1
00:00:01,199 --> 00:00:08,160
All right. Good evening and welcome to
the September 1st, 2026 meeting of the

2
00:00:05,359 --> 00:00:12,880
Hickory City Council. At this time, I
would like to ask the Reverend Melissa

3
00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:18,240
Sparks to the podium from Unitaria
Universalist Church of Kataba Valley uh

4
00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:22,800
for our invocation. I would ask that if
you're able to please stand for the

5
00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:27,160
invocation and remain standing after the
invocation for the pledge of allegiance.

6
00:00:27,199 --> 00:00:35,280
Spirit of life and love, God of many
names, we give thanks today for each of

7
00:00:32,399 --> 00:00:40,160
the servant leaders gathered here who
have each answered yes in their own way

8
00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:44,399
to serving our community.
We remember today all of those in our

9
00:00:42,239 --> 00:00:49,680
shared city who are struggling to meet
their basic needs. Those who are hungry,

10
00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:54,320
those who will weather extreme heat this
week without adequate shelter. May those

11
00:00:52,559 --> 00:00:58,800
who are suffering be remembered as
decisions are being made today.

12
00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:05,119
We remember too that while there are
many ways we think differently in this

13
00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:10,880
room, we share a desire to live in a
safe community, a kind community, and a

14
00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:16,560
community where people can thrive and be
happy. May those who serve here have the

15
00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:21,439
courage to listen deeply, especially to
voices that are easy to overlook. May

16
00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:26,400
they have the wisdom to consider not
only what is possible, but what is just.

17
00:01:24,479 --> 00:01:31,680
May they have patience when solutions
are complicated and humility when

18
00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:35,759
answers are not clear.
And may all of us who call this city

19
00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:40,960
home remember that our community is
something we create together in the

20
00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:45,360
decisions made in this room, in the ways
we care for our neighbors, and in the

21
00:01:43,439 --> 00:01:48,960
small acts of kindness that make a place
feel like home.

22
00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:54,320
May the work of this council be guided
by compassion, wisdom, courage, and a

23
00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:58,640
deep commitment to the flourishing of
all who live here. In the name of the

24
00:01:57,040 --> 00:02:01,759
sacred love that holds and guides us
all. Amen.

25
00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:06,880
» Amen.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

26
00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:12,879
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation

27
00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:16,951
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. [clears throat]

28
00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:27,440
Okay. Uh, we don't have any special
presentations this evening. So, I'll

29
00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:31,760
skip down to item number five on the
agenda and ask if there is anyone

30
00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:35,400
present this evening that would like to
address the council.

31
00:02:35,519 --> 00:02:41,440
As always, we allow a time at the
beginning of our meeting for anyone that

32
00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:45,920
would like to address the council the
opportunity to be able to do so. And uh

33
00:02:44,239 --> 00:02:51,040
you don't have to wait until a council
meeting. Our council members are make

34
00:02:48,239 --> 00:02:54,480
themselves available uh practically any
time. Uh if you just let them know if

35
00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:57,360
you need to speak to one of us, we make
ourselves available. But if you would

36
00:02:55,920 --> 00:03:02,239
like to speak in front of the entire
council at each meeting during this

37
00:02:59,599 --> 00:03:05,599
time, we allow you that opportunity. So
there doesn't appear to be anyone that

38
00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:10,080
would like to address the council this
evening. The next item on our agenda is

39
00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:13,519
approval of our regular meeting of
August the 18th, 2026. and I'll

40
00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:14,959
entertain a motion.
>> So moved.

41
00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:19,519
» Second.
>> All right, we have a motion and a

42
00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:22,239
second. Is there any further discussion?
All those in favor, please say I.

43
00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:27,920
» I.
>> Any opposed like sign? That carries

44
00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:31,280
unanimously. The next item on our agenda
is the reaffirmation ratification on

45
00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:33,920
second readings. And once again, I'll
entertain a motion.

46
00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:37,680
» So move second.
>> We have a motion and a second. Is there

47
00:03:35,599 --> 00:03:43,599
any further discussion?
>> All those in favor, please say I. I.

48
00:03:40,319 --> 00:03:48,319
» Any opposed? like sign that also carries
unanimously. Item number eight is our

49
00:03:46,319 --> 00:03:52,799
consent agenda. I'll ask if there's any
member of council or staff that would

50
00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:54,640
like to have any item removed from the
consent agenda.

51
00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:59,519
» Yes, sir.
>> Approval.

52
00:03:55,760 --> 00:04:03,840
» I've got one. I'm sorry. Uh item E. Um
I'd like to remove that. Uh it's for

53
00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:07,680
navigation easements at the airport and
have you consider that during the

54
00:04:05,599 --> 00:04:11,120
departmental report uh with Chad
Hunucker. He's going to go into a little

55
00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:14,879
bit more u detail on that.
>> Okay. All right. [clears throat] With

56
00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:16,959
the exception of item E, did I hear a
motion?

