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Home My WebLink About1-5-2021 1 January 5, 2021 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRE-AGENDA SESSION January 5, 2021 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 5:00 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 Melissa Neader Scottie Brown Gene Houpe Board Members Absent Marvin Norman Staff present: County Manager Beth Jones, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce, 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 adjustments to the agenda:  Add VIII.6 Commissioner Assignments  Chairman Mallory added an announcement under New Business  Remove Closed Session (Economic Development) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Request from Emergency Management to appoint Brian Weatherman (Dominion Energy) as Chairman of the Iredell County Local Emergency Planning Committee: Kent Greene requested that Brian Weatherman be appointed as Chairman of the Iredell County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The Chair person of the LEPC must be appointed by the Board of Commissioners. Brian Weatherman currently works as a supervisor with Dominion Energy and has agreed to serve as the Chairman for the 2021 calendar year. This item was placed on consent. Request from Emergency Management for approval of budget amendment #32 and accept an open trailer from Mecklenburg County as part of a Domestic Preparedness Region 7 project: Kent Greene requested approval of budget amendment #32 to accept an open trailer from Mecklenburg County. This open trailer was purchased by Mecklenburg County as part of a Domestic Preparedness Region 7 project and is to accompany the ATV (also a DPR-7 project) that will be purchased later this fiscal year with already budgeted funds. This item was placed on consent. 2 January 5, 2021 Request from Administration for approval of a two-year contract with County Attorney Lisa Valdez: County Manager Beth Jones requested approval of two-year contract with County Attorney Lisa Valdez. Chairman Mallory expressed appreciation to Valdez and her dedication to the County. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Clerk to the Board to designate a voting delegate for the 2021 Legislative Goals Conference: Jones explained the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners is (virtually) hosting the 2021 Legislative Goals Conference January 14-14, 2021. Commissioner Houpe volunteered to serve as delegate and Commissioner Brown volunteered to serve as alternate. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from t he meeting on December 15, 2020: There were no additions or corrections. This item was placed on consent. Commissioner Assignments: Chairman Mallory explained there is a number of boards and commissions that desire a Commissioner representation. The assignments are generally allocated appropriately with the Task Forces and their subject matter. Chairman Mallory went through the following vacant assignments created by former Commissioners Tommy Bowles and Ken Robertson. The boards in which Robertson served on will be represented by Vice Chair Neader and the boards in which Bowles served on will be represented by Commissioner Brown with the exception of the Board of Health. Commissioner Norman is the lead on the Public Health & Well Being Task Force and serves on Partner’s Behavioral Board of Directors. Chairman Mallory will serve on the Board of Health until such time Commissioner Norman is able to fully participate. Board of Health – Chairman Mallory volunteered to serve in this capacity until Commissioner Norman is able to do so. Centralina Council of Governments – Vice Chair Melissa to serve as the alternate. Centralina Workforce Development - Vice Chair Melissa to serve as the appointee. Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization Vice Chair Neader to serve as the appointee. Cooperative Extension Advisory Council – Vice Chair Neader serve as appointee and Commissioner Brown to the alternate. Iredell County Economic Development Corporation - Vice Chair Neader to serve as the appointee. Lake Norman Transportation Committee Vice Chair Neader to serve as the appointee. Local Emergency Planning Committee – Commissioner Brown to serve as the appointee. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Recreation Advisory Board (1 appointment): Carlos Navedo has volunteered for the first time. 3 January 5, 2021 Chairman Mallory acknowledged Navedo’s extensive resume and thanked him for applying to serve. OLD BUSINESS (None) NEW BUSINESS (None) COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT County Manager Beth Jones provided an update on the following:  COVID19 testing is continuously being offered at various locations throughout the County every day of the week except Sunday. A calendar is available on the County website.  COVID19 Vaccinations: The Health Department has transitioned from close contact tracing to vaccinations. The State is now doing the close contact tracing. There have been a couple of clinics thus far and 476 people were vaccinated. Two clinics are scheduled this week, tomorrow at Stumpy Creek Park (10am – 3pm) and Thursday at Hebron Baptist Church (10am – 3pm). The County is following State and Federal tier system for who can receive the vaccinations. Currently, healthcare workers, and residents and workers in long-term healthcare facilities. The State recently added individuals 75 and over to that category. Jones explained information is constantly changing and staff is working diligently to keep the County website updated with the latest information.  Call Center: The Health Department has seen a huge fluctuation in calls. Staff is in the process of creating a call center. Health Department staff needs to be able to focus on administering the vaccines. The number will be published soon and will be open 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. CLOSED SESSION (None) The Board recessed at 5:55pm. IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES January 5, 2021 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, January 5, 2021at 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 Melissa Neader Scottie Brown Gene Houpe 4 January 5, 2021 Board Members Absent 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 County Manager Beth Jones went over the following adjustments to the agenda:  Add a COVID19 update to Appointment Before the Board  Add an announcement from Commissioner Houpe under New Business  Remove Attorney Client from Closed Session MOTION by Commissioner Brown to approve the agenda as presented. VOTING: Ayes – 4; Nays – 0 PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS (None) APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD Public hearing to consider an Economic Development incentive for Project 126: Iredell County Economic Development Corporation Director Jenn Bosser presented Pactiv (a local company) also known as Project 126, headquartered in Lake Forest, IL. The company is an industry leader in papers and plastic packaging current employs approximately 12,000 people globally plans to expand and investment in their facility here in Mooresville, NC. The company has over 40 manufacturing plants and considered multiple locations for this expansion. The company announced an expansion in September 2019 with the addition of 60 new full-time positions and a capital investment of $28 million. The company is planning another expansion with a capital investment of $15 million, bringing their total investment to $43 million with anticipate completion date of December 31, 2021. In accordance with Iredell County’s economic development grant program, Bosser requested an incentive grant to Pactiv based on an investment of up to $15 million, for a grant amount totaling up to $270,158, payable over five years. The Town of Mooresville held a public hearing on December 30, 2020 and voted to approve an incentive on January 4, 2021. Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing. 5 January 5, 2021 No one wished to speak. Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing. MOTION by Commissioner Brown to approve an economic incentive up to $270,158 over a five-year period based on the company’s investment of $15 million and is contingent upon a contract being executed within 180 days. VOTING: Ayes – 4; Nays – 0 Public hearing to consider an Economic Development incentive for Project Buffalo: Bosser presented Niagara Bottling, known as Project Buffalo. Niagara Bottling, headquartered in California, is a leading manufacturer in the US utilizing state-of-the-art purification, filtration and disinfection technologies to produce the safest most refreshing products. Since establishing their operations here in Mooresville, Niagara has been a strong community partner contributing both donations, volunteer time and financial support to several initiatives across the community. The company current employs 154 at their manufacturing facility here in Mooresville, NC. The expansion represents a new 180,000 square feet warehouse to support their manufacturing facility on property adjacent to their facility with the addition of eight new positions with an average wage of $17 an hour and an estimated investment of $12,234,000 by December 31, 2021. In accordance with Iredell County’s economic development grant program, Bosser requested an incentive grant to Project Buffalo (Niagara Bottling) for a total of up $241,166 payable over 5 years. The Town of Mooresville held a public hearing on December 30, 2020 and voted to approve an incentive on January 4, 2021. Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing. No one wished to speak. Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing. MOTION by Vice Chair Neader to approve an economic incentive up to $241,166 over a five-year period based on the company’s investment of $12,234,000 and creation of eight new jobs; and contingent upon a contract being executed within 180 days. VOTING: Ayes – 4; Nays – 0 Public hearing to consider an Economic Development incentive for Project Tampa: Bosser presented Carolina Beverage Group, also known as Project Tampa. Carolina Beverage Group is a contract beverage manufacturer, Headquartered in Mooresville, NC, with three facilities in the United States. The Mooresville facility currently employs over 300 people. This project will add a new malt beverage line to their existing facility. The company anticipates creating between 50 to 70 new jobs, with an average wage of $17 an hour and an estimated investment of up to $9 million investment in personal property by December of 2021. In accordance with Iredell County’s economic development grant program, Bosser requested an incentive grant to Project Tampa (Carolina Beverage Group) for a total of up $145,811, payable over five years. The Town of Mooresville held a public hearing on December 30, 2020 and voted to approve an incentive on January 4, 2021. 6 January 5, 2021 Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing. No one wished to speak. Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing. MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve an economic incentive up to $145,811 over a five-year period based on the company's investment of $9 million and creation of 50 to 70 new jobs; and contingent upon a contract being executed within 180 days. VOTING: Ayes – 4; Nays – 0 Chairman Mallory asked about the newly hired Director of Business Development. Bosser plans to introduce the new hire soon. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS County Manager Beth Jones summarized the following Administrative Matters during the Pre-Agenda meeting held at 5pm:  Request from Emergency Management to appoint Brian Weatherman (Dominion Energy) as Chairman of the Iredell County Local Emergency Planning Committee.  Request from Emergency Management for approval of budget amendment #32 and accept an open trailer from Mecklenburg County as part of a Domestic Preparedness Region 7 project.  Request from Administration for approval of a two-year contract with County Attorney Lisa Valdez.  Request from the Clerk to the Board to designate a voting delegate for the 2021 Legislative Goals Conference.  Request from the Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the meeting on December 15, 2020.  