►
Description
Regular meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on September 19, 2023. To review the full agenda visit buncombecounty.org/commissioners.
A
B
B
B
I
want
to
read
the
ethics
reminder
to
the
board
in
accordance
to
the
code
of
ethics
adopted
by
the
board.
All
County
Commissioners
have
a
duty
to
obey
all
applicable
laws
regarding
official
actions
to
uphold
the
integrity
and
Independence
of
the
office
to
avoid
impropriety
in
the
exercise
of
official
duties
to
Faithfully,
perform
the
duties
of
the
office
and
to
conduct
the
Affairs
of
the
governing
board
in
an
open
and
public
manner.
B
Is
there
any
item
on
the
agenda,
the
outcome
of
which
would
have
a
direct,
substantial
and
readily
identifiable
Financial
impact
for
any
board
member?
Does
any
board
member
have
a
financial
interest
in
any
public
contract
coming
before
the
board
today,
there
being
none
all
board.
Members
have
a
duty
and
obligation
to
vote
on.
B
Any
matters
voted
on
by
the
Commissioners
at
our
meeting
tonight
also
want
to
announce
that
any
members
of
the
public
who
used
public
transportation
or
the
County's
parking
deck
to
attend
the
meeting
tonight
can
get
validation
for
your
parking
from
one
of
the
officers
who's
with
us
this
evening,
you
can
see
them
on
your
way
out
or
for
bus
passes
all
right.
We
come
to
the
consent
agenda.
Commissioners.
Are
there
any
questions
about
any
items
on
the
consent
agenda.
B
B
Okay
great.
So
we
now
come
to
public
comment
and
we
have
a
list
of
folks
that
have
signed
up
who
wish
to
speak
during
public
comment,
so
I'm
going
to
go
through
the
list,
but
if
there's
anyone
who
wishes
to
speak
during
public
comment,
who
did
not
sign
up
there'll
be
a
chance
to
do
that
once
we
go
through
the
list,
everyone's
got
three
minutes
to
speak
to
the
board
during
public
comment.
B
C
Good
evening,
commissioners
I'm
going
to
read
the
Declaration
of
peace
and
non-violence
for
2023
in
Western,
North
Carolina
and
after
I
finish
my
three
minutes.
A
fellow
member
will
come
and
finish
the
document
we,
the
undersigned
proponents
of
Peace
living
in
ancient
Cherokee
lands
and
working
for
a
world
free
of
the
ravages
of
War,
hereby
declare
our
observance
of
the
International
Day
of
Peace,
any
International
Day
of
non-violence
on
Thursday
September,
21st
and
Saturday
September
23rd
2023
in
Western,
North
Carolina.
Both
days
were
instituted
by
the
United
Nations.
C
Now,
in
our
14th
year
of
celebrating
Peace
Day
in
Western
North
Carolina
this
year,
we
add
the
goal
of
non-violence
as
well.
We
recognize
that
the
weapons
of
war
are
the
major
contributors
to
climate
Devastation,
while
profiting
from
the
destruction
of
life
on
Earth.
Thus,
the
potential
use
of
nuclear
weapons
can
lead
to
the
end
of
civilization
itself.
C
Therefore,
we
must
turn
away
from
this
culture
of
violence
and
focus
our
resources
on
empowering
this
Society
free
of
violence
and
endless
war.
Active
non-violence
involves
diplomacy,
compromise
and
the
right
sharing
of
planetary
resources.
This
requires
creative
persistence
every
day
of
Our
Lives.
Thus,
we
have
set
aside
these
two
days
to
imagine
a
peaceful
world
where
we
celebrate
our
diversity
and
resolve
our
conflicts
in
non-violent
ways,
as
Gandhi
himself
reminds
us.
B
D
And
I'm
going
to
finish,
the
Declaration
join
us
as
we
unite
our
hearts
and
voices
to
imagine
a
world
free
of
war
and
to
celebrate
the
possibilities
of
true
peace
and
disarmament.
As
Jeremy
Gilly
creator
of
International
Day
of
Peace
says
we
all
want
a
world
without
War
without
conflict
without
human
suffering.
D
E
We're
drowning
in
disposable,
non-biodegradable
Plastics,
in
virtually
everything
we
buy
and
consume,
I
have
to
believe,
there's
a
better
way
and
that
eventually
materials
technology
will
catch
up
to
this
problem.
But
in
the
meantime,
plastic
is
ubiquitous
and,
as
you
know,
particularly
single-use
plastic
is
a
big
problem.
E
I
came
here
this
evening
to
urge
you
to
forge
ahead
on
your
single-use
Plastics
initiative.
I.
Think
it's
a
wonderful
way
to
lead
for
our
community
and
for
our
region.
I
also
just
10
minutes
ago,
got
informed
that
apparently
there's
a
line
item
in
the
assembly
budget.
That
makes
it
impossible
for
counties
to
pass
regulations
on
this
matter.
E
F
My
name
is
Dede
Styles
and
I
live
in
Swannanoa.
The
mountains
that
surround
us
in
Buncombe
County
are
ancient
for
hundreds
of
thousands
of
years.
They
have
moderated
the
flow
of
streams,
creeks
and
rivers
by
letting
rain
water
and
snow
soak
in
and
then
discharging
it
at
a
fairly
steady
rate
into
the
streams
and
creeks
the
system.
This
system
only
works
as
long
as
the
mountains
are
able
to
absorb
most
of
the
rain.
That
falls
by
allowing
our
steep
slopes
to
be
compromised
by
too
much
impervious
surface
Like,
Houses,
roads
and
driveways.
F
We
are
destroying
a
system
that
has
worked
for
eons
a
case
in
point.
According
to
the
local
news,
back
in
August,
the
residents
in
South
Buncombe
were
under
a
conserved
water
order.
Apparently
the
level
of
the
Mills
River,
where
Asheville
gets
the
water
to
serve
its
South
Buncombe
area,
water
customers.
F
The
level
had
gotten
so
low
that
there
was
no
longer
adequate
water
for
those
customers.
It
is
not
just
in
times
of
heavy
or
extended
rainfall
that
excess
runoff
is
a
problem.
It's
a
problem.
Every
time
it
rains
in
water
that
should
be
soaking
into
the
mountains.
Is
running
off
of
houses
and
roads
on
steep
slopes
and
Away
down
the
creeks,
and
so
is
not
available
during
dry
times
to
keep
this
creeks
and
rivers
up?
F
Every
day
the
Earth
movers
are
working,
the
contractors
are
building
the
pavers
are
laying
blacktop
on
those
steep
slopes.
When
it
rains
the
water
is
leaving
faster
and
faster.
