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/ The City's website evolves over time, but currently towrds the top right there is a Link called Quick Links. Click that on and look for the Agenda's and Minutes link you need to click. Scroll down from there and this will show you a list of PDF files to upcoming and previous meetings.
Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date. You can also look in the upper right hand corner of the front page of the Hickory Hound and (will soon) find the link to the past history of Hickory City Newsletters.
Here is a summary of the agenda of the meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below:
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City Council Agenda - January 6, 2015=================================================
Hound Notes: The last few meetings have generally been direct and to the point. Most likely, because Hickory Inc. is trying to figure out how they are going to implement the Bond Issue and where those monies are going to be directed. While that is occurring you aren't going to see them move forward with many significant financial/capital endeavors. That means that those types of presentations haven't been prevalent in these last several meetings and that makes for a light agenda.
*** One item (Departmental Report number 1) is the Friends of Hickory Presentation. I can understand why they are requesting a closing of the Right of Ways. What I can't understand is why they are asking for the Hickory Inc.'s permission to move forward with fundraising. What benevolent foundation asks for permission to raise funds. I still get the feeling that in the end that these folks are going to want money from the City Government. I know that they have raised some funds, because that is what "Boost Hickory" treasurer Mike Thomas said that he is doing with the $30,000+ in gravy money left over from that effort. Of course, we don't know that officially, since Mr. Thomas doesn't seem to be adept at following State Election Law, when it comes to Campaign reports that were due almost two months ago. But, in the end, we know there is always a reason for this stuff, don't we.
Boost Hickory go raise your money. The Council has given you permission to do whatever you want three times now. I'm sure they will do it a fourth on this night.
*** Bond Commission - Bond Oversight - Bond Advisory. You say tomato. They'll say Tomotto. The Mayor said on The Rudy Wright Show with Guest announcer Hal Row that they want only "Positive People" on this committee. Let's break this down for ya. They're gonna provide the Rubber Stamp. You just need to press it a little to get the ink on the paper.
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Invocation by Rev. Will Posey, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church
*** Special Presentations - None
Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of Change Order Number One for the Convention Center Parking Deck Project with Matthews Construction Company. - Due to soil conditions at the Metro Convention Center Parking Deck project, it was determined that additional soil anchors and an increase in the size of certain pile caps for the soil anchors were necessary in addition to the vertical piles detailed in the original structural design. The contractor, Matthews Construction Company, requests that $78,640 be added to the approved contract amount for the additional soil anchors and increased pile cap structure design. Staff and Architect Scott Mitchell reviewed the unit prices and in their best professional opinion determined the proposed change order to be a fair and equitable request for the foundation design changes. Staff recommends approval of $78,640 to be added to the original contract with Matthews Construction Company for the construction of the Metro Convention Center parking deck. The original contract amount was $2,576,000. The proposed contract amount with this change order is $2,654,640.
B. Approval of a Lease Agreement with Adam Walker for City-owned Property Located at 1123 15th Street NE. - The City-owned property is adjacent to the City’s Public Services Complex. The City has rented this home to City employees since acquiring the home in 2005. Staff plans to continue renting the home until the property is needed for potential expansion of the Public Services Complex. Adam Walker, a Sanitation Division employee is interested in renting the home. The terms for the proposed lease will be one year with a monthly rent of $350. The lessee will be responsible for the payment of all utilities furnished to the property and yard maintenance. There will be a required security deposit of $350 along with a nonrefundable $100 pet deposit. Staff recommends approval of the Lease Agreement with Adam Walker.
C. Approval of a Lease Agreement for City-owned Property to Hickory Senior Citizens, Inc. Located at 534 3rd Avenue NW. - Staff requests approval of a Lease Agreement with Hickory Senior Citizens, Inc. to lease property owned by the City of Hickory located at 534 3rd Avenue NW, Hickory. The property has been leased to Hickory Senior Citizens, Inc. for a number of years, and the current lease has expired. The terms of the proposed lease will be for five years. There is no additional consideration for the lease because the deed conveying the property to the City grants Hickory Senior Citizens, Inc. the right to use the facility, renewable at five year intervals, as long as the property is maintained in good condition. The purpose of this lease is to delineate maintenance responsibilities, insurance requirements, and other relevant property management activities. The lessee will be responsible for the payment of all utilities furnished to the property, securing its own janitorial service, maintaining the premise in good order, routine maintenance, and repairs of the property. Staff recommends approval of the Lease Agreement with Hickory Senior Citizens, Inc.
D. Approval of a Lease Agreement for City-owned Property to The Service League of Hickory, North Carolina, Inc. Located at 506 3rd Avenue NW. - Staff requests approval of a Lease agreement with The Service League of Hickory, North Carolina, Inc. to lease property owned by the City of Hickory located at 506 3rd Avenue NW, Hickory. The property has been leased to The Service League of Hickory for a number of years, and the current lease has expired. The terms of the proposed lease will be for five years for the nominal amount of one dollar. The lease will renew on a year to year basis for up to four additional years unless notice is given by either party to terminate. The lessee will be responsible for the payment of all utilities furnished, securing its own janitorial service, maintaining the premise in good order, and routine maintenance and repairs of the property. Staff recommends approval of the Lease Agreement with The Service League of Hickory.
