Minutes - Feb. 18, 2013 Reg. Meeting

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BK - 00025 PG:0349 Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, parks, Reives, Smith, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. No one present signed up to speak during the Public Comments section of the meeting. Commissioner Womack discussed the application process for the newly created Lee County Environmental Affairs & Review Committee. He stated he had reviewed the nine applications received to date in the Clerk's Office. Commissioner Womack further moved to set the date of February 25, 2013 as the cutoff date to receive applications and for the Clerk to compile applications for review for the first meeting in March so the most qualified nine individuals could be selected. Commissioner Reives asked if Commissioner Womack would amend his motion to include seats for the general public. Commissioner Womack stated he did not wish to change the composition of the makeup of the new Board due to the complex/detailed issues they would be dealing with. Upon a vote of Commissioner Womack's motion, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, Parks, Reives, Smith, and Womack Nay: None The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted unanimously. The Board discussed the sales tax issue between the County of Lee, City of Sanford, and Town of Broadway that Commissioner Reives added to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. Reives stated he wanted to leave the sales tax distribution as it current is. He further stated he would support the change in the sales tax distribution if the money was split, 50/50, to support the community college over the next few years for their building programs. Chatham and Harnett County are supporting the community college more than Lee County is at this time and he feels Lee County has failed to do needed improvements at the college. Commissioner Womack stated that the Board recently had instructed the County Manager to review space needs in the county. Mr. Reives stated he feels that money should be set aside now to begin the building process at the college. Chairman Parks stated that he and the County Manager met recently with the CCCC Board of Trustees and asked for a space needs study and plan of action from them. No action was taken. The Board considered a Revised Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) Ordinance. Donald Nicolson, Chairman of the Agriculture Advisory Board stated that the 2012 state legislature changed the requirements for enrolling in a Voluntary Agricultural District in that landowners no longer have to be enrolled in or eligible for the present use taxation program. Landowners now have the option to file or not file their conservation agreement with the Register of Deeds. Commissioner Womack addressed two areas he wished to see added to the Ordinance that would ensure the integrity of this program and preserve the financial well -being of VAD Program participants, while promoting important agricultural development across the county. Commissioner Parks asked that additional language also be added to the Ordinance. After discussion, Commissioner Womack moved to approve the Revised Voluntary Agricultural District Ordinance, with the above referenced changes, and a copy of which is attached to these Minutes and by this reference made a part hereof. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Dalrymple, Frazier, Knecht, Parks, Reives, Smith, and Womack Nay: None 2