Tag Archive for: #cityofhenderson

“State of the City” Highlights Positive Progress For Henderson’s Future

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, partnering with Henderson Vance Rotary, hosted the 2022 “state of the city” address Thursday,  highlighting an array of projects underway and others on the horizon but also asking for a unified community approach to tackle issues that detract from the city’s image.

The dining room at Henderson Country Club was filled with about 100 Chamber members and guests for the program. Greg Etheridge, local Rotary president, welcomed the group, after which Mayor Eddie Ellington and City Manager Terrell Blackmon provided updates on the city’s current situation and prospects for future revitalization.

Ellington said he balances celebrating the city’s recent successes with the need to face “hard truths” that cannot be ignored. The City Council passed a $39 million budget with no increase in taxes or fees, and the city’s fun balance is “sturdy,” he said. New jobs are being added through projects like the M.R. Williams expansion and the addition of the cardiac catheterization lab at Maria Parham Health.

But increased gun violence, lack of affordable housing and a low percentage of home ownership in the city are certainly areas of concern, as are numerous open positions within the city administration.

Blackmon used results from the city council’s recent strategic planning retreat to identify several areas of need in his presentation titled “Reshaping Henderson” – which include improving the perception of the city, effective recruitment and retention of city employees and housing redevelopment.

“We have things to fix,” Blackmon said. Whether it’s an ongoing campaign to reduce litter with the city’s neighborhoods or actively promoting existing and new events that take place in downtown Henderson, he said the whole community needs to become more involved.

The police department is down 9 officers, the fire department has 12 vacancies, according to Blackmon, and the city has been with two key department heads for a year – the city needs a lead engineer and someone to oversee the public works departments.

With expected growth in the number of redevelopment projects as revitalization continues, the work of these two departments is critical.

“We have to have that every day leadership to move forward,” he said. It’s tough to compete with larger cities nearby, especially for law enforcement, he added. One step the city took recently is to give a $1/hr. pay increase to front-line workers as a way to retain employees.

The city has allotted $1.5 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds – ARPA – to fund redevelopment activities and other strategic investments in the city, and Blackmon encouraged and challenged others within the community to “leverage that money to help more residents in Henderson and Vance County.”

A self-described “passionate public servant,” Blackmon mentioned the various community assets that bring visitors to the area, where they spend money and contribute to the local economy. In addition to Kerr Lake, Fox Pond Park and McGregor Hall, he pointed out the new skate park near downtown and a new outdoor pavilion in the Embassy Square area that is ready to proceed with construction.

The city rejoined the Main Street program in 2021 as one way to promote downtown revitalization. Blackmon mentioned several grant programs and projects that have come along since that time, and said there’s more to come.

“I think you’re going to be very pleased with some of the progress that’s coming” to downtown, he said.

Moving forward with the West End and Flint Hill urban redevelopment areas is one way the city is hoping to boost safe, affordable housing for Henderson residents.

The median income in Henderson in 2020 was about $31,000, which Blackmon explained would be enough to purchase a home that cost about $168,000. But with a poverty rate of 29.3 percent, home ownership often is out of reach.

Blackmon said 60 percent of housing in Henderson is rental housing, which creates challenges for tenants, for property owners and for the city. It puts a greater burden on businesses and homeowners to “carry the services we provide to the community,” Blackmon said. The city relies heavily on property tax revenues.

Infill housing – new construction in established neighborhoods close to downtown – is something that the city needs, but he added that it is difficult to make the housing affordable. Blackmon hinted at the possibility of several future projects involving subdivisions and infill development.

The much-talked-about water plant expansion should get off the ground by January 2023 and the S-Line Mobility Hub is a hot topic right now for the area. Blackmon said Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill was in Raleigh Thursday for the unveiling of the first draft of what the railroad station could look like.

The rail project, though chugging closer to fruition, is still in the early stages of development, one transportation-related issue that has long been on the minds of city officials could face a roadblock.

The Dabney Drive widening project could face getting pushed further down on the to-do list by NC DOT.

“Dabney Drive is a critical artery for the city of Henderson,” Blackmon said. “That widening project needs to happen as soon as possible.” He urged those present to talk to their elected state officials to keep the project from moving down the list.

TownTalk: The City Of Henderson Budget

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The proposed budget for the City of Henderson includes a bump in salary for some frontline city employees, continued funding for economic incentives and grants and, what may interest city residents most – no increase in taxes or fees for city services.

The $22.68 million also includes a $1.65 million appropriation from the fund balance, which City Manager Terrell Blackmon called a “considerable reduction” from the appropriation from the previous fiscal year. This reduction is due largely in fact to the availability of ARPA pandemic relief funds.

“The fund balance is still doing great at this time,” Blackmon told WIZS News Tuesday in a statement via email, adding that it remains well above minimum requirements of both the City Council and the Local Government Commission.

Blackmon provided details of the budget to WIZS News earlier Tuesday via email. The city council is set to vote on approval of the 2022-23 budget at its June meeting.

According to Blackmon, personnel costs are the biggest variable in the proposed budget.

“Although there is no cost-of-living increase in the FY23 budget, we are absorbing salary increases from police and fire the past two years in addition to cost-of-living and premium pay increases in the current budget,” Blackmon stated.

In an overview of the budget that was presented to the city council, Blackmon noted that revenues – although up – continue to be projected in a conservative manner and expenditures limited to capital needs.

The budget addresses one of the issues in the city’s recently adopted strategic plan – employee recruitment and retention – by giving frontline workers in operations, water and wastewater departments a $1 increase in their hourly rates. He said this moves those salaries closer to the current market rate and will hopefully help to retain employers in these areas.

The city may have to take a second look at water rates once construction begins on the regional water system expansion, but that is not expected to begin until early 2023. Blackmon said the city is seeking approval for the project from the

The budget designates $25,000 to the Downtown Development Commission for incentive and grant programs toward continued downtown revitalization and $100,000 in economic development grants for ongoing projects at M.R. Williams, North Central Medical Transport and MAKO Laboratory.

The police and fire departments will get funding for leasing and lease-purchase of needed equipment, including police cars under a 5-year lease plan and possible purchase of a new fire engine by the fire department.

Blackmon said the budget reflects “further positive steps to help the city grow and reach its full potential.”

Part of that potential lies in the West End Urban Redevelopment Plan, which focuses on improvements to areas near the downtown area as well as the Flint Hill Community Development Plan. These projects represent a $1.5 million investment in redevelopment activities in the city, which could include acquisition of properties, down payment help for first-time home buyers and urgent repairs to homes – all of which would help strengthen the downtown area and nearby neighborhoods.

“We must continue to work towards innovative ways to promote and energize redevelopment initiatives now to position the city to be ready for near future business prospects and citizenship,” Blackmon said.

See the full proposed budget at https://cms8.revize.com/revize/henderson/recommended%20budget%20FY%2023.pdf

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The Local Skinny! Henderson Partners With DOT For Cleanup

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Think about the roads you use frequently when running errands or from home to work or to drop the kids at school. Are there roadsides that could use a little spring cleaning?

Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon invites church and civic groups, school groups and individuals to participate in Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 23.

Armed with trash bags, teams of volunteers – including as many as 50- or 60 city employees – will set out from the Dr. Andrea L. Harris Operations Center on Beckford Drive to various sites throughout Henderson. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Blackmon told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny! that this cleanup event is in partnership with the spring Litter Sweep sponsored by NC Department of Transportation.

Blackmon said the city council discussed improving the city’s appearance and giving visitors a better perception of what Henderson has to offer during its annual planning retreat a couple of months ago.

“We’re asking the entire community at-large to join us on that day,” Blackmon said. Groups that have a particular area in mind are asked to contact Tracey Kimbrell at 252.430.5702 or email traceykimbrell@henderson.nc.gov to sign up. City staff will provide bags for the cleanup effort. “We’ll even provide a public safety officer to provide some visible presence from law enforcement on that day,” he added.

Groups or individuals also can just show up at the Harris Operations Center at 8 a.m. and join forces with other volunteers who will go out to pre-determined areas targeted for cleanup.

Blackmon said this event will kickstart an ongoing quarterly effort that the city is undertaking to give a little extra support to ongoing cleanup services the city already provides.

“We have a very good operations staff,” Blackmon said. But it’s not a large staff, so efforts like this are needed to help. “I don’t think we’ll run out of areas in the city that could use a little help,” he said.

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The Local Skinny! City Council To Address Codes

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UPDATE 4/12/22 – City Manager Terrell Blackmon told WIZS News the Municode contract was passed Monday night by the Henderson City Council. Original news article from 4/11/22 continues below.

The Henderson City Council meets Monday evening and one item up for discussion involves contracting with an outside agency to recodify a batch of city ordinances that would  bring infractions into compliance with state law.

John C. Rose explained on Monday’s The Local Skinny! that the council was scheduled to entertain a motion to contract with a company called Municode to help the city make the changes, which would begin the process of bringing city ordinances into compliance with what state law dictates.

Last year, Police Chief Marcus Barrow identified seven ordinances – ranging from the use of golf carts on city streets to carrying a concealed weapon on city property – to tackle first.

