2026-10-19 - City Council

00:00I call to order the Thomasville City

00:03Council meeting for Monday, October

00:0419th, 2026.

00:07I welcome all of you in the

00:09chambers here this evening.

00:11A

00:12special welcome as we usually do

00:15to our members, our people from the

00:17Thomasville City Schools.

00:20We have with us this evening Dr. Shayla

00:22Savage, superintendent.

00:25Welcome to you. We have Ms. Wanda

00:27Eliskis.

00:29And welcome to you. We have two members

00:31of our school board, Malcolm Richburg

00:34and Nancy Staten. Welcome to each one of

00:36you as well.

00:38And representing the Chamber of Commerce

00:40this evening is Mr. Chris Brown.

00:43He's president CEO of Novant Thomasville

00:46Medical Center here in Thomasville. So

00:48welcome to all of you and the others as

00:51well.

00:52We also welcome the press that may be

00:54joining us live

00:56on our feed to YouTube.

00:59And anyone else that's joining us on

01:02social media and our website.

01:07First order of business this evening

01:09will be additions and deletions to our

01:11agenda, Mr. City Manager.

01:15>> Good evening, Mayor Council.

01:18I do not have any additions or deletions

01:21for this agenda.

01:23>> Okay, thank you very much and what's the

01:24pleasure of council with regard to the

01:26agenda?

01:26>> Mr. Mayor, I do have one addition to the

01:28agenda if

01:30we could. We have committees set for

01:33November 3rd of next month. I would like

01:36to move if we could to move committees

01:38to November the 5th of next

01:42for the month of November.

01:44>> November the 5th. That would be a

01:46Wednesday. A Thursday.

01:47>> Thursday.

01:49Okay.

01:50Do you want to put that in the form of a

01:52motion?

01:53>> Yes, sir. So

01:54>> Okay. Okay, is there a second?

01:56>> Second.

01:58>> Okay, is there any discussion?

02:10Okay, you may

02:11record your vote.

02:14And I have seven in the affirmative, so

02:17that will be added to the agenda.

02:20Now, what's the pleasure of council with

02:22regard to the amended agenda?

02:24>> Mr. Mayor, I will make a motion to

02:26approve the agenda as amended.

02:28>> Second.

02:29>> Okay, we have a motion and second. Any

02:31discussion?

02:37Okay, you may record your vote.

02:40And we have seven zeros, so the agenda

02:43has been unanimously approved.

02:47We're now down to our public forum.

02:49Uh we've had two speakers to sign up

02:52this evening. The first one is Joe

02:54Guzman. Uh if you would come forward to

02:56the

02:57podium, please. State your name and your

03:00subject for the uh

03:02clerk, please.

03:04>> Hi, my name is Joseph Guzman. I'm here

03:06about trash pick up for my business.

03:09Um

03:10I have

03:1218 Salem Street, which is Average Joe's

03:14Barn Tap.

03:15Um J. Thomas Way is the access to get to

03:18the trash.

03:19Um

03:21I was told, and I've been trying to get

03:23someone to pick up my trash behind my

03:25building, but it never happens.

03:27Um I've been in touch with the

03:28supervisor of public works several

03:30times, and

03:32I was told to bring it down to the

03:33street or traipse it through my business

03:37to the front of the building.

03:39Um trash pick up is on Mondays, and then

03:42well, recyc-

03:43Tra- Either way, trash is on Mondays or

03:46Wednesdays.

03:47Um

03:49I counted the steps. There's 18 steps

03:51from the where Alby and Ally gets picked

03:53up and mine doesn't. I would like to

03:55something to be done about that. Um I'm

03:58not open on Sundays and then for me to

04:00try to figure out make sure that I get

04:01the trash to the road or wherever is

04:03just ridiculous. There's times that I've

04:05actually moved it closer and it still

04:07doesn't get picked up. Like I said, it's

04:0818 steps.

04:10Why is it not getting picked up? And why

04:12do I have to call all the time to try to

04:14get it done rather than to bring the

04:16stuff on a Wednesday night straight

04:17through my building to the road.

04:19That's all. I just want to have that

04:21somebody address it and figure out why

04:23it can't get done.

04:25>> Okay, thank you.

04:26>> Thank you.

04:33>> The next person that is

04:35the next one that is signed up

04:37>> This evening

04:38is Karen Biscoe.

04:40And likewise, please state your name and

04:43subject for the clerk.

04:48>> Um good evening. Um I'm Karen Biscoe. Um

04:51I'm on the board vice president of South

04:53Davidson Family Resource Center and I'm

04:56here in support of the Kate Foundation.

04:58We have just um have them an office in

05:01our building now, which will give them

05:03full service for any of their domestic

05:06violence clients, which means everything

05:08from food, clothing, assisting with

05:11housing, utilities, um any of the items

05:15that the Kate Foundation would need. So

05:17we're here in support. Second thing, I

05:20want to say hello

05:22>> Hello.

05:22>> to a lot of you. I am a retired teacher

05:25for Thomasville City Schools. I taught

05:27some of you.

05:28The school board, I know three-fourths

05:31of them and some of you here I've worked

05:34with Communities in Schools and I just

05:36want to thank you. This is a gorgeous

05:38facility. It's the first time I have

05:40been in this facility. It's come a long

05:42ways. I retired 7 years ago in 2019

05:46and um

05:47I'm

05:49thrilled to be partners with the Kate

05:51Foundation. And also to let you know

05:54that South Davidson Family Resource

05:56Center now is serving a lot of clients

05:59in the Thomasville area.

06:01Um, we have now went from the southern

06:03part of Davidson Davidson County and now

06:06we're serving everybody

06:08from

06:09Thomasville, Midway, Lexington.

06:12We're getting a lot of clients and our

06:14funds do come through United Way.

06:17And I will also be adding to let y'all

06:19know because I'll add a senior service

06:22grant that'll be coming as well as the

06:25regular grant that where we will be able

06:27to serve elderly um, people with

06:30services of safety in their homes so

06:33they can stay in their homes. So that

06:35will become available to this area as

06:37well. So to let you know and and like I

06:39said, I'm here in support with the Kate

06:41Foundation.

06:42>> Oh, all right. Thank you for everything.

06:45>> Yes.

06:46That's wonderful.

06:50>> We're now down

06:52We're now down to item four recognitions

06:55and proclamations.

06:57Um, item A on

06:59number four, Domestic Violence Awareness

07:02Month. Uh, this will be pre- presented

07:04by Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Shell.

07:13>> If I can have Melissa and

07:16Emma

07:17maybe out here.

