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November 16, 2018
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING – FALL RETREAT
November 16, 2018
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Friday, November
16, 2018 at 8:00 AM, at the Career Academy and Technical School, 350 Old Murdock Road,
Troutman, NC.
Board Members Present
Chairman James B. Mallory III
Vice Chairman Tommy Bowles
Gene Houpe
Jeff McNeely
Marvin Norman
Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson,
Finance Director Debra Cheek, Budget Analyst Caroline Taylor, County Attorney Lisa Valdez,
and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson.
County Manager Beth Jones gave an overview of the discussions planned for the day.
Fire Services: Director of Fire Services and Emergency Management Kent Green gave a
power point presentation on the in-county fire departments highlighting the funding of such. There
is a need for certain apparatus. There are apparatus that can be rid of as well.
Vice Chairman Bowles said the fire departments are 501C3 standalone corporations so it
is up to the department on what apparatus they get rid of. The Board can make recommendations
and appropriately fund next purchases.
Greene said the County needs to do things differently. The County have funded the
departments and have been hands off. The departments are 501C private corporations. The County
contracts with the departments to provide a service. What a department does with apparatus is up
to them. The County is needs to become appropriately resourced and not have unnecessary
redundancies. Fifty-five percent of overall services are medical responses (includes motor vehicle
accidents). Actual fires take up 7% of calls. ISO is driven by structure fire responses only. A lot
of time and money is put into meeting ISO requirements to cover 7% of calls.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the County should be pouring more funds into EMS rather
than fire services.
Greene said that is a difficult question. ISO is an issue in NC. NC is one of few states where
insurance companies are required to consider the ISO rating when pricing homeowner insurance
premiums.
Commissioner Houpe asked if legislation is required to make changes to ISO.
Kent said yes. ISO is national and run by insurance organizations.
Commissioner Houpe said the expense and risk factor of running fire trucks to medical
calls. The gas, diesel, wear and tear on the trucks.
Greene said most departments run a squad on a medical call. If it is during the day and the
department is staffed with two people, a fire engine is likely taken.
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Commissioner Houpe said that is why rescue squads are considered more important today
than in the past.
Vice Chairman Bowles felt some fire departments would be interested in buying rescue
vehicles due to the number of medical calls. More funds should be invested in medical services
rather than fire services.
Commissioner McNeely said that in 10 years the County would need more fire trucks.
Jones explained that the Board has direct control over EMS but not fire services.
Greene said if all departments have EMS inside, the control would be lost. The fire
departments primary mission is to provide fire service. ISO wants to know that the department has
equipment, personnel and they are getting on-scene of structure fires, and the department is able
to pump a certain amount of water. ISO requires only four people for a structure fire.
Commissioner Houpe said the more the fire departments respond to medical calls the more
the more part time or full time staff they will want to hire. The County would rather do so to ensure
control.
Greene said the fire departments are not staffing for fires, they are staffing to run medical
calls.
Commissioner McNeely said the fire departments expenditure needs should be looked at
and asked if it is possible for the County to rent a bay for an EMS truck in the departments.
Greene said several departments have expressed interest in putting an ambulance in their
stations.
Vice Commissioner Bowles felt the Board should push this. The departments have the
strategic locations nailed down and the building is available.
Commissioner Houpe said the citizens like the new model departments that include fire
and EMS services.
Greene said rescue squads still do not have money to bring on staff to put the trucks at
Trinity and Cool Spring.
Vice Chairman Bowles said public perception is that a rescue truck will be at the new
stations and something should be done to make that happen.
Greene said rescue squads are funded from the general fund not a service tax.
Commissioner McNeely felt rescue squads need their own independent revenue stream.
Vice Chairman Bowles said statutorily the County could not spend fire tax funds on rescue
squads.
Green agreed. A service district can be created for the rescue function and is covered in the
master plan document done last year. This will be talked about more at the Board’s winter retreat.
Chairman Mallory said a lot is driven by ISO. There was a temporary increase in fire tax
to help departments to be able to meet stringent ISO standards. The rules were changed before the
cost savings were achieved. The County may be taking more money out of pockets with increasing
the taxes than they are saving with insurance premiums.
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Greene said it is extremely difficult to gauge. Theoretically, the insurance rates between a
class 10 and 6 there is an incremental change. There is no change between six and two on
residential insurance rates.
Vice Chairman Bowles said there is a lot of change in how much is put into a department
to achieve that rating.
Chairman Mallory said the point of diminishing returns is met quickly.
Greene said anything lower than a six really does not matter. Most departments in the
County have achieved a six rating. Trinity is at a five. When the ISO money was created to allow
departments, extra funding to achieve a six rating, if a department got below a six the department
received an additional $25,000.
