MINUTES Spencer Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting May 9, 2024  The Town of Spencer Board of Aldermen meti in regular session to conduct a rescheduled regular meeting in the Hilda B. Palmer Board Room at the Spencer Town Hall on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 5:31 p.m.  Present were: Mayor Jonathan' Williams  Alderman Andrew Howe Alderwoman Erin Moody Alderman Rashid Muhammad Alderwoman Patricia Sledge  Also present were: Town Manager Peter Franzese, Town Clerk Anna Kanode' Ward, Finance Officer Heather Kann, Public Works Director. Joel Taylor, Fire Chief Michael Lanning, Police Sergeant Brian Leonard, Planner  Kyle Harris, and Planning & Zoning Administrator Steve Blount.  Alderman Steve Miller and Special Projects Manager. Joel Morris attended via Zoom. Mayor Pro Tempore Patti Secreast and Alderman Steve Miller were absent.  Mayor Williams called the meeting to order, gave the invocation, and led the Pledge of Allegiance.  ADDITIONS/DELETIONS AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA  Action  Alderwoman Sledge moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Alderman Muhammad seconded the motion,  which carried by a unanimous vote of4-0.  RECOGNITIONS  Mayor Williams presented proclamations for the National Public Service Recognition' Week: 2024, National Police Week: 2024, National Public Works Week 2024, International Firefighters Day 2024, and International Professional Municipal Clerks Week 2024, which are included int the body of the minutes below.  PROCLAMATION Office of the Mayor  WHEREAS, Public Service Recognition Week was first celebrated during the first week of Mayi in 19851 to honor the people who serve the United States of America as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees; WHEREAS, citizens in the United States of America are: served every single day by public servants at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels. These unsung heroes do the work that! keeps our nation working. Their tireless  and  efforts are especially critical today duringt the COVID-191 pandemic; and WHEREAS, many public employees take not only jobs, but oaths; and    WHEREAS, many public servants, including military personnel, police officers, firefighters, border patrol officers, embassy employees, health care professionals, and others, risk their lives each day in servicei tot the people of the WHEREAS, public servants include teachers, doctors, scientists, train conductors, astronauts, nurses, safety inspectors, laborers, computer technicians, social workers, and countless other occupations. Dayi in and day out they provide the diverse services demanded by the American people of their government with efficiency and WHEREAS, without these public servants at every level, continuity would be impossible in a democracy that WHEREAS, citizensi interact withi front-line civil servants when they seek government services and many other civil servants work outside of the public eye, receiving little recognition for the wide array of accomplishments they NOW,THEREFORE, I, lonathan D. Williams, byvirtue oft the authorityvested inr me as Mayor oft the Town of Spencer, and on behalf of the entire Board of Aldermen and all our citizens, dol hereby proclaim May! 5-11, 2024, as:  United States of America and around the world; and  integrity;and  regularly changes its leaders and elected officials; and  achieve every day.  PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITIONWEEK TOWN OFS SPENCERSTAFF  BEITFURTHER PROCLAIMED, that we extend our APPRECIATION to all  and that we urge all citizens to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of government employees at all INWITNESSI WHEREOF, have orderedi thet town seal affixed byr my signature oni thist thet third day of Mayi int they year  levels - federal, state, county, and city. of our Lord Two Thousand: and Twenty-Four.  PROCLAMATION Office oft the Mayor  WHEREAS, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and  the calendar weeki iny which May 151 falls as National Police' Week; and  WHEREAS, National Police' Week was established by aj joint resolution of Congressi in 1962; and  WHEREAS, there are moret than 800000lawenforcement officers servingi in communities acrossi the United States, WHEREAS, since thet first recorded deathi in 1786, there are currently 24,067 lawe enforcement officers int thel United WHEREAS, the names of these dedicated public servants are engraved on the walls of the National Law WHEREAS, 282 new names of fallen heroes are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring, including 118 officers killed in 2023 and 164 officers killedi inj previous years; and WHEREAS, the service and sacrifice of all officers killedi int the line of duty will bel honored duringt the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's 36th Candlelight Vigil, on the evening of May 13, 2024; and WHEREAS, the Candlelight Vigil is part of National Police' Week, which will be observed this year May 10th-16th;  including the dedicated members oft the Spencer Police Department; and States who have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty; and  Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC; and  and    WHEREAS, May 15 is designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day, in honor of all fallen officers and their families NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jonathan D. Williams, byvirtue oft the authority vestedi inr me as Mayor oft the Town of Spencer, and on behalf oft the entire Board of Aldermen and all our citizens, do hereby proclaim May 10-16,2024, as:  and U.S.1 flags should be flown at half-staff.  