07:29This proclamation is for Domestic

07:31Violence Awareness Month and it reads,

07:33"Whereas domestic violence is a

07:35devastating

07:36social issue that affects individuals

07:39and families in every community and

07:41causes a lasting physical, emotional,

07:44and financial harm. And whereas millions

07:47of people across the nation experience

07:50physical, emotional, psychological, and

07:53financial abuse each year, leaving

07:55lasting impacts on victims, children,

07:58and communities. And whereas community

08:02partners and advocates work diligently

08:05to provide resources, protection, and

08:08hope to those impacted. And whereas

08:11domestic violence awareness month,

08:13observed each October, provides the

08:16opportunity to unite,

08:19honor survivors, remember the lost,

08:22and strengthen our collective community

08:25to end domestic violence. Now,

08:27therefore, Raleigh York Jr. hereby

08:30proclaims the month of October as

08:32Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the

08:35City of Thomasville, and encourages all

08:38residents to join in support efforts to

08:41prevent domestic violence, assist

08:44survivors, and assisting the help they

08:47need, and promote safety,

08:50healthy

08:51relationships

08:52for all. Signed the 19th day of October,

08:562026.

08:57Signed Raleigh York Jr., the mayor of

09:00Thomasville.

09:02And I would like to present this I would

09:04like to present this one to Melissa.

09:06She's going to tell us a little bit

09:08about the Kate Foundation

09:11um and explain a little bit about why

09:13they have this foundation.

09:17>> Thank you.

09:18>> Thank you, Melissa.

09:19>> THANK YOU.

09:26I DID BRING UH

09:28SOME PACKETS WITH ME THIS evening to

09:30distribute if you if that's okay. Okay.

09:35>> Thank you.

09:37>> You're welcome.

09:39>> I think so. I'm not sure.

09:46>> Good evening.

09:49I am so very thankful for this

09:51proclamation of your support and for

09:53recognizing

09:55October moving forward as being domestic

09:57violence awareness month.

09:59I am Melissa Crooke.

10:02I founded the Cade Foundation

10:04in memory of my daughter,

10:06Officer Kaitlin Crooke, who lost her

10:09life this past December to domestic

10:11violence.

10:13Cade stands for know the signs,

10:17acknowledge the abuse, decide to leave,

10:20and end the violence.

10:23The need is growing.

10:27In 2025, North Carolina lost 162 people

10:31to domestic violence homicide.

10:34That's a 4.5%

10:35increase from the previous year.

10:39Every victim

10:40of domestic violence is someone's child.

10:45I cannot bring Katie back,

10:47but my hope

10:49is that through this work, no other

10:51mother

10:53will ever feel the pain I've had to

10:55bear.

10:56Safety is our priority.

10:59At our Denton location, we help people

11:02before, during, and after leaving with

11:05safety planning and home security

11:08improvements for those remaining in

11:10their homes.

11:11We're also working towards developing

11:14Hope Village,

11:15Katie's Law, and a safety band.

11:19With so much work left to do to end

11:22domestic violence,

11:24it is truly an honor to be recognized

11:27for our commitment to this.

11:30And again, I do thank you all for your

11:32recognition.

11:33>> Thank you. Thank you, Mrs.

11:45>> I would be as learning disability

11:47awareness month. This will be presented

11:48by

11:49council member Joyce Johnson.

11:51>> And if I could have our amazing

11:54superintendent Thomasville City Schools

11:55Dr. Savage along with our school board

11:58members to join me up here for the

12:00reading of this proclamation.

12:03And this again is for learning

12:05disability awareness month.

12:23And the proclamation reads,

12:25whereas learning disabilities affect how

12:27individuals process information and can

12:30impact reading, writing, math,

12:32organization, and focus.

12:34And whereas millions of children and

12:36adults live with learning disabilities

12:37and with proper support and

12:39understanding they can succeed in

12:41school, work, and in life. And whereas

12:45raising awareness reduce stigma,

12:47encourages early identification, and

12:50promotes inclusive practices. And

12:52whereas October is recognized nationally

12:54as learning disability awareness month.

12:56And so now therefore Raleigh, your

12:58junior mayor of the city of Thomasville

13:00proclaims that the month of October as

13:02learning disability awareness month in

13:04the city of Thomasville and encourages

13:06all its residents to support greater

13:07understanding and inclusion for

13:09individuals with learning disabilities

13:11this 19th day of October 2026.

13:15I'm super excited to have our new

13:17superintendent up here to receive this

13:18proclamation and to bring awareness to

13:20this very important month.

13:23So, congratulations.

13:24>> Thank you.

13:53>> Item C

13:55resolution in support of green light for

13:58veterans, November 3rd through the 10th.

14:01Uh, Council member Doug Hunt will

14:03present that.

14:05>> Thank you, Mayor.

14:06This is a resolution in support of

14:07Operation Green Light for Veterans from

14:10November 3rd through the 10th of 2026.

14:13Whereas the representatives of the city

14:15of Thomasville hold a deep respect and

14:17admiration for the men and women who

14:19have selflessly selflessly served our

14:21country in the United States Armed

14:22Forces.

14:23And we honor and celebrate the service

14:25and sacrifice of the hundreds of

14:27thousands of brave Americans who have

14:29worn the uniform in defense of our

14:30nation.

14:32And whereas the transition from military

14:34to civilian life can be challenging for

14:36many veterans, particularly those that

14:38have served in recent conflicts, and far

14:41too many continue to struggle with

14:42physical, emotional, and mental health

14:44challenges.

14:46Since 2001, over 30,000 veterans have

14:49tragically lost their lives to suicide.

14:52More than four times the number of US

14:53military personnel who died in combat in

14:56Iraq and Afghanistan.

14:58Whereas Operation Green Light for

15:00Veterans is a national initiative to

15:02raise awareness of the challenges faced

15:04by veterans and to highlight the

15:06resources available at the county,

15:08state, and federal levels to support

15:10them and their families.

15:12And whereas the Davidson County Veterans

15:14Service Agency proudly serves

15:16approximately 9,000 veterans, connecting

15:19them to vital benefits, employment

15:20assistance, health care services, and

15:23peer support.

15:25Whereas the Thomasville is participating

15:27in Operation Green Light for Veterans by

15:29illuminating some of our buildings and

15:30monuments in green for from November 3rd

15:33through the 10th, and we encourage

15:35residents and businesses to do the same.

15:38By shining a green light, we send a

15:40clear message to our veterans they are

15:42seen, appreciated, and supported by

15:45their community.

15:46Now, therefore, be it resolved that

15:48Raleigh York Jr., mayor of the city of

15:50Thomasville, North Carolina, hereby

15:52proclaims the city's support for

15:54Operation Green Light for Veterans,

15:56and encourages all residences residents,

15:59businesses, and community partners to

16:01participate by displaying a green light

16:03from November 3rd through November 10th

16:06as a symbol of our unwavering gratitude

16:07and support for those who have served.

