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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 18 2006 Regular MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES APRIL 18, 2006 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, 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, Deputy County Manager Susan Blumenstein, Planning & Code Enforcement Director Lynn Nibloek, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Tice. INVOCATION by Commissioner Robertson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Boy Scout Kyle Hawks led the Pledge. Kyle, a member of Troop 171 (Williamson Chapel Methodist Church in Mooresville, NC) was accompanied to the meeting by his father, Robert. ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: MOTTO by Chairman Tice to approve the following agenda adjustments: Deletion: *Request from the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council for Approval of the FY 06-07 Funding Plan (This will be on the May 9 agenda.) *Update from David Swann, CEO/Area Director for Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare, Regarding Recent Changes at the State Level Impacting the Agency (see briefing minutes) Addition: •Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #38A for a Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Demonstration Grant *Request to Accept $903 in Additional Revenue (FY 06-07 pass-through) for the Criminal Justice Partnership Program and Request for Permission to Apply for $6,000 in Reallocated Funds for Personnel (.5 time position) *Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #40 for the Purchase of the Piedmont Production Credit Building (Carolina Farm Credit) on Stockton Street VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. EyaEll 101fILII WONMt30101119 a IIII=047.137 Presentation from Mr. Rick Lanier, the Vice Chairman of the U.S. Motto, "In God We Trust," Action Committee: Mr. Lanier gave a brief history of Statesville and Iredell County. Lanier said his research revealed that most early settlers in the county focused their lives around families and churches. Mr. Lanier reviewed the federal government's history and noted the U.S. Motto was chosen in 1956, and President Bush reconfirmed the motto in the Senate and Congress on November 15, 2002. Lanier said the Davidson County Board of Commissioners in 2002 approved the placement of the motto on the Lexington government building. Later, he said a separation of church and state lawsuit was filed, and it was heard all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. He said in 2005, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case letting the 4"' Circuit Court's decision remain intact -- public display of the motto on public property is constitutional. He said the U.S. Action Committee was then established with a goal to have the motto placed on every government building in the state. Lanier said that on March 2, 2006, approval was given to place the motto on the Yadkin County Court House, and on April 3, 2006, approval was given for placement on the Rowan County Administrative Building. He then requested that, "In God We Trust" be placed on the front of the Iredell County Government Center. Lanier said the lettering would be professionally done, and the U.S. Motto Committee would pay the costs. MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to instruct the staff to work with the U.S. Motto Committee regarding the placement of the U.S. Motto on the front portion of the Iredell County Government Center. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Note: Johnson said the purpose of inserting the motto on the building would be to serve "as a reminder to future generations that we are a Christian nation based on Christian principles, and it is God alone who can save us." (Attending the meeting with Mr. Lanier was his wife, and Fred McClure, the Chairman of the Davidson County Board of Commissioners.) PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Tice declared the meeting to be in a public hearing. Consideration of the FY 06-07 North Carolina Department of Transportation's Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) Grant: Transportation Director Ben Garrison said the ROAP application contained a request for $70,544 in elderly and disabled transportation funding (no local match needed), along with $13,582 (no local match needed) for Work First clients, and $86,038 for rural general funding. He said the rural general funding required a ten percent match, and this could be obtained from passenger fares. No one else desired to speak, and Chairman Tice adjourned the hearing. MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the FY 06-07 Rural Operating Assistance Program Grant application as presented. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. --------------------------------------- CONSENT OTION by Commissioner Williams to approve the following eleven consent agenda items. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. 