Tag Archive for: #cityofhenderson

McGregor Hall

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center Requests City, County Funding

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Mark Hopper, chair of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, provided WIZS News with additional information regarding Wednesday’s story on McGregor Hall’s funding request to local government:

McGregor Hall did not list a monetary amount in its funding request. We are hoping to have help with our debt service on the building, of which $18 million has already been paid privately ($12 million for construction of Perry Library and $6 million for construction of McGregor Hall). $2.9 million in debt remains and is financed through a low-interest USDA loan.

Letters and information packets were sent to both Jordan McMillen, County Manager, and Frank Frazier, City Manager in the first days of this year. Each letter was accompanied by the results of the study of McGregor Hall’s economic impact on Henderson and Vance County as prepared by the Municipal Research Lab at NC State University for the 12-month period preceding April 2019.

Important items:

  • McGregor Hall intentionally waited to submit this kind of funding request to the city and county until we could do so responsibly with proof that we are achieving our stated primary purpose of economic revitalization in downtown Henderson and Vance County. According to the Economic Impact Study:
    • McGregor Hall is directly responsible for injecting $2.4 million into the Henderson economy (scope of the study was limited to the City for manageability) during the 12 months in question.
    • McGregor Hall is directly responsible for 5.5% of all economic growth in Vance County over the past three years.
    • Of all of McGregor Hall’s direct revenue, over 39% comes from nonresident patrons and purchases, proving McGregor Hall’s status as a primary tourist magnet.
    • Major event days at McGregor create massive upticks in restaurant and hotel traffic.
  • McGregor Hall is the only performing arts center in the state we’ve identified with over 750 seats (McGregor is 1,000 seats) not connected with an educational institution that does not receive any kind of municipal or county funding.  We currently operate with one full-time employee (Technical Director) and three part-time employees with a combined 20 hours per week (two box office staff and janitor).  Our annual budget in 2018 was $491,839.
    • The Paramount Theater in Goldsboro has two full-time employees and 25 part-time employees.  The room seats 400. The City of Goldsboro handled all construction costs and is responsible for all debt service. Additionally, they receive $180,000 annually in combined city/county funding for operations to help fund their $480,000 annual budget.
    • The Theater at the Arts Center in Fuquay-Varina has two full-time employees and 14 part-time employees. The room seats 300. The facility’s construction costs were funded by the city. All of the facility’s upkeep and the entire annual budget of $725,000 is funded by the city.
    • The High Point Theater has six full-time employees and three part-time. It seats 750. The city funded its original construction in 1975 and has funded several additional renovations since. 100% of their $1.3 million annual budget is provided by the City of High Point, offset by an average of $800,000 in annual ticket sales.

There are many other examples, but these are representative of the norms.

There is no comparable model for what we are accomplishing with this facility through the sacrificial work of passionate volunteers and donors. We are defying the odds, writing a new playbook, and making Henderson way more than a punchline for the jokes of people in the Triangle. We are making life better for citizens in Vance County and helping to create and sustain businesses and their accompanying jobs.

What other current economic revitalization project in our town and county can prove that it’s making this kind of difference? What would happen if 5.5% of our economic growth in Vance County suddenly disappeared?

At the end of the day, we are a group of citizens trying to make where we live a better place, and asking nothing in return for it except help in achieving our goal.

Vance Co., City of Henderson Intergovernmental Committees to Meet Jan. 28

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, Vance County Board of Commissioners

Vance County’s Intergovernmental Committee (Taylor, Feimster, Kelly) is scheduled to meet with the City’s Intergovernmental Committee on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at 2:30 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the Administrative Conference Room of the Vance County Administration Building located at 122 Young Street in Henderson. Topics to be discussed include, but are not limited to:

–       Review of Joint Programs

–       McGregor Hall funding request

–       Downtown Wi-Fi

Henderson Fire Dept

Henderson Fire Study Recommends Building Third Station

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

In a follow-up on the Henderson City Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting held Wednesday afternoon, City Manager Frank Frazier and Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell provided WIZS News with more details on the City’s recently completed fire study.

Henderson is currently served by two fire stations located approximately one mile apart: Station #1 at 211 Dabney Drive and the over 100-year-old historic Station #2 at 205 N. Garnett Street in downtown Henderson.

“After a fair amount of annexations over the last few years, we felt like it was time to review our station distribution and coverage areas,” Frazier said. “Years ago, we looked at a third station, but we felt like a study was needed to see what the data shows.”

The study, conducted by Management Solutions for Emergency Services based out of Greenville, SC, began in August 2019 with the pulling of station files dating back to 2010 – almost a decade’s worth of data.

According to Cordell, the study indicated that a third fire station was recommended for city coverage, with a suggested location around the Dabney Drive, 158 Bypass area.

“According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), engines are supposed to be able to respond within a mile and a half; that’s what they look at when they do ISO ratings. It is two and a half miles for ladder truck companies,” said Cordell. “A new station in that vicinity would give us 92% for a mile and a half engine coverage in the city.”

