Newsletter about the City Council meeting of October 6, 2015

I began video recording the City Council in 2012, because of my desire that the City do it on their own as any modern 21st century community began doing long ago. I had people tell me that they couldn't make it to the meetings, but they would like to see what is going on. I was also told by some council members that my summaries did not truly reflect the record, so having a video/audio recording cannot be misinterpreted.

So below is the City Council meeting. With each agenda item, you can click on the links and it will take you to that specific point in the meeting. You can always drag the marker on the video display to the point in the broadcast that you are interested in seeing.

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Hound Notes:I didn't put out an agenda, because there wasn't much to this meeting. The meeting lasted a little longer than 20 minutes. There was a presentation of a proclamation for fire prevention and safety and Chuck Hansen, the Director of Public Works had an update on Single Stream Recycling.

There really have not been many issues to discuss of late related to these meetings. The only issues of major relevance have been introduced by the public. Those issues would be the Hickory Public Housing issues -- the allegations by former employees, tenants, and the 4th Street Southwest group that doesn't want the proposed Public Housing structure to be built on 4th Street. The other issue was the group of people who needed resolution related to the long time proposed bridge project from 29th Avenue NE over into Caldwell County off of Grace Chapel Road.

I do try to put out an agenda, because it makes it easier to present this material. I also like the public, who follow this site, to have an opportunity to see what is going on with these meetings. You can always go to the City's website and view the Agenda, which comes out on the Friday afternoon before the meeting. Go to the main page and and click on Quick Links towards the top of the page, pull down and tap Agendas and Minutes.

I do need better proof reading skills (LOL).


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Invocation by retired Minister Bill Garrard

Special Presentations
A. Proclamation for Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, 2015. 
Presented to Terri Byers of the Hickory Fire Department


Consent Agenda:(Unanimously approved)
A. Approval of the National Naval Aviation Museum Standard Renewal Loan Agreement for Loaned Aircraft and Artifacts Located at the Hickory Regional Airport. - The City of Hickory/Hickory Regional Airport has on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) certain retired aircraft and artifacts located at the Hickory Regional Airport and on display by the Hickory Aviation Museum. The Hickory Regional Airport has participated in and has had on loan property from the NNAM for over fifteen (15) years. The Loan Agreement with NNAM covers a period of five (5) years commencing September 1, 2015 and ending September 1, 2020 with an option for renewal. Staff recommends approval of the National Naval Aviation Museum Standard Renewal Loan Agreement for loaned aircraft and artifacts.

B. Approval of Eight Days of Vacation Time to Use as Door Prizes for Coworker Appreciation Day. - Human Resources requests approval of eight days of vacation time to use as door prizes for the annual Coworker Appreciation event scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2015, at Hickory Metro Convention Center. Five days are used as the grand prize and the other three days as additional door prizes. Staff recommends approval of eight days of vacation time for door prizes at the annual coworker event.

C. Approval of the Contract Renewal with Socrata in the Amount of $12,000. - In an effort to provide greater transparency, the City of Hickory contracted with Socrata to present the FY 2016 Budget over the internet. Following the success and popularity of that initiative Staff recommends that we take the next step in transparency by utilizing Socrata’s OpenExpenditures product. The open data portal will enable citizens to reduce the need for administrative assistance when seeking public information from the City. Staff recommends approval of the contract renewal with Socrata in the amount of $12,000 for OpenBudget with the addition of Socrata’s OpenExpenditures product for a one year term.

D. Approval of the Special Events Activities Application for Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center Vigil, Kathleen Landry, Community Outreach Coordinator, October 20, 2015, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sails on the Square.

E. Call for Public Hearing for Consideration of Voluntary Contiguous Annexation of 11.936 acres Located in the 3000 Block of Short Road. (Authorize Public Hearing for October 20, 2015)

F. Call for Public Hearing for Consideration of the Sale of Five City-Owned Properties Located on F Avenue SE. (Authorize Public Hearing for October 20, 2015)

G. Acceptance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Grant (Non-Primary Entitlement Funds) in the Amount of $150,000 for Airport Improvements. - The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), by Letter dated July 30, 2015, has allocated FAA Non-Primary Entitlement Funds under the State Block Grant Program for Federal fiscal year 2015 for the Hickory Regional Airport. The funds are to be used for airside safety needs first with consideration of other needed airport projects. These funds are to be expended no later than July 1, 2019. NCDOT has allocated Federal funds via Grant 36237.66.NPE.15 with the Federal share of $150,000 and the local share of $16,667 for airport improvements. Upon City Council’s acceptances of the grant, any future proposed projects that fall under the guidelines of this grant will be brought back to Council for approval. Staff recommends Council’s acceptance of the
grant in the amount of $150,000 from NCDOT.

H. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 7.
1. To recognize as revenue an $850.00 donation from Patrick Beaver Friends of the Library for the purchase of senior bingo prizes.
2. To recognize a total of $4,325 in donations and budget the same as a corresponding increase to the Recreation Department Supplies line-item. Of this total, $4,000 was donated from Lowe’s Foods for the Christmas Parade and $325 for the Back 2 School Bash on August 15th at the Highland Recreation Center.
3. To recognize $4,128 in revenue received from Caldwell County Railroad Company designated for railroad signal maintenance on Clement Blvd per highway license/maintenance agreement and via NCDOT’s 2015 maintenance class rates.
4. To recognize revenue of $77,464.88 from Teen Challenge North Carolina for extension of a waterline along St. Peter's Church Road to serve property on Valwood Road. Customer has paid for materials associated with this project, and this amendment will allow the City to procure same.

I. Approval of Amendments to the Economic Development Agreement between the City of Hickory and Blue Bloodhound, LP. - On June 25, 2015 City Council approved the Economic Development Agreement with Blue Bloodhound, LP. Subsequent to Council approving the Agreement, Blue Bloodhound, LP created another company, Blue Bloodhound Management, LLC. Clue Bloodhound Management, an affiliate of Blue Bloodhound, LP, will be responsible for some of the performance of Blue Bloodhound, LP under the economic development agreement. Therefore, both companies need to be a part of the Agreement. In addition to adding the affiliate company’s name to the Agreement, the due date for the Opinion of Counsel letters from the company and the City has been changed from August 31, 2015 to October 1, 2015. Other than adding Blue Bloodhound Management, LLC to the Agreement and revising the due date for the Opinion of Counsel letters, no other changes have been made to the Agreement. Staff requests Council’s approval of the amended Economic Development Agreement between the City of Hickory, Clue Bloodhound, LP, and Blue Bloodhound Management, LLC.

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Recycling Update - Presentation by Chuck Hanson