MINUTES  REGULARSCHEDULED MEETING OFTHE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS INTHE CARMON AUDITORIUM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING MEETING CALLEDTO ORDER BY CHAIRMANI LEONARD WIGGINS AT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr.Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr. 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 MAY3, 2021 AT7:00 P.M. TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  7:00] P.M.  William Wooten and Mr. Ralph Webb. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. Clerk to the Board. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. Mrs.] Bess provided safety instructions. Rev. Hines provided prayer.  2. 3. 4. 5.  PRAYER.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Rev. Hines moved to approve the minutes of the April5, 2021 meeting as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 1. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and guestions relative to the renaming of Bessemer Lane to Joe's Place.  PUBLICHEARING:  Mr. Peters read the public notice as published.  Mr. Evans stated that Mr.. Joe Powell has submitted a request to rename Bessemerl Lane to. Joe's Place. Section 20-37 of the Code of Ordinances requires aj public hearing bel held before consideration ofa road name change.  Mr. Wiggins called for public comments.  Mr. Evans stated that Mr.. Joe Powell was present to answer any questions. Mr. Evans read thei following letter received from Clara Neal of1 11991 Powell  Road, Rocky Mount, NC: Frangie Mungo Clerk to the Board POI Box 10 Tarboro, NC27886  In reference toi request by. Joe Powell and Edward. Powell to rename. Bessemer. Lane, along Powell. Road, to. Joe's Place or. Joe's PI.. Iami inj favor oft this change. Therel being no other comments, thej public hearing was adjourned.  Clara Neal  1    Mr. Wiggins stated that this request was forwarded to the Board of Commissioners Mr. Boswell moved to approve the renaming of] Bessemer Lane to. Joe's Place. Mrs.  with ai favorable recommendation froms staff.  Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Recognition of Dr. Glenda Knight, Princeville Town Manager.  SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS.  Mr.] Evans stated that] he has had the opportunity to work with Dr. Knight for some time now in her capacity as' Town) Manager during hurricane recovery. He stated thati in thel last year and al half or so hel has observed a tremendous amount of progress. He stated that certainly iti is a team effort and there arel lots of peoplei involved, but without a doubt] he believed that Dr. Knight is the tip of that sphere and deserves credit and recognition for the work she has done to help the' Town of Princeville tol build back better. Mr. Evans named ai few of the things that led tol her accomplishments. Mr. Evans called Dr. Knight to the Dr. Knight expressed how honored she is for this recognition. She thanked Mr. Evans for responding to the ongoing needs of the' Town of Princeville. Dr. Knight thanked thel Board for accepting Mr. Evans' recommendation. Mr. Alvin Jones and Ms. Linda Joyner, Town of] Princeville Commissioners, were present and came forth to express their gratitude for the work that Dr. Mr. Ricky Knight, Dr. Knight's husband, was also present for support. B. Cornelia Anthonv-MeGhee: and Peter Varney with the City of Rocky Mount presented the three-vear Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and Analysis of Impediments for Fair Housing for thel Down East HOME Consortium. Mr. Evans stated that Edgecombe County is able to receive federal HOME funds by being aj part of thel Down East HOME Consortium. HOME funds provide for housing and community development activities for low-income families. Typically, thel HOME funds we receive are used forl housing rehabilitation projects. He stated that we participate along with the City of Rocky Mount (lead entity), and several other municipalities in the' Twin Counties Region. One requirement of the program is that at three-year consolidated plan and subsequent annual action plans be prepared outlining how funds willl be used. Mr. Varney provided as slide presentation regarding thej plan:  podium and presented her a plaque of recognition.  Knight has been doing for the' Town.  Schedule for public process. Community Outreach. Consolidated Plan Goals. Priority Needs. HOME proposed budget. HOME expenditures. Background. Goals.  Analysis ofi impediments tol Fair Housing choice.  Mrs. Harris asked what amount is considered low-income.  Mrs. McGhee provided this information.  C. Karen Lachapelle, Health Director, presented COVID-19 update.  2    Mrs.) Lachapelle stated that as of] May 3,2021, reported to her by thel DHHS Edgecombe County has 5,400 cases of COVID-19. From April 25, 2021 there has been ani increase of81 cases. We still have Optum Serve testing at Heritage Park in Princeville and atl Pinetops behind' Town Hall. You can still be tested at Mrs. Lachapelle provided COVID-19 case information relative to total cases, age groups, gender, race, hospitalizations, deaths (age, gender); number of vaccines given, sites participating in vaccination clinics. She stated that they are currently working with businesses and industries toj provide onsite vaccination clinics. They are still doing homebound vaccines. Anyone who has to be transported by rescue squad to the doctor's appointment and they also do curbside service at thel Health Department. They continue to work together as the Rural Health Network to target the county. Michelle (Vidant Edgecombe): is taking thel lead on working with local churches toj provide vaccine clinic. Freedom Hill is working with the Farmers Association toj provide vaccines to the  Freedom Hill, Vidant Multispecialty Clinic and OIC.  migrant population.  7.  BOARD OFI EQVALIZATION. ANDI REVIEW.  MRS. POWELLMOVED TO RECESS REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING ANDI RECONVENE. AS BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, ANDI REVIEW. REV. HINES SECONDED THE MOTION,  WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. A. Mr. Wiggins called the meeting to order. B. Scheduled appointments. informally so appeal received on Friday.  Mrs. Tarasa Lewis, Tax Administrator, stated that there were no appeals to be presented tonight, but they received one appeal on Friday that staff worked on C. Consideration of finalizing final values will take place at. June meeting due to the MRS. HARRIS MOVED TO ADJOURN AS BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, AND REVIEW. ANDI RECONVENE REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING. MR.] BOSWELLSECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED Mr. Evans directed thel Board's attention to an agenda item under Department Reports regarding: al letter received from the North Carolina Departmental of Revénue regarding 2021 Sales Assessment Ratio Studies and asked Mrs. Lewis to Mrs. Lewis stated that pursuant tol NCGS 105-284, thel Department of Revenue is required to adjust public service company values to achieve equalization in the year acounty conducts a reappraisal andi in thei fourth and seventh years thereafter. Mrs. Deborah Jordan, 6141 E. Wilson Street, Tarboro, asked why Edgecombe County does not have the Say Yes COVID Test. Pitt County has free rapid self-care test kits thatt they are distributing. She wanted tol know why Edgecombe County does not have it and how can the County get in on this especially for thes sick and shut in citizens. She stated that shel has personally knocked on doors and took names and telephone numbers and turned them into thel Health Department and Freedom Hill Clinic fori individuals to get the vaccine. She wanted tol know whati is the Health Department doing to reach homebound individuals and citizens in the rural areas. Mrs. Jordan also expressed her concern about shot administers asking  BYUNANIMOUS VOTE.  provide explanation.  8.  PUBLICI PETITIONS.  3    forl health insurance cards which could be: a deterrent ifindividuals don't know that Mrs.. Jordan also stated that she talked tol Mr. Evans and Mr. Troy Lewis,' Tarboro Town) Manager, and Sheriff Clee Atkinson abouti it now being thet time tol have the conversation about the policing in our County. She stated that shei is the mother of al Black Autistic son and ifhei is confronted by law enforcement he may not be compliant because! he does not want] people touching him. Shes suggested that Mrs. Harris, Commissioner serving her district, and Mr. Evans and others she has talked with come together and ask questions inl light of what happened in Elizabeth City. Mr. Wiggins stated tol Mrs. Jordan that it appears thats shei is heading it up and making it happen ands stated that thel Board would support those efforts tot talk with alli involved: in the community. He also asked Mr. Evans to check into her concerns  they do not have tol have ani insurance card.  regarding COVID vaccinations. OTHER BUSINESS:  Noj petitions received via email or postal mail. A. Approval of budget amendments.  Mr. Evans provided additional information on some of the budget amendments. Mrs. Powell moved to approve thel budget amendments as presented. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of NC-DOT extension of] Benbro Drive, SR-1354.  Mr. Evans stated that staff with) NCI DOTI have submitted aj plan to extend BenBro Drive, which willl be added to the Statel Maintenance System. To do so, a petition and request mustl be approved. He recommended that thel Board approve the petition to add the extension of BenBro Drive to the State Maintenance System. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the petition as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the Mr. Evans stated that Mr.. Jerry Spruell, Board of Elections Director, submitted arequest toj purchase the new voting equipment high speed counter DS450. This machine will save time and money down the road when counting and recounting may occur. During the 2020 election this would havel been exactly what they needed. He stated that they counted and recounted 24,000 ballots three time. Mr. Evans stated that Mr. Spruell stated that they received a grant toj purchase this equipment, andi it will not cost the County anything toj purchase it. The cost of thel Ds450 with accessories is $56,679.00 and there willl be a mock election on this equipment Tuesday, May 4t, 2020 at 9: a.m. in the Carmon Auditorium, Mr. Boswell moved to approve the purchase of the equipment as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Evans stated that thel NC Department of] Public Safety is again making available funds for the. Juvenile Crime Prevention programs forl FY-22 in the amount of $255,122. Proposals were solicited and reviewed by the. JCPC funding committee, and then approved by the. Juvenile Crime prevention Council at their last meeting. Mr. Evans presented a list of the programs and recommended: funding. Hei noted a difference this year in that we may approve programs to receive two-year program commitments. Thati is contingent upon the availability of funds and the program's continued compliance and  motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Approval of] Elections equipment purchase.  whichi is required before purchasing.  D. Approval ofJCPC funding for fiscal year 2022.  4    performance. Any new program or programs that havei identified performance issues are to receive a one-year funding agreement. Mr. Evans presented the programs that are recommended for two-year funding agreements and recommended that the Board approve the allocation of these funds as presented, including $23,104 inl local match to bei included in thel FY-22 budget. Mrs. Harris moved to approve the allocation of these funds as presented and the local match. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous Mr. Evans stated that staff at the Health Department regularly reviews the fee schedule to add fees as needed and to ensure existing fees cover the costs associated with] providing thes services. He presented for thel Board's consideration a change in the fee for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration due to thel Medicaid reimbursement rate increasing. The current feei is $25 for thei first dose and $301 for thes second dose. The recommendation is toi increase both to $40 per dose. The Human Services Board at their last meeting voted to Mr. Boswell moved to approve the fee schedule as recommended by thel Human Services Board. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous  vote.  E. Approval of fee change for Health) Department.  recommend the approval of this fee change.  vote.  10. APPOINTMENTS.  A. Edgecombe County TDA.  Rev. Hines moved to reappoint Commissioner Evelyn Powell. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Tarbore-F.dgecombe. Arts Commission. Mrs. Harris moved to appoint Mr. Buddy Hooks. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mr. Webb Mr. Boswell moved to table contract approval. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion,  11. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 12. CONTRACTS FOR] REVIEW/AND/OR APPROVAL.  which carried by unanimous vote. A. Water Services. B. Financial Summary report. D. Firel Department rating inspection. 14. MANAGER'S: REPORT.***Received*** A. Workforce Development indicators.  13. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FORI REVIEW."Reehed":  C. Tax Administration- 2021 Sales Assessment Ratio Study.  B. Update on Medicaid Transformation provided by Mrs. Bess. C.Joint meeting with Edgecombe and Nash School Boards. D. Budget Work Session - May 17th at 10:00 a.m. Call for public hearing forl FY-2022 Budget approval for the. June 7, 2021 Board meeting  Mr. Boswell moved to call for aj public hearing for the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget for June' 7, 2021. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by  unanimous vote. E. Opioid settlement update.  F. Update on E-File in the Register of] Deeds Office.  5    15. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 16. ATTORNEY'S REPORT. 17. CLOSED SESSION.  None. None.  Rev.) Hines moved to goi into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)] B. Legal Matter. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3) Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Wooten moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Mr. Mr. Boswell moved to consider contracts previously tabled. Mrs. Harris seconded Mr. Webb moved to approve thel Long's Home Repair contract for post mold remediation renovations for EMS Station #2. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, Contract with Ainsley Construction for roof replacement at DSS building in Rocky 18. MR. WOOTEN MOVED TOI RECESS THE MEETINGI UNTIL MAY 6. 2021 AT 7:00 P.M.] FOR. JOINT MEETING WITH' THE EDGECOMBE COUNTY SCHOOL: BOARD.] MR. WEBB SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  which carried by unanimous vote. Mount remained tabled.  BYI UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved June' 7,2021. dns  Frangie Mungo, Clerk to the Board  Jp  6