FROM STAFF REPORTS
When Tropical Storm Eta moved through in November of 2020, the City of Statesville’s South Yadkin River pump station was flooded and rendered inoperable.
City staff is moving forward with efforts to repair the station, and is asking the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) for $1.4 million in funds to cover the estimated costs. A total of $3 million has been earmarked in the city’s 2024 capital budget for the project.
Assistant City Manager Scott Harrell said city staff is awaiting a decision from FEMA on that request. He anticipates bids opening on the project next month.
Council member Joe Hudson noted, “This pump station is important — it’s vital for Statesville’s water source and its growth.”
Plan for downtown development moving forward
The council approved a request to demolish the structures located at 124 East Front Street, 128 East Front Street, and 150 East Front Street. These properties have buildings which the city plans to demolish in order to expand Statesville Police Department headquarters and build a parking deck, pocket park. A private developer is also planning to construct an apartment building.
The City of Statesville has entered into a Master Development Agreement with David E. Looper & Company Inc. (DELCO) on a multi-phase construction project, which includes the renovation and expansion of police headquarters, the construction of a parking deck with 300-plus parking spaces at the corner of East Front Street and Tradd Street, and the construction of a 126-unit apartment building on property currently owned by the city along East Sharpe Street.
The Design Review Committee unanimously recommended approving the demolition request at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 11.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the council:
♦ Issued three proclamations in recognition of: National Black History Month; Future Business Leaders of America Week; and Celebrating Statesville’s Community Spirit (honoring Purple Heart Homes and Military Makeover).
♦ Approved the amended City Council 2024 Meeting Calendar. The council’s planning retreat will move from January 25 to February 15-16 at the Hilton Garden Inn. In addition, the April 1 and April 15 council meetings will move to April 8.
♦ Approved first reading of rezoning request for properties located at 140, 142, and 2022 Sir George Circle; to rezone from B-5 (General Business) District to R-8 (Medium Density Single-Family Residential) District. The rezoning request is initiated by the property owner, Ben Krokson. There are three lots; one is vacant and the other two have residences that were built around 1940. The three properties will continue to be used residentially for single-family homes. Krokson is requesting a rezoning of the R-8 District so that he can sell his properties to one of the tenants who are currently renting the property from him.
♦ Added multiple streets in the Larkin Subdivision to the city’s street maintenance system to allow the city to construct a connection from Canada Drive to Megby Trail. A total of 5,018 feet will be added to Margo Lane, Canada Drive, Chip Shot Court, Divot Lane and Jana Drive. Estimated cost to construct the connection from Canada Drive to Megby Trail is $110,000.
♦ Approved amending city’s the sick leave policy. The request stated, “Currently, the sick leave policy for the City of Statesville has a limit on the number of sick leave hours that can be transferred from another North Carolina government agency and restricts the use of sick leave during the probationary period. To remain competitive in our recruiting efforts, it is critical that the City of Statesville remove the limit on sick leave transfers and allow new employees to use accrued sick leave during their probationary period.”
♦ Approved a Work Authorization Number for Parrish and Partners for engineering and design of a new water main to service Airport tenants in the amount of $500,997. The new water main, along Buffalo Shoals and Old Airport Roads, will improve water service and fire flow capacity at the Statesville Regional Airport terminal and other development areas. The cost is completely covered by a state grant.
♦ Approved a second reading of an ordinance to annex property located at 315 Museum Road. The property being considered for annexation has been submitted by CDH-Driver’s Custom Homes and Commercial Contracting LLC on behalf of Kenneth and Denise Morrison. The parcel considered for annexation is approximately 2.05 acres. The property is currently vacant; however, the applicant intends to subdivide the parcel into two conforming parcels and construct a single-family dwelling on each parcel.
♦ Approved a resolution directing the City Clerk to investigate a Petition of Annexation for and setting the date of February 19, 2024, for a public hearing on the petition for annexation. The petition has been submitted by Christopher Kowalcyzk. The parcel is approximately 1.05 acres and is located at 134 Cumberland Road. The applicant requests voluntary annexation to connect to city water due to a failing well.
♦ Approved a resolution directing the city clerk to investigate a Petition of Annexation for the James McCollum property located at 174 Beechnut Lane and setting the date of February 19, 2024, for a public hearing on the petition for annexation. The applicant requests voluntary annexation to utilize city utilities.
♦ Approved a resolution directing the City Clerk to investigate a Petition of Annexation for the Timothy Lunsford Property located at 3004 Newton Drive and setting the date of February 19, 2024, for a public hearing on the petition for annexation. The applicant requests voluntary annexation to utilize city water service.
♦ Appointed Dawson Reese to the Stormwater Advisory Commission for a three-year term.
♦ Entered into an inter-local service level agreement with Iredell County Emergency Communications (ECOM) and the Mooresville Police Department Emergency Communications Center. The request stated, “The purpose of this agreement is to establish a consistent best practice regarding the handling of 911 calls, the transfer of these calls, and establish coordinated responses to these calls. This agreement would facilitate a coordinated and consistent effort on the part of all of these agencies to provide quality, timely, and professional emergency public safety services to the citizens of Statesville and Iredell County.”