MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS INTHE COMMISSIONERS ROOM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING MEETING CALLEDTOORDER BY CHAIRMAN LEONARD WIGGINS AT7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Rev. E. Wayne Hines, Mrs. MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr.Jonathan Felton, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, and Mr. Donald Boswell. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters and Ms.  OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY AUGUST 6, 2018 AT7:001 P.M. TARBORO,NORTH CAROLINA  Violal Harris and Mr. William Wooten.  Frangiel Mungo, Clerk to the Board. Rev. Hines provided thej prayer.  2. 3. 4.  PRAYER.  MINUTESOF PREVIOUS MEETINGS PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. Rev. Hines moved to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2018 and July 13, 2018 meetings as presented. Mrs. Harris 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 a proposed Unified Development Ordinance text amendment to  PUBLICHEARINGS.  allow al horse race track in the AR-30 zoning district. Mr. Peters read the public notice as published. Mr. Wiggins called for public comment.  Mrs. Barbaral Hendricks, 3122) Battleboro Leggett Road, Battleboro, NC, camei forth to withl her and other concerned citizens concerns about the proposed text amendment change. Shej provided correspondence to the Board from Robert and) Barbara Hendricks and concerned citizens regarding the Horse Race' Track Ordinance Amendment request by Mr. Styles. The correspondence contained: reasons why the ordinance should not be amended and stated that the amendment opens the door to the reality oft this horse race track being instituted without going before thel Board of Adjustment, because the present ordinance states that Mr. Styles would need 40 acres for such an event and only owns 12.93 acres ofl land and his large house sits onj part ofit. Mrs. Hendricks stated that Mr. Styles operated al horse race track in Nash County and was were shut down for not being in compliance with zoning regulations. Shes stated that several neighbors witnessed public urination, excessive alcohol consumption, illegal betting, fights, large crowds, loud noise, even aj peeping tom and drugs and ity was not aj professional race track. Mrs. Hendricks stated that thel lands surrounding the property ofl Mr. Stylesi is heavily hunted. That puts unnecessary feari int thel hunters because of the location and the potential of doing unintentional harm. She requested that the request for the ordinance tol be changed to allow a horse race track or the text amendment to decrease the acreage required be Mrs.] Harris asked why this did not go to thel Board of Adjustment and did thel Planning Mrs. Cynthia Jones, Planning] Director, stated that thel Planning Board recommended that itl bei forwarded to thel Board of Adjustment; however, staff felt like, after doing research from other municipalities, that it would be best tos sendi itl back to the Board of Commissioners because the Board of Adjustment ordinance does not address horses, only address race tracks. Mrs.. Jones stated that when the Commissioners asked staff to send itl back to the Planning Board for ar recommendation. She stated that the acreage was reduced down to 10i in their recommendation to the Board of Commissioners for thet text Mrs.] Hendricks stated that at that particular Planning Board meeting the public was not  denied.  Board feel that the 10: acres was enough versus 40 acres.  amendment. allowed to speak.    Mrs. Jones stated that thel Planningl Board has open meetings and at no time did staff Mr. Wiggins suggested that the Planning] Board add toi its agenda an item for petitions from thej public so that the public willl know that they have an opportunity to speak. Mr. David Styles, 1641 Pattiel Lane, came forth stating that Mrs. Hendricks lives two miles from) his property. He stated that] he purchased the property because he was told horses were: allowed. He stated that as far as fights and unruliness, he has not seen itl happen. After more discussion Mr. Wiggins suggested that this public hearing be recessed until Mrs. Harris moved to recess the public hearing until the September 4, 20181 Board of Commissioners meeting. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 2. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative to a proposed Unified Development Ordinance text amendment to reduce the use separation for mining.quarrying. sand pits any mineral extraction from 300 ft. from  indicate that thej public could not speak.  the entire Boardi is present and more information is gathered.  vote.  property line to 1001 ft.1 from any property line. Mr. Peters read the public notice as published.  Mr. Evans stated that there was a case that went before thel Planning Board fora variance and in considering ordinances in surrounding counties, none had as much as 3001 ft. Thel Planning Board's recommendation is to make the text amendment down to Mr. Wiggins called for public comment. There being none, the public hearing was Mrs. Harris moved to approve thel UDO text amendment as recommended by the Planning) Board. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 3. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative to a proposed Special Use Permit request from Fern Solar, LLC for the  1001 ft. and forwarded it with ai favorable recommendation.  adjourned.  construction of as solar energy system. Mr. Peters read thej public notice: aj published.  