Finance committee approves Amtrak easement extension, multiple purchases and wastewater repairs; stadium bond hearing set

High Point Mayor Pro Tem Bridal Moore presided over the finance committee on Thursday and the panel approved a series of procurement and property items, including an extension of Amtrak's easement at the downtown depot through Dec. 31, 2039, several fleet purchases for the police department, a sole-source repair for wastewater treatment equipment and contracts for water- and wastewater-related chemicals and meters.

The approvals affect multiple city departments: transportation, fleet services, public service (water/wastewater) and customer service. The committee also heard an information-only presentation on a planned issuance of limited-obligation bonds to reimburse prior stadium improvement expenditures related to accommodating a professional soccer team at Truist Point.

Greg Venable, High Point transportation director, described the agreement with Amtrak as an extension of a long-standing easement that allows Amtrak to use the city depot for passenger service. "This is an agreement with Amtrak, and it will allow them to continue to use the depot to conduct passenger rail service in High Point," Venable said, and noted the new expiration date would be Dec. 31, 2039. Venable said Amtrak will pay a pro rata share of utilities, maintenance and repair expenses and that there is no budget impact for the city on this item.

The committee approved two separate fleet purchases for the police department presented by Kevin Rogers, fleet director. Rogers said Fleet Services recommended purchasing five vehicles and associated equipment from Capital Chevrolet at a total cost of $262,869 to replace police vehicles removed from service for total loss or major mechanical failure; delivery was estimated within six months. The committee separately approved a purchase of…