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 4/3/2012 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:
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Invocation by Rev. Bob Roach, Pastor, First United Methodist Church
Special Presentation
A. Presentation of Proclamation to City of Hickory Public Safety Communications Personnel Declaring the Week of April 8 – 14, 2012 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Mayor Wright delivered the Proclamation.
The Hound agrees that these dispatchers and officers do deserve recognition for their response to emergencies. You never know when it will be you that needs their service. This should not be taken for granted.
B. Presentation of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers Award - The Charlotte Business Journal recognized the City of Hickory, March 21, 2012, as a Healthiest Employer. The City ranked fourth among seven finalists in the large employer category. Healthiest employers are selected based on best practices in the local market for workplace-wellness initiatives. The City’s annual health screenings, programs to reduce high risk factors and the tobacco cessation program were highlighted by the Charlotte Business Journal. Staff will present the award to City Council.
Mike Bennett made the presentation Large Employer category that includes entities that consist of 500 to 5,000 employees. The City was commended for its Smoking Cessation program and health screening program. Mr. Bennett stated that the City has defied skyrocketing costs through this program.
Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting of March 26, 2012
The Hound - I was unable to attend this meeting held last Monday that discussed Resilient Hickory 2012 Presentation and Special Events/Activities Application for Hickory Alive (Downtown Music Concert Series) by Hickory Jaycees on June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22 and June 29, 2012. You can read the minutes at the link.
The Hound was wrong about the Jaycees and the Hickory Alive situation. Everything and every comment pointed to the event not being allowed to continue, but apparently the City Council had a change of heart and they should be commended for that. The event isn't going on as many weekends, but at least it is moving forward and that is great.
Police Chief Tom Adkins next came to the podium. The philosophy of Community Policing starts with these phone calls. These people are the first line of defense. He talked about a couple of incidences of response that were successful. An Elderly gentleman with Alzheimer's was lost and his friend and he had lost contact with their wives. A silver alert was issued. He described the above and beyond the call of duty help provided by dispatchers and officers to help find this man. Chief Adkins then talked about Dispatcher involvement during a power outage caused by a storm on June 11, 2011 at 7pm. Over 400 calls came into the center. They prioritized calls, which resulted in fewer delays in responses. These folks go unrecognized for their duties and the Police Chief thanked the Mayor for recognizing these individuals through this proclamation.
The Hound agrees that these dispatchers and officers do deserve recognition for their response to emergencies. You never know when it will be you that needs their service. This should not be taken for granted.
B. Presentation of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Healthiest Employers Award - The Charlotte Business Journal recognized the City of Hickory, March 21, 2012, as a Healthiest Employer. The City ranked fourth among seven finalists in the large employer category. Healthiest employers are selected based on best practices in the local market for workplace-wellness initiatives. The City’s annual health screenings, programs to reduce high risk factors and the tobacco cessation program were highlighted by the Charlotte Business Journal. Staff will present the award to City Council.
Mike Bennett made the presentation Large Employer category that includes entities that consist of 500 to 5,000 employees. The City was commended for its Smoking Cessation program and health screening program. Mr. Bennett stated that the City has defied skyrocketing costs through this program.
Approval of Minutes of Special Meeting of March 26, 2012
The Hound - I was unable to attend this meeting held last Monday that discussed Resilient Hickory 2012 Presentation and Special Events/Activities Application for Hickory Alive (Downtown Music Concert Series) by Hickory Jaycees on June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22 and June 29, 2012. You can read the minutes at the link.
The Hound was wrong about the Jaycees and the Hickory Alive situation. Everything and every comment pointed to the event not being allowed to continue, but apparently the City Council had a change of heart and they should be commended for that. The event isn't going on as many weekends, but at least it is moving forward and that is great.
