Salisbury, North Carolina November 5, 2024  REGULAR MEETING  PRESENT: Mayor Karen K. Alexander, Presiding; Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Sheffield, Council  Members Harry McLaughlin and David Post; City Manager Jim Greene, Jr.; City  Clerk Connie B. Snyder; and City Attorney J. Graham Corriher.  ABSENT: None.  Salisbury City Council met in Council Chambers in City Hall located at 217 South Main Street. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Alexander at 6:04 p.m. A moment of silence  was taken.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Mayor Alexander led participants in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag.  She recognized members of the Salisbury Youth Council who were in attendance.  ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  Thereupon, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield made a motion to adopt the Agenda as presented. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, and Councilmembers McLaughlin and Post voted  AYE. (4-0)  UPDATE-B BLOCKWORK  Urban Design Planner. Alyssa Nelson provided a review of the BlockWork Neighborhood Improvement project that took place on Friday, October 25, 2024 and Saturday, October 26, 2024 in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of West Horah Street in the West End neighborhood. She stated the  Salisbury City Council  November 5,2 2024  Page 1    BlockWork project supports Healthy, Safe and Engaged Neighborhoods and Public Safety as outlined in the City's Strategic Plan. She shared photographs from the event, and she thanked the  sponsors and volunteers who worked on the project.  Council thanked Ms. Nelson and everyone who worked to make BlockWork a success.  PROCLAMATIONS  Mayor to proclaim the following observances:  INDIAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBERANCE  November 2024 November 11,2024 November 20, 2024  VETERANS DAY  CONSENT AGENDA (a) Minutes  Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 15, 2024.  (b) Budget Ordinance Amendment - Parks and Recreation  Adopt a budget Ordinance amendment to the FY2024-2025 budget in the amount of $2,083 to appropriate as sponsorship to the Parks and Recreation Department for the Reels & Riffs ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024-2025 BUDGET ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA TO APPROPRIATE A PARKS AND RECREATION (The above Ordinance is recorded in fulli in Ordinance Book No. 32 at Page No. 129, and is known  Summer Concert series.  DONATION.  as Ordinance 2024-72)  (c) Budget Ordinance Amendment - Downtown Development  Adopt al budget Ordinance amendment to the FY2024-2025 budget in the amount of$700 toappropriate a sponsorship/donation tot the Downtown Development Department for the College ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2024-2025 BUDGET ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA TO APPROPRIATE A COLLEGE NIGHT OUT  Night Out event.  DONATION.  Salisbury City Council  November 5, 2024  Page 2    (The above Ordinance is recorded in full in Ordinance Book No. 32 at Page No. 130, and is known  as Ordinance 2024-73)  (d) Right-of-Way Encroachment = AT&T  Approve a right-of-way encroachment by AT&T for the installation ofunderground fiber within the rights-of-way of Old Mocksville Road, Aberdeen Drive, Morehead Drive, and  Carthage Drive in accordance with Section 11-24(27) ofthe City Code.  (e) Right-of-Way Encroachment - AT&T  Approve a right-of-way encroachment by AT&T for the installation ofunderground fiber within the rights-of-way of Harrison Road, Freedom Drive, and Chesapeake Drive in accordance  with Section 11-24(27) of the City Code.  (f) Voluntary Annexation - 3120 Statesville Boulevard  Receive a request for the voluntary annexation of Tax Map 329 Parcels 021 and 022, located at 3120 Statesville Boulevard and adopt a Resolution instructing the City Clerk to RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE CITY CLERKTOINVINVESTIGATEAPETITION RECEIVED UNDER G.S. 160A-31, FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATIONOFTAXMAP329PARCELS021 AND 022, 3.47. ACRES LOCATED AT3120 STATESVILLE BOULEVARD. (The above Resolution is recorded in full in Resolution Book No. 17at Page No. 41, and is known  investigate the sufficiency of the request.  as Resolution 2024-30.)  (g) Voluntary Annexation - 1795 Faith Road  Receive the Certificate of Sufficiency for the voluntary annexation of3.206 acres located at 1795 Faith Road, Tax Map 064 Parcel 222, and adopt al Resolution setting the date ofthe public RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON QUESTION OF THE ANNEXATION (The above Resolution is recorded in full in Resolution Book No. 17 at Page No. 42, and is known  hearing for December 3, 2024.  OF 1795 FAITH ROAD, PARCEL 064 222 PURSUANTTOGS. 160A-58.1.  as Resolution 2024-31.)  (h) Resolution - North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program Grant  Adopt al Resolution approving the Salisbury Police Department to enteri into an agreement with the NC Governor's Highway Safety Program that would allow the Police Department to  receive a $25,000 no match grant from the program.  Salisbury City Council  November 5, 2024  Page 3    NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM LOCAL (The above Resolution is recorded in full in Resolution Book No. 17at Page No. 43, and is known  GOVERNMENTAL GRANT. as Resolution 2024-32.)  Thereupon, Councilmember Post made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, and Councilmembers McLaughlin and  Post voted AYE. (4-0) PUBLIC COMMENT  Mayor Alexander opened the floor to receive public comment.  Mr. Efrem Gaither addressed Council regarding homelessness and various issues. There being no one else to address Council, Mayor Alexander closed the public comment  session.  UPDATE- - MICROTRANSIT  Deputy City Manager Richard White and Transit Director Rodney Harrison provided an update on Microtransit. Mr. White stated at its 2022 Retreat Council adopted Microtransit as a priority, and he commented Microtransit is also included in the City's Strategic Plan. He pointed out at its August 20, 2024 meeting, Council adopted a Resolution to proceed with a Microtransit Pilot Project. He noted at its October 2, 2024 meeting thel North Carolina Board ofTransportation (NCDOT) approved the grant application allowing the City to proceed with the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. He noted proposals are due on December 20, 2024, and he indicated once the proposals are received they will be reviewed by an evaluation committee. He added the goal is to provide a vendor contract to Council in March for its consideration and to begin the pilot project on July 1, 2025. He reviewed the proposed implementation schedule, and he noted the pilot project will service Route 3 which serves Salisbury, Spencer, and East Spencer. He stated the RFP includes the possibility ofa Saturday service and implementation of Microtransit on the  remaining routes.  Councilmember Post asked about riders on Route 3 who request to be taken to a destination that is outside of the route. Mr. Harrison explained customers will be taken to the transfer zone where they can connect to the other bus routes to reach their destination. He stated once a vendor iss selected there will be an education process regarding how to use the service. Mr. White noted staff will work with the service provider to develop a branding and marketing campaign to help  residents understand the process.  City Manager Jim Greene thanked staff for its work on the Microtransit Pilot Project. He noted the City received a $3 million grant for the implementation of the pilot project, and he  Salisbury City Council  November 5, 2024  Page 4    pointed out there will be opportunities to evaluate the process and make changes if needed. He thanked Council and citizens for their patience throughout the process which includes federal and  state approval. Council thanked Mr. White and Mr. Harrison for the update. MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT - MULTIMODAL NETWORK PLAN  Transportation Director Wendy Brindle addressed Council regarding a municipal agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for Project M- 0570F, a Multimodal Network Plan. She stated the proposal supports the Strategic Plan focus areas of Healthy, Safe, and Engaged Neighborhoods, Sustainable Infrastructure, and Cultural Amenities. She noted the City has a Comprehensive Bicycle Plan that was adopted in 2009, and she added the City had opportunity through the Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to apply for a grant to update the existing Bicycle Plan. She stated NCDOT reviewed the application and offered the City a Multimodal Network Plan with an anticipated cost of $70,000 that would require a local match of30%, or $21,000. She explained ifthe cost oft the plan exceeds $70,000 the City would be responsible for any additional costs. She noted the project is administered by NCDOT and must be completed within two years.  Ms. Brindle stated NCDOT suggested the City partner with Alta Planning and Design on the plan, and she noted the goal is to have ai final plan by November 2025 with a kickoffin early 2026. Shei indicated the process willi include public engagement, and the plan will consider current conditions and provide short and long term recommendations for improvements, methods for projectp prioritization, programs and policies, ani implementation plan, and performance measures. She commented the City's portion of $21,000 is budgeted and staffi recommends authorizing the  City Manager to enter into a municipal agreement for the project.  Thereupon, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield made a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a municipal agreement with the North Carolina Department ofTransportation for Project M-0570F, Multimodal Network Plan, with an up-front local participation of $21,000. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield and Councilmembers McLaughlin and Post voted AYE.  (4-0)  RADIO REPAIR AGREEMENT  Fire Chief Bob Parnell presented the proposed Radio Repair Agreement that supports the City's Strategic Plan focus area ofPublic Safety. He explained prior to 2007 Rowan County and its municipalities, including the City, took all radios to a private shop for repairs, programming, installation, and maintenance. He added in 2007 the City implemented a Telecommunications Division that assumed the radio maintenance. He added the City and Rowan County own major parts of the system including radio towers, base stations, portable and mobile radios, transmitting and receiving devices, microwave connectivity consoles and the 911 center equipment. He added there are over 2,500 radios on the system including radios for the Fire and Police Departments, Public Works, Salisbury-Rowan Utilities (SRU) and the Sheriff's Department. He indicated  Salisbury City Council  November 5, 2024  Page 5    Rowan County recently upgraded all fire, rescue and law enforcement radios, 2,080 devices at a costof$7.9n million, andl he pointed out the radios were programmed by Telecommunications staff. Chief Parnell stated the Rowan County Commission approved the agreement at its November 4, 2024 meeting. He pointed out previously there was an agreed upon cost and price list, but no formal agreement. He added Rowan County requested a contract which was reviewed by the City and County Attorneys that will establish prices and schedules for maintenance and  programming services.  Mayor Alexander thanked the County for investing in the radio equipment, and she Thereupon, Councilmember Post made a motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into al Radio Repair Agreement with Rowan County. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield  pointed out having everyone on the same system is beneficial toj public safety.  and Councilmembers McLaughlin and Post voted AYE. (4-0)  CITY COUNCIL VACANCY  Mayor Alexander stated the vacancy selection process has been guided by Council's commitment to select a candidate that embodies the values and vision of Salisbury. She added Council followed North Carolina General Statute 160A-63, which mandates that Council fill any vacancy by appointment. She explained state law does not permit a special election and Council has the responsibility of appointing a candidate to serve the remainder of the current term, which  ends in November 2025.  Mayor Alexander: noted Council launched an application process which closed on October 4, 2024 and 13 applications were received. She noted Council prioritized candidates with a strong background in community service, experience on City Boards and Commissions and excellent collaboration and communication skills that would advance the City's long-term vision. She indicated on October 11, 2024 each Councilmember met individually with the mayor, and a majority agreed upon aj process in which each Councilmember would submit their top two names for consideration. She added on October 16, 2024 Councilmembers submitted their top two selections and were encouraged to conduct interviews before submitting their final candidate by October 25, 2024. She thanked the 13 individuals who applied for the position.  Mayor Alexander opened the floor to receive nominations regarding the vacancy on City Council. Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield nominated Mr. Carlton Jackson, Jr. and Councilmember Post nominated Ms. Dee Dee Wright. Mayor Alexander then closed the floor for nominations. There  was discussion among Council regarding the nominations.  Upon a roll call Councilmember Harry McLaughlin voted for Mr. Carlton Jackson, Jr. Councilmember Post voted for Ms. Dee Dee Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield voted for Mr. Carlton Jackson, and Mayor Alexander voted for Mr. Carlton Jackson, Jr. Ata vote of3 tol 1 Mr.  Carlton Jackson, Jr. was appointed to fill the vacant seat on City Council.  Salisbury City Council  November. 5, 2024  Page 6    By consensus, Council agreed to swear Mr. Jackson in as a Councilmember at its November 19, 2024 meeting. Mayor Alexander stated a reception will take place in honor ofMr. Jackson before the November 19, 2024 meeting. City Manager Jim Greene noted staff looks  forward to working with Mr. Jackson. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT  City Manager Jim Greene stated western North Carolina is rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, and he commented staffcontinues to volunteer to assist int those areas. Hen noted members oft the Police and Fire Departments and Internal Communications Coordinator Kaisha Brown have assisted the area. He stated Salisbury-Rowan Utilities (SRU) staff recently traveled to western North Carolina, and he pointed out some communities are still without clean drinkable water. He asked SRU Interim Director Jason Wilson to provide an update regarding his recent trip to the  area.  Mr. Wilson stated he and SRUI Distribution and Collection System Manager Blake Jordan traveled to Asheville to help their Water Resources Department survey their water system to look for damage and water leaks. He explained the City is a member oft the North Carolina Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) that includes a mutual aid agreement to coordinate assistance during times of need. He stated staff also traveled to Swannanoa and to the Grove Park Inn which is still closed due to the lack of drinking water. He pointed out progress is being made and staff was honored to represent the City in western North Carolina.  Mr. Greene thanked City employees who have volunteered to assist in western North Carolina. Mayor Alexander thanked everyone who donated items for the City to take to those  affected by Hurricane Helene. She added it has been a community effort.  COUNCIL COMMENTS  Councilmember McLaughlin stated the Fire and Police Department have made several deliveries to western North Carolina sending first responder tactical gear, 650 gallons of diesel fuel, and supplies for 1,300 people including food, blankets, clothes, camping gear, grills and  propane tanks. He thanked everyone who has worked to meet the need. vacant seat on Council, and he welcomed Mr. Jackson, Jr. to Council.  Councilmember McLaughlin noted Council received some great applications to fill the  MAYOR PROTEM COMMENTS  Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield referenced the election, and she thanked the Board of Election workers and those who worked the polls. She thanked citizens for all they do to make the County  and the City a better place.  Salisbury City Council  November 5, 2024  Page 7    MAYOR'S. ANNOUNCEMENTSAND COMMENTS  Mayor Alexander thanked staff and citizens who have reached out with cards, text messages, flowers, and prayers during her health challenge. She displayed a card she received  from City staff, and she thanked everyone for their continued love and support.  ADJOURNMENT  Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield. Mayor Alexander, Mayor Pro Tem Sheffield, and Councilmembers McLaughlin and Post voted AYE. (4-0)  The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.  LA  Karen K. Alexander, Mayor  Cous B bruch Connie B. Snyder, City Clerk  Salisbury City Council  November 5, 2024  Page 8