Vice Chairman Bowles said there were two prior Commissioners that were involved in
creating the ISO money and they were adamant that the money would be removed once the rating
is achieved and the tax rate would be dropped by one cent.
Greene does not think that can be done at this point in the game.
Greene said Lake Norman, Mt. Mourne, and Monticello received a class 4 rating. The
businesses in Monticello’s response area should see a decrease in insurance.
Commissioner McNeely said that is impressive as Monticello is the smallest department.
It is not always about the money.
Vice Chairman Bowles said according to study in 1988, Monticello Fire Department should
not have even been built and that the cheapest way to provide fire service to that area was to
contract with Statesville.
Greene said there were 113 structure fires in 2017 and an average of 4.3 people per call
(independent department response). Work is being done to check the accuracy of these numbers.
Although volunteerism is on the decline. South Iredell has a robust junior firefighter
program and are adding two members a month. The younger generation that is volunteering is
looking to obtain a full time at another department.
Commissioner McNeely asked if any of the departments connect with the CATS academy.
Greene said some do. Mooresville School District does not participate in the program.
Chairman Mallory said that is due to a change in the recruiting model.
Green said unfortunately, the decline in volunteerism leads to more paid staff. Apparatus
becoming more expensive, 4-6% increase each year. A spec apparatus needs to be established.
There are career departments paying less than $500,000 for an engine and a volunteer department
paying $780,000. This must get under control. This is one of the issues with funding.
Commissioner Norman said the expensive apparatus are not needed unless there are people
to run them.
Greene agreed. Recently, a fire chief told him he should not have bought two new trucks
because they are not being used.
Commissioner McNeely suggested staff comprise a list of items used by the fire
departments and where to purchase them and how much.
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Greene said staff is currently working on a list of equipment each department has. It is a
fire service issue. Different departments like different brands. Staff is trying to determine a
likeness. The goal is to have several departments using the same brand so that bulk purchases can
be made.
Commissioner Houpe said that would also help with departments helping each other out
with equipment.
Greene said this is not an overnight fix.
Commissioner Norman asked what is being done to actively recruit volunteers.
Greene said the State recently received a grant directed at recruitment and retention of
volunteers. Staff is working with the State to see what will work locally, but there is not a one size
fits all to fix the problem.
Commissioner McNeely asked if there is a way to use the fire academy at CATS to assist
in the recruitment process.
Greene said building a long-range plan to offer high school student some type of incentive
to stay in the fire service locally would reap benefits. The problem is most students take the class
just to have something to do.
Future staffing recommendations:
Two personnel per station
12 hours per day
Monday – Friday
Pay scale: $12-15 per hour, based on adopted criteria (Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, EMT,
Instructor, Rescue Technician, etc.
Jones explained that the County could not dictate what the separate 501C3’s pay their
employees but can set an amount will be funded. The County can make recommendations.
Greene said full time staff could become county employees.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked the County or the fire department would be paying for that
employee.
Greene said that would need to be looked at. From a staff perspective, if the County decides
to allow all part time staff to become county employees and that amount of money would come
from the fire tax. Theoretically, this would reduce the rate.
Vice Commissioner Bowles asked if the full time staff receives benefits.
Greene said no. Lake Norman pays $500 a month as a stipend. Most full time staff are
retired employees.
Greene presented a chart showing future apparatus debt. This pulls apparatus funding out
from the department’s allocation, if they do not have any payments to make on apparatus. If they
do have payments to make it reduces their apparatus allocation by the amount of repayment. That
money would then move over to a countywide apparatus replacement fund.
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Chairman Mallory said some departments are squirreling the money away for future
purposes.
Greene said that is something the County cannot control. If, in the future, the County
decides to take apparatus away, and have countywide funding, the County will buy the apparatus
and loan it to the departments. The money the departments have squirreled away belongs to them.
The County cannot ask for the money back.
Future apparatus recommendations are:
Implement the developed apparatus replacement schedule
Transition to countywide apparatus replacement funding
Fund countywide apparatus replacement plan annually
It would take approximately $1.9 million per year to get to this point. Currently, the County
is paying out $850,000 but there is a lot apparatus to be replaced. This takes into account getting
rid of apparatus that is not necessary. Departments that are squirreling extra apparatus are not on
the replacement schedule. Engines, tankers, brush, ladder trucks would be replaced.
Vice Chairman Bowles said the citizens commission the Board to handle these types of
situations.
Commissioner McNeely asked if EMS could run structure fire calls.
Jones said no, personnel is not trained for such. EMS can run all the medical calls and that
frees up fire services to run all the fire calls.
Greene said it is a double-sided coin when replacing fire trucks with ambulances. Fire
stations are strategically located. Stations deploy based on best coverage. Putting an ambulance at
the stations is a good idea because of coverage but running a fire engine and an ambulance at the
same time to the same spot is inefficient.
The Board took a 10-minute break at 9:30 am.
Parks and Recreation: Jones reminded the Board that Iredell-Statesville Schools
requested an increase in the $25,000 per year payment that the County pays for utilization of the
school athletic facilities. The request brought to a light an issue that Parks and Recreation have
been dealing with in how the County treats affiliate associations, the separate 501C3 athletic
associations that provide recreation opportunities in the County. These fall under the county’s
umbrella but no funding is received from the associations. They use school facilities for
programming. The County needs to address the issue.
Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Hepler provided a copy of the 2016 Athletic
Program Analysis, original letter from the school system from 1995, and a copy of the school
system’s policy. In 1995, it was identified that county sponsored athletic programs at school
facilities would be covered by a $25,000 annual payment to the school system. In 2009, Parks and
Recreation was approached by members of the community and school system and was asked to
look at how the system was managed. Prior to 2009, there was no oversight from the Parks and
Recreation Department of the athletic associations (nonprofit associations providing services or
programs for the students that the department is not currently providing). A minimum set of
guidelines were established by Parks and Recreation, Iredell Statesville School Administration,
and association presidents for associations to qualify as a user group for school facilities, under
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the umbrella of Iredell County Parks and Recreation. Minimum standards include: providing
insurance for players, 501C status, and set of bi-laws, Board of Directors, contact information,
annual reports, and accounting procedures. As time moved on background checks for coaches and
volunteers, and player concussion protocol was added. Currently, Parks and Recreation collect
information from the associations and serve as a clearing-house to check boxes off stating that
associations have all the data. There are 40 athletic associations. Parks and Recreation does not
have the capacity to vet that each coach from each association has met every criteria. It is a massive
amount of data to vet, over 6,000 pieces of paper.
Chairman Mallory asked if there is policy regarding appropriate relationships and steps to
take to ensure there is no abuse.
Hepler said a mandate is now in place that all volunteers must go through sexual
abuse/mistreatment training. Again, Parks and Recreation does not verify that each athletic
association has done so. Parks and Recreation sends a final database to Rob Jackson with Iredell-
Statesville Schools showing which associations submitted the proper paperwork and which ones
did not. At that point, Mr. Jackson allows the associations to use the school facilities. The problem
is Parks and Recreation is not vetting them.
Hepler explained that staff recently went through the annual list of facility reservations and
identified what were the County’s or an affiliate thereof. Of 484 reservations, 11% of the
reservations was an actual Iredell County sponsored program (activities the County provides, i.e.
Soccer, karate, baseball, or summer camp). The County collects a fee for these activities. Twenty
two percent of the facility reservations belonged to affiliate athletic associations. These
associations play under the County’s purview but not pay any fees. Sixty seven percent of the
facility reservations are Non-Iredell County sponsored programs. Numerous activities fall within
the 67% (family reunions, birthday parties, Relay for Life, etc.
County Attorney Lisa Valdez said according to the school system’s policy, the 67% should
pay a fee. They have instead been able to come under the County’s umbrella to prevent paying the
fees. This does not mesh with the school board’s policy.
Based on the liability exposure of saying the county allows the 40 athletic association to
play under the county’s name, the county’s assumes responsibility for doing so. The County is
exposed by “checking the boxes” but not actually running the programs or further vetting them.
Hepler explained two options:
A. Encumber Affiliate Athletic Associations
Manage and operate eight additional sports (from 40 affiliate athletic
associations)
Football, flag football, basketball, volleyball, softball, cheer, track and
wrestling (soccer and baseball are currently managed)
Cost (field maintenance, staff salaries and benefits, school usage agreement fee
Unknown cost (athletic program operations, officials, and insurance)
Additional $170 per participant above current fees (staff and benefits, annual
field maintenance, school usage fee), or additional $65 additional cost per
participant above current fees for maintenance cost only.
Estimated $1.02 million annually (additional $300,000 startup costs)
Commissioner Houpe asked if the amount includes staff opening and closing the facilities.
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Hepler said no.
Commissioner Houpe said with option A the school would collect usage fee and the County
would maintain the fields.
Hepler said if the Board chooses.
Jones explained that the options are applicable to the 22%. This is if the County chose to
bring the 22% in house and expand the Parks and Recreation Department to provide all the services
that the separate athletic associations are currently providing.
Commissioner Houpe asked who is maintaining the school facilities now.
Hepler said Parks and Recreation staff prepares fields for the 11%.
Commissioner Houpe asked if there is any cost savings for the school system if the County
takes over the 22%.
Hepler said yes.
Jones said the school system and the County do not collect gate fees for events. The athletic
associations collect gate fees.
