March 1, 1976 - 10:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

March 1, 1976 - Regular1 6Fit width162Meeting of Board of Commissioners for the County of JohnstonMarch 1, 1976The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session in the Commissioners Roomof the Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield, North Carolina, Monday, March 1, 1976, at 10 oclockam, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, Howard Benton, Freddie Adamsand Hoyt CastleberryMembers Absent NoneCommissioner Freddie Adams opened the meeting with prayerThe following business was transacted1 Minutes - ApprovedThe Board of Commissioners reviewed the minutes of the February 2, 13 and 17 board meetingsCommissioner Freddie Adams moved that the minutes of the February 2, 13 and 17 board meetingsbe approved as recordedCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried unanimously2 Seaboard Coast Line Railroad - Change in OperationsMr D E Pedigo, Commercial Agent, Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company, met with the Boardof Commissioners regarding a change in the railroad operations at the Smithfield and Selma FreightStations Mr Pedigo explained these stations will be closed and the railroad will operate under amobile agency concept, bringing the service to the customer Mr Pedigo further explained theadvantage of the mobile agency concept such as mobile agent on duty six days a week, service atbase station Wilson more hours each day, service direct, agency service in communities which haveno freight agency due to low volume of business, closer coordination between agent and local freighttrain service and instant car location information from Central Computer through toll free call tobase station in WilsonMr Pedigo advised that he was just informing the Board of Commissioners of the railroadsintentions and hoped it would meet the Boards approvalThe Board expressed much interest with no objections to the railroads change in servicesCommissioner Frank B Holding stated that he feels the service will be very efficient and save money3 Agreement - State Department of Social Services Rent SupplementKramer Jackson, County Administrator, advised the Board that the North Carolina Department ofSocial Services had agreed to reimburse the county for rent, maintenance and depreciation of theDepartment of Social Services building Mr Jackson advised the county will receive approximately31,525 annual supplement for the next seventeen 17 years totalling some over 525,0004 Gladys Pilkington - Tax RefundThe Board received a letter from Gladys Pilkington of Selma stating that she had been chargedfor several years with a lot that she did not own This lot should have been listed to the SelmaHousing AuthorityMr Jackson, County Administrator, advised the Board that he had looked into this matter andfeels that this information is correctAfter discussion, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that Mrs Gladys Pilkington of Selma bereimbursed for -all overcharged county taxes on this lot in Selma belonging to the Selma HousingAuthorityCommissioner Hoyt Castleberry seconded the motion which was carried unanimously5 Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action PlanUpon a motion by Commissioner Freddie Adams, duly seconded by Commissioner Hoyt Castleberryand carried unanimously the following plan was adoptedPART I - INTRODUCTION1 The County of Johnston is firmly committed to a policy of nondiscrimination inemployment Some improvements in our employment - practices have been achieved overthe past several years However, it is felt that an affirmative action program isnecessary to realize fully the goal of nondiscrimination in employment2 The employment practices of the County of Johnston will adhere fully to the letterand the spirit of this affirmative action program guaranteeing equal employment toall persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex or national origin Througha continuing positive and comprehensive approach the County will promote the fullrealization of equal employment opportunity3 Experience has shown that employment opportunity is not made equal merely by resolvingnot to discriminate Employment opportunityis not equal for those who do not knowI?? orsMarch 1, 1976 Contabout it, or who are not trained or educated to take advantage of it, or who do not know to makethemselves eligible for selection or advancement If qualified persons do not know that they cancompete equally for County employment, and therefore do not compete, they hardly have equal employ-ment opportunity To overcome these barriers to equal employment opportunity, this affirmativeaction program is designed to promote fully equality of employment in County Government4 This affirmative action program requires the County to seek out applicants and oremployees, who, because of past practices, may not have been seriously considered for initialemployment and advancement opportunities However, the program provides no shortcuts to Countyemployment or to advancement within the County Government5 This affirmative action program also prohibits discrimination in the hiring policies ofthe County of Johnston against any applicant for employment based upon any physical defect orimpairment of the applicant unless the defect or impairment to some degree prevents the applicantfrom performing the duties required by the employment soughtPART II - OBJECTIVES1 Seek full participation and acceptance of minority group persons in-each Department ofCounty Government2 Guarantee that along with all others, members of minority groups will receive full andimpartial consideration for employment; possess equal standing and security as employees of theCounty of Johnston; and enjoy equal opportunity in training , in skill development, in advancementand in promotions Such opportunities will be limited only by the individuals own capacity andeffort3 Evaluate present job structures and employment practices to eliminate any and all practiceswhich might impede full and fair consideration to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, sex,age, or national originPART III - SCOPE1 The Affirmative