Triangle J Council of Governments 

Board of Delegates  After Action Report

 

A summary of key agenda items and actions taken by the Board of Delegates

at its meeting on August 24, 2016.  Find the full agenda packet HERE.

 

This report is distributed to our delegates, alternate delegates, mayors, county chairs and managers of our member local governments. to keep them up-to-date.  
Recognitions & Introductions
 
Chairman Ed Harrison presented a plaque and a gift in appreciation of outgoing Chairperson Jennifer Robinson's service during FY15 and FY16. Cary Town Council Member Jennifer Robinson served two consecutive terms as Chairperson of the Triangle J Board of Delegates. She previously served as Secretary/Treasurer, Second Vice-Chair, and First Vice-Chair of the TJCOG Board and will serve Triangle J as Immediate Past Chairperson during FT2017.  She continues to be a valuable member of the Board of Delegates.



We welcomed new TJCOG staff members.
  • Autimn Pittman - Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman
  • Julia Katz - Planner II
Approval of 2017 Calendar of Meetings for the Board of Delegates and Executive Committee

The Board was asked to reverse the April and June meetings. This proposed change would result in the Board of Delegates meeting in April and the Executive Committee meeting in June. Making this change will help streamline the presentation, public hearing, and adoption of Triangle J's annual budget.

ACTION:  The Board of Delegates unanimously approved. 
Consider Resolution for Addition of NC 457(b) Plan as an Employee Benefit
 
Tripp Madden, a Retirement Education Manager with NC Total Retirement Plans, provided information about the NC 457 Plan, a deferred compensation plan available to public employees.  Triangle J does not currently participate in this plan. It was requested that the Triangle J Board of Delegates authorize TJCOG to participate in the NC 457 Plan as another way to assist employees in saving for retirement. TJCOG would not contribute on behalf of employees; employees who participate could contribute via payroll deduction.

ACTION:  The Board of Delegates unanimously approved the resolution. 
Articles of Incorporation for Triangle J Regional Corporation

A goal of the Board of Delegates and members of the Triangle J COG staff  has been  to  create a not-for-profit arm of the organization. The purpose of this not-for-profit  would  be to better compete for grant and other funding opportunities when TJCOG is not eligible. The initial paperwork has been completed.  It was recommended that the Board of Delegates approve the Articles of Incorporation and authorize the Executive Director to file the Articles of Incorporation with the North Carolina Secretary of State.

ACTION:  The Board of Delegates unanimously approved. 
Consideration of FTZ#93 Rates, Tariff, and Legal Review Board Requests

The FTZ #93 Rates, Tariff, and Legal Review Board met on August 18th and forwarded the following items to the TJCOG Board of Delegates for consideration:
  • GKN Freight Services, a division of GKN Driveline, presented a request for sponsorship of their application for a Subzone with multiple sites located in Lee, Person, and Alamance counties. According to their website: "GKN Driveline is the world's leading supplier of automotive driveline technologies and systems. With 25,500 people at 46 locations in 23 countries, we design, develop and integrate driveline technologies that transmits power to the wheel in the most effective and efficient way possible." GKN hopes to have this subzone up and running by July 2017.
  • In January, GlaxoSmithKline notified Triangle J of its intent to terminate the operations agreement for their FTZ site located in Zebulon, indicating an April termination date. US Customs and Border Protection has not deactivated or terminated the site because GSK has not provided the paperwork necessary to complete this step. Recently GSK has expressed an interest in maintaining FTZ status. The FTZ Board reviewed the documents presented by GSK, along with additional information, and determined the termination request was invalid. The FTZ Board requested the Board of Delegates approve transmittal of a letter notifying GSK that its termination request was invalid and therefore the FTZ Site 6 remains fully activated.
  • Merck Sharp and Dohme operates Subzone 93H in Durham County, and since activation in 2010, Merck Durham has not admitted anything to this subzone. Merck Durham has requested a temporary voluntary suspension of Subzone 93H and a reduced annual fee while this suspension is in place. The company wishes to maintain its zone status for future use.
  • The FTZ Board requests the FTZ #93 Zone Schedule be updated to include an "Activated and Suspended" category. It is also recommended this annual fee mirror that of a non-activated site.
ACTION:  The Board of Delegates unanimously approved these requests as presented. 
Appointment of FY 2017 Nominating Committee

Chairman Harrison appointed the Nominating Committee:
Pamela Baldwin - Town of Pittsboro
Greg Harrington - Town of Wake Forest
Penny Rich - Orange County
Jennifer Robinson - Town of Cary

ACTION:  The Board of Delegates received Nominating Committee appointments.
Appointment of the 2017 Regional Legislative Committee

The Triangle J Board of Delegates appointed a Regional Legislative Committee tasked with drafting updates to the Regional Legislative Message in preparation for the upcoming session of the North Carolina General Assembly. The NC General Assembly's 2017 Session (the Long Session) is scheduled to convene on January 11, 2017.

2017 Regional Legislative Committee:
  • Ed Harison, Chair, Town of Chapel Hill
  • Jennifer Robinson, Town of Cary
  • Pamela Baldwin, Town of Pittsboro
  • John Boyette, Town of Wendell
  • Kathleen Ferguson, Town of Hillsborough
  • Diana Hales, Chatham County
  • Ed Harrison, Town of Chapel Hill
  • Sig Hutchinson, Wake County
  • Wendy Jacobs, Durham County
  • Butch Lawter, Town of Clayton
  • Penny Rich, Orange County
  • James Roberson, Town of Knightdale
  • Vickie Scroggins-Johnson, Town of Morrisville
  • Ronnie Williams, Town of Garner
  • Rebecca Wyhof, City of Sanford 
Presentation on Employment in the Triangle J Region

As a follow-up to the Institute for Emerging Issues Futurework Prosperity Tour in June,  Aspen Romeyn, Planner II at TJCOG, presented information on employment and economic trends in the Triangle J region.  View the presentation  
here.


Next Meeting - Reminder


The next meetings are scheduled for September 28 (Executive Committee) and October 26 (Board of Delegates). Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. 
Triangle J Council of Governments
4307 Emperor Blvd., Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703
919.549.0551
 
Please note: Email correspondence to and from TJCOG is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. 132, and may be disclosed to third parties unless made confidential under applicable law.