629 MINUTES BREVARD CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting amuay21,2025-530/M Thel Brevard City Council met in regular session on' Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Present Mayor Maureen Copelof, and Council Members Macl Morrow, Aaron 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall with Mayor Copelof presiding. Baker, Lauren Wise and Pamela Holder Absent - Mayor Pro" Tem Gary Daniel Staff Present- - City Attorney! Mack McKeller, City Manager Wilson Hooper, City Clerk Denise Hodsdon, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Dean Luebbe, Assistant City Manager David Todd, Assistant to the City Manager Selena Coffey, Human Resources Director Kelley Craig, Planning Director Paul Ray, Assistant Planning Director Aaron Bland, Communications Coordinator Becky McCann, Public Works Director Wesley Shook, WastewaterTreatment Plant ORCI Emory Owen, Water Treatment Plan ORCI Dennis Richardson, Community Center Director Tyree Griffin, Police Captain Aaron' Thompson, and Police Department Evidence Collection Technician Guests/Presenters: - Brevard Music Center President/CEO Jason Posnock and Staff Members; Sara VanLear OfUNC: School of Government Development Finance Eden Hinds Initiative (via Zoom) Press - Davel Bradley, Transylvania Times. A. Welcome and Call to Order- - Mayor Copelof called the meeting to order B. Invocation - Pastor Andrew Crimmins of St.' Timothy United Methodist C.P Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor Copelof ledt thej pledge ofallegiance. D. Certification of Quorum - City Clerk Denise Hodsdon certified thata quorum was present. Mr. Morrow moved, seconded by Ms. Holder to excuse Mayor Pro E. Approval of Agenda - Ms. Holder moved, seconded by Mr. Morrowto and welcomed those present. Church offered ani invocation. Tem Daniel. The motion carried unanimously. approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. F. Approval of Minutes F-1. January 6, 2025 Regular Meeting - Ms. Holder moved, seconded by Mr. Baker to approve ther minutes of the January 6, 2025 Regular Meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously. G. Public Comments - None. H.C Certificates/Award/Recognition H-1. Proclamation No. 2025-01 Brevard Music Center Day- Mayor Copelof read the proclamation aloud. Shej presented thej proclamation: and al Key to the City to Brevard Music Center President/CEO Jason Posnock and Staff Members. 630 Proclamation No. 2025-01 Brevard Music Centerl Day WHEREAS, Brevard Music Centerl hast been ani important part ofthel Brevard Community: since WHEREAS, on September 27,2024 Hurricane Helene tore through Westernl North Carolina producing! historical flooding andl landslides inE Brevard and' Transylvania County, causing devastating WHEREAS, in collaboration withl locala authorities, Brevard Music Centeri immediately and unconditionally opened its doorst to provide temporary! housing for displaced families and visiting work crews, asv wella asr makingi its foods storagef facilities available tos supportt the efforts ofl local emergency WHEREAS, Brevard Music Center housed a total of113 peoplei ini its dorms atr no costl between WHEREAS, Brevard Music Center partnered with Gracel Brevard and EI Centro to! house 8 families, a total of2 22 people from the community from October 9th until December 9th; and WHEREAS,3 families from Brevard College werel housed from October 7tht to! November 20th; WHEREAS, Brevard Music Center provided housing for 7 families ofi its current and previous NOW,THEREFORE, inr recognition ofE Brevard Music Center's unselfish support ofc our community, I, Maureen Copelof, Mayor oft the City ofE Brevard, dol hereby proclaim Friday, January 24th, 2025 as BREVARDI MUSIC CENTER DAYi int the City of Brevard, North Carolina, and commend its observance to alli itsr residents. lencourage residents tor reacho outa and expresst their appreciation to Brevard Music Center fort the extraordinary: and criticals support they providedt tol helpt the community 1944; and loss ofl homes and displacement ofr residents; and providers;and September 30th and December 9th; and WHEREAS, 58t tree workers werel housed forat total of 30 days; and and staffa and community partners duringt thet month of October. during thist