BC 2012 04 16 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 16, 2012 (Regular Meeting) Page 1023 On December 21, 2009, the Board approved the Purchasing Policy and Procedures (policy provides guidelines to address county operations regarding procurement). The policy is administrative in nature and needs flexibility for modification as operational changes occur. It would be beneficial to management if this policy is converted from a Board - approved policy to an administrative policy, subject to change at the County Manager's discretion. UPON MOTION of Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Carruth and unanimously carried, the Board approved the conversion of the Purchasing Policy and Procedures from a Board - approved policy to an administrative policy. (F -7) Planning and Development Services - Elma C. Lomax Farm Expansion of Project Scope and Adoption of Fee Schedule for 2012 At the work session, staff from the Lomax Farm and Cooperative Extension Office provided an update on activities at the farm, including the addition of a Community Garden program for the 2012 growing season. The proposed fee schedule for the Incubator Farm and the Community Garden were also presented. Elma C. Lomax Community Garden Proposal March 2012 For the purposes of 1. Strengthening the Elma C. Lomax Farm Incubator by developing additional volunteers, community supporters, and community linkages; 2. Strengthening the Elma C. Lomax Farm Incubator adding an additional revenue stream for operating cost; 3. Providing opportunities for community garden allotments that allow food production, and education for new gardeners, and; 4. Strengthening charitable contributions of local food. We propose a community garden be established at Elma C. Lomax Farm Incubator. This garden is to be located in farm plots B, C, and D, which and consists of two parts. The first section is to be 10 feet by 10 feet plots leased to individuals on an annual basis for a fee of $32 (calculated as 1 penny per square foot per week for a 32- week season). The second section is a larger area (roughly 6,000 square feet) that is leased to a group that will grow food for charitable donations to Central United Methodist Church Outreach, Cooperative Christian Ministries and /or Mt Pleasant Food Ministry. The fee on the charitable food area will be determined annually. Fees are to be paid upon acceptance to the garden. The community garden would be marked with 5 feet sections of conduit driven 1 foot in the ground at the corner of each plot. These gardeners will receive access to a fertile gardening site in full sun with irrigation and deer fencing. Gardeners will be responsible for all management decisions in their plot, including what crops to grow (within guidelines), and when to plant, weed or irrigate. Gardeners would also have access to the front parking lot and to bathrooms in the office building. Gardeners would not have access to a storage container. They will be asked not to enter the post- harvest handling facility, high tunnel, or greenhouse unless as a guest of Cabarrus county or at the invitation of a participant in the Elma C Lomax Farm Incubator program. As part of the application process, gardeners will fill out an application. The application will include an agreement to follow certain guidelines: The application is attached. Garden spots will be limited to of the 10 by 10 feet plots for the first year to work out any difficulties. The eventual goal is 75 plots, which would generate about $2,000 annually or roughly 12% of operational expenses. Charitable garden spot is to be reduced as new 10 by 10 plots are needed. This group expects another property to become available within 2 years, although there is another spot on the Lomax farm (plot KK) that could be developed if necessary.