March 16, 1998

PRESENT:      W. Darrell Robertson, Chairman

                        Wes E. Bolick, Vice Chairman

                        W. Guy Kerley

                        Timothy A. Glass

ABSENT:        K. Craig Mayberry

STAFF:           Charles S. Mashburn, Clerk to the Board

                       Jerry A. Campbell, Attorney

Chairman Robertson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room of the Alexander County Courthouse. The Reverend Paul Beatty, Jr., gave the invocation and Commissioner Robertson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROAD NAME PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Robertson called to order a public hearing as advertised and notice duly given to consider the naming of several roads. Ms. Jennifer Pennell read the names of several private roads to be named and also presented a petition from Grace and Ethel Childers to rename Bob’s Road to Ridge Lane. She asked that Looper Lane be removed for failure to meet the criteria for naming a private road. Bob’s Road was presented under recently approved regulations that allow residents to name roads for which they are the singular owner. Ms. Pennell reported that Bob’s Road is owned by three adjacent property owners, is not totally owned by Ms. Grace Childers, and thus does not meet the criteria. She recommended Bob’s Road not be changed.

No one from the audience commented on the road names.

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Bolick the Board voted unanimously to declare the public hearing closed.

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to approve road names as presented except for Bob’s Road and Looper Road, pending further clarification.

3870ccc Angel Dr. Off Patterson Rd.

3883-2A Brookshire Farm Drive Off Jud Smith Rd.

(SR?) Chevy Dr. Off NC HWY 16 S

3788-2C Creeping Cedar Lane Off NC HWY 90 E

37093A Deer Ridge Drive Off 64-90 W

3789YYY Flowers Lane Off Sulphur Springs

3788-S Hanging Rock Dr. Off Mclain Rd.

3797 Harris Street Off Arrowhead Dr.

3778-2A Kerri Drive Of Keever Farm Dr.

97982-A Lawzyday Farm Rd. Off Cheatham Ford

3789-2B Melody Lane Off Sulphur Springs

37882-E Mooseberry Ln. Off Little Roundtop

38302B Odell Court Off Houch Mtn. Rd.

3880 Pennell MHP Off Sulphur Springs

9870-B Rainbow Dr. Off Joe Barnes Ln.

3778-2L Sugar Hill Ln. Off Liberty Church Rd.

3768-2C Sun Valley Ln. Off Paul Payne Store

38923A Yankee Dr. Off McCurdy Rd.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT-PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Robertson called to order a public hearing as advertised and notice duly provided to secure comment regarding application for Community Development Block Grants. Ms. Sherry Long , Western Piedmont Council of Government, advised the Board and audience that CDBG grants must benefit low and moderate-low income citizens. Citizens were asked to recommend projects for consideration. Eligible projects include scattered site housing and infrastructure for economic development. The county now only gets a credit of $9,000 per job compared to $15,000 a few years in the past. No one in the audience recommended any projects.

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to declare the public hearing closed.

EARL CROUCH-RETIREMENT

Chairman Robertson presented Earl Crouch a plaque upon his retirement as landfill supervisor. Mr. Crouch has worked for Alexander County for twenty-three years. Board members thanked him for operating the landfill well, though it was a dirty, dusty, or a muddy environment most of the time.

MITCHELL GOLD-SEWER AGREEMENT

Ms. Sherry Long, Western Piedmont Council of Government, presented for consideration a proposed sewer agreement with the Town of Taylorsville regarding the Mitchell Gold project. A sewer line is being constructed from the Broyhill plant to the Mitchell Gold building on Millersville Road. The Town of Taylorsville agreed to treat the wastewater and perform daily maintenance in exchange for the user fees. However, the Town asked the County to pay for any single repair item costing $500 or more. The Broyhill agreement was for $1,000.

Upon motion by Commissioner Kerley and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to approve the Mitchell Gold and Broyhill sewer agreement as proposed by the Town of Taylorsville.

OLD JAIL LEASE

Ms. Evelina Miller and representatives from the Alexander County Ancestry Society again asked the Board to consider selling or leasing the Old Jail to that organization. A long-term lease would allow them to secure grants to renovate the building that is in dire need of roof and other repairs. Mr. Campbell advised the Board that a long term lease requires a notice and public hearing. The Board recommended several items for consideration in the lease. At least a twenty-five year renewable lease was requested.

Upon motion by Commissioner Kerley and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to authorize Mr. Campbell to prepare for consideration a twenty-five year renewable lease, that the Society be responsible for repairs and upkeep, and that certain termination and return clauses be included in the lease, with a review in five years.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT-ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH POSITION

Ms. Shelley Caraway, Health Director, and members of the Board of Health, presented a request to hire an additional Environmental Health Specialist. She presented statistics to show that Alexander County has fewer sanitarians than other counties of similar size. The shortage of staff keeps the department too far behind in performing site evaluations and approving building permits. The staff also has far more duties than it had several years ago. Continuing education requirements require staff to be out of the office a lot more than in prior years. She indicated there are enough funds in the budget to hire someone for the remainder of the year. A new vehicle will not be needed because Mr. Ferguson will perform most of the office review and supervision. She requested at a minimum of one certified person, and if possible a new trainee position also.

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Health Department to immediately create a new Environmental Health Specialist position.

Upon inquiry the Board of Health indicated that a back hoe is requested on all sites now, instead of a hand auger. Mr. Robertson suggested there be a difference in the permit fees so that back hoe evaluations do not get unfair favorable treatment

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES-WORK FIRST AMENDMENTS

Department of Social Services Director Nan Campbell presented for consideration revisions to the Work First Plan as recommended by the State. Most of the revisions concerned clarification of goals, correction of budget amounts, and other minor details.

Upon motion by Commissioner Kerley and second by Commissioner Bolick the Board voted unanimously to approve the Work First revisions as recommended.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES-TRANSPORTATION

Department of Social Services Director Nan Campbell asked the Board to pass a resolution authorizing an application for $4,900 from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The funds will be used to provide transportation to persons on the Work First program.

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to authorize by resolution (98-#2) an application for an additional $4,900 transportation funding for Work First clients.

PROBATION & PAROLE LEASE

County Attorney Jerry Campbell advised the Board that the building being rented for the North Carolina Probation & Parole Office has been sold and the lease expires March 31, 1998. He presented the draft of a new lease that continues from year to year unless terminated by either party in writing with a sixty day notice. The $500 per month rental was continued.

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to approve a new lease for the Probation and Parole Office as proposed by Jerry Campbell.

SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION CHANGE ORDER

The Board was advised that a safety fence at the back of the transfer station was needed, and additional paving was needed to provide better ingress and egress for small loads, at a cost of $5,650.

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to approve Change Order #3 to add $5,650 to the transfer station contract with Hickory Construction Company.

Chairman Robertson reported the facility is about ready to be occupied on Monday, March 23, and recommended a ribbon cutting to recognize the work of the Solid Waste Task Force, and to publicize the opening.

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to have a ribbon cutting on March 23, at 11:00 a.m., and to invite members of the Solid Waste Task Force as special guests, as well as Earl Crouch.

DARE-VEHICLE PURCHASE

It was reported Sheriff Ray Warren requested the Board approve the transfer of about $20,000 from the Dare Fund surplus in order that a new vehicle be purchased. The existing vehicle is nine years old and has more than 100,000 miles.

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Bolick the Board voted unanimously to authorize the purchase of a Dare vehicle and approve a budget transfer from fund balance (Budget Amendment # 47, Attachment # 1) with the sale or trade of the existing Dare vehicle being used toward the purchase of the new vehicle.

WATER & SEWER STUDY-ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chairman Robertson indicated the engineer has asked that an ad hoc committee be appointed to assist with the proposed water and sewer study. Mr. Robertson desired to have representation from the Water Corporation, Town of Taylorsville, EDC, County Commission, and others on the Committee.

Upon motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to appoint members to the Water and Sewer Study Advisory Committee as follows, with others added as needed.

Mr. Jerry Durmire or delegated replacement

Mr. George Holleman

Mr. Harry Robertson

Mr. Charles Mashburn

Mr. Darrell Robertson

The Board was advised that specifications of the study will be presented to the Board for consideration prior to the contract being executed.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Upon motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to make board and committee appointments as follows:

TOWN OF TAYLORSVILLE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Mr. James Keever and Mr. Van Tarlton were reappointed to the Town of Taylorsville Board of Adjustment.

ALEXANDER COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

Ms. Ruth Ledbetter was appointed to a three year term on the Alexander County Planning Board.

ALEXANDER COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Mr. Harold Dagenhart was appointed to a three year term on the Alexander County Board of Adjustment.

CONSENT AGENDA

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda as follows:

MINUTES

The minutes of February 16 and February 23, 1998, were approved as presented by the Clerk to the Board.

ROAD SIGN BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment # 44 was approved to budget an additional $5,000 for road name sign purchases (Attachment #2).

SENIOR CENTER BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment # 45 was approved to accept $361.00 in additional Senior Center grant monies (Attachment #3).

HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment # 46 was approved to appropriate an additional $1,157.00 to the Health Department (Attachment # 4).

HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment # 48 was approved to appropriate and additional $315.00 to the Health Department (Attachment #5)

TAX REFUNDS AND TAX RELEASES

Tax refunds of $590.65 and releases of $517.98.

CLOSED SESSION

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Bolick the Board voted unanimously to go into closed session to discuss a personnel item, and to return to open session for purpose of adjournment only.

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to adjourn until 5:30 p.m., March 30, 1998, to conduct a work shop in the County Administration Building.

____________________________ __________________________

Charles S. Mashburn                          W. Darrell Robertson, Chairman
Clerk to the Board