MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED: MEETING OFTHEI BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  OFI EDGECOMBE COUNTY MARCH 6, 2023 AT7:00 P.M. INTHEJONATHAN FELTON COMMISSIONERS ROOM COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE: BUILDING TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  MIEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRMANLFONARD WIGGINS. AT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr. George Thorne, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mrs. Viola Harris and Mr. Ralph OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Natalie Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo,  7:001 P.M. Webb.  MEMBERS ABSENT: None. Clerk to the Board. SAFETYI INSTRUCTIONS. Mrs. Bess provided safetyi instructions. Rev. Hines provided prayer.  2. 3. 4. 5.  PRAYER.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Rev. Hines moved to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2023 meeting as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Michelle Etheridge, Health Director, presented COVID-19 update.  SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS.  As of March 1, 2023 NC DHHS reported 17,584 COVID-19 casesi in Edgecombe County. These are the cases that are: reported. Home tests arei not required tol be reported to the Health Department. Edgecombe County has been averaging about 81 to 9 cases per day in the last few weeks. Edgecombe County community level is low level. DHHS is planning for the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19to  177 deaths. expire on May 11, 2023. What willl be affected. What will notl be affected.  Coverage for COVID-191 testing for Americans will change. Heath Department has freel home tests available.  PUBLICI PETITIONS.  Roosevelt Higgs stated that after the flood of 1999 the then County Manager, Lorenzo Carmon, recommended not to maintain those buyout lots in certain jurisdictions. He felt that the County should allow the lots to grow back to their natural habitation ands someday down the road be able to sale thet timber. Rev. Higgs stated that out at Staten Estates recently there was land that was foreclosed in the area and purchased by a gentleman by the name of Mr. Sauerborn. He has gone out into Staten Estates toi include those lots that the County was given in thel buyout program and cut thet timber off of thosel lots as well as thel land he purchased through foreclosure that was never developed as a part of Staten Estates. He stated that he was under the opinion thati ifhe went out there and cut that timber off of the land that belongs to the County, he owes the County some money. He may have leased thel land, but even if youl leasel land you cannot go out there and disturbi it. He    *  stated that he. did not think thatl Mr. Sauerborn was aware ofi it, but iti is something  that thel Board needs tol look into..  Mr. Wiggins asked Mr. Evans tol looki into this.  Rev. Higgs stated. that yesterday marked the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday during the Civil Rights movement. Hej provided a document dealing education stating that its shows how in 1901 under thel leadership of Governor Charles Aycock who took education seriously for the State of North Carolina and he began to campaign improving the State's public schools and to those who question the ability of the State to finance the schools he would require that we: are too poor not to educate the children. This report deals with the Black schools. Rev. Higgs stated that the County Manager, Eric Evans, isl Native American andi it shows that Edgecombe County had a very strong population of Native Americans and he understood that November. is Native American Heritage Month. Edgecombe County needs to go on record by putting force a resolution in support of their contributions and ask that a marker be placed inl Edgecombe County. Alvin Joyner, 1271 Daughtridge Farm Road, stated that he spoke to the Board last month and he wanted tol know ift there was any update on the deer hunting. Mr. Eyans çalled Scott Kiser, Soil and Water Director and Michelle Etheridge, Mr. Kisers stated that they, responded to a citizen complaint where there was a dug pit and multiple carcasses from harvested wild animals. Since these are wild, animals and not domestic many regulatory agencies in the State do not have jurisdiction over this. There are some things we are concerned with, public health being one of those and that is why the Health) Director is involved. He stated that from) his point of view, water quality and groundwater as well as surface water and ify you dig a hole and bury anything overtime it has the opportunity to make its way into ground water. High concentration of anything buried, that has the potential to contaminate groundwater is a concern tol his office and all citizens. With that knowledge he made contact with NC-DWQ and they did dispatch an agent out who somewhat evaluated the area and they are noti interested, at this time, inj pursuing any sort of regulatory action. They are putting this gentleman on their inspection or evaluation list. They are anticipating him not having any more production of these carcasses untill hunting season returns. Then they will try to inspect and insure that hei is disposing of these animals properly and not in a way that affects groundwater. They are not really concerned about how its smells or how it looks, but they are Mrs. Etheridge stated