100713October 7, 2013
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. in the
1909 Randolph County Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC.
Commissioners Holmes, Frye, Haywood, Kemp and Lanier were present. Vice Chair Darrell
Frye gave the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag was led by
Randolph County 4-H youth. The Randolph County 4-H youth also recited their pledge to the 4-
H flag.
Recognition of Retirees
Vicki Barton, who is retiring with 20 years of service to the Randolph County Sheriff's
Office, was recognized by Col. Fred Rutledge. Col. Rutledge presented information about her
career in law enforcement. Chairman Holmes presented Ms. Barton with an engraved clock on
behalf of the Board.
DSS Director Beth Duncan paid tribute to Carolyn Maness for her 241/2 years of service by
expounding on her dedication to the citizens of Randolph County, after which, Chairman Holmes
presented Ms. Maness with an engraved clock on behalf of the Board.
Public Comment Period
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 153A-52.1, Chairman Holmes opened the floor for public comment.
County Attorney Ben Morgan read aloud the Public Comment Rules of Procedure.
Alan Ferguson, 4794 Troy Smith Rd., Liberty, NC, inquired about what Bonnie Renfro had
learned from the State concerning funding for the proposed Greensboro/Liberty mega site. He
said that he and his neighbors are very eager to hear if the State is going to support it or not.
Note: See "Update on Greensboro/Liberty Mega Site" later in these minutes for EDC President
Bonnie Renfro's response.
Terry Hildebrand, 4593 Crutchfield Farm Rd., Liberty, NC, said he knows the
Commissioners have been bombarded with facts and figures concerning the mega site. And, by
the way, he's never seen anyone speak in support of the mega site except for Ms. Renfro. He and
his wife have lived on 10 acres just outside the mega site footprint for 18 years. Before that, they
lived in cities and suburbs in New York and now appreciate rural living, as they are tired of the
cold weather and high taxes of New York. They love this beautiful state and the Liberty area.
Except for an occasional loud truck on Hwy. 421, it's quiet and peaceful. There is no
recognizable air pollution. They can see stars and the Milky Way. Now, they are afraid
everything they love about Northeastern Randolph County could change. A mega site could
mean noise, light and air pollution, with increased trucking and rail traffic. Trucks will be
barreling up and down Hwy. 421 and across Julian Airport Rd., and heading to and from Route
62. The huge amount of lighting on buildings and parking lots will flood the night sky. He
doesn't care what environmental studies have been done; they're rarely correct. The chlorine in
the site alone could change the water table. Wells could dry up. Property values could go down.
Taxes could go up due to zoning changes. Taxes and fees would surely go up to pay for this
mega site. Without wages going up, how are they supposed to keep up with these increases?
Also, tax revenues from the properties within the footprint would be lost and not replaced
because the land would be given to large, rich corporations with the added incentives of tax
abatements. Has anyone considered talking about the thousands of people around and within the
perimeter of the site whose lives would be altered, disrupted, even decimated? There will be
those who will be losing property or the use of their property through rights of way or eminent
domain in order to run water, sewer and rail lines, and they will be obligated to tie into those
lines at their own expense. Why are we even doing this? For a couple thousand jobs? Jobs that
can't even be promised? Build it and they will come? If there would be jobs created, they would
go to Burlington, Greensboro, and Siler City—out of the county. Mr. Hildebrand said that the
only thing he sees coming from this proposed mega site is disruption and higher taxes, while the
company gets richer. In North Carolina, the NC Constitution says we are endowed by our
Creator the right to enjoy the fruits of our own labor. He said he is enjoying those rights now but
won't be if his life is disrupted. Our environment and way of life is at risk here.
Hearing no further comments, the public comment period was closed.
Addition to Consent Agenda
Chairman Holmes announced that Item Q. Decline Opportunity to Obtain Randolph County
School Surplus Property (2 CTE -Built Houses) & Permit Board of Education to Dispose of Said
Property had been added to the Consent Agenda.
Approval of Consent Agenda
On motion of Frye, seconded by Lanier, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
Consent Agenda, as amended:
• approve minutes of the special meeting of 8120113 and regular meeting of 913113;
• appoint the following Firemens' Relief Fund designees: Coleridge --Benny Beck, C.E.
Teague; Eastside --Jim Pell; David Creason; Farmer --Roger King, Steven Hughes;
Franklinville--Kyle Dixon, Danny Burgess; Guil Rand --Dustin Smith, Arch Hamilton; Level
Cross --David Davis, Kenneth Adams; Northeast --Larry Williams, William Flowe, Jr.;
Randleman --Melissa Blalock, Ruth Allen; Seagrove --Patty Gatlin, Bernard Needham;
Sophia --Edwin W Beeson, Chuck Powell; New Hope (Southwest) --Troy Powell, Wiley
Hurley; Staley--Yancy King, Terry Williams; Tabernacle --Darrell Owenby, Joy Ann Sexton;
Ulah--Norris Whatley, Ted Scott; Westside-- Wesley Garner, James Lamonds;
• adopt Proclamation Designating 4H Week (October 6-12) in Randolph County, as follows:
WHEREAS, 4-H youth across the nation are leading efforts to solve problems in their
communities and make a difference for their futures; and
WHEREAS, 4-H is the largest youth development organization in North Carolina and the
largest in the nation with over six million participants; and
WHEREAS, 4-H in North Carolina claims 218,669 youth members and 21,413 volunteers,
while Randolph County's 4-H program reaches more than 4, 000 youth and more than 300
volunteers; and
WHEREAS, 4-H, as part of the NC Cooperative Extension System of NC State University
and NCA&T State University, is a program where youth learn through opportunities that
provide them hands-on experiences in 4 -H's mission mandates of science, engineering and
technology; healthy living; and citizenship; and
WHEREAS, 4-H has connected youth and their communities with the innovative research
and resources from our nation's 106 land-grant universities and colleges for more than 101
years;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim
October 6-12, 2013, as National 4-H Week in Randolph County and urge the people of this
community to take advantage of the opportunity to become more aware of this special program
that enhances our young peoples interests in their futures as part of Randolph County 4-H Youth
Development and to join us in recognizing the unique partnership between our county and our
state University System.
• appoint Sandi Rudzinski, Allison Brown, Cindy McBaine, Jean Harris & Mac Whatley to the
Randolph County Aging Services Planning Committee for ]-year term;
• approve Budget Amendment #9 to Reflect Revisions to the 2013-14 HCCBG and ROAP
Grants --Authorize Chairman & Finance Officer to Sign Revised Form DOA -731 for 2013-
14, as follows:
2013-2014 Budget Ordinance --Generali Fund'.—Budget
Amendment #9
Revenues
Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental
$41,023
Appropriations
Increase Decrease '
Other Human Services Appropriations
$41,023
• approve Budget Amendment #10 for Social Services (Duke Energy Funds for Crisis Energy
Program); as follows:
2013-2014 Budget Ordinance --General Fund
-Budget Amendment #10
Revenues
Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental
$111,842
Appropriations
Increase Decrease '
Social Services
$111,842
• adopt Resolution Establishing Administrative Value for Minimum Public Records Retention
Period for Retention Schedules, as follows:
WHEREAS, public records retention and disposition are governed by Chapters 121
and 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, in cooperation with
and with the approval of, the Department of Administration, is charged with the duty to
establish standards, procedures, and techniques for effective management of public
records; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources establishes records
retention and disposition schedules for all state and local government agencies that must
be approved by the appropriate governing authority; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources has charged the
governing authority of each government agency to establish and enforce internal policies
setting minimum retention periods for the records that the Department of Cultural
Resources has scheduled with the disposition instruction "destroy when administrative
value ends ";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Randolph County Board of
Commissioners hereby has established and shall enforce "three years" as the minimum
retention period for records that the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources has
scheduled with the disposition instruction "destroy when administrative value ends. "
• approve Records Retention & Disposition Schedules issued by NC Dept. of Cultural
Resources, Div. of Archives & Records, Gov't Records Branch, as follows:
1. Approve Tax Department Schedule as Recommended by the Tax Assessor &
Approve Amendments to Standards 5 & 12 issued 913113;
2. Approve County Management Schedule as Recommended by the County Manager &
Approve Amendments to Standards 4 & 11 issued 8128113;
3. Approve Amendments Issued 8129113 to Standards 2 & 5 of Register of Deeds Schedule
as Recommended by Randolph County Register of Deeds;
• appoint Luke Hollingsworth to Tourism Development Authority;
• approve Budget Amendment #11 for Sheriff's Office (2013 Bureau of Justice JAG Grant
Approval), as follows:
2013-2014 Budget Ordinance --General Fund
-Budget Amendment #11
Revenues
Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental
$ 10,110
Appropriations
Increase Decrease '
Sheriff
$ 10,110
• approve lease of courthouse space to NC Dept. of Public Safety and authorize County
Manager to sign;
• approve Budget Amendment #12 for Economic Development Reserve Fund (Ennis Flint
Project), as follows:
2013-2014 Budget Ordinance= -General Fund—Budget Amendment #12
Revenues Increase
Decrease
Transfer from ED Reserve $3,500
Appropriations Increase
Decrease
Other Economic and Physical Development ppropriations $3,500
• reappoint Douglas Curtis, Lydane Reddick & Terry Sheppard to Climax Fire Protection
Commission;
• reappoint Barry Ward, William Collier & John Shepard to Julian Fire Protection
Commission;
• adopt Resolution Approving Abandonment of SR 3236 Evelyn View Drive in Trinity from the
Division of Highways' Secondary Road System, as follows:
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation has investigated the 0.10 mile SR 3168
Evelyn View Dr. in Randolph County for purposes of abandonment, and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that road should be abandoned from the Division of
Highways' Secondary Road System.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Randolph County Board of
Commissioners that the 0.10 mile SR 3168 Evelyn View Dr. in Randolph County be
abandoned from the Division of Highways' Secondary Road System.
