SANFORD CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL-CALLED WORK SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 2024 West End Conference Room 225 East Weatherspoon Street, Sanford, NC  The City Council held a special-called work session on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.  in the West End Conference Room at City Hall. The following people were present:  Mayor Rebecca Salmon Council Member Byron Buckels Council Member Walter Ferguson Council Member Charles Taylor City Manager Hal Hegwer Assistant City Manager Beth Kelly City Clerk Bonnie Davis Assistant to the City Manager Holly Marosites Call to Order  Mayor Pro Tem Mark Akinosho Council Member Jean Dabbs Council Member Linda Rhodes Council Member James Williams Assistant City Manager Vic Czar City Attorney Susan Patterson Deputy City Clerk Vicki Cannady  Mayor Salmon called the meeting to order.  Presentation on Sanford AgriculuralMarketplaceinteriorand Exterior] Finish Options(ExhibitA) Public Works Manager Fedd Walker noted that they are nearing the end of design development for the Sanford Agriculture Marketplace project, and they will be transitioning into the construction phase, which will lead to the bidding process; however, HH Architecture is seeking Council's direction on some of the proposed architectural design details in order to move forward. Mr. Walker introduced HH Architectural Designer, Project Captain Joanna Thomas who introduced her team members Interior Designer Morgan Bryant and Senior Interior Designer Jess Piscitelli who reviewed the details of the slide presentation of the Sanford Agriculture Marketplace, Exhibit A. The presentation included the current site plan, as well as interior and exterior concepts and finishes. Council was asked for ai response as to their choice of interior design and finishes titled, "Sanford In Bloom" or "Farmer's Crossing". The theme for "Sanford In Bloom' is a bold response to Sanford's intersection of art, music and rich history, consisting ofbold changes in color, and diverse materials that references the future and the past, to include light fixtures and custom wall coverings that relate back to the community's creative mural culture. The "Farmer' 's Crossing" theme relates to inspiration from farmlands and the diverse landscapes of North Carolina, consisting of an earthtone palette and contrasting changes ini textures that evoke natural elements. Ms. Morgan Bryant reviewed the interior layout, interior finish options, and Council reviewed samples ofthese finishes. She noted that some reclaimed items were implemented dinto the design that were salvaged from the old King Roofing Building. She also presented ideas, regarding an outside mural, displaying elements from our history and from other murals into an artistic covering.  Signage options were also presented.  The consensus of Council was the choice of the theme, "Sanford in Bloom" for the interior and exterior concepts and finishes of the Sanford Agricultural Marketplace, with the exception of the proposed carpet choice. Council asked HH Architecture to provide a different carpet choice than the one presented in this theme. Council Member Dabbs requested that the mesh railings outside should be closer together to prevent children or animals from danger of strangulation. Mayor Salmon noted that  signage will be addressed at a later date.    Special-Called City Council Work Session  January 30, 2024  Discussion Regarding Social Districting (Exhibit B)  Sanford TDA (Tourism Development Authority) Director Wendy Bryant and DSI (Downtown Sanford Inc.) Executive Director Kelli Laudate presented the concept of social districts in Downtown Sanford and explained that they have attended several meetings pertaining to social districts in North Carolina and they have been informed that social districting is an economic tool. They reviewed legislative history, basic rules, new laws, and statistics for social districts as described in Exhibit B, as well as how other cities haveimplemented them. Ms. Laudate reviewed considerations ofsocial districts, including how they are established and branded, lessons learned, survey results, signage, alcohol containers, and window clings illustrating whether or not businesses are participating. Mrs. Bryant reviewed potential next steps, provided Council chooses toj pursue participating, including formation of an Exploratory Committee, surveying public engagement, registration, implementation, and how to best share information ifas social district is formed. Mrs. Bryant confirmed that Economic Development and Tourism representatives from other communities have reported increased revenue and low to no incidents. Mrs. Laudate confirmed that she would provide information from these other communities  that have implemented Social Districts in their communities to Council.  City Council expressed conçerns about social districting in Downtown Sanford, such as increased police patrol, the existing size of Downtown Sanford, recycling and liability issues. Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho encouraged fellow Council members to attend classes on social districts to educate themselves on this issue. Council Member Taylor noted that he recently attended the North Carolina Festival Convention and was informed that seventy-five percent of social districting proposals have failed at the Council review level and he noted that social districts are being monitored by the ABC Board. He mentioned that Council's previous decision on allowing churches downtown could be affected directly and indirectly. He: further noted that $95,000 has been allocated for a Master Plan Study ofDowntown Sanford, which could provide information on1 this issue. He commented that many ofthe cities that have implemented social districts have convention centers, athletic facilities, or colleges and universities and he has been informed that some cities have recently voted against this issue. Mayor Salmon noted that Council cani investigate thisi issue andi findifthereisasolution that fits our community.  The meeting was recessed at 2:30 p.m. and reconvened at 2:40 p.m.  Update on Downtown Small Area Plan (Exhibit C)  Community Development Director Marshall Downey explained that this is the first of several Downtown Small Area Plan updates to bring before Council. Mr. Downey reviewed the scope ofwork included within Exhibit C, and touched on key points ofi interest, including the historic district, hotels, places ofassembly, parking, housing, the S-Line Rail, and integrating the two downtowns (east and west of Horner Boulevard/Highway 421, which bisects the two). He reviewed the timetable for the project, with proposed adoption by the end of 2024. He emphasized that the Small Area Plan will serve asa comprehensive guide to foster high-quality land development within the MSD (Municipal Service  District).  Senior Long-Range Planner David Montgomery informed Council that there will be a Steering Committee for the development of the Downtown Small Area Plan and open public workshops will be held. He noted that Benchmark Consultants has been selected to lead this project and illustrate what makes Sanford unique and how to incorporate that information into reaching good decisions. Marshall Downey added that this study will be closely associated with the Mobility Hub Study.  