Mr. Evans stated that the Solar Energy System section of the UDO specifies certain criteria that has to bes shown before development ofas solar farm. It also requires that a Special Use Permit be granted before construction can start. Ithas gone before the Planning Board and they forwarded this request with ai favorable recommendation. Mr. Calvin Anderson, 2191 Speights Chapel Road, which is adjacent to thej property that is under consideration tol be purchased. He stated that hej purchased his property for a specific purpose, when at that time his daughter, who is a veterinarian and was breeding horses was going tol breed] horses. He stated that he fenced in the property and his daughter, whoi is currently in Switzerland, will return and purchase thel land and raise Arabian horses. He stated that he: also purchased al historical home, which is less than 2501 feet from this property and built in 1851 and he spent a considerable amount of money restoring thel home and this proposed project would deprive any future use ofhis property regarding plans hel has fori it. He asked the Board for consideration and asked that they take another) look att thej project and see what is the advantage of] putting a solar system on a small piece of land that will trap his land. He asked the Board to defera decision on this tonight until they can get some additional information as to the advantage ofas solar farm versus a multi property that can provide almost equal kinds ofi income Mr. Phillip Harris, 4208 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, Attorney representing the applicant, Fern Solar, LLC, stated that he would bel happy to discuss the application as well as concerns ofl Mr. Anderson. Hes stated that based on his read on the rules and procedures,  Mr. Wiggins called for public comment.  down the road.  -2-    the Special Usel Permit requires a majority vote from the Board and there are three absences tonight. He stated that the numbers aren'tin their favor. He asked the Board if Mr. Wiggins stated that hei felt thel Board would not have aj problem deferring this, but he did have a question regarding Mr. Anderson's property being landlocked. Mrs. Harris asked ifMr. Anderson spoke to the! Planning Board about the land lock Mrs.. Jones stated that he spoke with staff, but they were not aware of the land lock Ms. Kathy Stallings, 6541 Battieboro/Legget: Road, stated that she has lived in Edgecombe County over sixty years. She stated that she grew up on a farm that has been inl her family since 1880 and now therei is ai fifth generation living on that same: farm. Ms. Stallings stated that she understands the desire toj pursue alternative energy forms and the desire tol bring economic revitalization to the County, but she also understands that sometimes whatl looks good on paper is not necessarily as good as we think or we get swayed by a sales pitch. She stated that heri initial question is what color green do you like, the color of dollar bills or the color of trees and grass. Shej proposed to the Board that they tablet this matter. She asked how many people will bei impacted by the solar farm. How many willl lose jobs and dollars spent in the county ifs solar farms come. here. She expressed her concern of workers that arel hired will not bei from the County. She stated that noi farmlands are being made and once farm) land is gonei iti is gone. After discussion Rev. Hines moved to recess the public hearing until September 4, 2018. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 4. Mr. Wiggins called public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative to the proposed FY 2018-2021 Three-year Consolidated Plan and] FY2018 Annual Action Plan for the City of Rocky Mount and the Down East Home Consortium. Mr. Evans stated that the County has had the opportunity to receive funds from ai federal program called HOME through the Down) East HOME Consortium in which the City of Rocky Mounti is thel lead agency. Each year they have tos submit a plan as tol how those funds are tol be expended. They arel having a series of public hearings to get citizens comments on their plans for expenditure for thei funds. Mr. Evans introduced. Ms. Cornelia McGee from the City of Rocky Mount to come forth and sharei information. Ms. Cornelia McGee stated that as a recipient of HOME and Community Development Block Grant funds from thel Department of Housing and Urban Development the Down East HOME Consortium is required to gather public comments for the use oft those funds. Public comments are used to determine thei needs of the area being served and the program that will be implemented. The Downl East HOME Consortium expects to receive $597,456.001 in HOME: funds this upcoming year. The Consortium is comprised of 14j participating! jurisdictions, which include the' Town of] Bailey, Conetoe, Dortches, Edgecombe County, Town ofl Middlesex, Nash County, Town of Nashville, Pinetops, Princeville, City of Rocky Mount, Town of Sharpsburg, Spring Hope, Tarboro and Whitakers. As thel lead entity, the City of] Rocky Mount is responsible for organizing and administering the program strategies outlined in the consolidated plan, whichi is a three year planning document thati is required by thel Department of] Housing and Urban Development,: a tool for assessing affordable housing and community development needs. Itassist municipalities in recognizing market conditions. It also identifies housing and Mr. Wiggins called for public comment. There being none, the public hearing was  there was any way to defer this until the September meeting.  concern. concern.  Mr. Peters read thej public notice as published.  community development priorities.  adjourned. No action was needed. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT.  5.  