This is the 7th day of October, 2013.
• decline opportunity to obtain the following surplus property from the Randolph County
Schools: 2 Career and Technical Education built houses, House #1 located at 420 Kimrey
Street, Ramseur and House #2 located at 1188 Arabian Drive, Asheboro, and permit
Board of Education to dispose of said property, pursuant to NCGS 115C-518.
Chairman Homes read aloud the Proclamation designating 4H Week (October 6-12) in
Randolph County that was adopted in the Consent Agenda.
Chante to New Business Agenda
Chairman Holmes announced that DSS Director Beth Duncan had requested that Agenda
Item J. Position Requests at DSS Beth Duncan, be tabled until a future meeting.
Child Fatality Prevention/Community Child Protection Team Annual Report
MiMi Cooper, Public Health Director, in accordance with NCGS 143-576.1(a)(2), gave an
annual report of the Child Fatality Prevention/Community Child Protection Team for
recommendations for systems improvements that may prevent child fatalities in Randolph
County. She said that the team met four times during the past year and reviewed 10 child deaths
and 11 current cases of children under the protection of Social Services. Causes of death were
Perinatal Conditions6, SIDS2, Accidents -2. The purpose of the Child Fatality Prevention
Team is to review the deaths of all children to determine if system problems exist that contribute
in any way to the delay of or lack of services that might have prevented this death. If gaps exist,
the team works to improve/add services that will prevent problems for families in the future.
The team made the following recommendations: 1) Continue "VIP" demonstration program
visits to local schools for education on various topics related to teen drivers (distracted driving,
DUI, seat belt laws) and 2) The team held a roundtable discussion regarding SIDS and how the
process works in Randolph County with coordination between the Sheriff's Office, EMS, Health
Department, and DSS. The team discussed the individual agency responsibilities with a
suspected SIDS death and the collaboration that needs to occur between agencies.
Ms. Cooper said that the purpose of the Community Child Protection Team is to review
current cases selected by DSS staff that are particularly complex or that the case worker would
like a review of the services provided. The CCPT makes suggestions to the staff that may
improve the care for that child. The CCPT reviewed 11 cases concerning children during the
past year and identified the following gaps/recommendations: 1) No initial report on a sibling
who was failing to thrive. DSS is working on a strategy to improve communications between
medical providers and DSS staff, 2) A family was not making good choices on home heating and
putting their family at risk. Health Department staff were involved in this case and have included
now in their check lists to determine the method of home heating to assure that it is a safe choice;
and 3) A family was having difficulty getting a protection order without having to go through the
Family Crisis Center. The team asked the Family Crisis Center and the Sheriffs office to help
the team understand this process better.
Ms. Cooper also reported that the CCPT was also involved in two State Intensive Death
Reviews during this reporting period.
Approval of Flooring Purchase at Library & Budget Amendment
Ross Holt, Public Library Director, said that the library has received a proposal to provide
new flooring for the Asheboro headquarters library in the amount of $112,708.47 from Shaw
Industries through the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA), a cooperative purchasing group.
