HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 19 2006 Regular MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
DECEMBER 19 2006
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Tuesday,
December 19, 2006 at 7 P.M., in the Commissioners' Meeting Room, of the Iredell County
Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Present were:
Chairman Marvin Norman
Vice Chairman Sara Haire Tice
Steve Johnson
Ken Robertson
Godfrey Williams
STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Deputy County Manager Susan
Blumenstein, Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Norman
INVOCATION by Commissioner Johnson
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: The following agenda adjustments were made:
Deletion: *Update and Summary by Gerald Wexelbaum, of Strategic Planning Associates,
Inc., Regarding the Strategic Planning Project (Comprehensive report to be given at
Winter Planning Session.)
• Closed Session for Economic Development —G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (4)
• Request from the Mooresville -South Iredell Chamber of Commerce for the
Appointment of Someone to Serve on the Mooresville -South Iredell Economic
Development Corporation: (It was determined during the agenda briefing that
Vice Chairman Sara Haire Tice will serve on this newly created corporation.)
Addition: • Request from the Town of Love Valley for the County to Provide Inspections
• Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #25 for the Re -Appropriation of
Funds Approved in Prior Year Budgets for Tax Administration Hardware/Software
-------------------------------------------CONSENT AGENDA ----------------------------------------------
MOTTO by Commissioner Johnson to approve the following 12 consent agenda items.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
(All items were presented during the briefing session.)
1. Request from Max Spears for the Release of Zoning/Subdivision Jurisdiction of 4.84
acres to the Town of Mooresville: Acting Planning Director Steve Warren presented the
following staff report for this request.
OWNER: Max Spears
Wolfe Ridge Inc
607 Anderson Avenue
Salisbury, NC 28144
LOCATION: 529 Faith Road, in Mooresville, NC, more specifically PIN#s 4655-84-1636,
4655-84-4831, 4655-84-1468, 4655-84-3505, & 4655-84-3599. Directions: Highway 115
south, left onto Faith Road, on the left before Black Angus Lane.
REQUESTED ACTION AND CONDITIONS: Release Zoning and Subdivision Jurisdiction to
the Town of Mooresville.
PROPOSED USE: Build houses on existing lots that will not perk
SIZE: The proposed area to be rezoned is 4.84 acres.
EXISTING ZONING: The property is currently zoned Residential Agricultural.
EXISTING LAND USE: Residential.
SURROUNDING LAND USE: Vacant and residential.
WATERSHED REGULATIONS: This property is not located in a Watershed.
TRAFFIC: The most recent traffic count (2005) indicated that 4,500 vehicles per day were on
Faith Road and Highway 115 and 2,600 vehicles per day on Faith Road and Shearers Road.
ZONING HISTORY: This property is currently zoned RA and has been since countywide
zoning in 1990.
STAFF COMMENTS: This request meets the criteria for a release of zoning and subdivision
jurisdiction. The proposed use of the propertyfor residential uses fits into the existing County
zoning as well as the South Iredell Small Area Plan with recommendations for residential uses
in the area. The lots conform to the County's standards concerning minimum lot size and
were subdivided in June of 2006. The developer does not plan to subdivide the lots, but rather
build on them as they are. The lots will not perk and therefore sewer is required to build
homes on the lots. Mooresville has agreed to the extension of sewer to these parcels and will
consider the property for annexation in June of 2007.
2. Request for Approval of the November Refunds and Releases: Tax Administrator Bill
Doolittle requested approval of the following refunds/releases.
NOVEMBER 2006 TAX RELEASES & REFUNDS
Releases
Refunds
County
24,801.85
1,794.98
Solid Waste Fees
156.00
0
East Alexander Co. Fire #1
17.66
0
Shepherd's Fire # 2
189.24
9.80
Mount Mourne Fire # 3
303.88
0
All County Fire # 4
960.36
268.04
Statesville City
1,840.78
1,175.95
Statesville Downtown
0
0
Mooresville Town
10,189.74
2,092.64
Mooresville Downtown
16.02
0
Mooresville School
1,881.06
445.85
Love Valley
0
0
Harmony
2.45
0
Troutman
194.77
0
Total
$40,553.81
$5,787.26
A complete list, of the individual tax releases and refunds, is hereby incorporated into the
minutes by reference.
