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March 26, 2002' Page 316 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session on Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at 6:30 p.m. with the Kannapolis City Council at the Kannapolis Public Works Operation facility located at 1401 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis, North Carolina. Present - Chairman: Robert M. Freeman Vice Chairman: Robert W. Carruth Commissioners: Arne L. Fennel Coy C. Privette Richard D. Suggs Also present were Mr. Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager; Mr. Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney; Ms. Kelly Sifford, Community Development Director; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. The following Kannapolis City Council members and staff were present for the meeting: Mayor Ray Moss; Mayor pro tem Robert S. Misenheimer and Council Members Richard Anderson, Paul Bessent, Randy E. Cauthen, Kenneth B. Geathers, M. Darrell Hinnant; City Manager Mike Mahaney; Assistant City Manager Mike Legg; City Clerk Bridgette Bell; and Public Information Officer Jennifer Woodford. Chairman Freeman called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m. He expressed appreciation for the invitation to meet with the Kannapolis City Council. Mayor Moss gave the invocation and welcomed County Commissioners to Kannapolis. He stated the purpose of the meeting was to talk about common issues, concerns, challenges and opportunities in order for the County and the City to work out solutions together. Fishertown Community Mr. Legg presented an overview of issues concerning the Fishertown Community that is located just outside the city limits of Kannapolis. Past Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to the County provided some sewer in the community but did not benefit as many residents as anticipated due to increased costs associated with rock. Mr. Legg reported there is no documentation of widespread septic tank failures, and the Health Alliance has indicated that there are no more sewer problems in that community than in other areas of county. Further, Mr. Legg discussed the competitive CDBG grant process for counties and the use of CDBG funds that Kannapolis receives as an entitlement city. He also responded to questions regarding annexation procedures and discussed the possibility of voluntary annexation if the Fishertown residents petition for annexation. Ms. Sifford reported that the County had used CDBG funds to serve parts of the Fishertown Community, specifically those areas with the highest poverty level. The following funds have been spent on the Fishertown Community through CDBG grant funds and local match over the past 12 years: CDBG Housing Rehabilitation and Sewer Grant - $1.2 million Grant Funds and $500,000.00 County Funds; County Waterline Extensions - $500,000.00 County Funds; and Sewer Pump Station - $75,000.00 Grant Funds. There was lengthy discussion concerning the Fishertown community, specifically issues associated with annexation by the City of Kannapolis and the provision of services to the community. It was generally agreed for City and County staff to work with the Cabarrus Health Alliance and gather information regarding the following: (1) the extent of the sewer problem in the community (i.e., the number of homes with septic problems); (2) the possibility that some of the sewer problems can be resolved through proper maintenance such as pumping out the septic tank; (3) an estimate on the cost to complete the sewer project; and (4) any other options that may be available to resolve the community's sewer problems. Architect for the New Bethel Elementar~ School Mr. Clifton reviewed the request from Mr. Joe Sides, Construction Manager with the Cabarrus County Schools, for the Board to approve the contract with Martin Boal Anthony & Johnson Architects for the new Bethel Elementary School. The Board of Education approved the contract on March 19, and the County Commissioners typically give the final approval for such contracts when the County advances the funding prior to issuance of debt.