STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF MCDOWELL CITY OF MARION  The City Council for the City ofN Marion met inl Regular Session on' Tuesday evening, June 4, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the Marion Community Building, located at 191 North Main Street in Marion. BOARDI MEMBERSPRESENT: Mayor Stephen Little, Mayor Pro Tem Woody Ayers, Council OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Boyette, City Manager; Heather Cotton, Planning and! Development Director; Brant Sikes, Public Works Director; Jim Isaacs, Assistant Finance Director; Katie. Reid, Assistant to Manager/City Clerk; Allen Lawrence, Police Chief; Freddie Killough, Marion Business Association Executive Director; Natalie Bell, Marion Business Association Events GUESTS PRESENT: Joneric Bruner, Bigfoot 911; Steve Bush, Acting Chair, Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail; Kim Effler, McDowell Chamber ofCommerce President; Becky Poteat Cooper, North Main Street; Rick Cooper, Nebo; Dustin Poteat, Morganton; Susie Bruckman, Whispering Pine Drive, Marion; Cheryl Saylor, Old Fort; Tiffany Ferguson, Welborn Drive, Marion; Deb Ferguson, Nix Church Road, Marion; Chris and Amber Weaver, Morganton; and! Doug and Debbie CONSENT AGENDA: Upon ai motion by Council Member Effler, seconded by Council Member Ramsey, all Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:  Members Billy Martin, Ann Harkey, Chet Effler, and Don Ramsey.  Coordinator; Mike Conley, Reporter, McDowell News.  Watson, South Main Street.  A. Approval of the May 21, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes B. Approval of July 4th Celebration Fireworks Council approved the July 4th Celebration Fireworks show to take place on the evening ofThursday, July 4, 2024 at the McDowell County Recreation Department Property on West Court Street.  C.A Adoption ofInternal Control Policy D. Approval of] Budget Ordinance Amendment    Internal Control Policy  CITY OF MARION Effective June 4, 2024  Section 1. Introduction  The City of Marion recognizes that, as stewards of the City's assets, City officials have the fiduciary responsibility toj put inj place internal controls designed to safeguard the assets of the City and ensure accountability. While iti isi important to be as efficient as possible, the dutyto anaeBpmedna The Cityv willfollowt thel Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act which outlines proper procedures for budgeting, managing. and disbursing, and accounting for public funds. The City has set forth the following internal control procedures to ensure compliance with all applicablel laws and regulations. Internal control means aj process, affected by an entity'ss governing! board, management, and other personnel designed to help protect assets, ensure accountability, and provide reasonable assurance regardingt the achievement ofc objectives int the following categories:  Section 2. Internal Controls Defined  Reliability oft financial reporting. Effectiveness and efficiency of operations, and Compliance with applicable laws andi regulations. end, helpst to ensure that assets are: safeguarded. Section 3. Reliability of Financial Reporting  Thes segregation ofd duties, where no one person handles anyt transaction from beginningt to City management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements ina accordance with accounting principles generally acceptedi int the United States ofAmerica, andf fort the design, implementation, andr maintenance ofinternal control relevant to the preparation. and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether duet to fraud or error. Management! hasl both a legal andj professional responsibility to be sure that the information is fairly prepared. Information concerning the operations and financial condition oft the unit mustb be accurate inc order tol be useful. Section 4. Effectiveness and Efficiency of Operations Controls within the City organization: are meant to encourage efficient and effective use ofits resources, including personnel, to optimize the City organization's goals. Good internal controls should also provide for a more streamlined operational system. Unnecessary duplication of effort or inefficient processing of work can be detected by a good internal Physical assets of ane entity can be stolen, misused, or accidentally destroyed unless they are protected by adequate controls. The same is true in other assets, such as cash, accounts receivable, records, tax: scrolls, journals and otheri important documents.  control: system.  2    Internal Controll Policy  CITY OF MARION Effective June 4, 2024  Safeguarding information: stored electronically has also become increasingly important. The increase ine electronic transactions: and' electronic: access" isi requiringi increased security for For units ofl local government, a good system ofi internal controls should identify applicable laws and regulations and provide reasonable assurance that the local government complies witht thosel laws and regulations." Thesel laws includei thel Local Government: Budget and! Fiscal Control Act, (G.S.159). others general statutes, ands grant agreements applicable tol local units Adequate segregation ofc duties reduces the opportunities for someone tol bei ina aj position to both commit and hide errors ori irregularities in their duties. Generally, thisi is achieved by dividing the responsibilities of authorizing transactions, recording transactions, and maintaining custody of assets between staff members. The City organization strives tot take  electronic information resources.  Section! 5. Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations  ofgovernment.  Section 6. Segregation ofl Duties  the necessary precautions in ordert to adequately protecti its assets.  Internal Control int the Accounting System: Budget and Fiscal Control. Act. ledgers. balances. balanced.  The City maintains an accounting system accordingt to the! N. C.I Local Government Allg general ledger accounts are reconciled monthly and match the subsidiary Thel Finance Director provides the City Manager with a monthly financial report showing alll budget revenues and expenditures alongy with cash and investment Allj journals, ledgers and other accounting records are kept up-to-date and The Utility Collections and Tax Departments receive all payments, (e. Utility Payments, taxy payments, building permits, reentry permits, parking tickets, etc.) and records allj payments int the computer system. Collection drawers arel balanced daily and moneyi iss sent tot thel bank for deposit. Collection batches are updated: and importedt to the General Ledger. The Finance Director updates the cash receipts batches buti is not involved int the actual posting of cash transactions. The Accounting' Technician handles all: mail and distributes ita accordingly. Mailed inj payments are taken to City Hall Annex and given tot the Collections Department to ber recorded. The Accounting" Technician takes deposits tot the bank daily, and returns the validated deposit tickets to City Hall Annex. Bank deposits are made daily in accordance with NCGS 159-32, unless the amount Bank statements are received fromt thel bank monthly and are reconciled by the Assistant Finance Director, whot then makes any adjustments and/orj journal entries  Isl lesst than $250.00 that are required.  3    Internal Control Policy  CITY OF MARION Effective] June 4, 2024  Journal entries are approved byt the Finance Director and properly supported with documentation. All subsidiary records are periodically reconciled tot the control accounts. Journal entries entered byt the Finance Director are reviewed and The City ofMarion develops and approves an annual budget accordingt tol NCGS 159-13. Thel budget shows in detail the revenues and expenditures tot fund the Allr minutes ofthes governing body are approved byt the Board of Commissioners All funds remaining unclaimed are escheated tot the State: as required by N.C.G.S. Alle employees whol handle] public money or have access toi inventories are bonded undera a blanketl bond. Thel Finance Directori isb bonded: as required under NCGS 159- Records filing, retention, and disposal policies are in compliance with! Public A complete schedule ofi insurance coverage andl limits are maintained: showing expiration dates, premiums, co-insurance clauses and other essential information. The Finance Director maintains alli insurance schedules andt they are reviewed * Allt taxes are levied within: statutory limitations and for the purposes permittedl by . Taxes receivable are reconciled: monthlyt tot the control accounts. Thet tax scrolli is adequately maintained: andl balanced tot the control accounts. - Allr releases, refunds and write-offs oftaxes are authorized by the City Council and - All discoveries are properly recorded as part ofthe current levy. - Allu uncollected taxes more than tenj years old are written off, unless collections procedures are underway. The City participates int the NC League of Municipalities' debts setoff collection program, andi may utilize this program to collect unpaid taxes AllI Invoices are distributed tot the Accounting" Technician via mail or email. After Review the invoices are distributed through interoffice mail tot thea appropriate Department for approval and returnedt tot the Accounting" Technician for entryi into Expenditures are controlled usingt the budget ordinance. Alle expenditures havea sufficient budgeted revenue or available fundl balance to cover the expenditure. * Alll budget appropriations. int the currenty year are recorded int the appropriate Alle expenditures are charged against an: appropriation account.  approved by the Assistant! Finance Director. Internal Control Procedures General and Statutory  operations ofthe City. 116B.  and! become permanent records oft the City.  29: andt the Tax Collectori is bonded under NCGS 105-349.  RecordsLaw.  periodicallyl by the City Manager. Internal Control Procedures for Tax Collections thel North Carolina General Statutes. recordedi int the minutes.  and /or otherf fees and charges. Internal Controli in Cash Disbursements /Accounts Payable  aweekly checkl batch. expenditure. account.  4    Internal Control Policy  CITY OFI MARION Effective June 4,2024  All accounts payable arei reconciled to the general ledger on ar monthly basis. Alla adjustments are fully documented. Thel Department Head, or ani individual thatl has been selected by the Department Head, approves alli invoices before payment is made. The Accounting' Technician prepares all check disbursements. The City Manager, Finance Director, and Assistant Finance Director are signers of the disbursement checks, no electronic signatures are used. The Mayori is also authorized to sign disbursement checks as well. Pre-numbered checks are usedf for all cash disbursements. Voided checks are marked' "VOID" across thef face oft the checks sot that no one can use them. Voided checks are maintained ont file ini numerical order. Blank checks are never signed in advance. Check signers review documentation supporting the disbursements prior to  Allo checksl have properly signed pre-audit certificates (NCGS 159-28) stamped on . Priort tor making disbursements to a vendor, the City requires the necessary IRS  All wire transfers are madel byt the Financel Director: andi reviewed by the City The department head must: approve all requests for travel reimbursement: for an employee along with supporting documentation. The City Manager approves all * An individual seeking employment with the City will complete an application  All positions willl have aj job description outlining his/her responsibilities along  signing the checks. the face oft the check. Two signatures are required on all checks. Form 10991 information. Manager.  travel requests for department heads. Internal Controll Procedures Specifict tol Payroll Disbursements which willl bel kept onf file with the City Clerk. witht the following: o Hiring Authorization oS Salaryl history o All: salary amounts are approved byt the City Manager o Hours authorized to work oFederal and State withholding forms. oHealth Insurance and Retirement deduction information. OA Authorization for all other payroll deductions. * Any changesi in an employee's status: should be supported byt the appropriate documentation int the employees' personnel file. Payroll checks arel handled like other cash disbursements exceptt that at time sheet ord cards signed by the employee anda approved byt the appropriate supervisor willl be supporting documentation for disbursement. All payrolly payments are made by direct deposit tot the employee's chosen bank  account.  5    Internal Control Policy  CITY OF MARION Effective June 4,2024  Payroll checks for employees are processed byt thel Human Resources Administrator using thei information obtained fromt the supervisor. Payroll checks are signed byt the City Manager, Finance Director, or Assistant Finance Director." The Mayori is also authorized to sign payroll checks as well. The City maintains and official Personnel Policy that was adopted by the City Council and The City's department! heads, and theirs selected staff are authorized to purchase smalli itemsl lesst than $500 without: aj purchase order. Purchases less than $500 are not required tos submit competitive price quotes, however, City staffi is encouraged All purchases of$500 or more must! be made with the use ofap purchase order/ requisition andf follow thej procedure and guidelines int the City of Marion's Purchasing Policy: and Procedures manual adopted byt the City Councili in October 2017. Alll Purchase order requests must! bes submitted toi the Finance Director either through interoffice mail ore emaill by the Department Head or aj person properly designated by the Department Head. Internal Control Procedures! for Investment Management Alli investments are made ino compliance withl NCGS 159-30. The Finance Officer shalll ber responsible for the investment ofi idle funds. Thel Finance Officer maintains sufficient funds int the City's checking accountt to Thei majority oft funds arei invested int thel N.C. Capital Management Trust Fund.. A maximum of2 20% ofthe City's cash balance mayl bei investedi ina ai federally insured Certificate ofl Deposit with al maturity date nol longer than one year. No other  amended: from time tot time. Internal Control Procedures for Purchasing  tol be economicali in all smaller purchasing decisions.  meet current liabilities. investments are authorized.    Internal Control Policy  CITY OF MARION Effective June 4, 2024  Section 10. Adoption and Effective Date  This policy has been adopted by City Council and replaces any and all travel related policies previously adopted by City Council or the City Manager. This policyi ise effective beginningand shall be in full force and effect until such time asi iti is amended or repealed. ADOPTED BY the Marion City Council this the 4th day ofj June, 2024  RR 7v Stephen R. LitHe,Mayor  ATTEST:  Rc  Katelyn N. Reid, Assistant to Manager/City Clerk Policy Number: P-24-06-04-1  SEAL N CAROLE  7    GOsMwOKMOMmKcNsNA 2023-20245 BUDGET ORDINANCE MhAmendment  Bessinus fyun  DecNse assal ws 2A1s eaieinsiaderaial uaEeaGamtivud 54491 TAAN sys  1042A97XE JAVes. 1051-cd AtANNCARDREMAS cApalChlar 1GCADBADC 106669450 31-25A-0CWP FaiBsace MafenGhihie les SALAZAR ElOulia Piohsigasirer 30417-1900 MERDPpnse somssse pplehReNSE 308164109 SReS 1-4730  medDlipayeran bhigaasts 4269 taneitsituigatisw S6TH MS 1875 3315 inresefcots DRGD wawraaaN jonedrats 587  eoFNegIoE WATRANDS WIR  fapensas Expsniitures  1540 (83 19,450 762SAA S. REDO 49455430 63K414, #1S9. gpaaon 16060V 163000 1,30300 Zaxs $ S60 35000 184.00 s IAM.30A $ SArosos 8X323 AMese  30371-0K04 #A31-0EWA Mlerlays MmcsatRAwwN 57,561 43,831 64,043 55,643  RMD  GAPHALE RFRVERVND  eversns Bapenlityias Beltionz ayasimssthsgatm.se eVAshiasiabw -ARe  7-191-3980 aowamiwarTw 43823 84 $.87 aue  TY OR  0  CITIZEN OF THE MONTH - BECKY POTEAT  Council Member Harkey announced the June Citizen of the Month as Becky Poteat. Council Member Harkey explained how Ms. Poteat spent twenty years working in the banking industry for Asheville Savings Bank while. also obtaining multiple titles and additional licenses before opening her own business in 1999 here in Marion. Ms. Poteat was praised by City Council for constantly supporting the City of Marion at her business, and for her great contributions to the City. Mayor Little presented Ms. Poteat with a certificate and commemorative mug while her friends  and family offered more praise and kind words.  8    UPDATE AND RECOGNITION - WNC) BIGFOOT FESTIVAL  City Manager Boyette announced that the City recently hadi it's 5th Annual Western North Carolina Bigfoot Festival. Mr. Boyette publiclyt thanked the Bruner Family for choosing the City ofMarion to continually host this festival, and for the positive economic impact it provides to the City. Mr. Boyette stated that attendance was still higher this year than in 2023, even with the sudden unprecedented inclement weather. Mr. Boyette also thanked all of the City Staff for their Mayor Little expressed his extreme gratitude and admiration for the dedication of the Bruner City Council collectively praised the Bruner Family and echoed the sentiments made by Mayor Joneric Bruner stepped forward to express his appreciation to the City of Marion for the continued support ofhis festival. Mr. Bruner also announced that the festival helped raise money for Marion Elementary School by spurring al large number of participants to join their annual charity 5k event.  dedication and continued contribution to: making the festival a success.  Family to the success oft this annual festival. Little and City Manager Boyette.  PUBLIC APPEARANCE- -] FRIENDS OF FONTA FLORA STATE' TRAIL  City Manager Boyette called Steve Bush, Acting Chair oft the Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail Board, forward to present aj request for City funding for a County Trail Planner. Mr. Bush stated that the County needed a dedicated position toj physically manage grant writing and administration for trails in McDowell County. Mr. Bush explained that surrounding cities and counties have dedicated trail planners and expressed the wish for funds from the City to hire a remote part-time individual to cover this role. Mr. Bush pointed out that City Planning and Development Director Heather Cotton is currently acting as a part-time trail planner for the City andi that he would like a County position. Mr. Bush said that the McDowell Chamber of Commerce had agreed to house the position on a temporary basis until the County was able to create aj part-time or full-time Trail Council Member Effler asked Mr. Bush if the position would be housed in the County instead of being remote. Mr. Bush replied that it would be ani in-person position with occasional remote work. Council Member Effler asked about the selection process for this position to which Mr. Bush replied that he thought there was a leading candidate in mind. Judge Robert Hunter asked for permission to speak on the Subject. Upon Mayor Little's approval, Judge Hunter advised that he had worked with the Friends of] Fonta Flora State Trail Board for several years and on other trail projects ini the County for many years prior to that. Judge Hunter reported that McDowell County had agreed to financially support this proposed position, that the Town of Old Fort was expected to give funding approval soon and that he and Mr. Bush would like to see the City do the same. Judge Hunter stated that there were some candidates for the position and that the Chamber of Commerce, as thel host organization for the position, would be going through a selection process.  Planner position.  9    Mr. Bush and Judge Hunter stressed that this proposed position with the Chamber would in fact be as short-term solution, and that the end desired result would bes a newly created full-time position Mayor Little thanked Mr. Bush and Judge Hunter for their presentations and said that the City Council would make a decision on1 the funding request int the near future. as part ofthe City's Fiscal  with the County.  Year 2024-25 Budget. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD  MayorLittle asked Assistant to the Manager/City Clerk Katie Reidifthere were any guests signed up for the Public Comment Period, Ms. Reid announced that Susie Bruckman was present and Ms. Bruckman came forward, stating that she was a licensed massage therapist, to express accusations against a competitor business by stating that this particular business did not have an Mayor Little prefaced that the City Council does not have jurisdiction over professions licensed by the State and any licensed persons, and that the appropriate recourse for her complaints would Ms. Bruckman advised that shel has reported her complaint to the Marion Police Department, and that she had spoken to Chief Allen Lawrence personally who was also in attendance. Mayor Little explained thoroughly that City Council had no authority in this issue and wanted to make sure that Ms. Bruckman did not accidentally slander a competitor business, or make any Mayor Little repetitively explained that Council has no authority over businesses and are not able to command the Police Department to act on a matter out of theirj jurisdiction under State law. Ms. Bruckman explained that she has been going to multiple local businesses to get signatures in opposition toi the business that she is alleging is providing unauthorized services. Council Member Effler explained that Ms. Bruckman should speak with her massage therapy licensing board since they would handie complaints such as this. Council Member Effler went a step further with his explanation by stating how a complaint concerning insurance licenses would not go to local police or City Council, but rather would go directly to thei insurance licensing board. Ms. Bruckman said that she understood and would: follow up with her professional licensing board.  wished to speak.  active massage therapy license.  bel her profession'so official licensing board.  statements that would negatively affect her.  CONSIDER ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS  City Manager Boyette called forward Planning and Development Director Heather Cotton to discuss an opening on the Planning Board. Ms. Cotton proposed that Mr. Randall Conley, a City  10    resident and employee of West Marion, Inc., be appointed to a three-year term as a Regular Member on the Planning Board and as an Alternate Member of the Board of Adjustment, said Upon a motion by Council Member Effler, seconded by Council Member Martin, all Council Members voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Randall Conley to a three-year term as a Regular Member on the Planning Board and as an Alternate Member of the Board of Adjustment, said terms to begin on July 1,2024 and to expire on June 30, 2027.  