3. Request to Award a Bid for Two Transfer Trailers (staff recommends bid award to
Steco Trailers with a total bid of $103,800): Solid Waste Director David Lambert and
Purchasing Agent Dean Lail requested approval to award a bid to Steen Trailers for two trailers
at a cost of $103,800 (delivery 77-84 days). (Bid packages were sent to six known vendors and
the bid was advertised; however, Steco was the only responding company. All bid requirements
were met by Steco, and $106,000 was budgeted for the trailers.)
4. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #21 for the Appropriation of Future
Capital Outlay Project Funds to the Iredell-Statesville Schools, Mooresville Graded Schools
& Mitchell Community College (includes ad valorem taxes, sales taxes, beer/wine taxes and interest
on ,financing proceeds in excess of FY 05-06 budgeted amounts): Deputy County Manager
Blumenstein requested approval to appropriate the final school capital outlay allocation for the
2005-06 fiscal year as follows:
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Iredell-Statesville $1,211,105
Mooresville Graded $246,863
Mitchell Community College $1,517
$1,459,485
5. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #22 to Allocate Bioterrorism Grant
Revenue & Expenditures: Health Director Donna Campbell said pandemic flu funds of $5,325
had been received, and it was recommended to use the money for educational materials to inform
high-risk individuals (home bound, non-English speaking, & persons with special medical needs)
about influenza and other medical emergencies. (Specifically the funds will be used for the
printing of brochures @ $600; advertising in local papers @ $1,800; Hispanic planning books @
$2,025 and a billboard @ $900.)
6. Request from the Health Department for Approval of Budget Amendment #23 to
Allocate General Aid to Counties Grant Revenue & Expenditures in Connection with a Dental
Project: Health Director Donna Campbell said a $73,481 grant had been awarded to purchase
dental equipment and to expand the dental area (2 new clinical rooms & one new hygiene room).
(Additional information may be found in the November 14 minutes.)
7. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #24 to Recognize Medicaid Max Funds
of $13,600 & Appropriate to Depreciable & Non -Depreciable Assets: Deputy County
Manager Susan Blumenstein said the staff had been seeking ways to improve the human
resources software, and a MUNIS Employee Self -Service Module would assist not only in that
department but other county departments as well. She said the module could be added to the
county's software and applicant tracking program (human resources) and it would especially
benefit the health department due to reporting requirements in the Womens/Infants/Childrens
program, the child health program, and the dental program. Blumenstein said the $13,600 would
be obtained from Medicaid Max Funds, but future year maintenance costs would come from the
General Fund.
8. Request for Acceptance of a $50,000 One NC Fund Grant Award for Balance Systems,
Inc., along with Authorization for the Chairman to Execute the Agreement and
Authorization for the Finance Officer to Sign the Local Government Certification: Deputy
County Manager Blumenstein said $128,951 was approved on June 6, 2006 as an economic
development incentive for BSI Balance Systems, based on a $7,411,000 investment. She said
recently, the State Department of Commerce awarded the company a $50,000 grant, but the
county had to be the conduit. Blumenstein said the county's incentive of $128,951 would be used
towards the local match. (The grant requires BSI to create/maintain 50 new jobs, maintain 171
existing jobs, and provide health insurance for all jobs.)
9. Request for Approval of an Agreement with Hartigan Management Enterprises, Inc.,
for Pratt Industries CDBG Project Grant(s) Management: Deputy County Manager
Blumenstein said there were federal and state requirements for Community Development Block
Grant Funds, and she recommended that a contract be approved with David Hartigan (Hartigan
Management) for the administration of Pratt Industries' CDBG funds. (Contract will be for
$29,500 and will be paid out of the grant funding.)
