Draft Minutes (pending approval)
The A-B Tech/Buncombe County Joint Capital Advisory Committee convened a meeting on Monday, February 26, at 3:15 p.m. via Zoom and in-person. Buncombe County Commissioner Martin Moore presiding.
The following members of the Committee participated. At-Large Representative Robert Lane, A-B Tech Trustees Judy Lewis and David King, and Buncombe County Commissioners Martin Moore and Al Whitesides.
Others present for the meeting included: Dr. John Gossett, A-B Tech President; Dr. Dirk Wilmoth, A-B Tech Vice President of Business/CFO; Matt Evans, Buncombe County Government Financial Planning & Analysis Manager, Paige Anderson, Buncombe County Government Financial Analyst, Ronald Lundsford, Buncombe County Facilities and Lisa Richman, A-B Tech Recording Secretary.
Call To Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. with Commissioner Moore welcoming the Committee.
Minutes
After a correction of adding “At-Large Representative Robert Lane being present” to the minutes, approval of the February 16, 2023, minutes was put forth by Commissioner Whitesides, Ms. Lewis seconded the motion, and a roll call vote approved the minutes.
By-Laws
The committee had reviewed and approved the By-Laws change for “section E.1.a) confirmed change of annual meeting to be held in February of each year” at the February 26, 2023, meeting. Mr. Evans addressed this issue as in the future, the Buncombe County budget schedule may change such that budget requests are not considered until a May meeting. This does not mean that 1) the annual meeting in February, 2) any specially needed Joint Advisory meetings, or 3) special funding requests to the County could not occur as needed.
It was mentioned that the February 2025 meeting will need to include conversations regarding the Fund and changes for 2027. Mr. Evans mentioned that another thing to think about is that sales taxes are growing slowly but not flat.
Article 46 Funds
Dr. Wilmoth presented the status of Previously Approved Article 46 projects
Recently Completed
- Enka TCC roof replacement ($5.7M)
In Progress
- New Stormwater Projects ($1M Budgeted)
- Parking Lots A-12 and A-13 Innovative Stormwater Management Features Installation - A-B Tech has provided a $150,000 match from its previous Article 46-funded Hemlock Stormwater Restoration Project and will be providing $150,000 in contingency once the project goes out to bid this spring. The balance of the project is being funded by a $203,000 grant secured by Riverlink through the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Program.
- Haith Branch and Tributary Restoration - Our partner Riverlink has secured grants for stream restoration and gully repair in the wooded land on the west side of Victoria campus. Funds include $314,000 from the NC Land and Water Fund and a $35,000 grant from the Pigeon River Fund. The College’s Board of Trustees recently granted a 5.74-acre track to a conservation easement to allow the project to commence.
- A Stormwater Master Plan for the Victoria Campus has been conceptualized and priorities identified to address deficiencies on the Victoria campus.
- Sunnicrest and Chestnut Stormwater Control Measures - The design of these, the highest priority projects in the Stormwater Master Plan, is underway.
- Demolition of Vacant Old Enka Tower ($3M) – Bids have recently been received and contract negotiations are underway.
- South Campus Training Facility ($5M matching a $5M NC State Construction and Infrastructure Fund allocation by NC General Assembly) – Plans for an alternative facility are being explored.
- 111 Victoria Road Purchase ($5M) – Demolition of the medical building and construction of the parking lot (150 spaces) is complete. Closing is expected within 60 days.
- 2022 Cycle Victoria Campus Repair and Replacement Projects (approximately $3.5 - 4M annually) will occur for the following Beechtree deck, and buildings: Elm, Hemlock, Haynes, Ivy, and Maple (Advanced Manufacturing Center). Sycamore and Magnolia will have upgrades and updates as per outlined in the attached “Status of Previously Approved Article 46 projects” document.
An update was requested on the proposed partnership with Pratt & Whitney (P&W) for a South Campus Workforce Training facility.
- Dr. Gossett responded that, at the request of the Board of Trustees, A-B Tech approached P&W for clarification on its prospective donation of 7 acres while retaining a right of reversion for the property and training center. A-B Tech did not receive the desired clarification and is pursuing options with other landowners in southern Buncombe County for an alternative location for the training facility to serve community needs.
- It was noted that A-B Tech is continuing to train prospective P&W employees on its Victoria campus, while P&W intends to have 800 employees by year-end. The College is prepping people for interviews and assisting where needed.
Proposed Project
A Master Planning Project using Article 46 funds was proposed. It is for a facilities Master Plan as a previous Master Plan 2015-2024 funded by Article 46 funds expires in 2024. The Board of Trustees granted permission to issue an RFQ, and it was issued in December 2023. Seven responses were graded by a review team. Two semifinalists were screened, and the Administration requested that the college contract McMillan Pazdan Smith to compile the Master Plan for a fee to be negotiated and not to exceed $500,000 using Article 46 funds. The College’s Board of Trustees approved this action on February 8, 2024.
Mr. Lane asked about references regarding this company, and it was reported that other community colleges had used them and were pleased. Additionally, the screening committee was put through an exercise by McMillan Pazdan Smith which the committee felt helped everyone understand the process.
The Action Item:
The Joint Capital Advisory Committee hereby approves contracting with McMillan Pazdan Smith to conduct facilities master planning services to update the facilities master plan. The project will be funded by Article 46 with a budget not to exceed $500,000. This action is effective February 26, 2024.
Commissioner Moore made a motion to approve the action item and Mr. Lane seconded the motion. The motion was approved in a roll call vote.
Revised Article 46 Revenue Projections
- Article 46 Sales Tax Funds – Projecting 0% growth through 2027.
- Recent and Upcoming Expenditures
- 111 Victoria Road Purchase
- A-B Tech Workforce Training Center (Assumes Cash Funded in FY 2024)
- Annual Capital Repair and Replacement Plan
- FY22 Project - Demo of Vacant Enka Tower
- FY22 Project – Hemlock Stormwater Project
- FY23 Stormwater Projects
- New TCC Roofs
- Future Projects
- TCC Rehab (Debt issuance cost included)
- Master Planning (Pending BOT, JCAC, and BCC approval)
Commissioner Whitesides made a motion to approve the budget, Mr. King seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Other Business
Mr. Lane offered to assist in moving forward with projects or meetings (such as might be needed at Enka) as needed by the college. His offer was acknowledged with appreciation. Other members made similar comments.
Adjourn
On a motion properly made, the meeting adjourned at 3:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Richman,
Recording Secretary