Thomasville council approves budget amendment, infrastructure and creek‑restoration contracts and a $20,000 youth sports grant

The Thomasville City Council on Tuesday approved a series of budget and contract actions addressing streets, drainage and parks equipment, and tentatively awarded a major pump‑station upgrade intended to lift a moratorium on development in the north end of town.

City Manager Michael Brandt presented a $316,814 budget amendment that draws $236,341 from the Paving Reserve, $50,000 from Powell Bill funds, $10,473 in insurance proceeds and a $20,000 state grant. The council approved the amendment by a unanimous 5‑0 vote.

Emergency Management Director Sam Olshinski recommended awarding a $64,064 debris‑removal contract to Zulu Marine and a $245,390 streambank‑stabilization contract to HGS, LLC / Resource Environmental Solutions for work on North Hamby Creek and Jimmy's Creek under a StRAP grant. Council discussion included a suggestion by Council Member JacQuez Johnson to consider reallocating funds to the Plant B area; Olshinski said the current grant is restricted to North Hamby and Jimmy's Creek but will be offered again in future years. Both contract awards were approved 5‑0.

For street work, the council awarded Thompson Arthur Paving and Construction a $1,075,465.90 contract for the spring 2025 resurfacing program covering about 5.02 miles on streets chosen from a prior condition survey. Council Member Payton Williams asked colleagues to inspect sidewalks on Taylor Street with an eye toward concurrent repairs.

The Recreation Department, through Athletic Director Dominique Pickett, presented a $20,000 North Carolina Amateur Sports youth sports grant to buy two scoreboards, two large soccer goals and a volleyball net system aimed at boosting female participation. The council accepted the grant 5‑0.

City Manager Brandt also presented a resolution tentatively awarding Gilbert Engineering Company a $6,775,345 contract for a Rains Road Pump Station upgrade, funded through a combination of loan and grant from the State revolving loan fund; Brandt said the project is crucial for lifting a development moratorium in the north end and for transporting waste under I‑85. The tentative award passed unanimously (5‑0).

On the consent agenda earlier in the meeting, Deputy City Manager Eddie Bowling presented routine minutes, the annual audit contract with Martin Starnes and Associates (noted as required by the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act) and a retroactive $200,100 roofing contract to LaFave's Construction for Fire Station 22; the consent agenda passed 5‑0.

Votes at a glance: • Budget amendment: $316,814 — approved 5‑0. • Zulu Marine (debris removal, StRAP): $64,064 — approved 5‑0. • HGS, LLC / Resource Environmental Solutions (streambank stabilization, StRAP): $245,390 — approved 5‑0. • Thompson Arthur Paving and Construction (spring 2025 resurfacing): $1,075,465.90 — approved 5‑0. • North Carolina Amateur Sports grant (youth sports): $20,000 — accepted 5‑0. • Tentative award to Gilbert Engineering Company (Rains Road Pump Station): $6,775,345 — approved 5‑0 (resolution of tentative award). • Consent items including annual audit contract and retroactive roofing contract: approved 5‑0.

Council members also shared committee reports and community notices including warming center locations and MLK Day event recognitions. The meeting adjourned after the business was completed.