[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6589475,"mediaKeyId","5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc","parentId",5564508,"title","Council extends Homeless and Addiction ad hoc committee through Feb. 28, 2026 and names chair","audioSeconds",113,"startMs",1342000,"endMs",1455000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc&start=1342&end=1455","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc/thumbnail_1342000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6589475/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Council-extends-Homeless-and-Addiction-ad-hoc-committee-through-Feb-28-2026-and-names-chair","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589475-8c4f1da51137aa38391cdc1e9e65a53c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180796&Signature=NAcmv7pyRHywDbvYOPa3AOXLoEqek5dCdCV9waHEd1StTTPrcKjadWYOn0JLuEgZLuSZe0X79tDZPJMY758X76D9kXYEvgBHwWlmKMHDMh~LLOrPGOR5o6LJlx~nDtV9Enwt8oEDda7WsEg3Al0Gi7BZsIhc8LXMwHxbnxcj9mJ5ucIkrooPdDxOhERKmf5ROwZb7uD1W1kq1ppzR8UdDSZ-afi9WoCvSRCcPM2zbVpS3zb6LiGGGWWRFxldvhEaEJmVFTJd5afwUBt~rLpPfFA7Abn2CXzNAlE46A9KfjsbwgxJ5bvpP3OOUvAoSk-EINCo2wt69QUqhr3V2siRMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe","date","2025-08-12T21:08:44Z","article","The Monroe City Council voted to extend the Homeless and Addiction ad hoc committee’s term through Feb. 28, 2026, and to appoint Sheila Crompton as the chair.

Council member Anderson moved to extend the committee and to appoint Crompton; another council member seconded the motion and the council approved it by voice vote. Anderson told the council that recent committee meetings had been “very fruitful” and that new data coming out of the committee would be valuable for the city’s effort to address homelessness and addiction.

Council members speaking in support praised the committee’s work and encouraged continuation of its efforts and additional outreach and data collection. The extension will allow the committee six more months to meet and continue work on initiatives the committee is pursuing; council did not designate additional funding for the extension during the motion recorded in the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting of August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Monroe City Council voted to extend its Homeless and Addiction ad hoc committee for six months—through Feb. 28, 2026—and appointed Sheila Crompton as chair. Council members praised the committee’s ongoing work and new data emerging from its meetings.","taxTitle","Monroe City, Union County, North Carolina","taxId",55173,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589480,"Council approves $209,000 downtown master plan study; funding source and timing draw questions",0,2451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc&start=2451&end=2451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc/thumbnail_2451000.jpg","/articles/6589480/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-209000-downtown-master-plan-study-funding-source-and-timing-draw-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589480-ccbd0d1af8db00fe9bd7a31e574059d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180797&Signature=bIJGz~J4YKebsP86L9~9IdGEKb0z0Y0YClQx0G5w5sVqRjBaL4--uCPM5klu3uMoijMzEohNUwDuMxwRS5UuBO1ka6IEBKHDrmd5VGdNAgvT5~-rv4NeIK26uLBJ8uf2PwHFFNudN6kQkp77a2oH799FL83f0QxQmYId3h3IRiF~cAWuoTZ8ch~acEdPVFlLzdaLmNgLo2z-gbPPZOssV4572MyuqqXyLb-SP8cBEC1bD-kaDOl6RjUfQYP3j7lOToLb01Ej7mgFUFSAsgsrVLDJVtdT0VXu9S50kyuca75yyMrX481ywJlUGC4a58fYJtIF3lZvz~tJpBx3BultIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe City Council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with Shook Kelly for a downtown master plan study and approved a budget ordinance to fund the work, with an estimated contract cost of $209,000.

Assistant City Manager Jeff Wells said the plan will be a comprehensive update—covering transportation, land use and design—and will include community engagement. He noted the last downtown master plan update was in 2008 and that the selected firm responded to an RFQ process in which 11 firms applied and five were interviewed. Wells said Shook Kelly’s proposed scope, which includes examining nearby corridors such as Skyway Drive and the Five Points area, is included in the $209,000 price.

