HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary_18_2005_Regular_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
JANUARY 18, 2005
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on
Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center
(Commissioners' Meeting Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present were:
Chairman Sara Haire Tice
Vice Chairman Godfrey Williams
Steve D. Johnson
Marvin Norman
Ken Robertson
Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, County Attorney Bill Pope,
Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Tice.
INVOCATION by Commissioner Johnson.
THE WEST IREDELL JUNIOR ROTC COLOR GUARD POSTED THE
COLORS AND LED THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: MOTION by Chairman Tice to adjust
the agenda by the following actions:
Additions: Kathleen Hatchett, Louanne Watts, and Robert Stidd were each given three
minutes to address the board.
Deletions: Announcement of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual
Conference to be held July 15-19, 2005, in Honolulu, Hawaii (This was on
the agenda for informational purposes.)
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS
Presentation of a Purple Heart Medal to Mr. Robert Clayton Dyson: SFC
(Ret.) Brad J. Stroud, the Veterans Service Officer for Iredell County, said that on
"behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army, and the citizens of
Iredell County," he was pleased to present a Purple Heart Medal to Mr. Robert Clayton
Dyson. Stroud said that nearly 60 years ago, Mr. Dyson earned the Purple Heart due to
injuries sustained while serving as a United States soldier in Luxembourg. He said
Mr. Dyson had never received the award, but a few months ago the paperwork was
completed to obtain the medal.
The commissioners expressed their appreciation to Mr. Dyson, and they said it
was an honor to have him, his wife, family, and friends at the meeting. Representatives
from various Veterans' organizations were also in attendance.
APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD
Representatives of the Fort Dobbs Alliance Speak in Reference to a Request
for $45,000 to be used Towards the Purchase of 16 Acres of Property: Fort Dobbs
Alliance Chairman Chandler Bryan requested $45,000 to be used as a down payment on
approximately 16 acres of property adjacent to the fort site. He said the money would
be used for a nine-month option due to the Alliance not knowing until March or April
of this year if a state grant of $400,000 would be awarded. Bryan said the state had
indicated that Fort Dobbs' grant was listed as number one on the state's development
list for historical sites. Bryan said that if the grant fell through, the $45,000 would not
be lost due to the owner allowing the Alliance to purchase two lots. (Bryan had given
copies of maps to the commissioners, and he described the lots as being the area with
dotted lines.) Mr. Bryan said the fort had educational, economic and historical value.
Commissioner Robertson said he understood that N.C. House Speaker Morgan
had appropriated $25,000 for the site.
Bryan said this was correct, but the money had "strings" attached -- it couldn't
be used for archaeological purposes.
Robertson asked why the site was closed if it was number one on the state's list.
Fort Dobbs Site Manager Beth Carter said the primary reason was due to not
having any support groups. She said the facility had not been a priority in Raleigh, and
due to the state budget crises, it was closed. Carter said in June of 2003 she was
contacted on a voluntary basis while the state evaluated whether or not there was
community support. She said the Fort Dobbs Alliance was established in 2003, and the
membership roster had over 100 members. Carter said the members were not only `just
average folks but they were important people in the community."
Commissioner Robertson asked if a copy of the letter indicating Fort Dobbs was
number one on the historical development list could be shared.
Carter said yes.
Robertson said the residents in the community were concerned about increased
traffic. He asked what plans, if any, had been made to alleviate the concerns.
Carter said she had witnessed an increase in traffic during the last year, and part
of this was due to the Fort Dobbs Road being a cut -through for people traveling to -and -
from the area's shopping center. She said the site would have planned visitations, and
there were plenty of opportunities, such as shuttles, that could take visitors to the site
when there were special events. Carter said the community would still have traffic,
even if Fort Dobbs didn't exist.
Commissioner Johnson asked the current acreage of Fort Dobbs.
Carter said 31 acres.
Johnson asked how the additional land would help if the state didn't award the
$400,000 grant.
Carter said the Alliance was pursuing three avenues of revenue for the land, and
these were the North Carolina Heritage Fund, a Form OC -25, and a capital campaign
within the Fort Dobbs Alliance. She said the heritage fund could be substantial enough
to purchase the entire tract of land, and the OC -25 was for capital state funds that would
need influence from the county's legislators to gain approval. She said the two acres
that would be obtained with the $45,000 would provide a buffer. Carter said also the
actual attack that took place on the fort was located on the property the Alliance hoped
to purchase.
