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Raeford council OKs downtown street closure and $5,000 event donation, approves engineering work tied to $9.5M grant
Summary
The Raeford City Council unanimously approved a Main Street closure and a $5,000 donation for a downtown concert and approved consent-agenda items including an engineering services agreement tied to a $9.5 million Directed State Grant and a BRIC grant contract with Weston & Sampson. The council also directed attorneys to continue negotiations with Omega Rail and scheduled an Aug. 26 joint fire staffing review.
The Raeford City Council voted Aug. 5 to close Main Street for a Downtown-Raeford Business Association concert scheduled for Sept. 6 and to donate $5,000 toward event costs. The motion to approve Ordinance #2024-07 and the donation was made by Councilman Ricky Sandy and seconded by Councilman Charles Allen; the vote was unanimous.
Organizer Stephanie Hendrix requested the closure and city support, asking the city to donate $5,000 "toward the cost of having a band, children games, vendors and other costs." Council members approved the request by motion.
On the consent agenda the council approved several items by unanimous vote, including a consulting services agreement with MBD Consulting Engineering (noting that firm's merger with Weston & Sampson) to provide design and construction administration for projects tied to a Water System and Wastewater System Improvements Project funded by a $9.5 million Directed State Grant. The council also approved a BRIC grant contract with Weston & Sampson, authorized the release of $1,138.36 from a late tax list, cancelled the Sept. 2 council meeting because of Labor Day, and approved ordinances to close Main Street for the Fall Festival Parade, Fall Festival and Hometown Christmas events.
Manager Dennis Baxley briefed the council on an assessment from Omega Rail Management concerning railroad right-of-way encroachment licensing that affects city water and sewer crossings. Council members and Attorney John Thompson discussed the assessment and, by consensus, instructed city attorneys to continue negotiating with Omega for possible reductions in licensing costs.
By common consent the council set a joint meeting with fire department representatives for 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 26 to review a June 2024 Fire Department Staffing Review compiled by N.C. Fire Chief Consulting.
Council members also briefly considered Grant Resolution #2024-12 to pursue a city-hall remodeling/repair grant with an Aug. 22 filing deadline; the council voted to table that matter and reconsider the January filing cycle. The meeting recessed into an executive session for economic development; no public action was reported when the council reconvened and the meeting was adjourned.
Next steps: city attorneys will continue negotiation with Omega Rail Management; staff will work with Weston & Sampson on grant contract execution and engineering scope as approved on the consent agenda.
