MINUTES Spencer Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting March 12, 2024  The Town of Spencer Board of Aldermen meti in regular session to conduct a regular meetingi int the Hildal B. Palmer Board Room ati the Spencer Town Hall on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.  Present were: Mayor. Jonathan Williams  Mayor Pro Tempore Patti Secreast Alderman Andrew Howe Alderman Steve Miller Alderwoman Erin Moody Alderwoman Patricia Sledge Alderman Rashid Muhammad  Also present were: Town Manager Peter Franzese, Town Attorney. Jay Dees, Town Clerk Annal K. Ward, Finance Officer Heather Kann, Public' Works Director. Joel Taylor, Police Sergeant Bryan Leonard, Planner Kyle Harris, Planning & Zoning Administrator Steve Blount, and UNCL Lead for NC Fire Chief Michael Lanning, Special Projects Manager. Joe Morris, and MPAI Intern Skye Allan  Fellow Ryan Ledbetter. attended" via Zoom.  Mayor Jonathan Williams called the meeting to order. Alderman Rashid Muhammad gave thei invocation. Mayor. Jonathan' Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA  Action  Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Alderman! Muhammad  seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote of 6-0.  RECOGNITIONS  Alderwoman Sledge recognized management at Cabarrus Rowan Community Center (Northern Rowan Family Medicine) fort their service toi the area and for winning the Rural Economic Development Private Owner Building Reuse Program Grant joint grant with the Town of Spencer. Mayor Williams opened thet floor to receive public comment. The following person addressed the  PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor and Board:  1. Thomas Strini, 15 Beauregard Drive, Spencer, NC: 28159    Being no one else present wishing to speak, Mayor Williams closed the public comment portion of  the meeting. CONSENT, AGENDA  Alderwoman Sledge moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Alderwoman Moody seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote of 6-0. Item bi isi incorporated in the body  oft ther minutes below. Items approved were: a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  February 8, 2024, Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes ii. February 13,2024, Regular Meeting Minutes  b. CONSIDER, ADOPTING - Resolution 24-09 Authorizing Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant (RDEDG). Application and Committing to 5%1 Local Match  TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA RESOLUTION: 24-09  SUPPORTING THE APPLICATIONI FOR ANI NCI DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RURAL DOWNTOWNI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT, AND COMMITTING TO ATLEASTA AF FIVE PERCENT MATCH USING LOCALI RESOURCES FORT THE PURPOSE OF GAPE FUNDINGI FOR THE: SPENCER TOWNI PARKI PROJECT, SHELL UPFITI FOR TOWN-OWNED COMMERCIAL LEASE SPACE, ANDI RELATED SIGNAGE WHEREAS, the Town of Spencer has actively participated in the NC Department of Commerce's Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE) Strategic Planning Process, working with the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center staff to subsequently: adopt a 2023 CORE Strategic Plan; and WHEREAS, thel Town of Spencer has successfully! been awarded an NCI Department of Commerce WHEREAS, the Town of Spenceri is locatedi in Rowan County, which, in 2024, is designated asal Tier 2economic distress county byt the NCI Department of Commerce andi ist therefore eligible to apply for the WHEREAS, the Town of Spencer seeks additional grant funding to address unanticipated and increased costs associated with the development of the park, as well as shell upfit costs for town-owned property to be available for lease, and related signage, all in furtherance of a CORE strategy to promote WHEREAS, the Town of Spencer submits that provision of additional funding will support public improvements that help efforts toward local jobs creation and retention, supporting proven downtown economic development initiatives and willi facilitate publicly owned Duldingimprovements fori the purpose NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, does hereby support the application for a Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant; and BEITFURTHER RESOLVED that the Board commits to the provision of at five percent local match, up to $42,500, contingent upon the successful award of up to $850,000 to provide gap funding for the Spencer Town Park Project, shell upfit of town-owned property to be available for lease, and related  Rural Transformation Grant fort the Spencer Town Park Project; and  recentlyannounced Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant; and  downtown economic development; and  ofeconomic development.  