1 00:13:28,079 --> 00:13:34,959 Order of business like bow your head please. Most gracious heavenly father we 2 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:39,360 come here again today celebrating the blessings that you so generously give us 3 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:43,279 each and every day. We just pray Lord for those that are less fortunate, those 4 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:48,480 who may not have the means that they need to see about their daily lives and 5 00:13:45,680 --> 00:13:54,079 just ask that we be able to do things to help enhance their lives, the quality of 6 00:13:50,800 --> 00:14:00,000 their lives. We pray Lord and thanks for th this this country for what it stands 7 00:13:56,959 --> 00:14:04,880 for. We pray Lord that we might have your guidance to help us in things that 8 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:08,800 we need improvement on and celebrate the things that have been fruitful for us 9 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:12,680 all. We ask these things in your name. Amen. 10 00:14:09,680 --> 00:14:12,680 » Amen. 11 00:14:16,399 --> 00:14:25,120 » I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the 12 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:31,880 republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and 13 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:31,880 justice for all. 14 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:45,680 The next item is the adoption of the business agenda. Everybody's had an 15 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:49,760 opportunity to review it. If there's no need to make any changes in it when 16 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:55,199 someone feels so led, we need a motion to approve it as it is. 17 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:58,000 » May I'll make a motion to adopt the business agenda as presented. 18 00:14:57,360 --> 00:15:02,800 » Second. >> Have a motion by Mr. Stain, second by 19 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:07,279 Mr. Bale. Is there any more discussion on the matter? There being none, all in 20 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:12,639 favor signify by saying I. I. >> All oppose, no. The agenda will be 21 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:19,399 approved as it is presented. Um, item four is special recognitions. I call on 22 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:19,399 uh Chief Cook. 23 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:26,519 Good evening, Chief. 24 00:15:26,639 --> 00:15:32,480 Good evening, mayor, council, citizens, and guests. 25 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:37,760 For those of you who may not know me, my name is Richard Cook. I'm the fire chief 26 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:41,519 of Rapids Fire Department. It is my pleasure tonight to present our 27 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:46,079 promotions and newly hired firefighters thus far in 2026. 28 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:51,680 At this time, I'd like to ask Brian Hollowell, Will Harris, Chris Boyin, 29 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:55,639 Jared Lynch, Seth Mathy, and Matthew Pierce please come forward. 30 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:11,839 Each of the me each of these men with the support of their families and fellow 31 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:16,880 firefighters has worked tirelessly toward achieving their goals. 32 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:21,680 Their dedication, commitment, and willingness to serve our community 33 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:26,079 are qualities that we are proud to recognize. Tonight is my privilege to 34 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:30,199 recognize each of them and congratulate them on their accomplishments. 35 00:16:31,199 --> 00:16:37,759 Brian Hollowell began his employment with City of Rapids on September 2nd, 36 00:16:35,839 --> 00:16:43,040 2008, working with public works department. On March 17th, 2009, he 37 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:46,959 transferred to the fire department where he had the opportunity to work alongside 38 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:53,519 his brother Kenneth. Brian was promoted to engineer on 39 00:16:49,920 --> 00:17:00,079 January 15th, 2013 and lieutenant on July 12th, 2016. 40 00:16:57,600 --> 00:17:05,199 He holds credentials as a North Carolina EMT, 41 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:10,640 firefighter 1 and two, driver operator pumps and aerials, fire officer one and 42 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:17,640 two, fire instructor, and fire investigation technician. the only one 43 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:17,640 in our department. I'll say 44 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:23,760 throughout his career, Brian has earned the respect of his peers 45 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:30,720 through his extensive knowledge of our apparatus and his dedication to the 46 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:34,320 department and his strong work ethic. Tonight, it is my pleasure to recognize 47 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:39,360 Brian for his years of service and dedication to the city of Ronald Rapids 48 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:43,520 and to announce his promotion to assistant chief of operations. Brian, 49 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:46,520 congratulations on your well-deserved promotion. 50 00:17:47,007 --> 00:17:49,027 [applause] 51 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:58,960 At this time, I'd like to ask Brian's wife, Jordan, and his daughters, 52 00:17:57,120 --> 00:18:04,480 Ellie, is Aubrey Aub Aubrey 53 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:10,280 to please come forward and prize on Brown's new badge on. And don't forget 54 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:10,280 Charlie, the littlest one. 55 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:22,200 decided not to. Oh, there she comes. >> Here she comes. 56 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:46,919 Good job. >> Good job. 57 00:18:55,120 --> 00:19:01,120 Will [snorts] Harris began his career with the Ronald Rapids Fire Department 58 00:18:57,919 --> 00:19:06,080 on November 27th, 2017. Proudly following in the footsteps of his father 59 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:10,720 BJ Harris, battalion chief of B shield, Will was promoted to engineer on January 60 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:15,600 19th, 2020. He holds credentials as a North Carolina 61 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:20,720 emergency medical technician, firefighter one and two, driver operator 62 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:26,320 pumps and aerials, fire officer one and two, and as a qualified fire instructor. 63 00:19:23,679 --> 00:19:30,160 Will also serves as a chairman of our training committee. Will has earned 64 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:35,200 respect of his peers through his knowledge, enthusiasm, and consistently 65 00:19:32,559 --> 00:19:39,520 positive attitude. It is my pleasure to announce the promotion of Will Harris to 66 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:42,998 the rank of lieutenant. Congratulations, WILL. [applause] 67 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:52,559 At this time, I invite Will's brother, Maul Carris, also a firefighter with 68 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:58,520 Gaston Fire and Rescue, to come forward and pin on Will's badge. 69 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:58,520 Here 70 00:20:06,559 --> 00:20:09,640 we go. 71 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:33,200 Chris Boyin graduated the Nash Fire Academy in December 2023. He began his 72 00:20:31,840 --> 00:20:38,080 career with the Runt Rapids Fire Department on April 22nd, 2024. 73 00:20:36,559 --> 00:20:41,440 He is North Carolina certified firefighter 1 and two and he is 74 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:46,400 currently working towards his drive operator pumps and aerial certification. 75 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:49,360 Chris is assigned to CE shift and has quickly proven himself through his 76 00:20:47,840 --> 00:20:54,240 professionalism, commitment and strong work ethic. It is my pleasure to 77 00:20:51,679 --> 00:20:58,269 announce the promotion of Chris Boyin to the rank of engineer. Congratulations, 78 00:20:56,320 --> 00:21:00,289 CHRIS. [applause] 79 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:12,840 At this time, I' I'd invite Chris's fiance, Cheyenne Price, to come forward 80 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:12,840 and pin his new badge. 