Town Council - Regular Meeting

Second

motion made by Councilman Jernigan, second by Councilman McGawen, your name just tripped me up. All in favor? All opposed? Okay, I'm gonna get you. At this time, we will open our first open form. For anybody wishing to address council, please limit yourself to three minutes and come forward to the podium. I close the open forum at 3:32 with no one wishing to come forward. In our regular business at this time, we have presentation by Chief Williams. Good evening. You hear me?

Yeah. Good evening.

Um, real quick, I'd like to thank my officers here for for coming here today. Uh, it's not often get an opportunity to meet, you know, all the council members. Um, we have a lot of new officers as you, um, I won't have him stand up or anything, but we have one young man that's here and, uh, Chris Hollowell, stand up for me. He's our newest cadet. Uh, he graduates on Wednesday. Takes his test and he should graduate on Wednesday. And he's also our first, uh, Bill T paid trainee. Um, hadn't done it before. So after that, he gets sworn in and he'll become a full uh WMP police officer and full pay status and everything.

Um also want to take this moment to say just how much I appreciate uh my management staff. I think I probably got the most experienced and uh efficient staff that I've had since I've been here. Uh we got uh four sergeants, one lieutenant, and one corporal. And those guys, they keep a lot off my plate, which is, you know, the way it should be. And I really rely on them a whole lot. So, thank you uh for everything that you guys do. And also for the greater guys back there. Um we have with the help of HR, we're getting ready to hire our 17th and 18th officer. Um, that's a far cry from the five that I had when I came here seven and a half years ago. So, the 17 and 18 officers in addition to the 10 part-time we got, we have about 28 uh full and part-time officers. So, the staff has continued to grow and of course the supervising staff will continue to grow as well. I just want to say these guys, they they work hard. They do everything we asked. Uh they're good character people and um I'm very proud to have them on my team. This brings me to why we're here today. Um, once a year we do our what we call our top cop award, which is basically officer of the year. It's this individual um is a very tough officer. Uh, unafraid to get into the fray, smart as a whip, and takes the initiative to not only do their assigned job, but also other tasks as well. Uh, they love training. They seek out training. This individual has shown by example um how to overcome difficult difficult personal situations all the while continuing to persevere and and do their own job. The 2025 WMP officer of the year, our top cop recipient is our own Janessa Cooper Jackson.

We're accompanied by uh some of Janessa's family that she didn't know was coming. Son Wyatt and and husband Jonathan and rescued family members. Um Officer Cooper is currently our domestic violence officer. Um she routinely investigates all our domestic violence cases. Also, um she handles all of our DSS, Department of Social Services u abuse allegations along with her supervisor, Detective Sergeant Debbie Hillard. Um she investigates any other kind of um crimes that need investigating that happens here in Wilson's Mills. All she does is our our grant writer, our grant person, trying to get money uh for the department and the town if if need be. So, she wears a lot of hats, but um congratulations.

Thank you very much. I'd like to say thank you to to the staff of the police department. I made a comment one time to the chief that I would love to meet all of you. Just know who you were. He said, "Don't worry, they know who you are." I guess that's all that matters. But thank you so much for being here and thank you so much for the job that you do to protect us. And I know it takes a lot and I just am so thankful for it. every one of you. Okay. The next item is the Wilson Hills bike and pedestrian plan. Wendy, last month at your meeting, you were given the Wilson's Mills bike and pedestrian acceleration plan to take home and look over. And tonight, we're asking you, if you will, to please adopt that policy. Um, just a reminder that it was reviewed and approved by the NC DOT engineers in June of 2024. The planning board did review it in August of 2024 and they formally recommended approval of the plan. Um, and then last month the you as the council approved the town of Wilson Mill strategic plan and this bike and pedestrian plan is also referenced in that strategic plan to be able to get things moving forward. Um, so the planning department respectfully requests that the town council adopt the Wilson Mills bicycle and pedestrian acceleration plan as

presented and make it effective immediately. Any questions?

Motion made by Councilman Jernigan and second by Councilman Dobin. Any questions for Wendy? Because y'all y'all were given the plan last month. Had a chance to review it and go through it. Okay. All in favor? I.

Any opposed? Okay. Thank you, Wendy. It's time now for us to take the oath of office for the new members of our town council. And I think I go first.

for the last time. Yes, ma'am. For the last time. Oh, man. 20 good years. You get a It said presented to Randy Jernigan. in appreciation for your dedicated service to the town of Wilson Mill7.

Yes, ma'am. A lot of Roman numerals. Yeah, man. I got to read a proclamation.

We'll read it. Okay. The town of Wilson Mills proclaimed proclamation honoring Randy Jern. I can't believe whereas Randy Jernigan has faithfully served the town of Wilson Mills as a member of the town council from 2007 to 2011 2013 to 2025 and whereas therefore his throughout his tenure Randy Jernigan demonstrated a deep commitment to public service thoughtful leadership and a steadfast dedication to the residents of Wilson. and we're at he has served the Wilson Mills community in many ways including working on the parks and recreation board as well as the Wilson Mills fire department and whereas Randy German consistently worked to promote responsible government community engagement and the long-term well-being of the town offering insight integrity and respect in all matters before the council. And whereas his service has contributed meaningfully to the growth, stability, and progress of the town, leaving a lasting impact on the community and its future. And whereas the town council and the staff are grateful for his willingness to serve, time, his sacrifice, and the care he showed for both residents and colleagues. And now therefore be it proclaimed by the town council of the town of Wilson Mills that we hereby recognize and honor Randy Jernigan for his years of dedicated service and leadership and extend our sincere appreciation and best wishes as he enters retirement from public office by remaining part of Wilson Mills road extension journey

like to say

that's why they see she submitted name after name after name after name and this is the only one the town would accept Randy. They accepted Randy but they put J beautiful to say after that one. I had a twohour speech ready. think I want to do this. Been my home for 20 years, longer than 20 years. to raise my kids community. Learn from Donald Jimbo, Mr. Clifford. Stand for what you believe in. Do what's right for your people. I made a promise 20 years ago campaign promise. I can't promise you anything but to do my best. And I've done my best. I'm proud of where we're at. I'm proud of where we're going. Just remember, do it for your people. Do it with honesty and integrity. Stand up for your people and what you believe in. All I do appreciate every one of you.

Oh, freak out. We tried everything else.

We're gonna take a 10 minute break. Yes. Didn't you see? You need her to sign the oath since she read it. That's a good point. Yeah. She was going to tell himself.

Yeah, that's a good point. Okay. So, we ain't going to sign yours. I've already signed it. So, we'll regroup because I've already signed it. So, I'll just reprint it. No, I didn't even think about I just

Thank you. kind of comes to play. I do a lot of work.

I'm not I'm research. Yeah, it does make Absolutely.

Yeah, I understand. It takes a certain type of person to be in for they have to love Boy, everybody sure left when it got time for the meeting. Darth, watch this. Darth,

she's not listening to me. About time. We're We need to come in out of recess. Okay. Call the meeting back to order at 7 o'clock. At this time, we need to officially appoint a mayor proim. Um, is there anyone that would like to hold that office? I know that Mr. Triet is our mayor proim and I would like to see him continue that position. If council is in favor of that,

I make a motion that we renominate Mr. JC Trip as mayor pro. Second that. Okay. Do we have to vote on it? I mean, do we do? Okay. Motion made by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman McGowan that JC be our mayor proim. All in favor? I.

All opposed? That's what? Thank you. I had done asked him if he would do it, so I knew I was in good territory. Yes, he does. I I I I lean on him. He y'all just don't know. Okay, then you have to go let her administer your office. Your oath. Your oath for this office. Yes. Yes.

Yay.

Thank you so much, Jesse. Okay. The next item on our agenda is um from Lyanna. Okay. Um you have an a delegate and an alternate on the board for the Central Pines Regional Council. And right now, I believe that delegate is the mayor. The alternate is Council Member McGawan. Every election year, you have to reappoint a delegate and an alternate for us to send into them. and one or both of them can give you a little more information on what that entails, but they meet month monthly. Yeah. And you can and you can do it uh you can do it virtually. Virtually. Yeah. If you're looking for nominations.

