BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

ALEXANDER COUNTY

MINUTES

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

DRAFT

May 4, 1999 

PRESENT: 

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

ABSENT: David Odom

STAFF: 

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

Chairman Joel Harbinson call the Peoples' Agenda meeting to order at 6:45 P.M. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room in the Alexander County Courthouse. No citizens were present to participate.

Chairman Harbinson called the Regular Commissioner’s meeting to order at 6:50 PM. Several announcements were mentioned.

  1. Commissioner John Watts noted his support of Rowan County’s Resolution: "Opposition to Proposal That Would Increase North Carolina Counties to fund 50% of The Non-Federal share for Mental Health Medicaid Services". This would be added as an Item to the Regular Agenda.
  2. A letter from the North Carolina General Assembly thanking Alexander County for their support for House Bill 117, EMC Subsidiaries and stated that additional amendments are necessary.
  3. Commissioner Watts announced that his son, Jonathan Watts, was a winner at the NC State Science Fair on Friday, April 30, 1999, in Greensboro, NC.
  4. The Proclamation, "World Day of Prayer" was read by Commissioner Wesley Bolick. Alexander County will have a service at noon to 1:00 PM May 6, 1999 at the Courthouse.
  5. Chairman Harbinson and Commissioner Watts will be attending the State’s County Commissioner’s Meeting in Raleigh, May 6, 1999.
  6. There will be a Confederate Memorial Service Saturday, May 9, 1999, at 2:00 PM on the Alexander County Courthouse lawn.
  7. Chairman Harbinson stated that the Economic Development Workshop held April 16, 1999 was very successful in addition to the other workshops previously held by Commissioners.
  8. Chairman Harbinson stated that the Commissioners should look into the interest of the Commissioners having the monthly meeting in various community locations.

Rev. Chase White gave the Invocation. Ms. Jessica Bumgarner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Chairman Harbinson made recommendations that four (4) items be added to the Regular Agenda:

  1. Road Safety recommendations / proposals for the DOT to consider in Alexander County
  2. Alexander County establishes a School Violence/Safety Task Force.
  3. Personnel request for the Planning Board.
  4. Adoption of a Resolution similar to Rowan County opposing NC Counties funding 50% of the Non-Federal Share of Mental Health Medicaid Services.

Commissioner Bolick made a motion to add these items to the Regular Agenda and Commissioner Watts second the motion. The Board voted unanimously.

REGULAR AGENDA

PROPERTY CONSENT TO LEASE AND LEASE AGREEMENT

Mr. David Robinette represented the Town of Taylorsville requesting that Alexander County grant a lease to the property for a 250,000-gallon water tower to be built that will help the Sugar Loaf and Vashti communities’ water services.

Commissioner Watts made a motion that a letter should be written to the Town of Taylorsville granting use of this property and that Alexander County will retain their rights to the tower and antenna services. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Robertson and the board voted unanimously.

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S MEETING

Ms. Sylvia Turnmire, Alexander County’s Planning Director, stated that the Planning Session held May 6, 1999, made recommendations that required a Public Hearing for the Department of Transportation on the Patterson Road # 1496 to be extended. She requested an additional Commissioner’s Meeting to held May 18,1999.

Upon motion by Commissioner Watts and second by Commissioner Bolick, the Board voted unanimously to have a Commissioner’s Meeting May 18, 1999.

APPOINTMENT TO TOWN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS

A third person living in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction of Alexander County was asked to be appointed to the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment at this meeting. Mr. Lonnie E. Hayes was nominated.

Motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Robertson that Lonnie Hayes be the third person on the Town Board of Adjustment representing Alexander County. The Board voted unanimously.

PERSONNEL ORDINANCES

County Manager, Rick French, recommended that Section 2 (B) to read: Elected Commissioners, County Managers, and the County Attorney are exempt from all provisions of this policy.

Section 2 (C ) 1. Article II – The Classification Plan (Delete)

Section 2 (C ) 2. Article III – The Pay Plan (Delete)

For the Uniform Administration of the personnel ordinance, all employees are to be credited personnel benefits at the same level of accrual. Any amendments in conflict with this provision are resended or deleted. These amendments and deletions are to be effective as of June 1, 1999.