57
00:04:15,599 --> 00:04:21,280
» So moved. Second.
>> All right. We have a motion and a

58
00:04:18,639 --> 00:04:24,000
second. Any further discussion?
>> All those in favor, please say I.

59
00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:28,479
» I.
>> Any opposed? Like sign.

60
00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:36,880
» All right. That carries unanimously with
the exception of item E. Uh, next on the

61
00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:41,280
agenda is our uh, public hearing our for
and we have one public hearing this

62
00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:43,919
evening. Uh, so to introduce our public
hearing, I'll turn it over to our city

63
00:04:42,639 --> 00:04:47,040
manager, Mr. Warren Woo.
>> Thank you, Mayor G, members, city

64
00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:52,320
council, Mr. Swanson. The one public
hearing tonight is consideration of the

65
00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:56,720
fiscal year 2526 consolidated annual
performance and evaluation report, also

66
00:04:54,479 --> 00:04:59,600
known as the caper, for submission as
required by the US Department of Housing

67
00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:05,160
and Urban Development. It'll be
presented by business development

68
00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:05,160
director Dave Leonetti.

69
00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:16,000
» Thank you, Mr. Wood, mayor guest,
members of council, Mr. Swanson. Uh

70
00:05:11,039 --> 00:05:20,240
tonight I'm here to present the uh as uh
as Warren said, the consolidated annual

71
00:05:17,759 --> 00:05:26,160
performance evaluation report. A couple
months ago, um AnnaBth was up here in

72
00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:32,400
front of y'all um with our annual action
plan and that's the plan for the coming

73
00:05:29,280 --> 00:05:37,039
year, the current 2026 2027 fiscal year
that we're in. Then 90 days after our

74
00:05:35,199 --> 00:05:42,960
current program year or our previous
program year is finished, we submit a

75
00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:49,120
performance evaluation report to HUD.
This is fairly dry reading. Um it's

76
00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:53,039
basically all the information about what
we spent our money on, what we uh and

77
00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:57,919
what we accomplished during the past
year. Um as an entitlement community,

78
00:05:56,320 --> 00:06:01,199
the city of Hickory is an entitlement
community for community development

79
00:05:59,199 --> 00:06:05,680
block grant funds because we are one of
the three principal cities of the

80
00:06:03,039 --> 00:06:10,560
Hickory Lenor Morganton metropolitan
statistical area. That means we get

81
00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:16,160
funding directly from HUD every year
instead of smaller municipalities that

82
00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:20,240
have to u apply for grants through the
North Carolina Department of Commerce

83
00:06:17,759 --> 00:06:25,199
through their small cities program. Um
and again the the year under

84
00:06:21,919 --> 00:06:30,400
consideration is July 1st 2025 to June
30th 2026.

85
00:06:27,759 --> 00:06:34,639
Overall, the the majority of our
spending from last year was the

86
00:06:32,319 --> 00:06:38,400
improvements to Hickory Optimus Park.
That included fencing, paving,

87
00:06:36,639 --> 00:06:43,759
construction of the new dog park, some
picnic tables, um, and a lot of, uh,

88
00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:50,160
some trail connections to the existing
trails within that park. We've got a

89
00:06:46,639 --> 00:06:54,479
couple of that opened right at um, July
4th uh, weekend, I believe, um, was when

90
00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:59,360
that that opened. And there's some
photographs of the finished product out

91
00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:04,080
there. It was conversion of a former
baseball field into um [clears throat]

92
00:07:01,840 --> 00:07:08,560
grass area for for dogs and then some
other places for folks to just walk and

93
00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:13,199
enjoy the park.
Um other spending included our housing

94
00:07:11,039 --> 00:07:20,240
rehabilitation program that was
$110,000. That was two homes. Um that

95
00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:25,360
number does include our uh some a final
payment on a home that was finished in

96
00:07:22,479 --> 00:07:33,759
the previous fiscal year along with the
funds to administer the program. um fair

97
00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:38,960
housing. Uh we um every April we declare
fair housing month and help citizens uh

98
00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:46,000
be aware of their rights under the Fair
Housing Act. And we also purchased some

99
00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:51,120
advertising in local newspapers um to in
and social media to inform people of

100
00:07:48,479 --> 00:07:56,479
their fair housing rights. And then um
$36,000 was for program administration

101
00:07:53,919 --> 00:08:01,919
during the last year. Um that's for
staff time to administer the program. Um

102
00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:06,479
then there's $51,500
of public service activities. The US

103
00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:11,599
Department of Housing and Urban
Development, they allow us to spend up

104
00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:17,360
to 15% of our project grant and previous
year program income on public service

105
00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:22,000
activities. Um and this past year, um it
we were able to work with seven

