Volume I; issue ii | August, 2019
Eastern Carolina Council of Governments (ECCOG) welcomes the Town of Calypso as the newest member of the ECCOG.

Quote for the Month-
"My biggest motivation? Just to keep challenging myself. I see life almost like one long University education that I never had. Every day I'm learning something new." ~ Richard Branson
Upcoming Training Opportunities
R ecover & Resiliency Funding Fair
As shared in our first issue of the The Wave , we asked you to save the date for the ECCOG's Recovery & Resiliency Funding Fair on August 21 st at the ECCOG office. This event will feature representatives from EDA, NCORR, Golden Leaf, and others to discuss funding opportunities for hurricane recovery and resiliency initiatives.

Click here to view the flyer for more information and registration.
August 7 Regional Managers' Meeting

Please join us for a Legislative Update Session on August 7, 2019 at the ECCOG located at 233 Middle Street Suite 300 New Bern, NC 28562. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and the North Carolina League of Municipalities will present the information at two times with lunch in the middle. Please invite your staff and elected officials as you deem appropriate.

11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Adam Pridemore, Legislative Counsel with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners

12:00 p.m.- 12:45 p.m. Lunch (Compliments of the ECCOG)

1:00 p.m.- 1:45 a.m. Addison McDowell North Carolina League of Municipalities

RSVP to Leighann at eccadmin@eccog.org by August 2 so that we may have materials and lunch arranged.

Area Agency on Aging Trainings
Chronic Disease Self Management Program
Matter of Balance Coach Training
Diabetes Self Management Cross Training
Spotlight
Chad Davis - ECCOG Regional Planning Director
The ECCOG Planning Department offers a full range of services in the areas of Community Planning, Transportation Planning, Economic Development, GIS Mapping, and Disaster Mitigation and Recovery. Our highly trained and knowledgeable staff is dedicated to helping communities solve problems and grow efficiently. Leading our planning efforts is Chad Davis who is the Regional Planning Director. Chad is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and has a wealth of planning experience working at both the regional and municipal levels for more than twelve years. Chad started with ECCOG in 2017 and has assisted communities with ordinance rewrites, utility mapping, various studies, and grant application and administration. Chad looks forward to building relationships with and helping more of the communities in ECCOG’s region.

The ECCCOG salutes Chad for his ideas, leadership, and dedication to the ECCOG.
Planning Department Current Projects
Planning Department Projects
  • Bayboro Powell Bill Map
  • Region-wide Unmet Needs Assessment
  • Bridgeton Stormwater Mapping
  • JLUS Implementation
  • Trent Woods and Pollocksville Planning
 
EDA Grant Administration:
  • City Market/VOLT Center, New Bern
  • James Sprunt Community College Nursing School Expansion, Kenansville
  • CEDS Plan Rewrite
ECRPO:
  • Kinston Bypass (R-2553)
  • Harvey Parkway (R-5703)
  • MPO Coordination
  • SPOT 5.0
  • NCARPO
  • Highway 70 Corridor Commission
  • Wallace to Castle Hayne Rail
  • Hwy 70 in Wayne County (R-5829)
  • US 117 (U-3125)
  • Carey Road (U-3618)
  • Mt. Olive Bike & Ped Plan
  • STC Corridor Plans
  • E. NC Regional Freight Mobility Plan
  • TOP3S
  • NC 11 Upgrade (R-5815)
  • US 258 Widening (R-5814)
  • Tolling workgroup
  • West NC 24 Corridor Study
  • Little Baltimore Interchange (R-5813)
  • US 13 Modernization (R-5853)
  • US 13 Widening (R-5812)
  • US 13/US 258 Widening (R-5942)
  • Kingold Blvd Access Mgmt. (R-5898)
  • Hull Road Intersection (R-5943)
  • NC 24 (R-2303F)
DERPO:
  • Kinston Bypass (R-2553)
  • Havelock Bypass (R-1015)
  • Onslow County CTP
  • Craven County CTP
  • MPO Coordination
  • SPOT 5.0
  • NCARPO
  • Highway 70 Corridor Commission
  • Highway 17 Association
  • Newport River Bridge Expansion (U-5740/U-5876)
  • Bridges Street Extension (R-5727)
  • James City Improvements (U-5713)
  • Highway 58 Corridor Study
  • NC 58 /AB Causeway Intersection (R-5816)
  • Miller Blvd. (U-3431)
  • US 17 Widening (R-2513)
  • NC 101/US 70 Roundabout (U-6058)
  • NC 58/NC 24 Intersection (R-5858)
  • Harker's Island Bridge (B-4863)
  • STC Corridor Plans
  • E. NC Regional Freight Mobility Plan
  • TOP3S
  • Tolling Workgroup
  • EI Roundabouts Feasibility Study (R-5884/R-5886/R-5944)
  • East NC 24 Corridor Study
  • US 70/NC 12 Corridor Study (R-4746)
  • NC 24 Superstreet (R-5885)
  • Queens Creek Rd. Widening (R-5948)
  • Bogue Inlet Intersection (R-5852)
  • Barbour Rd. Intersection (R-5941)
  • Live Oak St. Access Mgmt. (R-5945)
  • US 70/Lennoxville Rd. (R-5946)
  • Cedar St./Live Oak St. (R-5962)
  • B-5613 & B-5616 Bridge Replacements
Newsletter
Click the image above for NC Moves 2050 July Newsletter
Grants
Volkswagen (VM) Settlement Funding

Governor Roy Cooper has designated the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to manage North Carolina’s share of the VW Settlement, an agreement between the German automaker and the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). North Carolina’s beneficiary mitigation plan is structured in three phases, so DEQ can seek additional input and make changes as needed along the way. This plan addresses Phase 1 (2018 - 2020) only. DEQ plans to invest 33% of the overall funds ($30.68 million) during this period.

DEQ has two RFPs for Phase I, and are now accepting applications for projects. Information regarding applications can be found here:  VW RFP

NCDENR is holding technical workshops across the state. The VW Settlement Project Application Technical Workshop is designed to help eligible parties in understanding how to complete the application paperwork. This workshop is not a public forum for comments on implementation of the VW Settlement. 
NCDENR has developed two short tutorials for the applicants. One is for Diesel Vehicle Repower/Replacement Project Applications located here , and one is for Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Project Applications located here . Additional information and the videos may also be found on the NC Division of Air Quality VW Settlement website here . 

If you are interested in attending a workshop in person, please register here as soon as possible. Please share this information with any colleagues who may also be interested.

If you have any questions prior to the workshop, please contact Robin Barrows at 919-707-8445 or ( robin.barrows@ncdenr.gov ) or Melanie Henderson at 919-707-8419 or ( melanie.henderson@ncdenr.gov ). 

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) invites applicants to submit applications for construction or non-construction projects that advance economic development objectives. Grants made under the agency’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs help fund the construction of new public assets and/or the renovation of existing public assets that foster job creation or job retention. Investments can support a range of activities, including but not limited to, construction or improvements to water/sewer lines, tanks, systems, pump, incubators, access roads, workforce training facilities, port improvements, and other similar projects, highest and best use analysis, feasibility studies, and more.  The EDA accepts applications on a rolling basis. To learn more and to discuss potential projects, please contact Hillary Sherman at 404.730.3013 or hsherman@eda.gov .  To access the funding notice & application forms click here
Regional Happenings
ADA Transition Plans and Self Evaluations
Recently, governments in our region have contacted the ECCOG about ADA Transition Plans and Self Evaluations.
As background information, a municipality that receives Federal and/or State funds and has 50 or more employees is required to perform a self evaluation and generate a Transition Plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Here are some examples of other municipalities plans:

The ECCOG can help take this task off your to do list. If your municipality would like assistance with their self assessment and transition plan, please contact the ECCOG to discuss a contractual relationship.
Social Determinants Accelerator Act:
Economic and social conditions have a powerful impact on our health and wellness. Stable housing, reliable transportation, and access to healthy foods are all factors that can make a difference in the prevention and management of many health conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. Known as social determinants of health, a focus on these non-medical factors can improve health outcomes and well being.

DEACS is excited to announce the upcoming launch of North Carolina’s statewide anti-contamination campaign, Recycle Right NC, and invite you to participate.   J oin us in cooperation with partners across the state to clean up recycling through unified messaging!   By participating in Recycle Right NC, you will further educate your residents on which items should and should not be placed in their recycling cart with:

·        An up-to-date, MRF-approved accepted list of recyclables, either designed by your
own community or provided by DEACS
·        Direct mailers, like inserts and postcards
·        Social media posts
·        Press releases
·        And other educational materials like print ads, flyers, etc.

What YOU Can Do:   Sign up to participate in the campaign!

What YOU Will Get:   After signing up , you will receive coaching on the next steps of the campaign, an invitation to join our campaign’s c losed Facebook group, an office window cling, and stickers for residents.

For more information, see the attached campaign handout or contact Emily Burnett at emily.burnett@ncdenr.gov or (919) 707-8121.
NC Community Foundation announces more than $300,000 in grant awards to support local disaster recover news & information
NCCF, in partnership with the North Carolina Local News Lab, announces more than $300,000 in grant awards to support information and public engagement as communities recover from Hurricane Florence and prepare eastern North Carolina for a more resilient future. .

Resolving Concerns through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) grew out of efforts by both federal and state governments to respond to widely reported concerns that our most frail and vulnerable citizens, those living in long-term care facilities, were subject to abuse, neglect, and substandard care. These residents also lacked the ability to exercise their rights or voice complaints about their circumstances. The primary purpose of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is to identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and family care homes.

Christopher D. Seaberg has been hired as Swansboro’s Town Manager. Chris is currently serving as Administrator for Cedar Point, where he has worked for 13 years. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban & Regional Planning with a minor in Business Administration from East Carolina University in 2000. He will begin working for the Town of Swansboro September 3, 2019. 
Town of Cedar Point's Town Hall are like a big family, and they will surely miss Chris, but wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. The Town is now accepting applications and resumes for the position of Town Administrator. To view the job posting, please click HERE
Town of Newport
The Town of Newport is currently recruiting a Finance Director. This position will work with the Town Manager, staff and Council to manage a solid financial system including all accounting functions. Work involves coordination of accounts payable, budgeting process, capital projects, purchasing, debt administration and special analysis. The Finance Director is responsible for being the key contact with the auditor and preparing various financial records, reports and fiscal analyses as needed.

Town of Wallace
The Town of Wallace has an opening for a Full Time Building & Grounds Maintenance Mechanic.

Oriental Harbor Joins Clean marina Program
The 110-slip Oriental Harbor Marina is the newest to be certified a North Carolina Clean Marina.

The marina in Pamlico County, located where Green and Smith creeks flow into the Neuse River, was certified June 14 and now flies the Clean Marina flag.

Next Scheduled Meetings
August 1, 2019 - ECRPO
August 8, 2019 - ECC Executive Committee Board
September 17, 2019 - DERPO TCC
Septemebr 24, 2019 - DERPO TAC
September 26, 2019 - ECRPO