2026-10-26 - Neighborhood Improvement Services Advisory Committee

00:24I would like to call this meeting of the

00:26neighborhood improvement services

00:28advisory committee to order. I would

00:30also like to thank the viewer audience

00:32uh for tuning in tonight and I would

00:34also like to ask Dr. Lan Harvey to lead

00:36us an invocation.

00:39Let us mouth. Father, in the name of

00:40Jesus, Lord God, we thank you for

00:42tonight. We thank you, Lord God, for

00:43this gathering, Father God, as we come

00:45together, Lord God, in Jesus name, on

00:47one accord, we thank you, Lord God, for

00:49wisdom. We thank you for clarity to make

00:52sound decisions. We thank you, Lord God,

00:54in Jesus name that all that we do, we do

00:57it united. We do it in love. We do it,

00:59we do it in grace because it is all

01:01about this community that you have

01:03called that you have called us to.

01:05Father, we thank you and we praise you

01:07in Jesus name. Amen.

01:09>> Amen.

01:09>> Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Um at this

01:11time, we'd like to have a welcome

01:13introduction um from from the members

01:15and staff.

01:18>> Paul Jones, member.

01:20>> Lyn Harvey, member.

01:21>> Lean Hart, the neighborhood improvement

01:23services coordinator.

01:24>> Tracy Jackson, director of neighborhood

01:26improvement services.

01:28>> Pamela Trafton, neighborhood improvement

01:30services manager.

01:31>> James Sutton, member. Marshia Wright,

01:34member.

01:35>> And I'm Will Smith, the chair. Has

01:37everyone had the opportunity to review

01:39the agenda?

01:40Are there any changes or any additions

01:43to this agenda?

01:46If there no changes or additions, is

01:48there a motion to approve the agenda? So

01:50move.

01:51>> Second.

01:52>> We got a second. Um any any discussion?

01:56Okay. All in favor say I.

01:58>> I.

01:59>> Okay. The motion is carried. Um at this

02:02time we'd like to move um with the

02:05demolition and clearance program.

02:09>> Well, good evening everyone. Um as you

02:12remember we talked about going over some

02:14of the services that we offer with our

02:16um department. Today we're going to go

02:18over our demolition program. It is part

02:20of our uh CD CDBG funding as it meets

02:24one of the hood initiatives which is

02:26clearance of slum and blight. And so

02:29this is how um could you hear me? Oh,

02:33okay.

02:34This we're just going to briefly go over

02:36how we run the program here at the city

02:37of Jacksonville. Next slide. So the

02:40purpose of the demolition program is to

02:42offer assistance to property owners who

02:44voluntarily participate in the removal

02:47of slum and blight. Um this volunteer um

02:50assistance could come be on behalf of

02:52whether they may have a property whether

02:54it be residential or commercial um that

02:57has been identified as a um safety or

02:59health hazard by code enforcement. So we

03:02can address it in that way or the

03:04property member property owner can come

03:06directly to us and say that they would

03:08like to go through the process how to

03:11start the process of demolishing a

03:12property that no long that's no longer

03:14inhabited or no longer safe to be

03:17inhabited. Okay, next slide. So our

03:20funding source, we do use community

03:22development block grant funding for this

03:25program. It allows the city of

03:26Jacksonville to use the federal fun

03:28federal dollars to help remove

03:30dilapidated structures located within

03:32the city limits, which is eliminating

03:34all slim and black because we want our

03:36neighborhood in our city to look nice.

03:39>> We use these funds to cover all the

03:41costs related to the demolition and

03:43clearance of all eligible structures.

03:45There is a cap, however, uh that cap is

03:48at $10,000 and that includes from any

03:51environmental testing that we have to do

03:54and as well as taking care of the

03:55removal of the structure. Okay, next

03:59slide. Oh, yes. And one other thing that

04:03I wanted to uh reiterate is anything

04:05that goes beyond the $10,000

04:08is covered by the property owner. And

04:10it's important that the property owner

04:11knows and understands that before they

04:13begin this process.

04:17Um, property owners may apply for a

04:19maximum of two uh twice during one u

04:22fiscal year

04:24and also understand that if you have a

04:26duplex that you are looking to have

04:28demolished, it will count as two

04:30structures.

04:35So to receive an agreement, you need to

04:37contact the uh our department

04:38neighborhood improvement services

04:40directly. The number is listed there,

04:42910-938-6546,

04:45or you can uh send us send me an email

04:47and I can assist you in getting the

04:49appropriate paperwork to begin this

04:51process. Or if you just want to find out

04:53more information, definitely give me a

04:55call or send me an email.

04:59>> Thank you.

05:01She's got two more.

05:04>> So, our eligible applicants is any

05:06property owner whose residential

05:07structure has been deemed dilapidated in

05:09condition or poses a health and safety

05:11hazard and that's within the city

05:13limits. The owner can uh cannot have any

05:16outstanding fees that are owed to the

05:18city uh like no taxes, no uh no leans or

05:22any what leans? No leans or anything or

05:25uh if you have anything that's owed to

05:27the city. So all that must be cleared as

05:29it pertains if it's related to that

05:31property before you go through this

05:32process with us.

05:33>> Yeah. Like water bill,

05:35>> water bill, taxes, things like that.

05:37>> Those false alarm codes.

05:40>> Mhm.

05:41>> Mhm.

05:45>> So um the properties that are eligible

05:48are all unoccupied buildings uh single

05:52family dies within the city limits. the

05:54property uh will be inspected by uh

05:57someone from our department as well as

05:58our inspections department as well and

06:01we will also go through the appropriate

06:03process as HUD requires on our next

06:05slide.

06:08So our priority conditions are those

06:10that are uh resident structures that

06:12have been identified within the city

06:14limits. That means that if you are

06:15outside of the city limits, we our

06:18department cannot help you, but we will

06:20direct you to the county services that

06:22may be able to assist you. Okay.

06:28So, these are the divisions that help

06:30us. We work with our closely with our

06:32inspections department. Our streets

06:34department helps us tremendously as they

06:36do uh assist with cutting down some of

06:38the cost. Then we make don't have to

06:40contract it out per se to have it done.

06:43Uh we do work with our code enforcement

06:45to make sure that they um they don't not

06:47invi uh any violation and then um

06:51identify any preparation work. We also

06:54do all the prep work and write up as

06:56well to make sure that uh we're able to

06:58go through this process for removal.

07:04Per HUD requirements, we are required to

07:06do a environmental review, which means

07:09we do have to um send it out to Shipo,

07:12which is a state historical pres

07:14preservation office to see if that

07:17property has been identified as a

07:18historical uh uh preservation, meaning

07:22that there's certain things that either

07:24we may not be able to bring down that

07:25structure or if it affects anything

07:28around that uh area that's been deemed

07:31uh historical. Okay. And it does require

07:35that we do any all environmental testing

07:37as well.

07:39Understand that that cost

07:43if the if you have to remove any

07:45asbestous from the property that cost

07:47that cost goes towards that $10,000 in

07:50the beginning. Okay. So if that could if

07:53there's a lot of asbestous that has to

07:54be removed because we do have to

07:56contract that out. That could eat up a

07:58lot of your cost.

08:02And then when we do a demolition, we

08:05take it all completely down all the way

08:07down to the ground and then we seed and

08:09straw the area and it's just a vacant

08:11lot.

08:15We also assist with commercial

08:16demolition. However, we cannot utilize

08:19CDBG funds for this uh for commercial

08:22structures. The property owner is

08:24responsible for funding all of the core

08:27u all of the uh activities of the

08:29demolition. We can assist in

08:31coordinating and helping it happen, but

08:32we do not fund the cost of that.

08:36>> And that's it.

08:41>> Any questions? Anybody?

08:42>> Do we have like a number of like

08:44abandoned houses in Jacksonville that

08:48nobody owns or abandoned buildings?

08:51>> No.

08:52>> I will.

08:53>> Do we have those?

08:54>> Yeah,

08:55>> we do have some vacant and abandoned

08:57structures. Um, we are going through

09:01neighborhood by neighborhood to do a

09:03windshield inspection, okay, to identify

09:06some of those properties.

09:08>> Okay.

09:08>> I will say that the latest um windshield

09:11inspection we did was in the Northwoods

09:13area and there is a significant amount

09:15of vacant and abandoned structures in

09:17that area.

09:18>> Okay. So any of those property owners

09:21that own that those properties that

09:23either own them outright or meaning that

09:26they've inherited the property or no

09:27longer plan to live there and

09:31the structure is coming into a

09:33dilapidated uh state, give us a call and

09:37we can assist them either with the

09:38demolition process or any of our other

09:41programs.

09:42>> All right. Thank you so much.

09:43>> I've got a couple questions. Is there a

09:45U income? No, there is no income limit

09:49or requirement for this particular

09:51program.

09:52>> And when you talk about commercial

09:53properties,

09:55>> and I asked because um the law is always

10:00slower to catch up than than real time

10:02activities in the community or in the

10:04world is. And um if if you are per if

10:10you're looking to buy property and flip

10:13houses or

10:16uh take things what's currently there

10:19cuz it's it's gone down and you want to

10:23clear it out and build it. Would that be

10:26considered a commercial structure?

10:29>> Um are you talking about commercial or

10:30you talking about residential?

