OXFORD, NORTH CAROLINA March 20, 2017 The Members of the Honorable Board of Commissioners of Granville County, North Carolina met in a regular meeting on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium, Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford. Present were: Chairman: Timothy Karan Commissioners: Tony W. Cozart (arrived @ 7:01 p.m.) Sue Hinman Zelodis Jay Owen T. Roberts, Jr. David T. Smith Edgar Smoak County Manager: Michael S. Felts County Attorney: James C. Wrenn, Jr. Assistant County Attorney: Gerald T. Koinis News Reporters: Chris L. Harris Butner-Creedmoor News David Murray Oxford Public Ledger MEETING CALLED TO ORDER At 7:00 p.m., Chairman Timothy Karan called the meeting to order, had the invocation, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Upon a motion by Commissioner Zelodis Jay, seconded by Commissioner Tony W. Cozart, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the consent agenda as follows: (A) Approved the Summary of Contingency and Use of Fund Balance report which showed the following balances: General Contingency Balance $ 84,127 Environmental Disaster Contingency $ 10,000 General Fund Appropriated Fund Balance $ 1,789,827 (B) Approved Budget Amendment #6 as recommended by the Finance Director: Budget Amendment #6 3/20/2017 Be it ordained, the FY 2016-2017 Annual Budget Ordinance is hereby amended as follows: GENERAL FUND Expenditures: Increase/(Decrease) Community Services Cooperative Extension Service 6,379 Construction Projects 35,000 Economic Development 1,900 Human Services Social Services (31,298) Education Granville County School System 84,850 Area Projects and Other Appropriations Non-Departmental (1,900)
Total Expenditures 94,931 Revenues: Increase/(Decrease) Investment Earnings & Operating Transfers In 17,750 Restricted and Intergovernmental (13,868) Appropriated Fund Balance 91,049 Total Revenues 94,931 THORNTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY FUND Expenditures: Increase/(Decrease) Contributions to General Fund 17,750 Total Expenditures 17,750 Revenues: Increase/(Decrease) Use of Fund Balance 17,750 Total Revenues 17,750 (For reference only) Balance General Fund/Construction Projects Expenditures: Increase/ (Decrease) 10-4251 803 Wilton E911 Renovation $35,000 $41,000 10-3990 991 Appropriated Fund Balance $35,000 $1,190,339 Description: To carry over balance needed to complete Wilton E911 renovation project. Project was begun in FY 2016. This detail was included in the 10/3/16 budget amendment but was inadvertently excluded from the budget ordinance document. (This has already been entered into the financial system.) General Fund/Economic Development Expenditures: Increase/ (Decrease) 10-4920 395 Registration & Training $1,250 $2,250 10-4920 312 Travel $650 $2,350 10-8540 116 Health & Wellness Challenge ($1,900) $8,100 Description : to fund the County Economic Development director's participation in the Rural Center Leadership Program General Fund/Revenues 10-3990 991 Appropriated Fund Balance ($17,750) $1,716,028 10- -3990 981 Contribution from Library Memorial $17,750 $17,750 Description: to transfer funds from the Thornton Library Memorial Fund to the General Fund to fund the Assistant Director's salary, as approved by the Thornton Library Board and the Granville County Board of Commissioners in April 16, 2016. Funds were not transferred in FY 2016. General Fund/Schools Expenditures: Increase/ (Decrease) 10-5911 581 Other Category 1 - Capital Outlay $84,850 $84,850 10-3990 991 Approp. Fund Balance $84,850 $1,800,608 Description: To fund the South Granville High School field erosion repair project, as approved by the Granville County B of C on December 7, 2015. The project was not completed until FY 2017. General Fund/Social Services Expenditures: Increase/ (Decrease) 10-5300 622 Crisis Intervention Program ($6,746) $190,749 10-5300 623 Duke Energy ($6,304) $3,233 10-5300 624 Wake Electric Round-Up Program $87 $2,099 10-5300 630 Federal Adoption Assistance ($12,668) $7,243 10-5300 650 LIEAP ($5,667) $191,828 10-3538 332 Public Assistance ($17,638) $433,839 10-3990 991 Appropriated Fund Balance ($13,660) $1,786,948 Description : To reflect current year adjustments in public assistance contributions from Progress Energy and Wake Electric, as well as carrying over funds from FY 2016. General Fund/Cooperative Extension
Expenditures: Increase/ (Decrease) 10-4950 235 United Way Expenditures $6,379 $14,879 10-3833 850 United Way Fund $3,500 $12,000 10-3990 991 Appropriated Fund Balance $2,879 $1,789,827 Description: To adjust United Way budget to reflect carry over of balance and an additional $3,500 in United Way Grant funding for FY 2017. Thornton Library Memorial Fund Expenditures: Increase/ (Decrease) 20- -6110 981 Contribution to General Fund $17,750 $17,750 20- -3991 991 Use of Fund Balance $17,750 $17,750 Description: to transfer funds from the Thornton Library Memorial Fund to the General Fund to fund the Assistant Director's salary, as approved by the Thornton Library Board and the Granville County Board of Commissioners in April 16, 2016. Funds were not transferred in FY 2016. (C) (D) Approved Minutes of the January 17, 2017 and February 6, 2017 meetings as recorded. Approved the following Tax Releases as recommended by the Tax Administrator: Tax Releases March 20, 2017 ACCOUNT OWNERS NAME AMOUNT REASON FOR RELEASE 11869 116 SAPPHIRE STABLES LLC 264.99 BILLING ERROR 39703 SUSAN EDWARDS 124.08 BILLED IN ERROR 2016 39703 SUSAN EDWARDS 120.66 BILLED IN ERROR 2015 39703 SUSAN EDWARDS 126.24 BILLED IN ERROR 2014 39703 SUSAN EDWARDS 133.25 BILLED IN ERROR 2013 39703 SUSAN EDWARDS 135.54 BILLED IN ERROR 2012 13723 WAYNE KEETON 71.28 BILLED IN ERROR 56750 FREDERICK & ELLEN YANCEY 11.09 BILLED IN ERROR GRAND TOTAL $987.13 DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS, THREE SPOKE ABOUT WALKING TRAIL, COUNTY BUDGET 2017-2018, AND SCHOOLS Renee Green, Mayor of Stem, P. O. Box 88, Stem, NC, spoke about the recreation area that the Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) recently opened on the border of Stem. She said the TRLC now owns 355.71 acres in the southern end of Stem that prevents Stem from growing and is detrimental to them. She said that she understood that the County contributed $20,000 toward the purchase of the land in 2013 and Stem did not have any communication from the TRLC or the County about the 3 mile trail and picnic areas that just opened until receiving the ribbon cutting announcement. She said the property is zoned AR-40 and has been changed by the TRLC to commercially-owned recreational which is in violation of State law and County ordinance. She said a waterpark rezoning had recently been denied in the
same AR-40 zoning right down the road, noting that the waterpark would have brought revenue to all the surrounding communities and the walking trail brings nothing. At this point her time had expired, but the Board allowed her to continue. She said that the TRLC has opened the site without approval and zoning and she believed the site should be closed and proper steps taken to rezone the property. She said that she believed stormwater engineering was not completed and more than ½ acre was disturbed. She said trails are isolated and mentioned concerns of drugs, drinking and criminal activity and asked who would police the area. She also mentioned potential injuries and the possibility of an emergency on the trail that would prevent the fire department to responding to another call and not having the resources from their fire department to handle such. She asked why Stem was not a part of the conversation with the TRLC and the County and noted that Stem is against the project. She added that the TRLC is not contributing any revenue to Stem to offset the costs and resources they will use. She said the only way the park will get their support is if they get an increase for their fire department or the park is annexed so Stem can receive tax revenue to support it. Reverend Bernard Holliday, 1738 Lake Road, Creedmoor, NC, said his remarks would deal with the 2017 2018 budget deficits and programming. He said the construction of a detention/prison complex will be a heavy tax burden to citizens. He said the President s budget will cut programs including afterschool and summer school instruction and prison construction. He said he came to speak on behalf of senior citizens who are living on a fixed income and called for a moratorium on any new programs including the prison complex. He said that under the Freedom of Information Act, all contracts are public knowledge and the contract for the prison complex had not been revealed. (note contracts are available by request) He noted that commissioners of the 100 counties are legally and morally obligated to take care of the needs of the poor, noting that public schools are under performing and if something is not done the school system could fail like Halifax County. He said these problems can be resolved if the business community, faith community, families, educators and volunteers work together. He noted that Isaiah Hicks got a full athletic scholarship at UNC and is on the varsity squad winning the game, doing the work, being a gentleman and making a contribution. Eddie McCoy, 408 Kingsbury Street, Oxford, NC, asked the Board to remember the needs of the school system since there are cuts coming from Washington and there is a new State Superintendent in North Carolina as it will help the students and the school system.
BOARD APPROVED INSPECTIONS VEHICLE PURCHASE County Manager Felts explained that in the approved fiscal year 2016-2017 budget, Granville County Inspections was allocated funds for the replacement of one vehicle. The request is being brought back to the Board for final approval per policy because the expenditure is in excess of $5,000 and the vehicle is on State Term Contract. Upon a motion by Commissioner Edgar Smoak, seconded by Commissioner Tony W. Cozart, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the purchase of a 2017 Ford F-150 Standard Cab Pickup/PU-LD in accordance with the State Term Contract 070A for a price not to exceed $21,773.00, from the FY 2016-2017 budget. BOARD APPROVED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT VEHICLE PURCHASE County Manager Felts stated that the Emergency Management Office received quotes for a new vehicle to be purchased with the available Emergency Management Program Grant (EMPG) funds. This vehicle will allow for the better deployment of County emergency resources when required. The specific vehicle quoted was a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty ¾ ton pickup. Upon a motion by Commissioner Edgar Smoak, seconded by Commissioner David T. Smith, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the purchase of a 2017 Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty ¾ ton pickup from Sir Walter Chevrolet for a price not-to-exceed $31,817.26 from Emergency Management Program Grant (EMPG) funds. BOARD APPROVED DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS VEHICLES County Manager Felts stated that North Carolina General Statutes require the Board of Commissioners to formally declare items as surplus prior to selling them. Per Granville County s surplus procedures, all vehicles must be approved for sale or transfer by the Granville County Board of Commissioners prior to their sale or transfer. He then referred to a table in the agenda packet with vehicles available for sale or transfer with the recommended action for each and noted that the vehicles are from the Sheriff s Office and the General Fleet. Upon a motion by Commissioner Edgar Smoak, seconded by Commissioner Zelodis Jay, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the Disposition of Surplus Vehicles as follows: Year Make Last 4 VIN # Condition Approved Action 2008 Dodge Charger 6070 Poor Sale on Online Auction 2009 Dodge Charger 7842 Poor Sale on Online Auction 2009 Dodge Charger 9324 Fair Sale on Online Auction 2006 Crown Victoria 2517 Fair Transfer to Fleet
2004 Crown Victoria 6940 Unknown Transfer to Fleet 2009 Dodge Charger 6538 Unknown Sale on Online Auction 1994 Chevy Truck 2918 Poor Sale on Online Auction 2013 Dodge Charger 6112 Insurance Sale as Scrap Total 2012 Dodge Charger 1491 Insurance Sale as Scrap Total 2005 Crown Victoria 4571 Poor Sale on Online Auction 2005 Crown Victoria 4576 Poor Sale on Online Auction BOARD REAPPOINTED VIRGIL DOUGLAS (DISTRICT 5) TO THE GRANVILLE COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Upon a motion by Commissioner Owen T. Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Tony W. Cozart, and unanimously carried, the Board reappointed Virgil Douglas (District 5) to the Granville County Veterans Affairs. BOARD REAPPOINTED DR. DIANA DUDLEY (VETERINARIAN) TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Upon a motion by Commissioner David T. Smith, seconded by Commissioner Edgar Smoak, and unanimously carried, the Board reappointed Dr. Diana Dudley (Veterinarian) to the Animal Control Advisory Committee. BOARD APPOINTED MIA BAILEY (BUSINESS/INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE) TO THE DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE Upon a motion by Commissioner Edgar Smoak, seconded by Commissioner Zelodis Jay, and unanimously carried, the Board appointed Mia Bailey (Business/Industry Representative) to the Digital Infrastructure Committee. BOARD REAPPOINTED ROBERT T. ROB WILLIFORD TO THE GRANVILLE COUNTY ABC BOARD Upon a motion by Commissioner David T. Smith, seconded by Commissioner Tony W. Cozart, and unanimously carried, the Board reappointed Robert T. Rob Williford to the Granville County ABC Board. BOARD REAPPOINTED MITCHELL J. MIKE ALLEN, JR. TO THE CREEDMOOR PLANNING BOARD-EXTRATERRITORIAL MEMBER Upon a motion by Commissioner Owen T. Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Tony W. Cozart, and unanimously carried, the Board reappointed Mitchell J. Mike Allen, Jr. to the Creedmoor Planning Board-Extraterritorial Member. BOARD REAPPOINTED KATHY MAY (PROVIDER), CHARLOTTE WATSON (PROVIDER), DAVID T. SMITH (ELECTED OFFICIAL), BESSIE BAILEY (CONSUMER), BRENDA ELLIS (CONSUMER), CAROLYN MOSS (CONSUMER), CAROLYN KEITH (CONSUMER), EDNA DANIEL (CONSUMER), AND HELEN AMIS (CONSUMER) TO THE FUNDING PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AGING SERVICS