16:10Adopted this 19th day of October 2026,

16:13signed and sealed by the Raleigh York,

16:15mayor of Thomasville city of

16:16Thomasville. And I'd like to add, 22 a

16:18day is what they say, and that's too

16:19many.

16:21We need to We need to make this change

16:22and and and support our veterans as they

16:24come back under hard times. Thank you.

16:27>> Uh thank you, Councilman, uh for that.

16:30I'll just ask if you're a veteran with

16:32us here tonight, if you would please

16:34stand.

16:35So that we can be recognized.

16:51This being a resolution, uh I now defer

16:54to council for action.

16:59>> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we adopt

17:01the resolution as presented.

17:04>> Second.

17:06>> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Is

17:08there any discussion?

17:13Okay, you may record your vote.

17:20Let's see. You got one missing.

17:24>> I think this is me.

17:25>> Okay. Now we got Now we have seven.

17:27>> I thought I had pushed it.

17:28>> Okay.

17:29Well, 7-0, so the resolution has been

17:32approved.

17:35We're now down to our consent agenda,

17:37and I'll recognize our city manager, uh,

17:39Mr. Brant, for that.

17:43>> Thank you, Mayor.

17:45The consent agenda is a series of items

17:47that has been determined to be uh

17:49reviewed by council and will be then

17:51voted on as a single vote after I read

17:54the items.

17:56Item A is your minutes from the

18:01September meeting uh the briefing and

18:03committees meeting of September 14th,

18:062026.

18:08Item B is consideration of the minutes

18:09of the council meeting from September

18:1121st, 2026.

18:14Item C is consideration of an award of

18:17service and maintenance contract for

18:18sewer line cleaning and CCC CCTV in

18:22inspection

18:24uh with KGR Utilities.

18:27And this will include cleaning 56,000

18:30linear feet of sewer. And

18:34uh

18:34at approximately $196,000.

18:37This is a piggyback award, which is

18:39which is a different form of bidding

18:42that allows us to use a different local

18:45government that had the same services

18:47performed. So, this has been properly

18:49advertised for that purpose.

18:51Item D is special event approval process

18:54and application. The special event

18:56approval process needed updating due to

18:58the downtown social district

18:59requirements for closing NCDOT and local

19:02streets, and updated processes for

19:04approval for ALE permits,

19:06uh Thomasville Police Department

19:08involvement in events, and other items.

19:12Item E is consideration of amendment to

19:14loading zone ordinance.

19:16This uh,

19:17ordinance will remove a loading zone

19:19near 31 Salem Street and creates a

19:22larger loading zone on JW Thomas Way at

19:26the intersection of Salem Street and

19:28then it also reduces the size of a

19:30loading zone on J JW Thomas Way near

19:34former police station. Um,

19:38that is your uh, consent agenda this

19:39evening.

19:40>> Thank you very much. Uh, I will

19:43defer to council for action. Hold

19:46>> Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve

19:47the consent agenda.

19:48>> Second.

19:49>> Motion and second. Any dis-

19:52Motion and second. Any discussion?

19:57Okay, you may vote. We'll hold it Hold

19:59on just a minute.

20:01>> Now you

20:01>> It It It jumped. It jumped off. Okay,

20:04now.

20:10>> Still missing one.

20:13>> There we go. We have seven zeros, so

20:15that

20:17is unanimous.

20:20We're down now down to our regular

20:22agenda.

20:23Item A is consideration of budget

20:25amendment 2027

20:28uh, P4-01.

20:29Mr. City Manager.

20:32>> Thank you. This is a uh, budget

20:34amendment

20:35to uh,

20:37it uh,

20:38book as revenue $800 uh, for a donation

20:42that was made for the Light Up the

20:43Holidays event for the beautification

20:46committee.

20:48So, it's the simple $800 budget

20:49amendment.

20:51>> Okay.

20:52I defer to council for action.

20:54>> Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion that we

20:55approve budget amendment 2027-P4-01.

21:00>> I second.

21:01>> We have a motion and a second. Any

21:02discussion?

21:08Okay, you may record your vote.

21:117-0, so that has been approved

21:14unanimously.

21:16Item B, consideration of budget

21:17amendment 2027

21:20P4-02,

21:22government relations contract. Mr. City

21:25Manager.

21:27>> Uh City Council has reviewed uh

21:31applicants as a government relations

21:33organization to help with the City of

21:35Thomasville um

21:37at uh regarding state and or federal

21:40grants and other opportunities. In order

21:44to uh sign that contract this con- this

21:47budget amendment is required, which

21:49transfers $60,000 from our fund balance

21:54uh from the general fund into a a fund

21:57that uh for this type of use of funds.

22:02So, it's a $60,000 budget amendment uh

22:04from uh contingency to uh

22:08the uh

22:09profes- professional services

22:11and uh it will leave $435,100

22:15in the general fund uh fund balance.

22:18Excuse me, not fund balance,

22:19contingency.

22:20>> Contingency, yes.

22:25Okay, having heard this, what's the

22:27pleasure of Council?

22:28>> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we

22:29approve the budget amendment uh 2020

22:33whatever the

22:34what it was what was it? 2027 P4-02 as

22:37presented.

22:38>> Uh is there a second?

22:39>> I'll second.

22:41>> Okay, we have a bud- a motion, a second.

22:43Any discussion?

22:45>> We hemmed and hawed about this for a

22:46long, long time. Um I personally am

22:50against the idea of lobbyists. I think

22:52it's fundamentally anti-democratic to

22:54have to pay somebody to speak to a

22:56representative on your behalf, but

22:57unfortunately, that is what we're

22:59working with and I don't want to be so

23:01blinded by my um opinion on lobbying

23:05that we miss out on dollars that we

23:06could be getting for the city. So, I'm

23:09in favor of giving this a shot and

23:10seeing what it does for us and we can

23:13always reevaluate at the end of the

23:14year.

23:16>> And I definitely appreciate Councilwoman

23:17Williams for making that statement cuz I

23:19as as she said, I am one of those ones

23:21that I hate that we are having to move

23:23in this. I will be voting no um but I

23:25will be voting no on the sole purpose

23:27again, I don't believe it's uh prudent

23:30for us to let our representatives off

23:32the hook. Uh we we send a representative

23:36from District 80 and then a North

23:38Carolina senator that are supposed to

23:39represent our interests and we talk a

23:41lot up here about those people and it's

23:43important to have them in these rooms,

23:45in these spaces listening to the things

23:47and concerns of local government. And so

23:49I don't want to let them off the hook in

23:51any way, shape or form. So, that's why

23:52I'll be voting no because I believe it's

23:54important for them to do their job and

23:55to show up.

23:58>> Any further discussion?

