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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 2 2013 Regular MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES APRIL 2, 2013 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at 7:00 PM, in the Iredell County Government Center (Commissioners' Meeting Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman Steve Johnson Vice Chairman Marvin Norman David Boone Renee Griffith Ken Robertson Staff present: County Manager Ron Smith, County Attorney Bill Pope, Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Planner Rebecca Harper, Planning, Development and Transportation Director Joey Raczkowski, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Johnson INVOCATION by Chairman Johnson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: MOTIO by Commissioner Griffith to approve the agenda with the following adjustments. Deletion: Request from the Solid Waste Department in Regards to the following: (1) Approval of Budget Amendment #30 to Transfer Funds within the Solid Waste Operating Budget to the Phase V Capital Project Fund (2) Approval of Revisions to the Capital Project Ordinance and (3) Approval of the Awarding of a Construction Contract to Triangle Grading and Pavement for Phase V New Business: • Discussion Regarding House Bill 321 — An Amendment for Local Solid Waste Planning • Discussion Regarding Senate Bill 81 — An Act to Create the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. SPECIAL GUEST: Chairman Johnson introduced Ashley Lyons, a student at Bandys High School in Catawba, NC. Ms. Lyons attended the meeting in conjunction with an AP Government Class assignment. INTRODUCTION OF A NEW EXTENSION AGENT: Cooperative Extension Director Nancy Keith introduced Teresa Herman, the new Extension Agent for Livestock and Field Crops. Ms. Herman most recently worked in Alleghany County, North Carolina. APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD Request from the Statesville Regional Development Corporation, the Mooresville - South Iredell Economic Development Corporation, and Mitchell Community College for the Adoption of a Proclamation Proclaiming April 9, 2013 as Advanced Manufacturing Day: The following individuals attended the meeting to accept this proclamation: Statesville Regional Development Executive Director Mike Smith and John Marek, the Director of Business Retention/Expansion and Marketing, along with Mooresville -South Iredell Economic Development Executive Director Robby Carney and Jessica Rivers, the Manager for Existing Industry & Marketing, and Carol Johnson, the Mitchell Community College Vice President for Workforce Development and Continuing Education. Chairman Johnson presented the following proclamation to the attendees and thanked them for their efforts in creating and maintaining employment opportunities. Advanced Manufacturing Day in Iredell County WHEREAS, a group of public and private organizations have recognized April 9, 2013, as Advanced Manufacturing Day in Iredell County to highlight the importance of advanced manufacturing in our national and local economy and to draw attention to the many rewarding high skilled advance manufacturing jobs; and WHEREAS, the United States is one of the world's largest manufacturing economics, producing 21 percent of global manufactured products and $1.7 trillion of value each year, or about 12 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product. For every $1 spent in manufacturing, another $1.35 is added to the economy; and WHEREAS, manufacturing supports an estimated 17 million jobs in the U.S., about one in six private sector jobs. Nearly 12 million Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are employed directly in manufacturing; and WHEREAS, U.S. manufacturers are the most productive workers in the world, far surpassing the worker productivity of any other major manufacturing economy, leading to higher wages and living standards; and WHEREAS, U.S. manufacturers perform two-thirds of all private sector Research and Development in the nation, driving more innovation than any other sector; and taken alone, U.S. Manufacturing would be the ninth largest economy in the world; and WHEREAS, in North Carolina, manufacturers account for 19 percent of the Gross State Product with annual exports exceeding $76 billion. In Iredell County, approximately 300 manufacturers with an annual payroll of $476 million employ more than 14,000 residents; and WHEREAS, a day of activities, including student tours and demonstrations, led by Mitchell Community College Technology & Workforce Development seeks to strengthen technical and academic understanding of young adults with an interest in manufacturing, engineering and design courses of study. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Iredell County Board of Commissioners joins the county -wide effort to proclaim April 9, 2013, as Advanced Manufacturing Day in Iredell County to support and celebrate our local manufacturers and school programs that prepare our future workforce. Request from the Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) Organization for the Adoption of a Proclamation Declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month: Attending the meeting to accept this proclamation was Amy Eisele, the Executive Director for the SCAN organization. Child Abuse Prevention Month WHEREAS, child abuse is a community problem and finding solutions depends on involvement among people throughout the community; and WHEREAS, approximately three million children are reported abused and neglected in this country each year. Most physical abuse or neglect occurs among children under the age of two, during a critical period of brain development; and WHEREAS, child abuse occurs when people find themselves in stressful situations without community resources; and WHEREAS, the majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are preventable in an engaged and supportive community; and WHEREAS, the effects of child abuse are felt by whole communities; and WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of the partnerships created among social service agencies, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community. NOW, THEREFORE, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Iredell County and calls upon all citizens, community agencies, organizations, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in the effort to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live. 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS Chairman Johnson declared the meeting to be in a public hearing. Consideration of a Release of Zoning and Subdivision Jurisdiction to the Town of of Mooresville for Property Located Off Langtree Road between Templeton Road and Edgeway Road in Mooresville, NC (24.1 Acres) by Applicant Alcove Langtree Properties, LLC: Planning, Development and Transportation Director Joey Raczkowski said jurisdictional releases provided an opportunity for developers to discuss their plans with the receiving municipality or jurisdiction. He said that in reference to this particular request, the county had no information to explain what the developer planned for the property. Raczkowski said, however, future land use plans for the county and the Town of Mooresville called for this specific area to be developed residential and commercial. He said the developer would like to see conditional densities, and in February of this year, the Town agreed to provide water and sewer service. Raczkowski said the Town would consider the applicant's annexation request in June 2013. No one else desired to speak, and Chairman Johnson adjourned the hearing. OTION by Commissioner Robertson to approve the release of zoning and subdivision jurisdiction to the Town of Mooresville for the referenced property. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. The staff report for this request is as follows: EXPLANATION OF THE REQUEST Brad Howard, Alcove Langtree Properties LLC, has requested the release of zoning and subdivision jurisdiction of four properties totaling 24.1 acres to the Town of Mooresville. The proposed use of the property is a mixture of educational, institutional, residential, office, and retail. They are requesting the release in order to get water and sewer from the Town of Mooresville. OWNER/APPLICANT OWNER: Alcove Langtree Properties, LLC APPLICANT: Brad Howard 229 Medical Park Rd, St 201 229 Medical Park Road Mooresville, N.C. 28117 Mooresville, N.C. 28117 PROPERTY INFORMATION LOCATION: On Langtree Road between Templeton Road and Edgeway Road in Mooresville; more specifically identified as PIN#s 4645-67- 4656, 4645-67-2481, 4645-57- 8750, & 4645-57-5236. DIRECTIONS: 1-77 South to Langtree Road exit and turn right, merge onto Langtree Road, on the right. SURROUNDING LAND USE: This property is surrounded by residential uses as well as a charter school and Schumacher Homes, which are both under construction. 3 l SIZE: The property is 24.1 acres. EXISTING LAND USE: The parcels are currently vacant. ZONING HISTORY: This property was zoned R -A when county -wide zoning was established in 1990. On September 18, 2012, 2.655 acres of this property was rezoned to HB (Highway Business), along with an adjoining 1.28 acre parcel where Schumacher Homes is currently building an office and three show homes. The property to the north is in the Town of Mooresville's jurisdiction. OTHER JURISDICTIONAL INFORMATION: This property is located just inside Mooresville's short range USA boundary. The Town has approved water and sewer extension to the property and the Planning staff has submitted a letter of acknowledgement, both of which have been included in the packet. This area is proposed for residential and commercial uses in the Mt. Mourne & South Iredell Master Plan adopted by the Town of Mooresville. OTHER SITE CHARACTERISTICS: This property is located in the Catawba/Lake Norman WSIV-CA water supply watershed therefore there are minimum lot size/impervious coverage restrictions. IMPACTS ON LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND/OR FACILITES TRAFFIC: The nearest location for INC DOT traffic counts is on Templeton Road, just north of this site. In 2009, the average number of vehicles per day on this section of Templeton Road was 2300. The capacity for this section of Alcove Road is 11,000 vehicles per day. SCHOOLS: Based on the information provided, there is no way to determine how many residential units will be constructed when the property is developed. This area will be served by Mt. Mourne Elementary, Brawley Middle, and Lake Norman High School. At this time, Lake Norman High School is closed to students outside of their school boundary and Mt. Mourne is on a watch list due to capacity. Brawley Middle is not close to capacity. STAFF COMMENTS STAFF COMMENTS: From a Planning perspective, this release meets the criteria for release of zoning and subdivision jurisdiction. The release would allow the property to be developed with water and sewer. One of the strategies in the 2030 Horizon