10:33That's what I'm asking you

10:34>> about residential because

10:36>> we don't have any dealings with that at

10:38all.

10:38>> Okay. We don't I know that there are

10:41people who are doing a fair amount of

10:44acquiring properties.

10:45>> Yes.

10:45>> I think I think what she's what to make

10:47it clear not the commercial side cuz the

10:49commercial people have to pay their own

10:51cost.

10:52>> If I found a house in North dilapidated,

10:56>> I go and acquire it.

10:58>> I don't want the house anymore. I come

11:00fill out the application and have it

11:01torn down because I'm planning on um a

11:05infield bill

11:07>> to sell a house or sell a house. So with

11:10that the house has to be and meet our

11:14threshold of dilapidation.

11:16>> Okay.

11:16>> So uh we that's why we have the

11:18inspectors to come out to determine the

11:21condition of the building. We have

11:23turned down those types of structures

11:26because they just did not meet the

11:27threshold of dilapidation.

11:29>> Yeah. And on the back end, okay, say for

11:32instance that does happen for someone

11:34who has a house on a piece of property

11:37and they say, you know what, I just want

11:38to get it torn down. So I come to the

11:40city, it doesn't meet the threshold over

11:42$10,000.

11:44How many years or months or decades do

11:47they have to wait to rebuild something

11:49else on that piece of property? because

11:51it is a grant.

11:52>> Mhm.

11:55So, we can we can send you that

11:57information

11:59um through the email because there there

12:02is a a threshold in some years that HUD

12:05requires, but we can give you that

12:07information um through our email.

12:10>> Yes, ma'am. So, so if if you're out

12:12there and you're thinking about doing

12:14something like that, make sure you email

12:15the neighborhood improvement advisory um

12:18department so they can um make sure you

12:20handle that the right way.

12:22>> Yes. So, we will make sure that all

12:24facets and regulations and streams

12:27according to the HUD funding is going to

12:30be addressed before we uh go in and deap

12:35uh demolish a dilapidated structure.

12:37>> Yes, sir.

12:38>> Thank you so much.

12:41I wanted to get clarity in regards to

12:45what Miss Wright asked if someone

12:50respectfully if a flipper

12:54>> bought a bought a home in the Northwoods

12:57area

12:59and

13:02is that something that this fund would

13:05pay for?

13:06>> Pay for a flip?

13:08>> Yeah. I mean, we don't know that coming

13:11in per se, but if someone has a home

13:14somewhere else in Jacksonville and then

13:16they purchase one in Northwoods,

13:19>> so the purpose of the program is to

13:21eliminate slum and blight.

13:24>> So, it doesn't matter who owns the

13:26property. If that property is a slum and

13:29blighted eyesore in a neighborhood, of

13:32course, we want to go in and improve

13:34that neighborhood by eliminating that

13:36slum and blighted structure. Um because

13:40you can have issues, negative behaviors

13:42going in and out and that will, you

13:44know, help decline the neighborhood. So,

13:47we will eliminate that slum and blight.

13:49That's one of the national objectives

13:51for this HUD um CDBG funding. So it

13:55doesn't matter who owns it. If it's a if

13:58it's a a a blight in the neighborhood,

14:02we will, you know, go in and help.

14:04>> And the second part of that is the email

14:05that you say you

14:06>> correct. Correct. That would be

14:09>> So that would answer the second part is

14:11you don't want to um and that's

14:14>> because it is a two-part fold of it. So

14:16we don't want it to be taken the first

14:20continue to help flip and everything.

14:22That's not the um

14:23>> that's not the purpose. No,

14:26>> I'm saying is that I know it's not the

14:28purpose of the program in

14:31>> as you see it,

14:32>> but can I make a case for that? Because

14:35like I said, the law has not caught up

14:38with certain kinds of uh commercial

14:41enterprises for Airbnbs. There's there's

14:44almost no law in the state of North

14:46Carolina that governs what that is. They

14:48can't even explain it to you legally

14:50what that is. And so that's why I asked

14:53about the commercial

14:56>> enterprise but it is but it's not a

14:58building. It's not a store. It's a home

15:01that's being converted to a particular

15:02use.

15:03>> Yeah. See

15:04>> and understand it too that the source of

15:06the always look at where the source of

15:08the funds is coming from because this

15:09community development block grant that

15:11has its own regulations that still must

15:14be applied as well. Have those

15:16conversations.

15:17>> We we also have a budget. So there is a

15:20budget, a yearly annual budget. We can't

15:22just spend a lot of money on

15:25demolitions. So there is a set budget

15:28for that. So once we run out of funds,

15:30then if it qualifies, that structure

15:33will go on a waiting list.

15:36>> I have a question that has been asked in

15:38our neighborhood meetings several times.

15:41When someone gets in a program like

15:44this, whether it be purchasing one of

15:47the um houses that you refurbish and

15:51sell or a tear down project and once the

15:56money is spent on those things and they

15:59get into the property and they start

16:01hoarding in that property again,

16:04um what happens in that situation? Do

16:06you have any um recourse to go back and

16:11say, you know, you can't you can't be

16:13hoarding the the house that we've helped

16:15you to get in or uh we took down this

16:20building and now you're hoarding up the

16:22property.

16:23>> What are the rules where that's

16:24concerned?

16:25>> So, if you're talking about um trash and

16:29debris,

16:30>> Yes, ma'am.

16:30>> then that house and along with any other

16:33house in Jacksonville would file on a

16:34code enforcement. code enforcement.

16:36>> So you would call code enforcement to

16:39report any activity at that house or any

16:42house that didn't come through our

16:44program.

16:45>> So our houses are not um

16:49>> are not um weighed for that kind of

16:51activity. So um everyone has to abide by

16:56the MUN code and the the the UDO.

16:58>> Correct.

16:59>> And that's that's covered the MUN code

17:01covers code enforcement for trash and

17:03debris. So feel free to

17:06>> call and and report just like you would

17:08do any other house in Jacksonville.

17:10>> Absolutely.

17:12>> Question.

17:14So she's saying that if it's commercial

17:17property,

17:18>> it's zone as commercial property. Then

17:20the owner has to

17:22>> the owner has to owner will take care of

17:24it.

17:24>> Owner will take care of um

17:25>> it has to be zoned commercial.

17:27>> It has to be a commercial property.

17:29>> That's what I'm saying. up there it says

17:31we cannot utilize demolition commercial

17:33so it has to be in that commercial zone

17:35been there for a business or

17:37>> right it's a true commercial not

17:38residential property

17:39>> does the city buy

17:42Wait a minute the one that was torn down

17:44behind the McDonald's over there

17:48>> the way grocery store

17:50>> old now it's clear now wasn't that

17:53commercial property

17:54>> yes

17:55>> does the city own that or just the man

17:57had it torn down

17:58>> just had it torn down torn Well, it's

18:00been down a long time and there's no use

18:02to what I'm saying. I'm like, why don't

18:02they put something there?

18:05>> Yes,

18:06>> cuz Will's been gone a long time.

18:08>> Maybe they'll put another way.

18:11>> I'm teasing.

18:12>> Okay. All right. Thank you guys for

18:14that.

18:15>> The minutes of um August 24th, 226

18:19meeting has been provided for your

18:21review. Has everyone had the opportunity

18:23to review the minutes?

18:27>> Yes. Are there any changes or additions?

18:32There's no changes or additions. Um, can

18:35we have a motion to approve those

18:37minutes?

18:38>> Make a motion that may be view accepted

18:40as read.

18:40>> Thank you, ma'am.

18:41>> With the necessary configuration if

18:43there

18:44>> second. Thank you. Any discussion?

18:49All in favor say I.

18:51>> I.

18:52>> All right. Motion carried.

18:54Uh this time we will not have a planning

18:58board updating that someone else um got

19:00it for Mr. March and we will move on to

19:03Liverpool neighborhoods.

19:06>> Just a quick reminder of our mission

19:08statement. Um, just knowing that we as

19:12the staff and as our advisory committee,

19:15we want to make sure that we are all

19:16taking that opportunity to make sure

19:19that we are sharing the information and

19:21knowing that everything that we're doing

19:23is being available to improve the

19:25quality of life for our citizens. Um, we

19:28definitely want to have the public

19:30participation. So, if you have an

19:32opportunity for us to be present, which

19:34we'll talk about a little bit later on

19:36as well, um to be present in your

19:39meetings or your community organizations

19:42so that way we can explain our programs

19:46if there are additional questions. And

19:48we want to make sure that our advisory

19:51committees are our ambassadors because

19:53y'all are our voices to the roads. Um

19:56and make sure that the information being

19:58put out is correct. And if you have any

20:01questions, please don't hesitate to come

20:02on in and sit with us and ask those

20:04questions cuz we want to make sure that

20:06y'all are given the correct information

20:08in the community as well.

20:10>> I got a question for you that I think

20:13that can help us meet the mission. Do we

20:15know based or maybe get it through the

20:17um board of realtors or something? How

20:19many different

20:22um like what is it called? neighborhood

20:25associations,

20:27>> um, homeowners associations that we have

20:29within the city limits. Um, different,

20:31um, neighborhoods that don't have

20:33homeowners associations, but that have a

20:36group of homeowners that meet um, that

20:39maybe we can send them like a little um,

20:43um, public service announcement, you

20:45know, come down to this meeting, but

20:47also if you want somebody at your

20:49meeting, we'll show up.