NCGS 143-129(e)(3) provides an exception to formal bidding procedures for a purchase made
through a cooperative group purchasing program. The flooring project will include replacement
of worn out carpet and vinyl tile throughout the building, and walk -off material in entry areas.
The project includes after hours work in high traffic areas so that the library can remain open to
the public during the process. It also provides for a "stack lift" to carpet under shelving without
removing/storing the books; this will allow staff over the long term to reconfigure the library's
space, if needed, without requiring more carpet work. The work will begin in January 2014. Mr.
Holt said that the library has raised $117,969 in private and public funding to pay for new
flooring. Mr. Holt also requested approval of a budget amendment to enable the library to
receive $117,969 in funding from the various sources.
On motion of Kemp, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
purchase of carpet, installation and related material from Shaw Industries through the NJPA
contract in the amount of $112,708.47, using private donations and Library Trust Funds, and
authorized the County Manager to sign the documents and to approve Budget Amendment #13,
as follows:
2013-2014 Budget Ordinance --General Fund—Budget Amendment #13
Revenues Increase
Decrease
Miscellaneous $117,969
Appropriations Increase
Decrease'
Public Library $117,969
Approval of Expenditure of Public Funds on EDC's W. Randleman Business Park &
Budget Amendment
Bonnie Renfro, Randolph County EDC President, said that in 2000, the Randolph County
EDC purchased a tract of land in Randleman for development as an industrial park. The purchase
was financed by a group of local banks at attractive terms and structured as a line of credit with
interest paid annually. The Randolph County Board of Commissioners voted in February 2000 to
support this project by assisting the EDC with the annual interest payment as needed, and the
Board has voted annually to appropriate funds for that purpose following a public hearing. Over
the last ten years, the EDC has purchased additional tracts and made various improvements to the
site. A portion of the site was sold in 2004 for Rheem's new distribution center. The total
remaining acreage is 36.66 acres. The property is marketed for sale and presents various options
for additional development. Twenty+ acres have been graded to provide a shovel ready site. Site
layouts show development options for multiple facilities ranging in size from 40,000 to 400,000
square feet. Asking price for the property is $35,000 per acre for the graded portion of the site.
The site is broker listed and the EDC has been working with a client over the last several months
that is interested in the site. The EDC has transferred a one -acre tract to the county as the site for
a new ambulance base to serve the Randleman area. The loan matured on September 1, 2013 and
the EDC is currently renewing the loan. The proposed terms are to renew a credit facility for the
WRBP at a principal loan balance of $520,300.21 for a five-year term, amortized over seven
years, at a fixed rate of 4.85%, with annual repayment of 10% of the principal balance, single
annual interest payment, the loan to be administered by Community One Bank on behalf of three
partner banks, and to assign a first lien deed of trust on the property. Ms. Renfro requested
approval of the principal payment of $74,364.00 plus current interest of $25,864.65, totaling
$100,128.65, which became due on September 1, 2013.
At 6:34 pm, Chairman Holmes opened a duly advertised public hearing. Hearing no
comments, the public hearing was closed.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Lanier, the Board voted unanimously to approve the debt
service payment in the amount of $100,128.65 on the EDCs loan on the W. Randleman Business
Park, and approved Budget Amendment #14 to effect the fund transfer from the Economic
Development Reserve fund, as follows:
2013-2014 Budget Ordinance --General Fund—Budget Amendment #14
Revenues
Increase Decrease
Transfer from Economic Development Reserve
$100,129
Appropriations
Increase Decrease'
Other Economic Development Appropriations
$100,129
Public HearinLy on Proposed True -Value and Present -Use Schedules, Standards, and Rules
for 2014 Revaluation
At 6:36 p.m., Chairman Holmes opened a duly advertised public hearing for citizen comment
on the proposed True -Value and Present -Use Schedules, Standards, and Rules for the 2014
Revaluation that were presented to the Board at their September meeting. A notice was published
in the Courier Tribune, pursuant to NCGS 105-317 on September 17, stating that the documents
were available for inspection and that a public hearing would be held on this date. Chairman
Holmes opened the public hearing. No one spoke, and Chairman Holmes declared that the public
hearing was closed.
Update on NCFAST
Beth Duncan recognized Sam Frazier, DSS Board Chair, and David Jarrell, newly appointed
DSS Board member. Ms. Duncan said that for over 25 years, local NC Departments of Social
Services have hoped to do away with 19 very antiquated systems that do not interface and to
replace those fragmented systems with an integrated case management system for all Social
Services programs. NCFAST is a realization of that hope. NCFAST is an acronym for NC
Families Accessing Services through Technology. The current project began in August 2008
with procurement installation and integration of the software. The NCFAST program is designed
to improve the way that the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the 100
county departments of social services conduct business. NCFAST introduces new technological
tools and business processes, which are being implemented in phases. Those phases will enable
staff to spend less time performing administrative tasks, such as entering someone's name
multiple times for multiple programs. NCFAST will allow a worker to enter information one
time and it should flow through all programs. That will enable staff to spend less time
performing those administrative tasks and more time assisting families. Phase 1 (Global Case
Management and Food and Nutrition Services integration) was completed on March 31, 2013.
For Randolph County, this involved converting about 11,000 cases from the old Food and
Nutrition program system over into the new NCFAST system, along with taking and entering
any new applications along the way. This conversion process caused an expected bottleneck,
which required overtime to complete the process. Around June, things began to improve, and the
NCFAST program was working as intended, with some anticipated glitches. Then, on July 15,
the State added Phase 2 and Phase 6, which included the integration of the Eligibility
Information System (screening and intake for the Work First program, Medicaid, Special
Assistance and Refugee Assistance). This is where a good majority of NC counties began to
experience real problems. This unexpected diversion created unforeseen problems in food and
nutrition services, along with the usual glitches, which were anticipated with folding in the
Medicaid and Work First Eligibility Information System. During this time, Randolph County
was behind by about six weeks, so families were experiencing some delay in their food benefits.
A couple of cases got stuck, and even the NCFAST Helpdesk had difficulty in resolving those
issues. The good news is when Randolph County got behind, overtime was extended to alleviate
the bottleneck, and staff have been working long hours and weekends to make sure our citizens
receive their food benefits. As of the end of last week, Randolph was 49 cases behind in Food
and Nutrition Services. Ms. Duncan said that insufficient staffing levels have made their work
very challenging. To complicate matters further, Phase 7 (Interoperability of the Federally
Funded Marketplace) was moved up to October 1st because of the beginning of the Affordable
Care Act. While the NCFAST piece is operational, the federal side of the equation is not ready,
so there is no connectivity to the Federal Marketplace at this point with the NCFAST system.
Ms. Duncan thanked the Board and County Administration for the technical support during
this process, particularly from Maintenance and IT departments. She said our County
connectivity to NCFAST has not been a significant issue from the County side. Today, according
to Ms. Duncan, there are only three cases that are in need of attention at the state level in the
NCFAST Helpdesk. Ms. Duncan said that while she fully anticipates rippling challenges
throughout this project, they are already seeing the benefits of NCFAST and how it is going to
make a great difference in the client experience when they visit our local DSS.
Vice Chair Frye asked if there had been any complaints from providers about not getting
paid.
Ms. Duncan responded by saying that complaints received through NCFAST have been from
the food stamp population. Complaints received about NC Tracks, which is a Medicaid billing
system, have been from providers (dentists, doctors' offices) that have not received payment.
Ms. Duncan said that her agency is a provider for at -risk Medicaid case management and they
have experienced no problems with the system at all.
Commissioner Frye said that he hasn't had a single complaint, but he keeps hearing and
reading about several hundred thousand providers haven't been paid and are having to borrow
money to make payroll.
Commissioner Haywood said that the pharmacy piece of this has worked well, but that's
certainly not true with doctors and other facilities.
Update on Legislative Changes Affecting Scrap Tire Program at Solid Waste Facility and
Approval of Revision in Fee Schedule
Paxton Arthurs, Public Works Director, said that during the recent Legislative Session, the North
Carolina Senate passed Bill 401 (Appropriations Act of 2013), which has some provisions that will
affect the grant money that is available for solid waste operations. This session law diverts much of
the money that was previously dedicated to grants for solid waste activities to the State's General
Fund. The main impact for Randolph County will be in grants for scrap tire expenses. Currently, tires
at the Solid Waste Facility are hauled to Central Carolina Tire in Cameron, NC at a cost of $80.18 per
ton. Last year, our scrap tire expenses were $198,152 and our revenue from scrap tire tax
reimbursements was $174,900. This left a deficiency of $23,252. Due to this loss and other built-in
expenses, the County was able to apply for and receive $33,575 in scrap tire grants, which are no
longer expected to be available.
To be eligible for NC Scrap Tire Tax Reimbursement funds, Counties are not allowed to charge a
fee for the disposal of scrap tires if they are received with a completed Scrap Tire Certificate in which
the number of tires are listed and the originator and hauler of the tires are identified. In the past,
because scrap tire expenses were reimbursed, the Solid Waste Facility has done little more than
making sure that a certificate was received and signed. However, with the loss in grant revenue, it will
be prudent to begin verifying the accuracy of the tire certificates received, and possibly charging a fee
for tires that do not have a complete or accurate certificate. Mr. Arthurs presented a revised fee
schedule, with the only change being the addition of a scrap tire fee of $80.18 per ton for tires when a
correct scrap tire certificate is not furnished. He recommended the new fee become effective on
January 1, 2014 so that haulers and companies currently bringing tires to the Solid Waste Facility will
have plenty of time to learn about these changes and plan for how it could affect their operations.
On motion of Frye, seconded by Kemp, the Board voted unanimously to approve a revised
Solid Waste Facility Fee Schedule, which will include the following: "Scrap tires, which are not
accompanied by a complete and accurate NC Scrap Tire Certificate, shall be charged $80.18 per
ton (must be signed by the tire generator and licensed tire hauler), " effective January 1, 2014.
Update on Greensboro/Liberty Meta Site
Bonnie Renfro, Randolph County EDC President, said that at the Commissioners' last
meeting in early September, she heard two things: 1) a decision that the Board wished to seek to
transfer the grant that Randolph County received from the state to the Randolph County
Development Corporation, and 2) is the State willing to fiscally support this type of project? Ms.
Renfro said that she contacted the State Department of Commerce the following day to ascertain
what the process would be to transfer the grant. She learned that a letter of request from the
County to the Secretary of Commerce would be needed. She has drafted that letter and has sent it
to the County. The Board of the Randolph County Development Corporation, which is not the
EDC, but a separate 501c3 board, established in 2004 for this type of purpose, has met and
agreed to accept that grant and its responsibilities if the County chooses to pursue that and the
State agrees to do so. However, Ms. Renfro said that the State said that we may want to hold off
on sending the letter because there is a lot going on right now with the State as they restructure
their Department of Commerce and many other things. They did not know if they would be able
to get an answer in a timely way. Therefore, she said that we are ready to submit the letter at the
appropriate time, which has not yet been determined.
Regarding the other question: "Is the State willing to support this type of project?," Ms.
Renfro said that Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker made an announcement in June that she
understood that many communities across our state were seeking to create and promote large
tracts of land suitable for a large scale development. She said the question (was the state willing
to support that) had come up in discussions with clients and communities. Secretary Decker
responded, "I don't know the answer to that question, but I will find out." Ms. Renfro said that
Secretary Decker is in the midst of an exercise that involves the executive and the legislative
branches to ascertain the answer to that question. But Ms. Renfro said she doesn't believe any
decision has been made at this point.
Vice Chair Frye said that the governor was in Greensboro the previous week and received
that question publicly. His answer was that the State would be behind an auto manufacturing
facility in North Carolina, but he didn't address any specific site.
Approval of Letter of Support for Proposed Chatham/Randolph Mega -site Certification
On motion of Lanier, seconded by Frye, the Board voted unanimously to approve a letter of
support for the proposed Chatham/Randolph mega -site certification, as requested by the
Chatham County EDC.
Rezoning Public Hearing & Action
At 7:05 p.m., the Board adjourned to a duly advertised public hearing to consider a rezoning
request. Hal Johnson, Planning Director, presented the following request:
Robin Sands, Asheboro, North Carolina, is requesting that approximately 3 acres (out of 8.84
acres) located on Monterey Road, Union Township, be rezoned from RA to RBO-CD.
Secondary Growth Area. Tax ID# 7657623020. The proposed Conditional Zoning District
would specifically allow a tree service business. The Planning Board reviewed this request at
public meeting on September 10, 2013, and unanimously recommended that this request be
approved. The Planning Board found the following policies within the 2009 Growth
Management Plan that support determination of consistency with the adopted plan with this
recommendation:
Policv 4.3 Individual Rural Business or Highway Commercial rezoning decisions will depend
upon the scale of the proposed development as it relates to the specific site and location weighed
against the impacts to adjoining rural land uses.
Board of Commissioner Resolution Adopting the Growth Management Plan, Policy #2.
Recognize that growth management policies should afford flexibility to County boards and
agencies that will enable them to adapt to the practical requirements often necessary for rural
development.
