Salisbury, North Carolina
April 4, 2000
The City Council of the City of Salisbury met in regular session in the Council Room of the Municipal Building on Tuesday, April 4, 2000, at 4:00 p.m., with the following members being present and absent:
PRESENT: Burgin, Kennedy, Kluttz, Maddox, Woodson
ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kluttz, and the invocation was given by Councilmember Burgin.
Staff members present were:
David W. Treme - City Manager
Ginny Petrea - City Clerk
Sam Brady - Fire Chief
Larry Chilton - Land Management & Development Director
Chris Herring - Police Chief
Rivers Lawther - City Attorney
Foster Owen - Assistant City Manager
John Sofley - Finance Director
Melissa Taylor - Human Resources Director
John Vest - Director of Utilities
Gail Elder White - Parks & Recreation Director
VISITOR
Mayor Kluttz recognized Ms. Kay Snider, Washington, D.C., who is a former resident of Salisbury.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Kluttz proclaimed April 26 - May 3, 2000, as BETA SIGMA PHI WEEK, and urged all citizens to make notation of it.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Burgin made a correction to the Minutes of March 21, 2000 as follows: Zoning Map Amendment - Z-33S-99 - he was excused from voting on this matter due to a conflict of interest.
Upon motion of Mr. Maddox, seconded by Mr. Woodson, and with Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voting AYE on roll call vote, the following items appearing on the Consent Agenda, with the correction above, were approved:
(a) Minutes
The Minutes of the regular meeting on March 21, 2000, were approved.
(b) Street Closing
Approval was given to close Old Wilkesboro Road from Linn Lane to Industrial Avenue, from l:00 - 5:00 p.m., Saturday, April 15, 2000, for the purpose of holding a Youth Fest at Kelsey Scott Park, sponsored by the Greater End Time Harvest Ministries.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT TASK FORCE
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Mr. Lou Manning, Task Force Member, made a presentation to Council from the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force outlining the scope of its work, goals and objectives. The Task Force has been working for almost a year now studying issues related to landlord/tenant relationships and overall neighborhood livability, he said. A public hearing was held in November, 1998, for citizens to voice their concerns and assist in identifying the major issues facing Salisbury's neighborhoods, Mr. Manning said.
The top 10 issues concerning Neighborhood Improvements are:
1. Vacant Structures
2. Absentee Landlords
3. Legal Procedures
4. Code Enforcement and Inspections
5. Property Maintenance by Landlords
6. Education and Communication
7. General Appearance Standards
8. Tenant Screening/Monitoring
9. Supply of Rental Units/Home Ownership Incentives
10. Junked Cars
Mr. Manning presented the methodology of Task Force and how it addresses each of its key issues including comparing Salisbury's policies and ordinances to other communities, identifying where current policies could be improved, and making recommendations to City Council based on the group's research.
Mayor Kluttz thanked Mr. Manning for his leadership on the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force and for making this presentation to Council.
The Neighborhood Improvement Task Force members are:
- Rev. Johnson Asibuo Mayor Susan Kluttz
- Greta Connor Lou Manning
- James Donaldson William Peoples
- W.O.T. Fleming Bill Safrit
- Norman Ingold Pat Sylvester
- Councilmember William Kennedy Vicky Tesh
- Julius Waggoner Norde Wilson
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT TASK FORCE
VACANT/BOARDED-UP HOUSES
Mr. Aaron Arnett, Senior Planner, gave Council a presentation concerning the #1 issue of vacant/boarded-up houses. The task force feels that the major problem Salisbury's neighborhoods currently face is the visual blight created by the abundance of vacant, abandoned and neglected structures scattered about in our neighborhoods, he said. Not only does this decrease property values, it creates a health and safety problem because of unsecured homes and environments conducive to the harboring of vagrants and illegal activity, Mr. Arnett said.