Consent Agenda
A. Proclamation – Proclaiming Saturday, April 21, 2012 as Arbor Day in the City of Hickory
B. Proclamation – Proclaiming the Month of April, 2012 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Hickory
C. Proclamation – Celebrating the 95th Birthday of Esther Zenobia Morgan Jett
D. First Amendment to Post Office Parking Lot Lease with US Post Office - In 2007, the City entered into a lease agreement with the US Post Office for 65 spaces for employee parking in a graveled lot located at the corners of 3rd Street SW and 2nd Avenue SW. In 2010, the graveled lot was configured into multiple paved lots as part of the Piedmont Wagon Transfer Station. Prior to the transfer station’s construction, a map showing the configuration of the future paved parking lots was recorded. However, it has been determined that the map was not correct. The City had planned to convey the transfer station property to the Greenway Transit Authority as part of the transfer station project, but the conveyance could not be accomplished with the incorrect map on record. The first amendment to the post office parking lot lease revises the lease to place the correct map on record which shows two paved parking lots the City is leasing to the Post Office that are equivalent in size to the original graveled lot. The map also correctly indicates the other paved lots. Staff recommends approval.
E. Resolutions Approving Terms of Refinancing With BB&T - The Finance Department discovered that the City can refinance current outstanding installment purchase contracts with BB&T and realize significant savings over the remaining life of the debts. Currently, four resolutions are being presented to Council to approve refinancing terms, with all terms staying the same except the interest rate, which will change as follows:
Entity - From - To - Remaining Term of Debt
Convention Center - 3.79% - 1.79% - 7.2 Years
Ridgeview and Highland Recreation - 3.69% - 1.69% - 5.2 Years
Tourism Development Authority - 3.91% - 2.09% - 8.2 Years
Maiden Waterlines 4.19% - 2.17% - 9.2 Years
As the City can only refinance up to $10 million dollars per month and remain bank qualified, Staff brought a portion of the outstanding debt to Council during the month of March. Staff recommends approval.
F. Request by Hickory Police Department for Approval to Apply for 2012 Justice Assistance Grant in the Amount of $26,658.00 - The Hickory Police Department and Catawba County have received notification of approval to receive a combined allocation of $42,364.00 under the 2012 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. Cities and Counties are required to file joint applications for the available funding. Hickory Police Department requests permission to apply for a grant in the amount of $26,658.00 to be used for an infrared/thermal imaging camera recorder for low light situations and law enforcement training to include training aids for police officers. The City of Hickory has agreed to serve as lead agency in the grant application process. There is no match required.
G. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To budget $100 of Library donations from several donors in the Library Books line item.
2. To budget $2,050 of Unity Fair donations in the Unity Fair expenditure line item. The Unity Fair is part of the International Spring Fest.
3. To transfer and budget a $750 donation from the Branding Project Advertising operational budget line item to the Unity Fair donations line item. The Unity Fair is part of the International Spring Fest.
New Business - Public Hearings
1. Approve FY 2010 – 2014 Consolidated Plan and FY 2012 Action Plan for Submission to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - The US Department of Housing and Urban Development requires the City of Hickory, as a CDBG entitlement funding recipient, to develop a five-year agenda outlining housing and community development needs within the City to be addressed during that period of time. The Annual Action Plan is required as a yearly update to the Five-Year Consolidated Plan, setting priorities among the needs, and stating the plan of action for use of available funds on a yearly basis. Central to the City’s five-year strategy and action plan is the City’s mission to preserve its existing housing base, enhance ownership opportunities for all of its citizens to obtain decent housing, and provide a quality environment which is conducive to the safe and healthy growth of its citizenry. Staff recommends approval. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on March 23, 2012 and April 3, 2012.
Todd Hefner presented the above information with the specific costs and then Angela Heard with the City of Refuge came to the podium to speak to the Council about her program. She spoke about the successes with the 20 children who attend the after school program. They meet at the Brown-Penn center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 16 awards were awarded to these children over the last 9 weeks. They are helping with homework and communicate with the children's teachers. They partner with Lenoir-Rhyne University. They are attempting to sow seeds and build positive support. They are building a foundation.