20:51>> Absolutely. Uh but I don't know where we

20:53could possibly

20:55get a hold of that at

20:58>> ours and for codes. Isn't that correct?

21:00Are they the only ones or are they

21:02>> Those are the only two that was uh

21:05formed through the city,

21:06>> right? But to Chairman Smith's point, uh

21:10we can definitely reach out to the board

21:11of realtors through their property

21:13management to see how many um HOAs there

21:16are that we can partner with.

21:18>> And then if there's any informal

21:21organizations, you know, that's still an

21:23opportunity for them to say, "Hey, our

21:26neighborhood does meet informally." And

21:28then we can provide that information.

21:29>> Because I think um you got that one out

21:31in um

21:34Georgetown. I think got two um

21:36>> the preservation society.

21:38>> Preservation society. Get you know get

21:40all of them.

21:40>> Got one bill for

21:42>> that. I think she mentioned um but the

21:44more

21:45>> the more we can get out the information

21:47out kind of

21:49>> um we can mitigate some of the um

21:52misconceptions of what neighborhood

21:55improvement does.

21:56>> Correct. And to kind of give you an idea

21:59like when I'm out and about, you know,

22:01and I ask people where when I ask

22:02people, hey, where you live at? They

22:03don't want to tell me at first, but then

22:05I say, "Hey, I sit on this on this board

22:07and this is what we're trying to do."

22:09Then they offer more information,

22:12>> you know, um because of that. And then

22:14I'll bring it back like I got a couple

22:16things for tonight. Um maybe we can help

22:20meet the mission along with um I think

22:23you'll talk about a little bit later,

22:25you know, our annual action plans,

22:27getting them in front of th those um

22:29groups also.

22:30>> Absolutely. And I'm I'm pleased to um

22:34just notice that we have representation

22:37for those uh neighborhood association.

22:39We have Miss Miss Harvey here. She

22:42represent Bill Fork. We also have Miss

22:44Marsha Wright and Miss Jane Sutton. They

22:47represent the Bayhore. And we also have

22:50Dr. Brad who represent the Georgetown

22:52preservation. So those neighborhood

22:55associations, they're present. They're

22:57right here. So we will they and they

23:00know that we will come because we have

23:02come to um their meetings previously. So

23:06um it's good to know that they're here

23:08at the table but they also can we also

23:11have room at the table for others.

23:15>> Thank you. Well said. Thank you so much.

23:17>> If I could I'd like to take a moment. Um

23:19uh we spoke with uh JPD, the officers at

23:23JPD, and one of them had just come back

23:25from a training program in Quanico.

23:28>> Mhm.

23:29>> And they were talking about in Quanico

23:32about different neighborhoods having

23:34organizations if they don't have a

23:36homeowners association where they can

23:39watch the community, have the community

23:41watch like we used to do. and he said

23:44that he used Beayshore Estates as an

23:47example

23:49of what we can do as a community

23:52>> and working with the different programs

23:54with the city and uh he said somebody

23:58said well does it work and he said it

24:00absolutely works.

24:01>> So what do you guys think that living

24:03beay shore does it work?

24:04>> Oh yes oh yeah we for decades at least

24:07at least 10 years. Yeah,

24:08>> we started off through the city.

24:10>> Y

24:11>> and u I think already had something.

24:14>> Yes.

24:15>> And so but this one I don't think it

24:17when it you know when you change

24:19managers you do have issues you know

24:21what or something else the city council

24:24wants to look at

24:25>> but these are um cuz people always want

24:28to know about this HOA concept. this is

24:30not what we have,

24:31>> you know, there no dues, there's no, you

24:34know, uh,

24:34>> do you guys still have the blueprint to

24:36maybe offer it to other like I live in

24:38the comments, we don't have uh

24:41homeowners association,

24:43>> you know, or a

24:45>> neighborhood watch.

24:46>> Now, you know what? Okay, I'm going to

24:48tell you this here, right? Right on the

24:49corner of my house, and this I know this

24:51getting off subject, right? But we got a

24:53neighborhood watch um you know the 911

24:55crime stoppers neighborhood watch thing

24:57and um just somebody that lives close to

25:00me

25:01>> in my house and they said hey who's over

25:04this neighborhood watch. So of course we

25:06call police department

25:09>> we don't

25:10>> okay

25:10>> it's a sign

25:12>> to

25:13>> deter deter. So we want to fix that

25:17>> in in our neighborhood. We want to fix

25:18that. So, we want to actually get some

25:20people um that are watching the

25:22neighborhood.

25:23>> Part of my neighborhood downtown has

25:28that kind of thing. Not the part I live

25:30in, but parts around me.

25:33>> Um I think they still have it. They used

25:36there used to be there are signs up

25:39>> on those areas.

25:40>> Nobody's watching.

25:40>> And um then down I know behind the ball

25:43field down there, they have it down

25:45there as well.

25:47Yeah. So,

25:48>> but it's just a good idea if we had a

25:50blueprint when we started inviting

25:52people to come that we could that's

25:54that's the point. I'm sorry.

25:56>> And I was thinking it would be closed in

25:59the sense that

26:00>> if you don't live there, you can't come,

26:01right? That's right.

26:02>> You know, so if somebody uh would be

26:05interested in just seeing what we do,

26:07you know, are represented from different

26:08neighborhoods. And we didn't want to

26:10make it complicated, you know, because

26:12uh

26:14you know, HOAs can tend to have leave

26:17people with a bad taste in their mouth

26:19depending upon how the whole thing

26:20operates.

26:21>> That's right. and um when you can tell

26:23them no, this is not what we're doing

26:25cuz I think we had people who assumed or

26:29>> yes thought that we had that and would

26:32and refuse to attend and you know and

26:35when you get an issue like flooding or

26:38uh it can be anything hurricanes, people

26:40move into this community like I did. I

26:42had never even heard of a hurricane

26:45uh when I first came here because I came

26:47from a part of the country that that

26:48didn't happen. And when you uh move into

26:52an area and then you see people having,

26:56you know, they got a plan for getting

26:57fixed up and ready for this whatever

27:00this is that's coming that I had no clue

27:02about, you know, and helping people like

27:05that. The people come in, they go out,

27:07but um even trash cans, trash pickup, it

27:11could be anything, you know, cuz the

27:12city has I like the the u program you

27:16have. Is that the city that where you

27:17would they send me a email and a text

27:20message and a voicemail?

27:22>> City Connect. Yes. City

27:24>> Connect.

27:27I really do I really do like that

27:29because it, you know, it is the city of

27:31Jacksonville.

27:32>> Uhhuh.

27:34And as people move in, I don't know how

27:36the city gets that note that information

27:39out to them. Join it. You don't have to

27:41pay anything. All you got to do is give

27:43up your phone number and your email and

27:45you'll be glad you did.

27:48>> I think they put it in their water bill.

27:50>> Yeah, that's right.

27:52>> Great.

27:57>> All right. So, for our nonprofit update,

27:59we have a date correction. It's not

28:01November December uh 3rd and 4th. That's

28:04November 18th

28:06is our next nonprofit executive round

28:09table held over at the Coastal Community

28:11College at the small business center.

28:15We're going to have a young lady come

28:17and talk about um no note what is that

28:21financial stress for nonprofits. So she

28:25is a uh QuickBooks p uh guru. She's

28:29going to come in and give some great

28:30information to nonprofit agencies about

28:32QuickBooks and help them with their

28:34finances and getting their books

28:35straight.

28:36>> Is there a cost for that?

28:37>> There is no cost for this. If you have a

28:40nonprofit agency, uh whether you're new

28:42or you've been around for quite some

28:44time, it's a great way to come get

28:46education um and also collabor

28:49collaboration as well. And um you can

28:53register

28:55back.

28:57I don't have the registration on there,

28:59but you can register online. That goes

29:01from 11 uh a.m. to 1:00 p.m. And then

29:04this is

29:09the uh registration is the same below.

29:12Okay, that's the registration address.

29:16So, also coming up December 3rd and 4th,

29:19those agencies, nonprofit agencies that

29:22are looking to seek out uh grant funding

29:24through the city, we have our nonprofit

29:26workshop that is mandatory. Um, you must

29:30have agency representation in order to

29:32receive an application for uh submission

29:36for the uh FY28

29:39uh funding cycle for our nonprofits.

29:43that Thursday.

29:44>> Both of those are on the website, right?

29:46>> Yes, they will be on the website. Yes,

29:47as we get closer. It will be It's in

29:49December. Say it again. Who said

29:50November?

29:51>> I would I was going to ask you if you'd

29:53go back to November 18th.

29:55>> Yes, ma'am.

29:55>> That's going to be where?

29:56>> It's at Coastal Community College.

29:59>> 18.

30:03>> You got a question?

30:07>> So, it is on November 18th.

30:08>> No, no, no. She's asking about the

30:10executive round table. They're two two

30:13different things.

30:13>> Two different things.

30:14>> Okay.

30:15>> She's asking about the executive round

30:17table

30:17>> for training.

30:18>> Okay.

