This was a nice rally, which featured Mayor Wright of Hickory and Mayor David Barlow of Lenoir. Mayor Wright spoke of all that has happened and is happening to facilitate this process. He addressed the media and the positive publicity we are receiving from them. He spoke about the technical team working on facilitation of applications and about Think Tanks involving Medical Focus Groups. He talked about home based businesses and about the meeting of the Future Economy Council. He addressed about the Google Webinar that took place last Friday to explain what they are looking for. He also wanted everyone to know that there will be another Town Hall event in Lenoir tomorrow March 9, 2010 and he hopes that many people who were here tonight can attend. I was given an address for a live feed happening of that meeting happening Thursday night.
Mayor Wright spoke about the Catawba and Caldwell Chambers putting together a group of business leaders to discuss what we can do to make this happen and why this is so important to us. He also talked about the broad based, tremendous support this project has received and he stated that this could define our future for years to come.
Mayor Barlow next addressed the group and addressed his past experience in landing Google a few years years ago. He stated that he is delighted that Hickory and Lenoir have joined forces. He talked about the cooperation that is taking place now that would not have taken place a few years ago and spoke about how fast this initiative is moving along. He stated that he believes this project will improve scientific educational usage and residential usage. He stated that he is amazed how business and governments are working hard together and even if this doesn't work out there will be other projects where we will work together.
Mayor Barlow stated that they (Google) know what we are capable of, because of the Google and Apple projects that have already happened. They know that we will do everything we can to accommodate them and do it in a timely manner. Lenoir received the Google center, because of the site and the infrastructure, but the human factor did help. We need to make sure that Google understands how much we want them to bring this Fiber-optic line here.
Mayor Wright recognized Dee Blackwell from the WPCOG, Tim Markley - Catawba County School Superintendent, Debra Ashley and David Horne of the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce, and he also the Hickory City Council mebers who were present (Fox, Seaver, Patton, and Guess).
City Manager Mick Berry next addressed the group and mentioned why we stand a shot of landing this project. Only 19 other communities in the country have a Google facility, only 3 of those have a population base that Google specified they are looking for, and only one of those have 3 state of the art fiber manufacturers in their area and that is us.
We have people in the audience tonight that know more about bending light and using fiber than in most parts of the world. We have a heck of a story to tell that differentiates us from everyone else. Mick then announced Kim Hudson and she delivered her message that has been spelled out in the past threads involving this issue and linked below. She did request that educators help get the message out and become personal crusaders. Kim next introduced Ben Willis who is an instructor at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.
This is Ben's Video. It is awesome and hilarious. The dude's got talent.
The Hound's message - The Mayor has stated that we are all in it on this initiative and I personally have seen a lot of people who are devoting there lives (16+ hours a day) to this cause. This initiative is just what this community needs. I believe that 99% of us are totally in favor of making this thing happen. I doubt any community is working as hard as the interested parties in this community and I have never seen the camaraderie, amongst different entities, that this effort has caused to happen.
I saw two friends of mine who are playing a vital role in this process. Alan Jackson and Chris Frye of the Jackson Group were at this meeting. They are video and marketing consultants working on the Woogle effort. You can see the passion and enthusiasm that they are bringing to the table on this effort. Alan has recently been named the Chairman of the Small Business Job Growth Council that the city has formed to attract, retain, and facilitate the implementation of small business and commerce in the area.
I don't think Alan would mind me divulging a part of our conversation about the excitement that this process has brought forth. The excitement is in watching communities and groups come together. This is huge, because it is a rallying cry like we have never seen before. We can take this Google effort and implement it in other processes. Other companies are going to be doing what Google is attempting to do here and we need to utilize the data and information we attain in this effort towards possible future ventures. Alan and I are more excited about what is currently happening in our community than we have been in a long time.
Get excited folks!!! This community is positively transforming before your very eyes.
***Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright and Lenoir Mayor David Barlow will be on WJRI 1340-AM and on Kicks 103.3 Thursday morning to talk about the project.
BROAD BAND!!!
City of Hickory - Thinking Big with a Gig
I have a Dream - A 21st Century Hickory
Woogle - How You can Help Us Get Google Ultra High Speed Broadband
3,040 Facebook Fans of the Woogle Initiative - Team Woogle meets with FEC
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
3,040 Facebook Fans of the Woogle Initiative - Team Woogle meets with FEC
Today, March 8, 2010, I attended a meeting of the Future Economy Council that discussed the Google effort on a multi-faceted level.
A few new notes
I asked if they (Google) want to facilitate laying the wire, but they don't want to manage the wire? Paul Baird (Consultant) stated that they are building a utility and will operate the utility. How long until they turn it over to anyone else is anyone's guess. I asked if was open ended, are there no timetables or capacity? Kim Hudson (consultant) stated that they may choose one community or they may choose five. They are very non-committal about how quick this will turn around and what their long term plans are. They are interested in how they might be able to utilize Google Apps by implementing this network. I asked if there had been any one-on-one communications with Google? Kim stated no and Google has specified that they don't want any personal contact. There are around 2,000 communities applying for this implementation.
Shane Pitman asked about what Google's interaction will be with local internet providers. Houston stated that was the point, to end the chokehold, drive up competition and drive down the price. Shane asked about the management of the wire and Paul stated that Google has not stated that they would hand off the management, that is just the assumption. This is a digital utility, like a road. This will not be a public-private partnership. Google will choose where it will be built, they aren't looking for any incentives or help. They will choose it for their own purposes.
Installations to the home will be contracted. As far as the connection between Hickory and Lenoir, Google will lay their own cable or lease the space from someone else. Duke Net and Century Link are alternatives to leasing. Parameters are 50,000 to 500,000 population and they want a broad spectrum of socio-economic demographics. This could be Google's development effort for the next 100 years. The RFI (Request For Information will include Right of Way issues. This is another Experimental Lab for Google. This will highlight Caldwell and Catawba Counties, between the 321 corridor linking Hickory and Lenoir. It will be Google's choice how and where to lay the fiber along that area. Telephone poles are owned by Duke Energy and they lease space on the poles.
Thoughts
Google needs to know that this community is in the process of creating a new kind of social leadership structure that supports continuous innovation and understands the importance of a systemic community transformation initiative. This Broadband initiative would not be about satisfying individual needs. It would be a building block utilized to progress local society culturally, as well as technologically.
It might be silly for us to think about what Google wants out of all of this and some statements were made that it is irrelevant, but in the end we as humans are curious by nature and for us to come full circle and feel comfortable about this idea and its issues, we have to be able to wrap our minds around the process. We have to at least think we know what someone else is thinking, even if we truly don't have a clue.
Rick Smyre talked about the Semantic Web and the ability to have artificial intelligence that utilize voice synthesis. These are going to be concepts that come to fruition in the next 5 years. We don't need to look at the structures in place today. We need to look at the existing week signals in our area, because these signals will come to fruition in the next 5 years. We need to identify what is emerging. This is one of the reasons why the United States has fallen back.
Houston stated that if we get this, we don't have to worry about branding, because businesses will be banging on our door. Jay Adams stated that that is very important to brand this area as a place where innovation can occur. He then talked about the idea of utilizing the existing rail line for this broad band corridor that lies between Hickory and Lenoir. You have 5 communities and vacant buildings that can be utilized.
Here are some terms and ideas discussed and generated by the group, its mentors, and associates:
1) Augmented Realities
2) Smart Houses (Home Automation) and the Smart Grid
3) 21st Century healthcare involving monitoring, diagnoses, and treatment via nanotechnology
4) Support for home-based businesses
5) High-Def and 3-D Entertainment
6) Enables Home-Based Individualized Education in a Virtual Classroom
7) Enhanced Mobile Technologies by integrating them with the Cloud and the Smart Grid.
8) Enables 21st Century Mobile Governance and Direct Consensus Democracy
Steve Ivester asked if he were doing product development for companies in Beijing or Sweden, and sending digital drawings, does this provide part of the solution or all of the solution? Houston Harris stated that potentially the choke-hold would be on the other end and that's a good thing. Mick Berry stated it's not about the bottleneck. It's not about technical analysis. It is about thinking big. What do you think you can do if you have this kind of Broadband Capacity and you need to articulate that.
I mentioned about the fact that we don't have an affordable (State supported) medical University on this side of the state. We could utilize this capacity to send 3-D images back and forth to Chapel Hill or East Carolina. It could be used for virtual classrooms. Steve Ivester interjected about remotely directed 3-D surgery. Amy Powell talked about a Doctor in California who has 6 other doctors who travel and he instructs them remotely.
We next talked about information systems, smart traffic systems, security issues, 3-D, and virtual reality.
Harry Hipps asked how Google is going to assess this once this is in place, if we are picked? Is Google's interest technical? He further stated, "I am sure that they would like to see good economic development, but I can't see this as there basic motivation."
Houston Harris stated that it is about ideas. They are a creative center and he believes they feel they have tapped out their own ideas and now they want fresh ideas to come in from the public and Google can worry about managing the company. It was stated that this is "Crowdsourcing."
