Agenda about the City Council meeting of June 17, 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:

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City Website has changed - Here is a link to the City of Hickory Document Center

  City Council Agenda - June 17, 2014


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 The Hound's Notes:
1) The Bond Initiative is being presented as a Departmental report. So if people intend to be heard on the matter, they are going to have to be ready to speak during "Persons Requesting to be Heard". If you know someone who wants to address the Council on this matter, then please inform them. There is no set aside time during Departmental Reports for the public to address the Council.

2) We can already see in the wording below that the Council will be moving forward with the Bond Referendum. They are using the same attorneys that addressed the Council during Council's Charlotte retreat back on February 28, 2014.

Hickory City Council Dines And Talks Taxes In Charlotte - WFAE (NPR) - Tasnim Shamma - March 3, 2014

Uncertainty still blankets Inspiring Spaces initiative - Hickory Daily Record - February 28, 2014


Projects will have a pricetag - Kyle McCurry, Digital Journalist -WJZY Channel 46 Charlotte, NC




Reader Concerns about Inspiring Spaces - June 12, 2014
Citizen Review - Power Point Presentation 
Ridgeview Citizen Review - Thoughts about the Ridgeview Citizen Review meeting
Citizens Briefing Presentation - 04/29/2014
20140603 - Hal Row 's First Talk - Budget, Inspiring Spaces, & Bond Referendum



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


Special Presentations
A. Proclamation for National HIV Testing Day to Linda H. Sheehan, Director of Education and  Outreach/ALFA
B. Presentation of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2013. This is the nineteenth consecutive year the City has received this recognition.
C.  Business Well Crafted Award to Abee Architect PA, Dallas Abee presented by Business Development Committee Member Alan Jackson

Persons Requesting to Be Heard

Consent Agenda:
A. Approval to Accept an Award of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Planning Grant in the amount of $20,160. - Library Staff requests approval of acceptance of the no-match Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant in the amount of $20,160 that was awarded to Hickory Public Library by the State Library of North Carolina to be used to hire a consultant and pay other related expenses involved in the development of a new strategic plan during FY 2014-2015.

B. Approval to Close Patrick Beaver Memorial Library and Ridgeview Branch Library on Friday, August 15, 2014. - Library Staff requests approval to close the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library and the Ridgeview Branch Library on Friday, August 15, 2014 to allow time for all library employees to participate in Staff training. Training will include Myers-Briggs personality typing, a motivational and/or generational speaker, and training on use of NC Works, a job search tool developed by the NC Department of Commerce.

C. Call for Public Hearing – for Consideration of Text Amendment (TA) 14-02 to the City’s Land Development Code. (Authorize Public Hearing for July 15, 2014)

D. Approval of a Resolution Approving the Town of Catawba Local Water Supply Plan. - North Carolina General Statute §143-355 requires all public water systems have a Local Water Supply Plan that gives a report of the water systems current demands and projection for future demands. This analysis is required to be performed and reported annually by public water suppliers with major updates every five years that require the passage of a Resolution approving the document by the governing board. Staff requests approval of a Resolution approving the Town of Catawba Local Water Supply Plan.

E. Approval of a Resolution Approving the City of Hickory Local Water Supply Plan. - North Carolina General Statute §143-355 requires all public water systems have a Local Water Supply Plan that gives a report of the water systems current demands and projection for future demands. This analysis is required to be performed and reported annually by public water suppliers with major updates every five years that require the passage of a Resolution approving the document by the governing board. Staff requests approval of a Resolution approving the City of Hickory Local Water Supply Plan.

F. Request from Hickory Police Department to Award Police Badge and Service Weapon to Retiring MPO Fred Hicks. - By authority of NC General Statute §20-187.2, City Council may award the service weapon and police badge to retiring MPO Fred Hicks upon his retirement from Hickory Police Department on July 1, 2014 after completing 30 years of qualifying service with Hickory Police Department. Upon approval from City Council, the police badge and service weapon will be declared surplus and removed from the City’s fixed asset inventory.

G. Request from Hickory Police Department to Award Police Badge and Service Weapon to Retiring Sergeant Greg Shook. - By authority of NC General Statute §20-187.2, City Council may award the service weapon and police badge to retiring Sergeant Greg Shook upon his retirement from Hickory Police Department on July 1, 2014 after completing 30 years of qualifying service with Hickory Police Department. Upon approval from City Council, the police badge and service weapon will be declared surplus and removed from the City’s fixed asset inventory.