81 00:21:29,709 --> 00:21:31,729 » [clears throat] 82 00:21:37,039 --> 00:21:44,159 » Jerry Lynch began his career with the Ron Rapids Fire Department on May 19th, 83 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:49,679 2014, working his way up to engineer and eventually step-up lieutenant prior to 84 00:21:45,919 --> 00:21:52,679 his departure on October in October of 2023. 85 00:21:53,290 --> 00:21:55,310 [laughter] 86 00:21:55,919 --> 00:22:03,520 Our department proudly welcomed Jared's return on February 9th, 2026. He holds 87 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:07,840 credentials as a North Carolina emergency medical responder firefighter 88 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:11,280 1 and two driver operator pumps and aerials. 89 00:22:09,360 --> 00:22:15,280 Jarrett is currently assigned to a shift and has quickly reaffirmed his value 90 00:22:13,679 --> 00:22:19,520 through his professionalism, team work, and strong work ethic. It is my pleasure 91 00:22:17,679 --> 00:22:25,240 to announce the promotion of Jerry Lynch to the rank of engineer. 92 00:22:21,360 --> 00:22:25,240 Congratulations, Jared. 93 00:22:25,385 --> 00:22:27,405 [applause] 94 00:22:29,360 --> 00:22:37,320 At this time, I invite Jared's mom, Trina Lynch, to come forward and pin 95 00:22:33,679 --> 00:22:37,320 Jerry's new bag. 96 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,600 I'm not 97 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:12,720 Seth Mafy graduated the Nash Fire Academy in June of 2022 and began his 98 00:23:11,360 --> 00:23:17,520 career with the Runner Rapids Fire Department on March 9th, 2026. He is a 99 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:22,720 credentialed as a North Carolina emergency medical technician and 100 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:26,880 firefighter 1 and two. Seth is currently assigned to a shift under Battalion 101 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:32,251 Chief Gray. It is my pleasure to introduce firefighter Seth Mafy. 102 00:23:30,231 --> 00:23:32,251 [applause] 103 00:23:34,799 --> 00:23:41,799 At this time, I invite Battalion Chief Tim Gray to come forward and pin self's 104 00:23:38,799 --> 00:23:41,799 badge. 105 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:12,720 Matthew Pierce began his career with the Ronald Rapids Fire Department on August 106 00:24:09,120 --> 00:24:16,159 23rd, 2026. He is a credentialed as a North Carolina emergency medical 107 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:20,799 technician and has his firefighter 1 and two. Currently is assigned a C shift 108 00:24:18,159 --> 00:24:25,961 under Battalion Chief Chris Hov. It is my pleasure to introduce Matthew Pierce. 109 00:24:23,941 --> 00:24:25,961 [applause] 110 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:36,039 At this time, I invite Matthew's wife, Morgan Paris, to come forward and pin 111 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:36,039 his new badge. 112 00:24:54,799 --> 00:25:01,332 If you will give these gentlemen another round of applause. 113 00:24:59,312 --> 00:25:01,332 [applause] 114 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:15,600 » Thank you guys. Yes, sir. >> Thank you, chief. 115 00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:20,400 » All right. So, that concludes special recognition. 116 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:24,679 I've actually got one more item of business I need to talk about. 117 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:29,559 Where's my paper? 118 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:47,760 So, as you know, we've been having more issues with vacant buildings in 119 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:51,120 inside the city of Rapids. These buildings pose a threat to our 120 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:54,640 firefighters um and in some cases a threat to the 121 00:25:53,120 --> 00:25:59,360 public. Um, we've had cases where we've had 122 00:25:57,279 --> 00:26:03,360 squatters in some of the buildings. As a matter of fact, 123 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:08,159 yesterday I was in two of the buildings along with the PD obtaining evidence out 124 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:12,799 of those out of said buildings that it was really I can tell you from being in 125 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:17,000 there, it was not safe for us to be in there. 126 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:17,000 Um, 127 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:23,600 I know nobody here has actually crawled around in a smoke filled room and tried 128 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:29,840 to navigate their way through something like that in 70 lbs worth of gear. Um, 129 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:34,960 but they pose a great threat to our firefighters. And with it with there 130 00:26:33,039 --> 00:26:40,640 being more and more of them, they're getting harder and harder to identify. 131 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:44,880 The 2018 version of the International Fire 132 00:26:43,360 --> 00:26:49,760 Code, which is the version that North Carolina is currently using, does state 133 00:26:47,679 --> 00:26:54,880 that the fire department has the authority to inspect the building. The 134 00:26:52,240 --> 00:27:01,200 fire marshall, if he deems the building unsafe, then the building can be marked. 135 00:26:59,919 --> 00:27:07,200 This right here is how the building should be marked. 136 00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:13,440 At every entrance, it is reflected. We intend probably starting next week to 137 00:27:10,880 --> 00:27:18,159 start inspections and we're going to start posting these 138 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:23,360 signs. Now, the reason for this is is when our officers back there pull up and 139 00:27:20,159 --> 00:27:28,400 they see this sign, then they know it's a no-go bill. Unless they act, unless 140 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:32,320 they absolutely have to, they see somebody, you know, they see somebody at 141 00:27:31,120 --> 00:27:36,640 the window, obviously they're going to save them. That's what they're trained 142 00:27:33,679 --> 00:27:42,480 to do. uh but they're not going to enter the building if they don't have to 143 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:47,600 because it is unsafe for them. Um in years past, the way we've gone 144 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:51,919 about this um in years past, the way we've gone 145 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:55,679 about this is there's always been an understanding that we had buildings that 146 00:27:54,000 --> 00:28:00,480 were no-go buildings. You just you just do not enter them. The problem with that 147 00:27:58,399 --> 00:28:04,640 is there's getting to me more and more of them and it's hard to keep track of 148 00:28:01,919 --> 00:28:08,559 what's what. And specifically, I'll mention the 200 block of Avenue. There's 149 00:28:07,120 --> 00:28:13,919 several buildings in the 200 block of the Avenue that that it's not safe for 150 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:17,600 us to go in. Um, we've recently had an incident where power was being stolen 151 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:21,840 from one building to the other and I don't know why it didn't cause a fire. 152 00:28:19,120 --> 00:28:26,799 It it was caught. Um, we've gone so far as to help out and 153 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:32,720 try to secure those buildings. Um, as a matter of fact, we put a chain last week 154 00:28:28,799 --> 00:28:36,399 on people's theater. Um, I was called yesterday morning and we went and the 155 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:39,520 chain had been cut. We're doing everything we can to keep people out 156 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:45,279 because we don't want to have to risk the lives of these men back here. 157 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:52,080 But we're starting to get backed up against the wall. So, this is our remedy 158 00:28:49,360 --> 00:28:55,039 to that is we at least we can post it. You know, we're going to continue to do 159 00:28:53,520 --> 00:29:00,320 everything we can to keep people out of those buildings um because it's not safe 160 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:04,399 for them. But, you know, this allows our people 161 