SANFORD CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, March 11, 2025 West End Conference Room 225 East Weatherspoon Street, Sanford, NC The City Council held a work session on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the West End Conference Room at City Hall. The following people were present: Mayor Rebecca Salmon Mayor Pro Tem Mark Akinosho Council Member Byron Buckels Council Member Jean Dabbs Council Member Walter Ferguson Council Member Linda Rhodes Council Member Charles Taylor Council Member James Williams City Manager Hal Hegwer City Attorney Susan Patterson City Clerk Bonnie Bryant Deputy City Clerk Vicki Cannady Call to Order Mayor Salmon called the meeting to order. Stakeholder Presentation on Growth (Exhibit A) Mark Lyczkowski presented a power point presentation, which was prepared by Timmons Group, StoryMap Sanford 2050. " Mr. Lyczkowski presented information pertaining to development trends in Sanford, from his prospective, as described in the presentation handout. He suggested that the current "Plan SanLee Land Use Plan' "is outdated, creating challenges for Sanford's S future growth. He proposed developing a committee to assist the Planning Staff with the process of updating the existing "Plan SanLee Land Use Plan' ) that would include a 25-year growth plan, and offered his power point presentation to the Planning Staff to use as a tool. Public Works Director Fedd Walker introduced Ebony McLean, who has been employed with the City of Sanford for eighteen years and is now the new Transportation Administrator. He also introduced Administrative Assistant II Lisa Belk. Assistant City Manager Beth Kelly introduced Candace Iceman, the newly hired Finance Services Manager. Update from Brick Capital Community Development Corporation (BCCDC) Regarding Homebuyer Education and Counseling (Exhibit B) BCCDC Executive Director Kerry Bashaw reminded Council that BCCDC entered into a three- year agreement with the City of Sanford, to provide housing counseling services to clients, which will expire in 2025. The agreement metrics require BCCDC to offer first-time homebuyers assistance in becoming homeowners, counseling on eviction and toreclosure prevention. He reviewed BCCDC accomplishments oft these metrics, as well as the report submitted to HUD as described in the handouts. A brief six-minute recess was taken. Update on Depot Building Renovation Project (Exhibit C) Civil Engineer II Mary DePina briefly described the rich history ofthe Depot Building, originally built in 1872. The building was renovated in the 1990's to serve office space. The City of Sanford acquired the Depot building in 2015 with the goal of preservation. The wrapping on the fence has been installed as described in the presentation, and some demolition work has been completed. Jerry Traub with Traub Architecture, explained the challenges they have encountered and what it will take to meet City Council Work Session March 11, 2025 them. The challenges include rotting floorj joists, uneven sagging floor decks, damage from water in the crawl space, damaged attic windows, damaged floor joists that they were unable to stabilize by "sistering, 99 which is the art oft reinforcing the existing. joist by adding an additional joist next to it. There is currently no active termite infestation because the Terminix contract eliminated the termites; however, the previous termite issue caused extensive damage. Contractors met with structural engineers who recommended solutions: solve the wet crawl space by installing interior perimeter drains, sump pumps, dehumidifiers, insulate foundation and encapsulate crawlspace; remove and replace floorj joists, decking; and rebuild the attic windows. To stabilize the structure, additional funding is required in the amount of $250,000. Assistant City Manager Beth Kelly recommends placing a budget amendment on the Consent Agenda of the March 18, 2025, City Council Meeting, in the amount of $250,000 from remaining (APRA). American Rescue Plan Act funding, which includes contingency. This will leave approximately $1.2 million remaining in ARPA funds for unexpected funding required for designated ARPA projects. Update on Downtown Small Area Plan (Exhibit D) Long Range Planning Administrator David Montgomery reviewed a power-point presentation, of the updated downtown Sanford Small Area Plan. Staff has held several workshops, as well as drop- in sessions with the public. They have held Stakeholder interviews and the consultants have worked with the information gained from these activities. There will be a public workshop in a few weeks, and staff would like Council's feedback before drafting the Small Area Plan. Mr. Montgomery introduced Jason Epley and Dan Douglas with Benchmark, who provided a power point presentation detailing the items people would most like to see in Downtown Sanford, such as outside dining, family friendly entertainment, more retail shopping options, more concerts, festivals, and parks/green space. They want interesting things for the youth to do in downtown, more active sidewalks and public spaces, pedestrian improvements are needed, as well as more housing opportunities. He noted that 80 percent ofthe survey participants expressed that there is no problem with parking in Downtown Sanford. Dan Douglas suggested there are potential technical assistance grant opportunities to help when converting upper- level spaces into residential. Regulatory reform issues were brought up, such as codes, prohibited entertainment uses, the permitting process and zoning and land use map amendments. The presentation included a proposed mobility hub, major road access, bike lanes and greenways. It also included proposed pedestrian intersection priorities, new amenities, new attractions, and new development. The next steps for the Downtown Sanford Small Area Plan Project are (1) Workshop #3 to be held in March or April 2025, (2) prepare the draft plan in April or May of 2025, (3) hold adoption meetings in June or August 2025. Update on Federal Funding Impacts to Local Governments Assistant City Manager Beth Kelly provided an update on federal funding impacts on local government. She spoke with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and confirmed that none oft the existing grant projects that the City of Sanford currently has will be affected. She is monitoring the issue closely and will provide Council of any confirmed future updates. Discussion Regarding City Council Email Delivery Information Technology Systems Analyst Amy Gordon informed Council that she is aware of the need to streamline their e-mail delivery process. She suggested exempting from spam filter with a third layer removed, since Council is normally lower on spam level. They will receive e-mails in real time and not get caught in spam, plus still have two levels of protection. There would be no need to check spam filter. Council Members were receptive with this option of receiving e-mails. 2 City Council Work Session March 11, 2025 Discussion Regarding Fields Drivé Sidewalk Project (Exhibit E) Civil Engineer II Mary DePina reviewed the map revealing the scope of the Fields Drive Sidewalk Project as described in the handout. She explained that the selection process for a design engineer was completed and Exult Company was select based on their experience with similar projects with similar municipalities, project understanding and technical approach. She informed Council that if they agreed, this will be included on the consent agenda of the March 18, 2025, Council Meeting for approval. Discussion Regarding S-Line Final Design = Update of] Final Design of Mobility Hub (Exhibit F) Long-Range Planning Administrator David Montgomery reviewed the updated and final design of the Mobility Hub, which included the changes that were expressed by Council; changing the angle of the front and removing the pole to make it more flush and present a cleaner look. Patron seating has been added on the Steele Street side of the structure. He noted that the design may change at the construction phase. If Council agrees, he will notify the consultants to move forward with this portion of the Feasibility Study. It was the consensus of Council to move forward with the project as presented. Funds have been obtained for the feasibility study, which includes Mobility Hub design. Engagement Opportunities Assistant to the City Manager Holly Marosites noted that Public Information Officer Kelly Miller is looking for new ways for Council to communicate and engage with citizens. They are looking for Council's participation by their sharing monthly or weekly highlights, such as weekly or monthly meetings, etc. She showed examples of what other cities are doing. Council Members agreed to participate in the public engagement efforts suggested by Mrs. Miller. Other Business There was no other business. Adjournment Council Member Rhodes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Council Member Ferguson, the motion carried unanimously. ALL EXHIBITS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE HIEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AND MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES. Respectfully Submitted, . hush Rebecca WylhgF Salmon, Mayor Attest: TDonni Bonnie Bryant, Clerk Ppnt City 3