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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-21-2020 1 July 21, 2020 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRE-AGENDA MINUTES July 21, 2020 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 6:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room located in the Iredell County Government Center 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman James Mallory Gene Houpe Ken Robertson Board Members Participating Remotely Vice Chairman Thomas Bowles Marvin Norman Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce, Finance Director Debra Cheek, and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman James Mallory called the meeting to order. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: County Manager Beth Jones went over the following adjustment to the agenda: ADD: Item under Unfinished Business CLOSED SESSION The Board moved into Closed Session at 6:06PM IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES July 21, 2020 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 7:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Iredell County Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. Board Members Present Chairman James Mallory Gene Houpe Ken Robertson Board Members Participating Remotely Vice Chairman Tommy Bowles Marvin Norman 2 July 21, 2020 Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce, Finance Director Debra Cheek, and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson. CALL TO ORDER by Chairman Mallory. INVOCATION: Chairman Mallory asked everyone to bow their heads for a moment of silence or reflection. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Chairman Mallory. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA There were no adjustments to the agenda. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve the agenda as presented. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS (None) APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD Presentation by Iredell-Statesville Schools and Mooresville Graded School District regarding Plan B and the new school year: Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff James said presented the school systems plan to return to school in August. Governor Roy Cooper mandated Plan B statewide. Schools were originally limited to 50% capacity with an alternating schedule however, that has changed to six-feet in order to accomplish social distancing. The alternating schedule remains in effect depending on the first letter of the child’s last name. Because of the change, the number of students in each classroom will differ. North Iredell, West Iredell, and Statesville High Schools will have similar schedules to K -8. In-class learning for one section of students will be on Monday and Tuesday, deep cleaning will take place on Wednesday, and the remaining students will participate in class on Thursday and Friday. The logistics and populations at Lake Norman and South Iredell High School prohibit in-class participation. James said the mask requirement would be a learning curve for all. Parents have the option of virtual only, Plan C, for their child however, approximately 87% of the parents polled want their students in face-to-face learning. The school system intends to protect individuals and comply with the Governor’s orders. James said the school system hopes to provide flexibility to meet the demands and be cognate of the teachers. James urged community organizations reach out to assist in childcare, because childcare is a big problem. Chairman Mallory asked if students would participate virtually in class on the days they are not in class. James said yes they would be participate via zoom. Chairman Mallory asked about areas in the County in which there is no Wi-Fi available. 3 July 21, 2020 James said the school system has been communicating with providers. It would costs million to provide fiber optic cable in that area. ISS has purchased wireless units that come with a mobile plan and there are solar options available providing access. There will be modified schedules based on the needs. Chairman Mallory said it important to leverage community assets like the Boys & Girls Club and faith based partners for students who are not physically present but online. Parents are going to need childcare three days a week, which will make it difficult for some to maintain employment at times. James said Plan B mandated by the Governor would increase transportation costs close to $1 million. Commission Robertson said that is a statewide $100 million price tag with an 11% unemployment rate. James said the State is projecting a $4 billion and schools are 30% of that budget. Commissioner Houpe said navigating through childcare needs, food and nutrition, transportation will prove to be difficult, and thanked James for what he and staff are doing. Commissioner Robertson welcomed James as the new superintendent. The County and Commissioners are well invested in the school system’s success. Robertson spoke on the important connection between school and economic development. Commissioner Robertson asked if the COVID Relief Funding would cover the COVIS related expenses for the year. James said the relief funding would not be enough if the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The