Board of Delegates Minutes May 8, 2013 Jurisdiction Represented By Jurisdictions Not Represented Albemarle Martha Sue Hall Ansonville Anson County Jarvis Woodburn Charlotte Badin Deloris Chambers Cherryville Belmont Charlie Martin China Grove Bessemer City Kay McCathen Cleveland Cramerton Will Cauthen Cornelius Davidson Rodney Graham Dallas East Spencer Phronice Johnson Faith Gaston County Joe Carpenter Harmony Gastonia Walter Kimble Hemby Bridge Granite Quarry Bill Feather High Shoals Huntersville Sarah McAulay Iredell County Indian Trail Darlene Luther/Robert Allen Kannapolis Lincoln County Carl Robinson, Jr. Kings Mountain Lincolnton Devin Rhyne Landis Matthews Jeff Miller Locust Misenheimer Michael Riemann Lowell Mount Pleasant Rick Burleyson Marshville New London Calvin Gaddy Marvin Spencer Jody Everhart McAdenville Stanly County Lindsey Dunevant Mecklenburg County Statesville Michael Johnson Midland Union County Jerry Simpson Mineral Springs Wesley Chapel Becky Plyler Mint Hill Monroe Mooresville Morven Mount Holly Norwood Oakboro Pineville Ranlo Richfield Salisbury Stallings Stanley Troutman Unionville Wadesboro Waxhaw Weddington Centralina Council of Governments Board of Delegates Minutes May 8, 2013 1
Wingate 1. Call to Order Chairperson Hall called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem and CCOG Vice-Chairman Michael Johnson gave the invocation. The Clerk verified and confirmed a quorum was present. 2. Amendments to the Agenda There was one amendment to the agenda. Contract agreement between Centralina COG and Headlight, LLC. 3. Region of Excellence Awards The Chairperson presented the Region of Excellence Awards. Centralina celebrates the work of its member governments through the annual Region of Excellence Awards which honor outstanding achievements that work collectively to achieve regional goals. A panel of impartial judges reviewed the submittals and selected the winners for the Eighth Annual Region of Excellence. This year s winners are: Controlling the Cost of Government Two Rivers Utilities - Town of Cramerton and the City of Gastonia The Two Rivers Utilities was created through municipal partnerships of the Town of Cramerton and the City of Gastonia in an effort to effectively manage rising industry costs and take advantage of economy of scale. The name, Two Rivers Utilities, was selected because it represents the regional approach and acknowledges the region s two important water resources, the South Fork and Catawba Rivers. The cooperative partnership serves as an example of how government entities can reduce costs and increase efficiency by working together. Growing the Economy Gastonia Technology Park City of Gastonia The Gastonia Technology Park (GTP) is the leading center for economic growth with more than $100 million in investment and more than 300 new high-paying jobs. The Technology Park has become the premier location for industrial business in the region. The GTP is listed as a North Carolina Certified Site and is a Class A, shovel ready development, designed for advanced manufacturing and technology activities. The GTP has seen tremendous success and has brought needed jobs and investment to the community. The development of the GTP has been through the cooperation of the City of Gastonia, Gaston County and ElectriCities of North Carolina. Both the City and County offer strong Business Retention programs, which helps in maintaining strong relationships with new industries. Improving Quality of Life City of Statesville Downtown Streetscape Project The City of Statesville s Streetscape Improvement Project is a multi-phase redevelopment plan for enhancing the beauty and public image of Downtown Statesville and NC-115. The project involved replacement of aging water, storm water and electric lines, which were placed underground with new waterlines on both sides of the street. The above ground improvements included narrowing streets from four lanes to three and widening the sidewalks. The improved streetscape enhances the charm of Statesville and creates an environment that would encourage more pedestrians to shop and spend additional time in Downtown. Centralina Council of Governments Board of Delegates Minutes May 8, 2013 2
The project was recently awarded the 2012 North Carolina Main Street Award of Merit for Best Outdoor Space Improvement. Clean Cities Benfield Sanitation Service In 2012, Benfield Sanitation Services collaborated with Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition stakeholder, PSNC Energy, to install a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fueling Station in Statesville. Vocation Energy completed the station s installation. Like coal and oil, natural gas is a fossil fuel with a lower energy density than coal or oil. Unlike fossil fuels, natural gas is a clean-burning fuel and emits lower levels of harmful by-products into the air. The new sanitation trucks were purchased to replace the diesel trucks, helping to reduce fuel costs. The new station and trucks were a five-year investment with paybacks set to be completed in six years. The CNG station and trucks serve the City of Statesville, City of Concord, Town of Harmony and Town of Troutman with cleaner burner fuel that is better for local air quality. 4. Consent Agenda Councilperson Becky Plyler made the motion to approve the addendum to the agenda and all other items listed on the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joe Carpenter. The motion was approved. 1. Minutes from February 13, 2013. 2. Approval of Contract to Purchase and install Accounting Software. 3. Proposed 2017 EPA Air Quality Regulations. 4. CONNECT Update. 5. Report of Service Agreements. Member Dues for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Commissioner Lindsey Dunevant, Treasurer and Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, presented the Executive Board s recommendation for approval by the Board of Delegates of a.005-cent increase to the member dues which calculates the member dues at a rate of $0.24 per capita for fiscal year 2013-14, a slight increase from last fiscal year s 2012-13 budget. The member dues are based on the 2010 North Carolina Census, with a minimum of $750 in dues for all members. The rate is reflected in the fiscal year 2013-14 proposed operating budget. Commissioner Jeff Miller made the motion to approve the.005-cent increase to member dues which calculates the membership dues at a rate of $0.24 per capita for fiscal year 2013-14. The motion was seconded by Councilman Charlie Martin. The motion was approved. 5. Proposed Centralina COG Annual Operating Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Commissioner Lindsey Dunevant, Treasurer and Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, presented the recommendation from the Executive Board on the proposed FY 2013-14 CCOG s Annual Operating Budget Ordinance for approval by the Board of Delegates for an amount of $7,501,061. The budget reflects at 2.50% salary adjustment to salaries with no COLA increase in anticipation of the effects of sequestration. Councilman Walter Kimble made the motion to approve the FY 2013-14 CCOG s Annual Operating Budget Ordinance for an amount of $7,501,061. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joe Carpenter and Councilman Charlie Martin. The motion was approved. 6. Proposed Centralina COG Grant Projects Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Commissioner Lindsey Dunevant, Treasurer and Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, Centralina Council of Governments Board of Delegates Minutes May 8, 2013 3
