Garner manager previews December calendar, audit and committee items; council raises trash pickup, public safety concerns

The town manager previewed upcoming December business, saying the council's Dec. 2 organizational meeting will include recognition of Council member Behringer, oath administrations, selection of the mayor pro tem and advisory-committee appointments. The Dec. 16 regular meeting will include the FY25 audit presentation, consent items including an Old Stage Road annexation and several rezonings. The Arden development agreement public hearing was listed as withdrawn.

Council member Behringer raised constituent complaints about trash collection: cans left overturned or emptied such that trash spills, and concerns about trucks operating earlier than the posted 7 a.m. start in some neighborhoods, which can particularly affect senior residents who have difficulty handling cans. She also reported a resident's allegation that two individuals associated with a halfway house were sitting outside a Main Street restaurant and drinking; staff said they would follow up and identify the streets involved for contractor follow-up.

Mayor Pro Tem Vance announced the portable housing task force will meet Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. in the upstairs training room. Manager staff said they will return to council with a more detailed legislative agenda update in January or when the calendar allows.