Miles Braswell

The meeting commenced with housekeeping items, including acknowledging delayed members while confirming quorum, and addressing ongoing audio adjustments. The agenda was amended to include a budget amendment item (B3) and to add reasons for the closed session (C1), citing consultation with an attorney regarding attorney-client privilege and discussing economic development incentives or military base realignment under relevant North Carolina General Statutes. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing numerous individuals and organizations for their critical roles in securing a $25 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The grant, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2030, funds capital improvements, programs, and policies, focusing on high-injury network corridors. The discussion detailed the $20 million federal share and the $5 million local match, which will be comprised of in-kind contributions, volunteer time value, capital improvements from partners, and cash contributions, including $50,000 from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The overall funding allocation overview included amounts for grant administration (under $400,000), programs/policies (almost $800,000), and capital projects (the bulk of the $25 million).

The special meeting included the approval of a consent agenda comprising ten items. Key discussions involved a resolution to support the honorary designation of a portion of Wilkinson Boulevard as Senator Jack El Ryan Boulevard, requiring payment of a $2,000 administration fee to NCDOT. Other consent items included the approval of a paving project award to Abernathy Contracting for $1,026,766, and associated budget amendments drawing from general fund balances and capital purchases. The council also addressed ordinances authorizing street closures and the sale/consumption of alcoholic beverages for the 2026 Friday Night Live concert series and the 2026 Gear Body Fest. Furthermore, the agenda included approving street closures for the House Mercy Wall for AIDS event and the annual Belmont Classic 5K, both on April 18, 2026. The meeting also featured a presentation on the fiscal year 2025 audit highlights, noting an unmodified opinion, increased general fund revenues primarily from ad valorem and local option sales tax, and significant increases in both general fund balance and the water and sewer fund's quick ratio due to donated sewer lines. There were no negative general performance indicators noted in the audit.

The meeting involved setting the agenda, which included the addition of a closed session to the end of the regular agenda. A significant portion of the discussion clarified that the public hearing for item C1 regarding Saki Express occurred on September 2nd, 2025, and was closed, meaning no further public comment was permitted. The council then proceeded to discuss Ordinance CA202503, concerning the rezoning of parcel 186572 from highway commercial to highway commercial conditional district. Key discussions revolved around the required traffic study, including comparisons between existing, 'no build,' and 'build' scenarios for 2026 and 2031, incorporating growth rates and adjacent development traffic. Concerns were raised about the westbound left turn movement at the Wilkinson and Sixth Street intersection degrading to Level of Service F. The consent agenda included a request to apply for North Carolina League municipality safety and property/liability grants for 2025-2026 to fund items such as safety jackets and replacing multi-gas meters.

The work session addressed numerous consent agenda items. Discussions included the proposed change to the city council workshop meeting time from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Significant deliberation occurred regarding the application for the US DOT Fiscal Year 2026 BUILD grant opportunity, involving potential comprehensive improvements along Kataba Street to I-85, focusing on congestion, safety, and capacity at key intersections. Other items involved approvals to apply for bulletproof vest grants and DUI enforcement grants for police officers. The agenda also covered an application for the Firefighters Charitable Foundation Equipment Grant and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG grant), potentially funding a police drone. Council considered approving the installation of banners downtown to advertise America's 250th birthday celebration. A budget amendment was presented to appropriate a portion of the Mayor's salary toward existing grant writing services for the Fire Department. The body reviewed the Fiscal Year 2027 budget calendar and a 5-year field use agreement with the Belmont Raiders Athletic Association for Davis Park, detailing usage times and cost-sharing for electricity. A major discussion involved amending the City of Belmont Municipal Code Title 11 (Business Regulations), specifically removing outdated chapters related to privilege license tax, massage parlors, taxi cabs, and cable communications, while amending the amusements chapter. Finally, the council reviewed the recommendation to remove a board member from the Downtown Belmont Development Association due to non-attendance and the acceptance of new streets in the MLAN Southshore 2A phase 2A- Map 5 neighborhood.

The meeting addressed numerous consent agenda items, including the approval of minutes from previous regular, workshop, special, and close sessions, and amendments to the city council rules of procedure concerning workshop start times, public comment limits, and location changes. Key discussion points involved the acceptance of Cedar Tree Drive in the Smith Farm subdivision (excluding the alley), a budget amendment for repairing the downtown kiosk at Sto Park, and adopting an ordinance for yard waste collection procedures, including optional rollout carts. Further actions included awarding the bid for the Popper Street Phase 2 capital improvement project, establishing a capital project ordinance for this street project, and amending an ordinance to restrict large truck traffic on specified city streets. A budget amendment was also proposed to purchase two vehicles for the recreation and community development departments instead of leasing them. A significant announcement was the upgrade of the Belmont Fire Department's ISO rating from Class 3 to Class 2, effective January 1, 2026.