Whiteville Alderman Consider Obtaining Grant to Purchase Blanton Property for Event Center
The Town of Whiteville met for its monthly meeting on Monday, December 4, 2023. Mayor Gene Bowden, City Recorder Angelous Simmons, and Alderman Deborah Burkeen, Jessie Giles, Ocie Holmes, Ernest Pirtle, and Tommy Turner were present. Alderman Jimmie Lee Robertson was absent. The board approved the reading of the minutes from the November 2023 meeting.
Communication from Mayor Bowden – Mayor Bowden stated going forward, citizens will be asked to stop by City Hall before the meeting to complete a request form to be added to the agenda for the “Comments from Citizen” portion of each meeting. This will help the board properly address the concerns of those citizens and utilize their time more effectively as a board. Mayor Bowden said some of those concerns could possibly be addressed at City Hall and not have to wait to be covered at a board meeting.
{Watch at 4:35 minute mark in the video to see all covered.}
Some of the Comments from the Citizens included a citizen commending the Whiteville Police Department and Fire Department on a great job. and the need for road maintenance to repair severely damaged roads. Mayor Bowden noted the Town is seeking grants to help pay for some of the repairs and would like to wait until after sewer work is completed in the areas needing road repair.
{Watch at 7:21 minute mark in the video to see all covered.}
Old Business
- Water and Waste Account Separation
The Board voted to rescind their approval of separating the water and wastewater system. It was said that there’s more involved than just separating funds. Due to that fact, City Recorder Angelous Simmons asked to reconsider the issue to take more time (maybe one year or more) to break down numbers on assets and things before proceeding with that process. Currently, separation is not required by the State.
Other items discussed:
- Water/Waste Rate Ordinance 2nd Reading
- Water Leak Adjustment Policy 2nd Reading
{Watch at 20:08 minute mark in the video to see all covered.}
New Business included:
- Apply for civic center and event center purchasing and/or Repair Grant(s) – The board passed a motion to apply for a grant of up to $200,000 to purchase/repair the Blanton property to use as civic center or event center. The building does need repair and has ample space to hold events of different sizes.
- Lead Service Line Inventory Grant – Motion was passed to apply for the Lead Service Line Grant.
- Community Partnerships
- Industrial and Economic Boards
- Charter Committee Meetings
{Watch at 24:52 minute mark in the video to see all covered.}
Other Business included:
- Utility Adjustments and Charge-offs
- Paid Invoices for November 2023
{Watch at 24:52 minute mark to see all covered.}
Reports were given from Officers, Staff, and Board Members
{Watch at 51:02 minute mark in the video to see all covered.}
Notices/Activities/Meeting
- Holiday Closure dates are December 25 – 26, 2023, and January 1, 2024
{Watch at 58:34 minute mark in the video to see all covered.}
The meeting was adjourned, and the alderman will next meet on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Click here to read about the City of Whiteville’s November meeting.
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