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Thursday, July 17, 2014
Hal Row's First Talk - Startown Residents vs Hickory Inc. - 1764 Business Park
The following is an interview of a group of concerned Startown area residents that are currently opposed to Hickory Inc. annexing property on Startown Road that will be used to build the proposed 1764 Business Park that is part of the Bond Referendum that will be on the November ballot. The interview was conducted on 1290 WHKYam Radio's First talk program with Hal Row.
WHKY does not archive these programs and make them available to the public, so I am putting this important public interview up under Fair Use guidelines.
Segment 1 - Eddie Ide was the man who had called in during the Monday Morning Meeting with the Mayor on Monday. He was interviewed along with (pardon if incorrect spelling) Debra Strauther, and former County Commissioner Glenn Barger. Mr. Barger stated that they aren't against Economic Development or a Business Park, but this is a high dense area. They had believed, initially, that this was a Catawba County project and now they have found out it is a 50/50 project with Hickory Inc. This is in the county and as developed it will be annexed. A certain portion of the bond will be invested in this park. This area is designated as residential/agriculture. Their are a number of areas designated for business that have not been filled.
Segment 2 - Ms. Strauther wanted to live in the country and that is why she moved to Startown. She says that they have been working on this since 2011 and they are just finding about this now. She believes it will be an Industrial/ Manufacturing Park. She believes that they will be widening Startown Road. She says that there are already 13 sites that were zoned, but aren't developed. The 321 corridor was built to take traffic off of Startown Road and build industry down there. Hal contends that the site looks pretty good and has protections. Mr. Barger rebuts this with a contention about Robinwood Road. They want Startown residents to be heard.
Segment 3 - The people of Startown want this process slowed down. They want citizens informed and questions answered. Teacher from Startown Elementary, Margy Butterfield calls in with several issues and is offering a petition. Another lady called in favor of the park and talked about misinformation. There will be no building built until parcels are sold. Five lane road isn't happening. She says she has a child here that would like to work here, but there is nothing here and this offers a real possibility. She said that people should read about what is actually happening. Ms. Strauther wants more restrictions on this property. They talked about the meeting of the County Commission next Monday night. Caller Jeff brings up Lowe's on 127 and lack of issues there. Ms. Strauthersays kids aren't getting off the school bus on that road. They are on Startown and Robinwood Road.
Segment 4 - Caller Lewis says Startown has no representation, because their planning board representative had to recuse himself, because he is related to the property owner. No EDC or Planning Board reps showed up the the meeting held the other night. Mr. Ide spoke about other buildings that are available. We have plenty of spaces available. Good park, Good idea... wrong location. Ms. Strauther says this will bring people from other areas. We need to focus on our area and growing the economy in our area. Mr. Barger states that this park violates present community development plans.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Thoughts about the Hickory City Council meeting - July 15, 2014
In the Chambers
Horseford Cove issue is about runoff and build up of silt and garbage.
Meredith & JD Ross pushing the old 70 corridor. Pretty positive message. Not asking for city money.
Larry Pope - Hank Guess won't take my phone calls. Larry didn't get arrested... barely.
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The video below shows my address of council along with Larry Pope's and Tammy Abernathy's, which involved the Socio-Economic dynamics of the area. You will see a confrontation initiated by the Mayor at the end of Larry Pope's address of council. The Mayor has taken it upon himself to set the precedent of responding to what people say at the podium and the person is not allowed to readdress/rebut the Mayor. While the Mayor may be able to usurp the law, he is definitely violating the spirit of the law when it comes to people addressing the Council. HE SHOULD interact with people at the podium. He should not shut people down, because he doesn't like what they say or nitpick over what they say, unless he is willing to afford a dialogue. That is what adults are supposed to do.
People should be ruled out of order if they become belligerent. Larry was reacting to something that the Mayor has done many times to him. Larry was not being proactively belligerent. The Mayor was not elected to have the final say on every matter in this community. If he wants to be a Judge, then he should go to law school, pass the bar, and run or be appointed to a position as a judge. His actions here subvert the First Amendment and are un-American.
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My Birthday Speech
The Chamber of Commerce has a poll in which they are asking young people about ways to improve Catawba County and make it more desirable for young professionals. I have taken a broader look and here are my top 10 reasons why we aren't attracting young people to live, move to, or stay in the Hickory area.
10) In this community, young middle class and poor people have seen an enthusiastic willingness to cater to the older and more affluent folks at the expense of what would benefit them.
9) This opening generation of the modern 21st century reality says that it is a priority for them to have a role in making the world a better place. They don't want to live in communities where Control and Authority rule over Love, Empathy, and Kindness.
8) The Millennials want autonomy, but if they do have to work for someone else, then they want that person to serve as a mentor, not an authoritarian. They don't want to deal with old school, regimented, mechanical, simple black and white dogmatic mindsets... Bosses need to look at their workforce as partners, not commodities.
7) Young people aren't looking for a job. They are looking for a career. They want employment where they think the owner is in it with them and cares about their interests. It should be common sense and a natural derivative that if business owners take care of their employees, that employees will do likewise and the business will thrive, if that becomes the norm in this community, then this community will thrive.
*** And here are Six things that these young people and others can see about this community
6) This community's Powers That Be have demonstrated through actions a "Do as I say and not as I do" collective personality.
5) Career success is certainly more easily attainable in structures based upon hard work and merit rather than a social caste system based upon who you are related to and who you know.
4) Constructive critical thought is an asset and imperative to the success of a free and open society. We have seen the local Powers that Be take hostile actions against people when it wasn't necessary - just because people dissented or even asked questions. As though answering to the people would somehow lead to chaos.
3) We have seen a mindset where stories, messages, information, ideas, and processes must be controlled and well crafted. Being real and unfiltered has become the victim.... 1984... Thought Criminals.
2) People who attempt to control messages create bottlenecks on Information and Information is a valuable commodity in this age - the information age. This has created a hindrance to real Economic activity.
1) And last but not least, we have seen through disrespectful actions where this government has essentially told the people, "when we want your opinion, we'll give it to you."
We haven't lost the young people because of inanimate objects. We have lost them through actions. But don't take my words negatively... take them as an opportunity to evolve towards a better reality.
Horseford Cove issue is about runoff and build up of silt and garbage.
Meredith & JD Ross pushing the old 70 corridor. Pretty positive message. Not asking for city money.
Larry Pope - Hank Guess won't take my phone calls. Larry didn't get arrested... barely.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The video below shows my address of council along with Larry Pope's and Tammy Abernathy's, which involved the Socio-Economic dynamics of the area. You will see a confrontation initiated by the Mayor at the end of Larry Pope's address of council. The Mayor has taken it upon himself to set the precedent of responding to what people say at the podium and the person is not allowed to readdress/rebut the Mayor. While the Mayor may be able to usurp the law, he is definitely violating the spirit of the law when it comes to people addressing the Council. HE SHOULD interact with people at the podium. He should not shut people down, because he doesn't like what they say or nitpick over what they say, unless he is willing to afford a dialogue. That is what adults are supposed to do.
People should be ruled out of order if they become belligerent. Larry was reacting to something that the Mayor has done many times to him. Larry was not being proactively belligerent. The Mayor was not elected to have the final say on every matter in this community. If he wants to be a Judge, then he should go to law school, pass the bar, and run or be appointed to a position as a judge. His actions here subvert the First Amendment and are un-American.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Birthday Speech
The Chamber of Commerce has a poll in which they are asking young people about ways to improve Catawba County and make it more desirable for young professionals. I have taken a broader look and here are my top 10 reasons why we aren't attracting young people to live, move to, or stay in the Hickory area.
10) In this community, young middle class and poor people have seen an enthusiastic willingness to cater to the older and more affluent folks at the expense of what would benefit them.
9) This opening generation of the modern 21st century reality says that it is a priority for them to have a role in making the world a better place. They don't want to live in communities where Control and Authority rule over Love, Empathy, and Kindness.
8) The Millennials want autonomy, but if they do have to work for someone else, then they want that person to serve as a mentor, not an authoritarian. They don't want to deal with old school, regimented, mechanical, simple black and white dogmatic mindsets... Bosses need to look at their workforce as partners, not commodities.
7) Young people aren't looking for a job. They are looking for a career. They want employment where they think the owner is in it with them and cares about their interests. It should be common sense and a natural derivative that if business owners take care of their employees, that employees will do likewise and the business will thrive, if that becomes the norm in this community, then this community will thrive.
*** And here are Six things that these young people and others can see about this community
6) This community's Powers That Be have demonstrated through actions a "Do as I say and not as I do" collective personality.
5) Career success is certainly more easily attainable in structures based upon hard work and merit rather than a social caste system based upon who you are related to and who you know.
4) Constructive critical thought is an asset and imperative to the success of a free and open society. We have seen the local Powers that Be take hostile actions against people when it wasn't necessary - just because people dissented or even asked questions. As though answering to the people would somehow lead to chaos.
3) We have seen a mindset where stories, messages, information, ideas, and processes must be controlled and well crafted. Being real and unfiltered has become the victim.... 1984... Thought Criminals.
2) People who attempt to control messages create bottlenecks on Information and Information is a valuable commodity in this age - the information age. This has created a hindrance to real Economic activity.
1) And last but not least, we have seen through disrespectful actions where this government has essentially told the people, "when we want your opinion, we'll give it to you."
We haven't lost the young people because of inanimate objects. We have lost them through actions. But don't take my words negatively... take them as an opportunity to evolve towards a better reality.
20140714 - Monday Morning Meeting with the Mayor
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The following is the interview of Mayor Rudy Wright on 1290 WHKYam Radio's First talk program with Hal Row.
WHKY does not archive these programs and make them available to the public, so I am putting this important public interview up under Fair Use guidelines.
Segment 1 - Mayor talks about his vacation to Alaska... All-Star Game that was held in Hickory and other events in the area.
Segment 2 - Mayor continues talking about Anchorage, Alaska. Talks about the Bond Referendum. Not going to spend $40 million all at once.
Segment 3 - Mayor continues talking about the Bond Referendum. Talks about 1764 Business Park and a spec building associated with it. Talks about the walkway around the lake. Asked about detractors and says he hasn't heard anything. Hal presses him on it and he finally says he has seen in writing that people are saying this will be in certain parts of the community and he says it's for all of Hickory. Hal asks why we should trust the City with $40 million... Rudy says look at our track record over the last 12 years. He says they are in it with us. They aren't looking to feather their nest.
Segment 4 - A gentleman from Startown (Eddie) calls and talks about a protest of the proposed 1764 Park in the Startown area. They don't want Hickory annexing the 180 acre area. Mayor Wright refuses to get into specifics. Certainly seems to know more than he is letting on. Eddie seems very knowledgeable. Eddie talks about other Business Park areas, and buildings, that aren't being utilized. Eddie talks about $2 million of Bond Referendum monies earmarked for this site' infrastructure.
The following is the interview of Mayor Rudy Wright on 1290 WHKYam Radio's First talk program with Hal Row.
WHKY does not archive these programs and make them available to the public, so I am putting this important public interview up under Fair Use guidelines.
Segment 1 - Mayor talks about his vacation to Alaska... All-Star Game that was held in Hickory and other events in the area.
Segment 2 - Mayor continues talking about Anchorage, Alaska. Talks about the Bond Referendum. Not going to spend $40 million all at once.
Segment 3 - Mayor continues talking about the Bond Referendum. Talks about 1764 Business Park and a spec building associated with it. Talks about the walkway around the lake. Asked about detractors and says he hasn't heard anything. Hal presses him on it and he finally says he has seen in writing that people are saying this will be in certain parts of the community and he says it's for all of Hickory. Hal asks why we should trust the City with $40 million... Rudy says look at our track record over the last 12 years. He says they are in it with us. They aren't looking to feather their nest.
Segment 4 - A gentleman from Startown (Eddie) calls and talks about a protest of the proposed 1764 Park in the Startown area. They don't want Hickory annexing the 180 acre area. Mayor Wright refuses to get into specifics. Certainly seems to know more than he is letting on. Eddie seems very knowledgeable. Eddie talks about other Business Park areas, and buildings, that aren't being utilized. Eddie talks about $2 million of Bond Referendum monies earmarked for this site' infrastructure.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- July 13, 2014
David A. Stockman - King World News - July 12, 2014 - Former Director of the US Office of Management and Budget (USOMB), Economic Policy Maker, Politician, Financier & Acclaimed Author: (Audio)
Q2 GDP Hopes Fade As Wholesale Inventories Miss By Most In 2014 - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden - July 10, 2014 - Another day, another uncomfortable fact about Q2 not being the epic bounce back that so many had promised. Wholesale Inventories rose only 0.5% in May - following April's +1.1%. This is the slowest growth in 2014 and biggest miss of expectations since Dec 2013. Wholesale sales also fel back, missing expectations at +0.7%, to the slowest since Feb as April hopes fade. Cue, Q2 GDP downgrades in 3...2...1...
Family Dollar closing 30 Carolinas stores; none in Charlotte - Charlotte Observer - Ely Portillo - June 30, 2014 - ...In April, Family Dollar said that it would close 370 under-performing stores nationwide, as sales and profits fell. The discount retailer also said it would lower prices on 1,000 items in an attempt to lure shoppers back. Family Dollar, whose president departed unexpectedly in January, has struggled to keep up with its rivals, especially larger Dollar General. Family Dollar’s challenges have mounted recently. Prominent activist investor Carl Icahn, a longtime corporate fighter, bought a 9.4 percent stake in the company. He demanded that the company be sold immediately and said he will move to fire and replace the entire board if he doesn’t get his way. Analysts have speculated that Family Dollar could be purchased by a private equity firm or by a rival such as Dollar General. But a Dollar General takeover has been seen as increasingly unlikely, especially in the wake of Dollar General CEO Rick Dreiling’s announcement last week that he plans to retire next year.
