Newsletter about the City Council meeting of August 7, 2012

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 8/9/2012 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

The above is the entire recording of this meeting. I am through typing out the City Council's minutes. It is tedious and not worth the time when you should take the time to listen to what they have to say in their own words. I can make this presentation in 30 minutes. It takes hours to type the minutes out.  I will talk about highlights and add commentary, but if the Backwards crowd who runs this town refuses to issue audio/video of their procession, then I will do it for them. They record the meetings, why can't they make that audio available for public consumption?

And at this time I can't afford an HD Camera, because I am struggling in the Steak and Shake Economy, but if people want contribute to help make that possible, I will go in there and video record the proceedings. They have million dollars for a tent, but can't afford the equipment that will help us see our Government in action. Hmmm... priorities, priorities. They can say "No Steps Backwards" when they arrive in the 21st century.

I will update this further ASAP

Invocation by Rev. Rick Schilling, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church


Special Presentations:
The NC APWA Solid Waste Division presentation of the Herman Drake Award (Solid Waste Employee of the Year) to Tommy Hughes

The Hound enjoys these presentations that celebrate employees with the City being recognized for going above and beyond their occupational duties. It was easy to see the camaraderie displayed amongst these gentleman.

Consent Agenda
A. Consideration and Acceptance of the 2012 Urgent Repair Program Grant in the amount of $37,500, and Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy - The Community Development Department, in complying with the NC Housing Finance Agency’s funding requirements for SRP12 has prepared an Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy reflecting program requirements as requested by NCHFA. The Policies incorporates program requirements, applicant eligibility standards, and program capabilities. Upon approval by Hickory City Council the Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy will be submitted with additional information requested by NC Housing Finance Agency. Upon receipt and acceptance by NCHFA, funds will be dispersed to the City of Hickory in order to begin repairs to eligible homes. The 2012 Urgent Repair Program Grant from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency is in the
amount of $37,000.

B. Special Events/Activities Application for Patriots Day by Steve Moore and Fred Hollar with the City of Hickory, on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 on Union Square or City Hall Parking Area, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am, September 11th Ceremony

C. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Winfred Scott Bedington and wife, Beth H. Bedington and William David Bedington, Single, to Harold Dean Setzer and wife, Phyllis Moore Setzer, in Oakwood Cemetery

D. Request from Hickory Police Department to Award Police Badge and Service Weapon to Retiring Master Police Officer Bain Weinrich - By authority of NC General Statute §20-187.2, City Council may award the service weapon and police badge to retiring Master Police Officer Bain Weinrich upon his
retirement from Hickory Police Department on September 1, 2012 after completing 25 years of service with Hickory Police Department. Upon approval from City Council, the police badge and service weapon will be declared surplus and removed from the city’s fixed asset inventory.

E. Request to declare surplus 1,325 discarded library materials from the preschool outreach collections, so that these materials may be given to the Friends of the Library for their annual book sale October 4-7, 2012. - The sale of donated and discarded books is the primary fundraising activity of the Friends of the Library and discarded library materials comprise a significant portion of their inventory. The sale of these items ultimately benefits the library, and is an appropriate means of disposing of unneeded materials.

F. Request to approve Municipal Agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation for replacement of municipal bridge number 170327 on Falling Creek Road.- The bridge on Falling Creek Road is structurally deficient and is functionally obsolete. Biannual inspection performed this year determined that structural repairs be made in order to keep the bridge safe for the traveling public. Those repairs were temporary in nature and have been completed. The inspection showed that the existing bridge is beyond its useful life and in need of replacement. The City of Hickory will be responsible for 20 percent of the total estimated cost of the project with the estimated cost being $1,200,000. The estimate for the City’s portion of the project is $240,000 with North Carolina Department of Transportation paying the balance.

G. Request to replace the Library’s current Safe Child Policy with a new Child Safety Policy - For the purpose of establishing parental supervisory guidelines that specify the ages at which minors must be accompanied by responsible caregivers and a minimum age for their caregiver, the ages at which minors must be under the immediate supervision of a responsible person and the ages at which minors must be under the supervision of a responsible person in the library building. This policy would clarify procedures for library staff regarding unattended children at closing time; and addressing the issue of unaccompanied adults in the children’s area of the library.

H. Community Appearance Commission request approval of an Appearance Grant for nonresidential property owned by Nancy Rector located at 1263 Hwy 70 SW in the amount of $5,000, Mr. Kyle Pope is acting as the applicant for the grant. - The proposed renovations to the property include: renovation of the existing parking lots and landscaping area; replacement of roofing materials; painting of the building exterior; and replacement of guttering, soffit and facia. In total the proposed renovation are estimated to be between $11,795 and $16,950 in value. Being both estimates exceed $10,000 in value, the proposal would be eligible for the full $5,000 Community Appearance Grant. The current assessed value of the property is $265,500. The value of the grant represents approximately 3% of the property’s value.

I. Community Appearance Commission request approval of an Appearance Grant for nonresidential property owned by Hickory Elks Lodge located at 356 Main Avenue NW in the amount of $5,000.- The proposed renovations to the east building elevation (facing Union Square) include the removal of old pebble board on the two upper building levels, which covers the existing windows, the replacement of two (2) windows with bronze frame reflective windows, brick infill around the replacement windows, new paint for the façade and fire escape and a new deck shelter. In all the Elks Lodge plans approximately $18,300 worth of exterior improvements to the building. Being the estimate exceeds $10,000 in value, the proposal would be eligible for the full $5,000 Community Appearance Grant. The current assessed value of the Hickory’s Elks Lodge property is $483,500; however the property is tax exempt. The value of the grant represents approximately 3.8% of the property’s value.

J. Termination of Setback Waiver Agreement for properties located at 840, 930 and 958 Highway 70 SE owned by Crossroads Holdings, LLC. - On March 7, 1997 a Waiver of Setback Agreement was recorded by previous owners of the properties located at 840, 930, and 958 Highway 70 SE, PIN Numbers 3712-17-01-9468; 3712-17-11-3464 and 3712-17-11-6309 concerning a common boundary between the properties owners. In May 2011, Crossroads Holdings LLC acquired these properties and now desires to recombine the respective properties into a single parcel. The Setback Agreement entered into by the previous properties’ owners is no longer applicable or necessary. The recombine properties will be in compliance with all setback requirements as prescribed in the Hickory Land Development Code.

K. Approval of a contract with Land Design Inc. for preparation of the Inspiring Spaces Plan for capital improvement projects related to city rights of way and public spaces in the amount of $198,000 as well as $6,000 for project incidentals for a total project budget of $204,000. - An Inspiring Spaces Plan will be for improvements in Hickory’s public spaces along rights of way, including pedestrian connectivity, providing aesthetic features in key locations such as fountains, other water features and public art, greenways, installing wayfinding, identifying ways to enhance key corridors such as Hwy 127, Old Lenoir Road, Highland Avenue, Main Avenue, Highway 70 West and other areas with streetscape improvements such as improvements to travel ways, landscaping and lighting upgrades, gateway upgrades and façade improvements on key city facilities.

(Discussed in minutes 5:45 to the 12:00 mark) The Item above was removed from the agenda with Alderman Lail with Alderman Meisner's support. City Manager stated that the plan would be broken up into smaller pieces that can be evaluated as they move along. He believed the plan should be tabled and they would come back to the council to introduce a phase 1 of the plan. Alderman Guess asked if this would hamper anything and if there would be any delays. Manager Berry stated that this should not cause any delays.  asked that the monies spent be reassessed and that monies be spent ne budgeted and spent on an as needed basis. The Council agreed to do this. Frank Drendel and Benny Yount were added to the Inspiring Spaces Committee.

The Hound believes it was good to see that Aldermen Meisner and Lail put the brakes on this project and bring some accountability into the process.


L. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment
1. To transfer $18,500 of unexpended funds from the Clement Boulevard Project Construction Line item and budget in the Traffic Division’s Other Professional Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PC to develop and implement a traffic signal coordination plan for US Hwy 321 from 9th Ave NW north to US Hwy 321-A in Caldwell County. This new traffic signal coordination plan is necessary to coordinate US Hwy 321 now that the Clement Blvd project is complete. In order to keep traffic moving and lessen congestion along the corridor, a coordination plan is needed.