10. Request for Approval of the December 4 & 5, 2006 Minutes
11. Request from the Town of Love Valley for the County to Provide Inspections:
County Manager Joel Mashburn said a letter had been received from Love Valley Mayor Andy
Barker requesting that Iredell County provide inspections for the incorporated areas of the town
as of December 15, 2006. He said Love Valley no longer had a qualified inspector, and the state
had informed the municipality that either the state, or county, would have to provide the
inspections. Mashburn said the mayor, given that choice, preferred for the county to provide
the service.
12. Request for Approval of Budget Amendment #25 for the Re -Appropriation of Funds
Approved in Prior Year Budgets for Tax Administration Hardware/Software: Deputy
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County Manager Blumenstein said a $235,000 re -appropriation of funds was needed due to a
delay in the completion of a hardware/software project. She said funds had been appropriated in
the past, but not rolled over to this fiscal year. Blumenstein said one complication with the
project was the sale of the Novalis Company assets to Bi -Tech.
------------------------------------------END OF CONSENT AGENDA -----------------------------------
Request from the Iredell-Statesville Schools for Approval of a Lighting Contract:
Deputy County Manager Susan Blumenstein said the school system was proposing a lighting
lease -purchase agreement with EnergyUnited, and permission needed to be granted by the
county. She said the power source would not be tied to one particular utility, rather the City of
Statesville, EnergyUnited, and Duke Power would all be providers.
Dr. Kenny Miller, Director of Facilities and Planning for the school system, provided the
following information regarding the lighting contract.
Ball field
Proposed price
Construction Schedule 2007
Statesville High baseball
$159,000
Feb.
North Iredell baseball
$117,000
June
North Iredell softball
$77,000
July
South Iredell baseball
$117,000
Au .
South Iredell so iball
$77,000
Sept.
West Iredell baseball
$117,000
Oct.
Lake Norman so iball
$88,000
Nov.
Lake Norman tennis
$84,000
Nov.
Total
$836,000
The following payments will be made:
* Interest rate of
6.75%
I -March 2007 $125,000
I -July 2007 250,000
48 month finance schedule
I-JuIy2008 $140,042
14uly 2009 140,042
1 -July 2010 140,042
I -July 2011 140,042
Total $935,168
59 month finance schedule
I-Ju1y2008 $115,568.21
I4tdy 2009 115, 568.21
1 -July 2010 115, 568.21
I -July 2011 115,568.21
30 -June 2012 115,568.21
Total $952,841.05
*Dr. Miller it still trying to negotiate a lower interest rate.
request.
Due to a conflict of interest, Chairman Norman asked to be recused from voting on the
OTION by Commissioner Williams to recuse Chairman Norman from the vote.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
Chairman Norman then excused himself from the meeting.
MOTION by Commissioner Tice to approve the lighting contract with EnergyUnited for
the Iredell-Statesville School System.
VOTING: Ayes — 4; Nays — 0.
Chairman Norman returned to the meeting.
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Request for Approval of an Ambulance Service Franchise by NuCare: County
Manager Mashburn said NuCare, a company providing ambulance services, had requested under
the provisions of G.S. 153A-250 to be granted a five-year franchise. Mashburn said the staff
recommended a shorter term of one year. Mr. Mashburn said also, the staff was recommending
an ordinance revision stipulating a maximum length of time for a franchise.
Commissioner Johnson said he understood the staff had concerns about NuCare's past
and present operations. He said that while there had been some improvements, some problems
still existed. Johnson requested that NuCare's business manager share information about future
plans for the company.
Jeff Corbett, with NuCare, acknowledged that problems had existed with the company in
the past. Corbett said he created NuCare in 1997 with one ambulance. He said from a small
operation, the company grew to become the second largest in North Carolina, and he left the
business in 2001. Corbett said that in recent years, there had been management problems, and the
company was seen as a satellite facility of a larger operation in Winston-Salem. He said about 18
months ago, he was requested to address some of the problems. Corbett said a manager was
hired, who was a trained paramedic, and five strategies were implemented to improve service.
