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Good evening everyone, and welcome to the july 8th, 2025 new board of alderman

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meeting. Prayer tonight will be given by alderman royal. Good evening,

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let us pray. Heaven and father,

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we ask for your wisdom as we begin this meeting.

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we acknowledge this evening that we have need of your wisdom,

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and we welcome your presence among us. Guide us

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in our deliberations and decisions. Help us

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to seek what is best for all involved

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and that you direct our meeting according to your will.

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I pray that you will not only give us wisdom, but that you will also give us grace

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to respect those whose views are different, that we

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will minimize our differences and rally around our commonalities

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in order to advance what is best for our citizens.

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let this board be mindful that every voice has value,

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and every citizen has a fundamental right to be heard,

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and that this will be our belief and serve as a guiding principle.

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it is my prayer that we do our work in a spirit of kindness and

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justice. Help us to use our authority to serve faithfully

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and promote the general welfare of all of our citizens,

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whether they are poor, wealthy, or homeless.

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I pray that each member of this board and every person on staff

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be mindful that we are called to serve our citizens with

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fairness, compassion, and humility.

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and now, heavenly father, we pause to pray for the families in texas

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who have suffered the devastating loss of over 100 people.

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it is my prayer that they be competent by your peace and your

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presence. I ask this in jesus' name. Amen. Amen.

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if you're able to stand, please do so. And pledge allegiance to the flag of our country.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america

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and to the republic stands, one nation

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under god, individual with liberty in justice

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for all. Madam clerk, if

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you would please call the roll

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alderman kri. Here. Alderman royal. Here.

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alderman aster. Here. Mayor odom. Here. Alderman kenzie.

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alderman. Best present. Uh, next step is item number three. Approve the

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agenda. Are there any changes the board would like to make to the agenda? Yes, ms. Mayer? Um,

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my agenda won't come up. What number is the item concerning

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the raising electric base?

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um, 16. You won't vote. What is it? 16. Six 16.

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mayor, I'd like to make a, a motion that we, um,

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full item number 16 for consideration at

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a later date. There's some unlimited

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pca in there that I would like to have more information about before

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we put this burden on our customers.

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okay. I have a motion. Do we have a second?

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uh, well, I'll make a second for discussion purposes. Okay. I have a

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motion a second to approve the agenda. Less. Item number 16. Is

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there a further discussion question?

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yes, ma'am. It was item number. What again?

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16. Is that part of the consent agenda? No, no,

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it is not just approving the agenda. Number

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three, it's the electric rate schedule. Okay. Alright. Thank you.

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foster by holman off until, presumably the august

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meeting. Does that present any issues for the city?

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no, sir. Okay. That'll still give us plenty

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of time and opportunity.

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any further discussion? I, I'm,

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I'm, I'm confused. What, what, what's missing? Alderman, um, aster

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that, well, it's that mr. Bouchard hasn't already addressed us with

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it. It, it's an unlimited pca and I, I mean, I'm just concerned

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and I would like to know some more information about it. I mean, I don't, I don't want an unlimited

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pca and then our, some of the electric bills,

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that's what he is asking for, and some of the electric bills

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go skyrocket.

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um, well, I would like to, since we're discussing this, I would like to have mr.

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bachar come up and tell me his opinion of what you're

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saying. Uh, mr. Davis, could you just clarify, we're in, we've got a motion, a second

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to approve the agenda. Um, we probably need to take action on that, correct? Yes, sir.

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you're, you're, you're in the discussion, but at some point someone can call the question on the vote.

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so we're still in questioning discussion. Yes, ma'am.

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so, mr. Shar can come forward, excuse me.

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you can make that motion to invite department head up and we can proceed that way.

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okay. Do we have to, uh, go ahead and close the first motion

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on the floor? No, ma'am. Okay. During the discussion, if the board wants

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more information from anybody in the audience, the board can make that motion. Um,

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and if approved, take that information. Well, I make that motion

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to, for mr. Bihar to come forward to give,

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uh, work information on the pca.

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okay. We have a motion. And a second. Second was all repri.

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any further discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye.

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any opposed? Okay. Mr. Bouchard,

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did you have a specific question in mind? Uh, good

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evening, sir. And I, I hate to put you on the spot like this, but you have come before

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us years too many times for us to and express

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to us about the pca, and now we're wanting to

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hold to table this until we can get more information.

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and I just want to know, is there any additional information that you have that

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you haven't already shared with us? No, ma'am. It, it's

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pretty much the same information that I shared during the workshops that we had. There

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is an option that I am presenting that keeps our pca the way

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it is, but it requires a higher, uh, rate increase. So

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I'm presenting basically three different options tonight. My recommendation is

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the 3% rate increase with a balancing factor

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on the pca. So some changes to the pca. What was the

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amount of the rate increase? 3%. 3% with a, with

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a balanced pca 4.5%. If we leave a pca

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as it is,

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that's your recommendation. My recommendation is

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for the 3% rate increase with the balancing factor

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on the pca.

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there's also another item in the agenda to, um,

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adjust the credit for our schedule 60, um, renewable

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energy credit that we provide, uh, customers that,

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uh, produce solar power and we credit them for the solar that,

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for the energy that we receive from them. So that, that's also in the presentation

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tonight and in the amendment.

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any other questions for mr. Bouchard?

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thank you, sir. You're welcome. Okay. Uh, I'll go back to the

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motion that is on the table to approve the agenda. Pooling item number

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16. We had a motion in a second.

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we were in discussion. If there's no other discussion on that, we'll

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have a roll call vote starting with alderman prill.

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alderman pll. Yeah. What do we, yeah, what's yesterday?

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clarify what we're, what we're voting on is to approve the agenda less

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tabled. Item number 16. Okay.

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no alder memorial. Let

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me ask, was your question resolved? Mine? No, I don't.

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I I mean, I just think I'd like to have some more time I

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to, to review it. I'm just concerned about the

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rates. But you do what you have to do. Yes,

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sir. No

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derman astro. No, I'm sorry. That's a no.

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yes. Wait a minute. It's your motion that you made to approve the agenda.

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less. Item number 16. Okay. Yes,

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alderman best? No. Mayor odom? No.

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so now we need to approve the agenda. Item number three. Do

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we have a motion to do so? So moved. Second. Have a motion and

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a second. Any further discussion? Hearing

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none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Agenda

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is approved as is. Next is request and petition of citizens. Madam clerk.

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thank you. First up is karen sullivan.

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good evening. Members of the board of alderman, mayor odom, and city officials.

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I'm karen sullivan, executive director of swiss fair, and I am

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here tonight to let you know what swiss fair has been working on for the last few months.

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swiss fair's interest as the north carolina main street organization

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for the city of new bern is to promote development of a vital downtown

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district that continues to thrive. We believe that when our

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downtown is successful at offering employment opportunities,

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attractions, and investment, all awards can benefit.

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in february, we hired mary hannah parker, our new event specialist.

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mary hannah comes to us with event planning experience and a strong network

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of connections in new bern. In march, mary hannah and I, along

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with several of our board members, attended the north carolina main street conference

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in morrisville. At the conference, lynn au was

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recognized as a main street champion for her years of service,

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uh, to swiss bear and to the downtown development of new bern.

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we also took that opportunity to announce that new bern and swiss bear will

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be hosting the 2026 north carolina main street conference,

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march 10th through 12th at the riverfront convention center.

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this conference will welcome between 800 and 900 attendees

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to our city. We consider this not only an honor, but a great revenue

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driver for new bern. We've already started planning for this conference,

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and we'll begin meeting monthly to work on breakout sessions, tours

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and logistics. We are pleased to share that we've had several

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new businesses open in downtown in the last few months, and we hope you've had the

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opportunity to welcome those business owners and frequent those shops

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and restaurants. Planning for month fest 2025 is

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well underway. The dates are october 11th and 12th. We'll be making some

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changes this year, like moving the main music stage to the county

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lot at the end of broad street. This year, the month fest concert

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will be combined with the festival offering a free music experience

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for our community on saturday at the waterfront. We also

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will have a kid zone this year offering free activities for children who may

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be too small to ride amusement rides and fun for kids of all ages.

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last year, we had over 70,000, 75,000 people attend

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mum fest, and we hope that that number just continues to grow.

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in june, swiss bear received notification that we had once again been accredited

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by main street america as a main street community. Newburn has been

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part of the main street program since 1980 and remains one of its longest

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standing communities. Since 1980, our downtown

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has seen 259 building rehabs and over $360 million

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in public and private investment. Downtown newburn is a proven example

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of long-term revitalization success. We look forward

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to the next chapter of swiss bay and downtown revitalization with

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your support and help. Thank you for your leadership, vision and

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commitment to our community and the future of you. Thank

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you. Thank you.

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next is soraya bliss.

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hello, alderman. My name is soraya bliss from ward one.

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I would like to know, are you okay with raising taxes while

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spending money on outdated hpc guidelines? Should

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newburn pay for unnecessary consultants are the alderman

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comfortable with an hpc who has operated out of legal compliance

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since 2021? Withholds information from the public

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and don't seem to know the rules that they are appointed to uphold.

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have all of your constituents received their end core funding?

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you have extensive documentation highlighting serious deficits

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in the new bern hpc, along with the draft plan for correction.

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you have the power, and I respectfully say the responsibility

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to act. While city departments support the hpc,

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only the alderman can mandate change. The buck stops

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with you. These three immediate changes to the

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hpc rules of procedure are needed to ensure legal compliance

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and promote transparency, which you have the authority to make tonight.

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currently, the hpc can amend rules with zero oversight.

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the ability to make changes in the dark of night is a bad idea.

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alderman approval should be required for all future hpc changes.

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the hpc rules of procedures state, they supersede those in the guidelines.

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this invites inconsistency and unchecked power, which is

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dangerous. This should be stricken. The enabling statutes are

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four years out of compliance. They

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need to be updated. You have a red line document that annotates

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the above requests, and I offer any support needed for implementation.

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you simply need to decide to make the change. I'll also reiterate

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my request for the alderman to initiate a public led process to revise

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the hpc guidelines as the oversight board for the hpc.

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according to statute, this is fully within your power.

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you have heard or will hear excuses for delaying none

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are valid. Excuse one. It takes time and money. We

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don't have false. The alderman can initiate the process to create

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a public work group. We will work for free. And existing meetings

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can be leveraged. You can drive this action with or without. The

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hpc two work is planned for next

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year's budget maybe, but that hasn't been approved yet. And

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unnecessary expenses. Given the state of and given the state of the a

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pc, it is unfair to expect the public to wait.

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excuse three. Revising the guidelines took years last time.

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true, but it absolutely does not have to. A phased

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plan can deliver meaningful changes by years end and set up

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a better process for the future. Excuse four hpc

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work groups are on hold, so they can't do any work. Partially

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true, but grossly misleading. The hpc had been

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holding illegal meetings, and when called out, rather than make the meetings

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public and producing required minutes, they decided to cancel

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the meetings. Now they're using this as an excuse for not doing the work

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they signed up to do. As a reminder, the hpc has made

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zero guideline changes for more than four years. Now, they say they've

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been working on it, but when asked to provide legally required documentation of the

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guideline work, they show nothing more recent than 2021.

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this doesn't seem to pass the sniff test. I always keep two things

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in mind. It's not a plan if it's not on paper, and do not

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confuse effort with results. You appoint the hpc, you

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provide its primary oversight, and you can course correct your

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action, can save money, protect the public, and rebuild trust. Let's get

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a plan on paper. Thank you. Thank you.

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mr. Hughes. Is there a path forward to

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address this? There he is. We have been working with development services staff.

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they have been working with hpc on updating the rules and procedures, which I believe

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is gonna be, um, um, uh, brought up at the next hpc

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meeting. Uh, and we are also working with staff on how the hpc

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guidelines will be updated. Just a

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reminder to the board, uh, we typically don't engage. Uh, I've

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been fairly lenient on that over the past couple years. Uh, but

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as far as rules and procedures, um, we can address all of these issues

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if someone brings it up in a new business. So, next up is minister tyrone brown.

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good evening. Evening. My name is tyron brown, and I currently

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live at 1414 harrison street, new bern, north carolina, 2 8 5 6 0.

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today, I stand before you, not with just words, but with the weight of too many names,

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too many candles and too many dreams. Cut. Short gun

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violence is tearing through our communities, our streets, our schools,

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and our homes. And in many african american neighborhoods,

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it's become a daily reality. But let me be clear, this is not normal. It

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is unacceptable, and it must end. Behind every

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statistic is a life, a child who won't graduate, a mother who won't

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stop grieving. A community that keeps asking why we cannot afford to

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grow, numb to the sound of gunshots or the site of yet another

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memorial. This crisis is not just about guns. It's

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about poverty, lack of opportunity, broken trust, and generations

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of pain. But we are more than our struggles. We are

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resilient, powerful, and united. We have the right to live without

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fear. Our children deserve to go to school and not have to worry about, am

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I gonna get shot? Today? Our elders deserve to sit on

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their porches in peace. Change starts with us demanding

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better, standing together and refusing to stay silent. So to every

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life lost, we remember you. And to every life still, here, we fight for you. Enough

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is enough. It's time to heal, to rebuild, and to rise.

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thank you.

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next is jesse morris, jr.

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uh, good evening board. Uh, good evening. Good evening. City of new bern citizens.

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I'm the president of juneteenth of new bern. We're just coming to give you guys a big thanks

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for all of your support, uh, during our festivities. Uh, first we want

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to thank, uh, the mayor and all of his support. Uh, we want to thank parks and rec

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and ms. Carey. They, they did a wonderful job helping us with everything that we needed help with.

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um, also the facility and maintenance team, we, we want to give a, a big shout out to them

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as well. Uh, the fire department, uh, mr. Johnny gaskins, he

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helped us tremendously when it came to our, our fireworks show. Uh, the

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police department, they helped us a lot as well. And, uh, the chamber of

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commerce with miss melissa and her team, um, we, we thank them. Uh, and just,

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just wanted to show our, our appreciation for all that you guys have done for us.

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um, the only other thing that we would like to

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see moving forward, um, is the, the attendance of the board

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for our events. Um, there were a lot of faces that weren't seen throughout

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the two weeks. Um, so, and I think it would, it would mean a lot to us and also to the community

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as well, to, to see the faces that, that represent us. Um,

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did I miss anyone? Um, the, the, the event has, all of our events

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00:21:50,235 --> 00:21:54,235
have grown tremendously. Um, from, from year to year,

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we've seen how we've increased and been able to better serve our communities.

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uh, so it's, it is, thanks to you guys. Um, so, um, that's,

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that's pretty much it. Thank you. And, uh, for the, the voting for

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the uhhon, uh, city, sister city,

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uh, just wanted to, to speak with you guys to see if, if you can, vote in on

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behalf of that to make sure that's something that we can make happen for our city. Uh, thank

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you much and we appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you.

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next is patricia to

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hi, um, patricia toth. I live

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here in new bern, and a couple of weeks ago I went to

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a, um, carolina nature coalition

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meeting. Uh, they have one every month. It's a free

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presentation, and they had an unusual one.

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it was on artificial intelligence, which I knew very little about,

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but I was struck. And so were the other participants in the room.

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we saw a film on ai, artificial intelligence,

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and what it is going to do to our environment, what

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it actually is starting to do with our environment and

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being the leaders of our community. I wanted to just

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bring this to your attention. So it's five pages. I've

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given it to the clerk. It will be given to you, and I hope that

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you will look at it and maybe even watch one of

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the videos because it's frightening.

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but the main impact I wanted to let you know about

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was the consumption of power and the consumption

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of water to cool these massive machines.

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they are coming. There's no stopping it. But I wanted you to know,

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to be proactive for the environment, because our environment

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is where we live, and that's a huge, huge thing to

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consider. So, I know it's a little bit out of your realm, maybe, I'm not

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sure, but I did want you to be aware of it,

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and I put together some good information for you,

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um, just as a lay person. But there's some really

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good sites that you can go to, to learn more, and I hope you will.

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so thank you. Thank you, thank you.

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next is edward toth.

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00:24:54,955 --> 00:24:58,545
thank you for letting me speak. Uh, I heard that there's a trap door if I overextend

325
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my time and go down to basic and fill the alligators. So, uh, I'll make a

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brief or as brief as I can. Uh, thursday night

327
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is the fifth. It's a candlelight vigil for the fifth anniversary

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of john lewis's death, a leader and a hero. And one of the

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things he says is, make good trouble. So tonight I'm gonna try to make some good trouble.

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I've already handed out my writeup. It's called newburn, and it's black roots.

331
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it basically, when I came here, I just had this feeling

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that slavery in new bern was very low key existed,

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but nobody really talked much about it. So I started digging into it. And

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what you find out that slavery was very important in new bern. Not

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only was it the foundation for new bern and the economic drive for new

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bern, but new bern was one of the major ports for

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the importation of slaves from africa.

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they came into places like union point. They were sold,

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um, at places like, uh, uh, edward, uh, uh,

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bachelor's, uh, front. They were sold at the courthouse. They were sold on

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the streets like you would sell. I don't know, taco bells, who knows? But

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what you find out is also that this town does not have any

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real memorials to the slaves or what they contributed to this

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town. We have a good, good, wonderful memorial to the confederate soldiers

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that I appreciate and I support because robert e. Lee was someone

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I appreciated. Uh, but where is, where is the monument to

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the thousands of people who died because of the southern cause?

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we have the, uh, fort totten, which is a

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fort that we show a little marker there. But where's the marker there for the thousands of

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slaves that took refuge there during the civil war and

351
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escaped from their, their masters. We have tyra, uh, tryon

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palace, um, where across the street we have some kind

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of a plaque to a lady who was a spy for the confederates.

354
00:27:02,995 --> 00:27:06,845
where's the plaque for the people, the slaves that built trium palace?

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we have the declaration of independence on the steps, and that

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00:27:11,965 --> 00:27:15,815
is something the declaration of independence, where people who built

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the palace and who were, uh, servants at the palace were slaves.

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we have the, um, junk kadu, uh, um,

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00:27:26,815 --> 00:27:30,725
celebration at christmas. What is that? It's not a celebration of slaves.

360
00:27:31,175 --> 00:27:34,975
it's a celebration of slavery. It was a one day of the year

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that a slave was allowed to celebrate. Not their weddings,

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not a birth. And then we have the desecration of the cemeteries, and

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00:27:44,425 --> 00:27:48,425
you could go on and on. I think this town needs to start thinking about maybe putting up a

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memorial where the slaves were landed, because we know where they landed.

365
00:27:52,845 --> 00:27:56,545
we know where they were sold. There should be a memorial there of some sort. There should be a

366
00:27:56,945 --> 00:28:00,905
memorials equivalent to the one for the confederate soldiers who died for their

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00:28:01,145 --> 00:28:04,115
cause to the people who died because of their cause.

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so, that's it. I just want to say that I hope this town starts taking

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it seriously and dig through and come to the surface

370
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on its history of slavery. Slavery was not a passive thing in

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new bern. It was an active thing. It was a business, and it was an international

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business that we were part of. Thank you. Thank you. Thank.

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next up is helen robinson.

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good evening everybody. Good evening. My name's helen robinson.

375
00:28:49,135 --> 00:28:53,015
I still live in ward six. So many of us

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in ward six are still bewildered by the cavalier

377
00:28:57,655 --> 00:29:01,535
response of this board toward resolving our lack of

378
00:29:01,735 --> 00:29:04,645
representation in a way that people want.

379
00:29:06,185 --> 00:29:09,065
I keep trying to make sense of the unwillingness of the leadership

380
00:29:10,485 --> 00:29:13,865
to work for a timely solution about representation.

381
00:29:16,295 --> 00:29:20,205
immediately after alderman brinson resigned last july, the

382
00:29:20,425 --> 00:29:23,325
mayor said, we need a new alderman to go to work on day one.

383
00:29:24,525 --> 00:29:28,525
the implication was that this was important enough to resolve quickly and

384
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effectively fellow citizens.

385
00:29:33,225 --> 00:29:34,095
today is day three hundred and forty two, three hundred and forty two.

386
00:29:39,025 --> 00:29:42,765
civil in ward six will have been without representation in government

387
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for 365 days, one whole year.

388
00:29:47,815 --> 00:29:51,585
this shows a fundamental disregard for our form of government

389
00:29:53,005 --> 00:29:56,855
through repeated efforts on the part of citizens in ward six. To support a new

390
00:29:57,195 --> 00:29:57,195
aga,

391
00:30:01,805 --> 00:30:05,695
a common response from some leaders has been, we need someone who's

392
00:30:06,075 --> 00:30:09,465
qualified. At first, this was really a convincing

393
00:30:10,425 --> 00:30:14,385
argument to me. Dana outlaw, the preferred candidate of three

394
00:30:14,585 --> 00:30:16,555
members of this board, certainly has experience,

395
00:30:18,815 --> 00:30:22,755
but you know, he's not really the only person in newburg qualified to do this

396
00:30:23,015 --> 00:30:26,795
job. In may, our board presented to the board

397
00:30:27,915 --> 00:30:31,895
a petition with nearly 200 signatures from voters in ward six

398
00:30:32,495 --> 00:30:36,355
asking that darlene brown be appointed many people throughout

399
00:30:36,955 --> 00:30:40,475
the city. Think darlene brown's resume shows a breadth

400
00:30:40,975 --> 00:30:44,735
and depth of leadership experience that would equal that of anyone

401
00:30:45,155 --> 00:30:48,905
else sitting on this board. The argument about only

402
00:30:49,185 --> 00:30:52,415
wanting someone qualified just doesn't

403
00:30:53,295 --> 00:30:56,525
hold water. So what is going on?

404
00:30:58,245 --> 00:31:01,845
it seems that there may be personal motives for only wanting dana outlaw

405
00:31:02,265 --> 00:31:05,855
in this job. It's worrisome when personal agendas

406
00:31:06,835 --> 00:31:09,385
drive the decision making in government.

407
00:31:11,735 --> 00:31:15,625
another confusing piece of the puzzle was the

408
00:31:15,785 --> 00:31:19,745
statement made in may that ward six only has to go

409
00:31:19,905 --> 00:31:23,585
four more meetings without an alderman. Since the new board doesn't

410
00:31:24,025 --> 00:31:27,945
take office until december, that would've meant six more regular meetings.

411
00:31:29,655 --> 00:31:33,465
what wasn't mentioned were called meetings, work sessions, and other

412
00:31:33,705 --> 00:31:37,465
times when an alderman needs to show up, the failure

413
00:31:37,965 --> 00:31:41,495
of the board to fill this vacancy trivializes

414
00:31:42,205 --> 00:31:45,185
the right of citizens to be fully represented

415
00:31:46,985 --> 00:31:50,705
before the vote on appointing darling ground to the seat in

416
00:31:51,025 --> 00:31:54,845
may, the mayor expressed his strong opinion that he wanted to let the process

417
00:31:55,465 --> 00:31:59,445
unfold after the october election, and that he was not

418
00:31:59,645 --> 00:32:03,525
going to vote to appoint anyone. We would like to

419
00:32:03,685 --> 00:32:07,645
hear tonight that the board, that everybody on this board at this point

420
00:32:07,805 --> 00:32:11,765
is committed to that plan since we waited to hear, we're ready to

421
00:32:11,925 --> 00:32:14,885
wait until december now, and we will not be pleased

422
00:32:16,405 --> 00:32:19,655
if you use our discontent with your performance

423
00:32:20,965 --> 00:32:24,745
as an excuse to give dana outlaw two extra months on the board

424
00:32:25,205 --> 00:32:29,105
should he be elected. I spent a lot of time in my

425
00:32:29,295 --> 00:32:31,615
life studying and observing healthy organizations

426
00:32:33,425 --> 00:32:37,365
and healthy leadership styles. You know, good leaders are those

427
00:32:37,565 --> 00:32:40,875
people who work to bring people together to find appropriate

428
00:32:41,985 --> 00:32:45,795
and acceptable solutions to problems. Good leaders, good

429
00:32:46,085 --> 00:32:50,005
leaders don't always have to get their own way. Thank you for your

430
00:32:50,125 --> 00:32:54,055
conference. Maybe it's time for some fresh leadership in the city. Thank

431
00:32:54,405 --> 00:32:54,405
you.

432
00:33:03,285 --> 00:33:04,755
next is tracy dso.

433
00:33:12,445 --> 00:33:15,995
good evening. Evening. Um, just want to bring attention to the,

434
00:33:16,535 --> 00:33:19,375
uh, board, um, an issue regarding hpc.

435
00:33:20,795 --> 00:33:24,775
at last month's meeting, our hpc became, it became apparent the hpc and

436
00:33:24,975 --> 00:33:28,975
the board members and the staff are not well versed on preservation

437
00:33:29,775 --> 00:33:33,685
best practices as defined by the national alliance preservation commissions

438
00:33:35,225 --> 00:33:39,185
commission is a nonpartisan, um, non-profit organization whose

439
00:33:39,535 --> 00:33:43,135
goal is to promote architectural preservation through education and mentoring

440
00:33:44,315 --> 00:33:48,275
of hpc members. Um, and, uh, our

441
00:33:48,575 --> 00:33:52,215
hpc board is actually members of this organization, of this alliance.

442
00:33:53,835 --> 00:33:57,755
um, and even though the board does have membership, um,

443
00:33:58,075 --> 00:34:01,175
as stated by the hpc staff administrator at last month's meeting,

444
00:34:02,735 --> 00:34:06,505
they have not been able to participate in the extensive training the alliance offers

445
00:34:07,405 --> 00:34:11,305
due to a lack of funding by the city and or planning

446
00:34:11,445 --> 00:34:15,265
by development services. So my request to

447
00:34:15,465 --> 00:34:19,245
you is, is to direct the development services to

448
00:34:19,825 --> 00:34:23,625
investigate improving the training opportunities for the hpc board,

449
00:34:25,405 --> 00:34:29,225
its members and the staff. Our city will benefit from the

450
00:34:29,505 --> 00:34:33,065
hpc board that knowledgeable and preservations best practices

451
00:34:34,125 --> 00:34:38,065
and fosters a culture found on helping property owners instead of entering

452
00:34:38,225 --> 00:34:40,705
them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

453
00:34:46,735 --> 00:34:48,055
next is amy brigham.

454
00:34:52,895 --> 00:34:56,745
hello, my name is amy brigham. As a citizen of downtown new

455
00:34:56,965 --> 00:35:00,565
bern, I'm honored to be here and speak my peace. Thank you for this opportunity.

456
00:35:02,145 --> 00:35:06,085
at the may boa meeting, the mayor stated that he did not plan to vote

457
00:35:06,625 --> 00:35:10,545
for or appoint to appoint anyone to the empty ward six

458
00:35:10,765 --> 00:35:13,815
meeting, and then he went and voted against darlene brown.

459
00:35:15,145 --> 00:35:19,045
I'm confused about how this is supposed to work. I would like to understand the role

460
00:35:19,285 --> 00:35:23,165
of the mayor better. When the mayor gets involved in taking a side on an

461
00:35:23,365 --> 00:35:27,125
issue, isn't he supposed to turn over the gavel to someone else? Can someone

462
00:35:27,385 --> 00:35:29,085
on the board clarify this for me?

463
00:35:32,625 --> 00:35:36,625
I would like to speak to that. Now, what would you say in there, if we're, if

464
00:35:36,785 --> 00:35:40,765
we're gonna do that, the board needs to make a motion to suspend our rules

465
00:35:42,185 --> 00:35:46,125
and then the board can have discussion and deliberation. Is that correct, mr. Attorney? Yes, sir.

466
00:35:47,145 --> 00:35:50,645
so we would need a motion and a second, a vote to suspend our rules to have conversation.

467
00:35:51,545 --> 00:35:54,765
so moved. Second. We have a motion. Do we have a second?

468
00:35:56,305 --> 00:35:58,645
is that good? Second, any further discussion?

469
00:36:00,825 --> 00:36:04,825
all those in favor say aye. Aye. A aye. All those opposed? No

470
00:36:06,515 --> 00:36:08,425
ayes have it go right. Thank you, sir.

471
00:36:11,285 --> 00:36:14,805
I, I don't know if I need to direct this to our attorney.

472
00:36:15,985 --> 00:36:19,825
you have, um, you're the expert in the room perhaps on

473
00:36:20,045 --> 00:36:23,925
this issue, but I was asked the same question, uh, a number

474
00:36:24,125 --> 00:36:27,945
of times. And so I need clarity, uh, as

475
00:36:28,345 --> 00:36:32,165
our citizen, just as for clarity as to

476
00:36:34,045 --> 00:36:37,995
protocol or ordinance or rules or regulations regarding

477
00:36:38,605 --> 00:36:42,535
this question that she posed to the board. Yes, ma'am. We've

478
00:36:42,885 --> 00:36:46,835
discussed this a number of times. There is not a bright line

479
00:36:47,155 --> 00:36:50,485
test as to how far a chair can go

480
00:36:51,465 --> 00:36:55,405
in, um, participating in a debate, I've used the word

481
00:36:55,945 --> 00:36:59,745
robust discussion. Um, but the, the

482
00:36:59,965 --> 00:37:03,945
policy for you to understand as board members is

483
00:37:04,165 --> 00:37:08,045
the mayor who serves as your chair, is the referee of the

484
00:37:08,245 --> 00:37:11,295
meeting. The mayor cannot use that power

485
00:37:12,585 --> 00:37:16,095
to dominate a debate because he or she has a gavel.

486
00:37:17,265 --> 00:37:20,565
so the principle is the referee can't run the game to their favor.

487
00:37:21,505 --> 00:37:24,925
it does not mean that they can't participate in a discussion

488
00:37:26,295 --> 00:37:30,165
otherwise, the gavel would just roll around the board for

489
00:37:30,385 --> 00:37:34,335
hours, as everyone said something. So this

490
00:37:34,625 --> 00:37:37,945
is a self-governing process where you as board members,

491
00:37:39,285 --> 00:37:42,785
you call the balls and strikes. If any board member believes

492
00:37:43,695 --> 00:37:47,585
that the chair, in this case, the mayor is misusing

493
00:37:48,145 --> 00:37:51,485
the power of the gavel to dominate a debate,

494
00:37:52,865 --> 00:37:56,815
then you can speak up, make a motion that the gavel be passed to

495
00:37:57,035 --> 00:38:00,815
the mayor pro tem, and the same test would apply to the mayor pro

496
00:38:01,095 --> 00:38:04,355
tem. If that person is engaging to robustly

497
00:38:05,855 --> 00:38:09,115
and misusing that power, then it would pass to someone else.

498
00:38:10,595 --> 00:38:14,555
I will tell you, and having done this for 30 years, not only in newburn, but in many

499
00:38:14,795 --> 00:38:18,715
other jurisdictions, I have never seen a chair or a

500
00:38:18,885 --> 00:38:22,635
mayor have to pass the gavel because they were misusing

501
00:38:23,195 --> 00:38:26,035
that power in directing a discussion.

502
00:38:30,015 --> 00:38:33,885
so it is not simply that a mayor or a chair cannot speak

503
00:38:34,735 --> 00:38:38,345
or make a point without passing the gavel. The

504
00:38:38,765 --> 00:38:42,395
question is, is the chair being an unfair referee

505
00:38:43,385 --> 00:38:47,175
and not allowing others to participate because they have the gavel?

506
00:38:48,715 --> 00:38:52,525
does that make sense? It's pretty commonsensical. It does, and I appreciate that

507
00:38:52,905 --> 00:38:56,395
so much. And let me further, uh, ask a question then

508
00:38:57,755 --> 00:39:00,705
with, uh, respect to mayor odom's

509
00:39:02,045 --> 00:39:04,275
decision when he said he would not vote,

510
00:39:06,475 --> 00:39:08,835
however, the city clerk counted

511
00:39:10,625 --> 00:39:14,215
his response as a vote and it was said three

512
00:39:15,185 --> 00:39:19,165
to three. Yes, ma'am. Let me, if I can,

513
00:39:19,585 --> 00:39:23,355
um, my comments, I believe said I would not vote to support

514
00:39:24,385 --> 00:39:27,845
anyone getting the position I'm legally obligated to vote.

515
00:39:28,705 --> 00:39:30,685
is that correct, mr. Turner? Yes, sir. Yes. Thank you.

516
00:39:34,945 --> 00:39:38,845
I'm trying to understand the thin line. Yes, ma'am. So, so what the mayor's

517
00:39:39,245 --> 00:39:43,195
pointing out every board member has. Yeah, we, hold

518
00:39:43,485 --> 00:39:47,025
on just a minute. I, I don't know that we've ever had this since I've been mayor, but

519
00:39:47,565 --> 00:39:51,335
I love children, but it's becoming a distraction. So the, the child needs

520
00:39:51,705 --> 00:39:54,605
to quiet down or needs to exit the courtroom, please.

521
00:39:57,565 --> 00:40:01,465
so, as the mayor said, each of you

522
00:40:01,815 --> 00:40:05,345
have a duty to vote on every issue before the board,

523
00:40:06,205 --> 00:40:09,705
unless you have a legal conflict. So

524
00:40:10,385 --> 00:40:14,165
you have to vote what the mayor was saying. And what I recall is that he was not going

525
00:40:14,405 --> 00:40:17,805
to support any candidate since you were so close to the election.

526
00:40:19,785 --> 00:40:23,465
so that that's, I I I don't see that as an abuse of the

527
00:40:23,895 --> 00:40:27,805
gavel, if that's no, I didn't consider that abuse. I was just

528
00:40:27,965 --> 00:40:31,945
trying to get clarity. And as our citizen so well pointed out,

529
00:40:32,485 --> 00:40:35,965
I have been asked a question. So this is a proper time for our public.

530
00:40:36,585 --> 00:40:40,475
yes, ma'am. If any other citizen has a question that we can get some answers tonight,

531
00:40:41,505 --> 00:40:44,985
and, um, I, I appreciate that mayor odom. Um,

532
00:40:45,695 --> 00:40:49,685
again, the clarity and we can make

533
00:40:50,125 --> 00:40:54,045
informed decisions when we receive proper information. So thank you so

534
00:40:54,245 --> 00:40:57,885
much, mr. Attorney. Yes, ma'am. Ley, did you have something to say? It has became,

535
00:40:58,465 --> 00:41:02,325
um, a city, a city ordinance that the mayor can vote

536
00:41:03,535 --> 00:41:07,455
along with the board that has been in place for 19 years.

537
00:41:08,785 --> 00:41:12,305
and I have brought it up several times to ask,

538
00:41:13,945 --> 00:41:17,745
is that something we want to change? And no one wanted to

539
00:41:18,395 --> 00:41:22,205
vote on that. So it has remained what it is to today.

540
00:41:25,905 --> 00:41:29,885
um, uh, attorney davis? Yes, ma'am. I need

541
00:41:30,045 --> 00:41:32,465
a little bit more clarity too, because, um,

542
00:41:35,155 --> 00:41:38,635
when it says by the mayor becoming engaged in debates,

543
00:41:39,305 --> 00:41:42,995
and I'm looking at our rules of procedure here, and I'm not following

544
00:41:44,845 --> 00:41:48,225
the conduct of debate presiding officer, it says,

545
00:41:49,595 --> 00:41:53,255
if the presiding officer becomes actively involved in debate

546
00:41:53,795 --> 00:41:57,505
on a particular matter, he or she may designate another board

547
00:41:57,855 --> 00:42:01,395
member to preside over the debate. Yes, ma'am.

548
00:42:02,165 --> 00:42:06,075
so what am I missing here? , you,

549
00:42:06,295 --> 00:42:10,185
you, you're missing the area of when does a mayor or a chair cross

550
00:42:10,595 --> 00:42:14,425
the line and become so active that the gavel

551
00:42:14,785 --> 00:42:18,575
needs to be passed? Okay, so that's the ok word here. When it becomes

552
00:42:19,175 --> 00:42:23,095
a, a problem and the mayor steps out of line, and then that's when the board

553
00:42:23,435 --> 00:42:27,135
can I got yes, ma'am. If you read that, that's the word that I was looking for. Yes, ma'am. If you read that

554
00:42:27,515 --> 00:42:31,505
any other way, it means the mayor, each time has to pass the gavel

555
00:42:31,855 --> 00:42:35,335
to say anything during a discussion, which I think would be

556
00:42:36,215 --> 00:42:39,455
a, a waste of time. Okay. Thank you so much, sir. Yes ma'am.

557
00:42:41,565 --> 00:42:45,175
everybody satisfied? Okay, we will move on. The next

558
00:42:45,615 --> 00:42:48,075
petition of citizen is

559
00:42:50,035 --> 00:42:50,495
nat crosby.

560
00:43:03,325 --> 00:43:06,815
good evening, y'all. Mayor, board of alderman. I'm nat mckellar

561
00:43:07,335 --> 00:43:11,295
crosby, a resident in ward six. I appreciate the time to speak

562
00:43:11,495 --> 00:43:15,275
to you this evening. I first wanna lend my support to the effort

563
00:43:15,655 --> 00:43:18,805
to create a sister city agreement with hanta

564
00:43:19,675 --> 00:43:23,675
g. During the past juneteenth uh, events, we had the honor of

565
00:43:23,835 --> 00:43:27,625
hosting the junk new commandos and queen mother angelique

566
00:43:28,745 --> 00:43:32,395
angelique mckay, who has done much of the initial work to establish

567
00:43:32,955 --> 00:43:36,855
a sister city agreement between us here in uba and

568
00:43:37,465 --> 00:43:41,225
ahan, we have the opportunity to make history

569
00:43:42,085 --> 00:43:46,085
as the first si, uh, sister city to hanta and establish

570
00:43:46,605 --> 00:43:50,435
a bridge between our shared legacies. This opportunity

571
00:43:51,105 --> 00:43:54,955
also comes with funding opportunities to expand our cultural and tourism

572
00:43:55,195 --> 00:43:59,035
program. This initiative honors the history

573
00:43:59,275 --> 00:44:03,235
of new burning to provides funding to continue to tell

574
00:44:03,555 --> 00:44:07,495
this important story. In my humble opinion, this is a win for

575
00:44:07,715 --> 00:44:10,495
all parties and I support this endeavor.

576
00:44:12,625 --> 00:44:16,555
next, I would like to, um, like to speak with you all about

577
00:44:16,755 --> 00:44:20,055
the public bank of new bern initiative. I have emailed the city clerk,

578
00:44:20,835 --> 00:44:24,835
uh, with the preliminary feasibility study, uh, outlining the

579
00:44:25,055 --> 00:44:28,955
details of how we can get this done. Now, this is an

580
00:44:29,175 --> 00:44:33,145
important initiative for new bern because it will be a true economic driver

581
00:44:34,025 --> 00:44:37,635
in this city, helping working people improve

582
00:44:38,125 --> 00:44:41,945
their wages. Retirees have a safe and reliable place to

583
00:44:42,165 --> 00:44:45,525
deposit their savings at a much better rate than what they're receiving now,

584
00:44:46,585 --> 00:44:50,245
and lending opportunities for our small businesses and organizations

585
00:44:51,425 --> 00:44:55,385
to scale and grow. Not to mention, uh, mr. Mayor,

586
00:44:56,355 --> 00:45:00,275
the low cost funding for this infrastructure needs of

587
00:45:00,495 --> 00:45:04,305
this city. Our economy's growth is just 0.4%

588
00:45:06,475 --> 00:45:10,135
in terms of the job rate and our poverty rate is above

589
00:45:10,815 --> 00:45:14,675
14% in comparison to the state and

590
00:45:14,915 --> 00:45:17,815
to national standards, we aren't where we could be.

591
00:45:19,965 --> 00:45:23,695
with this in mind, we must consider resiliency measures like a public

592
00:45:24,125 --> 00:45:28,095
bank to ensure our future and uplift the citizens of new bern.

593
00:45:29,475 --> 00:45:33,345
since I do not have representation at this time, I look forward

594
00:45:33,585 --> 00:45:36,345
to meeting with each of you to discuss this further.

595
00:45:37,955 --> 00:45:40,915
I thank you for your time and I hope you have a great evening. Thank you. Thank you.

596
00:45:47,265 --> 00:45:48,265
next is steve skiffington.

597
00:45:58,095 --> 00:46:02,005
good evening, lord. Um, good evening. I come here to

598
00:46:02,225 --> 00:46:05,225
let you know that I believe in transparency in government,

599
00:46:06,885 --> 00:46:10,225
and part of that is open and very clear communication

600
00:46:11,015 --> 00:46:14,185
both ways between citizens and elected officials

601
00:46:15,775 --> 00:46:19,385
because of that belief. At the last meeting you held on june 10th,

602
00:46:21,025 --> 00:46:24,805
I asked a question of the board. I was

603
00:46:25,165 --> 00:46:29,145
not aware that you do not answer during

604
00:46:29,465 --> 00:46:33,385
those times. And so what I did the next morning on the 11th,

605
00:46:33,785 --> 00:46:37,625
I sent an email, uh, I offered her up to the court tonight.

606
00:46:38,205 --> 00:46:41,865
uh, she explained very patiently to me that it would've

607
00:46:42,245 --> 00:46:46,145
had to have been sent in in advance

608
00:46:46,685 --> 00:46:50,655
for me to show it on the screen. Uh, but then she also

609
00:46:50,945 --> 00:46:54,165
made it very clear that that does not mean that you would do so.

610
00:46:55,965 --> 00:46:59,195
she then generously offered to take a copy of that email

611
00:47:00,125 --> 00:47:03,905
and give it to all the board members. I don't know if you have it now or you'll receive

612
00:47:04,185 --> 00:47:07,945
it after the meeting. So because, uh, that cannot

613
00:47:08,375 --> 00:47:11,985
come up on the screen and because I do believe in transparency,

614
00:47:13,585 --> 00:47:17,305
I am now gonna read that email. And I also want to

615
00:47:17,675 --> 00:47:21,345
thank, uh, alderman royal during her prayer.

616
00:47:22,645 --> 00:47:26,395
one of the things she said was, every citizen has a fundamental right

617
00:47:27,285 --> 00:47:30,185
to be heard. So I'm claiming that right now.

618
00:47:32,065 --> 00:47:35,855
the email was addressed to two people, which

619
00:47:36,205 --> 00:47:39,515
will be clear when I start reading it. Gentlemen,

620
00:47:41,125 --> 00:47:44,805
I am the gentleman who at last night's board meeting, which was june, june 10th,

621
00:47:46,665 --> 00:47:49,885
who asked the question quote. It's my understanding

622
00:47:50,905 --> 00:47:54,685
that's several months ago, councilman alderman and the mayor

623
00:47:55,225 --> 00:47:57,645
agreed to hold a citywide town hall meeting.

624
00:47:59,385 --> 00:48:02,475
can someone tell us when he been schedule four?

625
00:48:05,845 --> 00:48:09,715
I understand. I continued, I understand that

626
00:48:10,005 --> 00:48:13,865
portion of the meeting is only to tell the board something you do

627
00:48:14,085 --> 00:48:17,625
not take or give answers. That being so

628
00:48:18,675 --> 00:48:22,185
exactly when can the public ask

629
00:48:22,685 --> 00:48:26,605
questions and receive answers? Continuing in my

630
00:48:26,765 --> 00:48:30,185
email back to my question, please advise

631
00:48:30,785 --> 00:48:34,665
if it's been scheduled and if it has not, why

632
00:48:34,885 --> 00:48:38,815
not? So

633
00:48:39,055 --> 00:48:42,295
I'm just gonna wait for the balance of my time because I know you're not going to answer me,

634
00:48:43,455 --> 00:48:44,555
but I'm claiming my time.

635
00:48:48,665 --> 00:48:52,175
do we need to do that motion again?

636
00:48:52,745 --> 00:48:56,405
yes, ma'am. So moved. Second.

637
00:48:57,385 --> 00:49:01,105
I have a motion to second to suspend the rules and engage in discussion. Is there further discussion?

638
00:49:03,615 --> 00:49:06,905
hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed?

639
00:49:08,365 --> 00:49:12,185
aye. After the discussion, I'm claiming my last 48 seconds.

640
00:49:13,535 --> 00:49:17,205
okay. What was your question again, mr. Smith? The question was,

641
00:49:17,845 --> 00:49:21,765
uh, first of all, I was told that at

642
00:49:22,025 --> 00:49:26,005
a public meeting that, uh, councilman alderman and the mayor agreed

643
00:49:26,445 --> 00:49:30,305
to hold a citywide wide town hall meeting. Now, it could

644
00:49:30,505 --> 00:49:33,985
be that I was given that information incorrectly. I doubt it.

645
00:49:35,085 --> 00:49:37,905
if I was given it incorrectly, then I expect them to tell me. So

646
00:49:39,325 --> 00:49:42,905
my question is, question. When will we have a

647
00:49:43,505 --> 00:49:46,825
citywide town hall meeting? That's it.

648
00:49:47,995 --> 00:49:51,855
mayor matthew, you sure can. Um, I'm

649
00:49:52,075 --> 00:49:55,745
not sure if I recall doing anything about a town

650
00:49:56,145 --> 00:50:00,135
hall, citywide town hall meeting. I didn't ask the

651
00:50:00,355 --> 00:50:04,195
mayor during one of our board meetings if he would contact

652
00:50:05,155 --> 00:50:09,035
congressman murphy and ask the congressman to have a town hall meeting

653
00:50:09,545 --> 00:50:13,195
with the citizens of duber. And I know since then

654
00:50:13,745 --> 00:50:17,555
that the mayor, 'cause I have followed up with it, has sent that

655
00:50:17,835 --> 00:50:21,835
request in to congressman murphy's office. Now, I'm not

656
00:50:21,915 --> 00:50:25,795
sure if that's what you're thinking of or referring to or not,

657
00:50:26,455 --> 00:50:30,305
but I don't, I never, and and unless somebody's, unless I'm

658
00:50:30,525 --> 00:50:34,445
wrong. Have we discussed having a city board town hall meeting?

659
00:50:35,935 --> 00:50:37,885
why are you even asking permission

660
00:50:40,485 --> 00:50:44,145
of congressman murphy to have a town hall meeting

661
00:50:44,775 --> 00:50:48,465
that is not his business's the point that's going to be holding the meeting? We've asked

662
00:50:49,225 --> 00:50:53,065
congressman murphy to come here and have a

663
00:50:53,535 --> 00:50:57,145
meeting through his office. We had a meeting

664
00:50:57,685 --> 00:51:01,345
and there was a meeting here with congressman murphy. There was some conversations

665
00:51:02,075 --> 00:51:05,745
about not everybody knew about it. Not everybody was invited to it.

666
00:51:06,245 --> 00:51:10,065
so at that time, I asked the mayor to invite congressman murphy

667
00:51:10,455 --> 00:51:13,775
here for him to have a meeting,

668
00:51:14,745 --> 00:51:18,405
a citywide meeting to discuss the, um,

669
00:51:19,865 --> 00:51:23,555
the issues on his level. That's the only meeting that

670
00:51:23,885 --> 00:51:27,745
I recall or ever requesting for. Does anybody

671
00:51:28,065 --> 00:51:31,495
recall anything any differently? Mr. Mr. Steve, are you referring

672
00:51:32,105 --> 00:51:35,905
to a town hall for the upcoming election? Is that what you're

673
00:51:36,185 --> 00:51:39,345
talking about? No, ma'am. I am a, I'm referring to a classic

674
00:51:40,215 --> 00:51:43,585
town hall where all the board members are present

675
00:51:44,725 --> 00:51:48,665
and members of the community can ask whatever they want to ask and they

676
00:51:48,855 --> 00:51:52,645
receive some type of answer or guidance. It has

677
00:51:52,865 --> 00:51:56,545
nothing to do with congressman murphy. Well,

678
00:51:57,015 --> 00:52:00,895
I'm, I'm not sure if that request was ever made in this meeting. I know the, the

679
00:52:01,115 --> 00:52:04,755
request was made to have a, a town hall meeting with congressman murphy.

680
00:52:06,035 --> 00:52:09,975
'cause I was the one that made the request. That is not, not my question. So

681
00:52:10,215 --> 00:52:14,085
my question now is, will this board

682
00:52:15,225 --> 00:52:17,435
hold at some time in the near future

683
00:52:19,665 --> 00:52:23,515
a citywide town hall meeting, which

684
00:52:23,865 --> 00:52:27,525
will obviously have to be a bigger venue than here? That's

685
00:52:27,965 --> 00:52:31,945
my request. I can only speak

686
00:52:32,265 --> 00:52:35,645
for me. I am more than willing. Thank you, ma'am.

687
00:52:40,285 --> 00:52:44,125
anything else from the board? So am I. Thank you.

688
00:52:45,125 --> 00:52:48,845
I think it's zoning that the two women

689
00:52:49,745 --> 00:52:53,705
on the board have no problem with it. Thank you, sir.

690
00:52:54,025 --> 00:52:57,885
we appreciate your comment. Thank you.

691
00:52:58,215 --> 00:52:59,005
thank you. Thank you.

692
00:53:06,225 --> 00:53:08,285
uh, next is amanda mckowski.

693
00:53:20,785 --> 00:53:24,785
hi. Good evening. Good evening. Evening. Have you ever been woken up in a panic at

694
00:53:25,130 --> 00:53:29,085
2:00 am in the morning when the police are banging on your door? I have

695
00:53:29,655 --> 00:53:33,485
twice, both within six months of each other, both times to alert

696
00:53:33,805 --> 00:53:37,545
me and my ex-husband are that our car parked correctly on the street had been hit.

697
00:53:38,155 --> 00:53:41,685
both of them hit and runs. I live on the 3,500 block of elizabeth

698
00:53:42,165 --> 00:53:45,645
avenue. I have lived here for 16 years and I have watched the traffic

699
00:53:46,465 --> 00:53:50,125
on this street get more and more reckless. Very few people are abiding

700
00:53:50,485 --> 00:53:54,005
by the 25 mile per hour speed limit. I have two small children.

701
00:53:54,555 --> 00:53:58,325
sometimes I need to load them in the car parked on the street. And to be honest, it's terrifying.

702
00:53:59,705 --> 00:54:03,485
people don't even bother to slow down when you're getting in or out of the car

703
00:54:03,825 --> 00:54:07,485
on the side of the road. I have learned that various hoas have requested

704
00:54:07,885 --> 00:54:11,765
that a stop sign be installed or speed bumps be installed and have been

705
00:54:11,965 --> 00:54:15,725
denied. Maybe a stop sign isn't the answer, but what other traffic control options

706
00:54:16,025 --> 00:54:19,885
are available? Could speed pumps or humps work? I informally

707
00:54:20,325 --> 00:54:24,045
requesting that there is some traffic control done on elizabeth avenue to help reduce

708
00:54:24,465 --> 00:54:28,255
the speed of the drivers. With every new housing section added, the issue

709
00:54:28,665 --> 00:54:32,285
has compounded. As a reminder, there are kids who live on elizabeth avenue

710
00:54:32,705 --> 00:54:36,245
and the streets that branch off of, off that walk to school at h day mcdonald.

711
00:54:37,405 --> 00:54:41,245
I know I'm not the only person who is concerned or who has asked for speed bumps

712
00:54:41,565 --> 00:54:45,435
or stop signs or any other control measure that would help slow traffic down.

713
00:54:46,305 --> 00:54:50,165
how many tickets need to be issued? How much property damage needs to be incured?

714
00:54:51,225 --> 00:54:55,225
how many pets need to be injured? How many kids need to be hit? Or

715
00:54:55,445 --> 00:54:57,935
does someone need to die before a requests are finally heard?

716
00:54:59,715 --> 00:55:03,645
I'll end by asking questions that are not rhetoric, but I would like to be placed on a

717
00:55:03,765 --> 00:55:07,205
record. What metric is going to be the trigger for adding traffic control measures?

718
00:55:07,915 --> 00:55:11,185
what will it take for something to be done? I brought photos

719
00:55:12,705 --> 00:55:15,275
of bulk our, that were totaled

720
00:55:17,075 --> 00:55:18,565
outside our house in the middle of the night.

721
00:55:22,135 --> 00:55:26,135
this car, this was the first one that was totaled. This

722
00:55:26,425 --> 00:55:30,265
was parked on the very front of this photo and it got hit

723
00:55:30,565 --> 00:55:33,585
so hard that it landed in our next door neighbor's driveway.

724
00:55:34,775 --> 00:55:38,705
what happens if it hit my house? My daughter sleeps in

725
00:55:38,865 --> 00:55:42,265
the front bedroom of our house. What if that had hit our house

726
00:55:43,325 --> 00:55:46,905
and killed my daughter? I'm asking that something

727
00:55:47,345 --> 00:55:51,235
be done to control the speed on elizabeth avenue. Thank you. Have a great night. Thank

728
00:55:51,585 --> 00:55:51,585
you.

729
00:55:58,165 --> 00:56:01,415
and our last petition of citizens this evening is anastasia

730
00:56:03,375 --> 00:56:03,995
feal gates.

731
00:56:17,035 --> 00:56:20,805
hello. I go by socially, uh, anna fagel and I live in

732
00:56:21,305 --> 00:56:24,485
ward six. I work with easterseals port health,

733
00:56:25,375 --> 00:56:28,125
which is partnered with trillium and one community

734
00:56:29,505 --> 00:56:32,855
to support individuals with disabilities and mental health needs.

735
00:56:33,905 --> 00:56:37,765
I'm also a special education student at east carolina

736
00:56:38,295 --> 00:56:41,885
university focusing on adapted curriculum

737
00:56:43,105 --> 00:56:47,085
as a citizen of ward six. I am speaking out because I

738
00:56:47,225 --> 00:56:50,365
do not have an alderman to represent me.

739
00:56:51,465 --> 00:56:55,345
uh, representation matters, especially for those of

740
00:56:55,565 --> 00:56:59,325
us who support and serve vulnerable populations every

741
00:56:59,665 --> 00:57:03,625
day. It's a beautiful day in

742
00:57:03,845 --> 00:57:07,525
this neighborhood. A beautiful day for a

743
00:57:07,965 --> 00:57:11,825
neighbor. Could you be my, would you

744
00:57:12,585 --> 00:57:16,565
be mine? Please? Won't you be my neighbor.

745
00:57:18,375 --> 00:57:22,325
these words aren't just a song, they are a reminder

746
00:57:23,385 --> 00:57:25,965
of the kind of community we should strive to be

747
00:57:27,515 --> 00:57:31,075
connected, compassionate, and held accountable

748
00:57:33,025 --> 00:57:36,845
to one another. Thank you. Thank you.

749
00:57:43,855 --> 00:57:47,525
okay, board. Next up is the consent agenda items five through 13. What's

750
00:57:47,945 --> 00:57:51,925
the pleasure of the board? Mayor, I make a motion to approve the consent agenda as

751
00:57:52,165 --> 00:57:55,625
is second. I have a motion to second.

752
00:57:56,685 --> 00:58:00,185
is there further discussion? Mayor, I have a few questions,

753
00:58:00,925 --> 00:58:04,235
um, with regards to item six, seven, and eight.

754
00:58:05,565 --> 00:58:09,005
um, if the board is willing, I'm

755
00:58:09,715 --> 00:58:13,585
happy to ask those questions before we vote on the consent agenda.

756
00:58:14,245 --> 00:58:17,745
or I would ask that those three items be removed

757
00:58:18,255 --> 00:58:22,065
from the consent agenda, um, at which time I could

758
00:58:22,765 --> 00:58:25,505
ask the questions and then evoke could be taken on them.

759
00:58:26,885 --> 00:58:30,545
mr. Davis, we have a motion and a second on the floor to approve the consent

760
00:58:30,905 --> 00:58:34,745
agenda throughout the discussion. Uh, question has been raised on three items.

761
00:58:35,845 --> 00:58:39,835
yes, sir. You, you need to entertain the motion on the floor. That's been second. If that fails,

762
00:58:40,185 --> 00:58:43,015
then we can revert to alderman prills, um, request.

763
00:58:44,215 --> 00:58:47,785
okay. So we have a motion on the floor to approve the consent agenda as is.

764
00:58:49,035 --> 00:58:51,425
we'll have a roll call vote starting with alderman royal.

765
00:58:53,735 --> 00:58:57,115
alderman royal in respect to alder mccrell. No.

766
00:59:00,005 --> 00:59:03,045
alderman naster. Now if he wants to pull him, we'll pull up

767
00:59:05,405 --> 00:59:09,125
alder mckenzie, we can pull him. Is that a no sir.

768
00:59:11,675 --> 00:59:14,185
okay. Alderman best no

769
00:59:16,005 --> 00:59:19,745
alderman. Creel? No. Mayor odom, no. Motion

770
00:59:20,335 --> 00:59:24,235
fails an out. Its back open alderman per, uh,

771
00:59:24,585 --> 00:59:27,825
mayor, I'll make a motion to, um, pull items

772
00:59:28,755 --> 00:59:30,615
six, seven, and eight from the consent agenda

773
00:59:33,115 --> 00:59:37,075
second, and otherwise approve it and

774
00:59:37,295 --> 00:59:41,155
otherwise approve the consent agenda. Oh, yes. Uh,

775
00:59:41,755 --> 00:59:45,535
yes. Okay. So we have a motion and a second to pull item number six, seven,

776
00:59:45,775 --> 00:59:49,335
and eight from the consent agenda and prove what is or prove what is remaining

777
00:59:49,955 --> 00:59:52,455
second. I already have a second. Any further discussion?

778
00:59:54,615 --> 00:59:58,425
hearing none. Um, let's have a roll call starting with

779
00:59:58,785 --> 01:00:01,395
alderman astor. Alderman astor. Yes.

780
01:00:03,135 --> 01:00:07,025
alderman kenzie. Yes. Alderman best? Yes. Alderman krill.

781
01:00:07,915 --> 01:00:11,775
yes. Alderman royal? Yes. Mayor odom? Yes. Motion carries.

782
01:00:12,335 --> 01:00:16,215
alderman. Prill. Get right ahead, sir. Yes. On item six, just

783
01:00:16,615 --> 01:00:20,585
a a quick question, um, uh, question for staff.

784
01:00:21,915 --> 01:00:25,905
um, I'm curious as to, um, where

785
01:00:26,485 --> 01:00:29,345
this request, um, originated.

786
01:00:31,075 --> 01:00:34,925
is this, um, simply a part

787
01:00:35,395 --> 01:00:39,355
of the land use ordinance update that we

788
01:00:39,575 --> 01:00:43,365
are working through? Um, or was this a request

789
01:00:44,085 --> 01:00:47,975
from some other entity? No, I asked for this request when reviewing

790
01:00:48,455 --> 01:00:52,165
a very large project. It was asked of us, what is the density in that

791
01:00:52,555 --> 01:00:55,915
zoning district in c four. Every other zoning

792
01:00:56,655 --> 01:01:00,535
district we have, has it called out? This one does not. That's poor planning practice and

793
01:01:00,735 --> 01:01:04,405
I wanted it fixed immediately. Okay.

794
01:01:04,855 --> 01:01:08,455
I might have missed the first part of that. So was this a request

795
01:01:08,965 --> 01:01:12,935
from, uh, an entity outside of staff or no, sir. This is

796
01:01:13,095 --> 01:01:17,095
staff me recommending that we put better planning practice in and define

797
01:01:17,415 --> 01:01:21,335
what the density is 'cause it's missing. And without that, uh, there is

798
01:01:21,495 --> 01:01:25,335
potential to argue you can do what you want with density and that's not a good place

799
01:01:25,535 --> 01:01:28,535
to be in. Okay. Thank you on that one.

800
01:01:31,245 --> 01:01:32,305
well, on item seven,

801
01:01:35,955 --> 01:01:39,755
uh, first question, uh, same, same question, um,

802
01:01:40,715 --> 01:01:44,655
as to where this recommendation originated. Sure. Our assistant

803
01:01:45,055 --> 01:01:48,975
city attorney was reviewing a project with us and how to

804
01:01:49,135 --> 01:01:53,005
interpret it. And in going through that, we realize two things. There's

805
01:01:53,495 --> 01:01:57,175
a very antiquated way of measuring height in an overlay district. It says

806
01:01:57,955 --> 01:02:01,565
you can have stories. It doesn't define what a story is. Typically

807
01:02:02,585 --> 01:02:06,415
ordinances require you to measure things in feet. So we're requesting to make

808
01:02:06,605 --> 01:02:10,455
that change. Additionally, there is some antiquated language

809
01:02:10,885 --> 01:02:14,735
that requires design standards in several of our overlay districts that

810
01:02:14,935 --> 01:02:18,255
are inconsistent with current state law and have been since 2020.

811
01:02:19,545 --> 01:02:23,285
and so we are removing those in that same section of the ordinance at her recommendation.

812
01:02:24,595 --> 01:02:25,585
okay. Um,

813
01:02:29,355 --> 01:02:33,335
um, given, given the fact that we're talking

814
01:02:33,665 --> 01:02:35,735
about, uh, changing

815
01:02:39,635 --> 01:02:42,965
the determination of changing stories to feet,

816
01:02:44,235 --> 01:02:47,365
why is this change

817
01:02:48,255 --> 01:02:51,785
only being directed, um, at specific

818
01:02:52,335 --> 01:02:56,105
overlay zones versus city block? It's the only place it, it says you measure

819
01:02:56,485 --> 01:03:00,465
in stories everywhere else. It uses feet, like is the preferred practice.

820
01:03:01,055 --> 01:03:04,555
okay. So this would bring the overlay zones

821
01:03:05,615 --> 01:03:09,495
into, into consistency with how we measure everything else. Okay. Yes, sir. Good

822
01:03:09,945 --> 01:03:13,505
question. Okay. Um, third question. Um, there's

823
01:03:14,345 --> 01:03:18,145
reference to the broad slash queen street

824
01:03:18,985 --> 01:03:22,875
corridor singled out for a 60 foot limit.

825
01:03:23,685 --> 01:03:25,825
why, why is that one corridor

826
01:03:27,785 --> 01:03:30,875
specifically being mentioned for a 60 foot limit

827
01:03:32,285 --> 01:03:35,545
as opposed to the 60 foot limit is consistent with the zoning there?

828
01:03:38,365 --> 01:03:42,215
it's inconsistent. It is consistent. It would be consistent in changing the stories

829
01:03:42,635 --> 01:03:46,375
to feed. And so there you'll see 60 feet and 30 feet respectively

830
01:03:47,155 --> 01:03:50,175
in the amendment, which I'm happy to explain during the public hearing.

831
01:03:55,925 --> 01:03:59,435
okay. I'm not sure I fully follow you on that one. Um,

832
01:04:00,435 --> 01:04:04,375
so anywhere outside of this particular court or what, what is the

833
01:04:04,495 --> 01:04:08,405
height limit? It's different for every zoning district. Okay. But here they're

834
01:04:08,725 --> 01:04:12,575
saying stories right now and we need to be able to measure

835
01:04:13,325 --> 01:04:17,255
when applying the standards to a project. Okay. So the

836
01:04:17,455 --> 01:04:20,715
60 foot is just a recommended height

837
01:04:21,465 --> 01:04:25,435
limit? It's pretty standard. That's yes, sir. That's based on the recommended change

838
01:04:25,955 --> 01:04:27,855
that's being made. Yes, sir.

839
01:04:32,565 --> 01:04:36,395
okay. Uh, last question on this one. Um,

840
01:04:38,065 --> 01:04:41,685
uh, just real quick, what are the boundaries of that

841
01:04:42,215 --> 01:04:45,965
broad queen street corridor? That's the redevelopment commission area.

842
01:04:48,545 --> 01:04:52,185
oh. Oh, I just wondering where oh, I, I, we can show a map. Um,

843
01:04:54,245 --> 01:04:57,955
scott, can you verbally on the fly, describe that boundary for me? I wanna say

844
01:04:58,355 --> 01:05:01,955
ottoman prill that, um, it runs roughly from the intersection of broad and first

845
01:05:03,775 --> 01:05:07,625
toward downtown. And I think it extends over to the rear

846
01:05:08,475 --> 01:05:11,515
property lines of all of the, all of the properties

847
01:05:12,535 --> 01:05:16,415
on broad street. That is a rough description. That's

848
01:05:16,835 --> 01:05:20,475
all. It's the, that corridor does not actually go down

849
01:05:20,895 --> 01:05:24,645
queen street. It is really a broad street corridor

850
01:05:25,185 --> 01:05:28,325
or does, it does. I don't recall how far down broad it goes

851
01:05:29,225 --> 01:05:33,225
if it goes very far. I just don't recall. Okay. Well, I would, I would just ask as

852
01:05:33,445 --> 01:05:37,165
part of next month's presentation if that could just be

853
01:05:37,725 --> 01:05:40,125
identified, um, just more for clarification.

854
01:05:42,025 --> 01:05:45,735
uh, so that's it with item seven. Item eight.