You
must
make
sure
new
developments
are
much
better
at
letting
the
rain
soak
into
the
mountains.
You
must
require
retrofitting
of
those
developments
already
built,
so
much
less
water
is
lost
to
runoff,
and
you
should
declare
a
moratorium
on
steep
slope
development
until
the
planning
department
figures
out
how
to
get
this
done.
H
Good
evening
Commissioners,
and
thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
speak.
My
name
is
Linda.
Totzepaw
I
live
in
Black,
Mountain
and
I'm.
Coming
to
you,
as
a
member
of
the
Plastics
free
wnc,
I
did
come
here
to
ask
you
to
urge
you
to
pass
an
ordinance,
Banning,
single-use
Plastics
and
styrofoam,
and,
as
was
already
said,
we
just
learned
that
there
may
be
a
roadblock
to
that.
H
In
light
of
that,
I
would
ask
you
to
do
what
you
can
pass
this
ordinance
if
we
can
possibly
get
this
language
removed
from
the
budget.
If
not,
you
may
be
able
to
pass
a
resolution
standing
up
to
the
general
assembly.
This
is
not
okay
for
them
to
remove
local
authority
to
manage
waste,
and
we
need
to
let
them
know
we're
not.
Okay
with
that
we'll
be
doing
that
as
well
from
the
ground
from
the
Grassroots.
We
all
know
already
that
Plastics
are
a
major
health
and
environmental
issue.
H
We
already
know-
hopefully
you've
heard
from
us
that
we're
consuming
a
credit
card
size
amount
of
plastic
every
week.
We
know
this
is
something
easy
that
we
can
do.
We
can
ban
this
single-use
plastic.
We
can
remove
this
from
our
community
and
it's
an
easy
step
that
we
can
do
to
help
our
environment.
It's
not
the
only
thing,
but
it's
something
we
can
do
now.
I
urge
you
again
do
what
you
can
in
light
of
what
happens
with
the
budget,
we'll
be
there
with
you,
but
if
possible,
we
need
this
ordinance.
Thank
you.
I
Hi
there
and
thank
you
Commissioners,
it's
a
real
pleasure
to
see
each
and
every
one
of
you.
It's
been
a
while,
since
I've
seen
you
so
hi
I
am
chair
of
our
local
Sierra,
Club
and
I'm,
representing
and
speaking
for
over
9,
000
members
and
supporters
of
Sierra
club
members
here
in
the
county.
So
we're
all
cheering
for
you
and
I'm
asking
you
to.
Indeed,
please
do
go
ahead
and
pass
this
ordinance
to
ban
single-use
Plastics
the
carryout
bag
and
also
the
carryout
styrofoam
and
cups.
I
The
the
containers
and
I
want
to
give
you
some
numbers.
So
number
one
sampling
has
shown
that
microplastics
and
water
samples,
a
hundred
percent
of
the
water
samples
in
the
French
Broad
River,
surprise.
Surprise,
are
polluted
with
microplastic
a
hundred
percent
number
two.
It
is
estimated
that
we
use
132
million
single-use
plastic
bags
in
our
County
every
year.
I
There
was
just
a
really
cute
and
you'll,
see
the
mermaid
right
here
very
shortly
to
to
show
that
365
bags
are
used
by
each
of
us.
Oh
my
gosh.
Every
year,
Kirby,
our
local
recycling
processor,
must
hire
additional
staff
and
spends
ten
thousand
dollars
a
month.
Taking
plastic
bags
to
the
landfill,
they
cause
huge
problems
in
the
recycling
process
and
landfills.
I
J
Good
evening,
I
am
Ani
Johnson
and
I
am
a
senior
at
Asheville
High
School,
a
few
of
my
classmates
and
I
have
gathered
over
400
petitions
in
agreement
across
Buncombe
County
to
support
the
plastic
bag
and
styrofoam
container
ban.
Like
many
of
my
peers.
I
am
a
passionate
lover
of
the
outdoors
and
a
hopeful
member
of
our
community's
future.
Our
future
is
being
contaminated
by
Plastics,
as
you
all
know,
which
primarily
consists
of
the
use
of
single-use
plastics
Studies,
have
shown
that
Buncombe
County
residents
use
approximately
132.4
million
plastic
shopping
bags
annually.
J
Of
these,
the
average
plastic
bag
is
used
for
a
simple
15
minutes
and
then
is
thrown
to
waste
to
become
a
fluent
over
time.
These
plastic
bags
break
down
into
microplastics
and
bleach
into
the
waterways
and
end
up
in
our
ecosystems,
air
and
in
our
bodies.
Studies
show
that
we
consume
and
breathe
a
credit
card's
worth
of
microplastics
every
week,
and
that
number
is
just
growing.
J
This
is
not
only
an
environmental
issue,
but
it's
a
socioeconomic
public,
health
and
air
quality
issue.
The
movement
isn't
just
confined
to
Buncombe
County.
Currently,
there
are
eight
states
that
have
statewide
bans
on
the
use
of
single-use
plastic
bags
for
the
sake
of
our
future.
Please
take
action.
I
know
that
there
are
barriers,
as
we've
talked
about
earlier,
but
please
for
the
sake
of
our
future.
Take
action
to
stop
this.
Our
future
doesn't
have
the
time
to
wait.
Thank
you
all.
K
I'm
Ken
breime
I
live
in
Leicester
and
I'm
speaking
on
behalf
of
the
wnc
of
plastic,
free
with
wnc
and
the
Sierra
Club,
but
again
want
to
thank
you
guys
for
all
the
time
you've
spent
studying
this
issue
meeting
with
us
to
be
educated
and
again,
I
would
urge
you,
if
at
all
possible,
to
pass
this
resolution
and
and
take
action.
But
if
that's
not
possible
because
of
the
legislature,
then
we
would
encourage
you
to
look
at
other
alternatives.
K
What
can
we
do?
What
can
you
do
to
encourage
voluntary
compliance
among
our
local
businesses,
and
what
can
you
do
to
help
encourage
our
local
citizens
to
bring
their
own
bag
or
to
ask
for
paper
instead
of
plastic?
You
know
we
need
to
take
action
if
we're
limited
with
what
we
can
do
with
an
ordinance
and,
let's
find
other
creative
ways
to
accomplish
as
much
as
we
can
to
do
that.
Thank
you.
L
M
I
am
kind
of
here
to
represent
them,
because
I
wish
I
did
see
them
here,
because
I
believe
we
are
part
of
all
of
this
and
that
we
also
need
to
speak
up
for
what
we
believe
in
and
I.
Think
I
can
speak
for
all
of
us
when
we
say
that
Generations
before
mine
government
at
every
level
has
failed
to
regulate
corporations
or
pass
legislation
to
make
real
change
to
protect
our
natural
resources,
and
we
can
stop
it
right
now.