24:03You may record your vote.

24:09We have six yes and one no.

24:12Let's see, the no is Council Member

24:14Johnson. As he stated, he would be a no

24:16vote.

24:17So, that has been approved.

24:22Now down to item C, consideration of

24:26amendment to Main Street map. Uh Mr.

24:28Bryant.

24:30>> Thank you, Mayor.

24:31Uh as part of our North Carolina Main

24:33Street program,

24:34uh we have a specific area that the Main

24:37Street exists in downtown. On this map,

24:39it's the par- parcels highlighted in

24:41blue.

24:42There are two parcels that were left out

24:44of our original map for for the Main

24:47Street program. That was the property at

24:5014 East Guilford Street, which is better

24:52known as the Big Chair Lofts, and 110

24:55West Guilford Street, which is uh better

24:59known as the Carolina Underwear

25:02facility. It's not They don't make

25:04underwear anymore there. That's what

25:05everyone knows what the property is.

25:07They These are immediately outside of

25:09the boundaries, but both of them

25:12are part of the downtown and part of and

25:15so we want to include them in

25:16opportunities that Main Street may bring

25:18them in the future. So, in order to do

25:21that, requesting that you adopt this

25:23map.

25:26>> Okay, what's the pleasure of council?

25:29>> Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion

25:31that we approve the amendment to the

25:32Main Street map.

25:33>> Second.

25:34>> Okay, we have a motion second. Any

25:36discussion?

25:37>> Mr. Manager, just for purpose of

25:39information, can you explain to folks

25:41that this is different than the social

25:43district map and us amending this map

25:46will not change the social district?

25:48>> Right.

25:48There's actually three different ways

25:50that we identify downtown. One is the

25:53municipal service district, which is

25:56much larger area that goes from

25:59basically from the police department the

26:01new police department all the way down

26:02to

26:03Julian Street. Um that area is eligible

26:07for grants from the city for economic

26:10development purposes.

26:11Then there's the Main Street map, which

26:13is the map that you just saw and

26:15adopted. The third downtown area is the

26:18social district. That This does not

26:21change the social district. The social

26:22district establishes areas in our

26:25downtown that allow for public drinking

26:28on public sidewalks

26:30under

26:31specific standards and guidelines

26:34and is not being changed by this

26:36activity.

26:37If they choose to do that in the future,

26:39that would be a different vote,

26:40different process. Thank you.

26:44>> Any further discussion?

26:48Okay, you may record your vote.

26:51And we have a 7-0 vote, so that is

26:53approved unanimously.

26:57Item D is consideration of vehicle

26:59safety

27:00and telematics program policy.

27:03In-car cameras, Mr. City Manager.

27:09>> I promise I'll give up the microphone

27:10>> cameras. Do what?

27:12>> I'll give up the microphone soon.

27:13>> Okay.

27:14>> Um the uh

27:15we were uh

27:17it was brought to our attention that

27:18there was a pilot program being offered

27:20by the North Carolina League of

27:21Municipalities Risk Management Services,

27:23who we have our property and liability

27:25insurance through. Uh this is a a pilot

27:28program that would install uh cameras

27:32within our uh vehicles beyond our police

27:34department that would uh

27:37uh manage the fleet itself, let us know

27:41when they need oil changes, gas uh fuel

27:43changes, things of that nature,

27:45um maintenance to the vehicle. It also

27:47would be able to identify um when there

27:51was a vehicle uh interaction, uh

27:54uh whether it was a hard brake or

27:56whether it was a speeding situation, so

27:58we could coach the employee uh on their

28:01on their uh safety. And it also uh would

28:05record uh information about facing

28:08forward cameras that if there was an

28:10accident, that we would be able to

28:12provide more information. Um we get a uh

28:16a number of complaints throughout the

28:18year of mis- trash mis- missed uh uh

28:22uh

28:23situations, uh potential speeding,

28:26things of that nature. This will protect

28:28our employees from from uh

28:32having a he-said-she-said event where we

28:34could we can't tell who

28:36who the issue was, we'll have recorded

28:38information about it. It is a pilot, uh

28:40and it does use AI technology uh to

28:44operate this system. It also will be in-

28:47uh installed on fire trucks and our

28:49large vehicles

28:51with 360 cameras. So, we'll be able to

28:53tell,

28:54you know, what happened in an event.

28:57In order to put all this in place

28:58though, we needed to have a policy on

29:01update our current policy and also

29:04improve upon it with this new technology

29:07being implemented. So, this implements

29:10the policy.

29:11The program is a pilot program that's

29:14that's in process.

29:17>> Okay, thank you for that. So, what's the

29:19pleasure of council?

29:24>> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we

29:25approve the vehicle safety and

29:28telematics program policy as presented.

29:30>> Second.

29:32>> Okay, we have a motion and a second.

29:34Now, is there any discussion?

29:39>> I think shout out to Thomas Manning, our

29:40risk manager, for bringing this to our

29:42attention.

29:47>> Definitely agreed. Um, and

29:49a point of a point of information too,

29:50cuz I know we had talked about it during

29:52committee, but I I think it was really

29:53important and it gave me a lot of

29:56solace with about how I'm going to vote

29:58tonight. A part of these the the policy

30:00with our cameras, it will not have any

30:02audio, right?

30:03>> Correct.

30:04>> And so,

30:05can you elaborate a little bit on that?

30:06>> Yeah, the the the system could have

30:09audio, but we have chosen not to install

30:12the Well, the audio will be installed.

30:13We will not use the audio.

30:16So, any conversations that take place

30:18within the vehicle will not be recorded.

30:20And it only records when an event takes

30:22place where it would report it. So, if

30:26there was a situation where one of our

30:28employees did a hard break, someone

30:30pulled in front of them and they had to

30:31slam on the brakes, then that would be

30:33recorded and sent to our risk manager

30:37for review to determine whether there

30:39was, you know, was it a a valid

30:41situation? First of all, was it really a

30:43hard break? And then second of all, why

30:45was it a hard break? And if it was an

30:47instance where someone had pulled out in

30:49front of them or something of that

30:50nature, then there would be no issue at

30:52all.

30:54Um but it gives us the opportunity to

30:55coach them if it if there are concerns

30:58about their driving habits.

31:00>> Thank you.

31:01>> Mhm.

31:02>> Okay. Any further discussion?

31:06Okay. You may record your vote.

31:14And need one more vote from somebody.

31:18Okay. We have uh the the

31:22the total is five

31:23yes, two nos.

31:25So, the two nos are council member Lamba

31:29and council member Shell.

31:32Uh so, this has been approved.

31:40Item E is consideration of street naming

31:42and address assignment ordinance. Uh

31:46Mr. Chuck George, planning director.

31:50And community development.

