BK: CRPZ-42 PG: 2426-2431 03-08-2024 02:46:19PM DEPUTY  2024001253 MACON COUNTY, NC TODD RABY  NCFEES0.00  BYG GLORIACABE REGISTEROFL DEEDS  MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  JANUARY 9, 2024 REGULAR MEETING NOTES  Chairman Shields called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All Board Members, County Manager Derek Roland, Deputy Clerk Tammy Keezer, Finance Director Lori Carpenter, and County Attorney Eric Ridenour were present, as were a  number of county employees, media, and citizens.  ANNOUNCEMENTS:  (A) Mr. Roland announced that a Special Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. for the budget kickoff for Fiscal Year 2025. The meeting will be held in the Commissioners Board Room located at 5 West Main Street, Franklin, North Carolina.  MOMENT OF SILENCE: Chairman Shields requested all in attendance rise PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Commissioner Young, the pledge to the  and a moment of silence was observed.  flag was recited.  PUBLIC HEARING(S): None  PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Jennifer Smith spoke about an issue with trash disposal in Highlands related to the need for bear-proof containers. She said she had reached out to J&B Disposal but had not been successful in getting the container. Mr. Roland agreed to call her in the morning and follow up. Betsy Baste commented about the Town of Franklin's proposed Social District. She said the district is going to be parceled out to avoid the areas owned by the county, and that she wants to see Macon County grow and have activities that attract younger folks. Scott Baste spoke about the list of school projects that had not been addressed last year as listed in the newspaper. He said he is in support of getting these projects completed and moving other ADDITIONS, ADJUSTMENTS TO AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Upon a motion by Commissioner Young, seconded by Commissioner Higdon, the board  projects forward.  voted unanimously to approve the agenda, as presented.  REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS:  (A)BALSAMWEST BROADBAND UPDATE Matt Saenger, Director of Sales and Marketing with BalsamWest stated that the BalsamWest mission is to deliver robust telecommunication services. He gave an overview of the status of current projects: (1) The Nantahala expansion will provide service to five Macon County offices as well as the Nantahala Library and Community Center and construction is planned to begin next week for Phase I; (2) The GREAT grant awarded in October 2023 to provide service for 2631 households and businesses within two years including 58 connections in the Tessentee and  Minutes 01.09.24 Page 1 of3    Middle Creek area, a few on Still House Road, 38 in Scaly, and 131 in Highlands and the plan is for pole permits to be submitted in March construction to begin in August; (3) The Georgia Road/Otto/Scaly Mountain Project build out of the fiber infrastructure is still in process with 277 new connections installed or in the process, 101 new connections pending, and 218  prospective connections.  OLD BUSINESS:  AJCONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF BIDS FOR PHASE IA OF THE NEW MASTER PLAN FOR THE MACON COUNTY RECREATION PARK - Parks and Recreation Director Seth Adams provided an update on the Recreation Master Plan Phase I which includes nine pickleball courts, eight tennis courts, a covered bridge, and shelter. He: reported that three companies responded to the Request for Qualifications (RFQs) and that McGill and Associates were selected by the Recreation Committee. Mr. Adams said he would move forward in negotiating a fee schedule with them. Commissioner Young and Commissioner Shearl spoke about the consideration and need for soil samples. Commissioner Shearl suggested that the soil samples occur outside of the negotiation of the fee schedule. Commissioner Higdon requested they work in conjunction with the school system on the design of the tennis courts to B)CONSIDERATION OF DESIGN PROFESSIONAL FOR MACON MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK. Macon County School Board member Deidre Breeden read al letter addressed to the Board of Commissioners requesting approval of LS3P as the architect for the Macon Middle School (MMS) track project. After a lengthy discussion regarding ideas and thoughts on the project build process and the need for a design professional, Mr. Roland summarized the previous directive that the Board gave to obtain a design that was apples to apples due to the discussion at that time about drainage, grading, surface, base, etc. He said the school board has approved the respondent and needs to move into contract negotiations. After additional discussion, Commissioner Young made ar motion, seconded by Commissioner Antoine, to authorize the Macon County Board of Education to move forward with contract negotiations with LS3P. Mr. Roland will consult with the School of Government on options if the RFQ is rejected and how we would proceed. Commissioner Higdon said he is in favor of going straight to a design and build option and feels we have not adhered to the elements of the RFQ sO he will vote "no" on this request. The vote was 3-2 with Commissioner Shields, Commissioner Young, and Commissioner Antoine voting in favor of the motion, and Commissioner Higdon and Commissioner  accommodate the high school tennis team.  Shearl opposed. NEW BUSINESS:  (A)DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF THE UPDATED DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY FOR MACON COUNTY TRANSIT - Transit Director Darlene Asher explained the updated requirements for testing which allows oral swabbing as an additional testing option. She said the only change she had to make to the existing policy was to remove the word "urine". Motion by Commissioner Shearl, seconded by Commissioner Higdon to approve the updated policy as APPOINTMENTS - Chairman Shields referred to the handout of recommended board and committee liaison assignments [Attachment 1). With no discussion,  presented. The vote was unanimous.  B)DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF COMMISSIONER LIAISON members approved the appointments by consensus.  