The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, December 1, 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-Chairman Warren Taylor, Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner Patrick Woodie, County Manager Don Adams, and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. Commissioner Sandy Carter and County Attorney Ed Woltz were absent.

County Manager Don Adams called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Warren Taylor opened the meeting with a prayer.

The Board of Commissioners discussed amending the agenda to include Mark Saunders, fairgrounds discussion and County Manager Don Adams will be presenting the subdivision plat for Jack Conaway.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this December 1, 2003, meeting. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

AGENDA

Monday, December 1, 2003

6:30 PM

6:30 Meeting Called To Order

Motion on Agenda for December 1, 2003 meeting

Motion on Minutes for November 17, 2003 meeting

6:35 Election of Chair & Vice-Chair

Meeting Procedures & Times

County Attorney

Board Appointments

6:45 Mark Saunders (added)

RE: Cruise-In

6:55 Fairgrounds Discussions (added)

7:00 Don Adams for Jack Conaway (amended)

RE: Preliminary Subdivision Approval

County Business

1. Other Business

2. Public Comments—30 minutes

3. Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development

NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—personnel

4. Adjourn

Commissioner Eldon Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes for the November 17, 2003, meeting. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

County Manager Don Adams opened the floor for general discussions for the appointment of the Chairman.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to re-appoint Eldon Edwards as Chairman for another year. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 3:0. (Eldon Edwards abstained from voting)

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for a motion for vice-chairman.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to re-appoint Warren Taylor as Vice-Chairman for another year. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Chair Eldon Edwards talked about moving the mid-month meeting to 10:00am from 3:30pm to accommodate everyone’s schedules better.

Commissioner Graylen Blevins talked about working people not being able to attend the mid-month meeting.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he had discussed this with the County Manager. He further stated the mid-month meeting would be normally County departmental reports and the first meeting would be public hearings and items more of public interest.

The Board of Commissioners continued to discuss moving the mid-month meeting to 10:00am.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the Rules of Procedures with the meeting time change to 10:00am on the third Monday. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 3:1. (Graylen Blevins)

The Board of Commissioners held discussions about board appointments and decided to keep the same board appointments.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to reaffirm the Commissioners’ commitments to these boards. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to re-appoint Ed Woltz as County Attorney. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Mark Saunders informed the Board about a group of local citizens that are interested in creating a cruise-in here in Alleghany County. He explained what a cruise-in consists of and the areas around Alleghany County that has cruise-ins. He further explained how a cruise-in could benefit the County. He told the Board of businesses that have already agreed to let the car club use their parking lots for the cruise-in. He asked the Board about using the old cash-n-carry parking lot.

Chair Eldon Edwards asked when this program would start.

Mark Saunders stated that their goal is to start the first Saturday in April and continue on the first Saturday of each month after that.

County Manager Don Adams stated that he had conversations a couple of weeks ago about using the cash-n-carry parking lot and explained that the County’s policy about others using County property and the liability insurance issues.

The Board of Commissioners stated that they didn’t see any problems with this idea.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie stated that he didn’t see any problems with letting them use the cash-n-carry parking lot.

Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that he would like to ask Ed Woltz about getting the group to sign a waiver of liability for using the parking lot area.

County Manager Don Adams stated that he is hearing the Board state they want him to work out the details on the insurance issues so the car club can use the old cash-n-carry parking lot during the cruise-in.

Don Adams presented a preliminary plat for the Board’s approval for Deerwood Park. He reminded the Board that the final plat will come before the Board after the roads are put in place.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve the preliminary plat for Deerwood Park, Phase 4. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie brought up the subject of the outside companies using the fairgrounds for private for-profit sales that is in direct competition with local merchants. He talked about the Board’s decision to not support activities of this kind.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to adopt a policy that the Fairgrounds are not to be used for private for-profit ventures. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Commissioner Warren Taylor mentioned that on December 15, 2003, there is a retirement party for Dick Fender at High Country Council of Government and the Christmas Party at Blue Ridge Electric the same night. He stated that he would like to see the Board split up to attend both meetings.

The Board discussed who would be attending each meeting.

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.

Mario Gonzales stated that he has the erosion control plan for Jack Conaway.

County Manager Don Adams stated that Mr. Gonzales could leave it and he would get it to County Planner Jack Conaway.

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

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to enter into closed session under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development and (a) (6)—personnel at 7:20pm. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the closed session and reconvene the regular meeting at 8:27pm. Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

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

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to appoint Rita Miller as Tax Assessor for six months effective December 11, 2003. Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Being no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:28pm. Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

Attest:

Eldon Edwards

Chairman