City to consider extension of water deal with county

SARAH LOWERY

Staff Writer

An extension of the current water agreement between the city of Lincolnton and Lincoln County will be weighed by members of the City Council during their meeting Thursday night.

The contract, which includes an addition stipulating that the agreement be extended on a month-to-month basis for a one-year period, will be presented by City Manager Jeff Emory.

As the Times-News previously reported, the county’s Board of Commissioners signed off on a study in April to assist in water-purchase negotiations with the city.

Specifically, the study’s purpose was to compare the cost of expanding the county’s water-treatment plant on Lake Norman with the cost of buying the needed extra water from the city, which has been looking for additional water customers.

At the time, County Manager George Wood said he believed it would probably be cheaper to purchase the necessary water from the city, but he noted that the study would allow them to know for sure.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, City Planning Director Laura Simmons will present a roughly $276,000 contract with Eaglewood, Inc. for completion of Phase III of the Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail Project for consideration by council members.

At the council’s previous meeting, Simmons gave an update on the project, noting that the city had received approval from the state of the revised construction plans. The bidding process began toward the end of June.

Council members are also set to discuss a potential sidewalk installation on and around Newbold Street following recent requests by nearby residents. The proposal includes three phases, with a total cost of $130,000.

Other items on the meeting’s agenda include:

• A public hearing will be conducted regarding Murphy Oil Corporation’s request for a conditional-use permit to construct a store on the west side of North Generals Boulevard, roughly 900 feet south of the intersection with Sigmon Road. As previously reported, the Lincolnton Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request last month.
• A presentation of a special commendation to Lincolnton Volunteer Firefighter Tom Montgomery by Fire Chief Mike Lee and Mayor John Gilleland and another to the city for attaining the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association will be conducted. This is the 22nd consecutive year Lincolnton has received the award.
• County Commissioner George Arena will present an agreement between the city and the Centralina Council of Governments regarding the CONNECT Consortium’s Program, with no funding required.
• Appointments for various city boards will be weighed by council members.
• The council will take action on proposed amendments to the city’s Personnel Policy regarding both retiree insurance and dependent insurance coverage for new hires.