initial purchase of personal protection equipment was $250,000. This equipment should last three quarters of the school year. Education is the door to economic development future of the County. The county goes because of the quality student the school systems produce and that attracts industries to the area. James reiterated the need of the community coming together to navigate through the school year. Commissioner Houpe shared appreciation for James’ dedication to the school system. Houpe encouraged consistency and keeping parents informed. Dr. Stephen Mauney presented the following PowerPoint. The Mooresville Board of Education will meet Wednesday, July 22 to review the two proposed plans and decide which one the school system will start with. Plan B consists of socially distanced in-person class one day per week; student support, enrichment, and mediation on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and remote independent self-paced work completed on non in-person days. Plan C consists of (virtual) live instructional time (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) and independent work time. 4 July 21, 2020 5 July 21, 2020 6 July 21, 2020 7 July 21, 2020 Request from Iredell Council on Aging, Inc. to present the proposed FY2020 HCCBG funding plan: Anna Rice presented and requested approval of the FY2020-21 HCCBG funding plan. Rice said the 60 and older population shows significant growth and statistics show they will likely outnumber 17 and under age group. Rice said the Council on Aging has adapted and adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senior Centers are currently closed and the senior nutrition program was retooled. The ill effects of loneliness in older adults are brought to the forefront during the pandemic. This created a sense of urgency among the Council on Aging staff to find ways to keep participates engaged. The council hosted weekly drive-thrus for puzzles and books and weekly activity books. The center also provided personal protection equipment. Staff make calls with participants and ramped up its’ social media presence. Nutrition sites closed and staff started a grab and go routine for congregant participants. The agency collaborated with ICATS to deliver meals to van riders. The agency has not missed one-day delivering meals to the elderly thanks to the volunteers and ICATS. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve the Iredell Council on Aging FY20-21 HCCBG funding plan. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS (None) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Request from the Troutman Fire Department for approval of budget amendmen t #4 to appropriate $206,693 of the B&F voted tax district fund balance to pay a portion of a replacement tanker apparatus: Kent Greene said there is an apparatus replacement schedule within the new all-county fire service district. Troutman Fire Department entered the district on July 1, 2020 and the tanker was previously scheduled for replacement. Rather than paying the entire sum of the apparatus, approximately $339,000, the department has opted to use the remaining funds in the B&F fund balance, and t he remainder will be paid out of the apparatus replacement fund. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Fire Marshall for approval of budget amendment #2 to accept a donation of the Fire Safety House and accompanying 1-Ton pickup trust used to pull it from the Iredell County Chief’s Association: Kent Greene said the Iredell County Firefighter’s Association dissolved into the Iredell County Chief’s Association. All of the assets belonging to the previous association transferred to the new organization, and they decided to divest themselves of those so they do not have pay the insurance and upkeep of the items. Greene said the Fire Safety House is frequently used by the Fire Marshal’s office. A 1998 Ford F-350 is used to tow the Fire 8 July 21, 2020 Safety House. Greene said the trailer will need some cosmetic refurbishment and will replaced by a more suitable unit in years to come. The truck will not be replaced. Commissioner Robertson asked the funds used to purchase the Fire Safety House. Greene said from the dues that various fire departments paid to the Firefighter’s Association. This item was placed on consent. Chairman Mallory asked about the air tank. Greene said there were two mobile air units. One had mechanical errors and was donated to Central Volunteer Fire Department. The other is operational and stationed at South Iredell Fire Department. They will become a part of the departments’ fleet and will enter the apparatus replacement plan. Request from the Health Department for approval of budget amendment #1 for grant funds in the amount of $1,940 for additional special funding for the WIC Nutrition Program to purchase office equipment: Health Director Jane Hinson requested approval for a budget amendment in the amount of $1,940. The funds will be used to purchase a computer. This item was placed on consent. Request from Tax Administration to present the Annual Tax Settlement 2019 along with Orders for Collection: Tax Collector Bill Furches presented the 2019 Annual Tax Settlement and Orders for Collection. Annual Tax Settlement As required by N.C.G.S. 105-373, below is the settlement for 2019 taxes