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:08,480 when they get there at 3:00 in the morning, because eventually one of these 162 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:11,360 buildings is going to burn. When they get there at 3:00 in the morning and 163 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:15,440 they see that big red X at the entrance, which is what the code states that it 164 00:29:13,120 --> 00:29:22,000 actually is posted at the entrance, then they know it's a no-go building. So, we 165 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:26,720 intend to start that probably next week. Um, if everything works out. 166 00:29:25,039 --> 00:29:31,760 » Is that just for commercial buildings? >> Just the commercial buildings. So the 167 00:29:27,919 --> 00:29:37,440 fire code does not address residential buildings. So it's just commercial 168 00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:42,720 buildings. But I will tell you as history has shown, you know, when 169 00:29:39,760 --> 00:29:46,399 firefighters die, get injured. It's in buildings like 170 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:49,760 that. I mean, that's that's what happens. You know, the people that are 171 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:53,600 in those buildings, they don't come running out and tell you, "Hey, I was in 172 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:57,120 there and I'm okay." like we teach people to do because they're not 173 00:29:55,919 --> 00:30:01,279 supposed to be in the building to begin with. And usually they're a direct 174 00:29:59,600 --> 00:30:06,240 result of a fire in those buildings. Well, that you know, well, I say maybe 175 00:30:03,520 --> 00:30:12,240 not direct, direct, indirect, but you know, could be accidental, could be 176 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:16,480 deliberate. I don't know. Um, but we wanted to make you aware that we do plan 177 00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:21,120 to start that that process next week in case you get question on it. 178 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:23,919 » Thank you for your work on that. >> NO PROBLEM. 179 00:30:24,195 --> 00:30:26,216 » [applause] 180 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:38,039 » ITEM FOUR IS SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS. We have one individual, Mr. Brodsky had 181 00:30:33,679 --> 00:30:38,039 signed up. Uh 182 00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:56,559 » Good evening, members of council. My name is Arfan Brodsky and I live at 936 183 00:30:53,840 --> 00:31:00,640 Eastn Street in Rono Rapids. I want to begin tonight by reading a poem. It was 184 00:30:58,399 --> 00:31:03,760 written by Martin Neuer, a German pastor who lived through the Third Reich and 185 00:31:02,080 --> 00:31:07,840 who to his lasting regret waited too long to speak. 186 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:11,440 First, they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a 187 00:31:09,600 --> 00:31:15,600 communist. Then they came for the socialists and I did not speak out 188 00:31:13,360 --> 00:31:19,279 because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did 189 00:31:17,440 --> 00:31:23,440 not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews 190 00:31:21,679 --> 00:31:27,760 and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and 191 00:31:26,159 --> 00:31:33,279 there was no one left to speak out for me. I'm Jewish and that poem's not 192 00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:36,799 history for me. It's my family story. My mother's name is Shiffra. She was named 193 00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:40,240 after her paternal grandmother, also Shiffra, who was hanged in the woods 194 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:44,640 near her home in Poland by Nazi sympathizers during World War II. Her 195 00:31:42,559 --> 00:31:49,360 crime was being Jewish. She didn't die in a camp. She died close to home in a 196 00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:53,760 place she knew among people in her community who decided that she no longer 197 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:58,000 deserved to live. My son's name is Joseph. He's named after Schiffer's 198 00:31:56,080 --> 00:32:02,320 husband, her Joseph, who survived the Holocaust. He survived not because the 199 00:32:00,559 --> 00:32:05,919 world was just was just, but because the villagers around him were afraid to come 200 00:32:03,919 --> 00:32:10,080 for him. He had been a decorated war hero in World War I. He fought for his 201 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:13,679 country and he killed many men. And so they hesitated. That hesitation was a 202 00:32:12,559 --> 00:32:18,480 difference between his life and his death. I carry those names with me every 203 00:32:16,240 --> 00:32:22,000 single day. And because I carry them, I can't be silent when hate speech is 204 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:25,600 allowed to stand without consequence in this or any community. I want to be 205 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:30,159 historically clear about something because clarity matters here. Adolf 206 00:32:27,919 --> 00:32:34,720 Hitler did not begin with the Jews. The Nazi regime's machinery of persecution 207 00:32:32,159 --> 00:32:38,240 and murder was built in stages. It began with people the regime labeled 208 00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:42,640 defectives, people with physical and mental disabilities who were subjected 209 00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:47,039 to forced sterilization and ultimately to systematic killing. It expanded to 210 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:51,600 include gay men who were imprisoned and sent to concentration camps. It then 211 00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:54,720 swept up the Roma people, the gypsies, who were persecuted, deported, and 212 00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:59,200 murdered in numbers that Europe is still reckoning with. The genocide of European 213 00:32:57,200 --> 00:33:03,279 Jews, what we now call the Holocaust, was not the spark. It was the direct 214 00:33:01,519 --> 00:33:07,360 result of a society that had already learned step by step to dehumanize 215 00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:11,679 people in categories. That's what unchecked rhetoric does. It doesn't stay 216 00:33:09,360 --> 00:33:15,840 where it starts. It teaches cruelty and then it spreads. That's why I'm standing 217 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:20,960 here tonight. You see, the mayor's wife made racist and xenophobic comments. She 218 00:33:18,320 --> 00:33:25,519 has not apologized, not once, not in any form. And Mayor Emory Dowy, the elected 219 00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:30,480 leader of the city, waited a full week before offering a response that by any 220 00:33:27,919 --> 00:33:34,720 honest measure was too little, too late, and too carefully worded to mean very 221 00:33:32,159 --> 00:33:38,559 much at all. That's not leadership. It's damage control. And our community 222 00:33:36,799 --> 00:33:42,880 deserves to know the difference. Mayor Dowy, your time is up. I also want to 223 00:33:41,039 --> 00:33:47,039 speak directly to the council. Your silence is not neutrality. Silence in 224 00:33:45,279 --> 00:33:50,720 the face of racist rhetoric is a choice, and our community sees it. Your combined 225 00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:54,960 statement doesn't mention the mayor's wife by name or even her comments. It's 226 00:33:52,960 --> 00:33:58,720 simply a generic statement that didn't really let anyone know where you stand 227 00:33:56,320 --> 00:34:02,559 on this specific issue. When talk of dissolving the police department came 228 00:34:00,240 --> 00:34:06,720 about, each one of you made it a point to take an individual stand and make 229 00:34:04,799 --> 00:34:10,639 individual public statements in open session supporting our municipal police 230 00:34:08,399 --> 00:34:14,079 force. It's really telling that none of you were brave enough to attach your 231 00:34:12,079 --> 00:34:17,839 name to a comment directly condemning the mayor's wife or the lack of 232 00:34:15,839 --> 00:34:21,359 leadership our mayor showed by staying silent for a full week while the 233 00:34:19,839 --> 00:34:24,800 national media picked up this story and ran with it, further disgracing our 234 00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:28,560 city. I want you all to take a step back and 235 00:34:26,399 --> 00:34:32,800 think, would you handle this the same way if your spouse said what Ivon Dowy 236 00:34:30,560 --> 00:34:36,960 said? Would you handle this the same way if your spouse had years worth of 237 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:41,520 anti-Muslim xenophobic rhetoric plastered all over her public Facebook 238 00:34:38,720 --> 00:34:45,919 profile? There's no path forward for Ron Oak Rapids with Emory Dowy as our mayor. 