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. You can also look in the upper right hand corner of the front page of the Hickory Hound and (will soon) find the link to the past history of Hickory City Newsletters.
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:
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City Website has changed - Here is a link to the City of Hickory Document Center
City Council Agenda - July 15, 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hound's Notes:
1) It has been 28 days (June 17, 2014) since the last city Council meeting and it will be another another 21 days until the next meeting (August 5, 2014).
2) $53,232 is going to pay for infrastructure around Moretz Mill (Budget Ordinance Item 6). I believe that part of this money is going to pay for the issues related to closing the road (E Avenue) that affected Catawba Paper Box. Looks like Hickory Inc. is picking up the bill for that.
Thoughts about last night's Hickory City Council meeting - March 18, 2014
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of March 4, 2014
3) Larry Pope's recent Letter to the Editor in the Hickory Daily Record related to the upcoming Bond Referendum.
VOTE NO!
The bond referendum that Hickory City Council wants the voters to pass on the November Ballot; I am encouraging the citizens of the City of Hickory to VOTE NO!
I am of the personal opinion that Hickory Inc. never uses the taxpayer’s money for the money’s intended purpose. I am hoping that the citizens who voted for the replacement of the city’s public swimming pools and said that they were willing to have taxes raised to pay for a swimming pool in each quadrant of the city and a centrally located aquatic center now understand how this city operates. The Public Pool survey and findings are still collecting dust on the shelves at city hall.
Money has been raised for a fund to build a parking deck next to the Old Hickory Depot Station, but instead that money has been used for projects such as the “Sails on Union Square”. How can we trust our current City Council to do what they say they are going to do, if they get the bond referendum passed?
I spoke before the City Council a few weeks ago and asked about the conflict of interest of Alderman Brad Lail and his engagement to Meg Nealon, who is a managing partner with the company Land Design out of Charlotte, who designed the Inspiring Spaces plan. I also addressed Alderman David Zagaroli’s conflict involving his wife being on the Inspiring Spaces Committee to rubber stamp Council and City Staff wishes. The Council Members found out after meeting with Land Design and their lawyers that the committee could not exist if a Bond Referendum was to be sought to raise the $40 million they say they need.
This will cost all taxpayers of the City of Hickory, when the main focus of this project is a sidewalk for a very small area of Hickory from Lenoir-Rhyne University to Union Square that benefits very few people.
The Hickory City Council can’t seem to ever be able to find money to clear away old dilapidated buildings and build sidewalks that are needed in neighborhoods and along major roadways. Now is the time for the citizens of our city to say NO MORE! until you find a way to enhance all the areas of Hickory and maintain what we already have.
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Invocation by Rev. Bill Garrard, Retired United Methodist Pastor
Special Presentations
A. Proclamation for National Federation of the Blind of Catawba County Day to Mr. Dawson Hart
B. Recognition of the Hickory Crawdads Staff and Connie Kincaid for Crawdad’s All-Star Bash, June 16, 2014
C. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions
Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. Mr. Jeff Hines regarding Horseford Cove and the Glenn Hilton Park Area
Consent Agenda:
A. Resolution Authorizing Preparation of Assessment Rolls and Public Hearing on Preliminary Assessment Roll for Street Improvements Petition Number 01-14 (Curb and Gutter). A petition was submitted on February 17, 2014, approved by City Council on April 1, 2014, and the project was completed on June 12, 2014. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
B. Call for Public Hearing – for Consideration of Rezoning Petition 14-01 for Property Located at 1218 Bugle Lane, Newton. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
C. Call for Public Hearing – for Consideration of Adoption of ABC Permit / Local Opinion Ordinance. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
D. Approval of Acceptance of a 2013 FEMA Regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant for P25 Compliant Radio Equipment. - On September 27, 2013 Hickory City Council approved the Fire Department’s application for a FEMA Regional Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant that would provide radio equipment to a majority of the County’s emergency services departments. The total federal share of the grant is 90 percent or $1,777,320 and the share of the host and 19 participating agencies is 10 percent or $197,480. The City’s share is $34,980. This grant will close a longstanding gap in the lack of interoperability between local public safety agencies. The required match by the City of Hickory and all participating agencies will be a one-time ten percent matching fund.
E. Approval of Acceptance of Historic Preservation Fund Pass-Through Grant for Update to the City’s Survey of Historic Properties. - In February, the Historic Preservation Commission applied for a grant to update the City’s survey of historic properties. This survey was last updated in 1999, and that update was focused on only a few neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity of the downtown area. The proposed survey would update all of the existing survey records and also study properties throughout the City as budget constraints will allow. This will include the City’s industrial and commercial properties along with post-war subdivisions through the community. The estimated project cost for the grant is currently $23,000. The grant will pay $15,000 of the project costs, which is actually $3,000 more than the amount requested in the original application. The required City match will be $8,000, which is the same amount as the original application. If the grant is accepted, the project will begin in the fall of 2014.
