uh at our site. So, there will be an opportunity if people want to make donations, but but not a bucket. So,

thank you. Great. Any further questions? Yeah, Mr. Mayor, I I support this proposal. It sounds like a great event. Uh and I know our police department will do a great job and it's such an insignificant amount of money compared to our total budget. I think it'll go a long way to continue to build and nurture our relationship with the housing authority that I'm happy to make a motion to support this co-sponsorship and a second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Thank you. May motion carries. Thank you, sir. unanimously. Thank you, Donald.

Okay. Uh item 16 has been moved to May 11th. Do we need to vote to do that or does that automatically Okay. So any other business? Do we have a motion to adjurnn? We have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? We are adjourned.