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MINUTES
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 6, 2010
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 6:00 P. M. with the following members present: Chairman Zach Henderson, Vice Chairman Gary Blevins, Commissioner Keith Elmore, Commissioner Luther Parks, and Commissioner Charlie Sink.
Also present for the meeting were Tony Triplett, County Attorney; John Yates, County Manager; and Alene Faw, Clerk to the Board.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Zach Henderson who welcomed those in attendance.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Commissioner Luther Parks.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK SESSION - Chairman Zach Henderson stated he would be remiss if he did not mention the Work Session for the Board at the Cooperative Extension Office. He stated they provided a delicious meal as well as a large amount of information about the state of agriculture here in Wilkes County. He stated the two things he would like to make a public announcement about is the information they gave shows their total in value added income for the County amounts to 37% of the County’s actual income and employment is a little over 24% of the total County employment in agriculture. Chairman Henderson stated agriculture plays a huge part in our economy and it is important to remember that. He stated the Board appreciated the meal and the information they provided this evening.
MINUTES - Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink seconded by Commissioner Keith Elmore and unanimously adopted to approve the Minutes of the Board Meeting held on March 16, 2009.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS & BUDGET TRANSFERS - Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously adopted to approve Budget Amendment No. 41 (Outside Agencies), No. 42 (Social Services); No. 43 (Health Promotion) and No. 44 (Eat Smart Move More); and Budget Transfers No. 16 (Recreation) and No. 17 (Sheriff).
ROAD PETITIONS - Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink seconded by Vice Chairman Gary Blevins and unanimously adopted to approve the following road petitions:
Parker Lane
REQUEST: Addition to State System
BLUE STAR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY RESOLUTION - Chairman Zach Henderson read the proposed Blue Star Memorial Highway Resolution. He stated Representative Shirley Randleman is here and has been very involved in getting this moving along.
Representative Randleman stated she started working on this in August when she was contacted by one of our veterans, Kerry Nichols, who was questioning some designation in Wilkes County for our veterans. She stated when she started looking at this she saw that most of the major highways in the State of North Carolina are designated as Blue Star Highways and are on the Blue Star System with the exception of Highway 421. She stated they began working with that and looked at the entire Highway 421 and looked at the section in Wilkes County. She stated they talked with Chairman Henderson and Wilkesboro Mayor Mike Inscore and decided to go the route of only asking for the designation to be within the Wilkes County boundaries. Representative Randleman stated at some point in the future they may proceed with that being broadened across the State of North Carolina but they thought this might be the best thing right now as Wilkes County can be guaranteed they will get a Blue Star designation sign. She stated she thinks this is only fitting and proper and is only a small tribute of what this community should do for our veterans, for those that are serving, and for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. She asked for the Board’s support on the resolution.
Commissioner Charlie Sink asked how many markers will be placed in the County and if there will be one at the beginning and the end or will there be multiple markers. Representative Randleman stated there will be one marker somewhere along the Wilkes County portion of Highway 421. She stated if they had chosen to go before the Department of Transportation Board and ask for the entire Highway 421 to be added, Wilkes County would not be guaranteed a sign. She stated with all of the effort that has been put into this, they wanted to make sure Wilkes County does get a designated sign. She stated the veteran she has been working with has assured her he will work in the future to proceed and get this expanded the entire length of the State. Commissioner Sink stated it would be nice to have more than one sign as long as the corridor is. He stated it could be easily overlooked. Representative Randleman stated there was no guarantee the other way the County would even get a sign. She stated she wants to make sure our veterans and our service members know the County appreciates and respects them and this is a way to show that.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the Blue Star Memorial Highway Resolution. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
BLUE STAR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Blue Star Memorial Highways are a tribute to the armed forces that have defended and are currently defending the United States of America.
WHEREAS, while this originally began to honor World War II veterans, it enlarged its mission and in 1951 it was expanded to include all men and women, who had served, were serving or would serve in the armed forces of the United States.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners presents this request to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to honor our veterans by designating Highway 421 North from the Yadkin County Line to the Watauga County Line a Blue Star Memorial Highwayand requests a marker be erected in observance of this designation.
Adopted this 6th day of April, 2010.