M. Budget Ordinance Amendment
1. To appropriate $1,500 of General Fund Balance and budget in the International Council line item. A $1,500 donation for the Folkmoot event was received in FY11-12; however, the event occurs in July of FY12-13. Therefore the $1,500 donation rolled into General Fund Balance at year end. This amendment will reappropriate $1,500 from General Fund Balance and budget funds in the FY12-13 International Council line item for the Folkmoot event.
2. To appropriate $12,180 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Unauthorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's Contracted Services line item. This amendment is necessary to pay Smith, Rodgers PLLC Attorneys for the Law Enforcement Legal Support annual contract. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
3. To appropriate $50,828 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Unauthorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's Non-Asset Inventory ($48,218) and Uniforms ($2,610) line items. This amendment is necessary to pay for Special Operations Team vests, hard armor plates for the front and back of vests and rain suits. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
4. To transfer $204,000 of General Fund Contingency to the Public Buildings Other Professional Services line item. This amendment is necessary to pay Land Design, Inc. for the contract and design of the preparation of the Inspiring Spaces Plan. This plan is for capital improvement projects related to city rights of way and public spaces. Other areas for streetscape improvements include travel ways, landscaping and lighting upgrades, gateway upgrades and façade improvements on key city facilities. It will take approximately 7 months to complete the plan with implementation of the plan to occur over 5 to 10 years. The cost of the Inspiring Spaces Plan is $198,000 with an additional $6,000 for project incidentals for a total cost of $204,000.
5. To appropriate $293 of Transportation Fund Balance and budget in the Airport Maintenance and Repair of Grounds line item. A $293 insurance claim check from State Farm Insurance agency was received on June 28, 2012 for a damaged fence caused by a car accident. Funds rolled into Transportation Fund Balance at year-end; therefore a budget amendment is necessary to appropriate
$293 to the Airport operational budget.
6. To accept a $18,500 transfer of unexpended funds from the Clement Boulevard Project Construction Line item and budget in the Traffic Division's Other Professional Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PC to develop and implement a traffic signal coordination plan for US Hwy 321 from 9th Ave NW north to US Hwy 321-A in Caldwell County. This new traffic signal coordination plan is necessary to coordinate US Hwy 321 now that the Clement Blvd project is complete. In order to keep traffic moving and lessen congestion along the corridor, a coordination plan is needed.

N. Special Event/Activities Application for Celebration of the new Downtown Structure and Stage by Mandy Pitts, on Friday, August 10, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, August 11, 2012 from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Union Square to celebrate the new structure and stage in Downtown Hickory.

Informational Items
A. Report of Alderman Hank Guess’ travel to Town Hall Day, in Raleigh, NC on June 6,2012 (Meals - $9.83)

New Business - Departmental Report - on Random Woods, Sherwood Forest and Eastwood Subdivisions Sanitary Sewer Grant Project. City Council approved the acceptance of the grant July 17, 2012.

Grant Project Ordinance : (13:00 mark to 22:20 mark)
1. To budget a $2,946,043 State Grant from the High Unit Cost Grant Account of the Water Infrastructure Fund offered by North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality. This project includes construction of approximately 25,100 linear feet of 8-inch PVC sanitary sewer lines serving three subdivisions Eastwood, Random Woods, and Sherwood Forest Subdivisions. No City funds are required for this project.

2. Internet Gaming : (22:30 mark  to 52:30 mark) - Staff will report on recent activities by other communities related to internet gaming establishments.

Citizen Requesting to be Heard (
Larry Pope about the appearance (dress) of young people in the City (1:00:00 mark to 1:00:05)

Joe Brannock addressed Council on the issue of the City Council voting to change the Ward Specific voting system themselves. (1:06:00 mark to 1:09:00) State Board of elections says that Council can make this change themselves and forgo the election. It is unfair to categorize an unwillingness as an inability not to vote. He further spoke about some elected leaders labeling people as sinister and crackpots. We deserve elected leaders more willing to participate on the field than heckle from the sideline. The Mayor stated that the 2,707 who sined the petition to authorize a referendum, not to change the system, and they are complying willingly with that.

The Hound thinks that most of you understand that the willingness is statutory and mandatory. This Council was asked by the CEG to adopt a resolution themselves and they did not take the first step towards doing so. In the newspaper the Mayor said that Council by Statute had to move forward with the election. Here, he doesn't say that.