STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF MCDOWELL CITY OF MARION  The City Council for the City of Marion met in Regular Session on Tuesday evening, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the Marion Community Building, located at 191 North Main Street in BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Stephen Little, Mayor Pro Tem Woody Ayers, and  Marion.  Council Members Chet Effler, Ann Harkey, and Billy Martin. Council Member Ramsey was unable to attend due to prior commitments.  OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Boyette, City Manager; Katie Reid, Assistant to the Manager/City Clerk; Kathleen Nolan, Human Resources Director; Brant Sikes, Public Works Director; Allen Lawrence, Police Chief; Joe Gorecki, Information Technology Specialist; Heather Cotton, Planning and Development Director; Darrin Maynor, Street Superintendent; Robert Styles and David Stone, Public Works Crew Leaders; Mike Conley, Reporter, McDowell News. GUESTS PRESENT: Former Council Member Juanita Doggett; Friends and family of Margie  Tilley  CITIZEN OFTHE MONTH - MARGIE TILLEY  Council Member Effler presented Margie Tilley as Citizen of thel Month for November. Council  Member Effler read the following excerpt to all in attendance:  "Wec often see people doing acts of1 kindness that make our community a better place. We also miss opportunities to acknowledge the silent servants that arei important to those less fortunate or those that lack mobility. When you think of! people that need al kind word, warm: meal, or basic  goods like groceries, often there is no one.  Overt thej past several years, Ihave witnessed the essence ofwhat Ithink wel have attempted to capture in our "Citizen of the Month'recognition. Tonight, I want to highlight one ofMarion's  gems ofservice. Iwant to: recognize Margie Tilley.  Margie is known to everyone as the "Piano" lady. To many, shei is also known as ai resource to get necessities to people in need. Often over the past five years, Ihave witnessed the kitchen light on in Margie's kitchen before 5:30am. Margie is often fixing food for someone that is homebound, ill, alone, or just because she wants someone to feel remembered or acknowledged. Margie would never want this recognition but after giving it some prayer and thought, I realized she simply has done sO much for others that we need tol highlight some oft the things that  Margie has done over the years.    Margie has taught Piano for over 40: years to adults and children at very low cost and many times free. She loves seeing her students playing for Churches and Community groups. She is teaching nearly 30 studentsi inl her "slow down" period. Margiel has taught moret than 1,000 students based on thel best estimate we can put together. Margie only charges a: few dollars per lesson and spends it all on the students with candy, birthday cards, cakes, and yearly awards at her recital. We often tell her she can't keep doing this for free and she smiles and simply keeps up her teaching  schedule.  As Isaid earlier, Margie enjoys baking pies, cakes, and meals for people, and has used that as ai ministry for many years to uplift the spirits of others that are celebrating a special occasion,  those that are sick, for meetings, and for church functions.  Margie loves to be out and about in her car going to grocery stores, getting the sales, and then delivering the groceries to the homebound, elderly and sick. Every grocery store manager in the County knows and speaks to her on a weekly basis. Iwould bet she is in Ingles and Food Lion  as much as anyone else getting items for others.  Margie has a room that some of us refer to as the gift garden. Throughout the year she is purchasing clothes, toys, gifts, and practically anything she can use to deliver at Christmas to families and children. She typically starts the day after Christmas complaining that she still has too much stuff in the Gift Garden, and you will see cars pull up of people she thinks of to help harvest the crop of gifts. Ultimately, she fills the room up again and is ready: for next Christmas. Going to Margie's! house is an experience at Christmas, she spends weeks making it into a winter wonderland for all her students, friends, and family. She makes sure to share the story ofChristi in  her home at Christmas.  