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MINUTES
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
APRIL 20, 2010
PUBLIC CONCERNS - GARY L. BLEVINS - Mr. Blevins read the following statement: “My name is Gary L. Blevins. Before I get started on what I feel is a missed opportunity, I would like to give you some background on myself. I am a 1966 graduate of North Wilkes High School. I enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1966 and went to Vietnam in 1967. I turned 19 years old while I was fighting for my country in Vietnam. I received an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corp, received an Associate Degree from Wilkes Community College, and only lack two semesters from graduating from ASU with a BS degree. I was married and had two children and had the opportunity to become employed by the U. S. Postal Service. During the time I was going to school I not only carried a full load of classes, I also worked forty hours a week. I am a retired postal employee as a rural carrier. I am a very proud and patriotic citizen of our country and especially our county. I come to you tonight objecting to the fact that so many roadblocks were placed in the way of the appearance of Sarah Palin and Laura Bush in our county. I realize that it is probably too late to overcome these obstacles; however, such actions, in my opinion, are going to lower the image of Wilkes County along with the loss of thousands of dollars in revenue. I can’t understand why the County Commissioners did not overrule the red tape that was applied which prevented these two notable people from making their previously scheduled appearance. It would seem to me that the revenue that would have been received would have offset any inconveniences that might have been imposed on our towns and county. Can you explain your position to me and the citizens of Wilkes County? Thank you for your time in allowing me to address you, the County Commissioners, concerning this matter.”
Chairman Zach Henderson thanked Mr. Blevins and stated the Board will take his comments into consideration.
PUBLIC HEARING - SPECIAL INTENSITY ALLOCATION - Chairman Zach Henderson declared the Public Hearing open concerning a Special Intensity Allocation at 6:45 P. M. on Monday, April 20, 2010, with the following members present: Chairman Zach Henderson, Vice Chairman Gary Blevins, Commissioner Keith Elmore, 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.
Eddie Barnes, Planning Director, stated on March 22, 2010 the Planning Board reviewed a request for a Special Intensity Allocation from East Wilkes Self Storage, owned by Bill Blackburn and Jack Underdown. He stated this project is in a WS II Watershed and the development will require a 10/70 Watershed Amendment. Mr. Barnes stated the project is in Big Elkin Creek Watershed in Edwards Township and consists of self storage facilities. He stated the project area is 1.69 acres of which 70% will be impervious surface. He stated the Planning Board did recommend this request and has forwarded it to the Board of County Commissioners for the Public Hearing to be held this evening.
Vice Chairman Gary Blevins asked if this meets all the requirements for this type of exemption. Mr. Barnes stated it does. He stated this project came before the Board a previous time to get an impervious surface allotment up to 53% and now they want to increase that up to 70% which is the maximum they can grant a variance for. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if there are any special engineering provisions they have to do with the property in terms of the water run off in a situation like this and are those included in this plan. Mr. Barnes stated this plan was the plan that was approved in 2006 and in order to meet a 10/70 variance request they have to meet a point criteria that has been established under the Watershed Ordinance. He stated part of that point criteria is to allow part of the property to be in some type of landscape buffers, to use grass swells and ditch lines, instead of using concrete curb and gutter. Mr. Barnes stated also part of the point criteria is how much tax base it is adding and any types of employment. He stated this does not add much employment. He stated there are several different criteria they have to meet and they have to gain a maximum of 300 points in order to do that and this project did qualify under that point criteria. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if the Planning Department handles that point criteria system and the analysis of that. Mr. Barnes stated they do and it is then forwarded to the Planning Board and they review it and make their finding as well.
Commissioner Charlie Sink stated this is the only one that has been used in that area of the watershed. Mr. Barnes stated that is correct. Commissioner Sink asked how much acreage is left. Mr. Barnes stated there are thousands of acres.
Commissioner Luther Parks asked if this is the full 70%. Mr. Barnes stated if approved it will be the full 70% of the 1.69 acres.
There being no further comments regarding the Special Intensity Allocation, Chairman Zach Henderson declared the Public Hearing closed at 6:50 P. M.
The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, March 15, 2010 at 7:00 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.
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 April 6, 2010.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS & BUDGET TRANSFERS - County Manager John Yates stated he would like to draw particular attention to Budget Amendment No. 45. He stated this is budgeting a reduction in revenues from the North Carolina Department of Revenue for the North Carolina Beer and Wine Tax. He stated per the adopted State budget the County will only receive 1/3 of the annual expected revenues and this is to offset those revenues being taken from the County. He stated that is a decrease of $162,400.
Motion was made by Commissioner Luther Parks seconded by Vice Chairman Gary Blevins and unanimously adopted to approve Budget Amendment No. 45 (General Fund), No. 46 (General Fund), and No. 47 (General Fund); and Budget Transfer No. 18 (Landfill).
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW - Alex Hamilton, Tax Administrator, stated the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in 2001 that established a special Board of Equalization and Review as allowed in North Carolina General Statute 105-322. He stated returning members of this Board include Commissioner Charlie Sink, Commissioner Keith Elmore, Ronnie Walsh, David Day, and James Adams. He stated all have agreed to serve again this year if asked. Mr. Hamilton asked the Board to consider reappointing the returning members from last year.
Commissioner Luther Parks made a motion to approve reappointments to the Board of Equalization and Review as requested. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
SPECIAL INTENSITY ALLOCATION - Eddie Barnes, Planning Director, stated a Public Hearing has been held as required by General Statute for the Special Intensity Allocation for 10/70 watershed development for the project of East Wilkes Self Storage in the Edwards Township being located in the Big Elkin Creek Watershed. He stated the project area is 1.69 acres and the request is for 70% of that property to be developed for the use of self storage warehouses.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the Special Intensity Allocation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
GERMANTOWN LANDFILL GAS PROJECT - Eddie Barnes, Planning Director, stated last summer several tests were performed at the Germantown Landfill site for about three months to determine the amount of gas in the old closed landfill site and the feasibility of using that gas for some type of project. He stated the report came back to be very positive that it is feasible to use gas out there as an alternative energy source. Mr. Barnes stated the Planning Department has applied for a grant with the State Energy Office through the Department of Commerce in the amount of $356,000. He stated these funds will be used to complete the collection system. He stated there is a partial collection system on site now that was done in 2004. He stated the grant is to complete that collection system to be able to pump the landfill gas out of the cell and use it for an alternative energy source. Mr. Barnes stated the proposal is to construct a greenhouse on the Germantown site. He stated it would not be on the actual landfill site itself but on property that is there. He stated the greenhouse would employ five people and the County would lease that site to a non-profit organization. He stated that organization would actually operate the greenhouse to grow produce. He stated the County would be able to market carbon credits from the landfill gas and that would be some income back to the County. He stated those are marketed on a commodities exchange at whatever the going rate is for that type of gas. Mr. Barnes stated they hope to hear in the next four to six weeks if they have been approved for the grant.
Chairman Zach Henderson asked if there are any matching funds for the grant. Mr. Barnes stated there are no matching funds. He stated there are some in kind funds but part of that was the funds allocated for the tests last summer so there will be no cash match the County will have to finance.
Vice Chairman Gary Blevins asked if the Planning Department has selected the non-profit agency that is going to operate the project. Mr. Barnes stated currently the way it is structured is with RFD which is a rural development non-profit organization. He stated they have experience in managing these types of facilities with a greenhouse. He stated that would all have to be approved by the Board of Commissioners for that contract but that is the way the grant is structured. Mr. Barnes stated they have helped the Planning Department greatly in writing the grant and getting it submitted. Vice Chairman Blevins asked on the level of gas being emitted what the life expectancy of that site is in terms of having an amount of production that is viable for this project. Mr. Barnes stated based on the tests they did last year they feel there is at least fifteen to twenty years. He stated it depends on how much of the gas they actually use. He stated if they get this grant and it is successful, they could possibly apply to do another greenhouse but they think there is at least fifteen years of viable energy source out there. Vice Chairman Blevins asked if this is actually pumped out or collected as it seeps out. He asked if the production could be increased and shorten that span or it is emitted. Mr. Barnes stated the more it is pumped out, the quicker the gas is used. He stated it will have to be pumped out. He stated right now it is being vented through vent stacks but this system would have a pump that would pump the gas from the cell and then it would be used as a direct heat source or be used through a generator to generate an electricity source. Vice Chairman Blevins stated if Mr. Barnes has a plan of the site that was used as part of the application process he would like to see that. Mr. Barnes stated he has the whole grant process that was sent in and a copy of the report that KSD did on the site. He stated he would be happy to email that to all the Commissioners.
Chairman Henderson thanked Mr. Barnes for the presentation.
PLEASANT HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT - Andy Chatman, Assistant Fire Chief with Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department, thanked the Board on behalf of he, and the Pleasant Hill VFD President and Board of Directors for allowing them to be on the agenda tonight to get a resolution approved for funding for their purchase of a new fire truck.
