MINUTES  REGULARSCHEDULED MEETINGOFTHE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN THE CARMON AUDITORIUM, COUNTY, ADMINISTRATIVEBUILDING MEETING CALLEDTOORDER BY CHAIRMANI LEONARD WIGGINSAT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mr. William Wooten and Mr. Ralph Webb. MEMBERS ABSENT: Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Natalie Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo,  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY FEBRUARY1, 2021 AT7:001 P.M. TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  7:00P.M.  Clerk to the Board. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. Mrs. Bess provided safety instructions. Prayer provided by Mrs. Harris.  2. 3. 4. 5.  PRAYER.  MIINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the minutes oft the January 4, 2021 meeting as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 1.M Mr. Wiggins called aj public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative toj proposed Firearms Ordinance. Mr. Peters read the public notice as] published.  PUBLICI HEARING.  Mr. Evans stated that Sheriff Clee. Atkinson is asking that thel Board takei into consideration a draft ordinance related toi firearms. He stated that wel havel had some complaints from citizens regarding incidents involving the discharge of firearms. This ordinance would put inj place protective measures and a means of enforcement. Mr. Evans stated that before an amendment is made to County ordinances, aj public hearing must bel held. A hearing notice was properly published for this meeting. He recommended that following public comments and Board deliberation oft this matter the Board adopt the ordinance as presented. Mr. Evans provided highlights from thej proposed ordinance. Kathy Williams, 2208 Robins Drive, Tarboro, stated that the only issue shel has with the ordinance is the "Exceptions #9... .Shooting on a person's own property for the purpose of] protecting the premises ori its occupants from destructive animals or reptiles that are a menace toj public health dangerous and have become a nuisance upon the person's] premises." She stated that there are several reptiles that are on thei federally protected list inl North Carolina and felt that its should be considered. The otheri issue shel has it therei is no definition of nuisance, somebody's dog getting into her trash maybe: a nuisance to her and she'sg going to shoot that dog because basically shei isl being told that she can. Mrs. Williams stated that, in her opinion, number 1 under the "Exceptions..when iti is used in defense of persons or property" should cover that. Animal Services are typically called when there is an issue with wildlife, raccoon, skunk or possum. Most people don'thandle that themselves anyway.  Mr. Wiggins called for public comments.  or  1    Shes stated that the way #9 is worded you are giving people permission tos shoot some animals that they probably shouldn'ts sincei iti is not defined. After discussion from the Board regarding Mrs. Williams concerns Mrs. Powell moved to approve adding language to the ordinance stating that "Nothing in this Section shall bei inconsistent with North Carolina state law". Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Evans read the following public comments submitted via email:  From: irdail@netzero.net  My concerns with amendment: to Chapter. 18 is this should be a public hearing but according toj your rules public isn' 'tallowed due toi the pandemic or this reason this matter: should be pushed to a later date. The problem with these kind ofmeetings is Dictatorship tends to come into play there are laws on the books already covering most of this matter. Thel board needs to realize that they were elected to perform a duty toi the peoples needs not their own needs. That's why a decision' ' and amendments should held off due to pandemic vaccinations are in process so wait until the taxpayers that electedy you can be present. From: Kim Whitehurst whiuntaparhyaon Ilive in a residential neighborhood where neighbors use firearms just be shooting. Its scares by dogs and horse and you can' 't even stay outside and enjoy your own yard when this is going on SO close toj you. They also use something that explodes and Ihave been told by someone itis probably tanzanite. Iam not against owning, firearms as Ihaves some myself ButIdoy feel the county should prohibit them from being used in ai residential. area around pets and children. They also shoot of fireworks any old time and that should also be prohibited. I pay taxes) just like they do and therei is ai time and place for everything. Iwould like to express my concerns about the Fire arm ordinances in Edgecombe County. Ilivei in ai neighborhood near Conetoe. Mygranddaughter and my neighbor son rides there 41 wheeler on the edge of my Uncles field. Several ofu ride our golfcarts on this same, path. This field backs up to several houses. One ofther neighbors has recently builtaj firing range right next to the path. As he was building itI walked over an expressed my concerns with him about the safety ofmyg granddaughter and neighbors son riding their 41 wheelers on this path. He informed me he was. NOT concerned about the safety of my granddaughter. Maybe he's not but Iam! Last Saturday they were out shooting with friends for about 2 hours. My dogs were scared to death and itt took me hours to calm them down. One oft the shots was. so loud I thoughti it was coming though my) window andl I was petrified..Iam afraid to come out ofmy house. I do noti think aj firing range should