I'm sure she will. Okay. Once again, it's my pleasure to call the meeting the regular City Council meeting for the month of February to order and welcome everyone here. We have quite a room full of people tonight and We're glad to have you here we have a What appears to me and we've been full before But what appears to be a rather expedient Agenda tonight, so we'll try to work through that and everybody be home. Have a good night, so we won't be here until midnight. The first is nine. Yeah. A couple of years. If you realize it was starting at six o'clock, what do we have for? That's 28 years, longer than that, starting at seven o'clock. That's our biggest achievement, mayors. We got to be eating good, but start time for the back of an hour. I don't know if we believe early. I don't know if we believe early. There are those things that might take this as a challenge. Just talk. But it's one of the Murphy's laws at the time allowed for the job to expand to make the time allowed. We'll probably still be here. Okay. I would invite each of you to stand and join me in a moment of silent meditation and we will follow that with the pledge-through legions. Thank you. Thank you. Legislative agents to flag the United States of America in a two-year-old network, which which stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Deviating just a little bit, I will take a moment of privilege and say that express my condolences to Joey Chagdain and Bill McCaskell on this end of the table because they both have birthdays this week. In the next week. Thank you. Joey is a temp and Bill is a 16. Happy birthday to you. Thank you. The mayor does not sing anymore. Thank you. That is your gift. My gift to you. And tonight we have with us two boy steps from troop 527, which is my troop that I grew up in at first met with his church. I'm very pleased to introduce Scouter Elliott Mason. You need to stand up if you're an idiot. And Scouter Garrett Waldron is Garrett here. Not yet. Well, he won it, didn't get the six o'clock member. So, when he comes in, I will try to backtrack and give him his due. But, uh, we're proud of our scouts. Uh, scouting is a good thing. If you're working on your eagle I would tell you that it is one of the single most important things you can do as you think for you and your life ahead of you. So don't give up on it. I want to say. Okay, good luck. This is the appointed time for the advertised public comment period. And this is your opportunity as a citizen to address the City Council on any items of So city business or concern. We do not have a time limit, but we do ask that you be mindful of the time involved and try to be short to the point, tell us what you need to tell us. We generally do not, in most cases, do not engage in a give-and-take conversation. We will hear your concerns and we will pass those to the appropriate people and try to get an answer or anything that needs an answer or address anything that is learning concern. So is there anyone in the room tonight that would like to address the council? Yes sir, come on up. And do we have a pay-ed and a pay-ed? Okay, right for you to print your name. And just so you will know it is for the transcript When we transcribe the audio tape we don't always get the spelling right There's a little more Introduce yourself. I thought what you my name is Roy Johnson. I moved to Randolph County about three years ago So I'm a minister of church. I'm not that. I got tied in with the homeless situation and I just want to say I'm not here to attack anybody about what the homeless situation is, but all I know is it's a futile situation in getting to be very difficult for everybody involved. I've gone around and talked to multiple people that are involved with dealing with the homeless. They know that there's overlaps, they know that there's situations where we could less enable people and more move people towards getting off the streets if we can't. I know this is not a perfect situation, but I believe if the government, the citizens of this area, and all we could work together, we could come up with some kind of committee we could put together to readdress us. I've heard this that we've addressed this before and it didn't work and this didn't work and that's fine but it sounded like the people from what I was told they all wanted to stand their ground and stand their position and that's fine but that's not going to move anything forward. So I'm believing to understand that there can be concessions and that we can all work together to come up with this mutual problem. Because what I see when I see places like Toyota, wool speed, and industries coming into this area, I understand what development demands on a city and a community what they're looking for, what their expectations are. I came from National in the Hamster, one of the fastest growing cities in America, desirable place to live. That's what I believe, Ashboro and Randolph County want to be. There's a reason why they put the zoo here. There's a reason why these industries are coming here. There's a reason why a quarter of a million people will be coming here. And we need to bring Ashboro to a place together, whether it be the churches, the government, the citizens, private sector, whatever. If we can all work on this problem together, I believe that we can come up with a solution that might not be perfect, look at being amicable for all of us. Thank you for your time. Sorry, thank you. You are to be commended for your ministry and the work that you do, especially involving the homeless. I wish there was an easy answer to that. In your travels from Florida to New Hampshire, I'm sure you've encountered lots of cities that have the same issues. Yes sir. And if you have solutions, if you have hard and fast ideas on steps to take, we certainly are glad to hear them. Mayor, I would love to work with whoever worked with me. I don't know if I have all the answers, but one thing is sure and Chuck who even say that what we're doing is not working. It's futile. I mean it's like chasing people around the community and they don't go away. They're not going away. We can chase them around the community or we can come up with a solution where the ones that want to be rehabbed, the ones that want to have a better life will have to have something off of them trying to solve. But I understand I'm not blind, I'm not naive. There is people that want to live like that and that's what a police officer in the legal system is for. They don't belong and I just tell you this, so you understand. I don't look at it just one way. They don't belong as somebody else's property thinking that they own it and that they can conduct themselves in any way. But I think that's a fair statement towards understanding that I don't see this just one way. But we owe it to every citizen in this community to make sure that whatever they need, we try and help them to help themselves not to enable them. It allowed them to stay in a situation where it's not conducive for the city basketball. Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. There's anyone else in the room? No, sir. I'd like to go after Roy because it's a similar response to the same situation. My name is Ricky Lolson, Mr. Mayor and Council, thank you for the opportunity. Of course, I wrote mine down because I am very passionate about this and I get emotional when I speak. So it's going to be a little more robotic. But I've also been called to ministry with the Servant and House community. My sole purpose is to do the will of my Heavenly Father, to please him and honor him and bring glory to his name. So in that context, I have great compassion for those folks. And in working with different non-profits and partnering with Roy and other Christian brothers and sisters, I've learned a great deal about my new friends. I say friends because for the last 14 months I've helped feed, cloth, provide shelter, taking the job, interviews, brought to my church, provided the gospel, prayed with, shared stories, laughed and cried with these men and women. So it's become personal to me. I felt another way at one point when I first started and I was kind of against what was going on, like I felt like they was being harassed, but I started, and as a Christian, the follower of Jesus, I'm gonna seek the truth, and because I serve a just God, and I know justice has to be served here also. So I've just been seeking the truth, and both sides of it, and I'm like Roy, I wanna work both sides of this to find a solution. So, and I also know as a follower of Christ, the most important thing they need is Jesus. So I try to introduce it to him. But I also understand that the majority of them, because of addiction and because of choices and because of mental illness, are we going to inject them as well as not choose to better themselves and try to get off the streets. So we understand that there's a percentage, and from what we've seen and been around, you know, 10 to 15% that we're going to actually see, make progress, actually choose to get off the street and accept the resources and to get into programs and into housing. With that being said, I believe we need a few new formula because just moving them or jelling them or giving them, even giving them everything they need just isn't working. And I don't have all the answers either, but I'm willing to help discover new ideas and I'm willing to work with others that are willing and we've got many churches that are willing I can't name how many churches are in Randolph County right now but I know we are overpopulated with churches and also that's I know that same percent, it's a 10 to 15 percent% in churches do 100% of the work. I understand that percentage too. And so there's kind of similarity there, I said to say. But I do know a bunch of churches that are willing to participate in some programs that we can get going. So I would ask City to look at other cities around the country to investigate and define programs that are actually working, that are actually improving the homeless community and seeing the fruits of their labor and try to implement them here in Asperger and Randolph County. There's plenty actually Roy pointed me to one. It's called homeless. Austin homeless. What was it Roy? Austin homeless community. Austin homeless community. It's more or less a private community. No federal funding, no government funding. These are the money's coming from entrepreneurs and local people and of course this one is like 225 units. They're like small house units, camper units, but it could be scaled, it could be scaled to meet the needs around here. And what me and Roy were discussing was, possibly like a 25. And this, I'm talking about, it don't have to be small houses and campers, it could be military size tents. And of course, this would be private land. We would have to have the county work with us with zoning. You know, all these things, this is just an idea. OK? But what they're doing is really working. And it's a faith-based program, but there's accountability. You know, they've got to pick up the trash. They've got to they've got to do all these things in order to stay and they're actually leasing these units. So that means they're having to get jobs and they're having to provide you know their own way. They're having to get to become a function in society but just a small community at a time, in other words. And I would also ask, I've talked to some people in the county, and so there was evidently, you all had a meeting, maybe about a year ago, that had all the stakeholders, nonprofits, police, city, county, everybody together. I would just ask if we could try to do something like that again. Just get everybody involved. You know, the drug and alcohol programs, the mental health, whatever we have, I understand that the state took our mental health away from us, and that's pretty disastrous effect we have because in dealing with these guys we see a lot of mental health problems and not to mention the housing problems. I understand that housing, the lack of affordable housing is becoming in the epidemic in this country country anyway because even around here the cost of living has went up and salaries have stayed pretty normal. And I've got a bunch of numbers, I'm not going to, they were from my benefit, I'm not going to say, you of numbers but it's ugly. It's ugly to be able to afford housing. We're just talking about a single person with no kids is like minimum $18 and I you know it's some crazy numbers and there's no wonder that we're having more and more people homeless. I mean just think about Western Western Carolina. We just gained a bunch of homeless people that of none of their own doing or on the streets, if they don't have family or friends that took them in. They lost houses, cars, everything. So, and we also understand like what we was saying just while ago, we know the ones and working with them that are kind of comfortable being where they are because they can't function in society because they don't want to listen to rules and they want to camp and do their drugs. We understand them and we're learning to move on to the next one that is willing to do it and not enable them, saying, one's over and over and over. And then saying that, getting that big group together again, I just hope that it's not for any one group entity or individual to get all the praise and glory for coming up with ideas. It's got to be all together as one community to better the community. And so, with that being said, thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Both of you have worked with Chuck. Gathered that from what you both said, that you know Chuck and have worked a little bit with Chuck. I do know. Actually, I had my head. I actually had more fillings for Chuck at the beginning because of what I've heard and was going on with stuff. But I've also a Blake had some people say that the Chuck actually wants to help them connect them with resources. And so that's what I'm asking. He always, it's my understanding, Chuck does a good job for us, but it's my understanding that he offers the option for to hook them up with resources. That is one of the first things he says to him, a huge percentage of the people that he deals with face to face say, I don't want I don't know if you had any help, believe me alone. You had on it, you talked about some of the hardcore, and there's two or three different types, but drug and alcohol addicted mental health issues. But then there are people that are out there homeless that deserve our help that are homeless through no fault of their own. I live 20 years, one paycheck for being right where they are. So I know exactly where it comes from because the choices I was making was after a half of the drugs and so I was I was putting myself in that position every day if it weren't for family, I would have been there. So that's why I'm so very dear to you. Well, I was going to say you have a better understanding than most because you've been there. What keeps me going is, you know, in the past 14 months I've seen 12 to 15 get off the street and some of them were gutted to rehab and approximately eight of them are going to my church now. So that's what keeps you motivated because as bad as we percented as are, if only 10 to 15 percent if I don't do nothing that's gonna be sleeper so I'd rather work 10 to 15 percent but I want to improve that number up to 30 to 40 percent and we can do it with if we come up with some new ideas to work together it takes the middle of the race the it's the child, but it takes the bill is to make it then in the homeless population too. You know, it's just certain. I'm just looking at it. To be honest with you, we have a corporate shock. And that's how I ended up here, two days ago, talking to Trevor, the assistant city manager. And that's how he introduced me to Chuck and me, because he's frustrated and frustrated. So if we got what we got now, the artist, we're not working together. What I understand, and I hear the good things that he's done. So now we're in a position where I want to work together with him. He needs to do his job, which is zoning, and he needs to do his job for enforcing that. His job is not to build a relationship with these people, earn their trust, and get them to change what they're doing. That's what we come in. Okay. So that's what I'm saying. I want him to do his job. If you're on my property in your lawn there, I want Chuck to come along and keep going by private investment. Well, that's part of our mission also. Okay. Yes, sir. Council Members, I wasn't intending to say anything but just given the comments that have been made this evening, I thought it's worthwhile me mentioning that actually on the 17th of this month, I've convened a meeting to discuss this very issue. So I've got various stakeholders. Trevor is actually going to receive an email tomorrow. Today we confirmed the attendees at that meeting. The new gentleman wants to give me their details. I'm more than happy to include them, but we're going to, at the Chamber, try and convene that meeting that was clearly had before to try and develop an attempt to address the issues that have been raised in the evening. Thank you. When is the meeting again tomorrow, did you say? No, the 17th, the afternoon of the 17th. This is Adam Deaf. He is the new director of the Esper Randolph Chamber of Commerce. Okay, we look forward to working with you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anybody else? Well, just come on up, Phil. I'm going to get a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a I've been coming to meetings for about a year here now and I've heard this disgust, homelessness, and I struggle every day between compassion and justice every day. I don't know, I'm on the fence. fence you follow you the way to be right and wrong I'm glad to hear you say yeah short agenda tonight because I can do this in 90 minutes See the mayor and see the council I do have Please just start them on one hand and we'll pass them down. We can just pass them. We can just pass them. Just give them a whole stack. Thank you, sir. Thank you, my guy. This is just an edict. From a report I have here. I have 100 paid report that I worked on from history. It's hard to think that 30 years ago, Mr. Moffitt, Mr. Swerves and I sat here on a plane board. And we were on a seat of Asheville land development plan. And we were looking at a plan for the next 25 years. And this was 1990 at that time. Well, guess what's here? I mean 2000, excuse me. So guess what's here? It's 25 years later. And here we sit. And. So I went through this report. It's very extensive. I don't know if you fell still have your copies. I hope you don't. There's more maps and figures and numbers in this than we could probably afford to do. Again, this is. And if you look on the front page, you'll see who was on the board at that time. Mr. Smith, I think you're on the city council at that time. Mr. Troggan was a mayor. Yeah, it's been a while ago. So this is not strange to you from what you're looking at. On the second page there, it's the largest manufacturing facilities in the Asperg at time. If you count the bottom three there, it was closed in 98 that comes to a total of 27. Although 27 only eight of them are currently open, we've lost that much industry in the last 25 years. So when it comes to buildings and and you know what I'm going toward, guys, this water situation, I've spoken to you about that before. So the water needs that we have, the infrastructure that we have, is no longer needed for these, but it's needed for even more so now. We keep talking about housing. And you think, well, a house doesn't use much water. Well, run the numbers. You add them up. So that's what I'm concerned about. But most of all, the number three item of community appearance goals. Part of those goals were, if you look at number C, support the appearance commissionance Commission to encourage the maintenance and enhancement of community appearance, is part of the land development process. And you drop down, you see .3.1, .2. The city will encourage efforts to improve the appearance of major roadway entrances into the city. Through landscaping, sign control, setbacks, and other visual improvements. The city in conjunction with private property owners, businesses and developers should endeavor to jointly improve their appearance and design of our major street quarters through a variety of visual improvements. A lot of money has been spent here on businesses. When you look at the biscuit bills and the bow jangles and all these new two places, I spent a lot of money updating themselves. Ashboro being the mother of our zoo, I think she'd look really pristine when people come in, not the first image they get. I was born and raised here and I'm my image that I get when I ride through town, it's like, oh man, I'm embarrassed. When you come off of Vision Drive up there and look, the county has spent millions of dollars on their facilities building the Northgate Police Department there. And then you look across the street and we've got the bow jangles, we've got biscuituitville McDonald's and the Updates Grass Stations. And then right in the middle of it is the cow pad of a car lot garage. Now I've spoken to Chuck about this and he's worked on it, Mr. Garnes. You know, it seems to me like if there's an ordinance for these type places, the ordinance is an ordinance. But in a few states that this can be that, then what are we waiting on? I know there's been excuses made to go sell the business, they're not going to sell the business, they're going to do that, they're not my cars, you guys have heard it all, but at what point do you drive when you drop the hammer and say, look, we need to clean this up. Because when people come off the vision drive, That's their first chance to see Asheboro. And then you look across the street from Biscuitville. And there's a mustard yowler building with tires stacked up all around it over there. Hmm, some image. So how much do I go into town? And see what's going on. So I think our image could be improved and I'd like to see the Council address this in the new budget year, the new thought year. Maybe leave it for future Council members to look at and work on. Think that might be a project and work from that. So that's my points. And then the last one I'll point to is the past water and sewer service goals. A lot of things have changed since this document was prepared. That's for sure when we look at all the new housing that's coming, when we look at wind speed coming, the city will not participate in the cost of extending water and sewer services leading to properties in designated rural conservation areas. Exceptions, which is a big word to this policy, may include the provision of services to other local governments, cooperative agreements on major economic development projects. Well, the biggest thing that was coming to Ashboro when I was on the plane in Boer was Walmart. I can remember very well John McGarry standing here and saying, Ashboro was here before Walmart, Ashboro being here when Walmart's gone. Well, Walmart's still here and Ashboro is still here. But that doesn't heal our problems when it comes to water and sewer. Our infrastructure, I feel like, just the personal feeling, but we're pretty weak. and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through the streets and I look at water leaking through weak. When I look at water leaking through the streets and I live on patch me up having you over there. I don't have to tell you about that and throughout town we do have a problem. I've heard you speak about the waste treatment plant needing to be updated and I've read an article this week where and even speaking to Mr. Weisman this week at the plant up there we're not because you're sorry we're not off to speed according to state standards on our water discharge can't be because we just can't we're not we don't have that capability so I know we've got to look at another I'll see you that coming. Not a problem. But... Ugh. We don't have that capability. So I know we've got to look at another plant. I'll see that coming. Not a problem. But in the water plant, they did maybe work from that. That's a given. I know they're stainless steel. I know they're concrete. They don't last forever in 1960. Just like 30 years ago, it only seems like four years ago. 1960 doesn't seem that long to go either. But I toured the waste treatment plant this week, and Mr. Wiseman, and also the water plant. I give those guys kudos. If I could give them a sanitation grade of AAA, they would get it. Those facilities are just spotless. They're well taken care of and weren't for that. We probably would be in problem. They're really old. They're really old. Well, that's just the way. I was 15 when they were built. Oh, really old. Yeah, so we got to look at that. But yet, and we did address this a bit one time at your meeting. We still got 400 miles of water and sewer lines under Ashboro. And I failed to put the page in here about the report, but during this report it was talking about we could do this for $40 a foot. Oh, report. So had we addressed it in the interim, was your what, six boards later now? I don't know how to count years on the council as far as from 2000, but a lot of water has passed under this town right into the ditches that we could have probably salvaged. And I don't have to belabor that, but I would appreciate you looking at this appearance a policy. Put some teeth into it somehow. Yes sir. I would just like to say you're exactly right on appearance. And this council has to get serious about enforcement. We give it a look at a promise and would say, oh, that's not good enough or that, this or that. But we don't do anything to make it better. We have ordinances, same with our parking. We have ordinances that we don't enforce. And we've got to get as a group, get serious about our enforcement. And the place is run down. And I'm following our ordinance from junk cars or used tires or whatever. we need to have the teeth in our ordinance to actually make a difference. Well I agree with that and you know you're sworn to your duties. The ordinance is in why do we have a plan board and a code enforcement or we're just going to lay them to the side and say Well, we can get my another day or two. Where I work in the military, wherever you are. Hey, regular. or we're just going to lay them to the side and say, well, we can't buy another dirty. Where I work in the military, wherever you are. Hey, regulations or regulations. And if you don't like them, OK, you get a second chance. After that, three times you're out. And there's no reason not to do that. I don't mean to be cold or sound irresponsible. But some of these guys are just thumbing their nose at us. Let's just put it that way. They're just thumbed or know that we can get by with it. I can tell they're about 10 right now. I'm talking about 10 right now. We could walk to some of them here. Yeah. Yeah. So, what do you fellas think? Except to you, I'm just proposing it to you. I'd like to be a part of the solution someday. We'll find out and work from that. And again, on the homeless thing, my prayers will always be good. I'd like to be a part of the solution someday. We'll find out and work from that. And again, on the homeless thing, my prayers will be well covered in the good. Find a solution. We need to not attack each other. We need to attack the problem of finding a solution. Thank you, Mr. Stinley. Thank you. Next, anybody? Great. Good color, Mr. tonight. Thank you for your time. I think we had our other boys come in. Mr. Walder, stand up. This is another step for 527 Garrett Waldron and good to have you here tonight. I hope you'll stick with scouting as long as you possibly can at least until you get your eagle. So it's good to have you here tonight. We have another guest with us tonight. Bill Director for the Office of Congress, Linda Richard Hudson, Cam Mills. Mr. Mills, come on up. I'll address the council, please. Mr. Mayor, City Council, City Manager. Thanks for having me. I'm Dr. Ashley Council, please. Mr. Mayor, City Council, City Manager, thanks for having me. We're up, get to my reason for being here. I want to offer my personal and professional help and Congressman Hudson's help with any, anything we can do to help with the homeless issue. I think it takes all levels of government, all levels of private citizens, and all levels of groups to combat something like that. I just wanna offer our help, anything we can do, move it forward. And Adam, thank you for helping with that issue. We live in a great town and I've lived here all my life and I think there's no easy solution for something like that, but I think we've got the right people and the great people for that matter to fix a solution like that. So I'll get to where I'm here. Last time I was here, I think I was a boy scout, maybe in Kim Gray. I had to come here, have Mayor Smith on my paper so I could get a merit bag. I don't remember anything from it. I wanted to go the entire time, wanted to go home play Xbox Xbox. But I did get a Maple Scout and I just charged you guys a safe with it, get your vehicle. It's got me interviews, meetings, taking me a long, long way in life, so stick with it. It'll pay off one day. But I'm here for you, Mr. Manager. Our office is... You got to wrong, God. Yeah. I'm here for you. And we want to present a congressional record to you, Congressman Hudson. And I'll read the first little part here to you. So congressional records, they're presented on the House floor in the United States Capitol and Washington, D.C. So this one is congressional record proceedings and debates of the 119th Congress's recession, honoring John N. Augburn III for exceptional service and leadership. February the 6th, 2025, Congressman Hudson read to the Speaker of the House, arise today to honor John N. Augburn III for his decades of exceptional service to the people of Randolph County and Ashbrood with Carolina. So John, I want to present this to you about half of John. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I want to welcome the White House here. Over and over and over. What is really that? Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. You got it, bro. It's important to work together. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Wow. So, I thank you. Thank you. And thank you all of you here. This is my been ultra This has been ultimately a council meeting ad look that we're going to do. And it's been a distinct honor. So I'm just touched. It's very kind. Thank you. So, bringing 24 years of doing it. Sweet man. Thank you. It worked. An incredible job for the citizens of Ashburg. You know, we could have done what women have been doing in this community without it. It was visionary, is visionary. I don't know if people laugh when I say, I mean, the manager called me on at 7 o''clock. That means that John's been up all night with an idea. If it's not something that just popped into his mind, it's usually 10 or 11. But if it's 7 or 7 30s because John's been up all night waiting for the clock to give for him permission to call me. So he has done an incredible job, but we're all going to miss him. Some of you have met our new manager, and I think he'll do a good job too, but nobody can fill the shoes in this man right here. Thank you, but I could not have done it without a Mo White Martha. Well, we all know that. Go. I think that makes your whole you mess in with the record. All right, cheap, cheap. Couldn't have had a better partner. OK. Well, we couple representatives tonight of the tourism development authority and I will call on Melody Warner who is tourism marketing coordinator with the heart of North Carolina business hero. Well thank you Mr. Mayor and thank you Council and it's a pleasure to do this before dawn retires and go on his long vacation. Please send pictures. So I am really honored to be here tonight to present our 2023 annual report for the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority. Yes 2023 was two years ago but it was a great year and it's just due to how to how we receive our state numbers from the state tourism. But in 2023, the TDA celebrated 25 years of destination marketing for the county. The state of North Carolina also celebrated the year of the trail. And I'm sure as all you'll know and see, our trails coordinator Mary Jumpiu, we're very grateful for her continued efforts and just bringing a spotlight to Randolph County for all our beautiful trails and how it has grown. But to start from there, just to go about like in 2023, there was a lot of events and programs we supported in the county. A lot we supported in Ashbro. Going from the Ashbro zookeepers, the Friday night tribute bands, I know we all enjoy, rano-leap productions, the annual North Carolina Aviation Museum, and Hall of Fame flying, the Fall Festival, and now called the Cone Health Zoo City Sportsplex, which in 2023 we have that soft opening, I know you all know. All right to dive right in so starting with the economic impact numbers in Rainoff County travel generated $189.5 million in visitor spending an increase of 6.1% from 2022. Revenues in 2023 totaled 8.3 million in state tax revenues and 5 million in local tax revenues. Rainoff County supported 1,145 direct tourism jobs and $43.9 million in payroll income. The sales tax generated by travel throughout Randolph County is attributed for its tax savings of $89.75 per county resident in 2023. Moving on to occupancy tax revenues. In 2023, occupancy tax revenues in Randolph County were reported at 1,498, a 9.65% increase. The 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 in the city. The average occupancy at these properties was reported at 59.5% that is 3.7% higher than 2022's occupancy. Visitors paid an average daily rate on a room rentals at our properties of $109.62. That was an increase of 6.4% from 2022. From this rate charged on each room, revenues collected by Rainiff County averaged to be $65.63, an increase of 9.5% in 2022. So we're getting there with the numbers of what we saw pre-pandemic. So we're getting pretty close, which is really good. All right. And demand for hotel rooms increased 3.4 percent compared to 2022. And overall revenues increased by 9.1 percent when compared to the prior year. As all shown to be positive numbers, which we're very grateful for. Moving on to destination data. Each year we survey our tourism attractions in the county to evaluate their visitation records with the visitor spending that has been reported. Of the 30 attractions survey, they reported approximately 1,567 930 visitors for the calendar year in 2023, an increase of 10% for 2022. Visitors came from these top states, of course, other parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, and Indiana. And within North Carolina, we welcome visitors from the Charlotte Metro area, the Raleigh Metro area as well, Hickory, Statesville, and Salisbury. Of course, Greensboro went some Salem and High Point, and even Fayeville, Lumberton, Lauren Berg, Wilmington, and Southport. And the International Request came to us from Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. The collection of this detailed data enables our organization to plan for strategic advertisement placement in the states and regions that we know are already visiting our area to then encourage return for visits for additional visitor spending. Through visitor inquiries we were able to ride collateral materials that they can request through our website that has now been updated to so hopefully you'll have taken a look. They get the Randolph County travel guy which the soon will have the 2025 one, they'll be requesting. You got the Sea Girl pottery community. Of course, the North Carolina Zoo, history and heritage of our county, Deep River State Trails, the Aviation Museum, Pettifamily, Lindbrook, Victory Junction, and Crucivali Attractions and Caraway Speedway. And as some of you surely know that we also operate our I-73, 74 Visitor Centers in Seagrove. Holly recommend you stop and buy. We do that in a partnership with the DOT, but that's where further outreach of our tourism messaging occurs. We have 10 part-time employees and one full-time work in six days a week at the visitor centers in C-grove. In 2023, they assisted 109,353 visitors, which was amazing. We had to do a little celebration when we hit that 100,000 mark, which was a huge deal as that was a 71% increase from 2022's 63,988 visitors. From these interactions, we were able to distribute key travel related materials such as our lovely Rainoff County travel guide, which was 32,000 requested or given away. The North Carolina State DOT Road Maps, that was 33,750, and the North Carolina State travel guides as well, that was 24,850. Our domestic guest registry numbers were 3,420. International guest registry entries were 43 compared to 55 in 2021. And we got the opportunity to host many amazing events out there that were continued to grow such as National Travel and Tourism Week in May. Operation thank you that we now have at our office here in Ashbro given back given back to our first responders. Open House in November and our 12 days of Christmas and December. Moving on to social media website review. In 2023, we witnessed remarkable growth in our social media accounts. The page reached representing the total number of people engaged with our content, sort across every account. Our flagship account, Heart of NC, harness the power of paid targeted content, achieving an impressive audience reach of 7,405-522, fueled by our outstanding digital influencers. Moving on to public relations and social media marking efforts. In 2023, we were fortunate to host 19 members of the media with local, national, and international reach. These media tours consist of digital influencers, social media, bloggers, bloggers. There's a lot of different names, but we are grateful for each and one of them. And that's also magazine editors and freelance writers. From these media hosting opportunities, we saw notable results. Told media placements accredited to work by DK Communications are 331. 43 online placements with estimated views of 1.4 million. 