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250227 Stategic Planning Applications February 27, 2025 – Strategic Planning Application Review The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special session at 6:00 p.m. in the Randolph County Office Building, 725 McDowell Rd., First Floor Meeting Room A, Asheboro, NC. Chairman Darrell Frye, Vice-Chairman Kenny Kidd, Commissioner David Allen, Commissioner Hope Haywood, and Commissioner Lester Rivenbark were present. Also present were County Manager Zeb Holden, Assistant County Manager William Johnson, County Attorney Ben Morgan, Associate County Attorney Aimee Scotton, and Clerk to the Board Dana Crisco. County Manager Zeb Holden explained how the meeting was going to be conducted. There would be no decisions on the applications at this meeting; it is purely informational. He introduced Leia Stiegmann, Strategic Program Coordinator, and Michael McKenzie, Reporting Specialist. They had reviewed the applications to be sure they were complete and created the one page explanation for each project. Ms. Stiegmann proceeded to introduce each project with a brief description of the applicant’s request. She also answered questions about the applications. City of Asheboro The request of $500,000 is for construction of restaurant/beer garden and batting cages at McCrary Park Ballfield with the goal of increasing tourism. Mayor David Smith was in attendance and was asked about the beer garden. He stated that the request could be changed to fund locker rooms for umpires. Commissioner Allen inquired if this change would be allowed by the Board. Chairman Frye felt that the scope could change since the dollar amount was the same. Commissioner Rivenbark replied that he felt the Board is only giving the applicant restrictions on the use of the potential funding. City of Randleman The request of $100,000 is for Commerce Square park renovations with the goal of beautifying the park for more food truck participation at their Food Truck Rodeo. Commissioner Haywood stated that the City of Randleman has never asked for Strategic Planning Funds. The park is vital to the community. There are many events held there. Commissioner Allen asked how old the current park was. Per the narrative, the park was built 15 years ago. Commissioner Rivenbark asked for information on the appearance of the park. The application states replacing old shrubs and lighting at Commerce Park and adding vegetation to the roundabout near WalMart. Emergency Services The request of $244,307 is for a vehicle and medical equipment for a Community Paramedic lead position and partial funding for a lead position salary with the goal of launching a Community Paramedicine program. This was presented at the Planning Retreat. There were no questions. 2/27/25 Friends of Patterson Cottage The request of $7,200 is for a preservation project to improve display of historic items with the goal of acquiring mannequins and other display items to protect and preserve historic materials at the museum. There were no questions. Keaton’s Place The request of $95,855.10 is for therapy services with the goal of providing these services to men residing at Keaton’s Next Step sober living residence. Ms. Susan Hunt, Director of Keaton’s Place, was present. She said Caring Services out of High Point would be hired for treatment services. Keaton’s Place does not have qualified staff to do this. Lydia’s Place The request of $23,988 is for renovation of sanctuary space with the goal of providing emergency shelter overnight to unsheltered individuals during colder months. The applicant also asked to have $25,162 of the previous grant funding reallocated to this project. Commissioner Haywood stated that a consistent warming shelter needed to be in place for the homeless individuals in the community. Commissioner Allen asked how many individuals would use the emergency shelter. Commissioner Rivenbark said the George Washington Carver Center had 30 people sheltered from the cold. He mentioned his concern of men and women housed in the same area. Commissioner Haywood said she had the same concern so she asked the Director how this was handled. She was assured that the two populations were blocked off from each other. Commissioner Kidd said it appeared that Lydia’s Place had a large amount of cash on hand. He didn’t think other nonprofits had that. Randolph County Trails The request of $150,000 is for construction of .35 mile section of a Franklinville to Sapona trail with the goal of completing the trail from the Bush Creek Pedestrian Bridge to Sapona. Chairman Frye asked how much money was left in the Trail Account at the County. Mary Joan Pugh said there was $29,000 but it was needed for contingency. If it were used towards this project then we would be forced to look for money to complete the trail. Commissioner Haywood said she is a health and wellness advocate. She sees people of all walks of life using the trails. Commissioner Rivenbark stated he was not clear on the financial breakdown, especially with bids coming in higher than expected. Ms. Pugh said the County Engineer Paxton Arthurs had 2/27/25 given her the estimates and these are the estimates the State has approved. The approval of the State must be honored. OE Enterprises The request of $18,650 is for a garden improvement project and electrical work in the kitchen with the goal of renovating the on-site garden to teach healthy food preparation to employees with disabilities. Commissioner Haywood said Cooperative Extension works closely with OE Enterprises. Clients have said the employees are good at their jobs and they get joy out of them. Our Daily Bread The request of $25,000 is for food, supplies, and soup kitchen building maintenance with the goal of supporting ongoing soup kitchen services. Vice-Chairman Kidd said that they were given funding of $25,000 in 2023. Randolph County Family Crisis Center (FCC) The request of $55,000 is for a pilot program for a Program Coordinator to oversee and coordinate three FCC programs with the goal of improving coordination of services, data collection, and reporting for all three FCC programs (Advocacy Centers, DV Shelter, and Child Advocacy Center). There has been a new director hired. Vice-Chairman Kidd said FCC is making this program sustainable through a grant. Chairman Frye stated he had received an email which he would forward to all Board members. Randolph Partnership for Children (RPFC) The request of $50,387 is for the design and implementation of an early childhood education training program with the goal of providing the Randolph S.T.A.R.T. program with waived costs for eight participants to become pre-qualified to serve local childcare centers. Commissioner Haywood said there is a crisis nationwide to hire qualified daycare workers. This course could be completed in two weeks and participants are ready to go to work having all of the background testing and education completed. Commissioner Rivenbark asked if START and HEADSTART were the same. Ms. Lisa Hayworth, Director of RPFC, said they were not. Those programs are not connected. Ms. Hayworth was asked what a childcare worker made. She said a credentialed worker would make $14.00/hour leaving no money to pay for the background checks and immunizations required. Commissioner Rivenbark asked if there would be requirements made for the participants to “repay” the program. Ms. Hayworth said there were not. 2/27/25 Commissioner Allen stated that this helps the individual to get credentialed without bearing the large expense. Commissioner Rivenbark said the participants could take the program and go to another county for a job. Rhinoleap The request of $20,000 is for the production Much Ado About Nothing and two high school theater residencies to be realized. There were no questions. Shelter of Hope The request of $35,600 is for security monitoring equipment and facility improvements with the goal of improving residents’ safety, ADA compliance, and sleeping area. Chairman Frye said the past financial performance of the Shelter of Hope had not been good. Commissioner Haywood the shelter has improved certain areas of their facility with wheelchair ramps. They are also hiring a consultant to evaluate their sustainability. Monies from Senator Craven have been used for rent and operating costs. It would be nice to have the evaluation completed before money is granted. Commissioner Rivenbark agreed that it would be helpful. Sleep in Heavenly Peace The request of $30,000 is for materials for volunteer-built beds given to children without beds with the goal of improving the quality of sleep for children in Randolph County in need of their own bed. It was asked if this organization had other chapters. This is the only one in the Piedmont Triad area. Allen McNeill, former Representative, is a member of this chapter. Commissioner Haywood stated that unsafe sleep cause fatalities in children. Chairman Frye inquired how the children would receive these beds. Beds are given to children who are referred by nonprofits, Social Services, and schools. Three percent of children do not have a bed. Commissioner Rivenbark said they are only asking for funding for materials. Commissioner Haywood agreed that the money would go to good use. Town of Seagrove The request of $250,000 is for Phase II Renovations of Lucks Cannery Halls A and B with the goal of attracting tourists and residents to the historic Lucks Cannery site for economic development. Mayor David Fernandez was in attendance. He was asked by Chairman Frye what was going to be done with this request. He responded that it will allow the Town of Seagrove to finish the renovations on the facility. Because of the historic value of the property, the Legislature had 2/27/25 granted one time funding of $1.2 million. A Certificate of Occupancy will be granted with these final improvements. Commissioner Haywood stated that the Pottery Festival brings people to Seagrove from all over. She asked if the upper level would be part of the renovations. Mayor Fernandez said the whole upper floor would be. Victory Junction Gang The request of $67,500 is for roof replacements for three camper cabins and the Travel Center with the goal of removing and replacing end-of-life roofs for the cabins and the Travel Center. Materials are being donated. Chairman Frye asked when the replacements would occur. Tonya Hayes, Victory Junction Gang Leadership Giving Director, was in attendance. She said the work would be done in phases to keep from interrupting campers. The project should be completed by the end of 2025. All of the roofs would be replaced with metal. Vice-Chairman Kidd stated there would be a need for a lot of volunteers and donated materials. Ms. Hayes said the materials were being donated by Triad Corrugated Metal. Chairman Frye inquired about other funding sources in the future. Ms. Hayes stated they are searching for grants and other funding sources. Commissioner Haywood asked Ms. Hayes to remind the Board how previous County funding was used. Ms. Hayes said they acquired a van which they wrapped and purchased marketing materials. Adjournment County Manager Holden said these were all worthy projects. Now it was up to the Board to decide what and how much would be funded. Those decisions would be considered at the March th 10 Commissioners Meeting. At 7:32p.m., on motion of Allen, seconded by Rivenbark, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn. _______________________________ ________________________________ Darrell Frye, Chairman Kenny Kidd ________________________________ _________________________________ David Allen Hope Haywood ________________________________ _________________________________ Lester Rivenbark Dana Crisco, Clerk to the Board 2/27/25