The ordinances must be worded in a way that specifies whether infractions would result in a criminal charge or a civil penalty.

Henderson City Manager has said that the city doesn’t have the manpower to complete the task within the required time frame, and city staff has recommended that the council adopt the contract with Municode, in an amount not to exceed $20,000.

According to information in the council agenda packet, all city ordinances had been considered Class 3 misdemeanors unless otherwise noted. State legislators, however, have adopted a change to this which states that ONLY if  the city ordinance specifies that the infraction is a misdemeanor will it be considered as such. Otherwise, an infraction will be considered a civil penalty subject to a fine.

“The extensive work needed to address this new session law is beyond the scope of staff,” according to the agenda packet. The ordinances cover a broad area affecting every department in the city and an extensive look into updating all ordinances to comply with this new law is required.

The police department can pay the initial fee of $5,580 and two additional payments would be made from the 2022-23 budget in the amount of $3,980 each, with the final payment due at completion. It is estimated to take between 10 months to one year to completely update the ordinances.

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Pearson Honored For His Vision, Enthusiasm For Downtown Revitalization

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Dr. Stephen F. Pearson loved the city of Henderson and worked tirelessly to help with revitalization efforts. Patrons of Sadie’s Coffee Corner and visitors who travel Garnett Street in cars or on foot will now see a tribute to Pearson’s enthusiasm and dedication for downtown development.

A group of local officials and community leaders gathered Tuesday morning as Pearson’s widow, Amanda, and his son Corey cut the ribbon to officially name the parking area and adjoining greenscape in memory of Pearson, who died from cancer in March 2021.

In remarks to the group during the ceremony, son Corey said it was hard to believe that just a few years ago, he and his dad were riding around the area in an RV when they passed “an unlikely gun shop.”

“That’s the spot,” Corey said, recalling his father’s comments. “We’re going to turn that into something.”

And that’s how Sadie’s Coffee Corner came to be in the building at 324 S. Garnett St. that once housed Gupton’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

“I wish I could have his vision,” Corey said. “He loved everyone here and he loved this town,” adding that he wants to keep his dream alive and keep his vision going.

“He saw the possibilities and potential of our downtown and had a vision of how to bring them to fruition,” said Downtown Development Commission Director Tracy Madigan. “His low-key enthusiasm and drive were infectious,” she told those gathered for the occasion. “(He) created the momentum and excitement that we’re feeling today,” Madigan said.

Where others saw empty storefronts, Pearson saw potential. He wanted to make sure not only that Sadie’s was successful, but that the downtown area become successful. Pearson jumped in with both feet, joined the DDC board and soon became chairman.

“He inspired others to get involved,” she noted. “We have a great little oasis right here in the middle of town,” Madigan said, all inspired by Pearson and his vision for revitalization.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon said Pearson was a person committed to service – serving others and serving the community. But he was a self-proclaimed “disrupter,” someone who didn’t want things to be done the way they’ve always been done.

The “parklet” installed by a local volunteer gardeners’ group, now enhances a corner of the lot that adjoins Sadie’s at the corner of Garnett and Orange streets.

Amanda Pearson said her husband was the public speaker, not her. “I know that he would love this,” she said of the recognition bestowed on her late husband. “He loved this town so much.”

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TownTalk: Henderson City Council Planning Retreat

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The Henderson City Council and government leaders are planning for their annual retreat, and council members agree that housing and homelessness are among the issues they expect will be up for discussion as they prioritize goals and the actions needed to achieve them.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon told WIZS News that a goal of the retreat is to craft “a blueprint for the direction of the city for the foreseeable future.” Chris Aycock of Aycock and Associates will facilitate the retreat, which will take place at Henderson Country Club beginning tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 24) and continuing on Friday, Feb. 25.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe this annual strategic planning session.

Council member Melissa Elliott said a discussion about affordable housing and homelessness are important one to her. “I think they go hand in hand – that would be one of my main” issues to discuss, she told WIZS News. Other topics she hopes to discuss during the planning retreat are inclusion and diversity.

The Rev. Ola Thorpe-Cooper said she is excited about what’s ahead for Henderson and looks forward to discussing with others on the council how to tackle the issue of affordable housing and revitalizing blighted neighborhoods.

Thorpe-Cooper, William Burnette and Garry Daeke all mentioned the Elmwood URA project and plans for similar work in the Flint Hill neighborhood as positive moves forward for the city.

“We’re trying to do what we can for the city…as a whole – it’s not done overnight,” Thorpe-Cooper told WIZS News in a phone conversation.

