HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-06-2020
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October 6, 2020
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PRE-AGENDA MINUTES
October 6, 2020
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday,
October 6, 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
Vice Chairman Thomas Bowles
Gene Houpe
Ken Robertson
Board Members Participating Remotely
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: There were no adjustments to the agenda.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from the Fire Tax Oversight Committee for approval of budget amendment
#14 to allocate $26,520 from the Countywide Fire Service District Unreserved Fund Balance
to Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department for replacement of the roof on Station 2: Kent
Greene said once the All-County Fire Service District was created it left the Countywide Fire
Service District an unreserved fund balance. Greene said the Fire Tax Oversight Committee made
a recommendation to replace the roof on Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department’s Station 2. The
replacement will be done in three phases.
Commissioner Robertson asked how long the project has been planned.
Vice Chairman Bowles said both requests being presented tonight have been outliers and
the Oversight Committee re-prioritized the projects. Bowles noted the funding comes from the old
fire service district’s undesignated fund balance. The new All-County Fire Service District does
not have an unreserved fund balance.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Fire Tax Oversight Committee for approval of budget amendment
#15 and to allocate $130,400 from the Countywide Fire Service District Unreserved Fund
Balance to be used along with $69,600, which is already encumbered, to place hydrants along
an Iredell Water line extension in the Amity Hill/Ostwalt Amity Rd area: Kent Greene said
the Oversight Committee did not vote on this project because it was budgeted for in previous years.
The allocation in previous years was $69,600 and $130,400 from the All -County Fire Service
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District. Bids came in at approximately $186,000 and staff recommends moving forward with the
original request of $200,000. Construction of this project will begin this month.
Chairman Mallory asked Greene to coordinate with the schools to obtain a similar
extension on Overcash Road because of the new high school construction.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Elections for approval of budget amendment #16 to appropriate
$96,648 from the Center for Tech and Civic Life for a Covid-19 Response Grant to purchase
five tabulators and to assist with election administration of the 2020 election: Elections
Director Becky Galliher requested approval for budget amendment #16 in the amount of $96,648
for additional equipment for one-stop site, postage, and additional salaries for the upcoming
election.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked Galliher what kind of voter turnout she expects.
Galliher expects the voter turnout for the upcoming election to be historic. Currently, there
are over 19,000 absentee ballots.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Emergency Medical Services to approve budget amendment #17 to
accept $15,000 in Statesville ABC Funding to focus on alcoholism and substance use disorder
education: EMS Assistant Director Andrew Cardwell requested approval of budget amendment
#17 to accept $15,000 from the Statesville ABC Funding to expand the scope of the Peer Support
Specialist.
Commissioner Robertson asked what the funds would be used for.
Cardwell said the position of Peer Support Specialist is grant funded and approval of the
request will expand the focus on opioid education within the community.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Health Department for approval of an amended project ordinance
for the CARES funding to include an additional $34,000 awarded by the NC Pandemic
Recovery Office to be used to purchase a cargo trailer, temporary fencing, and a canopy to
support a mobile mass-testing site for COVID-19: Assistant Health Director Susan Johnson
request approval of the amended project ordinance for additional funds awarded by the NC
Pandemic Recovery Office. The awarded $34,000 will go into the special revenue item that was
created for CARES funding and designated for the Health Department to use the funding to
purchase a cargo trailer. The trailer will greatly increase the department’s capacity to provide
vaccinations and testing.
Chairman Mallory expressed appreciation to Senator Vickie Sawyer for making the County
aware of the funds.
Vice Chairman Bowles asked if Environmental Health trucks tow the trailers.
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Johnson said yes.
Commissioner Robertson said the County received $6.7 million in one category of COVID-
19 relief funds. The cost the Country is incurring to deal with COVID is in the trillions of dollars.
The funds are being created and the ramifications of that will have to be dealt with.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Cooperative Extension to Proclaim October 4 - 10, 2020 as National 4-
H Week: This item will be presented at 7pm.
Request from Planning & Development for approval of a contract with RS&H
ARCHITECTS-ENGINEERS-PLANNERS, INC. for the Iredell County Transportation
Master Plan: Planning Director Matthew Todd said there were 10 proposals for consultants. A
selection committee made up of representatives from municipalities and a member of the Lake
Norman Transportation Committee ranked and held interviews. Todd said RS&H laid out a good
scope. Todd asked for approval for County Manager Beth Jones to sign the contract as there are
still changes being made to the contract.
