Council members elect Broadaway to serve as city's mayor pro tem
By Matt Caulder
Published in News on December 3, 2013 1:46 PM
The Goldsboro City Council unanimously voted in Councilman Bill Broadaway as its mayor pro tem for the coming year at its meeting Monday night.
Broadaway will replace Councilman Michael Headen on Jan 1.
The mayor pro tem leads council meetings in the absence of the mayor and represents the council at city functions the mayor cannot attend, but he or she has no extra powers beyond those of a regular member.
The city's charter states that the position has no fixed term of office and that the mayor pro tem serves "at the pleasure of the remaining city council and mayor."
Headen assumed the position last December after a unanimous vote following Councilman Chuck Allen's nine-year stint in the position.
Broadaway will serve in the position for a year before handing it off to the next councilman.
"We chose him because he comes to the meetings and does his job well, and he'll do this well, too," Allen said.
"And 'cause I'm so good looking," Broadaway added, laughing.
The council also approved a zoning request on a property at the corner of Elm Street and Berkeley Boulevard to allow for the sale of licensed sports equipment.
A site plan also was approved for Gap Ministries off McLain Street.
The council upheld the Planning Commission's recommendation to waive the required paved parking for two years as well as allowing a reduction in the required buffer along the north edge of the property.
The property will be operated as a church, classroom and office space.
A public hearing was set for Jan. 21 to discuss the proposed closing of Hogan's Alley between Chestnut and Spruce streets.
The public will be able to voice its opinions on the closing at the hearing.
The alley is closed to foot traffic by a fence and is not maintained by the city.
If closed, the land would be split in half and returned to the adjacent property owners, but the city would retain sewer easement rights.
At the last City Council meeting Nov. 18, Headen said he would not be opposed to the alley being closed if the city were to clean it up first.
City workers cut back the growth along the side of Spruce Street following the meeting.