31:54>> Thanks, Mr. Jordan, Mayor.

31:56>> Yes.

31:58>> Thank you, Mayor and Council.

32:00>> The

32:00>> ordinance to amend

32:01This ordinance to amend chapter 70,

32:03article 5 of the code of ordinance by

32:06adding a new section 70-144,

32:09street name and address assignment.

32:12The purpose of this ordinance is to

32:13provide for the orderly assignment of

32:16street addresses,

32:18including addresses for infill

32:20development and changes to street names

32:22and address numbers within the city and

32:25its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

32:28Uh these provisions protect public

32:30safety by helping emergency responders

32:33locate individual dwellings and

32:35businesses and facilit- and facilitating

32:38the delivery of public and private goods

32:40and services.

32:42The proposed ordinance gives the

32:43Department of Planning and Community

32:45Development authority to assign and

32:47modify street addresses

32:49and establish the Board of Planning and

32:51Adjustment decision-making authority

32:54regarding street name changes.

32:57I respectfully request your

32:59consideration approval of this amendment

33:01of

33:02to chapter 70 article 5. Thank you.

33:06>> Thank you very much.

33:08It's my pleasure, Council.

33:11>> Mr. Mayor, I'll make the motion that we

33:13approve the street naming and address

33:15assignment ordinance.

33:17>> Is there a second?

33:17>> Second.

33:19>> Yeah, we have a motion and

33:21We have a motion and a second. Is there

33:22any discussion?

33:28You may record your vote.

33:32And we have seven zeros, so that has

33:35been approved unanimously.

33:37Item F is consideration of amendment to

33:39animal control ordinance. Uh Chief

33:42Carter,

33:43Police Department.

33:51>> Good evening, Mayor, members of Council.

33:53>> Good evening, Chief.

33:54>> Uh before you tonight is a proposed

33:56amendment to chapter 10 article 2

33:57section 1036, the city's domestic

34:00animals ordinance, uh which addresses

34:01the number of animals permitted within

34:03the city limits. Beginning with the

34:05title section 1036, the amendment

34:07removes the words not for breeding

34:09purposes, leaving the title as number of

34:11animals permitted.

34:13Under section subsection A regarding

34:15dogs, uh the existing limit of three

34:16dogs 4 months of age or older

34:19on residentially zoned lots remains

34:21unchanged unchanged, sorry. The

34:24amendment adds language clarifying that

34:26keeping dogs for breeding purposes is

34:28governed by section 1037 of city

34:30ordinances.

34:31Subsections B, C, D, and E remain

34:34unchanged.

34:35Uh moving to the proposed new subsection

34:37F regarding livestock, the amendment

34:40establishes a minimum lot size of 2

34:42acres for keeping livestock within the

34:43city limits.

34:44For properties meeting the minimum

34:46requirement, livestock would be limited

34:48to one animal per 2 acres of pasture

34:51with a maximum of five animals.

34:53Additionally, any stable, barn, pen,

34:55shelter, or other enclosure used to

34:57house livestock must be located at least

34:59200 ft from any residential structure on

35:01another lot and at least 20 ft from any

35:04property line.

35:06Swine remains prohibited under section

35:0810-2 of the city ordinances and are not

35:10included in these livestock allowances.

35:13The proposed new subsection G addresses

35:15chickens and other poultry. The

35:17subsection would limit the keeping of

35:18chickens, pheasants, and other fowl or

35:20poultry to hens only uh with a maximum

35:23of five per dwelling house.

35:25Roosters and other male poultry would be

35:26prohibited and poultry covered by this

35:28subsection would not be permitted to

35:30permit permitted, permitted, sorry, in

35:34multi-family dwelling structures. Got

35:36tongue tied there.

35:38Um finally, the proposed new subsection

35:40H establishes a grandfather provision

35:42for existing livestock and poultry.

35:44Under subsection H, livestock and

35:46poultry lawfully kept prior to October

35:4819th, 2026 would be allowed to remain

35:51for the remainder of the animal's

35:52natural lives.

35:54However, owners would not be permitted

35:55to add livestock or poultry that would

35:57increase or perpetuate non-compliance

36:00with subsections F or G.

36:02The grandfather provision also does not

36:03apply to animals already prohibited

36:05under other section of the city

36:06ordinances.

36:08In summary, the proposed amendment to

36:10section 10-36 retains the city's

36:12existing restriction on dogs,

36:14establishes new requirements for

36:15livestock under subsection F,

36:18establishes poultry restrictions under

36:19subsection G, and provides a grandfather

36:22provision for lawfully kept livestock

36:24and poultry under subsection H.

36:27The intent is to establish clear

36:28standards for keeping livestock and

36:29poultry within the city limits

36:32while providing consideration for

36:33residents who lawfully owned animals

36:35before these new restrictions.

36:37I would ask for council's consideration

36:39and approving the amendments to the

36:40domestic animals ordinance of the city.

36:42Thank you.

36:46>> Okay, having heard this explanation,

36:49what is the pleasure of council?

36:55>> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we

36:56approve the new amendment to animal

36:58control ordinance.

37:00>> Is there a second? Okay, we have a

37:02motion and a second. Is there any

37:03discussion?

37:05>> I just I really appreciate the time and

37:06the effort that went into writing this

37:08ordinance. I'm going to vote no just

37:10because it's a little bit too

37:11restrictive for my taste, but I

37:13appreciate all the work and the research

37:15that went into it. So, thank you.

37:18>> Any more discussion?

37:23Okay, you may record your vote.

37:28Okay, we have a vote of five yes, two

37:31no's. The no's

37:33Council Member Johnson, Council Member

37:35Williams. So, that has been approved.

37:42Item G is called for public hearing

37:44regarding economic development grant for

37:46project Bagel on November 16th, 2026

37:51at 6:00 p.m. at 20 Stadium Drive,

37:54Thomasville, NC.

37:56So, I call on council for a motion

38:00to call for this hearing. Do I have such

38:02a motion?

38:04>> Mr. Mayor, I'll make the motion to call

38:06for the public hearing regarding

38:07economic development grant for project

38:09Bagel on November 16th, 2026 at 6:00

38:13p.m., 20 Stadium Drive.

38:15>> Second.

38:16>> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any

38:18discussion?

38:21You may record your votes.

38:24And we have seven zeros, so that has

38:26been approved unanimously.

38:29We're now down to item seven, council

38:31reports and appointments, and this

38:34evening I will begin with Mayor Pro Tem

38:36Lisa Shell.

38:37>> I'm sorry. Before you do that, you have

38:38item H, which was added to the

38:41regarding the

38:43the committee meetings

38:45in

38:46November, moving it from November 3rd to

38:49November 5th.

38:51>> That's right. Yeah.