30:19>> Okay. This right here is our nonprofit

30:21funding workshop.

30:23>> Yeah.

30:23>> Mhm.

30:24>> Yeah. I'm back on key. I'm looking at

30:25the key dates. Okay.

30:26>> Okay.

30:28>> I was

30:33round table meetings occur quarterly.

30:35>> Yes, they do. and they're very good uh

30:38opportunities to

30:39>> get information and share whatever it is

30:42you're doing. Yes,

30:43>> that was the purpose of doing this in

30:45the first place.

30:46>> Okay.

30:48>> And you only have to attend one of the

30:50workshop days.

30:58>> All right. Reconstruction. So, this home

31:01in itself, you saw it earlier on the

31:03demo slide. It is currently being um

31:07rebuilt um for privacy concerns. We

31:10won't put the newest one up there um

31:12just for privacy of the current owner.

31:16Um

31:19123 Kit Drive. Yes, we're getting ready

31:22to start on the final re uh rehab uh

31:27activities for this particular property

31:28and it will be coming online for

31:30purchase very soon. So, anyone that is

31:33interested in attending, she's getting

31:36ready to talk about it. Our new home

31:37buyers program for those that want to

31:40purchase a home, this will be a great

31:41opportunity as this has been newly

31:43renovated for a new home buyer.

31:50>> Yeah, washer and dryer.

31:54And you don't have a date yet for

31:57>> for the sale when it when it's available

32:01>> as soon as they finish with all the

32:03activities for the rehab online for

32:06sale.

32:07>> Yep. So all of our um when we get into

32:10our home ownership, but to answer the

32:12question too, all of our programs are

32:15first come with applications. Um, we

32:18have our home buyer education and our

32:20money management which are the last

32:23money management is November 7th for

32:25this year. How far down we were

32:29um so it wouldn't duplicate but um all

32:32our programs are first come first serve

32:35application required um classes are

32:38required. So, as this one is currently

32:41still going through some renov some

32:44rehab projects,

32:46um it is available for those that are

32:49approved to purchase a home. Um

32:52depending on their application and what

32:54they are approved for financially, we'll

32:57identify if this house is a contender

33:00for them or if another one come online.

33:03Um, we do not advertise to the public

33:07market per se, um, because we do

33:10everything for sale by owner. Um,

33:13however, once we have the house

33:15officially ready to go, we are

33:19advertising, pushing out, and asking

33:22for, if you know somebody that's looking

33:23to purchase a home, um, again, have to

33:27submit an application, have to meet low

33:29mod income requirements, have to qualify

33:32for the minimum credit score, um, which

33:35depending if they need down payment

33:38assistance would be 640 to 660. Um if

33:42they don't need down payment assistance

33:46um per se, they could qualify for as low

33:48as 600. Um and then qualifying for a

33:53first-time mortgage. If they have not

33:56purchased a home before and are not

33:59familiar with the process, I do like to

34:01start them out with our housing

34:03counseling program. So that way we can

34:05identify if they're ready to become a

34:08homeowner and take one of the upcoming

34:10classes or if there's additional work

34:12that has to be done. But in that

34:14meantime, there's applications coming in

34:17behind just from people that have

34:18attended the classes and they're aware

34:21of the program um because we'll

34:23highlight those that have purchased

34:25homes already. So they'll see the type

34:27of work that we do and that kind of

34:30jumpst starts them with wanting to

34:31submit an application just to have their

34:34name in the pipeline as well. Good

34:36information. Do you have a price yet for

34:39what this house will be?

34:40>> No, not yet.

34:45>> This has got to be finished.

34:47>> I'm looking to

34:48>> cuz they do fair market appraisals,

34:50right?

34:50>> She said no.

34:51>> Yep. It will have an appraisal. Um we do

34:54make sure that it appraises for the

34:56amount as well. Um so that way meets the

35:01requirements.

35:03Reminder too that with the appraisals,

35:06the land is one of the requirements of

35:08what we do the 10-year um loan on that

35:11they have to be in there deferred. So

35:14they have to live in the house for at

35:15least 10 years. So if somebody is kind

35:17of just here for 3 years and leaving,

35:20this is not going to be the program for

35:21them. Um, so we are looking to sustain

35:24our neighborhoods and just revitalize

35:27and bring home ownership back onto

35:30place.

35:31>> Thank you.

35:32>> Absolutely.

35:33>> Great.

35:38Some more pictures. Um,

35:42all right. And with the rehab, this one

35:44shows our 426 Myrtlewood Circle. Um it

35:48has finalized all of its renovations and

35:51it closes on Wednesday. So this one will

35:55have a new homeowner going in

35:58>> um purchase through the property

36:01updates.

36:04So showing

36:06that's it.

36:07>> I had a question about the about that

36:09house too now. And it's neither here nor

36:12there,

36:12>> but the the old picture had gutters but

36:15the new picture didn't and it's bouncing

36:17down on there. They like are they not

36:21required to have those out there or just

36:24a no?

36:25>> So industry standards has taught us that

36:28the gutters have rotted the facasia

36:30boards. Okay. And so they recommend that

36:33we take the gutters down, put some

36:35dividers, u diverters up in the roof

36:38line, and because people are not going

36:41to be able to get up there and clean

36:43those gutters like they're supposed to.

36:46>> So that's why industry tells us to just

36:50take the gutters down and let nature do

36:53what it what nature does.

36:54>> Makes sense. Okay. I was just asking.

36:56Yeah.

37:00What did that property go for? Altern.

37:03>> Um, it was went under contract listed at

37:08165.

37:11>> And once again, these homes in your

37:13program are they do have to meet an

37:18income

37:18>> level income level

37:21>> and then proceed through, you know, all

37:23of the parts that are lined up. And I

37:26know you all have said it could be

37:30we're not short but uh if everybody if

37:33somebody comes to you that's just heard

37:35about this maybe they've been to a

37:36program they feel like they're ready to

37:39move and you find that they are this

37:41could be a monthong process assuming you

37:45know there's a home that they can

37:47purchase or and I you know year

37:50>> it could be a year year and a half.

37:51>> Yeah. We had um we've had one young lady

37:55um she started the home buying process

37:57in March and became a homeowner in July.

37:59We had another young lady that it took

38:02her 2 years personally just to get

38:04everything ready that she needed to get

38:06done. Um and that could be just a matter

38:09of being mentally ready, financially

38:11ready, um credit ready. So those are

38:14things that we take into account

38:16whenever we're doing the counseling. but

38:18also a great plug to put in um even

38:21though it's jumping into the next

38:23session um that our home ownership with

38:26the down payment assistance, they don't

38:28necessarily have to purchase just a city

38:31of Jacksonville constructed home. They

38:33could purchase a home that's off the

38:35private market as well, too. So, if

38:37there's a house 123 Sesame Street for

38:40sale and they need down payment

38:42assistance, they can submit that same

38:45application to the city of Jacksonville

38:47and we can see if they qualify for down

38:49payment assistance with the city of

38:51Jacksonville and with North Carolina

38:53Housing Community Partner Loan Pool. So,

38:56that person could almost receive

38:59$100,000 of down payment assistance in

39:01the city and up to 50,000 in the county.

39:05So that is but with those programs the

39:08housing counseling is required. It's a

39:11minimum of two hours that they have to

39:13take. Our courses are required. The home

39:16buyer education is $25. Money management

39:18is $10 and minimum two hours stated for

39:22the housing counselor.

39:24>> And this is ultimately this is an ownero

39:27occupied process.

39:29>> Absolutely. the person that is going

39:31through all this is going to live in

39:34that house

39:36>> for 10 years. This is not something that

39:38a commercial

39:39>> and we want them to stay longer than 10

39:41years, but that's the that's the

39:42minimum. That's the minimum. This is not

39:45for this for real estate agents to be

39:47Yeah. No, this is for

39:49>> Yeah. It's not for an investor. It's not

39:51for someone that like this is truly

39:53going to be your opportunities to be

39:55owner occupied. Um,

39:58you could be first-time homeowner or

40:00this could be a step up for you as well,

40:03but this has to be your primary

40:05residence. Um, and I also want to share

40:08that these people that are going through

40:12the program is they come in at different

40:16phases and different um places for where

40:20they qualify. So, some pe some people

40:22may not qualify for the program because

40:24of credit issues and we help them. Um,

40:28some people may may not qualify because

40:30they don't have enough income and we

40:32suggest that they go get a second income

40:35or something like that. Um, when they

40:38are ready and if a house happen to be

40:41available, then we will tell them that

40:44you qualify to purchase this house

40:47>> or you or you don't qualify. we don't

40:50have any houses ready for you or you can

40:53qualify when we build the next house.

40:56So, it all depends on when someone comes

40:59in and they have everything done and

41:01they're waiting. Um, a lot of people are

41:04on our waiting list. They're waiting for

41:05us to build the next two or three

41:08houses.

41:09>> So, it's not like um people just come

41:11off the street and they're ready to go.

41:13um they have been with us for several

41:16weeks, several months, and they have

41:20gone through and did their due diligence

41:22to make sure that they're ready to walk

41:24into the situation of home ownership,

41:28>> you know, and without um you know,

41:30violating anybody's privacy. Um uh if

41:34you could kind of give us the

41:35demographics of different people who

41:38have benefited from this program, you

41:41know, um we present that to council

41:44every year with our consolidated annual

41:48performance evaluation report. It has

41:51all the demographics um of people that

41:54we have assisted for that whole year.

