Mayor· 2022–2029 (cycle default: NC terms begin first Monday in December)
Jeffrey Odham
New Bern, NC
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 2
- Total speaking time
- 21:35
- Avg per meeting
- 10:48
- Segments
- 639
Want every word Odham has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Odham said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Updates to Historic District Design Principles and Standards
The grant requires a $16,000 city match.
Disposition of Redevelopment Parcels (First Avenue, Mechanic Street, Bloomfield Street, Sampson Street)
Sale proceeds and returning parcels to the tax rolls would be a modest gain for the city; the accepted amounts are unknown.
Properties Sold After Upset Bid Process
An accepted upset bid would raise the effective sale price of the parcel; no amount was published.
Epiphany School special-use permit (TK facility)
This massive development could shake up local property values and bring in major tax revenue, though it might also hike infrastructure costs for the city.
Certificates of Appropriateness for Three Historic Properties
Approval conditions can shape project costs for the owners; no city spending is directly at stake.
Adding 722 Third Ave to Sellable Lots List
A future sale could bring revenue to the commission; no figures were given.
Electric Rate Ordinance Amendment
About 2% more on electric bills — roughly 0.9% for the average residential customer — starting April 1.
Clarifying and Revising Purchasing Conditions for Salable Lots
Clearer sale terms could affect proceeds from selling vacant lots.
Rezoning of 1100 Pinetree Drive
The applicant faces month-to-month earnest money deposits while the rezoning path is reworked; staff will process the new request free of charge.
Johnson Street streetlights
Installation and electric costs for the new lights, not specified.
Yellow Creek Enterprise Property Requests and Upset Bids
Sale proceeds would go to the city, and the properties go back on the tax rolls.
Long-running demolition by neglect at 221 E. Front St.
Extended neglect cases can drive up enforcement and repair costs for owners and the city alike.
Paws of War Eastern NC dog training permit
Demolition by neglect enforcement
Enforcement actions and deferred maintenance on these buildings can cost owners significantly, and neglected structures can drag down surrounding property values.
Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) Grant
Grant-funded; local match requirements, if any, were not stated.
Feral Cat Management
Not quantified; the city has only 1.5 Animal Control Officers.
Revenue Bond Financing
Revenue bonds are repaid through utility revenues, potentially affecting customer rates.
Initial zoning of US 70 parcels as Commercial 3
Avenues/Duffyfield affordable housing redevelopment
Unknown; road resurfacing and bathroom work at the old Stanley White site are already underway.
Demolition by neglect at 221 E. Front St.
Repairs fall on the owner, though unresolved cases can drag on for decades and affect neighboring property values.
Decisions during term (175)
Recorded while Odham was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
TK Facility for the Epiphany School SUP-003637-2026 — adoption of prior decision
Paws of War Eastern NC Program SUP-003702-2026 — special use permit approved
Motion to adjourn
Approve Agenda
Consent Agenda Items 5-11 (street closures, rezoning hearings, no-wake hearing, minutes)
Highway Safety Program grants (Items 13-14)
Street acceptances and traffic ordinances (Items 15-18)
GO Bond stormwater professional services agreements (Item 19)
Acceptance of Tax Collector's Annual Settlement for Tax Year 2025 (Item 20)
Sale and issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026 (Item 21)
Amend the Roadway Improvements Project Fund (Item 22)
Appointments (Item 23)
Ward 3 ARPA funds for Children's Museum display (New Business)
Approve Minutes.
Adjourn.
Approve Agenda
Consent Agenda (Items 5-15)
Ordinance Closing Portions of Biddle Street, F Street, Fowlers Lane and K Street
Sewer Use Agreement for Galloway Road Parcel
Ordinance Reducing Redevelopment Commission Membership
Voting record (23)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
adopt the budget ordinance for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 as presented
Adopt FY2026-2027 Budget Ordinance
He opposed any tax increase not approved by voters, noting the bond referendum passed but not the quarter of a cent.
add funding for the position back in the budget
Restore Electric Engineering Manager position funding
Concerned about electric fund cash reserves and capital needs
adopt an ordinance to amend the electric rate schedule as presented and recommended by the Director
Ordinance Amending the Electric Rate Schedule
Believed New Bern should mirror Duke's rates and stop growing the electric grid rather than continue on the current path.