Newsletter about the City Council meeting of March 5, 2013

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.

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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 3/5/2012 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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All materials and maps for this meeting are provide at this link: 

City Council Action Agenda - March 5, 2013


Invocation by Alderman Danny Seaver (:45)



Special Presentations
A. Hickory Public Schools “Art Well Crafted” (2:30) - This was a presentation and recognition of art created by students of the Hickory Public School System.

B. Presentation of a Proclamation to Claire Elyse McCrea - This young lady is a 7th grader and a Straight A student who won the school, public school system, and regional Spelling B's and she will participate in the National Spelling B in Washington D.C. She will be honored on May 26, 2013.

C. Presentation of FY 2013-2014 Board and Commission Work Plans

Board/Commission Presenter
1. Library Advisory Board - Kathy Ivey - (17:50)
2. Citizens’ Advisory Committee - Mike Holland - (20:20)
3. Community Appearance Commission - Leroy Harris - ( 21:55)
4. Community Relations Council - David Walker and Ray Cerda- (25:00)
5. Hickory International Council - Hani Nassar - (32:35)
6. Hickory Regional Planning Commission - Brian Frazier - (39:00)
7. Hickory Youth Council - Hayden Frye - (40:25)
8. Historic Preservation Commission - Zack Taylor - (43:25)
9. Parks and Recreation Commission - Tony Wood - (46:45)
10. Public Art Commission - David Zagaroli- (53:55)
11. Recycling Advisory Board - Norm Meres (Chuck Hanson substituted)- (58:50)
12. Business Development Committee - Alan Jackson - (1:05:50)

(1:14:45) - Mayor Pro-Tem Hank Guess made a motion to allow people to speak to an item on the agenda, which was seconded by Alderman Lail and then unanimously approved by the City Council.

Citizen James Franklin Davis asked to speak about an item not on the agenda and was granted the request. He spoke about issues in the Ridgeview community involving a Barbershop Owner and his patrons not being allowed to smoke on the sidewalk in front of the business and about a man who raises funds for his daughters medical expenses by selling food and being bothered by certain police officers who said that he was playing loud music. Mr. Davis says that there was no one around the location that would have complained.


Consent Agenda: (1:21:10)

A. Special Event/Activities Application for Drum Circles, Mandy Pitts, Communications Director/Brand Manager, on March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, 2013 from 3:15 pm until 6:30 pm in Downtown Hickory Under The Sails. 

B. Approval of a Maintenance Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. - The City and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) have had an agreement since 1994 for the City to perform maintenance on certain NCDOT streets. This allows the City to better manage the “Entrance Ways” into Hickory and provide a more timely response to requests and problems. The City of Hickory will receive up to $140,000 annually for approved work performed on NCDOT roadways. The City tracks the work performed and bills NCDOT quarterly for reimbursement.

C. Approval of a Resolution Accepting the Street Right-of-Way of 13th Avenue Drive SE and 21st Street Lane SE. - In 2007, as part of the development of commercial property located at the southwest corner of Interstate 40 and McDonald Parkway SE, two street segments were constructed on existing publicly owned right of way containing 2.88 acres, which are known as 13th Street Drive SE and 21st Street Lane SE. With the completion of the new streets, the City of Hickory is now responsible for maintenance of these public assets. The North Carolina General Statues, as well as the City’s Land Development Code, require that street rights-of-way be officially accepted for public use by resolution of the elected governing body.

D. Approval of Auditing Contract with Martin Starnes & Associates. - The City of Hickory has utilized the services of Martin Starnes & Associates for the past four years with excellent results. Martin Starnes & Associates offers a competitive rate for their services and is widely known for their professional staff and service throughout the local government community. City Council’s Audit Committee supports approval to accept a three year renewal via three annual contracts for auditing services with Martin Starnes & Associates in the amount of $43,000 for the audit and $7,000 for the preparation of the annual financial statements.

E. Approval of a Resolution Approving the City of Hickory Water Shortage Response Plan.- North Carolina General Statute requires all Public Water Systems to have a Local Water Supply Plan that is intended to give a report of the water system current demands and a project for future demands. In 2012, North Carolina General Statute 143-355 (I) was amended to require public water systems to develop Water Shortage Response Plan to respond to drought conditions and other water shortage emergencies. The City of Hickory Water Shortage Response Plan has been reviewed by NCDENR and has been found to be in compliance with NCGS 143-355 (I).

F. Approval of a Resolution Approving the Town of Catawba Water Shortage Response Plan.- North Carolina General Statute requires all Public Water Systems to have a Local Water Supply Plan that is intended to give a report of the water system current demands and a project for future demands. In 2012, North Carolina General Statute 143-355 (I) was amended to require public water systems to develop Water Shortage Response Plan to respond to drought conditions and other water shortage emergencies. The City of Hickory owns and operates the Town of Catawba Public Water System, therefore, the City must approve the Water Shortage Response Plan for this public water system as well. The Town of Catawba Water Shortage Response Plan has been reviewed by NCDENR and has been found to be in compliance with NCGS 143-355 (I).


G. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 14. -
1. To budget a $15,300 reimbursement check from Catawba County in the Water and Sewer Division-Water Lines account. Catawba County is reimbursing Public Utilities for a waterline extension to serve a fire hydrant for the Propst Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department. This request was due to a catastrophic fire in the area that resulted in a total loss of one business. Extending the water line will enable the VFD to access a hydrant in the general area without having to close Hwy 10 and detour traffic. Catawba County Utilities and Engineering requested the City of Hickory Public Utilities Division design, permit and bid the project under the Waterline Extension Policy.


New Business - Departmental Reports:

1. (1:21:40) Approval of a Vacant Building Revitalization and Demolition Grant for Property Located at 391 10th Avenue Drive NE, in the Amount of $30,000. - Applicants Bruce H. McNeely and Melissa W. McNeely have applied for a Vacant Building Revitalization Grant in the amount of $30,000 to assist in the renovation of the former Simmons Hosiery Mill located at 391 10th Avenue Drive NE. The applicant plans to invest approximately $450,000 in real property improvements to renovate the facility for use as office and storage space.