SANFORD CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, May 13, 2025 West End Conference Room 225 East Weatherspoon Street, Sanford, NC The City Council held a work session on Tuesday, May 13, 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. Lead Service Line Project Update (Exhibits A, B,Cand D) Nick Fortune, TriRiver Water Director of Business Management presented a power point presentation (Exhibit A), which described the up-to-date activity of the TriRiver Water Lead Service Line Project and reviewed the recent data collection and inventory management procedures. In October 2024, inventory lists were mailed to customers regarding TriRiver Water's endeavors of identifying water lines. Since these letters were mailed to customers, staff has constantly refined the data received from historical records, intuitional knowledge, customer service billing information, etc. and procedures have been developed for the management of this data. He reviewed the record of current water line identifications, as well as the customer driven field verification process as described in the exhibit. Mr. Fortune explained that Sanford has the initial round of funding for this project and Pittsboro appears to have enough funds to finish the project. He reviewed the resolutions (Exhibit B and C) prepared for application for state funding in June 2025, for Siler City and Chatham County. Tri-River Water Public Information Officer Cameron Clinard explained that the City's goal is to be transparent in keeping customers informed on this critical issue and trust is crucial in keeping customers safe. A brochure (Exhibit D) was established regarding the service line inventory project, which contains pertinent information, as well as QR codes for Sanford, Pittsboro, Chatham County and Siler City, which once scanned, will provide recent information of the progress of the project in each service area. He explained that this is a 13-year project, which began in 2024 and will be completed in 2037. Glynn Fleming, with WithersRavenel, explained that the remaining estimated 1,800 customers will be identified primarily through field identification. He reported that as oft today, there has not been any lead or galvanized lines identified in our systems. He believes that there will be slightly less than 20 percent (325) of the random samplings of the 1,800 water lines that remain unknown to contain lead or galvanized material, will be identified. Field crews will be deployed in June and they will be using compressed air for digging to visually observe the lines, then through statistical analysis, reach thresholds to say with al high-level of confidence that we have little or no lead service lines in our system and submit that information to the State. City Council Work Session May 13, 2025 Discussion on Policy for Kiwanis Family Park Facilities (Exhibit D) Caroline Jeffries, Parks Administrator, explained that a rental policy for Kiwanis Family Park was established to facilitate the reservation process for portions of Sanford's Kiwanis Family Park. All amenities at Kiwanis Family Park are free to use by the public; however, this policy guarantees access to specific parts of the park at specific times, as well as special elements that are not usually available for public use. This policy will be beneficial for special events such as, church, birthday parties, etc. The policy includes rules that must be acknowledged by the renters and no alcohol is allowed. There was a request by Council to change the wording of the requirement: "allowing use to a maximum of ten times in a calendar year. 79 Council asked Mrs. Jeffries to revise the wording of this requirement to address the use of the park for no more than a specific number of consecutive weeks or weekends. Mrs. Jeffries noted that the Parks meeting is Monday, May 19, 2025, and she asked Council to notify her of any changes prior to the meeting. Consider Authorizing Phase 2 of the Pittsboro Lift Station and Force Main Professional Services Agreement (Exhibit E) Paul Weeks, Executive Director of Utilities, reminded Council that Phase 1 of the Pittsboro Station and Force Main Professional Services was awarded to Freese and Nichols in 2023. This request is to award Phase 2 Professional Services Agreement to Freese and Nichols, Inc., which is already grant- funded. He explained that if the consensus of Council is positive, this will be included on the May 20, 2025, agenda for consideration. Participatory Budgeting (Exhibit F) Holly Marosites, Assistant to the City Manager, explained that this was discussed during a previous Council Meeting, which is now in the proposal development stage. She reviewed the proposed collection ideas included in the exhibit, which are the North Carolina Fauna Sculpture, Bee Sculpture, Concrete games, entrance sign landscaping; professionally decorated area for enjoyment and photos, and outdoor exercise equipment. Each of these ideas are within the $20,000 budget. She asked Council for feedback on a decision as to which of the six projects listed should be chosen for development. She noted that if concrete games were selected, they would be determined by the City; decorations would be a one- time event (with company coming in to decorate and then removing them) and the location of outdoor exercise equipment would be determined by the City. She noted that other projects discussed previously were determined to be cost-prohibitive. She requested that Council select three of the projects to be presented to the public for voting. Recess Was Taken: 2:15 p.m.- 2:25 p.m. Boards, Commissions, and Committees Liaison Updates Americans with Disabilities Act - Council Member Williams reported that there were no meetings held. Airport Authority - City Manager Hal Hegwer reported that the Airport Authority is purchasing additional property, bringing the total acreage to 1,200 in an effort to protect the area around the airport. The General Assembly earmarked funds for this. They are working to acquire the remaining surrounding small tracts of land to allow the airport to continue to grow. This airport is ranked third in the state in operations and ranked number one in terms of flight space. They have entered a Tower Program with FAA and it will likely take three-to-six years to become operational. There is on-going construction, including ten T-hangers, six box-hangers, seventeen corporate-hangers, and nine private-hangers, which 2 City Council Work Session May 13, 2025 are all owned and operated by the airport. He mentioned that the occupants in the recent airplane crash were severely injured but they are expected to recover. Appearance Commission - Council Member Dabbs reported that there was no April meeting and the Bee City Field Day event in May was well attended. The next meeting is scheduled for June 19, 2025, which is Juneteenth. Central Pines Regional Council - Mayor Salmon reported that they have almost met the goal to have 100% participation of all entities in the seven-county service area, with only one member remaining. There is a lot of uncertainty with ongoing federal budget cuts but they are working to maintain services that members have grown to rely on for assistance. The World University