news-record.com

During High Point City Council's Sept. 20 meeting, the council approved:

• Rezoning 2 acres at 1200 Eastchester Drive from general office-moderate intensity to conditional use limited business for Gerald Grubb. The conditional use includes restrictions that prohibit high-density uses, such as gas stations or restaurants. Grubb plans to open a fabric or arts and crafts store on the property.
•  Delaying a vote on a resolution supporting the Heart of the Triad plan until Oct. 4. The council wants to be briefed on the plan before voting. Pat Schrieber and Jim Morgan of Colax spoke in favor of the plan.
• Changing the process for a conditional use district zoning process to a conditional zoning process. Instead of establishing uses and applying conditions to a zoning and issuing permits, the new procedure treats rezoning and establishing of uses and conditions as one legislative decision.
• Setting the ABC chairman’s salary at $200 per meeting, which is more than the state’s recommended limit of $150. The board members receive $100 per meeting.
• Buying five porcelain 100kv insulators for $54,120 from Southern States.
• A contract of $840,000 with Pike Electric Co. for electric system maintenance and construction. Councilwoman Bernita Sims said she’s not happy with the company’s minority participation and encouraged them to do better.
• A contract of $583,066 with Asplundh Tree Service for tree trimming. Sims said this company also does not do well with minority participation.
• A contract of $145,621 with Whites International Trucks for a pothole patch truck.
• A contract extension of $150,150 with Gilbert Engineering Co. for removal and disposal of an additional 1,710 tons of sludge from the lagoon at Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Delaying a vote on a purchase agreement with ElectriCities of North Carolina for wood pole purchases, tree trimming, substation maintenance and pole inspections. Council members wanted more time to read the contract.
•  Accepting the Phillips Collection’s withdrawal of incentives request. The company had requested incentives earlier in the month to help with moving the company and setting up a business incubator. The company plans to move but will start the incubator at a later time.
• The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Operations Plan and Emergency Management Mutual Aid Agreement.
• A resolution supporting Guilford County’s Mutli-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Appointing a nine-member committee to re-evaluate the Economic Development Corporation’s policy. The committee will provide recommendations for changes to infrastructure, in-kind services, incentives and other ideas to attract businesses to the city.
• Setting 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 as the date to accept public comments about closing the improved right-of-way of Fifth Court lying east of Fifth Street between East Farriss Avenue and North Avenue and improved portion of Quaker Lane and improved portion of Pine Street lying east of Lindsay Street between Westwood Avenue and West Ray Avenue.
• Supporting the nomination of Washington Street as a National Register District.
• Appointing Samantha Klemme to the citizens advisory council. Her term will expire May 2012.

In other business, the City Council heard Barbara Leland speak about school violence and safety. She said two students were given only three days of out-of-school suspension after writing a letter about bringing a gun to school and shooting people. She felt her concerns were not addressed and the students should have gotten tougher punishment. She is no longer employed with the school system.

The council also heard that the High Point City Criterium raised close to $30,000 earlier in the year. Funds of $7,500 each were presented to High Point Community Clinic, Open Door Ministries and His Laboring Few Ministries on Monday night.
 

Contact E.A. Seagraves at 883-4422, Ext. 241, or elizabeth.seagraves@news-record.com