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March 15, 2022
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PRE-AGENDA SESSION
March 15, 2022
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, March
15, 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 Hope
Board Members Participating Remotely
Marvin Norman
Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Deputy County
Manager Susan Robertson, 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 adjustments:
Add: VIII.6 Request from Yadtel for approval of the required grant match to extend
broadband into the northern end of the County.
Commissioner Houpe asked to add Attorney Client under Closed Session.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from the Library to approve Budget Amendment #36 to recognize the
donation of a Bookeye 5 Scanner from the Iredell Friends of the Library: Library Director
Juli Moore requested approval of Budget Amendment #36 to receive a donation of a Bookeye 5
Scanner from the Friends of the Library. The bookeye 5 scanner is a large format scanner to digitize
local history documents. The scanner will be available for staff and the public to digitize rare and
fragile documents, photographs, collections, maps, documents, and more.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Department of Social Services for approval of Budget Amendment
#37 to expend and receive $13,583 in Adult Protective Services (APS) Essential Services
Funds: DSS Director Yvette Smith requested approval of Budget Amendment #37 to expend and
receive $13,583 in APS Essential Services Funds. Approved uses for funds include the provision
of medical care for physical and mental health, assistance in personal hygiene, assistance with
obtaining appropriate food, clothing, seeking and providing heated and ventilated shelter,
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March 15, 2022
providing for protection from health and safety hazards, and protection from abuse, neglect, and
exploitation.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from LandSouth Development for approval to extend the Due Diligence
Period for the Bluefield Road Surplus Property: County Manager Beth Mull said the buyer of
the Bluefield Road property has a 90-day due diligence period prior to the closing and they are
requesting to extend that by 60 days.
The buyer submitted the following reasons regarding the extension request:
The creeks that are on the site are jurisdictional which is requiring more wetlands
engineering/study to ensure the site plan is laid out correctly. Also a bridge is going to be
required across one of them and we have engineers scoping out the cost of that which is
adding time.
The Town of Mooresville's comprehensive transportation plan shows a realignment of
Bluefield that goes across the property as part of the exit 38 realignment. We are having
to work with town engineers on the actual location that road needs to go as my clients
will have to build it as part of their site work.
We have to get the property zoned and annexed by Mooresville which is about a 90 day
process from when preliminary sketch plan is first submitted. Until we have answers to
the above questions we can't submit.
Mull said during the process staff did receive some questions regarding the rezoning
process.
Valdez said when the offer was made the terms were set. The due diligence and closing
period was set so that all offers would be the same and that they were apples to apples. So that
those term were known and were a part of what was being considered when it was bid and where
there were upset bids. Valdez reiterated that those were the terms that were agreed upon and terms
that all the other people who made offers were assuming were the terms when they made their
offer. She said the extension as requested is contrary to what those agreed upon terms were in the
beginning.
After a brief discussion regarding the terms of due diligence the Board agreed by consensus
to discuss the item at 7pm.
Request from Tax Administration for approval of February 2022 Refunds and
Releases:
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the March 1, 2022
meeting: There were no additions or corrections.
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March 15, 2022
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Yadtel for approval of the required grant match to extend broadband
into the northern end of the County: County Manager Beth Mull said this is a grant
application for what's called the GREAT grant and these are broadband grant dollars available
through the State. The County can use local ARPA funds to match the grant. Yadtel would like
to make application to extend broadband to underserved areas in the northern Iredell County.
There was a map showing the underserved areas that qualify for Great grant. Yadtel requested
$2,107,290 to match the grant. The funds will only be expended if the grant is awarded. Mull
said there may be other grant opportunities in the near future to continue to extend broadband,
but the current request is $2,107,290. The item was added to the agenda because the application
deadline is April 4, 2022.
Mull said the request is to match the GREAT grant to extend broadband in the
underserved areas. She noted there may be other providers that apply, but the funds will only be
expended if an application is approved. Only one provider will be approved.
This item was placed on consent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES OCCURING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
OLD BUSINESS
(None)
The Board recessed at 5:46pm.
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
March 15, 2022
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, March 15,
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, Finance Director Debra Cheek and Clerk to the Board Amy Anderson.
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March 15, 2022
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
Add: VIII.6 Request from Yadtel for approval of the required grant match to extend
broadband into the northern end of the County.
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS
Recognition and presentation of plaque to retiree Michelle Hepler: On behalf of the
Board, Chairman Mallory recognized Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Hepler for her
dedicated service to the County and its’ citizens. Hepler is one of the County’s most impactful and
dedicated public servants.
Beginning as far back as 1991, Hepler worked part time for Iredell County, as a Summer
Camp Counselor and Ropes Challenge Course Facilitator. She then spent two years working full
time for Lincolnton/Lincoln County Parks and Recreation before returning to Iredell County full
time in 1998, where she has served as a Recreation Programmer, Outdoor Education Program
Director, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director and was eventually promoted to Parks and
Recreation Director in July 2016. The first 18 years of her tenure in Iredell County were dedicated
to the development of an extensive Outdoor Education Division, including a ropes challenge
course with multiple zip lines, overnight adventure camps for teens, environmental education
programming and more. As the Parks and Recreation Director, she has fostered and implemented
a clear vision among the Parks and Recreation team to develop new park projects and renovate
property donations into community parks. Some of these special projects include Bigleaf Slopes
Park, the Iredell County Recreation Center, East Iredell Lions Club Community Park, and the
Jennings Park re-design project.
Since 2016, Michelle leveraged resources, sought grant funding, facilitated Master Plans,
and worked hard to improve the quality of life for residents in Iredell County. She has served
personally and professionally on a number of committees and boards, both locally, regionally,
and nationally.
Members of the Board congratulated Hepler on a wonderful career and wished best of
luck during her next adventure.
APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THE BOARD
(None)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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March 15, 2022
Public hearing to consider an economic development incentive for Project Rider:
Jenn Bosser presented Origin Food Group, an existing company in Iredell County that
manufactures ice cream, yogurt, and novelty foods. The current expansion plan is to renovate
and expand the current facility with the addition of new equipment to bring a new novelty food
line. The company plans to create up to 40 new jobs with a minimum of 15. Origin Food Group
has an existing relationship with local dairy farms in the county and has a strong interest in
expanding their relationship in the region.
Bosser requested an economic incentive grant to Origin Food Group for $53,538 over a
five-year period based on the company's investment of up to $3 million creation of up to 40 new
jobs.
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 $53,538 over a
five-year period based on the company's investment of up to $3 million, creation of up to 40 new
jobs, and contingent upon a contract being executed within 180 days.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
County Manager Beth Mull summarized the following Administrative Matters during the
Pre-Agenda meeting held at 5pm:
Request from the Library to approve Budget Amendment #36 to recognize the donation of
a Bookeye 5 Scanner from the Iredell Friends of the Library.
Request from the Department of Social Services for approval of Budget Amendment #37
to expend and receive $13,583 in Adult Protective Services (APS) Essential Services
Funds.
Request from Tax Administration for approval of February 2022 Refunds and Releases.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of minutes from the March 1, 2022 meeting.
Request from Yadtel for approval of the required grant match to extend broadband into the
northern end of the County.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to approve the consent agenda.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Request from LandSouth Development for approval to extend the Due Diligence
Period for the Bluefield Road Surplus Property: The Bluefield Road property was the home of
the ropes course. The board received a bid on the property and staff began the upset bid process.
The Board accepted the highest bidder and as a part of that contract there is a 90-day due diligence
period. All of the bidders who bid on the property understood and were aware of the terms of the
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March 15, 2022
sale, and the 90-day due diligence. This is very prescribed method of selling property with the
upset bid process and changing the terms of the contract could set the Count y up for potential
liability of other bidders that may have bid if there was a longer due diligence period.
Chairman Mallory said the issues the highest bidder ran into are not their fault; it’s just a
matter of additional engineering studies having to be performed that will likely go beyond the due
diligence period, but because the Board is in a very strict interpretation of a statute and does not
need to expose itself to liability.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to deny the request.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
(None)
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Chairman Mallory asked about the appointments to the Mooresville ETJ.
Mull said staff has not received any additional applications.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(None)
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
(None)
NEW BUSINESS
(None)
COUNTY MANANGERS REPORT
County Manager Beth Mull provided an update on the following:
Two requests for qualifications that are currently being advertised. One is a RFQ
for the radio communications consulting and engineering for the viper simulcast
project and that is due back on March 22. Staff will interview and create a team to
get things started. Second was the fairgrounds master planning and design. Those
proposals are due back April 5.
CLOSED SESSION
Chairman Mallory said a Closed Session was held immediately following pre-agenda for
Economic Development.
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March 15, 2022
MOTION by Vice Chair Neader to call for a public hearing on April 5, 2022 at 7pm to
consider an economic development incentive in the amount of $8,740 for Project Garden based on
the company’s $1.2 million investment in Iredell County.
VOTING Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Brown to adjourn at 8:12pm. The Board will meet for a
regular meeting Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 7pm in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room,
Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
VOTING Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk