Draft

JANUARY 9, 2000

The Alexander County Board of Commissioners held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 in the Commissioner’s Room in the Alexander County Courthouse, Taylorsville, North Carolina.

PEOPLES’ AGENDA

Lib Shoemaker, who resides on Three Forks Church Road, approached the Board with concerns for county water. Ms. Shoemaker stated that a 52 home petition was given to the County approximately 2 years ago requesting county water to be installed along 2 miles of Three Forks Church Road. Ms. Shoemaker stated that all those who signed the petition were willing to put up $1,000 each towards the cost of the project. Another petition was also given to the County several years prior to this also. Ms. Shoemaker inquired as to why water lines were run along dead end roads off Rink Dam Road and not along Three Forks Church Road which is less than 2 miles from Highway 90 (City Limits) where water lines are run.

J. L. Chapman, who also resides on Three Forks Church Road, expressed the same concerns as Ms. Shoemaker.

Terry White inquired about how it was determined which areas received water and which areas did not.

Commissioner Robertson stated that there was a process followed when petitions are received to determine number of users for the area, the cost of the project, what grant monies were available for the area, what type of business and economy was in the area, etc.

Commissioner Harbinson stated that water was definitely a top priority but that it was very expensive, around $10 per foot. Commissioner Harbinson stated that in order to pay for approximately 2 miles of water without any grants or user fees, it would cost 1 cent of all property taxes.

Commissioner Hammer stated that there are several "water districts". The people in these areas voted to become a district and borrow money to have water lines installed.

All concerned citizens were informed that there may be CDBG grant money left over from other projects that could be used to install water lines. The Board stated that the matter would be looked into more thoroughly.

Chairman Odom called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.

Reverand Kerri Mock from Taylorsville Presbyterian Church gave the invocation. Max Krohn and Courtney Sigmon, Alexander Central High School Student Council Presidents, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Chairman Odom stated that the Golden LEAF Foundation grant that was applied for was denied. Alexander County applied for the grant in hopes of receiving funding for the Rocky Springs Road Water Project. The Golden LEAF Foundation sent a letter stating that they had received far more requests than they had anticipated and therefore had to decline funding of many proposals.

Jesse Riddle, Parks & Recreation Director, presented a certificate of appreciation to Commissioner Harbinson for his support for the Alexander County Recreation Department.

Commissioner Harbinson presented appreciation plaques to Maryann Winchell and Barbara Land for their service to Alexander County. Ms. Land recently retired from the Alexander County Department of Social Services after 15 years of service. Maryann Winchell recently retired from the Alexander County Cooperative Extension Service after 29 years of service. Nan Campbell, Social Services Director, and Linney Rogers, Cooperative Extension Director, expressed their appreciation for both of these ladies.

Commissioner Watts stated that he would like to move Agenda Item #5 – Alexander County Animal Shelter Update to Agenda Item #1 and move all other items down. Wayland Plaster, Northwest Association Architecture was needed at another important meeting. Commissioner Watts also stated that he would like to discuss Retreat materials under Other Business and also add Budget Amendments #19, #20, and #21 to the Consent Agenda.

Commissioner Watts made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented with changes to order of presentation and additions to Other Business and Consent Agenda. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Dr. David Linzey, President of Alexander County Animal Action League, stated that for the past several months he, Commissioners Watts and Robertson, County Manager Rick French, and Wayland Plaster, Northwest Association Architecture, have met to discuss plans for the new animal shelter. Suitable floor plans have been drawn and the proposed building will serve Alexander County’s current and future animal shelter needs.

Dr. Linzey stated that the Animal Action League began raising money for the animal shelter project in 1987 and has raised approximately $50,000 to date. Alexander County has also contributed to the project. Dr. Linzey requested that the Board approve the plans for the new animal shelter so that the project may be advertised for public bid as soon as possible. If all schedules are met, bids should be opened March 1, 2001.

Wayland Plaster, Northwest Association Architecture, explained the floor plans to the Board. The proposed building totals 3,760 square feet not including the loading dock. Approximately 1,550 square feet is heated space. There are 4 offices, a lobby, a large meeting room, 1 restroom, a mechanical equipment room, records storage room, 2 cat rooms (1 for public visitation), 18 dog runs, 2 dog rooms for public visitation, a feeding and bedding prep room, and a loading dock. The new animal shelter will be a steel building with concrete block walls 8 feet high. The windows will be operable. The gates to the dog runs will be chain-linked to provide good ventilation and the floors will be sloped to drains for easy clean-up.

