Inside High Point - May 2023

INSIDE HIGH POINT

CITY CELEBRATES PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK!

CONTENTS

Welcome to Inside High Point, the newsletter that covers everything going on within the City of High Point and its various departments. If you have news, photos, questions or suggestions for what you would like to see featured, please email us at PIO@ highpointnc.gov. HAPPY

18/ 04/ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRINGS IN NEW BUSINESS

Check out how the City celebrated its employees!

Learn more about the companies who will be calling High Point home.

PARKS & REC HOLDS ANNUAL FISHABILITIES

TOURNAMENT

Find out how they made fishing fun and accessible for everyone!

Mayor - Jay Wagner

Member at Large - Britt Moore

Member at Large - Tyrone E. Johnson

Ward 1 - Cyril Jefferson

Ward 2 - Chris Williams

Ward 3 - Monica Peters

Ward 4 - Wesley Hudson, Mayor Pro Tem

Ward 5 - Victor Jones

CITY COUNCIL

City Council meets the first and third Monday of each month. You can find their meeting schedule HERE.

Jay.Wagner@highpointnc.gov

336.883.3305

Britt.Moore@highpointnc.gov

336.687.2200

Tyrone.Johnson@highpointnc.gov

336.307.8261

Cyril.Jefferson@highpointnc.gov

Chris.Williams@highpointnc.gov

336.883.1736

Monica.Peters@highpointnc.gov

336.906.7328

Wesley.Hudson@highpointnc.gov

336.655.5880

Victor.Jones@highpointnc.gov

336.899.7777

Michael.Holmes@highpointnc.gov

Ward 6 - Michael Holmes

HUMAN RESOURCES

CHP CELEBRATES PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK

During the week of May 8-12, the City of High Point celebrated Public Service Recognition Week to recognize and commend its employees.

On Monday, May 8, City Manager Tasha Logan Ford accepted a proclamation from Mayor Jay Wagner formally recognizing the first week of May as Public Services Recognition Week in High Point.

On Tuesday, employees sent in pictures of themselves holding signs sharing why they love being public servants. These photos and sentiments were shared on the City's social media platforms for all to see.

Wednesday was named “Wellness Wednesday,” during which our Wellness Analyst Kristi Wallace provided group exercise opportunities, a posture seminar, a tour of the Southside Recreation Fitness Center and a wellness discussion.

Thursday was focused on thanks. Human Resources hosted a “thankyou” breakfast for employees with donuts and coffee in the morning and a popcorn break for everyone in the afternoon. Department directors also celebrated employees in City facilities with some tasty treats on this special day to thank them for all they do.

All employees were entered in a prize drawing, and the winners were Brad Moore, Christie Shine, Cheryl Whitaker, Jason Irons, Sara Crouse and Allen Sparks.

Finally, On Friday, Human Resources hosted an ice cream social for all CHP employees where attendees were entered in a final prize drawing for an American-made grill. Congratulations to our grand-prize winner, Melinda Burgess!

MANAGER'S OFFICE

MEGHAN MAGUIRE NAMED NEW CITY ATTORNEY

After a competitive nationwide search, on May 15, 2023, the High Point City Council voted unanimously to appoint Meghan Maguire as the new city attorney. Maguire will begin her new position effective immediately.

“We are happy to have Meghan serve as our next city attorney,” said Mayor Jay Wagner. “Her experience and familiarity with our organization will serve us well as we continue to grow and make policy decisions that impact our community.”

“I am honored and humbled by my selection as the next city attorney,” said Maguire. “For more than four years, I have worked for the City of High Point and witnessed firsthand its creativity, collaboration and dedication to making things happen. I believe that what we create here changes the world and am excited to begin my tenure as city attorney to both serve and lead this remarkable community.”

