City Council - Regular Meeting

Nancy, she's always faithful to be here if she can possibly make it. Thank you. Yeah. U so we also we I don't see the chamber rep here, so we'll move on. Welcome the press. Uh if any press is in the chambers, also any of you that are joining us tonight on our website or any social media that this might be seen on. Our first item of business is additions and deletions to the agenda. Mr. City Manager,

Mayor, I have a request to add a closed session which would be number uh seven and renumber the others after that. The closed session would be for personnel and also attorney client privilege. Okay. Thank you. Uh what's the pleasure of councel? Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda as amended by our city manager. All right. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion?

You may record your votes. Uh the vote is 50. That's unanimous. So that has been approved. Uh before we move on, uh we have two seats empty tonight. uh both members are out with excused absences uh one uh due to health problem and the other uh death in the family. So uh we'll recognize those uh things tonight. And now we'll move on to item three, public forum. And tonight we do not have anyone to sign up for public forum. So we'll move on.

Mayor, can you pause for a moment? Yes. We've lost our audio feed. I'm not sure exactly why. Okay, Jay just text me.

Testing Jay testing.

I don't see why Okay, it's back, mayor. It's back. Okay, thank you for that. We're now down to recognitions and presentations. Uh we have a proclamation tonight for National Golf Month and uh Council Member Neil Grimes will present this for us. Anyone that would like to please join me. Don't be

sh Okay. All right. Proclamation National Golf Month, August 2025. Whereas golf is a sport that promotes physical fitness, mental well-being, and social interaction, offering a unique blend of exercise, relaxation, and camaraderie. And whereas National Golf Month is celebrated each August to encourage people of all ages and skill levels to engage in the sport of golf, fostering a love for the game and an appreciation for the outdoors. And whereas the city of Thomasville, North Carolina is proud to be home of the beautiful Winding Creek Golf Course, a premier destination for golfers in our community and beyond. And whereas Winding Creek Golf Course provides an excellent venue for residents and visitors to enjoy the sport, improve their skills, and participate in local tournaments and events. And whereas the city of Thomasville recognizes the economic, social, and health benefits that golf brings to our community, contributing to the overall quality of life for our residents. Therefore, Raleigh Ort Jr., Mayor of the city of Thomasville hereby proclaims August 2025 as National Golf Month in Thomasville, North Carolina and encourages residents and visitors to take advantage of the

opportunities to play golf and celebrate the sport that brings us together this 18th day of August 2025 signed Raleigh York Jr. Mayor of the city of Thomasville. And I will present this to our recreation director, Corey Tobin.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. Couple more little tidbits. You know, I got something to say and I'll let these guys talk. Um, the Winding Creek Golf Course was built in 1996 under a lot of people didn't like it. A lot of people didn't like it, but it was built uh over a landfill that we were required a closed landfill that we were required to monitor for 100 years, 30 years at least, a lot of years.

And so instead of spending money just to monitor it, they they they bought extra land and built a really nice golf course. And in addition to being unpopular by many for a long time, it was not profitable for a long time. And I'm going to take some of this guy's thunder, but last year uh there was over a million dollar worth of revenue and close to $135,000 of net profit. So here here to Winding Creek. Yes, sir. Thank you very much. You guys come on in here. Do what you got to do. Okay, you you do the speaker.

Okay, I'll speak real quick to the council. I'll turn to face them as well. Um, so thank you, Councilman Grimes. We we have our golf superintendent, Alan Crockett, here with us, our golf pro, Jason Gentle, and our golf committee member, Adam Leisure, uh, attending with us tonight. We're very proud of all the uh, the things that the golf course continue to do to be a part of our community. Neil hit on some of the larger numbers of revenue that we're very proud of, but all of those fall back into um the fact that the hard work that these gentlemen do with their staff each day. Uh it's 363 day operation for our city. We close on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Any other time it's it's open for play as long as the weather allows. And uh we're seeing a lot of new uh new faces out. We've had over 33,000 rounds played. So that means 33,000 people annually are coming out to the golf course to play. uh and it's a hidden gem sometimes for our community to understand an asset that we have uh now within our recreation department and we're just proud of all the work that these gentlemen have done um continually each day but also for their entire career. So thank you for this recognition and honor mayor and we look forward to being open tomorrow and ready for play. Thank you.

Y'all did a great job. Our next proclamation is hunger action month. Council member Pton Williams will do this one for us. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to invite Mr. Eric A up. Eric is the CEO of Second Harvest. Very good. I'm honored to have him here. Thank you.

This is a proclamation for hunger action month. Whereas hunger and food insecurity continue to affect millions of individuals and families across our nation impacting their health, well-being, and quality of life. And whereas hunger action month is a time to raise awareness about the critical issue of hunger and to encourage collective action to address this pressing need. And whereas food banks, community organizations, and volunteers play a vital role in providing nutritious food to those in need and advocating for policies that promote food security. And whereas it is essential for all members of our community to come together to support efforts to end hunger and ensure that everyone has access to sufficient nutritious food. And whereas by participating in Hunger Action Month, we can make a significant impact through donations, volunteerism, and advocacy, helping to create a future where no one goes hungry. Now, therefore, Mayor Raleigh York Jr. hereby procla proclaims September 2025 as hunger action month in Thomasville and urges all citizens to join in this effort to fight hunger and support those in need. And that is signed Raleigh York Jr. and fixed with the seal. So, I will give that to you.

Thank you. Thank you so much,

Council Member Williams, uh, Mayor York, and members of the council. We are very pleased and honored to be here tonight to accept this proclamation. Uh the citizens, residents of Thomasville are devoted to what this represents, that commitment to ensuring as what is on our building that everyone deserves to eat. It is a statement about creating a stronger community that you live out every day. Second Harvest Food Bank is not only uh very proud to have a partner that uh that uh Council Member Williams leads in CCM, but also 31 programs here in Davidson County, and I will point out 13 of those are in Thomasville. Uh this is a symbol of our commitment along with the 2.4 million pounds of food that we invested here in Davidson County this past year. There's a commitment that is ongoing as we work together to ensure that our residents have the food that they need to thrive and to succeed. Whether it's the children in school or our parents, our seniors, our veterans, we are here to work collaboratively with you. Thank you for this honor and we will live up to it every single day. Thank you. [Applause] [Music] We are now down to our consent agenda and I will recognize uh our city manager, Michael Brandt.

Thank you, mayor. Tonight's consent agenda consists of the following items. Item A is consideration of minutes of the briefing meeting on that was held on July 14th, 2025. Item B is consideration of minutes of the council meeting on July 21st, 2025. Item C is consideration of the following road closure ordinances. Uh the first is everybody's night which is uh scheduled for September 26th and is sponsored by the tourism commission. The next is everybody's day which is scheduled for September 27th and that is uh sponsored by the chamber of commerce. The next item is light up the holidays festival on November 22nd which is uh sponsored by beautifification commission. The next is December 13th which is the Christmas parade sponsored by the tourism commission. The next item is the Star of Bethlehem Nativity which is December 13th and 14th and that is sponsored by Memorial United Methodist. And the last item is Chair City Christmas which is on scheduled for December 19th which is uh sponsored by Mount Zion Church. That is your consent agenda for this evening.

Thank you very much. What's the pleasure of councel? Mr. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve the consent agenda as presented by our city manager. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? Okay, you may record your vote. Okay, we have 50. That is been unanimously approved. Okay, we're now down to our regular agenda. The first item is consideration of budget amendment 2026-P2-01. I recognize our finance director, Thomas Avan.

Good evening, mayor and council. Uh, this budget amendment appropriates $17,500 from general fund contingency to cover the city's matching cost required for administration of the Unolan Project Atlantis Bing reuse grant project from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Additionally, $99,15 of which $64,15 will be transferred from general fund contingency uh will be appropriated for the city's contribution to the ICMA senior mobility leaders in government grant project. The general fund contingency balance is now $318,485. The city was awarded a rural economic development division grant of $350,000 for expenditures related to the expansion of Uniland's manufacturing facility in Thomasville located at 550 Kleiner Drive. Grant funds will be used toward the construction of a new building on the southwest corner of the existing facility and will add 105,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space. The proposed property consists of approximately 1.6 6 million square ft of manufacturing space on approximately 64 acres. Um $9,480 of grant funding from the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police is appropriated in the Police Department for the purchase of essential personnel software, which will assist the Thomasville Police Department's law enforcement uh agency accreditation process. Um the budget amendment requires council approval. Thank you.

Thank you very much. for action. Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve uh budget amendment 2026-P2-01. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Okay, you may record your vote and it's 50 unanimous vote. Thank you. Uh now down to item B, consideration of grant project ordinance, Unilolan Atlantis B, Building Reuse Grant Project. Uh Mr. A. Vanigan,

uh this ordinance establishes a budget and appropriates funding for the Unolan Project Atlantis B building reuse grant project with funding from the North Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Economic Development Division. The project budget totals $367,500 and it includes a $350,000 state grant award and a $17,500 city contribution for grant administration costs. This is the third state building reuse grant Unulan has received through the city um for construction and expansion of its manufacturing facility in Thomasville. The ordinance requires council approval.

And what's the pleasure of councel? Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve the grant project ordinance, Unulan Atlantis B building reuse grant project. Is there a second? Second.

Now, is there any discussion? Okay, you may record your vote and we have a 50 unanimous vote. So, that has been approved. Thank you. We have item C next. Uh, consideration of grant project ordinance ICMA senior mobility leaders and government grant. I'm going to recognize our deputy city manager, Mr. Eddie Bowling, for this one.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, tonight before consideration is grant project ordinance supporting the ICMA senior mobility leaders and government grant. Um the economic mobility and opportunity special assistant grant provides dedicated support to local governments and community organizations working to advance economic uh growth. This grant funds the placement of a special assistant to coordinate cross- sector partnerships, align resources, and drive initiatives that expand access to opportunity, strengthen workforce pathways, and improve long-term mobility for residents. Uh this based on seven core pillars. um education and skill development, employment, workforce opportunities, income and financial stability, health and well-being, housing and neighborhoods, social capital and community networks. Lastly, economic governments or equitable governments and policy. Uh the grant total is $341,500 on behalf of the Gates Foundation.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh defer to council for action. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we approve the uh ICMA Senior Mobility Leaders and Government Grant. And this is a big deal, folks. This is a big deal to get this position. And to thank U Deputy Manager Bowling for all this hard work and putting this thing together. Is there a second?

I second that. And definitely thank you to Eddie for really working to find this grant uh money and also working for other grants. But like Neil said, this is really going to be a major deal for our community to really make sure that we are prioritizing economic development and really ensuring that we are meeting that strategic goal than when we're talking about with uh senior economic mobility director. So big kudos to Eddie and to our departments for working at this.

Any further comments or questions? I want to point out that this did not happen without several other incredibly successful projects through ICMA that I know Eddie was instrumental in as well as several other people in the city. And if those hadn't gone as well as they did, we would not have been considered for this incredibly competitive grant. We definitely wouldn't have gotten it. So, good job you guys. Okay. Anything else? It is exciting. Yeah.

Okay. If there's no other comments, you may record your votes. And the vote is 5-0. So that has been approved unanimously. We're now down to item D. Cons uh consideration of transitioning the elementary school resource officer position to a community resource officer position. Chief Carter with Police Department.

Good evening, Mayor Council. like to request uh council's support uh to reclassify an existing elementary school resource officer uh position into a community resource officer role within the Thomasville Police Department. This transition will not result in any additional cost to the city as it simply repurposes an already budgeted position. The CRO will serve as a visible, accessible liaison between the department and the public, helping to build trust, organize community events, assist businesses, lead neighborhood safety efforts, and connect at risk individuals with resources. I believe the shift will strengthen our department's ability to proactively meet community needs, and enhance the quality of life in Thomasville without placing any burden on the city budget. Thank you for your consideration of this request, as well as your continued support for the Thomas Police Department. Thank you very much.

Defer count. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to not approve the consideration of the transition of the elementary school resource officer position to the community resource officer position. Say that one more time. I I think I make a motion not to approve the consideration of the transitioning of the elementary school resource officer. Okay. The motion is to not approve this transition. Can I ask? Is there a second? Is there a second?

I don't hear a second. So, that motion dies for lack of a second. Uh, now, is there another motion? Can I ask a follow-up question from the chief? Chief, do you mind coming back up? I just I want to make sure I'm clear on this. the the reason that the officer is not staying as an SRO. Is that because the school system wouldn't pick up the salary? Sure. It's it's unfortunately due to lack of funding from the school system to support a third SRO at the elementary school. Um obviously uh school safety is a priority of the police department as well as the city. Uh but unfortunately at this time the school's not able to support a uh funding for a third SRO position.

