While the Board stopped short of taking any formal action that would protect the memorial — instead tabling discussion while they await results from an ongoing space allocation study — the vets did not leave the meeting empty-handed.
“As long as I am a commissioner, this will be sacred ground,” said Commissioner Jimmy Melton, before he was drowned out by raucous applause and a standing ovation.
That assurance was echoed by each of his fellow commissioners.
Bojangle’s offer sparked debate
The Veteran’s Memorial at the center of the controversy is actually a recent addition to the county.
Dedicated in 2006, the memorial sits on a grassy corner of the Carriage Oaks property at the intersection of NC Highways 15-501 and 24/27. Initially developed as a strip shopping center, Carriage Oaks was purchased by Moore County in 2004 and renovated to accommodate administrative space for the Department of Social Services and Planning Department offices. However, commercial businesses have also remained at the site, including a Hardee’s restaurant at the far opposite corner from the Veteran’s Memorial.
At issue is an offer from Bojangle’s — another fast food chain — to purchase a 1.3 acre tract adjacent to the memorial — and whether the Board of County Commissioners negotiated, or at least started to negotiate, a deal with that company behind closed doors.
It was the revelation of those closed door sessions that sparked veteran opposition to the proposed sale. But the Commissioners themselves remain divided about the importance of those private discussions.
Commissioner Tim Lea, who initially revealed that the closed sessions had taken place, cautioned the veterans in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting that they must remain vigilant and hold the current and future boards accountable for what is done or not done at the memorial.
Chairman Larry Caddell assured the veterans the Memorial would be protected, but argued that no decision should be made about how to protect it until a major study of the County’s space needs is completed.
“This started over an inquiry [from Bojangle’s], and that is all it is,” Caddell said. “Until we get the space allocation study back, we don’t know what they have in mind to do with that property . . . You don’t want to pay for a study and then not see it,” he argued, noting that he is also a veteran and, as long as he has a vote, that the memorial would not be moved.
Emphatically stating his position, Commissioner Nick Picerno said he would never do anything that would desecrate the memorial.
“What bothers me is all this has come about from an inquiry of what we might want to do with a piece of property. What we may or may not interested in doing with the property,” Picerno said. “We never made a deal or negotiated to sell the property to Bojangles.”
In fact, the unsealed minutes of three closed sessions in which the Commissioners discussed the Bojangles offer, as well as a confidential memo prepared for the Board by County Manager Cary McSwain, reveal that the five Commissioners actively discussed the appropriate price for the 1.3 acres, whether the County might need the land for a future expansion of offices at Carriage Oaks, and whether the Veteran’s Memorial might, at some point, need to be moved.
The minutes and memo also reveal that McSwain left the first closed session on the matter believing the Board had suggested responding to Bojangle’s initial $280,000 offer with a $500,000 counter offer, and that McSwain later brought the Board a $330,000 counter from Bojangle’s. The Board took no action on that counter offer, and moved the matter into open session.
Veterans call for peace
This is not about Bojangle’s, veteran Ronnie Comer said during public comment at the Tuesday, July 17 meeting, but rather concerns about where such an establishment would be placed. The Veteran’s Memorial and its surrounding grounds are sacred, he told the Board.
“I don’t want to be out there thinking about my father and hear from behind me, ‘May I take your order?” he said.
President Chuck Spelman of Moore County Chapter 966 of the Vietnam Veterans of America presented the Board with a resolution he that would prevent future commercial development in the area around the memorial.
Spelman presented a ten-minute video featuring historic, war photographs of U.S. servicemen interspersed with pictures of modern and appropriately-sited public memorials — including the scenic facility at Carthage.
“This presentation is about what the memorial means to veterans,” he said. “We are asking that you preserve the memorial’s serenity and peaceful setting.”
The video concluded with the crowd of veterans rising to sing along with Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem, “Proud to be an American.” They were immediately joined on their feet by the Commissioners, county staff, and other audience members.