He said steps towards independence had occurred, and effective January 1, 2007, NuCare/Iredell
would be a totally independent entity managed by himself and Ricky Bustle
(Director/Paramedic). Corbett said NuCare handled non -emergency calls and provided back-up
for the county's EMS department. Corbett said (1) an emphasis would be placed on more
training (2) two new ambulances would arrive in January and (3) the communication dispatch
center would be improved. Corbett said his goal for NuCare was to operate "seamlessly" with
the county, and that there be full accountability and on-going communication.
Chairman Norman asked the ambulance costs.
Corbett said slightly over $100,000, but this was for bare ambulances (no stock).
Commissioner Williams said a one-year lease was a short timeframe to evaluate the
progress and improvements. Williams suggested that the lease be increased to 24 months.
Commissioner Johnson said he had concerns about the company's finances, and with the
recent investments made by NuCare, he, too, felt it would take longer than a year to financially
recover. Johnson said, however, he understood the staffs desire to protect the public by
ensuring adequate ambulance service. Mr. Johnson said he also understood why Mr. Corbett
would rather put the company's money in capital, or training, rather than an audit as required by
the county's ordinance.
OTION by Commissioner Johnson to grant NuCare a two-year franchise with a report
at the end of the first year that provides information on whether or not the commitment made by
Mr. Corbett has been lived up to. This being as follows: (1) local management or autonomy (2)
enhancements or improvements in communications (3) maintain a level of training that can be
afforded by the recently employed paramedic (this to be an on-going commitment) (4) an audit
will not be required due to the appearance that the company is financially viable (example: recent
purchase of two new ambulances and (5) the county staff review the ordinance for a revision
stipulating a maximum amount of time that a franchise may be granted; plus to incorporate
language indicating that when a franchise is up for renewal, there be an administrative fee to
recover the county's cost for investigating the company's performance. (If a new company, the
county would have to assess the financial viability.)
Chairman Norman asked if Mr. Johnson was referring to a specific franchise area.
Johnson said it would apply to any area in the county.
Commissioner Williams said he agreed with the five stipulations, and he reminded
everyone that the two new ambulances would not be delivered until January. He said NuCare
would now have sufficient time to remedy the staff s concerns.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
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Request for Approval of the Order Adopting Final Uniform Schedules of Values,
Standards, and Rules for the 2007 General Reappraisal: Tax Administrator Doolittle
requested adoption of the Market Schedule and Present Use Schedule for the upcoming
reappraisal. He said a legal advertisement would be published for 30 days before official
adoption occured.
Commissioner Johnson commended the tax department staff for their work on the
reappraisal. He said that on the present use schedule, Mr. Doolittle had earned the respect of the
farming community. Johnson said he felt the Tax Administrator's primary concern in property
valuation, its execution, and the tax bill mailing, was equity.
Commissioner Williams said that in the briefing session, an update had been given about
the county's strategy plan. He said one of the first items in the plan's framework was agriculture,
and one way to support the farming community was to retain present use rates affordable for the
farmers.
OTION by Commissioner Tice to adopt an order that approves the Market Value
Schedule for the 2007 General Reappraisal.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
ORDER ADOPTING FINAL. UNIFORMSCHEDULF.S OF VALUES
STANDARDS AND RULES FOR 2007 GENERAL REAPPRAISAL
(MARKET VALUE SCHEDULE)
WHEREAS, pursuant to G.S. 105-286, Iredell County will reappraise all real property in accordance with
the provisions of G.S. 105-283 and G.S. 105-317; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 105-317, the Tax Assessor for Iredell County has submitted
proposed um form schedules ofvalues, standards and rules to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the Board has caused to be published in a newspaper having general circulation in Iredell
County a notice stating that the proposed schedules, standards and rules have been submitted to the Board of
Commissioners and indicating the time and place of a public hearing on the proposed schedules, standards, and
rules; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held at the appointed time and place; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners now desires to adopt the final schedules pursuant to the
provisions of G.S. 105-317.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the final uniform schedules of'volues, standards and rules
attached to this Order are hereby adopted and approved fm- use in appraising real property at its tate value and at
its present -use value as of January 1, 2007. A notice of the adoption of this Order shall be published once a week
for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in Iredell County. The final schedules shall be
available for public inspection at the/ of the Tax Assessor, 135 East Water Street, Statesville, North Carolina.