I asked how many of these Gig networks are in the United States and Worldwide? Houston stated there may be a few metro-nets and Terry Bledsoe stated that there may be a few in Europe. That led me to ask if this would make us an incubator? Which led everyone to answer a resounding yes. If we are an incubator, then this starts out a process of spreading the web. Shane Pitman stated that we shouldn't be so naive that they aren't monitoring the data. They are looking not to improve the infrastructure. They are looking to improve their own products and services. Kim Hudson stated that 99% of their revenue is from advertising.
Terry reeled us back in by stating that we aren't here to figure out Google. We need innovative ideas to submit to attract Google here. Leave the marketing to the consultants.
Shane Pitman talked about Bloom Grocery and their use of RFID chips on the groceries and customer based scanning - Supermarket Tech & Ease. Jay Adams talked about the possibilities of a Grocery Store along the Rail Corridor that doesn't have a parking lot, because a home based scanner can be used to scan the groceries you run out of during the week. The information is stored in a database and the products can be picked and delivered to you at a depot on the rail line near where you live and where it will be available for you to pick up. People will be willing to rely on barcodes for inventory of household products.
Jay talked about the rail corridor and how it is densely populated and it connects Hickory and Lenoir, and it does have Google on it. MDI is about distribution and Logistics, so we can at least discuss the feasibility of the idea. Steve Ivester concurred that is a reason we can move the peg forward.
Houston talked about how a restaurant, such as Backstreets, can utilize a service such as this to keep inventory and I added that this could also be coordinated with your cash register. This would automatically coordinate the order between the restaurant and a purveyor, such as IFH. John Bates stated that Walmart has been doing that for 15 years - EDI. The question is can this be taken down to a micro scale? The consensus was that we could.
Kim stated that she would like to show the augmented use of Google applications from people in this area. She wants people to become fans of Facebook. They want people to please plop ideas onto the site and they utilize these for the official "Request For Information" that will be submitted in a couple of weeks. We are encouraged to think about ways to advertise on Google.
Steve Ivester stated that he believes that we have existing manufacturers that can help us succeed in innovation of 21st Century healthcare involving monitoring, diagnoses, and treatment via nanotechnology. He cited Moose Industries and various world-class doctors we have in the area.
I took the conversation in a bit of a different direction by talking about Real-Time Manufacturing and the capability to coordinate it with the Manufacturing Solutions Center at CVCC. Why can't we have people throughout the United States sending those Micro ideas in here and letting Dan St. Louis and the people down there help develop those products.
Steve Ivester stated that he doesn't have any trouble listing a dozen industries of the future where we already have weak signals in place. We are an area of innovation, but we have been knocked down by textiles and furniture. The seeds are there for more innovation.
Jay Adams suggested we do a scavenger hunt to search for areas of innovation and come back to discuss true areas of innovation and we can grow it from there. Houston talked about the branding piece. The start-up, incubator, growth area is where we need to focus, because our biggest companies have left the area. We can rebuild the area with smaller companies that will grow.
BROAD BAND!!!
City of Hickory - Thinking Big with a Gig
I have a Dream - A 21st Century Hickory
Woogle - How You can Help Us Get Google Ultra High Speed Broadband
A few new notes
I asked if they (Google) want to facilitate laying the wire, but they don't want to manage the wire? Paul Baird (Consultant) stated that they are building a utility and will operate the utility. How long until they turn it over to anyone else is anyone's guess. I asked if was open ended, are there no timetables or capacity? Kim Hudson (consultant) stated that they may choose one community or they may choose five. They are very non-committal about how quick this will turn around and what their long term plans are. They are interested in how they might be able to utilize Google Apps by implementing this network. I asked if there had been any one-on-one communications with Google? Kim stated no and Google has specified that they don't want any personal contact. There are around 2,000 communities applying for this implementation.
Shane Pitman asked about what Google's interaction will be with local internet providers. Houston stated that was the point, to end the chokehold, drive up competition and drive down the price. Shane asked about the management of the wire and Paul stated that Google has not stated that they would hand off the management, that is just the assumption. This is a digital utility, like a road. This will not be a public-private partnership. Google will choose where it will be built, they aren't looking for any incentives or help. They will choose it for their own purposes.
Installations to the home will be contracted. As far as the connection between Hickory and Lenoir, Google will lay their own cable or lease the space from someone else. Duke Net and Century Link are alternatives to leasing. Parameters are 50,000 to 500,000 population and they want a broad spectrum of socio-economic demographics. This could be Google's development effort for the next 100 years. The RFI (Request For Information will include Right of Way issues. This is another Experimental Lab for Google. This will highlight Caldwell and Catawba Counties, between the 321 corridor linking Hickory and Lenoir. It will be Google's choice how and where to lay the fiber along that area. Telephone poles are owned by Duke Energy and they lease space on the poles.
Thoughts
Google needs to know that this community is in the process of creating a new kind of social leadership structure that supports continuous innovation and understands the importance of a systemic community transformation initiative. This Broadband initiative would not be about satisfying individual needs. It would be a building block utilized to progress local society culturally, as well as technologically.
It might be silly for us to think about what Google wants out of all of this and some statements were made that it is irrelevant, but in the end we as humans are curious by nature and for us to come full circle and feel comfortable about this idea and its issues, we have to be able to wrap our minds around the process. We have to at least think we know what someone else is thinking, even if we truly don't have a clue.
Rick Smyre talked about the Semantic Web and the ability to have artificial intelligence that utilize voice synthesis. These are going to be concepts that come to fruition in the next 5 years. We don't need to look at the structures in place today. We need to look at the existing week signals in our area, because these signals will come to fruition in the next 5 years. We need to identify what is emerging. This is one of the reasons why the United States has fallen back.
Houston stated that if we get this, we don't have to worry about branding, because businesses will be banging on our door. Jay Adams stated that that is very important to brand this area as a place where innovation can occur. He then talked about the idea of utilizing the existing rail line for this broad band corridor that lies between Hickory and Lenoir. You have 5 communities and vacant buildings that can be utilized.
Here are some terms and ideas discussed and generated by the group, its mentors, and associates:
1) Augmented Realities
2) Smart Houses (Home Automation) and the Smart Grid
3) 21st Century healthcare involving monitoring, diagnoses, and treatment via nanotechnology
4) Support for home-based businesses
5) High-Def and 3-D Entertainment
6) Enables Home-Based Individualized Education in a Virtual Classroom
7) Enhanced Mobile Technologies by integrating them with the Cloud and the Smart Grid.
8) Enables 21st Century Mobile Governance and Direct Consensus Democracy
Steve Ivester asked if he were doing product development for companies in Beijing or Sweden, and sending digital drawings, does this provide part of the solution or all of the solution? Houston Harris stated that potentially the choke-hold would be on the other end and that's a good thing. Mick Berry stated it's not about the bottleneck. It's not about technical analysis. It is about thinking big. What do you think you can do if you have this kind of Broadband Capacity and you need to articulate that.
I mentioned about the fact that we don't have an affordable (State supported) medical University on this side of the state. We could utilize this capacity to send 3-D images back and forth to Chapel Hill or East Carolina. It could be used for virtual classrooms. Steve Ivester interjected about remotely directed 3-D surgery. Amy Powell talked about a Doctor in California who has 6 other doctors who travel and he instructs them remotely.
We next talked about information systems, smart traffic systems, security issues, 3-D, and virtual reality.
Harry Hipps asked how Google is going to assess this once this is in place, if we are picked? Is Google's interest technical? He further stated, "I am sure that they would like to see good economic development, but I can't see this as there basic motivation."
Houston Harris stated that it is about ideas. They are a creative center and he believes they feel they have tapped out their own ideas and now they want fresh ideas to come in from the public and Google can worry about managing the company. It was stated that this is "Crowdsourcing."
I asked how many of these Gig networks are in the United States and Worldwide? Houston stated there may be a few metro-nets and Terry Bledsoe stated that there may be a few in Europe. That led me to ask if this would make us an incubator? Which led everyone to answer a resounding yes. If we are an incubator, then this starts out a process of spreading the web. Shane Pitman stated that we shouldn't be so naive that they aren't monitoring the data. They are looking not to improve the infrastructure. They are looking to improve their own products and services. Kim Hudson stated that 99% of their revenue is from advertising.
Terry reeled us back in by stating that we aren't here to figure out Google. We need innovative ideas to submit to attract Google here. Leave the marketing to the consultants.
Shane Pitman talked about Bloom Grocery and their use of RFID chips on the groceries and customer based scanning - Supermarket Tech & Ease. Jay Adams talked about the possibilities of a Grocery Store along the Rail Corridor that doesn't have a parking lot, because a home based scanner can be used to scan the groceries you run out of during the week. The information is stored in a database and the products can be picked and delivered to you at a depot on the rail line near where you live and where it will be available for you to pick up. People will be willing to rely on barcodes for inventory of household products.
Jay talked about the rail corridor and how it is densely populated and it connects Hickory and Lenoir, and it does have Google on it. MDI is about distribution and Logistics, so we can at least discuss the feasibility of the idea. Steve Ivester concurred that is a reason we can move the peg forward.
Houston talked about how a restaurant, such as Backstreets, can utilize a service such as this to keep inventory and I added that this could also be coordinated with your cash register. This would automatically coordinate the order between the restaurant and a purveyor, such as IFH. John Bates stated that Walmart has been doing that for 15 years - EDI. The question is can this be taken down to a micro scale? The consensus was that we could.
Kim stated that she would like to show the augmented use of Google applications from people in this area. She wants people to become fans of Facebook. They want people to please plop ideas onto the site and they utilize these for the official "Request For Information" that will be submitted in a couple of weeks. We are encouraged to think about ways to advertise on Google.
Steve Ivester stated that he believes that we have existing manufacturers that can help us succeed in innovation of 21st Century healthcare involving monitoring, diagnoses, and treatment via nanotechnology. He cited Moose Industries and various world-class doctors we have in the area.
I took the conversation in a bit of a different direction by talking about Real-Time Manufacturing and the capability to coordinate it with the Manufacturing Solutions Center at CVCC. Why can't we have people throughout the United States sending those Micro ideas in here and letting Dan St. Louis and the people down there help develop those products.
Steve Ivester stated that he doesn't have any trouble listing a dozen industries of the future where we already have weak signals in place. We are an area of innovation, but we have been knocked down by textiles and furniture. The seeds are there for more innovation.
Jay Adams suggested we do a scavenger hunt to search for areas of innovation and come back to discuss true areas of innovation and we can grow it from there. Houston talked about the branding piece. The start-up, incubator, growth area is where we need to focus, because our biggest companies have left the area. We can rebuild the area with smaller companies that will grow.
BROAD BAND!!!
City of Hickory - Thinking Big with a Gig
I have a Dream - A 21st Century Hickory
Woogle - How You can Help Us Get Google Ultra High Speed Broadband
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Iceland rejects the Banksters. Our turn is coming!!!
Yesterday, Icelanders rejected a plan to pay back the British and Dutch governments for money it lost over the collapse of the Icesave bank in 2008 - (Hazel Tyldesley, Sky News Online). The amount of money that this proposed deal would have cost average Icelander would be around $135US per month for eight years. The Icelanders said they could not afford such an excise tax and my question to my fellow Americans is: Could you afford such an exorbitant tax?
Our government is going to eventually try to pawn this scheme off on us. This is all a continuation of the scam of derivatives trading and still governments have done nothing to reign in the terror that the banks have wrought on the world economy. It looks as though the next card to fall will be Greece and Goldman sachs has their fingerprints all over it (Goldman Sachs details 2001 Greek derivative trades).
It is time to reign in the terror brought on by the convoluted schemes of the New York and London Banking cabal. It is time to unwind this fools' deception. Where has the TARP and bailout money gone? Look at all of the bonuses. Look at the enormous profits these banks have created with money that the general public is on the hook for.
Why have the financiers not taken the losses? Were they not the group trading in the derivatives? Is this not their system? It is time to figure out the end game and we must demand to know where these people are taking us. I would just like to ask: Do you trust the people with their hands in the money pot, who have been placed in charge of our economy? While our economy continues to implode, why do these people seem to be getting filthy rich?
Our government is going to eventually try to pawn this scheme off on us. This is all a continuation of the scam of derivatives trading and still governments have done nothing to reign in the terror that the banks have wrought on the world economy. It looks as though the next card to fall will be Greece and Goldman sachs has their fingerprints all over it (Goldman Sachs details 2001 Greek derivative trades).
It is time to reign in the terror brought on by the convoluted schemes of the New York and London Banking cabal. It is time to unwind this fools' deception. Where has the TARP and bailout money gone? Look at all of the bonuses. Look at the enormous profits these banks have created with money that the general public is on the hook for.
Why have the financiers not taken the losses? Were they not the group trading in the derivatives? Is this not their system? It is time to figure out the end game and we must demand to know where these people are taking us. I would just like to ask: Do you trust the people with their hands in the money pot, who have been placed in charge of our economy? While our economy continues to implode, why do these people seem to be getting filthy rich?
Friday, March 5, 2010
Over 20,000 Unique Viewers have visited the Hickory Hound
Earlier this week, on Monday to be exact, we passed the 20,000 Unique Viewer mark. I appreciate the fact that so many people have visited this site even though we deal in a subject with a narrow focus when compared to the world at large.
We have had people come to this site, maybe the better word is stumble, from every continent on the globe and from just about every State in the United States. This site is still in its infancy and we are treading along just fine, even though I would like to eventually reach that critical mass. I still believe that this site is very important and we have seen good results along the way. This is the new media, some will call it the micro-media; but I prefer to call it advocacy media.
We aren't here to cover sports, give the weather from day-to day, cover pop culture, or the obituaries. We are here as representatives of the local culture. We are here for opinion. We are here to give the average person in this community a voice. Please feel free to comment on any article. We want a dialogue.
I facilitated this blog utilizing Blogspot.com, which is owned by Google. I appreciate Google, because they have provided me with tools that allow me, an average citizen, to have a voice. I know that a lot of people are scared of Google. They are worried that Google is spreading its tentacles into everything. Without access to the World Wide Web and the ability to create a blog, it would have been a lot harder to imagine anything close to what we are doing here taking shape -- Just think about 20 years ago. And if this community does receive and achieve this expanded capacity of Data Communications, then it has the potential to allow the citizens of this community to participate more fully in the process of governance. There will be no excuses not to pay some attention to what is going on.
It is my hope, along with Harry Hipps and several others, that soon local governmental meetings will be televised via webcam and archived for on demand viewership. This type of hands on interaction with government will help elected officials, city staff, and the public have a closer bond with one another. It is my hope that this will create an idea we can call "The Great Conversation."
No longer will I report to the interested, the summaries of minutes of the various meetings and public affairs important to us all. Interested parties will see it for themselves. There is nothing better than seeing events unfold with your own eyes and if I had my wish that is what would happen. If a picture speaks a thousand words, how many does video offer?
If video of public meetings, such as City Council, were brought to us, The Hound would evolve into fostering ideas and attempt to ask appropriate questions about area happenings. The viewership of this blog and other communication outlets would steer the conversation. These opinions would then help local government shape policy to better fit the needs of the constituents it represents.
Society is changing whether we like it or not. We would be better off to try and shape that change, than to sit back and let it randomly change us. I have seen a groundswell of support over this Google issue, with over 1,800 people signing onto the Woogle Facebook page in 3 days. This shows that people will mobilize and rally when they feel an issue is important enough. We must utilize the momentum we see here by rallying the public towards participation in our community's transformative process.
Even if we aren't able to land this Google deal, this mobilization of public interest and awareness needs to be built upon. With all of us working together towards creating excellence in Hickory, we can't help but begin to move in a positive direction.
We have had people come to this site, maybe the better word is stumble, from every continent on the globe and from just about every State in the United States. This site is still in its infancy and we are treading along just fine, even though I would like to eventually reach that critical mass. I still believe that this site is very important and we have seen good results along the way. This is the new media, some will call it the micro-media; but I prefer to call it advocacy media.
We aren't here to cover sports, give the weather from day-to day, cover pop culture, or the obituaries. We are here as representatives of the local culture. We are here for opinion. We are here to give the average person in this community a voice. Please feel free to comment on any article. We want a dialogue.
I facilitated this blog utilizing Blogspot.com, which is owned by Google. I appreciate Google, because they have provided me with tools that allow me, an average citizen, to have a voice. I know that a lot of people are scared of Google. They are worried that Google is spreading its tentacles into everything. Without access to the World Wide Web and the ability to create a blog, it would have been a lot harder to imagine anything close to what we are doing here taking shape -- Just think about 20 years ago. And if this community does receive and achieve this expanded capacity of Data Communications, then it has the potential to allow the citizens of this community to participate more fully in the process of governance. There will be no excuses not to pay some attention to what is going on.
It is my hope, along with Harry Hipps and several others, that soon local governmental meetings will be televised via webcam and archived for on demand viewership. This type of hands on interaction with government will help elected officials, city staff, and the public have a closer bond with one another. It is my hope that this will create an idea we can call "The Great Conversation."
No longer will I report to the interested, the summaries of minutes of the various meetings and public affairs important to us all. Interested parties will see it for themselves. There is nothing better than seeing events unfold with your own eyes and if I had my wish that is what would happen. If a picture speaks a thousand words, how many does video offer?
If video of public meetings, such as City Council, were brought to us, The Hound would evolve into fostering ideas and attempt to ask appropriate questions about area happenings. The viewership of this blog and other communication outlets would steer the conversation. These opinions would then help local government shape policy to better fit the needs of the constituents it represents.
Society is changing whether we like it or not. We would be better off to try and shape that change, than to sit back and let it randomly change us. I have seen a groundswell of support over this Google issue, with over 1,800 people signing onto the Woogle Facebook page in 3 days. This shows that people will mobilize and rally when they feel an issue is important enough. We must utilize the momentum we see here by rallying the public towards participation in our community's transformative process.
Even if we aren't able to land this Google deal, this mobilization of public interest and awareness needs to be built upon. With all of us working together towards creating excellence in Hickory, we can't help but begin to move in a positive direction.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of March 2, 2010
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 the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.
At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, 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 3/2/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below
Invocation by Rev. Susan Smith of Exodus Home Ministries
Special Presentations:
A. Presentation of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2009. This is the Fifteenth Consecutive Year the City Has Received this Recognition - Karen Hurley, the city's budget director accepted the award from the Government Finance Officer's Association from the United States. More than 1,100 municipalities participate in this program. There has been a 76% growth in participation since 1995.
B. Update Council on Google Gigabit RFI - You can read the about this in the article presented in the article - Woogle - How You can Help Us Get Google Ultra High Speed Broadband. If you haven't already checked this out and filled out the survey please do so. Over 500 people joined in the last 24 hours 3/3/ 2010. Join the crowd and get involved. This will be a key factor in our ability to be chosen by Google to deliver a Fiber Network with 1 Gigabit access to the home and to businesses.
C. Presentation of FY 2010-2011 Board and Commission Work Plans - Board/Commission Presenter
1. Animal Control Advisory - Sgt. Keith Yoder - 1) City contributes to the cost of spay and neuter program - Last year $1100 was spent. This year a little over $700 has been spent. 2) Cost effective measures to deal with stray animals. Shelter costs are currently $97,894 and will rise by 5% next year to $102,713. There are no alternatives for that. 5) Sponsor 2 rabies clinics this year to get animal vaccinated at a reduced cost. Their will be a rabies clinic held on April 24.
(The Hound stated last year and still believe I would like to see people have to obtain a license in order to breed animals. The fee should be equal to the cost of spaying and neutering any animals. We need to get control of the stray animal population in this community. It is inhumane to let animals breed and not take care of them.)
2. Citizens’ Advisory Committee - Ms. Yvonne Setzer - Todd Hefner presentation. Objective are to continue community development planning projects. Working to pursue a regional strategy for affordable home ownership.
3. Community Appearance Commission - Mr. Steve Bowman - Focused on providing incentives to upgrade private properties in the commercial revitalization area through appearance grant and landscape incentive program. monitor and participate litter pick-Up program. Promote and benefit trees. Working with public education to reduce litter. Working on Beautification Beautification
4. Community Relations Council Ms. Paulina Ruff - David Radke - Want the same budget as last year. Grant Program would be for $12,000. Connect, Improve, and Encourage community relations. Multi- Cultural Human Relations Events in May. Training and outreach events.
5. Hickory Regional Planning Commission - Mr. Brian Frazier - Revision of Hickory by Choice and the Land-Use Development plan -- plan released next month. Working on Brownfield grants. Only 7 months left in the process. Phase 1 assessments - Lyerly Mills, Hollar Hosiery, Moretz Mills, Regal, Piedmont Wagon andS&W Chemical bulding Phase 2 - Piedmont Wagon and Hollar Hosiery. Working on a Phase 2 for Regal and possibly S&W if there are red flags. No request for funds. Alder Fox stated that this was an exciting time for planning and we will get some excellent public participation. (The Hound has stated on many occasions, I believe that Mr. Frazier along with Mr. Leonetti have done an excellent job of allowing the HBC process to follow its natural course without trying to direct the finished product. Our entire community should thank them for allowing that to happen.)
6. Hickory Youth Council Mr. Evan Denzer - Partnering with Animal for Alex and Cops for Tots. Promote community and general public knowledge in the hearts and minds of our youth. Requesting $3,600 for general uses, programs, and a possible Summer retreat. This is the same as last year. (The Hound Knows this is a good Investment, because we need kids to be more civic minded.)
7. Historic Preservation Commission Ms. Clem Geitner - Donna Cullum - The commission would like to continue criteria for a historic grant that would tag along with Operation No Vacancy. Provide the opportunity to be put on the study list and be registered on the national register. This was funded to the tune of $5,000. They hope that this will spur growth.
(The Hound understands that this is standard operating procedure for a commission rooted in past generations, but I don't feel that we should be married to these buildings along the railroad tracks. There is nothing historic or architecturally significant about them. We need an end game when it comes to these rotting buildings. We need to see a timeframe as to how long they are going to be allowed to fall under disrepair.
The burden of proof should be on the owner that these buildings are structurally sound and if they are not then they need to go. These grants are funded by the taxes of regular, average everyday citizens and I would like to ask what they get out of this? $5,000 is not going to make or break a business deal. It is only going to pad pockets.
The owners of these buildings are wealthy for the most part and they have no incentive to solve the problem. The city should take an aggressive stance like other municipalities have in our country. Either fix the eyesore or condemn it. That is what you do to the rundown houses of poor people and that is what should be done with these trust fund eyesores.)
8. International Council Mr. Hani Nassar - He has been doing this for 7 years. This is the 9th year of budget. Spoke about Springfest. Stated that the council would like to bring the Hmong and Latino groups out of their cocoon to participate with the other cultures. Alder Patton stated that she believes that they have done a wonderful job with the money they have been given. (The Hound thinks it is awesome that Mr. Nassar is bringing all of the cultural groups under one umbrella. It is obvious that they are doing some excellent work.)
9. Library Advisory Board Ms. Judy Ivester - Asked for no money. The Library is a focal point of the community. Technology plays a big role in and outside of the library. 57,000 patrons have used 51 computers. Self Checkout machines were installed in July, to date over 34,000 items have been checked out this way. Patrons can access the library online via their home computer. Since July 1, 2009, the library has averaged over 43,000 patrons per month -- more than a 10% increase.
The library is helping people with employment, testing, and training. The library is starting a technology garage that teaches individuals about new electronics. The library is looking to increase and improve technology, customer service, and programming. She stated that Quality of Life isn't a warm and fuzzy concept that can be pushed aside in economically difficult times. Quality of Life is important when attracting new businesses. last year the library offered over a 1,000 programs to 29,000 attendees. Since July 1, 2009, the library has had 82,000 reference points which is up 42% over the last year.
The library has increased value added services including a 20 seat conference room and a coffee kiosk in the rotunda. Alder Fox stated that it is obvious that Library Board members do a lot more than just attend meetings.
(The Hound believes that once again Mrs. Ivester had the best presentation of the evening and she was spot on in her assessment. The Library is going to be more critical as a center of knowledge as we move forward.)
10. Parks and Recreation Commission Ms. Kelley Hurley - Ms. Hurley went over the list of goals and highlights. She went over the highlights og the past year 1) Completion of phase 2 of the Ridgeview (Taft-Broome Park) Recreation Project. 2) She went over the community gardens that will have 20 plots at Civitan Park and Taft-Broome Park. She wants to encourage citizens to have gardens. There will be a sharing (vandal) garden where citizens can get vegetables. 3) She showed the first annual community picnic held at the Henry Fork Park last spring. There were a lot of activities. This year it will be held at stanford Park on may 22. 2010. 4) She then showed the Easter Egg hunt that will be held on March 27, 2010. 5) They also helped the Youth Council support the Animals for Alex Program.
Goals were presented by Harreitt Smith include 1) Development of the Clonionger Mill Park plan 2) Support 2005 Green Ways and Trails Master plan. The last significant investment in the Green Way plan was from 15 years ago. 3) Create a Dog Park 4) Create a City Endowment to support Parks 5) Work towards the creation a Henry Fork Ampitheater 6) Create a Sandy Pine's Park from capital obtained by selling residential property at the Cloninger Mill Park site 7) Create a Park Ranger Program for the Hickory Park System. Alder Lail stated that this was the first year for the Community Garden and it has been in plans for three years. Alder Patton asked if any plots were left. Civitan is sold out and they are still available at taft-Broome. The City will till the areas. (The Hound liked this presentation also. I support everything they said and really appreciate the concept of the community garden.)
11. Public Art Commission Mr. David Baldwin - Mr. Baldwin showed the Art on the Bench project and the results. They want to maintain art they have brought to the community over the past 10 years. He addressed the focal project for the upcoming year, which will be a permanent fire sculpture created by an established artist, local potter, and local citizens. It should be completed in the 2010-2011 timeframe. He showed examples. This will be an art piece for many years to come and it will also be an event that many people can participate in.
12. Recycling Advisory Board Mr. Norm Mears - Chuck Hansen presentation. They want better participation in the program. Hickory Community participation is better than the state average. 340 businesses work with the city on the program. Campaign to reach the Hickory City School System. All schools will participate in recycling. The city sponsors a household hazardous waste event twice per year in November and May. Looking to expand convenience centers to other areas. Currently just in NE and SW Hickory. Address and evaluate the recycling commodity issue. Looking towards recycling pallets, oil filters, fluorescent lamps, and ballasts. Looking at the city solid waste ordinance to assess what they can handle. They are looking at a single stream MURF Facility that would reduce pickup and have the city separating the refuse into the proper streams.
Consent Agenda:
A. Adopt Resolution Honoring the Memory of U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Eckard Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice for His Country While Serving in Afghanistan
B. Request by Hickory Police Department to Award Badge and Service Weapon to Retired Master Police Officer Dennis J. Morris Under authority granted by the NC General Statutes, City Council is requested to award the police badge and service weapon to Master Police Officer Dennis J. Morris who retired from the Hickory Police Department on March 1, 2010. Upon approval, the badge and service weapon will be removed from the City’s fixed asset inventory.
