Board Minutes

May 16, 2005

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Room of the Courthouse with the following members present:

Attorney Wil Johnson, Johnson Law Firm

Chairman Taylor expressed appreciation to Vice Chairperson Margaret Moore for chairing the May 2, 2005 meeting during his absence.

Reschedule Public Hearing (Second) Regarding Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development Project to June 6, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

Bladen County Schools Chairman David Edge and Superintendent Kenneth Dinkins presented the FY 06 Budget Request to the Board of Commissioners. Chairman Edge expressed appreciation for the opportunity to present the Schools’ budget request. He indicated that Mr. Dinkins would detail the request and advised that this year’s request is substantial compared to last and prior years. Chairman Edge advised that the Board is elected to do the best it can and to advise the Board of Commissioners of its needs.

Commissioner Larry Smith arrived.

Chairman Edge advised that improvements to the school system take basically twelve years to be seen. He provided an example of what the schools’ request would possibly have been if it had seen steady increases over the past few years. Chairman Edge also advised that the County experienced a windfall last fiscal year due to less than expected Medicaid costs. He discussed the fact that the County bought ten patrol cars last year as a result of the windfall and advised that this same principle applies to education – keep up by the year. Chairman Edge concluded his remarks and asked the Board of Commissioners to give the School Board’s request strong consideration.

Dr. Dinkins provided details regarding each individual request and the reasons why the increase in local funding is needed. He advised that the budget request for Bladen County Schools is higher, but it is the Board of Education’s responsibility to present to the Board of Commissioners a listing of the School Districts needs.

Update Regarding Mental Health Reform: Area Director Sharen Prevatte and Associate Director of Bladen and Columbus Counties Caroline Staton updated the Board regarding the status of Mental Health Services. Ms. Prevatte advised that before Mental Health Reform, there were 460 staff members in four counties. She advised that there are now 316 staff members which will eventually be reduced to 125. Ms. Prevatte indicated that during the transitional period, Southeastern Regional Mental Health will still provide some services, but will also be transferring service responsibilities to more than 160 private providers who will eventually be responsible for all but a few consumer services. She further indicated that by July 1, 2007, Mental Health’s role will be one of oversight, monitoring, resource development and ensuring access and emergency care for consumers. Ms. Prevatte also advised that Mental Health is trying to assist with the placement of its downsized employees in private agencies.

Ms. Prevatte invited the Commissioners to call upon her or Ms. Staton if they had any questions regarding the reform process.

Commissioner Moore advised that concerns have been expressed regarding group home residents wandering around the community. Discussion was held about the differences in Family Care Homes and Group Homes. Ms. Staton advised that there is a moratorium on group homes at this time and that group homes are supervised, wherein someone has to check-out residents before they can leave the group home setting.

Discussion of Use of Mental Health Office – Ms. Prevatte advised that Mental Health will need to continue using its current facilities until 2007. Questions were asked regarding how much space will be needed due to the downsizing process. Ms. Prevatte indicated that the space issue would be reevaluated quarterly and the results brought to the County Manager.

Emergency Services Director Mitchell Byrd addressed the Board to request consideration to enter into a lease agreement with Mr. Jerry Register for rental of a vacant lot next to the EMS building to be used for parking of ambulances and employee vehicles. Mr. Byrd advised that the additional space is needed because of expansion of the EMS Department.

Mr. Byrd briefed the Board of Commissioners regarding how the non emergency transport service call volume has increased from ten to approximately thirty calls per day. He discussed problems that were being encountered with vehicles and the effects it has on scheduling. Mr. Byrd also advised that the purchase of a new ambulance can be made with the Medicaid reimbursement funding that was worked out through the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Association.

General Services Manager Robert Mazur requested approval to declare thirty-nine vehicles surplus property and advised that he was trying to clean up the appearance of the General Services Building. He indicated that the vehicles are in poor running condition and are taking up space that is needed for other things.

Whereas, a motion was made by Charles Ray Peterson, seconded by Larry Smith and approved to declare the vehicles surplus property.

Be It Therefore Resolved, that the Commissioners of Bladen County do hereby set a vehicle surplus auction date of June 18, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. The auction will be held at the Operations Building.

Mr. Mazur presented a Right of Way Agreement on behalf of Progress Energy. He advised that due to the widening of Highway 87 in Dublin, Progress Energy will have to move an electrical pole that will be located on the County’s property.

Division on Aging Director Joan Allen addressed the Board to request approval of the Home and Community Care Block Grant Proposal for 2005-2006.

Kelly Water Dike and Drainage District Committee – A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by Delilah B. Blanks and approved to table the appointment to the Kelly Water Dike and Drainage District Committee until June 6, 2005.

Planning Director Greg Elkins addressed the Board as a follow-up to the May 2 Board meeting regarding Zoning Amendments. Mr. Elkins advised that the Planning Board revisited the proposed requirements to new family cemeteries.

Mr. Curtis Brown addressed the Board to receive guidance and recommendations regarding zoning requirements for outdoor storage. He advised that he owns property on Highway 87 East, adjacent to the Margaret and Scotty Beard properties. Mr. Brown

indicated that he is familiar with Bladen County’s Zoning Ordinance and had hoped that once the Ordinance was adopted, the Beard property would have to be cleaned up to comply with the Ordinance. Mr. Brown further advised that the Ordinance has been adopted for two years, and he could not see any improvements to the Beard property. Mr. Brown also referred to the interest and safety of children who attend East Bladen High School which is located near the Beard property. Mr. Brown inquired about the proper procedures for having the Zoning Ordinance enforced.

Planning Director Elkins was present at the meeting and advised that he had met with Scotty and Margaret Beard on several occasions. He advised that the Beards’ livelihood is in the tank refurbishing business, which means there will always be huge tanks on the property. Mr. Elkins also indicated that the Beards had planted trees on the State’s right-of-way as a buffer to the property, but due to spraying by the State, the trees were killed. Mr. Elkins also discussed the fact that there is no power supply for refurbishment of tanks at the river. He indicated that the Beards are willing to plant more trees, but Mr. Elkins was of the opinion that a fence is not the answer to the problem due to landscaping of the area wherein the road and right of way is on a higher elevation than the property and would not provide adequate screening.

Discussion was also held regarding junk that has been on the property for years and has not been moved. Mr. Elkins indicated that things on the property eventually rotate off.

State Health Plan – A motion was made by Lewis Tatum, seconded by Delilah B. Blanks and approved for Bladen County Employees to join the State Health Plan.

Consider Resolution to Join State Health Plan – A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by Billy Ray Pait and approved to adopt a Resolution to Join the State Health Plan effective July 1, 2005.

WHEREAS, the County of Bladen provides health insurance coverage for eligible employees and eligible retirees until age 65, as stated in the Bladen County Personnel Ordinance; and,

WHEREAS, the rapidly escalating cost of providing health insurance coverage poses a financial hardship on Bladen County; and,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Bladen County elects to have its employees become eligible to participate in the State Health Plan, and to make the contributions as required by the State Health Plan Executive Administrator and Board of Trustees. Bladen County will enroll all of its eligible employees, retired employees, and as applicable, their eligible family members in the Plan. Eligible employees, retired employees, and as applicable, their eligible family members, shall participate in disease management, case

management, and all other mandatory and voluntary cost containment measures implemented by the Executive Administrator and Board of Trustees.

Adopted this 16 th day of May, 2005.