In an abbreviated session Tuesday night at City Hall, the Lenoir City Council received an update from City Manager Lane Bailey concerning the extension of the water intake system along Lake Rhodhiss.

Designed to move the intake off the shoreline and farther and deeper into the lake, the $6.5 million project should alleviate future water concerns if a drought situation similar to two years ago arises. Last month, the city received approval for the work from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the final hurdle for the project to move forward.

Aside from providing water to its residents, Lenoir also is the primary supplier of water to the rest of the county.

The city previously has received a $1 million grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation and another $500,000 from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center for the project. Bailey said the city will be seeking a combined $3 million in federal stimulus program funding and has secured a $2 million revolving loan through the state at approximately 2 percent interest.

"It looks like there will be some available stimulus dollars that will lessen the impact on our citizens," Bailey said.

The city has started advertising for bids for the water intake line, and a pre-bid meeting with contractors is scheduled for next Thursday. Bids are set to be opened on Dec. 3, and the council has scheduled a brief meeting for Dec. 15 to award the bid.

Bailey said the project will begin in early 2010 and likely will have a 15-month construction timeline.

Meanwhile, the council received a report from Lenoir Planning Board Chairwoman Phyllis Huffstetler concerning its Oct. 26 meeting. Huffstetler said the planning board discussed the overlay districts along U.S. 321 and N.C. 18, along with the development of a corridor study for Hospital Avenue from U.S. 321 to Harper Avenue.

Huffstetler said the planning board will be developing recommendations to present to the council at a future meeting.

In other business, the council:

* Scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, Nov. 17 to consider renaming Virginia Street Extension to Emerald Place.

* Authorized the sale of a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria from Lenoir Police Department to Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute for $1,000. The vehicle will be used for the school's Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy.

* Received an update on leaf pickup from Public Works Director Charles Beck.

* Clarified the status of a proposal to create a shelter for veterans on Vance Street. Councilman Todd Perdue said no action has been taken because the applicant twice has requested a delay in the public hearing. The proposal is scheduled to be heard in January.