Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS December 15, 2025 MINUTES PRE-MEETING - 4:00PM Mayor Bilodeau called the Pre-meeting to order at 4:07PM. Closed Session Pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(5) PID #007-531-01 Mayor Bilodeau called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to GS 143-318.11(5). Commissioner Johnson made a motion to go into Closed Session. Commissioner Furcht seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Upon return from Closed Session at 4:19PM, the following topics were discussed: Organizational Discussion Open Meetings Law – Attorney Wolter gave an overview of the open meetings law as a refresher for the Board. Budget Survey – Mayor Bilodeau suggested eliminating the 2nd phase of the budget survey and the Board consensus agreed, as well as reassessing the number of surveys the town is asking its citizens to participate in. Budget Process Discussion – Mayor Bilodeau kicked off the discussion regarding at what level the information should be presented to the Board. The Board discussed several options for consideration to improve the efficiency of time during the retreat, and to focus on strategic decisions. Manager Grant summarized how the FY27 budget could be presented by having more strategic planning time, establishing goals and strategies, such as, what do we mean by competitive salaries. Talk about why we want to do things, such as, NFPA standards, improve traffic. Establish some dollar amount thresholds for personnel and operating, and expenses that would require a tax increase. He said that he and staff will attempt to go lite on explanations and justifications. Mayor Bilodeau added that commissioners should let Manager Grant know what they would like to see included in the budget discussions prior to the retreat. FY27 Budget-NCDOT Partnership Projects Update Deputy Manager Herron gave an overview/update of the NCDOT intersection and roadway projects that are currently underway and those projected for the future. Commissioner Carney made a motion to adjourn the Pre-meeting at 5:46PM. Commissioner Furcht seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 12/15/25 Regular Meeting Page 1 REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bilodeau called the meeting to order at 6:00PM. 2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM All commissioners were present at the meeting. 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 Bilodeau led the pledge after a moment of silence was observed. 5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS Town Clerk Lori Harrell called on the following to speak: Jeff Purser – 21012 Decore Drive, requested that the Board consider reviewing and amending the Code of Ordinances as it references alarm permitting. Jack Higgins – 12219 Meetinghouse, invited the Board and their families to visit the Bailey’s Glen Clubhouse to see their Polar Express train display. He also requested that the Town ask Norfolk Southern to clean up along the tracks. Lindsey Seidman – 10210 Glenmeade Road, expressed concerns with the behavior of a group of kids on e-bikes harassing her and some of her neighbors. 6. REPORTS Commissioner Sansbury reported on the following: • A citizen has expressed concerns about the Town’s Code of Ordinances as it relates to noise, specifically barking dogs. Commissioner Johnson reported on the following: • She and Commissioner Furcht are participating in the candidate interviews for Planning Board appointments. Commissioner Osborne reported on the following: • He is participating in the candidate interviews for Transportation Advisory Board appointments. Commissioner Furcht reported on the following: • He is also participating in candidate interviews for Parks Commission appointments. • The 7th annual Lake Norman Lighted Christmas Boat Parade will be held on Dec. 20th and gift collections for children will benefit Little Smiles NC. Mayor Bilodeau reported on the following: • Announced that the 10U Lake Norman Giants won the Pop Warner National Championship football game against the Mt. Hope Cowboys of Rhode Island 20-0. • Announced that the Hough High School football team won its first 8A State Championship against the Millbrook Wildcats 21-0. 12/15/25 Regular Meeting Page 2  Parks Director Fitzsimmons reported on the following: • Part-time Program Assistant Suzanne Suttles retired on Nov. 19th with 19 years of service. • Newly hired Recreation Program Assistant Chase Sharpe joined the Parks Department on Dec. 8th. • The 14th annual Light Up Cornelius was held on Nov. 29th with 2,500 attendees. • Deck the Hall decorating contest submissions closed on Dec. 10th and the winner will be announced on Dec. 22nd. • Flashlight Candy Cane Dash will be held on Dec. 18th at Legion Park (5:30PM-7:00PM). • Puzzle Palooza will be held on Jan. 7th at Town Hall (5:30PM-8:00PM). • Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration will be held on Jan. 19th at the Cain Center (12:00PM-1:30PM). • Bailey Road Park turf replacement is underway. • The 18+ NC State Tennis Championship has been awarded to the USTA North Carolina team and LNTA has continued its momentum by earning the 2026 tournament location. Manager Grant reported on the following: • The first Cornelius 101 7-week program will begin on Feb. 10th. Applications are now being accepted through Jan. 20, 2026. 7. TRANSPORTATION DISCUSSION Mayor Bilodeau stated that this new agenda section will be part of all future agendas to discuss traffic control, bottle necks and ways to improve the road system performance throughout town. Commissioner Osborne gave an overview of what the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) will be focusing on. He explained that TAB is now tracking ideas and prioritizing a set of criteria that can have the most impact by addressing. There will be items that will fall under capital items and policy and safety categories that will then be presented to the Board for consideration, as well as NCDOT specific categories to be presented to CRTPO for higher level consideration. 8. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. TA 04-25 Sign Standards Mayor Bilodeau called for a motion to reconvene the public hearing for TA 04-25. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to reconvene the public hearing. Commissioner Furcht seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Planning Director Burhans stated that a public hearing was opened on November 17th and continued to this date to provide revisions related to the temporary construction fencing requirements. He gave an overview of the proposed text amendments to Land Development Code, Chapter 10 amendments to Chapters 2 (Definitions) and 3 (General Standards). The amendments will clarify existing standards related to quantity and illumination of building- mounted signage, create decision standards for administrative sign variances, reduce the number of sign illumination types allowed downtown along Catawba Avenue, allow both wall and blade types of signs in downtown along Catawba Avenue, as well as creating standards and additional allowances for temporary construction fence wraps. The amendments will improve the sign review and approval process, support existing and future businesses, and enhance the aesthetic character and visitors experience of downtown. 12/15/25 Regular Meeting Page 3  Mayor Bilodeau invited the public to speak. There being no speakers, he called for a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve Ordinance #2025-00892 amending the Land Development Code - Chapters 2, 3 and 10 as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Ordinance #2025-00892 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. Commissioner Furcht made a motion to approve Resolution #2025-01186 declaring TA 04- 25 is consistent with the Town’s Land Use Plan. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Resolution #2025-01186 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. 9. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Standing Committee Appointments Amendment Manager Grant explained that the appointments made on December 1st did not include the Lake Norman Transportation Commission appointments of Commissioner Carney and Deputy Manager Herron. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the amended Standing Committee appointments as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 10. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes - Dec. 1st Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Furcht seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 11. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS No concerns were expressed. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:40PM. Commissioner Furcht seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Approved this 5th day of January 2026. ATTEST: Denis Bilodeau, Mayor Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 12/15/25 Regular Meeting Page 4