Council adopts modified consent agenda, approves schedule change and asks staff to add B18

At the Jan. 5 meeting the Belmont City Council voted to add agenda item B18 to the consent agenda and then approved the consent agenda as modified. The modification included moving the budget public hearing to May 4. Council also reviewed and discussed several consent items in detail.

Title 11 code changes: Staff presented a proposed ordinance amending Municipal Code Title 11 (business regulations). The packet cites state law changes that prompted specific removals and edits — for example, removal of privilege license tax provisions pursuant to state action, transfer of massage licensing to the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, and updates to amusement and other chapters to align with N.C. General Statutes. Staff said the police department prepared recommended edits and that unchanged chapters (advertising, adult establishments, business towing/storage) would remain with updated amendment dates for recordkeeping.

Other items: Staff sought approval to apply for multiple grants (see separate coverage of the USDOT BUILD grant and public safety grants), a five‑year field use agreement with the Belmont Raiders Athletic Association for Davis Park (Aug. 1–Nov. 15 each year; cost‑sharing for electricity), a budget amendment applying part of the mayor’s prorated salary ($8,956.50) to grant-writing and a $6,000 transfer to the fire department’s Lexipol contract, and acceptance of several new streets in the McLean South Shore subdivision.

Votes and next steps: Motion to add item B18 was carried. The consent agenda passed with the amendment to move the budget hearing. Items requiring future action (for example, accepting grants if awarded) will return to council for resolutions or budget amendments where required.