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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-02-15 Regular MeetingI - 544 lnliimington, N. C. February 15, 1960 a ? CONVENTION -. The regular semimonthly meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commission- ers was held this day at 9:00 A. M. in the Commissioners' Room of the Court House with the foilowing members present: Chairman J. M.. Hall, Jr., Commissioners Peter H. Braak, L. E.'Broadhurst, J. E. Holton, Jr, and Berry A. l^filliams; County Attorney John Bright Hill and County Auditor T. D. Love. • INVOCATION - Chairman Hall calied the meeting to order and asked Reverend E. E. Kirton, Pastor St. Mark's Episcopal Church, to open the meeting with a prayer for guidance, APPROVAL OF THE NINUTES Upon motion of Mr. Holton, seconded by Mr. Broadhurst., the minutes of the last meeting were unanimously approved as written. MID-WINTER NACO MEETING - As authorized at the meeting of January 4, Mr. Williams reported that he had planned to attend the Mid-Winter Session of NACO in San Diego, California, but that his . plane was grounded due to inclement weather. Although he could not attend, he called a couple of inembers of the Welfare Committee and asked them to present the following Resolu- tion.for this Board: WHERFAS, the Social Security Act requires that public assistance grants be paid in'cash, and . WHERElaS, the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare interpretes this in such a way that public welfare officials charged with the administration of the program, of aid to dependent children are unable to insure that grant funds are used to feed, clothe, and shelter the children included in the grant who are the real beneficiaries of the program, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY OFFICIALS that the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare be and it is hereby requested to review its position to the end that proper supervision of ADC funds can be authori2ed to insure thatchildren are 1n fact fed, clothed, and sheltered from ADC grant funds. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the United States Department of Health, Educa- tion and 4relfare is unwilling to change its position, then the United States Congress be requested to amend the Social Security Act to authorize supervision in cases where supervision is necessary:to:insure•that grant funds be used:-to'benefit the de- pendent children:. '. ' , ' ... % . _ , Likewise, Mr. Wiliiams had called Mr. J. Alexander McMahon who had agreed to speak for the Resolution and present another Resolution to the Education Committee opposing Federal Aid to Education. Mr. Williams suggested that the Board go on record as approving the super- vision of ADC funds and in opposition to Federal Aid to Education. He returned his plane fare amounting to $270.70 which Auditor Love advised would be placed in Unanticipated Funds. Mr. Braak then offered a motion that the Board approve the suggestions made by Mr. Williams and that $270.70 be reappropriated into Commissioners Travel Account from the Un- anticipated Funds to replace the charge for transportation. It was seconded by Mr. Hoiton and unanimously adopted. ? ROAD PETITION - Mr. F. D. Stalvey, Sr. presented a petition signed by the property owners on Sea View Road asking that the State Highway Commission accept it for improvement and main- tenance. Upon motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Broadhurst, the peLition was approv- ed and ordered sent to the State Highway Commission for their consideration. . ABC LICENSE - The follouring applications for beer licenses were reviewed and upon motion of Mr. Broadhurst, seconded by Mr. Braak, ordered sent to the Sheriff for his consideration: Jack Jesse Taylor T/A F2aming Drive In 3606 Oleander Drive, City David Mills Rose T/A Oasis Club 3920 Carolitta Beach Rd Elias Courie T/A E.F. Courie Cafe Carolina Beach, N. C. J. C. DeShields T/A People's Nut Shop 713 Castle St., City William Murrell Echols') T/A The Bowling Center 5107 Oleander Drive, City Francis P. Fensel ) Helen Malloy T/A Malloys Grocery 8171 N. 4th St. City Theodore Eugene McNei11T/A Oleander 66 Service Station 5007 Park Ave., City Mary J. Rogers T/A oleander Fruit 8 Produce 5124 Oleander Drive, City ? Walter Marshall StokieyT/A Rainbora Grill 110 S. Front St., City ??6W?L'EGAL HOLIDAY - GEORGE WASHINGTONtS BIRTHDAY The Executive Secretary informed the Board that many employees had requested information about February 22nd as a Holiday since the uniform regulations have been res- cinded. It has been the custom in the past to allow February 22nd as a holiday for employees, therefore, Mr. Williams offered a