Minutes 01.09.24 Page 2 of3    (C)DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF UPDATED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FEE SCHEDULE - Health Director Kathy McGaha explained the proposed fee changes due to a legislative change to Rule 18E. She indicated that the Board of Health had also approved these changes. Commissioner Higdon made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Young to approve the fee changes as CONSENT AGENDA: Upon a motion by Commissioner Higdon, seconded by Commissioner Antoine, the board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda as presented which includes: (A) Minutes of the December 12, 2023 regular meeting, (B) Budget Amendments #100-104, (C) Resolution Exempting Surveying Services for Deal Farm Easement [Attachment 2], (D) Tax releases for the month of December 2023 in the amount of $461.02, (E) Monthly ad valorem  requested. The vote was unanimous.  tax collection report for which no action is necessary. (A)Macon County Public Library (1 seat)  APPOINTMENTS:  Commissioner Antoine made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Young to approve the appointment of Marsha Moxley as requested. The vote was Commissioner Antoine made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Young to approve the appointment of Meghan Cribbs as requested. The vote was CLOSED SESSION: At 7:56 p.m., upon a motion by Commissioner Higdon, seconded by Commissioner Shearl, the board voted unanimously to go into closed session as allowed under NCGS 143-318.11(a)5) to establish, or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiating (i) the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease. At 8:20 p.m., upon a motion by Commissioner Higdon, seconded by Commissioner Shearl, the board voted unanimously to come out of closed session and return to open session. ADJOURN: With no other business, at 8:20 p.m., upon a motion from Commissioner Higdon, seconded by Commissioner Shearl, the board voted  unanimous. unanimous.  (B)Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council (1 seat)  unanimously to adjourn.  -  CAbh  Derek Roland  Gary Shields Board Chair  Ex Officio Clerk to the Board  Minutes 01.09.24 Page 3 of3    80 Current Liaison/ / Member Shields  Updatedu/9/2024 Comments  Committee  Required N=No N  Y=Yes Commissioner  Airport Authority  Not required, but significant to budget. Budget includes $33,650a annually for operating expenses and when Airport Authority is applying for grants for expansion or special projects, they will requesta 10% match from the county.  Animal Control Study Committee Community Funding Pool  N Y  Higdon  Young and Higdon Funding is budgeted annually. Two (2) commissioner rep-  resentatives are required and commissioners appoint the Advisory board prefers to have a commissioner liaison who: serves as a non-voting member. Required by the Animal Control Ordinance. Senior Services advisory board and required to have com-  other members.  Cooperative Extension Dangerous Dog Board Department on Aging Advisory Board /Home and Community Care Block Grant Economic Development Commission EMS911/Emergency, Management Fire Commission  N Y Y  Higdon Shields Antoine  missioner member.  Y N Y N Y N Y N N Y N Y  Young and Shearl Commissioner member required by By-Laws.  Shearl Shearl Shields Higdon Shearl Antoine Antoine Shields Antoine Shearl  Commissioner member required (table appointment until  further notice)  Friends oft the Greenway (F.R.O.G.S)  Health Board  Required to have commissioner member by N.C.G.5.130A-  35.  Inspection/Builiding: Commission Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Law Entorcemen/COurthouse Securi-  Required to have commissioner member by N.C.G.S.143B-  (JCPC) ty/REACH LBJ Job Corps Library Board  845  Required to have commissioner member by N.C.G.S.153A-  265  Macon Citizens Habilities, Inc. Macon Program for Progress  County allocates funds ini the budget.  Antoine and Shields Two (2) commissioners. required.  Attachment 1    81  Committee  Required Y-Yes N=No  Current Commissioner Liaison/ Member Young Shearl and Young Young  Comments  Planning Board Recreation Committee  Required to have commissioner member by  N.C.G.S. 160-D-301.  N Y N N  Region A and Rural Transportation: Advisory  Way of identifying local transportation projects for  Committee Schools  funding. funding.  Young and Shields Way of identifying local education projects for  Social Services Board  Antoine  Commissioners appoint members or a commission- er may serve on the boardi in accordance with  N.C.G.S.1 108A. Contract and budget. Contract and budget.  Tourism Development Commissioner (TDC) Tourism Development Commissioner (TDC)  Y Y N Y Y  Shields Shearl Antoine Shearl Shields  Frankin/Nantahala -Highlands Town of Franklin Transit Advisory Board VAYA  Required by grant.  Commissioner member required by N.C.6.S.122-C  Macon County, NCI Board of Commissioners Handbook    RESOLUTION EXEMPTING SURVEYING SERVICES FOR DEAL FARM EASEMENT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 3D OF CHAPTER 143 OF  THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES  WHEREAS, Article 3D of Chapter 143 of the North Carolina General Statutes  establishesa general public policy regarding procurement of surveying services; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statutes Section 143-64.32 provides:  "Units of local government or the North Carolina Department of Transportation may in writing exempt particular projects from the provisions of this Article in the case of proposed projects where an estimated professional fee is in an amount less than fifty thousand dollars  ($50,000)"; and  WHEREAS, Macon County is now in need of surveying services for the Deal Farm Easement in WHEREAS, the estimated professional surveying fee for the Deal Farm Easement in Macon NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF MACON that the proposed surveying services for the Deal Farm Easement in Macon County, North Carolina, is hereby exempted in writing from the provisions of Article 3D of Chapter 143 of North Carolina General Statutes pursuant to  Macon County, North Carolina; and  County, North Carolina is in an amount less than fifty thousand ($50,000) dollars.  the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. $143-64.32. Adopted this gth day of January 2024.  Macon County Board of Commissioners  A  ATTEST Clerk to the Board (COUNTY SEAL)  ATE  CARU  Attachment 2