Buncombe
County
has
the
chance
to
slow
the
culture
of
convenience.
M
M
N
Good
evening
Commissioners,
my
name
is
Cindy
Dwyer
I
live
in
Asheville
and
thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
on
the
important
issue
of
the
proposed
ordinance
banning
plastic
bags
and
polystyrene
containers.
This
this
problem
is
well
researched,
well
documented
by
credible
sources.
There's
no
question
about
the
problem
it's
causing
and
the
Florida
legislature
has
preempted
local
governments
from
enacting
bans
such
as
this,
and
it
sounds
like
the
same
thing
is
cooking
up
here.
In
North
Carolina,
one
of
the
cities
in
Florida
was
able
to
adopt
their
ordinance
prior
to
the
bill
being
finalized.
N
So
perhaps
that
could
be
done
here,
but
it's
painfully
obvious
that
going
on
vacation
and
breaking
your
wrist
is
a
very
bad
idea.
I,
don't
recommend
this
at
all.
On
the
other
hand,
this
is
a
great
idea
and
I
highly
recommend
it
and
encourage
you
to
please
adopt
this
ordinance.
It's
the
right
thing
to
do.
Thank
you.
P
P
The
community
outreach
it's
the
right
thing
to
do.
This
is
a
bit
of
a
David
and
Goliath
situation
at
the
moment
and
I,
don't
know
about
y'all,
but
I
really
like
to
root
for
the
spunky
Underdog.
So
whatever
we
creative
ways,
we
can
do
to
really
take
a
stand
on
Plastics
as
an
issue.
I
really
encourage
us
to
move
that
forward.
Thank
you.
Q
Hi
everyone
Anna.
Thank
you
for
the
David
and
Goliath
analogy.
My
name
is
Sarah
Ogletree
I
direct,
the
creation,
Care
Alliance,
and
we're
a
network
of
congregations
and
Faith
communities
here
in
Buncombe,
County
and
also
throughout
our
Western
North
Carolina
region,
I'm.
Here,
because
our
communities
have
been
organizing
alongside
some
of
you,
alongside
people
in
this
room,
to
pass
this
ban.
Because
it's
how
we
can
love
our
neighbors,
it's
one
of
the
ways
we
can
love
our
neighbors.
Q
We
can't
love
our
neighbors
well
without
loving
the
air
they
breathe
and
the
water
they
drink
and
the
ground
that
our
food
is
grown
in.
So
we
were
really
excited
to
come
tonight
and
see
this
move
forward
and
we're
frustrated
by
this
roadblock
that
we're
seeing
from
the
state
but
I
do
want
to
say,
like
many
of
of
my
colleagues
have
said
tonight,
that
we're
excited
and
and
faithful
about
the
ability
for
Creative
action
and
the
ways
that
we
can
still
take
action
on
this.
Q
Regardless
of
what
roadblocks
we
might
encounter
so
I
do
urge
you
to
to
stand
in
solidarity
with
us
in
naming
that
the
state
shouldn't
limit
our
ability
to
care
for
Korea
in
each
other
in
this
way,
and
I
also
encourage
you
to
continue
to
lead
in
the
ways
that
you're
leading
and
take
take
bold
steps,
as
we
figure
out
what
we
can
do
regardless
of
these
roadblocks.
So
thank
you
for
your
time.
R
Hello,
my
name
is
Sarah
Wright
and
when
I
am
not
the
French
Broad
mermaid
as
I
am
today,
I
am
an
artist
and
a
tour
guide.
I
give
walking
tours
of
Asheville
and
I
tell
people
about
this
plastic
bag
band
that
we
want
here
in
Buncombe,
County,
and
so
many
of
my
guests
are
telling
me
that
those
same
kinds
of
bands
are
working
for
them
in
their
communities
all
over
the
country
and
even
in
the
world.
I
have
lived
in
this
place.
My
whole
life
and
I
love
sharing
it
with
other
people.
R
I
love
my
job
as
a
tour
guide
so
much,
but
when
there
are
plastic
bags
caught
in
the
trees
and
blowing
through
the
streets
and
stuck
on
the
banks
of
the
French
Broad
River,
it's
embarrassing,
but
it's
also
sad
and
it's
frightening
right
that
that
so
many
of
our
treasured
plants
and
animals
and
even
ourselves,
are
unwittingly
consuming
Plastics
just
by
drinking
water
and
breathing
air.
So
we're
just
asking
you
today
to
please
pass
this
ordinance
to
ban
the
single-use
Plastics.
Please
stand
up
to
the
general
assembly.
R
O
Hi
I'm
Karima
late
I'm,
with
Mount,
true
and
I,
want
to
start
off
just
thanking
you
for
considering
action
to
reduce
plastic
pollution.
Many
of
you
have
opened
your
doors
to
us
in
the
last
few
months
years
and
we
sat
down
and
these
conversations
have
been
fruitful
and
and
had
made
me
up
until
today.
Very
optimistic
Plastics
is
a
documented
threat
to
our
environment
into
public
health,
and
we
believe
that
the
North
Carolina
Solid
Waste
Management
act
gives
you
the
authority
to
take
action.
O
O
S
Hi
Commissioners,
thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
to
you
today.
My
name
is
Drew
ball
I
work
for
the
natural
resources,
defense,
Council
I'll.
First
note:
there
is
an
packed
overflow
room
downstairs
with
lots
of
young
people
here
for
this
issue,
and
I'll
also
note
that
a
language
referred
to
earlier
that
would
block
local
governments.
Action
on
this
issue
showed
up
late
last
night
in
a
leaked
draft
general
assembly
budget.
It
was
placed
there
through
backroom
deals
by
special
interest
groups.
S
It
is
not
law,
it'll,
hopefully
never
become
law
and
that
type
of
Politics.
The
antithesis
of
the
open
process
that
you
all
have
followed,
and
we
appreciate
all
the
work
you've
done,
I'm
on
the
board
of
the
North
Carolina
Sierra
Club
and
as
a
former
staff
of
the
North
Carolina
Sierra
Club
in
2010
I
worked
with
then
Senator
Josh
Stein
to
pass
the
plastic
bag
ban
on
the
Outer
Banks.
S
That
bill
started
as
a
Statewide
Bill
and
during
the
legislative
process
was
narrowed
to
focus
instead
only
on
the
Outer
Banks.
As
an
initial
step,
it
was
well
received
and
popular
being
supported
by
many,
including
the
Outer
Banks
Chamber
of
Commerce,
in
2015
special
interests
like
the
retail
Merchants
Association
and
fossil
fuel
groups,
who
stood
only
to
profit
from
at
the
expense
of
our
waterways
and
Public
Health.
