The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at 6:30pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room of the County Administration Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

Present: Chair Ken Richardson, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Randy Miller, Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commissioner Milly Richardson, County Attorney Donna Shumate, County Manager Don Adams, and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.

Chair Ken Richardson called the meeting to order.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that legislative goals and closed session for personnel needs to be added to the agenda.

Commissioner Randy Miller made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this January 3, 2007, meeting. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

AGENDA

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

6:30 PM

6:30 Meeting Called To Order, Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer

Motion on Agenda for January 3, 2007, meeting

Motion on Minutes for December 18, 2006, meeting

6:35 Public Hearing

RE: 2007 Scattered Site Grant

6:40 Wendy Williams

RE: Mapping/911 Annual Reports

County Business

1. 2007/2008 Budget Calendar

2. Planning Board Discussions

3. Legislative Goals (added)

4. Other Business

5. Public Comments—30 minutes

6. Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal

NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel (added)

7. Adjourn

Commissioner Randy Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance and opened the meeting with a prayer.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the minutes for the December 18, 2006, meeting. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Ken Richardson opened the public hearing on the 2007 Scattered Site Grant at 6:35pm.

Michelle Ball explained the Scattered Site Grant program is a $400,000 grant from the State that Alleghany County can receive every three years for housing repairs. She further explained that the grant is used for housing repairs up to $40,000 per house or provide for the replacement of homes. She stated that they are taking applications through February 19. She further stated that the grant application is due on March 31.

Chair Ken Richardson asked for public comments. None were received.

Chair Ken Richardson closed the public hearing at 6:39pm and reconvened the regular meeting.

Phil Trew explained that the grant application requires a second public hearing, Board approval and signature of the Chairman.

Michelle Ball explained that the second public hearing will be on March 19 since the next committee meeting is on March 14 and the grant is due on March 31.

Wendy Williams presented the annual report for the Mapping and E-911 departments. She explained the activities of the departments, training received during the past year, major accomplishments during the past year and statistics regarding the workload for each department.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Wendy Williams talked about the number of subdivisions, acres divided and the number of roads for those subdivisions.

County Manager Don Adams presented a 2007/2008 budget calendar. He explained that this is an example of how the budget process has gone in the past. He explained the budget timeline. He asked the Board whether they wanted to hold additional budget meetings.

The Board of Commissioners talked about setting up a budget meeting in March.

County Manager Don Adams stated that he put the planning board on the agenda for the Commissioners to have general discussions regarding how to select members for the planning board.

Commissioner Doug Murphy stated that he thinks the Commissioners should start with one individual from each voting precinct.

Planner Amy Pardue gave the Commissioners information regarding her research showing how other counties/towns handle the appointments to a planning board. She stated typically they are selected on their geographical location by application or recommendation and must have basic knowledge of planning practices. She further stated that the number on the planning board is at the discretion of the Commissioners.

County Manager Don Adams stated that they must have a minimum of three members.

Planner Amy Pardue recommended that they have staggered terms.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Amy Pardue talked about Ashe County’s process including applications taken by the Planning Department and the County Manager’s office then the Board of Commissioners decides on the appointment.

County Attorney Donna Shumate recommended that the Commissioners keep an odd number of members.

County Manager Don Adams talked about needing to decide what are the processes for applications and selections will be and other basic decisions such as compensation versus volunteering.

Planner Amy Pardue stated that most counties’ planning board serves on a volunteer basis and the application has basic information such as name, address, phone number and experience with planning.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about checking with the Town to see about their process since they have had a planning board for several years.

County Manager Don Adams stated that the Commissioners need to decide what duties the planning board will perform.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked about the members being on the County’s insurance.

Planner Amy Pardue stated that she will research that matter further.

Chair Ken Richardson asked the County Manager and Planner to bring additional information back to the Board.

County Manager Don Adams stated in regards to the Legislative Goals, he wanted to see if there is any more discussions or concerns that Ken Richardson needs to bring up at the conference.

Chair Ken Richardson explained the process for getting goals adopted. He stated that if there is something the Commissioners want to add to contact him.

Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that Del Reeves recently passed away. She asked for a resolution of respect for the family.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about the Grayson County prison. She stated that it will have an adverse economic impact on the area. She read information from James Coman and asked that it be entered into the record. (See attached)

Chair Ken Richardson asked for public comments.

Hoyt Sparks talked about he hoped the people in Alleghany County would review the prison issue and make a good decision, not based on the scare tactics that are being used.

Drew Tuggle talked about legislative goals and asked the Commissioners to talk about establishing a homestead rule where people wouldn’t be affected by rising property values until the land is sold. He talked about keeping the budget in line and a tax-rate reduction. He further talked about the County having an opportunity to legally address planning issues to make the county like it was three years ago.

Chair Ken Richardson asked for further public comments. None were received.

Chair Ken Richardson thanked everyone for coming to this meeting.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to enter into closed session at 7:16pm under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal and (a) (6)—personnel. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 8:10pm and reconvene the regular meeting. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Ken Richardson stated no decisions were made during closed session.

Commissioner Randy Miller talked about considering conflict of interests when talking about appointing people to the planning board.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about if the Board follows the voting precinct idea then Gap Civil should receive two appointments because it is twice as large.

Being no further business, Commissioner Randy Miller made a motion to adjourn at 8:15pm. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Ken Richardson

Chairman