Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS December 2, 2024 MINUTES PRE-MEETING – 4:30PM Mayor Washam called the pre-meeting to order at 4:37PM. Agenda Review Manager Grant provided a review of the 6PM agenda items. QRV Discussion Manager Grant gave a brief overview on the CPSM recommendation made in 2019 to place a QVR in service to handle EMS calls. He also stated that while the Transition Plan accounts for this, upon further review he does not recommend the Town implement a QRV, as it will not bring the desired benefits and will actually cost the Town more to implement. Chief Barbee presented the EMS call volumes of 2022 through 2024; QRV cost analysis; the net cost vs. cost savings; the negative effect on departmental culture and employee morale; and the benefits of adding a 5th firefighter to each station vs. staffing two QRVs. After discussion, the Board consensus was to agree with Manager Grant’s recommendation. Pre-Budget Discussion - NCDOT Road Projects Update Deputy Manager Herron gave an update on the following road projects: • C-5621 Catawba/US 21 Dual Roundabouts Removes all left turns at the intersection of Catawba/US 21; current NCDOT STIP budget is $19.7M; the MOA states that the Town is responsible for all costs exceeding the STIP budget ($2.3M in FY 26); and the project is currently under construction. • U-5873 NC 115/Potts Roundabout The current NCDOT STIP Budget is $13.1M; the current NCDOT estimate is $16.5M; the Town has previously paid $780K; the Town is responsible for $2.3M in FY26 after discretionary funding from CRTPO; and the project is currently under construction. • U-5108 Northcross Drive Extension The current NCDOT STIP budget is $24.8M; the updated cost estimate is $27.8M; the Town has previously paid $2.5M; the Town is responsible for $2.9M in FY26 after discretionary funding from CRTPO; and the project is currently under construction. • C-5613J Hickory Street Signal The current NCDOT STIP budget is $1.5M; the updated cost estimate is $4.2M; the Town has previously paid $405K; the Town is responsible for $1.1M in FY26 after discretionary funding from CRTPO; a revised MOA from NCDOT is expected soon; project bidding is expected any day; and construction is expected to begin Apr. 2025. 12/2/24 Regular Meeting Page 1  • U-5906 Torrence Chapel The current NCDOT STIP budget is $17.3M; the current NCDOT estimate is $32.3M; the Town received discretionary funding from CRTPO, and the current remaining obligation is $7.7M due in FY27; utility relocations schedule is 2024-2025; and the contract let date for construction is Dec. 2025. • Bailey Road Extension The current NCDOT STIP budget is $18.7M; the MOA states that the Town is responsible for 51% of all costs ($11.9M due in FY27); project bidding is expected to occur in Spring 2026; and construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026. • R-2555b West Catawba Widening The current NCDOT STIP budget is $28.7M; the updated cost estimate is $33.7M; the MOA states that the Town is responsible for $1.2M as an original contribution and all costs exceeding the STIP budget will be the responsibility of the Town $3.7M; and construction is expected in March 2026. • U-5767 US 21 Widening The updated cost estimate is $70.7M; the Town’s obligation for betterments is $1.7M; and the let for construction is March 2026. • U-6171 Bailey Road Flyover The updated cost estimate is $10.4M; the Town’s obligation for betterments is $1M; and there is no schedule available for this project. • I-77 Shoulder Lanes No updates are available. • Hwy. 73 Widening The R-5721B Beatties Ford to West Catawba (2026) and all three segments of Highway 73 is set to begin in 2026. Other Topics of Discussion Manager Grant gave an overview of an updated version (relative to the NCDOT road projects) of the FY25 CIP and fund balance breakdown. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to adjourn the pre-meeting at 6:00PM. Commissioner Carney 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 6:11PM. 2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM All commissioners were present at the meeting. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Osborne 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. 12/2/24 Regular Meeting Page 2 5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS Mayor Washam invited the public to speak, and the following comments were heard. Colin Furcht – 19709 Schooner Drive, shared that the Lake Norman Lighted Christmas Boat Parade will be held on Dec. 21st starting at Blythe Landing and ending at the Duke Energy Explorium. The event benefits Little Smiles non-profit organization that works with Children’s Hospitals across the area to see that every child in their care receives a toy. 6. REPORTS Chief Barbee reported on the following: • Crews participated in live fire training in Harrisburg (Oct. 15-19). • Crews participated in multi-department live fire training at Gaston Community College (Oct. 28-30). • Recognized the following firefighters who traveled to Western NC to assist with Hurricane Helene relief: o Deputy Chief Tom Cichocki – deployed as a Swiftwater Rescue Technician o Captain Mel Kelly – deployed as a bulldozer operator two weeks after Helene. o Lt. Ashton Chaney – deployed with the Mount Holly Fire Department as part of a structural firefighting task force o FF Daniel Forrest – deployed with the Davie County Swiftwater Rescue o FF Chris Craven – deployed as a four-person Incident Management Team member with the North Carolina Office of Emergency Management o FF Jason Fistick – deployed with the Allen Fire Department as part of the structural firefighting task force o FF Bradley Hinton – deployed by NC Emergency Management ESF2- Communications as part of the State Emergency Response Team Asst. Manager Beardsley reported on the following: • Benji the Town’s new A.I. search tool is live on www.cornelius.org. The A.I. tool was named after Joseph Benjamin Cornelius, the Town’s namesake. • RRFB crosswalk lights – staff installed flashing beacons at Torrence Chapel Park and Hwy. 115/Legion Street. Meridian/Catawba will also have a RRFB installed. Mayor Washam reported on the following: • Mailers to all residents have been mailed and includes two QR Codes (Town newsletter and annual budget survey). He encouraged all residents to scan both QR codes to stay informed and provide input on how the Town should spend tax dollars. 