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Saturday, November 7, 2015

Hickory City Council Workshop - November 3, 2015

CAPITAL PLANNING WORKSHOP 2015

These are projects for the near term horizon in Hickory. They explain the projects and how they will be funded, including the use on Issued Bond Funds proposed to begin in July 2017.





CAPITAL PLANNING WORKSHOP 2015
• Lackey Project – parking lot, boat dock, etc.
• Kiwanis Splash Pad
• NC Data Campus/Multi-Jurisdictional Park (Conover)
• Sandy Ridge Road - roundabouts
• Cloninger Mill Park
• City Park – Tennis Courts (Greater Hickory Tennis Association)
• Streetscapes/Zoning Overlay Consultant
• Way Finding/Gateway


LACKEY PROJECT
• Lackey Family to donate $5 -$7 million for memorial in Geitner Park
• Plans to construct lake house, performance dock, amphitheater, conservatory, canopy walk, gardens, overflow parking lot
• Design of project by Tunnel-Spangler-Walsh (TSW) is underway
• Estimated City cost of $750,000 for driveway, parking lot, restrooms, canoe launch, boat dock, fishing pier
• Operation/Maintenance costs unknown at this point


KIWANIS PARK SPLASH PAD
• City to own and maintain as addition to park operations
• Splash pad management team to finalize design/features
• Park to have “wow factor”, regional draw to visitors
• Estimated project cost of $250,000 - $350,000, depending on design
• Kiwanis clubs raising $100,000 towards project
• City share of $150,000 - $250,000 NC DATA CAMPUS/MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PARK


NC DATA CAMPUS/MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL PARK
• Economic Development Partnership in Conover to attract data campus
• Loan of $2.6 million from NC Dept. of Commerce for 55 acre site development – water, sewer, electrical, stormwater, streets, sidewalks
• Multi-jurisdictional project between Catawba County (57%), Hickory (19%), Conover (18%), Maiden (5%) & Catawba (1%)
• Partner’s share in additional proper ty tax revenues based on investment
• Current year payment of $9,880
• Next year’s payment of $104,806 (difference of $94,926)
• Funded with Water & Sewer revenues


SANDY RIDGE ROAD - ROUNDABOUTS
• CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation Air Quality) grant of $3,697,684 received for FY 16/17
• Originally designed to add lanes at both intersections – due to ROW and utility relocation costs, roundabouts were selected
• Roundabouts planned at intersections of Sandy Ridge Rd/29th Ave Ne and 16th St/8th St Dr/ 21st Av NE to relieve traffic congestion
• Estimated project costs of $4,622,105
• City share of $924,421 (20% match)


CLONINGER MILL PARK
• City initiated master plan of 79 acres for future park in 2008
• Public meetings held in 2008 & 2009
• Many natural features including Falling Creek, waterfall, wide variety of vegetation, wildlife and ecological habitat
• Amenities proposed include picnicking, walking/bike trails, play areas, disc golf, environmental education, exercise stations
• Total project cost estimates of $2.9 million (2009 dollars)
• Phase I (access from Cloninger Mill Rd) estimated at $1.3 million
• Donation of $900,000 received from Outward Bound, balance of $400,000 – City share
• Staff and Parks/Recreation Commission reviewing revised master plan incorporating additional 10 acre commercial tract


CITY PARK – TENNIS COURTS
• 10-year Priority Use Agreement with Greater Hickory Tennis Association approved by Council on April 7, 2015– will contribute $125,000
• New picnic shelter/restroom/meeting room facility
• Addition of 250 linear feet of paved access road and 1440 linear feet of 8ft wide paved walkway
• Parking expansion from 20 spaces to 90 spaces (also to assist with additional parking requirements for Lackey Project), with curb/gutter and area lighting, removal of existing picnic shelter/restroom facility
• Additional parking will likely be needed in light of Lackey project expansion
• Estimated cost of $574,000 (balance of $449,000 funded by City)


STREETSCAPES/ZONING OVERLAY CONSULTANT
• Goal is to strengthen site design standards for private development in areas where streetscape improvements are planned.
• Overlay creates a more uniform appearance of private development regardless of underlying zoning requirement
• Coordination on lighting, landscaping, improved signage design and placement, and more efficient ingress/egress with new medians installed in streetscape.
• Staff developing RFQ to hire planning/design firm to develop new regulations for key areas of Hickory.
• Estimated cost of $150,000


WAY FINDING/GATEWAY
• Wayfinding Program installs approximately 100 new signs of varying sizes but similar design installed citywide to direct travelers into Hickory from surrounding highways and guide them to multiple public destinations.
• Original program was developed in 2008. Great recession prevented implementation at that time.
• Gateway signage is now a part of the bond program. Five gateways will be developed at key entry points into Hickory. Gateways are usually eye-catching welcome signage with landscaping and/or
public art designed to encourage motorists to recognize when they have arrived and to entice others to shop and shop, dine.
• Estimated cost of $800,000


BOND PROJECTS
• $40 million bond referendum passed in November 2014; seven years to issue debt
• Anticipating 2 or 3 bond issues - $15m/$15m/$10m or $20m/$20m depending on projects selected
• Issue debt in FY 2017-18 (July) – will require ½ year debt payment in 2018
• Tax increase planned in FY 2018-19 (3-4 cents)
• Design funds will need to be advanced from fund balance; may drop below 25% Council goal
• Fund balance amount between 20%-25% = $2.4 million


REVENUE CONSIDERATIONS
• Tag Fee – City currently receives $5/vehicle generating $170k annually; FY 15-16 legislation authorizes municipalities to charge up to $30/vehicle – additional revenue of $850k/year
• Parking fees for City amenities – e.g. Convention Center (Event Parking concept)



Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Carolina Tar Heels #1

Absolute Power rules Chapel Hill

I am going to relate to you some information I have read that was posted on the "Pack Pride" sports website that is dedicated to North Carolina State Wolfpack sports fans. I consider that site to be part of the new media, much in the same manner as the Hickory Hound. It is a forum where people relate ideas and stories of interest. Much of the information gleaned from this site, you will not find in the Old School Media.

The Old School Media's agenda seems to be to control information and filter it to fit into the scheme of the "Powers That Be's" agenda. That agenda, since the beginning of time, has been to maintain their power in the reality of the matrix that they have created. I am sure that floats over most of your heads.

The control of the overarching narrative of "Life's History" is part of the expression, "To the victor goes the spoils." UNC-Chapel Hill is the oldest university in the UNC system. Generations of political figures and professionals have filtered through the place. The identity of the alumni who have graced its halls has become an ideology, "We are better than you." That ideology in turn has formed into a system of religion for many. Pride in their university has gone beyond support and esteem and led to a cult like mentality seen in extreme religious philosophy. To question the stature of UNC-Chapel Hill ("Carolina"), as a university, is to commit a blasphemy not to be tolerated. Those who are critical of "Carolina's" mission are the enemy and must be vanquished. It is the dark side of Camelot.

My personal philosophy, in life, is that you aren't free unless you allow yourself to be free. You aren't controlled unless you allow yourself to be controlled. Most people don't understand the difference. Deal is that you aren't getting out of here alive, so don't take yourself so seriously. You will either be a help or a hindrance to others.

Do you like Good Guys? or Bad Guys? Do you think you are the most important part of this earth? If you do, then you will do anything and everything to obtain your personal wants, desires, and pleasures. If you have some selflessness, and understand that the world is more than just about yourself, then sometimes you are willing to take the backseat and let others shine, realizing that you personally benefit and that the "Ecosystem", the world as a whole, is stronger when more people are stronger, rather than concentrating power in the hands of one entity -- or the very few.

Athletics or Academics?

There is no two ways about it. There has been criminal mischief that has taken place at the University in Chapel Hill, as an example of the modern corruption of the State -- by that I mean the government. Fake Classes, Fake Grades, Fake Degrees, Forgery, Fraud, money changing hands, and no one has been prosecuted to date. For what? Basketball! What a freakin' joke.

UNC-Chapel Hill has now come out and admitted that they have spent over $10 million in Public Relations money related to this scandal. Then there are the legal fees paid by the University and the people surrounding this scandal that I am sure rival that $10 million figure. For what? A cover up of criminality and Basketball!

I've always thought they could have come clean a long time ago. I haven't written about the situation in a while, because I thought that it would surely all get sorted out. The problem with that is that it is too logical and corrupt people survive and thrive on the illogical, subterfuge, and false confidence.

The Powers That Be at UNC-Chapel Hill have fought this athletic fraud for five years, because it is wound so long and so tight, that if it unravels, it could unhinge the foundation that the State of North Carolina was built upon. It isn't an academic scandal. It's an athletic scandal. Athletes didn't go to class, didn't do schoolwork, and weren't tested. How can not participating in academics be an "academic scandal"? Logically it can't be. What it is, is criminal fraud.

The University in Chapel Hill has some graduates that are leaders in their field and do some cutting edge work, but their work is going to be undermined by this scandal. The University in Chapel Hill is already on academic probation related to this athletic scandal. If they don't clean the mess up, then they can lose accreditation. The loss of accreditation will mean the loss of billions of dollars of research money. They've already started feeling the financial repercussions of their win at all costs athletic program. The worst part is that some of these people don't care, because they want to win basketball games by hook or by crook -- apparently heavy on the crook.


The story of a Carolina Tar Heel basketball intern

Below is a warm and fuzzy story related on Pack Pride by a former intern for the beloved Tar Heel basketball program. This is how someone is treated when they decide they would rather not play ball anymore. Maybe you can get one of your children to be an intern for the Tar Heels, wouldn't that be neat? Read how exciting that adventure can be below. I know it made me jealous.

The story of 2pac1331:

I understand what I'm going to relate to you here sounds pretty insane, but bear with me....

I worked for the University of North Carolina Basketball program from 2004 to 2006, three years as a counselor for the summer camp, two years as a Junior Varsity (JV) and head Junior Varsity manager. The group I worked with assisted in preparation for all home JV and Varsity basketball games and sat behind the bench. I grew up believing the “Carolina Way” was real, and that UNC was a school of honor and integrity, but I quickly discovered the exact opposite was true.

What I came to discover was a fear-based environment, with a "god" at the top of the totem pole. That god is Roy Williams and under him are his minions of little generals -- the assistant coaches. There were occasions when we were waiting in the tunnel for JV practice to start and the Varsity team would walk by after their practice and we were told to stand because "Coach Williams was walking by."

The very first night at Granville Towers, while I was working the summer camp in 2004, I knew something wasn't right when the veteran managers were talking while we were hanging out around the swimming pool. Most of us new camp counselors were just star struck by getting to work for the UNC basketball team, but I could tell by their language that not everything was as it seemed to be. They wouldn't come right out and say it, but they said things like, "give it some time." It was an ominous omen for what I ended up being involved in and what has been exposed to the public over the past several years.

One former player, Reyshawn Terry, told me straight to my face that he never did his schoolwork and people wrote his papers for him. The fact that the players were cheating wasn't a secret at UNC, it was common knowledge among the managers and the general student population. It was one of those things that was just laughed off in conversation. But in reality, it was a cultural disease at UNC and it went straight to the top of the administration and above.

Beyond that, Chapel Hill is the most fake, superficial atmosphere you could ever imagine. If any of you watched that recent series, 'Wayward Pines' on Fox Network, it was like that town. The truth was something that you weren't allowed to speak of in Chapel Hill, as I'd soon find out. Truth was called "being negative" or “crazy” by the typical UNC-Chapel Hill student. "Be fake, be happy" was their real mantra. There is only so much of that web of lies a real person can take.

I'm going to be honest with you, towards the end of my 2nd year working for the program and after countless lies and deception, I had a mental breakdown. I don’t want to get into all the gory details, but this wasn't just about Tar Heel basketball, it was about the lie that the whole university had become. It was like a spiritual plague encompassed the whole town. I had major issues with the basketball program, administration, the fraternity ("greek") system, and just the random fake B.S. in general that had systemically infected the town.

I got so POed, that I went around telling people that I was going to "burn the city to the ground" and that the "whole place was corrupt and a lie." Well, needless to say, that was the first time they had me committed. From there my whole life changed drastically. I didn’t even know what mental illness was before this experience.

I ended up making the break from society, breaking away from the matrix, the bubble, whatever you want to call it. I had been a kid with tons of "friends", but that's when I learned that 95% of the people I knew weren't really friends. It was a heartbreaking revelation, but I ended up becoming a better man because of it, lonely hell yeah, but better. My rebellion targeted the arrogance and elitism that the entire school had become.

After I was heavily medicated, “re-educated,” and released from that first commitment, I continued preaching the gospel against "the Carolina way". One day, about a month later, I was overly spirited, and while driving through campus, zoomed passed a slow moving fire truck on Cameron Avenue. I backed my car up in front of the Old Well and preached about the corruption at UNC. The problem with all of this was that it was a couple weeks after the Muslim guy ran over all those people on campus. Needless to say, they freaked out when I passed the fire truck and locked me up again. I hadn't thought about any kind of consequences, because I was locked up at the time the incident with the Muslim guy happened. It was obvious that I wasn't trying to run anyone over, but in their perverted minds, they will use anything and everything against you, once you are at odds with them.

I ended up taking the rest of the semester off, but in order to return to campus for the fall, I was required by UNC to see a psychiatrist and psychologist weekly and accept being heavily medicated. The medication destroyed my personality and made me into a walking zombie. I spent several months trying to figure out what was going on, and why the “leaders” at UNC didn't care about what I was telling them. My family submitted to UNC's absolute will, which was tough. My Mom was adamant I take the medication, but she just didn’t understand what it was doing to me. It felt like me against the world back then. That’s why Tupac Shakur’s (2pac) music was so inspirational and appealing to me. There were no Mary Willingham's or Jay Smith's to turn to. I was completely alone.

I began writing letters to Roy Williams, his staff, and the administration at UNC in the Fall of '06 and that continued into the Spring of '07. The basketball program claimed I was taking out revenge for not being promoted. I was banned from the Dean Dome and told never to contact the basketball program again.

My life spiraled into a deep, dark depression, but I graduated in the Fall of 2007. I was granted special permission to attend graduation, since I was banned from the Dean Dome. It felt so special to actually be allowed to attend my own graduation... Haah... Actually it was devastating to sit there, knowing the dark truth. I listened to UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor James Moeser spew lie after lie about "the Carolina Way" and "Carolina Family".

After graduation, I was enraged about everything that had happened and fired an angry "F You" letter off to Chancellor Moeser and Roy Williams and his entire staff. I told them that, one day, they would pay for what they had done -- with much more colorful language. I was extremely careful not to make any statement that could even be perceived as threatening, because I knew that they would use it against me. Remember though, anger is a sin in Chapel Hell.

Well, that ended up with UNC campus police following me out to the Harris-Teeter off of Airport Road, right down by I-40. They called my cell phone, while I was grocery shopping. I walked out to the parking lot and they put me in the back of their car and questioned me for about an hour. I remember telling him, I live for the day when we don’t need police anymore. He said, “then I won’t have a job.” And I said, “and the world will be a much better place without police.” They ended up letting me go, but followed me back up Airport road towards my apartment. Every time I would switch lanes, they would switch lanes. It was pretty scary. I ended up pulling into Key's Mini Mart (otherwise known as the "Murder Mart" around Chapel Hill) and they pulled up beside me and said, "We have some more questions."

I had quoted a Tupac Shakur song on Facebook, "Grab ya glocks when ya see 2pac, call the cops when ya see 2pac," and they told me that they interpreted this as me wanting to have a quote, "gun war with the police.” I didn't even own a gun. I vehemently denied this and they eventually let me go.

The next day I was called into my psychologist's office and told my behavior was unacceptable -- this is after I had graduated mind you -- and everyone in the basketball office was really "scared and concerned." I told my doctor several times that they just hated me and she denied it. “They care about you, they just want you to get better,” she would say. They called my Dad and he drove over from work. Campus police showed up and handcuffed me right in front of him and escorted me to the hospital -- I didn't resist. I wasn't out of control. It was humiliating. This would be my 3rd stint of being locked up and this was done directly at the hands of UNC Basketball and the Chancellor. The doctors were even befuddled as to why I was in there. Several people told me, you don't need to be here. My Dad has said this several times over the years. I just played the game, kept my head in the Bible and suffered through it. One of the nurses even told me verbatim, “hey man, just play the game and you’ll get out soon.”

The UNC Administrators repeatedly kept referring to the Virginia Tech shooting, which had happened within that past year. "We just don't know what you might do," they would say. I stood my ground numerous times that I had no intentions of using violence and didn't even own a weapon, but they would say, "we have to keep UNC safe."

After I was released in January 2008, I was banned from campus for 2 years and they scheduled a meeting with the Dean of Student Affairs at the time, Melissa Exum, for February 20, 2008. Don't know why I remember that date. I spilled everything to her, but she was a huge "homer", and I was the "psycho" so I had no pull. I greatly regret not taping our meeting, because she literally stated, "So what if basketball players are having their work done for them, what are you going to do about it." They were at the height of their arrogance of cheating and felt unstoppable.

When Eve Carson was murdered on March 5, 2008, I begged my psychologist to ask them to let me attend her memorial service at the Dean Dome, but they told her no and said, "that I might see some people there that would make me upset." These are devils we are talking about here, not people. They have no soul. I was clearly not a threat to anyone.

I moved out of Chapel Hell in June 2008 (hallelujah!!) and started reaching out to the media. I was put in contact with Tom Farrey at ESPN, in the summer of 2008, and we met in downtown Charlotte for dinner and I told him my story. He said he needed direct proof and I didn't have any.

Time went on and I connected with Dana O'Neil at ESPN and we communicated for the last several years as the scandal started to emerge. This is the same Dana O'Neil that wrote the article "This is what you get when you hire Larry Brown" -- UNC Basketball alum Larry Brown.

Dana did approach UNC in 2009, but didn’t give my name and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Communications Steve Kirschner asked her to confirm my initials. When she did confirm that it was me, he told her, “Don’t listen to this guy, he’s a nutjob.” That doesn’t sound like someone who cares about me and wants me “to get better,” as they would often relay to my doctors. And furthermore, it sounds like a HIPPA violation. When I was in UNC Hospitals, I was assured none of my medical information would be shared with UNC. These people are criminals and need to be thrown in prison for their countless crimes.

In the meantime, I have to admit that I had one more breakdown, lost my job, and went through absolute hell to get back on my feet. Damn near took my life and definitely gave up on fighting the UNC machine. At one point I told Dana, there's nothing I can do. They have won, or so I felt at the time.

As time passed and the stuff with the football team came out first and then people started coming forward (McCants, Willingham) and others, I had the courage to pick up the fight again.

I wrote UNC again in early 2012 and was banned from campus for the third time. I was banned on Valentine's Day that time, indefinitely, and to this day. This letter was much more humble in nature, and the captain of UNC police told me, "this was out of his hands, way above him. There are people that just don't want you here. What if they see you at a football game with their children?" I appealed the decision and lost.