H. Citizens’ Advisory Committee Recommendations for Assistance through the City of Hickory’s Housing Programs. - The following request was considered by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee at their regular meeting on June 5, 2014:
The following applicant is being recommended for approval for assistance under the City of Hickory’s 2013-2014 Urgent Repair Program. This program provides qualified low income citizens with assistance for emergency-related repairs not to exceed $5,400.
 Terry Huffman, 841 18th Street NE, Hickory

I. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Interfaith Housing Development Corporation for FY 2014-2015 in the Amount of $30,000. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their April 15th meeting. Interfaith Housing Development Corporation is a non-profit organization engaged in providing affordable homeownership opportunities to low and moderate income families. They are also the owners of the former Ridgeview Public Library, which they are planning to rehabilitate for use as a community center. Interfaith Housing Development Corporation requested and has been approved for a grant in the amount of $20,000 and a loan of $10,000 to assist in the rehabilitation of the former library into a community center.

J. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Safe Harbor Rescue Mission, Inc. for FY 2014-2015 in the Amount of $9,834. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their April 15th meeting. Safe Harbor Rescue Mission, Inc. is a neighborhood based non-profit organization engaged in providing shelter, counseling, and rehabilitation services to chronically dependent and homeless women. Safe Harbor Rescue Missions, Inc., operates a day shelter for homeless women at their facility on 2nd Avenue SE. Safe Harbor Rescue Missions, Inc. requested and has been approved for funding in the amount of $9,834 through the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program to enhance the services provided by the day shelter.

K. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Community Ridge Daycare for FY 2014-2015 in the amount of $1,900. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their April 15th meeting. Community Ridge Daycare provides low cost childcare services for at risk children in order to enable parents to gain employment or attend school. It also provides extra services, including speech therapy for the children. The funds requested would be used to renovate an existing classroom and install an emergency fire door. Community Ridge Daycare has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $1,900 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

L. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Inc. for FY 2014-2015 in the amount of $9,834. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning &Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their April 15th meeting. Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Inc. provides a Free Clinic, assisting needy and indigent persons with medical care they may otherwise not receive, including dental, medical and pharmacy services. Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Inc. has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $9,834 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

M. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Hickory Soup Kitchen, Inc. for FY 2014-2015 in the amount of $9,834. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their  April 15th meeting. The Hickory Soup Kitchen provides meals to the City’s homeless and/or low income population. The Hickory Soup Kitchen has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $9,834 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

N. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Exodus Outreach Foundation, Inc. for FY 2014-2015 in the amount of $9,834. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their April 15th meeting. Exodus Homes is a neighborhood based non-profit organization engaged in providing shelter, counseling, and rehabilitation services to chronically dependent and homeless men and women. Part of Exodus Homes’ process of moving clients toward self-sufficiency includes funding an Employment Coordinator support person to assist them in securing job training and employment. Exodus Outreach Foundation, Inc. has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $9,834 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

O. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Aids Leadership Foothills Area Alliance, Inc. for FY 2014-2015 in the amount of $9,834. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their April 15th meeting. Aids Leadership Foothills Area Alliance, Inc. provides quality services to people living with HIV/AIDS and offers HIV prevention education programs to the community at large. Aids Leadership Foothills Alliance, Inc. has requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $9,834 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

P. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with City of Refuge for FY 2014-2015 in the amount of $3,100. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their April 15th meeting. City of Refuge provides afterschool enrichment programs for school aged children in grades one through five. The afterschool sessions provide a structured learning and development environment with instruction and activities based on the North Carolina course of study and year-end testing activities. City of Refuge requested and been approved for funding in the amount of $3,100 through the City of Hickory’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

Q. Approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of the Catawba Valley, Inc. for FY 2014-2015 in the amount of $20,000. - On January 22nd and 29th, 2014 the City of Hickory Department of Planning & Development under the auspices of the Community Development Block Grant Program held two neighborhood meetings. The meetings were held at Ridgeview Library and at City Hall. At these meetings, non-profit organizations were granted the opportunity to request funding for the upcoming year. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee reviewed and recommended funding for these agencies. City Council approved the allocation at their April 15th meeting. Habitat for Humanity of the Catawba Valley, Inc. is a non-profit organization engaged in providing affordable homeownership opportunities to low and moderate income families. Habitat for Humanity of the Catawba Valley, Inc. requested and been approved for a grant in the amount of $20,000 through the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

R. Approval of Two Sanitary Sewer Easements for Property owned by Marion Dwight Roseman. - Staff requests acceptance of two sanitary sewer line easements for the property of Marion Dwight Roseman, described as PIN 3723-11-65-9478 and PIN 3723-11-65-9378 for installation of a sanitary sewer line. This temporary and permanent easement is necessary for completion of the Sherwood Forest Subdivision Sanitary Sewer Project. The easements were negotiated for one 4-inch sewer tap for each property in exchange for the easements, a total of two taps.

