The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 4, 2003, at 6:30pm in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina. 

 

Present:  Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner Sandy Carter, Commissioner Patrick Woodie, County Manager Don Adams, and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.  County Attorney Ed Woltz was absent.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

 

Vice-Chair Warren Taylor opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie asked that a discussion about an architectural survey under county business be added to the agenda.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this August 4, 2003, meeting. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

AGENDA

Monday, August 4, 2003

6:30 PM

 

6:30                 Meeting Called To Order

                        Motion on Agenda for August 4, 2003 meeting

Motion on Minutes for July 21, 2003 meeting

6:35                 Linda Hash

                        RE: Farmland Preservation Program

6:50                 DW Miles

                        RE:  Solid Waste Billing

County Business

1.      Prostate Cancer Awareness Proclamation

2.      Family Day Proclamation

3.      WCC Trustee Appointment

4.      Recreation: Fairgrounds Analysis

5.      Architectural Survey (added)

6.      Other Business

7.      Public Comments—30 minutes

8.      Adjourn

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter made a motion to approve the minutes for the July 21, 2003 meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Linda Hash presented the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program ordinance to the Board.  She gave a brief history of the process for completing the ordinance.  She talked about this ordinance being totally voluntary to help encourage the economic and financial health of farming.

 

            The Board of Commissioners talked about scheduling a public hearing at the next meeting for consideration of this ordinance.

 

            Linda Hash stated that the costs associated with this ordinance will be very minimal because local agencies have agreed to purchase the signs that will be placed on each participating farm.  She said that the Soil & Water office will perform all of the administrative work on the ordinance.

 

            County Manager Don Adams talked about a couple of changes to the ordinance regarding public notice and recessing a meeting for not longer than seven days.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter made a motion to have the public hearing at the next meeting regarding the ordinance.  Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            DW Miles handed out letters to the Board explaining his requests of the Board.  He talked about the action by the Board making landlords responsible for their tenant’s solid waste bills and the Patio’s solid waste fees.  He explained that he didn’t think it was right to make the property owners responsible for their tenant’s fees when the property owner doesn’t receive any services for the fees.  He explained that the Patio had been leased out until June 2001 at which time he began running the Patio.  He talked about solid waste fees from the Patio being attached to his tax bill prior to 2001 and the rate the Patio is being charged now.  He explained that the Patio has a Dumpster that is used by three other businesses.

 

            County Manager Don Adams gave a brief history of commercial solid waste billing.

 

            The Board of Commissioners asked about alternative ways to collect the delinquent fees, what other counties do and Dumpster fees.

 

            County Manager Don Adams explained that the only other recourse the Board has is civil action through the court system.  He stated that he will find out how other counties deal with commercial solid waste.  He explained the Dumpster fee schedule.

 

            The Board of Commissioners asked County Manager Don Adams to research to see if commercial solid waste fees were attached to property owner’s tax bill prior to 2001 and work on the Patio’s commercial solid waste bills at the Tax Office and Finance Office by the first meeting in September.

 

            DW Miles reviewed two other concerns noted on his letter; need for another category of roads in the subdivision ordinance and the flood ordinance.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented a letter from Tamara Adams asking that the Board approve a proclamation declaring September 2003 as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the proclamation for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented a letter from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University requesting the Board proclaim the fourth Monday in September to be National Family Day in Alleghany County.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the proclamation for National Family Day.  Commissioner Sandy Carter seconded the motion. Vote 5:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented a letter from Jack Martin requesting the Board appoint Dr. Suzanne Irwin to the Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter made a motion to approve the appointment of Dr. Suzanne Irwin for the Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees.  Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards called for a 5-minute recess at 7:45pm.

 

            Clerk to the Board Karen Evans left the meeting at 7:50pm.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented a detailed analysis and proposal for the Alleghany County Fairgrounds and a recreation department.  He reviewed the proposal from the fairgrounds asking that the County fund the purchase of the Armentrout property.  He explained the pros and cons for a recreation department for the County.

 

            The Board of Commissioners and County Manager Don Adams discussed the operations of the Fairgrounds and a recreation department.

 

            Commissioner Patrick Woodie talked about problems he has with the purchasing the additional property and the actual use of the property. 

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that his problem is that the County Commissioners have been obligated for this without appropriate discussions.

 

            The Board of Commissioners talked about the policy of obligating the County for purchasing their property, no other land available around the Fairgrounds and funds that could be used to pay for the property.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter made a motion to purchase the property and pay the $107,025 that is due now.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.

 

County Manager Don Adams asked about ownership of the property.

 

Genia George talked about the need and purpose for purchasing the additional property.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie and Genia George spoke about the Fairgrounds board purchasing the property without having discussions with the Board of Commissioners.

 

County Manager Don Adams stated that he would create an agreement with the Fairgrounds board and Max Armentrout to assume the deed of trust from Alleghany Fairgrounds, Inc.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for vote on the floor.  Vote 3:2 (Graylen Blevins, Patrick Woodie).

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter stated that she has had several requests from citizens requesting that the County look into a junk ordinance pertaining to junk cars, burned-old mobile homes, etc to help preserve the beautification of the County.  She requested that County Planner Jack Conaway research other counties junk ordinances and how the ordinances are enforced.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards reminded everyone of the land-use guidance plan from several years ago that might offer some helpful information.

 

County Manager Don Adams explained that the Planning Department needs guidance as to what type of junk ordinance the Board is interested in.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie stated that Melanie Young started working on a similar ordinance that could be used for reference purposes, also.

 

            Commissioner Patrick Woodie explained that the NC Division of Archives & History has awarded a $40,000 grant to update the architectural survey for Ashe and Alleghany counties.  He explained that the grant requires a local match of $6,000 for Alleghany’s survey.  He further explained that it is his understanding that the Historical Society will pay for half of the local match with the County paying the other half.

 

            Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve $3,000 for the architectural survey update’s local match.  Commissioner Sandy Carter seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards reminded everyone of the invitation to attend the cookout at Charleston Forge on Friday, August, 8, 2003.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments. 

 

Genia George stated that she is in support of the Commissioners’ action tonight concerning the Fairgrounds.

 

Being no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05pm.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Karen Evans  

Clerk to the Board

 

Attest:

 

 

Eldon Edwards

Chairman

 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

PROCLAMATION

”PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH”

 

WHEREAS, in the year 2003, the month of September is declared National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and

 

WHEREAS, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men; and,

 

WHEREAS, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 39,600 new cases of cancer this year in North Carolina, of which 6,800 will involve cancer of the prostate, which will result in an estimated 900 deaths; and,

 

WHEREAS, about 25% of prostate cancer affects men under the age of 65, during their prime years at work and, at any age, deaths due to prostate cancer devastate families, through loss of income, partnership, and support; and,

 

WHEREAS, mortality rates in African-American men are more than two and a half times as high as rates in Caucasian men; and,

 

WHEREAS, prostate cancer has accounted for, on average, 16 percent of the nation's cancer burden, yet it has received, on average, only about 5 percent of the funds this nation commits to cancer research; and,

 

WHEREAS, we do not fully understand the factors that contribute to the development and progression of prostate cancer into an aggressive disease, and additional research is important to refine the screening and treatment of prostate cancer, and to ensure efficient delivery of these health care services by a unified standard of care; and

 

WHEREAS, educating the people of Alleghany County including health care providers, about Prostate Cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to saving men’s lives and preserving and protecting our families; and,

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim the month of September 2003, as “Prostate Cancer Awareness Month” in Alleghany County, and urge all men in Alleghany County to become aware of their own risks of prostate cancer, talk to their health care providers about prostate cancer and, whenever appropriate, be screened for the disease.  The Board further encourages all residents to become involved in the war on prostate cancer through this city's education and advocacy initiatives.

 

            Adopted this the 4th day of August, 2003.

 

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

FAMILY DAY – A DAY TO EAT DINNER WITH YOUR CHILDREN PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol and nicotine constitute the greatest threats to the well-being of America's children;

WHEREAS, surveys conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse have consistently found that children and teenagers who routinely eat dinner with their families are far less likely to use illegal drugs, cigarettes and alcohol;

WHEREAS, teenagers who virtually never eat dinner with their families are 72 percent more likely than the average teenager to use illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes;

WHEREAS, teenagers who almost always eat dinner with their families are 31 percent less likely than the average teenager to use illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes;

WHEREAS, the correlation between family dinners and reduced risk for teen substance abuse are well documented;

WHEREAS, parental influence is known to be one of the most crucial factors in determining the likelihood of substance abuse by teenagers;

WHEREAS, family dinners have long constituted a substantial pillar of family life in America:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners that the Board recognizes that eating dinner as a family is an important step toward raising drug-free children and that the fourth Monday in September shall henceforth be designated National Family Day--A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children.

            Adopted this the 4th day of August, 2003.