Plan calls for the Planning staff to direct growth to areas within the USA boundaries where water and sewer can be provided by the towns. As other properties in this area have begun to develop (i.e. Langtree Charter Academy and Schumacher Homes), the Planning staff has encouraged the applicant to develop the property with municipal utilities as is called for in the Plan. Although a specific plan for development has not been submitted to the County or the Town, the proposed uses of the property fit into the future land use plans for the County and the Town of Mooresville. Both plans call for residential and commercial development in this area. The Planning staff recommends in favor of this request. Chairman Johnson declared the meeting to be in a public hearing. Consideration of a Release of Zoning and Subdivision Jurisdiction to the Town of Mooresville for Property Located at the Corner of Charlotte Highway and Laura Road in Mooresville, NC (.66 Acres) by Cicero & Cindy Sullivan: Planning, Development & Transportation Director Joey Raczkowski said pollution from petroleum storage tanks had contaminated several wells on this property, and the owners had asked for water service from the Town of Mooresville. He said the Town officials did not plan to annex this property; however, they had agreed to extend water service to the site. 4 Commissioner Boone asked why Mooresville requested zoning jurisdiction when utilities were extended to a parcel. He said the City of Statesville supplied water to properties without having the zoning jurisdiction. Raczkowski said this was a policy of Mooresville, and the procedures varied between jurisdictions. No one else desired to speak, and Chairman Johnson adjourned the hearing. MOTION by Vice Chairman Norman to approve the release of zoning and subdivision jurisdiction to the Town of Mooresville for the referenced property. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. The staff' report for this request is as follows: EXPLANATION OF THE REQUEST Cicero & Cindy Sullivan have requested the release of zoning and subdivision jurisdiction of their .66 acre parcel to the Town of Mooresville. The property is currently being used for commercial purposes. They are requesting the release in order to get water from the Town of Mooresville. Two wells have failed on this property already. The Town has agreed to extend water to the property, but requires the property be released into their jurisdiction. OWNER/APPLICANT OWNER: Cicero & Cindy Sullivan 1 16 Shepherd Valley Road Mooresville, N.C. 28115 PROPERTY INFORMATION LOCATION: At the corner of Charlotte Hwy and Laura Road in Mooresville; more specifically identified as PIN# 4658-53-3676. DIRECTIONS: Hwy 21 south, past Cornelius Road on left. SURROUNDING LAND USE: This property is surrounded by commercial and residential. SIZE: The property is .66 acres. EXISTING LAND USE: The parcel is currently being used for commercial purposes, including pay for internet service, salon Images, and Affordable Comfort Systems. ZONING HISTORY: This property was zoned NB in 1991. The property to the south was rezoned to NB in 1985. The property to the southeast was rezoned to NB in 2005. The property to the northeast has been zoned RA since 1991. The property to the northwest was released into the Town of Mooresville's jurisdiction in 2007 in order to get water from the Town due to contaminated wells. OTHER JURISDICTIONAL INFORMATION: This property is located inside Mooresville's short range USA boundary. The Town approved water and sewer extension to the project and the Planning staff has submitted a letter of acknowledgement, both of which have been included in the packet. R OTHER SITE CHARACTERISTICS: This property is located in the Catawba/Lake Norman WSIV-PA water supply watershed. However, since the lot is less than one acre, the impervious limitations do not apply. IMPACTS ON LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND/OR FACILITES TRAFFIC: In 2010, the average number of vehicles per day on this section of Charlotte Highway was 11,000. The capacity for this section of Charlotte Highway is 13,800 vehicles per day. However, since this property has been used for commercial purposes since it was developed in 1991, there would be no additional traffic generated with this change. SCHOOLS: Because this is a commercial property, there should be no direct implications on local schools. STAFF COMMENTS STAFF COMMENTS: This request meets the criteria for a release of zoning and subdivision jurisdiction. At the intersection of Charlotte Highway and Cornelius Road, former underground storage tanks are releasing petroleum into the surrounding soils. This is contributing to the contamination of several wells with benzene and other chemicals. The property in question has been experiencing water quality issues due to the contamination. The Town of Mooresville has agreed to provide water service to the properties under the condition that they are released into the Town's zoning jurisdiction. The Planning staff recommends in favor of this request. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Request from John Muhich, President of AAA Storage Hwy 150 LP, for Approval to Develop under the High Density Option in the WS -IV Critical Area Water Supply Watershed (The property is located at 1246 & 1252 River Highway in Mooresville, NC): Planning, Development and Transportation Director Joey Raczkowski said the applicant in this request desired to expand an existing self storage facility and had asked to develop under the high-density guidelines in the WS -IV Critical Area Water Supply Watershed. He said the applicant had requested to develop up to a 43% impervious surface allocation which was under the maximum allowed of 50% impervious area per project. Raczkowski said the site plan included a stormwater retention pond that would be capable of removing 85% of the total suspended solids from the first one inch of a rainfall. OTION by Commissioner Boone to approve the high-density option for the referenced property. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. The staff' report for this request is as follows: EXPLANATION OF THE REQUEST We have a request from John Muhich, President of AAA Storage Hwy 150 LP, for approval to develop under the high-density guidelines in the WS -IV Critical Area Water Supply Watershed. Under Section 8.10.2 of the Iredell County Land Development Code, any applicant is allowed to request up to exceed the standard allowance of 24% impervious with a maximum of 50% impervious area per project. The applicant would like to develop the property with up to 43% impervious surfaces. The applicant is proposing a wet detention pond on the property that would be capable of removing 85% of the total suspended solids from the first one -inch of a rainfall. The property is currently being used under the low density option for a self storage facility. The applicant is proposing an expansion to the self storage facility that will amount to an additional 232 units. The property is located at 1246 & 1252 River Highway in Mooresville. 6 OWNER/APPLICANT OWNER: AAA Storage Hwy 150 LP 1246 River Highway Mooresville, N.C. 28117 PROPERTY INFORMATION LOCATION: 1246 & 1252 River Highway in Mooresville; more specifically identified as a portion of PIN#s 4637-09-4951 & 4637-09-3690. DIRECTIONS: Highway 150 west, on the right before Quiet Cove Road. SIZE: The property is 5.9 acres. ZONING & LAND USE INFORMATION: The property Is zoned HB, Highway �� o HIGH DENSITY OPTION REQUEST Business, and is currently used as a self storage facility. This property is surrounded by commercial uses along River Highway and residential uses to the rear of the property. This property is located in the Catawba/Lake Norman Water Supply Critical Area Watershed. OTHER JURISDICTIONAL INFORMATION: This property is located within the USA boundary around the Town of Mooresville. Environmental Health will have to review the septic system prior to the issuance of a building permit. IMPACTS ON LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE TRAFFIC: In 2010, the average number of vehicles per day on River Highway was 35,000. The capacity for this section of River Highway is 12,000 vehicles per day. Based on numbers calculated using Trip Generation by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the proposed addition would add approximately 45 additional trips per day. Because the use has a low traffic count, NC DOT did not have any concerns with the proposed request. STAFF AND BOARD COMMENTS STAFF COMMENTS: The proposed plan meets the required criteria at this time for application for the use of the High Density Option (per Section 8.10.2 of the Iredell County Land Development Code). An erosion control plan has been approved by the Planning & Development staff. The site plan has been reviewed and meets the County's zoning criteria. The Planning staff supports the request to allow the applicant to utilize the High Density Option for a proposed self storage addition on the following. The requested impervious area in the WSIV-CA Water Supply Watershed is less than the maximum of 50% allowed. The use is permitted in the district in which it is located. The traffic impact on this section of River Highway will be minimal and NC DOT did not have concerns with this request. The applicant has met the initial requirements to make the request. Request from the Staff Pertaining to the County's Intent in Regards to Participation in the Unifour Rural Planning Organization as well as the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization: Planning, Development and Transportation Director Joey Raczkowski said the board was previously informed about a transition that would occur in regards to the Charlotte Metropolitan Planning Organization as well as northward into the Unifour %I Rural Planning Organization with the South Yadkin River being the dividing line. He said anything south would be in a new Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), now called the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and anything north would fall into the existing Unifour. Raczkowski said the Memorandum of Understanding Subcommittee had created a draft set of fees for the Charlotte MPO, and this group was requesting feedback from all jurisdictions about their intent to become members of the organization. He said the membership costs could be impacted if some of the jurisdictions did not participate. Raczkowski noted the following graph that indicates the membership cost by two different methods: 1) a population method or 2) a voting method. Qraft Options to Allocate Cost by Population or Vote :ASSu.nes all el Wbis ju�isdicHons pa. tlGya[a ••County populat Ion tlgu COs are arQds outslda munfclpat mrporata Il.nl IS and $PFere :••One vo to aacb fol M Ions l0& l2 Raczkowski mentioned that if one municipality or county did not participate, the fees would increase. He said the Town of Troutman had indicated a population method preference due to the lower cost. Raczkowski said even though