Orange-Breckenridge project contract rescinded


Friends of Clean Up Henderson eliminated from arrangement

The Henderson City Council voted at Monday’s regular meeting to rescind the contract that existed between the Kerr-Tar Regional Economic Development Corporation, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, the City of Henderson, and the Friends of Clean Up Henderson.

According to Timmy Baynes, the Executive Director of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, the move is necessary to ensure that the Orange-Breckenridge Street Project has a legal option to $250,000 in state funds.

Baynes told council members that he has been working on a contract since November of 2007, but has yet to receive a fully executed contract.

Baynes emphasized that he needs a legal document to show the state by June 30 of this year.

A letter sent to Henderson Mayor Pete O’Geary on May 2 of this year mentions a “possible conflict” with Friends of Clean Up Henderson and asks that the contract between the above groups be rescinded due to that conflict.

In a follow-up email to Home in Henderson, Baynes explained that the original contract was drafted and created to have an entity to acquire the land for future redevelopment. He said that now that the city has a redevelopment commission, there are technically two entities that have the purpose of acquiring properties.

The members of the city’s redevelopment commission can be viewed here.

Baynes went on to explain that the North Carolina general statues spell out the powers and responsibilities of a commission.

The executive director also stated that it does not make sense to have two entities trying to buy the land that will eventually have to be held by one group so that it can be subdivided differently.

Council member Garry Daeke asked during the meeting if there had been any conversation with the Friends of Clean Up Henderson. Baynes replied that communications had been sent, as well as a contract back in April, but there had been no replies.

Daeke then expressed concern that Friends of Clean Up Henderson was not involved.

The motion to rescind the contract and form a new contract passed unanimously. Baynes promised the council that he would return in June with a revised contract.