MINUTES Spencer Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting June 11, 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, June 11, 2024, at 6:01 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 was absent.  Also present were: Town Manager Peter Franzese, Town Attorney. Jay Dees, Town Clerk Anna K. Ward, Finance Officer Heather Kann, Public' Works Director. Joel Taylor, Police Chief Michael File, Fire Chief Michael Lanning, Code Enforcement Officer Preston Eagle, and Planning & Zoning Administrator Steve  Blount.  Special Projects Manager Joe Morris attended via Zoom. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order. Alderman Miller gave thei invocation. Mayor Williams led the Pledge ofA Allegiance. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA  Action  Alderwoman Moody moved to adopt the agenda as presented.. Alderwoman Sledge seconded ther motion,  which carried by a unanimous vote of5 5-0.  RECOGNITIONS  Mayor Williams presented proclamations for the 80th. Anniversary of D-Day andi for Juneteenth Day, which  arei included in the body of the minutes below.  PUBLICCOMMENT  Mayor Williams opened thet floor to receive public comment.  Being no one present wishing to speak, Mayor' Williams closed the public comment portion of the meeting. Itv was the pleasure of the Board that Alderman Howe read an email that had been sent by Karla Grayt to  Alderman Miller.    CONSENT AGENDA  Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.. Alderman Howe seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote of 5-0. Items b- da are included as attachments A,B, and C, respectively, andi items e-ha are incorporated int the body of the minutes below. Items  approved were:  a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  i. May 9, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes ii. May: 21,2024, Recessed Meeting Minutes  b. CONSIDERAWARDING-Sausbury Avenue Corridor Improvement Grant to Spencer Deli, LLC CONSIDERAWARDING-Satisbury Avenue Corridor Improvement Grant to Pinocchio's Restaurant e. CONSIDERI ADOPTING-Text. Amendment Ordinance 24-12 Code of Ordinances Section 35.07 f. CONSIDER ADOPTING-Text. Amendment Ordinance 24-13 Development Ordinance Section 16.2- CONSIDER, ADOPTING- Budget Ordinance. Amendment 23-14.019 Reappropriating ARPA h. CONSIDERADOPTING - Project Ordinance. Amendment 23-19.002. Amending the Downtown Park  d. CONSIDERADOPING- Ordinance 24-10 Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Maximum. Accrual of Fees Priori to Requiring Small Claims Court Action  11F Pertaining to Fire Hydrants Supplanted Funds Project Ordinance 22-018  TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA  AN ORDINANCE TO Amend Chapter 35, Section: 35.07 oft the Town of Spencer's Code of Ordinances; ORDINANCE24-12 WHEREAS, The Town of Spencer's Code Enforcement process of assessing and collectingt finesi is defined inp parth by WHEREAS, the maximum amount ofa accrued1 fines before requiring thel Town's stafft top proceed with Small Claims Court actioni is listedi int that section tol be," "less than or equal to $5,000", that amount beinge equivalent tot the maximum allowed Small Claims Court action att the time of adoption of that section oft the code; and WHEREAS, the Small Claims Court maximum action has since beeni increasedi to $7,500; and WHEREAS, increasingt this trigger amount tot the local Small Claims Court statutory maximum will allow code NOW, THERFORE, BEI IT ORDAINED by thel Board of Aldermen oft the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that; Revise Chapter 35 oft the Town's Code of Ordinances, revising Section 35.07 with revisions shown in Section2 oft this  section 35.07;and  enforcement: staff needed flexibility int their enforcement actions; and  Section1. Ordinance. Section2.  Text Amendment! Language (additions showni inj yellow, deletions showna as strikethroughs)  $35.07 RECOVERY OF CIVILI PENALTIES. the town int this matter. Section3.  Thel Land Management Director shall bring suit ins small claims courtf for recoveryi in matters where the accumulation of any civil penalties assessedi for violations oft this codei is less than ore equal to-$5,000 $7,500. The Director shallr represent  This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.  