time ofu unprecedented need. Further, Ihereby present Brevard Music Center with al Key tot the City;i itis nota al key toa anyl lock, INV WITNESS WHEREOF, Ihave set my hand and executed the Great Seal oft the City ofB Brevard on buti is the truel keyt tot thel hearts oft the citizens ofE Brevard. this the 21st day of] January, 2025. Attest: Denise Hodsdon, CMC, City Clerk s/ Maureen Copelof, Mayor H-2. Proclamation No. 2025-02 White Squirrel Day Mayor Copelof read the proclamation aloud. Proclamation No. 2025-02 White Squirrel Day The City ofE Brevard! hereby proudly declares and ordains February2 2, 2025, as" "White Squirrel Day", andf further orders that' "Groundhog Day" will forever andl hereafter ber recognized and honoredi in WHEREAS, inl keeping with Brevard's great! heritage of welcoming and receiving visitors from around the world, Pisgah Piper honorablys serves ast the City's official whites squirrel ambassador for WHEREAS, Pisgah Piper has established! herselfa asab beloved and valued member oft this community, and openly assertsl her love for Brevard, waterfalls, mountain biking, hiking, and everything WHEREAS, Pisgah! Piper! has further established: herselfa as possessing unique and valuable skills inr making usefula and accurate predictions, including: accurately predicting the winner ofthe Super Bowi eachy year, while Punxsutawney Phill has established' himselfa as (let'sh bel honest): ani ill-tempered anda THEREFORE, wec celebrate this day as Pisgah Piper assumes the duties and responsibilities asked ofh her, and! heretofore will make all predictions asked ofher on" "White! Squirrel Day," thereby forever relieving Punxsutawney! Phil oft these duties. Besides, she's way cutert thanl Phil. the Cityo ofE Brevard as" "White Squirrel Day" for the following reasons: Brevard; and else that makes ourt townt the coolest smallt towni inA America; and highly unreliable predictor ofa anything. Minutes- Brevard City Council Meeting- January 21, 2025 Page2 2of10 631 1,Maureen Copelof, Mayor ofthe City ofBrevard, dol hereby proclaim February2,2025; as White INV WITNESS WHEREOF, Ihavel hereunto: set my hand and caused the! Seal ofthe City of Brevard Squirrell Dayi int the City of Brevard. tob bea affixedt this 2nd day of February, 2025. Attest: Denise Hodsdon, CMC, City Clerk s/ Maureen Copelof, Mayor I. Special Presentations- None. J.Publicl Hearing(s) J-1. Proposed Amendment to City ofl Brevard Unified Development Ordinance Chapters 12 and 19 Signs Aaron Bland explained that Chapter 12 in the UDO that addresses signs was overhauled in 2020 in response toal US Supreme Court case. Following that rewrite, minor cleanup amendments were made to thes sign chapter in 2021 and 2022. This is another staff-initiated text amendment to clean up somel language and inconsistencies within Chapter 12. He noted there is no real substantive change to signage thati is allowed. The amendments include the following: Shortening the amount oft time political signs can be displayed to match NC General Statutes - reduced from 90 days prior to the beginning ofearly voting to 30 days prior to thel beginning ofe early voting Specifying what temporary signs require aj permit Material requirements for permanent ground signs Removing duplicative language Updating mural language tol better reflect the City's Public Artl Policy The Planning Board discussed thej proposed amendment ati its December: 17,2024 At5 5:54 p.m. Mr. Baker moved, seconded by Mr. Wise to open the public hearing. meeting andi recommended: in favor. The motion carried unanimously. Public Participation: Steve Keate of 269 Evergreen St.: said respectfully urge) you to reconsiderand ultimately modify the proposed changes to Section 12.8.2 regarding freestanding temporary signs. What's! being proposed would place the City in aj precarious position ofregulating political speech by restricting the number and size of signs citizens can display in theiryards during an election season. The proposal raises two significant areas of concern. First, the practical issues: does the City really wantt to dedicate its limited resources to enforcing these rules; and how would the City determine which political opinions merit larger signs or more: signs? Such a task would not only be resource-intensive but would undoubtedlyi invite unnecessary controversary: and conflict. I'm sure there are more] pressing matters that deserve the City's attention and energy. Second, far more: serious, is thei impact on free speech. Thej proposed changes constitute a cleari infringement on our First Amendment rights. Att thel heart of our democracyi is the right of every citizen to express their political opinions freely. For many, placing political signs in their yard is the most accessible way to participate in political discourse. Restricting this form ofe expression, whether through size limits, numerical caps, or permit requirements would be profoundly un-American. As patriotic Americans who value free speech, free expression, and robust political debate, Ibelieve we can all agree thats such restrictions undermine these cherished principles. I urge you to exclude political signs from the changes being proposed by the Planning Harvey Sankey of 41 Pine St.: said Ihappen to agree wholeheartedly with what Steve just said tonight. I'mi not going to repeat everything, but how is this going tol be enforced? Are we going to go up to private property and measure the signs to make sure they'rei in compliance? Forap person to go up on private property without notifying thei individual that I'm going to measure: your sign doesn'tmake: sense. Asar matterof Board. Minutes- Brevard City Council Meeting- January 21, 2025 Page3of10 632 fact, that! personi is going upt there without any warrant or without anyi information as to whyt they're going upt there, and they're not notified ahead oft time to do this. Basically, the enforcement ist thei issuel here. Is thel Planning Board going to go around and look: at every sign on everybody's property? They've got plenty other things to do and they're going tol havet to enforce ith by going: around everybody's) property that has a sign. I would urge yout to table this motion and go backt to the Planning Board and askt them to At6 6:00 p.m. Mr. Morrow moved, seconded by Mr. Baker to close thej public During discussion, Council asked for clarification of thel language in Section 12.8.2 regarding political signs. Mr. Bland explained that the only change is the duration ofwhen thel limiti is suspended. Currently everyone can have one of these Type 1 signs in theiry yard expressing some sort of opinion whenever, but that limit of onei iss suspended 90 days before the start ofe early voting fora an election. That is the City's ordinance, which applies on city rights-of-way within city jurisdiction. The state statute says you can put political signs outl beginning 30 days prior. The amendment changes the 90 days to 30 days to match the General Statute, andt that is the only change being presented. Her noted that the 2020 Supreme Court case referenced hinged on the idea thats sign regulation must be content-neutral, and political signs, real estate signs, event signs, etc. all have thes same rules andi regulations. Attorney! McKeller added that the Supreme Court was clear that reasonable time, place and manner regulations can be puti into effect and in ordert tol keep al litter affect from going on all around the city at all times, thet time, place, andi manner of those signs willl be limited under this, except for revise this motion. hearing. The motion carried unanimously. this one expansion period arounde election time. Thisi item willl be added to Council's agenda for action at the February 3, 2025 J-2. Proposed Amendment to City of Brevard Unified Development Ordinance Chapters2 2, 3,4,5,8,10,12: and 13 - Pisgah Gateway District- - Aaron Bland recalled thati in November Council created thel Pisgah Gateway Mixed Use (PGX) District, however in December, with the veto override of Senate Bill 382, the General Assembly amended statel law to greatly restrictl local government discretion to amend local zoning ordinances. The statutory provision, included: as part oft the Disaster Recovery Act of2024 (Session Law 2024-57), alters the definition ofdown-zoning" to include creating anys sort oft non-conformity,: and prevents local governments from adopting down-zoning without written consent from alli impacted owners. Thej precise interpretation, breadth, andi impact oft this change are not perfectly clear and zoning officials across the state, including thel UNCS School of Government, havel lots of unanswered questions. For some time, North Carolina lawl hasl limited down-zonings by third parties, but local government! has always retained the authority to make decisions about rezoning properties in theirj jurisdictions in accordance withl local needs and planning documents. This new session law changes that and prohibits local governments from initiating any down-zoning, as well asl broadening the definition of what down-zoningi is. This has implications on the PGXI District: as this new law retroactively: applies to: any ordinances adopted 180 days prior. Mr. Bland recalled that PGX was enacted by two different ordinances backi in November, one to amend the text oft thel UDOt to create the district and: all ofits standards, andt the other amended the zoning mapt to applyi it to certain properties. By applyingi it tot those properties, we did create non-conformities without the written consent ofa all affected property owners. Therefore, the two ordinances previously adopted havel beeni invalidated and rendered unenforceable by SL2 2024-57. Inc order to1 move forward in compliance with the new definition of down-zoning, Staffisp proposing that Council readopt the UDO amendments creating the standards for thel PGX district, but not the: zoning mapi amendment thata actually applies itt to properties. This way, iti is not creating nonconformities: sincei iti is notl being applied to any parcel ofland. Witht thel PGX1 text backi inj place, property owners can' "opti in" to the meeting, Minutes- Brevard City Council? Meeting- January21,2025 Page 4of10 633 new district by requestingar rezoning to the new district, with the explicit written consent needed byt the newl law. Staff believes there are several property owners who would benefit from the PGX district who willl be willing to request tol be rezoned. Planning Staff will begin outreach efforts to contact these property owners and hopefully bring several tol be rezoned all at once ataf future council meeting. In ordert to show the area wherei iti is appropriate to apply thel PGX district, Staffi is also] proposing an amendment to thel Future Land Usel Map oft thel Building Brevard 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plant to establish al Pisgah Gateway Character Area. This will help protect against spot zoning concerns and also give a rational reason for denial of any rezoning applications thati request PGX outside thei intended area. Mr. Bland noted that ane enacting ordinance was included in the Council packet should Council wish to At6:23 p.m. Ms. Holder moved, seconded by Mr. Morrow to open the public act without waiting until thel February 3rd meeting. hearing. The motion carried unanimously. Public Participation - None. The motion carried unanimously. At6 6:23 p.m. Mr. Wise moved, seconded byl Mr. Baker to close the public hearing. Following questions and comments by Council, Mr. Wise moved, seconded by Mr. Morrow to approve thee enacting ordinance. Thei motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 2025-04 AN ORDINANCE. AMENDING THE FUTUREI LANDI USEI MAP AND MULTIPLE CHAPTERS OF THE CITY OFI BREVARD UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCETO CREATETHEI PISGAH GATEWAY MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICT, AND ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS WHEREAS, thea areai int the vicinity oft the US 64/ /US 276 /NC2 280i intersection and the entrance to Pisgah! National Foresti isal unique urbanl location withint the City of Brevard, providing: ane entrance WHEREAS, the City ofE Brevard Planning Board! has recommended that the Brevard City Code, Unified Development Ordinancel be: amended to create the Pisgah Gateway Mixed Use (PGX) zoning districti inc order toc codify context-sensitive regulations for this important area; and, WHEREAS, the City Council oft the City ofE Brevard finds that the proposed amendmenti is consistent with the followinge elements oft the City ofB Brevard Comprehensive Land Use Plan Building into the Pisgah National Forest as wella ast the City ofBrevardi itself, and, Brevardz 2030: Recommendation. Land Use & Housing - 10: Establish zoning overlay districts WHEREAS, aj public hearing was conducted onl Monday, November 4, 2024, by the Brevard City WHEREAS, the City Council oft the City of Brevard previously created the Pisgah Gateway Mixed- Usez zoningo district by adopting Ordinances! 2024-43: and 2024-44 on! November 18, 2024; and, WHEREAS, onl December 11, 2024, thel North Carolina General Assembly enacted! Session Law 2024-57 viaa a veto override whichi includeda aj provision that amended the definition of" "down-zoning" in ar manner that dramatically alterst the: authority for local governments to amend local zoning ordinances, therebyi invalidating thej previous creation oft the Pisgah Gateway Mixed-Usez zoning district; and, WHEREAS, following the: adoption ofSL2024-57,as second public hearing was conducted on Tuesday, January: 21, 2025, by the Brevard City Council, and, after hearing: allp persons wishingt to comment,: and upon review: and consideration oft the proposed amendments, iti iss still the desire ofthe City Council oft the City ofE Brevard that the Unified Development Ordinance be: amended as outlined belowi inc order toe enacta ai new context-specific: zoning districti int the Pisgah Forest gateway area. NOW,THEREFORE, BEI IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BREVARD, SECTION: 1.E Brevard City Code, Unified Development Ordinance isl hereby: amended as depicted fort the Asheville Highway Corridor and! Pisgah Forest Area. Council; and, NORTH CAROLINA' THAT: inE Exhibit A, whichi isa attached hereto andi incorporatedherein! by reference. Minutes- Brevard City Council Meeting- January 21, 2025 Pages 5of10 634 SECTION 2.7 The Futurel Land Usel Mapa and Character Areas ofthe Building Brevard Comprehensive Land Use Plan isl hereby amendeda as depictedi in ExhibitE B, whichi is attached! hereto and SECTION3 3.Thel Planning! Directori is directed tor reach outt to property owners int the desired Pisgah Gateway Mixed Use districta area: and inform them ofthis change ins statel law and that they must SECTION4 4.A Ast toa any conflict between this Ordinance: and any parts ofe existing ordinances, the SECTION: 5.1 Ifanys section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or portion oft this Ordinance is fora any reason heldi invalid or unconstitutional by: any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shalll bec deemeds severable ands such holding shall not affect the validity oft the remaining portions SECTION 6.7 This Ordinance: shall bei inf full force andi ine effect from and after the date ofits incorporatedl herein! by reference. now voluntarily opti into thel PGXO district with written consent. provisions oft this Ordinance: shall control. hereof. adoption anda approval. Adopted and approved this the 21st day of) January 2025. Attest: Denise Hodsdon, CMC, City Clerk Approved ast tol Form: Mack! McKeller, City Attorney s/1 Maureen Copelof, Mayor K. Consent and Information Consent Agenda items are considered routine and are enacted by one motion. Mayor Copelofr fread aloud thei items listed and asked fora a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mr. Baker moved, seconded by Mr. Morrow to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously. K-1. Tax Settlement eport-December2024 K-2. Resolution re) Jimmy Carter Memorial Walll Installation in Clemson Plaza RESOLUTION NO. 2025-07 RESOLUTION. ADOPTINGI HABITATFORI HUMANITY'S OFSERVICE" AS OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SPEECH "JIMMY CARTERI MEMORIAL WALL" INSTALLATION IN CLEMSONI PLAZA AND' "HONORINGI ALIFE WHEREAS, President Jimmy Carter: and Mrs. Carterl led the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work WHEREAS, the Carter Work Project has rallied 108,100 volunteers tol build,r renovate and repair 4,4471 Habitat for Humanity homes in1 140 countries, raising: awareness ofthe critical need for affordable WHEREAS, Transylvania Habitat for Humanity is committed to continuingt the work inspired by WHEREAS, Transylvania Habitat for Humanity wishest tol honor thel legacy of President Carter who! hasl helped Habitat focus worldwide: attention ont thei issue ofa adequate housing and helped Habitat WHEREAS, Transylvania Habitat for Humanity, in" "Honoringa al Life of Service", planst to erecta framed memorial wall