106
00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:28,879
different local nonprofits that assist
low and moderate income individuals. Um,

107
00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:32,159
Alpha, they work with uh um HIV and AIDS
patients to help keep them. They do

108
00:08:30,479 --> 00:08:36,959
medical case management to keep them in
care. Exodus Homes helps their residents

109
00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:41,440
find employment and transportation.
Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, that

110
00:08:39,279 --> 00:08:46,320
is their summer camp and their
afterchool program. The Soup Kitchen is

111
00:08:44,560 --> 00:08:51,600
the the meals that they serve and the
food bank that they operate. Kataba

112
00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:57,839
Science Center. They operate a portal to
science program they call it that

113
00:08:53,519 --> 00:09:02,000
provides um lowcost memberships for low
and moderate income households and

114
00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:07,279
scholarships to take advantage of their
summer camps. The Women's Resource

115
00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:13,440
Center, they provide case management um
supplies and different support to women

116
00:09:10,399 --> 00:09:18,560
in crisis um especially homeless women.
Um and then Greater Hickory Greater

117
00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:24,399
Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry
um received $7,500. Um and that is for

118
00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:30,240
their homeless ministry that where they
help um the homeless find housing

119
00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:36,560
showers. They help them set up mailboxes
um and other social work activities.

120
00:09:33,680 --> 00:09:42,240
um in this current fiscal year um that
you'll be reading about or in next

121
00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:47,279
year's report, we're working um we're we
should be hopefully going under contract

122
00:09:43,839 --> 00:09:51,680
soon to do some uh HVAC improvements at
the Ridge View Recreation Center. Um

123
00:09:49,279 --> 00:09:56,480
you'll notice we didn't have any small
business or microenterprise loans last

124
00:09:54,240 --> 00:10:02,240
year, but we've council has already
approved one in this fiscal year. you

125
00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:06,320
will have two more at your next u next
city council meeting on September 15th

126
00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:11,440
and we've got one other one in the
pipeline. So, the word is getting out

127
00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:14,880
about about that program and we've got
um a lot of good good ways that we can

128
00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:19,600
help our low and moderate income
business owners buy equipment and get

129
00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:24,480
receive marketing and support for their
small businesses. Um and then we'll

130
00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:27,680
continue the housing rehab program. One
thing I'll also mention, it's not

131
00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:31,120
included in those numbers, but we
receive funding from the North Carolina

132
00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:35,839
Housing Finance Agency for our urgent
repair program. That's a fully

133
00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:39,839
forgivable loan that we have for low and
moderate income homeowners with special

134
00:10:38,079 --> 00:10:44,880
needs.
They we were able to assist 13

135
00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:49,920
homeowners last fiscal year with that.
So, 15 total homeowners were supported

136
00:10:47,279 --> 00:10:54,800
through our rehab efforts. Um, and then
we have, uh, funding in the budget for,

137
00:10:52,880 --> 00:11:00,240
um, additional grants to nonprofit
public service agencies next year.

138
00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:04,079
With that, um, I'd be happy to answer
any questions you may have.

139
00:11:01,680 --> 00:11:10,640
» How often do you get other nonprofits
that come and want to apply?

140
00:11:06,399 --> 00:11:15,440
» Um, we receive a good amount of, uh, we
we receive requests for more than we're

141
00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:20,320
able to fund um, every year. We have to
be careful to um our citizens advisory

142
00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:24,160
committee reviews those requests um and
and staff also reviews them. We have to

143
00:11:22,079 --> 00:11:29,680
be careful not to duplicate services and
ensure that all the nonprofits have the

144
00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:32,640
capacity to to deal with all the federal
uh red tape and requirements and all

145
00:11:31,680 --> 00:11:36,880
that.
>> I have a question and thanks for what

146
00:11:34,399 --> 00:11:42,959
you do Dave. Um and you mentioned that
it was 13 homes for the low moderate

147
00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:46,800
income rehabilitation. So is that um
usually around about the number of homes

148
00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:52,399
that we usually help or what can we
compare it to last year?

149
00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:56,480
» So the 13 homes is um right around what
we normally do with our urgent repair.

150
00:11:54,000 --> 00:12:01,680
And then last year we had two for our
housing rehab, the more traditional um

151
00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:06,320
deferred loan program that we offer. But
um this year we currently have three in

152
00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:10,560
the pipeline and a couple more. So we
this year I think it a lot of it's just

153
00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:14,480
timing. Um, we've got a few that were
approved in kind of that May June time

154
00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:21,040
frame that are getting started now. So,
I would anticipate probably four to five

155
00:12:17,839 --> 00:12:24,839
um with that plus another 13 or so from
the urgent repair program.

156
00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:31,200
» All right, I have two questions. Um, of
the seven not for profofits that were on

157
00:12:29,519 --> 00:12:34,560
the list, are any of those first-time
recipients of this month of of these

158
00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:38,959
grants?
>> Not first time. Um I think women's

159
00:12:36,959 --> 00:12:44,560
resource center was this may have been
their second second time.