NATIONAL POLICEWEEK  BEITFURTHER PROCLAIMED, that we extend our APPRECIATION tot the exemplary dedication to the communities they represent. of ourl Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Four.  TOWNOFSPENCER POLICED DEPARTMENT  and to all law enforcement officers in communities across the nation for the vital services they perform and their INWITNESS WHEREOF, Ihave ordered the town seal affixed byr my signature ont this thet third day of Mayi int they year  PROCLAMATION Office ofthe Mayor  WHEREAS, public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vitali importance tos sustainable and resilient communities and toi the public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people WHEREAS, these infrastructure, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who are engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of government and the WHEREAS, these professionals are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, watert treatment, and solidy waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children int the Town of Spencer to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public WHEREAS, the year 2024 marks the 64th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public WHEREAS, the Town of Spencer Public Works Department is comprised of eleven professionals who are responsible for solid waste, yard waste, bulky item, and litter collection; routine maintenance of fire, police, and public works vehicles; maintaining the Town's streets, sidewalks, facilities, parks, grounds, and stormwater infrastructure including landscaping, general maintenance, and repairs; as well as the endless list of other duties, NOW,THEREFORE, I,J Jonathan! D. Williams, byvirtue of the authority vestedi ini me asl Mayor of the Town of Spencer, and on behalf of the entire Board of Aldermen and all our citizens, dol hereby proclaim May 19-25, 2024, as:  oft the Town of Spencer; and private sector;and  facilities essential for our citizens; and  works programs int their respective communities; and Works Assoclation/Canadlan Public' Works Association; and  special projects, and events.  NATIONAL PUBLICWORKS' WEEK  BEITFURTHER PROCLAIMED, that wet that we extend our APPRECIATION tot the  TOWNO OF SPENCER PUBLICWORKSI DEPARTMENT  and urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies ina activities, events, and ceremonies designed top paytribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national  health, safety and advancing quality of life for all.    INI WITNESSI WHEREOF,! have ordered thet town seal affixed byr my signature ont this thet third day of Mayi int they year  of our Lord Two Thousand: and Twenty-Four.  PROCLAMATION Office oft the Mayor  WHEREAS, Australianvolunteer: Firel LeutenantJ)Edmondson organizedi thef firstinternationalyrecognizedsymbol WHEREAS, May 4th is St. Florian's Day, whoi ist thep patron saint oft firefighters andt thet first known commander of one WHEREAS, the first International Firefighters' Day Sound Off, the sounding of sirens for 30 seconds at noon, was held on the first Sunday in May of 20021 to reflect on thei firefighters who lost their lives in the last twelve months, WHEREAS, International Firefighters' Dayi is observed eachyear on May 4t to honor andi remember past firefighters who have lost their lives while serving their communities, to express gratitude to1 those whol have served in this line WHEREAS, citizens are encouraged to wear red and blue ribbons on this day, representing fire and water, and to stop at noon to say a prayer for those who freely give of their time and service to the community and remember WHEREAS, at a moment's notice, firefighters are quick to respond to uncertain situations to mitigate danger and combatthet threat of destructivet firet top protecti individuals, families, andi thee economicwel-beingotourcommuniy: WHEREAS, the demands off firefighting are accompanied by personal, mental, and physical tolls that allf firefighters NOW, THEREFORE, I,J Jonathan! D. Williams, byvirtue of the authorityvested inr me as Mayor oft thel Town of Spencer, and on behalf of thee entire Board of Aldermen and all our citizens, do hereby proclaim May 4, 2024, as:  and date to honor, support, and respect all firefighters in 1999; and  firefighting squad int thel Roman Empire; and particularly those on September 11th; and  ofv work, andt to shows support and appreciation for those who presently serve; and  those who have given the ultimate sacrifice fighting fires; and  and  knowingly accept while risking their lives to protect the lives of others.  INTERNATIONALI FIREFIGHTERS' DAY TOWN OF SPENCER FIRE DEPARTMENT  BEITFURTHER PROCLAIMED, that we extend our APPRECIATIONI tot the  and that we urge all citizens to show support and appreciation toi firefighters who protect our lives and property sO dltgentlythroughout: theyear, and byr rememberingpast. firefighters who dedicatedt their livest toy preserve our safety. INWITNESS WHEREOF, Thave ordered thet town seal affixed byr my signature ont this thet third day of Mayi int the year  of ourl Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Four.  