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From YouTube: Commissioners Briefing (June 15, 2021)
Description
Briefing of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for June 15, 2021. The purpose of the briefings are to hear about upcoming agenda items and for the board to discuss County business with staff. No official actions take place during the briefings.
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
As
vaccination
rates
increase,
our
metrics
continue
to
fall
and
show
an
overall
continued
downward
trend,
and
so
compared
to
the
last
time
I
saw
you.
The
percent
positivity
showed
a
modest
decrease
just
since
last
week
and
our
weekly
testing
numbers
decreased
as
we
approached
memorial
day
and
beyond,
and
it's
likely
to
stay
in
that
area.
If
not
go
down
a
little
bit
more.
B
Our
covet
deaths
per
100
000
population
per
week
remained
low
and
stable,
and
our
local
hospital
data
remained
very
low
as
well
as
of
last
week.
Buncombe
county
hhs
and
our
em
partners
had
administered
over
95
300
vaccines
and
about
52
percent
of
our
total
population
in
buncombe,
county
has
received
at
least
one
dose
of
vaccine
and
that's
compared
to
44
percent
of
the
total
population
of
north
carolina.
B
B
And
then
the
biggest
news
and
vaccine
efforts
came
from
the
governor
last
week
when
he
announced
the
your
shot
at
a
million
statewide
vaccine
incentive,
four
vaccinated,
north
carolinians,
18
and
older
will
win
1
million
dollars.
Each
and
four
north
carolinians
aged
12
to
17
will
win
tuition
for
post-secondary
education,
the
4
million
summer
cash
and
summer
cash
for
college
drawings
will
run
from
june
23rd
through
august
4th.
B
That
became
very,
very
used
early
on
in
our
vaccine
efforts
and
special
gratitude
to
clint
gorman
and
kevin
mills
of
ap
tech
for
assisting
us
day
to
day
with
the
things
that
we
needed
over
there
at
ab
tech.
We
can
continue
to
see
that
the
greatest
portion
of
our
time
in
vaccine
right
now
is
our
outreach
efforts.
B
We
continue
to
work
with
community
centers,
neighborhoods,
community-based
organizations,
workplaces,
recreation,
schools
and
many
other
locations,
and
in
the
last
month
we
have
planned,
facilitated
and
or
implemented
18
different
events
reaching
over
for
about
440
individuals
in
order
to
vaccinate
our
community
just
through
outreach,
and
just
so
folks
can
see
it
off
to
the
side.
Our
upcoming
events,
that
include
things
like
breweries
and
job
fairs,
and
community
community
centers
and
work
sites,
and
even
some
of
our
schools.
So
just
to
give
you
an
idea
of
of
what
we're
planning
and
where
we'll
be.
B
And
just
to
remind
folks
that
there
are
many,
many
reasons
to
get
vaccinated,
but
most
important
is
to
protect
yourself.
The
increasing
vaccine
rates
have
helped
decrease
the
transmission
of
cova
19
in
our
community
and
around
the
state,
and
so
whatever
your
reason,
there
is
a
spot
for
you.
We
just
want
to
keep
reminding
folks
that
the
covet
19
vaccine
is
readily
available
in
our
community.
B
Each
vaccine
that
is
administered
is
bringing
summer
back
and
bringing
us
closer
to
our
normal
lives.
Each
one
is
bringing
back
fun
and
laughs
and
family
and
friends.
So
if
you
are
not
vaccinated
yet,
please
remember
to
continue
to
follow
the
precautions.
While
cases
are
low
and
transmission
is
low,
the
virus
is
still
circulating.
B
The
overwhelming
majority
of
new
cases
in
the
last
month,
statewide
have
been
in
those
who
are
not
vaccinated,
so
the
risk
is
still
there
for
you
and
please
consider
getting
your
vaccine
additionally
nationally.
The
hospitalization
rates
for
those
that
are
not
vaccinated
is
as
high
as
it
was
three
months
ago.
B
So,
please
again,
the
risk
is
still
present
for
those
who
are
not
protected,
vaccinations
have
helped
us
reduce
the
number
of
cases
helped
and
please
continue
to
help
us
rid
covet
19
by
getting
your
shot.
Lastly,
I
just
wanted
to
say
that
this
will
be
our
last
formal
covet,
19
briefing
to
the
board
and
to
the
public.
B
B
But
at
this
time
indicators
are
low
and
favorable
and,
as
I
said,
we'll
continue
to
monitor
them
daily
and
weekly
and
provide
a
weekly
update
to
our
command
center
and
to
the
county
manager.
We
do
reserve
the
ability
to
reinstate
those
briefings.
Should
we
see
a
significant
change
in
those
indicators
using
the
data
to
continue
to
drive
our
decisions.
B
So
many
thanks
to
the
folks
behind
the
scenes
that
have
made
all
these
briefings
happen,
including
stacy,
wood
max
taner,
cassie
day
ben
atkins,
brandon,
romstadt
and
lillian
govis,
who
is
here
with
us,
and
thanks
to
our
spanish
interpreters
and
our
american
sign
language
interpreters,
who
have
beautifully
kept
up
with
the
changing
pace
of
the
way.
I
talk,
so
I
appreciate
them
very
much
and
thank
you
to
our
media
partners
who
have
covered
all
these
briefings
and
provided
information
to
the
community
and
to
all
of
you
who
have
been
watching
and
listening
from
day
one.
B
We
really
do
appreciate
you
all
sticking
it
out
with
us
and
coming
to
each
one
of
these
briefings
either
now
in
person
or
virtually
so,
please
remember.
