4/1/25, 1:38 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council 1833 MINUTES Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. - Tuesday, March 25, 2025 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472 The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, and Vickie Pait ABSENT: None. OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Heather Dowless, City Clerk; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Robert Lewis, Planning Director; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Rachel Rivenbark, Human Resources Director; Paul Rockenbach, Police Chief; Blake Spivey, Parks and Recreation Director; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Joseph Williams (The News Reporter) 2) CALL TO ORDER Call to Order by Mayor Mann at 6:30 p.m. 3) INVOCATION Invocation provided by Council Member Collier. 4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mann. 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Mayor Mann stated Darren Currie, City Manager, was made aware that item 10.4 - Consideration of Lease Approval between the City of Whiteville and Provalus was not necessary. It was suggested this item be removed from tonight's agenda. Tim Collier MOVED to approve the Adoption of the Agenda with the removal of item 10.4 - Consideration of Lease Approval between the City of Whiteville and Provalus. Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes (March 11, 2025) Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the Minutes for City Council Meeting (March 11, 2025). Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 itosi/whitevile.aranieus.comMinutesVlewer.php?elip id=297&doc d-esaes9isOIb-ID95564005055489546 1/4 4/1/25, 1:38 PM Regular Meeting oft the City Council 7) PUBLIC COMMENT None 8) PRESENTATION 8.1) Police Chief Paul D. Rockenbach Oath of Office Mayor Mann administered the Oath of Office to Paul D. Rockenbach, Police Chief. A round of applause was given by all present. Chief Rockenbach thanked his family, colleagues, and several others that were in attendance at tonight's meeting. 9) PUBLIC HEARING 9.1) Public Hearing for the Intention of Approving a Lease Agreement between the City of Whiteville and Provalus Tonight's Public Hearing is to fulfill the NCGS 158-7.1.(d). Due to receiving a Golden Leaf Grant for this project, it is necessary for the City to have a Public Hearing on the lease of a city-owned facility to Provalus. Mayor Mann opened the Public Hearing at this time. Mr. Currie stated that due to these grant funds, the City was required to hold a Public Hearing. He noted the Public Hearing notice was advertised and this notice was also posted on the City's website, etc. There being no other speakers, Mayor Mann closed the Public Hearing at this time. 10) BUSINESS 10.1) Resolution No. 2025-R-174 - Recognizing Douglas Ipock Council was presented with Resolution No. 2025-R-174 - Recognizing Douglas Ipock. This resolution recognizes former Police Chief Douglas Ipock for his service with the City of Whiteville. Chief Ipock retired from the City on February 28, 2025. Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve Resolution No. 2025-R-174 - Recognizing Douglas Ipock. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 Mayor Mann read Resolution No. 2025-R-174 - Recognizing Douglas Ipock, and presented former Chief Ipock with this framed resolution. A round of applause was given by all present. Chief Rockenbach presented former Chief Ipock with the Flag of the United States of America, which was flown at the Whiteville Police Department during his time with the City. Mr. Currie presented former Chief Ipock with the Flag of the City of Whiteville, which was flown at City Hall during his time with the City. Major Billy Hinz presented former Chief Ipock with a shadowbox from the City of Whiteville. Chief Rockenbach presented former Chief Ipock with a gift from the Whiteville Police Department in honor of his time with the City. Former Chief Ipock expressed his thanks and stated it was an honor to work with the City. 10.2) Whiteville Police Department Grant Application Approval Chief Rockenbach presented Council with several grant opportunities the Whiteville Police Department would like to apply for in the upcoming FY: 2025-2026. The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program reimburses States, units of local government, and Federal recognized Indian tribes for up to 50-percent of the cost of body armor vests purchased for law enforcement officers. There is a match requirement, as the Federal portion of the costs for body armor vests purchased under the BVP Program may not exceed 50-percent. The application period typically begins in April and closes six weeks from the opening date. The COPS Hiring Grant provides funding to law enforcement agencies httos: lwhiteville. aranicus. com/MinutesViewer. pho?clip id=297&doc id-e6dc6915-0f1b-110-9554-005056a89546 2/4 4/1/25, 1:38 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council to hire and/or rehire additional career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. There is a minimum 25-percent