239 00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:49,679 A leader who cannot promptly, clearly, and sincerely condemn hate speech, 240 00:34:48,159 --> 00:34:54,879 including hate speech from within his own household, has forfeited the trust 241 00:34:51,679 --> 00:34:58,000 this office requires. I'll be back. I'll be back the next meeting and the one 242 00:34:56,320 --> 00:35:02,160 after that and every meeting that follows until Mayor Dowy resigns or is 243 00:34:59,920 --> 00:35:06,240 otherwise removed because Ne Mueller's great regret was that he waited and I 244 00:35:04,079 --> 00:35:09,839 prefer to live my life without regrets. I brought my children here to watch me 245 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:14,240 speak to listen to the message because it's important. It's important as Jews 246 00:35:12,400 --> 00:35:18,000 to stand with everybody. And my children, they're anti-racists as well. 247 00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:21,839 And when racist rhetoric is spread in their schools, when they hear it, they 248 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:26,880 have the responsibility to speak out and to take action. and is large people. My 249 00:35:24,480 --> 00:35:32,960 son is 11 years old, 5 foot seven, 175 pounds. And he has an active instruction 250 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:38,720 to actively go after anybody who says anything racist in front of him. 251 00:35:36,800 --> 00:35:42,760 You need to go, Mayor Dowy. You need to go. Thank you. 252 00:35:54,974 --> 00:35:56,994 » [clears throat] 253 00:35:59,359 --> 00:36:05,920 » While these uh individuals are making their way out, we have one uh individual 254 00:36:04,079 --> 00:36:11,599 that has signed up for unscheduled public comment. And we had some people a 255 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:15,359 while back that um didn't know you had to sign up. So that's why I'm letting 256 00:36:13,200 --> 00:36:19,680 everybody know that would like to speak, you know, just by coming in and and 257 00:36:17,119 --> 00:36:24,480 signing up. And we welcome you to do that. you have three minutes, not like 258 00:36:21,599 --> 00:36:28,720 five when you're on the agenda. So, soon as everyone gets settled back down, 259 00:36:26,320 --> 00:36:35,040 we'll move on with that part of the meeting. Okay. Okay. Okay. 260 00:36:32,880 --> 00:36:40,560 » So, if anybody else wants to comment in public uh comment, just see the clerk 261 00:36:37,040 --> 00:36:44,720 now and and get signed up. >> So, if anybody wants to speak, see the 262 00:36:42,480 --> 00:36:50,960 clerk signed up and you'll be welcome to speak. Uh Miss Briggs, I believe, is 263 00:36:48,079 --> 00:36:50,960 first. 264 00:36:51,440 --> 00:36:56,880 Good evening. >> Good evening. Thank you. My name is 265 00:36:54,720 --> 00:37:00,640 Amanda Briggs. I'm the president CEO of the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of 266 00:36:58,640 --> 00:37:04,800 Commerce. I hit heavy on that regional because I'm not just Lake Gaston. I do 267 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:08,960 cover five counties. That one of those being Halifax. I did want to come here 268 00:37:07,119 --> 00:37:14,000 tonight and make a special announcement. About two hours ago, I got off the phone 269 00:37:10,800 --> 00:37:19,760 with Congressman Don Davis. Um he is coming to the Lake Gaston area on 270 00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:24,240 Friday, September 4th at 9:30 a.m. at the chamber office to do a meet and 271 00:37:21,839 --> 00:37:29,520 greet with small business owners. So it is not a campaign stop. He is literally 272 00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:32,960 coming to hear from the small business owners. So I wanted to make that 273 00:37:31,040 --> 00:37:36,800 announcement and let anybody know that if you would like to come and attend, 274 00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:40,880 share your successes, share your struggles, um anything that you would 275 00:37:38,880 --> 00:37:45,760 like to talk to him about, please do so. So again, that's um Friday, September 276 00:37:43,200 --> 00:37:53,359 4th at 9:30 at the Chamber of Commerce in Lake Aston. That's it. 277 00:37:49,839 --> 00:37:57,240 Okay. Thank you very much. And Mr. Garrett 278 00:38:08,596 --> 00:38:10,616 » [sighs] 279 00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:20,240 » Mayor, members of city council, I'm Jim Garrett. 280 00:38:17,119 --> 00:38:27,119 Mayor, I'd like to say congratulations. That was um quite a heroic 281 00:38:24,880 --> 00:38:33,839 demonstration. You standing up for your wife. I know she's a private citizen and 282 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:38,320 she has no bearing on your job and I think it's commendable. 283 00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:44,320 I'm asking for the city manager to resign because I see it's a clear double 284 00:38:41,359 --> 00:38:50,320 standard in our leadership. The mayor's wife is a private citizen. She made 285 00:38:47,040 --> 00:38:56,480 comments on Facebook. The city manager issued an official statement about these 286 00:38:53,440 --> 00:39:00,880 these comments and all of you signed them. 287 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:07,200 Now a city ploy employee, the city librarian has entered the same fight. 288 00:39:03,440 --> 00:39:12,720 She identified herself as the librarian. She criticized the mayor. She said the 289 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:17,440 mayor should give away all of his pay. And she um supported calls for his 290 00:39:15,920 --> 00:39:23,119 resignation. The city should have a clear policy 291 00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:29,839 separating personal politics from city employment. I've not seen any statement 292 00:39:26,160 --> 00:39:36,079 distance dist distancing yourselves from the comments that Mr. Bronzk's wife, I 293 00:39:33,119 --> 00:39:43,200 believe, who is the city librarian, made on Facebook, the city manager can um can 294 00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:47,920 publicly address the speech of a private citizen like the mayor's wife. Why is 295 00:39:45,760 --> 00:39:53,680 there no clear standard when city employees bring their position to the 296 00:39:51,839 --> 00:40:00,800 same controversy? The manager decided to start policing 297 00:39:57,200 --> 00:40:07,599 Facebook and her job to hold everyone accountable. The manager has a record of 298 00:40:04,320 --> 00:40:13,200 inconsistent leadership. I have lost confidence in the city manager and I'm 299 00:40:10,320 --> 00:40:18,000 asking for her resignation or for you all to replace her. Thank you for your 300 00:40:15,920 --> 00:40:23,119 time. >> All right. Thank you, sir. 301 00:40:21,680 --> 00:40:27,359 That's all the names we have. Is there anyone else at this time that would like 302 00:40:24,720 --> 00:40:30,359 to speak? Okay. 303 00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:38,640 We will move on to the approval of the 8 August 18th, 2026 304 00:40:37,040 --> 00:40:43,760 minutes. Need a motion to approve them. 305 00:40:41,040 --> 00:40:51,920 Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve the city council meeting minutes 306 00:40:47,760 --> 00:40:57,280 of August 18, 2026. Motion is made by Mayor Pro Tim Bryant. 307 00:40:54,720 --> 00:41:03,119 Do you hear a second to Mr. Second by Mr. Jackson? 308 00:41:00,960 --> 00:41:07,760 There any discussion? There being none, all in favor signify by saying I. 309 00:41:05,359 --> 00:41:12,880 » I. All oppose, no. Minutes would be approved as they are presented. 310 00:41:10,640 --> 00:41:17,319 Item eight. Under new business, I'd call on the deputy finance, Miss Ror. 311 00:41:20,720 --> 00:41:26,160 Good evening, mayor and council. Just one budget amendment for you this 312 00:41:24,560 --> 00:41:32,000 evening. So, I would direct you to ordinance number 2026.42. 313 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:37,040 The city has received a donation or sponsorship from Bright Speed in the 314 00:41:34,160 --> 00:41:43,520 amount of $15,000 in support of our city's Main Street program. So, we ask 315 00:41:40,079 --> 00:41:48,640 that you approve 2026.42 to accept that $15,000 donation. 316 00:41:46,880 --> 00:41:51,280 » All right. You hear the finance director. We need a motion to approve 317 00:41:50,240 --> 00:41:57,520 this. >> Make a motion for me 318 00:41:54,960 --> 00:42:00,400 to $15,000 for sponsorship to support the main 319 00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:03,599 street. >> Okay. The motion is made by Mr. Bale. 320 00:42:02,400 --> 00:42:06,880 Second to the motion. >> Second. 321 00:42:04,319 --> 00:42:10,240 » Second by Mr. Strickland. Any more discussion? There being none, all in 322 00:42:08,400 --> 00:42:12,640 favor signify by saying I. >> I. 323 00:42:10,640 --> 00:42:17,200 » All oppose, no. Motion will be approved. Thank you, ma'am. 324 00:42:15,680 --> 00:42:20,079 And next, we move on to the city manager's report, 325 00:42:19,200 --> 00:42:23,680 Mr. Train. >> Good evening, mayor and council. And I 326 00:42:21,599 --> 00:42:28,640 will ask um for our main street director to um share some more information about 327 00:42:26,079 --> 00:42:35,440 the main about the sponsorship from Bright Speed as well. But um the just a 328 00:42:33,200 --> 00:42:39,760 few items to note here. The Twilight Festival is scheduled for Friday, 329 00:42:37,599 --> 00:42:44,560 September the 18th at Centennial Park. It's a community event. Uh the Halifax 330 00:42:42,640 --> 00:42:49,440 County Board of Commissioners will hold its on the road tour and um have its 331 00:42:47,040 --> 00:42:54,880 meeting on September the 21st here in Reno Rapids in this building at 5:30 332 00:42:52,400 --> 00:43:00,720 p.m. Also, another community event that's coming up is the NC DOT by annual 333 00:42:58,079 --> 00:43:05,440 fall litter sweep um scheduled September 12th through the 26th. There are 334 00:43:02,400 --> 00:43:10,319 resources available through NCDOT for state roadways and we want to encourage 335 00:43:08,079 --> 00:43:14,319 and uh ask community groups to come together and [snorts] whether it's 336 00:43:11,839 --> 00:43:19,200 picking a day or a couple hours each day or do something to help um clean up 337 00:43:17,280 --> 00:43:23,680 litter throughout the city. Um during that time frame, 338 00:43:21,440 --> 00:43:26,880 uh the police department held a community meeting last night at Shiner 339 00:43:25,359 --> 00:43:31,040 Wreck. We were able to get record attendance so far as requested. So I 340 00:43:28,880 --> 00:43:35,520 want to thank everyone for coming out. Um, it was well attended, good 341 00:43:32,880 --> 00:43:41,760 conversations were had. Um, and it really shows that people care. And um I 342 00:43:38,319 --> 00:43:46,720 commend our police chief and his and his command staff and and all of our police 343 00:43:43,599 --> 00:43:53,119 officers and um administrative assistants uh for their work in and and 344 00:43:50,800 --> 00:43:56,560 relaying the needs of the community and really understanding that many of the 345 00:43:55,040 --> 00:44:00,160 problems that are faced are community problems, not necessarily police 346 00:43:58,319 --> 00:44:05,839 department problems or city of Venic Rapids problems, but um having those 347 00:44:03,599 --> 00:44:09,520 open conversations leads to better results. 348 00:44:07,280 --> 00:44:14,160 Uh the next meeting uh will be scheduled for Monday, October the 19th at the 349 00:44:12,240 --> 00:44:21,440 First Pentecostal Church on Becker Drive. Um and more information will come 350 00:44:17,839 --> 00:44:25,680 about that soon. Uh the police club will hold its cornhole tournament on 351 00:44:23,040 --> 00:44:30,240 September the 19th at TJ Davis. Um this is a fundraiser for their Christmas for 352 00:44:27,680 --> 00:44:34,720 kids um program that benefits our community. Um, for more information, 353 00:44:33,359 --> 00:44:39,200 please contact the police department about it. In the planning development 354 00:44:36,960 --> 00:44:44,319 department, they've been uh busy and also expanding um reviewing plans and 355 00:44:42,720 --> 00:44:49,200 progress out at the Cross Creek subdivision on 125. Uh there's 356 00:44:47,440 --> 00:44:54,160 infrastructure that's near completion and ready for new single family 357 00:44:51,200 --> 00:44:57,520 residential homes to be built. Um during or probably at one of our next meetings, 358 00:44:55,920 --> 00:45:02,800 uh we'll ask council to consider approving and accepting the streets. um 359 00:45:00,880 --> 00:45:09,119 that are proposed for the by the developer for city um inventory. 360 00:45:06,480 --> 00:45:15,119 Um parks and recreation is planning for the annual 5K and fun run and walk u to 361 00:45:12,800 --> 00:45:18,880 be held Saturday, September the 19th. The race will start and end at the 362 00:45:16,720 --> 00:45:24,359 Dominion Day use park at the end of Oua Avenue and the registration is available 363 00:45:20,960 --> 00:45:24,359 at www.rronoccanal.com. 364 00:45:25,440 --> 00:45:30,960 The senior center in addition to their regularly scheduled activities has some 365 00:45:29,040 --> 00:45:37,119 other special events taking place including grief support with Nancy Hugs 366 00:45:33,119 --> 00:45:41,760 at 2:00 September the 3rd and the 19th. Hearing life screens will be held on 367 00:45:38,960 --> 00:45:48,400 Octo September the 9th. Medicare appointments September 21st. 368 00:45:44,480 --> 00:45:52,560 ECU health screens September 29th. And coming up on October the 1st will be the 369 00:45:50,640 --> 00:45:59,040 annual aging expo held at Kirkwood Adams. [snorts] the fire department um 370 00:45:56,079 --> 00:46:03,200 is well chief changed but uh they're sporting it's now September 1st which is 371 00:46:01,280 --> 00:46:06,800 also lymphoma awareness month and the department will maintain its tradition 372 00:46:04,640 --> 00:46:11,200 of wearing the slime green colors to increase the awareness of firefighter 373 00:46:08,560 --> 00:46:16,160 cancer risks that um plague the profession 374 00:46:12,960 --> 00:46:21,839 and also September is uh suicide uh awareness month and so uh we've received 375 00:46:19,760 --> 00:46:27,680 uh some armbands to remind folks and also to promote the 988 emergency line 376 00:46:25,440 --> 00:46:32,560 or the health line um for anyone in crisis. Um Public Works is preparing for 377 00:46:30,880 --> 00:46:36,800 loose leaf collection season that will begin on November the 1st. They are 378 00:46:34,640 --> 00:46:42,880 assisting in securing vacant residential structures recently completed 217 Monroe 379 00:46:39,359 --> 00:46:48,720 and 126 Wilin Streets. [snorts] Uh and I'm in finance and HR. Um we've been 380 00:46:45,760 --> 00:46:51,839 facilitating the issuance of the um law enforcement bonuses that have been 381 00:46:50,240 --> 00:46:55,920 directed by the general assembly through the state bureau of investigation. This 382 00:46:54,000 --> 00:47:01,119 is part of the state's adopted budget. Um so there is a level of effort 383 00:46:58,960 --> 00:47:07,440 involved um with the city administration in that in addition to preparing for our 384 00:47:03,920 --> 00:47:12,079 fiscical year 26 audit services and uh closing out that fiscal year. Uh the 385 00:47:10,240 --> 00:47:16,880 city will observe the Labor Day holiday on Monday um September the 7th. So most 386 00:47:14,880 --> 00:47:22,720 of our facil most of our buildings or city offices will be closed. Believe is 387 00:47:19,599 --> 00:47:27,200 parks and recreation open TJ will be open that day. And then our next 388 00:47:24,960 --> 00:47:33,520 regularly scheduled um council meeting will be Tuesday the September the 15th 389 00:47:29,440 --> 00:47:39,599 at 5:30 p.m. And um Miss Thomas, are you prepared to to share some information? I 390 00:47:36,560 --> 00:47:45,319 I didn't want to leave you out, but um want you to share about First Fridays 391 00:47:41,200 --> 00:47:45,319 and the Bright Speed sponsorship 392 00:50:48,480 --> 00:50:53,480 subject to your questions. That concludes my report. 