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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 16 2014 Regular MinutesDecember 16, 2014 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES December 16, 2014 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at 7:00 PM, in the Iredell County Government Center (Commissioners' Meeting Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman James B. Mallory, III Vice Chairman Marvin Norman Tommy Bowles Steve Johnson Ken Robertson Staff present: County Manager Ron Smith, County Attorney Bill Pope, Deputy County Manager Beth Dirks, Finance Director Susan G. Robertson, Public Safety Coordinator David Saleeby, and Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Mallory INVOCATION by Vice Chairman Marvin Norman PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE by Chairman Mallory ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: County Manager Ron Smith said there were no adjustments to the agenda. PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS (None) Request from the Iredell Arts Council for Permission to Place a Sculpture on the Old Jail Property: Iredell Arts Director Ragelio Calvo thanked the Board for all they do the Iredell Arts Council. This request is to place a steel sculpture, of a non-objective nature, in the corner of Court Street and Meeting Street. This would make a land -mark for the Arts Council at the old jail building. The sculpture would be temporary. It would only be there one year and then replaced by another art piece with approval of the Board, involved agencies, and the City of Statesville. MOTION by Commissioner Steve Johnson to grant this request. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 Request from the Fraternal Order of Police to Erect a Monument at the Old Courthouse Site: Retired Deputy Sheriff Duck Wyatt stated the Fraternal Order of Police would like to construct a monument for officers that served in Iredell County and were killed in the line December 16, 2014 of duty. It will be for all officers regardless of which agency they served. Their names and some Bible verses will be on the monument. The wording would be presented for approval before etching and they would work with staff for specific placement on the property. Commissioner Ken Robertson said, conceptually there isn't any opposition to the recognition, however, he would like to avoid any type of monument that resembles a tomb stone. Something that honors fallen law enforcement officers but not something that appears they are buried there. Commissioner Tommy Bowles asked if the Old Courthouse site is the most appropriate place. Wyatt said most of the officers worked and served at the Old Courthouse. They were concerned about future renovations/construction at the Hall of Justice. The Fraternal Order of Police will pay the full tab of the monument and installation. He reviewed the property with Facility Services Director Robert Woody and they located a couple of places that would not impede the property. OTION by Vice Chairman Marvin Norman to approve. Commissioner Robertson asked for clarification of the motion. Is it to approve the concept but not the actual monument and specifically where it is going? Wyatt said the potential areas for placement are to the left of the entrance. He understands all concerns and all will be in agreement before finalizing. Commissioner Johnson asked if Commissioner Norman's motion included direction to the staff to collaborate with the Fraternal Order of Police to find a mutual agreed upon area. Vice Chairman Norman said that is correct. Chairman Mallory clarified the issue is to support the concept, but the execution of the concept should be reviewed. Wyatt said that is correct. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 Request from the City of Statesville for Matching Funds in Preparation of a New Airport Layout Plan and Environmental Assessment: City of Statesville Planning Director David Currier is requesting the Board's participation in 5% of funding for the latest state grant received for airport development. The grant amount is $261,240 and requires a local match of 10% or $229,060 for a total package of $290,000. This grant will address the airport layout plan which is a heavily engineered future of the airport. It will include the technical detailed data of the layout of the airport, the airspace drawings, approach surface drawings, terminal area, hanger areas, land use, right-of-way of runway departure surfaces and property maps. It is required of every airport 2 December 16, 2014 and it is time to update Statesville. Part of the grant is for an environmental assessment of the primary runway, Runway 1028, for a south parallel taxi way. The FAA is requiring the construction of a south parallel to conform to the new instrument landing system that was installed in 2005. It is an extreme safety factor for all the corporate jet craft who are housed in the hanger south of the runway. Commissioner Johnson said this is probably to most comprehensive airport layout plan that has ever been presented. The state has agreed to allow and fund an extension of land use further out from the airport. This will be beneficial for future planning of the airport. Chairman Mallory asked the budgetary line item for this request. County Manager Ron Smith said it would be Economic Development Statesville Airport. A budget amendment will be prepared based on the Board's allocation. MOTION by Commissioner Steve Johnson to approve this request. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 Request from the City of Statesville for partial funding of a new Statesville Regional Airport Manager Position: City of Statesville Planning Director David Currier said the Statesville Airport has had many changes in the last ten years. They have a 7,006 foot paved runway that is rated at over 98,000 lbs. for dual axle strength for aircraft. It is 100 feet wide with high intensity runway lighting. The most important feature is the Instrument Landing System (ILS) that helps pilots land through inclement weather. The airport is open 24/7 and no one has to divert to Hickory or another ILS station. This has greatly enhanced the economic measures at the airport. They have one of the three best aviation stations in the State with the main competitor being Concord. The Statesville City Council appoints an Airport Commission to work with staff for airport development. The Board of Commissioners appoint a member to this commission as well. Commissioner Johnson is presently the appointed member. In August of 2014, the Airport Commission suggested a serious review of a full-time airport manager. Before August, the City budgeted half of a position to "tend" to the airport matters. The Statesville Regional Airport has outgrown half of a staff member's attention. The City Council made a motion to hire a professional seasoned airport manager. They also asked for the Board of Commissioners to consider funding one-third of the position. They are requesting the funding for a five year period in order to maintain stability to the program. City Council instructed staff to advertise for the position but not hire until a marketing study is complete. Original thoughts were that the manager would spend approximately 50% of their time with marketing. However, after reassessment and with the extensive grant work/monitoring it is more accurate to say marketing will take 66% or two-thirds of the manager's time. In 1998, the total aircraft tax value at the airport was $15,900,000. In 2012, the taxable value was $251,000,000 which shows how the airport has grown. One corporate jet delivers the same tax value of 100 homes in IredelI County. Therefore, the request is for the Board to consider funding one-third of the benefits and salary for a full time airport manager. At the present time, the salary is undetermined but the City Council has requested to hire the best. 3 December 16, 2014 Chairman Mallory stated this was discussed at the pre -agenda meeting with Commissioner Johnson elaborating on the subject. Mallory said this is a great collaborative endeavor, and enhancer for economic development and the tax base. Commissioner Robertson clarified that if the position requires 66% in marketing, then there should be a measurement tool of effectiveness that could cover the salary and benefits. Set a quantitative goal, as it relates to taxable tax base, at a minimum to cover the salary. Currier said they would work on that suggestion. Commissioner Robertson said the ultimate measure of success of this concept is how much taxable value is brought in. Currier said the outcome of the market assessment/plan is extremely important. They are trying to take the airport to a higher level. Commissioner Johnson said there are two primary concerns. One was economic development but the other was the demands of the day-to-day operational maintenance and responding to the concerns of tenants which out grew the part-time position years ago. There was an unacceptable time period between the time when an issue arose and when the matter was addressed. The part-time position just did not have time to take care of things in an expeditious manner. The airport is a tremendous asset and is marketable. The State aviation has a rep that attends the Airport Commission meetings on a regular basis. Johnson feels the full-time person will spend time, initially, tidying up loose ends that exists now. The job will change overtime and increasingly more time will be used to market the airport. He feels the investment is needed to continue receiving the maximum potential from the airport. Chairman Mallory said the operational balance is the highest priority to address. Then as things move, the position will move into marketing the airport. In terms of measuring the effectiveness it is not just the increase in the tax base based on the aircraft and/or hangers but should emphasize how the airport is integrated into the overall economic development in bringing business into Iredell County. MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to grant this request for a lump sum of $22,000 per year up to five years and ask for an annual report of the success of this person by the guidelines as adopted by the Airport Commission and the City Council. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS (None) County Manager Ron Smith summarized the following items that were placed on the consent agenda at the 5:00 PM pre -agenda meeting. 4 December 16, 2014 Request from the Department of Social Services to Recognize the Allocation of Funding to Hire Personnel and Approve BA #19: DSS Director Yvette Smith said Child Protective Services are mandated to carry a certain amount of case load. The State has been concerned about the growing caseloads and the facilities across the State. Legislators have allocated $2.8 million to start a remedy. Iredell County was one of 30 counties to receive part of that allocation, which was one position. This request is for the Board to accept that position. Commissioner Ken Robertson clarified that this position would continue to be funded and not just for one year. DSS Director Smith said that is correct. Budget Amendment Fiscal Year 2014-15 BA#19 To recognize the allocation of funding to hire 1 additional Child Protective 12/16/2014 Service worker with 100% funding from the State. Account# 12/16/2014 Current Chane Amended Account # General Fund Chane I Amended 104630450000 Social Services Admin Reimb (7,010,687) (26,923) (7,037,610) 105630 510002 Salaries - regular 8,927,949 17,773 8,945,722 105630512501 FICA 698,741 1,360 700,101 105630 512502 Health Insurance 1,971,000 3,650 1,974,650 105630 512503 Retirement 1,096,363 2,145 1,098,508 105630 535000 Supplies 144,749 1,995 146,744 Request from the Finance Department for Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Pope, McMillan, Kutteh & Shieck, PA: Finance Director Susan Robertson said this request is to approve the two year agreement for professional services with Pope, McMillan, Kutteh & Shieck. The retainer is for Mr. Pope to act as the County Attorney and provided legal services as needed. Request from the Health Department to Accept Grant Funds from NC PHP&R in the Amount of $10,000 and Approve BA #20: Health Director Jane Murray said this is grant funding from the Division of Public Health Preparedness Branch. The money will provide 206 kits to individuals that receive Meals on Wheels as part of the Aging Nutrition Program. These kits will provide emergency supplies and should last approximately 72 hours. They contain a weather radio, flashlight, first aid, canned food, water, batteries, and a tote bag. Community volunteers will deliver the kits and some will be given to the Department of Social Services. I Budget Amendment Fiscal Year 2014-15 BA#20 To allocate Emergency Preparedness state grant revenues and 12/16/2014 expenditures Account # I Current Chane I Amended General Fund 1049/5/4 440003 4519 BT Emergency Preparedness - (10,000) (10,000) 10915/41 548000 4519 Community Awareness - 10,000 10,000 I December 16, 2014 Request from the Health Department to Accept $12,385 in Immunization Action Plan funds from the State and Approve BA #21: Health Director Jane Murray said this funding is from the State Immunization Branch. New vaccine requirements begin in July. Two new vaccines required by law are Pneumonia — 4 does by age 15 months, and Meningitis — 2 doses by 7"' and 12`b grades. This money is specifically earmarked by the state to have a communication plan in place to alert citizens. Request from the Health Department to Accept the Healthy Communities Grant and BA #22 for $13,757: Health Director Jane Murray said this grant funding for $13,757 is from the Division of Public Health Chronic Disease Branch. The stipulations specify there must be some physical and environment change. One in three Iredell County children are obese. They plan to partner with other community organizations to encourage healthy changes. Scotts Rosenwald Park will have a Hop Scotch sidewalk with about 600 feet of concrete. The Partnership for Young Children will have 128 physical activity exercise learning carpets. The Iredell County Wellness Program in county government will have four outside bike racks at the Library, Government Center, Building Standards and Scotts Rosenwald Park. Mitchell Community College will have bike racks and media message centers with continuous information about health issues. Budget Amendment Fiscal Year 2014-15 BA#21 To allocate Immunization state grant revenues and expenditures 12/16/2014 expenditures Account# Current I Chane I Amended General Fund 10491715440009 Immunization (33,085) (12,385) (45,470) 10917151 548000 Community Awareness - 12,385 12,385 Request from the Health Department to Accept the Healthy Communities Grant and BA #22 for $13,757: Health Director Jane Murray said this grant funding for $13,757 is from the Division of Public Health Chronic Disease Branch. The stipulations specify there must be some physical and environment change. One in three Iredell County children are obese. They plan to partner with other community organizations to encourage healthy changes. Scotts Rosenwald Park will have a Hop Scotch sidewalk with about 600 feet of concrete. The Partnership for Young Children will have 128 physical activity exercise learning carpets. The Iredell County Wellness Program in county government will have four outside bike racks at the Library, Government Center, Building Standards and Scotts Rosenwald Park. Mitchell Community College will have bike racks and media message centers with continuous information about health issues. Request from the Clerk to the Board to Appoint a Voting Delegate to the NCACC Legislative Goals Conference: The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Legislative Conference will be held January 14-16, 2015, in Pinehurst. Chairman Mallory has volunteered to attend. Request from Tax Administration for Approval of November Refunds & Releases: This report is in order. 6 Budget Amendment Fiscal Year 2014-15 BA#22 To allocate Healthy Communities state grant revenues and 12/16/2014 expenditures Account# Current I Chane I Amended General Fund 10493503 440011 Health Promotion (3,210) (13,757) (16,967) 10935031 548000 Community Awareness - 13,757 13,757 Request from the Clerk to the Board to Appoint a Voting Delegate to the NCACC Legislative Goals Conference: The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Legislative Conference will be held January 14-16, 2015, in Pinehurst. Chairman Mallory has volunteered to attend. Request from Tax Administration for Approval of November Refunds & Releases: This report is in order. 6 December 16, 2014 Releases for the month of November 2014 Breakdown of Releases: County $ Solid Waste Fees $ Mooresville Solid Waste Fees $ Davidson Solid Waste Fees $ E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $ Shepherd's Fire #2 $ Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ All County Fire #4 $ B&F Fire #5 $ Statesville City $ Statesville Downtown $ Mooresville Town $ Mooresville Downtown $ Mooresville School $ Love Valley $ Harmony $ Troutman $ Davidson $ Refunds for the month of November 2014 Breakdown of Refunds: County $ Solid Waste Fees $ Mooresville Solid Waste Fees $ Davidson Solid Waste Fees $ E. Alex. Co. Fire#1 $ Shepherd's Fire #2 $ Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ All County Fire #4 $ B&F Fire #5 $ Statesville City $ Statesville Downtown $ Mooresville Town $ Mooresville Downtown $ Mooresville School $ Love Valley $ Harmony $ Troutman $ Davidson $ 43,008.50 1,560.00 53.01 68.01 1,612.61 125.01 22,951.60 3,150.77 184.56 689.26 802.90 934.80 26.00 31.50 66.28 55.60 218.72 69.77 Total Monthly $74,206.23 Total Monthly $ 1,402.67 OTION by Commissioner Tommy Bowles to approve the consent agenda. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 The following items were not on the Consent Agenda. 0 December 16, 2014 Request from Harmony VFD to Use Previously Approved ISO Funds to Purchase Rescue Equipment: Public Safety Director David Saleeby stated on April 3, 2012, budget amendment #43 was approved for the appropriation of $69,522 to Harmony VFD for the purchase of aerial truck equipment. This purchase was for insurance service office (ISO) minimum requirements and improve ISO ratings. The ISO improvements did not use all of the approved funds. Harmony VFD is now requesting the balance of $23,000 to purchase rescue tools. Based on the Board's clear direction on May 6, 2014, not to create any new rescue districts in the county and also at the time the funds were approved the direction was for ISO improvements, staff does not recommend approval of this request. Commissioner Ken Robertson asked if this equipment would have a direct impact on the ISO rating. Chief Gene Powers said no. Commissioner Tommy Bowles asked what the local rescue squads are not doing that Harmony VFD needs to provide. Powers said they are not here to replace the rescue squad. Harmony VFD has 51 members and 30 members are seeking and/or have acquired to be Rescue Techs. Day time staffing is short, volunteer help for rescue and fire departments are decreasing, and new applicants are few. They just want to be available to help the neighbors and provide a service at a higher level than in the past. Harmony has the largest response area in Iredell County. There are Rescue Techs in northern Iredell that help and assist, which is the same as in other VFDs. Chairman Mallory asked if Harmony VFD has a specifically defined rescue district. Powers said they have a fire service area in the contract but they do not have a rescue response area. Commissioner Johnson stated his concerns. The decision by the Board to create rescue service districts in the southern end of the county was driven by demographics and need. At that time they decided they would not create any more rescue districts. Also, in that statement they would not compromise the integrity of the service area or the financial viability of the rescue squads which are funded based on area served and call volume. There is a distinction between a fire department running rescue calls and a rescue district. There is a restriction that ISO money must be used for ISO purposes. This request is asking to use ISO money for rescue services. He feels this is beginning to compromise the rescue service district. Powers said he could not argue with that statement but Harmony VFD is responding to wrecks and house fires where forcible entry tools could save a life. Commissioner Robertson said it is very difficult to argue against putting tools in the hands of people trying to save lives and benefit the community. This Board levied a 1¢ tax specifically to lower ISO ratings. As Iredell County changes, and as state requirements change, there seems to be a lot more demands of people who volunteer their services. This means the policy and 8 December 16, 2014 implementation will probably evolve and change in the future. However, that is different from the request of using ISO funds to purchase rescue equipment. He expressed his appreciation for the fire department being frugal but feels money not spent should go back in the fund and be used by another department to improve ISO ratings. Powers said Harmony VFD and Lone Hickory VFD have been planning for several years to put a dry hydrant in a pond owned by Richard and Ralph Renegar. The money had already been approved. He asked if the cost of this project could be taken from the ISO funds. Saleeby said the county -wide Fire Tax Board has a process for funding dry hydrants and hydrants are a part of ISO improvements. Both dry hydrants positioned in ponds and hydrants connected to a water system are ISO improvements. Commissioner Johnson asked the cost of the dry hydrant. Powers said it is approximately $12,000. Commissioner Robertson said if there is a process for funding dry hydrants, then the money should go back to the fund and the process should be followed. Commissioner Johnson said Harmony VFD earned this money due to lowering their ISO ratings. He agrees they should not fund something that is not an ISO related function. If they had previously made this request then the $12,000 would have been funded. They are rewarded for lowering the ratings and that is why they have money left. Powers said the hydrant will be on the line between Harmony and Lone Hickory where there are no, and probably won't ever be, water lines. They can't even train in the northern end without using pond water. Chairman Mallory asked if the request for the dry hydrant would have normally come before the Board or would have such a request been handled in-house as simply accounting for the funds being used. Saleeby said there is a process that would have normally been used with an active county- wide Fire Tax Board. Since that board is not active they rely on the Fire Marshal's office to make those approvals. He feels the request for the dry hydrant probably would not have come before the Board because it would have been a valid ISO improvement. Commissioner Johnson feels the Board should deny the request but give some direction to Mr. Saleeby and the Fire Marshal to come forward with a recommendation on the dry hydrant. MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to deny the request because of the concerns expressed and remand this back to Mr. Saleeby and the Fire Marshal. They can return, at a subsequent meeting, with a recommendation on Mr. Powers' request for a dry hydrant. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 9 December 16, 2014 Chairman Mallory said, "Chief Powers, I appreciate your sending the request up. It does highlight an on-going issue that we are going to have as there are expanded capabilities, requirements and needs of the general public in terms of integrating all of our emergency response capabilities. Whether it is EMS, rescue, fire and even dispatch through ECOM. When you address one area, there are sometimes second and third orders that effect other organizations and other capabilities. What we owe the tax payer is the most effective use of the resources we have that are required to do the job and to support our people that are volunteering and also who are employed either part-time or full-time to support those volunteers. To balance that together with the efficiencies that we owe the tax payer so that we don't have unnecessary duplication and unnecessary response based on the level of whatever the circumstances they are responding to. That whole process, highlighted by Commissioner Bowles, is going to be changing and we are adopting a process of strategic planning where we can look out over the future and look at what our needs are in a number of different areas. One of those is our public safety and justice area. Commissioner Bowles and myself will be working with a task force of all the stake holders that have a piece of the pie so that we can get everybody around the table to understand the real issues involved so that we aren't making decisions without seeing the big picture and without all the facts and understanding how there are second and third order of effects out there. And how we can deliver at the end of the day, to the tax payer, the most efficient overall response system out there. So we will encourage and we will be asking for participation in that process so that we can get the best result across the board to posture us going forward. Thank you for your volunteerism, sacrifice of your membership and, indeed, all of our emergency services personnel particularly those volunteers who do so without enumeration, answer calls at 3 o'clock in the morning orjust before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. They hear a tone and are out the door. Then they get cold turkey instead of hot turkey and dressing. Thank you for all the benefits you bring to this community and ensuring the safety of our citizens. There is a concern over making sure that we are maintaining integrity in terms of what we have identify as a need for the tax payer and ensuring that it's executed consistently. I believe that if you work with Mr. Saleeby as you've suggested, this dry hydrant need sounds like it should fall within the purview of the intent of those dollars." Request Approval of Minutes for December 1, 2014: MOTION by Vice Chairman Marvin Norman to approve. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARD & COMMISSIONS (None) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Iredell County Board of Health (2 Appointments) MOTION by Vice Chairman Marvin Norman to appoint Jerry Wayne Turner and Sylvia Chapman. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 10 December 16, 2014 Zoning Board of Adjustment (1 Appointment) MOTION by Commissioner Tommy Bowles to appoint Timothy Johnson to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustments. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None) PUBLIC COMMENT Shirley Huffine said this is a small request. She moved to Statesville in 2000 from Mooresville and has a small dog that is very hyper and loves to play. She goes twice a week to take him all the way to Cornelius to the Ramsey Creek Park for dogs which takes about 1 '/z hours. She would like to see a dog park in Statesville. She talked with the Mayor of Statesville who stated he would check on the environmental situations of a dog park. She believes a dog park would benefit Statesville and Iredell County. Chairman Mallory said Mrs. Huffine is not the only person that has a dog that needs to be walked. He asked the County Manager to discuss these issues with Parks/Recreation and the Planning Department to determine any possible options. There may be something that can be done with present resources at a minimum cost. NEW BUSINESS (None) COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT County Manager Ron Smith distributed information from Tax Assessor Melia Miller. The information was a breakdown of qualified sales in 2014, showing the average sales price, the median sales price and the average square footage of homes sold. The information is a good indicator of growth in Iredell County and the values of single family residential. Smith announced that county government offices will be closed Wednesday through Friday, December 24-26, for Christmas holidays. However, emergency services will be operating throughout the holiday. MOTION by Vice Chairman Marvin Norman to move into Closed Session at 8:11 PM pursuant to G.S. 143-318.1l(a)(5) concerning a real property purchase. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0 Chairman Mallory stated there was no formal action taken as a result of the Closed Session. December 16, 2014 ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Commissioner Robertson to adjourn at 8:40 PM. (The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 6, 2015, 7:00 PM, in the Commissioners' Meeting Room, Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC) VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Approval: 12 Clerk to the Board