Yeah. Because we need somebody. I'd nominate Doris as the delegate and I'll I'll stay as the alternate. That's fine. Unless you want it back, mayor. It It's up to y'all. I mean Well, I think you have enough on your plate. Yeah. I mean, I'll be glad if Darc would take it because you can do it alternately. Yeah. I mean, virtually, you know. Okay. Okay. So, motion was made to accept Doris as the delegate and David as the alternate. Motion made by David McGawan, seconded by Councilman Pro, Mayor Pro Tim Triet. All in favor? I.

All oppose. Okay. Um, there is a schedule and Emily will be emailing both of you all that schedule of events coming up, not only for the board meetings, but there's an orientation coming up in January, I believe. So, she'll be sending that out to you this week. Okay. Is that all you have when Okay. The next item is a resolution to adopt the Capefuel regional hazardous milit. The plan Wendy mitigation mitigation my tongue is tied. Okay. Um Wilson's Meals along with other municipalities in Johnston County as well as Johnston County were a part of the planning team for the Capefar hazard mitigation plan 2025 which we first met July 10th of 2025. There have been several planning team meetings, risk assessments completed by each participant, public meetings held. Um, finally, the final draft presented to the planning team and the plan was submitted to North Carolina Emergency Management on November 6th of 2025. And North Carolina Emergency Management has requested that each jurisdiction included in the plan to adopt the plan. By adopting the plan, this keeps the town of Wilson's Meals within their guidelines for participation in the National Federal Insurance Program. Um, the National Federal Insurance Program helps our citizens with covering their homes with flood insurance at

reasonable rates. The plan also keeps us eligible for potential funding to help with flooding issues in town on town streets. Um, Johnston County takes the lead in this as far as the plans and the actions, but if something were to happen within our corporate limits, we would need this to be able to go to FEMA and say, "Help us." So, what I'm asking is to approve the resolution in support of the adoption of the Capefar Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025. So moved.

Councilman McGawan made the motion. Councilman Dobin seconded. Are there any questions for women? I just I'm just curious why it's Cape Fear. I mean, normally I think about Cape I I I think and and and pardon my ignorance, but I think about Capefir River Basin, N River Basin. What where is the the Capefar come from? the way FEMA has everything divided up and then FEMA DEEQ it just keeps trickling down. Johnston County as a whole is included in Kate Beer's mitigation plan. Okay.

Okay. Any more questions? All in favor? All opposed? Okay. The next item is the streets at Mill Creek. On November 14th, the town of Wilson Mills was petitioned by Bryant Spencer of HDP Mil Creek to accept the streets of Mil Creek of Wilson's Mills phase one and two into the town street network. They submitted petitions and all supportive documents and certifications for the town acceptance of Shelmore Lane, Maple Tree Lane, and Forest Bin Way. All streets total approximately 3,45 square ft, 5.41 linear feet. As planning director, I have reviewed the petition and verified all enclosed evaluations and inspections have been completed accordingly. The streets have been certified by Ethan Menrabo PE with Bowler Engineering, North Carolina PLLC as being built to North Carolina Department of Transportation specifications, which are the same specifications that the town of Wilson's Mills requires. you have everything included in your packet. Um, and my action requested is to approve the adoption of the streets or to deny the adoption of the streets. If we take them in, the streets will be added to the power bill

fund fund. Mayor, I I I make a motion that we approve to adopt the resolution to take in the private streets in town of Wilson's Mills, which consists of um 3,45.141 linear feet of streets known as Shell Shellmore Lane, Maple Tree Lane, and Forest Bin Way into the Town Street Pow system. Motion made by Councilman Brown, seconded by Mayor Pro Tim Triet. Any questions for Wendy? All in favor? I.

All opposed? Okay. The next item on the agenda is from Jenny and it's a volunteer program policy. So, one of my projects for the town is to work on our policies. And so I thought that these were a good place to start. So the first one presented to you all is the volunteer program policy. Um and I'm requesting the action requested is to approve, deny or table the volunteer program policy. Do we have an existing one now? We do not. This is the brand new policy.

That's what I thought. I wanted to be sure that we were not replacing one. Okay. I read through it and I I I like it. I do too. and and I I think we we need it. So, I make a motion that we approve the volunteer program policy.

Okay. Motion made by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Riley. I'm gonna have to get used to that. Um that we accept this. Are there any questions for her? Y'all had a chance to read it. And do you have any questions? Okay. All in favor? All opposed? Okay. The next is an amendment to the personnel pro policy. All right. So these there was a lot that we are amending. Can I ask reason what what what was the main reason?

Yes. So for the policy that I'm amending it was our substance abuse policy. Um and I added it to be a drug-free workplace and substance abuse policy. Um, so the changes are really to update it to have more detail. Um, and to kind of add in because not only do you test when you are initial hire, but kind of goes into if there's any if somebody comes in who's under the influence, how do we handle that? Um, so it kind of goes into detail on certain situations and how we would handle it dealing with substance abuse.

And more it's more detailed, I'm assuming, than what we have now. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Can I ask you a question, Jenny? It it it really doesn't apply to this, but it sort of does. Out of out of curiosity, I know our town doesn't have a problem, but I know other towns have bundles of problems. If they had a problem like this for the council member, what what is I'm just asking off the side, you're the expert in it. What What would happen if you found a council member and you go, "Whoa, this is not right." They're an elected official, so what what happens? council is a little bit different. Um, if that were to happen, I would call Gabe immediately. So, Gabe,

what what is the process? I I I we don't we're not worried about that. But, I mean, nothing. They're not your employee, right? You're employees, right? You're elected official. You you might have a code of ethics, okay, for the governing board and you could possibly censure member of the governing board, but but you're not an employee of the town. Yeah, I knew we didn't we didn't fall into that, but I thank you. That's what I was looking for. Okay. Thank you,

Jenny. Just this is a this is a lot to read looking at what's crossed out, what's not crossed out. What's a highlight for you in this? Yeah. So, like I said, it's mostly just more detail. Um, so it goes through when you're first hired, that whole process. It goes through if there's reasonable suspicion. Um, it also goes through random drug testing. Um, the background check is a whole new policy. So, we didn't have that before. Um, so that's a brand new policy for you all. Um, but that again just goes through our process with the background checks. Um, and like if you get a promotion, you'll have to go through a background check again. Um, so it's just more detail with our pro test and when we wouldn't.

All right, two two quick questions. What lab do we use? Yeah, so we use FastMed. Okay, FastMed. Um, the second question um Oh, do background checks now involve financial too? So it depends on the position. Okay. Um, so it can involve that depending on the position. Like obviously with a finance officer position, we would run that because they would be in charge of our finances. So it just depends on the position. Okay. All right. Thank you.

So I'll make a unless you have something. Go ahead, Tim. was saying and I did read through this pretty well too and and thank you for for your attention to this because this this is important stuff and and and with us bringing you on as on the team um I was very impressed. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, for your for your first let's call it your first real big step into making your mark on Wilson's Mills. You made a good one. Thank you. So, if nobody else, I I I go ahead and say I make a motion to approve the resolution to amend municipal personnel policy article 5 section 18 and article 4 section 1.

Motion made by Councilman McGowan, seconded by Councilman Brown to approve the resolution to amend the municipal personnel policy. Any more questions for Jenny? All in favor? All opposed? Okay, thank you. Okay, I would like to say that I have served four years as mayor on this council and I have enjoyed working with every one of you. Um, it has been my pleasure to serve the town of Wilson Mills. I'm going to miss Randy and his leadership, but I think we have a good one to take his place. We've got a lot ahead of us as a council. We have got a lot that we have to do to um get things in order and to keep them that way. and I appreciate your help and your work as we go together so that we can work as a team for the citizens of Wilson Mills because that's who it's for. It's not for us. It's not for our pleasure. It's for those people that put us in office and I just hope that we can continue to work together and do what we need to do. Councilman Brown.

Yeah, I would just like to say I'm I'm excited to to get a a new season um started. Um you know, I also we I we are going to to definitely miss Ry's leadership and knowledge. Um but he's a phone call away. Yes. You know, he he he's he's not going anywhere.

