Board Minutes

September 19, 2005

A regular meeting of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners was held in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Courthouse at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present:

Revenue:

September Retainer

Approve 4-H Proclamation:

WHEREAS, 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills; and,

WHEREAS, 4-H is one of the largest youth organizations in North Carolina, with nearly one in every 10 North Carolina youth involved in 4-H; and,

WHEREAS, 4-H in North Carolina claims 181,000 youth members and 23,000 adult volunteers, while Bladen County's 4-H program numbers over 1500 youth and over 200 volunteers; and,

WHEREAS, 4-H as part of North Carolina Cooperative Extension is a program where youth learn together in all kinds of projects, events and activities; and,

WHEREAS, 4-H has been helping youth and adults learn, grow and work together for more than one hundred years;

WHEREAS, Bladen County wishes to carry out its FY05 CDBG program in accordance with established state and federal administrative guidelines.

NOW, THEREFORE, The Bladen County Board of Commissioners hereby collectively adopts the following resolutions, guidelines, plans and policies, and resolves that they be utilized during the administration of the County's community development program:

• Project Ordinance

• Financial Management Resolution

• Program Assistance Policy

• Rehabilitation/Demolition Contract Award Policy

• Citizen Participation Plan

• Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan

• Local Economic Benefit Plan

• Equal Employment and Procurement Policy

• Code of Conduct Policy

• Fair Housing Policy

• Section 519 Policy (Excessive Use)

• Project Advisory Committee Approval

BLADEN COUNTY FY 2005 CDBG Recipient's Plan to Further Fair Housing

BLADEN COUNTY

Grantee

166 Court House Square, Elizabethtown, NC 28337 Grantee's Address

Greg Martin, County Manager (910) 862-6700

Contact Person Telephone Number

I. Indicate if the grantee will be affirmatively furthering fair housing for the first time or has implemented specific activities in the past.

First Time Past Activities X

II. Identify and analyze obstacles to affirmatively furthering fair housing in grantee's community. (Use additional pages as necessary.)

l. Citizens of Bladen County may not be aware of current federal and state fair housing law or what constitutes an unfair housing practice.

2. Local housing-related businesses may not be aware of their responsibilities to comply with provisions of fair housing law; or may not be aware of opportunities to participate in agreements to affirmatively further fair housing.

3. Low-income families may not be aware of housing assistance available to them in Bladen County.

4. Citizens and housing -related businesses may be unaware of recent major changes in the Title VIII requirements included in the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.

III. Briefly describe the activities that the grantee will undertake over the active period of the grant to affirmatively further fair housing in their community. A time schedule for implementation of these activities must be included. Activities must be scheduled for implementation at least on a quarterly basis.

l. 1' Quarter 2005 (Jul. to Sent.) Bladen County will adopt a fair housing policy that underscores the county's support of affirmatively furthering fair housing and outlines procedures the county utilizes to address fair housing complaints.

2. 2" dQuarter 2005 (Oct. to Dec.) Bladen County will post the County's Fair Housing Policy at various public buildings and libraries throughout Bladen County.

3. 1 g Quarter 2006 (Jan. to Mar.) Bladen County will contact local realtors, financial institutions, and housing-related agencies and forward them pamphlets and posters (distributed by the NC Human Relations Commission) outlining fair housing requirements.

4. 2 °d puarter 2006 (Apr. to June) Bladen County will post fair housing posters (distributed by the NC Human Relations Commission) at local post offices and grocery stores around the county.

5. 3' d Quarter 2006 (July to Sept.) Bladen County will post a notice outlining its fair housing complaint procedure, fair housing posters and fair housing brochures at the county office and county courthouse.

6. 4th Ouarter 2006 (Oct. to Dec.) Bladen County will contact a local radio station to have public service announcements aired concerning fair housing.

7. 1st Quarter 2007 (Jan. to Mar.) Bladen County will contact local churches by letter and provide them with the County's Fair Housing Policy.

8. 2" dQuarter 2007 (Apr. to June) Bladen County will advertise the Fair Housing Policy in the local newspaper, The Bladen Journal.

9. 3' d Quarter 2007 (July to Sent.) Bladen County will review the past activities to determine if the information distributed concerning Fair Housing is still accessible by County Citizens.

V. Will the above activities apply to the total municipality or county?

Yes X No If no, provide explanation.

VI. Describe grantee's method for receiving and resolving housing discrimination complaints. This may be either a procedure currently being implemented or one to be

implemented under this CDBG grant. Include a description of how the grantee informs the public about the complaint procedure.

