June 01, 1999 

PRESENT: 

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

STAFF: 

Rick French, County Manager
Helen Anthony, Clerk to the Board

The Alexander County Commissioners held their monthly meeting on June 1, 1999 in the Commissioners Room in the Alexander County Courthouse, Taylorsville, North Carolina.

Chairman Joel Harbinson called the Peoples’ Agenda meeting to order at 6:50 PM with no citizens participating. He then called the Regular Meeting to order.

Rev. Jerry Gwaltney gave the Invocation. Commissioner Wesley Bolick led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Commissioner Darrell Robertson gave a brief update on the Memorial monument placed on the Courthouse lawn recently by the Veterans of Alexander County.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES

Chairman Harbinson noted two updates:

1. Several letters were received stating the support of Home Town Development Council’s request for funding from the Commissioners.
2. A letter from the 22^nd Prosecutorial District Attorney, Garry Frank, requesting support for the Local Funded Victim Witness/Legal Assistant supervised by the District Attorney. The amount to be considered for the 1999 - 2000 Budget is $2,351.39.

AGENDA

Chairman Harbinson noted that there was one item to be added to the Agenda concerning the Moretz Court Road located in the Bethlehem Community. Commissioner Odom made the motion to add Moretz Court to the Agenda, which was seconded by Commissioner Robertson. The Board’s vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

PUBLIC HEARING – APPLICATION FOR REZONING FROM RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERICAL

Sylvia Turnmire presented the application and noted this was a Public Hearing for Rezoning Case 99-1. This is a request rezoning from RA-20 Residential Agricultural to H-C Highway Commercial by Edwin Hunter, Hunter Realty. This property is owned by Wade and Bobby Caldwell and is located off the Millersville Road between Highway 90 and US Highway 64 Bypass. A doctor’s office would be built.

With no response from the public, a motion by Commissioner Odom and second by Commissioner Watts to close the Public Hearing. The Board’s vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

Commissioner Bolick made the motion to approve the Re-zoning Case 99-1. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board’s vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.

WESTERN PIEDMONT COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT – HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE BLOCK GRANT

Caroline Culpepper, representing the Western Piedmont Council of Government stated that Alexander County had received allocations of $212,624.00 of federal/state dollars for fiscal year 2000. The Home and Community Care Block Grant funding recommended various services as specified by the North Carolina Division of Aging with Alexander County’s matching funds of $23, 625.00.

Upon motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Odom to adopt these recommendations, the Board voted unanimous in favor thereof.

ALEXANDER COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE

County Manager, Rick French, presented this report compiled by Alexander County Emergency Management Coordinator, Terry Foxx. The total cost to Alexander County was $11,200.00 for the investigations and work performed by the Rescue Squad, Emergency team, and Sheriff’s department for the recent bomb threats at schools in the county.

Motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Odom that the County Attorney follow any criminal cases involved with the Bomb threats and to seek restitution from anyone connected to creating this cost. The Board voted unanimously in favor thereof.

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY PROCLAMATION

The Catawba Valley Cancer Control Network had recently requested that the Commissioners proclaim June 5, 1999, as National Cancer Survivors Day in Alexander County. Mr. Gary Skinner, Vice Chairperson accepted the Proclamation from Chairman Harbinson.

APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES

1. Foothills Area Mental Health -

   Motion by Commissioner Robertson to re-appoint Dr. Jo Foster to the board. Second by Commissioner Watts. The Board voted unanimous in favor thereof.

   2. Workforce Development Board-

   Motion by Commissioner Watts and second by Commissioner Bolick to appoint Dana Robertson to serve on this board. The Board’s vote was unanimous in favor thereof.

2. Area Agency for Aging –

MORETZ ROAD CONSIDERATIONS

Motion by Commissioner Wesley Bolick and seconded by Commissioner Odom to refer this road Access issue to the County Attorney for his investigation and recommendation. The Board’s vote was unanimous in favor thereof.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes for May 18, 1999, to be approved.
2. Clean Water Management Town Fund – Grant Application presented by Rick French.

Upon motion by Commissioner Odom and second by Commissioner Bolick, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Odom and second by Commissioner Bolick to move to Closed Session for legal, personnel, and real property issues. The Board voted unanimously in favor thereof.

Motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Odom to reconvene in Open Session, which was a unanimous vote by the Board in favor thereof.

Motion by Commissioner Odom and second by Commissioner Watts to proceed into an Option Agreement of a series of 30-day options at $10,000.00 for each option to purchase land approved by the State for the purpose of building a Correctional Facility in Alexander County, said land being owned by David and Sharon Mecimore and consisting of 130 acres. The vote of the Board was three Commissioners, (Watts, Harbinson, and Odom) for the Option and two Commissioners, (Bolick and Robertson) against the Option Agreement.

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Watts, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.

_______________________ ______________________________

Joel C. Harbinson, Chairman Helen P. Anthony,Clerk to the Board