PROCLAMATION Office of the Mayor  WHEREAS, the Office of the Professional Municipal Clerk, is a time-honored and vital part of local government WHEREAS, the Municipal Clerki is the oldest among public servants andt the only statutorily required positioni for all WHEREAS, Municipal Clerks provide the professional link between citizens, local governing bodies, and agencies  existingthroughout: they world; and  units of local government in North Carolina; and of government at other levels; and    WHEREAS, Professional Municipal Clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, WHEREAS, the Professional Municipal Clerkserves: ast thei information center ont functions of local government: and WHEREAS, Professional Municipal Clerks continually strive to improve the administration of their duties through participation in education programs, seminars, workshops, and the annual meetings of their state, provincial, WHEREAS, It is most appropriate that we recognize the accomplishments of the Office of the Professional WHEREAS, Professional Municipal Clerks Week was established in 1969 by thel International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) and is endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Municipal Clerks (NCAMC) and all other WHEREAS, in 1984 and in 1994, Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, respectively, signed proclamations officially declaring Professional Municipal Clerks Week thet firsti full week of May and recognizing the essential role NOW,THEREFORE, 1,J Jonathan D. Williams, byvirtue oft the authorityvested ini me as Mayor oft the Town of Spencer, and on behalf of the entire Board of Aldermen and all our citizens, do hereby proclaim May 5-11,2024, as:  rendering equal service to all; and  community; and  county, and international professional organizations; and  Municipal Clerk, andi in particular, our Town Clerk Annal Kanode Ward; and  members throughout the United States, Canada, and 15 other countries; and  Municipal Clerks playi in local government.  PROFESSIONAL MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK  BEI ITFURTHERI PROCLAIMED, that we extend our APPRECIATION to our Town Clerk,  ANNAI KANODE WARD  and to all Professional Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the INWITNESSI WHEREOF, Thave ordered thet town seal affixed byr my signature ont this thet third day ofl Mayi int they year  communities they represent.  of our Lord" Two Thousand and' Twenty-Four.  PUBLIC COMMENT  Mayor Williams opened thet floort to receive public comment.  Being no one present wishing to speak, Mayor' Williams closed the public comment portion of the meeting. Alderwoman Sledge moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Alderwoman Moody seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote of 4-0. Items e andi fare included int the body oft the minutes below, and items d and ga are attached to these minutes as Attachments A and B, respectively. Items approved were:  CONSENT. AGENDA  a. APPROVAL OFI MINUTES: b. DEPARTMENTALREPORTS Planning ii. Code Enforcement iii. Police iv. Fire V. Public' Works vi. Finance vii. Library  i. April 4, 2024, Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes ii. April 9,2 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes    C. TOWN MANAGERI REPORT  d. CONSIDERAPROVING - FY24 Audit Contract with RH CPAS, PLLC  e. CONSIDER/ ADOPTING - Project Budget Ordinance 23-19.001- - Accepting Rural Downtown Economic Development (RDED) Granti from NC Commerce and Authorizing the Mayor and Staff to Execute: a Grant CONSIDER ADOPTING - Budget Ordinance 23-14.018 Police' Vehicle Insurance Payment CONSIDER ACCEPTING - Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant from NC Commerce and Authorizing the Mayor and! Staff to Execute Grant Agreement (Building Reuse - CRCHC-$ $75,000) h. CONSIDER. ACCEPTING- Blanche and. Julian Robertson Foundation (BJRFF) Grant (Carter House CONSIDER/ ACCEPTING- -Margret C. Woodson Foundation Grant and Robertson Grant (Mural Project) CONSIDERAWARDING-Historic Preservation Incentive (HPI) Grant to Sheliah Gainer k. CONSIDERAWARDING-Historic Preservation Incentive (HPI) Grant to. Judy Kinley  Agreement (Town Park and Building upfit- - $275,000)  Design - $20,000)  DOWNTOWN PARKI PROJECTI BUDGET ORDINANCE FORT THE TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTHO CAROLINA PROJECTBUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENT23-19.01 MAY9,2024  BE IT ORDAINED by the Governing Board of the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, the following amended anticipated revenues, and expenditures from the Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant from the NC Commerce are hereby appropriated and approved fori the Downtown Park Project amending Ordinance 22-018and Section 1. The Town accepts the grant identified and authorizes the Town Manager to sign on behalf oft the Section 4. To appropriate revenues and expense appropriations as follows for a grant from the NC  Towna any documents related tot the grant'sacceptance: and  Commerce of $275,000: Account 92-3985-002 Other Grants Account  Revenues $1,400,000 Expenditures $1,565,000  Title Title Capital Outlay-  Current Budget Amended Budget (Decrease)lr Increase Current Budget Amended Budget (Decrease) Increase  $1,675,000  $275.000  92-6120-580 Infrastructure  $1,840,000  $275,000  Section! 