the population method was more expensive for Mooresville, this entity seemed to prefer this type due to a desire to retain Troutman and Statesville's participation. He noted, however, that the population method was more expensive for Iredell County. Raczkowski said the board needed to determine if Iredell County would participate in the Unifour Rural Planning Organization (RPO) for areas of Iredell County north of the South Yadkin River, with a proposed FY14 estimated membership fee of $3,800.00, as well as to decide if the county would participate in the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) for areas of Iredell County south of the South Yadkin River with membership fees estimated at this point in time to be $24,811 by the population method, or $12,238 for the vote method. Raczkowski said Bob Cook, the MPO Secretary, was attending the meeting to explain how the two fee methods were created. Commissioner Robertson asked if the jurisdictions block voted or if their jurisdictions could be split. Mr. Cook said the answer was no, and this was due to the way the current MPO was organized. Commissioner Griffith mentioned that Charlotte/Mecklenburg was already trying to manipulate the voting process to its benefit. 8 Commissioner Robertson said no matter which method was chosen, Iredell County needed to fight in order to receive its fair share of transportation funding. Commissioner Boone said, "I think assessing the fees by the population method would be fundamentally unfair. You would be talking about taxation without representation. I think the only fair way to assess is by the vote we actually have. If you look at the votes and the population, I believe Iredell County has fewer votes per capita than any jurisdiction. We have two votes, Statesville and Mooresville each have two, and we have more population than Statesville and Mooresville. We have more population than the areas of Lincoln and Union County that are included in the CRTPO, and we even have more population than the areas of Mecklenburg County outside of the city's jurisdiction. We are really getting the shaft on the votes anyway." Commissioner Robertson asked who decided the method. Cook said the MOU subcommittee. He said the subcommittee decided to remain with the current voting arrangement with some relatively minor tweaks. Boone said he felt that Iredell County might participate if the fees were assessed on the actual votes it had. He said that if the votes were assessed on the population basis, this would be unfair. OTION by Commissioner Boone to declare the county's intention to join the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization but only if the dues are assessed on the per vote basis, not the population method, or some other basis where the county would be paying a similar amount. Commissioner Griffith voiced concerns about the wording in the motion. She mentioned the large amount of transportation money that was involved and the need for Iredell County to have a strong voice in the organization, especially since Mecklenburg County's representative had been highly vocal. Griffith said her recommendation would be to participate; however, the board needed to be cautious in regards to the voting or population method. AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION Commissioner Boone amended his motion as follows: Iredell County's intention is to join the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO). However, it is Iredell County's preference for the fees to be assessed by the per vote basis, and if this does not occur, membership in the CRTPO may be impacted. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. OTION by Commissioner Griffith to state the board's intention to join the Unifour Rural Planning Organization. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Commissioner Griffith voiced the importance for the same county commissioner to sit on both boards. She volunteered for the two positions and indicated her willingness to fulfill the State's disclosure requirements. The planning department's staff' report for this item as is as follows: BOARD ACTIONS REQUESTED The following actions by the Board of Commissioners are necessary in order for county staff to have clear direction as to the intent of the BoC to join the RPO and MPO: (1) Confirm participation' in the Unifour Rural Planning Organization (RPO) for areas of Iredell County north of the South Yadkin River, with a proposed FYI estimated membership fee of $3,800. a. Identify one elected official representative2 from the Board of Commissioners to serve as the primary appointed member to the Unifour RPO. 9 b. Identify one elected official representative2 from the Board of Commissioners to serve as an alternate appointed member to the Unifour RPO. (2) Confirm participation' in the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) for areas of Iredell County south of the South Yadkin River. a. Confirm preferred method of membership fee calculation. If by population, the FYI membership fee is estimated to be $24,811. If by minimum number of votes, the FYI membership fee is estimated to be $12,238. b. Identify one elected official representative2 from the Board of Commissioners to serve as the primary appointed member to the CRTPO. c. Identify one elected official representative2 from the Board of Commissioners to serve as an alternate appointed member to the CRTPO. Notes: 'Board actions to officially join and commit to funding the membership fees will be presented at a future BoC meeting once Memorandums of Understanding for both the MPO and RPO are finalized. 