Council authorizes use of $400,000 for crime suppression

Greensboro City Council authorized Greensboro Police Chief Ken Miller to use up to $400,000 in state, federal and other grant funds, and large drug seizure monies, to pay overtime for a special targeted crime suppression effort. Miller detailed the need for the extra effort and explained that drug forfeiture money can be used in a very narrowly defined project to pay overtime, but not regular police salaries. Until regulations were changed in 2009, the money could be used primarily for equipment.

Council decided to postpone a decision on the acceptance of a

$5 million energy conservation grant from the federal government. The Council is concerned about some of the conditions attached to the grant and wants assurances the money will be used effectively and fairly. City staff will be working out some of those details between now and the time Council votes on acceptance, which is expected to be during the first meeting of November. 

Council members agreed to change the date of the November 2 meeting to Tuesday, November 9, to avoid conflicts with election day.

In other action, the redevelopment of an abandoned hosiery mill will begin soon, following Council's approval of the nomination of Mock Judson Voehringer Company to the National Register of Historic Places. The company, located on Oakland Avenue, produced silk and rayon hosiery prior to and during World War II. It later became known as Mojud Hosiery and served as the Rolane Factory Outlet. Octagon Partners, a Charlottesville, VA-based developer of historic properties, intends to invest about $25 million in refurbishing and repurposing the old factory building.

To view this meeting or past meetings, visit Council's archive page.

Residents will no longer receive separate delinquency notices

Starting with the October billing notices, Water Resources is changing the way customers are notified about water and sewer delinquency status. In a move that could save as much as $50,000 per year, the department is streamlining the billing process in an effort to reduce mailings.

Water customers will no longer receive a separate delinquency notice in the mail. Instead, customers will receive a notice of account delinquency on their regular monthly City Services statement. Those with a past due amount of $10 or more will receive a pink statement, explaining the past due status of the account, penalties, and payment instruction. Customers will not receive additional notices before services are terminated. View an example of the new delinquency notice.

Lake Townsend hosts pontoon boat rides, trail hikes 

Looking for fun ways to take in the autumn views in October? Greensboro's Parks and Recreation Department is offering several  opportunities from which to choose. Watershed Parks will give scenic 45-minute pontoon boat rides at Lake Townsend on October 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31. The rides begin at the top of each hour from 9 am to 3 pm daily. The fee is $5 per person and proceeds benefit the Greensboro Watershed Parks.

On Sunday, October 24, the Parks and Recreation trails staff will host a hike on the Laurel Bluff Trail at Lake Townsend. The 3.5 mile hike begins at 1:30 pm and participants are encouraged to bring a camera and water, and to wear comfortable hiking shoes. Children are welcomed to attend, but pets are not allowed. To reserve a spot on the hike, call Madeleine Carey at 336-373-3816. For more information about the Greensboro trails system, visit its website.