Letter to HDR and a message about Council Self Interests

My Letter to the Editor from August 16, 2012 Hickory Daily Record

Stop the Simplistic Labeling

Mr. Chad Bolick, you have a right to your opinion, but here we go again with national politics of divisiveness, which has nothing to do with the local representation issue at hand.

I was at the Citizens for Equity in Government meeting, in which Robert Dawkins spoke about registration and voting for 30 minutes. The rest of the meeting was about Ward Specific voting. Three Republicans addressed the 30 people who were present, where were you?

Freedom of speech is the American system. We should be tolerant towards those we disagree with, not aim to shut down their voice. Isn't getting out the vote something everyone should strive for, whether Republican or Democrat?

The 2,707 signatures, the CEG garnered, is way more than the number of people who voted in the last two municipal elections. People from every area and demographic of this community signed this petition... White, Black, wealthy, poor, men, women, Republican, Democrat... Maybe if you listened, you might realize what is being discussed is not "radical." Local politics is not Party identity politics.

By the way, I am a Republican with a degree in Economics and Finance. Isn't it time to stop with the simplistic labeling?

All this referendum aims to do is give average, everyday people fairer representation on Hickory's City Council. This is an issue of accountability. The current Bloc system needs to be addressed. Go look and see where the city is taking a role in economic development. It is always the same places. This makes Council members more attentive to the 6,700 people in the ward they represent. The local economic malaise has gone on for over a decade. Most of us aren't worried about steps backward. We believe fairer representation would get us moving forward again... Vote Yes!




And a piece from the truewards.org website

Current Council Members Work to Protect Their Interests 

Note in this story on Hickory Daily Record that the Backwards group is led by city council and city leaders eager to protect their own interestes by maintaining their control of city council. Remember, at-large elections are proven to favor incumbents and maintain the status quo.

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/aug/13/4/council-members-group-defeat-hickory-referendum-ar-2516867/

Take a look at the comments to see how regular citizens are responding to this incumbent effort.
Here's a list of people supporting the status quo - high unemployment, big tents, and voter suppression:
Austin Allran, Paul Byrd, Peggy Byrd, Amanda Edwards, Becky Carter, Steve Carter, Jeff Cline, Joab Cotton, David Crosby, Gloria Farr, Sally Fox [incumbent council member], Hank Guess [incumbent council member],Sandra Johnson, Ryan Kelly, Landon Lane, Floyd Lucas, Jerry Phillips, Bruce Meisner [incumbent council member], Libby Meisner, Walter Murphy, Danny Seaver [incumbent council member], Ken Sigler, Charles Snipes, Mary Snooks, Al Spainhour, Christie West, Bill Wiggs, Nancy Willingham, Charles Willingham, Frank Willis, Donna Wright, Rudy Wright [incumbent mayor], Tony Wood, Phil Yount, Sara Yount, Nancy Zagaroli and Jill Patton [incumbent council member].

The initial campaign finance report from the Backwards group shows that their funding comes overwhelmingly from incumbent council members and those who benefit directly from city contracts.

• Rudy Wright, incumbent Mayor - $200 contribution 
• Jill Patton, incumbent City Councilperson - $100 contribution
• Bruce Meisner, incumbent City Councilperson - $100 contribution
• David Zagaroli (hired to design the million dollartent with no competitive bidding) - $100 contribution

Makes you wonder why they are so afraid. If they are serving the constituents in their own ward, they should have no trouble keeping their offices in the next election. They probably know that they are elected by a select few people across the city (that's called a bloc vote) and they will have a lot to answer for when they turn to their own wards for votes.

For a list of the 2,707 people who signed the petition for fair representation, click here. You'll find business and community leaders on this list. And you'll also find working people, the unemployed, regular folks from every ward of Hickory who are tired of the same old policies that do not reflect their interests.

Vote Yes! for fair representation - True Ward Links

http://www.truewards.org/

http://www.citizensforequity.com/



Volunteer


Contribute Money


Voting Information


Current City Council Members Work to Protect Their Interests


True Ward Elections Go to Vote

United States Flag Retirement Ceremony set for September 22, 2012 - sponsored by the Sandy Ridge American Legion

And here is a big problem...

Look at the photo below courtesy of Pat Appleson Studios.

