Monday, July 26, 2010 - by Mike Adams - Editor of NaturalNews.com
Many of the freedoms we enjoy here in the U.S. are quickly eroding as the nation transforms from the land of the free into the land of the enslaved, but what I'm about to share with you takes the assault on our freedoms to a whole new level. You may not be aware of this, but many Western states, including Utah, Washington and Colorado, have long outlawed individuals from collecting rainwater on their own properties because, according to officials, that rain belongs to someone else.
As bizarre as it sounds, laws restricting property owners from "diverting" water that falls on their own homes and land have been on the books for quite some time in many Western states. Only recently, as droughts and renewed interest in water conservation methods have become more common, have individuals and business owners started butting heads with law enforcement over the practice of collecting rainwater for personal use.
Check out this YouTube video of a news report out of Salt Lake City, Utah, about the issue. It's illegal in Utah to divert rainwater without a valid water right, and Mark Miller of Mark Miller Toyota, found this out the hard way.
After constructing a large rainwater collection system at his new dealership to use for washing new cars, Miller found out that the project was actually an "unlawful diversion of rainwater." Even though it makes logical conservation sense to collect rainwater for this type of use since rain is scarce in Utah, it's still considered a violation of water rights which apparently belong exclusively to Utah's various government bodies.
"Utah's the second driest state in the nation. Our laws probably ought to catch up with that," explained Miller in response to the state's ridiculous rainwater collection ban.
Salt Lake City officials worked out a compromise with Miller and are now permitting him to use "their" rainwater, but the fact that individuals like Miller don't actually own the rainwater that falls on their property is a true indicator of what little freedom we actually have here in the U.S. (Access to the rainwater that falls on your own property seems to be a basic right, wouldn't you agree?)
Outlawing rainwater collection in other states
Utah isn't the only state with rainwater collection bans, either. Colorado and Washington also have rainwater collection restrictions that limit the free use of rainwater, but these restrictions vary among different areas of the states and legislators have passed some laws to help ease the restrictions.
In Colorado, two new laws were recently passed that exempt certain small-scale rainwater collection systems, like the kind people might install on their homes, from collection restrictions.
Prior to the passage of these laws, Douglas County, Colorado, conducted a study on how rainwater collection affects aquifer and groundwater supplies. The study revealed that letting people collect rainwater on their properties actually reduces demand from water facilities and improves conservation.
Personally, I don't think a study was even necessary to come to this obvious conclusion. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that using rainwater instead of tap water is a smart and useful way to conserve this valuable resource, especially in areas like the West where drought is a major concern.
Additionally, the study revealed that only about three percent of Douglas County's precipitation ended up in the streams and rivers that are supposedly being robbed from by rainwater collectors. The other 97 percent either evaporated or seeped into the ground to be used by plants.
This hints at why bureaucrats can't really use the argument that collecting rainwater prevents that water from getting to where it was intended to go. So little of it actually makes it to the final destination that virtually every household could collect many rain barrels worth of rainwater and it would have practically no effect on the amount that ends up in streams and rivers.
It's all about control, really
As long as people remain unaware and uninformed about important issues, the government will continue to chip away at the freedoms we enjoy. The only reason these water restrictions are finally starting to change for the better is because people started to notice and they worked to do something to reverse the law.
Even though these laws restricting water collection have been on the books for more than 100 years in some cases, they're slowly being reversed thanks to efforts by citizens who have decided that enough is enough.
Because if we can't even freely collect the rain that falls all around us, then what, exactly, can we freely do? The rainwater issue highlights a serious overall problem in America today: diminishing freedom and increased government control.
Today, we've basically been reprogrammed to think that we need permission from the government to exercise our inalienable rights, when in fact the government is supposed to derive its power from us. The American Republic was designed so that government would serve the People to protect and uphold freedom and liberty. But increasingly, our own government is restricting people from their rights to engage in commonsense, fundamental actions such as collecting rainwater or buying raw milk from the farmer next door.
Today, we are living under a government that has slowly siphoned off our freedoms, only to occasionally grant us back a few limited ones under the pretense that they're doing us a benevolent favor.
Fight back against enslavement
As long as people believe their rights stem from the government (and not the other way around), they will always be enslaved. And whatever rights and freedoms we think we still have will be quickly eroded by a system of bureaucratic power that seeks only to expand its control.
Because the same argument that's now being used to restrict rainwater collection could, of course, be used to declare that you have no right to the air you breathe, either. After all, governments could declare that air to be somebody else's air, and then they could charge you an "air tax" or an "air royalty" and demand you pay money for every breath that keeps you alive.
Think it couldn't happen? Just give it time. The government already claims it owns your land and house, effectively. If you really think you own your home, just stop paying property taxes and see how long you still "own" it. Your county or city will seize it and then sell it to pay off your "tax debt." That proves who really owns it in the first place... and it's not you!
How about the question of who owns your body? According to the U.S. Patent & Trademark office, U.S. corporations and universities already own 20% of your genetic code. Your own body, they claim, is partially the property of someone else.
So if they own your land, your water and your body, how long before they claim to own your air, your mind and even your soul?
Unless we stand up against this tyranny, it will creep upon us, day after day, until we find ourselves totally enslaved by a world of corporate-government collusion where everything of value is owned by powerful corporations -- all enforced at gunpoint by local law enforcement.
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
July Rant - The Corporatocracy and Neo-Feudalism
I have spoken ad nauseum about the Imperial Corporatocracy that has developed in the United States. We have seen a merger between the mega-corporations and the governing bodies to the extent that the real governance of this nation, from top to bottom, is a dog and pony show. Our elected officials and bureaucrats ask how high when the money spinners tell them to jump.
The leaders of our country have chosen to move us towards a more European style system of governance and away from the ideals of Independence and Liberty upon which this country was founded. The lazy intellectuals have bought into the notion that Europe has a more sophisticated society without studying the flawed caste system upon which those nations were built and upon which wars have raged over the centuries. It is a system built upon feudalism.
We have entered into a Global Economic System based upon Neo-Feudalism (a term associated with Economic Forecaster Max Keiser) and the leaders of the United States, whether wittingly or not, are falling in line by allowing our governance and fortunes to be interwoven into this system through a Corporate structure that answers to no one.
The legitimate means to manage the economy have been tapped out. You have to have capital to have Capitalism. The United States used to reward people based upon the merits of their ideas and work ethic (Meritocracy), not to say that it was ever perfect, because one also had to associate themselves with the controllers of Capital who could take advantage of them and basically steal their ideas and labor.
The old system based upon Merit allowed those with money to make more money through the investment of their dollars into ideas and allowed poor and middle class people to be able to climb the social strata through ingenuity, innovation, and hard work. The growth and creation of expanded wealth essentially occurred, because this allowed a race to the top where people truly believed that they could increase their economic lot in life.
What we have today is a world rife with cronies and so our economic system is truly based upon Cronysism. Who are you gonna gladhand? Who are you gonna pay off? "What's in it for me?" How can one rig the system, whether legal, moral, ethical or not, in their favor?
A certain amount of these sort of interpersonal relations is understandable, but we now have a system that is centered upon these relationships instead of productivity. Of course this is inefficient and therefore not good for the economy. Economic productivity and accountability should always take precedence over relationships. A system where relationships take precedence will always lead to a caste system. If the group chooses not to admit certain people, because they are deemed not to fit into the group, because of inherent characteristics, then the growth of the systrem will be hindered by such artificial barriers. The system must be allowed to flow freely.
So instead of trying to grow the system by allowing it to flow freely in a race to the top, we instead see a system impeded and imploding, because of control mechanisms and the types of artificial roadblocks that I mention above. In this type of system, we see a race to the bottom where the economy resembles a funnel. The people at the top will be the last people affected, but eventually they will be affected.
If our system is allowed to continue to fall apart, eventually the rapidity of the erosion will increase at an exponential rate. Those in the upper middle class are under the false assumption that they won't be affected, but this false comfort will leave them vulnerable when the final collapse takes place. Only the rats on the sinking ship, who instituted and control this system and have a lifeboat tucked away, will survive the implosion; because they are responsible for consolidating existing capital under their control. They are in charge of the rules of the game and they make up the rules as they go to benefit themselves.
The elite are at the root of all of this! And in the Neo-Feudalistic system they are instituting themselves as the Noble ruling class. The heads of the major multi-national corporations look at themselves as our Over Lords. Individuals think that the creation of such a system has no bearing upon their personal lives, that they are above any such system, but in the end if you weren't born into the top .1% of the World Societal social structure, then you will be at the mercy of these elitist who will control every aspect of our lives. In the end they will decide whether you are expendable or not. Isn't that a scary thought?
I know, I know. You think this is all conspiracy theory from an Economic lunatic and other people on the lunatic fringe, but are you really paying attention to the World that is going on around you. Most people gather all of their news perspectives from the same sources and they don't look at the spectrum. You need to get beyond the Republican-Democrat thing. It is meaningless under the context of Modern American Society.
Both the Democrats and the Republicans belong to the Corporate structure that rules this nation. Listen to them. Neither side will do anything to reign in this corrupted corporate climate and neither take action against it. Each side pays lip service, but in the end that is all we get. Both sides pay tribute and have dictated that the American public serve the interest of this Mega-Corporate Matrix.
Corporations are not people, by definition a corporation is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners. Corporations enjoy most of the rights and responsibilities that an individual possesses that is, a corporation has the right to enter into contracts, loan and borrow money, sue and be sued, hire employees, own assets and pay taxes.
The most important aspect of a corporation is limited liability. That is, shareholders have the right to participate in the profits, through dividends and/or the appreciation of stock, but are not held personally liable for the company's debts.
That is where the corporate structure in this country has gone awry and that is how things have gotten out of control. The people associated with the mega-corporations have basically felt that they can do anything as long as it is done in the name of the corporation they are associated with, because the justice system has been tilted in the favor of the corporate structure.
Examples include the way that Financial Institutions (Banks, Investment companies, and Insurance Companies) have lobbied our Government to provide Fiat Capital (money created out of thin air)to them and they have provided the public nothing in return. This has been done under the guise of them being "Too Big to Fail."
Individuals have been forced to step lightly into the environment of these bohemoths. Look at the banks. It isn't easy for a small business to secure credit through a bank, yet banks are getting money from the Federal Reserve at close to 0% interest and utilizing it to buy treasury bills that earn around 3% interest. This depreciates the value of the dollar and hurts people who save money in interest-bearing accounts.
Let's look at insurance companies. They constantly haggle or deny claims of people who need to utilize their policy for injury or illness. They drop people who have paid their policy in good faith for years, because they have to utilize the policy. The Congress fusses about the costs of the Healthcare Industry and turns around and passes a bill that is a boondoggle for special interests associated with the Insurance industry.
Let's look at the Investment industry. We have seen insider trading, conflicts of interest, and other fraudulent schemes that have impaired the wealth of the average American investor. Yet, the Congress just passed a supposed Financial Reform bill that only further allows the consolidation of capital at the top of the Corporate Investment structure.
We can also look at other industries: The Auto industry where mismanaged companies were given billions to prop them up, while small independent dealerships were forced out of business. The Food and Beverage Industry, where genetically modified, least common denominator Frankenfoods and beverages are allowed to come on the market as social scientific experiments, when they have not been proven to be safe and many times when studies show they are not safe. Or the way that some areas of the country want to inspect people's personal gardens and crack down on Farmer's markets to protect Big Food's corporate interest. And then there is the Pharmaceutical Industry where the public becomes social guinea pigs for fad drugs that are marketed across the airwaves with unabashed fervor.
It is time to get real and protect the interests of the American people. If we do not grow Middle Class people and small businesses, then this country will fail. Our strength lies in the majority of the American people. As the middle goes, so go the fortunes of everyone else.
We must become an egalitarian nation once again. The average person should have the same rights as the rich. Americans' rights should be protected over the rights of foreigners. If you aren't a company that hails from the good ole U.S. of A., then you are a guest in this country. And you won't be setting the rules and regulations. You will be respecting them and following them and you will be respecting the rights of the American people. And Corporations, you are not people. People come first. Corporations shall take a back seat. If your company is not operating in the interest of the American people, then we are going to take away your charter and you aren't going to operate in this country any more.
I do not mean this as a social ideal and I do not believe that these principles should be taken lightly or abused. But, this is a serious and relevant issue. Our economy is in a systemic free fall. This is not a normal business cycle decline. This has happened for a reason and if one is honest with themselves, then they will realize that it is because the system has rotted with corruption. I don't think that the patrons of Pop Culture have a clue about what is transpiring around them, but those of us who are awake must speak up and create opportunities for action. If we are to be free, then we must be willing to be brave.
The leaders of our country have chosen to move us towards a more European style system of governance and away from the ideals of Independence and Liberty upon which this country was founded. The lazy intellectuals have bought into the notion that Europe has a more sophisticated society without studying the flawed caste system upon which those nations were built and upon which wars have raged over the centuries. It is a system built upon feudalism.
We have entered into a Global Economic System based upon Neo-Feudalism (a term associated with Economic Forecaster Max Keiser) and the leaders of the United States, whether wittingly or not, are falling in line by allowing our governance and fortunes to be interwoven into this system through a Corporate structure that answers to no one.
The legitimate means to manage the economy have been tapped out. You have to have capital to have Capitalism. The United States used to reward people based upon the merits of their ideas and work ethic (Meritocracy), not to say that it was ever perfect, because one also had to associate themselves with the controllers of Capital who could take advantage of them and basically steal their ideas and labor.
The old system based upon Merit allowed those with money to make more money through the investment of their dollars into ideas and allowed poor and middle class people to be able to climb the social strata through ingenuity, innovation, and hard work. The growth and creation of expanded wealth essentially occurred, because this allowed a race to the top where people truly believed that they could increase their economic lot in life.
What we have today is a world rife with cronies and so our economic system is truly based upon Cronysism. Who are you gonna gladhand? Who are you gonna pay off? "What's in it for me?" How can one rig the system, whether legal, moral, ethical or not, in their favor?
A certain amount of these sort of interpersonal relations is understandable, but we now have a system that is centered upon these relationships instead of productivity. Of course this is inefficient and therefore not good for the economy. Economic productivity and accountability should always take precedence over relationships. A system where relationships take precedence will always lead to a caste system. If the group chooses not to admit certain people, because they are deemed not to fit into the group, because of inherent characteristics, then the growth of the systrem will be hindered by such artificial barriers. The system must be allowed to flow freely.
So instead of trying to grow the system by allowing it to flow freely in a race to the top, we instead see a system impeded and imploding, because of control mechanisms and the types of artificial roadblocks that I mention above. In this type of system, we see a race to the bottom where the economy resembles a funnel. The people at the top will be the last people affected, but eventually they will be affected.
If our system is allowed to continue to fall apart, eventually the rapidity of the erosion will increase at an exponential rate. Those in the upper middle class are under the false assumption that they won't be affected, but this false comfort will leave them vulnerable when the final collapse takes place. Only the rats on the sinking ship, who instituted and control this system and have a lifeboat tucked away, will survive the implosion; because they are responsible for consolidating existing capital under their control. They are in charge of the rules of the game and they make up the rules as they go to benefit themselves.
The elite are at the root of all of this! And in the Neo-Feudalistic system they are instituting themselves as the Noble ruling class. The heads of the major multi-national corporations look at themselves as our Over Lords. Individuals think that the creation of such a system has no bearing upon their personal lives, that they are above any such system, but in the end if you weren't born into the top .1% of the World Societal social structure, then you will be at the mercy of these elitist who will control every aspect of our lives. In the end they will decide whether you are expendable or not. Isn't that a scary thought?
I know, I know. You think this is all conspiracy theory from an Economic lunatic and other people on the lunatic fringe, but are you really paying attention to the World that is going on around you. Most people gather all of their news perspectives from the same sources and they don't look at the spectrum. You need to get beyond the Republican-Democrat thing. It is meaningless under the context of Modern American Society.
Both the Democrats and the Republicans belong to the Corporate structure that rules this nation. Listen to them. Neither side will do anything to reign in this corrupted corporate climate and neither take action against it. Each side pays lip service, but in the end that is all we get. Both sides pay tribute and have dictated that the American public serve the interest of this Mega-Corporate Matrix.
Corporations are not people, by definition a corporation is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners. Corporations enjoy most of the rights and responsibilities that an individual possesses that is, a corporation has the right to enter into contracts, loan and borrow money, sue and be sued, hire employees, own assets and pay taxes.
The most important aspect of a corporation is limited liability. That is, shareholders have the right to participate in the profits, through dividends and/or the appreciation of stock, but are not held personally liable for the company's debts.
That is where the corporate structure in this country has gone awry and that is how things have gotten out of control. The people associated with the mega-corporations have basically felt that they can do anything as long as it is done in the name of the corporation they are associated with, because the justice system has been tilted in the favor of the corporate structure.
Examples include the way that Financial Institutions (Banks, Investment companies, and Insurance Companies) have lobbied our Government to provide Fiat Capital (money created out of thin air)to them and they have provided the public nothing in return. This has been done under the guise of them being "Too Big to Fail."
Individuals have been forced to step lightly into the environment of these bohemoths. Look at the banks. It isn't easy for a small business to secure credit through a bank, yet banks are getting money from the Federal Reserve at close to 0% interest and utilizing it to buy treasury bills that earn around 3% interest. This depreciates the value of the dollar and hurts people who save money in interest-bearing accounts.
Let's look at insurance companies. They constantly haggle or deny claims of people who need to utilize their policy for injury or illness. They drop people who have paid their policy in good faith for years, because they have to utilize the policy. The Congress fusses about the costs of the Healthcare Industry and turns around and passes a bill that is a boondoggle for special interests associated with the Insurance industry.
Let's look at the Investment industry. We have seen insider trading, conflicts of interest, and other fraudulent schemes that have impaired the wealth of the average American investor. Yet, the Congress just passed a supposed Financial Reform bill that only further allows the consolidation of capital at the top of the Corporate Investment structure.
We can also look at other industries: The Auto industry where mismanaged companies were given billions to prop them up, while small independent dealerships were forced out of business. The Food and Beverage Industry, where genetically modified, least common denominator Frankenfoods and beverages are allowed to come on the market as social scientific experiments, when they have not been proven to be safe and many times when studies show they are not safe. Or the way that some areas of the country want to inspect people's personal gardens and crack down on Farmer's markets to protect Big Food's corporate interest. And then there is the Pharmaceutical Industry where the public becomes social guinea pigs for fad drugs that are marketed across the airwaves with unabashed fervor.
It is time to get real and protect the interests of the American people. If we do not grow Middle Class people and small businesses, then this country will fail. Our strength lies in the majority of the American people. As the middle goes, so go the fortunes of everyone else.
We must become an egalitarian nation once again. The average person should have the same rights as the rich. Americans' rights should be protected over the rights of foreigners. If you aren't a company that hails from the good ole U.S. of A., then you are a guest in this country. And you won't be setting the rules and regulations. You will be respecting them and following them and you will be respecting the rights of the American people. And Corporations, you are not people. People come first. Corporations shall take a back seat. If your company is not operating in the interest of the American people, then we are going to take away your charter and you aren't going to operate in this country any more.
I do not mean this as a social ideal and I do not believe that these principles should be taken lightly or abused. But, this is a serious and relevant issue. Our economy is in a systemic free fall. This is not a normal business cycle decline. This has happened for a reason and if one is honest with themselves, then they will realize that it is because the system has rotted with corruption. I don't think that the patrons of Pop Culture have a clue about what is transpiring around them, but those of us who are awake must speak up and create opportunities for action. If we are to be free, then we must be willing to be brave.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Have you seen this? The truth about the Unemployment Situation
What this graphic shows is the median duration of unemployment of the nationally unemployed from July 1967 to June 2010. Prior to the beginning of this depression, the longest duration of unemployment, since the inception of these statistics, was 12.3 months in May 1983.
The recession of the early 1980's had an effect on unemployment where median unemployment duration lasted over 9 months from September 1982 to November 1983 with a peak of 12.3 months in May 1983. The recession of the early 1990s had an effect where median duration of unemployment lasted 9 months in 9 of 10 months from February 1994 to November 1994 with a peak of 11.5 months in June 2003. The recession of the early 2000s had an effect where the median duration of unemployment lasted 9 months in 37 of 40 months from May 2002 to August 2005 with a peak of 11.5 months in June 2003.
If we look at the data from this statistical data set, what we see is a systemic meltdown of our current job market attributable to occupational displacement, which I believe relates to the destruction of the manufacturing capacity of the United States. The effects of this meltdown show that the median duration of unemployment has been over 9 months for every month from June 2008 to present (and over 10 months from August 2008 to present with the exception of 1 month). The latest data reaches a peak of 25.5 months in the June 2010 and appears to be continuing to climb.
This is the reason why current Unemployment as reported in most press outlets is useless. If the median duration of unemployment is over 110 weeks (approximately 25.5 months), then most of the people associated with these unemployment benefits have exhausted their unemployment, because median means that there are as many people over 25.5 months being unemployed as under and the maximum duration of unemployment benefits, including emergency benefits, is 79 months in most states (How many weeks do I get?).
Do you understand this? It means that any semblance of any media outlet telling you that unemployment rates are falling is complete and utter bunk!
The unemployed are basically out of luck and the government and newspapers are more interested in a song and dance routine than squaring up to the facts. So if these media outlets are going to keep up this charade, then it is time to find relevant sources of information. I'm not here to play charades. I am here to enlighten you to the truth of what is going on around us. I am facing it and I hope that you will join me, if you haven't already.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of July 20, 2010
This newsletter is about the Hickory City Council meeting that I attended this past week. City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each Month in the Council Chambers of the Julian Whitener building.
At the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.
At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, you will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.
Here is a summary of the agenda of the 7/20/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below
Invocation by Chaplain Robert Ford of Frye Hospital.
Special Presentations:
A. Recognition of Alderman Danny Seaver’s Retirement From Hickory Public Schools With
Thirty-Four Years of Service in Education - The Mayor pay tribute to Alderman Seaver for helping others. He has served on the Council since 1998, he was born in Kingsport, TN, and is married to his wife Elaine Seaver and they have three children. He attended Appalachian State and received his Masters from Lenoir-Rhyne and Mathematics from the University of Georgia. He began teaching Math at Hickory High School in 1997. He has been a teacher for 34 years. He has been an advisor to the Key club for 27 years at West Caldwell and Hickory High.
B. Presentation by Amanda Edwards Regarding the Success of the 2010 Charity Chase
Half Marathon and to Thank the City of Hickory for Its Support - Amanda is the founder of this 13.1 mile event that is organized by a small group of volunteers. The goal is to have an event to raise money to give back to the community. This was the fifth annual event. The event has grown from 218 participants to over 600 participants from 13 states and 3 countries. $13,600 were raised and given to local charitable organizations. Over its existence, over $43,000 have been given to charities. Here is a link to the organizations's Facebook page. She also presented a plaque to thank the city for its help and cooperation in coordinating this event.
The Hound believes that this is a great event in the city and Ms. Edwards has a lot to be proud of. We need more spirit life this from our people. People are to be admired who take it upon themselves to just make things happen.
C. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions - Hickory City Council honored 28 citizens for serving on one of its 13 Boards and Commissions.
Consent Agenda:
A. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Fairview Cemetery From Larry Kimble Wiles to Adam Shawn Conley
B. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Fairview Cemetery From Larry Kimble Wiles to Terry Lee Reinhardt and Linda Rebels Reinhardt
C. Proclamation Declaring June 20, 2010 as Salvation Army of Greater Hickory “Kent and Melody Davis Day” in the City of Hickory
D. Renewal of Taxicab and Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire Franchises
Company - Taxicabs / Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire
Select Car Service - 0 / 1
Yellow Cab - 10 / 3
Mile High Enterprises dba Hickory Hop - 0 / 4
Diamond Cab of Hickory - 3 / 0
Total - 13 / 8
Annually, these companies apply for a renewal of their taxicab and other passenger vehicle for hire franchise. The fee for FY 2010-11 is $22.50 per vehicle. A total of $472.50 (21 vehicles) has been collected.
E. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to Countywide Insurance Agency, Inc. for Property Located at 536 Highway 70, SW in the Amount of $10,032.00 - Countywide Insurance Agency, Inc. has applied for such a grant in the amount of $15,200.00 to assist in the demolition of a building located at 536 Highway 70, SW and plans to spend approximately $30,400 for demolition. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval of a reduced grant in the amount of $10,032 due to the impact on the City’s tax base and the fact that no building plans have been submitted to the develop the site.
F. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to El Tio Food Systems, LLC for Property Located at 1180 Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, SE in the Amount of $25,000.00 - El Tio Food Systems, LLC has applied for such a grant in the amount of $25,000.00 to assist in the renovation of the exterior of the facility to attract a retail or restaurant tenant by replacing the roof, landscape improvements, and replacement of windows, doors and exterior lighting. The applicant plans to invest approximately $53,000.00 for said renovation with an additional investment of $100,000 to the interior of the building. There is no end user identified at this time. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval of $25,000.
G. Adopt Resolution in Opposition of Collective Bargaining by Local Governments - Adoption of this Resolution opposes efforts at the state and federal level that will force local governments to participate in collective bargaining with public safety employees and other work units. The City of Hickory operates under the council-manager form of government while using professional practices for hiring, compensation and workplace policies. Should the current laws change allowing Congress to mandate or the General Assembly to permit local government employers to recognize and collectively bargain with local government employee units, it would be highly disruptive to the efficient and timely provision of government services.
H. Approve Budget Amendment to the Brownfield Assessment Grant Program - The City of Hickory received two (2) $200,000.00 grants in 2007 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to conduct brownfield assessments. The Budget Amendment request is to the existing professional services agreement with Hart & Hickman, PC in order to allow for the completion of additional Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments and Redevelopment Planning Activities due to strong demand. The amendment to the contractual budget will increase the expenditures of “professional services” in both the Hazardous Substance and Petroleum Substance budgets by $36,300.00 each. The USEPA has approved this budget amendment request.
I. Resolution of Intent for Petition of City of Hickory to Close 16-Foot Alley Adjacent to City-Owned Property Located Behind Bank of Granite Building Between Main Avenue, NW and 1st Avenue, NW (Authorize Public Hearing for August 17, 2010)
J. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To appropriate $300 of General Fund Balance and budget in the International Council line item. The International Council received a $300 of Springfest Donation too late in the fiscal year to budget; therefore funds rolled into General Fund Balance. A total of $300 is being appropriated from General Fund Balance and budgeted in the FY10-11 International Council line item.
2. To re-appropriate $15,000 of General Fund Balance and budget an additional $5,500 of General Fund Balance in the Library Department's Capital Improvements’ line item. Friends of the Library committed $15,000 toward the Patrick Beaver Library conference room addition; however funds rolled into General Fund Balance at year end and therefore a re-appropriation is necessary. An additional $5,500 appropriation is necessary to fund the entire cost of the conference room addition.
3. To appropriate $15,000 of Miscellaneous Multi-year Grant funds and budget in the Fire Department part time salaries and FICA taxes line items. The Fire Department received a 2009 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the US Department of Homeland Security for a smoke and carbon monoxide detector residential program. Part of the program allocates $15,000 for a part time position to assist in the delivery of these products.
Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel Expenses to 2010 Town Hall Day in Raleigh, NC on June 16, 2010; registration - $20.00
New Business - Departmental Reports:
Staff Update on Branding and Marketing Project - This project is currently underway with the assistance of the City’s Business Development Committee and is in the process of interviewing firms to develop a comprehensive branding and marketing campaign. Some of the key elements that will be focused on will be research of the public regarding attitude, perception, opportunities and challenges of the City’s image; emphasis on delivering the message via visual, printed, media, etc.; development of strategies and tactical plans of the message; working with local portal development team on the message and defining how the core message is expanded to existing Economic Development Corporation and Convention and Visitors Bureau initiatives.
Mandy Pitts and Alan Jackson made the presentation to the Council. Five things were discussed. I) What is branding and marketing?
Adjustments in expenditures to make up for $3.8 million shortfall
At the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.
At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, you will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.
Here is a summary of the agenda of the 7/20/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below
Invocation by Chaplain Robert Ford of Frye Hospital.
Special Presentations:
A. Recognition of Alderman Danny Seaver’s Retirement From Hickory Public Schools With
Thirty-Four Years of Service in Education - The Mayor pay tribute to Alderman Seaver for helping others. He has served on the Council since 1998, he was born in Kingsport, TN, and is married to his wife Elaine Seaver and they have three children. He attended Appalachian State and received his Masters from Lenoir-Rhyne and Mathematics from the University of Georgia. He began teaching Math at Hickory High School in 1997. He has been a teacher for 34 years. He has been an advisor to the Key club for 27 years at West Caldwell and Hickory High.
B. Presentation by Amanda Edwards Regarding the Success of the 2010 Charity Chase
Half Marathon and to Thank the City of Hickory for Its Support - Amanda is the founder of this 13.1 mile event that is organized by a small group of volunteers. The goal is to have an event to raise money to give back to the community. This was the fifth annual event. The event has grown from 218 participants to over 600 participants from 13 states and 3 countries. $13,600 were raised and given to local charitable organizations. Over its existence, over $43,000 have been given to charities. Here is a link to the organizations's Facebook page. She also presented a plaque to thank the city for its help and cooperation in coordinating this event.
The Hound believes that this is a great event in the city and Ms. Edwards has a lot to be proud of. We need more spirit life this from our people. People are to be admired who take it upon themselves to just make things happen.
C. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions - Hickory City Council honored 28 citizens for serving on one of its 13 Boards and Commissions.
Consent Agenda:
A. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Fairview Cemetery From Larry Kimble Wiles to Adam Shawn Conley
B. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Fairview Cemetery From Larry Kimble Wiles to Terry Lee Reinhardt and Linda Rebels Reinhardt
C. Proclamation Declaring June 20, 2010 as Salvation Army of Greater Hickory “Kent and Melody Davis Day” in the City of Hickory
D. Renewal of Taxicab and Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire Franchises
Company - Taxicabs / Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire
Select Car Service - 0 / 1
Yellow Cab - 10 / 3
Mile High Enterprises dba Hickory Hop - 0 / 4
Diamond Cab of Hickory - 3 / 0
Total - 13 / 8
Annually, these companies apply for a renewal of their taxicab and other passenger vehicle for hire franchise. The fee for FY 2010-11 is $22.50 per vehicle. A total of $472.50 (21 vehicles) has been collected.
E. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to Countywide Insurance Agency, Inc. for Property Located at 536 Highway 70, SW in the Amount of $10,032.00 - Countywide Insurance Agency, Inc. has applied for such a grant in the amount of $15,200.00 to assist in the demolition of a building located at 536 Highway 70, SW and plans to spend approximately $30,400 for demolition. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval of a reduced grant in the amount of $10,032 due to the impact on the City’s tax base and the fact that no building plans have been submitted to the develop the site.
F. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to El Tio Food Systems, LLC for Property Located at 1180 Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, SE in the Amount of $25,000.00 - El Tio Food Systems, LLC has applied for such a grant in the amount of $25,000.00 to assist in the renovation of the exterior of the facility to attract a retail or restaurant tenant by replacing the roof, landscape improvements, and replacement of windows, doors and exterior lighting. The applicant plans to invest approximately $53,000.00 for said renovation with an additional investment of $100,000 to the interior of the building. There is no end user identified at this time. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval of $25,000.
G. Adopt Resolution in Opposition of Collective Bargaining by Local Governments - Adoption of this Resolution opposes efforts at the state and federal level that will force local governments to participate in collective bargaining with public safety employees and other work units. The City of Hickory operates under the council-manager form of government while using professional practices for hiring, compensation and workplace policies. Should the current laws change allowing Congress to mandate or the General Assembly to permit local government employers to recognize and collectively bargain with local government employee units, it would be highly disruptive to the efficient and timely provision of government services.
H. Approve Budget Amendment to the Brownfield Assessment Grant Program - The City of Hickory received two (2) $200,000.00 grants in 2007 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to conduct brownfield assessments. The Budget Amendment request is to the existing professional services agreement with Hart & Hickman, PC in order to allow for the completion of additional Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments and Redevelopment Planning Activities due to strong demand. The amendment to the contractual budget will increase the expenditures of “professional services” in both the Hazardous Substance and Petroleum Substance budgets by $36,300.00 each. The USEPA has approved this budget amendment request.
I. Resolution of Intent for Petition of City of Hickory to Close 16-Foot Alley Adjacent to City-Owned Property Located Behind Bank of Granite Building Between Main Avenue, NW and 1st Avenue, NW (Authorize Public Hearing for August 17, 2010)
J. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To appropriate $300 of General Fund Balance and budget in the International Council line item. The International Council received a $300 of Springfest Donation too late in the fiscal year to budget; therefore funds rolled into General Fund Balance. A total of $300 is being appropriated from General Fund Balance and budgeted in the FY10-11 International Council line item.
2. To re-appropriate $15,000 of General Fund Balance and budget an additional $5,500 of General Fund Balance in the Library Department's Capital Improvements’ line item. Friends of the Library committed $15,000 toward the Patrick Beaver Library conference room addition; however funds rolled into General Fund Balance at year end and therefore a re-appropriation is necessary. An additional $5,500 appropriation is necessary to fund the entire cost of the conference room addition.
3. To appropriate $15,000 of Miscellaneous Multi-year Grant funds and budget in the Fire Department part time salaries and FICA taxes line items. The Fire Department received a 2009 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the US Department of Homeland Security for a smoke and carbon monoxide detector residential program. Part of the program allocates $15,000 for a part time position to assist in the delivery of these products.
Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel Expenses to 2010 Town Hall Day in Raleigh, NC on June 16, 2010; registration - $20.00
New Business - Departmental Reports:
Staff Update on Branding and Marketing Project - This project is currently underway with the assistance of the City’s Business Development Committee and is in the process of interviewing firms to develop a comprehensive branding and marketing campaign. Some of the key elements that will be focused on will be research of the public regarding attitude, perception, opportunities and challenges of the City’s image; emphasis on delivering the message via visual, printed, media, etc.; development of strategies and tactical plans of the message; working with local portal development team on the message and defining how the core message is expanded to existing Economic Development Corporation and Convention and Visitors Bureau initiatives.
Mandy Pitts and Alan Jackson made the presentation to the Council. Five things were discussed. I) What is branding and marketing?
- A) More than a logo - Part of the Wayfinding Program
B) Finding out who we are through statistical researcha) Active Adults? Professionals? Entrepreneurs? - Research need to confirm good fits for the community
C) Creating Awareness to various audiences
b) Who are our competitors and what is our nichea) Economic Developers, Visitors, Residents, Those looking to relocate, and more
- D) Developing a multi-year plan of action
a) To regularly communicate various messages to various groups through different mediums
b) Set measurable goals for progress.
II) Results of successful branding and marketing - McKinney, Texas has a similar Metropolitan population to our own (pop. 128,000). One year after their introduction of a marketing campaign they have seen a 22% increase in hotel/motel tax revenue, 17% increase in sales tax revenue, a $1 billion increase in new investment, 5 million square increase in new property, and McKinney is now #5 on Money Magazines best places to live (July 2010). McKinney officials stated that the successes came through repackaging what they had, figuring out who others thought they were, and addressing the right audiences.
III) How this connects with other economic development (branding and marketing) initiatives that are going on?
A) Wayfinding - Logo Developed after interviews with more than 60 stakeholders. Creates signage to guide visitors and residents to destinations.
B) Collaboration of public and private organizations committed to create a webportal to showcase all facets of the community. Anything you need to know will be packaged in one spot.
IV) The business development committee and where they are in this process - A seven member team looking at opportunities for how we can grow businesses in this area. Bringing in new businesses, as well as trying to expand the businesses that are already here. Create more jobs and new opportunities.
A) 10 Recommendations - The number one recommendation during from the Business Development Committee was "Core Strategic Branding." What is Hickory and how are we packaging it to the outside world.
B) Community Efforts that support branding and marketing - The Catawba County Chamber of Commerce Inter-City Visit, the Economic Development Corporation and Convention and Vistors Bureau, and the Google Initiative. Alan stated that we all know Hickory from the inside. Now we need someone from an outsider's view to come look and tell us their ideas about how we should structure and brand the city.
V) How can Hickory City Council help us throughout this project.
A) Three City Council Members serve on the interview panel with the BDC, EDC, CVB, and city staff. Council Unanimously consented to Alder Patton, Alderman Meisner, and Alderman Guess forming the council member particpants for this group.2. Quarterly Financial Report - Presented by Assistant City manager Warren Wood. There is still activity going on. The final numbers will come with the audit this fall. Warren stated that it was a turbulent year and action was taken early on to to offset losses that they anticipated throughout the year. Things have leveled out as far as revenues, but we aren't seeing any growth. In the General fund the city recognized a $3.8 million loss. This was generally attributable to sales tax revenue dropping off and sales tax revenue dropping off dramatically. Together these two sources of revenue encompassed $1.5 million of the $3.8 million loss that had to be made up.
B) Timeline - Interview four firms week of August 2. Recommend a firm at the September City Council meeting. Selected firm begins work in October.
Adjustments in expenditures to make up for $3.8 million shortfall
1) Continued Hiring Freeze - first initiated in January 2009. 36 positions are now vacant.
2) Froze Contingency Fund
3) Reorganized some Departments
4) Began the process of bringing some contracted services in-house - particularly landscaping
5) Cut Off purchase orders two weeks early
6) Travel requests approved by manager's office
7) Retirements incentives offered - generated 20 retirees that will help in the upcoming year.
The General Fund Revenues should be 94.73% (5 year average), but is currently 89.34%. That is a significant swing to make up. Expenditures should be 94.36% (5 year average), but with savings the amount expended is currently 91.9%. The net impact means that the City has spent approximately $55,000 more than it has taken in. The Water and Sewer fund has also followed the same pattern as the General Fund.
Catawba County revaluates "Real" property (land and buildings) every 4 years. This will go into effect on January 1, 2011.
Currently 53% of Hickory's "Real" tax base is residential. 47% is commercial and industrial. The numbers are shown in the chart below. The estimate shown, in the below calculations, shows that we will see a 1.85% drop in revenues associated with Real estate in the City of Hickory. That would mean an approximate $350,000 drop in revenues.
The Potential Impact - With residential values increasing slightly and commercial/industrial values decreasing more significantly, any increase in property tax rate would have the impact of shifting more of the property tax burden on residential property tax payers.
With the numbers presented, adopting a revenue neutral tax tax rate would mean increasing the tax rate. Depending upon appeals, adopting a revenue neutral rate would mean an increase of 1 to 2 cents.
The Hound can't say enough about Warren Wood's management of the budget. He has done an excellent job and the paring that has taken place will help the city grow, if the economy recovers. And the recovery happens, this city is poised to recover faster than others.
I know that they get antsy when someone starts talking about dipping into the Undesignated Fund Balance. I understand the cushion. I think Warren performs a great financial presentation and I understand why he always tries to throw that hope in there that the economy is going to pick up.
But, I don't work for the city, so I can give you my view. We are in a general malaise and there will be bounces along the way down. Tax revcenues will remain stagnant, but they won't fall because inflation will increase prices and thus sales tax, but people will continue to reduce consumtion so it will balance out.
I don't see how the county is going to appraise properties at an increase. The people that I know that have looked into selling their property are getting offers below their valuations from four years ago. He is correct about commercial and industrial. Look at all of the empty buildings throughout town, especially Highway 70 west, which has some huge empty buildings that were occupied up until last year.
So, as you read here last year, your property tax rates will have to rise. The key is new modern industry and jobs. If and when this ever happens, then we could turn into a boomtown again, but it will take a willingness to take chances, be innovative, original, and entrepreneurial to make that happen.
3. Update Regarding Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Staff will review a fact sheet containing usage and cost information related to the City’s decision to close the Ridgeview and George Ivey swimming pools, requested by Mayor Wright during the June 15, 2010 City Council meeting. Included are the circumstances related to the pools closing and the cost estimates from two (2) companies to repair both pools. Staff recommends City Council ask its Parks and Recreation Commission to study and recommend the role and type of aquatic recreation the City should provide.
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of July 20, 2010 - Addendum on the Hickory City Pools
***Attorney Crone gave an update on Electronic Gaming Establishments - The State of North Carolina passed a ban on electronic gaming set to take effect in December 2010. There will probably be some litigation involved that may delay the enforcement. Atty Crone and City Atty Arnita Dula have reviewed what is happening in other juridiction. Presently there are 15 other juridiction in North Carolina that have enacted Ordinances concernin Electronic Gaming type establishments.
They are fairly in five areas concerning the definition of Electronic gaming. Other aspects are minimum distances between establishments, location near other types of institutions (church's and schools), hours of operation, and limitation on the number of terminals (machines).
Attorney Crone recommended discussed a couple of other issues, including discussions about the above subjects to get some consistency on the issue Alderman Meisner asked about grandfathering of legislation. Atty Crone also mentioned Moratorium and priviledge licence possibilities. In the discussion it was brought up that the State has chosen to ban these machines, instead of allowing them and taxing them. Mayor Wright stated that he would be disappointed that if in the mean time someone said that it was easier to locate the machines here than somewhere else. He stated that he is getting feedback that they are not good tenants and they are not going to allow it. Alderman Lail stated that the Moratorium seems attractive until the State decides, because this thing could turn a couple more times. Atty Crone mentioned that there would be a time limit. Alder patton asked and Atty Crone stated that he would try to get the information out and be ready for the next meeting.
The Hound believes that this shows that the city should have gone ahead and passed the ordinance that was prepared the June 15th meeting
***Alderman Guess at the end of the meeting brought up the subject that he stated he has heard at neighborhood meetings. The issue of Landlords and Tenants. We hear about the conditions that tenants live in and the issue that they have with landlords. It appears that many time the police department has to intervene and rectify the situation with thoose tenants. He asked Manager Berry to appoint the appropriate staff necessary to take a look at the issues and concerns that the people and the community have with regards to landlords and tenants, just like we're doing with the pools and come back with some recommendations... Most of the issues deal with the tenants and once they are in there it takes some time to get them evicted. And generally that falls upon the burden of the police department. Hopefully there is something we can do that will help in that type of situation.
Manager Berry stated that City Council looked at that issue a year and a half or two years ago. They will certainly revisit that again. It's not easy. It is a very difficult issue to deal with. You have federal housing laws. Mayor Wright added that it is frustrating for other tenants to have a bad tenant and you can't get them out. Alderman Guess stated that it seems like a revolving door and there must be some kind of way to stop that revolving door. It does put a burden on the police department....
Alder Fox asked if he was talking about tenants or absentee landlords? Alderman Guess said he thinks it is both. Alder Fox stated that they have looked at the landlords and that's a problem ... Manager Berry stated that they would be glad to revisit it again, but there is no silver bullet. To do what other cities have done (That they've looked into) was going to be a costly, burdensome program. Alderman Guess said that he has heard that some communities require a background check on tenants.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of July 20, 2010 - Addendum on the Hickory City Pools
The main issue at tonight's City Council meeting was the issue of the Hickory City Pools in Ridgeview and West Hickory that have been closed over the last two summers. This issue is the reason why there was a 90% capacity attendance in the Council chambers. So I have created a seperate newsletter to go over the happenings that took place at this meeting concerning the pool (water activities) issue.
Update Regarding Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Staff will review a fact sheet containing usage and cost information related to the City’s decision to close the Ridgeview and George Ivey swimming pools, requested by Mayor Wright during the June 15, 2010 City Council meeting. Included are the circumstances related to the pools closing and the cost estimates from two (2) companies to repair both pools. Staff recommends City Council ask its Parks and Recreation Commission to study and recommend the role and type of aquatic recreation the City should provide.
Mayor Wright laid out a framework for dicussion by stating that this was not a public Hearing. Rules for a Public Hearing calls for citizen input. No comments would be taken in connection with the Departmental Report, but at the end of the meeting people would be allowed to say what they have to say. The council would not depart from established rules of order.
City Manager Mick Berry addressed the Council. He stated that at the June 15 Council meeting he was asked to put together a fact sheet relating to the closure of the swimming pools. They looked at attendance, operating costs, revenues and summarized issues related to the capitalization of the pools. He went to the Ridgeview neighborhood meeting and shared this information and answered questions.
Manager Berry stated that the Virginia Graham Baker act triggered the series of events that they have gone through in the last year. In May 2009 the staff began testing the Circulation pumps of both pools. The Ridgeview pool circulated all water 2 times in 24 hours and The George Ivey pool circulated the water 1 time in 24 hours. Health reuirements are stated by law at 4 times in 24 hours. Initially they were optomistic that they could replace the pumps and pull more water through. The estimate was $55,200 to replace both pumps.
They brought in a contractor in to take a look who advised that because of the age and size of the pipes that circulate the water under the pool that they would have to do a total rebuild of both pools. They had two firms give estimates. Aquatic Resources out of Charlotte gave the estimates that were presented in the Documents from the Ridgeview neighborhood meeting. Below is the relevant factual information relating to this issue as presented by Manager Berry:
Link to the information as presented at the Ridgeview Neighborhood Meetins.
Pools Costs (click the picture to enlarge)
Update Regarding Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Staff will review a fact sheet containing usage and cost information related to the City’s decision to close the Ridgeview and George Ivey swimming pools, requested by Mayor Wright during the June 15, 2010 City Council meeting. Included are the circumstances related to the pools closing and the cost estimates from two (2) companies to repair both pools. Staff recommends City Council ask its Parks and Recreation Commission to study and recommend the role and type of aquatic recreation the City should provide.
Mayor Wright laid out a framework for dicussion by stating that this was not a public Hearing. Rules for a Public Hearing calls for citizen input. No comments would be taken in connection with the Departmental Report, but at the end of the meeting people would be allowed to say what they have to say. The council would not depart from established rules of order.
City Manager Mick Berry addressed the Council. He stated that at the June 15 Council meeting he was asked to put together a fact sheet relating to the closure of the swimming pools. They looked at attendance, operating costs, revenues and summarized issues related to the capitalization of the pools. He went to the Ridgeview neighborhood meeting and shared this information and answered questions.
Manager Berry stated that the Virginia Graham Baker act triggered the series of events that they have gone through in the last year. In May 2009 the staff began testing the Circulation pumps of both pools. The Ridgeview pool circulated all water 2 times in 24 hours and The George Ivey pool circulated the water 1 time in 24 hours. Health reuirements are stated by law at 4 times in 24 hours. Initially they were optomistic that they could replace the pumps and pull more water through. The estimate was $55,200 to replace both pumps.
They brought in a contractor in to take a look who advised that because of the age and size of the pipes that circulate the water under the pool that they would have to do a total rebuild of both pools. They had two firms give estimates. Aquatic Resources out of Charlotte gave the estimates that were presented in the Documents from the Ridgeview neighborhood meeting. Below is the relevant factual information relating to this issue as presented by Manager Berry:
Link to the information as presented at the Ridgeview Neighborhood Meetins.
Pools Costs (click the picture to enlarge)
Pool Attendance (click the picture to enlarge)
Pool Revenues (click the picture to enlarge)
Manager Berry talked about the St. Stephens pool, which was a heavily attended pool and had to be closed at the end of Summer 2005, because of a leak at the bottom of the pool. That pool was a partnership between the County and the City of Hickory. He further went over the costs, attendance, and revenues associated with the pools. He acknowledged that cities don't get into Swimming Pool operations to make a profit. It is a service provided to citizens and is supported by general tax dollars. The total costs to rebuild the two pools would be $740,850.
They realized that (cost) number was close to what it would cost for state of the art aquatics. They decided that they need to figure out the best way to provide aquatic recreation to the people of Hickory. He then went over the needs assessment provided by Site Solutions. Staff Recommends that Council follow through on Parks and Rexcreation Meet to discuss the issue and hold charettes around the city to get feedback from citizens throughout the city.
The Mayor made a motion to proceed with the program and asks Parks and Recreation to study and recommend the type of aquatic recreation that the City would provide. He then stated that they would set aside as much time as needed for citizen input.
At the end of the meeting, the Mayor stated that two people had signed up requesting to be heard. He stated that others, who had not signed up, would be allowed to be heard. He stated that they (council) do not ever like to leave a meeting where they have a serious topic and someone says they wanted to be heard, but didn't get a chance. He asked that everyone be polite and respectful of one another.
Karen Hoyle was the first citizen to speak. She thanked the city council for allowing the Democratic process of allowing citizen input on this matter. She stated that at the last City Council meeting and the Ridgeview meeting that they have been presented with statistics that show low pool usage and revenue as main points to justify closure of both pools.
She wanted to go on record with a couple of key points that have been left out of those statistics. They have requested maintenance records over a ten year period (1999-2009). They have yet to receive or review these records. They were told that they could come to city hall and review the records, but due to the amount they were asking for, these could not be provided by staff.
Why is this important? Because they believe it is the lack or disregard of maintenance on the system that has kept the pool from functioning as it should that has brought us to where we are today.
Number 2 is because of Cause and Effect. Because of the lack of proper maintenance (upkeep) and no recreational programming that involved community use of the pool greatly affects the usage and revenues that have been quoted and the conditions of the pool today.
Number 3, they requested a line item breakdown of the cost of approximately $825,000, a number that was stated by city administration since we began this very public debate. We have been given proposals to do the work, but no itemization as to what the county/state requires to be done in detail. We ask that before you ask the Parks and Recreation Department to fund the study of an aquatic park, that you allow the community to present a compromise to the commission for you review and discussion. No maintenance, no upkeep, no programming equals low usage and deteriorating conditions that have led to pool closures.
Duane Muhammad next addressed the Council. He stated that it had been 19 years since he last addressed the council in regards to the Ridgeview community. He believe that since that time that we the community and local government made great progress as it realtes to upgrading as it relates to services and facilities in the community. The key to this progress was the ability to come together and establish dialogue. Dialogue being defined in this case as a discussion intended to produce an agreement, which we believe is the best way to resolve the problem.
It seems as if the Ridgeview community comes off as kind of selfish. That we want what we want at the expense of other parts of the city. We take exception to the fact that we are low income and that title is consistently attached to our community. There are many hard working tax payers who own homes in the Ridgeview community. He uses to word community instead of neighborhood, because many who frequent the Ridgeview community do not live in the Ridgeview community. Ridgeview is a codeword to say People of Color in the Southwest part of town. We also have changed demographics. We are no longer primarily African American. We now have Hispanics and Asians that live with us.
We have worked hard to rebuild and correct misconceptions about the community. But,
we find ourselves once again facing losing something. First communities, through the streets and roads (Tate boulevard, Highway 127) that split the community. Then the schools, we lost our schools, and with our schools the children left the neighborhood. And we have had to consistently fight to keep the library and the recreation center. We fight to keep these things, because we feel that the southside is a safe place to visit and enjoy oneself and we want people to come to this side of town without having to leave and feeling threatened by some ort of criminal element. When we are not part of the discussion involving change and taking away something such as the pool that is dear to generations of families that live in the neighborhood, then we find ourselves fighting again.
This did not have to happen. We didn't have to be here with signs... tv cameras... We didn't have to be here in this manner. But, we believe that someone changed the rules that we have been working with for many, many years. They agreed to sit down and dialogue like they had done in so many years previous. I challenge you to rethink where we are headed and begin the dialogues that were so successful yesterday and continue them today, because if we do not do that, then as you can see today there is no person of color (on the council). And if there was a person of color that is one vote. We have to dialogue and if we don't dialogue, then we can never have a proper voice in city government. I challenge you as leaders of this community to begin that process again. and before you make any more decisions like you hav just made regarding the pool situation that you come (dialogue)... You mentioned the charettes, it's good, but it is a little late. If you had done that earler, then we would not be where we are right now.
Jerry Lum next addressed the council. He stated that he wants to speak to the pool as one issue, but first he wants to speak about our children. Catawba County has the highest obsity rate in North Carolina. Swimming is a great way to exercise. An aquatic center would be an awesome asset for both young and the old. He doesn't understand why this isn't an issue and why this isn't addressed.
Last year we had an issue with the water and everyone jumped in. Why? because they were going to lower the lake levels and what does that do to property values? It lowers it.
Lets look at our kids, can we put a value on our kids? And our Parks and Rec Program on what it takes to get more active... To get them more educated on portion size and the exercise they need? These kids in elementary school now, afterschool programs, what do they do? They go in the gym and play on these mats. Can the city not take some of these deserted buildings... make a gymnastics facility... use public transit to go get these kids and get them active after sitting in school for six hours. That's how we are going to change. We have to change. This is an epidemic! Do you realize what kind of crisis this is. Does anyone know where we rank in the 50 states as far as obesity? We are number five in North Carolina.
You talk about business growth, economic growth and people coming in here. Companies are not stupid. They are going to look at these rates... for insurance, work related... they're going to look at our kids. They are our future and I think there is not enough talk and action about our kids today. They're going to run this. If we want it to be a retirement home town, which is fine, but people retire. What do we do when they're gone? You need young people. That is what is going to thrive your community. There is no reason why you can't have a balance like was talked about on the (City of Hickory) Logo. But, if you don't take care of your children now... The rate has doubled in ten years. This is not like an on and off switch. It has been increasing. Have we heard about it? Have we tried to help?
There was a study 30 years ago about how our basketball court size (number) was not adequate for the population... We built the new center... Our Parks and Rec are still not up to par with other communities. We don't have enough space, so we are renting school gyms out. Those gyms have not been resurfaced for 30 years. Soccer fields are only now being maintained. Walking tracks would be good around Neill Clark Park. We just had a survey guy (Site Solutions) come in here for $115,000 and tell us this. He said we have too many small parks. Our Mayor said they are beautiful in the morning. Here's your sign -- Childhood Obesity. Thank You.
Rebecca Inglefield next addressed the council. She stated that she is greatful for the participation. She said she looked at this this beautiful sign and we wish we could go back to 100 years ago and remember the segregation (sarcasm). She said she was greatful for the opportunity to come together. If we want to be a retirement community and invite businesses, the people are going to evaluate how we handle this issue. She hopes that you leaders will show energy and initiative to make sure that people see that we care about race relations. This will be a test... This is a chance to show that we are a beloved community... This is our chance.
Jessie McArthur next addressed the council. He moved to Hickory and was so impressed, but he must say that since he has been here and become more involved in what is going on, that he is disappointed. He stated that he was considering moving. Who wants to bring their family, their kids, themselves, and their business to a city where things just don't get done.
Dr. Joseph Inglefield was the next to speak. He is a local physician (allergist). He is a pediactrician. The childhood obesity issue is a huge problem with the patients that he sees every day. He knows one of the best activities they participate in is swimming. He is a swimmer and water polo player and he can't think of a better way to help the children in this local community and bring the community together than to do something about these pools and to get a facility that would be used by the entire community.
There is such a great need and theare so many ways of how it can be successful. Primarily, we should be thinking of and emphasizing the kids. And he thinks about the kids today in 95 degree weather and no pool or place to go cool off. Kids would love to go to the pool. You also want to have programming for those kids -- swimming lessons. Every time he sees that someone has drowned it just sickens him, because he knows that we have an opportunity to teach people how to swim -- among the black people especially. There are a large group of people that never learn how to swim. It is frustrating. We can save lives, literally save lives, by having programming in a pool. There are so many other things you can do, rehabilitation, water aerobics, swim teams...
What he envisions is a community wide facility that we all feel comfortable using and we all want to go to. He rtravels to charlotte weekly to their aquatic center, because they have programming there that he wishes they had in Hickory. He drives an hour to go do that. We can have the same facility here. We can have the same programming here. It is just a matter of having some vision about it and realizing the opportunities we have. We should grasp that opportunity... We have a community mobilized now... We should take full advantage of that.
The Mayor stated that he has spoken to staff about developing a program to address obesity. Those statistics did not escape our notice. Alot of us share Dr. Inglefield's vision of water facilities that are community based. The Parks and Recreation Division is in charge of advising us. The rights of all of the people in Hickory are important to every person on the council.
We have a lot of priorities. Pay raises, Jobs, Controlling the tax rate. All of these are Quality of Life issues for all of us. A park in the NorthEast (Cloninger Mill). We have some tough priorities, that cost money, and we are entering into a time where we have never had less certainty of where those dollars are going to come from. But, we have heard you tonight and I have been very pleased with your committment to be here and pleased with how we had our say. And the silent people with signs.
The Hound believes that this issue, in many ways, reflects the lack of passion and compassion encompassing the leadership of this community. Yesterday, I called into the First Talk program on WHKY and spoke to the Mayor. One of the things that I stated to him is something that I truly believe. Mayor Wright does see the faces behind these monetary issues that we face in the city and many times the people in the City administration are just concentrating on the bottom line.
Too many times we have looked at doing things the "City Government" way. We can't help a lady, by putting a car in her backyard, because of liability. But, we can crawl all over someones property investigating and assessing code violations?
Mr. Lum made many excellent points when he addressed the council. His rankings were a little off (NC was the 10th fattest adult state and the 11th fattest child state). But he is correct that Catawba County is worse than average in North Carolina Child Obesity rankings. Although we aren't the worst, the numbers are still alarming and his summation is correct. We have to get kids more active.
The city doesn't want to do anything and it is all about the money issue. You can see in their faces that they aren't convinced. Even the representative of Ward 4, Hank Guess, which encompasses both of these pools, didn't give the issue the attention that it deserves. Alderman Guess's comments at the end of this meeting on Tenant-LandLord agreements was bizarre. That was not what his ward wanted to hear from him and what he stated about the issue he addressed was barely audible. I will devote space to Hank's issue in the full newsletter, but people came to this meeting about the pools. They are his constituents, not the police, not the City of Hickory Bureaucracy. It is about the people. A government of, by, and for the people.
Hank needed to step up and speak his mind to his constituents (positive or negative) about these pools. The people around me seemed shocked. One lady yelled "Speak up!" and another gentleman seemed exasperated saying, "Oh Man" when Hank went into his comments that had nothing to do with the pool issue that these people were there for.
Duane Muhammad basically extended a hand to the Council in his comments. He is basically asking City Officials to at least communicate with the South Side before they make decisions that affect them. That shouldn't only go for the south side, but for every side of town. Why is there not better communication between City Officials and the people of Hickory? It is just like these pool statistics. I want to thank Manager Berry and his staff for giving us some numbers, but we still need some communication.
Ms. Hoyle and Dr. Inglefield also had some excellent comments. You have to maintain the pools and you have to have programs to go with the pools. It's all about vision and Vision is more than a word. It is a sense and a state of mind. I think of the possibilities of having a couple of restaurants and a spa as a public-private partnership at the city pool. The city can work with a private company to develop the restaurant and/or Spa and give them a 25 year lease. This is the same type of arrangement the city has with the hangars at the airport.
Wilmington, NC, where I went to College, has a city pool and a Municipal Golf course. I came back to this town after graduating college and lived in a little apartment off of 2nd Ave with my grandmother -- the best and most honest roomate I ever had. I have worked hard and done the right things and I thought eventually I'd get somewhere. What I have seen, is this town continue to go downhill and the pace has accelerated as the last decade has gone on.
Things looked like they were good in the 1990s and I saved my money towards fulfilling my goal of buying a house. And I did it the right way. I was patient and I thought this city would continue to grow, so I stuck to my path. Nose to the grindstone, 100 degree nights in kitchens, long days preparing food and hot nights playing beat the clock and the odds. People have no clue about how hard the restaurant business is and how little reward there is for someone who works in a kitchen in Hickory, NC. It beats the heck out of you Mentally and Physically.
I saved $15,000 to be able to get into a position to acquire the mortgage on my house. If I had the mentality of the City of Hickory, I would have probably never pulled the trigger. I could Monday Morning quarterback and say that if I had bought Gold instead, then I'd have $40,000+ off of that money. But, I enhanced my Quality of Life through the purchase of this house and I believed it to be a priority. If The City of Hickory isn't going to maintain facilities, upgrade facilities, or build new facilities when the time arises, then why is the city in the Parks and Recreation business at all?
It's disheartening to see the lack of compassion towards the working class in this community. It is almost like the reactions of a computer looking at something. Anything besides numbers does not compute. I truly think about those children in the poorer sections of town. And no, things aren't going to get better over night. They aren't going to get better until we change who we are as a people. Here or across the nation or wherever.
I plead with you to do whatever you have to do, not what you can do, whatever you have to do to get a pool open. Because your lack of compassion has been met by an equal and opposite reaction from these people. And they have passion and you can see that they aren't going to give up. Show some passion towards this subject and don't come up with artificial numbers to justify not getting this done. You need to get it done.
Some of us have been here all of our lives and others come here and look at this community as a stepping stone or a way along a career path. When I was a kid, I looked forward to going to the pool and you can't tell me that these kids don't want to go to the pool. Let's create the opportunity for these kids that past generations had and that we would want for our own kids. Let's look at them as our own children and do the right thing.
The History of this issue on the Hound:
More than Pools
Hickory City Pools -- Told You So 8)
Continuing the Rant - The City of Hickory's Budget
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of June 15, 2010
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of May 4, 2010
HDR Editorial - Hickory council needs a member with vision
The City Council Candidate Forum Last Night - 10/29/2009 - (Audio Available)
From the Hickory Daily Record - Election issues discussed at forum
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Personal Strategies against a Government Policy Sponsoring Destitution by Warren Pollock
The policies being enacted worldwide are drawing down savings, income potential, entitlements, and pensions. The economic tsunami will hit individuals head on. A strategy might be to reduce your consumption profile down towards zero with less reliance on fickle income streams. Even with a narrow economic profile we still cannot avoid this storm, mostly because of policies on a worldwide basis. These policies are designed to harm individuals under the false promise of reform or responsible budgeting.
In the US we will be mandated to spend on certain items and they will also be hit with arbitrary fees fines and laws. At some point many of these laws will violate rights to such an extent or be frankly impossible to comply with that we will be in a global society of law breakers. Noti a single person has yet to be held criminally responsible for fraudulent activities related to the largest financial scandal of history. Instead average-citizen-individuals are paying the price for systemic malfeasance while at the same time they are being squeezed by legal based and financial based capitalism.
*** People are being forced to reduce discretionary spending and eventually they will be forced to disobey laws (and regulations) that are impractical and many times illegal, because they cannot afford to comply. We are caught up in a tsunami of corruption. People need to hunker down and get into a low profile personal economic situation.
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of July 20, 2010
This newsletter is about the Hickory City Council meeting that I attended this past week. City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each Month in the Council Chambers of the Julian Whitener building.
At the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.
At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, you will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.
Here is a summary of the agenda of the 7/20/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below
Invocation by Chaplain Robert Ford of Frye Hospital.
Special Presentations:
A. Recognition of Alderman Danny Seaver’s Retirement From Hickory Public Schools With
Thirty-Four Years of Service in Education - The Mayor paid tribute to Alderman Seaver for helping others. He has served on the Council since 1998, he was born in Kingsport, TN, and is married to his wife Elaine Seaver and they have three children. He attended Appalachian State and received his Masters from Lenoir-Rhyne and Mathematics from the University of Georgia. He began teaching Math at Hickory High School in 1997. He has been a teacher for 34 years. He has been an advisor to the Key club for 27 years at West Caldwell and Hickory High.
B. Presentation by Amanda Edwards Regarding the Success of the 2010 Charity Chase
Half Marathon and to Thank the City of Hickory for Its Support - Amanda is the founder of this 13.1 mile event that is organized by a small group of volunteers. The goal is to have an event to raise money to give back to the community. This was the fifth annual event. The event has grown from 218 participants to over 600 participants from 13 states and 3 countries. $13,600 were raised and given to local charitable organizations. Over its existence, over $43,000 have been given to charities. Here is a link to the organizations's Facebook page. She also presented a plaque to thank the city for its help and cooperation in coordinating this event.
The Hound believes that this is a great event in the city and Ms. Edwards has a lot to be proud of. We need more spirit like this from our people. People are to be admired who take it upon themselves to just make things happen.
C. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions - Hickory City Council honored 28 citizens for serving on one of its 13 Boards and Commissions.
Consent Agenda:
A. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Fairview Cemetery From Larry Kimble Wiles to Adam Shawn Conley
B. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Fairview Cemetery From Larry Kimble Wiles to Terry Lee Reinhardt and Linda Rebels Reinhardt
C. Proclamation Declaring June 20, 2010 as Salvation Army of Greater Hickory “Kent and Melody Davis Day” in the City of Hickory
D. Renewal of Taxicab and Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire Franchises
Company - Taxicabs / Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire
Select Car Service - 0 / 1
Yellow Cab - 10 / 3
Mile High Enterprises dba Hickory Hop - 0 / 4
Diamond Cab of Hickory - 3 / 0
Total - 13 / 8
Annually, these companies apply for a renewal of their taxicab and other passenger vehicle for hire franchise. The fee for FY 2010-11 is $22.50 per vehicle. A total of $472.50 (21 vehicles) has been collected.
E. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to Countywide Insurance Agency, Inc. for Property Located at 536 Highway 70, SW in the Amount of $10,032.00 - Countywide Insurance Agency, Inc. has applied for such a grant in the amount of $15,200.00 to assist in the demolition of a building located at 536 Highway 70, SW and plans to spend approximately $30,400 for demolition. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval of a reduced grant in the amount of $10,032 due to the impact on the City’s tax base and the fact that no building plans have been submitted to the develop the site.
F. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to El Tio Food Systems, LLC for Property Located at 1180 Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, SE in the Amount of $25,000.00 - El Tio Food Systems, LLC has applied for such a grant in the amount of $25,000.00 to assist in the renovation of the exterior of the facility to attract a retail or restaurant tenant by replacing the roof, landscape improvements, and replacement of windows, doors and exterior lighting. The applicant plans to invest approximately $53,000.00 for said renovation with an additional investment of $100,000 to the interior of the building. There is no end user identified at this time. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval of $25,000.
G. Adopt Resolution in Opposition of Collective Bargaining by Local Governments - Adoption of this Resolution opposes efforts at the state and federal level that will force local governments to participate in collective bargaining with public safety employees and other work units. The City of Hickory operates under the council-manager form of government while using professional practices for hiring, compensation and workplace policies. Should the current laws change allowing Congress to mandate or the General Assembly to permit local government employers to recognize and collectively bargain with local government employee units, it would be highly disruptive to the efficient and timely provision of government services.
H. Approve Budget Amendment to the Brownfield Assessment Grant Program - The City of Hickory received two (2) $200,000.00 grants in 2007 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to conduct brownfield assessments. The Budget Amendment request is to the existing professional services agreement with Hart & Hickman, PC in order to allow for the completion of additional Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments and Redevelopment Planning Activities due to strong demand. The amendment to the contractual budget will increase the expenditures of “professional services” in both the Hazardous Substance and Petroleum Substance budgets by $36,300.00 each. The USEPA has approved this budget amendment request.
I. Resolution of Intent for Petition of City of Hickory to Close 16-Foot Alley Adjacent to City-Owned Property Located Behind Bank of Granite Building Between Main Avenue, NW and 1st Avenue, NW (Authorize Public Hearing for August 17, 2010)
J. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To appropriate $300 of General Fund Balance and budget in the International Council line item. The International Council received a $300 of Springfest Donation too late in the fiscal year to budget; therefore funds rolled into General Fund Balance. A total of $300 is being appropriated from General Fund Balance and budgeted in the FY10-11 International Council line item.
2. To re-appropriate $15,000 of General Fund Balance and budget an additional $5,500 of General Fund Balance in the Library Department's Capital Improvements’ line item. Friends of the Library committed $15,000 toward the Patrick Beaver Library conference room addition; however funds rolled into General Fund Balance at year end and therefore a re-appropriation is necessary. An additional $5,500 appropriation is necessary to fund the entire cost of the conference room addition.
3. To appropriate $15,000 of Miscellaneous Multi-year Grant funds and budget in the Fire Department part time salaries and FICA taxes line items. The Fire Department received a 2009 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the US Department of Homeland Security for a smoke and carbon monoxide detector residential program. Part of the program allocates $15,000 for a part time position to assist in the delivery of these products.
Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel Expenses to 2010 Town Hall Day in Raleigh, NC on June 16, 2010; registration - $20.00
New Business - Departmental Reports:
Staff Update on Branding and Marketing Project - This project is currently underway with the assistance of the City’s Business Development Committee and is in the process of interviewing firms to develop a comprehensive branding and marketing campaign. Some of the key elements that will be focused on will be research of the public regarding attitude, perception, opportunities and challenges of the City’s image; emphasis on delivering the message via visual, printed, media, etc.; development of strategies and tactical plans of the message; working with local portal development team on the message and defining how the core message is expanded to existing Economic Development Corporation and Convention and Visitors Bureau initiatives.
Mandy Pitts and Alan Jackson made the presentation to the Council. Five things were discussed. I) What is branding and marketing?
Adjustments in expenditures to make up for $3.8 million shortfall
At the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.
At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, you will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.
Here is a summary of the agenda of the 7/20/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below
Invocation by Chaplain Robert Ford of Frye Hospital.
Special Presentations:
A. Recognition of Alderman Danny Seaver’s Retirement From Hickory Public Schools With
Thirty-Four Years of Service in Education - The Mayor paid tribute to Alderman Seaver for helping others. He has served on the Council since 1998, he was born in Kingsport, TN, and is married to his wife Elaine Seaver and they have three children. He attended Appalachian State and received his Masters from Lenoir-Rhyne and Mathematics from the University of Georgia. He began teaching Math at Hickory High School in 1997. He has been a teacher for 34 years. He has been an advisor to the Key club for 27 years at West Caldwell and Hickory High.
B. Presentation by Amanda Edwards Regarding the Success of the 2010 Charity Chase
Half Marathon and to Thank the City of Hickory for Its Support - Amanda is the founder of this 13.1 mile event that is organized by a small group of volunteers. The goal is to have an event to raise money to give back to the community. This was the fifth annual event. The event has grown from 218 participants to over 600 participants from 13 states and 3 countries. $13,600 were raised and given to local charitable organizations. Over its existence, over $43,000 have been given to charities. Here is a link to the organizations's Facebook page. She also presented a plaque to thank the city for its help and cooperation in coordinating this event.
The Hound believes that this is a great event in the city and Ms. Edwards has a lot to be proud of. We need more spirit like this from our people. People are to be admired who take it upon themselves to just make things happen.
C. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions - Hickory City Council honored 28 citizens for serving on one of its 13 Boards and Commissions.
Consent Agenda:
A. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Fairview Cemetery From Larry Kimble Wiles to Adam Shawn Conley
B. Transfer of Cemetery Lot in Fairview Cemetery From Larry Kimble Wiles to Terry Lee Reinhardt and Linda Rebels Reinhardt
C. Proclamation Declaring June 20, 2010 as Salvation Army of Greater Hickory “Kent and Melody Davis Day” in the City of Hickory
D. Renewal of Taxicab and Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire Franchises
Company - Taxicabs / Other Passenger Vehicles For Hire
Select Car Service - 0 / 1
Yellow Cab - 10 / 3
Mile High Enterprises dba Hickory Hop - 0 / 4
Diamond Cab of Hickory - 3 / 0
Total - 13 / 8
Annually, these companies apply for a renewal of their taxicab and other passenger vehicle for hire franchise. The fee for FY 2010-11 is $22.50 per vehicle. A total of $472.50 (21 vehicles) has been collected.
E. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to Countywide Insurance Agency, Inc. for Property Located at 536 Highway 70, SW in the Amount of $10,032.00 - Countywide Insurance Agency, Inc. has applied for such a grant in the amount of $15,200.00 to assist in the demolition of a building located at 536 Highway 70, SW and plans to spend approximately $30,400 for demolition. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval of a reduced grant in the amount of $10,032 due to the impact on the City’s tax base and the fact that no building plans have been submitted to the develop the site.
F. Approve Vacant Building Revitalization Grant “Operation No Vacancy” to El Tio Food Systems, LLC for Property Located at 1180 Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, SE in the Amount of $25,000.00 - El Tio Food Systems, LLC has applied for such a grant in the amount of $25,000.00 to assist in the renovation of the exterior of the facility to attract a retail or restaurant tenant by replacing the roof, landscape improvements, and replacement of windows, doors and exterior lighting. The applicant plans to invest approximately $53,000.00 for said renovation with an additional investment of $100,000 to the interior of the building. There is no end user identified at this time. The Redevelopment Committee reviewed the application and voted to recommend approval of $25,000.
G. Adopt Resolution in Opposition of Collective Bargaining by Local Governments - Adoption of this Resolution opposes efforts at the state and federal level that will force local governments to participate in collective bargaining with public safety employees and other work units. The City of Hickory operates under the council-manager form of government while using professional practices for hiring, compensation and workplace policies. Should the current laws change allowing Congress to mandate or the General Assembly to permit local government employers to recognize and collectively bargain with local government employee units, it would be highly disruptive to the efficient and timely provision of government services.
H. Approve Budget Amendment to the Brownfield Assessment Grant Program - The City of Hickory received two (2) $200,000.00 grants in 2007 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to conduct brownfield assessments. The Budget Amendment request is to the existing professional services agreement with Hart & Hickman, PC in order to allow for the completion of additional Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments and Redevelopment Planning Activities due to strong demand. The amendment to the contractual budget will increase the expenditures of “professional services” in both the Hazardous Substance and Petroleum Substance budgets by $36,300.00 each. The USEPA has approved this budget amendment request.
