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MINUTES
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AUGUST 18, 2009
PUBLIC HEARING - SUNCREST FARMS ECONOMIC INVESTMENT AGREEMENT - Chairman Zach Henderson declared the Public Hearing open concerning the Suncrest Farms Economic Investment Agreement at 5:00 P. M. on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, with the following members present: Chairman Zach Henderson, Vice Chairman Keith Elmore, Commissioner Gary Blevins, Commissioner Luther Parks, and Commissioner Charlie Sink.
Also present were Tony Triplett, County Attorney; County Manager John Yates; and Alene Faw, Clerk to the Board.
County Attorney Tony Triplett stated the Economic Development Commission and the Board of Commissioners have been working on a potential Economic Investment Agreement with Suncrest Farms Country Hams of Wilkesboro. He stated the Public Hearing has been noticed and this is before the Board for approval if they decide to go forward at the meeting tonight. He stated Russell Gambill with Suncrest Farms is here tonight and will be glad to answer any questions the Board may have. He stated EDC Director Don Alexander and EDC Assistant Director Robin Hamby are also here. Mr. Triplett stated Suncrest has undertaken an expansion of their facility in Wilkesboro. He stated renovations were started when the Board was in discussions with them and are now completed on their facility and they have also added more machinery and equipment at their food processing operation in Wilkesboro. He stated according to the agreement, Suncrest has agreed the renovation will result in a tax listing of an extra $300,000 as of January 1, 2010 over and above their current listing and additional machinery and equipment in the amount of $400,000 over and above their current listing as of January 1, 2010. He stated they have agreed to add an additional twenty employees over and above the current number of employees as of the time of the agreement. Mr. Triplett stated the additional twenty employees will have to be place by the time the County’s first payment is due to them which is September 2010. He stated those are the benchmarks they have undertaken to meet. He stated if Suncrest meets those benchmarks the agreement calls for three payments of economic development incentives starting in September of 2010. He stated the first payment would be $2,855.70, the second payment would be $2,770.20 and the third payment would be $2,667.60.
Commissioner Charlie Sink asked if Suncrest business has continued to hold up. Mr. Gambill stated their business is up about 65%. Commissioner Sink stated he knew they were doing this expansion to meet the increase in demand. He stated that is great and the Board is tickled to hear that. Mr. Gambill stated they are through with Phase 1 of the project and have spent a little over $400,000 for the building and the parking lot. He stated they have spent approximately $350,000 for equipment. Commissioner Sink asked if prospects look good for the future. Mr. Gambill stated the Statler Company went out of business and Suncrest has taken over a lot of that. He stated they have twelve new employees and that can go a lot higher than twenty. Commissioner Sink wished Suncrest the best of luck.
There being no further comments regarding the Suncrest Farms Economic Investment Agreement, Chairman Zach Henderson declared the Public Hearing closed at 5:03 P. M.
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 5:03 P. M. with the following members present: Chairman Zach Henderson, Vice Chairman Keith Elmore, Commissioner Gary Blevins, Commissioner Luther Parks, and Commissioner Charlie Sink.
Also present for the meeting were Tony Triplett, County Attorney; County Manager John Yates; and Alene Faw, Clerk to the Board.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Henderson who welcomed those in attendance.
INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Commissioner Luther Parks.
MINUTES - Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink, seconded by Vice Chairman Keith Elmore and unanimously adopted to approve the Minutes of the Board Meeting held on August 3, 2009.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS & BUDGET TRANSFERS - Vice Chairman Keith Elmore made a motion to approve Budget Amendments No. 2 (Health – Health Care Connection and Programs/Salaries), No. 3 (Health – Diabetes Grant), and No. 4 (General); and Budget Transfer No. 2 (CJPP). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES – BARIATRIC AMBULANCE - EMS Director Gregg Hendren stated he is requesting funding for a bariatric ambulance. He stated they basically have this ambulance but it needs to be converted to a bariatric unit. He stated the obesity rate is increasing each year and with this unit he is trying to prevent injuries for the medics and possibly the patients. He stated this will also save some money. Mr. Hendren stated the cost of the bariatric system is $16,498.93 which does include the stretcher and the box.
Commissioner Luther Parks asked the limitations of the unit. Mr. Hendren stated that is 1,100 pounds.
Chairman Zach Henderson stated typically when the EMS goes out on a response there are two people to move people in and out of houses, through doors, over furniture, etc. and put them in the ambulance. Mr. Hendren stated that is correct. He stated the last back injury they had was in loading a patient and that cost a substantial amount of money. He stated hopefully this will help.
Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve the request as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
RAW WATER INTAKE – CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE - County Manager John Yates stated the Raw Water Intake – Capital Project Ordinance allows the County to put the project off and not lose the grant money. He stated if this is not passed the County will lose the grant money from the Rural Center. He stated they are continuing to work. He stated the Board approved the agreement with the Corps of Engineers last month and they will begin to work on that.
Chairman Zach Henderson stated the grant the County could potentially lose would be $500,000. Mr. Yates stated that is Phase 3 of the Water Intake Project.