10 print placements with total readership of 5.6 million. Social posts for media that we hosted, 194. Four television segments, one national, one statewide, and two local. Overall, 71 tourism partners and small businesses were featured in 2023. Going on to visual advertising, 2023 led the way for over 210 advertisements that's both print and digital to targeted audiences in the triangle, the state of North Carolina and reaching out to Virginia and South Carolina markets. We took advantage of prominent marketing opportunities for seasonal and special events, with AdBuy specific to the demographic of those visitors. So we got great partnerships out that going with the great Trail State Coalition showcasing all of our wonderful trails during the year of the Trail. We have an outstanding partnership with our State Magazine that just continues to grow. We did four videos with their video production. There was family fun, enjoying the arts and rainoff, exploring the outdoors, and Richard Petty, hometown hero. And there might be one council member that might be in one of those videos. She did amazing, I'm a big fan. We proudly continued our partnership with Triangle Media Partners, a group of exceptional magazines shining a light on the vibrant communities of Chapel Hill, Chatham County, and Durham. He areas that inspire us. A presence in the Randolph Hub, a local publication, brimming with news from all corners of the county. Even going with the military market, the Griffin-based and fatal market, that is a huge relationship we have there and we're grateful for it. You got the Courier Trib Tribune and as I said again, our state magazine, which was great to have Elizabeth Hudson in the recent Christmas parade. Going along with my final thoughts. Our marketing efforts continue to be supported by each of our nine municipalities of Pizzest, unique attributes, shining every day. Those tourism partners are the true heroes of the successes and this report. The experiences they provide for visitors, customers, and guests are what help us solidify our commitment to hospitality. Their passion allows us to remain focused on being a family-friendly, affordable, strategically located tourism destination in the heart of North Carolina. I appreciate your time this evening and there's any questions, I'll answer them to the best of my ability. Questions from Alady? I've got a couple questions. I saw the news today about Cycle North Carolina announcing their mountains to the coast route in October and Ashboro is going to be one of the towns on the route which is really exciting anything you want to say about about that. Yes so this is very exciting for me for what I learned this was before my time pre-pandemic when they had overnight stay in Ashboro so learn about this was really neat how a lot of them will we utilize the YMCA which will be our kind of hope spot A lot of them will stay overnight intense and then we have worked out to get hotel rooms for the ones who want that which that would be me But that would be Just a little out there, but this will be October 7th of the back at that right They'll have their overnight stop here. We'll we on plans to work out a warm welcome. In previous times, they've been to Creexide Park and Archdale. Last year, I got to be at the rest stop in Liberty for their launch spot. And even we had another rest stop in Randall men. So it's a great crowd. They're all very appreciative. So we're very excited that they're bringing another overnight stop. And I feel we all got some excitement to see, but we're just ready to start the planning to give them a warm and fun welcome for the time that they are here. That's great. And the TDA, I mean, all of us up here know and understand how important a partner of the TDA is to the city. I know that you've been helping with sports flex events and finding lodging. Can you talk a little bit about that? Yeah, so I usually will talk with Ryan, to see how they need assistance help connecting with our hoteliers. As we I work on those contexts, I visit the hotels every month to maintain those relationships. And so if somebody who's coming into have a tournament at the sportsplex needs to work out a room block or that sort, or will offer welcome package just so they're informed about their time here and all that they can do. And even if they don't have time then, it's an opportunity to encourage them to come back. That's great. Thank you for that. And then just one personal note of melody has been serving as chair of the crisis events committee for the last three years. And just appreciate her leadership with that and working with the chamber to make those events happen, which are very important to our community. So thank you for your service. Thank you. I appreciate your guidance. Your award recently was well deserved. Thank you. How do you guys? Alright. Thank you all and it was a pleasure to do this before you go. Thank you. You might go for help. Interesting slides on your show here. Item 6 on your agenda. I'll call on Angie Palito, who's a Randall County Public Library community in the advocate. Good evening. Angie Palito, community navigator. Okay, is that better? I'm Angie Palito, Community Navigator with a Randolph County Public Library. I have been given the task the past three years to head up the homeless count as part of the federal government's point in time count here in Randolph County. And for those of you that may not be aware of what the point and time count is, it is a snapshot of a particular day in January where we literally go out to the camps, talk with the individuals in the camps, gather data, offer resources and housing programs, and then come back and report that data to the federal government. The point of it is to bring federal housing dollars to Randolph County through programs such as rapid rehousing which helps pay for security security deposits for rent utilities, and then the permanent supportive housing program, which is an ongoing housing program for individuals that have some type of disabling condition. The first year that I went out and did the count, I had never done it before. Totally did not know what I was doing. It has grown over the past two years. I actually had a lot of help this year from individuals in the community, bright view, community hope alliance, the North Carolina division of employment and independence for peoples with disabilities. That's what used to be Vogue rehab. Keaton's place, Ashboro Police Department and the Randolph County Sheriff's Office. I had volunteers from all of those agencies mentioned. I also requested supplies from the community and our community rallied and dropped off tons of supplies at the library. We were able to hand out 68 bags of supplies that included hand warmers, hygiene wipes, snacks, emergency blankets, lip bombs. I mean, you name it, we got it donated to us. So we went out on one of the coldest days in January. It was very cold. But we counted thanks to all of the volunteers that went with us unsheltered and I know this is not nearly all of the individuals but we counted across Randolph County, a majority of them in Ashboro, but we also had individuals from Archdale Liberty, Randerman and C. Grove that were counted. We counted 120. And like I said, I know that's not all of them. Those are the ones that were unsheltered, that were on the streets and in the camps. And we went to the camps. We also counted 127 gentlemen that are housed at the Ashborough Shelter of Hope. Also counted were 45 individuals that are currently at Lydia's place and then the individuals that are also at the Family Crisis Center would have been counted but I don't't have that number yet. I don't have a total overall number from the state yet because we're still entering the data. But somebody had asked me at one point, well, what about the folks that are housed at the jail temporarily? If they're there on the official night of the count, they don't get counted. But I sat down this morning and went through the jail roster, and there are 35 individuals currently housed at the Randolph County jail that were either listed as homeless or I had worked with in some capacity over the past three years. I added up all the numbers that I had from what was officially counted between the individuals we counted through the library and Lydia's place, that number was 192. And if you include the 35 individuals that are currently housed at the jail, 227. Last year when we went out, the number of unhoused that we counted was 102 so that number has increased from 102 we counted 120 this year so and like I said I know that's nearly that that's not all of them thank you questions of Angie. Angie, do you see any homeless veterans? Very few. There are a couple, but not a lot. Are they post-traumatic stress, substance abuse. Combination of mental illness that could be post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder. And I will say that there are some individuals that I have counted all three years. And I would love to know once this year that we have not counted before. Thank you so much. Well, you mentioned a count, and we'll decide the table for the public. As the county seat, we have a jail which you mentioned. We also have the hospital. We have S as per if our brings people up Take them to the hospital Hospital can't keep them If a family member or somebody won't come to get them so and we have treatment centers that kind of generates So our her sister city in Lexington on a Salis or next door and Pittsburgh they'll see the same the same issue And the library the community navigator program I should have mentioned is the main point of contact for coordinated entry to access rapid rehousing and permanent support at housing. Right now I'm the only person within Randolph County that has the ability to filter individuals into the state homeless database. Somebody had asked me that when I first got here tonight, and I didn't go back a little, I didn't think to this morning to get the number of men versus women it's a majority of men what they're all women as well and some some women that I have counted all of Thank you. Mr. Garner, our city code enforcement officer, you've got an annual report on your code enforcement. Thank you guys for having me. You've got to hear it. Council, Mr. Mayor. And before I get started, two things, and I don't want to drag this on long. John, we've done this for a long time. We are last one of these, and they've been an honor. Thank you. Thank you. And second is Angie. You guys have all met Angie before you maybe met her here tonight because of presentations in the past. She has always been very willing to let me drag her off into places and I really appreciate that. Thank you for going with me. So that being said, it's been a busy year but they're all busy years and so it's been a good year. I'll get right into it. This year there have been 13 volunteer responses to answer the question. Those are situations where volunteer groups are called on by me to go in and address situations. If I come across a problem where there's an elderly person or some other disability and they have an issue that I have taken issue with and I look for a permanent solution in their volunteer groups around town that deal with that. Notice is a violation this year, 219, which is really not representative of the number of issues, A lot of them are resolved through education and conversation. Those are just ones that have risen to the level of a citation. Delapidated structures removed this year, 15, and in campments retired, 32. And I have to say that there was another one that's not on that list that was retired this morning so Been a busy year all the way around this is an example of The abatement process taking place on a house as being prepared for demolition what you don't see on that is the backside of that house Big tree fell on it. It was destroyed by the tree. And then, of course, the demolition with a little dig in there for the code truck. And the end result. This is how it looks today. So it was a definite improvement to the community, to get rid of the home. The home's vacant homes tend to attract unwanted guests. This one, if you all remember, I'm sure you will two or three months ago, a Mr. Bitt was in here talking about some problems that he was having. And this property was actually the source of one of those problems. and it was a very dilapidated structure where we were able to come to terms. And that's the end result of that. And talking to him, his problems have ceased since then. Another example, this is kind of the aftermath of a cleanup of multiple structures. This property had six structures on it. It was in the area of the mall and it was a real problem. This is a before picture of what I encounter when I go into encampments. There's a homeless camp. Oh, yes. Yes. Here's a Deering picture. And I don't have an after picture for this because this was such a big project. This was our most recent one until today. And this is public works. Guys, I can't say enough about their hard work in this. And it is still important for us to use either public works or contractors in these cleanups. And this is how we had to deal with this. One of the ground is too sloppy. We couldn't clean it up, so we piled it up, so we can get to it, get our trucks in there. This is why it's important still to use either public works or contractors, rather than push it back on a property owner because these sites or bio hazards, our guys are trained and have the proper equipment to do it with. And that's typical of every encampment that I go with you. When you first started, we did a lot of this cleanup by hand and realized that it was so dangerous. We started doing it all with the loaders. All with loaders, they're so touch free now. And that's an option that a lot of property owners don't have. And that's why, and our guys are well trained in all the pathogens that they come up on the gun this morning. No. Not this morning. No. The last one. There was a gun taken out of the encampment the last time. Yes. And so that's my presentation for this year. And again, I always appreciate the opportunity. I feel like a broken record because it's largely the same stuff every year. So maybe next year I'll be able to spice it up with something new. Any questions? On the left-footed houses, of course, the city has to pay the demolitions. We do. A lot of the times we do, yes. OK. So I mean, is there any way I could get a lien on the property so we can maybe get the money back? They try to sell it or something like that? That would be more a question for Jeff directly, but it's my take on that is to get to that place. The cost to the city to get there would be exponentially more than us actually just hiring contractor contractor and doing it ourselves. And additionally, and I will sound like a broken record, you guys remember the house on South Coch Street that sat there for two years. When we have a problem like that, it needs to be addressed. And that one was tied up in court and it's at there for two years. And doing it this way, very likely much cheaper and it's like a month from now and it's gone as opposed to two years. So there's, I mean, it's however you want to look at it, you know, but getting rid of it as quickly as possible too is. There's so many in the neighborhood. I mean, it's just, oh yeah. Right. Yeah. You're absolutely right. Yeah. An answer to your question. Yes, it is possible to put a lien on and the city has collected on links, but there is a link to your process that we go through to do that. and also tends to come up and Chuck you feel free to correct me, but it tends to come up more often when there is a difficulty, either in identifying ares or owners who can sign off or if you've got somebody's just for calcissist and won't cooperate then the more the city has to do the more likely it is that you end up with a lien on the property if you don't expedite the process. Yeah. The vast majority of these properties are inherited properties also and somebody inherited a house from the grandma that they probably didn't want to start with and they can't maintain it financially and it gets in this kind of condition. Any other? I have a question. I just want to wish you had a birthday. That's coming right up. Thank you very much. Thank you. You think a letter, you know, lettering is no when everybody's birthday is on. Thank you. OK. Yes. Oh, yeah. I have been an honor served with you too, man. Well, thank you, yes. Oh, yeah. I had been on honor served with you too, man. Well, thank you, Tom. Yeah. I tell the story. I called Chuck one day. I said, I mean, here I said, when you were in the army, your captain had a driver. He said, he was me. Well, you're driving me from now on. Yeah. Yeah. I would never need to go look at something or think about something. Shutting the drives me in. I might be a don't even mind on that. Yeah, we put a few miles around laps around things. All good miles. All good miles. I'll show you. I'll throw you two. I remember right. Yeah, when I cut my foot. Yeah, yeah, that's right. Would you allow me to pick out the neighbor's story this morning? Well, sure. I'm not sure which one. If I don't identify anybody. If you don't, yeah. We cleaned up a camp this morning. And it was, I know the story, man. That picture. Yeah. The big pile. Yeah. And as church was leaving the camp after, the cleanup had been done. And everybody kinda gone, Lady and under lady in under Jason business came running out of her business and flagged him down because he drives a billboard to say, Cody was forced to say it from the moon. Yeah, no. She said, are you doing what I think you're doing? And Chuck being the person he is, he said, what do you think I'm doing? And she said, you're cleaning up that camp. He said, yes ma'am, she says, thank the Lord. Those people I had to call 911 for overdoses in my bathroom, in my hallway. I pick up needles in my bathroom every day that are stealing me blind. I'm sorry, people like that are beyond help. And we got 28,000 people, citizens of Asperger. That lady is just one of the people that was willing to express her opinion about it. But those big piles of trash that you just looked at and those camps is anybody in this room that would want that in their backyard. That's why we do what we do and it makes us look heartless. I have been accosted on the street for being an unfailing, uncarrying SOB heartless when it comes to this. But I represent 28,000 people and I expect the majority of them would not want that in their backyard. But this lady was thankful that we finally got around clean up that camp. Yeah, it's a process. That's another thing. It's a months-long process to get to the point where we actually go in like we did this morning. That's it just can't happen fast. But that's not necessarily a bad thing because the slower we move, the less likely we ought to make a mistake, and that's for you, Jeff. Angie, the natals are heroin, fentanyl, what drug do they... Could you any of those that you mentioned? Yeah. I ain't bought any lately but I think I've heard $5 by you shot a fentanyl. Yeah. That's about right. It's synthetic and it's cheap. It's synthetic and cheap. Itynthetic and cheap. Yeah. Well, thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you. John, thank you for everything. Great. Okay, we've had a couple of good reports here. Sorry, thank you for coming. Yes, sir. Thank you for having me. Thank you for coming. Thank you. Okay. You have in front of you the consent agenda and item. I gave you my copy. Here, man. Which one is something? D. Item D. D. There was an error discovered in the meeting minutes for item D at the last second. So that item will become off of the consent agenda to be considered next month. Yes, sir. Unless there are others, I will entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as it's presented accepting item D. Mayor, I move we approve the consent agenda with the exception of item D. We'll pass presented to us. We have a motion by Mr. Birx. Do I have a second? Second. Second is he. Discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. The Senate agenda is approved accepting item D. Mr. Evans. Yes sir. I'm checking our time. Get in here. I'm sure of that. Thank you sir. Mr. Mayor and Council members. Good evening everyone. So, I'm here to say a short story. I just heard of hearing and I will open the hearing for an application to rezone from R10 meeting density residential to O and I office and institutional conditionals on the cases RZ25-Z01. I sir. Mr. Mayor. So there in your package you have a request for a continuance. And so we would recommend that that continuance be approved. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Any questions regarding the request for continu continuance? I'll entertain a motion that we grant this continuance until the March 6 meeting. Mayor, move we grant the request for continuance. Have a motion, Mr. Bell. Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Swear, excuse me. Okay. Motion in a a second, discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries to continue item 9A until the March 6th meeting. Item 9B is a quasi-judicial hearing case number, SUP 24-0-2. It's an application for a special use permit for property at J. Code Codal. Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor. And being that this is a quasi-judicial hearing hearing this would be the appropriate time for anyone who wishes to speak to Take the oath for that Plans to speak on this case needs to be sworn step over in front of the clerk and We'll do it right one time now if you're not sworn right now with this proof, which you've decided during the process, if you would like to speak, because still speak, which you'll have to be sworn. Okay. So, the applicant in this particular case is JCO General Contracting LLC. The property, excuse me, is located at 727 JCO Cottle Drive. That is at the intersection of NC Highway 49 South. The zoning is I2 General Industrial and this is a special use permit for a billboard. There is one parcel identification number that's part of the request. The property is just over nine and a half acres. The current land use is manufacturing processing and assembly. So of course the technical term in the ordinance is for sign off premises, billboard and poster panel, etc. As I mentioned, this, the principal use is manufacturing processing and assembly. And the applicant has provided some dimensions. You all have the plans there at your places. Those show a height of 30 feet above grade. And the dimensions of the billboard are 30 by 10. The face is primarily an LED display. There were some photos in your packet to show you the appearance of that. If we look at the area around the property, it's primarily surrounded by industrial, industrially-zoned properties. There are some residential uses in the area, none that are directly continuous without crossing some sort of a roadway. And so NC 49 is a state-maintain major thoroughfare. J. Cocotl Drive is a state-maintain road. The property is about 600 feet northeast of the interchange of the 64 bypass and you'll see that on the photos that will present here in just a bit. Billboards are subject to review and approval by NC DOT. So as you'll see on one of the requirements, NC DOT, even if Council were to approve the request for a billboard, they have their own permitting process that they will need to review the billboard. And so there are some locational and separation requirements for billboards that are within the zoning ordinance. The first is that the industrial or in this case the I-2 district has to have at least a thousand feet of lean along, in this case it's the NC-49 South roadway, there has to be at least a thousand feet of separation of the proposed billboards from other billboards and there has to be at least a hundred feet of separation from residential is on property. So we have determined that all of those location requirements have been met. And we did return some comments originally to the applicant back on November 6th. Of course this case has been continued a couple of times. And based on the latest plan that we received on January 22nd, we believe these comments have been addressed. And so in terms of the permitting of the billboard, that is looked at exclusively of any other sign permits that are allowed in any other signage that is allowed in the I-2 zoning district. So a bill board is its own standalone use. We would review any sort of request for signs in that zoning district just looking at the general ordinance requirements. There is one land development plan policy that relates to signs that is policy 3.2.3 stating that the city will require signs that blend harmoniously with the surrounding street scape and other architectural elements of a site such as requiring monument style signs that match building architecture, landscaping around signs and unified plans for large scale developments. So the property is located right in the center of the map. It's along Highway 49, at almost the western most boundaries of the city's jurisdiction, just to the northeast there, the 64 bypass. This is parcel A. You also have the surrounding parcels, and I will mention that those surrounding parcels have been notified within the proper time period. Also, signs have been posted on the property on NC 49 and J. Cocotl Drive and the request has been properly advertised. In terms of topography, you'll see that even a little bit more clearly on the photos that we show, but this is a fairly rolling piece of property here and you also have the utilities map showing a force main on the opposite side of 49 as well as city water. So the aerial map shows you the subject property outlined in red. You see the other primarily industrial uses and properties that surround this property. The oblique map shows you a little bit more of a two-dimensional view of the property and some of the surrounding properties. And so taking a look at some photos, this is the property looking from NC 49 South. J. Co. Coddle Drive is where the guardrail is off kind of on the right right there. And you also see the approximate location of the billboard shown fairly close to that intersection. So this shows you the view from 49 South, if you're looking, to the left and you can see there's kind of a grade difference between NC 49 and where the billboard location would be in discussing that or having some communication with the applicant about that. They have indicated that the base of the billboard will be at the grade just about as you see it. So that will be lower than NC 49 where the very base of the billboard is located. Is that retaining why you had it? It's about being in front of the retaining wall between you. So it would be just right in front of the retaining wall. That way I got you. But this view is from J. Co. Coddle Drive. So this kind of shows you that from that vantage point, what you would be looking at and about where the billboard would be. And then this is looking south on J. Co. Coddle Drive. As I mentioned there, there is some residential property in the area. One of those is off to the right. the right. This would be back behind the property line on the opposite side of the property from where the billboard is located. That is more than 100 feet. It's a little closer to approximately 300 feet away from where the billboard is located. This is looking south on Highway 49 South. J.C.O. Cotto Drive is off to the left, so you see the 64 bypass. And this is looking to the north on NC 49 South. So on the site plan, you'll see the location of the billboard that is directly in front of the retaining wall that we saw on the photos. Mr. Trugden has to about there are also seven parsoori juniper shrubs that are shown around the billboard. There is some landscaping that is proposed around that area. So just to show a closer view of the billboard, as I mentioned, the grade location at 750 feet is about where you see the grade now next to the retaining wall where the property is lower than NC 49. The top of the billboard would be 780 feet, so it is 30 feet in, and there you see the other dimension of 30 feet by 10. So I won't read all of these technical requirements unless the council has specific questions. I'll be more than happy to go through these. But the point that I do want to make is staff has reviewed the site plan against all of these criteria and determined that the site plan in the billboard does meet these requirements. As we go through your list there, you have these in your packets as well. And we, like I say, if you have any questions, we can look at those. What's in it? So that is, I'm moving with a lemon. Sure. Sure. It is one sort of very technical measurement of light intensity. So that is one of the conditions that we are proposing that exceeds the general ordinance requirements. And so as we go through to that condition as a matter of fact, we are proposing that the brightness be no more than 5,000 nits during the day and no more than 500 nits between dusk and dawn. That is consistent with the electronic changeable copy requirements that were discussed with the council earlier. And so we believe that is a reasonable condition to deal with intensity. Why is the order condition, I just want to make it a unit of measurement? Sure, sure. It is a unusual sort of sort of measurement there and then so so looking at the conditions. The first one is that the this will continue to allow any use permitted by right in the eye to zoning district so the property has a general classification now it will continue with that classification. The billboard is its own use that's permitted through the special use permit process. And so, and of course that does re-integrate that the billboard will have to meet those requirements, which we have reviewed and determined or consistent based on the site plan review. Item B is before the issuance of a zoning permit, the applicant will be required to obtain North Carolina DOT permits, as well as having a final decision document approved by City Council if Council were to approve this request. And item C deals with how often the copy can change. That is also consistent with our ordinance so that any sort of copy change on a minimum five second delay, that is a traffic safety protection. And so that is why we are proposing that as a condition. And of course, as Mr.at asked on the knits That is number five dealing with the brightness of the of the sign so So the findings of fact are here for the applicant to to address, but I will be glad to answer if there are any further questions The sign will be twenty feet above grade approximately yes sir up to 30. Right it will be 30 feet from the bottom of the sign to the top. About 20 feet as best as I can tell from NC 49. Now the DOT will have to prove this in the V. That's correct. Is this on in the same way? It is... That mills in the seat, that was right. Yes, it is. That's exactly in the ETJ, or they wouldn't be here. Right. I can confirm that. Thank you. I'm sure the homework and pay. That's what I was wondering would it be paying city taxes. I'm seeing this over here. I think it's a spell, right? Okay, in, in. Okay. It does show that it is in the city limits. It is in the city limits? Yes sir. Okay. I can be even. I'm not going to be back with him about a text. I'm excited to know what. Well, this is included a couple of visit ash world flashes. Potentially yes, yes sir. Mr. Suggs, I actually have. Okay, who makes for the applicant first. Mr. Mayor and members of Council, my name is Nick Blackwood, 804 Green Valley Road in Greensboro. Here on behalf of the applicant with me this evening is MacSummy, who's our civil engineer and HR Galamore to supplement with some expert testimony regarding property values for the third finding of fact there. So it's okay I have some materials I'd like to distribute. I'm going to get this thing. And a lot of what you see in this packet will duplicate staff's ferry throw report. So I appreciate the effort there. We can breeze over a couple of these pages and just kind of use them as touch points as we go if needed. But to begin, Jaco's been a part of Ashbro's business community for about 30 years. They've operated on site and they've determined that they have some excess space right along the right of way that's being underutilized and will be a good location for this type of outdoor advertising sign. But as mentioned by staff the principal business would remain an operation on the site. So we can if you'll flip along with me I believe we can breeze past the second and third slides in your packet staff thoroughly covered the sign dimensions and you're well familiar with the property. And we'll hold slide four for now and come back on that just a moment. I think, you know, just given the report provided by staff, I think we can dive right into the factors and the information that we analyzed in determining responses to these findings of fact. The first being that the use will not materially endanger the public health or safety if located where proposed. And thinking through this factor, just given that having a billboard next door is a really, it's a relatively quiet neighbor, not much by the way of impacts from a noise or use or noxious fumes or anything like that that you may associate with another use requiring a special use permit. Really, the key thing that we considered was the sight line, sight triangle at that access point, and whether or not that would cause any issue for folks entering or accessing Highway 49 from that private right of way or public right of way sorry. So on slide four, and now this is just a rough GIS approximation using the measuring tool. But we're measuring approximately 85 feet from our property line to the pavement of highway 49. So you'll note that as you're pulling out of Jacob Caldale Drive accessing Highway 49, there's really no potential for any impact on sight line for folks who are looking for oncoming traffic as they're merging onto the highway. Let's see factor number two, that the use meets all required conditions and specifications of the Ashboro zoning ordinance. Staff referenced several times. We believe that all the development standards laid out in the development ordinance for this type of use are satisfied. I have Mack Summi, our civil engineer here who can address any specific questions pertaining to the site plan and those development standards, but would just refer you to staff's comments regarding the compatibility with those conditions. And at this point, I'd like to ask Mr. Gallimore to join me at the podium and give his expert opinion as to impacts on property values. Anything spilled my name yet? No pen. Big period, our period. Okay, carry it off in the end. Yeah, turn it off with a few pen. Yeah. First I'd like to say John, it has been a pleasure working'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm about the values and how it might impact values of the joining properties. The first one I'll mention that Jacob Caltor Road, Mr. Reader does live there. He has had his property on the market for the last couple of years looking for commercial candidates. I think they've talked about multifamily possibly. I think the bigger hold up there is finding proper water and sewer availability. So I think that's going to change as well. I think the loop and that loop has kind of changed the whole area to some degree. Ben, I think there are a couple of times a road to corridor and there really aren't any residential users other than him. He is still there that are in the area that I see that could have any problems. Typically the nature of these boards, they are specifically located in high traffic areas which tend to not be residential. You don't see these going up residential neighborhoods. You wouldn't find the advertisers. Don't think it's from a substantial impact. I would venture to say it probably improves some of the local business properties in the location and information about their properties and I think you can help on into the cities. People love to see the ability to advertise their firms and their businesses. With that said, I don't see, it's been my experience in other locations. We don't have that many electronic boards in Ashboro, but I have done a good bit of business throughout the triad and along around the state and I've not seen any negative impact from the boards. I think a perfect example would be Windover in Greensboro. Those properties value so-and-so are and so are a lot of boards up there, but it doesn't seem to have any negative impact. That would be my point at this. Eddie might could speak on that. You've done a good bit of business with outside boards, but they don't seem that they're quiet neighbors as it was just mentioned. And lighting is controlled by the state, I think, on the I was like you, Walker, I wouldn't for me or that, and I, I, I thought it was a basketball tournament. Any other questions? I'll be happy to answer. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Mr. Gallimore. Moving on to factor four that the location and character of the use if developed according to the plan as submitted and approved will be in harmony with the area. As referenced both in staff's report and earlier in the presentation, the property abuts a state highway. It's bordered by a significant presence of existing industrial zoning districts and the properties identified as industrial in the city's land development plan. There's been recent NCDOT improvements to the exchange, the interstate interchange just to the west. I think this is a good opportunity to provide for some advertising services there and make the most of those infrastructure improvements and costs that went into improving that interchange. Ashbrows experiencing significant growth as a community. I think you heard some figures regarding tourism earlier in the meeting. The amount of folks who are coming here to Ashboro. So this would provide a great opportunity as folks are getting off the highway, turning on to the other highway 49 for advertising of businesses and possibly the zoo and other amenities that your city offers. And one thing I think that's important to consider is that the city has already adopted some enhanced development standards with respect to outdoor advertising signs. NC DOTs, the maximum distance of spacing separation between billboards or NC DOTs requirements is 500 feet. So I thank you all, I've done a good job of already looking into potential impacts on property owners and then trying to prevent an overabundance of these signs in your community through those enhanced standards that you've already adopted for the ordinance. And this site fits those criteria set forth for this type of use. So with that, I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have. All right. Mayor, I have one other question. Suggested conditions proposed by staff amenable to the applicant. Yes, yes. Thank you. Another question. I guess you're done. Is anyone in the audience that would like to address this request? Anyone else in the audience? I didn't mean it, it sounded so abrupt. But I was struggling. I guess you're done. Council, what do you wish? Mr. Mayor, based on our young Mr. Blackwood, I've done several cases with pinery in a legend, truly. I believe the presentation addressed the four steps, past favorably in that step one, the endangerment, the engineering drawings of a PE stamp, and it seems to be ahead of the structure, and nothing surrounding it. Step two would be staff is reviewed and conditions are acceptable to the owner. I think the value presentation really speaks for itself given the zoning that billboards would go in. It's an expected used and it seems to cover this surrounding area and still for again it's a similar industrial area of property being marketed as such. I believe the four steps has to have been passed I would make a motion that we approved the special use permit with the conditions outlined by stock. We have a motion by Mr. Moffat to approve. Do we have a second? I'll second. Where was that? Eddie. Eddie. Thank you, Mr. Birx. Discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. Motion carries. Good job. Mr. Leonard. City Engineer Michael Leonard will give us recommendations for filling the bank and I don'tancy on the airport authority. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. At their regular meeting, the Ashboro Airport Authority on January 21st, 2025, the authority took into consideration three applications for the vacant seat as forwarded from Council at the last January meeting. After discussion, the airport authority is recommending two applicants for appointment to this vacant seat. First being Mr. Allen York and second being Mr. Randy Freeman and you have in your packets, both of those applications, or your consideration. Question. Okay. Okay, also. Mr. Mayor, based on the vast aviation experience, with both our craft and pilot management and airports. I would recommend that we appoint Alan York to the Air Square Airport. We have a motion by Mr. Moffe to appoint Alan York to the vacancy and the airport authority. Do I have a second? Second. Second. Mr. Swayers discuss it On favor say aye Mr. Roni I request council action on a proposed amendment to professional services agreement with HDR. Good evening, Mayor and Council members. I will try to be brief. But in your packet, you have amendment number one for the professional services agreement for the owners of visor services for the Wispy Water Main Extension Project. And you executed already the professional services agreement for Phase 1 and Reconstruction Services for this project for owners of visor. And that was to get us through 60% design, preconstruction services, permitting all those things. We've completed most of those tasks for the first three sections. We're still working on getting 6% drawings for section one, but we're proceeding on to construction side of things. And with that, there's an amendment to provide owners of eyes or services for phase two, which is construction administration. So that's what that amendment covers. The original professional services agreement was for $354,976. The second phase is going to cost $465,857. And you can see in there that there are some line items that we aren't using all the funding for phase 1s that we're carrying those over to phase 2 for reduction in those costs. Keep in mind this project is still being reimbursed from Department of Commerce for this project. So these expenses are reimbursable and we will get those through that grant. So this puts our total construction agreement, a professional service agreement with HDR for ownership of our services at $820,833. I'd be glad to answer any questions concerning this. Question. Okay. Okay. With that, I'll need your approval to let the city manager execute this agreement. We have a motion to authorize. Mayor, on my commotion, we authorize the current city manager that is quick motion by Mr. Moffitt I have a second second all across from the house Mr. Mel was a and him a second. Fast-drying ink in his bottle. Discussion? On the favor of the side? All opposed? Have they been done before we sit down? They've been done. Construction of the baseball. Section four is from Eastern Rantafi school and they were supposed to start digging last Thursday. So we are putting pipe in the ground. No, we got to cover. Come on, Mr. Hutch. This time I have one two times. Yeah. Well, I'm mad. We're. All right. Real quick, give you an update on Trade Street parking lot. I won't keep you long. You put it first for nothing. The. The map right here shows the ones the buildings outlined red along Trace along sunset and Trace Street. Those are the ones that we're going to propose to use the dumpster site. Hopefully to work out. We've got then closure bill for the grease containers and glass containers. Keep in mind that was one of our biggest holdouts to past few weeks because when you're land block, you're using mortar and it gets 18 degrees at night, you're not land block. So that held us up, but we finally got that finished. We wanted to use decorative block, but we couldn't get any. So finally found a place where we could send a truck and go pick up concrete block. We have got it built. We have got it stuck out so it might not say everything else up there. It really looks good. They did a good job because we are not brick or block layers. But luckily, Jimi Liz is probably Steve Trugden for a couple hours to get us started and it worked out. Now, as far as the parking lot we're at right now, we've got the stone, we set the stone yesterday in order to put the binder down which the stone's got to dry out. We've got that done, concrete poured inside the closures, we've done that Tuesday finished the Stucco Monday so we're getting there, We're there. Now, the good thing is we haven't paved yet because I found out that the fire company is wanting to move the dipole, which is the pole where the fire comes across the street, goes down the ground and goes up trade street to the transformers. They're proposing we're going to supposed to meet an engineer with Jimmy and be with us too because he understands more about the power than I do. They're looking at putting in the grass strip in front of the parking lot, which means they did their 4-inch conduit to run across the parking lot. So we're going to meet them out there and if that's what they want to do, if they'll tell me where they need both ends to come up, I'll dig it out for later. The park can keep stone from getting this contaminated process. All we have to do is reset that section. Might throw us a couple of days behind, but like Councilman Moffat said, it's not a great time of year to pave anyway. But the plan is, once we get everything to stone, set and dry out enough, we can get the binder down, we'll put the binder down. And if the conditions are good for topping it, we're going to top it if not, we'll wait to the conditions are. And they turn off again. But even if we have to bind it and leave it for a little bit, it can still be used, we can still paint it. Now the alleyway I didn't want to point out coming across the back to Trades Street. That. still be used, we can still paint it. But now the alleyway I didn't want to point out coming across the back to Trade Street, that when the power company puts their boxes and all in and they start running they're going to cut across that. So the alleyway I'll probably wheelbinder and leave it to out to the power company goes through then we'll pass that binder back then I'll cap that part put the top mix on the end. Next thing we do have been working on how people are going to access this thing. I'm just going to have them call public works you know we have to get the word out go talk to these people, me, these people and you know basically they show us proof that they're using that build, that bill, a bill in their name or a lease agreement. We'll issue them up to two keys for the dumpster. And basically what we've been talking about doing once we get these dumpsters ready for everybody to use, you know, we might have to talk to these people and say, you know, there's going to be a time limit on the can collector, one thousand on trades. We're only going to leave it out there another month. You're going to have to do something. No sell that service. You want to buy? You can put a reserve on it. Am I right here? I'm not sure what to do with it. It's just such a handy-looking thing. And it ain enough to make a good out building for time. But anyway, not with the best idea, but at the time it was the only idea. Just go to say not all ideas are good. But anyway, that's pretty much where we're at on it. Of course. And there's a couple of pictures. I took those pictures Monday, you know, when they finished, they were actually just finished up the enclosure. And, as I can say, that was the day before we set the stone. And so just for the edification of the rest of us, how deep is the part we don't see in the dogs? How deep? I'm going to say, I didn't ask for the music,. I'm gonna say I didn't ask the music but I'm gonna say it's gonna be about four feet in the ground. More like probably about eight or four feet. Eight feet in the ground. But like I said we've We've had, and I think she's put a picture on my newsletter somewhere I think. I said you're beating. Well, the truck actually picking it up. And they're walk up from the right-hand side here. Yeah, and they roll down their roller trash cans or what recycling, whatever. Yeah,, on the backside of that enclosure there's openings for them to come in and out. And they'll, and their vendors to pick them up can pull around back and get to them. Did you ever do anything different to the trucks to pick up that house straight for the tail? He might have to adjust a little bit as far as pull up back and that or pulling up Was just put an out of straight up, but actually he done it pretty well. I mean, you know, it'll be a little different when they're full But we know the truck will pick them up, send them down and it's a good idea because there's one of the few out there That you can actually do without buying a specialty truck. That's what I'm actually doing. And you know those trucks are almost $400,000 fine. So we picked a goomba. What did you say about preventing people who are not supposed to use these dubbers to use them? They will be locked. They'll be locked. They'll have the people that can use them, that can register to use and will give them a key. And the fees they pay now for their gray and green cans that fee still stays on them for the use of this. Who's got a clicker? If they could come at any time, and they're not, they're not gonna be there. Right there. No. I could say we're like a for myself by 50-20. Can we charge them for the lost keys? Well, I was asked about that. What's going to happen? You know, if people switch out, moving out, or if hand these keys out for a loosom, I'll tell them that's best they can do is every couple of years that might pay to switch locks But whatever we do we're not going to make it to 2035, which is the unofficial key to the city. You're paying your own official key, but that's all right. Hey, yeah. Great. And unless you've got any questions, that's all I got. Shaping up oil. It's looking good. Yeah, and I know Jimmy's guys, once we're done and out there, I'm sure they're going to come through there at the curb and do some landscaping and all that of help. Here's a good job. Thank you much. That was really good. I had a question, but a comment. Happy birthday to you, Dolce. Thank you. Good luck. I can't believe it. I'm a little bit of a spade off. He's a hat or something. Yeah. I don't know how to explain something. Yeah. Goodbye. comment happy birthday to you don't you feel like it? Thank you. Thank you. You're a little real estate officer. He's right out or some more. Yeah. Yeah. Everybody here has done hell birthday this morning. A lot of great people born in Fedworths all our great people. All right. If that's nothing else you'll have a good night and I appreciate your time. If you have any questions anything during during the week, how? Thank you very much. I'll serve you. And I'll still look at you. I'll be fine with you. Thank you. All right. I'm going to thank you. I'm going to insert something here. Just a personal thing here. I passed out to all the council and everybody's not one. It's a letter asking the city to help publicize an effort in Swan and Noah. North Carolina too. There's a project up there filling. Most there by a pair of living in tents and all more sheds. And they're trying to heat during this tremendous cold weather with whatever gas heaters they've got, whatever heaters they have. And there's an effort up there to fill and replace 20 pound cylinders like you would have on your grill, which is not particularly efficient, but it's probably what most of the people have and or have access to. So this is a letter from a local group that is trying to help the effort in swan and Noah. And it just explains what you can do if you want to make a cash donation if you want to donate unused gas bottles or whatever food contact, a class one down to holly for the record and I have one for the newspaper and if you can put something in these paper-lating people know about this. All right. All right. Thank you so much. We didn't really have a method to publicize it on any of our, because we're so restricted on what we can. I can't do. but I totally these people that I would get the word out. So, this is the sub. Yes sir. You're next. Thank you sir. You have a resolution in front of you. Tonight I'm not asking for actual approval. Delice agreement. This is a lease of space on the elevated water tank on South Church Street is for the placement of electronic communications equipment. That equipment is already there, the previous lease, which was entered in 2014, has expired. We're now looking to get into a new lease agreement with Altale Corporation, which is doing business as Verizon Wireless. I'm had some extended negotiations, but we've now come to terms on standard terms and conditions that we're previously used. And they also are agreeing to, we do 10 year releases. So the first base term is 60 months. They've agreed to a 10% increase for that base term of five years and once we get to the end of that one the extension term to take it out to 10 will be another 10% increase on top of that so since we are in agreement with standard terms I'm asking for council authorization to publish notice and compliance with the general statutes that the council's intent to approve the lease that requires 30 days notice. So therefore it will not be back on your agenda until April simply because I don't have enough days before the March 6th City Council meeting. I'll be happy to answer any questions. This is an exclusive lease or not? No sir, we have to. I don't think this. No, you are absolutely correct. There are two other vendors who we've got. We recently completed leases with and this is consistent with the other. Yes, sir. It is. I think we need to move along with the advertising. You're looking for consent. I'm looking for adoption of the resolution by reference with your permission. Any other questions? I'll entertain a motion to approve my reference. Mayor, I move you adopt the resolution by reference. We have a motion by Mr. Bell. Do I have a second? Second. Let's hear you. Discussion? All the players say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Please. I'm going to swap around here. Item 15 is a request for a motion for the City Council to go in and close session. Things are transpired since the agenda was put together and it appears that we do not need to have a closed session tonight to consult with our attorney. So we're just going to move on over that and that makes 16 moot. And we will go back to 14 and we'll start with discussions of items. The first thing I want to say is that once again, I didn't do what I should have done and what I intended to do, but our councilperson Kelly Heath received from the Chamber of Commerce Last Friday night the Athena award. And it takes a long time to say everything that they recognized in her receiving the award qualified her to to be probably a unanimous choice for that award. A thing that is sponsored by Vicki Gallimore of Remax Realty and been given quite a while and honors a female leader in the community that is noteworthy and Kelly Heath is certainly noteworthy. Thank you. And at that same award ceremony, our own anti-corner who is our main street director from the City of Ashboro, who is actually an Asperer of City Employee in this building. Her organization, Main Street Ashboro, was named organization of the year, and that was based on a lot of the great things that we all benefit from in this community, special events and whatnot, the concerts, the streetery and many other things that the organization sponsors and develops. So they were named Organ organization in the year, and Eddie was named emerging leader of the year. Yeah. Yeah. Applause. And if you know Eddie or have had an opportunity to work with Eddie, you can imagine that she well deserves that award. She's a ball of fire, bundle of energy, and certainly does great things for the city and for downtown Ashford, through our main street. So hired and her was a stroke of genius. And what I want with that mayor for those of you having, is worth five minutes to Google Athena Award and see the global impact previous winners have won that award. And that's quite honest. This is quite an award. Yeah, it's an international award. And, you know, certainly well deserved. All right. So, discussion of items on the agenda. I went to the 12th, there's here's a service, breakfast, John and I will attend. And... and then, Wednesday the 12th is our years of service, breakfast, John and I will attend and recognize all of our employees for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of employment. And I guess you'll get one, huh? I was five. Okay. in the paper, Gallantons. Oh, Gallantons. Yeah, I got it. Legally blonde with... Reese Witherspin. Yeah, Reese Witherspin. All right, Friday and 14th is Valentine's Day. Before we leave that, Colonel Hanson, hit and promotion ceremony. The 14th too. Very clock. Right. You want to tell about who's getting promoted, why you? Yeah. So Captain Travis Curry, which is an outside thing, a little for three years ago, he's getting eight of the majors. Another well deserved honor. Absolutely. And that's three. Three clock. Three clock Three o'clock. Okay. Three o'clock. On the 14th. Yeah. Right. The 14th. Sharon Devin is the movie that 9th, 7th, 30th, 15th. The signature, the sunset signature series. Mark Mathibane, who was a award-winning author and a refugee talking about his trials and tribulations and how he escaped poverty and whatnot with a tennis scholarship. And that was what the book was about. Okay. And I'll comprehensive transportation plan survey on the 15th deadline to report. You got to complete it, people haven't complete it. You can do that online, John. That's correct. On the 19th, the mayor is going to talk to the citizens of Ashburg down around the community college about the progress that's been made in the last few years and some of the issues that we have facing us as we go forward. That's it, J.B. and Claire Trinningson. In the training center and... And I'd be in Claire Davis. Hosted by Shaw Ardell and I had the college. No ticket is required. Just coming eight o'clock. starts about about 830. Friday 21st is Friday night bluegrass, the band being new direction. At the Sunset Theater and the 22nd is downtown Ashburton. Sip and Shop event. Put on by the downtown Ashburton Gold Bridge award winning downtown Ashburton. All right, that's what I have on my count. One thing Mayor, the council knows this, but the mayor and I, since the mayor of Kerman, Udler, I've come into Washington, DC, all Monday, by lunchtime. You know, we'll have Joe has a trial and information. We are going into Reagan National Airport, I hope we're not landing on 33 June. We'll be all day Tuesday in on Capitol Hill. We're working for secure the exemption, in our financing for the fire station exempting to the US Department of Agriculture, squirrel development rules, with only jurisdiction in Randolph County that doesn't qualify for too large. So we think we got a good chance. I'll get the thank, Congressman Hudson. I did not, but I trip I had no idea I had no idea. Well, as mayor at the meeting what was camp here for and then what's Martha doing here? So I was going to have a terrible. Mayor didn't know either. Trevor knew he's not here. Trevor made sure Martha mark them. Okay. All right. Kelly. Okay. So we have four students from student left here tonight. They're in this row here. So we appreciate all of you being here. And of course that is a program of the Ashford Randolph Chamber of Commerce and hope you learned a little bit about how your city government works tonight. Also I want to thank David Hutchins and his team. Those folks were out in some really extreme temperatures and weather getting things done. So it certainly always appreciate the work that they do and I just can't thank all of you enough for all the incredible comments and support and just from the community. I am so just honored and incredibly grateful to have the privilege to serve this community and that includes service sitting right here in this chair. Do not take it for granted. So thank you. Thank you. Mr. Schwerer. It's nice to see the four-way stoplights flashing on a regular cycle instead of strobing. I think that's going to be a positive impact. I've seen positive comments of the community about them, which I appreciate. You've actually seen some positive comments? Yes, I have. All right. Well, I haven't seen any. I've heard. People like it. Yeah. I've brought through two of them. Yeah, I've brought through two of them. Yeah, I've brought through two of them. Yeah, I've brought through two of them. I've brought through two of them. Yeah, I've brought through two of them. I'm not going to blame you. All right, Mark. I'm not going to let that go. I've sent a Facebook welcome, you know, Ashboro sites, some description or another, and I think it's been well received, particularly those locations. I don't think going forward, the others that are proposed by the state would be nearly as well received. But I think those particular locations where they are, the four ways to offer for a good choice. I think we all agree that the three of the state picked not only bad choices but ridiculous. They can change your choices. Absolutely. As I said that night, couldn't pick a worse one than Kevin and church See the direction and it's at a school Yep, and I know who I wish Anybody else in here I don't know I try to wish Eddie and Joey a happy birthday too. Is anybody else in here? I don't know. I try to memorize it. You know, coming in. Did you mean you built? Yeah. I'm still small. Yeah. I built a Joey and then Mark will learn her sometime. I think you don't want to keep running out of that. I'm sure happy birthday. Thank you. I mean, you were next birthday. Yeah, we'll get to wait next. Then you're expecting a birthday present. What did it say? I don't know. I just had it. I know they keep coming out mapping. So many accolades, meaningful presentations, accomplishments, it's hard to numerate all You know, the improvements to downtown and we have our own goddess now. And we're going to that we have to share. I think tonight play it back. But, but anyway, it's a lot going forward, some of the, some of the positive that we have to share. And I think tonight wasn't great. And Adam, the Chamber of Denton, it went off well. You know, some people even understood what you were saying. Yeah. That's right. That's right. That's right. That's what makes plays a lot of British snows. I'm kidding, I'm getting better with my change. But anyway, maybe. Yeah. I'm getting better with my attention. But anyway, maybe. Yeah, a lot of awards and a lot of positive things going on now. It was interesting when they hadn't gotten two sentences in the killing. And I said, it's killing. But anyway, everybody's going, I was right. So there, I got to be right one time this month. So that was good. I was right. I was right. But I'm excited to see young people here tonight. That always encourages me and gives us hope for our future. And I know the one young lady here, she's in key club. Probably more. I don't know. Anyway, so if, yeah, so if, so I, I didn't want to embarrass you like we do it. Cool. Why not some key club members come and make you stand up and say who you are and all that. But, but I really would like to know your name. You know, you like to stand up and tell us who you are because you are the up and coming people. We will need to track your names in the near future because you're going to be the leaders. Can we be so secured? Yeah, you know what? because you are the up and coming people. We will need to track your names in the near future because you're going to be the leaders. We're going to be so- I'm going to be so- I'm so scared. And we're counting on you to leave through retirement. So if you'd like to tell us who you are, we'd love to hear who you are. And what school? Yeah, what school? I'm Casey Smith and I go to the URHR Academy. I'm handing you a nail in on that URHR Academy. I'm Sam and Eric and I are two also go to the URHR Academy. And I'll leave them steal and I'll also leave URHR Academy. There you go. Thank you. Thank you all for coming. I got to speak to a group one time and they said, well, how did you get started and people saw you as a leader? and I said, well, the first time I did it, I just showed up. And showing up is part of the battle right there. So if you show up and you know what's going on, you're smart kids. and people saw you as a leader, and I said, well, the first time I did it, I just showed up, and showing up as part of the battle right there. So if you show up and you know what's going on, you're smart kids, and I know you are. So we're looking for big things for you for the future. Thank you for being here. In your case, you showed up and pretended, and the world was just right. That's right. And then it was associations with really smart people. You think it's the success that I am at that? They all go ahead. Yeah. Who was the organization that did the one station? It was sponsoring that. It was George Rajard and Carter, and Comunian Irritch. But, sir. OK, I wasn't sure that people who did the Hattisoup kitchen, which it was running. But I just wanted to say, I went over several times and I was really impressed they did a really good job it was a lot of volunteers and they helped the homeless people through real cold nights so I appreciate them people stepping up and doing that. At the chamber dinner I had the I was fortunate enough to our new city manager. And I, it reaffirmed not that we had any nails, but just, that bit of chatting that we got to do throughout the evening, solidified that we made the right choice. Absolutely right. No, no, I'd keep that to myself. But it was zero first. But he just, he was, he, he met a lot of folks. He's very polished. He's, I think, I think we're gonna be well served. You are well served. I would mention today at the North Carolina City and County Manager's Conference, we're Trevor and Donald are right now. Everybody was congratulating Nash Burr for the best trade made since the Yankees got Babe Ruth from the Fed Oxford for $100,000. So the House was regretful. The Speaker, if you don't know, he's friends with the Speaker of the House, so that probably helps too. He's a very talented person. He's a very personable person. He has a lot of experience. It's be interesting. I think he's going to be on the City Manager podcast and Talk about the experience as a Western North Carolina. It's it's pretty amazing. I talked to Mary Jackson today the retired city manager of Asheville in over a 10 a 10-year period, they put 60, Mr. Schien said, $60 million of water and sewer improvements in the ground and they went away in 14 hours. I don't know if you saw the House in Senate. What kind of House in Senate is back in session? Right off the bat, the governor asked for a billion dollars. The U.S. House and Senate are working on their budget. It will include massive amounts for disaster relief between Southern California and Western North Carolina and Florida. And March is right around the corner and what's that mean? Her staying storm season. And I just remind you that it's South Eastern North Carolina is not recovered from Hurricane Matthew. I think was the last one. I don't know if that's how many you can keep up with them. As soon as they get worse every year, you used to talk about a hundred years storm toll. Now we get one every year. You're right. Okay, thanks for being here. Hope you're enjoying your student lift. That's a good program. That's a good experience. I will call this meeting adjourned.