[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076963,"mediaKeyId","2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920","parentId",2966412,"title","Resident urges council to review water-testing protocols and EPA role after federal changes","audioSeconds",122,"startMs",1290000,"endMs",1412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920&start=1290&end=1412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920/thumbnail_1290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076963/Concord/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Resident-urges-council-to-review-water-testing-protocols-and-EPA-role-after-federal-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076963-4d18d60b556955b0588bc98796bb6043/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449301&Signature=AqjzfpZy0S0TUodzKc3TIyafMqYEL4hiYKqb8Bc3UPOPIRd80Ze88ONu6M3eEtGxqCXtp~IeccPBKymC19ENYBbWSTZs43xrPSLIhhNb2P7Z3ziHAiAsJqI9dC0VtMZV6ZTd63JySyFV4wG4k~teaeMiWZmmu9FqscWSkflPqAgAz6kxFLxxIyZtvO4yRn-V8fKgWvyXt2kbN-M~5L~tBqbO3NhOoUT2BoiRZZ9I-BHia7Ol6QqscUncend-fhBioOs8VkU3SOSsIDLs-jrL-PQCB~S~kihqMZUbhpr6EZBQm6oa7Yz6ZzPzf4Amr4tfsoXrDZgN-FFBFLZv4mm7yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Concord, NC","date","2025-04-11T10:57:23Z","article","A Concord resident raised concerns about the future of drinking-water safety at the council's public-comment period, saying changes at federal agencies could affect local standards.

Wendy Miller, who said she has lived in the city since 1981, told the council she planned to request a meeting with City Manager Mister Payne to discuss the city's water-testing process and how the city defines \u001cwater purity.\u001d Miller said she is worried that potential reductions in federal oversight by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency could weaken protections and referenced Flint, Michigan, as an extreme example she hopes Concord avoids.

What the resident requested: Miller asked the council to consider whether Concord and Cabarrus County have local methodologies to determine water quality independent of potential federal changes, and she asked for council and staff discussion of the topic.

Record note: The comment was made during the public-comment portion of the meeting; no formal council action or referral was recorded at the meeting. The city manager was asked to be available for follow-up contact, and Miller asked to leave contact information with the city clerk.

Ending: Staff did not announce a specific follow-up at the meeting. Miller said she would request a brief meeting with the city manager to initiate the review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Session April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A long-time Concord resident expressed concern about federal regulatory changes affecting water safety and requested a meeting with the city manager to review how Concord tests and defines drinking-water purity.","taxTitle","Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina","taxId",53145,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076968,"Representative reports House Bill 271 would make partisan elections a local referendum",143,1075000,1218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920&start=1075&end=1218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920/thumbnail_1075000.jpg","/articles/6076968/Concord/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Representative-reports-House-Bill-271-would-make-partisan-elections-a-local-referendum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076968-ce2a192d2a7c678dd7bcab3b476c5c8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449301&Signature=MXtU1z7ukN3vHtN390vOQ5yH2TBlDpW65KOiB7r6bcgAACA6y1CQNknOIDx02vHDmaJ-GghmUrdP-E8RNod7Oa27BKvQCxIYW9TT~daAAFtFyiVOkUMdXIcd4KDqLzlvVw5kjak9wXSB0bEEknF1VnsARuPDvgZ4RSn4HSwAoji35stIu33hOGU9VLL-eOEm1XIXxexDrc5leE55DPkf4xpGlVIx1w4xNQnibkPlb2X6PiSbvafCL6XtTfoOCzSj3UrrfAKEKJO9eXRGYw8NJqbYtCKZ4Q-q442JTRdI~N-lco45u7PMIg7fEMpFNKaZUAAfFLQx4tZPRj~J5y~iNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April meeting a local representative provided an informational update about House Bill 271 and recent changes under consideration at the state level. The representative said the bill's language is being revised to make partisan municipal elections a referendum so that each municipality in Cabarrus County can decide whether to permit partisan contests.

Why it matters: If enacted as described in the representative's report, the change would let each municipality place a question before its voters to decide whether local municipal elections are partisan. The representative said district-only voting language had been removed from the bill during the revision process.

What the speaker said: Representative Bridal Echeverria told council he favors partisan elections but supports putting the question to voters. He said the revised bill removes district-only voting and would allow voters in each municipality to choose whether to hold partisan elections. He framed the change as expanding voter voice on how municipal offices are selected and noted this is, in his view, the first time North Carolina voters would directly decide that question for municipalities.

