City Council

239 August 28, 2023 The City Council of the City of Rocky Mount met this day in a regular session scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in the George W. Dudley City Council Chamber of the Frederick E. Turnage Municipal Building with Mayor C. Saunders “Sandy” Roberson, Jr. presiding. Councilmembers present: André D. Knight, Reuben C. Blackwell, IV., Richard Joyner, T.J. Walker, Jr., Lige Daughtridge, Tom Harris and Jabaris Walker. Staff present: Keith Rogers Jr., City Manager; Kim Batts, City Clerk; Elton Daniels, Assistant City Manager; Brad Kerr, Public Works Director; Emilie Pinkston, Director of the Department of Development Services; JoSeth Bocook, Deputy Director of the Department of Development Services; Kirk Brown, Director of Communications and Marketing; Joel Dunn, Parks and Recreation Director; Archie Jones, Director of Human Relations; Brenton Bent, Water Resources Director; Mike Baughn, Central Services Director; Latasha Hall, Director of Business and Collections Services; Darvin Moore, Fire Chief; Michael Roupp, Assistant Chief of Operations; Robert Hassell, Police Chief; Abdul Baloch, Chief Internal Auditor; Mark Adcox, Video Production Specialist; Robin Cox, Communications Specialist; Cornelia McGee, Community and Business Development Director; Kena Cofield-Jones, Director of Human Resources; Kream Mosley, Deputy City Clerk; Monica Brantley, Deputy City Clerk and Richard J. Rose, City Attorney. Security Officers: Corporal Clay Wilder, Sergeant Chris Williams, and Senior Police Officer Shawn Battle. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and requested all in attendance to stand for a moment of silent prayer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Councilmember Joyner, seconded by Councilmember Harris, and unanimously carried that the minutes of the Regular Scheduled City Council meeting held April 24, 2023 be approved as submitted to the City Council prior to the meeting. APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA Request to add consideration of allocating additional funding in the current fiscal year in the amount of $200,000 for United Community Ministries (UCM). Motion was made by Councilmember Joyner, seconded by Councilmember Knight, and unanimously carried that the agenda be amended, as requested. Mayor Roberson stated he would like to advise everyone that the Edgecombe County Superintendent Valerie Bridges is retiring and she will be honored tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Atrium at Wilson Street in Tarboro, NC if anyone would like to attend. He 240 stated that she has done an excellent job in her role and they are sorry to see her go. COMMUNITY UPDATE BY CITY MANAGER City Manager Keith Rogers Jr. provided the following community update. The City Manager reported that: • Stated the 26th Annual Down East Viking Football Classic is set for 1 PM on Saturday, September 9th at Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium and this year the Elizabeth City State University Vikings will take on the Saint Augustine University Falcons and gave contact number for more information on game tickets or tailgating passes • Reported that the Rocky Mount Fire Department has recently completed all of their standards to be formally recognized by the North Carolina Association of Rescue and EMS Incorporated as a: − Heavy Rescue Provider − High Angle Rescue Provider − Confined Space Rescue Provider − Swift Water Rescue Provider • Stated this speaks to the excellence and dedication of all the men and women in our City of Rocky Mount Fire Department • Stated he also wants to congratulate the Energy Resources Department for receiving the Public Power Award of Excellence at the ElectriCities 2023 Annual Conference that was recently held at Myrtle Beach • Stated these awards were in the areas of: ▪ Strengthening Public Power ▪ Providing Superior Power ▪ Customer-centered Innovation ▪ People • Stated that weather permitting, this week our final Downtown Live concert will take place at 6 PM on Thursday on the lawn at the Imperial Centre and the Band of Oz will provide entertainment • Stated as a reminder all City offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, September 4th in observation of Labor Day Councilmember Joyner thanked the Berkshire Community for their community wealth building project. He stated they had just completed their second home and they have welcomed new residents into the community and are ready to move on to their third home. He stated he thinks that is something to celebrate. PETITIONS FROM THE PUBLIC The Mayor opened the meeting for petitions from the public and outlined guidelines for public petitions. He called on the following individuals for public comment and a brief summary of comments is outlined below: Richard Petway • Stated he was a City employee for over 20 years so he knows what the City workers are going through • Stated he expects for the City Council to do their part and realize that the City workers do need a raise • Stated no City employee should be harassed or reprimanded for speaking their voice and standing up for their rights • Stated citizens are angry about what is going on with Edgecombe and Nash Counties because