Tag Archive for: #cityofhenderson

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Downtown Director Kathy Walters Resigns From City of Henderson

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Kathy Walters, director of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission (DDC), has submitted her resignation to the City of Henderson effective September 30, 2020.

In a statement to WIZS News, Walters said she has “decided to retire and simplify my life.”

With approximately 10 years of prior experience working for the City of Henderson, including a turn as DDC director in the ‘90s, Walters returned to the role at full-time status in September 2019.

Henderson City Manager E. Terrell Blackmon said, “Kathy Walters chose to resign from her position, as she has several years of prior government service with the State of North Carolina. In the short while that I have been here, she has been a valuable member of my team and was instrumental in the City of Henderson regaining its status as a Main Street Community.”

A part of the Main Street Program from the mid-1980s until approximately 2010, a time that included Walters’ first tenure as director, a lapse in the completion of requirements cost the downtown area the coveted distinction.

The DDC announced last month that after a lengthy recertification process, the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center has officially renamed Henderson a designated N.C. Main Street Community. Benefits of Main Street status include technical assistance with building restoration and access to grant money – perks that can help attract new businesses and breathe new life into downtown.

Dr. Stephen Pearson, chair of the DDC, said Walters was instrumental in the reestablishment of Henderson to Main Street status and was personally helpful with his new role.

“She did a fantastic job as executive director, and it’s been an absolute pleasure working with her,” Pearson said. “She was a great help to me transitioning into my position.”

Blackmon said the City will begin the recruitment process to name a new DDC director in the coming weeks. In the interim, Blackmon and Development Service Director Corey Williams will perform the day-to-day activities of Walters’ position.

McGregor Hall

Vance County Allocates $50,000 to McGregor Hall; City Considers Funding Request

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The Vance County Intergovernmental Committee (Taylor[C], Feimster & Kelly) met on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, to review a request from McGregor Hall for funding assistance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the County’s write-up of the meeting, the committee discussed the impact of COVID-19 on McGregor which includes a $100,000 overall decrease in revenue compared to last year (from March 16 – July 10) and recognized the County could not provide the requested funding level of $250,000.

The committee recognized the local economic impact of McGregor ($2.34 million according to a 2019 economic impact study) and discussed the importance of McGregor to the continued growth and success of downtown Henderson and Vance County.

The committee discussed a recommendation from Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen to allocate $50,000 in one-time funding to McGregor from the County’s Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF). Two of the three committee members were in agreement and recommended supporting McGregor with $50,000 in CRF funds. The third committee member mentioned a concern with allocating all of the remaining CRF funds and suggested providing $30,000 to McGregor.

According to McMillen, following the committee report, the Vance County Board of Commissioners approved the County’s updated plan for allocating the remaining CRF that came from the Federal Government through the state. The vote was 4-2 with Commissioners Dan Brummitt and Carolyn Faines voting against the final allocation of CRF. (Commissioner Yolanda Feimster was absent.)

McMillen said the $50,000 to McGregor Hall was one of the final allocations approved and funds will be distributed to the performing arts center over the next few months.

Henderson City Manager E. Terrell Blackmon said McGregor Hall reached out to the City to request a financial contribution at the same time they contacted Vance County, which was shortly after the City’s FY 2020-2021 budget had been adopted.

“Council does have an opportunity to consider making a contribution to McGregor Hall utilizing CARES Act funding similar to what Vance County Government has recently done,” Blackmon stated in correspondence with WIZS News. “The City’s pot of funds is much smaller than that of Vance County since we are only a sub-recipient of a portion of the County’s funds. Our first priority with the funding is to up-fit our facilities to make them more COVID-friendly, improve technology for virtual meetings/teleworking and purchase additional PPE. Up-fitting our facilities will take up the lion’s share of the $459,733 we received from Vance County. However, in my proposed budget activities, I have recommended that the Council consider a contribution to McGregor Hall.”

Blackmon stated that he could not provide a specific funding amount at this time, citing the need to await quotes and finalized numbers, but anticipates a final decision could be made at October’s City Council meeting after the presentation of the final CARES Act budget. Ultimately, he explained, the final decision of the City’s contributions to McGregor Hall’s funding request will be up to the Henderson City Council.

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City of Henderson’s Sewer System Bypassed 786,000 Gallons of Untreated Water

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

NOTICE OF BYPASS OF UNTREATED WASTEWATER

The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 786,000 gallons of untreated water on August 31, 2020, due to inflow/infiltration from the heavy rain.

The overflow occurred at Neatherly St, E Rockspring St, the intersection of Pinkston St. and Farrar Ave., Pinkston St. (Green Acres outfall), Alexander Ave., and Bridgers St.

Approximately 149,625 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek. Approximately 12,375 gallons were contained on the ground.

Two lift stations also had overflows due to inflow/infiltration: 1416 Rock Mill Road/Martins Creek overflowed approximately 72,000 gallons and 482 Rock Mill Road/Sandy Creek overflowed approximately 552,000 gallons both entering Sandy Creek.

North Carolina General Statutes Article 21 Chapter 143.215.1c requires a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

Questions concerning this matter should be directed to the Public Works ORC Joey Long, Jr. at (252) 226-4492 or Andy Perkinson at (252) 431-6117.

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City of Henderson Seeking Letters of Interest for Vacant Ward 4 Seat

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-Information courtesy the City of Henderson

Notice is hereby given that the City of Henderson’s Ward 4 Ward Seat is vacant and the City is seeking Letters of Interest.

Minimum qualifications:

  • Must be a resident of Ward 4;
  • Must be at least 18 years of age;
  • Must be a United States citizen;
  • Must not be a convicted felon; and
  • Must have full voting rights.

