Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember_6_2009_Special_Meeting_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 6 2009 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met for a Special Meeting on Friday, November 6, 2009, at 8:00 A.M., in the Iredell County Government Center (South Wing Conference Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman Godfrey Williams Vice Chairman Marvin Norman (arrived at approximately 9:15 a.m.) Steve Johnson Scott Keadle Ken Robertson Staff present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Planning & Development Director Ron Smith, Deputy County Manager Tracy Jackson, Recreation Director Robert Woody, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. Chairman Williams called the meeting to order. Opening Remarks: County Manager Mashburn said that when the staff began work on the 09-10 budget there were many unanswered questions, and most of them continued to be unanswered. He said different economic reports gave differing opinions on when the economy would recover, and one local company official projected it would be 2015 before his business was up to normal pace. FY 10 Budget Review and Financial Update — Finance Director Susan Blumenstein said in regards to the fund balance, the county was in better shape than anticipated. She said $2 million in fund balance was appropriated to balance the budget; however, only $536,109 would be needed at June 30. Mrs. Blumenstein said the fund balance percentage would then be 16% rather than 13.43%. In regards to the revenues for the rest of this fiscal year, Blumenstein said she was cautiously optimistic. She said at this point in time, with only one month of sales tax distribution reporting to analyze, it appeared the 10 sales tax was bringing in about 6% less while the two half -cent sales taxes (1983 and 1986) were going to be close to projections. Overall, she said sales were down in Iredell County, and through the one cent point -of -delivery tax, some revenue was now coming from other counties. Finance Director Blumenstein said, currently, no reductions were needed in the FY 09-10 budget; however, more information would be available at the February Winter Retreat. Blumenstein said the budget, until then, would continually be monitored. Board Directives and Guidance: County Manager Mashburn said the staff would "hold the current budget course." He reminded the board that the county had delayed the purchase of some vehicles and equipment, and this "pent-up demand" would need to be remedied in the future. Blumenstein said a survey of capital needs would be developed. Commissioner Keadle said a report on what the county should be spending, but was not spending, might also be helpful. The board did not mention any other directives or requests. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO): Planning and Development Director Ron Smith provided and explained the following handout about the UDO. 19 (Commissioner Marvin Norman arrived during this segment of the meeting.) Smith said that by using the staff to perform the UDO work, $50,000 to $100,000 could be saved. He said some delegation might occur, but he would primarily be responsible for the project. In addition, he said the document would probably be named something different, and it would be concise with fewer pages than most ordinances. Review and Adoption of Financing Proposals: Finance Director Susan Blumenstein said five requests for installment purchase financings were sent for the Mitchell Community College Mooresville Campus Building Project and Union Grove Elementary School Project. She said two of the financial institutions declined to submit proposals, and out of the three received, RBC Centura was recommended. Results from the request for proposals are as follows: OTION by Commissioner Johnson to proceed with the financing using RBC Centura. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Presentation from Recreation Director Robert Woody Regarding the Scotts Community Recreation Center (SCRC): Woody said the SCRC board of directors had offered to donate the facility and property to the county. He said the Recreation Advisory Board had already discussed the proposal and recommended for the county to accept the five -acre tract. Woody said the property was once owned by the county (Scott Rosenwald School), but in 1967 it was declared surplus and sold to the SCRC board. He said the county already maintained some of the center's grounds due to holding recreational activities at the site. Woody said during the past forty years, the center had been owned and governed by a board of directors that now desired to donate the site. He said one reason was due to the lack of security to prevent graffiti on the buildings and to eliminate other gang -related activities. Woody said the county had an opportunity to obtain a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant using the value ($131,500) of the property as a match, and this would allow the first three phases of capital improvement plan to occur at little or no cost. A copy of the recreation department's capital improvement plan for the property is as follows: 3 Commissioner Keadle asked, due to the state's economic situation, how certain Mr. Woody was that the PARTF money would be available. Woody said a representative from the state had already looked at the site and advised that Iredell County and the project should be as eligible as anyone. He said (1) the application deadline for the next funding cycle would be January 31s`, (2) grant recipients would be notified in May and (3) applicants would be given three years to complete their projects. Continuing, Woody said a public meeting had to be held before submission of the application, and this was why a decision was soon needed. He said a master plan could be done in house, and the biggest cost would be the playground equipment. Woody said that if the commissioners accepted the property donation, a waiver of retroactivity would be needed. He said the waiver would last for 18 months. When asked about environmental issues, Woody said he was unaware of any, but residents of the community could address the question. He then introduced George and Gladys 4 Stevenson, along with Hugh and Emily Ervin, all of whom had either served on the center's board of directors or who had resided in the community for many years. Mr. Ervin said the boiler was taken out a few years ago, and the asbestos was "taken care of." Commissioner Keadle asked if the county could be held harmless if an environmental problem surfaced. County Manager Mashburn said a Phase I environmental study usually occurred when the county made land acquisitions or accepted donated parcels. He said that if the board was willing to accept the donation, the acceptance could be contingent upon a Phase I study. Commissioner Johnson said the public needed to understand, assuming the county accepted the property, that if the PARTF grant failed, the county would not be able to develop the park. He said the public would have expectations, and they needed to know this. Woody said that at the most, the site could be used for a Boy Scout or Girl Scout Hut. Commissioner Keadle asked if the site could be monetarily maintained by the existing parks and recreation budget. Mashburn said yes. Chairman Williams asked if the board of directors, or the Scotts community, would continue to have fund raisers. Mr. Ervin said he couldn't commit. He said the facility was currently rented at $150 per event and this paid for the HVAC and utilities. Commissioner Johnson asked if a donation box could be placed at the site similar to the one used at Stumpy Creek Park. MOTION by Commissioner Keadle to accept the donation of the Scotts Community Recreation Center property contingent upon an environmental inspection, and any other recommended examinations of the site, along with the placement of a donation box at the facility. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Mr. Woody said the sheriff's department would look at the property and try to assist in removing the graffiti. Chairman Williams thanked the center's representatives who attended the meeting and expressed a desire to make them, and the Scotts community, proud of the facility in the future. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to conduct, Chairman Williams adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:30 a.m. Approval: 5 Clerk to the Board