) STOKES
) JANUARY 22, 2007
The
Board of Commissioners of the
for regular session in the Commissioners’
Chambers of the Ronald Wilson Reagan
Monday, January 22, 2007 at 6:00 pm with the
following members present:
Chairman
Leon Inman
Vice-Chairman
Jimmy Walker
Commissioner Ron Carroll
Commissioner
Commissioner
Stanley Smith
Clerk
to the Board/Interim County Manager
Finance
Director
Support
Services Supervisor
DSS Director
Jan Spencer
Chairman
Leon Inman called the meeting to order.
Commissioner
Smith delivered the invocation.
Chairman
Inman opened the meeting by inviting the citizens in attendance to
join the Board with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – APPROVAL OF
AGENDA
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve or
amend the agenda for the
January 22nd meeting.
Commissioner
Lankford requested to add a “Closed Session” to discuss personnel
after the Action Agenda.
Commissioner
Smith requested to add an item to the Discussion Agenda “Draft of a
Resolution in Support of Widening of HWY #8
from HWY #704 to Lawsonville Post Office”.
Chairman
Inman entertained a motion to approve the agenda with the requested
additions.
Vice
Chairman Walker moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was
unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Martha Hartley
RE: Economic Development
Ms. Hartley suggested the great economical
development potentials in an industry that is the backbone of this county-
agricultural. Ms. Hartley spoke about
organic food industry with food sales growing 10 to 20 percent in recent years
and the growing demand for organic food.
Ms. Hartley noted the importance of buying
locally, saving transportation cost, and the vast amount of knowledge, wisdom,
and experience located within our county.
The organic food industry offers new choices to residents of
CONSENT AGENDA
Chairman
Inman entertained a motion to approve or amend the following items on
the Consent Agenda:
·
Minutes of January 8,
2007
·
Budget Ordinance
Amendments #44, #45, #46, #47, & #48 discussed at the January 8th
meeting
·
Tax Administration Refund
Request for Mike Callaghan in the amount of $28.10 discussed at the January 8th
meeting
·
Tax Administration Refund
Request for Garland D. and Jayme R. Conner, Jr. in the amount of $78.02
discussed at January 8th meeting
·
Contract for 2007 Audit
in the amount of $42,000 with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPA for the
fiscal year 2006-2007 discussed at the January 8th meeting –
(Contract to be retained by the Finance Director and the Clerk to the Board)
·
Transfer of the Walnut
Cove Library to the Town of
Commissioner
Lankford moved to approve the Consent Agenda.
The motion was
unanimous.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY - INFORMATION
AGENDA
Proposed Relocation of Medical
Helicopter Helipad
Interim County Manager
pertaining
to the proposed relocation of the Medical Helicopter Helipad as requested by
the
Board:
·
Per
EMS Director
·
$6,000
estimated cost for 30x30 six inch pad, development of a road to the landing
pad, landscaping and site preparations for the site, and lighting
·
$2,224
balance in the capital outlay contingency with remaining funding to be taken
from regular contingency or fund balance
·
Relocation
could be done after YVEDDI receives approval from the State for the proposed
NCDOT garage project
The Board discussed the proposed relocation of the Medical
Helicopter Helipad, the
possible
use of the existing pad for the new facility, the need for relocation of the
Helipad so
that the
project will not be held up, and the completion of the project estimated June
30, 2007.
Vice Chairman Walker noted the
suggestion from Public Works Director Jay Kinney
regarding
the unused basketball court located at the Old Prison Camp site for possible
use for
the
Helipad site.
Interim Manager Bullins noted the
possibility using the Old Prison Camp Site
contingent
upon the approval by NC Baptist Hospital, the removal of structures and fencing
which
would interfere with the landing of Air Care, and the Board’s future plans for
the Old
Prison
The Board discussed the time
schedule for the NCDOT project, the removal schedule
for the
mobile units that have been sold located on the site, using the site at the Old
Prison
Camp for
the relocation of the Helipad, and the existing Helipad location being located
near
the
hospital.
Chairman Inman directed the Clerk to
place the item on the action agenda for the
February
12th meeting with quotes for relocation.
Stokes
DSS Director Jan Spencer informed
the Board the following information regarding the
Work First
Cash Allocation:
·
Informed
on Friday, January 12, 2007 by Judy Hopkins-Local Business Liaison that the Work
First Cash Allocation for
·
All
counties received funding cuts -very significant cuts to “electing” counties
·
Information
presented to Board regarding a memo dated 09-20-04 which indicated a reduction
in the Work First Family Assistance Federal Funds for the State Fiscal year
2005-06 which was never implemented – this recent reduction could be the
2005-06 reduction that was never implemented
·
Reduction
to be effective July 1, 2007
·
Historically
spending since fiscal year 2004 has averaged $468,404 per year
·
Electing
county means that
·
With
estimated cuts,
·
Work
First Consultant Emily Wilkins stated
April 1, 2007.
Counties must designate their status six months prior to the beginning
of the federal fiscal year.
·
As
a standard county, the state will pick up any overage in spending- not the
county
·
Possible
reduction in the clients’ check – a family of three receives $272 per month
(Work First Family Assistance requirement). To account for the full amount
reduced to
·
County
funding in the Work First Program is applied to the Maintenance of
Effort which is required to pull down federal dollars
Ms. Christine Hopkins, DSS Board Chair, stated that it
seems that the State is trying
to make
the existing 11 counties who are “electing” become “standard” which would give
the
State more
control. A “standard” county must follow
all state guidelines, with “electing”
counties
designing parts of their own plan. Chair
First Plan
is working great.
The Board discussed the reduction of
the allocation, changing from an “electing” to a
“standard”
county, eligibility rules must be followed by state guidelines with county
incentives
being allowed in the “standard” plan, pros and cons of the “standard” versus
the
‘‘electing”
county, and the DSS Board vote of 4-1 to
return to being an “standard” county
due to the
financial risk of being an “electing” county.
The Board agreed to proceed with
changing from “electing” to “standard” status
for the
Work First Program. Chairman Inman directed DSS Director Spencer to verify the
timeframe
for changing to a standard county status and directed the Clerk to place the
item on
the action
agenda for the February 12th meeting.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – DISCUSSION
AGENDA
Scattered Site Housing
Rehabilitation – Committee Selection
Mr. Gary Wilson, Benchmark Inc,
presented the following information regarding
the
required Selection Committee for the 2006 Scattered Site Housing Grant:
·
Committee
to be appointed by the Board of Commissioners
·
Committee’s
role is to review the ranking system that will be developed by Benchmark, which
will consider among other things- highest priority to very low income (30% of
median) households, elderly households, handicapped households; lower priority
to low income (50% of median) households, single parent households, and large
family households; and the suitability of the unit for rehabilitation
·
Ranking
of the applicants by Benchmark will be forwarded to the Committee for review,
approval, and final recommendation to the Board of Commissioners
·
The
committee will involve approximately two meetings
·
Possible
five member committee with two representatives from Social Services, Council on
Aging, Meals on Wheels, etc. and the remainder of the individuals who have a
record of serving the community
·
The
application with the designated homes must be submitted by
March 30, 2007.
Mr. Wilson noted that an advertisement with a toll free
telephone number was
placed in
the Stokes News and that Interim Manager Bullins had emailed the advertisement
to
all county
departments, Town of
outreach
organizations. Also, an urgent repair grant in the amount of $75, 000 (can not
be
used with
the Single Family Rehabilitation Program) has been submitted on behalf of the
County to
do smaller projects such as roofs, heating/cooling systems, etc. Another grant
available
-Duke Power Loan Program ($7500 to $10,000 additional) for energy related
improvements
(must be used with the Single Family Rehabilitation Grant) could also be
available,
this grant is different from the Single Family Rehabilitation with the amount
of
funding
used from the Duke Power grant being attached to the house indefinitely- the
loan is
never
forgiven as with the Single Family Rehabilitation Grant.
The first required public hearing for the Scattered Site
Housing Grant is scheduled
for
February 12th with the second public hearing scheduled for March 12th.
Interim County Manager
at the
February 6th meeting with appointment at the February 12th
meeting.
Handicap Ramps – Old Courthouse –
Continuation
Support Services Supervisor
information
regarding the replacement of the Handicap Ramps at the Old Courthouse:
·
Original
bid: Edwards Products =$14,050 and Redd Ream $14,094
·
Additional
cost: Anodize coating - $4,375.00 with lead time of 3-4 weeks
·
Additional
cost: Powder coating - $3,985.00 with lead time of 4-5- weeks
·
Per
Pat Dean from Edwards Products- Anodizing will last longer and eventually the
Powder coating may chip or even crack with the lead time on the powder coating
also being longer
·
Power
pole on the back side of the walk, Duke Power quoted that the pole could be
moved toward the building about 5-6 feet at a minimum cost of
$2,000
·
Met
with Mark Fletcher on Friday – January 19th to determine the cost associated with
constructing the ramp out of concrete as requested by the
Town of
·
Estimated
cost of replacement of ramp out of concrete = $14,850
·
In
talking with Planning, before approving the project, measurements will have to
be set with a transit
·
Water
and Sewer lines will also have to be located before any removal of soil
·
Possibility
of contacting local vendors for quotes
The Board discussed the new option of replacing the ramp
with concrete instead of
using a
metal ramp.