Chairman Odom inquired about the sound control. Mr. Plaster stated that there will be fiberglass insulation which be sufficient for sound control and that neighbors should not be able to hear any animals which may be inside the shelter.

Dr. David Linzey informed the Board that up to 6 dogs could be placed in a dog run which means 108 dogs could be held at the shelter.

The Board expressed their appreciation for the hard work that Dr. Linzey and the Animal Action League have done for the planning of this project.

Commissioner Robertson made a motion to approve the plans for the new animal shelter and to proceed with advertisement of public bid. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Rick French, County Manager, conducted the public hearing to approve the financing of the new Ellendale Elementary School. Mr. French stated that Request for Proposals (RFP’s) had been mailed to 5 banks for $6,550,000 for the Ellendale Elementary School and were opened on January 4, 2001. The low bidder was First Union with 4.97 % interest for 20 years. The total amount financed is $6.5 million with $3.3 million in interest added which equals $9.8 million. Mr. French stated that a recommendation must be received from the Board of Education on Ellendale Elementary School before any action may be taken on this issue.

Dale Clary, Board of Education, informed the Board that the Board of Education is very close to making a recommendation.

Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to continue the public hearing until Wednesday, January 17, 2001 in the Commissioner’s Room to allow time for the Board of Education to make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Sylvia Turnmire, Director of Planning & Development, conducted the public hearing for consideration of Rezoning Case 00-5 submitted by James E. Belcher, Jr. Mr. Belcher is requesting rezoning from RA-20 Residential-Agricultural to H-C Highway-Commercial. The subject property is approximately 1.58 acres with street frontage on Rink Dam Road, Tax ID# B-12D-4. The property currently has a single family site-built home and a manufactured home located on the property. Ms. Turnmire stated that H-C Highway-Commercial is established to provide suitable locations for commercial activities which serve the traveling public. The property has access to public water off Rink Dam Road and contains an individual septic system. Ms. Turnmire stated that the applicant would be required to construct a buffer on the property in accordance with the zoning ordinance if rezoning if approved.

Ms. Turnmire stated that staff received 2 calls in regard to this request. The 2 persons wanted general information and did not state any position on the request. A protest petition was submitted by Dent Allison, President of Shook Builders Supply and partner in Wittenburg Springs Subdivision. Levi Dagenhart signed the protest petition but later withdrew his name from the petition.

Dent Allison stated that he owned property (Wittenburg Springs Subdivision) which was approximately 171 feet from the subject property. If the property is rezoned as H-C Highway-Commercial, any type of business establishment can be placed on the property such as auto repair garages, pool halls, and manufactured home displays. Mr. Allison was concerned that these types of establishments would not attract the right people to his subdivision property and would lessen the appearance of the area.

James Belcher stated that he felt the property would be good commercial property since it was located next to Huntington House Furniture. Mr. Belcher also stated that he had no intentions of having a pool hall put in or a car lot, but was felt that the property would be good for a CPA office or a dentist office which would benefit the area greatly. Mr. Belcher did state that he was not sure of what type of establishment he would like to have on the property, that no definite decision had been made at the present time. Mr. Belcher stated that there had been dialogue between he and Mr. Allison and that he was aware of Mr. Allison’s concerns.

Several members of the Board stated that they understood both parties concerns and felt that the matter should be tabled in order to look at different grades of zoning to choose one to suit the situation better such as an O & I District. Commissioner Harbinson mentioned that if the zoning request was denied later that Mr. Belcher could reapply in 1 year, but that his wife could apply in 6 months.

There being no further public comment, Commissioner Hammer made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Harbinson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to table this item until further information is obtained. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Sylvia Turnmire, Director of Planning & Development, conducted the public hearing for approval of Text Amendment 00-8; Section 157 of the Subdivision Ordinance. Ms. Turnmire stated that these changes were recommended in an effort to close a few of the "loopholes" in the ordinance. The changes involved family subdivision certificates, preliminary plat requirements, minor subdivision definitions – Level I and II, and rural subdivision. Ms. Turnmire stated that these changes were made available to the public on December 7, 2000.

Commissioner Harbinson stated that he had asked a few of his fellow attorneys to look over the text amendment before approval. Attorneys Jerry Campbell, Richard Gwaltney, and Mark Davis have studied this text amendment and recommended to Commissioner Harbinson that these amendments be further studied before approval by the Board. The attorneys would also like to meet with the Planning & Zoning Commission for discussion.

There being no public comment, Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to table this item until the February 6, 2001 Commissioner’s meeting to allow time for a meeting between the Planning & Zoning Commission and Attorneys Campbell, Gwaltney, and Davis. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

At this time, Chairman Odom requested that Suzanne Rhinehart proceed with presenting Agenda Item #7 – Juvenile Crime Prevention Bylaws.

Suzanne Rhinehart presented the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Bylaws to the Board for approval. The Community Based Alternatives changed its name to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council 2 years ago. Ms Rhinehart presented the updated bylaws and addressed some of the significant items included.

Commissioner Robertson mentioned that a Health Director representative was not included on members section. Ms. Rhinehart stated that that was a typo and that it would be corrected.

Commissioner Watts made a motion to approve the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Bylaws. Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Jerry Twiggs stated that on December 14, 2000, bids were opened for the Little River Church Road portion of the County’s CDBG water grant. There were 6 bids received for the waterline part of the project and 4 bids received for the tank and pump. Burke Grading & Paving was the low bidder for the waterline portion with a bid of $341,986 with Max Presswood as the contractor. Iron Mountain Construction Company was the low bidder for the tank and pump with a bid of $211,518. Mr. Twiggs stated that the both companies were ready to begin work and all should be completed within 3 or 4 months.

Commissioner Watts inquired about use of leftover CDBG monies and suggested upsizing the storage tank. Rick French, County Manager, suggested using leftover monies for Three Forks Church Road water lines.

Commissioner Harbinson made a motion to award bids to Burke Grading & Paving and Iron Mountain Construction Company. Commissioner Hammer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Keith Hertzler, Chamber of Commerce Director, presented the Industrial Development Incentive Grant Program to the Board. The IDI Program formalizes guidelines that establish the parameters for local government economic incentives to be used to encourage existing industrial expansions and to help promote Alexander County as an excellent site choice for new industrial facility locations.

The IDI grant would allow for a financial incentive grant based upon the actual value, schedule and payment of local property taxes. IDI grants will be based on the increase in tax value of real property, machinery, and improvements above the base year prior to investment. To be eligible for and IDI grant, a project must meet certain criteria explained in the report. There are 4 IDI grant levels for up to a 90 % property tax grant for 5 years.

Mr. Hertzler mentioned that he had already received 3 calls this month from citizens inquiring about the IDI Grant Program.

Commissioner Robertson stated that he and Commissioner Harbinson had met recently to discuss the issue of district representation. Commissioner Robertson stated that the executive committees of both political parties were meeting to determine members to serve on the District Representation Task Force.

Commissioner Harbinson also commented that he and Commissioner Robertson were determined to discuss the issue and come up with a compromise that would be best for Alexander County.

Chairman Odom presented the following board and committee appointments and re-appointments:

Commissioner Harbinson suggested that Commissioner Hammer take his place on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Commissioner Hammer agreed to do so.

Commissioner Robertson made a motion to approve the appointments and re-appointments. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Commissioner Watts informed the Board that they would need to bring the following items to the Planning Retreat to be held at the Broyhill Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina on January 18-20, 2001:

1. Budget Books
2. Recreation Study
3. Water & Sewer Feasibility Study
4. Space Needs Study

Commissioner Robertson stated that the Ordinance Books needed to be updated and suggested bringing those to the Retreat.

At this time, Rick French, County Manager, introduced Jim Riley to the Board. Mr. Riley has recently joined the Alexander County team as Human Resource Director.

1. Minutes from December 5, 2000 meeting.
2. Tax Refund Requests for December $12,391.53 and Tax Releases for December $1,062.12.
3. Budget Amendments #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, and #21.

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

There being no further business, Commissioner Robertson made a motion to adjourn at 8:40 PM. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

                                            _____________________________

 David S. Odom, Chairman     Jamie C. Millsaps, Clerk to the Board