The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, September 18, 2006, at 10:00am in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

 

            Present:  Chair Eldon Edwards, Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon, Commissioner Ken Richardson, County Attorney Donna Shumate, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins was present but arrived late.  Commissioner Warren Taylor was absent.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the agenda for this September 18, 2006, meeting.  Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion.   Vote 3:0.

 

AGENDA

Monday, September 18, 2006

10:00 AM

 

           

 

10:00              Meeting Called To Order

                        Motion on Agenda for September 18, 2006, meeting

Motion on Minutes for September 5, 2006, meeting

10:05              Mary Walker

                        RE:  Tax Releases, Refunds and Appeals

10:20              Building Inspections Annual Report

10:30              Health Department Annual Report

                        County Business

1.      Channel 50 Budget Amendment

2.      Pesticide Grant Budget Amendment

3.      Records Retention Schedule

4.      Domestic Violence Proclamation

5.      Other Business

6.      Public Comments—30 minutes

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

NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel

8.   Adjourn

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve the minutes for the September 5, 2006, meeting.  Chair Eldon Edwards seconded the motion.  Vote 3:0.

 

Mary Walker, Tax Administrator, presented the August 2006 real property requests in the amount of $1,532.84 for refunds and $16,006.41 for releases.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the August 2006 real property requests in the amount of $1,532.84 for refunds and $16,006.41 for releases.  Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion.  Vote 3:0.

 

            Mary Walker presented the August 2006 vehicle requests in the amount of $257.73 for refunds and $3,103.17 for releases.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the August 2006 vehicle requests in the amount of $257.73 for refunds and $3,103.17 for releases.  Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion.  Vote 3:0.

 

            Mary Walker presented a motor-vehicle appeal.  She stated that the vehicle is valued at $6,400 and her recommendation is $3,000.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation on the vehicle appeal.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 3:0.

 

            Commissioner Graylen Blevins arrived at 10:08am.

 

            Mary Walker presented a motor-vehicle appeal for a vehicle that has damage.  She explained that the value is $14,970 and her recommendation is $11,300 because of the damage.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation on the vehicle appeal.  Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Mary Walker presented a motor-vehicle appeal.  She stated that the vehicle is valued at $17,660 and her recommendation is $14,500.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation on the vehicle appeal.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

Mary Walker presented a motor-vehicle appeal.  She stated that the vehicle is valued at $14,970 and her recommendation is $11,475.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation on the vehicle appeal.  Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Mary Walker presented a letter from Cornerstone Christian Fellowship asking for an exemption.  She explained that they are planning to build a church on this property and wasn’t aware they could apply for an exemption.  She further explained the General Statutes regarding granting exemptions.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve the exemption.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Mary Walker presented a letter from Richard Hines on behalf of Blanche VanHoy Hines.  She explained that he is asking for the solid waste fee to be removed from her property.  She further explained that no one lives in the house, has no electricity and is in poor condition.  She stated that a portion of the house burned, and she doesn’t think it has been fixed.  She further stated that she recommends releasing the fee.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to accept the Tax Administrator’s recommendation of releasing the solid waste fee.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

Randy Blankenship, Chief Building Inspector, came before the Board to present the annual report for the Building Inspections department.  He gave the Board information regarding the number of inspections per year, number of complaints per year, number of customers’ visits and calls daily and the average number of miles driven each year per inspector.  He informed the Board that their annual meeting with the contractors is on October 2 at 2:00pm at Blue Ridge Electric’s conference room.  He invited the Board to attend this meeting.  He reviewed the information provided on the monthly report; total permits and total value of construction.  He thanked the Board of Commissioners for their efforts for the Inspections Department.

 

The Board of Commissioners stated their appreciation to everyone in the Department.

 

Eva Wooten gave the Board a pamphlet concerning the annual report for the Health Department.   She reviewed the pamphlet showing the concerns, achievements and statistics of the Appalachian District Health Department.

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that the Commissioners had asked the County Manager to write a letter to the Health Department regarding recruiting a dentist.  He further stated that Mr. Staley is working on the recruitment.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Eva Wooten for the report.

 

Eva Wooten stated the Health Department’s appreciation to the Commissioners and encouraged everyone to get their flu shots.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #5 in the amount of $500 for the Channel 50 ticker.

 

Commissioner Graylen Blevins made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #5 in the amount of $500.  Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #6 in the amount of $3,885.  He explained that this is for the pesticide container recycling program.  He briefly described this program.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #6 in the amount of $3,885.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented the Records Retention Schedule for County Management.  He reviewed the list of changes.  He stated that this document serves as a guideline about retaining records but most records are keep longer than recommended; such as, financial records.  He explained that the Commissioners need to vote on the County Management Schedule and the County Sheriff Schedule.

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to approve both records retention schedules.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

 

County Manager Don Adams informed the Board that signs are being placed on the courthouse lawn.  He stated that if the Board agrees, he will tell people not to put signs on the courthouse lawn.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that he agreed that the courthouse lawn isn’t the place for political signs.

 

            County Manager Don Adams informed the Board that the North Carolina Housing Financing Authority will be providing $400,000 to the County to rehabilitate elderly and disabled people’s homes.  He explained that this is in addition to the current $400,000 CDBG monies that the County receives for rehabilitating housing.  He talked about the administration of these grants.

 

            County Manager Don Adams encouraged the Commissioners to attend the County Health Fair on Thursday, September 21 from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Wellness Center.

 

            County Manager Don Adams talked to the Board about scheduling a Planning Board meeting in October.  He asked the Board to tentatively schedule a meeting for October 10 at 6:00pm.

 

            County Manager Don Adams mentioned that the NCACC deadline for legislative goals is September 29.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated that one issue needs to be the State taking over Medicaid from the counties.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards stated that the Legislative Goals Conference is scheduled for January 11 and 12.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he will follow up with more information on this.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he attended the NCACC Annual Conference.  He talked about the conference.  He stated that he was elected to serve as the District 14 Director on the NCACC Board of Directors. 

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about the job opening for the Forestry Service position.  He further talked about he will not support funding for the Forestry Service unless they allow the County to have a role in selecting the forestry person.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards and Commissioner Graylen Blevins agreed.

 

            County Manager Don Adams stated that they have invited the County Manager or a Commissioner to sit in during the interviews.  He talked about the person must be employed by the Forestry Service to be eligible, and they are starting to look in house.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he knows one person in Alleghany County that is qualified.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards stated that he and the County Manager will pursue this.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards reminded everyone that the annual meeting at the Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department is tonight at 6:00pm.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.

 

            Charlie Scott thanked the Board for the budget amendment regarding the ticker for Channel 50.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to enter into closed session at 11:02am under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal and (a) (6)—personnel.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards called a 5- minute recess at 11:02am.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 11:43am and reconvene the regular meeting.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards stated that no decisions were made during closed session.

 

            Being no further business, Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:44am.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

Eldon Edwards

Chairman

 

 

 

 

 DANA   Domestic Abuse is Not Acceptable

                                                    Post Office Box 1643   Sparta, NC 28675

                                                  Phone: (336) 372-3262   Fax: (336) 372-7705

 

 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 

A Proclamation

 

Whereas, domestic violence is a pattern of coercion and control in an intimate relationship where one person uses violence to gain power and control over their partner; and

 

Whereas, domestic violence includes not only physical abuse, but also mental abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, isolation, and sexual violence; and

 

Whereas, women of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds are vulnerable to violence by an intimate partner; and

 

Whereas, nationally, between 35% and 56% of battered women were harassed at work by their batterers; 55% to 85% missed work because of domestic violence; and 24 to 52% lost their jobs as a result of the abuse; and

 

The Department of Justice estimates that there are 50,000 incidents of violence committed in the workplace annually; and

 

Whereas, nationally from 1992-1995, 126 murders were committed in the workplace by a domestic partner; and

 

Whereas, in North Carolina, from 1977-1991, 75% of the women killed on the job (non-robbery) were murdered by a former intimate partner; and

 

Whereas, in North Carolina, domestic violence programs provide services to over 44,000 victims each year, according to Council for Women; and

 

Whereas, in North Carolina, 71 women, men, and children were murdered as a result of domestic violence in the year 2005, and

 

Whereas, in Alleghany County, the local domestic violence program provided face to face services to 124 victims and handled a total of 301 crisis calls during the last fiscal year,

 

Now, therefore, we, County Commissioners, of Alleghany County, do hereby proclaim October 2006, as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”  I further urge our citizens to become aware of this destructive force in our society and to become part of the efforts to stop violence in families.

 

                Adopted this the 18th day of September, 2006.