F. Approval of Change Order (4) Four to Jimmy R. Lynch & Sons, Inc. Contract in the amount of $101,696.91 for the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project. - The City of Hickory Public Utilities Department initiated the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant project in February 2013. The project was established with a contingency fund in order to address unforeseen expenses that may arise. Change order (4) four consists of (9) nine items added due to permitting or unforeseen construction issues, such as the addition of a platform on the effluent structure to place control equipment above the flood plain, and the addition of stairs at the entrance to the oxidation ditch. Contract change order total to date would be $185,259.99, including change orders (1) thru (4) or 1.81 percent of the original project contract. The revised contract total to date will be $10,404,916.99. The City of Hickory and Catawba County will split all expenses equally at 50 percent each according to the contract.
G. Approval of a Sanitary Sewer Line Easement for the Property of Glenda Stewart Frazier, PIN 3714-05-08-0392 for Installation of a Sanitary Sewer Line. - Staff requests acceptance of a permanent easement for completion of the Maple Place pump station rehabilitation/relocation project. This easement is necessary for the construction of the infrastructure required to serve this area with sanitary sewer. The easement was negotiated for one 4-inch sewer tap connected to the home in exchange for the easement.
H. Approval of a Sanitary Sewer Line Easement for the Property of William Michael Davis and wife, Patsy P. Davis, PIN 3704-08-98-6446 for Installation of a Sanitary Sewer Line and Pump Station. - Staff requests acceptance of a permanent easement for completion of the Maple Place pump station rehabilitation/relocation project. This easement is necessary for the construction of the infrastructure required to serve this area with sanitary sewer. The easement was negotiated for $8,000 which was comprised from the quoted price for installation of a 4-inch sewer tap connected to the home and the current value of one 4-inch sanitary sewer service connection, in exchange for the easement.
I. Renewal of Taxicab and Other Passenger Vehicles for Hire Franchises. -
Company - Taxicabs - Passenger Vehicle for Hire
Mile High Enterprises (dba The Hickory Hop) - 0 - 4
Yellow Cab - 13 - 1
Diamond Cab of Hickory - 3 - 0
Select Car Service - 0 - 1
Hickory Limousine - 0 - 3
Total - 16 - 9
Annually, these companies apply for a renewal of their Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the operation of taxicabs and other vehicles for hire.
J. Approval of 2014 Urgent Repair Program Grant from North Carolina Housing Agency in the amount of $50,000 along with Program Assistance and Procurement Policies for the Grant. - In January 2014, the City of Hickory Community Development Division applied for funding through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s Urgent Repair Program. The City of Hickory has been awarded $50,000 through this program in order to assist approximately 12 very low income homeowners with urgently needed repairs in an amount not to exceed $7,200 per housing unit. The City of Hickory will provide an additional $5,000 in matching funds, which are available from Rental Rehabilitation program income. The total program budget will be $55,000. North Carolina HousingFinance Agency requires the City of Hickory to prepare Assistance and Procurement Policies. These policies must be made available to the public and explain the guidelines of the URP14 program. Staff recommends that City Council accept the 2014 Urgent Repair Program Grant and approve the Assistance and Procurement Policies.
K. Special Event/Activities Application for Gospel Concert, Exodus Choir, Mandy Pitts, Hickory Communications Director/Brand Manager working with Hickory Arts, July 27, 2014 set-up at 3:00 p.m. to clean-up at 9:00 p.m. under the Sails on the Square.
L. Acceptance and Approval of a Block Grant/NPE Agreement and Resolution for Project 36237.66.4.3 from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. - North Carolina Department of Transportation as awarded the City of Hickory a grant of this project. This grant has a federal share equal to 90 percent of the project costs and requires the City’s portion (local share) to be 10 percent of the project costs. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has allocated $1,496,667 in total funds to grant 36237.66.4.3 with the Federal share of 90 percent equal to $1,347,000 and the local share, City’s share, of 10 percent equal to $149, 667. The total funds for this grant will fund the construction of the base bid improvements of this project. Taxiway “B”, Taxiway “S”, and the North Ramp were last repaved over 30 years ago. The normal life span of a taxiway is about 15-20 years depending on use.
M. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 1.
1. To transfer $139 from the Police Department’s Uniform line item to the 2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Project Uniform line item. This transfer provides additional City funds to cover non-grant purchases and to close this project.
2. To transfer $145,730 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Stormwater Fund-Contracted Services line item. This transfer is needed to pay for repair of the 3rd St. Dr. 60 inch storm drain pipe. Sections of the pipe system have failed and areas above the pipe have washed out resulting in large holes in the soil and in some driveway areas over the pipe system. The driveways that have failed are in the ROW (right of way) and are the access points to existing businesses along 3rd St. Dr. SW.
3. To budget a total of $9,915 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance in the Library Programming ($1,200) and Departmental Supplies ($8,715) line items. $9,915 of the Library's Endowment fund was not spent prior to the end of the fiscal year therefore rolled into General Fund Balance. This amendment will budget those funds in the appropriate line items.
4. To appropriate $20,237 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the US Department of Justice) and budget in the Police Department's Specialized Equipment ($11,000), Training, Meals and Lodging ($6,166), Fuel ($500), Non-Asset Inventory ($1,789) and Uniforms ($782) line items. This budget amendment is needed for the purchase of a new canine and associated expenses. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the US Department of Justice and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
5. To transfer $9,880 of General Fund Contingency to the Intergovernmental Debt Service line item. This transfer is needed to pay Catawba County the City of Hickory's share of the North Carolina Data Campus Loan.
6. To transfer $53,232 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Street Division-Contracted Services line item. This transfer is needed to pay Neill Grading and Construction Company to construct public infrastructure related to the Moretz Mill redevelopment project. The scope of the project includes the replacement of old stormwater drains, construction of new curb & gutter, construction of new sidewalk and asphalt street patching related to the included improvements. This work will be done along sections of 8th St. SE, 7th St. SE and E. Ave. SE.
7. To budget $50 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance in the Library books line item. A $50 memorial donation from Donnis sills for Helen Hatley was received at the end of the year and therefore rolled into General Fund Balance. An amendment is necessary to budget the $50 in the Library’s current budget.
N. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment Number 1
1. To accept and budget a $139 transfer from the Police Department’s Uniform line item and budget in the 2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Project Uniform line item. This transfer provides additional City funds to cover non-grant purchases and to close this project.
New Business - Public Hearings
1. Consideration of Text Amendment (TA) 14-02 to the City’s Land Development Code. - The proposed amendments to the City’s Land Development Code retain a business’s ability to utilize temporary out-of-doors sales, but limits such sales to properties where the businesses are located. The proposed amendments would make temporary sales an accessory use to the primary business located on a particular property. Hickory Regional Planning Commission considered the proposed amendments and voted unanimously to recommend to City Council approval of the proposed Land Development Code text amendments. Staff concurs with the recommendation. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on July 4, and July 11, 2014.
Departmental Reports:
1. Introduction of the General Obligation Bond Orders and Filing of Estimated Statement of Interest with the NC Local Government Commission. -
a. Parker Poe, Bond Counsel, has directed the City of Hickory to proceed with the next processes for the November 2014 bond referendum. An official bond introduction outlining the two general obligation bond orders is presented to City Council for approval. As required by General Statute
Section 159-55, the Finance Officer of the City must file a statement to estimate the total amount of interest to be paid on the general obligation bonds over the expected term of the bonds if approved. Staff request Council to introduce the Streets and Sidewalk Bonds in the amount of 25 million dollars, and the Economic Development Bonds in the amount of 15 million dollars, and also approve the filing of the Estimated Statement of Interest with the NC Local Government Commission.
b. Call for Public Hearing on General Obligation Bond Orders and adopt a Resolution to Request a Public Hearing on August 5, 2014, authorizing the Issuance of Two General Obligation Bond Orders.
2. Request to Amend Vacant Building Grant Agreement from Jack Sipe Construction Company. - Jack Sipe Construction Company received a Vacant Building Revitalization Grant in the amount of $23,000 to renovate the building located at 844 Highland Avenue SE. The original grant agreement was signed on December 16, 2009. The guideline in place at that time provided that the grant was to be paid in two installments, 50 percent of the amount was paid upon completion of the proposed improvements and 50 percent of the grant upon occupancy of at least 50 percent of the building’s square footage. The exterior rehabilitation was completed on December 15, 2010. The project came under budget, which reduced the allowable grant amount to $19,834. Fifty percent of that amount, $9,917 was processed for payment on December 15, 2010. According to the agreement, in order to receive the second half of the grant amount, the building was required to be occupied by December 16, 2011. The building is still not occupied, but it has been leased to Lenoir-Rhyne University. The University plans to renovate the building for space to house its physician assistant program. Staff received a correspondence, in-mid June, from Bill Burton, President of Jack Sipe, expressing his desire to receive the second half of the grant. Staff requests that City Council consider whether to amend the Vacant Building Revitalization Grant Agreement to permit payment of the remaining $9,917 when the building becomes occupied by Lenoir-Rhyne University.
3. State Honors 38 Utilities for Meeting Stringent Voluntary Goals. - Thirty-eight systems received the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award from the State N.C. Division of Water Resources’ Public Water Supply section. The awards are part of the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Program, which is an effort to enhance the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities. Awards are given each year to water systems that demonstrate outstanding turbidity removal, a key test of drinking water quality.
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