be allowed in a residential area. Where do the kids ride now, on the street? Which iss safer?Iappreciate) your consideration in this matter and please help me keep mys granddaughter save. Sincerely, Sue Thank youj for allowing me to share my concerns about the regulation of firearms in Edgecombe County. My neighbor has built a shooting range at the back of fhis property. Therei isa path that many of us ride bicycles, four wheelers and golf carts on, that he was well aware ofi prior to putting the shooting range in that location. Several ofu us shared our concerns with him. He informed us it was his property and he could do what he wanted. Therei isa blind spot coming from one direction in which we cannot. see them and they cannot. see us ifthey are out there shooting. Wel brought that to his attention as well. Itis built with railroad cross ties and has no dirt/sand behindit. My mother called thes sheriffs department to express her concerns about this shooting range. A deputy came out and talked toi the property owner and looked at the shooting range. The deputy called my mother and said that there was no ordinance against it but she could call ift the shooting became excessive. Last  Sue Vias ueva53@rmail.com  Via  Tammy Via ayhatammyémailcom  2    Saturday there wasj four people that were shooting. for over an hour. A neighbor called thes sheriffs department to report (piece disturbance) and a deputy came out but they had stopped. shooting by thet time the deputy arrived. Iam agun owner but Ipay to go to an indoor shooting range because. Ihave more respect and concernj for thes safety ofr my neighbors. Please help keep us safe. Thank Ilive in ai residential area in the county. Iam very concerned. about the frequency of gun shots. A stray bullet entered my homej just afermidnight on November. 1, 2020. The deputy retrieved a 45 caliber bullet 10 feet from where I was sleeping. Ino longer feel safei in my home. When Ihear gunshots Iam terrified that the bulleti is going to hit me or my home. Itisa "normal" occurrence out here tol hear gunshots all hours ofthei night, especially on holidays (New Year's Eve, July 4", etc.) Now, one ofthe neighbors has builta firing range in hil backj yard within 500 feet ofother homes. When they have friends over for shooting practice, it sounds like a war zone. There are 4other properties that adjoins his property. Suppose all the neighbors decide to builda firing range in their backyards! With the increase in gun sales and the desire to "target shoot", withouts some rules & regulations in place, this can get out of hand. Not only is it dangerous buti itis ai noise nuisance. The majority ofus are dog owners and the dogs are terrified as well. Where does ite end? Thank you Iam a county resident and live on Hwy 64 Alternate, 7miles east of Tarboro- near Conetoe. Ihave. raised rabbit beagles for over 40j years. Icurrently have 9 beagles. My dog pen is ati the back of my property. My neighbor has recently built a makeshif shooting range at the back ofhis! property, sixty feet from my dog pen. I, along with other neighbors expressed to him our concern fors safety and noise. Hei informed us itis his property and there was nothing we could do about it. Ialso told him that the repeated shooting would make my beagles gun shy. He told me that wasn'th his problem, it was my problem. He has been using the shooting rangej for approximately one month. In that one month, Ihave 2 beagles that are now gun shy. Since he has built the shooting range, deputies have been called to his home on numerous occasions for "disturbing the peace". There is also another subdivision across the fieldj from where his is shooting. Should he miss the backstop, the bullet could potentially hit one of the houses in that area. There have already been 21 houses in this area that have been hit from stray bullets. Not only arel he and his wifes shooting, but they invite friends over tos shoot as well. They shot non-stop last Saturday for 1 % hours. Ijust don't think as shooting range in ai residential area is safe. Many oft the neighbors are very concerned, for theirs safety. There are too many legal shooting ranges in the area that are available without citizens having to put ranges in theirj yards, risking injury/deaths to others. Thank youy for) your consideration in this very Phone call message from Robert & Betty Abrams, 234 Everette Road, Tarboro, NC. Expressed concerns about shooting ini neighborhoods Mrs. Harris asked who can answer the question about the legal right of an Mr. Evans stated that since they are not being opened to the public therei is no business regulations or zoning regulations for that. That being the case we currently do not have anything on the books to regulate that. Hes stated that atl last months meeting the Sheriff talked about the difficulty he and hiss staff  you, Tammy Via. Mpperamnésudéealiaknet  forj your consideration. Jospeh Dail idall953@yahon.com  important matter. Joe Dail. (shooting ranges).  owneri in a residential area setting upi firing range.  havei in trying to address thesei issues.  3    Mr. Wiggins stated that it appears that the ordinance will give law enforcement the authority to deal with some of thei issues that are being Mr. Wooten stated that his concern was with the 500 feet. Ify you do the math and you do 5001 feeti in a square, that is 5.7: acres ofl land. Someone could go outi in our cunty and buy 5 % acres of land and will notl be able to discharge a firearm without having to get permission from somebody next door. Hei felti it was excessive in a rural county and suggested reducing it to 2001 feet. After further discussion Mrs. Harris moved to approve thel Firearms Ordinance as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by  raised, specifically the 5001 feet] part.  a vote of 51 for and 1 against. Mr. Wooten opposed.  