[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6486020,"mediaKeyId","5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab","parentId",5487535,"title","Rocky Mount council approves annexation, surplus-sale resolution and several consent items","audioSeconds",186,"startMs",1577000,"endMs",1763000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab&start=1577&end=1763","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab/thumbnail_1577000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486020/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Rocky-Mount-council-approves-annexation-surplus-sale-resolution-and-several-consent-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486020-206c89511f2fe031365aceda8b11a664/orig.mp4?Expires=1775343034&Signature=gwDKxnceCDUhVPC4A9ZnveItCHNaBOFIKRBAi~Dqg6RpIUQ~~5nXxT10iYh6AsOEKvIY0Gmrt6p7sfXJ3RbkJkVte~dEgHnIFSttZDJYZOmx5rdBhloWgZKdsLbQ96gQshxgQio1LCHKrLYnfg85v~EDFrJs3UManxAlS8FFiDlRQJ62-fOdsts7UZRZ-ndyBuSrQ1UWFU3h1dgEvgVYhEGlZ1K1GpqZACSbdBXE4zdkHCFJAJaQEcWAcXDvIxh2xFjPOtSW5pG9ZWoFY1U8acculiLJWIYQlQdk9QQQ6cFuOqcQwsUipjdPNAmPdoRvBzLL6rNBEgrltoWP8~K0wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rocky Mount","date","2025-07-23T14:08:06Z","article","The Rocky Mount City Council approved several routine and substantive items during its meeting, adopting minutes, approving a consent agenda, adopting an ordinance to annex a parcel (Annexation 336), declaring 526 Sharon Street surplus for sale by sealed bid under North Carolina statute, approving a memorandum of agreement to support a downtown loan reimbursement arrangement, and granting a temporary street-closing request for a back-to-school event.

The council first approved the minutes of its May 12 meeting on a voice vote after a motion by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Joiner. Council members also agreed to add a temporary street-closing request for the 300 block of Dunn Street for Saturday, Aug. 2, and to delete agenda item 10 for consideration at a later meeting; that change was moved by Councilman Joiner and seconded by Councilman Knight.

Council members then approved the consent agenda, which the mayor read into the record as inclusive of: award of duty badge and sidearm, tax releases, an amendment to the traffic-control ordinance map, an award of contract to Malden and Jenkins with authorization for the mayor and director of finance to execute on the city’s behalf, authorization for purchasing to issue purchase orders consistent with council awards, approval of a street closure, and adoption of position classification and pay-plan amendments reflecting staffing-plan changes. The consent agenda was moved by Councilman Joiner and seconded by Councilman Daltridge.

On a public hearing and subsequent motion, the council acknowledged receipt of a feasibility study and adopted an ordinance to annex a contiguous single parcel on Morning Star Church Road into Ward 2 (Annexation 336). City staff told council the annexation met North Carolina General Statutes and that the city would gain about $1,854 annually in property tax revenue if the annexation were approved.

The council adopted a resolution declaring city-owned property at 526 Sharon Street surplus and authorizing its sale by sealed bid pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 168-269. The motion to adopt the surplus resolution was made by Councilman Joyner and seconded by Councilman Blackwell.

Council members approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Downtown Renaissance Incorporated (DRI), Epstein Properties LLC and the city that outlines terms for DRI to loan Epstein Properties $80,000 in working capital and for the city to reimburse DRI from grant disbursements until the loan is repaid. Council discussion noted the arrangement is contingent on the private lender’s construction loan closing and that DRI will vote on the same item the following day. The MOA motion was made by Councilman Blackwell and seconded by Councilman Joiner.

Finally, the council approved a temporary street-closing request from Maurice Davenport to close the 300 block of Dunn Street on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a back-to-school event; the closing was made contingent on review by city staff.

No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; motions were adopted by voice vote with the mayor calling for aye/no responses and no recorded oppositions.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (May 12): Motion moved by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilman Joiner; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Agenda change (add temporary street closing, delete item 10): Motion moved by Councilman Joiner, seconded by Councilman Knight; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Consent agenda (multiple administrative approvals listed by the mayor): Motion moved by Councilman Joiner, seconded by Councilman Daltridge; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Annexation 336 (Morning Star Church Road, Ward 2): Motion to adopt ordinance to extend corporate limits and acknowledge feasibility study; mover: Councilman Blackwell; second: not specified in transcript; outcome: approved (voice vote). City staff noted expected property tax revenue of $1,854 annually.
- Resolution declaring 526 Sharon Street surplus and authorizing sale by sealed bid (per North Carolina General Statute 168-269): Motion moved by Councilman Joyner, seconded by Councilman Blackwell; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- MOA: Downtown Renaissance Inc., Epstein Properties LLC, and the city — DRI to loan $80,000 to Epstein Properties, city to reimburse DRI from grant reimbursements until loan is repaid; motion moved by Councilman Blackwell, seconded by Councilman Joiner; outcome: approved (voice vote). Transcript discussion notes contingency on the private bank closing a construction loan and an upcoming DRI vote.
- Temporary street closing (300 block Dunn Street, Aug. 2, 2025, 2–5 p.m.): Motion moved by Councilman Joiner, seconded by Councilman Jabaris Walker; outcome: approved (voice vote); approved contingent on city staff review.

The meeting adjourned after these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting, July 28","oneSentenceSummary","The Rocky Mount City Council approved several routine and substantive items during its meeting, adopting minutes, approving a consent agenda, adopting an ordinance to annex a parcel (Annexation 336), declaring 526 Sharon Street surplus for sale by sealed bid under North Carolina statute, approving a memorandum of agreement to support a downtown loan reimbursement arrangement, and granting a temporary street-closing request for a back-to-school event.","taxTitle","Rocky Mount, Nash County, North Carolina","taxId",5685,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486002,"Resident asks council to waive $7,400 weed lien on Marlborough Place property tied to deceased owner",168,1187000,1355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab&start=1187&end=1355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab/thumbnail_1187000.jpg","/articles/6486002/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Resident-asks-council-to-waive-7400-weed-lien-on-Marlborough-Place-property-tied-to-deceased-owner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486002-b01fd795e2873bee013ab2ba420db2f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775343034&Signature=NOgsgPMj36CL1GOgG3vhQSb7TMpNbx7wO9BlMBW51syeZsOG2oHt2hPpz4VHVeCcaDnFHj6gZ3ze5nkrjTpzH~~-EBXQnVPkYzastgs4avNvtCSDeAQp3zGY5fvZ0h-AlSvTHgMSB5iFV5W95KddHO4B0RHhdcDB7HatF3mkWNP~NnGiBzOzE7NFTiU9TO967-2XntO2y0OefuCpIFHGR9N3Jah-0k-L0jK29mejDEpIxzeS8XtZJD9NilxLFIBXfB3749AKIPEDqsQSLAzqfEv5wBpJGRjcECTidO-FxumximGdrFAxFXhU4F7i0dbYVZQAGA4zpRiLaAGTSV1Wxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristen Singleton asked the Rocky Mount City Council to consider a reduction or waiver of a weed-abatement lien assessed against 624 Marlborough Place, which she described as an abandoned home that depresses neighborhood property values.

Singleton said the former owner, Howard Pittford, died several years ago, and heirs who lived out of town were unaware of formal assets and lacked legal authority to address the property. She said the city performed weed-abatement activities between 2014 and 2025 and boarded the property earlier this year under Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances. Singleton said out-of-town heirs Stephanie Caldwell and Mary Gotlow were contacted by the city on May 14, 2025, to confirm ownership and outline accumulated fees.

Singleton told council the assessed weed lien is approximately $7,400 and that there are about $16,000 in back taxes and city attorney fees that she expects will be resolved at closing; she said she is in the process of acquiring and closing on the property and would reinvest any relief granted back into the home for tree removal and yard restoration, which she estimated would roughly equal the lien amount. She asked the council to consider establishing a formal review process for special circumstances involving deceased owners and unadministered estates.

