MINUTES LENOIR COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. December 3, 2018

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1 Item No. 1 MINUTES LENOIR COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS December 3, 2018 The Lenoir County Board of Commissioners met in open session at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 3, 2018, in the Board of Commissioners Main Meeting Room in the Lenoir County Courthouse at 130 S. Queen St., Kinston, NC. Members present: Chairman, Linda Rouse Sutton, Vice-Chairman Roland Best, Commissioners, Mac Daughety, Reuben Davis, Craig Hill, Preston Harris, and Eric Rouse. Members Absent: None. Also present were: Joey R. Bryan, Interim County Manager, Vickie Freeman King, Clerk to the Board, Robert Griffin, County Attorney, members of the general public and news media. Chairman Craig Hill officially called the meeting to order at approximately 9:10 a.m. Mr. Harris offered the Invocation, and Mr. Rouse led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Hill stated one of the great honors as serving in public is serving as chairman which he has had the privilege of doing for over five years. He reminded the Board that when he came on board, he was in favor of terms and term limits for leadership positions. Mr. Hill announced that he would be stepping down as chairman and he appreciated the support that the Board has given him. It s been a true pleasure to serve as chairman. It s good for the life of the Board because each leader has different leadership styles. He wanted to make sure other members of the board had the opportunity to serve in that role. The Board is a living organism and change is essential. Since the citizens elect board members, everyone should have the opportunity to represent. It was a great honor to be able to serve this board. Its crucial that this board constantly evolves and the time was right for someone else to have the opportunity to lead this board. Therefore, he was relinquishing the position as chairman because he feels it is the best thing to do. Mr. Griffin reviewed the procedures for nominations and opened the floor for nomination for chairman for Board of County Commissioners. Election of Chairman Attorney Robert W. Griffin Mr. Davis nominated Mrs. Linda Rouse Sutton, and Mr. Daughety nominated Mr. Rouse; there was no opposition to the nominations, and no further nominees; Mrs. Linda Rouse Sutton was named Chairman by a 5-2 vote and approval of the Board One Year Term.

2 Election of Vice-Chairman Attorney Robert W. Griffin Mr. Hill nominated Mr. Roland Best, and Mr. Daughety nominated Mr. Rouse; there was no opposition to the nomination, and no further nominees; Mr. Roland Best was named Vice- Chairman by a 5-2 vote and approval of the Board One Year Term. Administration of Oaths of Office: Lenoir County Board of Commissioners Newly Elected and Re-Elected Officials: By the Clerk of Court, Ms. Dawn Stroud: Mac Daughety Roland Best Eric Rouse Preston Harris Mrs. Sutton thanked the Board for their confidence in her leadership ability. She stated she would do her best for the county. She praised Mr. Hill for his many years of leading the board. A lot of people don t realize a lot goes on behind the scenes. Mr. Hill has put in a lot of time including long nights as well as having to face some difficult times in the county. Ms. Sutton stated she accept the position as chairman in honor of her good friend former County Commissioner Ms. Jackie Brown who served on the Board for 21 years. PUBLIC INFORMATION: Ms. Tammy Childes, Eastern Carolina Workforce Development, Executive Director, stated it is the vision of ECWD is to have a highly skilled workforce within an educational attainment level that meets the needs of the 21 st Century workplace so that local firms can compete in a technologically advanced global economy. Their mission is to ensure that the workforce development system is customer focused, demand driven and accountable in preparing their current and future workforce to meet the changing needs of a highly-competitive global economy. Ms. Childes stated they add economic value to the communities by ensuring that quality education, job training, and employment opportunities are available for job/training seekers and employers alike, thereby improving the quality of life for the citizens throughout eastern North Carolina. Lenoir County has done a good job, and current unemployment numbers are at their lowest. Funding is available throughout nine counties which includes: Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico, and Wayne. Also, if anyone is out of work because of Hurricane Florence and have been unemployed for more than 13 weeks, and are eligible to work in the United States, temporary workers are needed through the Hurricane Florence Disaster Relief Employment Program. If anyone desires additional information, please do not hesitate to contact any of the NC Works Career Center or Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board. Ms. Sutton thanked Ms. Childes for sharing the updated information with the Board.

3 PUBLIC COMMENTS: None CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Approval of Minutes: Regular Board Meeting: November 19, Resolution Approving the Releases and Refunds to the Individuals Listed Herein. 3. Budget Ordinance Amendment: General Fund: Health: (Adult Health-BCCCP): $510: Decrease. 4. Budget Ordinance Amendment: General Fund: Health: (Adult Health-TB): $1,569: Decrease. Upon a motion by Mr. Daughety and a second by Mr. Best, the consent agenda was unanimously approved. BUDGET ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS/RESOLUTIONS: Item No. 5 was a Resolution Authorizing Director of Lenoir County Department of Social Services to Sign Modified Memorandum of Understanding Fiscal Year Between NC Department of Health and Human Services and Lenoir County. Mr. Jeff Harrison, DSS Director, stated approval of this resolution will authorize the DSS Director and/or Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners to sign the Modified Memorandum of Understanding for fiscal year This agreement is between the NC Department of Health and Human Services and Lenoir County and thereby holding Lenoir County accountable for meeting the Program Performance Measures contained within the Modified Memorandum of Understanding. Upon a motion by Mr. Daughety and a second by Mr. Best, Item No. 5 was unanimously approved. Item No. 6 was a Resolution Declaring Property as Surplus and Authorizing the Sale of the Surplus Property by Auction. Ms. Jerri King, EMS Deputy Director, stated the Lenoir County Emergency Services Communications Division purchased CAD server equipment through a lease/purchase agreement, which stated Lenoir County Emergency Services would be the owner of the equipment at the end of the lease, which was at or about In 2018, Lenoir County Emergency Services Communications Division, through the MIS Department, signed a new lease/refresh agreement that would provide all new CAD server hardware for both the primary site in Lenoir County and the backup site in Jones County; thereby, rendering the old equipment obsolete. As Lenoir County Emergency Services is the owner of the old equipment, per the previous lease/purchase agreement, we now have surplus equipment stored in boxes at both physical locations. If authorized, this equipment will be auctioned on GovDeals.com. Upon a motion by Mr. Hill and a second by Mr. Daughety, Item No. 6 was unanimously approved.

4 Item No. 7 was a Resolution Authorizing FY18-19 Purchase Order: Curtis and Curtis, Inc.: $20,380. Mr. Anthony Howard, Maintenance Director, stated due to missing, deteriorating shingles and wood rot, roof repair is strongly recommended to avoid further and future water damage to the roof of the Farmers Market located in Pearson Park. The octagonal peaks have rotted to the point of collapse and must be replaced. Also, there are multiple leaks throughout the Market. The County has a significant investment in the Farmers Market, and we are entrusted to maintain the aesthetic and structural integrity of the building. These repairs will ensure this by preventing further water infiltration into the building and stopping the damage that is already occurring. Without the required repairs damage will continue in the areas of concern and will certainly cause more costly repairs. Lenoir County Maintenance requested bids and received three from roofing contractors to repair the damaged roof on the Farmers Market. Of the bids received, Curtis and Curtis Inc. met the scope of work and was the lowest bidder. Upon a motion by Mr. Davis and a second by Mr. Daughety, Item No. 7 was unanimously approved. Item No. 8 was a Budget Ordinance Amendment: General Fund: Health: (CC4C): $109,171: Increase. Ms. Pamela Brown, Health Director, stated the purpose for the amendment was to carry forward balance of unspent funds to new fiscal year Upon a motion by Mr. Rouse and a second by Mr. Best, Item No. 8 was unanimously approved. Item No. 9 was a Budget Ordinance Amendment: General Fund: Health: (PCM): $133,262: Increase. Ms. Pamela Brown, Health Director, stated the purpose for the amendment was to carry forward balance of unspent funds to new fiscal year Upon a motion by Mr. Rouse and a second by Mr. Best, Item No. 9 was unanimously approved. Item No. 10 was a Resolution Approving 2019 County Holidays. Mr. Joey Bryan, Interim County Manager, stated it is good management practice to officially adopt an annual calendar of County holidays in order to reduce ad hoc questions (when holidays arise) and in order to better schedule completing tasks and managing workload. Upon a motion by Mr. Rouse and a second by Mr. Daughety, Item No. 10 was unanimously approved. Item No. 11 was a Resolution Approving 2019 Calendar of Board Meeting Dates and Times. Mr. Joey Bryan, Interim County Manager, stated the Clerk to the Board is responsible for maintaining this calendar so that citizens and staff have proper advance notice of times, days and dates of meetings. Commissioners can modify the calendar if situations or emergencies warrant it to be changed. Historically, the Board meets only once during the months of July and December. Also, it is good practice to officially adopt an annual calendar. This calendar can then be published as well as sent to all news media. Mr. Bryan stated he would ask the Board to approve this Resolution with the correction of the date being changed to Tuesday, January 22, 2019, after Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Upon a motion by Mr. Hill and a second by Mr. Best, Item No. 11 was unanimously approved.