Maguire has over twelve years of experience practicing law in the Piedmont Triad. She began her career working in-house for a non-profit, cooperative financial institution and its subsidiary companies, where she managed the legal affairs of the entire organization. She then moved into private practice with Blanco Tackabery, providing advice and counsel on business law, administrative law and regulatory compliance, commercial real estate, environmental law, renewable energy and intellectual property.

Having worked while in law school for both the City of Tampa

and the City of Winston-Salem, Maguire always hoped to return to municipal government and seized the opportunity in 2019 when she joined the City of High Point. She has served as its assistant city attorney, deputy city attorney and most recently, interim city attorney.

Maguire earned her Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University, majoring in sociology and double minoring in history and women’s studies. She then earned her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law and her Master of Laws in Law and Government from American University Washington College of Law. She is also an alumna of the University of North Carolina School of Government Municipal and County Administration course.

Maguire has lived in seven states up and down the east coast but has considered the Piedmont Triad home since 1988. She is actively involved in professional and civic activities.

HIGH POINT POLICE

HPPD AND CITY MANAGER PARTICIPATE IN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WOMEN BUILD 2023

Members of the High Point Police Department and City Manager Tasha Logan Ford participated in the Women Build 2023 program with Habitat for Humanity of High Point, Archdale & Trinity.

On May 11, HPPD officers and staff, City Manager Tasha Logan Ford and women from Green Street Baptist Church worked under the guidance of construction professionals and future Habitat homeowners to construct a house in the South Side neighborhood of High Point.

Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build events provide opportunities for women to take a proactive step in serving their communities by inviting any woman who wants to learn how to build or repair a home to participate in a Habitat for Humanity build.

Thank you to all who participated in this opportunity to serve alongside other individuals and organizations committed to making High Point a better place for all.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

VECOPLAN SELECTS HIGH POINT FOR U.S. HEADQUARTERS

High Point Economic Development announced on April 26 that Vecoplan selected 501 Gallimore Dairy Road in High Point for its U.S. headquarters location and manufacturing facility.

Vecoplan is a leading international company that manufactures and distributes industrial grinding equipment servicing the plastics, paper, wood and waste industries. The custom grinding systems, durable mobile shred trucks and advanced industrial shredders have made Vecoplan a global leader in the converting, recycling, scrap and repurposing markets.

The project will include a $10,950,000 investment and the creation of 51 new full-time jobs over a five-year period. The new positions will include professional positions and production employees with an average annual compensation package of $85,490. Guilford County’s current overall average annual wage is $57,190.

“We applaud Vecoplan’s decision to grow in High Point,” said Sandy Dunbeck, director of High Point Economic Development Corporation and this year’s director for the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance. “Seeing Vecoplan growing in High Point continues to validate the great assets we have in the City of High Point, Guilford County, the Carolina Core and the state of North Carolina for the advanced manufacturing sector.”

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

EDC CLIENTS ATTEND CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS

High Point Economic Development also brought two clients before City Council on May 15.

The first project is for Smart Era Lighting Systems (SELS) USA, which has purchased 1710 & 1720 King St. with plans to relocate there from Winston-Salem and upfit the properties through a $100,000 State Building Reuse Grant. A 5 percent local match is required by the State, and Council approved this request unanimously. The State will announce grant recipients on June 15.

Second to present was Dive Bar NC, a “bar-cade” concept that is considering leasing 312 N. Elm St. Council unanimously authorized the recommended Rental Assistance Incentive available through the Targeted Downtown Policy.

Pending lease negotiations, the company hopes to make a decision later this quarter and open by year’s end.

HUMAN RELATIONS

COMMISSION HOSTS MULTI-FAITH NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

The City of High Point Human Relations Commission collaborated with local faith leaders to host two Multi-Faith Day of Prayer programs on Thursday, May 4, at the High Point Public Library Arts & Education Plaza, located at 901 N. Main St. The morning program began at 7:15 a.m., and the evening program began at 6 p.m.