The ISO (Insurance Services Office) sets ratings for fire departments on a scale of 1 to 10 based on a number of factors that impact response time and safety, Cordell explained. The lower the department’s ISO number, the less risky your house seems to insurance companies. This can equate to paying less for your homeowners insurance in the long-run.

The City’s current ISO rating is a 2, a feat that Frazier said is owed to the hard work and dedication of the fire department.

“Eventually, building another fire station could help us get to a 1; that’s a goal,” Frazier said.

Getting a third fire station built would be quite the process as Cordell estimated a $2 million price tag for the land and building, with an additional $600,000 annual operations cost for the study’s 12 recommend department staff and equipment.

Frazier said it is a large expense and the City would need to look at additional ways to fund the project, including any available USDA or FEMA assistance.

“It’s a lot of information to be absorbed and you’ve got to look at all the parameters,” said Frazier. “Everyone involved needs to review this study in-depth and decide how to proceed moving forward.”

With Frazier set to retire from the City at the end of January, he said this will be a major task moving forward for newly hired manager Edward Terrell Blackmon.

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City of Henderson Selects New Manager

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

Mr. Edward Terrell Blackmon has been selected as Henderson’s new City Manager and will be sworn in during the City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, January 13, 2020, at 6 p.m. or shortly thereafter.

A native of Smithfield, NC, Mr. Blackmon is a seasoned nonprofit executive with prior municipal government experience. He has served as Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Chester in South Carolina, as well as holding various planning positions in the NC communities of Monroe, Raleigh, Garner and Tarboro.

Blackmon received his MBA from Montreat College and his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Mr. Blackmon is also a licensed Real Estate Broker in North & South Carolina, in addition to being recognized as a certified Housing Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council.

Mr. Blackmon’s community activities include the Beta Nu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Team Charlotte grassroots basketball program. He also serves as President of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association’s Black Alumni Chapter.

Mayor Eddie Ellington made the following comment on Blackmon’s selection, saying:

The City Council and I look forward to working with Mr. Blackmon as we plan for and address the challenges and opportunities facing our municipality.

Mr. Blackmon possesses more than 25 years of community economic development experience and currently serves as Community and Economic Development Manager for the Town of Mooresville, NC where he is responsible for the Town’s housing, economic development and downtown redevelopment activities.

He is married to the former Akenna Vaught of Lenoir, NC and they have two adult sons: Edward Terrell Blackmon, II and Robert Kennan Blackmon.

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Reminder: City of Henderson to Run Revised Sanitation Schedule for Holidays

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

The City of Henderson’s sanitation schedule for the Christmas and New Year holidays are as follows:

Christmas week is a recycling collection week.

The schedule will be as follows for Recycling, Bulk Waste and Yard Debris:

Christmas Week

Monday, December 23 – Will collect Monday and Tuesday Routes

Tuesday, December 24 – Holiday, No collection

Wednesday, December 25 – Holiday, No collection

Thursday, December 26 – Will collect Wednesday and Thursday Routes

Friday, December 27 – No Change

 

New Year’s week is a non-recycling collection week.

The schedule will be as follows for Bulk Waste and Yard Debris:

New Year’s Week

Monday, December 30 – No Change

Tuesday, December 31 – Will collect Tuesday and Wednesday Routes

Wednesday, January 1 – Holiday, No collection

Thursday, January 2 – No Change

Friday, January 3 – No Change

Monday, January 6 – Back to normal operations

If you have any questions, please call the Assistant Public Works Director, Lee Owens at (252) 431-0419.

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City to Hold Public Hearing on 60-Day Gaming Operations Moratorium

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

Mayor Eddie Ellington has requested a Special Called Meeting for Friday, December 20, 2019, at 12 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 134 Rose Avenue in Henderson.

The purpose of this meeting is to hold a public hearing to establish a 60-day moratorium on gaming operations to allow staff and the City Attorney time to review current regulations. The public is encouraged to attend.

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City of Henderson Releases Sanitation Schedule for Christmas, New Year Holidays

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

The City of Henderson’s sanitation schedule for the Christmas and New Year holidays are as follows:

Christmas week is a recycling collection week.

The schedule will be as follows for Recycling, Bulk Waste and Yard Debris:

Christmas Week

Monday, December 23 – Will collect Monday and Tuesday Routes

Tuesday, December 24 – Holiday, No collection

Wednesday, December 25 – Holiday, No collection

Thursday, December 26 – Will collect Wednesday and Thursday Routes

Friday, December 27 – No Change

 

New Year’s week is a non-recycling collection week.

The schedule will be as follows for Bulk Waste and Yard Debris:

New Year’s Week

Monday, December 30 – No Change

Tuesday, December 31 – Will collect Tuesday and Wednesday Routes

Wednesday, January 1 – Holiday, No collection

Thursday, January 2 – No Change

Friday, January 3 – No Change

Monday, January 6 – Back to normal operations

If you have any questions, please call the Assistant Public Works Director, Lee Owens at (252) 431-0419.