38:52We just voted added to the

38:54>> Right, you voted to add it to the

38:55agenda, not vote.

38:56>> Okay, having heard this, what's the

38:58pleasure of council?

38:59>> Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we

39:01approve the change from our meeting date

39:05on uh

39:07the 3rd to November the 5th.

39:11>> Okay.

39:12And this will be the committee meetings

39:15that's usually held the first Tuesday of

39:17the month.

39:19So, now is there a second?

39:20>> Second.

39:21>> Okay, we have a motion and a second.

39:23Is there any discussion?

39:26>> Everybody make a plan to vote November

39:283rd or earlier.

39:35>> Any more discussion?

39:37Okay, you may vote.

39:40And that's seven zeros, so that meeting

39:44date has been changed.

39:47Now we're down to item seven, council

39:50reports and appointments, and I will

39:51start with the Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Shell.

39:55>> Good evening, Mr. Mayor. I have

39:57submitted a copy of my agenda to

40:01Wendy.

40:02Um

40:03I would like to give a big shout-out for

40:06all of the people that came out for our

40:07everybody's night, all the people that

40:09came out for everybody's day.

40:12Um and if you are in a domestic violence

40:15situation, please reach out to one of

40:17these organizations.

40:19Um

40:20you know, they're there to help you.

40:22And that is That's it. I love it. Stands

40:25as my report.

40:26>> Okay, thank you very much, Council

40:28Member Erica Sanders.

40:30>> Good evening Good evening, everybody. Um

40:33I just want to say that I gave Ms. Wendy

40:35my monthly my monthly report.

40:38And um

40:40also

40:41I wanted to say that I went to several

40:44um

40:45ribbon cuttings.

40:46Um first of all, uh

40:49What's that?

40:50Bagel The Bagel ribbon cutting

40:53on October the 13th.

40:56I went to the

40:58Thomasville City Schools where they um

41:00installed the superintendent.

41:03October the 14th Gandy Mae Residence

41:05Care ribbon cutting.

41:08And then October the 15th, the large

41:11avanza at the Women's Club.

41:14And that stands as my report. But I

41:18would like to say um

41:20I am so grateful to the domestic

41:23violence

41:24um you all coming out tonight.

41:28Um because um it was I really got very,

41:31very emotional

41:33because um

41:35when I was coming up, my mother

41:37my mother was very abused.

41:40And I saw that at a very young age, and

41:43it brought And my mother, she died at

41:4548, but it brought back memories. So I

41:48stand with you guys all the way.

41:51Thank you.

41:52>> Thank you very much.

41:54Council Member Payton Williams.

41:58>> I've not submitted a copy of my

42:00activities. Start the counter back at

42:03zero. I'll work on it. I know, I'm

42:05sorry. Um

42:08I really appreciate the Kate Foundation

42:10for being here. It was great to learn

42:11about your organization and I appreciate

42:13the difficult but super important work

42:15that y'all are doing in our community

42:17every day. So, thank you.

42:19Um

42:20I also want to say that I got to go to

42:22the launch of Avanza

42:24um launch competition pitch competition

42:26pitch competition last week and it was

42:29amazing. I'm so proud of that program.

42:31I'm so proud of Adalia. Um it's an

42:33economic mobility initiative that works

42:35with small businesses that are emerging

42:37or established in Thomasville to try to

42:39get them the funding and the resources

42:42that they need to be super successful

42:44here. So, you can see a couple of those

42:46on Salem Street over Christmas. They're

42:48going to have some pop-up shops. And if

42:50you have questions about business in

42:52Thomasville or um need help, you can

42:55call Chuck who was also there guest

42:57judge. She did a great job. Or you can

42:59talk to Adalia. Um but I'm really proud

43:02of that initiative and I'm grateful for

43:03the work that they do and I will send my

43:05activities and that's my report.

43:07>> Thank you very much.

43:09Council member Honor Thripp.

43:10>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I did want to

43:12mention just a couple things. I had the

43:14opportunity to uh step in for Mary York

43:16and go to the Miss Thomasville pageant

43:18and welcome those folks there and watch

43:19the pageant. Always look forward to

43:21that. It's always a a fun event to see

43:24who our new queens are going to be for

43:25Thomasville. Um I also wanted to once

43:28again welcome Dr. Savage to our

43:30community as the new superintendent. Uh

43:33Yeah, that's true.

43:37We have uh she's only on been on the job

43:39for about 2 weeks and I've already heard

43:41amazing things about her. She's already

43:43extremely involved in our community and

43:46we appreciate that. That's great. Um

43:49and I have submitted a copy of my

43:50activities to the clerk and I will let

43:52that stand as my report.

43:53>> Thank you. Council member Doug Hunt.

43:56>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have submitted a

43:58copy of my activities to the clerk and

44:01um just a couple of things. It's been a

44:02busy month, but I got to participate

44:04with the Rotary Club at a party in the

44:06park this year and it was such a great

44:08event. There was so many kids out there.

44:09I know I've seen a lot of the older

44:10folks in here were there and it and it's

44:12so much fun to watch those kids run

44:14around having a ball that I really

44:16enjoyed that event.

44:18Secondly, I'll preface this by saying

44:21I'm naturally a low tax person. I don't

44:23like high taxes. I don't like paying

44:25taxes.

44:26But there are three constitutional

44:28amendments that are coming up for vote

44:29on November 3rd and the one that I

44:31really have a problem with is the one

44:34that restricts our ability as a local

44:36council to levy taxes and and and take

44:38care of our community with those funds.

44:41The state wants to step in and

44:42micromanage us. I don't agree with that

44:44because they don't know what our bills

44:46are. They're not helping us pay our

44:48bills. They're just trying to

44:50micromanage from up here and I don't

44:53agree with it. So I'd encourage

44:54everybody to get out and vote. I'm

44:56completely for the first two amendments,

44:57but the one that

44:59that crushes local municipal

45:00municipalities really needs to be

45:02stopped.

45:03And I'll let that stand as my report.

45:05>> Thank you.

45:06Council member Jacquelyn Johnson.

45:08>> Thank you so much, Mayor Yoder. I have

45:10submitted a copy of my activities to our

45:11clerk and so I'm excited about that one.

45:14But

45:15it has been a very like our council

45:17members have said a very busy month,

45:18eventful month. We've had a lot of

45:19ribbon cuttings. Our superintendent has

45:21now been sworn in.

45:23We've had a not just is October is also

45:27breast cancer awareness month and

45:29definitely wanted to give a big shout

45:30out to Blythe Leonard who hosted again

45:33for another year the

45:36pink chair here in our city which brings

45:38awareness to not only breast cancer

45:41awareness, but also early detections and

45:43really supporting our women through that

45:45journey. And so I will let that stand as

45:48my report for this evening.