While
yes,
our
metrics
look
favorable
a
lot
of
that
is
because
buncombe
county
and
the
people
here
made
a
commitment
to
fighting
this
virus
with
following
the
precautions
and
now
taking
their
shot.
B
B
B
A
Can
the
the
general
like
the
general
dynamic,
is
that,
like
for
folks
who
are
being
vaccinated,
what
we're
seeing
is
that
it
doesn't
mean
that
you're
technically
immune
from
contracting
covet
you're
much
less
likely
to,
but
you
are
very
much
less
likely
to
become
seriously
ill
from
it
right
like
if
you're
much
less
likely
to
get
it.
And
if
you
do
it's
much
much
more
likely,
it
will
be
only
a
mild
symptoms,
as
opposed
to
potentially
a
serious,
a
serious
health
threat.
That's.
B
Correct
so
just
a
reminder
that
no
vaccine
is
100,
so
there's
always
going
to
be
a
small
portion
of
folks
who
may
still
contract
an
illness
and,
as
you
said,
the
vaccine
trials
and
the
research
that's
been
done
so
far
shows
us
that
if
you
do,
your
risk
of
severe
illness
is
very,
very
low
and
your
risk
of
hospitalization
and
death
is
extremely
low.
All
right.
Thank
you.
D
A
D
D
A
A
E
So
really,
our
purpose
is
designed
to
assist
preserving
home
ownership
for
low-income
households
in
areas
where
property
values
are
increasing,
and
this
program
really
aligns
with
the
county's
strategic
plan
with
three
important
pieces.
Aligned
with
vibrant
economy,
which
is
around
affordable.
Housing
is
a
piece
of
that.
It
aligns
with
educated
and
capable
community
where
aging
in
place
is
a
is
a
strategy
under
that,
and
certainly
around
equity,
because
that's
a
foundational
focus
area
for
the
county's
strategic
plan.
E
So
existing
homeowner
grants
that
ex
already
exist
in
north
carolina.
What
we'll
talk
about
too,
I
believe
there's
probably
four
right
now
that
exists.
The
the
two
I
want
to
talk
about
are
the
city
of
durham
and
that
it's
called
a
long-term
homeowner
grant
and
it's
targeted
specifically
to
certain
nader
neighborhoods,
where
they've
done
a
lot
of
revitalization
efforts
and
property
values
increased
in
those
neighborhoods
tremendously.
E
E
E
The
other
piece
of
that
that
we
decided
on
if
people
are
already
receiving
services
through
hhs,
because
we'll
administer
this
program
through
hhs,
we'll
deem
them
categorically
eligible
income
wise
for
the
program.
So
we
wouldn't
require
proof
of
income,
because
we
already
have
that
with
some
of
the
programs
that
they're
applying
for
through
hhs
and
80
is
actually
higher
than
most
of
the
programs
we
administer.
E
E
And
then
we
did
build
an
appeals
process.
So
if
someone
is
denied
access
to
this
program,
they
can
appeal
to
hhs
and
we'll
do
a
local
hearing
from
an
impartial
person
and
then
the
income
limits
are
at
the
bottom,
which
is
80
percent
of
ami.
If
you'll
notice
a
family
of
four,
that's
sixty
thousand
one
hundred.
E
F
F
This
program
excludes
the
first
25
000
or
50
percent
of
the
property
value
from
taxation,
the
greater
of
the
two,
the
greater
of
25,
000
or
50.
The
second
one
is
the
disabled,
veteran
exclusion.
There
is
no
income
threshold
for
this
one.
There
is
also
no
age
limitation
for
this
one.
The
the
applicant
must
have
a
service
related
disability
and
it
excludes
the
first
forty
five
thousand
dollars
of
property
value
from
taxation.
F
F
If
the
income
is
up
to
forty
seven
thousand
two
hundred
fifty
dollars,
the
property
tax
would
not
exceed
five
percent
of
that
income.
So
if
there's
property
tax
that
does
exceed
the
the
four
percent
and
five
percent
it
is
deferred.
So
it
still
remains
a
lien
on
the
property
if
that
participant
is
disqualified
from
that
program,
for
example,
if
the
the
property
changes
hands,
those
deferrals
become
due
for
three
years.
So,
if
they're
in
the
program
for
a
longer
period
of
time,
we
can
only
collect
the
most
recent
three
years
of
deferrals.
F
F
So
the
proposed
grant
program
the
homeowner
grant
is
the
income
threshold
is
80
percent
of
ami
no
age
or
other
criteria.
In
addition
to
what
philip
mentioned
and
then
the
grant
amount
would
be
up
to
one
thousand
dollars
and
we've
also
included
on
this
slide.
The
80
percent
of
ami
table
that
you
saw
previously.
E
A
E
E
E
Amount-
and
the
last
example
is
the
city
of
asheville,
someone
who
does
not
live
in
the
city
schools,
tax
district,
so
their
increase
was
fifty
thousand
five
hundred
dollars.
201
of
that
is
the
county
increase.
191
is
the
cities,
and
so
their
total
increase
is
393,
and
that
would
be
their
grant
amount
because
the
city
contributing
toward
the
city
increase.
E
E
We'll
come
back
to
the
board
of
commissioners
on
july,
the
13th
for
the
adoption
of
the
policy
and
also
the
mou
local
agreement
with
the
city
of
asheville
tax
bills
will
go
out
in
august
and
we
will
make
sure
that
there
is
a
flyer
about
the
program
and
all
tax
bills
that
go
out
and
then
september
through
november.
We'll
try
to
we'll
coordinate
with
county
communications
about
outreach
about
this
program
that
exists.
