MARCH 30, 1999

PRESENT: 

Joel Harbinson, Chairman
John Watts, Vice Chairman
David Odom
Wes Bolick
Darrell Robertson

STAFF: Helen Anthony, Clerk

The Alexander County Board of Commissioners held a Special Meeting on March 30, 1999, at the Alexander County Superior Courtroom, Taylorsville, North Carolina. Chairman Joel Harbinson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Rev. David Giffin gave the invocation. Commissioner Wes Bolick led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Chairman Harbinson presented two additional items on the Agenda. Motion by Commissioner Watts and second by Commissioner Odom for these two items to be added. The vote of the Board was unanimous.

Item 1. - The proposal to hire Mr.Charles McGinnis as interim County Manager with this salary negotiated as the same as the previous County Manager. Motion by Commissioner Watts and seconded by Commissioner Odom to accept this proposal with the vote of the Board being unanimous.

Item 2. - A Budget Amendment of $5,000.00 to retain Chester West and Associates to do the engineering work to complete the Grant project in the Lakemont Park in Bethlehem was presented by Commissioner Robertson. Motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Odom to approve this Budget Amendment. The Board’s vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

REGULAR AGENDA

PUBLIC HEARING: GRANTS FOR WATER LINE EXTENSIONS AND SCATTERED SITE HOUSING GRANT

Mr. Steve Austin of the Western Piedmont Council of Government requested approval for a grant application of $150,000.00 for the extension of water lines for Bellview Rest Home and 86 homes in the Little River Community. Motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Odom to approve the grant application. Vote by the Board was unanimous in favor of the motion.

Motion by Commissioner Bolick to close out the Little River Public Hearing. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion. Vote by the Board was unanimous in favor of the motion.

Motion by Commissioner Robertson and seconded by Commissioner Odom to open the Public Hearing for the scattered site housing.

Commissioner Watts made the motion that the Board close out the scattered site house grant for the county. Commissioner Odom seconded that motion. The Board voted unanimous in favor of the motion.

SALE OF DAYTON CHEVROLET PROPERTY AT PUBLIC AUCTION

Each Commissioner made comments reference the purchase of this property in November, 1998 for $375,000.00, which was higher than the original appraisal. Commissioner Bolick made a motion to hire an appraiser to get a current value of the property and study the outlook of this property for the next five years. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The vote of the Board was Commissioners Robertson and Bolick for and Commissioners Harbinson, Watts, and Odom against hiring an appraiser. Motion failed.

Motion by Commissioner Watts and second by Commissioner Odom to authorize the County Attorney to advertise the Dayton Chevrolet Property for sale by sealed bids with a minimum bid of $400,000.00 and to report back at the May Commissioners Meeting. The vote of the Board was Watts, Harbinson, and Odom for and Commissioners Bolick and Robertson against the sale of the property. Motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING ON OPTION TO PURCHASE PROPERTY FOR A PRISON SITE

Chairman Harbinson stated that the County Commissioners, Chester West & Associates, and Representatives from the Western Piedmont Council of Government toured the Kenneth Branton Property as a possible site for the prison to be built in Alexander County. With approximate 200 persons in attendance, an opportunity was given to interested citizens to speak. Fourteen residents of the county made comments on their position for or against a prison to be located in the county.

Motion by Commissioner Odom and second by Commissioner Watts for the following:

1. That the Board authorizes Chairman Harbinson to continue negotiations with Kenneth Branton to purchase all or part of his property located on the Carl Fox Road.
2. That if the Chairman and Mr. Branton can reach an agreement, the Chairman will immediately contact each Commissioner, either personally or by telephone, to notify each Commissioner of the terms of the proposed purchase. If a majority of the Commissioners contacted consent to the terms of the sale, the Chairman will have the authority to enter into a written option to purchase the Branton property. The terms of said option would be disclosed to the public once a written option is entered into with Mr. Branton.
3. That if an agreement with Mr. Branton cannot be negotiated, the Chairman is authorized to contact the County Attorney to bring a condemnation proceeding, if necessary and advisable, to obtain all or part of the Banton property for any purpose or purposes authorized by law.

The vote of the Board was Watts, Harbinson, and Odom for and Commissioners Bolick and Robertson against the option to purchase this property. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Odom and second by Commissioner Watts to adjourn. The vote of the Board was unanimous to adjourn.

___________________________ __________________________

Joel Harbinson, Chairman               Helen P. Anthony, Clerk