Forsyth County

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.

The Board of Commissioners meeting addressed several official actions. Key discussions included the approval of releases under G.S. 105-381. A public hearing was held regarding the North Carolina Department of Transportation's proposed Secondary Road Construction Program for Forsyth County for Fiscal Year 2011-2012, which was subsequently approved by resolution. Another public hearing concerned an Economic Development Project to encourage the relocation and expansion of Piedmont Propulsion Systems, LLC, which resulted in the unanimous approval of a resolution authorizing the expenditure of County General Funds and the execution of an agreement. The board also handled amendments to the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget Ordinance related to LIEAP, CIP Administration Funding, TANF-Domestic Violence Program Assistance Funding, and State Adult Day Care Funding. Furthermore, approvals were granted for ratifying joint applications with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools for Public School Building Capital Funds, extending food service and commissary services agreements for the Detention Center, granting utility easements at Tanglewood Park, authorizing electronic listing of personal property, appropriating Fire Tax District Fund Balance for a fire engine down payment, and approving several tax refunds. Finally, the board reappointed Barry Lyons to the Planning Board and recognized the accomplishments of Mark Serosky on his retirement as the Parks and Recreation Director.

The meeting commenced with a public hearing regarding the expenditure of County General Funds for an Economic Development Project involving Renfro Corporation, including the authorization to execute a related agreement. Key actions included the unanimous approval of a resolution recognizing National Fire Prevention Week and resolutions to appropriate funds for the Bailey Power Plant South Project and the Kaleideum Museum Capital Projects (demolition, design, and construction improvements at Liberty Plaza). The Board also approved a contract with Gensler Architecture, Design & Planning, P.C., for the Kaleideum Project by a majority vote of four to three. Other resolutions unanimously passed involved ratifying an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Winston-Salem for grant funds to support the District Attorney's Domestic Violence Unit, funding two positions to address domestic violence caseloads, approving an LSTA Project Grant for RFID for branch libraries, renewing a lease for the Public Defender's Office space, authorizing procedures for purchasing two parcels of county-owned property (0 N. Graham Avenue and 129 N. Graham Avenue), granting an easement to Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, and granting a Right of Entry Agreement to North by Northwest Consulting, Inc. Finally, the Commissioners revised Chapter 7 of the Forsyth County Code regarding Buildings and Building Regulations and received Human Resources and Contribution Based Benefit Reports.