This 19" day ofDec-ember, 2006.
MOT10N by Commissioner Tice to adopt an order that approves the Present Use
Schedule for the 2007 General Reappraisal.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
ORDER ADOPTING FINAL UNIFORM SCHEDULES OF VALUES
STANDARDS AND RULES FOR 2007 GENERAL REAPPRAISAL
(PRESENT USE SCHEDULE)
WHEREAS, pursuant to G.S. 105-286, Iredell County will reappraise all real property in accordance with
the provisions of G.S. 105-283 and G.S. 105-317; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 105-317, the Tax Assessor for Iredell County has submitted
proposed uniform schedules of values, standards and rules to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the Board has caused to be published in a newspaper having general circulation in Iredell
County a notice stating that the proposed schedules, standards and rules have been submitted to the Board of
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Commissioners and indicating the time and place of a public hearing on the proposed schedules, standards, and
rules; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held at the appointed time and place; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners now desires to adopt the final schedules pursuant to the
provisions ofG.S. 105-317.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the final uniform schedules of values, standards and rules
attached to this Order are hereby, adopted and approved for use in appraising real property at its true value and at
its present -use value as at January 1, 2007. A notice of the adoption of this Order shall be published once a week
for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in Iredell County. The final schedules shall be
available for public inspection at the office of the Tax Assessor, 135 East Water Street, Statesville, North Carolina.
This 19° day of December, 2006.
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Pandemic Preparedness Coordinating Committee (3 appointments): Commissioner
Tice nominated Mike Bennett (Industry), Jan Martin (Davis Hospital) and Richard Campbell (City
of Statesville).
MOTTO by Commissioner Robertson to appoint Bennett, Martin and Campbell by
acclamation.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Board of Health (1 appointment): MOTION by Commissioner Robertson to postpone
this appointment until the January 2 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee (6 appointments): OTIO by
Commissioner Tice to postpone the six appointments until the January 2 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Nursing Home Advisory Committee (3 appointments): MOTION by Chairman
Norman to postpone the three appointments until the January 2 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Board of Equalization and Review (6 appointments): Commissioner Tice nominated
the following individuals and announced the chairman and vice chairman designations for this
particular board:
Bill Thunberg, Chairman
Wayne Robertson, Vice Chairman
Marcia Fruehan
Larry Galliher
Brad Howard
Sam Hall — Alternate
OTION by Chairman Norman to appoint the six individuals as presented with
Thunberg being the 2007 Board of Equalization & Review Chairman and Robertson being the
Vice Chairman.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0.
Future Forward Economic Alliance Board (I appointment): MOTION by Chairman
Norman to postpone this appointment until the January 2 meeting.
VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays - 0.
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PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Mr. Cecil Maynor thanked Solid Waste employees
David Lambert and Roger West for the delivery of mulch to the Psycho -Social Rehab Center
(clubhouse) on Twin Oaks Drive in Statesville. Maynor said one of the activities at the clubhouse
was a produce garden, and it supplied enough food for 25 to 40 people a day. Mr. Maynor said
mental health reform was on-going, and he had concerns that the clubhouse might be in jeopardy.
He asked the board members to assist in retaining the facility.
COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT: Mashburn said the Commissioners' Meeting Room
lighting would be improved by the January 2 meeting. He said efforts were still being made to
provide a live broadcast of the board meetings to all parts of the county. Also, he said the staff was
investigating web streaming, where the public could access the county's web site as meetings were
occurring. In addition, he distributed a November departmental activity report.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Williams made a
motio at 8:05 p.m., to adjourn the meeting. (NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 2, 2007, 5:00
p.m., and 7:00 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