BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2025 PAGE 1 1 PRESENT: Mayor William L. Lewis, Jr.; Commissioners Danny Walsh, Brenda Wilson, 2 Tyrone Cantey, Mark Larkin, and Cynthia Evans-Robinson 3 4 STAFF 5 PRESENT: City Manager Christopher McGee; Assistant City Manager Cindy Morgan; City 6 Attorney Troy Smith; Information Technology Director Chad Ives; Police Chief 7 Mike Broadwell; Police Officer Brian Zmuda; Fire Chief Tom Dorn; Finance 8 Director Kimberly Walters; Planning Director Katrina Marshall; Recreation 9 Director Kelvin Hardesty; Public Works Director Patrick Lee; Public Utilities 10 Director Rick Day; Tourist & Event Center Director Pam Holder; and 11 Administrative Support Specialist Melanie Pool 12 13 Mayor Will Lewis called the regular meeting ofthe Havelock Board ofCommissioners to order 14 at 7:04 p.m. on February 24, 2025, at the Havelock City Hall with a quorum present. At this 15 time, Mayor Lewis called for a moment of silence, followed by the pledge of allegiance. 16 17 REGULAR & CONSENT AGENDA 18 19 City Clerk Mary Weigl presented the Board of Commissioners with the Regular Agenda and 20 the Consent Agenda for their review and approval. As a result, Commissioner Wilson made a 21 motion to adopt thel Regular Agenda, and the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner 22 Cantey seconded and the motion carried unanimously. (5-0) The motion included the following 23 approvals: 24 25 Regular Agenda as presented 26 27 Consent Agenda as presented: 28 Minutes of the February 10, 2025, Board of Commissioners Workshop 29 Schedule al Public Hearing for Monday, March 24, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m. or 30 soon thereafter to consider an amendment to the City of Havelock Coastal Area 31 Management Act (CAMA) Land Use Plan 32 Contract to Audit City of Havelock Accounts for FY 2024-2025 with Martin 33 Starnes & Associates in the amount of $65,695 (increase) 34 o A copy ofthe contract is onfile in the City Clerk's Office. 35 Pension Spike atfetbASsemeNs 36 37 PUBLIC COMMENTS 38 39 Prior to discussing the agenda topics, Mayor Lewis stated he would like to give the public an 40 opportunity to address the Board of Commissioners on any issue. Anyone providing a public 41 comment was asked to speak their name and address for the record and noted that comments 42 would be limited to five (5) minutes. In summary, it was further explained that the Board would 43 take all comments and questions very seriously and would assign follow-up as necessary to City 44 staff. As a result, the following individuals appeared before the Board this evening: 45 46 Tony Cataliotti, 100 Wind Tide, Havelock, NC: Mr. Cataliotti, USA Pickleball Association 47 Ambassador for Havelock, stood before the Board this evening not to ask for funds, but give 48 thoughts, suggestions, and thel history ofp pickleball in Havelock. He would like to thank the gym 49 staff, as they greet the players in a friendly and professional manner. He also thanked the Board 50 ofCommissioners: for funding such a great facility and courts to play pickleball on. His mission 51 would be to grow the sport of pickleball and teach the game. The enhancements he suggested 52 were lights for the outdoor courts and different ways to pay to play to keep the game 53 economically affordable for all citizens. 54 55 Che Hurt-Ward, 200 Kenter) Blvd, Havelock NC: Dr. Hurt-Ward, Appearance Commission 56 member, stood before the Board to honor Ray Toler and his wife for outstanding commitment 57 and support for the Tree Lighting Jubilee. They provide four to six (4-6) sheds each Christmas 58 season, that are placed in the City Park, where activities are held, at no cost to the commission 59 or City since and have done SO since 2014. They are outstanding support, and the Appearance 60 Commission thanks them. 61 62 Michelle Inniss, 308 US Hwy 70 West, Havelock, NC: Ms. Inniss stood before the Board this BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2025 PAGE 2 63 evening to present information about the Havelock Farmers Market and where it stands as of 64 today. Ms. Inniss stated the market was looking for a new location and has reached out to the 65 Parks and Recreation Department about using one of the city park spaces. She relayed the 66 benefits of a farmers market included access to fresh local goods, boosting businesses, creating 67 foot traffic, expanding access to local foods, and community outreach. When the new location 68 is secure Ms. Inniss invited the Commissioners and all to come out to see what it is all about. 69 70 Jason Gibbs Jr., 101 Twin Wood Dr, Havelock, NC: Mr. Gibbs stood before the Board this 71 evening, representing the Boys and Girls Club of Havelock. He stated the center needs upgrades 72 and asked the City for financial help with materials. He passed out a proposal to the Board and 73 requested it to be on the agenda in March to explain the needs further, as well vote on the 74 proposal. 75 76 REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 77 78 RECOGNITIONSPRESENTATIONS: 79 80 ORDER OF THE LONG LEAF PINE AWARD: MR. THERON MCCABE 81 82 The Order ofthe Long Leaf Pine Award is one ofNorth Carolina's highest honors, recognizing 83 individuals for their exemplary service to the state and their communities. Recipients are 84 typically noted for their significant contributions in various fields, including business, 85 education, and public service. The award is given at the discretion of the governor, and it 86 symbolizes appreciation for outstanding achievements and dedication to North Carolina's 87 betterment. 88 89 Former Craven County Commissioner Theron McCabe received this honor in December 2024 90 and has asked Mayor Will Lewis to formally present it to him. It should also be noted that Mr. 91 McCabe received the Old North State Award in 2018. The Old North State Award is a 92 recognition in North Carolina that honors individuals who have made significant contributions 93 to the state's culture, history, and community. 94 95 Mayor Lewis publicly congratulated Mr. Theron McCabe on receiving this prestigious award. 96 The City of Havelock was honored to celebrate this well-deserved achievement alongside him. 97 98 RELOCATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF OUTDOOR ADVERTISING 99 RESOLUTION 100 101 This request concerns the NCDOT HWY 70 widening and impacted Lamar advertising 102 billboards. Mr. Eric Sweet, Lamar Senior Real Estate Manager, has provided a cover letter, 103 copies oft the related North Carolina General Statutes and the sign permit applications submitted 104 to the City. 105 106 Specifically, Lamar has five (5) billboards located on US 70 West in the City's Extraterritorial 107 Jurisdiction (ETJ). The owner has been notified that the billboards must be moved out of the 108 Permanent Utility Easement (PUE). Mr. Keith Johnson, Lamar Operations Manager for Raleigh 109 and Rocky Mount, submitted the applications. Staff then contacted him concerning the City's 110 Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) billboard regulations. 111 112 A map ofthe affected area was described as follows: 113 114 * * This section intentionally lef blank to page 3 ** BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2025 PAGE 3 CinofHavelock:N NC Billboard Map 116 117 118 These billboards are nonconforming as they were: not located within the City's jurisdiction until 119 2016 when the City extended the ETJ. They do not meet the City's current UDO regulations in 120 $157.09(E) Billboards and Commercial Off-Premises Signs. $161.08 Nonconforming Signs 121 states nonconforming signs shall not be: relocated unless it is brought into conformance with the 122 requirements of the UDO. 123 124 Concurrently, the relocation oflawfully existing outdoor advertising signs is governed by North 125 Carolina General Statute 136-131.5 Relocation ofLawfully. Existing Outdoor Advertising Signs. 126 Additionally, $160D-912 Outdoor Advertising (d) states no local government may enact or 127 amend an ordinance to require the removal ofany nonconforming, lawfully erected off-premises 128 outdoor advertising sign without the payment of monetary compensation except as provided 129 further in (g) and (h) of that statute. The local government may adopt a resolution to modify its 130 ordinance to provide for the issuance of the permit. 131 132 As a result, a resolution has been prepared for the Board' s consideration. The resolution will 133 allow any billboards subject to NCDOT widening and acquisition to be moved on the same 134 parcel and the billboards may not be located closer to other such signs than the distance that 135 existed between them prior to such taking. Any other nonconformities may continue but shall 136 not be expanded. 137 138 Tonight, Staff sought a Commissioner's motion and a second to adopt Resolution #25-R-03, a 139 resolution providing for the relocation and reconstruction of outdoor advertising signs 140 necessitated by an acquisition by NCDOT or other public condemnor, based on the provisions 141 in NCGS 136-131.5. 142 143 After brief discussion on the matter, Commissioner Walsh made a motion to adopt Resolution 144 #25-R-03, a resolution providing for the relocation and reconstruction of outdoor 145 advertising signs necessitated by an acquisition by NCDOT or other public condemnor, 146 based on the provisions in NCGS 136-131.5 Commissioner Wilson seconded and the motion 147 carried unanimously. (5-0) 148 149 Resolution #25-R-03 reads as follows: 150 151 CITY OF HAVELOCK 152 RESOLUTION. 25-R-03 153 154 RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR. RELOCATION, AND. RECONSTRUCTION BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY24, 2025 PAGE 4 155 OF OUTDOOR. ADVERTISING, SIGNS NECESSITATED, BY. AN 156 ACQUISITION, BY NCDOT OR OTHER. PUBLIC CONDEMNOR 157 158 Whereas, the City extended its Extra-Territoria Jurisdiction ("ETJ"9 on November 28, 2016, subjecting the 159 expanded ETJ areatot the City's Unified Development Ordinance, which created in some instances non-conforming 160 uses and structures; and 161 162 Whereas, on November 27, 2023, the City amended Sec. 157.09 ofthe UDO to include a new subsection E that 163 provides, among other things, that billboards and commercial offpremises signs may not be located closer than 164 1000' from any existing billboard or commercial off-premises sign; and 165 166 Whereas, as a result ofthe expansion oft the ETJ and the addition of Sec. 157.09(E) to the UDO, some lawfully- 167 erected billboards and commercial offpremises signs were rendered non-conforming due to the application ofthe 168 dimensional, spacing, setback, or usel requirements ofthe UDO; and 169 170 Whereas, numerous properties located in the ETJ have been or will be affected by the US HWY 70 project which 171 may require the removal or relocation ofsome ofthese non-conforming billboards and commercial offpremises 172 signs; and 173 174 Whereas, N.C.G.S. S 160D-912(h) provides that, "For the purposes of relocating and reconstructing a 175 nonconforming offpremises outdoor advertisings sign. alocal government, consistent with the welfare ands Isafety 176 ofthe community as a whole, may adopt a resolution to provide for the issuance ofap permit or other approval, 177 including conditions as appropriate, or to providefor dimensional, spacing, setback, or use variances as it deems 178 appropriate"; and 179 180 Whereas, the adoption ofsuch a resolution is further consistent with the intent ofl N.C.G.S. S 136-131.5, which 181 provides for the relocation and reconstruction of outdoor advertising signs necessitated by an acquisition by the 182 North Carolina. Department ofTransportation or other public condemnor; and 183 184 Whereas, the City, recognizing the hardship that may result from strict compliance with the UDO in the event a 185 billboard or commercial offpremises sign is required to be relocated due to such an acquisition, desires to 186 alleviate. such hardship andprovide for the relocation and reconstruction ofsuch signs without regardfor certain 187 use ands spacing considerations. 188 189 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, any existing non-conforming outdoor advertising signs 190 locatedi in the ETJ which are required to be relocated and reconstructed due solelyto an acquisition by the North 191 Carolina Department of Transportation or other public condemnor may be relocated and reconstructed on the 192 same) parcel notwithstanding the current zoning designation ofthe property or the separation distance requirement 193 setforth in the UDO. It is provided, however, that ifsuchi non-conformity is due to the distance the sign is located 194 from another sign, the relocated sign or signs may not be located closer to. such other sign than the distance that 195 existed between them prior to. such taking. Any other non-conformities may continue but shall not be expanded. 196 197 ADOPTED, this the. 24th day ofFebruary, 2025. 198 199 MONTHLY: FINANCIAL PRESENTATION: JANUARY 2024 200 201 Finance Director Kimberly Walters shall appear before the Board of Commissioners this 202 evening to present the January 2025 monthly financial report. The Finance Director as of this 203 writing does not have any items on the watch list. The Board's questions and comments on the 204 report were solicited and welcomed. 205 206 The financial report was described as follows: 207 208 *** * This section intentionally left blank to page 5 *** BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2025 PAGE 5 CITY OF HAVELOCK BUDGET VERSUS ACTUAL January 2025 GENERAL FUND Revenues Source Budget Actual Percentage AdV Valorem Taxes $ 7,000,376 5,619,322 80.27% SalesT Tax 3,617,500 2,332,168 64.47% Motor Vehicle Tax 730,000 598,570 82.00% MunicipalV Vehicle Fee2 2025 90,000 49,417 54.91% PowellE Bill 452,500 565,676 125.01% Intergovemmental: Revenues 1,321,649 1,543,039 116.75% Permit Fees 134,085 102,349 76:33% Rents & Concessions 432,752 229,714 53.08% EMSF Revenues 1,620,025 1,120,999 69.20% Interest 70,000 412,648 589.50% Other 1,951,252 44,149 2.26% Total Revenues 17,420.139 12,618.051 72.43% Expenditures Departments Budget Actual Percentage Govering Body 237,325 106,435 44.85% ACTE Expenses 21,460 18,364 85.57% Administration 1,304,248 585,814 44.92% Finance & Revenue 621,676 (60,625) -9.75% Legal 135,000 71,310 52.82% Information Technology 1,056,551 410,666 38.87% Planning 643,040 287,193 44.66% Police 4,093,604 2,350,864 57.43% Animal Control 145,714 79,361 54.46% Fire &E EMS 4,167,535 2,559,423 61.41% PublicV Works 340,111 211,803 62.27% Street Lighting 162,500 89,923 55.34% Garage 140,595 58,154 41.36% Streets-Nonpowell 1,218,255 503,081 41.30% Powell Bill 450,000 139,381 30.97% Public Buildings 818,672 446,025 54.48% Recreation 1,343,448 903,451 67.25% InterfundHurricane 520,405 352,405 67.72% TotalE Expenditures 17.420.139 9.113.028 52.31% Excess ofF Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures $ 3.505.023 Actuale expensesi include encumbrancess some ofwhich are E the entirey year. 209 210 211 Ms. Walters relayed the General Fund revenues are on track for this time ofyear. Continuing, 212 interest is still coming in above estimates. Lastly, expenditures are running high in 213 Telecommunications due to overtime. Ms. Walters stated they are keeping an eye on it and it is 214 due to staffing issues. 215 CITY OF HAVELOCK BUDGET VERSUS ACTUAL January 2025 WATER FUND Revenues Source Budget Actual Percentage Water Revenue 2,902,000 1,892,848 65.23% System Development Fees 4,170 ReconnectF Fees 42,500 21,205 49.89% Interest 50,000 122,434 244.87% Other 1.152971 20,297 1.76% Total Revenues 4,147,471 2.060.953 49.69% Expenditures Departments Budget Actual Percentage Plant 2,969,802 2,048.260 68.97% Distribution 1.177,669 787,041 66.83% Total Expenditures 4.147.471 2.835.302 68.36% Excess of Revenues Over (Under)E Expenditures S (774.348) Actual expensesi include encumbrances: some ofw which are fort the entire year. 216 217 218 Ini the Water Fund, everythingi is on track for this time ofyear, with the monthly billing reflecting 219 expected revenues. 