Chairman Holmes opened the floor for public comment. Hearing none, Chairman Holmes
declared the public hearing closed.
On motion of Haywood, seconded by Lanier, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
request of Robin Sands, as determined consistent with the standards and policies contained
within the Growth Management Plan outlined in the recommendations provided by the County
Planning Board.
Approval to Increase Annual Merit Program Funding
Stacy Griffin, Human Resources Director, thanked the Board for approving one-time merit
bonuses for 213 employees in 2012. This was the first merit based compensation increase any
employee had received since the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Ms. Griffin said that merit funds have
remained steady in the budget at $115,000 since the 2006-2007 fiscal year. When the funds were
originally established, only full time employees were eligible to receive a merit increase. This
past year, the criteria were changed to include part-time employees since many of the County's
departments simply cannot adequately provide services without our part-time employees. This
decision, while the fair thing to do, also added approximately 100 additional employees to share
in the limited merit funds. Ms. Griffin further explained that last year, we also chose not to
include department heads in the merit bonus payments as we wanted the funds to extend to more
employees, particularly since it was the first time in four years that merit funds had been
released. However, Ms. Griffin asked that this year, all eligible supervisors be included in the
merit process.
Because the critical part-time positions and all eligible supervisors have been added to the
eligibility pool, Ms. Griffin asked the Board to approve the addition of $10,000 to the existing
$115,000 funds so that the total merit pool is $125,000. Last year, the one-time bonuses
averaged $477.95 per employee, but that was without department heads in the pool. Since a
merit bonus will only be rewarded to our best and brightest employees, Ms. Griffin said that she
feels this minimal increase is warranted to keep the merit bonus meaningful to all who receive it.
On motion of Kemp, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted 4-1, with Frye opposing, to
approve a $10, 000 increase in annual merit program funding.
Discussion of Building Inspection Fees for Non -Profit Organizations
David Bryant, Chief Building Inspector, stated that he wanted to follow-up on the issue concerning
building permit fees that Rev. Jody Harrison with Bethel Baptist Church addressed the
Commissioners about during the September 3, 2013 Commissioners Meeting.
He told the Board that he had met with Rev. Harrison several times since the September P
meeting and explained to him that services the County provides for issuing permits and inspecting
buildings are regulated by the State of North Carolina. In accordance with state law, Randolph County
sets fees for the permits the County issues. This is done to offset the cost of administering the State
Building Codes. He explained that he and Rev. Harrison were able to come to an agreement on the
cost of his permits, while conforming to the current fee schedule that was adopted by the Randolph
County Board of Commissioners. He said that Rev. Harrison has a better understanding of the process
the County uses for determining permit fees and was satisfied with the resolution.
Approval of Resolution Adopting 2014 Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting Schedule
On motion of Frye, seconded by Lanier, the Board voted unanimously to approve a
Resolution Adopting Board of Commissioners 2014 Regular Meeting Schedule, as follows:
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 153A -40(a), the board of commissioners shall hold a regular
meeting at least once a month; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C.G.S. 153A -40(a) the board of commissioners may, by resolution, fix the
time and place of its regular meetings; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Randolph County Board of Commissioners
hereby adopts the following meeting schedule for all of its 2014 regular meetings:
Monday, January 6
Monday, July 7
Monday, February 3
Monday, August 4
Monday, March 10
Monday, September 8
Monday, April 7
Monday, October 6
Monday, May 5
Monday, November 3
Monday, June 2
Monday, December I
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the regular meetings shall begin at 6: 00 p. m., with the rezoning
public hearing commencing at 7: 00 p.m.; and
FURTHER, that all regular meetings shall be held in the 1909 Historic Courthouse, 145-C Worth
St., Asheboro, NC 27203; and
BE IT FINALLYRESOLVED that the Clerk shall cause a copy of this resolution to be posted and
published pursuant to NCGS 153A-40.
Adopted this 7th day of October, 2013.
Closed Session
At 7:18 p.m., on motion of Frye, seconded by Kemp, the Board voted unanimously to go into
closed session to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of business in the area,
pursuant to [N. C. G. S.143 -318.11(a) (4)J.
Regular Meeting Resumed
At 8:18 p.m., the Board returned to regular session.
Adjournment
At 8:18 p.m., there being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman
Phil Kemp
Stan Haywood
Darrell L. Frye
Arnold Lanier
Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board