BC 2006 02 20 REGULAR - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 20, 2006 - Regular Meeting Page 499 Carl Tyson stated the public comments policy proposed by Chairman Carruth would take away his free speech to say how he feels about various subj ects to the Board. He cautioned there were other avenues such as the media if citizens were not allowed to speak directly to the Board. Mr. Tyson also asked that the following issues be addressed: how the County is going to pay for the jail, illegal immigrations and a code of ethics. In closing, he encouraged the Board to allow the public to speak at Board meetings. Marilyn Barnhardt, resident of 5800 Wabash Lane, Concord, complained of blasting on the Childress Klein property located across the street from her home. She stated the blasting was so bad on several occasions that it shook her house, and on February 17 she thought a plane had crashed. Ms. Barnhardt complained the residents of the 82 homes in the area were not told when the blasting will occur and stated she had talked with Kannapolis City officials. She said the blasting was affecting her quality of life and asked that it be stopped. Jerry Williamson thanked commissioner Privette for the job he is doing. He commented about the delays in the jail project and stated the Board should get the j ail built. Mr. Williamson also commented on the following issues: $130,000.00 settlement; Vice Chairman Juba's involvement in the construction manager at risk selection process; need for an ethics committee; and the ability for persons to speak at Board meetings. Finally, he questioned the need for the Attorney to be present at Board meetings. Dean Goodman, resident of Windy Ridge Drive, stated a majority of the Board had done a number of unpopular things during the past year, such as raising taxes and continuing to approve residential developments in spite of overcrowded schools. He objected to Chairman Carruth's public comments proposal and stated the real objective was to give Chairman Carruth the power to limit the number of persons addressing the Board and to censor comments from the microphone. Mr. Goodman complained that allowing any of Chairman Carruth's objectives would be a denial of the rights of County citizens under the first amendment of the United States Constitution to petition their government. Chairman Carruth opened the meeting for comments regarding the justice center project. He said those in favor of Option 1, a continuation of the current plan, would be heard first. Steve Medlin, resident of 520 New Castle Court, stated he owned a building at 43 South union Street and had a law office there. He urged the Board to build the jail under the current proposed plan for the following reasons: (1) Safety issues with the jail located across the street from the courthouse and ability to move prisoners to and from the courthouse via a tunnel; and (2) Economics of downtown and the need to keep county jobs in the downtown area. Finally, he urged the Board to do what was best for all residents of the county and to keep all the jail downtown. Ben Small, Attorney with the Cabarrus County Bar Association, 77 Union Street, stated he echoed the comments by Mr. Medlin. He urged the Board to vote in favor of Option 1 from the standpoint of someone who was in the jail and courthouse on a daily basis. Finally, Mr. Small said a delay was not justified and urged to Board to get the jail built. Doyle Bost, resident of 4605 Sapp Road and owner of Bost Bonding located at 90 Union Street, supported Option 1. He stated the other option was projected to cost an additional $2.3 million and there would in all likelihood be cost overruns to that amount. Mr. Bost stated the Board should do what was best for the County and look at the issue from a common sense approach and economical standpoint. Finally, he stated the Board cannot make everyone happy and should build the jail. Alex Rankin, business and property owner at 45 Spring Street SW, supported Option 1. He stated in his opinion Option 1 was the most cost effective, could be built the quickest and was the strongest from a safety standpoint. He also cautioned that moving any part of the jail from downtown may result in more following in the future. Further, Mr. Rankin reported the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce participated in several meetings in 2003 regarding the future location of the jail and court system. The Governmental Affairs Committee endorsed the proposal to keep the facilities downtown and the Chamber Board voted unanimously in 2003 to support the same. The Chamber Board discussed the issue again in December 2005 and, without dissent, supported the position it endorsed in 2003.