The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 19, 2007, at 3:30pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room of t= he County Administration Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta, North Caroli= na

The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met= in regular session on Monday, April 20, 2009, at 3:30pm in the Board Meeting R= oom of the County Administration Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

Present: Chair Ken Richardson, Vice-Chair Randy Miller, Commissioner Doug Mur= phy, Commissioner Steve Roten, County Attorney Donna Shumate, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.&= nbsp; Commissioner Milly Richardson was present but arrived late.

Chair Ken Richardson called the meeting to orde= r, led the Pledge of Allegiance and opened the meeting with a prayer.

Commissioner Doug Murphy made a motion to appro= ve the agenda for this April 20, 2009, meeting. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded = the motion. Vote 4:0.<= /span>

AGENDA

Monday, April 20, 2009

3:30 PM

3:30 = Meeting Called To Order, Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer

= M= otion on Agenda for April 20, 2009, meeting

Motion on Minutes for March 23, April 6 and April 8, 2009, meetings

Motion on March Tax Releases & Refunds

3:35 A. = Public Comments—30 minutes

B. &n= bsp; Mary Wa= lker

RE: Tax Appeals

Sage Contract

C. &n= bsp; Roger B= rady

RE: Recycling Program

D. &n= bsp; Smoky Mountain Center Quarterly Update

E. &n= bsp; Recreat= ion Annual Report

F. &n= bsp; Social Services Annual Report

G. &n= bsp; Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report

H. &n= bsp; County Business

1. &n= bsp; Highway 89 Update

2. &n= bsp; EMS Update=

3. &n= bsp; Planning B= oard Discussions

4. &n= bsp; Grant Contract—DW Miles Project

5. &n= bsp; Resolution= —Alleghany Stimulus 2009

6. &n= bsp; Budget Discussions Meeting Reminder

7. &n= bsp; FY 2009/20= 10 Budget Summary Request

8. &n= bsp; Other Busi= ness

9. &n= bsp; Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel

10. Adjourn

Commissioner Randy Miller made a motion to approve the minutes for the March 23, April 6, and April 8, 2009, meetings. = Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded t= he motion. Vote 4:0. =

Commissioner Doug Murphy made a motion to approve the real and auto releases for March.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Commissioner Randy Miller seconded= the motion. Vote 4:0. =

Commissioner Randy Miller made a motion to approve the real and auto refunds for March.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded = the motion. Vote 4:0.<= /span>

Chair Ken Richardson opened the public comments’ portion of the meeting. He asked for public comments. None were received. He closed the public comments port= ion of the meeting.

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented a late application for present-use value of a 15.09-acre tract wh= ich is being used to graze cattle, and they didn’t realize that they qual= ify for use value. She explained that= this request is from Mr. Weaver and Ms. Cox.&nb= sp;

Commissioner Doug Murphy made a mot= ion to approve late application. Commissioner Steve Roten seconded t= he motion. Vote 4:0. =

Mary Walker informed the Board that they can disregard letter from the Trane’s because the matter has alr= eady been settled. She talked abou= t the Board of E&R meeting for tomorrow doesn’t need to start until 7:0= 0pm.

Mary Walker presented the contract = for Sage of accepting credit card payments. She explained that they would like = to start using the system around the first of May.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and County Manager Don Adams discussed the contract and the charges are passed along to the consumers.

Commissioner Milly Richardson arriv= ed at 3:38pm.

Commissioner Randy Miller made a mo= tion to approve contract. Commissi= oner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Ken Richardson presented a pl= aque to Robert Hudson for his outstanding service at the Transfer Facility and wished him the best of luck on his retirement.

County Manager Don Adams explained = that enclosed in the Board’s packets is the recycling contract with Brady Enterprise which was extended for one year. He explained that the Town granted= him another year for their garbage services. He further explained the recycling services in general and issues Mr. Brady is facing.

Roger Brady talked about the price = of recycling has gone down, cardboard went down to $15 in December which is the main source of income, but in March will be $50. He said that he doesn̵= 7;t need help at the recycling center at this time but would like to have in the contract that if the recycling bottoms out again, he can come back to reneg= otiate the contract.

County Manager Don Adams and Roger Brady talked about recycling services and cardboard. Roger Brady talked about ABC requirements for restaurants that are State law. County Manager Don Adams talked ab= out this conversation probably needs to be with the ALE officer. They talked about the County does = not have any authority of permit holders for pickups. County Manager Don Adams talked ab= out they have to recycle the containers. Roger Brady explained that the containers are glass and glass is not making any money currently.

Commissioner Milly Richardson asked= can we send a letter to them asking them for their assistance.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Roger Brady talked about places putting the cardboard in the trash.

County Manager Don Adams and Roger talked about pickup services for the glass in high meadows.

County Manager Don Adams reminded everyone that several years ago the County started providing cardboard Dumpsters, and Mr. Brady picks up the cardboard to reduce the number of pic= kups of the regular garbage which reduces their solid waste bill.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about M= r. Brady working with the County Manager to reword the contract to include the= se things.

Commissioner Milly Richardson agree= d.

Don Suggs, Suzie Long and Shelly La= ckey came before the Board to present the quarterly update for the Smoky Mountain Center.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that Commissioner Doug Murphy serves on this Board along with Dr. Jack Cahn.

Don Suggs thanked the Alleghany Cou= nty Commissioners for their support over the years. He said that he wants to assure the Board that the money that is provided to Smoky Mountain goes to New River f= or services in Alleghany County. He explained that Smoky is in the process of recruiting a new director for the region, process of selecting a director and goal of having someone in place= by July 1.

Shelly Lackey updated the Board abo= ut their services including hiring a new person who is representing mental hea= lth for the county. She talked about = their excitement for the mobile crisis and walk in centers. She explained how services are ava= ilable any time for Alleghany County citizens.&nb= sp; She talked about they are aware of what this county goes through for services and is really trying to address these concerns. She further talked about they cont= inue to monitor services and providers in the area and having providers in the a= rea in addition to New River.

Commissioner Doug Murphy, Don Suggs= and Shelly Lackey talked about how accessible the walk-in services are to Alleg= hany County citizens. Don Suggs us= ed examples of the services.

David Evans, Recreation Director, c= ame before the Board to present the Recreation’s annual report. He presented information about the= type of sports and number of participants including the new golf program, Duncan Recreation Center statistics, PARTF grant, trail system at Sam Brown, ROPES course with classes held for Alleghany High School and Wilkes Community Col= lege and the first corporation training is this weekend. He reviewed the fairground events = for 2008 and 2009 and sponsors for 2008.

John Blevins, Social Services Direc= tor, came before the Board to present their annual report. He thanked his staff = for their dedication. He presente= d the highlights of their report including child abuse/negligent, foster care, ne= ed for foster families, services/needs are in demand, number of calls/visits, Medicaid costs, case load increase. He reviewed the selected accomplishments during 2008, current trends identified in 2008, and each type of service. He talked about they want to work = on imaging in order to not create paper copies. He further talked about ARRA, dayc= are funds holding off about summer care, state aid to counties has been removed= from the budget. He explained that= the food/nutrition services administration monies have been received and where the monies can = be spent.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about t= he charts in the report that show the total appropriations by service area for= FY 2008-2009 in the amount of $21,170,666.

Jimmy Church Fire Chief with Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department presented their annual report including t= hey should be receiving their quick response truck soon, calls dispatched last = year versus this year. He talked a= bout the ambulance that we have been discussing needs to be discussed by the governing board due to the increasing number of medical calls. <= /span>

Chair Ken Richardson asked Jimmy Ch= urch if he would identify the ambulance as the number one concern.

Jimmy Church stated that he hasn’t studied it that much but the call volume shocked him. He said that the training facility= is his priority. He talked about the= ir retention numbers. He further talked about their expenses have doubled.

County Manager Don Adams presented information regarding NCDOT’s response to no through trucks from High= way 18 to Highway 89. He explaine= d the truck restriction clarification of local delivery/local shipment/local traffic. He talked about the = Bottomley Enterprises application for reasonable access permit has been obtained.

Commissioner Milly Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about the reason they need the permit is of= f of Highway 18.

County Manager Don Adams, Commissio= ner Milly Richardson and Commissioner Doug Murphy talked about if trucks go fro= m the Virginia state line to I-77, they are considered a through truck.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that he= has been made aware that 53 feet trailers are not legal in Alleghany County, on= ly for BCB and on Highway 21 North. =

County Manager Don Adams agreed and said that the County does have restrictions which affect the industries.

Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commissio= ner Milly Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about the seasonal businesses.

County Manager Don Adams provided an EMS update including pictures of the structure. He explained that staff is still creating an inventory of the items, should know next week about the vehicle= s, building preliminary number of $275,000, waiting on information from the adjuster of the detailed breakdown. He talked about a clause in the insurance that requires to re-built = in 180 days from the fire, lease payments are only for the time needed to repa= ir, could take this amount of money offsite is the latest answer about rebuilding. He said because of the time crunch= he is assuming rebuilding onsite. He talked about the need to determine how a contractor is chosen and narrowing= it down to commercial license holders. He explained that there is no advantage of being the general contrac= tor and doing part of the work ourselves.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked abou= t an extension. County Manager Don= Adams stated that he needs to get the estimates in hand and review them.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about they want to return home to the EMS base. She said that they are grateful for= their temporary space but they want to return home.

Chair Ken Richardson asked the Coun= ty Manager to keep the Board updated.

County Manager Don Adams discussed = how to select contractors.

County Manager Don Adams stated tha= t Michelle Bedsaul resigned from the Planning Board effective their last meeting.

Chair Ken Richardson said to recrui= t members and bring it back.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Commissioner Milly Richardson agreed.

County Manager Don Adams presented = the contract from the Rural Center for the DW Miles project and budget in the amount of $30,000. He explain= ed that the grant is $1,000 in kind support from Alleghany County, $4,000 from= DW Miles and $25,000 from the Rural Center.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the contract. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manager Don Adams presented a proposed resolution regarding the Alleghany Stimulus 2009.

DW Miles explained that they are tr= ying to make people aware of Alleghany County and the positive things here.=

Bob Bamberg handed out brochures regarding the stimulus project and explained that they are trying to find a= way to have people take a second look at home. He reviewed the activities of the group including making sure the stimulus package works for the merchants and the public.

DW Miles explained that they plan to meet with every merchant and have articles in the newspaper regarding Alleg= hany County.

County Manager Don Adams presented = the proposed resolution.

Chair Ken Richardson encouraged each Commissioner to read the draft in the packets that explains the project.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about this being a very creative approach.

County Manager Don Adams read the proposed Alleghany Stimulus 2009 resolution.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manager Don Adams reminded t= he Board about the budget meeting on Monday at 5:15pm.

Chair Ken Richardson talked about meeting one hour before the Board of E&R instead of the fourth Monday.<= o:p>

Clerk to the Board Karen Evans talk= ed about the required notice for the meeting.= She asked the Board to recess this meeting rather than adjourn if the Board wants to meet tomorrow.

County Manager Don Adams passed out= the FY 2009/10 budget summary request in the amount of $15,871,949. He reviewed the requested new positions/salary increase, general fund capital/capital improvement, special appropriates, general fund list, total requested budget of $15,871,949 comp= ared to current budget of $15,411,319. He explained that Joy Hines is putting the books together, and the Board is welcome to come by to look at the requests. <= /p>

Commissioner Randy Miller stated th= at he stopped by EMS a couple of times and things are working well. He said they thanked the Board for= our efforts.

Commissioner Doug Murphy asked wher= e we are about Glade Creek Elementary School water/sewer.

County Manager Don Adams explained = that they have met and are still collecting information.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to go into closed session at 4:56pm under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel. Commissi= oner Randy Miller seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Commissioner Randy Miller made a mo= tion to adjourn closed session at 7:52pm 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.

Chair Ken Richardson explained that closed session was dealing with personnel.= He explained that Kathy Murphy had filed an appeal to the Board of Commissioners and the Board followed the personnel policy in considering and reviewing her appeal.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to stay with the decision of the County Manager regarding Kathy Murphy’s termination. Commissioner Steve Roten seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that Ka= thy Murphy’s dismissal is upheld.

Commissioner Randy Miller made a mo= tion to recess this meeting until 6:00pm on Tuesday. Commissioner Steve Roten seconded = the motion. Vote 5:0. =

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Ken Richardson

Chairman