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March 18, 2002 Page 312 She explained the State requirements for rehabilitation had been more than the County expected, and the amendment is to reduce the number of units to be rehabilitated from 18-20 to 13-15. At 8:40 p.m., Chairman Freeman opened the public hearing for the CDBG Scattered Site Housing Rehabilitation Program and asked if anyone wished to address the Board. The Public Hearing Notice was published in THE INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE on March 3 and 8, 2002. Ms. Betty Cannon stated a group of residents from the Fishertown/Princeton Park area had asked the Board in 2000 for sewer in that community. She reported no work has been done since that time and expressed concern that there are homes that still need sewer. She stated the community had been working on this project since 1975. Reverend Charles Mingo stated he had been involved in the process to get sewer in the Fishertown/Princeton Park community for the past 15 years. He reported that pipes and machinery were brought in during the first phase of the project, but the pipes were picked up and taken to an adjacent community where water and sewer were installed. Stating that the septic systems are failing and there is sewage on top of the ground, Reverend Mingo asked for assistance in resolving the sewer problems in the community. Mr. Jonathan Marshall, Planning Services Director, reported that three separate CDBG grants had provided funding for utility work in the Fishertown/Princeton Park community over the years. The County provided water to the community and sewer was installed in parts of the community. However, rock and the associated expense prevented the construction of sewer lines in some areas. Ms. Sifford reported that a sewer assessment report for the Fishertown community (prepared by Benchmark, Inc., at the request of the City of Kannapolis) had indicated that a CDBG grant application would not be competitive based on rock in the area, the cost of installing sewer lines and the number of low-income persons that could be served. She explained that information documenting substantial sewer or septic problems in the area had not been received from the Health Department. Finally, Ms. Sifford discussed the possibility that some funds from the HOME program or the CDBG Scattered Site Rehabilitation Program could be used to fix some of the septic systems, if the homes with problems were identified. Mr. Clifton explained the County is not in the business of extending water and sewer lines. He reviewed the CDBG funding process for counties and the direct community development funds received by entitlement cities such as the City of Kannapolis. Mr. Marshall clarified that the Health Department had not provided documentation of failing septic tanks because, in his opinion, its staff had not been shown those failing systems. Further, Mr. Marshall pointed out that if a resident has a failing septic tank and the home cannot be connected to sewer, that resident has the responsibility for fixing the septic system or vacating the property. There was discussion about the sewer problems in the Fishertown community, the application process for CDBG grants, the proximity of the community to the City of Kannapolis and the need to work with the City and the Health Alliance to pursue a final solution to the problem. It was agreed that the Board would discuss the issue during its upcoming meeting with the Kananpolis City Council. Mr. Thomas Hill expressed concern that the County could not provide the basic sanitary needs to the residents of the Fishertown community but was building a $20 million Expo facility or "cow palace". Commissioner Suggs commented on an incident involving the Health Department and questioned the requirements for septic tank inspections associated with building additions. Information regarding these requirements will be provided. There was no one else present who wished to address the Board, and Chairman Freeman closed the public hearing at 9:15 p.m. . Mr. Marshall stated no action was required concerning the public hearing. Staff will provide information concerning the Fishertown Community to the Board.