Tag Archive for: #cityofhendersonnc

Excellence in Financial Reporting to City of Henderson, NC

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The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Henderson, NC.

Congratulations to Finance Director Joey Fuqua and the City staff including City Manager Terrell Blackmon.

The City’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 was judged by an impartial panel and found to meet the high standards of the program.

The recognition comes primarily because the financial report demonstrated “a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report,” according to a press release from the GFOA.

This represents the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

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More Money Needed to Expand Kerr Lake Regional Water System Plant

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Update: Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 – The Henderson City Council voted to allow City Management to find funding options up to $20 million.  Before anything is actually borrowed, the Council would have to take action to approve it.

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Henderson City staff are recommending the Henderson City Council authorize getting more funding to cover the present shortfall in project funding for the upgrade and expansion of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System.

The council will take a look at this and possibly vote on whether to seek the funds at the regular monthly meeting Monday night, August 9.  Regular meetings start at 6 p.m. at City Hall on Rose Avenue.

Costs have gone up.  About $20 million more is needed to get the three Kerr Lake Regional Water System partners Henderson (60%), Oxford (20%) and Warren County (20%) to the now guaranteed maximum price of $66 million.  Henderson is the managing partner.

If the funds can be had by grant or loan, then it will be the second time more money was needed, if you want to look at it that way.  First it was rehab, then expansion and now, simply, costs have gone up.

To express it in more progressive terms, the process being employed is actually called Progressive Design-Build delivery, allowing the KLRWS to work from a single contract, retain control, budget carefully and stay flexible to arrive at a quality result.

According to Henderson City Council agenda packet information, containing script written by City Manager Terrell Blackmon, “This $20.107 million funding shortfall is currently preventing this project from moving forward into construction.”

Blackmon indicated in a fiscal note to the Council in the agenda packet that “project costs will cause the City of Henderson to raise water rates slightly to cover these increased costs of the project but will be determined later prior to the City taking on any additional debt service.”

If you’d like to read more and see more of the recent history, continue reading the quoted words of Blackmon from the agenda packet below:

“The City of Henderson, on behalf of the three Partners, applied for funding to rehabilitate portions of the Kerr Lake Regional Water Treatment Plant (KLRWTP) in the spring 2017 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) funding cycle. The DWSRF funding amount approved for this work was $19,893,000. Subsequently, in 2017, the KLRWS Partners determined that a capacity expansion of the KLRWTP was needed, and submitted two additional applications for DWSRF funding. Those two applications were approved in March 2018, allocating an additional $15,000,000 in funding to the City of Henderson and $5,000,000 to Warren County. Further, the
City of Oxford was awarded $6,000,000 bringing the total amount of DWSRF project funding as of August 4, 2021 to $45,893,000 for the KLRWTP Upgrades Project. The project will rehabilitate aging facilities, replace old equipment, and expand the facilities at the existing KLRWTP to bring the treatment capacity to a reliable 20 million gallons per day (MGD). The subject project is being delivered by a Progressive Design-Build delivery method, and CDM Smith was selected by a competitive procurement process in 2017 to be the project Design-Builder. CDM Smith has nearly completed Phase 1 of the design-build process, which includes design to a 70% milestone and development of construction pricing. In September 2020, CDM Smith notified KLRWS that they had received pricing and quotes from their subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers, and that the construction cost of the project had increased significantly since a budget was set in 2017, and since the last estimate had been prepared in early 2019. CDM Smith has arrived at a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $66 million. The revised construction cost of $66 million is $20.107 million greater than the approved SRF funding amount of $45.893 million. This $20.107 million funding shortfall is currently preventing this project from moving forward into construction.”

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City Adopts Budget; Conducts Public Hearing

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When the Henderson City Council met Monday night, the fiscal year 22 budget was adopted as presented by the city manager.

Mayor Eddie Ellington told WIZS News, “No tax increase and no fee increases, keeping in mind the struggles of the citizens dealing with the effects of Covid-19 last year.”

The total city budget is $41,142,405. Almost half, or $20,225,360, comes from the general fund. The regional water fund and water fund combined equal some $12.7 million while the sewer fund is almost $5.2 million and just over $2.4 million is coming from capital reserve funds.

Also at the meeting, the council carried out a public hearing about the Lynne Avenue near Dabney Drive area. Ellington said input and concerns were voiced by three folks who “spoke in favor of the proposed cul-de-sac” which would stop ingress and egress between Dabney and Lynne. None spoke against the proposal.

Ellington said, “We did not take action (Monday) night; however, we will likely call it to a vote at the next meeting.” He said, “This action would ease traffic problems for the neighborhood as well as congestion on Dabney Dr.”

Property will need to change hands to make it a reality, and the estimated cost for the building of the cul-de-sac is $46,200.

A small shopping center at the corner of Dabney Drive and Lynne Avenue, which sits on a half acre site and is locally owned, would continue to have direct access to Dabney Drive under the proposed plan.

A meeting agenda attachment, a memo dated January 6, 2021 from Code Compliance Director Corey Williams to City Manager Terrell Blackmon provides additional information.

“The property located at 1337 and 1343 Dabney Drive at the corner of Lynne Avenue is zone Office Institutional
(OIA). There have been attempts to rezone the parcels to commercial zone due to the high traffic counts on Dabney
Drive. However, the City Council has denied the request due to potential commercial traffic entering on to Lynne
Avenue.

“The Development Service Staff along with the Engineering Dept. presented a plan to install a cul-de-sac at Lynne
Avenue. This would prevent traffic from entering and exiting Lynne from Dabney. This suggestion went before the
Land Planning Committee on August 20, 2020, which members of the committee agreed that the cul-de-sac was a
good ideal but wanted to ensure residents had input through a “open house” review.

“Since that time, Development Services Staff have communicated with the potential developer, Hill DeBose, and he
agrees with the concept of the cul-de-sac. Mr. DeBose suggested that the owners would consider donating the
additional land for the cul-de-sac project. Mr. DeBuse is willing to present his concept of development to the city.

“Prior to any presentation the city must be caution in contract zoning which is illegal. The cul-de-sac project needs to
be separate from any potential rezoning case. The cul-de-sac project should be considered first and if a rezoning
petition is refilled then the Planning Board and City Council must carefully consider all the potential uses of the new
zoning district. The developer is eager to move forward”

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Henderson City Hall Open for Business

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As many citizens were aware, Henderson City Hall was closed to the general public from April of 2020 until May 3, 2021, due to covid.

Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon told WIZS News in an email, “We utilized CARES Act funds received from Vance County to retrofit our facilities at City Hall, Public Operations and Aycock Recreation Center to address deficiencies in building design that was not Covid friendly.”

All the work at City Hall and Aycock is complete. Aycock Rec Center remained open to the public during the pandemic. Blackmon said, “Public Operations will be fully open to the public again in the next 7-10 days, as 95% of the construction at that facility is complete.”

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Council Consensus So Far To Have No Tax or Fee Increases

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Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon said the Henderson City Council agreed by consensus to approve the recommended fiscal year 2021-2022 as presented.

“I say by consensus because they are required to wait a minimum of 10 days after the budget is presented before they can take an official vote,” Blackmon said.

The budget was first presented on May 10 at the regular meeting.  The consensus was present on May 17th.  Therefore, 10 days had not yet elapsed.

Blackmon said, “They will officially adopt the budget at their June 14, 2021 regular meeting.”

No one spoke for or against the budget at the public hearing May 10.  Council conducted its business asking general questions after the public portion of the meeting closed.

It’s a hold-the-line budget when it comes to spending because of the pandemic according to Blackmon.  He said, “No new positions added for the upcoming year, although we have several current open positions that will remain open until filled. Again, just no new positions.”

He indicated City employees would receive a two percent cost of living raise.

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City of Henderson FY21-22 Proposed Budget Public Hearing

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Budget Hearing Information Courtesy of The City of Henderson — 

The Henderson City Council FY21-22 Proposed Budget Public Hearing will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 134 Rose Avenue.  The public is invited to attend, submit written comments, make oral comments and/or ask questions about the budget, in whole or part, during the Budget Public Hearing period.  However, due to Covid restrictions, Council Chambers can only accommodate a limited number of individuals.  Please contact the City Clerk (252-430-5705) to submit written comments.

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Topic: Budget Public Hearing
Time: May 17, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Henderson City Council Meeting 2-8-21

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UPDATE 7:30 P.M. MONDAY

The Henderson City Council heard from the city police and fire chiefs about some grant opportunities for the police department and fire department at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening.

Police Chief Marcus Barrow asked the council to approve a grant application for a mobile messaging board.  According to information from the city, the grant, awarded through the NC Governor’s Crime Commission, is for a maximum of just more than $20,000 and requires no matching funds. The council ratified the application.  Later, the city council still has final approval before the grant is awarded or a certificate is presented.

A second grant opportunity comes from the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program to establish the Henderson Police Department Speed and Alcohol Field Enforcement Initiative.  The council approved this application as well. Although this grant does not have a matching funds requirement, it does require an ongoing commitment after completion of Year 3 of the grant funding cycle. Applicants can request a maximum of $49,201 in funding for the first year of the three-year grant.

In year 1, the grantor provides 100% of the funds; in Year 2, federal funding drops to 74 percent with a 25 percent contribution; and in Year 3, the federal/local funds is 50 percent each. Following Year 3, the costs of the program are assumed by the City as part of the agency’s operating budget. The program requires applying annually to request funding for subsequent years.