393 00:50:54,319 --> 00:51:02,400 Um, if I could make a comment on the uh meeting that we had over at Chhatt uh 394 00:51:00,880 --> 00:51:07,599 recreation department last night. I know you came in and police chief is he's not 395 00:51:05,599 --> 00:51:12,720 going to make make any comment. Is it okay if I do something on it right 396 00:51:09,359 --> 00:51:17,520 quick? It it was a good group of people there. It was it was pretty much full 397 00:51:15,280 --> 00:51:24,079 and um people asked a lot of good questions and it was very um easy to 398 00:51:21,520 --> 00:51:29,520 discern that the individuals that were there were very much interested you know 399 00:51:26,720 --> 00:51:34,559 we we've had some some comment about uh defunding or doing away with our police 400 00:51:31,440 --> 00:51:39,200 department to me and and Mr. Strickland and Mr. veil where they also it seemed 401 00:51:36,720 --> 00:51:44,160 like they were very much interested in uh enhancing our police department if 402 00:51:41,680 --> 00:51:50,000 anything much less doing away with it. So um they asked some really good 403 00:51:46,720 --> 00:51:56,000 questions. Uh they were very sincere about um the difficulties that they had 404 00:51:53,200 --> 00:52:00,160 experienced and it it wasn't in just one area of town. It was several areas that 405 00:51:58,240 --> 00:52:05,760 did people, you know, some live downtown, some live across 158. And um I 406 00:52:04,240 --> 00:52:10,640 thought it was I've been to a couple of those meetings. I thought it was by far 407 00:52:07,440 --> 00:52:16,640 the best one. And uh the chief and the captains that were there u provided good 408 00:52:13,839 --> 00:52:20,240 information for the people. And I mean, I felt like I got something out of and I 409 00:52:18,480 --> 00:52:25,359 think the people that came did also. So I I think if he can continue those 410 00:52:22,319 --> 00:52:33,599 meetings that they would um have have continued better uh attendance in people 411 00:52:28,000 --> 00:52:37,760 coming and um how how do you get the um material you need for the fall litter 412 00:52:35,599 --> 00:52:43,280 sweep? How do you get that from public works or where 413 00:52:40,079 --> 00:52:48,319 » uh there is a um request through you can make a request through the county um DOT 414 00:52:47,599 --> 00:52:52,599 office >> the county 415 00:52:48,880 --> 00:52:52,599 » through their maintenance office 416 00:52:53,119 --> 00:52:56,960 » I don't have the information in front of me 417 00:52:54,400 --> 00:53:01,760 » would it be possible for public works to kind of give us some spots that really 418 00:52:59,520 --> 00:53:06,400 needed I know I know one that pops into my mind is out where Henson Street comes 419 00:53:04,079 --> 00:53:11,520 out on 10th street in that curve Yeah, it's always it's always a bad place 420 00:53:08,160 --> 00:53:15,520 there. You think that's possible? >> I'm sure we can come up with some uh 421 00:53:13,520 --> 00:53:18,079 areas that state roads um that would benefit from that. 422 00:53:16,480 --> 00:53:21,920 » Okay. I mean, that's that's something anybody 423 00:53:19,520 --> 00:53:26,720 that can walk and bend over can do. Uh that's that's a good project and and you 424 00:53:24,559 --> 00:53:29,599 get you get immediate benefit from it. I mean, you don't have to wait and see see 425 00:53:28,319 --> 00:53:34,319 how it's going to look. As soon as you get finished, it looks nice. Does 426 00:53:32,319 --> 00:53:41,079 anybody else have any questions? >> Yes. Okay, 427 00:53:36,079 --> 00:53:41,079 » Kelly, where are we at for second 428 00:53:42,240 --> 00:53:51,359 » demolition? Uh the we have a order um for the 429 00:53:49,040 --> 00:53:55,920 demolition and removal. The owner of the property has not complied with that 430 00:53:53,119 --> 00:54:01,680 order. uh the city council if should desire we can 431 00:53:58,400 --> 00:54:07,520 uh we have the authority to complete the uh remediation which is demolition in 432 00:54:04,880 --> 00:54:14,319 this case. Um the planning department did solicit bids um back in April and 433 00:54:11,839 --> 00:54:21,280 did receive uh a bid in the matter of $500,000 for the demolition. 434 00:54:17,599 --> 00:54:29,400 Um at this time um that project is not funded. Um, and 435 00:54:25,040 --> 00:54:29,400 that's where that stands at this point. 436 00:54:30,160 --> 00:54:37,839 » Well, what do we got to do? >> Appropriations by city council in the 437 00:54:36,000 --> 00:54:41,760 form of a budget amendment would be appropriate. 438 00:54:40,079 --> 00:54:48,240 » Can I Well, Mr. Davis came back several months 439 00:54:44,319 --> 00:54:53,599 ago. Um, Representative Davis, he told us he could not help us if it 440 00:54:50,480 --> 00:54:58,880 was a private building. What would happen if we were able to to 441 00:54:55,839 --> 00:55:05,280 reach out to the owners and purchase it from them? Then it would be our building 442 00:55:02,160 --> 00:55:10,160 far as would it at least open up an opportunity for us to get some funding? 443 00:55:08,319 --> 00:55:14,079 We don't know we get it, but is that is that possible? 444 00:55:12,640 --> 00:55:17,280 and and maybe you can't answer that question right now. 445 00:55:14,960 --> 00:55:24,400 » That's a that's a dangerous choice for the city council to make until unless we 446 00:55:20,720 --> 00:55:29,920 are certain 100% that we're going to get that funding. Um that's a that's a 447 00:55:28,400 --> 00:55:34,319 dangerous choice. I think it I think it would be trivial for us to to take it 448 00:55:32,240 --> 00:55:40,640 into our possession, but then suddenly now we do have that liability. um you 449 00:55:37,200 --> 00:55:45,359 know, as it is now, you know, if if I hate to say it, but and I feel like 450 00:55:42,800 --> 00:55:51,040 I'm I'm maybe giving in to some kind of, you know, social media kind of whatever 451 00:55:49,359 --> 00:55:55,200 you call it, catastrophic kind of theories, but if the building were to 452 00:55:53,119 --> 00:55:58,480 fall down today and hit somebody, that's not the city's problem. It's not our 453 00:55:56,960 --> 00:56:02,720 It's not our property. Just because something happens in the city of Renick 454 00:56:00,160 --> 00:56:08,799 Rapids, it is not the city or our liability carrier or our problem. 455 00:56:06,000 --> 00:56:15,119 um if the city owns that building, it is absolutely our problem. 456 00:56:12,000 --> 00:56:20,480 And so I I'm I'm you know, if we had some kind of of absolute guarantee and I 457 00:56:17,440 --> 00:56:25,200 don't know how I don't know the the the function of facilitating that to where 458 00:56:22,079 --> 00:56:29,920 we have that level of guarantee, I I don't see otherwise we would we would be 459 00:56:27,760 --> 00:56:36,000 there and it would be taken care of. But um 460 00:56:31,520 --> 00:56:43,119 without that I would strongly discourage that from becoming city property because 461 00:56:38,400 --> 00:56:46,720 we are accepting a huge liability. Um, and 462 00:56:44,799 --> 00:56:50,000 you know, to to the to the I I guess going to the the original question, you 463 00:56:48,480 --> 00:56:53,040 know, we could clean up and and I think we 464 00:56:51,680 --> 00:56:57,040 we've kind of talked about this before, but just to put a fine point on it, the 465 00:56:54,960 --> 00:57:03,520 the city has would have the authority through various statutes to condemn and 466 00:57:00,000 --> 00:57:10,480 clean up a lot of properties that are derelict, you know, um 467 00:57:07,760 --> 00:57:14,480 that have become a public nuisance that um are in need of demolition. or repair, 468 00:57:12,799 --> 00:57:19,040 we have that ability to do that. We could very quickly bankrupt the city 469 00:57:16,079 --> 00:57:22,640 doing that. Um because those costs fall on us. And kind of like we've talked 470 00:57:20,480 --> 00:57:28,079 about before, the only way that you get those costs, you know, we could could we 471 00:57:25,280 --> 00:57:34,319 do a budget amendment and take $500,000 out of fund balance and demolish that 472 00:57:30,640 --> 00:57:40,160 building? Yes. Um I certainly would not suggest that. um if you ever were to do 473 00:57:37,920 --> 00:57:43,200 that or if you were to use any other kind of funding funding mechanism and 474 00:57:41,839 --> 00:57:47,680 and like I say, you know, unless you're going to our our budget is is our 475 00:57:46,160 --> 00:57:52,559 budget. There's really not really any give there. Um so you're so there's only 476 00:57:50,240 --> 00:57:56,319 two places else that well there's only one place else that the city could get 477 00:57:54,079 --> 00:58:00,240 funding um this fiscal year and that would be the fund balance. Um, you know, 478 00:57:58,559 --> 00:58:05,200 in a longer term program, could the city, and I I even hesitate to say it, 479 00:58:02,640 --> 00:58:10,200 but could the city raise taxes to fund demolition efforts? Yes. Um, 480 00:58:10,319 --> 00:58:17,599 you know, so unless there's some kind of outside grant or somebody that's going 481 00:58:15,440 --> 00:58:22,720 to give that money to the city, however the city is paying it, the assumption I 482 00:58:20,480 --> 00:58:27,359 think should be is that that is money that is going to that would be spent by 483 00:58:24,400 --> 00:58:31,520 the city that is not going to come back. Um, you know, the idea that, you know, 484 00:58:30,160 --> 00:58:39,440 you're going to go out and demolish a building and essentially create a vacant 485 00:58:35,280 --> 00:58:45,520 lot. Um, what does the value of a vacant lot at the corner of Second and uh, Reno 486 00:58:42,160 --> 00:58:51,839 Avenue have? Probably not very much. Um, certainly not $500,000 487 00:58:48,240 --> 00:58:57,119 um, worth. Um, and so, you know, it's we're we're kind of back at that that 488 00:58:53,760 --> 00:59:00,640 same kind of question when you have when you have aging buildings like this. 489 00:58:59,200 --> 00:59:04,160 And it's one of the reason, and I know I always say this, it's one of the reasons 490 00:59:01,680 --> 00:59:10,720 that our building codes are so that that modern building codes are so important 491 00:59:06,640 --> 00:59:15,119 is because one of the reasons why we 492 00:59:12,640 --> 00:59:22,160 require developers