Upon a motion by Commissioner Zelodis Jay, seconded by Commissioner Tony W. Cozart, and unanimously carried, the Board reappointed Kathy May (Provider), Charlotte Watson (Provider), David T. Smith (Elected Official), Bessie Bailey (Consumer), Brenda Ellis (Consumer), Carolyn Moss (Consumer), Carolyn Keith (Consumer), Edna Daniel (Consumer), and Helen Amis (Consumer) to the Funding Plan Advisory Committee for Aging Services. BOARD APPOINTED JOHN WILLIFORD (NORTHEAST QUADRANT) TO THE OXFORD PLANNING BOARD Upon a motion by Commissioner David T. Smith, seconded by Commissioner Tony W. Cozart, and unanimously carried, the Board appointed John Williford (Northeast Quadrant) to the Oxford Planning Board. BOARD APPROVED RECREATION ALLOCATION FUNDING County Manager Felts stated that during their continued regular meeting on February 7, 2017, the Recreation Advisory Board (RAB) reviewed the recommended funding plan. The Recreation Advisory Board s plan used a 20/40/40 formula to allocate available recreation funding as follows: 20% of the available funds are earmarked for unincorporated areas, 40% are earmarked for municipalities, and 40% earmarked for organizations providing recreation services and/or facilities. During their meeting, the RAB voted to recommend that $107,687 of the remaining recreation funding be allocated to projects included in the agenda packet. Upon a motion by Commissioner Sue Hinman, seconded by Commissioner Zelodis Jay, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following recreation allocations for projects: Agency Project Funding Granville Central High School Sports complex parking $25,000 Booster Club South Granville Athletic Association Recreational Programming $23,461 Town of Stem Kiddie Park Expansion $23,421 Oxford Tennis Association Resurface courts at J.F. $15,000 Webb Creedmoor PTA Outdoor basketball court $10,000 Tar River Elementary PTSA Ballfield & Playground $6,305 improvements Granville Athletic Park Inclusive Recreation $4,500 Projects Total $107,687 BOARD APPROVED CATEGORY 1 SCHOOL CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDING REQUEST County Manager Felts stated that during the County s budget work sessions held in May 2016, the Granville County Board of Commissioners encouraged the Board of Education
to inspect the school facilities for air quality issues due to previous findings at some elementary facilities. After testing air quality at all Granville County Public School facilities, the public school system incurred unexpected costs during the year. He explained that the Board of Commissioners has requested that the school system bring requests back to the County for unexpected capital projects. The school system requested funding of $596,756 for the remediation efforts that would allow planned capital projects to continue on schedule. Commissioner Tony W. Cozart made a motion to approve the Category I Capital Outlay funding of $596,756 for remediation efforts. Commissioner Zelodis Jay seconded the motion. Commissioner Smoak asked for clarification on why the matter was being brought back to the Board now instead of at budget time. County Manager Felts explained that the issue was brought up at the budget sessions last year and the Board requested that the testing and remediation be done and the actual costs be brought back to the Board. He referred to the itemized list of actions taken by Granville County Public Schools in the agenda packet. follows: Commissioner Smoak said he still had some concerns. When Chairman Karan called for a vote on the matter, it passed by a vote of 6-1 as Ayes: Commissioners Cozart, Hinman, Jay, Karan, Roberts, and Smith Nays: Commissioner Smoak PROPOSED CHANGES TO GRANVILLE COUNTY ORDINANCE CHAPTER 36 PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS INFORMATION ONLY ITEM County Manager Felts stated that as discussed during the Granville County Board of Commissioner s Retreat, held in February 2017, County Staff will be reviewing several policies, procedures, and ordinances throughout the year and providing recommended changes. Chapter 36 - PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS - of the Granville County Ordinance was included in the agenda with proposed additions shown in red type and proposed deletions are shown with strikethrough text. This was provided as an information only item for discussion and study. He asked Board members to review and study the proposed changes and noted that final recommendations will be made and presented to the Board under the prescribed process for amending this County Ordinance. He noted there has been confusion that when a peddler/solicitor received a permit that they are being endorsed by the County and that is not the intent.
Commissioner Smith asked County Manager Felts to be sure that this does not change the stringent rules regarding panhandlers if included in this particular ordinance. COUNTY ATTORNEY S REPORT County Attorney Wrenn stated that he had an attorney client matters for closed session. BOARD PRESENTATIONS Commissioner Roberts stated that he is still learning and has had a good experience so far. Commissioner Smoak asked that the County Manager or someone to talk with the Tar River Land Conservancy to see what is going on at the Stem property and to be sure they are not violating any rules. Commissioner Jay said he received a letter inviting the Board to participate in the Virgilina Summerfest parade and have lunch on May 27 th at 11:00 a.m. He reported that he attended a great program at the Veterans Appreciation Event on Saturday, March 18 th and attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference the end of February and items discussed included the Stepping Up Initiative, broadband and mental health issues. Commissioner Smith reminded senior citizens that the Granville County Senior Center offers help with tax preparation and an appointment is needed. He also reported that the unemployment rate for Granville County in December 2016 was 4.2% and in January 2017 was 4.5% and ranked Granville County 4 th out of the 100 counties. Commissioner Hinman said she attended the NACo Legislative Conference and learned a lot. She also attended the Veterans Appreciation Event and wished more veterans could have attended and noted that a 101 year veteran and his grandson that was a veteran also attended. Commissioner Cozart said he is proud of the partnership between Vance-Granville Community College and North Carolina Central University as they are having an information session on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. for those who are interested in receiving a bachelor s degree in early childhood education or family consumer sciences. He thanked County Manger Felts for working on the policy of peddlers and solicitors as many living in rural areas are uncomfortable with door-to-door sales. He said he has recently visited our County libraries and he is proud of the Board s commitment and investment to them as many utilize the library services. He said the Board will continue to work with the schools on their
priorities as they deal with declining enrollments and budget cuts, yet the buildings still need maintained. Chairman Karan noted that the Veterans Affairs Appreciation Event was well attended, that he and Commissioner Hinman attended the Ambulance Chase in downtown Oxford on Saturday, and that he also attended the NACo Legislative Conference. He reported that the Digital Infrastructure Committee will meet on March 21 st and he hopes they can get broadband in the Triangle North Granville Park to help attract additional businesses as broadband is a hot button topic at this time. He mentioned that the identification process that North Carolina uses on its driver s licenses is saving lives as it alerts law enforcement of citizens with veteran status when they present their ID. ANY OTHER MATTERS Commissioner Jay mentioned that Granville County roads are looking better as 10 tons of trash has been picked up on various roads throughout the County. BOARD WENT INTO CLOSED SESSION Upon a motion by Commissioner Edgar Smoak, seconded by Commissioner Zelodis Jay, and unanimously carried, the Board went into closed session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and (5) to consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged and to establish, or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating (i) the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease and to hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee. Upon a motion by Commissioner Tony W. Cozart, seconded by Commissioner Sue Hinman, and unanimously carried, the Board returned to regular session. COMMISSIONERS ADJOURN Upon a motion by Commissioner Edgar Smoak, seconded by Commissioner Zelodis Jay, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Debra A. Weary, NCCCC, CMC Clerk to the Board