Adopted this 11th day of June, 2024    TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA  AN ORDINANCE TO Amend Article 16, Section 16.2-1 oft the Townd of Spencer's Development Ordinance; ORDINANCE24- WHEREAS, The Town of Spencer's! Fire Department connects to andr makes use oft the water distribution system provided and maintained byt the Salisbury Rowan Utilities (SRU) wheni fighting firesi int thel Town of Spencer; and WHEREAS, varioust types off fire hydrants have beeni installed on SRU's water systemi int the Town of Spencer over time; WHEREAS, Thel Town'sf firefighting equipment is designed to be connected to a certain size and type of hydrant; and WHEREAS, while adaptors can! be usedt tof facilitate connection tot the various types of hydrants, their use requires time toinstall, thus itwill ber more efficient ifa all new hydrants and replacement hydrants are ofa a single specifiedt type; and WHEREAS, itwould also be more efficientt tor retrofit the existing firel hydrants by adding permanent adaptors tot the old NOW, THERFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by thel Board of Aldermen oft the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that; Revise. Article 160 oft the Town's Development Ordinance revising Section 16.2-11 with revisions shown in Section: 2 oft this  13  and  hydrants allowing direct connection tot the Town'st firefighting equipment; and  Section1. Ordinance. Section2.  Text Amendment Language (additions showni inj yellow, deletions shown as strikethrougns)  16.2-11 Watersupplyf forf fire protection.  (A.)Water supplyf fori firep protection shall be provided asr required byt thel North Carolina Fire Prevention Code. (B.)Size, type, andi installation of hydrants shall conform toi the specifications seti forthi int the North Carolina Fire (C.)T The maximum distance between fire hydrants shall be 800' measured byr right angles alongi identifiedi travel way(s). (D) Unless otherwise authorized by Spencer Fire Chief, hydrants shall be Mullers Super Centurionwithi integrals Storz E)Location offire hydrants onr new streets andi inr news subdivisions shall be approved by Spencer Fire Chief  Prevention Code. connection. Section: 3.  This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.  Adopted this 11th day of June, 2024  AN ORDINANCE, AMENDING THE TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA GENERALI FUNDFY23-24BUDGET ORDINANCE23-14.019 JUNE11,2024  BEIT ORDAINED, byt the Governing Board of the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that thei following amendment ofa anticipatedi fundr revenues and departmental expenditures, certain Fee, and Charge Schedules, and with certain restrictions and authorizations, are hereby appropriated. anda approved fort the operation of Town Government: andi its  activities for the Fiscal Yearb beginningJ July 1, 2023, and ending on. June 30, 2024:  Section 1.1 To amendt the FY: 23-24r revenue and expense appropriations as follows: Reappropriate $59,000  supplantedi funds the ARPA grant tot the General Fund  Section 2.1 Thef following linei items are amended: asf follows:  Revenues Current Budget $210,298  Amended Budget $151,298  (Decrease) Increase ($59,000)  Account  Title  30-3984-010 General Fund Contribution    Expenses/Expenditures Current Budget $59,000 Revenues Current Budget $654,745 $210,298 Expenses/Expenaitures Current Budget $297,392  Amended Budget $0 Amended Budget $713,745 $151,298 Amended Budget $356,392 $151,298  (Decrease) Increase ($59,000) (Decrease) Increase $59,000 ($59,000) (Decrease) Increase $59000 ($59,000)  Account 30-4110-570 Co-Land  Title  Account  Title  10-3991-000 Appropriated Fund Balance 10-3991-001 Appropriated Capital Reserve  Account  Title  10-4130-194 Contract Services  10-4110-930 Transfer to Capital Reserve Fund $210,298 Town Manager and the Finance Officer for record-keeping. Adopted this 11th day of June: 2024.  Section: 3. Copies oft thist budget amendment: shall bet furnished tot the Clerk tot the Governing Board, and tot the  DOWNTOWNI PARK PROJECT BUDGET ORDINANCE FORT THET TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA PROJECTI BUDGET ORDINANCE. AMENDMENT 23-19.002 JUNE 11,2024  BEITO ORDAINED by the Governing Board oft the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, thet following amended anticipatedi revenues, and expenditurest fromt thel FY245 Budget are hereby appropriated and approved for the Downtown Section1 1.7 To amend General Funde expenses between Governing Body and Administrationt tol Parks! budget as  Park Project amending Ordinance: 22-018 and  follows: Account  Expenditures Current Budget $96,798 $314,392 $225,000 Revenues Current Budget $325,000 Expenditures Current Budget $1,840,000  Amended Budget $71,798 $261,392 $303,000  (Decrease) Increase ($25,000) ($53,000) $78,000  Title  10-4110-194 Contract Services 10-4130-194 Contract Services 10-6120-850 Transfert to Projects  Section 2. To appropriate General Fundr revenues and expenses tot the Town Park Project asf follows:  Amended Budget $403,000 Amended Budget $1,918,000  (Decrease) Increase $78,000 (Decrease) Increase $78,000  Account  Title  92-3984-850 General Fund Transfer  Account  Title  92-6120-580 Capital Outtay-Infrastructure Adopted this 11th day ofJ June: 2024.  Section! 5. Copies oft this project budget amendment: shall bet furnished1 tot the Clerkt tot the Governing Board, and  tot thel Town! Manager and the Finance Manageri for record-keeping.    