Salisbury, North Carolina February 7,2023  REGULAR MEETING  PRESENT: Mayor Karen K. Alexander, Presiding; Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Sheffield, Council  Members Harry McLaughlin, David Post, and Anthony Smith; City Manager Jim Greene, Jr., City Clerk Connie Snyder; and City Attorney J. Graham Corriher.  ABSENT: None.  Salisbury City Council met in Council Chambers in City Hall located at 217 South Main Street. The: meeting was called to order by Mayor Alexander at 6:00 p.m. A: moment of silence  was taken.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Mayor Alexander led participants in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag.  ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  Thereupon, Councilmember Post made al motion to adopt the Agenda as presented. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, Councilmembers McLaughlin, Post, and Smith voted AYE.  (5-0)  RECOGNITION- UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN CHAMPION. AWARD  Rowan County United Way Executive Director Jenny Lee recognized Transit Director Rodney Harrison and Communications Specialist Kaisha Brown for receiving the Campaign  Champion Award from Rowan County United Way.  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2 2023  Page 1    Council thanked Mr. Harrison and Ms. Brown for their work with Rowan County United  Way.  PROCLAMATIONS  Mayor to proclaim the following observances: AFRICAN. AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH  February 2023 2023  YEAR OF THE TRAIL  CONSENT AGENDA (a) Minutes  Approve Minutes ofthe regular meeting of. January 17,2023 (b) Contract Changer Order - Mainlining America, LLC  Approve a change order to the contract with Mainlining America, LLC in the amount of $450,000 for water and sewer maintenance services for Salisbury-Rowan Utilities and adopt a budget Ordinance amendment to the FY2022-2023 budget in the amount of $450,000 to appropriate Fund Balance from the Water and Sewer Fund to covert thei request. The Fund Balance AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2022-2023 BUDGET ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA TO APPROPRIATE FUND BALANCE FOR WATER (The above Ordinance is recorded in full in Ordinance Book No. 31 at Page No. 56, and is known  appropriation is anticipated to be offset by growth.  AND SEWER MAINTENANCE CONTRACT EXTENSION  as Ordinance 2023-11.)  (c) Voluntary Annexation - The Wilde  Receive the Certificate of Sufficiency for the voluntary annexation ofThe Wilde, Tax Map 330 Parcels 021 and 040 and adopt a Resolution setting the date of the public hearing for March RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON QUESTION OF THE. ANNEXATIONG OF THE WILDE SUBDIVISION, PARCELS 330 021 AND: 330 040 PURSUANTTOGS. 160A-31. (The above Resolution isi recorded in full in Resolution Book No. 17 at Page No. 1-2, and is known  7,2023.  as Resolution 2023-01)  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2023  Page 2    (d) Resolution of Support -1 RAISE Grant Program  Adopt a Resolution of Support for North Carolina Department of Transportation's Walk North Carolina: Creating Safer Crossings for North Carolina Communities application for the United States Department of Transportation's Rebuilding American Infrastructure with RESOLUTION SUPPORTING WALK NORTH CAROLINA: CREATING SAFER (The above Resolution is recorded in fulli in Resolution Book No. 17 at Page No. 3, and is known  Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program for FY2023. CROSSINGS FOR NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITIES.  as Resolution 2023-02)  (e) Ordinance -] Rules of] Procedure  Adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article II, Division 2, ofthe Code oft the City of  Salisbury relating to Rules ofProcedure for the Salisbury. City Council.  ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE. II, DIVISION2 2, OF THE CODE OF THE 1 CITY OF SALISBURY RELATING TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE SALISBURY (The above Ordinance is recorded in fulli in Ordinance Book No. 31 at] Page No. 57, andi is known  CITY COUNCIL. as Ordinance 2023-12.)  Mayor Alexander asked Engineering Services Director Wendy Brindle to elaborate on item (d) regarding the Department of Transportation's Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program for FY2023. Ms. Brindle stated the mobility division with the North Carolina Department of Transportation requested a letter of support to apply for the RAISE grant. She added the grant is distributed across the state, and Salisbury was selected as one of the communities where improvements would be made to increase safety for pedestrians and bicycles. She commented in addition to the grant, the state of North Carolina just completed a pedestrian safety study for the City and identified areas of concern.  Thereupon, Councilmember Post made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor. Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, Councilmembers McLaughlin, Post, and  Smith voted AYE. (5-0) PUBLIC COMMENT  Mayor Alexander opened the floor to receive public comments. Mr. Lee Howard yielded his time to Ms. Terri Stevenson.  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2023  Page 3    Ms. Terri Stevenson recognized representatives from nine City and Rowan County National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations (NPHC). She added each NPHC member exemplifies servant leadership in their community. Council thanked NPHC members for their  commitment to community.  Mr. Darion Graham thanked Council for its support and contributions to Livingstone Ms. Dee Dee Wright addressed her concern regarding gun violence in Salisbury, and she Dr. Roy Dennis addressed Council and emphasized his concern about violence in the There being no one else to address Council, Mayor Alexander closed the public comment  College.  asked Council to consider bringing in the National Guard.  community. session.  POLICE DEPARTMENTUPDATE  Interim Police Chief Brian Stallings, Captain P.J. Smith, and Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) Community Project Coordinator Chanel Nestor provided an update on the  Police Department and the Bryne Criminal Justice Innovation Program Grant.  Interim Police Chief Stallings provided an update on staffing. He added the Police Department is at 85% capacity with 70 positions filled out of 82 sworn budgeted positions. He explained currently 12 vacancies need to be filled, and hel has had five separations since. January. He stated therei is al low: number of qualified candidates, but recruitment is working hard toi identify  lateral prospects.  Chief Stallings reviewed current training for officers, including quarterly training to focus on topics such as fair and impartial policing and cultural sensitivity training. He added officers are put into situational use force scenarios to gauge how they would react ini real-time.  Chief Stallings recognized current mental health initiatives and resources for officers such ast the City offered Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Peer Support Program, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and officer wellness initiatives. He added wellness initiatives, include wellness  check-in services and an on-site counselor are available.  Chief Stallings reviewed upcoming initiatives for community involvement including bringing back Cultivating Community Conversations and the Chief'sAdvisory Board which helps govern policies and procedures. He added the Crime Scene Camp will be offered for children in the community to see what iti is like tol be an officer. He stated the Police Department is currently working with Salisbury-Rowan NAACP on the Cease Fire Initiative and hoping to bring back  Salisbury Neighborhood Action Groups.  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2023  Page 4    Captain P.J. Smith introduced BCJI Community Project Coordinator Chanel Nester to Council and stated she has been with the City for three months. He added Ms. Nester is heavily involved with the Brynes Criminal Justice Innovation Grant the City was awarded to focus on  community development in the West End.  Ms. Nester presented an update on the West End Salisbury Transformed Neighborhood Development Project, and she invited the public to attend a town hall meeting on February 16, 2023, at the Miller Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m. She noted the City was awarded $800,000 with the Bryne Criminal Justice Innovation Program, and this is a community-led initiative to help revitalize the West End neighborhood and address its crime concerns. She stated this is a grant collaboration between the Police Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Planning  Department.  Ms. Nester reviewed project goals, including developing West End community groups to lead community-based responses and completing ai neighborhood survey. She added another goal is to enhance recreational and public spaces for community groups while supporting the development and capacity of neighborhood youth programs. She stated there are plans to restore vacant lots and structures and develop a Community Violence Intervention Team.  Ms. Nester stated over 1,800 parcels and block data points have been collected, and community surveys have been developed. She added staff will continue survey distributions through February. She noted SO far there have been 17 one-on-one community stakeholder conversations and three community engagement meetings planned in February.  Ms. Nester commented the next steps include West End Town Hall Conversations. She added there will be one in-person meeting Thursday, February 16, between 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Miller Recreation Teen Center and virtual meetings on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. She added she hopes to complete the neighborhood survey before March, and she stated she will continue working with planning partners to identify solutions and leverage funding while developing organizational stakeholder meetings. She stated her goal is increase neighborhood youth outreach and engagement and  develop an action plan toi inform the grantor how funds are being used.  