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Home My WebLink About02-07-25 Budget Retreat007 Dunn City Council Special Meeting - Budget Planning Retreat Friday, February 7, 2025 8:30 a.m., Lumina, Wrightsville Beach NC Minutes PRESENT: Mayor William P. Elmore Jr., Mayor Pro Tem J. Wesley Sills, Council Members April Gaulden, Raquel McNeil, Billy N. Tart, Alan Hargis, and Dr. David L. Bradham. Also present. City Manager Steven Neuschafer, Assistant City Manager Billy Godwin, Finance Director Cary McNallan, Chief of Police Cary Jackson, Parks and Recreation Director Brian McNeill, Human Resources Director Connie Jernigan, Public Works Director Dwayne Williams, Building Inspector Slater Johnson, Wastewater Plant Manager Donrie Dukes, Water Treatment Plant Manager Ian Stroud, Downtown Director Karyn Lindsey, and City Clerk Melissa Matti. Session 1- Getting Started Mayor Elmore opened the meeting at 8:30 a.m., gave the invocation and afterwards led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Elmore thanked everyone that was in attendance. He welcomed Robert Jordan with the Daily Record. He then recognized City Manager, Steven Neuschafer who introduced the Facilitator, Matt Zapp. Meeting Objectives. Roles & Agenda Mr. Zapp discussed the objectives of the retreat. He provided an overview of council roles and the proposed agenda outline. The Review Mirror Exercise Mr. Zapp led the group through an exercise entitled "The Review Mirror" The city council and staff identified tasks, policies and projects that have been completed in the past 12-24 months. • Acquisition of the DYB World Series (set for July 2025) • Establishment of a large-scale Asphalt Paving Project • A continuous focus on the S.O.C. and task oriented accomplishments • Pearsall Street repairs and installation of a new bridge (Bid Awarded) anticipated in 2025 • New building inspector and increased enforcement . • Increased infield redevelopment in Dunn (unintended impact of the S.O.C) • Parks Improvements (at 2 locations) • Imagine Dunn Plan • Dunn PD has replaced 5 vehicles • DPD actively utilizes a Police Officer Career Advancement Plan • DPD performed a pay study and implemented the recommendations • Wayfinding Signage has been approved and will be installed • Elementary School Reuse: Workforce Development Grant of $15M • Small business growth is on the rise • Downtown growth and the NC Main Street Program • New signs that read "Your Tax Dollars at Work" are being used • 170,000 ft/2 spec building • 65-acre lot for industrial park • Participation in the I-95/ I-40 Economic Development Alliance • New UDO was crafted and passed • Completion of the I-95 widening project • Intergovernmental cooperation has increased • DPD Flock Safety Cameras (16 total) have improved safety and decreased crime • DPD Body worn cameras The Windshield Purview Mr. Zapp led the group through an exercise entitled "The Windshield". The city council and staff identified tasks, policies and projects that should be considered in the next year. • Wards 1 & 3: Stormwater issues • Decrease the Red Tape in city procedures • Economic Development Incentives o Consider REDI, Duke Energy, and the legality of Water/Sewer Incentives • Increase Public Relations- Tell the City of Dunn Story o Updates on the 29 active projects; paving projects, etc. • Caboose area Pocket Park Improvements • Public owned facility upgrades • Equity Inclusion Diversity (across Dunn and its projects) • Observe the Juneteenth Federal Holiday in the City of Dunn • Public Safety efforts at Codington Park • Broken [Boarded] Window Ordinance 008 • Inventory all "city owned" properties • Consistent enforcement of town ordinances Session 2 - Reflecting Mid Year Report and Financial Outlook Finance Director, Cary McNallan provided a Mid Year report and the overall financial outlook Police Chief of Police, Cary Jackson provided a report on the status of the Dunn PD. Flock Safety LPR Project is a positive Retention Plan for the DPD is needed High Risk Search Warrant Service Division is needed (train up 7 officers) Finance Finance Director, Cary McNallan provided a more detailed report on the finance department. - There is a need to develop a Vehicle Replacement Schedule Potentially create a Capital Reserve Fund to address replacement needs Downtown Downtown Director, Karyn Lindsey provided an update on the Downtown Dunn. Discussion was held on the need to provide city matching funds for grant applications. - NC Main Street Accreditation was discussed - Additional events will be developed and held in the coming year The Main Street District has an additional $0.12 special district tax for 28 blocks of downtown Dunn. These funds are dedicated to the MSD needs and improvements. Parks & Recreation Parks Director, Brian McNeil provided an update on all things Park related. - The DYB World Series - Codrington Park Improvements - A request to consider a policy for Facility Naming Rights - A new FTE Program Coordinator ($65,000 per year) - Pickleball Courts - Cemetery Issues: o Lighting (provided by Duke Energy on a monthly basis. o Greenwood Shrubbery Removal Dunn Senior Center ownership transition Public Works Public Works Director, Dwayne Williams provided an update on Dunn Public Works activities. - Developing an internal CDL program for the City - Provided a detailed report of NCDOT activities set to take place Planning Department Assistant City Manager, Billy Godwin provided an update on the Planning Department. - Vacancy: The City is close to onboarding a new Planning Director - A comprehensive statistical report was shared related to development activity Inpections Department Inspector Slater Johnson shared the statistical activity and needs of the Inspections team. New Cloudpermit Software is needed - Consider the addition of a new Building Inspector (+ FTE) The Planning and Inspections Department facility is crowded and needs reconfigured. It is the old fire department