The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners Minutes

&= nbsp; The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regul= ar session on Monday= , May 7, 2007, at 6:30pm= in the Commissioners Meeting Room of the County Administrati= on Building, 348 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

&= nbsp; Present: Chair Ken Richardson, Vice-Chair W= arren Taylor, Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commissioner Milly Richardson, County Attorney Donna Shumate, County Manager Don Adams, and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. Commissioner Randy Miller was pres= ent but arrived late. =

Chair Ken Richardson called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Warren Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance and opened the meeting with a prayer.

Chair Ken Richardson stated that the resolution on Item G needs to be removed from the agenda.

Commission= er Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this May 7, 2007, mee= ting. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

AGENDA

Monday, May 7, 2007

= 6:30 PM

&= nbsp;

6:30 &= nbsp; Meeting Called To Order, Pledg= e of Allegiance and Prayer

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Motion on Agenda for May= 7, 2007, meeting

Motion on Minutes for April 16, 2007, meeting

6:35 &= nbsp; Public Hearing

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; RE: 911 Road Names

A. &nbs= p; Public Comments—30 minutes

&= nbsp; B. Rebecca Bloomquist

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; RE: Workforce Development Professionals Month

&= nbsp; C. Kay Luffman

RE: Juvenile Crime Prevention Council

D. &nbs= p; Amy Pardue

RE: Subdivisions

E. &nbs= p; Veterans Service Annual Report

F. &nbs= p; Law Enforcement Center<= /st1:PlaceType> Annual Report

G. &nbs= p; Laurel Springs VFD Annual Report and Proposed Resolution (resolution deleted)

H. &nbs= p; Stacy Evans / Hugh Campbell

RE: High Impact / Polluting Industries Ordinance = ;

I. = &nb= sp; Gleason James

RE: Citizens for Fairness

&= nbsp; J. = County Business

1. Land of Tomorrow Resolution<= /p>

2. Proposed Vet Agreement

3. Governing Bodies Budget Amendm= ent

4. Other Business

5. Closed Session—NCGS 143-= 318.11 (a) (6)—personnel

= 6.&n= bsp; Adjourn

Commissioner Doug Murphy made a motion to a= pprove the minutes for the April 16, 2007, meeting. Commi= ssioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.<= /span>

Wendy Williams, E-911 Coordinator/Mapper, presented three road names f= or approval; Candyland Lane, Jackal Drive= , Shamrock Farm Lane. She explained the location of each= road.

Chair Ken Richardson opened the public hearing regarding the 911 road names at 6:32pm.<= /p>

Chair Ken Richardson asked for public comments.&= nbsp; None were received.

Chair Ken Richardson closed the public hearing at 6:33pm and reconvened the regular meeting.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the road names as presented by the E-911 Coordinator/Mapper. Com= missioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0. =

Chair Ken Richardson opened the public comments portion of the meeting.

Commissioner Randy Miller arrived at 6:34pm.

Gail Choate talked about a newspaper article quoting a Commissioner stating that= the Board sees the merit of a middle school but doesn’t plan to raise tax= es. She explained that property taxes = were higher in 2007 than in 2006 so it seems that taxes have already been raised. She talked about setting the tax rate at 20¢ and that being as far as they can go. She further talked about newspaper= and Channel 50 coverage of the meetings and the comments from citizens are not reported. She asked about hav= ing a meeting with the reporters to work out a way to make these meetings more informative to the public. She stated that they realize that there is protocol for these meetings, the pub= lic tries to stay within those boundaries and asked that the Commissioners show them the same respect. She reiterated that they are asking that the reporting be done honestly, comple= tely and fairly. She finished by s= tating that people outside of the county are watching and for the Commissioners to consider how the county is perceived by the outside world.

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

Chair Ken Richardson closed the public comments portion of the meeting.

Chair Ken Richardson reiterated that he and the County Manager are available at any time to answer questions.

Rebecca Bloomquist with the High Country Council of Governments came before the Board to present a resolution declaring May as Workforce Development Professionals Month. She gave= the Board background information about the professionals. She read a letter from Governor Ea= sley regarding the professionals and the proposed resolution.<= /p>

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to= approve the resolution as presented by Rebecca Bloomqui= st. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded= the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manager Don Adams talked about= Ricky Wooten with the High Country Council of Government is working with DW Miles regarding June Jamboree activities for Industrial Week.