Mr. Arnett told Council that the City's current policy requires that vacant houses be secured and boarded up. While this makes it somewhat more difficult for the structures to be used for illegal activities, it still does not address the visual blight directly affecting property values and overall neighborhood livability, he said. There are currently 119 structures on an initial "Vacant House List" in Salisbury that are vacant or boarded-up, he also said. Most likely, this number would increase with additional research, Mr. Arnett said.
The Neighborhood Improvement Task Force recommended hiring an additional full-time minimum housing inspector and allocating $150,000.00 toward property acquisition, rehabilitation or demolition of problem houses. At present, the City has one minimum housing inspector who works out of the fire department and devotes half of his time to housing and half to fire inspections, he said. Enforcement is a major problem dealing with the vacant/boarded-up houses, Mr. Arnett said.
Other recommendations from the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force are:
Additions to the Housing Code Chapter 10 of the City Code
- define exactly what an abandoned residential dwelling is and give the City Housing Inspector the right to inspect these structures, apply minimum housing codes and force their repair or demolition if the house creates a health or safety hazard.
- require any structure occupied in the City to be inspected and meet minimum codes before the City provides water/sewer services
- Create a "Vacant House List" which could be used as a more proactive approach to
dealing with vacant and boarded-up structures. The minimum housing inspector
would use the list in identifying the vacant homes, compiling statistics including
condition, property owners name and addresses, and finally as a guide for focusing
minimum housing enforcement and efforts.
Mayor Kluttz thanked Mr. Arnett for his presentation and all the members of the task force who have worked very hard on this project.
Councilmember Kennedy cautioned that it would be difficult for a housing inspector to know the condition of a house's plumbing without first turning on the water.
Councilmember Burgin commended the group for doing a good job but had a concern for downtown buildings that may stand empty for a number of years and also historic structures that become vacant and in disrepair.
Mayor Kluttz informed Council that no action will be taken at this time and that the requests for $150,000.00 and a new minimum housing inspector will be considered during the budget process.
2000-2001 BUDGET REQUESTS - SPECIAL COMMUNITY EFFORTS GROUPS
Mayor Kluttz informed Council that requests would be received from Special Community Efforts Groups concerning their FY2000-2001 Budget.
(a) Warren Howard
Mr. Warren Howard, 129 S. Milford Drive, made a request of Council for 50% participation for a storm drainage problem in their neighborhood. Poor drainage in the area has damaged driveways and led to sunken areas and depressed lawns, he said. Eight property owners are affected and they have agreed to pay half of the cost of a new storm drain which is approximately $50,000.00, Mr. Howard said.
(b) Economic Development Commission
Mr. John Henderlite, Vice-Chairman of Economic Development Commission, and Mr. Randy Harrell, Executive Director of EDC, made a FY2000-2001 Budget request to Council, in the amount of $46,670.00.
(c) Rowan Information & Referral
Ms. Suzanne Storch, Executive Director of Rowan Information & Referral, made a FY2000-2001 Budget request to Council, in the amount of $4,500.00.
(d) Downtown Salisbury, Inc.
Mr. Mike Fuller, President of Downtown Salisbury, Inc., made a FY2000-2001 Budget request to Council, in the amount of $79,000.00, of which $20,000.00 will go towards the Masterplan.
(e) United Arts Council
Ms. Linda Kesler, Executive Director of United Arts Council, made a FY2000-2001 Budget request to Council, in the amount of $47,500.00.
PUBLIC HEARING - LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS
(a) Sgt. Jeff Insley, Salisbury Police Department, gave Council a presentation concerning the use of funds received under a Bureau of Justice Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program for the Salisbury Police Department.
Sgt. Insley told Council that if the grant is approved, the City will receive $64,871.00 in grant funds and be required to match the grant funds with $7,208.00, for a total of $72,079.00. The Police Department recommends that the funds be used to purchase a speed trailer, mobile video cameras for patrol vehicles and narcotics surveillance equipment, he said.
(b) Mayor Kluttz convened a public hearing, after due notice and advertisement thereof, concerning the use of Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Funds.
