There is to be able to connect that park to Crowdess Mountain.

Exactly.

As you all know, we have over a million people that visit Crowders Mountain each year.

And a lot of people are coming across from across the region to go to that park.

So this will be Linwood Springs would be another opportunity for people, another amenity of our community for people to take advantage of.

And Ron, if you have any additional information where you are on those plans.

Absolutely.

And I think short term, uh, if we're speaking of short term, phase one of the park uh construction is really going to address a lot of the uh mobility of that park.

There's a very extensive trail system already with the current car path that we'll be looking to make necessary repairs.

So there's going to be several uh a lot of exercise and and walking opportunity.

Um we we think we've got a strong plan in place and work with our engineering firm that the infrastructure plan that we're working on essentially on this side of the creek is going to put us in a position as we develop that park to be able long term to get there.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And certainly the opportunity for cycling exist.

Um, you know, people who are visiting, you know, until the infrastructure is in place for people to safely um walk from from that park to Crowdless Mountain.

Certainly, cycling is an option for people to take advantage of.

Okay.

And also uh moving forward, well, moving on to item five for special events.

Um staff presented on the previous events that we've had special events, um, and also our in-kind services uh events.

Um you all know we just had our Christmas um celebration, which I'm sure some of us would talk about in our in our reports, but also uh we have our city barbecue that's coming up on this Friday.

Uh our committee recognition event, which is going to be held January the 18th, and also the art committee social uh on February 1st and Gaston Max March 23.

So staff is already um working hard and planning uh events for the upcoming year, and um and we're just very proud of these events because it brings our community together and gives people give people of our community, give the people of our community many options um to get familiar with uh the amenities of our community as well as the uh people and uh and leaders of our community again just information that was presented, no action required, and then um the last item program report staff presented an overview of completed fall events, participation information of winter athletics, current athletic programs.

Um the current program, of course, is winter basketball.

Recently they added cheerleading, and that's been um off to a great start.

Young people have uh expressed the interest in cheerleading, so that's been added, and I believe they had their first practice last week and um and received a uh a great turnout for that, so that's very exciting to to hear about.

Also, adult co ed volleyball registration is currently available through December 20th, and youth spring sports registrations will be available starting February 1st through March 1st, and then the annual special Olympics polar pledge will be held on Saturday, February 17th at Lineburger Pool.

Again, just uh for informational purposes, nothing that requires any action, and that completes my report unless someone has a question.

Well, I have one question, and it what prompts it is where it's listed about the special events and in-kind service events that that are uh have been held.

So we have a piece of unfinished business, and uh that is is to revise this in-kind services policy, and I didn't know uh if that was something that we've earmarked for a certain place and time, uh Mr.

Manager Thursday December 14th okay so that's part of that agenda yes sir perfect so that's next Thursday that's all I needed to know thank you very much okay okay any other questions if not that completes my report thank you councilwoman barber next up is item G the consent agenda are there any questions regarding the consent agenda no questions uh that I have anyway and hearing none I would uh make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented councilwoman step seconded it are there any discussions all in favor it's unanimous okay next item is the regular agenda we have item H1 that's a public hearing for the resolution and consideration to authorize an economic development agreement for project Manitoba to provide a standard level one local incentive grant I recognize Miss Christy Crisp uh our director of economic development uh for staff presentation I declare this public hearing open good evening Mr.

Mayor members of council um pleased to share with you this evening we have an existing Gastonia industry that is looking to expand here um project Manitoba is planning to invest a total of seven million dollars um to increase its facility and create 31 additional jobs with an average of 56129 dollars um this existing industry is an electric water sewer customer um so we are proud of that and see them growing here in Gastonia they would be eligible for a level one grant so just as a refresher a level one grant is um a percentage back over five years so this is a a smaller grant um and if you have any questions I'll be happy to answer those and we do have Alicia Summy with the EDC here.

Are there any questions for Ms.

Chris Christie um is the county uh participating in this also absolutely they did approve this at their last board meeting okay so there's no signed up no there's no one else uh so I would like the record state that no one signed up to speak if there's no other questions what is the council's wishes I'd like to make a recommendation that we accept and approve uh the resolution and the budget amendment as present what we close the public hearing yes second all those in favor it's unanimous thank you the motion has been approved next on the regular agenda is item H2 City Council standing committees and representative appointments everybody should have a copy in front of them there is a proposed list of committee assignments and representatives appointments in front of each of you and the clerk also has a copy what are the wishes of the council mayor before we move forward let me have turned my microphone on councilman Kellogg is no longer wishes to be on the arts committee so right now we have councilman gallagher and myself is there another councilperson I know Charles can't at this time because his wife is on the committee but is there another council person who'd like to slide into that seat so we'd have three council members at least you are Dave we don't have to have three but it'd be nice to have the three but um we'll keep it in we'll keep it in mind yeah my name is all my name is all over the front and back of this uh committee list I don't think I have the capacity to take on another one you'll see I'm on three standing committees and one appointed I think we also need somebody for the intergovernment relations and I the mayor was on there before we we've got the mayor listed on this oh on this one I'm looking at the one on here okay yeah yes the the paper copy is updated it's the most updated yeah we'll mayor I believe I I believe that's flip it over then I can see mayor I believe uh this list of uh committees their chairs um reflect the current wishes of the council um and unless uh I'm mistaken I will uh go ahead and put these names into nomination for these particular uh committee assignments

I believe that flip it over, then I can see Mayor.

I believe this list of uh committees, their chairs, um reflect the current wishes of the council.

Um unless uh I'm mistaken, I will uh go ahead and put these names into nomination for these particular uh committee assignments.

Could I ask a question first?

No.

Could I recuse myself from voting if I was part of that committee?

Which committee?

The arts are committee, Claire is on there, so I I thought you were staying off of it because your spouse was on it.

I thought that was I'm asking a question right, right.

If I have no voting, just for discussion, just for I I yeah, I think you could attend the meeting as long as we don't have four council people there.

But not be a yeah, if that's your question, yes, you can you can go to any committee meeting.

No, I'm gonna be on the on the committee, sir.

As a member, yeah.

With no vote, with no vote, right?

Um so I I love the arts and any input I could have or any service I could do, I still think I could be somewhat uh asset to the committee, but that's the question I'm asking.

If I am a part of the membership and not have a vote, is that a possibility?

I I think it's a possibility.

Um let's discuss offline um all of that before making the final decision on that, councilman.

Okay.

Let me ask let me that ask a question, you know, related to that, just for my education.

So uh there is a relationship between a committee member and the councilman.

Um unless the committee would be voting on something in which there would be a conflict of interest to the council person.

Why could not why could that council person not serve on that committee?

I think it's just a question of the appearance of propriety or impropriety.

You know, does councilman odom and his wife want to both be sitting up there at the same time and will citizens perceive it somehow as inappropriate?

I don't know that they will, but that was what we were guarding against when we had the discussion at the last round of appointments is to to avoid any appearance is that was a question of optics, not a question of a true conflict of interest.