MINUTES OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GUILFORD COUNTY WORK SESSION

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GUILFORD COUNTY WORK SESSION Greensboro, North Carolina September 5, 2014 The Board of County Commissioners met in a duly noticed Work Session at 10:00 AM in the Blue Room, Old County Courthouse, 301 W. Market Street, Greensboro, NC. Present: Absent: Chairman Bill Bencini; Vice Chairman Hank Henning; Commissioners Carolyn Q. Coleman (in at 10:17 AM), Bruce Davis, Ray Trapp, Kay Cashion, Jeff Phillips, Linda O. Shaw, and Alan Branson (in at 11:55 AM). None. Also Present: County Manager Marty Lawing; County Attorney Mark Payne; Robin Keller, Clerk to Board; Paul Lowe, Deputy Clerk to the Board; Michael Halford, Budget Director; Jim Albright, Emergency Services Director; Joe Raymond, Health and Human Services Director; Merle Green, Public Health Director; Myra Thompson, DSS Division Director; and members of the media. 1. Call to Order Chairman Bencini called the meeting to order at 10:13 AM and recognized County Manager Marty Lawing. 2. Piedmont Regional Triad Council of Governments (PRTCOG) Bylaws Update Lawing introduced Matt Reece of the PRTCOG. Reece commented that he was seeking the Board s approval to establish an economic development district. Reece reported that the designation would help development efforts in the region. Commissioner Davis asked for additional information regarding the proposal. Reece shared that the PRTCOG has a small lending unit which helps to connect entrepreneurs with capital, but reported that if the designation was approved by the Board that existing staff could administer the expanded program. Commissioner Coleman questioned how the additional district would impact current economic development programs. Reece replied that the district would complement existing development initiatives.

2 Motion was made by Commissioner Linda O. Shaw, and seconded by Commissioner Ray Trapp to approve the PRTCOG s proposed bylaws and their intent to create an economic development district. VOTE: Motion carried 8 0. AYES: Commissioners J. Phillips, C. Coleman, B. Davis, B. Bencini, K. Cashion, H. Henning, L. Shaw, R. Trapp. NOES: None. ABSENT: Commissioner A. Branson. 3. GTCC Union Square Update Dr. Randy Parker, President of GTCC, reviewed the project history and concept of the Union Square facility and added that the aim of the endeavor was to enhance job training options in the County- particularly nursing education. Parker shared that four tenants would occupy the center: GTCC, North Carolina A&T State University, UNCG, and Cone Health. Parker reported that the project would cost approximately $37 million dollars to implement and would create 106,000 sq. ft of new classroom and training space. Ed Kitchen, Chief Operating Officer of the Bryan Foundation- and co-chair of Opportunity Greensboro, reviewed the proposed development schedule and presented Commissioners with architectural rendering of the future educational center. Commissioner Coleman questioned the proposed ownership structure of the facility. Kitchen replied that the four partners would create a corporation which would act as the property owner for the site. Kitchen shared that the project has garnered a broad base of support in the General Assembly and the Governor s Office. Commissioner Cashion asked if the corporation developed by the partners would own the property. Kitchen reported that the non-profit corporation would own and operate the facility and establish its own board of directors. Commissioner Davis inquired regarding ongoing maintenance costs associated with the facility. Kitchen stated that building maintenance and operational expenses will be built into the leases. Commissioner Phillips questioned the costs associated with developing the property. Kitchen responded that the partners were working to get costs down to $19-$20 per sq. ft. Commissioner Trapp thanked Kitchen and his team for their commitment to community involvement.

3 Commissioner Shaw commended the various partners and shared her support for the project. Commissioner Phillips commented that he wanted to receive additional information regarding the proposed costs associated with constructing and outfitting the center. Dr. Parker reminded the Board of the GTCC specific programs that would be housed at the Union Square property- including radiology and nursing which would have about 465 students. Dr. Parker commented that jointly developing the site with the three other partners would help GTCC save money and provide additional space for their ever growing programming in the County- which works to meet the needs of the Triad. Dr. Parker then reviewed various funding options and shared that though the partners were working to attract private dollars- the facility would require investment from the County. Vice Chairman Henning expressed his support for the project concept and then asked regarding GTCC s campus in Oak Ridge. Dr. Parker stated that the facility in Oak Ridge serves three purposes: as a conference center, a continuing education center, and a flex lab which provides industry specific training to employers in the County. Vice Chairman Henning inquired concerning GTCC s property management operations. Dr. Parker reviewed the College s decision to relocate one of its budgeted facilities from the Cameron campus to the Demler property. Chairman Bencini asked regarding the Cameron campus. Dr. Parker reported that the Campus functions as a flex space for GTCC, supports over 200 students, and houses facilities to support new and expanding industries in the County. Vice Chairman Henning expressed concerns with the costs and urged Dr. Parker to work to be as efficient as possible with County resources. Commissioner Davis shared his support for the Union Square project as it would help to bolster workforce development efforts in the County. Commissioner Trapp commended the partners for their efforts and commented that the facility would assist working residents to enhance both their skill-sets and job prospects. Commissioner Cashion asked regarding the status of private donations in support of the project. Dr. Parker stated that the partners were currently unable to confirm the status of private donations. Commissioner Cashion inquired if State funding could be used to help reduce the lease rates.