10 Brands That Will Disappear in 2015 - Wall St 24/7 - Douglas A. McIntyre - July 8, 2014 -
1. Lululemon
2. DirecTV
3. Hillshire Brands
4. Zynga
5. Alaska Air
6. Russell Stover
7. Shutterfly
8. Time Warner Cable
9. BlackBerry
10. Aeropostale
Wal-Mart scrambles to reinvent itself as sales slump - The company is shrinking its massive stores and selling more gas and booze. It's also revving up its online operations. - MSN Money - Shelly Banjo, The Wall Street Journal - July 8, 2014 - Just weeks after being named chief executive of the world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart's Doug McMillon held a meeting with his top executives and gave them a homework assignment: Read "The Everything Store," the tell-all book about Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos. It was a surprising order from the top of a company that long ago devised one of retail's most successful formulas and milked it for nearly half a trillion dollars in sales last year. According to the book, Mr. Bezos himself studied Wal-Mart as he built Amazon (AMZN +5.57%), internalizing its credo of acting fast and experimenting often. But now, with the price gap shrinking between Wal-Mart Stores (WMT -0.31%) and its competitors, the retailing giant faces the double sorrow of sluggish sales and traffic. In May, the company reported its fifth straight quarter of negative U.S. sales, excluding newly opened or closed stores, and its sixth straight quarter of dwindling traffic. Wal-Mart's return on investment dropped to 17 percent in the year ended Jan. 31, down from 20 percent seven years ago. The weak results led to the lowest levels of bonuses to executives in several years...
10 companies that put nearly all the food on supermarket shelves - MarkeyWatch Wall Street Journal - July 8, 2014
Where The Wealth Is (and Is Not) - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden - July 10, 2014 - On the heels of Wal-Mart explaining that America is anything but recovering, we thought a look at the state of the union's wealth would be useful. To wit, the following map of household incomes shows where the "haves" and the "have-nots" reside...
Stockman says perilous period of danger, disorder, and decline in World Financial markets. Ship of Fools taking us to the wall. Yellen is a knee-jerk Keynesian. When you have the money market rate at zero for 68 months running, then you encourage over speculation an over valuation causing instability. Draghi in Europe has caused a bond bubble in Europe through constant verbal intervention. Japan has a balance sheet that is pushing 50% of GDP. Printing Yen like there is no tomorrow. Situation could come unwound any day. Bank in Portugal (small) is an example. Matter of time before a Big Catalyst is going to hit.
$1.25 quadrillion in derivatives is a dangerous system. Back half of this year will bring surprises. We have had a false calm. Markets are so over extended, before a Black Swan event brings a major dislocation. When the panic comes, then Gold will be a safe haven. End game is that Stockman is surprised how long this bubble has been able to inflate. Junk Bond market is at an all time high. Real estate reaching new bubble extremes. Not much time left. Bond market has been artificial to the extreme for years. The Fed is tipping the scales. No honest price discovery or yields. Tremendous distortion. Prices are way overvalued. Central Banks will eventually lose control. Investors will quickly seek an exit when the Fed's prop falters.
Only hope for the West is the the Big Bang Dislocation that we need, the Keynesian banking will be so dicredited that we will get a chance to reset the system. Not great hope, but at least a possibility that there will be a clearing of the deck and a chance to start over. Police State is frightening. Part of the big picture. In 2014, no State (country) enemies, but we have nearly an all-time defense budget in real term and greater than the next eight countries combined. Warfare State drifting into domestic police forces, because it is pork barrel, job creation program, and money system driving national policy.
Q2 GDP Hopes Fade As Wholesale Inventories Miss By Most In 2014 - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden - July 10, 2014 - Another day, another uncomfortable fact about Q2 not being the epic bounce back that so many had promised. Wholesale Inventories rose only 0.5% in May - following April's +1.1%. This is the slowest growth in 2014 and biggest miss of expectations since Dec 2013. Wholesale sales also fel back, missing expectations at +0.7%, to the slowest since Feb as April hopes fade. Cue, Q2 GDP downgrades in 3...2...1...
Family Dollar closing 30 Carolinas stores; none in Charlotte - Charlotte Observer - Ely Portillo - June 30, 2014 - ...In April, Family Dollar said that it would close 370 under-performing stores nationwide, as sales and profits fell. The discount retailer also said it would lower prices on 1,000 items in an attempt to lure shoppers back. Family Dollar, whose president departed unexpectedly in January, has struggled to keep up with its rivals, especially larger Dollar General. Family Dollar’s challenges have mounted recently. Prominent activist investor Carl Icahn, a longtime corporate fighter, bought a 9.4 percent stake in the company. He demanded that the company be sold immediately and said he will move to fire and replace the entire board if he doesn’t get his way. Analysts have speculated that Family Dollar could be purchased by a private equity firm or by a rival such as Dollar General. But a Dollar General takeover has been seen as increasingly unlikely, especially in the wake of Dollar General CEO Rick Dreiling’s announcement last week that he plans to retire next year.
10 Brands That Will Disappear in 2015 - Wall St 24/7 - Douglas A. McIntyre - July 8, 2014 -
1. Lululemon
2. DirecTV
3. Hillshire Brands
4. Zynga
5. Alaska Air
6. Russell Stover
7. Shutterfly
8. Time Warner Cable
9. BlackBerry
10. Aeropostale
Wal-Mart scrambles to reinvent itself as sales slump - The company is shrinking its massive stores and selling more gas and booze. It's also revving up its online operations. - MSN Money - Shelly Banjo, The Wall Street Journal - July 8, 2014 - Just weeks after being named chief executive of the world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart's Doug McMillon held a meeting with his top executives and gave them a homework assignment: Read "The Everything Store," the tell-all book about Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos. It was a surprising order from the top of a company that long ago devised one of retail's most successful formulas and milked it for nearly half a trillion dollars in sales last year. According to the book, Mr. Bezos himself studied Wal-Mart as he built Amazon (AMZN +5.57%), internalizing its credo of acting fast and experimenting often. But now, with the price gap shrinking between Wal-Mart Stores (WMT -0.31%) and its competitors, the retailing giant faces the double sorrow of sluggish sales and traffic. In May, the company reported its fifth straight quarter of negative U.S. sales, excluding newly opened or closed stores, and its sixth straight quarter of dwindling traffic. Wal-Mart's return on investment dropped to 17 percent in the year ended Jan. 31, down from 20 percent seven years ago. The weak results led to the lowest levels of bonuses to executives in several years...
