The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 7, 2005, 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 Herndon, Commissioner Ken Richardson, County Attorney Donna Shumate, County Manager Don Adams, and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. 

 

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

 

Commissioner Graylen Blevins opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the agenda for this November 7, 2005, meeting.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

AGENDA

Monday, November 7, 2005

6:30 PM

 

6:30                Meeting Called To Order

                        Motion on Agenda for November 7, 2005 meeting

Motion on Minutes for October 17 and 24, 2005 meetings

6:35                Public Hearing

                        RE: 911 Road Names

6:40                Pat Polley

RE:  Library Fund Raising

7:00                Dr. Jeff Cox

                        RE: School Facilities Update

8:00                Alleghany in Motion Annual Report

8:15                Red Cross Annual Report

                        County Business

1.      Courthouse Project

2.      Farmland Preservation Board Appointments

3.      Budget Amendment—Workers Compensation

4.      High Impact Land Uses / Polluting Industries Ordinance

5.      Subdivision Variance Request Discussions

6.      Other Business

7.      Public Comments—30 minutes

8.      Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel

9.      Adjourn

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the minutes for the October 17 and 24, 2005 meetings.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

Wendy Williams, E-911 Coordinator/Mapper presented three road names for approval.  She explained where each road is located in the County. 

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards recessed the regular meeting at 6:35pm and opened the public hearing regarding the E-911 Road Names.

 

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

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards closed the public hearing at 6:36pm and reconvened the regular meeting.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the new E-911 road names as presented by the E-911 Coordinator/Mapper.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Pat Polley with the Alleghany County Library stated that they have raised all of the funds for the 2nd annual payment in the amount of $63,000 due around November 15 for the Young/Richardson property.  She expressed her appreciation for everyone who helped raise these funds.

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson also stated his appreciation for everyone’s efforts. 

 

            Clarence Crouse introduced the new superintendent, Dr. Jeff Cox.  He talked about Dr. Cox’s background.

 

            Dr. Jeff Cox gave the Board an update on the School bus garage including the bids coming into too high, working on a building redesign with the architects and working on the project to get the bids to come in nearer the budgeted amount of $250,000.

 

            Dr. Jeff Cox gave the Board an update on the Sparta Elementary School classrooms project.  He talked about pod-designed classrooms for substantially reduced costs.  He stated that he has a company working on pricing the specs to give the schools an idea on the cost of the pod design.  He stated that these are the two ongoing projects.  He also stated that it is his understanding that the Board of Commissioners and County Manager want a long-range facility plan.  He informed everyone that the State requires this type of plan every 5 years, and he will present it to the School board the first meeting in January and then to the Commissioners.  He talked about a 10-year plan and long range plans.  He reminded everyone of the current issues including the middle school concept, bus garage and recurring costs for the middle school.  He further stated that this would be a lot of money at one time, understanding that and wanting to work with the Commissioners on these projects.  He stated that they will bring a 10 year facilities plan where the needs are prioritized according to importance and need.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon talked about the site work at the Wellness Center being done by the Corps of Engineers doing the work and could the schools do something like that.  She asked about the pod units in Lee County.

 

            Dr. Cox talked about Winston-Salem has a lot of the pods.  He stated that the high growth districts use them a lot.  He explained that most are constructed in way to break apart and move it to another location.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and Dr. Cox discussed the timing of ordering pods for the next school.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor asked about the site work bid amount.

 

            Dr. Cox talked about the bids didn’t separate out the site work.  He further talked about the grading work costing anywhere between $55,000 and $150,000.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor and Dr. Cox talked about moving the location of the bus garage a little, the architect looking at these types of things tomorrow and contacting the local contractors to see if there is anyone interested in bidding the project.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards and Dr. Cox talked about the difference in the types of mobile classrooms. 

 

            Commissioner Ken Richardson thanked Dr. Cox and the fact he is trying to start a dialogue between the two boards.  He talked about Commissioner Herndon’s comments about the Corps of Engineers.  He stated that at budget time several capital needs were identified by principals and staff and how everyone should look at those needs before spending any more money.  He reiterated his appreciation for the presentation on the capital needs and hopes to look at those needs as well as the needs that are currently being discussed.  He thanked Dr. Cox for coming and talking to the Board. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams discussed the timing issues with the construction projects and LGC approval.  He stated that he is recommending scheduling the field trip to look at the pods.  He asked the Board if any additional information is needed from the schools at this time.  He talked about time to discuss the facility plans to be submitted to the State during January and time to discuss other issues.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor asked if the field trip would be a special meeting if more than two Commissioners attended.

 

            County Attorney Donna Shumate stated that it is her opinion that yes it would count as a special meeting.

 

            Dr. Cox talked about gathering as much information as possible about the pods if a special meeting will be held. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams asked the Board to tentatively schedule the trip during the week of November 28-December 2 for the field trip with the actual date to be determined by the pod company. 

 

            Dr. Cox and Chair Eldon Edwards discussed location of pods. 

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards discussed scheduling a meeting at 9:00am on the November 28 at the County Office Building and then tour the pods. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented the project ordinance for the courthouse project in the amount of $2,050,000. He informed the Board that the Local Government Commission approved the County’s application to borrow $2,050,000 from First Citizens with a term of 15 years at an interest rate of 3.74%.  He discussed the proposed construction contract with Vannoy Construction in the amount of $1,770,043 including all of the alternates.   He further reviewed the highlights of the construction contract including the start date is November 8 with a proposed substantial completion date of September 16, 2006.

 

            Frank Randel displayed a replacement window for the courthouse.  He described how they would work in the courthouse.

 

            County Manager Don Adams talked about the solid panes of glass and the size of the windows.

 

            Frank Randel informed the Board that these windows are the same price as the windows alternates previously discussed by the Board.

 

            County Manager Don Adams talked about the windows will be custom windows with the exception of the courtroom windows, which won’t open.  He stated that he is asking for approval on the project ordinance, contract with Vannoy Construction, type of windows and permission to execute the financing documents with First Citizens.

 

            The Board of Commissioners and Frank Randel talked about the windows including blinds and tinting to help with the sunshine.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the project ordinance, contract, select replacement windows and authorize Mr. Adams to go forwards with First Citizens on the financing.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:1 (Ken Richardson).

 

            April Choate came before the Board to present the annual report for Alleghany in Motion.  She gave statistics including AIM has 22 employees, 11 vehicles, 7 members on the Community Transportation Advisory Board, miles traveled last year, number of trips, breakdown of the trips, training received and safety.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and April Choate discussed part-time driver turn over and making sure the new employees stay current with the required training. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams stated that the operating side of AIM is now self sufficient.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards and April Choate discussed EDTAP funding.

 

            County Manager Don Adams and Commissioner Warren Taylor talked about several obstacles concerning locating a dialysis center here.

 

            Russ Pearson came before the Board to present the annual report for the Wilkes/Alleghany Chapter of Red Cross.  He introduced two board members present here tonight; Gil Thadani and George White.  He talked about working closely with Gerald Leftwich.  He explained the services they provide and how they are provided.

 

            The Board thanked Russ Pearson for his report.

 

            County Manager Don Adams talked about a letter from Linda Hash stating that Jim Dixon, Dennis Franklin and David Isner need to be reappointed to the Farmland Preservation Program for a three-year term.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to reappoint Jim Dixon, Dennis Franklin and David Isner to the Farmland Preservation Program Board.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #15 in the amount of $9,430.  He explained that this budget amendment is for the annual audit on Workers Compensation insurance.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #15 in the amount of $9,430 for Workers Compensation.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            County Manager Don Adams presented the final version of the High Impact Land Uses / Polluting Industries ordinance.  He reviewed the major changes from the last version. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams discussed a subdivision variance request that is pending.  He reminded the Board that they originally scheduled the variance meetings on the second Tuesday of each month and the conflict with tomorrow night.  He talked about the importance of the variance request.  He stated that they are recommending one meeting prior to the variance request meeting in order to receive the information.  He talked about the variance request. 

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon stated that the more information they have before the meeting, the better. 

 

            County Manager Don Adams asked the Board about holding the variance request meeting on December 13 at 6:00pm.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards, Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and County Manager Don Adams discussed the Commissioners considering the subdivision variance rather than the Planning Board.

 

             Commissioner Ken Richardson suggested Amy Pardue or Don Adams bring them the information for their considerations prior to the meeting.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards talked about holding the variance meeting on December 13 at 6:00pm.

 

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

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to enter into closed session at 8:13pm under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the closed session at 8:25pm and reconvene the regular meeting.  Commissioner Ken Richardson seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards stated no action was taken during closed session.

 

            Being no further business, Commissioner Graylen Blevins made a motion to adjourn at 8:26pm.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

Respectfully submitted,                   

 

 

Karen Evans                         

Clerk to the Board                

 

Attest:

 

 

Eldon Edwards

Chairman