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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2022 1 January 4, 2022 IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRE-AGENDA SESSION January 4, 2022 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 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 Participating Remotely Marvin Norman Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson, Assistant County Manager Joe Pierce, Finance Director Deb 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 Mull went over the following adjustment: Remove: Closed Session PUBLIC HEARINGS Public hearing to consider a request from Michael Halapy to rezone approximately 44 acres, along Myers Mill Road: Planning Director Matthew Todd said the proposed property was a part of a 2000 non-owner petition and was a large area rezonings. It was rezoned from Residential Agricultural to R20. The applicant would like to establish a commercial kennel and that is not allowed in R20. The applicant applied for a straight rezoning request. Staff started hearing feedback as soon as the sign was placed on the property. The applicant decided to postpone then apply for a Residential Agricultural Conditional Use. The biggest concern was about mobile homes. Todd said the applicant is hoping to satisfy some of the concerns. The applicant conducted a public input meeting to share the request with neighbors and there was no opposition. Public hearing to consider a request from Howard Bryan & Chad Puckett to rezone approximately 8.42 acres along the interior of Flower House Loop: Planning Director Matthew Todd said there have been a number of properties in the area to be rezoned. The request started off to match those to the north as far as the conditions imposed, excluding certain uses was the main condition offered. At the first Planning Board meeting there was a fair amount of opposition to the request – most coming from Hawk’s Landing subdivision located directly across on the south end of the property. At that point, Planning Board tabled the request and asked the applicants to consider additional conditions. The applicants brought the request back to Planning Board with additional conditions and the Planning Board supported the request. 2 January 4, 2022 Commissioner Houpe asked how much opposition there was at the second Planning Board meeting. Todd said three or four spoke against the request. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Request from the Finance Department for consideration and acceptance of initial offer for the Harmony Highway property and authorization to begin upset bid process: Purchasing Agent David Sifford requested acceptance of the initial offer for the Harmony Highway property and authorization to begin the upset bid process. In July 2020, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing staff to work with Allen Tate Realtors to market a piece of surplus property, approximately 2 acres at 4600 Harmony Highway, Harmony. The property did not garner much interest in the last year and the asking price was previously dropped from $43,000 to $35,000. An offer was received in the amount of $35,000. Chairman Mallory said the offer is pretty close to cover the County’s cost. Mull said if the offer is accepted staff will advertise the offer for the upset bid process. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Finance Department for consideration and acceptance of highest upset bid offer for Bluefield Road Surplus Property and to close the upset bid process: Purchasing Agent David Sifford requested acceptance of highest upset bid offer for Bluefield Road Surplus Property and to close the upset bid process. The initial bid was $801,000 on June 21, 2021 and went through 10 upset bid processes with the last offer being $2,150,000 from Land South Development. Sifford said the buyer would 30 days for due diligence and 45 days to purchase the property. Chairman Mallory expressed appreciation to staff for working on the bid process. The property has a dog leg that has some difficult topography but in a WSIV Watershed Area the dog leg can be used to free up other portions of the property. This item was placed on consent. Request from the Finance Department for approval to amend the Jennings Park Project Ordinance: Finance Director Deb Cheek requested approval to amend the Jennings Park Project fund to accept $2,150,000 for the Bluefield Road property and to appropriate that money for future park expansion at Jennings Park. Commissioner Houpe asked how far the additional funds will move the project. Mull said the original design and conceptual plan was between $8 and $9 million for total build out. Phase one (infrastructure) has been started – concession stand and four fields. The Board approved ARPA funds for the sewer piece. Staff is working to finish the master plan design of that. Mull noted there are some wetland issues to deal with and the cost of construction has gone up since 2017 so staff is waiting on an updated number. The $2,150,000 will help move forward to Phase Two and help absorb any cost overruns. 