Mayor Alexander thanked the Ms. Nester and the community for its involvement with the Councilmember Smith thanked Ms. Nester for her passion and work towards cultural  Bryne Criminal Justice Innovation Program Grant. development in the West-End Community.  2022 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT  Finance Director Wade Furches and Auditor Elsa Watts presented the June 30, 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report from Martin Starnes and Associates, CPA. Ms. Watts indicated the firm has issued the City an unmodified opinion which is a clean audit opinion.  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2023  Page 5    Ms. Watts reviewed General Fund revenue and expenditures and pointed out revenue was just over $4 million, which is an increase of five percent, and expenditures were $38. 8 million, with an increase of one percent. She added the total Fund Balance in the General Fund was $26.6 million which includes non-spendable items of $707,573 and items restricted by state statute of $5.4 million resulting in an available fund balance of $20.4 million. She added this amount is an increase in available Fund Balance of $5.3 million with an excess of $9.8 million from available  Fund Balance over Council's Fund Balance policy of25%.  Ms. Watts described the available Fund Balance as aj percent of expenditures and transfers to other funds. She stated the General Fund was at 48.2% and that this increased from FY2021- 2022. She added property taxes were at $23.3 million and increased by one percent. She defined Unrestricted Intergovernmental values as primarily sales taxes, which were at $14.6 million with sales tax revenue continuing toi rise from FY2021-2022 by approximately 13%.  Ms. Watts noted public safety as one ofthe most significant expense areas at $17.8million, Ms. Watts reviewed the Unrestricted Net Position of major enterprise funds including Water and Sewer. She added the Water and Sewer Fund had an unrestricted net position of$39.1 million while Broadband Services was negative $3.1 million. She added stormwater had an unrestricted net position of $2.6 million and Transit was at $276,000. She noted change in net position of water and sewer at $6.6 million, broadband services at $2.1 million, stormwater at  a5%i increase from FY2021-2022.  $679,000 and transit at just over $94,000.  Ms. Watts stated the quick ratio for water and sewer at 5.71, and she stated the Local Government Commission (LGC) would be concerned ift this was less than one. She reviewed the operating income performance for Water and Sewer which is calculated by taking operating income of $8.2 million and adding the depreciation of $5 million and removing debt service of  $3.5 million which gives an operating income performance of $9.7million.  Ms. Watts noted there were performance indicators of concern identified which included the audit submission did not meet the December 1, 2022 deadline and there was a finding for  deficit net position in the Broadband Fund.  City Manager Jim Greene thanked Finance and all City departments for their work that impacted the audit. He added the audit is critical to City operations and shows a strong financial  measurement program.  Councilmember Post asked ift the Broadband Fund includes how much debt still needs to be paid. Mr. Furches stated the debt balance as of. June 30, 2022 was $17.2 million, and the City pays down $2 million each year. Mayor Alexander asked about the projected timeframe forj paying  offt the $17.2 million. Mr. Furches stated the debt should be paid offin 2029.  Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield clarified the Fibrant debt requires the City to provide a letter to the LGC each fiscal year until the Fibrant debt is paid. She asked Ms. Watts to explain the December 1, 2022 audit submission deadline. Mr. Furches stated due to staffing shortages, staff  Salisbury City Council  February7,2023  Page 6    presented an amended contract tol Martin Starnes and Associates, CPAss stating the audit would: not  meet the December 1, 2022 deadline.  Council thanked Ms. Watts and Mr. Furches for their work on the Annual Comprehensive  Financial Report.  UPDATE- - FIRES STATION3  Fire Chief Bob Parnell presented information about the current Fire Station 3 which was built in 1957 and is located at 1604 West Innes Street and about the proposed new Fire Station 3 tol be located at 150. Mahaley Avenue. He pointed out the proposed Fire Station 3 willl house two fire trucks, have semi-private barrack bunkrooms, individual restrooms, modern amenities, and provide one building for the Fire Marshall's office, Telecommunications radio shop, and provide an increase to operational leadership effectiveness. He added the: foyer area will be for fire safety education, and the station will be provide faster responses to northern part of the City.  