[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] Pearlest times, such as this, we ask you not to win some of the world, but divine wisdom. God give us understanding, give us peace. God may remember everything we do. We have to get in the counter. So God, I pray tonight, we will live out what we call the golden moon. Do unto others as having, they have been doing to me. Father God, I pray especially for this council of those who have to make the decisions.
[0:30] And so God, you said it was to pray for him, so we lift him up to him right now, give him
[0:34] an understanding and God help him to realize that you're saying in your word, the greatest
[0:38] of all men will be servants to all, so God, I thank you for these servants.
[0:42] And I thank you for the congregation tonight, it helps to realize we're all in this thing together.
[0:47] And if we believe in such a divisive world, maybe we really live like King's children tonight.
[0:53] God, we ask Jesus to pray for your peace and for your understanding.
[0:58] We're going to give you our praise and Jesus' name will do for you, David.
[1:02] Amen.
[1:03] Thank you.
[1:05] Please join Council for the Pledge of Allegiance.
[1:08] I pledge allegiance to the Father of the United States of America and to the Republic of
[1:17] I'm going to go on an individual with the liberty and resources for all.
[1:32] Number four tonight is a motion to adopt the proposed agenda.
[1:36] Only emergency items will be added to the agenda.
[1:39] Emergency shall be defined and requested by the city manager.
[1:44] Upon approval of mayor and city council, that item will be added.
[1:48] Consent items will be adopted with a single motion, second and a vote.
[1:52] Unless a request for removal from the consent agenda is heard from a council member and with that council will be voting by hand tonight
[2:01] Can I get a motion? I make that motion to accept the agenda as written councilman J. Roads with the motion to accept and seconded by
[2:09] councilwoman and mayor pro-tem any times and
[2:13] a vote by show of hand
[2:15] And that is everybody. Thank you council number five tonight is citizen recognition
[2:20] In addition, persons wishing to appear before Council during this portion of the meeting are required to sign up prior to the start of the meeting.
[2:27] In an effort to maintain order and decorum, we would encourage speakers to be courteous and respectful while citizen input is heard.
[2:34] Please refrain from profanity and appropriate gestures, insults, personal attacks, or accusations.
[2:40] Citizens should not expect Council members to respond to their comments during the course of the meeting.
[2:45] If follow-up is needed, the mayor or presiding officer may ask the speaker to provide contact information to the city clerk so that staff may assist.
[2:54] In an effort to allow for a fair amount of time, each speaker will be limited to three minutes.
[3:01] Would that man and clerk as anyone signed up to speak tonight?
[3:04] Yes, sir. Catherine Bukta.
[3:09] Please state your name and your address for the record.
[3:12] My what? Your name and your address?
[3:13] Yes.
[3:14] My address.
[3:15] Yes.
[3:15] Like my street address?
[3:17] Correct.
[3:17] Oh, yes.
[3:18] My name is Catherine Bukta and I live in.
[3:23] Hello, everyone.
[3:24] Thank you guys for letting me speak tonight.
[3:26] My name is Catherine Bukta and I'm a senior at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy.
[3:31] I just wanted to spread the word about the Abuse Prevention Council and my fundraiser
[3:36] that benefits it.
[3:37] The Abuse Prevention Council, or as we call it, the APC, is in Cleveland County and provides
[3:42] 24-7 food, water, shelter, and more to survivors of domestic abuse.
[3:48] Recently, the grants have been pretty limited and seeing how prevalent abuse is everywhere
[3:52] the shelter is an absolute gem for our community.
[3:55] This is where my fundraiser, Blooms and Blessings comes into play.
[3:59] I started Blooms and Blessings in April of 2025 and initially I started with veggie boxes.
[4:05] What I realized was that people liked making other people happy as opposed to just serving
[4:09] themselves so glums and blessings evolved into more of a bouquet aspect. I start
[4:14] up by selling at random craft fairs that I found out Facebook and then moved on
[4:18] to the King's Mountain Commerce Market and school sponsored events. So far I've
[4:22] raised $5,000 to the abuse prevention council through glums and blessings and I'd
[4:26] loved to raise even more. You guys can directly help the abuse prevention council
[4:31] by scanning the QR code and everything. Thank you guys so much for your time and
[4:35] consideration. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
[4:44] Jackson Clawner.
[4:48] Please state your name and your
[4:50] address for the record. My name is Jackson Clawner. My address is 803 Gamstree. I have a question and
[4:57] you don't have to answer but my question is does it intimidate?
[5:00] Any of you if I read your address up here? I'm not on the stand. He asked if it would. My address is 803 Gantt Street in King's Mount. My question is, would it intimidate any of you if I read your address up here? Because it's public record. I've got it all from the city. Yeah, I don't have an issue if council does. That's fine. That's fine. It's just rules. No rules for the not for me. I'm here to talk about AI data. And I say that because you know, I really think a little bit of that.
[5:29] that might be a little bit of intimidation
[5:31] to get up here and read your address.
[5:32] I'm not entirely sure while that's totally necessary,
[5:35] but I'll follow the rules like everybody else
[5:37] if I have to.
[5:39] And can I be, am I heard right now?
[5:41] It can be hard to hear.
[5:42] And my time started over if I can't be heard.
[5:45] You can still remember Nysha couldn't hear me,
[5:47] I'd love to.
[5:48] It's a little hard to hear, but.
[5:51] Jackson, little of my school, little bit of my life.
[5:53] It made bad people better out of me.
[5:55] Might have to put my mouth to it.
[5:56] That might be a spread of germs.
[5:57] I don't want to do that.
[5:59] I really think my time should be started over
[6:05] I'm here to talk about AI data, sorry, your time is up, Jay's alone, but thank you so much for coming.
[6:13] I'm just kidding, go ahead, we're starting on zero here with you.
[6:16] I'm here to talk about the AI data centers again, because it's only agenda again.
[6:21] I spent last week spending a lot of time talking to the agriculture advisory board to the county
[6:26] and talking to the solar and water director for the county.
[6:29] The agricultural advisory board with the help
[6:31] of the solar and water director of the county,
[6:34] that would be Jimmy Briggas.
[6:36] They're drafting a letter to send to the county commissions
[6:39] to express their deep concerns with AI data center.
[6:43] They have a lot of concerns about solar and water quality.
[6:47] They have a lot of concerns about availability
[6:49] of agricultural land.
[6:51] And I've asked Jamie to forward a copy of that message
[6:55] to city manager Todd Carpenter so that they can share that with all of you because I can't
[7:00] see any reason why that's not applicable to us here. I mean we're in Clinton County, you know.
[7:06] And they basically, they sort of align with me a little bit on how I feel about the issue that
[7:12] I think we're being misled. I think we're being told some untruths. They express to me that they do
[7:18] not necessarily believe in a closed loop system. They know that water's got to be discharged sometime.
[7:24] They're concerned about water treatment. That leads into soil quality, you know, and let me just be very clear right now
[7:31] I stay with the farmers in our community now with the big tech birds that want to come into our city and make billions of dollars
[7:37] Because that's exactly what they're going to do with our resources. It's make billions of dollars on our back
[7:44] And the farmers are just not excited about it wouldn't be and I'm with the farmers all the way and my question for
[7:50] council member Nostra who has voiced his approval for data center my question is
[7:55] what do you know that the farmers already do not? I said fair and honest
[7:59] question because if the people who are the backbone of our community I mean
[8:04] Cleveland County since its inception is an agricultural community if you
[8:09] don't know that you don't know much about Cleveland County and when these
[8:14] people come to me and express to me because I've voiced opposition to data
[8:18] and that they'd like to share this information.
[8:20] I'm definitely going to share it with you.
[8:23] I'm sorry, your time is up.
[8:25] I'm just kidding, go ahead, you have a one minute.
[8:27] There's no problem.
[8:28] Go ahead.
[8:30] Let me think about what I was saying.
[8:32] OK, so if the farmers in the communities
[8:36] are concerned about data centers, I'll tell you what,
[8:39] I'm very concerned about data centers.
[8:41] And I really am not ready to hit the green button on the thing.
[8:45] And I think you all should take the time to read the letter
[8:49] that they want to see and like I said they do not necessarily believe and I do not speak for the agricultural advisory board
[8:56] And I do not speak for the soil and water
[8:59] Director for the county so you should take it straight from me
[9:01] But from what I understand I got their blessing to speak on behalf of this today
[9:06] What I don't understand is how you could be for it right now
[9:11] When the agriculture advisory board is not for it. Thank you very much for your time today
[9:16] Can I have a question real quick?
[9:18] ask a question. Are you sure? I can't ask you a question.
[9:22] Yeah. Did the board give you any sort of
[9:26] ETA on when that letter supposed to be issued? I mean, I have a draft, but I don't want to give you guys a draft.
[9:31] No, no. You know, without their blessing. I just wanted to know if they think that the next
[9:35] county commission or meeting they'll have that. You know, they asked me what I thought about it.
