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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of June 4, 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.

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 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.

City Website has changed - Here is a link to the City of Hickory Document Center

All materials and maps for this meeting are provide at this link:

City Council Meeting Agenda June 4, 2013 (11MB) 
 
(:25) Invocation by Rev. Jay Robison, Viewmont Baptist Church



Special Presentations
A. (2:10) Presentation by Michael Willis of Marlowe and Company
B. (6:20) Presentation by Carolina Moonlighters and Proclamation for Barbershop Harmony Week.

Citizens Requesting to Be Heard (15:55)
 Dr. Glenn Pinckney addresses Council representing "Christians aligned for Actions and Principles." This is a non-political, non-religious organization created for the purpose of disseminating information. They are looking to have an event with Dr. Ben Carson, Mark Harris, and Barry Black to speak to the Values of Education on August 22, 2013 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. 

Larry Pope addressed the Council about the City Council forms relating to conflicts of interest that he has requested. The City officials only provided the information up to the year 2008 and Mr. Pope wants the most recent information provided up until 2012.



Consent Agenda (24:10)
A. Nomination of Former Whisnant Hosiery Mills (Moretz Mills) to the National Register of Historic Places. - The oldest section of the Whisnant Hosiery Mill was built in 1929 with additional sections constructed in 1937, the 1940s, the 1950s, and 1966. The majority of the building is one level, but the 1937 section, which faces E Avenue is two stories. The building is located at 74 8th Street SE near the intersection of E Avenue SE and Lenoir Rhyne Blvd SE. The owner’s plan is to renovate the structure for office, retail, and personal service uses. The building’s historical significance stems from its association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history, namely its association with the development of the hosiery industry in Hickory.

The Hickory Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on May 14, 2013. A representative of the property owner spoke in favor of the nomination. The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the nomination. Staff recommends that City Council recommend that the Whisnant Hosiery Mills be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

B. Approval of a Proclamation for North Carolina Domestic Violence Proclamation 100 Day.

C. Approval of a Proclamation for Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month. 

D. Resolution – Cancellation of July 2, 2013 City Council Meeting. - Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Hickory that the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting for July 2, 2013 be cancelled. (This meeting in July has traditionally been cancelled by the City Council.)

E. Change Order to Contract with Davis & Floyd, Inc. for Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant (HCWWTP) Upgrade Project in the Amount of $9,000. - This construction administration services task order number one change order consist of three items related to additional services required by the Public Utilities Department. All three items are related to requirements to alter the plans in order for Catawba County Building Inspections to approve the plans and issue a permit for construction.
● Appendix A and B completion $5,000
● Supplemental Dwg’s ASD-01, CSD-01, 02, and 03 $2,000
● Supplemental Dwg’s SSD-01 $2,000
This change order will result in a total change order amount of $9,000 which represents approximately 1.73% of the original contract amount, and .75% of the projects $1.2 million contingency. The project is a 50/50 partnership with Catawba County and the County will pay half of the change order. No budget amendment is required.

F. Change Order to Contract with Jimmy R. Lynch & Sons for the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant (HCWWTP) Upgrade Project in the Amount of $61,047.43. - Change order one consists of five items related to unanticipated conditions that have arisen during construction and one item that is recommended for inclusion with the project that was eliminated during the plan modifications. The single largest item that is included in this change order is $34,830.40 for extension of a new 6-inch waterline along 6th Avenue to the facility replacing the existing 2-inch galvanized waterline. This upgrade is necessary due to fire protection requirements and flow demands of equipment to be used in the treatment process. All other items are related to unanticipated conditions and have arisen through construction activities. The largest of the remaining items is for
$15,755.53 for removal of unsuitable soil, undercutting of areas and installation of surge stone and fabric to restore structural value. Contract change order total to date is $61,047.43 or .59% of the original project contract, and 5% of the projects $1.2 million contingency fund. The project is a 50/50 partnership with Catawba County and the County will pay half of the change order. No budget
amendment is required.

G. Request to Join The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS/TAPS). -  The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS/TAPS) is available for use by all government entities and is located in Pittsburg, Texas. They provide a purchasing co-op which is beneficial to both vendors and members by meeting all competitive bidding process requirements. The City of Hickory is currently not a member of this purchasing system. Membership does not obligate the City to purchase through the system, but provides an additional opportunity for the City to find the best prices for applicable purchases.