S. Approval of a Sanitary Sewer Easement for Property owned by Sarah Smith Kaylor. - Staff requests acceptance of a sanitary sewer line easement for the property of Sarah Smith Kaylor, described as PIN 3723-11-75-1537 for installation of a sanitary sewer line. This temporary and permanent easement is necessary for completion of the Sherwood Forest Subdivision Sanitary Sewer Project. The easement was negotiated for one 4-inch sewer tap in exchange for the easement.

T. Approval of a Sanitary Sewer Easement for Property owned by Greater Shekinah Glory Church. - Staff requests acceptance of a 25 foot temporary and 25 foot permanent sanitary sewer line easement for the property of Greater Shekinah Glory Church, described as PIN 3723-07-59-0715. This easement is necessary for the completion of the Random Woods Subdivision Sanitary Sewer Project. The easement was negotiated for one 1-inch water tap, one 4-inch sewer tap and $500 in exchange for the easement.

U. Approval of the Loan Agreement with the National Naval Aviation Museum for Loaned Property 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 National Naval Aviation Museum for over 15 years. The loan agreement with NNAM requires biennial recertification of the loaned property, which covers the period 2014-2016. The loaned property is assigned to the City of Hickory while the Hickory Aviation Museum holds full responsibility for the maintenance and exterior upkeep of said loan property including any associated costs. Staff recommends execution of the National Naval Aviation Museum Certification of Loan Government Property document.

V. Approval of an Amendment to the Economic Development Agreement with MAB Acquisitions, LLC for the Development of City Owned Property at Cloninger Mill Road and NC 127. - The Economic Development Agreement between the City and MAB Acquisitions, LLC was originally approved on second reading by Hickory City Council on March 21, 2014. This document contains a clause requiring the City to remove construction debris contained on the site and noted in a survey of the property within 30 days. The deadline to complete this action was May 4, 2014. Due to the extent of the construction debris on the site, and equipment failures, the City has not yet completed this action. The purchaser has not been able to conduct its required geotechnical and environmental analysis while the debris removal operation is underway. The Amendment to the Economic Development Agreement would extend the 120 day due diligence period by the amount of additional time needed to complete the debris removal. This will allow the City adequate time to complete the debris removal process while allowing the purchaser adequate time to conduct its required investigation of the site.

W. Approval of a request from Hickory Community Theatre for Funding for the Installation of a New Small Capacity Elevator at the Hickory Community Theatre Facility. -  Staff requests approval of a request from the Hickory Community Theatre to install a new small capacity elevator at the Hickory Community Theatre facility (aka, Old City Hall). This is a City-owned facility that does not currently have an elevator, so the facility is not ADA compliant. This elevator would give disabled patrons access to the Fireman’s Kitchen on the bottom floor, the main floor, and the 2rd floor office area. The anticipated cost of the installation of this elevator is $158,750. The Hickory Community Theatre has raised approximately $1 million for other improvements to this City-owned facility, which attracts 15,000 people annually to the downtown area. Funds are available in the City’s current year budget for this expense, so no budget amendment would be required. Additionally, the City will consider participating in some bathroom renovations on the bottom floor (which are also not ADA compliant) once the elevator project is complete and we know whether or not there are funds remaining. Staff recommends approval.



Informational Item
A. Report of Mayor Wright’s travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, North Carolina League of Municipalities Town Hall Day (Registration 45.00, Meal Per Diem $20.50)

B. Report of Alderman Zagaroli’s travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, North Carolina League of Municipalities Town Hall Day (Registration 55.00, Meal Per Diem $20.50)

New Business - Public Hearings
1. Resolution and Order for Petition of Stanford Place Associates, LLC to Close a Portion of the former Hickory North Crosstown Loop and 13th Street NE. - On May 2, 2014, Attorney Stephen L. Palmer presented a petition on behalf of Stanford Place Associates, LLC, one of the property owners of property abutting a portion of the former Hickory North Crosstown Loop and 13th Street NE. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on May 24, May 30, June 6, and June 13, 2014.

