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Henderson City Council approves $2.54 million NCDEQ loan budget, bilingual incentive and five-year loan for Embassy Block
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting, the Henderson City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 24-19 to budget a $2,542,553 NCDEQ loan for the Sandy Creek Fix & Find project, passed a Bilingual Incentive Program (Resolution 24-59), and authorized a five-year loan to buy the Embassy Block for redevelopment.
Henderson City Council on Nov. 12 unanimously approved a package of measures that included setting a budget for a $2,542,553 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality loan for the Sandy Creek Fix & Find project, a staff bilingual incentive, and a five-year loan to acquire the Embassy Block for downtown redevelopment.
City documents in the meeting minutes note that the City received the NCDEQ loan in November 2023 and that Ordinance 24-19 establishes the budget to apply those funds to the Sandy Creek Fix & Find project. The ordinance was included on the consent agenda and approved as corrected.
City Manager Edward T. Blackmon described the Bilingual Incentive Program as a retention and service-improvement measure. “The program offers an additional $2,000 annually to employees who pass a proficiency exam and provide interpreting and translating services in their language,” Blackmon said; he estimated about 5–10 employees may qualify and said the program will focus on Spanish, Arabic and American Sign Language.
On the Embassy Block purchase, Blackmon reminded the council that the administration proposes redeveloping properties surrounding Young and Montgomery streets into parking and small pocket parks to attract additional private development. Benchmark Community Bank submitted a five-year amortized loan with an annual interest rate of 4.75%; Councilmember Michael Venable moved approval of Resolution 24-60, and the motion carried unanimously.
Other items on the consent agenda included appointments to the Planning Board and the Henderson Downtown Advisory Board, approval of October minutes (with a correction to record the earlier vote on CAF 24-82), and several routine tax-release and refund items. Councilmember Tami Walker moved approval of the consent agenda as corrected; the motion was approved unanimously.
The council also adopted its 2025 meeting schedule with a July date correction (Resolution 24-62) and approved Resolution 24-63 to name the Garnett/Charles Street water fountains in honor of former Mayor Edward H. Ellington; Blackmon said Public Works will install an 18–36 inch monument sign to mark the dedication.
All motions recorded during the meeting passed by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
