CAMDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

Regular Meeting

July 21, 2003

Senior Center Conference Room, Courthouse Complex

 

MINUTES

 

The regular meeting of the Camden County Board of Commissioners was held Monday, July 21, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. in the Senior Center Conference Room, Courthouse Complex.  The following members were present:

 

Chairman Jeff Jennings

Vice Chairman Samuel K. Shaw, Sr.

Commissioners Melvin Jeralds, J.C. Rountree

County Manager/Clerk to the Board Carl Classen

Deputy Clerk to the Board Ava Murgia

 

Commissioner Riggs was absent.

 

Chairman Jennings called the meeting to order.  Commissioner Jeralds gave the invocation.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Chairman Jennings asked for any comments from the public.

 

Maria Garcia, Northeastern Community Development Corporation, reported nine (9) homes in Camden were repaired by the youth group from Michigan and that residents hosted dinner for the work group.

 

Warren D. Hoover – Trash Pickup Service

 

Mr. Warren Hoover, who had previously requested to speak during Public Comments, was not present at the meeting.

 

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES

 

Commissioner Jeralds made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2003 regular meeting.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA

 

Mr. Classen asked that the following item be added to the agenda:  Add Item IX.  G.  Riso Copier.

 

Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve the agenda as amended.   The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Public Hearing - Northeastern Community Development Corporation (NCDC) – Individual Development Account (IDA) Program

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to open the second public hearing relating to the proposed application by NCDC for the implementation of an Individual Development Account (IDA) in Camden County.   The application requires two (2) public hearings, and they were scheduled for June 16 and July 21. 

 

Chairman Jennings asked for any comments from the public.

No comments were heard.

 

Maria Garcia and Carolyn Anderson were in attendance to answer questions.

 

Commissioner Jeralds made a motion to go out of public hearing regarding the proposed application by NCDC for the implementation of an Individual Development Account in Camden County.   The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

South Mills Landing – Sewer Agreement

 

The County Manager and special counsel have worked with representatives of South Mills Landing (SML) to draft a sewer agreement that would cover potential users located on the South Mills Landing Planned United Development (PUD) property.

 

Originally, SML proposed to build a sewer treatment plant to serve their development (and expandable to serve South Mills Village), but that proposal was amended a few months after getting sketch plan approval when they learned a new discharge permit was not possible.  A condition of the sketch plan approval was that no application for a preliminary plat could be applied for until wastewater system plans had been completed.

 

In an effort to secure wastewater services, SML has sought a pipeline to Elizabeth City, which was denied by the City.  SML then sought a temporary pump and haul operation with Elizabeth City pending construction of a Camden County wastewater collection and treatment system.

 

Elizabeth City Mayor John Bell stated that he would consider a temporary pump and haul operation for South Mills Landing if the County had financing for its own serwer system and was permitted for construction of a wastewater collection and treatment system.  That financing has occurred and the permitting approvals are presently being sought.  The County has been meeting with SML representatives over the past year to work out an agreement by which SML would build the infrastructure to the new wastewater collection and treatment system, including the cost of increasing the size of the treatment facilities.

 

The Commissioners have told the County Manager and special counsel that no County funds should be used for expansion to serve SML, that SML should build to their original plans, and that the SML project should in no way slow down the County wastewater treatment and collection project.    The County’s engineer has said that he can wait until August 8 before completing the final design plans and not slow down the County project.  The County Manager has given this final date for executing an agreement to SML representatives.

 

Reese Smith, Dave Christensen, and  Jamie Mozingo, representing SML, reviewed the proposed sewer agreement issues.  Chuck Lollar, attorney for SML, was also present and reviewed the legal issues of the proposed sewer agreement.

 

Hearing no objections, Chairman Jennings so ordered staff to contact special counsel Ike McRee and set up a meeting on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 12 Noon to discuss the proposed sewer agreement.

 

Compueasy – Lease Agreement

 

A lease agreement was received from Compueasy for placement of wireless internet equipment on the railings at the Burnt Mills and Shiloh water towers.  In consideration for this, the County would receive free wireless Internet service, maintenance of wireless equipment, web site hosting, and email hosting.  Compueasy estimates the value of these services to be in excess of $1,050.00 monthly.

 

The Agreement has been reviewed by the county attorney and his comments were addressed (and amendments made where necessary).

 

Calvin Umphlett, Compueasy, was present to answer any questions.

 

Hearing no objections, Chairman Jennings so ordered, due to a new County Manager coming on board, that this agreement not be approved.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to authorize the Finance Office to prepare a Budget Amendment allowing $1050.00 per month for high speed internet and web services provided by Compueasy effective July 1, 2003.   The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Camden Village Core Sewer Project – Connection Policy

 

During the July 7 Commissioners meeting, staff and Hobbs Upchurch & Associates representatives conducted a workshop on the Camden Village Core Sewer Project.  Staff was directed to draft a connection policy based upon that discussion that would be reviewed at the July 21 meeting.

 

Staff gave an oral presentation and presented a draft sewer connection policy outline for review.

 

No action was taken regarding the draft connection policy outline, but David Credle was asked to bring the matter back August 4 for further review.

 

Commissioner Jeralds made a motion to direct Hobbs Upchurch & Associates to move forward on design work and applications relating to the 250,000 gallons per day sewer plant.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Code Enforcement & Planning Department –– Refund Policy

 

Amendments to the refund language of the Code Enforcement & Planning Department Fee Schedule were presented to the Board for approval. The revised language attempts to capture the discussion previously held by the Commissioners regarding refund requests.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to approve the revised language and applicable amendments as amended.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; and Commissioner Riggs absent and no Commissioner not voting.

 

The amended Code Enforcement and Planning Department Permit Fee Schedule reads as follows:

 

CAMDEN COUNTY

CODE ENFORCEMENT AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT

PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE

 

·         All fees must be paid in full at time of application.

·         No application will be reviewed until full payments are made.

 

 

 

 

Tax Matters – Authorization to Collect Taxes – 2003 (April Renewals)

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to approve the Authorization to Collect Taxes – April 2003 Renewals as presented by the Tax Administrator Mary Rhodes.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

 

COUNTY OF CAMDEN

 

TO:     The Tax Administrator of Camden County (April Renewals) 2003

 

            You are hereby authorized, empowered, and commanded to collect the taxes set forth in the tax records filed in the office of the Tax Administrator and in the tax receipts herewith delivered to you, in the amounts and from the taxpayers likewise therein set forth.  Such taxes are hereby declared to be a first lien upon personal property of the respective taxpayers in the County of Camden, and this order shall be a full and sufficient authority to direct, require, and enable you to levy on and sell personal property of such taxpayers for and on account thereof, in accordance with the law.

 

 

SOUTH MILLS                     COURTHOUSE                     SHILOH                 TOTAL

     12,238.69                                 17,270.96                          8,531.76                 38,041.41    

                                

Witness my hand and official seal this _________day of __________________________

 

 

 

                                                                ________________________________________________

                                                                Chairman, Board of Commissioners of Camden County

Attest:

 

___________________________________________

Clerk to the Board of Commissioners of Camden County

 

 

                This is to certify that I have received the tax receipts and duplicates for collection in the amounts as listed herein.

 

                                                                                                ____________________________________

                                                                                                Tax Administrator of Camden County

 

 

Tax Matters – Land Value Discrepancy Appeal – Motley

 

Mary Rhodes, Tax Administrator, stated Larry Motley is appealing the 2003 tax value on Lot #4 Portofino at Camden Point Shores, Shiloh Township in accordance with GS 105-381.  Ms. Rhodes recommends adjusting the tax value back to the previous amount of $25,984.