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City of Henderson Releases Sanitation Schedule for Thanksgiving Holiday

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

The City of Henderson has released the sanitation schedule for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The schedule will be as follows for recycling and yard debris:

Monday, November 25 –  Monday and Tuesday customers will be collected

Tuesday, November 26 – Wednesday and Thursday customers will be collected

Wednesday, November 27  – Friday customers will be collected

Please note that Waste Industries garbage collection will follow a different schedule for Thanksgiving. Their schedule is as follows:

Monday, November 25 – No Change

Tuesday, November 26 – No Change

Wednesday, November 27  – No Change

Friday, November 29 – Waste Industries to collect Thursday customers

Saturday, November 30 – Waste Industries to collect Friday customers

If you have any questions, please call the Assistant Public Works Director, Lee Owens at (252) 431-0419

Downtown Henderson

City Manager Talks Flood Ordinance, Address Identification, Bulletproof Vests

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City Manager Frank Frazier discussed a few of the key bullet points of the October 14 Henderson City Council meeting on WIZS’ Town Talk last week, including:

Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations Plan

Brian Short, director of the Henderson-Vance Emergency Operations Center, is currently working with local law enforcement and fire personnel to update the emergency operations plan in light of recent enhancements to 911 and GPS tracking.

In August, H-V Emergency Operations upgraded to a new telecommunications system known as “Next Generation 911,” allowing for faster digital communication between the public, participating 911 centers and emergency personnel.

In addition to faster call processing, Short said in a previous interview with WIZS that the Next Generation infrastructure will eventually allow for video chats with callers, improved 911 texting speed and faster identification of GPS coordinates.

While faster GPS identification will save precious time in an emergency, Frazier said the City and County are working together on updating addresses in the system and discussing ways to better physically identify properties.

“We aren’t looking at changing anyone’s address,” explained Frazier. “We have some residents that currently do not physically present their address in a location that fire, police or other emergency services can quickly identify.”

Frazier said street numbers posted on mailboxes or the front of homes can save time in an emergency situation and will be a topic of discussion for the City moving forward.

Enforcing Minimum Housing Codes

With the recent hiring of an additional full-time code enforcer, Frazier said the City is beginning to ramp up enforcement of dwellings not meeting minimum housing standards.

Demolition of two dwellings – 302 Harriett Street and 726 College Street – were approved at the October City Council meeting. According to Frazier, the owners of the properties requested and were granted 60 days to bring the units up to code before demolition begins.

For additional information on building codes, please visit the City of Henderson’s code compliance site (click here).

Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

Following a scheduled public hearing with no one speaking in favor of or in opposition to updates to a local flood ordinance, the City Council approved proposed amendments.

Changes to the ordinance mirror recommendations made by the State of NC, and will keep Henderson eligible for assistance if a qualifying situation occurs.

While the rules and regulations for what qualifies for FEMA assistance and grants after a flood remain “very restrictive,” Frazier said improved mapping completed after the destruction of Hurricane Floyd in 1999 makes it easier to determine if your home or business is located in a flood zone.

“Henderson is primarily at the top of the ridge and we don’t have as many flood plain areas as other communities,” Frazier said. “We do have better mapping now and, with minor revisions to the flood ordinance, we are in much better shape than we were years ago to handle this responsibility.”

Purchase of Bulletproof Vests for the Henderson Police Department

The Henderson Police Department will soon be receiving new bulletproof vests thanks to approximately $8,000 in budgeted federal money.

“Bulletproof vests have an expiration date and have to be replaced,” said Frazier. We are sticking to the guidelines to keep our officers safe and equipped with the best.”

To hear Frazier’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click here. Frazier’s segment begins at the 15:00 mark. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

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Henderson’s Loose Leaf Collection Season Has Begun

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson, NC

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The City of Henderson’s Loose Leaf Collection Season began the week of October 14, 2019, and will end January 17, 2020. During this period of time, it is permitted to place rows or piles of loose leaves or pine straw at the roadside for the City’s Public Works Department to collect. Please note that rows or piles of loose leaves or pine straw shall:

  • Be placed behind the curb not to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
  • Not be placed in an open ditch, gutter or street area as this can interfere with the City’s storm drainage system.
  • Be free of trash and debris such as glass, cans, rocks, limb cuttings, etc. as this may damage collection equipment.
  • Not be placed on top of your water meter.

Loose leaves and pine straw will generally be picked up on a two or three-week rotation; however, this is dependent on weather conditions and leaf accumulation. You may continue to bag leaves or place them in a container during loose leaf season, however, it is not required.

If leaves or pine straw are placed at the curb in loose form before loose leaf season begins or after loose leaf season ends, a $75 charge will be added to your sanitation bill.

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at 252-431-6115 or 252-431-6030.