Lovelady Sidewalk Project

---

Early 2024 COG TAC Meetings

The Greater Hickory Metropolitan Planning Organization (GHMPO) organization was conducting a series of monthly meetings. According to the meeting minutes, Councilman Glenn Harvey attended the early meetings as the Valdese representative:

• December 13th, 2023
• February 28th, 2024
• March 27th, 2024

---

28 May 2024 Pre-Agenda Meeting

Consideration of Approving Resolution of Local Administrative Project Program Lovelady Sidewalk Project

“Mr. Mayor, member of council, uh, Councilman Harvey and I attended a transportation meeting back in, uh, April at in Hickory…and what we learned from that was that there a funding available, available to a to municipalities for certain projects. At the encouragement of councilman Harvey, staff began to look at viable projects…”

— Larry Johnson

MINUTES SUMMARY:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING RESOLUTION OF LOCAL ADMINISTERED PROJECT PROGRAM (LAPP) LOVELADY SIDEWALK

Planning Director Larry Johnson shared that he and Councilman Harvey attended a Transportation meeting in April in Hickory and learned that funding was available for certain projects. Staff came up with a project that would install a sidewalk from Laurel Street along the northern edge of Lovelady Road down to the park. Mr. Johnson shared that this would be completed in two phases:

• phase 1 would be the sidewalk construction from Laurel to Crescent Street, and
• phase 2 would be to continue to Lakeside Park.

Mr. Johnson noted that the Resolution would need to be approved so the Town could apply for the funds. Mr. Johnson said the commitment for the Town would be 20%.

RESULT: PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AT THE NEXT MEETING ON JUNE 3, 2024, AT 6:00 P.M.

---

May 29, 2024 WP-COG TAC Meeting

The Valdese Lovelady Sidewalk Phases 1 & 2 project shows up for the first time in the agenda for TCC/TAC’s meeting on May 29, 2024, page 50.

According to the meeting minutes, Valdese did not send a representative to the May 29, 2024 TAC meeting.

---

3 June 2024 Council Meeting

Consent Agenda

MINUTES SUMMARY:
APPROVED RESOLUTION OF LOCAL ADMINISTERED PROJECT PROGRAM (LAPP) LOVELADY SIDEWALK

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TOWN OF VALDESE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATIONS TO THE GREATER HICKORY METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,671,660.00 AND WILL COMMIT $734,332.00 AS A CASH MATCH FOR LOVELADY ROAD SIDEWALK PHASE 1 & 2.

LEGISLATIVEINTENT/PURPOSE:
On March 27, 2024, the Greater Hickory Metropolitan Planning Organization (GHMPO) issued a call for projects to agencies in its jurisdiction for Surface Transportation Program- Direct Appointment (STBG-DA). Funding is available for Bicycle and Pedestrian, Intersections, Roadway, and Transit. The funding requires a 20% minimum local match.

The Town of Valdese is submitting applications for the following projects:

Lovelady Sidewalk Phase 1: STBG-DA Funding – Funding to construct sidewalk connecting existing Laurel Street sidewalk to Crescent Street NE.

• Estimated Total Project Cost: $1,430,700.00
  • 80% Federal Share: $1,144,560.00
  • 20% Local Share: $286,140.00

Lovelady Sidewalk Phase 2: STBG-DA Funding – Funding to construct sidewalk connecting phase 1 to Lake Rhodhiss Drive.

• Estimated Total Project Cost: $2,240,960.00
  • 80% Federal Share: $1,792,768.00
  • 20% Local Share: $448,192.00

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

That, the Town of Valdese is hereby authorized to submit a STBG-DA application in the amount of $3,671,660.00 and will commit $734,332.00 as cash match for the Lovelady Sidewalk Project.

/s/ Charles Watts, Mayor

ATTEST:
/s/ Town Clerk

---

26 June 2024 WP-COG TAC Meeting

The resulting Valdese proposal can be found in the Greater Hickory Metropolitan Planning Organization (GHMPO) meeting materials:

• June 26, 2024 WP-COG TAC Meeting Materials
  • Page 25: The Valdese proposal
  • Page 33: The GHMPO funding results includes Valdese Phase 1
    
• July 24, 2024 WP-COG TAC Meeting Materials (June 26 meeting minutes)
  • Glenn Harvey Town of Valdese was Present
  • Locally Administered Project Program Applications: “Mr. Odom presented the accepted LAPP projects that were received for the spring 2024 call for projects. This cohort of applications included two supplemental requests from the City of Hickory, two new projects from the Town of Valdese, and a new project from Burke County. Mr. Odom presented an updated funding and development plan for the projects. These updates include increased funding for several of the projects and the reduction of funding for Lovelady sidewalk phase 2, which will still be eligible for preliminary engineering. Mr. Odom then provided a summary of the programs anticipated budget which is contingent on possible project cancellations. Upon a Motion made by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Patton, the revisions to the LAPP program were approved. Upon a Motion made by Mrs. Patton and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the revisions to the STIP were approved.“

---

4 November 2024 Council Meeting

LOVELADY TO LAKESIDE PARK SIDEWALK PROJECT

MINUTES SUMMARY:
PROJECT UPDATES (PENDING AND ONGOING)

II. LOVELADY TO LAKESIDE PARK SIDEWALK PROJECT Interim Town Manager Bo Weichel said the Lovelady to Lakeside Park Sidewalk Project involves an 80/20 funding match, with the Town’s share estimated at $286,000, spread over three to four years. The project is reimbursement-based, requiring the Town to front costs and receive 80% reimbursement. Mr. Weichel notes the municipal agreement between NCDOT and the Town, required for federally funded projects, is still under review by NCDOT’s Local Programs Office. Once approved, the Council will authorize it, enabling a request for funding authorization from the Federal Highway Administration for preliminary engineering and design. Mr. Weichel said while the goal was to have the agreement ready for the December agenda, delays at NCDOT may push this to January 2025. The WPCOG has been assisting with the project, with staff transitioning to get up to speed. This sidewalk will provide a safer pedestrian route along Lovelady Road, connecting the community to Lakeside Park.

---

6 January 2025 Pre-Agenda Meeting

7. New Business

K. Municipal Agreement Approval – Lovelady Road Sidewalk Project (Presented by Bo Weichel)

---

13 January 2025 Council Meeting