MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  CONTINUED SESSION NOVEMBER 28, 2017 MINUTES  Chairman Tate reconvened the meeting at 6:04 p.m. at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building located at 1288 Georgia Road in Franklin, NC as noticed. All Board Members, the County Manager, Deputy Clerk, Finance Director and County Attorney were present. The primary purpose of the meeting was to hold a joint meeting with the Franklin Town Council and the Town of Highlands Board of Commissioners, and to conduct other business as needed. Present on behalf of the Town of Franklin were Mayor Bob Scott, Vice Mayor/Council Member Barbara McRae, Council Member Joe Collins, Council Member Elect David Culpepper, Town Manager Summer Woodard and Town Finance Officer Kyra Doster. Present on behalf of the Town of Highlands were Mayor Patrick Taylor. and Commissioners Amy Patterson, Brian Stiehler, Eric Pierson, John Dotson, Donnie Calloway and Town Manager Josh Ward. Also present were Following individual introductions by those present, the pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited and a moment of silence was observed prior to everyone COUNTY LEADERSHIP FORUM ON OPIOID ABUSE: Following opening remarks by the County Manager, Macon County Public Health Director Jim Bruckner and Lynn Baker, the agency's Population Health Section Administrator, led a forum on opioid abuse based on the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) "meeting in a box" format. That format consisted of (1) the sharing of numerous statistics regarding opioid abuse, (2) the current status of education, treatment and prevention efforts, (3) understanding what is happening," (4) a review of the language of recovery" using a comparison of the current terminology versus alternative terminology, then wrapping up with a discussion of the next steps. Mr. Bruckner said the goal of the forum was to "elevate the awareness' of local elected officials concerning this problem. Ms. Baker then used several statistics to paint a picture of the epidemic, noting that every day, nearly four North Carolinians die from a medication or drug overdose and 705 million opioid pills were prescribed in the state in 2016. Mr. Bruckner pointed out the need for  members of the news media and interested citizens.  sharing a meal together.  Minutes 11.28.17 Page 1 of3    cooperation between law enforcement, medical prescribers, the public health community and the treatment and recovery community to confront the issue, as prevention, treatment and enforcement are all critical. It was noted during this time that Naloxone, or Narcan - a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose - is now being used by local first responder agencies. Mr. Bruckner and Ms. Baker then joined together to provide an overview of efforts taking place at the state, regional and local levels to combat the problem. Ms. Baker then led an exercise that centered on how the language and terms used to discuss this crisis could be shifted. The forum wrapped up with comments on the need for collaboration and with another group exercise that allowed participants to make choices as to which ideas for action they would commit themselves to. During the forum, both Mr. Bruckner and Commissioner Beale, who has been very involved in this issue at the state level, said that Macon County is "way ahead of a lot of counties" in organizing to address this epidemic. No official Each governmental entity then had the opportunity to share the highlights of projects and events that had taken or were taking place in their jurisdictions, beginning with Chairman Tate for the county, then Mayor Bob Scott and Vice Mayor Barbara McRae for the Town of Franklin, and finally Mayor Patrick The group agreed to leave the task of deciding the host and date for the next joint meeting to the County Manager and the two town managers. Chairman Tate called a recess at 8:17 p.m., allowing the representatives of the Chairman Tate called the meeting back to order at 8:23 p.m. in order to AGREEMENT FOR MOBILITY COORDINATOR POSITION: The County Attorney distributed copies of an agreement that he had prepared regarding the shared position of a mobility manager between Macon County Transit and the State of Franklin Health Council. Following a brief explanation by the County Attorney, and upon a motion by Commissioner Beale, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie, the board voted unanimously to approve the agreement as presented, a copy of which is attached (Attachment 1) and is CONSERVATION EASEMENTS FOR STREAMBANK RESTORATION PROJECTS: The County Attorney distributed two documents - one a Deed of Conservation Easement for Restoration Purposes for the Macon County Recreation Park Stream Restoration Project, and the other a similar document  action was taken.  Taylor for the Town of Highlands.  towns to leave the meeting.  conduct the following items of county business.  hereby made a part of these minutes.  Minutes 11.28.17 Page 2 of3    for the Cullasaja Park Stream Restoration Project. He explained that he had reviewed both documents and that they required board approval. Following brief discussion, and upon a motion by Commissioner Gillespie, seconded by Commissioner Shields, the board voted unanimous.y to approve both as presented. A copy of the Deed of Conservation Easement for Restoration Purposes for the Macon County Recreation Park Stream Restoration Project is attached (Attachment 2) and is hereby made a part of these minutes. A copy of the Deed of Conservation Easement for Restoration Purposes for the Cullasaja Park Stream Restoration Project is attached (Attachment 3) and is hereby made CLOSED SESSION: The County Attorney said there was a need for a brief closed session in order to preserve the attorney/client privilege, and at 8:26 p.m., upon a motion by Commissioner Beale, seconded by Commissioner Shields, the board voted unanimously to go into closed session. At 8:30 p.m., upon a motion by Commissioner Higdon, seconded by Commissioner Shields, the board voted unanimously to come out of closed session and return to open ADJOURN: At 8:30 p.m., with no other business and upon a motion by Commissioner Beale, seconded by Commissioner Higdon, the board voted  ap part of these minutes.  session. No action was taken.  unanimous.y to adjourn.  Derek Roland  Jim Tate Board Chairman  Ex Officio Clerk to the Board  Minutes 11.28.17 Page 3 of3