August 25, 1998 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

37August 25, 1998The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, August 25,1998, at 700 oclock pm in the Commissioners Room, Johnston County Courthouse Annex, Smithfield,North Carolina, with the following membersPresent Norman C Denning, Chairman, James W Cash, Vice Chairman, Jerry F Wood,Eleanor N Creech, Cookie Pope, Thomas M Moore, and James H Langdon, JrAbsent NoneAlso Present Richard B Self, County Manager, Joyce H Ennis, Clerk to the Board, and Mark Payne,AttorneyChairman Norman C Denning called the meeting to order, and the following business wastransacted1 Court Facilities - SecurityChairman Norman C Denning explained that Resident Superior Court Judge, Knox Jenkins, hadexpressed concern about a recommended change in the proposed security measures for the CourthouseRisk Management Associates recently completed a study of the facilities, and presented a proposal forsecuring entrances into the Courthouse, and corridors behind the courtroom areas County Administrationhas recommended one change in the proposal Chairman Denning stated that although Judge Jenkins hadexpressed concerns earlier, he is now satisfied with the proposed change The Chairman asked CountyManager, Richard B Self, to explain managements recommendationThe County Manager stated that in order to provide greater security to the courtrooms,management has recommended a card access lock, which was originally scheduled for a door into thebasement garage that is under 24 hours surveillance by the Sheriffs Department, be shifted to the doorleading from the garage into the elevator lobby area, which accesses the corridor behind the courtroomsRisk Management has agreed this change would provide greater security He recommended this onechange be approved and that the project proceed as soon as possible Concerning the requested door inthe corridor behind the Old Superior Courtroom, Mr Self stated he would contact the Historical Societyto obtain permission to make this alteration, since the Old Courthouse is registered as a historicalstructureCommissioner James W Cash asked if the new security locks would use access cards or accesscodes, which could be punched into a computerize panel Mr Self explained the locks would be accessibleby both identification card and code Cards are recommended, however, since lost or stolen cards can bedeactivated2 Board of Education - Request for FundsChairman Denning noted he received a letter from the Board of Education indicating the need tomove ahead of schedule on a proposed school in the Archer Lodge area north of Clayton The letter statedthe School Board would need to borrow 105 million from the County, until funding that is earmarkedfor the project becomes availableBoard members questioned where this money would come from, and noted with the growth in theCounty, additional sources of revenue other than ad valorem taxes, will have to be found for schoolconstruction Chairman Denning stated the County may have to consider school district taxes In response,Commissioner James H Langdon, Jr, who serves on the Futures Committee for School FacilitiesFunding, stated that is one of the possibilities that is being considered by the committeeCommissioner Thomas M Moore commented that the County may need to look at the operationof schools to determine more efficient use of the buildingsFollowing discussion, the Board instructed the County Manager to contact the Board of Educationand ask that they come to the September 8, 1998 Commissioners meeting to formally request the 105million loan1383 Request to Purchase PropertyThe County Manager informed the Board the County Housing Assistance Payment ProgramHAPP Agency has the opportunity to purchase the building where they are located at 107 East JohnstonStreet HAPP is a federally funded program, and money is available in the HAPP budget for the purchaseNo ad valorem tax funds would be involved in this transaction The price has been negotiated, and herequested the Board authorize the purchase ofthe property and necessary renovations, using federal HAPPagency funds, with authorization for the County Manager andor the Chairman to sign the necessarydocumentsFollowing further discussion, Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board approve thepurchase of the property and necessary renovations to the building at 107 East Johnston Street where theHAPP Agency is located, using federal HAPP funds, and authorize the County Manager andor Chairmanto sign the necessary documents Commissioner Thomas M Moore seconded the motion, which carriedby unanimous vote4 Parking Study - Meeting to be ScheduledThe County Manager informed the Board the consultant that was hired to study the downtownparking area will soon be ready to make a presentation It has been recommended that a joint meeting ofthe Board of Commissioners, the Smithfield Town Council and the Downtown Smithfield DevelopmentCorporation be held on either Tuesday evening, September 29, or Wednesday evening, September 30When asked if they had a preference, the Board indicated they would prefer to meet on Tuesday evening,September 29, 19985 Update on Hurricane BonnieEmergency Management Director, Dewayne West, gave the Board a brief update on HurricaneBonnie, which is expected to hit the southern NC coast sometime tomorrow Wednesday, August 26thHe noted the storm is extremely large, approximately the size ofthe State of Texas, and the County shouldexpect to get some high winds and rain before the storm moves off the coast In anticipation of peopleneeding a shelter, especially those who live in the low areas and in mobile homes, Mr West stated theNorth Johnston Middle School would open at 800 pm tonight He noted the County feels better preparedsince the experience with Hurricane Fran, and the State EMS has made significant changes that shouldhelp if the situation worsens He stated he would keep the Commissioners informed as furtherdevelopments occurThere being no further comments, Commissioner Jerry F Wood moved the Board adjournCommissioner Cookie Pope seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voteNorman C Denning, ChairmanJoyce K Ennis, Clerk