Scott Millar - The Future Economy Council - Catawba County Economics 101

I don't think that one can help but like Scott Millar, the CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Catawba County. This guy is constantly on the go and you see him everywhere. He's also easily approachable in a job that requires him not to divulge everything he knows. I think he has done an excellent job under trying circumstances.

The following is his presentation from his visit with us at the Chamber of Commerce as part of the monthly Future Economy Council meetings. This is the second such meeting that Scott has held with us over the last couple of years. I call it a lesson in "Catawba County Economics 101," because from nearly the beginning this discussion went into critical thinking mode. I appreciated the way that Scott acted as a mediator and professor in allowing the people of the group to ask candid questions and express concerns with issues and the direction of the area's economy. If you listen to this meeting, then you will understand why we all walked away from this meeting feeling better about the direction we are headed and the steps we (all of us) need to take to move our area forward.




Part 1 - Intro and discussion about long term economic objectives.

Part 2 - Attracting and growing Small Businesses versus recruiting established major corporations. Success and failure of start-ups and complaints about competition from existing businesses.

Part 3 - Why do businesses we recruit go elsewhere? Developing and Marketing Assets... Breaking down Silos...Vision and Credibility

Part 4 - Perception is Reality... Scott talks about the Apple facility... and about Turbocoating

Part 5 - Energy, Information, and manufacturing possibilities... Why companies come to Catawba County... Developing specific opportunities that are fertile for targeted market centers... Utilizing existing vacant infrastructure.

Part 6 - Problems with the existing regional Economic Development Partnership... and the positive developments of the Regional Partnership to the west... We will sell where we can sell... Opportunities and needs to watch developments... Makers and Doers... A Life Well Crafted... The Big Elephant Issue... Attracting 20 to 44 year olds... State Incentives and the problems with the tier system... Danny Hearn talks about strategies and hiring someone from the outside a leader, that can help get a collaborative investment action plan.

Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- November 20, 2011

MF Global: Was It A Hit? - Zero Hedge - Lawrence Lepard - Submitted by Tyler Durden - 11/18/2011 - Imagine you are Ben Bernanke, or on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. The time frame is July and August of 2011 and the price of gold is on a tear. Commodities inflation has been persistent and is breaking out everywhere. Your prediction that inflation “is contained” and is a “temporary phenomena” are beginning to look absurd. What do you do?..... Simple. Hint that QE3, the primary drive of inflation, is coming and then fail to deliver at the September FOMC meeting. That takes care of the price of gold and the gold stocks. Ah, but those pesky commodities speculators keep making money and trading against what you want the markets to do. So what is to be done there? Hey Jon Corzine, how about you tank the largest broker for the small commodities punters in the world, and we let them twist in the wind? That will serve them right. Teach them to bet against the government approved scenario..... Think it did not happen? Well think again. All of the pieces fit. It sure is convenient that all those commodities speculators are now out of the box. Also, who will want to speculate on commodities in the future given customer funds are no longer protected. Furthermore, commodities speculators are not a very “All American” group. From the authorities point of view they can say: screw them, who will feel sympathy? Hell, James Bullard, Fed Governor, in an interview on CNBC yesterday said the MF Global collapse proves that the system works. Yes it does Jim, for you. Personally, I have $90,000 at MF Global and I would like to have my honestly earned money returned. Unfortunately, the odds of that happening any time soon seem slim. In part because when MF Global entered bankruptcy the judge appointed a Trustee whose law firm has done substantial work for JP Morgan, a deeply interested party. We will probably never find out what happened here. But for those of us whose eyes are open the results speak for themselves.



Supercommittee failure could trigger US credit downgrade, economists warn - Economists predict dire consequences if committee fails to reach agreement on how to reduce America's massive debt - The Guardian (UK) - Dominic Rushe in New York November 18, 2011 - Economists are warning of dire consequences if US politicians fail to make progress this weekend in tense talks aimed at reducing America's massive deficit ahead of a Wednesday deadline. The bi-partisan congressional super-committee is charged with drawing up plans for a $1.2tn reduction in the nation's deficit by the middle of next week. Failure to do so will trigger an automatic "sequester" that will make cuts of that size to defence and social welfare programmes starting in 2013. But the two sides seem far from finding a solution after clashing over tax revenues. While Wednesday is the official deadline for the supercommittee to report back, it has until Monday to tell the Congressional Budget Office about the impact any plan they send to Congress will have on the budget. "Time is running out. What I can say is we are leaving no stone unturned, negotiations continue and we are looking to find a way. We recognise what's at stake and we're hoping to reach an agreement," Democrat committee member Chris Van Hollen told CNN Friday.


Oil hits $100 as US economy slowly improves - Chris Hahn - AP - November 16, 2011 - Oil prices hit $100 a barrel on Wednesday after a six-week surge that may drive gasoline prices higher in coming months and slow the fragile economic recovery. For now, there a few reasons to explain why oil jumped 30 percent higher since early October. One is promising. The U.S. economy continued to show signs of strength, meaning that the thirst for fuel may grow. The other factor is troublesome, as concerns rise about potential disruptions to critical -- and tightening -- world oil supplies, including unrest in the key oil-producing areas of the Middle East and Africa. The price run-up has led to increasing numbers of investors, such as major investment funds, pension funds, money managers and other speculators, to flood back into commodities markets. "This thing is on fire," independent oil trader Stephen Schork said. "Everyone's gobbling oil up."


Eight SEC employees disciplined over failures in Madoff fraud case; none are fired [A
key employee was not fired because he knew too much.] - Washington Post - By David S. Hilzenrath, November 11, 2011 - The Securities and Exchange Commission, which failed to stop Bernard Madoff’s long-running investment fraud despite repeated warnings, has disciplined eight agency employees over their handling of the matter but did not fire anyone. The SEC’s head of human resources and a law firm hired to advise the agency had recommended that SEC Chairman Mary L. Schapiro fire one person, whom the SEC described as a manager in the office that inspects investment firms. But the chairman decided not to fire the employee, because doing so “would harm the agency’s work,” SEC spokesman John Nester said. The disclosure that no one was terminated comes at a time when street protesters and other critics who blame Wall Street for the country’s economic plight are questioning whether the government is serious about holding powerful wrongdoers accountable. This week, a federal judge excoriated the SEC for letting firms such as Citigroup settle fraud charges without admitting or denying wrongdoing. Madoff’s fraud cost investors billions of dollars, shattered lives and became perhaps the biggest embarrassment in the SEC’s history. Many clients who had entrusted Madoff with their savings were left struggling to make ends meet.


Why Your Tax Bill Might Surge Next Year - Yahoo/Fox Business - by Bob Jennings - November 9, 2011 - In a recent tax planning meeting with one of our clients, we shocked them with what their income tax future looked like for 2013 if -- on the off-chance -- Congress continues to do nothing to provide a long-term permanent set of tax laws. They had no idea what tax breaks were expiring this year and next year, and how much it would cost them personally in extra income tax. But they aren't alone, many Americans and even tax professionals aren't aware that their tax bill could rise dramatically next year These clients are your average American family and their situation is a good example of the law changes that will affect all of us. Here's their tax situation with a table summarizing the expiring tax laws that are scheduled to occur in 2011 and 2012......


Major Individual Income Tax Benefits Expiring 12/31/2011:
• Personal tax credits applied against income tax no longer apply
• Higher alternative minimum tax exemptions revert back to extraordinarily-low thresholds
• $250 school teacher expense deduction ends
• Mortgage insurance premium deduction expires
• State and local sales tax deductions expire
• Tuition and related fees deduction end
• IRA to charity tax-free transfers stop
• 2% Social Security tax reduction ends

Major Individual Income Tax Benefits Expiring 12/31/2012:
• Marriage penalty equalization ends
• Dividends taxed at capital gains rates removed, taxed at regular rates now
• Capital gains low tax rates expires
• Removal of itemized deduction phase out for higher income Americans
• Removal of personal exemption phase out for higher income Americans
• Child care deduction limit of $3,000 reverts to $2,400
• Child credit reduces from $1,000 per child to $500 per child
• Low 10% tax bracket for low income Americans is eliminated
• Lower income tax rates and smaller brackets expires
• Refundable adoption credit and reduced deduction
• American Opportunity college education credit expires
• Major reduction in earned income credits and refunds
• Income tax exemption for debt forgiven on home foreclosures and repossessions
• Deduction for student loan interest ends
• Education IRA limit drops from $2,000 to $500

What actually happened with MF Global - November 15, 2011 - Trends Research Institute - Gerald Celente

Gerald Celente, on the MF Global scandal and the meltdown of the futures market

Gerald Celente, about the MF Global scandal and the meltdown of the futures market , this theft of clients' money has never happened before, the clients' accounts should have been kept as SEGREGATED accounts, so the clients could get all of their money back even if the company files for bankruptcy. I feel sorry for all the people who lost their money by MF Global . MF Global is a glip non important to markets, although its messed up, markets are only moving on the cnbc and other media headlines that continue to talk about europe and there problems. Its total manipulation to keep using media headlines about greece, italy, france, spain, to keep bringing the markets down. They keep fear mongering! There creating volitality, and once we have to talke about our debt issue on november 23 our markets will probablly go down more. Its total media manipulation

When will Jon Corzine and his cronies be arraigned?

MF Global is the tipping point. This is a meltdown right along the lines of the contagion created by Bear Stearns relating to the Mortgage Backed Securities market in 2008. This is about Precious Metals. There are a lot of people who have been ripped off.

The clowns that back the Republicans and Democrats keep the game rolling by buying into the con. Republicans for Small Gubment. The Democrats for the Common Man. Do you realize what dupes you are? You are dupes people... You are freaking dupes... And I have gotten to the point where I just have to laugh when I hear people talking about the debates and how they support this con man or that con man... And you do zero research.

You better get your provisions ready and figure out what you are going to do when the banks start going down, because when they merged the Holding Bank Corporations with the Investment Bank Corporations and allowed the revolving door between "Public Servants," Lobbyists, and Corporate Execs, the rigged game was on. The Real Estate mess happened, because Banking became all about Sales and the fees associated with sales. You ever traded stocks? It's hard to make a real return, because these investment companies basically try to encourage you to day (flip)trade and then they fee you to death, If you don't day trade, then they fee you to death with inactivity penalties. Then they have been caught frontrunning trades to make fees on the margins when you buy and when you sell. I know, because I lost a few thousand before I figured out that scheme.

You look at the Mortgage Industry. They certainly weren't doing anything that I was taught in school. But, the banks weren't going to hire someone like me with a degree in Finance. They wanted a psychology or marketing major who is taught how to push sales and talk customers into agreeing to purchase instruments that they don't need. The slow and steady pace of investment will win you the race,when it comes to building wealth, but that limits the ability of the bank to make convoluted paper profits. For years, the banks haven't been realizing substantive/real profits. It has all been on convoluted accounting gimmicks involving mark to fantasy when assessing the value of toxic financial instruments. They aren't investing in productivity. They have been flipping these electronic derivative instruments and rigging the markets through electronic/programmed trading schemes. And they have committed fraud all along the way, because they haven't been fulfilling their duties as a public trust or their fiduciary responsibilities towards individual investors or their clients.

It is time for hearings and trials. If the congress is unwilling, because of their conflicts of interest and prostituting themselves to these Banksters, then try these criminals on the State level. If not with the States, then let's have some D.A.s prosecute and Sheriffs arraign some of these people.

Study the MF Global incident that has started this contagion involving commodities.

Fund Transfers Are Focus of MF Global Probe - Wall Street Journal - SCOTT PATTERSON - November 18, 2011

Regulators have unearthed new details indicating MF Global Holdings Ltd. shifted hundreds of millions of dollars in customer funds to its own brokerage accounts in the days before its bankruptcy filing, according to people familiar with the matter.

Such moves could violate regulations stipulating that commodities brokers can't mix customer funds with brokerage funds. Brokerage funds often are used to back proprietary trading positions.

According to MF Global's internal records, the transactions were as large as hundreds of millions of dollars at a time, these people said.

It is common practice among futures brokers to maintain a buffer of firm capital in customer-segregated accounts to protect against possible customer losses, industry officials said. However, MF Global officials believe it was acceptable to use those funds when required for the company's needs, people familiar with the matter said.

It appears likely to regulators from their investigation so far that MF Global burned through all of its capital buffer during the week before the Oct. 31 bankruptcy filing, and then started tapping customer funds, according to people familiar with the matter.

The executives at MF Global knew exactly what they were doing. It does not matter if they were desperate. The bottom line is that they have broken the law. Jon Corzine may have been a Senator and Governor of New Jersey. Whoopty Freaking Do. One thing we see is another person in the long line of the revolving door of Goldman Sachs and the government -- where Corzine was once the CEO.

In the real world, we have people out here that are desperate and they go rob a person or a store. Nobody is cutting them any slack. They do time. It is time to quit cutting these con men posing as financial experts any slack. Why are we cutting these Bankster Robber Barrons any slack?

This is the reason why we can't find traction to get on the road towards an economic recovery, because we are endorsing malfeasance, corruption, and criminal activity based upon stature and cronyism. This is the cause of the Breakdown Crisis we see with the World Economy. These people have created the negative Economic Vortex, because there is no trust in the Economic/Commercial system. You can't trust what you are getting into when making an investment. No one minds assuming risk, but this corruption creates an unquantifiable risk to investments.

Morons lambast those kids who are protesting as part of the occupy movement. The maroons ought to realize that we should all be protesting. Instead of holding the door open for the white collar bank robbers, we should be slamming the door shut on their holding cells!!!

Paranoia?, Security?, and East Carolina University on Lockdown -- Silence DoGood

Flash, East Carolina University on lock-down because a man was spotted with an… umbrella.” That’s right, an umbrella. I don’t know if it was a single shot, semi-automatic, or belt fed umbrella, but apparently there was an expectation of rain yesterday in that part of North Carolina and the man who possessed said umbrella had it at sling arms as a means of preventing raindrops from interrupting the flow of his day as he went about his business.

Am I being remotely sarcastic? Remotely, yes. How anyone that has any knowledge of firearms could mistake an umbrella for an assault rifle is beyond me. And yes, the presumption there is the fact that someone has knowledge of weapons that made those calls. Of course, perusing the websites from that part of the State, one learns that several calls were made, the lock-down proceeded, and then all the kids in the lockdown with their cell phones began to throw gallons of gas on the fire with false reports, rumor, and innuendo. Reports of hostages being taken, an armed person in a building, were all flying because of social media access and became incredible wastes of time and resources.

Besides my umbrage with the umbrella being a weapon of mass death and destruction, my other issue is that of the necessity and use of social media during this or any other crisis. Texting, blogging, twittering, and anything else not relevant and not relaying exactly what is happening, with who, what, when, where, why, and how should be curtailed, halted, or have the binders put on it. In this instance rumor ran rampant fueled by and because of this cyber discussion. The situation thus, from the reports on file, quickly devolved into chaos and only served to as fodder to the hysteria and panic of the moment. These ne’er do well folks added their 2.5 cents worth of absolutely nothing but fear, paranoia, angst, and any other adjective you can think of for mindless behavior, to this scenario. It divided the response, it diverted resources from the initial objective and it was based in no fact whatsoever, was added to, then bent and twisted into nothing resembling what was actually transpiring.

Think about this if you please. You arm your children with cell phones for God only knows what reason and these little electronic distractions are erstwhile tolerated in the classroom for the same reason they’re supplied. However, if you receive a message from Chipper that the school is in lockdown or there is an armed person on campus in the monumental odds of such an event actually ever transpiring, do you think you’re going to be allowed into the school or even get close during a lockdown? Guess again. You will not be allowed anywhere close and if you insist, you will be detained or arrested. So you’re being part of the problem, citizen individual. And, by your knowing what is going on, how does that change things? Now that you’re in the know, does that somehow make it better? What can you do? We’ve already determined that you’re not getting into that perimeter, how is your knowing in real time beneficial? It’s not about you or your child, per se. It’s about all of the children and the people in that school. While you direct attention is for that one or two, the folks responding in have to take the entire population of that building or gathering into consideration. Every one understands you love your child and I think it unreasonable to expect anything to the contrary. You and every other parent of every other child that attends that institution. In those situations, stay out of the area, stay out of the way, and let those tasked with their safety and security do their job. It’s not about you get over yourself.

I do not want to see anyone harmed or injured as a result of inaction or ambivalence on the part of the police or any school official. Some that read this will argue that it is better to be safe than sorry in situations such as these. They will say that when you have reports such as the one with the assault umbrella, it is best to err on the side of caution. Absolutely, but to stage a panic? And in essence, that is exactly what transpired, panic. Just like walking into a crowded theatre and shouting, “FIRE.” There are two different modes of response in this quandary. The first is an investigatory response to a reported sighting of a person with a presumed weapon and the second is response to an active shooter. One involves a measured and controlled response and the other taking everything you have and piling it on fast.

I think this speaks as well to a decade of fear mongering and feeling safe and secure about terrorists, extremists, militiamen, fanatics, and your general all around whack-a-loons. We are captive in our own home, city, county, state, and nation. Freedom? Really? When you can shut down an entire college campus with an umbrella, what does that tell you about group think paranoia? We have become a nation of sheeple that have lost their zest to live and choose instead to exist. A nation who can’t seem to do anything for themselves, who depend or demand that everything be done for them, and cower in the shadow of an image of a man wielding an umbrella.

You cannot live in a country such as ours with the liberties and freedoms we enjoy and be completely safe. There is always a risk. There will always be a risk or there will not be any freedom or liberty. You don’t get served security and freedom on the same absolute plate. You get to have a choice. Now, you can reduce your risks, you can lessen the chances of such a travesty happening, but you can’t remove it. Otherwise you can talk about it, install cameras to see it, and station police in every school in every community in this nation. Does that render them or you safe? No, that gives you the illusion of safety, the feeling of being safe, doesn’t make it so. Next you’ll be talking about Big Brother and how oppressive they are and spying, checking, watching, looking, and tracking you. I’m sorry, scratch that last sentence in part. By the time we reach that phase, you won’t be allowed to discuss the Government or things going on… ever. You read and hear every now and again how the Federal agencies or intelligence services are winning the war on terror. They’ll break a plot or stop someone and come and tell us about it. This is called validating what they do and what you and I pay for. And for every one they stop, how many more do you think get through or continue on with their plans? Rest assured, our turn is coming around again. So, put down the phone, pay attention to your surroundings, and don’t make things worse by continually screaming “FIRE” or “ME, MY, or MINE” every time you see an umbrella.

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of November 15, 2011

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 11/15/2011 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.

Invocation by Rev. Charles Kyker, Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church

Consent Agenda:

A. Call for Public Hearing - Ordinance Amending Hickory City Code Chapter 21, Section 21-13, “Use of Weapons” Regarding Firearms in City Parks (Authorize Public Hearing on December 6, 2011) This public hearing is required to make the City Code consistent with state law changes enacted in the 2011 Legislative Session.

B. Community Appearance Grant to Mayberry Partners, LLC – Non-Residential Property Located at 910 - 950 Tate Boulevard, SE in the Amount of $3,000 - This non-residential property, owned by Mayberry Partners, LLC, is located at 910 – 950 Tate Boulevard, SE. The applicants plan to purchase and place a sculpture on the property, including the installation of appropriate lighting. These properties are located within the Commercial Revitalization Area, and as such, are eligible to receive funding under the Appearance Grant Program. Prior to making its recommendation to City Council, the Community Appearance Commission requested the sculpture be reviewed by the Public Art Commission, which resulted in positive comments. The total cost for purchase and placement of the sculpture is $6,000, including an allowance for lighting. Given the standard 50/50 match, the proposal is eligible for an appearance grant in the amount of $3,000. On October 24, 2011, the Community Appearance Commission unanimously voted to recommend grant funding in the amount of $3,000.


C. Landscape Grant to Ryan Lovern (Fever Properties, LLC) – Non-Residential Property Located at 3031 North Center Street (NC 127N) in the Amount of $1,650 - This non-residential property, owned by Ryan Lovern (Fever Properties, LLC), is located at 3031 North Center Street. The applicant recently purchased the property (formerly, the Sunflower Nook), and the property has remained vacant for a period of time, allowing the existing landscaping to become overgrown and unkempt. The applicant proposes to upgrade the landscaping and add lighting, and has provided two bids which total $3,300 and $3,460. The applicant desires to go with the lower of the two bids, which would qualify her for a $1,650 grant, based on the standard 50/50 match. On October 24, 2011, the Community Appearance Commission unanimously voted to recommend grant funding in the amount of $1,650.

D. Approval to Apply for 2011 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Assessment Grants (Hazardous Materials Grant - $200,000 and Petroleum Grant - $200,000) - The Planning and Development Department requests approval to apply for 2011 US EPA Brownfield Assessment Grants as follows: Hazardous Materials Grant - $200,000 and Petroleum Grant - $200,000. There is no required local match, and the grants are 100% federally funded. The application deadline is November 28, 2011.


E. Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Hickory and Catawba County Regarding the County’s Voluntary Agricultural District Program - The City of Hickory has been asked to partner with Catawba County in an effort to support agriculture in our region. The Catawba County Board of Commissioners has adopted an ordinance establishing voluntary agricultural districts. This program is modeled after a state statute which gives local governments the authority to establish a program that recognizes working farms and other agricultural land as a benefit to the area. Since the program is county-wide, city residents with tracts of land that meet the minimum qualifications can enter into the program. The program is completely voluntary, does not involve zoning regulations, and agricultural uses are provided specific benefits that normally would not be available. Participants who meet the minimum criteria are identified on official county maps as being agricultural land uses, and the properties are also eligible to be identified through the installation of appropriate signage indicating an active agricultural use is nearby. These identification procedures are provided to serve as an announcement to neighboring property owners of the presence of active agricultural operations, and are provided in an effort to curtail complaints with respect to odors, noise and similar items. Staff Members from the City of Hickory and Catawba County have been discussing the City’s involvement in the program. By agreeing to the Memorandum of Understanding, the City essentially signs onto the County’s program.

F. Award Bid to Carolina Paving of Hickory, Inc. for Paving of Portions of Center Street in the Amount of $159,906 ($58,000 in CDBG Funds) - City Staff evaluated the existing conditions on portions of Center Street and determined that portions from the railroad along South Center Street to NC 127 and from 3rd Avenue NW along North Center Street to 5th Avenue NW require repaving. Portions of both roadway sections are in poor condition, and without repaving, the condition will continue to degrade, and the cost of repairs will increase significantly. Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) in the amount of $58,000 will be used for part of the project, as limited funds deemed that all of the areas needing repaving might not be feasible. This prompted separating the project into two areas that the contractors priced individually. This particular project is a long-term upgrade for the roadway and supports continued high-level service to the area. Staff recommends that bid be awarded to Carolina Paving of Hickory, Inc. in the amount of $159,906, as a complete turnkey project to include all permits and inspections.


G. Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance Through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs - The following requests were considered by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee at their regular meeting on November 3, 2011:
Kenneth Knight, 1149 15th Street SW, Hickory, was awarded a City of Hickory’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends approval for assistance not to exceed $8,000 for sewer and HVAC repairs to his house. Assistance would be in the form of a 3% interest loan for a 10 year period. Funds are budgeted for these items through the City of Hickory’s former Rental Rehabilitation Program income received in FY 2009 and/or program income received
through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program. Each of the following applicants is being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s 2011 Urgent Repair Program. This program provides qualified low income citizens with assistance for emergency-related repairs not to exceed $5,000.
Vermerrial Bennett, 167 12th Street Court SE, Hickory
Una Hunt, 1333 13th Street NE, Hickory
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee considered these requests at their November 3, 2011 Meeting and recommends approval of the above applicants.

H. Application for the Use of Frans Stadium by Girls on the Run Catawba Valley for “New Balance Girls on the Run 5K” Event to be held on December 10, 2011 from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

I. Proclamation – Proclaiming Sunday, October 30, 2011 as John Link Day in the City of Hickory

J. Proclamation – Veterans Day – November 11, 2011

K. Budget Ordinance Amendments
1. To budget a $58,000 Community Development reimbursement to the General Fund Street Paving line item for a long-term upgrade of South Center Street. The project includes the repaving of South Center Street from the railroad tracks to NC Hwy. 127. $58,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds will be used for part of the South Center Street portion of the project. The Street Division will use $101,906 of budgeted street paving funds in addition to the $58,000 reimbursement for a total $159,906 paving project.

2. To transfer $60,000 of Water and Sewer Fund Contingency to the Collection System Contracted Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay KRG Utility Contractor for an emergency repair of 8" ductile iron sewer line. The bottom lining of the line is corroded due to problematic sewer; therefore the
repair is necessary.

3. To appropriate $7,196 of Restricted Government Revenue from the City of Claremont and budget in the Water and Sewer Claremont Division Repair of Equipment line item. This payment is for billable work the Water and Sewer department completed at the Claremont Plant.



New Business:- Public Hearings

1. Rezoning Petition No. 11-01 – Annual Process for Minor Amendments to Hickory By Choice 2030 and the Land Development Code - Rezone 56 Properties Along Highway 321 NW, Clement Blvd, NW and 9th Avenue NW from CC-1 Community Commercial to C-2 General Business - City staff has identified an area to be rezoned from its original designation in the Hickory By Choice 2030 Zoning Map. A total of 56 properties along Highway 321 NW, Clement Blvd. NW and 9th Avenue NW from CC-1 Community Commercial to C-2 General Business. These properties are located in Ward 5. The Hickory By Choice 2030 Comprehensive Plan classifies the properties as Community Commercial; however, at its October 26, 2011, the Hickory Regional Planning Commission unanimously recommended re-classifying this area as C-2 General Business because that classification is a better fit with both the existing land uses on the subject properties and the uses and character of development likely to occur in the future. The properties are currently used for commercial, office and light industrial purposes, which are permitted in the C-2 General Business District. Staff finds that it is reasonable to amend the Zoning Map due to the character of the existing development and future development that is likely to occur on the subject properties. Dave Leonetti made the presentation, which received the unanimous consent of the Council.

The change is sought to address the issues of vacant properties and the future proposed widening of Highway 321. The difference between the two classifications deal with building design and building placement. CC1 requires buildings to be closer to the street, which doesn't work along a 5 lane divided highway.

2. Rezoning Petition No. 11-02 – Annual Process for Minor Amendments to Hickory By Choice 2030 and the Land Development Code - Rezone Portion of 1415 and 1445 16th Street NE from R-4 Residential to NC Neighborhood Center Commercial - City staff has identified an area to be rezoned from its original designation in the Hickory By Choice 2030 Zoning Map. The request is to rezone a portion of 1415 and 1445 16th Street NE from R-4 Residential to NC Neighborhood Center Commercial. These properties are located in Ward 3. A portion of each property is already zoned NC Neighborhood Center Commercial. The proposed rezoning corrects a mapping error that occurred when the current zoning map was adopted. These two properties had been zoned NC-1 Neighborhood commercial in their entirety under the previous zoning map. The Hickory By Choice 2030 Comprehensive Plan classifies the properties as high density residential; however, the land uses on the subject property have been present fora number of years. Staff finds that it is reasonable to amend the Zoning Map due to the character of the existing development. Dave Leonetti made the presentation, which received the unanimous consent of the Council.

This redrawing of the map is meant to address a mapping error. There were GIS issues related to street numbering/naming.

 


3. Rezoning Petition No. 11-03 – Annual Process for Minor Amendments to Hickory By Choice 2030 and the Land Development Code - Rezone Six Properties Along the South Side of 2nd Avenue SE Between 2nd Street SE and 3rd Street SE from R-4 Residential to OI Office and Institutional - City staff has identified an area to be rezoned from its original designation in the Hickory By Choice 2030 Zoning Map. The request is to rezone six properties along the south side of 2nd Avenue SE between 2nd Street SE and 3rd Street SE from R-4 Residential to OI Office and Institutional. These properties are located in Ward 4. The proposed rezoning corrects a mapping error that occurred when the current zoning map was adopted. These properties had been zoned OI-1 Office and Institutional under the previous zoning map. The Hickory By Choice 2030 Comprehensive Plan classifies the properties as high density residential. This rezoning is consistent with Hickory By Choice 2030 because the properties are located along a major thoroughfare and act as a transition between commercial and residential land uses. The intent of the adoption of the new zoning map was to translate existing uses into similar zoning districts rather than
create non-conforming uses. The properties are currently used for residential and office purposes, which are permitted in the OI Office and Institutional District. Staff finds that the proposed rezoning is consistent with Hickory By Choice, and therefore, recommends approval. On October 26, 2011, the Hickory Regional Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the requested rezoning. Dave Leonetti made the presentation, which received the unanimous consent of the Council.

 This is the northern boundary of Kenworth. This is also a mapping error that needs to be corrected. Future Land use would have this area becoming High Density residential.

 4. Text Amendment Petition No. 11-01 – Annual Process for Minor Amendments to Hickory By Choice 2030 and the Land Development Code - Land Development Code Article 3 (Zoning Districts), Article 4 (Overlay Districts), Article 6 (Use Regulations), Article 7 (Intensity Dimensional and Design Standards), Article 9 (Standards of General Applicability), Article 10 (Signs), Article 12 (Nonconformities), and Article 14 (Definitions) - City staff is initiating on behalf of the City of Hickory a text amendment to the Land Development Code. When the current Land Development Code was adopted in February, 2011, Staff stated it would suggest minor modifications to the document on an annual basis to correct inconsistencies, ensure the document remains user-friendly, and help implement the comprehensive plan. The proposed changes address issues found by Staff in the implementation of the code since its adoption. Therefore, Staff recommends approval of the proposed text amendments. On October 26, 2011, the Hickory Regional Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed text amendments. Brian Frazier made the presentation, which received the unanimous consent of the Council.



Overview of Proposed Changes
• Changes to the building design standards in Article 3 to make them easier to understand and implement while still requiring high quality development.
• Corrections of errors and inconsistencies in the Use Table related to Drinking Establishments, Marinas, Duplexes, Daycares, and Schools.
• Changes to the manufactured home appearance criteria that will facilitate the replacement of manufactured homes with newer units that meet Department of Housing and Urban Development standards
• Changes to the use standards that address signage at nursing homes and the location of accessory dwelling units.
• Changes to the standards governing accessory structures that are more flexible while still protecting adjacent properties and ensuring accessory structures do not overwhelm the primary structure.

• Changes to nonresidential district setback stand .-irds to he mor( consistent across zoning districts.
• Changes that permit a reduction in the parking requirements for existing parking lots to allow for the provision of parking lot landscaping,
• Clarification of affirmative methods of compliance with the city's Iandscape and buffer requirements by allowing a waiver option through an agreement between property owners.
• Changes to the sign code regarding sign heights window sign.iae, directional signage, directional signage, high rise signs, and projection signs.
• Addition to the nonconformities section to permit the rebuilding of nonconforming duplexes. This is necessary because the elimination of duplexes as a permitted use in the R-2 district has created a number of nonconforming duplexes in these areas.
• Defining ground floor elevation. This definition was accidentally removed from the new code and its inclusion will make calculating window requirements much easier.


New Business - Departmental Reports:

1. Request for Second Reading - Award Bid to Carolina Paving of Hickory, Inc. for Paving of Portions of Center Street in the Amount of $159,906 ($58,000 in CDBG Funds) - Portions of this repaving project do not have adequate drainage capability and will need to be milled to remove part of the existing asphalt. Also, the repaving of the section in the immediate vicinity of Frye Regional Medical Center will be done at night to minimize disruption to the hospital, and portions of that roadway section also require milling. Approval on second reading is requested in order to complete the work before winter weather sets in.

2. Presentation – Playground Design/Layout and Award of Bid to Playworld Systems in the Amount of $122,231 for the Zahra Baker All Children’s Playground - That Will Be Located in Kiwanis Park – 805 6th Street SE - This community effort, spearheaded by the Kiwanis Clubs of Catawba County, has resulted in the collection of more than $170,000 from the community, businesses, foundations and grant funds for the Playground for Zahra. The playground will be in Kiwanis Park, which is located at 805 6th Street SE, just off Lenoir-Rhyne Boulevard. The playground is to be built in the spring of 2012 utilizing a community build process. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Kiwanis Park.

Playworld Systems is the only vendor that provided all minimum play element requirements as specified in the Request For Proposal. Playworld Systems is also providing the City of Hickory with the best playground design. Therefore staff recommended that the bid be awarded to Playworld systems for $122,231.

The significance of tomorrow is that it would be Zahra Baker's Birthday.  Site Solutions volunteered to put together the conceptual site plan. Request For Proposal were issued on September 28 and due back by October 28th. Due to the $20,000 grant from KABOOM, the RFP required that they be one of Kaboom's preferred vendors. Some minimum requirements include that all decks must be accessible by ramps or accessible stairs, the safety surface is poured in place, a glide-saw motion activity will accommodate wheelchair participants and able body children simultaneously, there will be a wheel chair platform and two other accessible swings...

The Hound thinks this is a very good effort and shows the role that public-private partnerships can play towards leveraging capital to accomplish Public/Quality of Life endeavors when a community works together. The Mayor should be applauded for championing such an effort and worthy cause. As was mentioned by Mac McLeod and others, this park will not only be a place for Hickory Children of all abilities to enjoy together, but this will be a park that will be enjoyed by people throughout the region. And it will remind people about the effects of child abuse and neglect on the specific victims, such as Zarha Baker, as well as the effects on our society overall.


3. Hickory By Choice 2030 – Proposed Map and Demographic Updates - When Hickory By Choice 2030 was formally accepted by the Hickory City Council in January, 2011, Staff stated it would suggest minor modifications to the document on an annual basis to correct inconsistencies and ensure the document remains up to date. The proposed changes address demographic updates with new data from the 2010 Census. Staff also suggests one land use map amendment due to changing conditions in the area. On October 26, 2011, the Hickory Regional Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the recommended amendments.

This is the same as the presentation made in Text Amendment Petition No. 11-01

 Overview of Proposed Changes
• Changes to the building design standards in Article 3 to make them easier to understand and implement while still requiring high quality development.
• Corrections of errors and inconsistencies in the Use Table related to Drinking Establishments, Marinas, Duplexes, Daycares, and Schools.
• Changes to the manufactured home appearance criteria that will facilitate the replacement of manufactured homes with newer units that meet Department of Housing and Urban Development standards
• Changes to the use standards that address signage at nursing homes and the location of accessory dwelling units.
• Changes to the standards governing accessory structures that are more flexible while still protecting adjacent properties and ensuring accessory structures do not overwhelm the primary structure.
• Changes to nonresidential district setback stand .-irds to he mor( consistent across zoning districts.
• Changes that permit a reduction in the parking requirements for existing parking lots to allow for the provision of parking lot landscaping,
• Clarification of affirmative methods of compliance with the city's Iandscape and buffer requirements by allowing a waiver option through an agreement between property owners.
• Changes to the sign code regarding sign heights window sign.iae, directional signage, directional signage, high rise signs, and projection signs.
• Addition to the nonconformities section to permit the rebuilding of nonconforming duplexes. This is necessary because the elimination of duplexes as a permitted use in the R-2 district has created a number of nonconforming duplexes in these areas.
• Defining ground floor elevation. This definition was accidentally removed from the new code and its inclusion will make calculating window requirements much easier.

Context of Hickory By Choice 2030:
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of January 18, 2011 - Addendum Hickory By Choice 2030

General Comments:
***Alder Patton spoke about her mother's participation in the Hickory Police Academy and listening to the participants and what they got out of attending the 12 week course.
***Alder Fox gave appreciation to Mac and the Parks and Recreations Department's partnerships with Rotary and Hickory Landmark Society in the restoration of the Boy Scout Place. Alder Patton added that these public-private collaborative partnerships to (get people to) chip in and not rely on one person to help make this community better.