Local Government Committee for Cooperative Action "LGCCA"

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE FOR COOPERATIVE ACTION "LGCCA" Historic Courthouse | 1 Historic Courthouse Sq. | Hendersonville NC 28792 Tuesday, July 20, 2021 – 3:00 PM MINUTES Present: City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara G. Volk Henderson County Chairman William Lapsley, Vice-Chair Rebecca McCall Village of Flat Rock Mayor Nick Weedman, Vice Mayor Anne Coletta Town of Fletcher Mayor Rod Whiteside, Council Member Preston Blakely Town of Laurel Park Mayor J. Carey O'Cain, Council Member Nancy McKinley Town of Mills River Mayor Chae Davis, Council Member Roger Snyder 1. CALL TO ORDER (City of Hendersonville Hosting) City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara G. Volk called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. WELCOME AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara G. Volk welcomed those in attendance and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 3. CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA Village of Flat Rock Mayor Nick Weedman requested the addition of discussion regarding PEG Channel. Town of Mills River Mayor Chae Davis moved that the Council add PEG Channel Discussion to the agenda. A unanimous vote of the Council followed. Motion carried. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 20, 2021, Minutes Council Members discussed clarification and amendment to the April 20, 2021, minutes on page 2 to indicate the County’s Comprehensive Plan is in the beginning stages and is an ongoing process over the next twelve to eighteen months. Town of Fletcher Mayor Rod Whiteside moved to approve the minutes of April 20, 2021, as amended. A unanimous vote of the Committee Members present followed. Motion carried. LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE FOR COOPERATIVE ACTION "LGCCA" – July 20, 2021Page |1 5. NEW BUSINESS A. The Connections Center - Sarah Kowalak, Director of Community Impact, United Way, Kristen Martin MSW, LCSW, Executive Director Sara Kowalak, Director of Community Impact, and Julie Honeycutt with the Hope Coalition addressed the Council providing information regarding an opportunity to partner with local nonprofits to reduce barriers for persons to access substance abuse and mental health services. Ms. Kowalak stated this is an opportunity partner with local agencies who serve the same population in a more collaborative, coordinated effort. Julie Honeycutt gave a brief history of the transition of the Hendersonville Connection Center. Ms. Kowalak discussed different needs and presented a rendering of the proposed facility as well as partners who have committed. Ms. Kowalak stated the total goal is $3M and said they have $240,000 committed and asked for consideration of American Rescue Plan funding to be allocated. Village of Flat Rock Mayor Nick Weedman inquired if they were representing all nonprofits and Ms. Kowalak confirmed there would be a satellite space within the facility for each of them. Chairman William Lapsley expressed thanks and appreciation to the group of their efforts and asked them to continue moving forward. Chairman Lapsley stated all of the Henderson County Commissioners have been through the proposed facility and said they are very much in support of the project but expressed concern for use of taxpayer funds specific to ownership of capital improvements made to the facility, leasing arrangement between government and a religious organization, ownership of the building, and future sustainability. Chairman Lapsley and Vice-Chair Rebecca McCall expressed concerns of persons being able to connect with treatment and services outside of the facility. Chairman Lapsley implored the Committee to think about supporting treatment providers as well. Vice- Chair McCall stated she believes providing outreach will reduce costs over time. Chairman Lapsley stated the Detention Center is faced with bed space issues with more than half being substance abuse related and said the facility is faced with upgrades to accommodate the need. Chairman Lapsley said if the community can have a positive impact on lowering substance abuse incarcerations, then this would be a cost savings to the taxpayer by not having to expand the detention center. Ms. Honeycutt clarified their proposed facility is not an in-patient rehabilitation and said this is focused more on the day-to-day interactions to restore community. She stated daily interactions help people who are still trying to work but are struggling with substance abuse. B. ARP Funds Village of Flat Rock Mayor Nick Weedman discussed American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds and proposed having representatives from each municipality collaborate to discuss the best way to leverage the funds. Interim County Manager John Mitchell discussed the current ARP rules and reminded everyone that a final rule is forthcoming and cautioned that funds expended are subject to claw back if not allocated correctly according to the rules. After much discussion, the Committee agreed to form an advisory subcommittee for the purposes of presenting feedback from each municipality to the County for potential funding topics they wish to be considered. LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE FOR COOPERATIVE ACTION "LGCCA" – July 20, 2021Page |2 Chairman William Lapsley moved that the Committee approve an ARP Advisory Sub-Committee and to request each municipality select one elected official to meet as a group within the next 30 days to present feedback from each municipality to the County for topics they would like considered for funding. Village of Flat Rock Mayor Nick Weedman seconded the motion. A unanimous vote of Committee Members present followed. Motion carried. Chairman Lapsley clarified the elected official may bring a staff person along, but the intent is to keep the committee to 6 members. C. Ecusta Trail Update Interim County Manager John Mitchell and staff member provided an update on the Ecusta Trail project and timeline stating the project is very close to a closing with their partners at Conserving Carolina. Staff reminded everyone they have applied for funding for preliminary engineering and construction and announced that NC DOT is using this project as a model. County engineering staff discussed the construction phase stating it will be heavily reviewed by NCDOT and clarified final agreements or contracts could be ready by October 1st through the QBS process which is currently underway. Manager Mitchell stated invitations will be sent to everyone to attend a ribbon cutting and said the tentative location will be at the trailhead. Committee Members extended thanks and appreciation to the Town of Laurel Park and the City of Hendersonville for participating in the project and extended special thanks to Representative Chuck McGrady for his support of the project. D. PEG Channel Village of Flat Rock Mayor Nick Weedman stated his Council has received requests regarding a PEG Channel and inquired if others have been approached. Town of Fletcher Mayor Rod Whiteside confirmed a formal presentation had been presented to Fletcher’s board and said it was well received. City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk confirmed the same and said it has not been pursued further at this time. Chairman William Lapsley stated the County Commissioners have not taken it under advisement. 6. UPDATES A. City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk provided updates for various festivities and events in the City. B. Henderson County Chairman William Lapsley clarified the County just now getting started on their comprehensive plan and said it will take 12-18 months and will include discussion of ETJ. Chairman Lapsley stated the County wants to show support to all front-line workers through pandemic and said the Commissioners are having a county employee luncheon to honor their front-line workers. Vice Chairman Rebecca McCall extended thanks and appreciation to Brittany Brady and the Partnership announcing Henderson County is now considered work ready which will entice employers to locate here. Vice-Chair McCall mentioned a new pathways program for disconnected youth stating the concept is moving forward to develop a local task force to focus on providing pathways for disconnected youth and LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE FOR COOPERATIVE ACTION "LGCCA" – July 20, 2021Page |3 said they will be reaching out to each municipality to gauge interest for participation. She clarified disconnected youth are youth up to age 21 who are not working or attending school. Chairman Lapsley recalled their recent County Commissioner meeting public comments about vaccines and said YouTube has removed the video. Chairman Lapsley stated the Commissioners directed staff to seek an alternate platform to stream meetings with. Chairman Lapsley stated the Commissioners also directed the school superintendent to seek alternative vendors for select technology as well. C. Village of Flat Rock Mayor Nick Weedman recalled recent changes to NC General Statutes for new chapter 160D stating they have established their own transportation advisory committee. Mayor Weedman stated the Village has hired a new park ranger and has passed their annual budget with no tax increase. Mayor Weedman stated the Village is working on streambank restoration within one of their parks and are proud to host the first of several town hall meetings. D. Town of Fletcher Mayor Rod Whiteside provided updates for various festivities and events in the Town announcing the clock tower is closer to completion. E. Town of Laurel Park Mayor J. Carey O'Cain provided updates for various festivities and events in the Town announcing development ordinances have been completed and said the town is planning their 2025 Centennial celebration. Mayor O’Cain stated they would like to have Ecusta trail complete in 2025. F. Town of Mills River Mayor Chae Davis provided updates for various festivities and events in the Town announcing they have adopted their comprehensive plan and said are working on a streambank restoration. 7. REMINDER OF NEXT MEETING - October 19, 2021, Village of Flat Rock Hosting A. 2021 LGCCA Meeting Schedule 8. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. upon assent of Council Members present. _______________________________________ William Lapsley, County Commissioner & Chairman _______________________________________ Barbara G. Volk, Mayor of the City of Hendersonville ATTEST: _______________________ Angela L. Reece, City Clerk LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE FOR COOPERATIVE ACTION "LGCCA" – July 20, 2021Page |4