HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 19 2003 Regular MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
AUGUST 19, 2003
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on
Tuesday, August 19, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center
(Commissioners' Meeting Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present were:
Chairman Steve D. Johnson
Vice Chairman Godfrey Williams
Doug Madison
Marvin Norman
Sara Haire Tice
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan
Blumenstein, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. (Attorney Bill Pope was not in
attendance.)
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Johnson.
INVOCATION by Commissioner Madison.
RECOGNITION OF BOY SCOUT CHANCE HEDRICK: Chairman
Johnson recognized Boy Scout Chance Hedrick, who attended the meeting with his
father, Steve. Chance is a member of Troop 348 (Wesley United Methodist Church).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: OTION by Chairman Johnson to
adjust the agenda by the following actions:
Deletion: *Presentation from the Planning Supervisor Regarding Open Space
Requirements (see briefing minutes)
Additions: .Budget Amendment #6 for Jail Expansion
.Budget Amendment #7 for the Creation of a Deputy Coordinator
Position in the Office of Emergency Management
.Budget Amendment #8 for the Recognition of a $10,000 Community
Emergency Response Team Grant
Clarification: aInstead of "Moving Forward," the correct term for the Economic
Initiative Sponsored by U.S. House Representative Cass Ballenger is
"Future Forward"
APPOINTMENT BEFORE THE BOARD
Presentation from Mr. David Swann, the Area Director/CEO for
Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare, Regarding the End -of -Year Report:
Accompanying Mr. Swann to the meeting was Ken Marsh, the Local Management
Entity liaison with the Division of Mental Health in Raleigh, NC. Swann said his
presentation was due to the following reasons:
1. It was statutory that a financial report be given twice a year from the local
mental health managing entity.
2. It was time to present an update on recent developments.
Swann also provided the following information:
I. Crossroads received official notification that it had been given a three-year certification as a
local managing entity. Quarterly reports will be necessary during the three years.
2. Major goals:
-To develop a strong Local Managing Entity (Care Management Functions, Finance,
Customer Services, and Quality Management)
-To develop a strong and comprehensive provider network
-To prevent people from losing a necessary health service during the transition
3. First quarter recommendations by the Division of Health & Human Services (DHHS) are as
follows:
• Quality Management Data should be reflected in provider profiles.
• A description of Continuous Quality Improvement efforts should be given for the last two years.
• Revision to the Service Management Section of the Business Plan to reflect changes in the
State Plan.
• Once service authorization protocols are approved by the DHHS, Crossroads will incorporate
them into the authorization system.
• Further develop the provider network and show how consumer care is coordinated.
• Revise appeals and grievances policy and use the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee
(CFAC) in the development of the revisions.
4. Financial report (attachment given to commissioners).
5. • Divestiture Schedule is moving forward according to the Strategic Plan.
-Thirty-seven employees reduced in July 2003 -- all were rehired by contract providers and will
work with the same population and in the same location. Some of the positions are located
in Iredell County, and some live in Iredell County. Crossroads now employs less than
200 professionals.
• Currently, 74 contract providers are working for Crossroads with over $8 million dollars
appropriated to services through the contractors. Thirty-six percent of Crossroads' $22
million budget is now in contracted services and will grow through this fiscal year.
6. Statewide, mergers and consolidations of area programs are occurring that will reduce the
number of Local Managing Entities to 33 from 38 by June 2004.
7. State mandate target population criteria is being used to admit persons for the
enhanced benefit package (treatment).
8. North Carolina Council of Community Programs Position Statement Presented to the North
Carolina County Commissioners Association (attachment given to commissioners).
Swann reminded the board members that mental health reform resulted from a
General Statute change in 2001. He said this led to the 2001 state plan (Blueprint for
Change), and in 2002 revisions were made. Swann said that in July of 2003 there was
a revision to the 2002 plan. He said there would be new state plans for 2004, 2005, and
probably 2006. Mr. Swann said some county flexibility sections that had been offered
in the state 2002 plan had been deleted, but discussions were occurring in an effort to
have some of the deletions reinstated.
------------------------------------------CONSENT AGENDA ------------------------------------
Request for a Discussion with the Volunteer Fire Departments not Included
in the County -Wide Tax Service District Regarding Possible Contract
Amendments: Chairman Johnson announced that during the briefing, the board had
agreed to delegate to the fire tax district board, of which Commissioner Williams was a
member, the opportunity to draft new contracts for the VFDs not included in the
county -wide service district. Johnson said the Shepherds, Mount Mourne and Stony
Point VFD chiefs, or their designees, would also be invited to assist with the contract
amendments. Mr. Johnson said it was his understanding the amendments would address
the composition of the VFD's governing body and stipulate that a majority of the board
of directors be non -firemen or that they would not be associated with the department
other than residing in the specific district. Mr. Johnson said Commissioner Williams
had suggested that while the contracts were being reviewed, that other changes, such as
centralized purchasing, be addressed.
MOTIO by Commissioner Norman to designate Commissioner Williams as
the commissioners' representative to work with the fire tax district board (county -wide)
along with the chiefs, or their designees, from the Stony Point, Mount Mourne, and
Shepherds Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs), for the purpose of (1) incorporating
language into the contracts stipulating that the majority of the VFD's governing body
would be non -firemen from the community (2) draft other contract amendments or
revisions as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the
departments and (3) share the contract amendments with the board of commissioners
upon completion.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
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-------------------------------------------CONSENT AGENDA -----------------------------------
MOTION by Commissioner Williams to approve the following eight (8)
consent agenda items.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
1. Request for the Adoption of a Resolution Pertaining to the Future Forward
Planning Initiative Sponsored by Congressman Cass Ballenger: During the briefing
session, County Manager Mashburn said this initiative was for the purpose of
developing an economic development plan for counties in the western piedmont and
mountain areas of the state. He said Congressman Ballenger had appointed a leadership
group to assist in the project, and that consultants would provide an analysis of
economic trends and other data. Mashburn said the initiative was designed to aid
businesses in creating new well -paying jobs, and it was designed to develop a plan for
local leaders to have when making decisions during times of high unemployment and a
changing economy.
Commissioner Norman, a member of the Future Forward Committee, said $100
million in grant funding would be available and the county would be eligible to apply.
Note: The twelve counties included in the initiative are Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba,
Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and McDowell. These are the counties in
the state's 10°i and I L" Congressional Districts.
The following resolution was approved.
RESOLUTION OF ENDORSEMENT
of the
Future Forward Economic Alliance's
Regional Economic Growth Strategy
WHEREAS, in our current global economy the "region" is the foundation of
economic competitiveness and prosperity and therefore communities must work
cooperatively to enhance a region's wealth; and
WHEREAS, research demonstrates that western North Carolina is experiencing
a transformation in which the region must take a proactive role to ensure it remains
economically competitive; and
WHEREAS, the Future Forward Economic Alliance has prepared a Regional
Economic Strategy to serve as a "road map" to guide communities in how best to take
advantage of existing strengths and opportunities and to identify new opportunities as
the region continues its economic transition; and
WHEREAS, all jurisdictions in the region have been invited to collaborate,
recognizing that many of the initiatives will require broad participation to share
resources, assets, leadership, and increase the scale, to maximize the impact on the
region; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of this plan will be undertaken through a
collaborative effort between public and private organizations to address specific tactics
presented in the Strategy.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Iredell County Board of
Commissioners hereby endorses the vision, goals, and strategic actions presented in the
Future Forward Economic Alliance's Regional Economic Growth Strategy as a means
of enhancing the region's economic competitiveness and future prosperity.
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2. Request for Approval of the July 2003 Refunds and Releases: During the
briefing, Tax Administrator Bill Doolittle requested approval of the following releases
and refunds for the month of July.
JULY 2003 TAX RELEASES & REFUNDS
Releases
Refunds
County
$25,208.42
0
Solid Waste Fees
26.00
0
East Alexander Co. Fire #1
8.71
0
Shepherd's Fire # 2
268.29
132.60
Mt. Mourne Fire # 3
104.78
0
All County Fire # 4
634.38
4,749.33
Statesville City
1,787.11
165.87
Statesville Downtown
8.28
0
Mooresville Town
13,015.22
0
Mooresville Downtown
0
0
Mooresville School
3,782.81
0
Love Valle
0
0
4.13
0
-Harmony
Troutman
7.22
0
Total
$44,855,35
$5,047.80
3. Request from the Sheriffs Department for Approval of Budget
Amendment #6 to Appropriate Funds for Jail Expansion and for the Approval of
an Amendment to the Five -Year Capital Projects Plan: (See briefing minutes for
additional details about the expansion project. A copy of the amended capital projects
plan is hereby incorporated into the minutes as Attachment A.)
Proposed Jail Annex
Harmony Highway Facility
Salaries
8 Jailer I positions (Grade 62) for six months 100,025
FICA 7,650
Retirement 9,925
Health Insurance 13.200
$130,800
Utilities 25,000
Contracted Services — Pest Control, HVAC 4,700
Building Improvements
Septic System
HVAC
Plumbing
Misc. Repairs & Painting
Fire Alarm Update
Electrical Update
Fencing
Misc. & Contingency
75,000
25,000
10,000
5,000
2,000
4,000
5,000
5,000 131,000
Total Expected Costs 291,500
Capital Plan 03-04 planned for facility (67,905)
Transfer from Jail budget contracted services (34,840)
Funds Needed to Complete Project $
Note: Estimated Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance of $11,675,382
(10.61% of the General Fund expenditures)
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4. Request from the Sheriffs Department for Approval to Apply for a 2003
Law Enforcement Block Grant in the Amount of $28,319 for Computers: At the
briefing, Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle said his department was trying to upgrade all of
the computers. He said the FY 03-04 budget had provided for some of the upgrades,
but due to financial restraints, ten units were not replaced. Dowdle also mentioned that
a video system for the jail would be purchased.
5. Request from the Emergency Services Director for Approval of Budget
Amendment #7 to Convert a Vacant EMS Position to that of an Office of
Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Position: Tracy Jackson, the county's
Emergency Services Director, said at the briefing there was a vacant EMT III position,
and he desired to convert it to a Deputy Coordinator position for the Office of
Emergency Management. He said the position had been vacant for a lengthy period of
time, and it would not be shortchanging or reducing the number of paramedics on any
given shift. Jackson gave the following budgetary information for the new position.
Deputy Coordinator Position — Grade 65
Work will involve: • Homeland Security Programs/Grants
• All hazards program planning/preparation
• Hazardous Materials planning/response
• McGuire Emergency Preparedness Program
• Interagency training/planning (fire, rescue, law enforcement,
EMS, schools, public works, etc.)
• Community outreach
Funds requested from 03-04 EMS Budget = $49,318.50
Funds from the North Carolina Department of
Crime Control & Public Safety — 1,725.00
Total $51,043.50
6. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #8 to Recognize a $10,000
Grant from the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management for the
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): (The board gave permission for
the Emergency Services Director to apply for this grant in June of 2003. The funds
will be used for materials and equipment associated with three training classes for over
100 volunteers.)
7. Request from the City of Statesville for Payment of One -Half of the Interest
Relating to a $2 Million Advancement for the Airport Expansion: Chairman
Johnson explained during the briefing that the City of Statesville was running into time
constraints for the completion of the airport's runway extension. He said that in order
to finish the project in a timely fashion, the city planned to advance up to $2 million that
would later be reimbursed by the federal government. Johnson said the Statesville
officials were requesting a letter of commitment advising that the county would pay
one-half of the investment interest lost on the two million. (The extension of the
municipal airport requires the purchase of land, and this is how the money will be used.)
8. Request for Approval of the August 5, 2003 Minutes
OF CONSENT AGEN
ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON
BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Lake Norman Marine Commission (1 announcement)
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee (1 announcement)
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APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
nominations were submitted, and Commissioner Madison motione to postpone the four
appointments until the September 2 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT: County Manager Mashburn said a
written activity report had been distributed. He then updated the board on the following
projects:
Iredell Co. Gov. Ctr. South: Problems with the HVAC have been addressed & the
project is back on schedule; moving date is planned for
October.
New Library: Construction has started.
West Farm Water Tank: Pre -Construction meeting held and it was learned the
tank construction should begin the first of September;
completion should be in three to four months.
New Social Services 1344.: Architects are meeting with a committee about the
facility's needs.
CLOSED SESSION: Pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (6), Chairman Johnson
at 7:50 p.m. made a motion to enter into closed session for the purpose of discussing
personnel matters.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
(Return to Open Session at 8:12 p.m.)
Approval of Salary Increases for the Planning Supervisor and Support
Services Director: County Manager Mashburn said that due to a market analysis, he
was recommending salary increases for Ron Smith and Jim Vernon.
MOTION by Commissioner Madison to increase the salary for Ron Smith
(Planning Supervisor), effective on his employment anniversary date (October 4), to
$57,100 and to increase the salary for Jim Vernon (Director of Support Services),
effective on his employment anniversary date (September 23), to $72,000.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — I (Williams).
ADJOURNMENT: OTIO by Chairman Johnson to adjourn the meeting at
8:15 p.m. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 2, 2003, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., in the
Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Approved:
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Clerk to the Board