City to vote on contract for energy consultants
By Catharin Shepard
Published in News on July 5, 2009 9:11 AM
Goldsboro may undergo an audit to save energy and taxpayer money if City Council members vote Monday to enter into a contract with Utilities Reduction Specialists.
The company has submitted a proposal and contract to the city offering to review energy use in municipal buildings and identify possible ways of lowering Goldsboro's utility bills.
If the council votes to allow City Manager Joe Huffman and Finance Director Kaye Scott to sign the contract, URS will collect 45 percent of any refunds and credits that result from the audit over a two-year period. The initial energy audit process will take about one to three months.
Annexation Phase XI areas will be getting 60 new fire hydrants, installed by Keen Plumbing Co., if the council members vote to accept the low bid of $234,147 to fit the hydrants and appurtenances. However, the city does not currently have funding to pay for the project, and the council will vote on a budget amendment of $81,947 to cover the expenses. The city originally budgeted $152,200 to pay for the installation. The extra money will be taken from the unappropriated utility fund balance if the measure is approved.
Goldsboro officials also were notified in June that the city will receive a $60,000 Fit Community Grant from the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund. If council members vote to accept the contract, the city will receive $30,000 this year and another $30,000 next year from the grant. The money will be used to provide climbing boulders and Born Learning signs for Stoney Creek Park and to help fund the NAP SACC program at four more daycare facilities.
Wayne Christian School proposes to add a 50,000-square-foot educational building and an 11,781-square-foot child care building to the property on the west side of Patetown Road between New Hope Road and Tommy's Road. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has indicated that a stoplight will be installed at the intersection in the future. City Council members will vote whether to approve the revised site plan that would allow for the construction.
The area around Wayne Memorial Hospital could be getting two new medical businesses in the future if the council approves plans for the LaFevers Dental Team office, to be located on Lockhaven Drive between Wayne Memorial Drive and Norwood Avenue, and a 15,000-square-foot pharmacy and medical supply store proposed by Kenneth Wiggins that would be located on Wayne Memorial Drive between Hospital Road and Medical Office Place. The Planning Board previously voted to approve both proposals, with modifications for the pharmacy plans.
Council members also will hear updates on occupancy tax legislation, Stoney Creek Park and ArtSmarts during the 5 p.m. work session. Goldsboro resident Charles Wright is on the agenda to give a PowerPoint presentation on education at the 7 p.m. meeting.