Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune_4_2013_Regular_MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES JUNE 4, 2013 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, June 4, 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 Absent: Renee Griffith & Ken Robertson Staff present: County Manager Ron Smith, Deputy County Manager Tracy Jackson, Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Tax Administrator Bill Furches, Parks, Recreation and Facility Services Director Robert Woody, Fire Marshal Garland Cloer, Fire & Emergency Services Coordinator David Saleeby, 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 Boone to approve the agenda with the following adjustment. Addition: Adoption of a Proclamation Recognizing the Achievements of Judge Robert Collier Jr. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Chairman Johnson mentioned that Commissioner Robertson had extended his apologies for not being at the meeting. He said Robertson had been called away to Canada due to a business matter. PUBLIC HEARINGS Chairman Johnson declared the meeting to be in a public hearing. Consideration of an Economic Development Incentive for Project Coffee: County Manager Smith said Robby Carney, the Mooresville -South Iredell Economic Development Director, had requested for this hearing to be deleted from the agenda. Chairman Johnson adjourned the hearing. MOTION by Chairman Johnson to delete the Project Coffee public hearing from the agenda. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Chairman Johnson declared the meeting to be in a public hearing. Consideration of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Iredell County Budget: The following 25 speakers spoke, and they primarily discussed the schools. Beth Packman: Mentioned she was a concerned parent and PTO President at Mt. Mourne Elementary; requested the board to allow the citizens to vote on a sales tax increase Scott Clontz: Mentioned that last year he requested the board to double his property taxes if the money would go to classrooms; also mentioned he had observed the school board's operations for the past six years and if teaching assistants wanted to keep theirjobs they needed to start attending the board of education meetings; stated that Iredell County's state ranking for educational funding was at number 57 and not 107, and that economically successful counties were financially penalized through the state's public education formula 1 Cass Karbo: Mentioned concerns that his youngest son would have fewer opportunities in school than his oldest son due to school cuts; requested the board of commissioners to foster a spirit of cooperation with school systems to resolve issues and to speak out publicly in support of the schools Clare Pieratt: Mentioned the state was shirking its responsibility in funding education; requested the board to allow a vote on the sales tax increase James Hogan: Mentioned the county could save 40 teaching assistant positions; provided statistics on how much less the county and state had provided to education since 2008-2009; advocated for increased school funding Leon Pridgen: Mentioned the schools had done more with less funding in the past few years; requested an opportunity for the citizens to vote on a sales tax increase or a school bond Melissa Tobias: Mentioned the importance of the arts, especially music at her high school where she was in the band program; requested a chance for the citizens to vote on obtaining increased school funding Rob Hites: Mentioned praise for the school systems especially due to them receiving high marks; requested the board to allow the citizens an opportunity to vote on a quarter cent sales tax increase Troy Homesley: Mentioned the teaching assistants who could possibly lose their jobs and said they needed some semblance of job security; requested an opportunity for the citizens to vote on a measure to increase school funding Cliff Homesley: Mentioned appreciation for the commissioners' management of the taxpayers' dollars in the past but requested a property tax increase; also mentioned the state of North Carolina funded its schools less than any state in the nation with the exception of Mississippi James Settlemyre: Mentioned he was attending the meeting for the taxpayers in the community; referred to several newspaper articles in regards to the schools, plant closings, increased city electrical rates, and the amount of debt service the county was already paying; mentioned the possibility of raising the taxes with a stipulation the funds could only be used for teaching supplies and not for salaries or new teachers Bonnie Sue Tobias: Mentioned the importance of music programs along with being able to provide them in safe gyms and auditoriums; requested an opportunity for the citizens to vote on a method to increase school funding Barbee Ervin: Mentioned she was a teaching assistant at Celeste Henkel; also mentioned she was passionate about education; encouraged everyone to start working together for the children Terry Wall: Mentioned she was a teaching assistant at Cloverleaf and her pay rate had been frozen for 7 of the 12 years she had worked for Iredell-Statesville Schools; requested the board of commissioners to offset the funding gaps