Board of Commissioners — Cornelius, NC
Date: 2024-06-07

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
 May 20, 2024
 MINUTES


PRE-MEETING – 5:00PM
Mayor Washam called the Pre-meeting to order at 5:05PM with all commissioners present at the
meeting.

 Federal Lobbying Discussion
 Deputy Manager Herron gave a brief recap of the Board’s desire to have a lobbyist in
 Washington, DC that will advocate for Cornelius. The Ferguson Group (TFG) is an option to
 consider as the representative for Cornelius. TFG will shepherd any grants, direct spending
 requests, and keep the Board updated on federal programs that might be of interest to Cornelius.
 They cannot file or lobby for road projects based on the Federal government agreements with
 State’s DOTs. Staff’s recommendation is to enter into a $60K contract with TFG for one year
 and then evaluate their performance before renewing in FY26.

 Commissioner Higgins asked if Jennifer Imo will be the liaison for Cornelius. Deputy Manager
 Herron stated that she would be. Commissioner Osborne asked if Jennifer could provide
 examples of what she has done for other agencies. Deputy Manager Herron stated that he would
 ask her to do so. Commissioner Carney asked if she already has a good idea of what could
 benefit Cornelius. Deputy Manager Herron stated that she does and will provide that information
 after she meets with Manager Grant and department heads. Asst. Manager Beardsley stated that
 she will be beneficial in lobbying for the SAFR Grant that has just recently been submitted.

 Commissioner Carney asked how the Town can contract with a third-party group without going
 out for bids. Deputy Manager Herron stated that because this is a service it does not require the
 RFP process. Attorney Bringewatt stated that state statutes require bid proposals for goods and
 products.

 Commissioner Johnson asked if there is any conflict of interest with other municipalities. Deputy
 Manager Herron explained that every municipality have different interests so Jennifer did not feel
 there would be any conflicts of interest.

 The Board consensus was to move forward with a $60K contract with TFG.

 Appointment Policy Review
 Deputy Manager Herron gave an overview of the Town’s appointment policy for advisory boards
 and opened the floor up for discussion regarding the policy as it’s currently written and the
 feedback mentioned on having a 1-year “cool-off” period between serving on boards,
 notifications sent to the Board when interviews are held, and requiring resumes with applications
 in order to evaluation experience.

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 Commissioner Osborne stated that he did not see anything mentioned about the geographic
 location of applicants and asked if it should be included. Deputy Manager Herron explained that
 geographic locations have been used for several years; however, it has never been part of the
 policy because there have been occasions where there is little to no interest in serving equally in
 all areas of town. Mayor Washam asked what the possibility would be of indicating geographic
 location is a preference and not a requirement. Attorney Bringewatt explained that when a policy
 is adopted it should be followed until a different policy is adopted, so if the desire is to have
 flexibility, then establishing guidelines should be considered.

 Deputy Manager Herron stated that he will work with Attorney Bringewatt to draft non-binding
 guidelines to address the geographic location preference and 1-year “cool off” appointment
 consideration and then bring it back for further discussion and consideration.

 Agenda Review
 Deputy Manager Herron gave a brief overview of the 6:00PM agenda items. Commissioner
 Osborne requested that the Board receive updates on fund balance surplus throughout the year.
 Mayor Washam gave the Board a brief update on Red Line discussions.

There being no further business to discuss in the Pre-meeting, Commissioner Osborne made a motion
to adjourn the meeting at 5:59PM. Commissioner Johnson 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.

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner
 Higgins 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
 Mayor Washam invited the public to speak and the following concerns/comments were heard:

 Jeff DiCosmo – 17109 Morgan Evans, expressed his concerns with safety along the Bailey Road
 corridor identified on a map (Attachment 1) he provided. Deputy Manager Herron provided an
 update on the safety improvements that are being studied for the corridor.

6. REPORTS
 Mayor Washam reported that Cornelius has won the 2024 Mayors Fitness Challenge. He thanked
 everyone who participated in the health challenge.



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 Commissioner Osborne announced that the next TAB meeting will be held at Smithville Park on
 May 28th.

 Deputy Manager Herron reported on the following:
 • About Your Dollar – the online budget dashboard is live at www.cornelius.org/AYD.
 • Clean and Green – 930 pounds of trash was collected on Apr. 20th. There were 29
 participants, and 74 trees were donated to the Town.
 • Memorial Day Program will be held on May 27th (10AM-12PM) at the Cain Center.
 • Symphony in the Park will be held on June 22nd (6PM-10PM) at Bailey Road Park
 followed by fireworks.
 • NCDOT 2024 Helmet Grant was awarded to Cornelius. The Town will distribute 75
 helmets at various events (LKN Bike Expo, Bicycle Summer Camp, Bike to School Day).

 Asst. Manager Beardsley reported on the following:
 • Jetton Extension – the project is nearing completion with the installation of RRFBs and
 landscaping.
 • ElectriCities Substation – the grading and clearing for the new substation has begun. All
 materials and equipment have been ordered.
 • West Catawba crosswalks – Harborside/W. Catawba median and striping is being done
 this evening. Robbins Park/W. Catawba median and striping will begin next week
 followed by the installation of the RRFBs.
 • Smithville Community Coalition has scheduled a Smithville clean up on June 8th.

7. PRESENTATIONS
 A. Charlotte Water Update
 Charlotte Water Director Angela Charles presented the State of the Utility that included the
 FY23/FY24 accomplishments, an overview of the regional water and sewer system, fiscal
 statistics, the economic impact on the regional economy, emerging issues current/future, and
 community engagement.

 The Board thanked Ms. Charles for providing the update on Charlotte Water.

8. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
 A. FY2025 Operating Budget and Tax Rate
 Mayor Washam called for a motion to reconvene the public hearing from May 6th.

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

 Mayor Washam invited the public to speak and the following citizens were heard:

 Jeannie Welch – 18730 Nautical Drive, spoke in opposition to the FY25 operating budget
 and recommended tax rate as she believed the Town would not be operating at a deficit.
 Finance Director Niswonger displayed the Fund Balance slide (Attachment 2) of the FY25
 budget presentation and explained that the Town anticipates making a $72,000 contribution
 to fund balance at the end of FY25.



 05/20/24 Regular Meeting
 Page 3
 Lin Snowa – 9133 Robbins Preserve Road, read his statement (Attachment 3) of opposition
 to the proposed FY25 operating budget and tax rate. He urged the Board to consider keeping
 the public hearing open and deliberating on increasing the tax rate.

 There being no other comments, Mayor Washam called for a motion to close the public
 hearing.

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

 Mayor Washam stated that he would entertain a motion to approve the FY25 budget and
 establish the tax rate.

 The Board thanked staff for their hard work in putting the budget together. Commissioners
 Johnson, Higgins and Carney expressed their appreciation for what it takes to put a budget
 together, as this was their first budget cycle.

 Commissioner Osborne suggested that quarterly updates on budget surplus be discussed to
 consider covering the cost of smaller projects.

 Commissioner Carney thanked Mr. Snowa for his comments and research throughout the
 budget cycle.

 Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve Ordinance #2024-00856 approving the
 FY25 operating budget and keeping the tax rate 17.31 cents. Commissioner Higgins
 seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Ordinance #2024-00856 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference.

9. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
 A. Investment Advisory Services
 Finance Director Niswonger explained that the Town submitted an RFP for investment
 advisory services and received three proposals. The Investment Advisory Committee met and
 interviewed two of the candidates and recommended Valley View Consulting, LLC as the
 investment advisor for the Town.

 Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve a contract with Valley View Consulting,
 LLC as presented. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-
 0.

 Commissioner Osborne stated that Valley View Consulting is a perfect fit for what Cornelius
 is looking for.

 B. Downtown Master Plan Consulting Contract
 Planning Director Burhans explained that the Town submitted an RFP for the development of
 a downtown master plan and received seven proposals. Interviews were conducted with the
 two finalists and Kimley-Horn was determined to be the most qualified. The contract
 amount of $159,200 includes a separate provision consisting of an additional $10,000 for
 coordination with CATS, NCDOT, and/or Norfolk Southern for plan elements on the Red
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 Page 4
 Line Study update, Main Street/Catawba Avenue pedestrian and bicycle crossing, and other
 improvements.

 Commissioner Sansbury asked if there was any chance of speeding the 12-month timeline up.
 Mr. Burhans explained that the Board will see active engagement/discussion throughout the
 project.

 Commissioner Johnson stated that much like the process used during the Land Use Plan
 update, citizen input is critical and should be part of the process. Mr. Burhans agreed and
 stated that citizen input will be implemented.

 Commissioner Higgins asked if there will be some type of coordination between this project
 and the Mills Market project. Mr. Burhans stated that Kimley-Horn will be provided with the
 Mills Market plans to use, as well as a stakeholder process for the area when considering
 transportation, land use and architecture.

 Commissioner Osborne stated that Kimley-Horn is a good fit for the project with their
 relevant and aspirational experience. Mayor Washam agreed and stated that the development
 of a plan has been a long time coming.

 Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve a contract with Kimley-Horn in the
 amount of $159,200 and a separate provision consisting of $10,000 as presented.
 Commissioner Carney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 C. Revised NCDOT Municipal Agreement for Potts Roundabout (U-5873)
 Deputy Manager Herron explained that earlier in the year the Town received $4.7M from
 CRTPO in discretionary funding; however, they have reduced the allocation cost of the
 project which reduces the Town’s financial commitment. The $16.5M project estimate
 remains, but the previous Cornelius portion of $9.4M has been revised to $3.1M, which is the
 Town’s discretionary funding match. The reduction is not 1:1 due to the project also realizing
 cost savings from the combined bidding with Potts/Beatty/Sloan project in Davidson. The
 revised MOA also notes that the remaining allocation from CRTPO of $1.5M will be held for
 overages. If overages exceed this amount, Cornelius would be responsible for 100% of those
 costs.

 Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve the revised MOA with NCDOT as
 presented. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

10. CONSENT AGENDA
 A. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes - May 6th (Approved 5-0)
 B. Approve Closed Session Minutes - May 6th (Approved 5-0)

 Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
 Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-0.




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 Page 5
11. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS
 No concerns were raised.

12. ADJOURNMENT
 There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Johnson made a motion to adjourn the
 meeting at 7:35PM. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 5-
 0.

 Approved this 3rd day of June 2024.


 Woody Washam, Jr., Mayor
 ATTEST:


 Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk




 05/20/24 Regular Meeting
 Page 6
Attachment 1
 FY 25 General Fund Budget -
 Attachment 2




 Summary
Recommended Property Tax Rate: 17.31 cents

Total General Fund Budget Revenues = $36,531,149
Total General Fund Budget Expenditures = $40,601,436
Use of Fund Balance = ($4,070,287)*

*Includes $4,143,000 of one-time expenditures funded by
restricted & dedicated funding sources, such as State Grant
funds, Stormwater funds, Asset Forfeiture funds, and Building
Maintenance Reserve funds.

*Net Contribution to Fund Balance = $72,713
Attachment 3