A
To
address
the
rising
cost
of
test
living
in
the
county,
and
particularly
as
it
affects
some
of
our
lower
income,
homeowners
and
residents,
so
there's
not
a
lot
of
places
attempting
this
in
this
part
of
the
world,
but
there
are
some.
You
mentioned
mecklenburg,
county
and
durham,
and
so
I'm
glad
we're
looking
at
those
counties
to
learn
from
what
they're
doing
and
seeing
how
they're
structuring
it.
A
But
there
are
a
number
of
different
ways:
it
could
be
structured
right,
I
mean
there's.
This
is
kind
of
one
concept.
There
could
be
others
as
well,
and
I
guess
I
would
just
say,
like
you
know
I
would
be,
I
would
be
maybe
looking
at
other
potential
structures
as
well.
I
mean
some
of
the
things
that
we,
I
think
we
know
from
some
of
the
other
communities
that
are
doing
this
is
that
they've
had
trouble
really
getting
participation
in
them.
A
So
just
you
know,
I
just
wanted
to
kind
of
raise
that
as
an
idea
or
a
question
to
think
about.
Since
we're
still
in
the
very
form
of
this
new
policy,
as
looking
at
different
potential
ways
to
you
know
to
structure
it
so
anyway,
those
are
just
a
few
comments
I
wanted
to
to
share
and
ask
for
consideration
of,
as
we
sort
of
continue
to
mold
this
new
program,
one
one
other.
I
guess
this
is
a
question.
A
A
new
program-
we
don't,
I
feel
like-
have
the
information
at
this
time
to
get
a
sense
for
if
we
had
a
high
level
of
participation
from
folks
who
are
eligible
based
on
the
income
criteria,
then
how
much
funding
would
need
to
be
appropriated
to
to
provide
sort
of
a
standard
kind
of
relief
to
most
of
those
folks
is
300
000
gonna
reach
most
of
those
folks.
Would
we
find
that
like?
In
fact,
you
would
need
to
appropriate
quite
a
bit
more
to
prepare
for
that?
A
That's
something
that
you
know
short
of
running
the
program
for
the
first
year.
We
could
potentially
get
a
better
sense
of
like
I've
heard
the
staff
mention,
like
you
know,
for
folks
who
already
qualify
for
medicaid
right
if
you're
already
qualifying
for
medicaid
and
you're
a
homeowner,
then
our
expectation
is
you
would
qualify
for
this
program
unless
you
perhaps
already
qualify
for
one
of
the
other
programs.
But
is
there
a
way
over
the
coming
weeks
would
be.
A
A
Okay,
so
that
we
won't
re,
we
won't
really
know
until
we
run
for
a
year
or
there's
not
that
we
don't
have
the
existing
data
in-house
that's
publicly
accessible
to
us,
essentially
pre-identify
a
high
percentage
of
the
households
in
buncombe
county
who
would
be
eligible
for
participating
in
such
a
program.
We.
E
An
example
people
who
are
receiving
our
programs,
we
capture
rental
data
or
mortgage
data
on
some
of
the
cases.
Not
all
of
them
depends
on
the
program,
but
you
can't
filter
it
out,
because
when
you
look
in
the
system,
it's
just
showing
as
a
deduction
of
some
some
way
shape
or
form.
It's
not
saying
it's
rent
or
it's
it's
a
mortgage.
G
I'm
just
curious
how,
if
we
can't
do
chairman
newman's
suggestion,
how
do
we
ensure
that
we
are
providing
equitable
access
to
the
funds
to
the
folks
who
you
know
that
we've
heard
well,
I
didn't
know
I
could
appeal
my
property
tax
value.
I
didn't
know
these
things
were
available.
How
do
we
ensure
that
we
are
reaching
those
populations
in
our
community
to
assist
them.
E
D
G
A
The
the
one
other
idea,
I've
heard
some
folks
in
the
community
you
know
raise
around
this
idea.
It's
another
another
way
to
administer
it,
which
I
think
would
be
have
the
advantage
of
like
the
most
simple
system.
It
would
all
be
as
far
as
minor
saying
would
be
all
be
publicly
accessible.
Data
would
be
to
focus
the
kind
of
grants
not
based
on
income
criteria
but
based
on
home
valuation.
So
you
know
lower
value
homes,
intuitively
you're,
reaching
a
lot
more.
You
know
low
income
households.
A
However,
it
would
seem
that
the
flaw
in
that
approach
or
the
downside
of
that
approach-
is
that,
because
would
be
that
you
know
there
could
be
some
folks
who
actually
have
very
high
income,
but
maybe
they
own
a
second
home.
So
and
through
such
a
program,
you
might
be.
You
know,
providing
the
grants
to
very
affluent
folks
who
just
happen
to
own
another
property.
That's
you
know
not
their
primary
residence,
but
has
that
been?
Has
that
been
looked
at
as
a
possible
idea?
E
So
I
think,
there's
time
now
to
really
fine-tune
what
we
do
administratively
you'd
be
correct.
It
was
much
easier,
you
know,
set
a
grant
amount
would
be
much
easier
administratively.
So
there's
lots
of
things.
I
think
that
you
can
do
to
make
it
make
it
easier
for
not
only
staff
but
for
the
people
who
are
applying.
A
Well,
I
would
just
say
I
mean
I'm
glad
we're
looking
at
the
other
communities
that
are
doing
it,
because,
obviously
we
can
learn
from
from
that,
but
I
would
just
say
you
know:
let's
look
at
all
ideas,
and
you
know
we're
if
there
are
other
approaches
that
that
might
be
different
from
what
other
communities
are
doing.
