SANFORD CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, April 9, 2024 West End Conference Room 225 East Weatherspoon Street, Sanford, NC The City Council held a work session on Tuesday, April 9, 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 Jean Dabbs Council Member Linda Rhodes City Attorney Susan Patterson Deputy City Clerk Vicki Cannady Mayor Pro Tem Mark Akinosho Council Member Charles Taylor Council Member James Williams Council Member Byron Buckels Council Member Walter Ferguson City Manager Hal Hegwer City Clerk Bonnie Davis Absent: Call to Order Mayor Salmon called the meeting to order. AMIC (Automatic Metering Infrastructure). Deployment Update (ExhibitA) Assistant City Manager Beth Kelly explained that Dstribution/Colection Administrator Gerald Cox, Distribution/COlection Coordinator Alvan Davis, Customer Service Manager Michelle Ballard, Financial Applications Support Analyst Christie Holt and Assistant Customer Service Manager Mackenzie Edmonds would provide status updates on the Automatic Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. The cost ofthe full implementation is included within the water treatment expansion debt, which is scheduled to be approved by the Local Government Commission in June 2024, and to close in July 2024. Financial Applications Support Analyst Christie Holt, explained that the AMI pilot program began in 2022 with the installation of ten meters to test the program and staff was very satisfied with the results. Following testing, it was determined that this program would be the best solution for the City of Sanford. Mrs. Holt explained that they initiated installations by routes, beginning with the largest water users, which is Route 122. They proceeded to Routes 140 and 141, and they are finishing up Routes 163 and 164. She explained that as ofnow, they havei installed 1,500 AMI meters at a cost of$514,899. Mrs. Holt explained that the cost ofinstalling meters in the remaining routes is $377,072 and when completed, they will have approximately 2,800 AMI meters in the ground. Mrs. Holt reviewed a map oft the location oft the current meter installations as described in Exhibit A. She added that the AMI installation completion date is projected for November or December 2025. Mrs. Holt thanked Council for their support and added that this program will offer many benefits for customers and staff. She confirmed that the leak adjustment process will remain the same. Distribution/olection Coordinator Alvan Davis informed Council that out of the 850 installed AMI meters, only four required trouble-shooting in the field, and the inspection showed that the wires had been cut in these four units. He said that the system will alert any type of miscommunication, as well as indicate the site. Mr. Davis reviewed the benefits of this system to TriRiver and City staff, including reduced exposure to high-traffic areas and hazardous situations, such as animals, weather, injuries, etc. Mr. Davis explained that this system will not eliminate the need for meter readers; they will still be needed for Sanford City Council Work Session April9,2024 Update re: Friends ofSanford Grant Award for Juneteenth Event (Exhibit C) Planner II Liz Whitmore announced that the Hawkins Mural will begin next week and she noted that the Preston Community donated $30,000 for this project. Mrs. Whitmore explained that the. Juneteenth- program will include a poetry competition with a subject matter of "What Juneteenth Means to Kou"and the participants will be provided with the story of "The Thousand Mile Walk" as al basis for the poetry. The winners will be introduced and gift cards will be presented (first place $100, second place - $50 and third place $25). Chris Thompson and Cultural Ensemble will perform for this event. The Unity Choir will also perform, from Despair to Hope and they are planning to write material specific for this event. She said they will need judges for this event and she will be reaching out to the black community for participants. Mrs. Whitmore noted that this event will be held at the WB Wicker School. She added that the grant applied forisa50/50 match and there were: funds in the Friends of Sanford account balance that were not earmarked and can be used for the local match. A recess was taken at 2:00 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 2:10 p.m. Strategic Framework Updates (ExhibitC) Assistant to the City Manager Holly Marosites, explained that she made the changes to the Strategic Framework accomplishments that were previously suggested by Council as described in Exhibit C. Ms. Marosites asked Council for feedback on the Strategic Framework updates and Council provided several changes to be made to the current document. She noted that she would update the current document and present the finalized Strategic Framework document to Council for approval at the April 16, 2024, City Council Meeting. Other Business Council Member Dabbs encouraged everyone to shop at the Farmer's Market on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Council Members were in agreement that the celebration for the City of Sanford's 150th birthday on Saturday, April 6, 2024, was a great success. Closed Session Council Member Rhodes made ai motion to goi into closed session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143- 318.11(a)(1), to prevent the disclosure ofinformation that is privileged or confidential pursuant to law and (3), to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney- client privilege. Seconded by Council Member Buckels, the motion carried unanimously. Return to Regular Session and Adjournment Council Member Dabbs made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Rhodes, the motion carried unanimously. ALL EXHIBITS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AND MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES. Respecttully Submitted, CE8 Attest: Denilas Bonriel Davis, City Clerk 3