160
00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:48,800
» Okay. And secondly, are there geographic
parameters on how we can use money that

161
00:12:46,959 --> 00:12:52,399
we use directly? Say for instance, the
Hickory Optimus Park, are there

162
00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:56,720
parameters in terms of geography where
that money can be used?

163
00:12:53,680 --> 00:12:59,680
» Yes sir. Um our funding through the US
Department of Housing Urban Development,

164
00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:03,920
they want to ensure that our funding
benefits low and moderate income

165
00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:07,200
individuals. Um, and those
infrastructure and facility improvement

166
00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:12,959
projects, they qualify under what's
known as the area benefit category. And

167
00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:19,279
we can spend that funding in areas where
the service area of the facility or the

168
00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:23,200
improvement, 51% of those people um are
in of the population of the service area

169
00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:26,560
low and moderate income.
>> Okay. And the grants that we make to the

170
00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:31,519
not for profofits, they're not under
those same obligations. Correct. that is

171
00:13:29,279 --> 00:13:38,000
they are funded through the low and
moderate income clientele. Um so

172
00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:42,160
basically at least 51% of the clientele
that benefit from the program have to be

173
00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:45,839
low and moderate income. So depending
they either have to assign a

174
00:13:43,519 --> 00:13:50,560
self-certification that speaks to their
household income or they are certain

175
00:13:48,639 --> 00:13:56,959
categories are presumed low and moderate
income such as homeless um and um

176
00:13:54,880 --> 00:14:00,320
persons living with HIV and AIDS and and
some other categories

177
00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:04,800
» and HUD is responsible for I'm going to
use the word audit. I'm going to use

178
00:14:01,839 --> 00:14:10,240
that loosely um for tracking that making
sure that those those um those things

179
00:14:07,519 --> 00:14:14,560
are being met. Yes, we the city is
responsible as the as the recipient of

180
00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:18,720
the funds for making sure that we
monitor all of our subreients. Our staff

181
00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:21,920
goes out every year.
>> That answers my question. Okay, great.

182
00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:24,399
Well, thank you. Thank you for the
answers and thank you for what you do.

183
00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:30,160
You're welcome. Thank you.
>> I have one more question. the uh 329,000

184
00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:34,399
plus that
>> um went into certainly the Hickory

185
00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:41,519
Optimus um park
>> now um I guess in the grant that

186
00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:46,160
we get that amount that's allocated for
infrastructure correct

187
00:14:42,959 --> 00:14:50,720
» we get we can spend the money on the the
city has the ability as an entitlement

188
00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:56,399
community to spend funding on anything
that meets a national objective um and

189
00:14:53,839 --> 00:15:01,519
then that was over the LA we did not, if
you'll like going back to the previous

190
00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:06,880
year, we basically stacked two years of
public infrastructure funding together

191
00:15:03,519 --> 00:15:12,639
to um to get the money to do the uh the
more recent one. Our entitlement grant

192
00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:19,120
this year is right around $363,000
and we receive it. It varies between 100

193
00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:22,959
and $175,000
in program income

194
00:15:21,199 --> 00:15:26,000
from repayment of loans and other
activities. So that's kind of the money

195
00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:31,519
that we're working with
>> and and I know our our objective goal is

196
00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:38,959
certainly to hit all four corners of
Hickory and so um each year uh what is

197
00:15:36,079 --> 00:15:45,279
the process as it relates to which
particular neighborhood or area um is

198
00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:49,519
going to benefit from the 300 now
$60,000.

199
00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:53,440
» Yeah. So um as Mr. Wood um alluded to
with his question, we have um that we

200
00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:57,680
qualify these facility improvements
under the area benefit category. So

201
00:15:55,120 --> 00:16:04,480
there's certain census tracks that have
that are you know potentially eligible

202
00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:10,480
for those those improvements. Then we um
as staff we have public meetings to um

203
00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:15,199
the if you'll remember the um in Optimus
Park about 12 13 years ago um the

204
00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:19,680
community building that was built there
was requested by the Green Park

205
00:16:17,279 --> 00:16:24,480
neighborhood association in one of those
public public meetings. So our internal

206
00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:29,199
staff and in conjunction with the input
we get from the public look through

207
00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:33,360
which parks may be eligible for the
funding and then we kind of try to go

208
00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:38,240
through all of those different areas. We
spent money in Cliff Teague Park. We've

209
00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:42,800
spent a great deal in Taff Broom Park
and obviously this year at the Ridgeview

210
00:16:39,839 --> 00:16:47,680
Recreation Center. So um West Hickory uh
Senior Center and West Hickory Park have

211
00:16:45,519 --> 00:16:50,800
had improvements in in recent years as
well.

212
00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:55,440
» Thank you. Sure.
Any further questions for Mr. Leonetti?

213
00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:59,440
Thank you, sir.
>> Thank you.

214
00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:03,040
» All right.
This is a public hearing. In just a

215
00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:07,760
minute, I'll declare the public hearing
open. But before I do so, I'd like to uh

216
00:17:05,919 --> 00:17:13,919
give out some rules pertaining to our
public hearing. Uh we allow those that

217
00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:18,720
would like to speak in opposition uh the
opportunity to do that at first and we

218
00:17:16,079 --> 00:17:22,959
allow up to 15 minutes for uh those that
would like to speak if there's anyone in

219
00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:27,679
opposition and also 15 minutes if
there's anyone that would like to speak

220
00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:32,720
in favor. Uh we will also allow up to
five minutes for rebuttal and sir

221
00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:37,440
rebuttal if necessary. We ask those
folks that may want to speak to approach

222
00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:43,360
the podium and to state their name and
address and to limit their conversation

223
00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:48,320
to in in the entirety uh to that 15
minutes. So, at this time, I'll declare

224
00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:54,280
the public hearing open and ask if
there's anyone present that would like

225
00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:54,280
to speak in opposition.

226
00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:03,919
There doesn't appear to be anyone that
would like to speak in opposition. I'll

227
00:18:01,919 --> 00:18:09,840
ask if there's anyone present that would
like to speak in favor of this caper

228
00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:13,160
report that you've just heard from uh
Dave Leonetti.

229
00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:20,559
There doesn't appear to be anyone that
would like to speak in favor. So, at

230
00:18:19,120 --> 00:18:25,120
this time, I'll declare the public
hearing closed and entertain a motion

231
00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:28,640
from council.
>> Move approval of the paper report.

232
00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:34,240
» Second.
>> All right. We have a motion. We have a

233
00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:37,120
second. Is there any further discussion?
All those in favor, please say I.

234
00:18:36,559 --> 00:18:41,919
» I.
>> Any opposed? Like sign. That carries

235
00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:46,960
unanimously.
>> All right. Next item on our agenda.

236
00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:50,240
Oops, I'm sorry. Is our departmental
report. I'll turn it over to our city

237
00:18:48,559 --> 00:18:52,559
manager, Mr. Warren Wood, for that
introduction.

238
00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:55,840
» Thank you, Mayor. Guest, we had a number
of items on the agenda tonight related

239
00:18:54,160 --> 00:19:00,799
to the airport, and we've talked about
all these uh projects at previous

240
00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:05,520
meetings. Um, but I'd like to have Chad
Hunucker come up and tie a lot of this

241
00:19:03,679 --> 00:19:10,320
together and uh you'll have the
navigations easement uh to consider at

242
00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:14,240
the end of his presentation.
>> That was item E that was on the

243
00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:18,880
» correct. Okay, [clears throat]
>> mayor uh members of council, Mr. Wood,

244
00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:22,320
Mr. Swanson. So, we do have one. You
guys have a screen up there.

245
00:19:20,559 --> 00:19:25,440
» Thanks for the opportunity to be before
you tonight to give you an update on

246
00:19:23,679 --> 00:19:29,120
airport projects as I put this brief
together. Actually, this is not

247
00:19:27,360 --> 00:19:33,679
everything we have going on. This is
just a snidbit of it. So, there's other

248
00:19:31,679 --> 00:19:38,320
projects starting later this month like
lighting and then in October the tower

249
00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:43,360
rehab is starting. So, this is just the
tip of the iceberg as they say. Uh the

250
00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:47,600
retaining wall, you can clearly see it
if you come up Clement Boulevard here

251
00:19:45,360 --> 00:19:52,559
lately. Uh that picture was actually
taken on Friday and it's already super

252
00:19:49,679 --> 00:19:58,160
old because this evening they should
complete the upper portion of the wall.

253
00:19:55,039 --> 00:20:02,320
So, all that's going to be left is uh a
little bit of grading and some storm

254
00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:06,400
water work and then that project should
be wrapped up by the end of next week.

255
00:20:04,799 --> 00:20:10,080
So, that's pretty exciting. They've only
they've gotten lucky. Only been shut

256
00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:14,960
down maybe two nights because of
weather. Uh so, it's pretty neat. The

257
00:20:13,039 --> 00:20:19,840
view on the top left, that's the
extension of what will be the new safety

258
00:20:16,960 --> 00:20:25,600
area when it's done. Uh that will be
adjacent to the EMOS. I had briefed you

259
00:20:23,120 --> 00:20:30,240
in uh May I believe it was on the EMOS
project. So what will happen next after

260
00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:35,440
the retaining wall is complete in about
three weeks JT Russell will come in and

261
00:20:33,039 --> 00:20:40,799
they will start grading work. Uh they're
going to start some paving and they will

262
00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:46,799
prepare the EMOS bed. Uh which I just
remind you was 2,771

263
00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:51,760
blocks make up the EMOS system here at
Hickory. And so that project's going to

264
00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:55,760
start. We were able to accelerate the
timeline for that and we're extremely

265
00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:59,840
hopeful that that project should be
wrapped up by Christmas.