Others recognized during public comment included Raymond Doby, who organized the drive to create the Moore County memorial, and Johnny Mims, a World War II veteran and survivor of the Bataan Death March.
But Bob Hunt, who said he was speaking on behalf of veteran family members unable to attend the meeting, suggested that Spelman’s resolution was well-intentioned but flawed.
“The proposal does not address a large structure blocking the view of the memorial,” he said, also noting the proposal lacked consideration of any potential needs for additional markers, parking, a staging area for events, or restroom facilities.
Hunt also suggested the proposal should include land set aside to protect a cleared viewing area between the memorial and highway, and a picnic and shelter area for use by visitors.
Assurances but no action
The feel-good unity prompted by Spelman’s patriotic video and the communal singing of Lee Greenwood’s song was short-lived.
Chairman Larry Caddell moved to table any action on the Memorial until the space allocation study was returned, and Commissioner Lea quickly called that nothing more than an excuse.
“This is not a land use study question or issue,” Lea said. “What you see is politicians sidestepping the issue. We are using the excuse of a land use study when we, as a Board, have the option to protect that memorial tonight! And we have the authority to also protect what is built next to it.”
He argued that discussion in closed session had included a written offer from Bojangles, and the Board could have simply called themselves into open session and approved the sale in May.
“All we had to do was walk out here and vote, and it would have been sold, without us waiting on a land use study,” Lea argued.
His terse rebuttal agitated the veterans present, though Caddell settled the room by reiterating his desire to protect the memorial.
A motion to table action was approved on a 3-2 split vote, with Lea and Picerno opposed.
Moore County Schools Facilities Plan Phase 1-B
A favorable bidding environment and sound construction management were key elements in saving $11 million during implementation of Phase 1 of the Moore County Schools Facilities Plan, reported Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence.
Now nearly complete, Phase 1 projects — paid for with voter-approved bond funds — included a $54 million budget to build two new schools; complete renovation and additions at four more schools; add several new high school classrooms; improve athletic facilities at all county high schools and middle schools; and implement water and sewer projects. In addition, smart boards and other IT infrastructure were purchased, an elementary school auditorium was renovated, and a new HVAC system was installed, paid for through an additional $800,000 in cost savings due to sales tax partnership with Moore County.
As requested and approved unanimously by the Board of County Commissioners, the $11 Million in savings from Phase 1 — plus an additional $100,000 culled from lottery proceeds, to be used as a contingency fund — will allow for several new capital projects.
Specifically, Phase 1-B includes modernization and construction of auxiliary gyms at each of the three county high schools at a total estimated budget of $11,082,494.
Drexel property proceeds donated to Senior Center
In 1999, Moore County purchased two acres of land from David Drexel, with the seller donating an additional two acres, for the purpose of building a Senior Enrichment Center; however, the property was never developed. Instead the center was established in a renovated commercial building.
A formal request to reserve any proceeds from the sale of the original property to the Senior Center was tabled during the June 19 Commissioners meeting, to allow time to gather information.
Commissioner Nick Picerno said he had studied the proposal, and approved of it, but recommended a slight change in wording. Picerno suggested that any proceeds from the sale would be “donated to” in favor of a broader proposal that those same monies would be used “to further the purpose of” the center. He argued that the change would place more accountability on elected officials.
“I am trying to make sure, when the money is spent, that there is someone on the hook with their name on the ballot,” he explained.
County Attorney Misty Leland responded that, since the facility is owned by Moore County, it does not have a separate legal power — thus, the proposed wording would have no impact either way.
Commissioner Lea also rejected the change, arguing it would put the funding back in the political arena unnecessarily.
“It should be left the way it is,” Lea said. “Money that goes to the Senior Enrichment Center is intended for administration by the center . . . . If they had the money now, they are renovating downstairs to make it more functional. There is also an issue with parking.”
In response to Lea’s question, Terri Prots, the Moore County Director of Aging, said any decision-making about spending would be included in their annual budget request, which comes before the County Commissioners for approval.
Picerno agreed; and, with unanimous Board support, any proceeds from the sale of the Drexel property will be donated to the center.
Bond Refunding
The County Commissioners unanimously approved a request to issue general obligation refunding bonds toward the county’s 2003 Public Improvement Bond, which is set to mature from 2014-2017, and to redeem from any other available county funds the Public Improvement bonds anticipated to mature between 2018-2021.
As presented, the general obligation refunding request will reduce interest on $1.9 Million in outstanding loans to 1.44%, resulting in a combined estimated savings of $775,000.
During discussion, the Commissioners considered and ultimately dismissed a slightly higher interest bid that allowed for greater flexibility in prepayment; however, the opportunity to save an additional $5,000 proved more attractive.
“I would like to see the Board accumulate cash through conservative spending,” Picerno said. “There is not a lot of savings with this debt to pay it off . . . I would rather pay off other bonds — school, public safety — that have higher interest rates.”
Tax Settlement reports
Moore County continues to maintain an exemplary 99% tax collection rate, reported Wayne Vest.
At a total property valuation of more than $16,5 billion, which includes real property, personal property, and motor vehicles, only $564,974 remains uncollected from the 2011 tax year.
“99% is an absolutely awesome collection percentage,” said County Manager Cary McSwain, expressing strong appreciation for dedication of Vest and his staff.
In particular, retiring Deputy Tax Administrator, Esther Cummings, was singled out for her leadership and professionalism.
Vest also reported that $381,404 remained in delinquent taxes from the prior year, adding that the Moore County Tax Department would continue to diligently working to resolve those accounts.
A new billing and collection system is in place, he said, with 2012-2013 tax bills anticipated to be mailed in late July.
Information Technology
The Commissioners amended a 2009 information technology contract to replace the business object module with the Tyler Reporting Service module. Described as a shift in development and support from the original contract, the change will involve no additional cost to the County, IT Director Darlene Yudell said.
Commissioner Caddell raised concern about the use of a proprietary program, but Yudell responded the module was likely a temporary solution and said it would serve as a layer over existing database tools.
“It will provide assistance with reports and ensure our reports will run properly even as the system and database change,” she explained. “I think we will be at a point in the next two years where we will be able to drop this module.”
The Board also approved an information technology request of $159,000 to purchase server hardware infrastructure related to the Virtual Computing project.
“We are ready to proceed with this purchase,” Yudell said. The server order is very time sensitive and a critical part of the project,” she explained, noting the overall virtualization project timeline includes equipment ordering, delivery, installation and configuration work.
“We anticipate ordering in July, we would see a rollout in January,” she added.
Commissioner Picerno requested that the information technology fund balance be used for the server purchase, rather than pulling money from capital reserves.
Commissioner Lea complimented Yudell and her team: “You are doing an excellent job with very minimal resources.”
Other business
In other business on Tuesday, July 17, the Board of Commissioners:
• Heard from Commissioner Craig Kennedy that West Moore Fire Department reduced their fire rating from 9 to 7 after successfully completed a comprehensive audit and inspection process.
• Approved a $3,000 change order to Terry’s Plumbing for sanitary sewer improvements at ATEX Technologies project, as requested by Public Works Director Randy Gould.
• Approved a request by County Attorney Misty Leland for temporary legal services not to exceed $46,231 during Leland’s upcoming absence.
• Revised a resolution increasing the request to $75,000 for the Camp Easter Road/Crystal Dam Repair project.
Appointments
The following appointments were approved:
• Peter Koch as an alternate ETJ member of the Aberdeen Planning Board
• Andi Korte and Linda Pearson both reappointed to serve on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council
• Joan Oswald to the Nursing and Adult Care Home Advisory Committee
• Dr. John Stacy to fill the unexpired term of Diane Williams on the Sandhills Regional Library Board of Trustees
• Commissioners Larry Caddell and Nick Picerno to serve as Voting Delegate and alternate for the NCACC Annual Conference.