No one was present to speak for or against the above proposal; therefore, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
ZONING MAP AMENDMENT
Z-1-00 - Robert Hales
off U. S. 29 (S.Main Street) north of Rowan Mill Road
The request is to rezone approximately 2.88 acres of property, which is most of the total 3.73 acres, located off U.S. 29, Rowan Mill Road and Briarwood Avenue from LLI-2 Limited Light Industrial-2 to B-6 General Business. (this is a portion of one parcel; the remaining portion is already zoned B-6)
(a) Mr. Harold Poole, Senior Planner, gave Council a presentation on the Planning Board recommendation concerning Z-1-00 zoning case. The property is located approximately 380 feet northwest of South Main Street, 150 feet northeast of Rowan Mill Road, 150 feet east of Balfour Drive, and to the south of Briarwood Avenue, a "paper street", he said. The remaining 0.85- acre piece is directly behind Gold's Gym, Lot 64 and is already zoned B-6 General Business, Mr. Poole said.
(Planning Board recommendation: (a) Approve the request to rezone 2.88 acres to B-6 General Business and add the GD-A General Development-A Overlay; (b) rezone two small remnants of LLI-2 to B-6 General Business (no GD-A Overlay) This would make all the Fire Station and mobile home sales lot B-6.) Vote 9-1
(b) Mayor Kluttz convened a public hearing, after due notice and advertisement thereof, on the following zoning map amendment Z-1-00.
Those speaking in favor of the above proposal were:
Mr. Rob Hales, applicant, told Council he would like to build a Kid's Sports Gym with structural activity for children 3 months to 16 years of age. The proposed building would be a 16,000 sq. ft. facility, 20 feet tall, and behind Gold's Gym, he said. Access would be from South Main Street, shared right-of-way with Gold's Gym, Mr. Hales said.
Mr. Terry Eller, Briarwood Avenue, told Council he was in favor of the rezoning.
No one else was present to speak for or against the above proposal; therefore, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
(c) Thereupon, Mr. Maddox made a motion that the following ordinance be adopted rezoning property located off U.S. 29 (S.Main Street) north of Rowan Mill Road, from LLI-2 Limited Light Industrial-2 to B-6 General Business:
"AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA, BY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 3.7 ACRES LOCATED ABOUT 350 FEET NORTHWEST OF SOUTH MAIN STREET, 150 FEET NORTHEAST OF ROWAN MILL ROAD, 150 FEET EAST OF BALFOUR DRIVE, AND TO THE SOUTH OF BRIARWOOD AVENUE, IDENTIFIED AS PARCEL 64 ON SALISBURY TOWNSHIP TAX MAP 461-C, FROM LLI-2 LIMITED LIGHT INDUSTRIAL-2 DISTRICT TO B-6 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT WITH A GD-A GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY; AND REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.1 ACRES LOCATED ABOUT 400 FEET NORTHWEST OF SOUTH MAIN STREET, IDENTIFIED AS THE REAR PORTIONS OF PARCELS 58 AND 155 ON SALISBURY TOWNSHIP TAX MAP 61, FROM LLI-2 LIMITED LIGHT INDUSTRIAL-2 DISTRICT TO B-6 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT."
Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion for the adoption of the foregoing ordinance, and Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voted AYE on roll call vote.
(The above ordinance is recorded in full in Ordinance Book No. 17, under Chapter XI - Zoning & Planning, at Page Nos. 11-12, and is known as Ordinance No. 2000-20.)
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT
Section 5.01, Use Districts
To clarify the description of the B-CS Convenience Service Business District
(a) Mr. Harold Poole, Senior Planner, gave Council a presentation concerning clarifying the description of the B-CS Convenience Service Business District in Section 5.01, Use Districts. The Legislative Committee would like to clarify the meaning of a paragraph to read: "Permitted uses may not occupy a gross floor area of more than 2000 sq.ft. within the building in which they are located; conditional uses may not occupy a gross floor area of more than 2,500 sq. ft., or 25% more than what is allowed for permitted uses."