to build buildings in a certain way is so that they have a 493 00:59:18,799 --> 00:59:28,160 they have a a normal lifespan and that we don't have to worry about them during 494 00:59:24,160 --> 00:59:31,040 that lifespan becoming derelict or um because of, you know, shoddy 495 00:59:29,760 --> 00:59:37,520 construction or something like that becoming a a burden that's then borne by 496 00:59:34,319 --> 00:59:42,400 the public at large. Um, and so, you know, these obviously, you know, we all 497 00:59:39,280 --> 00:59:47,680 know that that that those buildings on Reno Avenue um are 498 00:59:45,920 --> 00:59:53,760 very old. They're certainly older than than I am. Um, and you know, they were 499 00:59:51,520 --> 00:59:59,359 when they were built, I I don't know, you know, what somebody had in mind as 500 00:59:56,640 --> 01:00:05,440 far as their their normal lifestyle, their their their 501 01:00:01,440 --> 01:00:08,559 um lifespan. Um, thank you. Um, I don't know. I don't know what folks had as far 502 01:00:06,720 --> 01:00:13,839 as their their lifespan, but obviously, you know, it it has come to the end of 503 01:00:10,480 --> 01:00:18,319 that. Um, and you know, does it need to be demolished? I think we all agree that 504 01:00:15,680 --> 01:00:22,240 that yes. um you know with with the with the level of asbestos contamination in 505 01:00:20,480 --> 01:00:26,880 there, there is no there's no other solution. You can't you can't remediate 506 01:00:24,640 --> 01:00:29,440 that. You got to go down to the you got to go down to the floor and if you're 507 01:00:28,079 --> 01:00:34,640 going to build something back up, build something back up. But um 508 01:00:33,280 --> 01:00:42,400 there's [clears throat] there's just it it's the city's real option unless 509 01:00:39,040 --> 01:00:46,559 there's unless you know the state creates some kind of program tomorrow, 510 01:00:44,480 --> 01:00:52,720 you know, some I don't know, you know, some um wealthy 511 01:00:50,079 --> 01:00:56,720 benevolent millionaire wants to uh give us give us some money to take care of 512 01:00:54,480 --> 01:01:01,599 it. Um, you know, other than, you know, something coming from outside, 513 01:00:59,280 --> 01:01:06,720 um, the only way that the city funds demolition out there is by either 514 01:01:04,079 --> 01:01:14,000 essentially taking from savings or creating new revenue to that level. And 515 01:01:11,119 --> 01:01:18,559 I, like I say, that's that's the dilemma that that that we're all in. And 516 01:01:17,680 --> 01:01:22,160 you know, it's one of those things where, you know, I think 517 01:01:20,960 --> 01:01:24,799 and and and maybe this is kind of getting outside of my role as city 518 01:01:23,599 --> 01:01:31,359 attorney, but you know, I know that folks want solutions for that. And I 519 01:01:30,000 --> 01:01:36,319 think sometimes they think that because there is no that they haven't seen any 520 01:01:34,559 --> 01:01:39,760 solution out there, because we haven't found the magic bullet or that maybe 521 01:01:38,240 --> 01:01:44,960 there is a magic bullet out there that we're just choosing not to use. Um, 522 01:01:42,400 --> 01:01:50,960 that's that's not the case. if we if we had some 523 01:01:47,359 --> 01:01:54,640 way of of solving this problem, I I I am pretty certain that the city would go 524 01:01:52,319 --> 01:01:58,240 down that road and do it. Um, so I don't know that that may be more than than we 525 01:01:56,640 --> 01:02:02,160 were looking for, more than I I have to say. I don't know if the city manager or 526 01:01:59,760 --> 01:02:06,160 the uh planning director has anything that that I may have missed or that you 527 01:02:03,839 --> 01:02:13,040 may think needs to be added. I'll just echo that we continue to look for and 528 01:02:08,799 --> 01:02:19,839 pursue remedies for that building and it has changed ownership since uh council 529 01:02:16,559 --> 01:02:24,400 uh adopted the ordinance on it. Um I think that the owner of record has maybe 530 01:02:23,200 --> 01:02:30,319 corresponded with the planning department one time but now at this 531 01:02:27,680 --> 01:02:34,720 point we don't hear back from any from we don't the current owner has been 532 01:02:33,200 --> 01:02:37,440 unresponsive. um on the level of effort for that 533 01:02:36,720 --> 01:02:42,559 building. >> I have a question. How many bids were 534 01:02:39,520 --> 01:02:45,119 submitted uh with the demolition? >> I I don't know. I think there could have 535 01:02:44,400 --> 01:02:48,559 been two, but >> two 536 01:02:45,599 --> 01:02:52,079 » uh is there is there any hope of getting a third or fourth? 537 01:02:50,559 --> 01:02:58,160 » Reasonable hope on that. >> We can rebid the project and see what we 538 01:02:54,960 --> 01:03:04,240 come up with see what the return is. Um we have advertised and that forbid a few 539 01:03:01,520 --> 01:03:08,559 times but because of the anticipated cost we do have to follow state 540 01:03:06,559 --> 01:03:12,480 procurement processes and receive a certain number of bids and then perhaps 541 01:03:10,720 --> 01:03:16,720 and if you still don't receive a certain number then you have to readvertise and 542 01:03:14,160 --> 01:03:22,880 upset. Um and so it could be a lengthy process uh that we're willing to pursue 543 01:03:19,200 --> 01:03:26,400 on that. that the struct standalone buildings like residential homes or 544 01:03:24,640 --> 01:03:30,559 standalone buildings are much easier, but when they are uh when there's party 545 01:03:28,319 --> 01:03:34,799 walls and shared walls, there's also structural conditions that you have to 546 01:03:32,079 --> 01:03:42,640 be aware of and concerned about is um in those scenarios. But 547 01:03:38,160 --> 01:03:48,000 um we'd be glad to pursue um additional bids for that property. 548 01:03:45,520 --> 01:03:51,920 » Can we get a consensus on that? Maybe just going to get 549 01:03:49,920 --> 01:03:56,240 try the bid process one more time. >> So, you're saying you put it out for bid 550 01:03:53,520 --> 01:03:59,760 or do you contact each you pick out people in contact or you just advertise 551 01:03:58,000 --> 01:04:01,920 we want to bid on demo demo in this building? 552 01:04:00,240 --> 01:04:08,079 » There has to be a formal um bid procedure uh advertisement and scope of 553 01:04:04,960 --> 01:04:13,359 work. So, um we would have to follow the general statute guidance and our in our 554 01:04:10,559 --> 01:04:17,200 procurement policy on that. Um and a council action is not necessarily 555 01:04:15,280 --> 01:04:23,920 required since you've already adopted the the order for the demo and 556 01:04:20,880 --> 01:04:29,680 clearance. And so um we can again pursue that um with the cost of advertising 557 01:04:27,920 --> 01:04:33,440 um as part of the process. >> For some reason I was thinking it was 558 01:04:31,440 --> 01:04:34,960 250,000. I don't know where I got that number. 559 01:04:33,839 --> 01:04:38,240 » That that figure was >> when you told me five I went wild. 560 01:04:36,640 --> 01:04:40,000 » That figure was shared several years ago. 561 01:04:38,880 --> 01:04:43,599 » Okay. um >> inflation 562 01:04:41,760 --> 01:04:48,319 » and and the majority of the costs have to do with the wood, the disposal of the 563 01:04:46,160 --> 01:04:55,599 material there. It's a lot of brick, metal, wood um and those materials 564 01:04:52,559 --> 01:05:02,559 assuming assuming contamination uh have to go to uh asbestous receiving landfill 565 01:04:59,760 --> 01:05:07,760 um under certain treatment conditions. And when she when the city manager says 566 01:05:05,039 --> 01:05:12,559 assuming contamination, it's not we assume that it's contaminated. It's that 567 01:05:09,680 --> 01:05:16,640 the law requires us to to assume that they are contaminated. That is it's it's 568 01:05:14,799 --> 01:05:21,359 not it's not a well, we're just guessing they are. No, we know that they are. And 569 01:05:19,039 --> 01:05:27,440 so because some part of that structure is, the law forces us to treat all of 570 01:05:25,200 --> 01:05:31,359 the materials that come from that site as being contaminated. So it's not like 571 01:05:29,760 --> 01:05:35,440 somebody can sit there and kind of shift through and say, well, you know, this is 572 01:05:33,359 --> 01:05:41,200 this is asbestos contaminated, but this this part over here isn't. We are 573 01:05:37,760 --> 01:05:45,599 required by law to assume that all of it >> and a lot and and that is because the 574 01:05:43,839 --> 01:05:50,559 unsafe conditions of the building don't allow a full asbestous survey to be 575 01:05:48,160 --> 01:05:53,720 conducted uh where all the materials can be tested. 