AGENDA Catawba County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Monday, August 21, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Robert E. Hibbitts Meeting Room, 1924 Courthouse

30 North College Avenue, Newton, NC 1. Call to Order. 2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. Invocation. 4. Approval of the Minutes from the Board’s Regular Meeting and Closed Session

of August 7, 2017. 5. Recognition of Special Guests. 6. Public Comments. 7. Appointments. 8. Departmental Reports: a. Communications/Public Information. Website Redesign Update. Presented by Communications and Marketing

Director Amy McCauley and IT Manager Shawn Cruse. b. County Management. Update on Strategic Plan. 9. Other Items of Business. A Resolution in Support of a Ban on Centers and Institutes Under the University

of North Carolina System from Participating in Litigation Against Any Individual, Entity or Government.

10. Manager’s Report. a. Appropriation of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Funds. b. Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance to Allow the Sale of Alcoholic

Beverages before Noon on Sundays at Licensed Premises. 11. Attorneys’ Report. 12. Adjournment. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Individuals needing assistance should contact the County Clerk at 828-465-8990 within a reasonable time prior to the meeting. Access to the 1924 Courthouse for individuals with disabilities is at the south side (“A” Street). The elevator is located at the north end of the building. Participation in public meetings is without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, color, or disability. CALENDAR: The September Board of Commissioners Meetings will take place on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m., and on Monday, September 18, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., in the 1924 Courthouse.

 

APPOINTMENTS  

RANDY ISENHOWER ‐  Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Chair Isenhower recommends the appointment of Sgt Eric Page from the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office for a first term to succeed Captain Jason Beebe on the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.  This term will expire June 30, 2019.  RANDY ISENHOWER (Upcoming) Town of Maiden Planning Board and Board of Adjustment 6/30/17                               Bruce Ikard                                                        Eligible for a 2nd term                                              Roger Isenhour                                                 Eligible for a 2nd term 3‐year terms Chair  Isenhower  recommends  the  reappointment of Bruce  Ikard and Roger  Isenhour  for second terms on the Town of Maiden Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.  These terms will expire June 30, 2020.   

Strategic Plan Update

Catawba County Board of Commissioners

August 21, 2017

PLAN COMPONENTS

PROCESS

Image credit: cityminded.org

PROCESS: ALL HANDS ON DECK!

Monthly Strategic Plan status meetings with Department Heads and staff

GAINING TRACTION

˃ Economic Development

˃ Education

˃Water & Sewer

˃ Parks & Environment

˃ Branding & Marketing

ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT

Mick Berry, County Manager

ECONOMIC DEV’T: SUCCESSES

Incentives

Established incentive model that allows for reinvestment

in future projects

• DAE, People’s Bank, Prysmian, GKN, Apple, Corning,

Sutter Street / Williams Sonoma, Room & Board

Park 1764

Formalized board/corporation; drafting park deed

restrictions and design standards

Securing property to begin entryway development;

designing sewer

Evaluating park naming/branding

Spec Buildings

Invested in 2nd building in Claremont

ECONOMIC DEV’T: NEXT STEPS

Park 1764

Finish entryway infrastructure and construction (2018)

Solidify park name/identity

Continue pursuing tenants

Spec Buildings

Exploring sites for additional buildings throughout

Catawba County

9

K-64

EDUCATION

Mick Berry, County Manager

K-64: SUCCESSES

Formation

BOC authorized K-64 formation, created bylaws and

invested $2.6M in seed funding over 2 years

Structure

Seated public/private sector board & hired CEO

Established private-sector-led committee framework to

develop strategies for workforce solutions, technology,

character development, marketing & sustainability

Technology

Initiated summer professional development plan for

100+ K-12 teachers across all 3 school systems

K-64: NEXT STEPS

Committee Members

Appoint public/private sector members to committees

to evaluate needs & recommend goals, actions, timelines,

and resources by strategic areas

Strategic Plan

CEO, Committees to integrate action plans across all

strategic areas, determine overall initiative budget for K-

64 Board approval

Quarterly Status Report to BOC

9/18 Meeting – K-64 Board Chair and CEO

K-64: DECISION POINT

Consider Approval of Funding Distribution Plan

Model for disbursing County seed funding to provide

operational support & emphasize self-sustainability

Annual lump-sum allocation to support basic

operations

Challenge-based funding to leverage non-County

financial support for programmatic needs

Year 1: For every $1 raised, Catawba County

releases $2

Year 2: For every $1 raised, Catawba County

releases $1

13

WATER AND

SEWER

Barry Edwards, Utilities & Engineering

WATER & SEWER: SUCCESSES

Southeastern Catawba County (SECC) Master Plan

BOC authorized contract with McKim & Creed

Held kick-off meeting 8/15 to refine timelines & assign

next steps

Utility Investment Advisory Committee (UIAC)

