Special recognition scheduled during Monday’s commissioners meeting

Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 3, 2019

By Josh Bergeron
josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — In what’s likely to be a short meeting, Rowan County commissioners on Monday are scheduled to have an unspecified “special recognition” after approving a consent agenda that ranges from rules for campgrounds to sponsoring an NC Department of Transportation meeting in Spencer.

The meeting will be 3 p.m. Monday at the Rowan County Administration Building, 130 West Innes St. in Salisbury.

In addition to the special recognition, commissioners’ agenda includes the following:

• Commissioners will make budget amendments — the largest of which involves transferring $235,000 from the fund balance, partially a savings account, into the county’s risk management fund to help pay $285,000 to the ACLU for attorneys fees stemming from the prayer lawsuit.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners will have a second reading of proposed changes to county ordinances that set rules for new or expanded campgrounds and RV parks.

The ordinances passed by a 4-0 count at a meeting in January, but commissioners must have a second reading because Commissioner Judy Klusman was not present for the first.

Changes in rules for new or expanded campgrounds range from requiring “cabin, campgrounds and recreational vehicle (RV) parks” to include a method for providing adequate on-site stage disposal as well as an on-site potable water supply that’s permitted by the Health Department or a connection to a municipal system.

Existing campgrounds would only need to ensure internal roads have names and that individual sites have addresses to comply.

Commissioners are also scheduled to end a moratorium on new campgrounds in conjunction with the second reading of the new rules.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners are scheduled to approve a request for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office to apply for the Paul LeBlanc Memorial Police Dog Donation Program.

The program donates one working dog each year to a department or agency in need. The donation includes the dog, handler school K-9 certification, free in-service training and annual re-certification.

No matching funds from the Sheriff’s Office would be required.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider a $456,000 contract to replace three “air handlers” in the Rowan County Justice Center.

The contract is with with Ridge Mechanical Inc. of High Point.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider a $30,000-per-year, elevator maintenance contract with Thyssen Elevator Corporation of Charlotte.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider applying for a $6,350 Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation grant.

The funding would be used to host 75 middle school students during the 2019 G.R.E.A.T. Summer Camps. No local match is required.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider a $92,933 purchase order with Rowboat Dock and Dredge to replace the pier at Dan Nicholas Park.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider purchasing six vans for Rowan Transit System at a cost of $406,452.

Two vans would be purchased from Palmetto Bus Sales at a cost not to exceed $176,100. Two would be purchased from Creative Bus Sales at a cost not to exceed $116,582. Two would be purchased from Interstate Transportation Sales at a cost not to exceed $113,770.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider the purchase of a 289D Track Loader from Carolina CAT at a cost not to exceed $72,526.

• On the consent agenda, commissioners will consider sponsoring a meeting of the N.C. Department of Transportation at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer.

Commissioners are asked to provide $2,500 to sponsor the meeting.

Monday’s agenda states the N.C. Department of Transportation Board will meet at the museum on March 5. About 50 DOT board members and staff, along with 25 community leaders are scheduled to attend, according to Monday’s agenda.

• Following the special recognition, commissioners will consider a number of board appointments.

Larry “Randall” St. Clair and Randall Faggart have applied for reappointment to the Bostian Heights Volunteer Fire Department board of commissioners. Jody Burleyson has applied, too.

Economic Development Commission President and CEO Rod Crider has applied for a term on the Centralina Economic Development Commission.

Patricia Beck will be considered for reappointment to the Historic Landmarks Commission. William Keply has also applied.

Cynthia Ehrman has applied for the town of Faith Planning Board ETJ.

Jereme Linker has applied for the town of Rockwell Planning Board ETJ.