The remarks were made during the public-comment period; no council action or vote on the request was recorded in the meeting transcript.","Kristen Singleton asked the council during public comment to consider reducing or waiving a $7,400 weed lien on 624 Marlborough Place, saying the property belonged to a deceased owner with no administered estate and that she is in the process of acquiring the property and will reinvest any relief granted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486007,"Council approves MOA to let Downtown Renaissance advance $80,000 loan to Epstein Properties, contingent on bank financing",74,1772000,1846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab&start=1772&end=1846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab/thumbnail_1772000.jpg","/articles/6486007/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-MOA-to-let-Downtown-Renaissance-advance-80000-loan-to-Epstein-Properties-contingent-on-bank-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486007-0fa3cbdf77d67b7774a9c159e002d7fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775343034&Signature=SHZH0KC6jwlRuTEdsS~dgMWnznMoou9TlXb6LFfU2EbpSmNUX8HQkHCGhB5aQu33b5KrQ11J~lnAQn09Mo1pZ0NQgAiV9uqV8sDHr1mODv6rkseFJq5qoYtM~DPbtslXqg58rwosxbRB5sfsYyFdhopVSM5oolDiY7NutpiijCBUP5Qs7o2YmWl4xPlD-wHdzikw8VXZ9w2HO2lSUiooS~JGVYV7msgyyUE8PLZYIn4gaG2Nb5yCQJwEyMZWI3Fp4YBF-WtFITLshKgpdDF~K9G-3aWXlVimCzhxaQuTo58L-cG~E~6C-ckrwV9snBtneUgUSAVaC6oNQY~j3SZPMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rocky Mount City Council approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) among the city, Downtown Renaissance Inc. (DRI) and Epstein Properties LLC that will allow DRI to advance an $80,000 working-capital loan to Epstein Properties and for the city to reimburse DRI from grant reimbursements as those funds are released.

City staff and Councilman Varney (who discussed the item) said the developer had struggled to secure construction financing and that the MOA is intended to bridge working-capital needs so the renovation of the Epstein building at Tarboro and Main Street can proceed. “What this memorandum of agreement would do would be to have Downtown Renaissance loan $80,000 to Epstein Properties, for his use as working capital. And then the city, as it releases its grant funding, would reimburse DRI for the amount of the loan until that loan is paid off,” Varney said.

Council members sought clarification about the status of private bank financing. Councilman Varney and others characterized the deal as contingent on the private bank closing a construction loan; Varney said he had not yet seen a qualified commitment letter but that the plan was for the two loans to occur simultaneously. Varney also noted DRI would vote on the same item the following day.

The MOA assigns interest responsibility to Epstein Properties and makes reimbursement dependent on the city’s release of grant funds to DRI. The motion to adopt the MOA was made by Councilman Blackwell and seconded by Councilman Joiner; the motion passed by voice vote.","The council approved a memorandum of agreement allowing Downtown Renaissance Inc. to loan $80,000 to Epstein Properties for working capital and authorizing the city to reimburse DRI from grant funds as reimbursements become payable; council discussion emphasized the arrangement is contingent on the developer securing a private construction loan.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486011,"East End Missionary Baptist Church closes on 1012 East Highland Avenue with city grant support, pastor says",176,980000,1156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab&start=980&end=1156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab/thumbnail_980000.jpg","/articles/6486011/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/East-End-Missionary-Baptist-Church-closes-on-1012-East-Highland-Avenue-with-city-grant-support-pastor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486011-a10760ae20971d80ed43336fd9455de7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775343034&Signature=aQc4BFE6Fh6rrSd~v3jVCb3hPGejk4ysP3TId2FJp~kVPHjlIs8MZjTqkBR3Kgd3zkmSH9fQYvSord7ok9ZNel50Ov3wWpTxsmyUMfMeylEkPlH~D8h0n5VrDVQBpDot4SNe83cXtKBnXi0BN-MpO0uwHiZq3wAQiTFOMtKfARatgjkeOnItPXyMtgI1K~mQvymuVBguCMv6rwNH3p042UZDrzdn-5H9l7QH48TcI2D-zZJ4gxw2avKwUEDFos4QKD8UE-7FdKAn-WP8~DgIKJuJUS7VYf9CPK6I6hgB01FyE-Y0GQDn2TNhADklIrzPHQGn5uOFxki~LgdBJfgNUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Reverend Mac Battle told the Rocky Mount City Council that East End Missionary Baptist Church has closed on the property at 1012 East Highland Avenue and plans to build workforce housing on the site.

Battle said the church, established in the southeastern Rocky Mount community since 1926, received a $100,000 Neighborhood Restoration and Preservation Incentives grant from the city in November 2022 to support acquisition, demolition and construction of a new home at 1012 East Highland Avenue. He said the church completed the closing on Friday, July 24 at 4 p.m.

Battle described the project as part of a broader vision to revitalize a historically thriving neighborhood and to provide workforce housing suitable for teachers, nurses and other public-service employees who need affordable options close to town. He thanked the city for its partnership and asked for continued support.

The remarks were delivered during the public-comment portion of the council meeting; no formal city action on the specific property sale was recorded in the meeting transcript.","Reverend Mac Battle told the city council East End Missionary Baptist Church closed on 1012 East Highland Avenue on July 24 after receiving a $100,000 neighborhood restoration and preservation incentives grant in 2022 to support acquisition, demolition and construction of a workforce home.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486016,"Rocky Mount utility debt tied to Enkemper sale paid off, council told",225,493000,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab&start=493&end=718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5487535-f1d2dab310056299dc1106f2a4a05fab/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6486016/Rocky-Mount/Nash-County/North-Carolina/Rocky-Mount-utility-debt-tied-to-Enkemper-sale-paid-off-council-told","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486016-8b1e0120ec9dcc755d7f953d9ba94b37/orig.mp4?Expires=1775343034&Signature=n3ib4UemP97XjXH5yaM56pBp-gMejLORRoIoWbkoOQ3hpOxDg67kCzI-xbD6zGJLtwAIyUY82gqfyQklwIVadcSraT8za4YPuiBaxfIDWe1JjDp0LLdB--eMK99-NBqihEGMh1XMFRh41wQXYO9TALpM-fpKrzu4K0LfWsniwSVMP-mxM0-B7KpFIYoV5AproyW5-ewdDPo5QVUR8ZlWXHGUhqQGZRxrHsgpQ1ce4MiuWtp7r6~J85aa3WRFQcadM1m6b0LwKYFo9j8jU3pA2vwjU49kXOAsC4oFA-7BC0VnqZlk9lKpt9-BTuE4HtEFZ56l72R~opMIhnWzO0bfDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Daughtridge reported to the Rocky Mount City Council that the city’s share of long-standing debt issued through the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (referred to in the meeting as Enkemper) has been paid off.

Daughtridge said the agency issued debt in the 1980s to purchase generating-asset ownership shares and that, following a sale of Enkemper’s generating assets to Duke Energy Progress, members completed a debt payoff schedule. “As of July 1, we no longer have that debt hanging over Rocky Mount,” Daughtridge said, adding that the sale and subsequent wholesale power supply agreement produced lower average wholesale rates for agency members.

Daughtridge said the sale and agreements reduced wholesale costs and that the savings have been passed through in part to retail customers, making local rates more competitive. He said the city continues to hold its own utility assets and praised city utility leadership. He also referenced an estimated annual savings figure reported by local reporter Bill West: “It’s right at $6,500,000 savings a year, I think, where about $560,000 a month that that we’re saving,” Daughtridge said; he prefaced the figure by noting the reporter’s coverage.

City staff and council members noted outages elsewhere in the region but said Rocky Mount had avoided similar events. Daughtridge thanked utility staff present for their work and framed the debt payoff as positive news for the city and its customers.

No formal council action was required on this item; Daughtridge presented the update during the city-manager’s community-update portion of the meeting.","Councilman Daughtridge told the Rocky Mount City Council that the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (Enkemper) debt that had been carried since the 1980s has been paid off following a sale of generating assets and a wholesale agreement with Duke Energy Progress.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rocky Mount council approves annexation, surplus-sale resolution and several consent items

Resident asks council to waive $7,400 weed lien on Marlborough Place property tied to deceased owner

Council approves MOA to let Downtown Renaissance advance $80,000 loan to Epstein Properties, contingent on bank financing

East End Missionary Baptist Church closes on 1012 East Highland Avenue with city grant support, pastor says

Rocky Mount utility debt tied to Enkemper sale paid off, council told