I will swear to you all day long that I have nothing against the businesses on Union Square, but those that know me know and those who don't are never going to care about where I am coming from. My hope is for any business to succeed. What I face is that these certain businesses think I'm picking on them, but really I'm not. What I am saying is that they do not deserve any more promotional support than any other business in Hickory and so the City should not be expressly promoting any business over another.

Look at the promotional sign. What should the people from Copper Bean think about this? What about the owners of Da Vinci's? What about the people who own Sub Station II? or any restaurant or bar in any other part of Hickory?

You see these businesses pay taxes too. They don't get amenities for owning their businesses where they are located. When is the city going to create a structure on Springs Road to bring people out there to eat at one of the establishments there?  Or in Southwest Hickory, not that there are many left any more.

And just think, If you own a business in one of these other parts of Hickory, your tax dollars are being funneled  to these projects on Union Square to go help the business of someone who might just be your competitor. All you Ayn Rand philosophers, where are you? Does that sound just to you?

Now a few people have labeled the Citizens for Equity in Government as a Liberal Group, but the CEG isn't supporting a system that takes Hickory tax dollars from one business and directs it towards the interest of another. Or spends city funds in a Big Government top-down manner. Doesn't that sound like Sherwood Forest to you?

And if you want to go see the pictures for the Union Square Tent event here is the link - http://www.appleson.com/Hickory/City%20of%20Hickory%20Name%20the%20Structure%2008-10-12.htm

I have nothing against a structure being built for events in Hickory, but shouldn't the public have had input? And was this structure worth the money that was spent on it? Do you like the fact that the sight lines on Union Square are now gone? Do you feel that this structure aesthetically fits Union Square? And do you think this will be an economic driver for Hickory?

Monies raised so far for referendum: Backwards Coalition - $838, Citizen's Group - $610

Seems that Landon B. Lane is the Treasurer for the Backwards Coalition. They have raised $838 and I assume the ASIGNCO, the Mayor's sign company is doing there signs at cost. I saw the Mayor walking out of City Hall last Tuesday with a couple under his arm. Don't know whether it is a campaign violation for a City Official to be carrying signs to and fro a Municipal building, but I think most would consider it improper, but most understand that the Backwards Coalition will stop at nothing to maintain their Status Quo Political machine.

Here is a direct Link to the Campain Funds - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/12campfin.asp

Here is a Direct Link to the Backwards Coalition Funds submitted so far - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/Committees/2012/NoSteps/Disclosure.pdf

Here is a Direct Link to the Citizen's Funds submitted so far - Sherbia Jones has been appointed Treasurer - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/elections/Committees/2012/CERC/Disclosure.pdf

As you can see, the contributions from the Citizen's group have been minimal with the largest sum of money being $250 given by Attorney Allen Wood.

The Backward's Coalition has raised $838 with Landon Lane giving $238, Rudy Wright giving $200, Jill Patton giving $100, Bruce Meisner giving $100, David Zagaroli giving $100, Sandra Johnson giving $100.

Just thought it would be a good idea to keep track of where people are coming from. It is interesting to see how much money is directly attributable to the current Hickory City Council. And remember the costs of those signs made by ASIGNCO. How much is that? Where is that disclosure?

Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- August 12, 2012

Exclusive: U.S. banks told to make plans for preventing collapse - Reuters through the Chicago Tribune - Rick Rothacker - August 10, 2012 - U.S. regulators directed five of the country's biggest banks, including Bank of America Corp and Goldman Sachs Group Inc, to develop plans for staving off collapse if they faced serious problems, emphasizing that the banks could not count on government help.             The two-year-old program, which has been largely secret until now, is in addition to the "living wills" the banks crafted to help regulators dismantle them if they actually do fail. It shows how hard regulators are working to ensure that banks have plans for worst-case scenarios and can act rationally in times of distress.                 Officials like Lehman Brothers former Chief Executive Dick Fuld have been criticized for having been too hesitant to take bold steps to solve their banks' problems during the financial crisis.               According to documents obtained by Reuters, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency first directed five banks - which also include Citigroup Inc,, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co - to come up with these "recovery plans" in May 2010.                 They told banks to consider drastic efforts to prevent failure in times of distress, including selling off businesses, finding other funding sources if regular borrowing markets shut them out, and reducing risk. The plans must be feasible to execute within three to six months, and banks were to "make no assumption of extraordinary support from the public sector," according to the documents.