Commissioner Assignments as follows: Board of Health – Chairman Mallory (temporarily until Commissioner Norman is able to do so.) Centralina Council of Governments – Vice Chair Neader (alternate) Centralina Workforce Development – Vice Chair Neader Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization – Vice Chair Neader Cooperative Extension Advisory Council – Vice Chair Neader (appointee) Commissioner Brown (alternate) Iredell County Economic Development Corporation – Vice Chair Neader Lake Norman Transportation Committee – Vice Chair Neader Local Emergency Planning Committee – Commissioner Brown MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve the consent agenda. VOTING: Ayes – 4; Nays – 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) 7 January 5, 2021 APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Recreation Advisory Board (1 appointment) Carlos Navedo has volunteered for the first time. MOTION by Vice Chair Neader to appoint Carlos Navedo to the Recreation Advisory Board. VOTING: Ayes – 4; Nays – 0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (None) NEW BUSINESS Chairman Mallory gave an update on the Register of Deeds position. Ron “Duck” Wyatt served as Register of Deeds for four years and recently resigned to assume the position of Town Manger with the Town of the Troutman. With accordance to the General Statutes and the County’s Policies, Assistant Deputy Register of Deeds Joyce Bess will be assuming the duties as Interim Register of Deeds. Bess will have the full authority as Register of Deeds until a replacement is appointed. Pursuant to General Statute, the recommendation of the replacement will be handled the Iredell County Republican Party Executive Committee. The committee will meet Monday evening to decide what process and mechanics they will use in nominating and recommending a replacement that will serve the balance of Wyatt’s term. Anyone interested in being considered should contact and send a resume to a member of the Committee. Once the mechanics are set, the recommendation will need to take place within 30 days. If the Committee reaches an agreed upon nominee, the name will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners. Based on NC General Statute, the Board shall appoint the nominee. The Board does not have discretion, if the name is provided within 30 days of the vacancy being created. Mallory expects the Boa rd to have a nominee to validate. Chairman Mallory expressed appreciation to Bess for willing to serve as the interim. Bess is a longtime employee and knows the office well. Mallory said, “We will all sleep very well knowing that she has her hand on the rudder of that department.” Chairman Mallory also provided an update on the COVID pandemic in the County. Numbers have been ever increasing in the las three months. Numbers doubled after Thanksgiving. Currently, there are surges atop surges because of the holiday season. There are 72 individuals currently hospitalized in the County and there have been 114 deaths thus far. The number of deaths have tripled in the last few months. Mallory said, “This number represents people in our families, friends, and businesses that we’ve lost before their time. 350,000 people lost in the United States. To put it in perspective, if you took every soldier, sailor, airmen, and marine who have died in battle in any of the wars or conflicts since the end of World War II, this includes Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Cold War, Iraq, Afghanistan. That represents about 100,000 deaths. We are at 350,000. 8 January 5, 2021 We feel very deeply the loss of any service man or woman but this is scale that is three and half times and growing. We lost about 500,000 in World War II. We are approaching that number.” Health care system’s officials are very concerned about the capacity of hospitals. The hospital ICU rooms are continuously maxed out causing them to convert regular rooms into ICU capable rooms, but that does not create additional ICU staffing. Mallory said the County is reaching the point of the inability to take care of someone that needs it. It certainly affects non- COVID hospitalizations. Mallory urged everyone to do what they can to keep the numbers down by wearing a face covering, practice social distancing, and wash hands. COUNTY MANANGERS REPORT County Manager Beth Jones provided an update on the following:  COVID19 testing is conducted at various locations throughout the County every day of the week except Sunday. A calendar is available on the County website.  COVID19 Vaccinations: The Health Department has transitioned from close contact tracing to vaccinations. The State is now doing the close contact tracing. There have been a couple of clinics thus far and 476 people were vaccinated. Two clinics are scheduled this week, tomorrow at Stumpy Creek Park (10am – 3pm) and Thursday at Hebron Baptist Church (10am – 3pm). The County is following State and Federal tier system for who can receive the vaccinations. Currently, healthcare workers, and residents and workers in long-term healthcare facilities. The State recently added individuals 75 and over to that category. Jones explained information is constantly changing and staff is working diligently to keep the County website updated with the latest information.  Call Center: The Health Department has seen a huge fluctuation in calls. Staff is in the process of creating a call center. Health Department staff needs to be able to focus on administering the vaccines. The number will be published soon and will be open 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. Chairman Mallory suggested leaving the call center open until the early evening hours. Jones said county staff is not immune to COVID, therefore all hands are on deck. Hours will be extended if staff is able. CLOSED SESSION (None) ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Brown to adjourn at 7:33pm. The Board will meet for a regular meeting Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 5pm in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. VOTING: Ayes – 4; Nays – 0 __________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk