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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of October 4, 2011

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 right of this page under Main Information links is an Hickory's City Website link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the left of the page you will see the Agenda's and Minutes link you need to click. This will give you a choice of PDF files to upcoming and previous meetings.

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 10/4/2011 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:

Please remember that pressing Ctrl and + will magnify the text and page and pressing Ctrl and - will make the text and page smaller. This will help the readability for those with smaller screens and/or eye difficulties. 

Invocation by Rev. Susan Smith, Assistant Pastor at Exodus Outreach Church

Special Presentations:
A. Presentation of Proclamation to Members of Housing Visions Continuum of Care (Sean Jarman – Catawba County Social Services and Stefanie Fortuna – Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministries) Declaring the Week of November 13 – 20, 2011 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in the City of Hickory

Whereas for the past several years the National Coalition for the Homeless and National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness has sponsored National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and the housing vision continuum of care has been actively working to end hunger and homelessness in Hickory and Catawba County; Whereas the purpose of this proclamation is to educate the public about the many reasons people are hungry and homeless, including shortage of affordable housing and to encourage support for homeless assistance service providers as well as community service opportunities for students and school service organizations; whereas there are many organizations committed to sheltering and providing supported services, as well as meals and food supplies to the homeless, including the Salvation Army, Grace House, Family Care, Safe Harbor, Family Guidance, Local Veterans serving Veterans, CVCC, The Shepherds Heart, New Life Church, Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry, menta;l heath Partners, Catawba County United Way, Exodus Homes, The Department of Social Services, ALFA, Catawba County Behavioral Healthcare, Our Father’s Pavilion, Sipe’s Orchard Home, and many more community partners. Now therefore I, Rudy Wright, Mayor of the City of Hickory, NC on behalf of the entire City Council proclaim the Week of November 13 – 20, 2011 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in the City of Hickory.


B. Presentation of Proclamation to Pam Elske-Leonetti and Nancy Hosterman of Frye Regional Medical Center Declaring the Month of October, 2011 as National Physical Therapy Month in the City of Hickory

Whereas the City of Hickory encourages options for an active and healthy lifestyle and whereas Frye Regional Medical Center speaks for the best interests of the public in recommending physical therapy by a licensed physical therapist to achieve physical fitness and whereas through a national effort Frye Regional Medical Center and Community members are encouraged to join together to raise awareness of preventative health during the month of October 2011 and whereas this effort will bring awareness to our community and around the country of healthier and more active lifestyles. Now therefore Rudy Wright mayor of the City of Hickory, NC therefore proclaims the Month of October, 2011 as National Physical Therapy Month in the City of Hickory.


C. Presentation of Proclamation – Declaring the Week of October 9 – 15, 2011 as Fire Prevention Week in the City of Hickory

Whereas the City of Hickory is committed to ensuring safety and security of all those living in and visiting our city; Whereas Fire is a serious public safety concern, both locally and nationally and homes are the location where people are at the greatest risk; whereas home fires killed more than 2,500 people in the United States in 2009 and fire departments in the United states responded to more than 360,000 home fires; Whereas cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and associated injury and the third leading cause of home fire deaths; whereas heating and electrical equipment and smoking materials are among the leading causes of all reported home fires; whereas home candle fires are reported to a U.S. Fire Department every thirty minutes; whereas working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in half; whereas the 2011 fire prevention week, “It’s fire prevention week, protect your family” effectively works to remind us all of the simple actions we can take to keep our families safe and secure. Therefore on behalf of Hickory City Council, I hereby proclaim the Week of October 9 – 15, 2011 as Fire Prevention Week in the City of Hickory . The Mayor mentioned the fact that there has only been one death in the City of Hickory in 15 years.

D. Presentation of Proclamation – Declaring the Month of October, 2011 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in the City of Hickory

Whereas we recognize the vital role that technology has in our daily lives and in the future of our state and nation; whereas today many citizens, schools, libraries, businesses, and other organizations use the internet for a variety of tasks including keeping in contact with family and friends, managing personal finances, performing research, enhancing education, and conducting business; whereas critical sectors are increasingly reliant on information systems to support financial services, energy, telecommunications, transportations, utilities, healthcare and emergency response systems and the use of Information technology is integral to teaching, learning and research at the primary and secondary school levels in this State; whereas internet users and information infrastructure face an increasing threat of malicious cyber attack, loss of privacy from spyware and adware and significant personal and privacy losses due to identity theft and fraud; whereas the stop, think and connect campaign is a national effort coordinated by coalitions of private companies, non-profits, and government organizations to help all digital citizens to stay safer and more secure online; whereas maintaining the security of cyber space is a shared responsibility in which each of us has a critical role and awareness of computer security essentials will improve the security of the City of Hickory Information Infrastructure and economy; whereas the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the multi-state information sharing and analysis center, the national association of State Chief Information Officers, and the National Cyber Security Alliance have declared October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Now therefore Rudy Wright mayor of the City of Hickory, NC therefore proclaims the Month of October, 2011 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in the City of Hickory.

Can Hickory Be a Technology Hub (Link)




Consent Agenda:
A. Accept Low Bid to Purchase One (1) Automated Side Loader (Refuse Truck) from Amick Equipment in the Amount of $238,243.68 - Amick Equipment submitted the lowest bid meeting specifications for an automated side loader refuse truck in the amount of $238,243.68. Only one other bid was received. This type of truck is used to service the 95-gallon rollout carts at residences on a daily basis. Approximately 800 homes receive pickup by this type of truck per day utilizing one operator. The funds are budgeted in FY 2011-12, and Staff recommends approval.

B. Municipal Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with NC Department of Transportation for the Upgrade of Traffic Signal System C-5129 To Extend Contract Time from August 13, 2011 to November 11, 2011 - This Municipal Supplement Agreement No. 1 with NC Department of Transportation for the upgrade of Traffic Signal System C-5129 is for the extension of contract time from August 13, 2011 to November 11, 2011. This extension is necessary due to the fact that the contractor was not able to complete the project by the original completion date. No funding changes are involved, and staff recommends approval.


C. Approve Resolution to Discard Library Materials to the Friends of the Library for Their Annual Book Sale on October 13 – 16, 2011 - The Friends of the Library collect donated books and other materials throughout the year for their book sales, the proceeds providing funds for library programming and other special activities. The donated books and materials are out of date, in poor condition or are no longer needed to meet the collection development goals of the library. There are 6,760 discarded library materials to be donated. The proceeds ultimately benefit the library, which is an appropriate means of disposing of unneeded materials. Staff recommends approval.

D. Request for Approval by Hickory Baseball, Inc., Per the Concession Agreement with the City of Hickory, for Events to be Held at L. P. Frans Stadium - Per the concession agreement between the City of Hickory and Hickory Baseball, Inc., Hickory Baseball is requesting approval of the following events to be held at L. P. Frans Stadium:
Thursday, October 6, 2011 Beer and Wine Tasting Event
Saturday, October 15, 2011 Southern Gospel Sing
Saturday, March 3, 2012 High School Baseball Showcase
Saturday, October 15, 2011 Crawdads Fall Fling for Kids (Morning)
Saturday, October 15, 2011 Southern Gospel Sing (Afternoon)

Under the concession agreement, Hickory Baseball has the right to allow non-sports related events at L. P. Frans Stadium with the approval of the Hickory City Council,provided those events do not conflict with an event scheduled by the City of Hickory. Staff recommends approval.


The Hound: Some people might think that this is alright, because it knocks down the Gay people in our community and you are fixated by the extraordinarily sensationalized news reports about parades in San Francoisco or New York and you are saying "Not in my Backyard." But, what are you going to do when they shut down something you support. What about when the City decides they aren't going to stand up for your religious belief or your culture or ethnicity or color or gender. You better learn that we have to "stand together or we will be sure to hang separately." (that is a paraphrased Quote of Benjamin Franklin).

E. Proclamation – Declaring September 24, 2011 as Community Awareness Blood Drive Day in the City of Hickory


F. Ordinance Amending Hickory City Code Chapter 2, Section 2-1 – Residence Requirements for Firefighters, Police Officers and Department Heads (Authorize Public Hearing on October 18, 2011)
October 4, 2011 3

G. Resolution Granting Authority to the Chief of Police to Enter Into Mutual Aid Agreements with other Law Enforcement Agencies - NC law enforcement agencies need the ability to share resources and expertise among agencies pursuant to Mutual Aid Agreements. After the recent hurricane on the NC coast, it was recommended that jurisdictions update the governing body resolutions granting the agency head authorization to enter into Mutual Aid Agreements with other law enforcement agencies. N.C.G.S. 160A-288 requires local law enforcement agencies lending assistance to obtain authorization to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement from the governing body of its city. The statute authorizes the head of the agency to temporarily provide assistance to another agency by loaning officers, equipment, and supplies. Officers working with the requesting agency shall have the same jurisdiction, powers, rights and privileges of that agency in addition to those he/she normally possess. Staff recommends approval of Resolution.

Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To budget $1,000 of Police Department donations in their Departmental Supply line item for the purchase of weights for the physical training room.

2. To appropriate $66,000 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance to the Distribution Division Contracted Services line item. This appropriation is necessary to pay Neil Grading for the emergency repair to a 20" waterline on 12th St. Dr. NW that broke on 09-24-11

3. To transfer $3 from the Police Department Uniform line item to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Grant. The price of the Vests exceeded the approved price and therefore a $3 transfer from the Uniform operational line item to the Grant Project is necessary. The $3 transfer will help pay for the Grant shortfall.


Informational Items
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s travel to Washington, DC on September 12-13, 2011 to attend the North Carolina Business & Economic Summit; hotel - $291.98; per diem - $121.75; airfare - $283.50; mileage - $57.20; airport parking/subway - $11.70.

B. Report of Mayor Wright’s travel to Charlotte, NC on September 20, 2011 to meet with HUD Representatives re affordable housing and health care on behalf of faith based organizations including Exodus Homes, CCM, Social Services, and various other Hickory/Catawba County organizations; Mileage - $67.10.


New Business - Public Hearings
1. Resolution Directing Street Improvement Project be Undertaken Along a Portion of 8th Street NW - No. 01-12 - The City Clerk has received a petition from the owner of property along a portion of 8th Street, NW to install curb and gutter per Section 29-2 of the Hickory City Code. The signatures on the petition represent 100% of the property owners affected. The City Clerk has certified that the Preliminary Resolution adopted by the City Council on September 6, 2011 was mailed by first class mail on September 22, 2011 to the owner of the property subject to assessment should the project be undertaken. This petition comes to the City through the normal curb and gutter process where both the property owner and the City participate in the costs. (Chuck Hanson presentation) Unanimous Consent of Council
.

New Business - Departmental Reports:

1. Status Report on Concord and Kannapolis’ Compliance with IBT Settlement - The May 7, 2010 Inter-Basin Transfer (IBT) Agreement provides that the Cities of Concord and Kannapolis (C-K) are required to comply with withdrawal plans and conservation measures within the first two years of the date of execution of the agreement. Staff continues to monitor compliance with the IBT Agreement.(Yaidee Fox presentation) - Click on the story board to see the display of the Powerpoint presentation.

Originally C-K requested 26 million gallons of water per day (MGD) from the Catawba and 10 million per day from the Yadkin. In January 2006 C-K was permitted by right of petition to take 10MGD from the Catawba and 10MGD from the Yadkin. C-K has to have a plan of conservation and can pull 3MGD through July 2015. After that they are limited to 3MGD until they are pulling 5MGD from the Yadkin. They are looking to obtain water through a pipeline built from Albemarle. Albemarle's agreement is built upon the reduction in need for capacity due to loss of industry in Albemarle.

Manager Berry talked about the legislation that was passed that dramatically increases the burden of proof upon a taking community. He further talked about bills that have been introduced to change the existing IBT architectural agreements. He talked about the need to be down in Raleigh during every session of the General Assembly to talk about the issue and why their was a need to protect our interests.

Alderman Seaver aked who monitors the withdrawal? Essentially it was stated that it has to be withdrawn through the City of Charlotte. There is no existing infrastructure to take 10MGD from the Catawba. C-K would have to pay for this infrastructure. Albemarle is paying for part of the infrastructure (pipeline) to sell the water to C-K. C-K is going to use this water (maximize this capacity, before they build out infrastructure to take water from the Catawba. It will be years before C-K would have a need to pull any water from the Catawba.



The Hound: Water issue is a Straw Man - I know this is an unpopular stand here in this area, but I'm not here to be a populist and I understand people disagreeing, but I still think this issue was about economics. I am here to talk about reality. Y'all jump into that emotional Professional Wrestling Cage Fight Match all day long. The bottom line is that this isn't the issue that we face or that must be addressed. The issue is about restoring growth to our local economy.  We need to devote the kind of energy that we did on this issue towards how to create jobs in this community. How about unfair trade practices? 

If we had a better economy, in the Upper Catawba Region, then no one would have come seeking to draw water out of the Catawba. C-K is all about Charlotte and keeping the metro area of Charlotte within North Carolina Territory. It does not help this State for Charlotte populace to locate in South Carolina. This was all about who was going to bring in revenue. It is about economics.

You can thank the State of South Carolina for getting into the mix on this issue. South Carolina is the entity that swaggered in and changed the subject. South Carolina is what sped up this agreement for Concord-Kannapolis to look for a new source for water (from the Yadkin). Don't believe me, then read it - (Supreme Court Splits in Ruling on Catawba River Dispute - New York Times - Januray 20, 2010)... Why wasn't South Carolina mentioned in this presentation? Could it be that it didn't fit into the model of self importance put forth by locals involving this issue? 

Another thing... How long until communities in our area come after Hickory by saying that the City of Hickory is building its budget and profiteering by monopolizing the business of waterworks in this area. The issue comes back to who does the water belong to? And whose interests are being served? This is not the one sided argument that some purport it to be.


2. Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate for 2011 National League of Cities Annual Business Meeting on November 12, 2011 at the Congress of Cities Exposition in Phoenix, Arizona on November 9-12, 2011 and Designation of Voting Delegate for the North Carolina League of Municipalities Business Meeting to be held in Raleigh on October 24, 2011. The National League of Cities (NLC) Annual Business Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the conclusion of the Congress of Cities and Exposition in Phoenix, Arizona. The vote of each municipality may be cast only by a designated voting delegate or alternate voting delegate. Mayor Wright is the only Council Member who has registered for this conference. The NC League of Municipalities is conducting its annual business meeting in conjunction with the annual conference. NC League rules require each municipality to designate a voting delegate to represent the City in the business meeting, which is on October 24, 2011 at 2:15 p.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center. At this time. Mayor Wright was unanimously consented to be the voting delegate by the Council.

1 comment:

Silence DoGood said...

Well now, ain't that something how the consent agenda was just awash with requests to use L.P. Franz stadium this meeting?!?! I'm surprised the closing statement to the meeting didn't contain the sentence, "keep those cards, letters, and official L.P. Franz requests coming folks! We love to hear from you!"