there is no equity  241 Patsy Gilliland • Stated she is against having a casino come to Nash County as it does not have the heart of the people in mind and there is no real gain • Stated placing a casino across from Nash Community College is sending the wrong message to students and preys on people, giving them more of a temptation to gamble • Stated everyone has the freedom to gamble but they can do so elsewhere Cindy Worthy • Stated that she is the Chairperson of United Community Ministries Board of Directors • Stated UCM has been serving homeless residents in Nash and Edgecombe counties for the past 41 years • Stated the homeless shelter is located on McDonald Street and provides emergency shelter for both men and women with 18 beds for females and 45 for males • Stated they are averaging 37 to 40 residents daily but are beginning to see an increase as the summer comes to an end • Stated 222 individuals were served last year with 118 being from Nash county and 93 being from Edgecombe county while 10 came from Tarboro • Stated the Bassett Center on Branch Street provides emergency shelter for families and children, they can house 12 families and currently have 9 with a waiting list of 20 (it takes an average of 16-20 weeks to get the families placed into permanent housing) Adrienne Copland • Stated she wants to talk about the lack of voices from the City Council about the casino because it is going to impact our community if it comes here • Stated there is an environment out there of a lot of fears and feelings about the casino and she would like for facts to be provided • Stated the citizens need to be made aware as far as what will happen with economic development and job creation and what the City Council thinks the best thing for the community is • Stated she is in favor of this casino as there are a lot of benefits that will negate any negative things Sydney Meeks • Stated she serves as political action chair of the NAACP Rocky Mount Branch • Stated they held a candidates forum last Thursday and want to publicly thank all the candidates who participated as well as the elected officials and community members who came out to support • Stated every candidate at the forum stated that they support a raise for the sanitation workers • Stated that during a Council meeting on 4/24/23 the City Manager stated “We don’t have an organization that retaliates against people that are exercising their rights” • Stated there should be no reason any worker of this City should be retaliated against for exercising their rights • Stated the Rocky Mount NAACP stands with the sanitation workers and any avenues needed to assist will be provided Moe Deloach • Stated he would like to know if any results have been received about the study that was supposed to be done on the lighting downtown • Thanked the Rocky Mount Police Department for the great job they have been doing patrolling downtown and interacting with the citizens • Thanked the City Council for their support in downtown • Thanked OIC and Joel with Parks and Recreation for their support in the bookbag giveaway held at the South Rocky Mount Community Center • Stated the Event Center being downtown has brought a lot of traffic to small businesses and he believes the casino will help out a lot as well, so he is in support of it 242 Theresa Alston Stokes • Stated she is here again to stand in support of the Environmental Services workers as they need a decent raise • Thanked Arnie Jones for coming out regularly to speak on behalf of the group along with Mr. Petway who spoke today as well • Thanked Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Knight, and Councilmember Joyner who voted to give these workers a raise • Stated this opportunity should not be taken lightly to give these men and women the raises they deserve since they keep our City clean and they are just as important as our frontline workers • Thanked the City for the End of Summer Program; it was a great event and she has enjoyed it for the last 3 years • Stated she is looking forward to the Down East Viking Classic coming up and encouraged everyone to attend; it is one of the many cultures that we celebrate in our City and inclusiveness is very important • Informed everyone in attendance that she is a candidate for Mayor for the City of Rocky Mount Nathlyn Ohree • Thanked the Councilmembers who are embracing the children and the parents of Edgecombe County in the transition of the schools • Stated she is very disappointed about this situation with the Sanitation Workers and she asks for the Council to do what they can • Stated she would like to know why there is this disparity and why they can’t get equality Curmilus Dancy • Stated he does not understand why monies were found to give the police department a raise when it does not generate income to sustain the salary and he would like to know what city was used for comparison • Stated the City of Rocky Mount should be the trendsetter for the sanitation department just as they now are fore the police department • Stated he stands with the sanitation workers and retaliation should not be happening Sharon A. Evans • Thanked the City Council for making sure they got speed cushions installed in the Hillsdale Community • Thanked Human Relations, Rocky Mount Police Department as well as Parks and Recreation for working with the Hillsdale Community • Stated she is here to stand for the sanitation workers • Stated there should be some type of report that should be given to the community as far as what is going on with their increase in salary and this Council • Stated she would like to ask again for the ads that are up at the bus stop to be put up in her community on Barnes Street Arnie Jones • Stated he is here to represent Environmental Services • Stated they would like to know why they are not getting or even being considered for a raise • Stated he has been here speaking out for several years; there are workers scared to come and voice their opinion but he is not • Stated he is going to keep speaking until something is done about it • Stated the people of Rocky Mount, including some Councilmembers stand behind the sanitation workers  243 Councilmember Blackwell thanked everyone for the overwhelming response that he and his family received with the passing of his mom. He stated he brought her to Rocky Mount right after COVID and she found nothing but love, acceptance, and support. He apologized for any emails or calls he may have missed during the last few weeks. He also thanked his fellow Councilmembers for their support. Councilmember Knight stated he listened to the citizens speak in support of the sanitation workers during the public petitions today. He stated the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington was this past weekend. He said the movement really started here in Rocky Mount at the Booker T. Washington gymnasium when Martin Luther King, Jr. first did the “I have a Dream” speech. He stated Dr. King fought for democracy, social justice and civil rights. He stated Dr. King was assassinated when he went to march with sanitation workers. He stated we have had several incidents here, even a march and a strike when Mr. Alexander Evans was charged for taking something that he did not. He explained that it was this Council who made a bold move to get reparations to those sanitation workers who were still living that did not get paid for time that they were on strike. He stated he is asking this Council to unite in supporting the sanitation workers. CONSENT AGENDA Motion was made by Councilmember Joyner, seconded by Councilmember T.J. Walker, and unanimously carried that the Consent Agenda [Items 8(A) through 8(M), be approved as follows and more specifically: A. TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING (recommended for approval): Request from Pastor Sylvester Sanders to close the 300 block of Madison Street for and Educational Community Event on September 8th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. was approved. B. AD VALOREM TAX RELEASES: That the following tax releases were acknowledged and approved for release and/or refund: SCHEDULE A – acknowledge receipt of report of the following taxes under $100 approved for release and/or refund by the City Manager: YEAR BILL NAME/ADDRESS TAX COMMENT NO. EDGECOMBE COUNTY 2022 338 JACOBS, ANDREW S. 81.98 CITY OWNER CORRECTION 1212 CENTIPEDE DR 8.20 PEN ROCKY MOUNT NC 27801 6.54 INT TOTAL RELEASE: 96.72 SCHEDULE B – acknowledge receipt of report of the following taxes over $100 approved for release and/or refund by the City Council: YEAR BILL NAME/ADDRESS TAX COMMENT R NO. EDGECOMBE COUNTY 2023 22839 STANBACK, ANNIE LASCOE 227.65 CITY ELDERLY/DISABLED LT 1 BLK A FOREST RIDGE EXEMPTION ROCKY MOUNT NC 27801 TOTAL RELEASE: 227.65 2023 604 WEST CAROLINA FREIGHTLINER, 282.76 CITY OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS 3682 CURLEYS FISH CAMP RD LLC 28.28 PEN CONNELLY SPRINGS, NC 28612 AVE TOTAL RELEASE: 311.04 2023 5633 WILLIAMS, MARY ESTER 185.08 CITY ELDERLY/DISABLED 541 LINCOLN DR EXEMPTION ROCKY MOUNT NC 27801 TOTAL RELEASE: 185.08 244 C. AWARD OF DUTY BADGE/SIDEARM That the award of Duty Badge and Sidearm to Police Captain John Feagans for 30 Years of Credible Service was approved. D. 2023 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) The City Council was advised that staff requests to apply for a $46,239 grant through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The City of Rocky Mount’s Police Department is eligible for $46,239 in funds to be shared with the Nash County Sherriff’s office (NCSO) in a 70/30 split (Nash County share - $13,871.70/City share - $32,367.30). No local match is required to receive Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant and if awarded the funds can be used to purchase necessary equipment or supplies to combat crime and improve the lives of the citizens they serve. The recommended action to authorize submission of the grant application and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute subsequent grant agreement, certifications and assurances on behalf of the City was approved. E. ONE NC FUND GRANT FROM THE NC DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE City Council received notification that the One NC Fund Grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Department of Commerce had been received. It was noted that the grant purpose is for expansion of operations at Woodgrain, Inc. (formerly