Games (college athletics) are coming to our region in 2029, which will provide the potential for robust economic development benefits. She noted that she also serves on the Foreign Trade Board where uncertainty is also being felt on local operations with ongoing adjustments and she encouraged Council members to share information and answer questions. Downtown Sanford - Council Member Rhodes reported that there was a Board meeting this morning and the highlights included that there were 2,180 visitors at the Downtown Alive concert, which is an increase of 110 percent from the same event last year; the Strawberry Jammin event went very well with free media from North Carolina Tripping, The Sanford Herald, CBS-17, My Carolina, and the Rant; there were 420 tea cups sold; and the Farmers' Market had 3,000 visitors. The Downtown businesses provided reported an average increase of 67 percent, with most sharing that it was best day they had seen, including holidays. She invited everyone to attend the annual meeting scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 8:15 at Keller Williams Realty Building, beside Smoke & Barrel; new board members and officers will be elected. Fire Committee Council Member Dabbs reported that the Fire Committee only meets one time per year. Friends of Sanford - Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho reported that there is a proposal for potential help for project funding. Mayor Salmon added that if anyone has questions concerning making donations to public parks or arts, they should contact Friends of Sanford. Historic Preservation Commission - Council Member Dabbs reported that the last HPC Board meeting was April 28, 2025. Joint Environmental Affairs Board - Council Member Ferguson reported that there was no meeting. Joint Planning Commission Council Member Taylor reported that at the last meeting the board focused on the strategic location of electronic billboards; as well as the lack of maintenance of these boards. They will be reviewing the Unified Development Ordinance and they will be considering the PlanSanLee conformity; they do not want to delay votes. They want to consider issues and pass decisions along to the appropriate governing bodies. Joint Interlocal Committee Council Member Taylor reported that this committee met recently, and there was discussion regarding the conditions of the Lee County Jail. Mayor Salmon gave updates on projects and mentioned a tour of the new athletic park. The committee had discussions about House Bill #765. She mentioned that the Lee County Transportation Committee met yesterday and started working 3 City Council Work Session May 13, 2025 on the "Safe Streets For All Grant" and they discussed systemic changes and how to mitigate serious crashes. Lee County Transportation Mayor Salmon reported that they have discussions regarding the deaths and serious injuries in Lee County. Lee County is one of the few rural communities included in the consideration of how things can be done differently to address and prevent crashes in Lee County and the City of Sanford. She referenced the updated list identified as the starting point for North Carolina Department of Transportation to include locations in their STIP policy and they started the Prioritization- 8 STIP. They have been alerted that fewer projects will be accepted for scoring and fewer projects will be funded. S3 Housing Connect Council Member Rhodes reported that they are focused on making changes to the method of operation. They accomplished some goals and discussed the homeless situation of families in Sanford and Lee County. ABC Board = Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho reported that this board met last month and noted that sales were down from previous months. Sanford Affordable Housing Development Corporation Council Member Buckels reported that there had been no changes and they are looking forward to addressing affordable housing after tax credits expire on the Wilrik. Mayor Salmon added that they are getting ready to have more apartments completely refurbished and usable for affordable housing. They have received positive feedback from residents that the management is doing well in addressing needs; they have been a benefit to the community. Sanford Area Growth Alliance - Mayor Salmon reported that they met as an executive committee; as well as a full board meeting. The main issue that has changed in economic development recently is the need for intense electrical power for projects coming to Sanford; there have been requests for dual power. SAGA is working with Duke Energy on a time frame to get additional service. Getting the Moore Center up and running is key to our community to attracting new companies to Sanford. She noted that there will be an Economic Development Summit on October 7, 2025, with a focus on retail strategies and community scorecard housing. Sanford Housing Authority - Council Member Ferguson reported that there is a meeting scheduled for the end of May 2025, and he noted that Dr. Threatt is the new CEO. Parks Commission - Council Member Ferguson reported that they met in April and reviewed rules and regulations related to leasing. They will meet Monday, May 19, 2025. to review lease agreements. He added that they toured the Lee County Athletic Park. Tourism Development Authority - Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho commented that the data showed there were 3,000 visitors to the Farmers Market on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Broadway Our Way and the Strawberry Festival were very well attended. He noted that Sanford will be featured in the "Our State" magazine in the July addition. He added that there is a possibility of a Division I Golf' Tournament being held in Sanford soon. He noted that the TDA Board has expressed interested in managing the new Welcome Center and they are interested in obtaining Council's feedback. Mayor Salmon asked Council if they were comfortable with engaging in conversation with TDA regarding their offer; the consensus of Council was favorable in discussing their vision for the Welcome Center. 4 City Council Work Session May 13, 2025 Other Business City Manager Hegwer informed Council that the budget presentation will be given on June 2, 2025. Closed Session Council Member Rhodes made a motion to go into closed session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11()(), to prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to the law of this State or the United States or not considered a public record within the meaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes; and (3), to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged; and (5), To establish, or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease. Seconded by Council Member Dabbs, the motion carried unanimously. Return to Regular Session and Adjournment Council Member Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Council Member Rhodes, the motion carried unanimously. ALL EXHIBITS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AND MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES. Respectfully Submitted, ibus Rebecca Wyhbf Salmen, Mayor Attest: Dbinl Puypnt Bonnie Bryant, City Clerk 5