41:57>> Yes, sir. So, um, we we it's first come,

42:02first serve.

42:03>> That's how we operate. HUD tells us

42:05that's how we must operate. And we've

42:07been operating like that since I've been

42:09doing this for 25 years. So, um,

42:13>> and the reason why I said, I just wanted

42:14to like make sure that we know on on

42:17this board and people that are watching

42:18that this is a open process. Yes, it you

42:21know, I I've seen people that work for

42:23the city,

42:24>> um people that um you know, work at

42:27local businesses, teachers from all

42:30different backgrounds, you know, that

42:32came into the program um and they went

42:35through the entire program and they

42:37listened to um the counselings, they

42:40went through the classes, and they

42:42benefit. I I remember one year it was a

42:45young lady, she had stopped by a church.

42:47I talked to her about 10 minutes about

42:49it. The next year she was in a househ

42:52>> and I was like that quick you know she

42:55was like cuz she came back it was like

42:57hey that program actually worked

43:00>> and a lot of it um I mean it's it's a

43:03great program definitely to be part of.

43:05Um we help anybody to come through the

43:08door any age. I know we'll get phone

43:10calls where it's like am I too old? No

43:12you're not too old. Age is not a

43:14stumbling block for you today. So,

43:18>> minimum credit score.

43:20>> So, again, um if you need just city of

43:22Jacksonville down payment assistance,

43:25600, but if you need to tap into some of

43:28the states um down payment assistance,

43:31you're looking at 640 to 660.

43:34>> I think about young people who are just

43:36starting out, maybe a single parent that

43:39really doesn't have a lot of established

43:41credit yet,

43:42>> that could be a great thing in their

43:43favor. And I will say just like I say in

43:46the counseling sessions, don't follow

43:48anything on social media. Don't do

43:51anything unless somebody has physically

43:53looked at your credit. Because if they

43:57listen to the, "Oh, I needed to do this.

43:59I need to do this." And then when they

44:01come and sit down with me, I'm like,

44:03"Why did you do that? I need you to go

44:05cancel all these things right now."

44:07Because nobody has actually looked at

44:09their credit, right? So before they just

44:11go and jump through all the things that

44:14they heard they should do, come and sit

44:16down with us. It's a free session. Um 30

44:19minutes to an hour depending on

44:21everything that we need to talk about.

44:22>> And also just for a final, we are

44:27we are bound by HUD rules and

44:30regulations and we get monitored by HUD

44:33as well. So, we're going to as a housing

44:36counselor agency, we're going to be uh

44:39monitored this January. And they come in

44:42and they look at our applications, they

44:44look at the dates, they look at when we

44:46start a file, and they also look at when

44:49we close files. So, it is very uh

44:53detailoriented

44:54as far as our programming and what they

44:57come in and they look for. So that's one

44:59of the things that they do is to make

45:01sure that our case management and our

45:04files are up to their standards so that

45:08we can pass their monitoring um

45:11requirements.

45:12>> And we just passed our monitoring visit

45:14with North Carolina Housing,

45:16>> right? And and that's and we are

45:18certified housing.

45:21So it's not um

45:22>> Hood certified certified. So it's not

45:24when you're listening I want to say this

45:26you know be very clear not sometimes you

45:28see this advertisement then at the end

45:30and say hey you know I have I'm not a

45:32certified financial counselor at all you

45:34know or they say that at the end after

45:37they done gave you all this information

45:38that they want you to chase but when you

45:40come here you're going to get the right

45:42information from the right sources to

45:44help you along the journey. Um, so

45:46that's what we're trying to promote.

45:47>> And I'll also send um Tracy mentioning

45:51about our monitoring visit. Just

45:52reminded we have a panel discussion that

45:55I'll be on in November for the state

45:58with North Carolina Housing Roser. Um,

46:01but it's also to talk about our program

46:03as a whole and it's open to the public

46:06to come out and listen to as well. So,

46:08we'll send that out so that way anybody

46:10that you have that's interested, they'll

46:12be able to listen to the program again

46:15being explained.

46:16>> Okay. Can I say something?

46:18>> Would it be feasible for and I just Oh,

46:22and I'm not calling her name. You know

46:25who I'm talking about. Tracy, I just

46:27were with her today. Took her to vote

46:29and she is so amazed with her house and

46:32you know who I'm talking about. But

46:34anyway, and she's the the older person

46:36that you were saying. Right next door to

46:38her is the younger person that you sold

46:40the house to. So they two together.

46:42>> Exactly.

46:43>> So anyway,

46:44>> they are very happy with where they are.

46:46And why wouldn't you talk to people that

46:48are happy with what you do

46:51>> more than what we are bringing back from

46:54them. Go out to people and talk to them

46:56and maybe just have a little interview

46:58with them,

46:59>> right?

46:59>> And and let them tell people about this.

47:02Don't beat your own drum. Let them beat

47:04your draw.

47:04>> Well, we have an opportunity in April

47:07>> because every time I get there, she

47:08talking about

47:09>> Yeah. Well, in in April, we do our our

47:12CDBG week and we highlight those new

47:16homeowners that who have recently purch

47:19recently p purchased a house the year

47:22before. Um because of privacy and and

47:25and and those types of things, we don't

47:27want to put them on a commercial and

47:29say, "Hey,

47:30>> no, I'm not saying that. I'm saying you

47:32talk to them, but you were the one that

47:33talked them into the house.

47:34>> Oh, you bring back their feedback to

47:37these meetings. I

47:38>> We do. We do. Um because

47:40>> don't call their name cuz I didn't call

47:41her name, did I?

47:42>> And we do bring them back. So that way

47:45um they'll come back and speak our our

47:46home buyer course.

47:47>> Every time I

47:49feel she's so happy. Yes.

47:51>> Thank you for the plug. Thank you.

47:53>> Thank you. She's so happy with her. I

47:55have not had one person who purchased

47:58their house to come back and say, "I

47:59wish I had never purchased my house."

48:02Every time that we go through the

48:05process with them, when they walk into

48:06their house, it's an emotional thing for

48:08them

48:09>> and and you

48:10>> and they're very and when you do this on

48:12your own,

48:12>> appreciative

48:14>> as young people do sometimes or whoever

48:16it is, you know, you do it on your own

48:18or you work with a realtor, whatever,

48:19you know, you go ahead if you that's

48:21what you want to do. But when you're in

48:23a program, this program is designed for

48:26you to get in a house and stay in

48:28>> in a house.

48:29>> They're not interested in

48:32going out and selling you a house and

48:35getting their commission off of it

48:36>> and then

48:37>> and then when you get in it, you find

48:39out that you were not ready for this.

48:42>> This was not something you should have

48:43been talked into. And uh and this

48:46happens a lot in a community like this

48:48because of the young people who are here

48:50who have a steady income first and 15th

48:53of every month.

48:54>> Mhm.

48:54>> There's a paycheck coming through the

48:56door and you know you can get people who

48:59are you there's people who are the best

49:02at what they do and serious about it.

49:05You got people who are only looking at

49:06what they can get out of it. And I

49:09talked to a realtor at meeting I was up

49:11in Raleigh. Totally unrelated. found out

49:14where I lived and he was upset. He's a

49:17realtor there. He was upset because he

49:19said that he was running into so many of

49:21these young military people who uh have

49:26maybe one step step above the rank you

49:29came in on. Your wife is working at

49:32Burger King and you were talked into

49:34buying a this was a years ago

49:38>> a quarter of a million dollar house

49:40which was like whoa at that particular

49:42time. this, you know, that goes back

49:44when I had this conversation and he was

49:46saying knowing he said, "How did anybody

49:49let them do this?" Cuz it's just wrong

49:52sometimes. But the person over here

49:55who's selling it is getting their

49:57benefit from it.

49:58>> And so a program like this will walk you

50:01through everything you're going to need

50:02to know because they're not interested.

50:04It's like

50:06they want you to get in there and they

50:08want you to stay in there because it

50:10doesn't serve anyone for you to go

50:13>> and lose a

50:16you know the mortgage

50:17>> right through foreclosure. It takes a

50:19lot to recover for foreclosure.

50:21>> It is and it does not serve anyone. It

50:24doesn't serve the community. It doesn't

50:25serve anybody for that to happen to you.

50:27It's a distraction if you're in the

50:29military that you can't pay your bills

50:31and all this kind of thing. Nobody's

50:33interested in doing that. So, you know,

50:35uh

50:36>> if anybody's wondering about why all

50:38these steps are are woven into this,

50:42this is why it's all woven in because we

50:45want to know.

50:46>> And you know, housing is an issue in

50:48this country.

50:49>> Yes.

50:50>> Um one size does not fit all,

50:53>> but this is just one um

50:56>> way of getting people into the American

50:59dream, which is home ownership. And it's

51:01not our job to just get you in the

51:03house. It's our job to keep you in the

51:06house.

51:06>> So, we go back and we ride through and

51:09we see uh what's going on and we'll

51:11knock on the door and we'll try to see

51:14what what's going on if we see something

51:16from the outside at at you know that's

51:18disrepair. So, we we do go back and we

51:23do engage with our previous homeowners.