266
00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:03,760
Wrapped wrapped up.
>> Wrapped up by Christmas

267
00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:08,480
» literally.
Couple other items that you saw on the

268
00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:12,880
agenda this evening is the north ramp
expansion. The north ramp is our FBO

269
00:21:10,799 --> 00:21:17,520
ramp. That's where we traditionally
service probably 90% of our customers,

270
00:21:14,880 --> 00:21:23,039
both base and transit customers. and
quite honestly it's too small. Um we had

271
00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:26,960
a record August with the amount of
transient traffic and amount of fuel

272
00:21:24,799 --> 00:21:30,480
sales that we had and there were many
days where we literally ran out of

273
00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:34,880
parking spaces. So we have to get
creative. So that left image there looks

274
00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:40,480
a little confusing, but what it
essentially will be is there's a grassy

275
00:21:36,799 --> 00:21:45,039
area between our exist existing ramp and
the old runway that will completely be

276
00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:49,600
paved and it will expand that entire
area really tripling the size of our

277
00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:54,799
current ramp. On the right, another
thing you saw on the agenda tonight is

278
00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:58,880
the uh south and west ramps
rehabilitation.

279
00:21:56,559 --> 00:22:05,200
The key things to take away here is they
conducted a pavement uh condition index

280
00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:10,159
study in 2023. So the data you're seeing
here is three years old. The red area is

281
00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:15,600
the rest west ramp of the airport which
we have six corporate hangers over

282
00:22:11,760 --> 00:22:21,520
there. The pink area on the bottom right
is the south ramp or we have three

283
00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:26,159
corporate hangers over there. In 23
the west ramp pavement was already in

284
00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:31,200
very poor condition. So you can imagine
where it's at now. So tonight on the

285
00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:36,200
agenda that was to approve us to begin
the design process for that

286
00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:36,200
rehabilitation.

287
00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:43,679
Navigation easements. U most people are
familiar with property easements which

288
00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:46,480
you would think of putting a driveway
through someone else's property

289
00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:51,679
something like that. A navigation
easement is actually attaining airspace

290
00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:57,360
rights above a property owner's
property. Uh the reason we would need to

291
00:22:54,240 --> 00:23:01,760
do that at airport is grant assurance 20
requires us that if we see receive

292
00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:06,559
federal funds which our airport has and
still will in the future we're required

293
00:23:04,320 --> 00:23:12,960
to keep all of the departure approach
and transitional services clear of

294
00:23:09,120 --> 00:23:17,120
obstructions most notably trees.
They conducted an approach analysis.

295
00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:24,960
That's what you see on the left side of
the screen. In 23 and 116 properties at

296
00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:30,640
the approach end of runway 6 have known
obstructions that need to be removed.

297
00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:35,679
Before we get to the obstruction removal
process though, we have to obtain those

298
00:23:32,559 --> 00:23:38,880
navigation easement rights. So it's a
process that we're going to work through

299
00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:43,120
a work authorization for with our
consultant Talbert Bright and Ellington.

300
00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:48,480
our staff attorney will get involved at
some point of the process as far as

301
00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:53,360
title searches go. Um so we go out make
appraisals eventually make an offer to

302
00:23:51,039 --> 00:24:00,480
the property owner. Once we have
obtained that navigation easement it is

303
00:23:56,640 --> 00:24:04,159
um it lasts forever no matter who owns
the property. So it would allow us to go

304
00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:10,640
on there and remove an obstruction at
any time. The the goal for us is to go

305
00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:15,600
in and do it one time. Uh so go
completely take the known obstructions

306
00:24:12,559 --> 00:24:20,880
down and we'll be done with it. Why this
is important? One, the area you see in

307
00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:26,159
the purple kind of triangle, that is the
first 3,000 ft off the approach end of

308
00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:30,720
runway 6. That is for our existing
threshold. Now there are known

309
00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:36,240
obstruction. How it affects us is our
approach weather minimums that a pilot

310
00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:41,200
uses to safely know whether they can uh
make a landing to that runway in adverse

311
00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:47,919
weather are raised significantly for
runway six because of the non trees. So

312
00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:53,600
for example runway 24 that has no
obstructions the weather minimas are 200

313
00:24:50,559 --> 00:24:58,159
ft ceiling and a half mile visibility.
For runway 6 it's 500 ft 1 and a/4

314
00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:03,600
miles.
So with by removing that first 3,000 ft

315
00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:07,919
area of obstructions, we'll be able to
reduce those weather minimums.

316
00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:12,240
Additionally, you'll see on the right,
as you know, we're trying to pursue an

317
00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:18,000
eventual 400 ft runway extension on that
end of the runway. The areas outside of

318
00:25:15,039 --> 00:25:22,240
the 3,000 ft, those obstructions will
become an issue if you extend the

319
00:25:20,159 --> 00:25:27,840
runway. So, it's important we address
those. Now, this is a step one in an

320
00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:32,159
eventual runway extension. Chad Chad,
other than trees, what are the is there

321
00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:34,799
any structures, buildings or anything
like that?

322
00:25:32,799 --> 00:25:36,080
» No structures. It is simply is all
trees.

323
00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:39,919
» It's all trees.
>> Yeah. I was reading today one of the

324
00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:44,000
highest trees is 68 ft.
>> And what's the what does it need to be?

325
00:25:41,919 --> 00:25:49,679
What's the minimum?
>> Um, it's a 20 to It's an engineer thing.

326
00:25:47,279 --> 00:25:52,640
It's a 20 to one slope off the end of
the runway. I don't know what that comes

327
00:25:51,120 --> 00:25:57,440
to as far as the height of the tree,
>> but you can't Okay.

328
00:25:56,000 --> 00:26:00,640
So some of the things that's in the
scope of work with Talbert and Brighton

329
00:25:59,120 --> 00:26:04,880
the work authorization is they'll
negotiate and establish a budget. Uh

330
00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:08,799
they'll obviously be overall in charge
of the project management portion. Uh

331
00:26:07,360 --> 00:26:12,640
they've already performed some of the
navigation easement analysis. That's

332
00:26:10,799 --> 00:26:16,720
where I was showing you guys how many
properties were involved and how many

333
00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:20,640
obstruction had been identified. And
then they will also work through a

334
00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:25,600
subcontractor where they will do the
appraisals and negotiations with the

335
00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:31,200
property owner. Uh, this is going to be
funded with a previously accepted state

336
00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:35,919
aid grant that we received. And tonight,
we're looking for approval for you to

337
00:26:33,279 --> 00:26:40,799
allow the city manager, Mr. Wood, to be
able to execute the work authorization

338
00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:45,200
with TBE and an amount not to exceed
$1.6 million.

339
00:26:43,039 --> 00:26:47,840
And with that, I'd be happy to answer
any questions.

340
00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:51,440
» How many properties did you say were
affected?

341
00:26:48,559 --> 00:26:55,679
» 116.
Are most of them occupied or some of

342
00:26:53,440 --> 00:27:00,520
them vacant or a mixture?
>> I would say from what I've seen most of

343
00:26:57,279 --> 00:27:00,520
them are occupied.

344
00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:09,360
» So obviously one of the things is
timeline. This is a multi-year project.

345
00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:17,120
» Yes, ma'am.
>> Um what are the funding sources to pay

346
00:27:13,039 --> 00:27:22,880
for this? We received a uh grant from
the state for $3 million that is going

347
00:27:19,679 --> 00:27:27,919
to be able to fund the 3,000 ft of the
existing threshold and we'll be able to

348
00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:31,120
use AIG federal funding for the other
properties.

349
00:27:30,559 --> 00:27:36,080
» Yes, sir.
>> I have a few a couple questions. Is

350
00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:38,480
imminent domain in the toolbox as a last
resort? It is for this type of work.

351
00:27:37,919 --> 00:27:43,919
» It is.
>> Okay. And the tree removal. Um I'm

352
00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:49,679
hoping that it's removal and not
topping. I hope topping of trees is not

353
00:27:46,240 --> 00:27:54,480
in is not an option. Are we going to Can
we insist that it be removed?

354
00:27:52,480 --> 00:27:59,679
» Once we obtain the navigation e
easement, it is our prerogative on which

355
00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:06,080
means to utilize. We will recommend full
removal. And here's why. Uh some species

356
00:28:03,679 --> 00:28:11,039
of trees when they're trimmed, it
actually encourages growth. So the

357
00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:15,279
federal government is only going to fund
us one time to do this. So if we come

358
00:28:13,360 --> 00:28:18,320
back in 10 years and say, "I'm sorry,
but the tree grew back, we're going to

359
00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:22,640
pay for it,
>> right?"

360
00:28:19,039 --> 00:28:26,320
» Um the other fear with trimming is if
you prune incorrectly, you could kill

361
00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:31,200
the tree.
>> Then we have a deadfall situation

362
00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:33,360
» and a liability issue if that tree were
to fall on the property owner's

363
00:28:32,559 --> 00:28:38,640
property.
>> I noticed that you said recommend. Um

364
00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:40,559
what what prevents us from insisting
that the tree be removed?

365
00:28:39,919 --> 00:28:45,200
» Nothing.
>> Okay. Okay. Very good. And let's say

366
00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:50,720
that um we go out and we remove the
trees and the property owner are they

367
00:28:47,039 --> 00:28:54,640
prohibited from replanting? Um is there
any any type of prohibition against

368
00:28:53,279 --> 00:28:59,120
replanting in this area?
>> It does not prohibit them from

369
00:28:56,320 --> 00:29:05,200
replanting, but it does specify that it
cannot become a future hazard. So you

370
00:29:03,039 --> 00:29:08,480
you wouldn't want to plant an oak tree,
right? You would be you'd specify what

371
00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:10,880
type of tree it would be.
>> Would that be at their cost if they did?

372
00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:13,039
» It would be.
>> Okay. Very good. Thank you.

373
00:29:12,399 --> 00:29:16,960
» Yes, sir.
>> Is that is that the same case even if

374
00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:19,440
something just grows there that they
didn't plant that they're responsible

375
00:29:18,799 --> 00:29:20,880
for it?
>> Yes.

376
00:29:19,840 --> 00:29:24,559
» Okay.
>> So if they replanted something, they

377
00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:29,919
would be responsible for taking it out
if if it grew

378
00:29:26,159 --> 00:29:35,679
» 50 years from now, right? Thank you.
>> All right. Any other questions?

379
00:29:32,640 --> 00:29:37,520
I guess we need a motion on this. Is
that correct?

380
00:29:36,559 --> 00:29:42,320
» Yes. Yes, sir.
>> I'll [clears throat] make a I'll make a

381
00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:46,000
motion uh that we approve uh this as
laid out by uh Mr. Hunter.

382
00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:50,320
» Second.
>> All right. We have a motion. We have a

383
00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:52,799
second. Is there any further discussion?
All those in favor, please say I.

384
00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:59,039
» I.
>> Any opposed? Like sign. All right. That

385
00:29:55,679 --> 00:30:01,279
carries unanimously.
All right.

386
00:29:59,960 --> 00:30:05,200
» [clears throat]
>> And that took care of item E. Yes, sir.

387
00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:07,360
As well. Okay. So, we don't
[clears throat]

388
00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:14,159
» uh appointments to boards or
commissions. I have uh just one uh the

389
00:30:11,360 --> 00:30:18,320
youth council, Miss Nahala Holmes as the
Hickory High School representative on

390
00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:22,880
the youth council. I would like to make
that uh nomination.

391
00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:26,320
» And I have one for an Brock for the
community appearance, the atlarge

392
00:30:25,200 --> 00:30:31,760
position.
>> Okay. I have one uh Mr. John Andrews for

393
00:30:30,399 --> 00:30:34,559
the Hickory Regional Planning
Commission.

394
00:30:33,039 --> 00:30:41,840
» All right.
>> I have one for the uh recycling board

395
00:30:38,559 --> 00:30:45,679
advisory board. Um Janna
>> Flood Flood.

396
00:30:44,399 --> 00:30:46,799
» Flood. Yes.
>> Okay.

397
00:30:46,159 --> 00:30:54,320
» Thank you.
>> Yes, sir. Are there any others?

398
00:30:51,360 --> 00:30:55,520
All right. We have those motions. We
have a second.

399
00:30:55,039 --> 00:30:58,799
» Second.
>> We have a second. Any further

400
00:30:57,039 --> 00:31:04,399
discussion?
All in favor, please say I. I.

401
00:31:01,039 --> 00:31:09,679
» Any opposed like sign. All right. Those
are carried unanimously as well. Uh any

402
00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:11,760
matters not on the agenda this evening,
sir?

403
00:31:10,000 --> 00:31:18,480
» No, sir.
>> All right. Uh on behalf of the entire

404
00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:25,919
council, uh I would like to send our
sincere condolences uh to Mr. Wood. Uh

405
00:31:23,039 --> 00:31:29,919
he lost his mother this week, Amy Turner
Wood. And uh I

406
00:31:29,039 --> 00:31:35,360
» I appreciate that.
>> Our sincere sincere condolences support

407
00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:38,960
city council. Your kind words to to a
person. So since I got y'all here, I

408
00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:42,320
want to thank you all collectively. So
thank you and staff as well. Thanks.

409
00:31:41,279 --> 00:31:45,360
» Anything you need, you
>> I appreciate it, sir.

410
00:31:43,600 --> 00:31:50,799
» And your family as well.
>> Any other uh comments from the council?

411
00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:53,679
Anybody?
>> All right. I'll make a motion that we

412
00:31:52,399 --> 00:31:55,600
adjourn.
>> Second.

413
00:31:54,080 --> 00:31:58,799
» We have a motion. We have a second. Any
further discussion? All in favor, please

414
00:31:57,679 --> 00:32:02,240
say I. I.
>> Any oppose? Linstein. All right, we

415
00:32:00,799 --> 00:32:05,720
stand adjourned. Thank you for being
here this evening.