Action Program shall encompass measures necessary to implement equalemployment opportunity Such measures will includea Efforts to insure that qualified minority group candidates are notified of theequal employment opportunities policy of the County and the means of applying andqualifying for County positionsb Efforts to insure that minority group employees are considered for advancementand development opportunities commensurate with their abilitiesC Enlightened supervision which gives continuing application in the work place to theprinciple of equal employment opportunityd A continuing evaluation of employment practices to provide necessary informationupon which to base action programsPART IV - IMPLEMENTATION OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM1 The Personnel Department It is the responsibility of the Personnel Office to insure thatthat personnel programs of the County fully meet all requirments of the equal employmentopportunity policy and regulations The Personnel Office is responsible for initiatingthe following types of actiona Effect a system of recruiting designed to attract minority group persons at alllevels of employment;b Publicize all vacancies and future needed skills;C Insure that all employees have full opportunity, and are encouraged to participatein all training and career development programsd Review qualifications and requirements that are not_1Jdb_xb1ated;e Inform all employees of the employment and promotion practices of the Countyincluding job responsibilities, administrative appeals and Civil Service rulesand regulations2 Departmental and Division Heads Departmental Heads are directly responsible for theimplementation of the affirmative action program within their departments and for assuring adherenceto the equal employment opportunity policy in all promotions, in training programs, and in the filliof vacancies as they occur and in cooperating with the Personnel DepartmentAdopted the first day of March 1976Au?ClerkJohnstonCounty Boardof Commissioners164March 1, 1976 Cont6 Appointment - Selma Board of AdjustmentsUpon the recommendation of the Selma Town Council, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved thatHarold Hales, Route # 1, Selma, be appointed to the Selma Board of Adjustments to fill the unexpiredterm of Leslie Ward This term expiring May 1, 1976Commissioner Freddie Adams seconded the motion which was carried unanimously7 Foam Truck - Johnston County Firemans AssociationCommissioner Hoyt Castleberry moved that the Johnston County Firemans Association be gran3,000 to help purchase a 1957 model Heil truck to be used as a foam truck for the Johnston CountyFire DepartmentsCommissioner Freddie Adams seconded the motion which was carried unanimously8 Discussion - Unified County Library SystemThe Board of County Commissioners had earlier been asked by the Town of Selma and SelmaLibrary Board of Trustees to support a County -wide Library System The Board of Commissioners atthat time expressed the opinion that they did not favor a County -wide Library System feeling thatit would create a need for more county financial assistance Barbara Wiggs, Chairman, SelmaLibrary Board, Colonel Collings, Selma Town Manager and Art Goetz, Director, Public Library ofJohnston County and Smithfield, met with the Commissioners asking them to reconsider a County -wideLibrary SystemArt Goetz pointed out that the County Library now works with the various libraries through-out the county on most all library functions with the exception of building projects The Staterequires a contract or some type official agreement in order to recognize the program as a unifiedsystem Mr Goetz emphasized that he does not anticipate the system requiring additional fundingfrom the county and further stated that the county is losing state funds by not being under a countywide systemMr J Herman Brown, Chairman, Board of Trustees, The Public Library of Johnston County andSmithfield, stated he feels a county wide system would involve more effort and support to a librarysystem, and if the system is passed the Board of County Commissioners will have to pass a formalresolution authorizing`the Library Board of Trustees to contract services with the various townand community libraries channeling all budgeted funds through the county libraryCommissioner Howard Benton asked Mr Goetz and Mr Brown if they had to render any additionaservices under a county -wide Library system that are not being rendered now and they stated thatthey will not have to render any more or make any major changes in their services, just consolidateColonel Collings, Manager, Town of Selma, pointed out that if one library in the countyjoins with the county library, this will constitute a unified county library systemAfter much discussion by the delegation and the Board of County Commissioners it wasrecognized that the matter should be brought before the Board of Trustees of the Public Library ofJohnston County and Smithfield for their consideration and recommendations, and then referred tothe Board of County Commissioners9 Title IV -D Agent DesignatedCommissioner Howard Benton moved that the Johnston County Department of Social Services bedesignated as the local agent of the Title IV -D Program retroactive to January 1, 1976Commissioner Freddie Adams seconded the motion which was carried unanimously10 Food Stamp Fraud CasesDon Morrison, Director, Johnston County Department of Social Services, met with the Boardand presented 48 cases of alleged food stamp fraud Mr Morrison advised the Board that he hadrecently reviewed and screened the recipients of food stamps in Johnston County and found thesefraud cases Mr Morrison explained that the county will be held liable for all financial losscaused by food stamp fraud if he is not instructed to prosecute The Board was also advised thatthese 48 food stamp recipients had been given the opportunity to repay the food stamp overpaymentsAfter much discussion, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that the Director of Social Servicesbe authorized to proceed with the prosecution of these 48 Food Stamp Fraud CasesCommissioner Freddie Adams seconded the motion which was carried unanimously11 Post office To Sell Food StampsDonald Morrison, Director, Johnston County Department of Social Services, again asked theBoard of Commissioners to consider his request of allowing the post offices throughout the countyto sell Food Stamps Mr Morrison explained the post offices will be paid 110 per transactionto sell food stamps, however, the county will save money as the Food Stamp office now located inIthe Wilson Building on Bridge Street will be closed and the administration of this program will bemoved into the Department of Social Services BuildinglryIiMarch 1, 1976 ContAfter much discussion, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that Donald Morrison, Director,Johnston County Department of Social Services be authorized and directed to contract services withthe U S Post Office to sell Food StampsCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried unanimously,12 ReportsThe following reports were filed with the BoardL P CreechBobby CorbettDorothy JohnstonHarper GodwinRubert C BarbourKramer JacksonVeterans OfficeElectrical InspectorExtension OfficeTax CollectorDog WardenAdministrator Public School - SpecialBudget ReportBudget CalendarPleasant Grove Community Building Financial ReportBalance brought forward February 3, 1975Amount taken in for use of buildingAmount paid out forupkeep of buildingBalance on Hand - February 16, 1976Signed Shaw T FishGeorge H CarrollLynn F Stephenson 989853763013661525548 111067Mr Kramer Jackson, Administrator, advised the Board that the County School System hasalready received 114,202 over the budgeted amount for this fiscal year13 Delinquent Tax - Beulah and Clayton TownshipsHarper Godwin, Tax Collector, advised the Board of delinquent taxes on property listed toJames E Cooper, Beulah Township, and B P, Inc, Clayton TownshipAfter discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that the Tax Collector be instructedto notify James E Cooper and B P Inc, by certified letter and advise if some satisfactorysettlement of their delinquent taxes is not made with the Tax Collector bj April 1, 1976, thisproperty will be foreclosedCommissioner Freddie Adams seconded the motion which was carried unanimously14 Local Energy Field Agent - DesignatedThe Board of Commissioners designated Kenneth N Windley, County Planner, as the LocalEnergy Field Agent for Johnston County15 EMS Council Grant Proposal - Matching FundsThe Board discussed the EMS Funding Grant Proposal for emergency medical equipment for thecounty rescue squads and Johnston Memorial Hospital Triangle J EMS Council has offered State fundsto help purchase this equipment on a 100 , 60140 or 50150 matching basis The equipment proposedto be purchased totalling 10,98800 with the countys matching share being 3,94576After discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that the County provide funds for thematching share needed should the state funds become available and the equipment is purchased for thecounty rescue squads and Johnston Memorial HospitalCommissioner Freddie Adams seconded the motion which was carried unanimouslyThe Board of Commissioners asked Kramer Jackson, County Administrator, to have a worksession with County EMS representatives16 Recreation Grant Request - North Johnston Panther ClubThe Board received a recreation request from the North Johnston Panther Club for an addition3,00000 grant to help finance storage area and restroom facilities for the summer recreation prograt North Johnston High SchoolThe Board dicussed this request at length and decided due to previous commitments they wouldhave to delay action on this request until it could be determined if all the committed funds will berequested Chairman Denning stated that he would discuss this with Mr Percell Holland, ClubPresidentMarch 1, 1976 f Cont19 Amendment Engineering Contract - Smithfield - Selma 201 Facilities PlanCommissioner Freddie Adams moved that Amendment No 1 to Agreement for ProfessionalEngineering Services with Ragsdale Engineers be approved and filed with the original engineeringagreement and shall become a part of the AgreementCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried unanimously20 Change Orders - Four Oaks Water LineCommissioner Freddie Adams moved that the following Change Orders on the Smithfield to FourOaks Water Line be approveda Dickerson, Inc - Division III - Booster Pumping Station and AppurtenancesAdd to Contract Price 1300b Shutt Hartman Construction Co, Inc - Division I and II, Water Main andAppurtenances;Deduct from Contract Price 14,46449Commissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried unanimously21 Johnston Memorial Hospital Request Advance of FundsLloyd Gilbert, Administrator, Johnston Memorial Hospital, met with the Board of Commissionersrequesting financial assistance and asked the Board to consider an advancement of 125,000 to thehospital from county funds until they can catch up the delinquent accounts Mr Gilbert furtherstated that he was asking for the 100,000 earmarked for the modular type building and the renovationproject and 25,000 of next fiscal years budget appropriationAfter much discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that the hospital be granted anadvancement of 125,000 and the budget be amended accordingly to the proper hospital accountsCommissioner Freddie Adams seconded the motion which was carried unanimously22 Budget Amendments ApprovedCommissioner Howard Benton moved that the following budget amendments be approvedINCREASE 10399001069099101053074Revenue - Fund BalanceExpenditure - HospitalExpenditure - Fire DepartmentDrop IV - D Program from Budget Amend Budget to ReadINCREASE 1038402106105752399005261500Revenue IV -D ProgramExpenditure IV -D ProgramRevenue - Family PlanningExpenditure - Family Planning 128,00000125,000003,0000014,2500014,250003,000003,00000Commissioner Hoyt Castleberry seconded the motion which was carried unanimouslyUpon a motion by Commissioner Howard Benton, duly seconded by Commissioner Frank B Holdingand carried unanimously the Board recessed to meet again Tuesday, March 16, 1976, at 730 pmNorman C Denning, Chairman91Eleanor N Creech, Clerk