Matters not on the Agenda
Alderwoman Fox made positive comments about the community garden at First Methodist
Church, which is due to a lot of great work. She stated that there is a wonderful article on the community garden that is featured in the current issue of Carolina Gardener.
Alderwoman Patton stated that she attended the Saint Strong event this past weekend, which was a benefit for three members of the senior class of Saint Stephens High School to support kids with cancer. The Police Chief and other members of the city were there. People coming together makes this a better community.
Alderman Seaver remarked about the greatest Easter Egg Hunt he has ever been involved in this past weekend. He talked about all the hard work that went into the Event. Over 25,000 eggs were there and he said it looked like a flower garden. He Thanked all of the groups involved in the event.
Citizens Requesting to be Heard
Walter Witherspoon - Mr. Witherspoon stated that when he spoke before the Council at the last meeting no one had any comments, but as soon as he was ready to leave the building Alderman Guess introduced him to Mandy Pitts, her assistant, and another person and they informed him that there was going to be a drawing of some kind of name or something of that nature. He asked the council and they didn't say anything but as soon as he was walking out the door the said something. That is beside the point. He got the information he asked for. He is confused, because he was under the impression that he understands the structure on Union Square was to be the Farmer's Market, because on December 20,2011 - he reads:
Now, the monies to allocate that were to be for the Hickory Farmer's market, that is my impression and I guess this author as well... Are there any Hickory City Employees involved in the construction of this project. (The Mayor answered that he would staff to get that information to Mr. Witherspoon). Mr. Witherspoon stated that he is in a quandary, if this was to be the Hickory Farmer's Market, then why are we going to rename it?
Larry Pope next came to the podium wishing to speak and proceeded to stand in silence for nearly three minutes before the Mayor asked if he had something to say and the motioned for the council to go into closed session.
Matters not on the Agenda
Alderwoman Fox made positive comments about the community garden at First Methodist
Church, which is due to a lot of great work. She stated that there is a wonderful article on the community garden that is featured in the current issue of Carolina Gardener.
Alderwoman Patton stated that she attended the Saint Strong event this past weekend, which was a benefit for three members of the senior class of Saint Stephens High School to support kids with cancer. The Police Chief and other members of the city were there. People coming together makes this a better community.
Alderman Seaver remarked about the greatest Easter Egg Hunt he has ever been involved in this past weekend. He talked about all the hard work that went into the Event. Over 25,000 eggs were there and he said it looked like a flower garden. He Thanked all of the groups involved in the event.
Citizens Requesting to be Heard
Walter Witherspoon - Mr. Witherspoon stated that when he spoke before the Council at the last meeting no one had any comments, but as soon as he was ready to leave the building Alderman Guess introduced him to Mandy Pitts, her assistant, and another person and they informed him that there was going to be a drawing of some kind of name or something of that nature. He asked the council and they didn't say anything but as soon as he was walking out the door the said something. That is beside the point. He got the information he asked for. He is confused, because he was under the impression that he understands the structure on Union Square was to be the Farmer's Market, because on December 20,2011 - he reads:
Council members endorsed the construction of a permanent multi-purpose facility on Union Square for the Hickory Farmer's market. The estimated cost is $285,000 to move the Hickory Farmer's market to the center of Union Square.
Now, the monies to allocate that were to be for the Hickory Farmer's market, that is my impression and I guess this author as well... Are there any Hickory City Employees involved in the construction of this project. (The Mayor answered that he would staff to get that information to Mr. Witherspoon). Mr. Witherspoon stated that he is in a quandary, if this was to be the Hickory Farmer's Market, then why are we going to rename it?
Larry Pope next came to the podium wishing to speak and proceeded to stand in silence for nearly three minutes before the Mayor asked if he had something to say and the motioned for the council to go into closed session.
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