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Henderson Council approves police dedication, committee appointments, retiree award and recycling grant
Summary
On Jan. 12 the council approved Resolution 26‑01 to dedicate the police building to Chief Melvin G. Smith and transfer $5,000 (drug seizure funds) for plaques; approved Resolution 26‑02 on committee appointments (Mayor cast deciding vote in a 5–4 result); approved Resolution 26‑03 awarding a retiree’s badge and handgun; and approved Resolution 26‑04 to pursue a recycling cart grant.
The Henderson City Council voted on four formal resolutions at its Jan. 12 meeting.
Dedication and funding: Council approved Resolution 26‑01 and Ordinance 26‑01 to dedicate the Henderson Police Department in honor of Chief Melvin G. Smith and transfer $5,000 from NC State Treasury funds to support plaques and related capital improvements. Police Chief Marcus Barrow described Smith’s career as groundbreaking — noting he rose through ranks and trained officers — and said funding will come from drug seizure proceeds rather than tax dollars. The motion passed unanimously (YES: Gomez‑Jimenez, Noel, Seifert, Venable, Daeke, Gill, Walker and Champion).
Committee appointments: The Council then considered Resolution 26‑02 approving the Mayor’s committee appointments. Councilmember Geraldine Champion moved approval; procedural discussion ensued about whether more debate could occur. The motion passed 5–4 with Councilmembers Venable, Daeke, Gill, Champion and Mayor Melissa Elliott voting yes and Councilmembers Noel, Seifert, Walker and Gomez‑Jimenez voting no. The minutes record that the Mayor cast the deciding vote when the Council was tied.
Retiree award: The Council approved Resolution 26‑03 to award the departmental handgun and badge to retiree Anthony (Tony) Mills as part of the city’s tradition of honoring retired officers. Chief Barrow characterized Mills’ service and the motion passed unanimously.
Recycling grant: Assistant City Manager Christy Lipscomb described a proposed Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) grant to shift residents from small totes to wheeled recycling carts. Initial estimates indicate about 1,000 carts could be purchased, with an outreach goal of expanding participation to roughly 3,000 households of the City’s approximately 6,000 customers; distribution would be first‑come, first‑served and no additional charge to residents. The Council approved Resolution 26‑04 to pursue the grant unanimously.
Records and next steps: Where motions passed unanimously the minutes show full approval; where appointments were contested, the minutes record the 5–4 split and the Mayor’s deciding role. The resolutions are recorded as Resolution Book 7 in the city minutes.
