HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0789 (2)WHEREAS, Iredell County supports the designation of Highway 21 as a Scenic Byway.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Iredell County Board of Commissioners
respectfully requests the North Carolina Department of Transportation to take this resolution under
consideration and designate Highway 21 as a State Scenic Byway.
MS. BONNIE NEWTON DESIRES TO SPEAK IN REFERENCE TO A MINIMUM
HOUSING ORDINANCE FOR IREDELL COUNTY: (Ms. Newton had an appointment before
the board in reference to a minimum housing ordinance; however, she did not attend the meeting.)
PRESENTATION FROM JAMES LESTER, CENTRALINA COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS, REGARDING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
SCATTERED SITE HOUSING PROGRAM: Mr. James Lester, with the Centralina Council of
Governments, said a block grant of $400,000 had been awarded to Iredell County from the North
Carolina Department of Commerce. He said the money was for the repair of homes owned by low and
moderate -income persons (households with an income less than 50% of the county's median family
income or: a one-person household of $20,150; two -person household of $23,000; three-person
household of $25,900; and four person household of $28,750 or less). Lester said the grant had been on
a competitive basis in the past, and the state ranked the requests on the availability of funds. Now, he
said each county was given $400,000 every three years. Mr. Lester said the responsibility of the
county, should it choose to accept the grant, would be to design an eligibility plan and notify the local
municipalities. Then, each municipality desiring to participate would send a listing of potential
homeowners that would be reviewed by a committee. He said the board of commissioners could serve
as the committee, or one could be established. Mr. Lester said the entire process was on a 36 -month
cycle, and in August, a letter would be sent to the county indicating the funds were available. In
October, a workshop would be held by the state, and in February of 2003, counties would hold public
hearings. Mr. Lester said funding approval would be issued in May 2003, and by November, all of the
grant stipulations/criteria would have to be met and submitted to the state. Mr. Lester said the county
needed to determine if it wanted to administer the program in-house or contract out. He said funds
were provided in the grant for project administration, and this would be about 18% of the budget.
Commissioner Williams asked if there were any stipulations regarding the contractors.
Lester said notices would have to be sent to licensed general contractors with "good track
records" in housing rehabilitation work. Mr. Lester said the purpose of his visit was to give notice
about the funds, and to offer Centralina's assistance in the administration of the grant.
REQUEST FOR A DECISION REGARDING THE LOCATION OF THE NEW
IREDELL COUNTY LIBRARY: Statesville Mayor John Marshall said two sites had been
identified as potential locations for the new library, or the offer of $500,000 was still available. He
said a benefactor was also offering $200,000 with the same condition -- the library had to be built in
the central business district. In addition, Marshall said another benefactor would provide standard
building brick estimated to be worth $30,000 - $50,000 with the same location condition. He said the
sites were located on Meeting Street and Stockton Street. Mayor Marshall requested that the county
allow the city to investigate as quickly as possible to see if a site was "buildable," if the county liked
either of the two sites. Marshall proposed that the attorneys for the city and county, the two
managers, the chairman of the commissioners and himself, meet and clearly define what is expected of
the governing bodies. He said that if it is found, after the city's due diligence, that either of the sites is
workable, the city is prepared to "go forward." Marshall said that if something is wrong with the sites,
the city would "stop."
County Manager Mashburn then described the negatives and the positives of the three sites
(Eastside Drive, Meeting Street and Stockton Street). (See briefing minutes). He said all three sites
fell within the city limits.
Library Architect Earle Gaulden said the Eastside Drive site had 4.8 acres with enough parking
for 138 cars. He said the site had easy access for tractor trailers and the bookmobile, and it had much
land for expansion. Gaulden said the Meeting Street site was 2.1 acres with enough parking for 130