CONSIDER AMENDING-Personnel Policy Article III  Town Manager Franzese gave a presentation and answered questions from the Mayor and Board regarding recommended changes to the Personnel Policy Article III. The new Personnel Policy for the Town was adopted in March of 2021 and last amended in February of 2023. Staff recommends amendments to Article II: The Pay Plan, to align with best practices and to improve our ability to recruit and retain talent. The recommended amendment to Article III adds a new section, authorizing the Town Manager to consider for approval three new types of temporary and permanent pay adjustments when special circumstances arise. The amendments to the Holiday Bonus section are administrative corrections to align our policywith Iti is expected that ini most cases, thet types ofi increases described ini the new section would bet funded through the available budget not otherwise expended, for example, via unspent salary and benefits froma vacant position. Any salary change that could not bet funded through the available budget would require approval of al budget amendment. There is no expected impact due to recommended Holiday Bonus  current practices.  section amendments. Action  Alderwoman Moody moved to amend the Personnel Policy Article III as presented, which isi included in the body of the minutes below. Alderwoman Sledge seconded the motion, which carried by a vote of 5-0. The Town Manager is authorized, upon recommendation! ofa department head, to consider for approval other types of temporary and permanent pay adjustmentsi whens special Circumstances: arise, asf follows. Consideration: willi include. review and concurrence fromt the Finance Officer that fundingi is availablei int the applicable departmental budget. A. Temporary Increases: Ins cases where the assignment of work requires an employee toy perform ina a higher level classification (grade),at temporary payr rate may be established for thes period oft thata assignment.lemporary. Increases rangef from 5-10% depending on thel level ofr responsibility. Thei incumbent must) be working in the higher classification: at least 50% oft the time for a minimum of 30 days. Temporary increases are effective the beginning oft thep pay periodi in B. Retention. Adjustments: Ins special circumstances and for positions considered critical to accomplishing. departmental objectives, department] heads may request approval to permanently adjust an employee's: salaryinr response to a bona fide external job offer provided there are no equityj issues. Thes salarywilU not exceed the maximum oft the salary band. Special Administrative Bonuses: The Town Manager may award special administrative bonuses (one-time lumpsum) upon continuing, long-term exceptionally meritorious service performed byany Townemployee.  SECTION 14. OTHER INCREASES (RECOMMENDED, AMENDMENT- NEW: SECTION)  which the increase is effective.  This policy wilU not applyi ift the employee ist transferring within thel Town.  SECTION_145.1 HOLIDAY BONUSES  Ona ana annual basis, the Board ofA Aldermen will consider holiday bonuses int the budget process. When fundingi is appropriated, 1. Reserve Police Officers whol have met the minimum annual requirements tor maintain their status as a reserve officer (at 2. Part-Time Firefighters who have worked at least ninety-sixone hundred forty-four (96144) hoursi int thet twelve (12) month period preceding thei issuance ofa any authorized checks. For any suche employee who began employment withint that time period, that employee must have averaged at leaste eighttwelve (812) hours monthly upt tot thei issuance date of such 3. All other' Volunteer Fire Department personnel must! haver met at least the minimum annual requirements for certification ass seti forth by the North- Carotina N.C.G.S. S5 58-86-25epartment: Ofinsurances rating requirements forthe-s certification ofiredepartmentsinNe (currently at leastt thirty-s six (36) hours of meetings and drills as determined undert the discretion andj judgment oft thec chief oft the department). Fora anys suchy volunteer who began employment withint that annual period, that employee must have averaged at leastt the annual requirement divided byt twelve (12) (currently three (3) hours/month). For any volunteer whoi is also ai full-time employee with thel Town, that employee'st bonus isi issued under  disbursement checks shall ber madet toa alli full and partt time employees and:  least 12 8hours per month);  check;  the position off full-time employment.    CONSIDER, ADOPTING- Ordinance. 24-11 Rezoning 1006 & 1008 N. Salisbury Ave. to SFR-3 Planning &2 Zoning Administrator Steve Blount gave a presentation and answered questions from the Mayor and Board. Parcel 038 073 (1006 and 1008 N. Salisbury Ave.)i is currently zoned SFR-2. Staff recommended  rezoning the parcel to SFR-31 to allow subdivision.  Action  Alderman Miller moved to approve the staff's recommendation as presented to rezone parcel 038073, located at 1006 and 1008 N. Salisbury Ave., from SFR-21 to the SFR-3: zoning classification and to adopt Ordinance 24-11, which is included int the body of the minutes below. Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast Alderman Howe moved to adopt a Statement of Consistency and Reasonableness stating that we find that this rezoning is consistent in general with the Town's Comprehensive Land Use Plan (per requirements of NC GS 160D-605(a)). Wei further find this rezoningt to be reasonable in all ways as prescribed by NCGS 160D-605(b). This rezoning will be beneficial to the citizens of the Town of Spencer. Alderwoman Sledge  seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote of 5-0.  seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote of 5-0.  TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA ORDINANCE: 24-11  AN ORDINANCE1 TO AMEND the Town's Official Zoning Map dated April 12, 2021, rezoning Rowan County GIS System parcel  number 038 0731 located at 1006 &1 1008 N Salisbury Avef from SFR-2t to SFR-3zoning classification:  WHEREAS, the current SFR-2zoning classification is applicable tot the residential use oft this property; and  WHEREAS, prior to current development ordinance limitations, two separate homes were built ont this single parcel, iny violation of WHEREAS, the current property owner desirest tos subdivide the propertyi into two separate parcels butt this would create  our current ordinance; and  nonconforming lots based on current standards; and  WHEREAS, revising the: zoning classification to SFR-3would helpr resolve this problem; NOW, THEREFORE, BEI ITC ORDAINED byt the Board of Aldermen oft the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that:  Section1. Section2.  The Town's Official Zoning Map dated April 12, 2021, will be revised ast follows: Parcel 038 073 located at 10068 &1 1008 NS Salisbury  Ave will be revised from SFR-2to SFR-32 zoning Classification This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.  Adopted this 11th day of June, 2024.  CONSIDER ADOPTING- Text Amendment Ordinance 24-14 Development Ordinance Technical Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount answered questions from the Mayor and Board regardinga proposed revision to Development Ordinance Technical Standards Manual allowing roads with 40' wide Some previously approved and plated subdivisions had 40' wide road ROWS. Our Development Ordinance This revision allows use of 40' ROW without sidewalks on a limited number of lots in old subdivisions in our  Standards Manual Allowing Roads with 40' Wide ROWi in Limited Cases  ROWi in limited cases.  does not make allowance to build roads on 40' ROWS, so lots are not usable. ETJ. New development would still have 60' wide ROWS with sidewalks.    Thel Board requested staff conduct further research regarding Ordinance 24-14, an ordinance to amend the Technical Standards Manual oft the Town of Spencer's Development Ordinance, adding Standard 1.03A, a 40' wide road right-of-way (ROW) option, which is included in the body of the minutes below. No action AN ORDINANCET TO Amend' Technical Standards Manual oft the Town of Spencer's Development Ordinance, adding Standard WHEREAS, Thel Town of Spencer's Technical Standards Manual provides details ofr road construction requirements for newr roads WHEREAS, thes standards assume that duringt the design of news subdivisions andi their roads, adequate property cant bes set aside WHEREAS, during prior times, some developments, mostly ont the outskirts oft thet towna andi ini its ETJV were designed, approved. WHEREAS, with properties alongt these narrow but approved ROWS ino ownership ofr multiple persons, acquisition ofa additional ROWis problematic and withoute expanded ROW, roads meeting our standards cannot be built, andt thus thep properties cannot be WHEREAS, ina areas of basically flat topography, a4 40'r road ROWi is adequate fort two 8'6" wide traffic lanes and needed drainage ditchesi ifs sidewalks arer not required, and as these unbuilt subdivision roads would be connecting to existing roads ofs similar dimensions that also dor not! haves sidewalks, deletion ofs sidewalks ont the new roads wouldr not be detrimental tot the WHEREAS, requiring strict adherence by these property owners to our current road standards provides little benefitt tot thet town NOW, THERFORE, BEI IT ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen oft the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that;  was taken ati this time.  TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTHCAROLINA  1.03A, a 40' wider road right-of-way (ROW) option; ORDINANCE. 24-14 builti int the Town andi itse extraterritorial, jurisdiction (ETI); and to allow a preferred 60' wide ROWwith sidewalks on! boths sides; and  plated andi recorded withr road ROWS as narrowa as 40', but the roadst themselves werer never built; and  built upon; and  neighborhoods, and  while causing an undue hardship ont the property owners:  Section1.  Revise Technical Standards Manual oft the Town's Development Ordinance, adding Standard 1.03A, attached1 tot this ordinance, allowinga a subdivision roadt tol bel builtv witha a 40' ROWin certain circumstances as defined int that standard as approved by the  Zoning and Subdivision Administrator.  Section 2.  This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.  CONSIDER, ADOPTING- Ordinance 24-15 Yadkin River District Small Area Plan  Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount answered questions fromi the Mayor and Board about the proposed adoption oft the Yadkin River District Small Area Plan as part of the Town's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The May 12, 2022, update toi the Town's Comprehensive Land Use Plan revised general planning for the old NC Finishing Company property on USI HWY 29 at the' Yadkin Rivert from Industrial to mixed use This small area plan was created with all of the care and publici input normally associated with at full comprehensive land use plan. Adoption of1 this plan would add more specific development guidance for future land use decisions by staff andi the Board of Aldermen for this strategic property.  development.  Action  Alderwoman Sledge moved to adopt Ordinance. 24-15, an ordinance to adopt a document dated April 4, 2024, titled Yadkin River District Small Area Plan as a part of the Town's Comprehensive. Land Use Plan dated May 12, 2022, which is included int the body oft the minutes below. Alderman Howe seconded the  motion, which carried by a vote of unanimous vote of 5-0.    TOWN OF SPENCER, NORTH CAROLINA  AN ORDINANCE TO adopt a document datedA April 4, 2024, titled' Yadkin River District Small Areal Plan as ap part oft the Town's WHEREAS, The Town of Spencer's adopted in May of 2022 a Comprehensive Land Usel Plan which identified the) Yadkin River WHEREAS, thel Town, withi funding approved by Rowan County and assistance of consultants from the company of Bolton & Menk undertook a multi-monthi in-depth planninge effortr meant top provide detailed analysis oft the area and offer guidance toward the WHEREAS, utilizingi inputs from staff, elected officials, a steering committee, local stakeholders, andt theg general public, opinions WHEREAS, after selection ofa a chosen development plan, the consultants and staff created a planning document that distilled the WHEREAS, futures short term landi use decisions fort this areas should be based ont the longt term goals and guidance oft this plan, and should be consistent with this plan and the overall guidance oft the Town's Comprehensive Land Use Plan; NOW,THERFORE, BEITO ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Spencer, North Carolina, that; Use Plan and will be used bys staff andl boards ast they consider future land use decisions for this area.  Comprehensive Land Usel Plan dated May 12,2022; ORDINANCE: 24-15  District area asi important tot the continued economic growth and prosperity of thet town; and economic and physical development oft the area most beneficial tot thec community;and and statistics were: studied, and various development options were considered; and data intot feasible development; goals fort the townt top pursue; and  Section 1. Section: 2.  As oft the date of official adoption, the' Yadkin River District: Small/ Areal Plan shall become ap part of thel Town's Comprehensive Land  This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.  Adopted this 11th day of) June, 2024  RECEIVE PRESENTATION- - Possible Modifications to Livestock Ordinance  Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount answered questions from the Mayor and Board about possible modifications toi the Livestock Ordinance. The current ordinance requires ar minimum of two acres to keep any livestock, including chickens. Numerous property owners have requested the ability to keep chickens on smaller lots. A possible financial impact is an increase in code enforcement activity. The Board instructed staff to conduct further research on this matter priort to the next regular session RECEIVE PRESENTATION-Possible Annexation of Eight Residential Lots on Lincoln Avenue Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount answered questions from the Mayor and Board about a possible annexation of eightresidential lots on Lincoln Avenue. Ar new water line needs to bei installed to provide water to eight lots platted previously. The areai is neart the existing municipal boarder. Other lots in the area, developed and undeveloped, would remain in the extraterritorial, jurisdiction (ETI). There would be a minimal increase int the cost of services ast they are provided to other homes int the nearby area. There would also be an increase int tax base (8x$ $250,000 = $2,000,000), tax revenue ($12,000 +/-), andi residents  meeting.  (8x2.75=22+-). Action  Alderman Miller moved to approve allowing a new' water line to bel built by Salisbury Rowan Utilities. Alderwoman Moody seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote of5-0. Itwas the consensus of thel Board to have a 6-minute recess at 8:05 p.m. The meeting reconvened in regular session at 8:12 p.m.    DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Planning Department  Planning & Zoning Administrator Blount gave the monthly Planning Department report and answered any  questions from thel Mayor and Board. Code Enforcement Department  Police Chief File gave the monthly Code Enforcement report and answered any questions from thel Mayor  and Board. Police Department Board. Fire Department and Board.  Police Chief File gave the Police Department report and answered any questions from the Mayor and  Fire Chief Michael Lanning gave the Fire Department report and answered any questions from thel Mayor  Public Works Department the Mayor and Board. Finance Department Board.  Public' Works Director Taylor gave the Public' Works Department report and answered any questions from  Finance Officer Kann gave the Finance Department report and answered any questions from the Mayor and  Library Department TOWN MANAGER REPORT  Town Clerk' Ward gave the monthly Library report and answered any questions from the Mayor and Board. Town Manager Peter Franzese gave his monthly report and answered any questions from the Mayor and  Board.  REQUESTS AND COMMENTS BY1 THE BOARD MEMBERS  Alderman Steve Miller:  Stated that hei is not happy abouti increasing the property tax and wished the Board could have kept itcloser toi the current level, buti iti is necessaryto maintain the quality of service the Town provides. Asserted that Town staff and thel Board worked to decrease the budget and did their bestt to Reminded residents to let Town staff and Board members knowi if they have comments.  negotiate a good balance for the people in Spencer.  Alderwoman Erin Moody:  Stated it has been an interesting first budgeting season and that she has enjoyed the process and Thanked everyone who came to the meetings for public comment, wrote in, and watched, saying Reminded residents that a requirement to be on the Board ist to be a resident of Spencer, meaning Board members are also property owners and taxpayers. Shei further stated that, whilet tax increases are hard, they are an investment int the Town, and certain things cannot be cuti ifthe Board wants to maintain the quality of service for everyone who lives here.  learning opportunities. that thel Board likes feedback.    Alderman Andrew Howe:  Promoted the upcoming fireworks show held by the N.C. Transportation Museum at the end oft the Expressed excitement regardingt the Yadkin River Small District Plan vote that was held tonight  month, saying that the museum is a vital part of the Town. since it has the potential to benefit the Town greatly int thet future.  Alderwoman Pat Sledge:  Thanked the Community. Appearance Commission for their work ont the displays along thei fronts of Mentioned the facades grants, thanking the Spencer Deli owner for making this commitment and Promoted the. Juneteenth celebration this Saturday at the Bell Tower Green and the Heritage  buildings and elsewhere in Town.  the owners of Pinocchio's Italian Restaurant for wanting to expand. Breakfast on the 19th hosted by Livingstone College.  Mayor Pro Tempore Patti Secreast:  Expressed gratitudei for being back at Board meetings andi thanked everyone who extended Announced that Winterfest will be held thet first weekend in December from Friday to Sunday and  sympathy to her and her family.  that the committee will be asking for volunteers in near future.  Mayor. Jonathan Williams:  Informed those attending the meeting that the upcoming Fridayi is the quarterly Mayor's Roundtable meeting, which will highlight Northern Rowan County. Organizations helping to advocate for some of our projects andi the developer for the area will bet there. They will be ablet to make ap presentation and the group will bet touring Spencer and East Spencer with officials. Thanked staffi for working with the Rowan Chamber of Commerce to coordinate this field trip. Reiterated that this year was thet toughest budget this Board has had to work through and the first one they havel had to raise, which was not done lightly, andi that the Board has taken into account impacts to property owners and staff. Acknowledged that the budget will impact some pocketbooks moret than others and that many people will have to make sacrifices. Expressed personal belief int the Town and1 the vision of this Board, which is validated by what others outside of Town are saying about us. Requested residents to be patient, that this growth will hurt for ayear or so, but the hope is to be ablet to drive the taxi rate back down with al largert taxbase once the Town  has more commercial and industrial taxpayers to offset residential taxes.  EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT  Itv was the consensus of the Board that there wasi no reasoni to goi into Executive Session.  Mayor Pro Tempore Secreast moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Howe seconded the motion, which  carried unanimously with ay vote of 5-0. The meeting stood adjourned at 8:54 p.m.  Approved by:  Attest:   Jonathan' Williams, Mayor  hmhembellsk Anna Kanodel Ward, Town Clerk  OF.  ÇFICW SEAV CAR