created by proposed funding reductions Lisa Gill: Mentioned that Iredell County had two quality school systems; requested an opportunity for the voters to decide on a school bond and stated that instead of viewing bonds as debts, they should be looked at as an investment in the future Kirk Ballard: Mentioned he was the President of the Mooresville -South Iredell Chamber of Commerce and indicated this group on May 22, 2013 adopted a resolution requesting the board of commissioners to allow an opportunity for the citizens to vote on a school bond referendum this fall Taylor Whitesides: Mentioned she was a rising fifth grader at East Iredell Elementary and she was speaking in memory of her uncle, Woody Woodard, who believed in a quality education for all children as was written in the North Carolina State Constitution; expressed concern about the possible loss of teaching assistants 2 Skip McCall: Mentioned concern that two commissioners were absent at the meeting and said this was evidence the board of commissioners should have more members due to the size of the county; stated it was time to stop pointing fingers as to whom was the cause of school cuts but to start solving the problem; demanded an opportunity for the voters to decide on an increased sales tax Jamie Connotino: Mentioned the importance of having nurses in the schools and the possibility of increasing the property tax; requested the board to allow the voters a chance to vote on a quarter cent sales tax increase William Jones Jr: Mentioned the importance of education and improving the quality of life for the people; also mentioned that Supt. Johnson had spoken at an NAACP forum and advised of the positions that would need to be cut due to the loss of funding; requested the board of commissioners to help the schools Lena Grady: Mentioned praise for the teachers and teaching assistants; also mentioned that it bothered her that the board of commissioners would allow positions to be cut Larue Burleigh: Mentioned that children had a special place in her heart; urged the board of commissioners to allow the public's help in making decisions regarding school funding Jennifer Maw: Mentioned the commissioners could become leaders in the state in regards to school funding; also mentioned the school systems would lose quality staff if more funding wasn't provided and that businesses looked for good educational systems when deciding where to locate; advised that she supported an increased property or sales tax along with a school bond Sean Brennan: Mentioned concern for Mooresville Graded Schools' facilities; also mentioned that his family had located to this area due to the schools; requested that citizens be given a choice in regards to school funding John Ong: Mentioned the school systems' low level of funding; demanded that county leaders value education No one else desired to speak, and Chairman Johnson adjourned the public hearing. (A 15 - minute break was then held. At approximately 9:15 PM, the meeting resumed.) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Chairman Johnson commented that Vice Chairman Norman had recently been hospitalized. He praised Mr. Norman for putting his health aside to attend the meeting. Commissioner Boone seconded Mr. Johnson's remarks. Request for the Reappointment of the Iredell County Tax Collector: MOTIO by Vice Chairman Norman to appoint Bill Furches to a four-year term as the Iredell County Tax Collector. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Request for the Reappointments of the Iredell County Deputy Tax Collectors: MOTION by Vice Chairman Norman to appoint Linda Morrow, Ann Gray Ray, Shannon Lester and Kelly Campbell to a four-year term as Deputy Tax Collectors. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Request for Approval of the May 16, 21, & 23 (5 PM Budget Session), 2013 Minutes: MOTION by Commissioner Boone to approve the minutes. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Proclamation Recognizing the Achievements of Judge Robert A. Collier Jr: Chairman Johnson said this proclamation would be presented to Judge Collier on June 18. He said Judge Collier's many achievements were appreciated, especially his work while serving on the North Carolina Board of Transportation. 3 OTION by Chairman Johnson to adopt the proclamation with authorization for him to present the document to Judge Collier on June 18, 2013. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Proclamation Recognizing the Achievements of Judge Robert A. Collier Jr. WHEREAS, Judge Robert A. Collier Jr. was appointed to the North Carolina Department of Transportation Board in March 2004; and WHEREAS, during his nine years representing District 12, Judge Robert A. Collier Jr. either continued, initiated, or completed some 250 projects that positively impacted the quality of life in Iredell County; and WHEREAS, these projects include improving NC 115; 21; 150; 64; 70; 901; 3; 152; and 90. Projects also included street/sidewalk/intersection improvements in Harmony, Love Valley, Mooresville, Statesville, Troutman, Union Grove and Davidson. Additionally, the projects included rural roads, relocations, bridge repair and replacement, bike paths, pavement rehabilitation, environmental improvements, rest areas, and even signage on Lake Norman to keep boats moving when close to the interstate causeway. Also, the projects included current and future improvements on Interstate Highways 40 and 77 and transportation vehicles for (CATS; and WHEREAS Judge Collier has served as an active member of the Lake Norman Rural Planning Organization; and WHEREAS Judge Collier has served as the Chairman of the North Carolina Board of Transportation thus impacting the quality of life in every county in the state of North Carolina; and WHEREAS, Iredell County and its citizens have greatly benefited from Judge Collier's concerted interest and work in transportation. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Iredell County Board of Commissioners hereby expresses deep appreciation and thanks to Judge Robert A. Collier Jr. for his distinguished service to our county and state. Social Services Board (1 appointment): Commissioner Boone nominated Sheryl Lucas. MOTION by Commissioner Boone to close the nominations and to appoint Lucas by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Planning Board (3 appointments): Commissioner Boone nominated Jerry Santoni. MOTION by Chairman Johnson to close the nominations and to appoint Santoni by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Note: David Aman, a member of the Statesville Board of Adjustment (ETJ) expressed interest in serving on the county's planning board. The board of commissioners requested the staff to determine if both appointments would be proper. Fire Tax District Board (1 appointment): MOTION by Commissioner Boone to postpone this appointment until the June 18 meeting. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (16 appointments): Chairman Johnson nominated the following individuals: 4 School Supt/Designee - Dr. Mark Edwards, Bill Parker or Steve Mauney School Supt/Designee - Dr. Ron Hargrove or Steve Hampton Chief of Police/Designee - Carl Robbins or Joe Cooke Sheriff/Designee - Bill Hamby District Attorney/Designee - Carrie Nitzu Mental Health Director/Designee - Candice Moore DSS Director/Designee- Angela Williams County Manager/Designee - Susan Blumenstein County Commissioner - Marvin Norman Chief District Judge/Designee - Judge Deborah Brown Local Health Director/Designee - Laura W illiard County Commissioner Appointee - Jim Mixson County Commissioner Appointee - Jennifer O'Konsky (Note: The JCPC nominating committee will continue to search for nominees for the three remaining vacancies.) MOTION by Chairman Johnson to close the nominations and to appoint the referenced individuals by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes - 3; Nays — 0. Centralina Workforce Development Board (2 appointments): Vice Chairman Norman nominated Jan Comer and Brenda Speece. OTION by Chairman Johnson to close the nominations and to appoint Comer and Speece by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Mooresville Planning Board (ETJ- 1 appointment): Commissioner Boone nominated John Robertson. OTIO by Chairman Johnson to close the nominations and to appoint Robertson by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Troutman Planning Board (ETJ- 1 appointment): Vice Chairman Norman nominated Layton Getsinger. MOTION by Chairman Johnson to close the nominations and to appoint Getsinger by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Troutman Board of Adjustment (ETJ- 1 appointment): Vice Chairman Norman nominated Helen Byers. OTION by Chairman Johnson to close the nominations and to appoint Byers by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Recreation Advisory Committee (1 appointment): MOTION by Chairman Johnson to postpone this appointment until the June 18 meeting. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. I Local Emergency Planning Committee (1 appointment): Vice Chairman Norman nominated Susan Cartner. MOTION by Chairman Johnson to close the nominations and to appoint Cartner by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. REMINDER LIST Personnel Advisory Committee: Chairman Johnson nominated Barbara Davidson. OTION by Chairman Johnson to close the nominations and to appoint Davidson by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT Update on the Search for a new Animal Services Director and a County Assessor: County Manager Smith one round of interviews for both positions had occurred. He said the staff was unable to find a candidate for either position, but they would continue the recruitment efforts. Draft Budget Ordinance: Smith distributed a draft FY 14 budget ordinance for the board members to review prior to the June 18 meeting. NEW BUSINESS Housing of Jail Prisoners: Chairman Johnson said the county manager had been instructed to submit a report on the total annualized figure for the maintaining, or housing, of prisoners outside the downtown facility. Johnson said the material should be provided any time there were additional expenses, and the information could be included in the county manager's report. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Commissioner Boone at 9:43 PM to adjourn the meeting. (NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 7 PM, in the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.) VOTING: Ayes — 3; Nays — 0. Approval: 6 Clerk to the Board