It’s Just Business: How Corporate America Made Slaves of the Young - Truthdig.com - Christian Neumeister - August 9, 2012 - Companies across the nation are gleefully denying interns fair wages for their work, in flagrant violation of long-standing labor law, and have the nerve to tell the world they are doing these people a favor.                    Huge numbers of college students and recent graduates in a tight labor market are too scared to ask for compensation. Consequently, many interns must work for years in unpaid positions to build their résumés while depending on their parents for financial support. Not only do unpaid internships stop some from paying down a collectively exploding student debt, they compound the economical class differences between those who can afford to work for free and those who can’t.                    This exploitative practice has evolved over the generations since the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 and a 1947 Supreme Court ruling about railroad trainees that officially defined unpaid internships; that ruling was mostly ignored by businesses, and today’s systemic abuse of interns eventually developed.                   Now, a disturbing percentage of U.S. companies accepts as routine the illegal work of unpaid interns. One of the legal challenges to the abuse is a class-action lawsuit against the Hearst Corp. being pressed by the New York employment law firm Outten & Golden on behalf of interns who claim they were improperly denied wages and benefits at 19 of Hearst’s magazines. The law firm is pursuing two other corporations on similar grounds, Fox Searchlight and television’s “The Charlie Rose Show.”....


UN: Soaring Food Prices Might Spark Global Crisis - Newsmax - August 9, 2012 - The world could face a new food crisis of the kind seen in 2007-2008 if countries resort to export bans, the U.N.'s food agency warned on Thursday, after reporting a surge in global food prices due to a drought-fueled grain price rally.                A mix of high oil prices, growing use of biofuels, bad weather, restrictive export policies and soaring grain futures markets pushed up prices of food in 2007/08, sparking violent protests in countries including Egypt, Cameroon and Haiti.                      Concern about extreme hot and dry weather in the U.S. Midwest sent corn and soybean prices to record highs last month, driving overall food prices higher again and reversing the Food and Agriculture Organization’s expectations for steady declines this year.


Poll: More Than Half of Americans See Economy Getting Worse - Newsmax - Forrest Jones
- August 9, 2012 - Some 53 percent of Americans felt the economy was getting worse in July, up four percentage points from June, according to the Discover Financial Services’ U.S. Spending Monitor.               The poll also found 28 percent of respondents feel the U.S. economy is improving, down from 29 percent in June and 33 percent in May, while 53 percent of respondents rated the U.S. economy as poor, unchanged from June, The Wall Street Journal reported.              "The number of people who said their personal finances were improving was unchanged at 23 percent in July from June, but was down from 25 percent during May. Respondents who see their personal finances getting worse was up 2 percentage points to 49 percent," The Journal reported.                     "While 28 percent of respondents planned to spend more next month, the increase was driven mostly by an increase in anticipated spending on nondiscretionary items. About 38 percent of respondents expect to spend more on household expenses."


Gas prices climb 30 cents a gallon - CNN Money - Steve Hargreaves - August 7, 2012 - Gas prices continued their slow but steady march higher Tuesday, surpassing a nationwide average of $3.63 cents a gallon on the back of refinery problems in the United States and higher crude oil prices globally.                Nationwide average gasoline prices are now 30 cents higher than they were just five weeks ago. They are now at the midway mark between this year's high price of $3.94 a gallon -- hit April 5 -- and the recent low of $3.33 hit just over five weeks ago, according to AAA.

Fiscal cliff threatens small businesses - CNN Money - Jose Pagliery - August 9, 2012 - Potential massive cuts in federal spending are still months away, but some small businesses that rely on government contracts are already feeling the pinch.                   The looming cutbacks -- part of the "fiscal cliff" -- are causing firms to slow business or shrink production and could threaten jobs, according to company owners.                   The $110 billion in cuts for 2013 will kick in on Jan. 2 unless Congress agrees on an alternative. They will hit defense spending particularly hard but also affect other popular non-defense programs funded by Washington.                      Last year, small firms received $91 billion in federal contracts, slightly more than a fifth of all the money awarded by the federal government to private enterprise in 2011.                   It's not yet clear exactly which government agencies or programs would be affected, or how deeply the axe would slash at each.
But contractors say agencies have responded to the uncertainty by throttling back projects, delaying bids and terminating programs.