Individuals who meet the minimum qualifications may obtain Letter of Interest instructions by contacting the City Clerk at emccrackin@ci.henderson.nc.us or by calling (252) 430-5705.

Letters of Interest must be submitted as original copies with original signatures and must be received by the City Clerk, 134 Rose Avenue, Henderson, NC 27536, no later than 5 p.m., September 4, 2020.

Incomplete Letters of Interest and/or those not received by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered by the Henderson City Council. All Letters of Interest are considered public records.

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Franklin Co. Requests Additional 450,000 Gallons of Water Per Day From KLRWS

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Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington requested a Special Called Meeting of the Henderson City Council on Tuesday afternoon, August 18, 2020.

According to Ellington, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss a request from Franklin County for an additional 450,000 gallons of water per day from the Kerr Lake Regional Water System (KLRWS), of which the City of Henderson is a managing partner.

Discussions about the terms and if KLRWS and its partners will accept are on-going.

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Henderson Mayor Calls Special Meeting on Existing Water Contract

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-Information courtesy the City of Henderson

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington has requested a Special Called Meeting of the Henderson City Council for Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 12 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to amend an existing water contract.

This meeting will be held in Council Chambers, 134 Rose Avenue, Henderson, NC.  The public is welcome to observe.

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Failure at Sandy Creek Lift Station Results in Release of Untreated Water

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 5,000 gallons of untreated water on July 30, 2020, due to a control system failure at Sandy Creek Lift Station. The overflow was approximately 5,000 gallons of untreated water that entered a tributary to Sandy Creek, and 500 gallons were contained on the ground.

North Carolina General Statutes Article 21 Chapter 143.215.1c requires a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

Questions concerning this matter should be directed to the Public Works Collection ORC Joey Long Jr at (252) 226-4492 or HWRF ORC Christy Lipscomb at (252) 430-9387.

Manganese Outbreak

Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant Reports Manganese Outbreak, Says Water is Safe

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

The Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant had a Manganese outbreak from the lake that was more than the current treatment process could control.

The outbreak has cleared at the plant, but some customers may see dingy water depending on the usage in their area. The water is safe to use.

If you have questions, please call Christy M. Lipscomb, Director/ORC Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant at (252) 438-2141 or email clipscomb@ci.henderson.nc.us.

Downtown Henderson

City of Henderson: Action Required on Delinquent Water, Sewer Accounts

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

The Impact of Executive Orders 124/142 on Your City of Henderson Utility Account

Effective March 31, 2020, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order (EO) 124. Governor Cooper issued EO 142 that became effective on May 30, 2020. These Executive Orders state that the City is unable to disconnect water and sewer service for late payments incurred from March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020.

Below is a summary of these provisions and how it affects your utility account.

Suspension of Disconnections:

  • As of March 31, 2020, EO 124 suspended disconnections for non-payment. (As of March 17, 2020, the City suspended disconnections for non-payment.)
  • The disconnection suspension continues through July 29, 2020.
  • The suspension applies to accounts that incur delinquencies beginning March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020.
  • The City may disconnect services for any reason other than stated above.
  • After July 29, 2020, the City will resume disconnections according to normal policies with one exception:
    • According to the Executive Order, local governments may not terminate service to residential customers who incur a delinquency from March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020, who are complying with the terms of a payment plan.

Suspensions of Late Penalties:

  • The City may not apply late penalties for delinquent payments of regular charges on residential accounts that are due from March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020.
  • The City may charge late penalties on accounts that became delinquent prior to March 31, 2020.

Payment Plan Mandates:

  1. The City is required to offer residential customers who incur a delinquency from March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020, the option to participate in a payment plan that extends payments up to six (6) months after July 29. The payment plan will divide the delinquent balance due into multiple installment payments instead of mandating a payment in a lump sum. The current bill amounts over the six month period will be included in the payment plan.
  2. The City has set a strict deadline of August 31, 2020, in which payment plans must be made for these past due balances. Please contact the Customer Service Department at 252-430-5700 to make an appointment.
  3. If you DO NOT create a payment plan by 5 p.m. on August 31, 2020, you will be required to pay the TOTAL past due balance incurred between March 31, 2020, through July 29, 2020, in full by 5 p.m. on January 25, 2021, in order not to have services disconnected.  

Services will be disconnected without exception if you do not take one of the steps above within the time frame set above.

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Henderson’s Sewer System Bypasses Half a Million Gallons of Untreated Water

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 243,000 gallons of untreated water on June 17, 2020, due to inflow/infiltration from the heavy rain.

The overflow occurred at Neatherly St, E Rockspring St, the intersection of Pinkston St and Farrar Ave., Pinkston St. (Green Acres outfall), Alexander Ave., Willow Ln., 1812 BrookRun, 409 Harriett St., and Bridgers St.

Approximately 243,000 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek and Redbud Creek. Approximately  21,000 gallons were contained on the ground.

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The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 255,750 gallons of untreated water on June 16-17, 2020, due to inflow/infiltration from the heavy rain.

The overflow occurred at 51 Vance Academy Road, 1646 W. Andrews Avenue, 1416 Rock Mill Road and 482 Rock Mill Road.

Approximately 11,250 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek, approximately 55,500 gallons entered Sandy Creek, 39,000 gallons entered Nutbush Creek and approximately 150,000 gallons were released into RedBud Creek.

North Carolina General Statutes Article 21 Chapter 143.215.1c requires a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

Questions concerning this matter should be directed to the Public Works ORC Joey Long Jr at (252) 226-4492 or Andy Perkinson at (252) 431-6117.