City Council to continue I-85 initiative discussion

Published 12:00 am Monday, February 18, 2013

SALISBURY — City Council members will continue their discussion of a proposed Interstate 85 initiative when they meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
At the council’s last meeting, Salisbury Planning Board members Bill Wagoner and Carl Repsher invited Salisbury to become the first member of a proposed county-wide initiative that would encourage and support economic development and job growth opportunities along the entire Rowan I-85 corridor.
City Council, which meets at City Hall, 217 S. Main St., will consider appointing a council committee for more in-depth discovery and consider asking for residents who are interested in serving on the new alliance.
Also Tuesday, council members will:
• Consider designating Emerald Street as a one-way street at noon May 24 until 4 p.m. May 25 and at noon Oct. 11 until 4 p.m. Oct. 12 for a charity yard sale.
• Consider adopting a budget ordinance to appropriate $32,582.24 received from the Democratic National Convention to reimburse the Salisbury Police Department for working security detail, including overtime, vehicle rental and meals.
• Hold a public hearing regarding the use of 2013-2014 Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, and HOME funds.
The public may comment on community development needs and request public service funding. CDBG and HOME allocations have not been announced yet, and the proposed budget and action plan will be presented at the March 19 City Council meeting.
• Hear from Salisbury Housing Authority and Parks and Recreation staff regarding the new Learning Center at Miller Recreation Center.
• Consider appointments to the advisory committee to update the historic design guidelines.
Five people have volunteered to serve on the committee: Jim Carli Sr., Anne Lyles, Lisa Cartner, Jon Planovsky and Brian Davis.
In December, Council adopted a resolution of intent to update the guidelines and appoint an advisory committee to help guide the process. The $22,000 project has been funded by a federal grant through the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources in conjunction with a local match. The consultant for the project is Arnett Muldrow & Associates.
This effort, which will fulfill a key recommendation of the Historic Preservation Master Plan, will wrap up by August 2013.
• Consider an appointment to the West End Transformation Plan Steering Committee.
Soon after Salisbury was awarded a Choice Neighborhood planning grant in May 2011, former Mayor Susan Kluttz and Councilman William “Pete” Kennedy were appointed to the West End Transformation Plan Steering Committee, where Kluttz served as chairwoman. Her position is vacant due to her recent appointment as secretary of cultural resources.
• Hear public comments.

• Hear comments from City Manager Doug Paris.

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.