C. Approve Municipal Fund Agreement With the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Reimbursable Traffic Control Device Maintenance ServicesPerformed on State System Roadways The June 15, 2004 Municipal Fund Agreement, Schedules A, B, C and D with the NCDOT was renewed for five years. The new Municipal Maintenance Agreement includes the current schedules under which the City of Hickory makes claim for reimbursement. Schedules A, B and C work under a flat reimbursable amount per traffic control device installed and Schedule D is personnel staffing for a maximum annual reimbursable amout of $131,000.00. The new agreement period begins July 1, 2009 and will be annually renewable for five years up to June 30, 2014. Pulled for discussion by Alderman Seaver. Alderman Seaver is concerned about the reimbursement to the city from the State, since we have taken over the obligation. Chuck Hanson stated that this is about the Traffic signalling system, signs, and marketing and staffing the computer end of the traffic control system. We have 200 traffic signals in our area that need work on a daily basis.
D. Approve 2010 Lobbying Service Contract With Cozort Government Relations in the Amount of $24,000. The City of Hickory and Catawba County for the past two years have contracted with Womble Carlyle as their legislative lobbyist. Mr. Jack Cozort has been the principal lobbyist and as of January, 2010 Mr. Cozort and two other lobbyists have formed a new lobbying and government relations firm, Cozort Government Relations. Our contract with Womble Carlye expired at the end of December 2009. Catawba County has approved re-hiring Jack Cozort due to the effective working relationship that has been developed with him while at Womble Carlyle. The new contract with Cozort Government Relations will be for a lower rate of $2,000.00/month for twelve months. Staff recommends approval.
E. Request From Hickory Downtown Development Association for Use of Union Square for the Swinging Under the Stars Event on May 30, 2010 From 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
F. Request From Hickory Downtown Development Association for Use of Union Square for Hickory Alive on June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2010 From 3:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
G Request From American Legion Post 48 for Use of Union Square for the Veterans’ Memorial Service on May 30, 2010 From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
H. Budget Ordinances
1. To budget a $1,262 insurance claim check from Trident Insurance Company in the Police Department Maintenance and Repair of Vehicle line item for damage sustained to a Police vehicle on 01-30-10.
2. To budget a $1,000 donation from the Western Piedmont Council of Government in the Parks and Recreation Department Supply line item. This donation will be used to conduct the 2010 Unifour Senior Games which is coordinated by the City of Hickory’s Park and Recreation Department.
3. To transfer $26,630 of General Fund Contingency to L.P. Frans Stadium Maintenance and Repair of Buildings line item. This transfer is necessary to pay for the replacement of a number of original roofing systems at L.P. Frans Stadium.
4. To appropriate a total of $17,500 of General Fund Balance and transfer it to the Clement Boulevard Project Miscellaneous line item. This amendment is necessary to pay $15,000 to NCDOT for the traffic signal review, inspections and administrative costs as stated in the agreement. $2,500 is necessary to pay for printing sets of plans as required by NCDOT for their approval process and the contractor once the
plans are approved.
5. To appropriate $1,249 of General Fund Balance and transfer it to the Police Firing Range/Target System Upgrade project Specialized Equipment line item. This amendment is necessary to fund the remainder of the project. $1,249 represents Police Federal Reimbursement balances from previous years that have been rolled into Fund Balance at year end, therefore an appropriation is necessary.
I. Capital Project Ordinance
1. To budget a $17,500 transfer of General Fund Balance in the Clement Boulevard Connector Project Miscellaneous line item. This amendment is necessary to pay NCDOT $15,000 for the traffic signal review, inspections and administrative costs as stated in the project agreement and to pay $2,500 for printing sets of plans as required by NCDOT for their approval process and the contractor once the plans are approved.
Departmental Reports:
1. Approve Contract With Midasco, LLC for Construction of the Traffic Signal System Upgrade Project in the Amount of $2,013,350.00 - The City of Hickory developed the Plans, Specs and Engineer’s Estimate for a traffic signal system upgrade project to be funded under the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement Program and was approved for funding by NCDOT. The project is for replacement of both central hardware and software, controller equipment in the field, modest fiber optic cable plant expansion, additional CCTV cameras, video detection systems, data collection and management system and video workstations at both Public Services and City Hall. The project is funded at 100% in compliance with Federal-Aid standards up to $2.5 million. The City received six bids and Midasco, LLC of Elkridge, Maryland with an office in Fayetteville, NC was the lowest bidder at $2,013,350.00. Staff recommends approval of contact with Midasco, LLC. Due to needing NCDOT approval and completion of project by August 2011, staff is requesting two readings be held on March 2, 2010. Second Reading - Unanimously approved. Chuck Hanson made the presentation. This will replace the inside of the control boxes with new field computers to work with new computers and software at the Public Services Department. This will allow for better, faster, and broader communication with the public services complex. This will not replace lights. The old system is a closed loop system. These new systems will talk with each other as well as the main system. This also allows the traffic control system to be optimized. Studying the traffic patterns will no longer need to be contracted out. The video system will be included in real-time capabilities. There will be cameras at 16 locations. This brings us up to the DOT standards of today. This will allow businesses to see real-time data to do traffic impact analysis. Alderman lail asked if we would see immediate impacts. Mr. Hanson stated we would see some, but their would also be some growing pains as the system is put into place. Council Unanimously Consented.
Closed Session Per NC General Statutes to consult with the attorneys regarding the following: (Action on these items, if any, will occur in Open Session)
1. Approval of Closed Session Minutes of February 16, 2010
2. Discuss Pending Litigation – Foreclosure of Deed of Trust From Profile Aviation Center,
Inc. to CB Services Corp., Trustee – 10-SP-70 – Burke County
The Hound would certainly like to know what is going on with this Airport litigation. It seems that the Council is meeting in closed session after every meeting here lately. Something big has to be brewing behind the scenes. Sure seems like all of this should be resolved eventually.
At the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.
At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, 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 3/2/2010 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below
Invocation by Rev. Susan Smith of Exodus Home Ministries
Special Presentations:
A. Presentation of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2009. This is the Fifteenth Consecutive Year the City Has Received this Recognition - Karen Hurley, the city's budget director accepted the award from the Government Finance Officer's Association from the United States. More than 1,100 municipalities participate in this program. There has been a 76% growth in participation since 1995.
B. Update Council on Google Gigabit RFI - You can read the about this in the article presented in the article - Woogle - How You can Help Us Get Google Ultra High Speed Broadband. If you haven't already checked this out and filled out the survey please do so. Over 500 people joined in the last 24 hours 3/3/ 2010. Join the crowd and get involved. This will be a key factor in our ability to be chosen by Google to deliver a Fiber Network with 1 Gigabit access to the home and to businesses.
C. Presentation of FY 2010-2011 Board and Commission Work Plans - Board/Commission Presenter
1. Animal Control Advisory - Sgt. Keith Yoder - 1) City contributes to the cost of spay and neuter program - Last year $1100 was spent. This year a little over $700 has been spent. 2) Cost effective measures to deal with stray animals. Shelter costs are currently $97,894 and will rise by 5% next year to $102,713. There are no alternatives for that. 5) Sponsor 2 rabies clinics this year to get animal vaccinated at a reduced cost. Their will be a rabies clinic held on April 24.
(The Hound stated last year and still believe I would like to see people have to obtain a license in order to breed animals. The fee should be equal to the cost of spaying and neutering any animals. We need to get control of the stray animal population in this community. It is inhumane to let animals breed and not take care of them.)
2. Citizens’ Advisory Committee - Ms. Yvonne Setzer - Todd Hefner presentation. Objective are to continue community development planning projects. Working to pursue a regional strategy for affordable home ownership.
3. Community Appearance Commission - Mr. Steve Bowman - Focused on providing incentives to upgrade private properties in the commercial revitalization area through appearance grant and landscape incentive program. monitor and participate litter pick-Up program. Promote and benefit trees. Working with public education to reduce litter. Working on Beautification Beautification
4. Community Relations Council Ms. Paulina Ruff - David Radke - Want the same budget as last year. Grant Program would be for $12,000. Connect, Improve, and Encourage community relations. Multi- Cultural Human Relations Events in May. Training and outreach events.
5. Hickory Regional Planning Commission - Mr. Brian Frazier - Revision of Hickory by Choice and the Land-Use Development plan -- plan released next month. Working on Brownfield grants. Only 7 months left in the process. Phase 1 assessments - Lyerly Mills, Hollar Hosiery, Moretz Mills, Regal, Piedmont Wagon andS&W Chemical bulding Phase 2 - Piedmont Wagon and Hollar Hosiery. Working on a Phase 2 for Regal and possibly S&W if there are red flags. No request for funds. Alder Fox stated that this was an exciting time for planning and we will get some excellent public participation. (The Hound has stated on many occasions, I believe that Mr. Frazier along with Mr. Leonetti have done an excellent job of allowing the HBC process to follow its natural course without trying to direct the finished product. Our entire community should thank them for allowing that to happen.)
6. Hickory Youth Council Mr. Evan Denzer - Partnering with Animal for Alex and Cops for Tots. Promote community and general public knowledge in the hearts and minds of our youth. Requesting $3,600 for general uses, programs, and a possible Summer retreat. This is the same as last year. (The Hound Knows this is a good Investment, because we need kids to be more civic minded.)
7. Historic Preservation Commission Ms. Clem Geitner - Donna Cullum - The commission would like to continue criteria for a historic grant that would tag along with Operation No Vacancy. Provide the opportunity to be put on the study list and be registered on the national register. This was funded to the tune of $5,000. They hope that this will spur growth.
(The Hound understands that this is standard operating procedure for a commission rooted in past generations, but I don't feel that we should be married to these buildings along the railroad tracks. There is nothing historic or architecturally significant about them. We need an end game when it comes to these rotting buildings. We need to see a timeframe as to how long they are going to be allowed to fall under disrepair.
The burden of proof should be on the owner that these buildings are structurally sound and if they are not then they need to go. These grants are funded by the taxes of regular, average everyday citizens and I would like to ask what they get out of this? $5,000 is not going to make or break a business deal. It is only going to pad pockets.
The owners of these buildings are wealthy for the most part and they have no incentive to solve the problem. The city should take an aggressive stance like other municipalities have in our country. Either fix the eyesore or condemn it. That is what you do to the rundown houses of poor people and that is what should be done with these trust fund eyesores.)
8. International Council Mr. Hani Nassar - He has been doing this for 7 years. This is the 9th year of budget. Spoke about Springfest. Stated that the council would like to bring the Hmong and Latino groups out of their cocoon to participate with the other cultures. Alder Patton stated that she believes that they have done a wonderful job with the money they have been given. (The Hound thinks it is awesome that Mr. Nassar is bringing all of the cultural groups under one umbrella. It is obvious that they are doing some excellent work.)
9. Library Advisory Board Ms. Judy Ivester - Asked for no money. The Library is a focal point of the community. Technology plays a big role in and outside of the library. 57,000 patrons have used 51 computers. Self Checkout machines were installed in July, to date over 34,000 items have been checked out this way. Patrons can access the library online via their home computer. Since July 1, 2009, the library has averaged over 43,000 patrons per month -- more than a 10% increase.
The library is helping people with employment, testing, and training. The library is starting a technology garage that teaches individuals about new electronics. The library is looking to increase and improve technology, customer service, and programming. She stated that Quality of Life isn't a warm and fuzzy concept that can be pushed aside in economically difficult times. Quality of Life is important when attracting new businesses. last year the library offered over a 1,000 programs to 29,000 attendees. Since July 1, 2009, the library has had 82,000 reference points which is up 42% over the last year.
The library has increased value added services including a 20 seat conference room and a coffee kiosk in the rotunda. Alder Fox stated that it is obvious that Library Board members do a lot more than just attend meetings.
(The Hound believes that once again Mrs. Ivester had the best presentation of the evening and she was spot on in her assessment. The Library is going to be more critical as a center of knowledge as we move forward.)
10. Parks and Recreation Commission Ms. Kelley Hurley - Ms. Hurley went over the list of goals and highlights. She went over the highlights og the past year 1) Completion of phase 2 of the Ridgeview (Taft-Broome Park) Recreation Project. 2) She went over the community gardens that will have 20 plots at Civitan Park and Taft-Broome Park. She wants to encourage citizens to have gardens. There will be a sharing (vandal) garden where citizens can get vegetables. 3) She showed the first annual community picnic held at the Henry Fork Park last spring. There were a lot of activities. This year it will be held at stanford Park on may 22. 2010. 4) She then showed the Easter Egg hunt that will be held on March 27, 2010. 5) They also helped the Youth Council support the Animals for Alex Program.
Goals were presented by Harreitt Smith include 1) Development of the Clonionger Mill Park plan 2) Support 2005 Green Ways and Trails Master plan. The last significant investment in the Green Way plan was from 15 years ago. 3) Create a Dog Park 4) Create a City Endowment to support Parks 5) Work towards the creation a Henry Fork Ampitheater 6) Create a Sandy Pine's Park from capital obtained by selling residential property at the Cloninger Mill Park site 7) Create a Park Ranger Program for the Hickory Park System. Alder Lail stated that this was the first year for the Community Garden and it has been in plans for three years. Alder Patton asked if any plots were left. Civitan is sold out and they are still available at taft-Broome. The City will till the areas. (The Hound liked this presentation also. I support everything they said and really appreciate the concept of the community garden.)
11. Public Art Commission Mr. David Baldwin - Mr. Baldwin showed the Art on the Bench project and the results. They want to maintain art they have brought to the community over the past 10 years. He addressed the focal project for the upcoming year, which will be a permanent fire sculpture created by an established artist, local potter, and local citizens. It should be completed in the 2010-2011 timeframe. He showed examples. This will be an art piece for many years to come and it will also be an event that many people can participate in.
12. Recycling Advisory Board Mr. Norm Mears - Chuck Hansen presentation. They want better participation in the program. Hickory Community participation is better than the state average. 340 businesses work with the city on the program. Campaign to reach the Hickory City School System. All schools will participate in recycling. The city sponsors a household hazardous waste event twice per year in November and May. Looking to expand convenience centers to other areas. Currently just in NE and SW Hickory. Address and evaluate the recycling commodity issue. Looking towards recycling pallets, oil filters, fluorescent lamps, and ballasts. Looking at the city solid waste ordinance to assess what they can handle. They are looking at a single stream MURF Facility that would reduce pickup and have the city separating the refuse into the proper streams.
Consent Agenda:
A. Adopt Resolution Honoring the Memory of U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Eckard Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice for His Country While Serving in Afghanistan
B. Request by Hickory Police Department to Award Badge and Service Weapon to Retired Master Police Officer Dennis J. Morris Under authority granted by the NC General Statutes, City Council is requested to award the police badge and service weapon to Master Police Officer Dennis J. Morris who retired from the Hickory Police Department on March 1, 2010. Upon approval, the badge and service weapon will be removed from the City’s fixed asset inventory.
C. Approve Municipal Fund Agreement With the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Reimbursable Traffic Control Device Maintenance ServicesPerformed on State System Roadways The June 15, 2004 Municipal Fund Agreement, Schedules A, B, C and D with the NCDOT was renewed for five years. The new Municipal Maintenance Agreement includes the current schedules under which the City of Hickory makes claim for reimbursement. Schedules A, B and C work under a flat reimbursable amount per traffic control device installed and Schedule D is personnel staffing for a maximum annual reimbursable amout of $131,000.00. The new agreement period begins July 1, 2009 and will be annually renewable for five years up to June 30, 2014. Pulled for discussion by Alderman Seaver. Alderman Seaver is concerned about the reimbursement to the city from the State, since we have taken over the obligation. Chuck Hanson stated that this is about the Traffic signalling system, signs, and marketing and staffing the computer end of the traffic control system. We have 200 traffic signals in our area that need work on a daily basis.
D. Approve 2010 Lobbying Service Contract With Cozort Government Relations in the Amount of $24,000. The City of Hickory and Catawba County for the past two years have contracted with Womble Carlyle as their legislative lobbyist. Mr. Jack Cozort has been the principal lobbyist and as of January, 2010 Mr. Cozort and two other lobbyists have formed a new lobbying and government relations firm, Cozort Government Relations. Our contract with Womble Carlye expired at the end of December 2009. Catawba County has approved re-hiring Jack Cozort due to the effective working relationship that has been developed with him while at Womble Carlyle. The new contract with Cozort Government Relations will be for a lower rate of $2,000.00/month for twelve months. Staff recommends approval.
E. Request From Hickory Downtown Development Association for Use of Union Square for the Swinging Under the Stars Event on May 30, 2010 From 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
F. Request From Hickory Downtown Development Association for Use of Union Square for Hickory Alive on June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2010 From 3:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
G Request From American Legion Post 48 for Use of Union Square for the Veterans’ Memorial Service on May 30, 2010 From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
H. Budget Ordinances
1. To budget a $1,262 insurance claim check from Trident Insurance Company in the Police Department Maintenance and Repair of Vehicle line item for damage sustained to a Police vehicle on 01-30-10.
2. To budget a $1,000 donation from the Western Piedmont Council of Government in the Parks and Recreation Department Supply line item. This donation will be used to conduct the 2010 Unifour Senior Games which is coordinated by the City of Hickory’s Park and Recreation Department.
3. To transfer $26,630 of General Fund Contingency to L.P. Frans Stadium Maintenance and Repair of Buildings line item. This transfer is necessary to pay for the replacement of a number of original roofing systems at L.P. Frans Stadium.
4. To appropriate a total of $17,500 of General Fund Balance and transfer it to the Clement Boulevard Project Miscellaneous line item. This amendment is necessary to pay $15,000 to NCDOT for the traffic signal review, inspections and administrative costs as stated in the agreement. $2,500 is necessary to pay for printing sets of plans as required by NCDOT for their approval process and the contractor once the
plans are approved.
5. To appropriate $1,249 of General Fund Balance and transfer it to the Police Firing Range/Target System Upgrade project Specialized Equipment line item. This amendment is necessary to fund the remainder of the project. $1,249 represents Police Federal Reimbursement balances from previous years that have been rolled into Fund Balance at year end, therefore an appropriation is necessary.
I. Capital Project Ordinance
1. To budget a $17,500 transfer of General Fund Balance in the Clement Boulevard Connector Project Miscellaneous line item. This amendment is necessary to pay NCDOT $15,000 for the traffic signal review, inspections and administrative costs as stated in the project agreement and to pay $2,500 for printing sets of plans as required by NCDOT for their approval process and the contractor once the plans are approved.
Departmental Reports:
1. Approve Contract With Midasco, LLC for Construction of the Traffic Signal System Upgrade Project in the Amount of $2,013,350.00 - The City of Hickory developed the Plans, Specs and Engineer’s Estimate for a traffic signal system upgrade project to be funded under the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement Program and was approved for funding by NCDOT. The project is for replacement of both central hardware and software, controller equipment in the field, modest fiber optic cable plant expansion, additional CCTV cameras, video detection systems, data collection and management system and video workstations at both Public Services and City Hall. The project is funded at 100% in compliance with Federal-Aid standards up to $2.5 million. The City received six bids and Midasco, LLC of Elkridge, Maryland with an office in Fayetteville, NC was the lowest bidder at $2,013,350.00. Staff recommends approval of contact with Midasco, LLC. Due to needing NCDOT approval and completion of project by August 2011, staff is requesting two readings be held on March 2, 2010. Second Reading - Unanimously approved. Chuck Hanson made the presentation. This will replace the inside of the control boxes with new field computers to work with new computers and software at the Public Services Department. This will allow for better, faster, and broader communication with the public services complex. This will not replace lights. The old system is a closed loop system. These new systems will talk with each other as well as the main system. This also allows the traffic control system to be optimized. Studying the traffic patterns will no longer need to be contracted out. The video system will be included in real-time capabilities. There will be cameras at 16 locations. This brings us up to the DOT standards of today. This will allow businesses to see real-time data to do traffic impact analysis. Alderman lail asked if we would see immediate impacts. Mr. Hanson stated we would see some, but their would also be some growing pains as the system is put into place. Council Unanimously Consented.
Closed Session Per NC General Statutes to consult with the attorneys regarding the following: (Action on these items, if any, will occur in Open Session)
1. Approval of Closed Session Minutes of February 16, 2010
2. Discuss Pending Litigation – Foreclosure of Deed of Trust From Profile Aviation Center,
Inc. to CB Services Corp., Trustee – 10-SP-70 – Burke County
The Hound would certainly like to know what is going on with this Airport litigation. It seems that the Council is meeting in closed session after every meeting here lately. Something big has to be brewing behind the scenes. Sure seems like all of this should be resolved eventually.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Woogle - How You can Help Us Get Google Ultra High Speed Broadband
I will report on the other agenda items of tonight's City Council meeting tomorrow, but the most important item on the docket was the Google initiative to bring 1 Gigabit broadband data service to our area. How can one not get excited about how this issue is coming together in such a thorough and expedited manner?
Let's review a few important happenings on this subject
1) Woogle Twitter Account
2) Woogle Facebook Account
3) Hickory Daily Record Article (2/23/2010) - Hickory bid for Google 'gigatest' moving fast
4) WHKY Article (3/2/2010) - Catawba, Caldwell Counties Combine to Woo Google
Kim Hudson who is a consultant for this process made the presentation to the Hickory City Council on March 2, 2010. Ms. Hudson has an extensive history in the cable industry. She stated that in the last week a team of leaders have been formed from Catawba County, Caldwell County, The City of Hickory, and the City of Lenoir. Deborah Ashley, the Head of the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce, was introduced and helped Ms. Hudson with the presentation.
Mrs. Ashley thanked the Council for allowing Caldwell County to participate in the project. She explained the project to the council. This information is the information I have brought you about this project over the last several weeks and I link to those articles at the bottom.
Mrs. Ashley stated how competitive this process will be. She believes that as many as 2,000 communities in the United States will apply for this opportunity. She mentioned Topeka, Kansas as one of those communities.
There are three weeks left until the deadline to apply for this test grant. Some of the things that will be looked at in this proposal will be technical data, stringent demographic data, innovative ideas to transform a community, and community support.
Ms. Hudson spoke about the key stakeholder committee that meets every Monday. She showed the Logo that was developed. She went over the message that this group wants to deliver to Google, which involves the concept of the Data Center Corridor. The local media has been engaged as well as methods of social networking.
They are attempting a Viral Marketing Strategy and build information into the official website that has now gone live. Google is looking for a community that is a quick responder, the community is really behind it, and the community is ripe for transformational change. Then she went over the Facebook and Twitter accounts that have been formed. She wants everyone to join and inform their friends of these sites and get them to join in.
Google wants to know what the community would do with Gigabit access. What bottlenecks exist today that this network will help us overcome. Think creatively. Leaders of the initiative have reached out to the local school systems at all levels and the business community. They want people to plop information all over these fan pages that can be disseminated and used as a method of funneling information to the official request for information response. The deadline for application is March 26, 2010 and Ms. Hudson stated that the group intends to apply on March 24, 2010 for contingency purposes.
As part of this process, here are ways that you can help with this process:
1) You can take the community survey online at the official site - Link to survey.
2) Everyone create videos - General Public, Government Sponsored, Students, Primary Education, and higher Education
3) Involve Community and Business Leaders - Healthcare, Industry, Small Business, Education, Government, Civic Groups, Fire and rescue, Utilities, and General Population
4) Chat It Up! - Organize and participate in various community group meetings - Use formal PowerPoint presentation or talking points at community meetings; Collect and document community input via written surveys and video
5) Encourage groups and individuals to submit Google nominations - Apply Here
6) Civic Organizations - Ask for time on the agenda, Utilize existing small databases, conduct e-mail blasts
7) Coordinate Local Optical Cable Vendors - Corning, Draka, and Commscope.
The Hound hopes that you will understand how important this process is to our community. This is a game changer. We cannot afford to minimize the importance of this to our community. Get excited and participate people. This is a rare moment where you can stare at your destiny. Whether or not this does happen, and we have a better shot at making this happen than most, you will be able to say that you gave it your all. This is not only about turning around our current situation, but this is also a building block for a firm foundation for our future and our descendants' future. Please don't let this opportunity slip away easily. Participate!!!
Links to previous related articles:
BROAD BAND!!!
City of Hickory - Thinking Big with a Gig
I have a Dream - A 21st Century Hickory
Resolution By the City Council:
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR GOOGLE
FIBER TO THE HOME AND BUSINESS INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, the City of Hickory is committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens and recognizes that supporting the Google Fiber to the Home and Business initiative will boost economic development for new and current businesses, which adds to the quality of life for all; and
WHEREAS, the Hickory/Lenoir Google application includes municipalities and counties along the U.S. 321 corridor in Catawba and Caldwell Counties; and
WHEREAS, the intent of the Google project is to eliminate the bandwidth bottleneck so that Google can develop and test high speed network applications, and Google will open their network to any and all service providers who want access to a large bandwidth “pipe” to businesses and households; and
WHEREAS, the local governments in partnership with water, power, communication providers and more will assist Google with implementing the new infrastructure of a one gigabit per second connection, which is 100 times faster than the current connection available in the area; and
WHEREAS, our community expects to see significant economic growth through participating with Google, as it will open doors and be an attraction for local business to stay and more businesses to move here which creates more opportunity for all citizens and local governments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Hickory supports Google Fiber to the Home and Business initiative and is committed in concept to working with neighboring municipalities, counties, universities, colleges, businesses and industries to bring the ultra fast fiber network to our community.
Adopted this the 2nd day of March, 2010.
THE CITY OF HICKORY,
A North Carolina Municipal Corporation
Let's review a few important happenings on this subject
1) Woogle Twitter Account
2) Woogle Facebook Account
3) Hickory Daily Record Article (2/23/2010) - Hickory bid for Google 'gigatest' moving fast
4) WHKY Article (3/2/2010) - Catawba, Caldwell Counties Combine to Woo Google
Kim Hudson who is a consultant for this process made the presentation to the Hickory City Council on March 2, 2010. Ms. Hudson has an extensive history in the cable industry. She stated that in the last week a team of leaders have been formed from Catawba County, Caldwell County, The City of Hickory, and the City of Lenoir. Deborah Ashley, the Head of the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce, was introduced and helped Ms. Hudson with the presentation.
Mrs. Ashley thanked the Council for allowing Caldwell County to participate in the project. She explained the project to the council. This information is the information I have brought you about this project over the last several weeks and I link to those articles at the bottom.
Mrs. Ashley stated how competitive this process will be. She believes that as many as 2,000 communities in the United States will apply for this opportunity. She mentioned Topeka, Kansas as one of those communities.
There are three weeks left until the deadline to apply for this test grant. Some of the things that will be looked at in this proposal will be technical data, stringent demographic data, innovative ideas to transform a community, and community support.
Ms. Hudson spoke about the key stakeholder committee that meets every Monday. She showed the Logo that was developed. She went over the message that this group wants to deliver to Google, which involves the concept of the Data Center Corridor. The local media has been engaged as well as methods of social networking.
They are attempting a Viral Marketing Strategy and build information into the official website that has now gone live. Google is looking for a community that is a quick responder, the community is really behind it, and the community is ripe for transformational change. Then she went over the Facebook and Twitter accounts that have been formed. She wants everyone to join and inform their friends of these sites and get them to join in.
Google wants to know what the community would do with Gigabit access. What bottlenecks exist today that this network will help us overcome. Think creatively. Leaders of the initiative have reached out to the local school systems at all levels and the business community. They want people to plop information all over these fan pages that can be disseminated and used as a method of funneling information to the official request for information response. The deadline for application is March 26, 2010 and Ms. Hudson stated that the group intends to apply on March 24, 2010 for contingency purposes.
As part of this process, here are ways that you can help with this process:1) You can take the community survey online at the official site - Link to survey.
2) Everyone create videos - General Public, Government Sponsored, Students, Primary Education, and higher Education
3) Involve Community and Business Leaders - Healthcare, Industry, Small Business, Education, Government, Civic Groups, Fire and rescue, Utilities, and General Population
4) Chat It Up! - Organize and participate in various community group meetings - Use formal PowerPoint presentation or talking points at community meetings; Collect and document community input via written surveys and video
5) Encourage groups and individuals to submit Google nominations - Apply Here
6) Civic Organizations - Ask for time on the agenda, Utilize existing small databases, conduct e-mail blasts
7) Coordinate Local Optical Cable Vendors - Corning, Draka, and Commscope.
The Hound hopes that you will understand how important this process is to our community. This is a game changer. We cannot afford to minimize the importance of this to our community. Get excited and participate people. This is a rare moment where you can stare at your destiny. Whether or not this does happen, and we have a better shot at making this happen than most, you will be able to say that you gave it your all. This is not only about turning around our current situation, but this is also a building block for a firm foundation for our future and our descendants' future. Please don't let this opportunity slip away easily. Participate!!!
Links to previous related articles:
BROAD BAND!!!
City of Hickory - Thinking Big with a Gig
I have a Dream - A 21st Century Hickory
Resolution By the City Council:
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR GOOGLE
FIBER TO THE HOME AND BUSINESS INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, the City of Hickory is committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens and recognizes that supporting the Google Fiber to the Home and Business initiative will boost economic development for new and current businesses, which adds to the quality of life for all; and
WHEREAS, the Hickory/Lenoir Google application includes municipalities and counties along the U.S. 321 corridor in Catawba and Caldwell Counties; and
WHEREAS, the intent of the Google project is to eliminate the bandwidth bottleneck so that Google can develop and test high speed network applications, and Google will open their network to any and all service providers who want access to a large bandwidth “pipe” to businesses and households; and
WHEREAS, the local governments in partnership with water, power, communication providers and more will assist Google with implementing the new infrastructure of a one gigabit per second connection, which is 100 times faster than the current connection available in the area; and
WHEREAS, our community expects to see significant economic growth through participating with Google, as it will open doors and be an attraction for local business to stay and more businesses to move here which creates more opportunity for all citizens and local governments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Hickory supports Google Fiber to the Home and Business initiative and is committed in concept to working with neighboring municipalities, counties, universities, colleges, businesses and industries to bring the ultra fast fiber network to our community.
Adopted this the 2nd day of March, 2010.
THE CITY OF HICKORY,
A North Carolina Municipal Corporation
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
My Scientific Garden 2010
Last week I started my garden for 2010. This will be my 3rd consecutive year of having a full blown garden. Two years ago I canned 26 quarts of tomatoes and froze squash, okra, and eggplant. This past year I canned 20 quarts of tomatoes and froze vegetables again. Every year I look to learn how to grow something new or learn a new way to store vegetables.
This year I have begun the process of learning how to design and build geodesic greenhouses at affordable prices. I have already started building one that will be 12 feet in diameter to see how it works. I am also utilizing the southern exposure in my house along with a $10 grow-light, you can buy at Wal-Mart, to get a head start. Previously, I have been buying starter plants and not getting them in the ground until the 3rd week of April at the earliest.
This year I decided to start my own plants from seed. It is my hope that I will utilize techniques I have been studying to get these plants in the ground by March 21. That would give me a full one month head start over the previous two years. Below is a list of what I have started. I will give the start date, plant name, number planted, number successfully growing, and the approximate date of first harvest.
2/17/2010 Green Cucumbers (large) - 8 - 7 - 5/1
2/17/2010 Cantaloupe - 8 - 8 - 5/13
2/17/2010 Lemon Cucumbers - 8 - 7 - 5/1
2/17/2010 White Cucumbers - 8 - 1 - 5/1
2/17/2010 Acorn Squash - 8 - 8 - 5/13
2/17/2010 Cauliflower - 8 - 8 - 4/18
2/17/2010 Brandywine Tomatoes - 8 - 8 - 5/3
2/20/2010 Fennel - 8 - 8 - 5/30
2/20/2010 Purple Basil 8 -8 - 5/20
2/20/2010 Eggplant - 8 - 8 - 5/20
2/20/2010 Zucchini - 8- 8 - 4/20
2/20/2010 Cilantro - 4 - 4 - 5/20
I have also started sprouting seeds for Green Bell Peppers, Italian Basil, more White Cucumbers, Broccoli, and Snow Peas. I also have seeds for Grape and Roma Tomatoes, Okra, Chives, Celery, Butternut Squash, Yellow Squash, and Kentucky Wonder Green Beans.
I know that the scientist in me sometimes overwhelms my ability to achieve all of my goals, but I am surely going to try to make this a success. I am going to document this process and give out ideas along the way and I hope that you will shoot me suggestions, because I could surely use input to make this the success I want it to be.
I believe in these times that one needs to be as efficient as possible with their resources. Which is better, to have a lawn I constantly need to mow or a garden that feeds myself, family, and friends. And in case you wonder, I will be collecting rain in home made rain barrels and composting everything I can get my hands on. That is how I've been rolling the past couple years.
I would eventually like to make my house self-sustainable. I bought a magazine called Urban Farmer that has some very interesting ideas in it. These days I look at my house and property as a science experiment. I hope I don't turn into Christopher Lloyd's character, Doc Brown, from Back to the Future - haha!!!
So maybe you can follow my lead, if you haven't already. And if you have or if you do, best of luck and may the rain be plentiful, the sun be perfect, and our thumbs be green.
This year I have begun the process of learning how to design and build geodesic greenhouses at affordable prices. I have already started building one that will be 12 feet in diameter to see how it works. I am also utilizing the southern exposure in my house along with a $10 grow-light, you can buy at Wal-Mart, to get a head start. Previously, I have been buying starter plants and not getting them in the ground until the 3rd week of April at the earliest.
This year I decided to start my own plants from seed. It is my hope that I will utilize techniques I have been studying to get these plants in the ground by March 21. That would give me a full one month head start over the previous two years. Below is a list of what I have started. I will give the start date, plant name, number planted, number successfully growing, and the approximate date of first harvest.
2/17/2010 Green Cucumbers (large) - 8 - 7 - 5/1
2/17/2010 Cantaloupe - 8 - 8 - 5/13
2/17/2010 Lemon Cucumbers - 8 - 7 - 5/1
2/17/2010 White Cucumbers - 8 - 1 - 5/1
2/17/2010 Acorn Squash - 8 - 8 - 5/13
2/17/2010 Cauliflower - 8 - 8 - 4/18
2/17/2010 Brandywine Tomatoes - 8 - 8 - 5/3
2/20/2010 Fennel - 8 - 8 - 5/30
2/20/2010 Purple Basil 8 -8 - 5/20
2/20/2010 Eggplant - 8 - 8 - 5/20
2/20/2010 Zucchini - 8- 8 - 4/20
2/20/2010 Cilantro - 4 - 4 - 5/20
I have also started sprouting seeds for Green Bell Peppers, Italian Basil, more White Cucumbers, Broccoli, and Snow Peas. I also have seeds for Grape and Roma Tomatoes, Okra, Chives, Celery, Butternut Squash, Yellow Squash, and Kentucky Wonder Green Beans.
I know that the scientist in me sometimes overwhelms my ability to achieve all of my goals, but I am surely going to try to make this a success. I am going to document this process and give out ideas along the way and I hope that you will shoot me suggestions, because I could surely use input to make this the success I want it to be.
I believe in these times that one needs to be as efficient as possible with their resources. Which is better, to have a lawn I constantly need to mow or a garden that feeds myself, family, and friends. And in case you wonder, I will be collecting rain in home made rain barrels and composting everything I can get my hands on. That is how I've been rolling the past couple years.
I would eventually like to make my house self-sustainable. I bought a magazine called Urban Farmer that has some very interesting ideas in it. These days I look at my house and property as a science experiment. I hope I don't turn into Christopher Lloyd's character, Doc Brown, from Back to the Future - haha!!!
So maybe you can follow my lead, if you haven't already. And if you have or if you do, best of luck and may the rain be plentiful, the sun be perfect, and our thumbs be green.
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