March 7, 1977 - 10:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

1 6Fit widthMeeting of Board of Commissioners for Johnston CountyMarch7, 1977The Johnston County Board of Commissioners met in regular session in the CommissionersRoom of the Johnston County Courthouse, Smithfield, North Carolina, Monday, March 7, 1977, at10oclock am, with the following members presentNorman C Denning Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, Howard Benton, J E Rogersonand John M Booker, DVIMMembers Absent NoneChairman Denning called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 Minutes - ApprovedThe Board of Commissioners reviewed the minutes of the February 7 and February 15, 1977,board meetingsCommissioner Howard Benton moved that the minutes of the February 7 and February 15, 1977,board meetings be approved as recordedCommissioner J E Rogerson seconded the motion which was carried unanimously2 Secondary Road # 1354Larry Johnson met with the Board regarding the condition of Secondary Road # 1354 MrJohnson wanted to know how to petition the road for paving The Board advised Mr Johnson of theState Secondary Road System procedure3 ReportsThe following reports were filed with the BoardHarper Godwin Tax CollectorRubert C Barbour Dog gardenBruce Woodard Extension ServiceBobby Corbett Electrical Inspector4 Road Petition - Secondary Road # 2151Commissioner J E Rogerson moved that the following petition be approved and forwarded toto the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, with the Boardsrecommendations for consideration;°, a,, ia,, i ?rl wigg` •1arn;o?rr?ers;o`iespectively petition the Johnston County Board of1111t_,, Commissioners to request the N6rth Carolina Board of Transportation to pave Road No 2151a distance of 19 miles Beginning at Perry Godwins on Paved Road No 2 157 runs toHighway # 222 at Johnson Johnson Apparel Plant There are fifteen dwellings with amail route and four school buses travel on it daily New Jeruselum Church is on this roadand new homes are being constructed on this road The landowners are willing for any changessuch as widening or straightening the road by cutting the curvesRespectfully submittedMelba CarrollThis the 7th day of March, 1977Commissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried unanimously5 Tax Refund - Benson Feed Mill, IncJohnnie Stott, Tax Supervisor, met with the Board and advised that Mr Robert Denning ofBenson Feed Mill, Inc, Benson, N C, is requesting a refund of 14551 for overpayment of 1976county taxes Mr Stott explained the overpayment came about due to Mr Denning listing all ofhis chickens in Johnston County Mr Stott further explained the majority of the chickens shouldhave been listed in Wake, Sampson, Harnett and other counties, and his total tax for 1976 shouldhave been 185449 and he paid 2,00000 resulting in an overpayment of 14551 Johnnie Stottstated he recommended this refund request be grantedAfter discussion, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that Robert Denning, Benson Feed Mill,Inc, be refunded in the amount of 14551 for overpayment of 1975 taxesCommissioner John IN Booker seconded the motion which was carried unanimously264March 7, 1977 Cont6 Johnston -Lee Community Action - Board of TrusteesCommissioner Howard Benton moved that Paul Keller be appointed to the Johnston -LeeCommunity Action Board of Directors to fill the unexpired term of George Packingham This termexpiring June 1, 1977Commissioner John M Booker seconded the motion which was carried unanimously7 Wilsons Mills Fire District - Amended BoundariesUpon a motion by Commissioner JE Rogerson, duly seconded by Commissioner John M Bookerand carried unanimously, the following resolution was adoptedRESOLUTION DESIGNATING AMENDED BOUNDARIES OF THE 14ILSONS MILLS FIRE DISTRICTWHEREAS, the matter of fixing and declaring the amended boundaries of the Wilsons MillsFire District was duly presented,AND WHEREAS, it appears that the Wilsons bills Fire District has complied with minimumrequirements, as contained in resolution adopted by the Board ofCommissioners on October?3, 1955, pertaining to the establishment of Fire Departments and Fire Districts in JohnstonCounty,AND WHEREAS, the enlargement of its fire district has met the approval of the NorthCarolina Fire Insurance Rating Bureau,N014 THEREFORE, be it resolved that the boundaries of the Wilsons hills Fire Districtto be served by the Wilsons Mills Fire Department to amended and officially designatedand fixed as follows-BEGINNING at point 1 at intersection of S R 1906 and U S 70; thence southwest topoint 2 on S R 1573 2 miles west of its intersection with U S 70; thence southerlyto point 3 on S R 1536, 8 mile southwest of its intersection with U S 70; thencesoutheasterly to point 4 on S R 1572, 6 mile northwest of its intersection with S R1536; thence southwesterly to point 5 on S R 1563, 5 mile west of its intersection wit[S R 1572; thence southeasterly to point 6 on S R 1501 at Swift Creek; thence south-east to point 7 on U S 70, 7 mile southeast of its intersection with S R 1918_;thence northeasterly to point 8 on S R 1913, 10 mile southeast of its intersectionwith U S 70; thence southeasterly to point 9 on S R 1913 at Poplar Creek excludingall property scuthof Poplar Creek between point 8 and point 9; thence northeasterlyto point 10 on U S 70-A, 6 mile southeast of its intersection with S R 1929; thencenortheasterly to point 11 on S R 1929 6 mile east of its intersection with U S 70 -A;thence