But
if
the
sense
is
that
they
have
real
advantages,
you
know
I
hope
we
would
be
open
to
maybe
doing
things
a
little
bit
differently
if
we
think
it
might
achieve
our
our
goals.
H
I'll
just
add,
I
I
think
it's
a
great
idea
to
be
exploring
different
aspects
of
this
and
how
to
go
forward.
I
do
think
it's
really
important
that
we
focus
on
the
primary
residents
and
whatever
we
do
and
that
we
ensure
that
we're
addressing
that
and
that
it's
county-wide
and
whatever
the
parameters
are.
I
think
those
are
two
really
key
aspects.
I
J
I
think
just
reinforcing
it,
commissioner
edward
I'm
too
loud.
No
one
needs
that
reinforcing
what
commissioner
edwards
said.
If
we
can
have
that
sort
of
real-time
feedback
loop
around
the
access
piece,
the
equity
piece,
the
you
know,
are
we
seeing
utilization?
What
kind
of
feedback
are
we
getting
on
that
front
and
being
able
to
make
the
kind
of
quick
nimble
adaptations
that
certainly
our
staff
has
made
with?
J
I
want
to
just
thank
staff.
You
know
I
mean
it
was
not
that
long
ago,
at
a
budget
work
session,
where
this
kind
of
got
teed
up
as
a
request
and
appreciate
the
hard
work
and
research
you
all
have
done
to
come
back
with
something,
that's
substantive
and
and
just
before
we
close
out
this
conversation.
I
think
the
one
other
piece
I'd
like
to
to
just
make
sure
we
throw
in
the
mix
of
this
discussion.
This
feels
like
a
good
and
strategic
near-term
way
to
address
concerns.
J
C
And
I
I
would
like
to
thank
the
staff
too
for
a
job
well
done,
but
I
want
to
caution
you.
You
know
I'm
familiar
with
mecklenburg
and
durham
county.
As
a
matter
of
fact,
I
spent
a
lot
of
time
in
durham
and
have
good
friends
there
now,
but
it's
not
they're,
not
buncombe
county
and
let's
make
sure
that
we
really
come
up
with
a
program
that
are
going
to
help
the
people
in
buncombe
county
because
we're
unique
in
a
lot
of
ways.
C
You
know
where
it
comes
from
income.
Even
when
you
look
at
how
fast
our
property
values
have
been
going
up.
You
know
you
look
at
the
pandemic.
We
were
one
of
the
areas
in
the
country
that
kept
going
up.
We
didn't
go
down,
but
let's
be
sure
that
we
gear
this
to
where
we
get
the
biggest
bang
for
our
buck
here
in
buncombe
county.
I
don't
yeah,
that's
my
concern.
I
don't
you
know.
Durham
yeah
town
is
fine
mecklenburg
too,
but
then
not
buncombe
county.
Unless
you
remember
that.
E
And
I
think
to
your
point
that
that's
a
good
point
and
a
point
that
commissioner
newman
made
about
that
those
programs
are
traditionally
been
underutilized
and
and
back
to
the
point
about
making
sure
that
we're
looking
at
who's
applying
and
I
think
in
those
counties
what
they
did
was
maybe
built
the
program
and
put
it
on
their
website.
And
maybe
that
was
it.
E
K
K
Next
slide,
so
just
to
remind
you
of
what
the
vision
from
staff
was
for
the
steering
committee,
we
wanted.
Our
vision
for
the
steering
committee
would
be
a
diverse
representative
group,
diverse
across
age,
race,
job
sector,
geography,
ability
and
language,
but
also
a
steering
committee
that
represented
the
components
that
were
were
outlined
in
the
rfp
for
the
for
the
comprehensive
plan.
So
some
of
those
things,
farmland
and
food
hazard
mitigation,
tourism,
critical
facilities
parks.
K
So
we
we
would
request-
or
we
would
like
a
high
school
student
and
a
college
student
to
be
on
that
committee.
So,
with
that
in
mind,
we
started
the
application
process.
Next
slide,
we
advertised
over
numerous
platforms
and
we
kept
that
application
open.
For
two
weeks,
we
received
111
total
applications,
which
was
a
a
great
number
staff
then
went
through
and
reviewed
all
those
applications
and
we've
provided
not
only
those
applications
to
the
commissioners,
but
we've
provided
a
list
of
30
recommended
application.
K
K
What
we
found
since
we
got
so
many
applications
is
that
they
were
diverse,
geographically
racially
age
wise
and
they
included
numerous
high
school
students.
We
got
four
high
school
student
applications,
which
I
thought
was
great
and
is
your
your
feel
good
fact
of
the
day
about
the
youth
in
buncombe
county.
K
So
what
staff
did
with
those
111
applications?
Is
we
had
three
evaluators
separately
rank
and
score
those
applications,
and
we
we
gave
points
for
professional
experience,
affiliation
or
real
world
experience.
So,
for
example,
you
might
have
someone
who
works
for
a
a
agency
that
works
with
farmers
or
you
might
have
someone
who's
an
actual
farmer.
K
You
might
have
someone
who
works
for
an
affordable
housing
developer
or
you
might
have
someone
who
has
gone
through
an
and
applied
for
and
been
granted
affordable
housing.
We
thought
both
of
those
types
of
experience
were
very
poor,
very
important
and
we
looked
at
them
the
same
way.
We
also
looked
at
long-term
residency
in
the
county.
We
didn't
specifically
ask
that
in
the
application,
but
in
a
lot
of
the
narratives
that
were
provided,
we
got
a
lot
of
applicants
who
had
been
in
the
county.