Mr. Bill Burgin presented a site plan and elevation from Mahaley. Avenue, and he explained the sediment pond is large enough for this site and the adjacent site. Hej pointed out the total square footage of the building is proposed to be 19,400 square feet with 10 beds, three truck bays, and office spaces with an estimated overall cost of $10 million. He stated the finalized construction documents have been submitted to Rowan County Inspection Department for review and do not have to be reviewed in Raleigh since the proposed plan is less than 20,000 square feet. He noted the plans can be submitted tot the North Carolina Department of] Environmental Quality (NCDEQ)  once they are approved by the County.  Councimember Post asked about the construction timeline. Mr. Burgin stated the construction timeline would bel between 12to15months. MayorAlexandernoted. laborands supply  issues that may occur. Mr. Burgin agreed.  Mr. David Cheatwood with First Tyron Advisory explained his firm is based in Charlotte and is ai full service financial advisor firm to act int the City's best interest to work through funding  options for the project.  Mr. Cheatwood indicated the City expects to have all permits and approvals in place by late March early April which could put the City ini the position to receive construction bids by late April. Hei noted once the bids are received, as schedule can be better formalized.  Mr. Cheatwood explained the City has options for a 15or a 20-year repayment term with Mr. Cheatwood pointed out the next steps, ifCouncil moves forward with the project, is for the City to determine funding options, receive construction bids, adopt a preliminary Resolution and hold public hearing and adopt an approving Resolution. He added the LGC meets the first Tuesday of each month and an application for approval is required four weeks] prior to the meeting date. He stated once. LGC financing is completed then construction can begin.  alevel principal repayment each year.  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2023  Page 7    Mr. Cheatwood explained the City has two primary marketplaces to fund the project with public market or a bank placement. He explained bonds sold in the public market are sold to variety of different investors while the bank placement includes bonds being sold directly to a  single bank.  Mayor Alexander asked ifinterest has to be paid on1 the loan even when the project is not completed. Mr. Cheatwood agreed, and he added interest has tol bej paid toi thel loan but interest can be earned on the money sitting in the bank waiting tol be paid out for construction.  Councilmember Post asked if the City has debt that would soon be resolved. Mr. Furches noted the City has debt for two fire trucks that will be paid March 2024, but there are apparatus needs coming soon. He added Telecommunications debt of$110,000 will be satisfied soon in the  General Fund.  Mr. Furches reviewed financing options for Fire Station 3. He noted options include financing the full $10 million over 15 years or using Fund Balance and/or American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to reduce the amount financed. He added the Fund Balance is up to 48% with $9.8 million which is over Council's policy of25%, and he noted that could be used toj pay for Fire Station 3. He suggested there is ai need tol balance the use oft tax dollars between station, apparatus, and other needs int the City. Hei noted recommendations will be made to Council as thej project gets  further in the process.  Mr. Furches noted there is a need to move forward with proposed Fire Station 3, and he added Mr. Cheatwood will work to develop a 90-day timeline around construction bids once  received.  Thereupon, Councilmember McLaughlin made a motion to proceed with the construction ofFire Station 3 and to coordinate with thel Local Government Commission for financing approval. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, Councilmembers McLaughlin, Post, and Smith voted  AYE. (5-0)  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE - CROW HOLDINGS  Rowan Economic Development Commission Vice President Scott Shelton asked Council to consider approving a Local Level 2 Incentive Grant to Crow Holdings totaling $1,418,332 over  at three year period.  Mr. Shelton stated Crow Holdings is proposing two new class-A speculative buildings on as site located between Peel Road and Pietry Road. He added that the first building would be approximately 713,000 square feet, and the second one would be 500,000 square feet. He commented Council voted to annex the site at its meeting on May 17, 2022, and the project is  comprised of seven parcels.  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2023  Page 8    Mr. Shelton added the proposed site currently lacks public water and sewer extensions, and the site will require] public road improvements on. Peeler and Pietryk Road. He stated Crow. Holding  estimates the cost oft these infrastructure improvements tol be $3.97 million.  Mr. Shelton reported Crow Holdings is requesting an incentive grant that differs from the City's standard policy. He explained under the City's current incentive policy, Crow's project would be eligible for a Level 1 Grant equivalent to 80% ofany new: real property taxes paid to the City over a five-year period. He asked Council to consider approving a grant to Crow Holdings equivalent to 90% of any new real property taxes to be paid over a three-year period. He commented using the requested grant parameters, the City would receive $3,151.848 in net  revenue over a1 ten-year period.  Mr. Shelton explained that Crow Holdings incentive request would result in a smaller overall grant payment and a corresponding increase in net revenue to the City of $682,900 overa ten-year period. He stated ifajob-creating tenant occupies the building, Crow would like Council to consider offering an incentive grant to the tenant based on its taxable investments in business  personal property.  Mr. Matt Cochrane, Managing Director with Crow Holdings, thanked Council for its consideration and stated this project will add economic vitality and prosperity tot the City. Hei noted  major improvements will be made tol Peeler Road and I-85.  Councilmember McLaughlin asked if Crow Holdings has any clients interested in the buildings. Mr. Cochrane confirmed there are a few interested tenants at this time, but those will  remain confidential at this phase ini the project.  Mayor Alexander convened a public hearing after due notice regarding the economic There being no one to address Council, Mayor Alexander closed the public hearing. Thereupon, Councilmember Post made a motion to award a local Level 2 Incentive Grant to Crow Holdings totaling approximately $1,418,332 over a three year period. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, Councilmembers McLaughlin, Post, and Smith voted AYE. (5-0) ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDENT - CHAPTER: ISDEVELOPMENT PROCESS  development incentive grant request for Crow Holdings.  Senior Planner Victoria Bailiff presented information regarding a proposed text amendment of the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) to amend Chapter 15 Development Process. She noted the proposal is for Sections 15.7 through 15.9 regarding certificates of  appropriateness and industrial development to be amended.  Ms. Bailiff pointed out the proposed amendments were reviewed at the Technical Review Committee's (TRC) December 15, 2022 meeting with recommended approval with no requested changes. She added the Planning Board recommended approval at its. January 10, 2023 meeting.  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2023  Page 9    Mayor Alexander convened aj public hearing after due notice regarding the proposed text There being no one to address Council, Mayor Alexander closed the public hearing. Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield stated the City Council hereby finds and determines that adoption of an Ordinance to rezone tto amend the Land Development Ordinance oft the City of Salisbury as underlined or stricken herein is reasonable, in the public interest and consistent with the goals, objectives and policies oft the Vision 2020 Comprehensive Plan. Thereupon, Ms. Sheffield made a motion to adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 15 Development Process of the Land Development Ordinancé ofthe City of Salisbury, North Carolina. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, Councilmembers McLaughlin, Post, and Smith voted AYE. (5-0) ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 15 DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SALISBURY,NORTHCAROLINA. (The above Ordinance is recorded in full in Ordinance Book No. 31 at Page Nos. 58-67, and is  amendment.  known as Ordinance 2023-13.)  CONTRACT-BLACK & VEATCIINTIRMATIONAL COMPANY  Salisbury-Rowan Utilities (SRU) Director Jim Behmer noted in January 2022, the City received notification it was a finalist for the Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities fora $31.5 million project with the final award to take place October 2023 or January 2024. He noted in order to proceed with necessary Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and North Carolina Department of Environment Quality (NCDEQ) review and approval process with the timeline staffpresented, thereisaneed for additional engineering, permitting, historic preservation analysis and environmental planning to meet all state and federal guidelines. He pointed out 60% oft the construction drawings must be available by the end oft the calendar year. He indicated SRU received two responses and have selected Black and Veatch International Company as the most qualified firm based ont the scope ofthe project. He noted there is an additional request of Council to adopt a Capital Budget Ordinance of$3.2 million to allow: non-local federal match funds to be  allocated tot the Water Supply Resiliency Project at a later date. and he added Cube Hydro has been a great partner in the process.  City Attorney Graham Corriher noted there has been a large team involved in this project, Thereupon, Councilmember Smith made a motion to award a contract to Black & Veatch International Company in an amount not to exceed $2.9 million for the Water Supply Resiliency Project for Salisbury-Rowan Utilities Raw Water Pump Station. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, Councilmembers McLaughlin, Post, and Smith voted AYE. (5-0)  Thereupon, Councimember McLaughlin made a motion to adopt a Capital Project Ordinance in the amount of $3.2 million for the Water Supply Resiliency Project for Salisbury-  Salisbury City Council  February 7,2023  Page 10    Rowan Utilities Raw Water Pump Station. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE IN THE. AMOUNT OF $3.2 MILLION FOR THE WATER SUPPLY RESILIENCY PROJECT FOR SALISBURY-ROWAN UTILITIES RAW WATER (The above Ordinance is recorded: ini full in Ordinance Book No. 31 at Page No. 68-, and is known  Councilmembers McLaughlin, Post, and Smith voted. AYE. (5-0)  PUMP STATION. as Ordinance 2023-14.)  CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT  City Attorney Graham Corriher had: nothing toi report to Council.  CITYMANAGERS REPORT  City Manager Jim Greene had nothing to report to Council.  COUNCIL COMMENTS  Councilmember Smith commended Interim Police Chief Brian Stallings, the Police Department, and former Police Chief Jerry Stokes for the diligent work completed to create a culture in compassion, engagement, and reassuring the community that they are working hard to bring a leadership culture shift around crime and gun violence. He also suggested the Police Department create a table of stakeholders in the community to help NAACP President Gemale Black and volunteers with the Cease Fire Initiative and to help make impactful transformative  actions in this community around violence.  Councilmember McLaughlin noted by living and working in the West End Community he hears about the shootings and the violence that takes place. He added he appreciates the conversation that took place during the meeting to keep issues on the forefront of discussion. He added he is hopeful the West End Project will help to eliminate some of the things taking place  and forj programs tol help those who may not have any hope.  Councilmember Post pointed out the YMCA Scholarship: program is available for kids who are not able to pay for the membership. He commented local donors and the YMCA pay for the  scholarships.  Councilmember Post commented he would like to see discussion on thel KIVA Program on the Agenda soon. He noted Council approved Ms. Stephanie Austin for a Special Use Permit ofa 24/7 daycare center, and shel has received a great response ofenrollment. He added shel has applied for a KIVA: loan to assist with finding more space to fit the demand of the daycare center. He also  suggested donations be made tol help her raise the money to do SO.  Salisbury City Council  February7,2023  Page 11    Councilmember Smith encouraged the public to learn this month about the people who are  black heroes and their tremendous impact that still exists ini the community.  MAYOR PROTEM'S COMMENTS  Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield reminded the community that the West End' Town Hall will take place inj person Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at thel Miller Recreation Center, and the virtual meetings will take place on February 22, 2023at 6:30 pm and February 23, 2023 at 10:00  a.m.  Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield congratulated Captain Lee Walker on his upcoming retirement this December. Shet thanked him forall hel has done: fort the community. She also thanked everyone at the meeting and she added she hopes Council Chambers provided a safe space for the public to  share and use public comment.  MAYOR'SANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS  Mayor Alexander thanked Ms. Terri Stevenson, the sororities, and the fraternities for Mayor Alexander thanked NAACP President Gemale Black for his work promoting financial literacy and help with 1MBB along with those from Livingstone College. She noted the program does not cost anything and it holds the hope for One Million Black Businesses by 2030.  attending the Council meeting.  ADJOURNMENT  Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councimember Smith. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield and Councilmembers McLaughlin, Post and Smith voted AYE. (5-0)  The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.  KXBL  Karen Alexander, Mayor  Couus D bruçis Connie B. Snyder, City Clerk  Salisbury City Council  February 7, 2023  Page 12