MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS INTHECOMMISSIONERS ROOM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVEBUILDING MEETINGCALLEDTO: ORDER BY CHAIRMANI LEONARD WIGGINSAT MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ralph Webb, Mrs. Viola Harris, Mr. Donald Boswell, Mrs. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo, Clerk to the Board. Mr. William Johnson, Assistant County Manager, provided safety instructions for  OFI EDGECOMBE COUNTY OCTOBER 7, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA  1.  7:00 P.M.  Evelyn Powell and Mr. William Wooten. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. SAPETVINSTRUCTIONS.  2. 3. 4.  allj present. PRAYER.  Rev. Hines provided the prayer.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the minutes of the September: 3, 2019 meeting as presented. Rev.) Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 1.Mr. Wiggins called aj public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative to ordinance amendment for Solid Waste] permits.  PUBLICHEARING  Mr. Peters read thej public notice as] published.  Mr. Evans stated that at thel Boards request we are moving forward with the plan toi implement permitting for use of solid waste convenience sites. This will require an amendment to the code of ordinances. Mr. Evans presented in the agenda packets language proposed for the Boards consideration. Before the Board takes action, we should hear from the citizens. Therefore, at this meeting wel have scheduled aj public hearing. Following the public hearing, Mr. Evans recommended that thel Board approve the ordinance amendment as presented and to authorize Mr. Evans toj proceed with implementing the Solid Waste  Permit system.  Mr. Wiggins called for public comments.  Rev. Roosevelt Higgs, Speed, NC, stated that as thel Board considers implementing thej policy that they also bei in aj position to monitor and see whether or not the policy is going toi increase people throwing out stuff down side the road or pulling offi into little paths and dumping the stuff rather than carryingi it to thel landfill, and ify you see where this is happening you may want tol look at your plan again, because sometimes people do whatever is convenient. He stated that wel have enough litter beside the road without them Mr. Wiggins asked Mr. Evans to explain to thej public why the County only has  adding toi it.  onei incorporated community.  1    Mr. Evans stated that the' Town ofl Leggett would bei included: in receiving: a permit because they already participate and the citizens already pay the annual With no further comments or questions the public hearing was adjourned. Rev. Hines moved to approve the ordinance amendment as presented. Mrs. Mr. Wooten stated that Rev. Higgs was correct in that we need tol keep a monitor on the increased litter that may occur once someone arrives and does not have their permit. He stated that he was afraid that this could cause more littering down the road and in the area and asked that something bej puti inj place  fee for use oft thes solid waste.  Harris seconded thei motion.  to monitor it.  Mr. Evans stated that it will be done. Thei motion carried by unanimous vote. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS. male mentoring and outreach initiatives.  6.  A. Dr. Gregory McLeod, Edgecombe Community College President, presented on Mr. Evans stated that Dr. McLeod would like tos share with thel Board a couple of programs, or efforts, hei is working towards regarding outreach and male Dr. McLeod stated that he is trying to address ani issue and that issuei is thel lack ofenrollment, persistence and success in college of the males in our community. Dr. McLeod stated that in thel letter he shared with thel Board and the community he outlined thei fact that across the country research has shown that males are enrolling in college at abnormally low rates and those who do are largely arriving unprepared or underprepared to succeed there. Furthermore, the many socioeconomic barriers they face coupled with society's generally low expectations of them significantly impact their persistence and success in college and beyond. He stated that as President of ECC, and others working together to address thisi issue, find this unacceptable, and while we see these trends nationwide and across the state, we do not want to see that happen here and we want to do something abouti it. Dr. McLeod stated that it takes an entire village to educate them. He shared thei following with thel Board: According tot the 2019 Roadmap of Need, published by the NC Center for Afterschool Programs, we rank 99th out of the 1001 NC Counties in 3r Grade Reading Proficiency. Research has shown that reading proficiency has a direct According to the US Census Bureau, the gender distribution of Edgecombe County residents is 53.8% females and 46.2% males. However, the gender distribution of Edgecombe Community College curriculum students is 77% females and 23% males. This indicates therei is a significant gap between Similar to the County's population distribution by ethnicity, ECC's enrolled student population is predominately African American. However, our most recent graduating class and other data indicate that we may not be consistently aj predominately African American-graduating, institution.  mentoring programs.  correlation with college persistence and success.  females and males going to college.  2    With 55% of the student body being African American, most of the African American student body is female (45 of the 55%) versus male (10 of the  55%). Black Female White Female Hispanic Female  Black Male 10% Black All: 55% White Male 11% White All: 36% -1 Hispanic Male 2% Hispanic All:  Similarly, African American males are disproportionately underrepresented in high school dual enrollment participation. Furthermore, looking at students enrolled inl high school dual enrollment compared to their overall numbers inl high schooll by ethnicity and gender,a lower percentage of males participate in high school dual enrollment than  females.  White Females 31% White Males 26% Hispanic Females 19% Hispanic Males 15% Black Females 17% Black Males 9%  Additionally, males in general but minority males especially, also fall behind in ther number of college-level courses attempted, college credits earned, cumulative GPA earned, persisting semester to semester, and ultimately  White Females 27% Black Females 27% Hispanic Females 5%  White Males 25% Black Males 11% Hispanic Males 4%  White All: 52% Black All: 38% Hispanic All: 9%  earning a degree.  According to thel National Center forl Education Statistics, only 8% of the African American students who enrolled atl ECCin Fall 2015 graduated with a degree in 3years. Iti is similarly low statewide and nationally but either way, we must own this. During thiss same timeframe, 25% of the Hispanic and 33% of the Dr. McLeod stated that we cannot wait to engage our students when they show up at our door. We must meet them wheret they are. We need to reach those who did not think about showing up and do something to help them. Hes stated that ifwe can help them we can help this community. He provided al list of four programs Falll Mentoring Meet and Greet Social, Cookout, and Games Excellence in Academics, Character, and Leadership Awards Program Men on a Mission: Dress for Success Program Computer Coding and Robotics Summer Camp presence and engagement the Board can offer.  White students graduated.  they havei identified and are working on:  Dr. McLeod stated that they would love tol have whatever forms of support, After al brief discussion from the Board Mr. Wiggins thanked Dr. McLeod and asked the County Manager to support this effort: in any way we can. B. Christopher Carr and Shar Legree with the Mediation Center of Eastern North Carolina provided an update on' Teen Court Program. Mr. Carr, District' 71 Teen Court Supervisor covering Wilson, Nash and Edgecombe Counties, and Ms. Legree, Teen Court Casel Manager for Nash and Edgecombe Counties came forth and provided information on the program. Teen Court isa a unique and alternative program that is designed for youth who have committed minor or misdemeanor offenses within the community and they have admitted guilt. They primarily focus on those first-time offenders within thel Edgecombe County community. Thej program serves youth between the ages  3    of 10-17 and it serves as an alternative to the juvenile justice approach. They can receive referrals from juvenile justice and also from) law enforcement and local school systems. Thej program allows for thej participating: youth tol bel held accountable for their actions and receive consequences, such as community service, life skills anger management class and others that allow them to make amends to themselves, to make amends to: any particular victims that may have beeni involved as well as withl local schools and communities. What makes' Teen Court unique is that the youth participants attend a real court case sentencing hearing and they do utilize volunteer local judges and attorneys to serve on the cases. However,. jury members clerks, bailiffs, and attorneys are student volunteers between' 7-12 grades that they recruit from) Nash and Edgecombe County Schools and they train them tos servei in these court role capacities. The sanctions given to those coming through Teen Court are determined by their peers,] providing that peert toj peer education model for these first-time youth offenders. The benefits of the' Teen Court Program, those youth that come through Teen Court, they get a true picture ofl how their actions, not only impact themselves, but others. It allows staff to reach these youth at a critical timei in their growth and development and allows staff to educate them on their behavior and thel law. It allows them to accept personal responsibility for their actions. As ac contingency of program completion therei is no legal record of the offense for C. Sam Watts, S&ME, provided an update on Princeville's 53 Acre Development Mr. Evans stated that the County has taken on the responsibility of implementing thej project for Princeville's53-acre development and wel have enlisted thel help of S&ME to do the predevelopment work and Sam Watts came Mr. Watts stated that the County is assisting Princeville by administering the grant and providing al lot of technical guidance. He stated that they began work on the project about six months ago. Hej provided aj power point presentation on  that youth. Project.  forth toj provide an update.  the following:  Held two public workshops agencies and leadership  Held workshop withs stakeholders: regulatory agencies, funding Pointed out thel location of the! 53 acres for thei future development Looked at al lot of prior studies of the Town of] Princeville and took guiding principles, which had al lott to do with thel historical information that had already been gathered and asked for other Phasel I environmental: site assessment..clean bill ofhealth Did a geotechnical investigation (study of the soils and how they  guiding principles.  How to get on and off the property 53 acresi is outside of the flood zone Looked att the streams and wetlands Modifying of zoning codes Sustainable agriculture Municipal services Multi-culture space 53-acre design  behave)  7.  PUBLICI PETITIONS.  Mr. Keith Abrams and Ms. Faye Lawson, 1682 Old County Home Road asked for help regarding barking dogs in the neighborhood, stating that hel has a neighbor with beagles that howl and bark all the time, and a neighbor on the other side of  4    them thatl has a couple of pit bulls and a rottweiler that bark continuously. Hel has called the Sheriff's Department many times. Several years ago, deputies worked with them and talked to the gentleman that owns the dogs and got him toj put up a privacy fence that blocked the view of his area from thej pen, which helped. As time went on they got to the point that they were calling the Sheriff's department and were told by the deputies that there is nothing they can do about a barking dog. Mr. Abrams stated that the purpose of thel lawi is to enforce personal responsibility. Personal responsibilityi is having a quiet neighborhood tol live in, which the noise ordinance states that. He stated that the ordinance gives a four-step procedure on a public nuisance. An ordinance is an order. A deputy sheriff does not have anybody they can call in to and say how can Ihandle this. Their advice tol him is to go see the magistrate. The noisei is: a violation of the ordinance and cannot get the Sheriff's department to do anything about it because they have not read the ordinance and Mr. Wiggins stated that he will asked the County Attorney and County Manager to look: at the ordinance and if there is any violation that can be addressed by our current ordinance, they wills so advise and get with the Sheriff. Carlton Jones, 1712 Augusta Drive, Rocky Mount, with Mrs. Linda Knight came forth regarding results received from the Hazard Mitigation Program to get al better understanding ofit. They are bothl landlords and just received letters informing them that they arei ineligible for any type of assistance in the rehab program, because the property is not their primary residence. When they went through the intake they understood that the property they were filing for were rental properties. They went through the whole gamut of meetings, taking information they requested them tol bring so they could get involved in the rehab program, only to get al letter Mr. Evans stated that we do the applications at the County level and the State Mr. Jones stated that his caseworker told him that during thei intake process it was donei improperly by putting the properties as primary residences and there is nothing the State can do about it and he was told to come back to the County and some adjustment needed tol be made to get them backi in that recovery process. Mr. Jones stated that after talking to other landlords and evidently, when all the information was taken, it was taken as primary residences. Mr. Wiggins stated that the County did the intake and sent it to the State. The State ist tellingt them that based on what is on thei intake they are not qualified. He stated that the question is does the County have the authority to do: another intake. He stated that if we did thei intake, we didi it according to State guidelines. He: referred him to Mr. Evans to check with the State to seei if anything can be done, because the Board is not familiar with the process and) how it should havel been done ori ifit was Mr. Jones stated that they wanted to make the Commissioners aware. He stated that a State sponsored meeting willl be held on October 15th atl ECC. Mr. Wiggins stated that thel Board needed tol know about these kinds of problems. Hes stated that if there can be some help thel Board certainly wants tos see all oft the Mrs. Lindal Knight, 704 Panola Street, stated that not only are some of the landowners receiving letters of rejection because they did not stay in the property, but also being rejected because of their income. It was not fore stated that it will  have not been trained.  back from) NC-Rebuild stating they are not eligible.  processes it from there.  donei improperly.  landowners get help.  have anything to do withi income.  5    After al brief discussion Mr. Wiggins referred them tol Mr. Evans with hopes that he and the State can get some answers: for the reasons for thosel letters. Rev. Roosevelt Higgs, Speed, NC, stated that he was aj part of what they called "the movement" that brought Edgecombe County to wherei iti is now. Some ofwhat you hear and see thati is coming out of] Rocky Mount, the same thing took place here in Edgecombe County. What came tol bring a head to some ofit, the County went from: ai five-member Commissioner) Board to as seven member. Hes stated that when youl look at] Rocky Mount and all the hell that is beingi raised out ofit and everybody act like they don't see orl heari it, and then youl look at all of the good efforts that is trying tol happen in the County tol bring forth to make the County better, you would think you: are talking about two planets. Rev. Higgs stated that we need to do better. Wer need to try to encouraget the County to continue to work together. Edgecombe County went though an affirmative action. He stated that he was here about six months ago and he asked the County is they had a County workforce diversity plan as well as a chart. Itwas here in the 80's and 90's and anybody could request a chart and it showed thei number of employees in each department, gender etc. He stated that although wel have come a long wayl he thought that therei is room fori improvement. The County is more than just black and white now. Rev.] Higgs stated that the Register of Deeds is going tol be retiring effective December 1st. There is a process that thel Democratic Party will be going through to recommend to thel Board a replacement for her based on General Statutes. He stated that come. November 5th, whoever wins the election in these townships he will be looking at who willl be on the committee which hej plans on convening on between  December 2nd and 17th to act on that replacement. A. Approval of budget amendments.  OTHER BUSINESS:  After Mr. Evans provided explanations on several budget amendments Mr. Wooten moved to approve the budget amendments as presented. Mr. Boswell  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval ofa a removal of streets in Dodge City subdivision from  the State Maintenance System.  Mr. Evans stated that there arei five roads located in what was the Dodge City Subdivision. This subdivision was flooded during Hurricane Floyd in 1999, and thej properties located there were subsequently bought out. Itis now thel location of the Sheriff's training facility. Hes stated that these roads are now treated as private drives for the sole use with thet training facility, and therefore should be removed from the State maintenance system. NCI DOT has submitted petitions Mr. Wooten moved to approve the petitions to remove those five roads from the State maintenance system. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by Approval of additional ofa aj portion of Sunset Avenue and Harper Farm Lanet to Mr. Evans stated that staff withl NCI DOT have submitted petitions to added two roads to the Statel Maintenance System. They are Sunset Ave. Extension and Harper Farm] Lane. They have verified that they both meet thes standards set Mrs. Harris moved to approve the petition to add Sunset. Ave. Extension to the State Maintenance System. Mr. Webb seconded the motion, which carried by  which need Board approval.  unanimous vote.  the State Maintenance System.  forth by NCI DOT. unanimous vote.  6    Mr. Boswell moved to approve the petition to add Harper Farm] Lane to the Statel Maintenance System. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by D. Approval of application for permit renewal for the C&DLandfill. Mr. Wooten moved to call for a public hearing at the November meeting to relative toj permit renewal for the C&D Landfill located on Colonial Road. Mr. Webb seconded thei motion, which carried by unanimous vote. E. Approval of Governor's Crime Commission Grant. Mr. Evans stated that the Governor's Crime Commission has selected the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office to receive: a $21,650 grant. This grant willl be used fors security upgrades at the Courthouse and Sheriff'sOffice. The grant does Mrs. Harris moved to approve the grant agreement as presented. Rev. Hines F. Approval of resolution to assign al bid to Tarboro Edgecombe habitat for Mr. Evans stated that the County bided on foreclosed property and Habitat for Humanity isi interested in the property and willing to pay the $9,000 bid amount. State law does allow us to assign the bid to them, but it requires the Boards Mrs.] Powell moved to approve the resolution as