The Fed Should Stimulate Lending - Seeking Alpha - Evan Schnidman - August 10, 2012 - Many investors have been clamoring for QE3 due to a lack of readily available capital in the market as banks have become more cautious and more focused on deleveraging. A program to induce lending helps solve the problem of capital availability and increases the velocity of money without dramatically increasing inflationary pressure by adding more capital to the system. In essence, an inducement program works to use the money already in the system more efficiently by freeing up capital supply to meet demand.               Some commentators have recently argued that an inducement policy by the Fed would be both more aggressive and less effective than QE3. To the first point, it is very clear that it is not more aggressive in terms of adding inflationary pressure or growing the Fed balance sheet. Therefore, it will come under far less political fire. The efficacy issue is potentially more serious due to speculation that the lack of lending is not a matter of banks being unwilling to supply borrowers; it is a lack of borrowing demand.                    The demand question was largely answered in the Fed's July 2012 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices. This survey indicated that loan conditions to both businesses and households are tighter than the moving average since 2005, but demand is rising due to the inability of European banks to provide loans during their ongoing crisis.


Holland Wire Products closing West Michigan plant, but offers workers way to keep jobs - Michigan Live - August 02, 2012 - About 40 employees from Holland Wire Products Inc. have been given notice the plant will be closing in the next six months when production is moved to the parent company headquarters in Hickory Springs, N.C.                      Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. spokesman Bobby Bush said the employees have been given an offer to move with the operation and retain their jobs and many have expressed interest.             The closure and relocation is being done to “bring production closer to the raw materials and customer base,” Bush said.             The company, with international sales, manufactures wire spring products for bedding products and seating for the furniture, automotive and health care fields.                        “Right now we’re producing the raw material for the springs here in North Carolina, shipping it to Michigan and then bringing the finished products back here for customers,” Bush said.                 “The Holland plant also wasn’t working at full capacity and in these tough economic times we got to make every efficiency we can,” Bush said.                  Employees at the Holland plant at 955 Brooks Ave. were notified on Wednesday about the closure. The plant has been in operation since 1988.


Corning Cable cuts 90 temporary jobs in Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Journal - Richard Craver - August 12, 2012 - Lower customer demand for optical fiber-cable products has led Corning Cable Systems LLC to eliminate 90 temporary jobs at its Winston-Salem plant.             Corning Cable spokeswoman Beth Dann said today that the workforce reduction at 3180 Centre Park Blvd. was effective Monday. It represented the bulk of the operation's temporary staffing.                 "No full-time employees at this facility are impacted by this action," Dann said. She said the operation has more than 300 full-time workers.              "This is being done as part of an on-going practice of modulating work schedules and supplemental workforce levels to effectively address regular business cycling."                   Although Dann said the use of temporary workers "is a general part of Corning's workforce plans companywide," she confirmed the Winston-Salem operation is the only one of its eight in North Carolina that experienced a temporary-workforce reduction.



Real American Debt 70 Trillion Dollars and Growing by 10 Million Dollars a Minute - David Walker
David Walker : Total public debt not counting unfunded social security promises unfunded medicare promises unfunded pension and retiree for the civilians and the military personnel and excluding student loan, mortgage and credit card debt is exceeding 16 Trillion Dollars but in reality the federal financial; hole is about 70 trillion dollars and growing by 10 million dollars a minute says David Walker , the only country that is worse than us in Europe is Greece he added

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of August 7, 2012

This newsletter is about the Hickory City Council meeting that I attended this past week. City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each Month in the Council Chambers of the Julian Whitener building.

At right of this page under Main Information links is an Hickory's City Website link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the left of the page you will see the Agenda's and Minutes link you need to click. This will give you a choice of PDF files to upcoming and previous meetings.

You will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.

Here is a summary of the agenda of the 8/9/2012 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:

Please remember that pressing Ctrl and + will magnify the text and page and pressing Ctrl and - will make the text and page smaller. This will help the readability for those with smaller screens and/or eye difficulties

The above is the entire recording of this meeting. I am through typing out the City Council's minutes. It is tedious and not worth the time when you should take the time to listen to what they have to say in their own words. I can make this presentation in 30 minutes. It takes hours to type the minutes out.  I will talk about highlights and add commentary, but if the Backwards crowd who runs this town refuses to issue audio/video of their procession, then I will do it for them. They record the meetings, why can't they make that audio available for public consumption?