Commissioner Robertson suggested the transportation plan should blend the municipalities
within the County. The plan should be a reflection of the priorities laid out in the municipalities’
plans while also laying out the County’s priorities. Robertson said it is important to include the
plan in the Land Use Plan.
Chairman Mallory said the Transportation Plan is the starting point for the next major
revision of the Land Use Plan. All of the municipalities are working with the County during this
process. Mallory expressed appreciation to Todd for having a well-coordinated and complimentary
process.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Planning & Development for approval to contribute $1,000 for the
development of a logo and naming of the Mooresville to Charlotte Trail: Planning Director
Matthew Todd said the trail is 30 miles from Charlotte to Mooresville with the idea that it would
eventually extend to Statesville. At this point, there are minimal sections built. Todd requested
approval to contribute $1,000 to help in branding the trail.
Chairman Mallory asked if the County could name a part of the trail.
Todd said the trail would have one continuous name and would be segmented into several
jurisdiction and each jurisdiction will be responsible for the building and construction of their
section. The length in Iredell County is 5 miles.
Chairman Mallory said it is a bit incredulous that the ones involved are unable to come up
with a name without paying a contractor to brand the trail.
The Board agreed to decline in participate in the cost of logo and naming of the trail. This
item was placed on consent.
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Vice Chairman Bowles said the Board is not opposed to the trail. The Board will be happy
with any name chosen.
Request from Parks & Recreation and the Recreation Advisory Board for approval
of revisions to the Recreation Advisory Board bylaws: Parks and Recreation Director Michelle
Hepler requested approval of revisions to the Recreation Advisory Board bylaws. Most of the
changes were technical in nature.
Hepler recognized Chris Campbell, Vice Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Board and
member Barbara Thorson.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Parks & Recreation for approval of revisions to the Sponsorship
Package: Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Hepler requested approval of minor revisions
to the Sponsorship Package. Hepler said the revisions aim to clear up some inconsistencies within
the document.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Administration to appoint an alternate Commissioner member to the
Recreation Advisory Board: County Manager Beth Jones explained that the Recreation Advisory
Board currently does not have an alternate Commissioner member as most boards/commissions
do. Commissioner Norman serves as the Commissioner member to the Recreation Advisory
Board. Commissioner Houpe volunteered to serve as the alternate.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the meeting from
September 15, 2020: There were no corrections or additions.
This item was placed on consent.
OLD BUSINESS
(None)
NEW BUSINESS
(None)
COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT
County Manager Beth Jones provided an update on the following:
County’s PEG Channel is Spectrum Channel 1306. Spectrum provides free PEG
channel’s to government entities.
COVID-19 Mass Testing Calendar is now available on the County’s website. Testing
events are held every day except Sunday.
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CLOSED SESSION
The Board moved into Closed Session at 6:05PM
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
October 6, 2020
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October
6, 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
Vice Chairman Thomas Bowles
Gene Houpe
Ken Robertson
Board Members Participating Remotely
Marvin Norman
Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County
Manager Susan Robertson, Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce, and Finance Director Debra
Cheek.
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 Elections Director Becky Galliher on the 2020 General Election:
Elections Director Becky Galliher provided a presentation on the upcoming 2020 General Election.
The General Election is November 3, 2020 and there are three ways to vote: absentee by mail, one
stop early voting, and in person. Galliher encouraged the public to access the County and State’s
Board of Elections websites for useful information, including the Ballot Request Portal. The portal
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allows voters to request a ballot online. Voters can also track their absentee ballot on the website.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 3, 2020 and received by November 6, 2020.
Commissioner Robertson asked if a voter could mislead the Board of Elections by
requesting an absentee ballot for someone else.
Galliher explained the portal requires identification such as driver’s license number and
last four digits of their social security number. North Carolina does not mail ballots to voters unless
they request absentee ballot.
Commissioner Houpe said voters can also call the Board of Elections to track their ballot.
Galliher said early voting will take place October 15 – 31. Any registered voter, who has
not voted absentee and a ballot has not been sent through the tabulator, can vote at any early voting
site. Anyone over the age of 18, resident of Iredell County, and not registered to vote can bring
proper identification to register and vote during the early voting period.
Galliher explained the steps taken to keep voters and workers safe during COVID-19.
Social distancing will be practices and proper protection equipment will be taken advantage of.
Other steps include single use pens and periodic cleaning.
Commissioner Houpe thanked Galliher and her staff for all of their hard work. Houpe also
expressed appreciation to numerous churches and entities that allow their buildings to serve as
polling places.
Commissioner Robertson shared appreciation of the faith community that embraces the
democratic form of government. He also urged voters to get out and vote.
