Board Minutes

January 23, 2006

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

Johnson Law Firm – Attorneys Leslie Johnson and Wes Johnson

A motion was made by James G. Smith, seconded by Billy Ray Pait and approved to adopt the following Consent Items:

Approve Tax Refunds/Releases for December: Docket # 090

Approve Lease Agreement with Farm Service Agency:

REPRODUCE LOCALLY. Include form number and date on all reproductions.
U,B. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Commodity Credit Corporation
(10-18-01)
LEASE FOR REAL PROPERTY
1. DATE
1-11-2006

2. COUNTY NAME BLADEN
3. THIS LEASE, made and entered into this day by and between COUNTY OF 3LADE7N ,whose address is: p.0. BOX 965 ELIZP3ETHTOTnIN, N.C. 28337
and whose interest in the property hereinafter caIled the Lessor and the Farm Service Agency hereinafter called FSA.
4. WITNESSETH: The parties hereto for the consideration hereinafter mentioned, covenant and agree as follows:
a. The Lessor hereby leases to FSA the following described premises: 3504 NET USABLE SQUARE FEET AT THE POWELL -MBLV2N AGRICULTURE SERVICE CENTER to be used for OFFICE SPACE
b. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said premises with their appurtenances for the term beginning 12-1-2005 through 11-30-2006 subject to termination and renewal rights as may be hereinafter set forth.
c. The FSA shall pay the Lessor at the rate of $ 2336.00
per month ( $ $ - 00
per square foot) in arrears. Rent for a lesser period shall be prorated. Rent checks shall be
made payable to: COUNTY OF BLADEN
d. The FSA may terminate this lease or decrease the amount of space at any time by giving at least 120 days notice in writing to the Lessor and no rent shall accrue after the effective date of termination. Said notice shall be computed commencing with the day after the date of mailing.
e. This lease may be renewed at the option of the FSA for the following terms and at the following rentals : RENEWABLE YEARLY.

RATE IS NEGOTIABLE AT TIME OF RENEWAL.
provided notice be given in writing to the Lessor at least 120 days before the end of the original lease term
or any renewal terms; alI other terms and conditions of this lease shall remain the same during any renewal term. Said notice shall be computed commencing with the day after the date of mailing.
CCC-2 (10-18-01) Page 2 of 2
f. The Lessor shall furnish the FSA, as part of the rental consideration, the following:
THE LESSOR SHALL FURNISH HEAT, ELECTRICITY, WATER, CHILLED DRINKING WATER, AIR CONDITIONING, WINDOW WASHING, TOILET SUPPLIES, jAivIT^vR SERVICES A;ND SUPPLIES, LAMP REPLACEMENT, AND PARKING.
g. The following are attached and made a part hereof:
(Solicitation For Offers (SFQ))
AT THE TIME OF THE EXERCISE OF ANY OF THE RENEWAL OPTIONS OR ON THE ANNIVERSARY DATE OF A FIRST-TERM LEASE, THE RENTAL AGREEMENT MAY BE RENEGOTiATED TO PROVIDE FOR ANY INCREASE IN PUBLIC UTILITY RATES, !INCLUDING ELECTRICITY, GAS, WATER, SEWAGE, AND REAL ESTATE TAXES, APPROVED BY A PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION. ANY CLAIM 3Y LESSOR FOR ANT INCREASE IN RENT DUE TO INCREASED REAL ESTATE TAXES AND PUBLIC UTILITY RATES, SHALL 3E SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF SUCH INCREASE OF RATES.
h. The following changes were made in this lease prior to its execution:
5. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto subscribed their names as of the dates written above.
A. LESSOR

Commissioner Neill asked the County Manager to check on the closing of Cape Fear River Locks.

County Manager Greg Martin advised that the County is trying to stay abreast of the Lock and Dam situation and attends meetings regarding it.

Commissioner Neill also asked the County Manager to check on Elwell Ferry to Highway 87.

Ms. Betsy Redman, NC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program Coordinator addressed the Board regarding Automatic External Defibrillators. Ms. Redman provided a demonstration of a defibrillator and advised that a defibrillator will bring back the natural rhythm of the heart. She discussed the importance of a quick response to someone who is experiencing heart problems. Ms. Redman advised that Automatic External Defibrillators are reasonably priced and would be of great benefit to the citizens of Bladen County. She also indicated that Bladen County could be used as a tool for the distribution of Automatic External Defibrillators to churches, fire departments, etc.

The Commissioners expressed appreciation to Ms. Redman for the presentation.

Mr. Joe McGougan of Hobbs, Upchurch, & Associates, P.A., Consulting Engineers, addressed the Board regarding recommendations on the Tobermory Project. Mr. McGougan advised that his firm is working with Bills Well Drilling to evaluate different alternatives regarding the project. He discussed upper zones ( high quality water) and lower zones (discoloration of water) and recommended isolating well for upper production zone. Mr. McGougan further discussed scaling back treatment to filtration, chemical treatment, and into distribution system. He indicated that this will scale back to budget and also meets quantity and quality. Mr. McGougan advised that with Board approval, sealed bids will be accepted on February 9, 2006.

Mr. Fred Hobbs updated the Board regarding grant application for Council and Burney Road Water Main Extensions. He discussed Community Development Block Grant options, but indicated that there is a severe threshold for need and is income based. Mr. Hobbs recommended to the Commissioners to reapply for the State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) and matching loan monies.

Human Resources Director Stephanie Moultrie addressed the Board regarding the Employee Suggestion Program. She advised that as part of the Strategic Plan, the Employee Suggestion Review Team met on several occasions and discussed implementation of the Employee Suggestion Program. Ms. Moultrie presented information regarding eligibility requirements, general requirements, procedures, awards, ownership and retention, and decisions.

Consider Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance – Planning Director Greg Elkins addressed the Board to request consideration of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance as adopted by the Planning Board and presented during the December 19, 2005 Board of Commissioners Meeting. The request was tabled at the December 19 meeting due to further information requested by the Board of Commissioners.

Consider Amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance – Planning Director Greg Elkins addressed the Board to request consideration of amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance as adopted by the Planning Board and presented during the December 19, 2005 Board of Commissioners Meeting. The request was tabled at the December 19 meeting due to further information requested by the Board of Commissioners.

A motion was made by Larry Smith, seconded by Billy Ray Pait and approved to adopt Subdivision Ordinance Amendments as requested by the Bladen County Planning Board.

ADVISORY BOARDS:

Consider Closed Session – A motion was made by Larry Smith, seconded by Delilah B. Blanks and approved to enter Closed Session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) Consult with Attorney, (5) Acquisition of Real Property and (6) Personnel Matter.

A motion was made by Billy Ray Pait, seconded by Lewis Tatum and approved to enter Regular Session.