witha a doori in Clemson Plaza, symbolizing the many doors that President Carter WHEREAS, members oft the public willl bei invited top pay their respects and sign thei memorial NOW," THEREFORE, BEI ITI RESOLVED: BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF1 THE CITY OF BREVARD, Section: 1. Thel Brevard City Council adopts the" "Jimmy Carter Memorial Wall" installation in Clemson Plaza and' "Honoringal Life ofs Service" as official government: speech. Section 2. This resolution: shalll bee effective upon adoption. Adopted: and approved this the 21st day of] January, 2025. Project for Habitat for Humanity International: for more than: 35y years; and housing; and President: and Mrs. Carter; and homeowners! build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter; and helped to open; and wall, leavingt their reflections andi memories. NORTH CAROLINA1 THAT: Attest: Denisel Hodsdon, CMC, City Clerk s/! Maureen Copelof, Mayor Minutes- Brevard City Council Meeting- January2 21, 2025 Page 6of10 635 K-3. Estatoe' Trail Boardwalk Assessment and' "Mini-Brooks" Act Exemption RESOLUTION NO. 2025-08 RESOLUTION. APPROVING/ A" "MINII BROOKS ACT" EXEMPTIONI FOR THEI ESTATOE1 TRAILI BOARDWALK ASSESSMENT ASI PER G.S.143-64.32 WHEREAS, G.S.: 143-64.31 (often referred toa ast the' "Mini Brooks Act") requires thei initial solicitation ande evaluation offirms top perform architectural, engineering, surveying, construction managementaterisk. services, and design-build. services (collectively" "design services")t tol bel based on WHEREAS, the City att times has a need fors services estimated to cost belowt the $50,000 exemption threshold per G.S.143-64-32 that authorizes local-government: exemption from the WHEREAS, thej proposed cost fort thel Estatoe' Traill Boardwalk Assessment isl less than! $50,000 WHEREAS, the design firm, WSP, is well qualified and experienced inl both the design and NOW, THEREFORE, BEI ITI RESOLVED BY1 THE CITY COUNCIL OF BREVARD, NORTH Section 1. The: selection ofthe designer WPS for thel Estatoe' Trail Boardwalk. Assessment be qualifications andy without regardt to fee; and qualifications-based: selection requirements ofG.S.1 143-64.31;and ($16,030); and inspection ofr multi-use trails including boardwalks andr raised! boardwalks; and WHEREAS, the City wishes tou use WSP for these design services. CAROLINA: THAT: exempt from the' Minil Brooks" Acta asp per G.S.143-64-32. Section 2. This resolution shalll bee effective upon adoption. Adopted and approved this 21st day ofj January, 2025. Attest: Denise Hodsdon, CMC, City Clerk L. Unfinished Business s/ Maureen Copelof, Mayor L-1. Proposed Amendment to City of Brevard Fee Schedule Utility Tap Fees - Mr. Hooper recalled that this isa aj proposal to waive utility tap fees for temporary, recovery-related uses duringa Chapter 21 declared state ofe emergency and Council helda aj public hearing on this! proposed amendment ati its] January 6th meeting. Mr. Morrow moved, seconded by Mr. Baker to approve the proposal and the Fee Schedule as amended. Thei motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE! NO.: 2025-03 AN ORDINANCEAMENDING THEI FEESCHEDULEOFTHE FY2024-2025 CITY OFI BREVARDI BUDGET WHEREAS, the City ofE Brevard: adopted thel FY 20251 budget on) June 3,2024, includingas schedule WHEREAS, the City Council ofE Brevard: adopted Ordinance No. 2024-48 amending the Unified Development Ordinance toi include Chapter 21 - Emergency Response and Recovery, ina accordance with WHEREAS, itist the desire oft the City Council oft the City of Brevard that thel FY: 2025 budget fee NOW,THEREFORE, BEI IT ORDAINEDI BY1 THE CITY COUNCIL OF1 THE CITY OF BREVARD, SECTION 01. The City ofl Brevard FY2025 fees schedulei isl hereby: amended as described below: SECTION 02. Adding af footnote tot the' "Water Tapl Fees", "Sewer Tap Fees", and' "System Duringa" "State ofE Emergency" as definedi in Chapter 21.2 oft the Brevard Unified Development Ordinance, the Zoning Administrator may temporarily waives such fees for temporary uses associated with emergency response and recovery as described in Chapter: 21.3 offees; and, North Carolina General Statutes; and, schedule! be: amended: aso outlined below. NORTH CAROLINA THAT: Development Fees" section oft the schedule