May 21, 1984 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Recessed)

May 21, 1984The Johnston County Board of Commissioners reconvened in regular sessionon Monday, May 21, 1984, at 7 oclock pm, in the Commissioners Room of theJohnston County Courthouse, Smithfield, North Carolina, with the following memberspresentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, JamesW Cash and Howard BentonMember Absent John M Booker, DVMMinutesThe minutes of the May 7, 1984, board meeting stand approved as recorded2 Public Hearing - Cable TV Franchise RequestedThe Johnston County Board of Commissioners called a public hearing toconsider granting a cable television franchise as requested by Alert Cable TVof North Carolina, Inc, and Kountry Kable of Princeton for areas of JohnstonCounty outside municipal corporate limits south of US 70 HighwayThe Chairman declared the Public Hearing open for anyone that wishedto be heard The Chairman asked the County Manager to brief the board on theseproposalsKramer Jackson, County Manager, stated that Alert Cable TV and KountryKable of Princeton have requested a cable TV franchise for certain areas as follows;all of Ingrams Township, all of Cleveland Township, Clayton Township southof US 70, Smithfield Township south of US 70, and Wilsons Mills Township southof US 70COMMENTSa Robert Peedin, Fire Tower Road- statedhecontacted Alert Cabletwo years ago when he moved here, they hadnothingtoofferat that time, helater learned that Kountry Kable might be interested inthisareaand he contactedthis company Mr Braswell Kountry Kableindicatedhewasinterested MrPeedin said cable TV lines run within 4 of amile ofhishouse,but he is stillwaiting for the serviceb Dick Braswell - stated he is interested in cable TV in his area,however, asked the board to give alot of thought to satellite franchising or spotannexation for cable television as these methods can create problems He toldthe board that Kountry Kable has offered to bring cable to the rural areas andshould be given due considerationc Bill Braswell, Sr - ag -ain reminded the board that Kountry Kableneeds the populated rural areas to make furnishing cablevision to the less populatedareas feasible for the company jMay 21, 1984 ContinuedThe Board of Commissioners told this group they are interested in tryingto get as much service to the rural people as possible at a fair and reasonableprice, and further they are concerned about the responsibility they have regardinga franchise for cable service in Johnston County0 Pam Greenwood - Alert Cable TV - stated that the citizens of JohnstonCounty that they serve are served well She also stated they stress service tothe subscriber, they are very responsive to their customers Mrs Greenwood saidthey are not asking for an exclusive franchise, they have a good product, somethingto offer the customer and want to continue to grow They had no intentions tocreate any situation to cause problems for anyone or any company She, also statedthey did not intentionally run lines where the company did not have a franchise,it was their understanding they had permission to extendThe Chairman asked if there was anyone else that wished to be heardThere was no other response from anyone presentThe Chairman thanked each person for coming, and assured the groupthat the Board of Commissioners will try to act in the best interest of all citizensof Johnston CountyThe Chairman declared the Public Hearing closed3 Selma-Harrison Advisory Council - Request for New Selma SchoolDicky E Parrish, Chairman, Selma- Harrison Advisory Council, along withRay Earp and Joe Edwards, Selma Town Manager, met with the board Dr Parrishmade the following presentation to the boardMr Chairman and Members of the Johnston County Board of CommissionersDuring the past the commissioners have requested that publicly fundeddepartments establish priorities for their budget requests It has also been suggestedthat in depth short and long range planning be formulated so that each departmentwi I I have an established direction to followThe Johnston County Board of Education has begun establishing a longrange plan that will have a list of needs documented from which priorities canbe established This action was spurred on by the request of the Selma AdvisoryCouncil to provide improved facilities for our seventh and eighth graders OnJuly 6, 19831 the five members of the Johnston County Board of Education votedunanimously to build a new junior high school in or near Selma, plans to commenceimmediately, to be funded for the school year 1984 -85; whereas no other capitaloutlay shall be built or constructed by the Johnston County Board of Educationuntil Selma Junior High is completed Please note that it was also at thismeeting that the Board of Education accepted Dr Ellerbes proposal to developa long range plan of school organization, curriculum improvement, and facilityimprovements to be completed prior to February 1, 1984 As of this date, theconstruction of a new junior high school in Selma is the only committment theCounty Board of Education has made to new construction It is the top priorityof a list of facility needs for the county school systemIncidentally, there has been some discussion as to what grade level schoolwill be built at Selma The Selma Schools Advisory Council proposes that thenew school be a grade 6, 7, and 8 middle school We feel that a middle schoolconcept will best serve our childrens education needsd Several people spoke not identifying themselves in favor of KountryKable, stating they are getting good reception and good service, and they feelthat Kountry Kable should be allow to go into these areas, as requestede Billy Windham - Fire Tower Road - spoke in favor of Alert CableTVf Bonnie Pilkington - spoke favoring Kountry Kable, she stated whenshe moved here six years ago, she contacted Alert Cable TV and Channel Mastersand neither company would offer her anything at that time, indicating