Hertford Council accepts CERRI assistance, directs DOT letter, and approves town office move and community events

The Town of Hertford Council met Monday and unanimously approved a package of administrative and community actions, including acceptance of a CERRI Round 2 memorandum of understanding, steps to press the Department of Transportation on the S-Bridge abutment, and use of the Robert Harvey Building for town offices.

Lee Padrick, chief economic development planner with the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Main Street & Rural Planning Center, told the council that Hertford was accepted into CERRI Round 2 and that the town’s existing Community and Riverfront Plan lets staff compress the usual four meeting planning process. He said $50 million has been appropriated statewide for CERRI, and recommended the council name a compact local working group that includes a business representative to develop a top-ten funding list.

The council voted 5-0 to accept the CERRI resolution and Memorandum of Understanding and to designate HCAT as the local committee to work with CERRI; the council also asked the Main Street HHI Resurgence Committee to name a business representative.

Manager Janice McKenzie Cole asked that the Robert Harvey Building (the former police department) be used for the town’s administrative offices so she can relocate her office and accommodate staffing needs. Councilman Jerry Mimlitsch moved and Councilwoman Connie Brothers seconded the motion to use the entire building for administrative offices; the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Pro Tem Ashley Hodges noted concerns about underutilization at the Horace Reid Building and recommended future footprint planning.

On infrastructure, Mayor Pro Tem Hodges moved that Manager Cole draft a letter for Mayor Earnell Brown to send to the Department of Transportation opposing the use of rip rap at the Hertford-side abutment of the S‑Bridge; Councilman Mimlitsch seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. The motion also asked county officials to join Hertford in opposing the cost-driven rip rap alternative.

Council also authorized several community activities: Councilwoman Connie Brothers was authorized to proceed with planning a Juneteenth observance on June 18; Manager Cole was authorized to organize a regional summit for funding agencies in June or July to outline funding availability and application priorities; and the council approved a community screening of the film Freedom of North Carolina at the high school on Feb. 25, 2022. All motions passed by unanimous voice vote.

The meeting included routine council reports on polling locations, historic-marker work, public works efforts, and a youth program with eight activities planned. Council later entered closed session under N.C.G.S. §143-318.11(a)(3) and (a)(7) to consult with counsel and hear investigative reports; the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

Votes at a glance: amended agenda approved (5-0); consent agenda (minutes) approved (5-0); CERRI MOU accepted (5-0); HCAT designated to work with CERRI (5-0); letter to DOT opposing rip rap approved (5-0); Robert Harvey Building designated for administrative offices (5-0); Juneteenth planning authorized (5-0); regional summit authorized (5-0); movie screening authorized (voice vote, unanimous).