855
01:05:47,745 --> 01:05:51,365
um, and it, this may just be

856
01:05:51,985 --> 01:05:55,845
my own confusion. Um, in, in the memo that the board

857
01:05:56,105 --> 01:05:59,425
has received, um, from robert, um,

858
01:06:00,185 --> 01:06:03,725
it, there's a statement that says the proposed amendment

859
01:06:04,615 --> 01:06:08,215
seeks to expand the setback allowances to apply

860
01:06:08,635 --> 01:06:12,565
more broadly to all single family residential duplex and multi-family

861
01:06:13,805 --> 01:06:17,765
construction within the overlay district. I, I'm just a little confused

862
01:06:18,305 --> 01:06:22,275
as to what that actually means. Sure. I'll put it in, in some,

863
01:06:22,785 --> 01:06:25,885
uh, simple english right now in the rdc,

864
01:06:26,905 --> 01:06:29,865
we have relaxed standards because there are so many non-conforming

865
01:06:31,035 --> 01:06:34,445
lots that we want to have reused. And the way this ordinance was written

866
01:06:35,355 --> 01:06:39,005
allowed very specifically residential setbacks,

867
01:06:39,905 --> 01:06:43,745
lot sizes, things of that nature to be relaxed and

868
01:06:43,965 --> 01:06:46,905
applied only in our six zoning. And

869
01:06:48,095 --> 01:06:51,635
there was a question, well, what if you build residential uses

870
01:06:52,505 --> 01:06:56,435
in the rdc boundary that are not zoned r six because

871
01:06:57,025 --> 01:07:00,595
we allow by right for people to build residential

872
01:07:01,435 --> 01:07:05,355
uses in other areas, but they're not afforded the more lenient, smaller

873
01:07:05,945 --> 01:07:09,645
lot sizes and setbacks. This is a request

874
01:07:10,195 --> 01:07:14,105
from the rdc that was discussed also and also recommended by

875
01:07:14,325 --> 01:07:18,095
the planning and zoning board to allow those same standards if you're building residences,

876
01:07:18,795 --> 01:07:22,705
residential uses to be in any, any zoning district within

877
01:07:23,125 --> 01:07:26,605
that boundary. And that's what that changes and that is all this changes.

878
01:07:28,365 --> 01:07:32,015
okay. And I guess the, um, the, the, the issue that

879
01:07:32,415 --> 01:07:36,405
I just want to make sure that, um, we're addressing clearly,

880
01:07:37,875 --> 01:07:41,595
um, if this gets approved, uh, it just came

881
01:07:41,885 --> 01:07:45,675
across to me and I may, it just may be the way I'm reading it, that

882
01:07:48,615 --> 01:07:52,155
we're not being real specific in terms of what

883
01:07:52,765 --> 01:07:55,675
standards would be applied. That it, it would be left

884
01:07:56,865 --> 01:08:00,765
in some way as an interpretation and I'm concerned if that's

885
01:08:01,085 --> 01:08:03,705
the case. Okay. Uh,

886
01:08:05,445 --> 01:08:09,365
absolute clarity and comfort moving forward. The minimum lot size would be

887
01:08:09,525 --> 01:08:13,005
1500 square feet minimum lot with 25

888
01:08:13,635 --> 01:08:17,465
feet setbacks, 15 from the front, 10 feet from the

889
01:08:17,685 --> 01:08:21,685
rear, and five on the sides. And that would be consistent for residential uses in all

890
01:08:21,885 --> 01:08:25,665
of those zoning districts. Okay. Even in the commercial zones. Okay. So,

891
01:08:26,145 --> 01:08:30,085
so we're dealing with some very specific, and that is,

892
01:08:30,305 --> 01:08:34,285
uh, how it is right now for residences in the r six district.

893
01:08:34,405 --> 01:08:38,405
okay. But it doesn't allow that in the other districts. I think there has been

894
01:08:38,645 --> 01:08:42,445
more interest in building residences in zoning districts within

895
01:08:42,765 --> 01:08:46,485
that boundary outside of r six. And that was kind of the impetus

896
01:08:46,985 --> 01:08:50,865
to have this discussion and public hearing. Okay. Um,

897
01:08:51,255 --> 01:08:55,165
mayor, that's all I have. Thank you jessica. You're very welcome. Does anyone else have questions

898
01:08:55,325 --> 01:08:58,145
on six, seven or eight? Sir?

899
01:08:59,585 --> 01:09:03,385
if not, I will entertain a motion to approve items six, seven, and

900
01:09:03,605 --> 01:09:07,545
eight. So moved. Discussion. I have a

901
01:09:07,665 --> 01:09:11,145
motion and a second. Any further discussion?

902
01:09:14,685 --> 01:09:18,305
uh, hearing none, let's have a roll call starting with alderman

903
01:09:18,985 --> 01:09:22,205
kinzie. Alderman kinzie. Yes.

904
01:09:23,265 --> 01:09:26,205
alderman vest. Yes. Alderman pri. Yes.

905
01:09:27,385 --> 01:09:30,875
alderman royal. Yes. Alderman aster. Yes. Mayor

906
01:09:31,415 --> 01:09:35,305
odom. Yes. Motions carried. Next is item number 14. Conduct a public hearing

907
01:09:35,685 --> 01:09:39,625
and consider adopting a resolution approving an amendment to the development agreement with warehouser for

908
01:09:39,825 --> 01:09:43,805
west newburn. Mr. Hughes. Mayor alderman. In october of 2018, the

909
01:09:44,025 --> 01:09:47,145
city entered into a development agreement with warehouser for west newburn.

910
01:09:48,065 --> 01:09:51,385
warehouser recently approached the city about amending the original agreement.

911
01:09:52,135 --> 01:09:55,985
that information is, is in your packet. You are asked to conduct a public hearing

912
01:09:56,245 --> 01:09:57,905
and then consider the the proposed changes.

913
01:10:00,535 --> 01:10:02,345
does the board have questions before we open a public hearing?

914
01:10:07,275 --> 01:10:11,165
hearing none at this time, we will consider the public hearing open if anyone would like

915
01:10:11,325 --> 01:10:14,365
to speak regarding item number 14. Please come forward at this time.

916
01:10:20,265 --> 01:10:23,895
thank you. Board cliff parson on behalf of warehouser. Uh, when we

917
01:10:24,435 --> 01:10:27,885
agreed to this development agreement in 2018, we knew it was a living, breathing

918
01:10:28,855 --> 01:10:32,695
document and that it would need to be addressed and potentially amended from time to time,

919
01:10:33,475 --> 01:10:37,415
uh, based on changing circumstances and market conditions. And that's what

920
01:10:37,535 --> 01:10:41,405
we're here doing hopefully tonight. Um, the amendment does a few things that,

921
01:10:41,755 --> 01:10:45,745
uh, I believe mr. Hughes put in the agenda. We're reducing. We're

922
01:10:46,095 --> 01:10:49,975
making a speed limit, communitywide 25 miles an hour. Uh, we're addressing the

923
01:10:50,135 --> 01:10:54,095
connectivity of the development to 43 as it connects to elizabeth

924
01:10:54,535 --> 01:10:58,455
avenue. Once that's extended, um, we're agreeing to comply with the electric

925
01:10:58,575 --> 01:11:02,435
line policy. We're removing a 25 acre limitation on

926
01:11:02,655 --> 01:11:06,215
multi-family uses within the development that was self-imposed

927
01:11:07,035 --> 01:11:10,335
by the developer back when their vision for this was a little different.

928
01:11:11,195 --> 01:11:14,885
um, and then we're revising street standards for the development just to give the developer

929
01:11:15,285 --> 01:11:18,805
a little more flexibility when it comes to the internal roads in the development.

930
01:11:23,825 --> 01:11:23,825
okay.

931
01:11:28,485 --> 01:11:31,475
board, have questions for mr. Parsons? Will I stand in there? Yes, I do.

932
01:11:32,655 --> 01:11:35,885
um, when you say, uh, connect the community to highway 43

933
01:11:38,455 --> 01:11:42,115
at what route are you going? You are extending, coming down elizabeth avenue,

934
01:11:42,975 --> 01:11:45,175
or is this on the 43

935
01:11:47,895 --> 01:11:51,875
corridor area? It's gonna be a connect, it's gonna be a connection, uh, to

936
01:11:52,095 --> 01:11:55,975
the 43 connector, um, through our development to where

937
01:11:56,485 --> 01:12:00,095
elizabeth will ultimately, once that developer develops its sub subdivision,

938
01:12:01,395 --> 01:12:05,375
uh, it'll connect to elizabeth as extended there. Um, I'm not

939
01:12:05,455 --> 01:12:09,245
sure if any of the, the master development plan can be put up, but I can kind

940
01:12:09,655 --> 01:12:13,495
of guide you through that. Um, the attachment c to the

941
01:12:13,695 --> 01:12:17,625
amendment shows, uh, the connection points, and there's actually, we've

942
01:12:17,975 --> 01:12:21,015
removed two connection points from highway from the 43 connector.

943
01:12:22,035 --> 01:12:25,525
um, and the connection that we're talking about here,

944
01:12:26,355 --> 01:12:29,615
um, which is gonna extend, uh, from charles avenue

945
01:12:30,515 --> 01:12:34,435
to what we call bradham boulevard to 43, once the

946
01:12:34,655 --> 01:12:38,495
new elizabeth is connected to us. Okay. So that

947
01:12:38,755 --> 01:12:42,755
new elizabeth debt connection will be where the warehouse of

948
01:12:43,085 --> 01:12:47,015
development is right now with the community of

949
01:12:47,175 --> 01:12:50,975
homes? Is that where the elizabeth gonna tie into the 43?

950
01:12:51,835 --> 01:12:55,535
yep. Where elizabeth dead ends now, it's gonna okay. Sort of jog, I believe,

951
01:12:55,965 --> 01:12:59,785
sort of westerly, mostly westerly southwesterly to the development where,

952
01:13:00,235 --> 01:13:02,975
uh, currently the dr. Horton has built many houses.

953
01:13:04,345 --> 01:13:08,175
thank you. Yes, ma'am. I have a

954
01:13:08,455 --> 01:13:12,335
question also, sir. Are you saying that currently

955
01:13:13,275 --> 01:13:15,205
the elizabeth avenue is undeveloped?

956
01:13:17,455 --> 01:13:21,395
it, it dead ends? Uh, currently, I'm not sure which development. It's not, it's not dead.

957
01:13:21,635 --> 01:13:25,505
doesn't dead end. The property owned by warehouser that ends into our, into

958
01:13:25,995 --> 01:13:29,725
adjacent property. And I understand that developer has plans

959
01:13:30,825 --> 01:13:34,105
once that property gets developed to extend elizabeth avenue through

960
01:13:35,095 --> 01:13:37,555
to west newburn. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

961
01:13:40,495 --> 01:13:44,185
on the, the self-imposed, um, density

962
01:13:44,925 --> 01:13:48,895
limit that you mentioned, um, can, can you just expand

963
01:13:49,415 --> 01:13:53,395
on that a little bit as to, um, what's changed in the market

964
01:13:54,295 --> 01:13:58,215
and what that means for the proposed development that will happen in

965
01:13:58,435 --> 01:14:02,355
the future? Yeah, you, you'll recall that when, when this development

966
01:14:02,955 --> 01:14:06,735
was first, um, contemplated, uh, there were big box

967
01:14:06,965 --> 01:14:10,175
developers, um, that were being sought out. Um,

968
01:14:10,975 --> 01:14:14,105
there was a talk of a movie studio being there. Um,

969
01:14:15,185 --> 01:14:18,665
all those have sort of come to pass. And, uh,

970
01:14:19,225 --> 01:14:22,825
we are seeing more interest in residential. Um,

971
01:14:23,565 --> 01:14:27,485
specifically multifamily. Uh, I believe this board or the, the planning board

972
01:14:27,805 --> 01:14:31,785
just approved a town home unit, um, behind the

973
01:14:32,005 --> 01:14:35,805
current apartments there. It's gonna be between that and the future school

974
01:14:36,165 --> 01:14:39,965
that's gonna be there. Um, and so market conditions

975
01:14:40,625 --> 01:14:44,075
is telling us that we do not need to limit ourselves

976
01:14:44,705 --> 01:14:48,625
to just 25 acres. Um, at the time, our

977
01:14:48,845 --> 01:14:52,445
potential buyers were interested in that, and now our potential buyers

978
01:14:53,225 --> 01:14:57,085
and developers are just the opposite. They, they, they are hoping

979
01:14:57,305 --> 01:15:01,245
for more land to be developed as multifamily and, and

980
01:15:01,465 --> 01:15:05,305
it's all allowed in c3. So this is not doing anything that's not allowed

981
01:15:05,705 --> 01:15:09,605
in c3. It's basically bringing the development consistent with the,

982
01:15:10,485 --> 01:15:13,465
the c3 zoning designation. Thank you.

983
01:15:17,205 --> 01:15:18,065
any other questions for mr. Parsons?

984
01:15:21,295 --> 01:15:22,025
okay. Thank you sir. Thanks.

985
01:15:36,285 --> 01:15:39,505
hi. Good evening everybody. Good evening. Evening. I live on elizabeth avenue.

986
01:15:40,365 --> 01:15:44,025
and, um, I'm wondering a couple of things

987
01:15:44,575 --> 01:15:48,565
because I've been here for a while and we were talking about eliminating the

988
01:15:48,785 --> 01:15:52,735
public hearing portion, um, and being a person that

989
01:15:53,025 --> 01:15:56,985
doesn't have technical expertise about developing, is this

990
01:15:57,145 --> 01:16:00,805
one of those moments where whatever I say is not really

991
01:16:01,225 --> 01:16:05,225
gonna affect every anything 'cause it's already been approved? Yes, ma'am. Because this is

992
01:16:05,345 --> 01:16:09,305
that situation. Okay. Well, this is an

993
01:16:09,465 --> 01:16:13,325
agreement between the city and a developer that simply locks in

994
01:16:13,685 --> 01:16:17,375
the current rules so the developer can make large investments

995
01:16:18,325 --> 01:16:22,205
and no, going forward that the city won't change the rules on them. So

996
01:16:22,455 --> 01:16:26,325
it's a tool to lock in the rules that exist today. It doesn't give them any

997
01:16:26,545 --> 01:16:29,625
special rights other than locking in the current rules.

998
01:16:31,425 --> 01:16:35,395
okay. Um, thank you. Um, the, the major concern that I have

999
01:16:35,655 --> 01:16:38,915
is that on elizabeth avenue where, um, amanda was talking earlier,

1000
01:16:40,455 --> 01:16:44,115
um, our roads are very narrow and people

1001
01:16:44,565 --> 01:16:48,455
park on both sides of the street and essentially only one person can drive

1002
01:16:48,695 --> 01:16:52,055
through at a time if both sides of the streets are being used for parking.

1003
01:16:53,035 --> 01:16:56,455
um, so it's concerning to me that the plan is to connect,

1004
01:16:57,795 --> 01:17:00,255
um, the, to be developed

1005
01:17:02,325 --> 01:17:06,215
land to elizabeth avenue and it becoming a cut through

1006
01:17:06,635 --> 01:17:10,625
and causing even more congestion, even more danger, um, for

1007
01:17:10,845 --> 01:17:14,825
the people that live on elizabeth avenue and the people driving on the

1008
01:17:15,045 --> 01:17:18,765
street as well. So, um, that really needs to be taken

1009
01:17:19,115 --> 01:17:22,565
into consideration. Um, I've, I've spoken to many people

1010
01:17:23,545 --> 01:17:26,995
in my ward, and it's

1011
01:17:27,815 --> 01:17:31,225
being able to walk safely on sidewalks, being able to

1012
01:17:31,905 --> 01:17:35,725
not be, um, terrorized by drunk drivers

1013
01:17:36,625 --> 01:17:40,485
by speeders. I just, I can't emphasize enough how important

1014
01:17:40,765 --> 01:17:43,825
that is to our community, especially on a list avenue. Um,

1015
01:17:44,905 --> 01:17:48,525
and then there was also one other

1016
01:17:49,175 --> 01:17:53,145
thing that I wanted to say that, um, I'm thrilled that the city is

1017
01:17:53,365 --> 01:17:57,155
using mixed use. Um, and what I understand about mixed use land

1018
01:17:57,545 --> 01:18:01,545
is that it goes hand in hand with walkability. And in

1019
01:18:01,765 --> 01:18:05,405
this drive home, the point again where the, the cars

1020
01:18:05,825 --> 01:18:09,805
on the street, the pedestrians, it's not gonna

1021
01:18:10,125 --> 01:18:14,045
work well if the planners and the developers are not taking this into

1022
01:18:14,485 --> 01:18:17,465
consideration. Um, and making sure that we,

1023
01:18:19,085 --> 01:18:23,045
I don't know if the planning for when my part, I live in derby

1024
01:18:23,285 --> 01:18:26,885
park, the streets are too narrow. Is this gonna be a consideration

1025
01:18:27,745 --> 01:18:31,685
for this upcoming development? Um, and that's,

1026
01:18:32,045 --> 01:18:35,565
that's all I have to bring to your attention. Thank you. Thank you.

1027
01:18:46,395 --> 01:18:48,485
good afternoon, board of alderman may name. Good afternoon.

1028
01:18:50,925 --> 01:18:54,785
I'm okay. I'm wendy card. We burn out. And I have a few

1029
01:18:55,225 --> 01:18:59,005
questions for the board. So

1030
01:18:59,365 --> 01:19:03,245
the traffic will be coming from maybe racetrack or

1031
01:19:03,535 --> 01:19:07,305
elizabeth, has this plan been discussed with the mpo

1032
01:19:07,765 --> 01:19:09,045
or anything like that? Um,

1033
01:19:12,535 --> 01:19:16,185
have you talked about this plan before? And if this plan is not approved,

1034
01:19:17,445 --> 01:19:21,425
can this change happened? The sense of locking in the

1035
01:19:21,585 --> 01:19:22,465
rules, what does that mean?

1036
01:19:33,675 --> 01:19:37,575
um, I'd like to ask jessica ru to come

1037
01:19:37,695 --> 01:19:41,655
up. What, what I can't answer is whether or not the, the developer

1038
01:19:42,095 --> 01:19:46,055
of the proposed property that would connect to elizabeth avenue has, has he's even

1039
01:19:46,285 --> 01:19:49,755
come to, to staff to even present that plan yet.

1040
01:19:53,835 --> 01:19:57,375
yes. Some answer. Deanna has been at the table with me and george and looking

1041
01:19:57,875 --> 01:20:01,535
at all of these street connections and with talking with tim er's representative

1042
01:20:02,125 --> 01:20:04,655
with us. Yes. I didn't get that.

1043
01:20:06,955 --> 01:20:10,945
what did you say again? Deanna trouble is our mpo administrator and

1044
01:20:11,165 --> 01:20:14,845
she has been at the table along with george chiles looking at all of these street connections.

1045
01:20:15,665 --> 01:20:19,515
yes, thank you. And

1046
01:20:19,735 --> 01:20:22,615
part two, I understand streets sidewalks

1047
01:20:23,835 --> 01:20:27,155
are gonna be considered in this bond, um,

1048
01:20:28,025 --> 01:20:31,845
referendum proposal. Is there a possibility

1049
01:20:32,435 --> 01:20:36,305
that the money that could be for the streets and

1050
01:20:36,845 --> 01:20:40,715
sidewalks is could be used for this development

1051
01:20:41,535 --> 01:20:45,525
since I think there's a payment in lieu of, um, sidewalks?

1052
01:20:48,555 --> 01:20:52,415
am I making any sense? I'm, I'm just, I'm just trying to

1053
01:20:52,575 --> 01:20:56,335
absorb this information. Mr. Davis. I think it's safe to say the city doesn't

1054
01:20:56,775 --> 01:21:00,485
build roads or sidewalks. Um, developers do that and then the city accepts

1055
01:21:00,975 --> 01:21:04,975
those. Uh, and the rare occasion where the city has accepted the development,

1056
01:21:05,385 --> 01:21:09,235
where there are no sidewalks, the city will sometimes go in and add sidewalks, but

1057
01:21:09,995 --> 01:21:13,755
we would not use bond money or taxpayer monies

1058
01:21:14,235 --> 01:21:17,965
to build roads or sidewalks in new developments. Is that fair? Correct.

1059
01:21:18,585 --> 01:21:21,455
thank you. Thank you for clarifying that. Thank you.

1060
01:21:26,315 --> 01:21:30,195
as a reminder, this is a public hearing for item number 14. If anybody would like to come forward and

1061
01:21:30,415 --> 01:21:30,775
say anything

1062
01:21:35,215 --> 01:21:39,105
you like to make a motion to close the public hearing. Okay. Have

1063
01:21:39,435 --> 01:21:43,315
a motion and a second close the public hearing. All those in favor

1064
01:21:43,575 --> 01:21:47,255
say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Public hearing is now closed.

1065
01:21:47,935 --> 01:21:51,805
uh, I have a question for, uh, mr. Parsons or any representative

1066
01:21:52,285 --> 01:21:56,115
for ser. This original agreement was signed what

1067
01:21:56,475 --> 01:22:00,025
year? December of 2018. Okay. Um,

1068
01:22:01,285 --> 01:22:04,395
I don't believe it was part of that agreement that there would be land

1069
01:22:05,525 --> 01:22:09,445
provided or compensated to the city for a fire station, but I know there

1070
01:22:09,605 --> 01:22:13,605
was a lot of discussion around that. Are you familiar with any of those conversations? There is, but

1071
01:22:13,765 --> 01:22:16,945
it's not on this parcel. Okay. Yeah. So, mr. Hughes,

1072
01:22:18,225 --> 01:22:22,125
any recent conversations, uh, with auer about this? Yes, sir.

1073
01:22:22,325 --> 01:22:26,085
we have been having discussions with warehouser and we're working on, on something

1074
01:22:26,365 --> 01:22:30,365
with that. Alright. Does board have any further

1075
01:22:30,725 --> 01:22:31,725
questions on item number 14?

1076
01:22:37,445 --> 01:22:41,205
what's the pleasure of the board on item number 14, I'd like to make a motion to

1077
01:22:41,685 --> 01:22:45,215
the development agreement with warehouser of west new bern.

1078
01:22:46,445 --> 01:22:48,945
second. I have a motion a second. Is there further discussion?

1079
01:22:51,615 --> 01:22:54,415
hearing none. Let's have a roll call starting with alderman vest.

1080
01:22:56,105 --> 01:22:59,405
alderman bes? Yes. Alderman prill. Yes.

1081
01:23:00,505 --> 01:23:03,865
alderman royal. Yes. Alderman naer. Yes. Alder mckenzie?

1082
01:23:04,645 --> 01:23:08,525
yes. Mayor odom. Yes. Motion carries. Next is item number

1083
01:23:08,765 --> 01:23:12,765
15. Conduct a public hearing on the community development block grant that are known as

1084
01:23:13,045 --> 01:23:16,785
c-d-v-g-f-y 2025 annual action plan. Ms. Ru,

1085
01:23:24,315 --> 01:23:27,015
um, it's a pleasure to present to you our 2025

1086
01:23:28,375 --> 01:23:32,215
proposal for how we're going to spend our cdbg funds this year. As we

1087
01:23:32,415 --> 01:23:36,015
do every year, we are required to go through and develop an annual

1088
01:23:36,555 --> 01:23:40,055
action plan. That annual action plan has to connect to our broader,

1089
01:23:40,675 --> 01:23:44,575
longer range five year consolidation plan. So this will be

1090
01:23:44,735 --> 01:23:48,655
the second annual action plan of that consolidated larger plan you all

1091
01:23:48,975 --> 01:23:52,415
approved the last year. What we're going to do this evening is go through

1092
01:23:53,175 --> 01:23:57,055
a a quick summary of why we're here doing this. Go through our community engagement

1093
01:23:57,615 --> 01:24:01,135
efforts, show you the highlights from the plan, walk through

1094
01:24:01,715 --> 01:24:05,635
the budget, and then what to expect next. Our annual action

1095
01:24:06,085 --> 01:24:09,845
plan, really, I want you to think of this as a budget. We set very

1096
01:24:10,305 --> 01:24:14,085
broad priorities that we would like to fulfill throughout five

1097
01:24:14,375 --> 01:24:18,365
years in the longer range consolidated plan. And the annual plan

1098
01:24:19,075 --> 01:24:22,975
is an actual project list with a budget connected to it

1099
01:24:23,155 --> 01:24:27,155
of how we're going to fill those priorities. And so

1100
01:24:27,315 --> 01:24:31,305
in order to do this cyclical every year, we go through very similar process.

1101
01:24:32,455 --> 01:24:36,435
we have two big public input steps. We're in one right now,

1102
01:24:37,095 --> 01:24:40,635
but this project actually started back when we advertised

1103
01:24:41,255 --> 01:24:44,995
our community needs hearing and discussion that took place in february, which

1104
01:24:45,315 --> 01:24:49,055
we are required to advertise in january. And we had very robust

1105
01:24:49,475 --> 01:24:53,355
attendance at that meeting this year. And if there's specific questions on

1106
01:24:53,555 --> 01:24:56,795
that, we have our subject matter expert to answer those for you.

1107
01:24:57,615 --> 01:25:01,215
but there was a discussion on how, uh, to fit

1108
01:25:02,525 --> 01:25:06,495
goals for our, um, needs areas in

1109
01:25:07,295 --> 01:25:10,875
and fulfill needs of the community while meeting the, the parameters

1110
01:25:11,455 --> 01:25:15,115
set in the five year consolidated plan. And so that took place.

1111
01:25:16,135 --> 01:25:20,115
and once that takes place, we also go through and are required to advertise

1112
01:25:20,975 --> 01:25:24,675
if non-profits would like to participate and be a part of the plan.

1113
01:25:25,425 --> 01:25:29,385
when we get those non-profit applications in, they are looked at, they

1114
01:25:29,675 --> 01:25:32,995
are put through a scoring method through hud and that's how we determine

1115
01:25:33,815 --> 01:25:37,395
who is the best fit to do those projects. And we do have two community

1116
01:25:37,875 --> 01:25:41,475
groups that, that are listed in this year's budget, which I'll walk through momentarily.

1117
01:25:44,065 --> 01:25:47,345
and so in our consolidated plan, we have our

1118
01:25:48,315 --> 01:25:52,225
various strategies. And the strategies that are being addressed this year in

1119
01:25:52,445 --> 01:25:55,885
the annual action plan are the homeless strategy, the community development,

1120
01:25:56,785 --> 01:26:00,645
and of course the administration. I'm gonna walk

1121
01:26:00,925 --> 01:26:04,635
through the six separate projects that are included in the annual action plan.

1122
01:26:05,305 --> 01:26:08,685
as you see in every annual action plan, there is an administration

1123
01:26:09,475 --> 01:26:13,385
project. What that is, is the budget for, uh, you

1124
01:26:13,605 --> 01:26:17,445
know, these plans don't run themselves. We have a staff member who is partially paid

1125
01:26:17,685 --> 01:26:21,125
from the administration budget, as well as paying a consultant

1126
01:26:21,705 --> 01:26:25,405
who helps design these plans and facilitate that. We are meeting

1127
01:26:25,745 --> 01:26:29,725
all of the hud requirements. There are many of 'em as well as to pay for the

1128
01:26:30,245 --> 01:26:32,845
advertising and our public meetings that we are required to have.

1129
01:26:34,945 --> 01:26:37,385
our second proposal in this year for $107,723

1130
01:26:40,785 --> 01:26:44,255
is for streets and sidewalks and cdbg eligible areas.

1131
01:26:47,515 --> 01:26:51,365
the third is for demolition. We also have this in last year's plan.

1132
01:26:51,835 --> 01:26:55,755
we are allowed to use a certain percentage, I believe up to 30% for

1133
01:26:56,465 --> 01:27:00,375
demolition of substandard structures. So frequently when

1134
01:27:00,655 --> 01:27:04,425
patrick or I are up here asking you to approve demolition

1135
01:27:05,095 --> 01:27:09,075
orders, and we have exhausted all efforts to get a homeowner or

1136
01:27:09,335 --> 01:27:12,495
a property owner to bring something into compliance and it remains dilapidated

1137
01:27:13,435 --> 01:27:17,095
and is bringing negative impacts to the area within our cdbg

1138
01:27:18,055 --> 01:27:22,055
boundary, we can use this funding to remove those homes and not need to

1139
01:27:22,195 --> 01:27:24,795
use funding from the general fund to do so

1140
01:27:27,605 --> 01:27:31,365
at listening to the community, both at the meeting and at that meeting. At

1141
01:27:31,725 --> 01:27:35,465
at these meetings, we have heard a lot of interest in setting up scholarships

1142
01:27:36,365 --> 01:27:40,225
to be able to use our recreation facilities and camps and things of

1143
01:27:40,425 --> 01:27:44,325
that nature. This does include $10,000 of funding for

1144
01:27:44,545 --> 01:27:48,545
up to a hundred scholarships to be able to participate in programs in this area.

1145
01:27:51,765 --> 01:27:55,725
my sister's house is, is in this budget year for

1146
01:27:56,265 --> 01:27:59,865
$14,000, which would fund two aides to work

1147
01:28:00,375 --> 01:28:04,195
with them. And then catholic charities is

1148
01:28:04,485 --> 01:28:07,915
also in this year's budget for $15,000 to

1149
01:28:08,495 --> 01:28:12,265
continue to provide low income food assistance. And that wraps

1150
01:28:12,615 --> 01:28:16,245
up pretty much the entire budget, very simply of what

1151
01:28:16,835 --> 01:28:19,805
is proposed to take place in this year's annual action plan.

1152
01:28:21,035 --> 01:28:24,855
and so our whole budget allocated to us from the federal government

1153
01:28:25,375 --> 01:28:28,055
this year for this is at the bottom of the screen of about $261,000.

1154
01:28:30,445 --> 01:28:34,135
that came out a little bit later than it normally does just due to

1155
01:28:34,605 --> 01:28:38,415
holdups in the federal government this year. Typically, you're seeing this presentation

1156
01:28:39,175 --> 01:28:43,085
a few months ago, like in may, april or may this year. You'll notice it's

1157
01:28:43,375 --> 01:28:47,065
a little bit late. That's not on staff, that is on the federal government delay

1158
01:28:47,555 --> 01:28:51,335
on issuing what our funding would be. And so they would withhold this

1159
01:28:51,575 --> 01:28:54,765
funding from us until we have an approved annual action plan.

1160
01:28:56,615 --> 01:29:00,445
I will pause here just for a moment because one thing that we talk

1161
01:29:00,735 --> 01:29:04,435
about quite a bit is, um, assistance for home

1162
01:29:04,795 --> 01:29:08,685
repairs and things of that nature. And you will not see that in this

1163
01:29:08,885 --> 01:29:12,045
budget. That does not mean that that money is not still available.

1164
01:29:13,185 --> 01:29:17,075
we have found that it is very difficult to spend that

1165
01:29:17,365 --> 01:29:21,165
money down in a timely fashion, and we are audited on how fast

1166
01:29:21,505 --> 01:29:24,525
we spend this money. We still have in our 2022

1167
01:29:25,665 --> 01:29:27,905
annual action plan budget, $87,400,

1168
01:29:31,965 --> 01:29:35,005
a few extra dollars. I'm pretty close, I think, but we did just check that number

1169
01:29:36,025 --> 01:29:39,945
to be used for programs from that year. However, due

1170
01:29:40,165 --> 01:29:43,805
to the fact that you have to have an owner occupied

1171
01:29:44,485 --> 01:29:48,265
residency, you have to go through for

1172
01:29:48,525 --> 01:29:52,445
verification income and other background checks to receive this money.

1173
01:29:52,665 --> 01:29:56,485
and that takes about three months to take place. There's a $10,000

1174
01:29:57,375 --> 01:30:01,185
limit on the project. And in order to fulfill those projects, you

1175
01:30:01,405 --> 01:30:05,125
have to have bids from three separate contractors that meet federal government

1176
01:30:05,815 --> 01:30:09,725
guidelines. It has been very difficult to spend that money

1177
01:30:09,995 --> 01:30:13,525
down on projects that fulfill all of those things. It takes

1178
01:30:14,045 --> 01:30:17,885
a very long time. And so in the previous

1179
01:30:18,085 --> 01:30:21,905
annual action plan, you'll recall staff stood before you and

1180
01:30:22,125 --> 01:30:26,005
we moved some money around because we were concerned with the timeliness and we had

1181
01:30:26,165 --> 01:30:29,685
several projects that were costing a little extra and you all made the amendment

1182
01:30:30,345 --> 01:30:34,325
and be able to draw that money down. But to be very clear, this program

1183
01:30:34,615 --> 01:30:38,325
still exists. It is still spendable if you can fulfill

1184
01:30:38,725 --> 01:30:42,365
those criteria I just explained. But I want to, to everyone

1185
01:30:43,245 --> 01:30:47,085
watching at home and here to understand, we still support that program. It is still

1186
01:30:47,325 --> 01:30:51,135
funded for this particular budget. We did have a particular

1187
01:30:52,595 --> 01:30:56,445
goal set to have projects that we were very confident we could

1188
01:30:56,605 --> 01:31:00,165
get fulfilled by june 30th, even with the delay that we're in.

1189
01:31:03,185 --> 01:31:06,645
and so to start summarizing, our annual action plan

1190
01:31:07,225 --> 01:31:11,205
is a budget. It connects to the larger five year plan this particular

1191
01:31:11,685 --> 01:31:15,155
year. And moving forward, we are making an effort to make sure we have very realistic

1192
01:31:15,765 --> 01:31:19,685
projects and are working with partners that are able to meet our deadlines and

1193
01:31:19,885 --> 01:31:23,725
fulfill all of the many requirements that hud sets out to be eligible

1194
01:31:23,925 --> 01:31:27,075
to use this program. And so what will happen next,

1195
01:31:27,955 --> 01:31:31,685
just as a reminder, the plan that has been included in the agenda,

1196
01:31:32,205 --> 01:31:36,005
I hope you've looked at, will be on display until august 11th, that fulfills

1197
01:31:36,485 --> 01:31:40,365
a hud um, requirement. And then a

1198
01:31:40,645 --> 01:31:44,435
resolution will be brought before you on august 12th, be to fulfill

1199
01:31:45,345 --> 01:31:49,245
voting on our resolution to adopt the plan. This is just one of those

1200
01:31:49,405 --> 01:31:53,225
strange nuance things in a hud public hearing. We don't vote on the plan the

1201
01:31:53,445 --> 01:31:56,165
same night we have the public hearing. We will do that at the next meeting

1202
01:31:58,265 --> 01:32:02,125
and with that, uh, staff, or I'll be happy to answer any questions you may

1203
01:32:02,325 --> 01:32:06,285
have. Ms. Board have questions? Yes. Um, ms. Ru, I have

1204
01:32:06,465 --> 01:32:10,405
one question for you. The home ownership that you're saying that the

1205
01:32:10,565 --> 01:32:14,505
programs, the money's still there, $10,000 per home, is

1206
01:32:14,725 --> 01:32:18,585
that where a citizen will go to your office to start the

1207
01:32:18,805 --> 01:32:22,745
process? Absolutely. Or do you have a developer just handling that? Nope. The

1208
01:32:22,965 --> 01:32:26,905
citizen would initiate the request to be a part of the program and then we

1209
01:32:27,125 --> 01:32:30,965
would sit down and have an application meeting with them and explain all of these, uh, requirements

1210
01:32:31,645 --> 01:32:35,205
to them. Okay. And sometimes they are very overwhelming just explaining

1211
01:32:35,765 --> 01:32:39,065
them to you all. The list got kind of long and felt overwhelming. Um,

1212
01:32:40,235 --> 01:32:43,965
like I said, it is sometimes difficult not necessarily to find people

1213
01:32:44,265 --> 01:32:48,085
in need that they're, they're out there. It's the difficult part is working

1214
01:32:48,395 --> 01:32:52,225
with the limited budgets and then finding people that can do the

1215
01:32:52,445 --> 01:32:56,265
work locally that are interested in doing the work and bid

1216
01:32:56,485 --> 01:33:00,285
on the work and then do the work. And so we've got the three month application

1217
01:33:00,965 --> 01:33:04,965
process for the background to be looked at and make sure that we're

1218
01:33:05,445 --> 01:33:09,325
crossing all our t's and dotting our I's. And then we add on that, having to find those three contractors,

1219
01:33:10,825 --> 01:33:14,465
um, and get those bids in. And you have, you're

1220
01:33:14,885 --> 01:33:18,885
at probably six or seven months then, and then you have to get that work done. And it is

1221
01:33:19,075 --> 01:33:21,645
very difficult to draw that money down in a timely fashion.

1222
01:33:23,785 --> 01:33:27,735
thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Yes, I

1223
01:33:27,855 --> 01:33:31,625
have a couple of questions in regards to what you said earlier about

1224
01:33:31,995 --> 01:33:35,855
the paperwork and the bureaucracy, the red tape, all of the above.

1225
01:33:37,195 --> 01:33:40,515
uh, when our citizens make application for

1226
01:33:41,605 --> 01:33:45,515
home, we rehab, do we have in place any type of,

1227
01:33:46,915 --> 01:33:50,825
um, I don't know if we want to say counseling or assistance

1228
01:33:52,235 --> 01:33:55,695
to help our citizens meet all of those requirements?

1229
01:33:56,835 --> 01:34:00,675
do we have, so if they come in and meet the

1230
01:34:00,895 --> 01:34:04,895
requirements of the home ownership and a project that is outlined in the

1231
01:34:04,975 --> 01:34:08,835
program for a home repair, dea will start working with them on

1232
01:34:09,095 --> 01:34:13,015
a program. They are not responsible for going out and finding the people to do the

1233
01:34:13,175 --> 01:34:16,775
work. We walk them through that and facilitate it and make that happen

1234
01:34:17,285 --> 01:34:20,645
when, when possible. Frequently. Also,

1235
01:34:21,365 --> 01:34:25,245
this is just notable, if this program can't help them, we do try to work

1236
01:34:26,045 --> 01:34:29,855
with them and find out what their issue is and what they need

1237
01:34:30,055 --> 01:34:33,855
assistance with and connect them with sometimes religious groups

1238
01:34:34,115 --> 01:34:37,605
or community groups that work and can do these projects with far less

1239
01:34:38,695 --> 01:34:42,335
red tape than we can necessarily spend this money by doing. So

1240
01:34:43,155 --> 01:34:46,875
I think that's a wonderful opportunity for whoever the applicants are because

1241
01:34:47,285 --> 01:34:51,225
again, we're, we, we're talking about a tremendous understanding

1242
01:34:52,495 --> 01:34:56,455
of whatever the rules and regulations are and is it,

1243
01:34:56,985 --> 01:35:00,805
um, reader friendly. So I, I appreciate that.

1244
01:35:01,265 --> 01:35:05,265
if, um, there's someone on staff such as ms. Who

1245
01:35:05,485 --> 01:35:09,345
can assist the, uh, applicants to work through the paperwork, the,

1246
01:35:09,565 --> 01:35:13,155
uh, other question that I have for you is regarding the streets and sidewalks improvement.

1247
01:35:14,585 --> 01:35:18,155
um, are those sidewalks and streets already

1248
01:35:18,815 --> 01:35:22,765
designated or will that be forthcoming? No, ma'am. They will

1249
01:35:22,925 --> 01:35:26,525
have to be within the cdbg foundry, however,

1250
01:35:27,125 --> 01:35:30,845
they have not been determined yet. And the absolute, uh, kind

1251
01:35:31,135 --> 01:35:35,055
of workings of how our scholarship program also has not been

1252
01:35:35,255 --> 01:35:38,535
completely worked through yet. In, in full disclosure, the area budgeted,

1253
01:35:39,525 --> 01:35:43,335
it's being developed, but we don't have a street sidewalk plan. We do not

1254
01:35:43,535 --> 01:35:46,575
have direct number of, of structures

1255
01:35:47,895 --> 01:35:51,755
identified to use this money to demolish, nor do we have the,

1256
01:35:52,035 --> 01:35:55,655
uh, how the scholarship program will work because this is

1257
01:35:56,055 --> 01:36:00,055
edbg money. There will be a similar background, uh, requirements

1258
01:36:01,075 --> 01:36:04,935
of income and things of that nature to qualify for it. Thank you so

1259
01:36:05,095 --> 01:36:08,575
much. Final question is, I see my sister's house,

1260
01:36:09,255 --> 01:36:12,925
$14,000 for staff salaries along with catholic charities,

1261
01:36:13,925 --> 01:36:17,645
$15,000. Did you receive applications from

1262
01:36:17,995 --> 01:36:21,845
any other nonprofits? We did. I believe ms. Told

1263
01:36:22,135 --> 01:36:26,035
me we received a total of five applications and

1264
01:36:27,065 --> 01:36:30,915
these two scored the highest when you run them through hud

1265
01:36:31,135 --> 01:36:34,935
scoring on, if you can fulfill the mission, um, meet the

1266
01:36:35,455 --> 01:36:39,375
criteria and do it in a timely fashion, they are proven partners that have been successful

1267
01:36:40,215 --> 01:36:44,055
previously and they scored the highest this year. Thank you very much. You're welcome.

1268
01:36:46,515 --> 01:36:50,275
so, um, ms. Ru, let me, um, ask one

1269
01:36:50,775 --> 01:36:54,705
question, um, to clear up my mind about

1270
01:36:55,355 --> 01:36:59,205
the streets and sidewalks for the cdbg monies. Okay.

1271
01:36:59,995 --> 01:37:03,905
so that $107,000, um, we'll

1272
01:37:04,315 --> 01:37:07,865
go back into the low and moderate income areas.

1273
01:37:08,635 --> 01:37:12,555
yes, absolutely. We are nothing that was not within the

1274
01:37:13,055 --> 01:37:17,005
boundary in the maps, which are included in the actual plan, everyone can look

1275
01:37:17,295 --> 01:37:21,095
at and see. It has to be spent within that area. And so typically

1276
01:37:21,535 --> 01:37:25,535
if we have a shovel ready project ready to go on one of those areas, we'd look to that first

1277
01:37:25,775 --> 01:37:29,655
because we could get something done very quickly. And so, um, if this

1278
01:37:29,855 --> 01:37:33,655
plan gets adopted, we will coordinate and figure out, um, where the highest

1279
01:37:34,045 --> 01:37:37,335
need is with a project that we can execute most efficiently and quickly

1280
01:37:38,235 --> 01:37:39,735
in that area. Good question. Thank you,

1281
01:37:43,005 --> 01:37:46,345
jessica. Jumping back to the, just the housing rehab,

1282
01:37:47,075 --> 01:37:50,815
um, issue that you outlined, uh, is,

1283
01:37:51,175 --> 01:37:54,835
is the, the biggest challenge finding qualified

1284
01:37:55,615 --> 01:37:58,195
applicants or finding qualified contractors?

1285
01:38:00,195 --> 01:38:03,145
qualified contractors? That's what I thought. Um,

1286
01:38:06,735 --> 01:38:10,675
willing to do those small projects at $10,000 or less right.

1287
01:38:11,025 --> 01:38:14,665
with the federal requirements. Right. No, I understand that

1288
01:38:15,085 --> 01:38:18,775
hud has a lot of requirements and regulations that

1289
01:38:19,145 --> 01:38:22,935
a contractor has to meet and for a small project, it's

1290
01:38:23,225 --> 01:38:27,145
not worthwhile to them. Um, so no, I fully understand

1291
01:38:27,665 --> 01:38:31,375
that. Um, does is what,

1292
01:38:31,935 --> 01:38:35,025
what happens to the money if, if we are unsuccessful

1293
01:38:36,285 --> 01:38:39,705
in spending it the way we want to spend it?

1294
01:38:40,735 --> 01:38:44,405
typically we'll come to you and ask for amendment and ask for you to, to

1295
01:38:45,025 --> 01:38:48,425
reallocate it to something else. Alright. So there will come a time when that 2022

1296
01:38:50,205 --> 01:38:53,845
pot of money needs to be spent. And I will probably be standing before

1297
01:38:54,265 --> 01:38:58,205
this board asking you so we don't get punished by hud for

1298
01:38:58,425 --> 01:39:02,265
a timely this issue. We're not being efficient in spending our money down on a project.

1299
01:39:02,485 --> 01:39:06,325
we wanted to put that money towards something else. Okay. If that, if

1300
01:39:06,545 --> 01:39:10,105
that comes, would have five years, I'm not sure when the 2020

1301
01:39:10,555 --> 01:39:14,235
we're not at that point yet, but it'll be in a year or two where we've got to have that money spent

1302
01:39:15,245 --> 01:39:18,985
or move it somewhere else where we can spend it efficiently. So a

1303
01:39:19,265 --> 01:39:22,775
a future board will address that, that issue. Correct.

1304
01:39:23,525 --> 01:39:26,585
as far as reallocation. Um, thank you.

1305
01:39:29,245 --> 01:39:31,705
any other questions for ms. Ruth? No, sir.

1306
01:39:34,055 --> 01:39:37,845
okay. At this time, I will open a public hearing on

1307
01:39:38,065 --> 01:39:41,345
the community development block grant, c-d-b-g-f-y 2025

1308
01:39:42,165 --> 01:39:46,145
annual action plan. If you'd like to ask a question or make a comment, please come

1309
01:39:46,465 --> 01:39:46,945
forward at this time.

1310
01:39:54,995 --> 01:39:57,895
hey, y'all, I was, uh, I was just looking at this and I,

1311
01:39:59,635 --> 01:40:03,615
it seems like this would be a good opportunity for investment. I

1312
01:40:03,735 --> 01:40:07,575
was looking at the past several, uh, budgets that have been

1313
01:40:07,855 --> 01:40:11,835
approved over the years, and there is no money, uh,

1314
01:40:12,085 --> 01:40:15,815
allocated towards just the general, uh, community development budget

1315
01:40:16,555 --> 01:40:20,365
or the grants budget. And there hasn't been for at least five

1316
01:40:20,605 --> 01:40:24,445
or six years. And so I know that these monies are specific to a

1317
01:40:25,085 --> 01:40:28,685
a certain region, um, but

1318
01:40:29,365 --> 01:40:32,965
it seems like it's not really filling the gaps the way that it could.

1319
01:40:34,065 --> 01:40:37,325
and I think that those gaps could be filled if we started to put a little bit more attention,

1320
01:40:38,185 --> 01:40:42,025
excuse me, into our community development budget in

1321
01:40:42,265 --> 01:40:45,605
our grants budget to help fill those gaps. Now, in particular to this

1322
01:40:47,145 --> 01:40:50,965
not having the contractors, uh, available for our, our citizens who need this

1323
01:40:51,165 --> 01:40:54,745
work, is it possible to use some of these funds to,

1324
01:40:56,725 --> 01:41:00,305
um, help contractors meet those requirements?

1325
01:41:01,535 --> 01:41:05,265
like I said, we have students here at the vote center, uh, in the trades.

1326
01:41:06,315 --> 01:41:10,265
maybe some of them may come from these designated areas. Is it, is

1327
01:41:10,425 --> 01:41:13,965
it possible to pass through these funds to help those, uh,

1328
01:41:14,445 --> 01:41:18,325
uh, students or those community members to, to be able to get qualified, to

1329
01:41:18,545 --> 01:41:22,365
be able to be approved by hud, uh, for, to make those projects, you

1330
01:41:22,585 --> 01:41:26,465
know, folks in these areas, you know, $10,000 might not be, you know, good enough for some,

1331
01:41:27,045 --> 01:41:31,045
but I bet you it'd be plenty good for for others. And so is

1332
01:41:31,265 --> 01:41:35,265
there a way for us to, to reallocate these funds to be a better benefit towards

1333
01:41:35,665 --> 01:41:38,985
the community? Ms. Fillmore, could you

1334
01:41:40,045 --> 01:41:43,415
answer that question on whether the funds could be used for training contractors

1335
01:41:44,245 --> 01:41:48,135
to become eligible? Good

1336
01:41:48,425 --> 01:41:52,085
evening, everyone. Good evening. Good evening. Um, that answer is no.

1337
01:41:52,645 --> 01:41:56,095
um, you have to already be licensed and bonded. Um, according

1338
01:41:56,705 --> 01:42:00,445
to hud, it is not, um, that funding could not be used to

1339
01:42:00,765 --> 01:42:03,985
do training to assist contractors, unfortunately. I'm sorry.

1340
01:42:09,785 --> 01:42:13,615
those funds have been available since 2022, correct? Mm-hmm .

1341
01:42:14,315 --> 01:42:18,295
and, and I, I don't know how long those funds will be available. I know she mentioned that there, that it will

1342
01:42:18,575 --> 01:42:22,385
come a time, but if, if we have the time, is

1343
01:42:22,605 --> 01:42:26,345
it possible to, if we had money in our community

1344
01:42:26,705 --> 01:42:30,645
development budget, then we can take it upon ourselves to

1345
01:42:30,865 --> 01:42:34,355
fund these, uh, lower income or me, uh, medium income folks

1346
01:42:35,485 --> 01:42:39,185
to do this job and get them to a place where they could be certified

1347
01:42:40,125 --> 01:42:43,325
and then join in with the time that we've had already and maybe the time coming up

1348
01:42:44,335 --> 01:42:48,105
to be able to have them approved, uh, for these projects. It'd

1349
01:42:48,395 --> 01:42:52,185
be a great opportunity for, uh, the city to partner, uh, with

1350
01:42:52,535 --> 01:42:56,415
its citizens to kind of fill these gaps and get this job done. If

1351
01:42:56,635 --> 01:43:00,635
we have community members who need this work, excuse me, and we have community

1352
01:43:01,155 --> 01:43:04,915
members who can do this work, or at least be trained to do this work,

1353
01:43:05,505 --> 01:43:09,395
this is a great opportunity to make that bridge, uh, so that we can fulfill these needs and,

1354
01:43:09,595 --> 01:43:11,875
and fulfill these, uh, uh, hud requirements.

1355
01:43:14,575 --> 01:43:18,435
are, are you, are you advocating that the funding come from cdbg or the general

1356
01:43:18,665 --> 01:43:22,455
fund to pay for that? I am, uh, for the initial part, I'm, I'm

1357
01:43:22,685 --> 01:43:26,635
advocating for our, uh, community development budget that's within

1358
01:43:26,895 --> 01:43:30,835
our, uh, budget now to have funds allocated to it. At the current time,

1359
01:43:31,075 --> 01:43:34,555
there are $0 allocated to the community development, uh, budget.

1360
01:43:35,455 --> 01:43:38,595
and so I think if we, if you were to allocate funds to that budget,

1361
01:43:39,615 --> 01:43:42,365
you may be able to fill gaps better.

1362
01:43:44,705 --> 01:43:48,395
thank you. So the piece that you're speaking on is,

1363
01:43:48,715 --> 01:43:52,645
um, certification. And that would probably be something more

1364
01:43:52,885 --> 01:43:56,705
so with the vault center to help, um, get some funds over there to

1365
01:43:56,925 --> 01:44:00,865
maybe assist, but it comes down to a contractor sitting down for their, for

1366
01:44:01,085 --> 01:44:04,945
their license, which is something we can't aid them in. Um, but

1367
01:44:05,465 --> 01:44:09,245
if, if they are licensed and they are bonded, they can bid on our projects,

1368
01:44:09,955 --> 01:44:13,885
it's just a matter of them sitting for the test, which is more so on the workforce development

1369
01:44:14,525 --> 01:44:18,045
side of things. So we wouldn't be able to pay for it with the cdbg funds

1370
01:44:18,625 --> 01:44:22,045
or maybe even the community development fund because that has to go into the community.

1371
01:44:22,865 --> 01:44:26,285
but maybe we could start a conversation with the vote center and talk about some opportunities

1372
01:44:26,925 --> 01:44:29,775
there to assist these contractors with sitting for their exams.

1373
01:44:35,425 --> 01:44:38,525
um, no, I think that would be great. Again, uh, community partnerships

1374
01:44:39,865 --> 01:44:43,685
is, uh, something I think we could focus on. So a partnership with the vote center, uh, that,

1375
01:44:44,035 --> 01:44:47,865
that could help us train these students and, and train community, uh,

1376
01:44:48,085 --> 01:44:51,925
members to do this work and then escalating that partnership to join

1377
01:44:52,225 --> 01:44:55,965
in with, uh, the, uh, community development block brand.

1378
01:44:56,745 --> 01:45:00,545
you know, to me it just sounds like a good way to get the job done. You know, if

1379
01:45:00,765 --> 01:45:04,405
we take the necessary steps and the time to do it and to create those partnerships,

1380
01:45:05,585 --> 01:45:09,505
uh, with the bowl center, these are resources that we already have, right? So

1381
01:45:09,725 --> 01:45:11,285
why not do the best to use them?

1382
01:45:16,215 --> 01:45:17,085
thank you. Thank you.

1383
01:45:24,575 --> 01:45:28,335
hello? Uh, I just wanted to say that I'm very grateful that we've

1384
01:45:28,685 --> 01:45:32,525
chosen to do the scholarship programs for parks and rec as part of this year's community

1385
01:45:32,885 --> 01:45:36,845
development block grant. Um, I've been here supporting people that have talked

1386
01:45:37,005 --> 01:45:40,965
about the expense of programs, and I've been here myself being critical of the parks

1387
01:45:41,205 --> 01:45:45,125
and rec budget. So I wanted to come here and say something nice instead and say,

1388
01:45:45,305 --> 01:45:49,125
I'm really excited to see that. Um, I appreciate the transparency about the process

1389
01:45:49,545 --> 01:45:52,965
not being worked out yet. Um, I'm looking forward to hearing more about it.

1390
01:45:53,665 --> 01:45:57,465
and now hearing that there's money from so long ago that hasn't been able to be spent, I'm

1391
01:45:57,685 --> 01:46:01,645
also looking forward to hearing how this scholarship program shakes out in a year

1392
01:46:02,185 --> 01:46:05,955
and here if the money was able to be spent and if it all worked out, or if need

1393
01:46:06,245 --> 01:46:09,125
to go a different road. So, thank you all. Thank you.

1394
01:46:13,635 --> 01:46:15,605
does anyone else like to speak on item number 15?

1395
01:46:19,545 --> 01:46:23,525
if no one wants to speak, um, may I make a motion to close the public

1396
01:46:23,725 --> 01:46:27,725
hearing? Second, uh, motion to second close the public hearing. Is there

1397
01:46:27,845 --> 01:46:31,685
further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say

1398
01:46:31,925 --> 01:46:35,745
aye. A a aye. Any opposed? Public hearing is now closed. There's no act

1399
01:46:35,945 --> 01:46:38,865
further action needed on this item. So we'll move on to item number 16,

1400
01:46:40,255 --> 01:46:44,105
conduct the public hearing and consider adopting an ordinance to amend the

1401
01:46:44,665 --> 01:46:46,265
electric rate schedules. Mr. Bouchard,

1402
01:47:08,475 --> 01:47:12,185
good evening, mayor o I'm board of alderman. Good evening. I'd like to take a few minutes to

1403
01:47:13,435 --> 01:47:16,205
discuss, uh, the proposed amendments to the electric grade ordinance.

1404
01:47:19,225 --> 01:47:22,955
I'm just getting my recommendations up front and we'll try to, I'll try to drive into

1405
01:47:23,565 --> 01:47:27,485
a few more details. I'm recommending a 3% rate increase for all metered

1406
01:47:27,845 --> 01:47:31,565
and unmetered electric rates, uh, modifying our current

1407
01:47:32,165 --> 01:47:35,985
pca to recover uncollected power supply costs by

1408
01:47:36,205 --> 01:47:40,205
adding a balancing factor to the pca and removing the one and a half

1409
01:47:40,485 --> 01:47:44,285
cent per kilowatt hour cap from the pca. Also included

1410
01:47:44,625 --> 01:47:48,575
in the proposed amendment is, um, our schedule 60,

1411
01:47:48,935 --> 01:47:52,605
which is our renewable resource facility credit, adjusting that energy

1412
01:47:53,005 --> 01:47:56,665
credit on a monthly basis as opposed to a fixed credit that's

1413
01:47:57,085 --> 01:47:58,605
only adjusted at the time of rate setting.

1414
01:48:01,505 --> 01:48:04,955
just a quick re recap. As you recall, we had two workshops,

1415
01:48:05,975 --> 01:48:09,465
um, earlier this year in april and june. We discussed,

1416
01:48:10,175 --> 01:48:14,095
uh, operational updates that I had at the time. Our

1417
01:48:14,315 --> 01:48:17,875
operating budget from fiscal year 26, fiscal year ending 26,

1418
01:48:18,415 --> 01:48:22,075
our capital by capital five year plan, our wholesale

1419
01:48:22,475 --> 01:48:25,675
power supply, uh, rate plan, which is a five year forecast.

1420
01:48:26,735 --> 01:48:30,415
we reviewed electrical financial study with presentations by

1421
01:48:30,825 --> 01:48:34,675
utility financial systems, as well as myself identified

1422
01:48:35,125 --> 01:48:38,995
under recovery of power supply costs. Since the time of the pca

1423
01:48:39,495 --> 01:48:43,255
was approved december 1st, 2025 until now,

1424
01:48:43,825 --> 01:48:47,395
it's about $2 million that we've under recovered in our power supply costs

1425
01:48:48,265 --> 01:48:52,155
over the last 12 months. It's about $2.5 million, and if you go back

1426
01:48:52,315 --> 01:48:56,035
further 24 months, it's about $4 million in under recovery power supply

1427
01:48:56,435 --> 01:49:00,135
costs. Also recommended rate adjustments during

1428
01:49:00,555 --> 01:49:04,455
those conversations and recommended modernizing our our

1429
01:49:04,675 --> 01:49:08,645
current rate designs and moving away from volumetric rates and unbundling

1430
01:49:09,335 --> 01:49:13,035
our variable and fixed costs out of our wholesale power supply costs

1431
01:49:13,455 --> 01:49:17,435
and out of our, um, our retail rates, and trying to

1432
01:49:17,635 --> 01:49:21,195
get in a position where we could pass forward wholesale costs directly to our customers

1433
01:49:24,955 --> 01:49:28,875
considering rate modernization. Schedule

1434
01:49:29,005 --> 01:49:32,845
60 is a credit that we give to our customers that provide solar

1435
01:49:33,255 --> 01:49:37,235
energy to our part of the system. And that credit is a fixed amount

1436
01:49:38,145 --> 01:49:41,235
that, um, is adjusted at the time of rate setting.

1437
01:49:42,255 --> 01:49:46,135
the recommendation is to allow that energy credit to be a variable, um,

1438
01:49:46,495 --> 01:49:50,245
and for it to be adjusted monthly. Um, and that credit would equal

1439
01:49:51,275 --> 01:49:55,245
utilities monthly avoided cost for energy using a

1440
01:49:55,365 --> 01:49:59,305
12 month rolling and two month lagging cycle, very similar to how

1441
01:49:59,525 --> 01:50:02,845
we're doing the pca. If I'm saying if our power supply costs

1442
01:50:03,745 --> 01:50:07,205
change on a monthly basis, then I should recognize that

1443
01:50:07,785 --> 01:50:11,505
as well on the credit that I'm buying solar energy for, um,

1444
01:50:12,745 --> 01:50:16,685
and to maintain that. So it tracks the equivalent cost of energy that we're not

1445
01:50:16,845 --> 01:50:20,565
buying from the chemical and our power supply costs and our power supply contract, I should say,

1446
01:50:23,345 --> 01:50:27,305
considering the electric department's financial health

1447
01:50:27,565 --> 01:50:30,705
and looking out over the next few years, you've seen this slide before.

1448
01:50:32,005 --> 01:50:35,225
um, here is, uh, an option,

1449
01:50:36,285 --> 01:50:39,745
um, that includes a 0%, uh, rate adjustments.

1450
01:50:40,685 --> 01:50:43,185
it includes the capital plans that I have recommended.

1451
01:50:44,885 --> 01:50:48,305
and as you can see, the debt coverage ratio is unfavorable.

1452
01:50:49,445 --> 01:50:53,425
it goes negative. System depreciation is in the 40 to 50%

1453
01:50:54,025 --> 01:50:58,025
range due to the capital investments. Um, adjusted operating income

1454
01:50:58,305 --> 01:51:01,825
is unfavorable and goes negative next year. Cash balance

1455
01:51:02,705 --> 01:51:06,455
continues to decline and go negative in the days of working capital cash

1456
01:51:06,805 --> 01:51:10,545
on the hand with low minimum policy and is expected to go

1457
01:51:10,905 --> 01:51:13,985
negative in three years. So overall, I don't think this is a very favorable plan.

1458
01:51:16,065 --> 01:51:19,925
if we look at an option to go 0% rate increase, take out the capital

1459
01:51:20,165 --> 01:51:22,505
improvements, not do those, um,

1460
01:51:25,875 --> 01:51:29,365
your debt coverage ratio temporarily inflates, but before declining

1461
01:51:30,185 --> 01:51:33,885
and going negative. Um, your system depreciation approaches 75%

1462
01:51:35,025 --> 01:51:38,635
and that's due to the lack of a capital investment. And your system, your

1463
01:51:39,045 --> 01:51:42,865
adjusted operating in income, uh, looks good for a year. Uh,

1464
01:51:43,485 --> 01:51:47,445
'cause spending has been artificially cut, but then rapidly starts to decline,

1465
01:51:48,345 --> 01:51:51,885
um, at large losses. And your projected cash balances look good,

1466
01:51:52,385 --> 01:51:56,305
but it's artificial as you need to. You eventually need to start drying it down to

1467
01:51:56,725 --> 01:52:00,165
maintain the system. Um, annual dates of working capital

1468
01:52:01,105 --> 01:52:05,045
are near policy requirements, but again, those will start to decrease as soon spending

1469
01:52:05,225 --> 01:52:08,635
occurs. So overall, I don't think this is a favorable plan.

1470
01:52:12,185 --> 01:52:15,715
this slide is an option for a four and a half percent rate

1471
01:52:16,235 --> 01:52:20,235
increase. Um, the pca stays the same. There's no changes

1472
01:52:20,495 --> 01:52:24,145
to the pca and includes the recommended five year, uh, capital

1473
01:52:24,635 --> 01:52:28,035
investment. Um, your debt coverage ratio is favorable

1474
01:52:29,055 --> 01:52:32,795
and stays well above one. Your system depreciation is in the 40 to 50%

1475
01:52:33,315 --> 01:52:37,235
range, and that's due to your capital investments. Adjusted operating

1476
01:52:37,795 --> 01:52:41,515
income can support your operational costs. Projected cash balance

1477
01:52:42,205 --> 01:52:45,925
keeps pace with targeted cash requirements. Your days of working capital

1478
01:52:46,515 --> 01:52:49,745
stay above the minimum policy requirements. Um,

1479
01:52:50,835 --> 01:52:54,655
and it also approaches, uh, industry recommendations. Overall, I think this

1480
01:52:54,855 --> 01:52:58,655
is a very favorable plan. Looking at another

1481
01:52:58,915 --> 01:53:02,815
option, which is the one I recommend, I I

1482
01:53:02,935 --> 01:53:06,895
like this one a little better. Um, this is a 3% rate increase.

1483
01:53:07,785 --> 01:53:11,685
uh, however we're adding a balancing, uh, factor to our power cost

1484
01:53:11,925 --> 01:53:15,645
adjustment charge. It also includes the five year capital plan. And overall,

1485
01:53:16,515 --> 01:53:19,925
this achieves the very similar results as the four point half percent

1486
01:53:20,945 --> 01:53:24,545
option. But the method of collecting that is different. Um,

1487
01:53:25,995 --> 01:53:29,965
some through more through rates, and in this case

1488
01:53:30,635 --> 01:53:34,525
more through the pca. Um, your debt coverage ratio is favorable

1489
01:53:34,965 --> 01:53:38,365
and well above one. Your system depreciation is 40 to 50%.

1490
01:53:39,745 --> 01:53:43,525
do your capital expenditures. Adjusted operating income supports your operating

1491
01:53:44,165 --> 01:53:47,885
expenses, projected cash balance maintains targeted operating levels

1492
01:53:48,185 --> 01:53:52,185
and your days of cash on hand meets minimum requirements and trends

1493
01:53:52,605 --> 01:53:55,265
towards in industry recommendations. Um,

1494
01:53:57,225 --> 01:53:59,725
I'd like this plan, um, particularly because,

1495
01:54:01,365 --> 01:54:05,275
um, you're, you're adding

1496
01:54:06,095 --> 01:54:09,955
1.5% less to your base rates, uh, compared to the four point half percent

1497
01:54:10,585 --> 01:54:14,025
methodology and then going down the road, future rate changes will

1498
01:54:14,835 --> 01:54:18,835
compound by that amount, um, on top of that. So I think this is

1499
01:54:18,995 --> 01:54:22,565
better all overall for the utility and for the customer. I think it's a nice blend.

1500
01:54:24,075 --> 01:54:28,015
um, diving into the balancing factor a little more,

1501
01:54:28,595 --> 01:54:32,535
um, this is included in the 3% option

1502
01:54:33,435 --> 01:54:36,655
and would be added to the, uh, power custom adjustment charge.

1503
01:54:37,555 --> 01:54:41,415
uh, presently the power customer customer charge has, our cost

1504
01:54:41,655 --> 01:54:45,535
adjustment charge has been under collecting since the time it was

1505
01:54:45,895 --> 01:54:49,815
approved december 1st, 2024. We've under collected about two point

1506
01:54:50,115 --> 01:54:53,795
or $2 million over the past, uh, 12 months, $2.5 million.

1507
01:54:55,155 --> 01:54:58,985
and if we would've had a pca, um, it would've been about 4 million under

1508
01:54:59,335 --> 01:55:03,135
collected. Um, so adding a balancing factor to the pca,

1509
01:55:03,955 --> 01:55:07,895
um, to recover those undercover undercovered power supply expenses,

1510
01:55:08,595 --> 01:55:11,805
uh, the balancing factor would be recalculated each fiscal year.

1511
01:55:12,675 --> 01:55:16,085
the amount would be fixed for the entire fiscal year,

1512
01:55:16,955 --> 01:55:20,675
um, and then recalculated at the start of each new fiscal

1513
01:55:21,205 --> 01:55:24,815
year to maintain recovery of last year's under

1514
01:55:25,325 --> 01:55:26,935
recovered power supply expenses.

1515
01:55:32,725 --> 01:55:36,005
this is a comparison of the rate track options that I discussed.

1516
01:55:36,875 --> 01:55:40,575
um, the, the I, the one that's highlighted

1517
01:55:40,955 --> 01:55:44,435
is the 3% option, um, with, uh, the balancing

1518
01:55:45,045 --> 01:55:48,275
factor on the pca, it attempts to collect

1519
01:55:49,625 --> 01:55:52,765
the $2 million of under recovery since december.

1520
01:55:53,705 --> 01:55:57,625
um, I think if you compare those across, um,

1521
01:55:58,345 --> 01:56:01,435
you'll see over a three year rate plan

1522
01:56:02,575 --> 01:56:06,525
using this option. You'll under, you'll, you'll cost the customer

1523
01:56:06,795 --> 01:56:10,205
less per month over the course of three years

1524
01:56:11,305 --> 01:56:14,965
as compared to the four and a half percent rate increase with the pca

1525
01:56:15,365 --> 01:56:18,805
as it is. And then that middle option I threw in there for you just to see

1526
01:56:19,465 --> 01:56:23,195
if you wanted to go back and try to collect all 24 months of under recovery, what

1527
01:56:23,485 --> 01:56:24,325
that would look like for you.

1528
01:56:28,345 --> 01:56:32,335
so in conclusion, I'm recommending that you adopt the, uh, amendments

1529
01:56:33,005 --> 01:56:36,485
to electric coordinates, which includes the 3% rate increase,

1530
01:56:37,185 --> 01:56:41,025
all metered and unmetered rate for all meter and unmetered grades. Uh, the

1531
01:56:41,245 --> 01:56:44,885
changes to, uh, rider number one, our power cost adjustment charge,

1532
01:56:45,505 --> 01:56:49,085
it adds a balancing factor and removes to 1.5%, one point half percent

1533
01:56:50,225 --> 01:56:53,895
per kilowatt hour cap and changes to the schedule 60

1534
01:56:54,265 --> 01:56:58,165
or renewable resource facilities credit by adjusting that

1535
01:56:58,325 --> 01:57:02,205
credit on a monthly basis. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may

1536
01:57:02,365 --> 01:57:05,885
have. This board have questions. How many

1537
01:57:06,835 --> 01:57:10,125
utility cu uh, customers are within the city?

1538
01:57:10,985 --> 01:57:14,885
pardon me? How many utility customers are within

1539
01:57:15,185 --> 01:57:18,975
the city? Total electric across all, all right. Classes, about

1540
01:57:19,325 --> 01:57:21,845
24,000 meters right now. Thank you.

1541
01:57:26,455 --> 01:57:30,295
any other questions? Yes, I do. Um,

1542
01:57:33,415 --> 01:57:37,395
I'm gonna direct this to, um, I, I heard

1543
01:57:37,595 --> 01:57:40,505
your presentation, you've given us the facts here.

1544
01:57:42,615 --> 01:57:46,485
we as almond, our citizens needs

1545
01:57:46,835 --> 01:57:50,325
to know what they're facing and you have delivered

1546
01:57:50,885 --> 01:57:53,845
that information to us. Now, moving down the line,

1547
01:57:54,945 --> 01:57:58,565
um, as the city manager

1548
01:57:59,305 --> 01:58:02,725
has said before in the past, he recommends,

1549
01:58:04,865 --> 01:58:08,595
um, this rate increase. Am I correct mr. Use? Because

1550
01:58:09,185 --> 01:58:13,065
of the agent infrastructure we have, um, we

1551
01:58:13,285 --> 01:58:16,945
know that it's going to affect our customers. Um,

1552
01:58:17,985 --> 01:58:21,805
it always does. When we have these just regular storms come

1553
01:58:22,085 --> 01:58:24,885
through here, citizens are out of power.

1554
01:58:26,105 --> 01:58:29,605
um, and I just feel that

1555
01:58:30,855 --> 01:58:34,345
maybe I'm missing something here. Why are we

1556
01:58:35,685 --> 01:58:39,605
continuously, um, debating this and you coming

1557
01:58:40,005 --> 01:58:43,945
here before us and discussing this when we know that this is something that we

1558
01:58:44,195 --> 01:58:47,605
need to do. We need to, to do this rate adjustment.

1559
01:58:48,225 --> 01:58:52,105
and I don't want to impose a rate adjustment on any customer, but

1560
01:58:52,605 --> 01:58:55,645
I would prefer my customer to have some electricity when needed.

1561
01:58:57,145 --> 01:59:01,045
and you're, you are talking about, you know, we got three transfer

1562
01:59:01,515 --> 01:59:04,565
formers that needs to be replaced. You know,

1563
01:59:06,325 --> 01:59:10,055
I don't know what else is missing here. Am I missing a, a piece here about,

1564
01:59:10,785 --> 01:59:14,665
you know, I did hear a rumor that, uh, several rumors that the

1565
01:59:14,885 --> 01:59:18,845
city was thinking about, uh, selling the electric department.

1566
01:59:20,045 --> 01:59:23,525
now I don't know how true that is, but it's, like I said, that's rumor mill, but

1567
01:59:24,525 --> 01:59:28,255
is that the reason why we're we all here, you know, this

1568
01:59:28,545 --> 01:59:32,405
board and we're not wanting to move forward with this? What, what is going on?

1569
01:59:33,745 --> 01:59:37,625
I mean, mr. Bouchard has come through us so many times and letting us

1570
01:59:37,825 --> 01:59:40,055
know our citizens need

1571
01:59:42,305 --> 01:59:46,305
. They don't want this rate increase. I wouldn't want a rate increase, but if it's

1572
01:59:46,545 --> 01:59:49,945
needed, if it's a dire need so that we need power, our citizens need power,

1573
01:59:51,045 --> 01:59:54,195
and I'm all for approving this 3%

1574
01:59:55,375 --> 01:59:57,785
rate increase in what he has recommended to us.

1575
02:00:01,425 --> 02:00:05,225
and I feel like I've been kicking a dead horse. So I'm,

1576
02:00:06,105 --> 02:00:10,075
I'm done with it. I just want the citizens to know that I agree with mr. Rashard

1577
02:00:10,585 --> 02:00:11,805
and ask him for this rate increase.

1578
02:00:14,955 --> 02:00:18,925
tell me one, one more time, what is the, the max or is there

1579
02:00:19,085 --> 02:00:22,925
a cap on the, is it tca currently a cap of one and a half

1580
02:00:23,205 --> 02:00:27,065
cent per kilowatt hour. And with the balancing factor

1581
02:00:27,525 --> 02:00:30,785
in doing the modeling that I have, we'll get close to it again going

1582
02:00:31,625 --> 02:00:34,865
a couple months in the future. It's all, you know, it's all forecasted,

1583
02:00:35,725 --> 02:00:39,725
but I don't expect this to be much over the cap. Now it needs to be removed in case we

1584
02:00:39,965 --> 02:00:43,665
do touch over that, um, in a month or two

1585
02:00:44,525 --> 02:00:47,665
on the average bill, what is that? That's, that would be $15,

1586
02:00:48,575 --> 02:00:52,495
$15 just for the pca if it reached a cap. Okay.

1587
02:00:52,895 --> 02:00:56,785
correct. I just don't see it reaching that.

1588
02:00:58,085 --> 02:01:00,585
but isn't it within a three year period, the $15?

1589
02:01:02,925 --> 02:01:06,625
no ma'am. If, if the cap was, the cap is

1590
02:01:07,025 --> 02:01:10,925
1.50 cents per kilowatt hour, and I'm speaking, the average residential customer

1591
02:01:11,195 --> 02:01:14,965
uses a thousand kilowatt hours, so they couldn't see a $15

1592
02:01:15,965 --> 02:01:19,905
pca charge. Okay. Because the reason why I asked that, because I said you had it broken out

1593
02:01:20,125 --> 02:01:24,115
here for 2026 is $6 and 61 cents. So am

1594
02:01:24,415 --> 02:01:28,195
I and then the 2027 is that that's what, yes.

1595
02:01:29,025 --> 02:01:30,335
lemme see if I can find my way back.

1596
02:01:33,425 --> 02:01:37,065
that's what I expect. The, the rate and the

1597
02:01:38,085 --> 02:01:41,475
pca to look like in 2026. Okay,

1598
02:01:42,105 --> 02:01:45,815
at $6 and 61 cents, I think that would be equivalent,

1599
02:01:46,825 --> 02:01:50,085
um, increase to the customer's bill. You'll notice in 2027

1600
02:01:50,955 --> 02:01:54,725
that drops off. That's because we recovered that money that

1601
02:01:55,825 --> 02:01:59,645
was under recovered since december of this year. And then it starts

1602
02:01:59,845 --> 02:02:03,525
to stable out. And as long as we keep consistent with that under

1603
02:02:04,005 --> 02:02:07,965
recovery, I think it flattens off. I like that better than, than a fixed

1604
02:02:08,165 --> 02:02:11,555
four and a half percent rate increase. That just will compound, um,

1605
02:02:12,245 --> 02:02:12,815
time and time again.

1606
02:02:23,955 --> 02:02:27,335
any more questions for mr. Bouchard? Not necessarily

1607
02:02:28,215 --> 02:02:32,175
a question for mr. Bouchard, but charlie, feel free to jump

1608
02:02:32,435 --> 02:02:36,225
in and answer it if you can, but, um, alderman astor

1609
02:02:36,595 --> 02:02:40,105
had previously expressed concern about the kind of the open-ended

1610
02:02:40,785 --> 02:02:43,675
power, uh, cost adjustment. Um,

1611
02:02:46,985 --> 02:02:48,695
what, um,

1612
02:02:51,455 --> 02:02:54,795
not sure how best to answer this or ask the question,

1613
02:02:57,305 --> 02:03:00,425
what do we need to do to ensure that

1614
02:03:01,705 --> 02:03:04,025
this issue gets revisited

1615
02:03:06,455 --> 02:03:09,875
in a year's time? Because,

1616
02:03:12,625 --> 02:03:15,765
you know, this board with the upcoming elections,

1617
02:03:16,855 --> 02:03:20,655
there may be more than one new face on this board.

1618
02:03:21,775 --> 02:03:25,585
um, and they need

1619
02:03:25,875 --> 02:03:29,675
to have an opportunity to wrestle with this

1620
02:03:30,365 --> 02:03:34,335
issue, um, I think sooner rather

1621
02:03:34,755 --> 02:03:38,335
than later. So one, I guess one

1622
02:03:38,835 --> 02:03:42,785
question for city manager or city

1623
02:03:43,395 --> 02:03:46,465
attorney, is there any way of putting

1624
02:03:47,475 --> 02:03:51,245
a sunset provision in the ordinance addressing,

1625
02:03:52,255 --> 02:03:56,145
you know, the pca charge to ensure that this

1626
02:03:56,435 --> 02:04:00,275
issue will be revisited, um, in a specific

1627
02:04:00,545 --> 02:04:04,545
time period? Well, one thing we started doing this is, this is this

1628
02:04:04,835 --> 02:04:08,155
budget process. This was the second year in a row as part of the budget.

1629
02:04:08,855 --> 02:04:12,735
we had the utility director make this presentation on why he

1630
02:04:12,955 --> 02:04:16,795
felt there was a need for a rate increase. And so the goal is to continue doing

1631
02:04:17,115 --> 02:04:20,715
that. Um, if, if the board

1632
02:04:21,245 --> 02:04:25,135
votes on this increase, it's gonna be interesting to see one

1633
02:04:25,355 --> 02:04:29,165
year from now if that increase meant, meant

1634
02:04:30,465 --> 02:04:34,315
what the expectations were based on the director's, um, presentation

1635
02:04:35,175 --> 02:04:38,955
and also the consultants. Uh, it kind of fell flat the previous year.

1636
02:04:40,505 --> 02:04:43,845
but I will say we do need to increase the rates.

1637
02:04:44,705 --> 02:04:48,685
and the main reason why is because we do have an infrastructure that we have to maintain with

1638
02:04:48,965 --> 02:04:51,995
our electric utility. And I said this during the budget process,

1639
02:04:53,235 --> 02:04:57,085
however, I cannot recommend allocating any funds

1640
02:04:57,425 --> 02:05:01,265
toward those capital items until we can meet our policy of

1641
02:05:01,485 --> 02:05:05,045
meeting the minimum days of cash on hand to be able to go to the lgc

1642
02:05:05,785 --> 02:05:09,745
for additional funding. Can I add to

1643
02:05:09,965 --> 02:05:12,845
your comment? Sure. I I would say that

1644
02:05:15,065 --> 02:05:18,925
in the electric rate ordinance, all of

1645
02:05:19,085 --> 02:05:22,665
the rates excluding the

1646
02:05:24,885 --> 02:05:28,095
pca and the proposed changes to schedule 60

1647
02:05:28,995 --> 02:05:31,365
have no requirement to adjust them.

1648
02:05:33,945 --> 02:05:37,885
it adjusted whenever, um, the board elects to

1649
02:05:38,045 --> 02:05:41,535
adjust them in the language for the

1650
02:05:42,235 --> 02:05:46,175
pca with the balancing factor. And in the language for the

1651
02:05:46,595 --> 02:05:50,075
schedule 60 adjust the monthly credit, it's to be reviewed annually

1652
02:05:51,015 --> 02:05:54,895
and adjusted on an annual basis at the time of, um,

1653
02:05:56,095 --> 02:05:58,485
the start of the fiscal year. And

1654
02:06:00,495 --> 02:06:03,945
that would coincide with all of our wholesale power supply

1655
02:06:04,625 --> 02:06:07,925
forecasts and, and that process. So we do our best to

1656
02:06:09,885 --> 02:06:13,865
engage that in the city's budgeting process. But as I've said before,

1657
02:06:14,575 --> 02:06:18,405
wholesale power supply, um, forecasts and

1658
02:06:19,315 --> 02:06:23,245
adjustment period is not in cycle with our

1659
02:06:23,465 --> 02:06:27,385
process in cycle. Am I answering the question? Well, I, I

1660
02:06:27,505 --> 02:06:30,355
think so. I don't know whether, uh, alderman, astor,

1661
02:06:32,005 --> 02:06:35,265
you know, feels any more comfortable, um, with that or not.

1662
02:06:36,165 --> 02:06:39,865
um, and, and again, we have been,

1663
02:06:40,215 --> 02:06:44,075
over the last couple of years we have been, uh, faced

1664
02:06:44,455 --> 02:06:48,015
with, um, digging ourselves out of a difficult financial

1665
02:06:48,655 --> 02:06:52,425
hole with the electric utility. Uh, and this is the latest,

1666
02:06:53,685 --> 02:06:57,205
um, iteration of that, that ongoing effort.

1667
02:06:58,485 --> 02:07:02,485
um, but if alderman masters concern is

1668
02:07:02,815 --> 02:07:06,605
that, you know, we we're building in or you know, if

1669
02:07:06,825 --> 02:07:10,335
this gets approved, um, sort of an unlimited

1670
02:07:11,435 --> 02:07:15,325
power adjustment charge and, and that may

1671
02:07:15,545 --> 02:07:19,455
not be the right way of of wording it. Um, I just want

1672
02:07:19,745 --> 02:07:23,705
to try to figure out how do we ensure that this

1673
02:07:24,105 --> 02:07:27,105
issue will be revisited in a year's time?

1674
02:07:29,565 --> 02:07:33,505
and alderman prill, to answer your initial question, yes, there could

1675
02:07:33,665 --> 02:07:36,565
be a sunset put in with this on pca

1676
02:07:38,185 --> 02:07:42,145
if that's what the board, so choose chose. And the other part of that, as I'm

1677
02:07:42,365 --> 02:07:46,165
monitoring the pca monthly, um, paying very,

1678
02:07:46,445 --> 02:07:50,025
very close attention to that. And if it starts to trend up and I'm

1679
02:07:50,605 --> 02:07:54,565
forecasting, I have modeling tools, I'm looking years ahead. If I see it

1680
02:07:54,685 --> 02:07:58,375
getting outta whack, I'm sure I sure you, I'll be back before you talking about

1681
02:07:59,185 --> 02:08:02,605
should we do a base rate change and lower the pca

1682
02:08:03,505 --> 02:08:06,165
and make that a more stable cost for our customers.

1683
02:08:09,675 --> 02:08:12,375
and I appreciate that, um, ,

1684
02:08:15,435 --> 02:08:18,445
but we, we found ourselves in a financial

1685
02:08:19,525 --> 02:08:21,125
hole because

1686
02:08:23,735 --> 02:08:27,165
passports chose not to address

1687
02:08:27,915 --> 02:08:31,695
the issue. And I'm sure you and your predecessors,

1688
02:08:32,555 --> 02:08:36,335
and I may be wrong on this, um, brought the issues

1689
02:08:37,115 --> 02:08:41,055
to the boards at that time, but the decisions were made

1690
02:08:41,395 --> 02:08:45,215
not to address those issues. And unfortunately

1691
02:08:46,075 --> 02:08:49,515
it led us to where we were a couple of years ago of

1692
02:08:50,295 --> 02:08:54,165
a very difficult financial situation. I'm just trying to address

1693
02:08:54,845 --> 02:08:58,445
that issue and, and address alderman astor's

1694
02:08:58,935 --> 02:09:02,925
concern. Uh, don't know whether or not a sunset provision does

1695
02:09:03,495 --> 02:09:06,095
anything for alderman astor, but it's just a suggestion.

1696
02:09:11,095 --> 02:09:14,985
charlie, I have a question for you. Um, how long have you been the

1697
02:09:15,105 --> 02:09:19,045
utility director in newburn? Seven years. Seven years. How

1698
02:09:19,265 --> 02:09:23,145
many rate increases have you requested from the board during your seven

1699
02:09:23,305 --> 02:09:26,945
year tenure? None. Well, uh, as of

1700
02:09:27,725 --> 02:09:31,415
an exception to last january and last july, none.

1701
02:09:32,215 --> 02:09:36,205
okay. My recommendation is go to the city manager and I'm up

1702
02:09:36,425 --> 02:09:40,195
here at the request of the city manager. Thank you.

1703
02:09:42,855 --> 02:09:46,335
so if the city manager tells you no, we're not taking, uh,

1704
02:09:46,955 --> 02:09:50,875
a recommended rate increase to the board, then it doesn't get to this

1705
02:09:51,075 --> 02:09:53,965
board. I'm only here by the invitation of the city manager. Right?

1706
02:09:55,175 --> 02:09:58,855
so all due respect to what the,

1707
02:09:59,355 --> 02:10:02,675
I think what the mayor was suggesting by that question.

1708
02:10:04,255 --> 02:10:07,695
if, if the issue is

1709
02:10:09,695 --> 02:10:13,515
put to bed before it gets to this board, then no action

1710
02:10:13,935 --> 02:10:17,865
is gonna happen because this board is not being

1711
02:10:18,495 --> 02:10:22,005
advised that there is a potential problem ruling

1712
02:10:22,565 --> 02:10:26,465
itself. I don't know that bias by incorporating

1713
02:10:27,555 --> 02:10:31,475
a sunset provision, it sort of forces the issue to

1714
02:10:31,635 --> 02:10:34,455
this board or the future board.

1715
02:10:36,425 --> 02:10:38,485
and that's all I'm suggesting. Interesting.

1716
02:10:43,465 --> 02:10:46,865
any more questions for mr. Bouchard? Yes.

1717
02:10:47,485 --> 02:10:51,205
I just want to sum this up. Uh, mr. Bachar. So if

1718
02:10:51,525 --> 02:10:54,615
we do nothing, we're still currently under collecting,

1719
02:10:56,025 --> 02:10:59,925
uh, $2 million you said a year, correct? Yes.

1720
02:11:00,145 --> 02:11:04,145
in power. In power of power, exactly. Yes. So we're under collecting that.

1721
02:11:05,335 --> 02:11:09,085
so the way that it, it stands right

1722
02:11:09,425 --> 02:11:13,395
now, um, the city is not financially

1723
02:11:14,275 --> 02:11:18,165
solvent to, at this point with the electric department

1724
02:11:18,825 --> 02:11:22,685
in the, in the condition that is in where you can, even if you wanted

1725
02:11:22,985 --> 02:11:26,155
to request whatever to go out and try to get a geo bond,

1726
02:11:29,225 --> 02:11:33,225
I believe I'd have to refer to our finance department. But looking at the slides that I

1727
02:11:33,305 --> 02:11:37,265
looked at, I don't think, I think people would laugh at us . Okay. You think we,

1728
02:11:37,605 --> 02:11:41,075
we asked them for lending right now, given if we do nothing to your,

1729
02:11:41,625 --> 02:11:45,435
your original comment. That's why I just, why I just made that statement. 'cause that's

1730
02:11:45,675 --> 02:11:49,035
what ms. Kim told us the, at the last work electoral

1731
02:11:49,835 --> 02:11:52,535
workshop we had. Yeah, I think she's accurate. Yes. So

1732
02:11:54,715 --> 02:11:58,155
I, that's all I have.

1733
02:12:03,615 --> 02:12:07,395
any more questions? Okay. This time I

1734
02:12:07,635 --> 02:12:11,325
will open a public hearing to consider adopting the ordinance to amend

1735
02:12:11,735 --> 02:12:15,075
the electric rate schedules. If you'd like to come forward, please do so at this time.

1736
02:12:20,685 --> 02:12:24,635
hello again. Um, and city manager, I, I left you out 'cause

1737
02:12:24,755 --> 02:12:28,555
you're part of this council manager

1738
02:12:29,395 --> 02:12:33,045
form of government. If, if things are according to charter,

1739
02:12:34,455 --> 02:12:37,985
the board of alderman is the board of alderman and you vote

1740
02:12:39,475 --> 02:12:43,405
as one and the mayor presides on the meeting and directs

1741
02:12:43,895 --> 02:12:47,765
people. And then the city manager used to sit next

1742
02:12:48,055 --> 02:12:51,825
to the mayor, but he was lowered sometime after

1743
02:12:52,355 --> 02:12:56,295
2009. Thank you ms. Carr. But it needs to be relevant to the public hearing for

1744
02:12:56,775 --> 02:12:59,755
electric rates. Well, I'm, I'm going back in the history in,

1745
02:13:02,355 --> 02:13:05,955
in nine in the 1970s, it was,

1746
02:13:06,795 --> 02:13:10,795
it was initiated by the board of alderman to seek,

1747
02:13:12,345 --> 02:13:16,215
uh, funding for carolina power

1748
02:13:16,585 --> 02:13:20,285
and light and power cpl to get a bond.

1749
02:13:21,305 --> 02:13:25,145
and that was a revenue bond at the time. I mean, who

1750
02:13:25,365 --> 02:13:29,115
knows how much the city paid. 'cause I just can't, the details are sketchy,

1751
02:13:30,885 --> 02:13:34,525
but, but the, the utility has been paying for that

1752
02:13:35,305 --> 02:13:37,975
and the payment ends this year.

1753
02:13:40,435 --> 02:13:44,295
so going back to 2015 ish,

1754
02:13:45,915 --> 02:13:49,685
the mayor was on the board and alderman kinsey was on the board when

1755
02:13:49,975 --> 02:13:52,735
there was a deal when duke and progress merged

1756
02:13:53,995 --> 02:13:57,615
and a deal was made, something to deal with the rates, I don't know, it was closed session

1757
02:13:58,435 --> 02:14:02,295
and I haven't sought through the city

1758
02:14:02,455 --> 02:14:06,115
clerk 'cause there's just too much information. So I'm just asking

1759
02:14:06,675 --> 02:14:07,235
you simply

1760
02:14:12,395 --> 02:14:13,055
in may of 2024,

1761
02:14:16,825 --> 02:14:20,735
this floor derman four of you voted for

1762
02:14:21,175 --> 02:14:25,175
to support mr. Bouchard's electric rate and

1763
02:14:25,555 --> 02:14:29,515
a pca, then that was during

1764
02:14:29,755 --> 02:14:33,685
the budget talks, then it came to

1765
02:14:34,565 --> 02:14:38,345
the board making a final decision on rates. And charlie had presented

1766
02:14:38,845 --> 02:14:42,375
all the information. I was there. I so I'm not like imagining

1767
02:14:42,985 --> 02:14:46,145
this, right? He presented the board all this information

1768
02:14:47,445 --> 02:14:51,345
and the rates and they were set and it was a public hearing and then

1769
02:14:52,005 --> 02:14:54,925
the mayor said, I wanna match duke's rates.

1770
02:14:56,055 --> 02:14:59,915
everything changed. That was last june

1771
02:15:00,305 --> 02:15:04,305
or july. It was around then. So then the

1772
02:15:04,525 --> 02:15:07,775
mayor's like, no, we're going to give you whatever percent, 3%,

1773
02:15:09,325 --> 02:15:12,585
whatever the amount was. So that's not,

1774
02:15:13,425 --> 02:15:17,205
you know, going with whatever the department of public utilities director's

1775
02:15:17,445 --> 02:15:21,365
telling him. Like he's been in an engineer for I, I have no idea. Right? That's his

1776
02:15:21,585 --> 02:15:24,555
job. That's what he does. That's instead

1777
02:15:26,025 --> 02:15:29,685
he keeps revising to try to catch up with duke's

1778
02:15:30,085 --> 02:15:33,825
rates. So I guess my question is,

1779
02:15:34,685 --> 02:15:37,005
I know I got a lot of them. The board

1780
02:15:40,105 --> 02:15:43,885
has the legal authority to take 5% of the gross revenues from the

1781
02:15:44,325 --> 02:15:47,285
electric fund. Y'all have that power through state statute.

1782
02:15:48,925 --> 02:15:52,705
so as, I don't know if that's what mr. Bachar was referring

1783
02:15:53,065 --> 02:15:57,005
to, but it appears to me that these rates are being raised.

1784
02:15:57,525 --> 02:16:01,425
it was a 6% rate and then the 6% rate, but it

1785
02:16:01,545 --> 02:16:05,285
wasn't a pca, um, was not added or

1786
02:16:05,725 --> 02:16:09,405
it was restricted. So this

1787
02:16:09,965 --> 02:16:12,335
authority to take 5% of the gross revenue,

1788
02:16:14,595 --> 02:16:18,455
the money is just going up. That's being taken out of the electric department

1789
02:16:20,155 --> 02:16:23,975
and it's being put into general fund. And I'm not saying anything shady going

1790
02:16:24,215 --> 02:16:28,115
on 'cause that's a legal issue, but you're not addressing the

1791
02:16:28,335 --> 02:16:31,805
actual problem that the consultant

1792
02:16:33,275 --> 02:16:36,935
said during the financial study that there

1793
02:16:37,285 --> 02:16:40,195
was an aging system. It's affecting reliability.

1794
02:16:42,025 --> 02:16:45,865
and I don't know if there's an n one contingency or not, but

1795
02:16:46,085 --> 02:16:49,935
there's a situation going on with the system and by

1796
02:16:50,265 --> 02:16:52,715
keep funding it with funding the utility

1797
02:16:55,065 --> 02:16:58,915
without or, uh, keep taking money out, transferring it

1798
02:16:59,115 --> 02:17:02,635
to the general fund. What is this about

1799
02:17:03,215 --> 02:17:06,765
the, the, the duke energy or the carolina light power

1800
02:17:08,435 --> 02:17:12,435
bought the assets that the city owns, the whole electric system or

1801
02:17:13,035 --> 02:17:16,965
I'm sorry, I apologize. The plant, the generating plant that they paid

1802
02:17:17,805 --> 02:17:21,635
this revenue bond for. And I know I'm, I'm, I'm

1803
02:17:21,855 --> 02:17:25,775
really confused. Sounds confusing, but I'm bringing this home

1804
02:17:26,135 --> 02:17:29,945
right now. So by taking

1805
02:17:30,425 --> 02:17:34,075
the money out of the general fund, keep raising the rates without adjusting

1806
02:17:34,705 --> 02:17:38,535
the power cost, you're not

1807
02:17:38,785 --> 02:17:41,095
collecting natural cost of the power.

1808
02:17:42,895 --> 02:17:46,285
so is there something in that closed session which

1809
02:17:46,975 --> 02:17:50,875
may be, um, available to the public?

1810
02:17:51,295 --> 02:17:54,905
now that was said that when the

1811
02:17:55,405 --> 02:17:59,345
contract ends, then we can,

1812
02:18:00,635 --> 02:18:03,835
that the 5% will be lifted or something. Was there a deal made

1813
02:18:04,895 --> 02:18:08,265
that nobody is aware of except for the mayor? 'cause he was there

1814
02:18:08,925 --> 02:18:12,685
and, and possibly, uh, mckenzie, mr.

1815
02:18:13,085 --> 02:18:17,025
mr. Davis. Um, I I typically don't want to go down

1816
02:18:17,145 --> 02:18:20,985
rabbit holes, but let let's be clear, anything that took

1817
02:18:21,275 --> 02:18:25,055
place from negotiations in closed sessions during the empa

1818
02:18:25,345 --> 02:18:29,215
and duke buyout was made public because

1819
02:18:29,935 --> 02:18:33,905
this board or previous board, board of ottman voted to accept that agreement,

1820
02:18:34,515 --> 02:18:38,505
which became public, correct? That is correct. The city was not a direct

1821
02:18:38,665 --> 02:18:41,195
party to that settlement between duke and in kemba.

1822
02:18:44,285 --> 02:18:48,145
and any rates or any deals would be evidenced by a

1823
02:18:48,585 --> 02:18:49,865
document that the board would approve.

1824
02:18:52,635 --> 02:18:56,245
and and every time the city changes our rates, there's

1825
02:18:56,735 --> 02:18:59,815
a public hearing yes sir. By law. And it's voted on by the full board

1826
02:19:00,955 --> 02:19:04,815
and the majority of the board determines the rates. Correct. Okay, sir,

1827
02:19:05,015 --> 02:19:08,925
thank you. Okay. Are is the city of new

1828
02:19:09,085 --> 02:19:12,405
bern, not a member of, of one of the 32 members are part of

1829
02:19:13,105 --> 02:19:16,965
mpa and the city of new bern has actually, I think al my masters

1830
02:19:17,315 --> 02:19:20,825
part of the current board for mpa.

1831
02:19:21,585 --> 02:19:25,465
is that true or not? Yes. Yes ma'am. So how

1832
02:19:25,685 --> 02:19:29,515
is the city not involved with the bio? We were not

1833
02:19:29,715 --> 02:19:33,435
a direct party to that bio in kemba. I think the city's one of 32

1834
02:19:34,415 --> 02:19:38,295
or 36 members. So the city's one

1835
02:19:38,515 --> 02:19:42,375
32nd of that entity. So in that sense, the

1836
02:19:42,975 --> 02:19:46,815
city has a vote within kemba, but the city's not

1837
02:19:46,995 --> 02:19:50,845
in charge of the negotiations or that global resolution between

1838
02:19:51,335 --> 02:19:54,355
those two entities. Charlie, feel free. So

1839
02:19:56,025 --> 02:19:57,415
issue, but I'll try to add some clarity.

1840
02:20:00,305 --> 02:20:04,215
kemba, which is a power supply agency that we're a member

1841
02:20:04,335 --> 02:20:08,235
of, has a contract with duke to

1842
02:20:08,595 --> 02:20:11,825
buy wholesale power. Yes sir. That's between the kemba

1843
02:20:13,195 --> 02:20:16,615
and duke new bern has a separate contract

1844
02:20:17,285 --> 02:20:19,665
between the city of new bern and the kemba.

1845
02:20:21,445 --> 02:20:25,335
does that help the two different matters? I mean, then

1846
02:20:25,675 --> 02:20:29,135
the rates kind of follow each other. They're pretty much similarly aligned, but they're,

1847
02:20:29,925 --> 02:20:33,055
yeah. The, the, the issue that's being raised is, is there are some

1848
02:20:33,965 --> 02:20:37,835
unknown deal between the city and in kemp or

1849
02:20:38,055 --> 02:20:41,935
the city and duke that has not been disclosed. And the

1850
02:20:42,255 --> 02:20:46,175
legal issue we're making is that all those documents, records,

1851
02:20:46,425 --> 02:20:50,415
agreements are in writing and were approved in public. So there could

1852
02:20:50,615 --> 02:20:54,575
not possibly be a secret deal between new vern and

1853
02:20:54,735 --> 02:20:55,575
duke or anyone else.

1854
02:20:58,795 --> 02:21:02,735
and I haven't looked at all of those public, the closed session

1855
02:21:02,975 --> 02:21:06,775
meetings, 'cause basically a closed session meeting just said this happened. So I don't,

1856
02:21:07,055 --> 02:21:10,995
I wasn't there. No one can, there was no transcript of closed sessions. So I'm

1857
02:21:11,215 --> 02:21:14,855
just trying to get to the bottom up. How did this board be fully, totally

1858
02:21:15,275 --> 02:21:19,055
on board? And then mayor says, no, we're gonna match duke's rates.