Kay Luffman described the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) prog= ram. She talked about Alleghany County is eligible to receive $59,994 with a 20% match required on all of the prog= rams expect the administrative funding. She explained that the match is $11,079. She talked about how this program = helps the youth in the county.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Kay Luffman ta= lked about the Rainbow Center.<= /span>

= County Manager Don Adams explained the benefits of the Rainbow Center and how the juvenile delinquencies are helped.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the 07/08 JCPC funding. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Amy Pardue= , Planner, presented a preliminary subdivision plat for = Crestview Mountain showing a 205-acre tract located in the Glade Creek Township with 202 lots. She explained the roads= in the subdivision, and that the subdivision will be completed in three phases= .

Chair Ken Richardson and Kevin Spurlin talked about proposed changes to the exist= ing golf course.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Kevin Spurlin talked about obtaining water on the property. Mr. Spurlin talked = about conversations with Bill Ring regarding water will be brought to the State l= ine, and he asked if the Board will ask the County Manager to look into pricing for bringing water across the State line.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the preliminary plat as presented by= the County Planner. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded = the motion. Vote 5:0. =

Chair Ken Richardson stated that he will talk to the County Manager about getting in touch with Mr. Spurlin.

Amy Pardue= presented a preliminary subdivision plat for New River Stables showing a 45.68-acre tract located in the Gap Civil Township with 9 lots. She explained the roads in the subdivision. She talked about= the part of the subdivision that falls in Alleghany<= /st1:PlaceName> County must meet Alleghany County’s requirements and = the part that falls in Grayso= n County must meet th= eir requirements. She stated that= the plat will be recorded in both counties.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the preliminary plat as presented by= the County Planner. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded = the motion. Vote 5:0. =

Amy Pardue= presented a final subdivision plat for Terra Vista show= ing a 65.68-acre tract located in the Prathers Creek Township with 27 lots. She explained t= he roads in the subdivision.

Commissioner Doug Murphy, Commissioner Warren Taylor and Amy Pardue talked about the entrance site, distance study and= a driveway permit being approved by the Department of Transportation.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the final plat for Terra Vista. Commissioner Doug Murphy seconded = the motion. Vote 5:0. =

Sam Nichols, Veterans Service Officer, came before the Board to present the Veterans Office annual report. He reviewed the office location and hours.&nb= sp; He talked about attending trainings in Clemons on Wednesdays to be certified. He further talked = about his duties as the Veterans Service Officer and assistance that is available= to veterans and their families. = He stated that since he took over as the Veterans Service Officer on November = 1, he has assisted over 200 people by person or phone. He talked about the number of vete= rans in the county and the amount of services increasing. He provided information regarding = the amount of benefits provided during 2005-2006 for veterans and their families.=

Chair Ken Richardson and Commissioner Warren Taylor <= /st1:PersonName>thanked Sam Nichols for his service.

Belva Miller came before the Board on behalf of Sheriff David Edward= s to present the Law Enforcement Center<= /st1:PlaceType>’s annual report. She talked abo= ut juveniles in relation to Kay Luffman’s prior conversations. She continued with the annual repo= rt including the number of calls that deputies responded to, transports, calls received at dispatch, papers served, fugitives arrested, inmates processed, average monthly inmates including local and federal inmates, number of fema= le inmate days and juvenile inmates. She talked about the amount of training the <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Law Enforcement Center employees are mandated to receive during the year. She explained that next year’s report will be presenting the numbers compared to this year’s report.

Chair Ken Richardson thanked Belva Miller and Sheriff David Edwards.

Jimmy Church with the Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department came before the Bo= ard to present their annual report. He thanked the Board for their assistance regarding the Laurel Springs Volunte= er Fire Department. He talked ab= out their membership has greatly increased, partially due to the junior-firemen program. He further talked ab= out the makeup of their membership. He explained the amount of training, number of calls dispatched and type of ca= lls. He talked about their plans to pur= chase a quick-response truck if the funding comes through. He thanked the Board again for their support.

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Jimmy Church= talked about the uses of the first responder truck.

Commissioner Doug Murphy and Jimmy Church t= alked about developers working with the fire department regarding their subdivisi= on plans.

Chair Ken Richardson thanked Jimmy Church and the firefighters for all they do for everyone in the county.