2State Ethics Act requirements apply for elected officials serving in an official capacity in the MPO and/or RPO. UPDATES The Mecklenburg Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO) now has a new name: Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO). On March 20, 2013 the Memorandum of Understanding Subcommittee reached a consensus regarding two options for funding of the FYI membership fees. The total membership fee to be collected from the member jurisdictions is based upon the total amount of match ($428,315) that will be required to maximize federal grant money available to the CRTPO. The philosophy of the CRTPO is to spread the cost of the $428,315 match amongst all member jurisdictions by one of two methods as detailed the attachment: either by vote, or by population. By vote is the previous method that was used, where county jurisdictions received two votes, and municipal jurisdictions received either one vote, or two votes, if the municipal population was above 20,000. By population is a new method that has been introduced as a means for providing a comparison. The population method will actually provide the smaller jurisdictions such as Troutman with the ability to afford to participate in the CRTPO, as opposed to the more expensive method of calculating the membership fee by vote. However, for the larger jurisdictions with more population such as Iredell County, the by vote method is actually the least expensive option. Only ONE of these two methods will be implemented by the CRTPO. To my knowledge, there are no other advantages to choosing one method or the other; it is simply a choice of which philosophy the member jurisdictions prefer for dividing up the cost of the $428,315 match. A very important point of clarification: the Memorandum of Understanding Subcommittee has not reached a final consensus regarding how voting at the CRTPO will actually be structured. So, my best advice to the BoC is to separate the by vote method of calculating membership fees from understanding how voting will actually be structured and enacted within the CRTPO. This will be decided upon at a future date and included in the Memorandum of Understanding that the BoC will have to consider prior to officially joining the CRTPO. To confuse things even more, the amount of FY14 membership fees that each jurisdiction pays may actually increase if one or more of the jurisdictions on the attached list decides not to participate in the CRTPO. The $428,315 in estimated match remains fixed, therefore, the membership fee for each jurisdiction may increase to compensate for any jurisdiction that decides not to participate. By mid-April, the subcommittee is hopeful that each jurisdiction will select a preferred method of calculating the membership fee, and will confirm participation in the CRTPO. At that time, there will be a better understanding as to whether or not the fees indicated on the attachment will increase due to non -participation of some of the jurisdictions. As of the date of this memo, staff with the Town of Troutman feels that the population method will be the preferred choice, because it is the less expensive of the two options. If the by vote method is selected, Troutman staff feels that the cost will prohibit the town from participating. The least expensive option for the City of Statesville is the population method as well. The population method is slightly more expensive for the Town of Mooresville. I hope to confirm which method these two jurisdictions prefer by the time this item is discussed by the BoC on April 2,d. Although the by vote option for Iredell County is the less expensive option, selecting this preferred method could potentially eliminate Troutman. 10 WHY SHOULD THE COUNTY PARTICIPATE IN THE RPO AND MPO? Simply put, participation in the RPO and MPO is the only official method through which the county has a voice and vote in the State and Federal transportation project planning processes within Iredell County and the region. In order to take full advantage of membership in the RPO and MPO, two elected officials from the BoC must commit to serving on the elected official committees of these two organizations. Staff will also participate at the designated and appropriate level; however, the vote with the most significant impact comes from the elected officials serving on the elected official committees of the RPO and MPO. The State Ethics Act requirements of elected officials and local staff serving on the MPO and RPO has significantly impacted the number of elected officials and staff that are willing to complete the required paperwork and continuing education components of the Act. Most RPOs and MPOs have implemented minimum attendance requirements for elected officials. Non-attendance by elected officials, especially at the MPO level, may result in the jurisdiction being suspended from the MPO and ineligible to vote until attendance by the appointed elected official is reestablished. This issue of how to structure and penalize for nonattendance is still being debated by the CRTPO subcommittee. Iredell County is now facing a significant increase in annual cost in order to participate in the RPO and MPO. In the current FY13, Iredell County invested $4546 in order to participate in the transportation planning process (LKN RPO). In FY14, Iredell County may invest in excess of $29,000, or more than six (6) times the current allocation, in order to have a voice and vote in the State and Federal transportation project planning process within Iredell County and the region. Up until this point, county staff has been able to maintain the majority of the visibility of Iredell County at the RPO level (Lake Norman). However, with the new MPO especially, county staff will not be able to carry the entire weight of representing the second largest jurisdiction of the newly formed MPO. Therefore, if the BoC has the desire for Iredell County to have a voice and a vote in the transportation project planning processes for one of the fastest growing regions in the nation, active elected official participation by Iredell County in the MPO and RPO is not optional. NEXT STEPS & RECOMMENDATIONS At this point actions by the BoC, as outlined in the first page of this memorandum, are necessary in order for county staff to have clear direction as to the intent of the BoC to join the RPO and MPO. Request from Facility Services for Approval of Moseley Architects as the Firm to Provide Programming and Preliminary Design Services for the Jail Project: County Manager Ron Smith said a decision was made by the board at the Winter Planning Session to authorize $45,000 for programming and preliminary design work for the jail project. He said this would be the last step before making a final decision on the jail construction. Smith requested permission to work with Moseley Architects to determine if the proposed site was workable. Commissioner Robertson asked if an inmate bed count was needed. Smith said the architect would work with the jail staff to determine how much bed space could occur at the site. Commissioner Griffith asked if the firm could evaluate the possibility of constructing a minimum security facility in the vicinity without building a whole new jail. Smith said the architectural firm could answer this question. Commissioner Boone said every avenue available needed to be explored in an effort to spend as little money as possible. He said a minimum security facility at Stockton Street could be built much cheaper than a high security facility. Boone said laundry and kitchen services would be across the street. He mentioned that in the 1990s the county was under a court order to alleviate jail overcrowding, and mobile units were placed off Stockton Street for inmate housing. Commissioner Robertson said that if money had to be borrowed for the construction, his preference would be a GO Bond, and the public could vote on the matter during the primary election of 2014. Commissioner Boone said that if the county had to borrow money, his preference would also be a GO Bond. Chairman Johnson said, "I don't know how much longer I'm going to be here, but if I remain here long enough and the economy recovers sufficiently with a revenue stream that will support the debt service on the numbers that have been proposed by staff, and the cost of housing those prisoners exceeds the annual debt service on the jail, I would vote to borrow the money to build the jail. The reason I say this is because that's the way I'd handle my own money. There have been times in business when I've borrowed money in order to enter into an enterprise because the potential of engaging in that enterprise exceeded the amount of the debt service I incurred upon embarking in that business. That was a business decision. Sometimes it behooves you to spend money. I am as sincere as anyone in my effort to save the county money." OTION by Commissioner Robertson to authorize $45,000 for the architectural programming/preliminary design and initial site analysis for the jail project. Chairman Johnson asked if the staff was familiar with the architectural firm's work. Smith said Moseley Architectural had worked with the jail staff in the past, and the firm was highly recommended. Chairman Johnson said, "All of the initiative quite frankly, in regards to the jail construction, has come from this board. Yet, we are not the day-to-day managers of the facility. I think the discussion and education process for the public would be helped if there were actual discussions from the people in charge of the jail's oversight. If they would come before this board, and make their case for it, this would help. They do so privately; they do not do so publicly. I think the process of discussion and education of the public is poorly served by that." VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Request for Approval of the March 19, 2013 Minutes: MOTION by Commissioner Boone to approve the minutes as presented. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS & Nursing Home Advisory Committee (1 announcement) NEW BUSINESS HOUSE BILL 321 — A Bill to be entitled an Act to Repeal the Requirement that Local Governments Develop and Maintain Solid Waste Management Plans: Commissioner Boone said it appeared the State required redundant solid waste reporting. He said the county's solid waste staff had reported that it took up to two weeks to complete some of the requirements, and HB 321 would eliminate some of the paperwork. Boone recommended for the county's legislative delegation to be notified about the county's support for the legislation. OTIO by Commissioner Boone to instruct the clerk to write a letter voicing the board's support for House Bill 321. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. SENATE BILL Sl — A Bill to Be Entitled an Act to Create the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority: Chairman Johnson said Senator Rucho from Mecklenburg County had introduced SB 81, a bill that would give the Charlotte Douglas Airport Authority some autonomy separate from the City of Charlotte. He said there were concerns that the City was trying to take 12 over the airport's governance. Johnson said, "I first heard of this bill from Shawn Dorsch, the Chairman of the Charlotte Douglas Airport Authority. He contacted me first since I am Chairman of the Statesville Airport Commission. I expressed to him, during my first conversation with him, my concerns. There was some disagreement between the two of us, but folks that I have a lot of confidence in read the bill and agreed that at best, it was uncertain what the intent was. I've had contact with him by e-mail, and I've talked to Senator Curtis, Representative Brawley, and Representative Turner, and I'm satisfied now that the wording in the bill does not impact the Statesville Airport. Iredell County has a very good working relationship with the Statesville Airport Commission. The Statesville City Council has a good working relationship with the Statesville Airport Commission. I do not want anything to damage that. In its present form, as it exists today, this bill does nothing to harm that. It is limited to the airports within the confines of Mecklenburg County. Now, the whole story is this. The elected officials in Raleigh, quite frankly, are being very polite. They are trying to pass a bill that some people don't like, and they don't want to stir them up too much. Well, I don't have any skin in that game so I can be a little more frank about it. The Charlotte Airport Authority has roughly $400 million in its fund balance. They are concerned that if their rules of governance changes, then the City Council in Charlotte will get their hands on some of that money, and the City Council would begin to have taxing authority to impose parking fees and so forth at the airport. Not many people are aware that the Charlotte Airport is the sixth busiest in the world. It primarily is because the per passenger fee is 97¢, and the next lowest in the country is $4.00. So, airlines have direct flights through Charlotte, and they make it a transfer hub for a lot of flights. There are more people in the state of South Carolina who embark at Charlotte Douglas than embark in the entire state of South Carolina. It is truly a southeast regional airport. The goal of the airport authority is to continue to see it grow and to continue in maintaining the integrity of that fund balance. You can say what you want to about Jerry Orr, but he does know how to run an airport. He has been successful, and he is going to retire. A lot of people are concerned that his retirement, plus the attempt by what some people at the airport consider to be an encroachment by the City Council, will jeopardize the ability of the airport to be self funding in its future endeavors to build capital. It is a really good facility. I have personally flown planes in -and -out of there, and it is as good of an airport, or as modern, as you will find anywhere. In its present state, as it exists right now, I have no trouble supporting this bill. I introduce the following resolution in support of the bill." RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 81 WHEREAS, the Charlotte Douglas Airport is the sixth busiest airport in the world having attracted passenger flights and freight carriers through its efficient operations; and WHEREAS, the Charlotte Douglas Airport has become a substantial economic asset to the central piedmont region of North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and southern Virginia; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of these areas to be served by an airport that continues to be modern, competitive and responsive to the transportation needs of the traveling public and freight carriers; and WHEREAS, all of the surrounding counties have an economic interest in the continued success of the Charlotte Douglas Airport; and WHEREAS, an airport authority consisting of representatives of the people serving throughout the surrounding counties would be consistently aware of the traveling needs of their communities; and WHEREAS, SB81 seeks to amend the governance of airports only in Mecklenburg County and will in no way impact the Statesville Regional Airport or the City of Statesville's oversight of its airport; and WHEREAS, SB81 does not require any taxes to be levied upon citizens of the surrounding counties. 13 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, through the adoption of this resolution, expresses support of SB81 and encourages our legislative delegation to cast a vote for its passage. OTION by Chairman Johnson to adopt the resolution. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT: County Manager Smith distributed a brochure prepared by the County Assessor's Office pertaining to the State's new vehicle registration tag and tax system. He said beginning in July 2013, taxes for vehicles and annual tag purchases would occur at the same time. CLOSED SESSION: MOTION by Chairman Johnson at 8:14 PM, to enter into closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (6) — Personnel. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. (RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AT 8:55 PM) ADJOURNMENT: OTION by Chairman Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 PM. (NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at 7 PM, in the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.) VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Approved: 14 Clerk to the Board