HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 5 2003 Briefing MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
AUGUST 5, 2003
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on
Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center (South
Wing Conference 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, Planning Supervisor Ron Smith, Planning and Code Enforcement Director
Lynn Niblock, Library Director Steve Messick, Tax Administrator Bill Doolittle, Tax
Collector Joe Ketchie, Recycling Coordinator Carla Parks, Emergency Management
Director Tracy Jackson, Social Services Director Don Wall, and Clerk to the Board Jean
Moore.
Request from the City of Statesville for the Review of an Urban Service
Area: Joining the commissioners to discuss an urban service area (USA) were
Statesville Mayor John Marshall, Statesville Planning Director David Currier, and
Planning Works Consultant Michael Lauer of Kansas City, Missouri. Marshall said the
city had been reviewing a comprehensive land use plan and this review had prompted
discussions about an urban service area. He said that before the city could continue
studying the USA concept, some "assurances" needed to be obtained from the county.
Mayor Marshall said that if the county officials were willing to review an urban service
area, a "methodogy" needed to be worked out.
Lauer said there were differences between a USA and ETJ (extraterritorial
jurisdiction). He said that in USAs, different governmental groups defined the rules and
an intergovernmental agreement was adopted. Lauer discussed the following "key
points" and said that if the two governments could reach some consensus on them, an
urban service area might be feasible.
1. Land Use Plan (A basis to zoning decisions -- city and county would have to
mutually agree on future land use plans and a joint amendment process.)
2. Public Improvement Standards (These would be for streets/utilities/drainage &
other services.)
3. Other Development Standards (Items such as zoning, sign regulation and
landscaping.)
4. Review & Approval Process (County would be the approval body on
subdivision and zoning requests, but the city would have some say-so on public
improvement variances.)
5. Interim Development (If no sewer in the CIP [Capital Improvement Plan]
developer may extend or propose interim cluster development. Also, planned
development must accommodate planned utility and street extensions.)
6. Other
Marshall said the citizens would benefit from a USA area because they would know
what services would be available, plus farmland would not be "chewed up." He said
there would be a plan to show how the city desired to grow.
Commissioner Norman asked how many residences would be involved.
Lauer said he understood there had been a 20 -year projection showing the City of
Statesville should grow by about 20,000 — 30,000 people. He said the USA regulations
would primarily be on new development.
Marshall said the city had not seen that many "big -end developers" in the past, but it
was felt this would be different in the future.
Commissioner Williams asked if annexation could be guaranteed.
Marshall said it was hard to predict the actions of future councils, but it would make
sense for the annexations to occur.
Commissioner Tice asked about the impact on Troutman.
Marshall said initially, the Troutman officials had been asked if they desired to
participate, but at the present time the municipality was not included in the project.
Currier said discussions had occurred with the Troutman Town manager. He said a
municipal agreement would have to be approved for Troutman's inclusion.
Near the conclusion of the discussion, the commissioners agreed to learn more
about the USA concept.
Marshall said a task group had been established and another meeting was planned in
September. Mayor Marshall said the meeting specifics would be shared with the county
manager, and he could share them with the board members.
Lauer said a list of issues would be created about urban service areas prior to the
next task group meeting.
Request for Approval of (1) An Amended Capital Project Ordinance for the
CDBG Water/Sewer Project Fund (2) the Awarding of the Water Storage Tank
Bid to Phoenix Fabricators & Erectors in the Amount of $961,000 for the West
Farm Development Project Contingent Upon Obtaining Easements, etc., & (3) the
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding Pertaining Contingency Funding
for the Tank: Benji Thomas, an engineer with West Consultants, recommended that
the contract for the new water tank at the West Farm development site be awarded to
Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors contingent upon obtaining the necessary property
easements and a lease agreement with EnergyUnited Water.
County Manager Mashburn said an Amended Capital Project Ordinance had
been created stating the owners of the property (West Realty or West Farm
Development) would pay $200,000 "up -front" before the water tank construction
company was paid the first payment. He said West Realty would then owe a balance
of $100,000.00, but this would not be due until all of the other funds had been used.
Announcement of the Iredell County Tax Collector's Retirement effective
June 1, 2004 and Acceptance of his Resignation Letter: In a letter dated
June 24, 2003, Tax Collector Ketchie advised of his decision to retire on June 1 of next
year.
Adjournment: Chairman Johnson adjourned the briefing session at 6:30 p.m.
Approved:
2
Clerk to the Board