2025-12-09 - Town Council Organizational Meeting

Summary

Built from the approved minutes (a summary record, not a transcript). No video or agenda packet is on file for this meeting.

Organizational meeting called to order at 6:06 p.m. by Mayor Cawley. Present: Mayor Cawley and Council Members Garimella, Robotti, Donna Fender (Fender), Johnson, Steve Rao (Rao), Vicki Scroggins-Johnson, Kesling and Patel. Frank Gray was Town Attorney. The Honor Guard presented the colors.
Agenda adopted 7-0 (Rao moved, Fender seconded). Consent agenda passed 7-0 on Robotti's motion, seconded by Fender: a resolution to unseal closed session minutes (2025-420-0, Kayla Bertling) and a resolution authorizing the MPA Program interlocal agreement with Wake County (2025-421-0, Town Manager Zuidema). Nothing was pulled.
Public comment: a resident thanked staff for their work and communication on the Senior Center expansion and for addressing safety concerns in the Breckenridge community (see Senior Center Relocation and Lease); another resident spoke in favor of more apartments and housing options.
A reception was held 7:26 to 8:11 p.m. Adjourned at 8:43 p.m. on Robotti's motion, seconded by Garimella (7-0).

Mayor Cawley and Robotti read a proclamation honoring Fender's service (sustainability and affordable housing); Garimella, with Mayor Cawley, honored Rao (technological innovation, cultural events and community partnerships). Each received a plaque and gave remarks; Fender urged the new Council to prioritize sustainability and tree preservation, and thanked Sustainability Coordinator Kimberly Conley.
Oaths: Mayor Cawley (sworn by NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall; he said turnout was the highest in the Town's history and that he would not seek another four years after twelve as Mayor), Scroggins-Johnson (sworn by NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Allison Riggs; beginning a fourth term), Patel (ceremonial oath by former U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel, formally sworn by the Town Clerk at the reception) and Kesling (sworn by NC Representative Maria Cervania). Kesling named walkability, sustainability and transportation as his focus. See Council Transition After 2025 Election.

Johnson nominated Robotti, Scroggins-Johnson seconded, and Council voted 7-0 (Johnson moved, Scroggins-Johnson seconded) to appoint Robotti Mayor Pro Tem through 2027. See Mayor Pro Tem Selection.

Robotti moved, and Johnson seconded, Resolution 2025-428-0 adopting the 2026 Town Council meeting schedule; carried 7-0. See 2026 Council Meeting Schedule.

Resolution 2025-417-0 (Robotti moved, Johnson seconded, 7-0) named: Cawley to the CAMPO Executive Board with Kesling as alternate; Scroggins-Johnson to the Central Pines Board of Delegates with Patel as alternate; Johnson to JLOW with Garimella as alternate; Robotti to the Western Wake PAC with Cawley as alternate. See Regional Committee Appointments.

Council members welcomed the new members and thanked staff; Johnson thanked staff for presenting the Senior Center expansion to seniors. Town Manager Zuidema thanked outgoing members.

Data note: the portal lists this document twice under different file links with identical text; one meeting page covers both.