SALISBURY — During the first part of Wednesday’s City Council retreat, staff and council members discussed what has worked well and what could work well for the city.

The first hour was dedicated to remembering what the staff has accomplished in the past fiscal year.

City Manager Lane Bailey spent most of his time discussing the progress on five main “initiatives” — priority initiatives, planning and development initiatives, utilities and community infrastructure, financial accountability and sustainability, and organizational development and partnerships.

The “priority initiatives” were public safety, developing a Fibrant business plan, enhancing downtown, improving community appearance and walkability, inclusivity, and supporting Rowan-Salisbury Schools.

Bailey said the increase in police officers’ salaries that the council approved last year raised pay to the level of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He said that move — as well as the partnership the council approved between the Police Department and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office — has “paid dividends.”

“We had 10 murders last year, but one thing I’m proud of is that we cleared all 10 of those homicides,” Bailey said.

On developing a business plan for Fibrant, Bailey brought up the lease agreement the city is hoping to reach with Hotwire Communications in the next week.

Bailey said the work the city has done with the Empire Hotel project and the rehabilitation of Gateway Park and the O.O. Rufty’s building have continued to improve the appearance and livability of downtown.

When talking about making the city inclusive and reflective of its residents, Councilman Brian Miller brought up the idea of bringing back a city tradition: surveying residents.

“It’s been a number of years since we’ve done that. And I don’t know if that’s something a grant could help us pay for,” Miller said. “It’s been maybe … nine years, and it was something we did every five years.”

Miller said it might not be something for this year but that it could be on the city’s “radar.”

When talking about planning and development, Bailey said the city is hoping to demolish 15 dilapidated houses by July 1, or the end of this fiscal year.

Planning Director Janet Gapen said the city might soon reach a point where it can focus more on rehabilitation, “as well as doing things to try to prevent them getting to that point.”

Councilwoman Karen Alexander asked whether there will be an update on the water meter replacement project. Salisbury-Rowan Utilities Director Jim Behmer said his staff is “still evaluating the data” and will present the “return on investment” an upcoming City Council meeting. 

Examining the Capital Improvement Plan

City Council and staff members also heard presentations from WR-Martin and Associates detailing several proposed Capital Improvement Plans.

The plan details the major projects the city could take on over the next 10 years.

WR-Martin partner Dennie Martin and financial strategist Steve Miller presented four charts to examine. One detailed a narrower plan that primarily includes projects they deem mandatory.

Those include a housing stabilization program, sidewalk repairs, and the construction of Fire Stations 3 and 6.

Another chart detailed a more “enhanced” CIP, Martin said.

Some of the extra projects include apartment renovations and building redevelopment for the Plaza, fleet equipment and greenway resurfacing.

The slimmer capital plan would cost about $51 million over 10 years, with about $28.7 million coming from new debt issuance, about $17 million from cash on hand and about $5 million from proposed grant funds.

The “enhanced” CIP would cost about $60 million over 10 years.

Martin, Miller and Bailey emphasized that the proposed plans are drafts and could be adjusted.

Martin and Miller also presented a financial analysis summary based on the “enhanced” CIP and a plan specific to the city water and sewer fund.

Next steps  

City officials will have a chance to discuss and refine their priorities when they have their budget meeting closer to the end of the fiscal year.

Bailey said that budget discussion would depend greatly on the results of the May 8 referendum, which will give voters a chance to decide whether the city can lease Fibrant to Hotwire Communications.

Bailey said the city would have to make two different budgets — one for if the lease plan is approved and one for if it fails.

“If the referendum fails, we will have to have a tax increase. I don’t see a way around it,” Bailey said.

The second day of the City Council retreat will begin at 1 p.m. today at West End Plaza Event Center.

Contact reporter Jessica Coates at 704-797-4222.