The county has adopted a complaint procedure (included in the Fair Housing Policy) under which the County Manager receives housing discrimination complaints and refers them to the NC Human Relations Commission for review. The county will outline this procedure in a notice to be posted at County Manager's office, local businesses and the county health department.

The county does not currently have a TDD number; however, if any individual wishing such assistance will be directed to call 1-800-735-2962, which is the state number for TDD assistance.

Chairman Taylor read the adopted 4-H proclamation which proclaims the week of October 2-8, 2005 as National 4-H Week. He called on 4-H Program Assistant Kathy Cooper, 4-H Program Director Angela Reddinger, and Bladen County 4-H members to step forward to receive the proclamation. The members introduced themselves and told their positions on the County Council or 4-H club affiliation.

Commissioner Peterson asked the Board to consider Bladen Community College’s request at the next Commissioners meeting.

Commissioner Peterson also asked the County Manager to provide a Shelter Update regarding Hurricane Ophelia. Mr. Martin indicated that a meeting was held with shelter representatives and that he would meet with School Staff. Commissioner Peterson also asked for an update to be provided to the Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Moore indicated that she had been contacted by the NACo president and advised that she was appointed to serve on the National Program and Services Committee. She further advised that the appointments are competitive and that she was looking forward to representing Bladen County.

Health Director Wayne Stewart provided a Power Point Presentation regarding the prescription card program endorsed by the National Association of County Officials. Mr. Stewart indicated that the card could be used by all county residents regardless of age or income. He further advised that use of the card is targeted to citizens who are underinsured or uninsured.

The Commissioners discussed the matter and provided examples of the savings other states have experienced since the prescription card’s inception.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Planning Director Greg Elkins advised that the Planning Board had received a request from petitioner Ronald Huggins to rezone 6.93 acres of property owned by Ronald Gooden and located on the south side of Hwy. 41, PIN 8045 from RA to C district for the purpose of retail.

Chairman Taylor declared the Public Hearing open.

Scott Pait addressed the Board to inquire about the intentions of rezoning the property to commercial use. Property owner Ronald Gooden was in the audience and advised that the intent was to establish a fast food restaurant and convenience store on the designated property. Mr. Pait advised that he was an adjoining property owner and was concerned about the type business that would be locating on the property.

There were no further comments and the public hearing was declared closed.

Planning Director Greg Elkins advised that the Planning Board had recommended a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding the establishment of a 100 foot buffer off property line for citizens who are establishing family cemeteries. He indicated that a 100 foot buffer will protect adjoining property owners.

Chairman Taylor declared the public hearing open.

There were no comments and the public hearing was declared closed.

A motion was made by Lewis Tatum, seconded by Delilah B. Blanks and approved to accept requested text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, as recommended by the Planning Board, establishing a 100 foot buffer off property line for family cemeteries.

Finance Director Lisa Coleman addressed the Board regarding the purchase of ten defibrillators at a cost of approximately $100,000. She indicated that the 05 budget provided for the equipment to be financed for a period of five years. Ms. Coleman asked for direction from the Board on the method preferred to purchase the defibrillators.

CRISIS HOUSING ASSISTANCE FUND AGREEMENT – Mr. Martin advised that at the September 6 Board meeting no action was taken due to a tie vote regarding the County’s interest in requesting a CHAF agreement for consideration by this Board. Mr. Martin requested direction from the Board. A motion was made by Charles Ray Peterson, seconded by James G. Smith to request a copy of an amended CHAF contract due to 2004 hurricane damage. Chairman Taylor called for discussion onthe matter.Commissioners Larry Smith, Lewis Tatum, Billy Ray Pait, and Margaret Lewis-Moore expressed concern that there was no storm damage from 2004 hurricanes. Commissioner Blanks indicated that she would like to see a contract from the Redevelopment Center and specific evidence of any damage incurred from hurricanes of 2004.

A Substitute Motion was made by Billy Ray Pait to reject a request for a contract from North Carolina Redevelopment Center. Upon discussion, Mr. Pait withdrew the motion.

Consider Closed Session: A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by James G. Smith and approved to enter Closed Session in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(1)(5)(6).

A motion was made by W. D. Neill, Jr., seconded by James G. Smith and approved to enter Regular Session.

Commissioner James G. Smith advised that Staff Writer Jack McDuffie has resigned from the Bladen Journal to pursue other interests. Comments were made about the fine work Mr. McDuffie has done over the years as a writer for the Bladen Journal.

A motion was made by James G. Smith, seconded by Larry Smith and approved to prepare a resolution to present to retiring reporter Jack McDuffie.