Tag Archive for: #cityofhenderson

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City of Henderson Declares a State of Emergency

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-Information courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

The following Proclamation is issued by the Mayor of the City of Henderson and the Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners:

WHEREAS, information from the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other sources indicate that a significant tropical weather system is approaching North Carolina and is likely to produce considerable wind and rain; and

WHEREAS, this wind and rain may cause local and widespread flooding and flash flooding, and may also cause downed trees and power outages; and

WHEREAS, there is a high probability that this storm will create travel and other hazards for the citizens of Vance County and the City of Henderson within the next several hours; and

WHEREAS, the weather conditions associated with this tropical system are such as to constitute a potential and imminent threat to life and property;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority contained in Article 1 of N.C.G.S. Chapter 166A, Article 36A of N.C.G.S. Chapter 14, and Section 5 of the Local Emergency Management Ordinance, I, Eddie Ellington, Mayor of the City of Henderson, and I, Thomas S. Hester, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists within the City of Henderson and County of Vance.

I further proclaim that the ordinances set forth below, which are contained in Section 5 of the Local Emergency Management Ordinance of Vance County are necessary in order to maintain an acceptable level of public order, services, and protection of lives, safety and property during this emergency, and that the same shall be in effect within the City of Henderson and County of Vance until this Proclamation expires or is rescinded. I hereby order all City and County law enforcement officers, public safety personnel and all other emergency management personnel subject to my control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the emergency ordinances set forth below.

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General Emergency Protective Measures are in place. No public restrictions are imposed at this time

I further proclaim that the Emergency Operations Plan adopted by the City of Henderson and County of Vance, and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements are in effect and shall remain in effect until this proclamation expires or is rescinded. All emergency personnel are hereby ordered to cooperate in the implementation of the provisions of the Emergency Operations Plan and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements and to furnish assistance thereunder.

I direct that copies of this Proclamation be disseminated to the mass communications media for publication and broadcast and that a copy of this Proclamation be posted in City Hall as well as the Vance County Courthouse and other public buildings as appropriate.

This Proclamation shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect for a period of five days unless sooner rescinded pursuant to G.S. 14-288.16.

Proclaimed this the 12th day of September 2018 at 4 p.m.

Eddie Ellington, Mayor, City of Henderson

Thomas Hester, Jr., Chairman, Vance County Board of Commissioners

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City of Henderson Provides Tips to Reduce Flooding Potential

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

Due to the impending hurricane, City crews are doing all they can to reduce flooding and other hazardous situations throughout the City.

During this time, our Public Safety, Public Works and other crews will be receiving a large call volume so please limit your calls to true emergencies. Work will be prioritized according to the greatest need.

YOU can help:

  1. Remove litter that will clog the drainage system
  2. Make sure the storm drains are kept free of debris
  3. Do not leave your garbage and/or recycling containers out at the road or anyplace where they can be blown around. Notification will be made relative to your sanitation pick up.
  4. Make sure any unsecured items that can become airborne or end up in the storm sewer system are either properly secured or brought inside. Do not bring unsafe items inside (e.g. propane tanks). Items that end up in the storm sewer such as basketballs, soccer balls, flower arrangements, etc. can cause blockage and potential flooding.
  5. Please be patient as City crews may be delayed in reaching you due to downed power lines, trees or other issues.

Other:

  1. Stay away from windows. Flying glass from broken windows could injure you and emergency services may not be able to reach you.
  2. Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary.
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City of Henderson Finance Department Receives Highest Recognition

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-Press Release, Government Finance Officers Association

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to City of Henderson by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to the individual(s) or department designated by the government as primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standard of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top-quality publications, training programs, services, and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The association is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in Washington, D.C.

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Thousands of Gallons of Untreated Wastewater Discharged into Sandy Creek

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater

General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.

In accordance with that regulation, the following news release has been prepared and issued to media in the affected county:

The City of Henderson had a discharge of untreated wastewater on August 2, 2018, of an estimated 5,400 gallons at the Sandy Creek Pump Station, located at 482 Rock Mill Road. The untreated wastewater was discharged into the Sandy Creek in the Tar Pamlico River Basin. The Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on August 3, 2018, and is reviewing the matter.  For more information contact the City of Henderson Water Reclamation Facility at 252-431-6080.

The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 2,845 gallons of untreated water on August 2, 2018, due to infiltration/inflow in the sewer main during heavy rainfall.  This occurred behind Highland Green Apartments just off South Pinkston Street, Bridgers Street, East Rockspring Street and the intersection of Pinkston and Farrar Avenue.  The overflow entered Sandy Creek.  Questions concerning this matter should be directed to the Public Services ORC, Joey Long, Jr. at 252-226-4492 or Andy Perkinson at 252-431-6117.

