Public Works reviews street repairs, cemetery surveying and equipment plans

Chuck Smith, public works director, briefed the council on recent accomplishments and planned capital and personnel needs. Smith said the department completed 1.6 miles of contracted street repair and will begin Clay Street repairs (2nd to 5th, North 4th to Clay) this spring, with about another half‑mile of street work scheduled.

Smith described the department’s responsibilities—approximately 69 miles of streets, 72 miles of sidewalks, three bridges and five traffic signals—and noted staff recently replaced obsolete fuel dispensers and purchased a used bucket truck.

He told council staff are surveying Oakwood and Mebane Memorial cemeteries and placing markers to help visitors locate graves; Oakwood is sold out and markers will clarify sections and row numbers.

On equipment and staffing, Smith noted delivery delays for a replacement dump truck now expected in April and requested an additional seasonal groundskeeper and a maintenance technician and equipment operator in future fiscal years to focus on stormwater and increased in‑house repairs.

Councilors raised questions about decorative lights, intersection safety on Clay Street and mowing/beautification responsibilities; staff said they will continue to coordinate designs and costs with Duke Energy and the city manager. Smith said many of the maintenance tasks are shifting in‑house to improve response times and reduce contractor reliance.

No formal votes were taken; council asked staff to incorporate these requests and project details into the upcoming FY26 budget workshop.