The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 10:00am 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 Sandy Carter Herndon, Commissioner Ken Richardson, County Manager Don Adams and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins was present but arrived late.  County Attorney Ed Woltz was absent.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards stated that Mary Walker will not be in attendance today.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards made a motion to approve the amended agenda for this December 20, 2004, meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.   Vote 4:0.

 

AGENDA

Monday, December 20, 2004

10:00 AM

 

10:00              Meeting Called To Order

                        Motion on Agenda for December 20, 2004 meeting

Motion on Minutes for December 6, 2004 meeting

10:05              Mary Walker   (deleted)

                        RE:  Tax Releases & Refunds

10:15              Bob Edwards

                        RE:  Extension Director Position

10:25              Amy Pardue

                        RE:  Subdivision Approval Request

10:35              Debbie Brewer

                        RE:  Library Annex

County Business

1.      Budget Amendment—Recreation 

2.      Budget Amendment—Refinancing Loan

3.      Budget Amendment—Elections Grant

4.      Joint Meeting with School Board

5.      Osborne Road Water Line

6.      Administrative Building Construction & Financing Bids

7.      Other Business

8.      Public Comments—30 minutes

9.    Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (5)—Contracts to discuss real        property acquisition

NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6)—Personnel

10. Adjourn

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the minutes for the December 6, 2004, meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

Commissioner Graylen Blevins joined the meeting at 10:06am.

           

                Amy Pardue, Planner, presented a major subdivision plat for final approval.  She explained that this plat was originally approved in August.  She further explained the changes from the original plat.  She reviewed how this subdivision meets the subdivision ordinance requirements.

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the subdivision as presented by the County Planner.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0. 

 

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #19 in the amount of $3,502 for the Adult Softball League.  He explained that these monies do not include any General Fund monies.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #19 in the amount of $3,502.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

Bob Edwards came before the Board requesting that George Stancil be hired as Alleghany County’s new Extension Director.  He reviewed the selection process.  He informed the Board of Mr. Stancil’s background and qualifications. 

 

            Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve the hiring of George Stancil as the new Extension Director.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0. 

 

            The Board of Commissioners welcomed George Stancil to the County.

 

            George Stancil stated that he is looking forward to working with everyone.

 

            Bob Edwards stated his appreciation to David Isner and the entire extension staff for covering for this vacant position.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #20 in the amount of ($35,633).  He explained that this is decreasing the Sparta School/Jail Bond Payments due to the recent refinancing of these loans.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #20 in the amount of ($35,633).  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.        

 

County Manager Don Adams presented budget amendment General Fund #21 in the amount of $10,536 for a technology grant that the Board of Elections will receive.  He explained that these monies do not include any General Fund monies. 

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve budget amendment General Fund #21 in the amount of $10,536.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

County Manager Don Adams talked about a joint meeting with Board of Education on January 24th or 31st.  He reminded everyone of the joint meeting with the Town Council on the 31st at 7:00pm. He asked the Board about a date and place for the joint meeting with the Board of Education.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards talked about holding the meeting here or at the Board of Education’s conference room.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon talked about having the meeting on January 24th rather than January 31st due to the other meeting on the 31st.

 

Commissioner Graylen Blevins and County Manager Don Adams discussed the School’s architect will be bringing ideas to the Boards concerning the space needs issue.

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about the meeting will be open to the public and should be in an area large enough to hold a larger group.  He talked about Sparta Elementary School or Alleghany High School.  He said he would like to have meetings at each school location.

 

The Board of Commissioners talked about scheduling the meeting on January 24th at 6:30pm and the agenda format for the meeting.

 

County Manager Don Adams stated that he will talk to Duane Davis about a location for the meeting.

 

County Manager Don Adams reminded everyone that at the last joint meeting, the Town was going to apply for State grant funding for the extension of water lines to households on Osborne Road.  He reviewed a letter from The Rural Center regarding the grant and matching funds.  He talked about the Town is willing to accept the ongoing costs for these additional services.  He stated that he is asking for the County to provide the 10.1% match; which is $13,534.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve a 10.1% match on The Rural Center grant for the water line extension.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0. 