Y stay up here. Can you talk a little bit about the importance of the community leazison position for an officer and kind of what we're missing not having that position filled right now? Sure. So, so currently we do not have a community liaison position and so unfortunately that that task kind of falls on um everyone in the department and so you know we look at it if it's it's everyone's job sometimes it's no one's job and so what we need is we need an you know a contact that the community can reach out to in the event we there's there's community needs safety needs uh you know creating community um neighborhood watches um business watch programs especially for our downtown because we know that's an initiative of council as well as the city to um redevelop our downtown district. And so what we're looking at is we want to make sure that's a safe place for folks to come visit and work. And so it's important that we have a community resource officer that helps with that task. Um and so just to be a liazison between the police department and and the community and meet those needs. Um you better learn what the needs are of the community. And so, um, we see that as as an important goal of the police department and to also improve the quality of life for Thomasville.

And thank you so much, Chief, for that. I definitely want to clarify, I definitely believe in the community resource officer position. Um, my uh hesitation for this move um is being proactive in in situations that we know. um the statistics are not going down when it comes to um school shootings and school related accidents, when it comes to um folks getting their hands on firearms and and making their way into uh public access buildings. And so um as myself, I really think and I I love the idea of, you know, getting us this community resource position. Um and and hearing that the the shortfall for the finances for the Tomo City Schools, I'm definitely understanding of that position. Um, but for me as a council member, I think it's really important for us in that proactiveness um to to really figure out is it's not going to be the kind of situation for us um if a situation happens and and then we don't have it and and we could have had it there. Um, I understand that the the resources were not allocated from their pos position, but for our position, I think it is really important for us to to look at it in a way to to figure out if there's a way for us to keep the position within um our our primary school, which is our very vulnerable students and and staff, while also making sure that we can definitely fill this need within our community resource position. Um, I don't want to or feel the need to have to choose either or. We had a an SRO in the school for a year, right? And whi which entity paid that salary? We did to the city. And that was a conversation we had a year ago, correct? Where we could make that um concession for a year, right?

That is that is correct. So I'm like the year's up. Chief, who who pays for the other two officers that are in currently still in the school system? school system. So what actually happened was we added a third. They could not afford to pay for that at that time. So the city agreed to pay for it for one year only, hoping that the next year they'd be able to pick up the tab like they do the other two officers. Is that accurate?

That is correct. because school safety is a priority. And so we felt like um based on some recclassing of positions that we did that we went through some restructuring, we were able to provide uh that position at least for a year uh with the hopes that the school system could pick up that u that funding. There's a long history of school system. That is correct. Yes. Thank you. Okay. Do I have a motion on this item? Mr. Mayor, uh, I'll make a motion to approve the transitioning the elementary school resource officer position to a community resource officer position.

Is there a second? Second.

Now, any further discussion? Okay, you may record your vote. Okay, we have a 41 vote. Uh, Council Member Johnson is the no vote. Uh, and so the item has been approved. Okay, we're now down to item E, consideration of ordinance to extend the corporate limits of Thomasville to include 129 Kennedy Road. At our last meeting, we held a public hearing for this item. I don't believe we had anyone that that came to speak for or against. Is there anyone here tonight that that was not at that meeting that came to speak to that tonight? Maybe don't see anyone. So, uh, we, uh, we table that item until this meeting, uh, because of the fact that the Davidson County Commissioners had not taken up that annexation and they need to approve it before we do because we have to have their approval. So, uh, on, uh, August the 11th, uh, the Davidson County Commissioners approved the annexation of, uh, 129 Kennedy Road. So, this is on our agenda again tonight, uh, for us to, uh, approve this annexation. So, what is the pleasure of council?

Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'll make the motion uh to approve the ordinance to extend the corporate limits of Thomasville to include 129 Kennedy Road. Is there a second? Second. Okay, we have a motion second. Any discussion?

I'll just say we could have done this like two months ago, but the state changed the rule. The small government state changed the rule so that now the county has to approve decisions like these when prior they were just up to council and up to the city. So that's why this took so long and unfortunately I think we're going to see more of it because we're going to continue to grow. So any other discussion? Okay, you may record your vote. We have five affirmative votes. So that has been approved uni unanimously. Uh we're now down to item seven, the addition. the added item close session for personnel and attorney client and I will need a motion to go into close session.

Mr. Mayor, I'll make the motion to go into close session for attorney client and personnel. Is there a second? Second. Is there any discussion? Okay. You may record your vote and we have 50. So, uh, we will go now into close session for these two items.