October 10, 1990 - 6:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Special)

October 10, 1990TheJohnstonCounty Board of Commissioners met inSpecial Called Session onWednesday,October 10,1990, at 6 oclock pm in the SuperiorCourtroom, Johnston CountyCourthouse,Smithfield,North Carolina, with the following memberspresentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, James W Cash,John M Booker, DVM, and Jerry F Wood, DDSAbsent NoneAlso Present Richard B Self, County Manager, Eleanor N Creech, Clerk to theBoard, Joyce H Ennis, Deputy Clerk to the Board, W R Britt, County Attorney, andAttorneys William G Hancock and Mark PayneThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 Proposed Hazardous Waste SiteChairman Norman C Denning stated the purpose for calling this meeting was to 1inform Johnston County citizens of the efforts being taken by the Board to fight the Statesdesignation of a proposed hazardous waste site in the County, and 2 to announce theemployment of the law firm of Everette, Gaskins, Hancock and Stevens to lead the legalbattle in this matterChairman Denning explained the Commissioners are actively working to protect thehealth, safety, welfare and economic well-being of the citizens of Johnston County He calledon the County Manager, Richard Self, to give an account of the actions the County hastaken since the adoption of the resolution of opposition on September 21, 1990The County Manager gave the following reportA Staff research into the Hazardous Waste Commission rules, regulations and lawsB Staff research into actions taken in other affected counties since May, 1990C Staff research into siting criteria employed by the Hazardous waste commissionD Staff Research into flaws in the data for siting the Agricultural Research Stationas a potential siteE Staff research of literature on hazardous waste, hazardous waste recycling,incineration, and landfill requirementsF Compilation of data on1 Traffic Patterns on US 70, I -40, and I -952 Traffic Accidents on US 70 between Garner and Clayton634October 10, 1990 Continued3 Examination of site to determine the location of any endangered species4 Examination of soil data5 Examination of wet land data6 Examination of flow patterns of Neuse River7 Examination of wind patterns in the area8 Compilation of population data and property values in the immediate area9 Compilation of wells in the area 1G Preparation of articles of potential interest to the PublicH Preparation of maps and petitions for intested parties in the areaI Review of qualifications of attorneys with expertise in environmental lawChairman Denning introduced Attorneys, Mark Payne and William G Hancock ofEverette, Gaskins, Hancock and Stevens law firm in Raleigh He explained both gentlemenin environmental law and will be working on behalf of the Count a ainst siting, ICIspecialize e Y gP gall, or any component, of a hazardous waste disposal in Johnston CountyAttorneys Hancock and Payne were excused as both had previous commitmentsThe Chairman thanked everyone for coming and recognized the following Stateofficials and candidates who were present Senator Leo N Daughtry, Representative BarneyPaul Woodard, Representative Billy Creech, State Auditor Ed Renfrow and candidate for Houseof Representatives, Allen H WellonsCommentsSenator Leo Daughtry addressed the assemblage saying the issue of hazardous wasteis, and should be, a non - partisan issue, one that all Johnston County citizens have to facetogetherHe advised that he and Representative Billy Creech have met with town, county, andstate officials, including Governor James G Martin, concerning this issue Following therecent Hazardous Waste Commission meeting held on October 2, 1990, Senator Daughtryexplained he and Representative Creech wrote to Executive Director Darrell Hinnant asking forclarification on the resolution passed by the Commission He gave the following summary ofthe response they received from Mr Hinnant1 The Johnston County site is probably not suitable for the incinerator becausea highway cuts property into too small tractsb southern side of highway has a stream and wetlandsc north side of highway too small for an incinerator with a 1000 -foot bufferd may be larger enough for a landfill with a 200 -foot buffer2 If possible, all components of the facility should be at the same site - JohnstonCounty has potential for only the landfillSenator Daughtry added he agrees with the State that all conponents of the facilityshould be located at the same site and feels the Johnston County location is not suitable foreither the landfill or incinerator He concluded he believes the Johnston County property willnot be chosen as it is not practical, not safe and too expensiveLenor Cooper reported she recently spoke with Governor Martin, at which time shestressed the citizens of Johnston County do not want any component of a hazardous wastefacility She asked him to consider the value of the crops research station currently locatedon the propertyRay Hunt, resident of Clayton who has headed a citizens opposition group, spoke ofthe cooperation and selfless attitude among county residents, as well as Wake Countycitizens, in organizing against a hazardous waste facility in the CountyJohn Miesch, real estate appraiser from Clayton, commented he initially viewed thisas primarily an economic concern, however, after study, he sees the proposed site as atremendous health hazard, especially since hazardous waste disposal is still experimental anduntested He also voiced concern of splitting the components of the facility, and thuscreating a potentially serious highway hazardDwight Castle noted the Superfund Money that would come to the County if thedisposal was located here, is nothing compared with what the County stands to lose Hecalled the disposal a poor risk, a serious health hazard and a detriment to the economyLarry Hodge stated he was strongly against a hazardous waste facility any where inthe State of North Carolinatla635Representative Billy Creech offered the following factual reasons why Johnston Countyis unsuitable for any or all components of a hazardous waste facility1 Large population in the area2 Stream which runs into Neuse River - source of drinking water forJohnston County, as well as counties east of Johnston3 Research crops station which is important to agriculture and which wouldprobably not be replaced due to States shortfall of funds4 Highway 70 which has 27,000 vehicles per dayRepresentative Creech commended Mr Hunt and other citizens who have organized aresistance saying, working together, Democrats and Republicans, we can keep this facilityout of Johnston CountyDr George Kriz, Assistant Director of Agriculture Research Services, NCSU,expressed gratitude for all the support in opposition to the site He reported the Universityhas done everything possible to provide correct and unbiased information to the HazardousWaste Commission and the Governor concerning the impact and cost of moving the researchprogram from the siteCandidate Allen Wellons stressed the importance of continuing to stand togetheragainst this facility being located in Johnston CountyState Auditor Ed Renfrow emphasized the need for our Nation to act in a responsiblematter concerning the amount oftoxic and hazardous wastewe generate, andthe method ofdisposal He added, however,he believes the proposedJohnston Countysite is totallyunsuitable for a landfill, notinghe personally knows thesoil is extremelysandy, as theproperty was once part of hisfathers farm He remarkedon the importanceof the Statesagriculture research crops stationwhich is located on the propertyRepresentative Barney Paul Woodard stated he strongly opposes a hazardous wastedisposal facility at the proposed site, because it represents one of the fastest growing areasin North Carolina, due to its proximity to Raleigh and the Research Triangle Since a majorhighway close to a potential site is necessary, he suggested a very remote place could bechosen and a highway built to the siteWT Rhodes, Wake County resident who lives close to the property, sharedinformation he gathered recently in a church survey concerning the number of subdivisiondwellings in the immediate vicinity He stressed the economic impact a hazardous wastefacility would have on the areaMayor Lawrence Ellis, on behalf of the Town of Clayton, offered full cooperation andassistance in keeping a hazardous waste disposal facility out of Johnston CountyChairman Denning thanked everyone for coming and showing interest and promisedthe Commissioners would keep the public informed of further developments2 Waterline to Proposed IndustryCounty Manager, Richard Self, informed the Board a food products industry,representing twenty -five potential jobs, is proposing to locate on a ten -acre tract on SR1572, approximately 1000 feet from SR 1501, County Airport Road The industry has requesteda county waterline be extended to the property, and Ragsdale Consultants estimated the 1000feet extention of 8 water main to the site would cost the County approximately 20,000After discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved the Board commit to providewater to the proposed industrial site, approximately 1000 feet off SR 1501, contingent uponthe industry awarding a contract to build on the property Commissioner Holding furthermoved the proper budget amendment from unappropriated surplus be approvedCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote3 Landfill Bulldozer Declared Surplus PropertyThe County Manager reported the landfills 1982 International bulldozer, which is nolonger functional, has a trade -in value of 12,000 toward the cost of the new bulldozerapproved by the Board in August, 1990 He asked the Board to declare it surplus to be usedfor trade -in valueUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, seconded by Commissioner Jerry FWood and carried by unanimous vote, the Board declared the 1982 International bulldozer,636October 10, 1990 Continuedserial # TD 15C 5275, surplus property to be used for trade -in on the new bulldozer for thelandfillUpon a motion by Commissioner Frank B Holding, seconded by Commissioner John MBooker and carried by unanimous vote, the Board recessed until Tuesday, October 23, 1990,at 700 pmNorman C Denning, ChairmanT KJ ce Ennis, Deputy Clerk