Project Blues) which represents $7,500,000 of private investment, and the terms of the grant require the creation of 38 new jobs. The recommended action that the City Manager and City Clerk be authorized to execute any required documentation and/or certifications and subsequent grant agreement on behalf of the City was approved; and that Ordinance No. O-2023-104 entitled GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCE ONE NC GRANT FOR WOODGRAINS was adopted. F. LEASE AGREEMENT/101 COASTLINE STREET The City Council was provided with the following lease agreement with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK): • 101 Coastline Street – 10-year lease; monthly rent = $6,300 (consists of a pro-rata share of the stations operational cost on an annualized basis for the first year) Rent will escalate annually at a rate equal to CPI (Consumer Price Index) for subsequent years Resolution No. R-2023-49 entitled RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO LEASE OR RENT PROPERTY was adopted. This Resolution authorizes the City Clerk to advertise the Notice of Intent to approve said lease agreement. G. LEASE AGREEMENT/154 EAST THOMAS STREET Consideration was given to a lease agreement with Kristie Hilliard for City-Owned Property; 154 East Thomas Street. The main terms of the lease were outlined as follows: • 3-year lease; rent = $6,600 per year  245 • term June 14, 2023 – June 13, 2026 The Council was advised that the Notice of Intent to Lease Property had been advertised as required by the General Statutes. Resolution No. R-2023-50 entitled RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY was adopted. This resolution authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the License Agreement with Kristie Hilliard (C-2023-8) on behalf of the City. H. ANNEXATION – 3032 S. HALIFAX ROAD(NON-CONTIGUOUS) AND ANNEXATION AND UTILITY SERVICE AGREEMENT The City Council received an Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement (including Irrevocable Petition for Annexation of Property) for water service outside the City limits for property at 3032 S. Halifax Road. Council was advised that the property owner has paid the standard annexation petition fees and has agreed to be bound by all provisions of the Irrevocable Annexation Petitions; however, the property is not a good candidate for annexation at this time. The recommend action to 1) receive the Irrevocable Annexation Petition, postpone the Annexation, 2) approve the Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement for 3032 S. Halifax Road (subject to payment of required privilege and connection fees) and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement (C-2023-9) with Jennifer Paiger Delano-Gemzik and Darren Henry Gemzik on behalf of the City was approved. I. ANNEXATION – 1110 OAK GROVE DRIVE (NON-CONTIGUOUS) AND ANNEXATION AND UTILITY SERVICE AGREEMENT The City Council received an Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement (including Irrevocable Petition for Annexation of Property) for water service outside the City limits for property at 1110 Oak Grove Drive. Council was advised that the property owner has paid the standard annexation petition fees and has agreed to be bound by all provisions of the Irrevocable Annexation Petitions; however, the property is not a good candidate for annexation at this time. The recommend action to 1) receive the Irrevocable Annexation Petition, postpone the Annexation, 2) approve the Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement for 1110 Oak Grove Drive (subject to payment of required privilege and connection fees) and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement (C-2023-10) with Zarko Dorovic and Angie H. Dorovic on behalf of the City was approved. J. ANNEXATION – 2846 COKEY ROAD (NON-CONTIGUOUS) AND ANNEXATION AND UTILITY SERVICE AGREEMENT The City Council received an Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement (including Irrevocable Petition for Annexation of 246 Property) for water service outside the City limits for property at 2846 Cokey Road. Council was advised that the property owner has paid the standard annexation petition fees and has agreed to be bound by all provisions of the Irrevocable Annexation Petitions; however, the property is not a good candidate for annexation at this time. The recommend action to 1) receive the Irrevocable Annexation Petition, postpone the Annexation, 2) approve the Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement for 2846 Cokey Road (subject to payment of required privilege and connection fees) and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement (C-2023-11) with Madai Zavala Orozco and Eleazar Cadena Manzanarez on behalf of the City was approved. K. ANNEXATION – 3600 EASTERN AVENUE (NON-CONTIGUOUS) AND ANNEXATION AND UTILITY SERVICE AGREEMENT The City Council received an Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement (including Irrevocable Petition for Annexation of Property) for water service outside the City limits for property at 3600 Eastern Avenue. Council was advised that the property owner has paid the standard annexation petition fees and has agreed to be bound by all provisions of the