6.  SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS.  A. Karen] Lachapelle, Health Director, provided COVID-19 update. Mrs. Lachapelle stated that they started giving vaccines at thel Health Department on January 6th. They are providing vaccines daily in the' Tarboro office and thel Rocky Mount office from 9: a.m. to 41 p.m. As oft this afternoon they have given 3166 doses and they have 280 doses as of five today. They are expecting a delivery of 4001 more doses tomorrow morning. They have 400 second round doses onl hand. Her stated that for thei rest of this week they have 741 appointments and they did not get the vaccine that they had anticipated getting. Mrs.] Lachapelle stated that they do not charge for the vaccine however, they are allowed to charge a $25.00 fee for administering the vaccine and they do that to all private companies, Medicare and Medicaid. No onei is turned away fori inability toj pay orl lack ofl health insurance, nor will they ever receive al bill fori it. They are only limited now to the amount of vaccine that they receive each week, which is 400 doses. Currently they need about 1200 doses a week to meet their current appointments. Shes stated that she sat down with Mr. Evans to come up with: aj plan to work with thel black churches in the County. They would like toi is target maybe fivel larger churches in the County and get them to work with thes smaller churches. She stated that they do haves some volunteer staffing, contract staff and using staff from thel National Guard, faculty from ECU: and soon willl havei faculty from) ECC and looking forward to using some of the EMTs and Paramedics from Edgecombe County Rescue. She stated that they have al back log ofl hundreds ofj phone calls that need returning and only have three people pulling thej phone calls off of the answering machine and three to  four returning the calls tos set-up appointments. Mrs. Lachapelle answered questions from the Board.  B. Chad Eason, EMS Coordinator, introduction of EMS Supervisors and Mr. Eason stated that they havel beeni in service since January 215t, asa a County Approval of Resolution Recognizing Edgecombe Rescue Squad was read by Mr. Mrs. Harris moved to approve the resolution as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  transition update.  agency. Hei introduced his command staff.  Boswell.  7.  PUBLIC PETITIONS.  In light of the State of Emergency and in consideration of the recommendations of government andj public health officials tol limit public gatherings, Edgecombe County's Board of Commissioners meeting was closed to the public and thej public  was encouraged to submit any public petitions via email to  4    publicomments@edgecombeco.com orl by mail addressed tol Eric Evans, County Manager. Thej public was notified that all public comments submitted would be read at the meeting. The public was also encouraged tol listen to the meeting by Thej public was previously notified by thel Board of Commissioners that they will allow ten people to make public comments inj person and to do so, the public must Curmilus Dancy, on behalf of] NAACPI Rocky Mount Branch, read the following: The Rocky Mount Branch oft the NAACPrequests that the Edgecombe and Nash Board of Commissioners actively ensures that their Departments of Health do more to guarantee the prioritization ofblack and brown communities and constituents in the strategy and administration ofCOVID vaccines in their respective counties. Members ofo our Branch are receiving scores of fcalls from residents in both counties that are complaining ofr rude treatment, deflection and denial of requests for registration for people who are included in Governor Cooper' priority designations (la, Ib and. Ic) and unnecessary onerous registration, policies that disparately impact black people. Black people in both counties are not receiving callbacks on a timely basis, referred to other counties, asked to wait) for another day, week or month to register, told that supplies are out and otherwise discouraged from continuing in their rights to access the vaccine. Nash County black populations are receiving thei vaccine at lower rates than whites and Edgecombe County does not track, or refuses to release all COVID data, or ethnicity. These discriminatory trends add to the distrust and skepticism in public health policy and remedies by black people fori illnesses that they die from often unnecessarily, and in this case, because off fear and intentional misinformation. While we all recognize that the previous federal government administration did not perform their public health responsibilities regarding the Coronavirus for the entire United States adequately, much opportunity lies in the hands of local public health entities. You have been given priority status over other healthcare entities and the results of your strategies have left black and brown communities unnecessarily unprotected from COVID. While we empathize with the overwhelming response that public health agencies are experiencing, we have received too many complaints to think that vaccine administration efforts are being treated equitably. Several of our members themselves have received callous and flippant customer, service from both agencies vaccine. Ifyou want our assistance in developing better outreach and administrative regarding strategies, we will help, you. Ifyou do not, thati isj fine. But we do want all ofj you to know that we are watching, taking account ofyour actions and will continue to advocate loudly in every circle ands sector until black and brown people in our counties receive the vaccine. Wes suffer health disparities and mortalities at much higher rates in almost every health indicator than our white neighbors,. friends, and peers. We appeal to every elected and appointed official to change this narrative and protect our seniors, our first responders, our essential workers, our healthcare workers and all our public and provide us all with equitable opportunities to receive the vaccine and to Mr. Evans read the following public petition submitted by email: Good afternoon, Ijust) wanted to address thei issue in our county of trash thati is overflowing on thes side oft the roadways. Ihave reach out to DOTand Iwas informed that they clean the sides of thei roads for only 2 weeks out of thej year. This was disturbing news especially now that our county is subject toj flooding just with major rainfall and hurricanes. To me Edgecombe County is living up to its reputation ofnot only being an economically poor county but one that does not keep their "house" cleaned as well. My parents told me that you can tell a lot about a person by how they keep theiry yards. Ibelieve that to be true. The pictures below are off the exit ramps on Kingsboro Road. Please take the time toi ride through the county that) yous serve and  calling the published number.  sign upi in advance by calling the Clerk to the Board.  race  by  the  protect our nation' 'sfi future.  From: Freda Ruffin r196/@vahoo.com  5    implement aj plan to get our county up to standard. Iwill be sending more pictures asI  drive through. Edgecombe. Sincerely, Freda Ruffin. A. Approval of budget amendments.  OTHER BUSINESS:  Mrs.] Harris moved to approve the budget amendments as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of Emergency Sick Leave related to COVID-19. Mr. Evans stated that the Family First Coronavirus Response. Act required employers to provide up to 801 hours of] paid sick leave to employees who were unable to work due to testing positive or being required to quarantine because of contact with a person having tested positive. For employees who were unable to workl because they had toj provide care for their children due to schools being closed, it required up to 80 hours of paid sick leave, and up to an additional 10 weeks of paid extended family and medial leave. This law expired on December 31, 2020. Being that the COVID-19 pandemici is still a major public health concern and Edgecombe County iss still designated by the State as one of 86 counties with critical community spread, he believe wes should continue to offer the 801 hours of sick leave to those who have tested positive or otherwise ordered to quarantine by a medical professional. Itisi important for our staff who arei in this situation not to come to work risking exposure to other employees. Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board authorize him to offer up to 80 hours of emergency Mrs. Powell moved to approve as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, C. Approval of creating a Housing Redevelopment Incentive Grant. Mr.] Evans stated that he received a request from Berkshire Acres Community Association requesting the County consider a rebate of taxes on aj propertyi itis redeveloping. Their plan is to purchase homes that haves substantial arrears for past due taxes for renovation and resale. Mr. Evans presented al letter with more details about their plan. In order for the County to consider such a request, there would have tol be a clear, public purpose. Mr. Evans suggested that wei first consider creating a program and identify the purpose and requirements, for which Berkshire Acres Community Association and any other qualifying entity may apply. Such aj program would encourage investment and redevelopment inj properties that may otherwise contribute to community blight. He recommended that thel Board approve thel Housing Redevelopment Incentive Grant as described in documents presented and to authorize him to publicly Mr. Wooten moved to approve the Housing Redevelopment Incentive Grant as described. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D. Approval of amendment of grant agreement for Princevile'sS3-acre Mr. Eyans stated that we received funds in two separate grants from] NC Department of Commerce totaling $3,171,000 for the development of the 53-acre tract the' Town of Princeville purchased and annexed. The purpose of the grants ist toc complete an environmental review and development plan for the entire 53 acres, and construct a public works building and a new fire station. The environmental review and development plan have been completed. The next stepi is to move: forward with the construction of thet two buildings and the. infrastructure for both. The Town of] Princeville is pursuing funds to construct infrastructure on the entire 53-acre development, and has requested that the County delay our construction so that all of the infrastructure can be done at one time. Mr. Evans stated he agree, as well as the funding agency, with this  sick leave retroactive to. January 1,2021. which carried by unanimous vote.  solicit applications.  development.  6    approach and recommended that thel Board approve the two grant amendments. Mr.) Boswell moved to approve the grant amendments as presented. Mr. Webb Mr. Evans stated that bringing Emergency Medical Services in-house under our Emergency Services Department includes contracting with a company tol handle medical billing. We will soon publish a request for proposals and vet companies to select for: a long-term contract. In the meantime, he recommended that we enteri into an agreement with Tarheel Medical Billing, which was previously contracted by Edgecombe County Rescue Squad, through June oft this year. Doing so will provide for a smooth transition ofl billing service. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the Agreement for Emergency Medical Billing Services as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by Approval of recommendation for construction award for waterline relocation. Mr. Evans stated that construction of thei new bridge over the Tar River on Highway 42 at Old Sparta required that our waterline be relocated. During the construction, our lines were cut and water was rerouted to those affected customers. Now that thel bridge Icomplete, new lines need to bei installed. The NCI Department of Transportation has committed to the funds for the relocation oft thel lines, but asked that wel handle the relocation project. Bids were solicited and a recommendation of award tol Ralph Hodge Construction by our engineers Mr. Boswell moved to approve Ralph Hodge Construction for the award of this contract and the approval of the accompanying budget amendment to appropriate thei funds from NC-DOT. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which G. Receipt of Edgecombe County Public Schools Facility Needs survey. Mr. Evans stated that Edgecombe County Public Schools is required to submit a Facility Needs Survey which describes thei improvements and additional facilities needed to accommodate projected enrollment. Prior to its submission to the Statel Board of Education, a copy must be presented to the Board for review. He stated that thel Board willl have the opportunity tol hear more about their facility needs in thej joint meeting later this year. Mr. Evans recommended that the Board acknowledge by vote receipt oft this document. Certification does not constitute endorsement of or commitment toi fund the needs list. Mr. Wooten moved to acknowledge receipt oft the documents. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. H. Approval of revised mileage rates for 2021.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. E. Approval of short-term agreement for EMS Billing Services.  unanimous vote.  ini included in the Board packets.  carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Evans stated that iti ist the County's practice toi follow the standard mileage reimbursement rates set by thel Internal Revenue Service. Recently, thel IRS issued a notice thati iti is decreasing the rate from 57.6 cents to 56 cents per mile. Mrs. Harris moved to approve: a new mileage reimbursement rate at 56 cents. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Approval of] Resolution to Amend Contract Authority. Mr. Evans stated that thej job description for the Deputy County Manager position includes serving in the role of the County Manager during extended absences. Though he did not anticipate a need toi implement that provision, he  7    thought it wise for the sake of continuity to codify the authority of thel Deputy County Manager to approve contracts ifr needed. Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve: a resolution to amend Section Coft the County's Financial Accounting! Procedures Manual. This will give the Deputy County Manager the Mrs. Harris moved to approve thel Resolution to Amend Contract Authority as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Powell moved to approve thei resolution as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded  authority to approve a contract up to $50,000.  J. Approval ofa Resolution to Honor Mr.James Edward Bridgers.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris read the resolution. A. Rocky Mount Board of Adjustment.  9. APPOINTMENTS.  None. None.  B. Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments Board of] Directors. 10. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW. AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 11. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FORI REVIFW.--Reehed":  Mr. Webb moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. Powell  A. Water Services. B. Financial Summary report. C.R Report on building permits. 12. MANAGER'S) REPORI-"Recelved": A. Response to citizen's concerns from the. January meeting. B. Workforce Development Indicators. C. Work session for UDO draft] presentation. UDO Special meeting February 22nd at 10: a.m.  Retreat date March 15th. 13. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 14. ATTORNEY'S REPORT. 15. CLOSED SESSION.  Mrs. Harris shared with the Board thel NCACC goals.  None.  Mr. Webb moved to goi into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S.1 143-318.11 (a)(4)] B. Legal matter. [Per N.C.G.S 143-318.11(a)(3) Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. attending regarding school county linei issue.  Mr. Wooten moved to go out of closed and resume the regular meeting. Mrs. Powell Mr. Wiggins talked about the meetings he, Rev. Hines and Mr. Evans have been  8    16. MRS.] POWELLMOVED: TO ADJOURN THE MEETING UNTIL MARCH1, 2021AT7:001 P.M.MR. WOOTEN SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH  CARRIED BYI UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved! March 1,2021. Eais  Alua  Frangie Mungo, Clerk to thel Board  9