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Rocky Mount council approves grant amendment and several capital items after staff clarifies prior appropriations
Summary
The Rocky Mount City Council voted to approve a first amendment to a restoration and preservation incentive grant and to authorize multiple capital expenditures after staff clarified that a previously appropriated $100,000 had not been awarded.
The Rocky Mount City Council voted to approve a first amendment to a restoration and preservation incentive grant, authorized the purchase of a used generator for the event center, and approved Imperial Center roof change orders after staff clarified prior appropriations and compliance concerns.
At the outset of the item, Councilman Daughtridge urged greater transparency, saying the grant—s history was unclear in the agenda. He asked whether earlier awards — including a $30,000 grant and an appropriated $100,000 — had been disbursed and why the history was not shown on the agenda. "Until that process is in place and council members have the full picture, I can't support this request," Daughtridge said.
Cornelia McGee, a city staff member responsible for grant compliance, responded that the city had appropriated $100,000 but staff never awarded it to the community group; the only paid award was $30,000 that the neighborhood organization used to acquire the property in December 2021. McGee said the larger appropriation was not disbursed because staff could not properly vet the application. Interim Manager Peter Varney and other council members said staff is responsible for vetting and monitoring grants and that no additional money had been spent for the project in question.
Councilman Joiner and others argued the program—s purpose is community empowerment and neighborhood stabilization. "We shouldn't abandon these communities," Joiner said, noting several communities successfully used the program to secure and renovate properties.
After discussion, the motion to approve the grant amendment was moved by Councilman Joiner, seconded, and approved by voice vote.
Separately, the council approved a purchase of one used generator from Gregory Poole Equipment Company for $735,000 for the event center. The purchase was authorized under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-129(e)(10); the motion was moved by Councilman Daughtridge and seconded by Councilman Harris and approved by voice vote.
The council also approved change orders for the Imperial Center roof, including removal and replacement of a failed skylight system, slope improvements, and HVAC connection relocations. The change orders were moved by Councilman Joiner, seconded, and approved by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda: approved by voice vote (includes tax releases, resolutions, authorizations). - Restoration and preservation grant amendment (Item 9): approved by voice vote after staff confirmed only $30,000 had been disbursed and $100,000 appropriated funds were never awarded. - Purchase of used generator (Item 10): approved by voice vote; amount $735,000; procurement cited N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-129(e)(10). - Imperial Center roof change orders (Item 11): approved by voice vote.
Council members said staff must follow administrative policy and verify compliance before awards are made and that they expect staff to present full documentation in future grant items.
Next steps: Staff will continue to administer the approved grant amendment per policy and execute contracts and purchase orders for the approved capital items.