That's right. Um I'd like to the the welcome our newest was Doris U Council Council Lady Riley. Um but yeah, we got a lot lot ahead of us, but uh but nothing that that that we can't tackle. And uh and we don't always agree up here uh you know, behind behind these tables. But but you know, we got the biggest thing for each other, I think, that that that the world needs more of, and I think that's love. And love overcomes evil and hatred. And uh and I love every one of them. I just want to thank the council members for reappointing me as mayor pro Tim. I try my best to do what I what needs to be done for the town. As I think everybody up here tries to do and like you said, we don't always agree on everything, but we do it with the right frame of mind. Uh, and we all get along and that's what's so important. And I want to congratulate Dar. She's going to be one great council member.

David.

Yeah. I just want to say thank you to uh to all the the the folks that that put me back up here uh uh behind this table and and working with a council like this. I've it's been eight years now and and it's really flown by and I'm so happy really uh when I get right down to it to look forward to the next four years. It's like Wilson's Mills is opening a door because we are stepping out into not the unknown, but the known, but it needs it needs work and and we are the council that I think is going to get it done. And I I I secondly want to thank uh for Randy, everything that he's done. Um he's I've learned a lot from Randy uh over the over the last eight years, and I've learned from Randy to pick my battles. I just like to battle everything. But but he's taught me to pick my battles and and and win the ones that I go after. And he's he's taught me a lot and uh I I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I'm going to miss you, Randy. But I'll go down to Rand Jernigan way. I think I think that's awesome. And and lastly, I want to congratulate Doris Riley. Um Doris really had no misgivings about it. she saw an opportunity, got it squared away that she could do this and and I'm looking forward to the next four years with Doris. She's going to be a wonderful addition to an absolutely outstanding council. And once again, thanks to you all and I want to thank Nina for showing up. Nina is the HOA president for uh the the cottages at Wilson's Mills and uh it's nice to have her here. It's an important new subdivision and I'd like to see more HOA people. So, thank you, Nina, for showing up and thank you everybody for reelecting me. Doris, move your move your mic down.

First of all, I would like to thank Jesus Christ for always being by my side in all my decisions that I make. Um, thank my wonderful husband for being by my side always, my family, my friends. I thank you to everyone for all the words of encouragement, all the council, everybody. and I am looking forward to serving our town and doing them to the best of my ability. Everybody here, I love our little town. I really do and I love it. Thank you. Now, does anybody else have anything

just want to say that that we couldn't do what we do without our staff. Um we and we we thank y'all. Um, y'all y'all do y'all do y'all do the hard work. Um, you know, we we don't just show up we show up with with stuff in front of us either on on computer, online, or old school like Dave in print. But, you know, y'all y'all take care of us and and and we truly truly truly thank you. from from the the the newest hire chief to Lyanna I think's been here the longest. Um you know but but thank you for what you do every single day. You don't see me a lot at town hall and probably won't because I work so much but if I had any concerns you'd see me a lot but I don't. I have full confidence in in in our in our administration, in our employees, and I just I just want to say thank you.

I'm going to just throw one word on top of his, and that was the word confidence. I'm just going to say trust. You know, we have all the confidence, and we trust the staff implicitly. If they tell us something, it's the truth. Okay. So,

I'm just going to throw one more comment out. I also want to say thank you to our staff. Um, y'all are a great group of people and y'all make us look good because if it were not for you, we wouldn't know what we were doing because you give us the information. We have to vote on it, but you give us the information. And as David said, you are truthful about it. We have confidence now when it's in print here that we know what it is. And so, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do every single day. It's important. Now, we've got one more thing on the agenda, and that's the second open forum. If anybody wishes to address council, please come forward, state your name and your address, and limit your comment to three minutes. You can sit down now. Okay. But when we get to the new

chambers, it won't be a problem. Okay. I hope not. I hope we have some type of mics that we can have a little bit better control of. Okay. I'm going to close the second open form. Do I hear a motion? Make a motion we adjourn. Motion made by Councilman. Make a motion that we adjourn. I second. Yeah, it's been seconded now. Okay. Motion made by Councilman Brown, seconded by Mayor Pro Tim Triet that we adjourn. All in favor?

I. All oppose. Thank you. Only my husband. I don't want to go home. Palatan Road.