5 Item No. 12 was a Resolution Approving Citizens to Boards, Commissions, Etc. Ms. Sutton stated no action was needed at this time. However, there remain several available positions to be filled. Item No. 13 was Items from Interim County Manager Joey R. Bryan. Mr. Bryan stated the county received a bid of $2,100 for property located at 405 W. Washington Avenue and there is no structure on the property, and he requests that the Board accept this amount and get the upset bidding process moving forward. Upon a motion by Mr. Davis and a second by Mr. Daughety, the bid for $2,100 was unanimously approved. Mr. Bryan stated he had a meeting with the new library s director Ms. Melanie Morgan. Ms. Morgan will probably come before the Board at the January 22, 2019, meeting to introduce herself and share reports in regards to activities at the library. Ms. Morgan would like to start presenting quarterly updates for the Board. Also, he and commissioner Best attended the DOT meeting regarding Little Baltimore. Mr. Hill stated Friday, November 30 th was the deadline for accepting applications for the new county manager s position. He encouraged all members to take the time to visit the office and review the applications and notify the sub-committee of their choice/selection. Once that is complete, they will be able to narrow the process down to 10/5, etc. Mr. Hill stated the subcommittee could meet in the county manager s office to review the applications. Ms. Sutton suggested that the sub-committee give the other board members time to review the applicants and after that, the entire board can get together and decide on the candidates and narrow it down to the possible top 3. The sub-committee will meet in the former County Manager s Office Monday, December 10, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. to review the submitted applications. Also, she would like for the Board to plan on meeting Monday, January 7, 2019, after the regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Rouse stated in his opinion the board should get together as a group during a closed work session to discuss the applicants. Mr. Hill stated the board needed to meet anyway to come up with some interview questions and to review any feedback the board might have in regards to the applicants. The recommendation from the Association of County Commissioners mentioned that the board make the decision, but he recommends that each commissioner take a look at the applicants as well and then once they get together as a group discussion can start. Ms. Sutton stated she would like for the Board to have a retreat in January or February in regards to the upcoming budget. Mr. Davis commended Mr. Bryan for defusing a situation that was expected to come before the board today with Mr. Coombs and Mr. Goff. The issue was in a residential area close to the drop off center in Deep Run. A house was burned down 1/3 of the way, several junk cars, and other cars, along with debris piled up. It is a general situation that one would like to be a part of. Nevertheless, Mr. Bryan has handled the situation, and Mr. Coombs and Mr. Goff will no longer be requesting to come before the Board of Commissioners.

6 Mr. Bryan replied, we are using the tools at our disposal. We don t have very big hammers in regards to public issues. However, we do have small policies hammers that we try to utilize such as our junkyard ordinance and solid waste ordinance. Mr. Hill asked if anyone has heard anything about debris pick up. Mr. Bryan replied he has received several calls in regards to commercial debris. Per Governor Cooper, DOT will eventually be picking up the debris. However, because there were a lot of counties that did not have pre-positioned contracts, it will take a while for it to get picked up, so we might be looking at the extra debris for a while. The Board commended Mr. Roger Dail on his retirement effective December 31, Upon a motion by Mr. Daughety and a second by Mr. Best, a closed session was entered into at approximately 10:07 a.m. with the following cited: Number Four (4): To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by Lenoir County. CLOSED SESSION Upon a motion by Mr. Hill and a second by Mr. Daughety, and unanimous approval, the Board, moved out of closed session at approximately 10:11 a.m. The meeting reconvened in open session at approximately 10:12 a.m. Mrs. Sutton stated we are back in open session. The Board went into closed session to discuss a potential industry in Lenoir County. No action was taken. Mrs. Sutton asked if there were any additional comments? Ms. Keely Koonce, Economic Development Specialist, stated they received notice last week from the General Assembly in regards to the tier announcement. Last year Lenoir County went down to a Tier 1 county, and this year they will remain in that status. They have since changed the way they based the status of a county which is now based solely on the economic distress four factors. This year Lenoir County is 17 with one being the most distressed. Meeting Adjourned at 10:14 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by, Vickie F. King Clerk to the Board Joey R. Bryan Interim County Manager

7 MINUTES CLOSED SESSION LENOIR COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DECEMBER 3, 2018 Upon a motion by Mr. Daughety and a second by Mr. Best, a closed session was entered into at approximately 10:07 a.m. with the following cited: Number Four (4): To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by Lenoir County. Members present: Chairman Linda Rouse Sutton, Vice-Chair Roland Best, Commissioners Mac Daughety, Reuben Davis, Craig Hill, Preston Harris, and Eric Rouse. Members Absent: None. Also present were: Joey R. Bryan, Interim County Manager, Vickie F. King, Clerk to the Board, and Attorney Robert Griffin. Keely Koonce, Economic Development Specialist, stated she wanted to update the Board in regards to Project Jet Stream. A few months ago, Mark Pope was before the board and shared vital information regarding the project. Fortunately, some funding was approved and made available, and it should be announced within the next couple of weeks, and it will be a governor s announcement. At this time the date has not been made available but as soon as it is announced she will come back before the board with the resolution and agreement to be signed. The project is $2.3 million investment, and the potential incentive that the county will be paying will be $81,000 over three years. This project is for 145 jobs, and the average salary is $61,000, which is a big win for Lenoir County. Meeting Adjourned at 10:14 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by, Vickie F. King Clerk to the Board Joey R. Bryan Interim County Manager