1859
02:21:20,195 --> 02:21:23,395
and now, and, and mayor, you're shaking your head, but

1860
02:21:24,275 --> 02:21:28,095
you said that right? I'm shaking my head because you're inferring that I

1861
02:21:28,565 --> 02:21:31,945
overruled the board and made a suggestion. And the, the staff

1862
02:21:32,615 --> 02:21:36,375
followed that direction, which did not happen. I simply made a suggestion that instead

1863
02:21:36,735 --> 02:21:40,215
of coming back every six months or every year, asking for more money

1864
02:21:40,755 --> 02:21:44,715
to close the gap between where we are and where duke is, if the city would mirror duke's

1865
02:21:45,135 --> 02:21:48,735
rates, we wouldn't be having this discussion tonight. The board didn't go along with that, unless

1866
02:21:49,315 --> 02:21:53,095
I'm completely losing my mind. The board didn't go along with that. The board took other action.

1867
02:21:54,405 --> 02:21:57,535
okay. Three members of the board, which is the majority of the board,

1868
02:21:58,595 --> 02:22:01,415
two, no, four, four members is a majority of the board.

1869
02:22:04,275 --> 02:22:08,115
you have four members on the board. So the

1870
02:22:08,535 --> 02:22:11,575
majority of four is you have two aldermen,

1871
02:22:13,175 --> 02:22:17,135
alderman kinzie, and asked her. And then you have three

1872
02:22:17,335 --> 02:22:21,235
people that aman, that voted to raise a raise. So

1873
02:22:21,455 --> 02:22:25,425
then at the very end on our

1874
02:22:25,775 --> 02:22:29,535
mayor, you voted and you, you blocked that. Right.

1875
02:22:30,145 --> 02:22:34,125
um, charlie, could you clarify the last time? You, you well, I, no, no, no. I apologize. I,

1876
02:22:34,245 --> 02:22:38,205
excuse me. It's, excuse the la the last time you asked for a rate increase, it was

1877
02:22:38,365 --> 02:22:42,155
voted on, if I remember correctly, it was four to two. And I supported

1878
02:22:42,835 --> 02:22:46,605
your request to raise the rates along with alderman pr, alderman, royal,

1879
02:22:46,865 --> 02:22:50,645
and alderman best. Is that what you recall? I was saying I was

1880
02:22:51,285 --> 02:22:54,305
apologizing for misspeaking. So, and

1881
02:22:56,965 --> 02:23:00,125
I guess the bottom line is all of the alderman

1882
02:23:01,275 --> 02:23:04,835
were on board with the power rate

1883
02:23:06,045 --> 02:23:09,595
increase and a pca and then that meeting when

1884
02:23:10,505 --> 02:23:13,905
it was all brought in front of the board at the for

1885
02:23:15,115 --> 02:23:19,085
sign off, the mayor said, no, we're, you know, I think we need

1886
02:23:19,325 --> 02:23:22,845
to do this. And then alderman asked her, and alman kinzie

1887
02:23:24,115 --> 02:23:27,905
said, yes, let's raise the, or adjust to

1888
02:23:28,185 --> 02:23:32,145
duke's like a penny underneath duke's race. Is

1889
02:23:32,365 --> 02:23:36,185
that addressing the issue with the city electric department, or

1890
02:23:36,405 --> 02:23:40,075
is that a political move? Number one. And there was discussions made

1891
02:23:41,665 --> 02:23:45,565
behind closed doors. I can address that. So I guess the bottom line

1892
02:23:45,805 --> 02:23:49,725
is, I'm just trying to figure out what, what is going on here. Yes, ma'am. Let, let me address

1893
02:23:49,965 --> 02:23:52,445
the behind closed doors to help everybody understand

1894
02:23:54,315 --> 02:23:57,865
governing bodies in north carolina cannot take any legal action

1895
02:23:58,385 --> 02:24:02,245
in a closed session. That that's legal rule one, they can't

1896
02:24:02,485 --> 02:24:06,365
take secret actions. They can approve a settlement,

1897
02:24:07,325 --> 02:24:11,125
a legal settlement in a closed session, provided that the settlement is

1898
02:24:11,525 --> 02:24:15,045
released thereafter. So to the extent there was a discussion

1899
02:24:15,565 --> 02:24:19,215
in 2015 about the duke and kea settlement,

1900
02:24:20,215 --> 02:24:23,925
there would've been discussions about that settlement. There may well have been a recommendation,

1901
02:24:25,345 --> 02:24:29,345
but thereafter, in a public meeting on the

1902
02:24:29,565 --> 02:24:33,205
agenda, those documents would've been approved in broad daylight

1903
02:24:33,625 --> 02:24:37,325
by the board. So there is never any secret action that can legally

1904
02:24:37,665 --> 02:24:41,365
be taken, ever. Okay. I, I totally understand that.

1905
02:24:42,465 --> 02:24:46,325
so getting back to 2015 or whenever that happened,

1906
02:24:48,065 --> 02:24:51,525
it was a deal made with duke saying that it, once the contract's over,

1907
02:24:52,635 --> 02:24:55,705
then something's gonna happen. Or,

1908
02:24:56,805 --> 02:25:00,665
I mean, do you, can you tell me what happened in a public meeting that you, you

1909
02:25:00,885 --> 02:25:01,245
were a part of?

1910
02:25:05,525 --> 02:25:09,285
I, I don't even know where to start, to be honest with you. I mean, you, you're asking about something

1911
02:25:09,715 --> 02:25:13,605
from 10, 11 years ago. I can tell you this,

1912
02:25:13,955 --> 02:25:17,765
that when we signed the agreement and the city had to sign on with the 31

1913
02:25:18,335 --> 02:25:22,295
other agencies to accept the buyout from duke to nampa,

1914
02:25:23,465 --> 02:25:26,245
we always said in 2025 or 2026,

1915
02:25:27,865 --> 02:25:31,635
the remaining debt that had essentially been refinanced by duke

1916
02:25:31,925 --> 02:25:35,865
through this wholesale power sale would come off

1917
02:25:36,145 --> 02:25:39,235
of our book. So essentially we wouldn't owe it anymore. Therefore,

1918
02:25:40,365 --> 02:25:43,645
whatever we were paying, charlie, I believe it was $3 million a year roughly,

1919
02:25:44,815 --> 02:25:48,765
would no longer be obligated by all of the 32 cities a part of

1920
02:25:48,885 --> 02:25:52,765
that. That is the only thing that I can try to make a connection with what you're

1921
02:25:53,005 --> 02:25:56,925
trying to infer tonight. And I don't know if that's what you're talking about or not. So why are you

1922
02:25:57,045 --> 02:26:00,475
asking to match duke's rates when duke is providing

1923
02:26:01,085 --> 02:26:04,445
the power? And there's all these costs for charlie to be at the meeting

1924
02:26:05,305 --> 02:26:09,245
and for new bern 1 0 1 and all these things, they cost money.

1925
02:26:09,665 --> 02:26:13,585
but if you're, you want to , I'm

1926
02:26:13,805 --> 02:26:16,915
just confused. So meeting wholesale

1927
02:26:18,105 --> 02:26:21,765
issues confused with charlie, can you please come to the mic?

1928
02:26:22,455 --> 02:26:26,065
thank you. Are, are we getting do wholesale issues confused with duke retail

1929
02:26:26,985 --> 02:26:28,585
issues? Mm-hmm . And

1930
02:26:32,165 --> 02:26:36,005
I think the mayor simply requested it the time it, I, correct me

1931
02:26:36,205 --> 02:26:40,185
if I'm wrong there, that instead of keep coming back to this board asking for

1932
02:26:40,405 --> 02:26:44,085
3% or 6% or 3%, he just

1933
02:26:44,555 --> 02:26:48,535
made a recommendation that we match

1934
02:26:49,185 --> 02:26:52,965
our either due, it seems like a penny aachi kilowatt

1935
02:26:53,525 --> 02:26:57,525
hour cheaper than duke's rate, retail rate. Retail rate.

1936
02:26:57,805 --> 02:27:01,585
correct. Not, we would still be either at the same rate as

1937
02:27:01,875 --> 02:27:05,565
duke, or we would be one penny a kilowatt

1938
02:27:06,125 --> 02:27:09,885
hour cheaper than duke. That was best. I recall

1939
02:27:10,625 --> 02:27:14,625
his recommendation. I recommended, I recommended we

1940
02:27:14,845 --> 02:27:18,765
match duke's rate, and I believe you said, well, can we come in a little bit cheaper so we

1941
02:27:18,925 --> 02:27:22,885
can say we're below it? If I recall that correctly. And, and just mayor, for, for a

1942
02:27:23,005 --> 02:27:26,965
bit of history, for decades, duke's rates were lower

1943
02:27:27,475 --> 02:27:31,415
than the city rates. And the citizens were very upset about

1944
02:27:31,785 --> 02:27:35,725
the city's lack of competitiveness with its electric rates because it was saddled

1945
02:27:36,205 --> 02:27:39,995
with very large debts. And once that buyout took

1946
02:27:40,285 --> 02:27:44,245
place, the tide turned and new bern's rates

1947
02:27:44,595 --> 02:27:48,185
over time became lower and they were never raised.

1948
02:27:49,345 --> 02:27:53,115
and because of that, we are now under recovering, which puts

1949
02:27:53,405 --> 02:27:57,135
the mayor's comments in context. We've,

1950
02:27:57,495 --> 02:28:01,245
we've beat duke now for a decade and we've paid a price for that.

1951
02:28:01,645 --> 02:28:05,445
wouldn't it be easier to match their rate so that we stay

1952
02:28:05,725 --> 02:28:09,725
on the same tide? And, and I heard that and although

1953
02:28:09,845 --> 02:28:13,645
I didn't put anything formally together because I didn't sense the board was asking

1954
02:28:13,865 --> 02:28:17,525
me to do that. Staff and myself, we did, we did look at duke's

1955
02:28:17,885 --> 02:28:21,725
retail rates and I can't, I can't match

1956
02:28:21,925 --> 02:28:25,765
them. I don't have the tools to match all their rate designs. There's a lot of details. I can

1957
02:28:25,985 --> 02:28:29,965
try to match their costs. And just speaking of the re

1958
02:28:30,035 --> 02:28:33,885
average residential customer, I'd have to increase

1959
02:28:34,065 --> 02:28:36,115
our rates 14%, including

1960
02:28:38,505 --> 02:28:42,045
the unrestricted pca. If we don't, if we keep the pca

1961
02:28:42,765 --> 02:28:46,405
restricted, it would be about a 16% rate increase to get rid of kids today.

1962
02:28:53,345 --> 02:28:55,945
so getting back to all this, you lost $2 million

1963
02:28:57,625 --> 02:29:01,475
la or it's, it's gonna be at the end of the year, it's gonna be $2 million have

1964
02:29:01,765 --> 02:29:05,685
not been recovered because the rates

1965
02:29:05,925 --> 02:29:09,725
weren't, the, the 3% plus the pca was not added

1966
02:29:10,465 --> 02:29:14,235
in may of 2024. So here, here

1967
02:29:15,225 --> 02:29:19,125
we are, and then that $2 million is being transferred to the general

1968
02:29:19,475 --> 02:29:23,205
fund. How do you ever catch up? And that's it. Thank you. I

1969
02:29:23,615 --> 02:29:27,485
thank you everyone for being so patient. I'm just trying to fill in the dots because

1970
02:29:28,105 --> 02:29:31,485
the mayor has not responded to any of my requests for comment

1971
02:29:32,475 --> 02:29:36,295
information, but he, he goes on, on the media and talks

1972
02:29:36,645 --> 02:29:40,485
about this situation. So here we are.

1973
02:29:46,335 --> 02:29:49,785
would anyone else like to come forward and make comments on item number

1974
02:29:50,435 --> 02:29:54,325
16? Hey, I ain't gonna take up too much

1975
02:29:54,445 --> 02:29:57,855
of your time. Uh, but I did have a couple of questions I saw on the chart.

1976
02:29:58,905 --> 02:30:02,845
it said bond issue with fees included, uh, one year

1977
02:30:03,005 --> 02:30:06,825
was about 28 million. The next was 29. The next of 27 is

1978
02:30:07,045 --> 02:30:10,045
that, is that money that we are paying out over the next three years

1979
02:30:14,055 --> 02:30:17,165
slide? It was a slide that had

1980
02:30:30,685 --> 02:30:33,385
that, that's, is that money coming in or that that's what I'm asking for.

1981
02:30:34,905 --> 02:30:38,765
if you look at the column on the left of the capital improvement plan, those dollars

1982
02:30:39,085 --> 02:30:42,605
should match what I'm asking in bonding

1983
02:30:46,435 --> 02:30:49,995
request. In this, essentially

1984
02:30:50,685 --> 02:30:54,625
alone, in this group, percent we'll be getting there. That match well is

1985
02:30:54,845 --> 02:30:58,845
that I believe we be financially qualified, but we still have to

1986
02:30:58,965 --> 02:31:02,705
go to the market. And that falls more aligned with our finance department. Can

1987
02:31:03,625 --> 02:31:07,615
you're ask asking, use the microphone. You're asking to issue those bonds

1988
02:31:08,115 --> 02:31:12,045
over the next few years. I'm not asking to issue bonds at this point

1989
02:31:12,245 --> 02:31:16,245
in time. All I'm trying to do is get the money so that we're in a position that we

1990
02:31:16,405 --> 02:31:20,365
get asked for lending the most likely in the form of

1991
02:31:20,525 --> 02:31:23,285
a revenue bond in those amounts.

1992
02:31:24,745 --> 02:31:28,475
yes. Okay. I think maybe to help answer

1993
02:31:28,895 --> 02:31:32,775
your question at the present time with the electric utility

1994
02:31:33,475 --> 02:31:37,255
is not in a position to be able to issue revenue

1995
02:31:37,745 --> 02:31:41,165
bonds. The state will not allow that to happen because

1996
02:31:41,955 --> 02:31:45,135
of our financial condition in, in the electric utility.

1997
02:31:46,515 --> 02:31:49,995
so what mr. Bouchard has been, uh,

1998
02:31:50,695 --> 02:31:54,475
recommending to the board is that we have to increase the rates to

1999
02:31:54,895 --> 02:31:58,765
generate more revenue, to put the utility into

2000
02:31:59,175 --> 02:32:02,565
a position that would allow us to request

2001
02:32:03,235 --> 02:32:07,125
the state's approval to issue revenue bonds. Okay.

2002
02:32:07,565 --> 02:32:11,195
okay. I I, I appreciate that clarity. I just wanna take a few more moments to say

2003
02:32:11,845 --> 02:32:15,545
that, uh, the, the public banking initiative could

2004
02:32:15,895 --> 02:32:19,855
also be, uh, another recourse for this issue. Y'all have,

2005
02:32:20,075 --> 02:32:20,075
uh,

2006
02:32:27,005 --> 02:32:30,055
just sitting here and listening to you this conversation.

2007
02:32:31,355 --> 02:32:35,215
and I was also at the budget meeting, um, at the rec center,

2008
02:32:36,605 --> 02:32:40,375
what, two months ago probably. And so, and I've been paying

2009
02:32:40,655 --> 02:32:44,375
attention to the electric thing. It concerns

2010
02:32:44,895 --> 02:32:48,615
me, if we're going to run a utility business,

2011
02:32:49,585 --> 02:32:53,535
we're going to have to charge for that.

2012
02:32:54,235 --> 02:32:58,085
we can't go in the red. So it's

2013
02:32:58,375 --> 02:33:02,365
hard to raise rates. It's

2014
02:33:02,655 --> 02:33:06,495
hard to raise taxes, but you guys gotta have

2015
02:33:06,695 --> 02:33:10,575
the courage to do it. 'cause we can't just be without

2016
02:33:12,055 --> 02:33:15,855
electricity. That's all I have. Thank you.

2017
02:33:16,105 --> 02:33:17,215
thank you. Thank you.

2018
02:33:22,595 --> 02:33:23,015
anyone else?

2019
02:33:28,425 --> 02:33:32,355
mayor, make a motion to close the public hearing. Second, I have a motion to

2020
02:33:32,575 --> 02:33:36,205
second to close the public hearing. Is there further discussion? Hearing

2021
02:33:36,695 --> 02:33:40,595
none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Public hearing is

2022
02:33:40,815 --> 02:33:44,615
now closed. What is the pleasure of the board? On item number 16, I

2023
02:33:46,665 --> 02:33:50,395
mayor, I'll make a motion to, um, adopt an ordinance to

2024
02:33:50,705 --> 02:33:54,595
amend the electric rate schedules, um, and,

2025
02:33:56,515 --> 02:33:58,885
um, to include a sunset provision,

2026
02:34:00,555 --> 02:34:03,355
uh, in that ordinance. Um,

2027
02:34:05,075 --> 02:34:09,055
so that this issue is revisited, um, a year from this,

2028
02:34:09,315 --> 02:34:13,095
um, tonight. Second. I have a motion a second.

2029
02:34:13,475 --> 02:34:17,305
are you clear? No, sir. If we could unpack that a little bit. Altman pri um,

2030
02:34:19,185 --> 02:34:22,995
are, are you thinking of the rate itself or the pca rider? Well,

2031
02:34:23,285 --> 02:34:26,525
yes, and and thank you for that clarification. The, the sunset

2032
02:34:27,915 --> 02:34:31,705
provision would be with regards to the pca and, and

2033
02:34:31,925 --> 02:34:35,165
that would, uh, expire six 30, uh, 26

2034
02:34:36,315 --> 02:34:39,315
next, the end of next fiscal year at this current fiscal year.

2035
02:34:40,395 --> 02:34:44,365
charlie, is that the cycle you were thinking? I'm trying

2036
02:34:44,565 --> 02:34:47,725
to understand mr. S head. We would this sunset, the pca rider,

2037
02:34:48,825 --> 02:34:52,725
the removing the cap with the new language, that new rider, that new amended

2038
02:34:53,165 --> 02:34:57,125
rider would terminate, would self terminate. So all

2039
02:34:57,325 --> 02:35:00,065
of the pca would go away. Yes.

2040
02:35:02,785 --> 02:35:06,685
is that what you want, uh, to revisit it? I, I

2041
02:35:06,805 --> 02:35:10,625
am looking for this, that pca issue to

2042
02:35:10,945 --> 02:35:14,925
be revisited approximately a year from tonight

2043
02:35:15,985 --> 02:35:19,945
by the, the board that's sitting here at that time. And if, if, if the

2044
02:35:20,505 --> 02:35:23,645
intent is to take action on it and stop it and cycle

2045
02:35:24,795 --> 02:35:28,725
with our budgeting process, then we probably need to do that

2046
02:35:28,845 --> 02:35:31,995
in advance of july 1st,

2047
02:35:33,065 --> 02:35:36,945
um, rated, um, rates being effective or de

2048
02:35:37,165 --> 02:35:39,505
effective? So probably sometime in

2049
02:35:41,195 --> 02:35:44,785
this has a two month lag. Um, probably sometime in may.

2050
02:35:45,505 --> 02:35:49,215
uh, if I, if I may, I, I, am I getting close? Close,

2051
02:35:49,985 --> 02:35:53,675
uh, for simplicity, if it expires on six 30 at the end of the fiscal year,

2052
02:35:54,225 --> 02:35:58,045
you will have had your whole budget season to talk about it. Think about it

2053
02:35:58,425 --> 02:36:02,085
so that as part of the budget that rider is addressed.

2054
02:36:02,715 --> 02:36:06,005
okay. I think that will make it easier to keep up with.

2055
02:36:06,725 --> 02:36:10,645
I need it simple. And secondly, ottoman. If that, if that

2056
02:36:10,805 --> 02:36:14,525
was your clarification. The other issue was the rate increase. Are I was presuming

2057
02:36:14,965 --> 02:36:17,485
that you were suggesting to take the director's recommendation?

2058
02:36:19,065 --> 02:36:20,625
yes. The 3% yes.

2059
02:36:24,105 --> 02:36:27,515
is, is is the board, is everyone clear the 3% rate

2060
02:36:28,125 --> 02:36:31,965
increase with the unrestricted pca? Yes, ma'am. That expired with the, with

2061
02:36:32,205 --> 02:36:33,665
the rider to, to expire. 6 30 26.

2062
02:36:39,025 --> 02:36:43,005
any further discussion? Hearing none? Let's

2063
02:36:43,205 --> 02:36:44,495
have a roll call starting with alderman prill.

2064
02:36:47,605 --> 02:36:51,145
alderman prill. Yes. Alderman royal? Yes.

2065
02:36:52,085 --> 02:36:55,585
alderman aster? Yes. Alderman kenzie? Yes.

2066
02:36:56,445 --> 02:36:59,025
alderman best? Yes. Mayor odom. No.

2067
02:37:02,545 --> 02:37:03,965
motion passes the stop to one.

2068
02:37:06,685 --> 02:37:07,805
anything else on item number 16?

2069
02:37:11,355 --> 02:37:15,045
okay. Moving on to item number 17. Conduct a public hearing on the proposed general obligation

2070
02:37:15,645 --> 02:37:19,095
bonds and consider document a resolution calling for a bond referendum.

2071
02:37:20,145 --> 02:37:20,425
ms. Ostrom

2072
02:37:27,575 --> 02:37:31,505
there, why? She's getting her side up. The mayor. Uh, can

2073
02:37:31,725 --> 02:37:35,585
I make an announcement please? Sure. Someone lost some tickets out in

2074
02:37:35,805 --> 02:37:39,705
the area by the lady's bathroom. I have 'em if

2075
02:37:39,925 --> 02:37:43,905
they're still here. Okay, I see. But someone lost some tickets. Gotcha.

2076
02:37:46,835 --> 02:37:50,645
parking ticket or no, these are, I can't say what tickets

2077
02:37:51,235 --> 02:37:54,875
they are because anybody can say what these are. Those are my tickets. Okay.

2078
02:37:55,365 --> 02:37:59,205
I can say those are my tickets. An event ticket tickets for an event? Yes. An event ticket. Okay,

2079
02:37:59,965 --> 02:38:03,885
. Okay. After discussion over the past year

2080
02:38:04,165 --> 02:38:07,885
or so, the board is pursuing general obligation bonds

2081
02:38:08,225 --> 02:38:12,005
for streets and sidewalks, parks and recreation and stormwater projects, totaling

2082
02:38:12,565 --> 02:38:15,805
24 million with an estimated tax rate impact of 2.75 cents

2083
02:38:17,225 --> 02:38:21,165
per over 20 years. The estimated annual cost is $27

2084
02:38:22,105 --> 02:38:26,005
and 50 cents, which is $2 and 29 cents per month for every a

2085
02:38:26,125 --> 02:38:30,125
hundred thousand dollars of assessed property value. So an assessed

2086
02:38:30,245 --> 02:38:34,165
value of $200,000 would cost about $55 annually,

2087
02:38:35,415 --> 02:38:38,695
which is $4 and 58 cents per month. $300,000

2088
02:38:40,025 --> 02:38:43,895
of assessed value would cost $82 and 50 cents annually, which

2089
02:38:44,245 --> 02:38:47,445
is $6 and 88 cents per month. And 400,000

2090
02:38:48,585 --> 02:38:52,255
of assessed property value would cost $110 annually, which

2091
02:38:52,605 --> 02:38:55,895
is $9 and 17 cents per month in additional annual taxes.

2092
02:38:57,305 --> 02:39:01,005
at the last board meeting, the board approved the first reading and called for a public hearing.

2093
02:39:01,975 --> 02:39:04,965
after the public hearing tonight, you'll be asked to approve the second reading

2094
02:39:06,225 --> 02:39:09,895
of the three bond orders and adopt resolution calling for bond referendum,

2095
02:39:11,135 --> 02:39:14,805
which is needed to present the referendum to the voters to, to decide

2096
02:39:15,425 --> 02:39:16,085
on in october.

2097
02:39:19,805 --> 02:39:23,405
okay. Does board have questions for staff on item number 17, before we open

2098
02:39:23,815 --> 02:39:24,135
a public hearing?

2099
02:39:30,085 --> 02:39:32,455
hearing none at this time, I will open a public hearing

2100
02:39:34,315 --> 02:39:38,255
on the proposed general obligation bonds and consider adopting a resolution for calling a bond referendum.

2101
02:39:38,695 --> 02:39:42,095
so the public hearing is now open. If anyone would like to speak, please come forward.

2102
02:39:48,795 --> 02:39:52,575
hey, y'all, just me again. Um, in, in regards to these,

2103
02:39:53,115 --> 02:39:56,935
uh, bonds, it was mentioned in, it was mentioned in the

2104
02:39:57,255 --> 02:40:01,165
workshop that a bank could possibly, uh, take

2105
02:40:01,475 --> 02:40:05,115
the issue of these bonds without you having to go through the steps of,

2106
02:40:05,915 --> 02:40:09,715
um, getting your bond rated that you might be able to, um,

2107
02:40:10,275 --> 02:40:14,005
uh, issue these without, without those additional steps that incur

2108
02:40:14,325 --> 02:40:17,635
additional fees. Um, I would like to suggest,

2109
02:40:18,625 --> 02:40:22,495
as I have a few times this evening, uh, that a public bank could

2110
02:40:22,865 --> 02:40:26,525
be a bank that, uh, takes on those bonds at a favorable

2111
02:40:26,965 --> 02:40:30,795
rate to the city. Uh, that way we can get these infrastructure needs taken care

2112
02:40:31,125 --> 02:40:32,525
of properly. Thank you,

2113
02:40:43,775 --> 02:40:47,325
mayor. Hearing no further comments, make a motion to close the public hearing.

2114
02:40:48,585 --> 02:40:51,805
second, I have a motion, a second to close the public hearing. Is there further discussion?

2115
02:40:53,915 --> 02:40:57,045
hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed?

2116
02:40:57,945 --> 02:41:01,805
public hearing is now closed. What is the pleasure of the board? On item number

2117
02:41:02,365 --> 02:41:06,145
17, mayor, I'd like to make a motion to

2118
02:41:06,475 --> 02:41:10,255
approve the three bond orders on second reading and adopt

2119
02:41:10,625 --> 02:41:14,245
the resolution calling for a bond referendum on the three orders.

2120
02:41:18,805 --> 02:41:22,405
I have a motion. Do we have a second? I second

2121
02:41:23,625 --> 02:41:25,205
motion a second. Is there further discussion?

2122
02:41:28,645 --> 02:41:31,495
hearing none. Let's have a roll call starting with alderman royal.

2123
02:41:33,095 --> 02:41:36,435
alderman royal, yes. Alderman aster. Yes.

2124
02:41:37,975 --> 02:41:41,775
alderman kenzie. Yes. Alderman. Best. I just want the

2125
02:41:42,255 --> 02:41:46,225
citizens to know before I cast my vote, that by no means

2126
02:41:47,435 --> 02:41:51,395
am I not for this bond referendum, but I do not

2127
02:41:52,085 --> 02:41:55,715
approve of some of the wants that are

2128
02:41:56,175 --> 02:42:00,095
included in this bond referendum. I, um, think I could

2129
02:42:00,335 --> 02:42:03,865
approve for the storm water, but parks and recs, those

2130
02:42:04,375 --> 02:42:08,085
are amenities and upgrades. Streets and sidewalks. We have

2131
02:42:08,885 --> 02:42:12,875
funding within our public works department for streets and

2132
02:42:13,335 --> 02:42:17,095
sidewalks and other resident sources from the city. So I cannot

2133
02:42:17,365 --> 02:42:20,155
support this bond referendum at this time. And I vote no.

2134
02:42:22,375 --> 02:42:26,155
alderman krill. Yes. Mayor odom. Yes. Motion

2135
02:42:26,725 --> 02:42:30,615
carries. Item number 18, update from new bern housing authority on cni

2136
02:42:30,975 --> 02:42:34,895
status and consider adopting a resolution to certify a choice neighborhood's partnership

2137
02:42:35,365 --> 02:42:39,295
with the housing authority of the city of new bern. Mr. Hughes. Mayor, at this time, I'd like to ask

2138
02:42:39,455 --> 02:42:43,135
mr. Rigie barner with the housing authority to give us a brief update on the status

2139
02:42:43,595 --> 02:42:47,135
of, of the cni process, and then he's gonna go into a discussion

2140
02:42:47,755 --> 02:42:50,095
on his request for the mou with the city.

2141
02:42:51,795 --> 02:42:55,655
uh, good evening, mayor and alder. Thank you all for the opportunity

2142
02:42:56,235 --> 02:42:59,895
for myself, board, chair, and staff to be able to be present,

2143
02:43:00,355 --> 02:43:04,135
uh, this evening to kind of give you an update. Uh, we've given an update

2144
02:43:04,375 --> 02:43:08,255
on several other occasions and this evening, uh, want to

2145
02:43:08,475 --> 02:43:12,265
let you know that we're almost complete, uh, with the, uh, master

2146
02:43:12,875 --> 02:43:16,635
plan, uh, process that we've been going through for over the last year.

2147
02:43:17,545 --> 02:43:21,225
uh, we will culminate that and we're inviting you, uh,

2148
02:43:21,665 --> 02:43:25,625
as we've done before. We're inviting each of you, uh, to come to

2149
02:43:26,285 --> 02:43:30,065
a, uh, culmination presentation, uh, on

2150
02:43:30,605 --> 02:43:34,085
september 16th at the stanley white center at 5:30 pm

2151
02:43:35,865 --> 02:43:39,665
uh, we will, our consultants will be in town to present the

2152
02:43:39,885 --> 02:43:43,265
final, uh, presentation. Some of you all, alderman pri

2153
02:43:44,105 --> 02:43:47,835
uh, the mayor and others have attended, uh, some of those work

2154
02:43:48,125 --> 02:43:51,865
sessions that we've had, uh, over the last, uh, year. And

2155
02:43:52,225 --> 02:43:56,175
we will, uh, present the final presentation at that time. The flyer

2156
02:43:56,525 --> 02:43:59,885
that's, uh, presented up, uh, on the board, uh, focuses

2157
02:44:00,545 --> 02:44:04,005
on that. And, and, and again, we, we invite you all, uh, to do that.

2158
02:44:04,825 --> 02:44:07,925
uh, before I get into the, uh, uh, cni,

2159
02:44:08,945 --> 02:44:12,265
uh, partnership, are there any questions thus far

2160
02:44:12,985 --> 02:44:16,565
on anything that we've been involved in that we've kind of tried to keep you all abreast

2161
02:44:17,025 --> 02:44:20,045
of? Uh, but we do look forward to seeing you on september 16th.

2162
02:44:22,745 --> 02:44:26,525
so since your meeting in april that you came before us, nothing has changed

2163
02:44:26,805 --> 02:44:30,445
with the actual planning of, or anything has changed with within

2164
02:44:30,945 --> 02:44:34,925
the cni grant. Nothing has changed as of right now. Okay. Uh, the biggest

2165
02:44:35,165 --> 02:44:39,005
thing that we're focused on, uh, ultimate best is focused on working with

2166
02:44:39,245 --> 02:44:43,005
the city and staff on zoning changes, making sure that

2167
02:44:43,365 --> 02:44:47,285
we in compliance and making sure that the proposed unit mix that we're

2168
02:44:47,565 --> 02:44:51,355
proposing on each of the sites. If you, as you all know, the three main

2169
02:44:51,695 --> 02:44:55,605
sites that we're focused on at this time is one, the trent court

2170
02:44:56,325 --> 02:45:00,305
location naturally, two, the days in site, and three, uh,

2171
02:45:00,725 --> 02:45:04,555
f the west street school site. So those are our three main,

2172
02:45:05,225 --> 02:45:09,045
uh, targets right now. Let me be clear again tonight. We do

2173
02:45:09,245 --> 02:45:12,945
not own the school. We're in consultation and

2174
02:45:13,445 --> 02:45:17,205
communication, uh, with the state district. We're working to get the environmental

2175
02:45:17,645 --> 02:45:21,565
reviews. We're in negotiations with the school district, but just

2176
02:45:21,765 --> 02:45:25,685
like today's in site that you all own, we do not own that site. So I

2177
02:45:25,805 --> 02:45:29,725
don't want to mislead anybody when I mention that location. It is only

2178
02:45:30,025 --> 02:45:33,765
for planning purposes and it, it is our desire if things

2179
02:45:34,035 --> 02:45:36,885
work out to move forward, but currently we do not own that site

2180
02:45:40,585 --> 02:45:44,435
being no other, uh, questions related to, uh,

2181
02:45:44,875 --> 02:45:48,835
to the cni process that we've been going through. As you all have before

2182
02:45:49,255 --> 02:45:52,885
you this evening, uh, the partnership,

2183
02:45:53,995 --> 02:45:57,975
uh, agreement between, uh, the city, uh, and new

2184
02:45:58,215 --> 02:46:01,675
bern housing authority, and let me kind of go back in history you all,

2185
02:46:02,315 --> 02:46:05,445
before my, my time in the city, uh, partnered

2186
02:46:06,365 --> 02:46:10,055
with this, with the housing authority to receive a planning grant

2187
02:46:10,515 --> 02:46:14,505
back in 20 14, 20 15. So that was a partnership between the

2188
02:46:14,725 --> 02:46:18,645
city and the house of authority at that time. It is a generally a

2189
02:46:18,765 --> 02:46:22,685
two phase process. First you get a planning grant, so you received

2190
02:46:23,325 --> 02:46:26,645
a planning grant of a little over $400,000 that you do community

2191
02:46:27,605 --> 02:46:31,285
charettes and community involvement, and then get the input of the community

2192
02:46:31,985 --> 02:46:35,355
to create this transformation plan. You all created that.

