Council to discuss an array of issues
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on January 5, 2015 1:46 PM
The Goldsboro City Council will start 2015 with a full agenda of more than 20 items to discuss tonight.
It will also be Chuck Allen's first council meeting as the new mayor pro-tem.
There are six items on the work session agenda, which begins at 5 p.m. in room 206 of the City Hall addition. There are no public hearings, but there are six presentations to be made by various departments, 10 consent agenda items, and each department will provide a monthly report to the city manager and council.
After two teenagers appeared in front of city council on Dec. 1 to request a skatepark, discussing all issues regarding the project and safety concerning skateboarders, Scott Barnard will make a presentation during the work session to provide an update on how the city will move forward with the project.
O'Reilly's Auto Parts store has donated property it owns between its store on East Ash Street and Stoney Creek Park for the placement of a skate park.
The Parks and Recreation department already owns a modular skatepark, and would only need to spend money in order to pave the property.
Barnard said he will suggest to the council to authorize the project.
He said he also will suggest the authorization of funds for the construction of camping platforms along the Neuse River to attract tourists to Goldsboro and provide both locals and visitors with a place to camp overnight.
Barnard said this project would have a significant economic impact on the community. The only potential issue, he said, is that the city would possibly have to enter into a land swap with the county to secure land on the south side of the Neuse and between the river and U.S. 117 for the placement of the camping platforms.
"We're looking to hopefully secure the construction of one platform right out of the gate, and then do what's necessary to get the other ones completed soon after," Barnard said.
In other business, Sylvia Barnes, president of Goldsboro's NAACP chapter, has requested to speak during the public comment period at the council meeting.
Under the consent agenda is a contract agreement with Quest Corporation of America for the company to rebrand GATEWAY's image to the public, rebuild its website, create current route maps and develop a marketing strategy.
The contract is for more than $23,000, and the project is expected to be completed by June 30 after it begins on Jan. 7.
The City Council is also expected to authorize $63,785 for the repair of the city's gas station canopy where city vehicles are stored. The station was constructed in 1978.
An events coordinator position contract for the Parks and Recreation department is expected to be authorized at tonight's meeting. The coordinator will be in charge of organizing local Special Olympics events, among other things.
The salary for the position is between $34,892 and $55,129, based on qualifications and experience.
The salary allocation will reduce the city's unappropriated fund balance in the general fund for the 2014-15 fiscal year to $20,518.
After a brief snag in contract agreements between the city and the state Department of Transportation, the council is expected to take action on a supplemental agreement resolving issues concerning the Berkeley Boulevard widening project.
There were issues with the relocation of sewer and utilities along the thoroughfare, which will be resolved so the project can move forward.
The project will widen Berkeley Boulevard from Royall Avenue to the New Hope Road intersection.
During the work session prior to the regular council meeting at 7 p.m., Candace Marriner and Maj. James Ladd will make a presentation to the council on the Wings Over Wayne air show, which will take place May 16-17.