Irrevocable Annexation Petitions; however, the property is not a good candidate for annexation at this time. The recommend action to 1) receive the Irrevocable Annexation Petition, postpone the Annexation, 2) approve the Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement for 3600 Eastern Avenue (subject to payment of required privilege and connection fees) and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement (C-2023-12) with Nash County on behalf of the City was approved. L. ANNEXATION – 4286 S. HALIFAX ROAD (NON-CONTIGUOUS) AND ANNEXATION AND UTILITY SERVICE AGREEMENT The City Council received an Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement (including Irrevocable Petition for Annexation of Property) for water service outside the City limits for property at 4286 S. Halifax Road. Council was advised that the property owner has paid the standard annexation petition fees and has agreed to be bound by all provisions of the Irrevocable Annexation Petitions; however, the property is not a good candidate for annexation at this time. The recommend action to 1) receive the Irrevocable Annexation Petition, postpone the Annexation, 2) approve the Annexation and Utility (Water) Service Agreement for 4286 S. Halifax Road (subject to payment of required privilege and connection fees) and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement (C-2023-13) with Lois C. Barnes on behalf of the City was approved.  247 M. BID/FIRST FLOOR RENOVATION FOR CITY HALL The City Council received the tabulation of bids received on a bid for the First Floor Renovation for City Hall project. Bids were received and opened May 16, 2023 after all necessary legal requirements had been implemented and the bid tabulation is on file in the office of the City Clerk as BD-2023-17. The solicitation was posted on the City’s purchasing webpage, the HUB website, and the North Carolina Interactive Purchasing System website. Bid was approved and awarded to Calvin Davenport, Inc. @ a total cost of $1,106,100 which consisted of the base price of $956,700 and an alternate price for additional renovations of $149,400 and the Mayor and City Clerk were authorized to execute the bid contract on behalf of the City. ANNEXATION NO. 332/HARPER & WILLIAMS (SUNSET AVENUE) PROPERTIES The City Council received a petition from Clifton Price Harper, Jr., Jo Anne Harper and Jessica Creech Williams for annexation of contiguous parcels located on Sunset Avenue. Motion was made by Councilmember Daughtridge, seconded by Councilmember Joyner and unanimously carried that receipt of the petition be acknowledged and that Resolution No. R-2023-51 entitled RESOLUTION ORDERING THE CITY CLERK TO INVESTIGATE THE SUFFICIENCY OF A PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF A CONTIGUOUS AREA INTO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ROCKY MOUNT - ANNEXATION NO. 332 - HARPER & WILLIAMS (SUNSET AVENUE) PROPERTIES - PIN 382012960747 be adopted. ANNEXATION NO. 333/CULPEPPER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP [BETHLEHEM ROAD] PROPERTY The City Council received a petition from Bill Culpepper and Donna Tillery for annexation of a contiguous parcel located on Bethlehem Road. Motion was made by Councilmember Daughtridge, seconded by Councilmember Joyner and unanimously carried that receipt of the petition be acknowledged and that Resolution No. R-2023-52 entitled RESOLUTION ORDERING THE CITY CLERK TO INVESTIGATE THE SUFFICIENCY OF A PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF A CONTIGUOUS AREA INTO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ROCKY MOUNT – ANNEXATION NO. 333 - CULPEPPER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (BETHELEM ROAD) – PIN 373907595080U be adopted. ANNEXATION NO. 334/RED OAK FARMS DEVELOPMENT, LLC (EAST NC 97) The City Council received a petition from Red Oak Farms Development, LLC for annexation of a non-contiguous parcel located on East NC 97. Motion was made by Councilmember Daughtridge, seconded by Councilmember Joyner and unanimously carried that receipt of the petition be acknowledged and that Resolution No. R-2023-53 entitled RESOLUTION ORDERING THE CITY CLERK TO INVESTIGATE THE SUFFICIENCY OF A PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF A NON-CONTIGUOUS AREA INTO THE 248 CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ROCKY MOUNT – ANNEXATION NO. 334 - RED OAK FARMS DEVELOPMENT (E NC 97) – PIN 373800728033 be adopted. ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS/BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES Motion was made by Councilmember Daughtridge, seconded by Councilmember Harris and unanimously carried that the appointments recommended by the Council at the July 10, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting and the appointment for Jim Martin be approved as follows: • Animal Care and Control Advisory Board − Robert Burnish - Ward 3 – term expires 6/2026 − Tosha Aldridge - Ward 4 – term expires 6/2026 − Ellen F. Matthews - Ward 6 – term expires 6/2026 • Board of Adjustment − Mark Osterhout - Ward 6 - term expires 6/2026 • Business Development Authority − Blake Tharin – term expires 6/2026 − Steven Larry Cederberg – term expires 6/2026 • Central City