7. CITIZEN RECOGNITION A. Yay!Day! Foundation - Zoey Boukedes Chief Baucom introduced Zoey Boukedes the founder of Yay!Day! Foundation. He explained that Zoey used her foundation to organize a fundraiser to support the families of the fallen officers of April 29th and raised $20,000. She then gave $4K to each of the four families and presented a $4K check to the Cornelius Police Department. Mayor Washam thanked Zoey for her foundation’s support. 12/2/24 Regular Meeting Page 3 8. PRESENTATIONS A. 2025 North Carolina Legislative Agenda Manager Grant introduced the draft 2025 State Legislative Agenda for discussion. Commissioner Sansbury suggested a format change. Commissioner Johnson asked that the West Catawba Ph2 widening project be listed as a top priority and show how long the project has been on the books. Commissioner Osborne suggested that the Lake Norman Chamber review the agenda list prior to releasing their own list. B. RAISE Planning Grant Application Deputy Manager Herron presented a federal grant application opportunity brought forth by The Ferguson Group for funding Exit 27 as recommended by USDOT. It was recommended by USDOT that the Town and Atrium utilize the services of Kimley-Horn (KH) to request the RAISE Planning Grant as they have been involved with Exit 27 since the days of Augusta Lee. Kimley-Horn has quoted a price of $69,500 to prepare the RAISE Planning Grant application and Atrium has agreed to split the cost with the Town ($34,750). KH is also recommending a 30% match to help the project’s scoring. This would mean a match of $1.4M to $2M and Atrium has also agreed to cover half of the match, meaning the Town may be committing to $700K to $1M in match funds. The deadline for filing the application is January 30, 2025; therefore, Manager Grant has recommended that: 1. The Town enters into a cost sharing agreement with Atrium for the grant application preparation. 2. Town enters into an agreement with KH for the grant application preparation. 3. Designate General Fund fund balance for the Town’s share of the 30% match (up to $1.4M with contingency). The Board supported moving forward with the grant application process. Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve Manager Grant’s three recommendations as presented. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 9. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Establish 2025 Town Board Meetings Town Clerk Lori Harrell explained that to be in compliance with the State Statutes the Board must annually establish the time and place for its regular meetings. The Resolution for consideration is setting the 2025 Board of Commissioners regular meetings. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve Resolution #2024-01157 establishing the 2025 Board of Commissioners meeting calendar. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Resolution #2024-01157 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. B. Federal Legislative Agenda Deputy Manager Herron gave an overview of the Federal Legislative agenda that was presented by The Ferguson Group on November 18th. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the Federal Legislative agenda as presented. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 12/2/24 Regular Meeting Page 4  C. Resolution Certifying and Declaring Results of Special Bond Referendum Finance Director Niswonger presented the final process for the 2024 Park Bonds Referendum and explained that the Board needs to approve a Resolution certifying and declaring the Board of Election’s results from November 5th. Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve Resolution #2024-01158 certifying and declaring the results of the Special Bond Referendum. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Resolution #2024-01158 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. D. Contract to Purchase – Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Asst. Manager Beardsley explained that Cornelius Fire Department is currently using Self- Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA) that are 10 years old and are reaching the end of their useful life and reliability issues will become more prevalent. The Town received pricing from Rhinehart Fire Service through the NC Sheriff's Association cooperative for $560,299.70. The capital purchase was approved in the FY25 budget and includes: 52 new breathing packs; 90 air cylinders; 100 Kevlar head-nets (holds breathing mask to a firefighter's head); and 7 RIT Paks (rapid intervention kits for downed firefighters). Delivery is expected around May 2025. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve a contract amount of $560,299.70 with Rhinehart Fire Service and authorize the Town Manager and Attorney to finalize the terms and conditions before executing the contract. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0 E. Motorola Solutions Contract Chief Baucom presented a contract between the Town and Motorola Solutions to purchase forty (40) new handheld radios for the police department. The total amount of the purchase is $266,747.77 and is based on the established pricing in North Carolina State Contract. The purchase was approved in the FY25 budget. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve a contract with Motorola Solutions in the amount of $266,747.77 and authorize the Town Manager and Attorney to finalize the terms and conditions before executing the contract. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 10. CONSENT AGENDA A. NCDOT ROW Maintenance Abandonment and ROW Maintenance Acceptance Resolution #2024-01159 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. (Approved 5-0) B. Approve Closed Session Minutes - Nov. 18th (Approved 5-0) th C. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes - Nov. 18 (Approved 5-0) Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Higgins seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 12/2/24 Regular Meeting Page 5 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 7:55PM. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Approved this 16th day of December 2024. Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor ATTEST: Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 12/2/24 Regular Meeting Page 6