576 01:05:54,000 --> 01:06:00,400 And generally before in in under the normal process or the routine process, 577 01:05:58,400 --> 01:06:06,000 you have to remove the asbestous before you're issued a demolition permit. But 578 01:06:03,200 --> 01:06:10,799 the unsafe conditions warrant that you're it's you're not able to go in and 579 01:06:08,640 --> 01:06:15,839 effectively remove the asbestous containing materials um prior to 580 01:06:13,359 --> 01:06:20,240 starting demolition activities. So everything has to be treated as 581 01:06:17,280 --> 01:06:24,440 asbestous through approved methods uh through environmental services. 582 01:06:25,520 --> 01:06:34,079 The walls, I understand, are like eight bricks wide, thick. So, you know, it's 583 01:06:31,440 --> 01:06:39,359 probably it's probably not going to fall when the roof continues to go down. So, 584 01:06:37,039 --> 01:06:44,160 I mean, we we might be looking at 30 or 40 more years unless we get a violent 585 01:06:41,920 --> 01:06:47,760 storm or something. Everybody on this council and probably 586 01:06:46,079 --> 01:06:52,640 the people that work for the city and and then anybody else that has people 587 01:06:50,000 --> 01:06:56,400 that come from out of town They want to know what's going on 588 01:06:54,480 --> 01:07:02,640 downtown. So, I think we need to continue to to 589 01:06:59,680 --> 01:07:08,160 try every angle to see if there's any money that can come from somewhere. 590 01:07:05,599 --> 01:07:13,760 » Now, you said you going to follow up on the Brownfield cleanup and assessment 591 01:07:11,520 --> 01:07:17,599 grant. >> Yes. Um, 592 01:07:15,760 --> 01:07:24,319 as part of the Brownfield Coalition, there's a meeting next week that will 593 01:07:19,599 --> 01:07:31,119 discuss the 27 application period. >> Any reason why they decline 2425 594 01:07:29,440 --> 01:07:35,280 26? >> Those reasons? Well, it's a very 595 01:07:33,760 --> 01:07:40,880 competitive program through the United States Environmental Protection Agency 596 01:07:37,520 --> 01:07:45,839 and um they're regional applications and so people all over the United States 597 01:07:42,720 --> 01:07:50,559 review different locations. our applications have been competitive um 598 01:07:48,400 --> 01:07:59,359 but there's not enough money to serve all and so um those grant applications 599 01:07:54,640 --> 01:08:04,480 um are typically for a 3 to 5 year um period of performance and 600 01:08:02,880 --> 01:08:09,039 um we work with the upper coastal plane 601 01:08:06,880 --> 01:08:15,119 council of governments um because the regional applications are determined to 602 01:08:12,000 --> 01:08:21,440 be the most success successful option And so um there is feedback that has 603 01:08:19,440 --> 01:08:24,960 been shared with the applicant, you know, with applicants as far as we'll 604 01:08:23,279 --> 01:08:30,400 learn more about what we need to do to improve our application. Um but again, 605 01:08:28,159 --> 01:08:34,719 it's it's a very competitive program. Um buildings all across the United States 606 01:08:32,000 --> 01:08:43,120 are experiencing similar conditions. um they were built 100 plus years ago and 607 01:08:37,359 --> 01:08:47,120 and um but really the the owners failing to maintain and then neglecting their 608 01:08:45,600 --> 01:08:52,239 properties is how we end up where we are. and and you know and I kind of said 609 01:08:50,159 --> 01:08:57,759 it but she kind of said it too and I I think it is something to kind of keep in 610 01:08:53,759 --> 01:09:02,400 mind is the kind of course of of building over the the 20th century and 611 01:09:00,000 --> 01:09:08,880 the 21st century and that this is a problem that is not is not unique to 612 01:09:06,319 --> 01:09:16,319 Reno Rapids. It's a problem that that a lot of towns our size and smaller have 613 01:09:11,839 --> 01:09:21,600 in that you have um a a significant amount of especially commercial 614 01:09:19,440 --> 01:09:26,080 um structures that were built in the middle 615 01:09:23,839 --> 01:09:28,960 part of the 20th century and they they've just reached the end of their 616 01:09:27,440 --> 01:09:35,120 lifespan. And um you know because like cities in 617 01:09:33,120 --> 01:09:39,600 our case have have built out and kind of moved away from their main streets um 618 01:09:37,759 --> 01:09:43,040 because of the cost of remediating a building versus just building something 619 01:09:41,759 --> 01:09:46,480 new. um 620 01:09:44,880 --> 01:09:52,719 you kind of end up in in these situations where you have an an aging 621 01:09:50,080 --> 01:09:59,120 um main street in our case and in a lot of cases that um 622 01:09:56,719 --> 01:10:04,880 the the costs just make it proative probitative for even the for for the 623 01:10:01,760 --> 01:10:10,239 owners to remediate. And at that point, you know, that there comes a point where 624 01:10:07,040 --> 01:10:13,120 the exposure to them is, you know, that there's there's nothing 625 01:10:11,760 --> 01:10:18,400 that you can do. I think we've talked before about when something is held by a 626 01:10:15,679 --> 01:10:24,320 LLC when it's and and that's the only asset. Yes, I would we would love to be 627 01:10:21,440 --> 01:10:29,120 able to go after um the individuals involved in the LLC, but the fact of the 628 01:10:26,239 --> 01:10:34,480 matter is is you generally cannot do that. Not not for a liability such as 629 01:10:31,760 --> 01:10:39,600 this. Um, if courts allowed you to pierce the corporate veil in scenarios 630 01:10:37,280 --> 01:10:42,880 like this, you wouldn't have LLC's. There would be 631 01:10:41,440 --> 01:10:47,840 no there would be no point in that that corporate protection. Um, is that fair? 632 01:10:45,920 --> 01:10:54,800 Is that right? In this case, it really does, you know, hurt a city like ours in 633 01:10:51,440 --> 01:11:01,679 that um, you know, a a the an LLC can own or a a corporation or 634 01:10:59,840 --> 01:11:05,040 corporate entity can own a piece of property like this with no other assets 635 01:11:03,280 --> 01:11:10,800 and basically say, well, you know, it's a there's we don't have any other 636 01:11:06,960 --> 01:11:15,520 assets. We just have liabilities. Um, and so that that really, you know, 637 01:11:12,320 --> 01:11:19,280 constrains our our ability to be able to um 638 01:11:17,679 --> 01:11:24,640 recover anything. You you can't get blood from a turnup. Um and and you 639 01:11:22,960 --> 01:11:28,719 know, unfortunately, regardless of what what some people may want or or may, you 640 01:11:27,440 --> 01:11:33,679 know, depending on how you look at it, be just, you know, we're not going to be 641 01:11:31,120 --> 01:11:38,800 able to go out and and drag the members of that LLC and and throw them in jail 642 01:11:37,040 --> 01:11:42,719 or or threaten them in any way to get them to to do that. That's just not 643 01:11:40,239 --> 01:11:48,239 something that legally we have the tools for in in this state 644 01:11:44,560 --> 01:11:52,640 or in in the country. Um, and so anyway, that like again that that may be kind of 645 01:11:49,920 --> 01:11:57,920 getting outside of of the kind of specific instance we're talking about, 646 01:11:54,640 --> 01:12:03,040 but that's the [clears throat] that's the context that we're in. So, 647 01:12:00,560 --> 01:12:10,800 » okay. Thank you, Mr. Davis. Anything else needs to come before us tonight? 648 01:12:06,000 --> 01:12:16,719 Mayor, I'd like to um suggest I think I've talked with a couple of council 649 01:12:12,880 --> 01:12:24,960 members about this upcoming um fall litter sweep and I think this would be a 650 01:12:20,320 --> 01:12:31,760 great opportunity for us to assist our citizens in getting our areas cleaned 651 01:12:28,560 --> 01:12:38,320 up. Um Mr. Manning, I think it was said that you could provide bags or something 652 01:12:34,320 --> 01:12:42,480 from the county. Is that correct? >> Oh, 653 01:12:39,199 --> 01:12:44,320 » from DOT house for state first roads. >> Okay, great. 654 01:12:43,120 --> 01:12:49,040 » It's Mr. Love. >> Um, 655 01:12:46,400 --> 01:12:55,679 I just like to put the word out if we have organizations that are willing to 656 01:12:52,320 --> 01:13:00,640 do some community cleanup during the during that time. They've designated 657 01:12:57,679 --> 01:13:06,640 September 12th through the 26 to please 658 01:13:02,880 --> 01:13:12,400 do so. let me know personally if we have other council members. I think Mr. Bale 659 01:13:09,360 --> 01:13:19,760 and Stain had possibly agreed. We'd be happy to come out and help do some work 660 01:13:15,440 --> 01:13:24,239 and, you know, help beautify our city. I don't know what we can do, how much 661 01:13:22,400 --> 01:13:30,960 difference it'll make, but if it's only two or three yards that we get done, 662 01:13:28,080 --> 01:13:36,000 it's going to make it look better than, you know, we not doing anything. and we 663 01:13:33,679 --> 01:13:42,800 invite other community groups to join in and let us know if you need the bags or 664 01:13:39,440 --> 01:13:48,400 whatever and we can set a schedule as to where we want to work during those some 665 01:13:46,480 --> 01:13:51,360 of those days. Thanks. >> I like that idea. 666 01:14:01,199 --> 01:14:05,400 motion. Second second