And at this time I can't afford an HD Camera, because I am struggling in the Steak and Shake Economy, but if people want contribute to help make that possible, I will go in there and video record the proceedings. They have million dollars for a tent, but can't afford the equipment that will help us see our Government in action. Hmmm... priorities, priorities. They can say "No Steps Backwards" when they arrive in the 21st century.

I will update this further ASAP

Invocation by Rev. Rick Schilling, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church


Special Presentations:
The NC APWA Solid Waste Division presentation of the Herman Drake Award (Solid Waste Employee of the Year) to Tommy Hughes

The Hound enjoys these presentations that celebrate employees with the City being recognized for going above and beyond their occupational duties. It was easy to see the camaraderie displayed amongst these gentleman.

Consent Agenda
A. Consideration and Acceptance of the 2012 Urgent Repair Program Grant in the amount of $37,500, and Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy - The Community Development Department, in complying with the NC Housing Finance Agency’s funding requirements for SRP12 has prepared an Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy reflecting program requirements as requested by NCHFA. The Policies incorporates program requirements, applicant eligibility standards, and program capabilities. Upon approval by Hickory City Council the Assistance Policy and Procurement Policy will be submitted with additional information requested by NC Housing Finance Agency. Upon receipt and acceptance by NCHFA, funds will be dispersed to the City of Hickory in order to begin repairs to eligible homes. The 2012 Urgent Repair Program Grant from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency is in the
amount of $37,000.

B. Special Events/Activities Application for Patriots Day by Steve Moore and Fred Hollar with the City of Hickory, on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 on Union Square or City Hall Parking Area, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am, September 11th Ceremony

C. Transfer of Cemetery Deed from Winfred Scott Bedington and wife, Beth H. Bedington and William David Bedington, Single, to Harold Dean Setzer and wife, Phyllis Moore Setzer, in Oakwood Cemetery

D. Request from Hickory Police Department to Award Police Badge and Service Weapon to Retiring Master Police Officer Bain Weinrich - By authority of NC General Statute §20-187.2, City Council may award the service weapon and police badge to retiring Master Police Officer Bain Weinrich upon his
retirement from Hickory Police Department on September 1, 2012 after completing 25 years of service with Hickory Police Department. Upon approval from City Council, the police badge and service weapon will be declared surplus and removed from the city’s fixed asset inventory.

E. Request to declare surplus 1,325 discarded library materials from the preschool outreach collections, so that these materials may be given to the Friends of the Library for their annual book sale October 4-7, 2012. - The sale of donated and discarded books is the primary fundraising activity of the Friends of the Library and discarded library materials comprise a significant portion of their inventory. The sale of these items ultimately benefits the library, and is an appropriate means of disposing of unneeded materials.

F. Request to approve Municipal Agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation for replacement of municipal bridge number 170327 on Falling Creek Road.- The bridge on Falling Creek Road is structurally deficient and is functionally obsolete. Biannual inspection performed this year determined that structural repairs be made in order to keep the bridge safe for the traveling public. Those repairs were temporary in nature and have been completed. The inspection showed that the existing bridge is beyond its useful life and in need of replacement. The City of Hickory will be responsible for 20 percent of the total estimated cost of the project with the estimated cost being $1,200,000. The estimate for the City’s portion of the project is $240,000 with North Carolina Department of Transportation paying the balance.

G. Request to replace the Library’s current Safe Child Policy with a new Child Safety Policy - For the purpose of establishing parental supervisory guidelines that specify the ages at which minors must be accompanied by responsible caregivers and a minimum age for their caregiver, the ages at which minors must be under the immediate supervision of a responsible person and the ages at which minors must be under the supervision of a responsible person in the library building. This policy would clarify procedures for library staff regarding unattended children at closing time; and addressing the issue of unaccompanied adults in the children’s area of the library.

H. Community Appearance Commission request approval of an Appearance Grant for nonresidential property owned by Nancy Rector located at 1263 Hwy 70 SW in the amount of $5,000, Mr. Kyle Pope is acting as the applicant for the grant. - The proposed renovations to the property include: renovation of the existing parking lots and landscaping area; replacement of roofing materials; painting of the building exterior; and replacement of guttering, soffit and facia. In total the proposed renovation are estimated to be between $11,795 and $16,950 in value. Being both estimates exceed $10,000 in value, the proposal would be eligible for the full $5,000 Community Appearance Grant. The current assessed value of the property is $265,500. The value of the grant represents approximately 3% of the property’s value.

I. Community Appearance Commission request approval of an Appearance Grant for nonresidential property owned by Hickory Elks Lodge located at 356 Main Avenue NW in the amount of $5,000.- The proposed renovations to the east building elevation (facing Union Square) include the removal of old pebble board on the two upper building levels, which covers the existing windows, the replacement of two (2) windows with bronze frame reflective windows, brick infill around the replacement windows, new paint for the façade and fire escape and a new deck shelter. In all the Elks Lodge plans approximately $18,300 worth of exterior improvements to the building. Being the estimate exceeds $10,000 in value, the proposal would be eligible for the full $5,000 Community Appearance Grant. The current assessed value of the Hickory’s Elks Lodge property is $483,500; however the property is tax exempt. The value of the grant represents approximately 3.8% of the property’s value.

J. Termination of Setback Waiver Agreement for properties located at 840, 930 and 958 Highway 70 SE owned by Crossroads Holdings, LLC. - On March 7, 1997 a Waiver of Setback Agreement was recorded by previous owners of the properties located at 840, 930, and 958 Highway 70 SE, PIN Numbers 3712-17-01-9468; 3712-17-11-3464 and 3712-17-11-6309 concerning a common boundary between the properties owners. In May 2011, Crossroads Holdings LLC acquired these properties and now desires to recombine the respective properties into a single parcel. The Setback Agreement entered into by the previous properties’ owners is no longer applicable or necessary. The recombine properties will be in compliance with all setback requirements as prescribed in the Hickory Land Development Code.

K. Approval of a contract with Land Design Inc. for preparation of the Inspiring Spaces Plan for capital improvement projects related to city rights of way and public spaces in the amount of $198,000 as well as $6,000 for project incidentals for a total project budget of $204,000. - An Inspiring Spaces Plan will be for improvements in Hickory’s public spaces along rights of way, including pedestrian connectivity, providing aesthetic features in key locations such as fountains, other water features and public art, greenways, installing wayfinding, identifying ways to enhance key corridors such as Hwy 127, Old Lenoir Road, Highland Avenue, Main Avenue, Highway 70 West and other areas with streetscape improvements such as improvements to travel ways, landscaping and lighting upgrades, gateway upgrades and façade improvements on key city facilities.

(Discussed in minutes 5:45 to the 12:00 mark) The Item above was removed from the agenda with Alderman Lail with Alderman Meisner's support. City Manager stated that the plan would be broken up into smaller pieces that can be evaluated as they move along. He believed the plan should be tabled and they would come back to the council to introduce a phase 1 of the plan. Alderman Guess asked if this would hamper anything and if there would be any delays. Manager Berry stated that this should not cause any delays.  asked that the monies spent be reassessed and that monies be spent ne budgeted and spent on an as needed basis. The Council agreed to do this. Frank Drendel and Benny Yount were added to the Inspiring Spaces Committee.

The Hound believes it was good to see that Aldermen Meisner and Lail put the brakes on this project and bring some accountability into the process.


L. Capital Project Ordinance Amendment
1. To transfer $18,500 of unexpended funds from the Clement Boulevard Project Construction Line item and budget in the Traffic Division’s Other Professional Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PC to develop and implement a traffic signal coordination plan for US Hwy 321 from 9th Ave NW north to US Hwy 321-A in Caldwell County. This new traffic signal coordination plan is necessary to coordinate US Hwy 321 now that the Clement Blvd project is complete. In order to keep traffic moving and lessen congestion along the corridor, a coordination plan is needed.

