City Council - Regular Meeting

Uh welcome council members as well and special welcome to uh those from our school system. We have uh Mr. Juan Ortiz here from the school system and also from the school board we have Nancy Stton. Good to have y'all with us. And we also have from the represent representing the chamber of commerce Andrew Clement. Thank you for being here. We also welcome any members of the press that might be here. uh anyone that are are joining us tonight on our website or over social social media whenever you might watch this on either of those. First uh order of business this evening will be additions andor deletions to our agenda. Mr. City Manager, good evening, mayor. I'm going to request that council add a close session for personnel and for attorney client privilege. uh adding this as item seven and then renumbering 8 9 and 10 appropriately. Having heard this, what's the pleasure of council? Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda as amended by our city manager. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? May record your vote. It is 6 unanimous. So, the agenda has been approved. Uh, we're now down to public forum. We didn't have anyone to sign up tonight to speak for public forum. Item four is recognitions and presentations. The first will be a proclamation. Um, Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15. Uh, this will be with Hunter Thrift. Okay. Council member L is not here yet.

Just do that. Do you want me to read? Okay. This one. All right. Good evening. Um I'm going to share the proclamation on Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th through October 15th. Whereas Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and profound and lasting contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. And whereas the observation of Hispanic uh Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th. And whereas September 15th is significant as the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries. And whereas the city of Thomasville is proud to honor the achievements and heritage of Hispanic Americans and to promote understanding, inclusion, and appreciation of the diverse cultures that strengthen our community. Now therefore, Mayor Raleigh or Jr. hereby proclaim September 15th through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Thomasville, North Carolina and encourages all residents to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. And it is signed by the mayor with the city seal on it. And I'm going to ask Langela Schoffner to come up. She's going to share uh the Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation in Spanish if I can get them. There you go. Good evening. September

Mexico, Central America, Lyndon B. Johnson. Thomasville York Jr. September. [Applause] Some of you may know this, but uh Los Angeles is our program director uh for communities and schools. So, I get to work with her every day and she does a lot of uh good work in the Hispanic

community and helps bridge that gap um between the Hispanic community and communities and schools so they can benefit from some of the services we have. So, thank you for what you do in the community. [Applause] The next proclamation is breast cancer awareness month and this will be presented by Lisa Shell. Um did they were going to let me know if they got anyone tell me they were here for that. Okay. So you can just present it. Yes. Proclamation Breast Cancer Awareness Month October October 2025. Whereas breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States and remains one of the most leading causes of cancer related deaths. And whereas early detection through regular screenings and mammograms significantly increase the chance of successful treatment and survival. And whereas advanced in medical re advances in medical research, treatment options, and public awareness campaigns have contributed to improve outcomes and support for those affected by breast cancer. Whereas National Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to honor the courage and strength of survivors, remember those we have lost, and support the ongoing fight against this disease. And whereas we recognize the vital role of health care providers, researchers, advocates, community organizations in raising awareness and promoting education, prevention, and assessed care. Now, therefore, Raleigh York Jr., Mayor of the city of Thomasville hereby

proclaims October 2025 breast cancer awareness month in Thomasville, North Carolina and encourages residents, visitors to support those affected, contribute to the ongoing efforts to find a cure and participate in activities and promote awareness such as the Pink Day street festival here in Thomasville on October the 4th. In witness for of I ha I I have here unto you set my hand and caused the seal of the city of Thomasville to be affixed on this 15th day of September 2025 signed Raleigh York Jr. mayor of Thomasville. [Applause] Okay. The next uh presentation will be proclamation special recognition. I'll do this one myself. We have a celebrity of sorts in our midst tonight. This young man has done a lot over the last several years to bring good vibrations among people because of who he is and how well he does and how things in our community. So, if I could have David come forward, please. And anyone that would like to come stand.

Many of you know David. And David is a special needs young man. And He does great work. He's He's always willing to do anything that anybody asked him to do. And so I thought it very appropriate to make a proclamation David September 1825. Whereas David is a beloved and wellknown member of our community whose life and actions have been shining example of dedication, kindness, and civic And whereas David has made a lasting impact through his active involvement in the city committee and his passionate participation in political and civic matters at the city, county, state, and national levels. And whereas David's unwavering spirit and positive contributions have inspired countless individuals and brought people together in the spirit of community and service. And whereas on September the 6th, David celebrated his birthday surrounded by friends, family, and elected officials, a testament to the deep respect and admiration he has earned throughout the years. And whereas it is fitting and proper that we honor David Boowenter for his outstanding contributions and celebrate the joy and unity he brings to our city. Now therefore, I Raleigh York Jr., mayor of the city of Thomasville, do hereby proclaim September the 18th, 2025 as David Boender Day here in the city of Thomasville. And I encourage all citizens to join in recognizing and celebrating the