Jason Spriggs told WIZS News Thursday that he’s concerned about housing in general, not just affordable housing. Spriggs sees a definite link between homelessness and available housing, and said people who are renting may be seeing those rents rise. He said he wants to make it easier for people to construct houses.

“It’s a tough situation for people who live here who want to stay here,” he said.

 

In addition to neighborhood redevelopment efforts, Burnette said he would like to see continued focus on downtown redevelopment and emphasis on the regional water system.

These topics and more are sure to be discussed during the retreat, which Blackmon said would begin with brief presentations by department heads during the first half-day. The session will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The second day will be attended by Council only, Blackmon said, adding that all council members would be present for the session, which will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“What I hope to get out of this retreat is a five-year plan with goals that have tangible actions attached,” Blackmon said. His topics of interest line up with those of Burnette, Elliott and Thorpe Cooper and include infrastructure, affordable housing and economic development.

Daeke said prospective developers most likely are interested in amenities like sidewalks and available parks, as well as appropriate lighting and landscaping as they decide where to put new housing or retail space. He said he hopes the city can secure some funding that would support providing those improvements.

“We’ve got to have some skin in the game,” he said.

Daeke said the council would probably get an update on the regional water system, which he said is very close to starting on the construction phase – perhaps as early as fall 2022.

Siting and construction of a third fire station could be a discussion, as well as finding a location for a train station as plans continue to develop around the S-Line project, which would see increased commuter and passenger service along the existing rail lines from Sanford through Henderson and on into Virginia.

Next steps include getting input about station design and layout – as well as where to locate it for best access by the community.

“It’s just incredible…having a commuter and passenger and freight rail coming through this town again is just going to open doors that we haven’t had open to us in years,” Daeke said.

 

 

The Local Skinny! Cell Phone Tower Is A Win – Win

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The shiny new cell tower that was erected on city property by the police training grounds should be operational in the next few months, and Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill said it’s a win-win for the city and for the cell service provider that owns the tower.

U.S. Cellular “found that location to be a good fit for their network,” Paylor told WIZS News Thursday. The tower that had been there was old and needed some maintenance, but the city and the cell provider reached a deal that suited both sides.

“They took the old tower down and put up the new one,” he said. And the city has “the very top of that tower for their communication.” US Cellular owns the tower and has agreed to maintain it, and for the next seven years or so, won’t be paying any rent. When that period ends, rent payments will begin.

“They gave us prime real estate for the ability to put their own tower there,” Spruill said.

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Dr. Andrea Harris

Feb. 1 Ribbon-Cutting To Rename City Operations Center For Dr. Andrea Harris

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The City of Henderson’s operations and service center will be renamed for Dr. Andrea L. Harris at a ribbon-cutting ceremony next week.

The public is invited to attend the event, which will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. at the facility, located at 900 S. Beckford Dr., according to information from County Manager Terrell Blackmon.

The City Council voted in 2021 to rename the center in honor of Harris, who grew up in Henderson, began her teaching career here and was a community activist on the local and state levels. She died in May 2020.

Harris was an advocate for contractors and the building industry and she also was a civil rights leader, which made the operations center a very fitting site – the operations center is the largest voting location during city and county elections.

She was active locally and participated on a variety of boards, councils and commissions.

Harris received many accolades and awards over the years, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from three governors and an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Bennett College.

In 2018, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Duke University’s Samuel Dubois Cook Society.

She was a member of the Oxford-Henderson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a life member of the NAACP.  Harris was a trustee and member of Kesler Temple AME Zion Church. She was small in stature but a forced to be reckoned with.  She was always willing to be a “voice” for the underrepresented, breaking down socio-economic, racial, and gender barriers as a broker for change and equality for ALL people.

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City Officials Want To Hear From Residents As They Update Comprehensive Plan

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The City of Henderson is updating its comprehensive plan and wants to hear from residents about priorities for the future, as well as perceived strengths and liabilities.

There is an online survey that city officials hope residents will take a few moments to complete as it develops its vision that will guide future growth.

Visit https://publicinput.com/I7062#5 to take the survey and to learn more about the comprehensive plan, which is scheduled to be completed in spring 2022.

Changes in City Recycling, Yard Debris Schedule For Christmas Holiday

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The City of Henderson has announced the upcoming holiday schedule for sanitation services.

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

Monday, Dec. 20 – Monday and Tuesday Route
Tuesday, Dec. 21 – Wednesday and Thursday Route
Wednesday, Dec. 22 – Friday Route
Thursday, Dec. 23 – Holiday  – No Work
Friday December 24 – Holiday –  No Work

The GFL (Waste Industries) garbage collection will operate on a normal schedule.