as follows: Minutes- Brevard City Council Meeting- January 21,2 2025 Page7of10 636 oft the UDO. The duration oft the waiver shall correspond with the duration ofthe State of Emergency, after whicht thet fees must be paidi inf full or ther meters recovered and the utility SECTION 03. The City! Manager oft the City ofE Brevard is hereby authorized toa amendt the official SECTION 04. This Ordinance shall become effective upon itsa adoption: and approval. Adopted and approved upon first readingt this the 21st day of] January, 2025. access terminated. FY2 2025b budgett tor reflectt the change ass set forthl herein. Attest: Denise Hodsdon, CMC, City Clerk Approved ast tol Form: Mack McKeller, City Attorney M. New Business s/ Maureen Copelof, Mayor M-1. Guiding Publicl Interests and Engagement Summaryi for Azalea Avenue Property- Mr. Hooper explained that these statements of] public interest regarding the possiblel low-to-moderate income (LMI) housing project on the Azalea Avenue site have already been endorsed byt the Housing Committee and referred to Council for approval. With Council's endorsement, thej publici interests willl become the foundation of the architecture! firm's proposed development: scenarios. DFI conducted. a series of public engagements and their memorandum regarding community engagement feedbackis included in the Council packet. Based on the community input received, the following are the refined guiding public interests for the Azalea Avenue site. Affordable housing development ont the Azalea. Avenue: site: should: optimize thei number of fnew, quality rental units affordable to Brevard's low- to-moderate income households and thel local workforce. include access tos green space and community amenities for residents. attract as much private investment as possible to maximize thei impact of accommodate the City'ssewer infrastructure extension into in the Azalea/ Mr. Morrow moved, seconded by Mr. Wise to adopt the resolution endorsing the public investment in affordable housing. Rhododendron neighborhood. guiding public interests as presented. The motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 2025-09 RESOLUTION ENDORSING" THE GUIDINGI PUBLICI INTERESTS! FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE! HOUSING ONTHEA AZALEA AVENUE AND OLDI HENDERSONVILLEI HIGHWAYI PROPERTY WHEREAS, the City of Brevard is committed to the expanding housing opportunities for all WHEREAS, the City contracted the Development Finance Initiative (DFI) to assess affordable WHEREAS, the Citye executed: and optiont top purchase agreement: for three parcels on Azalea Avenue and Old Hendersonville Highway for affordable housing development for low-to-moderate income WHEREAS, the City: andl DFI conducted community engagement tof formt the guiding publici interest WHEREAS, theg guidingr publici interests ares site- specific goals statements that define project values, set site-specific parameters, and inform actionable trade-offs for the site's development as affordable WHEREAS, based on the community input received, the following are refined guiding public residents: andi is pursuing: affordable housingi initiatives ini response; and housing development opportunities; and households; and fort the project; and housing; and interests: Affordable housing development on the Azalea Avenue: site should: Minutes- Brevard City Council Meeting- January21,2025 Page 8of10 637 1. optimize the number of new, quality rental units affordable to Brevard's low-to-moderate 3. attract as much private investment as possible tor maximize the impact ofpublic investment accommodate the City's sewer infrastructure extension in the Azale/Phododendron WHEREAS, thel Housing Committee unanimously recommended in favor oft the guiding public WHEREAS, City Councill heard aj presentation ont the guiding publici interests for this project and NOW,THEREFORE, BEITI RESOLVED BY' THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BREVARD, Section 01.1 Theg guiding publici interests fora affordablel housing development on the Azalea Avenue site listed above andp presentedt tot the City Council: ati its meeting on) January 21,2025,a are incomel households and thel local workforce. include access tog green space and community amenities for residents. ina affordable housing. neighborhood. interests for the project onj January 14,2 2025; and asummaryo ofcommunityf feedback: ati its January 21,2025, meeting. NORTH CAROLINA' THAT: hereby endorsed. Adopted and approved this the 21st day ofj January, 2025. Attest: Denise Hodsdon, CMC, City Clerk s/ Maureen Copelof, Mayor M-2. Transition of Planner Position from Part-time to Full-time - Mr. Hooper explained that this type of request would normally be made during budget discussions, but ther need isi immediate, and ifgranted, would support the Planning Department's expanding responsibilities, including management ofs significant initiatives sucha as trail development, affordablel housing projects, and otheri important projects in support of Council's strategic priorities. Mr. Ray reviewed thel Department's scope of work and their upcoming needs in the months to come. He said transitioning this part-time planner position to full-time statusi is critical for the continued success of thel Planning Department's timely completion of ongoing projects and the high quality ofs service itp provides the community. Mr. Morrow moved, seconded by Mr. Wise to approve the request. The motion carried unanimously. N. Remarks/Future Agenda Considerations. Ms. Holder thanked everyone who supported thel Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration. She saidi it was well-attended, and the feeling of community was Mr. Wise expressed appreciation for everyone who comes tol listen to Council discussion. He said I think we have a lot coming upi in the next year and it's going tol be Mr. Hooper reported that he attended a session hosted by Land of Sky last week where staff from our Congressional delegation reported on thel latest in the federal and state governments' disaster funding negotiations. He said things are stilll being sorted out and they are: still talking about how much money willl be available for hazard mitigation programming. Theyi indicated that the firesi in California would have no effect on FEMA funding for our area. He: also reported thatt the organizers ofthe local long-term recovery group: are convening tomorrow evening to hear from stakeholders and folks who want to weigh in on what thel long-term recoverys group might look like. Hee explained thatt thel long-term recovery, group is essentially a group set upl byl locals Mayor Copelof thanked Council Member Pastor Holder for organizing thei Martin Luther King celebration. She: saidi it was wonderful to: see all the diversity and the participation from the children was very special. She alsot thanked Bethel "A" Baptist Church, NAACP, and the Police Department She expressed thanks to the Mary C. Jenkins Community Center Board for the Unity Dinner on Saturday evening. She said it was very special to recognize thel Brevard Music Center tonight. They are ani incredible overwhelming. exciting, so stay tuned. who will take over from FEMA when itl leaves the area. Minutes- Brevard City Council Meeting- January 21,2025 Page9of10 638 partner thati reallys stood up, along witha al lot of our other partners, duringt thel hurricane. She: also noted that a Codel Purple has been declared for all this week ande expressed appreciation to the Cove Shelter forp providing free shelter and meals to anyone thati is unhoused. 0. Closed Session 0-1. Pending Litigation: NCGS $143-318.11.08)03) - At7:07 p.m. Mr. Baker moved, seconded! by Ms. Holder to go into closeds session to discuss pending litigation matter Cityo ofBrevarde etal. Vs. HCA eta al. and to clear Council Chambers. The motion carried unanimously. Authorized to remain fort the closed session with Council and the Attorney were Cityl Manager Wilson Hooper and City Clerk Denise Hodsdon. Council Returned to Regular Session - at7 7:43 p.m. Council resumed the meeting ini regular session. No official action was taken in closed: session, and the minutes ofthe P. Adjourn - There being no further business, at 7:43 p.m. Ms. Holder moved, seconded byl Mr. Baker, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. closed session are authorized tol be sealed. budlaime Denise Hodsdon, CMC City Clerk Maureen Mayor Bprlg- Minutes Approved: February3.2025 Minutes - Brevard City Council! Meeting-J January21,2025 Page 10of10