Board of Commissioners — Cornelius, NC
Date: 2026-04-23

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
 March 16, 2026
 MINUTES

PRE-MEETING - 4:45PM
Mayor Bilodeau called the Pre-meeting to order at 4:48PM.
  Agenda Review
 Manager Grant gave an overview of the 6PM agenda.

 The Board discussed Item 11A Eligibility Guidelines for Affordable Housing Funding at
 length and agreed that additional time was needed to determine the project clause addressing
 the “affordability term must be LIHTC compliant or at least 50 years in duration”. It was
 recommended that the item be pulled from the 6PM agenda.

  Introduction of Mental Health Clinician
 Chief Baucom introduced the new Mental Health Clinician Loleita Page and her supervisor
 Rebecca Peacock. Ms. Page gave a brief overview of how and in what capacity she is
 working with the police department to provide mental health services during 911-related
 calls.

  Commissioners Discussion
 Mayor Bilodeau opened the floor for discussion.

 Planning Director Burhans provided the Board with a recap of what has been heard by the
 public regarding the Downtown Master Plan, the project timeline to date, and suggested
 revisions to the plan.

 The Board discussed the suggested revisions and how to effectively get the revised plan out
 to the public for review before holding a new public hearing.

  Asset Forfeiture
 This item was moved to New Business during the 6PM meeting.

Commissioner Furcht made a motion to adjourn the Pre-meeting at 5:49PM. Commissioner Sansbury
seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM

1. CALL TO ORDER
 Mayor Bilodeau called the meeting to order at 6:03PM.

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


 03/16/26 Regular Meeting
 Page 1
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 Mayor Bilodeau requested the agenda be amended to remove Item 11A and add New Business
 Item 13A Asset Forfeiture from the Pre-meeting.

 Commissioner Osborne made a motion to amend and approve the agenda as requested by Mayor
 Bilodeau. 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. He recognized
 Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioner Chairman Mark Jerrell and Commissioner Leigh
 Altman who were present.

5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS
 Mayor Bilodeau invited the public to speak. Asst. Manager Beardsley called upon those who
 were signed up.

 Joe Steele – 20429 Church Street, expressed his concerns with a hole on Pecan Street that has
 been left by utility workers for months.

 Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioner Chairman Mark Jerrell and Commissioner Altman
 thanked the Town Board and management for their working relationship over the years and in the
 future.

 Nancy Archer – 21100 Catawba Avenue, explained that she and a neighbor have been measuring
 the widths of streets within the scope of the 2050 Downtown Master Plan and expressed concerns
 with negatively impacting homes that currently sit close to the roads to be widened.

6. TOWN RECOGNITIONS
 A. Mayor's Outstanding Citizen Award
 Mayor Bilodeau recognized Lin Snowa posthumously with the first Mayor’s Outstanding
 Citizen Award for the first quarter of 2026 and presented the award to Mrs. Snowa and
 family.

7. REPORTS
 Commissioner Osborne reported on the following:
 • MPTA is on track to implement the one cent sales tax effective July 1, 2026, as well as
 looking at ways to accelerate some milestones they have identified.

 Parks Director Fitzsimmons reported on the following:
 • 2,133 children have been registered for the 2026 Summer Camps.
 • Black History Month Celebration was held on Feb. 28th with approximately 85 attendees.
 • Dadgum! Get Outside and Play Day was held on Mar. 1st with approximately 75 attendees.
 • Senior BBQ & Bingo was held on Mar. 4th with approximately 39 attendees.
 • Middle School Hoop Dreams will be held Mar. 15th – Apr. 15th at Bailey Road Recreation
 Center ($26 resident/$35 non-resident).
 • Hop Into Spring will be held on Mar. 28th at Wilhelm Park (11AM-1PM).
 • Egg My Yard will be held Mar. 30th – Apr. 1st for Cornelius residents only (25 eggs for
 $15/50 eggs for $25).
 • Earth Jam will be held on Apr. 18th at Robbins Park (3PM-6PM).
 • Bailey Road Park multipurpose fields 1 & 2 turf replacement has been completed.
 03/16/26 Regular Meeting
 Page 2
 • A public input session will be held at Town Hall, Room 204 on Mar. 18th at 6PM to review
 and discuss options for the 37-acres (DRI property) that was recently acquired.

