Town Council

MINUTES Sawmills Town Council Meeting Sawmills Town Hall April 21, 2026 6:00 PM Council Attendance: Keith Warren, Mayor Clay Wilson, Mayor Pro-Tem Melissa Curtis Rebecca Johnson Bobby Mosteller Joe Wesson Staff Attendance: Chase Winebarger, Town Manager Dustin Millsaps, Planner/Assistant Town Manager Kelly Melton, Finance Officer Terry Taylor, Town Attorney Abby Rich, Town Clerk 1. Call to Order Mayor Keith Warren called the April 21, 2026, meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Invocation Lawson Wilkes with Poovey’s Chapel Baptist Church provided the invocation for those in attendance. 3. Pledge of Allegiance Dustin Millsaps led the Pledge of Allegiance for those in attendance. 4. Adopt Agenda A presentation by the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce was requested to be added to the agenda. This item would be 6(a) and Public Comment would be 6(b). Councilman Wilson made the motion to adopt the meeting agenda. With a second from Councilman Wesson, the motion carried unanimously. 5. Approval of Meeting Minutes  a. March 17, 2026, Meeting Minutes Councilman Wilson made the motion to approve the meeting minutes. With a second from Councilwoman Johnson, the motion carried unanimously. b. March 17, 2026, Closed Session Meeting Minutes Councilwoman Curtis made the motion to approve the meeting minutes. With a second from Councilman Wilson, the motion carried unanimously. c. April 1, 2026, Special Meeting Minutes Councilman Wesson made the motion to approve the meeting minutes. With a second form councilwoman Johnson, the motion carried unanimously. 6 (a) Chamber Presentation Bryan Moore with the Chamber of Commerce came to the podium alongside Carl Beardswith to present each Council member with a certificate. The certificate acknowledged each Council member and was a symbol of the initiative the Chamber has in building a bridge between the Chamber and municipalities. The goal of this “bridge” is growing a presence regionally and locally. Mr. Moore concluded by presenting a proclamation regarding this initiative to the Council. 6. (B) Public Comment There were no individuals signed up for public comment. Mayor Keith Warren took the opportunity to inform the Council that the Lenoir Cruisers had requested to utilize Baird Park for their events moving forward. Mayor Warren also reminded the Council of the upcoming Town Car Show, Spring in the Park, and Memorial Day Celebration. 7. Action Items a. CDBG Public Hearing Paloma Garcia-Serrano with the WPCOG came to the podium to conduct a public hearing in reference to the CDBG Grant. Ms. Garcia-Serrano informed the audience these funds can be used for a variety of activities that promote community development. Councilwoman Johnson made the motion to open the public hearing for CDBG input. With a second from Councilman Mosteller, the motion carried unanimously. There were no individuals signed up to provide public input. Councilwoman Curtis made the motion to close the public hearing. With a second from Councilman Wilson, the motion carried unanimously. b. Budget Amendment- Donation Finance Officer Kelly Melton came to the podium to present a donation made to Parks and Recreation in the amount of $5,000. Mrs. Melton requested for the Council to approve this donation. The budget amendment shows a total request from Parks and Recreation in the amount of $5,548 for equipment to be housed at the Woodshed Facility. The remaining $548 not covered by the donation is already approved in the Parks and Rec budget. Councilman Wilson made the motion to approve the donated funds and accompanying budget amendment. With a second from Councilwoman Johnson, the motion carried unanimously. c. Proclamation for Line Worker Appreciation Day  Town Clerk Abby Rich read the proclamation referencing Line Worker Appreciation Day as April 18, 2026. Councilwoman Johnson made the motion to approve the proclamation. With a second from Councilman Mosteller, the motion carried unanimously. d. Letter Supporting Commercial Air Service Manager Chase Winebarger presented a request from the City of Hickory regarding a letter of support for commercial air service to return to Hickory Airport. Councilwoman Johnson made the motion to send a letter supporting commercial flight in Hickory. With a second from Councilman Wesson, the motion carried unanimously. 8. Informational Items a. Quarterly Financial Report Finance Officer, Kelly Melton came to the podium to provide the quarterly financial report to the Council (attached). b. BRIC Grant Updates Finance Officer, Kelly Melton informed the Council the BRIC Grant has been in a holding pattern. The Town a reimbursement 2 weeks ago for April 2025 funds. The Town has submitted a reimbursement request for April 2025 to February 2026 and expects to be reimbursed. $5,900 has been received so far, with $13,000 currently in the grant’s portal and should receive back 70% of funding up to $35,000. c. Helene Update Finance Officer, Kelly Melton reported there is no major updates regarding FEMA other than receiving a request for information. The Town has already responded and provided the information as requested. FEMA will review the project again. d. OSBM Update Finance Officer, Kelly Melton information the Council work is currently being completed. The project is expected to be completed in 1 month to 6 weeks. 9. Manager Updates/ Recommendations Manager Chase Winebarger informed the Council that the Spring in the Park event will not have fireworks as of right now unless a significant amount of rain reduces fire danger. Manager Winebarger also informed Council the Town will be Hosting American Legion State Softball Tournament from July 20-22. Other updates included NCDOT beginning work on the Mission Rd./HWY 321 intersection, reaching out to local elected representatives for assistance with Veteran’s Park Clean Up, and issues with Republic Services and the collection day changes. 10. Clerk Updates/Recommendations Town Clerk Abby Rich informed the Council of staff attending local school career days and provided an update on the Civic Clerk software and the new website. 11. Council Updates/Recommendations Sawmills Town Council thanked those in attendance as well as Town staff. 12. Adjourn With there being no more business to attend to, Councilman Wilson made the motion to adjourn. With a second from Councilwoman Johnson, the motion carried unanimously. Approved this the 19 day of May 2026. ___________________________________ Keith Warren, Mayor Attest: ____________________________________ Abby Rich, Town Clerk