Gemstone District Boy Scout Leader Bill Hicks said that for the past 20 years
during each summer, a cub scout day camp had been held for boys (first grade through
the fifth grade). He said this past summer between 265-275 boys with approximately
75 adults were at Fort Dobbs for a week. Mr. Hicks said more space would aid in the
scout's archery and BB gun activities. He said many of the boys benefited from the
outdoor environment due to living in areas where there was not much green, open
space.
Commissioner Williams asked the location of the 16 acres.
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Bryan described the three lots by referring to a plat. He said the property was
lot 24, and towards the back of the property, were lots 33 and 34. Bryan said the
boundary lines might change; however, because a request had been made to the owner
to "add a slice of land on the left."
Kathleen Hatchett said she was speaking on behalf of neighbors and residents in
the Fort Dobbs community who were concerned and even opposed to the funding of the
request. Hatchett said others would have attended the meeting; however, they were told
the request would be deleted from the agenda. She said there were concerns about the
tremendous traffic, noise, waste and even a proposal for road changes if the plan was
successful. Hatchett asked what would happen to the money that had already been
collected, if the project did not occur. She said the board members of the Alliance
could not adequately answer questions about the finances. Hatchett said she had
concerns when a state government, that had over a billion dollars in debt, along with a
county, that was divided over school expenditures, could decide that pouring money
into the project was a top concern. Mrs. Hatchett said that even if a fort were built on
the site, it would be a likeness from another state and not the original. She said that as
far as a museum, there was nothing to be housed in it. Hatchett said that in reference to
musket balls being found on the site, these could be found on any land in the county and
they were not indicators of a French & Indian War site. Mrs. Hatchett said she loved
history, but she also loved her home. She said her ancestors had fought in wars dating
back to the American Revolution and they did so to protect their land. She said now,
the Fort Dobbs project could take her property's protection away. Hatchett said, "I love
history, but what I don't like is someone using other people's respect and patriotic
fervor to access their pocketbooks for something that isn't what they thought it was
going to be." She also said, "History should be truth itself, and I hope you will truly
investigate the claims made by the Alliance in their efforts to secure what they so desire
and put it up against what is fact, what is reasonable, and what is fiscally responsible."
traffic.
Commissioner Robertson asked Mrs. Hatchett if her main concern was the
Hatchett said there were concerns over several matters.
Commissioner Williams asked Mrs. Hatchett if she had attended any of the
Alliance meetings.
Hatchett said she had attended some of the meetings. She said some of her
questions were answered, but some were not.
Louanne Watts, another resident in the community, stated that she supported
everything said by Mrs. Hatchett. She suggested that a decision on the request be
postponed, due to the citizens not being informed about the project. Watts questioned
some of the figures the Alliance had used in trying to promote its economic and
educational value. She said the Alliance had said 5,182 people had visited the site last
year, but the members neglected to say this consisted of mostly two groups. She said
the boy scouts accounted for about 1,500 of the visitors, and a group from Iredell
Memorial Hospital totaled about 1,500.
Chairman Tice said the request had been discussed at the briefing session, and it
was mentioned a special meeting might be held in the next few days due to the Alliance
needing to submit its state grant application by January 28.
Commissioner Johnson said a piece of property was only a buffer is there wasn't
anything built upon it. He said if something were built on it, then another neighbor was
next to it.
Bryan said the Alliance was trying to be extremely careful, archaeologically
speaking, and there were only two construction projects. He said one was the fort and
the other would be the officers' quarters. Bryan acknowledged, however, that in the
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years to come someone might build something on the buffer. He said it was hoped that
a Cherokee village would be built "back in the woods, but it would look a little peculiar
to have nice houses in the back." Bryan said the buffer was needed to prevent people
from seeing houses when they visited the site.
MOTION by Commissioner Robertson to call for a public hearing on
January 25, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., regarding the $45,000 request.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Commissioner Johnson said he would like to see at the January 25 meeting some
commitment from the state. He said, "You can tell the state's commitment when they
write a check."
Margaret Burns Desires to Speak in Reference to the Impoundment and
Disposition of Animals at the Animal Control Shelter: (Mrs. Burns was allotted time
on the agenda to speak; however, she did not attend the meeting.)
Comments from Robert Stidd: Mr. Stidd spoke about local and federal issues
that were of a concern to him. He said the Social Security program would remain
solvent, if left alone. Stidd asked for a resolution stipulating the board's nonsupport of
any plan to privatize any portion of Social Security. He said service men and women
were getting killed, injured and disabled, and the Iraqi War needed to end. Stidd said
the Bush administration had created a haven in Iraq for terrorists that did not exist prior
to the war. Stidd said the First Amendment provided "a wall of separation between
church and government." He said the "Constitution was expressly written to prevent
theocracy from overtaking government." Stidd said there was a "selfish attempt to
merge the will of Christian beliefs with government." In conclusion, Mr. Stidd said
selfish morality had created a furor over same-sex marriages. He said that for the
protection of individual rights, governments should not be making laws and issuing
resolutions that defined a legal marriage. He said it was disappointing the Iredell
County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution that invaded individuals' rights to
marry whom they chose. Stidd said, "Negative connotations people have about same-
sex marriages is actually disguised discrimination, and this is unpatriotic."
------------------------------------------CONSENT AGENDA -------------------------------------
items.
OTIO by Chairman Tice to approve the following six (6) consent agenda
VOTING: Ayes —5; Nays — 0.
1. Request from the Mooresville Graded School District for Approval of a
$1,500,000 Transfer from Unappropriated Fund Balance to a Capital Outlay
Expenditure Account for the Acquisition of Land: During the briefing session,
Mooresville Schools Superintendent Dr. Bruce Boyles, and David Dutton, the Finance
Officer for the school system requested a $1,500,000 transfer of funds for the purchase
of 100 acres of land. Boyles said the land was near property already owned by the
system, and it would be used for future school construction. He said the land would cost
$25,000 an acre and $1 million was available in the long range planning account (current
budget), and 1.5 million was available through a transfer from fund equity.
2. Request from Gary Ervin for the Release of Zoning & Subdivision
Jurisdiction to the Town of Mooresville for 115 Acres (Location: Mackwood
Road, Mooresville, NC): County Planner Whitney Hodges said at the five o'clock
meeting that Gary Ervin had requested the release of zoning/subdivision jurisdiction on
approximately 115 acres of property to the Town of Mooresville. Hodges said (1) the
property was adjacent to the Town limits (2) the Mooresville Town Board had approved
water and sewer service in connection with annexation at a May 3, 2004 meeting, and
(3) notification had been received that the Town would probably annex the site in July
of 2005. Ms. Hodges said the developer intended to create a residential subdivision,
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and this would be consistent with the county's land use plan. She said the developer
would also try to develop the property in a manner consistent with the Mount
Mourne/South Iredell Plan. Hodges said the planning department recommended
approval of the release.
3. Request for Approval of the December 2004 Refunds and Releases: Tax
Administrator Bill Doolittle requested approval of the following refunds and releases
during the agenda briefing.
DECEMBER
2004 TAX RELEASES & REFUNDS
Releases
Refunds
County
$27,619.42
$ 2,577.70
Solid Waste Fees
455.00
0
East Alexander Co. Fire #1
12.31
0
Fire # 2
467.00
6.56
-Shepherd's
Mount Mourne Fire # 3
32.98
12.32
All County Fire # 4
1,159.72
244.27
Statesville City
2811.24
2,755.29
Statesville Downtown
6.52
0
Mooresville Town
8,973.29
99.86
Mooresville Downtown
442.30
0
Mooresville School
2,343.56
29.96
Love Valley
0
0
Harmony
66.15
0
Troutman
1,074.20
0
Total
$45,463.69
$5,725.96
A complete list, of the individual tax releases and refunds, is hereby incorporated
into the minutes by reference.
4. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #32 to Transfer Funds from
Contracted Services to Salaries/Part-time for Clerical Assistance in the Finance
Department: Finance Director Susan Blumenstein explained during the briefing
session that 53,170 had been included in the Finance Department's 04-05 contracted
services line item for temporary employment services. She requested that the entire
amount be moved to part-time salaries due to clerical assistance being needed,
especially now, during the budget season. Blumenstein said additional funds were not
needed, but due to the type of transfer (salaries) board approval was required.
5. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #33 for the 2004 State
Homeland Security Grant Program: During the briefing session, Emergency
Services Director Tracy Jackson said a budget amendment was needed to recognize a
$229,712 homeland security grant. He said the money would be used to purchase
assorted supplies, non -depreciable and depreciable assets, along with vehicles and
trailers for the Iredell County Health Department, Mooresville Fire Department,
Troutman Fire & Rescue, Statesville Fire Department, Iredell County Mapping, and the
Iredell County EMS. Jackson said the Local Emergency Planning Committee had
made the recommendation on how the money should be spent.
6. Request for Approval of the January 4, 2005 Minutes
OF CONSENT AGENDA ------------------------------
Request for an Increase in Management Staff — Creation of an Assistant
Finance Director's Position Effective March 1, 2005: County Manager Joel
Mashburn requested approval to add an assistant or deputy finance director's position
effective March 1 at a Job Grade of 73 and a Salary Range of $40,760 - $63,130. He
said that with the person starting in March, the estimated costs to finish out this fiscal
year would be around $25,000.
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MOTTO by Commissioner Johnson to approve Budget Amendment #34 for
$24,315.00, to be derived from contingency, for the creation of an Assistant Finance
Director's position.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays- 0.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS &COMMISSIONS
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee (1 announcement)
Lake Norman Rural Planning Organization (1 announcement)
Home & Community Care Block Grant Committee (1 announcement)
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Board of Health (1 appointment): Commissioner Robertson nominated
Dr. Kim Randall as the veterinarian appointee.
OTION by Commissioner Norman to close the nominations and appoint
Randall by acclamation.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Criminal Justice Partnership Program Committee (2 appointments):
Commissioner Norman nominated Sarah M. Kirkman as the district attorney appointee
and Judge Lynn Gullett as the judicial appointee.
OTIO by Chairman Tice to close the nominations and appoint Kirkman and
Gullettby acclamation.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Adult Care Community Advisory Committee (4 appointments): No
nominations were submitted, and Chairman Tice made a knotA to postpone the four
appointments until the February 1 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Animal Grievance Committee (1 appointment): No nominations were
submitted, and Chairman Tice made a �motiOR to postpone the appointment until the
February 1 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Library Art Advisory Committee (6 appointments): Commissioner Williams
nominated Library Director Steve Messick, Commissioner Ken Robertson, Friends of
the Library Members Re Johnston and Elizabeth Cannon, and Iredell County residents
Jim Vernon and Linda Stikeleather for the library art advisory committee.
MOTION by Chairman Tice to close the nominations and appoint Messick,
Robertson, Johnston, Cannon, Vernon and Stikeleather by acclamation.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
NEW BUSINESS
Talley Road, Troutman House Destroyed by Fire: Commissioner Johnson said
several months ago business and homeowners in Troutman had complained about a
burned -out house. He said the Town of Troutman could not assist due to the problem
stemming more from a housing or code violation standpoint. Johnson said he talked
with Code Enforcement Director Lynn Niblock who advised there were several legal
requirements that had to be met to remedy the situation, but he would try to assist.
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Commissioner Johnson said the debris had now been cleared from the lot, and he
appreciated Niblock's assistance.
COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT: County Manager Mashburn said a
written activity report had been distributed to each commissioner.
Veterans Service Department: Mashburn complimented Veterans Service
Officer Brad Stroud and his assistant, Millie Wright, in the services they provided to the
county's citizens.
Iredell/Rowan County Line: Mashburn said a request from a family owning
property bordering the Iredell/Rowan county line would be on the February 1 agenda.
He said the family members desired for all of their property to be taxed or listed in
Rowan County; however, their house was situated Iredell County.
CLOSED SESSIONS: MOTIO by Chairman Tice at 8:10 p.m. to enter into
closed session for the purpose of discussing property acquisition pursuant to G.S. 143-
318.11 (a) (5).
(RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AT 8:45 P.M.)
ADJOURNMENT: OTION by Chairman Tice at 8:45 p.m., to adjourn the
meeting. (NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 25, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., for the purpose
of holding a public hearing to receive comments pertaining to the Fort Dobbs Alliance's
request for $45,000. The meeting will be in the Iredell County Government Center, 200
South Center Street, Statesville, NC.)
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Approval:
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Clerk to the Board