For over fifty years shel has played for funerals, weddings, and currently has three Churches Margie dedicated 20 years of service to McDowell County Department of Social Services Margie is thei mother ofat total ofe eight children from her blended family from her marriage to the late Ben Tilley. Margie has seen al lot of tragedy in her life, but never let it distract her from  that she is playing or supplementing the music program with her talent. and worked int textiles, furniture and: industry for more than 30 years.  serving the Lord and her community.  Margie ist the definition of a servant leader who has put others before herself.  Mr. Mayor, esteemed members of Council, without reservation and with honor and humility I present Ms. Margie Tilley as the Citizen oft the Month for the City ofMarion." Numerous family and friends of Ms. Tilley were present in support oft this recognition. Mayor Little, Council Members, City Manager Bob Boyette, family and friends all shared thanks and appreciation to Ms. Tilley and congratulated her for being selected as Marion Citizen of the  Month for November 2024.  2    CONSENTAGENDA: Uponamotion' by Council Member Effler, seconded by Council Member Martin, all Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as  follows:  A. Approval of the October 15, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes B. Approval of] Payment of Overtime Tropical Storm Helene Disaster- -] Pursuant to the City's Personnel Policy, Council approved the payment ofu up to 801 hours of overtime pay for exempt City employees working large amounts ofovertime during  the Tropical Storm Helene disaster. C. Approval of] Budget Ordinance Amendments  D. Adoption of Capital Project Ordinance- - Legislative Directed Sewer Projects  3    CITY OFMARION, NORTH CAROLINA 2024-2025 BUDGET ORDINANCE 5th Amendment  BEITO ORDAINEDD bytheGtyo Counciloft thec Cityofn Marion, North Carolinaasfolows:  Section 1. Thalt thes Budgetc Ordinancet fort thet CityotN Martan, NonhCarolinaf forthelscaly year 2024-2025 36a adoptedby menamonCty.Coumatoni: ISthdayaf) Jane. 202A  ishereby anendeda asfolows: Depariment Rovenues Expendhures  GENERAL FUND Accaunt Description  Expenditure Bafore After Ancrease! Ravenucfacrease Anendment Amendment pecressel 39,945 $ 56,445 76,000 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 143.500 $ 208,000 $ 64,500 4,900 $ 6,900 $ 2,003 63,309 $ 75,309 $ 12,000 266,298 $ 271,798 $ 11,500  ACCOUNE#  (Becreasel 16,500 76,000  10-341-0000 Properyuençolacions 10-392-2000 MepayM-aatemsaneast 10-420-5800 Eployeér Relattons 10-530-7400 CaplaiOutlay 10-510-3330 NNOSupplies 10-510-3600 Unlforms 20-580-7400 CopitalOuay  Section 2.0 Coplesofthist BudgatA Ameadments shallbef fugnisindt tothes Budget Officer tobekeptonfiel ford diractionint thed dsbusemetafusds.  Adaptedt thist the! ISthdayo afNovembar,2024  AITES  Katelyn Rekd, sistant tothos Mansgor/CityClerk Osamaamnosasaa  RBR  CITY  CROINE    CITY OF MARION  CITY OF MARION SEWER MPROVEMENIS PROJECT WATER. ANDSEWER FUNDGRANT PROJECT ORDINANCE  Be it ordained by the Marion City Council that, pursuant to Section 13.2 ofChapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the following Grant Project Ordinance is hereby adopted as Section 1. Thep project authorized is the City of Marion Sewer Improvements Project # SRP- W-134-0102 funded a Directed Projects Grant from the 2023 Appropriations Act. Session Law Section 2. The officers of this unit are hereby directed to proceed with the grant project within the terms of the grant documents, the rules and regulations of the North Carolina Section3. The followingr revenues are anticipated to be availableto complete this project:  described and in thet total amounts below:  2023-134  Dparmsatoftnvirvmemal Quality.  NC Dept. of Env. Quality 2023 Appropriations Act Funding $5,278,180  Total  $5,278.180 $219,900 $5,058,280 $5.278.180  Section4. The following amounts are appropriated for the project:  Engineering Contracted Services Total  Section 5. The Finance Officer is hereby directed to maintain within the Water and Sewer Grant Prject Fund sufticient specific detailed accounting records to provide the accounting to the grantor agency required byt the Grant Agreement and Federal and State regulations. Section 6. Funds will be disbursed by the City for the activities listed in Section 4 upon submission of the appropriate documentation to the City. Reimbursement for disbursements will be requisitioned by the City from the State for reimbursement from the grantor funds. Section 7. The Finance Officer is directed to report to City Council at least quarterly on the financial status of each project element in Section 4 and on the total grant revenues received or  Compliancewith: all federal and state procurementi regulations is required.  