4/30/25, 2:43F PM Regular Meeting of the City Council 1833 MINUTES Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 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, April 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472. 1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, and Vickie Pait ABSENT: Kevin Williamson OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Heather Dowless, City Clerk; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Colburn Brown, Finance 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 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 Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the Adoption of the Agenda. Tim Collier SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen BI Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Kevin Williamson) 6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6.1) Consideration for Approval for Minutes: -Budget Workshop (April 8, 2025) -City Council Meeting (April 8, 2025) Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the Minutes for Budget Workshop and City Council Meeting (April 8, 2025). Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Kevin Williamson) 7) PUBLIC COMMENT None 8) PRESENTATION 8.1) Law Enforcement Recognition httns: lwhiteville aranicus com/MinutesViewer nhn?clin id=304&doc 4-58a0F132e-rim.99854005056a89546 1/3 4/30/25, 2:43 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council Paul Rockenbach, Police Chief, stated the Whiteville Police Department will now be implementing an Employee of the Quarter Award, as well as an Employee of the Year Award. These awards will be decided by the Awards Committee, with nominations and criteria for selection. Detective Joseph (JT) Ward was recognized as the Whiteville Police Department's Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2025. This award is based on quarterly evaluations and exceptional work. A round of applause was given by all present. Chief Rockenbach presented the Life Saving Award to Officer Adam Jens, Officer Marco Long, and Detective Joseph (JT) Ward. Officer Jens, Officer Long, and Detective Ward were nominated for the Life Saving Award for their quick response on September 10, 2024. These Officers quickly responded and transported Sergeant Charlie Arnold to Columbus Regional Healthcare during his medical emergency. The actions of these Officers contributed to saving Sergeant Arnold's life. Sergeant Arnold recounted the events of that day, and thanked Officer Jens, Officer Long, and Detective Ward for their efforts. A round of applause was given by all present. 8.2) Law Enforcement Recognition Chief Rockenbach presented the Life Saving Award to Officer Marco Long. Officer Long was nominated for the Life Saving Award for his quick response on March 30, 2025. Officer Long responded to a one (1) year old child choking and began performing back blows to clear the child's airway. The swift actions of Officer Long contributed to saving the child's life. AI round of applause was given by all present. Mayor Mann noted these recognitions were some of the most special presented since he became an elected official. He stated Council appreciated the efforts of these individuals. A round of applause was given by all present. 9) BUSINESS 9.1) West Whiteville Community Concerns (Aaron C. Cutler) Aaron C. Cutler presented Council with West Whiteville Community Concerns. Mr. Cutler thanked Council for the opportunity to speak regarding these concerns. He stated he first wanted to acknowledge and thank the Whiteville Fire Department for their swift response during a recent fire. He also stated he wanted to acknowledge and thank the Whiteville Police Department for their courteous response during a recent call involving an individual with a history of mental illness. Mr. Cutler stated there were several areas of concern regarding the safety and upkeep of the roads in the community. He noted the following areas: Williamson Street, the intersection of Williamson and Stanley, Burkhead Street, Maxwell Street, Lewis Street, Maultsby Drive, and Pinewood Drive. He asked about the possibility of speed bumps in the area of Pinewood and Maultsby. He stated the culverts need to be addressed in the area at the end of Pinewood Drive and Burkhead Street, where these roads meet Legion Drive. He noted the culvert in this area had collapsed. He referenced a drain in the field near Maxwell Street, noting there was a large hole and overgrown grass at this site. He stated this issue would affect flooding in the area. He asked about maintenance in the Willamson/Stanley area near the church, noting there was 2-3 feet of grass where there should be asphalt. He stated there was a tree growing in the road in this area. Mr. Cutler stated there were concerns regarding the Mollies Branch project, specifically the blocking off of two roads and leaving only one road. He noted there were no sidewalks on Burkhead Street, stating the area was unsafe now. He stated if the other two roads were blocked off, then more traffic would be conçentrated on Burkhead Street. He stated he understood the Mollies Branch project was to help with the flooding problem, but he stated some residents do not feel their concerns regarding the road closures are being taken seriously. Mayor Mann stated Mr. Cutler presented several concerns at tonight's meeting, noting the City could not give answers to all these questions tonight. Mayor Mann noted there were storm drains collapsing, sewer and water lines leaking, etc. throughout all areas of the City. He stated MMsMMewesamascom.uwveschende id-304&doc 6-58e0m1325a-110-95+005056A89546 2/3 4/30/25, 2:43 PM Regular Meeting of the City Council all these issues were being addressed, but all could not be corrected at one time. Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director, spoke regarding Mr. Cutler's suggestion of speed bumps in the Burkhead Street area. Mr. Lowder stated this was a Fire Code issue, noting speed bumps cause damage to fire trucks and are not really effective. Speed bumps also slow emergency response time. Chief Rockenbach stated concerns regarding any need for increased speed enforcement in the area should be shared with him. Mayor Mann stated the City has ongoing pavement projects. He noted this schedule includes the paving of the Burkhead/Davis area in the next 3-4 weeks. 10) COUNCIL COMMENTS None 11) REPORTS 11.1) Manager's Update for April 22, 2025 Darren Currie, City Manager, was unable to attend tonight's meeting. Colburn Brown, Finance Director, presented Council with information regarding a resolution adopted last night by the Columbus County Board of Commissioners. This resolution stated Columbus County will not longer collect taxes for municipalities within Columbus County. Municipalities have been given a 120-day notice. Unless there is a renegotiation, the City will now be collecting its own property taxes. Mayor Mann spoke further regarding the issue, noting Columbus County began collecting taxes for the municipalities between 10-11 years ago. At the time, there was a charge of $3 per parcel for the service. Earlier this year, Columbus County increase this amount to 4%. This would increase the charge of roughly $13,000 to roughly $120,000. Mr. Brown stated the Provalus project was going well. There were roof issues that were discovered at the location. The City has access to the appropriate funding for this issue and will address the problem. 12) ADJOURNMENT Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of tonight's meeting. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Tim Collier, Joshua Harris, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Kevin Williamson) v Wllon Terry L. Mann, MAYOR WeathuDu Caon - Heather Dowless, CITY CLERK - tt s.whtwlsaambusacomwa.comMnueensatordr id=304&doc 4-58e0m1325e6-T109E54.05056.89546 3/3