June 4, 1984 - 10:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

June 4, 1984The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session Monday,June 4, 1984, at 10 oclock am, in the Commissioners Room, Johnston CountyCourthouse, Smithfield, North Carolina, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, Jamesj W Cash, Howard Benton and John M Booker, DVMMembers Absent NoneThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business wastransacted1 MinutesThe minutes of the May 21st and May 29, 1984, board meetings stand approvedas recorded2 Tax Release Request - Federal Land Bank Barbara Woodl ief AllenRobert 0 Edwards of the Federal Land Bank has requested a release of1983 personal property taxes in the name of Barbara Woodlief Allen The FederalLand Bank acquired real estate 1055 acres through foreclosure from Ms Allenon January 28, 1984 On January I, 1983, Ms Allen was a resident of BannerTownship Ms Allen listed her personal property as being in Banner Township;this listing was made on October 31, 1983Johnnie Stott, Tax Administrator, advised that in response to the FederalLand Banks appeal, that North Carolina General Statutes state that personalproperty taxes are a lien against the real property and continues to be a lienuntil paid Mr Edwards states that the bill represents_ propertyowned by Ms Allen on January I, 1984, and that the Federal Land Bank isexempt from paying county taxes on personal property According to the TaxDepartment the bill actually is for personal property she owned on January1, 1983, but was listed late The exemption applies to personal property ownedby The Federal Land Bank and personal property owned by isles Allen, in thiscase, is a lien against her real estate - not against property owned by theFederal Land BankThe board discussed this matter at length with the Tax Administrator,and in accordance with the North Carolina General Statutes and the recommendationiof the tax department, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that this request bedenied 1IlI ik1V 95June 4, 1984 Continued Commissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried unanimously3 Subdivision - Irene R WilliamsThe Irene R Williams Subdivision, located Highway 210, 2 miles east ofJohnston County Landfill, Smithfield Township, 4 lots, was presented for the boardsconsiderationThe County Planner explained this subdivision was having some problemswith the ditches because of the heavy rain we have had in recent weeks Afterdiscussion, the board deferred action until such times as this problem is corrected4 West Johnston Fire District - Special Election ResolutionNORTH CAROLINAJOHNSTON COUNTYRESOLUTION CALLING SPECIAL ELECTIONWHEREAS, a petition has been duly presented to the Johnston County Boardof Commissioners by at least thirty -five 35 percent of the resident freeholdersliving and residing in the area lying outside the corporate limits of any municipalityin Johnston County, and being known as the West Johnston Fire District, andbeing described as followsBEGINNING at a point 1 on road # 1308 about 07 mile east of its intersectionwith road # 1303; thence in a northerly direction to a point 2 at the intersectionof roads # 1319 and 1323; thence in a north westerly direction to a point 3on road # 1319 about 12 mile north west of its intersection with road # 1323;thence in a westerly direction to a point 4 on road # 1322, about 08 milenorth of the intersection of roads # 1309 and 1322; thence in a north westerlydirection to point 5 on road # 1309, about 09 mile northwest of its intersectionwith road # 1322; thence in a westerly direction to a point 6 on road # 1313about 08 mile north of its intersection with County Line Road # 1505; thencein a southeasterly direction to a point 7 on County Line Road # 1505, 07 milesouthwest of its intersection with road # 1313; thence following County Line Roadin a southeasterly direction to a point 8 at intersection of County Line Road# 1505 and road # 1307, thence in an easterly direction to a point 9 at theintersection of roads # 1303, # 1306; thence in a northeasterly direction to apoint 10 on road # 1305, about 05 miles north of its intersection with road# 1303; thence in a northerly direction to the point of BEGINNINGItis requested thatthe Board of Elections of JohnstonCounty hold a specialelectionin saiddistrictfor the purpose of submitting tothe qualified votersin saidarea thequestionas to whether or not