that they all came together and met and in talking about his outfitter they found out thatl he also lodges people. They are staying there and eating there, sol how big does this inspection need to be. Melanie Hudson, Environment Supervisor, sent out a group of people that work for Environmental Health and they found out that people do stay there. They bring their own food. There is no water that is being contaminated from the site. They looked at where the dig was, making sure thati it was covered up adequately. What they have done in moving forward is anytime he wants toj put aj pit out there, they have given him ther regulations on how itl has to properly be done andi for them to come out and look at that location to make surei it does not contaminate the area. The gentleman has been very cooperative and he has agreed toj put dirt over the area. Mr. Wiggins stated that thei issue was the odori in the area and how it impacted that community and how do wej plan tol handlei that. Do wel have adequate ordinances?  Health Director, to come. up to give an update.  concerned about contamination to groundwater.  2    Mr. Kiser stated that he works primarily with farmers and there arel lots of odors out there. As we move forward wel have to recognize that an offensive odor froma a situation such as this could also be confused with an offensive odor from possibly a swine production facility or a poultry production facility in our County. Odorsa are  very difficult to regulate from an ordinance standpoint. Mrs. Powell asked if air quality meant nothing.  Mr. Evans stated thati it was not that there weren'tany concerns. Itis difficult to regulate smells of their regulatory authority. Mr. Evans felt that if] he complies with the guidance that has been given as far as properly covering that on a routine daily Mr. Wiggins stated that inspections are now puti inj place to eliminate some of the issues. He said at any time the neighbors can come to staffi ifit gets out of hand and Curmilus Dancy, 1271 Midway Lane' Tarboro, P o Box 1391, Pinetops, stated that he lives on the same highway adjacent to 111/122 where thel bridge is out. DOT handles that, but he asked ift thel Board of Commissioners would give out information so] people willl knowi iti is on the way because people are ready sincei it has been three years. He stated that he has some: information. Mrs. Powell stated that she serves on that board and they had a meeting last week and she asked that same question concerning Mr. Dancy's area and the Seven Bridges area and 97 area. She stated that she was told that the projected date was around the end of March or April, but they are still on target. Bruce Edwards, 1014 S. Howard Circle, stated that in response to the situation that Mr. Kiser and Mrs. Etheridge talked about earlier, GFL containers worked out for him. It has at top oni it and they put lime on top ofitt to greatly reduce the smell for  basis the by-product of that should drastically remedy that issue.  we can do what we can enforce compliance.  $120 per month during huntings season. A. Approval of budget amendments. separate agenda items.  7.  OTHER BUSENESS:  Mr. Evans présénted budget amendments #1-4.2 that rèquired Board approval. Budget amendments #3, 4.1 and 4.2 were recommended for approval under Mrs. Harris oved to approve budget amendments #1,2, and 4 as presénted. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B., Approval of amendment to Personnel Policy regarding thirty day grace period Mr. Evans stated that currently our. Personnel Policy states that when an employee goes intol leave without pays status, he/she becomes responsible for paying both the employer and employee share pf the employee's health insurance premium. Itl has been our practice to allow a 30-day grace period before that payment is due from the employee, however that provision is not currently captured in our Policy. Mr. Evans proposed the addition of the language as hej presented to our Personnel Policy to codify our current practice. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the amendment to the Personnel Policy as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Evans stated that Mr. Kenneth Draughn, owner of] KRD Transit, LLC, has submitted a franchise agreement toj provide ambulance transportation in  for health insurance.  Approval of] Franchise Agreement with KRDTransport,  3    Edgecombe County. Mr. Draughn would need to have al locally approved franchise agreement to operate ambulance transportation in Edgecombe County before] North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services can move to approve. his state ambulance license. Mr. Draughn currently has a great working relationship as a when-chair van operator, specifically with] Prodigy Transitional Rehabilitation facility as he has provided wheelchair service for the past four years. He receives high accolades in reference tol his performance from facility staff. Edgecombe County could benefit from) having another ambulance transportation servicer to help meet the demands of transporting our bed confined patients to their doctor's appointment. Currently, Edgecombe County EMSI Non-Emergency division is maximizing all opportunities to transport patients. However, the demand is now beyond our capability to manage. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the franchise agreement as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D. Approval of Cooperative Agreement with Vocational Rehabilitation. Mr.] Evans stated that annually we enter into an agreement with thel NCI Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to assist eligible individuals in gaining employment. These services include counseling, training, education, transportation, job placement, assistive technology, and other support services. The County provides matching funds, which for FY-24 willl be $20,759. We also Mrs. Powell moved to approve the agreement as presented and to authorize the Chairman to execute the same. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried Mrs. Harris moved to approve the Health Department fees as recommended by the Health and Human Services Board. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion. Mr. Thorne asked why were significantly higher than other counties. Mr. Evans stated that those counties realize that they are behind in updating  provide office space for their staff.  by unanimous vote.  E. Approval of Health Department fees.  their fees as well.  The motion carried by unanimous vote.  F. Approval of revised plan and budget for Opioid Settlement funds. Mr. Evans stated that wel have received our first two of the 18-year opioid settlement distributions totaling $330,166. Thel Board previously approved the recommended plan of action which came from thel list of eligible activities. Our CORE Committee (Coordinated Opiate Recovery Effort) recommended:  Evidence-Based. Addition Treatment Reçovery Support Services Syringe Service. Program Naloxone. Distribution  Thel Recovery Support Services eategory included aj plan tol hire two Peer Support Specialists. The Committee has since revised its recommendation to instead hire and deploy a Community Paramedic who will provide community- based healthcare with a focus on opioid overdoses. Staff will provide more details at the meeting on this approach. Mr. Evans stated that he agrees with their plan and. recommended. that thel Board take separate actions to first approve thel budget amendment which realigns with this revised plan, and then    to approve the Community Paramedic job description and revised pay plan to Mr. Boswell asked for an explanation on the Syringe Service Program. Mrs. Etheridge stated that thel Health Department has had a Safe Syringe Exchangel Program since 2019. COVID-19 put al big damper on that. Itis where someone in the Community that uses needles for drug use can come in and bring in used needlesi in a safety container and they can exchange them for clean and safe needles. When they come in they meet with a nurse who talks to them about how to safely use them and tries to get themi into one of the doctors in case they need further treatment. They also try tol link them to treatment, provide them with resources and while they are with them they try to get them an appointment tol be seen that day if they haves some other needs. They are not required to do that, buti iti isay way tol keep dirty needles off the streets. The Health Department did al lot of evidence-based research and thati is how they came to have the program. Mrs. Etheridge stated that from that you are looking for ways to expand thati into the community and the areas where you can meet the needs of that population. The Health Department is working with Carolina Family Medical Center and Freedom Hill to be an extension of their Syringe Exchange Mrs. Harris wanted to know how are we going tos sustain the hiring of this Mrs. Etheridge stated that it willl be ai full-time employee under EMS. The Health Department is also looking ati incorporating that into the EMS budget, but also looking for funding resources tol help to grow that program. The start with this will be a Community Paramedic Program with a focus on opioid overdose with one employee, but then to grow that tol have several paramedics that are: addressing the health needs of Edgecombe County. Mr. Evans asked Chad] Eason with EMS to come forth and summarize the description of what a Community Paramedic does. Mr. Evans stated that we: are hesitant about adding positions with a grant. This is an eighteen-year funding Mr. Eason, EMS Coordinator, stated that he has been a paramedic for over twelve years and been with thes system for over twenty years. He stated that Community Paramedicine is something that in the last ten years has been created through agencies to try to get outi in the community. A lot of their calls are not an emergency. Some of thet things to cut down on that call volume with Community Paramedicine, primary focus would be opioid addiction and trying tol keep them off of drugs, get themi involved in thel MAT (Medication Assistance Therapy) Programs, eventually they create programs in the Community Paramedicine and be al MAT provider so they can provide that to them also. There are al lot of things they are working out like trying to get referrals from clinics, hospitals, and EMS. Ini two months there were. 33 overdoes in the County, 23 patients. They went to thes same patient multiple times sO creatinga a system liket thisi in Community Paramedicine willl hopefully be able to show numbers in the future that they are not responding back to thes same individuals. Mr. Webb moved to approve budget amendment #3 as presented. Mr. Thorne Mrs.] Powell moved to: approve thej job description and revised pay plan as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  include it: at grade 18.  Program. employee.  that we: are going to get.