2026-08-10 - Town Council

00:00Wait,

00:27>> grant money from the state.

00:30drawing it down from an investment

00:31account. check.

00:33>> Hello.

00:36[laughter]

00:37>> Got so

00:46award.

00:50>> Come on now.

00:58>> Goldbladed.

01:08He was one of my best friends and

01:12>> they were my best friends.

01:14>> And you know what?

01:16I was talking I was used to

01:21>> and I was talking to one

01:24>> and I said

01:27I said what is your name? She said, "I

01:31don't

01:34come."

01:36She said,

01:40"I am not

01:46going to

01:50husband.

01:58Oh my

02:04>> god.

02:32Nice to meet you, K. You too. You too.

02:36>> Small world, isn't it?

03:00If I was like a public servant, I would

03:02like to respond.

03:05Oh yeah.

03:34>> That's

04:01I ran into Philip at Sam's Club Friday.

04:24Like I wish I had

04:40>> any idea what happened to the former

04:43Have you heard anything about

04:53the year?

04:55Everybody seemed to

05:00be a teacher or principal today.

05:24Good to see you.

05:49I don't know.

06:06and stuff like

06:11that.

06:16>> No, I gave you the correct

06:37Oh, really?

06:40>> I got it. I went to the doctor.

06:49And after that,

07:06That's what I

07:18down here.

07:32app.

07:52I'll never be able to thank you enough

07:54for what you

07:59I was trying to show you

08:02[clears throat]

08:04well.

08:35Call this meeting

08:37town council to order at 701.

08:44Ask our town clerk to lead us in the

08:46pledge of allegiance. and remain

08:48standing for a moment of silence.

08:54>> I aliance to the flag of the United

08:57States of America and to the republic

09:00for which it stands. One nation under

09:03God, indivisible, with liberty and

09:06justice for all.

09:23Okay,

09:24you'll be seated.

09:28We'll go over our announcements first. U

09:33our August 2026 yard of the month um

09:37goes to Taylor Holder at 612 Running

09:42Brook Lane. Not here.

09:45Uh we had a um flag purchased um by the

09:50Somerdale Court neighborhood in memory

09:52of Bud and Linda Acres.

09:57Also, starting back next Monday evening

10:00at 6:30, I will have the mayor's town

10:02hall meeting.

10:05It'll be here in the council chambers.

10:10Town offices will be closed on September

10:12the 7th for Labor Day observance.

10:16And the Rule Hall Area Business

10:18Association 5K race is October the 24th

10:22and registration is open now.

10:26Ro Hall trunk or treat is going to be on

10:29uh October the 24th. Um that's at the

10:33park, correct?

10:36>> More information later. Okay. And the

10:39real hall uh uh for Broad Street will be

10:42on the 31st.

10:45Also, one other uh announcement I'd like

10:49to make is also next Tuesday evening,

10:52August 18th at 6:30 p.m. here in the

10:56chambers, we will be having an uh or

10:59they will be having uh the Royal Hall

11:01JC's will u uh have an interest meeting

11:05and it will be here in the chambers at

11:076:30. So, if you know of anyone between

11:10the ages of 18 and 40, that will be a

11:13good civic organization to get involved

11:16with. Uh, the young leaders here in

11:18Rural Hall.

11:24Then we have a big recognition. I'm

11:26probably going to turn this over to town

11:27manager Dearman U to recognize this

11:32beyond the call.

11:34>> Thank you, mayor. Thank you, council. um

11:36really excited and and proud this

11:38evening to share uh that one of our own

11:40has been recognized for going beyond the

11:43call and his service to our community

11:45and that is our public works director

11:46and deputy fire chief Jason Hill. Um

11:49Sheriff Bobby Kimbro established this

11:51award a few years ago to recognize folks

11:54who um do extraordinary things in public

11:57service and Jason is certainly one of

11:59those individuals. He was nominated by

12:01our fire chief, Zach Smith, and I'd like

12:03to take just a moment to share that

12:04nomination uh with everyone. It is my

12:08honor and privilege to write this letter

12:09of recommendation for Jason Hill. Jason

12:12currently serves as the public works

12:13director for the town of Rural Hall and

12:15also as deputy chief of the Rural Hall

12:17Fire Department. In both roles, Jason

12:20consistently demonstrates exceptional

12:22leadership, dedication, and an

12:24unwavering commitment to serving our

12:26community. Jason goes above and beyond

12:28in every aspect of his work. As public

12:31works director, he effectively manages

12:33and leads the public works department,

12:34ensuring the town's infrastructure,

12:36services, and daily operations are

12:38maintained at the highest standard. His

12:40attention to detail, work ethic, and

12:42commitment to quality service are

12:44evident in everything that he does. In

12:46addition to his demanding

12:48responsibilities in public works, Jason

12:50plays a critical leadership role with

12:51the within the Royal Hall Fire

12:53Department. During periods of transition

12:55and in the absence of a fire chief,

12:57Jason has been instrumental in

12:59maintaining continuity of operations and

13:01ensuring the department remained

13:02effective and professional. He provided

13:05valuable support and guidance to the

13:06interim chief and continues to be a

13:08trusted and dependable leader alongside

13:10the current fire chief. Jason's

13:12dedication to public service extends far

13:15beyond normal working hours. He

13:16regularly responds to calls after hours,

13:18during nights, and on weekends. Always

13:21willing to step in wherever needed. His

13:23willingness to serve and his ability to

13:25lead by example have earned him the

13:27respect of his peers, subordinates, and

13:29the citizens he serves. He is also

13:31committed to professional growth and

13:33excellence. Jason frequently attends

13:35training opportunities to enhance his

13:36knowledge and skills and demonstrates

13:39professionalism in all aspects of the

13:41fire service and municipal operations.

13:43His leadership, integrity, and

13:45commitment to excellence make him an

13:46invaluable asset to both the town of Rur

13:48Hall and the Rural Hall Fire Department.

13:50Simply put, our department and the

13:52citizens of Rural Hall are better

13:53because of Jason Hill and his dedication

13:56to serving the public. I couldn't agree

13:59more with that statement. I'm very proud

14:00to see Jason recognized. He was

14:02presented this award formally at a

14:04ceremony on July 30th at Forsight Tech

14:07and we are all very proud of his

14:09leadership and recognition. Jason,

14:11congratulations and thank you.

14:13[applause]

14:25Congratulations,

14:37[applause]

14:40Jason.

14:41>> Congratulations.

14:45>> Okay, moving right along. Uh, council,

14:48you've had an opportunity to look over

14:50your agenda. If there's any additions,

14:53corrections, or anything, would be a

14:56good time to Mayor. I'd like to ask the

14:58council to add one item to tonight's

15:00agenda, and that is a budget amendment

15:02to the current fiscal year budget, and

15:05I'll be glad to explain more about that

15:06shortly.

15:13Mayor, I'll make amen

15:15[clears throat and cough]

15:16I'll make a motion to add amendment

15:18ordinance 913 to the agenda.

15:23Okay, we have a motion. Second

15:27motion made by Mayor Pro Tim Horn,

15:29second

15:31by Councilman Lane. Any questions or

15:35concerns? [snorts]

15:36All right. All those in favor of the

15:38budget as um stated with the amendment

15:42uh added on.