Record note: The remarks were made during the public-comment portion of the meeting; the representative thanked Mayor Dush for support and noted conversations with local officials. No formal council action on House Bill 271 was recorded at the meeting.

Ending: The representative said he would continue to monitor the bill's progress and that municipalities may see legislation returning to state and local government committees for further revision.","A representative briefed the council on changes to House Bill 271, saying language was being revised to let municipalities decide by referendum whether to hold partisan municipal elections; the speaker also said district-only voting was removed from the bill.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076973,"Votes at a glance: Concord council approves contracts, grants HOME funds and sets hearings",274,1481000,1755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920&start=1481&end=1755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920/thumbnail_1481000.jpg","/articles/6076973/Concord/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Concord-council-approves-contracts-grants-HOME-funds-and-sets-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076973-1a89f7968ee14162fcdd6db9c944130f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449301&Signature=N4irNl1VVRCNeCU9BCdi9Ebfj4165zHXppdixZxl1M0v4sSWR4dDhD9zDBjBDHCu284nIWOpdwfYalMonKcgRenqVbyJAo~Igk~k7GKBCjctFUsoIods6pfT9hrYc8ueg-P99JMjXNFp-P1SRzRpmwjuiIxRkxcJN83rcUM4tugXlcWff6MAcsOvOJ29C2gFB71wEOoC5LMNjxG5ypF~bb9iHH97811-JcJdFVnxu1NPK8K18Lingzfz0SJaE7OdmfUXUBm1vy3GGrWApUuDNPKvxSyyHPqEQAwfXtKjgvqbX5NdWv68KS2RDWUM9pKUL12rHNC0ivIIpevaXuL1Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Concord City Council moved through a lengthy consent and action agenda at its regular April meeting, approving a series of contracts, funding allocations and preliminary applications. Several items were adopted by motion and voice vote; the council also scheduled a public hearing on a right-of-way closing for May 8 and removed one appointment from a committee slate.

Key votes and actions (outcomes recorded from meeting minutes and the on-record motions):

- Rename Fallen Circle Southwest to Vic Saint Pierre Place Southwest — Outcome: approved (motion and second; voice vote).
- Adopt resolution to set a public hearing on closing an unopened right-of-way — Outcome: approved; public hearing scheduled for May 8.
- Approve owner-occupied reconstruction at 133 C Cypress Street with HOME funds ($192,295) in partnership with Habitat for Humanity — Outcome: approved.
- Multifamily housing revenue bonds resolution — Outcome: pulled from the agenda; petitioner to return with additional materials (no action taken).
- Adopt a resolution authorizing eminent domain for a parcel in the Northeast Quadrant (George Lyles in Weddington) — Outcome: approved.
- Amend deed restriction language (agenda item described as deed restrictions) — Outcome: approved.
- Authorize city manager to negotiate and execute contract with CITI Incorporated to upgrade SCADA system (water resources) — Amount: $687,845 — Outcome: approved.
- Award bid to Carolina Site Works for substation site work and grading — Amount: $184,644 — Outcome: approved.
- Authorize city manager to negotiate and execute contract with JD Goodrum Company for construction of the JE Jim Ramsore/Grama Park — Amount: $17,975,041.95 — Outcome: approved.
- Authorize city manager to negotiate an extra contract with Carolina Site Works for Logan Recreation Center parking expansion — Amount: $346,358.65 — Outcome: approved.
- Accept preliminary water-service-only application from Ray and Amy Barnes (5451 Flowstore Road) — Sewer not available; staff recommended no annexation — Outcome: approved as preliminary application.
- Accept preliminary water-service-only application from Flow Store LLC (636272 Flow Store Road) — Sewer not available; staff recommended no annexation — Outcome: approved as preliminary application.
- Appointments and reappointments to the Concord United Committee (multiple members) — Outcome: approved with removal of Greg Mills from the slate per member request; co-chair assignments approved.
- Consent agenda — Outcome: approved (motion and second; voice vote).

What the record shows: Most motions were made from the dais and carried by voice vote; the transcript records motions and seconds but does not include a roll-call tally for each item. A multifamily housing revenue bond resolution was pulled at the petitioner's request and will return when the petitioner completes additional work.

Ending: Items approved will be implemented by the appropriate city departments; capital contracts will move to procurement and construction phases. The council will take up returned items, including the pulled bond resolution, at a future meeting.","At its April meeting the Concord City Council approved multiple contracts and preliminary applications, reappointed committee members, and set a public hearing date for a right-of-way closing; several items were approved by voice vote after motion and second.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076978,"Concord reviews parks bond progress; council approves $18 million contract for major northwest park",1268,487000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920&start=487&end=1755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2966412-fcd14d34bb4afb6abcbe9f78051da920/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6076978/Concord/Cabarrus-County/North-Carolina/Concord-reviews-parks-bond-progress-council-approves-18-million-contract-for-major-northwest-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076978-cd9868aeb3d2c3178e95d6fb4d125305/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449301&Signature=UrsweuO5QzCa8LdSDjSv2LJPl20MRDx2v3x5T6FPPnABnbmGKh0~BlUHTP4IEqKcQjUZ7eSeOp9qvmBMV07X1lSa7-n4UfcWo~GMYfKXBEzMsywPBmIPLF8KkRoGU~jNvQw4Gp9nZpFJf0K6SXCjTKFjAxoz2UAwyhyjdvKMnavNyXVeQsTw83rWwvkR2P9JSKB7Q~vlQXmc~88~~e7XMJYdUB5dL0ti5PYLvTn3kFzgKSGkCR886EOlMcY44mIzdI5gNQI9X1Ibl5Qefq6mEvqqFXxWBC4wu-puNIJGlSMI0DXs~fVXNdIuDdK7eie758K-wy289kZmz35gSmtrdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Concord City Council at its regular April meeting that several parks and recreation projects funded by the city's general obligation bond program are moving forward, and the council authorized a construction contract for the largest park project in the program.

The presentation summarized projects under construction, recent openings and upcoming bids. Staff reported the city is “now at $1,700,000 under the funding availability that we have” after the bid opening for Transfer Park, and highlighted a recently reopened North Park playground. The council then approved a $17,975,041.95 contract with JD Goodrum Company for the city's largest bond-funded park project in the northwest area of the city.

Why it matters: The approved contract moves the Grama/JE Jim Ramsore Park from design into construction and preserves bond funds for other projects. Staff said the JD Goodrum bid came in substantially below the engineer's estimate, reducing the overall projected pressure on the bond program.

Details: Staff noted several items:
- North Park: A new playground installed by GameTime has been inspected and opened; a few finishing items such as signage for a learn-to-play disc golf course remain to be completed.
- Cuddle Creek streambank repair: Access agreements are signed and construction is expected to begin in May with an estimated 60-day duration.
- Academy Gibson/McGinnis Aquatic Center: Work continues; staff cited improved weather and targeted an opening for the regular pool season on May 24.
- Marvin Caldwell Park: Demolition is complete and stormwater control measures are being installed; the project remains on a summer 2026 completion timeline.
- Grama/JE Jim Ramsore Park: JD Goodrum Company was the low, responsible bidder. Staff reported the bid came in roughly $2 million below the engineer's estimate and approximately $1.3 million below the original bond allowance. Construction is expected to begin in May; staff said a groundbreaking date will be announced.
- Upcoming and parallel projects: Academy Gibson athletic fields (permitting and bidding to follow), a traffic-garden planning effort funded in partnership with Cabarrus Health Alliance through a CDC REACH grant, skate park/pump track/sculpture garden (final design anticipated this summer; bidding projected for fall), Dave Phillips Park (soil issues require redesign affecting playground and AV/educational areas), Hartsell Park (design and restroom rebuild moving toward final approval), and the Poplar Town Trailhead (design by the engineering department; bidding anticipated in spring 2027).

Funding and timing: Staff said most project sequences remain unchanged although individual schedules shift by weeks or months depending on permitting, design and contractor availability. The presenter told council that the Grama Park contract that council approved is about $17.98 million. For smaller projects staff gave tentative bid or construction windows that range from later this year through fiscal year 2027.

Council members thanked staff and the engineering team for packaging competitive bids and advancing projects. Staff closed the update by noting community outreach and an upcoming community 5K Bunny Run event on April 18.

Ending: Council did not request additional public hearings for these bond projects at the meeting; staff will return with final design documents and permitting updates as individual projects move to bid and construction.","City staff updated council on multiple general-obligation bond projects, including playground openings, streambank repairs and a $17.98 million contract awarded to JD Goodrum for the Grama/Jim Ramsore park project, which came in roughly $2 million under the engineer's estimate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges council to review water-testing protocols and EPA role after federal changes

Representative reports House Bill 271 would make partisan elections a local referendum

Votes at a glance: Concord council approves contracts, grants HOME funds and sets hearings

Concord reviews parks bond progress; council approves $18 million contract for major northwest park