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 - November 18, 2014 =================================================
Hound Notes: I haven't posted anything in the last week and a half, not because I am going away, but because I am working on something in depth. I should be releasing it in the next day or two.
No Change!
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Invocation by Rev. James Bernhardt, Pastor, Northminster Presbyterian Church
Special Presentations
A. Mr. Bill McBrayer Presentation of the Furniture Academy at CVCC
B. Proclamation to Recognize Senator-Elect Andy Wells as Recipient of the North Carolina League of Municipalities’ Community Champion Award.
C. Neighborhood College Graduation
Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. Ryan Neitz, Regarding Cab Fare Rate Increase
B. Brian Taylor, Regarding Cab Fare Rate Increase
Consent Agenda:
A. Approve “Food for Fines” Amnesty Weeks at the Library, December 1-12, 2014. - Approval of the waiver of overdue fines for library customers who donate canned food items at either Patrick Beaver Memorial Library or Ridgeview Branch Library during the two-week period of December 1-12, 2014. One can or box of food will cancel $1.00 in overdue fines, and donated items will be given to Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry.
B. Call for a Public Hearing – For Consideration of Closing a Portion of E Avenue SE. (Authorize Public Hearing for December 16, 2014)
C. Special Events Activities Application for A Very Vintage Christmas, Caleb Hayworth, Operations Director, Vintage City Church, December 24, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30p.m. Downtown Union Square.
D. 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, 2014:
Ge Moua & Vicky Lee were approved for recommendation to City Council for first-time homebuyer’s assistance to purchase a house located at 816 5th Avenue SW, Hickory. They have requested $7,500 for assistance with down payment and closing costs. The First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Loan is zero interest, no payments and repaid upon sale, refinance or payoff of first mortgage.
Bonnie Tolley was approved for recommendation to City Council for first-time homebuyer’s assistance to purchase a house located at 840 5th Avenue SW, Hickory. She has requested $5,000 for assistance with down payment and closing costs.
The First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Loan is zero interest, no payments and repaid upon sale, refinance or payoff of first mortgage. Funds are budgeted for these items through the City of Hickory’s former Rental Rehabilitation Program income received in FY 2012 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 2013-2014 Urgent Repair Program. This program provides qualified low income citizens with assistance for emergency-related repairs not to exceed $7,200.
Tessie Dillingham, 222 8th Avenue Drive SE, Hickory, not to exceed $3,244 (She was a prior URP Applicant).
John & Carol Holleman, 1825 8th Street Drive NE, Hickory
Martha Killian, 523 29th Avenue Drive NW, Hickory
Margaret Meunier, 534 29th Avenue Drive NW, Hickory
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends approval of the request.
E. Approval to Block Parking on Union Square Along the Outside Perimeter, as well as the First Three Angled Parking Spaces, from 8:00 A.M. to Approximately 6:45 P.M. on Friday, November 21, 2014 for the Christmas Parade. - The City of Hickory Christmas Parade needs to have clearance for the floats to travel safely through Union Square. By blocking the parking spaces, this will allow for safe movement as floats travel south along 3rd St NW, turn left into Union Square, and proceed through to 2nd St NW. The Traffic Division has analyzed this request and feels it would be fitting. Placing cones to block the parking spaces first thing in the morning will ensure no one parks in the spots requested. After talks with Downtown Development Association, Hickory Police Department, and Hickory Fire Department, it was deemed this is the best way to proceed. All parking spots will be open immediately after the parade has traveled through.
F. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 10.
1. To budget a $107 Library donation in the Library supplies line item. This donation is from Lenoir Rhyne University for the reception hosted by the Hickory Public Library for author Rebecca Skloot.
2. To budget a $40 Library donation in the Library books line item. This donation is from Mrs. Alice Spuller in honor of the Colonial Dames XVII Chapter to purchase a genealogy book.
3. To appropriate $7,145 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from North Carolina State Unauthorized Substance Tax) and budget in the Police Departmental Non Asset Inventory ($6,695) and Supplies ($450) line items. This budget amendment is needed for the purchase of software for the Forensic Analyst position in CID (Criminal Investigations Division). Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
4. To appropriate $26,400 of Miscellaneous Insurance Claims Payments and to transfer $5,793 of General Fund Contingency to the Fire Departments Vehicles line item. This amendment is necessary to budget a $26,400 insurance claim payment from Argonaut Great Central Insurance Company for damages to a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe that was involved in an accident. An additional transfer of $5,793 from General Fund Contingency is needed to pay the difference for a replacement vehicle.
5. To appropriate $30,000 of General Fund Balance and transfer to Bridge No. 327 replacement project located on Falling Creek Road. The WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) was approved to pay for the Right of Way and Utility engineering for this project has been approved by NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation) in the amount of $150,000 (Federal $120,000 and Local $30,000). Therefore a $30,000 appropriation is necessary to provide the local match.
6. To accept a $1,441 transfer ($255 Transportation Fund Balance, $1,186 General Fund-Fund Balance) from the Airport Taxiway B, S, North Apron project and return unspent funds to the original funding source. This amendment is necessary to close the Airport Taxiway B, S, North Apron project.
G. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment Number 3.
1. To budget a $30,000 transfer of Appropriated General Fund Balance and to budget an additional $120,000 of Federal Revenue in the Bridge No. 327 replacement project located on Falling Creek Road. The WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) was approved to pay for the Right of Way and Utility engineering for this project has been approved by NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation) in the amount of $150,000 (Federal $120,000 and Local $30,000).
2. To decrease the Design line item in the Airport Taxiway B, S, North Apron project by $1,441 and transfer funds back to the original funding sources ($255 Transportation Fund Balance and $1,186 General Fund-Fund Balance). This amendment is necessary to close the Airport Taxiway B, S, North Apron project and return unspent funds to the original funding source.
New Business - Public Hearings:
1. Public Hearing – for Consideration of Voluntary Contiguous Annexation of 20.446 acres located at 2415 Springs Road NE. - Northlake Southstar, LLC has submitted a petition for the voluntary contiguous annexation of 20.446 acres of property. The annexation area is comprised of what was the former St. Stephens Elementary School site, which is currently being developed into a shopping center and out parcels. The annexation is being requested in order to connect the City’s water and sewer system. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on November 7, 2014.
2. Public Hearing – for Consideration of Closing a Portion of 15th Street NW. - McDonald’s USA, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (Tenant) and SRW, Inc., a North Carolina Corporation (Landlord) have petitioned to close a portion of 15th Street NW, containing .195 acres more or less. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on October 24, October 31, November 7 and November 14, 2014.
New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Amendment to City Manager’s Employment Agreement. - After discussion in closed session of the City Manager’s FY 2013-2014 performance, City Council unanimously voted to consider in open session an amendment (first amendment) to the Manager’s June 22, 2004 employment agreement. Section 20: One Time Bonus. Employee shall receive a one-time lump sum bonus of $4,350, effective as of July 1, 2014.
2. Approval of an Agreement for Engineering Services with McGill Associate in the amount of $48,000 for the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Facility - McLin Creek Wastewater Pump Station Project. - The Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Facility (HCWWTF) – McLin Creek Wastewater Pump Station is necessary for areas northwest of the HCWWTF to receive treatment services at the HCWWTF. The HCWWTF is approximately 20 feet higher than the area next to McLin Creek/Lake Norman, therefore a pump station is required to lift this sewer into the influent of the treatment facility due to providing gravity sewer to the tributary properties. The agreement with McGill Associates will be for the planning, engineering, and permitting work necessary to complete the project. This project will be funded out of the HCWWTF Upgrade Project budget contingency line due to the pump station being a future component of the completed facility. All funding for the project is split equally between the City and Catawba County in accordance with the financing agreement for the HCWWTP. Staff recommends approval of this Agreement for Engineering Services with McGill Associates in the amount of $48,000.
3. Update on Construction of Hickory Metro Convention Center Parking Deck.
