Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 15, 2018 regular minutes 1 May 15, 2018 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRE-AGENDA MINUTES May 15, 2018 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 5:00 PM, in the Iredell County Government Center (South Wing Conference Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman James B. Mallory III Vice Chairman Tommy Bowles Gene Houpe Jeff McNeely Marvin Norman Staff present: Acting County Manager Beth Jones, Assistant County Manager Susan Robertson, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Finance Director Deb Alford, Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither, and Deputy Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman James Mallory called the meeting to order. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Acting County Manager Beth Jones made the following adjustments: Remove: Administrative Matter VIII.4 Request from Animal Services to accept a grant for $100,000 from the Petco Foundation. Add: Announcement of Vacancies Occurring on Boards and Commissions  Mitchell Community College Board of Trustees – 1 Announcement Clarification: Appointments to Boards and Commissions – Ms. Jones told the Board that since the announcement of the vacancy on Recreation Advisory Board there has been another resignation. The vacancy has been announced for two weeks and only two applications have been submitted. Therefore, now that there are two vacancies and two applications, the Recreation Advisory Board has requested that both vacancies be filled at tonight’s meeting. Ms. Jones also said that the board would need to suspend the rules to do such. Commissioner Houpe said he would like for the Board to discuss the policies regarding Appointments to Boards and Commissions. He explained that members of the Board are receiving calls from community members PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS Recognition of South Iredell High School Marine Corp Junior Reserves Officer’s Training Corp (MCJROTC) as the National Drill Championship 2018 Overall Champion. APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD Request from EMS to Proclaim May 20 – 26, 2018 as Emergency Medical Services Week. 2 May 15, 2018 ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Request from the Finance Department for approval to revise the receipt processing requirement for County Departments: Finance Director Debra Alford asked for the Board’s authority to determine on an as needed bases to deviate from the daily deposit requirement. She explained the County has a daily deposit requirement by statute to deposit any funds that are collected by the County. The Board can designate that the deposits do not have to be made daily if the following are met: deposit at least one time per week, deposit is less than $250, or the deposit is made the last business day of the month. Ms. Alford explained that it can be a hardship for small outlining departments to make a daily deposit. She said the Board recently made this provision for ICATS. The Troutman Branch of the Library has now asked to not make a daily deposit. Ms. Alford asked that the Board make her the designee to make the distinction, on an as needed basis. This would avoid having to bring the topic to the Board each time. Commissioner Norman asked if the departments have a proper storage place for the funds. Ms. Alford said yes. Chairman Mallory said that this decision could be kept administratively and does not have to be brought back to the board if a department deviates from the daily requirement. The board agreed. Vice Chairman Bowles asked if anyone else in the Finance Department would be allowed to make this decision. Ms. Alford said it would only be the Finance Director. This item was placed on the consent agenda. Request from the Health Department for approval of the Fee Policy revisions and proposed Fee Schedules for 2018-19: Health Director Jane Hinson said that the fee schedule and policy is brought to the board annually for approval. The changes were presented to the Board of Health in April. Ms. Hinson explained the changes in the fees. Ms. Hinson said that the majority of changes were in dental fees. She said a component was added that in order to receive dental services any outstanding balance would need to be paid first. This would be effective July 1, 2018. There are 40 public dental clinics in the state and Iredell is the only public health clinic that does not require funds up front. Ms. Hinson said letters have been mailed to clients, pending approval, explaining the change. Ms. Hinson explained that a committee looked into billing issues and concerns and thought it would not be fair to include gross income if a student received a grant or student loan. Therefore, these were removed from the eligibility assessment. Commissioner Houpe asked if clients need to pay outstanding balances for other services before treatment. Ms. Hinson said the department is not allowed to require that in certain programs. Commissioner Houpe asked if there is an exception for emergency cases. A minor child should not suffer with pain because a parent cannot pay for services. Ms. Hinson said there are exceptions for emergency situations. Ms. Hinson said 95% of children seen in the clinic are Medicaid patients. 3 May 15, 2018 Director of Clinical Service Susan Johnson said the dental clinic is able to determine what services a patient may need during a second visit, if necessary. Therefore, when a patient arrives for the second visit the clinic has a good understanding of what the patient will have done and the cost can be collected before they are seated. It is nearly impossible to anticipate what a patient may need during a visit to the medical clinic. Ms. Johnson said staff felt there could be an adjustment made to the fee schedule since payment will not be required up front. For the past four years fees have been set a little higher to offset the difference in what is billed and what is actually collected. Dental services slide 20%. Patients are already receiving a discount and a payment plan option. Ms. Johnson explained there are problems with collecting after the plan is signed. This has driven the idea behind collecting the fees upfront. Ms. Johnson said the department hopes that the bill to collect ratio will improve with the new fee schedule. There has been a $96,000 decrease in the department’s expenditures in the last couple of years. One of the department’s dentist left to start his own practice. That dentist has not been replaced because the department felt that services could continue without adding another dentist. Ms. Johnson said the department is proposing to collect clinic fees at the time of service not before the service. There is a committee working on what the department can do to collect at the time of service. Ms. Johnson said the department is restricted in doing so because of Title 10 and Family Planning. Ms. Johnson said there is an increase in immunizations. These are cost base increases. Ms. Johnson said a fairly significant number of immunization patients are private insured. Ms. Hinson said all services provided have a sliding scale. Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the Pregnancy Resource Center provides a free pregnancy test. Ms. Hinson said yes. Chairman Mallory asked for the number of returned checks and the fees involved as the department does not charge for such. Ms. Johnson said the department has not seen that to be a problem. The department also accepts debit and credit cards. Ms. Hinson said the department participates in the Debt Set-off Program and it has been very successful. This item was placed on the consent agenda. Request from the Public Library to approve an application for a Better World Books Literacy Grant of $3,217: Library Director Steve Messick explained that Better World Books is a bookseller that buys and sells used books. The Friends of the Library group have been using them for a number of years. Mr. Messick said Better World Books has a number of programs that donates money to promote literacy. Mr. Messick said the grant would allow the Library staff to create story time kits for agencies in the county that serve underserved and impoverished children. Agencies include: Head Start, NC Pre-K, Fifth Street Ministries, My Sisters House, DSS, and the Health Departments. Kits would be delivered to these agencies on a monthly basis. 4 May 15, 2018 Mr. Messick said there are no matching funds required for the grant. Commissioner Houpe thanked Mr. Messick for applying for grants. Mr. Messick said Assistant Library Director Juli Moore does a great job writing grants and the Library has a cooperation with United Way that has a large database of available grants. Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the grant is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Ms. Alford said no and that needs to be removed from the grant application. This item was placed on the consent agenda. Request from Tax Administration for approval of April refunds and releases : Everything was in order. This item was placed on the consent agenda. Releases for the month of April 2018 Monthly Total $ 14,750.10 Breakdown of Releases: County $ 7,874.56 Solid Waste Fees $ - Statesville Solid Waste Fees $ - Mooresville Solid Waste Fees $ - Davidson Solid Waste Fees $ - E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $ - Shepherd's Fire #2 $ - Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ 4.15 All County Fire #4 $ 277.12 B&F Fire #5 $ 2.50 Statesville City $ 1,778.93 Statesville Downtown $ - Mooresville City $ 4,088.17 Mooresville Downtown $ - Mooresville School $ 724.67 Love Valley $ - Harmony $ - Troutman $ - Davidson $ - Refunds for the month of April 2018 Monthly Total $678.71 Breakdown of Refunds: County $ 293.05 Solid Waste Fees $ 26.00 Statesville Solid Waste Fees $ 60.00 Mooresville Solid Waste Fees $ - Davidson Solid Waste Fees $ - E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $ - Shepherd's Fire #2 $ - Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ - All County Fire #4 $ 44.11 B&F Fire #5 $ - Statesville City $ 255.55 Statesville Downtown $ - Mooresville City $ - Mooresville Downtown $ - Mooresville School $ - 5 May 15, 2018 Love Valley $ - Harmony $ - Troutman $ - Davidson $ - Breakdown of NCVTS Refunds: County $ (491.91) E. Alex. Co. Fire #1 $ - Shepherd's Fire #2 $ - Mt. Mourne Fire #3 $ - All County Fire #4 $ (19.07) B&F Fire #5 $ (1.47) Statesville City $ 58.42 Statesville Downtown $ - Mooresville City $ (444.35) Mooresville Downtown $ - Mooresville School $ (34.01) Love Valley $ - Harmony $ - Troutman $ - Davidson $ - Monthly Total $ (932.39) Request from the Clerk to the Board to approval of minutes from meetings on April 17 and May 1, 2018: There were no comments or corrections. This item was placed on the consent agenda. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner McNeely said he will provide an update on the I-77 Advisory Committee’s last meeting. Commissioner Houpe asked if there is a standing policy regarding Appointments to Boards and Committees. Also is the Board to appoint a person independently or go with the recommendation. Commissioner Houpe said there is an upcoming appointment on the Town of Troutman’s Planning Board and some residents are opposed to the person that is being recommended. Vice Chairman Bowles said the ETJ appointment is the voice of the residents of the ETJ. Commissioner Houpe said he was told that the person the town is recommending does not live in the ETJ. Chairman Mallory said the vote was tied when Town of Troutman Council voted. Vice Chairman Bowles said the person the Town would like to recommend does live in the ETJ. Commissioner Houpe asked if it was standing practice to appoint whoever is recommended by Council. Vice Chairman Bowles said if the Board appoints who is recommended then it essentially becomes that board’s appointment. Vice Chairman Bowles also said it should be the Commissioner’s appointment. 6 May 15, 2018 Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither explained that in the past recommendations are given by the boards after applications are received. Commissioner Houpe said those boards do their own vetting. Chairman Mallory said there is a process that the Commissioners asks boards to give a recommendation. Due consideration should be given for the board’s recommendation. If the Commissioner’s disagree with the recommendation it should be sent back to the board with specific concerns allowing the board to take another look at the applications. Once that is done, the board can send the recommendation back to the Commissioners. Commissioner Houpe said he asked for clarification so that he may reply to concerned citizens. He said he was told the recommended person for Troutman’s Planning Board does not live in the ETJ that is not currently being represented. Vice Chairman Bowles said the person must live in the ETJ or the appointment would not come to the Commissioners. Chairman Mallory said there is an East and West ETJ in Troutman. Vice Chairman Bowles asked about the vetting process. Ms. Gaither said boards do their own. The Clerk does not receive those applications directly. The applications are sent from the Town’s Planning Boards. Ms. Gaither said she received an application for Troutman’s Planning Board and reached out to Troutman’s Clerk to come and explain the process to her. Chairman Mallory said the Planning Board did the first review and made a recommendation to Town Council. Town Council voted but was deadlocked and the Mayor was not present to break the tie. Vice Chairman Bowles said he is uncomfortable with choosing one ETJ over another to be represented. Chairman Mallory said it is important for the Commissioners to have representative dispersion. Chairman Mallory said the appointment is ultimately up to the Commissioners. Commissioner Houpe said it is important to be fair to the residents of the ETJ. Commissioner McNeely said if the Commissioners have concerns about a recommendation the appointment should be sent back to the boards so that they can address them accordingly. Vice Chairman Bowles said the ETJ residents’ only voice is an appointment to the Planning Board. County Attorney Lisa Valdez said it is only a recommendation from the town. Statutorily, the Commissioners have the obligation fill the position. She also said anyone should be able to send an application directly to the Clerk to the Board for the position being announced. The Commissioners have an obligation to review and vet the applicant. Vice Chairman Bowles said if the Commissioners only consider the town’s recommendation then the town is essentially appointing their own people and negates the County’s appointment. Vice Chairman Bowles asked if the clerk receives all the applications or only the recommendations. Ms. Gaither said in the past only the recommendations, however in this case all three applications were received. 7 May 15, 2018 Vice Chairman Bowles said the Commissioner’s should receive all applications. Ms. Gaither said Town Council is voting again before the next Commissioner’s meeting. Commissioner Houpe said the Commissioner’s decision weighs heavily on the recommendation but also have a responsibility to look at it independently. Commissioner McNeely asked that all three applications be included in the next agenda packet. COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT Interim County Manager Beth Jones said that Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 13-19, 2018 as Hurricane Preparedness Week. Ms. Jones said residents are urged to update their emergency plans and kits. Hurricane season is from June 1 – November 30. Ms. Jones stated that the public hearing for FY2018-19 budget will be held June 5, 2018. The Board went into Closed Session at 5:45 PM. The Board recessed at 6:50 until the 7:00 regular meeting. IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES May 15, 2018 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 7:00 PM, in the Iredell County Government Center (Commissioners’ Meeting Room), 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman James B. Mallory III Vice Chairman Tommy Bowles Gene Houpe Jeff McNeely Marvin Norman Staff present: Acting County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Assistant County Manager Susan Robertson, Finance Director Debra Alford, Clerk to the Board Retha Gaither, and Deputy Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Mallory. INVOCATION: Chairman James Mallory asked everyone to bow their heads for a moment of silence. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by South Iredell MCJROTC. PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS Chairman Mallory introduced South Iredell’s Marine Corp Junior Reserves Officer’s Training Corp. He asked Register of Deeds and South Iredell graduate Ron Wyatt to present the award. 8 May 15, 2018 Mr. Wyatt congratulated the team on being named the Overall Winner at the 2018 National Drill Championship. The team also took first place in Armed Regulation Platoon, Unarmed Exhibition Platoon, Color Guard. They took second place in Personal Inspection. Cadets also placed individually in Unarmed Knockout and Armed Knockout. Mr. Wyatt said the team started preparing for the competition in August 2017 as the cadets vowed to return after a ninth place finish that year. The cadets spent countless hours practicing, often arriving to campus in the darkness of early morning to practice before school began. MSgt. Michael E. Fisher thanked the board for recognizing the team. He also thanked the parents of the cadets for their support. Chairman Mallory presented a Proclamation recognizing South Iredell’s MCJROTC as National Drill Championship 2018 Overall Champion. MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the following Proclamation. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 * * * * * RECOGNITION OF MARINE CORP JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER’S TRAINING CORPS WHEREAS, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners wish to recognize hard work, dedication, and determination of our youth; and WHEREAS, the South Iredell High School MCJROTC spent countless hours practicing routines of armed platoon, unarmed platoon, color guard, and exhibition drills; and WHEREAS, the Viking MCJROTC Drill Team has a long history of success in competition. Over t he past 12 years, the drill team was regional champion in 2012, 2013, and 2014; and WHEREAS, South Iredell cadets took first-place in: Armed Regulation Platoon led by Cadet 1st Lieutenant Ty McBride, Unarmed Exhibition Platoon led by Cadet Major Lizeth Cis neros, Color Guard led by Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Michael French. Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Michael French who also won Outstanding Drill Commander for Color Guard. South Iredell also took second-place in Personal Inspection led by Cadet 1st Lieutenant Mekenzie Scardo. Cadets also placed individually in Unarmed Knockout with Cadet Major Everett finishing 8th place. For Armed Knockout Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Allen finished in 10th and Cadet 1st Lieutenant McBride finishing in 3 rd; and WHEREAS, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners recognize this group along with their leader, MSgt Michael E. Fisher for a job well done. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAMED the Board of Commissioners acknowledges and congratulates South Iredell MCJROTC as the National Drill Championshi p 2018 Overall Champions. Adopted this 15th day of May, 2018. * * * * * Chairman Mallory said this is a great opportunity to see the future of our community perform so well in competition with the best in the nation. The ROTC progr am in the local high schools is a citizenship program but the caliber of the program puts cadets in an outstanding position to serve the country in multiple ways. Chairman Mallory said 1 out of 100 people join the service, but 72 out 100 people do not meet minimum qualifications. He explained that this team meets the standard. In Iredell County, 3 out of 100 people serve the country. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA 9 May 15, 2018 Acting County Manager Beth Jones made the following adjustments: Remove: Administrative Matter VIII.4 Request from Animal Services to accept a grant for $100,000 from the Petco Foundation. Add: Announcement of Vacancies Occurring on Boards and Commissions  Mitchell Community College Board of Trustees – 1 Announcement Clarification: Appointments to Boards and Commissions – Ms. Jones told the Board that since the announcement of the vacancy on Recreation Advisory Board there has been another resignation. The vacancy has been announced for two weeks and only two applications have been submitted. Therefore, now that there are two vacancies and two applications, the Recreation Advisory Board has requested that both vacancies be filled at tonight’s meeting. Ms. Jones also said that the board would need to suspend the rules to do such. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to adopt the agenda as adjusted. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD Request from EMS to Proclaim May 20 – 26 as Emergency Medical Services Week. EMS Director Blair Richey thanked the board for hearing the request to Proclaim EMS week. MOTION by Commissioner Norman made a motion to adopt the Proclamation as presented. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 * * * * * EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK May 20 - 26, 2018 WHEREAS, emergency medical service is a vital public service; and WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and WHEREAS, the emergency medical services system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, and others; and WHEREAS, the members of emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and WHEREAS, Iredell County desires to continue to improve upon its emergency medical services system in order to assure all citizens the highest standards of emergency medical care; WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week; now THEREFORE, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners in recognition of this event do hereby proclaim the week of May 20 - 26, 2018, as EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK, with the theme, Stronger Together, we encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities. This 15th day of May, 2018. 10 May 15, 2018 * * * * * PUBLIC HEARINGS (none) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Acting County Manager Beth Jones summarized the following items that were placed on the consent agenda:  Request from the Finance Department for approval to revise the receipt processing requirement for County Departments.  Request from the Health Department for approval of the Fee Policy revisions and proposed Fee Schedules for 2018-19.  Request from the Public Library to approve an application for a Better World Books Literacy Grant of $3,217.  Request from Tax Administration for approval of April refunds and releases.  Request from the Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from meetings on April 17 and May 1, 2018. MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the consent agenda. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS  Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee – 10 announcements  Centralina Workforce Development – 3 announcements  Historic Properties – 2 appointments  JCPC – 5 announcements  Iredell County Planning Board – 1 announcement  Region F Aging Advisory Committee – 1 announcement  Troutman Planning ETJ – 1 announcement APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD AND COMMISSIONS RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD (2 appointments) MOTION by Vice Chairman Bowles to suspend the rules so that both appointments can be made. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 MOTION by Commissioner Norman to appoint Seth Hathcock and Scott Bell. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Commissioner McNeely said the I-77 Toll Road Advisory Board met May 6, 2018. He said 10 out of 12 members of the board made the recommendation to alter the scope as it is now by complete, delete and attempting to buy out the contract. With that, letting the turnpike authority take control. With that there will be one toll lane and an extra general purpose lane. The board also made a request that there be no toll lanes over the causeway, Exits 28 – 36. 11 May 15, 2018 Commissioner McNeely said the two that were not in favor of the recommendation are from the Charlotte City Council and Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner McNeely said NC Transportation Secretary James Trogdon attended the meeting. The DOT will now digest all information that has been put forth and will get back with the board by early July on how they will approach the situation. Vice Chairman Bowles asked about the $145 million that was tied to the project. Commissioner McNeely said those funds are still tied into the project. Commissioner McNeely also said the contractor working on the project is on time and looking to complete in the fall. However, if things do not change the toll money will go to a foreign country. NEW BUSINESS (none) COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT Interim County Manager Beth Jones said that Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 13-19, 2018 as Hurricane Preparedness Week. Ms. Jones urged residents to update their emergency plans and kits. Hurricane season is from June 1 – November 30. Ms. Jones stated that the public hearing for FY2018-19 budget will be held June 5, 2018. Ms. Jones thanked the board for their hard work during budget sessions. CLOSED SESSIONS There was a Closed Session item discussed after pre-agenda meeting. ADJOURN MOTION by Commissioner McNeely to adjourn at 7:40 PM. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 __________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Deputy Clerk