A. Mrs. Tarasal Lewis. Tax Atmimstraterprsnted the 2017 Annual Settlement: Mrs. Lewis stated that the tax collection rate went from 94.84% (June 30, 2017)to  -3-    95.33% (June 30, 2018) a. .49% increase. Motor vehicle collection rate for fiscal year 17- 18i is-99.45%; Mrs. Lewis introduced the staff from the' Tax Collections office. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the' Tax Collector's Settlement as of. June 30, 2018. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Rev. Hines moved to recharge the' Tax Collector with collecting taxes for years 2008 through 2018. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Jimmy Carson, 248 Clover Road, Rocky Mount, representing West Edgecombe Baptist Church thanked the Board and stated that the Church cares about Edgecombe County and itis their desire to be the number one county in the State. Along with the team of County Commissioners, County Manager and staff and God's wisdom and strength that is entirely possible. He: stated that West Edgecombe Baptist is praying for all of Edgecombe County.  6.  PUBLIC PETITIONS.  Mr. Carson provideda prayer for thel Board and entire County.  7. OTHER BUSINESS:  A. Approval ofl budget amendments.  Rev. Hines moved to approve the budget amendments as presented. Mr. Wooten B. Approval of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Agreement for elevation Mr. Evans stated that the County received its second grant agreement under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Program (HMGP). This agreement covers the mitigation of flooding through the elevation of 15 properties located in the unincorporated areas of the County. Mrs. Harris moved to accept the grant agreement and to adopt the grant project ordinance and budget amendment. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by Rev. Hines moved to approve the contract withl North Carolina Forestry Service as presented. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. D. Approval of Agreement with Edgecombe County Public Schools for the School Nurse Rev. Hines moved to approve the agreement as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded the E. Approval of Community Benefit and Health Initiatives Grant with Vidant Health Mr. Evans stated that the Cooperative Extension office has been awarded $5,000 by the Vidant Health Foundation through the Community Benefit and Health Initiatives Grant. Thej purpose oft the grant is toi improve the outreach of thel EFNEP (Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program). EFNEP strives toi improve nutrition and increase Mrs. Harris moved to accept the grant award by adopting the project ordinance and budget amendment as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by F. Approval of Community Benefit and Health Initiatives Grant with Vidant Health Mr. Evans stated that the Sheriff's office has been awarded $10,000 by the Vidant Health Foundation through the Community Benefit and Health Initiatives Grant. Thej purpose oft the grant is toj purchase personal medication lockboxes, educational materials and Mrs. Harris moved to accept the grant award by adopting the project ordinance and budget amendment as] presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  project.  The grant total is $1,782,554. unanimous vote.  Approval of contract with North Carolina Forestry Service.  Program.  motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Foundation for the Cooperative Extension Office.  physical activity for limited resources families.  unanimous vote.  Foundation for the Sheriff's Office.  naloxone.  unanimous vote. APPOINTMENTS.  8.  4-    A. NEED, Inc. Board of" Trustees. which carried by unanimous vote.  Rev. Hines moved to appoint Mrs. Viola Harris. Mr. Wiggins seconded the motion,  9. PLANNING BOARD REPORT. 1. New] Business.  A.Special Use Permit request- - Invenergy, LLC.  Mr. Wooten moved to calli for: aj public hearing at the September 4, 20181 Board of Commissioners meeting. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous  vote.  B. Minutes of the. July 16, 2018.  10. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 11. CONTRACTS FOR REVIEW AND/OR APPROVAL.  Mrs.) Harris moved to approve the afterlists and releases as presented. Mr. Wooten  Mrs. Harris moved to approve the contracts as presented. Rev. Hines seconded the motion,  which carried by unanimous vote. A. Water Services. B.F Financial Summary Report. C.Hurricane recovery update. 13. MANAGERSREPORI--Reehved"": A. Economic and Workforce Indicators. B. Carolinas Gateway Partnership update. C. Update on Recreation Mini-Grants. D.N Midlakes Relocation Project update. E. Animal Welfare. Advisory Council update.  12. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR REVIFW.-Reehed":  Mrs. Harris moved to appoint Ms. Kathy Williams as Chairperson of the Animal Welfare Advisory Council. Mr. Wiggins seconded the motion, which carried by  unanimous vote.  F. Security upgrades in the County Administration Building.  14. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. A. NCACC voter designation.  Rev. Hines moved to approve Mrs. Harris as the designated voter for the 20181 NCACC conference. Mr. Wiggins seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  15. ATTORNEY'S REPORT. 16. CLOSED SESSION.  Mr. Wooten moved to goi into closed session to discuss economic development and legal matters. Rev. Hines seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Rev.) Hines SEPTEMBER 4.2018 AT7:00 ENLCODAKSETNBK 3,2018 IS] LABOR DAY.) REV.HINES SECONDED THE] MOTION, WHICH CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.  seconded thei motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  17. MR. WOOTEN MOVEDT TO ADJOURN THEI MEEINGINIILTUISDAY:  Approved September 4, 2018 Frangie Mungd, Clerk Zi  ge  -5-