City Council Meeting – October 12, 2009
October 12, 2009 – 12:56 pmOctober 12, 2009
The City Council met in regular session on October 12, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Members Present
Mayor Bob Hovis; Council Members: Wayne Massagee, Melanie Colvin, Becky Smith, Jim Long, Kay McCathen and Marilyn Best. City Manager Allan Farris and City Attorney David Smith were also present.
Call to Order, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Hovis called the meeting to order and led in the opening prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Adjustment & Approval of October Agenda
Upon motion by Wayne Massagee and second by Jim Long, “A Domestic Violence Proclamation” was unanimously added to the agenda as a Special Presentation.
Special Presentations
The following Proclamations were read aloud by Mayor Hovis:
A) National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - The Proclamation was unanimously adopted by motion of Marilyn Best and second by Becky Smith.
B) Medical Assistants Recognition Week - The Proclamation was unanimously adopted by motion of Kay McCathen and second by Melanie Colvin.
C) Domestic Violence Proclamation - The Proclamation was unanimously adopted by motion of Wayne Massagee and second by Jim Long. (Copies of all proclamations are on file at City Hall).
Approval of Minutes
By motion of Marilyn Best and second by Becky Smith, the minutes of the September 14, 2009 meeting were unanimously approved.
Consent Agenda
The following items of the “Consent Agenda” were unanimously approved by motion of Becky Smith and second by Kay McCathen:
A) Overnight Travel Request - Approved overnight travel request for the Recreation Director to attend the 2009 Parks & Recreation Association’s Annual Conference in Winston Salem on November 15-18.
B) Municipal Agreement & Resolution for Bridge Inspection - Approved the Agreement and Resolution between the Department of Transportation and the City for the inspection of bridges on the Municipal Street System in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards.
C) Resolution Opposing Various Electricity Rate Increases - Approved a Resolution opposing the general rate increase for which Duke Energy has applied to the NC Utilities Commission. If approved, actual implementation is not anticipated until January, 2010.
D) Purchase Agreement for Property at 110 E. Georgia Avenue - Approved a Purchase Agreement in the amount of $4,000 for property at 110 E. Georgia Avenue owned by Stanley and Edith Sims. The City has a storm drain that crosses the property.
Recycling Report
Marcie Smith, Gaston County Recycling Administrator addressed recycling issues and the new bans for landfills. The three new bans for landfills recently instituted by the State are motor oil filters, wooden pallets and plastic bottles. Ms. Smith advised that the current bans were an issue; however, at present there’s not much teeth being put into enforcement of the bans on the local level. No one is going to come and look through your trash, but sooner or later the landfill will have the option of charging more or refusing the load. Ms. Smith also reported that a Recycling Work Group was formed to discuss recycling possibilities for Gaston County and its jurisdictions. The group met in August and came up with a number of ideas. An additional meeting is planned for October 27 to discuss the information that will be presented to elected officials on recycling options. Centralina Council of Governments, in cooperation with the Gaston County Recycling Work Group, received a grant to develop recycling options for the county. These options will be discussed at the Elected Officials Seminar on Monday, November 30, 2009 and elected officials will explore opportunities to increase recycling and reduce waste management costs through the County. Ms. Smith encouraged all elected officials to attend the meeting. In closing, Ms. Smith addressed questions regarding monies being set aside toward the purchase of property for a new landfield site, disposal of fluorescent lighting and cardboard.
Water Line & Storm Drainage Improvement Bids
A Bid Opening was held on October 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM at City Hall for the following two projects: Contract 1.0) 6-inch water line replacement on 13th Street, Maryland Avenue and Sherwood Drive and 2.0) Storm drainage improvements on Georgia Avenue. Bids received were as follows:
Contractor; Contract 1.0; Contract 2.0
Advanced Development Concepts; $152,208.71; $59,074.42
Custom Paving; 323,333.73; 48,586.99
Davis Grading, Inc.; 126,835.50; 33,198.00
Dellinger, Inc.; 178,244.00; 70,224.00
Edwards Pipeline; 167,990.90; 220,942.90
Foothills Water & Sewer, Inc.; 173,087.20
Hickory Sand Company, Inc.; 179,646.50; 38,443.00
Huffman Grading; 176,726.00; 31,930.00
Kennedy Concrete & Utilities, Inc.; 140,256.60; 24,030.00
Locke-Lane Construction; 183,425.00; 39,497.40
Marvin Hoyle Construction; 142,747.00; 33,450.00
Neill Grading Construction Company; 174,135.50; 77,300.00
Pioneer Utilities & Plumbing, Inc.; 206,965.00; 46,656.00
Spur Construction; 215,325.00; 47,150.00
United Construction, Inc.; 156,359.50; 27,880.00
Hazen & Sawyer tabulated and reviewed the bids and they, along with staff, recommended approval of the low bids as follows: Contract 1.0 - Water Line Replacement - Davis Grading, $126,835.50 and Contract 2.0 - Storm Drainage Improvements - Kennedy Concrete & Utilities, $24,030.00. Council unanimously approved the low bids (for both projects) as recommended by motion of Becky Smith and second by Jim Long.
Ordinance to Amend City Code (Solicitors & Peddlers)
This item was recently discussed in August and again in September when the City Planner provided Council with an ordinance used by the Town of Davidson that he felt would work well for the City. The changes recommended by Council were addressed and the draft ordinance was presented for final review and adoption. The Planner outlined the draft ordinance as follows:
1) All solicitors must have prior permission or invitation from the home owner to enter upon premises. Charitable, civic, religious and patriotic persons would be exempt from this rule.
2) All solicitors must obtain a permit from City Hall.
3) All solicitors must provide a $1,000 surety bond. Charitable, civic, religious, and patriotic persons are exempt from the bond requirement.
4) Permits are valid for a 14 day period.
During discussion, Council Member Massagee requested that Public Safety (fire, rescue and police) be added to the list of exemptions. The City Planner advised that Public Safety could be considered as civic for exemption purposes. Upon motion by Becky Smith and second by Kay McCathen, Council unanimously adopted an Ordinance to amend the City Code and enact Chapter 118 for regulation of Solicitors and Peddlers. (Copy on file in Ordinance/Resolution Book at City Hall).
Approval of Small Area Plan for Downtown & Edgewood Road Gateway Plan
The Small Area Plan for Downtown and the Edgewood Road Gateway Plan was presented to City Council on August 10, 2009 by Deb Ryan of Ryan-Harris Consultants. The recommendations contained in the plans are based upon the Strategic Vision Plan, Marketing Study and Land Use Plan that was recently adopted. Each plan was developed with extensive public input involving the local Steering Committee, public meetings, and online through Wikiplanning. City Planner Kevin Krouse spoke briefly on the plans and advised that they are not ordinances, but a working document and guide for future plans. If adopted, he will begin bringing items before City Council for approval. The Plans were unanimously adopted by motion of Marilyn Best and second by Jim Long. (Copy on file in the Planning Department).
Discussion of Kiser Unitrust Fund Committee
As reported at the September Council meeting, the City has received the Kiser trust funds in the amount of $740,275.09. The Recreation Director addressed Council at that meeting to discuss possible directions the City could take to utilize the trust funds. He spelled out options which include renovating the current community center or construction of a new center and recommended that a committee of Council, staff and citizens be formed to look at all options. Mayor Hovis said he had reviewed plans for the renovation of the present community center which basically still centered around one big room with limited space for expansion of kitchen and bathroom facilities. He advised that he would draw up a committee for Council review and asked that names of interested citizens be sent to him. The Mayor said that he would still like to see how the current facility is used and to what extent and the revenue received.
City Attorney Report - Sales Tax Distribution Agreement
The City Attorney reported that the sales tax distribution agreement with Gaston County has not been finalized. He had spoken with the County Attorney and the City Attorney for Gastonia and was advised that the agreements are being drafted and should be ready for approval by the November Council meeting.
Discussion of “Open Items” (The City Manager reported on the following “Open Items”)
Bessemer City Optimist Agreement - The agreement is now complete, signed and filed.
Sale of Property (N. 14th Street) - This item is ongoing, but Carpenter’s Real Estate has reported that some interest has been shown in the property.
LED Sign - A part had to be ordered to repair the sign and the lamp post is in the works.
Council General Discussion
Spay/Neuter Clinic doing well; street light outages are being repaired and it’s appreciated; Community-wide Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at First Baptist Church on November 21; who handles maintenance/repairs on Boys & Girls Club (big tree hanging over building needs trimming); crime in Bessemer City (reports in Gazette); Halloween coming - keep kids safe; Mayor read a thank you note from Hannah Baldwin who received a special award at the September meeting; City Manager reported on the Health Department’s intent to hold drive through clinics for citizens to receive their H1N1 virus vaccinations (one possible at Sadler School on November 8).
Adjourn
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM by motion of Marilyn Best, second by Wayne Massagee and unanimous vote.
Janice M. Costner, City Clerk; William R. Hovis, Mayor
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