| BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | ALEXANDER COUNTY |
| MINUTES | STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA |
| Draft September 7, 1999 PRESENT:
STAFF:
Chairman Joel Harbinson opened the People’s Agenda at 6:50 pm and there were no citizens present to state any concerns. He reviewed several letters received. Chairman Harbinson opened the Regular Monthly Commissioners meeting at 7:00 pm. Rev. Steve Parks led the Invocation. Emily Fox led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Charles McGinnis, Executive County Manager Emeritus, was presented the "Key to the County". Commissioner John Watts and Commissioner Darrell Robertson made the presentation for his outstanding work in Alexander County. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Chairman Harbinson noted that one item was to be added to the Agenda.
Commissioner Watts made a motion to adopt the Agenda and add the above item. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of this motion. The Commissioners recognized Ben Hines, North Carolina Register of Deeds President. Mr. Hines stated he was very thankful to Alexander County and his staff for their support. PUBLIC HEARING – MORETZ COURT Sylvia Turnmire gave some background information and a map of Moretz Court. The NC Department of Transportation had previously abandoned the cul-de-sac from the state maintained system. The County Commissioners were asked to decide whether to divide the remaining cul-de-sac square footage to the corresponding property owners. Mike Watson, Timothy Osborne, Latt Moretz, and Bill Hart were citizens that made comments in reference to the DOT and the cul-de-sac on Mortez Court. Jim Rand stated that the DOT had abandoned the cul-de-sac. The citizens and Commissioners discussed property ownership and safety of the community. Commissioner Watts made a motion to close the Public Hearing and Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to table the Public Hearing to give the citizens and DOT an opportunity to resolve the land dispute and the County Attorney to investigate. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. PUBLIC HEARING – REZONING CASE 99-2 Sylvia Turnmire requested to rezone property owned by Gary and Sharon Lackey from RA-20, Residential Agricultural to H-C, Highway Commercial. The existing land is vacant and the purpose is for rental storage buildings. Adjoining parcels of land are zoned for commercial use to the north and east. Gary Lackey was the only citizen that spoke supporting the rezoning. Commissioner Watts made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Upon a motion by Commissioner Watts and seconded by Commissioner Odom, the Board voted unanimously to approve Rezoning Case 99-2. PUBLIC HEARING – APPROVAL OF ROAD NAMES Lisa Harrington, 911 Addressing Coordinator, requested approval of a list of road names that meet the 911 regulations. Five names were removed from the attached list and one name spelling was corrected. (Attachment #1) Commissioner Watts made a motion to approve the road names listed. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARING – HUBBARD RD AND ICARD RIDGE Commissioner Bolick requested the County Manager to investigate the possibility of paving SR1144 and SR 1145 in the future. If it is approved by the DOT, a Public Hearing will be scheduled. Commissioner Robertson made a motion that the County manager to review the status. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. SICKLE CELL ANEMIA AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION IN ALEXANDER COUNTY Jean Edwards, Alexander County Health Department Health Educator, requested that Alexander County consider Sickle Cell Awareness Month Proclamation for the month of September. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and the Governor of North Carolina has issued a Proclamation for the state. Sickle Cell is a genetic disorder that afflicts certain racial and ethnic groups, which has no cure. The Alexander County Health Department and a group of citizens have planned a day of screening, education, and events for September 29, 1999, beginning at 11:00 am – 6:00 pm at the Health Department. Commissioner Bolick made a motion to issue a Proclamation declaring September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month in Alexander County and the Commissioner’s support of "Sickle Cell Awareness Day" on September 29, 1999. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. *** Need Proclamation (Attachment #2) ALEXANDER ANCESTRY ASSOCIATION Evelina Miller, representing the Alexander Ancestry Association, gave an update to the Commissioners for the contribution of $28,500.00 that was applied to the roof of the Old Jail Building and stated a special "Thank You" for Alexander County’s support of the Old Jail Preservation Project. No Action taken. PUBLIC HEARING – APPLICATION FOR THE FY 1999 – 2000 RURAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ROAP) GRANT Terry Foxx, Alexander County Transportation Department, has submitted an application for the Rural Operating Assistance Program that requires a Public Hearing. The amount of funding allocated to Alexander County is $43,287.00. The Alexander County Transportation Department recommends that $38,474.00 be allocated for transportation and the Work/First Employment funds of $4,813.00 be allocated to the Department of Social Services and the Transportation Department. Commissioner Watts made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Upon a motion by Commissioner Odom and second by Commissioner Bolick, the Board voted unanimously to submit the application for additional funds. AREA SPECIALIZED AGENT - POULTRY Kathy Bunton presented a new position, Area Specialized Agent – Poultry, which will be with the North Carolina Co-operative Extension Service. This agent will be working in three counties: Alexander, Iredell, and Wilkes. Alexander County is ranked third in North Carolina with Poultry farms. Alexander County is asked to support 1/6 of this position with $5,000.00 for this fiscal year. Commissioner Odom made a motion to fund the Specialized Agent for this fiscal year and review the report prior to a future commitment of $8,000 per year. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion. The Board voted three for the motion, Commissioners (Watts, Harbinson, and Odom) and two against (Bolick and Robertson). Motion carried. PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NORTH CAROLINA OFFER OF NATURAL GAS IN ALEXANDER COUNTY UPDATE John H. Stanley gave a brief update of the route and maps, progress of construction, and availability. He stated that we should expect natural gas in Taylorsville and Alexander County by December 31, 1999. Other citizens interested in this service should contact the Public Service Company. No action was required. ALEXANDER COUNTY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REPORT Greg Cronk gave an updated report on the various activities and projects completed by the Information Technology Department in Alexander County. No action taken. CONSIDERATION FOR CABLE TV FRANCHISE RENEWAL Landon Barefoot, Jr., representing Charter Communications, appeared before the Board concerning their desire to renew the Franchise Contract with Alexander County and a letter requesting a price increase had been resolved. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to delete this item request from the Agenda and requested that Mr. Barefoot attend the next Commissioners’ meeting to discuss the Cable Franchise renewal. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. ALEXANDER COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION STUDY Kathy White, North Carolina State University, and Sam Erwin, Western Piedmont Council of Government presented the study of the Alexander County Parks and Recreation. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to table this report for the next meeting and to include the three (3) communities that were omitted from the report. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. CONSIDERATION OF ALEXANDER PERSONNEL ORDINANCE Charles McGinnis presented the Alexander County Personnel Policy that applied to appointments, classification, benefits, salary, promotions, demotions, dismissal, and conditions of employment of the employees of Alexander County. Upon a motion by Commissioner Robertson and second by Commissioner Bolick, the Board voted unanimously to table the Personnel Ordinance until the next meeting. CONSIDERATION OF CAPTIAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GUIDELINES Charles McGinnis presented the Instructional Manual Fiscal Years 2000 – 2005 with Capital Improvement Plans that will continue to monitor our government capital facility and development of financial strategies for the future. Commissioner Bolick made the motion to adopt the Capital Improvement Plans for our future growth. Commissioner Watts seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ENERGY UNITED’S APPLICATION FOR RBCS GRANT Bob Peoples, Energy United representative, presented the Resolution establishing a revolving loan fund of $396,000.00 with 0%-interest loan to promote industrial development in Alexander County and the rural region. This funding will partially finance the purchase of land for the construction of a new state prison facility in Alexander County. (Attachment #3) Commissioner Odom made a motion to adopt the Resolution and Commissioner Watts seconded the motion. The Board voted four (Bolick, Odom, Watts, and Harbinson) in favor of the Resolution being adopted and Commissioner Robertson opposed. Motion carried. CONSIDERATION OF BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR WATER TANK FOR MITCHELL GOLD ARC GRANT FUNDS Alexander County has received $183,727.00 in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant funds to construct a 2,000,000 gallon ground storage water tank and fire pump at the Mitchell Gold Company. These two items will enable the water system to supply sprinkler needs for future expansions at Mitchell Gold and enough water for future industrial growth at the intersection of Highway 64 and Millersville Road. Upon a motion by Commissioner Bolick and seconded by Commissioner Odom, the Board voted unanimously to adopt this Budget Amendment in order to spend these funds. INTERGOVERNMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF ALEXANDER AND THE TOWN OF TAYLORSVILLE This Agreement defines and states the specific responsibilities and agreements between the County of Alexander and the Town of Taylorsville regarding a wastewater project designed to provide sewer service to Broyhill Furniture Company, Inc. Commissioner Watts made a motion to adopt the Intergovernment Agreement. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. CONSIDERATION OF THE YEAR 2000 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Rick French, County Manager, presented the year 2000 Holiday schedule that is consistent with the North Carolina State Government schedule. The additional holiday was Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday. (Attachment #4) Commissioner Odom made a motion to adopt the State’s Holiday schedule that was seconded by Commissioner Watts. The Board voted three for (Watts, Odom, and Harbinson) and two against ( Robertson and Bolick.) Motion carried. APPOINTMENTS: A. CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY BOARD – The local Criminal Justice Board voted to add Rick French, County Manager, and Betty Beam, 22nd Judicial District Manager.
COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT County Manager Rick French made his Monthly Report to the Commissioners. Dates to remember that need the Commissioners attendance: September 16, 1999, Energy United Meeting at the Hiddenite Center at 6:00 pm September 21, 1999, Commissioners meeting at the Courthouse at 7:00pm September 28, 1999, Joint WPCOG Meeting in Taylorsville CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Robertson made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Watts made a motion to adjourn and move into Closed Session to discuss personnel and contractual matters. Commissioner Odom seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. ADJOURNMENT The next Commissioners Meeting will be at 7:00 pm on September 21, 1999.
_____________________ ______________________________ Joel Harbinson, Chairman Helen P. Anthony, Clerk to the Board |