MIINOTES OF MIEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA The City Council met at the Sanford Municipal Center, 225 E. Weatherspoon Street, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., in Council Chambers. The following people were present: Mayor Rebecca Wyhof 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 Absent: Deputy City Clerk Vicki Cannady CALLI TO ORDER Mayor Salmon called the meeting to order. Council Member Buckels led the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. PUBLIC COMMENT (Exhibit A) Meghan Chewning, residing at 408 S. Franklin Street, Sanford, North Carolina, spoke in opposition of the proposed commercial development at S. Franklin Street and Wicker Street. She fully supports smart, thoughtful growth that enhances our community; approval oft this request would go against the principals of smart growth and responsible planning. Approval of the proposed project at this intersection will create a strain on the infrastructure and create under-utilized or vacant store fronts. She asked Council to vote against this development. Attorney Sean Keenan, 125 S. King Street, Kinston, North Carolina, and representing Padmavati LLC, requested a six-month extension for this client on the deadline to sell their property. They have recovered the property from the previous individuals who were creating the nuisance; they have cleared the property of the structures and they have taken good-faith efforts to comply with the agreement that was made with the City of Sanford. They have communicated with several prospective buyers and informed them of the covenants that will be placed on the deed and these individuals indicated they would like to consult with the City of Sanford. His clients have not heard back from the perspective buyers. The property owners are trying to sell the property themselves in keeping with the agreement, and save money because they have lost a considerable amount of money off this property; however, going forward they intend to contract with a real-estate agent. He asked Council to consider the facts presented and grant a six-month extension when this issue is presented for their review. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Council Member Dabbs made a motion to approve the agenda. Seconded by Council Member Williams, the motion carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Release of Closed Session Minutes dated August 19, 2014 - Item #2 (Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated February 25, 2015 - Item #4 (Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated June 6, 2017 - Item #1 (Book #2) City Council Meeting May 6, 2025 Release of Closed Session Minutes dated July 30, 2024 - Item #1 (Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated October 1, 2024 - Item #2 (Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated October 15, 2024 - Item #1 (Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated October 15, 2024 = Item #2 (Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated October 29, 2024 (Minute Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated December 3, 2024 - Item #2 (Minute Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated December 3, 2024 - Item #3 (Minute Book #2) Release of Closed Session Minutes dated January 7, 2025 = Item #2 (Minute Book #2) Ordinance to Amend the City of Sanford Code of Ordinances and the City of Sanford Permit Fee Schedule (Exhibit B) Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Sanford, North Carolina, and the Central Pines Regional Council for the Safe Streets for all (SS4A) Safety Action Plan (Exhibit C) Renewal of Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance (Exhibit D) Strategic Framework (Exhibit E) Council Member Ferguson made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho, the motion carried unanimously. SPECIAL AGENDA There were no items on the special agenda. REGULAR AGENDA Micro-Transit (MEENC) Grant Agreement with NCDOT (Exhibit F) Long-Range Planning Administrator David Montgomery explained that this is an agreement between North Carolina Department ofl Transportation (NCDOT) and the City of Sanford, to run a micro- transit pilot project using federal funds from the Mobility MEE Grant, in the amount of $3,444,000, awarded for a period of three years, as described in the exhibit. He noted that there is no local match required for this grant. Council Member Rhodes made a motion to approve the Micro-Transit (MEENC) Grant Agreement with NCDOT. Seconded by Council Member Buckels, the motion carried unanimously. Resolution of the City Council of the City of Sanford, North Carolina Approving a Memorandum of Understanding for Operation of Microtransit Services for the City of Sanford by Lee County and COLTS (County of Lee Transit System) (Exhibit G) Long-Range Planning Administrator David Montgomery explained that a resolution is required when there is an interlocal agreement between the City of Sanford and Lee County. The resolution 2 City Council Meeting May 6, 2025 approves a Memorandum of Understanding authorizing its appropriate instrumentation for the purposes intended. Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho made a motion to approve the Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding for Operation of Micro-transit Services for the City of Sanford by Lee County COLTS program with NCDOT. Seconded by Council Member Dabbs, the motion carried unanimously. Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Sanford and the County of Lee and the County of Lee Transit System (Exhibit H) Long-Range Planning Administrator David Montgomery explained that this Memorandum of Understanding between the City and County is the official document designating the City of Sanford as the client and Lee County COLTS program will operate as a third-party provider; it's a turn-key solution for micro-transit, including software, vehicles, and the operation of the service for the duration of the project. This is a pilot project for a certain zone within the City Limits; primarily east of US Highway #1 and points outside of the City Limits to major employers and the Jetport, to provide service for workers. Council Member Buckels made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Sanford and the County of Lee and the County of Lee Transit System. Seconded by Council Member Rhodes, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Lease Agreement Between the City of Sanford and Chatham County for Use of Water Shop for Distribution and Collection (Exhibit I) Nick Fortune, TriRiver Director of Business Management, explained that the original merger document between Chatham County and the City of Sanford mentioned the Use of Water Shop for Distribution and Collection. The proposed lease agreement provides Use of Water Shop at no cost to the City of Sanford. The lease term is for a period of five years, effective July 1, 2025. Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho made a motion to approve the Lease Agreement Between the City of Sanford and Chatham County for Use of Water Shop for Distribution and Collection. Seconded by Council Member Dabbs, the motion carried unanimously. Resolution Authorizing an Exchange of Property at 0 Carthage Street Having PIN Number 9642-26-8439 and Parkside Greenway Agreement (Exhibit J) City Attorney Susan Patterson explained that Parkside Partners has requested that the City of Sanford convey the proposed property in exchange for construction of a greenway and perpetual easements for greenway purposes across their property, which is located across the street from Kiwanis Family Park. Attorney Patterson provided details of the Parkside Greenway Agreement, the General Warranty Deed, as well as, the location of the property as described in the exhibit. City Manager Hal Hegwer noted that when greenway bonds were passed, this area was identified because of its connection to Kiwanis Family Park and the City approached Lee County concerning an easement. Lee County decided to give this property to the City instead of an easement. Council Member Rhodes made a motion to approve the Resolution Authorizing an Exchange of Property; the Parkside Greenway Agreement; and, the General Warranty Deed of the property located at OCarthage Street Having PIN: Number 9642-26-8439. Seconded by Council Member Buckels, the motion carried unanimously. 3 City Council Meeting May 6, 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 ofi information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to the law of this State or of the United States 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. Seconded by Council Member Ferguson, the motion carried unanimously. RETURN TO REGULAR: SESSION Council returned to regular session at 6:00 p.m. CASES FOR PUBLIC: HEARING Public Hearing on MSD (Municipal Service District Expenditures (Exhibit K) Mayor Salmon opened the public hearing. Holly Marosites, Assistant to the City Manager, reviewed the expenditures for the MSD District as described in attached exhibit. Kelli Laudate, residing at 1801 Crepe Myrtle Drive, Sanford, North Carolina, invited everyone to attend Strawberry Jammin this coming weekend. Mayor Salmon closed the public hearing. Council Member Ferguson made a motion to approve the MSD Expenditures. Seconded by Council Member Rhodes, the motion carried unanimously. DECISIONS ON PUBLIC HEARING Application by Patricia C. and Wade Stackhouse to assign a zoning district to land that she owns, which is proposed for annexation into the corporate City limits as required by State law. The subject property is a 1.47 +/- tract of land addressed as 745 Cumnock Road and identified as Lee County Tax Parcel 9625-85- 8208-00 as depicted on Tax Map 9625.02. The applicant is asking the City to keep the existing zoning of Residential Agricultural (RA) assigned to the property and noted that the intention is to develop the land with a new road that would serve as access to the proposed Deep River West Subdivision (Exhibit L) Senior Planner Amy McNeill reminded Council that the Planning Board met on April 16, 2025, after the public hearing was held and recommended unanimously that Council approve the request to keep the existing zoning of Residential Agricultural (RA) assigned to 745 Cumnock Road, which was also annexed into the corporate City limits on this date. In making this recommendation, the Planning Board determined that the request is consistent with the Plan SanLee designation of Village Neighborhood because this place type is supportive of low-density residential designation of Village Neighborhood because this place type is supportive ofl low-density residential development, and the request is reasonable and in the public interest since it will allow low-density residential development or a proposed public roadway that would serve the Deep River West residential community on adjoining property. Vote to Approve a Statement on Long-Range Land Use Plan Consistency as it Relates to this Zoning Map Amendment Council Member Buckels made a motion that the proposed zoning map amendment is consistent with the Plan SanLee designation of Village Neighborhood because this place type is supportive of low-density residential development, which is the main land use allowed in RA. Seconded by Council Member Rhodes, the motion carried unanimously. 4 City Council Meeting May 6, 2025 Ordinance Amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Sanford, North Carolina (Exhibit M) Council Member Buckels made a motion to approve the proposed zoning map amendment to keep the existing zoning of Residential Agricultural (RA) assigned to the subject property that was annexed into the corporate City limits on April 15, 2025, and approve the Ordinance amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Sanford. Seconded by Council Member Rhodes, the motion carried unanimously. Application by Smith Bowers, PLLC, to rezone a vacant 3.5 acre +/- portion of a 25.56- acre tract of land with frontage on Wicker Street/NC Highway 42 and South Franklin Drive from Suburban Neighborhood- Low Density (SN-12) to Light Commercial & Office (C-1). The subject property is owned by Jason Gilmore Joyner and Jan Joyner Ritchie and is identified as a portion of Lee County Tax Parcel 9632-26- 7107-00 as depicted on Tax Map 9634.04. (Exhibit N) Senior Planner Amy McNeill reminded Council that the Planning Board met on April 16, 2025, after the public hearing was held on this application and determined that the request is consistent with the Plan SanLee Long Range Land Use Plan designation of Neighborhood Center because Light Commercial and Office District (C-1) is listed as a current primary zoning district, and it is reasonable and in the public interest because it would allow commercial development at an intersection that already has non-residential development on the two opposite corners of Wicker Street. She reviewed the list of the topics discussed by the Planning Board and explained that by a four to one vote, the Planning Board recommended that Council approve this request. Vote to Approve a Statement on Long-Range Land Use Plan Consistency as it Relates to this Zoning Map Amendment Council Member Taylor made a motion that zoning map amendment is consistent with the Plan Sanlee Long-Range Land Use Plan designations of Neighborhood Center because Light Commercial and Office District (C-1) is listed as a current primary zoning district. Seconded by Council Member Williams. The motion carried by a five to two vote with Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho and Council Member Ferguson casting the dissenting votes. Ordinance Amending the Official Zoning Map of the City of Sanford, North Carolina (Exhibit O) Council Member Taylor made a motion to approve the proposed zoning map amendment because it is reasonable and in the public interest because it would allow commercial development at an intersection that already has nonresidential development on the two opposite corners of Wicker Street. Seconded by Council Member Williams, the motion carried by a four to three vote with Council Member Rhodes, Council Member Ferguson and Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho casting the dissenting votes. OTHER BUSINESS Council Member Taylor congratulated Michael Thomas and Jamie Thomas on their recent retirement. He asked staff to provide clarity for the Planning Board regarding the. Plan SanLee designations for future rezoning requests. Mayor Pro Tem Akinosho congratulated Vinnie Frazer, the newly appointed Assistant Police Chief. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Rhodes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Council Member Dabbs, the motion carried unanimously. 5 City Council Meeting May 6, 2025 ALL EXHBITS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AND MADE A PART OF THESE MIINUTES. Respectfully Submitted, Kebuw eal REBECCA YHORSALMON, MAYOR ATTEST: Bhrus Buat BONNIE BRYANT, CITY CLÉRK 6