220 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY: 24, 2025 PAGE 6 CITY OF HAVELOCK BUDGET VERSUS ACTUAL January 2025 SEWER FUND Revenues Source Budget Actual Percentage Sewer Revenue 5,700,000 $ 3,804.517 66.75% System DevelopmentF Fees 13,364 0.00% ReconnectF Fees 30,000 18,266 60.89% Interest 35,500 87,620 246.82% Other 1.758.055 14,623 0.83% Total Revenues 7.523,555 3.938.384 52.35% Expenditures Departments Budget Actual Percentage Plant 4997.214 2,988,470 59.80% Collection 2.526,341 1.578.665 62.49% TotalE Expenditures 7.523.555 4.567.135 60.70% Excess ofF Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures S S (628.752) Actuale expensesi include encumbrances: some ofwhicha aref fort thee entirey year. 221 222 223 In the Sewer Fund, Ms. Walter relayed the expenditures remain high due to yearly purchase 224 orders (POs). The PO's do include chemicals and sewer fund expenditures. 225 CITY OF HAVELOCK BUDGET VERSUS ACTUAL January 2025 SOLID WASTE Revenues Source Budget Actual Percentage SolidV Waste Revenue 132880 937296 682795 Total Revenues 1.372.880 937.296 68.27% Expenditures Departments Budget Actual Percentage SolidV Waste 1372,80 1,188.645 86.58%6 Total Expenditures 1.372.880 1.188.645 86.58% Excess ofF Revenues Over (Under)E Expenditures S (251.349) Actuale expenses include encumbrancess some ofv whicha are fort thee entire year. 226 227 228 Solid Waste expenditures are primarily related to GFL trash contract, Ms. Walters explained. 229 CITY OF HAVELOCK BUDGET VERSUS ACTUAL January 2025 STORMWATER Revenues Source Budget Actual Percentage Stormwater Revenue 625.00 359,562 68.495 Total Revenues 525.000 359,562 68.49% Expenditures Departments Budget Actual Percentage Stormwater 525,000 87.738 16715 Total Expenditures 525.000 87.738 16.71% Excess of Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures S 271.824 230 Actuale expensesi include encumbrancess some ofwhich aref fort thee entire year. 231 232 Ms. Walters relayed the revenues are as expected in the Stormwater Fund. The expenditures 233 are down, due to focusing on drainage salaries. This department is currently still seeking a 234 stormwater supervisor. Lastly, Public Works is preparing bids for drainage work before the 235 fiscal year-end. 236 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY. 24, 2025 PAGE 7 CITY OF HAVELOCK BUDGET VERSUS ACTUAL January 2025 TOURIST AND EVENT CENTER Revenues Source Budget Actual Percentage Building Rent 80,000 $ 48,606 60.76% ABC: Sales 13,000 23,791 183.01% Exhibit Revenue 56,900 9,803 17.23% Transfer from General Fund 339,897 339,897 100.00% Other 196,029 26,602 13.57% Total Revenues 685,826 448,699 65.42% Expenditures Departments Budget Actual Percentage Center 598,707 334,999 55.95% Exhibits 87,119 26,251 30.13% Total Expenditures 685,826 361,250 52.67% Excess of Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures $ 87.449 Actual expenses include encumbrances some of which aref for thee entire year. 237 238 239 Revenues at the Tourist & Event Center are as expected. The ABC sales are exceeding 240 expectations this time ofyear. Ms. Walters stated the expenditures are on track at this time. 241 242 GOVERNING BODY APPOINTMENTS: 243 244 EASTERN CAROLINA. AVIATION HERITAGE FOUNDATION 245 246 Mr. Mark Meno, the FRC East Representative on the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage 247 Foundation (ECAHF), resigned on February 10, 2025, due to a change in his position. 248 Consequently, the current Executive Director of] FRC East has submitted his application for this 249 role. The ECAHF Board of Directors recently voted to recommend the appointment of Mr. 250 David Rose. 251 252 After a vote by written ballot, a Commissioner's motion and a second was sought to appoint Mr. 253 David Rose as the FRC East Representative on the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage 254 Foundation, effective immediately. 255 256 After a vote by written ballot, (5 votes Rose) Commissioner Walsh made a motion to appoint 257 David Rose as the FRC East Representative to the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage 258 Foundation, effective immediately. Commissioner Cantey seconded and the motion carried 259 unanimously. (5-0) 260 261 LIBRARY BOARD 262 263 The Library Board currently has a "City Appointee" vacancy. This particular seat was held by 264 Tanya McGhee; however, according to the bylaws, Ms. McGhee holds a separate seat as the 265 Dean of Craven Community College Havelock Campus. As of this writing, the City has 266 received one (1) application from an individual interested in serving on the Library Board. 267 268 After a vote by written ballot, a Commissioner's motion and a second was sought to appoint an 269 individual to serve on the Library Board for a term beginning February 25, 2025 and ending 270 December 31, 2025. 271 272 After a vote by written ballot, (5 votes Usa) Commissioner Cantey made a motion to appoint 273 Dorothy Usa to serve on the Library Board fora term beginning February 25, 2025, and 274 ending December 31, 2025. Commissioner Larkin seconded and the motion carried 275 unanimously. (5-0) BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2025 PAGE 8 276 APPEARANCE COMMISSION 277 278 Due to a lack of attendance from a current member on the Appearance Commission, Chair 279 Anthony Ouellette requested that the Board appoint a new member to serve a term beginning 280 immediately and ending on April 30, 2027. As of this writing, the City has received two (2) 281 applications for appointment consideration. 282 283 After a vote by written ballot, a Commissioner's: motion and a second was sought to remove. Ms. 284 Susana Guijarro from the Appearance Commission due to unexcused absences and appoint a 285 new City member for at term beginning February 25, 2025 and ending April 30, 2027. 286 287 With no discussion on the: matter, Commissioner Larkin made aj motion to remove Ms. Susana 288 Guijarro from the Appearance Commission due to unexcused absences. Commissioner 289 Wilson seconded and the motion carried unanimously (5-0). 290 291 After a vote by written ballot (4 votes Sanner; 1 vote Powell) Commissioner Wilson made a 292 motion to appoint Kristen Sanner as an Appearance Commission member for a term 293 beginning February 25, 2025, and ending April 30. 2027. Commissioner Cantey seconded, 294 and motion carried unanimously (5-0) 295 296 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 297 298 Please find below brief selected report items that may be of interest. The City Manager was 299 open to provide further details or respond to questions that may arise from this meeting report. 300 301 February 10, 2025, Board of Commissioners Workshop Action 302 303 For public information purposes, the Board of Commissioners took the following action 304 during their scheduled February 10th workshop: 305 306 911 Communications Center Upgrades Funding Allocation: Based on the age of the 307 furniture and consoles in the 911 Dispatch Center, along with the available 911 funds, 308 the Board of Commissioners authorized the use of] E911 Fund Balance in the amount of 309 $72,763.10 for the purchase of new furniture and consoles. Additionally, the Board 310 authorized the use of General Fund - Fund Balance in the amount of$14,4501 to remodel 311 and expand the 911 dispatch work area. This cost covers the expansion, remodeling, new 312 flooring and an upgrade of security camera monitors. This upgrade will facilitate easy 313 access to technology and communication equipment, enabling operators to respond 314 swiftly to emergencies, which is critical for effective service delivery. 315 316 Police Department Vehicle Repairs: The BOC approved an allocation of$19,375.61 317 from the General Fund - Fund Balance to the Police Department Vehicle Maintenance 318 and Repair account. This funding will address repair expenses as a result ofthree vehicle 319 accidents and enable staff to address any future vehicle repairs promptly. As previously 320 explained, insurance proceeds in the amount of $17,060.42 have been received. An 321 additional reimbursement of approximately $2,000 for deductibles is expected in the 322 coming weeks. 323 324 Upcoming Meetings/Events 325 326 Please take note oft the following upcoming meetings/events: 327 328 City's. Annual. Planning Retreat: As a reminder, the City's Annual Planning Retreat will 329 bel held March 4-5, 2025, at the Havelock Tourist & Event Center. City Staff members 330 will be finalizing their presentations next week with the BOC receiving their packet by 331 Friday, February 28, 2025. 332 333 CITY ATTORNEYS! REPORT 334 335 City Attorney Troy Smith had no report. 