County Manage= r Don Adams = explained that Mr. Campbell has been in court and is on his way.

Gleason James with the Citizens for Fairness gave the Board information regarding t= he upcoming tax rate. He talked = about the old mental health building and health department building has been sold= . He stated that he hasn’t see= n any advertising regarding accepting bids for that sale.

Chair Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about the hospital purchased the property, approximately five to eig= ht years ago. <= st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">County Manager Don Adams stated that the Coun= ty can privately negotiate with non-profits. He further stated that an appraisal was done by a local company, and= the property was sold for fair-market value.

Gleason James talked about the transportation budget where something was sold for $7,000, and he didn’t see the ad for that.

County Manager Don Adams talked about= a large ad is coming up because there will be a list of surplus items presented to = the Commissioners at the next meeting for the surplus sale. He further talked about the surplu= s sale will be on June 23.

Gleason James talked about employees having a hard time providing answers to their questions because they don’t know the answers.

Chair Ken Richardson encouraged Gleason James to get with the County Manager or himself to find out these answers.

Gleason James answered for an explanation of the interest earned on investment for $150,000. He asked what this investment is and where is it.

County Manage= r Don Adams explained that every week the Finance Office looks at expenses and revenues= to see if there is available cash then purchases CD’s. He further explained the process of sending bid request to each bank inviting them to bid each week when the Co= unty is investing in CD’s. <= o:p>

Gleason James asked how a taxpayer can get this information. He also asked what the line item o= f 10-379-0001 is for $185,473.

County Manage= r Don Adams = explained that is loan revenue and is accounting for the capital loan. He stated that the County must do = this or the auditors will write up the County.&nbs= p; He explained that if people look on the debt expense, they will see = the debt side. He asked for the l= ine item number on the $7,000.

Gleason James talked about line item, 10-383-0000, sale of fixed assets.=

County Manage= r Don Adams = stated that is the revenues for the surplus sale that was just mentioned.

Gleason James and County Manager Don Adams talked about this sale hasn’t happened yet. County Manager Don Adams stated that the sale is on June 23.

Commissioner Milly Richardson mentioned that the vehicles behind the library will be sol= d at that sale.

Gleason James asked about line item number, 10-317-0001, interest.

County Manage= r Don Adams = explained that this is interest on late taxes coming through the tax office.

Gleason James asked about, 10-335-000, miscellaneous revenues

County Manage= r Don Adams = stated that he would have to break it out. He explained that it is unknown revenues at the budget process and m= iscellaneous revenues that can’t be predicted.&nb= sp; He stated that he would have to get that information together becaus= e he doesn’t have it off the top of his head.

Chair Ken Richardson asked Gleason James to bring these questions to him and the = County Manager. He stated that the County Manager has these records in his office and can get the answers in five minutes.

Gleason James stated that he will make an appointment next week and get some answers. He asked about the $= 1.50 per line 911 charges including where the monies are, and who has access to = it.

County Manage= r Don Adams = explained that the monies are invested in the banks at any given time. He reiterated that the County send= s out bid request to every bank. He talked about the constraints on the 911 monies.

Gleason James asked how the public can have access to find out how much money is invested before setting the tax rate.

County Manage= r Don Adams = asked him to sit down with the Chairman and himself. He explained that it is not a fair assessment to look at cash on Friday to determine how much money the County= has. He explained that question will be coming before the Board soon along with the discussion about the fund balance. He talked about the projected fund balance amount of $2,800,000. He explained that when the budget = is presented to the Commissioners, the fund balance is presented, and a running tally sheet shows how the fund balance is kept up with while the Commission= ers are deciding on expenditures. He stated that is something that is done every year.

Gleason James and County Manager Don Adams talked about the projected fund balance amount of $2,800,000. County Manager Don Adams stated that the fund balance numbers won’t be known until after June 30, and then people w= ill need to look at an audit for the correct numbers. Gleason James stated that a taxpay= er has a right to see what money is being spent and where it is. County Manager Don Adams explained that the b= udgeted revenues and expenses come in over a period of year.

Gleason James stated that he will get with the Chairman for additional answers.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about the County is required to keep a certain amount in savings.

County Manager Don Adams and Commissi= oner Warren Taylor agreed.

Commissioner Milly Richardson clarified that the fund balance for the 911 fund is contro= lled by the State, and people need to talk to Jim Harrell and Don East about that issue.

