Macon County Commissioners Coverage of 09-13-2011 Meeting

**9-15 @5.12am** Here is the full video of the meeting:

**09-14 @8.37am** I have added the tweets I posted during the meeting at the end of this post and am getting ready to edit the video. My aim is to have it ready by sometime Friday. 


**10.03pm** I'm back home after the meeting (a 3 hour marathon meeting) and I can really tell the difference in the level of coverage I was able to provide on Twitter and TwitPic tonight. I was able to tweet more often and in greater detail than I was able to when I was trying to keep BOTH a livestreaming video camera and a recording video camera operating at the same time. I probably won't be livestreaming these local government meetings again unless there is a compelling reason to do so. ~Bobby



I will be at the meeting tonight, but will not be providing a live video feed. All I will be providing live is tweets and occasional photo uploads for the foreseeable future. Read more on that decision by clicking here.


You may follow along using your favorite twitter client by tracking the hashtag #MaconGov or by observing the Twitter Widget I have embedded at the bottom of this post.


The agenda for tonight's meeting is below:

MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
AGENDA

1. Call to order and welcome by Chairman McClellan

2. Announcements

• Recognition of Commissioner Beale's election as Second Vice President of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners

3. Invocation

4. Pledge of Allegiance

5. Public Hearing[s]

• 6:00 p.m. 911 Road Names
• 6:30 p.m. Macon County Transit Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP)

6. Public Comment Period

7. Adjustments to and approval of the agenda

8. Reports/Presentations

• Work First Electing County Plan - Jane Kimsey
• Retention of part-time magistrate in Highlands - Sheriff Robert Holland and Highlands Police Chief Bill Harrell
• Wells Grove Baptist Church floodplain/fill issues - Jerry Cook
• Healthcare Access - Jean Jordan

9. Old Business

• Consideration of adoption of comprehensive transportation plan
• Exchange of real estate with Donald and Betty Fisher

10. New Business

• Amendment to county road ordinance
• Certified statement regarding Rural Operating Assistance Program
• Diamond Falls Subdivision bonds
• Consideration of classification and compensation study
• Release of sewer easement
• Lease agreement with Duke Energy Carolinas
• Right-of-way agreements with Duke Energy Carolinas
• Resolution Encouraging the Citizens of Macon County to Observe Firefighters Week in North Carolina

11. Consent Agenda - Attachment #11
All items below are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. No separate discussion will be held except on request of a member of the Board of Commissioners.

• Minutes
• Budget revisions
• Tax releases
• Tax refund
• Approval of fee changes at Macon County Public Health
• Resolution supporting addition of Burningtown Church Road to the state-maintained system

12. Appointments

13. Closed session - Real property

14. Adjournment/Recess 


Twitter Journal


The 77 Tweets I sent from the meeting in reverse chronological order:

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov I will not be staying to hear them recess the meeting. I will try to have the video by Friday. Goodnight.

9:17pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners have gone into a closed session for attorney client privilege. Will recess afterward to Sept 22 at 5.30pm

9:16pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners have passed the Consent Agenda, incl adding 0.19 miles to the #NCDOT system at Burningtown Church Rd

9:13pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov State-mandated changes in the fees that the Macon Co Health Dept charges for services is generating considerable back & forth

9:07pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov This meeting of the Macon County Commissioners is approaching the 3 hour mark. Perhaps 30 mins to go...

8:52pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov all items in the Consent Agenda will be voted on with a single vote

8:51pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners now taking up the Consent Agenda [See is.gd/11MC0913]

8:50pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners have scheduled a work session for the next property re-evaluation for 5.30p on Sept 22nd

8:49pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioner Beale said that he & the Co Manager have gained access for the county to 6 juvenile psych beds at Balsam

8:46pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners have voted to approve funding the requests as presented by Commissioners Corbin & Kuppers

8:44pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Chairman McClellan said that these community organizations do a better job of helping people than the Commissioners

8:40pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Kuppers said that agencies that directly helped people were favored in receiving funds. Museums, etc lost out

8:35pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#maconGov Commissioner Kuppers wants the Commissioners to consider upping the Community Funding Pool amount in future years.

8:34pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Kuppers said that when the Community Funding Pool was established at $50k ten years ago. It is the same today.

8:33pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners discussing the Community Funding Pool [$50k budgeted] Commissioner Corbin reporting

8:31pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners have passed a resolution encouraging the citizens of Macon Co to observe Firefighters week

8:29pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners taking up a resolution encouraging the citizens of Macon Co to observe Firefighters week in NC

8:27pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners have approved the two right of way agreements w Duke Energy Carolinas

8:27pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Discussion of two right-of-way agreements w Duke Energy Carolinas on rebuilding xmission lines around Franklin, NC

8:25pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners have approved the lease agreement on 17.48 acres with Duke Energy Carolinas (4yrs, I believe)

8:22pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Beale said that this negotiation has gone on for 4 years and Duke has come a long way to meet the county.

8:21pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov County Attorney Chet Jones gave a shoutout to former County Attorney Moxley for doing the heavy lifting on this lease agreement

8:19pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners discussing Lease Agreement with Duke Energy Carolinas (4 yrs on 17.48 acres owned by Duke)

8:17pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Easment quitclaim approved by the County Commissioners

8:15pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners discussing the release of sewer easement near Industrial Park [Ramsey Property]

8:14pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The scene outside the Macon County Courthouse during a break in the meeting twitpic.com/6kjhx2

8:06pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners are taking a 5 minute break.

