HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-12-12-2023-Business Meeting 1
APPROVED 2/6/24
MINUTES
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BUSINESS MEETING
December 12, 2023
7:00 p.m.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners met for a Business Meeting on Tuesday,
December 12, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jamezetta Bedford, Vice-Chair Sally Greene
and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Jean Hamilton, Earl McKee (arrived at 7:16 p.m.), Phyllis
Portie-Ascott, and Anna Richards
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts
COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Deputy County Manager
Travis Myren, and Clerk to the Board Laura Jensen. (All other staff members will be identified
appropriately below)
Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. All commissioners were present,
except for Commissioner McKee.
1. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
None.
2. Public Comments (Limited to One Hour)
Chair Bedford read the public charge:
The Board of Commissioners pledges its respect to all present. The Board asks those attending
this meeting to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner toward each other, county
staff and the commissioners. At any time should a member of the Board or the public fail to
observe this charge, the Chair will take steps to restore order and decorum. Should it become
impossible to restore order and continue the meeting, the Chair will recess the meeting until such
time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. The BOCC asks that all
electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and computers should please be turned off or set
to silent/vibrate. Please be kind to everyone.
a. Matters not on the Printed Agenda
Andrew Lindstrom said he was there to speak out against the proposed waste facility at
Orange Grove Road and Highway 54 intersection. He said his home is 2,000 feet away from the
proposed facility. He said he feels obligated to speak out on behalf of his community against the
proposal. He said he's lived over half of his life in Orange County. He said he has lived in 4
different residences in 34 consecutive years in the county. He said he does so because he wants
a higher quality of life. He said he wants better planning, better schools, better roads, better
services, more predictability and more transparency. He said it is more expensive, but it was well
worth it up until this point. He said the community is shocked and saddened that their quiet rural,
residential community may be forced to have an industrial waste handling facility inserted into a
space that is zoned rural residential. He said it will bring the devaluation of their homes and a
host of safety, traffic, pollution, and noise concerns. He said they strongly feel that a better site,
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that doesn't impact a large residential community can be identified. He asked that the Board
withdraw this proposal.
Jessica Sheffield is the executive director of Eno River Association. She said they've been
working for nearly 60 years in the watershed to protect the natural, cultural, and historical
resources it provides to Orange County. She invited the Board to take a hike with the organization
on January 1, 2024 at 2 p.m. She shared the 2024 Eno River Association calendar with the
Board. She said the theme for 2024 is to highlight those who use the river.
Terri Buckner thanked the Board for asking staff to investigate the water supply watershed
boundary issue. She said that at the end of September, the storm water group came out to meet
with her and her neighbors to learn more about their growing storm water problems and what
actions they can take to mitigate the flooding. She said that they were great and did not talk
down to the community members and gave them helpful information. She said they have a
trusting relationship. She said that same night the Town of Chapel Hill held their in-person
information session on the water and sewer boundary extension. She said she could not
participate in that session, but was able to participate in the first forum, which was held over Zoom.
She said the forum contained very little information and was attended by fewer than 15 individuals
who were not employed by the town. She said after a very short presentation on WASMPBA
[Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement] the floor was open to
questions. She said one of the questions was whether the town plans to annex the affordable
housing community planned for the town-owned land south of Dogwood Acres and Southern
Community Park. She said the response was that voluntary annexation is generally part of that
kind of development. She said the town has not informed impacted residents of any annexation
plans associated with WASMPBA or the expansion. She said that a recent email to the Town
Council from Ralph Karpinos, the now retired long-time town attorney, makes clear that
annexation would be a likely next step. She provided copies of his email to the Board and asked
that the email be entered into the county's record for future reference:
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
1 write to offer one comment about the possible policy changes to allow extension of water and utility services between the present Town limits and the Orange/Chatham County
border.
1 have not followed your discussion in detail on this subject, but,if this issue has not been raised before,I want to suggest that the Council consider making a condition of the
extension of water and sewer service in this area that the property owners agree to and submit valid petitions for their properties to be annexed to the Town so that residents may
receive all Town services and so that property owners may contribute to the provision of those services through Town ad valorem property taxes.
Thank you for your service to the Town.
Sincerely,
Ralph Karpinos
Town resident
112 Braswell Road
She asked the Board to not consider the town's request to expand the urban services boundary
until the county's comprehensive planning process is complete, and changes to the town's LUMO
[Land Use Management Ordinance] have been adopted, including an accurate water supply
watershed map with zoning aligned to the state standards that protect drinking water.
BJ Warshaw read from the following statement:
I'd like to first quickly thank you all for hearing us speak about WASMPBA at the last Board of
County Commissioners meeting, particularly Commissioner Fowler and Commissioner Greene
for recommending that County Staff conduct further research on the southern area watersheds
and environmental regulations. Those of us who live in the area had asked for an environmental
impact study before the Town Council voted on the extension and the watershed mapping error
we raised with you is evidence in favor of that request.
I'm glad that the County will be researching this issue, such that everyone—residents, developers,
and governments alike — can understand precisely what type of development would be allowed
in this area under the March 2023 rules, presuming we abide by state watershed protection
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regulations. Without that information, Chapel Hill's too-vague plans of dense development along
15-501 are missing key data points which may, indeed, impact the suitability of extending urban
services.
Until the watershed issue is resolved, we can't know what kind of development will be allowed in
the Southern Area. The reason I, and others, have been requesting comprehensive planning and
environmental study is to have better insight around what works well for our community's growth
needs as well as the environment, our drinking water, wildlife, traffic and infrastructure, and the
livelihood of current residents.
I'm a member of the Southern Entryway Alliance, a small group of neighbors concerned about
development and its impacts, who have been communicating with you all for some time. We've
been trying to keep folks aware of the proposed WASMPBA amendment, but it's challenging and
time-consuming work. We have an email list with over 100 subscribers, most of whom live in the
Chapel Hill or Carrboro ETJs, and who have expressed deep concern to us about Chapel Hill's
recent WASMPBA amendment vote. Please remember that the Board of County Commissioners
remain the best and only direct representatives for those of us living in the ETJs. We are
collectively hoping for much better clarity around proposed development, before you decide to
take up the Town's request to amend the water and sewer boundaries.
Thanks in advance for your continued attention to this issue.
Julie McClintock read from the following statement:
One reason Orange County and its towns have experienced fewer growing pains than other
neighboring Counties is because we've planned ahead. Orange County engaged in joint planning
when they passed the 1986 Joint Land Use Plan and the WASMPBA agreement. Good joint
planning has allowed our County to protect its rural roots, grow urban densities without sprawl -
in an orderly sustainable way that protects our water supply watersheds.
It was alarming that the Chapel Hill Council proposed to modify the WASMPBA agreement in
November without any common understanding about what they wanted to accomplish when
utilities were added. What happens could vary from acres of townhouses to Bluehill - like
apartment buildings-to something else. We really have no idea, nor do the folks living in southern
Orange County.
Chapel Hill's action was taken in an illogical order. Why not allow full input of residents and
affected parties to comment on land use changes as part of the County's new Land Use Plan?
Why not allow Chapel Hill to complete its land use revisions as part of the Complete Communities
framework when there is a clear plan to propose? Utility map changes can follow.
These are all reasons why the Orange County Commission should await these outcomes and not
make premature changes to the joint planning boundary agreement.
Where did this utility agreement come from?
Julie McClintock continued her comments by stating that she was the OWASA Board Chair at the
time. She said that in the 1990's OWASA was starting to respond to public health emergencies
and requests to put in water and sewer. She said that infrastructure development was starting to
break down the land use plan. She said the local governments got together to create a plan for
where they would put water and sewer.
Julie McClintock continued reading from the following statement:
No one knows the consequences of placing utilities in a water supply watershed without studying
it first. Based on OWASA's calculations, as many as 2,200 residential units would turn Southern
Orange County from rural to urban overnight without any guarantee of BRT funding, missing
middle housing or a traffic free corridor enabling patients to get through to UNC hospitals.
