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Town Council Work Session - Media
Published: Jun 23, 2026
Council Members Voice Concerns on Surveillance Technology, Logo Use, Proposed Legislation, and Data Center Feasibility
Councilwoman Gray expressed strong concerns regarding the Flock cameras, calling them a surveillance issue and regretting not raising more questions during the budget process. She voiced concerns about potential constitutional issues and the shifting of the burden of proof, potentially undermining the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty.' She referenced an article from UNC School of Government warning about such issues and a Fifth Circuit appellate ruling. Gray also worried about the potential to couple Flock with other technologies to track personal devices. Council members discussed the town's audit processes, disciplinary actions for misuse, and data retention policies. Chief Polidori and Captain Marshall assured that misuse could lead to termination or criminal charges and that the system has safeguards. Separately, Councilwoman Gray questioned the process for approving the use of town logos and trademarks, citing an example of another town that assigned a staff member to approve logo usage, which she deemed cumbersome and potentially setting a precedent. She suggested that entities like the Friends of the Library and Visitor Center might be better off creating their own logos. Mayor Clement shared concerns about a proposed change to state legislation regarding local leadership, which she called irresponsible and not reflective of democratic process, particularly as it was reportedly initiated by county commissioners without consulting local councils and concerning a representative outside their district. Councilwoman Gray also raised concerns about the town's limited power and water resources, suggesting they make it difficult to accommodate large data centers. She advocated for proactive planning and regulation regarding data centers.
Planning Department Updates: Data Center Feasibility, Social District Proposal, and Preservation Agreement Discussion
Director Greave provided an update on planning and zoning matters, including upcoming items for the July 28th Town Council meeting: a Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) for Phase 3 of the ACE Hardware development, a mixed-use conditional zoning district for a project reviewed by the Planning Board on July 23rd, the Ravensbrook 5 conceptual development plan (continued from May 12th), and a Gaddis right-of-way abandonment. Greave also noted potential new items: consideration of a social district and an architectural compliance permit for Veterans Guardian. Greave then addressed the topic of data centers, particularly 'hypercampuses' requiring significant power and water. Currently, no inquiries for data centers have been received by the town or Moore County Economic Development Partners. Greave presented information on a new 90-megawatt data center in Lee County, located near a major transmission line from the Sharon Harris nuclear power plant, highlighting the critical need for power infrastructure for such facilities. Southern Pines lacks direct access to such high-capacity power lines, making it less feasible for hypercampuses without extensive new infrastructure. Smaller co-location or enterprise facilities (5-10-20 acres) would need to comply with the town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), including landscaping and architectural requirements. Greave mentioned that some jurisdictions are implementing moratoriums on data centers to study their impacts, but outright bans could raise legal issues. The town prefers to define, regulate, and locate such uses appropriately within its development ordinances. Council members discussed the potential impacts of data centers on infrastructure, power rates, and water resources, with some expressing a desire for proactive planning and regulation. Regarding the Reds Corner social district, it was clarified that the proposal involves a specific, red-lined area encompassing two leased properties under different LLCs, allowing for open containers to move between the two establishments. This is a mechanism to address a legal challenge posed by separate ownership/permittees, not a broader downtown initiative. Staff has reviewed the management plan and will assist with the town's paperwork if the council is amenable. A discussion also occurred about a preservation agreement for Trinity AME Zion Church, with the town indicating a preference to decline due to a lack of expertise and potential conflicts, suggesting other organizations handle monitoring.
Council Discusses Flock Camera Concerns, Golf Course Safety, and Data Center Feasibility
During the council roundtable, Councilwoman Gray expressed skepticism about Flock cameras, voicing concerns about surveillance and potential constitutional issues. She regretted not raising more questions during the budget process and emphasized the importance of 'innocent until proven guilty.' Council members and the Police Chief discussed the system's capabilities, limitations, audit procedures, and data retention policies. Chief Polidori and Captain Marshall detailed the camera's function as a license plate reader, its use in investigations, and the safeguards in place to prevent misuse, including monthly audits and disciplinary actions for violations. They assured that the system does not perform facial recognition, access DMV records, or automatically track vehicles, and that the vendor claims to have never been hacked. Councilwoman Gray also raised concerns about the safety and liability associated with golf balls from tee boxes at Campbell House Field and Highland Hills, suggesting alternative solutions for youth golf programs and emphasizing the need for safer course designs. The council agreed that the Campbell House situation poses a genuine risk and liability requiring further discussion. Separately, a spill at Warrior Woods related to an inflatable plug could not be definitively attributed to a specific contractor, highlighting a gap in accountability. A suggestion was made to implement a contractor identification system for such plugs. Councilwoman Gray also expressed concerns about the town's limited power and water resources, making it difficult to accommodate large data centers, and advocated for proactive planning.
Sewer Odor Issues in West Southern Pines Highlighted; Warrior Woods Spill Cleanup Discussed
During the council roundtable, Councilwoman Gray and Councilwoman Jones raised concerns regarding persistent sewer odor issues in the West Southern Pines area, specifically citing Midland and Michigan roads. They noted that the sewer lines are county lines, and the county may view the necessary repairs as too costly. They emphasized that while the issue is intermittent, it significantly impacts residents' quality of life. Town Manager Parsons and County Manager Mickle confirmed awareness of the problem, attributing it to sewer gas developing under specific atmospheric conditions or low flow, leading to prolonged sitting of waste. They indicated the county staff is aware but has not found a simple fix, as potential solutions could involve extensive and costly system reconstruction or realignment. The council members expressed that while it's a county issue, it affects their constituents, and they wish to keep the issue on the county commissioners' radar. They suggested exploring options beyond simply stating it's expensive, such as chemical treatments or flushing procedures, and noted that any fix would likely be funded through sewer rates paid by the town to the county. Separately, a spill at Warrior Woods related to an inflatable plug used by contractors was discussed. While the cleanup occurred, the contractor responsible could not be definitively identified or held accountable due to the lack of contractor identification on the plugs and multiple contractors working in the area. A suggestion was made to implement a contractor identification system for such plugs. Councilwoman Gray also expressed skepticism about Flock cameras and concern over surveillance.
Fire Department to Provide Services to Moore County Airport; Preservation Agreement Role Declined
Fire Chief Polidori presented a proposal for the Southern Pines Fire Department to provide fire protection services to the Moore County Airport, which is located within the Southern Pines Fire District. This service is necessitated by the airport's upcoming commercial service, scheduled to begin in late spring/early summer of 2027, and FAA Part 139 licensing requirements. The proposed arrangement involves a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or contract with the airport authority. The airport will provide the fire station, apparatus, and equipment. Southern Pines Fire Department will provide staffing, requiring one firefighter per shift during flight operations (pre-arrival to post-departure). This will be compensated at an extra-duty rate, not utilizing existing personnel. Additionally, all participating firefighters must obtain a specific FAA Part 139 certification, requiring a 52-hour training course. The airport authority has agreed to cover the cost of this training for 12 individuals, and the community college is providing the instruction at no cost. Southern Pines Fire Department plans to use this as its annual specialty class, aiming to certify all 40 firefighters for continuing education and to ensure broader familiarity with airport operations and rescue firefighting. This initiative also offers firefighters opportunities for extra income. The department will bill the airport monthly for hours worked at an extra-duty rate of $65 per hour, which is subject to annual review. The proposal includes provisions for the airport to replace two sets of firefighter PPE annually and for annual reviews of the agreement. The council discussed potential impacts and future renegotiations if operations expand beyond initial projections. They also discussed the possibility of the town accepting a role in a 20-year preservation agreement for the Trinity AME Zion Church, which received grant funding for roof repair. After discussion, the council indicated a preference to decline this role, suggesting other organizations like Preservation NC or the State Historic Preservation Office might be more suitable.
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The Southern Pines News archive
Town of Southern Pines Council Work Session 06/23/2026
Town Council Business Meeting - Media
Town of Southern Pines Council Regular Business Meeting 06/09/2026
Town of Southern Pines Council Work Session 05/26/2026
Town Council Work Session - Media
Town Council Business Meeting - Media
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