MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OFTHEI BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS INTHE COMMISSIONERS ROOM, COUNTY. ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING MEETING CALLED' TO ORDER BY CHAIRMANLEONARD WIGGINS AT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev.] E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr. William Wooten, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mr.  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY JANUARY 6, 2020 AT7:001 P.M. TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  7:00P.M.  Ralph Webb and Mrs. Evelyn Powell. MEMBERS ABSENT: None.  OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo, Clerk to thel Board.  2. 3. 4.  SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.  Mr. William Johnson, Assistant County Manager, provided safety instructions for  allj present. PRAYER.  Rev. Hines provided the prayer.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Rev. Hines moved to approve the minutes of the December 2, 2019 meeting as presented. Mr. Webbs seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. SCHEDULED. APPOINTMENT. Item 61 moved up on the agenda with consensus oft the  Board.  A. Appointment of Vila Anderson as Register of Deeds.  Mr. Evans stated that] per NC General Statute 161-5, when a vacancy occurs in the office of] Register of Deeds, thel Board of Commissioners: is to appoint a successor for the unexpired term. This: appointment mustl be of the person recommended by thej political party of the outgoing Register of Deeds. Enclosed you will find the official recommendation from the Edgecombe County Democratic Party's Mrs.] Harris moved to: appoint Vilal R. Anderson: as Register of] Deeds as recommended by the Edgecombe County Democratic Party. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, Thel Honorable Carol Allen-White, Clerk of Court, administered the Oath of 1. Mr. Wiggins called aj public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and guestions relative to a proposed change to County Animal Services Ordinance. Mr. Evans stated thati in. June, the Board adopted changes to the County's ordinance pertaining to animal services. Since then, the Animal Welfare Advisory Council has continued to review the ordinance and havei further recommendations regarding Articlel II Sec. 4-33-Definitions. and several sections in Article III-Wild orl Exotic. Animals. The change they recommend to Article II  Executive Committee ofl Ms. Vila R. Anderson.  which carried by unanimous vote.  Office. PUBLICI HEARINGS.  5.  Mr. Peters read the public notice as published.  1    Sec. 4-33: for "Adequate shelter" under the description for what does not constitute adequate shelteri is to add "metal" tol barrels. He stated that the recommended changes to Article II are numerous. In summary, the changes include: reference tol Inherently Dangerous Animals instead of Wild and Exotic Animals; it defines what] Inherently Dangerous Animals are; it bans Inherently Dangerous Animals in the County with the noted exceptions; andi it] leaves the responsibility of permitting and enforcement of those exceptions to the appropriate State and Federal agencies. Mr. Evans sated that Ms. Kathy Williams, who is the Chairperson of the Animal Welfare Advisory Council, to answer any questions thel Board may have. He stated since the Council has reviewed thel latest changes, there are: a few small changes that they would liket to review to better fine tune that definition of Inherently Dangerous Animals. He asked thel Board to consider doingi is opening the public hearing for comments and not closing that public hearing but continue that hearing until thel February Mr. Wiggins called for public comment. There being none. Mr. Wooten moved to continue the public hearing at the February meeting. Rev. Hines seconded the 2. Mr. Wiggins called aj public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative to proposed changes to the Smoking Policy. Mr. Peters read the public notice as published.  meeting so that the Council can review those final changes.  motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Evans stated that at the December meeting the Board held aj public hearing to consider proposed changes to the County's smoking policy. Following the public hearing, thel Board's decision was to amend the ordinance to match our current policy which bans smokingi in county buildings andi in county-owned vehicles. Such a change requires another public hearing, which thel Board called  tol bel held at the. January meeting. Mr. Wiggins called for public comment.  Thomas Gennosa, 200 Cotton Court, Tarboro, stated that hei is ai family physician and has been in the area for the past 20 years and he was present to speak on the enhancing of the tobacco ban toi include all county properties. He provided several reasons, including heath and economic, tol ban smoking on all Robin' Webb-Corbett, 3971 NC: 111 South, Macclesfield, came forth to ask the Board to consider the smoking ban toi include all county properties. Bill Leland, 800 Main Street, came: forth and presented facts regarding smoking and tobacco use and asked the Board tol ban smoking on all county owned Therel being no further comments thej public hearing was adjourned. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the changes to thes smoking ordinance as After discussion Mr. Wooten proposed that the ordinance change include to ban all smoking and use of all tobacco products from being used on all County owned Mrs. Harris moved to approve the ordinance change as stated by Mr. Wooten.  county owned property.  property.  presented. Mr. Wiggins seconded the motion. property andi in county owned vehicles.  2    Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by a vote of5 for (Wooten, Harris, Powell, Hines and Webb) and 2 against (Wiggins, Boswell) 3. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and  questions relative to rezoning request from Reba Allen. Mr. Peters read the public notice as] published.  Mr. Evans stated that Reba W. Allen submitted a request to rezone approximately .752 acres] located at 44771 Draughn) Road, currently zoned Agriculture Residential - 30,000 sq. ft. (AR-30) to al Neighborhood Business District (B-1). Per her application, her request is to allow for the operation ofa restaurant without a drive-through. A rezoning requires a public hearing, which the Board called for at the January meeting. This request comes with ai favorable  recommendation from the Planning Board. Mr. Wiggins called for public comment.  Reba Allen, 1101 Panola Street,' Tarboro, came forth toj provide information on Thomas Johnson, 2502 O'Neal Road, came forth to express his concerns Jennifer Wallace, 3237 Coker' Town) Road, came forth to express opposition to Tonyl Blackley, Reba Allen's husband, came: forthi in support of thei rezoning. There being noi further comments, the public hearing was adjourned. Mr. Wiggins moved to approve the rezoning request as recommended by the Planning Board. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4. Mr. Wiggins called aj public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and guestions relative to UDO text amendment request from] Raeford Allen Walston. Mr. Evans stated that Raeford Walston presented to the Planning Board a request to amend the Unified Development Ordinance to add agritourism to section 2-4 "Definitions". Agritourism is any activity carried out on a farm for recreational use, entertainment or educational purposes. A text amendment requires aj public hearing, which the Board called to bel held at the. January meeting. This request comes with ai favorable recommendation from the Mr. Wiggins called for public comment. There being none, the public hearing Mrs. Harris moved to approve the UDO text amendment as recommended by the Planning Board. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by 5. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and guestions relative to UDO text amendment request from thel Planning  her request.  regarding the rezoning request. the rezoning request.  vote.  Mr. Peters read the public notice as published.  Planning) Board. was adjourned. unanimous vote.  3    Department.  Mr. Peters read the public notice as published.  Mr. Evans stated that Planning staff presented to thel Planning Board a request to amend thel Unified Development Ordinance to add bona fide farm to section 2- 4"Definitions". Al bona fide farmi is at tract of land which is used for agriculture, as further described in the attached document. A text amendment requiresa public hearing, which the Board called for at the. January meeting' This request comes with ai favorable recommendation from thel Planning Board. Mr. Wiggins called for public comment. Therel being none, the public hearing Mrs. Harris moved to approve the UDO text amendment as recommended by the Planning Board. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous Ms. Melanie Goffl Bradley, President League of Women Voters Twin Counties, 875 Powell Road, Rocky Mount, stated that she a resolution that thel League of Women Voters asking thel Board to adopt. The resolution is to commemorate the 100th anniversary oft the founding of thel league, which will take place on February 14, 2020 and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, which will take place in August 2020. She also alerted thel Board to the fact that Edgecombe County willl be one of only nine counties this year with the ability to display the original 19th Amendment document, which willl be herei in May at the Edgecombe Memoriall Library. As League of Women Voters' Twin Counties willl be thel host for that event. She stated that the email sent with the resolution failed and After brief discussion Mr. Wiggins, with no opposition from thel Board, stated that  was adjourned. vote.  7.  PUBLICI PETITIONS.  shel hoped that the Board would pass the resolution. the resolution willl be placed on next month's agenda.  8.  OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval ofl budget amendments.  Mr. Evans provided explanations on some of the budget amendments. Mrs.) Powell moved to approve the budget amendments as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of contract amendment with NC Department of Commerce for Mr. Evans stated that the County reçeived funds on behalf of the Town of Princeville from the NC Department of Commerce in the amount of $2,631,000 for the development of the 53-acre tract the Town purchased and annexed. Ina separate grant agreement, we had received $540,000 from the golden LEAF Foundation to construct a newi fire station for the Town. Since then, Golden LEAF Foundation decided to allow NC Commerce to take over that grant project, and consequently decommitted those funds. Mr. Evans presenteda contract agreement with NC Commerce committing the %540,000 to the project. Mr. Boswell moved to accept this grant award and approve the project ordinance and budget amendment. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion. After discussion the motion carried by unanimous vote. Approval of the purchase of new voting equipment.  Princeville 53 Acre Project.  