there shall be levied and collectedin saidarea aspecialtax not to exceed 150 on the 100in valuation of alltaxableproperty,real orpersonal, in said area for thepurpose of providingfire protection insaid firedistrictNAY None5 Agricultural Committee Study - Triangle J COGDave Blaha of Triangle J Council of Governments, reported that the Councilof Governments has completed a study on farmland for the six counties of RegionJ This study shows the amount of farmland being lost to urbanization, and relatedsuggestions and recommendations on how- to preserve valuable farmland MrBlaha pointed out that farmers could be protected by creating agriculturaldistricts with agreements not to sell their farms to developers for certain propertytax benefits for a certain period of timeThe board discussed this study at length with Mr Blaha, and agreedto take this proposal under advisementThis study showed a 36 reduction in farmland acres in Johnston Countyfrom 1950 to 1982 These figures taken from the United States Census on Agri -cultrualMotionby CommissionerJames W Cash that theabove Resolution Callingfor a SpecialElection in theWest Johnston Fire Districtbe adopted CommissionerHoward Bentonseconded the motion, which was carried by the following voteAYEJames W Cash,Howard Benton, John MBooker, Frank B Holdingand Norman CDenningNAY None5 Agricultural Committee Study - Triangle J COGDave Blaha of Triangle J Council of Governments, reported that the Councilof Governments has completed a study on farmland for the six counties of RegionJ This study shows the amount of farmland being lost to urbanization, and relatedsuggestions and recommendations on how- to preserve valuable farmland MrBlaha pointed out that farmers could be protected by creating agriculturaldistricts with agreements not to sell their farms to developers for certain propertytax benefits for a certain period of timeThe board discussed this study at length with Mr Blaha, and agreedto take this proposal under advisementThis study showed a 36 reduction in farmland acres in Johnston Countyfrom 1950 to 1982 These figures taken from the United States Census on Agri -cultrual426June 4, J984 Continued6 Public Hearing Ordinance to Regulate Signs and Screening Along InterstateHighwaysThe Johnston County Board of Commissioners called a Public Hearing to considera proposed Ordinance to Regulate Signs and Screening along Interstate HighwaysThe Chairman declared the Public Hearing open for anyone that wishedto comment on the proposed ordinanceThe Chairman asked Ray Green of Triangle J Council of Governments, MrGreen prepared the ordinance and after legal review prepared a second draftto review the proposed billboard ordinanceCOMMENTS1 Hank Daniels, representing Royal Inn of Selma, asked the board notto restrict the placement of billboards along Interstate highways Mr Danielsexplained they depend on bi_Ilboards for advertisement, and further that StateRegulations are sufficient2 Wayne Bailey, Department of Transportation, spoke regarding StateRegulations and enforcement of these regulations along 1 -95, US 70 and 70AIn further discussion, the board asked Mr Green to address the issue ofwhat should be done if existing signs are blown down or need repair, and to bring thisback before the board for further reviewThe Chairman asked if there was anyone else that wished to be heardThere was no other response from anyone presentThe Chairman declared the Public Hearing closed7 Highway EngineerWayne Bailey and Paul Anderson, Engineers, North Carolina Departmentof Transportation visited with the board Mr Bailey reported on S R # 1728 Emit8 Wilsons Mills Fire Department Request Paving of Drive -WayCommissioner John M Booker moved that a request from the Wilsons MillsFire Department to use funds available through the North Carolina Departmentof Transportation to pave a section of the new drive -way in front of the new bayarea at the fire station be approvedCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried9 Dispatching for the Town of KenlyAs requested by the Board of Commissioners, and after consultation withSheriff Johnson, the County Manager made the following recommendation regardingdispatching for the Town of Kenly; I t is my recommendation that we not approveKenlys request to dispatch police calls for the Town of Kenly The Sheriffs De-partment is so crowded that there is no room to accommodate an additional dispatcherWe do not have space anywhere to move