E. Approval of a Lease Agreement for City-owned Property to Hickory Soup Kitchen, Inc. Located at 131 Main Avenue NE. - Staff requests approval of a Lease agreement with Hickory Soup Kitchen, Inc. to lease property owned by the City of Hickory located at 131 Main Avenue NE, Hickory. The property has been leased to the Hickory Soup Kitchen for a number of years, and the current lease has expired. The lease will be a two year term expiring December 30, 2016 and a nominal fee of one dollar. The lessee will be responsible for the payment of all utilities furnished, securing its own janitorial service, maintaining the premise in good order, and routine maintenance and repairs of the property. Staff recommends approval of the Lease Agreement with Hickory Soup Kitchen Inc.
F. Approval of a Lease Agreement for City-owned Property to Community Ridge Daycare Center Inc. Located at 243 7th Avenue SW. - Staff requests approval of a Lease agreement with Community Ridge Daycare Center Inc. to lease property owned by the City of Hickory located at 243 7th Avenue SW, Hickory. The property has been leased to Community Ridge Daycare since the 1970’s, and the current lease has expired. The terms for the proposed lease will be for five years for the nominal amount of one dollar. The lease will renew on a year to year basis for up to four additional years unless notice is given by either party to terminate. The lessee will be responsible for the payment of all utilities furnished, securing its own janitorial service, maintaining the premise in good order, and routine maintenance and repairs of the property. Staff recommends approval of the Lease Agreement with Community Ridge Daycare Center.
G. Adopt Resolution of Intent to Lease City-owned Property to Family Care Center of Catawba Valley Inc. Located at 1471 1st Avenue SW. - Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Clerk to advertise City Council’s consideration of a lease agreement with Family Care Center of Catawba Valley Inc. to lease property owned by the City of Hickory located at 1471 1st Avenue SW, Hickory.
H. Approval of a Contract with Wireless Communications Inc. in the Amount of $117,373.91. - Hickory Police Department requests permission to contract with Wireless Communications Inc. in the amount of $117,373.91 to purchase four E-911 Workstations, and to move a redundant half of an E-911 system owned by Catawba County to Hickory Police Department Headquarters to function as a secondary and/or backup Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Funds are budgeted in FY 2014-2015.
I. Approval of a Contract with Katalyst Network Group of Hickory, NC in the Amount of $104,104.90. - Hickory Police Department requests permission to contract with Katalyst Network Group of Hickory, NC in the amount of $104,104.90 to replace the administrative telephone system at Police Headquarters. The current system is an analog system that is approximately 18 years old and is in need of replacement. The system is no longer supported by the manufacturer. Katalyst Network Group of Hickory, NC was the sole bidder on the project. Funds are budgeted in FY2014-2015.
New Business - Public Hearings
1. Consideration of Closing a Portion of 3rd Street SE and Two Unopened Right of Ways as Shown in Plat Book 4, at Page 78, Catawba County Registry. - The City Clerk received a petition on November 5, 2014, from Attorney Beth Williams, on behalf of the owners OHM Holdings, LLC and Hickory Trading Group LLC. The petition requests the City close said portion of 3rd Street SE, and two unopened right of ways as shown on Plat Book 4 at Page 78, Catawba County Registry. The signatures on the petition represents two of three property owners abutting this portion of the right of ways. The petition fee of $575 has been paid.
New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Friends of Hickory Park Proposal Update and Parking Analysis. - Consideration of the Friends of Hickory Downtown Park proposal specifically including:
1) approval for the Friends of Hickory to move forward with private fundraising and
2) direct City staff to move forward with the parking lot and alley right-of-way closures at the appropriate time.
2. Consideration of Facility Naming Rights Opportunities by the Greater Hickory Tennis Association (GHTA) for Tennis Complex Improvements at Hickory City Park. The City’s Financial Commitment is estimated to be $449,200. - Greater Hickory Tennis Association (GHTA) has committed to fund a minimum of $125,000 towards the cost of the tennis complex improvements over a five year time period. In ord er to raise their committed funds, GHTA seeks to sell facility naming rights. Following are GHTA’s requested facility naming rights opportunities at Hickory City Park:
1) Naming rights to the park = $200,000;
2) Naming rights to each of eight tennis courts = $10,000;
3) Naming rights to the picnic shelter/restroom/meeting room facility = $28,000. The naming rights opportunities would be valid for a twenty (20) year period. All facility naming rights opportunities obtained by GHTA would require the formal approval of City Council through a recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
3. Discussion of Bond Commission Ordinance and Call for Public Hearing.
4. Discussion of Revaluation Numbers and the Revenue Neutral Rate.