Revitalization Panel − Virginia D. Davis - Central City Business Owner – term expires 6/2026 − Dennis Barnes - Member-at-Large – term expires 6/2026 − David Farris - Ex-Officio – term expires 6/2026 − Jim Martin - Downtown Renaissance – term expires 6/2025 • Community Appeals Board − David Durgin - Ward 6 – term expires 6/2026 (Chairperson) − Mark Frohman - Ward 7 – term expires 6/2026 • Human Relations Commission − Lucy Jones – Mayor – term expires 6/2027 − Thomas R. Green – Mayor – term expires 6/2027 − Theresa A. Stokes - Ward 3 – term expires 6/2027 − Chanita Jones - Ward 4 – term expires 6/2027 − Mohmmad Shehadeh - Ward 6 – term expires 6/2027 − Irene Silver Brown (Human Relations Commission) – term expires 6/2027 • Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission − Leonard Bullock Jr. – term expires 6/2026 − Michael Anthony Parker – term expires 6/2026 − Gloria Whitley-Williams – term expires 6/2026 − Polly W. Jones – term expires 6/2026 − Lucy Jones - Human Relations Appointee – term expires 6/2026 • Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities − Lee E. Gaskins – term expires 6/2025 − Gloria Valentine Davis – term expires 6/2025 • Planning Board − James Robert Davis - Ward 2 – term expires 6/2026 − Matthew P. Sperati - Ward 6 – term expires 6/2026 (Chairperson)  249 • Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport Authority − Dan E. Herring Jr. – term expires 6/2026 • Transportation Advisory Committee − Richard Joyner – term expires 6/2025 − Reuben Blackwell – term expires 6/2025 − Sandy Roberson – term expires 6/2025 • Tree Advisory Board − Terry Anderson - Ward 1 – term expires 6/2027 • Workforce Housing Advisory Commission − Kim Eng Koo MD - Ward 6 – term expires 6/2026 − Michael Mosley - Ward 7 – term expires 6/2026 − Thomas L. Walker - Faith-based Community External Committees with City Appointments: • Step Board − Lige Daughtridge – term expires 6/2025 UNITED COMMUNITY MINISTRIES (UCM) FUNDING (added to agenda in open meeting) City Council was asked to consider allocating additional funding in the current fiscal year in the amount of $200,000 for United Community Ministries (UCM). Councilmember Daughtridge asked if Ms. Worthy should be allowed to speak further since she was unable to complete her statements during public petitions. The Mayor stated he preferred to just have her answer questions if City Council needed any additional information. Councilmember Knight inquired if there are any appointments on the UCM board for the City, and if not could a request be made to UCM to add an appointee from the City to their board. Mayor Roberson responded that request could be made. Motion was made by Councilmember Daughtridge seconded by Councilmember Joyner that the additional $200,000 in funding for the United Community Ministries (UCM) be approved. Councilmember Knight asked if Council could get an update through the City Manager, Mayor Pro Tem, or have it on the Committee of the Whole agenda, several things for downtown such as the lighting study, streetscape, the pedestrian bridge, loading dock depot, hotel, and the parking deck. He stated that he does support the casino, it is not just a casino, but an entertainment district and he supports the $200,000 that was allocated to UCM. He stated that he also supports a cost-of-living increase for those who did not receive any money from the comp study because he has been hearing overwhelmingly from all employees across the City. Councilmember Blackwell stated that he agrees with the comments Councilmember Knight made and knows the time frame for the update on 250 the pay study is in September, but he will not be in attendance at the first meeting because it is his 30th wedding anniversary. He stated he wanted to go on record supporting the increase for the sanitation workers and the cost-of-living increase. He also stated he supports the entertainment district, because there should not be selective morality. He stated he is looking at the potential tax revenue and how much Rocky Mount could benefit from those dollars. Councilmember T.J. Walker stated September 11th will be the next Committee of the Whole meeting and they will make sure Councilmember Blackwell is updated. He informed everyone that Carolina Gateway Partnership has announced Bob Pike as new President and CEO of the Carolina Gateway Partnership. CLOSED SESSION A Closed Session was requested relative to matters concerning attorney client privilege. The City Attorney, Jep Rose, stated for the record the item was litigation - City of Rocky Mount, Plaintiff vs Rocky Mount Bulls, LLC, Defendants; Dogwood State Bank Lien Holder and County of Edgecombe Lien Holder. He explained the other item that was scheduled for closed session was not ready to be discussed. Motion was made by Councilmember Joyner, seconded by Councilmember Harris and unanimously carried that the City Council enter into Closed Session at 4:50 p.m. The minutes of the Closed Session shall be filed as ESM-634 at the end of Minute Book 38 upon approval for release by the City Attorney. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, by consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 5:14 p.m. ______________________________ Kim Batts City Clerk