Council mulls $1 million for sports complex
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on May 13, 2017 11:38 PM
The Goldsboro City Council will consider adding another $1 million to its development contract with the S.T. Wooten Corp. for the future multisport complex.
The council Monday is set to review adding work to the initial $3 million contract, after recently finalizing a bond sale that boosts the city's ability to spend $6 million on the project.
The funding sources include $3 million in bond sale proceeds and a $3 million low-interest loan from Wayne County government.
The 62-acre complex is under development on Oak Forest Road, alongside Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, where eight multisport fields and other amenities are planned. The entire complex is slated to open in March 2018, and the complex will be used by base personnel, the city and the public.
The $1 million addition to the contract includes paving, sidewalk, curb and gutter, crosswalks, markings, signage, ramps, turf grass sprigs and a portion of a trail. Also, trees, shrubs and landscaping work and the installation of an automatic irrigation system are planned.
The S.T. Wooten Corp. is currently working on the site in preparation for the addition of the multisport fields, which will include two with artificial turf.
The council will vote on the contract amendment during its Monday night meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
Also during the meeting, the council is set to approve a $105,355 grant from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which requires a $5,642 city match, for stream debris removal.
The city's match will include the use of staff and services to meet the financial requirement. The grant provides funding for the removal of stream debris, including downed trees and other vegetation, caused by Hurricane Matthew. The removal is planned in the big ditch, Howell Creek, the Mimosa Park ditch, Stoney Creek and the Little River arbitrary.
The council will also hold a public hearing for its proposed 2017-18 budget of $59.3 million, which holds the line on property taxes and water, sewer and garbage fees but includes a new stormwater utility fee.
Property taxes are recommended to remain at 65 cents per $100 in valuation. The proposed stormwater fee of $4.50 per month would be collected from the owners of all developed properties in the city when the budget goes into effect on July 1.
The budget also includes a 1 percent cost-of-living pay increase for city employees, $1.8 million in vehicle purchases and city-funded health insurance for the seven members of the city council. The budget is proposed for approval on June 5.
On Monday, the council will first meet at 3 p.m. for a budget work session, prior to its regular 5 p.m. work session and 7 p.m. regular council meeting.
The two work sessions will be in the second-floor conference room in the City Hall annex, at 200 N. Center St., and the council meeting will be in City Hall, at 7 p.m.
During the 5 p.m. work session, the council will talk about proposed fee changes for the Paramount Theater and Goldsboro Event Center, a city council pay increase and health insurance and issues surrounding recent concerns about a clothes hanger at the Public Works Department.
The hanger resulted in employee complaints that it appeared like a noose. A city investigation found no racial intent behind the hanger, which was used to hold items in place for painting.
During the regular 7 p.m. meeting, the council will:
* Recognize A Drummers World Drum Line Performing Arts School and its founder, Alando Mitchell, by proclaiming May 2017 as A Drummers World Recognition Month.
* Consider an annexation public hearing request from Cuyler Spring Housing Associates for 5.3 acres at the northwest corner of Cuyler Best Road and Oxford Boulevard.
* Consider setting a June 26 public hearing for an annexation request of 30.4 acres at the northwest corner of Wayne Memorial Drive and Tommy's Road.