New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Bond Referendum

a. (1) Approval of a Resolution Directing Publication of Notice of Intent to Apply to the Local Government Commission.
(2) Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Staff to Apply to the Local Government Commission.
(3) Approval of a Resolution Making Certain Findings of Fact.

b. Approval of an Engagement Letter with Parker Poe as GO Bond Counsel. - The City of Hickory is considering a GO Bond Referendum in November 2014. One of the requirements in this process is the City to engage in Bond Counsel for the purposes of assisting the City in navigating all the legal requirements that will be involved. Parker Poe is the leading Bond Counsel firm in the United States. Their Charlotte office would be assisting us in this process. If the GO Bond Referendum passes, there will be no charge for services provided through November 2014. If the Referendum does not pass we will be billed at their hourly rate for services provided to that point, the total of which is estimated to be approximately $5,000. However, there will be a fee in the range of $25,000 per GO Bond issuance.

c. Approval of an Agreement with First Southwest Finance to Provide Financial Advisory Services to the City of Hickory Related to GO Bond Process. - The City of Hickory is considering a GO Bond Referendum in November 2014. One of the requirements in this process is for the City to engage a financial services firm for the purposes of guiding the City through the GO Bond process, particularly the General Obligation Bond Transaction Implementation Phase which occurs after the referendum has been
approved by the voters.

Reader Concerns about Inspiring Spaces

A few people who read this blog sent me e-mails about their concerns in regards to the Inspiring Spaces initiative and process, the referendum regarding it, and the taxes necessary to pay back the debts incurred in association with these projects. I list those concerns:

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(1) How can we be certain that the beautification efforts of the three cities in the report was the cause of their turnaround? Just because two things happen at the same time is no sign that one caused the other. What else might these cities have been doing as well that might have contributed to their success, perhaps even more. We need more information that we don’t have.

(2) At the federal level, a period of financial turmoil is right around the corner. Policies at the FED and with the federal government have guaranteed it. Is this the right time to be taking out a large loan, as you said Thom, perhaps borrowing something that cannot be repaid in the future? All the economists that you post, Thom, are urging citizens to pay off all their debts before this hits. Is this the right time to be considering a large loan that will have to be repaid with future taxes?

(3) The bond issue is far too large and far too open-ended for my taste. I have the impression that if it were passed, the Council would be in complete control on how and where it should be spent. It’s not in the same category as a water treatment plant bond that can be repaid with increased income from fees.

(4) In times of lean, I’ve always been taught that this is when you tighten your belt, eliminate the luxuries and concentrate on the necessities. A necessity is street repair because “a stitch in time saves nine” and this investment will save money in the long run. What items on the wish list could be considered things we need now?

(5) I do feel that not raising taxes on the new budget is a political ploy. Everyone understands that the cost of paving material has gone up considerably and most people want to see the higher cost reflected in the budget in a line item that can’t be fudged. I have an aversion to using a rainy day fund if it isn’t raining. If the Council feels that the fund is too large, future contributions should be curtailed instead of “spending it down.”

(6) The public-private partnership going on in Geitner Park is great. We should be encouraging this as much as we can. Every shopper in Hickory understands a 50% off sale!

(7) I like Harry’s (Hipps) comments about education and how it reflects on and influences all the other factors. I would rather see Hickory be known as the “education city” rather than the “city well-crafted.” We should be pulling out all the stops to give our citizens of all ages the education that will prepare them for the 21st Century. Isn’t this one of the important factors in attracting business to an area? The public-private partnership in this area has just begun and should be pushed even harder.

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If the Council establishes credibility on econ development (the good news is that they now see and acknowledge the problem), the public will go along with future projects if they make sense. The bottom line is that there is no rush. Mick Berry pointed out that they are not going to be done all at once anyway. There is not enough time to fully discuss the projects with the public by November. And some of the ideas need to be refocused. If my choice is the full enchilada or nothing, I will vote no.

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(Hound Note): About City Manager Mick Berry telling people about the surprise of Catawba Valley Boulevard being developed in 1987, by all indications City Manager Berry has never talked to the people responsible for that evolution. How can Manager Berry understand local Real Estate Development, when he hasn't spoken with the developers who made these local projects happen in the past?