it wasnot worth the effort to run cable in these rural areas, in her opinion KountryKable should be allowed to provide cable TV to southern Johnston CountyThe board was questioned about Alert operating in areas where they havenot been given a franchise It was also mentioned that Kountry Kable has beenwilling to go into areas that Alert did not previously want to run cable KountryKable was commended by several for the quality of service it is providingg Joette Creech - spoke favoring Kountry Kableh Sid Crocker - spoke on behalf of Alert Cable TVThe Board of Commissioners told this group they are interested in tryingto get as much service to the rural people as possible at a fair and reasonableprice, and further they are concerned about the responsibility they have regardinga franchise for cable service in Johnston County0 Pam Greenwood - Alert Cable TV - stated that the citizens of JohnstonCounty that they serve are served well She also stated they stress service tothe subscriber, they are very responsive to their customers Mrs Greenwood saidthey are not asking for an exclusive franchise, they have a good product, somethingto offer the customer and want to continue to grow They had no intentions tocreate any situation to cause problems for anyone or any company She, also statedthey did not intentionally run lines where the company did not have a franchise,it was their understanding they had permission to extendThe Chairman asked if there was anyone else that wished to be heardThere was no other response from anyone presentThe Chairman thanked each person for coming, and assured the groupthat the Board of Commissioners will try to act in the best interest of all citizensof Johnston CountyThe Chairman declared the Public Hearing closed3 Selma-Harrison Advisory Council - Request for New Selma SchoolDicky E Parrish, Chairman, Selma- Harrison Advisory Council, along withRay Earp and Joe Edwards, Selma Town Manager, met with the board Dr Parrishmade the following presentation to the boardMr Chairman and Members of the Johnston County Board of CommissionersDuring the past the commissioners have requested that publicly fundeddepartments establish priorities for their budget requests It has also been suggestedthat in depth short and long range planning be formulated so that each departmentwi I I have an established direction to followThe Johnston County Board of Education has begun establishing a longrange plan that will have a list of needs documented from which priorities canbe established This action was spurred on by the request of the Selma AdvisoryCouncil to provide improved facilities for our seventh and eighth graders OnJuly 6, 19831 the five members of the Johnston County Board of Education votedunanimously to build a new junior high school in or near Selma, plans to commenceimmediately, to be funded for the school year 1984 -85; whereas no other capitaloutlay shall be built or constructed by the Johnston County Board of Educationuntil Selma Junior High is completed Please note that it was also at thismeeting that the Board of Education accepted Dr Ellerbes proposal to developa long range plan of school organization, curriculum improvement, and facilityimprovements to be completed prior to February 1, 1984 As of this date, theconstruction of a new junior high school in Selma is the only committment theCounty Board of Education has made to new construction It is the top priorityof a list of facility needs for the county school systemIncidentally, there has been some discussion as to what grade level schoolwill be built at Selma The Selma Schools Advisory Council proposes that thenew school be a grade 6, 7, and 8 middle school We feel that a middle schoolconcept will best serve our childrens education needs418May 21, 1984 ContinuedThus far, three school attendance areas have had the opportunity to addresspublic hearings The needs of the North Johnston Area have been recognized anddiscussed for several years Likewise the needs of the South Johnston area FourOaks in particular and Clayton have been recognized for some time and arenow being evaluatedLet me reiterate that the new Selma school is the number one priorityof the County Board of Education and it will continue to be the top priority untilit is constructed and students fill the classrooms Then the County Board of Educationand the public will work to construct its second priority project to be determinedafter the public hearings in each attendance area and after the rest of the countyschools facility needs are re- evaluatedGentlemen, in recent news reports and a letter to the editor, Mr Jackson,our County Manager, has discussed, the role of county government in fundingthe public schools of Johnston County I truly believe each and everyone of youshare my genuine and sincere concern that each and every child in JohnstonCounty be provided the best education possible in the best facilities possibleno matter from where the funding is derived If the adequate education of childrenis not your number one priority then I suggest that you re- evaluate your prioritiesWithout good, sound, basic education the future leaders of Johnston County willbe ignorantMr Jackson has stated that the requested 27 million of the Selma Schoolwill clearly require a substantial tax increase if it is to be funded next yearGentlemen, I submit to yIou that the Selma School will not require any more ofa tax increase than the proposed new jai I You see, the 22 million dollar proposedfor the jail is to come from all revenue sharing funds and all proceeds fromthe newly enacted half cent sales tax This money appears to be extra andfree But it is really just a matter of how the available money will be distributed,or for what project taxes may have to be increased The school could be fundedwith the 22 million dollar and the jail could be funded through increased taxesIncidentally, the 22 million from revenue sharing funds and proceeds from thehalf cent sales tax coupled with the 40 of the half cent sales tax designatedfor capital improvements of ? schools would exceed the 27 million est i mated costof the new school in SelmaIn conclusion, Gentlemen, the Selma Schools Advisory Council as well as4the parents and citizens of Selma recognize the difficulty of developing and finalizinga budget of the magnitude that you are presently discussing We would be exceedinglyjhappy if you could see fit to fund the entire school in this years budget However,if the commissioners can strain real hard and find enough funds to make a majorcommittment to the Selma School Project, we would be very pleased and we couldimmediately purchase land and begin the actual planning of the school Thiscommittment could be approximately one half the projected cost this year withthe remaining in next years budgetGentlemen, I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you on behalfof the children of Selma We have worked long and hard for a new school inSelma It is way overdue We ask that you give this schools budget requesttop priority and a favorable endorsement Thank you for your attention and supportRespectfu I I y,Dicky E Parrish, DDSChairman, Selma-Harrison AdvisoryCounci IThe board discussed this request at length with the Selma Advisory Councilrepresentatives The board was reminded by Dr Parrish that this council, alongwith the Board of Education, rate this project as the number one priority forconstruction This group stressed the importance of a good school in attractingpeople to settle in a certain areaIn discussion, with reference to a new county jail and a new school forSelma, the board emphasized it was not that they wanted to build a new jail,it was they have no choice, as the State has warned the county they must dosomething about overcrowded jail conditions The commissioners stated to the SelmaCouncil, this board will do everything possible to help Selma get its new school,they will put the schools needs in top priority and give much considerationto this request419May 21, 1984 Continued4 Appointment - Elevation Fire District CommissionUpon motion by Commissioner Frank B Holding, duly seconded by CommissionerHoward Benton and carried, Garland West, Gene Ryals and Danny Barbour wereappointed to the Elevation Fire District Commission for a term of two years Thisterm to begin immediately5 Appointment - Oakland Fire District Commission Wayne CountyUpon a motion by Commissioner Howard Benton, duly seconded by CommissionerFrank B Holding and carried, Wilton Worley, Route # 3, Princeton, NC, wasappointed to the Oakland Fire District Commission a Wayne County District torepresent Johnston County residents in this district This appointment for a twoyear term to begin immediately6 Appointment - McLemore Fire District CommissionUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, duly seconded by CommissionerFrank B Holding and carried, E T Benton,, Ben Johnson, and D R Wells wereappointed to the McLemore Fire District Commission for a term of two years Thisterm to begin immediately7 Recreation Grant Extension - Town of Kenly 8384 -22Commissioner Frank B Holding moved the Town of Kenly be allowed tocarry forward Revenue Sharing Recreation Funds appropriated for 1983 -84 in theamount of 1,95993, this amount may be used in the 1984 -85 fiscal yearCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried8 Town of Kenly - Dispatching RequestThe Town of Kenly again asked the Board of Commissionersdispatching their fire, rescue and police callsThe board again discussed a Central Dispatching System forand asked the County Manager to make a thorough study and to makerecommendation to the board next month9 Audit Contract Awardedto considerthe countya positiveCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the contract for the auditof the 1983 -1984 fiscal year for the county be awarded to Daniel G Matthewsand Associates, Inc, CPAs, Smithfield, NC, in the following amo,untsCounty of Johnston General Fund, Capital Outlay Fund, Revaluation Fund,Public Assistance Fund, Debt Service Fund, Revenue Sharing Fund andAnti- Recession Fund - fee for this section of the audit to be 12,030;Johnston County Mental Health - All Funds - fee for this audit to be 5,820;Johnston County Rural Fig e Protection Funds fee for this audit to besingle audit concept not applicable - 1,800;Johnston County Airport Authority - fee for this audit to be- 1,00iThe rate per hour for any additional services will be ,principal @ 4000per hour, Senior Accountants @ 2500 per hour, Other Accountants @ 2000 perhour and clerical @ 1200 per hourCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried10 Public Auction - Surplus PropertyCommissioner Howard Benton moved that the County Manager be authorizedto hold a public auction for the sale of surplus county propertyCommissioner Frank B Holding, seconded the motion which was carried11 Old Barn at Landfill - SeP Ri?ds fnr RPmnalCommissioner Frank Bto seek bids for the removallandfill propertyH Idinngo anmoved the County Manager be authorizedold abandoned barn located on the countyCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carriedNERMay 21, 1984 Continued12 Public Hearing 1984 -1985 Proposed Budget Date SetThe Board of Commissioners set a date of June 4, 1984, 3 oclock pm,for a Public Hearing on the 1984 -1985 Proposed Budget13 Pine Level- Princeton Water Line - Right -of -WaysThe board asked the County Manager to investigate the matter of right -ofways on the Pine Level to Princeton Waterline and report back to the board ;14 Budget Work SessionBudget work session set for Tuesday, May 29, 1984, 7 oclock pm, Com-missioners Room9 Johnston County CourthouseUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, duly seconded by CommissionerHoward Benton and carried, the board recessed unti I Tuesday, May 29, 1984,at 7 oclock pmNorman C Denning, ChairmanEleanor N CreechClerk to the BoardI