Inspired by the annual National Day of Prayer observed on the first Thursday of May, the High Point Multi-Faith Day of Prayer welcomed people of all faiths to pray for our community. This year’s event had 46 attendees and featured prayers from multiple faiths. The programs focused on the theme of peace, love and hope.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

CITY BEGINS DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION TRAINING

Beginning in January 2023, the City of High Point Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion partnered with industry experts at WPR Consulting, LLC to facilitate diversity, equity and inclusion training sessions for City Council, department heads and other leaders.

The training sessions were held at City Hall and City Lake Park. WPR Consulting brings over 60 years of municipal experience in developing and implementing strategic programming centered on DEI, human resources and community relations.

The sessions provided participants with foundational knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion concepts. Future training modules are being developed and will be rolled out to the entire workforce.

INSIDE HIGH POINT NAMED BEST EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER

Inside High Point won the North Carolina City and County Communicators 2023 Excellence in Communications Award for best employee newsletter at the NC3C annual conference in May. The Excellence in Communications Awards recognize great local government communicators and foster achievement among members by showcasing top-level work.

Entries were judged on six criteria: the problem or opportunity statement, intended goals or outcomes, project details, budget and use of outside resources and documentation of achievement.

Part of what makes this awards program special is that it relies on communications professionals from other states to serve as judges. This year, members of the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) judged the entries. Communicators from other states are impartial and able to judge the awards without bias or favoritism.

Judges called Inside High Point “a visually striking internal newsletter that shows the human side of government.”

The newsletter is produced every month by Noelle Miller of the City of High Point Marketing Division, but it could not be done without the contributions from City staff across all departments.

PUBLIC SERVICES

On Saturday, May 6, the city hosted its second Household Hazardous Waste event for the year. There were a lot of events that day as Keep High Point Beautiful held its annual Great American Cleanup, HPU's had its graduation, and the GO FAR 5k was running. We successfully had 63 vehicles navigate all the events around town and take advantage of this city service.

PUBLIC SERVICES

The City of High Point Public Services Department staff will have a busy spring, summer, and fall. City street resurfacing started on April 3, 2023, on Whites Mill Road, Braddock Road, Oak Hollow Estates, Sherwood Forest, Banoak Heights, and Tecumseh subdivisions. Paving crews will work at various locations throughout the City through early December. City Council awarded the contract to Sharpe Brothers in March 2023, the 4th consecutive year that Sharpe Brothers has performed street resurfacing for the City. In addition to repaving, work will include pavement markings, traffic signal loops, concrete curb repairs, asphalt milling, traffic control, and adjustment of utility castings.

Fun Facts:

- This is the largest Resurfacing Contract in the City’s history, totaling $5.99 Million this year.

- The contract totals over 36,000 tons of new asphalt.

- 43.9 lane miles of roadway will be resurfaced.

- 275 water valve boxes will be adjusted to the new asphalt surface.

-

377 manhole rings will be adjusted to the new asphalt surface.

- 30% of the asphalt mix is from recycled roadways and may contain 5% roofing shingles.

- The asphalt is mixed at 290 degrees at the asphalt plant and arrives on-site at approximately 265 degrees. This makes a scorching summer for us!

- An interactive map showing all resurfaced streets can be found at: www.highpointnc.gov/2282/Pavement-Maintenance

HIGH POINT PUBLIC LIBRARY

CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES STAR WARS DAY

Star Wars Day was held at the library on May 4, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the story room.

The celebration featured several Star Wars crafts and games.

Star Wars costumers were also at the event, giving kids the chance to take photos with them in front of a Star Wars-themed backdrop with cool props.

PARKS & RECREATION

PARK RANGERS JOIN LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

The High Point Parks & Recreation Department would like to thank Chief Park Ranger Salgado and Park Rangers Roehm and Miloro for joining their City colleagues from the High Point Police Department in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics North Carolina.

Park Ranger Roehm carried the torch for part of the nearly 11mile run. Sara, a Special Olympic athlete and ASPIRE participant with High Point Parks & Recreation, also had the honor of running with the torch. Local athletes Rigoberto and Skip participated as well.

For more information on programs and services offered to individuals with disabilities through ASPIRE, please visit www.highpointnc.gov/ASPIRE or call 336.883.3469.

PARKS & RECREATION

OAK HOLLOW HOSTS 2023 FISHABILITIES TOURNAMENT

High Point Parks & Recreation’s ASPIRE team and Kernersville Parks and Recreation co-hosted 121 participants from across the Triad for the 2023 FishAbilities Tournament at Oak Hollow Marina on May 17.

The weather was beautiful, and the fish were biting. It was a truly wonderful day.

For more information on the programs and activities offered through High Point Parks & Recreation by ASPIRE (Adaptive Sports, Programs and Inclusive Recreation), please call 336.883.3481 or email Leanne at leanne.lyons@highpointnc. gov.

PARKS & RECREATION

LIFEGUARDS PREPARE FOR POOL SEASON

As the opening day of the 2023 pool season approached, High Point Parks & Recreation’s lifeguards trained extensively under the supervision of certified staff instructors. Safety is always the top priority!

PROMOTIONS & NEW HIRES

CONGRATULATIONS:

ERROL FORD - Sanitation Equipment Operator II to Grounds Maintenance Supervisor

CHAD HILL - Transit Equipment Attendant to Sanitation Special Route Operator

COREY MCCULLOUGH - Sanitation Worker to Sanitation Special Route Operator

GREGORY WILLIAMS - Warehouse Attendant to Senior Warehouse Attendant

WELCOME:

KATHERINE BRADLEY - Accounting Technician I

WENDY BLAIR - Telecommunicator I

ALLISON WILLIAMSON - AMI Systems Analyst

CHRISTOPHER SMITH - Wastewater Operator I

RYAN GODBOLT - Power Line Technician III

HSIANG-YU CHOU-HOOFMAN - Civil Engineer I

TIMOTHY BAKER - Sanitation Equipment Operator I

DON MCKNIGHT - Community Development Assistant Director

JAMAL PEGUES - Landfill Equipment Operator

EDISON PALOMO - Seasonal Park Attendant

TYQUES BOSTIC - Groundskeeper I

XIMENA GARCIA BONILLA - Park Attendant

ZAVIER NEELY - Camp Ann Counselor

GRACE GOODE - Park Attendant

TEVON WOMACK - Rec Center Supervisor

PHILLIP MITCHELL - Seasonal Park Attendant

TRISTON GEE - Lifeguard

ALASKAH HERNDON - Lifeguard

MONIQUWA HILL - Lifeguard

ZACHERY CUNNINGHAM - Seasonal Park Attendant

CHLOE CUNNINGHAM - Seasonal Park Attendant

ALEXIS MCKELLAR - Seasonal Park Attendant

PROMOTIONS & NEW HIRES

WELCOME:

TAYLOR BOULWARE - Lifeguard

CHASE TATUM - Seasonal Park Attendant

CHASE EVERETT - Lifeguard

GABRIEL SAMSON - Lifeguard

BRANT GOMEZ - Marina Operator

ESTRELLA VALADEZ - Lifeguard

BENJAMIN HIATT - Lifeguard

CAMERON GADZIA - Lifeguard

KENADDI MCCORMACK - Lifeguard

ASHTON DUNCAN - Lifeguard

CAMILLA GARNER - Seasonal Park Attendant

RACHEL HURT - Lifeguard

ANGELA CRAVEN - Seasonal Park Attendant

WARREN LOVE - Police Officer Trainee

FORREST MANNING - Police Officer Trainee

JAMISON PAUGH - Motor Equipment Operator I

BOBBY MAYNARD - Groundskeeper I

ZACHARY SANDERS - Transit Operator I

MARLENE WILLIAMS - Transit Operator I

NOAH AUSTIN - W/S Technician I