First Posted: 10/12/2010

LUMBERTON The City Council on Monday gave the Lumberton Police Department permission to accept a $206,888 grant from the Governors Highway Safety Program to fund a traffic enforcement team.
The enforcement team will consist of two paid officers, equipment to outfit the officers, and two vehicles, said Police Chief Mike McNeill.
The four-year grant program requires the Police Department to participate in all highway safety campaigns, such as Click it or Ticket and Booze it and Lose it.
According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, there had been 145,000 crashes in North Carolina this year through the end of August, accounting for 800 fatalities and almost 70,000 injuries. In Robeson County, there had been 2,500 crashed through August, causing 32 fatalities and more than 1,500 injuries.
Any increase we can get in seat-belt use, taking people off the street while driving impaired, and decreasing accidents and property damages … will be enhanced with the traffic enforcement team, McNeill said.
Also on Monday, the council:
Ratified a contract with Robert Price for him to work as interim city attorney.
Approved Joey Jacobs request to rezone property located on Baxter Street from R-7, single-family residential/duplex, to R-6, residential class A mobile homes.
Approved Sheila Russells request to rezone property located at 1811 12 E. Fifth St. from R-7 to B-4, business general commercial.
Approved Steve Costas request to rezone properties located at 3183 and 3185 W. Fifth St. from R-15, single-family residential, to M-1, light manufacturing.
Approved Michael Walters request to rezone three parcels located on West Fifth Street from M-1 to B-4. Adult establishments, such as bars, nightclubs, and pool halls, will be excluded.
Approved a request for a conditional-use permit from Gods Chosen Generation Church to place a cemetery on property located at 44 Zach St.
Adopted a resolution declaring property located at 1104 W. 24th St. as surplus.
Approved a memo of agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation that allows the city to remove debris during a disaster off roads maintained by the state.
Approved a list of capital projects that a Washington, D.C., firm, Marlowe and Company, will seek funding for.
Designated $280 of Community Revitalization Funds to W.H. Knuckles Elementary School to construct a walking trail.
Designated $1,200 of Community Revitalization Funds to M25 Bikers annual Toy Run.
Approved redirecting tax revenue from ABC stores away from the General Fund and into a reserve fund so that it can be used for recreation.
Approved the erection of stop signs at the intersection of Prevatte and LeSane streets.
Adopted amendments that would simplify the citys political sign ordinance.