Some other items discussed at Monday night’s City Council meeting:
– City Manager Eric Williams distributed bumper stickers with the city’s Web site address (www.hendersonnc.us — please note the correction from the address posted earlier, although the old address, www.ci.henderson.nc.us, still works) on them in anticipation of decals that will promote Henderson’s presence on the Web.
– Williams reported on fuel conservation efforts. Strategies to reduce fuel consumption include eliminating unnecessary trips, planning trips in advance, eliminating excess weight, driving under 55 mph, checking for proper tire inflation, ensuring routine maintenance and examining alternative fuels.
The city manager also said that the Police Department was using two-officer cars during the night shift and that the Fire Department was reducing daily vehicle operational warm-ups to Monday and Friday. He later indicated that the Police Department is the largest user of gasoline of all city departments.
Williams reported that he was trying to determine a target for fuel reduction and guessed that the number would be 5 percent over a year.
– Mayor Clem Seifert updated members on the lobbying efforts in Washington on Sept. 13 and 14. He reported that the efforts regarding renegotiation of the water storage contract were focused on trying to get Henderson’s congressional delegation to arrange a meeting with John Paul Woodly, assistant secretary of the Army. He informed the council that the matter may require multiple trips to Washington. The council was reminded that the deadline for signing the contract is Dec. 31.
Council member Elissa Yount asked Williams to explain the situation with the interest rate on the water storage contract. He replied that the interest rate would change as of Oct. 1, as indicated during last month’s Wilmington meeting between the Army Corps of Engineers and city officials. He said he did not know what the rate would be.
In reply to a question from Yount, Williams said the city missed a deadline set by the Corps of Engineers for the interest rate as of Sept. 2, but he said the city was notified of the deadline after the deadline passed.
– Assistant City Manager Mark Warren reported that all but three fire hydrants had been repaired. He asked the council to unfreeze the city position that in the past provided maintenance to city fire hydrants. It was moved that the position be unfrozen and that the contingency fund, which currently holds $47,000, be used if no other money could be found. The motion passed unanimously.
– The City Council was updated on the regional water intake project. Warren informed the council that construction is running behind schedule and that the contractor has asked for an extension. He recommended that the council grant an extension of 60 to 90 days. Williams informed the council that the request would come before them. Warren added that he would request a chronology and construction notes from the contractor.
– City Attorney John Zollicoffer took the opportunity to deny representing any Embassy Square property owners, referencing a local Web site where allegations had been made.