Agenda items for county commissioners


The following are among the important items that will be discussed at the meeting of the Vance County Board of Commissioners at 6 p.m. today:

– The commissioners will consider an amendment to the animal control ordinance. If it is adopted, animals must be able to seek relief from extreme temperatures, the sun or the elements. Adequate shelter is defined in the proposed ordinance as including three sides and a roof with sufficient room for the animal to move freely and lie down comfortably. The amendment excludes such shelters as underneath exterior steps, stoops or similar structures, inside vehicles, underneath vehicles, inside cardboard boxes, or within building or rooms within buildings without proper air circulation. In terms of protection from the elements, the current ordinance merely calls for shelter in winter and shade in summer.

– The Rev. Todd Hester of Cotton Memorial Presbyterian Church, vice president of the Boys & Girls Club of North Central North Carolina’s steering committee, will give a brief presentation on the club for the purpose of seeking the support of the board.

– A public hearing will be held on the Julia Avenue close-out. Information concerning Phase I of the Julia Avenue project, including number of people benefiting and the total project costs, will be disseminated. The project has involved the use of Community Development Block Grant concentrated-needs money, administered by the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, to improve housing and bring water and sewer service to the residents of Julia Avenue, which is just outside the Henderson city limits.

– Scott Hughes will appear before the board to discuss the ambulance contract between the city and county. Hughes will recommend to the commissioners that the monthly reimbursement cease or be significantly reduced. The county pays the city $5,000 per month.

Later in the meeting, County Manager Jerry Ayscue is expected to recommend that the county pay the city of Henderson for ambulance services for the months of September, October and November, for a total of $15,000. He recommends that afterward no further paymentd be made. He also will recommend that the county ambulance now located at Fire Station 2 in Henderson be relocated to Fire Station 3, the county station, from Dec. 1 until at least June 30.

– Several budget amendments will be presented to the board, including one for $1,260 that calls for federal grant funds to be used to purchase a computer for public use at the Board of Elections office.

– Ayscue will recommend that the board approve the interlocal agreement for the Kerr-Tar hub project. Also, he will recommend that the commissioners approve the new cable franchise agreement with Time Warner. The new contract differs from the current one, set to expire Nov. 15, in that it is for 10 years and requires that Time Warner offer service to areas with 18 homes per mile or more.