Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS February 5, 2024 MINUTES PRE-MEETING - 4:30PM  Agenda Review Manager Grant gave an overview of the 6PM agenda items.  FY25 Budget Departmental Background Presentation - Fire and Human Resources HR Director Andrea Clemmer gave a presentation on recruitment and retention, the 2023 labor market, market studies, work cultures, and incentives/benefits that have significantly improved recruitment and retention. Chief Barbee gave an overview of the 2023 metrics report that included incident statistics (emergency call and property loss data), staffing data (overlapping calls/mutual aid data, staffing shortages/fatigue) and town population (age restricted development data). REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washam called the meeting to order at 06:11PM. 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 Washam led the pledge after a moment of silence was observed. 5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS Mayor Washam invited the public to speak. Bill Fountain – 20524 Deep Cove Court, expressed his concerns with CMS scholastics. Dee Rogers – 9233 Magnolia Estates Drive, expressed her concerns with the process for developments that are approved but do not get built for decades. She asked for additional information on the Nest Homes Villas currently being developed behind her neighborhood. 02/05/24 Regular Meeting Page 1 6. MAYOR/COMMISSIONERS/MANAGER REPORTS Commissioner Higgins reported on the following: • Attended the LDCAB meeting. • Attended the Chamber meeting featuring Senator Sawyer and Representative John Bradford discussions on legislation activity. • Met with Mayor Washam to discuss town priorities and projects. • Met with Fire Chief Barbee and Police Chief Baucom to learn about their operations and budget needs. • Met with Carroll Gray to discuss transportation funding options. • Welcomed a group during the Chamber networking at the 5th/3rd Bank. • Met with the Ada Jenkins Board and attended their fundraiser held at Peninsula Prime. • Met with the Cornelius Youth Orchestra group regarding their needs. • Attended the Coffee with the Cops event. • Held four citizen group meetings. • Attended the Legacy Art Center reception at the Cain Center. • Attended both meetings held at the Peninsula to discuss the lake algae problem. • Thanked Asst. Manager Beardsley and Katie DeMatthew for getting the sharrows done along Hwy. 115 and Catawba Avenue for cycling safety. Commissioner Carney reported on the following: • Met with Fire Chief Barbee and Police Chief Baucom to learn about their operations and budget needs. • Working on building and establishing a program of work for the Transportation Advisory Board to ensure that it works well with both LDCAB and Planning Board. Commissioner Osborne reported on the following: • Attended the CRTPO meeting on Jan. 17th and congratulated the new chairperson, Lisa Qualls from Mooresville. • Looking forward to streamlining the TAB process as it relates to other advisory boards and increasing citizen participation. • Chamber updates – Jeff Tarte will be the new Chamber chairperson; Diversity Luncheon- Black History Month will be held on Feb. 8th at the Ada Jenkins Center (12PM); WINS Women’s networking meeting will be held on Feb. 13th at H2 Public House (8AM); Business AfterHours-Cornerstone Caregiving will be held on Feb. 15th (5:30PM); Focus Friday-Focus on Town Hall will be held on Feb. 16th via Zoom (8:30AM); and the Chamber Annual Gala will be held on Mar. 21st at the Peninsula Club (6PM). Commissioner Sansbury reported on the following: • Parks update – Black History Month celebration will be held on Feb. 24th at the Cain Center (5:30PM). • Looking forward to the next Coffee Chat event featuring Deputy Manager Herron’s update on NCDOT road projects. • Encouraged participation in Part 2 of the budget survey. • Encouraged citizens to visit the Town’s new website. 02/05/24 Regular Meeting Page 2  Commissioner Johnson reported on the following: • Attended the LDCAB meeting held on Jan. 22nd. Staff gave presentations on underground utilities for new development, parking requirements for hospitality-related businesses, and sign lighting related to recent complaints. • VLN updates – attended the VLN Board meeting on Jan. 29th; the Court XIV Classic was held on Feb. 3rd at Hough High School; and the North Carolina Tennis State Championship is returning to the area and will be held June 13-16. • Attended the PDRC meeting to review Lightbridge Academy’s playground/fencing location, building placement/design, and traffic flow. • Centralina Council of Government orientation will be held on Feb. 6th and the first board meeting will be held on Feb. 21st. • Attended the Ada Jenkins Center fundraiser at Peninsula Prime. Manager Grant reported on the following: • FY25 Citizen Budget Survey is open until the end of February. The survey is available at www.cornelius.org. Preliminary results from Round 1 will be provided on Feb. 8th during the budget planning session. • County Career Expo will be held on Feb. 21st at the Harris Conference Center (10AM). Asst. Manager Beardsley reported on the following: • Leaf collection – Public Works have collected a total of 437 loads of leaves this season. • Bike and Ped Safety – added Sharrows on Main Street and Catawba Avenue and restriped the crosswalk at Westmoreland and Washam Potts. Mayor Washam reported on the following: • Attended the Mecklenburg County breakfast event with Commissioner Johnson on Jan. 25th. • Attended the reopening of Bin110 on Jan. 26th. • Attended the Cheers for Community fundraiser for Ada Jenkins on Feb. 1st. • Appointed to the Advance the Plan Committee for MTC. The first meeting will be held on Feb. 9th. • Cornelius Today Newsmakers breakfast will be held on Feb. 15th at the Peninsula Club featuring Downtown Redevelopment. • Chamber Focus Friday will be held on Feb. 16th and will feature the north Mecklenburg mayors. • The growth of blue-green algae in Lake Norman is raising concerns about its toxicity. Donations to treat the algae in April are being accepted. • Held one-on-one meetings with the Board and have enjoyed getting to know each of them better and discuss town priorities. 7. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION A. Employee Retirement Recognition Chief Baucom recognized Records Clerk Maribel Martinez for her 20 years of service with the police department and congratulated her on her recent retirement on December 28, 2023. The Board congratulated Ms. Martinez on her retirement. 02/05/24 Regular Meeting Page 3 8. MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS A. Black History Month In recognition of Black History Month, Mayor Washam read a Proclamation proclaiming February as Black History Month in Cornelius and presented it to members of the Smithville Community Coalition. 9. PUBLIC COMMENT A. FY25 Operating Budget Manager Grant explained that the FY25 budget preparation process has begun and as part of the process, citizens are given a formal opportunity to give their feedback at the beginning of the process prior to the development of the draft budget. Mayor Washam invited the public to speak. Lin Snowa – 9133 Robbins Preserve Road, read his feedback regarding the FY25 budget for the Board to consider during their deliberations (Attachment 1). 10. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Architecture Review Board (ARB) Appointments Planning Director Burhans gave an overview of the new ARB appointments for consideration and the recommendation to appoint Rick Kamakaris as the ARB chairperson for 2024. Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve the appointment of Rick Kamakaris as ARB chairperson and the appointments of Mary Phelan and Alan Goodwin. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. B. In-car and Body Worn Cameras - AXON Contracts Chief Baucom gave an overview of the contracts with AXON for in-car and body worn cameras that are in-line with other agencies in the county and will aid in the prosecutorial processes. Each 5-year contract will be for 14 in-car cameras ($20,003/year) and 14 body worn cameras ($43,591/year). Additional contracts will be presented each year until the transition is fully completed for the entire department. The cost of the two contracts are covered by the FY24 budget. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve two contracts with AXON as presented and authorize the Town Manager and Attorney to finalize the terms of the contract and execute it. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 11. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes – January 16th (Approved 5-0) B. Tax Refunds – totaling $659.56 (Approved 5-0) Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve the Consent Agendas as presented. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 02/05/24 Regular Meeting Page 4 12. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS A. Development Process Commissioner Osborne thanked citizen Dee Rogers for expressing her concerns about the project that was approved so long ago. It’s worth a conversation on what can and cannot be done for requiring things to be built in a certain timeframe. Manager Grant stated that staff can certainly consider different options; however, it would only apply to future projects during the consideration of approval process. Attorney Wolter stated that the town has flexibility when working with developers through the Conditional Zoning process, but developers will need to agree to any conditions applied to a development. B. Bailey Road Traffic Study Commissioner Sansbury inquired on the status of the study completion. Manager Grant stated that the study is underway and draft results are anticipated to be available in the next 30 days. C. Downtown Redevelopment Mayor Washam asked if there was a timeframe for the plan. Planning Director Burhans stated that the RFP went out at the end of January for the Downtown Master Plan. The proposals are due back on Mar. 1st. The scope of the work is to have the project completed within one year. D. Pedestrian Safety Commissioner Higgins stated that the Town needs to continue restriping crosswalks and installing pedestrian crossing beacons as identified and discussed for pedestrian safety. 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:11PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Approved this 19th day of February 2024. Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor ATTEST: Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 02/05/24 Regular Meeting Page 5  Attachment 1 February 5, 2024, Cornelius Town Board Meeting Lin Snowa, 9133 Robbins Preserve Road, Cornelius, NC Thank you for this opportunity to speak regarding the budget. The Town of Cornelius: 1. IS One of the largest towns and cities by population in North Carolina at # 32 out of 773.yy 2. IT Has the lowest tax rate of any town in Mecklenburg County. Thus providing a smaller revenue source to fund expected services of its residents. 3. How much lower? The Cornelius tax rate is 5 cents below the average of Mecklenburg County towns tax rates. 4. This represents 5 MILLION dollars of lost revenue per year. 5. The question is, HOW DOES CORNELIUS operate with low tax revenues and a high debt service of comparable towns? Where do the 5 MILLION dollars of cuts take place? a. Is it reduced STAFFING in Cornelius departments? b. Is it reduced COMPENSATION to town employees? c. Is it reduced or eliminated MAINTENANCE OF STREETS, PARKS, ETC.? d. Is it reduced IN SIZE and delays of actual CONSTUCTION PROJECTS, INCLUDING ROAD IMPROVEMENTS? e. Is it reduced saving of funds for future town needs? 6. Cornelius does many great things, but very clearly has many opportunities for improvement of the quality and quantity of services to Cornelius Citizens with an average tax rate. 7. What are just some of the signs of the lack of funds? a. There is NO road that goes across the town that has 4 lanes to handle traffic volumes. b. There is NO road that goes across the town that has curbs and gutters along the entire length. c. Road and Crosswalk markings are generally worn out and thus less effective. d. A number Street lights on main roads like Catawba Avenue and Main Street, as well as other areas, are not working to provide pedestrian, bike, and driver safety, as well as to deter criminal activity. 02/05/24 Regular Meeting Page 6  e. Road intersections are marked by debris and dirt ruts in the turn areas at the edges of the paved areas and along some narrow roads that lack shoulders. f. Cornelius has over 108 miles of non-system roads that the state provides $958,229.89 for their maintenance and construction (including sidewalks). Cornelius plans on averaging repaving 5 miles every 2 years. OR any given road ONCE EVERY 43.2 YEARS, unless local tax revenues are also used. No surprise of the road conditions. g. Years ago, Cornelius, following a study, decided to STAFF and CONVERT THE current volunteer, highly experienced FIRE DEPARTMENT to a paid full-time town employee department to meet the growing town requirements. What year is the goal to accomplish this staffing to a level to respond to a small house fire? What do the reports show about the progress to date? h. According to published reports, A recent house basement fire required alerting: BOTH Cornelius Fire Stations, plus the Davidson Fire Department, plus the Huntersville Fire Department, plus an Iredell County Fire Department, plus a Lincoln County Fire Department, for staffing. Clearly Cornelius, along with other fire area departments have a hiring need for more firefighters on duty 24/7. 8. I could go on and on, but I’m out of time. Thank you for your attention. 02/05/24 Regular Meeting Page 7