Chairman Inman directed Support
Services Supervisor Stovall to discuss the proposed
concrete
option with the Town of
agreeable
with the Town of
February
12th action agenda.
Sheriff’s Department-Budget
Ordinance Amendment #49
Finance Director
Amendment #49, which is necessary to amend the
General Fund to appropriate funds from
Wal-Mart grant, SAMS grant, and calendar funds to
purchase (8) Digital Camera, (8) Re-
chargeable camera batteries, (8) camera memory cards
and (8) camera carry pouches. The
appropriations are to be as follows:
|
Account Number |
EXPENDITURES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
|
Sheriff’s
Department |
|
|
|
|
100.4310.511 |
Equipment-Non Capitalized |
|
|
$1,864.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$1,864.00 |
|
Account Number |
REVENUES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.3839.001 |
Sheriff’s Dept-Misc |
|
|
$1,864.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$1,864.00 |
Finance
Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the budget
ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2006-07:
Budget
Ordinance Amendment #49 can be considered at the February 12th
meeting.
Social Services- Public
Assistance-Special Adoption-Budget Ordinance Amendment #50
Finance Director
Amendment #50, which is necessary to amend the
General Fund to appropriate special
adoption funding to be used to enhance the adoption
services program. The appropriations are
to be as follows:
|
Account Number |
EXPENDITURES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
|
Public
Assistance |
|
|
|
|
100.5470.003 |
Special Adoption |
|
|
$9,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$9,000.00 |
|
Account Number |
REVENUES |
Decrease |
|
Increase |
|
100.3301.216 |
Special Adoption |
|
|
$9,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
$9,000.00 |
Finance
Director Edwards noted that the following justification of the budget
ordinance amendment for fiscal year 2006-07:
Proposed Resolution – Widening of HWY #8 from HWY
704 to Lawsonville Post Office
Commissioner
Smith requested that the Board of Commissioners draft a Resolution in
Support of Widening Highway #8 from Highway
704 (Virginia Line) to the Lawsonville Post
Office.
Commissioner
Smith noted the following issues regarding the widening of Highway
704:
·
Recent rezoning of
property for addition to an existing business which will create a larger number
of tractor trailers using the road
·
Tractor trailers and
tandem axle trucks for Livestock and Logging businesses use the portion of that
highway daily in an excess of 100 vehicles a day on most business days
·
Highway standard for this
type of traffic is usually 24 ft with the portion of Highway 8 being only 20ft
·
Several accidents have
incurred on this portion of Highway #8 which included a Fire Truck, logging
truck with one fatality
·
Road also has hills and
valleys that have bus stops which also causes issues
·
Need for signage at
businesses which indicate trucks entering highway
Chairman
Inman directed Interim Manager Bullins to draft a Resolution for the
February 12th action agenda.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNING BODY – ACTION AGENDA
Chairman Inman entertained a motion to approve the
2007 Cost Index and
Depreciation Schedules for Tax Administration,
which was discussed at the January 22nd
meeting.
Vice
Chairman Walker moved to approve the 2007 Cost Index and
Depreciation Schedules for Tax Administration,
which was discussed at the January 22nd
meeting.
Commissioner Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
(a copy of the approved 2007 Cost Index and
Depreciation Schedules for Tax Administration
will be retained by the Tax Department and
Clerk to the Board)
CLOSED SESSION
Chairman
Inman entertained a motion to enter into closed session for the following:
·
To consider the initial employment or appointment of an
individual to any office or position, other than a vacancy in the Board of
County Commissioners or any other public body, or to consider the
qualifications, competence, performance, character, and fitness of any public
officer or employee, other than a member of the Board of Commissioners or of
some other public body pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(6)
Commissioner
Lankford moved to enter into closed session for the following:
·
To consider the initial employment or appointment of an
individual to any office or position, other than a vacancy in the Board of
County Commissioners or any other public body, or to consider the
qualifications, competence, performance, character, and fitness of any public
officer or employee, other than a member of the Board of Commissioners or of
some other public body pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(6)
The motion was unanimous.
The Board returned to the regular meeting of
January 22, 2007.
There being no further business to come before
the Board, Chairman Inman
entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Vice Chairman Walker
moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion
was
unanimous.
_________________________
_____________________________
Darlene M. Bullins
J.
Clerk to the Board Chairman