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/s/ Zach Henderson, Chairman
Attest:
/s/ Alene E. Faw, County Clerk
LONG CREEK STREAM RESTORATION AND STORMWATER PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION - Derrick Goddard stated he is with Blue Ridge Environmental Consultants, a civil and environmental engineering firm based in Boone. He stated they have come before the Board for other requests and other projects they have worked on namely the Friends of the Lake Waterfowl Impoundment Project that was successfully funded through the State of North Carolina. He stated the County handled the funds and dispersed them to the Friends of the Lake for construction of that waterfowl impoundment which is complete and he invited the Board to look at that. He stated that is located on South Marley Ford Road at the end on the south side of the Lake. Mr. Goddard stated he is here to ask the Board’s blessings on submittal of a grant application that would provide some benefits to County owned property, being the Senior Center which is the old Fairplains School. He stated he spoke with the Senior Center Director about this when he first started looking for potential grant projects trying to match existing funding available with projects and explained to him what the project would be. He stated he was enthusiastically supportive of the project, thought it would be a good addition to the property, would enhance the property, and would provide some benefit. Mr. Goddard stated they are proposing a stream restoration and stormwater management project that would go on the Senior Center property and would also encroach onto the Miller Funeral Service property which is just across the stream. He stated the reason this funding is available is the North Carolina Division of Water Quality has designated Long Creek on their 303-D list which is impaired waters in the State of North Carolina. He stated currently there are only two impaired waters of North Carolina in Wilkes County. He stated the first is Elk Creek in the Darby/Triplett community and the second is Long Creek. Mr. Goddard stated when they started looking for projects they tried to identify County owned property because it has public good. Mr. Goddard stated they are proposing a stream restoration similar to what took place at Cub Creek in Wilkesboro several years ago. He stated they are proposing to add a walking tract of approximately one quarter of a mile and a stormwater wetland which is a wetland retention facility that functions as a natural wetland but receives stormwater from impervious surfaces within the watershed and treats it before it goes into the creek. Mr. Goddard stated the walking tract would be an additional benefit to the property. He stated esthetically speaking the stream restoration would improve esthetics of that channel. He stated it would be a nice natural area to walk along, etc. He stated an intrinsic benefit of this project would be their design would encompass what would be considered a total site development of this property so if there were to be a redevelopment or a Brownfield redevelopment of this property of some sort where there was total impervious surface, the stormwater retention and treatment would already be existing and meet all codes if that were to happen. He stated that makes the property a little more valuable for future development projects. Mr. Goddard stated they are asking for approval of an application that includes maps and a budget and a short narrative. He stated they are asking the State of North Carolina through this EPA 319 grant, which is administered by the State but is federal dollars, for approximately $270,000. He stated $180,000 of that is in-kind money that will be generated from actual use of the land and from all in-kind donations of staff time and from their firm’s staff in preparing the application, etc.
Commissioner Luther Parks stated this is about 1,000 feet and asked if that will come close to Roan Avenue. Mr. Goddard stated it will not. He stated it will just cover the property that is on the Senior Center and is about a quarter of a mile from that.
Chairman Zach Henderson asked about the in-kind money. Mr. Goddard stated there is no out of pocket expense to the County on this at all.
Commissioner Charlie Sink asked where this creek originates. Mr. Goddard stated this is very close to the headwaters. He stated it goes under some backyards there. He stated this is the same creek that runs behind the south side of Highway 268 behind the businesses there and dumps into Mulberry Creek near the old Mirror Company.
Vice Chairman Gary Blevins asked if the water flows through there year round. Mr. Goddard stated it does as it is a perennial stream. He stated the base flow is about 3-1/2 feet to 4 feet wide so it is a pretty bold stream.
Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve the grant application as requested. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
SPECIAL INTENSITY ALLOCATION - SET PUBLIC HEARING - Planning Director Eddie Barnes stated he has a request for the Board of Commissioners to set a Public Hearing for a Special Intensity Allocation under the 10/70 Watershed Variance Procedure. He stated the Planning Board has a request from East Wilkes Self Storage owned by Bill Blackburn and Jack Underdown to increase their impervious surface area on a project they have built some self storage warehouses on. He stated they want to increase the density area up to 70%. He stated they currently have 53% of the property covered. Mr. Barnes stated they were granted a special intensity allocation in 2006 to go up to the 53% and they want to do an expansion and go up to the full 70% allowed to them. He stated this will require a ten day notification period and requested the Board to consider the April 20th meeting.
Commissioner Keith Elmore asked where this Public Hearing would be advertised. Mr. Barnes stated it will be advertised in The Journal-Patriot. Commissioner Elmore asked about advertising in The Elkin Tribune. He stated that is where most of these people live. Mr. Barnes stated he usually advertises in the local County paper which is a requirement of the General Statutes to advertise in the paper circulated in the community. He stated that is not to say he could not use another paper in addition to the local paper. Commissioner Elmore stated it might make sense to do that.
Vice Chairman Gary Blevins asked if this is the type action that requires notification of adjoining landowners. Mr. Barnes stated that is not a requirement under the County Ordinance or the General Statutes.
Vice Chairman Gary Blevins made a motion to set the Public Hearing as requested on April 20, 2010 at 6:45 P. M. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
CIELO FALLS, SECTION 1 – PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT - Planning Director Eddie Barnes stated during regular session on February 22, 2010 the Planning Board reviewed and recommended the final plat for Cielo Falls, Section 1, P. U. D. He stated the proposed subdivision is located on Summit Road (SR 1300), Cielo Ridge Way, and Cascade Run in Jobs Cabin Township and is owned by Cielo Blue Ridge, Inc. He stated the proposed subdivision consists of 82.50 acres to be divided into fifty-seven lots with an average size of 1.07 acres. Mr. Barnes stated streets in the subdivision are to be private with paving and constructed to non-DOT standards per Section 71 of the Wilkes County Subdivision Ordinance. He stated this subdivision is not located in a zoned area or a protected watershed and all documentation, lot size, and setback requirements have been met. Mr. Barnes stated this is a recombination of a previously platted subdivision with some addition of lots. He stated the first section had forty-three lots and they have gone to about sixty lots.
Chairman Zach Henderson asked if this is just a continuation. Mr. Barnes stated that is correct. He stated they plan to have several phases to follow this. Chairman Henderson asked if the section before this is completed or full. Mr. Barnes stated this is the first section they brought before the Board. He stated the first section was forty-three lots and out of the sixty before the Board, they have sold three that actually have homes there. He stated they may have sold more than three lot but there are three occupied home. He stated they have built a multi-million dollar sewage treatment package plant on the property that can accommodate several hundred homes. Mr. Barnes stated the roads are in and have been paved for this section and they are in the process of building a gatehouse that will be at the main entrance so there is activity going on there and they are moving ahead but things have been pulled back some with the economy. Chairman Henderson stated his question was are things moving forward and progress is being made with regard to development in the County. Mr. Barnes stated it is.
Commissioner Keith Elmore stated Mr. Barnes indicated there is a common sewer system. He asked if there is any common water system or it is wells. Mr. Barnes stated they are doing a rainwater collection system on each of the homes. He stated that will be supplemented by wells so in times of drought or exceedingly dry periods they will have a supplemental water source but the primary water source for each of those homes there now is the rainwater collection system and that is what they have planned for the future.
Vice Chairman Gary Blevins asked if the entire development when it is completed is built in Wilkes County. Mr. Barnes stated it is. He stated there is about 1,200 acres right now. He stated they presented a master plan to the Planning Board a couple of months ago and they have some pretty big visions of several hundred home sites being there along with other mixed uses, a general store, a clubhouse facility, and things of that nature to be there as well. He stated a lodge in the future is on their master plan. He stated this would be a public use lodge.
Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink to approve Cielo Falls, Section 1, Planned Unit Development as presented by the Planning Department and to approve the plat of the same for recording, pursuant to the Wilkes County Subdivision Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Keith Elmore and unanimously approved.
TRIPLE COVE ESTATES – CHANGE ROADS FROM PRIVATE TO PUBLIC - Planning Director Eddie Barnes stated Triple Cove Estates Subdivision was first developed with private roads. He stated they have since changed the direction and want to go with the Department of Transportation public roads and for them to assume the maintenance of those streets. He stated all property owners have signed the plat before the Board and are in agreement to have the roads changed from private to public. He stated DOT has sent a letter of acceptance with some minor modifications the property owners have taken care of or will take care of prior to being taken into the system.
Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve changing the roads in Triple Cove Estates from private to public. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
HIGHLAND SPRINGS SUBDIVISION PHASE 1 REVISION - Planning Director Eddie Barnes stated the request before the Board is to approve Highland Springs Subdivision Phase 1 Revision owned by Phillip and Victoria Ryder Trust. He stated during regular session on February 22, 2010 the Planning Board reviewed and recommended this plat for approval. He stated this subdivision is located off NC Highway 21 North in the Traphill Township. Mr. Barnes stated the proposed subdivision consists of 7.48 acres to be divided into five lots. He stated the average lot size is 1.49 acres. He stated streets in the subdivision are to be public with paving and constructed to DOT standards per Section 71.2 of the Wilkes County Subdivision Ordinance. He stated the subdivision is located in a WS-II protected watershed and is not located in a zoned district and all documentation, lot size, and setback requirements have been met. Mr. Barnes stated the developer has submitted an estimate and performance guarantee to cover all improvements within a twelve month period. He stated this is a recombination plat with the addition of one lot.
Motion was made by Commissioner Keith Elmore to approve Highland Springs Subdivision Phase 1/Revision as presented by the Planning Department and to approve the plat of the same for recording, pursuant to the Wilkes County Subdivision Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Charlie Sink and unanimously approved.
ONE QUARTER CENT SALES AND USE TAX RESOLUTION - County Manager John Yates stated he has been asked in the last couple of weeks about adding a quarter cent sales tax. He stated that would produce $1,150,000 in revenue. He stated if that is done as a special election it would cost approximately $43,000. He stated if there is a second primary in June it would probably cost about half of that amount. Mr. Yates stated if this is done with the regular election in November there would be no cost.
Chairman Zach Henderson stated since this was visited by the public a couple of years ago in a referendum and turned down that takes it out of the purview of the Commissioners hands and the only way it can be passed is by a vote of the public. He stated five years have to go by in order for the Commissioners to have it in their purview again. Mr. Yates stated that is correct. He stated it has only been two years. Chairman Henderson stated the cost of a special election is about $43,000 and with a second primary it is about $22,000 or no cost in the general election in November.
Commissioner Keith Elmore stated he called the Board of Elections today and they say if in fact there is a second primary the expense involved would be ballots and some programming and Elections Director Kim Caudill indicated programming would be around $1,000 and the extra ballots will cost about $7,000 or $8,000. He stated that would make the expense of a second primary $8,000 to $9,000. Mr. Yates stated he quoted the figures Ms. Caudill had given him.
Chairman Henderson stated there are three different options available if anything is done. He stated the question is how to proceed. He stated this has to be put before the people, which is appropriate so far as he is concerned.
Commissioner Elmore stated if anybody has been reading the paper, the Board is taking a lot of drastic actions and cutbacks to County government. He stated the last thing any of this Board would want to do is raise taxes. He stated all of the Commissioners get calls about services, calls about dogs running rampant, calls about trash on the road, and various calls from people wanting services. He stated the County has some legitimate expenses coming up such as $100,000 for the roof at the Courthouse and the County is going to have to do something. Commissioner Elmore stated the Board can cut so much and still the Fund Balance is low. He stated he feels like the population of Wilkes County knows what the Board is up against. He stated he has had calls and numerous conversations with people that encouraged him to put this back on the ballot and let people decide.
Commissioner Keith Elmore made a motion to put the one quarter cent sales tax on the ballot if there is a second primary at a cost of around $8,000 and if not to put it on the General Election in November.
Vice Chairman Gary Blevins asked the terms of notification time between the vote by the Board and being able to be on the ballot. County Attorney Tony Triplett stated if the sales tax passes a referendum the Board will have to pass a resolution providing a ten days notice before the tax can be imposed. He stated the County would start collecting the taxes starting January 1st. County Manager John Yates stated the Board of Elections has to have a sixty days notice to be on any election. Vice Chairman Blevins asked when the second primary would be held. Mr. Yates stated it would be held on June 22nd.
Commissioner Charlie Sink seconded the motion.
Commissioner Luther Parks stated the public reads the paper and knows what is going on and hopefully the Board will have public support for this. He asked what purchases this would not affect. Mr. Yates stated the sales tax would not be on food or automobiles.
Commissioner Elmore stated he had a gentleman say to him the County is taxing the poor but food is not taxed. Commissioner Parks stated this is the fairest tax. Commissioner Elmore stated with four events coming to the racetrack, tourism is growing and this would be a way to collect some revenue from people coming in and through the County. He stated a lot of people do not pay any taxes. He stated their kids go through the school system and they do not pay any property taxes.
Vice Chairman Blevins stated the two primary sources of revenue are property taxes and sales taxes. He stated people that do not own property are not paying property taxes; therefore, the sales tax would make it more equitable across the board if it were slightly higher. He stated this would be an alternative to raising property taxes that would basically include everybody, every consumer. Vice Chairman Blevins stated it is important to know what the County will do with the money if this passes. He stated the Board has done a lot of cuts, County employees are being furloughed, and this budget work session coming up is going to be difficult. He stated he thinks the Board needs to assure everybody this money is going to be used to reinforce the Fund Balance and get the County back into a stronger fiscal condition. He stated all of the Board feels that is vitally important. Vice Chairman Blevins stated if the money is used for that purpose it seems like a reasonable thing and it is up to the voters in the County to make the decision. He stated all the Board is doing is putting this on the ballot and asking citizens of the County what their pleasure is. He stated in that respect it is extremely fair and democratic.
Chairman Henderson stated the motion is to put this on the second primary but if it cannot be done at that time, it will be on the General Election.
Voting on the motion: Ayes - Unanimous
RESOLUTION LEVYING AN ADDITIONAL ONE-QUARTER
CENT (1/4˘) COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX
WHEREAS, The General Assembly has authorized County Boards of Commissioners across the State of North Carolina to levy a one-quarter percent (.25%) county sales and use tax under the Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2007; and
WHEREAS, the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners directs the Wilkes County Board of Elections to conduct an advisory referendum on the question of whether to levy the One-Quarter Cent (1/4˘) County Sales and Use Tax in Wilkes County on June 22, 2010. In the event there is no second primary on that date, the referendum will be held on November 2, 2010
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners this Resolution is effective upon its adoption.
Adopted this the 6th day of April, 2010.
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/s/ Zach Henderson, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/ Alene E. Faw, County Clerk
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT - SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY - County Manager John Yates stated the Purchasing Department is requesting approval from the Board of Commissioners to sell surplus items using the electronic auction method. He stated they want to sell a 1992 Hyster Fork Lift Model 2-40XL, four aluminum wheels with tires, five Motorola Maratrac VHF mobile radios, thirteen Whelan Dashmiser strobes Model DMISL, and one Kenwood TK 830 radio. He stated these would be sold on govdeals.com.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the request as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Keith Elmore and unanimously approved.
TOWN OF WILKESBORO – HIGHWAY 421 PROPOSAL - Ken Noland, Wilkesboro Town Manager, stated County Manager John Yates called him last week and asked if he would come to the Board meeting and present the Town’s position on future upgrades potentially to US Highway 421 business district through Town. He stated by no means is he an expert on transportation but he is glad to present the Town’s position as to how they think Highway 421 should be further developed. He stated when the widening project, as seen now, came to fruition and actually was done from Winston-Salem to Boone, the Department of Transportation also put on the TIP a future project for a bypass around the Town. He stated that was about six years ago. He stated the Town Board at that time, through the Public Hearing process the State provides when they put out the TIP, said they appreciated the opportunity to flow traffic through the Town more efficiently but at that time they did not think that was the best option for the Town of Wilkesboro. He stated concerns was with routing the traffic away from the business district, the business community would suffer and sales taxes and other revenues would suffer, but at the same time they recognized the need to flow that traffic through Town. He stated everyone knows what Friday afternoon and other times in the business district can be like. Mr. Noland stated they asked the DOT before giving their recommendation to do a bypass through Town to allow them to study other alternatives. He stated they asked the DOT to put a study together to determine what other possibilities could be other than a bypass. He stated former DOT Board member Arnold Lakey took that and added it to the TIP. He stated just recently they received the State’s report on a feasibility study for options on the Highway 421 business district. He stated they have come up with four options. He stated two of them are four lane options and two are six lane options. Mr. Noland stated one set of options would put in regular raised berm medians in the center to prevent any cross over left turn traffic going from business to business. He stated the other option would be a super street concept. He stated that limits left turns by putting those medians in the center lane but there is more fluid movements for left turns that are not necessarily at the lights. He stated they may be before or after a light that directs traffic around in different mechanisms. Mr. Noland stated the report had the four alternatives and DOT noted that at this point they preferred Alternative No. 2 which is a six lane divided highway. He stated this would have raised medians in the center so there would be no crossover traffic but would have the existing light structures that are already in place. He stated this would be a $26 million project. He stated the bypass project six years ago was priced at $35 million and with the economy today that is probably a $50 million+ project. He stated they found an option that is much cheaper but it is not the option the Town would prefer. Mr. Noland stated the Town prefers the six lane highway but they also prefer the super street concept because they want to get the biggest bang for their buck and they want to get all the improvements they can from the State of North Carolina while they can get them. Mr. Noland stated as the Board is aware it took forty years to get the highway widened to what it is today and the Town Board would have concerns that if they settle for a lesser alternative that may be the only alternative they ever get so they have gone on record saying they believe that Alternative No. 4 is the more appropriate alternative for the Town. He stated that incorporates the six lanes and the super street design. Mr. Noland stated at a regular intersection that provides for left turns in all four directions, a multi-lane intersection, such as the intersection in front of Wal-Mart, the through traffic light is only green 30% of the time. He stated the rest of the time it is red and you cannot turn because all the light functions have to be managed. He stated if some of the left turns are taken away and re-coordinate that intersection the traffic could be brought back to a 70% flow. He stated that in itself doubles the traffic flow right away so that is one of the points why they say a super street concept is more appropriate. He stated they need to be able to get the traffic to flow through safely but they want people on the street so they can utilize the businesses there. He stated they want to be sure people can get through the community in a manner that is appropriate and not be tied up in traffic jams all day. Mr. Noland stated the Town of Wilkesboro went on record with this proposal and would like the County to also go on record with a letter of support for this design. He stated the Rural Planning Organization in Boone has gone on record with this design and provided a letter. Mr. Noland stated the other thing they have asked and would be a part of this is at the Business 421 and 421 intersection now, which is a significantly slow intersection with a lot to traffic to be managed, is as part of this to incorporate a continuous flow intersection which is another point of the super street concept and keeps the traffic flowing through there. He stated it takes the traffic off the regular lighted cycle and puts them in a more fluid motion and they think this would help get the traffic through the community better. Mr. Noland stated this may be their only chance for improvements in Wilkesboro and they need to get all they can.