45:50>> Thank you. Council member Diana Lambie.

45:54>> Test. Test. I have not submitted my

45:56report.

45:58We're being taped together right there.

46:03Um

46:05Uh one thing I want to say is we are

46:07gearing up for our Christmas parade. Uh

46:10so, if you are wanting to participate in

46:12the Christmas parade this year, please

46:14make sure you get your application in to

46:16tourism at the Depot. Um also, I went to

46:20the TBH grand opening. That was a party.

46:25Um me and the mayor showed up at 8:30 in

46:28the morning.

46:29So, we were there for a um pretty good

46:31while. Um also want to remind everybody

46:33that we are doing a time capsule um 250

46:36time capsule for the city.

46:38Um the last day to drop your items off

46:40is October 23rd, and again, you can do

46:42that at 44 West Main, which is um the

46:45Depot.

46:46Um I also was at Launch-A-Vonza. I was

46:49also a judge, and we have some amazing

46:54new businesses, small businesses coming

46:56to Thomasville, and it was very

46:59eye-opening. I don't know if I would

47:01have ever done that and got up in front

47:02of people and be judged.

47:04Um but those guys did great on every one

47:07of them. Um

47:09ate a lot of good food from some new

47:12local businesses, so that was that was

47:14really good. Um I'll let that stand as

47:17my report, and then you have promised

47:18I'll get it to you tonight.

47:20>> Thank you very much.

47:22Like they said, it's been a busy month,

47:24so I'm just going to go over a few

47:26things that uh

47:28I had a part uh in uh this past month.

47:31Of course uh

47:33I know all all of you were there, so

47:36that's everybody's day and night.

47:39That covers everybody, so I guess we

47:41were all there. So,

47:43uh

47:43so that was a that was a good time and

47:45and a good very good event, well

47:47attended.

47:48Uh I guess the big event for me this

47:50past month was the Mayor's Cup Golf

47:52Tournament. Uh each year we do a golf

47:55tournament at our local uh golf course

47:58and raise money for a non-profit. This

48:00year was Habitat for Humanity.

48:03Their their plans are to build two

48:04houses. They have one already built on

48:07Fisher Ferry. The second one will be

48:09just beside it and for their

48:13the funds that we raised on that one day

48:16was over $26,000.

48:18That was a great

48:20day and a good addition to what they're

48:22trying to do.

48:24I also attended the reception and

48:26swearing in of Dr. Shayla Savage as the

48:30new school superintendent and

48:32congratulations to you and thank you for

48:34the

48:35the energy that you're bringing to that

48:38position

48:39and and and the plans that you have and

48:42we're we're behind you 100%. Thank you.

48:46We did have several ribbon cuttings.

48:49Got more coming up.

48:51We we cut a ribbon at Naomi Ruth Bible

48:54Book Store on Salem Street.

48:57The Collective Company on West Main.

49:01And then

49:03you've already heard about this the THB

49:05Bagelry

49:07and Deli.

49:08That's down on

49:10Liberty Drive down there.

49:12Near Walmart.

49:14And then the Jenny May Residence Care.

49:17Which is a home home for

49:21the elderly on Duke Street. So we did

49:24ribbon cuttings at all of those. Also

49:28Thomasville Fire and Rescue held the

49:30Safety Fest down at the funeral home on

49:33Randolph Street.

49:35That was a good good evening down there.

49:37They had the helicopter there from

49:39Novant Health I believe it was and a lot

49:42of people there and some children were

49:44able to win bicycles and they were

49:46really excited about that.

49:49So thank

49:50that and the and the funeral home for

49:52that. Uh

49:54and the and the launch pinch pitch cot

49:56coddle

49:58competition.

50:01Uh

50:01I attended that and like you've you've

50:04heard about it. There's some some

50:05amazing uh pitches that these businesses

50:08offered to and what it is they're

50:11they're

50:12uh in a competition for grants to

50:15uh put in put the money into their

50:17businesses. So,

50:19uh

50:20They were supposed to be announced

50:22today. I haven't heard who won.

50:25Do you know if they've been announced

50:27yet? Anybody?

50:29I I don't know.

50:31>> Sorry, Adalia is in California, so she's

50:33on 3 hours behind us. I'm not sure when

50:36when she's posting that information.

50:38>> All right, so that that's coming soon.

50:41Uh

50:42and Saturday

50:45uh was a judge at farmers market chili

50:48cook-off. They had four entries and that

50:51was a good day. It was just cold up

50:53there and the wind was blowing.

50:55Uh but they were able to raise some

50:57money for the farmers market.

51:00And the the uh

51:02bridge rollout

51:04uh that was held at uh Bethel Church on

51:07Fishery Ferry Saturday afternoon. It It

51:10was a good good evening. Uh Dr. Savage

51:13was there. Other uh many nonprofits uh

51:16Ms. Staten, Nancy Staten was there as

51:18well. Some others that I may not

51:20recognize.

51:22Uh

51:22Joe was there.

51:24Uh Joe Gray, he was there that day and I

51:27if I missed you, I'm sorry. But uh

51:31this is a program that uh Pastor Calvin

51:34Smith down at First Missionary Baptist

51:36Church

51:37put together for our community and what

51:39it's all about is bringing the different

51:42segments of our community together.

51:45And and it's called bridge. It's not

51:47spelled b r i d g e,

51:50it's spelled b r d g.

51:53And it stands for

51:55the the program and the the things that

51:57go along with that. So, I thank him for

51:59doing that. I appreciate those that

52:01attended. The the city provided some hot

52:05dogs

52:06for those in attendance and it was

52:08really well attended. So,

52:10that was a good roll out for that.

52:13So, that's the end of my report. So,

52:15I'll go now to our city manager, Mr.

52:17Michael Brant.

52:19>> Thank you, Mayor.

52:20Believe it or not,

52:22my report is not turned in

52:25cuz I don't do one.

52:27So, uh

52:30obviously everybody's day and

52:31everybody's night was a great success.

52:33It starts our basically our fall winter

52:35season of events and as you heard there

52:37were already a number going on. This

52:40Friday, there's a Parks and Recreation

52:42movie in the park.

52:44The community voted for Nightmare Before

52:46Christmas

52:47in the at the Pace Park Amphitheater.

52:50Next week, a trunk or treat will be held

52:54downtown on Thursday evening.

52:57This is sponsored

52:58the number one group is the Thomasville

53:00Pediatrics, but Chamber of Commerce and

53:02other businesses are also participating.

53:05And then October 31st, there's a pet

53:07costume contest at the gazebo downtown

53:10at 2:00 p.m.

53:12So, those are all events just in

53:15October. Then we'll transfer into

53:17November and and get going on parades

53:19and Christmas events.