I. Resolution of Intent for Petition of City of Hickory to Close 16-Foot Alley Adjacent to City-Owned Property Located Behind Bank of Granite Building Between Main Avenue, NW and 1st Avenue, NW (Authorize Public Hearing for August 17, 2010)
J. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To appropriate $300 of General Fund Balance and budget in the International Council line item. The International Council received a $300 of Springfest Donation too late in the fiscal year to budget; therefore funds rolled into General Fund Balance. A total of $300 is being appropriated from General Fund Balance and budgeted in the FY10-11 International Council line item.
2. To re-appropriate $15,000 of General Fund Balance and budget an additional $5,500 of General Fund Balance in the Library Department's Capital Improvements’ line item. Friends of the Library committed $15,000 toward the Patrick Beaver Library conference room addition; however funds rolled into General Fund Balance at year end and therefore a re-appropriation is necessary. An additional $5,500 appropriation is necessary to fund the entire cost of the conference room addition.
3. To appropriate $15,000 of Miscellaneous Multi-year Grant funds and budget in the Fire Department part time salaries and FICA taxes line items. The Fire Department received a 2009 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the US Department of Homeland Security for a smoke and carbon monoxide detector residential program. Part of the program allocates $15,000 for a part time position to assist in the delivery of these products.
Informational Items:
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s Travel Expenses to 2010 Town Hall Day in Raleigh, NC on June 16, 2010; registration - $20.00
New Business - Departmental Reports:
Staff Update on Branding and Marketing Project - This project is currently underway with the assistance of the City’s Business Development Committee and is in the process of interviewing firms to develop a comprehensive branding and marketing campaign. Some of the key elements that will be focused on will be research of the public regarding attitude, perception, opportunities and challenges of the City’s image; emphasis on delivering the message via visual, printed, media, etc.; development of strategies and tactical plans of the message; working with local portal development team on the message and defining how the core message is expanded to existing Economic Development Corporation and Convention and Visitors Bureau initiatives.
Mandy Pitts and Alan Jackson made the presentation to the Council. Five things were discussed. I) What is branding and marketing?
- A) More than a logo - Part of the Wayfinding Program
B) Finding out who we are through statistical researcha) Active Adults? Professionals? Entrepreneurs? - Research need to
confirm
good fits for the community
b) Who are our competitors and what is our niche
C) Creating Awareness to various audiencesa) Economic Developers, Visitors, Residents, Those looking to relocate, and more
- D) Developing a multi-year plan of action
a) To regularly communicate various messages to various groups through different mediums
b) Set measurable goals for progress.
II) Results of successful branding and marketing - McKinney, Texas has a similar Metropolitan population to our own (pop. 128,000). One year after their introduction of a marketing campaign they have seen a 22% increase in hotel/motel tax revenue, 17% increase in sales tax revenue, a $1 billion increase in new investment, 5 million square increase in new property, and McKinney is now #5 on Money Magazines best places to live (July 2010). McKinney officials stated that the successes came through repackaging what they had, figuring out who others thought they were, and addressing the right audiences.
III) How this connects with other economic development (branding and marketing) initiatives that are going on?
A) Wayfinding - Logo Developed after interviews with more than 60 stakeholders. Creates signage to guide visitors and residents to destinations.
B) Collaboration of public and private organizations committed to create a webportal to showcase all facets of the community. Anything you need to know will be packaged in one spot.
IV) The business development committee and where they are in this process - A seven member team looking at opportunities for how we can grow businesses in this area. Bringing in new businesses, as well as trying to expand the businesses that are already here. Create more jobs and new opportunities.
A) 10 Recommendations - The number one recommendation during from the Business Development Committee was "Core Strategic Branding." What is Hickory and how are we packaging it to the outside world.
B) Community Efforts that support branding and marketing - The Catawba County Chamber of Commerce Inter-City Visit, the Economic Development Corporation and Convention and Vistors Bureau, and the Google Initiative. Alan stated that we all know Hickory from the inside. Now we need someone from an outsider's view to come look and tell us their ideas about how we should structure and brand the city.
V) How can Hickory City Council help us throughout this project.
A) Three City Council Members serve on the interview panel with the BDC, EDC, CVB, and city staff. Council Unanimously consented to Alder Patton, Alderman Meisner, and Alderman Guess forming the council member particpants for this group.2. Quarterly Financial Report - Presented by Assistant City manager Warren Wood. There is still activity going on. The final numbers will come with the audit this fall. Warren stated that it was a turbulent year and action was taken early on to to offset losses that they anticipated throughout the year. Things have leveled out as far as revenues, but we aren't seeing any growth. In the General fund the city recognized a $3.8 million loss. This was generally attributable to sales tax revenue dropping off and sales tax revenue dropping off dramatically. Together these two sources of revenue encompassed $1.5 million of the $3.8 million loss that had to be made up.
B) Timeline - Interview four firms week of August 2. Recommend a firm at the September City
Council meeting. Selected firm begins work in October.
Adjustments in expenditures to make up for $3.8 million shortfall
1) Continued Hiring Freeze - first initiated in January 2009. 36 positions are now vacant.
2) Froze Contingency Fund
3) Reorganized some Departments
4) Began the process of bringing some contracted services in-house - particularly landscaping
5) Cut Off purchase orders two weeks early
6) Travel requests approved by manager's office
7) Retirements incentives offered - generated 20 retirees that will help in the upcoming year.
The General Fund Revenues should be 94.73% (5 year average), but is currently 89.34%. That is a significant swing to make up. Expenditures should be 94.36% (5 year average), but with savings the amount expended is currently 91.9%. The net impact means that the City has spent approximately $55,000 more than it has taken in. The Water and Sewer fund has also followed the same pattern as the General Fund.
Catawba County revaluates "Real" property (land and buildings) every 4 years. This will go into effect on January 1, 2011.
Currently 53% of Hickory's "Real" tax base is residential. 47% is commercial and industrial. The numbers are shown in the chart below. The estimate shown, in the below calculations, shows that we will see a 1.85% drop in revenues associated with Real estate in the City of Hickory. That would mean an approximate $350,000 drop in revenues.
The Potential Impact - With residential values increasing slightly and commercial/industrial values decreasing more significantly, any increase in property tax rate would have the impact of shifting more of the property tax burden on residential property tax payers.
With the numbers presented, adopting a revenue neutral tax tax rate would mean increasing the tax rate. Depending upon appeals, adopting a revenue neutral rate would mean an increase of 1 to 2 cents.
The Hound can't say enough about Warren Wood's management of the budget. He has done an excellent job and the paring that has taken place will help the city grow, if the economy recovers. And if the recovery happens, this city is poised to recover faster than others.
I know that they get antsy when someone starts talking about dipping into the Undesignated Fund Balance. I understand the cushion. I think Warren performs a great financial presentation and I understand why he always tries to throw that hope in there that the economy is going to pick up.
But, I don't work for the city, so I can give you my view. We are in a general malaise and there will be bounces along the way down. Tax revcenues will remain stagnant, but they won't fall because inflation will increase prices and thus sales tax, but people will continue to reduce consumption so it will balance out.
I don't see how the county is going to appraise properties at an increase. The people that I know that have looked into selling their property are getting offers below their valuations from four years ago. He is correct about commercial and industrial. Look at all of the empty buildings throughout town, especially Highway 70 west, which has some huge empty buildings that were occupied up until last year.
So, as you read here last year, your property tax rates will have to rise. The key is new modern industry and jobs. If and when this ever happens, then we could turn into a boomtown again, but it will take a willingness to take chances, be innovative, original, and entrepreneurial to make that happen.
3. Update Regarding Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Staff will review a fact sheet containing usage and cost information related to the City’s decision to close the Ridgeview and George Ivey swimming pools, requested by Mayor Wright during the June 15, 2010 City Council meeting. Included are the circumstances related to the pools closing and the cost estimates from two (2) companies to repair both pools. Staff recommends City Council ask its Parks and Recreation Commission to study and recommend the role and type of aquatic recreation the City should provide.
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of July 20, 2010 - Addendum on the Hickory City Pools
***Attorney Crone gave an update on Electronic Gaming Establishments - The State of North Carolina passed a ban on electronic gaming set to take effect in December 2010. There will probably be some litigation involved that may delay the enforcement. Atty Crone and City Atty Arnita Dula have reviewed what is happening in other juridiction. Presently there are 15 other juridiction in North Carolina that have enacted Ordinances concernin Electronic Gaming type establishments.
They are fairly in five areas concerning the definition of Electronic gaming. Other aspects are minimum distances between establishments, location near other types of institutions (church's and schools), hours of operation, and limitation on the number of terminals (machines).
Attorney Crone recommended discussed a couple of other issues, including discussions about the above subjects to get some consistency on the issue Alderman Meisner asked about grandfathering of legislation. Atty Crone also mentioned Moratorium and priviledge licence possibilities. In the discussion it was brought up that the State has chosen to ban these machines, instead of allowing them and taxing them. Mayor Wright stated that he would be disappointed that if in the mean time someone said that it was easier to locate the machines here than somewhere else. He stated that he is getting feedback that they are not good tenants and they are not going to allow it. Alderman Lail stated that the Moratorium seems attractive until the State decides, because this thing could turn a couple more times. Atty Crone mentioned that there would be a time limit. Alder patton asked and Atty Crone stated that he would try to get the information out and be ready for the next meeting.
The Hound believes that this shows that the city should have gone ahead and passed the ordinance that was prepared at the June 15th meeting
***Alderman Guess at the end of the meeting brought up the subject that he stated he has heard at neighborhood meetings. The issue of Landlords and Tenants. We hear about the conditions that tenants live in and the issue that they have with landlords. It appears that many time the police department has to intervene and rectify the situation with thoose tenants. He asked Manager Berry to appoint the appropriate staff necessary to take a look at the issues and concerns that the people and the community have with regards to landlords and tenants, just like we're doing with the pools and come back with some recommendations... Most of the issues deal with the tenants and once they are in there it takes some time to get them evicted. And generally that falls upon the burden of the police department. Hopefully there is something we can do that will help in that type of situation.
Manager Berry stated that City Council looked at that issue a year and a half or two years ago. They will certainly revisit that again. It's not easy. It is a very difficult issue to deal with. You have federal housing laws. Mayor Wright added that it is frustrating for other tenants to have a bad tenant and you can't get them out. Alderman Guess stated that it seems like a revolving door and there must be some kind of way to stop that revolving door. It does put a burden on the police department....
Alder Fox asked if he was talking about tenants or absentee landlords? Alderman Guess said he thinks it is both. Alder Fox stated that they have looked at the landlords and that's a problem ... Manager Berry stated that they would be glad to revisit it again, but there is no silver bullet. To do what other cities have done (That they've looked into) was going to be a costly, burdensome program. Alderman Guess said that he has heard that some communities require a background check on tenants.
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