(Planning Board recommendation: approve as proposed)
(b) Mayor Kluttz convened a public hearing, after due notice and advertisement thereof, on the following zoning text amendment, to clarify the description of the B-CS Convenience Service Business District.
No one was present to speak for or against the above proposal; therefore, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Burgin asked staff, "How do you know if you have a 2400 sq. ft. house that they are going to limit their use to 2000 sq.ft.; what are they going to do with the other 400 sq. ft." The neighborhood may be comfortable with it, but there is an opportunity now for a larger house to all of a sudden grow itself into a big business, he said.
Mr. Poole said the Zoning Administrator would have to make that determination and the other 400 sq. ft. could be used for storage, etc.
(c) Thereupon, Mr. Burgin made a motion that the following ordinance be adopted rewording Section 5.01, Use Districts, to clarify the description of the B-CS Convenience Service Business District:
"AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPENDIX B, ZONING, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA, TO REWRITE THE DEFINITION OF THE B-CS CONVENIENCE SERVICE BUSINESS DISTRICT."
Mr. Maddox seconded the motion for the adoption of the foregoing ordinance, and Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voted AYE on roll call vote.
(The above ordinance is recorded in full in Ordinance Book No. 17, under Chapter XI - Zoning & Planning, at Page No. 13, and is known as Ordinance No. 2000-21.)
PUBLIC HEARING - PRIVILEGE LICENSE ORDINANCE
(a) Mr. John Sofley, Finance Director, informed Council that copies of the proposed changes to the Privilege License Ordinance was delivered to the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Salisbury, Inc., and the Merchants Association.
(b) Mayor Kluttz convened a public hearing, after due notice and advertisement thereof, concerning proposed revisions to the "Privilege License Ordinance."
Rev. Raymond Taylor, preacher at Outreach Christian Tabernacle, complained that the City's proposed changes to the privilege license ordinance showed a prejudice against yard sales and vendors and attacked a basic tenet on which the country was founded. If we get to a place where we regulate people, we take away their spirit of free enterprise, he said. Yard sales actually represent a recycling because residents are selling them instead of putting items on the street for the City to pick up and dump in the landfill, Rev. Taylor said. He urged Council to give their proposal more thought and said other ministers and their congregational members also oppose the yard sale provision.
Ms. Myra Tyner, said many people simply are trying to make extra money when they put items on the curb and sell them. A lot of people can't afford ads in the paper and the City is taking advantage of the poor people, she said.
Ms. Elaine Dyson also said she was against the charge for yard sales.
Mr. Bob Barlett, Corbin Hills resident, told Council that if a person wanted to have 12 yard sales a year, it wouldn't bother him. If he had a neighbor whose yard sales were creating a nuisance, he'd simply go to him and try to work out a solution, he said.
No one else was present to speak for or against the above proposal; therefore, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
(c) Mr. John Sofley, Finance Director, told Council that the yard sales section within the privilege license ordinance revisions is only one paragraph out of some 30 pages of the ordinance. In some locations within Salisbury's jurisdiction, property owners are conducting yard sales every week or even every day, he said. Staff's intention was to try and get a handle on that, Mr. Sofley said. These yard sales often represent a side business that brings in goods bought elsewhere for reselling and the traffic created by them causes a hardship on surrounding neighbors, he said.
Mr. Sofley said the privilege license ordinance is not in any way intended to restrict any person from legitimately carrying on a business where it is properly zoned for business; nor is it intended to prevent anyone from coming in from outside the community to establish a business here; nor is it intended to prevent an itinerant merchant from operating a temporary stand here. The intent is for the City to put some restrictions on those vendors who come in from outside the City, he said.
Mr. Sofley said the City is not opposed to yard sales but they are opposed to certain locations in the City that have something for sale on the curb week after week or day after day. The intent is to get a handle on that and give the City a tool to actually regulate that, he said. The staff's proposal is a $5.00 fee on yard sales with no more than four (4) a year, Mr. Sofley said.
City Manager David Treme informed Council that this particular proposal is in response to citizens who live in a particular area and they don't mind occasional yard sales but protest against continuous yard sales.