51:25So, yes, ma'am. All right. Thank you so

51:27much.

51:28>> Thank you.

51:29>> All right. F refresh

51:32>> last date coming up November 14th.

51:35Anybody that's interested and want to

51:37receive any assistance with Miner

51:40Exterior Home Maintenance, give us a

51:42call, set up an appointment. We'll come

51:45take a look at it. And if you want to

51:48volunteer,

51:49it's already posted on Volunteer Enslow.

51:52You can go ahead and register.

51:54>> Do we have to register on there? Yes, we

51:57would love for you to register on

51:58volunteer onslow. This is helps us

52:00tracks our volunteers. If you have a

52:02group, you can register as one. Give me

52:05a call and I'll make sure that you you

52:08annotated as bringing 25.

52:09>> Okay.

52:10>> All right.

52:11>> Now, I got a question on that, too. Yes,

52:13sir.

52:13>> Um,

52:14>> can can we um sign cuz this person

52:18probably won't be able to do any sign

52:21up. The one place that over in um

52:24>> country club. Yes, ma'am. You know,

52:26exactly. Can we just

52:27>> sign it up? Because the reason why I

52:29asked this, right, because it's hard to

52:31get to that person's yard.

52:33>> And I was talking to the city. Um, I

52:35can't remember who it was.

52:39Maybe it was code enforcement about

52:41going down there and looking with me and

52:43possibly cleaning out the part that

52:45belongs to the city. Like, it's like a

52:47little

52:48>> it's a ditch.

52:49>> A ditch or something back behind there.

52:52And it's full of everything. which will

52:54give you access from the left or the

52:56right.

52:57>> Either way, you can't have access either

52:58way. That's the point. We literally had

53:01to go through the residence to get to

53:02her backyard.

53:03>> So, there's a easement about there's

53:06there are easements in country club vas.

53:10The ditches belong to the homeowners.

53:14The ditches do not belong to the city.

53:16>> What about the part on the other side?

53:18the part on the other side, the city has

53:21its own easements that's in there.

53:24>> Okay?

53:24>> So, when you talk about ditches, and

53:27this is what a lot of people have the

53:29misconception is that belongs to the

53:31city.

53:32>> No, it does not. It belongs to you. The

53:34city just have easements.

53:36>> Okay?

53:36>> So, when we went in to revitalize some

53:40of those units, what we did was we

53:43didn't put the fences in the ditch. We

53:46put it closer to so that you can have or

53:50anyone utilities can have access

53:52easement access to go in the back of

53:55those units. Some people have put fences

53:58in the rightway in the easements, but

54:01those ditches belong to the owner.

54:04>> Okay.

54:06I'm gonna go take pictures and bring it

54:09back so I can show you com because you

54:10can't you like if we got to do something

54:13for like if say as this person signed up

54:15for that which they should

54:17>> we would have to take a full

54:20lawnmower through their house

54:22>> her house.

54:23>> Mhm.

54:24>> To get to

54:24>> to get to the back.

54:26>> And if now when you talking about the

54:28back you talking about her backyard

54:30backyard

54:30>> sound like you need a bush axe.

54:32>> No ma'am.

54:34No, this blocks up. You can't access

54:37blocked.

54:37>> It's blocked off on each side

54:40to access on the other side.

54:43>> We'll just talk about it later, but I

54:45just wanted cuz we every now and then we

54:47have places like that.

54:48>> Yeah.

54:49>> Um that we

54:50>> and our access because of the fence.

54:52>> Yeah. Whether it's this here or them

54:55trying to do their own thing. And you

54:58know, we do have a lot of aging uh

55:00people in our community who we just try

55:02to help

55:03>> and sometimes we can't help them because

55:06of that reason.

55:08>> Yep.

55:09>> So maybe it's just a talk um I talk with

55:12um those guys and and um just keep you

55:14guys informed what's going on with it. I

55:17think that'll probably be the better

55:18option.

55:19>> Yeah, because it's been brought up to

55:20code enforcement several times.

55:22>> Okay. Okay, great.

55:25as a community update. Just a reminder,

55:28we've talked about money management

55:30classes. Our last one for the year is

55:32November 7th. It is $10 per person and

55:36that will close out our 2026 schedule.

55:40Our home buyer education is available

55:44now for 2027

55:46starting January 16th going through

55:48November 13th. Class is $25 per person.

55:53they can go ahead and start registering

55:55now.

55:57Money management 2027 is available as

56:00well and it's alternating months.

56:05Class is $10 per person and your classes

56:09must be paid in advance.

56:12>> Those classes on Saturdays?

56:14>> Yes, sir.

56:15>> Okay. So, I was going to say I thought

56:16January 16th was a holiday.

56:19>> It is a holiday. You can come. We'll

56:21sing happy. OKAY,

56:26we'll sing happy birthday.

56:29So, annual action plan community input.

56:31The time is now to tell us how to spend

56:36approximately 368,000

56:39for our fiscal year 2027 through 2028.

56:44>> Again,

56:45>> approximately 368,000.

56:49We have three sessions scheduled um to

56:532026 and then we are looking for

56:56additional locations in 2027

57:00between now through February 15th. Um

57:04our first one will be November 12th at

57:07Mount Carmel House and this is the flyer

57:10that y'all have to share and spread the

57:12word. Um December 3rd will be at Sandy

57:15Run Missionary and December 8th will be

57:18at Abundant Life International. Um these

57:21three um organizations have reached out

57:25and have agreed. We have received

57:27additional um

57:31interests as well. So we'll be looking

57:33at scheduling those dates in January.

57:36But if you are part of an organization

57:39that you would like to have come out and

57:42have a input session, please let us

57:44know. Um, you can email me at

57:47ptraftonjackvillec.gov

57:51or you may call me at 910-9386551.

57:58>> I will call you. And as a reminder, our

58:02Nissac

58:04board, they will lead those meetings

58:07because they are part of the community.

58:10You are a lead on the zone. So, please

58:13be prepared to help us and lead those

58:16meetings.

58:16>> Yes, ma'am.

58:17>> And you do have an opportunity to scan

58:20the QR code and take the survey to enter

58:22for our $50 gift card drawing. Um, the

58:26survey is available online now. Um, we

58:29will have hard copies available as well.

58:34If you need hard copies, just let me

58:36know and we'll print some out for you.

58:40>> Um, we are looking for developer,

58:43contractors, and administrators to join

58:45us on November 5th at our second working

58:48with the city of Jacksonville workshop

58:50from 1 to 3 here at city hall. The

58:54registration has been extended for those

58:57that are able to come out. Um, this is a

59:00great opportunity for established and

59:03future um, vendors to come out and learn

59:06what it means to work with the city of

59:08Jacksonville. How does the process go

59:10from a bid to completion? So, if you

59:13know anyone that is a developer,

59:15contractor, or the person that handles

59:17all the paperwork, tell them to come and

59:21sit with us. We will have representation

59:24from permit planning, finance,

59:26neighborhood improvement, inspections,

59:32all present. So you will be face to face

59:34with the people that do the portion that

59:37you need to go forth.

59:39>> So it's great opportunity. If you are a

59:42member of the chamber or anything like

59:45that, um, please let your chamber

59:49contacts know that we have this

59:52workshop. If you're a member or know

59:54someone at the small business center

59:56with the college, let them know that

59:59they so that they can let contractors

1:00:01know. Anyone that touched economic

1:00:04development and contracting, please let

1:00:07them know that we having this very

1:00:09important workshop.

1:00:11It was very successful. When we finished

1:00:14the last one, the contractor said, "I

1:00:17know somebody that should have been here

1:00:19that they didn't get a chance to get

1:00:21here. When are you going to have another

1:00:22one?" So, this is that opportunity for

1:00:25them to get all of their buddies, all of

1:00:27your all of your contacts, anybody that

1:00:29you know that are building that would

1:00:32like to work with us at the city, get

1:00:34this information to them so that they

1:00:36can come to this important workshop. And

1:00:39you you said you extended the date. I

1:00:40see October 14th.

1:00:42>> We extend it

1:00:43>> till November the 6th. Okay.

1:00:47>> So if you send them this picture, the QR

1:00:49code still works or they can call the

1:00:52phone number.

1:00:53>> Question. Do they have to all be from

1:00:55Oslo County?

1:00:56>> Nope.

1:00:57>> Good.

1:00:59>> All right. Our youth council, they are

1:01:02not meeting in the month of November due

1:01:05to elections and Veterans Day, but this

1:01:08is open to 8th through 12th grade

1:01:10students. Um, a great opportunity for

1:01:12our teens to be civic minded and

1:01:15leaders. Um, amongst other high school

1:01:18students. So, if they are wanting to

1:01:22come out 8th through 12th grade, next

1:01:25meeting is the first Wednesday in

1:01:27December. And our harmony is open to 9th

1:01:32through 12th grade, which is our board

1:01:34of director position to learn how to

1:01:36give out grants. Um, as our NESAC

1:01:39members, the same process that we do for

1:01:41our nonprofit funding, our teens are

1:01:44doing the exact same process and

1:01:46providing grants to other youth

1:01:48organizations. Um, if you are a team

1:01:51that is interested in learning about the

1:01:53process, November 19th is the last

1:01:55meeting for board members. And then in

1:02:00January, the applications will go out.

