The Alleghany County Board of
Commissioners met in regular session on
Present: Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner
Graylen Blevins, Commissioner
Vice-Chair
Warren Taylor called the meeting to order.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson opened the meeting with a prayer.
Vice-Chair
Warren Taylor stated that closed session under 143-318.11 (a) (4) — economic
development and a discussion about variance procedures under
Commissioner
AGENDA
Motion on Agenda for
March 21, 2005 meeting
Motion on Minutes for
RE: Tax Releases & Refunds
RE: Mobile Home Ordinance
RE: FY 05/06 CJPP Grant
RE: Soil and Water Vehicle
RE: LEPC Annual Report
RE: Annual DSS Report
and Community Child Protection Team Report
1.
Home &
Community Care Block Grant
2.
FY 05/06
Budget Timeline
3.
Lottery Resolution
4.
Variance
Procedures (added)
5.
School
Discussions
6.
Other Business
7.
Public
Comments—30 minutes
8.
Closed
Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development (added)
9.
Adjourn
Commissioner
Mary
Walker, Tax Administrator, presented the February 2005 real property requests
in the amount of $194.68 for refunds and $716.75 for releases.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
The
Board of Commissioners talked about the dates for Board of Equalization and
Review and decided on April 19 at
John
Kennedy passed pictures around to the Board showing a 1972 mobile home he
purchased. He explained the amount of
money he has in the mobile home; $3,500.
He stated that he wasn’t aware of the ordinance restricting older mobile
homes. He explained the costs he has in
the mobile home.
Jeff
Cornett, Building Inspector, stated that he didn’t look on the inside of the trailer;
he was looking for the HUD sticker and didn’t find it. He explained the reasons for the UL\HUD
sticker. He stated that if any trailer
doesn’t have a UL or HUD sticker, power can’t be hooked up. He explained that HUD could re-inspect the
trailer to issue a sticker.
Commissioner
John
Kennedy asked if he can keep the trailer and use it for storage.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about if the Board did agree, and then the Board would be
in violation.
Commissioner
Jeff
Cornett explained the aluminum wiring in mobile homes. He explained building the mobile home to
safety standards.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor and Jeff Cornett talked about what options are available for Mr.
Kennedy.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins and Jeff Cornett talked about the UL sticker and State law.
Commissioner
Jeff
Cornett reviewed the North Carolina General Statutes regarding electricity and
mobile homes. He stated that after
conversations with the State, the State said that the trailers must have a HUD
or UL sticker. He gave examples. He talked about the County ordinance.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated that electric service can’t be provided for this
trailer. He talked about granting a
variance and if a variance is granted, that action will open the door for any
junk trailers to come into
Commissioner
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins talked about not having any options with the code book.
Jeff
Cornett talked about it is against the law to sell a trailer that doesn’t have
a UL/HUD sticker, so Mr. Kennedy may be able to get his money back.
John
Kennedy asked where he could take the trailer.
He stated that he bought it from an individual.
Commissioner
Jeff
Cornett talked about taxes being paid on it in
John
Kennedy asked if he can burn it.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated that the Board’s hands are tied. He asked Mr. Kennedy to continue working with
Jeff Cornett,
Mike
Tompkins presented the 2005/06 Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP)
grant application. He explained the
program. He stated the amount is $36,799
for 05/06. He further explained the
program. He talked about a change in the
process of assigning people to the CJPP.
He stated that the State will be screening people before they come to New
River Behavioral Healthcare (NRBH) instead of NRBH performing the evaluations.
Pam
Andrews said that change went in effect during 2004.
Mike
Tompkins gave an example of ways the program has worked in the past.
Commissioner
Mike
Tompkins said that they are only dealing with the people that are sent to them.
Mike
Tompkins continued to review the grant application.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor asked how this grant money is compared to last year.
Mike
Tompkins stated that it is the same as last year. He explained the history of the money.
Mike
Tompkins explained the most served by the CJPP has been 28.
Pam
Andrews stated the new requirements would allow a maximum of $7,000 on the administrative
side.
Commissioner
Pam
Andrews said yes they would.
Commissioner
Pam
Andrews explained that they will continue to offer the services but can’t
handle the administrative portion.
County
Manager
Pam
Andrews and Mike Tompkins talked about guidelines for fees to be charged. He talked about people being responsible for
their services.
Commissioner
Pam
Andrews stated that NRBH will continue to provide the service.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Warren Taylor asked if the CJPP Board approved to send in the application.
Pam
Andrews stated that the State may approve the money but come back and request
to work on the billing side.
Commissioner
Linda
Hash, Soil and Water Office Manager, handed out information about bids received
for a vehicle. She explained the need
for a vehicle in the Soil & Water office.
She explained why the Federal vehicle was reassigned to another county
and the chances of the Federal position being filled. She talked about David Tucker from Ashe
County is coming over to Alleghany to help with the workload with one person
from Wilkes County coming one day a week to help, also. She explained the department’s current
workload. She reviewed the money coming
to the County for the farms. She
reviewed the quotes from three dealers. She
talked about the Soil & Water Board decided to provide ½ of the purchase
price with $4,000 payable this year and $2,000 per year for the next 2-3
years. She described problems they
experienced in driving the 1994 Ford Bronco.
County
Manager
Commissioner
Linda
Hash talked about the quotes she has received, people going with them on the
job site, pickup price would increase by $200 for a tool box and the need to
get close to the job site.
The
Board, County Manager
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Ken Richardson made a motion to appoint Jimmy Church and Bryan Edwards to serve
on the LEPC. Commissioner
Sandy
Ashley, Social Services Director, presented the annual Community Child
Protection Team/Child Fatality Prevention Team report for 2004. She reviewed the highlights of the
report. She stated that they are asking
the Board to advocate on the State level for additional child-daycare funds and
consider a request for funding from the
Commissioner
Ken Richardson talked about the challenges of serving on these teams.
Sandy
Ashley presented the annual Social Services report. She reviewed the accomplishments for 2004 and
goals for 2005.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated his appreciation for Sandy Ashley’s efforts.
County
Manager
Commissioner
Commissioner
Ken Richardson talked about changes in
Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the resolution as presented by the
Commissioner
Ken Richardson stated that he thinks it should be a separate meeting like the Board
of Equalization and Review.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor agreed with Commissioner Richardson and expressed his opinion on
the time factor during a regular meeting.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson talked about setting a precedent.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson asked if the decisions on variance requests have to be unanimous
or majority. He stated that he thinks it
is a good idea for the Board to refresh themselves about the issues before the
meeting.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about the first consideration of variances, and the Board must
be very careful about not setting a precedent.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated that he thinks the variance meetings should be evening
hours like Board of Equalization and Review.
He asked the
The
Board of Commissioners discussed dates to hold the meetings and decided on the
second Tuesday or Thursday, preferably Tuesday.
Vice-Chair
Warren Taylor called for a brief recess at
Commissioner
Ken Richardson informed the Board that he spent Friday in
Charlie
Scott stated that starting next month on the second Sunday each month there
will be a community concert at the
Vice-Chair
Warren Taylor called for a lunch recess at
Vice-Chair
Warren Taylor stated that after further discussions with the
Commissioner
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins joined the meeting at
Commissioner
Vice-Chair
Warren Taylor stated that no action was taken during closed session.
Commissioner
The
Board talked about the number of students at
Commissioner
Ken Richardson talked about the financing side of the school facilities and the
decision must be placed on a bond referendum.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor and Commissioner Ken Richardson continued talking about their
support for the bond-referendum idea.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor asked if this Board needs to decide which option is the best.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson stated that he thinks that it is the School Board’s
decision.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins talked about our Board is where we want to be and the
Commissioners part is the financing.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor and Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about they think the high
school construction was on a bond in the mid-1960’s. Commissioner Richardson talked about the two
bonds that he remembers; Jail Bond and Sparta Elementary School Bond.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson talked about the bond referendum is a one-shot deal for whatever
option is chosen by the Board of Education.
He stated that the bond should get the school situation fixed for
several years instead of coming the Commissioners every couple of years with
construction needs.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about the comments from the audience last week being they
wanted the best thing for the children.
He talked about the difference in the tax rates for the different
options.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about the previous project at the high school was thought
to fix the needs for a long time, but the meeting last week the Board heard
comments otherwise about not planning correctly.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins talked about this needing a secure plan before placing anything
on a bond. He further talked about
trying to make sure everyone is happy before going to the bond.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins stated that the Commissioners are elected to serve the public
and will the Commissioners have to market the bond.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins and County Manager
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about if the General Assembly would give the counties the
additional cigarette tax revenues that might be able to finance with an
installment-purchase plan.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson talked about the $5,000,000 package for
Commissioner
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about when changing plumbing, heating, et cetera more
problems are created.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson reminded everyone that the high school had bathroom issues
during the last renovation.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins talked about the drawing shown for additional property showing
the parking on land that hasn’t been purchased or optioned.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson asked for a status on the bus garage.
Commissioner
The
Board talked about school-owned property on the drawing, optioned property, the
drawing of the proposed school property.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor and Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins asked about additional programs and having free space.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about the ADM numbers from the low wealth funding.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about the needs are for more programs instead of school-population
growth. He further talked about the bond
that was passed for the State community colleges/universities a few years back
for construction financing. He thinks
this is the place for the extra cigarette tax revenues.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins asked where ABC money goes.
County
Manager
Commissioner
Ken Richardson discussed a letter from the NCACC entitled “Understanding County
Governance in Our Public Education System” on April 6 in
Commissioner
Ken Richardson talked about the architect money spent on the gym project being
fronted by the school and then came to the County for reimbursement. He talked about bills being introduced every
year for schools to have taxing authority.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated that he thinks it needs to be a joint effort between both groups
regarding the architect fees.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson stated that a decision should be made before spending a lot of
money on architect fees.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Ken Richardson talked about the last renovations, including the high school, was
3 cents.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about the more things you add to the bond; the least
likely it will be passed.
Commissioner
Ken Richardson stated that the estimated cost for the library is $1,000,000.
Commissioner
Commissioner
Warren Taylor talked about the need, select the best possible plan and market
the plan to the community.
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins talked about most of the talking from last week’s meeting was
about cutting programs from the school system.
He further talked about the need to get focused internally and most
parents will do the best thing.
County
Manager
Commissioner
County
Manager
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins mentioned the traffic problems.
He asked if Department of Transportation could get involved with
assisting in the traffic problems.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor stated that he isn’t sure if Department of Transportation could
do that. He asked does the Town or schools
own the road.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor mentioned that help might be available from the from Rural
Transportation Planning Organization
Commissioner
Graylen Blevins talked about the amount of traffic now.
Vice-Chair
Warren Taylor asked for public comments.
None were received.
Being no further business,
Vice-Chair Warren Taylor recessed the meeting at
Respectfully
Submitted,
Clerk to the Board
Attest:
Eldon Edwards
Chairman