City Council to focus on Trade Street project 

ASHEBORO — Efforts to improve the area of North and Trade streets will be a major focus of the Asheboro City Council at its April 6 meeting.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers upstairs in the Municipal Building at 146 N. Church Street.

According to the agenda, Trevor Nuttall, director of Community Development, will present the following community development items: 

— Consideration of a request for authorization for city staff to begin outlining a framework with Downtown Asheboro Inc. for the potential conveyance of the North Street mill property for historic preservation purposes under the North Carolina General Statutes

— Consideration of Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $74,000 to add North Street between Trade Street and Sunset Avenue to the Wooten Company’s engineering services contract related to the proposed Trade Street renovations. If approved, the total funds to the Wooten Company would increase to $309,000, necessitating an amendment to the contract.

— Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget request from Downtown Asheboro Inc. Executive Director Addie Corder will discuss the non-profit corporation’s request for funding in the amount of $550,000 that will be used to support the city’s Trade Street Project by purchasing property at 105 N. Fayetteville St. for additional parking space as well as sanitation and electrical system support space. 

Other agenda items include:

— Nuttall will provide the initial testimony concerning an application to rezone property on US 64 East, between 2307 and 2333 US 64 East, from R40 Low-Density Residential to B2 General Commercial. Approval by the Council would allow commercial development on the site near Northview Drive outside the city limits but within the Asheboro extraterritorial jurisdiction.

— Susan Hunt, Keaton's mom, will provide an update on the programs offered by Keaton's Place and the upcoming events for May 2023. May is Mental Health Month.

— Mayor David Smith will present to the City of Asheboro Human Resources Department the 2023 Recognition Award for Organizational Leadership and Development sponsored by NC Chapter of the International Public Management Association — Human Resources. 

— Safety Manager Brad Dalke will identify the departments that won the North Carolina Department of Labor Safety Awards for 2022.

— Assistant Finance Director Steve Hackett will discuss the results of the request for proposals for audit services. 

— Chief Mark Lineberry will present the police department’s annual report.

— Consideration of Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $3,436 for additional design services by Prospect Landscape Architecture, PLLC, related to the development of the David and Pauline Jarrell Center City Garden Project. 

— Finance Director Deborah Reaves will discuss and request approval of the following ordinances in order to account for the above-listed change orders: 

(a) An ordinance to amend the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund – repairs and renovation of downtown facilities – trade street renovation project.

(b) An ordinance to amend the General Fund for contribution to David and Pauline Jarrell Center City Garden Fund relating to a change order for contracted services.

(c) An ordinance to amend the David and Pauline Jarrell Center City Garden Fund – appropriating for the transfer from the General Fund and updating the expense in the project. 

— Water Resources Director Michael Rhoney will present following items: 

(a) A resolution authorizing an application for a state grant/loan for the Lake Lucas Dam Intake Improvements Project.

(b) A contract award decision for the purchase of seven chemicals needed by the water resources division for the time period of April 16, 2023, to April 15, 2024.

(c) A resolution to establish the criteria used to determine the circumstances under which the design-build method is appropriate for the Wolfspeed Water Main Extension Project. 

— Mayor Smith will announce a special joint meeting with the Randolph County Board of Commissioners that will be held in the Randolph Historic Courthouse on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 5 p.m. in order to hold a public hearing on a proposed economic development project. 

On the Consent Agenda are the following items:

— Approval of the meeting minutes for the special city council meeting held on Feb. 24, 2023. 

— Approval of the meeting minutes for the regular city council meeting held on March 9, 2023. 

— Acknowledgement of the receipt from the Asheboro ABC Board of its meeting minutes for Feb. 6, 2023. 

— Acknowledgement of the receipt of a report detailing major subdivisions administratively approved since March 9, 2023. There have been none approved. 

— Approval of a resolution accepting the dedication to the public of streets within the Parkway South Townhomes Subdivision 

— Acknowledgement of the receipt and acceptance of the list provided by the recreation services director with the 2023 Downtown Farmers’ Market operational days, including special events. 

— Acknowledgement of the receipt and acceptance of the list of operational hours proposed by the recreation services director for the city-owned pools during the 2023 season. 

— Approval of ordinances prepared by the finance department: (i) Ordinance to amend the General Fund to account for a change in pricing for golf carts; (ii) Ordinance to amend the General Fund for fire department salaries and benefits; (iii) Ordinance to amend and close the ARPA fund – move all money to the General Fund; (iv) Ordinance to amend the General Fund allocating funding for the sound system at the McCrary Ballpark; and (v) Ordinance to amend the McCrary Ballpark fund appropriating for the transfer from the General Fund and setting up the expense line in the project. 

— The meeting will begin with a public comment period.