4 Dr. Parker reported that the State provides funding to the College to purchase equipment, but noted that this appropriation could not be utilized to pay for leases or property. Commissioner Cashion stated that it was important that the Board support the project to help meet the future workforce development needs of the County. Tim Rice, Chief Executive Officer of Cone Health, spoke in support of the project and commented that the facility would help to meet the County s long term healthcare needs. Commissioner Phillips questioned the expenses associated with developing GTCC s transportation and welding training facility. Michael Halford, Budget Director, replied that the funds expended to construct the facility- were in line with budget estimates for the project. Commissioner Davis asked regarding the time line for the project. Lawing commented that the goal was to have the leases executed by mid-october. 4. EMS Cell Tower Placement in County Parks Jim Albright, Emergency Services Director, provided an update to Commissioners regarding the 800MHz program. Albright reported that the project continues to be on time and under budget. Albright shared that his staff was working to replace outdated equipment throughout the County to improve the quality of radio communications utilized by emergency workers and first responders. To help improve the functionality of the County s system, Albright shared that his staff was proposing placing a number of cell towers in local parks- one of which would be built in Northeast Pak and potentially Hagan Stone Park. Albright stated that the proposal had been approved by the County s Park and Recreation Commission. Chairman Bencini asked regarding possible collocating agreements. Albright responded that his staff was exploring options to allow other jurisdictions to collocate on the proposed towers- which would help to reduce the overall cost to the County to implement the program. 5. Review Proposed Health and Human Services Advisory Committee Responsibilities & Bylaws Joe Raymond, Health and Human Services Director, reviewed essential job functions handled by DSS personnel and added that his Department serves a diverse range of clients- while working to meet the needs of the community. Commissioner Trapp asked regarding proposed drug testing requirements for those receiving financial assistance from the County.

5 Raymond noted that HB 392 was approved in 2013 and requires local DSS offices to drug test those clients who exhibit symptoms of abuse and added that DSS staffers do test some customers who show signs of intoxication. Commissioner Davis asked for clarification regarding State funding which supports subsidized child care for DSS clients residing in the County. Myra Thompson, DSS Division Director, advised the Board on the topic and provided an update concerning State funding which supports local programming. Raymond added that the State had recently provided additional funding to local governments which had to be spent during a certain timeframe- many did not and had to return some or all of the funding. Commissioner Davis expressed concerns regarding the length of the wait list for childcare in the County. Commissioner Trapp inquired if the County had any control in setting the eligibility criteria used in determining childcare subsidizes. Raymond replied that the Board did have the authority to prioritize childcare eligibility. Commissioner Trapp expressed his interest in working to reassess the eligibility requirements. Raymond commented that it was at the Board s discretion on how to allocate funds to the various County departments. Raymond also noted that utilizing State and Federal resources effectively was also important and added that for every dollar that the County spends at DSS it attracts twenty five dollars from Washington and Raleigh. Raymond reported that government assistance programs have an economic impact of over a billion dollars each year in the County. Commissioner Phillips commented that if the economy is improving-through increased local spending-then the need for assistance programs should start to diminish. Raymond replied that though the economy is adding jobs- many are in low paying service sector positions and added that there continues to be a need in the County. Commissioner Phillips urged DSS staff to be more solution focused. Thompson reported that the County serves a large number of the working poor. Thompson shared that though these individuals hold full-time positions- many still qualify for assistance and added that DSS s largest client was Guilford County School employees. Commissioner Phillips noted that over the last five years the County has seen an unprecedented increase in applications for assistance.

6 Raymond recognized the demand placed on staff due to the surge in applications. Raymond also shared that troubled technological programs have hampered staff s ability to process applications in a timely manner. Commissioner Davis commented that he has long been concerned about the stress placed on County employees who have been repeatedly asked to do more with less. Raymond stated that despite the stress and growing demand that DSS staffers have worked hard to reduce the number of overdue food stamp applications Countywide to eighteen. Commissioner Phillips questioned how many employees work in the DSS section. Raymond reported that 254 staff work in the DSS section: 105 in Medicaid, 92 in Food Stamps, and 57 in Economic Services. Raymond shared that he is working to develop workload standards for the Department to help manage work place stress and to ensure that applications deadlines are met. Raymond then reviewed the proposed bylaws for the Advisory Committee. Robin Keller, Clerk to the Board, explained that Committee members will initially serve staggered terms- to promote stability during appointment transitions. Commissioner Cashion asked for more information regarding the ex-officio member position. Mark Payne, County Attorney, responded that the term means that a member is a part of the Committee due to their position as a County Commissioner. The consensus of the Board was to place the consideration of the proposed by-laws on the agenda of their next meeting on September 18 th. 6. Other Business Lawing shared with the Board that there might be a need to hold a work session prior to the meeting on September 18 th at 3:30 PM. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:04 PM. Deputy Clerk to Board William S. Bencini, Jr., Chairman