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  5    G. Approval of] Resolution: for the Supplemental Agreement for Additional Opioid Mr. Evans stated that thel NCI Department of Justice recently announced new opioid settlements with five pharmacies. These settlements will result in an additional $600 million tol NC state and local governments, and almost doubling our settlement fund allocation. The distribution will mirror the original settlement agreement with counties. However, to participate, the Board must Mrs. Harris moved to approve thel Resolution by the County of Edgecombe Authorizing Execution ofOpioid Settlements and Approving the supplemental Agreement for Additional Funds Between the State of North Carolina and Local Governments onl Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation. Rev. Mr. Evans stated that the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) requires certain policies to comply with federal funding provisions. These policies include: Eligible Use Policy for thel Expenditure of ARPA funds Allowable Cost: and Cost Principles Policy Records and Retention Policy Non-Diserimination Policy Conflict of] Interest Policy  Settlement funds.  approve the resolution.  Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. H. Approval the adoption of ARPA required policies.  Mr. Boswell moved to approve the. ARPA related policies as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. I. Approval of request for a) Hunting Lease for County-owned property. Mr. Evans stated that wel have received a request from New Hope Hunting Club tol lease 283 acres of County-owned property for hunting. Iti includes property behind QVCa and next to our landfill on Colonial Road. The offer isa a one-year lease at $20 per acre. Staff has researched hunting leases in the County and found this tol bei in the range ofl leases for similar properties. Mrs. Harris moved to approve thel lease and authorize the County Manager to execute a lease agreement. Rev. Hines seconded the motion. Mr. Boswell asked if we announced each year that therei is land for lease and Mr. Evans stated that hunting leasesi is new for us. Wel have been leasing farm land for a few years now and we do a more formal process. At the Board's January meeting you approvel leasing property that the County owns, just behind Corning. That was our first time doing that and that was because the request came unsolicited. This request came to the County unsolicited. Mr. Evans recommended that in the future wel handle this similar to the way that wel handle Mr. Boswell stated thati is what he was getting at. We give equal opportunity to anybody that wants tol leasei it. Mr. Boswell stated that he noticed that they have $1 million coverage. Are we requiring that for anybody whol leases the property? Mr. Peters stated that in our first lease. We received that certificate ofi insurance. Mr. Evans stated that we do notl have a written policy, but we have established  what was the process.  our farm land lease.  Mr. Boswell askedi if was mandated tol leasei it now.  thej practice.  6    Mr. Boswell asked ifl het thought we needed: a written policy.  Mr. Peters stated that iti is a term of the first lease and anticipated that it will be: a Mr. Wiggins stated that he and Mr. Evans had a conversation as tol how we need to go forward with it. He stated that we do need to go forward with a formal  term of this lease also.  process.  The motion carried by unanimous vote. J. Approval of responses to FY-22 Audit Findings.  Mr. Evans stated that thel Local Government Commission requires that the auditor identifies Financial Performance Indicators of Concern (FPIC). We are required tot then respond to those within sixty days of the audit being presented to the] Board. Mr. Evans presented our response to the two areas of concern and Mr. Boswell moved to approve the response as presented. Rev. Hines seconded K. Approval of revised job description for Public Health Nurse III. Mr. Evans stated that to better suit the needs of the Health Department, Michelle Etheridge, Health Director, has recommended the revision of the Public Health] Nurse II position. The revision adds Communicable Disease, Tuberculosis, and HIV/STD's responsibilities to the position. The position will Mrs. Harris moved to approve the revised job description as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. L. Calling for a public hearing to consider Expansion of Princeville'sETJ. M. Calling for the convening of thel Board of Equalization and Review. Rev. Hines moved to call for the convening of thel Board of] Equalization and Review at the April 2, 2023 meeting. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which N. Approval of Grant Projects from thel NC Office of State] Budget Management. Mrs. Bess stated that wel have been approved for funding from the State budget through thel NC Office of Statel Budget Management. Mr. Evans presenteda brief description of each of the four projects. Hes stated that he will provide additional commentary on each project at the next meeting. Mr. Evans recommended that the Board approve acceptance of these grant awards as Mr. Boswell moved to approve the acceptance of these grant awards with their accompanying project ordinance and budget amendments (4.1 and 4.2). Rev. Hines seconded ther motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  recommended approval.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  remain at grade 20.  