Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting EOC Building. 1403 West Boulevard, Laurinburg, NC  May 6, 2024, 6:00 pm  Commissioners in attendance: Chairman Tim Ivey, Vice-Chair Darrel "BJ" Gibson, Commissioners John Alford, Whit Gibson, Clarence McPhatter, II, and Darwin Williams  Commissioners not present: Bo Frizzell  Staff in attendance: County Manager April Snead, County Attorney Ed Johnston, Community  Relations Specialist/Deputy to the Board Dorothy Tyson. Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance  Chairman Ivey called the meeting to order and asked Vice-Chair Darrel "BJ" Gibson to deliver the invocation. After the invocation, Chairman Ivey then led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Approval of the Agenda  The said changes were made to the Agenda:  Notification that Seth Hatchell would not report on Sky High Expo and Sheriff Kersey would not address the Commissioners. Addition of William Trivette and Sondra Swann to the Public Motion was made by Vice-Chair Gibson to approve the agenda with the said changes, and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Alford. Vote to approve agenda:  Forum.  unanimous. Public Forum  The Board heard from Reverend Jim Smith who expressed his gratitude for the matter in which the meetings are handled, the teamwork of the Commissioners, very impressed with the actual meetings, how people are treated humanely and with dignity and respect. He just wanted to come and say thank you, and asked ifany of the Commissioners wanted to go to Washington, Also addressing the Board was Mr. William Trivette who expressed his concern over the hiring of out of county employees. He stated that these employees do not pay taxes, purchase gas, clothes or groceries in Scotland County, they are bleeding the County dry and that they do not add any value. He emphasized "home grown", growing our own employees and hiring from within the County. He mentioned that the County can require employees to live in the County and that a decision regarding participation eligibility for Park and Recreation was done by grade  DC.  and not age which decreased our youth participation.    Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, May 6, 2024, EOC Building, 1403 West commissioners could come up with, he was their booking agent, etc. He was thanked and wished success in his current position as Town Manager of Chadborn, NC. Mr. McNey was not present, but also thanked and wished well in his new position working with the Veterans Adm. as a Trainer for the local VSOs. Commissioner Ivey stated that he has received the most compliments and comments from citizens regarding the Veterans Services Department. Both were employed  Boulevard, Laurinburg, NC  for five years with the County.  Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Request  The representative Mrs. Rogena Deese was not present due to a scheduling mixup. Per Commissioner W. Gibson's conversation with Mrs. Deese, she will present at the Budget  Meeting on May 22, 2024. CFPT/CCPT Annual Reports  DSS Director Kim McRae presented the 2023 Scotland County Community Child Protection Team report with nine (9) cases being presented from the Children's Service Unit of the Department of Social Services. In regard to these cases, recommendations were provided from team members for individuals in the cases based on contributory factors related to findings of neglect and/or abuse. The team also makes recommendations for the community, based on problematic trends identified in the case reviews. The commissioners were presented the proposed list of 2024 Child Community Protection Team Members for their approval. Scotland County Health Department Maternal Health Coordinator Carlotta Rivers presented the 2023 Scotland County Child Fatality Prevention Team report with ten (10) child death cases, with three (3) occuring in 2021 and seven (7) occurring in 2022. These deaths did not occur due to abuse and/or neglect, but for the following: extreme prematurity, Leukemia, Potter's Syndrome, Viral Pneumonia, Hyperthermia, Drowning, one infant found unresponsive, one infant unknown (birth defects) and two were homicide by firearm discharge. Regarding these deaths, recommendations were made to prevent these deaths from occuring again and she stated that the trend now is gunshot wounds. This can be done by promoting events that educate, provide awareness and overall participation of the community. The proposed list of 2024 Child Fatality. Prevention Team was presented and the Commissioners were informed that she would seek another person to represent domestic violence and Vice Chair Gibson gave her Emily Locklear's name as she represents Southeastern Family Violence Center. She expressed thanks to Deborah Rogers for filling in as: needed and to the Commissioners for their support. Motion was made by Commissioner Alford to accept both reports from the CCPT and CFPT teams and accept their proposed membership list for 2024-2026. Motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Williams. Vote to accept reports and approve the proposed  membership list was unanimous.    Scotland County Board ofCommissioners. Regular Meeting, May 6, 2024, EOC Building, 1403 West  Boulevard, Laurinburg, NC SCATS Public Hearing  The Board next moved to SCATS Public Hearing. DSS Director Kim McRae presented a request for reduction in services for SCATS for the deviated fixed route. This request is due to reduced ridership, only having about 13 riders daily. This is economically unsustainable, due to continued maintenance, fuel and other expenses associated with this route, the time constraints and its low ridership. The reduction in services proposal was presented to her by the  Transportation Advisory Board, as their members recommended the change.  