Vice Chairman Gary Blevins asked about the cost. Mr. Noland stated it is $34.5 million. He stated it would add $8.3 million to the six lane project but it is money well spent thinking about the long term ability to flow traffic through that corridor.
Commissioner Luther Parks asked about the scheduling of this. Mr. Noland stated they do not have any scheduling at this point. He stated this is just a feasibility to look at a different alternative. He stated he would think that if they find a more feasible alternative to the bypass pricewise the scheduling would be sooner than later. He stated the bypass is on the TIP as a future years project. He stated it has gone backwards every year it has been on the TIP. He stated the first year it was on the TIP it actually had a date for construction but shortly after the State’s finances started going down the transportation fund also went down and here we are today without a project and a very poorly flowing road. Mr. Noland stated it is operated at a level of service D on a scale of A to F. He stated they do say with no improvements, the road will operate at a level F in 2035 which is the design year they are looking at right now. He stated fixing the existing four lanes now, putting medians down the center, and blocking traffic flow over does not improve the situation and it will still operate as a F. He stated the other two alternatives would increase that ability. He stated they did not say what it would increase it to but said it would be adequate flow through the community.
Commissioner Elmore asked where the section begins and ends. Mr. Noland stated it would begin at the river and go to West Gate Drive which is where the John Deere dealership is. He stated that is the area that is under study. Commissioner Elmore asked if there will be a bottleneck at bridges. Mr. Noland stated they do not feel there will be any additional bridge improvements needed. He stated the bridges are already over the river. He stated they did note in the design work that the culverts crossing the creeks that are in place are adequate in size to handle this. He stated this alternative to the bypass does not require any additional right of way purchases by the State so nobody will have any land taken from them and there will be no lawsuits or that type thing. He stated a bypass around the community is expected to take over one hundred properties and the five to six year old estimate was over $10 million in cost which is a lot of disruption to our community.
Vice Chairman Blevins stated he was a member of the Town Council and they opposed the original plan for the bypass due to concerns about the loss of revenues and traffic through our business section. He stated he is glad the Town of Wilkesboro pursued this to the point now where there is a viable alternative on the table. He stated he agrees that going for the project that gets the most effective end product at this time would be good for the Town but also very good for the County as a whole.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve a letter of support for Option 4. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
BUDGET WORK SESSION - County Manager John Yates stated he has been having a lot of conversations with Finance Director Jerry Shepherd and they would like to request the Board of Commissioners have a pre-budget work session after April 15th. He stated they will get another sales tax check on April 15th. He stated they want to talk about the existing budget, the fund balance, and where the County is headed.
Chairman Zach Henderson set a budget work session on April 23, 2010 at 10 A. M.
CLOSED SESSION - Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to go into Closed Session to establish or instruct the staff concerning negotiation of the price and terms of a contract for the purchase of real property; to consult with the County Attorney to protect the attorney-client privilege; and to consult with and instruct the County Attorney with respect to one or more potential judicial or administrative actions. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Charlie Sink and unanimously approved.
Motion was made by Commissioner Charlie Sink seconded by Commissioner Keith Elmore and by unanimous vote adopted to adjourn back into regular session. No action was taken.
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 8:05 P. M.
Alene E. Faw, Clerk Zach Henderson, Chairman
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Approved:
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