local cost share or matching funds requirement. The FY 24 COPS Hiring Program was closed on June 12, 2024. The GHSP Grant is dedicated to reducing the number of traffic crashes and fatalities in North Carolina. The GHSP highway safety program is a reimbursement program whereby a grantee will expend their funds to perform the work and then will be reimbursed by GHSP upon submission of the necessary documentation in accordance with the grant agreement. The grant system is open for the next fiscal year applications from January 1-31. The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program provides funds to improve the delivery of, and access to, mental health and wellness services for law enforcement through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices for wellness programs. There is no local match required. The FY: 24 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program closed on April 30, 2024. The Technology and Equipment Program is for grants to State, local, Tribal, territorial, and entities to develop and acquire effective equipment, technologies, and interoperable communications that assist in responding to and preventing crime. There is no local match required. The FY 24 Technology and Equipment Program closed on September 25, 2024. Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the Whiteville Police Departments request to apply for the grants presented at tonight's meeting. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 10.3) Use of Indoor Gym and Concessions at Whiteville Parks and Recreation (Back 2 Blacktop) Council was presented with a request from Back 2 Blacktop to waive fees for use of the Recreation Center Gym and Concessions. Shalisa Shaw, Back 2 Blacktop Executive Director, stated the group will begin an adult (18+) sports league. The initial requests were for basketball and cheerleading. The season would be 8 weeks in length, with 6 of those being regular season and 2 of those being playoffs. The group plans to donate money raised from registrations, ticket sales, and concessions to City of Whiteville projects. These projects could include the West Whiteville Park, Nolan Park, the proposed skatepark, etc. Details for the adult league are available on the Back 2 Blacktop website. Blake Spivey, Parks and Recreation Director, stated, if approved, this adult league would not interfere with other programs. Mayor Mann asked how many dates the group was asking to waive the fees. Ms. Shaw stated there would be 16 dates, at 3-4 hours each of those dates. The rate for the facility is $60/hour. Council Member Clarida asked to clarify that proceeds would be donated back to projects for the City's parks, which Ms. Shaw confirmed. Mayor Mann stated there had been previous requests from other groups to waive these fees. However, Mayor Mann noted no other groups were offering to donate their proceeds to the City. Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve Back 2 Blacktop's request to waive fees for the use of the gym and concessions for the adult sports league programs presented at tonight's meeting. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-1 Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 1 (Tim Collier) httos: l/whiteville. aranicus. com/MinutesVlewer. pho?clio id=297&doc d-eaeS9i5.onb-1iD.9554.005056.89546 3/4 4/1/25, 1:38 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council Absent: 0 11) COUNCIL COMMENTS None 12) REPORTS 12.1) Manager's Update for March 25, 2025 Mr. Currie presented Council with the Manager's Update for March 25, 2025. Mr. Currie thanked former Chief Ipock for his service to the City of Whiteville. He also thanked Chief Rockenbach. Council was updated on the Provalus Project. The exterior walls have been cut for the new windows, floors have been patched where new plumbing has been installed, and the interior walls are being installed as well. A notice to proceed has been signed for the Airport Water/Sewer Lines Project, which will begin March 31, 2025. The Canal Street Drainage Project is in the design phase. Once a design is established, the City will be working with R.J. Corman to submit for permits to go underneath the rails. This will help with the east side drainage. Council was provided with an update on the Mollies Branch Project. The City is working with Carlton Williamson, City Attorney, and the surveyors to establish easements along Mollies Branch. The City is currently working on Budget Preparation. The 5-year outlooks for each department will be helpful for everyone involved. It was noted this was the first year without any ARP funds to aid the City with capital expenditures, SO the budget will be tighter. 13) ADJOURNMENT Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of tonight's meeting. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 7-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 7 (Terry Mann, Kevin Williamson, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 0 3y ev llau Terry L. Mann, MAYOR 5 R : Moolfhon Bu Lons Heather Dowless, CITY CLERK httne lhahi M ille nC com/M Mini itecViewer nhn?r li in id=?0 n 546 AIA