City Manager Berry and Assistant City Manager Andrea Surratt are telling people in these "Citizen Briefings" that the Highway 321 Lakefront Park Walkway project is going to be the next Catawba Valley Boulevard. There are many concerns including the 321 bridge being rebuilt, the topography, the rail line, the fact that there are issues with the county lines (Burke and Catawba) and you are going to have to deal with three counties (including Caldwell) on some of these issues. You have a failed drug store, a failed grocery store, and two failed restaurants right there. You also have an issue with the aging population in that immediate vicinity and the marketplace that they provide.

There is also a concern/question about Governmental Employees taking over Real Estate development here in Hickory and deciding upon objectives and priorities. What qualifies them to do that?

Reality 2014

The Complete "Platform for a 21st Century Hickory" - August 31, 2013

Hickory Area Population Remains at a Standstill - April 9, 2014

Harry Hipps speaks about The Gallup-Healthways Survey - April 2, 2014

Hickory Metro 2014 - Tied for 4th Most Miserable in the United States - March 25, 2014

42.3% of the people in Catawba County have a job - February 8, 2014

The reality of our current Unemployment Numbers - with factual statistics - Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina - February 6, 2014

The Heat Goes On - Asia (1983)

This is where we are and have been 100 times before.




The Heat Goes On

You walk tall, got your head in the clouds
You talk soft, but you're thinking aloud
And you know, exactly what you want

You box shy, you're hard to get
You got the face that I can't forget
And you know, I know The Heat Goes On

I know that The Heat Goes On
I know that The Heat Goes On

You play tight, you're nobody's fool
You're not cold, but I know that you're cool
Look at you, I know The Heat Goes On

Now tell me, with your hand on you're heart
That you knew, you were right from the start
And you're sure, you felt it all along

You know that The Heat Goes On
You know that The Heat Goes On

Times to decide, times that I've lied
Problems will never be solved
Which way is wrong, which could be right?
This heat will always go on... on and on

You walk tall, got your head in the clouds
You talk soft, but you're thinking aloud
And you know, exactly what you want

You box shy, you're hard to get
You got the face that I'll never forget
You and I know, we know The Heat Goes On

You know that The Heat Goes On
You know that The Heat Goes On
(Jam)
You know that The Heat Goes On
You know that The Heat Goes On

Songwriters
WETTON, JOHN KENNETH/DOWNES, GEOFF

Published by
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

Economic Stories of Relevance in Today's World -- June 8, 2014

Hound Notes: This week we see more contrived numbers from the government saying that the economy is turning up this quarter, "Unemployment is going down dammit. Why don't you believe us. Why don't you trust us." Because you have proven youselves to be idiots and we can see that the emperor wears no clothes. The government has been manipulating everything to maintain control/power. There is no discipline with these people. They are out of control.

The below the surface numbers don't lie.  The seasonal numbers factor in unemployment is totally ambiguous and unrealistic. This is where the manipulation is taking place. The types of jobs being created do not create economic growth.  Retail sales continue to show negativity going forward. The middle class is tapped out with very little upside credit capacity. Without access to money, good and services will not be consumed and there is your reason for the lack of Economic growth.


More Phantom Jobs Created–All In The Wrong Places - Paul Craig Roberts - June 6, 2014 -
Last April I saw a report that 83% of May’s college graduates did not have a job. I remarked that in my day most of us had 2 or 3 job or graduate school offers before we graduated. The latest payroll jobs report issued on June 6 proves that the April report was true.                         My opinion, schooled in part by John Williams’ very precise reports on Shadowstats.com, is that on average about half of the new jobs each month are phantom jobs created by the birth-death model and inappropriate seasonal adjustments. So, I figured that the 217,000 jobs claimed for May are more like 108,000. Then I read John Williams’ report on the May jobs number: “Monthly payroll gains overstated by 200,000 plus jobs”                          In other words, there were zero new jobs in May.                        Just as the US government can turn an inconsequential Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria into dangerous threats against “the world’s only superpower,” the US government can turn zero jobs growth into 217,000 jobs. It is easy when you have a prostitute media and a gullible public, both of which Washington most certainly has.                        But let’s take the government data at face value.
First, consider the news report that finally as of May 2014 as many Americans had jobs
as had jobs in January 2008. That might seem like good news until you take into account that since January 2008 the US has experienced 6.5 years of population growth. Economists seem to have settled on population growth adding 129,000 people to the work force each month. That comes to 10,000,000 people. Where are their jobs? The “jobs recovery” doesn’t provide for the 10 millions who have come of working age since January 2008.                    We can conclude from this that the official 6.3 percent unemployment rate is nonsense. The unemployment rate is in the neighborhood of 23 percent as John Williams has established.