 Planning Director Burhans reported on the following:
 • Downtown Master Plan update schedule –
 o Late-March/early-April a revised draft of the plan according to the feedback
 received will be made available on the website for review.
 o Mid-April small group meeting will be held with citizen groups.
 o A community meeting will be scheduled sometime in May (notifications via
 USPS).
 o Early-Summer is anticipated for Town Board adoption.

8. TRANSPORTATION DISCUSSION
 Mayor Bilodeau opened the floor for transportation discussion.

 Deputy Manager Herron reported on the following:
 • Bailey Road Extension and roundabout at Poole Place – the bid was opened by NCDOT
 on Feb. 23rd, and the contract was awarded to Blythe Development for $7.8M. Work is
 anticipated to start within the next week and complete by Fall 2027.
 • Hickory Street/Hwy. 115 intersection – the bidding has been pushed back while the City of
 Charlotte reviews all rail crossings with Norfolk Southern. It is anticipated for bidding to
 occur in May, and the contract be awarded by the Board of Transportation in June.
 • Torrence Chapel Road – NCDOT awarded the contract to Blythe Development in 2025.
 Staff attended a pre-construction meeting with NCDOT, and the contractor and the
 following work schedules were outlined:
 o Construction work beginning on April 6th through the end of 2026
  Phase #1 – One Norman/Knox Road and some of the Torrence
 Chapel/Knox Road roundabout
  Phase #2 – work inside the roundabout at Torrence Chapel/Knox Road
  Phase #3 – Torrence Chapel Road in front of Fresh Market Shopping
 Center
 o Construction work to begin after January 1, 2027
  Phase #4 – Liverpool Parkway widening and roundabout in front of the post
 office
  Phase #5 - all West Catawba Avenue work (south lane to I-77, expansion
 lanes onto Liverpool Pkwy)
  Phase #6 – the resurfacing/paving of entire project
 o Most work will occur between 6PM-9AM
 o Day work will occur on Knox Road due to residential area
 o Chain of command communication has been established
 o Daily communication will occur with CPD
 o A community meeting will be scheduled to inform the public of project schedule

 Commissioner Furcht asked for a description of the Knox Road portion of the project. Deputy
 Manager Herron stated that it will include a small widening section, a crosswalk installed across
 from Aldi and a redo signal at One Norman that will include 2 left turning lanes onto West
 Catawba.



 03/16/26 Regular Meeting
 Page 3
 Commissioner Sansbury stated that if NCDOT can switch the work hours forward or back, they
 should not impact the peak traffic hours. Deputy Manager Herron stated that DOT will be
 avoiding any work in the travel lanes during rush hour traffic and then road work will occur 9PM-
 6AM.

 Commissioner Osborne asked if NCDOT provided staff with any updates to the Town/TAB top
 six priorities that were recently submitted. Deputy Manager Herron stated that staff is preparing a
 summary of the update that will be discussed at the April 6th Town Board meeting and April 7th
 TAB meeting.

 Commissioner Sansbury asked what the timeline for completion of the Potts Road roundabout
 was. Asst. Manager Beardsley stated 3-4 months is the anticipated time for completion.

 Commissioner Carney asked if there were any new updates on the West Catawba Avenue, Phase
 2 project. Deputy Manager Herron stated that NCDOT has told staff that they will let the Town
 know when all required right-of-way has been completed, but it is still on schedule for
 bidding/letting in December 2027.

9. PRESENTATIONS
 A. FY26 Support Grant Report - North Carolina Youth Orchestra (NCYO)
 April Dunn the NCYO Director of Finance provided the Board with an overview on how the
 FY26 support grant funds ($10K) were utilized. She explained that NCYO has 257 students
 enrolled, of that, 29 students are taking advantage of multiple programs that are offered and
 they have their first non-English speaking student from Japan. There are 31 different weekly
 classes offered, 3 side-by-side orchestra events (UNC Charlotte Orchestra, Orchestra of the
 Carolinas, Salisbury Symphony), different levels of instrument instruction, a new viola class,
 and a new youth choir program. The $10K grant support funds are 100% put into funding
 scholarships for Cornelius residents or students that are enrolled in Cornelius schools. The
 total scholarship impact for Cornelius is $19,360 ($7,200 Protégé Program, $6,300 full
 scholarship, $5,860 partial scholarship) for programs offered August through May, 3 days a
 week at Bailey Middle School. Ms. Dunn introduced NCYO’s newest board member,
 former Cornelius commissioner Dr. Scott Higgins, and thanked him for his passionate and
 growing support.