She was asked the following by the Commissioners:  Will this change affect the County with Federal monies? No, it will actually save money. What is the grace period? This line will terminate on. June 30th and the new one will start July 1, 2024. The public will be made aware of the change, and education will be provided as we will Chairman Ivey opened the Public Hearing and asked if there was anyone there that wished to speak for or against the reduction in services. No one in the audience spoke for or against the reduction in services, and the Public Hearing was closed by Chairman Ivey. Commissioner Alford says that he favors the demand system and Commissioner Williams stated that the change  have over a month to make these changes known to the public.  will save gas/fuel and that it could be switched back ifneeded.  Motion was made by_Commissioner Alford to approve the reduction in services for SCATS. The motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Williams to approve the  reduction in services for SCATS and the vote was unanimous.  Policy Committee Report  County Manger April Snead presented the Policy Committee Reports and shared the Annual Leave/Sick Leave - minor changes due to EMS going to 12 hour shifts versus the former Compensation Salary Administration - Cleared up bringing staff in at a higher rate. Makes the process clear about high hiring salaries and provides more consistently in the departments, and The Vice-Chair recommended providing copies of the old policies and the new policies with the changes highlighted. He also asked about employees not receiving bereavement leave and having to use their sick leave for bereavement. The County Manager stated that they do receive bereavement leave, but it is their sick leave. Commissioner W. Gibson mentioned changes to IT policy was that it was a Scotland County policy versus a vendor policy. County Manager Snead mentioned that the Commissioner may see more policies in the future. Motion was made by  following: 24 shift.  Retirement Benefits is now a stand alone policy discusses certifications needed for higher salaries.    Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, May 6, 2024, EOC Building, 1403 West Commissioner W. Gibson to approve policies submitted. The motion was dulyseconded by Vice-Chair Gibson suggested that the Policy Committee check with other surrounding counties  Boulevard, Laurinburg, NC Commissioner Alford.  regarding how they are handling employee Bereavement Leave.  Board and Committee Appointments None reported by Vice Chair Gibson.  County Manager's Report  County Manager working with Seth Hatchell, Executive Director of the Laurinburg/Maxton  Airport to expedite the Land Land Swap.  Manager reports that two very well attended community meetings regarding the North Turnpike Water Project. There was lots of interest, questions about the process and comments. The current project will encompass the residents/land beginning at 26220 North Turnpike Road and ending at 30620 North Turnpike Road. Discussion ensued regarding the scope of work. Do we want to amend the scope of work, asked County Manager Snead? Why are we waiting, asked Chair Ivey? The Commissioners need to make a decision where the line will begin and end. Cost of the project without including Ace and Ester Drives is $2.8 million, and to include Ace and Ester will cost an additional $400,000.00. Vice Chair Gibson suggested that the additional cost be researched by talking with the engineer to see what it will cost to extend water to North Turnpike Road and the side roads. He also asked that all affected citizens pay a $25.00 deposit to show their interest and that this deposit will go toward the $100.00 cost for the connection and it is nonrefundable. Finance Director Hobbs was asked about the funds in the water district accounts? She stated that there was $4 million between the two accounts and only $2 million in District 2 which includes this project. Manger Snead stated that a DEQ Grant had been applied for in the past but was declined. Chair Ivey informed all that it was declined because the application was incomplete. Further discussion included Vice Chair Gibson stating that the residents are concerned as to whether or not this will happen. Commissioner W. Gibson states that we can't spend $2 million without any interest being shown, and that the $25.00 deposit will be returned if water is not run to them. Both Chair Ivey and Commissioner Williams stated that once dirt starts moving the citizens will know that it is happening. Motion was made by Vice Chair Gibson to move forward with the current scope of work for North Turnpike Road. Motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Williams and the vote to approve was  unanimous.  The Manager's report continued with a discussion of the East Laurinburg properties. The County is contracted with Iron Horse Auction for the selling of properties, but the contract has    Scotland County Board ofCommissioners. Regular Meeting, May 6, 2024, EOC Building, 1403 West expired. County Manager to renew the contract with Ironhouse Auction for auctioning properties. Attorney Johnston recommended to include in the contract, the following statement 7  Boulevard, Laurinburg, NC  with the right to reject all bids". Solid Waste Management Ordinances  Ordinances have been revised and can be considered for a vote. The definition of "illegal dumping" has been added in #10. Questions about civil penalties and increasing these amounts were presented and the Manager reported that Section 27 addresses fines and penalties. Manager asked if the Commissioner wanted to leave this as it is or make