2193
02:46:36,185 --> 02:46:39,995
uh, since, uh, since myself being here and working with

2194
02:46:40,555 --> 02:46:44,505
fema, uh, we're required in order to develop a, to receive the

2195
02:46:44,915 --> 02:46:48,725
fema funds, fema has allocated and set aside about $40 million

2196
02:46:49,745 --> 02:46:53,565
for us. They released 8.9 million for me to be able to do a master

2197
02:46:53,955 --> 02:46:57,845
plan, uh, process. And that's the funds that we're using to do

2198
02:46:58,005 --> 02:47:01,905
the cni process and we use to do the grant application. And

2199
02:47:02,125 --> 02:47:05,885
so when we got involved in that, the consultants that we

2200
02:47:06,285 --> 02:47:10,145
selected that have experience that we've shared with you all before, uh,

2201
02:47:10,595 --> 02:47:14,365
they have been, uh, they have every application that they've applied

2202
02:47:14,785 --> 02:47:18,645
for with cni, they've received an award for. So they've

2203
02:47:18,925 --> 02:47:22,845
never lost an application on cni before. So we

2204
02:47:23,005 --> 02:47:26,965
did a good job of selecting, uh, one of the best firms in the country

2205
02:47:27,545 --> 02:47:31,385
to help us with this application. But with that being said, uh,

2206
02:47:31,865 --> 02:47:35,425
we had to update. And that whole year process that we've been involved in,

2207
02:47:36,015 --> 02:47:39,435
we've been updating that previous transformation plan

2208
02:47:40,185 --> 02:47:44,165
to make sure it's in line with what we need to go forward with that, with the application.

2209
02:47:45,025 --> 02:47:48,925
but in order to do the application, just like you all did when you did

2210
02:47:49,125 --> 02:47:52,945
the planning grant, it has to be a partnership between the

2211
02:47:53,165 --> 02:47:57,105
city and the house of authority. And so then the question is, why would the

2212
02:47:57,325 --> 02:48:01,185
city be the lead versus the house of authority? As lead, we

2213
02:48:01,405 --> 02:48:05,115
want to be competitive. And so keep in mind that

2214
02:48:05,715 --> 02:48:09,635
newburn is competing against cities like

2215
02:48:09,985 --> 02:48:13,315
dallas, san antonio, los angeles, seattle.

2216
02:48:14,465 --> 02:48:17,835
so generally speaking, it is a very, very, very competitive

2217
02:48:18,685 --> 02:48:22,525
application. We're applying for almost $50 million. And so when

2218
02:48:22,725 --> 02:48:26,235
you have a small community like newburn, our chances

2219
02:48:27,145 --> 02:48:30,965
are already slim. And so we've assembled the best of the best

2220
02:48:31,705 --> 02:48:35,675
on our team. And let me be clear, you all, as a community, have

2221
02:48:35,965 --> 02:48:39,845
been great to work with. The community, community partners

2222
02:48:40,595 --> 02:48:44,315
have been engaged. Uh, marvin, uh, foster and others have

2223
02:48:44,635 --> 02:48:48,505
seen that in the, in, in live, uh, ultimate pri has

2224
02:48:48,725 --> 02:48:52,665
been there and seen other where the community partners have come out

2225
02:48:52,885 --> 02:48:56,725
and supported this. So we feel like that we got an excellent chance

2226
02:48:57,685 --> 02:49:01,645
whenever that nofa comes out. But we want to win. We don't wanna spend all

2227
02:49:01,845 --> 02:49:05,805
of this money and lose. And so in order to win, we gotta make sure that

2228
02:49:05,965 --> 02:49:09,765
we put forth the best application that we can do. And in order to do that,

2229
02:49:10,505 --> 02:49:14,305
we want the city because of infrastructure, because of

2230
02:49:14,525 --> 02:49:18,045
the management, because of recreation and, and electricity

2231
02:49:18,545 --> 02:49:22,165
and roads and bridges and all of those things. When we look at the holistic nature

2232
02:49:22,705 --> 02:49:26,605
of how the city operate operates versus the smallness

2233
02:49:27,385 --> 02:49:31,365
of the housing authority, when we present that to hud and say, we

2234
02:49:31,525 --> 02:49:35,045
want to spend $50 million, they're gonna look and look beyond.

2235
02:49:35,775 --> 02:49:39,765
while I bring 30 years of experience to new bern and to

2236
02:49:39,885 --> 02:49:43,505
the housing authority, they're still gonna look at the capacity of a small agency

2237
02:49:44,005 --> 02:49:47,965
like that. And so having the city service at lead, we get to

2238
02:49:48,125 --> 02:49:51,845
prove to hud and the reviewers that we, through this application

2239
02:49:52,475 --> 02:49:56,265
have the capacity to manage a $50 million grant. You

2240
02:49:56,505 --> 02:49:59,605
all are serving as that you would be that responsible party

2241
02:50:00,515 --> 02:50:04,175
know, even though hud has the ability, once that award

2242
02:50:04,545 --> 02:50:07,985
is given to come back and say, hey, you're default of not

2243
02:50:08,565 --> 02:50:12,385
managing that in the right manner. Uh, they've not taken one back. So

2244
02:50:12,705 --> 02:50:16,545
to date, they've not taken a grant back from a city that may have fallen in

2245
02:50:16,765 --> 02:50:20,705
default. They give you a chance to have a cure period to get

2246
02:50:21,325 --> 02:50:25,325
yourself back together and move forward. But we feel like by having the city

2247
02:50:25,525 --> 02:50:29,465
serve as the lead partner in that application process, it it,

2248
02:50:29,745 --> 02:50:33,485
it positions us better to be able to receive the award. And that's

2249
02:50:33,845 --> 02:50:37,285
why we're asking, uh, you all to do that. And so when we also look at

2250
02:50:39,005 --> 02:50:42,525
a part of that $50 million, you say, okay, well, reggie, if we take on that responsibility,

2251
02:50:43,555 --> 02:50:47,375
there's a cost associated, we got staff time, we got other

2252
02:50:48,045 --> 02:50:51,915
expenses associated from a staff standpoint, please keep in mind that 5%

2253
02:50:53,385 --> 02:50:57,195
of the award can be utilized internally for that cost.

2254
02:50:57,785 --> 02:51:01,585
so if we got $50 million grant, 5% of that, so

2255
02:51:01,805 --> 02:51:05,485
$2.5 million of that can be utilized by the city

2256
02:51:05,865 --> 02:51:09,685
to help administer and handle the responsibilities that come along with it.

2257
02:51:10,025 --> 02:51:13,925
so it's not a, it's not a freebie from that standpoint. You're not doing this

2258
02:51:14,585 --> 02:51:18,485
and not getting reimbursed for staff time and cost. There isn't allowed

2259
02:51:18,835 --> 02:51:20,285
cost that's associated with it.

2260
02:51:22,905 --> 02:51:26,605
so I'd like to open it up for any, any questions. I think the resolution

2261
02:51:26,965 --> 02:51:30,905
that's been presented, uh, our attorney, uh, scott, uh,

2262
02:51:31,195 --> 02:51:35,125
both worked on it. We're comfortable with it. And so the resolution that's being

2263
02:51:35,285 --> 02:51:38,805
presented, uh, puts us, uh, in position.

2264
02:51:39,465 --> 02:51:43,005
we want to make sure that we we're hoping that the notice of funding availability

2265
02:51:43,855 --> 02:51:47,785
comes out, uh, this fall. And so our whole plan right now

2266
02:51:48,145 --> 02:51:51,785
is to complete the master plan. Uh, by the end of, uh,

2267
02:51:52,235 --> 02:51:55,885
july, I will take it, my goal is to take it to my board,

2268
02:51:56,585 --> 02:52:00,245
uh, by the end of, uh, august. And then when we have the presentation

2269
02:52:01,425 --> 02:52:04,575
on september 16th, uh, we will be presenting a fully

2270
02:52:05,455 --> 02:52:08,725
baked and board approved final plan. And so then therefore,

2271
02:52:09,485 --> 02:52:13,315
whenever the nofa comes out, that is why we have to be ready when the nofa

2272
02:52:13,605 --> 02:52:17,325
comes out. Hud only gives you 90 days to submit your application.

2273
02:52:18,185 --> 02:52:21,865
and so that is why we want to make sure that all of these pieces are

2274
02:52:22,225 --> 02:52:26,085
in place. Any questions or have questions?

2275
02:52:30,845 --> 02:52:33,685
reginald? Um, I know from the previous,

2276
02:52:34,905 --> 02:52:38,405
um, public presentation you had indicated

2277
02:52:38,955 --> 02:52:42,915
that the consultants, um, you know, have

2278
02:52:43,205 --> 02:52:46,785
been meeting with representatives of hud, um,

2279
02:52:47,875 --> 02:52:51,045
with regards to the application that's being put together.

2280
02:52:53,065 --> 02:52:56,685
has hud given anybody any indication

2281
02:52:57,585 --> 02:53:01,085
as to whether this program is even

2282
02:53:02,055 --> 02:53:06,045
going to be funded? So I may answer it two

2283
02:53:06,245 --> 02:53:09,545
ways. One, uh, the previous two budgets cycles

2284
02:53:10,305 --> 02:53:13,845
of funding, uh, was, uh, in both of those budgets,

2285
02:53:14,495 --> 02:53:18,325
those funds are still there. Uh, because it went from

2286
02:53:18,565 --> 02:53:22,395
140 million to 75 million, a decision was made

2287
02:53:22,905 --> 02:53:26,635
not to issue a nofa because previously they issued nofa

2288
02:53:27,185 --> 02:53:31,165
at about 140 million. Uh, this administration has money

2289
02:53:31,745 --> 02:53:35,685
in its budget, uh, for this program. So hopefully the answer

2290
02:53:35,985 --> 02:53:39,925
is yes, there's previous money from the previous administration, and there's

2291
02:53:40,285 --> 02:53:43,645
money in the administration currently that is going towards this program.

2292
02:53:44,305 --> 02:53:48,125
and that's why we think that we'll be on track sometime in the fall for hopefully

2293
02:53:48,685 --> 02:53:52,595
a note for the come. Okay. Um, you, you just

2294
02:53:52,915 --> 02:53:56,745
mentioned, um, that the, uh,

2295
02:53:57,365 --> 02:54:00,705
resolution that, uh, we have a copy of, um,

2296
02:54:02,465 --> 02:54:05,465
has been a, a joint effort between, um,

2297
02:54:06,825 --> 02:54:10,185
the housing author's attorney and the city's attorney. Um,

2298
02:54:13,065 --> 02:54:15,915
in reading that resolution, I was a little surprised

2299
02:54:17,865 --> 02:54:21,705
to see a reference to establishing an

2300
02:54:22,065 --> 02:54:23,715
implementation advisory committee.

2301
02:54:26,785 --> 02:54:30,405
um, that I, I, that's, it is sort of adding another

2302
02:54:31,015 --> 02:54:34,915
layer and I'm kind of questioning as to why do we need

2303
02:54:35,305 --> 02:54:39,285
an advisory committee when the city would be the

2304
02:54:39,405 --> 02:54:41,965
lead applicant. The housing authority is a co-applicant.

2305
02:54:43,785 --> 02:54:47,765
why do we need an advisory committee? It's just an advisory

2306
02:54:48,225 --> 02:54:51,845
as you indicated. Uh, it gives you all the authority and us authority,

2307
02:54:52,825 --> 02:54:56,805
uh, to be able to, uh, place people, uh, from representing

2308
02:54:57,085 --> 02:55:00,945
both agencies. Let's just say our board chair and someone from here, you

2309
02:55:01,165 --> 02:55:04,925
may have someone from stat that's attending, is sitting on that advisory committee.

2310
02:55:06,105 --> 02:55:09,955
for us, this is a template, uh, alderman prill that we're using from

2311
02:55:10,245 --> 02:55:14,065
other cities. So the information, while they looked at it, we

2312
02:55:14,285 --> 02:55:18,285
still with our consultants are utilizing a template and some of

2313
02:55:18,405 --> 02:55:22,235
the requirements that hud requires that we've built into

2314
02:55:22,715 --> 02:55:26,045
this resolution. Uh, so that that implementation committee

2315
02:55:26,985 --> 02:55:30,315
is built upon what has been done in other cities. But also,

2316
02:55:31,145 --> 02:55:34,105
uh, as an example, uh, you all

2317
02:55:35,385 --> 02:55:38,945
change, you make a decision not to run for

2318
02:55:39,445 --> 02:55:42,925
election. And so when we put people on this implementation

2319
02:55:43,765 --> 02:55:47,445
committee, whether you all are here today or next year,

2320
02:55:48,305 --> 02:55:52,265
we gotta be able to be consistent with who is

2321
02:55:52,925 --> 02:55:56,835
representing that $50 million in funding. And so when hud does

2322
02:55:57,125 --> 02:56:00,525
that, we want to make sure that we got a collective group of individuals,

2323
02:56:01,235 --> 02:56:04,995
whether I'm at the house of authority, you all are sitting here

2324
02:56:05,345 --> 02:56:09,075
on as alderman, we've now put together a core

2325
02:56:09,365 --> 02:56:13,265
group of individuals that will help make sure that the ship is

2326
02:56:13,485 --> 02:56:17,265
steered in the right direction, kept on track, regardless of

2327
02:56:18,805 --> 02:56:22,645
internal issues at the housing authority or political issues here. Once those funds

2328
02:56:23,025 --> 02:56:25,445
are granted, we want to make sure that we keep things on track.

2329
02:56:27,725 --> 02:56:31,285
mond prill, in addition to that. Excellent answer. Another more practical answer

2330
02:56:32,065 --> 02:56:34,685
is that in scoring these applications,

2331
02:56:36,135 --> 02:56:40,045
there will be a box about community involvement, community input, et cetera.

2332
02:56:40,385 --> 02:56:44,265
and this committee can help check that box aside from the, the

2333
02:56:44,485 --> 02:56:48,435
solid, you know, practical implications of it. Okay.

2334
02:56:48,865 --> 02:56:50,345
no, and I appreciate that. Um,

2335
02:56:54,665 --> 02:56:58,555
so this is, um, an advisory committee

2336
02:56:59,345 --> 02:57:01,585
is not a requirement of hud,

2337
02:57:04,235 --> 02:57:08,045
it's not necessarily a requirement. It may be a requirement within the nofa. It is,

2338
02:57:08,305 --> 02:57:12,105
but it is a template. And what we are trying to do, alderman kri, it is put

2339
02:57:12,325 --> 02:57:15,885
those things in place that are best practices of those cities

2340
02:57:16,555 --> 02:57:20,525
that have won awards. And so this is one of those things as well,

2341
02:57:21,035 --> 02:57:24,865
just like let, there is not an option. If

2342
02:57:25,085 --> 02:57:29,065
you all say, as a city, we don't want to be a part of it, there is no

2343
02:57:29,655 --> 02:57:33,525
award that can be given to any community. If the city

2344
02:57:33,865 --> 02:57:37,845
is not an integral part of it or the housing authorities are not a

2345
02:57:37,965 --> 02:57:41,885
part of it, it is a partnership between the two. Now, who serves as the lead

2346
02:57:42,625 --> 02:57:46,605
can be up in discussion, but those two entities have to be a part

2347
02:57:47,345 --> 02:57:51,235
of the, uh, application process. Okay.

2348
02:57:52,265 --> 02:57:56,225
um, but again, I, I, I think if I, if I'm

2349
02:57:56,445 --> 02:58:00,345
not mistaken, um, it's not a requirement of how to

2350
02:58:00,565 --> 02:58:03,805
have an advisory me committee, but as you've indicated,

2351
02:58:04,625 --> 02:58:07,585
as the city attorney has indicated, um,

2352
02:58:08,745 --> 02:58:12,565
having an advisory committee will add another

2353
02:58:13,055 --> 02:58:16,885
check absolutely. For the application. And as I said,

2354
02:58:17,305 --> 02:58:20,725
you all are, I hate to say it, and I'm not trying to be disrespectful.

2355
02:58:22,145 --> 02:58:26,125
you're voting in, in and out, depending upon if you

2356
02:58:26,245 --> 02:58:29,685
decide to run for election, not run for election. This puts us

2357
02:58:30,385 --> 02:58:34,295
in a position to have a, an advisory board

2358
02:58:34,785 --> 02:58:38,565
that's focused on this program that enables us to keep track

2359
02:58:39,525 --> 02:58:43,125
regardless of the political whims of any party, group or interest.

2360
02:58:43,595 --> 02:58:47,325
this keeps us, greg, on track. Mm-hmm . And that is one of the key components

2361
02:58:47,955 --> 02:58:51,905
that we're trying to focus. Um, and, and I don't have any problem with that. Um,

2362
02:58:53,095 --> 02:58:56,245
where, where I'm a little bit uncomfortable with this,

2363
02:58:57,265 --> 02:59:01,145
um, is that this is, this is a new issue that has

2364
02:59:01,955 --> 02:59:05,145
been presented. I don't recall ever hearing or seeing

2365
02:59:05,965 --> 02:59:09,925
anything about an imp you know, an implementation advisory

2366
02:59:10,045 --> 02:59:13,505
committee would be a part of this whole process. Um,

2367
02:59:15,185 --> 02:59:18,305
but where, where I'm uncomfortable is

2368
02:59:20,435 --> 02:59:24,305
it's not fleshed out very well in this resolution. So

2369
02:59:24,535 --> 02:59:28,005
we're being asked to approve a resolution that includes,

2370
02:59:29,225 --> 02:59:32,885
um, establishing, uh, an implementation advisory

2371
02:59:33,235 --> 02:59:36,945
committee. And

2372
02:59:37,425 --> 02:59:41,405
all it really says is that a chairperson will be appointed,

2373
02:59:43,985 --> 02:59:47,805
um, the housing authority and the new bern redevelopment commission

2374
02:59:49,555 --> 02:59:53,525
will have membership on, on the advisory

2375
02:59:53,645 --> 02:59:56,915
committee. And then the advisory committee

2376
02:59:57,695 --> 03:00:00,705
would decide who else to invite

2377
03:00:02,545 --> 03:00:05,485
to be, uh, participants on the advisory committee.

2378
03:00:08,625 --> 03:00:12,475
I'm uncomfortable with that because that

2379
03:00:12,875 --> 03:00:16,785
doesn't really tell me a lot. And the word invite

2380
03:00:17,265 --> 03:00:20,765
in there raises a red flag in my mind.

2381
03:00:22,025 --> 03:00:25,965
um, the purpose of the

2382
03:00:26,365 --> 03:00:30,305
advisory committee is not outlined in,

2383
03:00:30,585 --> 03:00:33,945
in this resolution. So again, we're being asked to

2384
03:00:35,035 --> 03:00:38,885
approve something blind, and I don't like that.

2385
03:00:40,325 --> 03:00:43,685
I would rather see a a, a more

2386
03:00:44,595 --> 03:00:47,765
fleshed out proposal

2387
03:00:49,225 --> 03:00:53,065
of what the, in the advisory committee, um,

2388
03:00:53,625 --> 03:00:57,525
who would be on it specifically more than just the housing authority

2389
03:00:58,385 --> 03:01:02,085
and redevelopment commission. What other entities

2390
03:01:02,615 --> 03:01:06,125
might be participants? I would think it would be to our benefit

2391
03:01:07,585 --> 03:01:10,645
to highlight that. So hud sees it

2392
03:01:11,945 --> 03:01:15,825
and sees that the community involvement piece of it is

2393
03:01:16,055 --> 03:01:18,805
there, but that's not done here.

2394
03:01:20,425 --> 03:01:23,885
um, what the, the role

2395
03:01:24,585 --> 03:01:28,565
of this advisory committee would be is not identified,

2396
03:01:30,105 --> 03:01:33,625
if I'm gonna vote on it, I'd like to understand that. Um,

2397
03:01:35,305 --> 03:01:39,205
the last item, um, it indicates

2398
03:01:39,795 --> 03:01:43,005
that the mayor would appoint the chairperson.

2399
03:01:45,285 --> 03:01:47,485
I would like to see the board of alderman,

2400
03:01:49,435 --> 03:01:53,425
including the mayor, would make that decision, not

2401
03:01:53,645 --> 03:01:56,865
just the mayor. So

2402
03:01:58,235 --> 03:02:01,795
this may be the way that other cities have developed

2403
03:02:02,485 --> 03:02:05,845
a template. I would like to see this

2404
03:02:06,725 --> 03:02:10,645
expanded further. In all due respect, you can make a motion, I'm sure that

2405
03:02:11,105 --> 03:02:14,885
you can modify this resolution as you, as you deem necessary.

2406
03:02:16,105 --> 03:02:19,865
uh, I, I think that what's been presented to you all

2407
03:02:20,545 --> 03:02:24,525
has been well thought out. Uh, the modification that you talked about,

2408
03:02:24,765 --> 03:02:28,405
whether it's the alderman make a recommendation to who serves on this committee

2409
03:02:28,805 --> 03:02:32,485
versus the mayor, that's ultimately up to, to you all as

2410
03:02:32,845 --> 03:02:36,645
alderman to make that decision. And I'm comfortable with whatever you all want

2411
03:02:36,925 --> 03:02:40,905
to recommend as it relates to that. But I think otherwise, I think what has

2412
03:02:41,125 --> 03:02:44,705
been presented in the moui think has been well thought out.

2413
03:02:45,185 --> 03:02:49,185
and I, from my perspective, needs the requirements of the authority. And, and you're

2414
03:02:49,605 --> 03:02:53,525
the one standing at the podium, so I'm addressing this to you, but I'm,

2415
03:02:53,825 --> 03:02:57,405
I'm really addressing it to the city manager and city attorney.

2416
03:02:58,345 --> 03:03:02,285
um, because, um, at least the city attorney has been involved

2417
03:03:02,425 --> 03:03:06,185
in the drafting of this, I don't know how much the city manager has. Um,

2418
03:03:07,905 --> 03:03:11,495
so I'm expressing concern sure.

2419
03:03:12,125 --> 03:03:15,875
um, about us, the board being

2420
03:03:16,235 --> 03:03:19,225
asked to approve this resolution

2421
03:03:20,255 --> 03:03:23,665
that includes this implementation, you know, advisory committee

2422
03:03:25,515 --> 03:03:28,935
where that entity has not been really fully described

2423
03:03:30,485 --> 03:03:32,995
the way I think it should be, so that the board

2424
03:03:34,535 --> 03:03:38,425
understands what the role of that advisory

2425
03:03:38,585 --> 03:03:42,435
committee would be. Um, and, and what is

2426
03:03:42,635 --> 03:03:46,455
purpose is, is really for, so, and

2427
03:03:46,675 --> 03:03:50,265
again, I'm, I'm just focusing my comments to you because

2428
03:03:50,775 --> 03:03:54,615
you're standing at the podium. I'm really focused to, uh,

2429
03:03:54,835 --> 03:03:58,705
staff. Absolutely. Absolutely. And I don't know whether or

2430
03:03:58,925 --> 03:04:02,365
not anybody else on the board has that same concern,

2431
03:04:03,025 --> 03:04:06,845
but I just wanted to express that. And I,

2432
03:04:07,205 --> 03:04:11,075
I don't know whether I am prepared to vote

2433
03:04:11,385 --> 03:04:14,915
in favor of this resolution because of that

2434
03:04:15,995 --> 03:04:18,965
uncomfortable is, and I, and, and I,

2435
03:04:20,325 --> 03:04:24,205
I fully support this effort. And it'd be unfortunate if I feel

2436
03:04:26,025 --> 03:04:29,205
it would be unfortunate, you know, that, that I need to vote no. Because

2437
03:04:30,585 --> 03:04:34,065
of how this is currently framed,

2438
03:04:36,545 --> 03:04:40,225
uh, attorney davis. Yes, ma'am. If, if the

2439
03:04:40,725 --> 03:04:44,435
language within this document has changed, so highlight

2440
03:04:45,045 --> 03:04:49,045
me is when we're saying where the city, or are we talking about

2441
03:04:49,585 --> 03:04:53,325
the city as a whole, or how are we using that

2442
03:04:53,605 --> 03:04:56,385
work city? Is that including the board of tn or is

2443
03:04:57,825 --> 03:05:01,665
how is that yes, ma'am. It would refer to the board of altman broadly. Um,

2444
03:05:03,265 --> 03:05:07,105
so in trying to find a solution, um, reggie refresh me is,

2445
03:05:07,345 --> 03:05:11,165
do we have a hard deadline on this? We, we, we don't, I mean, we,

2446
03:05:11,545 --> 03:05:15,365
we got some time. Um, 'cause I, I'm very happy derman prill to, to take your

2447
03:05:15,565 --> 03:05:19,485
notes and, um, and, and revise that language

2448
03:05:19,785 --> 03:05:23,725
to overcome any objections. I'm very happy to do that as long as we don't have any time constraints. And if

2449
03:05:23,845 --> 03:05:27,525
that's the only issue that's causing us pause, then we can address that

2450
03:05:27,945 --> 03:05:31,565
for sure. Okay. Yeah. The only, only thing that's

2451
03:05:32,825 --> 03:05:35,965
our goal. When, when do you have next, next month.

2452
03:05:37,345 --> 03:05:41,095
one month from today. Yeah. Our goal is to try to complete our final

2453
03:05:42,265 --> 03:05:46,215
by the end of this month. Their, their goal is to give me a final draft,

2454
03:05:47,425 --> 03:05:51,165
uh, on the 21st of this month. And that's, so when we talk,

2455
03:05:51,705 --> 03:05:55,565
so going back to your question from the timing standpoint, our goal

2456
03:05:55,805 --> 03:05:59,765
is to try to have the final draft, uh, completed by the end of

2457
03:05:59,885 --> 03:06:00,045
this month.

2458
03:06:07,945 --> 03:06:10,785
um, another option would be to, um,

2459
03:06:12,075 --> 03:06:14,215
approve the proposed draft,

2460
03:06:16,145 --> 03:06:19,835
um, subject to my final revisions, subject

2461
03:06:20,325 --> 03:06:24,005
to the city attorney's final revisions, which of course I would run by the board,

2462
03:06:24,945 --> 03:06:28,855
um, to make sure everybody is happy with that, that way we could adopt

2463
03:06:29,205 --> 03:06:32,525
it tonight. Subject to my approval with our understanding

2464
03:06:33,275 --> 03:06:37,035
that I will take alderman prills notes, modify that

2465
03:06:37,395 --> 03:06:41,005
paragraph, circulate that, um, for comment back to me

2466
03:06:41,525 --> 03:06:45,345
directly, not among yourselves, um, as a way to get

2467
03:06:45,565 --> 03:06:49,405
on firmer ground. Let me add, I

2468
03:06:49,625 --> 03:06:53,025
do agree with alderman creel. Um,

2469
03:06:55,105 --> 03:06:59,065
I'd like to see as he so well pointed out, um,

2470
03:06:59,715 --> 03:07:03,565
this language more defined and I know that's what you're

2471
03:07:04,045 --> 03:07:07,925
recommending. I'd like to see a better cross section

2472
03:07:09,635 --> 03:07:13,205
of our community represented in this

2473
03:07:13,715 --> 03:07:17,275
implementation advisory committee. Um,

2474
03:07:19,855 --> 03:07:23,575
I see that again, the housing authority and the new bern redevelopment

2475
03:07:24,055 --> 03:07:27,785
commission will be part of the stakeholders. I'd like to see how broad

2476
03:07:28,135 --> 03:07:32,055
that will end up looking how you would change the language to be

2477
03:07:32,215 --> 03:07:36,115
inclusive of the city. Uh,

2478
03:07:36,515 --> 03:07:40,295
I'd like to see also, uh, again, I know our mayor appoints

2479
03:07:41,035 --> 03:07:44,715
the commissions, uh, to the, um,

2480
03:07:46,645 --> 03:07:50,455
housing authority. I know that you said that was a

2481
03:07:50,855 --> 03:07:54,675
template that you were following from other cities. I'd like to see

2482
03:07:56,515 --> 03:07:59,155
if that is not a rule from hud

2483
03:08:01,705 --> 03:08:05,435
those appointments, what it would look like to appoint the chair as

2484
03:08:05,795 --> 03:08:09,415
our alderman pri appointed out that it could be done by the board of alderman.

2485
03:08:11,165 --> 03:08:14,835
that is my recommendation and that's what I'd like to see. Mr. Davis,

2486
03:08:15,555 --> 03:08:18,935
how long would it take you to draft a resolution with these updates

2487
03:08:19,965 --> 03:08:23,575
this week? So I could call for a special hearing or a special meeting,

2488
03:08:24,555 --> 03:08:27,855
um, on july the 22nd

2489
03:08:28,995 --> 03:08:31,855
at six o'clock at city hall to discuss this one topic.

2490
03:08:34,635 --> 03:08:38,615
yes sir. Would you like the board to vote on that tonight? Or do you want

2491
03:08:38,695 --> 03:08:42,555
me to send the clerk? That would be great. That would be great. Um, in fact, you could do that now or under new

2492
03:08:43,055 --> 03:08:46,775
business, but, um, it'd be a motion to call a, uh, a special

2493
03:08:47,095 --> 03:08:50,815
meeting for tuesday the 22nd at six o'clock

2494
03:08:51,205 --> 03:08:54,095
here. We would, we would take up that issue.

2495
03:08:55,525 --> 03:08:59,455
I'll, I'll be outta the town. I'll be out of the . Alright, so let

2496
03:08:59,615 --> 03:09:03,595
me ask you this. What day does everyone have between now

2497
03:09:03,815 --> 03:09:07,695
and the end of the month that we can have a special meeting next, next tuesday can work

2498
03:09:08,355 --> 03:09:11,845
if, as was pointed out, that there are not any time constraints

2499
03:09:12,915 --> 03:09:16,715
by hud, it's a time constraint by the application. I'm sorry, right to

2500
03:09:16,935 --> 03:09:20,565
interrupt you. We we're trying to complete the master plan. It's a twofold

2501
03:09:21,055 --> 03:09:25,055
process. We have to submit in order to get fema to

2502
03:09:25,255 --> 03:09:28,975
release the 40 million that they have, we have to submit

2503
03:09:29,355 --> 03:09:33,315
the master plan to them. So we have a twofold process. And

2504
03:09:33,535 --> 03:09:37,455
so I, I did revise alderman roy, I did revise my initial

2505
03:09:37,815 --> 03:09:41,595
statement. There is a timeframe because they're trying to get the, the

2506
03:09:42,055 --> 03:09:46,055
consultants are trying to complete the complete master plan by the

2507
03:09:46,175 --> 03:09:49,015
end of this month. Thank you

2508
03:09:52,105 --> 03:09:56,085
again. I I to avoid having to call a special

2509
03:09:56,365 --> 03:10:00,165
meeting just on this item, uh, I mean I will,

2510
03:10:01,425 --> 03:10:04,605
you know, go along with the city attorney's suggestion

2511
03:10:05,715 --> 03:10:09,105
that we take action tonight to approve it subject to

2512
03:10:10,545 --> 03:10:14,165
his revisions. Just dealing

2513
03:10:14,595 --> 03:10:18,545
with the implementation advisory committee. Um,

2514
03:10:22,025 --> 03:10:25,845
may not be everything that, that I'm looking for, but I trust that

2515
03:10:26,105 --> 03:10:30,025
he will do his best to incorporate, um, the

2516
03:10:30,525 --> 03:10:34,525
comments that, that that's great and I appreciate it. But wouldn't we have to have a printed resolution to actually

2517
03:10:34,565 --> 03:10:38,325
vote? This would work, mayor, but I, I, I'm, I'm like you, I'd prefer,

2518
03:10:38,745 --> 03:10:42,325
I'd prefer that, that the board touch it. I'd prefer that

2519
03:10:43,185 --> 03:10:46,945
if we, if we can accommodate that, um, because if not,

2520
03:10:47,215 --> 03:10:51,085
we're just gonna bounce it around. That's, that's my fear. Mm-hmm . Um, I,

2521
03:10:51,235 --> 03:10:54,745
I've heard your notes. I've got it. I feel like we can draft that. Um,

2522
03:10:55,825 --> 03:10:59,765
are we precluded that if the board took action

2523
03:11:00,125 --> 03:11:02,925
tonight, subject to right. Your revisions.

