Kinston council may announce new city manager Sept. 15
The meeting agenda also includes a $3 million sewer grant application, funding to complete deficient home repairs and an easement for the Lenoir County Riverwalk project.
The Kinston City Council may announce and introduce the city’s next manager following a closed session during its Tuesday, Sept. 15, meeting.
City Public Information Officer Sharon Mervin said council members are expected to enter closed session for a personnel matter after citizen comments.
“It is anticipated that the Council has reached an agreement with someone and will make the announcement and introduction when they come out of the session,” Mervin wrote in an email to local media.
The publicly released agenda does not identify a candidate or specifically list a vote to appoint a city manager. It calls for a closed session under state laws covering attorney-client privilege and personnel matters. Any final appointment or approval of an employment agreement would have to occur after the council returns to open session.
Ralph Clark is listed in the agenda packet as Kinston’s interim city manager.
Citizen comments, which have been moved toward the end of the agenda, will immediately precede the closed session. The city manager’s report, city attorney’s report and mayor and council reports are scheduled after the closed session.
Council members will also consider applying for up to $3 million in Community Development Block Grant Infrastructure funding for the Washington Avenue Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
The city will hold a public hearing before deciding whether to authorize the application. The proposed project would rehabilitate or replace approximately 7,264 feet of 8-inch sewer line, 35 manholes and approximately 130 sewer services along East Washington Avenue between North Independence Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The project is expected to cost approximately $3.3 million. The proposed funding plan includes $3 million in grant funding and $300,000 in city money.
According to the agenda packet, the project area has a low- and moderate-income population of 86.62%, based on income surveys conducted by the city. No displacement or relocation of residents is anticipated.
The city’s application is due Sept. 30.
Council members will also consider updated wastewater asset-management and capital-improvement plans. City staff said current versions of the plans could improve Kinston’s chances of receiving state and federal infrastructure funding.
The revised wastewater capital plan identifies approximately $65.2 million in projects. Its highest priorities include the Washington Avenue project, the $6.68 million Oliver Glass Sewer Improvements Project and the approximately $2.22 million Lower Catfish Branch Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
Another item would provide $50,000 to complete repairs at two homes involved in a previous Community Development Block Grant neighborhood-revitalization project.
A state monitoring visit in 2023 determined that rehabilitation work at 909 Chestnut St. and 1112 Desmond St. was incomplete and inadequate. The agenda materials also cite other instances of noncompliance involving project management.
The original grant period expired, and the city returned the remaining grant money to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The city attempted to secure a contractor in 2024, but the only contractor that submitted a bid did not have a current license at the time.
The earlier estimate was approximately $44,000. Staff is requesting an additional $6,000 because of increased labor and material costs, bringing the proposed allocation to $50,000. If approved, the city will solicit new bids from qualified contractors.
Council members will also consider establishing a $137,500 special revenue fund for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s 2027 Urgent Repair Program.
The program will provide urgent home repairs for low-income homeowners within the Kinston city limits. The funding plan allocates $125,000 for rehabilitation work and $12,500 for program administration.
The agenda also includes two public-safety grants.
The city received a $14,570 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to be divided equally between the Kinston Police Department and Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office. Each agency would receive $7,285, with no local match required.
Kinston police plan to purchase ballistic shields for patrol officers. The sheriff’s office plans to purchase ceramic rifle-rated vest plates for deputies.
Norfolk Southern also approved a $13,650 Safety First grant for the Kinston Police Department. The department plans to purchase 70 first-aid kits and 70 LifeVac anti-choking devices. The grant application states that the equipment will be distributed among officers and police vehicles, with training provided on its use.
In another action item, the council will consider transferring a permanent construction and maintenance easement to Lenoir County for the planned Riverwalk project.
The property is located behind the Kinston Community Center. Under the proposal, the city would donate the easement and waive compensation. Lenoir County would be responsible for constructing, operating and maintaining the Riverwalk facilities within the easement area.
Council members will also receive the city’s preliminary financial report for the fiscal year that ended June 30.
Across the funds included in the report, Kinston received approximately $112 million and spent approximately $102 million. The report does not include final year-end accounting adjustments.
The city reported approximately $1.72 million in investment earnings during the fiscal year. The General Fund received 95% of its budgeted revenue and spent 90% of its authorized budget.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Kinston City Hall, 207 E. King St. It will be livestreamed through the City of Kinston’s YouTube channel and shown on the city’s government-access television channel.
