255  CARTERET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  REGULAR SESSION COMMISSIONERS BOARDROOM November 18, 2024 6:00 P.M. Jimmy  Chairman  Farrington, David Quinn, Chuck Shinn,  Commissioners Present:  Ed' Wheatly, Chris Chadwick, and Bob Cavanaugh.  Staff Present: Tommy Burns, County Manager; Dee Meshaw, Deputy County Manager/Finance Director; Sharon Griffin, County Attorney; Lori Turner, County  Clerk, and Matthew Goodwin, Assistant IT Director I. Meeting Called to Order/Pledge of Aleglancellnyocation  Chairman Farrington called the meeting to order at 6PM. Commissioner Wheatly led the  Pledge of Allegiance. Attorney Sharon Griffin offered the invocation.  II. Conflict of Interest/Cell Phone Statement  Chairman Farrington read the Conflict of Interest Statement and reminded everyone to  silence their cell phones. III. Adoption of Agenda  Commissioner Cavanaugh made a motion to adopt the agenda. Seconded by  Commissioner Chadwick. The vote was unanimous. 1. Approval of the Board of Commissioner Meeting a. September 16, 2024 Regular Meeting b. October 21, 2024 Regular Meeting 2. Tax Administrator's Report/Release & Refunds! a. Tax Administrator's Report for October 2024 b. September & October 2024 Release & Refund Reports C. October 2024 NCVTS Refund Report 3. Approval of the Following Budget Amendments: a. $66,688 Accept Funding from McKinsey and Company Substance Use Prevention Work b. $66,000 for Down East Fire & EMS for the Purchase of a Remount Ambulance and for 10 Refurbished SCBAS 4. Approval of the Regional Opioid Assessment Agreement between Recovery Alliance Initiative (RAI) and the Eastern Carolina Council 5. Approval of the Tax Settlement Upon Vacancy for the Tax Administrator  IV. Consent. Agenda  Minutes:  NCVTS Reports:  for    256  6.A Approval of the Tax Settlement Upon Vacancy for the Interim Tax 7. Approval of the CCATS Transportation 8. Approval of the Jail Medical Contract Renewal for 2025 9. Approval of the 2025 Board of Commissioners 10. Approval of the Peer Support Contract with Hope Mission Commissioner Shinn. The vote was unanimous. V. Recognition of and Resolution for the Outgoing  Collector  Advisory Board By-law Changes Meeting Dates  Commissioner Cavanaugh made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Seconded  by  County  Commissioners  Tommy Burns thanked the County Clerk for putting the resolution  gratitude and audience. Mr. Burns read the and Wheatly:  together. It expresses the who was in the Farrington, Cavanaugh,  appreciation that many of us have had for the outgoing elected officials and  service. Mr. Burns also recognized the former  their  County Clerk, Rachel Hammer,  following resolution honoring Commissioners  EBOLUTION HONORING  OMRISRERS B0B SAMAMAVaN JIMMY FARRINGYON, AND ED WHEATLY ddioatod. MERENS, public servants on December all of 2. 2024 Garteret ounty, will who WHEREAS. served his Dommissiones: Povenaugh is retired Marine debt by MMEREAS. serving pommissigner this Board from Bob Svansuan sontinued, also erved muitiple ounty, Boards 2016 including: through 2024 guring that to repay that he Society Board stees, of Diroctors. wvenile, the Grime Poantion The ouncit, Parte et e alth Dare  citizens; and and Eci WEREAS. Mnentiy for resicien oritical and owos our country  whom demonstratod true anegianco lose to three our Bob Sevanauan. limmy Farrinaton. im prove the quality sommie: of life ione for their vorking fellow to  dobt; and but in  own wordis still fecls aptain like he  Allios for Cherry Point. and many lumane  Board HEREAB. from 201 Bommimgnsr through Chairman from 20232024: WHERE nt he  Jimmy arrington hes during that time he the Coastal Regional  this as the ms;  Com issioner noten has the mission. Peer championea substance covery  recove Commimmioner frem Chairman from 2021 2022: great advocate for security in our Gounty ly upon gh. Jimmy of as upon  through MHEREAS, 2024 duri ing Ea that Wheatiy time he has served served as local personal MEREAS. preperty, rights commiyioner and sohoois. and Board NoVV, of Dommiss TEREI arington. ne a dedicatic on, and ommitment to lecting Darteret Oounty: nci asush. Mr. Eci heatiy.  