The
Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on
Present: Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor,
Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner
Chair
Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order and opened with a prayer.
Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the agenda for this
Commissioner
Commissioner
Warren Taylor amended the motion.
Commissioner
AGENDA
Motion on Agenda for
Motion on Minutes for
RE: ROAP Grant
RE: Board of Equalization & Review Schedule
RE:
911 Road Names
RE: Cable Television Franchise
Agreement
RE: Cable Television Regulatory Ordinance
1. Tax Certification Bill
2. Regional Tourism
3. Fire /
4. Property Rights Protection Ordinance
(added)
5. Other Business
6. Public Comments—30 minutes
7. Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a)
(3)—legal
NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development
NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel
8. Adjourn
Commissioner
Chair Eldon Edwards recessed the
regular meeting at
Chair Eldon Edwards and
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public
comments. None were received.
Chair Eldon Edwards closed the
public hearing at
Commissioner
Mary
Walker, Tax Administrator, asked the Commissioners about the Board of
Equalization and Review schedule. She
reviewed the guidelines in the General Statutes regarding the meetings. She stated that she is proposing April 26 or
27.
The
Board decided to have the meeting on April 27.
Chair Eldon Edwards recessed the
regular meeting at
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public
comments. None were received.
Chair Eldon Edwards closed the
public hearing at
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to approve the new E-911 road names as presented by the E-911
Coordinator/Mapper. Commissioner Graylen
Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.
Dave Harris with Custom
Communications gave a brief background of his history in the cable
business. He reviewed the process and
explained the two advertised public hearings.
He stated that it is more appropriate for the County to have a franchise
agreement which will adequately cover what
Commissioner Warren Taylor and Dave
Harris discussed the need for a cable regulatory ordinance if more vendors
become involved in the cable business.
Dave Harris and County Manager
Commissioner Graylen Blevins asked
about getting any feedback from the cable companies.
Dave Harris talked about discussions
with Alleghany Cablevision and formalizing Channel 50 in the franchise
agreement.
Commissioner Ken Richardson asked
about getting something similar to Channel 50 from Charter Communications.
Dave Harris stated that discussions
regarding the channel have been started.
He stated that he will work on the draft agreement tomorrow. He explained that the agreement would need to
be introduced at one meeting and approved at another meeting. He talked about a May 1 effective date.
The Board of Commissioners, County
Manager
Chair Eldon Edwards recessed the
regular meeting at
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public
comments. None were received.
Chair Eldon Edwards closed the
public hearing at
Dave Harris reviewed the franchise
agreement outline, term of the agreement, 5% fee, opportunity to continue
Channel 50, definitions and legal information, insurance, no penalties, area of
jurisdiction and being cautious about the burden placed onto cable companies.
Chair
Eldon Edwards recessed the regular meeting at
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public
comments. None were received.
Chair Eldon Edwards closed the
public hearing at
Dave Harris recommended tabling the
regulatory ordinance until a later time.
Commissioner Ken Richardson made a
motion to approve the recommendation.
Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.
Genia George with the Arts Council
presented their annual report. She
stated her appreciation for the County’s efforts to promote the arts. She reviewed the activities held and events
attended during the year.
Chair Eldon Edwards stated his
appreciation to the Arts Council.
Commissioner
Genia George invited everyone to
attend one of the programs sponsored by the Arts Council.
Joe Potts presented the annual
report for the
Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Joe
Potts for the report.
Terry McGrady came before the Board
to present the annual report for the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire
Department. He reviewed how many members
they have, types of vehicles, number and types of calls received during the
past year, hours of training, coverage area, fire rating and annual fund
raisers held.
Commissioner Warren Taylor asked how
membership numbers are for the fire department.
Terry McGrady stated that they will have
between 25 to 30 members with 26 currently.
Chair Eldon Edwards talked about a
wonderful job the fire departments do for the citizens.
Terry McGrady stated his
appreciation to the Board for their support.
Commissioner Ken Richardson
announced that as of
Pam Andrews stated that Sandy Walker is the
new Alleghany unit supervisor as of
Pam Andrews gave the Board information
regarding New River Behavioral Healthcare (NRBH) staff,
Chair Eldon Edwards thanked Pam
Andrews for her annual report.
The Board of Commissioners discussed
this request. Chair Eldon Edwards stated
that they have the County’s support.
Commissioner Graylen Blevins asked
if Ken Richardson will serve on this board.
Commissioner Ken Richardson agreed
if the Board wishes to appoint him.
Commissioner Warren Taylor and
County Manager
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to fund the $500 to establish the initiative and appoint Ken Richardson
to serve on the Board. Commissioner
Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote
5:0.
Commissioner
Commissioner Ken Richardson stated
that he would like to offer to the Board of Commissioners, the Planning Board’s
recommendation to review the Property Rights Protection Ordinance.
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to consider the Property Rights Protection Ordinance that has been submitted
to the Board of Commissioners and schedule a public hearing on the matter. Commissioner
The Board of Commissioners agreed.
The Board voted on the motion on the
floor. Vote 5:0.
Commissioner Graylen Blevins talked
about rude, harassing people unloading garbage at the Transfer Facility. He asked if there is any way to post signs about
being patient with others.
Commissioner Warren Taylor reminded
everyone of the public comments meeting on April 18 with Department of
Transportation (DOT) from
Chair Eldon Edwards talked about
receiving information regarding the litter sweep program. He gave the information to the
Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about
the inmates doing a good job picking up trash on the roadways and the need to
send a letter in that regards.
Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public
comments. None were received.
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to enter into closed session at
The Board of Commissioners took a
brief recess at
Commissioner Warren Taylor made a
motion to adjourn the closed session at
Chair Eldon Edwards stated no action
was taken during closed session.
Chair Eldon Edwards recognized Ed
Adams to speak.
Ed Adams explained the process that
the Board of Elections went through regarding hiring an elections
director. He further explained that they
had a lot of responses and a number of submissions. He said that they have picked the best
candidate that they could find. He
informed the Board that voting starts 10 days from today. He explained that their candidate has a law
degree and is the Mayor in a town in
Rudy McKnight thanked the
Commissioners for their service to the community. He introduced Kate Costner and listed her
characteristics. He stated that the
Board of Elections is asking to meet her salary requirement of $36,000.
Commissioner Ken Richardson asked
about the starting salary amount.
Rudy McKnight stated that the range is
from $29,347 to $44,000.
Commissioner Ken Richardson asked if
the job description requires a law degree.
Rudy McKnight stated that it
doesn’t.
Chair Eldon Edwards and Kate Costner
discussed she will be moving to
Chair Eldon Edwards stated that he
isn’t sure the Commissioners are at a place to make a decision on this matter.
Commissioner Warren Taylor suggested
scheduling another meeting with the Board of Elections.
Commissioner Ken Richardson asked if
the two board chairs could get together and set up another meeting.
Commissioner
Chair Eldon Edwards and Ed Adams
agreed to set another meeting date.
Being no further business, Commissioner
Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn at
Respectfully
submitted,
Clerk to the Board
Attest:
Eldon Edwards
Chairman