336 337 COMMISSIONERS REPORTS/COMMENTS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2025 PAGE 9 338 339 Commissioner Cantey would like to thank all of the Volunteers on all of the committees 340 throughout the city. He also thanked the staff who work on these committees for their guidance. 341 He appreciates the Staff at the TEC for putting on an amazing ECAHF event. He went on to 342 thank the Staff for giving the Commissioner' S the information that they need to make their jobs 343 easier. Lastly, he would like to discuss having more., listening sessions at the upcoming retreat. 344 345 Commissioner Larkin stated he was appointed to the Appearance Commission. He said it should 346 really be called "Appearance and Events Commission" with the amount of things they do. He 347 was very impressed by the firehose ofi information in the first meeting. He has been appointed 348 to the Military Affairs Committee as well, also very impressed by the amount of information 349 given and events they put on. He is honored that Mayor Lewis appointed him to both 350 committees. 351 352 Continuing, he reported that he toured the water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant. 353 The City employees who work at these plants are phenomenal. He was impressed by their 354 knowledge, the scope of their jobs and how they handle situations. He ended his comments by 355 thanking all of the City Staff and congratulating ECAHF on a fantastic event and is impressed 356 by the amount of good they do for the children of our community. 357 358 Commissioner Wilson thanked Pam Holder and her Staff at the TEC for holding a great ECAHF 359 event. She stated that she went to an ECCOG area briefing today. There was a lot oft talk about 360 downzoning. She ended her comments by thanking the Staff for all they do. 361 362 Commissioner Evans-Robinson stated she was appointed to the Cultural Arts Advisory 363 Committee. She is looking forward to being part of the behind-the-scenes programs of another 364 layer of government. She continued to say, what she has learned thus far, about other cities, 365 going to NC School of Government and ECCOG, Havelock is not doing too bad of a job. She 366 ended her comments by thanking the Staff for the work that they do to keep the community safe 367 and protected in all areas oft the city. 368 369 Commissioner Walsh thanked God for better weather and was glad that Havelock made it 370 through the winter weather unscathed. He ended his comments with thanking Staff for all they 371 do. 372 373 MAYOR'S REPORTS/COMMENTS 374 375 Mayor Lewis stated he would like to echo the statements made about the ECAHF Gala. Every 376 year iti is an amazing event. He loves that when you walk in you see City Staff waiting to help 377 you check in. These employees choose to do this on their own time, and it is much appreciated. 378 379 Mayor Lewis stated he was looking forward to the plant swap and spring festival coming up on 380 April 26, 2025. He relayed it is going to be a great event. The Chamber will be hosting the 381 spring festival with food trucks and vendors, while the Appearance Committee will be hosting 382 the Annual Plant Swap. This is an event he looks forward to each year. 383 384 Lastly, Mayor Lewis congratulated MCAS Cherry Point for receiving the USMC Air Station of 385 the year award. This is the second year in a rowi they have received this prestigious award. They 386 are considered for the work the base does with the community and the community with the base. 387 This is the citizens' award as well, as it would not have been given without great community 388 support. 389 390 ADOURAMENTRECESS 391 392 With there being no other business to discuss, Commissioner Cantey moved to adjourn. 393 Commissioner Larkin seconded and the motion carried unanimously. (5-0) 394 395 The meeting ended at 8:05 p.m. 396 397 Date wese approved: Mauch 24,2.025 398 William L. Leis, Jr., Mayor 399 Attest: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY24, 2025 PAGE 10 400 401 402 Malar SRD 403 Melanie A. Pool 404 Administrative Support Specialist