Board of Commissioners — Cornelius, NC
Date: 2026-01-12

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
 December 15, 2025
 MINUTES


PRE-MEETING - 4:00PM
Mayor Bilodeau called the Pre-meeting to order at 4:07PM.
 Closed Session Pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(5) PID #007-531-01
 Mayor Bilodeau called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to GS 143-318.11(5).

 Commissioner Johnson made a motion to go into Closed Session. Commissioner Furcht
 seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Upon return from Closed Session at 4:19PM, the following topics were discussed:

 Organizational Discussion
 Open Meetings Law – Attorney Wolter gave an overview of the open meetings law as a refresher
 for the Board.

 Budget Survey – Mayor Bilodeau suggested eliminating the 2nd phase of the budget survey and
 the Board consensus agreed, as well as reassessing the number of surveys the town is asking its
 citizens to participate in.

 Budget Process Discussion – Mayor Bilodeau kicked off the discussion regarding at what level
 the information should be presented to the Board. The Board discussed several options for
 consideration to improve the efficiency of time during the retreat, and to focus on strategic
 decisions.

 Manager Grant summarized how the FY27 budget could be presented by having more strategic
 planning time, establishing goals and strategies, such as, what do we mean by competitive
 salaries. Talk about why we want to do things, such as, NFPA standards, improve traffic.
 Establish some dollar amount thresholds for personnel and operating, and expenses that would
 require a tax increase. He said that he and staff will attempt to go lite on explanations and
 justifications. Mayor Bilodeau added that commissioners should let Manager Grant know what
 they would like to see included in the budget discussions prior to the retreat.

 FY27 Budget-NCDOT Partnership Projects Update
 Deputy Manager Herron gave an overview/update of the NCDOT intersection and roadway
 projects that are currently underway and those projected for the future.

Commissioner Carney made a motion to adjourn the Pre-meeting at 5:46PM. Commissioner Furcht
seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.


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REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM

1. CALL TO ORDER
 Mayor Bilodeau called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.

2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
 All commissioners were present at the meeting.

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 Commissioner Sansbury 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 Bilodeau led the pledge after a moment of silence was observed.

5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS
 Town Clerk Lori Harrell called on the following to speak:

 Jeff Purser – 21012 Decore Drive, requested that the Board consider reviewing and amending the
 Code of Ordinances as it references alarm permitting.

 Jack Higgins – 12219 Meetinghouse, invited the Board and their families to visit the Bailey’s
 Glen Clubhouse to see their Polar Express train display. He also requested that the Town ask
 Norfolk Southern to clean up along the tracks.

 Lindsey Seidman – 10210 Glenmeade Road, expressed concerns with the behavior of a group of
 kids on e-bikes harassing her and some of her neighbors.

6. REPORTS
 Commissioner Sansbury reported on the following:
 • A citizen has expressed concerns about the Town’s Code of Ordinances as it relates to
 noise, specifically barking dogs.
 Commissioner Johnson reported on the following:
 • She and Commissioner Furcht are participating in the candidate interviews for Planning
 Board appointments.
 Commissioner Osborne reported on the following:
 • He is participating in the candidate interviews for Transportation Advisory Board
 appointments.
 Commissioner Furcht reported on the following:
 • He is also participating in candidate interviews for Parks Commission appointments.
 • The 7th annual Lake Norman Lighted Christmas Boat Parade will be held on Dec. 20th and
 gift collections for children will benefit Little Smiles NC.
 Mayor Bilodeau reported on the following:
 • Announced that the 10U Lake Norman Giants won the Pop Warner National
 Championship football game against the Mt. Hope Cowboys of Rhode Island 20-0.
 • Announced that the Hough High School football team won its first 8A State
 Championship against the Millbrook Wildcats 21-0.




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 Parks Director Fitzsimmons reported on the following:
 • Part-time Program Assistant Suzanne Suttles retired on Nov. 19th with 19 years of service.
 • Newly hired Recreation Program Assistant Chase Sharpe joined the Parks Department on
 Dec. 8th.
 • The 14th annual Light Up Cornelius was held on Nov. 29th with 2,500 attendees.
 • Deck the Hall decorating contest submissions closed on Dec. 10th and the winner will be
 announced on Dec. 22nd.
 • Flashlight Candy Cane Dash will be held on Dec. 18th at Legion Park (5:30PM-7:00PM).
 • Puzzle Palooza will be held on Jan. 7th at Town Hall (5:30PM-8:00PM).
 • Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration will be held on Jan. 19th at the Cain Center
 (12:00PM-1:30PM).
 • Bailey Road Park turf replacement is underway.
 • The 18+ NC State Tennis Championship has been awarded to the USTA North Carolina
 team and LNTA has continued its momentum by earning the 2026 tournament location.
 Manager Grant reported on the following:
 • The first Cornelius 101 7-week program will begin on Feb. 10th. Applications are now
 being accepted through Jan. 20, 2026.

7. TRANSPORTATION DISCUSSION
 Mayor Bilodeau stated that this new agenda section will be part of all future agendas to discuss
 traffic control, bottle necks and ways to improve the road system performance throughout town.

 Commissioner Osborne gave an overview of what the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) will
 be focusing on. He explained that TAB is now tracking ideas and prioritizing a set of criteria that
 can have the most impact by addressing. There will be items that will fall under capital items and
 policy and safety categories that will then be presented to the Board for consideration, as well as
 NCDOT specific categories to be presented to CRTPO for higher level consideration.

8. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
 A. TA 04-25 Sign Standards
 Mayor Bilodeau called for a motion to reconvene the public hearing for TA 04-25.

 Commissioner Osborne made a motion to reconvene the public hearing. Commissioner
 Furcht seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Planning Director Burhans stated that a public hearing was opened on November 17th and
 continued to this date to provide revisions related to the temporary construction fencing
 requirements. He gave an overview of the proposed text amendments to Land Development
 Code, Chapter 10 amendments to Chapters 2 (Definitions) and 3 (General Standards). The
 amendments will clarify existing standards related to quantity and illumination of building-
 mounted signage, create decision standards for administrative sign variances, reduce the
 number of sign illumination types allowed downtown along Catawba Avenue, allow both
 wall and blade types of signs in downtown along Catawba Avenue, as well as creating
 standards and additional allowances for temporary construction fence wraps. The
 amendments will improve the sign review and approval process, support existing and future
 businesses, and enhance the aesthetic character and visitors experience of downtown.




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 Mayor Bilodeau invited the public to speak. There being no speakers, he called for a motion
 to close the public hearing.

 Commissioner Johnson made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Sansbury
 seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve Ordinance #2025-00892 amending the
 Land Development Code - Chapters 2, 3 and 10 as presented. Commissioner Johnson
 seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Ordinance #2025-00892 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference.

 Commissioner Furcht made a motion to approve Resolution #2025-01186 declaring TA 04-
 25 is consistent with the Town’s Land Use Plan. Commissioner Johnson seconded the
 motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Resolution #2025-01186 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference.

9. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
 A. Standing Committee Appointments Amendment
 Manager Grant explained that the appointments made on December 1st did not include the
 Lake Norman Transportation Commission appointments of Commissioner Carney and
 Deputy Manager Herron.

 Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the amended Standing Committee
 appointments as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed
 unanimously, 5-0.

10. CONSENT AGENDA
 A. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes - Dec. 1st
 Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
 Commissioner Furcht seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

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 6:40PM. Commissioner Furcht seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Approved this 5th day of January 2026.



 ATTEST: Denis Bilodeau, Mayor


 Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk



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