15:44>> I

15:45>> I

15:47sorry the agenda

15:50>> I think the motion should reflect it's

15:52approving the agenda. I I heard you say

15:54approve the budget as amended, but it's

15:55approve approving the agenda as amended.

15:58Yes, sir. Thank you.

16:00>> As and it's a budget amendment that

16:02we're going to Okay. All right. Trying

16:06to think of three things at one time

16:08here. All right.

16:10Okay. Do I need to restate that?

16:12>> That's right.

16:14>> Okay. It's great. All right.

16:16[clears throat]

16:19All right.

16:25Moving right along is our public comment

16:28period. Um,

16:31so I will turn this over to Lynette, our

16:34town clerk.

16:36Call

16:39>> June Cohen

16:56June Cohen, 430 College Street.

17:00I am here in regard to town manager

17:04Homer Durman's comments about me in his

17:07August 3rd, 2026 report as presented to

17:12you on August the 10th, 2026.

17:16I believe town manager Homer Dear is a

17:20psychopath and has been all his life. I

17:24know he is a liar, not ethical, and has

17:27no integrity and is not honest. I

17:31believe his behavior is a reason he was

17:34fired from the town manager position in

17:38King on May the 6, 2022.

17:42I believe he has been a bully, connivor,

17:45denomin.

17:49I believe he thinks he should control

17:52everything and everyone in this town,

17:55even you. This report is full of lies.

17:59He believes you are stupid and cannot

18:02see what he is stating in this report.

18:06Read it. See how it contradicts himself.

18:10You know, I requested from Jason Hill,

18:14public works director, if I could

18:17purchase the awnings on the old fire

18:20department before the building was

18:22demolished. I also contacted Christopher

18:26Var about buying the awnings. When the

18:30awnings disappeared August the 27th, Mr.

18:34Velar told me someone at the town had

18:38taken them. I asked each one of you if

18:41you knew where the awnings were and all

18:44of you said you did not know. In his

18:48report, town manager Homer Dearman

18:52states June Coin never made a [snorts]

18:55formal request to buy the ownings. He

18:58means I never asked him. [snorts] I

19:01could not speak nor ask this town

19:04manager anything because he had called

19:07me crazy and out of my mind at the March

19:113rd, 2025 council meeting. I gave each

19:15of you a copy of this statement and you

19:18did nothing. [snorts] There is no town

19:20resolution or law that states a formal

19:24request must be made

19:27[clears throat]

19:29to purchase surplus property from the

19:32town of Royal Hall. This is some of

19:34Homer Dearman's bull. Read it. I repeat,

19:39I believe town manager Homer Dear is a

19:42psychopath. He should be terminated.

19:46>> [snorts]

19:46>> I believe he is dangerous to me and the

19:49citizens of this town. The ownings are

19:53gone, crushed for spite. I still own

19:56eight buildings in downtown rural hall.

19:59I believe we have a psychopath for town

20:02manager. [snorts] Not anyone on this

20:06council knew he was placing ads in the

20:09Garden Spot newsletter. How much was he

20:12paid to do these ads? Thank you for your

20:15service.

20:24Susie Gordon.

20:33My [snorts] name is Susan Hawks Gordon.

20:35I live at 7430 Broad Street. I would

20:38like to thank everyone who worked on the

20:41no data center.

20:43We do not want to leave anyone out. A

20:45big thank you to all. Your hard work was

20:48greatly appreciated. We all came

20:51together to work for our rural hall and

20:54what accomplishment we had. In November,

20:56I would appreciate your vote for mayor.

20:59Thank you,

21:01[snorts]

21:08>> Dan Barnaby.

21:15Dan Bernabby. Dan Bernabby, 438 Academy

21:18Street. Um, I've talked to this council

21:22on numerous times now about policing of

21:26Academy Street. Every time I'm out in my

21:29front yard watering, doing

21:31[clears throat] yard work or whatever,

21:33and I witness the traffic going by, I

21:36almost see near [clears throat]

21:37accidents because of speeding,

21:40you know, pretty much on a regular

21:42basis.

21:44And it's it's like an accident waiting

21:46to happen, literally.

21:48So, I'm I'm curious as to who decides or

21:53what criteria is used

21:56to go down to one deputy at night time

22:01because the majority of speeding, the

22:04worst cases

22:05seems to be late afternoon, early

22:07evening. And I've talked at length with

22:10um Captain Joiner

22:13of the Sheriff's Department uh a few

22:15phone calls and he Lately, I've

22:18interfaced with Corporal Collins about

22:20the issue

22:22and um it just

22:25not only that policing, but what's the

22:27long-term plan for resurfacing that

22:30street? I mean, it's very heavy traffic

22:34and it's like it was chip sealed what,

22:37three about four years ago and it's all

22:40starting to become undulated, you know,

22:43really uns. But if you make that street

22:46smoother, speeding's going to go up.

22:50It's like a necessary evil almost. So,

22:54I'm curious as to what the long-term

22:56plan is for resurfacing Academy Street.

23:00And I know you guys don't run the cool

23:02uh school system, but um

23:06August 10th seems to be kind of early,

23:09doesn't it?

23:12>> Seems to be for me for sure. [laughter]

23:14Hey, I'd like to know how that decision

23:16was made. I I know I'm not trying to

23:20treat it as a joking matter. Kids

23:22education is very important. I get it.

23:25That will never change. Um but it just

23:29seems kind of early. And with that, you

23:31have extra operating costs. And if

23:34somebody is looking at like conserving

23:38or make stretching every tax dollar,

23:42um, do we really need to have the school

23:45year start so early? I mean, I got

23:50school at least two maybe three school

23:52buses. I know this is a county issue. I

23:55get it. But there are two three school

23:58buses running up and down Academy

24:00Street. They're part of the speeding

24:02problem sometimes. Sometimes they go up

24:05to Foster and they're on two wheels

24:09taking a turn. I'm not exaggerating.

24:14So, um, you know, and most of the time

24:17those school buses, they're running the

24:19same route, but they're always empty or

24:22near empty. Maybe one or two kids on

24:25them. The parents don't seem to want to

24:27trust putting their kids on the school

24:29buses. So then I scratch my head and I

24:32say, "Where's your tax dollars going to,

24:36Dan?" You know, I'm paying $1,000 every

24:40year to you guys and twice that to the

24:43county.

24:44And I'm asking myself, what am I getting

24:46in return?

24:49Thank you for listening tonight.

24:52>> Thank you.

25:18>> [clears throat]

25:22>> Is that it? Okay. [clears throat]

25:30All right, I'm going to move right into

25:33my comments and I'm going to be brief

25:35because

25:36um I'm going to ask the unless the

25:39council um objects, I'm going to ask

25:42Corporal Collins to come up under new

25:45business um to address a couple of the

25:49speeding or what what we're doing

25:52because this has been talked about

25:55numerous times.

25:57Is anybody any objection on this? Okay.

26:02He is still back there, right?

26:03>> Yeah, he's there for now.

26:05>> He's kind of back there now.

26:06>> His head is back there. Okay.