K
Then
we
looked
at
component
areas
and
I'll
tell
you
right
away
the
two
component
areas
that
were
sort
of
missing
in
that
top
23
scores
were
critical
facilities
and
tourism.
So
then
we
moved
seven
applications
to
that.
30
recommended
ones
that
hit
that
critical
facilities
component
and
that
tourism
concept
component
and
you
can
see
sort
of
by
the
graphic
representation
for
diversity
and
an
area
of
the
county.
It's
a
pretty
diverse
group
that
we've
provided
you
with.
K
M
Concurrency
management
is
just
a
fancy
way
of
saying,
as
we
plan
for
the
future.
We
keep
an
eye
on
how
much
service
we
need
in
all
the
different
areas
that
we
might
grow
so
making
sure
that
we
have
enough
police
and
fire
protection
in
schools
in
some
states.
It's
actually
a
requirement
that
you
do
that
as
north
carolina
continues
to
evolve
and
our
population
increases
through
160d.
M
We
know
that
comprehensive
plan
is
required
to
have
a
zoning
ordinance,
but
it's
a
smart
way
to
plan
and
make
sure
that
we
grow
in
an
equitable
way
and
make
sure
that
we
have
enough
library
coverage
and
that's
you
know,
you've
been
working
through
the
exercise.
We've
been
doing
the
sort
of
the
analysis
of
all
county
facilities.
So
it's
just
an
eye
on
that.
As
you
enter
the
process
of
looking
holistically
at
how
all
the
systems
work.
K
So
the
one
I
remember
was
a
was
a
local
engineer
who
had
worked
on.
I
mean
that
was
a
hard
one
and
that's
probably
why
it
was
missing
the
one.
I
remember
that
we
moved
up
into
that
list
of
seven
was
a
local
engineer
who
had
worked
on
big
utility
infrastructure
projects,
but
there
weren't
many
of
those
for
critical
facilities.
M
M
I
A
L
A
great
profile
of
these
folks
for
the
tasks
ahead
of
us.
What
couple
things
stood
out
to
me
in
terms
of
what's
missing
the
first
one
being
it
seems
like
there's
lots
of
green
greenway
interested
folks
in
the
industry
and
those
advocacy
groups.
So
that's
great,
I
didn't
see
no
one
stood
out
to
me
as
a
as
a
bicycle
or
pedestrian
advocate
and,
as
we
all
know,
this
is
ncdot's
world.
Just
we
just
live
in
it.
I
feel
like
it's
important,
that
we
that
we
have
a
bike
head
advocate
on
this.
K
I'm
trying
to
think,
and
it
was
111
applications.
So
I
might
not
remember
there
was
one
applicant
who
was
moved
into
who
or
who's
in
the
top
23
who
owns
a
tourism
bike
touring
company.
But
if
I'm
thinking
like
like
asheville
on
bikes,
I'm
not
sure
that
we
hit
that
again
111
applications.
So
I
might
have
forgotten.
H
M
M
No,
I
mean
you've
also
got
your
expertise
of
your
professional
planning
staff-
that's
here
and
and
qualified,
and
and
certainly
the
degrees
in
the
program
that
we
have
in
our
department
reflect
some
of
those
areas
that
might
be
missing
and
certainly
there's
the
opportunity.
You
know
if
there
are
concerns
that
sort
of
bubble
up
having
that
conversation
with
the
consultant
to
bring
on
an
additional
person,
they
have
plenty
of
assets
at
their
fingertips
and
whether
that
be
to
reach
out
to
somebody
local
in
an
area
we
identify
again
there's
flexibility
here.
K
And
I
would
just
like
to
say
I
would
like
to
thank
communications
and
also
soil
and
water
and
cooperative
extension.
They
helped
us
reach
numerous
people,
soil
and
water
and
cooperative
extension,
the
more
rural
parts
of
the
county,
and
then
communications
did
a
great
job
reaching
out
and
making
sure
that
our
sometimes
underrepresented
communities
got
the
application
and
applied.
So
I
just
wanted
to
thank
them
for
their
hard
work.
Getting
us
111
applications.
I
M
K
H
H
D
H
H
A
A
Just
for
conversation,
not
necessarily
making
decisions
tonight,
but
I
guess
one
question
would
be:
I
mean
one
option
in
terms
of
process
would
be
to
say:
let's
interview,
everyone
who's
recommended
on
the
recommended
list,
plus
I
would
say,
unless
the
numbers
start
getting
crazy.
I
would
my
starting
point
would
be
to
kind
of
say
you
know
to
the
anybody
else
on
the
list
who
you
really
feel
strongly
you'd
like
to
see
interviewed
then
just
just
say
so
and
we'll
put
them
on
the
interview
list
too.
A
Now,
if
all
of
a
sudden
we
have
70
interviews,
we
might
need
to
say:
okay,
wait
a
second
we
gotta,
we've
got
it.
We
got
to
like
dial
it
back
a
little
bit,
but
maybe
that
should
be
our
people.
Think
that's
a
good
starting
point
is
interview
the
recommended
list,
plus
any
additional
applicants
that
any
commissioners
feel
strongly
they'd
like
to
have
an
interview
with,
let's
see
where
the
numbers
land
once
we
do
that,
and
as
long
as
we
haven't
run
the
numbers
up
a
lot,
then
that'll
kind
of
be
the
plan.
A
A
N
N
A
N
N
A
But
we're
definitely
going
to
be
looking
at
like
a
couple
of
days
right
I
mean
that
doesn't
necessarily
mean
like
all
day
on
a
couple
days,
but
we,
I
don't
think
we're
going
to
get
this
all
done
in
one
day
we're
going
to
need
a
couple
days
at
least
parts
of
a
couple
days.
So
when
I
don't
know
I'm
just
jiminy,
if
I
have
any
suggestions
for
when
we
want
to
select
these
day
day
one
day
two.
A
N
A
D
A
A
M
N
If
I,
if
I
can
mention
one
other
thing
with
the
diverse
applicants,
we
also
got
to
think
about
what
time
frames.
We
schedule
these
interviews
because,
depending
upon
who
you're
interviewing,
especially
you
know-
and
it
will
be
summer
so
vacation.
So
if
we
can
allow
as
much
time
as
possible
ahead
of
time
on
who
we
want
to
interview
that
will
definitely
help.
A
D
A
Lot
of
things
that
way,
so
I
don't
want
to
come
kind
of
completely
close
the
door
on
using
that.
In
some
cases
I
mean
if
we
pick
dates
and
there's
somebody
who's,
terrific,
but
they're
out
of
town
on
a
family
vacation.
I
certainly
don't
want
to
exclude
them
either.
So
are
people
open
to
providing
folks
that
option
if
that
is
what
they
would.
I
As
you
start
thinking
about
this
project,
a
question
has
come
from
our
equity
and
inclusion.
Work
group
is
around
the
idea
of
stipends
for
our
board
members,
as
this
project
is
probably
going
to
be
a
two-year
stint
at
its
very
condensed
times.
They've
asked
us
to
think
about
that.
So
we
don't
have
a
policy
in
place
yet,
but
just
know
that
that
is
something
that
we're
thinking
about
to
at
least
start
with
this
process.
I
A
I
think
it's
a
good
conversation
to
have.
You
know,
I
think
it's
in
some
ways
it's
kind
of
a
sort
of
a
new
idea,
but
it's
one.
I
think
it's
getting
more
attention
at
first.
You
know
my
reaction
to
it
was
kind
of
well
gosh
people
volunteer
right,
but
you
know
that's
probably
coming
from
a
pretty
like
affluent
point
of
view,
to
share
that,
because
not
everyone,
you
know
not
everyone
has
the
time
frankly,
to
just
been
uncompensated
for
these
long
endeavors.
P
P
I
would
like
to
suggest
that
each
commissioner
could
pick
maybe
three
that
they're
really
really
know
they
understand
what
they
are.
I
mean
I
think
staff
has
got
some
great
names,
but
there's
some
that
I've
recognized
that
are
not
on
there
that
I
would
like
to
talk
to
and
maybe
pass
forward.
You
know
I
would
like
someone
to
represent
me
as
well.
A
A
A
So,
commissioner,
presley
just
kind
of
like
reset
like
make
sure
I'm
hearing
your
idea
correctly,
the
idea
would
be
to
basically,
if,
like
there's
someone,
maybe
one
or
two
or
whatever
their
number
is
where
the
commissioners
would
say.
I
really
think
we
ought
to
have
that
person
on
this
steering
committee
that
we
would
go
ahead
and
like
appoint
those
and
then
and
then
like
kind
of
get
through
the
kind
of
group
process
on
the
remaining
number.
A
A
P
A
Commissioners,
I'm
open
to
it,
it's
just
kind
of
a
new
idea,
so
I
don't
I
kind
of
feel
like
a
little
bit
reluctant
to
like
give
you
a
decisive
answer,
but
it
doesn't
mean.
I
don't
think
it's
an
interesting
idea.
I
mean,
I
think
you
know
I
don't
know
I
mean
I
think
it's
worth
considering,
but
I'm
not
sure
I've
got
my
mind
made
up
just
on
the
spot,
but
it
would
get
part
of
the
decision
making
done
well.
D
A
P
L
A
You
know
I
was,
I
was
into
the
committee
idea
to
streamline
this,
but
I
did
not
persuade
all
of
you
to
that
which
is
fine.
You
know
I
would
I
mean
I
would
say
personally
I'd
be
open
to
the
idea
of
each
commissioner
selecting
one
person
I
mean
if
there's
one
person
you
just
feel
like.
I
really
believe
that
person
should
be
on
this
to
me.
That
actually
seems
pretty
reasonable.
A
I
wouldn't
want
to
do
any
more
than
that,
though,
because
then
we
would
be
kind
of
starting
to
talk
about,
like
you
know,
a
high
percentage
of
the
overall
people
being
selected
simply
by
like
an
individual
commissioner.
So
to
me
that
would
seem
like
a
bit
a
bit
too
too
much
of
a
percentage
of
that.
But
if,
but
if
we
said
hey,
let's
have
one,
commissioner,
you
can
go
ahead
and
select
the
person
you
want
to
make
sure
definitely
is
on
there.
Then
we'd
have
seven
people
appointed
we'd
still
have
another.
A
L
P
L
D
P
I
I
honestly
believe,
with
the
board
we've
got
and
as
diverse
as
we
are
that
we
all
need
you
know.
Two-Thirds
of
this
committee
was
put
up
by
us
that
someone
we
can
talk
to
regularly.
You
know
that
we
want
to
speak
with
and
we
we
understand
where
they're
at
I
mean
you
know,
let's
don't
make
it
political
is
what
I
guess
I'm
trying
to
say
is:
let's
open
this
up,
because
this
is
very
important
to
everyone
in
buckingham
county
to
me.
L
I
hear
you
and
I
think,
I'm
okay
with
the
one.
The
one
person
suggestion
you
have
at
the
end
of
the
day.
What's
most
important
to
me
is
that
we
have
people
that
care
passionately
about
all
these
different
categories
that
that
staff
put
up
and
because
because
that's
what
it's
about,
you
know
it's
about:
affordable
housing
and
transportation
and
and
the
economy
and
mobility
and
all
those
different,
those
different
things.
And
so,
if
we
don't
have
professionals
or
advocates
in
the
room
for
those
things
that
they
might
not,
it
might
fall
by
the
wayside.
A
D
F
A
D
A
You
pushing
for
more-
and
you
know
I
mean
it's.
I
think
it
would
probably
still
be
a
great
group,
but
I
think
I
think
doing
the
interviews
I
think
part
of
it
in
a
way
is
kind
of
for
our
benefit
too,
because
part
of
it
part
of
what
I
always
find
we
get
out
of
doing
these
interviews.
Is
you
just
like
learn
a
lot
from
the
applicants
about?
You
know
what
their
ideas
are
for,
how
the
process
is
going
to
be
and
what
we
might
get
out
of
it.
A
So
I
think
I
think
us
hearing
from
a
good
pool
of
folks.
We'll
have
some
it'll
be
a
lot
of
work,
but
I
think
it'll
have
benefits
too
so,
but
if
we
do
one
each
that'll
take
care
of
seven
appointments
right
off
the
bat
that'll
save
us.
You
know
an
hour
or
two
right
there,
and
then
we
still
have
the
additional
appointments
to
to
make
beyond
that.
So
everyone
be
thinking
about
who
you
really
want
to
make
absolutely
sure
it
gets
on
there
and.
L
D
A
H
A
A
A
N
So
so
my
point
to
that
is,
if
they're
not
in
that
group,
though,
then
we
will
be
adding
people
to
the
individuals
that
will
need
to
be
interviewed.
So
if
they're,
not
in
the,
I
guess,
the
30
and
for
whatever
reason
somebody
picks
somebody
outside
will
be
adding
to
the
amount
of
people
that
will
need
to
be
interviewed.
C
C
N
A
True,
oh
that's
true
yeah,
but
some,
but
some
of
them
most
likely
will
will
be
my
hunch,
but
they
don't
have
to
be
so.
We
should
reduce
that
list.
At
least
somewhat
yeah
is
my.
Is
my
hunch,
the?
Let
me
ask
this
just
while
we've
got
everyone
here,
we're
not
going
to
pick
the
dates,
but
let's
just
kind
of
look
at
high
level
schedules.
What,
but,
are
commissioners
available
the
week
of
june
28th
through
the
second
or
is
anybody
out
that
whole
week.
A
J
A
A
A
O
Good
afternoon,
commissioners,
so,
as
you
recall,
we
have
a
policy
process
here
in
buncombe
county
to
ensure
policies
that
are
written
are
well
thought
out,
ensure
that
we've
done
them
the
best
way
possible.
So
today,
what
you're
going
to
hear
about
is
high
level
update
on
the
flexible
work
policy
that
we're
bringing
forward.
O
Q
Good
evening,
commissioners,
good
afternoon
there
we
go
so
like
raphael
mentioned.
This
is
really
just
to
give
you
all
an
overview
of
where
we
are
with
flexible
workplace
and
that's
what
we're
calling
it
a
flexible
workplace
and
so
a
year
plus
ago,
when
the
state
of
north
carolina
declared
state
of
emergency,
buncombe,
county
enacted,
emergency
telecommuting
policy,
and
we
are
still
under
that
emergency
policy
as
of
right
now.
Q
The
benefits
of
flexible
workplace
that
we
would
like
to
just
point
out.
I
really
like
to
point
out
the
bottom
bullet
there
that
buncombe
county
you
know
we
have
our
foundational
goal
of
ensuring
that
buncombe
county
is
an
employer
of
choice
in
the
region,
and
a
flexible
workplace
will
contribute
to
that
goal.
Q
Impact
max,
will
you
advance
this
slide?
Thank
you
and
so
being
part
of
the
project
team.
What
the
approach
that
we
took
is
that
we
went
out
and
did
extensive
research
looking
at
other
government
entities
throughout
the
united
states,
including
states,
counties,
municipalities,
and
it
was
overwhelming
how
many
of
them
have
a
telework
or
flexible
work
in
place
and
have
had
it
in
place
for
a
very
long
time.
Q
Q
And
what
we
found
out
of
those
other
organizations
that
we
looked
at
is
that
they
have
seen
some
of
the
outcomes
that
I
have
on
this
screen:
the
organizational
outcomes,
the
employee
outcomes
and,
most
importantly,
the
community
outcomes,
and
so
we're
really
excited,
and
we
hope
that
we
are
able
to
quantify
and
see
these
outcomes
as
well,
pointing
out
some
of
the
community
outcomes
real
estate
maximization,
which
is
you
know
something
that
we
talked
about.
I
believe
in
the
last
last
month,
in
the
briefing
reduce
greenhouse
gas
emissions,
increase
business
continuity
and
decrease.
Q
A
R
Mr
chairman,
commissioners,
I'm
here
today
to
review
the
ordinance
prohibiting
discrimination
and
employment
and
public
accommodations.
This
board
approved
this
new
ordinance
in
in
april
of
this
year.
It
becomes
effective
on
july
1st
what
lily-
and
I
want
to
talk
about
today-
just
overview
of
the
ordinance
once
again.
R
So
the
new
ones
here
that
we're
focusing
on
are
natural,
hair
and
hairstyles,
sexual
orientation,
gender
identity
or
expression,
public
accommodation.
Since
that's
one
of
the
key
ones
here,
we
need
to
know
what
it
means.
So
that's
any
place
facility
store
or
establishment
which
supplies
accommodations
goods
or
services
to
the
public
or
which
solicits
for
that
kind
of
trade.
The
standard
for
investigating
with
our
new
equity
officer
is
going
to
be
reasonable
calls
and
we
hope,
that's
a
common
sense
standard.
R
R
Is
there
a
bona
fide
occupational
qualification
associated
with
one
of
the
protected
classes?
I
remember
a
public
comment.
Back
in
april,
someone
was
worried
about
hair
or
hair
style,
so
certainly
there's
many
situations
we
can
think
of
where
long
hair
might
be
an
impediment
to
proper
functioning
of
the
job
for
various
reasons,
safety
or
sanitary,
so
it
might
just
be
need
to
be
put
up
or
or
have
a
haircut.
R
If,
if
there's
a
religious
implication,
then
people,
institutions
of
religious
learning
or
education
may
target
hiring
and
practices
consistent
with
that
religion,
their
exemptions
regarding
alcohol
use.
So
you
can
have
drug
testing
in
your
workplace.
You
can
prohibit
illegal
drug
use
and
you
can
require
that
employees
not
be
under
the
fluence
of
alcohol
or
other
impairing
substance.
R
If
you're
a
medical
institution,
if
you're
an
insurance
company,
then
you
are
clearly
allowed
to
continue
your
practices.
Actuarially
your
classification
of
risks
associated
with
various
classifications,
consistent
with
state
law,
and
you
wouldn't
be
able
to
require
a
person
with
a
disability
to
refuse
to
accept
an
accommodation,
discrimination
and
public
accommodation,
as
I
have
defined.
That
would
be
in
a
place
of
public
accommodation
to
deny
any
person
in
the
protected
class
the
full
enjoyment
of
that
accommodation.
R
This
does
not
apply
to
a
private
club
or
other
establishments,
not
in
fact
open
to
the
public
in
terms
of
housing.
Again,
it's
it's.
We
make
strong
point.
The
board
did
that
discrimination
and
housing
is
not
tolerated
based
on
these
protected
classes,
but
there
will
be
a
system
in
place
for
reporting
allegations
of
discrimination
and
housing
to
the
state
of
north
carolina
because
they
have
an
office
in
raleigh
which
deals
with
that
specifically
and
that
will
be
provided
as
requested.
R
What
we'll
be
doing
just
generally
is
following
the
rules
of
civil
procedure
for
the
state
of
north
carolina
and
the
administrative
office
of
courts,
so
there
will
be
a
complaint
form
that
can
be
downloaded
and
filled
in
and
paper.
Lillian
is
going
to
go
over
generally.
What
it
will
look
like
to
do
it
online
there'll,
be
a
notice
of
complaint
that'll
be
distributed
to
any
compl
complainant
and
to
the
respondent
show
a
complaint.
A
notice
of
complaint
would
be
forwarded
to
a
respondent
and
how
they
should
act
accordingly.
R
I
had
a
good
conversation
and
we
were
going
to
make
a
point
to
connect
our
new
equity
officer
with
a
staff
attorney
in
orange,
county
and
she's,
been
involved
with
this
and
with
employment
law
cases
for
over
30
years,
and
is
very
good
at
explaining
a
good
common
sense
approach
to
reviewing
these
cases
and-
and
she
made
the
point
specifically
that
it's
generally
an
opportunity
to
educate
and
rarely,
if
ever
have
they
been
to
court
they've
been
to
court
on
housing
cases.
They
have
a
different
statute
and
they
do
that.
R
Brandon
freeman
in
my
office
has
been
working
with
the
city
of
asheville
city
attorney's
office
to
make
sure
we're
working
on
a
common
method
to
make
sure
we're
sort
of
aiming
in
the
same
direction
in
terms
of
investigation
and
enforcement,
and
there
the
city's
ordinance
is
almost
identical
to
this
one.
So
with
that
I'll
hand
it
over
to
lillian
to
sort
of
give
you
an
idea
of
the
rest
of
the
process.
S
Is
it
just
walks
people
through
the
process-
and
I
put
a
really
great
hard
to
read-
chart
there
at
the
top
of
that
webpage
for
you,
when
you
look
at
it
on
the
computer,
you
can
absolutely
see
it,
but
it
helps
walk
people
through
what
to
expect
if
you
filed
a
non-discrimination
ordinance
complaint,
so
this
will
be
managed
by
the
administrative
coordinator.
We
will
have
accessible
information
in
english,
spanish
and
russian.
S
So
not
only
can
you
fill
out
the
form
online
in
those
languages,
but
you
can
also
download
the
form
in
those
languages
so
that
you
can
walk
it
in
fax.
It
mail
it
whatever
your
preference
is
for
filling
that
form
out.
We'll
also
have
hard
copies
available
at
our
at
our
walk-in
location,
so
that
if
people
don't
have
a
printer,
certainly
they
can
print
it
out
at
the
library,
but
we'll
make
sure
that
it's
available
to
people.
S
So,
right
now
where
we
have
a,
we
have
a
technology
solution,
but
we're
going
to
have
a
very
robust
solution
if
the
budget
is
approved
and
we
are
able
to
move
forward
with
that
portal
to
access
this
website,
you
see
the
drop
down
menu
here
under
the
report
mechanism,
you'll
see
file
discrimination,
complaint
and
that's
where
that
will
live.
As
I
said,
it
will
also
be
connected
to
other
places
on
the
website,
including
the
upcoming
equity
and
inclusion
page.