Should the grant be awarded, the police department will receive $49,201 to fund the Speed and Alcohol Field Enforcement Initiative, and the grant award conditions and certifications will be presented to the council for acceptance.

Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell received the green light from the council to apply for a FEMA grant of more than $73,000.  A 5 percent match is required – about $3,700 – to qualify for this grant, which would allow for hose upgrades, ladder truck rescue and rigging equipment. This would move the city fire department closer to its goal of obtaining a N.C. Heavy Rescue Certification, in addition to being able to replace some ground ladders with lighter-weight ladders, reducing fatigue and injury to firefighters.

UPDATE 10:20 A.M. MONDAY

Henderson City Council Scheduled Regular Meeting – PUBLIC NOTICE

Monday, 8 February 2021

6:00 PM

City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536

Due to COVID-19 health mandates issued by Governor Cooper, the number of citizens allowed into Council Chambers is limited. However, members of the community are strongly encouraged to provide questions/comments for Council in writing as follows and to listen via Zoom:

Written Comments:

1. Email written comments to: emccrackin@ci.henderson.nc.us

2. Emails received by 3:00 p.m. the day of the meeting will be read aloud at the meeting. Comments are limited to 3-minutes per person.

ZOOM MEETING INVITE:

City of Henderson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: City Council Meeting

Time: Feb 8, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87330306407?pwd=bXh5UUoxQTY5dDR0NDJFNmEwM25PZz09

Meeting ID: 873 3030 6407

Passcode: 172025

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Henderson’s Sewer Collection System Bypasses About 38,760 Gallons Untreated Water

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For those who don’t know the sound of a broken record, a scratch or imperfection causes the same portion of sound to repeat over and over.

In this case, it’s the City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System that is broken, and the repeated information is the locations listed where the bypasses are occurring.

A press release from the City indicates, “The overflows occurred at Sandy Creek Pump Station, and several manholes including Neathery Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/S. Elizabeth Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/Willow Lane, intersection of Pinkston Street/Farrar Ave, and Bridgers Street.”

The 38,000 some-odd gallons of untreated water escaped on January 31 due to inflow and infiltration from rainfall.

Approximately 38,160 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek.  The press release shows approximately 600 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.

State statutes require a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

Questions concerning the matter should be phoned in to 252.226.4492 or 252.430.9387 or 252.431.6117.

In 2020, one of the wettest on record for this area, the City issued not fewer than 10 press releases about sewer bypasses, many in the same locations.

For nearby RDU airport in 2020, the National Weather Service indicates rainfall amounts about 10 inches above normal.  The Greensboro area was about 18 inches above normal.  In Fayetteville, the 2020 total was about 15 inches above normal.  The rain, precipitation and general soggy weather has persisted into 2021.

A December 24, 2020 press release read, “The overflows occurred at Sandy Creek Pump Station, and several manholes including Neathery Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/S. Elizabeth Street, intersection of Alexander Avenue/Willow Lane, intersection of Pinkston Street/Farrar Ave, S. Pinkston street (Green Acres). Approximately 114,420 gallons of untreated water entered a tributary to Sandy Creek. Approximately 760 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.”

At that time, Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon wrote in an email to WIZS about the City’s plans to address “both our aging and in some cases non-existent infrastructure.”

Also, he wrote, “The City of Henderson recently adopted a storm water ordinance which is a requirement by the State of NC if we intend to keep issuing building permits and encouraging development in our community. There are basic requirements that we have up to five years to comply with as a part of our storm water management program. Further, the City Council did agree to apply for a $2.5 million loan to assist with addressing some of our storm water issues. We will know in early spring whether or not we were successful with this effort. This process will be a marathon and not a sprint, but we have started making strides to address these issues.”

Henderson City Council Strategic Planning Retreat Rescheduled

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The Henderson City Council’s Strategic Planning Retreat, which was postponed a few days because of the weather, has now been rescheduled for Wednesday.

On February 3, 2021 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at City Hall, the annual meeting will take place.  A quorum of council members is likely, but no decisive actions will take place during the meeting.

A public notice from City Clerk Esther McCrackin says the public can observe via Zoom and provides the following information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82582328369?pwd=NVdDZjZqaVNoWmVKWWFzeTNjb2hIdz09

Meeting ID: 825 8232 8369
Passcode: 091682
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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keuOAsOSML

 

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Henderson City Council Strategic Planning Retreat Thursday

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— submitted by the City of Henderson

UPDATE: Due to the weather, Council has elected to postpone the Strategic Planning Retreat scheduled for today, Thursday, January 28, 2021. It will be rescheduled.

The Henderson City Council will meet for its annual Strategic Planning Retreat on Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at City Hall.   A quorum of Council Members is expected; however, no decisive action will be taken during this meeting.   The public is welcome to observe via Zoom:

Topic: Strategic Planning Retreat
Time: Jan 28, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 835 1590 0168
Passcode: 441814
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