Mr. Chatman stated fund raising continues to be about 15% to 18% of their total annual operating budget. He stated they conduct six chicken suppers annually. He stated they feel like they need to do their part to be good stewards of their money as well. He stated they continually look for improvements through grants, through the North Carolina Forestry Service, the North Carolina Department of Insurance, and FEMA – Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Chatman stated since 2007 just through the Department of Homeland Security they have been granted over $300,000 worth of money to buy equipment and one of the grants was for recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. He stated the way industry is this day and time no one works in their own community and most of the time have to seek employment outside of their own community so this helps to retain the volunteers they have and recruit new ones. Mr. Chatman stated this past year they received an additional staffing grant to allow them to hire two part time firefighters to staff one full time position much like the Town of Wilkesboro got three positions. He stated the two part time people gives them 8 A. M. to 4 P.M. coverage seven days a week at peak time when most everyone is out of the district. Mr. Chatman stated currently they have thirty-nine members on roster. He stated that is thirty-one firefighters, eight junior firefighters, and two probationary firefighters as well. He stated they are very blessed right now with a good group of men and women. He stated on any average Monday night they will have between twenty-five and thirty-two people in attendance so they have a very high attendance rate. He stated what they have going on helps with that. Mr. Chatman stated the Town of Ronda applied for a grant for a water system and that will be a benefit for them as a fire department. He stated there are thousands of feet of six and eight inch pipe setting in their community ready to be installed. He stated there are twenty one hydrants going inside their district. He stated up until this point they have relied solely on a water shuttle and have not had the privilege of pulling up to a hydrant and dropping a line like the towns and some of the other fire departments do so this will be a big benefit to them. He stated this will give them hydrants in roughly 2/3 of their district and will be a big benefit to them and in turn will be a benefit to homeowners by helping them with their insurance rating. Mr. Chatman stated their ultimate goal is to have the Department of Insurance come in and reevaluate their North Carolina Response System Rating and hopefully be able to lower that from a nine down to a five or six which will be a reduction in their insurance premiums every year.
Mr. Chatman stated the Pleasant Hill VFD is purchasing a 2010 pumper tanker which will be their first out engine. He stated the last first out engine they purchased new was in 1978 and they have gotten good use out of it. He stated the money for this purchase will come from B B & T Governmental Finance. He stated it is a fifteen year loan at an interest rate of 4.97% fixed and will end in 2025.
Commissioner Charlie Sink stated it is good to hear this and it sounds like they will get their rating dropped. He stated water supply is important.
Chairman Zach Henderson stated he appreciates the stats. He stated that is very informative and the Board does not hear that a lot of times. Mr. Chatman stated he has been treasurer of the department since 1993 and if anyone has a question all they have to do is ask because they have nothing to hide.
Commissioner Luther Parks stated they have got good use of the fire truck for several years.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Luther Parks and unanimously approved.
Resolution Approving Financing by Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
of up to $370,000.00 for Pumper/Tanker Fire Truck Purchase
WHEREAS:
Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. has determined to finance an amount of up to $370,000.00for the purchase of a pumper/tanker fire truck. The United States Internal Revenue Code requires that for such financing to be carried out on a tax-exempt basis, this Board must first approve the financing. The Fire Department has held a public hearing on the financing after published notice, as required by the Code. The Fire Department has reported the proceedings of the hearing to this Board.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Wilkes County, North Carolina, as follows:
The County approves the Fire Department's entering into the financing, as required underthe Code for the financing to be carried out on a tax-exempt basis. The Fire Department's conduct of the required public hearing is approved.
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - County Manager John Yates stated the Trustees of the Wilkes County Library Board recommend the reappointment of Joe Samuel and Arnold Lakey to the Appalachian Regional Board of Trustees. He stated both trustees will serve another four year term beginning August 2010 and ending August 2014.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to approve the recommendations. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
COMMISSIONERS MEETING - Chairman Zach Henderson stated the time normally scheduled for the next Board meeting falls on Election Day and normally when this occurs the meeting is moved so it does not fall at that point in time in conflict with other things that are going on.
Commissioner Charlie Sink made a motion to reschedule the next Board of Commissioners meeting to Monday, May 3, 2010 at 12 noon. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gary Blevins and unanimously approved.
WORK SESSION - County Manager John Yates stated the Board set a budget work session for Friday, April 23rd but there are a lot numbers he is waiting to come in and there is a workshop next week that he and Finance Director Jerry Shepherd are going to attend in Asheville with regional Managers and Finance Officers to discuss finances in the region. He stated he would like to be able to get this information before proceeding.
Chairman Zach Henderson cancelled the work session scheduled for April 23rd.
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 acquisition of real property and to consult with the County Attorney to protect the attorney-client privilege. 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 7:50 P. M.
Alene E. Faw, Clerk Zach Henderson, Chairman
WILKES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Approved:
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