2    Special-Called City Council Work Session  January 30, 2024  Emergency Communication Plan (Exhibit D)  Assistant to the City Manager Holly Marosites reviewed (Exhibit D), reminding Council of the recommendation to install IHydrants to enhance our emergency communications. She noted that the goal is to replace 90 existing hydrants with IHydrants and turn to more hydraulic monitoring. Proposed  installation locations are included in Exhibit D.  Distribution/Colection Coordinator Alvan Davis explained that heat mapping will be used to assist IHydrants. This technology provides real-time analytics and actionable insights to detect and  prevent water loss and allows staff to more quickly pin point issue locations.  Holly Marosites reviewed the recommendations ofenhanced notificationsystems, which are Tyler Notify, Civic Ready and One Call. She noted that the current subscriber accounts are Facebook, Nextdoor and the City's Website. Ms. Marosites reviewed the three levels ofnotification, from routine to emergency use, highlights of the emergency communications plan, chief external communication outlets Engineering/Public Works Departments; Customer Service Department, Public Information Division); responsible parties for media communications and their roles, and the next steps going  forward.  Update on Micro-Transit (Exhibit E)  Community Development Director Marshall Downey reminded everyone that NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation) received $10.4 million in grant funding and that the City of Sanford's portion of this grant was $3.4 million. This grant is to potentially participate in a pilot ride- share program since we have features oft both urban and rural communities. Lee County has approached City staff about consolidating services to avoid duplication at the recommendation ofNCDOT: in order to maximize future funding. Mr. Downey said a steering committee will be formed to ensure expectations are met in working with the County. County staffhas indicated that they would prefer that the software be compatible with their transit program (COLTS). He confirmed that our staffh has been in constant communication with Lee County's COLTS system staff, as well as other Lee County staff.  Update on S-Line Mobility Hub - Feasibility Study (Exhibit E)  Community Development Director Marshall Downey reminded everyone that this project will serve to advance regional multimodal transportation along the S-Line Rail Corridor in central North Carolina and we are one of the targeted communities. We received FTA (Federal Transit Administration) grant funds with a goal to develop TOD( (Transit-Oriented Development) in and around two possible Mobility Hub sites in Sanford, which are. First Street, "Sanford GreenSinger Building" and the Cole/Moore Street area. The TOD study was completed last summer, to identify these sites and to promote compact, mixed-use communities near transit sites sO that citizens can easily access jobs and services. NCDOT received a $3.4 million RAISE Grant with Sanford allocated to receive $950,000. He Update on Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN)Grant - Mobility Hub Design Community Development Director Marshall Downey reminded Council that the City has a unique opportunity to apply for another USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) grant that, ifawarded, would provide significant funding to include design and construction ofar new mobility hub. NCDOTi indicated that they would include a request for $33 million for Sanford in the RCN Grant application. He reminded Council that the City pledged a local match of $1 million and that the award announcements are targeted for Spring 2024. He explained that if this goes through, a feasibility study  added that staff has had one meeting with the consultant.  and Build (Exhibit E)  would likely be fast-tracked.  3    Special-Called City Council' Work Session  January 30, 2024  Marshall Downey reminded Council that the City applied for the Safe Street and Roads Grant in the amount of $312,500 to be used toward facilitating a plan to look at analysis related to crashes, and to develop a safety action plan for those areas. He announced that this grant has been awarded in the  amount of $312,500 from (CPRC) Central Pines Regional Council. Update on UDOText and Map Amendments (Exhibit) F)  Community Development Director Marshall Downey reminded Council that we are nearing completion of adoption of the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) text and map amendments. Planner/IThomas. Mierischi reviewed the attached Exhibit Fand reminded everyone thatt the. PlanSanLee was adopted in fall2 2018. He reviewed the purpose ofthet text and map: amendments; proposedi residential districts (including some new districts); which housing types are allowed in which district; three implementation strategies (Like-For-Like, Aggressive, Hybrid) with pros and cons of each; and next steps moving forward as described in Exhibit F. Mr. Mierisch explained that staffi is recommending the Hybrid approach. Mr. Mierisch reminded Council that the PlanSanlee Land Use Plan is al blueprint for development in our community that envisions what is to be preserved as "Urban" or dense and what areas are to be preserved as "Rural" or less dense, and it is used as a guide when making decisions on  rezoning requests, site plan proposals and subdivision proposals.  Council expressed concerns about the Hybrid approach regarding the lack of public hearings on small projects less than 125 units. Marshall Downey said the "Urban" Strategy will have a positive impact on affordable housing. Mr. Downey disclosed that staff will compile very specific information of the UDO changes and staff could possibly conduct another work session. A public hearing will be  scheduled and advertised. The public will be duly notified of the public hearing.  Other Business  Assistant to the City Manager Holly Marosites distributed a form for Council to complete regarding alert and notification options and asked that they return the completed form to either her or  City Clerk Bonnie Davis. Closed Session  Council Member Williams made a motion to goi into closed session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)1, to prevent the disclosure of information that is confidential (3), to consuit with an attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege (5), instruct the public body staff on the price orothermaterial terms oft the contract or proposed contract fort the acquisitionofreal property. Seconded  by Council Member Akinosho, the motion carried unanimously. Return tol Regular Session and Adiournment  Council Member Rhodes made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Dabbs, the  motion carried unanimously.  4    Special-Called City Council Work Session  January: 30,2 2024  ALL EXHIBITS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  AND MADE. A PART OF THESE: MINUTES.  Rebecca  Attest: Bonme Davis, Aoi  Lg  Oavis  City Clerk  5