Work Session

WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 27, 2025 PUBLIC OFFICIALS Present: Councilwoman April R. Jackson, Councilwoman Michele R. Gregory and Councilwoman Sharon C. Dashiell Absent: Council President D'Shawn M. Doughty and Council Vice President Angela M. Blake IN ATTENDANCE Mayor Randy Taylor, Assistant City Administrator Tom Stevenson, Finance Director Sandy Green, Water Works Director Cori Cameron, Council Intern Matt Wessel, City Clerk Julie English, City Solicitor Ashley Bosche CALL TO ORDER The City Council convened in Work Session on October 27, 2025 at 6:54 p.m. in the Government Office Building Council Chambers, Room 301, located at 125 N. Division Street. PRESENTATION Ms. Jackson called the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee forward to present their 2025 Annual Report. • Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee 2025 Annual Report Alexander McRae, Mary Buffington, Saraleigh Monroe and Tom Horton from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) presented its work advocating for safer bike and pedestrian infrastructure in Salisbury. The committee highlighted how improved infrastructure boosts safety, health, quality of life, property values, and local business activity. They discussed ghost bikes as safety awareness memorials and advertised the bike valet services that they host at local events. BPAC emphasized the need to connect existing infrastructure, improve problem intersections, and advance protected bike routes to encourage more people to walk and bike safely. Ms. Jackson thanked them for bringing their informative presentation to Council. ORDINANCE • Schedule C Amendment of Ordinance 2935 Ms. Green shared that the ordinance revised Schedule C of the FY26 budget to add previously omitted grants and their matching funds. There was no increase to the City’s required contribution and that the change allowed anticipated grants to be approved together. Council gave consensus to move forward with the ordinance. • Budget Amendment for Additional funds for Waterside Park Project  Ms. Green explained that an additional $165,000 was needed to complete a long-delayed Waterside Park project after construction bids exceeded the original budget. She noted that the added funds from surplus were needed to finish the project as designed. Council members expressed strong support and gave consensus to move forward with the ordinance. • Budget Amendment for Elevated Water Tank Maintenance Ms. Cameron reported that they needed an additional $75,000 to complete maintenance on the Salisbury University water tower after bids came in higher than expected. The added funding would allow the tank to be fully sandblasted and properly repainted so it would last long term. The funds would come from transferred lawsuit interest earnings. Council discussed concerns that Salisbury University was only contributing $15,000 for its logo on the tower while the City was covering roughly $400,000 of the total cost. Despite concerns, council reached consensus to move the ordinance forward. PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items Only) The following public comment was heard: • Speaker #1 thanked the council for questioning the water tower funding and noted that while Salisbury University benefits the city economically, it also relies on the water tower, making it reasonable to ask the university to contribute more to its upkeep. ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS Mayor Taylor clarified that the Housing First Program’s goal was to help more people transition into permanent housing without affecting current participants. COUNCIL COMMENTS Ms. Gregory highlighted the success of the annual Treat Street event downtown and commended the Jaycee’s for their hard work and community engagement. Ms. Dashiell provided updates on county and community events and acknowledged Pac 14’s extensive community service. She shared upcoming events including Halloween activities and a Down Syndrome walk. Ms. Jackson highlighted her involvement with the Vehicles for Change event, the Women 4 Women Domestic Violence Walk and the Relay for Life event. She shared her personal cancer survivor journey and emphasized ongoing efforts to improve Pemberton Manor. ADJOURNMENT The Work Session adjourned at 7:37 p.m. _________________________________ City Clerk _________________________________ Council President