northeasterly to point 12 on S R 1003, 10 mile southeast of its intersectionwith S R 1903, excluding all property east of Neuse River between point 11 and point12; thence in a northeasterly direction to point 13 on S R 1938, 10 mile southeastof its intersection with S R 1908; thence northwesterly to point 14 on S R 1941, 4mile northeast of its intersection with S R 1003; thence northwesterly to point 15 onS R 1003, 3 mile northwest of its intersection with S R 1905; thence southwesterlyto point 16 on S R 1905, 3 mile west of its intersection with S R 1003; thenceeasterly to point 17 on S R 1003,- 13xmiles northwest of its intersection with S R1904; thence westerly to point 18 on S R 1902, 3 mile north of its intersection withS R 1901; thence southwesterly to point 19 on S R 1901 Powhatan Road, 2 mile eastof its intersection with S R 1902; thence southwesterly to beginning point 18 Revaluation Contract AwardedJohnnie Stott, Tax Supervisor, met with the Board regarding the awarding of the RevaluationContract The Board discussed the revaluation and the firms submitting bids at length in decidingthe most feasible revaluation procedure for Johnston County Commissioner Frank B Holding statedthat heis more apprehensive this time about the revaluation than ever before because of inflationand the majority of the people will automatically assume their taxes will be going up when you mentica revaluation The Board feels that the public should be educated so they will understand the NorthCarolina law requires counties to have a revaluation every eight years in order to upgrade, adjustand equalize values on real property Commissioner Holding further stated I want the tax valuesas fair, but as conservative as can be justified The Board negotiated with three of the appraisalfirms during interviews at an earlier meeting and each agreed the county could use CETA employeesto be paid by the county, but work under the appraisal firms supervision, which would reduce thecontract price by the amount of these employees salariesThe Board of Commissioners emphasized that even though property values might be considerablyhigher after the revaluation does not necessarily mean that taxes will be raised, asthe Board hasthe authority to set the county tax rate in accordance with the values and the needed tax base TheBoard of Commissioners will also adopt a schedule of values that the appraisal firm will work withduring the revaluationAfter much discussion, Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that Associated Surveys ofGreensboro, North Carolina, be awarded the revaluation contract to appraise all Johnston County realliproperty at the contract price of 280,000 Commissioner Holding further moved that the county beprivileged to use as many county sponsored employees CETA as possible, with the salaries of theseemployees taken into consideration in respect to the contract priceCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried unanimouslyAn exact copy of these Specifications and Amendment Nol is on file with the Clerkto the Board of CommissionersIi?? i265March 7, 1977 - Cont9 County Park Plans at Airport SiteKramer Jackson, County Administrator, presented to the Board proposed plans prepared byEast Carolina University students for a Johnston County Park located on the Johnston County Airportproperty bordering Swift CreekThe Board studied these plans and questioned if this area was in the Flood PlainCommissioner Holding asked Mr Jackson to get an opinion from Ragsdale Engineers The Board, atthis time, talked with Mr Jackson about the county park being a new CETA project It was agreedthat this would be an ideal CETA project10 Brogden School Building Petition for DemolitionThe Board of Commissioners received a petition from residents of the Brogden Community with291 signatures requesting the county to take the necessary action to demolish the old BrogdenSchool Buildingas it is a hazard and nuisance to the communityAfter much discussion, Commissioner John M Booker moved that the Board act in accordancewith Article 3, Chapter 130 of the General Statutes of North Carolina amended Chap-ter 1357 of theSession Laws of 1957 130 -20 Abatement of Nuisance, and further that Helen Ray, Director, JohnstonCounty Health Department be instructed to write to the owner of the property requesting immediateabatement of this buildingCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried unanimously11 Rural Medical Clinic - South Johnston AreaThe Board received a letter from Ed Temple, Administrator, Town of Benson, in reference toan application the Town of Benson is preparing to help establish a Medical Center in the Town ofBenson in order to secure better and sufficient medical facilities for the citizens of southernJohnston County It was explained by Commissioner Howard Benton that the Board is not being askedfor financial assistance as the Town of Benson is seeking a federal grant from HEW, which will begraduated over a three 3 year period, However, one of the requirements in this application is toinclude a letter of support from the County Board of CommissionersAfter discussion, Commissioner Howard Benton moved that the Board of Commissioners endorseand support this proposed Rural Health Project for a Medical Center to be located in the Town ofBenson to help provide better medical facilities for the citizens of the South Johnston areaCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried unanimously12 Advertise for Bids - Smithfield -Selma 201 FacilityTim Broome, Ragsdale Engineers, met with the Board to discuss local financing and advertise-ment on the Smithfield -Selma 201 Wastewater FacilityCommissioner Frank B Holding and Kramer Jackson, County Administrator, told the Board theyhad visited the Local Government Commission and talked with Ed Barnes regarding the financing ofthe local share of the 201 Facility After discussion, the Board decided against a long term debtthrough Revenue Bonds and agreed that the county would be protecting its future credit rating byborrowing most of the money for the 201 construction through low- interest notes administered bythe North Carolina Local Government Commission The Board also discussed the users payback for the201 Project and Chairman Denning commented that the county should help out but not be tied upfinancially for a long period of time Chairman Denning further stated that he is much in favorof this project, but prefers a short term payback if it will not be to hard on the users After much discussion about the financing of the 201 Project, Commissioner Frank B Holdingmoved that the county proceed with Phase I of the Smithfield -Selma 201 Facility Project and authorizRagsdale Engineers to advertise for bids to be opened on April 14, 1977 Commissioner Holding furthmoved that the towns be requested, to repay their shares of the local cost to the county within a ten10 year period at an annual interest rate of 5Commissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried unanimously13 Resolution Neuse River Dam ProjectUpon a motion by Commissioner J E Rogerson, duly seconded by Commissioner John M Bookerand carried unanimously the following resolution was adoptedRESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JOHNSTON COUNTYWHEREAS, the Neuse River Basis Association has been reorganized for the purpose of promotingthe orderly development of the basin area of the Neuse Rive; andWHEREAS, sixteen counties surrounding the basin have joined in a spirit of cooperation toexpedite present and future projects on behalf of the citizens in this area; andWHEREAS, the prompt completion of the Falls Lake Project at the Headwaters of the NeuseRiver will serve many communities throughout the entire basin with improved recreational opportunitie ,wildlife, habitat, flood control, and water quality and supply;NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the County Commissioners of the County of Johnston here-by resolves its full support of the aforementioned purposes of the Neuse River Basin Association asherein outlined this the seventh day of March, nineteen hundred and seventy sevenSignatureChairman, County Commissioners266March 7, 1977 Cont14 Plan of War Adopted - Emergency Preparedness AgencyWayne Strickland, Coordinator, Johnston County Civil Preparedness Agency, met with theBoard and presented the Johnston County Civil Preparedness Emergency Operation Plan of War After review and discussion, Commissioner J E Rogerson moved that the Johnston CountyCivil Preparedness Emergency Operation Plan of War be adoptedCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried unanimouslyAn exact copy of this Plan of War is recorded in the Johnston County Ordinance Book15 Office Space - Soil Conservation ServiceMr John Austin, Chairman, Bobby Stephenson, Carl Bagley and Ermit Stancil, members, SoilConservation District Board of Directors, met with the Board requesting additional office space forthe Soil Conservation Service Mr Stephenson also explained the Soil Conservation Service needsan additional Soil Technician and requested funding for the salary of a county employed conservationtechnicianThe Board agreed that the Soil Conservation Service needed more office space and authorizedKramer Jackson, County Administrator, to see if he could find a mobile unit for temporary use by thisagency The Board also indicated they will explore the possibility of enlarging the AgricultureBuildinq to provide additional space for this agency, and indicated the funding for an additionalSoil Technician Would be taken up at budget making time16 Secondary Road # 2106 - Walter BarnesWalter Barnes met with the Board regarding the condition and priority status of SecondaryRoad # 2106 Mr Barnes told the Board that he is still trying to get this road paved The Boardadvised Mr Barnes they wished they could do more to help him in getting this road paved,however,would,continue to work with him in any way possible to support his efforts17 District Enqineer - Paul AndersonPaul Anderson;, District Engineer, North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division ofHighways, met with the Board of Commissioners and discussed several secondary roads18 New CETA Funds ProjectsKramer Jackson, County Administrator, advised the Board of Commissioners that the new CETAallocation is expected to be enough money to double the number of positions now enrolled in the,CETAProgram Mr Jackson also explained these CETA employees have to be hired to complete projectswithin a twelve 12 month period The Board, after discussion, approved the following CETA projectssubmitted by the various agencies requesting CETA positionsCounty Projects1 County Property Revaluation2 Landfill - Roadside cleanupRepair of garbage containers3 Airport Park4 Kenly Water Line -Right of WayClearing5 Day Care Services6 School MaintenanceTown of Selma1Mosquito Control2Sidewalk Curb Repair3Inventory Town Property4Administrative Assistant5Map Selma Utility