Councilmember Kennedy said he's opposed charging citizens a fee to have a yard sale. We need to look at it in a different way, he said.
Mayor Kluttz said she agreed for legitimate yard sales, but was concerned about the ones which are competition for businesses which pay for a privilege license.
Mayor Pro Tem Woodson said he was curious about the vendors who have a small business on the side and wanted to know what type fee they would have to pay.
Mr. Sofley said typically there would be no fee for that type business. The issue of push carts have been brought before Council in previous years, but to date, nothing has been approved for them, he said.
Councilmember Maddox, who works for the State tax office in Salisbury, pointed out that State Statutes already limit a person to a set number of yard sales per year before you become a business, which involves sales tax, etc. Putting a $5.00 fee on yard sales is not creating something that is not already there, he said. The enforcement is difficult but it does not relieve that person of responsibility of abiding by the laws of the State of North Carolina, Mr. Maddox said. He suggested having a City ordinance in line with the State law.
Councilmember Burgin said the Council has heard clearly that the people don't want to be kept from having yard sales. We just need to balance that against what Councilmember Maddox has brought up that there is a point where you are no longer a yard sale, you are a business and we need to identify that, he said.
City Manager David Treme said staff will bring back the yard sale question by itself and look closer at the question of a charge and how many yard sales would be permitted each year.
Mr. Sofley said most of the provisions under this ordinance will be effective with the new Privilege License which are due July 1, 2000. Staff will bring back recommendations at the April 18, 2000, Council meeting, he said.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - HOME BUDGET
FINAL DRAFT - FY2000-2001
Mr. John Brooks, Community Development Manager, presented to Council a final draft of the FY2000-2001 Community Development Block Grant and Home Budget with only one change per Council's request - Code Enforcement increased from $7,000.00 to $10,000.00, as outlined below:
CDBG - $375,000.00
PROGRAM INCOME - $125,000.00
Activities Proposed Budget
Code Enforcement $ 10,000.00
Resale/Acquisition 80,000.00
Emergency 30,000.00
Habitat for Humanity 30,000.00
Community Youth Garden 3,000.00
Rowan Helping Ministries 23,375.00
Salisbury Youth Employment 3,000.00
Family Crisis Council 15,000.00
Salisbury CDC 11,625.00
Rowan Community Clinic 3,500.00
Infrastructure 15,000.00
Storm Drainage 15,000.00
Community Center (Park Avenue) 160,500.00
Administration 100,000.00
Total CDBG/Program Income $500,000.00
HOME CONSORTIUM - $121,231.59
Activities Proposed Budget
Home Ownership Assistance $ 60,000.00
Housing Rehabilitation 20,000.00
Resale/Acquisition 30,035.04
Administration 11,196.55
Total Home Consortium $121,231.59
Total Budget $621,231.59
Thereupon, Mr. Woodson made a motion to accept the final draft as presented and publish same for the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Budget FY2000-2001. Mr. Burgin seconded the motion, and Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voted AYE on roll call vote.
BUDGET AMENDMENT FY1999-2000
SALISBURY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Fire Chief Sam Brady informed Council that the Salisbury Fire Department has received a grant from the Salisbury Community Foundation, in the amount of $21,133.00, for the purchase of a Vision #3 Thermal Imaging Camera.
Thereupon, Mr. Kennedy made a motion that the following ordinance be adopted amending the FY1999-2000 Budget Ordinance, to appropriate donation from the Salisbury Community Foundation, for the purchase of a Vision #3 Thermal Imaging Camera:
"AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1999-2000 BUDGET ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA, TO APPROPRIATE DONATION FROM SALISBURY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION."
Mr. Woodson seconded the motion for the adoption of the foregoing ordinance, and Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voted AYE on roll call vote.
(The above ordinance is recorded in full in Ordinance Book No. 17, under Chapter II, Administrative, at Page No. 8, and is known as Ordinance No. 2000-22.)
CENSUS 2000
Ms. Kathryn Clifton, GIS Coordinator, gave Council a presentation concerning Census 2000. Census 2000 is about resources, representation, respect and recognition, she said. In terms of resources, there are $185 billion federal dollars available to communities and it is distributed according to the Census numbers, Ms. Clifton said. This is why it is very important that individuals respond to the Census when they receive the forms, she said. These funds are used for schools, libraries, roads, bridges and programs for elderly and disabled persons, she also said.
The Census is also about representation - the numbers received via the Census help to determine how many seats are available in the U.S. House and also used for determining voting districts at state and local levels, Ms. Clifton said. Many populations are identified for recognition by federal, state and local programs, she said. Answering the Census by these populations helps insure that we get appropriate funding, she said.
The Census 2000 complete count committee was formed in October, 1999, and the goal was to locally publicize the importance of Census 2000, Ms. Clifton said. The local governments that participated were Rowan County, City of Salisbury, Cleveland, Spencer, Granite Quarry, Faith, and China Grove, she said. Other participants were Catawba College, Head Start, Hispanic Health Alliance located in China Grove, Livingstone College and Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Ms. Clifton said.
Ms. Clifton told Council that the City of Salisbury mailed inserts concerning Census 2000 in the Utility Bills to approximately 13,000 customers. Ads were placed in the Salisbury Post by Rowan County about the importance of the Census. Also radio stations WSAT and WSTP allowed the City Council members and Rowan County Commissioner Arnold Chamberlain to participate in the promotional Census 2000 ads.
Ms. Clifton told Council that the City of Salisbury has a 53% initial response rate and the Census committee is hoping for a 71% overall initial response rate.
Mayor Kluttz thanked Ms. Clifton for the work she has done on Census 2000 and encouraged everyone to mail their Census form back in as soon as possible so that they will also be counted.
MORATORIUM ORDINANCE - WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
Mr. Al Linker, Telecommunications Manager, gave Council a presentation concerning wireless telecommunications facilities. This relates to cellular towers, use of public right-of-ways for wire lines, communication and infrastructures, he said. Over the past 6 months, there has been an increase in request from various providers as it relates not only to cellular towers, but a review of the current technology, Mr. Linker said. The most recent requests have been related to areas near residential/historical areas, he said. Staff has reviewed the requests and recommends approving the revised moratorium ordinance for a six (6) month period for the construction of wireless telecommunications facilities and related facilities, Mr. Linker said. This does not stop any applications from being submitted, it simply gives the City time to react to this increasing situation, he said.
Thereupon, Mr. Maddox made a motion that the following Moratorium Ordinance concerning wireless telecommunications facilities, be adopted:
"MORATORIUM ORDINANCE - WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES."
Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion for the adoption of the foregoing ordinance, and Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voted AYE on roll call vote.
(The above ordinance is recorded in full in Ordinance Book No. 17, under Chapter XV - Miscellaneous, at Page No. 3, and is known as Ordinance No. 2000-23.)
MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT - COUNCIL STREET MEDIAN BARRIER
Mr. Dan Mikkelson, City Engineer, informed Council that NCDOT has agreed to pay up to $10,000 to install a planted median barrier at the Council Street Railroad Crossing. The City will be responsible for design and contract administration, he said. Staff has reviewed the request and recommends authorizing the Mayor to execute a Municipal Agreement with NCDOT concerning a planted median barrier at the Council Street railroad crossing.
Thereupon, Mr. Burgin made a motion that the following resolution be adopted authorizing the Mayor to execute a Municipal Agreement with NCDOT concerning a planted median barrier at the Council Street railroad crossing:
"A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH NCDOT CONCERNING PROJECT P-3419, INSTALLATION OF A PLANTED MEDIAN BARRIER ON EAST COUNCIL STREET."
Mr. Maddox seconded the motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution, and Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voted AYE on roll call vote.
(The above resolution is recorded in full in Resolution Book No. 10, under Chapter XII - Miscellaneous, at Page No. 52, and is known as Resolution No. 2000-9.)
MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY - COUNCIL STREET
Mr. Dan Mikkelson, City Engineer, informed Council that NCDOT has agreed to pay approximately $50,000.00 to install a concrete railroad crossing on East Council Street. Since this street is City maintained, it will be necessary to temporarily transfer a portion of Council Street from North Long Street to the west side of the railroad to the State System, he said. The transfer is not expected to interfere with plans to install a planted median barrier at the crossing, Mr. Mikkelson said. Staff has reviewed the request and recommends that portions of East Council Street be transferred from the City street system to the State secondary road system, he said.
Thereupon, Mr. Kennedy made a motion that the following resolution be adopted requesting NCDOT to accept maintenance responsibility of Council Street, between Long and Depot Streets:
"RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT PORTIONS OF EAST COUNCIL STREET BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE CITY OF SALISBURY PUBLIC STREET SYSTEM TO THE STATE SECONDARY ROAD SYSTEM."
Mr. Burgin seconded the motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution, and Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voted AYE on roll call vote.
(The above resolution is recorded in full in Resolution Book No. 10, under Chapter XII - Miscellaneous, at Page No. 53, and is known as Resolution No.. 2000-10.)
GROVE STREET - TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY
Ms. Wendy Brindle, Traffic Engineer, gave Council an update concerning traffic conditions at the intersection of Mocksville Avenue and Grove Street. Between 1997-99, there were 19 accidents at this intersection, of which 11 were angle accidents, she said. Staff has looked at the following options concerning the intersection of Mocksville Avenue and Grove Street:
- traffic signal - cost $40,000 - cut down on accidents and increase volume
of traffic on Grove Street - will need to change Grove Street from residential
street to a minor thoroughfare - decrease capacity of Mocksville Avenue
by 30-40% - adding poles and wires at this intersection is inconsistent
with goals of Vision 2020 Committee
- four-way stop - not recommended because of heavier volume of traffic on
Mocksville Avenue
- prohibit left turns - cost $3,000 - address accident concern; eliminate direct
route to hospital; force cut-through traffic onto other streets
- roundabout - cost $80,000 - address accident concern - increase convenience
for motorist on Grove Street but not as much as traffic signal - aesthetically
pleasing and consistent with Vision 2020 Committee - require property
acquisition
Councilmember Burgin asked staff if Mocksville Avenue is at capacity or do they have that room you could technically loose.
Ms. Brindle said she didn't recall what the total 24-hour count was on Mocksville Avenue but she would check into that.
Mayor Pro Tem Woodson said he goes down Mocksville Avenue at least twice a day and its very busy in the morning and very busy in the evening.
Ms. Brindle said at certain times of the day, Mocksville Avenue is very congested. Staff recommends changing Grove Street from a residential street to a minor thoroughfare if Council goes with the traffic signal recommendation.
Councilmember Maddox asked staff who would use Grove Street that doesn't use it already.
Mr. Dan Mikkelson, City Engineer, told Council that the hospital has designated the route for out-of-town traffic to use Innes Street to Ketner Center, turn right on Mahaley Avenue to Confederate Avenue, to hospital parking deck. Hospital signs use to turn cars on Grove Street to Mocksville Avenue, he said. Local traffic tends to take Grove Street, he also said. If people have the option of going to a signalized intersection or going on a route that is none signalized, they will tend to go on the signalized route, Mr. Mikkelson said.
Councilmember Maddox said by having the hospital signs is what dictates that. Mahaley Avenue is just as much a residential street as Grove Street, he said.
Councilmember Burgin said that Grove Street is carrying a lot of traffic and his feeling when this subject first started was that there was a service need there at the intersection of Mocksville Avenue and Grove Street. If renaming Grove Street to a minor thoroughfare is what we need to get a traffic signal there, he would be in favor of that, he said.
Councilmember Kennedy asked staff if any state funds are available for a traffic signal at this intersection.
Mr. Mikkelson said no; that both Mocksville Avenue and Grove Street are both City maintained streets and the State would not be able to do that.
Councilmember Maddox said no left hand turns won't work and the roundabout would be a nightmare.
Councilmember Burgin said it would be more money and it would be beautiful but the dollars would be difficult.
City Manager David Treme said we need to recognize how people use Grove Street and whether we call it a minor thoroughfare or residential street, the citizens in this town use Grove Street rather than go through the congestion of Mahaley and Mocksville Avenue. Perhaps we might put up a traffic light and recognize how people are using it and basically our major purpose is safety, he said.
Thereupon, Mr. Burgin made a motion, seconded by Mr. Maddox, and with Messrs. Burgin, Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voting AYE on roll call vote, to approve changing Grove Street to a minor thoroughfare.
Mr. Mikkelson told Council that he would include a traffic signal at the intersection of Mocksville Avenue and Grove Street in his budget request for FY2000-2001.
SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT - SALISBURY HIGH SCHOOL
BASEBALL FIELD PROJECT
Councilmember Burgin informed Council that he needs to be excused from participating in this matter due to a conflict of interest
Thereupon, Mr. Kennedy made a motion, seconded by Mr. Maddox, and with Messrs. Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voting AYE on roll call vote, to excuse Councilmember Burgin from participating in the Sewer Line Replacement - Salisbury High School Baseball Field Project.
Mr. John Vest, Director of Utilities, informed Council that bids have been received for Phase I of the sewer line replacement for Salisbury High School Baseball Field Project. Staff recommends that a contract be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Foothills Water & Sewer, Inc., in the amount of $87,813.00. Rowan-Salisbury Schools will pay two-thirds of the total project and the City of Salisbury will pay one-third, he said.
Thereupon, Mr. Maddox made a motion, seconded by Mr. Kennedy, and with Messrs. Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voting AYE on roll call vote, to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Foothills Water & Sewer, Inc., in the amount of $87,813.00, for a sewer line replacement for Salisbury High School's baseball field project.
CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE
SALISBURY HIGH SCHOOL - SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT - PHASE I
Upon motion of Mr. Kennedy, the project budget ordinance for Salisbury High School Sewer Line Replacement Phase I, in the amount of $96,963.00, was approved:
"SALISBURY HIGH SCHOOL, SEWER AND STORM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, PHASE I, CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE."
Mr. Maddox seconded the motion for the adoption of the foregoing ordinance, and Messrs. Kennedy, Maddox, Woodson and Ms. Kluttz voted AYE on roll call vote.
(The above ordinance is recorded in full in Ordinance Book No. 17, under Chapter II - Administrative, at Page No. 9, and is known as Ordinance No. 2000-24.)
REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER
(a) Plaza - Third Floor
Assistant City Manager Foster Owen reviewed the chronology of a project to convert the 3rd floor of the Plaza to a "key man" operation.
- City Council approved $250,000.00 for the project (July, 1999)
- Cost estimates for the project exceeded funding budgeted (Nov. 1999)
- City asks architect to develop a phased approach to project (Nov. 1999)
- Architect returns to City with revised approach to project (Feb. 2000)
- 1st phase is estimated to cost less than $100,000 and is bid accordingly
- Telecommunications group approaches City to lease most of 3rd floor for
2 years. City accepts
- City moves ahead with Phase I
MAYOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
(a) Downtown Salisbury, Inc. Master Plan
Mayor Kluttz informed Council that Downtown Salisbury, Inc. Master Plan will be held on Monday, April 10, 2000, at 12:00 noon till 2:00 p.m., at City Hall.
(b) Spring Spruce-Up Day
Mayor Kluttz informed Council that Saturday, April 8, 2000 is Spring Spruce-Up Day and on April 10-14, 2000, Public Services Department will be providing special collection service on these dates. You can call 638-5260 for pickup of items, she said.
Councilmember Kennedy informed Council that in his recent water bill, a notice was included about loose leaf collection and said this was a very helpful way to use the new water bill envelope.
Upon motion of Mr. Woodson, seconded by Mr. Burgin, and with all members present voting AYE on roll call vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor
City Clerk
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