1. Request for the Adoption of a Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) Program Grant Resolution: Transportation Director Ben Garrison requested approval of the following resolution at the agenda briefing. WHEREAS, Article 213 of Chapter 136 of the North Carolina General Statutes and the Governor of North Carolina have designated the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) as the agency responsible for administering federal and state public transportation funds; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation will apply for a grant from the Community Association of America for Federal Transit Administration funds to provide assistance for employment transportation Job Access Reverse Commute projects; and 2 WHEREAS, the purpose of these transportation funds is to provide grant monies to local agencies/private operators for the provision of employment transportation services consistent with the policy requirements for federal and state compliance; and WHEREAS, Iredell County hereby assures and certifies that it will comply with the federal and state Statutes, regulations, executive orders, Section 5333 (b) Warranty, and all administrative requirements which relates to the applications made to and grants received from the Federal Transit Administration, as well as the provisions of Section 1001 of Title 18, U. S. C. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Transportation Director of Iredell County is hereby authorized to submit a grant application for federal funding, make the necessary assurances and certifications and be empowered to enter into an agreement with the NCDOT to provide employment transportation services. 2. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #38A for a Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Demonstration Grant: Finance Director Blumenstein explained at the briefing session that this $35,500 grant would extend through June 30 of this year. (This will be a pass-through to the Exchange Club/SCAN Program, one of the organizations receiving JCPC funding.) 3. Request for Approval of the March 2006 Refunds and Releases: Tax Administrator Bill Doolittle requested approval of the following refunds/releases at the briefing session. MARCH 2006 TAX RELEASES & REFUNDS $.25 per page Releases Refunds —color 19,668.91 2,436.20 -County Solid Waste Fees 598.00 81.13 East Alexander Co. Fire #1 3.00 10.99 Shepherd's Fire # 2 124.18 0 Mount Mourne Fire # 3 51.13 0 All County Fire # 4 1,140.74 1,889.58 Statesville City 2,384.07 758.18 Statesville Downtown 21.25 0 Mooresville Town 5,633.83 610.40 Mooresville Downtown 0 0 Mooresville School 1281.01 153.00 Love Valley 0 0 Harmony 4.71 0 Troutman 268.27 24.53 Total 31,179.10 5,964.01 A complete list, of the individual tax releases and refunds, into the minutes by reference. is hereby incorporated 4. Request for Approval of an Updated Fee Schedule for the GIS/Mapping Department: GIS/Mapping Director Lee Anne Owens requested approval of the following fee schedule at the agenda briefing. IREDELL COUNTY GIS/MAPPING UNIFORM FEE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2006 Photocopies Increase 8 %z xl I prints — black & white $.25 per page 0 11x17 prints —black & white $.50 per page $.25 Printer Conies 8 Yz x11 prints — black & white $.25 per page 0 8 '/Z x 11 prints —color $.50 per page $.25 11 x 17 prints — black & white $.50 per page $.25 11x17 prints — color $1.00 per page 0 Increase Creation and Plot of Map 18x24 map on plotter $25.00 0 24x36 map on plotter $25.00 0 42x50 map on plotter $35.00 $10.00 To reprint a created map 18x24 or smaller map $15.00 0 24x36 map $15.00 0 42x50 map or larger $20.00 $5.00 To run a blueprint map 36x36 map $15.00 $10.00 1917 Wall Map from Scanner CD — DVD Creation Public CD containing all GIS data Mr. Sids 2002 Black & White Orthos Mr. Sids 2005 Color Orthos To create a custom CD with data 30 minute time to create Add $15.00 per additional 15 minutes $15.00 $7.00 $35.00 per CD $15.00 $40.00 per DVD n/a $25.00 per CD $5.00 $30.00 per DVD n/a 5. Request from the Library Director for Approval to Apply for a Gates Foundation "Staying Connected" Grant in the Amount of $4,148.82: Library Director Steve Messick explained at the briefing session that this Bill & Melinda Gates grant was a follow up to funding received in year 2000 for public access computers. He said the new funding of $4,148 would also be used for computers. 6. Request for Adoption of a Building Safety Week Proclamation: Planning and Code Enforcement Director Lynn Niblock requested approval of the following proclamation at the five o'clock meeting. Building Safety Week 2006 May 7-13 Whereas, the safety of the buildings we occupy daily is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Iredell County; and, Whereas, through our continuing attention to building safety, we enjoy the comfort and peace of mind of structures that are safe and sound; and, Whereas, building safety and fire prevention officials are at work year round to guide the safe construction of buildings; and, Whereas, the dedicated members of the International Code Council, including building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders and others in the construction industry, develop and enforce codes to safeguard Americans in the buildings where we live, work, play and learn; and, Whereas, the International Codes, the most widely adopted building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation, are used by most U.S. cities, counties and states. These modern, building safety codes also include safeguards to protect the public from natural disasters that can occur, such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, wildland fires and earthquakes; and, Whereas, Building Safety Week, sponsored by the International Code Council Foundation, is an excellent opportunity to educate the public. It is a perfect time to increase public awareness of the role building safety and fire prevention officials, local and state building departments, and federal agencies play in protecting lives and property; and, Whereas, this year's theme, "Building a Safer World Together," encourages all Americans to raise their awareness of building safety. Everyone can take appropriate steps to ensure that the places where we live, work, play, and learn are safe. Countless lives have been saved because of the building safety codes adopted and enforced by local and state agencies; and, 4 Whereas, this year, as we observe Building Safety Week, we ask all Americans to consider projects to improve building safety at home and in the community, and to recognize the local building safety and fire prevention officials and the important role that they play in public safety; and Whereas, the Iredell County Commissioners are concerned about the safety of county citizens and realize the importance of building safety and support the enforcement of the building codes to achieve this goal. Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved, that May 7 through May 13, 2006, is hereby proclaimed as Building Safety Week in Iredell County. Accordingly, citizens are encouraged to join their fellow Americans in participating in Building Safety Week activities and assisting in efforts to improve building safety. �mr�* 7. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #39 for $21,473 to Recognize a Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Grant & for Appropriation to Line Items As Proposed by the EMS Director: At the five o'clock meeting, EMS Director Lee Darnell said this $21,473 grant would be used as follows: $8,440 for the purchase of a disaster/mass gathering trailer $500 for a "graphics" addition to the trailer $2,140 for miscellaneous disaster supplies for the trailer $6,035.24 for training & development relevant to hazardous materials/disasters/mass gatherings $4,357.76 for overtime Note: At the briefing session, Commissioner Johnson asked if the EMS Department was working with the Sheriffs Department in regards to the sharing of this type of equipment. Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson said yes. 8. Request for Approval of a Contract with the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department for the Housing of EMS Personnel & a Quick Response Vehicle: EMS Director Lee Darnell said at the briefing that $500 would be paid per month to house EMS employees and one quick response vehicle at the Trinity fire department. He said the purpose of the arrangement would be to provide a quicker paramedic response in the Trinity community. (The contract will extend for 15 years, and it will require a written 90 -day termination notice by both parties.) 9. Request for Approval of the April 4, 2006 Minutes 10. Request to Accept $903 in Additional Revenue (FY 06-07 pass-through) for the Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP) and a Request for Permission to Apply for $6,000 in Reallocated Funds for Personnel (.5 time position): CJPP Chairman Pam Navey said at the briefing that $903 had been deducted from the day reporting program budget in October by the state, but the funds were now being returned. In regards to the $6,000 request, Navey said an application would be submitted for reallocated funds to be used for the salary/fringes for a part-time employee. 11. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #40 for the Purchase of the Piedmont Production Credit Building (Carolina Farm Credit) at 203 Stockton Street: Finance Director Blumenstein said at the briefing that on December 21, 2004, the board approved the purchase of the Piedmont Production Credit Building for $299,000. She said that due to Carolina Farm Credit constructing a new facility, and not desiring to relocate until the building was finished, the closing was delayed. Blumenstein said everything was now in order, and a budget amendment was needed to record an interfund loan from the Solid Waste Disposal Facility to the General Fund for the purchase. ----------------------------------END OF CONSENT AGENDA --------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Recreation Advisory Board (1 announcement) 5 APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (1 appointment): Commissioner Norman nominated Brady Johnson. MOTIO by Chairman Tice to appoint Brady Johnson as the Iredell-Statesville School Superintendent's designee. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee (4 appointments): No nominations were submitted, and Chairman Tice made a motio to postpone the appointments until the next meeting. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Nursing Home Advisory Committee (2 appointments): Commissioner Williams nominated Kay Mason. Commissioner Norman nominated Jayne Depoint-Johns. MOT10N by Chairman Tice to close the nominations and to appoint Mason and Depoint-Johns by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Historic Properties Commission 2 appointments): No nominations were submitted, and Chairman Tice made a Eotionlto postpone the two appointments until the next meeting. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Criminal Justice Partnership Program (1 appointment): Commissioner Robertson nominated Maxine Hargus. OTIO by Chairman Tice to close the nominations and appoint Hargus by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS REQUEST FROM THE COVENANT HOUSE OF STATESVILLE, A 501-3 ORGANIZATION, FOR WASTE DISPOSAL EXEMPTIONS: County Manager Mashburn said that at the last meeting, the Covenant House Executive Director requested a solid waste tipping fee waiver. Mashburn said the landfill operated as an enterprise fund, and a household availability fee had been collected from county residents since the early 1990s. He said through the years, several nonprofit agencies (Fifth Street Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Mooresville Christian Missions, & Yokefellow) had been granted fee waivers. Mashburn said the NC Department of Transportation, the NC Wildlife Resources Office, and the departments of Iredell County had also been exempted. He recommended that the same guidelines used for other nonprofits be applied to the Covenant House request. Mashburn said that if the waste material were something that would have already been covered under the household availability fee (listed on tax bills) then disposal at the landfill could occur at no charge. He said people cleaned out their closets, donated items to the nonprofits (Salvation Army, etc.), and then later, the nonprofits sifted through the items and anything that couldn't be used was disposed of at the landfill with the tipping fee being waived. He said that as long as the item would have been included under the availability fee, regardless of what agency brought it in, then the fee should be waived. 6 MOTION by Commissioner Norman to accept the manager's recommendation regarding tipping fee waivers. Commissioner Johnson voiced concerns due to the solid waste department having an enterprise fund. He said property tax did not pay for the landfill. Johnson said the facility had to generate a profit to create the capital reserve necessary to close the cells, when up to capacity, and to have enough revenue to open a new landfill. He said the solid waste bond resolutions had language that specifically addressed the need to have "sound business" practices. Mr. Johnson said he couldn't go along with an "open ended obligation." Chairman Tice said the county's citizens, who donated items to the nonprofits, had already paid the $26 per year solid waste availability fee, and this was why she concurred with the county manager's recommendation. VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays —1 (Johnson) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mr. Fred Coggins, of Mooresville, NC, asked why two board members had not responded to his letters. He mentioned that $179,000 could be removed from the budget. Pertaining to schools, Coggins said they should have been built bigger when first constructed. He also made a remark regarding the Angelou Study, and questioned where the individual worked who had presented it to the board (past meeting). COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT: Mr. Mashburn said a Veterans & Families Appreciation Day would be held on Saturday, May 20. He also mentioned the budget work session dates; however, no official action was taken. MAY CALENDAR FOR THE BOARD MEETINGS: Commissioner Williams noted that Election Day was on the first Tuesday of the month, or the regular meeting date for the board. He suggested that the board hold the meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. MOTION by Commissioner Williams to meet on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 and Tuesday, May 23, 2006, and for the meetings on May 2 and 16, 2006, be cancelled. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. CLOSED SESSION: MOTION by Chairman Tice at 7:50 P.M., to enter into closed session for the purpose of discussing economic development matters pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (4) and a property acquisition matter as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (5). VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. (RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AT 9:25 P.M.) CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR STRUCTURAL MEDICAL COMPANY: MOTION by Chairman Tice to call for a public hearing on May 9, 2006, at 7:00 P.M., regarding an economic development incentive ranging from $52,200 (over a five-year period) up to $$69,600 (over a five-year period) for the Structural Medical Company based on an investment between $3 million to $4 million. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. 7 CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR AN UNDISCLOSED COMPANY: MOTIO by Chairman Tice to call for a public hearing on May 9, 2006, at 7:00 P.M., regarding an economic development incentive ranging from $626,400 (over a six-year period) up to $1,044,000 (over a six-year period) for an undisclosed company based on an investment between $30 million to $50 million. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Chairman Tice to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 P.M. (Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at 5:00 and 7:00 P.M., in the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Approved: E Clerk to the Board