[9:39] I told them I thought you should have seen it a year or two ago. You know, on size
[9:42] 2020, but see, the agriculture advisory board did not even
[9:46] know that the county sent a letter to the city of King's Mound requesting that
[9:50] that would correct me if I'm wrong. They didn't even know that they sent that letter
[9:55] requesting that be taken out of the and eggs or however what I mean.
[10:00] Is everybody remember that and the county basically trying to get that property taken out of the city so they can start? Was your question answered? I don't know, yeah. Yeah, so probably at the next meeting, you'll be able to get it. But I've already asked Jackson to thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Yeah. Why Hoover?
[10:26] Please state your name and your new address.
[10:39] I'm here to tell you about what I think is a really cool event that I've planned at
[10:45] our property just up the street on Battleground Act.
[10:49] It's called the Veterans Family Day.
[10:54] It's kind of stemmed from, I'm actually here to enlist a little bit of support if I can find it from all of you behind me as well if you consider it essentially.
[11:05] We're going to kick the day off at 8 a.m. with a rock community rock from our property, which is the old Wells Fargo building for those of you that don't know the address.
[11:16] and we're gonna go to the Gateway Trail and back and then the rest of the day
[11:20] about 10 to 4. It's gonna be family focused with food trucks, sort of an
[11:25] artisan market, hopefully some vet support groups, a kid zone, a couple big inflatable
[11:30] giant slide, obstacle course, some partners are doing arts and crafts and cool
[11:36] things like that. This is a zero dollar event for me and not charging fees or doing
[11:42] sponsorships. The only thing that I ask of people who do participate is to be
[11:49] creative and think of something fun and interesting and engaging either for the
[11:54] kids who are going to be there or the vets and their families themselves. And so I
[12:01] do have one food truck spot remaining and some vendors' faces and mostly just
[12:06] need to get the word out. I have a Facebook event that you can invite people
[12:10] through and then there's a direct QR code on this which I emailed to Karen if you need
[12:18] that forwarded to you or I'd be happy to do so as well but just kind of getting the
[12:22] word out to the vets in the community to participate in the Ruck with us. We'd love to have
[12:27] the police and fire team out if they'd like to join and walk along too. Hopefully we'll
[12:35] I'll have a couple little random surprises for people
[12:38] at the top of Cardio Hill, if things work out.
[12:43] And that's it.
[12:44] Just wanted to share that idea.
[12:46] The impetus for this is, I'm not a veteran myself,
[12:52] but I come from a military family.
[12:54] My brother, I'm Zimri, and he works really closely deeply
[12:58] in the mental health and suicide prevention space.
[13:01] And this is not a mental health event for veterans.
[13:04] It's a community event for everyone, but the sort of underlying goal is to recreate
[13:13] and just have a day of that community that maybe we're missing from when we are in active
[13:19] duty and just doing my part to try to create that for the, so that's it, if you have any
[13:25] questions that we have in terms of.
[13:27] It's, sorry, it's an important good question, November 14th.
[13:31] So it's the Saturday after, after Veterans Day.
[13:35] Thank you very much.
[13:37] Thank you.
[13:38] I'm going to leave these out front.
[13:40] If anybody would like to grab one.
[13:43] One real quick question.
[13:45] Explain what a rook is.
[13:47] Oh yeah, a rook.
[13:48] So it's just what you got to quit.
[13:50] It's just walking with a heavy backpack.
[13:52] So it's a great event or activity for everyone.
[13:55] Because if you're in a wicked good shape,
[13:57] you can just have a really heavy backpack.
[13:59] And if you're not, you just don't have to wear a backpack, so it kind of evens out the speech for everybody.
[14:04] You know, you have little hills and stuff like that.
[14:07] Thank you.
[14:08] Thanks.
[14:09] Thanks.
[14:10] I'll appreciate it.
[14:11] Thank you.
[14:13] Christina Hildebrand.
[14:20] Hi, Christina Hildebrand, 446 Alex Dion's Drive.
[14:24] I just want to say, first of all, thank you for having the data center presentation two weeks ago.
[14:30] It was very informative.
[14:32] and I, you know, I feel like I have researched this topic up down and all the ways around.
[14:40] Each of the speakers shared something that I wasn't aware of or that I needed to think
[14:45] more about.
[14:46] So thank you for that.
[14:47] I will ask, I have sent two emails, I believe, I have also spoken to various council members
[14:53] asking that the work sessions or non-counting.
[15:00] Council meetings are live streams, so that those of us in recorded, so that those of us who, for example, what presentation was from, I think, one till five p.m., and the majority, I would say, of King's Mountain, maybe working during that time. I know there were some council members even that were supposed to be working. So, I really ask that you, at least the presentations, if you're not going to do every single work session or, you know, sub-meeting, then at least those types of presentations are live streamed.
[15:29] and presented so that they are a record for the public
[15:33] that's listening to this.
[15:34] If you want to copy of it, I reported it.
[15:37] It's a very large file, so I've been trying to upload it
[15:39] somewhere, but nothing wants to upload it.
[15:41] So I will put it out there at some point,
[15:43] but I would ask that we do that.
[15:47] I'm going to talk a little bit about 80 centers.
[15:49] I just wanted to make you aware of a New York Times article
[15:52] that came out about a week and a half ago
[15:54] that presented an environmental report
[15:57] from the Environmental Protection Network, which is made up of a number, I think it's
[16:02] 20 plus former EPA officials, and they warned that air pollution from gas power plants
[16:07] and generators.
[16:08] So that is what both of the data centers I believe here are trying to install at least initially
[16:15] if not full term.
[16:17] They expect that those are to add at least $20 billion in annual healthcare costs by
[16:24] 2028.
[16:25] So in a year and a half, $20 billion will be added in health care costs because of a data
[16:33] center gas-powered generators that include 600,000 cases of asthma predicted and 1,300
[16:41] premature deaths.
[16:42] And that's without President Trump's and the EPA's sort of mitigating and lowering standards.
[16:50] And I just ask, are you okay with that in our community?
[16:53] You're okay with those deaths and asthma rates and people getting sicker and sicker if we have data centers,
[16:59] AI data centers and large data centers here.
[17:02] I'm certainly not, as I have said before, will definitely move.
[17:07] The other thing I wanted to make you aware of is where I lived in California.
[17:10] I lived close to Moss Landing.
[17:12] I would ask each of you to look up Moss Landing.
[17:14] Moss Landing is where lithium batteries are housed when they're out of their life.
[17:18] There was a fire there two years ago.
[17:21] And then again, this year, the amount of smoke and deadly heavy metals that got put into the air
[17:27] and then got rained on all of us, and our vegetable patches, et cetera, et cetera was awful.
[17:34] And I would say that any of these data centers have just as much of the embattries in them.
[17:38] So that's another possible issue.
[17:41] I thank you, and thank you for letting me go over a bit.
[17:44] Thank you.
[17:49] Number
[17:54] 6 tonight is mayor council member and city manager remarks council anything
[18:00] to share tonight councilman
[18:04] west had an opportunity to manage yesterday about the pickleball
[18:08] corpse and I know there's people that are interested in those and and he is working toward trying
[18:15] to find a location to put pickleball I know he'd like to have him downtown I would too
[18:21] But there's nowhere downtown to put them.
[18:23] So he is working on that.
[18:24] I did have a question about the bathrooms.
[18:28] At the times far, they're still locked.
[18:30] We needed somebody to lock those in the mornings,
[18:33] but that's he'll work that out, not me,
[18:35] but I know that he said the locks have been ordered
[18:37] and they came in and they were actually wrong.
[18:39] So for those of you who use that track
[18:41] and I know somebody do, that is in progress.
[18:45] So they'll get the locks and they'll get them implemented
[18:47] and they'll be on a timer.
[18:49] That's also a ask about the bathrooms at the Deals Creek Park.
[18:54] You have a time frame on when those will be completed?
[18:59] And I apologize.
[19:01] I should have asked for the shift day in person.
[19:02] I'm not trying to call you out in public.
[19:04] That's not my goal.
[19:05] But I just wouldn't.
[19:06] No.
[19:07] I don't.
[19:08] I don't actually have a time frame, but we're working diligently to make happen.
[19:14] We're sort of at the mercy of the engineering drawings that are coming by.
[19:18] Right.
[19:18] I know that one of the works director was leading with a company this week to talk about
[19:26] the point of the slide out and also about some sidewalks that we need to point out.
[19:31] We had a meeting on Friday and I don't know if he's back with him yet or not, but we're
[19:36] trying to get him here as fast as we can.
[19:38] I know, York.
[19:39] And I want to compliment you to Todd.
[19:41] I told him, I think we share yesterday and over talking.
[19:45] and not to knock anybody, and please don't anybody take it that way, but I've seen more
[19:49] progress and more movements that you've been here than I had last two city managers.
[19:53] So I appreciate all you do, and that's not knock anybody, but I really appreciate you.
[19:58] Thank you, Councilman.
[20:00] Mayer pro-temp. Any time? The one thing I'd like to say is I would like to commend the city manager on putting up the everything data center, webpage, great resource for council, and for citizens if we will use it. And it can lead. It has other resource links added to, but I just appreciate you taking the time and
[20:29] make that possible so that the citizens can look at it and read it and be informed with
[20:36] the information that we are getting in addition to other research that we are doing.
[20:41] But they have access to the same information that we have.
[20:45] And I just want to thank you for doing that in a short time in which you did it.
[20:49] Well, thank you, Mayor Protein.
[20:52] I hope it's helpful and I hope it's presented in an unbiased fashion.
[20:57] I don't think anybody here has made that their mind.
[20:59] I don't know about anything, we're going to the data centers.
[21:02] We're still diving deep into the pros and cons, the benefits, the concerns, everything
[21:12] associated with that data center.
[21:13] So as we learn, I'll promise you everything will be put out there for our public to partake
[21:20] in.
[21:23] Anyone else on council have anything to share?
[21:27] City manager, anything else?
[21:32] I want to echo a couple things that Jimmy West said. I was thinking about this yesterday
[21:36] and that is that sometimes movement can't be seen. And what you shared as far as the
[21:42] movement is absolutely did on. There are, there's an underbelly of things that are actually
[21:49] getting done. There's emotion of things that are put in motion. There's follow through.
[21:54] So you talk about LG times walking track, you know, there were people in our community
[22:00] that were very loud on social media about it, and it's not good for the city.
[22:04] It's a waste of money.
[22:06] Every morning when I dropped my son off at West School, there are at least 16 people.
[22:11] I've seen them in many as 20 something.
[22:13] And that's me with my eyes in that one moment saying, and the amount of people who are using
[22:19] it is very high.
[22:20] And I love that for the city.
[22:22] I want to commend our events in marketing department
[22:24] for the way they launched it to introduce it to the community.
[22:29] But Jimmy, well stated, because there are things happening
[22:32] in the community that are moving forward.
[22:35] And it would be easy to buy what you're reading online
[22:38] and go, oh, the mayor needs to go, he may need to go.
[22:42] But for now, he's here.
[22:45] So one more here.
[22:47] So, so for the time I'm here, yay.
[22:53] So I also want to commend the city for the 9-11 program that was that happened in Patriots
[23:00] Park.
[23:00] That was a mind-blowingly touching well thought out as Gabriel in the room tonight.
[23:08] Gabriel Thomas from our events and marketing department communications, he had prepared
[23:15] We shared a video that showed some of our officers our chief and really talking about 9-11 and it personalized.
[23:25] It's very easy to do a 9-11 tribute and everyone's centered on New York City.
[23:30] It was the most Kings Mountain focused 9-11. You were there, honestly, so well done.
[23:36] And those are the things that, if you want to talk about progress, you go, how's that progress?
[23:40] How it's progress is you have people who are putting on these events and things of that nature and they're putting the
[23:47] residents in the city of Kings Mountain first and
[23:52] When I see that in an event like that that was outrageously touching
[23:56] Treesle Treesle Wingo
[23:58] Reverend House great to have you guys as well if I'm forgetting anybody and I know that our fire chief
[24:06] doesn't like to take a lot of
[24:08] He doesn't like to take a lot of ownership, he allows other people to kind of thrive.
[24:13] But he did so much to make that video in the end and put that whole event together.
[24:19] He's also not in the room, but if somebody who speaks to him will let him know amazing
[24:24] job well done, just mind-blowingly good.
[24:26] So a great job city of Kings Mountain.
[24:35] And now we move on to number seven program and project updates.
[24:39] I'll yield the floor to the chairperson from King's Mountain Redevelopment Commission.
[24:44] Mr. Dale Green.
[24:46] Good evening, Mr. Breyer.
[24:47] My name is Dale Green.
[24:49] I am the chair of the King's Mountain Redevelopment Commission, formally the King's Mountain House
[24:55] an authority and I come before you with excitement tonight and
[25:00] I really am pleased with where we're moving forward. Over the past couple of years, we've moved from a troubled status to now. We're in the black and we're making great strides. And I want to thank Veronica Williams, our interim executive director for all she's done to help us move forward. I also want to thank staff that are also President here today. I want to thank Annie Toms. We started an arduous task of trying to
[25:29] national search to locate with the assistance of Gans Gans and Associates, our new executive
[25:37] director. And I do want to say that since our social media warrior presence in the audience
[25:45] that we work with the council as partners, we don't work for the city manager. We don't
[25:52] work for the city of Kings Mountain. We receive no funding from the city of Kings Mountain.
[25:57] All of our funds come directly from HUD, and we take those and treat those like they're
[26:03] our very own.
[26:05] And with that, I'm pleased to announce we've located us a new executive director, and he
[26:12] is a native North Caroladian.
[26:15] We went on an astral search, only to find one from the Western Carolina Mountains, and with
[26:20] that, I'll turn the podium over to Mr. Robert Hooper and let him tell you a little bit about
[26:25] himself.
[26:26] and some of his thoughts and I ask if you have any questions, please ask them at this time and I hope that we'll continue to forge a good partnership in the coming months and as I move out of King's Mountain as a result of my personal tragedy, I just want to say thank you for everything, each of you have time for me and I will miss King's Mountain.
[26:50] Mr. Hayden, come on in a minute.
[26:58] Right.
[27:00] Good evening.
[27:01] Good evening.
[27:02] Mr. Mayor, members of Council.
[27:05] As Dale mentioned, my name is Robert Cooper.
[27:07] I am the new executive director of the King's Mountain
[27:10] Redevelopment Commission.
[27:13] Let me just start off by saying I'm so happy to be here.
[27:16] My family and I are so excited to be back here.
[27:19] My wife actually has some groups in the area.
[27:22] and they seem to be from Charitable.
[27:25] And she made sure she corrected my, my, my, my pronouncing the name Charitable.
[27:31] I am from Charlotte, North Carolina, originally, but we spent the last 15 years up in Astrid,
[27:36] okay.
[27:37] Currently, I'm a Kuwanis, I'm going to a Kuwanis Club president, and I worked for an agency
[27:43] in Henderson Bay, or called WNC Source, as the director of housing programs, and pretty
[27:49] much we were the area voucher providers for Henderson, the Transcendent Campaign.
[27:55] So, in total, I have about 15 years of housing experience, and I am a husband, a father
[28:04] to Richard, and Bobby Hooper, and my wife is pregnant.
[28:08] And so, you know, I just want to say briefly, I have three main priorities outside of my family.
[28:13] The first priority is to maintain decent, safe and affordable housing and even expand housing opportunities when it's possible.
[28:22] My second priority is to show respect to our resident clients and customers to make sure they feel empowered, make sure they feel respected.
[28:32] My third priority is to be at this tour of the federal funds, okay?
[28:37] And so, again, this will take an effort.
[28:40] I look forward to working with you all.
[28:42] My goal was open to everyone here.
[28:45] And again, thank you all for receiving my family and I.
[28:48] I got a one-year staff, one-of-a-team.
[28:51] As a board.
[28:52] So, I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity.
[28:55] This is a wonderful, wonderful place to be.
[28:58] We're so happy to be back.
[28:59] My father's a veteran. He's been up in the mountains with us for the past year. He's having to be back home. So we're all excited. Thank you so much.
[29:08] Thank you and welcome. And if you need anything, we're here. Thank you. Absolutely. That's great to have you. Thank you.
[29:18] Mr. Greene, a job well done, you know what's amazing is when you had brought Veronica and
[29:29] with everybody, I remember we had that meeting here and I said something to Veronica when
[29:33] she was talking about what she could do for the housing, and what's interesting, I don't
[29:38] think people realize this, but what you do as chair of then the housing authority and
[29:44] and what she does is the ED.
[29:46] I think there's a natural this that could easily happen.
[29:51] But what I loved about both of you and the jobs that you did
[29:53] was the synergy that worked between you guys
[29:57] and neither one of you took any...
[30:00] And I love that about both of your personalities. And I honestly think that's a lot of what made that work. And it was wonderful from this perspective to watch the two of you work. Sometimes in tandem, sometimes separately, but honestly job well done. And thank you, Dale, for the search and for bringing us gold. Mr. West. I'm going to say something. I'm going to maybe drift back and forth a little bit here. Just a second.
[30:30] Dale and I have been friends at his middle school and we were in the same field, we worked
[30:35] a little bit during our careers and police work.
[30:40] When this thing came up about the Redo Relentment Commission, it's so cool that we were going
[30:43] to pick a board and I gave you Dale Green's name and I said, if you want a man that's got
[30:49] ethics and a man that's going to do the right thing, it's Dale Green, I think the world
[30:54] there were still good friends that he's my neighbor, your neighbor as well. Unfortunately,
[31:00] as things happen, we have to adapt to those things and there's going to be moving to somewhere
[31:05] over in the eastern part of the Gastin County so he can help out his son with his family.
