STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OFI MCDOWELL CITY OF. MARION  The City Council for the City ofMarion met in Regular Session on' Tuesday evening, October 15, 2024 at 6:001 P.M. att thel Marion Community Building, located at 191 North Main Streeti inl Marion. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Stephen Little, Mayor Pro Tem Woody Ayers, and Due to an out oftown meeting for Hurricane Helene Relief, Council Member Effler was unable to OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Boyette, City! Manager; Kathleen Nolan, Human Resources Director; Brant Sikes, Public Works Director; Dawn Penland, Financel Director; Jason Cochran, Information Technology Director; Joe Gorecki, Information Technology Systems Specialist; Ray McDaniel, Fire Chief; Katie Reid, Assistant to Manager/City Clerk; Allen Lawrence, Police Chief; Heather Cotton, Planning and Development Director; Vance McNees, City Planner; Freddie Killough, Marion Business Association Executive Director; Mike Conley, Reporter, McDowell News.  Council Members Billy Martin, Ann Harkey, and Don Ramsey.  attend.  GUESTS PRESENT: None  CONSENT AGENDA: Upon a motion by Council Member Martin, seconded by Council Member Ramsey, all Council Members present voted unanimouslytoa approve the Consent Agenda  as follows:  A. Approval of September 17,2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes B. Receive Report of American Rescue Plan Funding Council received the following report oft the City's American Rescue Plan funding:  American Rescue Plan Quarterly Report to City Council Presented  10/15/24  Funds Received to Date  Amount $1,257,420.77 $1,257,420.76 $2,514,841.53  Amcrican Rescucl Plan Funding Rcccived July 30, 2021 American Rescue Plan) Funding Received. July 29,2 2022 Total Funds Received tol Date Law Enforcement Services General Administrative Services  Appropriations  Budget Expended9/30/24 $1,465,842 $1,344,876.81 $266,000  $265,375.68    Fire Services Pianning & Inspcction! Scrvices Public Works Services Totall Expenditures for Reporting Purposes  $525,000 $191,000 $67,000 $2,514,842 $2,282,935.14  $414,804.55 $190,913.95 $66,964.15  By Using ARPA, funding on the services above, wel have been able to or plan to accomplish the  following:  Proisct/Expenditures. Accomplished: in FY: 2021-2022 First! National Bank (Fifth Third), Building Purchase Transfer to Water and Sewer Fundf for Projects  Amount $302,852 $954,304 Amount $54,200 $364,070 $136,785 $63,894 $279,220 Amount $98,716 $147,637 $70,000 $25,000 $18,163 $2,514,841  Proiects/Expendiures: Accomplished in FY 2022-2023 Employee. July 20221 Bonus (General Fund Only) Street Project ARPA Contribution (coupled with other Gen. and Powell Billl Funds Old City Hall Renovations Hunter Construction, Morris Heating Proieces/Expenditures: Accomplished! in FY2 2023-2024 New) Position- HR Director part off firsty year New City Halll Renovations  Decided] Planned Proiecty/Expenditures: 24-25 New] Position HRI Director! 24-25- Salary & Benefits 7%1 Market Raise for First Responders Finance/Human Resources! Integrated Software Implementation ITU Upgrades Poliçe. Department Firing] Range improvements  C.A Adoption of Capital Project Ordinance- - Hurricane Helenel Disaster Recovery  Project  2    CITY pF MARION, NORTHS CAROLINA CAPITALPROIECT ORDINANCE HURRKANE: FIBLENE DISASTERI RECOVERY PROJECT BEI IT ORDAINEDI by thec City Coueils ofthe Cily of Marion, North Carplind asf fbllows; Seation 1. Tlat the Budget Ordinancat thnt thoCityafMarion, North Carolina fort tet fiseal yeor 2024-2025 as ddopted. by the Marion City Couneil on the 18 dy of June 2024 is laureby esrablished AS (bllows ter record thei revenucs ande expenditurs sssociated with the  Hiricanw Helgnel Disasterl Recovery gject; REVENGES Duet front Other Funds TOTALE REVENDES APPROPRIATIONS ContractelServices TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS  $615.000 $675,000 $675,000 $675,000  Section 2, Copies ofthis Projeet Ordinancet shall bef furiished tot the Budget Ofleurt te1 ba  kept on tle for dirgctinn int heisbersenent aftmds, Adapted this the ISt daye efocoben, 2024.  Stephen R. Litte, Mayar Gee  KalclynReid, Assistant tot thel mllt Ordinancs, Numben 0-24-10-15-1  Clerk  Mnagencity  9  0  AROLIRE  D. Adoption ofI Longevity Pay - Council approved thej payment of annual Longevity Pay for City employees and the purchase ofa at turkey: for all full-time, part-time and  temporary employees and contracted workers, as follows:  DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARY LONGEVITY 2024  3    DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION PURCHASING INSPECTIONS POLICE FIRE  LONGEVITY $11,292.45 $200.00 $3,135.40 $26,159.67 $5,858.09 $2,650.53 $350.00 $2,541.67 $4,855.71 $6,577.26 $3,676.02 $3,487.98 $70,784.77  420 445 500 510 530 545 555 560 580 810 812 816 GRAND TOTAL  PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION FLEET MAINTENANCE STREET SANITATION WATER UTILITIES WATER FILTER PLANT WATER TREATMENT PLANT  E. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments  4    CITYOFMARION, NPRIH CAROLINA 2024-2025 BUDGETM ORDINANCE 4thA Amendmerit  EICADAEPLyAOlyCavatatiyelaen. Northe Carolinanstoliov.s  Sestioni. seEOAheardN: dFMarion, Morth Cardinal Turtpall Icaly yaar? 0242025asadeptedby! thMaripncity Courdfont thel 18the daybliune, 2024  Wheibyamerialastlows Dupartment Beyenves Ergendilures Revenues Expanditures Rèverues Expaindityres  GENERALFUND AccountDas.pugn.  xenditirg 7000 7000 675,000 $ 575,p03 675.40) 575,000 $ 575,000  Befdre Atter Incransel liavenuslngreuse Ameridmet Ainaindneit Deciense 58247 73.257 464,A19 $ 1,139,419  Aréount 10-8A1-3100 Propaityu tient Gellectidns 10530-7800 CapiQulap-r 30-759-4000 Fsaalance 30-660-8600 Taaitogleeiis 31-385-0700 Transferk ironi w8S- HurieneRelene $1-847-0100 HwrficaigHplere- Contracteds Senices wmisisttathgHusget  (Derrensel 7003 $75,00X)  WATERANDS SEWERFUND CAPITALE AESERVEE FUND  9  G75,X30  thist thes isthdayoltoser, 2074 n6 KawaRaiAsisoutton the Msnage/lyclerk PsangNumimoOMRIs  A   SEAL ROLIRE  APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH MCDOWELLCOUNTY City Manager Bobl Boyette explained that McDowell County has offered tol handle debris removal from the Hurricane Helene disaster Countywide, through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Manager Boyette advised that this is the best option for the City, in the opinion of] Public Works Director Brant Sikes, Finance Directorl Dawn Penland and himself. Manager Boyette recommend Council approval of an Interlocal Agreement with McDowell County for Hurricane Helene  Disaster Debris Removal which he presented to the City Council.  5    Manager Boyette reported that, upon approval, information will be posted on websites and social media and sent to the media regarding the procedures for the debris removal. Residents and businesses willl have to bring their debris to within 10 feet oft the curb or road and separate debris bytype. The County contractor will make several passes to all areas ofthe City, Countya and' Town and pick up debris over several weeks. Manager Boyette added that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers willl hire a local contractor to clean up debris int the County in accordance with FEMA Upon a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ayers, seconded by Council Member Martin, all Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Interlocal Agreement for Debris Removal with McDowell County. A copy ofthe agreement can bei found at City Hall. APPROVALOFI NCDOT DISASTER RELIEF DEBRIS REMOVAL AGREEMENT City Manager Boyette presented the City Council with an NCDOTDisaster ReliefDebris. Removal Agreement which, upon Council approval, will authorize the City, through use of the County's debris removal contractor, toj pick up debris along NCDOT secondary: roads int the City, as well as US 70 and US 221 Business. Manager Boyette said that NCDOT will handle the collection of Upon a motion by Council Member Ramsey, seconded by Council Member Martin, all Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the NCDOT Disaster Relief Debris Removal Mayor Little noted that al local group: named Baptist on. Mission is voluntarily cleaning up debris  Debris Removal Guidelines.  debris along I-40 and the US: 221 Bypass.  Agreement. A copy of the agreement can be found at City Hall. by request via the McDowell Cares online forum. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD  City Manager Boyette asked. Assistant tol Manager/City Clerk Katie Reid if anyone had signed up to speak under Public Comment. Ms. Reid advised that no one had signed up to speak. APPROVALOF CONTRACT: FOR ENGINEERING AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FORI LEGISLATIVE DIRECTED SEWER PROJECTS FUNDING City Manager. Boyette reported that, a few months prior, Council selected Withers Ravenel as the most qualified firm to provide engineering and professional services for Legislative Directed Water and Sewer Projects funding. He stated that Withers Ravenel had provided a contract that had been reviewed by Citys staff for thel East Court Street Sewer, Drexel Property Sewer and South Garden and South Main Streets Sewer Projects. Manager Boyette recommended Council approval Manager Boyette noted that Withers Ravenel will provide additional contracts for other projects being funded with the State money, some ofwhich willl bej presented to Council for consideration,  oft the contract.  6    depending on the contract amount, with smaller contracts being approved by the City Manager, Upon a motion by Council Member Harkey, seconded by Council Member Martin, all Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the contract with Withers Ravenel: for engineering  without objection.  and professional services for Legislative Directed Sewer Projects funding.  