Agenda about the City Council meeting of May 19, 2015

This Agenda is about the Hickory City Council meeting that took place on the date listed above. 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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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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Hound Notes - Looks like we are going to see a "Not in my backyard" moment during Persons Requesting to be Heard about a proposed Public Housing Complex on 4th Street SW. Isn't the Apartment complex on 4th Street NW the same type of project? We haven't seen people coming forward against that complex -- YET.

Along the lines of economic reality --
The following is my interpretation of David Stockman's most recent interview on King World News (May 15, 2015). David Stockman was the Former Director of the US Office of Management and Budget (USOMB) during the Reagan administration. He helped direct policies that pulled the U.S. out of a deep Inflationary recession that lasted from the mid 1970s to the early 1980s.

One bad financial report after another continue to be reported here in the first half of 2015. We are in a deep Recession (actually Depression) that has been covered over with money printing, speculative gambling, and fraud. There is no way out -- Well, other than to pretend or be ignorant...

The money printing we have seen has led to Financial Inflation. That is what we have seen in the Stock and Bond Markets with their run-ups since the Financial Collapse of 2008. We are entering a phase where we will see a crisis in confidence lead to a profound political crisis.

David Stockman is calling for a deflation in assets related to malinvestment. Stocks and Bonds have depended on speculative growth to infinity. When investors come to the realization that assets are overvalued, then the bottom will fall out of the stock and bond markets. Look for the next leg down in this Economic Depression to be spectacular. The Central Banks are getting increasingly desperate and fully understand the Bubble that they have created.

We are near the end, but the Central Banksters and Politicos will look to do something -- Think Bail-ins where they depreciate the currency by skimming from your bank and financial accounts.

 David Stockman interview on King World News

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Invocation Rev. Jay Robison, Pastor, Viewmont Baptist Church

Special Presentations
A. Business Well Crafted Award to CBSA Architects presented by Business Development Committee

Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. Delores Hammer, Proposed Public Housing Complex on 4th Street SW
B. Crystal Rogers, Proposed Public Housing Complex on 4th Street SW
C. Paul Gadd, Proposed Public Housing Complex on 4th Street SW
D. Mary Yount, Proposed Public Housing Complex on 4th Street SW
E. Kim Clarke, Proposed Public Housing Complex on 4th Street SW

Consent Agenda:
A. Request to Accept Donation from Department of Homeland Security.- Hickory Police Department requests approval to accept the donation of three armor vests from the Department of Homeland Security for the Narcotic Unit. The approximate cost of each vest would be $1,500 for a total of $4,500. The Narcotics Unit works with Homeland Security on a continual basis and can use the specialty ballistic vests when there is a need to enter a home or business in a possible dangerous situation. These vests are ultra-lightweight and have thin plate carriers providing the ultimate protection and comfort for the officers while he or she is performing his or her job. Hickory Police Department recommends approval to accept the donation of three ballistic vests from Department of Homeland Security for use by the Narcotic Unit.

B. Approve the Transfer of a Cemetery Deed from Barbara F. Miller and spouse, Glenn E. Miller by and through his Attorney-in-Fact, Randy Allan Miller to James D. Dietz Jr.,

C. Approve the Transfer of a Cemetery Deed from Barbara F. Miller and spouse, Glenn E. Miller by and through his Attorney-in-Fact, Randy Allan Miller to Arlen DeVenney Nicolls,

D. Approve the Transfer of a Cemetery Deed from Stephen D. Shores and wife, Susan C. Shores; David H. Shores, and wife, Janet H. Shores; Robert B. Shores and wife, Melanie G. Shores; James W. Shores and wife, Carol E. Anderson to Alvin Godfrey Stout and wife, Nancy Dale Kinney-Stout

E. Approve the Transfer of a Cemetery Deed from Fred S. Gachet, Jr. and wife, Shirley Ann Gachet to Avis O. Gachet,

F. Approve the Transfer of a Cemetery Deed from Barbara F. Miller and spouse, Glenn E. Miller, by and through his Attorney-in-Fact, Randy Allan Miller to John Daniel Huss

G. Approval of a Proclamation for National American Public Works Week, May 17-23, 2015.

H. Special Events/Activities Application Hickory Choral Society (HCS) Pops Concert, Mandy Pitts, Communications Director/Brand Manager, June 7, 2015 from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sails on the Square Stage in Downtown Hickory.

I. Special Events/Activities Application Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists’ Oktoberfest 5K Footrace & Fun Run, Robin Lutz, Marketing Director, Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists, October 10, 2015 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 76 North Center Street.

J. Special Events/Activities Application Human Relations Award Well Crafted Evening Under the Sails, Captain Thurman Whisnant, Hickory Police Department, May 28, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sails on the Square in Downtown Hickory.

K. Special Events/Activities Application Hart & Soul 5K, Deena Whitener, Mountain View Elementary PTO, July 18, 2015 from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Hickory Regional Airport, 3101 9th Avenue Drive, Hickory.

L. Special Events/Activities Application Schmoozapalooza at Tastin’ Tunes & Tomatoes, Lindsay M. Keisler, SVP, Catawba County Chamber of Commerce, June 18, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Union Square by the Sails.

M. Approval of a Contract with Hickory Metro Convention Center in the Amount of $2,233 for the Annual Coworker Appreciation Event and Service Awards. - Staff requests approval of a contract with Hickory Metro Convention Center in the amount of $2,233 to reserve an event date. This event is held annually to celebrate the service given by City employees and to thank them for a “job well-done”. There is also a recognition of service milestones, accomplishments and projects throughout the City and a chance to get all coworkers together in a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere. Costs for the event are budgeted. Staff recommends Council’s approval of the contract with Hickory Metro Convention Center.

N. Acceptance of a Grant Awarded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation in the Amount of $180,000. - Staff requests approval to accept Grant 36244.33.12.1 awarded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in the amount of $180,000 for future land acquisition and obstruction removal at the Hickory Regional Airport. On November 5, 2013 City Council Approved the Hickory Regional Airport’s Transportation Improvement Program submittal for FY2015-2012 to the NCDOT. It included specific future capital project improvements for the airport. Land acquisition and obstruction removal were part of that submittal to allow for a safe glide path for a 600 foot extension of Runway 6. A letter dated March 19, 2015 from NCDOT allocates State funds via Grant 36244.33.12.1
with the State share of $180,000 and the local share of $20,000 for land acquisition and obstruction removal. Staff recommends City Council’s acceptance of Grant 36244.33.12.1 in the amount of $180,000 from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

O. Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs. - The following request was considered by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee at their regular meeting on May 7, 2015:
 Jackie Robinson, 632 1st Avenue Place SE, Hickory was awarded a City of Hickory’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends approval for assistance not to exceed $15,000.00 for repairs to her house. Assistance would be in the form of a 0% interest deferred loan. Funds are budgeted for these items through the City of Hickory’s former Rental Rehabilitation program income and/or program income received through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program. Each of the following applicants are being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s 2014 Urgent Repair Program. This program provides qualified low income citizens with assistance for emergency-related repairs not to exceed $7,200.
 Jessie Streeter, 1304 9th Avenue SE, Hickory
 Steve Crowder, 844 7th Avenue SW, Hickory
 Debora Jenkins, 2013 13th Avenue NE, Hickory
 Vickesha Lawrence, 1407 16th Avenue NE, Hickory
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends approval of the aforementioned requests for assistance through the City of Hickory’s housing assistance programs.

P. Acceptance of the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant in the Amount of $200,000. - The Brownfields Area-wide Planning Grant provides grants of up to $200,000 to develop a plan for a small area that contains multiple known or suspect Brownfield sites. These plans will typically focus on a neighborhood or district. The plan will focus on the cleanup and reuse of one or more catalyst sites. The City’s grant application would focus on an area that generally includes the vicinity of US 70 between US 321 and South Center Street. This area was discussed as a potential focus area by the Brownfields Advisory Group. There is no required match associated with this grant. Staff recommends City Council’s approval to accept the Brownfields Area-wide Planning Grant in the amount of $200,000.

Q. Acceptance of a Cemetery Deed Conveying Exchanged Plots. - In July 1989, Joyce and Turner King purchased two grave plots in Oakwood Cemetery. In October 2000 the King’s decided that they needed four connected plots. They exchanged their two plots for tow plots in a four grave block and also purchased the remaining two plots in order to have four total connect plots. The two plots they exchanged were never conveyed back to the City via a Cemetery Deed. Staff recommends Council accept the Cemetery Deed conveying the exchanged plots back to the City of Hickory.

R. Approval of the Purchase of 600 Radio Read Water Meters from HD Supply, Inc. in the Amount of $105,000. - Staff requests Council’s approval for the purchase of 600 radio read water meters from HD Supply, Inc. from surplus stock. HD Supply has 600 radio read meters from an order that was cancelled from another customer. These meters match City of Hickory’s specifications and Staff has negotiated a price of $175 each or $105,000. Annually radio read meters are purchased to replace manual read meters to increase efficiencies by removing a source of human error upon entry and streamlining the reading process by partially automating with available technology. Purchase of these meters will represent an $8,400 savings for the Public Utilities Department for a regularly purchased
commodity from the normal bulk purchase price of $189 per meter. Staff recommends Council’s approval for the purchase of 600 radio read water meters from HD Supply, Inc., in the amount of $105,000. The meters would be purchased from Water and Sewer Fund Balance.

S. Approval of Change Order Number One with Hickory Sand Company, Inc. in the Amount of $82,410. - The Maple Place Pump Station was constructed in 1988 to provide sanitary sewer service to this residential subdivision by the developers and donated to the City of Hickory. The subdivision is predominantly developed with approximately three or four lots remaining for development. Change order one for the Maple Place Pump Station replacement project consists of nine items related to easement negotiation and unanticipated conditions that have arisen during construction. Included in this change order is $24,100 for blasting and excavation of 290 cubic yards of rock necessary to install the sanitary sewer line, force main, and water line. All other items are related to easement negotiations ($15,300) or unanticipated conditions which have arisen through construction activities. The revised contract total to date will be $302,160. Funds for this change order will be taken from the Water and Sewer Capital Reserve. Staff recommends approval of change order one with Hickory Sand Company, Inc. for construction of the Maple Place Pump station replacement project in the amount of $82,410.

T. Approve Modification of Special Events/Activities Application for June and September Sails Original Music Series. - Staff requests modifying the Special Events/Activities Application to allow wineries in the Hickory Metro area to apply to sell locally crafted wine during the Sails Original Music Series on Friday nights in June and September 2015. An agreement between the City and the local winery, as well as a special permit from North Carolina ABC and insurance must be submitted from the winery to the City along with a $25 feet to serve during a 2015 City sponsored event. Citizens have requested that wine be sold in the roped off area that the City puts up around the Sails on the Square Music Stage, where beer is currently sold and consumed. Staff recommends approval of the modification to allow local wineries in the Hickory Metro to serve locally crafted wine at the Sails Original Music Series on Fridays in June and September between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. under the Sails on the Square in Downtown Hickory during the City sponsored event.

U. Grant Project Ordinance Number 8.
1. To budget a $200,000 NC Department of Transportation – Division of Aviation State Grant for future land acquisition and obstruction removal. The total project is $200,000 with 90 percent funded by the State ($180,000) and a required 10 percent local match of $20,000 funded by General Fund-Fund Balance).

V. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment Number 5.
1. To accept a $225,223 transfer of General Capital Reserve Fund to the Miscellaneous Storm Grant Project. The total project expenses will be $360,381. Federal and State FEMA funding will cover $135,158 and the remaining balance of $225,223 will be funded by the General Capital Reserve Fund.
2. To accept a $346,728 transfer of General Capital Reserve Fund to the Windridge Bridge Grant Project. The total project expenses will be $1,208,501. Federal and State FEMA funding will cover $861,773 and the remaining balance of $346,727 will be funded by the General Capital Reserve Fund.

W. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment Number 5.
1. To accept a $61,450 transfer of Water and Sewer Capital Reserve-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Water and Sewer Capital Project Engineering Services line item. This transfer is to pay McGill and Associates for Professional Services for the Geitner Basin Outfall Replacement project.
2. To accept a $19,100 transfer from the Water and Sewer Fund-Sewer Lines to the
Murray Basin Capital Project. This transfer is necessary to pay for the railroad permit fees from Norfolk Southern.
3. To accept a $9,406 transfer back to the General Capital Reserve Fund to close the Henry Fork Field Lighting project. There is a $125,000 deferred revenue donation from CVYSA due in FY18 therefore a receivable account will be set up in the General Fund.

X. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 19.
1. To budget a total of $50 of Library donations from Margie Owsley in honor of Mary Ellen Snodgrass.
2. To budget a total of $1,500 of Parks and Recreation donations in their Departmental Supplies line item. These funds are for the Unifour Senior Games.
3. To budget a total of $7,341 of Parks and Recreation donations in their Departmental Supplies line item. These funds are for the Unifour Senior Games Registrations.
4. To transfer $19,100 from the Water and Sewer Fund-Sewer Lines to the Murray Basin Capital Project. This transfer is necessary to pay for the railroad permit fees from Norfolk Southern.
5. To transfer $27,000 from Water and Sewer Contingency to the Sewer Treatment line item to cover this line item for the remainder of this fiscal year. This is for the treatment and processing of sanitary sewer that is transported to the City of Conover from Hickory for treatment prior to discharge.
6. To transfer $9,406 back to the General Capital Reserve Fund to close the Henry Fork Field Lighting project. There is a $125,000 deferred revenue donation from CVYSA due in FY18 therefore a receivable account will be set up in the General Fund.
7. To appropriate $225,223 of General Capital Reserve Fund and transfer to the Miscellaneous Storm Grant Project. The total project expenses will be $360,381. Federal and State FEMA funding will cover $135,158 and the remaining balance of $225,223 will be funded by the General Capital Reserve Fund.
8. To appropriate $346,728 of General Capital Reserve Fund and transfer to the Windridge Bridge Grant Project. The total project expenses will be $1,208,501. Federal and State FEMA funding will cover $861,773 and the remaining balance of $346,727 will be funded by the General Capital Reserve Fund.
9. To transfer $105,000 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance to the Water and Sewer Pipes, Hydrants and Meters line item. This transfer is needed to pay for the purchase of 600 Radio Read Water Meters at a significant price savings.
10. To transfer $61,450 of Water and Sewer Capital Reserve-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Water and Sewer Capital Project Engineering Services line item. This transfer is to pay McGill and Associates for Professional Services for the Geitner Basin Outfall Replacement project.
11. To transfer $20,000 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Airport Grant project for future land acquisition and obstruction removal. The total project is $200,000 with 90% funded by the State ($180) and a required 10% local match of $20,000.



New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Cloninger Mill Property Update/North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) - Recently the North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS), a nonprofit provider of outdoor and experiential education, approached staff with a request that Council take the 10.1 acres off the commercial market and dedicate the parcel solely for park use. The organization is proposing Council enter into a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions (‘Declaration”) which will conserve the parcel in perpetuity by placing certain covenants and restrictions on the affected property. In exchange for Council entering into the Declaration, NCOBS will make a monetary donation of $900,000 to be used to develop the property as a park. The proposed donation is not an offer from NCOBS to purchase the property. The City will retain ownership of the property. 

2. Presentation of City Manager’s FY2015-2016 Recommended Budget. (Authorize Public Hearing for June 2, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of the Julian G. Whitener Municipal Building). The 2015-2016 Recommended Annual Budget will be distributed to City Council as required by law and be available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, Ridgeview Library and the City’s website (hickorync.gov)