Lisa Alston

The agenda for the Historic Preservation Commission meeting included multiple public hearings for Certificates of Appropriateness (Major Work) related to exterior alterations. Key items involved a requested roof replacement at 326 S Pearl St, exterior alterations including a storefront update at 216 S Washington, exterior alterations and siding/window replacement at 512 Tarboro Street, and siding/window replacement at 204 S Howell St. The Commission also reviewed one minor work item concerning an HVAC replacement at 713 Hill St. The meeting agenda included commission review sections for National Districts, Events, and Miscellaneous topics.

The City Council meeting included recognition of Fire, Police, and Energy Resource Department employees for their volunteer service and assistance provided to Florida and Western North Carolina following storm damages. The Interim City Manager provided community updates regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month collections, upcoming events like the Jingle Mingle and America Recycles Day, and the Jingle and Jazz event. During public petitions, citizens raised concerns regarding the review of a former City Manager's actions, specifically concerning a previously terminated sanitation worker, and the visibility of the City's sanitation department branding versus private haulers. Key actions included the approval of numerous Ad Valorem Tax Releases (Schedule A and B). The Council adopted an ordinance amendment for the Peele Road Golden Leaf Project, appropriating reserves from the Water Fund for necessary water and sewer improvements to facilitate economic development. Bids were awarded for the expansion of the North POD Substation, the Wastewater Treatment Plant Resurfacing Project, the Thomas Betts Peele Road Site Offsite Utilities, and the purchase of thirteen 2023 High-Top Ford MobilityTRANS vehicles. A professional services contract with Stantec for Phase One design of the Monk to Mill Trail was approved, as well as a contract with Modeshift for an Electronic Farebox System. The Council authorized a like-for-like property exchange on Peele Road and confirmed the City's participation in the Whitakers Business & Industry Center Industrial Park regarding water and sewer service provisions. A contract with Kimley-Horn was approved for the design of structural repairs to the Environmental Services Transfer Station. Authorization was given to apply for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant to finance EV charging stations. The acquisition of property on Elm Street for Energy Resources use was approved. After a recess, the Council approved a loan agreement with Bustin' A Gut Maryland Style Seafood Restaurant, subject to a final restaurant incentive policy, and amended Administrative Policy 11.52 concerning consulting contracts, exempting architectural, engineering, and/or landscaping contracts under $90,000 from City Council approval. Finally, the Council authorized advertising City-owned properties on Hammond Street for sealed bid sale, removing previous affordable housing requirements.

The regular scheduled meeting commenced with a moment of prayer, followed by a quorum confirmation. Key discussions focused on the city's utility billing issues, which stemmed from a problem known since the first quarter of 2025 and resulted in a crisis on December 15th. Public comment highlighted concerns over the approximate $7.5 million in total extra billings/fees, and the legality of forgiving these fees was addressed by the attorney, concluding that the city lacks the authority to forgive specific debt under current constitutional constraints. Citizens also discussed the implications of the 28-day billing cycle, which led to 13 bills in 2025, arguing that the base rate fee structure violates policy requiring a monthly fee and requested refunds and a return to a standard 30 to 31-day billing cycle. Furthermore, citizens expressed concerns regarding necessary expenditures for new collection technology versus other spending priorities and requested itemized utility bills going forward. Procedural matters regarding public comment time limits and managing speakers who do not finish within the allotted time were also addressed.

The key discussion topics for the Rocky Mount Planning Board meeting scheduled for January 13, 2026, included the approval of the agenda, review of development items, and specific zoning reviews. The zoning reviews addressed two rezoning requests: one for a property at 141 Cobb Farm Village Lane proposing a change from R-15 (Very Low-Density Residential District) to R-6MFACD (Conditional Medium-High Density Multifamily) for approximately 6.59 acres, and another for a property on Arlington St Ext proposing a change from A-1 (Agricultural District) to I-2 (Industrial Heavy) for approximately 76.6 acres. Other items on the agenda included planning review, general items, and proposed revisions to the Rules of Procedure.

The committee meeting served as a work session for council members to review and discuss staff information. Key discussions focused on the quarterly crime report update, which indicated an overall 14% year-to-date decrease in Part One crimes, with notable reductions in aggravated assault, commercial robberies, and individual robberies. Murders, however, showed an increase of 10 incidents year-over-year (comparing 2024's low baseline of 6 to 2025's 16). Property crimes were down 14% year-to-date, attributed to proactive and data-driven policing. Discussions also covered partnerships with state and federal agencies, including a recent joint operation resulting in the seizure of significant amounts of heroin and cocaine, and firearms. Further dialogue addressed concerns regarding traffic enforcement, re-entry resources for formerly incarcerated individuals, police morale, staff recruitment initiatives, and the use of technology like surveillance cameras.