Established 2-tiered committee (technical / policy) with

partner municipalities

Engaged municipalities in creation of Project Prioritization

Tool integrating BOC feedback into criteria weights

WATER & SEWER: NEXT STEPS

SECC Comprehensive Plan

Provide background info to McKim & Creed (by 9/13)

BOC site visits – targeting October ‘17

Stakeholder engagement planning, listening & learning

phase underway – anticipate engagement launch

November ‘17

UIAC

Technical group meets 8/22 to finalize project submittal

process and timelines for FY18/19 budget

Catawba County Code of Ordinance Revisions

Amend Chapter 42 (Water and Sewer) to allow project

investment within municipal boundaries – targeting 8/28

subcommittee and full BOC thereafter

PARKS

Jacky Eubanks, Planning & Parks

PARKS: SUCCESSES

Mountain Creek

BOC-reviewed Concept Plan submitted to Clean Water

Trust Fund and Catawba Lands Conservancy for

consideration – imminent response anticipated

8/15 Public Forum in Sherrills Ford – Terrell to share plan

with citizens

Riverbend Park/Bean Expansion

Implementation of Phase I underway – 5.8 miles of trail;

renovation, preservation, & demolition of structures

Awaiting response on $414,000 PARTF acquisition

(reimbursement) grant – anticipated September ‘17

PARKS: NEXT STEPS

Mountain Creek Park Concept Plan

BOC to consider phasing options and costs associated with

Park build-out – targeting 9/18 BOC meeting

Riverbend Park/Bean Expansion

Anticipate opening Bean Expansion (largely undeveloped)

early FY18/19

Concept Plan under development (in-house) – targeting

October – November ‘17 for BOC consideration

Making 3 Parks Work Together/Marketing & Promotions

Total package review by BOC – future workshop to

consider programming, costs, phasing, and funding options –

targeting 3rd quarter FY17/18

BRANDING/

MARKETING

Amy McCauley, Communications &

Marketing

MARKETING: SUCCESSES

County Branding

Completed brand platform research & strategy work to

identify Catawba County’s Brand DNA

Changing the Conversation

Convened local communicators workgroup to develop

positive messaging about Countywide assets for internal and

external community promotions

First meeting focused on Recreation

County Website

Began intensive website redesign process in collaboration

with IT and departmental liaisons

MARKETING: NEXT STEPS

County Branding

Beginning creative development process; anticipate Brand

Print delivery in December 2017

Changing the Conversation

Future meetings to focus on Education, Revitalization,

Business & Economic Development, Healthcare, Quality of

Life, Culture/Arts/Entertainment

County Website

September: Complete new layout

October: Internal review/testing, training

November: External testing

December: Integration of branding product

January 2018: Launch

FURTHER REFINEMENT

˃ Broadband

˃Arts & Culture

˃ Housing

˃ Healthy & Safe

Community

BROADBAND

Rick Pilato, Information Technology

BROADBAND: SUCCESSES

School bus Wi-Fi

Encouraged Newton-Conover City Schools to refine pilot

for possible inclusion in K-64 work plans

Support of Library activities

E-rate funding strategy to modernize library technology

Implementation of innovative technology grants (laptop &

mobile Wi-Fi hot spot lending)

ncBroadband Homework Gap Survey

Promoted participation from families of Catawba County’s

students across 3 systems; yielded largest # of state-wide

responses

BROADBAND: NEXT STEPS

ncBroadband Convening re: Homework Gap Survey

Participate in state-wide broadband session on 9/13

Awaiting county-specific data on coverage gaps

Cell Tower Ordinance Revisions

Analyze County cell tower ordinance in context of peer

comparisons from other NC counties

Explore implications of HB310 on ROW practices re: fiber

installation

Public Information

Pursue development of GIS-based web app to highlight

available ISPs by address throughout County

BROADBAND: DECISION POINT

Revisit Grounding Principles:

Any solution must be market-driven and financially

sustainable

Getting in the business of providing internet connectivity

directly to citizens falls outside the role of County gov’t

Internet connectivity is not an end unto itself; it is a means

to an end

Staff recommendation: integrate broadband / internet

connectivity into other focus areas (economic development

and K-64) rather than continuing stand-alone focus

ARTS &

CULTURE

Suzanne White, Libraries

ARTS & CULTURE: SUCCESSES

Storywalks

St. Stephens Park completed – 10/2 dedication

Bakers Mountain installation scheduled for September

Pop-Up Library Grant - implementation in progress

Community Reads/Spring 2018 Culture Series planning

underway

Just Mercy - Racial Justice and Reconciliation

Blue - Catawba’s story of resilience in face of polio

Newton Public Art Commission Partnership

Sculpture/mural projects in the works – Library offered as

potential location

Utility Box Art initiative – possible KCCB partnership

ARTS & CULTURE: NEXT STEPS

County Manager meeting with UAC: To discuss County

funding distribution

Community Center of Excellence: Continue to refurbish

Newton Library to create vibrant collaborative spaces for

cultural programming and events, as resources allow

Partnership Orientation: Continue to scan environment

for opportunities to collaborate and support others

Determine / further clarify and refine County’s role

BOC Work Session on 9/25

HOUSING

Jacky Eubanks, Planning & Parks

HOUSING: SUCCESSES

Quarterly Program Brainstorming

Hosted meeting w/municipal partners and key housing

officials to discuss common objectives and existing

programs

Brainstormed strategies to spur new housing development

Common Understanding of Development Priorities

Conducted interviews and site visits with municipal

partners, Unifour Consortium, Habitat for Humanity, and

Chamber of Commerce

Housing Educational Workshop

Facilitated downtown adaptive reuse workshop with

Maurer Architecture for Chamber’s LUDB

HOUSING: NEXT STEPS

Quarterly Program Brainstorming

Continue conversations to identify opportunity sites,

explore potential public/private partnerships for housing

and mixed-use development

Housing Educational Workshop(s)

Possible continuation of housing-related workshops

through Chamber’s LUDB

Financial Project Pro-formas

Work with homebuilders to develop pro-formas to

understand financial drivers, margins, and potential barriers

to development of qualify affordable housing

HOUSING: NEXT STEPS

Engage BOC in Policy Discussion re: Role

Work to more clearly define County role in housing

relative to municipalities, non-profits, and developers

Broaden focus to holistically incorporate critical

infrastructure elements that contribute to housing

affordability / suitability

Roads

Wastewater

BOC Work Session - 10/9

HEALTHY

& SAFE

Doug Urland, Public Health

HEALTHY & SAFE: SUCCESSES

Jail Population Management

• Working to establish data baseline for jail inmate population –

identifying basic composition and major drivers (crime

classifications), average length of stay, etc.

• Engaged CIB in discussion re: diversion, pre-trial release

programs, re-integration services

• Linkage to Opioid workgroup, Virtual HUB exploration

Virtual HUB Exploration

Team met in August to review hospital, EMS, and Partners

BHM data on behavioral and physical health, Emergency Dep’t

utilization, EMS utilization

HEALTHY & SAFE: SUCCESSES

Opioid Strategy

Plugged into state-wide Opioid Action Plan- late June

Convened local Opioid Workgroup, with representation from

County departments, Partners Behavioral Health, CVMC, and

FRMC in late July

Broke into smaller work groups to dig deeper into:

Local data – understanding County-specific picture and

shoring up deficiencies

Community-level and jail-based

Local asset inventory – identification of strengths & gaps

Best practices – targeted research to highlight strategies

that optimize strengths, address gaps

HEALTHY & SAFE: NEXT STEPS

Opioid Strategy

Opioid Workgroup to report findings to County leadership in

Fall 2017

Research targeted pilot interventions for application within

County jail

Virtual HUB Exploration

Committee working to engage Hickory City officials to share

information, gain feedback on concepts, etc.

HEALTHY & SAFE: NEXT STEPS

Right Care, Right Place, Right Time

• Contract for EMS Co-location at Conover Fire Station – for

consideration at 9/18 BOC meeting

• Public Safety Study

• Several possible consulting firms identified

• “Deep dive” into data to:

• Ensure firm understanding of current operations

• More fully inform scope development

• Maximize impact of dollars spent for study

• BOC Work Session: review results and discuss scope – 11/13

SEPTEMBER 2017 OCTOBER 2017 NOVEMBER 2017

> 9/5:W/S Code Revisions

> 9/13: ncBroadband

Homework Gap convening

> 9/18: Mountain Creek Park

Phasing & Cost Options

> 9/18: Contract for EMS co-

location at Conover Fire Stn

> 9/18: K-64 Update

> 9/20: Opioid Work Group

> 9/25: Arts & Culture BOC

Work Session

> Bakers Mtn Park

StoryWalk installation

> 10/2: St. Stephens Park

StoryWalk Ribbon-cutting

> 10/9: Housing BOC Work

Session

> 10/10: target date for CIB

pre-trial svcs follow-up

> dates TBD: SECC Study -

BOC Site Visits

> dates TBD: BOC Retreat

>

> 11/13: Public Safety BOC

Work Session

> 11/20: Finalized Strategic

Plan to BOC

> Municipalities submit W/S

project requests to UIAC

> dates TBD: SECC Study civic

engagement

> dates TBD: Riverbend Park Concept Plan to BOC

DECEMBER 2017 JANUARY – MARCH 2018 (and beyond)

> Brand Print delivery from

North Star

> Launch of Re-designed County Website

> Community Reads Culture Series

OVERALL NEXT STEPS

OVERALL NEXT STEPS

• BOC Retreat – October 2017 (dates TBD)• Potential topics include:

• Review & validate / modify proposed goals• Overview of 2019 Revaluation Process• Jail Expansion Update• Schools Master Planning• County Facilities Master Planning • Others?

• Finalize Strategic Plan – targeting 11/20 BOC mtg• Goals by Focus Area• Objectives• High-level performance metrics• Tactics and accompanying timelines (where appropriate)• Revisit regularly

Questions / Comments

41

RESOLUTION NO. 2017 –

A Resolution in Support of a Ban on Centers and Institutes Under the University of North Carolina System from Participating in Litigation Against Any Individual, Entity or

Government. WHEREAS, local government units, including cities, municipalities, counties and LEA’s provide basic needed government services to its citizens; and WHEREAS, the UNC Civil Rights Center employs full time litigation attorneys to engage in litigation against third parties, including local governments; and WHEREAS, litigation against local governments, including school systems, causes these defendants to expend substantial taxpayer funds to defend the litigation, where said funds would otherwise be used for the benefit of citizens; and WHEREAS, one of the missions of the great university system of this State is to provide service to the State, and initiating lawsuits against local governments and school systems violates this mission; and WHEREAS, the School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill is a tremendous resource to provide advice and direction to local governments; and WHEREAS, the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill should continue to be associated with entities that provide advice to local governments and not undertake an adversarial position to local governments. NOW THEREFORE, the Catawba County Board of Commissioners hereby resolves that it supports a ban on centers and institutes under the University of North Carolina system from participating in litigation, including a ban on filing a complaint, motion, lawsuit or other legal claim in its own name on behalf of any individual or entity against any individual, entity or government, or to otherwise actively counsel to any third party or to employ or engage any individual to serve as legal counsel or representative to any party in any such action against any individual, entity or government. This the ______ day of August, 2017. ________________________________________ C. Randall Isenhower, Chair Catawba County Board of Commissioners

MEMORANDUM  TO:  Catawba County Board of Commissioners  FROM:  Mick Berry, County Manager   DATE:  August 21, 2017  IN RE:  Appropriation of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Funds   REQUEST Library staff requests the Board of Commissioners accept and appropriate grant funds  in the amount of $1,700 to the Catawba County Library from an LSTA 2017‐2018 ARSL Conference Scholarship Award for a staff member’s attendance at the Association for Regional and Small Libraries Conference  in September 2017.  BACKGROUND In June 2015, the Board of Commissioners adopted the Catawba County Library Strategic Plan that  lays out priorities for 2016 through 2019.  The three major goals embedded in the strategic plan, which were driven  by  the  results  of  a  comprehensive  community  needs  assessment  and  intensive  input  process, include: 

As a Community Center of Excellence, Fuel Citizens’ Passion  for Reading, Personal Growth, and Learning 

Innovate to Provide 21st Century Access that Empowers Citizens 

Library Anytime, Anywhere: Expand Citizens’ Access to Information and Ideas  

With  increased reliance on  libraries during times of economic downturn, the plan focuses on enhancing County  libraries’  role  in  serving  as  community  centers,  increasing  libraries’  capacity  to  provide  the technology,  digital  resources,  and  personnel  to  bridge  the  digital  divide  for  citizens,  and  increasing outreach and collaboration  in the community  to engage and empower citizens with resources, services and collections.  To that end, the Library has already begun leveraging resources towards some of these strategies, pursuing and securing several grants in alignment with the overarching plan.      One strategy for moving these objectives forward is to “establish a culture of excellence by empowering a well‐trained,  knowledgeable  staff.”    Participation  in  this  conference will  allow  our Maiden  Librarian  to develop  enhanced  skills  and  knowledge  base  with  professional  development  opportunities  targeted towards  serving  small  or  rural  communities, with  the  aim  of  strengthening  programming,  community engagement, and  services  for maximum  community  impact.   There  is no  local match  required  for  this scholarship.  RECOMMENDATION Library staff recommends the Board of Commissioners accept and appropriate grant funds in the amount of $1,700 to the Catawba County Library from an LSTA 2017‐2018 ARSL Conference Scholarship award for a staff member to attend the Association for Regional and Small Libraries Conference in September 2017.                      Revenue 110‐810050‐631916   LSTA 2017‐18 ARSL Scholarship      $1,700  

Expenditure 110‐810050‐841051        $1,700 LSTA 2017‐18 ARSL Scholarship   

MEMORANDUM 

 

TO:    Catawba County Board of Commissioners 

FROM:   Mick Berry, County Manager 

DATE:    August 21, 2017 

RE:  Second Reading of Proposed Ordinance to Allow the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages 

before Noon on Sundays at Licensed Premises 

 

On June 29, 2017, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 155, entitled “An Act 

to Make Various Changes to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Laws”, and Section 4 of 

this Bill authorizes  city and  county governments  to adopt an ordinance  to allow alcohol  sales 

beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays. This bill was signed into law on June 30, 2017. 

Several municipalities (Hickory, Newton, Claremont, Conover, Maiden and Long View, so far) will 

be considering amending their ordinances to reflect this new authorized sale of alcohol.  To avoid 

citizen confusion and to be consistent with messaging across local jurisdictions, the municipalities 

contemplating this change have agreed to pursue a uniform effective date of October 1, 2017. 

At the Board’s meeting of August 7, 2017, the Board voted 3/2 for the adoption of this ordinance.  

North  Carolina  General  Statutes  states  “To  be  adopted  at  the  meeting  at  which  it  is  first 

introduced,  an ordinance or  any  action having  the effect of  an ordinance  (except  the budget 

ordinance, any bond order, or any other ordinance on which a public hearing must be held before 

the  ordinance  may  be  adopted)  must  receive  approval  of  all  members  of  the  board  of 

commissioners.  If the ordinance is approved by a majority of those voting but not by all members 

of the board, or if the ordinance is not voted on at that meeting, it shall be considered at the next 

regular meeting of the board.” 

 

 

 

 

ORDINANCE NO. 2017- ___

An Ordinance To Allow the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages Before Noon on Sundays at Licensed Premises

WHEREAS, on June 29, 2017, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted

Senate Bill 155, entitled “An Act to Make Various Changes to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Laws” and Section 4 of this Bill authorizes city and county governments to adopt an ordinance to allow alcohol sales beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays; and

WHEREAS, Ratified Senate Bill 155 was signed into law on the 30th day of June, 2017, and became effective on that date (Session Law 2017, Chapter 87). North Carolina now joins 47 other States in allowing alcohol service before noon on Sunday; and

WHEREAS, there is a desire to have the law be consistent in the County’s

municipalities and in the County outside municipal limits. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of

Catawba County, North Carolina that:

Section 1. Pursuant to the authority contained in NCGS 153A – 145.7, the sale of malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, and mixed beverages is allowed in Catawba County beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday pursuant to the licensed premises’ permit issued under NCGS 18B – 1001. Section 2. This ordinance is effective on the 1st day of October, 2017.

This 21st day of August, 2017.             ______________________________________ 

            C. Randall Isenhower, Chair Catawba County Board of Commissioners