[The Times has made two minor corrections to this story since it first appeared on this website. They are indicated in boldface type within the article.]
The County Manager's snap decision to allow a temporary antenna on a County-owned water tank without compensation prompted a lengthy two-pronged discussion on broadband service during the Moore County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, October 16.
A Labor Day weekend emergency had County Manager Cary McSwain caught between the desire to maintain reliable internet service for mostly rural Moore County residents and state laws that discourage partnerships between local government and private companies.
McSwain explained that Broadlink, a Moore County company that provides high speed internet service, requested the temporary antenna after a failure of their standard tower. He said the decision to allow the temporary antenna was made quickly and included an understanding that the antenna would be removed when a lease contract with the County-- then in progress -- was completed.
Subsequently, the County Attorney notified McSwain that the temporary antenna was not a legal placement because of the lack of compensation to Moore County. McSwain said he ordered it removed, reluctantly, knowing that would disrupt residential and commercial service in the area.
In response, Chairman Larry Caddell explained, a resolution was drafted -- and approved during the October 16 meeting -- that allows the County Manager to negotiate payment for past, current, and future placement of antennas on county property.
“We need to be aware of what went on, and what we are trying to do to fix it,” Caddell said.
Broadlink service vs. alternatives
“I would not have made the same decision today,” McSwain told the Board, but explained that his intent was to limit disruption to area customers. However, he agreed it was important for the county to not appear to be in a partnership with Broadlink.
In addition, McSwain reported, a recent decision by the North Carolina General Assembly does allow counties to engage in partnerships with businesses for economic development projects.
“A state and federal goal is to provide broadband service to those areas where otherwise they would not be able to have it,” he said. “One positive is that they [Broadlink] have been able to provide that service.”
Commissioner Tim Lea agreed with McSwain's assessment, noting that internet connection -- and, in particular, broadband service to those who otherwise would not have access -- is a primary goal of the Triangle J Council of Governments.
Lea said he understood that the lack of compensation from Broadlink to the County is a problem, but noted that Moore County and the company had an established relationship when the issue arose. Broadlink provides the County's broadband link to the internet. Lea said he hoped the County and Broadlink would be able to continue working together in good faith to complete the still in-progress contract.
Commissioner Craig Kennedy expressed concern that the County's contract with Broadlink had not been the subject of competitive bidding and asked whether other services were available, like fiber or T-1 lines.
“We do need to look at broadband, but this Board has never made a motion to pursue only this [Broadlink] option,” he said.
McSwain responded that other options and alternatives for service would be presented for consideration alongside the proposed Broadlink contract.
“We did not just jump on the Broadlink bandwagon,” McSwain cautioned. “One option we looked at, but could not afford, was fiber . . . Every year, we go back and check alternatives to cost compare.”
Land swap with Pinehurst
In a lopsided exchange with the Village of Pinehurst, the County Commissioners approved a swap of two properties.
The County provided two former Moore County Public Utilities well sites, each less than one acre in size, located at Ridgewood Road and Beulah Hill Road, with a combined tax value of $77,200. In exchange, Pinehurst gave the County two adjoining tracts of Village-owned property, located on McCaskill Road, with a combined tax value of $310,380.
The Village asked for the swap, with an eye to using the former well sites during the upcoming US Opens in 2014.
Commissioners to live-stream meetings
Noting that there would be no cost to Moore County, since the equipment is already in-place, Commissioner Tim Lea successfully forwarded a motion to live-stream future meetings of the County Commissioners. Meetings will be available through the county government website.
Noting that there would be no cost to Moore County, since the equipment is already in-place, Commissioner Tim Lea put forward a motion to live-stream future meetings of the County Commissioners. Live video of meeting would be available through the county government website. The Board asked the Clerk & IT?Director to bring a proposal to implement streaming to the next Commissioners’ meeting.
In other action related to upcoming meetings, though only a quorum of three is required for Board of Commissioners meetings, a motion to cancel the upcoming November 5 meeting was approved on a split vote, after concerns were raised that two commissioners would be absent.
Commissioner Lea spoke against the cancellation opposed the decision, noting the Board has met previously when only three members were present.
Four-year-old hero recognized
During Tuesday's meeting, the Commissioners honored four-year-old, Lucas Daniel Odom, a Southern Pines resident who, in late September, called 911 emergency services to assist his mother, who was experiencing a potentially life-threatening event. Described as calm and composed throughout the ordeal, four-year old Odom was praised for his heroism and ability to effectively communicate with emergency services, keeping them updated on his mother’s condition and relaying vital address information.
In addition to being commended by the Commissioners, Odom was also greeted by members of Moore County EMS and Southern Pines Fire Department, among others, along with some very recognizable friends -- McGruff the Crime Dog, Sparky the Fire Dog, and Smokey the Bear.
Emergency Services Director Bryan Phillips noted that many 911 calls are made by children and stressed the importance of teaching even very young children how and when to dial for assistance.
Land Use Plan update
Offering a brief progress report on the work of the Land Use Plan Steering Committee, Planning Director Debra Ensminger said the group dynamics are very strong, that the committee clearly understands the County Commissioners' objectives, and that a facilitator was hired to allow Chairman Robert Hayter to more fully participate in discussions.
However, Ensminger said, with discussion frequently touching on the topic of reduced regulations, Hayter asked permission to allow the group to submit a revised mission statement that would reflect their work thus far and address those concerns.
“The reason for the request is we have several members that are word-smithing at every meeting to reduce regulations,” she explained.
Commissioner Tim Lea said he supported the request, but cautioned that all members of the committee, both voting and ex-officio, should have equal opportunity to offer input on the mission statement.
Other business
In other business conducted on Tuesday, October 16, the Moore County Board of Commissioners:
• Approved two major purchases related to the Information Technology [IT] Virtual Computing Project, including a contract not to exceed $122,600 for professional services to SLAIT Consulting and a $119,215 purchase of Citrix software. The project, originally green-lighted last April, is nearly complete and being funded through a combination of IT fund balance and capital reserves for government projects. IT Director Darlene Yudell reported expenses are on target.
• Approved a three-year update to the comprehensive Moore County Solid Waste Management Plan. Originally developed in 1997, the plan has been regularly updated, most recently in 2009 at a cost of $22,000. As approved at the October 2012 meeting, the new update will be completed at a reduced cost of $14,000.
• Granted a change order to Terry’s Plumbing for work at the Little River regional lift station totaling approximately $43,000, including an alternate tie-in with Southern Pines water lines, a safety grate, and control panel modifications. Public Works Director Randy Gould said costs were within the anticipated project expenses and anticipated project completion early next year.
• Accepted a change order to Terry’s Plumbing for air-relief valves, to allow for more efficient operation, at a cost of $12,500, at the Atex Manufacturing facility. The County extended sewer lines to the facility so that it could expand operations and increase the size of its workforce. Commissioner Nick Picerno described the project as a good example of government providing infrastructure that would assist with economic development instead of getting in the way.
• Approved a change order to provide coating on clarifiers at the Water Pollution Control plant, at a cost of $126,601, to Wharton-Smith. The original work proposal only included coating on some of the facility’s clarifiers, but Public Works Director Randy Gould explained, as work progressed, it was determined that a new coating was required for all.
• Finalized a housekeeping action item related to a promissory note for the Lake Pinehurst Lift Stations. County Manager Cary McSwain reported that half the cost of the $2,924,000 project would be paid with state funding and the other half would be funded through a zero-interest loan.
• Proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness month. Currently, there are twenty-five children in the care of Social Services with seven planned for adoption. Last year, twenty-six children were adopted in Moore County. In particular, it was noted that many have special needs, are siblings that need to be placed together, or are older children. Adoption Awareness Month promotes the timely adoption of these children to homes that will provide security, guidance and love.
• Offered kudos to the Board of Health staff for the extremely low amount of bad debt required to be written-off, and approved a $312 request for last fiscal year.
• Called two public hearings required for the Catalyst Program CDBG Funding, which would be used to staff and operate the Northern Moore Family Resource Center's program for educating low-income families on budgeting skills and home-ownership.
Appointments
Also during Tuesday's meeting, the Board of Commissioners:
• Appointed George Erickson and reappointed Carol Nash to three-year terms on the Aging Advisory Council.
• Appointed Brian Tyner, Chief of Carthage Fire & Rescue Department, to the Emergency Services Advisory Committee.
Other discussion
In other discussions that did not require action, the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, October 16:
• Heard from County Manager Cary McSwain that Arnold Key, a supervisor with the Public Works Department, had been killed in a motor vehicle accident.
• Acknowledged October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and heard from McSwain that the disease has directly affected twenty-six county employees and that Lee and Moore Counties recently received a $10,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation for awareness programming.
• Heard from Commissioner Tim Lea that he recently visited the Union Pines High School JROTC program. Currently, 140 students are enrolled in the military program and are under the guidance of an excellent instructor, Lea reported. There is an opportunity to expand the program to North Moore High School, which Lea said he supported and hoped the Board would have the opportunity to provide some assistance.
• Commissioner Craig Kennedy reported West Moore Fire Department has a new paramedic unit in service that will provide assistance specifically to the northern end of Moore County.
