Newsletter about the City Council meeting of August 19, 2014

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.

Thoughts about the Hickory City Council meeting - August 19, 2014

Agenda about the City Council meeting of August 19, 2014




Invocation by Rev. Bob Thompson, Pastor, Corinth Reformed Church


Special Presentations:
A. Mr. Alan Barnhardt, Executive Director, Catawba Science Center will discuss the
uniqueness of Catawba Science Center, what it is doing to promote the local economy, and the newest featured exhibition – Furniture. Well Crafted.
B. Ms. Bebe Leitch, CEO, Hickory Metro Convention Center, presentation of a Resolution to Hickory City Council
C. Representative of Hickory Downtown Development Association – Discussion of Oktoberfest

Hound Notes: You can read my thoughts about Oktoberfest at the "Thoughts" link above. Oktoberfest beer sells will end at 10:30pm and the festival itself will close at 11pm.

Consent Agenda: 

Unanimous Consent

New Business - Public Hearings:
1. Consideration of Contiguous Annexation of Startown Road Right of Way. - The City of Hickory has submitted a petition for the voluntary contiguous annexation of 0.6 acres of property. The annexation area is comprised of a portion of the public street right-of-way of Startown Road. The annexation is being requested in an effort to fill in some gaps in the City’s boundary within the Startown Road public street right-of-way. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on August 8, 2014. - Unanimous Consent

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. (a) Vacant Building Grant Program. - Update City Council on the status of the Vacant Building Grant program and request changes to the Vacant Building Revitalization and Demolition Grant Program guidelines, to appropriate fund balance for projects in progress across the most recent fiscal year for which final payments have not been made, and to appropriate fund balance for an additional amount of grant funding for project that are in the initial stages of review and could be awarded a grant in FY 2014-2015. - Unanimous Consent

(b) Amend Vacant Building Grant Agreement from Jack Sipe Construction Company. (First Reading Vote: Unanimous) - Council voted against extending the second portion of this grant, because the company would not have a tenant, per the agreement, in the timely fashion required. Only Mayor Wright voted to extend that agreement.

***  Pointed out by a Hound Viewer  ***
One correction to your comments regarding the Jack Sipe Construction grant....the original total of the grant was $19,834 of which half, $9,917 was paid on Dec 15, 2010.  The other half is what the Council did not approve.  There were never two $40,000 grants.  Reference the info provided in the July 15, 2014 Council meeting.


General Comments:
Alderwoman Patton commended the Police Department for their win for the Safe Harbor Bed Race that was held on Saturday. They actually beat out CrossFit, and the Fire Department received “Best Bed”. It was a lot of fun, and she thanked the Police Department for winning the race.
Mayor Wright commended City Manager Mick Berry on his 10th Anniversary with the City of Hickory, and thanked him for his service.
Alderman Guess commented that Sunday was the dedication for the Longview Elementary School which was located where the old Grandview School was. That was a proud moment and a really good event. They will be opening on Monday.
Alderman Zagaroli commented on the dedication of the Zahra Baker Tree House event that was held.

Mayor Wright commented that you need to go see it, it is special. As we do more planning it is going to become more spectacular.