5. Copies oft this project budget amendment shall be furnished tot the Clerk tot the Governing Board,  and tot the Town Manager andt the Finance Manager for record-keeping.  Adopted this gth day of May2 2024.  AN ORDINANCE. AMENDING THE TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA GENERALFUNDI FY23-24 BUDGET ORDINANCE: 23-14.018 MAY9, 2024  BE IT ORDAINED, by the Governing Board of the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that the following amendment of anticipated fund revenues and departmental expenditures, certain Fee and Charge Schedules, and with certain restrictions and authorizations, are hereby appropriated and approved for the operation of Town Government: and its activities for the Fiscal' Year beginning July1,2023, ande endingo onJ June 30, 2024: payment receivedf forv wrecked Police vehicle tot fund other Police vehicle maintenance.  Section 1.Toa amend the FY23-246 expense appropriations ast follows: Appropriate funds froma ani insurance    Section: 2. Thef following linei items are amended asf follows:  Revenues $3810.00 apenses/Expenditures $10,310  Account  Title  Current Budget Amended Budget (Decrease)! Increase  10-3838-000 Insurance Reimbursement  $5,225  $1,415  Account  Title  Current Budget Amended Budget (Decrease)! Increase  10-4310-353 Maintenance- Vehicles  $11,725  $1,415  Section 3. Copies oft this budget amendment shall bet furnished to the Clerk tot the Governing Board, and to  the Town! Manager and thel Finance Officer for record-keeping.  Adopted this gth day of May 2024.  RECEIVEPRESENTATION-Town Manager's Recommended FY 2024-25 Budget  Town Manager Franzese and Finance Officer Heather Kann presented the Mayor and Board withi the Town Manager's Recommended FY25 Budget, which is attached to these minutes as Attachment C. The proposed Spencer budget for FY25 totals $5,871,288, with $5,389,806 in the General Fund, $154,971 in the Powell Bill Fund, and $326,511 int the Capital Reserve and Replacement Fund. The recommended propertyt taxr rate is 62 cents per $100 of valuation. Some topics discussed included: sales tax projections, vehicle tax, monthly solid waste fee, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, appropriated funds, the Capital Reserve and Replacement Fund, personnel needs, upcoming Town projects, Powell Bill Fund, and items not funded in this CONSIDERAUTHORIZINO - Town Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Double D Town Manager Franzese presented the Mayor and Board with information regarding the abatement of asbestos and lead at 600 S. Salisbury Ave. and requested they authorize himi to negotiate and execute an agreement with Double D Construction Services, Inc. He also requested they consider adopting Resolution 24-10t to dispose of The Town's vacant building at 600S S. Salisbury Avenue needs asbestos abatement and demolition to allowi the The Town has solicited multiple demolition quotes fort the building, and1 the Double D Construction: Services proposal provides an option to complete the needed worki int two phases. Thei first phase is abatement of abestos-containings materials int the building, which we would like to complete this fiscal year. We would plan Staff continues cleaning out the old building and working towards conveying usable surplus propertyto1 the fullest extent possible. The recommended resolution would allows staff to make the remaining items int the building available to any eligible government or nonprofit organization per 160A-280 on one or1 two dates, and after those dates, we could entertain privately negotiated sales of propertywith individuals per 160A-266c. The quote for asbestos abatement is approximately $56,000. Wel have received an additional quote from the same company fort the demolition phase (approximately $61,000). These are the best quotes wel have received to date, and this project isi in thei informal bidding range. We recommend repurposing funds int the current) year's budget that were: set aside for possible land acquisition to accomplish phase 1. Phase 2i is included in the FY25  recommendation. No action was taken by the Board.  Construction Services, Inc.  personal property to non-profit organizations.  propertyt to be available for1 future public or private use.  ont the demolition phase with the FY25 budget.  recommended budget.    Actions  Alderwoman Moody moved to authorize Town Manager Franzese to negotiate and execute an agreement with Double D Construction Services, Inc., whichi is attached to these minutes as Attachment D. Alderman Alderman Muhammad moved to adopt Resolution 24-10 Approving Conveyance of Personal Propertyto Certified Non-profit Organizations, which is incorporated ini the body of the minutes below. Alderman Howe  Muhammad seconded the motion, which carried unanimously with a vote of4-0.  seconded the motion, which carried unanimously with ay vote of 4-0.  TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTHCAROLINA RESOLUTION: 24-10 APPROVING CONVEYANCE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY TOCERTIFIEDI NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PURSUANTTOG.S. 160A-280  WHEREAS, the Town of Spencer owns surplus personal property, such ast furniture, equipment, and all otheri items remaining WHEREAS, North Carolina General Saunailto2BDautone: a city or countyt to convey personal propertyf forr nonmonetary consideration to a nonprofit corporation ift the governing! board deems thep property to be: surplus, obsolete, or unused; and WHEREAS, the Town of Spencer has determined that the personal property described above iss surplus, obsolete, or unused; WHEREAS, the Town of Spencer findst that the public will benefit from the conveyance of the property described. above by 1) finding new use fort the propertyi inj public and nonprofit agencies who are serving the community, allowing their limited budgetst to be directed to the services they provide; and 2) facilitating the removal of this personal property to allow for public or private NOW, THEREFORE, BE ITI RESOLVED that the Board of Aldermen oft the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that: 1.Thel Town! Manager of Spenceri is authorized toe execute all documents necessary to conveyt titlet tos surplus personal property, such as furniture, equipment, and all otheri items remaining at 600 S. Salisbury. Avenue to certified nonprofit and governmental 2. The consideration for the conveyance is the public benefit of 1) finding new use for the property in public and nonprofit agencies who are serving the community, allowing their limited budgets to be directed to the services they provide; and 2) facilitating ther removal oft this personal propertyt to allowf for publico or private redevelopment oft the Town'sreal property. 3. Inaccordancer withi ther notice requirements OfN.C.G.S.5160A.280, publicr notice oft this resolutiony was given! by postingt the  at600 S. Salisbury Avenue; and  and  redevelopment oft thel Town'sreal property.  organizations.  notice at spencernc.: gov on! Friday, May 3,2024. Adopted this 9th day of May, 2024.  REQUESTS AND COMMENTS BYTHE BOARD MEMBERS  Alderwoman Pat Sledge:  Congratulated all the organizations being recognized during the month of May and expressed Reminded senior citizens that the Spencer Senior Luncheon is coming up and1 to contact Rufty-Holmes  appreciation for all they do.  Senior Center before the registration deadline.    Stated her! heart was with thet family of Molly Secreast Eisenhour and that the publici isi invitedt to1 the  upcoming memorial at North Rowan High School.  Alderman Rashid Muhammad: budget packet.  Commended Town Manager Franzese and staff for their hard work putting together the recommended Prayed that the Most High provide Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast: and heri family with strength, guidance, Informed those in attendance and watching that he was ablet to represent the Town andi the Board this past Thursday at North Rowan High School, where he presented the Third and Fourth Quarter Student Awards. He said it was exciting to see students and young people doing great things and that those Thanked Town staff and department heads for their work throughout the entire year, stating the Town  Told Alderman Miller via Zoom that hel hopes het feels better soon.  and comfort at this time of loss.  actions are not going unnoticed. would not make it without them.  Alderman Andrew Howe:  Stated het thought it appropriate to honor staff and public servants today and that he was glad the budget allows the Town to hiret the firefighters and police that we need. He alsoi thanked the public Conveyed sorrowi for Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast and hert family's loss and hope to attend the Expressed the understanding that while no one wanted to raise taxes, ity would be worth iti to supplement the grants staff has brought in. Whilet this increase is undesirable, iti is going toward  works staff for all they doi for the Town.  memorial service. necessarythings. Alderwoman Erin Moody:  Said she enjoyed recognizing the staff and thanked them for preparing the budget proposal. Reiterated thei ideai that iti is important to recognize that thel budget needs to reflect the desire to have Thank everyone who volunteered for United' Way Day of Caring at the North Rowan Elementary School  amazing staff who are ablet to go home safely at the end oft the day. Informed those present that iti is Mental Health Awareness Month.  trail project. Mayor Jonathan' Williams:  Mentioned the meeting will recess until May 21st at 5:30 p.m., at whichi time the Board will have the opportunity to workshop1 the budget. Requested board members prepare questions and givet them to Stated the other agenda item fort the recessed meetingi is an executive session for the manager's annual  the manager ahead of time.  review and reminded board members to complete the online review.  RECESS  Mayor Williams recessed the meeting until Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the same location. The  meeting stood recessed at 7:19 p.m.  . OF. B  Approved by:  Attest:  F hh Aonathan Williams, Mayor  Luhmbolh Anna Kanode' Ward, Town Clerk  SEPV S CIMCNR