ONSLOW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING February 1, 2016 Onslow County Government Center Commissioners Chambers 234 Northwest Corridor Boulevard, Jacksonville, NC 7:00 PM REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER - Chairman Barbara Ikner PRAYER FOLLOWED BY A MOMENT OF SILENCE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mr. David B. Cotton, Deputy County Manager will lead the audience and the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT CHAIRMAN S REMARKS The Board offers the public two opportunities to speak during the meeting. Comments during the first public comment period should be limited to three minutes each and must be directly issue-oriented with the agenda items for this meeting. The second public comment period is at the end of the meeting and may be on any issue upon which the Board of Commissioners has control. During the second public comment period citizens can address the Board for up to five minutes each. Citizen speakers will be acknowledged in the order in which they signed up to speak and will address all comments to the Board as a whole and not one individual commissioner. Speakers will address the Board from the speaker s podium at the front of the room and will begin their remarks by stating their name and address. Discussions between Speakers and members of the audience will not be allowed. Public comment is not intended to require the Board to answer any impromptu questions. Speakers are expected to be civil in their language and presentation. Any comments where the primary purpose is to promote a business or candidacy shall not be allowed. In accordance with the Board's adopted Rules of Procedure, Commissioners shall reserve responses, if any, for the Commissioner comment period on the agenda. ITEM 1 Chairman: ADOPTION OF AGENDA With no other items being considered separately, a motion to adopt the Meeting Agenda is in order. Specific Action Requested: Adopt the Meeting Agenda. 1
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF ITEMS ON CONSENT AGENDA The Chairman will ask any Board Members with questions or concerns about any agenda item to identify the item, which will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately toward the end of the meeting. If an item is identified, no vote is necessary to move the item for separate consideration. The Chairman will call for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda includes routine items that may be acted upon in a single vote. Any Commissioner may remove items from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and consideration later in the agenda. A. Budget Amendments the following budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 is requested for your approval on February 1, 2016: B37-B41. Specific Action Requested: Respectfully request the approval of Budget Amendments B37-B41. B. Releases and Refunds for December 2015 1. Releases And Refunds For December 2015 (A) (B) Releases for Holly Ridge, North Topsail Beach, Richlands, Surf City, and Swansboro. Refunds for Swansboro and Richlands. 2. Tax Collectors Report For December 2015 3. Report to County Commissioners the total unpaid taxes that are liens on real property {NCGS 105-369(A)} $5,661,001.89 9,809 2015 Tax Bills Report as of January 15, 2016 4. Request to advertise the 2015 tax liens on real property on March 21, 2016 {NCGS 105-369(C)} Specific Action Requested: Respectfully request that the Board of Commissioners consider the approval of Releases/Refunds, Tax Collectors Report for December 2015, Report to the Board unpaid taxes on real property and request to advertise the 2015 tax liens on real property on March 21, 2016. C. Approval of Proclamation United Service Organizations (USO) 75 th Anniversary Specific Action Requested: Respectfully consider approval of listed proclamation. 2
ITEM 3 ITEM 4 PUBLIC COMMENT Citizens have an opportunity to address the Board for no more than three minutes per speaker on topics which concern the agenda items of this meeting. PRESENTATIONS A. Proclamation One proclamation has been prepared for presentation. County Manager Jeff Hudson shall read the proclamation. i. United Service Organizations (USO) 75th Anniversary Representatives of USO of North Carolina will accept the proclamation. The entire Board of Commissioners will present the proclamation. B. Community Rating System (CRS) Award Mr. John Gerber, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) State Coordinator, will be presenting a plaque to the Board of Commissioners acknowledging the county s acceptance into the Community Rating System (CRS) program. FEMA s Community Rating System program was created as an incentivebased program designed to minimize future flood related losses of life and property. Participation in the program results in discounted flood insurance premiums for qualified policy holders. The amount of discount is dependent upon a jurisdiction s rating. Most communities enter the program rated as a 9 (5% reduction in premiums) and upgrade after a year to an 8 (10% reduction in premiums) or lower classification. Onslow County has been working on its application over the last 2 years to gain entry into the CRS program. Based upon the County s existing floodplain development standards and outreach efforts, the County will be entering the CRS program with a rating of 7. This will provide qualified flood insurance policy holders with a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. ITEM 5 GENERAL ITEMS A. Healthy Communities Funding The Onslow County Health Department received a Healthy Communities Agreement Addendum for the service period 06/01/2015-05/31/2016 which has been utilized to support staff and programs in Health Promotions. The state recently received additional funding which they have passed to local health departments. The additional monies are to be used to implement a new intervention, expand a current intervention, or provide additional training to staff. The Health Department wishes to utilize these funds to expand an existing program which prevents new diagnoses of diabetes by educating those most at risk of developing the chronic disease so that they do not become diabetic. 3
The intent of the funding is to ensure health equity and mitigate health disparities, improve programs that support healthy communities, and address the local prevalence of chronic disease and associated risk factors. Ms. Angela Lee, Health Director, will be available to answer any questions the board may have. Specific Action Requested: Respectfully request acceptance of the additional Healthy Community funds in the amount of $4,160. B. Home and Community Care Block Grant Onslow County Senior Services is the lead agency for Home and Community Care Block Grant services in Onslow County. This grant provides funding for in home services, adult day care, transportation and nutrition services for seniors 60 and older. Onslow County received an additional allocation from the state of $11,124.00 requiring a $426.00 local match which is met with existing Senior Services operational budget appropriation. No additional monies required. The money will be allocated toward In-Home Services. Ms. Sheri Slater, Assistant County Manager, will be available to answer any questions the Board may have. Specific Action Requested: Respectfully request the Board of Commissioners approve the grant and authorize the Chairman to sign associated documents on behalf of the County. C. Resolution 16-002 - A Resolution in support of Onslow County s New River and Commercial Fishing Industry County Manager Jeff Hudson will read the resolution. Specific Action Requested: Respectfully request consideration of Resolution 16-002 in support of Onslow County s New River and Commercial Fishing Industry. ITEM 6 APPOINTMENTS A. Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board A twenty-eight member board of directors governs Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board (ECWDB) in partnership with the local elected officials. It is the designated administrative/fiscal agent for the Federal and State workforce development funds appropriated by the North Carolina Department of Commerce to operate employment and training services in a nine county local area. Members of the ECWDB are appointed by the Elected Officials of their respective counties in accordance with criteria established by the Governor. 4
ECWDB membership includes representatives from business and industry, education agencies, economic development agencies, vocational rehabilitation, and labor organizations. Membership is drawn from individuals who have optimum policy-making authority from their organization. Mr. Ralph Leeds, representing Public Employment Service category, retired in December, leaving a vacant position on the Board. Staff has received a citizen participation application from Mr. Karl Zurl, who has expressed an interest in serving in this categorical position. The application is on file and has been certified by the Clerk s office. Specific Action Requested: Respectfully consider appointment of Mr. Karl Zurl, the Public Employment Service category, for a remaining two-year term expiring on June 30, 2017. B. Onslow County Planning Board The Planning Board works with the Planning and Development Department staff to ensure the orderly growth and development of land in the County in the proper administration of land use regulations. The Planning Board consists of seven members: one appointee from each of the five townships in Onslow County, on appointee who may be recommended by developers, and one appointee who may be recommended by one or more environmental groups. Mr. Gene R. Taylor II, White Oak Township category, resigned effective August, 2015. Ms. Mikki W. White, has expressed an interest in serving in the White Oak Township category and has provided a citizen participation application. No other individuals have expressed an interest in serving at this time. This vacancy has been advertised. The application is on file and has been certified by the Clerk s office. Specific Action Requested: Consider the appointment of Ms. Mikki W. White, White Oak Township category for a remaining three-year term expiring July 31, 2016. C. Equalization and Review Board The Onslow County Board of Equalization and Review is a five member special board appointed on an annual basis by the Board of County Commissioners. The primary functions of the Board of Equalization and Review are defined by NCGS 105-322, and include: review tax lists, hear taxpayer appeals regarding the listing or appraisal of their property or the property of other taxpayers, the duty to change abstracts and records after adjournment (includes appeals resulting from discoveries, audits and personal property appeals). 5
By statute, the Board of Equalization must convene between the first Monday in April and the first Monday in May each year to hear real estate appeals. The length of the session is dependent on the volume of appeal requests. Once the Board adjourns, no further real estate appeals will be heard until the next year. The Board also meets in the fall each year (after adjournment) to hear personal property appeals. Personal property owners have thirty days from the date of their tax bill to appeal personal property value or situs. The Board also hears appeals resulting from discoveries or audits during their fall session. The current term for the Board of Equalization and Review expires on February 28, 2016. Current members: Mr. Philip Mercer, Mr. Todd Daugherty, Mr. Dennis Bragg and Mr. Charles Rawls have all expressed a desire to continue serving on the Board for the next term. Mr. Philip Mercer is willing to serve as Chairman of the Board. The applications are on file and have been certified by the Clerk s office. Mr. Huey Miller has resigned after 20 plus years of service to this Board, creating one vacancy. Specific Action Requested: Respectfully consider reappointment of Mr. Philip Mercer, Mr. Todd Daugherty, Mr. Dennis Bragg and Mr. Charles Rawls for a one-year term expiring on February 28, 2017, and appoint Mr. Philip Mercer as Chairman for a one-year term expiring on February 28, 2017. D. Public Safety Memorial Committee The Onslow County Public Safety Memorial commemorates those who have died in the line of duty and recognizes their selfless dedication in service to our community. The Onslow County Public Safety Memorial Commission will meet annually to review the nominations and render a decision of an individual s eligibility for inclusion at the Onslow County Public Safety Memorial. The Commission may meet more frequently, at their discretion. Commission members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The applications are on file and have been certified by the Clerk s office. Name Category Term Expiring Michael Caley Rescue Services Representative January 31, 2019 Eric Carlson At-large Member January 31, 2019 Michael (Kevin) Davis Fire Service Representative January 31, 2019 Beth Himes Emergency Services Representative January 31, 2019 Brian Kelly Ex-Officio Non-voting Rep - Secretary January 31, 2019 Lee McKnight Law Enforcement Representative January 31, 2019 Jeffrey "Dusty" Rhodes At-large Member January 31, 2019 Timothy VanPelt At-large Member January 31, 2019 6
Specific Action Requested: Respectfully request appointing the listed applicants in the respective categories for a three-year term expiring on January 31, 2019. ITEM 7 ITEM 8 ITEM 9 ITEM 10 ITEM 11 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS, if necessary PUBLIC COMMENT - Citizens have an opportunity to address the Board for no more than five minutes per speaker on any issue upon which the Board of Commissioners has control. MANAGER S COMMENTS COMMISSIONER S COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT 7