System6Upgrade Electrical DistributionSystem7Brack Wilson, Sr, Park8Social Officer - CounselingLow Income ResidentsTown of Benson1 Sidewalk RepairTown of Smithfield1 Clear Right of Way201 Sewage Improvement ProjectTown of Princeton1 Beautification16 employees9 employees6 employees6 employees30 employees10 employees5 employees3 employees3 employees1 employee3 employees1 employee4 employees1 employee5 employees6 employees2 employees12 months10 months6 months8 months,8 months3 months5 months4 months3 months12 months6 months12 months3 months12 months9 months6 months12 monthsFarmers Home Administration11 Housing Applications Aide 2 employees 12 monthsI,i? j IssFiiiiMarch 72 1977 CbntEmployment Security Commission1 Interviewer1employee12monthsJohnston Memorial HospitalTi_ Clerks3employees12months2 Housekeeping2employees12monthsSoil Conservation Service1 Technician - Assist Soil Scientistlemployee12monthsPublic Library1 Security Guard1employee12months2 Typist1employee12monthsProbation Office1 Assistant Probation Officer Adults1employee12monthsJohnston County Industries1 Upgrade Facilities 3 employees 12 monthsJohnston -Lee Commuity ActionTTT Winterization Renovation - Substandard Housing 5 employees 12 months2 Nutrition Program 2 employees 12 monthsThe Board of Commissioners is also taking other CETA requests under consideration forfunding provided funds are available19 Southern Railway Kenly Waterline Construction and Maintenance AgreementCommissioner John M Booker moved that Norman C Denning, Chairman, Johnston CountyBoard of Commissioners, be authorized to execute the agreement between Southern Railway Company andthe County of Johnston, North Carolina, concerning the construction and maintenance of a 16 inchwater pipe line crossing to be located under a spur track jointly owned by Southern and SeaboardCoast Line, No 110 -14, Selma, North CarolinaCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried unanimously20 Heating System - County JailThe Board discussed several supplementary heating systems recommended for the county jail-The Commissioners at this time by motion of Commissioner Frank B Holding, duly seconded byCommissioner J E Rogerson and carried unanimously, authorized Commissioner Howard Benton and KramerJackson, County Administrator, to work out the most feasible system for the county jail and bringback recommendations to the Board for consideration21 Paving Request - Micro Rescue Squad DrivewayThe Board received a letter from the Town of Micro requesting paving of the driveway atthe Micro Rescue Squad Building located at the corner of Highway 301 and Secondary Road #2130 insidethe city limits of MicroAfter discussion, Commissioner J E Rogerson moved that Johnston County funds be releasedand the Division of Highways, North Carolina Department of Transportation, be requested to pave thedriveway at the MicroRescue Squad Building located inside the city limits of MicroCommissioner John N Booker seconded the motion which was carried unanimously22 Landfill Employees - Overtime During HolidaysCommissioner J E Rogerson moved that three Landfill employees working overtime duringthe Christmas holidays cleaning up garbage container sites be paid for the overtime worked fromAntirecession FundsCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which was carried unanimously23 4 -H Recreation Grant Revenue Sharing FundsCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the Johnston County 4 -H Recreation Grant requestin the amount of ;3,00000 for 1976 -1977 be approvedCommissioner Howard Benton seconded the motion which was carried unanimously24 Trash Pick -up - Johnston Memorial HospitalKramer Jackson, County Administrator, advised the Board that Bob Terrell, Administrator,Johnston Memorial Hospital, had talked with him about the county picking up the trash at the hospitalThe Board asked Mr Jackson to talk with town officials and the hospital administrator to see whatcan be worked out regarding the trash collection at the hospital¦? 268March 7, 1977 Cont25 CETA RepresentativeThe Board appointed Kramer Jackson, County Administrator, to serve on the Board of theRaleigh CETA Consortium asthe representative from Johnston County26 Extension Service VacanciesKramer Jackson, County Administrator, advised the Board that the County Extension Service hatwo vacancies that had not been filled at the County Extension Office, however, if these positionsare filled the county will have to pay 50 of all professional salaries Bruce Woodard, Chairman,is requesting these two positions be filledAfter discussion, Commissioner J E Rogerson moved that the county agree to pay fiftyper cent of the salaries of all professional employees of the Johnston County Extension Service andapprove the request for two positions sweet potato and vegetable specialist and 4 -H Agent to befilled with the Extension ServiceCommissioner Frank BHolding seconded the motion which was carried unanimously27 Paving Social Services Parking LotCommissioner Howard Benton moved that the county go ahead with the paving of the parkinglot at the Department of Social Services at a cost of 11;31100, even though the county has beeninformed that the States reimbursement will be over a ten year periodCommissioner J E Rogerson seconded the motion which was carried unanimouslyUpon a motion by Commissioner John M Booker, duly seconded by Commissioner Frank BHolding and carried unanimously, the Board adjournedC- 04?? ??lorman C Denning, ChairmansEleanor id Creec Clerkhii