Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS June 17, 2024 MINUTES Mayor Washam called the workshop and pre-meeting to order at 3:08PM. WORKSHOP - 3:00PM  Downtown Master Plan (DMP) Workshop Planning Director Burhans introduced Kyle Baugh of Kimley-Horn who then introduced Steve Blakely, Laura Reid, Sharon Ventura, Katie Noel, Jessica Rossi and Dan Ford. Kyle, Jessica and Dan presented various downtowns on picture boards for the Board to evaluate and identify their priorities and vision for the Cornelius DMP. Discussion amongst the Town Board occurred regarding many elements of a successful downtown. PRE-MEETING - 5:00PM  Agenda Review Manager Grant gave an overview of the 6PM agenda and highlighted the Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement.  CALEA On-Site Assessment for 2024 Reaccreditation Police Chief Baucom introduced the CALEA Assessor Dr. Warren Headrick. Dr. Headrick gave an overview of the CALEA accreditations standards and shared with the Board his experience in law enforcement and as an assessor for CALEA.  Historic Preservation Committee Update Planning Director Burhans explained that the HPC is interested in transitioning their meetings to an as-needed basis, as well as becoming a subcommittee of the Cornelius History Museum to advise them on technical items and support the Meck. County Historic Landmarks Commission. He stated that he would keep the Board up to date in the process. The Board consensus was to dissolve the HPC and allow the committee to work with the Cornelius History Museum as stated. Commissioner Carney made a motion to adjourn the workshop and pre-meeting at 5:54PM. Commissioner Osborne 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 6:06PM. 2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM All commissioners were present at the meeting. 06/17/24 Regular Meeting Page 1 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson 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 No concerns or comments were made. 6. REPORTS Parks Director Fitzsimmons reported on the following: • Jazz Festival has been rescheduled to Aug. 24th (5PM-9PM) at Smithville Park. • Memorial Day program held on May 27th at the Cain Center had approximately 300 attendees. • Symphony in the Park and fireworks will be held on June 22nd (6PM-10PM) at Bailey Road Park. Asst. Manager Beardsley reported on the following: • Jetton Extension ribbon cutting will be held on July 12th (10AM) at the new parking lot across from the LKN Chamber office. • West Catawba crosswalk improvements have been completed and are fully functional. 7. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Park Bonds - Potential Projects Parks Director Fitzsimmons presented the justification and potential capital projects for the $20M 2024 GO Bond Referendum that included park land acquisition/open space preservation, greenway development, park improvements for JV Washam Elementary School, and park developments at Bailey Road Park court complex phase 2, as well as Robbins Park. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve the potential projects for the 2024 park bonds referendum as presented. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. B. Amendment to FY24 Annual Support Grant to Lake Norman Community Development Corporation (LNCDC) Deputy Manager Herron explained that the original agreement of $70K was to focus on rental assistance and at this time, $32,448 remains available. The LNCDC would like to expand the potential uses of the funding to include down payment assistance, critical home repair and transitional housing. Their primary focus moving forward will be on down payment assistance, but LNCDC does not want to preclude a request in any of the four housing categories. The new deadline of the remaining funding would extend to June 30, 2025, and LNCDC will provide a mid-year update on the program status in January 2025. 06/17/24 Regular Meeting Page 2  Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the amendment to the LNCDC Annual Support Agreement as presented. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. C. First Amendment to the Management Services Agreement for Senior Rent Assistance Program Deputy Manager Herron explained that the Town adopted a Management Services Agreement with the Lake Norman Community Development Corporation (LNCDC) for FY24 in the amount of $50,000 for senior rent assistance and at this time, $7,531 remains. LNCDC is requesting the Town allow these remaining funds to be utilized for any other housing program being provided by the LNCDC that include general rental assistance, down payment assistance, transitional housing and critical home repair. The new deadline for the remaining funding would extend to June 30, 2025, and LNCDC will provide a mid-year report in January 2025. Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve the amendment to the LNCDC Management Services Agreement as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. D. Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission Interlocal Agreement and Fee Proposal Deputy Manager Herron explained that the Town Board has expressed interest in rejoining the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission (LNTC). Town staff has worked with LNTC staff to prepare the interlocal agreement that includes the Towns of Cornelius and Huntersville. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by all current LNTC member organizations that include the Towns of Mooresville, Davidson, and Troutman; the City of Statesville; and Iredell County. The agreement states that each entity shall have two official members, which will be the Mayor and Manager, but each has the right to delegate their duties. Mayor Washam has delegated Commissioner Carney and Manager Grant has delegated Deputy Manager Herron to be the official members. The proposed fee structure will be as follows: • Iredell County $10,000.00 • Town of Mooresville $15,390.12 • City of Statesville $8,363.00 • Town of Davidson $4,330.99 • Town of Troutman $1,296.13 • Town of Cornelius $8,922.33 • Town of Huntersville $17,447.42 Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve the LNTC Interlocal Agreement and membership fee of $8,922.33. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. E. Support Grant Agreement with Ada Jenkins Center Commissioner Higgins requested that he be recused from this item as he serves on the Ada Jenkins Board. 06/17/24 Regular Meeting Page 3  Commissioner Osborne made a motion to recuse Commissioner Higgins from Item 7E. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 4-0. Deputy Manager Herron explained that Ada Jenkins applied for a FY25 Support Grant. Upon review by the Grant Committee review and recommendation made to the Town Board, a $23K support grant has been awarded to Ada Jenkins for FY25. Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve the FY25 Support Grant Agreement with Ada Jenkins for $23K. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion and it passed unanimously 4-0. F. FY25 Budget Amendment - Ada Jenkins Town Support Grant Commissioner Higgins requested that he be recused from this item as he serves on the Ada Jenkins Board. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to recuse Commissioner Higgins from Item 7F. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 4-0. Finance Director Niswonger explained that the FY25 budget amendment is to recognize the $23K approved funding for the Ada Jenkins Center. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve Ordinance #2024-00857 allocating the $23K support grant for Ada Jenkins. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 4-0. Ordinance #2024-00857 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. G. FY25 Fee Schedule Finance Director Niswonger gave an overview of the proposed fees schedule changes. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the FY25 Fees Schedule as presented. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5- 0. H. Award Vehicle Installment Financing Finance Director Niswonger explained that the Finance Department opened bids on May 21st to finance public safety vehicles that were approved in the FY24 budget. The response from First National Bank was the low bid with a term of 3 years at 4.78% and no prepayment penalty on a principal amount of $670K. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the bid and authorizing terms, approve installment financing and security agreement, and approve Resolution #2024- 01139 approving financing terms with First National Bank authorizing the Town Manager, Finance Director and Attorney to finalize terms and conditions and execute the documents. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Resolution #2024-01139 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. 06/17/24 Regular Meeting Page 4 I. FY24 Operating Budget Amendment Finance Director Niswonger gave an overview of the final FY24 budget amendment allocating $35K for the Downtown Master Plan and a transfer of $150K to the Stream Restoration Capital Project Fund. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve Ordinance #2024-00858 amending the FY24 budget allocating General Funds of $35K for the Downtown Master Plan and a transfer of $150K to the Stream Restoration Capital Project Fund. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Ordinance #2024-00858 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. J. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment- Willow Pond Stream Restoration Project and Other Stream Restoration Projects Finance Director Niswonger explained that the capital project ordinance amendment transfers $150K from the General Fund to the Stream Restoration Project Fund to be used for design and property acquisition of the Dana's Branch stream restoration project because the project is planned to cross multiple fiscal years. It also recognizes a $50K grant from NC DEQ 319. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve Capital Project Ordinance #2024- 00859 amending the Stream Restoration Project Fund by $150K from the General Fund and recognize $50K received from a NC DEQ319 Grant. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Ordinance #2024-00859 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. K. Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement Manager Grant explained that in 1999, the original interlocal agreement governing the county-wide public transit operations was executed between the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the six municipalities of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville. He gave an overview of the revised interlocal agreement that will extend until June 30, 2034. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve Resolution #2024-01140 amending and restating the Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement and authorizing the Town Manager and Attorney to finalize the terms and conditions at execute it. Commissioner Higgins seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Resolution #2024-01140 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. L. Appointment to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Community Capital & Bond Committee Manager Grant explained that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is merging its Bond Oversight Committee and MEAC Committee into the Community Capital & Bond Committee to ensure capital projects match the priorities described in the 2023 school bond referendum and the CMS Board approved Capital Improvement Plan. The committee will make recommendations to the Superintendent and Board of Education on process, priorities, and capital projects, and facilitate the exchange of information 06/17/24 Regular Meeting Page 5  provided to the public in coordination with the Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner Sansbury served as the Cornelius appointee to MEAC and will serve as the Town’s appointee to the Community Capital & Bond Committee. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the appointment of Commissioner Sansbury to the CMS Community Capital and Bond Committee. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Operating Budget Support Grant Agreement with Cain Center for the Arts - $411K B. Support Grant Agreement with Senior Community Connections - $5K C. Support Grant Agreement with Bags of Hope - $19K D. Support Grant Agreement with Cornelius Youth Orchestra - $3K E. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes - June 3rd F. Approve Closed Session Minutes - June 3rd Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 9. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS No concerns were expressed. 10. CLOSED SESSION A. Closed Session Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3) Mayor Washam called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143- 318.11(a)(3). Commissioner Higgins made a motion to go into Closed Session at 6:51PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 11. ADJOURNMENT Upon return from Closed Session and there being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Osborne made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Approved this 15th day of July 2024. ATTEST: Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 06/17/24 Regular Meeting Page 6