HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 7 2002 Briefing MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BRIEFING MINUTES
MAY 7, 2002
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on Tuesday, May 7,
2002, at 5:00 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, Finance Director Susan Blumenstein,
Planning Supervisor Ron Smith, Register of Deeds Brenda Bell, Social Services Director Don Wall,
Social Services Income Maintenance Administrator Lynn Deal, Human Resources Director Carolyn
Harris, Health Director Ray Rabe, Inspections/Planning Director Lynn Niblock, Solid Waste
Administrative Manager Susan Cornell, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore.
CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Tice.
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AND AGREEMENT FOR THE
CABARRUS/IREDELL/ROWAN CONSORTIUM FOR THE HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIP ACT: Mooresville Assistant Town Manager Erskine Smith and Centralina Council
of Governments Planner Shelley Williamson said Iredell County had previously joined the consortium
to allow local municipalities to receive federal housing funds. Smith said Iredell and Rowan counties
had entered into the consortium in name only -- they did not receive any funds. Mr. Smith said that if
the county chose not to participate, Mooresville and Statesville would be ineligible to receive funds.
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION
COUNCIL'S (JCPC) RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE APPROPRIATION OF FY
2002-2003 JUVENILE JUSTICE FUNDING: Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Chairman Camille
Moore Hemphill said it was anticipated that $305,409 would be distributed to Iredell County during the
upcoming year for agencies working to reduce juvenile crime. Mrs. Hemphill said the FY 02-03
funding amount was the same as FY 2001-02, and the council recommended the same level of funding
for each agency (Barium Springs $134,461; Counseling Center $35,504; SCAN/Exchange Club
$58,124; Project Challenge $35,000; Psychological Services $6,820; VisionsWork $25,000; and JCPC
training/administrative costs $10,500 for a total of $305,409).
Commissioner Johnson said some individuals had complained about the lack of supervision at
the juvenile structured day program operated by VisionsWork Youth Services.
Mrs. Hemphill said she would talk to the VisionsWork staff. She asked Mr. Johnson if he
would also like to visit with the staff.
Johnson said he would visit the center with Mrs. Hemphill.
(See regular minutes for action taken on the FY 2002-03 funding package.)
REQUEST FROM PROJECT CHALLENGE FOR THE APPROVAL TO USE OFFICE
SPACE AT THE JUVENILE COURT COUNSELOR'S FACILITY ON STOCKTON STREET
IN STATESVILLE, NC: County Manager Mashburn said a non-profit juvenile restitution agency
(Project Challenge) had been using a small section of space at the Juvenile Probation Office on
Stockton Street. Mashburn requested clearance from the board of commissioners to allow Project
Challenge to use the space.
Project Challenge Executive Director Gordon Keith said the Department of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention had invited his program to offer services in Iredell County. Keith said the
program was headquartered in Spruce Pine, NC. Mr. Keith said his program, statewide, had a
recidivism rate of eight percent. He said Iredell County's rate was a little higher (12%); however, the
statistics were showing that his program was helping to reduce juvenile crime.
REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR
APPROVAL OF A SIX MONTH PILOT PROJECT INVOLVING FLEX -TIME
OPTIONS: Social Services Director Don Wall, Income Maintenance Administrator Lynn Deal,
and Human Resources Director Carolyn Harris attended the meeting to explain the flex -time
request.
Wall said the pilot program was being offered in an attempt to improve employee morale.
He said the project would initially be offered to the income maintenance employees, and it would
offer the following four work options.
1. 8:00 am— 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch
2. 7:30 am — 5:30 pm with one hour for lunch, 'h day off every week
3. 8:00 am — 5:30 pm with one-half hour for lunch, %z day off every week
4. 7:30 am — 5:00 pm with one-half hour for lunch, Yz day off every week
Mr. Wall said the sick leave, vacation and comp time deductions would be based on the
flex week, e.g., if an employee was sick on a nine -hour day, then the employee would have to
take nine hours of sick leave.
Mrs. Deal said it was important to maintain customer service, but the department was
trying to find ways to improve employee morale. She said some units had experienced 100%
turnover. Deal said the public would continue to use the hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for office
visits. She said flex time was an option, it was not mandatory.
County Manager Mashburn said other county departments were interested in flex time.
He shared a proposed amendment for the county's personnel ordinance that would allow him to
authorize deviations from the normal 8 to 5 work day.
Health Director Ray Rabe said his department had been reviewing flex time. He said the
environmental division was especially interested. Rabe said the health department had been
studying a four day work week composed of ten hour work days.
Commissioner Johnson asked the social services staff if the flex -time option would
impact service.
Deal said the public would still be served from 8 to 5. She said it would be up to the
supervisors to insure that adequate staff members were working to assist the public. Mrs. Deal
said that currently, appointments were made for the clients and this practice would continue.
Commissioner Bowles asked if social services had considered extending the hours of
operation to the public.
Wall said this had not been considered, but some clients might come earlier. Mr. Wall
said the employees would use the early morning and late afternoon times for paperwork. He said
the department just had one switchboard operator and one receptionist during the core hours
(8am-5pm), and these people had to be relieved during lunch times, etc.
Commissioner Williams asked what would happen if everyone selected the same
schedule.
Wall said the department couldn't allow it. He said seniority would be used. Mr. Wall
said the employees already utilized "protected time" (time when the employees did not receive
telephone calls or interview clients) to complete their applications and paperwork.
time.
Williams asked how many people would be involved in the pilot program.
Deal said approximately 70 people.
Commissioner Bowles asked if other social services offices in the state were using flex
2
Deal said Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Catawba counties were using the option.
It was the consensus of the board members to delay further action on this matter until the
May 21 meeting.
PRESENTATION FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER REGARDING AN
IMPOUNDMENT STRUCTURE ON HUNTING CREEK: Mr. Mashburn said that on
March 5, 2002, he was directed by the board to make an inquiry with the State Department of
Transportation (DOT) to see if water impoundment structures were an option when replacing
bridges. Mashburn said he was also requested to inquire with the Soil and Water Conservation
Office and the Iredell Water Corporation about their interest. He said a letter was received from
the DOT on April 9, 2002 indicating the state had plans to replace several bridges in the north
Iredell area; however, it would be up to either the county or the Iredell Water Corporation to
build any dams or water impoundment structures. Mashburn said the water corporation had
indicated it would be willing to use impounded water, but it didn't express a willingness to fund
the costs to build the structure.
Mashburn asked the board members if they wanted further action on the matter.
Commissioner Williams said it appeared the state and the water company were not
interested in funding the cost for the project. He said that with this being the case, he felt no
further discussion was necessary.
(Note: Mr. Victor Crosby appeared before the board on March 5, 2002 in reference to using state bridge
funds for water supply, flood control, hydropower, irrigation, wildlife habitats, and recreation. In response to Mr.
Crosby's request, the board requested the county manager to make the inquiries.)
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Tice adjourned the briefing session at 6:35 p.m.
Approved:
3
Clerk to the Board