as well as delinquent tax collections: 2019 Taxes: Real & Personal Levy $126,248,020.47 MV – VTS 10,734,711.72 Add: Discoveries 760,279.58 Deduct: Releases (236,904.62) $137,506,107.15 Collections 136,403,066.68 2019 Outstanding Taxes $1,103,040.47 Collection Rates: All Property 99.20 % Excluding Motor Vehicles 99.13 % Motor Vehicles 100.00 % Delinquent Taxes: Collections FY20 $1,226,025 9 July 21, 2020 Delinquent Taxes FY11-FY19 $2,403,583 Prepaid Taxes: 2020 Taxes Collected $ 221,062 The Numbers Collected $13,323,698 more in Iredell County taxes than previous year – up 10.7% Collected $1,718,562 more than was budgeted – 101.26% of original budget Sixteen year cumulative total $25.887 million over budgeted revenues Sixteen year cumulative delinquent collections $28,016,157 Collected for all jurisdictions: 6-30-20 $216,663,541 ($29,825,832 more than FY19) Tax Collection Actions Preforeclosure Letters 960 Sent to Foreclosure 50 Tax Statements 4,485 Sheriffs Warrants 382 ($1,011,708) Debt Setoff 2,047 ($769,753) Garnishments 1,150 ($1,022,888) Garnishment fees $96,945 Credit Agency 0 Lien Holder Letters 22 Bank Attachments 548 ($1,360,779) Tax Collection Problems Bankruptcies 106 for $158,015 (105 for $112,671 FY2019) Foreclosures filed 222 (decrease from 331) Collection Rates Last Nine Fiscal Years Fiscal Year Original Collection Rate Current Collection Rate 2019 99.08% 99.65% 2018 98.91% 99.78% 10 July 21, 2020 2017 98.85% 99.81% 2016 98.54% 99.77% 2015 98.58% 99.85% 2014 97.74% 99.79% 2013 97.06% 99.71% 2012 96.77% 99.70% 2011 96.81% 99.73% Average 98.04% 99.75% Debt Setoff For the fiscal years 2002-2020, Iredell ranked 20TH in the state out of 512 units of government participating with $3,682,479 collected. Iredell County did not participate in 2002 and 2003. For all years, Iredell ranked 12 TH among counties. Foreclosures As of this date, the collector’s office has sent 1,098 properties to foreclosure. 849 (77.3%) of these cases have settled with 249 open. We have collected $10,623,071 in current and delinquent taxes. IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ORDER COUNTY OF IREDELL In accordance with G.S. 105-321 TO: THE TAX COLLECTOR OF THE COUNTY OF IREDELL, CITY OF STATESVILLE, TOWN OF MOORESVILLE, TOWN OF HARMONY, TOWN OF LOVE VALLEY, TOWN OF TROUTMAN AND TOWN OF DAVIDSON. You are hereby authorized, empowered, and commanded to collect the taxes set forth in the tax records filed in the office of the Tax Assessor and in the tax receipts herewith delivered to you, in the amounts and from the taxpayers likewise therein set forth. Such taxes are hereby declared to be a first lien upon all real property of the respective taxpayers in the County of Iredell, City of Statesville, Town of Mooresville, Town of Harmony, Town of Love Valley, Town of Troutman, Town of Davidson, East Alexander Fire, Shepherds Fire, Mount Mourne Fire, All County Fire and B & F Fire. This order shall be a full and sufficient authority to direct, require and enable you to levy on and sell any r eal or personal property of such taxpayers, for and on account thereof, in accordance with law. 11 July 21, 2020 You are further authorized to call upon the Sheriff of Iredell County to levy upon and sell personal property under execution for the payment of taxes. Witness my hand and official seal, this the 21st day of July, 2020. **** Request from Tax Administration for approval of June refunds and releases: This item was placed on consent. Request from the Finance department for approval of budget amendment #3 to appropriate Level II funding in the amount of $718,408 to Children’s Hope Alliance: Finance Director Deb Cheek said the NC Department of Public Safety allocated $718,408 for Children’s Hope Alliance Treatment Alternatives for Sexualized Kids (TASK) program for fiscal year 2021. This program offers services to clients (ages 10-17) adjudicated for sexual offenses and are court ordered to participate in evaluations and/or treatment. TASK provides a broad range of services to allow the youth to remain in their homes, promote safety in the community, and prevent further sexual abuse. Services include safety and treatment planning, case management, 24/7 on-call support, comprehensive evaluation, and individual, group and family therapy. In past years, this funding has come to Iredell County and has been shared with District 22 Counties (Iredell, Davidson, Davie, Alexander). Because of its success in District 22, the State has selected Children’s Hope Alliance (CHA) TASK program to provide services in Districts 19 through 30 to approximately 35 counties. All of the funds will flow through Iredell County to CHA. Chairman Mallory thanked Cheek for serving on JCPC. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Finance Department for approval and adoption of a resolution for electronic public auction of county-owned property located at 204 Bluefield Road, Mooresville NC: Purchasing Manager Dean Lail said the Board considered the request in May and asked for it to be brought back in July. The property will be placed up for electronic auction on GovDeals. The company offered to reduce their fees to 5% that will be charged as a buyer’s premium. Once the auction is closed, the Board will have the final option to reject the offer and give staff instructions on a different process. Chairman Mallory said the request was well vetted the last time it was discussed. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Finance department for approval of an amendment to previously adopted resolution to sell county-owned property located at 4600 Harmony Highway to add an election public auction process: Purchasing Manager Dean Lail said on October 1, 2019 Board passed a resolution to sell a 2.08 acre tract of land at 4600 Harmony Highway, Harmony, NC. The resolution authorized staff to a) attempt to market and obtain an initial bid for the property to use as the starting bid for an upset bid process and, b) if not successful, to negotiate and secure the services of a real estate broker to market the property to obtain the starting bid. Staff has listed and marketed the property with constant exposure to the real estate market on the “Zillow” real 12 July 21, 2020 estate site. While there have been some inquiries, none has resulted in an offer. Lail requested the Board amend the resolution by adding an electronic public auction process at GovDeals prior to securing the services of a real estate agent. This will allow staff an additional opportunity to gain the most market exposure while postponing the lengthy and expensive upset bid process required when using a real estate broker. The final bid must be brought to the Board for approval or rejection before a sale can be finalized. This item was placed on consent. Request from Clerk to the Board to designate a voting delegate to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ 113th Annual Conference in August 2020: Commissioner Houpe volunteered to serve as the delegate. This item was placed on consent. Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the meetings on May 19, 26, & 28, and June 2 & 16, 2020: There were no revisions or corrections. This items was placed on consent. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Farmland Preservation Advisory Board (2 appointments) James A. Dobson and Jerry Turner have volunteered to serve again. MOTION by Commissioner Robertson to appoint James A. Dobson and Jerry Turner to the Farmland Preservation Advisory Board. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS County Manager Beth Jones said on June 16, the Board called for a public hearing to consider an economic development incentive for Project Transformer be heard July 21, 2020, however, due to schedule conflicts, the company has requested to move the public hearing to August 4, 2020. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve an economic incentive of up to $228,000 over 5 years to be granted to Project Transformer based on an investment of up $14,000,000, with a minimum of $9.7 million with the improvement extending to December 31, 20 20. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Todd Scott, NAACP Statesville President, said the people have always been told to wait and this is justice denied. Scott asked to discuss the confederate statue, poverty, housing, and the 13 July 21, 2020 justice systems. Scott asked if the decision not to move the statue is political and if the Board represents only republican citizens. Evidence of where the Board stands was apparent at the February 4, 2020 meeting. Scott questioned the importance of heritage because the local confederate cemetery is in disarray. Headstones are broken and illegible. The heritage of slaves goes back 400 years, but the statue remains. Blacks were hung. Sold like cattle. Not allowed to learn how to read, vote, eat at restaurants; and terrorized by the KKK, but the monument continues to stand. John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X were assonated for standing up for civil rights. Scott demanded the statue be moved. Jayne Carlisle, 432 South Race Street, loves her job as a high school science teacher as it is rewarding to see students grow and learn. Carlisle teaches her students, as humans, they have the same genes encoded in them, are the same species, and will thrive in communities. There is equality in the genes yet the world is different for some of them. Carlisle has witness racial discrimination in her classroom. The community must be aware and change. Change is difficult, but for Statesville to be a strong community, things must shift. Carlisle said the statue not only represents fallen soldiers but also the inhumane practice that dehumanized a population of our species. The statue is a subtle way of dehumanizing the existence of students of color. Carlisle quoted I Peter 4:8, “Above all you love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Carlisle said slavery was an original sin and the community needs to love each other through equality. Carlisle asked for the statue to be relocated. Storm Onole, 408 W. Bell Street, said the monument is inscribed “They bore the flag of a nation’s trust and fell in a cause though lost, still just.” Onole said the book is dedicated by the author to the Youth of the South End hoping that its’ pages will inspire them with the respect and admiration of the confederate soldiers of the real Ku Klux. This quote is from the book entitled the Ku Klux Klan, Our Invisible Empire, written by Mrs. SEF Rose, President, of the Mississippi Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy. The book was unanimously endorsed by the DUC during a convention in 1913. According to historic minutes, the proceeds from the book as well as other KKK propaganda went to erect monuments, identical to the one outside the meeting room. Onole said “The old confederate soldier looks down from the sky and laughs as he sees the principles for which he fought established” was said during the third annual meeting of the DUC in 1899. The great battle for the constitution, states’ rights, and white supremacy all the South is conquered. The Confederate Constitution Article 1 Section 9 reads, “No bill of attainder, expost facto law or law denying or repairing the right in Negro slaves shall be passed.” Article 4 Section 3, “In all such territory, the institution of negro slavery as it now ex ists in confederate states shall be recognized and protected by congress and by the territorial government.” Onole said there are many arguments surrounding the statue, both for and against. The vast majority of conflicts are rooted in emotion, disinformation, and the failure of the education system to accurately teach history. Onole said these are reasons why she addressed historic facts. The monument was funded and erected by white supremacist to propagate white supremacy. The protests outside the Iredell County Government Center has been on going for 27 consecutive days and the group will not stop. The protesters have been victims of misinformation, slander, threats, abuse, stalking, and harassment from members of and outside the community. The meeting room is the people’s house to come and partake in governmental affairs. It is the duty of the Board to act upon the promise of equal justice for all, and take a definitive stance against racism, hate, and white supremacy. Sierra Patterson, 701 E. Front Street, said the statue was erected in 1905 to put fear and intimidation in hearts and minds of people of color. The statue is a reminder that people wanted to keep the black community in chains and idolizes the people who fought to keep black as slaves. 14 July 21, 2020 Patterson said it is offensive for white members of the community to tell her how she should feel about the monument. A white person could never fully understand how the statue makes a person of color feel. The statue represents the community’s effort to maintain power and control over the people of color. There should not be a compromise because the statue is matter of right and wrong. Chattney Harris, 634 Walnut Street, said his late grandfather, Reverend J.C. Harris, taught more love, less hate. Harris asked why the County or City has not supported Black Lives Matter. Harris, the youngest black business owner in Statesville, explained he talked with city and county officials for years about moving his business downtown before they turned their backs on him. Harris urged the County to support change within the community. Kimberly Wasson, 464 Hartness Road, is bothered by the statue and the fact that no one discusses the constant inequalities in the County. Wasson said for people to continue to act as if they do not see or understand the statue is disrespectful. The community needs to come together and have honest conversations about the disparities. Wasson said the monument is very offensive to the African American community and should be removed. It is not okay for the monument to sit outside a government building that is funded by taxpayers Mae Hall, 1319 Lorrain Court, said the statue is very offensive and should be moved to the confederate cemetery. If one citizen is offended, all should be offended. Alicia Standish, 150 Ashord Drive, said so much has changed since speaking at the last commissioners’ meeting. Standish shared her frustration over the protesters being stalked, bullied, slandered, threatened, and assaulted for standing up for what they believe in. All of God’s creatures matter. Standish said statues in North Carolina can be moved if they belonged to someone other than a government entity, or is an object of remembrance for which a building inspector and/or similar office has determined or poses a threat to public safety because of it is unsafe or in dangerous condition. There is question on who actually owns the monument. Standish said the counter protesters carry guns and have been a threat to the protesters, which is against NCGS 14 - 277.2 Standish added that the Statesville Police Department refuses to enforce this law. NEW BUSINESS (None) COUNTY MANANGERS REPORT County Manager Beth Jones provided an update on the following:  The County’s mask policy: employees and public have been very cooperative. Visitors to county facilities are given a face covering, if they do not have one. Chairman Mallory said short of having a vaccine, the only way to control the spread of the virus is by looking out for your neighbor. CLOSED SESSION Chairman Mallory explained that Closed Session was held immediately following pre-agenda and there is one business item to report. 15 July 21, 2020 MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to appoint Fran E. Elliott as the Iredell County Tax Assessor to a four-year term effective July 21, 2020, with a starting salary of $86,995, grade 39E. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to adjourn at 10:11PM. The next regular meeting will be August 4, 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