County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good evening. 7 p.m. The board of commission like to welcome you to this meeting. Thank each of you for coming and sharing with us to see what it is that we do at local government stage. Thank you for coming and being with us. Have a very short meeting tonight. It looked long but it really is very short. So we're going to get started very early. We're going to get Miss Kesha Gil to lead us invocation. She go to church and we're going to ask Mr. Harrison to lead us in the pledge. May you stand. Y'all join me with the pledge. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Let's bow our heads. Come heavenly father, we thank you for this day, Lord. Thank you for bringing us back together again, Lord. Lord, as we go into this meeting, Lord, we ask that you allow this meeting to be a productive meeting that we do what's best for our citizens here in Hope County, Lord. We thank you for what you're going to do and for what you're yet going to do. We praise you and we give you all the glory in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Hey, thank you, Miss Yeah. You on the school board. You need prayer too. Thank you. I will have you sir. Thank you. All right. Any board member need to add or table anything tonight.

Uh Mr. Chairman, I would like to uh take the third uh the plan of matter and move it to the end of the meeting to the end. I spoke with uh Miss Bryant and they wanted to be able to come to the meeting and we're not really clear about whether we're going to have the meeting or not. So if we can move that give enough time to get here. So by that I'm think about item number three. Yes. move it to right before the manager report. Okay. Excuse me. Yes. They called us. She won't be able to make it because she has appointment tomorrow, but she told us to go ahead and represent. Go ahead. Okay. Okay. I had I spoken to her as well. All right. Sounds good. Okay. All right. Thank you. So, we have we'll have to move it then. Okay. Do I have a motion to adopt? So, move a second. Second. Motion second time consider I

I oppose. I have it. All righty. Okay, M. Yes, sir. Pitman. Yes, sir. Um, thank you, uh, Madame Clerk. Uh, Miss Pitman is here and she has someone she want to introduce to us and I'm thinking that we can do that. Um, I make part of the chairman report. There you go. Okay. Done. Thank you. All right. Consent A through F. Any woman have any concern, any issues? If not, I accept a motion to approve. So move a second.

Second motion second. Time cons IO. I have it. Number three, planning matters. Planning director is your hand. Planners. Good evening. Good. Right.

Okay. This is a planning matter that has been on our agenda. Um I think the dates was April and June 2nd and June the 16th. Um there's an application for reszoning RZ25-1 submitted by Rayford Development to reszone the 14.64 acres at Towns and Road um pin number 494550401127. The property is currently zoned RA20 and the applicant's request is to reszone the property to residential R8. The application was for consideration of reszoning from RA20.

All righty. Thank you, Miss Jackie. Thank you, Ky.

Mr. Chairman, this is a matter where on June the 16th board actually had the public hearing. The public hearing actually has been closed and the matter was tabled until it's been placed back on the agenda. It's placed back on the agenda. The only thing in front of the board with this application is to reszone the property. There's not anything as far as uh any development or anything like that. has just given the land owner a right to uh now if it's reszone from RA20 to R8 uh produce a uh a plan with uh the R8 uh requirements.

So you're saying to us Mr. This is have nothing to do with PL. No sir. This here now if the board changes the zoning informs them of what they can do as far as the R8 uh as as far as how large the lots will be and that kind of thing. Mean they will have to come back. Yes, they will have to come back with with any plat approval.

Okay. Mr. chairman uh from his speak um I met with the the uh Denkins, the Dawkins and the Bryants along with uh JR who represented um uh Great Brit Development. We had had a meeting um made some headway but had also planned another meeting to kind of talk about some things. I think some of the one of the concerns was um um um the type of housing. I think at the last meeting they talked about the or the town homes. I can't remember what it was. It was going to be around 500,000 per unit. Um so it would it would be um pretty no in terms of income. Well, I'm sorry, property value, it would be pretty substantial in that area. Uh number two, the other issue was a buffer. We left that meeting. Um some of the uh property owners where the property is going to be adjacent to them want know if they if we did a buffer and I think the great development said they would do a buffer. They want to know two things. one, the kind of buffer they wanted to do. And then number two, could the buffer like trees be put on their property because if a a property owner, a new property owner came in uh bought the property and the buffer was on their property, they could because of their property uh destroy, take down, remove the buffer. So those were two things that came up um regarding that. I think that's kind of and we didn't finish we didn't finish the meeting. Um, so that's why we had to plan a second meeting that never took place.

