Legislative Session

LEGISLATIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 24, 2025 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Council Vice President Angela M. Blake, Councilwoman April R. Jackson, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory and Councilwoman Sharon C. Dashiell IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Randy Taylor, City Administrator Nick Rice, City Clerk Julie English, City Solicitor Ashley Bosche CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Legislative Session on November 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/PLEDGE Interim President Blake welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided the emergency exit instructions. She asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION - Rev. Howard Travers - Nu-Lyfe Church Reverend Howard Travers from Nu-Lyfe Church was called forward to provide the Invocation. PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA City Clerk Julie English presented the legislative agenda. Ms. Blake called for a motion and a second to adopt the legislative agenda as presented. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 4-0. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. Blake called for a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 4-0. • Meeting Minutes April 28, 2025 Budget Work Session June 9, 2025 Work Session June 16, 2025 Closed Session #1 June 16, 2025 Legislative Session June 16, 2025 Work Session June 16, 2025 Closed Session #2 July 14, 2025 Legislative Session July 14, 2025 Work Session AWARD OF BIDS Procurement Director Michael Lowe presented the Award of Bids. • Award of Bids ITB 26-106 Lot 16 Waterside Park Bathroom and Pavilion Construction ITB 26-114 Woodcock Park Playground Equipment and Renovations ITB 26-115 Motorola Radios ITB 26-116 AED Heart Monitors Michele R. Gregory motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 4-0. RESOLUTIONS Presented by Ms. English • Youth Development Advisory Committee Appointment Resolution No. 3434 - Appointment of Moses Nwakwuo to the Youth Development Advisory Committee for term ending November 2028. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 4-0. • Sustainability Advisory Committee Appointment Resolution No. 3435 - Appointment of Sarah Yamakawa to the Sustainability Advisory Committee for term ending November 2028. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 4-0. • Human Rights Advisory Committee Appointment Resolution No. 3436 - Appointment of Boni Rychener to the Human Rights Advisory Committee for term ending November 2028. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 4-0. PUBLIC HEARING Presented by Ms. Bosche Ms. Blake directed anyone wishing to comment during the public hearing to stand and be sworn in by the City Clerk. No members of the public were sworn in. • Charter Amendment - Updating the Procurement Department Chain of Command - 2nd Reading Resolution No. 2025-1 - To amend Article 16 of the City Charter to update the chain of command of the Director of Procurement. Ms. Blake opened the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. Having no comments, the hearing was closed at 6:16 p.m. April R. Jackson motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 4-0. • Charter Amendment - Clarification of City Administrator, Deputy City Administrator, and Assistant City Administrator Roles - 2nd Reading  Resolution No. 2025 -2 - To amend SC 4-1 of the charter of the City of Salisbury to update the powers and duties of City Administrator and Deputy Administrator Ms. Blake opened the public hearing at 6:17 p.m. Having no comments, the hearing was closed at 6:17 p.m. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 4-0. ORDINANCES Presented by Ms. Bosche • Schedule C Amendment of Ordinance 2935 (2nd reading) Ordinance No. 2963 - Amending the Schedule C included in Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Ordinance 2935 for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 4-0. • Budget Amendment for Additional funds for Waterside Park Project (2nd Reading) Ordinance No. 2964 - Authorizing a budget amendment for the Mayor to transfer $165,000 from surplus to provide additional support for the Waterside Park Project. April R. Jackson motioned and Sharon C. Dashiell seconded. The vote was 4-0. • Budget Amendment for additional funds for Elevated Water Tank Maintenance -1st Reading Ordinance No. 2965 - Approving a budget amendment to Water Sewer Capital Project Fund for funds for Elevated Water Tank Maintenance. Sharon C. Dashiell motioned and Michele R. Gregory seconded. The vote was 4-0. PUBLIC COMMENT The following public comments were heard: • Speaker #1 questioned plans for Black Lives Matter Boulevard and raised concerns about homelessness. • Speaker #2 opposed the labor code changes, stating it would undermine workers’ collective bargaining rights. • Speaker #3 supported collective bargaining rights and raised ethical concerns about council members. • Speaker #4 opposed the labor code amendment, saying it would weaken collective bargaining and worsen staff retention and morale. • Speaker #5 asked Council to reject the labor code proposal. • Speaker #6 recommended Council to keep the Housing First program. • Speaker #7 urged Council to reject changes that would weaken city workers’ collective bargaining and arbitration rights. • Speaker #8 asked Council to protect the Housing First Program and city workers’ bargaining rights. • Speaker #9 encouraged Council to prioritize sustainable housing for tenants, hold landlords accountable, and ensure safe places for people to live. • Speaker #10 stressed the importance of protecting the Housing First Program and the city workers’ bargaining rights. • Speaker #11 recommended preserving Housing First and protect city workers’ rights. • Speaker #12 encouraged the council to reject changes to the labor code, stressing that collective bargaining is essential to respect and retain city workers.  • Speaker #13 called on the council to protect workers’ collective bargaining rights and ensure landlords provide safe, decent housing. • Speaker #14 emphasized the need for better housing, protection for workers’ rights and suggested •• replacing speed bumps with cameras to improve safety and efficiency. • Speaker #15 shared her struggle with homelessness and urged the city to honor its promise of permanent supportive housing. • Speaker #16 highlighted that high rent and limited income make transitioning from homelessness impossible. • Speaker #17 voiced support for city workers’ rights and homeless programs, while criticizing council members for political attacks. • Speaker #18 spoke in support of housing programs, emphasizing the need for immediate action to help the homeless. • Speaker #19 opposed the labor code changes. • Speaker #20 recommended the council to set affordable housing requirements. • Speaker #21 noted that some labor code amendments make sense while others don’t and encouraged Council to evaluate each change individually rather than taking a yes-or-no approach. • Speaker #22 expressed strong support for city staff, noting the strain of working 40 hours in a 35-hour work week. He also called for attention to transportation issues. ADJOURNMENT/CONVENE INTO WORK SESSION The Legislative Session adjourned at 7:22 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President