Mary Jo Adams
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Top issues during term (20)
Speed bumps request on Midland Way
Downtown revitalization and Brownfields plan
The $500,000 EPA grant has closed; staff will pursue the next round of EPA grants, and implementation costs are estimated in the plan.
Disposal of vacant city-owned parcels
Residents report spending hundreds to thousands of dollars repairing damage and maintaining lots the city owns.
55-unit multifamily housing behind Johnson School
The first two phases were already funded by a state grant tied to hurricane recovery; no city money was committed.
Potential electric rate impacts from NCEMPA wholesale rate change
$300,000 shifted within the electric fund — no new spending or cash impact.
Community Garden Special Use Permit
Unknown — property value impact was the contested question and no appraisal evidence was presented.
Water and sewer capital projects
$1.7M sewer contract plus $659K pump station contract, with $18.9 million in grant applications pending.
Bridge Creek demolition
$93,500 in state ARPA funds — no local water and sewer dollars used.
Zoning appeals consolidated under City Council
Peden Street duplex rezoning
Special Use Permit request on Dundee Drive
No city infrastructure costs; the hospital funds its own development.
FY 2026-2027 City Budget
A penny on the tax rate is worth about $120,000 under new revaluation values; even a cut to 38 cents would raise more revenue than current years.
Recycling and solid waste finances
Residential service costs about $6 more per month than the fee charged, and a transfer station option could cost $3–3.5 million.
2026 Sky High Aerospace Expo
Sponsorships and donations fund the nonprofit event; ticketed day is Saturday only.
City vs. County water system friction
McGirt's Bridge Road multifamily special use permit
Three sidewalk projects
The city pays only 20 percent; the rest comes through NCDOT.
Purchasing policy and minority participation requirements
No direct cost; noncompliance risked voiding state-funded contracts.
Tree removal compensation claim (U.S. 401/Montclair)
Unspecified compensation claim for lost trees and alleged property value impact.
Downtown Social District hours
Decisions during term (82)
Recorded while Adams was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent Agenda
Ordinance O-2026-22 — Consolidate Board of Adjustment duties into City Council
Ordinance O-2026-23 — Rezone Peden Street parcels to Office/Institutional
Sole-source purchase of SCADA servers from QEI, LLC
Sealed-bid disposal of vacant city-owned parcels
Resolution R-2026-23 — Bridge Creek Demolition bid
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Consider the approval of the draft minutes for the September 22, 2026, Regular Meeting.
Consider amending Article 3, Administrative/Legislative Authority, Section 3.3, Board of Adjustments, and Article 5, Development Review Process, Section 5.4.6, Appeals of Administrative Denial of the City of Laurinburg Unified Development…
ADJOURNMENT
Approval of agenda with added consent item J
Consent agenda (items A–J)
Special Use Permit — SCAP multifamily housing, McGirt's Bridge Road
United Way 'My Fair Share' employee giving incentive
College Park Sewer Rehab-CIPP contract award
North Main Pump Station Renovation contract award
Resolution R-2026-19 — state water/sewer funding application
Resolution R-2026-20 — surplus property sale
Fueling facility bids rejected
Ordinance O-2026-19 — Downtown Social District hours
Voting record (21)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.