3 January 4, 2022 Mull noted this request is in keeping with the Board’s wishes that were discussed in 2018 that when the property (Bluefield Road/Old Ropes Course) was sold the money would be reinvested back into recreational property and development. This item was placed on consent. Request from Administration for approval of Budget Amendment #29, to amend the Facilities Improvement Fund Ordinance, and to award a contract for the Gove rnment Center South Lot Project: Projects Manager David Saleeby Iredell County purchased the old Lowrance Hospital in Mooresville in 2003. The parking lot area has not been expanded or improved since that time. Recently, the Government Center South Building has added the Department of Social Services, Sherriff's Office, Juvenile Probations, and Register of Deeds to better serve the citizens in the Mooresville area but no additional parking spaces have been added.. Congruent to the 2019 lease agreement with the State of North Carolina the County will provide 100 parking spaces reserved for NC DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality). The leased parking spaces will be repaved and will have security lighting and a controlled access gate. Through the Iredell County bidding process, Bell Construction, Statesville N.C., was the lowest responsible, responsive bidder for the Government Center South Parking Lot Project. The budget amendment includes the contract price from the bid and an 11% contingency for a total amendment of $950,000. Saleeby noted the money has been in the Capital Improvement Plan. The request does not include any new money. This item was placed on consent. County Construction Projects Update: The update was included with the agenda packet and there were no questions. This item was placed on consent. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES OCCURING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) OLD BUSINESS (None) NEW BUSINESS (None) The Board recessed at 5:47pm. IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MINUTES January 4, 2022 4 January 4, 2022 The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 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 Melissa Neader Scottie Brown Gene Houpe Board Members Participating Remotely Marvin Norman Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, 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 and to specifically remember families who have lost loved ones particularly county employees. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Chairman Mallory. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA County Manager Beth Mull went over the following adjustment: Remove: Closed Session 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 (None) PUBLIC HEARINGS Public hearing to consider a request from Michael Halapy to rezone approximately 44 acres, along Myers Mill Road: Planning Director Matthew Todd explained the request is to rezone approximately 44 acres on Myers Mill Road from Single Family Residential (R20) to Residential Agricultural Conditional District (RACD). Todd said the R20 generated from a non - owner petition in 2000. It seemed a lot of interest at that time was to keep mobile homes out of that particular area. The current property owner has owned it several years and wishes to operate a commercial kennel on the property and those are not allowed in the R20 zoning district. In order to accommodate the commercial kennel the property needs to be rezoned. Todd noted the request changed from a straight rezoning request to a conditional rezoning because of some concerns from 5 January 4, 2022 neighbors. The owner/applicant added the condition specifically exclude mobile homes and mobile home parks. Todd said the request closely matches the current zoning and safeguards concerns heard early on. Staff supports the request and it matches the 2030 Horizon Plan with the Agricultural Residential designation. The size of the property and the fact it is on the edge of existing R20, if approved, it would border between RA on the rear side and R20 sides in the front. There is a residential home toward the back of the property where the owner/applicant plans to build the kennel. Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing. No one wished to speak. Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing. MOTION by Commissioner Brown to approve the zoning map amendment, and to make a finding that the approval is consistent with the adopted 2030 Horizon Plan and that said approval is reasonable and in the public interest and furthers the goals of the 2030 Horizon Plan because it is contained within the Agricultural Residential designation, it is a sizeable property that lies at the edge of an existing RA zoning district, and the conditions of the request aim to safeguard the surrounding homeowners. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 Iredell County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT PLANNING STAFF REPORT REZONING CASE # 2112-1 STAFF PROJECT CONTACT: Leslie Meadows EXPLANATION OF THE REQUEST This is a request to rezone a large parcel of land, approximately 44 acres, along Myers Mill Road, from Single-Family Residential (R-20) to Residential Agricultural Conditional District (RACD). This request is conditional per the submitted application, and specific conditions shall be imposed as attached to the request. OWNER/APPLICANT OWNER/APPLICANT: Michael Halapy PROPERTY INFORMATION LOCATION: 1177 Myers Mill Road; more specifically identified as PIN#: 4833328636.000. 6 January 4, 2022 SURROUNDING LAND USE: An existing block of Single-Family Residential (R-20) surrounds the properties to the north, south, and east. Properties to the west are zoned Residential Agricultural (RA) under Iredell County’s jurisdiction. SIZE: The total acreage to be rezoned is approximately 44 acres. EXISTING LAND USE: Residential Agricultural, Single-Family Dwelling surrounded by dense forestlands. A power line easement runs across the eastern/ front portion of the parcel. ZONING HISTORY: In June of 2000, this property was rezoned by a non-owner/petition request from Residential Agricultural (RA) to Single Family Residential (R -20). The Indian Hill Road Area request included approximately 2,226 acres (83 parcels with 94% of landowners in favor). OTHER JURISDICTIONAL INFORMATION: This large, rural property is located entirely within the County’s jurisdiction, and is not in close proximity to any municipal Urban Service Area. OTHER SITE CHARACTERISTICS: The property is not located within a regulated/restricted watershed area. The residential density would remain a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet per dwelling (.46 acre/dwelling). While not within a flood hazard zone, the property does contain an intermittent stream. UTILITIES: This site is currently served by well and private septic system only. IMPACTS ON LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND/OR FACILITES TRAFFIC: Myers Mill Road is a local road, not currently covered by the CRTPO Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The closest and most recent NCDOT traffic count is just north of this property, before intersecting with Memorial Highway, along Myers Mill Road, which had a traffic count of 340 vehicles per day in 2015. There is no current road capacity data for Myers Mill Road. The speed limit along this section of Myers Mill Road is 55 mph. SCHOOLS: The rezoning only effects types of housing/home occupations allowed. The same minimum lot size and setbacks will apply to limit the number of single-family dwellings permitted. Thus, the rezoning should have little additional impact on local schools. EMERGENCY SERVICES: This proposal has been reviewed by the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office and Iredell County EMS. Neither office addressed any concerns regarding the request. 7 January 4, 2022 REQUIRED REVIEWS BY OTHER AGENCIES LOCAL: For residential use, proper zoning, building, and trade permits must be obtained through the Iredell County Building Standards Center. Requirements such as setbacks and mobile home construction standards will be reviewed at such time. For permitted commercial uses, the applicant must provide a site plan to the Planning & Development Department for review to develop the property. Zoning requirements such as parking, landscaping, and buffering will be reviewed at such time. Erosion & sedimentation control standards will also be reviewed for compliance. STATE: Other than building code, there should be no formal state agency review at this time. FEDERAL: None at this time. STAFF AND BOARD COMMENTS STAFF COMMENTS: For entrepreneurial reasons, the applicant/landowner is requesting RA in order to develop a Commercial Dog Kennel on his property. Commercial Kennels are permitted in the RA zoning district, per Chapter 3 Performance Requirements, of the Iredell County Land Development Code, Section R47 Kennels, Commercial (including breeding and training facilities). The size of the property is more than sufficient to meet the R47 requirements; such as number of animals per acre, setbacks, and buffers/screening. The property adjoins an existing block of RA zoning district directly to the west. However, as a conditional rezoning request, the applicant is able to exclude RA permitted uses, which may not be considered acceptable/desirable in an established R-20 community. Note that this a conditional rezoning and specific conditions imposed as part of the application are as follows: 1.) The following RA uses would be excluded, not permitted: accessory mobile homes, single-wide mobile homes, double-wide mobile homes, and mobile home parks. The 2030 Horizon Plan designates this property as Agricultural Residential in this area. Agricultural Residential lands are located in the rural areas that lie outside of defined Urban Services Areas in Iredell County. Private uses will be served by well water and septic systems. The intent of these lands is that they will remain rural in character and have a maximum density of one dwelling unit per two acres. Uses within this area generally should include some farming operations, accessory farming uses, single-family residences, accessory dwelling units, churches, parks, and institutional uses. The Planning staff can support the proposed rezoning request based on the following: The property lies within the 2030 Horizon Plan Agricultural Residential designation, it is a sizeable property that lies at the edge of an existing RA zoning district, and the conditions of the request aim to safeguard the surrounding homeowners. PUBLIC INPUT MEETING: A public input meeting was held by the applicant on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm at New Hope Community Center on Taylor Springs 8 January 4, 2022 Road. The applicant explained that he originally requested a conventional/straight RA rezoning; however, based off of concerns of the community once the property was posted, he has decided to resubmit as a conditional request. Eight surrounding neighbors attended to provide feedback. There was no opposition to the proposed Commercial Dog Kennel use, but all remained adamant; as they had petitioned in the past, to keep mobile homes out of their community. A copy of the applicant’s summary of said public input meeting has been included at the end of this report. SITE REVIEW COMMITTEE: Staff performed a site visit on September 17, 2021, to post property and take photo documentation. Staff was accompanied by Planning Board member Andy Webster. PLANNING BOARD ACTION: On December 1, 2021, the Planning Board held a public meeting to consider the conditional rezoning request. The owner/applicant was present for questioning. One neighbor spoke their concerns pertaining to future residential subdivision of the property. The board voted unanimously, 7-0, to recommend approval of the rezoning. ⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘ Public hearing to consider a request from Howard Bryan & Chad Puckett to rezone approximately 8.42 acres along the interior of Flower House Loop: Planning Director Matthew Todd said the request is to rezone approximately 8.42 acres between Flower House Loop and I-77 near exit 42. Staff supports the request because the request matches the 2030 Horizon Plan that calls for the area to be corridor commercial. Todd noted additional conditions were added to address some of the concerns. The property is currently wooded and there was a house on the northern parcel that has been demolished since the Planning Board meeting. The demolition of the house was a condition added during the Planning Board meeting. There are some excluded uses similar to the rezonings to the north that have happened over the last few years. The owner and applicant have agreed to the following added conditions: The following GB uses would be excluded, not permitted: truck stops, truck driving schools, truck terminals, go-cart, motorcycle, & similar vehicle tracks, dance halls, nightclubs, adult oriented businesses, bars/taverns, and mobile home parks. No double roll-up or garage doors will be allowed in the front wall facing Flower House Loop of any mini self-storage building on the property. Demolition and removal of abandoned single-family dwelling within 6 months of rezoning approval. A minimum of 3-gallon sized plantings to be installed within the required 15’ Landscape Roadway Yard along Flower House Loop. A decorative, metal fence, 8 feet in height, shall be placed along Flower House Loop, of any mini self-storage building on the property. Any outdoor storage and/or rental vehicles associated with mini self-storage building shall be in the side or rear yard. Minimum 3 foot earthen berm to be installed in the Landscape Roadway Yard along Flower House Loop, of any mini self-storage building. 9 January 4, 2022 Todd stated some of the conditions are specifically related to mini-storage warehouse building even though there could be other uses on the property based on the rezoning. Some would apply if the property was developed for something other than mini-storage. Planning Board voted unanimously to support the request with the added conditions. Commissioner Houpe asked if the property is slated for commercial development in the 2030 Horizon Plan. Todd said the property has been identified as future commercial property since 2009 when the 2030 Horizon Plan was developed. Chairman Mallory asked if the commercial designation predated any residential development in the area, specifically Hawks Landing. Todd said yes it was in place before the subdivision. Chairman Mallory opened the public hearing. No one wished to speak. Chairman Mallory closed the public hearing. MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the zoning map amendment and to make a finding that the approval is consistent with the adopted 2030 Horizon Plan and that said approval is reasonable and in the public interest and furthers the goals of the 2030 Horizon Plan because development is contained within a Corridor Commercial area, it is adjacent to I-77 and is between other commercial uses along Flower House Loop, the request is conditional per the submitted application with limited GB uses, and additional conditions to the request aim to safeguard the surrounding landowners. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 Iredell County PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT PLANNING STAFF REPORT REZONING CASE # 2111-1 STAFF PROJECT CONTACT: Leslie Meadows EXPLANATION OF THE REQUEST This is a request to rezone three parcels, totaling approximately 8.42 acres, along Flower House Loop, from Residential Agricultural (RA) to General Business Conditional District (GB-CD). This request is conditional per the submitted application; additional specific conditions have been imposed, as attached to the request. OWNER/APPLICANT 10 January 4, 2022 OWNER(S)/APPLICANT(S): Howard Bryan, Piedmont Landco, LLC & Chad Puckett, Superior Properties of Iredell LTDP PROPERTY INFORMATION ADDRESS/LOCATION: 307 Flower House Loop; more specifically identified as PINs#: 4740721985.000, 4740723748.000, and 4740722433.000. SURROUNDING LAND USE: Interstate-77 borders the eastern side of the property. There are commercial properties to the north, extending to the US21/NC115 intersection. Surrounding properties are still residential in nature, with BMC Building Supplies just a little further south. SIZE: The acreage to be rezoned is approximately 8.42 acres. EXISTING LAND USE: An abandoned single - family residence is currently located on the smallest property. The other two parcels are vacant, heavily wooded. ZONING HISTORY: The property has been zoned RA since county-wide zoning in 1990. Properties to the north have been rezoned GB-CD, with similar excluded uses, within the past year to 3 years. OTHER JURISDICTIONAL INFORMATION: This property is located in Troutman’s Future Urban Service Area. Troutman has been informed of the request, but have not expressed any concerns at this time. OTHER SITE CHARACTERISTICS: These properties are not located within a regulated/restricted watershed area and have no limited built-upon area calculations. The properties are not located in a flood zone. IMPACTS ON LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND/OR FACILITES TRAFFIC: The closest and most recent traffic count was on Flower House Loop near the intersection of US21/NC115, having a traffic count of 3,800 vehicles per day in 2016. According to the Comprehensive Transportation Plan 2008 Study Report for Iredell County, the capacity for this section of Flower House Loop is approximately 14,300 vehicles per day through the year 2030. The speed limit along this section of Flower House Loop is 45 mph. SCHOOLS: This is a commercial rezoning and should have no implications on local schools. 11 January 4, 2022 EMERGENCY SERVICES: This proposal has been reviewed by the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office and Iredell County EMS. Neither office addressed any concerns regarding the request. UTILITIES: This site is currently served by well and septic. However, for future options, the property falls within the water service area of the Town of Troutman. REQUIRED REVIEWS BY OTHER AGENCIES LOCAL: The applicant must provide a site plan to the Planning Department for review to develop the property. Zoning requirements such as parking, landscaping, and buffering will be reviewed at such time. Erosion & sedimentation control standards will also be reviewed for compliance. STATE: Other than building code, there should be no formal state agency review at this time. FEDERAL: None at this time. STAFF AND BOARD COMMENTS STAFF COMMENTS: The applicant Mr. Howard Bryan is manager of Piedmont Landco, LLC, owner of the two smaller parcels in question, while applicant Chad Puckett is the potential developer of the largest parcel (Superior Properties of Iredell LTDP). Due to encroaching commercial development along Flower House Loop, and proximity to I -77, it was felt that this area is no longer desirable for residential use; and a commercial rezoning would increase the marketability of these lots. Mr. Puckett is considering a gated, mini-warehouse self-storage facility for the largest, most southern lot. The properties, however, may or may not be combined. Therefore, it is important to note that while each lot could be developed individually, the agreed upon conditions of the request will still apply to each lot. The request met an amount of public opposition at Planning Board’s initial hearing on November 3rd. The majority of concerns, such as increased traffic, increased noise, and clear-cutting/aesthetics, came from citizens of the Hawk’s Landing Subdivision. Planning Board members made various suggestions to the applicants for additional safeguards to their agreed upon conditions. The applicants, who were uncertain of possible future uses, were reluctant to agree to suggested additional recommended conditions. Thus, Planning Board chose to table their recommendation, in order to give applicants time to reflect on their suggested additional conditions. Staff met with applicants on November 8th, to further discuss additional recommended conditions. The applicants agreed to proceed with this conditional rezoning with additional specific conditions imposed as part of the application as follows: 1.) The following GB uses would be excluded, not permitted: truck stops, truck driving schools, truck terminals, go-cart, motorcycle, & similar vehicle tracks, dance halls, nightclubs, adult oriented businesses, bars/taverns, and mobile home parks. 2.) No double roll-up or garage doors will be allowed in the front wall facing Flower 12 January 4, 2022 House Loop of any mini self-storage building on the property. 3.) Demolition and removal of abandoned single-family dwelling within 6 months of rezoning approval. 4.) A minimum of 3-gallon sized plantings to be installed within the required 15’ Landscape Roadway Yard along Flower House Loop. 5.) A decorative, metal fence, 8 feet in height, shall be placed along Flower House Loop, of any mini self-storage building on the property. 6.) Any outdoor storage and/or rental vehicles associated with mini self-storage building shall be in the side or rear yard. 7.) Minimum 3 foot earthen berm to be installed in the Landscape Roadway Yard along Flower House Loop, of any mini self-storage building. The 2030 Horizon Plan calls for this area to be Corridor Commercial, which includes existing commercial, office, and/or retail uses that exist along major thoroughfares and highways or areas that will include commercial development in the future. These ar eas are both within and outside the Iredell County Urban Service Areas. According to the plan, uses within this area generally should include retail, restaurants, entertainment centers, automobile services, personal services, other commercial uses, and of fice developments. Design standards for Corridor Commercial uses should be developed in collaboration with the municipalities that will serve them in the future to reflect the character of the community. The Planning staff can support the proposed rezoning request based on the following: The 2030 Horizon Plan calls for this area to be Corridor Commercial, which allows for commercial development along the interior of Flower House Loop. The property is adjacent to I-77 and is between other commercial uses along Flower House Loop. This request is conditional per the submitted application, GB uses will be limited, and additional conditions to the request aim to safeguard the surrounding homeowners. PUBLIC INPUT MEETING: A public input meeting was held on Monday, September 27th, 2021 from 5:00pm - 6:00 pm at the site. Six landowners from the area were in attendance to hear the proposal and ask questions about future development. A copy of the applicant’s summary of said public input meeting has been included in attachments. SITE REVIEW COMMITTEE: Staff performed a site visit on October 15, 2021, to post property and take photo documentation. Property has remained posted since October 15, 2021, and surrounding landowners were notified of the second public hearing date on November 12, 2021. PLANNING BOARD ACTION: On December 1, 2021, the Planning Board held a second public meeting to reconsider the rezoning request, to include the additional agreed upon conditions. The applicant/broker and prospective developer were present for questioning. Approximately ten neighboring landowners were in attendance, five of which spoke in opposition. Concerns still lingered pertaining to noise, increased traffic, and signage. The board voted unanimously, 7-0, to recommend approval of the rezoning. ⁘⁘⁘⁘⁘ Public hearing to consider an economic development incentive for Project Buck: Jenn Bosser presented Battle Co-packing for consideration for an incentive grant from Iredell County 13 January 4, 2022 for the construction of a new 128,000 square foot facility in the Town of Mooresville at the Deerfield Business Park. Battle Co-packing is a new business venture for Battle Packaging that plans to provide services to both new and current customers. Battle Packaging is based out of Atlanta, GA and has been operating in the beverage packaging sector for over 40 years. The Mooresville Facility will service beverage brands by filling various types of drinks ranging from classic soda, flavored seltzers, energy drinks, and ready to drink alcoholic beverages. The investment will include purchasing advance equipment and the facility is expected to be completed by December 31, 2023. Bosser requested an economic incentive grant to Battle Co-packing for to $263,665 over a five-year period based on the company's investment of up to $13,624,000, creation of up to 20 new jobs. The Town of Mooresville approved the incentive this evening, January 4. 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 $263,665 over a five-year period based on the company's investment of up to $13,624,000, creation of up to 20 new jobs, and contingent upon a contract being executed within 180 days. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 Chairman Mallory with Bosser and her team a Happy New Year and expressed appreciation for their banner year in terms of the number of projects, dollar amounts, and jobs created. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS County Manager Beth Mull summarized the following Administrative Matters during the Pre-Agenda meeting held at 5pm:  Request from the Finance Department for consideration and acceptance of initial offer for the Harmony Highway property and authorization to begin upset bid process.  Request from the Finance Department for consideration and acceptance of highest upset bid offer for Bluefield Road Surplus Property and to close the upset bid process.  Request from the Finance Department for approval to amend the Jennings Park Project Ordinance.  Request from Administration for approval of Budget Amendment #29, to amend the Facilities Improvement Fund Ordinance, and to award a contract for the Government Center South Lot Project.  County Construction Projects Update MOTION by Commissioner Norman to approve the consent agenda. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 14 January 4, 2022 ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (None) UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (None) NEW BUSINESS Chairman Mallory provided an update on Covid-19. Chairman Mallory said, “We are in a mixed variant environment where there are some Delta and the new Omicron cases. Omicron being significantly more communicable than previous variants and so we have experienced what most of the rest of the country has which is a rather significant uptick in cases and hospitalizations. We have not yet experienced the number of deaths that we have in some previous surges but that is a lagging indicator. It is the last indicator that comes along. The total number of cases since last Tuesday have totaled 1,725 which is a 226% increase. We’ve had 12 deaths which is a 300% increase from where we were prior to this surge beginning. Our positivity rate is running at 20% meaning one out of five people is likely carrying the virus and it can be communicable. I am sure everyone has seen the reports and understand Omicron, hopefully is a less dangerous variant in terms of its medical consequences. It does not as easily infect the lungs as the Delta variant. The omicron variant is prevalent in the upper respiratory tract, nasal cavities, mouth, and throat making it easy to communicate it. Hopefully symptoms are less severe. It is clear that being vaccinated doesn’t mean you won’t get Omicron. If you are in close proximity to someone who is communicable you will probably get it, but if you are vaccinated chances are you won’t be hospitalized. If you are not vaccinated you are taking a greater risk of hospitalization. Omicron is effecting children more than the previous variants have. What is concerning is the hospitalizations because there is a limited capacity in terms of hospital beds and availability of hospital staff to be able to treat people. Two years ago, we talked about the importance of flattening the curve so we don’t over tax our healthcare providers and health department. On January 3, 2022 the total hospitalizations was 77 of which 70 are Iredell County residents. Compare this to previous surges there was a larger percentage of folks from out of the County than there are right now. Today hospitalizations have gone from 77 to 91. The number of Iredell County residents is 82. That is an increase of 12 in one day. When you look back at the last surge we had which was in the fall we had a higher hospitalization rate than we did last winter and the most we had was 82. I fear that number is going to go up. The total number of folks that we had hospitalized in the last fall surge was 103 and 82 were from Iredell County. Now we’re at 82 but 91 total. Chances are we are going to exceed the last surge’s number of hospitalizations. We need people to do whatever they can do based on your personal decisions to protect yourself, family, and co-workers. Do what you can based on what you believe is the most effective way to limit this spread within your social and family circles. There are folks that generally fall into three broad categories in this county and after two years most people are pretty well settled in what their positions and beliefs are. There are a lot of folks that have been vaccinated and wear masks at the appropriate times and places. I think that they have done, from my perspective, everything you can 15 January 4, 2022 do to try and mitigate the effects of this virus. That is not to say that even with those measures you’re not going to fall victim to it though, but I believe that you’ve done everything you can to minimize your risk of hospitalization. There are other folks that have taken the vaccine but don’t like masking. Because Omicron is much more communicable the cloth masks are simply not as effective. To provide real protection look at a KN95 5-ply or at a minimum a 4-ply surgical mask. Then there are folks that strongly believe that vaccines aren’t for them and masking isn’t for them.” Chairman Mallory said, “I would encourage you to try and protect yourself as best you can. If you believe anyone is getting sick the key is to be tested as soon as you can and to isolate or quarantine so you minimize the risk of transmission. I believe we should have the same goal which is to minimize hospitalizations because that will minimize the number of deaths. All together too many people as it is, 356 Iredell County residents have passed from this disease. That is not the flue ladies and gentleman. It is real but we can all deal with it based on our beliefs. I pray everyone will be protected.” COUNTY MANANGERS REPORT County Manager Beth Mull provided an update on the following:  Property Tax Listing Period is now until January 31, 2022. Please list all taxable property because it is required by North Carolina General Statute and any property that’s not listed or is listed after the required period it is subject to mandatory listing penalty.  January is National Preparedness Month. The County has a notification system called Hyper-reach. Please call 980-829-0101 or text the word “alert” and enter your address and phone number. It will text or email you alerts regarding watch or warnings. CLOSED SESSION Chairman Mallory said a Closed Session was held immediately following pre- agenda for Attorney Client and there are no action items to report. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Commissioner Brown to adjourn at 7:44pm. The Board will meet for a regular meeting Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5pm in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC. VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0 __________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk