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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-21-2020 1 April 21, 2020 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR SESSION MINUTES April 21, 2020 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 7:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room located in the Iredell County Government Center 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. In light of COVID-19, the Board cancelled the pre-agenda. Board Members Present Chairman James Mallory Gene Houpe Ken Robertson Board Members Participating Remotely Vice Chairman Tommy Bowles Marvin Norman Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman James Mallory called the meeting to order. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Chairman Mallory added two items under New Business. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve the agenda as adjusted. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 Chairman Mallory noted that Vice Chairman Bowles and Commissioner Norman were participating telephonically, and the Board was adhering to Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 121, which limits the number of people in any gathering to 10. There was a deputy available to assist in the ingress and egress of anyone wishing to participate in public hearings or public comment. Chairman Mallory acknowledged first responders and healthcare workers throughout the County that have helped ensure the health and safety of the citizens through COVID-19. PRESENTATIONS OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS (None) APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD (None) PUBLIC HEARINGS Public hearing for an economic development incentive for Project Coupling: Chairman Mallory said the company is headquartered in Italy and would like to participate in the public hearing but have been unable to do so because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19. 2 April 21, 2020 The public hearing was continued twice before, so the matter will be re-advertised and considered at such time the company is able to participate. Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing. No one wished to speak. Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS In light of COVD-19, County Manager Beth Jones and Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson summarized the following agenda items. Staff was available by phone to address any additional questions. Request from Iredell-Statesville Schools for approval of a utility easement at Cloverleaf Elementary School related to the I-77 construction project: Jones said the NC Department of Transportation approached Iredell-Statesville Schools for an easement at Cloverleaf Elementary relative to the I-77 construction project. The Board of Education received an initial offer of $26,800. After negotiations, the Board of Education agreed to an offer of $40,000. J ones said the easement needs approval by the Board of Commissioners because the property is in the County’s name as there is still a debt on the property. Jones noted the Board of Education is requesting the funds be deposited in an account for future school related land purchases. This item was placed on consent. Request from Emergency Medical Services for approval of budget amendment #27 to appropriate CARES Act Provider Relief Funding in the amount of $128,513: Jones noted the amount has increased to $176,790. The department will expend the funds on medical supplies to protect the public and paramedics in providing care as a result of COVID-19. Chairman Mallory asked if this will replenish some of the stock the department dipped into. Jones said yes and to purchase more personal protection equipment (PPE). This item was placed on consent. Request from the Health Department for approval of budget amendment 28 in the amount of $133,835 for COVID-19 Crisis Response Funding: Jones said the Health Department has recognized people with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of contacting COVID-19 and are planning to use the funds to assist with testing in those more vulnerable populations. These funds will be used only if other resources were exhausted (i.e. insurance). Any residual funds will be used for PPE (masks, gloves, gowns, etc.). There are five long-term care facilities, twelve assisted living facilities, and a hospice facility in Iredell County. There are 1,100 residents in those facilities and an additional 1,200 employees in those facilities. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Sheriff’s Office for approval to apply and accept the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program FY2020 from the U.S. Department of Justice in 3 April 21, 2020 the amount $54,119: Jones said the Sheriff’s Office would like to expend the funds for additional measures and equipment in place to help in keeping COVID-19 out of the jail. The office plans to purchase a touch-free infrared camera and thermometer system. This item was placed on consent. Chairman Mallory commended departments for their focused on-point use of the funds that will be used for the vulnerable populations and first responders. Other counties similar to the size of Iredell have double or almost triple the number of confirmed cases. In most of those, there has been a significant outbreak in a care facility. Request from Planning & Development to provide an update on the Transportation Master Plan: Planning Director Matthew Todd said the County was officially awarded the grant from Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO). Staff is moving forward and engaging with local jurisdictions along with the Lake Norman Transportation Committee to review the proposals. Todd said the plan needs some robust public engagement. Todd is hopeful the plan will identify critical needs and improvements. Commissioner Robertson complimented Jennifer Stafford with CRTPO of doing a good job of defining the purpose of the plan. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Finance Department for approval of an amended project ordinance for Mitchell Community College Health Sciences Building: Vice President of Mitchell Community College Gerald Hyde asked approval to transfer funds in the amount of $80,350 from the contingency of the Health Science project and to pay architect fees. The architect fees stem from increasing the scope of work and additional contract administration of the project. Chairman Mallory asked when the building would be complete. Hyde said hopefully August 2020. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Library for approval of a 2-year agreement with Overdrive, Inc. to continue providing online access and checkout of e-books: Jones said the Library has a current contract with Overdrive, Inc. and the cost has gone down to $6,000 for a two-year contract. Jones noted the contract has an automatic renewal but either party can give a 90-day notice to terminate. In conjunction with the contract, the company is providing some additional services at no cost. This item was placed on consent. Request from Human Resources to call for a public hearing on May 5, 2020 in regard to revisions to the Iredell County Personnel Ordinance: Jones explained the Board reviewed the recommended changes at the Fall and Winter Retreats. Commissioner Robertson asked if the verbiage in new Section 7 Subsection B (Non- disciplinary and Investigatory Suspension with Pay) takes care of the modification of Section A. 4 April 21, 2020 Jones said yes. Commissioner Robertson noted the half of the word “during” was stricken through in Section 7 Subsection B 3. Chairman Mallory said the word “during” should stay. Jones agreed. The word “during” should not be stricken. This item was placed on consent. Request from Tax Administration for denial of taxpayer requests for release of property taxes, which do not meet statutory requirements: Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson said there are certain reasons why the Tax Assessor can recommend dial of the request of a refund. Robertson explained the particular request does not meet the statutory requirements because it not a tax imposed through a clerical error, it is not an illegal tax, or was not levied for an illegal purpose. The property was a doublewide mobile home owned by taxpayers and placed on a leased lot. The taxpayers filed for bankruptcy and surrendered the mobile home, but the title was not transferred. The title remained in their names and therefore they were taxed on it. Robertson said there is no legal reason the taxes can be relieved or refunded. Chairman Mallory said the only legal way to get the mobile home out of their name is for the County to foreclose and resell the property. Commissioner Robertson said the Board could not forgive them if they wished to. Although, it appears the Board votes on the matter, there really is no option on how to vote. Robertson shared the taxpayers frustration because they thought the mobile home was being taken out of their name, but it wasn’t and no one told them. Robertson agreed. This item was placed on consent. Request from Tax Administration for approval of March Refunds and Releases: This item was placed on consent. Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the meeting on April 7, 2020: Commissioner Robertson requested a few minor changes. This item was placed on consent. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve consent items. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) 5 April 21, 2020 APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD MOTION by Commissioner Robertson to reduce the amount of public comment period from 5 minutes to 3 minutes and to limit the number of speakers to 10. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 Before opening Public Comment Period, Chairman Mallory announced anyone watching the livestream who wishes to speak could call 704-878-3051 to address the Board. Katie Crane, 115 South Haven Drive, said there seems to be a national shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and asked about the County’s supply. Jones said PPE is a critical asset in dealing with COVID-19. The County had a residual supply of masks from the Ebola event. Those extra masks were delivered to each rescue entity in the County. Jones said gowns seem to be in scarce supply. EMS Director Blair Richey and staff did some research and were able to get some gowns that are washable for up to 100 times. Jones said staff has been very proactive. The County has done well with PPE and are helping other entities. The County received a shipment from the national stockpile; however, it did not fulfill all of the County’s request. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None) NEW BUSINESS Chairman Mallory said there have been some discussion about Governor Roy Cooper modifying the Stay at Home order together with amendments to other Executive Orders that covered other topics. Like, limiting certain professions from being able to conduct business (beauticians, barbers, manicurists, etc.) who come in close contact with clients and customers. Chairman Mallory asked consensus, to send a letter on behalf of the Board, encouraging Governor Cooper to turnover to the Counties the ability to make the decisions concerning stay at home orders and any of the more specific restrictions. Chairman Mallory shared that it may be time to move from the one-size fits all to a more discrete approach. The conditions in Iredell County are better than many of the other counties in the Charlotte Metro region. The point was to slow the spread so that the healthcare systems would not be overwhelmed. Chairman Mallory said the County does not want to lose ground that was very painfully gained but be able to move forward in protecting lives and restoring livelihoods. Counties should not be forced into a prolonged choice between the two. Chairman Mallory said the success in that depends on everyone continuing to practice personal responsibility and social distancing. Vice Chairman Bowles said there needs a calculated local approach. It should be done cautiously, but things need to start moving. Commissioner Robertson shared there is not any dissenting opinions by the Board that they not only want Iredell County but the nation to get back to work as quickly as possible, and that is 6 April 21, 2020 where the rub is. Identifying a problem unites everybody, but identifying solutions often creates a breakdown. Commissioner Robertson said 300 million people cannot go on Welfare until a vaccine is created. Commissioner Robertson expressed empathy for the officials trying to predict something that is not physics, it is biology and that is not as predictable. Commissioner Robertson said there are mixed reports on warm weather diminishing the ability of the virus to spread. If warm weather does help the virus go away, things will go from red to green pretty fast. Until this happens things will move forward cautiously but that doesn’t mean slowly. Commissioner Robertson said this is a fluid situation and the data changes daily. Currently, the County has survived pretty well and seemed prepared. Commissioner Robertson said Governor Cooper’s order was very broad at defining what an essential business is. In essence, every business other than restaurants, barber and beauty shops, and tattoo parlors were considered essential. A lot of places deemed themselves essential. Commissioner Robertson urged everyone to support local when things do re-open. Commissioner Houpe said governing is best closest to the people. This will allow information to trickle up to the national level. A lot of the national data has been based on metropolitan areas with high populations, which makes is difficult to practice social distancing. Commissioner Houpe expressed appreciation to County Manager Beth Jones, Health Department staff, and emergency personnel for working up and beyond. Commissioner Houpe also thanked citizens for being patient during this time of unintentional affecting. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe allow Chairman Mallory to draft a letter, on behalf of the Board asking Governor Cooper for authorization of local control. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 Chairman Mallory said Iredell County is large and that is one of the reasons to ask for local control. After looking at all the numbers, doing analysis, and working very closely with the municipalities. The County has a State of Emergency in effect that includes Harmony and Love Valley. Statesville, Troutman, and Mooresville have their own States of Emergency, which means anything the County does might be different from what the Governor’s requirements are that apply to everyone will apply to those unincorporated areas of the County. The County will work very closely with the municipalities to have a common approach where warranted. Chairman Mallory also asked for authorization to write a letter to the State Board of Elections. The State Board of Elections is proposing new rules relative to absentee voting. Under certain circumstances can be modified when there is a defined natural disaster. The Board of Elections would like to add to the list a pandemic. Chairman Mallory said this makes sense if there is a number of vulnerable populations that are being told they need to sequester themselves. The Board of Elections wants to throw out every process currently with absentee votes that ensure integrity of the process. Absentee voting does not mean you have to be absent. Commissioner Robertson said the County Board of Elections Director Becky Galliher and staff does a great job and has a safe system. Commissioner Robertson does not support any initiative making it easier for somebody to make a fraudulent vote. There are mechanisms in place for the Military and there are several weeks of early voting. If someone wants to vote there are plenty of ways to do so. Commissioner Houpe asked the letter to be forwarded to elected boards and Mayors within the County so they can draft a similar letter or show support of the County’s letter. 7 April 21, 2020 MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to allow Chairman Mallory to draft a letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 COUNTY MANANGERS REPORT County Manager Beth Jones gave an update on the following items:  Jones gave new dates for the Budget Work Sessions: May 19, 2-6pm; May 21 9am -1pm; May 26, 11am – 3pm (if needed). Commissioner Robertson asked if there is an indication from the State on how bad tax revenues look. Jones said it is not pretty. Staff started scaling expenditures back so not only does the current fiscal year have a deficit but to also give the Board a good solid budget for next fiscal year. Initially, the State anticipated a 3% decrease in sales tax. Staff moved forward with not projecting any increases in sales tax at all for next year. The State then predicted a decrease from 20 – 50% reduction. Staff does not feel that applies to the County. Jones said staff feels the larger decrease would apply to resort areas because they are heavily dependent on sales tax. Jones shared concern over sales tax redistribution. The County has fought against it for several years. The County is planning for a decrease in sales tax and a tight budget. Jones feels comfortable that all the appropriate steps are being taken to present a balanced budget for next fiscal year. Commissioner Robertson shared concern over the State diverting tax revenue from high- wealth counties to low-wealth counties. Only 18 of the State’s 100 counties are considered high- wealth. CLOSED SESSION At 8:20PM, Chairman Mallory moved the Board into Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (4), Economic Development. The Board returned to open session at 8:50PM with no action items to report. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Norman to adjourn at 8:54PM. The next regular meeting will be May 5, 2020, 5:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 __________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk