In other business
In Tuesday’s meeting, Salisbury City Council:
• Recognized employees of Salisbury-Rowan Utilities for receiving two awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies — the Platinum 6 Award and Silver Peak Performance Award — for 2009. The awards name Salisbury-Rowan Utilities as one of the top water agencies in the state.
• Heard highlights and goals from the Hurley Park Advisory Board, Transportation Advisory Board and Tree Board.
Many of Hurley Park’s 30-year-old gardens, footbridges and irrigation systems need renovation or replacement.
Ridership on city buses increased in fiscal year 2010 to 182,294 riders, up 3 percent from 176,856 the year before and up 7 percent from 170,521 in fiscal year 2008.
The city is conducting a tree inventory, and the Tree Board is working to replace dead trees in downtown and city neighborhoods.
• Approved a Land Development Ordinance text amendment to allow Rowan Regional Medical Center to erect pole displays on the hospital’s decorative light poles.
• Approved on second reading a Land Development Ordinance text amendment that allows Major Auto Repair in the Downtown Mixed Use District. Maggie Blackwell and Brian Miller again voted no.
• Approved a request from Rowan Regional to allow a mobile cath lab to operate in the right-of-way of Mocksville Avenue during hospital renovations from April to November.
• Approved an exhaust hood to project 39 inches into the alley behind 131 E. Innes St., where Bangkok Garden will move into the Hardiman Building.
• Authorized the city to execute a Quitclaim Deed with the N.C. Railroad associated with the East Horah Street railroad crossing.
• Awarded a contract to Godwin Pumps of America for $137,756 to purchase a 5 MGD Godwin Diesel Pump for use by the Salisbury-Rowan Utilities Department.
• Congratulated the city on three days of successful celebrations honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Announced the 26th Annual Future Directions and Goal-Setting Retreat, set for Feb. 10-11.
• Went into closed session concerning a personnel matter. No action was taken.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.