 

Debbie Brewer came before the Board to thank the Board for their continued support.  She discussed a proposal concerning the Library Annex and renting the facility where the rent would go towards the next loan payment. 

 

County Manager Don Adams stated that the building appears like it is in good shape concerning the maintenance aspect.

 

County Manager Don Adams talked about the proposal being the County will keep the lease money separate to be used towards the payment with any maintenance costs being paid from the lease monies. 

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about his idea is the library board working out the lease details and the lease rates being $1000 for the entire facility or $500 for half of building.

 

County Manager Don Adams talked about the library board pursuing this action and the lease will come back before the Commissioners and reviewed by the County Attorney before any final decisions are made.

 

Commissioner Graylen Blevins, Commissioner Ken Richardson and County Manager Don Adams talked about the length of the lease and the legality of different lease scenarios. 

 

Commissioner Graylen Blevins and Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon talked about lease rates being set by the Board.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon made a motion to approve this request.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.   

 

County Manager Don Adams reviewed the bids received for renovations of the Administration Building and financing interest rate bids.  He reviewed the construction timeline.  He further reviewed the budget for this construction project including construction bid from Donald Neal Construction Company being $1,111,768, basement wall repair for $127,332, architect fees being $101,000 and miscellaneous/contingency being $109,900.  He reviewed the miscellaneous costs including funding for the phone system, legal fees and environmental fees.

 

County Manager Don Adams reviewed the interest rate bids for this project with BB&T being the low bidder at 3.89% and the other bids received were RBC Centura at 4.15%, Wachovia at 4.04% and Alleghany First at 6.25%.  He further reviewed the bank fees and prepay penalty for each bank. 

 

The Board agreed to hold a public hearing on January 3, 2005, concerning the Local Government Commission application and the financing agreement with BB&T.

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson wished everyone on the Board happy holidays.

 

Commissioner Ken Richardson talked about working with County Manager Don Adams after the November election to update him on County matters.  He stated that he could not support the Administration Building at that time.  He talked about the lack of communication between the Board and citizens.  He stated that he is glad a public hearing is being held on this matter, and he wants everyone who has called to come to the public hearing and express their concern about the Administration Building.

 

Commissioner Graylen Blevins talked about Commissioner Ken Richardson’s comments at the last meeting about the new commissioners failing to get the new jobs back into the County.  He further talked about he hasn’t been aware of a Wal-Mart opportunity.  He stated that he has worked on getting a theatre here and couldn’t get enough interest from the public to support a theatre.  He further stated that he is always open to public comments at any time.  He reviewed the positive things that has occurred during his term; Martin-Marietta, Charleston Forge and NAPCO.  He talked about the Administration-side of having to spend money at every meeting and major ADA issues at the Courthouse that must be dealt with.  He further talked about how the Board is balanced.  He stated that he is thankful for the County Manager that we have now with his business and construction sense.  He further stated that by no means does he go along with everyone to just be going along with everyone, and he votes the way he thinks is best regardless of how anyone else votes.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon and Commissioner Warren Taylor wished everyone safe and happy holidays.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards addressed Commissioner Ken Richardson’s concern about the public not knowing what is going on at the Commissioners meetings.  He stated that the Board has two regular meetings a month, local newspaper articles about the meetings, the County’s web page has minutes about the meetings, and everyone is welcome to come to all of the board meetings.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon added that the public has access to Channel 50 to view the Commissioners meeting.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards wished everyone a happy holiday.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.

 

Charlie Scott wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

Coby Larue wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards stated his appreciation to Coby Larue for doing a good job with the newspaper.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to enter into closed session under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (5)—contracts to discuss real property acquisition and (a) (6)—personnel at 10:55am.  Commissioner Graylen Blevins seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards called for a brief recess at 10:55am.

 

Charles Joines and Duane Davis joined the Board for closed session.  

 

Charles Joines and Duane Davis left the meeting at 12:30pm.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn closed session and reconvene the regular meeting at 12:39pm.  Commissioner Sandy Carter Herndon seconded the motion.  Vote 5:0. 

 

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

 

            Being no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:40pm.   Chair Eldon Edwards seconded the motion.   Vote 5:0. 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Karen Evans

Clerk to the Board

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

Eldon Edwards

Chairman