4/14/25, 4:08 PM City Council Special Meeting - 1833 MINUTES City Council Special Meeting 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2025 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472 The City Council Special Meeting of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 5:00 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; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Robert Lewis, Planning Director; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; Paul Rockenbach, Police Chief; David Yergeau, Fire Chief; Joseph Williams (The News Reporter) 2) CALL TO ORDER Call to Order by Mayor Mann at 5:00 p.m. 3) BUDGET WORKSHOP 3.1) Planning/nspections Budget Presentation (Robert Lewis, Planning Director) Robert Lewis, Planning Director, presented Council with the Planning Department Budget Presentation for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Council was provided with an update regarding the City's Plan Review and Permitting. The City continues comprehensive review with site plans, department head discussion, etc. The Technical Review Committee meets on a regular basis to discuss new projects and site plan review. Staff experiences a steady volume of businesses, site plans, and permits for commercial and residential construction. Staff sees an increase with residential, specifically stick-built single-family construction. Mr. Lewis updated Council on new commercial projects the City has seen, including Starbucks, Five Below, Biscuitville, and Aspen Dental. Council was given information regarding a new multi-family apartment complex, Weston Landing Apartments. The City continues to work on the open space park project. The design and 3D modeling are complete and staff level plan review has started. The band shell will be included with the bid process and the restrooms will be included as an alternate. The bid process should be complete by May 2025, with a contractor selected. Council was updated on the current grant and funding information. Mr. Lewis updated Council on the City's Code Enforcement. Staff would like to retain the code enforcement services of N-Focus for the upcoming fiscal year. Staff would like to begin the condemnation and demolition process on residential structures in the City. City Council will play a major part in this process. Staff is requesting $20,000 in the budget to assist with code enforcement efforts. This will assist with demolition of abandoned structures. Mr. Lewis provided Council with a httos: Iwhiteville. aranicus. com/MinutesVlewer. pho?clio id=300&doc 6-040589A-195a-109554.005055.89546 1/6 4/14/25, 4:08 PM City Council Special Meeting list of code enforcement activities within the City. Council was updated on the Planning Department's activities. Staff is working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to identify areas for future sidewalks. Analysis of the City of Whiteville Pedestrian Plan is being utilized. Staff would like to start working on an update to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Staff is waiting on more information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan to identify compliance with Federal rules and regulations. Mr. Lewis presented Council with the Budget Requests for the Planning Department. This was presented as a 5-Year Plan. During Year 1 (FY 2026), the department is requesting funds for: -Canon Wide Format Printer -Code Enforcement/Sinucture Demo -ADA Transition Plan The requests for Year 1 total $48,150. During Year 2 (FY 2027), the department is requesting funds for: -Canon Wide Format Printer -Code Enforcement/Sinucture Demo -Land Use Plan Update The requests for Year 21 total $78,150. During Year 3 (FY 2028), the department is requesting funds for: -Canon Wide Format Printer -Code Enforcement/Structure Demo -Zoning Code Revision The requests for Year 3 total $83,150. During Year 4 (FY 2029), the department is requesting funds for: -Canon Wide Format Printer -Code Enforcement/Siructure Demo The requests for Year 4 total $38,150. During Year 5 (FY 2030), the department is requesting funds for: -Canon Wide Format Printer -Code Enforcement/Structure Demo -New Vehicle/Truck The requests for Year 51 total $88,150. 3.2) Police Department Budget Presentation (Paul Rockenbach, Police Chief) Paul Rockenbach, Police Chief, presented Council with the Police Department Budget Presentation for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Council was provided with information regarding the Police Department's Budget Requests and Plans. The department is requesting the addition of the following personnelpositions: Lieutenant (1), Detective (1), Patrol Officer (1), Part-Time Records Specialist (1). The department is requesting to utilize Southern Software as its comprehensive records management system. Chief Rockenbach noted this was an updated system with new capabilities. The system includes live heat mapping and analytics. It also includes a citizen connection app and platform, which allows citizens and businesses to file their own police reports. The department would like to purchase an RMS Evidence Barcode Reader and Scanner, which is needed for the Evidence Room. The department would also like to utilize Leads Online & Blackhawk. This is a comprehensive software program to run suspects and property and to compile phone dump data, including real- time mapping of suspects. Chief Rockenbach stated the department would like to use funds for TLO, Clearview Al, Flock Safety, Verkada Camera Expansion, and Police Vehicles with up-fitting. The department would also like to purchase Dell Laptops, which would replace failing Dell computers. The department would like to use funds for graphic reimaging of vehicles. In addition, the department would like to purchase one set of Class A uniforms for each officer. httns: lwhiteville. aranicus rom/MinutesVlewer. nho?clin id=300&doc id-0c05f89a-1 165-tip.Rs.coosaNse 2/6 4/14/25, 4:08 PM City Council Special Meeting Council was informed of items the Police Department would like to sell and services it would like to discontinue. The Leica RTC 360 Scanner would be sold, as the department has never used this. In addition, the Cummins-Alison Money Counter would be sold, as the department has never used this. The department would discontinue use of SOMA and attempt to recoup some of the money spent on this project. The department would also discontinue the use of ESRO-GIS Mapping Software. This was bought for use with SOMA, and it has never been used. Council was given information regarding Whiteville Police Department Events for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. These events include the MLK March, Juneteenth Parade and Festival, Wellness Health Fair, Pecan Harvest Music Festival, National Night Out, Halloween, Honey Festival, Christmas for Cops, and the Christmas Parade. Other events include the Veterans Day Parade, Agriculture Parade, Homecoming Parade, Kevin Conner 5K, and the Special Olympics Torch Run. The department will be adding several Coffee with a Cop Events. It will also be adding a Community Fitness Police and Fire Event, Run/5K, etc., as well as obstacle courses for kids. Chief Rockenbach presented Council with the Budget Requests for the Police Department. This was presented as a 5-Year Plan. During Year 1 (FY 2026), the department is requesting funds for: Personnel Additions -Additional LPRS -RMS System -Patrol Vehicles -Additional Verkada Cameras The requests for Year 1 total $496,152. During Year 2 (FY 2027), the department is requesting funds for: -Personnel Additions Additional LPRS -RMS System -Patrol Vehicles Narcotics Division -Additional Verkada Cameras The requests for Year 2 total $673,511. During Year 3 (FY 2028), the department is requesting funds for: -Personnel Additions Additional LPRS -RMS System -Patrol Vehicles -Narcotics Division -Traffic Enforcement Team Additional Verkada Cameras The requests for Year 3 total $873,526. During Year 4 (FY 2029), the department is requesting funds for: -Personnel Additions Additional LPRS -RMS System -Patrol Vehicles Narcotics Division -Traffic Enforcement Team Additional Verkada Cameras The requests for Year 4 total $918,586. During Year 5 (FY 2030), the department is requesting funds for: -Personnel Additions Additional LPRS -RMS System -Patrol Vehicles -Narcotics Division -Traffic Enforcement Team -Additional Verkada Cameras httns: lwhiteville aranicus com/MinutasVinwar: nhn?clin id=300&doc -0ADSR9A-1PSa-ia4R84005056A89546 3/6 4/14/25, 4:08 PM City Council Special Meeting The requests for Year 5 total $976,649. Chief Rockenbach noted there were some of these items that could be grant eligible, including: -RMS System -Patrol Vehicles -Narcotics Division -Traffic Enforcement Team Additional Verkada Cameras 3.3) Fire Department Budget Presentation (David Yergeau, Fire Chief) David Yergeau, Fire Chief, presented Council with the Fire Department Budget Presentation for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Council was provided with information regarding the Fire Department's Budget Request Highlights. Some of the major items for this budget request include additional personnel (3 Firefighter Positions), Ladder Company, Equipment (PPE, SCBA, etc.), Engine Company, Vehicle Replacement, Part-Time Administrative Assistant, Fire Department Staffing and Station Study, and In-Vehicle Cameras (Cradlepoints). Chief Yergeau provided Council with information regarding current staffing levels, as compared to where staffing levels should be. The department averages 2 personnel on duty per shift. He stated that in many cases, off-duty personnel respond to incidents as well, but he noted the department could only guarantee the response of the personnel on duty. He stated the Fireground's tasks should include an Incident Commander, Pump Operator, Firefighters Attack Line, Firefighters Back-Up Line, Firefighters RIC, Search and Rescue, Ventilation, Aerial Operator, Engines, and Ladder. He stated there should be between 14-16 firefighters on the scene within 8 minutes, 90% of the time. He stated there should also be 3 Engines and 1 Ladder within 8 minutes for 90% of all incidents. Council was provided with information regarding the needed Aparatus Replacement within the department. He stated Ladder 1 was 25 years old, with a replacement cost of around $2.8 Million. He stated within the last two years, Ladder 1 has been out of service 321 days. Repairs that have been delayed for Ladder 1 include the gauge cluster, cab lift cylinder, and the air dryer. Chief Yergeau stated Engine 2 was 19 years old, with a replacement cost of $1.1 Million. He stated within the last two years, Engine 2 has been out of service 290 days. Repairs that have been delayed for Engine 2 include light tower replacement, Fed Q siren, cab locking leaking fluid, and the discharge valve. Chief Yergeau presented Council with the Budget Requests for the Fire Department. This was presented as a 5-Year Plan. During Year 1 (FY 2026), the department is requesting funds for: -Ladder Company -SCBA Breathing Apparatus -PPE - Firefighter Gear -Cradlepoints -Fire Chief's Vehicle -400 Feet of 1.75" Hose -Gas Meters -Starz Hydrant Adapters The requests for Year 1 total $3,011,718. During Year 2 (FY 2027), the department is requesting funds for: -PPE - Firefighter Gear -Engine Company -Land for Station 2 -1000 Feet of 5" Supply Hose -5 Bay Building -Equipment and Tools for Ladder Company -In-Vehicle Cameras -Station Renovations -SCBA Bottle The requests for Year 2 total $2,143,760. httos:/whiteville. aranicus. com/MinutesVlewer. pho?clio id=300&doc 0-00589a-195a-109554.005055.89546 4/6 4/14/25, 4:08 PM City Council Special Meeting During Year 3 (FY 2028), the department is requesting funds for: -PPE - Firefighter Gear -400 Feet of 1.75" Hose Laptops -Equipment and Tools for Ladder Company -Equipment and Tools for Engine Company -Gas Meters -Starz Hydrant Adaptors -Water Rescue Equipment The requests for Year 3 total $193,500. During Year 4 (FY 2029), the department is requesting funds for: -PPE - Firefighter Gear -Fire Station 2 The requests for Year 4 total $8,525,000. During Year 5 (FY 2030), the department is requesting funds for: -PPE - Firefighter Gear -Engine Company -1000 Feet of 5" Supply Hose -400 Feet of 1.75" Hose -Starz Hydrant Adaptors The requests for Year 5 total $1,643,9000. Chief Yergeau noted there were some of these items that could be grant eligible, including: -SCBAI Breathing Apparatus -PPE - Firefighter Gear -Equipment and Tools for Ladder Company -Equipment and Tools for Engine Company -SCBA Bottle 3.4) Emergency Services Budget Presentation (Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director) Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director, presented Council with the Emergency Services Budget Presentation for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Council was provided with an update regarding the City's Safety Department. The department oversees Emergency Management, Fire Marshal's Office, Building Inspections, Safety and Risk Management, Infrastructure Security, Insurance Claims Investigation and Processing, UAS Division - Drones, and Special Projects. Mr. Lowder noted that the department is requesting a Full-Time Fire Inspector. This request is due to: -Changes in State Statutes and Mandates from the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) -Increased Plans Review (requires a Level III Inspector) -Increased New Business Inspections -AHJ Interpretations by Fire Marshal -Review of Lockdown and Emergency Plans by Fire Marshal -Increased Training Requirements/Tumover of Part-Time -Required Inspections by State Statute are being audited The department is requesting a Digital Plans Table. This request is due to: -Increase in Plans Review -Most Engineers/Architects utilize digital plans -More efficient/accurate -Cost effective, eliminates printing plans -More efficient storage -Records Retention In addition to these items, Mr. Lowder stated the department is also requesting the following as part of its 5-Year Plan: -F-250 Pickup -Mavic 3 Thermal Drone -Argo XTV -Matrice 30T Drone ps:llwhiteville. .granicus. comMinue-vieweronorale id=300&doc id=Oc05f89a- 85-1I0e00SaNtsie 5/6 4/14/25, 4:08 PM City Council Special Meeting -Drone First Responder Program Mr. Lowder noted the increase in revenue from the Planning and Inspections Departments. Council was presented with comparisons from 2021-2025. The increases in revenue have been significant, with 2025 totaling $249,955 sO far. It was noted that of this today, $26,290 of this is attributed to Fire Inspection Fees since January 2025. 4) ADJOURNMENT Mayor Mann adjourned the Budget Workshop. 1 2p Terry L. Mann, MAYOR 58 Voob 10n E Dau Gno 1 a Heather Dowless, CITY CLERK htps/whtevleganieusomMmnatwsveneraheppndp.a-sookaces0as8Sa19S-ID9556.005055A89546 6/6