 

Mr. Motley was present to answer any questions.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to approve the Tax Administrator’s recommendation and adjust Mr. Motley’s tax value to $25,984, retroactive to the January 1, 2003 lien date.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Tax Matters – Vehicle Value Appeal

 

Mary Rodes, Tax Administrator, stated Avery Melissa McGrew withdrew her 2003 tax value appeal on a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3.

 

 

Tax Matters – Mobile Home Value Appeal

 

Mary Rhodes, Tax Administrator, stated Karen Ferebee is appealing the 2003 tax value on a 1989 14 x 60 Champion mobile home.

 

Karen Ferebee, 238 South 343, stated the mobile home was purchased new at $17,000.00 and felt the present value is too high.

 

After discussion, Chairman Jennings, hearing no objections, so ordered Mary Rhodes to investigate how neighboring counties value mobile homes and bring back the information to the August 4, 2003 regular meeting.  Chairman Jennings further ordered for the Tax Office not to send out any personal property tax bills until after August 4, 2003.

 

Interim Assignments

 

During the period between when the current County Manager leaves and the new County Manager is hired, several functional assignments need to be made so that there is smooth continuation of management and projects.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to approve the following interim assignments:

 

1)      Effective August 2, 2003, appoint Mary Rhodes, Tax Administrator, as interim County Manager until such time as a County Manager is hired. 

 

2)      Effective August 2, 2003, appoint Ava Murgia, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, as Clerk to the Board of Commissioners.

 

3)      Effective August 2, 2003, delegate the following areas of responsibility, including all authority necessary to effectively carry out the functions under the listed area of responsibility, to the persons named until such time as a County Manager is hired :

 

a)      Administrator of the Land Use Code (Chapter 151), Camden County Code – Dave Parks, Permit Officer

b)      Community Development Block Grant – Scattered Site Housing Project, including authority to sign and execute all documents – Ava Murgia, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Commissioners

c)      Code Enforcement, except Building Codes – Dave Parks, Permit Officer

d)      Dismal Swamp Canal Trail – Penny Leary Smith

e)      Economic Development – Dave Parks, Permit Officer

f)        Emergency Management – Sheriff Tony Perry

g)      Historic Courthouse Restoration – Clarann Mansfield

h)      Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Grant – Sheriff Tony Perry

i)        Land Use Plan Update, including authority to sign and execute all documents related to the CAMA Land Use Plan Update grant – Dave Parks, Permit Officer

j)        Water and Sewer Grant Projects, including authority to sign and execute all documents in support of grant applications – David Credle, Water System Manager

k)      Water Superintendent – David Credle, Water System Manager

l)        All other authority and areas of responsibility of the County Manager not otherwise listed – Mary Rhodes, Tax Administrator

 

4)      In order to compensate staff for the extra duties during the interim period, each staff person listed above will be paid for all extra hours at their current hourly rate.  Additionally, if the staff person currently has any compensatory time on the books, said time may be  selected to be paid off at the end of the current pay period.

 

The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

 

 

Budget Amendments - Dismal Swamp Welcome Center

 

Penny Leary‑Smith, Director of the Welcome Center, has advised the County Manager that the appropriation for the Welcome Center has been increased from $100,000 to $125,000. 

 

Ms. Smith is requesting that the two (2) year‑round travel consultants receive a change in status from Travel Consultant (Grade 55: $16,180 - $24,064) to Senior Travel Consultant (Grade 57: $17,669 - $26,279).

 

Ms. Smith is also requesting that the part time temporary (summer) Travel Consultant remain at a Grade 55, but that the pay for that position be increased from $6.75 per hour to $8.16 per hour.  (The Grade 55 range is $16,180 [hiring rate] to $24,064; $7.78 per hour to $11.57 per hour).  The minimum rate (after the 6 month probationary period following hiring) for Grade 55 is $16,989 ($8.17 per hour). 

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to approve creation of two (2) Senior Travel Consultant (Grade 57) position under the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center.  This approval is retroactive to the pay period beginning on July 1, 2003 and to direct that the remaining Travel Consultant salary be brought in accordance with the grade for that position (Grade 55).  This approval is retroactive to the pay period beginning on July 1, 2003.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Budget Amendments – Sheriff’s Office

 

During the budget workshops, Sheriff Perry asked and the Commissioners accepted a proposal to add a new position – Deputy-Specialist, which would be one (1) grade higher than a Deputy-Investigator.  The Commissioners indicated agreement with this concept, but the details did not get into the final budget worksheets.

 

Sheriff Perry stated that he intended to move an existing Deputy-Investigator into the new Deputy-Specialist position and then promote an existing Deputy into the Deputy-Investigator position.  He further stated that, upon these promotions, one of the Deputy positions could be deleted.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to approve a new position of Deputy-Specialist at Grade 66, which is one grade higher than a Deputy-Investigator and upon a vacancy in a Deputy position, delete one Deputy position.  These actions are retroactive to July 1, 2003.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Budget Amendments

 

Commissioner Jeralds made a motion to approve the following Budget Amendments as submitted by the Finance Officer.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

2003-BA-54

BUDGET AMENDMENT

 

CAMDEN COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT

 

General Fund

 

The Camden County Board of Commissioners passed the following resolution at the meeting on the 21^st day of July, 2003.

 

 

10-3990                 Appropriated Fund Balance                               500,000.

10-6900-63           Village Core Sewer Project Loan                    500,000.

___________________________________________________________________________                       

Explanation:  General Fund advance of Tax Growth Loan approved 7/7/03.

___________________________________________________________________________

Total Appropriation in Current Budget……………………………………… 6,784,527.

Amount of Increase of above Amendment…………………………………..      500,000.   

Total Appropriation in Current Amended Budget…………………………   7,284,527.   

 ___________________________________________________________________________

We, the Board of County Commissioners of Camden County, hereby approve the changes in the County Budget as indicated above and have made entry of these changes in the minutes of said board this 21^st day of July, 2003.

 

 

____________________________                                           ___________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Chairman, Board of Commissioners                            Vice-Chm. Bd Commissioners

 

 

_______________________________

Clerk to Board of Commissioners

 

2003-BA-55

BUDGET AMENDMENT

CAMDEN COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT

 

Dismal Swamp Visitor Center Fund

The Camden County Board of Commissioners passed the following resolution at the meeting on the 21^st day of July, 2003.

60-3480                                 DOT Revenue                                 25000.

60-6000-02                           Salaries                                                 2250.

60-6000-03                           Part Time Salaries                             3000.

60-6000-05                           FICA                                                        500.

60-6000-07                           Retirement                                             300.

60-6000-10                           Training                                              250.

60-6000-11                           Telephone & Postage                         2800.

60-6000-12                           Printing                                                                1200.

60-6000-14                           Travel                                                      200.

60-6000-15                           Repairs & Maintenance                       150.

60-6000-151                        911 Security                                        50.

60-6000-21                           Copier Expense                                      870.

60-6000-22                           Miscellaneous Equipment    750.

60-6000-26                           Advertising                                           2800.

60-6000-36                           Uniforms                                             450.

60-6000-45                           Contracted Services                             200.

60-6000-53                           Dues                                                      375.

60-6000-54                           Insurance                                            100.

60-6000-999                        Reserve                                                 8755.

___________________________________________________________________________                       

Explanation:  Approved funding by General Assembly.

___________________________________________________________________________

Total Appropriation in Current Budget………………………………………   $120,000.

Amount of Increase of above Amendment…………………………………..          25,000.   

Total Appropriation in Current Amended Budget…………………………       $145,000.   

 ___________________________________________________________________________

We, the Board of County Commissioners of Camden County, hereby approve the changes in the County Budget as indicated above and have made entry of these changes in the minutes of said board this 21^st day of July, 2003.

 

 

____________________________                                           ___________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Chairman, Board of Commissioners                            Vice-Chm. Bd Commissioners

 

_______________________________

Clerk to Board of Commissioners

 

 

2003-BA-56

 

BUDGET AMENDMENT

 

CAMDEN COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT

 

Schools Capital Reserve Fund

 

The Camden County Board of Commissioners passed the following resolution at the meeting on 21^st day of July, 2003.

 

 

75-6820-744                        CCHS Upgrade Project Loan               1,000.000.

75-6820-745                        QZAB II CCHS Upgrade                                                   1,000,000.

Explanation: _______________________________________________________________________

                   Needed to separate the Loan expenses from QZAB II expenses   

Total Appropriation in Current Budget………… ………………  ……$5,516,702

Amount of Increase/ Decrease of above amendment……………………      –0-                                                              Total  appropriation in Current Amended Budget  .…………………..$5,516,702.

We, the Board of County Commissioners of Camden County, hereby approve the changes in the County Budget as indicated above and have made entry of these changes in the minutes of said board this 21st day of July 2003.

 

_______________________________                                _________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Chairman, Board of Commissioners                            Vice-Chm. Bd Commissioners

 

 

_______________________________

Clerk to Board of Commissioners

 

Appointment – Northeastern Region Workforce Development Board 

 

A request for reappointment of Ms. Delores Griffin to the Northeastern Workforce Development Board for a term ending on June 30, 2005 was received from Jo Ann Austin, Chair, Northeastern WDB.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to reappoint Ms. Delores Griffin to the Northeastern Workforce Development Board for a term ending on June 30, 2005.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Code Enforcement Action – Shelton Brickhouse 

 

On June 23, 2003, the County received a complaint from a resident of Roberts Street, Camden Village, about a neighbor parking a commercial tractor trailer in his driveway.  The property is in an area zoned R-3 (Basic Residential).  County staff investigated the complaint and made findings that the resident was parking a 18‑wheeler in the driveway, which is in violation of Section 151.329 of the Camden County Code.

 

On July 7, 2003, the property owner (Shelton Brickhouse) came to Board of Commissioners stating that the person parking the vehicle in violation of the law were tenants (daughter and son-in-law), that truck driving was their profession and only source of income, and that there was no where else in the County to park his truck/trailer.  At the direction of the County Commissioners, staff met with tenants and property owner on July 7, discussed the violation with them, and issued stay of action until the next Commissioners meeting.

 

Current land use law does not allow for the parking of commercial tractor trailers on properties other than those used as a bona fide farm or those properties zoned for commercial uses.

 

If Mr. Brickhouse wishes to appeal the decision of the Code Enforcement Officer, the matter should be appealed to the Board of Adjustments and not to the County Commissioners.

 

Hearing no objections, Chairman Jennings so ordered to direct staff to propose language of current Ordinance making parking of tractor trailers permissible in residential areas and forward this proposal to the Planning Board for their consideration.

 

Resolution 2003‑07‑03 – Reimbursement Resolution - Grandy School Upgrade      Project

 

Resolution No. 2003‑07‑03 allows the County to reimburse itself from future loan proceeds for pre‑financing expenses (e.g., architect fees, legal fees, engineering fees, etc.) for the $7.0 million Grandy School Upgrade Project.

 

On July 17, Dr. Dunn, Interim School Superintendent, advised the County Manager that the County had been awarded $2.0 million in zero‑interest Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) financing by the State Board of Education.  Due to the impending transition in the County Manager position, the County Manager outlined his thoughts for the Superintendent and Finance Officer on financing for the Grandy School Upgrade Project.

 

Commissioner Jeralds made a motion to introduce Resolution No. 2003-07-03. 

 

After discussion and upon motion of Commissioner Rountree, seconded by Commissioner Shaw, Resolution 2003‑07‑03 was adopted by the following vote: Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to authorize the Chairman, County Manager, Clerk to the Board, Finance Officer and other County officials to sign all documents necessary in support of accepting the QZAB allocation for the Grandy School Upgrade Project. The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; and Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Approved Resolution 2003‑07‑03 reads as follows:

 

Resolution No. 2003-07-03

RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE COUNTY MANAGER OR THE FINANCE OFFICER TO DECLARE OFFICIAL INTENT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY OF CAMDEN, NORTH CAROLINA TO REIMBURSE EXPENDITURES UNDER UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY REGULATIONS

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) for the County of Camden, North Carolina (the “County”) as follows:

Section 1.  It is hereby found, determined and declared by the Board as follows:

(a)  Section 1.150-2 of the Treasury Regulations (the “Regulations”) prescribe specific procedures which will be applicable to certain bonds or notes issued by the County including, without limitation, a requirement that the County declare its official intent to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds of debt to be incurred by the County prior to, or within sixty (60) days of, payment of the expenditures to be reimbursed. 

(b)  The Regulations expressly permit the statement of official intent to be declared by any person designated by the County to declare official intent on behalf of the County.

(c)  The Board believes that it is in the best interest of the County to designate the County Manager or the Finance Officer of the County to declare official intent on behalf of the County.

Section 2.  As permitted by the Regulations, the County Manager or the Finance Officer of the County, now or hereafter serving in such capacity, is designated by the Board to declare official intent on behalf of the County to reimburse any and all expenditures with the proceeds of debt to be incurred by the County. 

Section 3.  This resolution shall take effect upon its passage.

                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                                                                Jeff Jennings, Chairman

ATTEST:                                                                               Camden County Board of Commissioners

__________________________

Carl Classen

Clerk to the Board

 

Light Industrial Zoning – Lot Size 

 

Staff met with a person interested in establishing an industrial park in an L-1 (Light Industrial) zone of Camden County but the developer was concerned that the minimum lot size was 40,000 square feet, whereas the minimum lot size in Community Core was 20,000 square feet with public water, and 10,000 square feet with public water and public sewer.

 

Commissioner Jeralds made a motion to introduce an amendment to Land Use Code Sections that would provide for similar lot sizing in L-1 (Light Industrial) as in Community Core and refer the amendment to the Planning Board.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; and Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

County Manager Position Announcement

 

On July 14, an announcement of the search for a new County Manager was approved by the Chairman and was provided to the Employment Security Commission, posted on the official bulletin board, placed on the local government access channel, and sent out to the statewide County Manager listserv.  In addition, the announcement will be in the Camden County Free Press during the weeks of July 17 and July 24 and will appear in the Daily Advance on two (2) Sundays – July 20 and July 27.  Due to the short time for taking applications, the announcement was not sent for publication in the County Commissioners’ Association Newsletter.

 

No action required.  No action taken.

 

Pay Study Update

 

A Pay Study Update was provided to the Board.  This matter was discussed during the Budget Workshops and the proposed cost ($5,200) within the budgeted figure for contract personnel services ($10,000).  The Study would cover two-thirds of the County’s positions, which would put the County back on an one‑third annual review. 

 

One expansion of the Update is inclusion of a study of the management structure and recommendations for department head salaries.  This was an area the Commissioners also discussed extensively during the Budget Workshops.

 

The Update is not set to begin until late October, 2003 so that the new County Manager will have time to become acclimated to the county organization and be able to competently participate in the Update.

 

Hearing no objection, Chairman Jennings so ordered to move forward with the project but wait on actually signing the Pay Study Update Agreement until the new manager comes on board.

 

Sheriff Vehicles

 

A memo was received from Sheriff Perry asking to be released from the requirement that all new County cars be colored white.  Sheriff Perry agrees with white patrol vehicles, but feels his deputies can be more effective when some law enforcement vehicles are less conspicuous.

 

Sheriff Perry has also asked for authority to tint windows on certain law enforcement vehicles for the same reason.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to amend existing policy to state that Sheriff patrol vehicles shall be white but that vehicles used for other law enforcement colors may be of another color and may be accessorized (e.g., tinting) within budget limits to aid in the pursuit of law enforcement.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; and Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Dismal Swamp Reconnaissance Study

 

A request was received from John Lane, Chairman of the Albemarle RC&D, asking for support for expansion of the US Corps of Engineers’ Reconnaissance Study of the Dismal Swamp, which will address flooding issues in the Deep Creek vicinity and where floodwaters crossed US17 after Hurricane Floyd (1991).  The Albemarle RC&D is asking for support to expand the existing study or initiate a new study that will include the entire Dismal Swamp Watershed in North Carolina and Virginia.

 

Commissioner Jeralds made a motion to support the expansion of the existing US Corps of Engineers’ Reconnaissance Study of the Dismal Swamp or initiate a new study that will include the entire Dismal Swamp Watershed in North Carolina and Virginia.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Solid Waste Management Plan Update

 

A summary of the Solid Waste Management Plan for the Pasquotank County Planning Area, which includes Camden County, was presented to the Board.  As part of the ongoing joint relationship with Pasquotank County, the Pasquotank County Solid Waste Department developed the Plan and this Update with input from Camden County staff.

 

The Update needs to be approved by the County before final submission to the State.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to approve the Solid Waste Management Plan Update.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

NCACC Annual Conference – Voting Delegate

 

Information was received from the North Carolina Association County Commissioners (NCACC) requesting designation of a voting delegate from Camden County.  Commissioners Jennings, Jeralds and Rountree have registered to attend the Conference August 14-17, 2003.

 

Commissioner Rountree made a motion to appoint Commissioner Jeralds as the voting delegate for the NCACC Annual Conference on August 14-17, 2003.  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

Public Information - Copier

 

A proposal was submitted to the Board to install a Risograph copier for the principal purpose of printing the Free Press.  Last week’s Free Press was printed using the “Riso” and staff has already received comments on how much clearer the pictures appeared.

 

Staff was excited because the Free Press looked better and printed within an hour – rather than tying up the Xerox copier for an entire afternoon.

 

Another positive part of the Riso is that the cost per copy is about $.005 (one‑half cent) whereas the extra copies on the Xerox is $.0137 (1.37 cents).   However, the Xerox cost is even higher since the County is charged for two 8.5 X 11 impressions to make one 11 X 17 impression (the size of the Free Press sheets).  That makes the extra Xerox expense 2.74 cents per sheet of the Free Press.  These costs include the machine lease, maintenance and supplies.

 

Last year, approximately 153,920 one‑sided 11 X 17 copies were made for printing the Free Press.  Based upon a cost of 2.74 cents per copy, the extra Xerox cost was $4,217.41.

 

The cost for the Riso, based upon the same number of copies of the Free Press would be $7,090.    This amount is already available under Public Information ($20,000) in the Administration budget.

 

Although the cost is higher, the savings don’t include the extra half day of staff time each week on the Free Press the Xerox requires, which is a substantial amount of staff time (1/10^th of a person’s time just copying).  In addition, the Riso can print brochures (another chore now down on the Xerox), letter head (something now sent out to Correctional Enterprises), and other high volume printing.  Lastly, all these extra copies on the Xerox are increasing the wear and tear on the machine and it’s “down time” is increasing – thus further cutting productivity.

 

Commissioner Shaw made a motion to approve a lease with McKendree for the Riso Copier, create new line item in budget for Riso lease; and transfer sufficient existing budget funds from Public Information to Riso Lease necessary to cover anticipated net cost after Xerox savings (approximately $2,800).  The motion passed with Commissioners Jeralds, Rountree, Shaw and Chairman Jennings voting aye; no Commissioners voting no; Commissioner Riggs absent; and no Commissioner not voting.

 

SOUTH CAMDEN WATER & SEWER DISTRICT

 

No meeting was held at this time. 

 

Approval of the July 7, 2003 minutes was delayed until the next scheduled meeting.</