Moore County's Land Use plan is more than ten years old, and the process of updating it is getting underway, with the selection of a Steering Committee the first order of business.
During the Board of Commissioners’ Tuesday, October 18 meeting, the Planning Department and the Commissioners agreed to compile a list of major organizations in the County, representing key sectors of the community. That list, to be reviewed during the Board's November 1 Commissioners meeting, will give the Commissioners an idea of the type of representation needed on the Steering Committee.
County Planner Jeremy Rust presented the Commissioners with an outline of the appointment process that was used during the 1999 Land Use Plan as a guideline for this year’s selection process.
The previous Land Use Plan Steering Committee included a wide variety of Moore County residents -- twenty-one members who ranged from elected officials and business leaders to environmental advocates and educators. The 1999 Land Use Plan process stretched over eighteen months, with committee members meeting twice a month during ten of those months.
The 1999 Steering Committee was formed in part by allowing each Commissioner the opportunity to select one person from each of the five Commissioners districts to serve on the Committee. However, this may be narrowed down during this year’s selection process.
Rust advised the Commissioners that industry standards suggest a committee is most productive when it consists of nine to fifteen members. But Commissioner Jimmy Melton -- who served on the 1999 Steering Committee -- suggested the new committee should include as many as thirty members. Rust said he is already hearing from County residents who wish to serve on the committee.
The next steps in the process -- all pending guidance from the Commissioners -- are to initiate the application process for the Steering Committee, to solicit potential committee members, and, finally, to select the committee members.
Public Works contracts amended
Convening as the East Moore Water District [EMWD] Board of Directors, the Commissioners approved a request by Public Works Director Randy Gould for an engineering services contract amendment with Hobbs Upchurch and Associates for $30,700. The extra funds are needed due to additional roads -- and customers -- that have been added to the EMWD. The amendment also extends the contract by 60 days.
The Commissioners also approved the purchase of Badger Meters from Carolina Meter and Supply for the EMWD Phase III not to exceed $101,000 -- a previously-budgeted expense.
The Board approved a change order for the contract with CB&I Constructors to extend the length of the Monticello Road storage tank elevation project by forty-nine days. The extension means the project will not be completed on time, resulting in a $37,000 charge to the contractor.
The Board approved a contract amendment to the Old Town/Lake Pinehurst project that would allow the County Manager or designee to authorize contract amendments and change orders up to $50,000. Gould said that, due to the nature of the project, some issues may arise that need to be addressed immediately. The Board will be apprised by the County Manager on a weekly bassi of any change orders that do occur.
Grants accepted
The Board approved a Home and Community Care Block Grant for $747,000 for the year 2011-2012, as requested by Moore County Aging Director Terri Prots. The grant is the “primary funding source” for the following Aging services: In Home Aide program, Nutrition programs, Transportation, Senior Center Operations, and Information and Referral. The grant requires a local match of $83,000 which has been included in the Aging Department Budget.
The Commissioners approved a Moore County Transportation Services/Community Transportation Program Grant agreement for the year 2011-2012, as requested by Manager of Moore County Transportation Services Tawanna Williams. The grant includes $241,000 for administration and $118,000 for capital expenditures. The local match of $48,000 will be met through user fees. A portion of the grant will be used for the purchase ands installation of fare boxes and tokens that will allow the system to begin the process of collecting user fees. If user fees fall short of covering the local match, funding is available in the current budget to make up the difference.
The Board approved the Individual Development Account Community Development Block Grant for $70,000 as requested by Tim Emmert. The grant will help thirty low income families or individuals become home owners in northern Moore County. The County has set aside $15,000 for the project, which will be combined with a like amount from the Northern Moore Family Resource Center to meet the $30,000 required local match.
Lea suggests paying down debt
The Commissioners tabled consideration of the refunding of General Obligation [GO] Series 03 Bonds that was by the County's financial advisor, Davenport and Company. Commissioner Tim Lea asked that the Board explore the idea of paying off the debt using money held in the capital reserve fund, rather than refunding the GO Bonds and continuing to pay interest on that debt.
Recognitions
Commissioner Larry Caddell recognized more than thirty Dixie Youth World Series Volunteers during the Board’s Tuesday, October 18 meeting. Over 280 volunteers helped with the youth baseball championship, hosted at Hillcrest Park. “People went beyond the call of duty to make this happen,” said Caddell.
Chairman Nick Picerno recognized Craven Hudson, who has led the Moore County Extension Team for the last six years and will be moving to a new position in Raleigh.
Personnel Policy Revision
The Board tabled consideration of a personnel policy revision in a four to one vote with Commissioner Tim Lea casting the dissenting vote. Commissioner Craig Kennedy -- who requested the policy revision -- has asked County Attorney Misty Leland to draft language that will remove a requirement that every top-level County employee must reside in Moore County.
The policy currently applies to twenty-four department heads, as well as the County Manager and Assistant County Manager. Kennedy proposed having the policy apply only to the County Manager.
Other Business
Other business conducted during the Board’s Tuesday, October 18 meeting included:
• The Board approved a contract with Vanderveer’s L.P. Gas Service for $70,000 as requested by Property Management Director Rich Smith, for the delivery of 36,000 gallons of propane gas at a price of $1.92 per gallon to be delivered to different County locations.
• The Board approved a request by Heath Director Robert Wittmann to accept $50,000 provided by the North Carolina School Nurse Funding Initiative [SNFI] that will fund a School Nurse for Moore County Schools, under a contract with FirstHealth of the Carolinas.
• After a discussion of Commissioner compensation and travel expense reimbursement, Chairman Nick Picerno asked County Human Resources Director Denise Brook to develop a recommended policy that would clarify those issues.
• The Board has asked Information Technology Director Darlene Yudell develop a low-cost proposal for videotaping the Commissioner’s regular meetings.
• The Board of Commissioners Tuesday, December 6 meeting will begin at 3:00 pm rather than the usual 5:00 pm, and will include than annual election of a Board Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Appointments
The Board approved the following appointments during their Tuesday, October 18 meeting:
• Virginia Elder was appointed to the Aging Advisory Council
• Ernie Hanford and Lois Holt were appointed as Moore County's representatives to the Triangle J Regional Aging Advisory Council.
