Glenn Holland

This Stormwater Master Plan Report for the Town of Mt. Olive outlines an inventory and analysis of the town's existing stormwater systems. It provides detailed evaluations and proposed solutions for three key areas of concern: Piggly Wiggly, Mt. Olive Family Medical, and the 100 Block N. Church St. The plan aims to identify deficiencies, evaluate alternatives for flood remediation, and offer recommendations for system improvements, including increasing pipe capacity and incorporating storage solutions, to achieve a 10-year level of service and manage long-term stormwater goals.

The primary discussion item involved the tentative contractor award for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Grant VUR-W-ARP-0088 to Bowen Engineering, pending NC DEQ approval, with an approximate value of $4,699,299.00. Discussion focused on the delay in receiving the Engineering Contract, attributed to a substantial scope change from rehabilitation to a new sand filter, which occurred around late 2022 or early 2023. Concerns were raised regarding accountability for engineers moving forward, although the award was ultimately approved to ensure the funding was not forfeited.

Key discussions during the meeting included public forum comments regarding Human Resources roles and ethics training, and an update on a fire incident at the Town Attorney's office due to an adjacent business operating illegally. The Board held a public hearing to consider revisions to the Town Wide Storm Water Master Plan, which detailed a two-year planning effort funded by a grant, emphasizing that adopting the plan does not mandate immediate construction. Action items included tabling the approval of the Storm Water Master Plan until January 2026, and also tabling the tentative contractor award for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements to meet the December 31, 2026, American Rescue Plan Act deadline. The Board ultimately decided to maintain the current hours of operation for Electronic Gaming Operations, denying a request for 24-hour operation. A resolution authorizing advertising of a lease for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes was approved, as was the 2026 Board Meeting Schedule, and the proposal to transition the payroll and HR management system to NeoGov, which is projected to save the town approximately $42,000.00 over three years. The Town Manager's report highlighted ongoing sewer collection issues leading to potential fines, necessary iron and discolored water repairs, updates on water meter replacement delays due to a government shutdown, and incidents of plant upset at the Wastewater Treatment Plant caused by illegal chemical discharges. Maintenance reports detailed ditch cleaning and pothole repairs, and the status of the Maple & Nelson Street Drainage Project indicated construction costs are significantly higher than the current grant covers, prompting consideration of changing the scope to engineering only.

The meeting commenced with the reading of the Conflict-of-Interest Statement and approval of the published agenda. Key discussions included the consideration and approval of a resolution authorizing the Interim Town Manager to execute a $50,000.00 settlement agreement with Terra Nova regarding incomplete wastewater treatment plant tank cleaning services. The Board also approved an application from Pyro Shows Southeast for a Stand Alone Fire Permit for fireworks for the Mount Olive Pickle Drop event. A significant portion of the meeting involved the swearing-in of new and re-elected board members, presentation of service plaques to outgoing members, and the subsequent nomination and election of a new Mayor Pro-Tempore, Commissioner Delreese Simmons. Finally, the Mayor announced commissioner assignments for various advisory boards, including the Airport Commission, Fire Department Committee, Moratorium Committee, Finance & Human Resources, Housing, and Public Works.

The board meeting primarily focused on two action memos regarding infrastructure projects. Action Memo 10-35 involved considering the Resolution of Tentative Award to Ralph Hodge Construction for the VUR-W-ARP-0069 Sewer Collections Rehabilitation Project, which required budget adjustments and dependency on NC DWI approval. Discussions centered on scope reductions, project oversight, and timelines. Action Memo 10-36 concerned authorizing McGill Associates Engineering to negotiate scope and costs for the VUR-W-ARP-0088 Wastewater Treatment Improvements Project. Due to funding limitations and critical deadlines, the board discussed whether to prioritize the sand filter or the clarifier for completion, ultimately leaning toward the sand filter to meet the necessary funding disbursement deadlines.