February 17, 2000

The Alexander County Commissioners called a Special Meeting on February 17, 2000 in the Commissioners Room in the Alexander County Courthouse, Taylorsville, NC.

Chairman John F. Watts called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.

Commissioner Harbinson gave the invocation and Chairman Watts led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Commissioner Bolick made a motion to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

DOT REQUEST TO WIDEN NC 16 SOUTH

The North Carolina Department of Transportation needs the County's assistance in requesting Urban Discretionary Funding to Widen NC-16 South from existing 2 lane section to 3 lanes curb and gutter from approximately .30 miles north of the US-64 bypass in a northerly direction to existing 3 lane curb and gutter section at the intersection of 3^rd Ave. SW (Wilkes National Bank). This would be a distance of .50 miles. The estimated cost to construct the 3 lane section and move existing utilities is $375,000. Chairman Watts stated that he would like to coordinate a meeting with Senator Moore and Senator Garwood, DOT officials, Town of Taylorsville, and the County Manager, Rick French to discuss business and residential input as well as researching right of ways and utilities. Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to proceed with the coordination of the meeting. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Chairman Watts gave the Chairman's Report which included registration for the 2000 Regional NCACC Meeting. Chairman Watts gave the five dates that the meeting would be held. The closest location is in Statesville on Wednesday, April 12, 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at the Iredell County Agricultural Center. Chairman Watts stated that he would like for the Commissioners to attend if possible. Commissioner Harbinson made a motion the Chairman Watts attend as a voting delegate if needed. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

APPOINTMENT OF BLOCK GRANT PLANNING COMMITTEE AND LEAD AGENCY FOR HOME & COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT

Chairman Watts stated that in past years the Alexander County Council on Aging has been appointed as the Home and Community Block Grant Planning Committee. The Western Piedmont Council of Government has been appointed as Lead Agency. Commissioner Odom made a motion to reappoint the Council on Aging to HCCBG Planning Committee and WPCOG as Lead Agency. Commissioner Bolick seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT

County Manager, Rick French, gave his monthly report to the Commissioners. Mr. French reported on many items including:

1. A notice of a budget freeze will take place Friday 18, 2000 to all department heads. The financial support of the hospital will greatly impact the county's fund balance. In worst case, our fund balance could be impacted by $700,000 for this fiscal year. The fund balance cannot stand this kind of hit. Therefore, all department spending will have to be slowed tremendously as a precautionary measure.
2. Mr. French spoke with Scott Miller, Contract Manager on GIS Administration for WPCOG, concerning the proposed $3,700 credit proposed by Kimball. Mr. Miller reported the credit was due to an overstated portion of the project and not an adjustment for time delays and that Kimball would be back on schedule by the end of March.

1999 YEAR-IN-REVIEW/PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Mrs. Sylvia Turnmire, Planning Director, presented the 1999 year-in-review. The review included information about the Manufactured Home Park Ordinance & Appearance Criteria, Water Supply Watershed Protection Ordinance & Map, Subdivision Regulations, and Countywide Zoning/WPCOG Contract. Mrs. Turnmire informed the Board of when the ordinances and regulations began and how much progress has been made toward completion.

2000 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES/PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Mrs. Sylvia Turnmire, Planning Director, presented the goals and objectives for the year 2000. Several issues are involved including Subdivision Regulations, Minimum Housing Code Standards, Countywide Zoning/WPCOG Contract, Land Development Plan, and Water Supply Watershed Protection Ordinance & Map. Mrs. Turnmire informed the Board of the plans for these items in the year 2000 and also when the Board was scheduled to review them.

Mrs. Turnmire also informed the Board that if the Water Supply Watershed Protection Ordinance was not adopted by March 10, 2000, the State could fine the County $10,000 per month until the Ordinance is adopted. The Ordinance in general states that Alexander County must designate approximately 30,000 acres of land in the Lookout Shoals Watershed area to fall under watershed restrictions. Commissioner Harbinson stated that this was not a fair deal considering that Iredell County is only contributing 2,000 acres and Catawba is contributing 8,500 acres. The watershed will benefit the City of Statesville and Iredell County, not Alexander. Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to write a letter to the State in response to the Watershed Protection Ordinance. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board voted four in favor (Harbinson, Odom, Bolick, Robertson), and one against (Watts).

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Charles McGinnis, Hospital Consultant, gave the Board a report on the Alexander Community Hospital. The report included a year-to-date summary of cash flow for the Hospital, the audit completed by Deloitte & Touche, and a Strategic Management Plan. Mr. McGinnis stated that the audit completed by Deloitte & Touche was not what was requested and that the Hospital was not pleased. Mr. McGinnis recommended to the Board that the fee not be paid to Deloitte & Touch for their services.

County Manager, Rick French, pointed out to the Board that on page 13 of the audit it states, "The County will make up to $400,000, on an as needed basis, available to the Hospital through June 30, 2000 for the purpose of funding its operations". Mr. French stated that the County has only agreed to provide funding for the secured debt of the Hospital; therefore, this would need to be changed within the audit.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes from Commissioner's Meeting on February 1, 2000.
2. Budget Amendment #24, #25, #26
3. Tax Releases for January $422.43 and Tax Refunds for January $9358.92

Commissioner Robertson made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

WORKSESSION PLANNING BOARD

Chairman Watts made a motion to adjourn from the meeting at 7:30 p.m. and enter into the worksession with the Planning Board. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

The Planning Board came before the Board of Commissioners to request that the Board adopt the Subdivision Regulations. Ms. Connie Killian, Planning Board Chairperson, and Mr. Carl Bunton stated that Alexander County needed some type of Subdivision Regulations. The Planning Board requested that the Board take action on the Regulations at the March Commissioner's Meeting. The Planning Board also asked for input on educating the public. The Board suggested running articles in the newspapers, putting brochures at the Tax Office and the Register of Deeds, and also broadcasting on the radio show "What Do You Think" on WACB radio.

CLOSED SESSION - CONTRACTUAL & PERSONNEL

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to adjourn from the worksession at 9:15 p.m. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion and to reconvene in a Closed Session. The next regular Monthly Commissioner's Meeting will be held March 14, 2000.

John F. Watts, Chairman                Jamie C. Millsaps, Clerk to the Board