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Restricting Downtown Business Hours Topic of Today’s Public Hearing

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The Henderson Planning Board held a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon in the City Hall Council Chambers to discuss restricting hours of operation for nightclubs, taverns, lounges and dance halls in the downtown Henderson business district.

The Henderson Police Department, in conjunction with Development Services staff, made the request to restrict hours of operation in the B-1, Central Business District.

The request adds language to the existing ordinance regulating the hours of operation for nightclubs, taverns, lounges and dance halls in the B-1 district to Sunday through Thursday from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 a.m. to midnight.

The request also stipulates that restaurants obtain a special-use permit if they provide live music or dancing.

Language has also been added to allow businesses established prior to construction of residential properties to be grandfathered in under zoning requirements until the business undergoes a change in ownership or in business type.

Hotels and motels are excluded from these particular zoning requirements.

The ordinance as it reads on the Henderson Planning Board’s agenda is outlined below. Type in red indicates proposed changes to Ordinance 18:

ORDINANCE 18

TEXT AMENDMENT TO AMEND ARTICLE 600B: SUPPLEMENTARY USE REGULATION SECTION 652B: NIGHT CLUBS, TAVERNS, LOUNGES & DANCE HALLS.

The City Council of the City of Henderson, North Carolina ordains: That the following section be amended/added to the City Zoning Code:

Section 652B: Night Clubs, Taverns, Lounges and Dance Halls

652B.1 Location and Hours

No night club, tavern or lounge (except night clubs, taverns or lounges with 25,000 square feet of individual building floor area that are located within a shopping center with at least 100,000 square feet of total area) shall be located within a radius of 500 feet of any school, church, hospital, funeral home, domiciliary home, rooming house, residential dwelling unit or residential zoning district.

Hours of operation in a B-1 (Central Business District) Sunday thru Thursday from 4 AM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday 4 AM to midnight. In the event restaurant provides live music and/or dancing a special use permit is required. Any place of business that was established prior to construction of residential properties within this area shall be grandfathered under this zoning requirement until such time a business changes owners or business type. Hotels and motels are also excluded.

652B.2 State Standards

Any night club, tavern or lounge shall demonstrate that it can meet the standards for on-premises ABC Permit under Chapter 18, Article 10 of the North Carolina General Statutes in the event that any alcoholic beverages are to be consumed on the premises.

652B.3 Noise

Every night club, tavern or lounge shall be designed and constructed as to prevent unreasonably loud noise from emanating beyond the premises in such a manner that they would disturb nearby uses.

652B.4 Dance Halls

Dance halls serving alcoholic beverages shall be deemed to be a nightclub. Dance Halls serving no alcoholic beverages shall not meet the locational or State standards set forth in subsections 652B.1 and 652B.2 but shall meet the noise requirements set forth in section 652B.3

652B.5 Banquet Facilities/Event Center

No banquet facilities/event center shall be located in a radius of two hundred fifty (250) feet from any school, church, residential dwelling unit or residential district measured from the occupied/rentable space.

The requirements and restrictions of Section 10-30 (a) through (e) of the City of Henderson, North Carolina Code shall apply to the uses permitted by this section. (Amended 12/12/16).

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Henderson City Council Adopts FY 2018-19 Budget

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Without further ado, the Henderson City Council adopted the proposed FY 2018-19 budget at their Monday, June 11, 2018, meeting.

After hearing a brief summary of the overall budget from City Manager Frank Frazier, who thanked council members for the meetings and work sessions that were held to get to that point in the budget process, the approximately $44 million budget was approved.

Frazier said he felt encouraged about the budget thanks, in part, to an increase in the amount of sales tax collected this past fiscal year. “We were slightly ahead of projections,” Frazier reported. “Whereas some projections by different agencies increased that [collection rate] to 4%, we used a more conservative approach at 2%.”

Frazier also reported an increase in the personal/real property tax collection rate as performed by the Vance County Tax Office. “This collection helped increase our revenue projections for the upcoming year and staff worked hard over the last several years in becoming a safer workforce and obtaining a better worker’s comp rate,” said Frazier.

The increase in tax collection has also helped to offset the less than 1% lower personal property value from the previous fiscal year.

Budgeted funds for the final phase in a five-year pay class study allows for a 5% pay increase for City employees effective August 9, 2018. According to Frazier, “This helps us to reduce our turnover rate and also helps us compete with our neighboring jurisdictions.”

As previously reported to WIZS by Henderson City Councilman Garry Daeke, the turnover rate for City of Henderson employees has dropped from 20% to 5% since the implementation of the five-year study.

This year’s budget was approved with no tax rate increase, keeping the rate steady at approximately 71 cents per $100 of property value. Sanitary sewer and sanitation rates also remain unchanged.

