Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS May 20, 2024 MINUTES PRE-MEETING – 5:00PM Mayor Washam called the Pre-meeting to order at 5:05PM with all commissioners present at the meeting.  Federal Lobbying Discussion Deputy Manager Herron gave a brief recap of the Board’s desire to have a lobbyist in Washington, DC that will advocate for Cornelius. The Ferguson Group (TFG) is an option to consider as the representative for Cornelius. TFG will shepherd any grants, direct spending requests, and keep the Board updated on federal programs that might be of interest to Cornelius. They cannot file or lobby for road projects based on the Federal government agreements with State’s DOTs. Staff’s recommendation is to enter into a $60K contract with TFG for one year and then evaluate their performance before renewing in FY26. Commissioner Higgins asked if Jennifer Imo will be the liaison for Cornelius. Deputy Manager Herron stated that she would be. Commissioner Osborne asked if Jennifer could provide examples of what she has done for other agencies. Deputy Manager Herron stated that he would ask her to do so. Commissioner Carney asked if she already has a good idea of what could benefit Cornelius. Deputy Manager Herron stated that she does and will provide that information after she meets with Manager Grant and department heads. Asst. Manager Beardsley stated that she will be beneficial in lobbying for the SAFR Grant that has just recently been submitted. Commissioner Carney asked how the Town can contract with a third-party group without going out for bids. Deputy Manager Herron stated that because this is a service it does not require the RFP process. Attorney Bringewatt stated that state statutes require bid proposals for goods and products. Commissioner Johnson asked if there is any conflict of interest with other municipalities. Deputy Manager Herron explained that every municipality have different interests so Jennifer did not feel there would be any conflicts of interest. The Board consensus was to move forward with a $60K contract with TFG.  Appointment Policy Review Deputy Manager Herron gave an overview of the Town’s appointment policy for advisory boards and opened the floor up for discussion regarding the policy as it’s currently written and the feedback mentioned on having a 1-year “cool-off” period between serving on boards, notifications sent to the Board when interviews are held, and requiring resumes with applications in order to evaluation experience. 05/20/24 Regular Meeting Page 1  Commissioner Osborne stated that he did not see anything mentioned about the geographic location of applicants and asked if it should be included. Deputy Manager Herron explained that geographic locations have been used for several years; however, it has never been part of the policy because there have been occasions where there is little to no interest in serving equally in all areas of town. Mayor Washam asked what the possibility would be of indicating geographic location is a preference and not a requirement. Attorney Bringewatt explained that when a policy is adopted it should be followed until a different policy is adopted, so if the desire is to have flexibility, then establishing guidelines should be considered. Deputy Manager Herron stated that he will work with Attorney Bringewatt to draft non-binding guidelines to address the geographic location preference and 1-year “cool off” appointment consideration and then bring it back for further discussion and consideration.  Agenda Review Deputy Manager Herron gave a brief overview of the 6:00PM agenda items. Commissioner Osborne requested that the Board receive updates on fund balance surplus throughout the year. Mayor Washam gave the Board a brief update on Red Line discussions. There being no further business to discuss in the Pre-meeting, Commissioner Osborne made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:59PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washam called the meeting to order at 6:08PM. 2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM All commissioners were present at the meeting. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Higgins seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 4. MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Washam led the pledge after a moment of silence was observed. 5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS Mayor Washam invited the public to speak and the following concerns/comments were heard: Jeff DiCosmo – 17109 Morgan Evans, expressed his concerns with safety along the Bailey Road corridor identified on a map (Attachment 1) he provided. Deputy Manager Herron provided an update on the safety improvements that are being studied for the corridor. 6. REPORTS Mayor Washam reported that Cornelius has won the 2024 Mayors Fitness Challenge. He thanked everyone who participated in the health challenge. 05/20/24 Regular Meeting Page 2  Commissioner Osborne announced that the next TAB meeting will be held at Smithville Park on May 28th. Deputy Manager Herron reported on the following: • About Your Dollar – the online budget dashboard is live at www.cornelius.org/AYD. • Clean and Green – 930 pounds of trash was collected on Apr. 20th. There were 29 participants, and 74 trees were donated to the Town. • Memorial Day Program will be held on May 27th (10AM-12PM) at the Cain Center. • Symphony in the Park will be held on June 22nd (6PM-10PM) at Bailey Road Park followed by fireworks. • NCDOT 2024 Helmet Grant was awarded to Cornelius. The Town will distribute 75 helmets at various events (LKN Bike Expo, Bicycle Summer Camp, Bike to School Day). Asst. Manager Beardsley reported on the following: • Jetton Extension – the project is nearing completion with the installation of RRFBs and landscaping. • ElectriCities Substation – the grading and clearing for the new substation has begun. All materials and equipment have been ordered. • West Catawba crosswalks – Harborside/W. Catawba median and striping is being done this evening. Robbins Park/W. Catawba median and striping will begin next week followed by the installation of the RRFBs. • Smithville Community Coalition has scheduled a Smithville clean up on June 8th. 7. PRESENTATIONS A. Charlotte Water Update Charlotte Water Director Angela Charles presented the State of the Utility that included the FY23/FY24 accomplishments, an overview of the regional water and sewer system, fiscal statistics, the economic impact on the regional economy, emerging issues current/future, and community engagement. The Board thanked Ms. Charles for providing the update on Charlotte Water. 8. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. FY2025 Operating Budget and Tax Rate Mayor Washam called for a motion to reconvene the public hearing from May 6th. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to reconvene the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Mayor Washam invited the public to speak and the following citizens were heard: Jeannie Welch – 18730 Nautical Drive, spoke in opposition to the FY25 operating budget and recommended tax rate as she believed the Town would not be operating at a deficit. Finance Director Niswonger displayed the Fund Balance slide (Attachment 2) of the FY25 budget presentation and explained that the Town anticipates making a $72,000 contribution to fund balance at the end of FY25. 05/20/24 Regular Meeting Page 3  Lin Snowa – 9133 Robbins Preserve Road, read his statement (Attachment 3) of opposition to the proposed FY25 operating budget and tax rate. He urged the Board to consider keeping the public hearing open and deliberating on increasing the tax rate. There being no other comments, Mayor Washam called for a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Higgins seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Mayor Washam stated that he would entertain a motion to approve the FY25 budget and establish the tax rate. The Board thanked staff for their hard work in putting the budget together. Commissioners Johnson, Higgins and Carney expressed their appreciation for what it takes to put a budget together, as this was their first budget cycle. Commissioner Osborne suggested that quarterly updates on budget surplus be discussed to consider covering the cost of smaller projects. Commissioner Carney thanked Mr. Snowa for his comments and research throughout the budget cycle. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve Ordinance #2024-00856 approving the FY25 operating budget and keeping the tax rate 17.31 cents. Commissioner Higgins seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Ordinance #2024-00856 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. 9. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Investment Advisory Services Finance Director Niswonger explained that the Town submitted an RFP for investment advisory services and received three proposals. The Investment Advisory Committee met and interviewed two of the candidates and recommended Valley View Consulting, LLC as the investment advisor for the Town. Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve a contract with Valley View Consulting, LLC as presented. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5- 0. Commissioner Osborne stated that Valley View Consulting is a perfect fit for what Cornelius is looking for. B. Downtown Master Plan Consulting Contract Planning Director Burhans explained that the Town submitted an RFP for the development of a downtown master plan and received seven proposals. Interviews were conducted with the two finalists and Kimley-Horn was determined to be the most qualified. The contract amount of $159,200 includes a separate provision consisting of an additional $10,000 for coordination with CATS, NCDOT, and/or Norfolk Southern for plan elements on the Red 05/20/24 Regular Meeting Page 4  Line Study update, Main Street/Catawba Avenue pedestrian and bicycle crossing, and other improvements. Commissioner Sansbury asked if there was any chance of speeding the 12-month timeline up. Mr. Burhans explained that the Board will see active engagement/discussion throughout the project. Commissioner Johnson stated that much like the process used during the Land Use Plan update, citizen input is critical and should be part of the process. Mr. Burhans agreed and stated that citizen input will be implemented. Commissioner Higgins asked if there will be some type of coordination between this project and the Mills Market project. Mr. Burhans stated that Kimley-Horn will be provided with the Mills Market plans to use, as well as a stakeholder process for the area when considering transportation, land use and architecture. Commissioner Osborne stated that Kimley-Horn is a good fit for the project with their relevant and aspirational experience. Mayor Washam agreed and stated that the development of a plan has been a long time coming. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve a contract with Kimley-Horn in the amount of $159,200 and a separate provision consisting of $10,000 as presented. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. C. Revised NCDOT Municipal Agreement for Potts Roundabout (U-5873) Deputy Manager Herron explained that earlier in the year the Town received $4.7M from CRTPO in discretionary funding; however, they have reduced the allocation cost of the project which reduces the Town’s financial commitment. The $16.5M project estimate remains, but the previous Cornelius portion of $9.4M has been revised to $3.1M, which is the Town’s discretionary funding match. The reduction is not 1:1 due to the project also realizing cost savings from the combined bidding with Potts/Beatty/Sloan project in Davidson. The revised MOA also notes that the remaining allocation from CRTPO of $1.5M will be held for overages. If overages exceed this amount, Cornelius would be responsible for 100% of those costs. Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve the revised MOA with NCDOT as presented. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 10. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes - May 6th (Approved 5-0) B. Approve Closed Session Minutes - May 6th (Approved 5-0) Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 05/20/24 Regular Meeting Page 5 11. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS No concerns were raised. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35PM. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5- 0. Approved this 3rd day of June 2024. Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor ATTEST: Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 05/20/24 Regular Meeting Page 6 Attachment 1  FY 25 General Fund Budget - Attachment 2 Summary Recommended Property Tax Rate: 17.31 cents Total General Fund Budget Revenues = $36,531,149 Total General Fund Budget Expenditures = $40,601,436 Use of Fund Balance = ($4,070,287)* *Includes $4,143,000 of one-time expenditures funded by restricted & dedicated funding sources, such as State Grant funds, Stormwater funds, Asset Forfeiture funds, and Building Maintenance Reserve funds. *Net Contribution to Fund Balance = $72,713 Attachment 3