POLK COUNTY



POLK COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ PUBLIC HEARING &

REGULAR MEETING

June 1, 2015 – 7:00 P.M.

R. Jay Foster Hall of Justice

Womack Building

Columbus, NC

MINUTES

PRESENT: Chair Pack, Vice-Chair Holbert, Commissioner Bradley, Commissioner Gage and Commissioner Gasperson. Also in attendance were County Manager Pittman, Clerk to the Board Fehrmann, staff, media and citizens.

1. Call to Order of the 2015/16 Budget Public Hearing – Chair Pack called the public hearing to order. The purpose of the public hearing was to receive public comment on the proposed 2015/16 budget. The public hearing was advertised in the Tryon Daily Bulletin.

2. Citizen Comments – Bob Morgan, Economic & Tourism Development Commission Chair, urged the Board to adopt the original Economic Development Department’s budget submitted to County Manager Pittman by Robert Williamson, Economic Development Director, not a reduced version of the original budget request.

3. Commissioner Comments – Commissioner Gasperson said this is his seventh budget process as a Commissioner, and the process during his first four years included the County Manager presenting a balanced budget to the Board in early May, followed by work sessions and a stand-alone public hearing in June; he prefers the previous budget process and will continue to advocate for it. Chair Pack thanked county staff for all their hard work during the budget process.

4. Adjournment – Commissioner Gage moved to adjourn the public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Gasperson and the motion carried unanimously.

5. Call to Order of the Regular Meeting – Chair Pack called the regular meeting to order.

6. Invocation – Commissioner Bradley gave the invocation.

7. Pledge of Allegiance – Vice-Chair Holbert led the pledge.

8. Approval of Agenda – County Manager Pittman asked that BA #18, ED & Planning, Addition, $5,000 – To increase revenue and expense to pay all costs (but not food) to two employees to attend the BALLE conference in Arizona from the Polk County Community Foundation, and Polk County Human Services Facility Project Budget Ordinance in the amount of $53,475, be added to Agenda Item #20. Vice-Chair Holbert moved to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Commissioner Gage and the motion carried unanimously.

9. Consent Agenda – Commissioner Gage moved to approve the May 4, 2015, regular meeting minutes, the May 18, 2015, and May 19, 2015, budget work session minutes, and the Tax Department’s April refund request in the amount of $728.09, seconded by Commissioner Bradley and the motion carried unanimously.

10. Citizen Comments – Sky Conard asked if the Board had considered whether Turner Shoals dam operator Northbrook Energy could potentially have a legal conflict with the proposed water agreement with Inman-Campobello Water District (ICWD). Virginia Walker had questions about the proposed ICWD rates, and County Manager Pittman was instructed to follow up with Mrs. Walker and explain the rates to her.

11. Rachel Ramsey Resolution – Commissioner Gasperson moved to approve a resolution in recognition of Mrs. Ramsey’s many years of service as the Executive Director of Steps to Hope, seconded by Commissioner Bradley and the motion carried unanimously.

12. Proposed Polk County Sign Ordinance Text Amendment – Vice-Chair Holbert moved to schedule a public hearing on June 15, 2015, at 7:00 P.M. on the proposed Polk County Sign Ordinance Text Amendment, seconded by Commissioner Gasperson and the motion carried unanimously.

13. Proposals for the Reappraisal of Polk County Real Property for Review – Melissa Bowlin, Tax Administrator, presented an overview of the three proposals received for the upcoming 2017 property tax revaluation. Proposals were submitted by Complete County Assessments in the amount of $450,899, Tyler Technologies in the amount of $294,000, and Wampler Eanes Appraisal Group in the amount of $332,330.45. Ms. Bowlin recommended Wampler Eanes be approved to conduct the revaluation.

14. Lake Adger Dredging Study Review – Stu Ryman of Altamont Environmental presented a brief overview of the study, a copy of which is hereby incorporated by reference into these minutes. Mr. Ryman also gave a PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is hereby incorporated by reference into these minutes. The purpose of the study was to research the feasibility of two options for sediment removal and long-term elimination of ongoing sedimentation at the western end of Lake Adger, specifically the area where the Green River and Panther Creek discharge into the lake. The recommended options for sedimentation removal were hydraulic dredging and mechanical excavation. The extant sediment in the lake was tested and determined to be unsuitable for structural fill, but is suitable for non-structural or possibly agricultural supplemental use.

The estimated cost to remove and dispose of the sediment ranged from $15 to $30 per cubic yard, which translates into an estimated cost of $2.55 to $5.1 million if the aforementioned area is dredged to a 5-foot depth. North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources Water Resources Development Project Grant Program funds (50/50 match) may be available to offset some of the costs of the project; the state program currently provides $150,000 state wide in annual grant funding. Mr. Ryman said an ongoing, long-term sand and gravel removal operation on the Green River, which would remove the sediment before it gets into the lake, would save the county a considerable amount of money in the long run. Vice-Chair Holbert said a sand and gravel operation on the Green River was removed when Lake Adger began to be developed, and asked if another operation would be allowed to start back up. Mr. Ryman said the sand and gravel operation would have to go through the permitting process. Mr. Ryman went on to say that, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, there is an endangered species of freshwater muscle located somewhere on the Green River. Although it is not known if the muscle exists within a mile of Lake Adger, its proximity to the lake could prove to be a permitting hurdle.

Commissioner Gasperson recommended the county develop a strategic plan regarding the Lake Adger sedimentation issue, and said that establishing a sand and gravel operation on the Green River should be the first step in the plan because, without sedimentation prevention, more wetland areas will continue to be created. Mr. Ryman agreed, and said dredging is not permitted in wetland areas. Polk County Soil & Water Director Sandra Reid agreed that establishing a sand and gravel operation on the Green River should be the top priority, and said state grant funds can be used toward the purchase of property necessary for the operation. Vice-Chair Holbert asked County Manager Pittman to determine if the concrete platform used by the previous sand and gravel operation would be available for current use.

15. Preliminary Discussion of Future Locations of Major County Water Trunk Lines – Dave Odom of Odom Engineering presented an updated map of existing county waterlines, a copy of which is hereby incorporated by reference into these minutes. Mr. Odom said several components are involved in deciding where to locate future water trunk lines. The first component is determining where the population centers are. The second is that the county’s two independent pressure zones will need to be interconnected and, to ensure the proper flow of water, the interconnections will need to be controlled with pressure sustaining valves, pressure reducing valves, or pump stations. The third component is the creation of a model on how all the waterlines will fit together. Chair Pack said he would like for Mr. Odom to create a layout of future water trunk lines, to include recommended line sizes. Commissioner Gage asked that the layout include existing municipal waterlines. Commissioner Gasperson said Commissioners need to keep the possibility of a future county-wide water system in mind as they plan the water trunk lines. It was the consensus of the Board that the layout include the following water trunk lines: Hwy. 9 to the Rutherford County line, Hwy. 108 in Mill Spring to the Rutherford County line, and Landrum Rd. from the Derbyshire subdivision to the South Carolina state line.

16. Polk Fresh Foods Financial Update – John Britton and Kirk Wilson, Polk Fresh Foods Directors, presented the update on this local farm to table food hub initiative begun in 2011 to help open new markets for Polk County producers of vegetables, value-added products, and protein. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is hereby incorporated by reference into these minutes. The food hub is doing well and continues to expand, and Polk Fresh Foods should become self sufficient by the end of FY 2015/16; county grant funding will be provided through June 30, 2016.

17. Polk Fresh Foods Grant Agreement & Grant Agreement Addendum – Mr. Britton presented the FY 2015/16 Grant Agreement for review, and the FY 2014/15 Grant Agreement Addendum for vote. The Board Commissioner Gage moved to approve the Polk Fresh Foods FY 20154/15 grant agreement addendum, seconded by Commissioner Bradley and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Gage further moved to authorize County Manager Pittman to sign the Polk Fresh Foods FY 20154/15 Grant Agreement Addendum on behalf of the county, seconded by Vice-Chair Holbert and the motion carried unanimously.

18. Groundswell International/Grow Healthy Food Where People Live Cooperation Agreement – Dawn Jordan, Agricultural Economic Development Director, presented an overview of the agreement. The first local Grow Healthy Food Where People Live initiative was launched on May 30, 2015, with the establishment of a Community Micro Farm at Ashley Meadow Residential Apartments. Commissioner Gage moved to approve the Groundswell International/Grow Healthy Food Where People Live Cooperation Agreement, seconded by Commissioner Gasperson and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Gage moved to authorize County Manager Pittman and Dawn Jordan to sign the Groundswell International/Grow Healthy Food Where People Live Cooperation Agreement on behalf of the county, seconded by Commissioner Gasperson and the motion carried unanimously.

19. Green Creek Waterline Update – Jeff Walker, Inman-Campobello Water District, reported that the cost of materials for the project will be approximately $93,000, less than the $150,000 originally budgeted, and should be completed in six to eight weeks. Chair Pack recommended that, once the specific amount of the money saved on the project has been determined, the remaining funds be used to extend the waterline to connect residents in the area who have expressed interest in hooking up to the waterline. It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Walker look into the matter further.

20. Budget Amendments – Sandra Hughes, Finance Director, presented the budget amendments. Commissioner Gasperson moved to approve BA #14, Jail, Appropriate Fund Balance, $95,000 – To appropriate general fund balance for the estimated funds needed for the current year jail budget, seconded by Commissioner Gage and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Gage moved to approve BA #17, Ag Economic Development, Addition, $5,000 – Grow Healthy Food Where People Live project, seconded by Commissioner Gasperson and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Gage moved to approve BA #96, Recreation, Transfer, $8,600 – Transfer to cover costs of new adjustable basketball goals for Stearns Gym, seconded by Vice-Chair Holbert and the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Gage moved to approve BA #18, ED & Planning, Addition, $5,000 – To increase revenue and expense to pay all costs (but not food) for two employees to attend the BALLE conference in Arizona from the Polk County Community Foundation, seconded by Vice-Chair Holbert and the motion carried unanimously.

Vice-Chair Holbert moved to approve Polk County Human Services Facility Project Budget Ordinance, Insurance Proceeds from North American Surety Group, in the amount of $53,475, seconded by Commissioner Gage and the motion carried unanimously. This $53,475 in insurance proceeds from North American Surety Group, in addition to $75,000 the county held in retainage, represents full and final settlement of the claim the county had against the North American Surety Group for the construction issues at the DSS building.

21. July-December 2015 Regular BOC Meeting Schedule for Review – Following review, it was the consensus of the Board to amend the draft schedule so the August meetings are scheduled on the 10th and the 17th, and one meeting is scheduled in September on the 14th. The official schedule will be adopted at the June 15, 2015, regular meeting.

22. Elimination of One Full-Time Position (The Meeting Place) & Addition of Two Part-Time Positions (The Meeting Place & Transportation) – Commissioner Gage moved to approve the elimination of one full-time position for the Meeting Place, the addition of one part-time position for the Meeting Place, and the addition of one part-time position for Transportation, seconded by Commissioner Bradley and the motion carried unanimously.

23. Manager’s Report – 1) The Board reviewed the Smoky Mountain LME Quarterly Report for Period Ending March 21, 2015. 2) Commissioner Gage moved to reduce the 3/4” tap fee to $700 and waive the availability fee on the Hwy. 9 Sunny View School waterline section from Mill Spring to Sunny View, and on the Green Creek waterline extension, until the projects are completed, seconded by Vice-Chair Holbert and the motion carried unanimously.

24. Volunteer Boards for Review – Applications for the following volunteer boards were reviewed: Appearance Commission – 1 application, 3 vacancies; Board of Adjustment – 2 applications, 2 vacancies; Council on Aging – 1 application, 1 vacancy; Home & Community Care Block Grant – 1 application, 2 vacancies; Isothermal Community College Board of Trustees – 1 application, 1 vacancy; Planning Board Alternate at Large – 2 applications, 1 vacancy; Transportation Advisory Board – 2 applications, 3 vacancies; Tryon Planning Board Alternate ETJ – 1 application, 1 vacancy.

25. Commissioner Comments – Commissioners thanked everyone for coming out.

26. Adjournment – Commissioner Gage moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Gasperson and the motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST: POLK COUNTY BOARD

OF COMMISSIONERS

__________________________ __________________________

Beth Fehrmann Tom E. Pack

Clerk to the Board Chair

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