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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 6 2001 Briefing MinutesIREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BRIEFING MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2001 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in Briefing Session on Tuesday, November 6, 2001, at 5:00 p.m., in the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Present: Chairman Sara Haire Tice Vice Chairman Steve D. Johnson Tommy E. Bowles Karen B. Ray R. Godfrey Williams Staff Present: County Manager Joel Mashburn, Finance Director Susan Blumenstein, Fire Marshal Chuck Gallyon, Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle, Health Director Ray Rabe, and Clerk to the Board Jean Moore. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Tice. REQUEST FOR A DISCUSSION PERTAINING TO A PROPOSED SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT; CHAPTER 12 OF THE IREDELL COUNTY CODE, JUNKED & ABANDONED VEHICLES: Planning Supervisor Ron Smith explained the proposed amendments regarding junked and abandoned vehicles. He said conversations with other counties, that had similar junked vehicle regulations, revealed that when first adopted, there were increased calls and activities. Smith said, however, the calls leveled off after a few months. Mr. Smith said the Iredell County Planning Board on October 3, 2001, approved the amendments in a 7-4 vote. The vote, however, occurred after several revisions. One change was to include junked or abandoned sail boats. Another change made the regulations more stringent by allowing only one (1) junked vehicle on property that could be easily seen from a public right-of- way or from any property within 750' unless they were enclosed, screened, or were on a legally operating, or legally nonconforming business site, etc. When asked how the procedure would work when vehicles were found to be in violation of the regulations, Smith said the General Statutes allowed the county to remove them. He said the vehicles would be towed, but the owner could get them back if he/she paid the towing charges. Smith said a lien could also be placed on the owner's property. Commissioner Bowles voiced concerns about the amendments. He said, "We tax people and tax people and now we are telling them what they can have on their own property. This is too tight for me." Commissioner Williams said he lived in the northern area of the county, and he didn't think the regulations would be favorably viewed there. Commissioner Johnson said there might be citizens interested in the amendments at the 7:00 p.m. meeting. Johnson said he knew a public hearing had not been scheduled for the evening meeting, but he was interested in the public's thoughts on the matter. REQUEST TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE IREDELL VOCATIONAL WORKSHOP TO TRANSFER THE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM TO THE COUNTY: Executive Director for the Vocational Workshop, Ben Garrison and Chairman of the Iredell Transportation Authority, along with Jerry Lundy, a member of the Board of Directors for the Workshop attended the meeting to discuss the community transportation program. Garrison said his board of directors recently decided to seek alternatives in the delivery of transportation services. He said that for the past four years, the Vocational Workshop, a nonprofit agency, had been serving as the lead agency. Mr. Garrison said that on October 31, 2001, a Request for Proposals was mailed to see if any private transportation agencies were interested in providing the service. Garrison said representatives with the North Carolina Department of Transportation had indicated to him that nonprofits were not the best agencies to be supplying the transportation services. Garrison said a resolution needed to be adopted by the board of commissioners that would dissolve the Vocational Workshop's responsibilities as the lead agency. Mr. Garrison suggested that this occur at the commissioner's meeting scheduled on November 20. He also suggested that at the same time, a public hearing on the year 2003 Application for Community Transportation Program (CTP) services occur. County Manager Mashburn said the county had traditionally supplied the local match for the state transportation funding. Mashburn said he recently talked with Charles Glover in the Raleigh Department of Transportation Office about the services. Glover gave the following three options for the county. 1. Select another nonprofit to be designated the lead agency. 2. Bring the transportation services under the county as an individual department. 3. Recruit a private agency to administer the program. Commissioner Williams asked why the Vocational Workshop wanted to be relieved of the lead agency's responsibilities. Garrison said there had been turnover with the transportation coordinators. He said that in the past four years, three different individuals had held the position. He also said it was difficult for one nonprofit to seek transportation payments from other nonprofits. Garrison said there was an Iredell Transportation Committee already established, that could be used in an advisory capacity. Lundy said the Workshop assumed the lead agency responsibilities to try to hold down costs. He said, however, the demand and the number of clients/riders had grown. Mr. Lundy said the Workshop Board of Directors had decided that providing transportation services was not the Workshop's key goal or mission. He said the Workshop's goal was to train the mentally and physically handicapped so they could be gainfully employed. Lundy said the basic problem was growth, and there were a number of companies in the private sector that could provide the service. Garrison then shared the following transition plan. Iredell County Community Transportation Program Transition Plan October 11, 2001 Brief History: In February 1998, the Iredell Vocational Workshop was appointed by the County Commissioners to serve as the lead agency in the county for transportation services and to serve as the single provider of services. In March 1998, the Iredell Vocational Workshop received funding from the county and the NCDOT/PTD to hire a Transportation Coordinator to begin the process of developing a consolidated transportation system. This process was accomplished and the consolidated system began operation on July 1, 1998. Initially, the goal was to provide human service transportation. Over the last four years there has been an ever-increasing interest and growth in funding for the provision of services to the general public. The Board of Directors of the Iredell Vocational Workshop met on May 15, 2001, at a called meeting, to discuss transportation issues and problems. It was the consensus of the Workshop Board that the Iredell Vocational Workshop should contact Mr. Joel Mashburn, County Manager, to discuss concerns and look at other alternatives to provide the service. The Workshop Board wished to assist Mr. Mashburn with this process. The Iredell Vocational Workshop Director, Ben Garrison, and Board member Jerry Lundy met with Mr. Mashburn and have had other discussions with Mr. Mashburn regarding possible alternatives for the system. Mr. Mashburn has visited NCDOT/PTD and contacted other counties seeking information related to what plan is best for Iredell County, how to develop a working plan, and when the plan should be initiated. Mr. Mashburn and Ben Garrison traveled to Raleigh on October 11, 2001 to meet with Mr. Charles Glover, NCDOT/PTD Director of Planning. A preliminary plan was developed as follows: 2 • Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Iredell Vocational Workshop to review proposed plan: October 18, 2001 • Meeting of the Iredell County Board of Commissioners to discuss and adopt the plan: November 6, 2001. • Develop a joint resolution between the Board of Directors of the Iredell Vocational Workshop and the Iredell County Board of Commissioners dissolving the lead transportation agency status of the Iredell Vocational Workshop and shifting the lead agency status to the county, effective July 1, 2002. Target Date for Resolution: November 20, 2001. • Iredell Vocational Workshop staff is to a prepare an RFP with the goal of turning the day-to- day management and operations over to a private operator. Complete RFP preparation process and send out RFPs by October 31, 2001. Receive RFPs from private operators by December 15, 2001. Announce private operator no later than January 15, 2002. Private operator begins providing service on April 1, 2002, or sooner if possible. On July 1, 2002 the contract with the private operator will revert to the County when the County becomes the lead agency. DOT vans will be leased to the County (no charge), who in turn will lease these vehicles to the private operator. All new vehicles through the NCDOT grant process will be assigned to the County. • The Iredell Vocational Workshop will begin preparing the NCDOT/PTD grant application to meet the December 14, 2001 deadline. This application for FY 2002-2003 will actually be prepared for the County, in that the County will become the lead agency. The Resolution and Assurances required for this application will be signed by the County Commissioners and County Attorney because of the lead agency status. • The Iredell Vocational Workshop, while serving as the lead agency, will work with the Iredell Transportation Advisory Board to seek input related to the provisions of services to the general public. Possible public forums, surveys, etc., should be considered to seek input from the community. • The County will use NCDOT Administrative funds to hire a Transportation Manager effective July 1, 2002 to prepare grant applications, monitor the private operator, provide planning for future needs or services, and address complaints or concerns of agencies or the general public. Summary o{key dates: October 18, 2001 Meeting of the Board of Directors/ Iredell Vocational Workshop October 31, 2001 RFPs mailed out to private contractors November 6, 2001 Meeting with the Board of Commissioners Re: Transition Plan November 20, 2001 Meeting with the Board of Commissioners Re: Joint Resolution December 14, 2001 Completion of FY 2002-2003 CTP Grant application December 15, 2001 Deadline for the receipt of RFPs from private operators January 15, 2002 Announce private operator April 1, 2002 Private operator takes over service delivery from IVWS July 1, 2002 Iredell County becomes lead agency and assumes contract with private operator Prepared bv: Ben Garrison 10/12/2001 The county manager said the board was being asked (1) to approve the transition plan, and (2) to call for a public hearing about the year 2003 Community Transportation Program Application. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #13 FOR THE RECOGNITION OF A SECOND -YEAR GRANT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S CRIME COMMISSION FOR PIEDMONT MEDIATION'S "JUVENILE VICTIM OFFENDER PROGRAM" AND A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF BUDGET AMENDMENT #14 FOR RECOGNITION OF A REDUCTION IN A GRANT FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE CUTS: Finance Director Blumenstein said Budget Amendment #13 was being requested because the $25,030 pass-thru grant for Piedmont Mediation was not included in the FY 2001-02 budget. She said the amendment would recognize the second -year grant funding from the Governor's Crime Commission. In reference to Budget Amendment #14, Blumenstein said the state had reduced a grant for the Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP) by $12, 930. Mashburn said the contract with Appropriate Punishment Options, the administrator for the CJPP. needed to reflect the reduction. REQUEST FROM THE SHEFFIELD-CALAHAN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR APPROVAL OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A $15,000 REPLACEMENT TANKER (FUNDS FROM RESERVE TRUCK FUND): Fire Marshal Chuck Gallyon said the Fire Tax District Board on August 14, 2001 approved the $15,000 purchase of a replacement tanker for the Sheffield-Calahan VFD. REQUEST FROM THE SOUTH IREDELL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR APPROVAL OF A LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH UNITED FINANCIAL OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $137,000 FOR A 2001 INTERNATIONAL FIRE TRUCK AND FOR THE REFINANCING OF $20,000 IN EXISTING DEBT: Brian Weatherman, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the South Iredell VFD, assisted Fire Marshal Chuck Gallyon in explaining this request. Weatherman said his department desired to lease purchase a 2001 fire truck at a cost of $137,000 and to consolidate the loan with existing debt of $20,000. He said the interest rate would be 5.69% for 10 years with an annual payment of $23,000. Weatherman said there was not a pre -payment penalty; however, a 30 -day notice was required. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES CONSULTING GROUP (ESCG) FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS' FACILITIES, APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT: Gallyon said the most recent assessment on the fire departments occurred in 1992 at a cost of about $4,000. He said a request for proposals was recently sent and the recommended company for the new, ten-year assessment was Emergency Services Consulting Group at a cost of $6,200, plus expenses of $700. Mr. Gallyon said the county budgeted $11,000 for the assessment. Gallyon said Richard Trexler, with ESCG, would be project manager. (ESCG projected that 120 days would be needed for the assessment.) REQUEST FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR ELAINE W. MARLOWE AND TERRY LEE BECK TO BE DESIGNATED DEPUTY FINANCE OFFICERS: Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle, with the Sheriffs Department, requested that Elaine W. Marlowe and Terry Lee Beck be designated deputy finance officers in order for checks to be written from the Inmate Agency Account. REQUEST FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR APPROVAL TO TRANSFER COMMISSARY FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO CANINES, A LAP TOP COMPUTER, AND A WEB SITE: Chief Dowdle said he was requesting the transfer of commissary funds to the appropriate line items for the purchase of the following items. Two canines (one to replace a retired animal and one to be used at the jail) $ 21,200 Lap Top Computer 2,400 Web Site 2,000 Also, Dowdle said he requesting the purchase of a $1,000 surplus school bus. He said the jail was overpopulated, and he was trying to find a solution. Dowdle said he had been talking with Department of Correction officials in Raleigh about the possible usage of one of the former prison buildings on Highway 21. Chief Dowdle said the building he was reviewing was less than ten -years old, and it had a fairly new HVAC system along with an upgraded fire alarm system. He said the Iredell-Statesville School System had a surplus bus for sale, and it could be used to transport inmates from the jail to the former prison facility. Dowdle said he had not received official approval from the Department of Correction; however, the school system needed to have a firm answer on the bus in the 4 next few days. He said the jail capacity was 200 and the average population was 230; not counting "weekenders." Dowdle said the jail had two vans, but they were designated for the road crews. Commissioner Williams asked how food would be served at the former prison site. Dowdle said this would not be a problem - - it would be cooked at the jail and transported to the site. Update from Sheriff Phillip Redmond on Security Measures Being Taken Arising from Recent Terrorism Attacks on the United States: Chief Dowdle distributed copies of a letter from Sheriff Redmond about local security measures. The letter contained information about: 1. An Emergency Response Plan being established by the Sheriff's Dept. 2. A security survey of the justice center being conducted. 3. A bioterrorism response procedure being developed. 4. A Multi -Agency Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Team for Iredell County being established. 5. The possible usage of portable x-ray machines for security purposes at special events. 6. An Identification Card System that had been purchased. (New photo I.D. cards have been issued for all employees of the sheriff's office. The cards will also be made for other county employees. Should a member of the public desire to have an identification card, there will be charge of $5.) REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE FOR THE IREDELL COUNTY GOVERNMENT SERVICES BUILDING IN SOUTH IREDELL FOR $3,340,000: Finance Director Blumenstein gave an update on this matter. She said the staff now wanted to write the initial ordinance for $80,400 instead of $3,340,000. She said the county could go ahead and select an architect ($80,400) and later amend the ordinance for the other items (asbestos removal, construction/renovation, HVAC, and plumbing/electrical). Commissioner Bowles said Support Services Director Jim Vernon had received a "clean" report concerning the environmental assessment of the former hospital building. ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Tice adjourned the briefing session at 6:45 p.m. Approval: F Clerk to the Board