Latest news with #SanfordCityCouncil
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Agricultural marketplace one year from opening
Construction is well underway at the Pilgrim's Sanford Agricultural Marketplace on Charlotte Avenue and First Street. Several members of the Sanford City Council recently visited the site. 'This incredible project has brought many folks together with a shared common vision,' Mayor Rebecca Salmon said in a press release. 'We cannot wait to see how this grows, how this develops, and how it becomes a key cornerstone of the things that make Sanford truly special.' Set to open in the spring of 2026, the marketplace will serve as a regional hub for farmers, artisans and visitors across the Sandhills region and surrounding counties, the release states. In addition to serving as the home for the Sanford Farmers' Market, the site will offer year-round programming in partnership with the N.C. Cooperative Extension, including educational workshops, cooking classes and demonstrations on food preservation. The building will also provide a commercial kitchen to support local food-based businesses. Councilwoman Jean Dabbs emphasized the marketplace's role in supporting local entrepreneurship. 'It will provide a place for our farmers and all kinds of vendors every Saturday, and as we continue, it'll be open multiple times during the week.' 'It's going to be a big boon,' Councilman JD Williams said. 'We already have people going to the local farms, my wife included. They won't have to do that anymore. All they have to do is come to the marketplace arena.' 'Growing up in Sanford, whether or not my mother had a successful summer depended on how many canned goods she had,' Councilwoman Linda Rhodes said. 'With support from our Cooperative Extension agency here in Sanford, the new farmers' market will offer instructions on how to properly can vegetables.' Salmon noted the marketplace will also serve as the gateway to the future Sanford Central Green. The revitalized public space will extend from downtown to the Sanford Municipal Center at 225 E. Weatherspoon St. 'This innovative green space will offer opportunities to engage not only in the farmers' market, but also in various green spaces and interactive activities — all designed to create a phenomenal quality of life for generations to come,' she added. Over $3 million has been raised through the support of public and private partners. Contributors include the Ruby and Ernest McSwain Worthy Lands Trust, the North Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Transformation Grant Fund, the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the Pilgrim's Hometown Strong Fund and Lee County Farm Bureau. The City of Sanford will make the remaining investment using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to the release. Follow construction progress on the city's projects hub at
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sanford aims to implement micro-transit pilot project
A micro-transit pilot project is on the agenda of the Sanford City Council. During a work session on Tuesday, the council heard about a plan from David Montgomery, senior planner. Authorization of the pilot project could come before the council on May 6, he said. Some $1 million in funding would come through a NC Department of Transportation grant. Montgomery said the pilot project would work similar to Uber or Lyft private ride services. The zone that would be served still has yet to be decided, along with hours of operation and prices of fares. He said Lee County is purchasing three vehicles for the pilot project, which would be operated by the County of Lee Transit System, or COLTS. He noted that three vehicles would run on weekdays and two on weekends. During discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Akinosho said the goal is to provide services for city residents and promote tourism. S3 HOUSING CONNECT Council also heard about 'resetting' the S3 Housing Connect program, which was founded in 2017 to help deal with homelessness. Tradell Adkins, community development planner, said the focus of S3 is moving from homelessness to housing. Gabby Murillo and Tamara Brogan said they were involved with the program since its founding after the demolition of the Simmons building at 710 Wall St. dislocated 18 residents. Murillo, a local realtor, said she wants to get more private entities involved in S3 instead of just nonprofits and government organizations. She noted that a down payment housing assistance program offers $15,000 per home purchase, but only 18 people used it last year. 'They don't know about it,' she said. 'We're working on a marketing initiative.' 'Covid kind of knocked us out of our momentum,' Brogan said. BLOCK PARTY At the end of the meeting, Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon reminded attendees about the city's annual Block Party, which is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers will meet for a free breakfast at 332 North Ave., and then proceed to clean or spruce up a nearby section of the city. This is the city's 13th block party. For more information, contact Karen Kennedy at 919-718-4657, ext. 5391, or DEMOLITION BOND TO BE DEMOLISHED? Inspections Administrator Patrick Marion spoke of plans to do away with a $500 bond for those who wish to demolish a building. Marion said the city would continue charging a $90 permit fee for a demolition, but noted that bond isn't needed. Planning Director Marshall Downey said the city has not had to use such bond funds over the past 20 years. That would only occur if the permit holder didn't demolish the building. Doing away with the bond, which will be considered by council on May 6, would mean that 100% of the city's permits could be obtained online, Marion said. Some 80% of the city's permits are currently obtained online with the remainder done in person.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council hears update on new shelter
A new homeless shelter at 507 S. Third St. is 85% complete. That's the word from Hamer Carter, the president of Outreach Mission Inc. He updated the Sanford City Council about progress on the building during a council work session on Tuesday, April 8. Carter said that work at the site is under budget and on schedule to open soon. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for June 24, he said. He came to the work session to request that the city offset an approximate $16,500 tap fee for city water and sewer service at the site. Although council didn't make a decision on his request, they will likely do so in an upcoming council session. 'I can't think of a more worthwhile cause,' Councilwoman Linda Rhodes said. DEPOT Mary Depina, city engineer, updated the council on the renovation of the historic Depot at 106 Charlotte Ave. downtown. The interior design recently changed due to a decorative chimney inside the building, she said. Completion is scheduled for October. Critical Path Solutions of Fayetteville is the contractor, and Jerry Traub of Raleigh is the architect. VERMILLION PROJECT George Young, vice president of land acquisition with Mattamy Homes of Cary, came with several employees who were prepared to speak about the proposed Vermillion project. He was prevented doing so because city attorney Susan Patterson cautioned council to not talk about any rezoning prior to a public hearing. Mattamy Homes, who Young called the largest private home builder in North America, plans to annex and rezone land north of Sanford. He said it would be difficult to talk about the project without mentioning rezoning, so he said he would return later. According to a concept plan dated Feb. 5, the development would consist of 1,219 lots, including single-family homes and townhomes, on 488 acres at Riddle Road, north of 421 and south of Post Office Road in Lee County. During council discussion, Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon said this was the first she knew about the legal restriction, and would comply with it going forward. Her comments came after Councilman Byron Buckels asked, 'Can we prevent this in the future?' He was referring to scheduling topics for work sessions that legally cannot be talked about.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City sets aside $900K for used fire truck purchase
Feb. 6—As part of its consent agenda on Feb. 4, the Sanford City Council authorized $900,000 for the purchase of used fire truck after the city's No. 1 ladder truck was damaged in a recent crash. Someone ran into the front end of the city's No. 1 ladder truck on Dec. 19, 2024, according to Fire Chief Matt Arnold. He previously said the No. 1 truck, which was made in 2000, will be out of service for a long time because the parts are no longer made and will need to be manufactured. Arnold recently told council he is looking for another truck. In the meantime, the city fire department will use its backup truck, a 2008 model, that it took delivery of last year. Also as part of the consent agenda, the council approved charging a 2% fee for credit card payments. The fee will begin April 1. It is an effort to recoup about half of the $400,000 in estimated fees the city will pay this year. AUDIT The council received a good report in regard to a Fiscal 2024 audit from Joyce and Co. CPA of Cary. The city had 53% of its fund balance "available" as of June 30, 2024. At least 25% is the recommended amount as a reserve. Following a question from Councilman Charles Taylor, Assistant City Manager Beth Kelly noted that some of the $25.3 million is set aside for the Depot and Agricultural Marketplace projects. "A lot of places don't get these clean letters, and we are very appreciative of that," Councilwoman Linda Rhodes said of the audit. PITTSBORO Council approved amending the 2024-25 operating budget to the tune of $143,873 for merger costs related to the expansion of its water and wastewater treatment facility (TriRiver Water). Also approved were $25 million in revenue bonds for a Pittsboro force main and lift station and a reservoir and advanced metering infrastructure in Siler City. According to the resolution, the city would retain Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein as bond counsel, First Tryon Advisors as financial advisors and Wells Fargo Bank as the underwriter of the bonds. In comments to council, Kelly estimated the city's actual cost at between $13.3 million for the Pittsboro project with a total of $17.3 million for both. The total project cost is $105.6 million, she said, but noted that the city is getting $37 million in a state loan and $55.1 million grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. ANNEXATION The public hearing date of a non-contiguous annexation for the 162-acre Pendergrass Village subdivision was reset to 6 p.m. Feb. 18 due to an error in a boundary map. It was originally scheduled for Jan. 21, but that meeting was postponed due to a snowstorm. The subdivision would be located west of Tramway, south of the intersection of Pendergrass and Steel Bridge roads. BLACK HISTORY MONTH Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon recognized February as Black History Month and noted the area's first black congregation was founded in 1868, six years before the city was incorporated. "It's our history together," Mayor Pro Tem Mark Akinosho said, adding that the whole community can celebrate. Salmon also recognized Knotts Funeral Home for 68 years of service to the community.