53:21Operation Silver Rail took place on

53:24October 14th. If you're wondering why

53:26there were every vehicle emergency

53:29vehicle from the surrounding

53:31three four counties

53:33in our downtown, it was a practice event

53:37for our

53:39our

53:40public safety and many others in the

53:42community. Uh this was a a full-scale

53:46event where we simulated a

53:50uh rail derailment, a major vehicle uh

53:54where a truck rolled over onto

53:57uh vehicles. Uh we we had uh wounded uh

54:01that were had to be triaged.

54:03Uh that was the Senior Club of

54:05Thomasville that that had about 40

54:08volunteers

54:09acting as the walking wounded and not so

54:11walking wounded.

54:13Um we had two uh we had two real-life

54:16events. Uh both turned out fine, but we

54:19we had So, within the event, we had uh

54:22uh true crisis

54:24to handle. Um Novant Health was

54:27involved. They they The patients went to

54:30triage at the hospital and and walked

54:32through that process. And they got to

54:34test their methods of handling a a major

54:37event. Uh the the air uh folks came in

54:41uh from Novant Health and practiced uh

54:43taking someone out. Uh so, it was a full

54:46morning activity and uh we had uh we had

54:50special uh

54:51groups from Greensboro and High Point

54:54that participated with us. The our 911

54:56center for and the EMS and most of the

54:59ambulance crews uh came in and and

55:01helped out. And everyone got to practice

55:03different areas of what their expertise

55:06was to handle a major casualty event.

55:08That was the key factor was that we got

55:11to actually see how it happens, how you

55:13actually respond to an emergency. Uh not

55:16just table top it, not just, you know,

55:18make a plan and set it aside. And from

55:22that, they did discovered a couple of

55:23things. You know, there were some

55:25communication gaps and and some

55:27confusion about some things and and you

55:29much rather have that confusion here in

55:32in that event versus having it when it

55:34actually happens. Uh so, we really want

55:36to thank everyone involved in that and

55:38uh Sam Olshinski for putting it

55:40together, our emergency manager.

55:42Uh, that that really went well.

55:44Um,

55:47I mentioned a few times uh Eddie Bowling

55:49and and Adalia Cardenas are at a

55:51conference in California

55:53um that is part of our economic mobility

55:56uh opportunity and um they're not

55:59presenting this time uh directly, but

56:01they are uh

56:03with 5,000 other managers and economic

56:06developers and such uh learning a lot.

56:09Uh, I talked to Eddie today and and

56:11they're really excited about by what

56:12they're what they're going to be able to

56:14bring home to us.

56:15Uh, I also uh

56:17people may have noticed that there's a

56:19different gentleman sitting across from

56:20me. Uh, that is for those that don't

56:22know uh Noah Saab has stepped from

56:25behind the curtain. He usually runs

56:26these meetings uh from the back room.

56:28Uh, he stepped up to run the voting uh

56:30for me and I appreciate him doing that.

56:33Uh, he definitely does it better than I

56:35do. So, uh glad that he was able to do

56:37that.

56:38And with that, uh I will let that stand

56:40as my report.

56:41>> Okay, thank you. Uh, our city attorney,

56:44Miss Misty Whitman.

56:47>> Thank you. I just referred to Noah as

56:48the wizard, like the Wizard of Oz. He's

56:50the one that makes it better.

56:52Um,

56:53a couple of things I want to share with

56:54you this evening. Um,

56:57I an interesting conversation I had last

56:59week with somebody that was in my office

57:00that's um trying to get some information

57:04about coming downtown with a new

57:06business and he said something to me

57:08that was exciting. He said, "We cuz he's

57:11coming from Charlotte." And he said, "We

57:14see Thomasville as being able to get in

57:17on ahead of the curve because we see

57:19what's coming." Which I think is

57:21fantastic, but in order for that to keep

57:24coming, we all have to support downtown

57:26and we have to support what's going on.

57:28So, when these businesses do come in,

57:30it's imperative that we all

57:32participate with the businesses,

57:34frequent the businesses, and support

57:35them to keep them coming and keep this

57:37momentum going because your leaders have

57:39been working really hard to try to get

57:41this momentum going, and we appreciate

57:43that. Um so, that was exciting to hear.

57:47I did want to um take a moment to

57:49remember a couple of downtown folks that

57:51we have lost in this past week. Dell

57:54Everhart, um long-time owner of Forrest

57:57Jewelers. His dad owned Forrest Jewelers

57:59before he passed away this past week.

58:02Dell had worked for North State

58:03Telephone for 38 years, and then had

58:05been in Forrest Jewelers since 1982.

58:08So, that's a huge loss to the community

58:10and to the watchmakers of the world,

58:12watchmakers and clocks. So, please

58:14remember his family, and then yesterday

58:16we lost Frank Green. Frank Green was a

58:18long-time attorney um in Thomasville, a

58:21brilliant legal mind and a wonderful

58:23human being. So, that's a huge huge loss

58:27to our legal community and our community

58:29as in general.

58:31Um I also, since Chris is here, wanted

58:34to thank Thomasville Medical Center. A

58:36lot of people don't realize you hear me

58:37talk about Meals on Wheels a lot, but a

58:39lot of people do not realize that our

58:41meals come from Thomasville Medical

58:42Center, and they come at a subsidized

58:45cost.

58:46Um the hospital eats a large portion of

58:49that money and the cost of those meals

58:52to help provide for those in our

58:53community who cannot otherwise provide

58:55for themselves. And so, we don't thank

58:57them enough, but we do appreciate that.

58:59So, thank you for that.

59:06Um

59:07the other thing that I wanted to

59:09mention, something that I

59:10we've been working on for a while,

59:12Quality Inn was taken over by new

59:14ownership recently, and we've had some

59:16problems with them filing their

59:18occupancy tax returns and paying their

59:20occupancy tax. We are actively working

59:22on that and trying to work with them. If

59:25you happen to have an opportunity to

59:27stop by and are able to catch

59:29management, if you would mention to them

59:32that they really need to reach out to

59:34us,

59:35because otherwise it's going to result

59:37in legal action. So, anyone that may

59:39know them or has an opportunity to do

59:40that, because we want to support our

59:42hotels in the community, but we also

59:43want to work them all together. So, we

59:46are working actively on that.

59:48That's all I have for you this evening.

59:50>> Okay. Thank Thank you very much.

59:53We're now down to item eight, closed

59:55session for personnel, so I'll need a

59:56motion to go into closed session.

59:58>> Mr. Mayor, I'll make a motion to go into

59:59closed session for personnel.

1:00:01>> Second.

1:00:02>> Is there any discussion?

1:00:05Okay, you may record your vote.

1:00:087-0, so we are now into closed session.