26:10All right. Uh,

26:16one thing I I want to promote again, uh,

26:19under my comments is the mayor's town

26:21hall meeting. Um it is it is an open

26:24meeting. There will be no agenda. Um

26:29so uh hopefully we're going to get back

26:31to uh talking about uh things that

26:34actually are going on inside the town uh

26:37which was speeding and roads and that

26:40kind of stuff. So that will be next

26:42Monday.

26:44Um

26:47and I notice in the public comments it

26:49always keeps coming up about elections.

26:51I hate to talk politics, but I am

26:54running for mayor also. So, if since you

26:58want to uh bring that up, we will start

27:01discussing that. I would challenge I

27:04would like to challenge all candidates

27:06to a candidate forum or preferably a

27:09debate. Uh so, I know one is here. uh

27:13would like uh we will be reaching out

27:15for the other ones and hopefully have

27:18that uh maybe two or three of them

27:20before election.

27:22With that, my comments are done. I would

27:24like to pass it over to any of the other

27:27council if you've got anything you'd

27:29like to say.

27:33Okay, before we move in uh

27:36on with our agenda, uh uh Councilwoman

27:40Ring is on vacation. I'd like to uh uh

27:44entertain a motion to accept her being

27:47absent as an excused absence.

27:51>> I'll make a motion to [clears throat]

27:53accept or as an excused absence since

27:55she's on vacation.

27:56>> Okay, we have a motion from Mayor Proam

28:00Horn.

28:01>> A second

28:02>> and second by Councilman Woodcock.

28:05Any discussion? Seeing none, all those

28:08in favor? I

28:09>> Okay, unanimous.

28:12>> Right. Moving right along. Uh if you've

28:14had an opportunity to look over the

28:16minutes um um under our consent agenda,

28:20if there's any corrections or any any

28:23changes, now's the time.

28:31Mayor, I note there is one um

28:33misspelling in the minutes, and that is

28:35Miss Cohen's name. Uh, it's

28:37inadvertently spelled with an H instead

28:39of a K. So, we do need to correct that

28:41in the minutes under public comment from

28:42the July council meeting.

28:45>> Oh, okay. Did not catch that until after

28:48publication in June. I apologize.

28:52>> Okay.

28:54All right. Seeing that, um, I'd

28:57entertain a motion to accept the agenda

28:59with the typo correction.

29:02>> I'll make a motion to accept the agenda

29:04with a typo correction.

29:05>> All right. Second [clears throat]

29:07>> motion by Mayor Pro Tim Horn, second by

29:11Councilman Lane. Any further discussion?

29:14Seeing none, all those in favor?

29:16>> I

29:16>> I

29:17>> Okay,

29:22under our new business, uh the recap of

29:24Splash Day and National Night Out, um

29:27our public information officer and

29:30events coordinator, Whitney Combmes.

29:33>> Thank you, Mayor. Um just wanted to give

29:35a recap and show a little slideshow of a

29:37couple events that we have had recently.

29:39So the summer splash and foam party on

29:41July 31st. Um we had perfect weather. It

29:44was sunny and warm. Um and it was a

29:46great success. We had 3 to 400 in

29:49attendance. Um our staff gave out around

29:51400 ice creams and ice pops. Uh the rule

29:55rule lifespan group was there giving out

29:58free backpacks. Um and I spoke with them

30:00today. said they gave out 97 free

30:03backpacks. Um, and the Royal Hall

30:05National Women of Achievement and St.

30:07James Church were also in attendance to

30:09help with giving out school supplies.

30:11Um, just a thank you to the town staff,

30:14mayor and town council as well as our

30:16firefighters for making this such a

30:18great community event. Um, this was my

30:20first splash day and just looking out on

30:22that day. Um, lots of smiling faces,

30:26lots of kids having fun. Um and so it

30:29was just a really nice event uh to see

30:31everybody come out and enjoy a summer

30:33day. Um on August 4th we had National

30:36Night Out. Um it started with a heavy

30:39rain shower. Um but we still had a good

30:41turnout. Um we were at Cington Park

30:43under the shelter. Um the Forcy County

30:45Sheriff's Office, Insight Human

30:47Services, and Woodman Life were set up

30:49giving out information about their

30:51services and any goodies that they may

30:53have had. Um, we were able to share a

30:56hot dog meal with our mayor and town

30:58council, town staff, local law

31:00enforcement, firefighters, and our rural

31:02hall neighbors. Sheriff Bobby Kimbro

31:04stopped by and spoke, as well as Chief

31:06Deputy Henry Gray. And this event is

31:09always a great opportunity to come out

31:10and meet your neighbors as well as the

31:12people that serve the community. Um,

31:14again, this was my first national night

31:16out and it this event felt like the

31:18epitome of a community event um with

31:21neighbors, kids, and public figures just

31:24chatting, having a good time. So, thank

31:26you to everyone that came out. And we'll

31:28start with a slideshow.

31:50Let

32:08me turn.

32:45Thank you.

32:47>> Thank you, Whitney.

32:56Turn the next item back over to Town

32:59Manager Dearman. Uh, adoption of fire

33:02department mission statement. That's on

33:04our attachment two. Mayor, if it's all

33:07right, I'd turn this one over to Deputy

33:08Chief Hill. Uh Chief Smith is not with

33:11us tonight. He is at a training just a

33:13couple of blocks over getting his EMS

33:15certification renewed. He may drop in if

33:18he's able to by the end of the meeting,

33:20but he asked Chief Hill to cover this uh

33:22agenda item.

33:24>> Thank you, manager, mayor. Um going back

33:28um just for a little background of um

33:30how this came to be. Um, in Chief

33:32Faulk's time here, um, the leadership

33:35team in the fire department was able to

33:37sit in a training with Chief Alderman,

33:39Chief of Kernel Fire Department, um, and

33:42take advantage of what they do as Cape

33:45Lookout Leadership Solutions. U, between

33:48the two, I don't know how many years of

33:50experience and knowledge they have, but

33:51it it's it's a bunch. It's u it's very

33:55um helpful to our leadership team. Uh

33:59Chief Faulk has come in, hit the ground

34:01running, and um

34:03he's done a lot in his short time here.

34:06Um his plate has definitely been full.

34:08Um and this is one of the things that u

34:11firefighter Goulsby and Chief Smith uh

34:13spearheaded. Um firefighter Goulby is

34:17currently working on a degree in fire

34:18protection technology. Um this is one of

34:21his projects um to develop a mission

34:24statement because essentially we didn't

34:26have a mission statement. um that was up

34:29to date. Um so this is what's been

34:31developed and so I don't take anything

34:33away from Chief Smith and Firefar

34:35Goulby. I'm going to read um of some of

34:38this um in attachment two. The Rule Hall

34:42Fire Department is committed to

34:43providing professional, dependable, and

34:45compassionate service to the citizens

34:47and visitors of Rule Hall. A formally

34:49adopted mission statement will clearly

34:51define the department's purpose,

34:52establish the values that guide its

34:54members, and communicate the standard of

34:57service expected by the town and its

34:59community. The proposed mission

35:01statement is built on the values of

35:03pride. P R I D that stands for

35:08professionalism, respect, integrity,

35:10dedication, and excellence. These values

35:13provide a consistent foundation for de

35:16departmental leadership, training, oper

35:18operations, decision making, and public

35:21service. They also reinforce the

35:23department's commitment to teamwork,

35:25courage, compassion, readiness, and

35:27honorable service. And some of those are

35:29found in our logo on the sign that's on

35:31in on the front of the new building.