During discussion several council members questioned the timing and source of money for the study. Wells said funding would come from an assigned downtown fund balance, which he said currently holds approximately $1,369,000. Council members raised concerns about recent property tax increases and whether those assigned funds (which include earlier ARPA replacement allocations) might be better used for immediate needs such as roads or other essentials.

“One of the reasons I pulled item 9 was I’m concerned we raised the property tax and I’m concerned this Cadillac plan will cost $209,000 at this moment,” a council member said. Mayor Pro Tem Anthony and other council members explained that some downtown dollars were originally set aside years earlier and that parts of the assigned fund had been used for parking lot projects; Wells said some ARPA replacement funds or parking reservations could be swapped to cover the study if council preferred.

Wells said the project was recommended by the downtown advisory board and the general services committee after a competitive selection and that the study will be heavily oriented toward public engagement and positioning the city to pursue future transportation and grant opportunities.

Following discussion the council moved, seconded and approved the contract authorization and budget ordinance by voice vote.","The council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with Shook Kelly for a downtown master plan study priced at $209,000 and approved the related budget ordinance. Council debate focused on whether assigned downtown funds (partly ARPA replacement money) were the right use amid recent property tax changes.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589485,"City reports relocation of 72 graves from Billy Woods Cemetery to Suncrest Cemetery",1063,1423000,2486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc&start=1423&end=2486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc/thumbnail_1423000.jpg","/articles/6589485/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/City-reports-relocation-of-72-graves-from-Billy-Woods-Cemetery-to-Suncrest-Cemetery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589485-815c0e9792a390baabc83ae0baabfe65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180797&Signature=Dq884MfPqCaDTAZCGTqF-N~xi4Gn2s8i60qxlm-GtBU-9wMIZwXWCYB25YwO6qlsVV~rMJFBMQ34fDwZR-nzmOI3-8Qt11P7dibM9hyIenwtH14PlAxWRn5YFsNAYSj97tQNVXh96D7j5z5j0m~ca~9e563tsBRC8ihkfgpx9C0RzB-tQMBGWpOvT9rhoW8Lmpe9NQ7s519MQWQnSZywHW2oCNmGH4gygFs1IQcGQSgBwVoY5Dy2T6UB~s7Wwk6wOL-RwlO7Iu9Xjp-1vO8icVVg7~yk-sdMHBgu0PiY6Qbn8vXwk5QWoLCh03WeYe7SXG3uB8JHN7zz~xzuma~Azg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant City Manager Jeff Wells told the Monroe City Council that staff completed a relocation of graves discovered at the Billy Woods Cemetery on city‑owned property on North Sutherland Avenue and reinterred remains at Suncrest Cemetery.

Wells said the cemetery dates to 1842, with the most recent known burial in 1935. Initial estimates of roughly 50 graves were revised upward during fieldwork; staff identified and removed 72 graves during a five‑day disinterment in July. The work included an archaeologist and a funeral director for the entire operation, and the remains were reinterred at Suncrest Cemetery in the same arrangement as found, Wells said.

The city hired Richard Grubb and Associates (RGA) to complete required historical and archaeological work and notify descendants. Wells said RGA identified 170 descendants and that a legal advertisement ran in the local newspaper for four successive weeks to meet statutory notice requirements. Fifteen descendants responded to the notice; Wells said 14 were amenable and one raised concerns. The city said it will record a document at the register of deeds listing identified descendants and a map of the reinterment.

Wells described the physical condition of the site when found: “The area was completely overgrown and in poor condition,” and staff cleared underbrush and removed trash left by people who had camped on the site. He said excavations yielded primarily discolored soil and remnants consistent with wooden burial boxes; workers found no discernible human remains.

Markers recovered from the site have been moved to Suncrest Cemetery; some are already reestablished and others are awaiting restoration after rains delayed work. Several headstones were broken and the city said it will work with outside organizations on repairs; Wells said the Daughters of the American Revolution had expressed interest in raising funds to repair damaged markers.

Council members praised staff for following the statutory process and for improving access so families can visit the graves at Suncrest. “No one could have safely gotten out there to visit,” Mayor Pro Tem Anthony said. Council member Anderson also thanked staff for what he called a compassionate and meticulous approach.

Wells said the city is responsible for expenses associated with relocation and that staff believe the work satisfied state statutory requirements. The city did not present any pending council action related to the relocation during the update; the item was presented for information.","Assistant City Manager Jeff Wells briefed council on the discovery and relocation of graves from the Billy Woods Cemetery on city property. The city hired a consultant, identified descendants, and completed disinterment and reinterment; 72 graves were removed and reinterred in the same arrangement at Suncrest Cemetery.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6589489,"Monroe council approves $194,000 purchase of night‑vision goggles and green lasers for police",464,908000,1372000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc&start=908&end=1372","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564508-6e1702d1a2508fe65615c3be306d57cc/thumbnail_908000.jpg","/articles/6589489/Monroe-City/Union-County/North-Carolina/Monroe-council-approves-194000-purchase-of-nightvision-goggles-and-green-lasers-for-police","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6589489-53010e3ef34133c7d60d32c98b7f84fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180797&Signature=nHKT7L101mRDm62foIXTR7AHOEv9A74PSymMDdiFgxYs7fPhhPy2iiTVRUg8DMctb2yio7GlXlsHeSeIuPNeiiU4KG9PHCCpTUJ95If4YdBIgeQPlhsL~sy9foNuIbrkEFGB20mgcoBRXFM8Rt6ARBxMFZFG3ypH9DtQg7C4wT8lTQ5mB8lPQxoqpiK6p6V9mfViXpEqSQt2~s1hpFt7SDsX3AegJC-xM~NMrsba2dcUMWap7fUmx1U8QH3KX2WQPA283OpitH8VYccpPeFMbJznq4MDMM4SL8uhtuB-lZo1ptz2oLfa8NFm1baSYhX00IKgVScWTDuyVgoGA--IRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe City Council voted to award a purchase contract for night‑vision goggles and green visible lasers for the Monroe Police Department and authorized a budget amendment and the city manager to execute necessary documents.

Council approved the purchase after police leaders described a May 31 officer‑involved shooting that officers said highlighted gaps in the department’s low‑light equipment. The equipment package includes 13 binocular night‑vision goggles and 20 green visible laser sighting devices; the presenters estimated a total cost of about $194,000 and said the purchase would be made through Tomahawk via the NJ Cooperative Purchasing Alliance.

Chief Bolling said the department is seeking equipment that will let officers operate in low light without illuminating their position. “We are very fortunate…no officers were hurt,” Chief Bolling said in explaining the department’s request and the need to reduce officers’ exposure during low‑light incidents. Chad Schultes and Barney Malone introduced the item and showed a demonstration video of the goggles’ capabilities.

During discussion, a council member said the purchase was not a matter of cost but of officer safety, and urged support because the equipment would provide a tactical advantage. Council speakers did not give a roll‑call vote on the record; the mayor called for all in favor and the motion passed.

The council’s motion authorized award of the contract to Tomahawk through the NJ Cooperative Purchasing Alliance and authorized a budget amendment to allow the city manager to execute all documents necessary to complete the purchase.

The city did not provide a detailed line‑item breakdown in the council meeting; presenters gave unit estimates: roughly $11,000 per goggle and a little over $2,000 per laser, which produced the roughly $194,000 total. The council did not attach additional conditions to the award at the time of the vote.","The Monroe City Council approved awarding a purchase contract for night‑vision goggles and green visible lasers for the Monroe Police Department, authorizing the city manager to execute documents and a budget amendment. The package covers 13 goggles and 20 lasers and was procured through a cooperative purchasing agreement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council extends Homeless and Addiction ad hoc committee through Feb. 28, 2026 and names chair

Council approves $209,000 downtown master plan study; funding source and timing draw questions

City reports relocation of 72 graves from Billy Woods Cemetery to Suncrest Cemetery

Monroe council approves $194,000 purchase of night‑vision goggles and green lasers for police