Rosalyn V. Covington

The meeting featured a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included the administration of oaths of office to several County Commissioners (Richard V. Linville, David R. Plyler, Gloria D. Whisenhunt), the Register of Deeds (Lynne G. Johnson), and a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor (Timothy L. Disher). Following these ceremonies, Commissioner David R. Plyler was elected Chairman and Commissioner Don Martin was elected Vice Chairman for the ensuing year. The Board unanimously approved a resolution renewing and updating bonds for various Forsyth County officials and another resolution approving the Board of Commissioners' meeting schedule for 2017.

The meeting included a public hearing and subsequent approval regarding the naming of an unnamed road segment off Deer Hill Road as "Deer Haven Road." Key actions involved amendments to several Capital Projects Ordinances, including the 2016 Schools Capital Projects Ordinance for the Mount Tabor Stadium Replacement and the 2016 Motive Equipment Replacement Capital Projects Ordinance to appropriate insurance and surplus proceeds. Several resolutions were approved, such as authorizing the execution of documents to receive grant funds for the Nurse-Family Partnership Program and amending the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget accordingly. Other approved items included appropriations for library construction projects and technology using 2011 Library Bond funds, amendments to the 2017-2018 Budget Ordinance, the submission of a grant application to the National Endowment for the Arts for a "Big Read Community Reading Project," and the authorization of an instructional agreement with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The Board also approved an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Winston-Salem for administering the Home Investment Partnership Program and awarded a contract for the Tanglewood Championship Golf Course Renovations Project. Additionally, the Commissioners passed ordinances revising the Library System chapter and amending the chapter concerning Animals, and extended the Year 2018 Tax Listing Period. The meeting concluded with the approval of the 2018 Commissioners' Committee Appointment Summary and several tax refunds.

The meeting included public hearings regarding a Zoning Text Amendment (UDO-217) proposed by City-County Planning Staff to simplify the Change of Use Process, and the allocation of N.C. Department of Transportation Rural Operating Assistance Grant Funds for various populations. Additionally, a public hearing was held concerning an Order Authorizing $40,000,000 Library Bonds and a related Resolution Calling for a Bond Referendum; this item was continued to a subsequent date. Major actions taken included the adoption of 2010 2/3rds Bonds Capital Project Ordinances for general projects, schools capital maintenance, and Forsyth Technical Community College capital maintenance, though one vote passed narrowly. The Board also approved a resolution utilizing a portion of Tanglewood Park 2006 2/3rds Bonds Funds for park construction projects, adjustments to the FY 2010-2011 Budget Ordinance concerning City/County Cooperative Governmental Services Funding, and ratifying Interlocal Agreements for arrestee processing services with the Town of Kernersville and for stand-by emergency medical services with the City of Winston-Salem. Further resolutions authorized the execution of a grant agreement with Reynolds American Foundation for library youth education resources and the awarding of a contract for one medical ambulance bus. The Board also passed a resolution supporting the location of a VA Outpatient Clinic in Forsyth County and supported the Town of Kernersville's request for state assistance on an interchange construction.

The meeting included several public hearings concerning Zoning Map Amendments, specifically one changing the zoning from City RS9 to County RS9 for property on Hilltop Drive, and another changing zoning for Dana Tucker's property from AG to County RS15-S, both of which were unanimously approved after staff review and closure of the respective hearings. A Zoning Text Amendment to revise the Unified Development Ordinances to add regulations for a Group Care Facility Use was also unanimously approved following a public hearing. Discussions on economic development included the approval by a 5-2 vote to expend County General Funds and execute an agreement with Wilson-Cook Medical, Inc. for relocation and expansion. Other items included the unanimous approval of a budget ordinance amendment for a Youth Urban Gardening Internship Program grant, resolutions authorizing contract amendments for additional services at the Clemmons Branch Library, service agreements for the 800 MHZ Communications System maintenance, contract awards for police pursuit vehicles and sedans, authorization for the sale of surplus county motor vehicles, and the donation of surplus vehicles to the Board of Education. Furthermore, numerous appointments were made to various advisory bodies, including the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee, the Commission on Ending Homelessness, the Consolidated Human Services Board, and others, with several appointments being continued to future meetings due to lack of applicants.

This Strategic Area Plan, adopted by the Winston-Salem City Council, outlines a vision to transform the area around Smith Reynolds Airport and Whitaker Park into a mini-aerotropolis. The plan aims to improve economic development opportunities, guide future design, target public investment, and strengthen transportation linkages between Smith Reynolds Airport, Whitaker Park, Downtown Winston-Salem, and the Innovation Quarter. Key recommendations include enhancing the airport as an attractive city gateway, recruiting aviation/aerospace businesses, cultivating local job skills, publicizing business assistance programs, and improving streetscapes, ultimately seeking compatible development and new employment opportunities.