presented the recommendations from the Executive Board for the proposed FY 2013-14 CCOG s Grant Projects Budget Ordinance for approval by the Board of Delegates for an amount of $15,916,778. The budget reflects funding disbursements throughout the region for a variety of Workforce Development and Aging programs, which is the effects of sequestration. Commissioner Jarvis Woodburn made the motion to approve the FY 2013-14 CCOG s Grant Projects Budget Ordinance in the amount of $15,916,778. The motion was seconded by Councilman Charlie Martin. The motion was approved. 7. Approval of a contract included in the fiscal year 2013-2014 Proposed Operating Budget Ordinance Commissioner Lindsey Dunevant, Treasurer and Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, presented for approval by the Board of Delegates the contract for occupancy cost in the amount of $335,000, associated with the 12 th floor office space at the 525 North Tryon Street. Commissioner Jeff Miller made the motion to approve the contract for occupancy cost for the office space in the amount not to exceed $335,000 included in the approved operating budget for fiscal year 2013-2014. The motion was seconded by Councilman Charlie Martin. The motion was approved. 8. Contract agreement between Centralina COG and Headlight, LLC (also known as Avalanche Consulting) Mike Manis, Community and Economic Development Director, presented an agreement between Centralina COG and the Headlight, LLC as the next initial step that will align the CONNECT program and the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region. A key recommendation for aligning the CONNECT program with CEDS strategy was to establish a region-wide, shared Career Headlight web-based platform for workforce development that would coordinate and calibrate workforce skills, job training and job seekers. David Hollars, Workforce Development Director, and the Workforce Development Board would manage the platform. An Advisory Committee representing end users from counties throughout the region will guide the development of the platform. Funding will be sought from the North Carolina Department of Commerce and other stakeholder organizations. Centralina Staff requested the board to authorize the Executive Director to negotiate and execute the contract with Headlight, LLC in the amount not to exceed $70,000 for developing the Career Headlight web-based regional platform for workforce development, contingent upon Legal Counsel s review and approval as to form of such a contract prior to its execution. Councilman Charlie Martin made the motion to authorize the Executive Director to negotiate and execute the contract with Headlight, LLC in the amount not to exceed $70,000 for developing the Career Highlight web-based regional platform for workforce development. The motion was seconded by Mayor Jody Everhardt. The motion was approved. 9. Centralina Strategic Planning & Board Communications Committee Update Commissioner Jerry Simpson, Chairman of the CCOG Board Communications Committee, reported the importance of elected officials in communicating the value of government. Commissioner Simpson noted that CCOG is an example of a governmental organization that provides a great value to local governments and to the region. Commissioner Simpson also noted that value is not always clear if you do not work directly with CCOG on a regular basis but it is important that Board members identify the need to clearly communicate the value that CCOG provides for its member governments. As champion leaders, Board members should communicate the value of CCOG at board meetings, with local opinion leaders, other state elected officials and others in the community, Commissioner Simpson said. Centralina Council of Governments Board of Delegates Minutes May 8, 2013 4
Commissioner Simpson added that a Board Communications Committee has been formed to review the CCOG and CONNECT e-newsletters, annual report, CCOG s website, and dues letter to help make sure they are useful, appropriate, and the message is on target. He encouraged board members to give their feedback on the usefulness of the message and how well it communicates the value of CCOG. Commissioner Simpson also added that feedback could be sent to anyone on the CCOG staff and committee members who are: Jerry Simpson, Jarvis Woodburn, Bobby Compton, Devin Rhyne, Sarah McAulay, and Darlene Luther. The CCOG Board Communications Committee will be meeting with CCOG s staff Communications Team next month to discuss the feedback and develop a plan to ensure the value of CCOG is effectively communicated throughout the region. 10. Comments from the Board of Delegates There were no comments. 11. Comments from the Chairperson Chairperson Hall thanked everyone for attending the meeting and encouraged board members to once again sign-up for a committee they would like to serve on. Chairperson Hall reminded board members about the RealityCheck2050 event coming up on June 4 at the Charlotte Convention Center. It is an all-day event from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Chairperson also asked board members to fill out the application for participation and give it to Rebecca Yarbrough. Chairperson Hall also reminded board members, if they had any names to submit for the public, private, or non-profit sectors that need to participate in RealityCheck2050 to give them to Barbie Blackwell. 12. Comments from the Executive Director There were no comments from the Executive Director. 13. Adjournment With no further business, the Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m. Centralina Council of Governments complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Centralina Council of Governments will make reasonable accommodations in all programs/services to enable participation by an individual with a disability who meets essential eligibility requirements. Centralina Council of Governments programs will be available in the most integrated setting for each individual. If any accommodations are necessary for participation, please contact the Clerk to the Board, 525 North Tryon Street, 12 th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202, bblackwell@centralina.org or phone (704) 348-2728. Please allow 72 hours advance notice for preparation. Visit our website: www.centralina.org. Centralina Council of Governments Board of Delegates Minutes May 8, 2013 5