Gleason James asked how the volunteer fire departments can use the money.

Commissioner Milly Richardson urged Mr. James to talk to the State regarding allowing ad= ditional items that the money can be spent on.

= County Manager Don Adams presented a resolution regarding Land of Tomorrow that was discussed at the= last meeting.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the resolution as presented by th= e County Manager. Commissioner Randy Miller seconded= the motion. Vote 5:0.

= County Manager Don Adams presented a proposed incentive agree= ment for a new vet to operate out of the Twin Oaks Veterinary Hospital. He talked about the agreement pays= $434 per month for 48 months as long as the vet works in = Alleghany County. This vet, Ms. Dowell, received sch= olarships that require her to work with large animals for four years. He talked about Nash Williams’= ; need for assistance especially with large animals.

Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about the need and filing the need since the prior = vet left.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve the proposed incentive agreement.= Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

County Manage= r Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #25 in the amount of $3,478 that was discussed at the last meeting.

Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #25= in the amount of $3,478. Commiss= ioner Randy Miller seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Commissioner Randy Miller apologized for being late.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Milly Richardson made a motion to enter into closed session at 7:40pm under NCGS 143-318.= 11 (a) (6)—personnel. Commissi= oner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Randy Miller made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 7:50pm and reconvene the r= egular meeting. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson stated no decisions were made during closed session.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson declared a brief recess at 7:52pm.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson reconvened the meeting at 8:07pm.

&= nbsp; Stacy Evans came before the Commissioners regarding the concrete plant. He stated that he went through the= Planning Board, like the Commissioners requested.&n= bsp; He further stated that the ordinance cannot be abided by. He said that the Planning Board de= nied his request.

&= nbsp; Hugh Campbell talked about he feels like the Planning Board is feeling overwhelm= ed and wasn’t comfortable with making that decision at that time. He asked the Commissioners to go f= orward with scheduling a public hearing and allow for deliberations. He talked about problems with the ordinance. He stated that he = has proposed a two-tier system. H= e explained his proposed change. He asked= the Board to review the 2,000-foot buffer.&nbs= p; He explained problems with the easement issue. He gave an example and explained t= hat one individual could stop the project the way the ordinance is currently writte= n. He talked about the State regulates setbacks.= He explained that the two-tier system is that tier one facilities co= uld not be located closer than 100 feet to any side or rear lot line, 2,000 feet from any front line, nor closer than 250 feet from any protected facility. = He stated that this is a compromise between the High Impact Land Uses / Polluting Industries ordinance and the development in Alleghany<= /st1:PlaceName> County. He reiterated to allow this issue = to go forward, hold a public hearing to hear what the people in Alleghany County wants and go with people’s comments at the public hearing regardless = of which way the comments are.

&= nbsp; County Manager Don Adams updated the Commissioners regarding this situation including the Planning Board has been provided Mr. Campbell’s letter and has reviewed it. He stated that a rough draft of th= e Planning Board minutes have been provided for the Commissioners’ review.<= /o:p>

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson listed the options before the Commissioners and asked that t= he County Manager or County= Attorney explain them.<= /span>

&= nbsp; County Attorney Donna Shumate stated that the = Board can have a public hearing and make a decision after that point.

&= nbsp; County Manager Don Adams stated that the issu= e has met the statutory requirement of going before the Planning Board. He reviewed the options; accept th= e Planning Board’s recommendation or hold a public hearing to consider changes to the ordinance.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Warren Taylor and County Manager Don Adams talked about the public hearing will be about some version of Mr. Campbell&= #8217;s recommendation.

&= nbsp; County Attorney Donna Shumate stated that the changes need to at least define concrete plants.

&= nbsp; County Manager Don Adams stated that it is co= mpletely up to the Board what to discuss at the public hearing.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson and Amy Pardue = talked about defining tiers of concrete plants.&n= bsp; She stated that she would have to do more research.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Doug Murphy asked whether this tier system has come up in other places and = how this has been handled.

&= nbsp; County Attorney Donna Shumate talked about the ordinance basically followed Wilkes County with some modifications including adding concrete plants.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Milly Richardson stated that she thinks the issue needs to be revisited.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson asked does the Board have a problem with Amy Pardue researching this matter further and reporting back= .

