MINUTES  REGULARSCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY NOVEMBER 7,2022 AT7 7:00 P.M. INTHE. JONATHAN FELTON COMMISSIONERS ROOM COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE: BUILDING TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1. MEETINGCALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRMANI LEONARD WIGGINSAT  7:00 P.M.  MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr. William Wooten  and Mr. Ralph Webb. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. Clerk to the Board. 2. SAFETY] INSTRUCTIONS.  OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Nataliel Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo,  Safety instructions provided by Mrs. Bess. Prayer provided by Rev. Hines.  3. 4. 5.  PRAYER.  MINUTES OFI PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the minutes of the October 3,2 2022 meeting as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Birhdayrecopnition: for Ms. Cassie Smith, Ms.] Pauline Lawrence and Ms. Mrs.] Powell presented tol Ms. Cassie Smith (108 years old) and Ms. Pauline Lawrence (106 years old) recognitions from Governor Roy Cooper, Representative G. K. Butterfield and Edgecombe County Board of Mrs. Powell moved to approve the Resolution in Celebration of the 10gth Birthday of Cassie Smith. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by Mrs. Powell moved to approve the Resolution in Celebration of the 106th Birthday ofPauline Lawrence. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried Mrs. Harris presented tol Ms. Lucille Harris (103 years old) recognitions from Governor Roy Cooper, Representative G. K. Butterfield and Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners. Mrs. Harris is the daughter-in-law of Ms. Lucille Mrs. Harris moved to approve the Resolution in Celebration of the 103rd Birthday ofLucille Harris. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by  SCHEDULED/ APPOINTMENT: Lucille] Harris.  Commissioners. unanimous vote. by unanimous vote.  Harris.  unanimous vote. PUBLIC PETITIONS. None.  6.  1    7. OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval ofl budget amendments.  Mrs. Harris moved to approve October 2022 budget amendments 1 through 21, with the replacement ofl budget amendment number 17 as presented. Rev. Hines B. Approval of] Resolution to Support Operation Green Light for Veterans. Mr. Evans stated that thel NACo and the NCACC: are promoting and encouraging an effort called Operation Green) Light tos show support for our veterans in the County. Mr. Evans asked Sherry Johnson, Veterans Service Ms. Johnson provided an overview of veterans services and read the resolution. Mr. Boswell moved thel Resolution in Support Operations Green Light for Veterans as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by ECC Veterans Coordinator, Meoshal Bellamy was introduced and came forth to Approval of amended Memorandum of Understanding for Upper Coastal Plains Mr. Evans stated that in 2002 Edgecombe County executed al Memorandum of Understanding along with) Nash, Johnston, and Wilson Counties, as well as their participating municipalities, which created the Upper Coastal Plain Rural Planning Organization. The RPO works with thel NCI Department of Transportation on short-term and long-range transportation planning for our region. We collectively receive funding from NCDOT and provide al local match to cover staffing costs and planning activities. Nash County has served as the lead administrative and planning entity, but that role will now be assumed by the City of Wilson. Therefore, thel MOU amends the agreement accordingly. Mr. Webb moved to approve thel Memorandum of Understanding as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D. Approval of proposed changes to the Human Services Bylaws. Mr.] Evans stated that thel Human Services Board Bylaws currently state that both the Social Services Advisory Council and the Health Advisory Council are to meet monthly to more closely study and discuss issues pertaining to Social Services and Health in order to advise thel Human Services Board. Wel have found that it has not been necessary to meet that often. Therefore, we propose amending thel bylaws to require that they meet atl least bi-annually. Mr.] Evans presented the proposed change on page 6. Each Advisory Council has the option to call a meeting if needed. This is forwarded with a favorable recommendation Mrs. Harris moved to approve the proposed changes as recommended by the Human Services Board. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by Mr.] Evans stated that the. Edgecombe County Health Department's Bad Debt Write Off] Policy states that aj patient's account willl be handled as Bad Debt when therel has been no activity on the account for more than six months. This does not mean that there willl be no efforts to collect the debt. In fact, if there is any new activity on the account, for example thej patient presents at thel Health  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Officer, to come forth and read the resolution.  unanimous vote.  give an overview of whati is offered by the college for veterans.  Rural] Planning Organization.  from the Human Services Board.  unanimous vote.  E. Approval of Bad Debt Write-off for the Health Department.  