Preview: Salisbury City Council to consider increase to insurance premiums for city employees

Preview: Salisbury City Council to consider increase to insurance premiums for city employees

Published 12:00 am Sunday, March 31, 2024

By Brad Dountz

SALISBURY — At their upcoming meeting, the Salisbury City Council will hear from Finance Director Wade Furches about increasing health insurance premiums by 3 percent for city employees for the new fiscal year starting July 1, 2024. This same topic was discussed at their previous meeting, but no decision was officially made due to Council Member Anthony Smith not being present.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 2, at the city hall building at 6 p.m. Here are the other agenda items that will be discussed:

• The city council will recognize the North Carolina Main Street Award winners.

• Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander will make the following proclamations: Autism Acceptance Month for April, Child Abuse Awareness Month for April, Civitan Awareness Month for April, Fair Housing Month for April, Safe Digging Month for April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month for April, and Week of the Young Child for April 6-12.

• The city council will receive public comment. Anyone who wishes to speak by Zoom must sign up before 5 p.m. the day of the meeting by contacting Connie Snyder at [email protected]. Residents who wish to speak in person can sign up in council chambers. Anyone who is unable to speak during the meeting may submit written comments to the email above and they will be shared with the council.

• Landscape Architect Stephen Brown will ask the city council to consider the installation of an arch at the Patriot's Flag Concourse at City Park in partnership with the Salisbury Rotary Club and to authorize City Manager Jim Greene to execute an agreement to accept ownership of the installation for maintenance upon completion of the project.

• Planning and Neighborhoods Director Hannah Jacobson will ask the city council to consider approving a pilot small business assistance program in partnership with the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce.

• Public Works Director Chris Tester will ask the city council to authorize City Manager Jim Greene to enter into a contract with CPL Architects and Engineers, P.C. in the amount of $197,373 and up to an additional $28,000 if needed for alternates for a multiuse center master plan for the Civic Center improvement project and authorize Greene to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Rufty-Holmes Senior Center regarding the partnership and reimbursement of 50 percent of the contract amount.

• Transportation Director Wendy Brindle will ask the city council to consider approving the removal of the median within the cul-de-sac on Jared Steele Lane.

• Code Services Manager Michael Cotilla will ask the city council to consider adopting an ordinance to board up the dilapidated residential structure located at 516 South Clay Street per city code, chapter 10 of the minimum housing ordinance.

• Assistant Utilities Director Jason Wilson will ask the city council to consider authorizing City Manager Jim Greene to execute an agreement with ESP Associates, Inc. in the amount of $274,700 for the survey, surface utility engineering, and civil engineering services associated with the downtown waterline improvement project.

• Utilities Director Jim Behmer and Assistant Utilities Director Jason Wilson will give a presentation to the city council regarding the Salisbury-Rowan Utilities fiscal year 2025 budget.

• Public Works Director Chris Tester Council will give the city council an update on the request for an additional solid waste crew, collection vehicle and a proposed rate increase for July 1, 2024, as part of fiscal year 2025 budget.

• The city council will consider appointments to various boards and commissions.