Board Minutes

Apirl 3, 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:

Attorney Wes Johnson, Johnson Law Firm

Chairman Taylor called on Mr. Wesley Hollis, County Council President, to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY AT PUBLIC AUCTION

WHEREAS, the Bladen County Board of County Commissioners desires to dispose of certain surplus property of the County;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners that:

1. The schedule of property attached hereto as Exhibit “A” is hereby declared to be surplus to the needs of the County.
2. The County Manager is authorized and directed to receive on behalf of the County Commissioners, bids at public auction for the purchase of the described property.
3. The minimum bid to be accepted for the following surplus vehicles will be set at $250.00 for the cars, 1-ton truck $500, 5-ton crane $5,000, F-150 $500.
4. The public auction will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the County Operational Services Building, 272 Smith Circle, Elizabethtown, North Carolina. The terms of the sale shall be “as is”.
5. The County Clerk shall cause a notice of the public auction to be published in accordance with G.S. 160A-270(b).
6. The highest bid, if it complies with the terms of the sale, may be accepted by the County Manager and the sale consummated on the day of auction.

Adopted this the 3 rd day of April, 2006

March 20, 2006

Re: Contract 02-71-24 Amendment No. 1

In order to complete the activities associated with the above referenced contract for "Central Southern Plain Water Source Plain", the current agreement must be amended.

It is understood and agreed by the undersigned that this letter amends the Agreement (the "Original Agreement") dated 12/9/2004 between Bladen County ("Grantee") and the Rural Economic Development Center, Inc. ("Center").

PARAGRAPH 3. Term of Agreement is amended as specified below:
DELETE: "terminate on I2/09/2005."
ADD: "terminate on 06/30/2006."

EXHIBIT C - Reporting Schedule is amended with additional reporting dates:

If you agree with the amendment as proposed, please sign the original and the enclosed copy. You should retain the copy for your files and return the original to the attention of the contract manager at the Rural Center within one month from the date the amendment was received.

WHEREAS, Bladen County is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals improve their environment through litter prevention and recycling; and

WHEREAS, Bladen County is proud of its natural resources and its neighborhoods and seeks to protect and improve our communities through the action of citizens, schools, organizations, government and businesses working together; and WHEREAS, the Keep Bladen Beautiful Advisory Committee has recognized the important commitment to improve our communities through litter prevention, beautification, and solid waste management initiatives and has designated April as "Spring Clean" month in Bladen County.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Bladen County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim the month of April as Keep Bladen Beautiful "Spring Clean" month and call upon each citizen to join their neighbors in conducting litter clean-up, beautification, and recycling projects during the month of April thus promoting responsible environmental stewardship and helping to renew a commitment to building a better world today and for future generations.

Time Warner Cable General Manager Pat Smith addressed the Board and presented a franchise fee check in the amount of $41,763.02. Ms. Smith reviewed services offered by Time Warner and answered questions from the Board of Commissioners.

The Board expressed appreciation to Ms. Smith for the franchise fee as well as the services provided by Time Warner Cable.

Commissioner Blanks discussed the NACo prescription discount card program. She advised that she wanted the program marketed so that citizens of the County would be made aware of the potential savings on prescription drugs. Commissioner Blanks asked Ms. Smith if Time Warner Cable had a community channel that would advertise the prescription discount cards. Ms. Smith indicated that there is a community channel available and provided further information to Commissioner Blanks regarding the procedure to advertise community information.

Commissioner Larry Smith discussed the fact that Time Warner has a large investment in Bladen County and that it pays a significant amount of taxes to Bladen County. He encouraged fellow board members to think about and compare what other companies are doing in Bladen County when they approach the board in the future.

Ms. Dove provided statistical information regarding municipality collections. She advised that fifteen groups are registered for the Spring Clean event and indicated that anyone can register until the last day of the month.

Chairman Taylor commended Mr. Walters and Ms. Dove for the services provided by the Keep Bladen Beautiful organization. He commented on Bladen County’s beautification process as a result of Ms. Dove’s efforts.

Commissioner Charles Ray Peterson advised that he has spoken with County Manager Greg Martin regarding litter on Owen Hill Road. He indicated that Mr. Martin was checking on the matter.

Commissioner Peterson also requested an update, during the April 18 meeting, regarding the Highway Safety Committee.

Commissioner Margaret Lewis-Moore requested an update on committee meetings between the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners. She indicated that she hopes the Board of Commissioners can work with the Board of Education regarding budget requests and to solve any differences of the board’s budget requests. Chairman Taylor indicated that the committees have met and he would provide a report at the April 18 meeting.

Commissioner Delilah B. Blanks advised that local schools’ needs far exceed local revenues and that ways to fund education must be found beyond the traditional means of property taxes. She further advised that mandates have come in and tax base hasn’t accommodated the mandates. Dr. Blanks advised that a better way to fund education has to be found.

District Engineer Robert Crumpler addressed the Board regarding the 2005-2006 Secondary Road Construction Program. He advised that Maintenance Operations totaled $470,343.00; Reserve for Contingencies totaled $181,202.00; Paving Program totaled $1,160,477.00 and the total secondary road construction funds available equal $1,812,022.00.

Chairman Taylor declared the hearing open for public comments:

Mr. Eltroie Smith addressed the Board and asked for the paving status of Hog Wallow Road. Mr. Crumpler indicated that there were right-of-way problems encountered with various property owners. Mr. Smith advised that a community meeting was held in his home and that some owners had signed petitions twice to get the road paved.

Mr. Crumpler advised that he would check on which property owners have not signed the petition and would relay the information to the County Manager to forward to Mr. Smith.

Ms. Jean Jackson asked for the status of Road 1328. Mr. Crumpler indicated that this road was on a right-of-way hold list. He further indicated that the Department of Transportation has tried to get the proper signatures but cannot because of changes in property owners.

Commissioner Larry Smith inquired about Norris Road.

Commissioner W. D. Neill, Jr. inquired about Lucy Drive. Mr. Crumpler advised that the field work is in process, i.e. survey, stakes, right-of-way. Mr. Neill also asked about Baltimore Road. Mr. Crumpler indicated that there will be a road oil surface treatment in approximately eight weeks.

Commissioner Lewis Tatum inquired about Sholar Road. Mr. Crumpler advised that this road is an active project at the present time.

Commissioner Billy Ray Pait inquired about ruts in Center Road that was the cause of a fatal motorcycle accident. Mr. Crumpler indicated that he would look into the matter of Center Road.

Commissioner Margaret Lewis-Moore commended Mr. Crumpler for his work with the Department of Transportation.

There were no further public comments and the hearing was declared closed at 7:25 p.m.

Revenue Director Marguerite Coble and Assessment Solutions, Inc. President Tim Cain addressed the Board. Mr. Cain provided a Power Point Presentation progress report on the 2007 Revaluation process. Mr. Cain discussed various steps of the revaluation process and indicated that everything is ahead of schedule at this time. He indicated that October 3, 2006 is the projected mail date for notices of property values.

Chairman Taylor called for a brief recess.

Calendar Review – Mr. Martin reviewed upcoming calendar events. He reminded the Board of the NCACC District Meetings scheduled to be held on April 18 in Cumberland County. He also reminded the Board of the Special Session scheduled for April 18 at 5:00 p.m. regarding Bladen County water systems.

Mr. Martin asked the Board members to let County staff know for registration purposes if anyone plans to attend County Assembly Day in Raleigh on May 17, 2006.

Request to Enter Closed Session – A motion was made by Larry Smith, seconded by Billy Ray Pait and approved to enter Closed Session in accordance with N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) Legal, (5) Real Property, and (6) Personnel.

A motion was made by James G. Smith, seconded by Delilah B. Blanks and approved to enter Regular Session.

Chairman Taylor called on County Manager Greg Martin to develop a resolution regarding the exemplary manner in which the funeral service for West Bladen High School student Daniel Long was conducted. Mr. Martin was asked to prepare a draft resolution to be considered by the Board of Commissioners at its April 18, 2006 meeting.

County Manager Greg Martin presented publication information to the Board regarding the upcoming celebration of County Government Week. He indicated that an approximate cost would be $1,300 - $1,500 for the inclusion of a flyer in the Bladen Journal. After discussion, Mr. Martin was asked to explore other options for the celebration.