HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0254 (2)10. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 MINUTES
11, CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17,2000,7:00 P.M.,
IN REFERENCE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND USAGE OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT
BLOCK GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,377
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CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION REGARDING THE WATERASSISTANCE
REQUEST FROM THE RESIDENTS OF WOODBRIDGE ROAD: County Manager
Mashburn reviewed the history behind this request. He said that on April 4, 2000, Mrs. JoAnn
James appeared before the board on behalf of 39 families requesting assistance with a water problem
in her neighborhood. Mrs. James approached West Iredell Water and was told a water line
extension could be made at a cost of $53,000. The company said it would supply $20,000 if the
residents paid the remainder. At the April 4 meeting, property assessments as provided by General
Statute 153A-185, were discussed. Mashburn said many of the residents were retired and had low
incomes. It was for this reason, the county tried to obtain a grant from the Rural Economic
Development Center. The grant request, however, was rejected. Mr. Mashburn said he felt a grant
application to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office would probably also be denied
due to the county's economic status.
Mashburn said that if the commissioners chose to participate in the water project, the county
attorney would need to write a preliminary assessment resolution. Atter this, a public hearing would
be needed.
MOTION by Commissioner Stewart to approve the Woodbridge Road community's request
for a water line extension project due to (1) the information supplied by the residents about the water
quality and (2) West Iredell Water's willingness to financially assist in the amount of $20,000, and
for the property owners to be assessed their share of the costs as the law provided.
Commissioner Fortner asked for a clarification on the water quality
Stewart said the April 4 commissioners' minutes stated that Mrs. James had mentioned her
sinks and bathtubs were covered with iron stains. She said the minutes also indicated that .lames'
daughter didn't like to drink and shower in the water due to the discoloration and odor. Also, that
Mrs. James had spent $2,700 for a third well to be drilled, but still had to purchase water to drink,
cook, and wash clothes.
Fortner reiterated what she had told the residents at the April 4 meeting. This was that a
representative with the Air Drilling Company had said there was a device that could be purchased
to eliminate the iron problem.
Stewart said Mrs. James had been given an estimate of $1,400 for a softener. Mrs. Stewart
said that in April, Mrs. James was hesitant to spend more money due to the community experiencing
so many different problems with the water, e.g., water pressure, mud, discoloration and that some
families had to share wells.
Commissioner Johnson said the health department had performed a random testing on 25%
of the wells and only one showed a high iron content. Johnson said the county's environmental
health supervisor had previously said that iron was a nuisance but not a health hazard.
Mrs. Fortner added that at a previous meeting, a group of citizens had been denied assistance
on a road improvement project. She said that similar to the road business, the county could not
afford to get into the water business. Fortner said many people in the county had well problems.
Mrs. Stewart said that during her tenure on the board, that several neighborhoods had been
assisted with various property owners' assessment projects. She said a precedent had been set.
VOTING: Ayes - 2 (Bowles/Stewart); Nays - 3.