October 23, 1990 - 7:00 PM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes (Recessed)

October 23, 1990The Johnston County Board of Commissioners reconvened regular session on Tuesday,October 23, 1990, at 7 oclock pm in the Commissioners Room, Johnston County CourthouseAnnex, Smithfield, North Carolina, with the following members presentNorman C Denning, Chairman, Frank B Holding, Vice Chairman, James W Cash,John M Booker, DV M , and Jerry F Wood, DDSAbsent NoneAlso Present Richard B Self, County Manager, Eleanor N Creech, Clerk to the jBoard, Joyce H Ennis, Deputy Clerk to the Board, and W R Britt, County AttorneyThe Chairman called the meeting to order and the following business was transacted1 Public Hearing Community Development Block Grant - Economic DevelopmentThe Public Hearing was opened and the County Manager stated the purpose of theHearing was to hear citizens comments on Johnston County making application to the Divisionof Community Assistance, NC Department of Economic and Community Development for aCommunity Development Block Grant It was explained that projects to be considered mustresult in direct creation or retention of jobs, enhancement of income levels or promotion oflocal ownership opportunities Applications must show that in excess of 610 of the CommunityDevelopment Block Grant funds proposed for each activity will benefit low and moderateincome personsThe Chairman asked for commentsMichael de Sherbinin, Director of Johnston County Economic Development, explainedthat CDBGs, a federal HUD program which North Carolina has administered since 1983, isdivided into two categories 1 community revitalization grants, and 2 economic developmentgrantsAt the request of a local business, the County is considering making application foran economic development CDBG Mr de Sherbinin stated another public hearing will be held,at which time the specific details for application will be reviewedThere being no further comments, Commissioner John M Booker moved the publichearing be closedCommissioner Jerry F Wood seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote2 Public Hearing Set Economic Development Community Development Block GrantUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, seconded by Commissioner Jerry FWood and carried by unanimous vote, the Board scheduled a public hearing for CDBG -EDapplication for November 5, 1990, at 1015 am637October 23, 1990 ContinuedIn consideration of a previous commitment at 1015 am on November 5, 1990,Commissioner John M Booker moved the motion to hold a public hearing on CDBG -EDapplication be amended to designate November 5, 1990, at 1045 am as the scheduled timefor the public hearingCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote3 Home Health and Nursing SalariesThe County Manager, as instructed by the Board on October 1, 1990, provided theCommissioners a multi- county comparative study of nursing and non - nursing salaries TheBoard has reviewed this reportUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner John MBooker and carried by unanimous vote, the Board authorized an increase in nurses salariesby 2-21 2 step on salary schedule, effective November 1, 19904 Hospice Program for Johnston CountThe County Manager introduced Mrs Judi Lund, Executive Director of Hospice ofNorth Carolina Mrs Lund presented information on how North Carolinas 66 operating Hospiceprograms, which cover 84 counties, are administered throughout the State She noted mostare private, not - for - profit agencies, however seven programs are under health departments,four are affiliated with hospitals, and eleven are based with private home health agenciesShe indicated most Hospice Programs are now medicare and medicaid certified, and listed thefollowing factors that, in her opinion, make a Hospice Program successful 1 separate staff,2 full -time nurse, 3 at least i -time social worker, 4 clerical and billing staff, 5bereavement counsel, and 6 chaplain service She stressed the program must be highlyvisible and depend greatly on community awareness, volunteers and donationsCommissioner Frank B Holding asked questions about the pros and cons of thedifferent methods of administering Hospice programs and Mrs Lund pointed out strengths andweaknesses of eachMrs Pattie Lotts, Director of Hospice of Wilson County, Inc, a free - standing,not- for - profit, Hospice Program, presented information concerning how her agency is fundedShe noted Hospice of Wilson County is now certified and receives medicare medicaidreimbursements, as well as some insurance payments Other funding comes from United Way,private donations, memorials, and limited patient billingIn response to a question from Commissioner James W Cash, Mrs Lotts stated WilsonCounty allocated 20,000 initially to start the program She noted United Way has greatlysupported Hospice of Wilson County, but is decreasing their funding as the program becomesmore and more self supportingShe explained that with seven and one -half to eight full time staff and 40volunteers, the agency provides nursing care, social work, counseling, home health aids,respite care, physical therapy, bereavement and chaplain services to 45 to 50 patientsyearlyIn concluding, Mrs Lotts told the Board that Wilson County frequently receives callsto provide services in Johnston County and offered her help in re- establishing this programMarjorie Wall, Social Worker with the Health Department, who coordinated the HospiceProgram when it was under the Health Department, spoke of the importance and need for aHospice Program in Johnston County She advised the Board there are many patientscurrently in need, and offered her services in getting Hospice reinstated She urged theBoard to act promptly as United Way funds are in jeopardy if a decision is not reached soonChairman Denning assured everyone that Hospice would be reinstated in JohnstonCounty in the very near future He related that Commissioner James W Cash has beenworking with Hospital Board of Trustees and Administrator, Lee Farnell, to see if Hospice canbe administered by Johnston Memorial HospitalCommissioner Jerry F Wood explained the Board is trying to find the best possiblesolution for Hospice in Johnston County - if one solution does not work, the Board iscommitted to finding anotherRev Chad Allen, member of Hospice of Johnston County, Inc Board, inquired howhis Board would be affected if Hospice is placed with the Hospital He pointed out that theyhave worked hard in preparing groundwork for re- establishing the program as anindependent agency•October 23, 1990 ContinuedCommissioner Frank B Holding responded that Hospice, regardless how it isd will need advisor leadership and man volunteers to make the program workadministered, y P YHe emphasized that the Board is reluctant to create new agencies if the program can operateefficiently within an existing facility He stressed, however, there are no assurances thehospital will take the program, and if not, the Board will have to look at alternativesLynn Gurkin, Home Health Nursing Supervisor, expressed concern that Hospice mightbecome obscure if placed within the hospital system She stressed that dedicated Hospicevolunteers are necessary in order to successfully meet the demands of such a program andquestioned if this would be feasible within a hospital systemOthal Minshew, Hospice Board member, asked the Board if the hospital does not takeHospice, will the County fund an independent agency under Hospice of Johnston County, IncThe Board responded they are committed to do whatever is necessary to have aworking Hospice Program in Johnston County, and further are committed to see that theprogram is efficiently and soundly administeredCommissioner John M Booker reassured those present that, as a public body, theBoard is always receptive to all citizen input, however, in the final decision, it is theirresponsibility to assimilate all the information available and make the best possible solutionfor the entire County, using prudence in spending the taxpayers moneyUpon a motion by Commissioner Jerry F Wood, seconded by Commissioner James WCash and carried by unanimous vote, the Board agreed to respectfully request that theHospital Board of Trustees assume control and leadership of the Hospice Program for thecitizens of Johnston CountyFollowing the Boards motion, Rev Chad Allen offered his cooperation and assistanceExecutive SessionUpon a motion by Commissioner John M Booker, seconded by Commissioner Jerry FWood and carried by unanimous vote, the Board recessed regular session to meet in executivesession for the purpose of discussing potential litigationUpon a motion by Commissioner James W Cash, seconded by Commissioner John MBooker and carried by unanimous vote, the Board adjourned executive session and resumedregular sessionCommissioner Frank B Holding moved the Board adjourn until the next regularmeeting, Monday, November 5, 1990Commissioner John M Booker seconded the motion which carried by unanimous voteJoydd H Ennis, Deputy ClerkNorman C Denning,IE1DetailsAnnotationsEntry PropertiesModified11192013 32425 PMCreated3312003 84330 AMTemplateMinutesFieldsMinutes - TypeRecessedMinutes - Date10231990Book18