Upon motion by Commissioner Watts and second by Commissioner Robertson, the Board voted unanimously to adopt these Personnel Ordinances.

UPDATE ON SALE OF DAYTON PROPERTY

Commissioner Watts gave the update that the Dayton Property had been advertised for sale with a minimum bid of $400,000.00. No bids had been received as of May 3, 1999. The County Manager will review.

No Action Taken.

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY PROCLAMATION

The Catawba Valley Cancer Control Network requested that the Board proclaim June 5, 1999, as National Cancer Survivors Day in Alexander County. It was stated that Alexander County’s local Cancer Society would begin their activities May 14, 1999, at 6:00 PM at Alexander Central High School through June 5.

Motion by Commissioner Watts and second by Commissioner Robertson to approve the Cancer Survivors Day Proclamation with the Board ‘s vote being unanimous. It was recommended that Catawba Valley and the local cancer participants should be invited to the Commissioners Meeting on June 1 at 6:45 PM.(Attachment #1)

ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS

NC DOT SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. Rumble Strips north and south to be added at the Intersection of Paul Payne Rd and Millersville Road where the Caution light has been installed.
  2. Install a Left Turn arrow in the Signal Light at the Brushy Mountain Golf Course on Hwy 64.
  3. Install a left turn arrow in the Signal light at Liledoun Rd. on Highway 64.

The County Manager will meet with Clay Lunsford, Commissioner Robertson, and local DOT personnel to draft a letter to Ray Spangler, NC Department of Transportation, PO Box 74, Shelby, NC 28150.

Upon motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Watts, the board voted unanimous to make these Safety recommendations to the state DOT.

WATER LINE RELOCATED AT SCHOOLS

It is recommended that the Department of Transportation move the water line 8 – 10 ft from its current location at Alexander Central High and Wittenburg schools.

Motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Bolick to make this recommendation for the Department of Transportation. The Board voted unanimous.

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ALEXANDER COUNTY SCHOOL VIOLENCE / SAFETY TASK FORCE

It was the consensus of the Board that Commissioner Watts contact the Board of Education and offer assistance in establishing a School Violence Task Force.

APPOINTMENT TO PLANNING BOARD

Sylvia Turnmire stated that Phil Icard resigned his position with the Alexander County Planning Board and staff recommended Wendell Kirkman to serve as his replacement.

Upon motion by Commissioner Bolick and second by Commissioner Watts, the Board voted unanimous to accept the resignation of Phil Icard and appoint Wendell Kirkman to the Planning Board.

ADOPTION OF "OPPOSING NON-FEDERAL SHARE MENTAL HEALTH MEDICAID FUNDING" RESOLUTION FOR ALEXANDER COUNTY

Commissioner Watts read the Rowan County Resolution opposing counties asked to provide 50% Funding of the Non-Federal Share for Mental Health Medicaid Services. He recommended that we adopt a similar resolution and forward copies to the 100 counties in the state.

Motion by Commissioner Watts and second by Commissioner Bolick. The Board voted unanimously.(Attachment #2)

CONSENT AGENDA

Two corrections were noted in the April 6, 1999 minutes: clarification on the EMS Budget request and an increase in Budget Amendment #48 by $11,000.00 per the County Manager.

Upon motion by Commissioner Watts and seconded by Commissioner Bolick, the Board voted to adopt the Consent Agenda with two corrections stated.

The Consent Agenda adopted Commissioner’s Meeting Minutes for March 30, 1999 and the April 6,1999 Commissioner’s Meeting

Budget Amendments # 47, #48, #49, #50, and #51. (Attachments#3 - #7)

Tax Refund for $513.79 and Tax Releases for $2819.75

CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Commissioner Watts and second by Commissioner Robertson to moved to the Closed Session and return to the open Meeting for the adjournment.

ADJOURNMENT

 

_______________________ ______________________________

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