claimed.  City ofMarion Grant Project Ordinance  NC Department of Environmental Quality Project #SRP-W-1340102  5    Scetion 8. The Budget Officer is directed to include a detailed wualysis of past and future costs and revenues on this grant project ine everybudgct: submission made to thc City Couneil. Section 9. Copies of diis Grant Praject Ordinance shall be made available to the Budget  Officer and the Finance Oflicer for direction in carrying out this project.  Adopted this 19th day ofNovembur, 2024  di K Stephen R. Little, Mayor  ATTEST:  Me Katelyn Reil, Assistant lo the! ManagerfCity Clerk. Ordinance Number: 0-24-11-19-2    RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND MCDOWELL TRAILS ASSOCIATION FOR JOSEPH MCDOWELL HISTORICAL CATAWBA GREENWAY Planning and Development Director Heather Cotton came forward to recognize Public Works Staff, especially Street Superintendent Darrin Maynor and his crew, for their tremendous work at the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway. Ms. Cotton explained that the original estimate for re-opening the Greenway was going tol be upwards of2 months, but due to the efforts of Public Works Staff, it was re-opened after 2 weeks of work. Ms. Cotton noted that the City of  CLEANUP  6    Marion looks like Tropical Storm Helene never even. happened due to the amazing work ofPublic Mr. Maynor described the damage from Tropical Storm Helene as "catastrophic". Mr. Maynor noted extreme drain clogs, extensive tree work, and other damages that required immediate assessment and repair. Mr. Maynor expressed his appreciation to Public Works Director Brant  Works Department Staff.  Sikes and City Council for their ongoing support. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD  Mayor Little asked Assistant tol Manager/City Clerk Katie Reidi ifa anyone had signed up for public comment. Ms. Reid advised that no one. had signed up to speak. There being no one wanting to ADOPTIONOF ORDINANCE AUTHORIZINGTIE DEMOLITIONOFDILAPIDATED City Manager Boyette called forward Planning and Development Director Heather Cotton to discuss the authorization ofdemolition fora dilapidated structure on East Court Street. Ms. Cotton advised that the dilapidated structure in question was located at 891 East Court Street and owned by George Long. Ms. Cotton noted that Mr. Long had requested a few years ago that the City remove the structure due to his own recognition that it needed to be demolished, but he did not have thei means to do $0. Ms. Cotton explained some. legal issues that occurred between 2022 and present, resulting in a final ruling by thel Board of Adjustment that the: structurel be demolished and Ms. Cotton reported that Mr. Long had not taken action to demolish and remove the structure, sO City Attorney Jennifer Jackson recommended that the City Council take action again to adopt an Council Member Effler noted that the property had been listed for sale and asked Ms. Cotton the current status of the property. Ms. Cotton stated that, as of now, the property was not under contract. She said that Preservation North Carolina had some interest in preserving the dwelling, but that such interest was speculative and there was no guarantee ofthe sale or preservation ofthe Council Member Effler then asked if Council voted to adopt the ordinance to authorize the demolition ofthe structure, what the timeline for demolition would be. Ms. Cotton responded that the demolition process would start immediately, but that it may take City staffs some time to find a contractor to demolish the structure, due to the volume of work that had resulted from the: recent Upon a motion by Council Member Harkey, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ayers, all Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt the following ordinance authorizing the demolition  speak, Mayor Little advanced to the next item.  STRUCTURE  removed by November 5, 2024.  ordinance to authorize City staff to demolish and remove the structure.  structure.  Helene disaster.  oft the dilapidated structure owned by George Long at 891 East Court Street:  7    CITYOPMARION ANORDINANCE CONCERNING PARTICULAR UNINHABITABLE DWELLINGS ANDIOR HAZARDOUS. ABANDONED: STRUCTURES  WHEREAS, on thc 21 day of January. 2003. the City ofMarion enacied an Ordinance pursuant to and in complianec with Article 1i, Chapter 160D of the North Carolina Geaerat Statutes, which provides for the repair, closure Gr demolition ofu unsale buildings and siructures that have becn foud to be unfit for human habitation and abandoned structures which have been found to WHEREAS, pursuant to and in compliancc with the said Ordinance a cortain iveling)siruclnst, located on property described at 891 East Court Stout, having Parcel ldentification Number 1711-05-09-4803 was found to be unfit for human habitation or WHEREAS; thc owners(s)oft the: above-described, property is as follows: George F. Longa ad WIEREAS, on the June 13, 2024, the public oflicer designated in the above-ruferenced Odinauce issued an Administrative Ordor, to the owner of the property described above which required the owner(s) to obtain a permit to demolish by August 13,2024; and WHEREAS, a copy of the Order was sent by certifiel mail te the owner and recorded in the Office ofMcDoweli County Register of Decdsi in! Book 1471, Page 588: and WHEREAS, on! June 14, 2024, thee owner appealed the Administrative Order; snd WIHEREAS, the City of! Marion Board of Adjustment hcli a piasi-ilicial evidentiary hearing on August 8, 2024 and upon the findings of fhct, the Board issued an Onder afliming the Administrative Order providing the owner until November5, 2024; ad WHEREAS, the owners have failed to comply with thes above-stated order.  beal health or safetyhazard; and  hazardous; and  NOW, THEREFORE, the CilyofMarion,' by action oft the Cily Council, HEREBY ORDAINS  the following:    Scetion 1. That the public officer designated in the above-refereneed Ordinance is hereby ordered fo procaed to offectuatet tie above-rofèrenced Ordinance and Article 11, Chapter 160Dof thel Nonh Carolina Goneral Sututes by taking such action as is nccessary ta carry out thet repair, removal or demolition oft the delling or stncture asi indicated in the attached Order; and Section 2: That the public officer shall comply with all applicsble provislons and procedures contoined within the Ordinance and Article I, Chapter 160D of the Nurtk Carolina General  Stafutes.  ADOPTED THIS the 19 day ofNoveumber. 2024  Stephen R. bitlle Mayor  N  mp!lal  Kitelyak N. Reid Assistant to ManageriCiyClerk    AROLIS  Ordinance Number: 0-24-11-19-3  ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION APPROVINGLOCAL WATER SUPPLY PLAN Public Works Director Brant Sikes reported that Water Plant Superintendent Ben Worley recently completed the City'sI Local Water Supply Plan, as: required by State law. Mr. Sikes presented the Plant to the Mayor and Council Members and stated that the Water Supply Plan has been approved by the State. He said that Council action ist needed to adopt ai resolution approving thel Local Water Upon a motion by Council Member Martin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ayers, all Council Members present voted unanimouslyto: adopt thei following Resolution approving thel Local Water  Supply Plan.  Supply Plan:  9    RESOLUTION APPROVING CTTY OF MARION LOCAL WATER SUPPLY PLAN WHEREAS, Nonht Caralina General Statute 143-355 (1) requires that cach unit ofl local govermment that provides public water service or that plans to provide public water service and each large community water system shall, vither individually or together with other units ofl local gavernment and large community water sysiems, prepare and: submit al Local Water Supply Plan; WHEREAS, as required by thes stalute and in thei interests of sound local planning, a Local Water Supply Plan for the City of Marion has boen developed and submitted lo the City Council WHEREAS, thc City Couneil finds that thel Local Water Supply Plani isi in accordance with the provisions of North C'arolina General Statute 143-355 () ad thot it will provide appropriate guidance for the future mnagement of waler supplies for tho City of Marion, as well as useful information to the Deparlment of Envirommental Quality for the development of a state water NOW.THEREPORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council oft the Cily ofN Marion that the Locui Water Supply Plan, entitled CityofMurion' Local Water Supply Plan for 2023 is hercby approved and shall bc submitled to the Department ofTvironmental Quality, Division of Waler BEITI FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council intends thnt this pla shall ber rovised to reflect changes in relevant data and projections at least once every five years or as otherwise requested by the Department, in accordance with the statute and sound plamingpractice.  