10 companies that put nearly all the food on supermarket shelves - MarkeyWatch Wall Street Journal - July 8, 2014
Container Store CEO: America facing a 'retail funk' - Yahoo Finance - Jeff Macke - July 9, 2014 - fter more than five years of reckless stimulus, endless rate manipulation and generally artificial life support the bull market faces a new challenge from the most unlikely place. It's not the Fed but the consumer that could derail the recovery, at least according to a what we heard from a couple of retail execs on Tuesday. In a conference call last night. The Container Store (TCS) CEO Kip Tindell said America is facing a "retail funk." Not funky, with connotations of heavy bass and jewelry purchases, but funk as in gloominess and general lassitude. Tindell took the unprecedented step of retroactively un-blaming the weather for weakness in The Container Stores first quarter results. "It's more than just weather" said Tindell, "With so many of our fellow retailers we're experiencing a retail funk." Tindell's remarks echoed comments earlier in the day from Walmart (WMT) U.S. head Bill Simon who said the job recovery wasn't leading to an increase in spending by Walmart customers. Simon says things aren't getting worse for middle class Americans as far as he can tell. He's just not seeing improvements. Lacking Tindell's sense of rhythm Simon suggested that perhaps consumers from the middle class down are splurging on events like the 4th of July but pulling back on day to day spending. Simon says this spending behavior is "not the best thing in the world for retailers."
Where The Wealth Is (and Is Not) - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden - July 10, 2014 - On the heels of Wal-Mart explaining that America is anything but recovering, we thought a look at the state of the union's wealth would be useful. To wit, the following map of household incomes shows where the "haves" and the "have-nots" reside...
Jim Rickards montage defines the Economic Depression (2007 - Present)
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Agenda about the City Council meeting of July 15, 2014
This Agenda is about the Hickory City Council meeting that took place
on the date listed above. 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. You can also look in the upper right hand corner of the front page of the Hickory Hound and (will soon) find the link to the past history of Hickory City Newsletters.
Here is a summary of the agenda of the meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:
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.
City Website has changed - Here is a link to the City of Hickory Document Center
City Council Agenda - July 15, 2014
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The Hound's Notes:
1) It has been 28 days (June 17, 2014) since the last city Council meeting and it will be another another 21 days until the next meeting (August 5, 2014).
2) $53,232 is going to pay for infrastructure around Moretz Mill (Budget Ordinance Item 6). I believe that part of this money is going to pay for the issues related to closing the road (E Avenue) that affected Catawba Paper Box. Looks like Hickory Inc. is picking up the bill for that.
Thoughts about last night's Hickory City Council meeting - March 18, 2014
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of March 4, 2014
3) Larry Pope's recent Letter to the Editor in the Hickory Daily Record related to the upcoming Bond Referendum.
VOTE NO!
The bond referendum that Hickory City Council wants the voters to pass on the November Ballot; I am encouraging the citizens of the City of Hickory to VOTE NO!
I am of the personal opinion that Hickory Inc. never uses the taxpayer’s money for the money’s intended purpose. I am hoping that the citizens who voted for the replacement of the city’s public swimming pools and said that they were willing to have taxes raised to pay for a swimming pool in each quadrant of the city and a centrally located aquatic center now understand how this city operates. The Public Pool survey and findings are still collecting dust on the shelves at city hall.
Money has been raised for a fund to build a parking deck next to the Old Hickory Depot Station, but instead that money has been used for projects such as the “Sails on Union Square”. How can we trust our current City Council to do what they say they are going to do, if they get the bond referendum passed?
I spoke before the City Council a few weeks ago and asked about the conflict of interest of Alderman Brad Lail and his engagement to Meg Nealon, who is a managing partner with the company Land Design out of Charlotte, who designed the Inspiring Spaces plan. I also addressed Alderman David Zagaroli’s conflict involving his wife being on the Inspiring Spaces Committee to rubber stamp Council and City Staff wishes. The Council Members found out after meeting with Land Design and their lawyers that the committee could not exist if a Bond Referendum was to be sought to raise the $40 million they say they need.
This will cost all taxpayers of the City of Hickory, when the main focus of this project is a sidewalk for a very small area of Hickory from Lenoir-Rhyne University to Union Square that benefits very few people.
The Hickory City Council can’t seem to ever be able to find money to clear away old dilapidated buildings and build sidewalks that are needed in neighborhoods and along major roadways. Now is the time for the citizens of our city to say NO MORE! until you find a way to enhance all the areas of Hickory and maintain what we already have.
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Invocation by Rev. Bill Garrard, Retired United Methodist Pastor
Special Presentations
A. Proclamation for National Federation of the Blind of Catawba County Day to Mr. Dawson Hart
B. Recognition of the Hickory Crawdads Staff and Connie Kincaid for Crawdad’s All-Star Bash, June 16, 2014
C. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions
Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. Mr. Jeff Hines regarding Horseford Cove and the Glenn Hilton Park Area
Consent Agenda:
A. Resolution Authorizing Preparation of Assessment Rolls and Public Hearing on Preliminary Assessment Roll for Street Improvements Petition Number 01-14 (Curb and Gutter). A petition was submitted on February 17, 2014, approved by City Council on April 1, 2014, and the project was completed on June 12, 2014. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
B. Call for Public Hearing – for Consideration of Rezoning Petition 14-01 for Property Located at 1218 Bugle Lane, Newton. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
C. Call for Public Hearing – for Consideration of Adoption of ABC Permit / Local Opinion Ordinance. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
D. Approval of Acceptance of a 2013 FEMA Regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant for P25 Compliant Radio Equipment. - On September 27, 2013 Hickory City Council approved the Fire Department’s application for a FEMA Regional Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant that would provide radio equipment to a majority of the County’s emergency services departments. The total federal share of the grant is 90 percent or $1,777,320 and the share of the host and 19 participating agencies is 10 percent or $197,480. The City’s share is $34,980. This grant will close a longstanding gap in the lack of interoperability between local public safety agencies. The required match by the City of Hickory and all participating agencies will be a one-time ten percent matching fund.
E. Approval of Acceptance of Historic Preservation Fund Pass-Through Grant for Update to the City’s Survey of Historic Properties. - In February, the Historic Preservation Commission applied for a grant to update the City’s survey of historic properties. This survey was last updated in 1999, and that update was focused on only a few neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity of the downtown area. The proposed survey would update all of the existing survey records and also study properties throughout the City as budget constraints will allow. This will include the City’s industrial and commercial properties along with post-war subdivisions through the community. The estimated project cost for the grant is currently $23,000. The grant will pay $15,000 of the project costs, which is actually $3,000 more than the amount requested in the original application. The required City match will be $8,000, which is the same amount as the original application. If the grant is accepted, the project will begin in the fall of 2014.
F. Approval of Change Order (4) Four to Jimmy R. Lynch & Sons, Inc. Contract in the amount of $101,696.91 for the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project. - The City of Hickory Public Utilities Department initiated the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant project in February 2013. The project was established with a contingency fund in order to address unforeseen expenses that may arise. Change order (4) four consists of (9) nine items added due to permitting or unforeseen construction issues, such as the addition of a platform on the effluent structure to place control equipment above the flood plain, and the addition of stairs at the entrance to the oxidation ditch. Contract change order total to date would be $185,259.99, including change orders (1) thru (4) or 1.81 percent of the original project contract. The revised contract total to date will be $10,404,916.99. The City of Hickory and Catawba County will split all expenses equally at 50 percent each according to the contract.
G. Approval of a Sanitary Sewer Line Easement for the Property of Glenda Stewart Frazier, PIN 3714-05-08-0392 for Installation of a Sanitary Sewer Line. - Staff requests acceptance of a permanent easement for completion of the Maple Place pump station rehabilitation/relocation project. This easement is necessary for the construction of the infrastructure required to serve this area with sanitary sewer. The easement was negotiated for one 4-inch sewer tap connected to the home in exchange for the easement.
H. Approval of a Sanitary Sewer Line Easement for the Property of William Michael Davis and wife, Patsy P. Davis, PIN 3704-08-98-6446 for Installation of a Sanitary Sewer Line and Pump Station. - Staff requests acceptance of a permanent easement for completion of the Maple Place pump station rehabilitation/relocation project. This easement is necessary for the construction of the infrastructure required to serve this area with sanitary sewer. The easement was negotiated for $8,000 which was comprised from the quoted price for installation of a 4-inch sewer tap connected to the home and the current value of one 4-inch sanitary sewer service connection, in exchange for the easement.
I. Renewal of Taxicab and Other Passenger Vehicles for Hire Franchises. -
Company - Taxicabs - Passenger Vehicle for Hire
Mile High Enterprises (dba The Hickory Hop) - 0 - 4
Yellow Cab - 13 - 1
Diamond Cab of Hickory - 3 - 0
Select Car Service - 0 - 1
Hickory Limousine - 0 - 3
Total - 16 - 9
Annually, these companies apply for a renewal of their Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the operation of taxicabs and other vehicles for hire.
J. Approval of 2014 Urgent Repair Program Grant from North Carolina Housing Agency in the amount of $50,000 along with Program Assistance and Procurement Policies for the Grant. - In January 2014, the City of Hickory Community Development Division applied for funding through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s Urgent Repair Program. The City of Hickory has been awarded $50,000 through this program in order to assist approximately 12 very low income homeowners with urgently needed repairs in an amount not to exceed $7,200 per housing unit. The City of Hickory will provide an additional $5,000 in matching funds, which are available from Rental Rehabilitation program income. The total program budget will be $55,000. North Carolina HousingFinance Agency requires the City of Hickory to prepare Assistance and Procurement Policies. These policies must be made available to the public and explain the guidelines of the URP14 program. Staff recommends that City Council accept the 2014 Urgent Repair Program Grant and approve the Assistance and Procurement Policies.
K. Special Event/Activities Application for Gospel Concert, Exodus Choir, Mandy Pitts, Hickory Communications Director/Brand Manager working with Hickory Arts, July 27, 2014 set-up at 3:00 p.m. to clean-up at 9:00 p.m. under the Sails on the Square.
L. Acceptance and Approval of a Block Grant/NPE Agreement and Resolution for Project 36237.66.4.3 from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. - North Carolina Department of Transportation as awarded the City of Hickory a grant of this project. This grant has a federal share equal to 90 percent of the project costs and requires the City’s portion (local share) to be 10 percent of the project costs. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has allocated $1,496,667 in total funds to grant 36237.66.4.3 with the Federal share of 90 percent equal to $1,347,000 and the local share, City’s share, of 10 percent equal to $149, 667. The total funds for this grant will fund the construction of the base bid improvements of this project. Taxiway “B”, Taxiway “S”, and the North Ramp were last repaved over 30 years ago. The normal life span of a taxiway is about 15-20 years depending on use.
M. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 1.
1. To transfer $139 from the Police Department’s Uniform line item to the 2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Project Uniform line item. This transfer provides additional City funds to cover non-grant purchases and to close this project.
2. To transfer $145,730 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Stormwater Fund-Contracted Services line item. This transfer is needed to pay for repair of the 3rd St. Dr. 60 inch storm drain pipe. Sections of the pipe system have failed and areas above the pipe have washed out resulting in large holes in the soil and in some driveway areas over the pipe system. The driveways that have failed are in the ROW (right of way) and are the access points to existing businesses along 3rd St. Dr. SW.
3. To budget a total of $9,915 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance in the Library Programming ($1,200) and Departmental Supplies ($8,715) line items. $9,915 of the Library's Endowment fund was not spent prior to the end of the fiscal year therefore rolled into General Fund Balance. This amendment will budget those funds in the appropriate line items.
4. To appropriate $20,237 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the US Department of Justice) and budget in the Police Department's Specialized Equipment ($11,000), Training, Meals and Lodging ($6,166), Fuel ($500), Non-Asset Inventory ($1,789) and Uniforms ($782) line items. This budget amendment is needed for the purchase of a new canine and associated expenses. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the US Department of Justice and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
5. To transfer $9,880 of General Fund Contingency to the Intergovernmental Debt Service line item. This transfer is needed to pay Catawba County the City of Hickory's share of the North Carolina Data Campus Loan.
6. To transfer $53,232 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Street Division-Contracted Services line item. This transfer is needed to pay Neill Grading and Construction Company to construct public infrastructure related to the Moretz Mill redevelopment project. The scope of the project includes the replacement of old stormwater drains, construction of new curb & gutter, construction of new sidewalk and asphalt street patching related to the included improvements. This work will be done along sections of 8th St. SE, 7th St. SE and E. Ave. SE.
7. To budget $50 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance in the Library books line item. A $50 memorial donation from Donnis sills for Helen Hatley was received at the end of the year and therefore rolled into General Fund Balance. An amendment is necessary to budget the $50 in the Library’s current budget.
N. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment Number 1
1. To accept and budget a $139 transfer from the Police Department’s Uniform line item and budget in the 2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Project Uniform line item. This transfer provides additional City funds to cover non-grant purchases and to close this project.
New Business - Public Hearings
1. Consideration of Text Amendment (TA) 14-02 to the City’s Land Development Code. - The proposed amendments to the City’s Land Development Code retain a business’s ability to utilize temporary out-of-doors sales, but limits such sales to properties where the businesses are located. The proposed amendments would make temporary sales an accessory use to the primary business located on a particular property. Hickory Regional Planning Commission considered the proposed amendments and voted unanimously to recommend to City Council approval of the proposed Land Development Code text amendments. Staff concurs with the recommendation. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on July 4, and July 11, 2014.
Departmental Reports:
1. Introduction of the General Obligation Bond Orders and Filing of Estimated Statement of Interest with the NC Local Government Commission. -
a. Parker Poe, Bond Counsel, has directed the City of Hickory to proceed with the next processes for the November 2014 bond referendum. An official bond introduction outlining the two general obligation bond orders is presented to City Council for approval. As required by General Statute
Section 159-55, the Finance Officer of the City must file a statement to estimate the total amount of interest to be paid on the general obligation bonds over the expected term of the bonds if approved. Staff request Council to introduce the Streets and Sidewalk Bonds in the amount of 25 million dollars, and the Economic Development Bonds in the amount of 15 million dollars, and also approve the filing of the Estimated Statement of Interest with the NC Local Government Commission.
b. Call for Public Hearing on General Obligation Bond Orders and adopt a Resolution to Request a Public Hearing on August 5, 2014, authorizing the Issuance of Two General Obligation Bond Orders.
2. Request to Amend Vacant Building Grant Agreement from Jack Sipe Construction Company. - Jack Sipe Construction Company received a Vacant Building Revitalization Grant in the amount of $23,000 to renovate the building located at 844 Highland Avenue SE. The original grant agreement was signed on December 16, 2009. The guideline in place at that time provided that the grant was to be paid in two installments, 50 percent of the amount was paid upon completion of the proposed improvements and 50 percent of the grant upon occupancy of at least 50 percent of the building’s square footage. The exterior rehabilitation was completed on December 15, 2010. The project came under budget, which reduced the allowable grant amount to $19,834. Fifty percent of that amount, $9,917 was processed for payment on December 15, 2010. According to the agreement, in order to receive the second half of the grant amount, the building was required to be occupied by December 16, 2011. The building is still not occupied, but it has been leased to Lenoir-Rhyne University. The University plans to renovate the building for space to house its physician assistant program. Staff received a correspondence, in-mid June, from Bill Burton, President of Jack Sipe, expressing his desire to receive the second half of the grant. Staff requests that City Council consider whether to amend the Vacant Building Revitalization Grant Agreement to permit payment of the remaining $9,917 when the building becomes occupied by Lenoir-Rhyne University.
3. State Honors 38 Utilities for Meeting Stringent Voluntary Goals. - Thirty-eight systems received the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award from the State N.C. Division of Water Resources’ Public Water Supply section. The awards are part of the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Program, which is an effort to enhance the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities. Awards are given each year to water systems that demonstrate outstanding turbidity removal, a key test of drinking water quality.
At right of this page under Main Information links is an Hickory's City Website link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the left of the page you will see the Agenda's and Minutes link you need to click. This will give you a choice of PDF files to upcoming and previous meetings.
You will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date. You can also look in the upper right hand corner of the front page of the Hickory Hound and (will soon) find the link to the past history of Hickory City Newsletters.
Here is a summary of the agenda of the meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:
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.
City Website has changed - Here is a link to the City of Hickory Document Center
City Council Agenda - July 15, 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hound's Notes:
1) It has been 28 days (June 17, 2014) since the last city Council meeting and it will be another another 21 days until the next meeting (August 5, 2014).
2) $53,232 is going to pay for infrastructure around Moretz Mill (Budget Ordinance Item 6). I believe that part of this money is going to pay for the issues related to closing the road (E Avenue) that affected Catawba Paper Box. Looks like Hickory Inc. is picking up the bill for that.
Thoughts about last night's Hickory City Council meeting - March 18, 2014
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of March 4, 2014
3) Larry Pope's recent Letter to the Editor in the Hickory Daily Record related to the upcoming Bond Referendum.
VOTE NO!
The bond referendum that Hickory City Council wants the voters to pass on the November Ballot; I am encouraging the citizens of the City of Hickory to VOTE NO!
I am of the personal opinion that Hickory Inc. never uses the taxpayer’s money for the money’s intended purpose. I am hoping that the citizens who voted for the replacement of the city’s public swimming pools and said that they were willing to have taxes raised to pay for a swimming pool in each quadrant of the city and a centrally located aquatic center now understand how this city operates. The Public Pool survey and findings are still collecting dust on the shelves at city hall.
Money has been raised for a fund to build a parking deck next to the Old Hickory Depot Station, but instead that money has been used for projects such as the “Sails on Union Square”. How can we trust our current City Council to do what they say they are going to do, if they get the bond referendum passed?
I spoke before the City Council a few weeks ago and asked about the conflict of interest of Alderman Brad Lail and his engagement to Meg Nealon, who is a managing partner with the company Land Design out of Charlotte, who designed the Inspiring Spaces plan. I also addressed Alderman David Zagaroli’s conflict involving his wife being on the Inspiring Spaces Committee to rubber stamp Council and City Staff wishes. The Council Members found out after meeting with Land Design and their lawyers that the committee could not exist if a Bond Referendum was to be sought to raise the $40 million they say they need.
This will cost all taxpayers of the City of Hickory, when the main focus of this project is a sidewalk for a very small area of Hickory from Lenoir-Rhyne University to Union Square that benefits very few people.
The Hickory City Council can’t seem to ever be able to find money to clear away old dilapidated buildings and build sidewalks that are needed in neighborhoods and along major roadways. Now is the time for the citizens of our city to say NO MORE! until you find a way to enhance all the areas of Hickory and maintain what we already have.
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Invocation by Rev. Bill Garrard, Retired United Methodist Pastor
Special Presentations
A. Proclamation for National Federation of the Blind of Catawba County Day to Mr. Dawson Hart
B. Recognition of the Hickory Crawdads Staff and Connie Kincaid for Crawdad’s All-Star Bash, June 16, 2014
C. Presentation of Retiring Members of Volunteer Boards and Commissions
Persons Requesting to Be Heard
A. Mr. Jeff Hines regarding Horseford Cove and the Glenn Hilton Park Area
Consent Agenda:
A. Resolution Authorizing Preparation of Assessment Rolls and Public Hearing on Preliminary Assessment Roll for Street Improvements Petition Number 01-14 (Curb and Gutter). A petition was submitted on February 17, 2014, approved by City Council on April 1, 2014, and the project was completed on June 12, 2014. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
B. Call for Public Hearing – for Consideration of Rezoning Petition 14-01 for Property Located at 1218 Bugle Lane, Newton. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
C. Call for Public Hearing – for Consideration of Adoption of ABC Permit / Local Opinion Ordinance. (Authorize Public Hearing for August 5, 2014)
D. Approval of Acceptance of a 2013 FEMA Regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant for P25 Compliant Radio Equipment. - On September 27, 2013 Hickory City Council approved the Fire Department’s application for a FEMA Regional Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant that would provide radio equipment to a majority of the County’s emergency services departments. The total federal share of the grant is 90 percent or $1,777,320 and the share of the host and 19 participating agencies is 10 percent or $197,480. The City’s share is $34,980. This grant will close a longstanding gap in the lack of interoperability between local public safety agencies. The required match by the City of Hickory and all participating agencies will be a one-time ten percent matching fund.
E. Approval of Acceptance of Historic Preservation Fund Pass-Through Grant for Update to the City’s Survey of Historic Properties. - In February, the Historic Preservation Commission applied for a grant to update the City’s survey of historic properties. This survey was last updated in 1999, and that update was focused on only a few neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity of the downtown area. The proposed survey would update all of the existing survey records and also study properties throughout the City as budget constraints will allow. This will include the City’s industrial and commercial properties along with post-war subdivisions through the community. The estimated project cost for the grant is currently $23,000. The grant will pay $15,000 of the project costs, which is actually $3,000 more than the amount requested in the original application. The required City match will be $8,000, which is the same amount as the original application. If the grant is accepted, the project will begin in the fall of 2014.
F. Approval of Change Order (4) Four to Jimmy R. Lynch & Sons, Inc. Contract in the amount of $101,696.91 for the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project. - The City of Hickory Public Utilities Department initiated the Hickory-Catawba Wastewater Treatment Plant project in February 2013. The project was established with a contingency fund in order to address unforeseen expenses that may arise. Change order (4) four consists of (9) nine items added due to permitting or unforeseen construction issues, such as the addition of a platform on the effluent structure to place control equipment above the flood plain, and the addition of stairs at the entrance to the oxidation ditch. Contract change order total to date would be $185,259.99, including change orders (1) thru (4) or 1.81 percent of the original project contract. The revised contract total to date will be $10,404,916.99. The City of Hickory and Catawba County will split all expenses equally at 50 percent each according to the contract.
G. Approval of a Sanitary Sewer Line Easement for the Property of Glenda Stewart Frazier, PIN 3714-05-08-0392 for Installation of a Sanitary Sewer Line. - Staff requests acceptance of a permanent easement for completion of the Maple Place pump station rehabilitation/relocation project. This easement is necessary for the construction of the infrastructure required to serve this area with sanitary sewer. The easement was negotiated for one 4-inch sewer tap connected to the home in exchange for the easement.
H. Approval of a Sanitary Sewer Line Easement for the Property of William Michael Davis and wife, Patsy P. Davis, PIN 3704-08-98-6446 for Installation of a Sanitary Sewer Line and Pump Station. - Staff requests acceptance of a permanent easement for completion of the Maple Place pump station rehabilitation/relocation project. This easement is necessary for the construction of the infrastructure required to serve this area with sanitary sewer. The easement was negotiated for $8,000 which was comprised from the quoted price for installation of a 4-inch sewer tap connected to the home and the current value of one 4-inch sanitary sewer service connection, in exchange for the easement.
I. Renewal of Taxicab and Other Passenger Vehicles for Hire Franchises. -
Company - Taxicabs - Passenger Vehicle for Hire
Mile High Enterprises (dba The Hickory Hop) - 0 - 4
Yellow Cab - 13 - 1
Diamond Cab of Hickory - 3 - 0
Select Car Service - 0 - 1
Hickory Limousine - 0 - 3
Total - 16 - 9
Annually, these companies apply for a renewal of their Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the operation of taxicabs and other vehicles for hire.
J. Approval of 2014 Urgent Repair Program Grant from North Carolina Housing Agency in the amount of $50,000 along with Program Assistance and Procurement Policies for the Grant. - In January 2014, the City of Hickory Community Development Division applied for funding through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s Urgent Repair Program. The City of Hickory has been awarded $50,000 through this program in order to assist approximately 12 very low income homeowners with urgently needed repairs in an amount not to exceed $7,200 per housing unit. The City of Hickory will provide an additional $5,000 in matching funds, which are available from Rental Rehabilitation program income. The total program budget will be $55,000. North Carolina HousingFinance Agency requires the City of Hickory to prepare Assistance and Procurement Policies. These policies must be made available to the public and explain the guidelines of the URP14 program. Staff recommends that City Council accept the 2014 Urgent Repair Program Grant and approve the Assistance and Procurement Policies.
K. Special Event/Activities Application for Gospel Concert, Exodus Choir, Mandy Pitts, Hickory Communications Director/Brand Manager working with Hickory Arts, July 27, 2014 set-up at 3:00 p.m. to clean-up at 9:00 p.m. under the Sails on the Square.
L. Acceptance and Approval of a Block Grant/NPE Agreement and Resolution for Project 36237.66.4.3 from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. - North Carolina Department of Transportation as awarded the City of Hickory a grant of this project. This grant has a federal share equal to 90 percent of the project costs and requires the City’s portion (local share) to be 10 percent of the project costs. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has allocated $1,496,667 in total funds to grant 36237.66.4.3 with the Federal share of 90 percent equal to $1,347,000 and the local share, City’s share, of 10 percent equal to $149, 667. The total funds for this grant will fund the construction of the base bid improvements of this project. Taxiway “B”, Taxiway “S”, and the North Ramp were last repaved over 30 years ago. The normal life span of a taxiway is about 15-20 years depending on use.
M. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 1.
1. To transfer $139 from the Police Department’s Uniform line item to the 2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Project Uniform line item. This transfer provides additional City funds to cover non-grant purchases and to close this project.
2. To transfer $145,730 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Stormwater Fund-Contracted Services line item. This transfer is needed to pay for repair of the 3rd St. Dr. 60 inch storm drain pipe. Sections of the pipe system have failed and areas above the pipe have washed out resulting in large holes in the soil and in some driveway areas over the pipe system. The driveways that have failed are in the ROW (right of way) and are the access points to existing businesses along 3rd St. Dr. SW.
3. To budget a total of $9,915 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance in the Library Programming ($1,200) and Departmental Supplies ($8,715) line items. $9,915 of the Library's Endowment fund was not spent prior to the end of the fiscal year therefore rolled into General Fund Balance. This amendment will budget those funds in the appropriate line items.
4. To appropriate $20,237 of General Fund Balance (Funds reserved from the US Department of Justice) and budget in the Police Department's Specialized Equipment ($11,000), Training, Meals and Lodging ($6,166), Fuel ($500), Non-Asset Inventory ($1,789) and Uniforms ($782) line items. This budget amendment is needed for the purchase of a new canine and associated expenses. Funds are made available to the Police Department from the US Department of Justice and remain in General Fund Balance until appropriated.
5. To transfer $9,880 of General Fund Contingency to the Intergovernmental Debt Service line item. This transfer is needed to pay Catawba County the City of Hickory's share of the North Carolina Data Campus Loan.
6. To transfer $53,232 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance to the Street Division-Contracted Services line item. This transfer is needed to pay Neill Grading and Construction Company to construct public infrastructure related to the Moretz Mill redevelopment project. The scope of the project includes the replacement of old stormwater drains, construction of new curb & gutter, construction of new sidewalk and asphalt street patching related to the included improvements. This work will be done along sections of 8th St. SE, 7th St. SE and E. Ave. SE.
7. To budget $50 of General Fund-Appropriated Fund Balance in the Library books line item. A $50 memorial donation from Donnis sills for Helen Hatley was received at the end of the year and therefore rolled into General Fund Balance. An amendment is necessary to budget the $50 in the Library’s current budget.
N. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment Number 1
1. To accept and budget a $139 transfer from the Police Department’s Uniform line item and budget in the 2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Project Uniform line item. This transfer provides additional City funds to cover non-grant purchases and to close this project.
New Business - Public Hearings
1. Consideration of Text Amendment (TA) 14-02 to the City’s Land Development Code. - The proposed amendments to the City’s Land Development Code retain a business’s ability to utilize temporary out-of-doors sales, but limits such sales to properties where the businesses are located. The proposed amendments would make temporary sales an accessory use to the primary business located on a particular property. Hickory Regional Planning Commission considered the proposed amendments and voted unanimously to recommend to City Council approval of the proposed Land Development Code text amendments. Staff concurs with the recommendation. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on July 4, and July 11, 2014.
Departmental Reports:
1. Introduction of the General Obligation Bond Orders and Filing of Estimated Statement of Interest with the NC Local Government Commission. -
a. Parker Poe, Bond Counsel, has directed the City of Hickory to proceed with the next processes for the November 2014 bond referendum. An official bond introduction outlining the two general obligation bond orders is presented to City Council for approval. As required by General Statute
Section 159-55, the Finance Officer of the City must file a statement to estimate the total amount of interest to be paid on the general obligation bonds over the expected term of the bonds if approved. Staff request Council to introduce the Streets and Sidewalk Bonds in the amount of 25 million dollars, and the Economic Development Bonds in the amount of 15 million dollars, and also approve the filing of the Estimated Statement of Interest with the NC Local Government Commission.
b. Call for Public Hearing on General Obligation Bond Orders and adopt a Resolution to Request a Public Hearing on August 5, 2014, authorizing the Issuance of Two General Obligation Bond Orders.
2. Request to Amend Vacant Building Grant Agreement from Jack Sipe Construction Company. - Jack Sipe Construction Company received a Vacant Building Revitalization Grant in the amount of $23,000 to renovate the building located at 844 Highland Avenue SE. The original grant agreement was signed on December 16, 2009. The guideline in place at that time provided that the grant was to be paid in two installments, 50 percent of the amount was paid upon completion of the proposed improvements and 50 percent of the grant upon occupancy of at least 50 percent of the building’s square footage. The exterior rehabilitation was completed on December 15, 2010. The project came under budget, which reduced the allowable grant amount to $19,834. Fifty percent of that amount, $9,917 was processed for payment on December 15, 2010. According to the agreement, in order to receive the second half of the grant amount, the building was required to be occupied by December 16, 2011. The building is still not occupied, but it has been leased to Lenoir-Rhyne University. The University plans to renovate the building for space to house its physician assistant program. Staff received a correspondence, in-mid June, from Bill Burton, President of Jack Sipe, expressing his desire to receive the second half of the grant. Staff requests that City Council consider whether to amend the Vacant Building Revitalization Grant Agreement to permit payment of the remaining $9,917 when the building becomes occupied by Lenoir-Rhyne University.
3. State Honors 38 Utilities for Meeting Stringent Voluntary Goals. - Thirty-eight systems received the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award from the State N.C. Division of Water Resources’ Public Water Supply section. The awards are part of the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Program, which is an effort to enhance the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities. Awards are given each year to water systems that demonstrate outstanding turbidity removal, a key test of drinking water quality.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Jim Rickards montage defines the Economic Depression (2007 - Present)
Hound Notes: Jim Rickards is another Investor-Economist that I listen to. I first discovered him listening to King World News, six years ago when this downward cycle began. He has his finger on the pulse. He's a very educated and studious man.
I hold Mr. Rickards in the same regard as the late Bob Chapman. Mr. Chapman passed away a couple of years ago from cancer. You can go back and listen to Bob Chapman presentations, on various radio shows, on Youtube. The guy was prescient. Mr. Rickards is also prescient.
Our government has been great and kicking the can down the road, but they have bought us time to nowhere. If we had dealt with these issues back in 2008-09, then we could be growing again. No one can predict when the panic will begin, but people with common sense can see that it is coming.
Here is a montage of Mr. Rickards from three shows over the past week. The common themes are that the Dollars value is based on confidence and the Federal Reserve has taken that confidence for granted. When the Fed finally destroys that confidence, then it will lead to a panic as the Dollar collapses. We have been in a Depression since 2007 and it is structural. You can't solve structural economic issues with monetary policy.
1) Boom Bust - RT
2) Porter Stansberry Radio
3) Alex Jones - Infowars
I hold Mr. Rickards in the same regard as the late Bob Chapman. Mr. Chapman passed away a couple of years ago from cancer. You can go back and listen to Bob Chapman presentations, on various radio shows, on Youtube. The guy was prescient. Mr. Rickards is also prescient.
Our government has been great and kicking the can down the road, but they have bought us time to nowhere. If we had dealt with these issues back in 2008-09, then we could be growing again. No one can predict when the panic will begin, but people with common sense can see that it is coming.
Here is a montage of Mr. Rickards from three shows over the past week. The common themes are that the Dollars value is based on confidence and the Federal Reserve has taken that confidence for granted. When the Fed finally destroys that confidence, then it will lead to a panic as the Dollar collapses. We have been in a Depression since 2007 and it is structural. You can't solve structural economic issues with monetary policy.
1) Boom Bust - RT
Competitive devaluation of currency does not help exports. It creates inflation. The Fed can never taper. Last September was the last chance. If they tapered, they will taper into weakness causing a recession. This is what happens when you manipulate markets. Lower unemployment will not mean Fed will taper. Unemployment is going down for the wrong reasons. Workforce is shrinking. GDP is the sum of Labor Force participation and productivity.
2) Porter Stansberry Radio
Inflation isn't bad because of the lack of velocity of the money supply. We are in a Depression. Need structural changes and a change in confidence. Stansberry defines the jobs of today and structural changes. Rickards says we shouldn't lament the loss of the old jobs. We need to move on economically and create the new jobs. Bad debt hasn't been written off. We have copied what Japan did back in the early 1990s and they have never gotten out of their malaise -- 25 years later.
3) Alex Jones - Infowars
Allies are leaving the dollar, not just China and Russia. World Reserve Currency has collapsed three times in the past 100 years. After the system collapses, what comes next. Fed has has 15 policies since 2009. They don't know what they are doing. There will be a collapse of confidence. You can have growth in a Depression , but what we are seeing is a growth negative compared to trend. Historical trend is 3.5%. What we have seen is 1% to 2%. Look at the lack of Unemployment. Look at the EBT system -- modern day soup lines. You can put a panic on top of this and this is what he sees coming.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Pomplamoose
(Wikipedia) "Over the Rainbow" (often referred to as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow") is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad, with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.[1] It was written for the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by actress Judy Garland in her starring role as Dorothy Gale.[1] Over time, it would become Garland's signature song. The song has become one of the most enduring standards of the 20th century.
About five minutes into the film, Dorothy sings the song after failing to get her aunt and uncle to listen to her relate an unpleasant incident involving her dog, Toto, and the town spinster, Miss Gulch. Dorothy's Aunt Em tells her to "find yourself a place where you won't get into any trouble." This prompts Dorothy to walk off by herself, musing to Toto, "'Some place where there isn't any trouble.' Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat, or a train. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain..." at which point she begins singing.
(Wikipedia) - Pomplamoose is an American musical duo which feature Californian multi-instrumentalists, real life couple Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn. The duo formed in the summer of 2008[4][5] and sold approximately 100,000 songs online in 2009.[6] They are known for their diverse music style which the band themselves refuses to put a label towards.[7]
The Allegories of the Wizard of Oz et al:
Follow the Yellow Brick Road - The Wizard of Oz and 1890's Monetary Policy - May 27, 2010
Follow the Yellow Brick Road (part 2) - How it relates to today - May 29, 2010
Music related to the Wizard of Oz.
The Dark Side of Money - Dark Side of the Rainbow - Thursday, October 17, 2013
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