some changes? Chair Ivey asked ifa public Hearing was needed and Manager replied that it wasi not needed for Solid Waste. She also informed Commissioners that it has been 15 years since these ordinances were updated and that these are the original fines and they have not been changed. Regarding fines, Chair Ivey asked if they could be doubled? Attorney Johnston stated that there is a fine for each day oft the violation. Chair Ivey asked if they wanted to do anything tonight? Questioned whether to table and look at the dollar amounts and someone to bring back a recommendation to the Board. Commissioner Gibson stated that under #10, "Illegal Dumping" to add "the disposing ofwaste which will include all kinds". Commissioner Alford asked if the fees were substantial and are we enforcing anything now? Response by the County Manager was that she doesn't and that this position is with the Sheriff's Office, also that they will have someone dedicated to this enforcement. County Manager asked to make change in section #10, adding the word "waste". Motion made by Commissioner W. Gibson to double the fine amount for scavenging and to add the word "waste" under illegal dumping, and duly seconded by Vice Chair Gibson.  Motion was unanimously approved. Scotland County IT Services  Three pallets of new computers were received last Thursday, May 2nd and she is hopeful that VC3 will roll these out and they will be on the network. The Sheriff's Office was noti initially a part of VC3 and they are getting onboarding done, but not at 100% yet. VC3's goal for the County is to have our equipment by the end of May. They are making progress and working with both DSS and the Sheriff's Office. There is the need to get WiFi going here in the EOC Building. Will soon be able to return the loaned resources back to the State of NC SO that they  can help other counties. East Laurinburg Recycling Center  Manager reported that the citizens of East Laurinburg may not be okay with having a recycling center on Hwy 74. If placed there, the Landfill Dept. would keep the area clean, have fencing around it and landscaping would be done as a buffer. The county is no longer holding out for the 13821 Guano Road property. Vice Chair Gibson asked if we have budgeted any money for this. County Manager Snead stated that the Landfill is an enterprise fund and the money will be available. Commissioner W. Gibson stated that he would like to move forward    Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, May 6, 2024, EOC Building, 1403 West without having property located on Hwy. 74 and for the County Manager to talk with the others that are interested in selling properties Asked by Vice Chair Gibson if the county had heard anything from E. Laurinburg citizens about placement of the recycling cycle on Hwy. 74. Manager replied no, but that information can be sent to the church and invite them to attend the June 2024 Board meeting to express their concerns and/or ask questions. County Manager to  Boulevard, Laurinburg, NC  still look into the Dixie Guano site.  New Business Poulterra Easement  An attorney has made contact with the County Manager on behalf ofhis client to determine if the county would grant a 50 foot railroad easement on/near the Scotland County/LMA land trade. This would be located near the airport. This easement is one of many factors that will determine if Poulterra makes an investment in the county. EDC Director Ward asked the  Commissioners to table this request. Clerk to the Board Appointment  Clerk Robinson's last day of employment was April 30, 2024. Discussed that it was handled in the past with a Committee of three Commissioners. Commissioners Williams, Frizzell and Vice Chair Gibson to be on the committee to interview. The position will close in two weeks and  will notify the committee when it closes.  Additional Trillium Required Maintenance ofl Effort (MOE) and ABC Funding  Trillium provides licenses for ME providers in Scotland and crisis services at Scotland Memorial Hospital. Fifty thousand dollars has already been designated to the regional Child Advocacy Center. There are additional dollars remaining in MOE funds requirement, this being the amount of $22,920.00. Trillium requests that these dollars be used for developmental disability services and crisis services in Scotland County. The Commissioners also have the option to designate the ABC dollars as well. One suggestion for the ABC funds is Mental Health First Aid Training. Training. The County Manager asked Commissioners what is their pleasure with the $22,920.00. This designation is due by May 30, 2024. It was asked what is the current location that ABC funds go to. County Manager is to get a more comprehensive list of  designations for Scotland County's funding and report back to the Board.  Legislative Advocacy Day and/or transportation. Commissioner News  The NCACC legislative advocacy days begin on 6/11/24. An invitation to eat a meal with Senator Britt has been extended. Please let her know about your arrangements for attendance    Scotland County. Board ofCommissioners. Regular Meeting, May 6, 2024, EOC Building, 1403 West Commissioner Williams asked that we please not forget those families in Charlotte and healing for the community. Commissioner W. Gibson stated that Mrs. Deese of JCPC will present on Commissioners Alford and McPhatter, no news. Chair Ivey no news. Vice Chair Gibson no  Boulevard, Laurinburg, NC  May 22, 2024. news. Closed Session  Motion was made to go into closed session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee. Motion was duly seconded by Commissioner  Alford. Vote to approve: Unanimous.  daethBlpn Dorothy B. lyson Deputy to the Board  B4 TimI Ivey Board Chair  OTLAND  ARO