1:02:03The applications are available for youth

1:02:06organizations. So anyone that is a youth

1:02:09leader, youth advisor, youth facilitator

1:02:12that has a group of kids together, those

1:02:16teens or kids, it could be elementary

1:02:19students. they can come up with a

1:02:22community project that they are seeking

1:02:24funding for and they will those students

1:02:28will submit the application. They have

1:02:31to say what the project is going to be.

1:02:33They have to come up with a um budget.

1:02:36Those students will have to do an

1:02:38interview with the board of directors

1:02:41and talk about what their project is

1:02:43going to be. And in that budget, they

1:02:47specifically say how much it's going to

1:02:49be. So, if they want to do a back-

1:02:51toschool event, then that back to school

1:02:55event when they put together their

1:02:56budget may be $500.

1:02:59They've identified where $300 is coming

1:03:02from. They're requesting $200 from

1:03:05Harmony. And then what happens is

1:03:08Harmony board of directors will

1:03:10interview all the organizations that

1:03:12submit their application.

1:03:15Then they will turn around and have a

1:03:18review committee where they actually

1:03:20determine who receives a grant and who

1:03:23does not receive a grant. And then they

1:03:26fund they have $3,000 that spreads out

1:03:29within the community. So if you know

1:03:31anyone that has youth organizations,

1:03:34this is a great opportunity for them to

1:03:36learn how to be philanthropists and also

1:03:39be part of the board if they're in 9th

1:03:41through 12th grade.

1:03:43All

1:03:46right, one city.

1:03:47>> All right, we got a one city moment

1:03:49right here. Um, does anyone have

1:03:51anything?

1:03:53>> I need speed bumps

1:03:55>> in my neighborhood. Who do I go to or

1:03:58stop lights?

1:04:00>> Since they putting Harris Tito on the

1:04:02corner of Henderson Extension,

1:04:05we can't even get out in the afternoon.

1:04:08>> Miss Whitley, we will email you that

1:04:11information. But I go to streets.

1:04:14>> No, no, we will. I'm going to we're

1:04:15going to we're going to research and

1:04:16we're going to send you the elevator.

1:04:19>> It's crazy.

1:04:21>> Yes, ma'am.

1:04:21>> Everybody cut through there.

1:04:23>> Is it already there?

1:04:25>> No, ma'am.

1:04:26>> Oh, okay.

1:04:26>> No, they got it coming soon. They got

1:04:28commercials on TV. So, next week

1:04:30probably.

1:04:31>> I might have missed it.

1:04:33>> I'm running down the

1:04:34>> Anything great happen in the community

1:04:36recently? That's a one city moment?

1:04:40>> Yes. What was I taking the neighbors to

1:04:43the poll today?

1:04:45>> Awesome.

1:04:46>> That's why I was a little bit late

1:04:47because I couldn't get out of my street

1:04:48after I dropped her off on the other

1:04:50side of town.

1:04:51>> All right. Awesome.

1:04:52>> Brought her back home.

1:04:53>> Two things I would like to mention.

1:04:54Please vote, vote, vote.

1:04:56>> Mhm. I did.

1:04:57>> Also, um, we do Halloween in the park in

1:05:03our neighborhood. And anybody who wants

1:05:05to come, you're invited to do so. We

1:05:07have the neighbors go out there. The

1:05:09neighbors line up with chairs on each

1:05:11side of the walkway. A lot of people

1:05:13don't like to open their doors

1:05:15Halloween, but they do like to see all

1:05:17the kids dressed up, so they bring their

1:05:19their chair, their table. Some of them

1:05:21decorate their tables and they hand out

1:05:23candy. And it's for 5 to 8. We love to

1:05:25have you and pass it on to anybody who

1:05:27wants to go to a place that you can take

1:05:29your kids to one area

1:05:30>> on Halloween. On Halloween.

1:05:36>> Yes, ma'am.

1:05:38that one too.

1:05:40>> Love and uh Love and Laundry, which is

1:05:43uh an organization here in Jacksonville,

1:05:45we have identified at least four uh

1:05:49neighborhoods that we will be going into

1:05:53beginning November through the end of

1:05:55the year. Um we will actually we are

1:06:00contacting the neighborhoods to ensure

1:06:03that we will uh that it's okay for us to

1:06:06come in. And what happens is we go in,

1:06:08we set up, and everyone in that

1:06:11neighborhood, they can come out and get

1:06:13whatever we have, which is laundry

1:06:15detergent, fabric softener, lotion,

1:06:18uh toilet tissue, paper towels, things

1:06:21of that nature.

1:06:23>> Okay. Starting what day in November?

1:06:25>> Uh it will be

1:06:28the second week.

1:06:30>> Okay.

1:06:30>> Second week in November.

1:06:31>> Yes, sir.

1:06:32>> You have um dates already.

1:06:35Uh we have dates um but we are only

1:06:39releasing them to the neighborhood

1:06:42>> at the neighborhood because we want to

1:06:44ensure that we serve that neighborhood.

1:06:46>> Okay.

1:06:47>> Okay.

1:06:47>> Yeah.

1:06:48>> Let us know offline.

1:06:49>> Okay.

1:06:50>> All right. Thank you very much.

1:06:52>> One more question bothers me. I was

1:06:56right around Jacksonville all the time.

1:06:57>> Miss we'll get to that when we do with

1:07:00future business. We're going to finish

1:07:02up.

1:07:04This is one city, too.

1:07:05>> Oh, is it?

1:07:06>> It is. It is to me.

1:07:08>> Okay.

1:07:08>> Because I discovered Okay. Where

1:07:13I don't want to tell you where, but

1:07:14anyway, over in the city, I found that

1:07:17there's some bushes behind a certain

1:07:20store,

1:07:21and it's in the city off Western

1:07:23Boulevard Extension that there are

1:07:25people living in pup tents.

1:07:28>> Yes, ma'am.

1:07:30And it bothers me really bad because

1:07:32this person here and I I got out. I was

1:07:35kind of nosy. I parked my car way down

1:07:37and kind of peep around the bushes. They

1:07:40have children.

1:07:41>> Mhm. So I'm saying and then I went

1:07:45another place my my where over over by

1:07:48Wawwa on the back road where all that uh

1:07:51woods is coming out where the freeway go

1:07:54where there's a stop sign right there

1:07:56and it's very dangerous behind wall

1:07:57because nothing is cut down so you can

1:07:59see the cars coming on the street that

1:08:01goes down beside Wawa. So that needs to

1:08:03be fixed.

1:08:04>> Okay.

1:08:05>> But anyhow there's two places I saw

1:08:07people in pup tents. I don't want to say

1:08:09it well because I don't want people

1:08:10going over there hurting them or

1:08:12anything.

1:08:12>> Okay.

1:08:13>> But one did have children and I was

1:08:16upset me so bad.

1:08:19But it's worth mentioning

1:08:21so we can find a way to help them. I

1:08:23don't you know

1:08:25>> hurricane season.

1:08:26>> Two things for that um that one city

1:08:29moment. Um we had the um national night

1:08:32out during the rain. It was very

1:08:33successful. We had a lot of people come

1:08:36through. Um, you know, it was very it

1:08:38was very good, you know, that even

1:08:40though it was raining a little bit,

1:08:41people still filtered through and um

1:08:43actually, you know, interacted with our

1:08:46police department, first responders and

1:08:47things like that. The sheriff, the

1:08:49county, the base was there. Um, they had

1:08:51static displays and things like that.

1:08:53Um, and and then also remember this

1:08:55month is faith in blue. They had some

1:08:57events already. Um, last Friday, we had

1:09:00the um faith in blue with the worship

1:09:03service. Um week ago, um Sandy Run had

1:09:06the Faith in Blue pancakes and the 5K.

1:09:10Um this coming, um weekend, um Catalyst

1:09:14Church will be doing their Faith in Blue

1:09:16um at their church. Um I think it's

1:09:18Friday night. Um so that's just some

1:09:20things that's been going on real good in

1:09:22our city. And um we also got to um

1:09:25launch our I Love My City program at the

1:09:28um National Night Out and it was a great

1:09:31success. We had a lot of people that

1:09:34were energized and um people love the

1:09:37city of Jacksonville.

1:09:39>> So now we'll deal with future agenda

1:09:41topics.

1:09:41>> I just had the one quick.

1:09:42>> Oh yes ma'am.

1:09:43>> You brought up already but uh this is

1:09:45the last week for early voting.

1:09:48>> And uh Monday through well today through

1:09:52uh Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

1:09:57Saturday 8 to 3. If you have anything

1:10:01that you think might be wrong with your

1:10:03uh registration,

1:10:05uh check it out or you can do it on your

1:10:07phone, you know, at the North Carolina

1:10:10State Board of Elections.

1:10:12>> And you can always also do it, I think,

1:10:13from the one here, too.

1:10:15>> Uh check your registration. Please do

1:10:17that. I have had more calls over this

1:10:19weekend about people who thought they

1:10:21were good and they were not good. And I

1:10:24said, "And if you have a problem during

1:10:27early voting, you can fix it.