[31:13] But yeah, you're going to be me as I'm going to be a sheep personally, but we're going to be
[31:16] friends forever, you know that we're not in all these contact. But I think there's just a good
[31:21] and I think the world, he's done a amazing job for us
[31:24] and it's gonna be a lot of sports
[31:26] whoever takes his place, I guess it makes use of the field
[31:29] but they're like, I think the world, I appreciate all
[31:31] you've done and you know, let's say we're gonna be friends
[31:34] forever so you know we're out there.
[31:37] So thank you, what's your opinion?
[31:38] I agree with the fact, yes.
[31:41] Amen, thank you, Dale.
[31:43] Yeah, and then lastly Mr. Green, does anyone else have
[31:46] anything they want to say?
[31:49] So lastly, I just want to thank you for holding a council before I was here, and since I've
[31:55] been here, I want to thank you for holding council and me as the mayor accountable.
[31:59] I think you've done one of the best jobs as a citizen who can come forward with sometimes
[32:05] not easy things to share.
[32:07] But the passion that you have to make this city great is definitely if people can't see
[32:14] it, they're eyes on open.
[32:14] So blessings to you and your family and your move and everything that you go through from here, but you may be leaving King's Mountain, but King's Mountain will not leave you.
[32:26] It's great to have you today.
[32:34] We'll move to number eight, motion to adopt the following consent agenda.
[32:41] 8A is to adopt the minutes of the work session of Wednesday, July 15, 2026 in the regular meeting of Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
[32:50] 8-B approve a budget amendment of local law enforcement bonus to comply with North Carolina State budget law 2026-41, 8-C to adopt a resolution authorizing city staff to submit an application for water asset inventory and assessment study grant.
[33:07] A.D. to adopt the resolution authorizing city staff to submit an application for a wastewater
[33:14] asset inventory and assessment study grant and an A.D. to re-appoint sign the Roseboro
[33:21] for the redevelopment commission for a five-year term expiring September 3rd, 2031.
[33:28] And with that council, I make the motion made by the New York City agenda. Motion made
[33:32] by Mr. McWeft, seconded by Heather Lemmon, and by a show of hands,
[33:40] and that is everybody.
[33:41] Thank you, Council.
[33:43] We'll move into the regular meeting.
[33:45] Number 9a is a motion to adopt an ordinance ordering the property on the, to repair the
[33:51] dwelling located at 109 South Gaston Street within 90 days, with authorization granted to
[33:56] the Director of Codes to proceed with demolition of the property upon non-compliance, and with
[34:02] that will yield the floor to the director of inspections and codes.
[34:07] Mr. Clinton-Houser.
[34:09] Thank you, Mayor Goodeven-Council.
[34:12] 109 South Gas and Street.
[34:14] The picture on the screen there is what we discovered during a complaint
[34:20] of the property back in April, the 9th, 2024.
[34:24] There was complaint about community appearance.
[34:27] During that investigation, it was discovered
[34:29] that the house was being remodeled, which
[34:32] which is what a lot of that stuff that was powered in the backyard was from.
[34:37] So...
[34:56] Let's have a look.
[34:56] I thought you guys just broke you.
[34:57] We're talking sushi.
[35:00] The next couple slides are just some pictures of the property, just an idea. That one looks like
[35:07] just an exterior front, rear, some
[35:14] interior pictures.
[35:21] So since that initial complaint back in April 2024,
[35:30] or April 24th, Mr. Department's issue, three stock workers, and the owner had applied
[35:38] for two bill permits that were issued, but have been revoked due to the legal construction
[35:44] activities going on by unqualified individuals and contractors and some electrical conditions
[35:52] that were made on the property of a really unsafe, and at one point last year there were some
[35:58] workers that were living in the house during the renovation process and had made a really
[36:04] unsafe electrical connection to the house there.
[36:09] And
[36:13] there's a picture of the living conditions of the workers living in the house without
[36:19] a CEO.
[36:23] So just a couple keynotes.
[36:24] The Code's office has issued several orders to repair on the property.
[36:32] The first initial order repair was issued back in August 25 with a deadline for repairs
[36:39] to be made by November the 13th, 90 days there.
[36:44] The repairs weren't made, so we amended that order to give 90 more days and still repairs
[36:51] There's one made, a third at 10, to extend that order timeline out to September 14, 2026.
[37:02] So a total 395 days is what the owner has had to make repairs from that initial order
[37:10] to repair.
[37:12] So in its current condition of the welllands, obviously unfit for human habitation just continues
[37:18] to deteriorate.
[37:19] It's a threat of children, vagrants, and it just causes and contributes to blocked
[37:25] interioration of property values in the area.
[37:30] The county has the house valued at $170,000, which is an important figure we'll see in
[37:39] a second.
[37:41] It's our staff's opinion that the required repairs to make the house fit for a
[37:46] humitation, habitation could be made at a cost less than 50% of that value.
[37:53] So with that being the case, I can't bring the property to you to not consider demolition
[38:02] without first giving the owner an opportunity to make repairs.
[38:07] So when I bring something you guys just like this, I have gone as far as I can so it has
[38:15] to come to you guys for the next step.
[38:16] and that's where we're at tonight.
[38:18] So, the rest in general statute language is data that takes a house like this in consideration.
[38:26] 160D-1203-6 does appear to be an owner as a band in the intent and purpose to repair
[38:34] a failure to make such repairs within a one year period after the initial hearing and order
[38:41] repair, which was August 15, 2025.
[38:44] five. And then furthermore, the ordinance will go on a general statute, 160D, 12036A, the
[38:52] government board has the authority to adopt ordinance requirement, owner to repair,
[38:57] order molest well within 90 days. So that's what I'm bringing to you tonight is the
[39:04] request to adopt the ordinance to require the honor to make the repairs or the molest
[39:11] house within 90 days from today. And then failure of the house to be prepared within
[39:17] the 90 days would be immediate action taken by the Coast Department House tomorrow.
[39:29] So
[39:33] there was a speaking time and that was your time to speak. I'm sorry but if I do that
[39:39] then I have to open that for anybody else so I can't do that. So just know that's not personal.
[39:44] My question to you is, can you go back to the pictures?
[39:48] I think the information I was getting while the pictures were coming and
[39:53] the chairman went and stopped.
[40:03] Okay. No, you're good. There was the pictures that looked like it had the side by side there, but is that just two rooms then? Right. Yeah, that's two different rooms. Okay. Yeah. Two rooms from that. You okay. Very good. Thank you very much. So, so there's attempted work in there. And obviously the staff has found what they found. So you're asking 90 days. Is that what you're saying?
[40:27] Yes, so since the discovery of the work being done way back in 2024,
[40:37] you know, this property just has it,
[40:40] I guess you could say got off on the rock foot as far as the owner doing work properly and legally with
[40:47] Lawson's contractors.
[40:50] And so it's more than just the house being in a dilapidated condition.
[40:54] It's just the history of stop-work order after stop-work order three stop-work orders have to be issued for illegal activity
[41:02] In violation state bill and code rules and laws
[41:06] so
[41:08] As as hard-nosed as people think you are I've seen you give a lot of grace in these areas and I think just one's a good example
[41:15] We I agree I'm giving well over here
[41:17] Well, and I've seen this with you that if if people are working towards making it happen
[41:24] I've seen you give grace like crazy.
[41:26] I ask true.
[41:27] So, that's why I ask like specifically,
[41:31] that's what you're asking for is 90 days
[41:34] and where there'll be a reassessment
[41:35] or are we saying 90 days, time is up.
[41:39] 90 days, time's up.
[41:41] Okay.
[41:42] I feel like we've given,
[41:44] we've extended that original order 90 days, 90 days.
[41:51] And here we are still.
[41:52] So, in the case where staff says, you know, the 50% and you're not able to demolish then what happens after that?
[42:01] All right. So the way the ordinance rates of, you know, generally when I bring a house before you, the board, it's a house that's really dilapidated and the cost of repairs would be well or 50% of the value of the house.
[42:14] sure so the general stacks you say in that case I can seek immediate ordinance to have it demolished
[42:22] in this case it's a little different because the value of the house is 170,000 we feel like the
[42:29] house can be repaired for less than 50 percent of that sure $70,000 so I can't bring it to you and say
[42:37] immediate demolition, right? So the law says that we have to give her 90 days by
[42:47] orderless, right? So she's had all these border repairs from my office to now I've
[42:57] taken this for as I can take it, right? I mean I could give her more time with
[43:01] another extension or repair if it's not getting us anywhere.
[43:06] Council, any other questions?
[43:09] Ms. Miller.
[43:12] I understand what you're saying.
[43:14] And like the mayor has said, I think many times you
[43:20] in your office have shown grace to folks.
[43:24] And I really don't think that you're out there.
[43:29] Well, you are looking for houses that need to be prepared
[43:33] and brought up to code who made safe so that people can live in them but you're not just
[43:38] looking for houses to recommend demolition to and I appreciate that because I really do value
[43:49] historic property and hate to see them just being demolished and disappear but I think that you
[44:00] and your staff have gone well beyond what is called for to be able to give the home owner extra
[44:09] time to do it. And when you say 90 days, that doesn't mean to make it a show place, that means
[44:18] to bring it up to code to make it safe so that it could be inhabited by someone. And the other option,
[44:26] and I guess would be if the homeowner or house owner
[44:31] decided to sell the property, then maybe a new owner
[44:39] would be more diligent to bring it up to code.
[44:45] You know, I hate when we do have to, when that time comes
[44:50] for us to vote to demolish a house,
[44:54] It seems a little bit, it really does, but I appreciate what you do and what you do and
[45:00] Your staff does because we want the houses to be safe that our citizens live in and it's not always easy. So thank you for for doing that. And I hope that over these 90 days that maybe the owner will be able to to get things up to go. I think you're saying that it's not beyond repair. I mean, some of the houses that you've such shown us before.
[45:29] They are truly beyond repair.
[45:32] Yeah, yeah, it's definitely not enough money, anything to be repaired.
[45:37] This one is in a condition that can't be repaired, but it's just got to be done legally.
[45:47] Right, that's why they are opposed and we want our citizens to be safe.
[45:57] And I suppose this really means that they have to pull permits with contractors that are licensed.
[46:04] That is correct to do these repairs, you're right.
[46:09] Ms. Lemon.
[46:10] Thank you.
[46:11] When was the last permit that was pulled by a licensed contractor?
[46:35] March of 26th.
[46:38] Yeah, thank you, Mickey. It's March 23rd, 2026, which was the second Permia.
[46:49] And then that
[46:50] general contractor that was on that second Permia sent our office an email
[46:55] wishing to rescind her position as a general contractor due to the honor of hiring
[47:01] people to do work on the table.
[47:07] So once that happened then the permit was
[47:11] voted because the GC was the permit applicant. GC permit applicant wishes to
[47:16] resend that position and the permit is no longer valid. So that happened
[47:21] September 4th of this month was when that permit was voted. This may be in the
[47:30] Weeds just a little bit, but the, you said it was estimated that the cost of repair is less than 50% of the assess value.
[47:40] Is there a ballpark on what that actual figure is? Is it close to 50%? Is it 20%?
[47:47] I haven't.
[47:48] Broken down.
[47:49] Just a little bit.
[47:49] Or just 50%.
[47:50] Yes.
[47:54] Thank you, council. Any other questions?
[47:58] Mr. Mayor, if I could.
[47:59] Yes, sir.
[48:00] Are you able to pull that mic close to zero?
[48:02] No problem.
[48:03] Councilwoman Sarah raised a question that was interesting about what if there was a new property on them
[48:08] What happens if the ordinance will be recorded and so if there's a sale
[48:14] The new property only will be bound to what the ordinance requires
[48:19] So still within that same. Yes, that's correct
[48:22] Yes, so if they purchased it on the 89th day they would be required to come within compliance within one day
[48:28] Or unless they came to the council and the council's desire to give something additional.
[48:34] Thank you.
[48:37] Excellent.
[48:39] Thank you, sir.
[48:40] Thank you.
[48:41] Council.
[48:45] I make a motion.
[48:46] We adopt this ordinance.
[48:49] Second.
[48:50] Motion made by Councilman J. Rhodes, seconded by Councilman Scott Nicelyer, and with that a
[48:55] show of hands in favor is
[49:01] all but one
[49:07] five to one.
[49:13] No. Unfortunately, so there is a, when there's something on the agenda, there's a, there's
[49:22] a moment before we have three minutes to speak. And if I violate that, I have to violate
[49:27] that down the road as well. So, I'm not going to violate that. But if you want communication
[49:33] with the city council, you can do that by phone, by email, and we will respond to you. But
[49:41] So it's not going to happen in the meeting just because that's not the order of how this meeting is run.
[49:46] So I don't want to have you deterred, but you would have had to speak and spoken in the portion for where the residents would speak.
[49:56] So if you'd like to reach out to us, you can this week, and we can give you our.
[50:05] Thank you so much.
[50:10] After this meeting, you can speak with Karen. Thank you so much, and thank you for understanding. 9B tonight is a motion to approve a budget amendment from designated asset for mature account to the police department in the amount of $13,000 to support the purchase of urban
[50:29] an SDK traffic and analysis software, and we'll yield the floor to our assistant police
[50:35] chief, Mr. Lance Hammer.
[50:39] Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council.
[50:42] I'm bringing to you today a motion to authorize a budget amendment for $13,000 from our asset
[50:49] forfeiture accounts to purchase traffic safety and speed enforcement software, specifically
[50:55] named Urban SDK.
[50:56] So I want to provide you all a little bit of background.
[51:00] We consistently have the Police Department receive traffic complaints weekly.
[51:07] Speeding careless reckless, stop sign violations and so on.
[51:12] So our patrol staffing is strictly in with duties and responsibilities and currently we don't
[51:19] have a traffic unit or assigned officers to concentrate solely on traffic complaints.
[51:25] Now, over the past two years, we have attempted with your approval to try to get grants from
[51:31] the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program, and unfortunately, both years that
[51:36] has been denied from state-level budget limitations and our fatality rate here in the city is very
[51:46] low, which is a good thing, I think, and I think that's something to say, but it just didn't help us
[51:53] with get me to grant monies for traffic enforcement.
[51:57] So with our community and our traffic situation growing,
[52:01] along with responsibilities of patrol officers
[52:04] and traffic enforcement,
[52:05] become more difficult to maintain.
[52:08] We've been looking for solutions in assisting
[52:11] in the examining complaints, providing officers
[52:14] with specific, high-speed areas,
[52:17] and in the city.
[52:20] and basically have proactive traffic enforcement
[52:25] instead of complaint driven all the time.
[52:29] So Urban SDK, I want to talk to you a little bit
[52:31] about what Urban SDK is.
[52:33] It's a software provider that analyzes vehicle telemetry,
[52:37] telemetry, excuse me.
[52:39] So if you're unaware of what that is,
[52:41] it's basically connected vehicles or GPS.
[52:46] 2007 and over our current 2007 and newer models basically have a lot of
[52:54] vehicle telemetry. An example that I was provided was Google or Apple Maps. They
[53:04] use telemetry when you are traveling from one location to another and you get
[53:10] alerts that a traffic issue is ahead. So it's the same kind of information. So this software
[53:18] produces historical average traffic speeds and high traffic volumes in specifically identified areas
[53:25] of our community that we can go in, hone in and look at. The platform also provides an avenue for
[53:33] the citizens to make complaints through a integrated website. Those complaints can be used
[53:41] come straight to the police department and used to assist us in organizing and providing
[53:49] a better service to our citizens by traffic enforcement. The Urban SDK software also has
[53:57] over 300 customers across North America, the city of Gastonia, Caveris County, and
[54:04] the town of Lake Forest are just a few that are in our region that are users of this
[54:09] software. So the financial impacts, there would be no financial impact on the general
[54:16] fund because what we're requesting is from our asset forfeiture funds, restricted asset
[54:22] at portrait accounts.
[54:24] Alternatives, you can choose to not to amend the budget
[54:27] and seek other methods or not purchase at all.
[54:34] So the recommendation, the staff recommends
[54:37] that you approve this motion to amend the police department's
[54:40] restricted asset portraiture budget in the amount of $13,000
[54:44] in support of purchasing traffic analysis software,
[54:47] specifically urban SDK.
[54:49] Okay.
[54:50] And I'll be glad to answer any questions that you might have.
[54:54] Mr. Scott.
[54:55] Nice.
[54:55] I like to make that motion.
[54:57] All right.
[54:58] Before we do that.
[55:00] Does anyone have any questions? For the Assistant Chief? No, very good, okay. Motion is made by Councilman
[55:10] Nicelye, seconded by Councilman Nuest, and by a show of hands. And that is unanimous.
[55:20] 9C tonight is a motion to award a contract for the Safe Streets for all grant, for all grant funded
[55:27] project to Kittleson Engineering and approve a corresponding budget amendment to appropriate
[55:32] grant revenue, corresponding expenditures and city match portion, and we'll yield the
[55:36] floor to the city's planning director, Redlegaugh.
[55:40] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[55:42] Good evening.
[55:43] Members of the council.
[55:45] Good news.
[55:46] Good news.
[55:46] The city has been awarded a $175,000 safe streets for all or as we refer to it, SS4A grant.
[55:55] The SS4A program is administered by the Federal Government through the U.S. Department of Transportation, so it's a federal grant.
[56:06] On program, it focuses on reducing traffic-related injuries and specifically fatalities at intersections and along roadways sections.
[56:19] Any segments that are used by pedestrians, bicycles, cars, scooters, e-bikes, whatever.
[56:29] The grant specifically will fund development of a street safety action plan that will identify and prioritize the city's high injury intersections and roadways segments using data from various sources.
[56:48] and specifically crash data is a big source of information but we can get
[56:55] information from sources such as North Carolina Department of Transportation our
[57:00] own King's Mountain Police Department there'll be a project steering
[57:05] committee that will be put together that will have some input and there'll be a
[57:09] process for public input which is also of course very important. I will add
[57:14] That here, that the grant will cover any of the intersections and streets within the city
[57:20] of King's Mountain.
[57:22] It doesn't matter if it's North Carolina, DOT, maintained road or a city on road.
[57:27] The program focuses, because it comes from the federal government down.
[57:31] It focuses on the network of streets and how they interact, so it doesn't really look at
[57:37] those as different.
[57:38] It's about how the system works together to reduce injuries and fatalities.
[57:42] So, the plan specifically will identify safety improvements and mitigation strategies to
[57:52] reduce future crashes, injuries and fatalities.
[57:57] The fatalities is an important piece of it because federal government kind of has an initiative
[58:01] called Vision Zero, which continues to push forward in ways to reduce injuries but also
[58:07] reduce fatalities. So that's a big focus coming from the federal government down.
[58:14] Now this particular grant and the action plan that will be generated can kind of be looked at
[58:21] as part one. In the future, near future staff will take a completed plan and apply for additional
[58:28] funding to implement the strategies and do the physical work. So this is kind of part one and we'll
[58:34] to part two in the near future.
[58:38] So that's kind of background for the actual grant and the award.
[58:42] A little bit about the engineering firm selection process we went through.
[58:47] The city issued request for qualifications or RFQ back in July and we received four statements
[58:55] of qualifications or SLQs, a lot of acronyms from the engineering firms and so instead we kind of
[59:03] evaluated those SOQs, and we shortlisted three engineering firms for the
[59:09] consideration. Their after-staff conducted in-person interviews with each of the
[59:15] three shortlisted engineering firms. We're allowed each and you're in firm to
[59:20] review, discuss their favorite qualifications, the background and additional
[59:24] information that would be considered, as well as respond to a list of staff
[59:29] questions that would be generated. And those same staff questions were asked
[59:33] each of the engineering firms to keep everything equal across the board.
[59:39] Then staff, we had some criteria that we rated each of the firms on such as
[59:44] their state of qualifications, their expertise, their technical knowledge,
[59:49] their success of previous SS4A grants and studies,
[59:53] and then finally how they were formed in the interview.
[59:57] and we tab it up, the ratings.
[1:00:00] And had a final discussion. And based on that overall evaluation, Kittleson engineering was determined to be the most qualified to conduct the city's study for this particular grant. As far as study time on and funding, staff expects the study to take approximately nine to 12 months from when a contractor signed with Kittleson. And so we will look to have some form of kickoff meeting at some point October and just kind of get this going.
[1:00:30] As far as funding goes, the federal government will fund 80% of the total $175,000 cost,
[1:00:39] which equates to $280,000.
[1:00:42] The city will be expected to provide the remaining 20% of the cost which equates to $35,000.
[1:00:51] So it's an 80-20 split between the federal government and the Kays Mountain.
[1:00:55] The grant is reimbursement based, so the city will be required to front $175,000 up front
[1:01:03] to have the study done.
[1:01:05] And then staff working with Kittles Singles submit the action plan and other required documentation
[1:01:12] to the Department of Transportation for reimbursement of $140,000 for the fee case.
[1:01:19] So the net, when all the dust settles, the neck commitment from the city would be $35,000.
[1:01:24] A
[1:01:27] budget amendment will be required to appropriate the grant opinion and project funds.
[1:01:34] So the council action tonight, that's a question, is staff is asking for council to consider
[1:01:41] awarding the SS for a street safety action plan, contract to kiddoson engineering and approve
[1:01:47] the corresponding budget.
[1:01:50] So we won't have to answer questions council might have and please note representative
[1:01:54] from Kittles Engineering is here with us tonight as well.
[1:01:57] Councilman Rhodes?
[1:01:58] You do mention this is kind of like getting the plan
[1:02:02] and then implementing the plan in the second phase.
[1:02:06] Are there grants available for this?
[1:02:08] Okay.
[1:02:09] So we had a, we would probably have a reasonable chance
[1:02:12] of getting them.
[1:02:13] Yes, and certainly, I mean, when you have a plan
[1:02:15] and the recommendations, you're almost
[1:02:17] going to get that where they can apply in this success.
[1:02:19] Thanks, good.
[1:02:20] You're certain.
[1:02:22] Councilman, nice to go ahead.
[1:02:23] And who on staff will take care of our end of it?
[1:02:26] A reason being is that I have the intersection we need to look at because actually pedestrians
[1:02:33] can't see the traffic light.
[1:02:34] Okay.
[1:02:35] I'm planning a part of what will be the lead on it.
[1:02:38] Okay.
[1:02:38] But the steering committee will be put together and we'll have certain representatives.
[1:02:42] So if you'll make a note, it's go straight in the background.
[1:02:46] Okay.
[1:02:46] would is that you know a little jig-jagging there and pedestrian wall is where
[1:02:52] you can't see the light and when we have events downtown in Patience Park there's
[1:02:56] a lot of people crossing over there and really needs pay it he is put
[1:03:00] anyway if you'll just mention that to him and to be a part of the study that
[1:03:04] be sure okay that's all I really need to say if we're
[1:03:11] We're fronting the 175 and then we're recouping except for 35.
[1:03:17] Is there anything in that process that would stop us from recouping except for?
[1:03:23] We have rules and things that we have to follow in a certainly complete plan.
[1:03:28] But no, if we follow the steps, there should be nothing that prevents us from recouping.
[1:03:32] That should be the $140,000 that we could recoup from the government.
[1:03:36] Right, that's right.
[1:03:37] 40. All right thank you. Any other questions? Just curious only because of the
[1:03:46] previous fact that we took will the equipment that will be purchased the
[1:03:54] Urban SDK traffic analysis will back be used for this study? No.
[1:04:05] I don't think it
[1:04:09] ironic that we have two items, one right after the other that have to do with safety and
[1:04:16] streets and traffic and everything.
[1:04:20] And Brad, that technology is geo-tracking or geo-fencing type, so there's no flat cameras
[1:04:27] things in that nature.
[1:04:29] Very good.
[1:04:29] No.
[1:04:30] Thank you.
[1:04:31] After this part.
[1:04:32] Yes,
[1:04:35] sir.
[1:04:35] I make a motion.
[1:04:36] We approve.
[1:04:37] Motion is made by Councilman Scott Nicely.
[1:04:42] I don't have a question, I'll second the motion.
[1:04:44] And that's, you do not have a question, correct?
[1:04:47] Okay, motion is seconded by Councilman J. Rhodes.
[1:04:51] And with that, a vote.
[1:04:55] Thank you, that is unanimous.
[1:04:58] Mr. Lugano, thank you so much.
[1:05:01] 9D tonight is a motion to adopt a resolution accepting an award from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, or lead services, line, replacement, and Mr. City Manager. Thank you, Mayor, council, Mayor Pratim. Yes, staff comes before you tonight to ask you to adopt a resolution accepting an award from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project.
[1:05:29] And that has really been going on since about December, late 2021.
[1:05:37] So environmental protection agency at that time required all communities to do an assessment
[1:05:43] and inventory of all their lines.
[1:05:47] I've got a picture up here in terms of what the assessment consisted of.
[1:05:52] So if you look at that, and you see, you've got the streets, you've got to ride away,
[1:05:59] you've got water manias and then you have pipe running to the meter and from the meter
[1:06:05] in a homeowner's yard into the house, right. So this grant is covering the replacement
[1:06:14] of galvanized pipe in that particular area from the street to the yard, okay.
[1:06:26] and the replacement of that light with either copper or perhaps pecs.
[1:06:34] And so Council agreed in November of 2024 to allow us to apply for this grant.
[1:06:43] We did so, we were awarded the grant in March of 2005, and there was some more work that
[1:06:51] had to be done with regards to an engineering report, that engineering report was done, it
[1:06:55] was accepted, and now we're here asking for the acceptance of the money.
[1:07:01] It's a little over $2 million, $2 million, $60,000.
[1:07:05] We have a 2% match, which is about $40,000, I think.
[1:07:10] 41 to.
[1:07:10] 41 to.
[1:07:12] That's correct.
[1:07:13] There's 100.
[1:07:14] It says, only we've been in about 114 of those that need to be replaced, there's actually
[1:07:21] 113 that need to be replaced and so with your approval might we would ask that you
[1:07:29] accept this money and we can get to work and there's a lot of work that is still forthcoming.
[1:07:39] The dates of the project in terms of bid design, submittal and there's an engineer firm that's
[1:07:47] hand with all this force, they'll do the vehicle, they'll submit the package to replace all
[1:07:53] this, we'll select a contractor and do it, we'll select a plumber to go in and do the
[1:07:59] park for the homeowner. So there's still all I want to do, originally the deadline to execute
[1:08:06] a construction contractor's January 1, 2027. That's not going to happen. We met with the engineers
[1:08:13] from the state last week and all these dates have been pushed back.
[1:08:17] So a lot of work is still to do, but the first step is to get the money.
[1:08:25] They've no owners, no yet.
[1:08:28] There was an initial mailing that occurred, I believe, in 2024, that went out from the city
[1:08:37] to notify these homeowners.
[1:08:41] I don't think we've done one since and we'll need to. They'll have to be involved in this. I'll have to understand what's going on. They'll have to understand that, you know, they are just going to be dug up. It's going to be repaired. The pipes are going to be replaced.
[1:08:56] everything's going to be done for code so there'll be some work ahead of us on
[1:09:02] that front.
[1:09:05] But it will be their responsibility to do that. No, we're going to, we're going to,
[1:09:14] we're going to do even the part that the customer owns. Yeah, stop. Yeah, from the meat. Yeah,
[1:09:19] absolutely. I mean, that's the approach that we believe we should take. We should hire a company to
[1:09:25] to do this work. Everybody does it too. All the work is the same. Get your places
[1:09:31] same to the house and whatnot.
[1:09:35] And yeah, they'll, we're not asking each homeowner
[1:09:39] to go out and do their own work and get reimbursed by the things.
[1:09:46] Council and the other questions.
[1:09:48] I'm a emotionally approved motion made by Councilman J. Rhodes, seconded by Councilwoman
[1:09:54] and share a Miller and buy a show of hands and that.
[1:10:00] That is everybody, unanimous. 9E tonight will yield to council member Shira Miller for this. It's a discussion and possible action to recommend the city manager consider the formation of a data center committee. Okay, thank you. The nominating committee met last week and this topic came up during that meeting and we talked about
[1:10:26] about the possibility of a committee to work with staff or work with Council as we continue
[1:10:38] to move forward with data centers.
[1:10:43] The one thing, and I'll just be honest, the one thing that we, I mean, it just came up
[1:10:48] and we talked about it, and it was talked about partly because of one of the presentations
[1:10:53] that we heard during our work sessions, the City of APEX, but we did not talk about what
[1:11:02] purpose this committee would serve, how many people would be on the committee, what
[1:11:09] they would be doing. The motion was to turn it over to the city manager. So that's what
[1:11:18] What I'm going to do tonight is turn it over to Mr. Carpenter to talk to us a little bit
[1:11:24] about that.
[1:11:26] Discussion certainly amongst Council members, but we talked about it, but I wouldn't
[1:11:34] say that we fully discussed the intentions.
[1:11:40] Of course, with it being on the agenda for my consideration, I went ahead and considered
[1:11:44] it.
[1:11:46] and did some research around it.
[1:11:48] I mean, I had my opinions even before I did the research,
[1:11:53] but I think I would ask the council,
[1:11:56] what would be the purpose of the committee?
[1:11:59] If it is to gather information,
[1:12:01] and if it is to hear from our citizens,
[1:12:04] then I think you, you, as a council,
[1:12:06] would be much better served by having a well-design,
[1:12:11] one or two public information type meetings
[1:12:14] like we did on the water. I think you'll hear for many, many more
[1:12:19] citizens and that kind of form then you will, if you select a few, just a
[1:12:24] circle in a Citizens Committee. The Apex Committee, if you recall, that was
[1:12:29] formed was a subcommittee of a committee they already had, like a planning
[1:12:33] committee, a planning board. So, I mean if you want a citizen group to dive deep
[1:12:40] and create policy for you, then I would suggest a subcommittee of probably the planning board
[1:12:48] that even maybe council participates on. But if you're just going to hear from your citizens like
[1:12:56] and you have other avenues to do that, right, you have citizen recognition, you have
[1:13:01] we have public hearings, we have planning with meetings, so it's not like we don't hear from our
[1:13:08] citizens but they are limited at the podium in a council meeting although you
[1:13:13] can modify that if you choose but yeah well designed public forum I think to
[1:13:19] hear from everybody ask questions we have our website up we could do some
[1:13:24] surveys that kind of thing we can get questions ahead of time those are my
[1:13:28] initial thoughts on it I did do a little research and in regards to what other
[1:13:35] communities are doing and overwhelmingly that is what they did. There are
[1:13:40] public forums, there are times for people to come together and talk about one
[1:13:44] subject which would be data centers and that's the more common approach. That
[1:13:50] that would be I would send it I would turn it back over to you Councilman
[1:13:56] Councilman Miller for you know your thoughts and input and further discussion you
[1:14:03] I will say that when I heard the gentleman from APEX talk about it, that was something
[1:14:09] that I was actively writing on, but the more thinking about it and talking about it,
[1:14:16] I think that we could, like you just said, we could hear from more of our citizens during
[1:14:25] a public forum, a well-designed public forum, and possibly more than one, because I think
[1:14:31] that there are, there's a lot of confusion, there's a lot of opinions,
[1:14:40] there's a lot of information,
[1:14:41] just the website that we have out there now, so a lot of information on that, and I'm
[1:14:50] not sure that our folks are actually taking the time to look at that because they can, and
[1:14:57] and we're going to update it.
[1:15:00] We're asking you information comes in. I think that's important. I think a couple of forums would be good. And, again, instead of a committee, you tend to think of as five to 11 people or so. Instead of that, then is opening it up to all of our citizens to give us their input, to ask the questions.
[1:15:28] and so that we can help all of us learn more about the day is in or so that.
[1:15:38] Those are my thoughts now, kind of shifting a little bit, but...
[1:15:44] I agree with the public forum.
[1:15:46] That's a little cutting too.
[1:15:48] And you kind of pick the timing, Mr. City Manager, when we've got it kind of formulated
[1:15:56] and at least at some point and present that,
[1:16:00] all the areas of concern, the good, the bad,
[1:16:03] the ugly, because there's some good things about it.
[1:16:05] There's some things that we all have questions about
[1:16:08] and then take it from there and if we need it in a second,
[1:16:11] yes, that'd be fine too.
[1:16:13] I think that's about all we can do.
[1:16:16] I'm in agreement with that too,
[1:16:19] because if there's anything we really need
[1:16:22] to have a public forum on other than the water is data centers.
[1:16:27] And we need to make sure every citizen that has a concern
[1:16:30] has an opportunity to be heard because this information
[1:16:35] is just constantly evolving, it's changing,
[1:16:39] and you know, you got to scare stuff,
[1:16:41] and you got to not scare stuff.
[1:16:43] Everybody has an opinion.
[1:16:46] And so I think our citizens, because there is great concern
[1:16:51] about public safety. We would be remiss if we did not give them the opportunity to voice
[1:16:59] those concerns so that we can take it into consideration as we look at our video.
[1:17:06] Thank you, Councilman Nicola. Yeah, I just was going to add my, I think,
[1:17:10] that's a really good idea to do that. And possibly get people that are, you know,
[1:17:15] thinking about projects and kings might have to, I guess, talk about, you know, what they
[1:17:20] want to bring here and what they've decided to do about the electric power and, you know,
[1:17:25] so many people think that, well, because there, you know, there's a tremendous electrical
[1:17:31] need that all the power rates are going to go up and we're going to spend more money
[1:17:35] on utilities, but, you know, if that's the case, I want to see what's actually coming and
[1:17:42] and whether it fits or whether it doesn't fit in our community.
[1:17:45] So if they can be there to answer any of their questions,
[1:17:49] because there is one plan to be built.
[1:17:52] And we need to find out what it's going to be about.
[1:17:54] What it's going to be about, you know?
[1:17:56] I would say this, we have not a lot.
[1:17:59] We do have shut-ins that live in our town.
[1:18:02] And we have people who are struggling
[1:18:03] with transportation to get around.
[1:18:06] So I think we're going to do those.
[1:18:08] I think we should have, and I don't want
[1:18:10] a lot of work on the planning department and those guys, but I think we need to have
[1:18:14] maybe four of those meetings and put them in different quadrants.
[1:18:17] The churches are wherever, so people can get two of us to see them.
[1:18:22] You know, I'm like so much, I think Sheriff said it a while ago, a lot of people aren't
[1:18:25] looking at this website because they don't have access to computers or some of the seniors
[1:18:29] just don't know how to use the computers, but at least make it available where everybody
[1:18:34] can get two of us to see them.
[1:18:36] And, you know, like Ms. Tom said, this thing changes every hour.
[1:18:41] You know, I'm a digger to Fox News, I don't know why, but it changes every time you turn
[1:18:47] on TV on.
[1:18:48] So I think, you know, if our staff is going to keep up to date on them, and I know they
[1:18:51] will continue to do their research where they get the most updated information, I think it's
[1:18:57] a good thing.
[1:18:57] I think if you form a committee, and let's just say six people, eight people, those people,
[1:19:03] You know, are they going to get out here and talk to the public?
[1:19:05] You know, the problem?
[1:19:06] The sun may, but probably not all of them.
[1:19:08] So I think it is the best way to share that information.
[1:19:13] I tend to agree.
[1:19:14] I think that with a subcommittee,
[1:19:17] I have a subcommittee.