presented. Rev. Hines seconded G. Approval of amendment to thel Financial Policies to revise the per diem limit for Mr. Evans stated that the County currently have set in our Financial Accounting Procedures aj per diem] limit of $34 fort the cost of meals during business related travel. Hes stated that its should be updated tol be more consistent with the Meal and incidental Rate (M&IE) set by the US General Services Administration. He presented the GSA's table oft tiers used: as guidance for setting this rate. $60i is the Rev.] Hines moved 0 approve thei revision ofl limit to $60 per day as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. H. Approval of a change order for Kingsboro Infrastructure Contract. Mr. Evans presented for thel Board's consideration Change Order #5 with' TA Loving Company for the work to extend infrastructure onto the Kingsboro Megasite. The items as described in the change order will increase the contract by $45,612.44, bringing the total contract to $5,029,428.19, with no changes to the substantial completion date. These additional costs willl be covered by our grant from the Golden LEAFI Foundation and the NC Commerce Industrial Mr. Boswell moved to approve Change Order #5 with' TAI Loving Company as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. I.A Approval of Deed of] Right of Way for new road at] Kingsboro. Mr. Evans stated thatl NCI DOTi is having a road constructed in] Kingsboro Industrial Park that will run from Hwy 64 Alternate tol Kingsboro Road. A right ofwayi is necessary for this] project. Mr. Evans presented for thel Board'sapproval  unanimous vote.  not require a cash match.  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Humanity. approval.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  out of town.  average for breakfast, lunch and dinner combined.  Development Fund.  a deed of right of way and an agreement for entry.  7    Mrs. Harris moved to approve the documents and authorize the Chairman to execute the same. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous J. Approval of resolution to preliminarily recommend the adoption and acquisition Mr. Evans stated that thel Edgecombe County Board of Elections is required to recommend to the Board of Commissioners: a voting system after they have witnessed a demonstration ofs said system. They may only recommend a voting system that has been certified by the Statel Board of Elections. The Edgecombe County Board of Elections witnessed a demonstration and is now recommended the preliminary approval of the ES&S Unity 3.4.1.1 Voting System. If the Board approve the resolution thel Elections office will test the system in at] least one precinct during thel November 5, 2019 election. Thel BOE will then bring a final recommendation to the Board of Commissioners at the December meeting. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the resolution as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded  vote.  ofvoting equipment.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  9. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 10. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIEV--Recihd":  Mrs. Powell moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. Harris  A. Water Services. B.Financial: Summary report. C. Hurricane recovery update. D. Recognition of DMVI License Plate Office. E. TDA finance report. F. NCI Health news article on recreation efforts. 11. MANAGER'S) REPORD-"Reehed": A. Workforce Development Indicators. B.] Discussion of Smoking Policy. Wiggins voted against the motion. Response to audit findings.  After discussion Mr. Wooten moved tol bans smoking on all County property. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by a vote of 61 for and 1 against. Mr. After discussion Mr. Wooten moved to approve the recommendations of the County Manager relative to the audit findings and responses to LGCas presented. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D. Follow-up tol Board Policy on remote participation in meetings. After discussion Mr. Wooten moved to call for aj public hearing at the November meeting. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. William Johnson, Assistant County Manager, provided an update.  E. Special Olympics update.  F. Announced retirement of] Register of Deeds. G. Thank youl letter from Lorraine Dickens.  12. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 13. ATTORNEY'S REPORT.  None. None.    14. CLOSED SESSION.  Rev. Hines moved to goi into closed session to discuss economic development and a personnel matter. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous Mr. Wooten moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Mr. 15. REV.HINES MOVED' TO ADJOURNTHE MEETING UNTILI NOVEMBER4, 2019AT7:001 P.M.I MR. BOSWELLSECONDED THE MOTION. WHICH  vote.  Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  CARRIED BYI UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved November 4, 2019. Fs Frangie  Clerk to the Board Aluy  Mungo,