So the trees on the owner property that owns it now or the tree on the property that joint? Well, no, there's no trees up. There's no buffer up right now. The the developer said they would do a buffer. One of the issue was the uh the Brian thinkers and and I might be saying I think it might have been the Brian. They wanted to know could the buffer be put on their property on they on their property, right? And they will let it be put on their property so that the new owner can't come and take them off. and then destroy the buffer. So, when they had a buffer that was real pretty or whatever, that buffer now had been removed because the new property owner came

and um um the developer at the time uh said they didn't have a problem doing the buffer, but there was no clarity in regards to where the buffer be would be located. Um but I so I can't speak for the developer at this time. So, we we need to know where we are now um so we can know which way to move forward. It would make sense to me to me to put it on their property so that nobody else can come and cut it all. It makes sense. That's very smart thinking because you can't come on another person property and destroy it. But if you put it on their own property and then later on I sell it or whatever, I can take them off. But if they if I allow you with permission to put them on their property, if they allow with permission put on their property, that's that's that's a good strategy.

So, uh, Mr. attorneys. Uh we know we got about two or three more steps in this process before it gets to the final stages approximately two years from now. Um give us some guidance on where we need to go with this in terms of uh because I I don't think we can do anything now as a board other than talk about the reasoning. We can't we can't put conditions at this point on the res. No. Okay. So, so the only the only decision the board has to make now is whether you're going to actually reszone it from R820 to R8. That's the only decision you make now. And they can't build before they come out with a plat.

Right. Right. They they'd have to come back with a plaque before they could do anything. And that's at the point you can say the tree be planted ABCD. And we can we can definitely talk about that because one of the things that they could do as a developer is put some easement around uh even on the lots they're selling and and put some restrictions on what you can do in that easement area to plant buffering. So, so that's a conversation we can have in addition to uh I think the Brian was willing to and that was a conversation he had um with to purchase some of the property that was the chasing. That's an open conversation too, right?

So, I think that um Mr. Chairman that we need to make a decision today on on the zoning and then come back later to in detail u discuss what we're going to Well, they learn me something a good not let me a good strategy on putting it on my property. So it wouldn't be cut off. It's a very good strategy. I learned me something. Um send your check through the mail. Let's go. And um M Jacket, did we miss anything? Did we miss anything? No. I would like to point out that

um when you were looking at the values and the other things that um the existing RA20 actually allows 54 items that when you reszone to R8 in the table of uses would no longer be permitted. 54 items you lose the ability to use. uh only 21 items that are allowed in RA20 are actually still allowed in R8 and three items that are permitted in RA20 are special uses in RA. So there are things if you left it as RA20 that would create issues for people concerned about things. For example, value um in an RA20 you can actually do manufactured homes. Manufactured homes with the value of the potential for stickuilt homes. The value is not necessarily anywhere near one another, right? So, um, the biggest issue when you're looking at the reszoning is actually looking at what you're allowing in an area versus what you won't allow in an area. Um, and then all those other things can be addressed when they actually do bring back your plat.

And one thing that they did say in our meeting and also at the public hearing was that the property value was going to be around 500,000. Am I right, Jack? And, and this So, you said to us R20 can't hold to it. You can't hold them to it. You can't Yeah. R820 you can have different type cheaper homes technically even mobile home under our table of permitted uses there are 54 different items that are permitted right and not all of those things are valuable things not even come to the board for that if it's R20 no it would be permitted outright nobody would ever get a notice it would just be something they come say R820 in there but in an RA20 the way it is if it remains now the R8 you cannot say

R8 there are 54 things you can't put there regardless. Manufactured homes are one of them whether they're single wides or double wides. So that would and if you did like we get to come back for a preliminary division. So and in this case those things would never even come back because those things wouldn't be allowed anyway. Oh to they can move a double tomorrow. Yeah. But I can come back. That's correct. Yeah. So it it sometimes when you do down zone for the uh idea of high density, you don't actually um it's not to the developers advantage as much as you're also restricting them in the things that they can do in that.

Don't say too loud in my hear. Okay. All right. Thank you. That's good information. That's good information. All right. So the next step would be Mr. attorney going to bring us a plaque that we will have to prove or deny. At that point, if we have some restriction that we'd like to put on first buffer, we do it right by then. Yes.

Okay. All righty. What the action of the board and protection R8 will protect them. Right. I would hate to see folks do need place to live. I know that. I hate to see somebody that in that very beautiful beautiful beautiful location. I may retire there one day in that area. All righty. Yeah. Now he ask question. We got to go to the chair.

Yes. Is closed. Uhhuh. But we will have to open it again when they come back for the plaid. That's the point when y'all is able to put in whatever ask us to put in whatever restriction you want. They'll have to come out and then the public hearing would be reopen to what type homes they can build in that area. Just don't tell them that. Just don't tell them they can build what they actually trying to build. This is a resoning. But when they get ready to build, they got to come back with a plaque and that's when y'all come and put y'all plug in and that's when we can put restriction on that area. It's really closed and I'm doing something I got no business doing. Attorney gonna hit my hand. [Laughter]

Yeah. She got it right here. Yeah.

You can go on the website and pull up the zoning ordinance. And it's part of the zoning ordinance. Lord have mercy. Good. All right, let's go. What are you going to do? You ready? I'm ready. Y ready. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion we approve the reason request. A second. Second. Motion said I don't have time to cons I oppos. Okay, we will I would just tell the family that I really want them to speak directly with u development. Yeah.

Um and as we move forward

that's very crucial or crucial uh Mr. Blackwell that there's communication with you all in in the homeowners so that we want to have a harmonious community over there. So it's important that that everybody talk um we we want to grow county, but the people that are already here, we want to make sure that they're comfortable and they're they like their home and their environment, their community. So, we don't want to force things down their throat, so to speak, because we have a zoning or about, you know, that that things are in and regulation that they could do. You certain things you can do, but you don't want to force things down people, for example. You want to you want to be a good community business developer and and leader in the community. So, we want everybody to work together. So, I I I really we had one meeting, the second meeting, we couldn't we couldn't get it scheduled because everybody's scheduled. But this next meeting, we really need to have everybody uh once y'all work on your on your plat. And you you all don't have to meet um with us. You all can talk to him directly or or or a representative, but we we we want to do that.

And just tell her what type buffer you want. Come tell us. Good. All right. Hat. Mr. Kira.

Good evening. Good evening.

I stand be here before you today for our community transportation program 5311 admin and combined capital grants to include the following. Admin budget requests needed to cover the salaries and social security expenses for the transit director and office supervisor. Other admin expenses include the route scheduling software, office supplies, and do and subscription member membership fees. The state always provide us with the amount we can apply for. The amount for fiscal year 202627 is $149,189 with a 15% local m local match of $22,378. The other part of the grant is the combined capital grant to cover the following purchase. one replacement vehicle which is a high top raised roof vehicle and the vehicle letter and safety decals for the new vehicle. The budgeted amounts for the vehicles are preset by NC DOT. The total budgeted amount for the capital grant is $110,700 with a 10% local match of $11,70. It is recommended that Hulk County prepare for a 20% local match if the state is not able to participate. Total amount requested for the admin and capital grants is $259,889. Total amount for local match for both grants is 33,348 33,448. The dead the deadline to submit the grant applications is Friday, October 3rd.

Okay. Is that a NC open? So So A is a public hearing. Okay. Mr. Chairman, that that could be for BNC. B for BNC. That's what that was my big question. This is a public hearing, folks. And if I have any concern about hats and the hats that ride through the county, it's time for you to come and tell us to open it up wider. PK right to work in the morning. Daffy,

it is a public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak with regard to the physical year 2027 community transportation grant motion to close public hear. All right. What do you wish to board? Make a motion to approve. I would approve it. Um the 2027 communication uh transportation grant. All right. Is there a second? Second mot would I I have it. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. That's AB, A, B, and C.

M D tax collector of the year for the state of North Carolina. Oh, I should take your tax money. Good evening. Good evening. Um I have the first thing I have for you. It is time to do our yearly write off. The 2015 taxes are 11 years old, a total of $9,138.90. So I'm asking for permission to write those off. Is one year one year every 11th year. Okay. Okay. Make a motion to approve off. Second. Second. All

I have now is possible then they collect later and start paying or do something a sale. Is that way you can recoup? We can. So some of the personal property and the real estate if we have it at the North Carolina debt set off we have 10 years from the date that we applied. So most of these probably have about six more years we can collect on them. All right. Sounds good.

And next I have my um collector's report. Total collected for the month of August current year was 26,838,18988 cent at a 74.42% rate compared to a 73.49% rate last year. Prior years collected was $112,887.17 at a 13.2% rate compared to a 12.7% rate. Total for the month of August collected was 26,950,2775.

So first first four months you had 74% of your tax collection. Yes, you might get 100%. Thank you. And then next I have is some releases and adjustments. Um one of them are you know late fee needed to be removed. Uh two properties should have been exempt. Um then we have a corrected of listing of the equipment that a business had. Um one business was closed. Um then we have some double listed property and then some acreage corrections due to DOT. Okay. With a total of $7,188.92 to be released.

Motion release. I make a motion that uh we release $7,188.92 The second second motion is second release. All time considered would I oppose? I have it. Thank you. Thank you. The city of Rael has two appointments for the planning board that serve as the EG EJ Cafe. They have two names. Uh Glory Hill and Freddy Wilson. That is the extra territorial jurisdiction of Hope County. What should the board? I move we approve both names. Is there a second? Second.

Motion second. Time to consider all in favor. I oppos I. Thank you, M. Managing report. Um, just an update and I think I've kept the board pretty apprised of our issues today. Um, but, um, all of our buildings are back up um, with the electricity today. Um, most of our buildings um, that were that had generators um, were up until the p power came back up. the ones that weren't the only two buildings I had left down that the power kept popping back and off was the veteran services literacy in our prep building. So those were the only buildings that we had the most trouble out today. But otherwise

for the public tell us why the power

um there was a tractor trailer that hit out on 401 um towards the restaurants today and that knocked all of the power out for Duke Progress today. So it was not a county problem but um it was a problem today. Basically, not Rafford the city, but it was an overall problem that affected all of um the city of Rafford today. Um from BS to um all the way up into the city, unfortunately, the way the gr grid works, the courthouse was operating on that side of the street, but it wasn't operating on our side. Um and for um a lot of our buildings, we do have generators. um in some of our buildings, but in some of our buildings we do not. So, um we had the power was fluctuating for a lot of the businesses on this side once they did bring it back up. So, um we worked um we have some dedicated employees here at Hope County. So, we were here um and I finally had to release some in the Pratt building and just have them go on because it's hard to work when the power's coming up and going down. So, um we um thanks to emergency management, we're We knew about 7:30 and we we kind of mobilized to find out which one of our buildings were up and we were working and making sure our employees were taken care of and was safe and the school system did the same. So I think we worked for the benefit of our employees and the citizens of P County.

So it wasn't a county issue. No sir, it was not a county issue. Thank you. Mr. Hay, you said you want to use my spot to introduce Yes. We have Miss Pitman here and uh she has someone she want to introduce to to the county and uh I've had a chance to meet her. Um want to welcome to the county and her job function. I ain't say y'all know this lady right here. Hi Miss Judy,

Mr. Lee, members of the county commissioners, Miss Edens, good evening. I would like to I have the honor tonight of introducing you to our new administrative assistant executive director of the North Carolina Fall Festival, Miss Melissa Cruel. She is going to be a big asset to us and with the help and I want to also thank you the board for the support you give the festival every year. Without your support, we wouldn't be able to do bingo day which we're up in this year. We like 17 spots being full there. We do the children's corner and also we do the grants at the high school and we're talking about increasing those next year maybe possibly if we can with the support of y'all and we want to thank you for that support every year and this lady

who is you give us a name and tell a little bit more about her Melissa. Melissa she doesn't like to talk in public she'll talk to you on the telephone and in the office all day talk for tell us who she where she come from. Born and raised Hope County. Born and raised in Hope County. Her f her grandfather was Tommy Pickler. Well, you're getting closer. Yes. Tommy Pickler. I know him well. She has Did you uh Tommy was a fine person. He's a good man. Yes, he was. Uh Melissa moved away from Hope County when she married her husband. Okay. He's military and they've traveled. We were very fortunate when she moved back to the area in June and we hired her at the festival in July.

Yes. and she hit the road running. So you put boots on the ground. That's what I was after was after tell who you got here. Thank you. I tell you, she's a joy to I know her now. I know grandfather well. Miss Pitman, you got to tell her and hope she got to do some talking. Pardon me. Tell she got to get get used to doing some talking. I'm trying. I'm trying. Believe me, I'm I'm working. You're working harder. Okay. Getting better. I I'll tell you in my personal opinion, she is a and this is prejudiced, I'm sure. Don't do it. Don't do it. She is a mixture of Melissa and Liz. Okay.

Liz didn't like to talk in the public. She's a mix. Yes, but she's going to convert over. Okay. Get you sooner or later. And I just want to invite make sure y'all know that u the festival parade has been changed. It will be on Saturday, October the 11th. Were you doing turkey banner this year? No. No, sir. Not this year. Uh, did you do it last year? No, sir. Beautiful.

Okay.

That's true. Good. Good. Sounds good. Welcome to Hope County. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Alrighty. Tiff, that's you. That's you. You got anything else? No, sir. We're good. Mr. Tom, Mr. Her, Mr. McConn, you got anything? Offer motion. We go home for you. Yes, sir. Say do it. A movie J second all the federal