terms to begin on July 1,2 2024 and to expire on June 30, 2027.  ADOPTION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTPLAN  City Manager Boyette reported that Finance Director Dawn Penland, working with City department heads, had updated the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), as presented to the Mayor and Council Members, representing needed Capital Outlay items in both the General Fund and the Water and Sewer Fund over the next 10 years. Mr. Boyette stated that the CIP has been updated to reflect the proposed 2024-25 Budget and has been reviewed by department heads. He said that the CIP will be updated each year as part ofthe City's budget process and can be revised at any time deemed appropriate by Council. Mr. Boyette noted that the proposed CIP lists over $8.81 million of General Fund projects, plus street projects and over $51 million in water and sewer Upon a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ayers, seconded by Council Member Martin, all Council Members voted unanimously to approve the adoption of the Capital Improvement Plan. A copy Mr. Boyette credited Finance Director Dawn Penland for great her work in the update of the APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WITH COMMUNITY FORUMS City Manager Boyette asked Assistant to Manager/City Clerk Katie Reid to detail the progress of Ms. Reid explained that as ofnow, thel Marion! East Community Forum meeting is seti for Tuesday, September 17,2024 at 6:00 p.m. at a location to be determined. Ms. Reid also noted that the West Marion Community Forum meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Upon a motion by Council Member Ramsey, seconded by Council Member Martin, all Council Members voted unanimously to approve scheduling City Council meetings with the Marion East Community Forum meeting for Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at a location to be determined, and with the West Marion Community Forum meeting for' Tuesday, August 20, 2024  needs.  ofthe Capital Improvement Plan is available at City Hall.  Capital Improvement Plan.  scheduling this year's City Council meetings with community forums.  Addie's Chapel United Methodist Church on Ridley Street.  at 6:00 pm at. Addie's Chapel United. Methodist Church on Ridley Street.  CITYN MANAGER'S REPORT  11    City Manager Boyette gave the following report to council:  1. Mr. Boyette stated that Lead for NC Fellow Sarah Dhunjishaw will leave City service in early July att the conclusion ofher 11-month program to enter thel UNC Chapel-Hill Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program. Mr. Boyette said that while the City will miss Sarah, we are very happy for herand congratulate her on1 this great opportunity. Mr. Boyette noted that the City has received approval from the UNC School of Government to host another Lead for NC Fellow for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. Mr. Boyette explained that Human Resources Director Kathleen Nolan, Finance Director Dawn Penland, and Planning and Development Director Heather Cotton recently conducted interviews for candidates fort this position and selected. Abigail Gillespie, who will start work with the Cityin August. Mr. Boyette detailed that Ms. Gillespie is a recent graduate ofUNC-Chapel Hill and grew up in southern rural Ohio, and that he believes that Ms. Gillespie will be a great addition 2. Mr. Boyette noted that The Public Works Department cleaned up several City properties and numerous streets, as ai result ofthe May 181 flooding event. Mr. Boyette explained that the City had a contractor pump and haul sewage from the Clinchfield wastewater pump station, in order to avoid a sewer spill. Mr. Boyette also noted the major damage from the eventi involved the Miller Avenue culvert collapse. Mr. Boyette explained that a contractor isi now finishing up the culvert, and water and sewer repairs int the same area. Mr. Boyette estimated the City expenses from this storm to be upwards of$100,000. Mr. Boyette advised that County Emergency Services Director William Kehler is seeking a State disaster declaration, which will allow the City to receive 75 percent State funding 3. Mr. Boyette explained that City and Centro Unido Latino Americano (CULA) staff Continue to work on the Building Integrated Communities Project. Mr. Boyette stated that the current focus ofthe project has been completing a Language Access Plan for the City. Mr. Boyette noted that City Planner Vance McNees will present the