Commissioner Houpe said the County and school system need to find a way to break even
on the use of the facilities. The County needs to be able to break even.
Vice Chairman Bowles feared this option would squelch volunteerism.
Chairman Mallory said the County is not legally required to provide any recreation
services. There is not a problem with volunteerism within the associations.
B. Iredell County Release Affiliate Associations
Perception may be that the County is not committed to supporting youth sports
and development.
Associations assume liability for program oversight, facility use, and activities.
Cost (pay per use or annual contract with Iredell-Statesville Schools).
Iredell County does not assume liability of non-sponsored programs.
Would create more work for the school system who will need to vet the
organizations, schedule and collect facility usage fees.
Hepler explained the option B levels the playing field. Associations and the County will
both pay to use the school facilities. Option B removes the county’s liability. The County will only
pay for the programs sponsored by Parks and Recreation where the County receives funds. The
County would only deal with the 11%.
Valdez said the school system could charge what they wish and per the current policy, they
would charge the County less than they would a third party.
Vice Chairman Bowles said the school board put that policy in place.
Hepler said the school system’s facility reservations would transition to a first come first
serve basis. The County risk losing preferential access.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked how the preferential system worked.
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Hepler explained that currently, all users submit a facility use form to the principal. The
principal determines who gets use of the facility. If there is a question of who the group is or what
category the group goes into the principal can ask Rob Jackson who then accesses the database to
determine if the association falls under the Parks and Recreation umbrella. If so, they are able to
use the facility free.
Hepler gave an example of the county’s current risk. A child recently suffered a concussion
while playing in a non-county sponsored football league. Because Parks and Recreation required
all concussion protocol to be followed in order to check the boxes, the parent assumed the child
was playing in a Parks and Recreation program, but it was not. This exposed the County’s liability.
Chairman Mallory said another option is to increase the vetting exponentially and recover
additional costs from the organizations to level the playing field.
Hepler felt just vetting the paperwork does not allow the County oversight the program,
which in turns still exposes liability.
Vice Commissioner Bowles asked if the County’s liability is relieved if it takes over the
11%.
Valdez said yes.
Vice Commissioner Bowles asked if it also extends a freedom to groups to be able to do it
individually as they see fit.
Hepler said yes.
Jones said the County acknowledges that most associations are doing a great job and do
not want to take away from the volunteerism.
Vice Chairman Bowles felt that government exists to provide services that the associations
cannot provide on their own.
Chairman Mallory suggested that if the associations pay the schools directly and cut the
middleman out.
Commissioner Houpe asked if the County will continue to maintain the fields if the
associations started paying usage fees.
Hepler said the County could continue doing that.
Commissioner Houpe said changing the procedure would take away the County’s
responsibility.
Chairman Mallory said liability is a huge unknown.
Valdez said the County is unable to truly vet. The County is making a representation to the
school system that the associations are good and x y z is complete but the County has not made
sure those things were done. Whereas, the school system requires the certain standards to play on
fields. There is a potentially a different level of vetting that is required by the school system
because there will be no middleman.
Vice Chairman Bowles said the County needs to back out and give the associations a list
of best practices. This will ensure the freedoms of individuals that want to do what they want and
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let the government be there if they want help. The school system is handling the 67% themselves.
The 22% can be treated as the 67% is.
Commissioner McNeely asked if it would have been easier to oblige with the school
system’s request and pay the additional $25,000.
Valdez said the liability remains an issue. The Board could decide to pay $50,000 for the
11%. The issue is what to do with the rest that the County is facilitating for but should not be.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the 22% would pick up the additional $25,000 that the
school system is asking for.
Commissioner McNeely said that might be a better deal for the associations than deal with
the schools individually.
Valdez felt the school system could recover more than $25,000 by going that route.
Commissioner McNeely said the County needs to be able to shed the liability.
Hepler said if there is a $25,000 payment and there are 35 schools being used each school
would receive about $730 per year for the use of the facility. There is a need for additional funds
to be provided but the big question is whether the County bear the burden of the extra $25,000 for
the athletic associations or not.
Valdez said or the $25,000 covers the 11%.
Jones said the 22% needs to be responsible for themselves and need to pay for the facility
usage. According to the school system’s policy, the schools would benefit more financially by
doing so. The County should look at the $25,000 being paid for the 11% to make sure the schools
are not losing. If $25,000 is not fair for the 11%, it is the County’s responsibility to assess the
situation.
Chairman Mallory said the number of people using the facilities have dramatically
increased and felt that the $25,000 should be adjusted but that the potential liability needs to be
removed.
Commissioner Houpe said the 11% warrants the County to pay a fair amount of utilities
and getting credit for the services the county offers and in return as a good partner continue getting
priority for the programs. The school system will understand the liability.
Vice Commissioner Bowles asked for a fair price of the 11%.
Hepler did not know the average cost per day. The only County sponsored programs that
use indoor facilities is karate (Saturdays only at Northview IB) and Camp Iredell (East Iredell and
Mt. Mourne IB).
Chairman Mallory suggested increasing the $25,000 to $50,000 for the 11% and let the
22% deal with the issue themselves.
Vice Chairman Bowles agreed as long as the County’s liability is reduced.
Valdez said the liability would be reduced as long as the County is no longer vetting the
40 associations.
Vice Chairman Bowles said it would be up to the school system to charge the 22% a usage
fee.
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Valdez said the County’s responsibilities would be outlined in a Memorandum of
Understanding.
Hepler said the current letter does not identify responsibilities.
Chairman Mallory said the decision is about liability.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to go with Option B as far as getting out of the vet ting
process and increase the County’s funding for utility uses to $50,000 annually for the County’s
11% usage.
Jones said if the Board makes a motion to support option B, staff will work through details
regarding the 11% and the utility usage fee and bring it to the Board for consideration in December.
Commissioner Houpe amended his motion: Motion to move toward option B and workout
the details, including utility usage fee, on the relative MOU at a later date. The new policy will not
go into effect until July 1, 2019.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Jennings Park: Hepler gave an update on the Jennings Park project and the anticipated
needs for FY 20 and 21. The request for proposal process (RFP) is complete. The project is
currently moving forward. The cost of the ropes course is approximately $96,000 including a
temporary construction access. This phase of the project should be done by March 2019.
The Recreation Advisory Board has tossed around ideas of moving forward sooner rather
than later with a plan to have construction designs done for Phase I and II. The board feels it is
important to look at the phases together. Phase III is more of the amenities.
Estimated Project Schedule
Ropes Course March 2019
Construction Designs December 2019
Start of Ph I July 2020
Phase I completion December 2021
Iredell County Recreation Center: Hepler said the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
voted on the name.
Jones gave an update on the process of working with the YMCA and Children’s Hope
Alliance. The County is now allowing the Children’s Hope Alliance continue communications
with the YMCA.
Annual Operational Budget FY20 (including 3 full time and 6 part time employees)
$431,327.84
Anticipated revenues: $431,533.00
Cost recovery will be made through memberships, drop-ins, programs/events, pool, and
after school and camps.
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November 16, 2018
The Board had a working lunch. During lunch, Iredell-Statesville Board of Education
Chairman Martin Page introduced two newly elected members Todd Carver and K en Poindexter.
Members of both boards discussed the importance of working with each other.
At this time, Commissioner Bowles explained that there has been talk about now being the
appropriate time to change all the County Commissioners’ terms to four years. Currently, when
three Commissioners run for election the two top vote getters get a four term and the third receives
a two-year term.
Vice Commissioner Bowles asked the Republican Party Chairman Ron Wyatt to take the
idea back to the Republican Party to discuss the pros and cons. Republicans have primarily
controlled the Board for over 25 years. It is a distraction for an incumbent to campaign while trying
to maintain the current role of Commissioner.
Commissioner Houpe said according to Director of Elections Becky Galliher the can
change can be done through a Resolution to the legislative team. If in agreeance, the legislators
can then take the idea to the caucuses to be approved. If for some reason the legislators do not
agree with the idea, the Board can place the idea on a referendum. Most voters do not realize the
third person gets a two-year term. In the most recent election, over 22,000, less the democratic
votes, of voters did not vote for three commissioners. It creates a second primary.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the idea should be taken to the Democratic Party as well.
Wyatt said he would be glad to discuss the idea with the Republican Party as well as the
Democratic Party. Because of the way, numbers have been those that are winning get the last say.
At the end of day the Republican Party would have the most fair opinion as to what is best overall
but it does warrant a discussion for both parties. Based on prior conversations the citizens are not
ready increase the number of Commissioners or move to district representation.
Chairman Mallory said the downside of the change is every two years a majority of the
Commissioners are voted on and if there is a significant issue or concern being focused on there
may be an issue being able to change policy. The republicans have a strong hold on the seats but
the number of unaffiliated voters is growing. Caution should be taken with making decisions based
on an assumption that Republicans are not going to have fight for every seat and vote because of
the change in dynamics. Currently, there is a second primary created because of the third top vote
getter receives a two-year term.
Wyatt said every count y in the State, with the exception of two, are pretty much in the
55/45 or 65/35 voting range.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked Wyatt to create a focus group and gather thoughts of the
Republican Party.
Facility Capital Projects: Project Manager David Saleeby gave an update on the jail
project. Original contractual date was April 10, 2019, because of 34 approved weather days the
revised contractual substantial completion date is May 14, 2019. The jail is an integration of
systems, process, and controls. There is a tremendous amount of mechanical, plumbing, and
electrical work to do. Security electronics are being built but installation cannot take place until
the building is clean. North Carolina Department of Health Service Regulation will conduct final
inspections and approvals.
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November 16, 2018
Budget Adjustments
Original Contract $25,778,533
Contingency $ 750,000
Cistern discovered under stair tower
Cistern pre-testing $ 2,875
Cistern repair $ 191,139
Cistern QA/post testing $ 20,950
Unsuitable soils repair at stairway 1 $ 2,266
Total budget adjustments $ 217,130
Remaining Contingency $ 532,870
Jones explained that the construction would not be done by May 14, 2019. The project
will not go into next fiscal year.
Public Safety Center Update
Project Timeline
Substantial completion November 13, 2018
Completion date December 13, 2018
EMS, EM, and FS move in January 7, 2019
ECOM technology project begins January 7, 2019
ECOM technology project final May 1, 2019
ECOM “go live” and move in May 1, 2019
Budget Update
Original building and site budget $ 14,677,158
Contingency $ 425,000
Contingency used $ 0
Depreciable Assets (technology) $ 1,500,000
911 Budget $ 2,360,835
Library Project Update
Present bids for Library project to board December 18, 2018
Awards bids to contractors January 7, 2019
Project start January 7, 2019
Grand opening of children’s area March 29, 2019
Lower level admin. Area and project completion May 17, 2019
Library Project – Proposed Budget
Pre-coating preparation $ 34,000
Remediation work $ 88,000
Restoration (carpet/drywall/paint) $ 97,400
Contingency $ 15,000
Third party testing $ 11,500
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Move activity room
Material only/county part time labor $ 12,000
Total (based on actual quotes) $257,900
Commissioner Houpe said to provide the citizen’s peace of mind; the children’s area will
move to an area that was never contaminated.
Chairman Mallory expressed his appreciation to Saleeby for heading up such important
projects.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if there needed to be an unanticipated Capital Improvement
Project Fund (CPI).
Jones explained there is one built into the CPI fund.
Government Center Restoration Phase I
Facility Services Director Robert Woody gave an update on the Government Center
Restoration project.
Project Cost & Estimate
Task Name Duration Start Finish % Complete Status
Mobilization 10d 07/16/18 07/27/18 100% Complete
Scaffolding Erection 52d 07/16/18 09/25/18 100% Complete
Bird Excrement Abatement 5d 07/23/18 07/27/18 100% Complete
Painting - Removal/Abatement 80d 08/06/18 11/23/18 75%
Portico/General Carpentry - allowance 13d 08/22/18 09/07/18 100% Complete
Slate Roofing removal/prep/dry-in 75d 08/13/18 11/23/18 80%
Repair Heavy Timber & Rough Carpentry 30d 10/15/18 11/23/18 75%
Repair/Replacement of wood & roof deck 68d 08/22/18 11/23/18 80%
Painting - application/installation 23d 11/13/18 12/13/18 0%
Slate Roofing - sheet metal install 64d 09/17/18 12/13/18 60%
Masonry repairs 49d 09/17/18 11/22/18 80%
Repair Decorative Formed Metal (Historical) 40d 10/01/18 11/23/18 90%
Slate Roofing installation 41d 10/15/18 12/10/18 0%
Tile Roofing removal/prep/dry-in 76d 08/22/18 12/05/18 60%
Tile Roofing - sheet metal install 10d 12/03/18 12/14/18 0%
Tile Roofing Install 10d 12/18/18 12/31/18 0%
Scaffolding Dismantle 7d 12/23/18 12/31/18 0%
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November 16, 2018
Budget $1,194,000
Contingency $ 50,000 (depleted)
Cost overrun $ 64,223.75
Funding recommendation $ 75,000 (Facility Improvement Fund $50,000 and CIP
$25,000)
The following discoveries were made during the project: damaged ridge rafters, framing
and decking, rotted heavy timber posts and beams. Contractor feels that there should not be more
unexpected discoveries.
Woody said the Government Center is 112 years old. The portico was separating from the
building by one foot and was rebuilt. The construction company have been excellent craftsmen.
The company staged on site during Hurricane Florence to make hourly checks on the restoration.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the Historical Society checks off on the changes.
Woody said yes.
Phase II Cost Estimate (may change)
Windows: $404,800 (includes work to frames and temp infill sash with Plexiglas)
Doors: $26,400 (includes work to frames and temp doors)
Masonry Cleaning: $83,600 (General mild detergent cleaning followed by selective spot cleaning)
Masonry Repair/Restoration: $259,600
Spot point open mortar joints
Selective repairs to brick, stone, and terra cotta
Remove paint from stucco base, repair with faux stone score lines, and paint with mineral paint
Remove paint from stucco columns, selective repairs, and paint with mineral paint
Sub-total $$774,400
Contingency (5%) $38,720
GC Overhead and Profit (20%) $162,624
Total $975,744
Chairman Mallory asked if the plexi-glass is temporary.
Woody said yes.
Commissioner McNeely asked how much more would it cost for phase one.
Jones said an additional $75,000. According to the architect, it will take 10 months to
draw up specs for phase two. There is no way to bookend the two projects.
Phase II will include:
Cleaning of all masonry – brick, stone and terra-cotta
Masonry repair, including spot pointing of open mortar joints and selective repairs to brick, stone, and terra -cotta
Stucco repair of water table, including paint removal, stucco repair, reinstating original faux stone score lines, and
repainting with breathable mineral paint in the historically-accurate color
Stucco repair at portico columns, including paint removal, stucco repair, and repainting with breathable mineral paint in
the historically-accurate color
Restoration of all exterior doors, including refinishing
Restoration of all exterior windows, including repainting with the historically-accurate paint color.
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November 16, 2018
Woody said it costs $10,000 a month to rent scaffolding. There is no costs savings to
leave the scaffolding.
Commissioner McNeely asked if it is possible to bid out phase two now.
Woody said not without jeopardizing the safety of the current workers.
Government Center South
Woody explained that bats were located in the building and it has since been bat-proofed.
There are currently two projects going on inside Government Center South, Social
Services and Sheriff’s Office. Clark, Patterson, and Lee is working on both projects. Both
projects are now in the schematic design phase and ready for the development phase.
Social Services (4th floor)
Up-fit 6,481 square feet
21 offices, reception, work space, interview room, waiting room, conference space,
security, and storage
Budget of $1,100,000 ($984,000 construction budget includes contingencies)
Two add alternates to include in the bid as funding allows
Sheriff’s Office (2nd floor)
Up-fit 4,452 square feet
7 offices, reception, conference, storage, breakroom, restrooms, interview room,
finger print room, and lobby
Budget of $575,000 (includes contingencies)
One add alternate to include bid for 3 additional offices
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the building had four full floors in both wings.
Woody said part of the building is four full floors.
Commissioner Houpe asked the add alternate for DSS could be for DSS and\or leased to
the NCDEQ.
Woody said yes.
Chairman Mallory said that would complete the fourth floor.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if one of the courtrooms expanded into the second floor.
Woody said yes.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked the condition of the elevators in the building.
Woody said the elevators were rebuilt and upgraded, but inside of the cars have not been
updated.
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November 16, 2018
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if NCDEQ is on the third and fourth floor
Woody said yes.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked about the agreement with NCDEQ.
Jones said NCDEQ has not sign a permanent lease but they are paying the increased rate.
The County has been incredibly responsive to their needs.
Timeline
Construction drawings February 2019
Out to bid March 2019
Construction (begin) April 2019
Construction (complete) October 2019
Emphasis will placed on completing Sheriff’s Office space first to allow Juvenile
Probation to move into the current Sherriff’s Office space on the first floor.
Barium Springs House – Iredell County Parks and Recreation
Wo ody said the house is in great shape to house the Parks and Recreation office.
Facility Services will:
Install handicap ramp
Build data closet
Relocate hot water heater
Remove out building
Have power line buried
Load test the floor and up-fit if needed to meet code
Underground storage tank
Saleeby said an environment assessment one was done on all three tracts. There were no
findings. There is a 385-gallon underground storage tank behind the house and it is clean. The
soil under the tank will be tested once it is removed. There was a small trace of lead paint found
in a door of the home. The door will be replaced. No asbestos or radon was found in the house.
There is lead paint found on layer one of six layers of paint on the beams of the YMCA building
but will not pose a risk. There was no asbestos found. There is a small trace of radon but well
below the threat of danger. Staff still recommends another test.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked where the tests results are filed.
Saleeby said test results are filed in the Clerk to the Board’s office as well as saved on the
County’s server.
Development and Revenue Projections: Tax Assessor Melia Miller and Tax Collector
Bill Furches gave an update on the upcoming 2019 revaluation.
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November 16, 2018
Timeline
November 2018 – January 2019 Process remaining permits, finalize appraisal
and listing of new construction for 2019.
Perform final analysis of 4th quarter sales and
reappraisal reports. Appeals training.
January 1, 2019 Effective date of 2019 Reappraisal
February 1, 2019 Reappraisal notices mailed
February 4, 2019 Property record cards with new values will
be available online and in the office
Begin responding to 2019 Reappraisal
Inquiries.
March 2019 Continue processing appeals and performing
reviews.
April 2019 Board of Equalization and Review convenes
Second set of responses to appeals mailed.
Miller explained that data shows that days on market have continued to decrease. There
is a shortage of houses on the market and prices continue to increase. Based on data, an 11%
increase in real property tax base for FY2019-2020.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the increase would be countywide.
Miller said no. Different townships will see different increases.
Commissioner Houpe asked for an estimated increase for Statesville.
Miller estimated an increase 4 1/2 % increase for Statesville and 17% increase for
Mooresville.
Chairman Mallory asked how helpful pictometry was during the reval process.
Miller said the software has been extremely helpful. The bulk of the reval was done
using pictometry.
Planning Director Matthew Todd and Building Standards Director Lynn Niblock gave an
update on permitting activity. Data shows slow and sustainable growth. In 2017, 1,840 units
were permitted.
Chairman Mallory asked if that included apartments.
Todd said yes. Each individual unit is permitted.
Majority of the proposed development is expected in Troutman and south of Mooresville.
There is a slight increase in single-family units thus far in 2018.
Niblock said the number of commercial permits were up in 2017. This year is going
pretty well. The value of commercial permits are also going well.
Jones asked about the uptick in August.
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November 16, 2018
Niblock said two schools and Corvid Technologies were permitted in August
Chairman Mallory asked if government buildings are included.
Niblock said yes.
Chairman Mallory asked for the numbers without the government buildings.
Niblock will prepare the data and send it out to the Board.
Vice Chairman Bowles said Martin Page has said the school system does not intend to
allow the 22% onto their fields without the County being on the hook for liability.
Jones said the 22% would be treated the same way the 67% is treated. The 67% is not
vetted. The County is not asking the school system to vet the associations. That responsibility
falls back on the individual association.
Commissioner Houpe said Page would like to know how much staff time it will take to
do what the Parks and Recreation staff has been doing.
Vice Chairman Bowles said staff was mainly checking boxes.
Jones said that gave the associations a false sense of security.
Valdez said the County is paying the school system to do their job and they are
requesting more money.
Commissioner Houpe said it is not really the County’s place to continue checking the
boxes.
Vice Chairman Bowles does not want the Board to get into the position where the 22%
gets into a position of not being able to use the facilities.
Chairman Mallory said if the school system charges each association $1,200 that is
$48,000 and could cover the costs of hiring someone.
Jones said the school system does not need to hire anyone. The associations are already
contacting the schools directly and handling the scheduling. The only thing the County was
doing was collecting the paperwork from the associations and checking a box then sending the
information to the schools.
Houpe said the school system wants the County to start charging the associations.
Jones said the school system received one check from the County instead of checks from
the associations.
Vice Chairman Bowles said it is not about the County not wanting to do the work. The
County should not accept the liability when something happens because it is not at fault.
Jones said the school system is not vetting the 67%. The school system should do the
scheduling and place the responsibility back on whomever is renting the facility.
Valdez said the school system needs an agreement with the associations that they have
done background checks, concussion protocol, and insurance. The problem is the County being
the middleman.
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November 16, 2018
Commissioner McNeely said Mecklenburg County is expecting over a 50% increase in
commercial property and 30% increase on residential property during reval has been talking with
Vice Chairman Bowles has been working with landowner in Mooresville and Economic
Development. Economic Development paid for a water line on 801 and Mooresville managed the
construction. Water is backing up in a couple farmers’ fields. The cost to fix the issue is
approximately $3,000. Economic Development is researching ways to cover the fee.
Commissioner Houpe mentioned upcoming projects around and near the airport.
Chairman Mallory said the Airbnb problem is going to balloon out of control. Business
should not be allowed to operate in a R20. The County must get some teeth in the game, if it
requires legislation. People’s right of enjoyment is being trashed.
Vice Chairman Bowles agreed. Other jurisdictions are working on the same issue and does
the County want to the test pilot.
Todd said several jurisdictions have worked on it but most are spending a fortune to defend
what was put in place.
Chairman Mallory said someone can be fined $1,000 week but is earning $6,000 a week
by renting their home.
Jones said legislation might be a good route. Some deeds even say the property can be used
as a short-term rental.
Valdez said the enforcement issue is this happening on the weekends and is over by the
time Code Enforcement staff is available.
Vice Chairman Bowles said the Sheriff’s Office is visiting Tinker Place every weekend.
Valdez said complainant on Tinker Place does not want to take actions on his own. He
would the County take the steps for him.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Norman to adjourn at 4:00 PM (The next regular meeting will
be Tuesday, November 20, 2018, 5:00 PM, in the South Wing Conference Room, Government
Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC)
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk