Board of Commissioners
Regular MeetingCornelius, NC · November 27, 2024
Minutes
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
November 4, 2024
MINUTES
PRE-MEETING – 5:00PM
Agenda Review
Manager Grant gave an overview of the 6PM agenda items.
Downtown Master Plan Update
Kyle Baugh with Kimley-Horn gave an update on the master plan. He outlined the overall project
schedule, stakeholder and community engagements that have occurred, online survey results, and the
schedules for November and December.
Other Topics for Discussion
MEDIC – Manager Grant gave an overview of recent discussions with MEDIC regarding service-
related concerns. He noted that MEDIC leadership appears to understand the Town’s concerns and are
showing signs of being responsive.
REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Washam called the meeting to order at 6:07PM.
2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
A quorum was determined with Commissioners Higgins, Johnson and Sansbury present. Commissioners
Osborne and Carney were absent.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Sansbury
seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 3-0.
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, but there were no speakers.
6. REPORTS
Commissioner Sansbury thanked Parks Director Fitzsimmons and his department for their hard work in
getting the park bond information out to the community.
Chief Baucom reported on the following:
• Meritorious Conduct Awards – Sgt. Dietrich and Officer Ibarra
• Life-saving Awards – Officer Bennett and Officer Brinzey
• Chief’s Award – Sgt. Queen
• Employee of the Year 2024 – Officer Ibarra
11/04/24 Regular Meeting
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• Years of Service Awards
o Chief Baucom – 25 years
o Communications Supervisor Little - 20 years
o Officer Brinzey – 20 years
o Lt. Figaro – 15 years
o Cpl. Mutarelli – 5 years
o Cpl. Hicks – 5 years
o Officer Allen – 5 years
o Officer Tadlock - 5 years
Asst. Manager Beardsley reported on the following:
• Public Works – leaf collection started this morning.
• ElectriCities Substation – earth and foundation work has been completed; and substation framing
and structure construction bidding is underway.
7. PRESENTATIONS
A. FY24 Grant Final Report - Cain Center for the Arts
Executive Director, Justin Dionne presented FY24 final grant report that included: performances (49
performances with over 14,500 attendees); exhibitions (8 exhibitions with over 10,000 attendees);
arts education (classes and camps served 1,300); and community impacts (directly reached 2,300
Lake Norman residents). Mr. Dionne also provided their FY24 financial highlights.
Commissioner Higgins thanked the Cain Center for extending the arts experiences to the youth.
8. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
A. Grant Agreement - State Funding for Cornelius History Museum
Asst. Manager Beardsley explained that the Town received a $500K grant from the State for
renovations of the Agriculture Building at Cornelius Elementary that will be used for a history
museum. The non-profit Cornelius History Museum will be the sub-recipient of the funds. Staff has
worked with the Cornelius History Museum to develop a scope of work on how the funds will be
spent to remediate asbestos and lead paint, repair structural/foundation issues, upgrades to the
HVAC/electrical/plumbing, ADA accessibility, and the roof. The funds must be expended by June 30,
2026.
Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the Grant Agreement with the State and provide
authority to the Town Manager and Town Attorney to finalize the terms & conditions and execute it.
Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 3-0.
B. Sub-recipient Grant Agreement - State Funding for Cornelius History Museum
Asst. Manager Beardsley explained that the Sub-recipient Grant Agreement with Cornelius History
Museum is for $500K of grant funds received by the State that is designated for the renovation of the
Ag Building at Cornelius Elementary School. The funds will pass through the Town to the Cornelius
History Museum and will require documentation of completed work prior to transferring funds to the
Cornelius History Museum. The agreement outlines how the funds are to be used and grant reporting
requirements. Funds must be expended prior to June 30, 2026.
Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the Sub-recipient Grant Agreement with
Cornelius History Museum and provide authority to the Town Manager and Town Attorney to finalize
the terms & conditions and execute it. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed
unanimously, 3-0.
11/04/24 Regular Meeting
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C. Sub-recipient Monitoring Policy - Cornelius History Museum
Asst. Manager Beardsley explained that the Town needs to formalize processes and procedures when
the Town receives State grant funds that will go to a sub-recipient. These are instances where the
Town acts as a pass through for grant funds. The policy will be a standard policy, but it can be edited
for each sub-recipient. This policy will be applied for all sub-recipients to determine the risk of
noncompliance. The sub-recipient policy is being adopted for Cornelius History Museum, as the
Town will be passing through the State's $500K grant received for renovations of the Cornelius Ag
Building to the Cornelius History Museum. The policy ensures compliance with State grant audit
requirements and grant fund requirements.
Commissioner Johnson mad a motion to approve the Sub-recipient Monitoring Policy for Cornelius
History Museum as presented. Commissioner Higgins seconded the motion, and it passed
unanimously, 3-0.
D. Capital Project Ordinance - Bailey Road Park Tennis and Pickleball Complex
Finance Director Niswonger explained that the CPO amendment recognizes the transfer of $70K from
the General Fund and $250K in payment in lieu of funds into the Bailey Road Park Tennis and
Pickleball Complex Capital Project Fund. The total amount of this amendment is $320K and
majority of this amendment was budgeted as part of the FY25 budget.
Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve Capital Project Ordinance amendment #2024-
00866 for the Bailey Road Park Tennis and Pickleball Complex as presented. Commissioner Higgins
seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 3-0.
Ordinance #2024-00866 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve Minutes – 10/21/24 Regular Meeting (Approved 3-0)
Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner
Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 3-0.
10. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS
No concerns were raised.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to adjourn the meeting
at 6:43PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 3-0.
Approved this 18th day of November 2024.
Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk
11/04/24 Regular Meeting
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