1:10:30>> You can't fix it on the 3rd of November

1:10:33>> when on election day, but you can fix it

1:10:35during this week." So,

1:10:37>> you know, uh just keep that in mind. If

1:10:39you have someone living in a nursing

1:10:41home or an assisted living facility, um

1:10:44we have ways of allowing them to vote

1:10:47and we strongly encourage that. you

1:10:50know, call the board of elections and

1:10:51they will send someone into that

1:10:53facility to uh help that person vote.

1:10:56The facility itself cannot do it by law.

1:10:59>> So, it has to be someone who's

1:11:00interested and uh people just because

1:11:03they may be in that situation does not

1:11:05mean that they have stopped being

1:11:07citizens. So, we encourage them to u

1:11:12um this time they're not um voting.

1:11:15There is no voting at the board of

1:11:16elections.

1:11:17>> Yes. So, that's true. We were surprised

1:11:19when we went over there so we had to

1:11:20pass up. Yeah.

1:11:23>> Different polling stations. I know. Um

1:11:25the Commons,

1:11:26>> Enzo Pines,

1:11:28>> Pines, Swansboro,

1:11:30>> Richlands,

1:11:31>> Sneeze

1:11:33Fairy Library.

1:11:34>> That's That's it.

1:11:36>> Yes. Name them all.

1:11:38>> Okay. Cuz I've been I've been out there

1:11:39to all of them.

1:11:41>> And the Oslo County Museum in Richland,

1:11:44not in Not in Jacksonville. Yes, sir.

1:11:47So, all right.

1:11:49>> Lastly on your table is the green light

1:11:53bulb. Um, that is to show recognition

1:11:56for our veterans from November 1st

1:12:00through the 11th. You're asked to change

1:12:02your exterior light bulb to the green

1:12:04light book. Um, we do have more

1:12:07available at the front desk of City

1:12:10Hall. So, if you know anybody that needs

1:12:12one, you're more than welcome to come

1:12:13grab as they are available. And we have

1:12:16a few more if you want to take some um

1:12:19with you to any neighbors.

1:12:21>> Oh, okay.

1:12:22>> Okay.

1:12:22>> Yeah. Um future topic agend agenda

1:12:25topics, right? Um and I just wrote down

1:12:27a a few of them. Like we've been getting

1:12:30a lot of um different um thoughts about

1:12:34different streets and different

1:12:35neighborhoods. So, we may want to get a

1:12:37staff member in here um from that

1:12:40department to talk about how do you

1:12:42report a pothole

1:12:45or flaw in the street? How do you report

1:12:48um the need for um

1:12:52you know um

1:12:53>> assistance?

1:12:55>> Like with the cutting back the street,

1:12:57cutting back the trees on streets. How

1:12:59do you get assistance

1:13:01um with the counter to go out to see if

1:13:04a a street light can be put up on a

1:13:06specific street that you may think is

1:13:09very busy? Um then maybe someone from

1:13:11the um police department to come and

1:13:13when we see people that are living in um

1:13:17wood lines and pup tents and things like

1:13:19that. What are we to do as citizens? Um

1:13:23um and how do how do we handle those

1:13:25things? get people from those actual

1:13:28departments so we're not trying to

1:13:29figure it out in here by ourselves. Um

1:13:32because it's one of the things that I

1:13:33believe we should do is just be that

1:13:35conduit to the information that the

1:13:38citizens need.

1:13:39>> Absolutely.

1:13:41>> And you know if we just reach out to you

1:13:44guys, you guys are a wealth of

1:13:47information and and and knowledge. I

1:13:51know. I reached out all over the place

1:13:53looking for somebody to please come down

1:13:55to the park and put some bones in those

1:13:59giant street lights cuz the park was so

1:14:02dark. And I like bought my dog whenever

1:14:04he wants to be walked and sometimes it's

1:14:06at night.

1:14:07>> And and the reason why I said get those

1:14:08right people.

1:14:09>> You guys did that,

1:14:10>> you know, get those right people in

1:14:12here. So every because if we have all um

1:14:1570 80,000 people calling down to their

1:14:18office, they would get inundated. But if

1:14:20we get the folks down here with the list

1:14:23of who handles trash, water,

1:14:26>> you know, whoever handles those

1:14:28different departments that we can get

1:14:29them in contact with them so it can be,

1:14:32you know, we can we can handle it

1:14:34because if not, what will happen is

1:14:36>> everybody will call them and they will

1:14:38try to answer every single call they get

1:14:41cuz they're just they're just like that

1:14:44and they won't turn you away.

1:14:46They turned they turned us on to the

1:14:48right people right away and they were

1:14:51fixed

1:14:52>> within two weeks after that phone call.

1:14:55Now all the lights that are lit up.

1:14:58>> Well, they are good. But what I'm saying

1:15:00is streets are sitting over there. I was

1:15:01on streets. I called about a stop sign

1:15:04down here to the the the secretary at

1:15:06the desk. She referred me to streets

1:15:08which was I was on the board. So they

1:15:10came out the same day, cleaned the uh

1:15:14drains out before the that rain and the

1:15:17other lady hadn't cut her grass and was

1:15:19dumping

1:15:21he was pushing the grass that the the uh

1:15:23contractor was on in the street. So I

1:15:26called streets they came out and now I

1:15:28see that they ride through the

1:15:29neighborhood, sweep the uh sidewalks and

1:15:32all this stuff and I don't have to worry

1:15:33that you have a job to do. You don't

1:15:35have to worry about taking care of

1:15:36streets problem. So that's why I said we

1:15:39need to go to there other organizations

1:15:41beautifification streets uh sanitation

1:15:43all that that takes care of everything.

1:15:46But they came out and put up a stop

1:15:47sign. They moved it from one side to the

1:15:49other side of the street so people can

1:15:50see it and stop for the kids that run

1:15:53the school bus.

1:15:56So I'm you do a good job. But what I'm

1:15:58saying is I don't want to put too much

1:15:59on you when the other ones are sitting

1:16:00there doing nothing.

1:16:02>> They doing something they doing

1:16:04something.

1:16:05>> It's just a fact. I mean, we don't tell

1:16:07them. They don't know what to do.

1:16:10They don't go to the source. I'm saying

1:16:12go to the source instead of going all

1:16:14around.

1:16:14>> I would just like to mention um our JPD

1:16:18officers have their annual softball game

1:16:21coming up November the 13th

1:16:24>> and it's them against Oslo County

1:16:27Sheriff's Department. Oh, really?

1:16:28>> We went last year for the first time.

1:16:30They won last year. We were so excited,

1:16:32>> but we need to support them. Thank you

1:16:35so much for and the proceeds. I think

1:16:38it's $10 entry fee.

1:16:40>> Not sure what time, but it is in the

1:16:42water bill if I'm not mistaken. And you

1:16:44can go online and look it up.

1:16:46>> But um I'm sure that they would

1:16:48appreciate as much support as they can

1:16:50get and it we really had a good time. It

1:16:53was a lot of fun. So, and the proceeds

1:16:55go to um uh Special Olympics.

1:17:00>> Okay, that's it.

1:17:01>> It goes to who? Special Olympics.

1:17:02>> Special Olympics. Yeah, because like

1:17:04don't they take kids for shopping?

1:17:08>> Okay.

1:17:09>> Yeah. They used to take a kid out the

1:17:11day a policeman take the kid out for

1:17:13shopping and they used to

1:17:16>> I just know it's one of their

1:17:17>> Where is it? One that they support

1:17:19>> but they do support you know now

1:17:22>> at the comments. I'm sorry.

1:17:24>> All right. These are some key dates just

1:17:26um

1:17:28>> be aware.

1:17:29>> Yeah. Some things to keep in mind. Um,

1:17:32Veterans Day is in the middle of the

1:17:34week, so we are closed. But new this

1:17:36year that, uh, we want the city to be

1:17:39aware of is for Thanksgiving and

1:17:42Christmas, we are closed three days this

1:17:44year. So, we'll be closed Wednesday,

1:17:46Thursday, and Friday. Um and Christmas

1:17:49is a little bit longer this year,

1:17:53>> but um but it is new for us this year to

1:17:57have um all the days for the holidays

1:18:00>> and city employees are excited.

1:18:04>> Yes, very much.

1:18:06>> Um the holiday parade is Saturday,

1:18:08November 21st

1:18:11um for Western Boulevard.

1:18:14Great.

1:18:17I think that is everything sir.

1:18:19>> That's right.

1:18:20>> Yeah. The last meeting um it is the

1:18:23Monday before

1:18:25Christmas.

1:18:27>> So it fell on the fourth Monday this

1:18:29year. No special no special date change.

1:18:33>> Okay. Great.

1:18:34>> Cuz you'll be able to

1:18:35>> just if you're not going to be here on

1:18:37that date or you're out, just let us

1:18:38know before so we make sure we have

1:18:40forms

1:18:43not to be in town or something like

1:18:44that. Let us know. Okay. Um I was about

1:18:48to say our hearts and minds are clear.

1:18:53>> We've handled all the business for

1:18:54tonight. So I would like to um do a

1:18:57motion to adjourn.

1:18:59>> So move.

1:18:59>> Thank you.

1:19:01>> Okay. This meeting is um thank you very

1:19:04much. I want to

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