I think they grab that. Anyway, you're on camera on We are taping. Okay, we're ready, Mark. All set. Good afternoon. I'm now going to call the Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 meeting of the North County
Commissioners to order. Welcome. I'm going to read the executive order on remote participation. On March 28th, 2025, Governor Haley signed into law House Bill 62, an act relative
to extending certain COVID 19 measures adopted during the state of emergency, which includes a two-year extension of the option for public bodies to hold remote meetings by suspending certain provisions of the mass open meeting law.
as general law chapter 38 sections 18 to 25. That action was effective immediately extending the current option for remote meetings through June 30th, 2025. 27
27 June 30th, 2027. Thank you. belong to the flag to the flag of America and to the republic for it stands nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you. Roll call vote. Commissioner Sty I am present sir. Commissioner Collins Commissioner Shay is present. No executive session number four minutes the open session meeting of September 17th.
Mr. Chair, I'll uh move approval of the open session uh meeting minutes of September 17 as presented. Second. Motion made second. All in favor? I. We have no appointments. No, sir.
Okay. Uh and we want a motion to public comment make out of order item number. Wait, public comment? Yeah, we can we can we can go now. Sure. Yeah, let's go now in case someone has public comment. Okay. Yeah, I'll make a motion move to number uh 10.
Discussion of possible vote of non-un employee costing investments. We'll go back to um number six after that. All right. Um motion to uh amend uh change the agenda and go to item number 10. All in
favor? Okay. Item number 10 is before us discussion and possible vote on non-unities cost of living. Gentlemen, in your packet is a list of the 38 people, I believe, it's been
checked and rechecked. It has. Okay. Y and that are eligible. Uh should the county I had it in my hand a minute ago. It's in your packet. Should the county uh want choose to do it. I think it is
it is our right. I'm sorry. It's right here. It is our tradition. I mean again I think it's only fair. Uh I want to congratulate the team that put together the various uh contracts.
Um they went as well as can be expected. I think Elijah did. We settled with the teachers last week. We settled with the engineers two weeks ago. We settled with the registry and the maintenance sometime in the summer. So it was it was all in all
a fruitful session and that will uh give us the structure for the three years. Um and it's necessary for you know budget planning and everything else that goes along with it. So if if you ask a
question if you go ahead question for you uh for the chair to the director. So two things I obviously I'm just checking we check to make sure no one is left out. I'll join you. And the second thing is this going to be for a threeyear period for one year. For one year for
the one year we do we we voted every year. Every year we vote it. Okay. I'm sorry. That's a very good point. I knew it was for one year. Then next year we do it again. So we have to revote it again because we can't forecast. Right. That's what I thought. Okay. the the the effect of what will be for fiscal year
27 or fiscal year 28 will be embedded in the annual budget which you will vote on. Okay. So it's not an explicit vote like today because we're amending the FY26 budget. Gotcha. Through the section. All right. Very good. I'm all set. Okay. Motion's in order. If you're
ready, if you wish, I'll be pleased to make the motion as follows. I move to approve the non-union cost of living adjustment cola inclusive of a 3% adjustment and position wage adjustment as presented all totaling the sum of $120,16.78
and retroactive to July 1, 2025. So moved. Second. Motion made and seconded. [Music] motion made and seconded a possible vote on to no for a vote on
the non-unit employee cost of living at just 7%. made in secondary. No, no, no. They went to seven. They'd like seven. They threw them at seven, but it's it's 3%. I'm sorry.
Sorry. And the sum was 120,000. 1067. We didn't get seven from I'm certain I didn't get it from you. The motion was made and seconded. All in favor? I I It's done. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you, ladies. Next week it will be in Oh, no. That's a payroll question.
I believe it may be in the Ober payroll. Might be told. I don't want to shove you off to the treasurer, but it's Octo We think it's a we're told it's October 8th. Retroactive. Thank you.
Take care now. Nice to see you. Okay, back to U number five. Number six, public comment. in the sixth public. Each week we have a session of on our agenda for public comment. Anyone who
attends our meetings either remotely or in person is entitled or wants to make public comment, please come forward now. It's a good time to come forward and uh commission director feedback I got was from our favorite Den
resident who I've been in touch with relative planning we're doing for the municipal lot um it's changing voice but she um I believe has some interest in the feed work that is planned for that lot so I'll continue to dialogue with her I
order a phone call but acutely aware of what we're trying to do and want to keep our neighbors happy. So, I'll let you know if anything comes up, but that is the only public feedback I received this week. Thank you. Okay, last call for public comment. Seeing none, we'll go to number seven.
Seven. Old business. I have no old business. Going to go to number eight. Steman uh please make the following motions under first information technology I would
move the appointment of Scott Machado as network administrator at the rate stated effective date be 92925 um replacing Dallas break motion move motion made and seconded all in favor
I it is a vote next in the deeds. I move Mr. Chairman's appointment for Thomas Carter as senior clerk uh effective at the rate stated effective 92925 replacement Carol Graham. So moved.
Motion made second. All in favor? I and third I will move Mr. chairman at the Walston Recreational Facility, the approval of the north resignation of Christine Ryan as seasonal golf course associate at the rate stated effective date 9425.
So moved. Second motion made and second with all in favor. It is a vote. Uh that's it. That that concludes the uh appointments for consideration. Okay. As a little extra here, I don't think it's on the agenda, but it it is
in front of you. Uh no, we're honoring one, two, three, four, five people from the school on anniversary years. If you want to read them off. You want to read it off? You want to read it off, Richard? Yeah, I'll be glad to. Sure. That's right. Milestones in September. We want to
congratulate the following individuals u from the North County Agricultural School. Uh the first one is Casey Butler uh on her 15th year of service with a higher date of 2010. Uh Steph Barrow, 15
years of service, higher date 2010. Jessica McGary, uh 15 years of service 2010. And Samuel Stupac of also 15 years of service, higher date 2010. And a special congratulations to Diane Spain who is
now uh entering off concluding her 30th year of service with a higher date of 1995. Congratulations. Outstanding. Excellent. Some wealth a pay expense law. Yes sir. Mr. Chairman we move the
following for the warrant list of 9 2425. First one you have three items. uh 26-12 move approval of the payroll of the county the sum $152,2957 cents so move second motion made second all in favor I
use a vote the second item payroll to school 26-12 6.1 the sum of 7,1856 so moved second motion made second all in favor is approved
and the final item is the expense of the county of 09-04-26 the sum 63,123 and 18 cents so moved second motion made and seconded all in favor I vote that concludes that Mr. Number 11,
memorandum of understanding between North County Commissioners and the North County Agricultural High School Board of Trustees for capital fund payments. I'm going to ask the director to explain this is of in your memo.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, Commissioners. In your packet, as Chairman Shay indicated, is a draft copy ofU um that I prepared for your review. Um like any feedback you may have within the next week or so. Um, this document was referenced um over the last several
weeks as the latest supplemental budget before you and the advisory board was prepared. As you may recall, in that supplemental, we included a proposed FY26 capital plan inclusive of potentially $450,000 for the agricultural high school. Um, last
spring I broached the issue of perhaps engaging the schools through a more formal memorandum of understanding on how the funds when they're um conveyed to the school um could be best met with uh long-term planning and investment. The uh then superintendent John Martin
enthusiastically embraced the idea. Recently when I on boarded with the new superintendent Jeremy Gay, I talked about this concept um in more detail and he mirrored Mr. Martin's enthusiasm. Um so before you is a draft that seeks to
try to place some level of um agreed upon terms that the annual capital budget relationship between the county and the schools will work. I'll go through it very briefly. Um whereas the county um agricultural high school the Aggie is owned by the county of Northark
and as commission is elected to oversee all assets and related operations of the county not otherwise described in general law. the county seeks to provide for process wherein the county funds so designated each year for capital improvements by the N for county commissioners will be deposited into a
fund for certain capital improvements detailed within this memorandum of understanding. The county recognizes the demand for facility improvements and the challenge of identifying funds to address these needs against increasing costs with such improvements and repairs. The county will evaluate the
availability of surplus funds each year and determine what amount may be available for the AIE appropriation into the AIE capital fund subject to approval of the county advisory board. Upon a vote of the commission and the advisory board said funds will be transferred into the AI capital fund. These funds
are to be used for large capital projects that singularly exceed $500,000. Through this process, the county does not expect annual expenditure activity, rather encourages minimal to emergent use coupled with long-term capital planning use. The county recognizes that
these annual contributions should be allowed to accumulate over multiple years to provide for relief of any such large-scale capital project that would otherwise require bonding or some other borrowing obligation. The county strongly encouraged the Aggie to create a campus facility capital plan that can
identify all major capital assessment needs, replacement costs and prioritization schedule. Said plan will provide all parties with shared vision and goals for the use of these funds. SEMOU also acknowledges that annual contributions are not guaranteed. The
availability of surplus funds to be considered are a function of economic factors that rise and fall. Further, the SEMU does not bind the county to any maximum or minimum annual contribution. And finally, the county expects the AIE to address small-scale capital needs
through its annual operating budget. This includes projects that would be valued below $500,000. Um through this board, u Mr. Chair, I would ask for your feedback and if hearing none, I'll present it back to you to your signature at an upcoming
meeting upon a vote. And at that time we'll convey this to the agricultural school through the superintendent for the trustees consideration. We're going to take this under advisement have these discussions before a vote is taken. Okay. Commissioner comment please. Quick question if I could Mr. Chairman.
Yes. Uh through you of course. Uh so first of all I like the agreement as drafted. It's uh it's a great step forward for us. I think we all agree on that. Uh about the commissioners and trustee with the funding of the money that we're
going to put aside where where you envision this coming from. We're going to commit a certain amount. Would that be like surplus revenue or from our long-term capital that will transfer in or how would that play out each year so we can make a dedicated are we going to be committing to a certain amount each year to put it in there?
No, the MOU specifically states that. Okay. Um the source would be from the former that would be surplus funds. any given economic uh year, the county may find itself in a situation where we may have a a robust capital plan. Um, and we intend at that
time to value the the contribution of some of the funds towards this capital fund schools. So, I'm hearing not being argumentative, just trying to clarify. So, our surplus funds, as we know, go to other things, too, to offset cola raises and things of that sort. I mean they come up with
different things but we're going to say if we have even beyond that we're going to put a certain amount into this capital fund in effect yes each year the the the the treasurer announces a surplus and depending upon the scope of that surplus it dictates whether or not we
hold just enough because it's relatively small for supplemental needs or if it expands in its scope to include capital funded projects like this year for example we did not have these resources last year we did pretty could close at FY25. So it open up the
opportunity to pour money into the capital plan. If there's no capital plan, there would be no contribution. Richard, so on a local level analogous, is it like a stabilization fund? You know, towns do that. They have different stabilization. I don't want to use the word stabilization cuz that triggers a whole general law conversation. It's a capital
fund. The schools have a capital fund. It's minimally funded. So we're looking to move these into that fund for these purposes. And with both the trustees and the commissioners agreeing in part to how it's used, um I think it'll achieve the desired goal of allowing the schools to build up a
sizable balance of funds for use on large capital projects. All right, last question. Great job. Thank you. Um let's say we get a surplus of I don't know 300,000 one year, right? Say it was or 200,000. Is the school we do we expect the school to match
that? Can they go under it, above it? what what No, not necessarily. The schools carry their own um level of equity flow balances and surpluses um in any given year. Those surpluses are used for a variety of reasons. Um we intend to um
allow the schools to maintain um that surplus that they create for their own small project use. Um they they typically do um their own on property maintenance and upgrades. I'd say five figures, you know, at a time. This is above and beyond that
who pulls the trigger when it gets to a certain point to spend the money. This is the commissioners, the trustees. Trustees. The trustees. Okay. So, say it get up to a million or something like that. Trustees could then say, "Hey, we want to tackle something." Yeah. I mean, ultimately the the
trustees and the schools will have to put forth a plan to the advisory board that they would like to engage a project, for example, of a million dollars on a new roof or something along that lines. Okay. Okay. Good. Thank you. I'm all set. You want to make a motion to take on adisement?
Oh, yes. Yeah. Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I'll make the move that we uh as indicated put under advisement the memorandum of understand between North Commissioners and North County High School Board of Trustees for capital fund payments until next week or just Sure. Next week's fine. Yep.
Next week being second. Motion made and seconded to take this memorandum of understanding between the North County Agricultural High School and the North County Commissioners relative to capital funding at the
school under advisement for further discussion. All in favor? Thank you very much. Thank you. Number 12. Report of the procedural department, procurement department for bid openings and contract awards. We have none this week. Thank you. Number
13, report of the county director. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a few items to the commissioner's attention. Um just it did circulate to the commissioners not for topic of discussion today, but as a monitoring item, the Northfor County Retirement Board issued a latest draft of actuarial
table costs. Uh this particular table includes projected costs for FY27 and beyond. I met and talked with our representative Mr. Connors who um between myself and he have reached out to retirement board personnel to try to get some answers to some questions
relative to the development of that number. I'll report back when I learn more about uh the answers to those questions. Some of the questions are very very similar to what we went through a year ago. So hoping we have a favorable outcome as we imagine. Um, admission should be advised that UCLA
passes, our RCP director has notified us she intends to apply for a mass thought um grant. This particular grant is known as the community transit grant u and mobility management cycle. Um it's a relatively small grant. It's $10,000. It
requires a 20% match which we can handle. Um, but if we're successful, we believe it will augment or supplement some of the ride share um costs that the RSVP program currently receives through the federal grant. As you may know, we we typically have high demand and low
supply. So, we're hoping that this program can help augment that service. So, um we'll watch uh this process unfold as Lucille submits the application. I believe it's due by November 7th. Uh just a heads up, um we hired a plumber a month or two ago and Jim's
been very busy. Um one of the projects we set him off on is uh run a large expansive one of the Rethm District Court. Um the toilets in one of the um uh rooms down there has not been updated since it was originally built. He has been jackhammering and going at it. He's
doing a large job by himself. Um no outside help. um our engineer staff is going to work with him to get um architectural drawings for the building permit approval. Uh Jim's doing great work. He stops by, shows us pictures. It's it's heavy. He's doing a lot of great work and I just want to call him
out because he's doing a nice job right out of the gate. Jim Plumber. Yes, sir. Um commissioners, I do have um some remaining funds left in a CO account um that was originally um used to fund COVID test kits. Uh we haven't
purchased those in well over a year, but I believe as we enter the final year of expenditures against that those funds, I'll be initiating a purchase for CO test kits. Um CO is still with us. We've seen it recently in our midst and I intend to follow the same path of buying
a large batch and distributing them to our employees. Um so look for that in the next couple of weeks. will be placing the order hopefully by the end of the week and I'll give you more details is and and the reason for is the kits are dated and the others expired last July for instance,
right? Okay. So, and we're we're we're fighting the fight here. A little brush with it. Mhm. So, we're going to we're going to gear up. Yep. Unfortunately. So, more on that distribution process as soon as they learn when we're going to receive what we ordered or what we will
order. Just an alert. Uh the commissioners association, as you know, created an executive board. Um there's a meeting tomorrow at 10:00 virtually with Plymouth County uh stakeholders. I'll report back to the commissioners on what that process is. We should probably target sometime in December for our next
association meeting, but the executive board did have some tasks laid out to it. So, I'll be communicating with you individually about that as we get ready for that December meeting. Um, next week I hope to give you a more thorough update, but I want to alert you that there's some active ARPA monitoring um,
activity going on with our communities that have received funds. I had a conference call with Bill Galvin last week. We've tasked him with following up on with I believe 17 communities who have been given grants that have reported the grants to have been completed. But our latest information
shows that they are sitting on unspent funds. So the question is, are those unspent funds now available for clawback for reuse or are they looking to apply them to maybe last invoices? Bill's hustling um through each of those communities. He'll report back what the outcome is. But I'll show you what this
means on a grander scale next week when we do an ARPA monitoring update. Um and finally, I just wanted to take this opportunity, commissioners, to pass along my best wishes to Michelle Abadini, whose last day is today. For seven years, she's been your human resources director. She's done an
unbelievable job. Lots of lots of progress on her watch. Um she's been a pleasure to work with. A true professional. Brain tree is getting a plus player. Um the commissioners may know we posted her position. We are active. I've completed three interviews. One more next early next week. Um and
I'm likely looking at second round interviews in early October. So we're doing our part to um try and fill those big shoes. But I wanted to publicly state my best wishes to Michelle. Um I will really miss her and uh look forward to hearing from her down the road. But um thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
That's all I have this afternoon for. And and we have an interim person she met you last week. Oh yes, of course. Well, I sent out an all staff email. Mike McGovern um is hired interim on a contract. Uh he's here three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Fridays. Um Moren Leiden will
be here on Tuesday, Monday through Friday, but filling in on Tuesdays and Thursdays for any HR needs. So, we believe that through this bridge arrangement, we have an HR covered. Many of the heavy lifting items are now complete with your actions today on the non-union collar and so forth. So, uh we believe it's a good time for this type
of transition. Um but yes, thank you for pointing that out. Mike's contact information has been shared. He's got a lot of experience. Mhm. Nick, that is all I have certain Commissioner St.
Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I'm sure we all echo the sentiments of Director Cronin on Michelle's leaving. Absolutely. And we all are going to wish her well. But before we do that, um I wanted to mention uh that I had a conversation with Fire Chief Wendo Robber, the new
chief of the Can Fire Department, and you can expect a letter from him this week and maybe perhaps asked to be on our agenda next week if possible. If not, perhaps later in October. And the reason for his request, it's a very vital program. Canton operates for the
county what's called a blood warming program where if a victim in a an accident is in need of blood to save their lives, Canton responds and they've responded as you'll see in this letter to places like Quinsey, places like Stoton, like Randolph. Canton has called
in. They have a special truck that keeps the blood warm. The problem he entered hinted to me at the 911 ceremony is that these warmers don't last long and they're wearing out. He needed initially $15,000. However, to a very generous
benefactor, a benefactor in the town has has agreed to donate two of the free warmers. So, he's down to looking for money for a third warmer, which is in the ballpark of $4 to $5,000. And he may not need all of that. I'll keep you posted on that. I've got another source
of funds that might help him out. So, he would like to come in and ask us for some help either through opera or some other funding that we could help him out. I think it's a great example of regionalization. Uh, I know funds are always tight, but this is a service he
provides to all the communities, not just Canton. And I I think you'd welcome Wendle to come in and please talk to us and some of the fire to come in if you want. What's his name? Wendle Wilbur. Wendle Rober. Robbery. Robery like Robbery like a robe. Oh,
R O B E R Y. Good good person. Just give me a heads up. I think his letter might have come in today or get in next week, but we'll look for find something for him. I suppose uh if we stop and thought of
ways to, you know, A, we don't know how much coming back. B, you know, there's never always be a list. Yeah. Let's just, you know, thought can put our heads together, come up with something. We may not even need all that amount, but uh it'd be great to see what they are a little bit. Be good for the
county. That's all I had. And again, man, Michelle, fantastic job. Great experience. We're going to miss the heck out of her, but I know she'll do well in brains. She's down to some great great opportunities there. Number 14. I'm sorry. I just wanted to say something about
Michelle, too. Sure. I want to thank Michelle for her uh her strong years here at the county. She did a great job. And um she worked hard. Uh we all saw it in action. She worked late, she worked early, she worked weekends, and she
worked really hard to um do her best for the county. And she will get us and Bry's getting a good one. Here you go. And number 13, emergency topics or items and chair did not
reasonably anticipate. Um I have none. I want to echo all that's been said about Michelle. Uh, I enjoyed working with her. Uh, sometimes it was a baptism of fire, but it was fun and she did a great job for the county. So, we'll adjourn
this meeting uh wishing Michelle good wishes in her next venture in the great town of Brainree. Motion to adjourn. I'll move, Mr. Chairman, that we adjourn at uh 228 28 minutes. Motion made and seconded.
All in favor? I We are adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.