US Workers In The Prime 25-54 Age Group Are Still 2.6 Million Short Of Recovering Post-Crisis Job Losses - Zero Hedge - Tyler Durden- June 7, 2014 - Pundits may be trying to spin this Friday's jobs report as indicative of an ongoing recovery, emphasizing that as of May, all the jobs that were lost since December 2007 have now been recovered, or this chart...

However the same pundits fail to mention is that while it took the Fed some $2.7 trillion in incremental liquidity to regain all the lost jobs (and concurrently push the S&P to absolutely ridiculous record numbers), at the same time the US population, which grew by 14.8 million since December 2007, has lost a record 12.8 million people form the labor force, which remains at an all time high 92 million!                            Further digging into the data, here are two other things you won't hear from the permabulls: while the May job gain of 217K was respectable, breaking down the jobs by age group as shown by the household survey, shows that not only did the majority of the jobs go to the lowest paying wages for yet another month, but for Americans in their prime working years, those aged 25-54, May was a month in which some 110K workers either lost their jobs, or were moved into the oldest, 55-69 age group.                           Furthermore, while the total number of jobs may have recovered its post December 2007 losses, for Americans aged 25-54, there is still a long, long time to go, with the prime US age group still over 2.6 million jobs short of recovering all of its post December-2007 losses.


Wal-Mart faces big hurdles - Associated Press - ANNE D'INNOCENZI - June 5, 2014 - The world's largest retailer faces new challenges at a time when low prices and one-stop shopping can be a few clicks away on a tablet computer or mobile phone.                 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. built its reputation on everyday low prices and convenient supercenters that allow customers to do all their shopping in one place.                But revenue at established Wal-Mart stores in the U.S., which account for 60 percent of the company's total sales, has declined for five consecutive quarters. Meanwhile, the number of customers has fallen six quarters in a row.                 Like many other retail chains that cater to working-class Americans, Wal-Mart is a victim of an uneven economic recovery that has benefited well-heeled shoppers more than those in the lower-income rungs. Moreover, shoppers are no longer willing to spend hours in big supercenters. They're turning to online competitors like Amazon.com, dollar stores and pharmacies.                   Wal-Mart's annual shareholders' meeting on Friday could offer clues as to how Doug McMillon, who became Wal-Mart's CEO in February, plans to deal with the biggest issues Wal-Mart faces:                CASH-STRAPPED SHOPPERS In an interview with The Associated Press, Bill Simon, CEO and president of Wal-Mart's U.S. stores division, says the top concerns among its shoppers are lack of jobs and gas prices.                     Wal-Mart's customers also still are struggling with a 2 percentage point increase in the Social Security payroll tax since Jan. 1, 2013. Additionally, they're facing reductions in government food stamp benefits.                    As a result, Wal-Mart's customers have changed their shopping habits. They're switching to chicken from beef, and choosing lower-price brands or store labels on staples like detergent. But they do splurge for special holidays.                        "It's been very choppy as to how they choose to spend," Simon says.                      To combat this, Wal-Mart stocks up on small packages at the end of the month when money is tight for customers. It's also counting on a new money transfer service it says will cut fees for its low-income customers by up to 50 percent compared with similar services elsewhere.                            But America's Research Group's C. Britt Beemer asks: "How do you get more money from shoppers whose disposable income is less?"                  PRICE PRESSURE   Since the economic recovery, more stores are offering low prices, which has always been a centerpiece of Wal-Mart's success. As a result, Wal-Mart has had to focus more on cutting its prices.                        The move seems to be working. According to a Kantar Retail pricing survey conducted last October in the southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts area, Dollar General's basket of 21 categories across staples was 12 cents cheaper at $28.70 than at Wal-Mart. In the previous year, Dollar General was 18 percent cheaper.                      And in a separate study conducted a year ago, Amazon's prices on a basket of 59 items was actually 7 percent more expensive than Walmart.com and 16 percent pricier than at its supercenters.                       Analysts also praise Wal-Mart's Savings Catcher, an online tool that allows customers to compare Wal-Mart's prices on thousands of products with those of some competitors. If a lower price is found elsewhere, Wal-Mart refunds the difference in the form of a store credit. Wal-Mart plans to expand the tool nationwide after having tested it in seven markets since March.                      Still, low prices hurt sales and margins. For the latest quarter that ended on May 2, for instance, sales at Wal-Mart's U.S. stores that were open at least a year fell 0.1 percent...

Economist: U.S. Banks Preparing to Charge Customers For Deposits - Negative interest rates coming to USA - Infowars - Paul Joseph Watson -June 6, 2014 - In the week that the European Central Bank cut its deposit rate for banks from zero to -0.1%, economist Martin Armstrong warns that negative interest rates are coming to the United States, meaning that Americans will be forced to pay just to keep their money in the bank.                            In a move described as unprecedented, the ECB became the first central bank in history to cut any main interest rate to negative yesterday, part of a package of measures designed to encourage banks to provide more loans to businesses and households. Many view the policy as a desperate sign of Europe’s faltering economic recovery.

Critics claim that the action will do little to spur growth while threatening to cause inflation and unemployment. While banks in the EU have not indicated whether or not the costs will be passed on to consumers, the New York Times’ Neil Irwin asserts that this is inevitable.                          “Banks will most likely pass these negative interest rates on to consumers, or at least try to. They may try to do so not by explicitly charging a negative interest rate, but by paying no interest and charging a fee for account maintenance,” he writes.                      What about Americans? Will they also soon be charged by the bank simply for depositing their own money? Yes, according to economist Martin Armstrong.                        Armstrong, who is noted for calling the 1987 economic crash to the very day, warns that U.S. banks are preparing a raft of new account fees that will serve as a de facto negative interest rate.                           “In the USA, we are more-likely-than-not going to get the negative rates directly passed to consumers by the banks who will claim it is the Fed who will do so at the requests of the banks. Larry Summers has set the stage. This is just how it works. He flew the balloon to get everyone ready. This is likely to be bullish for the stock market,” writes Armstrong, noting that, “The talk behind the curtain is to impose negative interest rates on the consumer.”

 GLOBAL MELTDOWN TO BE WORSE THAN 2008, GOLD & MUCH MORE - David Stockman:  - King World News - June 6, 2014 - Former Dir. of the US Office of Management and Budget, Economic Policy Maker, Politician, Financier & Acclaimed Author - After leaving the White House, Stockman had a 20-year career on Wall Street where he joined Salomon Bros. He later became one of the original partners at New York-based private equity firm, The Blackstone Group and in 1999 started his own private equity fund based in Greenwich, Connecticut. Defying right- and left-wing boxes, his latest book a New York Times best-seller, The Great Deformation: The Corruption of Capitalism in America (2013), Stockman lays out how the U.S. has devolved from a free market economy into one fatally deformed by Washington’s endless fiscal largesse, K-street lobbies and Fed sponsored bailouts and printing press money. 
(Link to the Audio of the Interview from King World News)

Spent: Looking For Change (Documentary)

 Turning to pawn shops, check cashing services, and using payday loans to meet basic financial needs can be costly for many of us, with $89 billion a year going to fees and interest* for using these types of alternative financial services.                     It's time for change. New technology, new ideas and encouraging dialogue around this issue can help make managing money simple and more affordable.                 American Express is presenting this documentary to help improve financial inclusion in the United States. Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim is the executive producer of the documentary which is narrated by Tyler Perry and directed by Derek Doneen.

*Source: CFSI, November 2013 Market Sizing Report
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Newsletter about the City Council meeting of June 3, 2014

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.

Agenda about the City Council meeting of June 3, 2014

Thoughts about the Hickory City Council meeting - June 3, 2014




Invocation by Rev. Antonio Logan, Pastor Friendship Baptist Church

Persons Requesting to be Heard

Mr. Cliff Moone, appeared before Council in an official role as the Chairman of the Democratic Party. On the April 27th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party, a motion was made after some very edifying discussion about Inspiring Spaces initiative, and passed unanimously, to state that the citizens of Hickory should be allowed to vote on a bond referendum before or against the Inspiring Spaces concept. He stated that he was required to bring that before Council.

Mr. James Thomas Shell, addressed Council.  
                                       -  In the Chamber - JT Shell speaks to council


Consent Agenda: Passed unanimously with the exception of Item G, which was postponed to a later date.


New Business - Public Hearings
1. Voluntary Satellite Annexation of 1218 Bugle Lane. - Mr. Jeremiah Turbeville, and wife Tanya Turbeville have submitted a petition for the voluntary satellite annexation of .479 acres of property

2. City Manager’s FY2014-2015 Recommended Annual Budget. - Pursuant to NC General Statutes §159-12(b), a public hearing shall be held before adopting the budget ordinance. This public hearing was advertised in a newspaper having general circulation in the Hickory area on May 24, 2014.

*** Link to the Video of City Manager Budget Presentation
*** Link to the Council Discussion of the proposed Tax Increase (rejected)    

          *** City Manager's Proposed Budget presentation from May 20, 2014


New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Mack McLeod, Presentation of Zahra’s Tree House. - As part of the City’s fully-accessible Zahra Baker All Children’s Playground, a tree house was conceived to add tremendous value to the facility at Kiwanis Park.  Steve Aaron Fundraising Chairman

2. Vacant Building Revitalization and Demolition Grant for Holbrook Landscaping for Property Located at 2146 Highland Avenue. - Holbrook Landscaping, LLC has applied for a Vacant Building Revitalization Grant in the amount of $30,000 to assist in the renovation of a former mill building

3. Citizen Briefing - The City Manager and Assistant City Manager Andrea Surratt are briefing
citizens as neighborhoods, businesses, civic and general public meetings.

Citizen Review - Power Point Presentation 
Ridgeview Citizen Review - Thoughts about the Ridgeview Citizen Review meeting
Citizens Briefing Presentation - 04/29/2014
20140603 - Hal Row 's First Talk - Budget, Inspiring Spaces, & Bond Referendum



General Comments
Alderman Meisner commented that he and Alderman Lail; that Council had appointed through the MPO, had their meeting last week, and three good projects vaulted to the top of the list. Lenoir-Rhyne Boulevard is going to get a new northwest quadrant turn. The area where everybody has to turn left, west, now they will be moving around. Also, the 321 bridge, 171 million dollars.  
Mayor Wright commented that needs to be the priority.
Mayor Wright announced Tastin’, Tunes & Tomatoes, every Thursday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Farmers Market. It will include Yoga on the Square, Painting on the Square, Wildskeins Yarn and
Soaps. He stated that former City Councilwoman Sally Fox had requested this public announcement.
Mayor Wright commented that we had the honor of being named one of the top ten cities in North
Carolina to live. It was by an organization called Credit Donkey. We were listed 9th for all of the
reasons that we know, many of the reasons we know this is a great place to live. Short commutes, low random crime. Number 9, we are in company with places like Asheville and many others that are enviable. He was in Raleigh on Sunday and read the Raleigh paper. There was an interested article on Rocky Mount. He encouraged everyone to google it and to read the article, and it would give you a flavor for another city that is going through many of the things that we have only, believe it or not, the outcomes for them has been worse than we have had. Alderman Seaver commented that in his observance of the Zahra Baker playground, nobody worked any harder than Mayor Wright of getting that to happen.
Mayor Wright commented that he is so proud. When we think of Zahra Baker, and that tragedy, we now think of something very pleasant, and not a roadside monument.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hound Note: Nothing to add. There has been plenty of info provided in association with this meeting and the various subjects over the last several days. Click on the links. Do your research. There is plenty to see here. This was a very complex meeting on a lot of levels. Plenty of layers to the onion to discover here.

20140603 - Hal Row 's First Talk - Budget, Inspiring Spaces, & Bond Referendum

The following are two interviews of Hickory City Officials on 1290 WHKYam Radio's First talk program with Hal Row. The  first part is a segment called "Get Hip to Hickory" and it occurs every Wednesday morning. Hal speaks to Dana Kaminske, who is Hickory Inc.'s Assistant Communications Director, about what occurred at the previous night's City Council meeting.

Ms. Kaminske talks about the 2014-15 budget and the rejected 2¢ property tax increase. She talks about the upcoming Bond Referendum and the Inspiring Spaces initiative.


The second part is from the second hour Of Hal's June 3rd program in which he speaks with City Manager Mick Berry and Assistant City Manager Andrea Surratt about the Inspiring Spaces initiative and the proposed upcoming Bond Referendum, which will take place in November.

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.


Dana Kaminske




Mick Berry and Andrea Surratt




Previous Discussions involving Inspiring Spaces and the Bond Referendum
Citizen Review - Power Point Presentation 

Ridgeview Citizen Review - Thoughts about the Ridgeview Citizen Review meeting

Citizens Briefing Presentation - 04/29/2014

20131217 - Overview of Concept Plan: Main Av Presented by Assistant City Manager Andrea Surratt