 The Board thanked Ms. Dunn for her presentation.

10. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
 A. Resolution Establishing a Housing Authority
 Mayor Bilodeau called for a motion to open the public hearing to establish a housing
 authority. The public notice is attached hereto.

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

 Deputy Manager Herron outlined the required Resolution necessary to establish a Town
 Housing Authority. In accordance with policy of the State and as a result of the findings of
 the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, the Town seeks to exercise its powers, duties and
 responsibilities of a housing authority as authorized by NCGS § 160D-1311(b) and Chapter
 157 of the North Carolina General Statutes to encourage and support the maintenance and
 creation of affordable housing options in Cornelius.
 03/16/26 Regular Meeting
 Page 4
 Mayor Bilodeau invited the public to speak. There being no comment, he called for a motion
 to close the public hearing.

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

 Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve Resolution #2026-01191 establishing a
 housing authority. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously,
 5-0.

 Resolution 2026-01191 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference.

11. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
 A. Eligibility Guidelines for Affordable Housing Funding
 This item was removed from the agenda.

 B. Code of Ordinances Amendment - Title 9, Chapter 92, Section 92.27(A) Expand
 Planning Director Burhans gave an overview of Chapter 92.27(A) of the noise ordinance and
 the desire to expand the definition of "designated areas" for places of public entertainment to
 include the Cain Center, the Cain Center Ceramic Studios, and the Mills Market
 development along the Catawba Avenue in downtown. He explained that the sites are all
 located in standalone Conditional Zoning districts and therefore exempt from the current list
 of designated areas. The expansion will apply the same noise standards to these sites as other
 entertainment-oriented uses.

 Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve Ordinance #2026-00902 amending Code
 of Ordinances, Title 9, Chapter 92, Section 92.27(A) as presented. Commissioner Johnson
 seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Ordinance #2026-00902 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference.

 C. Lake Norman Social District Amendment
 Planning Director Burhans explained that the proposed Ordinance amendment expands the
 boundaries of the social district to cover a larger portion of downtown Cornelius, including
 the Cain Center Pottery Studio, Mills Market development, and Oak Street Mill complex, as
 well as the live/work units along Catawba Avenue to accommodate current and future
 businesses that may be interested in obtaining an annual permit to serve in the district. The
 Operations and Maintenance Plan associated with the district will also be updated to reflect
 the new boundaries and permit requirements.

 Commissioner Furcht made a motion to approve an Ordinance #2026-00903 amending the
 Lake Norman Social District as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and
 it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 Ordinance #2026-00903 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference.




 03/16/26 Regular Meeting
 Page 5
 D. Federal Legislative Agenda
 Deputy Manager Herron gave an overview of the federal legislative agenda that was
 presented and discussed on March 2nd.

 Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve the 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda as
 presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 E. Operating and Lease Agreements with ElectriCities
 Manager Grant explained that effective July 1, 2026, the Town will have a new operating
 model for its electric utility. The Town staff will manage billing & collection functions and
 ElectriCities will continue to manage the line & service functions in the field. He outlined
 the revised operating and lease agreements between the Town and ElectriCities to facilitate
 the contractual relationship.

 Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve the operating and lease agreements with
 ElectriCities and provide the town manager and town attorney the authority to finalize the
 terms & conditions and execute the agreements. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the
 motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 F. Motorola Notice to Proceed
 Chief Baucom Chief Baucom presented a Notice to Proceed (NTP) between the Town and
 Motorola Solutions to purchase (2) console radios for the Cornelius Communications Center.
 The pricing is based on the established state contract. The total amount of this purchase is
 $176,585.53 which was an approved budget request for FY26 ($90,000 budgeted/$72,305.22
 in 911 funds/$14,280.31 will be paid with other existing funds). The NTP will secure pricing
 until the contract between the Town and Motorola Solutions can be reviewed and approved
 by the Board at a future meeting.

 Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve the Notice to Proceed with Motorola
 Solutions to purchase (2) console radios for the Communications Center in the amount of
 $176,585.53 and provide authority to the town manager and town attorney to finalize the
 terms & conditions and execute it. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it
 passed unanimously, 5-0.

12. CONSENT AGENDA
 A. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes - Mar. 2nd (Approved 5-0)
 B. Approve Closed Session Minutes - Mar. 2nd (Approved 5-0)

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

13. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS
 No concerns were raised.




 03/16/26 Regular Meeting
 Page 6
14. CLOSED SESSION
 A. Closed Session Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)
 Mayor Bilodeau called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-
 318.11(a)(3).

 Commissioner Johnson made a motion to go into Closed Session at 7:38PM. Commissioner
 Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0.

 The Board returned from Closed Session at 8:04PM.

15. ADJOURNMENT
 There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to adjourn the
 meeting at 8:04PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-
 0.

 Approved this 6th day of April 2026.



 ATTEST: Denis Bilodeau, Mayor


 Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk




 03/16/26 Regular Meeting
 Page 7
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 AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
 Account # Order Number Identiﬁcation Order PO Cols Depth

 IPL0319847 Legal Ad - IPL0319847 1.0 30.0L


ATTENTION: Lori Harrell North Carolina } ss
PO Box 399 Mecklenburg County }
Cornelius, NC 28031 Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said County and State, duly
lharrell@cornelius.org authorized to administer oaths affirmations, etc., personally appeared,
 being duly sworn or affirmed according to law, doth depose and say
 that he/she is a representative of The Charlotte Observer Publishing
 Company, a corporation organized and doing business under the laws
 of the State of North Carolina, and publishing a newspaper known as
 The Charlotte Observer in the city of Charlotte, County of Mecklenburg,
 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING and State of North Carolina and that as such he/she is familiar with
 the books, records, ﬁles, and business of said Corporation and by
 THE AUTHORITY OF NCGS reference to the ﬁles of said publication, the attached advertisement
 CHAPTER 157 TO was inserted. The following is correctly copied from the books and ﬁles
 of the aforesaid Corporation and Publication.
 THE BOARD OF COMMIS-
 SIONERS OF THE TOWN OF 1.0 insertion(s) published on:
 CORNELIUS 03/06/26 Print

A public hearing will be held to deter-
mine if the Board of Commissioners of
the Town of Cornelius shall choose to
exercise the powers, duties and re-
sponsibilities of a housing authority
as authorized by Chapter 157 of the Print Tearsheet Link
North Carolina General Statutes.
The public hearing will be held at 6pm Marketplace Link
in the Assembly Room at Town Hall on
Monday, March 16, 2026. All interest-
ed persons shall be heard and after Amanda Rodela
the hearing the Board of Commission-
ers shall determine whether there is Amanda Rodela
a lack of safe, sanitary housing units
available at rental rates affordable to
persons of low and moderate income Sherry J Chasteen
within the Town of Cornelius; as well
 Sworn to and subscribed before
as whether there is a lack of for-sale me on Mar 6, 2026, 10:01 AM EST
housing units available for purchase
by persons of low and moderate in-
come.
IPL0319847 Online Notary Public. This notarial act involved the use of online audio/video communication
 technology. Notarization facilitated by SIGNiX®

Mar 6 2026
 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING
 THE AUTHORITY OF NCGS
 CHAPTER 157 TO
 THE BOARD OF COMMIS-
 SIONERS OF THE TOWN OF
 CORNELIUS
A public hearing will be held to deter-
mine if the Board of Commissioners of
the Town of Cornelius shall choose to
exercise the powers, duties and re-
sponsibilities of a housing authority
as authorized by Chapter 157 of the
North Carolina General Statutes.
The public hearing will be held at 6pm
in the Assembly Room at Town Hall on
Monday, March 16, 2026. All interest-
ed persons shall be heard and after
the hearing the Board of Commission-
ers shall determine whether there is
a lack of safe, sanitary housing units
available at rental rates affordable to
persons of low and moderate income
within the Town of Cornelius; as well
as whether there is a lack of for-sale
housing units available for purchase
by persons of low and moderate in-
come.
IPL0319847
Mar 6 2026