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247 <br /> <br /> The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met at 8:00 A.M. on <br />Wednesday, February 19, 1997, at the Irish Glen Conference Center, 2239 Irish <br />Potato Road, Concord, North Carolina for a retreat and work session. <br /> <br />Present - Chair: Sue B. Casper <br /> Vice-Chair: Carolyn B. Carpenter <br /> Commissioners: Jeffrey L. Barnhart <br /> Franklin C. Niblock, Jr. <br />Absent - Commissioner: Kenneth Mills <br /> <br /> Also present were Mr. Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager; Mr. John Day, <br />Deputy County Manager for Operations; Mr. Don Moorhead, Human Resources Director; <br />and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. <br /> <br /> Chair Casper called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. <br />Barnhart was absent for the beginning of the meeting. <br /> <br />Commissioner <br /> <br /> Mr. Clifton gave an overview of the purpose of the meeting and distributed <br />a copy of the 1995 retreat goals and objectives. <br /> <br />TECHNOLOGY RELATED DISCUSSIONS <br /> <br /> Mr. Blair Bennett, Deputy County Manager for Administration, reviewed the <br />history of the County's computer equipment. The current system has been in place <br />18 years. <br /> <br /> Ms. Debbie Brannan, Information Services (IS) Systems Manager, and Ms. Jean <br />Kennedy, IS Programming Manager, discussed the impact of the Year 2000 on the <br />County's computer system. They reviewed the following options: (1) Migrate all <br />systems off the mainframe over the next three years. Replace existing legacy <br />COBOL systems with software that is Year 2000 compliant o Estimated cost $1.4 <br />million. (2) Replace accounting, budget and human resources COBOL systems and <br />convert all other systems to be Year 2000 compliant - Estimated cost $740,783.00. <br />(3) Convert all systems to be Year 2000 compliant - Estimated cost $213,637.00. <br /> <br />Chair Casper left the meeting at 8:45 A.M. <br /> <br /> Staff members also presented information concerning the following items: <br />(1) Staffing requirements to support new technology; (2) Current technology <br />projects; and (3) Opportunities for governmental public relations/information and <br />cable television distance learning. <br /> <br />Chair Casper returned to the meeting at 9:05 A.M. <br /> <br /> There was general agreement by the Board in support of Option 1 to meet <br />Year 2000 requirements. Staff will prepare a formal proposal to be presented to <br />the Board on April 21. <br /> <br />PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES <br /> <br /> Sheriff Robert Canaday and Lieutenant Phillip Patterson reviewed the <br />proposal for county-wide usage of the 800 MHz radio system and the benefits of <br />the proposed system. The Sheriff's Department and volunteer fire departments are <br />pursuing grant funds to help pay for the new system. The proposed radio system <br />will be discussed further during the FY 1997-98 budget process. <br /> <br /> Mr. Clifton briefly presented information concerning the possible <br />relocation of the County Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator. Staff <br />will bring a recommendation to the Board at a later date. <br /> <br />PLANNING ISSUES <br /> <br /> Mr. Mike Byrd, Transportation Planner; Mr. Jim Cook, Social Services <br />Director; and Mr. Mike Murphy, Aging Director, discussed the current van <br />transportation system. There was lengthy discussion regarding concerns with the <br />current system and cost overruns. Options to be considered include: (1) Plan for <br />an increased local financial commitment; (2) Reduce or restrict types of trips; <br />and (3) Look at other contractual or in-house operations. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jonathan Marshall, Planning Services Director, presented an update on <br />the following issues: (1) Highway construction schedule/corridor plans for road <br /> <br /> <br />