South Hill Council authorizes police station design, awards two infrastructure contracts and confirms appointments

Mayor Mike Moody presided over the South Hill Town Council meeting on Dec. 15, where councilors unanimously authorized the design phase for a planned renovation of the former Workforce Center into the South Hill Police Department and approved several procurement awards and appointments.

Town Manager Keli Reekes told council that Moseley Designs prepared a proposal and site plan for the police department project and that the total estimated project budget is $10,071,203; she said funding for the design phase is already included in the current capital budget. Council voted unanimously to authorize the Town Manager to proceed with the design phase.

The authorization moves the project from planning toward detailed design and later budget deliberations in the FY27 process, though no final construction appropriation was approved at the meeting. Council discussed the interim chief’s involvement and the pursuit of financing and grant opportunities to help fund construction.

Council also adopted a resolution to enter a Funding and Use Agreement with the South Hill Community Development Association to support improvements at the South Hill Soccer Complex after the Lake Gaston Soccer Association requested assistance. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

On procurement matters, Director of Municipal Services C. J. Dean reported sealed bids for two projects. Concrete Foundations, Inc. submitted the low bid of $95,000 for a Bulk Water Dispensing Station; council awarded that contract and authorized the Town Manager to execute required documents. For the Parker Park Sewer Lift Station and Force Main, Smiley’s Construction submitted the low bid of $1,689,143.12; council awarded that contract and authorized the Town Manager to sign paperwork. The Parker Park project is projected to begin in spring 2026 and last approximately 15 months.

Council accepted routine departmental reports for November, including police statistics submitted by Interim Chief Ryan Durham (256 activity incidents, 42 reportable criminal offenses, 642 calls for service, and $10,270 in property recovered).

The council also approved multiple appointments and reappointments, including Ashley Lipscomb and Deborah Gosney to the South Hill Community Development Association, Alyssa Harper-Hayes to the Industrial Development Authority (the council noted she will abstain from votes involving real estate due to her realtor status), Town Manager Keli Reekes to the Southside Planning District Commission, and reappointments to other local boards.

Votes at a glance (all motions passed unanimously unless noted): • Authorize design phase for South Hill Police Department renovation (motion by Councilor Luster, second by Councilor Sasser) — outcome: approved. • Adopt resolution approving Funding and Use Agreement with South Hill Community Development Association (motion by Vice Mayor Honeycutt, second by Councilor Hardee) — outcome: approved. • Award Bulk Water Dispensing Station contract to Concrete Foundations, Inc., $95,000 (motion by Councilor Hardee, second by Councilor Smith) — outcome: approved. • Award Parker Park Sewer Lift Station and Force Main contract to Smiley’s Construction, $1,689,143.12 (motion by Councilor Smith, second by Councilor Freeman-Hite) — outcome: approved. • Approve appointments and reappointments to local boards and commissions (motions as recorded) — outcome: approved.

The council adjourned at 7:46 p.m.