remarkable life and service of David Boowinder. And this is in recognition of his 60th birthday. There you go, baby. Congratulations, David. Can you say anything? Just say thank you. Thank you for all of you that came here tonight to support David in this. David's a fine young man. He he lives by himself, takes care of his own care, and uh he gets gets help from those around him, so everything works out good for him. And we appreciate it, David. appreciate your willingness to help out like you have around here for so many years. [Music] We're now down to our consent agenda and I'll recognize our city manager, Michael Brandt. Uh, happy birthday, David. Your consent agenda tonight consists of four items. The first item A is consideration of minutes from the briefing meeting on August 11th. Item B is consideration of the minutes of the council meeting on August 18th. Item C is consideration of North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program local government grant resolution. This resolution is a requirement of a grant that we have received. This is the fourth year of a four-year grant from the governor's

safety award uh that is specifically dedicated to improving the highway safety uh DWI stops, things of that nature. Uh this is a uh a matching grant of 5050 uh grant award in the amount of $47,049. Item D is uh part of that same grant. It's the actual grant project ordinance that puts the funds in place to to expend the funds. And as mentioned, it is a matching grant. So, the city will be putting up $47,049 uh to match the grant. That is your consent agenda this evening. Okay. Having heard the consent agenda, what's the pleasure of councel? Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve the consent agenda as uh presented by city manager. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? You may record your vote. Have 6. So, the consent agenda has been approved. We're now down to our regular agenda. Item A is consideration of economic mobility program manager job description. I recognize our deputy city manager, Mr. Eddie Bowling. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As you may well remember, this is a continuation from last month. You guys accepted the grant in the amount of $340,000 from the ICMA and Gates Foundation to fill this role, 100% funded for a 30-month period. Um, what is before you tonight for consideration is the job description itself. I'll tell you a little bit about the job description. Uh this position serves as the city's lead strategist on economic mobility responsible for identifying and developing datadriven initiatives in workforce and housing and fostering financial empowerment and educational pathways. It requires building strong partnerships across city departments,

community organizations, and the business sector while facilitating engagement with residents to co-design strategies. The role also entails creating performance metrics, drafting reports and policy recommendations, collaborating on city planning and budget, and representing the city in convenings and co-workings to advance align goals and ensure continuous improvement. Um, this position will travel at least four on-site convenings across the country um to be partnered up with the other cities that were selected to receive this grant. And so we're asking you consider approving the job description today uh so that we can post it tomorrow. Thank you very much. So I defer to council for action. Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the economic mobility program manager job description. Is there a second? Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Uh yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Deputy City Manager. Um so we said we're going to post it tomorrow. where are we going to post it and how will people in our community that maybe want to apply for this position be able to do so? Sure. Thank you for that question. Uh this will be posted on the city's website. It will also be posted with ICMA, the International City Managers Association. And I'll remind you has a strong hand in choosing the candidate for this position. And so what they'll be a part of is the final part of the hiring process for the position. So you can check the city's website. It'll be posted on social media through ICMA and they already have a LinkedIn page established for this position. Thank you. Yes, sir. Any more discussion? Okay, you may record your vote and we have 6. So, that has been approved. Before I proceed further, uh I know in the prayer uh council member Grimes, he mentioned our colleague Doug

Hunt uh who has been out for a few weeks uh with ser serious sick illness, but he is doing better. Hopefully, he'll be home this week and and be back with us soon. So, I meant to mention that earlier, but I overlooked it. We're now down to item B, consideration of amendment to appendix A to include grade 36, economic mobility uh program manager. Mr. Deputy City Manager. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, item B is um to include include the job description as provided as a grade 36 in our pay scale. And so what that does, it establishes the minimum hiring range at 74,35180, maximum hiring range of 126,39897 um as a grade 36. Okay. Thank you for that. What's the pleasure of council? Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we approve the consideration of amendment to append A to include grade 36, economic mobility program manager. Is there a second? Second. And now any discussion? Okay, you may record your vote. And we have a 6. So that has been unanimously approved. We're now down to item C, consideration of amendment to appendix A, title change from downtown economic development director to Main Street director. No grade change. Uh, Mr. city manager. Thank you, mayor. Um, this change in position title is a a step as we've moved into the main street program. When we initially created the position of downtown economic developer, uh we could not call them a main street coordinator

or manager because that is a uh a title that we had to earn. And we did earn that this past summer. And by uh acknowledging that, we're making the change to the title of the position within our uh appendix A, which for those that are unfamiliar, appendex A, that that is where all of our jobs are po are listed and by the grade and salary so that you you need to approve that so that those items can be within our organization. Um, this one is more of a uh pat myself on the back kind of situation because there is no change in grade, there's no change in salary. Uh, but it is an important change recognizing that we are now in the Main Street program and therefore we have a Main Street director on our staff. Uh, so that is my request to that you make this change. Okay. What's the pleasure of councel? Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion that we approve the uh amendment to appendix A title change from downtown economic development director to Main Street director. Is there a second? Second. We have a motion to second. Any discussion? Okay, you may record your vote. And we have 6. So that has been unanimously approved. We're down now down to item seven, close session for personnel and attorney client. Do I have a motion to go into close session? Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to go into close session for personnel and attorney client. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Okay, you may record your vote. So, we have a 6 vote. So, we will now go into close session.