Five Safe Ways to Grill
MAY 2021
1. Keep combustibles 10 feet from the heat! Grills should be kept outdoors and be at least 10 feet from the house, deck railing, and low-hanging branches when in use and while cooling down.
City officials continue to work closely with state and federal officials to address the COVID pandemic. We encourage you to look for updates at www.kannapolisnc.gov and on our social media platforms for City events and activities information, as things rapidly change. For vaccine/testing information, please visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/.
2. Keep “the littles” 3 feet from the heat! A safety zone of 3 feet should be kept around your grill for the safety of your children and pets. 3. A clean grill is a happy grill! Clean your grill after each use or before using. Fat residue can contribute to grill fires. 4. Always protect your hands! Use grilling gloves and long utensils designed for grilling to avoid getting your hands too close to the heat. 5. Don’t get “too chill” while you grill! Leaving a grill unattended is a leading cause of grill fires. Avoid distractions while grilling.
Environmental Tip Knowing what to recycle can be confusing. Use this chart with common items to help you remember what to throw out. For a more detailed list, download the free CARTology app in the Apple and Google Play stores. Recycle Right, Kannapolis!
THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 | www.kannapolisnc.gov
Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin. com/company/cityofkanapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov) and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.
Farmers Market The Kannapolis Farmers Market will open Thursday, May 6, in time for you to enjoy an abundance of ripe strawberries, lettuce, berries and asparagus. The market will be held every Thursday, 4-7 p.m., at the corner of Vance Avenue and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. The market continues through September. The market will open with more than 10 new vendors. Returning and new vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as meat, eggs, spices, crafts, and prepared foods and sauces. While supplies last, customers can receive a free reusable bag when making a purchase of $10 or more from a new vendor. Sign up for text message reminders and updates about the farmers market and specials that vendors may be offering. Text MARKET to 855-969-4358. This is a new number so if you subscribed before, you will need to sign up again. You may unsubscribe at any time. For customers’ convenience, most vendors accept credit/debit cards. Customers and vendors are asked to continue to follow CDC guidelines for covid-safe best practices.
COVID-19 Testing/Vaccines
New Look for Utility Bill
D
id you notice that your City of Kannapolis utility bill looked different when it arrived in your mailbox this month?
The City has redesigned the utility bill to make it easier to read and comprehend. The new bill has a more legible font and colorful graphic elements to help residents understand the amount of utilities used and how to pay the bill. Over the last few years the City has been working to improve its information technology systems in order to streamline how meters are read, added methods for making payments, added software that works more efficiently with banking systems, and implemented digital forms for starting and stopping service. Residents can pay their utility bill by mail, automatic bank draft, a new automated kiosk at City Hall, a dropbox at City Hall or by phone. For more information, visit https:// www.kannapolisnc.gov/UtilityBilling.
Need Assistance With Your Rental/Utility Bill?
Swanee Theatre to be New entertainment Venue
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program secures housing for local renters experiencing COVID-19-based hardships.
The Kannapolis City Council has approved the sale of the former Swanee Theatre to West Avenue Entertainment, LLC. The new ownership group, which includes Kent Gregory and Ken Lingafelt, plans to renovate the building and open it as an entertainment venue.
The U.S. Department of Treasury awarded Cabarrus County Government more than $6.5 million to help local households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is available through the $25-billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. For eligible households, the County can pay overdue rent and utilities (electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal and energy costs) that are not covered within rent dating back to March 13, 2020, and through the remainder of the year or until funding runs out. Residents can apply online at erap. cabarruscounty.us using any internetconnected personal computer, tablet or smartphone. Paper applications are also available at County offices, including the
Government Center (65 Church Street S., Concord), Human Services Center (1303 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis) branches of the Cabarrus County Public Library System (Concord, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Midland and Mt. Pleasant) and the Cabarrus County Veterans Services Office (363 Church St. N., Suite 180, Concord). Determining Eligibility An eligible household is defined as a renter household that has a household income that does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income (examples: $46,800 annually for a household of one, $66,800 annually for a household of four and $88,200 annually for a household of eight). AND At least one or more individuals living in the household qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19. OR Can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The process requires documentation of need, including financial, housing and utility verification. Applicants who complete the application online can submit scans or photos of the documentation. Paper copies are required for the paper application. If the applicant qualified for another federal or state program (example: HOPE) and has needs beyond the months covered by that program, they may qualify for the ERAP program. How to Apply Residents can apply online at erap. cabarruscounty.us using any internetconnected personal computer, tablet or smartphone. Free access to computers and scanners is available at each branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library. Paper applications are available at several locations across Cabarrus, including the Government Center, Human Services Center, branches of the library and the Veterans Services Office. Completed paper applications, along with required verification documents, should be returned to the Cabarrus County Human Services Center (1303 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis), branches of the library or to the Veterans Services Office. An after-hours dropbox is available at Human Services. To request more information on the program, text ERAP to 888-777. To speak with a representative, call 704-920-1400, option 4, then option 6. Additional details on the ERAP can be found at Treasury.gov/CARES.
The Swanee Theatre was built in 1940 and was one of four single-screen movie theatres in Kannapolis. It remained open until 1971. Since then the building was used as a visitor center and a workforce training center for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, but has been vacant in recent years. “We are looking forward to seeing this building come alive again. Many of our residents have memories of the wonderful times spent at the Swanee being entertained with a movie. Now the building will be restored and, once again, we will be able to visit it to be entertained with live performances,” commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant. “The Swanee Theatre, an iconic building in the heart of downtown Kannapolis, is a structure we have to preserve and bring back to
life for the community. Our goal is to reopen the Swanee in the late third quarter of this year and provide a venue for live music and performances. With a capacity of approximately 500, it delivers a perfect setting for performers to truly connect with their audience. The Swanee will also be available for other community uses,” commented Gregory and Lingafelt. The parcel is located at the corner of West Avenue and Cannon Ballers Way and will be sold for $567,000. The City will also provide a construction loan of up to $950,000 to the buyer to finance the cost of the renovations to the building. The property was initially purchased by the City in 2015 as part of the Downtown Revitalization Plan when the City bought 50 acres (eight blocks of downtown buildings) and more than 700,000 square feet of commercial space. The City has now sold five of the downtown blocks and one of the outer parcels (the former Plant 4 site). A number of new businesses have opened, including restaurants, a brewery, boutiques, a hair salon and a barber, a cycle shop and much more.
City Receives Budget Award for 20th Year in a Row The Government Finance Officers Association has presented the Distinguished Budget Award to the City of Kannapolis. This is the 20th consecutive year the City has received this honor. The award is given to municipalities that publish a budget that is a policy document, an operations guide, a financial plan and is used as a communications device.
The City of Kannapolis budget document was found to be proficient in those four categories and met 14 mandatory criteria in order to achieve the award. City Manager Mike Legg’s budget message was cited as being “excellent” and that it was a comprehensive message which did not sugar-coat facts, but focused on how the City was being proactively prudent with its budget resources during the pandemic.
Need Assistance With Your Rental/Utility Bill?
Swanee Theatre to be New entertainment Venue
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program secures housing for local renters experiencing COVID-19-based hardships.
The Kannapolis City Council has approved the sale of the former Swanee Theatre to West Avenue Entertainment, LLC. The new ownership group, which includes Kent Gregory and Ken Lingafelt, plans to renovate the building and open it as an entertainment venue.
The U.S. Department of Treasury awarded Cabarrus County Government more than $6.5 million to help local households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is available through the $25-billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. For eligible households, the County can pay overdue rent and utilities (electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal and energy costs) that are not covered within rent dating back to March 13, 2020, and through the remainder of the year or until funding runs out. Residents can apply online at erap. cabarruscounty.us using any internetconnected personal computer, tablet or smartphone. Paper applications are also available at County offices, including the
Government Center (65 Church Street S., Concord), Human Services Center (1303 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis) branches of the Cabarrus County Public Library System (Concord, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Midland and Mt. Pleasant) and the Cabarrus County Veterans Services Office (363 Church St. N., Suite 180, Concord). Determining Eligibility An eligible household is defined as a renter household that has a household income that does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income (examples: $46,800 annually for a household of one, $66,800 annually for a household of four and $88,200 annually for a household of eight). AND At least one or more individuals living in the household qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19. OR Can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The process requires documentation of need, including financial, housing and utility verification. Applicants who complete the application online can submit scans or photos of the documentation. Paper copies are required for the paper application. If the applicant qualified for another federal or state program (example: HOPE) and has needs beyond the months covered by that program, they may qualify for the ERAP program. How to Apply Residents can apply online at erap. cabarruscounty.us using any internetconnected personal computer, tablet or smartphone. Free access to computers and scanners is available at each branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library. Paper applications are available at several locations across Cabarrus, including the Government Center, Human Services Center, branches of the library and the Veterans Services Office. Completed paper applications, along with required verification documents, should be returned to the Cabarrus County Human Services Center (1303 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis), branches of the library or to the Veterans Services Office. An after-hours dropbox is available at Human Services. To request more information on the program, text ERAP to 888-777. To speak with a representative, call 704-920-1400, option 4, then option 6. Additional details on the ERAP can be found at Treasury.gov/CARES.
The Swanee Theatre was built in 1940 and was one of four single-screen movie theatres in Kannapolis. It remained open until 1971. Since then the building was used as a visitor center and a workforce training center for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, but has been vacant in recent years. “We are looking forward to seeing this building come alive again. Many of our residents have memories of the wonderful times spent at the Swanee being entertained with a movie. Now the building will be restored and, once again, we will be able to visit it to be entertained with live performances,” commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant. “The Swanee Theatre, an iconic building in the heart of downtown Kannapolis, is a structure we have to preserve and bring back to
life for the community. Our goal is to reopen the Swanee in the late third quarter of this year and provide a venue for live music and performances. With a capacity of approximately 500, it delivers a perfect setting for performers to truly connect with their audience. The Swanee will also be available for other community uses,” commented Gregory and Lingafelt. The parcel is located at the corner of West Avenue and Cannon Ballers Way and will be sold for $567,000. The City will also provide a construction loan of up to $950,000 to the buyer to finance the cost of the renovations to the building. The property was initially purchased by the City in 2015 as part of the Downtown Revitalization Plan when the City bought 50 acres (eight blocks of downtown buildings) and more than 700,000 square feet of commercial space. The City has now sold five of the downtown blocks and one of the outer parcels (the former Plant 4 site). A number of new businesses have opened, including restaurants, a brewery, boutiques, a hair salon and a barber, a cycle shop and much more.
City Receives Budget Award for 20th Year in a Row The Government Finance Officers Association has presented the Distinguished Budget Award to the City of Kannapolis. This is the 20th consecutive year the City has received this honor. The award is given to municipalities that publish a budget that is a policy document, an operations guide, a financial plan and is used as a communications device.
The City of Kannapolis budget document was found to be proficient in those four categories and met 14 mandatory criteria in order to achieve the award. City Manager Mike Legg’s budget message was cited as being “excellent” and that it was a comprehensive message which did not sugar-coat facts, but focused on how the City was being proactively prudent with its budget resources during the pandemic.
Five Safe Ways to Grill
MAY 2021
1. Keep combustibles 10 feet from the heat! Grills should be kept outdoors and be at least 10 feet from the house, deck railing, and low-hanging branches when in use and while cooling down.
City officials continue to work closely with state and federal officials to address the COVID pandemic. We encourage you to look for updates at www.kannapolisnc.gov and on our social media platforms for City events and activities information, as things rapidly change. For vaccine/testing information, please visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/.
2. Keep “the littles” 3 feet from the heat! A safety zone of 3 feet should be kept around your grill for the safety of your children and pets. 3. A clean grill is a happy grill! Clean your grill after each use or before using. Fat residue can contribute to grill fires. 4. Always protect your hands! Use grilling gloves and long utensils designed for grilling to avoid getting your hands too close to the heat. 5. Don’t get “too chill” while you grill! Leaving a grill unattended is a leading cause of grill fires. Avoid distractions while grilling.
Environmental Tip Knowing what to recycle can be confusing. Use this chart with common items to help you remember what to throw out. For a more detailed list, download the free CARTology app in the Apple and Google Play stores. Recycle Right, Kannapolis!
THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 | www.kannapolisnc.gov
Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin. com/company/cityofkanapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov) and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.
Farmers Market The Kannapolis Farmers Market will open Thursday, May 6, in time for you to enjoy an abundance of ripe strawberries, lettuce, berries and asparagus. The market will be held every Thursday, 4-7 p.m., at the corner of Vance Avenue and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. The market continues through September. The market will open with more than 10 new vendors. Returning and new vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as meat, eggs, spices, crafts, and prepared foods and sauces. While supplies last, customers can receive a free reusable bag when making a purchase of $10 or more from a new vendor. Sign up for text message reminders and updates about the farmers market and specials that vendors may be offering. Text MARKET to 855-969-4358. This is a new number so if you subscribed before, you will need to sign up again. You may unsubscribe at any time. For customers’ convenience, most vendors accept credit/debit cards. Customers and vendors are asked to continue to follow CDC guidelines for covid-safe best practices.
COVID-19 Testing/Vaccines
New Look for Utility Bill
D
id you notice that your City of Kannapolis utility bill looked different when it arrived in your mailbox this month?
The City has redesigned the utility bill to make it easier to read and comprehend. The new bill has a more legible font and colorful graphic elements to help residents understand the amount of utilities used and how to pay the bill. Over the last few years the City has been working to improve its information technology systems in order to streamline how meters are read, added methods for making payments, added software that works more efficiently with banking systems, and implemented digital forms for starting and stopping service. Residents can pay their utility bill by mail, automatic bank draft, a new automated kiosk at City Hall, a dropbox at City Hall or by phone. For more information, visit https:// www.kannapolisnc.gov/UtilityBilling.