motion that George Washingtonfs Birthday be set aside as a legal holiday. The motion was seconded by Mr. Broadhurst and unanimously approved by the Board. HEALTH BUILDING yq? a ?l The Chairman informed the Board that the question of a buiiding for the Consoli- dated Board of Health had been discussed at the last Board meeting and the Health Director instructed to ascertain the possibility of securing Hill-Burton Act Funds for the construct- ion of a new Health Canter. He stressed the fact that no commitments had been made or would be made without the full knowledge and approval of the Commissioners. It is more of an exploratory action. During the discussion that followed, Mr. Williams reminded the Board that the ACL Railroad had recently donated some buildings to the City and he thought consideration shouid be given to relocating the Health Department in one of them at the proper time, however, he was of the opinion that both possibilities should be explored and offered a motion that the City be asked to consider the Consolidated Health Department for contiriued - L C!" 14 545 Minutes of the Meeting February 15, 1960 Continued HEALTH BUILDING - (continued) space. Nr. Broadhurst, thereupon offered a substitute motion that action on this matter be delayed until after the ACL had moved and then take whatever action seemed wise at that time. His motion received no second and the Chairman ruled it dead. Mr. Holton contribut- ed the idea that it would be some months before the City actually gets title to those buiidings and even then, he thought they should be held intact for industry and in his opin- ion, they should move cautiously. At this point, Nr. Williams agreed to add to his motion the phrase °if a better use could not be found, and authorize the Chairman to continue his exploration on the Hill-Burton Act Funds and this Board place its biessing upon a trip by the Chairman at his discretion to make such investigation':'! It was seconded by Mr. Braak and when the votes were ca-st; Mr. Broadhurst cast the only dissenting vote with an explana- tion that he did not consider this an emergency. The ChaiTman- ruled the motion prevail- ed. INEBRIATE SELF-COMMITMENTS - The Executive Secretary informed the Board that the General Assembly in 1935 had passed a Special Act under Chapter Li.59 Public-Local & Private Laws permitting inebriates to appear before the Clerk of Superior Court and commit themselves to the New Hanover. County Home so long as he deems it necessary for proper restraint, care, and treatment. Since that time, it has been the custom to place them in the Prison Department of the County r Home, however, the Act specif;es the County Home and as the commitment papers are likewise drawn to the County Home, the Prison Supervisor refused to forcibly incarcerate a man who objected, saying that he had committed himself to the County Home and not to the County Prison Farm. The General Statutes 35-31,34 related only to those cases being committed to the 5tate. A discussion with the Clerk of Superior Court by Commissioners Braak and Broadhurst resulted in the policy of having them committed to the County Jaii and be senten- ced by the Court in the regular proceedings before they would be accepted at the County Pri- son Farm. Considerable discussion evolved around payment of expenses of those self commit- _ ted inebriates who are not indigent. It was.recommended that a note be made in the Legis- lat•ive file to have this matter considered by our representatives at the next legislative session. ? WELFARE LIEN - Ap- I Pursuant to the request of F.C. Sadgwar at the last meeting, the Welfare Board ?reported that they had a lien of $1651.94 recorded in Lien Book #2, page 465, against the property of Piaggie Taylor Canady. They found that F. C. Sadgwar was Executor and had sold the property upon order of the Court for $2650.00 and after court costs, funeral expenses and other necessary expenses were paid, there was a remainder of $1250.00 due the estate. They recommended that it be accepted in full settlement of this lien and that the lien be cancelled. During the discussion of this matter, it was brought out that heirs of a de- ceased indigent possessing property sometimes took advantage of the situation by request- ? ing an expensive funeral which absorbed much of the value of the property on which welfare c?,c grants had been allowed. It was suggested that the Executive Secretary place a note in the Legislative file that it might be discussed with our representatives during the next General Assembly in order to control that sort of thing. Mr. Holton then moved that the recommendation of the Welfare Board be approved and the lien cancelled, upon payment of the balance of $1250.00. The motion was seconded by Mr. Broadhurst and unanimously adopt- ed by the Board. BEER LICENSE - p.G'GPursuant to instruct3ons at the meeting of February 1, County Attorney John Bright Hill reported that he had investigated the request of Stanley G. Cheek of Hure Beach claiming a refund of overpaid beer license fees because he had, throught an error, paid $25.00 for an on-premises license, whereas, he only needed an off-premise license at $5.00 C,t.o" per year. The County Attorney ruled that a refund for 2 years overpaymenL of $20.00 could be made and recommended that only $40.00 of the fees paid be returned. Upon motion of Mr. Sroadhurst, seconded by Mr. Braak, the Board unanimously approved the return of $40.00.. representing 2 years overpayment. ? AIR FLIGHT TRIP INSURANCE - ?4- County Auditor T. D. Love reported that Mr. L. E. Woodbury informed-hirh that the automatic trip insurance machine operated at the Airport by the Associated Aviation Underwriters paid a commission to some Agent in Charlotte and in his opinion a local insur- ance firm should receive it. The Executive Secretary was instructed to contact John A. lJestbrook in regard to this matter to determine the facts surrounding the operation of, ? this trip insurance machine. Mr.•tilestbrook reports that the Airport receives $12.00 per month or 13% of the premiums, whichever is greater, for rental of space occupied by the machine. The trip insurance machine is oamed and operated by the Associated Aviation Under- writers and he had no controi over what they do with commissions on their premiums. PRISON r.NTERPRISES LAUNDRY - I A copy of a letter to the Board of Directors of Community Hospital outlining a . proposal by the Prison Enterprises Laundry showing.that a study made of the present system of handling laundry compared to their formai proposed method indicated savings of $81.37 per week, not including savings on maintenance, depreciation of equipment and buildings: A discussion by the Board revealed that some were very much opposed to the State Prison Enterprises entering into competition with private business, however, each one was in agreement for saving money for the taxpayers wherever possible and since they only can serve tax supported institutions, they thought that if an actual savings could be realized then the Resolution should be adopted and the Board of Directors informed of Lhis action. Mr. Williams offered a motion that the report be studied by the Board of Directors and if a saving can be effected by using the services of the Prison Enterprises Lavndry, then this Board recommend that they be utili2ed. It was `seconded by Mr. Broadhurst and unanimous- ly aoproved. ?I PETITION FOR RELIEF - ?t,7?0)q_ Mrs. Helen B. Sneeden, Superintendent of Public Welfare, presented a petition for Hattie Victoria Beasley to be approved for permanent residence at the County Home. She has recently suffered a stroke while living at alicensed boarding home in Southport Nf but since it is equipped for ambulatory patients only it is necessary that she be moved. She is physically disabled and senile and the probability is that she will be an invalid the rest of her life. She is 88 years old. Mr. ldilliams moved that the petition be grant- ea and that she be placed at the Count?o% a permanent basis. The motion was seconded by Mr. Braak and unanimously adopted. , 'A ??46 O rvri ?v ??? ? ??V i ? ?, e • Minutes of the Meeting February 15, 1960 COUIQTY LIVESTOCK ARENA - Farm Agent D. D. Baggett reported that the Agricultural Committee of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce were very grateful for the nice livestock arena provided by New Hanover County for the display and showing of cattle and hogs in the southeastern part of the State but there is an improvement recommended before the next show to be held in P.pril. Because of the sandy soil, the hogs tend to root it up against the gates of their pens, and the odors caused by the stock.tend to soak into the soil and can not be cleaned and by the same token it tends to hold any contamination should any unknowing diseased animals be placed therein. They recommend that the floor of the show ring and pens be cemented. After some discussion of the feasibility of the County using its own labor to mix the concrete as being more economical than commercially mixed cement, Mr. Holton offered a motion that $900.00 be appropriated from the County Home Emergency Fund for this purpose and that the County.Home Committee be authorized to have this work com- pieted. It was seconded by Mr. Williams and unanimously approved. COMMUNITY HOSPITAL - Mr. Charlton A. Pope requested the attention of the Board and informed them that he was very much distressed to read in the morning paper that for various reasons Community Hospitai had been discredited. He reminded the Board that last year he suggest- ed that the County get out of the hospital business and lease the facilities to a private Board of Trustees and allow them to operate it. He stressed his conviction that the County would be required to make larger and larger appropriations from year to year in order to make this facility one of which to be proud. He is very concerned about the ex- penses out there getting bigger and bigger and wants to keep the tax rate low. What can . be done with Community Hospital so that it will not cost the County any more per patient than at the James Walker Memorial Hospital or Cape Fear Memorial Hospital? He suggested that the Commissicners appoint a committee of business men and lease it out to them and pay a per diem cost for the indigent patients. County Auditor Love reported that the present per diem was $12.00 at the Community Hospital compared to the $16.00 at other hosp- itals. The Chairman explained that much thought and time had been given to this problem in the past and in fact it had been very difficult to find competent men who were willing to take time out from their business and devote it to the Community Hospital operation. He thanked Mr. Pope for his suggestions and promised that it would receive due considera- tion. FEDERAL AID TO EDUCATION - Mr. Williams informed the Board that he had br•iefly discussed his action in opposition to Federal Aid to Education but he thoucht the Board should go on record and authorize the Executive Secretary to write the North Carolina deleaation infornina them of the feeling of this Board. Mr. Braak offered this in the form of a motion which was seconded by Mr. Williams and unanimously approved. ' _ DOG DAMAGE CLAIM - ? County Attorney Hill informed the Board that approx:imately a year ago Attorney Isaac C. Wright had presented a claim for damage by dogs belonging to Albert J. Beam to hogs belonging to Mr. Steve E. Sneeden amounting to $270.11. He cited that under GS67-30, ? the County was authorized to pay out damage provided sufficient funds were available after payment of salaries of the Dog Warden. Upon payment of the claim, the judgement will be / transferred to the County. The County Attorney stated that the General Statutes provided that any remainder in the dog fund after expenses could be transferred into the General ClFund. A search of the records fails to disclose any dogs returned for taxes for Mr. Albert J. Beam who is reported to live in Hollywood, Florida. After discussing this claim and recalling several other similar claims which 4rere refused, Mr. Broadhurst offered a motion that the claim be denied. It was seconded by Mr. Holton and unanimously approved by the Board. • COUNTY FARM AND HOME IMPROVEMENTS - /? • The Executive Secretary reported to the Board that after conferences with the Superintendents of the County Farm and Home, the following recommendations are made for the i r approva 1. 1- Build an additiontn the present chicken house in order to inerease the flock sufficiently to furnish chickens and eggs for all County institutions, the cost not to exceed $600.00. 2- Compiy with the recommendations tif the last Grand Jury report in placing additional fences around the prison quarters. . 3- To purchase a good used truck for use on Ehe Farm, preferably with a hydraulic dumping mechanism. 4- Consider building room for the storage of clothes and mattresses. 5- Compare cost of using National gas against the present cost of propane gas. After some discussion of these recotru mo,tion that the County Home and Farm accordance with their best judgement from the County Home Emergency Fund chicken house. It was seconded by REPORTS - nendat ions, Nm. Yli i l i a'm's . off.ere d., a. ? Committee be authorized to proceed with the items in to serve the interest of the County and appropriate the sum of $600.00 to build the addition to the Mr. Holton and unanimously approved. The following reports were received and reviewed and ordered filed for infor,ma- , tion•, 1- Electrical Monin'ly Report for January, 1960 ? 2- Home Demonsiration Narrative Reports for January, both white and colored. ??- 3- Farm Agent's Report for January. ? 4- January Reports for Wilmington Public and Colored Library. t...,? S- U.S.O. Report for January , 6- Airport Monthly Report for January 8- Change in status reports from Welfare Department'for January. ?AD.IOURNMENT - Upon motion of Mr. Braak, seconded by Mr. Williams, the a/Jdj/oJu?rnme t e - was unanimous ly approved. : ? x l .iG.jHouck, JExe'cutive Secret Bbard I ? .°?. `-w•l