City council tonight gave the OK to appropriate $85,000 to begin work to solve drainage issues on Smoot Drive.

The appropriation council made at its meeting will be used with $75,000 budgeted last year to address the matter.

Council, which discussed the matter at its work session last week, passed the measure with little deliberation.

City Manager Joseph Scherer said the total appropriation would help control erosion and the collapse of drainpipes in the area.

Mark Perkins, who has a three-foot sinkhole in his yard, said he was pleased with the allotment. “It’s been a safety issue when you think about a three-foot hole that appears in your yard.”

In another matter tonight police Chief Jeff Hinton presented David Brown his service weapon and badge. Brown retired after 30 years of service.

Brown's badge.

“I enjoyed working with the city of Roanoke Rapids,” Brown told council. “I was born and raised here. It’s been an interesting career. I’ve seen a lot of sadness and tragedy and a lot of people’s lives messed up by drugs. Thank you for allowing me to serve the community.”

From left, Griffin, Hathaway and Benthall.

Also tonight Major Tommy Hathaway presented Detective Frankie Griffin Jr. and Officer Jonathan Benthall their Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificates from the Training and Standards Division of the state Department of Justice.

The certificates, Hathaway said, represent an investment of 1,500 hours in training and classes.