signage.  Adopted this 12th day of March 2024.    CONSIDER. ADOPTING- - Ordinance 24-05 Hawkins Meadows Annexation Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount answered questions fromi the Mayor and Board. This propertyi is being developed as a 141-unit townhome project and is located within the Town's ETJ. The property must be annexed to connect to Salisbury Rowan Utilities (SRU) for water and sewer. Pert the Town's Comprehensive Land Use Plan, higher-densityl residential development is desired in this area. The cost of services will ber more than offset byt thei increasei inj property tax revenue. Alderman Miller moved to adopt Ordinance 24-05, an ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, which is included int the body of the minutes below. Alderwoman Sledge seconded the motion, which carried by a vote of5 5-1 (Miller-yea, Moody-  Action  yea, Howe -yea, Secreast-yea, Muhammad -I nay, Sledge- -yea).  ORDINANCE 24-05  AN ORDINANCE TO EXTEND THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA WHEREAS, thel Board of Aldermen has been petitioned under G.S. 160A-58. lto annex the area WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen has byr resolution directed the Town Clerk to investigate the WHEREAS, the Town Clerk has certified the sufficiency of the petition and ap public hearing on the question oft this annexation was held at Town Hall, 460 SS Salisbury Ave at or about 5:30 PM on March7,2024 WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen finds that the area described therein meets the standards ofG.S. a. Ther nearest point on the proposed satellite corporate limits is not moret than three (3) miles from the b. Noy point ont the proposed satellite corporate limits is closer to another municipality than tot thel Town anda although closer tot the City of Salisbury, there is an annexation agreement inj place that allows the The area described is sO situated that the Town will be ablet to provide the same services withint the proposed satellite corporate limits thati it provides within the primarycorporate limits; d. Nos subdivision, as defined in G.S. 160A-376, will bet fragmented byt this proposed annexation; e. The areal within the proposed satellite corporate limits, when added to the area within all other satellite corporate limits, does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area within the primary corporate limits of the Town andt the Town has ar modification tot this requirement by virtue of an act oft the WHEREAS, thel Board of Aldermen further finds that the petition has been signed by all the owners ofr real  described below; and sufficiency oft the petition;and  after due notice by publication! int the Salisbury Post on February 18, 2024; and  160A-58.(b), to wit:  corporate limits oft the Town;  annexation ofi the proposed satellite;  General Assembly; and  propertyi in the area who are required by lawt to sign; and    WHEREAS, the Board of Alderment further finds thatt the petition. is otherwise valid, andt that the public health, safety and welfare of the Towna and of the area proposed for annexation will be! best served by NOW, THEREFORE, BEIT ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Spencer, North Carolina Section1 1. Byvirtue oft the authority granted by G.S. 160A-58.2, thet following described non-contiguous Beginning at an existing railroad spike ini the western edge of a 16' widei farm road, the north west corner of Beverly. J. Hawkins, deed book 862 page 794, Rowan County Parcel ID: #3 324:203, thence with Hawkins line, Lois Patton's line, Juanita Hawkin's line and Henry R. Campbell,. Jr's line, S 02°09'41"W, 919.85'to an existing railroad spike int the easte edge of the 16' widei farm road, ther north west corner of Leonard Hawkins, thence with Leonard Hawkins west line S 02° 07'43" W, 200.02'1 to an existing railroad spike on the eastern edge of 16'widei farmi road, thence with Kimberly D. Hawkins west line and. Juanita Hawkins west line, SC 02°0 08' 13"W, 340.10'1 to an existing #6 rebart the northy west corner of the City of Salisbury Economic Development Department property (Rowan County PID: #3 3240 041), thence withi their line S 02° 10'03"W, at total of 307.60' to the center of Grants Creek, passing al half inchi iron pipe at 257.60, thence two, lines with the center of Grants Creek, one, N 83°4 42'20"W, 213.10' to ap pointi int the center of Grants Creek, two, N 78° 31'08"W, 203.97'1 to a point int the center of Grants Creek int the eastern line of Albert W.. Johnson, Rowan County PID #3 324 049, thence with. Johnson's line N 01°31'04"E, 52.49'1 to an existing #5 rebar ont the Bank of Grants Creek, thence continuing with. Johnson's line NO 01°31'04"E, 836.19'toa #5 