MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR ALAMANCE COUNTY

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Commissioners' Meeting Room
124 West Elm Street
Graham, NC 27253
Board Members Present:
  • Chairman John Paisley Jr
  • Vice-Chair Steve Carter
  • Commissioner William "Bill" T. Lashley
  • Commissioner Pamela Thompson
  • Commissioner Craig Turner

CALL TO ORDER - CHAIRMAN PAISLEY

  

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - COMMISSIONER THOMPSON

  

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

  

Chairman Paisley verified with Commissioner Thompson whether she wished to pull item 7.a. from the consent agenda for discussion. Commissioner Turner asked that item 7.b. be removed from the consent agenda to be discussed on the regular agenda.

Commissioner Thompson, seconded by Chairman Paisley, moved to remove items 7.a. and 7.b. from the consent agenda.  That motion carried without opposition.

  • Moved by:Commissioner Thompson
    Seconded by:Chairman Paisley
    APPROVED UNANIMOUS
  • Moved by:Vice-Chair Carter
    Seconded by:Commissioner Turner

    Chairman Paisley advised there was an additional change on the agenda which was to add an item. He shared that the Family Justice Center (FJC) had a deadline of May 1st for a grant application request. He stated that the amended agenda for this meeting would now move 7.a., 7.b., and the new FJC  item would be included as 9.a., 9.b., and 9.c under Presentations/Other Business.

    APPROVED AS AMENDED

PROCLAMATIONS

  

Proclamation: Fair Housing Month

  

Chairman Paisley presented a proclamation to Jason Scott, President of the Burlington-Alamance County Association of Realtors, in recognition of April as National Fair Housing Month. 

  • Moved by:Vice-Chair Carter
    Seconded by:Commissioner Lashley
    APPROVED UNANIMOUS

Proclamation: Litter Sweep Week (April 13-27, 2024)

  

Chairman Paisley presented a proclamation to Katie Snyder, Director of the New Leaf Society, a non-profit in Alamance County, in recognition of Litter Sweep Week in Alamance County (April 13-27, 2024). Chairman Paisley recognized Mark Danieley, Trip Durham, and Dick Shirley, members of the New Leaf Society Board. 

  • Moved by:Commissioner Turner
    Seconded by:Commissioner Lashley
    APPROVED UNANIMOUS

RECOGNITION OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

  

Chairman Paisley called forward members of the Alamance County Sheriff's Department. He shared that the cold case of Tammy Sue Aldridge had recently been solved and that he wanted to recognize the officers who were instrumental in solving the case.  Chairman Paisley introduced Detective Sergeant Dan Denton, lead investigator, and Lieutenant Brad Hall of the Criminal Investigations Division.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

  

Bobby Chin, with ALCOVETS, thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to share information on the upcoming Balloon Festival and about Chestnut Ridge.  He introduced Brandon Bryant, the organization’s new president.  He further shared that the dates for the Balloon Festival were September 13th – 15th, and he shared information about some of the activities that would take place.

Chuck Talley, ALCOVETS, reported on the mechanical resources for the park. He also shared information about Fire Tower Road, the existing road and the installation of three pull-offs so that vehicles can pass by.

Richard Shevlin, Vice-Chair of ALCOVETS, reported on Chestnut Ridge, a diversion retreat for military service members. He introduced Isaac Horner, an Eagle Scout, who had constructed a 12 x 20 picnic area as his Eagle Scout project.

Chairman Paisley commented that he wanted to acknowledge that the work done at Cedar Rock Park by ALCOVETS was of no cost to the county.

Jim Fletcher shared information on the significance of the boot’s footprints on the building.

Mr. Chin asked the Commissioners if they would be willing to waive the $4,000 fee for the use of the park during the Balloon Festival. Mr. Chin stated that they would like to pay it forward by having a say as to where this money can be used. Chairman Paisley asked Assistant County Manager Baker if he would look into the possibility of waiving the fee charged to ALCOVETS.

Chairman Paisley commended ALCOVETS on the work that they have done and commended Eagle Scout Horner for his contribution.

CONSENT AGENDA

  
  • Moved by:Vice-Chair Carter
    Seconded by:Commissioner Lashley
    APPROVED UNANIMOUS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

  

Regular Minutes of March 18, 2024

Regular Minutes of April 1, 2024

PUBLIC HEARING

  

UDO Amendment (RV Park Clearway) - Matthew Hoagland, Planning Director

  

Matthew Hoagland, Planning Director, shared that he had recently received an application from Mr. Anthony Moize and his son Josh Moize to amend the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to narrow the RV Park clearway width from 60 feet to 30 feet. He reported that they owned Simple Times RV Park in Snow Camp. However, if adopted, this regulation would apply to all future RV Park developments in the county, including theirs. Director Hoagland shared that the draft of this proposed amendment was shown in Section 6.14.1 (B.1) of the UDO. He further reported that the Planning Board had reviewed this amendment during their March meeting and had approved the proposed change by a vote of 7 -1 with 1 recusal. He said in approving the recommended change, the Planning Board had adopted the consistency statement in accordance with N.C. General Statute 160D-604(d).

Commissioner Thompson asked if there was a possibility of more RVs being allowed. Mr. Hoagland answered no; however, they may lose a few spaces.

Vice-Chair Carter, seconded by Commissioner Turner, moved to open the public hearing.  The motion carried without opposition.

The following speakers wished to be heard from the floor:

Henry Vines, Planning Board Member, recommended the change in the ordinance. 

No other speakers wished to be heard.

Commissioner Turner, seconded by Commissioner Lashley, moved to close the public hearing.  The motion carried.  

Commissioner Turner had questions in reference to making sure emergency vehicles could ingress and egress at the same time. Mr. Hoagland answered that this would only affect the clearway, not the travelway. Commissioner Turner asked what was the staff’s recommendation. Director  Hoagland recommended approval and adoption of the amendment, including the following consistency statement adopted by the Planning Board in accordance with N.C.G.S. 160D-604(d): 

“We find that this amendment is consistent with Alamance County’s Land Development Plan Economic Development Policy Recommendation Number 4, which aims to ‘Promote Alamance County’s scenic natural areas and recreational assets.’ This amendment would also maintain the character of Recreational Vehicle Parks while maintaining safety and emergency vehicle access.” 

  • Moved by:Vice-Chair Carter
    Seconded by:Commissioner Lashley

    Adoption of the text amendment including the consistency statement.

    APPROVED UNANIMOUS

PRESENTATIONS/OTHER BUSINESS

  

BUDGET AMENDMENTS

  

Budget Amendment 23

  

Susan Evans, Finance Officer, said that for clarification, they wanted to bring to the Board’s attention that they had made a change that did not carry over to the front page when the information was submitted. She reported that Budget and Management Services recommended that the Board approve and amend the general fund to be increased by $87,000 and decrease the Alamance Community College Fund by $76,661.61. She stated that with the Finance Department's requests to amend the Alamance Community College (ACC) Capital Project Fund, no county match was required. Ms. Evans further reported that the Parks Department received the notification of the award of $87,000 from the non-profit. The Conservation Fund. She commented that the funds would be used to support the construction of an observation tower in Cane Creek Mountains Nature Preserve Park for the term of April 1, 2024, through April 1, 2025. Ms. Evans stated that this amendment would appropriate $87,000 to the General Fund and that existing funds from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund would be used as a match. 

  • Moved by:Chairman Paisley
    Seconded by:Vice-Chair Carter

    Approval and amendment of the general fund increase by $87,000

    APPROVED UNANIMOUS
  • Moved by:Vice-Chair Carter
    Seconded by:Chairman Paisley

    Increase the ACC capital reserve fund by $29,572.61 and decrease ACC by $76,661.61

    APPROVED UNANIMOUS

Grant Approval – Public Health

  

Tony LoGiudice, Public Health Director, announced that they were seeking permission for the Board to consider a request to apply for O-BJA-2024-171972, a Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant Adult Treatment Court Program, BJA FY24, for $900,000. He reported that this grant would be a 100% reimbursement with a total in-kind match of $300,000. He said that the in-kind match would be in the form of services, supplies, real property, and equipment.

  • Moved by:Vice-Chair Carter
    Seconded by:Commissioner Thompson
    APPROVED UNANIMOUS

Grant Application Approval

  

Skye Sullivan, Director of the Family Justice Center (FJC), requested approval to apply for a U.S. Department of Justice Grant from the Office of Violence Against Women. She commented that it would be a 36-month grant in the amount of $500,000. She further stated that the funds would be used to provide additional staff and support for the District Attorney’s Office as well as support for victims being seen by law enforcement.

  • Moved by:Vice-Chair Carter
    Seconded by:Chairman Paisley
    APPROVED UNANIMOUS

COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT

  

County Manager Heidi York reminded the Commissioners of the CIP work session scheduled for next Monday, April 22nd at 10:00 am in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room.  County Manager York also informed the Commissioners that their agenda packets included the third-quarter financial report.

Quarterly Finance Report

  

COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS

  

Commissioner Thompson discussed utilizing the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) more since the county pays an annual membership. She also mentioned her concerns about trash and hoarding and that the county needed to be proactive about a solution.

Commissioner Lashley commented that he wanted the County Commissioners to examine those sales tax numbers and be very aware of the next report that Ms. Evans sends out.

Commissioner Turner said the Board had been discussing wanting to have a more comprehensive presentation on what a drug court would look like. He said he was not clear on what the whole process would look like or how it connected to behavioral health. He asked for a presentation at an upcoming meeting.

Vice-Chair Carter talked about "boarders" in the hospital. He also mentioned the discussion of sales tax and the need for a better explanation related to Medicaid’s impact on the county’s sales tax revenue.

Chairman Paisley thanked everyone for attending the meeting.  Chairman Paisley encouraged everyone to pick up trash.

COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT

  

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4), County Attorney Stevens asked that the Board move into closed session to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic development incentives that may be offered by the public body in negotiations. 

Further, pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3), County Attorney Stevens asked that the Board move into closed session to consult with an attorney employed by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body. The attorney will seek instructions on the handling or settlement of administrative matters. 

Chairman Paisley, seconded by Commissioner Lashley, moved to enter closed session.  The motion carried unanimously.

The Board reconvened in open session.

ADJOURNMENT

  

Vice-Chair Carter, seconded by Commissioner Turner, moved to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously.

There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 10:02 P.M.

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