a Wheatly Proponent vas  of incre  IT EBOLVED that the Carteret omm msioners Bob Oavansu peopi and the causes of all their citizens tenure of ecintion to the families of Gommi  ommiss BE IT or FURTHER express their OLVED that the Parteret County Board order to serve our great county: heatiy and for sharing their personal saioners time in the minutes BE I FURTHER of the Carteret RESOLVED County that this Repolution be spread three parmanent of Darteret record and reminder of. the publio Board service of comine of. ounty. sommsioner ounty's. Mr. finest B3ob oitizens. commniey,, leaders. and and respect for,  and  Cavanmuon. Mr. Jimmy Farrington. Garteret and  ADOPTED. this the 184h day of November 2024.  Mark Manstoia, Vice Chai Chris Chadwick, Commis Chuck Shinn, Commisioner Davic Quinn,  sio    257  Commissioner Chadwick made a motion to approve the resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Mr. Burns distributed a token of appreciation to the outgoing commissioners from the county and its  Quinn. The vote was unanimous.  citizens.  V. Public Comments  Mr. David Lewis, 1269 Marshallberg Road, stated he is here today because Marshallberg has a flooding issue due to ditch projects done years ago. In 2022 a grant was received in the amount of $250,000 to get the ditch work fixed. We needed the salt water stopped from coming in, and we needed fresh water to be allowed to go out. The grant funds were given to the county to oversee  and the  The project failed. The folks doing the work didn't know how to handle  the money  project. what  hurricane did they wrong.  but issues with  tides and high tides. Two using and make this  the project. These are not just months ago, we flooded the worst we ever come back and fix ditch problems. We need help. We talked to the  issues, have. It was a result of king an incorrect flapper and it We trusted the county to use the funds to  was incorrectly installed. lam here to ask the county to do the right thing asked that an engineer be assigned toi this work, but that was never done.  correct company these during this project and  Assistant  County Manager  Mr. Paul Lewis, 1269 Marshallberg Road, on September 17, 2024 Marshallberg experienced significant flooding due to heavy rainfall. While natural factors contributed, the root cause was an avoidable failure in the drainage system. A fine mesh plastic grate was installed over a 36" culvert that restricted water flow due to leaves and grass that you would expect to see in a ditch. This caused sever upstream flooding. the cause, he agreed with me. NCDOT confirmed that the grate  After the flooding, I contacted NCDOT. Ispoke with an engineer.  He sent a team out to investigate  but the issue  beyond this single event. to correct the issue.  was inappropriate. NCDOT removed the grate, Moving forward the county should ensure proper engineering  and goes oversight  Marshallberg deserves infrastructure that works for and not against our community.  Mr. Ronald Sanders, 1253 Marshallberg Rd, he is the neighbor of the two gentlemen that just spoke. Our homes are across from the harbor. The last time it flooded, the water reached my home. We tried to crack the grate open enough to drain water, and we did, but the damage was already done. My 1944 original hard pine floors are destroyed. watched the contractors work on this ditch, and they made many errors. There has been settlement. It was a waste of money. Somebody needs to be held accountable for this. I have documentation where It talked with Gene Foxworth several times about the proper system to use. He ignored me. Ican set a tide chart by Chairman Farrington stated that this Board does not comment during public comments, but we are Ralph Hall, 1904 East Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach. He congratulated the three newly elected Commissioners and thanked current government for our competent elections. My wife and I regularly attend and monitor almost every single Board of Election meeting that have been held over the last four years. Ihave served as a Precinct Official and Chief Judge in Atlantic Beach. I want to publicly commend the Board of Elections for delivering a fair election in 2024. They ensured that every eligible voter was able to vote, and the votes were certified. In considering the 2025 Budget, this county should provide salary increases for professional staff of the Board of Elections. Comparable counties with fewer voters pay their professional staff more than Carteret County.  that ditch. Iti is useless. We really need some help.  listening to you.    258  VII. Public Hearing: For the 2025 General Reappraisal  (Revaluation) Schedule of Values  Ryan Vincent of Vincent Valuations stated he was working with the county on the previous meetings, we presented the schedule of values, now we need to hold a reappraisal. As Commissioner Cavanaugh made a motion to open the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner  in  statute. Thati is what we are here for tonight. Cavanaugh. The vote was unanimous. There were no comments.  public hearing per  Commissioner Cavanaugh made a motion to close the public hearing. Seconded The Board will hold a special meeting on 25 Nov 2024 to consider the schedule of values. VIII. Public Hearing: Request to Rezone a 0.46-acre Property Located at 820 Hibbs Road, Newport (PIN# 633704727087000) from R-20 (Single-Family Residential District) to B-1CZ (General Business Gregg Hartman stated the applicant is requesting to rezone a 0.46-acre Hibbs Road from R-20 to B-1CZ. Currently the subject property is undeveloped. property  Chadwick. The motion was unanimous.  by Commissioner  Conditional Zoning District)  located at 820  bordered by Green Recycling Solutions to the north, south, and the west. There are The property is dwellings to the east. Iti is bordered by IWC: zoning to the north and the west. B1CZ single family south, and R15: zoning to the east. The conditional zoning request includes certain zoning toi the conditions that have been agreed to by the property owner. These conditions include site specific subject property is situated within the limited transition CAMA Land plant, Use Plan or storage yard. The surrounding property owners have been notified. To date, staff has received 1 classification. objection, and 16 5 no objections. On October 14, 2024 the Planning Commission voted 4-01 to recommend  tot the following uses: repair garage motor vehicle, and contractors  and  limiting the site approving the  proposed conditional zoning. Shinn. The vote was unanimous. There were no public comments. Shinn. The vote was unanimous.  Commissioner Chadwick made a motion to open the public hearing. Seconded Commissioner  by  Commissioner Chadwick made a motion to close the public hearing. Seconded Commissioner Commissioner Chadwick made the motion to approve the requested rezoning from R-20 (Single-Family Residential District) to B-1CZ (General Business Conditional Zoning 0.46 acre property located at 820 Hibbs Road. Seconded by Commissioner  by  District) for the Cavanaugh. The vote  was unanimous.  Mr. Hartman read the statement of plan consistency. Commissioner Chadwick made a motion to approve the statement of plan consistency as read by Mr. Hartman. Commissioner  seconded. The vote was unanimous IX. Manager's Report  Cavanaugh    259  Tommy Burns stated on the December agenda, the School System will request to replace four chillers. The State oft the Community breakfast will be held tomorrow and sponsored by the  Chamber of Commerce. Staff will be there to represent the county.  X. Appointments  Board of Equalization and Review: Commissioner Chadwick nominated Mr. Thomas Roberts and Mr. Daniel Bartolini for reappointments to a 1-year term as Consolidated Human Services Board: Commissioner Cavanaugh nominated Jodi Lewis to reappointment to a 4-year term as the Social Worker representative. Approved. Commissioner Cavanaugh also nominated Martha Carol Armistead to a 4- Juvenile Crime Prevention Council: Commissioner Cavanaugh nominated Noah Johnson toi fill the vacated term as the Faith Community representative. Approved. He also nominated Mary Whitford to fulfill the vacated Juvenile Defense Attorney  alternates. Approved.  yeart term as the Psychologist Representative. Approved.  seat. Approved.  Commissioner Wheatly asked why the Hospital Board seats have not been filled. Chairman Commissioner Wheatly said the new commissioners were not the ones who caused the vacancies. The statute stated the hospital board requires an 11-member board. There have been three  Farrington said the new Commissioners will make the decision.  vacancies for months. XI. Commissioner Comments everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  Commissioner Quinn thanked the members of the Board of Elections and volunteers for a smooth and secure election. He thanked the outgoing commissioners for their long service. He wished Commissioner Chadwick congratulated the outgoing Commissioners for time served. Happy Commissioner Wheatly stated these are his opinions, and he is speaking from the heart The first seven years were a pleasure serving on this Board, the last year was not. The County Attorney termination was over a piece of property purchased for the ABC Board. There has been little transparency on the purchase of land for the proposed newj jail. Commissioners Comer and Robinson believed in transparency. A First Class working board is not in effect anymore. Ihave met some nice people like Rachel Hammer, Tommy Burns, Dr. Mancini, Dee Meshaw. Friendships thatl will never forget. The Hospital Board replacement was a character assassination. When lwas Chairman we had a problem with the airport board. We went to them individually and asked that they resign without embarrassing them. Ithink Chimer Clark will be a good commissioner. Mr. Moore will be a good commissioner. Ms. Waldrop has made negative comments about my family. When the water system came up for sale, I didn't want to sell at first. After talking to Mr. Burns and Ms. Meshaw about the financial loss the system was taking, I changed my mind. So, we accepted the offer. It was political suicide to vote for the sale oft the water system. Commissioner Chadwick used it against me int the election. lwould still vote to sell for the benefit of the entire county. lask the Lord fort the courage to carry on. lwould tell the three new commissioners to do what you think  Thanksgiving to all. He was pleased with most of the election results.  isr right. Thank you for letting me serve.    260  Commissioner Shinn thanked the Board of Elections and volunteers. The election went smoothly. He thanked the outgoing commissioners fori their service. Ihave enjoyed serving with you. Wish you well moving forward. The three new commissioners are all here tonight. Still keep in mind the Commissioner Cavanaugh stated this was his last time to speak to the public. Ithank everyone who supported me. Ihave done my best to serve you well. We have accomplished a lot in my 8 years. Improvements ont the drug treatment problems (New Facility & PORT). The Sheriff is doing his part byl locking up as many dealers as possible, and charging drug dealers in the death of their customers. Don't do drugs. Don't start. Don't deal. It was an honor to serve with Jonathan Robinson. Everyone loved him. He worked his way through college by fishing. It has been an honor to be a county commissioner. If you are having a problem finding a job, etc. give serving in the military a consideration. We need to turn around the opinion of service ini the military or serving as a policeman. You will have lifelong bonds with friends. Iretired after 20 years and have medical insurance covered for life. Encourage young folks to give a military career a consideration. Back in the hippie days, Isaw a bumper sticker that read "Bloom where you are planted."I It gave me a positive outlook on life. Ireally enjoyed serving on this board. God bless you all. Chairman Farrington thanked Commissioner Cavanaugh because in 1986 I saw Bob and his wife cutting crass and he taught me the landscape business. He thanked his family and said he love them. My daughter was going to college at NCSU. thoughtlwould stay 4 years while she did her 4 years in college. There are way too many great things in our county. New Commissioners remember that it takes 4 votes to get things done. After the vote go home and don't think about it anymore. watched these meetings before Ib became a commissioner I learned from David Wheatly, Pat Joyce, and Jonathan Robinson who had the knowledge to keep our tax rate low. The Absentee homeowner is great. They pay all the taxes but don't use our schools, etc. Jonathan Robinson was the smartest commissioner I have seen in my life. He knew how this operates. Ireally want to honor him. He taught me al lot of lessons. Irespect every commissioner who sat on this bench. Thankful for those who supported me. Mark Mansfield has really helped me as co-chair and he continues to  folks in western NC. Happy Thanksgiving to all.  help this board a lot. XII. Adjournment was unanimous.  Commissioner Cavanaugh made a motion to adjourn. Chairman Farrington seconded. The vote  sfe 27f  5T Lori Turner, County Clerk