MINUTES  RECULARSCHEDULED MEETING OFTHEI BOARD OFCOMMISSIONERS INTHE CARMON AUDITORIUM, COUNTY. ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING MEETING CALLEDTOORDER BY CHAIEMANLFONARD WIGGINSAT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev.] E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mr. William Wooten, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mr. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mrs. Natalie Bess, Deputy County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo, Mr. Evans introduced thei new Deputy County Manager, Mrs. Natalie. Bess.  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY DECEMBER 7,2020 AT7:00P.M. TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  7:001 P.M.  Ralph Webb and Mrs. Evelyn Powell. MEMBERSABSENT: None. Clerk to thel Board. SAFETY] INSTRUCTIONS. Mr. Evans provided safety instructions. Rev. Hines provided the prayer.  2. 3. 4. 5.  PRAYER.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Rev. Hines moved to approve the minutes of thel November 2, 2020 as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  SWEARING IN CEREMONY. Mr.Leonard Wiggins. ELECTION OF OFFICERS-2021  Mrs. Carol Allen White, Clerk of Court, administered the oath of office to re-elected Commissioners: Mrs. Viola Harris, Mrs. Evelyn Powell and Mr. Ralph Webb. Judge Lamont Wiggins administered the oath of office to re-elected Commissioner Mr. Wiggins turned the Chair over tol Mr. Peters for the purpose of electing officers  6.  for 2021.  Mr. Peters opened thei floor for nominations. Board of Commissioners Chairman.  Rev. Hines nominated Mr. Wiggins. There being no other nominations, Rev. Hines moved to approve the nomination ofI Mr. Wiggins as Chairman of the Board. Mrs. Mr. Wiggins thanked thel Board of Commissioners for their continued support. Mr. Wiggins nominated Rev. Hines. Therel being no other nominations, Mr. Wiggins moved to approve the nomination of] Rev. Hines as Vice-Chairman of the Board. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Rev. Hines thanked the Board of Commissioners for their continued support. 1. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing is to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative to proposed amendments to Chapter 8, Article IV "County Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council" of the) Edgecombe County Code  Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Board of Commissioners Vice-Chairman,  7.  PUBLICHEARING    ofOrdinances.  Mr. Peters read thej public notice as published.  Mr. Evans stated that Chapter 84 Article IV of the County Code of Ordinances created an Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council. Inl light of the County taking over. EMS, he recommended that this Council be reactivated. However, he suggested that revisions be made to the ordinance. Thej presented thes suggested changes tot thel Board and recommended that the Board approve  the changes after thej public hearing. Mr. Wiggins called for public comments. questions and the public hearing was adjourned. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. revisions to the Unified Development Ordinance.  No one signed up, emailed or mailed any public comments, concerns or Mr. Wooten moved to approve the amendments as presented. Mrs. Powell A. Chad Meadows, Code Wright Planners.presented an outline of the proposed  8.  SCHEDULED. APPOINTMENT.  Project purpose Scope and schedule Audit Annotated outline Nexts steps PUBLIC PETITIONS.  9.  Inl light of the State of] Emergency and in consideration of thei recommendations of government: and public health officials tol limit public gatherings, Edgecombe County's Board of Commissioners meeting was closed to thej public and the public publicomments@eds@edgecombeco.com or by mail addressed to Eric Evans, County Manager. Thej public was notified that all public comments submitted would be read at the meeting. The public was also encouraged to listen to the meeting by Thej public was previously notified by the Board of Commissioners that they will allow ten people to make public comments in person and to do so, they public must Mr. Paul Autry al Residential Contractor, 275 Golf Course Drive, Pinetops, came forth toj present information thati isl hindering him and other builders and homeowners whol have tried to get] projects done. Hes specifically talked about his dissatisfaction with two County Departments, Water Department and the long timeline for tapping into the waters system and the run around and messages not being returned and thel Planning & Inspections department and the lack ofa full- time certified inspector, the delays in getting inspections and the $75.00 re- Mr. Wiggins stated tol Mr. Autry that his issues will be addressed and asked Mr. Mr. Evans stated that wel have dealt with thei issue ofi inspectors for a while. Ithas been difficult to get and keep building inspectors. He stated that itl has improved and this is thei firsti issuel brought tol him regarding inspections in a while. Mr.  was encouraged to submit any public petitions via email to  calling thej published number.  sign upi in advance by calling the Clerk to thel Board.  inspection fee. Evans to comment.  2    Evans thanked Mr. Autry forl bringing the concerns to his attention and apologized Mr. Autry suggested getting rid oft the $75.00 first re-inspection fee. He has never had to payi iti in any other counties and hel has failed first inspections before but Mr. Wiggins stated that the County will certainly look at that and he asked Mr. Mr. Evans stated that hel had a written comment that was submitted. The comment was from) Mr.] Leigh] Hick, no address provided but phone number 252-217-2179. Hiss statement talked about thei it being crucial tol have reliable communication infrastructure for community and work and education for remote interactions. NC Department of] Information Technology Census Bureau 2013-2017 community survey: noted that Edgecombe County households with DSL, Cable or fiber optic subscriptions or other broadband subscriptions rate was 46.21%. Those households with noi internet was 37.4%. Edgecombe County households with no computer devices 27.6%. There are too many Edgecombe County residents who will not be kepti informed and afforded reliable public safety information. Too many county students will lose education opportunity sincel learning at: a distance is not technically possible through World Wide Web andi financially not feasible since internet is not free. Ithas been reported over 1,000 students struggle to connect to virtual classi in] Edgecombe. Equity should exist for all. There. is technology the County can utilize that most County households, regardless of socio-economic status possessed, that can be employed for remote communication, transfer and reception. His statement talked about technology that can function for public safety information including County meetings that many in the county cannot access optically as well as remote education where there willl be no need to exit thel house and put health at risk for those in County concern. Therel havel been those in the County who contemplate use of this technology would be good for the poor and those with noi internet. This, asi instructed by some in county, thusi is the request to talk soon withl Board ori it's delegate how effort with County to enact, expeditiously, operation and use of local facility with manifest for good citizen welfare, specifically those who lack internet remote access to education and other communication and ultimately get commissioners toj promptly pursue, with not delay, while some grant funds andj potential resources still exist for such telecommunication project. Those withi interest can also use. The County is implored to take the lead for this telecommunication for its marginalized, at-risk population so not to be left out of County communications: and public safety as well as health ....rejoinder awaits. Mr. Evans stated that he willi follow up with Mr. Hick to have further conversation.  fori inconveniences.  never failed a re-inspection.  Evans toj provide an update to thel Board.  10. OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval of budget amendments.  Mr. Evans provided explanations on some of the budget amendments. Mrs. Harris moved to approve the budget amendments as presented. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of] Edgecombe County Public Schools application to NCI Education Mr. Evans stated that Edgecombe County Schools plans to replace the roof at Coker-Wimberly Elementary School using funds from the. NCI Lottery Building Capital Fund. To use these funds for the project, thel Board of Commissioners must jointly request the release of these funds along with ECPS. Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve the application as presented.  Lottery.  3    C. Approval of thel Edgecombe County 2021 Holiday Schedule. Mrs. Harris moved to approve the 20201 Holiday Schedule as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Evans stated that the Recreation Mini-grant program was created to offer grants of up to $2,000 each to community-based. organizations that provide recreational facilities and/or activities. The review committee the Board appointed met Monday, November 24th to discuss and rank the twelve proposals received. Each proposal was rated based on the project description, timeline, areas served, number ofi individuals served, duration of the program, budget and feasibility, and the capacity of the organization. Mr. Evans presented to the Board thel list stating that the committee recommends that all twelve projects be Mrs. Harris moved to approve the grant awards as presented. Mrs. Powell Mr. Evans stated that the County in thej past jointly funded arts programs and staffing with the Town of Tarboro through Edgecombe County Arts Council. After some consideration, hei felti it to bei in our besti interests toj partner with the Town of Tarboro to provide staffing to coordinate and promote arts programs for the County. He recommended that we create an Arts Commission to recommend, promote and coordinate public art and cultural arts education. He recommended that the Board approve an Interlocal Agreement with the' Town of Tarboro to create' Tarboro-Edgeombe Public Arts Commission. Mr. Wooten Moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  D. Approval of] Recreation Mini-Grants.  funded in the amounts listed.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. E. Approval of Arts Commission Interlocal agreement.  11. APPOINTMENTS.  A. Rocky Mount Board of Adjustment. Nor recommendation. Nor recommendation.  B. Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments Board of Directors.  Turning Point Workforce Development Board. the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mrs.) Harris moved to appoint LaShawnda Washington. Mrs. Powell seconded Rev. Hines moved to re-appoint C.1 B.] Bunting, Evelyn Powell and Charlie Harrell. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris moved to re-appoint Reuben Thompson IV. Rev. Hines seconded  D. ABC Board. E. Planning Board.  ther motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Katina Braswell gave thel Planning Board report.  12. PLANNING BOARDI REPORT.  A. Approved major subdivision located off Cypress Creek Ct.- Robert Bridgers B. Reappointment ofl Mr. Thompson to the Planning Board recommendation to  Board of Commissioners. C.Minutes of November 16, 2020 meeting.  13. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR] REVIEVANDAPFROVAL seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mrs. Harris moved to approve the: afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. Powell  14. CONTRACTS FOR REVIEW/APPROVAL    Mr. Wooten moved to approve the contracts as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  15. DEPARTMENTAL: REPORTS FOR REVIEW. ***Received*** A. DMV-License Plate agency Performance Bonus Awards. Mrs. Tarasa Lewis, Tax Assessor, providedi information regarding the DMV- LPA agency receiving the 2019-2020 Performance Bonus Awards.  B. Water Services. Financial Summary report. D. Tourism Development Authority. E. Elections report. 16. MANAGER'S! REPORT. ***Received*** A. Update on the transition of rescue services. B. COVID-19 update. C.Workforce Development Indicators. D. Sales' Tax report.  17. COMMISSIONERS REPORT.  Mr. Boswell stated that unfortunately Mr. Autry was right about everything he said and he was glad he was allowed to speak. Hes stated that the Board needs tol hirea Mr. Wiggins asked Mr. Evans to report back to the Board and instructed Mr. Evans Mr. Wooten moved to approve the County Manager hiring a full timel Inspector. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  permanent inspector.  toj pursue thel hiring ofa full-time inspector.  18. ATTORNEY'S REPORT. 19. CLOSED SESSION.  None.  Rev. Hines moved to go into closed session to discuss: A. Economic Development. [N.C.G.S.1 143-318.11 (a)(4)] B. Personnel matter. [Per N.C.G.S 143-318.11(a)(6) Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Wooten moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Rev. Hines seconded thei motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 20. MR. WOOTEN. MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING UNTIL MEETING UNTILJANUARY 4,2021 AT7:00 P.M.MR. BOSWELL SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved. January 4, 2021. dei  ly-  5