SALISBURY — In its last two meetings, the Salisbury City Council has considered potentially making changes to the city’s panhandling ordinance. After hearing from City Attorney Graham Corriher about details of what the new ordinance will look like and approving the first reading of the revisions, the city council is set to decide to accept the second reading at the March 5 meeting. Corriher said when ordinance revisions are being examined, it takes two confirmations for it to be ratified when there’s a criminal penalty related to it. 

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 5, at the city hall building at 6 p.m. Here are the other agenda items that will be discussed: 

• The council will recognize Sen. Carl Ford and State Rep. Harry Warren for their assistance in Salisbury’s receipt of a transformative $10 million state grant to support public safety initiatives. 
• The council will recognize Human Resources Director Ruth Kennerly and Police Chief Patrick Smith for obtaining their master’s degrees. 
• Mayor Karen Alexander will make the following proclamations: Women’s History Month for March 2024 and Women in Construction Week for March 3-9.
• The 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 csnyd@salisburync.gov. 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. 
• City Manager Jim Greene and Administrative Services Director Kelly Baker will ask the council to consider adopting the city of Salisbury strategic plan. 
• Downtown Development Director Sada Troutman will ask the council to consider approving the 2020 Downtown Salisbury Master Plan. 
• City Attorney Graham Corriher will ask the council to consider designating the downtown municipal service district as a community and economic development project area.
• Utilities Director Jim Behmer will ask the council to consider approving a contract amendment with Black & Veatch International in an amount not to exceed $1,358,000 for the continuation of detailed design to completion and environmental permitting for the relocation of the Yadkin River raw water pump station.