By Hugh Fisher
hfisher@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLIS — New police cruisers, new recycling bins and more are on the City of Kannapolis’ shopping list.
At Monday’s meeting of the Kannapolis City Council, members voted to approve installment financing for $3.5 million for a variety of needs.
‘Installment financing is one of a variety of ways that cities in North Carolina can borrow money to pay for equipment or projects,’ Finance Director Eric Davis said.
With the approval of this 15-year blended financing plan, a single loan would be used to finance a variety of items.
Some of the items, including the recycling bins, would be paid for after three or five years.
Other projects would be financed for the full term.
One of those is the city’s share of repairs to the Dakota Street culvert, totaling $188,500.
Assistant City Manager Eddie Smith said that the N.C. Dept. of Emergency Management paid the remainder of those costs.
One of the items on the agenda for purchase is 11 new police cruisers.
The council voted 6-0 to buy 11 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors from Hilbish Motor Company at a total cost of $239,492.
Councilman Roger Haas noted that the city is behind on the replacement of its patrol cars.
‘Does this get us anywhere near where we should be at this time, or are we still behind?’ Haas asked.
Chavis, speaking from the audience, said 15 of the city’s cruisers have more than 100,000 miles.
‘This helps get us back in track, but not caught up,’ Chavis said.
The city will now take bids from banks to find out which will offer the best deal for the loan.
Councilman Randy Cauthen asked Davis what sort of interest rate the city could expect.
‘With what were seeing with the market right now, we’re looking at anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 percent,’ Davis said.
A public hearing was held on the issue. No one spoke on the matter.
The installment financing plan itself, and the separate accompanying resolutions required as part of the legal process, passed 6-0.
Councilman Tom Kincaid was out of town. He, City Manager Mike Legg and City Attorney Wally Safrit were in Washington, D.C., to attend a conference.
Contact Hugh Fisher via the editor’s desk at 704-797-4244.

---

In other business:
Kannapolis City Council dealt with:
• Council members approved changes to the Unified Development Ordinance that set guidelines for parcels of land in the Kellswater development.
Planning Director Ben Warren said that changes in ownership of the mixed-use development located off Kannapolis Parkway led to the decision.
‘We wanted to make sure that however the property was sold off … the original vision of  the property was kept,’ Warren said.
Three sections of the ordinance relating to the usage of the town center were the subject of the changes.
They specify types of building materials and set down guidelines meant to discourage use of the land as a traditional shopping center.
‘We don’t want a single big box user. We don’t want one big grocery store,’ Warren said.
Instead, the zoning requires a mixture of uses – offices, retail and neighborhood services – to complement nearby homes and apartments.
The measure passed on a 6-to-0 vote.
• Mayor Bob Misenheimer issued a proclamation in honor of Arbor Day, which is being observed in North Carolina on March 18.
• The council voted to continue the meeting to March 28.