the dispatching operation from the SheriffsDepartment The Sheriffs position is that he can not handle additional communicationtraffic without an additional dispatcher I would suggest that we reconsider whenwe are in our new building and have a separate communication department II 10 Cable TV Franchise Awarded - Alert Cable TV - Kountry KableAfter much discussion, andIndiscussion, Commissioner Frank BHolding told other boardmembersthatKenlys Mayor hadcalled him regardingthis matter The boardsuggestedthattheCounty Managertalk with the Mayorand if things change,the boardwilltakethis up later,however, under thepresent circunstances theSheriffsOfficecannot accommodateanother personKable TVII 10 Cable TV Franchise Awarded - Alert Cable TV - Kountry KableAfter much discussion, andupon recommendation ofthe County Manager,Commissioner James W Cash movedthat Alert Cable TV ofNorth Carolina, Inc,be granted a franchise to serveallof Ingrams Township, allof Cleveland Township,Clayton Township south of US70,Wilsons Mills Townshipsouth of US 70, andSmithfield Township south of US70;and be granted a limitedfranchise for areasthey are now serving north ofUS70 Commissioner Cash furthermoved that un-incorporated areas north of USHighway 70 be reserved asfranchised to KountryKable TVI4June 4, 1984 ContinuedCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried byunanimous voteCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried14 Mobile Home Inspections - Tow i1 of PrincetonCommissioner Howard Benton i moved that the County Mobile Home Inspectorbe authorized to inspect mobile homes for the Town of Princeton in accordancewith county regulationsCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried15 Leave of Absence Study Leave - Phil Ricks - Agricultural Extension AgentCommissionerAreas of Johnston County left without a franchise are Elevation Township,moved thatPleasant Grove Township, Meadow Township, Bentonville Township, Banner Township,Extensionand Boon Hi I 1 south of US 70 a Leave of Abence StudyLeave with pa11 Fire Works Display - Archer Lodge Community Center, IncAugust 23,1984, to December 18,Commissioner Howard Bentonmoved that Archer Lodge CommunityCenter,Inc, be granted - per-mission tohold a fireworks display on June 30,1984, atthe Recreation Park, in celebration of National Independence Day July 4thCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was tarriedI12 Recreation Grant Extension - Johnston County 4 -HCommissioner James W Cashmoved that the Johnston County 4 -H begranteda ninety 90 day extension on the use of the balance of their 1983 -84RevenueSharing Recreation GrantiCommissioner Howard Benton s?conded the motion which was c,arrlied13 Recreation Grant Extension - Archer Lodge Community Center, IncCommissioner Howard Bentonmoved that the Archer LodgeC?mmunityCenter,I nc , be granted a thirty 30 dextensiony on the use of thea I anceof their1983 -84 Revenue Sharing Recreation GrantCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried14 Mobile Home Inspections - Tow i1 of PrincetonCommissioner Howard Benton i moved that the County Mobile Home Inspectorbe authorized to inspect mobile homes for the Town of Princeton in accordancewith county regulationsCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried15 Leave of Absence Study Leave - Phil Ricks - Agricultural Extension AgentCommissionerJames W Cashmoved thatPhil Ricks, AgriculturalExtensionAgent, be granteda Leave of Abence StudyLeave with pafromAugust 23,1984, to December 18,1984 State hasapprovedthis requestCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carriled16 Wastewater Treatment Facility - Operational Contract AwardedC D Malone, PE, Hydro Management Services, Inc, Met with the boardMr Malone presented and reviewed a Proposal for Contract Operation of the JohnstonCounty Wastewater Treatment System He explained they have extensive experiencein the management and operation of municipal wastewater treatment facilitiesHe further stated they have outlined a program that wi I I dequatety operateand maintain a facility of this size, the cost estimates include providing requiredmanagement, manpower, and material for comprehensive operation of this plant Also this proposal - offers an operating program which they feel will meet theneeds of this countyIn discussion of cost, the first years annual cost will be; WastewaterTreatment Plant 172,00000; Pump Stations 50, 00000; a total of 22, 00000 MrMalone told the board that he hopes to make up operational ost difference inmanagement and maintenance efficiencyAfter much discussion, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that Hydro Manage-ment Services, Inc, Winston - Salem, NC, be awarded a four year ontract to operatefor the county the Central Johnston County Wastewater Treatment Fac? I i tyCommissioner John M Booker seconded the motion which was carried byunanimous vote17 Appointments - Emergency Medical Services - Triangle J COGAppointments to the Emergency Medical Services Council, Triangle J Councilof Governments were deferred at this timeI428June 42, 1L984 Continued18 Appointments - Library Board of TrusteesCommissioner John M Booker nominated Mrs J V Patricia Renfrow, Route## 12 Box 1846, Middlesex, NC, to serve a two year term, effective June, 1984,on the Library Board of TrusteesCommissioner Frank B Holding nominated Mrs Annis W Jackson, 206 HancockStreet, Smithfield, NC, to serve a two year term, effective June, 1984, on the LibraryBoard of TrusteesThere being no other nominations offered, Commissioner John M Booker movedthe nominations be closed and that Patricia Renfrow and Annis W Jackson be ap-pointed to the Library Board of TrusteesCommissioner James W Cash seconded the motion which was carried by unanimousvoteEXECUTIVE SESSIONUpon a motion by Commissioner Frank B Holding, duly seconded by CommissionerJohn M Booker and carried, it was moved that regular session be recessed, andthat the board go into Executive Session to discuss and consider the acquisitionof real propertyFAfter discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that Executive Sessionbe closed and that Regular Session be resumedCommissioner John M Booker seconded the motion which was carried19 Public Hearing - 1984 -1985 Proposed BudgetThree oclock pm - Chairman Norman C Denning opened the PUBLIC HEARINGon the 1984 -1985 Proposed BudgetPURPOSE To solicit citizen participation and comments on the 1984 -1985 ProposedCounty BudgetCOMMENTSSandra Johnson,, Vice Chairman, Library Board of Trustees, along with otherboard members James Wellons, Eleanor Keller, Lucy Delaine, Gordon Brown andHarold Medlin appeared before the board to address county funding for the PublicLibrary Mrs Johnson spoke on the per capita ratio of funding by the countyas compared to other systems in the state, Johnston County funding to the PublicLibrary ranks 50 among 51 county library systems She asked the board to considera change from the 50 -50 method shared with the Town of Smithfield Library Trusteemembers feel the Town of Smithfield is helping pay for county services TheYexpresseda feeling the Town of Smithfield may at some point not increase its annual budgetappropriation, and if the county does not, library services will be in dangerShe explained the many services provided by the county library for the municipalsystems, and that many of these services would have to be cut backIn conclusion, Mrs Johnson stated the Library Board hopes the Boardof County Commissioners will see that a critical situation at the library is comingto a head, this situation needs study and consideration in regards to shared fundingto see how the county can best be served by a library system and how fundingcan be more equally shared She continued, if the Public Library of JohnstonCounty and Smithfield is to continue to be considered a headquarters library thenit is going to have to be looked at as such in considering costThe County Commissioners explained to Mrs Johnson and Library Boardmembers the requests they are confronted with in this years budget, and theycan not possibly do everything each agency would like for them to doThe Board of Commissioners agreed if proportionate revenues are being lookedat, they certainly need to look at proportionate expenditures for the county andtown, this could_ help determine a cost - sharing basis or formula They did notobject to a committee looking into this situation at the libraryThe Chairman asked if there was anyone else that wished to make any commentson the 1984 -1985 Proposed County Budget There was no other response from anyonepresentI aSJune 4, 1984 ContinuedThe Chairman declared the Public Hearing closedUpon a motion by Commissioner Frank B Holding, duly seconded by Com-missioner John M Booker and carried, the board recessed until Monday, June11, 1984, at 730 pm1Norman C Denning, Chairmanb fEleanor N CreechClerk to the Board