PRESENT:      W. Darrell Robertson, Chairman

                        Wesley E. Bolick, Jr., Vice Chairman

                        K. Craig Mayberry

                        W. Guy Kerley

                        Timothy A. Glass

STAFF:        Charles S. Mashburn, Clerk to the Board

                        Jerry Campbell, Attorney

Chairman Darrell Robertson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Alexander County Courthouse. Mr. Bob Teague gave the invocation and Chairman Robertson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

REZONING HEARING

Chairman Robertson called to order public hearings as advertised and notice properly given to consider public comment regarding three rezoning petitions.

REZONING-98-2-ROBERT LAIL

Ms. Sylvia Turnmire, Western Piedmont Council of Governments Planner, explained that Robert and Jeanette Lail have requested rezoning of property from R-20 to Highway Commercial in order to refurbish Hickory Tile and Marble Company. Mr. Lail explained that he wishes to improve the existing structure and be able to add on in the future. He argued he will improve the situation.

Ms. Turnmire read a letter from Ms. Rachel Winebarger indicating she is opposed to both a trailer park and the Lail rezoning. Ms. Turnmire reported the Planning Board held a hearing and voted to deny the request. She indicated Mr. Lail did not attend the meeting due to a conflict.

At least two members of the audience objected to the property being rezoned because of future uses not being compatible with surrounding uses.

Commissioner Bolick made a motion to approve the rezoning request of 98-2. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Mayberry and passed unanimously.

REZONING-98-3-RUBNER

Ms. Turnmire reported that David and Lauri Rubner have requested rezoning of one acre of property from RA-20 to Highway Commercial (H-C) for the purpose of operating a retail garden shop. Wholesale activity would be allowed under existing zoning designations. The property is located off Rink Dam Road in Bethlehem.

Mr. Rubner indicated they are now growing plants on the property and desire to sell the plants retail.

Ms. Turnmire reported the Planning Board voted to deny the rezoning request.

Commissioner Kerley made a motion to approve 98-3. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Glass and passed unanimously.

REZONING-98-4-MILLER

Ms. Turnmire explained that Hoyle Miller has requested rezoning of property from R-20 to RA-20. He requested about 20 acres of land be zoned to Low Density Residential Agriculture which will allow manufactured houses on individual lots.

Ms. Turnmire reported that several letters and petitions have been received in the planning office objecting to the rezoning. A valid petition by 20% require passage by three-fourths vote of the Board of Commissioners. She read several of the letters because those persons could not attend the hearing. One attendee reported that every adjoining landowner that attended the Planning Board meeting indicated they opposed the rezoning.

Mr. Miller reported there is a need for affordable housing. He reported he desires to open only one lot and not subdivide the total acreage. The one lot is located next to Hickory Tile and Marble Company.

Ms. Turnmire reported that the Planning Board voted to recommend denial of the rezoning request.

Upon motion by Commissioner Kerley and second by Commissioner Mayberry the Board voted unanimously to deny petition 98-4.

Upon motion by Commissioner Kerley and second by Commissioner Glass the public hearing was closed.

ROAD NAME PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Robertson called to order a public hearing as advertised and notice properly given to name certain roads. Ms. Jennifer Pennell read the list of names to be considered. There were no comments regarding the proposed names and the public hearing was closed.

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to approve road names (Attachment #1).

ROAD NAMING REPORT

Ms. Jennifer Pennell reported that the Hiddenite section will be about 90% completed in a few weeks. There are a few roads where people have not responded to requests for names. The road naming project is in the final stages of the initial project.

Commissioner Kerley made a motion that the planning staff contact the property owners of unnamed roads to determine if there is 100% ownership. If no ownership is determined, then staff is to report back with a recommended name. This was seconded by Commissioner Bolick and passed unanimously.

SALARY ADJUSTMENTS

Chairman Robertson reported the Board has evaluated the several requests for salary adjustments and has decided in the interest of equity that salary adjustments be made as follows:

1. All full-time and part-time permanent employees be awarded a $1,200 increase in base pay. The entire $1,200 will be paid over the remaining ten months of the year.

2. The county manager will pursue a contract with a consultant to perform a job analysis, pay plan study, and update job descriptions.

The Board pointed out that Alexander County is lagging behind in salaries for counties of similar size and ability to pay.

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to approve the $1,200 to each full time and permanent part-time employee and to authorize staff to proceed with securing a consultant to perform a personnel study.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

REGION E DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Bolick the Board voted unanimously to appoint Commissioner Kerley to the Region E Development Corporation.

CONSENT AGENDA

Upon motion by Commissioner Glass and second by Commissioner Bolick the Board voted unanimously to add a Health Department budget amendment to the Consent Agenda.

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

MINUTES

The minutes of August 3, 1998, were approved as presented by the Clerk to the Board.

TAX REFUNDS AND RELEASES

Tax refunds of $547.47 and releases for $141.02 were approved as requested.

RECREATION DEPARTMENT BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment #4 was approved to add $10,000 to the Recreation Department Building and Grounds Maintenance (Attachment # 2).

LANDFILL CLOSURE BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment #3 was approved to transfer $500,000 from Enterprise Capital Reserve to Solid Waste for closure of the landfill, the purpose for which the reserve was established (Attachment #3).

SOIL AND WATER BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment #5 was approved to appropriate $1,357.00 from fund balance to Capital Outlay, these monies be specified by regulation to be expended for Soil and Water (Attachment #4).

HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment #7 was approved to appropriate $2,065 of fund balance to Health Department Capital Outlay, these monies being specified by regulation to be expended for the Health Department (Attachment #5).

CLOSED SESSION

Upon motion by Commissioner Kerley and second by Commissioner Glass the Board voted unanimously to go into Closed Session to discuss personnel and land purchase items.

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Commissioner Mayberry and second by Commissioner Kerley the Board voted unanimously to adjourn until 7:00 p.m. on August 31, and to hold the September meeting at 7:00 p.m. on September 21, 1998.

_________________________   ____________________________

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