S
Our
overflowing
landfills
and
recycling
centers
convinced
the
general
assembly
to
overturn
that
bag
ban,
based
solely
on
the
fact
that
it
was
passed
as
a
Statewide
Bill,
not
a
local
bill
which,
by
process
and
by
process
alone,
makes
it
unconstitutional.
They
did
not
block
it
because
local
governments
don't
have
the
authority,
because
you
do
thanks
to
statutes
like
Solid
Waste,
Management
act.
S
You
have
the
power
Duke
School
of
Law
Southern
environmental
law
Center
have
written
about
this,
and
when
they
repealed
that
law
we
fell
from
being
a
leader
in
the
Southeast
to
a
laggard
over
400
municipalities
across
the
country,
including
many
in
the
South
like
Charleston,
have
common
sense
bag
Bans.
We
need
Municipal
leaders
like
yourselves
to
take
the
lead
when
this
body
passed
the
100
clean
energy
Target.
S
Who
would
have
guessed
that
we'd
have
a
now
have
a
Statewide
100
energy
Target,
and
that's
thanks
to
your
leadership
and
we
need
that
leadership
right
now.
So
again,
this
is
wildly
popular
80
of
the
nearly
4
000
residents
that
responded
to
Asheville's
public
survey
were
supportive
and
we've
seen
widespread
support
among
the
many
businesses
our
Coalition
has
surveyed
on
this
initiative.
So
again
we
appreciate
all
your
work.
We
applaud
you.
Please
continue
to
show
leadership
and
move
forward.
Thank
you.
B
B
Okay,
all
right!
Well
thanks
everyone
for
taking
time
to
come
out
this
evening,
really
appreciate
it.
We
appreciate
all
the
work
that
you
all
do
for
important
issues
facing
our
community
thanks
for
being
here:
okay,
Commissioners.
The
next
item
on
the
agenda
is
a
presentation
recognizing
Hispanic
and
Latino
Heritage
Month
and
commissioner
Jasmine
Beach
Ferrara,
and
some
other
folks
are
going
to
help
us
out
with
this.
T
T
U
T
And
whereas
Latinos
are
individuals
who
are
descendants
from
Latin
American
countries
and
may
speak.
A
variety
of
different
languages
and
Hispanics
are
individuals
who
speak
Spanish
and
are
descendants
from
Spanish-speaking
countries,
including
Spain,
and
whereas
September
15th
is
significant
as
a
starting
date
for
Latino
heritage
month,
because
it
is
the
anniversary
of
Independence
for
the
Latin
American
countries
of
Costa,
Rica,
El,
Salvador,
Guatemala,
Honduras
and
Nicaragua.
T
Long
now,
therefore,
let
it
be
proclaimed
that
September
15th
through
October
15
2023,
is
National
Hispanic
and
Latino
Heritage
Month
in
Buncombe
County,
and
let
us
encourage
our
community
to
join
us
in
celebrating
the
great
contributions
of
Hispanic
and
Latin
Americans
to
our
country,
County,
State
and
Nation,
signed
by
brownie
Newman,
chairman
of
Buncombe
County
Board
of
Commissioners.
Thank
you.
V
U
I
will
interpret
the
words
that
our
so
in
this
month
of
Hispanic
heritage,
we
want
to
reflect
upon
the
richness
and
diversity
of
cultures
that
enrich
this
nation.
Let's
remember
that
the
U.S
is
a
fusion
of
traditions,
languages
and
experiences,
and
that
are
Latin.
American
Roots
also
do
a
fundamental
place
to
do
this.
Fusion.
U
Let
us
remember
that
this
nation,
it
was
built
upon
immigrants
which
they
share,
he
unique
histories
and
that
their
contributions
are
all
valuable.
We
would
like
to
celebrate
passion,
perseverance
and
resilience
from
our
Hispanic
community
that
has
left
an
imprint
in
music,
art,
science,
politics,
Agriculture
and
all
aspects
of
the
American
Life.
U
Let
us
remember,
too
that,
although
we
have
differences,
we
also
share
a
common
future
and
a
mutual
responsibility
to
build
a
society
that
is
more
fair
and
Equitable
for
everybody
in
this
Hispanic
Heritage
Month.
We
would
like
to
honor
our
Latin
American
roots,
and
we
would
like
to
celebrate
the
power
of
diversity
that
unites
us
and
strengthens
us
as
a
nation.
Let's
keep
building
together
a
more
inclusive,
United
States,
where
all
the
voices
are
heard
and
all
of
the
cultures
are
valued.
U
W
Good
evening,
Mr,
chairman
Commissioners,
thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
provide
information
on
the
proposed
fy25
annual
section
5311
administrative
and
capital
grants
applications
on
your
agenda
this
evening.
This
required
public
hearing
and
Associated
resolution
are
part
of
our
annual
recurring
Grant
application
to
the
North
Carolina
Department
of
Transportation
for
state
and
federal
Grant
funds.
Grant
funds.
We
seek
to
apply
support
it,
the
grant
funds.
W
We
seek
support,
a
portion
of
our
annual
administrative
and
capital
costs
for
Buncombe,
County's,
Community
transportation
system,
Mount,
Mobility,
Mount
Mobility
serves
senior
adults,
persons
with
disabilities,
clients
of
Human
Service
agencies
and
the
general
public.
The
memorandum
included
in
your
materials
summarizes
the
fy25
Grant
application.
W
B
X
X
B
Y
On
January
24th,
the
board
of
commission
directed
human
resources
to
begin
the
recruitment
process
for
the
Director
of
Finance.
After
a
month
of
national
Nationwide
advertisements,
the
candidate
pool
was
not
as
robust
as
we
had
hoped.
It
would
be.
At
that
point,
we
agreed
to
seek
assistance
through
a
recruitment
firm.
We
issued
an
RFP
in
April
and
five
firms
submitted
a
proposal.
Ultimately,
rafaelis
was
the
firm
that
was
chosen.
Raftelus
began
their
work
in
late
April
with
a
nationwide
advertising
campaign.
Y
The
search
resulted
in
16
candidates
and
the
initial
screenings
were
held
with
all
qualified
candidates
in
July.
The
top
four
candidates
met
virtually
with
the
board
of
commissioning
the
county
manager.
For
the
first
round
of
interviews
on
August
7th,
three
semi-finalists
were
invited
to
Asheville
to
participate
in
final
interviews
and
those
interviews
with
the
war
with
the
board
of
commission,
the
county
manager
and
the
meet
and
greet
with
Department
directors.
At
that
time,
the
board
of
I'm
sorry,
the
Border
commission
directed
human
resources
to
proceed
with
the
hiring
of
Melissa
Moore.
B
B
And
but,
as
we
looked
at
this
pool
of
great
applicants,
the
commission
was
in
agreement
that
Melissa
is
the
person
that
we
wanted
to
bring
on
board
to
help
with
this
important
role
in
Buncombe
County.
So
thank
you
for
being
here
and
thanks
for
joining
the
team.
We
really
look
forward
to
working
with
you
and,
if
you'd
like
to
say
anything,
you're
welcome
to
do
so.
B
G
Good
evening,
chair
and
Commissioners
this
evening
here
before
you
to
present
on
an
economic
development
policy
revision,
the
last
time
I
was
here,
was
August
1st
at
the
briefing
presented
some
initial
ideas
for
you
to
consider,
and
so
we're
back
today
to
get
your
final
thoughts
on
some
of
these
items
related
to
the
policy
in
terms
of
our
agenda,
we'll
do
a
quick
overview
of
the
policy.
We'll
talk
about
some
of
the
options
that
staff
are
recommending
today
and
then
we'll
talk
about
what
the
next
steps
would
be
depending
on
commissioner's
desire.
G
So
in
terms
of
overview
and
request,
you
know
the
policy
was
last
updated
in
2017
in
that
policy
was
a
wage
schedule
that
has
not
been
updated.
However,
there
were
significant
changes
made
in
Equitable
hiring
since
the
change
of
that
policy.
We
have
had
some
success.
There
have
been
a
number
of
projects
announced
in
our
community
six
projects
to
date,
totaling
750
million
in
capital
investment
and
a
thousand
jobs,
with
average
wages
exceeding
sixty
thousand
dollars
per
year.
G
However,
we
we
see
that
in
recent
years,
there's
been
a
lot.
That's
changed
in
our
community.
We've
seen
increased
housing
costs,
inflation
continues
to
be
a
barrier
for
many
folks,
and
so,
while
we've
seen
some
wage
growth,
we've
seen
a
lot
of
that
eaten
into
and
so
wanted
to
take
the
opportunity
to
talk
to
you
today
about
potential
changes
to
that
policy
to
help
fight
against
some
of
those
losses
in
wage.
G
So
a
request
before
the
commission
today
is
to
consider
the
options
we
presented
to
you
for
wage
schedule,
options
to
approve
the
recommended
changes
that
we've
attached
to
the
agenda.
If
you
have
questions,
of
course,
we're
glad
to
consider
those
and
then
ultimately
direct
staff
to
continue
the
discussion
on
the
economic
development
policy
in
a
subsequent
phase
that
you
know
takes
into
account
additional
stakeholder
feedback
additional
best
practice,
research,
things
of
that
nature.
G
Additionally,
it's
an
opportunity
for
us
to
realign
you
know
with
the
labor
market
and
the
wage
trends
that
we've
seen.
There
was
a
time
in
our
community
where
you
know
a
20
an
hour
wage
may
be
seemed.
You
know
unattainable,
even
and
we
see
today
that
that
has
changed
substantially
due
to
pressures
in
our
with
our
Workforce,
the
impacts
of
covid
and
many
other
things.
G
Additionally,
it's
an
opportunity
to
encourage
higher
wages
in
a
region
where
we
typically
lag
behind
the
state
from
a
trade-off
perspective.
We
want
to
keep
the
the
wage
schedule
close
enough
that
we
can
keep
sort
of
our
projects
and
our
companies
at
the
table
so
that
we
can
encourage
that
wage
growth
that
we'd
like
to
see
if
our
wage
targets
are
too
high.
G
So
those
are
just
some
examples
of
the
trade-offs
and
the
opportunities
here.
Additionally,
there
was
some
healthy
discussion
on
living
wages
and
the
ability
to
create
sort
of
a
a
requirement
for
living
wages,
and
we
thought
that
was
a
really
a
healthy
discussion
and
want
to
continue
talking
about
that
today,
with
you,
I
mean
and
have
some
ideas
on
how
we
could
accomplish
some
of
that
so
getting
into
the
the
policy
revisions
again
primary
issue
here
is
we're
before
you
wanting
to
talk
about
that
wage
schedule.
G
Our
adoption,
our
recommendation,
is
that
you
adopt
a
schedule.
That's
indexed
updates
automatically
annually.
It's
also
an
opportunity
for
us
to
think
about
that
methodology,
and
you
know,
do
we
want
to
lean
towards
an
average
wage
or
meeting
a
household
income
things
of
that
nature
in
terms
of
the
concept
of
living
wages
that
was
brought
up
before?
We
think
it
would
be
important.
G
You
know,
as
new
projects
are
originated
in
this
community,
to
require
that
those
projects
submit
documentation
of
their
local
local
employees
and
specifically
the
percentage
of
local
employees
they're
at
or
above
living
wages,
and
so
we
think
this
is
a
really
important
data
point
for
us,
because
that's
something
that
we
can
share
as
we
discuss
these
projects
with
commission.
That
gives
you
a
sense
of
how
not
just
the
project
employees
are
incentivized
or
structured
the
new
employees,
if
you
will,
but
how
the
full
local
Workforce
is
also
paid.
G
So
we
think
that's
a
really
a
good
data
point.
We
looked.
You
know
at
exploring
like
drawing
a
Line
in
the
Sand
and
saying
you
know.
For
instance,
a
certain
percentage
of
employees
should
be
paid
at
or
above
this,
this
wage
rate,
and
we,
we
really
didn't,
feel
like
we
had
the
right
amount
of
data
to
sort
of
draw
that
Line
in
the
Sand.
G
So
we
feel
like
this
is
a
good
opportunity
to
bring
that
data
to
light,
also
use
it
to
impact
and
change
the
policy
potentially
in
the
future,
as
we
collect
that
data
getting
back
to
our
wage
method
Alternatives,
you
know
we.
We
talked
about
this
at
the
briefing,
but
we're
proposing
the
commission
picked
from
sort
of
these
three
methods.
We've
got
our
average
wage
method,
which
is
what
we
believe
is
our
current
method.
G
G
We
also
looked
at
two
other
methods
which
are
a
little
bit
different
median
household
income,
looking
at
Buncombe
County
as
the
scope,
but
then
also
looking
at
median
household
income
and
looking
at
the
entire
State
as
our
scope.
The
differences
here
you
know
we're
looking
at
household
income,
but
we've
normalized,
so
that
we're
only
looking
at
a
household
with
one
worker
in
it,
so
that
would
be
28.60
for
your
Buncombe
County
median
housing,
medium
household
income
and
then
29.09
for
that
North
Carolina
perspective.
G
G
You
can
see
how
that
would
change
which,
with
each
of
these
methodologies
but
the
short
of
it,
meaning
all
of
these
are
moving
up.
They're
indexed
against
you
know
a
methodology
that
would
update
annually
in
the
future,
depending
on
what
you
select
and
just
as
a
refresher
for
for
y'all,
but
also
the
public
at
large.
You
know
to
the
far
left,
there's
a
per
job
incentive
amount,
and
so
the
way
this
works
is
when
a
new
project
originates
and
wants
to
apply
for
economic
development
incentives.
G
We
go
through
a
process
to
say
how
many
jobs
are
you
creating
and
at
what
level
of
the
schedule,
and
so
for
each
job
created
There's
an
opportunity
for
a
company
to
you
know,
have
an
additional
incentive.
It's
a
one-time
incentive,
depending
on
the
number
of
jobs,
are
creating
at
these
schedules.
So
it
is
a
it's
a
great
tool
for
us
that
we
do
utilize
and
have
discussions
with
every
company
about.
G
While
we
were
looking
at
the
methodology
on
this
wage
schedule,
we
felt
it
important
also
take
a
look
at
some
of
the
Equitable
hiring
practices
that
were
implemented
in
2017,
which
are
great,
but
you
know
over
the
course
of
six
years.
You
learn
something
and
have
an
opportunity
to
do
things
potentially
different
and
or
better,
and
so
our
current
policy
is
on
the
left
and
you
can
see
kind
of
what
that
says.
I
won't
walk
you
through
it.
I
know
it's
a
lot
of
text
on
the
right.
G
We've
got
some
recommended
changes
to
bolster
the
program
and
those
are
in
bold
and
so
right
off
the
top.
We're
saying
that
any
project
that
wants
to
participate
in
the
economic
development
incentive
program
that
is
meaning
they
want
Economic
Development
incentives.
They
must
participate
in
our
inclusive
hiring
partners,
program
or
an
equivalent
Workforce
Development
program,
and
for
those
that
aren't
familiar
with
inclusive
hiring
Partners.
G
So
it's
not
a
guaranteed
job,
but
it
is
a
guaranteed
interview
and
a
guaranteed
opportunity
for
someone
to
get
in
the
door.
So
we
think
that's
a
requirement
that
folks
participate
in
this
program
in
general.
Anybody
that
has
come
in
and
talking
to
us
we're
talking
about
this
program
and
that
they're
likely
going
to
participate.
But
this
just
makes
it
a
requirement
to
even
start
the
discussion.
G
Additionally,
the
2017
policy
did
some
pretty
cool
things
and
identified
a
handful
of
populations
where
we
wanted
to
offer
additional
incentives
from
historically
disadvantaged
populations.
If
employers
are
able
to
make
these
hires,
and
so
those
examples
in
2017
were
NC
Works,
step
and
employees
who
were
hired
that
were
low
level
or
non-violent
offenders,
and
so
what
we've
done
is
we've
modified
some
of
this
language,
and
so
we
kept
NC
works.
We
kept
stepped,
we
added
work.
First,
we
also
call
out
the
inclusive
hiring
partners
program.
Here
again
we
altered
our
languages
or
languages.
G
B
G
B
G
Yep
we
historically,
we
haven't
sort
of
double
counted,
so
it
would
be
you're
eligible
for
one
and
the
process
is
a
little
more
complicated
because
we
sort
of
track
this
on
the
front
end.
And
so
we
make
a
commitment
with
the
company.
That's
in
a
contract
and
you've
seen
some
of
those
come
before
this
board,
and
then
we
track
it
over
the
course
of
the
contract
and
do
kind
of
a
pay
for
performance
deal
at
the
end.
G
B
The
thousand
dollar,
the
minimum
job
incentive
value
of
one
thousand
dollars-
is
per
employee,
who
actually
gets
hired
from
that
program
so
through
one
of
these
kind
of
targeted
groups,
if
you
actually
make
the
hired
not
just
do
the
interview
but
make
a
higher,
then
it's
a
minimum
thousand
right.
Okay,
thank
you.
Yes,.
G
G
So
those
are
our
next
steps.
Our
request,
before
you,
you
know,
is
to
you
know,
consider
the
policy
schedules
or
the
wage
schedules
we
put
before
you.
If
you
feel
comfortable,
selecting
one
we'd
like
to
hear
that
and
then
we'd
like
for
you
to
approve
the
recommended
changes
to
the
policy.
The
way
that
you
would
do,
that
would
be
through
the
approval
of
the
resolution,
which
was
also
attached
to
the
meeting
agenda
today
and
then.
Finally,
you
know:
we've
alluded
to
evolving
this
policy.
B
Okay,
great
great
job,
all
right,
Commissioners,
any
questions,
or
should
we
just
start
looking
at
the
wage,
the
wage
schedule
options,
but
any
any
questions
outside
of
that
or
if
not,
we
can
start
kind
of
focusing
on
that
piece.
So
this
is
going
back
to
Tim.
Is
this
right?
This
is
going
back
to
the
on
the
short
page.
It
is
Page,
seven
on
the
slide.
That's.
Z
G
Our
our
recommendation
at
this
time
on
that
would
be
to
amend
the
policy
and
you'll
see
that
reflected
in
the
policy
on
the
living.
Wages
are
strongly
encouraged
by
the
board
and
that
we
collect
that
with
any
new
project
that
comes
in
the
door,
so
we
collect
the
data
that
way
we
can
see
kind
of
you
know
what
what's
actually
occurring
with
these
projects
in
the
community,
I
think
in
a
phase
two
comeback
with
potentially
a
more
firmer
Line
in
the
Sand.
But
that's
our
recommendation
collect
data
change
in
the
future.
Okay.
B
And
and
Tim
kind
of
related
to
that,
so
if
a
company
comes
in
and
say
it's
going
to
create
100
jobs-
and
you
know
75
percent
of
them
score
really
well
on
this,
whichever
these
wage
schedules
we
select
here,
but
25
of
them
are
below
that,
so
we
can.
We
can
still
consider
that
project
under
our
policy,
even
though
25
of
them
are
lower,
paying
jobs,
maybe
not
even
living
wage
jobs.
B
B
Okay,
well
I
would
say
in
terms
of
kind
of
continued
evaluation
to
me
that
that
is
maybe
like
the
most
I
like
this
I'm
looking
forward
to
getting
this
in
place.
That
does
seem
like
the
most
important
part
that
that
I
think
warrants
further
discussion
right
because
yeah
any
job
in
this
range
is
great.
B
AB
AB
AB
Who
will
make
it
so
that
everybody
can
afford
to
live?
You
know
in
Buncombe,
because
now,
with
some
of
the
companies
you
know
we
see
people
moving
to
Henderson
the
other
counties
because
they
can't
afford
a
house
in
Bunker,
but
I
hope
it
will
use
our
incentive
to
help
that,
because,
let's
face
it
from
a
selfish
point
of
view,
when
they
move
to
other
counties,
that's
taxes.
We
lose.
C
G
B
B
That's
the
basic
trade-off,
we're
looking
at
here,
so
so
there's
just
sort
of
like
you
know,
which
of
those
do
you
want
to
kind
of
focus
on,
and
but
it
could
be
if
I'm
correct,
there's,
there's
three
options:
there's
the
2022
average
wage,
the
area
median
income
category
or
the
area
median
income
for
the
state
of
North
Carolina.
So
any
of
those
three.
Basically,
we
need
to
suggest
one
of
those.
That's.
G
Right
and
just
to
add
some
commentary,
maybe
muddle
the
situation.
You
know
wages
versus
income.
You
know
we.
We
know
that
in
wages
are
kind
of
you
know
what
you're
paid
when
you
go
and
have
a
job
right,
that's
what
you
get
for
your
services,
your
hours,
whatever
it
is.
Income
obviously
includes
other
variables.
Not
everyone
is
going
to
have
additional
income,
but
some
folks
might
from
you
know
any
number
of
sources.
G
So
that's
something
for
you
to
consider.
You
know
Additionally.
You
know
our
strategic
plan
welcome
2025.
Our
goal
is
catching
up
with
area
median
income
at
the
state
level,
and
so,
if
you
want
to
be,
you
know,
aspirational
and
approaching
that
I
think
that's
fair
game.
It
is
a
goal
we've
set
in
the
plan.
G
AC
So
I'm
falling
on
the
area
median
income
for
Buncombe
County,
and
my
rationale
for
that
is
based
on
the
work
that
we're
doing
on
the
affordable
housing
committee,
because
we're
looking
at
Ami
when
we're
looking
at
rent,
affordability
and
Home
Ownership
goals.
And
this
feel
like
feels
like
that-
aligns
a
bit
better
with
where
we're
headed
in
that
particular
Arena.
Within
the
county.
AD
Martin
any
thoughts,
I'm
leaning
toward
the
same
just
looking
at
housing
being
the
single
biggest
expenditure
for
most
of
the
professionals,
looking
for
work
here
and
the
Justice
involved.
Folks
in
particular,
it's
I
think
looking
at
our
numbers
specific
to
Buncombe
County,
the
Ami,
for
that
is
probably
the
the
best
metric
that
I
am
leaning
toward,
but
I'm
open
to
other
Commissioners
thoughts.
O
V
B
Know
if
we,
if
we
as
we
think
about
continuing
to
iterate
this
I
mean
if
we
did
have
policies
around
just
making
stuff
up,
but
you
know
kind
of
examples.
But
if
we
said
hey,
you
know
if
you
here's
the
schedule,
but
also
if
a
hundred
percent
of
your
employees
are
paid
a
living
wage.
You
know
you
get
this
boost
right,
so
we
we
sort
of
incentivize
all
these
good
paying
jobs,
but
also,
if
you
commit
to
living
wage
for
all
your
employees,
which
tons
of
our
business
Community
does
that
right.
B
So
so
here's
the
additional
bump
you
get
if
you
are
certified
living
wage,
employee
or,
if
you
say
or
other
kinds
of
equivalent
things
where
all
the
workforce
is
being
I
mean,
hopefully
I
mean
in
the
living
wage,
is
kind
of
a
floor
right.
So
so,
if
you,
if
you
meet
these
criteria,
but
these,
but
a
hundred
percent
of
your
employees
fit
on
this
wage
schedule.
That
would
also
be
great
right
because
I,
don't
it
doesn't
really
I,
don't
have
much
concern
about
supporting
these
particular
incentives.
B
But
again,
if
a
company
comes
in
and
a
lot
of
the
jobs
they
create,
don't
pay
that
well,
then
I'm
a
lot
less
excited
about
providing
any
incentive
for
that
smaller
number
of
jobs
they
do
create.
So
so
I
guess
this
is
just
to
say,
I'll
support
the
area
meeting
income
approach
to
if
we
develop
some
more
policies
that
incentivize
strong
across
the
board.
B
Support
for
employees
at
a
company
I
would
be
open
to
actually
maybe
relaxing
it
a
little
bit,
because
we
know
that
the
companies
were
supporting
really
are
supporting
all
their
workers
in
a
really
strong
way.
But
since
we
don't
have
that
piece
in
there,
yet
I
want
to
make
sure
the
part
we
are
incentivizing
we're
keeping
the
bar
pretty
pretty
high
on
it.
So
I'll
I'll
come
down
on
that
spot,
any
other
thoughts
or
comments
on
the
wage
schedule.
AD
G
Definitely
think
we
can
bring
some
options
forward.
I
would
like
to
do
that
as
part
of
kind
of
that
phase
two
discussion,
if
that's
agreeable
to
commission,
but
there's
no
doubt
that
we
we've
got
some
ideas
and
other
ideas
that
we've
been
contemplating.
You
know,
or
you
know,
commitment
to
a
dynamic
living
wage.
You
know
you
know
today
is
a
lot
different
than
tomorrow.
It
would
need
to
be
for
sure.
So
those
are
the
types
of
things
we'd
love
to
bring
forward
and
we
just
need
to
yeah
spend
some
time
on
it.
O
AB
G
AB
B
Well
said,
okay,
so
the
second
piece
is:
we
need
to
approve
the
recommended
changes
to
the
overall
policy
correct
right.
So
is
there
a
motion
to
approve
the
recommended
changes
to
the
economic
development
policy,
and
that
is
inclusive
of
including
the
area
median
income
for
Buncombe
County
category
as
the
wage
schedule
option
that
we'll
have
in
place?
Second.
L
AB
AE
AE
So
staff
is
recommending
allocating
the
rescinded
coveted
recovery
funds
to
the
ferry
road
infrastructure
project.
To
date,
this
project
has
been
awarded
just
over
4.26
million.
The
project
is
in
need
of
additional
funding
to
support
the
creation
of
an
access
road
to
affordable
housing
on
a
county-owned
property
in
South
Asheville
with
the
additional
718
000.
The
total
award
to
this
project
would
be
four
million
983
332
dollars.
B
A
B
Z
AC
Would
like
to
give
an
update
after
yesterday's
Sports
Commission
meeting,
there's
a
lot
of
information
swirling.
That
is
not
the
complete
story
of
how
we
got
to
where
we
were
yesterday.
So
I
do
want
to
update
that
situation.
As
you
all
know,
the
Buncombe
County
was
one
of
four
founding
members
of
the
sports
commission
13
years
ago.
The
way
that
organization
has
been
structured
is
that
the
four
founding
members
truly
are
the
board
members
and
the
rest
of
the
board.
Members
are
essentially
Advisory
board
members,
there's
a
lot
of
challenges
with
that.
AC
It
is
not
a
traditional
non-profit
board
structure
and
it
has
left
a
lot
of
decision
making
in
the
power
or
in
the
hands
of
four
four
members.
The
sports
commission
was
essentially
organized
as
a
way
to
bring
visitors
into
Buncombe
County
through
January,
February
and
March.
When
traditionally,
our
tourism
numbers
were
very
very
low,
so
it
was
brought
into
the
county
to
increase
tourism.
AC
So
these
two
things
really
do
go
together
and
because
of
the
structure
of
the
founding
members
in
June
of
2022,
the
founding
members
met
met
with
the
board
chair
and
the
interim
executive
director
of
the
sports
commission
to
talk
about
what
a
sustainable
model
moving
forward
would
look
like.
We
agreed
that
we
would
assess
the
current
structure
and
the
bylaws
of
the
organization.
We
would
analyze
the
current
funding
model,
as
well
as
optimizing
board
and
staff
and
identifying
critical
relationships.
So
the
sports
commission
can
continue
to
be
successful.
AC
The
chair,
Mr
zubrod
and
now
interim
executive
director
Chris
Smith,
were
present
at
that
meeting
and
agreed
to
the
assessment
they
agreed
to
allowing
explore
Asheville
to
fund
the
assessment,
because
the
Sports
Commission
budget
could
not
handle
the
cost.
Everyone
was
on
board
with
that
at
that
time,
Chris
Smith,
who
is
still
the
interim
executive
director,
agreed
to
provide
options
for
Consultants
to
put
out
rfps
to
he
did
that
work.
The
RFP
went
out.
Two
rfps
came
back.
AC
They
were
from
Sports
tourism
Consultants
because,
as
I
said,
the
sports
commission
is
sports
tourism,
so
they
were
Sports.
Tourism
Consultants,
the
four
founding
members,
participated
in
the
interview
process,
along
with
the
board
chair
and
Chris
Smith.
Ultimately,
we
chose
to
select
the
huddle
up
group
at
the
request
of
the
board
chair
and
Chris
Smith.
That
was
their
preference.
We
agreed
to
it
because
they
were
going
to
be
the
ones
that
had
to
work
very
closely
with
John
and
the
huddle
up
group
I
want
to
say
again.
AC
This
was
not
an
effort
for
explore
Asheville
to
grab
power
from
the
sports
Commission
of
Asheville
and
Buncombe
County.
As
has
been
reported,
it
truly
was
to
look
at
the
structure
and
the
sustainability
of
the
sports
commission
moving
forward.
When
the
sports
commission
was
created,
three
of
the
four
funding
Partners
were
equal
funding
Partners
at
forty
five
thousand
dollars
a
year.
AC
Buncombe
County
and
the
City
of
Asheville
have
remained
forty
five
thousand
dollars.
Supporters
of
the
sports
commission,
UNC
Asheville,
was
an
in-kind
facility
sponsor
for
the
organization
explore
Asheville
has
increased
their
funding
from
forty
five
thousand
dollars
to
two
hundred
and
thirty
thousand
a
year
on
a
three
hundred
and
forty
thousand
dollar
annual
budget.
AC
They
were
here
in
April.
They
prevent
presented
their
findings
and
their
recommendations
from
the
beginning.
They
made
it
very
clear
that
they
are
usually
traditionally
supporters
of
stand-alone,
independent
Sports
commissions.
However,
based
on
their
work,
their
research,
they
spent
a
number
of
hours
interviewing
some
of
you,
as
well
as
others,
across
Buncombe
County.
They
determined
that
that
was
not
in
the
best
interest
of
the
sports
commission
to
maintain
long-term
viability
and
sustainability.
AC
Ultimately,
this
decision
did
have
to
come
back
to
the
founding
members.
We
put
a
pause
button
on
it.
There
was
a
lot
of
consternation
and
questions
as
I've
previously
reported
after
that
meeting
and
additional
listening
sessions
were
scheduled,
took
a
lot
of
input
so
much
so
that
we
then
agree
to
create
a
task
force.
Who
would
delve
in
deeper
to
looking
at
the
recommendations
as
to
whether
or
not
the
sports
commission
should
maintain
its
independence
or
move
to
a
blended
model,
which
is
what
the
Durham
Sports
commission
currently
looks
like?
AC
So
that
was
one
model
that
was
looked
at.
I
do
want
to
thank
Tim
love
from
Buncombe
County,
who
serves
as
an
ex-officio
of
the
sports
commission
board,
who
did
step
up
to
serve
as
the
Buncombe
County
representative
on
the
task
force.
So
thank
you
Tim.
He
spent
an
exorbitant
amount
of
time
and
hours
with
this
task
force
and
it
took
by
allowing
Tim
to
serve
in
this
role.
AC
It
really
did
take
a
lot
of
the
politics
out
of
this
kind
of
decision,
because
truly
political
decisions
should
not
be
made
in
this
Arena,
at
least
for
more
I
sit.
That's
what
I
believe
at
yesterday's
Sports
commission
board
meeting.
As
has
been
reported,
the
two
two
models
were
brought
forward:
much
discussion,
10
voting
members
did
choose
to
abstain
from
voting
to
maintain
Independence
or
moving
to
a
blended
model:
full
disclosure.
AC
As
a
founding
member
and
a
founding
vote
next
week,
I
did
choose
to
abstain,
as
did
all
founding
members,
so
the
current
Advisory
Board
did
vote
to
maintain
Independence
and
not
move
under
a
blended
model
under
explore
Asheville.
This
will
then
come
under
advisory
next
week
to
the
founding
members,
and
we
will
make
some
decisions
from
there
I'm
happy
to
answer
questions,
but
I
really
did
feel
like
we
needed
a
little
bit
of
a
historical
perspective
on
how
we
got
here
and
information
that
has
not
been
brought
forward
through
various
channels.
AC
B
On
October
3rd
at
3
pm,
the
County
Commissioners
will
hold
a
briefing
meeting
at
300
at
200
College
Street
room
326
in
downtown
Asheville
on
October
3rd
at
5
PM.
The
County
Commissioners
will
hold
their
regular
meeting
at
200
College
Street
room
326
in
downtown
Asheville.
Is
there
a
motion
to
adjourn
all
in
favor,
say
aye
aye
any
opposed
or
adjourned.