TABLED  carried by unanimous vote.  presented.  8. APPOINTMENTS: A. Planning Board. B. HCCBG Committee. unanimous vote.  Mrs. Harris moved to appoint Deborah Coley, Alberta Pettaway, Sarah Peveler and. Jean Wooten-Jiles. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by    9. PLANNINGI BOARD REPORT. ***Received*** 1.UDO Text Amendment request for approval. ai favorable recommendation.  Katinal Braswell, Planning Director, provided thel Planning Board report. Thel Planning Board forwarded the request to the Board of Commissioners with Mr. Boswell moved to call for aj public hearing at the April 3, 2023 meeting. Mr.  Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  2.M Minutes of] February 20, 2023 meeting. 3. Draft minutes of February 28, 2023 meeting.  10. AFTERLISTS ANDI RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 11. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIFW.-"Recived-: A. Water and Sewer update. Mr. Boswell asked about the water leak. B.N Monthly Financial Summary.  Mrs. Powell moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Rev. Hines  Mr. Paul Moseley, Water Director provided an explanation. C. Social Services - NCDHHS letter regarding Medicaid expansion.  12. MANAGER'S! REPORI-"Reehved":  A. Follow-up on complaint about hunting outfitter from last month's meeting.  Provided during Public Petitions. B. Updated dates on upcoming meetings. C.TDA financial report. D.N NCDOT approval of the naming of Handy Corner. E. Update on search for State Lobbyist.  Mr. Evans stated that five responses were received and were reviewed by his Executive Team. Hes stated that now they arel looking for from the Board is some direction as to how the Board would like for them toj proceed. Mr. Evans suggested that they interview at] least the top two or three and the Executive Team would be happy to do that, or thel Board appoint a committee to do the Mr. Boswell stated that al Board member should be represented on the Mr. Thorne volunteered to serve on the committee toi interview the firms. He also suggested that all oft the RFPs be sent to the fulll Board. Mrs. Harris stated that she attended thel NCACC and attended the Health and Human Services Board meeting as well as thel Public Education Board, in which She serves on both. She shared information regarding the loss of education for children during the pandemic 2021 and provided information that was presented at Mr. Thorne stated that the Town ofTarboro received a grant for riverbank stabilization and riverbank work along the' Tar River and as aj part of that process they also received al Rurall Economic Transportation grant. They put both of the grants together, almost $1 million worth of site plans and work that is there. They havel been going through this process since he has been in those meetings. Hel has seen the draft proposal and thought is was important for the Board tol know it because we own a significant amount of property in downtown Tarboro that we use  interviews. committee.  13. COMMISSIONERS REPORT.  the Public Education meeting.    for our staff. Part oft that plan is about developing thej property that we own and how we would develop it and help the' Town achieve those goals and grow. Mrs. Harris asked if the County has any ordinances on drones. Mr. Evans stated that not that he was aware of. drone over her house and community.  Mrs. Harris stated thats someone: felt that their privacy had been invaded becausea  Mr. Evans stated that staff will do some: research on that.  Mr. Webb stated that the Wildlife Landing in Old Sparta is horrible and dilapidated andi inj need of updating. Hel has received several calls in the last couple of weeks froms sportsmen that have communicated with NC Wildlife Commission since early 2021 and were told that they may get toi it until the winter of this year. Mr. Webb stated that is unacceptable. Ifthey are not going to fixi it, it needs tol be closed. He stated that hel has made calls ands sent emails. Mr. Evans has made calls and sent emails. Many of our citizens use the landing andi it is not safe. He stated that] he did not know what we need to do, request again, put pressure on, but we really need tos seei if we can make that al better place. Mr. Wiggins suggested that maybe we can have ouri inspectors, ors somebody, determine that iti is unsafe, we can send al letter and have the Manager to communicate to Wildlife. We can express our concerns.  14. ATTORNEY'S) REPORT. 15. CLOSED SESSION.  None.  Mr. Boswell moved to goi into closed session to discuss: A. Personnel. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3)) B. Legal Matter. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(2)]  Mr. Peters provided thei following case citation: Eastpointe Human Services V. North Carolina Department of] Health and Human Services, Mandy K. Cohen, in her official capacity as Secretary of thel North Carolinal Department of Health and Human Services, Richard 0. Brajer, in his individual and former official capacity as Secretary of North Carolina Department of] Health and Human Services, Nash County, and Edgecombe County, Nash County, 20-CVS-1555 Mrs. Powell seconded thei motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Powell moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 16. REV.HINES MOVED TO ADJOURN THE] MEETING UNTIL MONDAY, MARCH: 113,2023AT9:00. A.M. ICOMMISSIONERS RETREAT). MRS.] HARRIS SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved April3,2023.  Be ae  9