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Rocky Mount council approves consent agenda, extends custodial contract; manager updates storm response, parks and power maintenance
Summary
Council approved routine consent items and extended a custodial contract through June 30, 2025 with a 5% increase. Interim city manager reported on a winter storm response, two city‑owned houses being offered for sealed bids, public meetings for Stith Talbot Park renovations, scheduled substation maintenance March 3–7 and community events.
The City of Rocky Mount City Council approved the consent agenda and a contract amendment extending custodial services through June 30, 2025, and heard a range of administrative updates from Interim City Manager Peter F. Varney.
On votes: the council adopted the consent agenda on a motion by Councilman Daltridge, seconded by Councilman Harris; and later approved an amendment extending the city’s custodial contract through June 30, 2025 with a 5% increase on a motion by Councilman Knight (seconded by Councilman Blackwell and Councilman Walker). The meeting also approved the minutes of prior meetings (motion by Councilman Harris; second by Councilman Blackwell) and later recessed into closed session (motion by Councilman Blackwell; second by Councilman Knight).
Interim City Manager Peter F. Varney provided operational updates. He said a late‑afternoon winter storm earlier in the week caused messy driving conditions and about 24 vehicle crashes; police, fire, street maintenance and energy crews remained on duty overnight and no one was injured. Varney said the police department received several calls to check on homeless individuals; Chief Hassle visited the McDonald Street shelter (United Community Ministries) and found it could meet demand. The city purchased blankets to keep in patrol vehicles for people who remain outdoors. Varney said the council retreat next month will include a discussion of homelessness and possible partnerships to address short‑ and long‑term needs.
Varney reported two city‑owned single‑family homes at 811 and 815 Hammond Street (donated to the city in 2017 and previously sold in 2021 to a restoration firm that defaulted) will be offered by sealed bid. The city removed large trees, cleaned yards, and will post a for‑sale sign; the minimum bid for the pair will be $10,000. The successful bidder would be required to show financial capacity, carry insurance, provide quarterly progress reports during the 18‑month restoration period and, upon issuance of certificates of occupancy, the city would convey titles to the properties. Derek Winston in the Community Development Department is the contact for the sale.
Parks and Recreation will hold public meetings seeking input on the Stith Talbot Park renovation. Varney said meetings are scheduled Tuesday (10:00–11:30 a.m. and 6:00–7:30 p.m.) and Thursday, Feb. 27, 6:00–7:30 p.m., at Booker T. Washington Community Center, 727 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Energy Resources Department plans scheduled maintenance at the substation that supplies the city from 8:00 a.m. Monday, March 3 through 5:00 a.m. Friday, March 7; Varney said a transformer will be switched and outages are unlikely but possible. Residents were given the non‑emergency outage number: (252) 467‑4800.
Varney also flagged a 2024 rise in property crime, particularly retail theft, and said the Rocky Mount Police Department will host an organized retail crime roundtable on Monday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rocky Mount Events Center with representatives from Homeland Security, the State Bureau of Investigation and retail loss prevention professionals; lunch will be provided. He closed by reminding residents the International Festival of Cultures is scheduled Saturday, March 15, noon–4 p.m., at Nash Community College Brown Auditorium; the free event will feature food and cultural programming.
During public comment, Mike Klein spoke about the McDonald Street shelter capacity (he said United Community Ministries has room for 25 men and 18 women and there is an estimated two‑week wait) and urged volunteer participation. Klein also commented on immigration statistics and fiscal impacts, noting his cited figures were from February 2023; those claims were made as public comment and were not presented as official city data.
On a question from Councilman Walker about park cameras listed in the consent agenda, staff (Mr. Daniels) said there is no specific installation schedule in the memo but that cameras are planned as a capital improvement program project; staff will provide a schedule to council and additional facilities will be added over time.
The council approved the listed motions and then moved into closed session for personnel matters.
