By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The Salisbury City Council will address two items abut the Empire Hotel renovation project, a resolution to the lynching of African Americans in 1906 and potentially establishing a Fair Housing Task Force for its Aug. 7 meeting.

The council will decide whether the Empire Hotel and Montgomery Ward should be considered a historic landmark, which would require the owner to keep parts of the interior design to receive the federal tax credit. They will also consider entering a master lease for the Empire Hotel project.

Requested by Mayor Al Heggins, the council will consider a resolution regarding the lynching of Americans in Salisbury in 1906. The resolution will be a step toward restorative justice.

On the agenda is also to adopt two ordinances. One is referring to amending the 2018-29 budget, which will refinance the installment cost of Fibrant with $230,000 for the general fund and $25,645,000 for the Fibrant fund. The other is declaring a temporary road closure for the 2019 Cheerwine Festival.

Other agenda topics include:

• Approving a right-of-way use permit to close the sidewalk and parking lane on North Main and West Innes streets on Aug. 13-Sept. 24.
• Recognizing participants in the Summer Youth Employment Program.
• Considering authorizing the upset bid process for the sale of Parcel 010-2-562, 110 North Main Street and Parcel 018-048, located on the 600 block of South Clay Street.
• Considering a request from Salcoa Contracting Incorporated to withdraw their bid.
• Accepting a bid from Holden Building Company for $6,420,500 regarding Fire Station 6.
• Receiving a report on the Code Enforcement Abatement process.

The new city attorney Graham Corriher will also be sworn into office.

The Salisbury City Council meeting will begin on Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. at 217 S. Main Street.