A person identifying himself as Madden thanked the Board for what they do. He asked
the Board how they would they like some more money. He said before the US Constitution was
ratified, representatives came to Hillsborough and voted not to ratify the US constitution because
it wasn't good enough at the time. He wanted to know if it would be possible to appeal to historians
from outside of Orange County who would like to come visit and learn more about that and
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possibly spend money. He said that he was informed that the magistrates, particularly in
Hillsborough, have too many requests to perform marriage ceremonies because it is an idyllic
location with plenty of parking. He said it brings in more money than it costs. He said that
magistrates are turning away people with marriage licenses from counties other than Orange or
Chatham because they don't have time to respond to all of the requests.
(Commissioner McKee arrived at 7:16 p.m.)
Scot Shepard said he lives in the Collins Creek neighborhood and wanted to speak on the
proposed solid waste facility process. He said it was hard to figure out where things were, and
he wants to know where things are going next. He said there are people doing work on the land
in the proposal. He asked what the status is and if they don't know, when will they know.
Chair Bedford said that the Board typically does not respond to public comments, but that
there was an information item in the agenda packet for the December 4, 2023 BOCC business
meeting that had an update on the solid waste facility proposal.
b. Matters on the Printed Agenda
(These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)
3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members
Commissioner Fowler had no comments.
Commissioner Hamilton said she attended the Alliance board meeting. She said that local
management for Alliance will be expanding with the addition of Harnett County. She said she
officially filed for re-election to the Board of County Commissioners.
Vice-Chair Greene said she along with several others attended the dedication of the Pauli
Murray mural on the side of the Sportsplex building, which was sponsored by the Racial Justice
Commission and the Office of Equity and Inclusion. She encouraged everyone to see it. She
said she and Commissioners McKee and Portie-Ascott attended a meeting of Justice United
where the topic was Lumos and broadband implementation. She said there were representatives
from Lumos who did a good job answering questions about the status of the implementation. She
said she and Commissioner Fowler attended the Master Aging Plan quarterly meeting. She said
the Department on Aging won an award from AARP. She said there is planning between the
DCHC MPO and the Capital Area MPO to develop the next metropolitan transportation plan called
Destination 2055. She said that the public can submit input and ideas at Destination2055nc.com.
Chair Bedford wished everyone happy holidays.
Commissioner Richards said she went to the Behavioral Health Task Force quarterly
meeting, where they received an update on the diversion facility and mental health plans. She
said she went to the Family Success Alliance advisory meeting, where they received a
presentation by Safe Kids Orange County. She said they have a gun cable lock program for gun
safety, a new safe driver program, and a medication disposal program. She said they have
educated 625 Orange County Schools students on fire and burn safety. She said she was very
happy to see on the consent agenda an amendment for the Housing Choice voucher program.
She said they are adding money because they have placed more housing clients on vouchers
than anticipated, which she congratulated them for.
Commissioner McKee said community meetings for Lumos will continue to occur as the
project moves through different phases. He wished everyone happy holidays.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she and Vice-Chair Greene and Commissioner Fowler
attended the Habitat for Orange five-year strategic planning presentation. She said since 1984
they have built over 350 homes and repaired over 250 in Orange County. She said they have a
plan to serve more families and advocate for housing access. She said their goal is to build 140
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new homes and repair 200 homes in the next 5 years. She said she met with Kevin Leonard,
Executive Director of the NC Association of County Commissioners [NCACC] and received an
orientation on the different steering committees. She said that the Presidential Task Force's
theme for the next year is "One More Thing." She said that the President of NCACC is challenging
counties to do "one more thing" to help save the lives of those suffering from substance abuse
disorder. She said he discussed the legislative goals process, which will take about 6 months to
complete. She said Orange County is encouraged to approve a resolution establishing a goal for
the association to work on.
Commissioner Fowler said she was impressed by the Master Aging Plan and how well
organized it was and how the meeting was run. She said she served on the Housing group. She
said one idea they came up with was the inclusion of universal design in the county's affordable
housing rubric. She petitioned the affordable housing collaborative to add that to the rubric. She
said Habitat for Orange has big plans for the county. She said she volunteered for Toys for Tots
along with Commissioner Portie-Ascott. She said it was a joyful couple of hours. She wished
everyone happy holidays.
4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/Special Presentations
None.
5. Public Hearings
None.
6. Regular Agenda
a. Opioid Advisory Committee Settlement Use Recommendations and Approval of Budget
Amendment#4-B
The Board:
1) received an update on the Opioid Advisory Committee and recommendations from the
Committee regarding the use of Opioid Settlement Funds that support Option A of the
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)on the Allocation and Use of Opioid Settlement Funds
in North Carolina;
2) approved the resolution regarding the expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds; and
3) approved Budget Amendment#4-B.
BACKGROUND: In July 2021, a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general announced the
National Opioid Settlement — a historic $26 billion agreement that will help bring desperately
needed help to communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. The State of North Carolina and all
100 counties, including Orange County, joined the agreement. Orange County is expected to
receive $6,799,780 over an 18-year period.
In September 2022, the BOCC approved the appointment of the Orange County Opioid Advisory
Committee with the following charge:
• Discuss opioid-related health concerns and issues impacting the residents of Orange
County;
• Advise the Board of Commissioners on options to expend funds to prevent opioid abuse
and remedy opioid impacts;
• Plan and host an annual meeting open to the public to receive input on proposed uses of
the settlement funds and to encourage collaboration between local governments.
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The Board also voted on Option A for the use of the settlement funds per the NC Memorandum
of Agreement Opioid Settlement.
In January 2023, Orange County received an additional payment of $44, 629 from the National
Opioid Abatement Trust II (NOAT II). NOAT II is separate and distinct from the National
Distributors/Janssen settlements. As of August 2, 2023, Orange County has received six (6)
deposits for the Opioid Special Revenue Account in the amount of $1,337,170.67. The total
allocation for Fiscal Year 2023-24 is $435,750.00. Fiscal Year 2024-25 allocations (Year 2 of
Lantern Project, Freedom House and NC FIT) equal $374,902. A total of $526,518.67 remains
for new opioid mitigation strategies.
The Opioid Advisory Committee met on August 14, 2023, and September 11, 2023, and received
and discussed a total of five proposals for use of Opioid Settlement Funds in Orange County.
New funding requests include:
Reintegration Support Network (RSN)
► $265,316 for a 2-Year Period ($132,658.00/year)
OC-EMS Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT)
► Option 1- $1,060,132.75 (3-Year Period)
► Option 2 - $846,047.13 (3-Year Period)
► Option 3 - $582,378.50 (3-Year Period)
Grow Your World
► $186,770.64 (Year 1); $192,170.64 (Year 2)
► $378,941.28 for a 2-Year Period
Transition Support & Recovery
► $165,170 (Year 1); $165,630 (Year 2)
Harm Reduction Coordinator
► $108,025/year for a 2-Year Period
The Opioid Advisory Committee created a Funding Subcommittee to review each proposal in
detail using the following criteria:
• Must address one of the 12 mitigation strategies listed in Option A of the Settlement MOA
► 1. Collaborative strategic planning
► 2. Evidence-based addiction treatment
► 3. Recovery support services
► 4. Recovery housing support
► 5. Employment-related services
► 6. Early intervention
► 7. Naloxone distribution
► 8. Post-overdose response team
► 9. Syringe Service Program
► 10. Criminal justice diversion programs
► 11. Addiction treatment for incarcerated persons
► 12. Reentry programs
• Program serves Orange County residents; population served
• Government entity, 501 c3, Non-profit Community Partner
• Equity Impact
• Evidence-Based Practices
• Project Need (Orange County Data Supported)
• Experience & Organizational Capacity
• Budget & Budget Narrative
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The Advisory Committee recommends the following use of Opioid Settlement Funds:
Reintegration Support Network (RSN)
► $20,000.00 — 1 Year
OC-EMS Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT)
► Option 2 - $846,047.13 (3-Year Period)
► $244,020.00 /1st year
Grow Your World
► $20,000.00 — 1 Year
Transition Support & Recovery
► $20,000.00 — 1 Year
Harm Reduction Coordinator
► $108,025/year for a 2-Year Period
The total dollar amount of Opioid Settlement Funds appropriated across the above named and
authorized strategies is $412,045.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Budget Amendment #4-B recognizes $455,617 in new revenue for the
Opioid Settlement Fund and authorizes projects for each of the named and authorized strategies.
It also creates four (4) new time limited positions —three (3) Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Post-Overdose Response Team Members through December 31, 2026, and one new Harm
Reduction Coordinator in the Health Department through December 31, 2025.
Opioid Settlement Fund($64,200) - Fund#27
Revenues for this project:
Current FY 2023-24 FY 2023-
FY 2023- Amendmen 24
24 t Revised
Opioid Settlement Funds $881,554 $455,617 $1,337,171
Total Project Funding $881,554 $455,617 $1,337,171
Appropriated for this project:
Current FY 2023-24 FY 2023-
FY 2023- Amendmen 24
24 t Revised
Evidence-based Addiction Treatment (Lantern $164,862 $173,105 $337,967
Project)
Recovery Support Services (Freedom House) $122,188 $128,297 $250,485
Reentry Program (NC FIT) $70,000 $73,500 $143,500
Naloxone Distribution $14,500 $0 $14,500
Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) Syringe
$64,200 $0 $64,200
Service Program
Reintegration Support Network (RSN) $0 $20,000 $20,000
Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT) $0 $244,020 $244,020
Grow Your World $0 $20,000 $20,000
Transition Support & Recovery $0 $20,000 $20,000
Harm Reduction Coordinator $0 $108,025 $108,025
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Unallocated $445,804 ($331,330) $114,474
Total Costs $881,554 $455,617 $1,337,171
Quintana Stewart, Public Health Director, made the following presentation:
Slide #1
ORANGE COUNTY, NC
OPIOID ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
December 12, 2Oz3
Slide #2
NC Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
• The MOA governs the allocation,use,and reporting of certain opioid settlement funds in North
Carolina.
• To comply with the MOA,a local government receiving opioid settlement funds must do the
following:
• A.Establish a fund.A local clovernment receiving opioid settlement funds must secure them in a
specialrevenue turd.TheseTunds are subject to audit and cannot be commingled with otherfunds.
• B.Authorizes endin . Before spending opioid settlement funds,a local government must
aut prize t e expenditure of such funds.This must take place through a formal budget or resolution
that includes certain details including the amount,time period,and specific strategy funded.
• C.Understand and follow the o tions.A local government must spend opioid settlement funds on
opioidreme cation activities aut prized under Option A or Option B as detailed in the MOA.
• D.Re ort s endin and impact.A local government that receives, spends, or holds opioid
sett=: un s uring a isca year mus file an annual financial report within go days of the end of
the fiscal year.(This report is required if funds are received or held,even if they are not spent.)A
local government that spends opioid settlement funds during a fiscal year must file an annual
impact report within go days of the end of the fiscal year.
• E.Hold annual meeting.The MOA requires that each county receiving opioid settlement funds
ho at east one annualmeeting open to the public,with all municipalities in the county invited to
the meeting.The purpose of the meeting is to receive input from municipalities on proposed uses of
the opioid settlement funds and to encourage collaboration between local governments.
https:llncdoJ9ov/wp-content/uploads/2022/ol/NCACC-web-version-Final-Opioid-MOA-.pdf
Quintana Stewart said this slide shows their agreed upon deliverables.
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Slide #3
Orange County
Opioid Advisory Committee Charge
• Discuss opioid-related health concerns and issues impacting the residents of orange
County;
• Advise the Board of Commissioners on options to expend funds to prevent opioid
abuse and remedy opioid impacts;
• Plan and host an annual meeting open to the public to receive input on proposed uses
of the settlement funds and to encourage collaboration between local governments.
Slide #4
Current Opioid Settlement Funding
Orange County has received 6 total Deposits for the Opioid Special Revenue
Account:
• June 30, 2022 - $2611244.68
• November 15, 2022 - $2951555.44
• November 15, 2022 - 28o,123.59
• January 31, 2023 - $44► 629.84
• July 20, 2023 - s163,816.78
• August 2, 2023 - $291,800.34
TOTAL $11337117o•67
Quintana Stewart said Orange County has received six deposits.
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Slide #5
Payment Timetable
18 year Payment to Oran go during 2022-2038::
$6,799,780
Payments Over Time-Orange
E
E
W or o,o3 os o� 03 033 031 Next Deposit:
Payment Tab,a-Orange Summer 2024-
o� $548,423
Commissioner Richards asked if there was a public meeting in 2023.
Quintana Stewart said no and that they have to have one before June 30, 2024. She said
they have not spent any funds at this time. She said the report had been completed.
Slide #6
Option A- High-Impact Opioid Abatement
Strategies
i.Collaborative Strategic Planning
2.Evidence-based addiction treatment
3.Recovery support services
4.Recovery housing support
5.Employment-related services
6.Early intervention
7.Naloxone distribution
8.Post-overdose response team
9.Syringe Service Program
2.o.Criminaljustice diversion programs
3.3..Addiction treatment for incarcerated persons
12.Reentry Programs
https:1/www.morepowerfulnc.orglwp-content/u oloads1202i/io/Exh i bit-A-to-NC-MOA--�.pdf
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Slide #7
As of June 6, 2023, BOCC Approved
Funding Recommendations
Lantern Project
• July 1,2023—June 30, 2025
• $164,862.00 (Year 1), base funding +5% (Year 2)
Freedom House
• July 1,2023—June 30, 2025
• $122,188 (Year 1); base funding +5% (Year 2)
NC FIT Program
• July 1,2023—June 30, 2025
• $70,000 (Year 1); base funding +5%(Year 2)
County Vending Machines/First Responders
• July 1,2023—June 30, 2024
• $14,500
UNC SHAC
• July 1,2023—June 30, 2024
• $64,200
TOTAL ALLOCATION TO DATE FOR FY 2024-$435,750.00
REMAINING FUNDS-$901,420.67
Slide #8
Fiscal Year 2025 Commitments
Lantern Project
• July 1 , 2024 — June 30, 2025
• $173,105.00; base funding +5% (Year 2)
Freedom House
• July 1 , 2024 — June 30, 2025
• $128,297.00; base funding +5% (Year 2)
NC FIT Program
• July 1 , 2024 — June 30, 2025
• $73,500.00; base funding +5% (Year 2)
TOTAL ALLOCATION FOR FY 2025—$374,902.00
REMAINING FUNDS - $526,5i8.67
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Slide #9
New Funding Requests
Reintegration Support Network(RSN)
• $265,316 for a 2-Year Period ($132,658.001year)
OC-EMS Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT)
• Option 1-$1,060,132.75 (3-Year Period)
• Option 2 -$846,047.13 (3-Year Period)
• Option 3 -$582,378.50 (3-Year Period)
Grow Your World
• $186,770.64 (Year 1) ; $192,170.64(Year 2)
• $378,941.28 for a 2-Year Period
Transition Support& Recovery
• $165,170.00 (Year 1); $165,630.00(Year 2)
Harm Reduction Coordinator
• $108,025.001year for a 2-Year Period
Quintana Stewart discussed the challenges for the current round of funding. She said
the previous process was sustaining previous programs, but the second round was a change in
the process. She said that they are aware of the unintended consequences by moving forward.
She said they would not be recommending any further funding until they have had the public
meeting and had more discussion.
Slide #10
Funding Subcommittee Criteria for
Consideration of Funding
• Must address one of the 12 mitigation strategies listed in Option A
of the Settlement MOA
• Program serves Orange County residents; population served
(Intentional effort to support programs serving youth)
• Government entity, 5016, Non-profit Community Partner
• Equity Impact
• Evidence-Based Practices
• Project Need (Orange County Data Supported)
• Experience & Organizational Capacity
• Budget & Budget Narrative
Quintana Stewart said the first round had a small group and they voted as a whole
committee. She said there was not a formal application process for the second round. She said
some meetings became tense. She said the subcommittee met in October and created the above
criteria for funding. She said they looked for programs that served Orange County residents and
youth.