HURRICANE HELENE RECOVERY UPDATE  City Manager Boyette advised that he wanted to publicly thank all City staff and outside agencies for their hard work during the Hurricane Helene relief and recovery efforts. Manager Boyette stated that, in his opinion, Hurricane Helene had been the worst disaster to ever affect Western Manager Boyette asked City and Marion Business Association to give an overview of the work Assistant to Manager/City Clerk Katie Reid detailed her public information work at the County Emergency Operations Center, along with her coordination efforts for supply donations. Public Works Director Brant Sikes detailed losing all three City wateri intakes to the point where the City's water supply was depleted to only about fivel hours of supply left prior to power being restored. Mr. Sykes noted that two oft the City'swaterintakes were back toi full functionality, while Mr. Sikes described damages to City sewer facilities and repair effortst that werel being made, along with the City's debris removal work and numerous hours spent clearing trees and debris from City Mr. Sikes advised that there was no structural damage to any bridges along the Greenway, and only roughly 30 yards of asphalt were damaged. It was noted that approximately 80 truckloads of Manager Boyette praised the dedication of Public Works employees for their efforts in the phenomenal feat ofpreventing the water and wastewater systems from shutting down completely Police ChiefLawrence reported that the Police Department responded to approximately 160911 calls during the storm and were assisted by roughly 100 additional officers from surrounding municipalities. ChiefLawrence noted that over 1,500 welfare checks were carried out in person due to communications being down. ChiefLawrence explained that his staff worked collectively as a team in an extraordinary manner both in their normal roles and in the warehouse when Human Resources Director Kathleen Nolan pointed out that 76 employees worked over 2,000 hours ofovertime during the disaster, and that shei is working with Finance Director Dawn Penland  North Carolina.  done by their departments over thej past few weeks.  thet third was operating at 10% capacity.  streets.  sediment must be removed before the Greenway was reopened.  and averting major sewer spills.  technically off duty.  7    tor make sure thee employees were welli taken care of. Ms. Nolan stated that City Employee Wellness Finance Director Dawn Penland said that she has completed special trainings in FEMA reliefand partnered with ai fellow Finance Director from Goldsboro to work on the City's damage claims to Fire Chief Ray McDaniel explained that his department spent the first 72 hours of the disaster working nonstop until some other Fire Departments from Bastern North Carolina could arrive. Chief McDaniel advised that he felt everyone was well prepared and performed better than most would in such a situation. ChiefN McDaniel pointed out that his Swiftwater Rescue Team saved a horse and the! horse's owner out ofmoving wateri in Nebo and were deployed on several occasions. Marion Business. Association Executive! Director Freddie. Killough advisedh how she partnered with City Planner Vance McNees and checked on all local businesses impacted by thes storm, providing City Manager Boyette noted that Ms. Killough, himself and other agencies developed a business recovery strategy to ensure that the natural disaster did not also result in al local economic disaster. Information Technology Director. Jason Cochran described the work performed by his staff to get systems back online during the disaster. Mr. Cochran noted that the largest issue was the Spectrum Fiber Connection that caused cellular outages along with' Wi-Ficonnectivity issues after the storm. Planning and Development Director Heather Cotton praised the preparation processes for this disaster andl how most businesses were: not previously aware ofthei impending danger. Ms. Cotton noted that by doing this, those businesses were able to pivot their operations and personnel to be as prepared as possible for the storm. Ms. Cotton commended her staff and how they operated without her guidance during the disaster due tol her loss ofcommunications and being trapped in thel Ridgecrest/Black Mountain area. Ms. Cotton stressed the importance ofbuilding relationships City Planner Vance McNees mentioned his trips to local businesses during recovery efforts, and noted that he and others were actively trying to locate places within the City to host displaced  and Appreciation Days were being scheduled.  FEMA.  information about available resources andj procedures to reopen.  in our surrounding communities and always pitching in tol help each other.  families.  Cityl Manager Boyette reiterated his thanks to alll his staff for their efforts. Mayor Little echoed Mr. Boyette's s sentiments and added his thanks to Council Members. Council Members echoed praise and appreciation for the efforts of all City staff.  CITYMANAGER'S REPORT  8    Due to time constraints, City Manager Boyette decided to: forgo his report to Council and offered to answer any questions from the Mayor or Council Members regarding the written report he presented. There were no questions from the Mayor or City Council Members.  CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS  Council Member Ramsey had nothing further to add. Council Member Martin did not have any further comments to share. Council Member Harkey had nothing further to add. Mayor Pro' Tem Ayers did not have any comments to share. Mayor Littlet thanked everyone for comingt to1 the meeting.  MEETINGADJOURNMENT was adjourned at 7:16p p.m.  Upon a motion by Council Member Martin, seconded by Council Member Harkey, the meeting  R LITTLE, MAYOR  HPHEN: R.J Hu  ATTEST:  CD  KATELYN: REID, ASSISTANTTON MANAGER/CITY CLERK  0  CAROINS  9