Vice Chairman Keith Elmore made a motion to approve the Capital Project Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Wilkes, North Carolina that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the following capital project ordinance is hereby adopted:
Section 1. The project authorized is the construction of the Phase III Raw Water Line between the Town of Wilkesboro raw water intake on the Yadkin River and the Town of North Wilkesboro raw water pump station, and improvements to the Town of Wilkesboro raw water intake facilities, to be financed by a USDA Rural Development loan/grant, a NC Rural Center grant, and investment earnings.
Section 2. The officers of Wilkes County are hereby directed to proceed with the capital project within the terms of the USDA Rural Development loan/grant documents, the NC Rural Center grant documents, and the budget contained herein.
Section 3. The following amounts are appropriated for the project:
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Construction:
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$1,927,100
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Construction Administration:
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8,512
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Legal:
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15,500
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Engineering:
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97,588
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Interest During Construction
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77,300
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Periodic Inspection:
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81,800
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Contingency:
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96,600
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Easements
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72,000
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Total Project Cost
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$2,376,400
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Section 4. The following revenues are anticipated to be available to complete this project:
Proceeds from a USDA Rural Development Loan/Grant $1,876,400
NC Rural Center Grant 500,000
Total $2,376,400
Section 5. The Finance Officer is hereby directed to maintain within the Capital Project Fund sufficient specific detailed accounting records to satisfy the requirements of the grantor agencies, the grant agreements, and federal regulations.
Section 6, Funds may be advanced from the General Fund for the purpose of making payments as due. Reimbursement requests should be made to the grantor agencies in an orderly and timely manner.
Section 7. The Finance Officer is directed to report, on a quarterly basis, on the financial status of each project element in Section 3and on the total loan and grant revenues received or claimed.
Section 8. The Budget Officer is directed to include a detailed analysis of past and future costs and revenues on this capital project in every budget submission made to this Board.
Section 9. Copies of this Capital Project Ordinance shall be furnished to the County Manager, the County Clerk, and to the Finance Officer for direction in carrying out this project.
Adopted this 18th day of August, 2009
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/s/ Zach Henderson, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/ Alene Faw, County Clerk
SUNCREST FARMS – ECONOMIC INVESTMENT AGREEMENT - County Attorney Tony Triplett stated an Economic Investment Agreement with Suncrest Farms is before the Board for consideration. He stated the Public Hearing has been held as required.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the Economic Investment Agreement with Suncrest Farms Country Hams, Inc. as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS – Claude Shew, Jr. stated the Wilkes Voluntary Agricultural District was started in April 2008. He stated there are four districts in the County and there are five Board members that are picked by agricultural agencies in the County. Mr. Shew stated three Board members were appointed for one year terms, three were appointed for two year terms, and three were appointed for three year terms. He stated they are requesting reappointments for the one year terms. He stated they are requesting to change one appointment. Mr. Shew stated they are recommending Toby Lee Speaks from District 1, Gary Blake from District 2, and Dan Bumgarner from District 4. He stated the Forestry representative, Charles Mauldin, passed away and he had a two year term. He stated the Forestry Service is recommending Dennis McGrady to complete Mr. Mauldin’s term.
Commissioner Gary Blevins asked if the Mr. McGrady will serve the remaining one year of Mr. Mauldin’s term and the three reappointments will all serve three year terms as opposed to one year. Mr. Shew stated that is correct.
Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve the appointments to the Agricultural Advisory Board as recommended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Charlie Sink and unanimously approved.
County Attorney Tony Triplett stated he and Jody Hayes-Stewart have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with Mr. Shew and the Agricultural Advisory Board on a lot of their matters as they get set up. He stated they have really worked hard and put a lot of time in and are naming members they feel like will contribute and continue the hard work. He stated he wanted to say that publicly because they have worked with them and know how much they have worked on this.
Mr. Shew stated at their last meeting they approved 890+ acres to go in and for their next meeting they already have 1,600 acres ready to go in and he hopes they can get some more done before the September meeting. He stated this is coming along good and they appreciate the Board of Commissioners help.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD APPOINTMENT - Chairman Zach Henderson stated he is in receipt of a letter from the Economic Development Board. He stated as he understands it Tracy Walker was serving on that Board and has asked to step down. He stated the EDC Board has submitted a replacement name to serve out Mr. Walker’s unexpired term on that Board. He stated they are setting forth the name of Frank Taracido. He stated Mr. Taracido has a lot of experience in engineering. He stated he is the President of Cubic Engineering in North Wilkesboro, has served on a number of Boards, and has taken part in a number of activities furthering the benefit of the County.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the appointment of Frank Taracido to the EDC Board to fill the unexpired term of Tracy Walker. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Keith Elmore and unanimously approved.
ADULT CARE HOME COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - County Manager John Yates stated he has a letter from High County Council of Government recommending the reappointment of June Hege to the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee for a three year appointment.
Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve the reappointment as recommended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
CLOSED SESSION - Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to go into Closed Session to consult with the County Attorney concerning a pending judicial action entitled Paul Absher versus certain deputies of the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
Motion was made by Commissioner Gary Blevins seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and by unanimous vote adopted to adjourn back into regular session.
ADJOURN - Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and by unanimous vote adopted to adjourn the meeting of the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners at 5:40 P. M.
Alene E. Faw, Clerk Zach Henderson, Chairman
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Approved:
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