2    Department for services, then the: account is reactivated. This action is an accounting method whereas the written off debt no longer shows on our books as Mr. Boswell moved to approve the Bad Debt Write Off as recommended by the Human Services board. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by Mr. Evans stated that in thel last couple of years, all employers have experienced higher than normal employee turnover, and Edgecombe County has certainly not been the exception. Though there are multiple factors contributing to that, some ofwhich may be debated, on undeniable result is that the same, if not growing demand for government services has been shouldered by fewer people. Some departments have experienced that more than others. For our team members, who are experiencing those extraordinary workloads, Mr. Evans asked for the opportunity toj provide additional but temporary compensation. He presented for thel Board's consideration thel Extraordinary Pay Policy. Unlike the hazard pay policy the Board previously approved, this willi not be as widely applied. Department heads will have to request Extraordinary Pay for an employee and provide justification, the anticipated duration, and a plan forl how the Mr. Evans stated that Ms. Betty Battle, DSS Director, has some units in her department where normally they would havei in that unit six employees that might] have one or two employees in that unit. Those caseloads do not slow down just because you do not have enough employees. Mr. Evans asked Ms. Battlei to come up and describe the challenges that they have been facing. Ms. Betty Battle, DSS Director, stated that thel Extraordinary Pay will assist her department with retention. Shes stated that theyl looked at some other things such as remote work, which started November 1st. She stated employees are. leaving to go to other counties, after being trained, for more money. Ms. Battle stated that thel Extraordinary Pay and the remote work willl help with retention. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the Extraordinary Pay Policy as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs.] Powell moved to approve the 2023 Holiday Schedule as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. H. Approval of calling for a public hearing to amend Solid Waste Management Mr. Evans stated that the Board previously approved an amendment to our Solid Waste Ordinance to enact as solid waste permit requirement. As we prepare to renew those permits, we recommend changing the ordinance to remove thes specific reference to: a "placard" being that we will transition to: an easier to manage form of] permit. Other language is recommended to change for clarity. An ordinance change requires a public hearing to be held. Therefore, he recommended that thel Board call for a public hearing to bel held at the Rev. Hines moved to call for a public hearing at the December 5, 2022 meeting. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. I. Approval of the sale of Service Weapon to retiring Chief Deputy Gene Harrell.  areceivable.  unanimous vote.  F.A Approval of Extraordinary Pay Policy.  extraordinary conditions willl bei mitigated.  G. Approval of 2023 Holiday Schedule.  Ordinance re: Solid Waste.  December 5,2 2022 meeting.  3    Mr. Evans stated that NC Statute 20-187.2 allows thel Board of Commissioners to award a retiring officer his/her service weapon. It specifically states you may do so at: aj price determined by you as the governing body. Sheriff. Atkinson has requested that consideration be given for retiring Chief] Deputy Gene Harrell. To show the County's appreciation for his exemplary service, and toj provide a memento to that service, Mr. Evans recommended that the Board approve the transfer of] his service weapon at aj price of$1 upon the retirement of Chief Mrs. Harris moved to approve the sale of this service weapon to retiring Chief Deputy Genel Harrell. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by J. Approval of Easement Agreement with Piedmont Natural Gas. Mr. Evans stated that Piedmont Natural Gas plans to replace and upgrade gas linesi in the County, and part of the project requires both temporary and permanent easements from) Edgecombe County at the Sheriff's Office. Based on our assessment, the project will notl be disruptive to County operations and the Rev. Hines moved to approve the Easement Agreement as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. K.A Approval of appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair for the Parks and Recreation Mr. Evans stated that when thel Board created the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, they reserved the authority to appoint the Chair and Vice- Chair. The Advisory, Board ha voted to nominate candidates for these two seats, The Chair and' Vice-Chair will servei for a two-year period and may not serve for more than two terms. Mr. Evans recommended that the Board approve the Rev. Hines moved to approve the nominees as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded  Deputy Genel Harrell. unanimous vote.  offer made for the easement is reasonable.  Advisory Board.  and presented for Board consideration: Kentay Knight- - Chairman Calvin Adkins - Vice-Chairman  nominees as presented.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  9. AFTERLISTS AND] RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 10. APPROVALANDIOR REVIEW OF CONTRACTS. motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Water and Sewer update. B. Monthly Financial Summary. 12. MANAGER'SI REPORI-"Rerehed" A. Workforce Development indicators. B.TDA financial report. C.ARPAI Enabled Urgent Needs Repair Program.  Mr. Wooten moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mr. Boswell Mr. Boswell m oved to approve the contracts as] presented. Rev. Hines seconded the  11. DEPARTMENTAL: REPORTS FOR REVIEW-Reeived":  Mr. Evans stated that the Board agreed to set aside $100,000 of thei funding received from the American Rescue. Plan Act for programs similar to other emergency repair programs. This will provide assistance for the    repair/replacement of! heat and air units, as well as handicap accessibility Mr. Evans stated we are part of thel Down East Home Consortium and the City of Rocky Mount is thel lead entity. They received American Rescue Funds as well for the Consortium that is supposed to be targeted towards addressing homeless needs. They just got notification that they are going to receive some additional funds. That program requires that they have aj public hearing toi inform the public of the money that is being received and how they plan to usei it. Mr. asked that thel Board Mr. Boswell moved to call for a public hearing to bel held at the December 5, 2022. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris asked what was going on with broadband, where are we moving, did we Mr. Evans stated that Cloudwyze received the State grant and they are still going through that paperwork process with the State and as soon as they finish that they  modifications (wheelchair ramps, handicap showers).  to call for aj public hearing.  13. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. get money from the State.  will come to thel Board and give an update on their proposal.  14. ATTORNEYSREPORT 15. CLOSED SESSION.  None.  Mr. Wooten moved to go into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. Per N.C.G.S 143-318.11(a)(4) Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Rev. Hines moved go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Wiggins stated that a discussion regarding Board officers should be discussed in this meeting and not wait until thel December meeting. He asked Mr. Peters to talk about the Organizational Meeting, which) has probably been done different that the Mr. Peters stated that iti is really our own ordinances. Our ordinance states that there willl be an Organizational. Meeting before the regular meeting to swear any Mr. Wiggins stated that the new member iss sworn in and has a vote on the new officers. He stated thati is why he asked Mr. George Thorne tos stay. Mr. Wiggins stated that he did want thel Board to clear up whati is thel Board's pleasure in terms ofr rotating and we need to decide that here in this meeting. He stated that ift the Board is going to rotate thel Boardi needs to decide how they are going to do it.  statute.  newly elected members and to vote for officers.  Mr. Wooten felt that thel Board should be rotating.  Mr. Wiggins stated that hei is opposed toi it, not necessarily for him to stay as Chair, but] he did not think that aj person should stay as a Chairperson for a year. Aj person needs tol have experience, especially in the area of what wel have going oni in Mrs. Harris stated that shel has been on thel Board for 21 years. She goes to new board member training every two years. Shel has been tol leadership training every  economic development.  5    year. She stated thats she agrees that just one yeari is not enough. She felt that as long as there are more meni itis always going to be a man, when the women put in Mr. Wooten stated that it should not be about man or woman or race. He stated that he agrees with Mr. Wiggins that the Chairman role needs more than a year, but he believed its should be rotated, even ift thel Board says two or three yearsi is the time Mr. Webb felt that the Board should go to al rotating basis with a standard of three Mr. Wiggins stated that if thel Board is going to change it to rotating, when willit  just as much time.  that you hold a Chairmanship and then it rotates.  years.  start and how willi it be done.  Rev. Hines stated that he was opposed to rotating.  Mr.] Boswell stated that his concern is how the Chair can represent the County and ifthe Chair has the time. He stated that he never thought about rotation that much. After discussion Mr. Wiggins stated that it appears that the nomination will be open and he wanted Mr. Thorne tol hear the discussion and haves somei inputi in it. Mr. Thorne, newly elected Commissioner, introduced himself. He will represent Mr. Evans reminded the Board that wes stilll have an: active State of Emergency for COVID. Wel have not used iti in any wayi in a very long time. He recommended that the State of Emergency be terminated. With the Board's consensus, the State of 16. REV. HINES MOVED TO ADJOURN' THE MEETING UNTIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 5. 2022 AT7:00 P.M. MR. WOOTEN SECONDED THE MOTION,  Mr. Wooten's district.  Emergency was terminated.  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved) December 5, 2022. Sues utal Frangie Mungo, Clerk totheBoard  6