The Hickory City Council gave preliminary approval Tuesday night to oversee the City of Claremont’s wastewater collection system.
Hickory agreed in 2009 to take over the operation and maintenance of Claremont’s two wastewater plants, Claremont North and the McLin Creek facility. Claremont does not have a staff member with the necessary credentials to oversee the collection and distribution systems. Thus, Claremont wants Hickory to provide the necessary staff member, manage regulatory compliance and maintain the systems, including inspection and overflow response.
The operator assigned by Hickory will have authority over the wastewater treatment facilities including records-keeping as required by law.
According to Hickory officials, the contract amendment enables Hickory to expand its services and initiate a long-term solution for Claremont’s wastewater requirements. Hickory is aiming toward a Hickory-Catawba wastewater treatment project that would result in Claremont and other locations hooking into Hickory’s sewer system.
Claremont will be responsible for the actual upkeep and labor associated with its two existing wastewater treatment sites under the supervision of the operator employed by Hickory.
The contract modification means Claremont will pay Hickory approximately $4,918 per month for 11 months per year for the additional services.
Hickory will not have to hire an additional employee.
The contractual change does not extend the original expiration date of the two-city pact, June 2014.
The change was unanimously approved by Hickory City Council. A second vote is required before the change is final.
Hickory council members also approved several Community Development Block Grants for the 2011-2012 budget year.
* $1,900 to Community Ridge Daycare for low-cost child care services for at-risk children. The grant will enable Community Ridge to serve children whose parents are seeking employment or attending school.
* $8,200 to Exodus Outreach Foundation to help fund shelter, counseling and rehabilitation services for chronically dependent and homeless men and women.
* $8,200 to the Hickory Soup Kitchen to help provide meals to homeless and low-income residents.
* $28,000 to Inter-Faith Housing Development Corp. to assist first-time homebuyers purchase a home in Hickory.
* $8,200 to AIDS Leadership Foothills Area Alliance (ALFA) to provide services to people living with HIV/AIDS and for HIV prevention-education programs to the community.
* $8,200 to the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry to supplement the ministry’s free clinic for needy and indigent residents. The GHCCM clinic services include dental, medical and pharmacy.
The CDBG money will be paid in installments and cannot be used for anything other than those services specified in the agreements.
The Community Development Block Grant program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city gets the money from the federal government and apportions it in keeping with HUD regulations.
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