rebar control corner, thence with. Johnson's and Albert W.. Johnson, Jr's linel N 880 26' 18"W, 181.50'to a21 V"iron pipei int thel line of Charles W. Davis, Rowan County PID: # 324 054, thence with Davis's line N 01 33' 42" E, 811.00't totalt to ap point ont the south edge of pavement of Hawkinstown Road (S.R. 1912), passing an existing #5 rebar at 792.38, thence two lines witht the south edge of pavement, one, S 88°26' 18"E, 81.50' to a point, two, S8 88° 26' 18" E, 99.38' to a point, thence continuing with an unknown owners property, N 89° 54' 47" E, 411.28'1 to an existing #5 rebar, Beverly. J. Hawkins south west corner of Rowan County PID #: 324 0461 thence with! her linel N 83° 06'27"E, 22.00' tot the point andp place of Beginning and being 20.246 acres as shown on mapt tilted 153 Capital, LLC and recordedi in Rowan County Register of Deeds in Book of Maps 9995 Page 10641, survey and map by Shulenburger Surveying Company, P.A. Section 2. Upon and after March 12, 20241 the above described territory and its citizens and property shall be subject to all debts, laws, ordinances andi regulations int force int the Town of Spencer ands shall be entitled tot the same privileges and benefits as other parts oft the Town of Spencer. Said territory shall be Section3. The Mayor of thel Town of Spencer shall cause to be recorded ini the office oft the Register of Deeds of Rowan County, and int the office of the Secretary of State at Raleigh, North Carolina, an accurate map oft the annexed territory, described in Section 1 above, together with a duly certified copy of this ordinance. Suchar map: shall also! be delivered to the Salisbury Rowan County Board of Elections, as required Section 4. Notice of adoption of this ordinance shall be published once, following the effective date of  annexingt the area described;  that:  territory is hereby annexed and made part oft the Town of Spencer as of March 12, 2024  dated 09/12/2023.  subject tor municipali taxes accordingi to G.S. 160A-58.10.  by G.S. 163-288.1.  annexation, in a newspaper having general circulation int the Town of Spencer.  Adopted this 12th day of March, 2024  CONSIDER AWARDING- - 2024 Town of Spencer School Safety and Support Grant Program UNC Lead for NCI Fellow Ledbetter, Ashley Miller from North Rowan Elementary: School, and. Jaime Pacilio from North Rowan Middle School presentedi information and answered questions from the    Mayor and Board. In December, the Board of Aldermen approved the 2024 Spencer School Safety and Support Grant. The schools were notified oft this grant opportunity in December with the understanding that the deadline for application submissions would be. January 31st. The original deadline was moved back to February 29th in ordert to allow the schools more time to organize their proposals. Now, the schools have all submitted their proposals for approval by the Board of Each: school was offered $5,000 each with an opportunity of $5,000 additional funds available for collaboration. The middle school and the elementary school submitted aj joint application that Project Ai is a community event. Itv will take place in August at the library or the 8th Street ballpark, depending on availability. Attendees will receive school supplies, T-shirts, and other swag. Additionally, food trucks, local agencies, and a couple of speakers will bei invited to attend the Project Bi includes a one-day professional development on Trauma Sensitivity and Recovery led by Cheryl Fuller for the staff at the Elementary and Middle Schools. They plan to serve lunch toi the staff ont the day oft thet training as well. They are estimating a cost of $5,000 but may be able to use Project C would bringi ins speakers who were unavailable in August for the community event but would still liket to speak with students about the challenges they face related to gangs and drugs. These: speakers indicated that they would be willingt to do this for no cost, andi thus, they are Project Di is an after-school program aimed at students facing adversity related to gang violence and human trafficking. The schools are applying for a grant from the state toi fund this but hope that the Town can helpi them start while they secure: the rest of the required funds. They are requesting The High School's application consists of two proposals with an estimated total cost of $4,800. Project Ai is al bi-weekly (5 events) entrepreneurship project for the remainder of the school year beginningi inl March: 2024. In partnership withi the Ralph W. Ketner School of Business, students will learn new ntepreneurnp-related skills. Iti ist the school's hope that these skills will lend themselves to students becomingi involved in extracurricular activities after school and on the weekends to remain out of trouble. With the grant, the school hopes to provide a Cavalier Swag bag to guests from the School of Business for eachy visit. The cost estimate fort this project is $1,000. Project Bi is a community event in April that willi include a panel of local entrepreneurs, radio personality B-Daht, a pop-up' vendor expo, and al DJ. Each panelist will also receive a Cavalier swag Leadi for NCI Fellow Ledbetter stated that thet financial impact would be $5,000 per Elementary, Middle, and High School plus $5000 available for collaboration, for at total budget of $20,000. This  Aldermen.  