MINUTES Spencer Board of Aldermen Strategic Planning Session March 8, 2024  The Town of Spencer Board of Aldermen reconvened the Strategic Planning Session, which was recessed on Thursday, March 7,2024, at 7:55 p.m., int the Hildal B. Palmer Board Room at the Spencer  Town Hall March 8, 2024, at 8:50 a.m. Presentwere: Mayor. Jonathan Williams  Mayor Pro Tempore Patti Secreast Alderman Steve Miller 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 Chief Michael File, Planner Kyle Harris, Special Projects Manager. Joe Morris, Planning & Zoning Administrator Steve  Blount, and UNC Lead for NC Fellow Ryan Ledbetter. Alderman Miller reconvened the meeting. WELCOME & AGENDA REVIEW  Town Manager Franzese reviewed the agenda for the Planning Session. FINANCIAL UPDATE. AND EARLY REVENUE PROJECTIONS  Finance Officer Kann discussed topics which included reviewing last year's budget, projecting this year's budget, and ways to afford increased expenses withouti increasing taxes too much.  Mayor Williams entered the Board Room at 9:07a.m.  Alderman Miller requested wel look into ways to afford things without raising taxes too much. Discussion followed about creating an active public education and engagement campaign, communication, insurance rates, fire safety issues, waste collection, maintaining a small-town  community environment, and public expectations.  Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast entered the Board Room at 9:23 a.m.  KICKOFF AND INSPIRATION Session andi for being present.  Mayor Williams gave a video presentation on thei importance of providing quality customer service to our citizens and howi it leads to success. Hei thanked Town staff for preparing the Strategic Planning    RECODIFICATION PROJECT UPDATE  Town Clerk' Ward presented an update on the recodification project and answered questions from the  Mayor and Board.  PLANNING ANDI DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OVERVIEW  Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount and Special Projects Manager Morris gave updates on park and development projects followed byt their thoughts on1 future growth, statel legislation changes and their possible impact to the Town, and cooperative planning withi the Town of East Spencer.  Mayor Williams called for ai five-minute break at 10:23 a.m. Mayor Williams reconvened the meeting at 10:36 a.m. YADKIN RIVER DISTRICT SMALL AREAI PLAN UPDATE answered questions from the Mayor and Board. APPOINTED BOARD BEST PRACTICES  Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount introduced Grant Meacci of Bolton-Menk and Kathleen Rose of Rose Associates, who presented an update on the Yadkin River District Small Area Plan and  Planner Harris reviewed the duties of the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) and the possibility of the Board of Aldermen amending the bylaws of this committee and answered questions from the Ac discussion was held regarding adding signage alongt the historic district boundaries, standards those homes are: subject to, communication with residents, HPC monthly meeting schedule, and Planner Harris then gave a short overview of the Community. Appearance Commission (CAC) duties  Mayor and Board.  comparison of historic districts in other municipalities to our historic district. and discussed other green spaces in Town beyond the Community Garden.  Mayor Williams left the meeting at 11:22 a.m.  Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast called for al lunch break at 11:40 a.m. Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast reconvened the meeting at 12:04 p.m. Alderman Rashid returned to the meeting at 12:07 p.m.  ROWAN CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENENEURSHIP UPDATE  Peter Marsh from Flywheel, Elaine Spalding from the Rowan Chamber of Commerce, and Pete Teague from Livingstone College presented information inr regard to the proposed Rowan Center for Ac discussion was held regarding layout, issues with the building, issues with how to organize leadership, proposed timeline, howt this would help to grow the workforce in our area, how costs  Innovation and Entrepreneurship.    would be split between various investors, ownership of the building, organization, and howto obtain  funding.  Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast called for al break at 12:50 p.m. Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast reconvened the meeting at 1:07 p.m. PARKS AND REC ADVISORY BOARD AND FUTURE SERVICES  Special Projects Manager Morris and Public' Works DirectorTaylor reviewed the scope of the proposed advisory board, staffing needs to orchestrate events, publicity, how to design the proposed position, the possibility ofa a partnership withi the Town of East Spencer, the City of Salisbury, and/or Davidson  County.  FUTURE POLICE SERVICE NEEDS  Police Chief File provided an update on thet following topics: increase int traffic, N.C. Transportation Museum visitor numbers increasing, staffing problems in surrounding areas, crime rates, call volume, keeping ahead of the curve with staffing needs, arrest rates, reactive VS. proactive policing, hiring and recruitment processes and changes, timelines, being proactive in hiring, concerns with the upcoming truck stop and ways to be prepared, crime pattern transitioning from suburban to urban, and  interaction with other law enforcement and court personnel. Mayor' Williams re-entered the meeting at 1:47 p.m.  Alderman Muhammad left the meeting at 1:50 p.m. and returned at 1:56 p.m.  STORMWATER AND DAM: SAFETY PROJECT UPDATES  Public' Works Director Taylor and Matthew. Jones from Hazen provided al high-level update ont three projects: (1) 17th Street Stormwater Improvements, (2) stormwater planning throughout Town, (3) Chicken Springs Dam. Discussion followed regarding bidding options and processes, design of projects, granti funding programs, ownership of dam, pond VS. wetland, timeline, and the need to be  proactive.  Alderman Howe left the meeting at 1:56 p.m. and returned at 2:00 p.m.  SUMMER FIRE CAMP UPDATE  Fire Chief Lanning provided an update on plans for the upcoming Justin E. Monroe Fire Camp based on lessons learned from last year, expenses, rules, age-appropriate level learning, need for appropriate size personal protective equipment. He reviewed proposed activities and partnerships. Mayor Williams left the meeting at 2:43 p.m. and returned at 2:49 p.m.  Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast left the meeting at 2:50 p.m. andi returned at 2:52 p.m.    STRATEGIZATION AND ESTABLISH CONSENSUS ON KEY PRIORITY UPDATES  Discussion about what to prioritize: customer service; usert frienduiness inj planning and development processes; signage beyond the Wayfinding Project notating historic district boundaries; establishinga task force to looki into the parks and recreation staffing need, sharing staff with nearby municipalties, and external partnerships; continued support of existing businesses, newb businesses, and entrepreneurship; the NC Main Street Program. Town Manager Franzese suggested preparing a resolution to create and define the responsibilities of at task forcei for1 future parks and recreation staffing. Mayor Williams also indicated he would like Manager Franzese toi further investigate the NC  Main Street Program. ADJOURNMENT  Alderman Rashid Muhammad moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Andrew Howe seconded the motion, which carried unanimously with ay vote of 6-0.The meeting stood adjourned at 3:18 p.m.  Approved by:  Attest:  R2O Jonathan Williams, Mayor  lenkendklk Annal Kanodel Ward, Town Clerk  OFS fo  SEAV CARO