Special Called Joint Meeting Martin County Board of Commissioners Mid-East Commission & Local Elected Officials September 29, 2015 The Martin County Board of Commissioners met in joint session with the Mid-East Commission and Local Elected Officials on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 6:30 pm at the Parmele Community Center, 1027 S. Main Street, Parmele, North Carolina. Martin County Commissioner Chairman Ronnie Smith welcomed everyone to the dinner meeting, as did Mid-East Commission Executive Director Bryant Buck. Chairman Smith introduced County of Martin attendees, and asked each entity to introduce those who were in attendance from their location. Martin County Commissioner Tommy Bowen offered the invocation. Dinner was catered by La Casetta located in Robersonville, N.C. Fifty-six individuals were in attendance. Local elected officials from the County, all the Municipalities, Managers, Clerks, Mid-East Commission staff, as well as several other community leaders were invited. Martin County Elected Officials, Staff, and others attending were: Chairman Ronnie Smith, Vice-Chairman Elmo Butch Lilley, Commissioner Tommy Bowen, Commissioner Dempsey Bond, Jr., Commissioner Joe Ayers, County Manager David Bone, Clerk to Board Marion B. Thompson, accompanied by William Thompson, Sheriff Dan Gibbs, and Register of Deeds Kimberly Griffin, accompanied by Ms. Letita Sutton. Mid-East Commission Board, Staff and others present: MEC Board Members Quniton Turman and Mary Perkins-Williams, Executive Director Bryant Buck, Aging Services Director Annette Eubanks, Workforce Director Walter Dorsey, Planning, Economic Development & Community Service Director Kevin Richards, and Executive Administrative Assistant Theresa Harris. Ms. Perkins-Williams was accompanied by the Mayor of Bethel Gloristine Brown. Town Officials, Staff and others attending were: Town of Bear Grass: Mayor Charlotte Griffin, Commissioners Elizabeth Smith and Calvin Owens. Mayor Griffin was accompanied by Ms. Marsha Luchs. Town of Hamilton: Commissioner Franky Lee and Clerk Annie Spivey. Town of Jamesville: Mayor Bradley Davis, Commissioner Mary Allen and Town Clerk Kim Sutton. Town of Oak City: Commissioner Vonetta Porter and Candidate for Commissioner Charles Knight. Town of Parmele: Mayor Lula Council, Commissioners Walter Willet, Richard Andrews, Doris Jackson, Peggy Wilson and Clerk Cynthia McNally. Commissioner Andrews was accompanied
Ms. Mary Andrews. Also, from Parmele were concerned citizens Mr. Jerry McCrary and Mr. Jesse Coppage. Town of Robersonville: Commissioners David Jenkins, Eugene Roberson, Jr., Clerk Allison Stalls and concerned citizen Ernest Perkins. Town of Williamston: Mayor Tommy Roberson, Commissioners William Coffield, Herman Daniels and Junious Horton, and Town Administrator Eric Pearson. Also, in attendance was Candidate for Mayor Joyce Williams-Brown, accompanied by Mr. Edwin Brown. Martin County Economic Development Cooperation President/CEO Jason Semple was in attendance. Martin County Schools Board Members: Chair Van Health, Vice Chair Kenneth Harrell, Moses Matthews and Interim School Superintendent Chris Mansfield. Editor Kyra Ruivo, of the Enterprise & Weekly Herald, was in attendance as well. PRESENTATION(S) Martin County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Recently hired EDC President/CEO Jason Semple is no stranger to Martin County. President/CEO Semple worked with Martin County EDC in the past, only in a different capacity with EDC. With the additional experience and knowledge obtained while he worked in Martin County as well as other locations, Mr. Semple will be a great asset to Martin County economic development. During the presentation, President/CEO Semple described the role of the economic developer as follows: Serve as face for the community; Lead efforts to recruit new companies and help existing companies grow and expand; Collaborate and coordinate efforts of the Team ; and Offer comprehensive facility location services from initial contact through site location to future growth and expansion. President/CEO Semple stated in 2013, the Department of Commerce listed the top five (5) important factors an industry/business will consider before entering into a business relationship with an area: incentives, availability of skilled labor, low union profile/right-to-work state, occupancy and construction and labor costs. However, according to Site Selection Magazine in January 2013, consultants stated the two main factors which helped to close the deal were customized incentives and an existing skilled workforce. Chairman Smith commented on the priceless value of being able to make available the training to students that will provide them with the skills to enter the workforce. In cooperation with