&= nbsp; Commissioner Doug Murphy talked about Amy Pardue researching this and discuss how to proceed from here.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson told Stacy Evans that he will be notified when the issue is placed back on the agenda.

&= nbsp; Stacy Evans asked how long it will be because this has been eight months just goi= ng in circles.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson talked about if Mr. Evans prefers that Amy Pardue do no further research, the Commissioners have the= recommendation from the Planning Board.

&= nbsp; Hugh Campbell stated on behalf of Mr. Evans that this situation has been frustra= ting, and it is best for the Board to get the additional research.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Doug Murphy stated that this is the first time he has seen a two-tier system and would like to have more information about it.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Milly Richardson talked about the Commissioners have asked the Planning Board to look at this ordinance from top to bottom.

&= nbsp; County Manager Don Adams reviewed the Planning Board’s current objectives. He stated that he agreed with Mr. Campbell that some of the Planning Board mem= bers were not in a position to make a decision yet. He talked about how the Planning B= oard is proceeding including considering making the High Impact Land Uses / Polluting Industries ordinance a set of standards in the Property Rights Protection Ordinance.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson stated that the Board can proceed with the research or make a decision tonight.

&= nbsp; Commissioner Milly Richardson stated the need for additional research by the next meeting because all concrete plants are not made equal.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson assured Mr. Campbell and Mr. Evans that they will be notifie= d when this is on the agenda.

&= nbsp; Hugh Campbell asked getting a status update.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson stated that Mr. Campbell can call the County Manager or Amy Pardue to find out the = status at any time.

&= nbsp; Chair Ken Richardson stated that the next meeting is the third Monday in May.

&= nbsp; Hugh Campbell stated that may be too soon and possibly need to look at the first meeting in June in order to allow time for proper researching.

&= nbsp; Being no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor= made a motion to adjourn at 8:30= pm. Commissioner Milly Richardson seco= nded the motion. Vote 5:0.

Respectfully submitted, &nb= sp;

Karen Evans &= nbsp; &nbs= p;

Clerk to the Boar= d &= nbsp;

Attest:

Ken Richardson

Chairman

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

Resolution

&n= bsp; WHEREAS, the economic development of every region in our country and the ability of = our businesses and industries to compete in the global economy is more than ever before dependent on the availability and quality of a skilled workforce; an= d

<= /span>WHEREAS, the complexity and fast-paced change in our economy and labor markets puts = new demands on individuals and employers at all levels; and

<= /span>WHEREAS, job seekers need the assistance of knowledgeable and dedicated professional= s to facilitate the process by which our workforce identifies, prepared for, obt= ains and maintains employment and self-sufficiency; and

<= /span>WHEREAS, employers depend on similar levels of professional services to help them recruit and retain a competitive workforce and to continually upgrade the skill sets of their incumbent employees;

<= /span>NOW THEREORE BE IT RESOLVED AND IT IS RESOLVED that the Alleghany County Board = of Commissioners joins with the State of North Carolina, the North Carolina Commission on Workforce Development, the North Carolina Employment and Trai= ning Association, and the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals in designating the month of May as Workforce Development Professionals Month to honor all those individuals in all the Workforce Development organizations and partnerships= who play such as vital role in our economy.

<= /span>

ADOPTED this 7^th day of May, 2007.

<= span style=3D'font-family:"Times New Roman"'>ALLEGHANY COUNTY=

NORTH CAROLINA

&nbs= p;

LAND FOR TOMORROW RESOLUTION

Whereas, Alleghany County is committed to protecting lands critical to the future of North Carolina’s drinking water, economy, and quality of life and

Whereas, North Carolina is losing more than 100,000 acres of those special places to population pressures each year, and

Whereas, North Carolina’s population is expected to grow by 50 percent in the next 25 years, and=

Whereas, the important tourism industry can only survive with natural beauty, clean water and scenic vistas, and

Whereas, there is inadequate funding for protecting streams banks and floodplains, legacy forests, prime farmlands, local parks and recreation, state parks, g= ame lands, natural, scenic and historical places, and

Whereas, there is no second chance to protect North Carolina’s great resources= and costs will only increase in the future, and

Whereas, additional state funding will leverage twice as much funding from federal, private and local sources

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that Alleghany County Board of Commissioners urges the General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing a bond referendum to increase conservation spending in North Carolina $200 million per year.

&nb= sp;

Adopted this the 7^th day of May, = 2007.