MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF' THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS INTHE COMMISSIONERS ROOM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING 1. MEETING CALLED: TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN LEONARD WIGGINS AT  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY FEBRUARY3, 2020 AT7:001 P.M. TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  7:00P.M.  MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo, Clerk to thel Board. Mr. William Johnson, Assistant County Manager, provided safetyi instructions for  Ralph Webb and Mr. William Wooten. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.  2. 3. 4. 5.  all present. PRAYER.  Rev. Hines provided the prayer.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the minutes of the. January 6, 2020 meeting as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 1. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to receive citizen comments and questions relative to purposed changes to County Animal Services Ordinance.  PUBLICHEARING  Mr. Peters read thej public notice as published.  Mr. Evans stated that at thel Board's. January meeting, they opened aj public hearing to consider changes to the County's ordinance pertaining to animal services. The changes proposed by the Animal Welfare. Advisory Council include adding in Article I Section. 4-33 for" "Adequate Shelter" under the description for what does not constitute adequate shelter the word' "metal" to barrels. They also recommend changes to Article III, which 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 bansi inherently Dangerous Animals in the County with the noted exceptions; and itl leave the responsibility of permitting and enforcement of those exceptions to the: appropriate State and Federal agencies. Mr. Evans stated that the Board continued thej public hearing in order to give the Animal Welfare Advisory council another opportunity to clarify the definition of Inherently Dangerous Animals. They have done so, and the final draft is] presented for consideration. He stated that pending public comments, the recommendation of the. Animal Welfare Advisory Councili is to: approve ordinance changes as Mr. Evans stated that Ms. Kathy Williams, Chairman of the Council was Mr. Wiggins called for public comments. There being none the public hearing  presented. Mr. Evans presented the proposed changes.  presented to answer any questions.  was adjourned.    Mr. Wooten moved to approve the ordinance changes as presented. Mrs. Powell  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  6. SCHEDULED. APPOINTMENT.  A. Sheriff Clee Atkinson to provide an update from the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff. Atkinson called upon Chief Deputy Genel Harrell to present the State of Mr. Harrell stated that the purpose of the presentation was to give an overview on what is going oni in the Sheriff's office and a forecast ofi issues that need addressing and future needs. A majority of the focus will be on salaries. You wills seel later that the salaries are continuously hurting themi inj recruiting and retaining staffi members, mainly in the detention center and amongst the Mr. Harrell provided aj power point presentation highlighting:  the Office of the Sheriff 2019.  deputies. Fast Facts Stats and programming Concealed carry permits reached the Sheriff's office. Patrol (Calls fors service) Traffic Enforcement Patrol (staffingi issues, salaries) Child Support/IV-D Training Training Center at Dodge City D.A.R.E. Transports Criminal Investigative. Division Interns Sex Offenders Narcotics Animal Services ABC/Pretrial Release and Supervision Telecommunications Missing 911 funds Sheriff's Office programs Food' Trucks Funds needed for] projects Animal Shelter Body Cameras Vehicles Service Weapons Portable radios Honor Fallen  Inz 20198 863 concealed weapon applications were processed. $35.00 each was supposed to come back tot the Sheriff's office.' These funds have never  Detention Center (housing, staffing, salaries, risks)  Civil (Child support papers, civil papers, court bailiffs)  Patrol vehicle shot onl New Year's Eve  Sheriff Atkinson: stated to the Board and] Manager and citizens that he needed their help toj protect the citizens of] Edgecombe County. He stated that he needed immediate relief to keep well trained people toj protect the citizens. He stated that the quicker het trains hiss staff the quicker they are coming to get them. He stated that salaries have tol bel higher and will give the deputies and detention staffs some  2    incentives tol be even more passionate about their jobs. Hes stated that] he was asking for relief so his deputies would notl have to get off from working a 12-hour shift and go work a second job. Sheriff Atkins asked Deputy Silveri to come forth. Deputy Mark Silveri stated that he retired from the. NC State Highway Patrol after 25; years of service and al long-time resident of] Edgecombe County. He came forth to speak on the need of higher salaries for the Sheriff's department. Mr. Wiggins stated that the Board values the Sheriff's office and the officers. He stated that they do understand and will give everything that they havel hears consideration and charge the management team to take as serious look at it and bring back to thel Board what al budget would say so the Board can make a  determination as to where the revenue is coming from.  7. PUBLIC PETITIONS.  Curmilus Dancy, II, POI Box 1391, Tarboro, 127 Midway Lane, Tarboro, thanked the Board for allowing him to serve on the Animal Services Committee. The committee did a great job. He stated that he came forth speaking on behalf the Sheriff's office as hel hasi in thej past. He expressed his support of the Sheriff and his office stating that they are underpaid. He stated that we are losing good deputies and staff because they are going to other cities and towns to make good money. Teresa Everette-Horne, 2229 Oak Drive, Tarboro, wife ofa detention officer of Edgecombe County, came forth to expressing her concerns about the situations down at the, jail. She stated thati iti is dangerous and the payi is not enough. She Kathy Williams 22081 Robin] Drive, Tarboro, came: forth to speak about the Sheriff's office and the Animal Shelter and not having enough space for the animals. She provided numbers on the spay and neuter program and rabies vaccine numbers. Shes stated that when youl have people that work for your Sheriff's office that are on public assistance, because they don't make enough money to support their family, therei is really something wrong. She asked thel Board to please consider their Brian Holland, 17361 Pinetops/Crisp Road, stated that on the morning of. January gth at approximately 4: a.m. He came out his front door to geti in his vehicle and there wasa car that wasn'ts sitting directly like he was turning left or right. He had his lights turned directly atl his utility building. He stated that hei felt uncomfortable and he called the Sheriff's department and within three minutes an Edgecombe County deputy was in his yard. He stated that since Sheriff Atkinson took office he's noticed al lot of good things in the community. He stated that the money these men and women make protecting us is absolutely ridiculous, with the things they face and deal with. He asked thel Board to consider paying them what they deserve. Oliver Washington, 38 Old Battleboro Road, Detention Center Administrator, stated that he came forth as a citizen of] Edgecombe County. He stated that he had an employee come tol him saying he was leaving to take aj job at the Corning plant. Hes stated that right then hel knew that hel had aj problem. He stated that he has had sleepless nights since then, trying to figure out how hei is going to maintain quality staff and recruit staff toj protect the citizens of this County. He talked about the dangerous conditions staffe endure. He stated that they are underpaid and overworked. He asked thel Board to consider the Sheriff's department. Ray Hines, 304 Cross Street, Tarboro, Edgecombe County Detention Officer, came forth to talk about love, honor and respect that they have for each other. Shane Varnell, 41861 Pleasant Hilll Road, Rocky Mount, President of Farm Bureau,  pleaded with the Board for help.  salaries.  3    stated thel knows Sheriff Clee personally and every since he's come here things have changed. He stated that ift the County loses him we willl be at a great lost. There: are times that hel has to call on the Sheriff's department. Mr. Varnell stated that the reason hei is here is because he came up and spoke in the December meeting about thel ban on tobacco use and in the. January meeting they found out it was overturned. They thought they had an understanding that there would be specific places designated for smoking and that thel Board would give thought that at total ban on all property was not feasible. He stated that it was voted on in one meeting and turned around and voted on something different without a public hearing or  any public forum.  Mr. Wiggins stated that he thought the Board had recessed. Mr. Peters stated thati it was two separate hearings.  Mr. Wiggins stated that aj public notice of thel hearing was done so the requirement was met. He stated that Mr. Varnell was correct thati it was something different and asked thel Board to speak oni itift they would like to, because there were: some changes. He stated that asi its stands now, the ordinance states no smoking on Mr. Varnell state that this has been turned over twice and asked thel Board to revisit Mr. Wiggins stated thati itis aj proper request and asked Mr. Peters about a Mr. Peters stated that for the ordinance to be amended again it would have tol be Mr. Wiggins asked Mr. Peters to get with the Manager and he will put it on the Mr. Evans stated that the Board will need to call for a public hearing to consider: a  County owned property, or leased property.  it.  timeframe for the ordinance. another public hearing.  agenda. change.  Mr. Wooten stated that thel Board has already voted on itt twice.  Tom) Porter, 39301 Meadowbrook: Road, former President of Farm] Bureau, stated that he was not at the meeting in December. He stated that it troubles him that they camei in and talked about this (tobacco ban) and it was voted on and at thei next meeting, unbeknownst to any of them, there were) people who came in a spoke differently and swayedi it the other way. Thej proper notification was there but it did not get to them. Since then they decided to come back and ask for an explanation. He asked thel Board tol let them know whati is going on and that they all work together to make decisions that don'tcause people tol be upset. After discussion on the farmers and the health community coming together to discuss the smoking ban Mr. Wiggins stated that they can come to the Board with Otha Woodard, 505 Lincoln Road, Tarboro, member of thel Health and Human Services Board, stating the major concern is the health of this community. Itis not against tobacco. Thei needi is to improve thel health of our citizens in Edgecombe  something they can recommend.  County. OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval of] budget amendments.    Mr. Evans provided explanations on some of thel budget amendments. Mr. Evans pointed budget amendment #1, reallocating some funds into the Sheriff's Office Capital Outlay, for year one deployment of new body cameras, about: 30 oft them. Hes stated that it's certainly not thet total number that they need, he and the Sheriff and staffr met with a representative some timel back and felt] like thisi is a way tol help get some body cameras in the Sheriff's office. Mr. Wooten asked Mr. Evans if wel had bought some body cameras five years Mr. Evans stated that hel believes that is what the Sheriff reported and that was  ago and they are already out of date.  with a grant.  Mr. Wiggins called on Sheriff. Atkinson. andi if their life cycle is five years orl less.  Mr. Wooten asked Sheriff Atkinson if wel bought body cameras about five years Sheriff. Atkinson stated yes. He stated that they were on the low end and they were not able to see the footage as well and when they would get a request from After al brief discussion, Mr. Wooten moved to amend the budget amendment from $13,000 to $26,000. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by Mr. Boswell moved to approve the budget amendments as presented. Mr. Webbs seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of resolution from thel League of Women Voters. Mr. Evans presented to thel Board for consideration a resolution from the League of women Voters' Twin Counties. This resolution recognizes the 100th Anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution which Mr. Webb moved to approve the resolution as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded Ms. Melanie Goft-Bradley, President League of Women Voters' Twin Counties, Mr. Evans stated that Nash Edgecombe Economic Development, Inc. (NEED, Inc) receives federal funding through the Community Servicel Block Grant program. A requirement of thej program is tos submit an Anti-poverty Plan. This] plan discusses their strategies for eliminating poverty within their service area. He stated that no action is needed of thel Board. NEED, Inc. is required to distribute a copy of thej plan to the Board prior toi its submission. The Boardi is given an opportunity to submit comments along with the plan. Ginell Rogers, Executive Director/CEO ofl NEED, Inc. was] present to answer questions from D Approval of right of way easement from Edgecombe Martin-EMC. Mr.] Evans stated that Edgecombe Martin Electric Membership Corporation is in need ofa right of way easement onj property we own near thei intersection of] Hwy 644 Alt. and Dunbar Road. This will: allow them to construct and maintain: a transmission line. Wehave determined thati it will not interfere with development on the property. Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve the easement  an: attorney or what] have you thei images were blurred out.  unanimous vote.  gave women the right to vote.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  thanked the Board.  Approval of Anti-poverty plan from NEED, Inc.  thel Board.  5    as presented.  Mr. Webb moved to approve the easement as presented. Mr. Wooten seconded E.A Approval of Change Order for S&ME's contract for Princeville's 53 Acre Mr. Evans] presented for the Board's consideration an: amendment to the contract with S&ME, Inc. for professional services related to Princeville's 53 Acre development. The amendment includes the reconciliation of components of the original contract, as well adding services (FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis and an Engineer's Opinion of] Probable Construction Costs for the entire development). This change order will result in an addition of $70,963.75, increasing the total contract price to $262,663.75." This is an eligible cost under thel NC Commerce Mrs. Harris moved to approve the contract amendment as presented and to authorize the Chairman to execute the same. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, F.A Approval of change in funding appropriated to Braswell Memorial Library. Mr. Evans stated that in. June the Board approved an appropriation for Braswell Memoriall Library of$194,962.03. Thisi included: a: 3% increase from the previous year, and was contingent uponl Nash County and the City of Rocky Mount approving the same percentage increase. We have sincel learned that Rocky Mount did approve additional funds, but 1.344% above the previous year. Therefore, the two counties must consider whether to reduce their appropriation. Nash County has already voted to do sO. Mr. Evans stated that tol be consistent with our agreement toj proportionately sharei in the cost of library's operations, he recommended that thel Board approve a reduction in allocation to Braswell Rev.) Hines moved to approve the reduction in allocation as presented. Mr. Webb G. Approval of the appointment of Katina Braswell as the 2020 Census Liaison. Mrs. Harris moved to appoint Katinal Braswell as the 2020 Census Liaison. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. H. Approval of change inj mileage reimbursement rate. Mr.] Boswell moved to approve the new mileage reimbursement: rate at 57.5 cents. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Development.  DRA grant.  which carried by unanimous vote.  Memorial Library to $191,829.23.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  9. APPOINTMENTS.  A. Nursing Home Adult Care Advisory Committee motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Carolinas Gateway Partnership motion, which carried by unanimous vote. East Carolina Live Stock Arena Board. motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mrs. Harris moved to appoint Stephanie Walker. Rev. Hines seconded the Mrs. Powell moved to appoint Mr. Richard Anderson. Rev. Hines seconded the Rev. Hines moved to appoint Mr.. JeffLancaster. Mrs. Powell seconded the  10. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW. AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mrs. Harris moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. Powell    11. CONTRACTS FOR REVIEWAPPROVAL: motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Rev. Hines moved to approve the contracts as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the  12. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIEW,-"Reehed"  A. Water Services. B. Financial Summary report. Hurricane recovery update. D. Influenza report. E. Tourism Development Board report. 13. MANAGER'S REPORI,-"Reched": A. Update on Forestry Management Project B. Notice from Suddenlink. C. Reminder of2020 Census. D. Workforce Development Indicators.  F. Update on Franchise Agreement for Onl Demand Transport, LLC.  E. Update on solid Waste permits provided by William Johnson, Assistant County F. Proposed date for joint meeting with ECPS Board- - February 24th. G.A Appointment ofl Interim Director in cooperative Extension. H. Update onl Edgecombe County Rescue Squad.  Manager.  14. COMMISSIONERS REPORT.  Mr. Boswell stated that hel has experienced, as well as his wife and a couple people inl his district, having a hard time getting people from the County to return their call. Iwill talk tol Mr. Evans about specific departments, but the citizens of the Mr. Boswell stated that he thought that) part of thes snafu the Board is facing with thei farmers and the health individuals is partly his fought because when he made the motion, it was tol ban smoking on County property and he allowed Mr. Wooten to amendi it and change it. However, what ended upl happening is whats should have happened tos start with. It was not] handled that well. We allow both sides to come together in this room to discuss the issue. Fortunately, it worked out tonight exactly howl he thought its should. Regardless ofl how the vote ends and regardless of how you vote, or who you vote for. Hes stated that we need, as Commissioners, as leaders of the County to allow people to get together to discuss things before we try to dictate to them what we want to do after tol listening to both sides. He: asked] Mr. Peters to correct him, ifhei is wrong. He stated that he made the motion to ban it from the property and allowed Mr. Wooten tos say County property everywhere. Mr. Peters stated generally, He interpreted him withdrawing your motion so that he Mrs. Harris stated that as a member of the Human Services Board, they have an open meeting. It consists of thel DSS Board and the Board of Health together. That meeting is open to the public to come whenever therei is a meeting, that they can come to discuss their opinion. She stated that nobody shows up at the meetings, but theni itl blows up. People need to start taking advantage of the opportunity to attend Mr. Webb stated that three months ago he was appointed to the Health Department Board, as a Commissioner representative, but after not receiving a call he found out that he was an unfit candidate, because he didn'talso serve on thel Health and  County need tol be called back.  could make his second motion.  Mr. Boswell stated that this is where thes snafu came up at.  each and every one of those meetings and give their opinion.  Human Services Board.  7    Mr.Johnson stated that iti isi in thel Health and Human Services by-laws thati in order to serve on either one of the advisory boards you must be an eligible Human Services Board member. Hes stated that one ofl his department heads requested that Mr. Webb serve, but whenl he went back to thel by-laws he realized that he was not  eligible. None.  15. ATTORNEY'S) REPORT. 16. CLOSED SESSION.  Mr. Wooten moved to go into closed session to discuss economic development. [N.C.G.S.1 143-318.11 (a)(4)] and personnel. [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(6)). Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Webb moved to go out of closed session and resume the: regular meeting. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Powell moved to approve the agreement With Ossid as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris moved to approve and execute the deed to convey the property. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Webb moved to approve obtaining Attorney Bo Simmons toj provide legal representation for: as staff member. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried 17. MR. WOOTENI MOVED' TO ADJOURNTHE MEETING UNTIL MARCH 2, 2020 AT7:00 P.M.I MR. BOSWELLSECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED  by unanimous vote.  BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved) March 2, 2020. Eayi My Frangiel Mungo, Clerk to thel Board  8