Martin Community College, Martin County Schools is offering students training that will equip them with workforce skills that will prepare them to enter the job market as soon as completing high school or to enter undergraduate study at a higher level. The Northeast Regional School of Biotechnology and Agriscience (NERSBA) continues to do the same. Additionally, Martin County Schools has a vision to expand upon its current career readiness curriculum by creating a 21 st Century Career-Technical Center for 11 th and 12 th graders. Martin County School representatives plan to tour the Vernon Malone and Career Academy in Raleigh, on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, along with other county officials. Many of the commonly used incentives that require little or no funding match from local government agencies are: One North Carolina Fund JDIG (Jobs Development Investment Grant) [HB 117 has been ratified by the General Assembly. Once Governor McCrory signs the bill, approximately 10% or 25 % will be withheld for the Utility Fund for infrastructure projects in Tier 1 counties] Local economic development agreements/tax breaks Infrastructure Grants water, sewer, natural gas Building Reuse Programs Community College Customized Training Program Rail Access Program Access Road Program Foreign Trade Zone NC Commerce Fellows Program Training Available County Manager Bone gave a summary of webinar training available to the county and municipalities based on the County s participation in the NC Commerce Fellows Program. The North Carolina Department of Commerce Commerce Fellows/Building Community through Capacity and Knowledge Grant has granted funding for tuition and lodging for eight seats in five in-person School of Government courses as well as four online training series. County Manager Bone stated Martin County is making online seminars and training available to all elected officials and municipal employees in Martin County. In order to maximize the benefit of the training, a schedule has been established for the first series Open Meetings Law. This would give participant an opportunity to gather together, participate in the training and have some discussion afterwards (if desired). Each session should last for about two hours. If participation goes well with the Open Meetings series, joint sessions will be scheduled for the other webinars, as well. Mid-East Commission Update The Mid-East Commission serves the counties of Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, Martin, & Pitt as well as local municipalities.
Mid-East Commission Executive Director Buck introduced staff members, Aging Services Director Annette Eubanks, Workforce Director Walter Dorsey, Planning, Economic Development & Community Service Director Kevin Richards, and Executive Administrative Assistant Theresa Harris. While expounding on the different services available, Executive Director Buck emphasized and strongly encouraged member local governments to take advantage of the many services the Mid- East Commission has to offer. Updates from Each Jurisdiction County Manager Bone gave the various jurisdictions an opportunity to highlight current issues / projects affecting their area. Some of the issues / projects reported were as follows: Bear Grass: Mayor Griffin commented there have been challenges with the infrastructure sewer system grant but hopefully, things are back on target. The 2 nd Chicken Maul Festival is planned for October 24, 2015 in Bear Grass. The festival will be filled with fun, food, and live entertainment. Hamilton: Commissioner Franky Lee reported that the Town of Hamilton is working on a waste management improvement project. The Town Council recently approved a 10% reduction in electricity rates. The Hamilton Farmer s Market has been a great success. Jamesville: Mayor Davis stated the Town of Jamesville has applied for an infrastructure grant for its water treatment plant. Mayor Davis added the system is very old and needs to be repaired. Parmele: Commissioner Wilet reported the water and sewer infrastructure grant for the Town of Parmele has been submitted and the Town is waiting for a response. Mayor Council added the Parmele Neighborhood Watch program has been reorganized and is well on its way. A cookout is planned for fellowship and for brainstorming. Mayor Council suggested a community outreach program is needed in every community. County Manager Bone commended Mayor Council and her community for the reminder of the importance of a sense of place and the need to build relationships. Oak City: No news reported Robersonville: Town Clerk Stalls reported the Town of Robersonville is working on two infrastructure project: wastewater treatment plant and a lift station project. The Town Council approved lowering electricity rates by 14%. Fifteen planters have been added to downtown Main Street due to a grant. A Memorial Park dedication ceremony is planned for October 6, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the library. Williamston: Town Administrator Pearson stated the Town of Williamston has been redesignated by the Audubon Society as a Sustainable Community. Reportedly, the Williamston community is the only one in the State with this designation, and one of two in the United States.
Coordination efforts continue with county-wide economic development. A map guide to the cultural, dining and recreation sites in Martin County (Trails maps) are available at the Town Hall, Tourism office, and other locations within the County. Trillium Health Resources has awarded the Town of Williamston an Accessibility Park grant in the amount of $250,000, which will be used at Godwin-Coppage Park playground. The 2015 Carolina Stampede recently took place and was a success. The Town has been awarded a 2 nd Brownfield Grant by the Environment Protection Agency for continued cleanup of condemned property at the Roanoke River. In regard to the Trillium Accessibility Park grant, Chairman Smith stated as a recently reappointed member of the Trillium Board of Directors, one of his goals for the future would be to solicit funding from Trillium for other municipalities in the county for accessible playground equipment. Chairman Smith added monies are still available. Martin County Schools; Interim Superintendent Mansfield reported Martin County Schools had a smooth school opening with the children. The schools have a few projects underway. Martin County: County Manager Bone reported on the following highlights for the County: Water Rates: County working through water rate issue, trying to provide relief, where possible. County Commissioners approved a reduction in the base rates for Water Districts #1 and #2 on September 9 th. The base rate was reduced from $53 to $40. The County will continue to seek opportunities to reduce rates further. MCRWASA Water Treatment Plant: Nearing completion expected to be fully operational the 1 st of November. AR Textiles: Local Officials are excited to welcome AR Textiles to Martin County. AR Textiles has purchased the former Microcell building outside Robersonville. The company plans to renovate the building and establish a state-of-the-art cotton yarn spinning facility that will require the creation of 38 full-time jobs. Infrastructure Improvement Grant: Martin County has received a $926,675 State Grant for Improvements to the Martin County Regional Business Park in Everetts. Grant funds will be used for road, water, and sewer extensions. Improvements will include extension of a 25-foot wide roadway, 2,000 linear feet of 8-inch water line, and 2,000 linear feet of 8-inch gravity sewer line extension. County Transportation Plan: Moving forward. This will probably be a 2-year project. The next meeting of the CTP Committee will be on Tuesday, October 27 th at 5:30 p.m. Participation is encouraged from all communities. Interested individuals are invited to join the County Transportation committee as well. Throughout the meeting, attendees were encouraged, through numerous creative ways, to complete the Transportation survey, if they had not done so already. Mayor Griffin emphasized the importance of the transportation survey and getting the opinions
of the citizens about the transportation needs of the county as a whole. The survey is a vital component of the transportation plan, which could lead to funding from the NC Department of Transportation for projects. Text-to-911: The 911 Communications Center has begun accepting text messaging. Southern Albemarle Association Annual Meeting: The Southern Albemarle Association will hold its annual conference on October 15 th. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Vernon James Center in Plymouth. DOT Secretary Nick Tennyson will be the main speaker. Municipal Elections: One-stop early voting for municipal elections will begin on October 22 nd. In closing, Martin County Commissioners Chairman Smith thanked everyone for coming. Chairman Smith talked about the four P s politics, personal agenda versus people and purpose. Chairman Smith stated tonight s meeting was more about having a common goal concerning people and purpose. Around 8:30 p.m., Chairman Smith adjourned the meeting. Ronnie Smith, Chairman Marion B. Thompson, NCCCC Clerk to Board