Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS May 19, 2025 MINUTES PRE-MEETING - 5:00PM In the absence of Mayor Washam, Mayor Pro-tem Higgins called the pre-meeting to order at 5:03PM. All commissioners were present at the Pre-meeting.  Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(5) PID #003-177-15 Mayor Pro-tem Higgins called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to GS 143- 318.11(5) PID #003-177-15. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to go into Closed Session at 5:03PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Upon return from Closed Session at 6:03PM, the following item was discussed:  Agenda Review Manager Grant provided the Board with an overview of the 6PM agenda. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to adjourn the Pre-meeting at 6:06PM. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM 1. CALL TO ORDER In the absence of Mayor Washam, Mayor Pro-tem Higgins called the meeting to order at 6:12PM. 2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM All commissioners were present at the meeting. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Carney 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 Pro-tem Higgins led the pledge after a moment of silence was observed. 5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS Mayor Pro-tem invited the public to speak, and the following comments were heard: Julie Kelly – 8932 Deerland Court, Huntersville spoke to the Board about raising awareness on lung cancer and the importance of early detection. 05/19/25 Regular Meeting Page 1 6. REPORTS Commissioner Sansbury reported on the following: • Attended the Jazz Fest on May 17th at Smithfield Park. Mayor Pro-tem Higgin reported on the following: • Happy to see Legion Park playground open and residents enjoying it again. Manager Grant reported on the following: • On May 14th some staff and elected officials volunteered at Bags of Hope and assembled 192 bags of food that are provided to students in need of adequate nutrition over weekends. Parks Director Fitzsimmons reported on the following: • Cornelius Cardboard Boat Regatta was held on May 10th at Ramsey Creek Park (approx. 250 attendees). All proceeds benefited the Joshua Murray Boating Safety Center. • North Meck Farmer’s Market located behind Town Hall started on May 14th and will run through Sept. 24th on Wednesdays (9AM-12PM). • Jazz Festival was held on May 17th at Smithville Park (approx. 4250 attendees). • Memorial Day Program will be held at the Cain Center on May 26th (10AM-12:30PM) with keynote speaker Gold Star Mom Susan McClamrock. • Legion Park playground ribbon cutting was held on May 13th. Fire Chief Barbee reported on the following: • Newly hired firefighter Kevin McMahan started on Apr. 21st. • HASS Alert System is being integrated into vehicles. The collision prevention service enables the delivery of real-time alerts to North Carolina drivers when emergency services are active in the vicinity. The system will alert drivers as they approach an active scene with emergency vehicles and when a fire truck is in route to a call and approaching them from behind. • Lake Norman Public Safety Boat School was held on Apr. 2nd & 3rd at Blythe Landing with agencies around Lake Norman. • Chief McCormick and Captains Ranson, Ross and Slagle hosted a one-day class on vehicle extrication for CPCC paramedic students. 7. PRESENTATION A. Lake Norman Teen Council Volunteers Recognition Parks Director Fitzsimmons explained that in 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. The award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them. He introduced three Lake Norman Teen Council members Mokshitha Rao Peddola, Deetya Saravanan, and Pranavi Karamsetty who have earned gold level Presidential Service Awards. The three girls were presented their awards for providing over 100 volunteer hours in a school year and their dedication to community service. 05/19/25 Regular Meeting Page 2 8. PUBLIC HEARING A. FY2026 Operating Budget and Tax Rate Mayor Pro-tem Higgins called for a motion to continue the public hearing from May 5th. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to continue with the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Manager Grant gave an overview of the FY26 recommended budget. Mayor Pro-tem invited the public to speak, and the following speakers were heard: Lin Snowa – 9133 Robbins Preserve, expressed his opposition to the recommended budget as he believes services and operations should not be compromised by not adequately setting a tax rate to cover the costs of the much-needed services and operations. He urged the Board to consider his comments before adopting the FY26 operating budget with no tax increase. There being no further comments, Mayor Pro-tem Higgins called for a motion to continue the public hearing until June 2nd. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to continue the public hearing until June 2nd. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 9. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Cornelius-Huntersville Annexation Agreement Ordinance Mayor Pro-tem Higgins called for a motion to open the public hearing for the Annexation Agreement Ordinance. The public notice is attached hereto. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to open the public hearing. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Asst. Planning Director Cole explained that Mecklenburg County municipalities maintain designated Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) areas, which are unincorporated areas adjacent to the municipality that will likely annex into the municipality in the future. The Town of Cornelius and Huntersville previously entered into an annexation agreement in 1991 which was later amended in 1996 establishing a process that would ensure each community would not seek annexation of unincorporated properties within the other community's ETJ area. The new agreement will remain effective until 2045 (20-years) but can be terminated by either municipality at any time. The towns of Cornelius and Davidson will also move forward with adopting a new annexation agreement ordinance. Mayor Pro-tem Higgins invited the public to speak. There being no comments made, he called for a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve Annexation Agreement Ordinance #2025- 00873 between Cornelius and Huntersville as presented. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 05/19/25 Regular Meeting Page 3  Ordinance #2025-00873 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. 10. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Mecklenburg County Voluntary Agricultural District Deputy Manager Herron explained that the program will be administered through Mecklenburg County to allow active farms to voluntarily join. If the farm is located within the ETJ, no Town permission is needed, but if the farm is located within the corporate limits, State law requires that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County and the Town be in place. The MOU also allows the Town to have a seat on the Mecklenburg County Voluntary Agricultural District Advisory Board. Commissioner Johnson asked if there was a minimum lot size for farms to join. Erin Stanforth with Mecklenburg County stated that the minimum size is one acre. Commissioner Sansbury asked what the definition is for farming. Ms. Stanforth stated that the State mandates that a bonafide farm is defined as one that is growing or has some type of animal production happening with proof through tax forms and/or a forestry management plan. Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve a Voluntary Agricultural District Memorandum of Understanding as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. B. NCDOT Agreement Amendment for Hickory Street Intersection Deputy Manager Herron explained that the amended agreement from NCDOT for Hickory Street is to reflect the discretionary funding provided through CRTPO and the Town's current obligation for 50% match of those funds. The Town has already paid $494,151. The match for the discretionary funding is $1,121,357 which is due on October 1, 2025, and the funds have been proposed in the FY26 budget. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve the NCDOT agreement amendment for Hickory Street Intersection as presented. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 11. CONSENT AGENDA A. Tax Refunds = 205.19 (Approved 5-0) B. Approve Meeting Minutes – Feb. 6th and May 5th (Approved 5-0) C. Approve Closed Session Minutes – May 5th (Approved 5-0) Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 12. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS No concerns were expressed. 05/19/25 Regular Meeting Page 4 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Osborne made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:05PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5- 0. Approved this 2nd day of June 2025. ATTEST: Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 05/19/25 Regular Meeting Page 5