A 5% water rate increase was approved, which will allow for the completion of several infrastructure projects with streets, water and sewer as well as equipment purchases.

As Frazier stated in previous budget documentation “Whereas not all needs are met, as in most budgets, I believe this budget represents further positive steps in areas not funded previously, which will help the City continue to grow and reach its full potential again.”

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City of Henderson Update 06/06/18

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City of Henderson Reports Bypass of 968,000 Gallons of Untreated Wastewater

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-Press Release, City of Henderson

The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 968,000 gallons of untreated water starting May 7, 2018, due to a fallen tree and other debris dislodging the existing sanitary sewer on piers across the creek. This occurred on the Red Bud Outfall to the west of Tiny Broadwick Boulevard and Oxford Road (Hwy 158 Business).

After locating the problem, pumps were set up to begin pumping the spill back into the sewer system and approximately 202,500 gallons of affected creek water was pumped back into the sanitary sewer system. Also, hydrogen peroxide was added to the creek to help mitigate any negative environmental effects of the untreated water that entered the creek.

Upstream and downstream samples were taken to monitor the stream for oxygen levels and other measures; however, at this time there has been no indication of any fish kills or harmful effects to other wildlife, The State has been notified and they are investigating.

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

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

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City of Henderson Updates (March 2018)

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire

Garry Daeke, a 13-year member of the Henderson City Council, recently spoke on air with WIZS to answer questions and provide listeners with City of Henderson updates.

Breckenridge Pavilion:

The proposed Breckenridge Pavilion, to be located near the Henderson Police Department, will serve as the last piece of the overall Breckenridge Commons project and as the corner piece of the block.

According to Daeke, the importance of the project has led the City to reexamine best practices to ensure a satisfactory final result.

“We had gotten some initial startup on the pavilion last year and we thought it would be going very quickly, but as we looked at it further, we decided that we really needed to do some landscaping on that lot,” said Daeke. “We decided that we need a landscape architect to give us a layout for the whole activity.”

While no date has been set for estimated completion, the City expects to receive the architect’s layout in the next few weeks.

“It will certainly cost a little more to complete, but we decided that we needed to do this right,” Daeke said.

Former Bank Building in Downtown Henderson:

Daeke said that while a few people have expressed interest in the vacant former bank building in the downtown area, none have been completely willing to follow the building covenants.

“The City really wants to maintain the façade; however, not everyone wanted to maintain the façade or keep the old architecture,” said Daeke.

Additional covenants include maintaining the lobby area of the building and maintaining and utilizing the vault in some way.

The building is currently for sale.

City of Henderson Tax Base:

The City’s tax base has remained stagnant over the past decade, especially in regards to residential growth.

“The tax base hasn’t grown at all like we’d like for it to grow, especially residential. We aren’t building many houses inside the City limits,” Daeke said.

Daeke also sees future potential issues with a stagnant tax base and the City budget. “We have to plan for reoccurring expenses,” said Daeke. “We gave raises [to City employees] last year and we love to be able to do that, but that’s a cost every year down the road. If you don’t have growth, where do you find the money?”

Fire Department:

According to Daeke, the City has known for years that there is a need to realign the two existing fire stations and add a third station.

“Some businesses have come in on both ends of town and wanted to be annexed,” Daeke said. “We did that, but it is a little problematic in that we then stretch our service base. The police and fire department have to respond farther out to the east and the west.”

Currently, a new fire engine is being custom built for the City to the tune of $560,000. The engine takes approximately one year to build and is on the City’s budget for the next fiscal year.

Daeke credits Fire Chief Steve Cordell and his men for doing a great job with the resources they have available, “Chief Cordell does an excellent job with the fire department. We’ve got some excellent young men working there. They are always training and are on spot every time they’re called. We are really proud of them.”

Other Miscellaneous Items:

  • The recent inclement weather has delayed the demolition of the former Abagayle’s Books building, but the project is expected to be completed soon.
  • The City is currently discussing a redevelopment plan. “We want to layout a redevelopment plan to highlight certain areas where we would like to see growth as well as open it up for investment in other areas,” said Daeke.
  • Turnover in the fire departments and police departments is an ongoing concern. According to Daeke, it has become increasingly difficult for the City to compete with neighboring communities such as Wake Forest and their higher pay rates.
  • Daeke commends new Henderson Downtown Development Director Kaine Riggan, “I think Kaine Riggan is doing a great job. He’s got a lot of experience and a lot of energy. He thinks outside of the box and I’m excited about all of the things he is going to pull together.”

Daeke will be back on the air with WIZS in the next three months to provide additional City of Henderson and Henderson City Council updates.

 

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City of Henderson Update 03/15/18

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