and  for approval; and  supplyplan us required by statte;  Resources: and  Adopted this the 19th, ayofNovembe,2024.  stephen R. Little, Màyor  ATTEST:  KatelynN.Reid. Assistunt tot tha Manager/CityClerk RESOLUTION NUMBER: R-24-11-19-1  Hl  C  CDISS  10    UPDATE ON NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER EVENTS  Assistant to Manager/City Clerk Katie Reid provided the following upcoming event dates to  Council: Nov 24 (Sun) 3pm..  Marion Christmas Parade  Miss Reid explained that Della Watson has been chosen as the Parade Marshal, and that the Fire Department does not allow candy to be thrown from any vehicle or float. Miss Reid encouraged  candy tol be handed out by persons walking in the parade route. Nov 30 (Sat) 10-4. ..Shop Small Main Street Craft Crawl Dec..... Blue Ridge Artisans Craft Show & Sale @ MACA Dec 5 (Thurs) 5-6:30pm.... McDowell School Chorus & Band Dec 12 (Thurs) 5-6:30pm...Nebo Crossing Worship Team  Nov 23 -] Dec 24..  Festival ofTrees, LDM Complex  Dec 5 (Thurs) 5-7pm Dec 7 (Sat). Dec 14 (Sat) 5-7pm.... Dec 19 (Thurs) 6-7pm.. Dec 31 (Tues) 9pm.. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT  Historic Church Open House Appalachian Potters Market  .A Christmas Posada  Dec 18 12-2 Employee Luncheon catered by Countryside to celebrate holiday  .Ugly Sweater Contest & Christmas Fest Gift Card Drawing  New Year's Eve Celebration & Kids Gala  City Manager Boyette gave the following report to Council:  Mr. Boyette noted that the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba River Greenway had re-opened to the public, and that cleanup work is ongoing. Mr. Boyette advised that Finance Director Dawn Penland has worked to submit reimbursement claims to FEMA related to Hurricane Helene with Mr. Boyette stated that he and County Manager Ashley Wooten attended a meeting of local governments with the Interbasin Transfer (IBT) legal and lobbying team on October 28 at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) office in Hickory to discuss the Charlotte Mr. Boyette said that the IBT review and approval process will likely take 2-3 years, with the potential for lawsuits and/or mediation extending the process. Mr. Boyette explained that he will Mr. Boyette detailed that Sharon Gillespie, the contracted auditor for the City and ABC Board, had completed work on the 2023-24 City and ABC Board audits and the City's Single Audit, due to the City's receipt of] Federal and State funding over the threshold amount in Fiscal Year 2023- 24. Mr. Boyette advised that Ms. Gillespie submitted the audits to the N.C. Local Government Commission (LGC) and is awaiting LGC approval. Mr. Boyette stated there were: no issues with  ac current estimated amount that may approach $1.5 million.  and Mooresville IBT requests.  advise Council as the City learns more about these matters.  11    either the City or ABC: Board audits, and that iti is anticipated that the audit willl bej presented at the Mr. Boyette reminded everyone present that the only Council Meeting in December will be on Mr. Boyette then also reminded those present oft the upcoming Christmas Parade on November 24  December 3 City Council meeting.  December 3.  at 3:00pm on Main Street. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS  Council Member Effler asked to dedicate tonight'sn meeting ini memoryofBobbie' Young, whorecently Council Member Martin noted that he had noticed a hole underneath the railroad underpass on West Henderson Street, Public Works Director Brant Sikes reported that his staffv would look at this location Council Member Harkey commended Assistant to City Manager/City Clerk Katie Reid, and Human  passed away.  and report any observed problems tol NCDOT.  Resources Director Kathleen Nolan on their employee appreciation efforts. Mayor Pro Tem Ayers did not have any comments to share. Mayor Little did notl have any comments to share. MEETENG. ADJOURNMENT  Mayor Little thanked everyone in attendance. Upon a motion by Council Member Harkey, seconded by Council Member Martin, those members of Council present voted unanimously to  adjourn the meeting at 6:58 p.m.  Rfn  7  STEPHEN R. LITTLE,MAVOR  ATTEST:  - 4  Caio  KATELYN REID, ASSISTANTTOMANAGER/CITY CLERK  ROLI NP  12