M. Budget Ordinance Amendment
1. To appropriate $1,500 of General Fund Balance and budget in the International Council line item. A $1,500 donation for the Folkmoot event was received in FY11-12; however, the event occurs in July of FY12-13. Therefore the $1,500 donation rolled into General Fund Balance at year end. This amendment will reappropriate $1,500 from General Fund Balance and budget funds in the FY12-13 International Council line item for the Folkmoot event.
2. To appropriate $12,180 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Unauthorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's Contracted Services line item. This amendment is necessary to pay Smith, Rodgers PLLC Attorneys for the Law Enforcement Legal Support annual contract. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
3. To appropriate $50,828 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the State of North Carolina Unauthorized Substance Tax revenue) and budget in the Police Department's Non-Asset Inventory ($48,218) and Uniforms ($2,610) line items. This amendment is necessary to pay for Special Operations Team vests, hard armor plates for the front and back of vests and rain suits. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the State and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
4. To transfer $204,000 of General Fund Contingency to the Public Buildings Other Professional Services line item. This amendment is necessary to pay Land Design, Inc. for the contract and design of the preparation of the Inspiring Spaces Plan. This plan is for capital improvement projects related to city rights of way and public spaces. Other areas for streetscape improvements include travel ways, landscaping and lighting upgrades, gateway upgrades and façade improvements on key city facilities. It will take approximately 7 months to complete the plan with implementation of the plan to occur over 5 to 10 years. The cost of the Inspiring Spaces Plan is $198,000 with an additional $6,000 for project incidentals for a total cost of $204,000.
5. To appropriate $293 of Transportation Fund Balance and budget in the Airport Maintenance and Repair of Grounds line item. A $293 insurance claim check from State Farm Insurance agency was received on June 28, 2012 for a damaged fence caused by a car accident. Funds rolled into Transportation Fund Balance at year-end; therefore a budget amendment is necessary to appropriate
$293 to the Airport operational budget.
6. To accept a $18,500 transfer of unexpended funds from the Clement Boulevard Project Construction Line item and budget in the Traffic Division's Other Professional Services line item. This transfer is necessary to pay Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PC to develop and implement a traffic signal coordination plan for US Hwy 321 from 9th Ave NW north to US Hwy 321-A in Caldwell County. This new traffic signal coordination plan is necessary to coordinate US Hwy 321 now that the Clement Blvd project is complete. In order to keep traffic moving and lessen congestion along the corridor, a coordination plan is needed.

N. Special Event/Activities Application for Celebration of the new Downtown Structure and Stage by Mandy Pitts, on Friday, August 10, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, August 11, 2012 from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Union Square to celebrate the new structure and stage in Downtown Hickory.

Informational Items
A. Report of Alderman Hank Guess’ travel to Town Hall Day, in Raleigh, NC on June 6,2012 (Meals - $9.83)

New Business - Departmental Report - on Random Woods, Sherwood Forest and Eastwood Subdivisions Sanitary Sewer Grant Project. City Council approved the acceptance of the grant July 17, 2012.

Grant Project Ordinance : (13:00 mark to 22:20 mark)
1. To budget a $2,946,043 State Grant from the High Unit Cost Grant Account of the Water Infrastructure Fund offered by North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality. This project includes construction of approximately 25,100 linear feet of 8-inch PVC sanitary sewer lines serving three subdivisions Eastwood, Random Woods, and Sherwood Forest Subdivisions. No City funds are required for this project.

2. Internet Gaming : (22:30 mark  to 52:30 mark) - Staff will report on recent activities by other communities related to internet gaming establishments.

Citizen Requesting to be Heard (
Larry Pope about the appearance (dress) of young people in the City (1:00:00 mark to 1:00:05)

Joe Brannock addressed Council on the issue of the City Council voting to change the Ward Specific voting system themselves. (1:06:00 mark to 1:09:00) State Board of elections says that Council can make this change themselves and forgo the election. It is unfair to categorize an unwillingness as an inability not to vote. He further spoke about some elected leaders labeling people as sinister and crackpots. We deserve elected leaders more willing to participate on the field than heckle from the sideline. The Mayor stated that the 2,707 who sined the petition to authorize a referendum, not to change the system, and they are complying willingly with that.

The Hound thinks that most of you understand that the willingness is statutory and mandatory. This Council was asked by the CEG to adopt a resolution themselves and they did not take the first step towards doing so. In the newspaper the Mayor said that Council by Statute had to move forward with the election. Here, he doesn't say that.