The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, October 2, 2006, at 6:30pm in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main, Sparta, North Carolina.

 

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

 

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the agenda for this October 2, 2006, meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson asked that the Mental Health Interlocal Agreement be added to the agenda.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon amended her motion to include the Agreement.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the amendment.  Vote 5:0.

 

AGENDA

Monday, October 2, 2006

6:30 PM

             

6:30                Meeting Called To Order

                        Motion on Agenda for October 2, 2006, meeting

Motion on Minutes for September 18, 2006, minutes

6:35                Michael Faulkner

                        RE:  Drug Dog

6:45                Public Hearing

                        RE: E-911 Road Names

6:50                Council on Aging Annual Report

7:00                Chamber/Occupancy Tax Annual Report

                        County Business

1.      Regional Library Board Appointment

2.      Maymead Court Date

3.      Veterans Service Officer

4.      Mental Health Interlocal Agreement                  (added)

5.      Other Business

6.      Public Comments—30 minutes

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

NCGS 143-3188.11 (a) (6)—personnel

8.      Adjourn

 

Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes for the September 18, 2006, meeting.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

Michael Faulkner informed the Board that he had invited the Sheriff to attend this meeting.  He asked the Board if they would wait for the Sheriff before he began his presentation.

 

The Board agreed.

 

Commissioner Graylen Blevins arrived at 6:33pm.

 

Janis Fender stated that she will be presenting the annual report for Council on Aging.  She asked the Board if they have any questions about Council on Aging.

 

County Attorney Donna Shumate arrived at 6:35pm.

 

Janis Fender reviewed Council on Aging’s programs and services.  She explained the services offered and number of clients served through the Home and Community Care Block Grant.  She talked to the Board about the minimum wage increase that would affect two of her employees.  She requested that they meet to discuss this issue.  She talked about fundraising that the Center does to meet their needs.  She stated that they raised $10,000 last year and will need approximately $12,000 this year.  She further stated that she sees the needs in the county growing.  She talked about looking out for the seniors.  She further talked about outgrowing their building.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon complimented Ms. Fender on what she does for the seniors and what the staff and volunteers do for the seniors.

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about the Commissioners doubled the amount that was budgeted for the roof, which shows the importance of the seniors and the building.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and Janis Fender talked about fundraisers that have been planned.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Janis Fender for her report.

 

Michael Faulkner thanked the Board in regards to his request two years ago concerning a band scholarship.  He explained that over $2,000 was raised for high school seniors who want to continue their education in the music field.  He stated that today he is here talking about the lack of a drug dog.  He quoted an Alleghany News article about Sandy Ashley, Social Services Director, talking about the drug problems in the county.  He said that he has talked to Mike Caudill about this need.  He talked about the need for a drug dog.  He stated that everyone must decide if the county needs a drug dog and if not; why the surrounding counties have one and what is the county going to do without one.  He talked about the significant increase in the number of warrants without increasing the number of deputies.  He said that if the issue is the County needing help buying the dog, he has been talking to people about that.  He further said that he asked Mike Caudill to come tonight to talk about his needs.  He stated that if the debate isn’t held tonight about the need for a drug dog, then it needs to be soon.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards asked Mr. Faulkner if he had researched grant monies to be used for the purchase of a drug dog.

 

Michael Faulkner stated that he hasn’t researched the grant avenue.  He talked the need for a good dog and a good deputy to spend time to get drugs off the streets.  He stated that he will look for grants.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon asked Sheriff Mike Caudill his opinion regarding a drug dog.

 

Sheriff Mike Caudill stated the need for two dogs.  He explained there are different types of trained dogs, and they are hard to cross train because they will not focus on just one thing.  He reminded everyone that a drug dog isn’t a deterrent to drug use.  He stated that a trained dog will cost approximately $5,000 to $7,000.  He further stated that does not include the deputy’s time to train with the dog.  He talked about a dog needs to be worked constantly to be a good dog.  He further talked about reasons to work on the drug problems, and they are in the process of getting a sizeable sum due to their help with a drug bust.  He gave reasons for needing a tracking dog and a drug dog.  He said the biggest thing to consider is that 50% to 60% of the drug problem is due to prescription drugs.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards asked if Michael Faulkner and Sheriff Caudill could get some information together for the Board and work with the County Manager on this.

 

Sheriff Caudill talked about a law enforcement dog is considered an officer.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and Sheriff Caudill talked about a bomb detection dog would have been needed in last week’s bomb threat.  He stated that an individual in the county owns a bomb detection dog.  He talked about if a dog isn’t in shape, it can’t be use properly.

 

Michael Faulkner asked Sheriff Caudill why the surrounding counties have a drug dog and we don’t.

 

Sheriff Caudill stated that they have a much larger tax base, and we are a small county.  He further stated that they will put this together and get back to the Board.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor asked about hiring one deputy to work with both dogs.

 

Sheriff Caudill stated yes that would work.  He talked about dogs having one master and the upkeep of dogs.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and Sheriff Caudill talked about it is a big responsibility of placing two dogs with one person and the amount of time involved.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards asked Sheriff Caudill and Michael Faulkner to see what they can put together and get back with the Board.

 

            Wendy Williams, E-911 Coordinator/Mapper, presented one road name for approval, Metz Lane.  She explained where the road is located. 

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards recessed the regular meeting at 7:15pm and opened the public hearing regarding the 911 road name. 

           

            Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.  None were received.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards closed the public hearing on the road name at 7:16pm and reconvened the meeting.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the road name as submitted by the E-911 Coordinator/Mapper.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Bob Bamberg came before the Board to present the annual reports for the Chamber of Commerce and Occupancy Tax.  He handed out brochures.  He explained that approximately 1,500 of these brochures are distributed monthly.  He gave the Board tourism statistics comparing Alleghany County to the State average and the surrounding counties.  He talked about the increase in occupancy tax and number of visitors to the Visitors Center.  He talked about the number of active committees that the Chamber is involved in and their functions.  He showed the Board an Alleghany County map that is being printed showing several area businesses with locations marked on the map.  He talked about meeting to develop a marketing plan for Alleghany County.  He explained other activities that they are working on.  He thanked the Board for their continued support.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards stated that the Chamber does a wonderful job.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about the excellent graphic design on the map.

 

            The Board of Commissioners thanked Bob Bamberg.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented a letter from the local library board asking that Frances Buckle’s term on the regional library board be extended for another year.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the request extending Frances Buckle’s term for another year.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams reminded everyone that the Maymead court date is October 16th.  He talked about the scheduled Planning Board meeting on October 10th at 6:30pm.  He stated that he will schedule a Commissioners meeting immediately following the Planning Board meeting.  He talked about changing the October 16th meeting to a night meeting because of the Maymead court date, and putting items on the October 10th meeting that can’t wait until the night meeting on October 16th.

 

            The Board of Commissioners agreed to the October 10th Board of Commissioners’ meeting and changing the October 16th meeting to 6:30pm.

 

            County Manager Don Adams talked about the position of the Veterans Service Officer was budgeted for 2 ½ days per week.  He further talked about our insurance company requires employees to work 30 hours a week to receive insurance benefits.  He stated that he has already advertised the position.  He talked about the amount that is budgeted versus the amount that is needed to increase the position to 30 hours.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon asked about the need for 30 hours a week.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards stated that the workload has been increasing over the last two years and will continue to increase with the number of people serving in the Middle East currently.  He talked about not getting the applications completed in a timely manner.  He explained that this will be very beneficial for the Veterans Service Officer, and he will help get this person settled into the job.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson made a motion to increase the position to 30 hours a week.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams explained how much more money will be needed this budget year depending upon when this person is hired.

 

            The Board voted on the motion on the floor.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Commissioner Graylen Blevins thanked Eldon Edwards for his service as the Veterans Service Officer.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon agreed.  She stated that Mr. Edwards has done a lot of things for a lot of people.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson presented Draft #5 of the Mental Health Interlocal Agreement.  He explained that a lot of work has gone into this by five Commissioners, five County Managers, five County Attorneys and New River staff.  He stated that this Agreement will enable them to offer better service and keep the current staff.  He further stated that this Agreement must be presented to the other four counties.  He said that the New River Behavioral Healthcare Board has already approved this agreement.  He further said that this is a significant step for mental health.  He talked about the committee that worked on this document.  He further talked about minor changes that came from the September 12th meeting.  He said that he recommends that Alleghany County pass this and move forward.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated that she hasn’t read the document but with all the County Attorneys and County Managers looking over it, she doesn’t have a problem with it.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that if there are any significant changes to the agreement, he will bring them back to the Board.  He further stated that the changes are so minor that he doesn’t think that it would be a problem for the Board to pass this.

 

            County Attorney Donna Shumate stated her concern is if the agreement is approved now then the Board must approve the final draft when it is available.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that he sees no problem with that.

 

            Pam Andrews read the only recommended changes; page 15, section 1, delete the phase “nor shall it adopt any amendment to the same, which requires an additional allocation of funds by the counties”; page 16, section 2, delete the sentence “allowing for such increase year by year during the term of this agreement as may be reasonably necessary in order for NRSA to carry out its purpose and undertaking hereunder”; and add a couple of sentences about allocating a one time amount for a special project, it can be labeled and identified as a one-time occurrence and it will not be assumed or be an obligation by the County that the one-time allocation will be recurring every year, adding a sentence that reads “not withstanding the obligations stated herein no county shall be required to increase its annual allocation funding contributed without the approval of its respective county Commission in the event the county makes an in-kind contribution, this contribution shall be deemed as a non-recurring one-time appropriation that will be reviewed on a year-to-year basis and is not considered as an annual allocation.”  She stated that these changes are the only changes that they are aware of.

 

            County Attorney Donna Shumate said that if this is the final version, she is fine with agreement and likes the changes.

 

            Pam Andrews talked about the changes add more protection for the counties.

 

            County Manager Don Adams stated that if the final copy has other changes, then he will bring it back to the Board on October 10th.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve Draft #5 of the Mental Health Interlocal Agreement with Pam Andrews’s proposed changes and reserve the right to examine the final document later.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that this agreement creates a 13-member board.  He explained the makeup of the Board.  He asked the Commissioners to appoint him to this board.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to approve this request.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Pam Andrews stated that a final copy will be sent to Donna Shumate and Don Adams by the end of this week.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about a meeting that the County Manager, Ken McFadden, Bryan Edwards and he attended in Asheville regarding e-NC.  He talked about Alleghany County was mentioned numerous times during this meeting.  He further talked about funding opportunities.

 

            County Manager Don Adams explained that our area is one area to be studied and could possibly end up with grant opportunities.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards mentioned that NCACC is asking for people to work a county government booth at the State Fair. 

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards mentioned the listening tour for Tier 1 counties on October 12th in Asheville.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson stated that it would be a good idea for someone to be there.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he cannot attend this meeting.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated she will check her calendar.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.  None were received. 

           

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to enter into closed session at 8:00pm under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal and (a) (6)—personnel.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards called for a brief recess at 8:00pm.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 8:50pm and reconvene the regular meeting.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

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

 

            Being no further business, Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to adjourn at 8:51pm.   Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

Respectfully submitted,                   

 

 

Karen Evans                         

Clerk to the Board                

 

Attest:

 

 

Eldon Edwards

Chairman