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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 20 2002 Regular MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES AUGUST 20, 2002 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 20, 2002, at 7:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Present: Chairman Sara Haire Tice Vice Chairman Karen B. Ray Tommy E. Bowles Steve D. Johnson R. Godfrey Williams Staff Present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, County Attorney Bill Pope, Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Planner Ron Smith, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Tice. INVOCATION by Commissioner Bowles. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AGENDA: MOTION by Chairman Tice to adjust the agenda by the following actions. Additions; -Request for Approval of Financing Documents for the Iredell County Government Center -South -Request for Closed Sessions Involving Economic Development G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (4) and Personnel — G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (6) Deletions:, -An Appearance from Jeff McKay in Reference to an Economic Development Project at 7:00 p.m. • Presentation and Recommendations from Hunter Human Resources Extension Regarding a Clerical Study for Positions Classified from Grade 57 through 65 in the Iredell County Pay Plan • Request for a Discussion Concerning a Community Block Development Grant for Concentrated Needs • Request for Approval of a Budget Amendment for Lake Norman Volunteer Fire Department Debt Retirement in the amount of $209,060 VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays - 0. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 16-29, 2002 AS "LITTER SWEEP WEEK" MOTION by Commissioner Williams to approve the following "Litter Sweep Week" proclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 16-29,2002 AS "LITTER SWEEP WEEK" WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation annually organizes a statewide fall roadside cleanup to assure clean and beautiful roads across our State, and to preserve a sound environment for the generations to come, and WHEREAS, a fall "LITTER SWEEP" roadside cleanup has been planned for September 16-29, 2002, to give government agencies, civic and professional organizations, churches, schools, businesses, families and concerned citizens the opportunity to partner with the Department of Transportation in its goal of clean and beautiful roadsides by organizing community cleanups in all 100 counties across the State; and WHEREAS, Adopt -A -Highway volunteers, Department of Transportation employees, local government officials and workers, community service workers, and environmentally concerned citizens, annually conduct fall community roadside cleanups during "LITTER SWEEP," and may receive Certificates of Appreciation for their efforts; and WHEREAS, the grand natural beauty of our State and a clean environment are sources of great pride for all North Carolinians, attracting tourists and aiding in recruiting new industries; and WHEREAS, the 2002 fall cleanup will celebrate the I41' Anniversary of the North Carolina Adopt -A -Highway program and the thousands of volunteers who contribute their labor and time year round to keep our roadsides clean. NOW, THEREFORE, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims September I6r29, 2002 as "LITTER SWEEP" in Iredell County, and encourages all citizens to take an active role in making their communities cleaner and more beautiful. This the 20th day of August, 2002, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING AUGUST 25-31, 2002 AS "RACIAL HARMONY WEEK:" OTION by Commissioner Johnson to adopt the following "Racial Harmony Week" proclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. PROCLAMATION DECLARING AUGUST 25-31, 2002 AS "RACIAL HARMONY WEEK" WHEREAS, S.T.A.R. (Standing Together Against Racism), a Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce project, will be sponsoring a series of dialogue sessions to promote public awareness and an understanding of the diversity in our communities; and WHEREAS, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners applauds the efforts of committees and groups that seek to bring our citizens together to promote racial and ethnic harmony; and WHEREAS, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners feels that open and free discussion about our county's racial issues is the best way to bring about harmony among all of its citizens. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Iredell County Board of Commissioners proclaims the week of August 25-31, 2002, as Racial Harmony Week and recommends for its citizens to participate in open and free discussions in an effort to bring about racial harmony throughout the county. This the 20°i day of August, 2002. APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD MR. DAVID R. SWANN, AREA DIRECTOR FOR CROSSROADS BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE DISCUSSES THE "LOCAL BUSINESS PLAN" REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH REFORM & THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE PLAN 2002: BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGE: David Swann, the Area Director for the Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare, described the Local Business Plan needing to be developed to meet the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services' requirements. He said the State's plan was lengthy, and it had the following four goals: L Consolidate area programs (There's 39 now, and the State would like no more than 20.) 2. Reduce the number of State hospital beds. 3. Best value purchasing ("Purchasing provider services and outsourcing it.") 4. Have a County Model (This would be a single -public entity that would purchase services and shape public policy around community services for persons needing health care.) Swann said another goal was to direct public funds towards the target population. He said some individuals who received assistance in the past would not be eligible for services in the future. Mr. Swann then shared information about the following: 1. Timeline for the Local Business Plan (July 2002 — April 2003) 2. Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) 3. Local Managing Entity Function Diagram 2 4. Parameter Sheet Detailing how Crossroads would become a Local Managing Entity 5. A Listing Showing the General Preferences for Selecting Providers 6. "Talking Points" Sheet Mr. Swann said Crossroads in the future would become less identified as a service provider and more identified as a service manager. He said the focus in the future would be to shift resources towards a smaller group of people (target population), or the ones having the most serious needs. county. Attorney Pope asked if the providers would be competing. Swann said yes, unless they were the only provider offering the service. Commissioner Johnson asked if Crossroads would become larger or add another Swann said probably. Commissioner Bowles asked the number of employees Crossroads would have in the future. Swann said that on a regional basis, probably 50 to 100 people. Chairman Tice asked Mr. Swann if any action was needed. Swann said no. He said he was giving an update, and he was just trying to ensure that the Local Business Plan was "going in the right direction" with the commissioners. PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Tice declared the meeting to be in a public hearing. CONSIDERATION OF A ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT THAT WILL ALLOW NON-PROFIT RETREAT CENTERS IN RESORT RESIDENTIAL (RR) DISTRICTS AS A "SPECIAL USE": Planning Supervisor Smith said a zoning ordinance amendment had been prepared to allow non-profit retreats in the RR district as a special use. He said that on May 7, 2002, the ordinance was amended to allow the retreats as a permitted use, but the staff and planning board were now recommending that in RR districts, a special use permit be required. Smith said the change would require non-profit retreat centers (RR district) to be reviewed by the board of adjustment. In addition, he said the centers would have to meet criteria in the ordinance as well as the special use requirements. Smith said the planning board recommended approval of the most recent amendment on August 7, 2002. Attorney Bedford Cannon spoke in favor of the amendment. He said the residents near the North Carolina Quiet Waters Christian Fellowship Inc., retreat were concerned about the facility and its usage. Mr. Cannon said he understood the facility derived some of its revenues from its occupants. Cannon said the area residents were not trying to "assault" non -profits, but they were concerned about the way the retreat derived its funding. He said that, basically, the retreat was operating a business with 70 or 80 guests at any given time. Mr. Cannon said he would ask that rather than allowing non -profits in the Resort Residential district "by right," that they be considered as a special use and taken up on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Cannon asked the individuals in the audience who were in favor of the amendment to stand up. Approximately 50 people stood up. No one else desired to speak, and Chairman Tice adjourned the public hearing. 3 MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to concur with the recommendation of the planning board and to allow non-profit retreat centers in Resort Residential Districts as a special use and not as a permitted use. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS ----------------------------------------CONSENT AGENDA ---------------------------------------- MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to approve the following twelve (12) consent agenda items. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. 1. REQUEST FOR THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE MECKLYNN ROAD REZONING PUBLIC HEARING (RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL TO MULTI -FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) UNTIL OCTOBER 2002: (The postponement was requested by both the applicant and the citizens in opposition to the rezoning.) 2. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A REVISED CABARRUS/IREDELL/ROWAN CONSORTIUM JOINT COOPERATION AGREEMENT FOR THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP ACT & APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE SAME: (The resolution is as follows.) RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO ENTER INTO A JOINT COOPERATION AGREEMENT EXTENDING THE CABARRUS/IREDELL/ROWAN HOUSING CONSORTIUM WHEREAS, the County of Iredell, North Carolina has determined that the health and welfare of its jurisdiction may benefit from increasing the availability of safe, affordable and standard housing; and WHEREAS, the County of Iredell has determined that providing safe, affordable, and standard housing will benefit work force productivity and area economic development; and WHEREAS, a cooperative approach to providing housing in Cabarrus, Iredell and Rowan counties will avoid duplication of effort and promote more effective delivery of housing services; and WHEREAS, a consortium of local governments may be entitled to receive funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, that they would be unqualified to receive individually; and WHEREAS, the Cranston -Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 makes provisions whereby units of general local governments may enter into cooperation agreements and form consortia to undertake or assist in undertaking affordable housing pursuant to the HOME Investment Partnership Program; and WHEREAS, the County of Iredell, North Carolina, along with other units of general local governments, with the City of Concord as the lead entity, desire to form the Cabarrus/Iredell/Rowan Housing Consortium to undertake or assist in undertaking affordable housing under the Cranston -Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990; and WHEREAS, Article 20 of Chapter 160A of the North Carolina General Statutes authorize units of local government to enter into contracts or agreements with each other in order to execute any undertaking; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY OF IREDELL THAT: I. The County of Iredell hereby supports the continuation of the Cabarrus/Iredell/ Rowan Housing Consortium. The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners is authorized to execute an agreement with other participating units of general purpose local government in Cabarrus/Iredelt/Rowan counties to sustain this Consortium; and 2. The Chairman is further authorized to sign all contracts, grant agreements, including certifications, approved by the County Attorney, with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of North Carolina or other agencies as may be required to carry out activities of the Consortium. 4 3. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #4 REGARDING THE FUND BALANCE RELEASE OF $100,000 FOR MOUNT MOURNE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 4. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE JULY 2002 REFUNDS & RELEASES Releases County 14,412.82 Solid Waste Fees 253.00 E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 25.16 Shepherd's Fire #2 201.45 Mount Mourne Fire #3 69.37 All County Fire #4 549.45 Statesville City 1,688.55 Statesville Downtown 0 Mooresville Town 2,938.46 Mooresville Downtown 0 Mooresville School 815.00 Love Valley 0 Harmony 0 Troutman 198.40 Releases County 1,623.73 Solid Waste Fees 1.00 E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 0 Shepherd's Fire #2 7.25 Mount Mourne Fire #3 0 All County Fire #4 10.50 Statesville City 0 Statesville Downtown 0 Mooresville Town 12.33 Mooresville Downtown 0 Mooresville School 19.19 Love Valley 0 Harmony 0 Troutman 1,060.32 $21,151.66 2,734.32 5. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 6. REQUEST FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #5 & PERMISSION TO AUTHORIZE UP TO $111,285 IN DEFERRED REVENUES FROM MEDICAID MAXIMIZATION FUNDS FOR RESPECTIVE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS AND RE -DIRECT PREVIOUSLY BUDGETED COUNTY FUNDS FOR POSSIBLE WEST NILE VIRUS PROGRAM 7. REQUEST FOR THE DENIAL OF AN EXCISE TAX REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FOODMAN, SURANE, HUNTER AND KARRES LAW FIRM 8. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO PARTICIPATE IN A GRADUATE STUDIES PROJECT WITH UNC -CHARLOTTE FOR THE PREPARATION OF A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 9. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO USE CENTRALINA COG MEMBERSHIP HOURS FOR GREATER STATESVILLE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PROFILE UPDATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 02-03 10. REQUEST FOR THE DESIGNATION OF COMMISSIONER GODFREY WILLIAMS AS THE VOTING DELEGATE FOR THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON AUGUST 22-25,2002 r 11. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO CANCEL THE MEETINGS SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2002 (ELECTION DAY) AND TO RESCHEDULE THEM FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4,2002: (The briefing will be at 5 p.m., and the regular business session will be at 7 p.m.) 12. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 6, 2002 MINUTES (Note: The briefing minutes describe some of the consent agenda items.) END OF CONSENT AGENDA --------------------------------- REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF FINANCING DOCUMENTS FOR THE IREDELL COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER -SOUTH (ICGC-S) FACILITY: In the agenda briefing, Finance Director Blumenstein said nothing had been changed from the previous meetings pertaining to the ICGC-S installment financing, e.g., interest rate. She said the financing resolution basically gave the chairman and members of the staff permission to sign the documents. Attorney Pope said the General Statutes allowed counties to participate in installment financings. He said the ICGC-S property would be pledged as the collateral. Pope said there would be no deficiency judgment -- the only recourse for the lender would be against the property. Chairman Tice introduced the following resolution and read its title to the audience. RESOLUTION APPROVING A PROPOSED INSTALLMENT FINANCING AGREEMENT TO FINANCE THE COST OF ACQUIRING CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY AND RENOVATING THE BUILDING LOCATED THEREON FOR USE AS COUNTY COURT AND OFFICE FACILITIES, APPROVING CERTAIN OTHER DOCUMENTS AND ACTIONS RELATING THERETO AND AUTHORIZING OTHER OFFICIAL ACTION IN CONNECTION THEREWITH WHEREAS, the County of Iredeil, North Carolina (the "County") has determined that it is necessary and expedient to finance (i) the acquisition of certain real property in Mooresville, North Carolina, including the refinancing of a promissory note issued by the County to provide interim financing for such acquisition, and (ii) the renovation of the building located thereon for use as County court and office facilities (collectively, the "Project'); and WHEREAS, in order to effectuate the financing of the Project, the County and Bank of America, N.A. (the "Bank") propose to enter into an Installment Financing Agreement (as hereinafter defined), pursuant to the authority granted to the County under Section 160A-20 of the General Statutes of North Carolina; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has determined that it is in the best interests of the County that the County enter into said Installment Financing Agreement to make available to the County funds with which to finance the cost of the Project; and WHEREAS, in connection with such financing, it is necessary for the County to approve certain other documents relating thereto and to authorize certain action in connection therewith; and WHEREAS, there have been presented at this meeting copies of the following documents relating to the financing of the Project: (a) a draft of the proposed Installment Financing Agreement, to be dated as of August 30, 2002 or another mutually agreeable date (the "Installment Financing 6 Agreement"), between the County and the Bank, pursuant to which the Bank will make available to the County funds to finance the cost of the Project, and the County will, among other requirements, be obligated to make Installment Payments (as defined in the Installment Financing Agreement) and certain other payments; and (b) a draft of the proposed Deed of Trust, to be dated as of August 30, 2002 or another mutually agreeable date (the "Deed of Trust'), from the County to PRLAP, Inc., as deed of trust trustee; for the benefit of the Bank, by which the County will secure its obligations to the Bank under the Installment Financing Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners for the County of Iredell, North Carolina: Section 1. Capitalized words and terms used in this resolution and not defined herein shall have the same meanings in this resolution as such words and terms are given in the Installment Financing Agreement. Section 2. The forms, terms and provisions of the Installment Financing Agreement and the Deed of Trust are hereby approved in all respects, and the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, the County Manager, the Director of Finance and Administration, the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, and the County Attorney, are hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver the Installment Financing Agreement and the Deed of Trust, in substantially the forms presented at this meeting, together with any changes, modifications and deletions as they, with the advice of counsel, may deem necessary and appropriate; such execution and delivery shall be conclusive evidence of the approval and authorization thereof by the County. Section 3. The Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, the County Manager, the Director of Finance and Administration, the County Attorney, and the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, are authorized and directed to take such action and to execute and deliver such documents, certificates, undertakings, agreements and other instruments as they, with the advice of counsel, may deem necessary or appropriate to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Installment Financing Agreement and the Deed of Trust. Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION, COMMISSIONER RAY MOVED THE PASSAGE THEREOF, WHICH MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED BY CHAIRMAN TICE, AND THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WAS PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Ayes — 4 (Tice/Ray/Bowles/Williams) Noes — I (Johnson) ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURRING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS OR REAPPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES Welfare Reform Committee (10 mandatory appointments) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (2 appts.): No nominations were submitted, and Chairman Tice �noyed to postpone the appointments until the September 3 meeting. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. N Rellion F A$in$ Advisory Committee (2 appts.): Commissioner Williams nominated Barbara Barrier. No other nominations were submitted. Chairman Tice Fwdl to appoint Barrier and to postpone the alternate position appointment until the September 3 meeting. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee (1 a t.: Commissioner Ray nominated Lynda Sloan. No other nominations were submitted, and Chairman Tice move to close the nominations and appoint Sloan by acclamation. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Nursing Home Advisory Committee (1 aypt.): No nominations were submitted, and Chairman Tice move to postpone the appointment until the September 3 meeting. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Adult Care Home Advisory Committee (1 apyt.): No nominations were submitted, and Chairman Tice Inlove4 to postpone the appointment until the September 3 meeting. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT: The county manager said a written activity report had been distributed. He also said the ten-day attendance report from the two school systems had been received. Mashburn said the Iredell-Statesville School System reported an increase of 856 students since this same time last year. He said the Mooresville Graded School System indicated it had 87 more students. Mashburn said he did not have any figures for the charter and private schools. Joint Meeting with the Iredell-Statesville School Board: Mashburn said the Iredell-Statesville School Board had requested a joint meeting with the commissioners. The commissioners agreed to meet with the school board on Monday, September 23. Joint Meeting with the Social Services Board: Mashburn said the Social Services Board had requested a meeting to discuss space or facility needs. The commissioners agreed to meet with the Social Services Board on Tuesday, October 8. Update on North Carolina Budget: Finance Director Blumenstein gave a status report on the differences between the House and Senate budgets. Mrs. Blumenstein said the State was operating on a two-year budget. She also mentioned that the Moody's Investor Service had lowered the State's bond rating due to the unbalanced budget. CLOSED SESSION: MOTION by Chairman Tice to enter into closed session at 9:35 p.m. for the purpose of discussing matters relating to Economic Development: G.S. 143-318.11 (a) 4 and Personnel: G.S. 143-318.11 (a) 6. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. (Return to Open Session at 9:50 p.m.) i CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 3 REGARDING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE: MOTION by Commissioner Ray to call for a public hearing on September 3, 2002, at 7:00 p.m., for the consideration of an economic development incentive in the amount of $112,800 (over a five-year period) for Millard Refrigeration based on a $6 million investment. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 3 REGARDING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE: OTION by Commissioner Williams to call for a public hearing on September 3, 2002, at 7:00 p.m., for the consideration of an economic development incentive in the amount of $146,640 (over a five-year period) for BestSweet, Inc., based on a $7.8 million investment. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Chairman Tice to adjourn the meeting at 9:51 p.m. NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 3, 2002 (5 p.m. and 7 p.m.) in the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. VOTING: Ayes — 5; Nays — 0. Approved: 9 Clerk to the Board