H. Call for Public Hearing - For the Consideration of Rezoning Petition 13-09 for the Property Located at 3254 NC Hwy 127 South, Hickory. (Authorize Public Hearing for June 18, 2013)

I. Write Offs for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 in the Amount of $204,927.71. - North Carolina General Statutes establish all Street Assessments and Property Taxes that are over ten (10) years old are no longer collectable and should be written off in conjunction with the annual audit. For the current fiscal year (FY 12-13), there are no Street Assessments to be written off, but there is $85,441.92 in Property Taxes. The City of Hickory’s Accounting Division requires all other accounts that are over eighteen (18) months in arrears be written off to comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in order to more fairly represent financial assets of the City on the balance sheet. For the
current fiscal year, this amounts to $119,485.79. Current fiscal year write-offs total $204,927.71, compared to $233,294.97 that was written off in FY 11-12. Even though these accounts will be written off, the Finance Division will continue to pursue collection of the debts. All accounts over $50.00 that are eligible are submitted to the North Carolina Debt Setoff Program for collection. Staff recommends approval to write-off uncollectable accounts for Fiscal Year 2012-2013.

J. Approval of a Parking Lot Lease Agreement between the City of Hickory and the Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority  -  WPRTA fully operates the bus transit station and therefore needs dedicated parking spaces for its employees. WPRTA employees have been using spaces in lot number three. Lot number three consists of .07 acres as shown in Plat Book 66, at Page 26, and contains five (5) parking spaces, including one handicapped space. WPRTA needs all
five spaces. The lease is for a term of ten (10) years for the sum of one ($1.00) dollar per year. The City retains full ownership of lot number three.

K. Approval of a Quitclaim Deed to Convey the Piedmont Bus Transit Station Property from the City of Hickory to the Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority (WPRTA)  - The City of Hickory built the bus transit station located at 285 2nd Avenue SW in 2010 using local funds and federal grant funds. Through discussions with the WPRTA it was determined that the City of Hickory would build the bus transit station and be the lead entity in applying for and receiving the federal funds. It was further determined by the City and WPRTA that the City of Hickory would convey the bus transit station property to WPRTA upon completing the project. WPRTA fully operates the bus transit station and therefore needs full access to and control of the property where the building and canopy are situated. This conveyance will give WPRTA full ownership of the building and property upon which it is located.

L. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 19. 
1. To budget a $50 Library donation in the Library Books Supplies line item.

2. To transfer $2,290 of International Council donations to the Boards and Commissions-International Council expenditure line item.

3. To budget a $90 Parks and Recreation-Westmont Senior Center donation in the Parks and Recreation Department Supplies line item.

4. To budget $1,350 of Parks and Recreation-Miscellaneous Donations in the Recreation Supplies line item. Donations are for the Parks and Recreation Tennis Program.

5. To budget a $1,000 Parks and Recreation-Senior Games donation in the Parks and Recreation Department Supplies line item. This donation is for Senior Games meals.

6. To budget $7,439 of Parks and Recreation Senior Games Registration Fees in the Parks and Recreation Department Supplies line item. Senior Games is an annual event organized by the Parks and Recreation department.

7. To transfer $240,000 of Compensation Adjustments to the Public Safety and Economic and Community Development operational budgets to cover the impact of merit pay increases granted in FY12-13. Merit increases granted in other departments during FY12-13 were cover by lapsed salaries.

8. To appropriate $2,522 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Un-Authorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's C/O Vehicles ($726) and Departmental Supplies ($1,796) line items. This amendment is necessary to cover overages in the line items and maintain a balanced budget. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.

9. To transfer $111,000 from the Police Department operational budget to the radio upgrade and re-banding project. In addition this budget amendment will transfer $60,506 of Capital Reserve Fund investment earnings to the Capital Project. Funds are to pay Sprint Nextel for the Pro Voice Software as part of re-banding the radio system, and to close out this capital project.

10. To transfer $66,825 of designated fuel reserve funds to several departments fuel and motor oil operational line items. This transfer is necessary to cover the projected overages in fuel costs in the current fiscal year. These funds are a portion of the $1 million previously set aside by City Council to meet the rising cost of fuel. Any remaining funds at year end will be transferred back to the Fuel Reserve for future needs.

11. To budget a $95,086 transfer of unused revenue from the Clement Boulevard Extension project to the General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance. This amendment is necessary to make the final transfer back to the General Fund, and to close out this capital project.

12. To budget a $383 transfer of unused revenue from the Clement Boulevard Extension project to the General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance. This amendment is necessary to close the Airport Rehab Taxiway A. project and to make the final transfer back to the General Fund.

13. To budget a $16 transfer of unused revenue from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant project to the General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance. This amendment is necessary to close the project and to make the final transfer back to the General Fund.

14. To budget a $3,224 transfer of unused revenue from the Police Departments Governor’s Crime Commission Interagency Grant project. This amendment is necessary to close the project and make the final transfer back to the General Fund.

15. To budget a $1,074 transfer of unused revenue from the Fire Department SAFER Grant project funds to the General Fund. This amendment is necessary to close the project and make the final transfer back to the General Fund.

16. To appropriate $20,000 of Airport Miscellaneous Revenue and budget in the FBO Maintenance & Repair of Buildings for repairs to hangar N5. The Airport received a $20,000 grant from Eastern Aviation when they became the FBO fuel supplier.

M. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment Number 4.
1. To accept a $111,000 transfer from the Police Department operational budget and a $60,506 transfer of Capital Reserve Fund investment earnings to the radio upgrade and re-banding project. Funds are necessary to pay Sprint Nextel for the Pro Voice Software as part of re-banding the radio system, and to close out this capital project.
2. To transfer $95,086 of unused revenue from the Clement Boulevard Extension project to the General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance. This amendment is necessary to make the final transfer back to the General Fund, and to close out this capital project.

N. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment Number 5.
1. To transfer $1,074 of unused revenue from the Fire Department SAFER Grant project funds to the General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance. This amendment is necessary to close the project and to make the final transfer back to the General Fund.
2. To transfer $383 of unused revenue from the Clement Boulevard Extension project to the General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance. This amendment is necessary to close the Airport Rehab Taxiway A project and to make the transfer back to the General Fund.
3. To transfer $16 of unused revenue from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant project to the General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance. This amendment is necessary to close the project and to make the final transfer back to the General Fund.
4. To transfer $3,224 of unused revenue from the Police Departments Governor’s Crime Commission Interagency Grant project to General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance. This amendment is necessary to close the project and to make the final transfer back to the General Fund.

New Business - Public Hearings
1. (24:30) City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Recommended Budget. -  Pursuant to NC General Statutes §159-12(b), a public hearing shall be held before adopting the budget ordinance. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on May 24, 2013. Copies of the budget ordinance were filed for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, Patrick Beaver Memorial Library and Ridgeview Library. The recommended budget is also posted on the City’s web page, www.hickorync.gov. Pursuant to NC General Statutes §159-13(a), the City Council is required to adopt a balanced budget before July 1, making the appropriations and levying taxes for the budget year. The City Manager recommends adoption of the attached budget ordinance for Fiscal Year 2013-2014.

The City Manager discussed the Budget thoroughly at the last meeting - 

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of May 21, 2013

Discussion ensues after City Manager Berry introduces the Hickory City Budget for 2013-14. Alder Sally Fox spoke up and voted against the Budget for 2013-14, because it provides no property increase to initiate the funding for Inspiring Spaces and to repair the roads in the area that the City Manager has addressed in the last two meetings relating to this budget.

This is an election year. Rudy Wright, Hank Guess and Jill Patton didn't want to raise the property tax rate, but as much as admitted it will be raised sooner rather than later and mostly for their Inspiring Spaces project.












City's Recording of City Council



The Hound - I think it is awesome that we have moved the City forward into Video Taping these meetings. We thank Hickory Inc. for seeing that this was the right thing to do and making it happen. Sure they won't be able to float things under the radar as well, but when they want to communicate a real and important message to the public it will be a lot easier.

We all understand that the public is ambivalent to a great degree, but there are people that want to be engaged, but can't make the meeting. This is forward thinking. This is the public's meeting and the public's information. This is the history of Hickory and this will pay off for everyone in the long run. This makes the Hickory Inc. more relevant and raises the bar for everyone when it comes to Public Policy and the Public Agenda. Now you can go straight to the source of information... No Misquotes... Limits Ambiguity of Information.

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