and the space can be better utilized to support activities of the current department. Water Treatment Plant Water Treatment Plant Operator, Ian Stroud presented to the council. - There is a need to update or replace the Floccultor system ($200-$300K) - PFAS update - Lead Copper Compliance update - Water tower construction update Wastewater Treatment Plant WWTP Operator, Donrie Dukes presented an update to the council. - Daily permit limit is 3.75 mgd - S.O.C. sunset is anticipated for 2026 - Holding Tank Airline issues/needs - Aeration Blower Building needs repairs - The Digester Building needs to be expanded Collections & Distribution Steve Neuschafer provided an update on the Collections & Distribution System - Billy Cottle was excused due to family needs 118 leaks were repaired in2024 A large section of lines are being CCTV'ed The K Street Failure was a large-scale issue and response Phasing out 2" galvanized water lines A request to fund an asphalt milling attachment for the Skid Steer Add an Assistant Utility Manager Special Projects Discussion Assistant City Manager Billy and City Manager Steve Neuschafer provided updates on the following active city projects: - I-95 Widening - Wayfinding signs - SOC related projects - Street Improvements - Future of the 107 S Railroad Avenue Building (besides the caboose) - Communicating Critical Information - Code Red System - 160D Changes- Impact on Planning & Zoning - Black River Dredging - Street Closure Policy Session 3 - Review Priorities Assistant City Manager Billy Godwin and City Manager Steve Neuschafer provided details on the Republic Waste contract extension options and costs. - The council determined that staff should move forward with Republic Waste Services. Staff will bring a contract to the council (at a future meeting) for consideration and approval. The meeting was recessed at 5:12 PM Dunn City Council Special Meeting - Budget Planning Retreat Saturday, February 8, 2025 8:30 a.m., Lumina, Wrightsville Beach NC Mayor Elmore reconvened the meeting on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. and then gave the invocation and led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Session 4 - Goal Setting & Prioritizing Assistant City Manager Billy Godwin discussed house cleaning details related to lunch. Review of Previous Day Zapp asked the group what items worked well on Friday and if any adjustments were needed for Saturday's session. The agenda was reviewed. Checkout is 11:00 AM. The group will break at 10:30 AM for 30 minutes, allowing team members adequate time to check out and return to the retreat. It was determined that the group would identify priorities in two parts: (1) Enterprise Funds including Water, Sewer and WWTP (2) General Funds Enterprise Funds: Water, Sewer, WWTP The following items were identified as appropriate needs and should be included in the Draft FY 25/26 Budget process. Inclusion in this list does NOT automatically mean that the item will be funded. The City Council reserves the right to adjust (increase or decrease) items from the budget. - Include the Flocculator Replacement - WWTP updates of two current buildings ($40,000 estimate) - Expansion of the Digester Building - Budget for an asphalt milling attachment for the Skid Steet General Fund Needs An immediate need was identified and should be addressed in the FY 24/25 Budget - Community Center Bathrooms are in need of updating, prior to the July DYB World Series. The estimated cost is $80,000. - Staff should secure a plan, pricing and return to the City Council with a presentation. Needs for FY 25/26 Budget The following items were identified as important needs and should be included in the Draft FY 25/26 Budget process. Inclusion in this list does NOT automatically mean that the item will be funded. The City Council reserves the right to adjust (increase or decrease) items from the budget. - DPD Retention Plan - DPD Special Response Team (7 officers) - Research Drone Use (applications, costs, funding options) - Vehicle Replacement Schedule 010 - 107 S. Railroad Street building facelift o Longterm strategy is needed: Identify the end use and associated costs - Public Works Grapple Truck replacement - Planning & Inspections- Building rehabilitation plan/design and associated costs Parks Department o Consider an FTE to serve as Program Coordinator o Cemetery Lighting process o Pickleball Courts: Where, how many, and how much will it cost? o Greenwood Cemetery ■ Develop a plan to remove the 2,000 linear feet of bushes Beautification Plan- What will go back into the area? ■ Who will participate in the beautification project? ■ No action on bush removal, until the overall plan is established and approved. Upcoming Budget Process In addition to the staff elevated items (found above), the City Council would like to address the following items in the upcoming budget process. - Staff should focus on the improvements of sidewalks (repairs and new construction) in the coming year. - Historic Preservation District/Ordinance o Research the need and a plan to implement the same. o Consider having a subject matter expert with the state present at a future city council meeting Economic Development Zones o Staff should secure a subject matter expert o Schedule a public presentation before December 2025 - Increase focus of the Inspections Department on Code Enforcement o The Council should help by reporting items they see in the field o If you see something, say something. - Develop a Boarded Window Ordinance between staff and legal o Both residential and commercial - Research into Juneteenth holiday costs and provide a presentation to the city council Adjournment. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was concluded for staff at 11:45 a.m. The City Council and City Attorney met for 15 minutes. William P. Elmore Jr. Mayor Attest: CITY 'p�,. A� . OG 'GORPO,� •': Zi Melissa R. Matti, MC CCMC City Clerk CA ROB-�;\•P�: "/f I11111��