includes 4 project proposals, totaling $15,000.  event. Thei total cost estimate for this project is $5,000.  their owni funds to cover some of the speaker costs.  estimating a $0 cost estimate.  $5,000 for this project.  bag. The cost estimate for this project is $3,800.  amount was builti into the FY24 Budget.    Action  Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast moved to award the 2024 Town of Spencer School Safety and Support Grant Program as presented by staff for at total of $20,000. Alderman Muhammad seconded the CONSIDER. ADOPTING- Various documents for the 17th Street Stormwater Improvements Project SRP-SW-ARP-0017, establishing the Grant Project Fund, and authorizing the Town Town Manager Franzese presented information and answered questions from the Mayor and Board. In 2023, with the assistance of our on-call stormwater consultants (Hazen), the Town was awarded NCDEQ Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments (LASII) funding fort two projects: 1) 17th Street Stormwater Improvements (construction) -$1,959,462; and 2): Stormwater Assessment and Planning to cover the entire Town $400,000. The planning grant kicked offi in September. After reviewing the preliminary engineering report submitted last summer, NCDEQ recently provided the documents necessaryt for us to proceed with the construction improvements grant, toi include engineering, design, and other services. We have also received a corresponding Task Orderi from Hazen, which covers the eligible and necessary services funded in the grant. The Town intends to perform said project in accordance with the agreed scope of work and adhere to applicable Compliance and Reporting Guidance along with NC General Statutes. NCDEQ has provided a variety of documents fort the Town to submit. These documents 1)1 facilitate acceptance of the grant (including assurance to comply with performance, conditions, compliance, and other requirements); and 2) establish our budgetary mechanism to track related revenues and expenditures through a Grant Project Ordinance. Staff also seeks authorization to execute the corresponding Task Order with our consultant, to proceed with project engineering, design, and This grant has no matching requirements. The Town will request reimbursement after expenditures arei incurred in at timely manner. The Town will advance sufficient funds to cover expenditures from  motion, which carried unanimously with ay vote of 6-0.  Manager to execute a corresponding Task Orderv with Hazen and Sawyer.  construction administration.  the General Fund until ther requested grant funds are received.  Action  Alderman Muhammad moved to adopt Resolution 24-06, a resolution accepting ARPA finding offer for SRP-SW-ARP-0017 and making the applicable conditions and assurances contained therein, which is incorporated int thel body oft the minutes below. Alderwoman Moody seconded the motion,  which carried unanimously with ay vote of6-0.  RESOLUTION: 24-06  RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA, ACCEPTING ARPA FUNDING OFFER FOR SRP-SW-ARP-0017 AND MAKING THE APPLICABLE WHEREAS, thel Town of Spencer has received an earmark for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funded from the Statel Fiscal Recovery Fund established in S.L. 2022-741 to assist eligible units of government with  CONDITIONS AND ASSURANCES CONTAINED THEREIN  meeting their water/wastewater. infrastructure needs, and    WHEREAS, thel North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has offered American Rescue Plan (ARP)fundingi int the amount of $ 1,959,462 to perform work detailed int the: submitted application, WHEREAS, the Town of Spencer intends to perform said project in accordance with the agreed scope of NOW,THEREFORE, BE ITF RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF SPENCER: That the Town of Spencer does hereby accept the. American Rescue Plan Grant offer of That the Town of Spencer does hereby give assurance to thel North Carolinal Department of Environmental Quality that any Conditions or Assurances contained ini the Award Offer will be That Town Manager Peter Franzese, and successors so titled, is hereby authorized and directed to furnish such information as the appropriate State agency may request in connectionwitht this project; to make the assurances as contained above; and to execute such other documents asi may  and work,  $1,959,462. adhered to.  ber required byt the Division of Water Infrastructure. Adopted this the 12th day of March 2024 at Spencer, North Carolina.  Alderman Miller moved to adopt Ordinance 24-06, a grant project ordinancet for SRP-SW-ARP-007 17th St. stormwater improvements, which is incorporated int thel body of the minutes below. Alderman Howe seconded the motion, which carried unanimously with av vote of 6-0.  GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCE SRP-SW-ARP-007 17th St. STORMWATER MPROVEMENTS THE TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA ORDINANCE 24-06 MARCH 12, 2024  BEITO ORDAINED byt thet town board oft the Town of Spencer, North Carolinai that, pursuant to Section 13.2ofChapter 159 oft the General Statutes of North Carolina, thei following grant project ordinance ish hereby Section 1. The SRP-SW-ARP-0017 project authorized, is the 17th Street Stormwater Improvements to bei financed byt thel North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Grant American Rescue Plan (ARP) Section 2. The officers of this unit are hereby directed to proceed with the grant project within the Section: 3. Thel Town authorizes fundst tol be advanced' tot the Stormwater Infrastructure Fundi fromt the General Fund to pay for expenditures as due. Disbursement requests should be made to1 the grantor agency Section 4. Thei finance officer is! hereby directed to maintain within the capital project fund sufficient specific detailed accounting records to satisfy the requirements oft the grantor agency, the grant agreements, and federal regulations. The finance officer will also report, on a quarterly basis, on the financial status of  adopted:  Grant of $1,959,462.  terms of the! board resolution, loan documents and the budget contained herein.  in an orderly andt timely manner.  each expenditure element and the grant revenues received.    Section! 5. The Budget Officer is directedi to include a detailed analysis of past and future costs and Section 6. Copies of this grant project ordinance shall be furnished to the clerk of the Governing  revenues ont this grant project ine every budget submission madei tot this board.  Board, thel Budget Officer, and thel Finance Officer for direction in carrying out this project.  Revenues $0  Account  Title  Current Budget Amended Budget Expenses/EApen.ditures Current Budget Amended Budget $0 $0 $0  (Decrease)! Increase $1,959,462  96-3985-002 Other Grants  $1,959,462  Account  Title  (Decrease) Increase $320,000 $1,490,420 $149,042 $1,959,462  96-4196-198 Services-Engineering 96-7496-580 Co-Infrastructure 96-4196-999 Contingencies Adopted this 12"h, day of March: 2024.  $320,000 $1,490,420 $149,042  Total  Alderwoman Sledge moved to authorize the Town Manager to execute a Task Order with Hazen dated February. 28, 2024, in the amount of $320,000, which isi included as Attachment At tot these minutes.. Alderman Muhammad seconded the motion, which carried unanimously with av vote CONSIDER ADOPTING - Resolution 24-07 Directing Town Clerk to Investigate 1840 HWY: 29 Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount presented information and answered questions from the Mayor and Board. Parcel 047011 (1840HWY: 29) is not currently within municipal limits. The property owners have petitioned the Town to have this property annexed. Certain ordinances can only be enforced and services provided by the Town ift the propertyi is within our municipal limits. Services are already provided to the adjacent property, sO there are negligible additional costs to  of6-0.  Annexation Petition  the Town and would bet further offset by thei increase inp property taxi revenue.  Action  Alderwoman Sledge moved to adopt Resolution: 24-07, a resolution directing the Town Clerk to investigate the annexation petition request fort the property located at 1840 HWY: 29, which is incorporated int thel body of the minutes below. Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast seconded the motion,  which carried unanimously with a vote of 6-0.  TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA RESOLUTION: 24-07  ARESOLUTION DIRECTING THE CLERK TOI INVESTIGATE AF PETITION RECEIVED UNDER NCGS 160A-31 FOR WHEREAS, ap petitionrequesting: annexation of an area described in said petition was received on 2/5/2024  ANNEXATION  byt the Board of Aldermen oft the Town of Spencer;and    WHEREAS, G.S. 160A-31 provides that the sufficiency oft the petition shall bei investigated byt the Town Clerk WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Spencer deems ita advisablei to proceed inr response tot this NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED byt the Board of Aldermen oft the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that:  before further annexation proceedings mayt take place; and  request for annexation;  Section 1. Section 2.  