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

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.