Attached is a copy of the presentation by Galliher.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
(None)
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from Cooperative Extension to Proclaim October 4 - 10, 2020 as National 4-
H Week: 4-H Agent Taylor Jenkins thanked the Board for acknowledging 4-H, the nation’s largest
youth development organization. The local 4-H group reaches youth through programming and
youth enrichment.
Laurel Grey, 4H member, said being a member of the program teaches responsibility,
animal husbandry, and the ability to connect with other children who have the same interest. Grey
has competed in National Dairy Quiz Bowl and is a member of the NC Dairy Judging Team.
NATIONAL 4-H WEEK DECLARATION
WHEREAS, 4-H youth across the nation are leading efforts to solve problems in their
communities and make a difference for their futures; and
WHEREAS, 4-H is the largest youth development organization in North Carolina and the largest
in the nation with over six million participants; and
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WHEREAS, 4-H in North Carolina claims 261,210 youth members and 16,789 volunteers, while
Iredell County 4-H program numbers more than 131 members and more than 13 volunteers; and
WHEREAS, 4-H as part of the NC Cooperative Extension System of NC State University and
NCA&T State University is a program where youth learn through opportunities that provide them
hands-on experiences in 4-H’s mission mandates of science, engineering and technology; healthy
living; and citizenship; and
WHEREAS, 4-H has connected youth and their communities with the innovative research and
resources from our nation’s 106 land-grant universities and colleges for more than 101 years.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim October
4-10, 2020, as National 4-H Week in Iredell County. We urge the people of this County to take
advantage of the opportunity to become more aware of this special program that enhances our
young people’s interests in their futures as part of Iredell County 4-H Youth Development and to
join us in recognizing the unique partnership between our County and our State University System.
MOTION by Commissioner Robertson to approve the resolution as presented.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
County Manager Beth Jones summarized the following Administrative Matters during the
Pre-Agenda meeting held at 5pm:
Request from the Fire Tax Oversight Committee for approval of budget amendment
#14 to allocate $26,520 from the Countywide Fire Service District Unreserved Fund
Balance to Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department for replacement of the roof on
Station 2.
Request from the Fire Tax Oversight Committee for approval of budget amendment
#15 and to allocate $130,400 from the Countywide Fire Service District Unreserved
Fund Balance to be used along with $69,600, which is already encumbered, to place
hydrants along an Iredell Water line extension in the Amit y Hill/Ostwalt Amity Rd
area.
Request from Elections for approval of budget amendment #16 to appropriate
$96,648 from the Center for Tech and Civic Life for a Covid-19 Response Grant to
purchase five tabulators and to assist with election administration of the 2020
election.
Request from Emergency Medical Services to approve budget amendment #17 to
accept $15,000 in Statesville ABC Funding to focus on alcoholism and substance
use disorder education.
Request from the Health Department for approval of an amended project ordinance
for the CARES funding to include an additional $34,000 awarded by the NC
Pandemic Recovery Office to be used to purchase a cargo trailer, temporary fencing,
and a canopy to support a mobile mass-testing site for COVID-19.
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Request from Planning & Development for approval of a contract with RS&H
ARCHITECTS-ENGINEERS-PLANNERS, INC. for the Iredell County
Transportation Master Plan.
Request from Planning & Development for approval to contribute $1,000 for the
development of a logo and naming of the Mooresville to Charlotte Trail. The Board
declined the offer to contribute toward the cost of logo and naming of the trail.
Request from Parks & Recreation and the Recreation Advisory Board for approval
of revisions to the Recreation Advisory Board bylaws.
Request from Parks & Recreation for approval of revisions to the Sponsorship
Package.
Request from Administration to appoint an alternate Commissioner member to the
Recreation Advisory Board.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the meeting from
September 15, 2020.
MOTION by Vice Chairman Bowles to approve the Administrative Matters by consent.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
(None)
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
(None)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(None)
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
(None)
NEW BUSINESS
(None)
COUNTY MANANGERS REPORT
County Manager Beth Jones provided an update on the following:
County’s PEG Channel is Spectrum Channel 1306. Spectrum provides free PEG
channel’s to government entities.
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COVID-19 Mass Testing Calendar is now available on the County’s website. Testing
events are held every day except Sunday.
CLOSED SESSION
Chairman Mallory explained that Closed Session was held immediately following pre-
agenda and there are no action items to report.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to adjourn at 8:05PM. The next regular meeting will
be October 20, 2020, 5:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Government Center, 200
South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
VOTING: Ayes – 4; Nays – 0
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk