Eden council approves $460,000 CDBG amendment to rebuild homes and replace Bridge Street playground; heated public comments on city staffing follow
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Summary
Eden City Council on Feb. 3 approved a $460,000 amendment to a CDBG neighborhood-redevelopment grant to rebuild four owner-occupied homes and replace playground equipment at Bridge Street Recreation Center. The meeting included extended public comment criticizing city personnel decisions and an employee morale survey.
Eden City Council voted to request an amendment to a federal CDBG–NR (neighborhood redevelopment) grant that would reallocate $460,000 for housing reconstruction and playground replacement.
Planning staff member John Mendenhall told the council the city’s original $950,000 grant produced four eligible owner-occupied applications that require demolition and reconstruction, but contractor bids exceeded available funds. To use the excess grant budget for neighborhood benefits, Mendenhall proposed $247,500 for final residences to be constructed, $125,000 for playground equipment and installation at the Bridge Street Recreation Center, $37,002.50 for administration, and $50,250 for service delivery, bringing the requested additional funding to $460,000. He cautioned that CDBG projects are typically slow to deliver and estimated the playground could take about 18 months after state ratification and bidding.
Councilmember Speaker 32 moved to proceed with the $460,000 request; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The public hearing closed and the meeting moved into the citizen comment period, where multiple residents raised personnel and operational concerns. Donnie (recorded as Ronnie) Bolden, a former city employee, asked the council to reconsider his separation after completing recommended rehabilitation and training. Longtime resident Alice McBride directly criticized the city manager’s performance, saying he had failed to carry out several job duties and asking the council to “let him go” or reduce his salary. McBride also cited an increase in the city manager’s pay: she told the council he ‘‘got a $22,000 raise in 2 years.’’
Contractor Noah Horace said his company had been issued a check that later bounced by an Eden business (Carpino Investments 2, LLC) and asked the council to note the pattern publicly while he pursues civil remedies. Tony Evans and other former or current public works employees described understaffing, canceled certifications, and low morale in the department.
John Mendenhall responded to council questions about a recently administered ‘Workplace Climate’ employee survey. He said the survey was an industry-standard, free online HR resource the city used after two new council members reported morale concerns; he reported an overall average score of 4.4 out of 5 (about 88% satisfaction) and said lower scores prompted follow-up interviews and a qualitative second survey so staff could elaborate on problems. Several council members argued the survey should have been anonymous and debated whether prior responses should be deleted from personnel files.
The council then approved an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission (Jim Ivy) after advertising the vacancy and accepted the consent agenda. Before adjourning, members scheduled a budget retreat and announced Energize Eden grant opportunities funded by a Duke Energy donation.
Next steps: the CDBG amendment request will be sent to the state for ratification; if approved, staff will bid the playground replacement and housing work and return with contract and schedule details. The council recessed to closed session under North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(A)(6) to discuss personnel.