35:34Um the mission statement built on PR

35:38is as follows. Our mission is to protect

35:42life, property, and the environment with

35:45professionalism, respect, integrity,

35:48dedication, and excellence. With pride,

35:50we commit to serving our community with

35:52courage and compassion, working together

35:54as one team, and upholding the highest

35:56standards of the fire service. We stand

35:59ready at all times to respond, support,

36:01and lead with honor. And adoption of

36:04this mission, if you decide to adopt it,

36:07um will allow the town to one, establish

36:09a clear and unified purpose for the Rule

36:11Hall Fire Department, provide guiding

36:13values for leadership, training,

36:15operations, and member conduct, and

36:18lastly, communicate the department's

36:20commitment to professional and honorable

36:22service. And at this time, staff is

36:24recommending that the council adopt the

36:26proposed Rule Hall Fire Department

36:28mission statement as presented built on

36:31PR ID Pride as the official mission

36:34statement of the department.

36:39Okay. [clears throat] Thank you, Jason.

36:42Uh, any questions to Jason?

36:46Seeing none, I would entertain a motion

36:48to adopt the fire department mission

36:51statement.

36:53I'll make a motion.

36:54>> Motion by Mayor Pro Tim Horn.

36:58>> I'll second.

36:59>> Second by Councilman Woodcock. Any

37:02further discussion? Seeing none, all

37:05those in favor?

37:06>> I I

37:09Okay,

37:15next item. I'll turn back over to Town

37:18Manager Dearman for the U

37:21budget amendment.

37:23>> Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council. As

37:26you guys know, I I don't like to get

37:27these items in front of you last minute,

37:29but this one is timesensitive. Um, it

37:32did come up uh over the weekend, and

37:35that is a budget amendment concerning

37:36the North Carolina Railroad Invest

37:38project. you adopted a budget amendment

37:41to um take care of the town's

37:43responsibilities in that grant back at

37:45the end of fiscal year 2425.

37:49However, there was turnover through the

37:50North Carolina Railroad office and then

37:54the um OBBE manufacturing um had some

37:57hiccups getting some of their things

37:58together, but all of the paperwork was

38:01completed last week and on Friday

38:03$150,000

38:05was deposited in our account that is now

38:08owed to OBBE Manufacturing. However, we

38:12owe it, but we don't have the legal

38:13means to pay it because we do not have a

38:15rollover provision in our budget

38:17ordinance. So, even though you adopted

38:18this amendment and agreed to this U

38:21proposal two years ago, we need to amend

38:24the current year budget to reflect

38:26$150,000 in revenue and $150,000

38:30in expenditure. Um, this is associated

38:33with the North Carolina Railroad

38:35Economic Development Grant awarded to

38:37OBBE Warehousing Incorporated. Funding

38:39was originally recognized through that

38:412425 budget amendment, but the request

38:44was not submitted until July of this

38:45year after the close of the fiscal year

38:48in which funding had originally been

38:49budgeted. Because that prior budget

38:51authority does not carry forward, this

38:53amendment is necessary to properly

38:55recognize both the revenue and

38:56expenditures. This would increase both

38:59revenues and expenditures by 150,000,

39:01resulting in zero net impact on the

39:04town's general fund or fund balance. The

39:07town is serving as the conduit for the

39:08economic development grant funds with

39:10the revenue received for the project

39:12offset by the corresponding payment to

39:14OBBE Warehousing Incorporated. Staff's

39:17recommendation at this time is to

39:18approve the budget amendment increasing

39:20the grant revenues by $150,000

39:23and grant expenditures by $150,000 to

39:26provide the necessary budgetary

39:28authority to receive and disperse the

39:30North Carolina Railroad Economic

39:32Development Grant funds to OBBE

39:34Warehousing Incorporated. Um, I have

39:37attached the budget amendment there and

39:39also provided for your reference a copy

39:41of the budget amendment that was adopted

39:43for the 202425

39:46budget ordinance back in June of 2025.

39:50Be glad to answer any questions that you

39:52may have.

39:54Does anyone have any questions?

39:59Okay.

40:01I'd entertain a motion to approve a

40:03budget amendment increasing

40:052026 through 27 grant revenues by

40:09150,000 and grant uh expenditures by

40:13150,000.

40:15>> Mayor, I'll make that motion to approve

40:17the budget amendment.

40:18>> Motion by Councilman Lane.

40:21>> I'll second.

40:22>> Second by Mayor Pro Tim Horn. Uh any

40:26further discussion? Seeing none, all

40:28those in favor? I

40:29>> I

40:31>> Okay,

40:33and that moves us right down to I would

40:35like to call up Corporal Collins. Uh I

40:38know you were sitting in and and we've

40:41addressed a lot of this before, but I

40:44give us an update on our nighttime and

40:49>> how you your night time. You still got

40:52one. Um and me and Dan, like Dan said,

40:55we and him's talked. Uh me and the

40:56captain's talked, he's talked to the

40:58captain. And I think maybe my last

41:01conversation with Dan, maybe the one

41:03before that, you know, you can write

41:04them people tickets. If they're fine

41:06with speeding and paying that fine, then

41:08that's that's up to them. You know,

41:09there's nothing I can do that's going to

41:11make them stop other than write them

41:13tickets. If they want to keep doing it,

41:14keep getting tickets, there's no way to

41:17stop that. Um and I've agreed with Dan

41:20that road is too small for the traffic

41:22that comes up and down it. That's two

41:24large developments back in there and I

41:26know it's nothing that the town can do

41:27about it. I don't know. Jason, do you

41:30know if the county will do or DOT will

41:32do a study on traffic amount on that

41:35road?

41:36>> They might if we request it. That needs

41:38to come from uh from the council.

41:41>> Yeah,

41:43>> that might be something to look into

41:44because that is a narrow road for that

41:46traffic and you meet

41:48>> car on there, you've got to be almost

41:50off in the grass. That's a stupid

41:52question because anybody put speed bumps

41:54or something on that road. That's just

41:55[laughter]

41:56>> That would be a question for DOT. Um

41:58they maintain the road. Um we do plow it

42:01just as courtesy to our citizens in the

42:03winter time, but that is the only thing

42:06um that we do with Academy Street

42:09>> and that would include the paving of it

42:11also, right?

42:12>> Yeah. And it was like Mr. Barby said

42:14three possibly four years ago. I don't

42:16know if that's on a seven-year cycle or

42:18not. I'm trying to think back um the

42:21last time previously to that it may be a

42:25sevenyear cycle. Um, I know going years

42:29back, um, even Mayor Williams, um, Frank

42:33James, Steve Wall, um, they rode down

42:36Academy Street with some staff members

42:38of DOT with Pat Ivy at the time. And

42:42basically, u, they were told that they

42:43weren't concerned about the ride quality

42:46as long as the surface was, um, sealed.

42:48That's their main, uh, priority there.

42:51Um, and it hasn't obviously gone beyond

42:55that. Any

43:01questions?

43:02>> Where does our town limits end at on

43:05Academy

43:06>> Simmons Road?

43:07>> Yeah, just past Simmons Road. Um, I'd

43:09say approximately 300 ft beyond Simmons

43:12Road.

43:12>> So, do we have the authority to ask for

43:14a speed evaluation

43:17just before that since it'd be in our

43:19town or can we go further back and just

43:21say, "Hey, can the county

43:22>> So, we did have the speed limit

43:24lowered." Um

43:26it wasn't an easy task, easy feat. Um it

43:30just prior to Pat Ivy leaving when he

43:32retired. Uh they did agree to lower it

43:35in the town limits to 25. Um we don't

43:39have any control over um you know

43:41outside of town limits where it's 35 and

43:44then they come in to 25. I think it's

43:46difficult to get people to slow down to

43:4825.

43:49>> It is and it's a small gap there. That's

43:5135. So in town you're 30 at 25, you go

43:54to a small little area that's 35 and

43:56then go right back into 25 again.

43:58>> Okay.

43:59>> Um and I don't that we probably could

44:01never convince DOT to change that small

44:04little area 35, but it would help most

44:07likely. Okay. Um if we could do that,

44:09but like I said, it's not in town. It's

44:11out in the county, but it is a very

44:12small area. 100 yards maybe that it's

44:1535. Okay.

44:16>> And then it goes right back to 25 start

44:18developments.

44:19>> Okay. So [clears throat] that might

44:22would help. Um, you know, I I've stayed

44:24late on days and because Dan was saying

44:26that some of the speeding was like

44:28around six o'clock. I've stayed late and

44:29wrote people at 6:00. When I still had

44:31the bike, I was sitting over on it

44:33because it would be harder to see. And I

44:35mean, like I said, we have wrote a ton

44:37of citations over there. And you can

44:40only keep writing them citations really.

44:42I mean, unless DOT is going to get

44:44involved and do something to help with

44:46it. Um, if there was another exit for

44:49that development back there, that would

44:51help, but I know DOT is not going to put

44:53another road in, but

44:57>> thank you.

44:59>> Any other questions?

45:03So, there and and there was a question

45:06that was made about and I probably about

45:08answer this. The reason you don't have

45:10more than one is because we won't give

45:12spend another 150,000 for another

45:15officer. Is that would that be the

45:17answer

45:18>> to to get one? You'd about have to get

45:20two. So it was you wouldn't have one

45:22working some kind of crazy days or hours

45:25and at the same time with that then the

45:28sheriff's office would make you promote

45:30my spot to a sergeant spot because they

45:32only let so many people be under

45:34corporal. Then you're not get promoted

45:35to sergeant before you have more people.

45:38So it

45:39>> I could even quote you what the number

45:41would be. I could get it found out for

45:44you and give it to you, but I couldn't

45:45off top of my head.

45:50Any other questions, too? Okay. Thank

45:53you.

45:54>> Thank you.

45:54>> For the spur of the moment.

45:58All right.

46:03All right. We'll move on to the

46:06department reports. Back to uh town

46:09manager home. Thank you, Mayor Council.

46:12We got uh several items that I'd like to

46:13share with you this evening. Of course,

46:15my written report is in your agenda

46:17packet, so I'll highlight a few of the

46:18more significant activities and

46:20accomplishments

46:21um from over the past month and and

46:23things that I think you will be um glad

46:26to hear about. Much of our work during

46:28July and August, early August, is

46:30centered on financial management and

46:32closing out the previous fiscal year

46:34while implementing the new budget. Staff

46:36has continued responding to audit

46:38requests, completed our annual PAL bill

46:40reporting, monitored revenues and

46:43expenditures, and continued

46:44administering several significant grants

46:46and capital projects. Last week, our

46:48finance staff let me know that we have

46:50submitted most of the requested

46:52information to our auditor. And we

46:54expect them to be on site for fieldwork

46:56here at town hall uh possibly later this

46:59month, but more likely in early

47:00September. But we are on track for a

47:02timely audit this year. One particularly

47:05good piece of financial news occurred on

47:07July 14th when the town received

47:09$252,000

47:11in reimbursement from the Federal

47:13Emergency Management Agency through the

47:15assistance to firefighters grant program

47:17for the new SCBA air packs purchased for

47:20the Royal Hall Fire Department. Those

47:22new air packs were received in late

47:24June. They're now in service and are

47:26being used by our firefighters. This

47:28represents a substantial investment in

47:30firefighter safety and emergency

47:31response capabilities with the

47:33overwhelming majority of the costs

47:34supported by federal grant funding. I

47:37want to recognize Chief Jack Chief Zack

47:39Smith, Deputy Chief Hill, our fire

47:42department personnel, finance staff, and

47:44everyone involved in administering the

47:46grant and getting this equipment into

47:48service. Um, I'll give you a little

47:50preview. We are working on another FEMA

47:52grant application and hope to have that

47:53before you for consideration in the

47:56coming months.

47:58We are also continuing our efforts to

47:59strengthen the town's internal financial

48:01controls and administrative practices.

48:03During this period, I drafted new

48:05purchasing card and cash management

48:07policies. Both of those documents are

48:10being circulated among our appropriate

48:11staff members and professional

48:13adviserss, including our auditors for

48:15review and comment. Following that

48:17review, I anticipate bringing both of

48:19those policies to the town council for

48:21consideration in September. These

48:23policies are another step in formalizing

48:25sound financial practices and ensuring

48:27that the town's procedures continue to

48:28meet current standards for

48:30accountability, transparency, and

48:33protection of public funds.

48:35As outlined in the written report, we

48:37also completed several substantial

48:39public records requests over the last

48:41month. One of those was a request

48:43involving all budget amendments adopted

48:45over the previous five years. Reviewing

48:48those records provided an opportunity to

48:50put those amendments into context, and I

48:52hope that you'll read that in the

48:53report. The overwhelming majority of

48:55amended dollars were associated with

48:57one-time capital investments, grants,

48:59and major projects, particularly our new

49:01fire station, and improvements at

49:03Covington Park rather than increases in

49:06recurring operating expenses. I've in

49:09I've included that analysis in the

49:11written report because I think it is

49:13important that you as the council and

49:14the public have a clear understanding of

49:17how the municipal budget amendment

49:18process works.

49:21In response to questions raised during

49:23our most recent council meeting and

49:24prior to that regarding the former fire

49:26to station awnings, I prepared a written

49:28statement documenting the facts

49:30surrounding that demolition project.

49:32Rather than recapitulate all that and

49:34revisit those details tonight, I've

49:36included the statement as an attachment

49:38to my report so that it becomes part of

49:39the public record and is available to

49:42anyone who wishes to review it. Work

49:45also continues on the Covington Park

49:47improvement project in coordination with

49:49Withers Ravenel and the North Carolina

49:51Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. We

49:53continue working through design, grant

49:55administration, compliance requirements,

49:57and the steps necessary to move this

49:59significant recreational investment

50:01forward.

50:02Um, this week geotechnical engineers

50:05will be on site at Covington Park.

50:07They'll be drilling a couple of small

50:08diameter holes uh with a boring rig

50:11attached to an ATV. So, if you see them

50:13down there at Covington Park this week,

50:15uh they are taking care of all of the

50:16geotechnical requirements for that

50:18grant. We also continued the work of

50:20administering the part of economic

50:22development grants and partnering with

50:24regional and state agencies on projects

50:26affecting our town. I've asked Jason

50:28Hill in a few moments to update you on

50:30the transportation project that we

50:32discussed a few months ago. Thanks to

50:34Jason's efforts and those of Councilman

50:36Lane and Councilwoman Ring, we will soon

50:38have more grant funds coming to us to

50:41help beautify Rural Hall and enhance

50:42what most consider to be the main

50:45intersection in our town. We continue to

50:48look for opportunities to make town

50:49funds work harder for our taxpayers.

50:52During July, we renewed one of the town

50:54certifi certificates of deposit at

50:563.65%. 65%

50:58which is expected to generate

50:59approximately $3,700 in additional

51:02interest revenue during the 9-month

51:04investment period. That is part of a

51:06broader effort by you as our council and

51:09our staff to actively manage the town's

51:11available cash while maintaining safety,

51:13liquidity, and compliance with state

51:15law.

51:17I also want to highlight a couple of

51:18examples of our of our employees

51:20stepping up to help a neighboring

51:22community. Following the significant

51:24flooding event in Mount Erie on August

51:261st, which damaged both their public

51:28works facility and license plate agency,

51:31our staff reached out to offer

51:32assistance. Rohal public works director

51:35Jason Hill offered personnel and

51:36resources to assist Mount Ari's public

51:38works department with recovery efforts.

51:41and our LPA has taken on some of Mount

51:43ER's dealer work um on an interim basis.

51:46It's probably going to be at least a

51:48month before they're reopened in Mount

51:49Erie. So, we're not only getting a lot

51:51of their foot traffic, but also a lot of

51:53their dealer work as well, which is is a

51:55lucrative proposition for the town, but

51:57we're also glad to help out our

51:59neighbors. Um I am very proud of our

52:02employees for recognizing a need beyond

52:04our municipal boundaries and asking what

52:06Rural Hall could do to help because god

52:07forbid it could happen to us one day as

52:09well. and we would hope that our

52:11neighbors would do the same. That spirit

52:13of cooperation is one of the strengths

52:14of local government in North Carolina.

52:17Planning for Rural Hall's future also

52:19continues. Council, we are coordinating

52:21with Precise County Planning staff on

52:23the rural hall area plan update. That

52:25plan was last updated about 10 years ago

52:27and it's time to review that. An

52:30overview of that process will be

52:32presented to you by the Forcy County

52:33Planning Department in September and

52:36following that will be a series of

52:38public input and public engagement

52:39opportunities that they will share more

52:41about next month.

52:45There has been considerable public

52:47discussion over the past several years

52:49about the town's finances, management

52:51practices, and operations. I have

52:53generally believed that the most

52:54appropriate response is not rhetoric,

52:56but documentation, measurable results,

52:59and the public record. I've been working

53:02to compile that broader public record,

53:04including the substantial improvements

53:05made by the town over the past three and

53:07a half years, and I anticipate sharing

53:10more about that with the council and the

53:12public in September. When we do, I think

53:14it will be important that the credit

53:16goes to where it belongs, and that is to

53:18the elected officials who are willing to

53:19address difficult issues and

53:22particularly to the staff who have done

53:23the work necessary to implement those

53:25improvements. As a little bit of a

53:27preview to that information that I'll be

53:29sharing in September, I have a handout

53:30to share with you tonight summarizing,

53:33excuse me, the town of Rural Hall's

53:35annual investment earnings over the last

53:37several years. Investment earnings have

53:40increased substantially in recent years

53:42as the town has taken a more active

53:43approach to cash management and the

53:46investment of temporarily idle funds.

53:48From fiscal year 2015 to through fiscal

53:52year 2022,

53:55the town generated approximately $79,732

54:00in investment earnings. That's over an

54:02eight fiscal year period, about $10,000

54:06a year, a little bit less than that.

54:08Since January of 2023, however,

54:10investment earnings have totaled

54:12$792,540.

54:16That is 10 times the amount earned over

54:18eight fiscal years earned in just three

54:21and a half fiscal years with sound

54:23investment practices.

54:25The larger amounts reflected in the

54:27other funds column on your handout for

54:29fiscal year 23,24 and fiscal year 2025

54:33are attributable primarily to the town's

54:34decision to promptly invest grant

54:36proceeds received for the construction

54:39of the new fire station. Those funds

54:41generated approximately $189,539

54:46in additional revenue while waiting

54:48while awaiting expenditure on the

54:50project, allowing us to put otherwise

54:52idle cash to work and helping offset the

54:55local taxpayer cost of this major

54:57capital investment. Collectively,

54:59[snorts] these earnings represent

55:01additional revenue generated through the

55:03responsible investment of existing town

55:05resources. This approach has

55:07strengthened liquidity and provided

55:08additional resources to support our

55:10operations and services and capital

55:12needs without increasing the tax burden

55:15on our taxpayers. I think that is

55:17something that you all can be

55:18exceptionally proud of.

55:21Finally, I want to recognize the broader

55:23team behind all of this work. Whether

55:25it's our firefighters putting new life

55:27safety equipment into service, finance

55:29staff working through audit

55:30documentation and grant reimbursements,

55:34public works staff offering to help

55:36another community, our license plate

55:38agency stepping up with additional

55:40traffic and working to assist our

55:41neighbors in Mount Erie, or any of our

55:44employees who work every day to handle

55:45our services and responsibilities that

55:47the town offers. These accomplishments

55:49are the result of a collective effort. I

55:52appreciate the leadership of our mayor,

55:54our town council, the professionalism of

55:57our staff, and the partnerships that

55:59we've developed with other agencies and

56:00organizations.

56:02There's a lot of work going on in our

56:04organization, folks. And I'm proud of

56:06the town of Rural Hall for continuing to

56:07strengthen its financial practices,

56:10invest in our future, support our

56:11neighbors, and provide quality services

56:14to our citizens. Council, that concludes

56:16my report. I'll be glad to answer any

56:18questions that you may have.

56:24hearing. None. I'll pass the mic over to

56:25Jason.

56:29>> Thank you, manager. Um there's a few

56:31things I wanted to point out in my

56:33report. Um and they all pertain to uh

56:37projects that we have ongoing. Um the

56:41project out on 65 is really ramping up.

56:43Um it continues. I talked to the DOT

56:46inspector last week. it continues to

56:49stay on schedule. Um actually a little

56:52ahead of schedule uh with the dry

56:54conditions through the spring. Um we're

56:57about a year in. It's a two-year

56:59project. So um we've got about a year if

57:02it stays on schedule um remaining on

57:05that one. Um the Forum Parkway

57:08connector, if anyone's been down Forum

57:10Parkway lately, they've got to have one

57:12of the largest cranes in the state,

57:14maybe the country sitting down there. Um

57:16they do have girdters across the Norfolk

57:19Southern Rail Line now. Um they're

57:22working on the approach on the

57:24university side up to the bridge. Uh

57:26that's a three-year project and it's

57:29also been in progress for about a year,

57:31so two years remaining on it if it stays

57:33on schedule. Um our staff here continues

57:37to work with DOT staff on U6190 which is

57:42um the project from Glade Street to

57:44Broad Street and just beyond Broad

57:46Street at this point on Rule Hall

57:48Germanson Road. Um we were notified

57:51several months ago that the initial plan

57:53was to widen the bridge over the

57:55railroad. Um and the design of the

57:58bridge doesn't allow it to be easily

58:01widened. Um so we've gone back to them.

58:04Um uh you know it's considerably more

58:06expensive of course to do a complete um

58:10tear out and um new construction of that

58:13bridge. Um manager Dearman has contacted

58:17um Kyle Hall to see if there's an

58:20opportunity to get financing or um you

58:23know funds for that to assist uh with

58:26with the replacement of it. And our um

58:30thinking is instead of doing this uh the

58:33DOT deems that bridge to be in fair

58:35condition. Um and our question is if

58:37it's in fair condition, how long is it

58:40going to remain in fair condition? And

58:42once it gets to poor condition, when

58:44will it be replaced? Um and they're

58:46going to do some research um amongst the

58:49staff at DOT uh just to see how far out

58:52we could see that bridge replacement

58:54happen and would it make more sense to

58:56do it all in one project. It's going to

58:58be a major disruption to traffic through

59:00town. Um and they're going to get back

59:03to us with that information. Um the

59:06manager asked me to just give a brief

59:09update on the Broad Street pedestrian

59:12project. And I'm going to be honest,

59:13these grants are nice, but it's a

59:16headache. Um, and this is the first one

59:19that I've been associated with with

59:21getting the federal funding. Um, I want

59:23to give credit where credit is due to,

59:26uh, Miss Anita and Mark Lane. Um, I

59:29represent the town on the technical

59:31coordinating committee. Um, they are on

59:34a, um, committee, which is the technical

59:37advisory committee. Uh so we'll meet

59:39first as staff level and then everything

59:42we approve goes to the elected body um

59:46and it's made up um the metropolitan

59:49planning organization is made up of um

59:52Rule Hall, King Louisville,

59:54Kernersville, Winston Salem, that

59:56general area and a few more

59:58municipalities and um you may see a

1:00:01share occasionally um the the NO

1:00:06wants input from the public. So, if you

1:00:08ever see us post um a survey or anything

1:00:12like that, that's your time to uh

1:00:15directly impact the decisions that are

1:00:18being made as far as transportation goes

1:00:20in this area, not just rule hall, but

1:00:22for Scythe County, and I'm sure we all

1:00:25uh travel on the roadways that are

1:00:27affected by that. Um, so our project is,

1:00:31um, as I've talked about in the past,

1:00:33the Broad Street Pedestrian project, um,

1:00:36gives, uh, safe areas, crosswalks along

1:00:39the Broad Street corridor, um, to cross.

1:00:42They're signaled. Um, also some

1:00:46sidewalks around Roy Hall Elementary

1:00:48School to uh, make it safer for the

1:00:50children to cross over, to go to

1:00:52Coington Park and anyone for that

1:00:54matter. Um back back on July 16th

1:00:58funding was approved by the TCC and the

1:01:01Tac.

1:01:03Um and at this point it will go to um NC

1:01:08[clears throat] DOT to the Department of

1:01:10Transportation uh to their board for

1:01:13approval. Um and Hunter with the city of

1:01:16Winston Salem who was here and gave a

1:01:18presentation several months back um is a

1:01:21wizard on all this. I rely heavily on

1:01:23him. I think Mark Lane can say the same.

1:01:26Um, you know, he is, um, if we've got a

1:01:30question, if he's in office, he replies

1:01:33within the hour most of the time. Um,

1:01:35and he talks the engineering lingo that

1:01:38sometimes over my head and I have to

1:01:40say, "Hang on a second. You know, slow

1:01:42down so we can understand this." But,

1:01:44um, he's super in providing information.

1:01:47And we sent an email a couple weeks ago.

1:01:50I didn't know that, um, Councilman Lane

1:01:52was sending an email. He didn't know I

1:01:54was sending one, but I think we about

1:01:55sent one the same day. Um, just

1:01:58inquiring about our next steps and

1:02:00trying to understand the process. And

1:02:03his response was basically um the

1:02:06project construction would could begin

1:02:08in 2030. If everything stays on schedule

1:02:11um with funding, we would go to um into

1:02:14the design phase in 2027.

1:02:18Um funds for the project would be

1:02:20programmed into a state improve uh

1:02:22transportation improvement program uh

1:02:25for fiscal year 28. Um funding

1:02:29authorized for design uh October 1 of

1:02:3227. Um and then our essentially our

1:02:35project is small. Um some of them are

1:02:38larger when you're building bridges and

1:02:40roadways and traffic circles and all

1:02:42this sort of thing. But um construction

1:02:44once it starts should be complete

1:02:47possibly within 6 months. Um it's just a

1:02:50smaller scale project, but this is

1:02:52allowing us to get our feet wet uh with

1:02:55getting federal funding. Um and I'm not

1:02:58going to bore you anymore um with

1:03:00acronyms and um and all the jargon here.

1:03:04Just trying to keep it simple because

1:03:06that's how I understand it. But if you

1:03:08have any questions about this project,

1:03:10we're looking forward to it. It will um

1:03:13the tie in nicely with the timing for um

1:03:17with the broad or the 65 project from

1:03:21Glade Street to Broad Street. It should

1:03:24all come together and wrap up at about

1:03:26the same time. So, the timing, even

1:03:28though I'm ready to start now or, you

1:03:31know, this fall and uh and and push

1:03:33forward and get things done, but that

1:03:35timing will work out nicely with that uh

1:03:38project that's in the stip that uh DOT

1:03:40is doing for us.

1:03:43>> Okay.

1:03:45Any questions?

1:03:51Do you have any more department

1:03:54reports? That is all that I have. Any

1:03:56other staff members have anything?

1:03:58>> Chair and mayor.

1:03:59>> That concludes our department reports.

1:04:01>> Okay. Well, I'm going back to the

1:04:03department reports because I want

1:04:09>> Thank you. I turned it off there for a

1:04:12few minutes. Um, okay. I'm going to go

1:04:15back to the department reports and back

1:04:18to your report. Uh because one of the

1:04:22things that we've said under public

1:04:23comment, the council will only listen

1:04:25and not respond but may decide to place

1:04:27a topic on future agendas. Well,

1:04:32it has been on the agenda uh I mean uh

1:04:35public comment for several months

1:04:39and you have stated that you added

1:04:44a statement regarding the false

1:04:46allegations

1:04:48and and it is public knowledge. I

1:04:52understand that. But we're live and this

1:04:56is probably being listened to all over

1:04:59the state. And I would say with

1:05:02allegations that I just heard that you

1:05:05should be able to respond by answering

1:05:08these allegations by the what you

1:05:10submitted in our report.

1:05:13>> Thank you, mayor. I'll be glad to I'll

1:05:15go ahead and assert from the start that

1:05:16I'm not a psychopath. I'm a professional

1:05:19local government manager. And as a

1:05:21professional local government manager, I

1:05:23understand that uh we have to follow

1:05:26state law and policies and procedures.

1:05:28If you come up and tell me you want a

1:05:29fixture off an old building, that's

1:05:32great, but I need that in writing. I

1:05:33need that in an offer in pursuant to

1:05:35North Carolina General Statute. I never

1:05:37heard that directly from Miss Cohen in

1:05:39any way. And that is why I drafted this

1:05:41statement, which I will share at this

1:05:43time. Questions have been repeatedly

1:05:45raised by Miss June Cohen regarding the

1:05:48disposition of the awnings removed

1:05:49during the demolition of the former

1:05:51Royal Hall Fire Station building. Most

1:05:53recently, Miss Cohen repeated those

1:05:55questions and false allegations during

1:05:57the July 13, 2026 council meeting and

1:06:00again this evening. Although town staff

1:06:03has responded to those concerns on

1:06:05multiple occasions, inaccurate claims

1:06:06regarding the disposition of the awnings

1:06:08continue to be repeated by Miss Cohen.

1:06:11In the interest of providing a clear and

1:06:13complete public record, the following

1:06:14information is provided as part of this

1:06:17monthly report. As part of the

1:06:19demolition project, the contractor was

1:06:21responsible for removing and disposing

1:06:23of materials associated with the

1:06:25structure in accordance with the

1:06:26approved demolition contract. The

1:06:29awnings were among the building

1:06:30components removed during that work.

1:06:32I'll stop there to explain just a little

1:06:34bit further that when a demolition

1:06:36contractor bids on a project, they

1:06:38consider the recyclable value, the

1:06:40resale value, all of those things when

1:06:43they submit a bid. And so all of that

1:06:45was considered when the contractor put

1:06:47together the bid.

1:06:50Like many other materials associated

1:06:51with the former building, the awnings

1:06:53had been exposed to the elements for

1:06:55many years. Indeed, the canvas on the

1:06:57awnings was weathered. Each of the lower

1:06:58level awnings easily tore with the

1:07:00slightest pressure, and the upper level

1:07:01awnings were in worse condition. The

1:07:04removal, transportation, and storage of

1:07:06these awnings would have required

1:07:07additional labor, equipment, and expense

1:07:10for the town of Ro Hall. The town did

1:07:12not identify a practical municipal use

1:07:15for the awnings, nor was there any plan

1:07:16to retain them for future use, and no

1:07:20formal interest or offer was received by

1:07:22anyone, including Miss Cohen. That is

1:07:26something that is put to the council for

1:07:28review. We never received any kind of

1:07:30offer. We never received any kind of

1:07:32written offer. Her assertion is

1:07:34completely false.

1:07:37Miss Cohen also stated to at least one

1:07:39town employee at the time that she was

1:07:41no longer interested in the awnings and

1:07:43to forget about it. I've heard that

1:07:45recording myself. I know that that was

1:07:46said by her.

1:07:48The town's priority throughout the

1:07:50project was to complete the demolition

1:07:52safely, efficiently, and in a manner

1:07:54that supported construction of the new

1:07:55fire station while avoiding unnecessary

1:07:57cost to taxpayers. Similar decisions

1:08:00were made regarding numerous other

1:08:02components of the building, including

1:08:03the exterior steps and various fixtures

1:08:06and hardware. We had a couple of folks

1:08:08that came by and expressed interest in

1:08:09the exterior steps that led to the

1:08:12dwelling uh portion of the building. and

1:08:14the contractor uh asked us about it and

1:08:17we basically discussed that and said,

1:08:19you know, it's part of the demolition

1:08:20contract. They felt it would not be safe

1:08:22to remove and so we urged [snorts] them

1:08:24to go ahead and destroy them.

1:08:27Um

1:08:29items that were practical and

1:08:30economically feasible to salvage were

1:08:32handled accordingly, including those

1:08:33declared surplus, several of which were

1:08:35sold in accordance with town procedures

1:08:37on govdeealss.com.

1:08:39Materials that did not meet those

1:08:41standards, including the former awnings,

1:08:43remain part of the demolition process. I

1:08:46did direct the public works department

1:08:48to remove the awnings from the building

1:08:49once their weathered and worn condition

1:08:51was ascertained to avoid allegations

1:08:53from Miss Cohen, suggesting that the

1:08:55awnings had been improperly removed or

1:08:57stolen. I did photograph and video

1:08:59record much of the demolition process to

1:09:02document that the awnings were in fact

1:09:03crushed and disposed of as part of the

1:09:06contractor's work and as the town

1:09:08contractually agreed. Those photographs

1:09:10were taken primarily to verify the facts

1:09:12and address those allegations. And many

1:09:14of the photos of the process were shared

1:09:15publicly as there was a great deal of

1:09:18public interest and nostalgia with the

1:09:19demolition of the old building. That was

1:09:22the occasion at which I did call Miss

1:09:24Cohen crazy and out of her mind

1:09:26following a discussion right over there

1:09:28um shortly after the demolition of the

1:09:30awnings because she continued to make

1:09:32false allegations. I do regret those

1:09:35comments, but I said what I said.

1:09:39It is important to note that North

1:09:41Carolina law provides a mechanism by

1:09:43which members of the public may submit

1:09:44an offer to purchase government-owned

1:09:47property. Had Miss Cohen or any other

1:09:49interested party submitted a proposal

1:09:51pursuant to North Carolina General

1:09:53Statute 168-269

1:09:56before the demolition occurred, the town

1:09:59could have evaluated that request and

1:10:00determined whether salvaging the awnings

1:10:02was in the public interest. No such

1:10:05proposal was ever submitted, nor was any

1:10:07formal request ever made to preserve or

1:10:09acquire the awnings before they were

1:10:11demolished. Miss Cohen was well aware of

1:10:14this procedure, having argued with the

1:10:15town over a failed attempt to circumvent

1:10:17that legal process with regard to

1:10:20surplus real estate that the town sold

1:10:22on Glade Street earlier in 2025.

1:10:26Following her unfounded complaints at

1:10:27that time, Miss Cohen was given copies

1:10:29of the applicable statute and supporting

1:10:32information from the UNCC School of

1:10:34Government, yet continued to accuse me

1:10:36and our town staff of wrongdoing, even

1:10:38accusing me of taking kickbacks on the

1:10:41sale of the Glade Street property

1:10:43despite the statutory procedure being

1:10:45followed to the letter.

1:10:48I don't have to put up with that as a

1:10:49public employee, and neither should any

1:10:51other public employee. The facts

1:10:53surrounding the disposition of the

1:10:55awnings were straightforward. The

1:10:57awnings were demolished in accordance

1:10:58with the demolition contract. No formal

1:11:01request or offer to require them was

1:11:03submitted before demolition. And there

1:11:05is no factual basis for June Cohen's

1:11:08claims that they were stolen or

1:11:10improperly disposed of. With this

1:11:13information now part of the public

1:11:14record, I believe the pertinent facts

1:11:16surrounding the demolition of the

1:11:17awnings have been fully documented. Town

1:11:19staff remains committed to carrying out

1:11:21all projects transparently, responsibly,

1:11:24and in accordance with North Carolina

1:11:26law. Thank you, mayor.

1:11:29>> Thank you.

1:11:35I'd entertain a motion to adjurnn.

1:11:38>> I'll make a motion to adjurnn.

1:11:40>> Motion has been made. Second.

1:11:42>> Second.

1:11:42>> All those in favor? All right. Bye.