2524
03:11:05,105 --> 03:11:08,605
are we precluded from re

2525
03:11:09,325 --> 03:11:13,125
readopting the resolution in august? If there was something in there

2526
03:11:13,395 --> 03:11:16,605
that needed to be tweaked further? I,

2527
03:11:17,905 --> 03:11:21,765
the question is for the consultants. I I, my understanding is they

2528
03:11:21,965 --> 03:11:25,745
would like a final, a final draft signed by the mayor and,

2529
03:11:26,025 --> 03:11:29,845
and done. Yeah, but let me answer it this way.

2530
03:11:31,425 --> 03:11:34,205
I'm with that approval,

2531
03:11:35,735 --> 03:11:39,195
let's say yes. Mm-hmm . Okay. Let's say yes because

2532
03:11:40,025 --> 03:11:42,695
the final is going to my board

2533
03:11:44,265 --> 03:11:48,105
at the august board meeting with the full packet

2534
03:11:49,065 --> 03:11:53,005
to be adopted, adopted at my august board meeting,

2535
03:11:53,615 --> 03:11:56,565
which is the third monday in august.

2536
03:11:59,265 --> 03:12:02,955
so what we're saying is, is idealistic to have this

2537
03:12:03,565 --> 03:12:06,765
document, this resolution, uh, approved,

2538
03:12:08,545 --> 03:12:12,345
that's idealistic. However, we have some issues with the

2539
03:12:12,845 --> 03:12:16,815
language. And so there

2540
03:12:17,165 --> 03:12:20,925
you have time constraints. But you said that your board

2541
03:12:21,275 --> 03:12:25,205
full approval is august, what? The third? Monday in august.

2542
03:12:25,415 --> 03:12:29,165
third monday. So we've got time. Yeah. That gives

2543
03:12:29,465 --> 03:12:32,605
us a small window that we can still,

2544
03:12:33,705 --> 03:12:36,755
uh, receive, uh, attorney's, um, david's

2545
03:12:37,825 --> 03:12:41,565
recommendations. Yes, ma I'm thinking that we can, we can accomplish

2546
03:12:41,995 --> 03:12:45,655
both things. Let me redraft this with those notes.

2547
03:12:46,445 --> 03:12:50,445
I will circulate it to reggie and the consultants, get their

2548
03:12:50,765 --> 03:12:54,525
comfort level with it. And, um, and then I'll and then of course you two,

2549
03:12:55,025 --> 03:12:58,965
um, and the board. And, and then once I have a sense that we're on the same

2550
03:12:59,395 --> 03:13:02,885
page, the consultants can put that unsigned copy in their package.

2551
03:13:04,275 --> 03:13:07,645
this board can approve it at your meeting on august 12th

2552
03:13:09,025 --> 03:13:12,925
before their monday sounds good. And then everybody's happy.

2553
03:13:13,585 --> 03:13:16,795
that's doable. Okay. Got it. Alright.

2554
03:13:19,855 --> 03:13:22,205
thank you mr. Barner. Alright. Thank you all. Thank you, sir.

2555
03:13:23,875 --> 03:13:26,845
alright, mayor. Yes. Excuse, excuse me. Can we take a,

2556
03:13:28,065 --> 03:13:31,965
uh, recess please? , we, we can, if

2557
03:13:32,165 --> 03:13:35,915
the board wants to, but I don't think these next

2558
03:13:36,225 --> 03:13:39,285
few items are gonna be very long. Do you mr. Hughes? Do we got,

2559
03:13:40,835 --> 03:13:44,495
they, they should not take very long. I think we could grind

2560
03:13:44,845 --> 03:13:48,725
it out in 10 minutes to keep from taking a 15 minute break, but that's up.

2561
03:13:48,905 --> 03:13:52,865
do oh, you talking to finish and conclude in 10 minutes well get, get to, get

2562
03:13:53,085 --> 03:13:55,625
to where we go to closed session is what I was thinking. So

2563
03:13:57,345 --> 03:14:01,325
is the board okay with pushing through or do you want, unless she has some

2564
03:14:01,635 --> 03:14:05,435
urgency, if that's what y'all want to do, fine. Okay.

2565
03:14:05,725 --> 03:14:09,625
okay. And obviously you can get up if you need to, um,

2566
03:14:10,105 --> 03:14:13,925
and leave. Okay. Item number 19, consider dock

2567
03:14:14,405 --> 03:14:18,365
resolution approving a water and sewer use agreement with st. Bartholomew and anglican

2568
03:14:19,165 --> 03:14:22,945
catholic church for 29 60 old airport road. Mr. Hughes.

2569
03:14:24,905 --> 03:14:24,905
mr. Jordan hughes.

2570
03:14:33,705 --> 03:14:37,445
uh, good evening mayor. Members of the board, uh, the owners of 29 60 old airport

2571
03:14:37,805 --> 03:14:41,485
road have recently reached out to the sea of newman requesting connection to the city's

2572
03:14:41,845 --> 03:14:45,525
water and sewer system for the development of a church facility on the subject

2573
03:14:46,365 --> 03:14:50,245
property. As is parcel is currently outside of newbury municipal, uh, limits,

2574
03:14:50,835 --> 03:14:54,765
they're required to enter into a water and sewer agreement to establish a, before

2575
03:14:55,005 --> 03:14:58,985
establishing service to the site, a copy of the agreement included in

2576
03:14:59,205 --> 03:15:03,095
the agenda pack along with a, a brief description of what they're doing, along

2577
03:15:03,445 --> 03:15:07,275
with a map of the, the property. Is that a four ac parcel? It's

2578
03:15:07,845 --> 03:15:11,595
directly across from the entrance of bryce's crossing on old airport road near

2579
03:15:11,945 --> 03:15:15,825
the area. Happy to answer any questions regarding the, the project or

2580
03:15:16,045 --> 03:15:19,845
us or you agreement. Does the board have questions? Do you have

2581
03:15:20,265 --> 03:15:24,145
any inkling that they are moving

2582
03:15:24,705 --> 03:15:27,645
to a new site or, or you don't have that information?

2583
03:15:28,745 --> 03:15:32,565
the, the best I understand in talking with representatives from the church, this is actually

2584
03:15:32,765 --> 03:15:36,685
a property that has been consumed by, or their current church property

2585
03:15:36,845 --> 03:15:40,765
has been consumed by some of the highway 70 construction and they

2586
03:15:41,005 --> 03:15:44,735
have acquired this site as a place to relocate their church to. Thank

2587
03:15:45,085 --> 03:15:45,085
you.

2588
03:15:49,515 --> 03:15:53,165
it's pleasure of the board on item number 19. Is this building already

2589
03:15:53,615 --> 03:15:57,525
under construction? It, it is not already. Actually, this is still a vacancy. I

2590
03:15:57,645 --> 03:16:00,405
saw one being built back off the road a little bit. I didn't know.

2591
03:16:02,735 --> 03:16:06,485
mayor. I would like to make a res, make a motion to approve a resolution

2592
03:16:06,995 --> 03:16:10,265
approving a water and sewer use agreement with st. Bar

2593
03:16:11,235 --> 03:16:14,965
bartholomew and anglican catholic church for 29 60

2594
03:16:16,225 --> 03:16:19,685
old airport room. Second. I have a motion to second. Is there further discussion?

2595
03:16:21,555 --> 03:16:23,645
hearing none unless have a roll call. Starting with alderman astor.

2596
03:16:25,645 --> 03:16:28,625
alderman astro. Yes. Alderman kenzie.

2597
03:16:30,925 --> 03:16:34,505
alderman best? Yes. Alderman reel. Yes.

2598
03:16:35,725 --> 03:16:39,445
alderman royal. Yes. Mayor odom? Yes. Motion carries. Thank you jordan.

2599
03:16:40,435 --> 03:16:43,925
next is item number 20. Consider ing resolution. Appro of memorandum of understanding

2600
03:16:44,545 --> 03:16:47,645
for the croatan area fire she partnership chief locklear.

2601
03:16:57,475 --> 03:17:01,445
good evening. Good evening. Um, we respect the time. I'm just gonna give you

2602
03:17:01,525 --> 03:17:05,285
the quick highlights. Um, croton area fire shift partnership

2603
03:17:06,065 --> 03:17:08,735
is basically followed up from the april 19th, 2023

2604
03:17:10,255 --> 03:17:14,105
fires that took place in croatan. As far as the lake, the, um,

2605
03:17:15,185 --> 03:17:19,125
the fire that took place then, uh, actually you had 32, I

2606
03:17:19,245 --> 03:17:23,215
think it was approximately 30,000 acres that were burned and endangered.

2607
03:17:23,885 --> 03:17:27,805
some of the areas local to , when we talk about the water rise within a mile

2608
03:17:28,385 --> 03:17:32,075
of that location. So over time, that's been just, uh, something

2609
03:17:32,685 --> 03:17:36,665
that's come about as far as the different agencies and organizations we meet on a quarterly, and

2610
03:17:36,885 --> 03:17:40,705
this was something that put in more formal, um, it

2611
03:17:40,925 --> 03:17:44,785
is not any funding or requirements by the city, but it is

2612
03:17:45,115 --> 03:17:48,765
very beneficial when we talk about educating, um, our community, our

2613
03:17:49,285 --> 03:17:53,025
citizens. Um, as far as wildlife, um, with the

2614
03:17:55,695 --> 03:17:59,105
local, uh, I would say in recent, uh,

2615
03:18:00,295 --> 03:18:03,985
we've had pretty good conditions as far as fires in the area, but

2616
03:18:04,345 --> 03:18:08,145
at, at any given time, when you talk about dry low humidity, um,

2617
03:18:08,385 --> 03:18:12,315
that's something that could endanger property. So basically, uh, over

2618
03:18:12,625 --> 03:18:16,565
the last year since I've been here, meeting with them on the quarterly, a couple things that we

2619
03:18:16,725 --> 03:18:20,445
highlight is the community and the reporting and the public relations and the outreach.

2620
03:18:20,985 --> 03:18:24,805
one of the things that we were working on was surveying some of the areas, uh, that are close

2621
03:18:25,045 --> 03:18:28,805
to that, uh, particular area that that was .

2622
03:18:29,545 --> 03:18:33,445
so again, just from a highlight standpoint, it's a good

2623
03:18:33,565 --> 03:18:37,525
partnership. There's grant funding that will most likely come down the pipe as far as assisting

2624
03:18:38,005 --> 03:18:41,965
us with that and working along with the other agencies. And I'd be glad to answer any

2625
03:18:42,405 --> 03:18:46,245
questions, start for kind of rushing through that. But if you have any questions,

2626
03:18:46,565 --> 03:18:50,085
I just wanted to be respectful of the time. Thank you. Any questions for the chief?

2627
03:18:52,785 --> 03:18:56,765
if there are no questions, I'd like to make a motion to adopt a

2628
03:18:57,085 --> 03:19:00,475
resolution proven an mou with the croatan area.

2629
03:19:02,665 --> 03:19:06,035
is that fire? She fire? Fire? She, that's correct. Thank you. Partnership

2630
03:19:06,785 --> 03:19:10,505
for the fire mitigation and resilience. Second.

2631
03:19:11,525 --> 03:19:14,285
I have a motion a second. Is there further discussion on item number 20?

2632
03:19:15,915 --> 03:19:19,405
hearing none. Let's have roll call starting with alderman kenzie. Alderman kenzie?

2633
03:19:20,705 --> 03:19:24,485
yes. Alderman best? Yes. Alderman reel.

2634
03:19:24,945 --> 03:19:28,615
yes. Alderman royal. Yes. Alderman aster. Yes. Mayor

2635
03:19:29,115 --> 03:19:33,045
odom. Yes. Motion carries. Thank you chief. Thank you. Next up is item number 21.

2636
03:19:33,765 --> 03:19:37,765
consider adopting a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute amendment to the service agreement with

2637
03:19:38,245 --> 03:19:41,845
hansen. Banner, llc mr. Bouchard.

2638
03:19:42,675 --> 03:19:46,505
good evening again. I'm here requesting that you authorize the city manager the

2639
03:19:46,725 --> 03:19:50,565
authority to execute an amendment to our existing customer

2640
03:19:50,755 --> 03:19:54,525
information and billing service agreement. The amendment adds necessary

2641
03:19:55,085 --> 03:19:58,965
meter data management functionality to our complex billing and metering

2642
03:19:59,485 --> 03:20:03,045
process. The mdm also enhances our data analytics

2643
03:20:03,665 --> 03:20:07,605
and aids in the prevention of lost revenue. The cost of

2644
03:20:07,765 --> 03:20:11,615
the amendments $399,500. There

2645
03:20:11,965 --> 03:20:15,965
are service and support fees of 30 cents per meter. However, that will be accounted

2646
03:20:16,405 --> 03:20:19,995
for in future budgets and would not be necessary

2647
03:20:20,665 --> 03:20:24,085
at this time. Expense of the mdm was previously

2648
03:20:25,045 --> 03:20:28,825
approved in the fiscal year ending 2024, uh, budget period.

2649
03:20:29,515 --> 03:20:33,235
however, the purchasing process extended beyond that fiscal year.

2650
03:20:34,065 --> 03:20:38,005
and this was largely due to excessive, I should

2651
03:20:38,205 --> 03:20:41,285
say, extensive evaluation and scoping functionality

2652
03:20:42,385 --> 03:20:46,205
of, um, the deliverables. Um, the mdm

2653
03:20:46,855 --> 03:20:50,765
integrates in between our a mi system and our customer information system,

2654
03:20:51,625 --> 03:20:54,965
the mi being our advanced metering infrastructure and our customer information system.

2655
03:20:55,945 --> 03:20:59,435
and it's the system of record for all raw meter data,

2656
03:21:00,375 --> 03:21:04,245
meter reads, meter validation estimates, as well as billing

2657
03:21:04,845 --> 03:21:08,745
determinants. So we have thousands and thousands and thousands of

2658
03:21:08,965 --> 03:21:12,865
meter reads that we take on a daily basis. Um, it

2659
03:21:13,115 --> 03:21:17,085
effectively, effectively acts as a central hub for all of that

2660
03:21:17,245 --> 03:21:21,045
meter data, and this enables the utility to provide metering and billing

2661
03:21:21,815 --> 03:21:25,805
efficiency. Um, accuracy, uh, gives us the

2662
03:21:25,965 --> 03:21:29,805
ability to, to use that data to do analytics and also aid in the,

2663
03:21:30,025 --> 03:21:33,645
in the prevention of lost revenues. Um, additionally,

2664
03:21:34,385 --> 03:21:37,805
uh, without the mdm, the utility has very limited

2665
03:21:38,565 --> 03:21:42,535
capacity to evolve any of our rates, um, to modernized

2666
03:21:43,445 --> 03:21:47,445
standards. Um, and I'd be happy to discuss any questions you may have. Board have

2667
03:21:47,845 --> 03:21:51,685
questions. Um, one question.

2668
03:21:52,065 --> 03:21:55,965
um, it, it's really, I guess a, a question for either foster

2669
03:21:56,545 --> 03:22:00,545
or kim. Um, if I'm not mistaken, uh,

2670
03:22:00,765 --> 03:22:04,545
in the, in the backup information that we received, uh,

2671
03:22:04,905 --> 03:22:07,955
it indicated that, um, this

2672
03:22:09,305 --> 03:22:12,795
system might also be used for the water utility.

2673
03:22:13,985 --> 03:22:17,945
that's correct. The water utility customers. But the, uh,

2674
03:22:18,225 --> 03:22:21,725
the money that is being, uh, appropriated is all coming

2675
03:22:22,345 --> 03:22:26,125
out of the electric utility. I'm just curious as to

2676
03:22:26,745 --> 03:22:30,605
if, if it's gonna be potentially used for by a couple

2677
03:22:30,785 --> 03:22:34,605
of different utilities, why wouldn't both of them participate in the cost

2678
03:22:35,345 --> 03:22:39,285
or they will? Um, water and wastewater will also

2679
03:22:39,525 --> 03:22:43,365
benefit from this and through our accounting process, correct

2680
03:22:43,805 --> 03:22:46,585
me if I'm wrong, um, the,

2681
03:22:48,155 --> 03:22:52,135
there's contributions from those other enterprise service funds

2682
03:22:52,945 --> 03:22:56,725
to account for those budgetary expenses. So it's typically done

2683
03:22:57,265 --> 03:22:59,085
at the end of the evening, which screwed up that way.

2684
03:23:02,305 --> 03:23:06,145
I'm not sure that I followed that part. But meter we can metering, uh, water and wastewater pay

2685
03:23:06,365 --> 03:23:10,165
a portion of customer service. Yeah. So that can get recouped

2686
03:23:10,485 --> 03:23:13,445
back. Yes. But as for the meter charges moving forward,

2687
03:23:14,585 --> 03:23:18,525
um, into next year, that'll be allocated based on water and

2688
03:23:18,965 --> 03:23:22,765
electric, correct? Mm-hmm . Correct. Okay. Does that answer your

2689
03:23:23,005 --> 03:23:26,205
question? Yep. Charlie, can you talk about the implementation timeframe?

2690
03:23:27,785 --> 03:23:31,765
um, if we get this, uh, going right now, uh, they'll

2691
03:23:32,245 --> 03:23:36,185
give us a slot to kick it off the first of, uh, um,

2692
03:23:37,305 --> 03:23:40,905
august. Take about a year to get it up and running tested.

2693
03:23:41,865 --> 03:23:45,825
we want to, um, run it in parallel with our billing system to

2694
03:23:46,045 --> 03:23:49,945
make sure you know, it's all working good. Staff needs to get familiar with it. Um,

2695
03:23:50,165 --> 03:23:54,075
concurrently we'll be working on, um, modernizing rate

2696
03:23:54,435 --> 03:23:58,205
designs for us to consider so that when the system's implemented, we're

2697
03:23:58,485 --> 03:24:02,355
ready to go and be more advanced, um, down the road. Does

2698
03:24:02,645 --> 03:24:03,285
that answer your question?

2699
03:24:07,195 --> 03:24:11,195
okay. What's the pleasure of board on item number 21? Mayor,

2700
03:24:11,545 --> 03:24:15,105
I'd like to make a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the city manager

2701
03:24:15,645 --> 03:24:19,265
to execute an amendment to the service agreement with hanson banner,

2702
03:24:19,865 --> 03:24:23,345
llc. Second, I have a motion and a second. Is there further discussion?

2703
03:24:25,175 --> 03:24:28,865
hearing none. Let's have roll call starting with alderman best? Alderman best,

2704
03:24:29,285 --> 03:24:33,145
yes. Alderman cre. Yes. Alderman royal.

2705
03:24:33,765 --> 03:24:37,675
yes. Alderman aster. Yes. Alderman kenzie. Yes. Mayor

2706
03:24:38,245 --> 03:24:41,825
ota? Yes. Motion carries. I think charlie. Next up is item number 22.

2707
03:24:42,625 --> 03:24:46,325
consider adopting, adopting an ordinance to amend section 70 78. One way streets

2708
03:24:46,755 --> 03:24:50,445
established in 70 98 through streets enumerated to adjust

2709
03:24:50,975 --> 03:24:52,975
kilmarnock street, mr. Chops

2710
03:24:56,675 --> 03:25:00,525
evening board. Um, we were contacted by a business owner through

2711
03:25:01,005 --> 03:25:04,615
city hall that, uh, they're requesting us look at kilmarnock

2712
03:25:05,285 --> 03:25:08,605
street to transition it to a two-way. Currently it's a one-way.

2713
03:25:10,345 --> 03:25:14,185
we did, uh, did have an inspection of that, the

2714
03:25:14,405 --> 03:25:17,425
dimensional features of that roadway and found no issues

2715
03:25:19,035 --> 03:25:22,785
with vehicular pedestrian conflict with a request to

2716
03:25:23,095 --> 03:25:27,005
transition to a two-way for that 200 feet of kilmer oak street

2717
03:25:27,325 --> 03:25:29,685
from broad street north to the intersection of kraver drive.

2718
03:25:31,695 --> 03:25:35,565
we're, um, recommending to the board adopt an ordinance which would amend the traffic

2719
03:25:35,955 --> 03:25:39,495
chapter 70 of the traffic vehicle section 70 dash 7 8 1

2720
03:25:42,845 --> 03:25:46,645
way streets established, which would remove kilman from that current listing

2721
03:25:48,185 --> 03:25:51,215
and also amend 70 dash 98 through streets enumerated

2722
03:25:52,305 --> 03:25:56,165
to include kilman knot street as a stop street at the broad

2723
03:25:56,525 --> 03:26:00,425
street intersection. So that would be to add a stop sign within the

2724
03:26:00,645 --> 03:26:04,565
ordinance at broad. Does the board have questions?

2725
03:26:07,325 --> 03:26:10,705
so this, this can be accomplished just basically with some signage.

2726
03:26:12,165 --> 03:26:15,735
we can have it done before lunch tomorrow morning. Okay.

2727
03:26:18,895 --> 03:26:22,825
it's a pleasure of the board. On item number 22, may I make a

2728
03:26:22,945 --> 03:26:26,705
motion to consider adopting an ordinance to amend section 70

2729
03:26:27,185 --> 03:26:31,185
through 78? One way streets established in 70 through 98 through,

2730
03:26:31,855 --> 03:26:35,595
through streets enumerated to adjust cuman

2731
03:26:35,945 --> 03:26:39,825
knot street. Second, I have a motion to second. Is there further discussion?

2732
03:26:41,415 --> 03:26:44,995
hearing none unless have a roll call starting with alderman prill. Alderman prill.

2733
03:26:45,605 --> 03:26:49,385
yes. Alderman royal. Yes. Alderman astor. Yes. Alderman

2734
03:26:49,665 --> 03:26:53,645
kenzie. Yes. Alderman best? Yes. Mayor odom. Yes.

2735
03:26:53,865 --> 03:26:56,565
motion carries. Okay. Board, uh, items 2324

2736
03:26:57,945 --> 03:27:01,295
and 25 can all be done together. Uh, if it's, uh, unanimous,

2737
03:27:02,055 --> 03:27:05,865
I'll read, uh, each one of those now. Item number 23 is consider adopting an ordinance

2738
03:27:06,145 --> 03:27:09,985
to close the american rescue plan fund. Item number 24

2739
03:27:10,545 --> 03:27:14,425
is to consider adopting a budget ordinance amendment for fy 26 electric

2740
03:27:14,585 --> 03:27:18,485
fund and item number 25 is considered adopting a budget ordinance amendment for

2741
03:27:18,945 --> 03:27:22,605
physical year 2026 ms. Strom. Okay. The city was

2742
03:27:23,065 --> 03:27:26,985
eligible for standard allowance category for the american rescue plan funds,

2743
03:27:27,435 --> 03:27:31,225
which allowed the city to offset general fund expenditures for public

2744
03:27:31,545 --> 03:27:33,845
safety salaries and benefits in the amount of $6,704,351.

2745
03:27:37,405 --> 03:27:41,165
the award was exhausted and is requested that the board approve closure of the fund

2746
03:27:41,465 --> 03:27:45,215
at this time. Um, number 24 earlier under

2747
03:27:45,585 --> 03:27:49,405
the agenda item number 21, mr. Bachar discussed the software agreement

2748
03:27:49,705 --> 03:27:53,645
for the meter data management system. This budget amendment transfers $399,500

2749
03:27:55,365 --> 03:27:58,935
from fund balance for the purchase of that software system, which

2750
03:27:59,405 --> 03:28:00,955
covers the implementation costs only.

2751
03:28:04,265 --> 03:28:08,245
and number 25 last month,

2752
03:28:08,485 --> 03:28:12,305
the board approved various downtown projects within the msd, the

2753
03:28:12,525 --> 03:28:15,645
municipal service district. The budget amendment appropriates 1,155,000

2754
03:28:18,395 --> 03:28:22,285
from msd fund balance for those projects, the employee's

2755
03:28:22,645 --> 03:28:25,285
benefit insurance fund is amended to appropriate $17,628

2756
03:28:26,955 --> 03:28:30,325
from fund balance to cover the increase of medicare supplement

2757
03:28:32,075 --> 03:28:35,835
premium rates for retirees in the emergency

2758
03:28:36,805 --> 03:28:40,805
telephone system fund is amended to recognize the north carolina 9 1 1 board public

2759
03:28:41,165 --> 03:28:44,845
safety answering point, also known as psap distribution for $60,900.

2760
03:28:48,155 --> 03:28:49,885
does board have questions on any of those items?

2761
03:28:55,945 --> 03:28:59,685
if not, I would entertain a motion to approve items 23, 24 and 25.

2762
03:29:02,065 --> 03:29:05,595
may I make a motion to adopt an ordinance to close the american rescue plan

2763
03:29:06,275 --> 03:29:10,105
fund? Also adopt a budget ordinance amendment of

2764
03:29:10,685 --> 03:29:14,615
physical year 2026 electric fund and also adopt

2765
03:29:15,005 --> 03:29:18,965
a budget ordinance amendment for physical year 2026. Second. I

2766
03:29:19,085 --> 03:29:23,085
have a motion to second. Is there further discussion? Hearing none unless have a roll call

2767
03:29:23,285 --> 03:29:26,785
during with alderman royal. Alderman royal, yes.

2768
03:29:27,485 --> 03:29:31,265
alderman aster. Yes. Alderman kenzie. Yes. Alderman de yes.

2769
03:29:32,245 --> 03:29:36,165
derman? Yes. Mayor odom. Yes. Motion carries. Next up is

2770
03:29:36,325 --> 03:29:38,165
appointments. Does the board have any appointments to make tonight

2771
03:29:41,035 --> 03:29:44,545
hearing none. Number 27 attorney's report nothing. Report tonight, mayor 28.

2772
03:29:45,205 --> 03:29:48,985
city manager's report a few updates for you on this. This past friday, we, we,

2773
03:29:49,425 --> 03:29:53,405
um, celebrated the 4th of july celebration, uh, that occurred at

2774
03:29:53,525 --> 03:29:57,445
lawson creek park. 6,100 were in attendance at the park. 1400

2775
03:29:57,845 --> 03:30:01,775
were attended in attendance at union point park for the fireworks display. I want to thank parks

2776
03:30:02,125 --> 03:30:05,965
and recreation for coordinating the event police, fire, rescue and public

2777
03:30:06,165 --> 03:30:09,995
works for their part as help. It was a great event that evening. Also,

2778
03:30:10,285 --> 03:30:14,205
general update on the peg channel. We anticipate the peg channel if all

2779
03:30:14,405 --> 03:30:18,285
goes well, being live again at our next meeting. Excited about that.

2780
03:30:19,195 --> 03:30:23,125
also, we received a letter from craven county and forming us that as part of

2781
03:30:23,205 --> 03:30:27,165
their budget process, they did allocate $5,000 toward, uh, upgrades

2782
03:30:27,845 --> 03:30:31,405
at, uh, samson park. So we're working with parks and recreation staff

2783
03:30:31,865 --> 03:30:35,625
on what that upgrade will be. Uh, and finally, uh,

2784
03:30:35,945 --> 03:30:39,445
we appreciate the support on the geo bond that we will be having

2785
03:30:40,315 --> 03:30:44,165
drop-in style meetings, uh, in august and september in various parts

2786
03:30:44,485 --> 03:30:48,185
of the city to, in inform the public of, of, of the bonds itself.

2787
03:30:48,745 --> 03:30:52,685
uh, and we'll also be updating the website, uh, to pro, uh, to provide additional

2788
03:30:53,085 --> 03:30:56,925
information as well as we go through this process this summer. Happy to answer any other

2789
03:30:57,365 --> 03:30:59,885
questions you may have. Court have questions for the manager.

2790
03:31:02,155 --> 03:31:06,005
hearing none new business. Alderman frill, nothing ahead, your honor.

2791
03:31:06,255 --> 03:31:10,205
thank you. Alderman royal. Not tonight. Alderman astor. Nothing. Fair. Alder

2792
03:31:10,325 --> 03:31:13,965
mckenzie? Yes. I'd like for the chief to come up to talk about this program

2793
03:31:14,595 --> 03:31:18,565
been we have in the community in contact on the citizens,

2794
03:31:19,345 --> 03:31:23,235
the elderly citizens to assure their families that they

2795
03:31:23,545 --> 03:31:27,245
are looked after. And it's called

2796
03:31:27,715 --> 03:31:31,645
care the program? Yes, the acronym is care, care,

2797
03:31:32,525 --> 03:31:35,795
which stands for call, answer, respond, and empower.

2798
03:31:36,715 --> 03:31:40,355
this is a great opportunity and uh, I think it's an underused,

2799
03:31:41,345 --> 03:31:44,345
um, asset to our community. Um,

2800
03:31:45,655 --> 03:31:49,625
those residents that live in the city of new bern, uh,

2801
03:31:50,285 --> 03:31:54,165
specifically the elderly or those that have some kind

2802
03:31:54,465 --> 03:31:58,115
of, uh, disability, have the option to, uh, participate

2803
03:31:58,805 --> 03:32:02,555
in a program in which we have an automated system that would call

2804
03:32:02,845 --> 03:32:06,785
them every day if they pick up the phone. Um,

2805
03:32:07,435 --> 03:32:10,915
that is a positive response that they are. Okay.

2806
03:32:12,145 --> 03:32:15,485
um, if they do not pick up the phone, a second

2807
03:32:16,235 --> 03:32:19,875
call will be sent to the same number. If nobody answers

2808
03:32:20,875 --> 03:32:24,845
that phone, then that would dispatch a police officer to go and check on that

2809
03:32:25,135 --> 03:32:28,965
individual to make sure that they're okay. Is it

2810
03:32:29,205 --> 03:32:33,035
a number that we, they can call to find out how they

2811
03:32:33,325 --> 03:32:36,475
can become involved with this, with that, uh, program?

2812
03:32:37,785 --> 03:32:41,645
yes. The easiest way would be just to go on the new bern police department

2813
03:32:42,075 --> 03:32:45,945
website and we have specific information about care, but

2814
03:32:46,345 --> 03:32:50,185
any call to the new bern police department, we'll get, uh, any citizen hooked

2815
03:32:50,625 --> 03:32:54,055
up with that program. Thank you so very much. Chief.

2816
03:32:55,425 --> 03:32:59,365
yes sir. Anything else on mckenzie? That is it, sir. I'll run best.

2817
03:33:00,105 --> 03:33:03,225
um, yes, I do have, uh, one thing I would like to, um,

2818
03:33:05,355 --> 03:33:08,505
take. I know I've already, um,

2819
03:33:10,515 --> 03:33:14,345
allocated my a rp funds to the stormwater project and

2820
03:33:14,865 --> 03:33:18,465
I'm wanting to ask the board that I would like to take an, uh,

2821
03:33:19,275 --> 03:33:22,755
have that money move back around and take

2822
03:33:23,325 --> 03:33:27,025
a $273,000 out to do some paving

2823
03:33:27,465 --> 03:33:30,745
of streets within the ward. Five within the,

2824
03:33:31,625 --> 03:33:35,515
um, community. Um, I've

2825
03:33:35,805 --> 03:33:39,805
already talked with, um, mr. Hughes, mr. Childs, and that's where I got

2826
03:33:40,005 --> 03:33:42,885
that, um, dollar amount, um, of $273,304.

2827
03:33:49,025 --> 03:33:52,925
so you, you made a motion to reallocate a

2828
03:33:53,085 --> 03:33:56,405
rp funds from ward five from stormwater projects

2829
03:33:57,105 --> 03:34:00,865
to paving projects and the dollar amount of $273,304.

2830
03:34:03,955 --> 03:34:07,845
okay. And so let me, lemme see what that was a motion. Let's

2831
03:34:08,165 --> 03:34:11,575
see if we get a second. Second. Second. Okay. We have a motion and a second discussion.

2832
03:34:12,905 --> 03:34:16,715
and so that would come from the north hills project. Okay.

2833
03:34:19,145 --> 03:34:22,665
has that project been completed and, and funding left over or

2834
03:34:23,185 --> 03:34:26,485
no? It's really been tied up in, in trying to get approvals from, uh, dot

2835
03:34:27,225 --> 03:34:30,505
and the north carolina railroad course.

2836
03:34:33,745 --> 03:34:36,885
any other discussion? Are we okay with your voice vote on this,

2837
03:34:38,505 --> 03:34:42,425
kim? Yes. Okay. Uh, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye.

2838
03:34:42,705 --> 03:34:45,985
any opposed? Okay. Unanimous. Anything else? Um,

2839
03:34:47,665 --> 03:34:51,605
no, that's it. Okay. I believe we do need a closed session, mr. Attorney?

2840
03:34:51,825 --> 03:34:55,425
yes, sir. Briefly, uh, pursuant to 1 43 13 11 a three. To

2841
03:34:55,845 --> 03:34:58,725
maintain our attorney-client privilege, shouldn't take long. Can I have a motion?

2842
03:35:00,505 --> 03:35:04,365
second, I I need a motion. Make a motion to go. Enc. Closed session

2843
03:35:04,605 --> 03:35:08,565
second. A motion a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those

2844
03:35:08,685 --> 03:35:10,365
in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?