4    Mr. Evans stated that thel Edgecombe County Board ofl Elections is required to recommend to thel Board of Commissioners a voting system after they have witnessed a demonstration of said system. They may only recommend a voting system that has been certified by the State Board ofl Elections. The Edgecombe BOE witnessed a demonstration and recommended the preliminary approval of thel ES&S Unity 3.4.1 Voting System. Hes stated that the Board approved that resolution at the October meeting. Mr. Evans stated that our elections office tested thes system at one precinct during thel November 5, 2019 election. The BOE isi now bringingl back to thel Board ai final recommendation for thej purchase of this Mrs. Harris moved to approve the Sales Order Agreement as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Evans stated that on behalf of the County, Art Bradley, Cooperative Extension Director, Facilitated thel bid ofar number of county-owned parcels for farm) leases. They werel bidi int two groups; group #1 at] Kingsboro Industrial park included: at total of1 196.5: acres, and group? #2 at thel landfilli included at total of 46.29 acres. Based on thel bids received, we recommend the approval ofi farm leases to: Mr. Boswell moved to approve thel lease of these parcels and authorize Mr. Evans to execute agreements. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by E.A Approval of contract to collect taxes for the' Town of Whitakers.  equipment.  D. Approval of bid awards for farm leases.  Group #1 - Harrel & Owens Farm $150 per acre Group #2 - Pakhouse, LLC-126.52 per acre  unanimous vote.  Mr. Evans stated that the Town of Whitakers has requested that we collect their property. taxes. Tarasal Lewis," Tax Administrator, is in agreement toj provide this service. Asan note, we already collect taxes for Conetoe, Leggett, Princeville, Mr. Harris moved to approve the: agreement with the Town of Whitakers as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. F. Approval of an offer to purchase County owned property from) Mr. Darius Smith. Mr. Boswell moved to accept the offer toj purchase property located at 509 Cokey Road, Rocky Mount for $650 and to direct staff toj publish the public notice for upset bid. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris moved to accept the offer toj purchase property located at 1740 Harper Street, Rocky Mount for $600 and to direct staff to publish the public notice for upset bid. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by Mr. Boswell moved to accept the offer toj purchase property from Mr. Darius Smith located at 6061 E. Thomas Street for $625 and to direct staff toj publish the public notice for upset bid. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by G. Approval of application for franchise for non-emergency medical transport. Mr. Evans stated that wel have received an application for a franchise to operate ambulances inl Edgecombe County from] Meraki Healthfirst, LLC. This would be to provide non-emergency medical transportation as a back-up forl Edgecombe County Rescue Squad. Mr. Evans stated that iti is recommended that thel Board  Sharpsburg, and Speed. It willl be a 2% collection fee.  unanimous vote.  unanimous vote.  approve thei franchise agreement as presented.  5    Mr. Wooten moved to approve thei franchise agreement forl Meraki Healthfirst, LLCas presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous Mrs. Harris moved to approve thel bad debt write-off as presented. Mr. Boswell  vote.  H. Approval of thel Health Department's bad debt write-off. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  9. APPOINTMENTS. A.NCI East Alliance. Nor recommendations. B. Carolinas Gateway Partnership.  Rev. Hines moved to appoint Mr. Wooten to represent the private sector. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Rev.] Hines moved to appoint Ms.] Natema Drummond. Mrs. Harris seconded the Mr. Wooten moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. Powell Mrs. Harris moved to approve the contracts as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the  C. Nursing Home Adult Care Advisory Committee motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  10. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  11. CONTRACTS FORI REVIEWIAPPROVAL motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  12. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIEW.-Reched":  A. Water Services.  Mr. Michael Matthews, Water/Sewer Director, came forth to answer questions  and concerns from thel Board regarding water loss.  B. Financial Summary report. Hurricane recovery update.  D. Update on Solid Waste permits provided by Mr. William Johnson.  13. MANAGER'SI REPORI-"-Recned" B.M Martin Luther King, Jr. 2020 events.  A. Datei for Recreation Mini Grant presentations: January 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. C. Update on complaint withl NCI Department ofLabor regarding courthouse mold. D.A Approval of projects through the Public School Capital Fund. E.NCDHHS plan for Medicaid services for Behavioral Health/Development G. Proposed date for Commissioners' room dedication: February 21, 2020 at 10:00  Disabilities. a.m. None. None.  F.Workforce) Development Indicators.  14. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 15. ATTORNEY'S: REPORT. 16. CLOSEDS SESSION.  Mr. Boswell moved to go into to closed session to discuss economic development. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(4)); Legal. [N.C.G.S.1 143-318.11 (a)(3)!; and Personnel. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(6)). Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by  unanimous vote.  6    Mrs. Harris moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Mrs. Mrs. Harris moved to approve the salary of $53,750 for Vila Anderson, Register of Deeds. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Webb moved to a approve a 2% salary increase for Michael Peters, County Attorney. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 17. MR. WOOTEN. MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING UNTIL FEBRUARY3, 2020AT7:001 P.M.REV.] HINES SECONDED THEI MOTION. WHICH CARRIED  Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  BYUNANIMOUS' VOTE.  Approved February 3, 2020. Dis Frangie Mungo,  Clerk  Dlunp to the/Board  7