Commissioners to talk grant projects
By Steve Herring
Published in News on May 1, 2017 9:57 AM
Wayne County has received two grants that will allow it to clear debris that is impeding the flow of water and contributing to flooding in several creeks and streams.
A third grant will be used to help a farmer shut down an old treatment lagoon in the Rosewood community.
Ashley Smith, Wayne County Soil Conservation coordinator/director, will update Wayne County commissioners on the grant when they meet on Tuesday.
The meeting will get underway at 8 a.m. with an agenda briefing followed by the formal session at 9 a.m.
Both will be held in the commissioners' meeting room on the fourth floor of the Wayne County Courthouse Annex.
The county has received $237,473.93 in state funding through the Golden LEAF Foundation and another $223,961 from the Disaster Recovery Relief Program.
The money will be used to remove debris from streams and creeks, but not the Neuse River.
A third grant of $45,000 will be used to help shut down the old lagoon.
County Manager George Wood said a priority list would be created for which streams and creeks will be cleared.
In a related issue, the board will be provided more information about the Long Term Disaster Recovery Group-Wayne County.
Officials with the Long Term Disaster Recovery Group spoke to commissioners at their April 18 meeting.
But some commissioners have asked for more information.
Formed in November 2016, the group collaborates with the N.C. Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to assist those in need who continue to struggle to return their life to normal after Hurricane Matthew, group officials said in a memo to commissioners.
It members include the American Red Cross; the Salvation Army; United Way; Habitat for Humanity; United Church of Christ; Episcopal churches; Four Day Movement; Literacy Connections; Wayne County Response Team; Federal Emergency Management Agency; Goldsboro Community Development; Wayne Community College; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; N.C. Emergency Services; N.C. Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster; Wayne Charitable Partnership; New Hope Presbyterian Church, USA; Catholic Charities; the Society of St. Vincent de Paul; and VFW Post 9959 among others.
The day-to-day work consist of coordinating paid and volunteer case managers interactions with clients in need, scheduling meetings, planning volunteers work schedules, writing grant applications, working with clients and the general public and other tasks as needed to successfully assist those in need.
The director and assistant's offices are located at the Salvation Army in a donated space.
The director is paid $39,000 and the assistant director $18,000. Total salaries with benefits are $72,201.
It is paid through United Way, $10,000; Wayne County, $15,000; Presbyterian grant, $20,000; Coastal Community Action Grant (NC Works), $20,000; and other, $7,201.
In other business Tuesday, Doug McGrath with the Goldsboro Elks will talk to commissioners about the Elks' Wings of Wayne fundraising event to be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at 207 S. Center St.
McGrath heads up the Elks' Veterans Committee.
The free Wings of Wayne will feature a chicken wing cookoff, children's activities, craft vendors and presentation of the club's Military Appreciation Awards.
Celebrity judges for the cookoff are 4th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Christopher Sage, Sam Jones of Sam Jones BBQ in Winterville and Vivian Howard, chef, television host and cookbook author.
While the site is being prepared that day, DownEast Rolling Thunder will participate in a motorcycle rally from Veterans Memorial Park to the Kinston Veterans Home.
The event will feature music by Spare Change and All My Rowdy Friends.
Proceeds will support the Elks' local charitable contributions to the community.
For more information, visit www.wingsofwayne.org.
Also on Tuesday, commissioners will be asked to adopt an ordinance establishing a capital project fund for the Meadow Lane/Edgewood School project and the appropriate budget amendment.
The capital project ordinance will allow the county to use the funds across several budget years without having to reappropriate the funds each budget year.
The county plans to build a $21.8 million Meadow Lane Elementary School on the existing campus on East Ash Street and include a wing to house a new Edgewood Community Developmental School.
In other business, commissioners will consider motions to approve:
* a revision to Health Department policy.
* a proclamation for Mental Health Month in Wayne County.
* Wayne UNC Health Care as the service provider for the Wayne County employee wellness program and appropriate budget amendment.
* the final subdivision plat for Planters Ridge, Phase 4.
* offers on properties owned jointly with the city of Goldsboro.
Consent agenda items include budget amendments and a motion to approve a request from the state Department of Transportation to Willbrook Drive and Brookside Way to the state road maintenance system.
The public comments portion of the meeting will begin at 9:05 a.m. Speakers will have four minutes to speak on their topic of choice.