Shortly after, I bought the gun. To put all this in perspective, I took $500 cash out of the bank (my Mom’s a banker and I didn’t want her to see that on my account), bought a Mossberg shotgun, hands shaking as I signed the paperwork. I stared at it for months in my bedroom closet, test fired it a couple times at my Grandparent’s old farm, hid it during the move up to DC so my Dad wouldn’t see it, and literally walked to the bar and got drunk one night planning to come back and take my life. By the grace of God I threw the gun down, drove back to NC and gave it away to my brother and decided to keep pushing ahead. That was in the fall of 2012. I guess Huckleberry Roy’s response to that would be, “How does it affect recruiting?” “Can Drake hang out with our team?” Thinking about death every second of every day is not very fun. There were lots of literal tears in those days. I cried in my car a lot.

I moved to Washington, DC to get away and get my life back together for the last few years, really got my career on track and just recently moved back to Raleigh and landed a good job. I met for lunch with Jay Smith who put me in touch with Wainstein's group last July 2014 and I told them my story "off the record." I met with Joseph Jay in a spaceship-like law firm with "$1,500 chairs" in DC. I contacted the entire enforcement staff at the NCAA and all but threatened them to do the right thing. I've written several media people emails. I am poised and ready to strike if need be.

I have a complete rap album ready for release and on stand by, produced by a friend. I will be recording rap videos this fall (on my own budget, don't have lunatics to give me over 100 thousand dollars, nor do I want that). My family and friends don't want me doing this, but still I fight on in secret, and maybe one day I'll take the mask off, but for now, I am just laying low and enjoying the ride -- because I thought I'd have to die before I saw their sins come to light.

I'll be the first to admit my multitude of flaws, mistakes, and regrets, and I'm quick to hit my knees in prayer every day to ask for God’s forgiveness (in my bathroom, not on Facebook), but to have it even implied by anyone that I don't have resolve, I will not take that from anyone on this planet. (This was in response to a poster that questioned my resolve in not sharing this story.)

Any of you out there in fantasyland, the next time you questions a mother f****'s resolve, make sure it's somebody -- and something -- you know.

I have been fighting this machine for the last decade and the decision to not release my story was the media's, not mine (God forbid that someone with mental issues did something other than kill someone).....I’ve had a gun stuck to the back of my head, been locked in a psychiatric unit 4 times, been banned from my alma mater UNC three times, threatened with criminal charges by UNC (communicating threats), compared to the Virginia Tech shooter, I could go on and on.

It was heartbreaking over the years to watch the people I worked with at UNC, who bowed down and played by their perverted rules, get jobs at universities or on NBA teams. I’d give anything to be a director of basketball operations at a school, or work for an NBA squad, well let me correct that, anything but my soul. That belongs to God.

My whole family has suffered tremendously from this experience and pretty much been torn apart. My Mom and I used to be really close, but now we hardly even speak anymore. It’s impossible to have a relationship and a family of my own, knowing that at some point I’ll have to tell a girl the truth. Mental illness ain’t too sexy in this world. Of course, the real truth is that the people at UNC are truly mentally ill and need to be institutionalized. My message to them is, this is not over.

I've damn near lost everything, but I've kept up the fight and it’s all because of the Lord... I don't owe anyone anything and I don't give a s*** whether any of you believe what I have conveyed to you or not, I've done more than my part to expose Carolina's schemes and evil in general, but at some point you have to take some time and regroup and that's what I have been doing.... Trying to get my life back.

The Hound's Epilogue

Think about if this were your child, a relative, or a friend... It should give one pause to think about whether they want someone growing up "the Carolina Way". All those of us, who have a clue, on the outside looking in, have asked is for this mess to get cleaned up. That doesn't mean swept under the rug and continued to carry on.

The clownship that is holding the flagship hostage seems to have shown that they are out to ruin people that don't go along with their program. There is one thing that can't be denied, it is one thing to be considered a rival to the interests of UNC-Chapel Hill as a university. It is far worse to be considered an enemy from within. Ask Mary Willingham, who came forward to detail the scheme that was set in place to maintain athlete eligibility for "at risk" athletes. Think about Rashaad McCants, who was once thought of as a big time hero for being part of the 2005 Championship team and is now painted as a malcontent for showing his transcript and fully exposing the fraudulent grade/eligibility scheme.

Why have so many people come forward anonymously with information that has been proven true? Why did they feel the need to remain anonymous? Are they afraid of the consequences?

Those who have come forward and been critical of what has been exposed about the athletic scandal at UNC-Chapel Hill have been labeled malcontents and treated as traitors. Notice that no one comes forward to prove UNC-CH's innocence. No one has come forward to prove those shining the light on all of this have been lying.

And then we see those who could be prosecuted for criminal charges of fraud, but played within the culturally corrupt system, have been allowed to retire with full benefits paid for by the taxpayers of North Carolina. Deals have been struck with the North Carolina Court system not to prosecute those who undeniably participated in this scheme, as proven by Attorney Kenneth Wainstein's report, which was limited in its investigative scope by UNC-Chapel Hill's administration. In a world where UNC-Chapel Hill doesn't have a stranglehold on the government and university system, there would have already been a full and independent investigation into every department of that university, after all that has come to light.

Just another example that I have seen of corruption being rewarded in a world that has lost its way. It sure appears that things will get a lot worse, before they will get any better. Thank You to 2Pac1331 for coming forward. They don't call 'em the Heels for 'nuthin.

Midnight has struck for the UNC Board of Governors - January 29, 2014

UNC Chapel Hill Criminal Fraud exposed in Athletics and Academics - January 16, 2014

Where are the UNC Board of Governors? -- 3 years later - PJ Hairston's 2013 Yukon: renter identified - July 1, 2013

My letter to the UNC Board of Governors about the UNC-CH Football Scandal  - July 7, 2011

Where are the UNC Board of Governors? - (Part 2) - Everybody knows "The Carolina Way"  - July 1, 2011

Where are the UNC Board of Governors?!?!? - UNC-Chapel Hill athletic scandal - October 1, 2010

State of North Carolina University System -- We've Got a Problem Here!!!  - September 18, 2010

Hickory City Council Video - November 3, 2015



Invocation by Cliff Moone

This was a short meeting lasting less than 30 minutes. Vickie Scott and Larry Pope spoke in relation to the Housing Authorityissue.

A Micro Enterprise grant program is being established using Community Development Block Grant Funds.


Thursday, October 29, 2015

The Watchtower

The Watchtower

5 They set the tables, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers, oil the shields!
6 This is what the Lord says to me: "Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
7 When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert."
8 And the lookout shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.
9 Look, here comes a man in a chariot with a team of horses. And he gives back the answer: 'Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!' "







"All Along The Watchtower"

"There must be some kind of way out of here, "
Said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Business men – they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None will level on the line
Nobody of it is worth."

"No reason to get excited, "
The thief – he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now
The hour's getting late."

All along the watchtower
The Princes kept the view
While all the women came
And went bare-foot servants too
Outside in the cold distance
A wild cat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl, hey.


Writer(s): Bob Dylan
Copyright: Columbia 1967

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of October 20, 2015

I began video recording the City Council in 2012, because of my desire that the City do it on their own as any modern 21st century community began doing long ago. I had people tell me that they couldn't make it to the meetings, but they would like to see what is going on. I was also told by some council members that my summaries did not truly reflect the record, so having a video/audio recording cannot be misinterpreted.

So below is the City Council meeting. With each agenda item, you can click on the links and it will take you to that specific point in the meeting. You can always drag the marker on the video display to the point in the broadcast that you are interested in seeing.

=================================================
Hound Notes:I didn't put out an agenda. Sinus infection wearing me out again and nothing pressing about this meeting. I was aware of the subject Alderman Lail brought up at the meeting regarding the low appraisal for properties on F Avenue at the corner of Tate Boulevard and Lenoir-Rhyne Boulevard. 5 pieces of property valued at $17,000 -- not a piece, but total. I saw on Catawba County GIS that the City purchased the property in 2003. One of the properties (870) was bought for $9,000 and a house was razed that year that had been located there. The current assessed value of that property is $7,000 and we see the property being sold (average of 5 properties) for $3,400. It was good to see Alderman Lail being a good steward of the public trust, others have shown a propensity not to care. The ends justify the means for their agenda.

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The Splash Pad at Kiwanis Park drew the most attention on the night. Everyone seemed to be excited by the idea. Mac McLeod, Head of Parks and Rec, talked about the desire for the park to have a Wow! factor to be a regional draw. He showed various regional splash pads and the features they had from the most basic to some with overhead features.  There were three plans presented with estimated price tags ranging from $253,000 to $360,000 and it was stated that these costs do include contingency dollars, but don't include any infrastructure improvement dollars. The Kiwanis propose to pay $100,000 through a fundraising effort and Hickory Inc. is proposing to pay the rest.Staff is open to any changes that would be proposed.

He was asked by Alderman Seaver about capacity and he said that under option 2 and 3 that it could handle 250 children. Alderman Guess asked about additional property available and Mac stated that it was limited. Rodney Miller, Hickory Inc.'s Financial Officer  said this is an unfunded project, but the City does have plans. There will be a Capital Planning Workshop on November 3rd. This will be one of those funding projects and they will prioritize the projects at that meeting.

The Mayor made a valid point about other areas of the city would want a splash pad and so they needed to be careful about the money they spent at this one. He talked about the benefits of starting on the low end. Again Alderman Lail was on point when he spoke about not getting ahead of themselves because of constraints on parking at that venue and limited space, when you already have baseball fields in heavy use in the summer, picnic shelters, and Zahra's playground at that location.

Good to see Mac McLeod step away from a possible Conflict of Interest. He is the Chairman of the western Catawba County Kiwanis and doesn't believe he should oversee a project as the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Hickory and as the Chairman of Kiwanis. He stated that he talked it over with Staff Attorney Arnita Dula and she agreed with him. The Mayor more than mildly objected to this, worried that it would set some sort of precedent that others may later have to adhere to, when it wasn't necessary in the Mayor's opinion. City Attorney John Crone agreed with Director McLeod. Mac's right, Mayor's wrong, and if it does set a precedent that hasn't been honored in the past, then good. It's time to have some standards. 


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The Mayor addressed the issues related to Hickory Public Housing Authority. He made a statement about not liking to place people on the board that have an agenda. EVERYONE, especially him, that are in the political arena here, there, and everywhere have an agenda.

His agenda has been the status quo and he has been very successful at maintaining it. We're essentially at the same place we were when he took office 14 years ago. He has made sure that no one competes against the business interests that support him. It is not only him,. It has been every member of that Council and the City Staff. If you aren't on board with that agenda, then you are out of their version of luck. Deal is that real luck has a lot to do with karma. So you wanna put all your chips in one basket... well, let's just say, I learned that lesson a long, long time ago.

The Mayor keeps doubling down on his support of the Housing Authority and all of the people involved with it. At the same time he keeps passing the buck on the issue of authority. I do agree with him that it is out of his hands now, but it wasn't always out of his hands. Thing is that he's been gambling (since 2012) with the house's money. He might have been able to get the U.S. Justice Department and HUD to let bygones be bygones had they acted back in 2012, but he mandated that we maintain the status quo of the HPHA and nothing changed. HUD has had 3 subsequent investigations since that time. They held a special meeting of the city council back on September 16th so that the Mayor could essentially reiterate the status quo. He would not let the public speak at that meeting. It was a very short dog and pony show held for the Charlotte media, which have been all over this story.

One of this Council's most vocal supporter's, the Reverend Glenn Pinckney, jumped off the wagon. His piece in the Hickory Daily Record a month ago was a scathing indictment against the HPHA management and Hickory Inc.'s stewardship of that program. He was a member of the so called "Hickory United", another cooked up political entity that couldn't keep its books straight, just like its successor Boost Hickory. Mr. Pinckney endorsed Mayor Wright and 4th ward Alderman Hank Guess just two short years ago in the most public way possible.

There's one thing that is more than evident with those who have no agenda. You're to drink the Koolaid and know your place in the pecking order. When they want your opinion, they'll give it to you. The two people the Mayor mentioned on this night will never agree to that.

Whistleblower's are treated badly around here. Frankly, they are treated bad everywhere in North Carolina. The Mayor didn't want to replace anyone on that board, but he surely wanted to replace Larry Pope. Whistleblowing is the obvious reason why Larry Pope was deposed from the HPHA board. He pointed out the irregularities. If there were issues with the HPHA and Larry had not spoken up, it's obvious that everyone else thinks everything's fine and was going to say nothing.  Then in the people with no agenda's world, these problems would have never been brought up and they would have been allowed to go on without being addressed.  Let's just suppose that Larry and the people who have come forward have it right. What have we seen? If there is a problem, you've got no one to turn to in Hickory. You are on your own. What happens in those kinds of places?


Absolute Power corrupts absolutely.

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One reason I've been writing less lately is because sometimes less is more. Especially when you have people coming up to say that they appreciate what you do, but then they go support the status quo. My hope of late is that if I say nothing on an issue, maybe these people will accidentally do the right thing. I'm not against everything the city does, but they've been against everything I stand for.

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Invocation by Rev. David Roberts II, Pastor, Morning Star First Baptist Church

Special Presentations
A. Swearing-in Mike Johnson and Dean Proctor to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

B. Presentation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 by Paula Hodges, Audit Partner with Martin Starnes & Associates

Persons Requesting to Be Heard
Larry Pope

Consent Agenda:
A. Proclamation for Extra Mile Day, November 1, 2015.

B. Proclamation for Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31, 2015.

C. Approval of a Lease Agreement for Property Located at 304 3rd Street SW, Hickory to Jamie Janine Reed and Christopher Martin Stevey. - Hickory Police Department purchased and renovated the property at 304 3rd Street SW Hickory. The property is adjacent to the current 6.18 acres of City owned property and would provide necessary land for any future expansion of the Police Department. The property has three bedrooms, two baths, stove, refrigerator, and microwave. Hickory Police Department requests leasing the property to Jamie Janine Reed and Christopher
Martin Stevey in the amount of $600 per month, beginning November 1, 2015. The tenant will be responsible for all utilities.

D. Approval of Amended Special Event Application for 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Meghan Lawton, Regional Manager, Alzheimer’s Association of WNC, Crawdad’s Stadium/Park, October 31, 2015 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

E. Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs. - The following requests were considered by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee at their regular meeting on October 1, 2015:
 Raymond Mitchell, 638 3rd Avenue Drive SE, Hickory, was approved for Loan Subordination. Mr. Mitchell’s loan was done under the First-Time Homebuyers Program. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommended this subordination to help Mr. Mitchell do a loan modification to lower his monthly payment/interest rate and make it more affordable. He will not be taking any money out for personal use.
Each of the following applicants are being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s 2015 Urgent Repair Program. This program provides qualified low income citizens with assistance for emergency-related repairs not to exceed $8,000.
 Ruth Adams, 117 3rd Avenue SW, Hickory
 Irma Griffin, 529 12th Street SW, Hickory
 Teresa Robinson, 3271 Blue Sky Court, Newton
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommends approval of the aforementioned requests for assistance through the City of Hickory’s housing assistance programs.

F. Approval of “Food for Fines” Amnesty Weeks at the Libraries. - Approval of the waiver of overdue fines for library customers who donate canned, boxed, or bagged food items at either Patrick Beaver Memorial Library or Ridgeview Branch Library during the two-week period of December 1-15, 2015. One item of food will cancel $1 in overdue fines, and donated items will be given to Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry. Library staff recommends approval of the annual “Food for Fines” Amnesty Weeks.

G. Approval of the Capital Purchase of Structural Firefighting Gear for FY15/16 in the Amount of $385,000. - Hickory Fire Department requests approval for the purchase of structural firefighting gear for all personnel. The last purchase of structural firefighting gear was in FY09/10. The fire department incorporates the use of an equipment committee made up of full-time personnel. This committee is tasked with reviewing best practices from across North Carolina and the United States when reviewing tools for apparatus or equipment for the firefighters. The committee chose the Honeywell/Morning Pride line of structural gear for its build qualities, exceptional protection during fire conditions, and renowned customer service. In the analysis, local cooperative purchase plans and local government awarded bid contracts were reviewed to see if any could be utilized in meeting the purchasing needs of the fire department. The Charlotte Cooperative Purchasing Alliance has such a contract, and the terms have been extended to all North Carolina fire departments that wish to piggyback on the contracts purchasing agreement with Morning Pride. The fire department will be purchasing 130 complete sets of structural firefighting gear, at an approximate cost of $356,000. This cost may increase or decrease depending on the sizing changes that may occur between different personnel. The fire department recommends acceptance of the Charlotte Cooperative Purchasing Alliance terms for the purchase of the CIP structural firefighting gear for personnel.

H. Approval of a Contract with Crowder Construction Company in the amount of $2,699,000 for the Emergency Power Generator Replacement Project at the Water Treatment Facility. - The City of Hickory Water Treatment Facility was last upgraded in 1993. This upgrade included the installation of a new emergency generator that would provide power to portions of the facility in the event of power failure. The generator is approximately 24 years old and is a permit required critical piece of equipment for operations of the facility. The generator is experiencing failures on the power generation end of the emergency generator and has exceeded the mechanical life of the unit. Staff has had the existing emergency generator evaluated and vendors cannot provide replacement parts to repair the existing unit. In October of 2014, with City Council’s approval, HDR Engineering Inc. analyzed and designed the project. The project was advertised for bid and Crowder Construction Company was the lowest responsible bidder. On October 6, 2015, on second reading, Council accepted bids on this project. This project is planned as a component of the FY 15-16 Capital Budget to be funded from Capital Reserves. Staff recommends Council award the contract for the Water Treatment Facility emergency power generator replacement project with Crowder Construction Company being the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $2,699,000.

I. Approval of an Amendment to the Agreement for Engineering Services with HDR Engineering, Inc. of the Carolinas in the Amount of $114,500. - In October of 2014, City Council approved a contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. of the Carolinas to perform professional engineering services for the generator at the Water Treatment Facility. Staff is proposing to hire HDR Engineering, Inc. to provide construction administration and inspection services on the project due to the level of familiarity with the design and infrastructure. This project is anticipated to take
approximately a year to complete and will be staffed with an engineer full-time while the contractor is on-site. Fees were negotiated using standard accepted tables. This project is planned as a component of the FY 15-16 Capital Budget to be funded from Capital Reserves. Staff recommends Council’s approval of this Amendment to the Agreement for Engineering Services with HDR Engineering, Inc. of the Carolinas to perform professional engineering services related to construction administration and inspection services for the replacement emergency generator at the Water Treatment Facility in the amount of $114,500.

J. Acceptance of 35th Avenue Court NE into the City of Hickory’s Street Maintenance. - 35th Avenue Court NE was recently brought up to City of Hickory roadway standards by adjacent property owners. The section is approximately 550 feet long and is located on the east side of Falling Creek Road between Falling Creek Estates and Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Public right of way existed previously and roadway is within the City limits. This street is eligible for City maintenance and inclusion on the Powell Bill listing. The work required to bring the road to City of Hickory standards was financed entirely with private funds and no City monies were used for that work. Staff recommends that 35th Avenue Court NE be accepted by City of Hickory street maintenance and inclusion on Powell Bill listing.

K. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 8.
1. To recognize $300.00 revenue received from Youth Council participants for their portion of the fee for attendance at state conference in Winston-Salem the weekend of October 9-11, 2015.
2. To transfer unspent funds of $383 within Capital Project #546014 (Storm Damage Repair) back to the General Fund and close out the project.
3. Upon closing Grant Project #G5110O (Police Dept. vests 2013), $2 was remaining and transferred back to the General Fund. The original grant in the amount of $25,200 ($9,350.17 Federal Funds and $15,849.83 Local Match) was accepted by City Council on December 3, 2013. The grant project provided 42 vests for the Hickory Police Department. Unused funds in the amount of $2 will
be returned to the General Fund.
4. To amend the budget for the FY14 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program - Award #2014-DJ-BX-1087 - Award Date 08/29/14 - Award Project Period 10/01/13 to 09/30/15. Federal award in the amount of $23,359 for the purchase of Training Breaching Door Kit, Individual Officer Trauma Kit, and Ballistic Shield. Council approved application process on
05/20/14. Council accepted the grant award on 09/16/14. Final amendment request to fund expenditure overages for the project in the amount of $43. The overage will be transferred from the General Fund Hickory Police Departmental Supplies Operating Budget.

L. Grant Project Ordinance Number 3.
1. This Grant Project Ordinance will set up revenue and expenditure line-item budgets for the 2015 Urgent Repair Program (URP15). The City of Hickory was approved by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency in the amount of $50,000 with a local required match of $5,000. The required match is provided by Miscellaneous Revenues/Program Income.

M. Grant Project Ordinance Number 4.
1. This Grant Project Ordinance will establish the project budget for the purchase of 12 body-worn cameras, hardware, service, and digital evidence management solution for the Hickory Police Department and the purchase of equipment for officer training by Catawba County. Federal funding in the amount of $19,555 is available to the City and $12,900 is available for Catawba County. Hickory is the lead agency for grant administration. Council accepted the award on September 15, 2015.

N. Grant Project Ordinance Amendment Number 2.
1. To transfer unspent funds of $383 within Capital Project #546014 (Storm Damage Repair) back to the General Fund and close out the project.
2. To transfer unspent funds of $2 within Capital Project #G5110O back to the General Fund and close the project. The original grant in the amount of $25,200 ($9,350.17 Federal Funds and $15,849.83 Local Match) was accepted by City Council on December 3, 2013. The grant project provided 42 vests for the Hickory Police Department. Unused funds in the amount of $2 will be returned to the General Fund.
3. To move a total of $78,750 in CDBG Entitlement Block Grant revenues into CDBG Public Infrastructure for street resurfacing ($18,750) and Optimist Park improvements for tennis court renovations ($60,000).
4. To amend the budget for the FY14 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program - Award #2014-DJ-BX-1087 - Award Date 08/29/14 - Award Project Period 10/01/13 to 09/30/15. Federal award in the amount of $23,359 for the purchase of Training Breaching Door Kit, Individual Officer Trauma Kit, and Ballistic Shield. Council approved application process on 05/20/14. Council accepted the grant award on 09/16/14. Final amendment request to fund expenditure overages for the project in the amount of $43. The overage will be transferred from the General Fund Hickory Police Departmental Supplies Operating Budget.

Informational Item
A. Mayor Wright’s Travel to Ignition City Vision 2015, Winston-Salem, NC, October 12, 2015 (Registration $410; Mileage Reimbursement $81.65).

New Business - Public Hearings
1. Consideration of Voluntary Contiguous Annexation of 11.936 acres Located in the 3000 Block of Short Road. - A petition was submitted on behalf of Cecil and Rachel Munday for the voluntary contiguous annexation of 11.936 acres of property located in the 3000 block of Short Road. The annexation area is the proposed location of an eighty unit residential apartment complex. The construction of which will require municipal water and sewer service. Upon analysis, Staff has determined the petition meets the statutory requirements for voluntary contiguous annexation, and adequate public services are available. Staff recommends approval of the requested annexation. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on October 9, 2015.

2. Consideration of the Sale of Five City-Owned Properties Located on F Avenue SE. - The City owns five properties located on F Avenue SE that were originally purchased with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds as part of the East Hickory Redevelopment Plan. The properties are located at 865, 870, 872, 880, and 889 F Avenue SE. These properties were originally purchased for future development and to stabilize the area through the reduction of blight. Staff has been approached by AMMCO, LLC with an offer to purchase these properties, and plans on developing these properties for residential use. A public hearing is required since the properties were purchased with CDBG funds. In accordance to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Regulations, the properties must be sold for market value. A recent appraisal listed the market value of these properties at $17,000. The offer from AMMCO, LLC is for market value. The properties must also be sold subject to the upset bid process. Staff recommends that City Council adopt a resolution accepting the offer from AMMCO, LLC and authorize Staff to advertise for upset bids. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on October 9, 2015 and October 16, 2015.

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Construction of a Splash Pad at Kiwanis Park. - The City of Hickory, Hickory Kiwanis Club and the Kiwanis Club of Western Catawba County engaged in a joint effort to construct the Zahra Baker All Children’s Playground at Kiwanis Park which opened May of 2012. Both Kiwanis clubs have agreed to partner with the City of Hickory to jointly fund the construction of a splash pad at Kiwanis Park that would be maintained by the City of Hickory as part of its operations. The Memorandum of Understanding details the terms and conditions under which the splash pad will be constructed. The Memorandum of Understanding has been sent to both the Hickory Kiwanis Club and the Kiwanis Club of Catawba County for their respective consideration and approval. The Parks and Recreation Commission considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding at their August 11, 2015 meeting and recommends its approval by City Council. Staff recommends approval of the Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a splash pad at Kiwanis
Park.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of October 6, 2015

I began video recording the City Council in 2012, because of my desire that the City do it on their own as any modern 21st century community began doing long ago. I had people tell me that they couldn't make it to the meetings, but they would like to see what is going on. I was also told by some council members that my summaries did not truly reflect the record, so having a video/audio recording cannot be misinterpreted.

So below is the City Council meeting. With each agenda item, you can click on the links and it will take you to that specific point in the meeting. You can always drag the marker on the video display to the point in the broadcast that you are interested in seeing.

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Hound Notes:I didn't put out an agenda, because there wasn't much to this meeting. The meeting lasted a little longer than 20 minutes. There was a presentation of a proclamation for fire prevention and safety and Chuck Hansen, the Director of Public Works had an update on Single Stream Recycling.

There really have not been many issues to discuss of late related to these meetings. The only issues of major relevance have been introduced by the public. Those issues would be the Hickory Public Housing issues -- the allegations by former employees, tenants, and the 4th Street Southwest group that doesn't want the proposed Public Housing structure to be built on 4th Street. The other issue was the group of people who needed resolution related to the long time proposed bridge project from 29th Avenue NE over into Caldwell County off of Grace Chapel Road.

I do try to put out an agenda, because it makes it easier to present this material. I also like the public, who follow this site, to have an opportunity to see what is going on with these meetings. You can always go to the City's website and view the Agenda, which comes out on the Friday afternoon before the meeting. Go to the main page and and click on Quick Links towards the top of the page, pull down and tap Agendas and Minutes.

I do need better proof reading skills (LOL).


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Invocation by retired Minister Bill Garrard

Special Presentations
A. Proclamation for Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, 2015. 
Presented to Terri Byers of the Hickory Fire Department


Consent Agenda:(Unanimously approved)
A. Approval of the National Naval Aviation Museum Standard Renewal Loan Agreement for Loaned Aircraft and Artifacts Located at the Hickory Regional Airport. - The City of Hickory/Hickory Regional Airport has on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) certain retired aircraft and artifacts located at the Hickory Regional Airport and on display by the Hickory Aviation Museum. The Hickory Regional Airport has participated in and has had on loan property from the NNAM for over fifteen (15) years. The Loan Agreement with NNAM covers a period of five (5) years commencing September 1, 2015 and ending September 1, 2020 with an option for renewal. Staff recommends approval of the National Naval Aviation Museum Standard Renewal Loan Agreement for loaned aircraft and artifacts.

B. Approval of Eight Days of Vacation Time to Use as Door Prizes for Coworker Appreciation Day. - Human Resources requests approval of eight days of vacation time to use as door prizes for the annual Coworker Appreciation event scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2015, at Hickory Metro Convention Center. Five days are used as the grand prize and the other three days as additional door prizes. Staff recommends approval of eight days of vacation time for door prizes at the annual coworker event.

C. Approval of the Contract Renewal with Socrata in the Amount of $12,000. - In an effort to provide greater transparency, the City of Hickory contracted with Socrata to present the FY 2016 Budget over the internet. Following the success and popularity of that initiative Staff recommends that we take the next step in transparency by utilizing Socrata’s OpenExpenditures product. The open data portal will enable citizens to reduce the need for administrative assistance when seeking public information from the City. Staff recommends approval of the contract renewal with Socrata in the amount of $12,000 for OpenBudget with the addition of Socrata’s OpenExpenditures product for a one year term.

D. Approval of the Special Events Activities Application for Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center Vigil, Kathleen Landry, Community Outreach Coordinator, October 20, 2015, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sails on the Square.

E. Call for Public Hearing for Consideration of Voluntary Contiguous Annexation of 11.936 acres Located in the 3000 Block of Short Road. (Authorize Public Hearing for October 20, 2015)

F. Call for Public Hearing for Consideration of the Sale of Five City-Owned Properties Located on F Avenue SE. (Authorize Public Hearing for October 20, 2015)

G. Acceptance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Grant (Non-Primary Entitlement Funds) in the Amount of $150,000 for Airport Improvements. - The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), by Letter dated July 30, 2015, has allocated FAA Non-Primary Entitlement Funds under the State Block Grant Program for Federal fiscal year 2015 for the Hickory Regional Airport. The funds are to be used for airside safety needs first with consideration of other needed airport projects. These funds are to be expended no later than July 1, 2019. NCDOT has allocated Federal funds via Grant 36237.66.NPE.15 with the Federal share of $150,000 and the local share of $16,667 for airport improvements. Upon City Council’s acceptances of the grant, any future proposed projects that fall under the guidelines of this grant will be brought back to Council for approval. Staff recommends Council’s acceptance of the
grant in the amount of $150,000 from NCDOT.

H. Budget Ordinance Amendment Number 7.
1. To recognize as revenue an $850.00 donation from Patrick Beaver Friends of the Library for the purchase of senior bingo prizes.
2. To recognize a total of $4,325 in donations and budget the same as a corresponding increase to the Recreation Department Supplies line-item. Of this total, $4,000 was donated from Lowe’s Foods for the Christmas Parade and $325 for the Back 2 School Bash on August 15th at the Highland Recreation Center.
3. To recognize $4,128 in revenue received from Caldwell County Railroad Company designated for railroad signal maintenance on Clement Blvd per highway license/maintenance agreement and via NCDOT’s 2015 maintenance class rates.
4. To recognize revenue of $77,464.88 from Teen Challenge North Carolina for extension of a waterline along St. Peter's Church Road to serve property on Valwood Road. Customer has paid for materials associated with this project, and this amendment will allow the City to procure same.

I. Approval of Amendments to the Economic Development Agreement between the City of Hickory and Blue Bloodhound, LP. - On June 25, 2015 City Council approved the Economic Development Agreement with Blue Bloodhound, LP. Subsequent to Council approving the Agreement, Blue Bloodhound, LP created another company, Blue Bloodhound Management, LLC. Clue Bloodhound Management, an affiliate of Blue Bloodhound, LP, will be responsible for some of the performance of Blue Bloodhound, LP under the economic development agreement. Therefore, both companies need to be a part of the Agreement. In addition to adding the affiliate company’s name to the Agreement, the due date for the Opinion of Counsel letters from the company and the City has been changed from August 31, 2015 to October 1, 2015. Other than adding Blue Bloodhound Management, LLC to the Agreement and revising the due date for the Opinion of Counsel letters, no other changes have been made to the Agreement. Staff requests Council’s approval of the amended Economic Development Agreement between the City of Hickory, Clue Bloodhound, LP, and Blue Bloodhound Management, LLC.

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Recycling Update - Presentation by Chuck Hanson