The Town Clerki is hereby directed to investigate the sufficiency of the above-described petition and  to certify as soon as possiblet tot the Board of Aldermen the results of heri investigation.  This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.  Adopted this 12th day of March, 2024.  TOWN CLERK" TO PRESENT- Certificate of Sufficiency for Proposed 1840 HWY: 29 Annexation Town Clerk Anna Kanode presented the Mayor and Board with a Certificate of Sufficiencyforthe  proposed annexation of parcel 047 011 (1840HWY/29).  Action  Itwast the consensus of the Board to accept the Certificate of Sufficiencyt for the proposed CONSIDER. ADOPTING-F Resolution 24-08 Setting Public Hearing Date for 1840 HWY29  annexation of 047011 (1840HWY29).  Annexation Action  Alderman Howe moved to adopt Resolution 24-08, a resolution setting a public hearing datei for the proposed annexation petition request for the property located at 1840HWY29, on April 4, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. int the Hilda B. Palmer Board Room at Spencer Town Hall. Alderman Muhammad  seconded the motion, which carried unanimously with av vote of 6-0.  TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA  RESOLUTION2 24-08 160A-31  RESOLUTION FIXING DATEOFPUBLICHEARING ONQUESTIONOF, ANNEXATION PURSUANTTOG.S.  WHEREAS, a petition requesting annexation of the area described herein has beenreceived; WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen has by resolution directed the Town Clerkt toi investigate WHEREAS, certification byt the Town Clerk as tot the sufficiency of the petition has been made; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen oft the Town of Spencer, North Section 1. A public hearing on the question of annexation of the area described  and  thes sufficiency ofthe petition; and  Carolina that:  herein will be! held atl Town Hall at or about 5:30 PMonApril14,2024.    Section: 2.  The areap proposed for annexation is described asf follows:  BEING all of Lots Nos. 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176,177,178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183 and 184 of the Subdivision knownast the BROWNESTATE PROPERTY, located onand near! Highway: 29, near' Yadkin, North Carolina, as shown byr map ofa aforesaid Brown Estate Property made by G. Sam Rowe, Reg. Civil Engineer, and recorded int the office ofthe Register of Deeds for Rowan County, N. C. in Book of Maps, The property herein described was acquired by Grantor byi instrument recorded ast follows: Deed AlL or a portion of the property herein conveyed does not include the primary residence of a Grantor. A map showing the above described property is recorded in Plat Book 9995, page 517. Notice of the public hearing shall be published in The Salisbury Post, a newspaper having general circulation in the Town of Spencer of atleastten(10) days prior tot the date ofthe public  page! 517.  Book 1048, page! 565, Rowan County Registry.  Section: 3.  hearing.  Section 4.  This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.  Adopted this 12th day of March, 2024. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Planning Department  Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount gave the monthly Planning Department report and  answered any questions fromi the Mayor and Board.  Code Enforcement Department  Police Sergeant Leonard gave the monthly Code Enforcement report and answered any questions from the Mayor and Board. The main topic of discussion was department staffing needs.  Police Department Mayor and Board. Fire Department  Police Sergeant Leonard gave the Police Department report and answered any questions from the  Fire Chief Michael Lanning gave the Fire Department report and answered any questions from the Mayor and Board. The main topic of discussion was department staffing needs.  Public' Works Department  Public' Works Director Taylor gave the Public Works Department report and answered any questions from thel Mayor and Board. The main topic discussed was the paving of Town and state roads in  Spencer. Finance Department Mayor and Board.  Finance Officer Kann gave the Finance Department report and answered any questions from the    Library Department  Town Clerk Ward gave the monthly Library report and answered any questions from the Mayor and Board. Some topics covered included the Storytelling Social Night and signage.  TOWN MANAGER REPORT and Board.  Town Manager Peter Franzese gave his monthly report and answered any questions from thel Mayor  REQUESTS AND COMMENTS BY THE BOARD MEMBERS  Alderman Steve Miller:  Thanked Town Manager Franzese and' Town staff for their hard work with the Strategic Planning Session, noting several newi ideas and good things coming upi for the community as well as some things that could use future consideration. Commented that the Planning Session was open to the public, but no one attended and that he would like to heart from Stated that the funeral for. Judy Patton, Central United Methodist Church organist, would be  citizens at meetings. held tomorrow. Alderwoman Erin Moody:  Expressed gratitude toward Town staff1 for helping bring her up to speed on Town matters during the Planning Session and hopet to see more faces ati future meetings. In regards to taxes and budgeting, she sees value ini investing in the community, noting the great relationship with Police Department staff and residents here, which is not as prevalent  in other areas. Alderman. Andrew Howe:  Advised that during the next few months the Board will be discussing the budget. Encouraged citizens to listen to the previous planning session livestreams and to geti in touch with Board and staff members to share their thoughts as we continue to grow, because there are lots of upcoming projects which require forethought. Believes that we all need to continue to support Town staff, especially those servingi in  public safety positions. Alderwoman Pat Sledge:  Announced the Spring Senior Luncheon, sponsored byt the Town and Rufty Holmes, will be Mentioned that International Women's Day wast this past week and1 thanked all the women  on May 21st. The event is freei to citizens 55+ but registration is required. on the Board and Town staff for their work and contributions.  Alderman Rashid Muhammad:  Concurred with other Board members that it would have been nice to have resident participation during the Strategic Planning Session because iti is beneficial to hear how residents feel about Town matters. Requested they view prior livestream sessions tol bet fully Thanked residents who attended the Board meetings and viewed the livestreams.  informed..    Mayor Pro Tempore Patti Secreast:  She recently spoke at thel Rowan County Realtors Meeting and was very proud to talk about Spencer and thet things we are trying to accomplish, noting that lots of people commented Stated thel Planning Session was a major success, but we need morei inputi from residents. Proud oft they way the Towni is able to help the local schools with the 2024 Town of Spencer School Safety and Support Grant Program, which helps to mitigate the funding crisis while Shei feels thati iti is good for the children and community in general tol have Spencer Police  on what a good job the Town is doing.  increasingt teacher moral and student safety. and Fire Department representation at local events.  Mayor. Jonathan Williams:  Thanked' Town staffi fort their time and effort during Friday's productive Planning Session. The strategic plans which were developed several years ago have been instrumental asa guiding document to help the Board and staff to make decisions today. This document was built byt the community coming together at North Rowan High. Allt thei things the Board is working on now are a direct result of things our citizens expressed concerns about. Commented that budget and taxes ebb andi flow, go up and come down, based on revenue projection, strategic plans, when growth happens, the needs of the community, etc. The Board ist tasked to grows smartly and responsibly, which will help to offset taxes or allowt the Would have loved to see more people to come out as part of the Planning Session, but there will be another opportunity to receive citizen input at the annual budget public hearing. Questioned whether an event could be organized to explain the budget process and to Thanked the Board and staff for their hard work, encouraging them to keep their eyes ont the  Town to get better value fort the citizens.  encourage citizens to attend and offer their suggestions. vision which was created several years back and not backslide.  EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT at7:29 p.m. Approved by:  Itwast the consensus of the Board that there was no reasont to go into Executive Session. Alderman Rashid Muhammad moved to adjourn the meeting. Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast seconded the motion, which carried unanimously witha ay vote of 6-0. The meeting stood adjourned  Attest:  - aE  Laldbual Annal Kanodel Ward, Town Clerk  Jonathan Williams, Mayor  e  SEAV ORTH CAR