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Slide #11
Funding Recommendation
Reintegration Support Network(RSN)
• Option A,Strategies 3,and 6 (Recovery support services& Early Intervention)
• Funding Period—January 1, 2024—June 30, 2024
• Funding recommendation -$2o,000.00
• Provider—Reintegration Support Network
• Description of Activity—
• Increase the number of specially trained mentors(Certified Peer Support Specialist and/or
Recovery Coach Academy Certified) providing evidence-informed support to youth
experiencing challenges related to substance use, mental health, and justice-involvement.
• Adapt an evidenced-based,adult peer-support model to meetthe unique needs of youth in Orange,
Durham,Chatham,and Alamance Counties.RSN uses specially trained mentors(NC certified peer
support specialists,or Recovery Coach Academy trained)to interrupt the daily systemic and structural
pressures that create gaps in opportunities for youth(ages 13-2o)especiallythose with challenges
related to mental health,substance use,and/orjuvenilejustice involvement.
• Per the proposal narrative/budget,the committee would like to support some of the operating expenses and
contractual needs.
Quintana Stewart said that overhead costs were not an eligible use of settlement funds,
which affected the amount of funding that could be recommended for Reintegration Support
Network.
Slide #12
Funding Recommendations
OC-EMS Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT)
• Option A, Strategy 8(Post-Overdose Response Team)
• Funding Period—January 1, 2024—December 2026
• Funding recommendation -$244,020.00/15t year(Option 2-$846,047.13 for a 3-Year Period)
• Provider—Orange County Emergency Services
• Description of Activity—
• Development and implementation of a PORT within the geographic constraints of
Orange County, NC;funds will support staff salary,supplies and needed software.
• PORTs are specialized teams that respond to opioid overdoses in real time or within 24-72
hours of the overdose event.Upon implementation,the OC-EMS PORT will meet individuals
where they are at in their addiction by providing harm reduction resources, linkage to
treatment services,and medication-assisted treatment(MAT)induction and administration.
• This service will be available to all eli ible individuals that OC-EMS interfaces with during EMS
incidents and will be provided as a referral for collaborating departments,emergency
departments,organizations and the community at-large. PORTS have become the standard of
care in post-overdose services nationally and locally,with 41 North Carolina counties currently
having an active PORT in place.
Quintana Stewart said Orange County EMS is applying for funding from other sources, so
the compromise was to recommend funding for the first year while the department seeks other
funding.
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Slide #13
Funding Recommendations
Grow Your World
•Option A, Strategy 6 (Early Intervention)
-Funding Period — January 1, 2024 — June 3O, zo24
Funding recommendation - $2o,000
-Provider — GrowYour World
*Description of Activity -
- Provide materials and training to youth-serving community
members to equip them to better support youth facing the opioid
crisis.
- Per the proposal narrative/bud et, the committee would like to
support the naloxone, CPR and-Mental Health First Aid community
training program.
Quintana Stewart said that the Grow Your World proposal had activities that were not
specific to opioid use mitigation. She said they tried to pull out parts of the proposal that funds
could be used to cover. She said there were parts they could use and they were able to cover
those for two years.
Slide #14
Funding Recommendations
Transition & Support Recovery Collaboration
• Option A, Strategy 3 and 12 (Recovery Support Services and Reentry
Programs)
• Funding Period —January 1, 2024—June 30, 2024
• Funding recommendation - $20,000.00
• Provider—Transition & Support Recovery Collaboration
• Description of Activity—
• The Transition Recovery and Support Collaborative(TSRC) is a five-partner mutual
effort to provide direct Recovery Support Services and Reentry Programs to those
with opioid use disorders, related substance use disorders and other comorbidities.
TSRC's role is to collaboratively augment and extend clinical and other traditional
evidence-based addiction treatment services for these disorders and comorbidities.
The Collaborative is led by Wounded Healers of North Carolina(a 5oi(c)(3)).
• Per the proposal narrative/budget,the committee would like to support the
purchase of the Reentry Peer Support Specialist Curriculum from Texas.
Quintana Stewart said it is a collaboration and not just one program. She said it is a five-
partner mutual collaboration. She said they will purchase training to train other peer support
specialists.
15
Slide #15
Funding Recommendations
Harm Reduction Coordinator
• Option A, Strategy i (Collaborative Strategic Planning )
• Funding Period—January 1, 2024— December 31, 2025
• Funding recommendation - sio8,025/year
• Provider—Orange County Health Department
• Description of Activity-
-The Orange County Opioid Program Manager(Harm Reduction Coordinator)
will be responsible for overseeing the development, administration budget,
grant management, and reporting for Orange County's Opioid Settlement
Program; This position will work with closely with Orange County staff and
community partners involved in community overdose prevention education,
harm reduction, treatment opportunities and recovery support. They will
ensure all reporting requirements are met for the Opioid Settlement Fund and
pursue additional resources to advance this work.
Quintana Stewart said her department was requesting funds for a new employee to
manage the opioid settlement program.
Slide #16
BOCC Funding Recommendations
REMAINING FUNDS after FY 2025 Commitments-$526,518.67
Reintegration Support Network(RSN)
• $20,000.00—1 Year
OC-EMS Post-Overdose Response Team(PORT)
• Option 2-$846,047.13 (3-Year Period)
• $244,020.00/151 year
Grow Your World
• $20,000.00—1 Year
Transition Support&Recovery
• $20,000.00—1 Year
Harm Reduction Coordinator
• $108,025.00/year for a 2-Year Period
Total Allocation-$412,045.00
Remaining Funds - $114,473.67
16
Slide #17
Additional Committee Deliverables
Plan the Annual Community Meeting
•The MOA requires that each county receiving opioid settlement
funds hold at least one annual meeting open to the public, with all
municipalities in the county invited to the meeting.
•The purpose of the meeting is to receive input from municipalities
on proposed uses of the opioid settlement funds and to encourage
collaboration between local governments.
Quintana Stewart said there was a significant need in the community and that there was
a desire to begin allocating funds quickly. She said that they are going to pause and create a
plan for future funds.
Slide #18
Additional Committee Deliverables
•Set Date for next RFP Process
•Advertise time frame for Proposals (August- September 2024)
•Develop application to include Evaluation Process and Criteria,
Eligibility, and any project requirements;
•DevelopTraining Material for Applicants; schedule training
webinars.
•Strategic Planning
•Sequential Intercept Mapping for Substance Use Disorder
17
Slide#19
•
8
•
Commissioner Richards asked how long it would take to get an employee to manage the
process.
Quintana Stewart said she wasn't sure because several surrounding counties have the
position and she does not think it would take too long.
Commissioner Richards discussed the timeline and asked if there was a way to either compress
the cycle or wait and get the strategic part first before more funding is allocated.
Quintana Stewart said yes and that it could be done together.
Commissioner McKee asked if new organizations can participate in future funding
requests.
Quintana Stewart said yes.
Chair Bedford asked how hiring a coordinator is not administrative overhead.
Quintana Stewart said it is listed on the deliverables in the MOA and included for the
county.
Commissioner Fowler asked if prior awardees would have to apply again for year three.
Quintana Stewart said yes.
Commissioner Fowler asked if they require reports from the recipients to see how the
funds are being spent.
Quintana Stewart said yes that is a requirement for the award.
Commissioner Hamilton asked who looks at the outcome measures that are reported to
the county.
Quintana Stewart said that would be part of the coordinator's job. She said it would be
reported to the state and back to the committee. She said that the metrics are also in the contracts
for those organizations that are funded.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked Quintana Stewart to review the formula for deciding
how much each organization would receive.
Quintana Stewart said there wasn't a formula.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how $20,000 was decided for Grow Your World.
Quintana Stewart said it was based on the allowable requested expenses.
Commissioner McKee asked if the coordinator position would be more than part time.
Quintana Stewart said yes because they will be working with all partners and making sure
that efforts are not being duplicated.
Commissioner Richards asked how the committee was formulated and how the roles were
determined.
Quintana Stewart said the committee is appointed by the Board. She said that a
subcommittee was created to review applications and then their analysis was brought back to the
full committee. She said there is another subcommittee that works on the public meeting.
18
Chair Bedford asked if the curriculum being purchased by the awardee can be shared with
other partners or if part of the purchase includes a license.
Quintana Stewart said the organization purchasing the training would have to answer that.
She said that she gets the impression it is licensed since they must pay for it.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Edward Scott said he works with several organizations but is there to speak for Wounded
Healers of North Carolina. He said that they applied for funding. He said that reentry program
funding is critical. He said it provides resources for housing, mental health, treatment, healthcare
and even more. He said they did not receive funding for their application. He said they need
money to be able to help individuals coming out of incarceration. He said that funding for reentry
has been proven to reduce the recidivism rate. He asked for increased funding for Wounded
Healers of North Carolina.
Tom McQuiston said his son was addicted to opioids at 17. He died of a drug overdose at
age 18. He contended that the limited amount of funds awarded to the re-entry program were
intended for the purchase of curriculum materials. He said that the re-entry program had
proposed that they purchase those out their own funds, which means that the program essentially
receives zero funding. He said they have worked for years with hardly any support. He said this
was an opportunity to fund programs that work. He said someone who comes out of prison is 18
times more likely to die of an opioid overdose.
Lucy Battles said she was in support of the three community organizations Grow Your
World, Reentry Housing, and Reintegration Support Network. She said she is in long-term
recovery from opioid addiction. She said she is an employee of RSN. She said that her daughter
receives tutoring support from Grow Your World and her daughter's main request is that she gets
to keep going. She said her brother has been incarcerated multiple times and is an addict. She
has tried to get him reentry assistance. She said all of the agencies work to help the community
end the school to prison pipeline and to help people like her daughter not go down the same path.
She asked for more funding.
Terence Johnson said he is the executive director of the Re-integration Support Network.
He said he had a bad experience with the advisory committee, but Quintana Stewart did a great
job. He said that she set clear criteria for what is being reviewed. He said that tonight was the
first time that they had received direct feedback on their proposal. He said when the Board looks
at the process, they should consider if it aligns with their values. He said the Board should
consider the outcomes. He said most of the funding is being used for county supported programs.
Doug Peterson, president of Re-entry House Plus, said it is their goal to work with men
and women during their transition from incarceration back into society. He said they have a
residential home that houses five men in Hillsborough. He said that they also hold classes that
offer success while in transition. He said that it is run by two men that were previously
incarcerated. He said that it engages participants in a reentry program that helps them develop
self-worth and they can stand against opioid abuse and addiction. He said that it also helps
patients that are prescribed opioids to educate them on the danger of addiction. He said they
have been in operation for four years. He said they are looking for funding for a paid employee.
Mr. Peterson's time expired during his comments. Chair Bedford asked that the comments be
emailed to the Board.
Ran Hamner said he is vice present of the Re-entry House. He said that there are literally
hundreds of thousands of people incarcerated across the country and 97% of all those
incarcerated today are going to come back to our communities. He said absent a place like Re-
entry house, they face a very familiar road back to their old habits, addictions, and new struggles.
He said 40% of those that do not receive support will wind up back in prison within one year. He
said that 80% of graduates from the Re-entry House never go back into incarceration.
19
Kelly Fox said she wanted to show her support for Grow Your World and the other re-entry
youth organizations. She said she is involved with Grow Your World and helped organize a
summer camp. She said as an educator, she has seen the need for providing opportunities for
children. She said she thinks that more children are affected by opioids than we might realize.
She said they are surrounded by opioid addicted parents. She said that early intervention is
needed.
Avergine RL spoke in support of Grow Your World. She said that prevention for
adolescents and youth that use opioids is necessary. She said students work together and create
a family when they are with programs like Grow Your World. She said she has three children and
she said she volunteers with Chapel Hill. She said when children are paid attention to, they grow
up better. She said that everyone in Orange County helps make little parts better.
Bridget Pemberton-Smith said she works in art therapy, and they do amazing work. She
said she has an intimate understanding of what it takes to run a nonprofit. She said that a major
struggle for non-profit is paying employees an adequate wage. She said she has always felt her
staff was underpaid and she asked that the Board review allowing the funds to be used for
capacity building. She said that the children are the youngest victims of the opioid epidemic. She
said this problem needs a lot more than a Band-Aid.
Shady Kimzey is an art mentor with Grow Your World. She read from the following
statement:
I am currently working with Grow Your World on an opioid abuse awareness project. I saw the
impacts of over-prescription as a child. I had to be the adult in the room. That is just one reason
that it matters to me to speak on this issue. In this collaborative project with GYW we have worked
with the community on each component, using art to get our message across. For DEAH Day of
Service at UNC, I worked with community members to create a 4 foot by 6-foot two-tone face
created entirely of child-safety pill bottle lids, to put a face to the opioid crisis. I then worked with
a justice-involved high school student in an art mentorship, where we wrote out DBT skills that
help us manage our mental health.
DBT is a behavior skills therapy that is used in substance abuse treatment and has a special
protocol that is effective for those with substance use disorder called DBT-SUD.
American Addition Centers use DBT because "DBT clients showed reduced substance abuse,
and they were more likely to continue therapy than those in traditional treatment."
I am now working on part 2 of that project, which is getting those DBT skills into the hands of
teenagers and community members through interactive art projects that are still in process. Art
is not only an effective method for spreading awareness, starting conversations, and informing
the public, but the community members participating are engaging in positive social and emotional
activities that relieve stress and build a sense of purpose.
Shady Kimzey showed a list of helpful skills created by one of her students, such as taking a night
walk, stargazing, making art, talking to someone, cooking, or going for a car ride. She said these
skills keep people from going into distress and prevent people from engaging in destructive
behaviors.
Shady Kimzey continued her statement:
According to the Mayo Clinic, risk of opioid addiction is greater for people who:
• In their teens or early 20s.
• Have a personal or family history of substance misuse
• Are living with stress, including being unemployed or living below the poverty
line
• Have a history of problems with work, family and friends
• Have a history of taking part in crimes or having legal issues, including DUls
• Have serious depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder
• Have a history of physical or sexual abuse
• Take part in risky or thrill-seeking behavior
20
• Perform poorly in school
• Use tobacco heavily
These are all populations that I have worked with personally through Grow Your World.
We talk with our community one-on-one about these issues.
Shady Kimzey asked that the Board increase funding for Grow Your World.
Veronica Petrick said Grow Your World has helped her child with anger management,
improving her grades, and getting her back on track. She said that the organization has
encouraged her daughter to avoid getting involved with drugs. She said Grow Your World teaches
her daughter skills that she cannot. She said she appreciates what Grow Your World has done
for her family and wants those opportunities for other families. She said that Grow Your World is
consistent with reaching out and providing opportunities for her child.
Courtney McWilliams said she is the program manager for Grow Your World. She said
one thing that stands out for her is that they do not just give tools to families and then send them
on their way. She said they continue to check in and work with families. She said $10,000 to
purchase materials is absolutely absurd, to say the least. She said she spent 10-20 hours a week
volunteering with Grow Your World and there are dozens more doing the same thing. She said to
expect community members to have full responsibility, bear the brunt of the effort, and the
financial burden, but the county can pay for their staff did not make sense to her. She said there
are dozens of volunteers and dozens of families who work to take care of their community and
put resources back into the community. She questioned whether the county could say the same
thing. She said they cannot grow and change unless they are given the instructions to do so.
She said in order to support children they need to keep checking in with them. She said many
volunteers work with families at Grow Your World.
TJ Mundy said she is a volunteer with Grow Your World. She read the instructions for
how to use Narcan during an overdose. She also read the instructions for how to use Naloxone,
which is administered through the nose.
Sophie Suberman continued to read the instructions for administering Naloxone. She then
read advice for self-care for those who have administered Narcan or Naloxone. She said that she
would distribute Narcan to anyone in attendance who would like to have it. She said there is no
prevention anymore. She said anything they do to build communities cannot happen in a one-
time moment.
Will Elmore said the work that all of the organizations do is priceless. He said the funds
are not enough to get the job done. He said he has worked shoulder to shoulder with people
overdosing, people who have relapsed, people who have come out of incarceration. He said they
need more funds to do the work.
Kari Hamel asked the Board to schedule another meeting to make sure all of the applicants
have a rubric in advance and an understanding of the criteria. She asked for a public presentation
on the rubric as they make these important decisions. She said the three organizations under
discussion are the ones getting people to shelter and helping children stay in an academic setting.
She said transparency is making sure everyone has quality information, and it did not happen this
time. She asked the Board to schedule another meeting and make sure the providers have the
rubric.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott said that the county and nation face a loneliness and isolation
crisis. She said that transparency is important to the Board and that the process is important. She
said there was a breakdown this time. She asked if there was a way to take another look at the
process.
Commissioner Richards said she is concerned about the process and the lack of firm
criteria that was understood by the community. She asked the Board to consider what they can
do to pause and regroup. She said there are always things they can and cannot pay for based
on what's allowed and what's not. She said that the community indicated a lack of understanding
21
about the criteria and that bothers her. She said she has a concern about funding county
programs instead of community programs. She said the PORT program sounds like a good
program. She noted that other county programs have already been funded with opioid settlement
funds.
Commissioner Fowler asked if there is legal clarity on the use of funds.
John Roberts said the MOA with the state does not define administrative or operational
costs. He said the prohibition comes from documents from the Attorney General's office. He said
according to the Attorney General they are not allowed to expend funds on those types of costs
other than the first priority under option A. He said that option was not listed in the proposals that
were rejected by the committee. He said that the only definition is the dictionary and that includes
employment, salary, benefits, and those items. He said that is the extent of the clarity.
Commissioner Fowler said it seemed to her that they need a program manager to create
the rubric and that it is included in the RFP so the applicants can be aware. She said that she
thinks that should be acted on so they can move the process forward.
Chair Bedford asked Quintana Stewart if they could pause in funding.
Quintana Stewart said those programs in the first round of funding have already been
allocated.
Commissioner Fowler said she was only interested in pausing on allocating funds that
were up for consideration at the meeting.
Chair Bedford clarified that it was for funding for the new round and not the first and said
she agrees that funding should be allocated for the coordinator position to assist with the process.
Commissioner McKee asked how much money is left in the social justice fund.
Bonnie Hammersley said about $90,000.
Commissioner McKee said the county often funds positions through different funding
sources. He asked if$60,000 could be reallocated from the Social Justice Fund to fund the Harm
Reduction Coordinator, and then each of the other community organizations receive an additional
$20,000. He asked if the opioid funding could be revisited each budget year and more funds
allocated to the coordinator position as it is available.
Bonnie Hammersley said that is possible.
Commissioner McKee said he supports the PORT organization, but these community
organizations are boots on the ground. He said he would like to find more funding for these
projects.
Bonnie Hammersley said there are remaining funds in the Opioid Fund that have not been
expended.
Chair Bedford said that it would have to be the other way around, because several of the
requests were not allowable expenses. She said the $60,000 would have to come from the Social
Justice Fund and go to the community organizations.
Vice-Chair Greene said that is her thought too. She said it would be ok to take funds from
the Social Justice Fund to give to those organizations. She said it was unfortunate that there was
a process issue and she appreciates the effort. She said it was unfortunate that the NCACC did
not come through with their promised funds. She said she supports the coordinator position and
the PORT proposal. She asked if they could go with the original amount and then hope for the
grant award to come in.
Quintana Stewart said the $244,000 amount is not the full amount because it did not have
the vehicle added. She said if they could have the vehicle included that would be the preference.
Vice-Chair Greene said she was in favor of the coordinator position, the PORT proposal
and adding extra funds for the community organizations.
Commissioner Hamilton said this situation underlines the lack of overall funding in the
country for mental health and substance abuse programs. She said they struggle with how to
divide the available funds. She acknowledged that the process is not ideal. She said she is open
to the ideas expressed by the rest of the Board. She said she saw the benefits of pausing. She
22
said there are lots of needs, and their job is to balance and try to get the most needs met with the
funds that they have.
Commissioner Richards said the process was not ideal and to be fair, she thought that
there should be more information shared with the public and give everyone who applied another
chance after viewing a rubric. She said that she thought there needed to be a coordinator. She
said she worries about the other groups that weren't recommended at all.
Chair Bedford said she has concerns that if there is a pause, that the three community
organizations will get nothing. She said she has concerns of duplication of efforts with the
Transition-Support Network. She said she wants to move ahead with the harm reduction
coordinator, and then turn it over to the committee. She said Grow Your World did not seem
directly tied to opioids. She wanted community organizations to think about other options for
funding, such as ABC funding, DSS foster care funding for afterschool, and the non-county
agency funding program. She said the county has to focus on the mandated services and
requirements first and determine if it is pertinent to the work the county is doing. She also
suggested seeking funds from Orange County Arts Commission and Juvenile Crime Prevention
Council (JCPC).
Vice-Chair Greene said in rethinking everything, she would like to support the
recommendation as is, and then everyone can reapply for future funding. She said they can then
clearly identify what additional things they can fit into the grant.
A motion was made by Vice-Chair Greene, seconded by Chair Bedford, to approve the
resolution regarding the expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds and to approve Budget
Amendment#4-B.
Commissioner McKee asked if Vice-Chair Greene would consider adding an amendment
to add $60,000 from social justice funds for those three agencies.
Vice-Chair Greene and Chair Bedford said no.
Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she struggles with approving the motion and would still
like to pause.
Commissioner Fowler clarified that PORT requested a vehicle but that is not included in
the motion.
Chair Bedford said they would all have to apply again.
Commissioner Fowler said they are approving just one year.
VOTE: Ayes, 4 (Chair Bedford, Vice-Chair Greene, Commissioner McKee, Commissioner
Fowler), Nays, 3 (Commissioner Portie-Ascott, Commissioner Hamilton, Commissioner
Richards)
MOTION PASSES
Bonnie Hammersley noted that it was after 9 p.m. and suggested that the Board consider
item 7-a at a later date.
Commissioner Hamilton made a motion to amend the agenda and postpone item 7-a due
to the lateness of the hour. Commissioner McKee seconded the motion.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
23
b. Community Climate Action Grant (CCAG) — FY 2023-24 Project Selection for General
Applicants and Schools
The Board:
1) received the grant project funding recommendations from the Commission for the
Environment (CFE) and the Human Relations Commission (HRC) for the FY 2023-24
Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Program; and
2) considered approving funding for the recommended Community Climate Action Grant
projects for FY 2023-24 as outlined in the attached report.
BACKGROUND: As part of the FY 2019-20 budget, the Board of Orange County Commissioners
(BOCC) created the Orange County Climate Action Fund dedicated to accelerating climate
change mitigation actions in Orange County. This decision was motivated in part to help the
County meet the climate change mitigation goals set by the Board in recent years:
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions community-wide by 26 percent by 2025 (from 2005
levels).
• Transition to a 100% renewable energy-based economy by 2050
• Newly adopted Climate Action Plan (November 2023)
For the 2023-24 funding cycle, $564,085 in funding was budgeted to support climate action
projects that will benefit Orange County residents both socially and financially. Following the
direction of the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC), the process for soliciting and
selecting projects to receive funding was conducted through a formal Community Climate Action
Grant (CCAG) program.
For this grant cycle, the BOCC reserved half of the total funding for this grant program
($282,042.50)to be awarded to projects submitted by either of Orange County's two public school
districts. The remaining half ($282,042.50) was to be made available to all other eligible general
applicants in this round.
The Community Climate Action grant program received eleven (11)applications in this round from
a variety of general applicants representing non-profit and public organizations whose total
requests added up to $614,540. Two (2) projects totaling $557,959 were submitted from the
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools districts.
Grant applications were completed over the summer and reviewed and scored by the Commission
for the Environment (CFE) and the Human Relations Commission (HRC). In fall 2023, each of
these Commissions voted to forward their final scoring and comments to the BOCC.
The following is a rank-order summary table of the combined project scoring and
recommendations. More details on each project are available in Attachment 1:
24
General Applications:
Total
Name Project Name Description Amount Recommended Rank Score out
Requested Funding level of 26
Points
Habitat for Humanity Supplemental Habitat's Home Preservation $55,CDD $55,00U 1 21
weatheriaation program support.
Urban Sustainability Growing More than Create a Green Infrastructure
Solutions Rain Gardens Workforce Development $69,156 $69,156 2 21
Apprenticeship Program
LED Lighting Upgrade for
Town of Chapel Hill LED Lighting Upgrades Hargraves Community Center $95,CDD $0 3 24
Basketball Court
Hillsborough United Solar Panel Project Rooftop Solar Installation $10,CDD $10,00D 4 24
Church of Christ
Binkley Baptist Church Let There Be(clean Install 50 solar panels $49,046 $49,036 5 18
energy)Light!
Rooftop solar on
EMPOWERment Rooftop solar installation $134,562 $61,623 6 18
PEACH apartments
Club Nova Big Impact Small Support Installation of $37,227 $37,227 7 17
Footprint garden,greenhouse,terrace.
Eco-Institute at Community Garden Expand Community Garden
Sanctuary Farm Cooperative Cooperative and create a $50,800 $0 8 17
new Training Program
Solar Powered Shelter with
The Arts Center Haven for Outdoor 16 places to charge up, $41,729 $0 9 17
Eco-Classroom
explore,create,and learn.
St.Thomas More EV Charging Station EV Charging Station $22,030 $0 1D 16
Catholic Church Installation
Triangle ECcling Thee is for Equity. Discount eBike with VoucherPilot Program $50,000.D0 $0 11 13
School Applications:
Total
Name Project Description Amount Recommended Rank Score out
Requested Funding Level of 26
Paints
Chapel Hill Carrboro LED Lights LED Campus Lighting $270,00D 594,014 1 17
City Schools Changeover
Orange County 54 Panel Solar Pedestal with
Schools Solar Battery Storage $287,959 $188,D29 2 11
* All projects were placed in rank order by CFE and HRC voting.
Attachment 2 provides a status summary including estimates of GHG emissions avoided annually
from projects that have been approved by the Community Climate Action Grant program to date.
Amy Eckberg, Sustainability Projects Manager, made the following presentation:
25
Slide#1
N49=_;6_1
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Community Climate
Action Grant (CCAG)
Project Selection FY23-24
December 12, 2023
Slide #2
CCAG Background
• /4 cent property tax for climate action approved
beginning in FY 19-20
• First year projects run by County entities
• FY20-21 and future projects open to community
through grant program
• Scoring and eligibility guidelines created by the BOCC
• Projects prioritized with social justice and racial equity
benefits
• Community focus
Slide #3
CCAG Eligibility Guidelines
• Non-profits, public entities, and small
businesses
• All funds spent in Orange County
• Must have legal standing to receive funds
• Ongoing projects eligible if expanding or
accelerating
• Replacement and repair projects are eligible if
not likely to be funded within 5 years
26
Amy Eckberg said the guidelines are pretty straightforward.
Slide #4
CCAG Scoring Criteria
• 26-point scale
• Social Justice and Racial Equity (6pts)
• GHG emissions reduced (4 pts)
• Efficient use of Funds (4 pts)
• Capacity of Applicant (3 pts)
• Local Economic Development (3 pts)
• Amount and Duration of Engagement (3 pts)
• Time to complete (3 pts)
*All applications are reviewed and scored by the Commission
for the Environment and the Human Relations Commission
Slide #5
New This Year
• Extensive community outreach APPLY TOOAY9 Action G atnt Climate
Program
mefommu"Iry ,M.9—t96taMpmgn•8dedltntMm
• 13 applications— most ever Mn'"�'"'°'m "•"9.mi°'°° �"'' AppIicatious must
�iip.bi—, -fit-tk,A—11 b.i— be received by
°gleie'n appy. August 18,2023.
Weare 1°°king f°rgaeat proJe"IdexiM1athap
received In one grant cycle rtd"e9•e"ti°",e9a,�l,v°"aa"dma�a
p"iiive impaRin"utanmunily.
• Both school districts submitted n
applications �l m°rei"f°,ma,ia"..hi, •."� ""°ry"..,�,c.d
ORANGE couNy °
• Wide variety of projects-solar, weatherization, LED lights,
community gardens and green infrastructure projects involving youth
• CCAG "Success Stories" page continues to grow on website
- Projects highlighted in our Climate Connection newsletter and other medial channels
• Almost$1.2 million in grant funding requested ($564,085 available-1/
for community and '/2 for schools)
27
Slide #6
2023 Project Highlights
• Town of Chapel Hill planting SO
trees in Northside Free Trees for Northside
neighborhood this fall
Orange County project helps
• Town of Chapel Hill completed . F, o °;4, ° a s;° homeowners with energy
new LED lights project at Cedar efficiency upgrades
Falls Multipurpose field o■o
• Chapel Hill installed accessible
EV charger at Eubanks park n
and ride
• Solar installed on renovated -
ArtsCenter building; bike rack, 0ICMAPOM
e-bike and EV charging station °
chargers also installed idle Dailu 11 ar lirel
• NCSEA's Neighborhood Energy - - ......
N Arl-Cantor f—:Hty 2.hula oaf
Resilience energy efficiency ,nA�l.tt—renn�nt.n-•
project featured on WUNC;
served as model and inspiration
for EECBG grant funding award
Slide #7
FY 23-24 CCAG — Timeline
Summer -I F- Fall 2023 December
2023 CC
AG CFE and 2023
A•• • HRC Review BOCC
L Period Open-A L- L Approval -A
Amy Eckberg said they hope to get the projects started at the beginning of the year.
28
Slide #8
Gen¢ral Applications:
Total
Name Pmlea Name Description Amount Recommended Rank Score out
Requested Funding level of 2fi
Points
Habitat for Humanity Suppl¢m¢ntal Hablt "Home Pres¢rvatlon $35,000 SSS.DOD 1 Ll
Weather!tation program support.
Create a Green
Urban Sustalnablllty Growing Morethsn nfrastructure Workforce $69.156 $69,156 2 21
Solutions Rain Gardens Development
Apptentloeshlp Program
LED UChtinC Upgrade for
Town of Chapel Hill LED Lighting Upgrades Hargraves Community $95.000 $O 3 20
Center Basketball Court
Hillsborough United Soler Panel pr ject Rooftop Solar Installation $10,000 $IO,000 4 2O
Church of Christ
clean(
Blnkley Ba ptlst[hurch Let There Be nergy)Light! Insta1150 solar pan els $49,046 $49,036 5 IS
solar on
EMPOWERment R-P '—EACH apartments Raaftop wkarinstallatian $134,562 $61,623 6 18
alai mp-"
laimpaG Small Support Installation of
Club Naga Footprint garden,greenhou , $37.227 $31.221 1 17
I--
Foo Institute at C. mu nity Garden Expand[ommunity Garden
Sanctuary Farm Coapera[I— Cooperative and c r:a $s0.800 $0 a 17
w Tralning Program
Haven for Outdoor Solar Powered Shelter with
The Arts Center 16 placesto charge up, $41,729 $O 9 17
Eco-Classroom explore,create,and learn.
5t.Thomas More EV Charging Station
EV Charging Stetian $22,030 $O 10 16
Catholic Church Installation
Triangle ECWting The...tar Equlty. Dl scou tit III*with VOpther $50,000.DO $O 11 13
Pilot Program
School Appllcatlon9:
_ __ _ total
II
Descrlpt tart AmountRecommended Rank Scare out
Requested Funding Level of 26
Paints
Chapel Hill Carri—ci LED Lights LED Cam pas Lighting $270,D00 $94.014 I 1 1
[Ity Schools Changeover
orange County $Diet sa Panel solar petlestel wath $287,959 $389,029 z 11
Schools 8atterY Storage
Vice-Chair Greene asked why the Town of Chapel Hill was ranked third, but received zero
funding.
Amy Eckberg said they liked the project but the town has received several hundred
thousand dollars over the years and there were so many new applications, they wanted to provide
the opportunity to other applicants. She said they might have resources that other groups might
not have.
Commissioner Fowler asked why Orange County Schools received more than the Chapel
Hill Carrboro City Schools.
Amy Eckberg said it was because this is the first time Orange County Schools has applied
and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools has received a large share of funds over the years.
Commissioner Fowler asked why several scored 17 and only one received funding.
Amy Eckberg said greenhouse gas emission reduction was a factor in the decisions and
that is true for this one.
Commissioner Hamilton said it's important to spread around funding, but she also wants
to consider impact. She said she looks at the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Amy Eckberg said that reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is ranked 4 in the rubric.
Commissioner Richards said she was pleased to see the higher number of applications.
Chair Bedford said with the Inflation Reduction Act, non-profits will file a 990T and if they
are paying people living wages, it is between 6%-30% cash back from the US government. She
said that whoever ends up owning the solar at the end is the one that has to file the tax return and
get the cash back. She had asked if EMPOWERment and churches had factored that into their
budgets.
Amy Eckberg said she does not know about EMPOWERment but the other two had it
factored in. She said she would make sure EMPOWERment knows about this.
A motion was made by Chair Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to approve
funding for the recommended Community Climate Action Grant projects for FY 2023-24.
29
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
The Board took a brief break for three minutes and reconvened at 9:35.
c. BOCC Boards and Commissions Assignments
The Board selected the boards and commissions Board members would like to serve on in 2024.
BACKGROUND: BOCC members serve on various County and County-related boards and
commissions. On an annual basis, BOCC members indicate their desire to continue serving on
specific boards or commissions or their desire to make changes.
Tara May, Deputy Clerk to the Board, introduced the item.
The Board made the following boards and commissions selections:
Board Name 2024 Commissioner(s)
ABC Board Commissioner Richards
Alliance Health Board of Directors Commissioner Hamilton
Board of Health Commissioner Fowler
Board of Social Services Commissioner Greene
Burlington/Graham MPO Transportation Advisory Commissioner Richards-Member
Committee
Commissioner Fowler-Alternate
Commissioner Hamilton-Member
Central Pines Regional Council
Commissioner Greene-Alternate
Central Pines Rural Planning Organization
(CPRPO) Rural Transportation Advisory Commissioner Portie-Ascott-Member
Committee
(formerly TARPO TAC Commissioner Fowler-Alternate
Climate Council Commissioner Fowler
Cooperative Extension Leadership Council Commissioner Portie-Ascott
Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Commissioner Bedford-Member
Planning Organization Board Commissioner Fowler-Alternate
Durham Tech Board of Trustees Commissioner McKee
Family Success Alliance Advisory Council Commissioner Hamilton
Fire Chief's Association of Orange County Commissioner McKee
Go Triangle Board of Trustees Commissioner Greene
Commissioner Bedford-Member
Go Triangle Special Tax Board
Commissioner Hamilton-Alternate
Go Triangle Transit Advisory Committee Commissioner Hamilton
Healthy Carolinians Commissioner Bedford
Commissioner Fowler-Member
Intergovernmental Parks Work Group
Commissioner McKee-Alternate
JCPC (Orange County Juvenile Crime Prevention
Council) Commissioner Portie-Ascott
Jordan Lake One Water Coalition Commissioner Richards
30
Commissioner Greene
Justice Advisory Council
Commissioner Bedford
Commissioner Fowler
Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG)
Commissioner Hamilton
Orange County Behavioral Health Task Force Commissioner Richards
Orange County Local Government Affordable
Housing Collaborative Commissioner Portie-Ascott
Orange County Partnership for Young Children Commissioner Richards
Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness Commissioner Portie-Ascott
Piedmont Food Processing Center Commissioner Bedford
Research Triangle Regional Partnership Executive
Board Commissioner Portie-Ascott
Commissioner McKee
Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG)
Commissioner Fowler
Commissioner Richards
Strategic Communications Work Group
Commissioner McKee
The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Board of Directors Commissioner McKee
UNC Coal Transition Project Commissioner Bedford
Commissioner Greene-member
Upper Neuse River Basin Association
Commissioner Bedford-alternate
Visitor's Bureau Advisory Board Commissioner Richards
A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to
approve the assignments for BOCC boards and commissions.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
7. Reports
a. Discussion on School and County Capital Planning and Financing Scenarios
This item was removed from the agenda and will be taken up a later date.
8. Consent Agenda
• Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda
• Approval of Remaining Consent Agenda
• Discussion and Approval of the Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Vice-Chair Greene, to
approve the consent agenda.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
31
a. Minutes
None.
b. Property Tax Release/Refund
The Board adopted a resolution to release property tax value for one (1) taxpayer with a total of
one (1) bill that will result in a reduction of revenue.
c. Late Application for Property Tax Exemption/Exclusion
The Board considered one (1) untimely application for exemption/exclusion from ad valorem
taxation for one (1) bill for the 2023 tax year.
d. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Amendment#4
The Board considered approving budget, grant, and capital project ordinance amendments for
Fiscal Year 2023-24.
e. North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program: Oranqe County Sheriff's Office
Police Traffic Services and Approval of Budget Amendment#4-A
The Board:
1) adopted a Resolution recognizing federal funding for police traffic services to the Sheriff's
Office;
2) authorized the Chair to sign the Resolution; and
3) approved Budget Amendment#4-A.
f. Approval of Participation in Conservation Easement—Terry Road Farm, LLC
The Board approved participation in and the co-holding of a conservation easement in conjunction
with Triangle Land Conservancy for the Terry Road Farm property.
g. Amendments to the Orange County Staff Working Group(SWG) By-Laws and Operating
Procedures
The Board approved amendments to the Orange County Staff Working Group (SWG) By-Laws.
h. Approval of the Orange County Transportation Services Public Involvement Plan
The Board approved the Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) Public Involvement
Plan.
i. Computer Surplus Declaration and Donation to Triangle Ecycling
The Board approved and authorized the Chair to sign a resolution declaring items listed in the
abstract as surplus and authorized the donation of those items to the non-profit Triangle Ecycling.
j. Request for Road Additions to the State Maintained Secondary Road System for Red
Maple Lane and Eno Ridge Drive in the Cates Landing Subdivision
The Board approved a recommendation to the North Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT) and the North Carolina Board of Transportation (NC BOT) concerning a petition to add
Red Maple Lane and Eno Ridge Drive in the Cates Landing Subdivision to the State Maintained
Secondary Road System.
k. Construction Contract with HGS, LLC T/A RES Environmental Operating Company,
LLC for the Gravelly Hill Middle School (GHMS) Stormwater Wetland Retrofit Protect
The Board approved a construction contract in the amount of $286,820.84 with HGS, LLC T/A
RES Environmental Operating Company, LLC for the Gravelly Hill Middle School Stormwater
Wetland Retrofit Project.
9. County Manager's Report
Bonnie Hammersley said they could set up separate meetings to go over the information
in item 7-a before the January 16, 2024 meeting. She said they would also extend that invitation
to the schools. She wished the Board a happy holiday.
10. County Attorney's Report
John Roberts said he would send a brief overview of the administrative overhead cost
requirements for the opioid settlement funding and would make sure that information is shared
with non-profits before the next opportunity for opioid settlement funding.
32
11. *Appointments
None.
12. Information Items
• December 4, 2023 BOCC Meeting Follow-up Actions List
• Memorandum Regarding Other Post-Employment Benefits Cash Flow
13. Closed Session
None.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to
adjourn the meeting at 10:10 p.m.
VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Laura Jensen,
Clerk to the Board
Submitted for approval by Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board