Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS September 15, 2025 MINUTES PRE-MEETING - 4:30PM Mayor Washam called the Pre-meeting to order at 4:36PM. All commissioners were present at the pre- meeting.  Closed Session Pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(3) Mayor Washam called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143- 318.11(3). Commissioner Osborne made a motion to go into Closed Session. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Upon return from Closed Session at 5:06PM the Board and staff discussed school traffic queueing concerns along Bailey Road. Staff stated that they are evaluating more options but cannot say at this time how feasible they will be. Staff is also evaluating the pros/cons of taking over this section of Bailey Road. The following topics were also discussed:  Agenda Review Manager Grant provided the Board with an overview of the 6PM agenda. Commissioner Carney made a motion to adjourn the Pre-meeting at 5:56PM. Commissioner Higgins 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 6:08PM. 2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM All commissioners were present at the meeting. Commissioner Sansbury was excused from the meeting at 6:39PM. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Sansbury 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 No concerns/comments were expressed. 09/15/25 Regular Meeting Page 1 6. REPORTS Parks Director Fitzsimmons reported on the following: • Congratulations to Michael Wolf on his promotion from Special Events Manager to Recreation Superintendent. • 9/11 anniversary ceremony was held on Sept. 11th at Fire Station #1 with 100 attendees. • Festival of Cultures was held on Sept. 13th at Cain Park with 500 attendees. • North Meck Farmers’ Market will be held on Wednesdays through Oct. 8th behind Town Hall. • BBQ & Bingo will be held on Sept. 17th at Town Hall (11AM-1PM). • Lake Norman Empowerment Festival will be held on Sept. 20th at Smithville Park (5PM- 9PM). • ‘Tawba Walk Arts & Musical Festival will be held on Sept. 27th at Town Hall and Oak Street Mill (2PM-8PM). • 25th annual All American Dog Show will be held on Sept. 28th at Robbins Park (2PM- 5PM). • Halloween House Decorating Contest begins Oct. 1st-14th with voting to be held on Oct. 21st-27th. • National Night Out (rescheduled) will be held on Oct. 7th at Town Hall (5:30PM-7:30PM). • 13th annual Laketoberfest will be held on Oct. 11th at Bailey Road Park (4PM-9PM). • Halloween Treat Trail will be held on Oct. 25th at Bailey Road Park (5:30PM-8:00PM). • Bailey Road Park Court Complex – pickleball court area dedication ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 27th, and the tennis court area dedication ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 21st. Manager Grant spoke about the recent passing of CPD Officer Gabriel Stainback during a bicycle ride with his wife on Saturday in Concord. He thanked the local agencies that have stepped up in support of his family, CPD and the Cornelius community and asked that everyone keep Officer Stainback’s family, friends and CPD family in their prayers as they are all mourning his loss. 7. MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS A. Constitution Week 2025 Mayor Washam recognized Sept. 17th – 23rd as Constitution Week for 2025. He then presented a Proclamation to Fran Conard a member of the Alexandriana Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. 8. PRESENTATIONS A. CMS Update CMS Board Representative Melissa Easley presented the 2024-25 end of year student achievement results. She highlighted the mission, district goals, core beliefs, vision and guardrails for CMS. The CMS schools outperformed North Carolina in overall grade level proficiency with increases in reading and math grades. She presented the results on growth, school performance grades, school designations, the state accountability for grade level proficiency, school growth, school performance grades, and school designations, as well as areas of focus for the 2025-26 school year. She also stated that the current plan is for the rebuilt Cornelius Elementary School to open in 2030. 09/15/25 Regular Meeting Page 2  B. Charlotte Water Update Charlotte Water Director Angela Charles presented a State of the Utility briefing that included FY25 statistics, FY26 operating budget, FY2026-30 capital investment program, the economic impact on the region, FY25 rate comparison, FY25 accomplishments, emerging issues and looking ahead. Commissioner Higgins congratulated Ms. Charles on their innovative efforts. Mayor Washam thanked CLT Water for being an economic driver in job creation. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Golf Carts and all other Personal Conveyance Vehicles (PCV) Deputy Manager Herron presented the current Ordinance disposition on golf carts, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc. on town roads. He then provided an overview of each mode of transportation and staff recommendations for these modes on roads, sidewalks and greenways. Deputy Manager Herron asked the Board if this is the right direction for considering an amendment to the Code of Ordinances. Mayor Washam asked what neighboring towns are doing with these situations and should Cornelius be coordinating with them. The Board discussed the recent safety issues that have been reported and said this is the right direction in moving forward. 10. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Fire Station 2 Roof Replacement Contract Asst. Manager Beardsley explained that the Town received six (6) bids for a full roof replacement at Fire Station #2 on August 28, 2025. Davco Roofing and Sheet Metal, LLC. was the lowest bidder at $244,800. Work will begin in October and is anticipated to be completed by the end of December 2025. Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve a contract with Davco Roofing and Sheet Metal, LLC for $244,800 and authorized the town manager and attorney to finalize the terms and conditions and execute the contract. Commissioner Higgins seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. 11. CONSENT AGENDA A. Participation in the National Opioids Secondary Manufacturers Settlement (Approved 4-0) B. Approve Closed Session Minutes - Sept. 2nd (Approved 4-0) nd C. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes - Sept. 2 (Approved 4-0) Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. 12. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS Commissioner Osborne expressed his appreciation with Constitution Week and somewhat the irony of it. We are celebrating the rule of law and individual rights and there is always some discussion on what individual rights are, but essentially, he believes that one person’s rights ends where another person begins. When we say that we have individual rights in America, it’s not just from government it’s from individuals as well. Individuals are not allowed to stop someone from expressing their individual right, but when somebody that’s an elected official or in a position of 09/15/25 Regular Meeting Page 3  power or influence espouses ideas that are contrary to these beliefs that were just talked about, then he does have a problem with it, especially as an elected official. He does not feel comfortable with them representing us or having them as our representatives. In short, he has lost all confidence in anybody that would espouse such things especially if it impacts our children. 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:29PM. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 4-0. Approved this 6th day of October 2025. ATTEST: Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 09/15/25 Regular Meeting Page 4