[1:19:18] The questions that people really have are going to get lost.
[1:19:23] And I think in the history of the meeting,
[1:19:26] our regular meetings that we have here,
[1:19:29] it's pretty clear that our citizens care about this issue.
[1:19:33] And I think that we owe it to them and to ourselves to have as much conversation as we can have about it so that we all know it is changing every day.
[1:19:43] So if we can get as much information under our hands as we can, I think that's the best thing for all of us.
[1:19:49] So we're sitting at the end of September.
[1:19:52] So a month from now is Halloween and then we're into what is really the Thanksgiving season.
[1:19:56] So in my opinion if we
[1:20:00] We did one of these. I think we should do it before the season of the holidays kicks in. And that probably puts you in between Halloween and November 10th-ish or that next week after. And I'm only putting that out there because if we don't, we won't. And one thing that I can state about this council is the transparency is greater than you get credit for on social media.
[1:20:28] and I think these kind of things lend itself to allow people to see that the
[1:20:34] transparency is real and we're not running away from anything. I mean when it
[1:20:38] comes to this we just didn't know and I will tell you it's it's great to learn
[1:20:43] I don't know if anyone saw the 60 minutes piece on Sunday but it's a great one to
[1:20:46] watch because even then from the last time they did a update on data center to
[1:20:52] now way more information and that's you know what we're what we're seeing every
[1:20:58] time we meet or hear from somebody new the technology changes very quickly
[1:21:02] and so I'd like to put that in council's lap just to have something occur
[1:21:09] before we head into the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm prepared to move as fast as I can
[1:21:16] I hadn't considered forward, but I will.
[1:21:19] But what my plan was, and again, we're doing considerably,
[1:21:25] we're doing considerably work every week,
[1:21:27] and between talking to other cities and towns,
[1:21:31] which we're doing, between talking to the school government,
[1:21:34] other cogs, I think we're on the right track,
[1:21:37] and we're close to having what we need in place.
[1:21:41] So the quicker we can fall,
[1:21:43] a form together, the better, the better for staff.
[1:21:48] So I'm prepared to do that.
[1:21:51] We can do it, we can do it anytime.
[1:21:55] Our staff can do it.
[1:21:56] I mean, if we're trying to work with y'all schedules
[1:21:58] and you wanna be there and all that, you know,
[1:22:02] we'll have to do that, so let me know,
[1:22:04] but I'm prepared to do it right away.
[1:22:06] Sooner, the better for us.
[1:22:08] Did you work on a date?
[1:22:09] I'm sorry.
[1:22:10] I'm sorry.
[1:22:11] I'm sorry.
[1:22:11] Has this worked on a date?
[1:22:13] Yeah, I mean.
[1:22:13] We're working on it.
[1:22:14] And I want to also say, you know, the public forum is going to be open to whoever shows
[1:22:20] us.
[1:22:20] That's right.
[1:22:21] The developers can come.
[1:22:23] They can speak their mind.
[1:22:24] They can talk about the good they're doing or what.
[1:22:27] So it's going to be open to anybody.
[1:22:30] We'll hear from one and all.
[1:22:32] The problem suggests you give us three or four days.
[1:22:35] Just.
[1:22:35] And it doesn't happen before, I'm sorry, it doesn't happen before, but I'm just making sure that if they can't come to us and we take the information to them.
[1:22:42] Okay.
[1:22:43] I mean, we work for them, and I know that you don't, you work for us, but we answer to the public.
[1:22:49] And, you know, I think it's only fair that we make every year if we can get that information to them.
[1:22:54] So we'll see if we can find some of that place to start.
[1:22:57] Patrick Sam, for the seniors.
[1:23:00] Well, we can go down there one day and do that, and we need you to.
[1:23:03] And that might be the rather than saying upfront, there's going to be four different ones.
[1:23:13] We do one in the evening.
[1:23:16] Maybe there's one in the...
[1:23:17] I didn't suggest four.
[1:23:19] No, you didn't.
[1:23:20] But Jim had the air.
[1:23:21] Yeah, I just said we should get a day.
[1:23:23] Get a day.
[1:23:25] Right.
[1:23:26] We get one more.
[1:23:27] But we could be there.
[1:23:28] Right.
[1:23:28] I think it's important that we're there.
[1:23:30] Right.
[1:23:30] I can, but there's always something come up, so.
[1:23:33] That might be a good idea, I hadn't thought about that,
[1:23:36] a daytime and a nighttime and a union.
[1:23:38] That's, and that does too, and I think that is manageable.
[1:23:43] Four is a great idea, I know exactly what you're saying that,
[1:23:45] but some of this information, this is why I don't like
[1:23:48] that the newsletter is not in the utility bill,
[1:23:50] because that's where we could find people
[1:23:53] who aren't savvy online, and that information gets to them,
[1:23:57] and we know at least it's in there,
[1:23:58] because people will get it from social media online and there.
[1:24:04] The newsletters won't back on the utility bill by the way.
[1:24:06] Oh, it is, excellent.
[1:24:07] But it also goes back to what New Zealand grants did earlier.
[1:24:10] We lavish people.
[1:24:12] They can see them on TV.
[1:24:13] They can't, they can't tell them the news.
[1:24:16] Yeah, a lot of children, you have to do it here.
[1:24:19] So we can't go out and do a set.
[1:24:21] This could be the evening.
[1:24:23] It would end with days.
[1:24:26] I think for transparency, say I agree, I think I've always asked, I've always asked, I've
[1:24:37] always just kidding, but I've always asked, but what I said it again, that's true, I do think
[1:24:44] that Mr. West is bringing up something that I do think is valuable, and that is if it lives
[1:24:49] online people will be able to tell them to go to it so I do think that it
[1:24:57] makes some sense if one of those is
[1:25:00] I'm sitting there for them to be able to see it. And if you do, too, and you think you're not finished, then you do a third. Yeah. That's the way that's what you do. Yeah. Sure. So as of today, nothing actionable. We're just looking for a date to be on. Do you all want to take a couple of days now that work for you? I mean, I'll have to schedule with if we're doing it here, not a problem.
[1:25:29] And we can do the first one here.
[1:25:33] It sounds to me that you're-
[1:25:35] I'll have to schedule with the senior senior just to see what, you know, make sure they're not doing something in a daytime.
[1:25:41] And it sounds like you're open to even sooner than what I was speaking of.
[1:25:45] Is that true?
[1:25:46] What do we do in October?
[1:25:49] Sometime in October.
[1:25:52] Yeah, that's the only issue is if we pick to date tomorrow this week, it would be okay if it's late October.
[1:26:00] over but otherwise other than I know it's for Karen and
[1:26:10] Aisha but I think it's helpful when you send us several
[1:26:15] dates and we respond back to that rather than us trying to
[1:26:19] pick something. We can do that. That's not well a
[1:26:22] spacious senior center to see where when days we can't do
[1:26:25] there. We'll do that. We'll see what we'll do. We're all
[1:26:28] there. I mean, you know, it would be good if it were with this, it's not required. Right.
[1:26:32] Well, I think we're all going to want to be there. I agree, but I mean, if somebody has something
[1:26:36] already scheduled, you know, you can't expect, you can't expect. Right. They actually put it off
[1:26:40] for that. Right. Well, we'll send you some dates tomorrow.
[1:26:44] Would it also be possible to put something on the website like a portal that people could
[1:26:53] ask questions that would go directly to you?
[1:26:58] I think you did that for water didn't you didn't you have questions ahead of time or no now. I'm just talking about not
[1:27:07] Yeah, I think questions ahead of time or the forum, but I'm talking about just kind of ongoing. I got it. If somebody
[1:27:16] Sit in at home. Thanks. I think
[1:27:19] But I wouldn't go there because he's got a work.
[1:27:23] I mean, you go.
[1:27:26] You're going to have to get the questions in the forum.
[1:27:29] I mean, he'd be on the everybody's sending stuff.
[1:27:34] I want him to be able to manage the city.
[1:27:40] Just give us some.
[1:27:41] I make a recommendation.
[1:27:42] We'll get three or four dates.
[1:27:44] You come up with it.
[1:27:45] You figure it out Todd.
[1:27:47] You let us know.
[1:27:48] and we move forward.
[1:27:49] Last second, Dave.
[1:27:50] Thank you very much.
[1:27:52] How you doing?
[1:27:54] Good.
[1:27:55] Good.
[1:27:56] Thank you.
[1:28:00] Great discussion.
[1:28:01] All right.
[1:28:01] Number 10 is a difficult one motion to adjourn.
[1:28:04] So moved.
[1:28:05] Make a motion.
[1:28:06] We adjourn.
[1:28:07] I'm sorry.
[1:28:08] Mr. Nicelair with the motion seconded by Sharon Miller.
[1:28:12] And everybody said yes, except any time.
[1:28:14] So you'd like to stay.
[1:28:15] Thank you all for attending.
[1:28:17] it is always good. It is always good to have you here.