7:58pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners have passed a resolution approving a classification & compensation study for the county costing $33,150

7:58pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners now considering a classification & compensation study [by NCACC & Springsted Incorporated]

7:52pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

twitpic.com/6khx8m - #maconGov Commissioners have passed ordinance reflecting changes to road names

7:48pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners considering an amendment to the county road ordinance. [List twitpic.com/6khx8m]

7:47pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Kevin Corbin suggests the Commissioners acknowledge receipt of document from the Planning Board

7:45pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov It's approaching 2 hours and we're about 1/2 way through the agenda

7:44pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Beale makes a motion to table the property swap again, investigate further.

7:43pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioners Kuppers says he sees no forcing function to drive a property swap at this time. No plans to use.

7:38pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Chairman McClellan says he thinks it is a good swap. The county will eventually need the property anyway.

7:34pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Beale has also spoke out against the swap, for the same reasons, but will roll w the majority

7:33pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Kuppers is speaking against the property swap b/c the county could only use 1/3 of the new piece, all of current

7:32pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Brain McClellan, Chairman of the Macon Co Commissioners, is giving the backstory to the property transfer

7:25pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners are now considering an exchange of Real Estate with Donald and Betty Fisher

7:23pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners will now take up Old Business [Agenda Items 9A-B is.gd/11MC0913]

7:22pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov backslapping ensues

7:22pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon Co Commissioners have passed the Macon County Comprehensive Transportation Plan as amended at previous meetings

7:22pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioners have passed a resolution addressing the elimination of magistrate, will take it up with the state.#ncga

7:18pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Kevin Corbin says that it takes more than 2 hrs to drive from Nantahala to Blue Valley due to the topography

7:17pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov #ncga "Officials in Raleigh looked at a map and did not take into acct the terrain & rough roads to the remote area of the county"

7:12pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Sheriff & Police Chief; "The elimination of a magistrate position in Highlands will cost more than it will save."

7:11pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Sheriff Holland & HIghlands PD Chief Harrell reporting on the retention of a part-time magistrate in Highlands, NC

7:06pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Ronnie Beale is reporting on the progress of the petition w the state to establish a local Dialysis Center

7:05pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Petitioners are wanting a beach built at the Rocky Bridge Boat Ramp on Nantahala Lake for swimming

7:03pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Vicechairman Bobby Kuppers is updating the Commissioners on the talks w NC Wildlife on a swimming hole in Nantahala

7:02pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Jean Jordan is reporting on Healthcare access, she has a h/o & has promised to send me info later twitpic.com/6kip9v

6:57pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon Co Commissioners have directed Ronnie Beale & the Co Attorney to work to resolve the issue

6:54pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Commissioner Ronnie Beale has requested that he & the Co Attorney be designated to work w the church to resolve the issue

6:53pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Chairman of the Deacons of Wells Grove Baptist Church addressing floodplain/fill issues at the churchtwitpic.com/6kil5r

6:47pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Jerry Cook [Chairman of the Deacon] is reporting on the Wells Grove Baptist Church floodplain/fill issues

6:44pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon Co Commissioners have approved the Work First Electing County Plan as presented by DSS Director Jane Kimsey.

6:40pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co DSS Director making a report to the Macon Co Commissioners [Work First] twitpic.com/6kihow

6:39pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Jane Kimsey [Macon Co DSS Director] is reporting on the Work First Electing County Plan [34 page document]

6:36pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon County Commissioners will now hear Reports and Presentatrions. [Agenda Items 8A -8D is.gd/11MC0913]

6:36pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The agenda has been approved. The chairman joked that breakfast will served at the end of the meeting. :)

6:35pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon County Commissioners are now making adjustments to the agenda. (Commissioners adding items to agenda)

6:31pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The public hearing is now closed. [Infotwitpic.com/6khyfn]

6:31pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov No one has signed up to speak at the Macon Co Transit ROAP public hearing. Transit Director making report on grants

6:29pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Public Hearing on the Macon Co Transit Rural Operating Assistance Program [ROAP] is now being held. [Infotwitpic.com/6khyfn]

6:27pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Mark Herstik has averred that he has been told that his only recourse is to file Civil Suit against Duke Energy Carolinas

6:27pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

twitpic.com/6ki8ji - #MaconGov The man's name is Mark Herstik.

6:24pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

twitpic.com/6ki8ji - #MaconGov He is speaking at length. I'll try to get him for an interview later if possible.

6:19pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

twitpic.com/6ki8ji - #MaconGov The man says that everyone has told him that they can't stop Duke Energy from spraying herbicide

6:18pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

twitpic.com/6ki8ji - #MaconGov The man says he has spken to numerous Duke Employees & Public Officials, incl Roy Cooper

6:18pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co citizen complaining about excessive spraying by Duke Energy, denuding his property twitpic.com/6ki8ji

6:17pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon County Commissioners have opened the floor for public comment

6:12pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov A Public Hearing on 911 Road Names is now being held. [List twitpic.com/6khx8m]

6:12pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Macon Co Commissioner Ronnie Beale is being recognized for his election as the 2nd VP of the NC Assn of County Commissioners.

6:08pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon County Commissioners are now in session. [Agenda is.gd/11MC0913]

6:07pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov Vicechairman of the Macon Co Commissioners has announced that the Chairman is 6 minutes out. Meeting postponed till then

6:03pm 

wpig Bobby Coggins 

#MaconGov The Macon Co Commissioners meeting for tonight is about to start. Agenda is.gd/11MC0913 twitpic.com/6ki1vl

5:59pm