proposed Language Access Plan and other recommendations from the BIC project to Council at the June 18 Mr. Boyette detailed that, as discussed at the February 19 City Council Planning Session, CULA requested to hold a Youth Summit Fiesta Celebration on Saturday, June 22, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Community Building. Mr. Boyette said the Summit will involve presentations to the Mayor and City Council Members, food, traditional dances, college resources, and prizes involving students, the Mayor and City Council Members and CULA staff. Mr. Boyette also noted that the Summit has been approved and scheduled for Mr. Boyette asked that everyone in attendance add this event to their calendars. 4. Mr. Boyette noted that the North Carolina General Assembly approved the 2023-24 State budget in late September. Mr. Boyette stated that this budget contained $61 million for the  tot the City staff.  for most oft the damages.  Council meeting.  Saturday, June 22 at the Community Building.  12    City for water and sewer repairs and replacements. Mr. Boyette noted that the City had previously submitted ai request for such funding tol N.C. Representative Dudley Greene and Mr. Boyette said that he has submitted paperwork to the State for this funding, and that the State will retain three percent, of $180,000 of this funding, leaving the City with $5,820,000. Mr. Boyette explained that the City hasi identified high priority wastewater line and pump station repairs and replacements, water line replacements, and water intake repairs to complete with this funding. Mr. Boyette noted that the City's is to complete as Mr. Boyette stated that the City has submitted required paperwork to the State, and recently received a Letter of Intent to Fund our projects, meaning that the State has approved the Mr. Boyette explained that Public Works Director Brant Sikes] prepared and recently issued al Request for Qualifications for engineering, design, and bidding services for this project. Mr. Boyette stated that the City hopes to have ai recommendation for Council selection of Mr. Boyette noted that he would continually update Council as information is available. 5. Mr. Boyette explained that he sent the resolution opposing the City ofCharlotte Interbasin Transfer request to State Senator Warren Daniel, State Representative Dudley Greene, County Manager Ashley Wooten, Foothills Regional Commission (FRC) Executive Director Danna Stansbury and Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) Executive Director. Anthony Starr. Mr. Boyette noted that he and County Manager. Ashley Wooten attended a regional City and County Manager's meeting at the WPCOG office in Hickory on. May 17 and learned: more about the planned efforts int the region to oppose the Charlotte IBT request. Mr. Boyette noted that the County Commission approved a similar Mr. Boyette noted the State has now scheduled a public hearing on the IBT request for Monday, July 15 at the COMMA in Morganton. Mr. Boyette explained he expects that our region and South Carolina will likely have to file a lawsuit again to fight this request. Mr. Boyette noted that he would continually update Council as information becomes  toN.C. Senator Warren Daniel.  many ofthei identified projects as funding will allow.  aforementioned submitted projects.  the most qualified firm in. July.  resolution back on May 8.  available.  CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS  Council Member Ramsey thanked City Stafff fort theirl hard work outsidet their offices, eveni ini inclement Council Memberl Harkey expressed gratitude to. Public Works Director Brant Sikes and his team for all  weather.  the work they continually do out in the City.  13    Council Member Martin asked that thei meeting tonight bel heldi ini memory ofDr. Robert Boggs, former President ofMcDowell Technical Community College, who recently passed away. Council Member Effler asked that the graphic on the skate park/dog park Facebook survey be changed  because het thought it looked too much like aj professional ad.  City Manager Bob Boyette thanked his staff for their dedication and] hard work.  Mayor Pro Tem Ayers did notl have any comments to share. Mayor Little echoed Council's sentiments ofthankst to City staff.  MEETINGADJOURNMENT  Mayor Little thanked everyone in attendance. Upon a motion by Council Member Ramsey, seconded by Council Member Harkey, ther meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.  2R  STLPHENRLITLE) MAYOR    ATTEST:  RO  a  KATELYNI REID, ASSISTANT' TO MANAGER/CITY CLERK  0  ROLINA  14