Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting February 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. EOC Building at 1403 West Boulevard Laurinburg, NC Commissioners in attendance: Chairman Tim Ivey, Vice Chair Bo Frizzell and Commissioners Williams, Edge, O'Neal and Shelley. Staff in attendance: County Manager April Snead, County Attorney Ed Johnston, and Clerk to the Board Dorothy Tyson. Absent: Commissioner Clarence McPhatter, II. Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Ivey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m and asked Commissioner Shelley to deliver the invocation. After the invocation, Chairman Ivey then led the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of the Agenda Motion was made by Vice Chair Frizzelll to approve the agenda and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Ed O'Neal. Vote to approve agenda: unanimous. Public Forum Loretta McNeil of 721 South King Street Laurinburg, NC, and representing Scotland Youth Development spoke to the BOCC. Bringing greetings to new members of the Board. She stated that she would like to see the Historic Society bring out the signs of African American Pioneers. This was a past collaboration of the Historic Society and AAHC., Inc. She also mentioned that a group of youth from Uganda and South Africa will be performing in Laurinburg on February 25th, a later date at RCC and various parts of North Carolina. Chairman Ivey asked if she meant putting the signs out? If sO, where and for how long due to the weather? The responses were yes, please put them out, the location is the same place (the Corner of Main Street), the length of time is the entire month of February. Regarding the weather, the signs are vinyl and will be alright. Question as to the size of the signs? They are either 4x8 or 5x8 and they are not stationary. Consent Agenda Approval Chairman Ivey asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion was made by Vice Chair Bo Frizzell to approve the Consent Agenda, and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Ed O'Neal. Vote to approve Consent Agenda: Unanimous. Recognitions Chairman Ivey recognized Cascades Tissue of Wagram for their outstanding contribution, dedication and community partnership with the DSS Foster Care Program and the overwhelming abundance of Christmas gifts given. The certificate was read aloud by Chairman Ivey and Mavin Tooks was present to receive the certificate for Cascades. Pictures were taken of the Board of Commissioners, County Manager Snead, Mr. Tooks and other Cascades employees and staff that were present. Due to having to work late, Ms. Caple of Scotland Correctional Institute was not present to receive their certificate and recognition. 1 Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting February 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. EOC Building at 1403 West Boulevard Laurinburg, NC EMS Building Site Planning Robert Sampson, E MS Director presented the Preliminary Conceptual Layout for a new F18,000 SF EMS Headquarters Building within the the Scotland County Emergency Services Complex The plan was prepared by Alliance Consulting Engineers of Columbia, S.C. The site location recommended for the building is the southside of the current building, an L-shape facing West Boulevard. The reasons for selecting this site location are: that it allows EMS to stay in the current building during the construction phase and the presence of underground utilities which would be costly to move or replace. It is his goal to stay somewhere on this property due to being centrally located and the response times for the County. A question was raised about the cost of a T 18,000 square foot building. Mr. Sampson stated that they are just presenting the Design and that the cost will be available after the RFQs are received. Chairman Ivey stated that they are holding $6.5 million dollars. Mr. Sampson stated that the only concern tonight is to move forward with the location. Questions: How did you come up with 18,000 SF? Mr. Sampson stated that he looked at facilities ranging from 10 - 32,00 SF that had been built in the past five years and also took in consideration the needs of EMS. Were you preparing for growth? Yes, preparing for growth. What is the cost per square foot? Mr Sampson answered, about $280.00 per square foot. He also mentioned that he wants Alliance to be finished with their part by August/eptember 2025 and then the RFQs for contractors will be sent out. Comment from Commissioner O'Neal - nice area, great start. Commissioner Wiliiams asked if there is a plan to demolish the old building? Mr. Sampson questioned demolishing, but maybe repurposing for something else. Also that it is sO early in the process to make a decision for usage. This would be open or discussion. Motion was made by Commissioner Darwin Williams to approve the Building Site Plan and the motion was duly seconded by Commissioner O'Neal. Vote to approve: Unanimous. Board of Commissioners Rules of] Procedure Update Commissioner O'Neal presented the BOCC Rules of Procedure Updates. He stated that topics coming up at meetings are challenging and he wants to know what he is supporting, approving, etc. Would like to know what is coming to the Board before the meetings and it would provide transparency. The Commissioners should know what authority they can take. They will now understand what they can do if given the information from a legal stand point. These changes will provide coherence to the Board, making sure that actions taken by the Board are well founded, and the Board will be able to review the actions which are coming before them. Mrs. Tyson will confirm with the person who wants to on the agenda and to help them to get their information together to present to the Board. He is asking for the Board's support with this process. The corrections have been reviewed by County Manager Snead and Attorney Johnson. The person would have to provide a form with the request as to the purpose of the appearance on the agenda,the date requesting, who is requesting, etc. Motion made by Commissioner O'Neal to approve the update to the Board of Commissioners Rules of Procedures and motion was duly seconded by Vice Chair Frizzell. Vote to approve: Unanimous. 2 Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting February 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. EOC Building at 1403 West Boulevard Laurinburg, NC Rescue Squad Update County Manager Snead presented an update. The Board previously approved the Scotland County Rescue Squad receiving $50,000.00 for equipment. There is no money available which will make your motion null. The funding will happen during update Budget time with the City of Laurinburg. American Legion Agreement County Manager Snead presented that the football teams are the only teams without their own field at Parks and Recreation and there is no self-sufficiency for football. Putting up field goals posts on county land will give us a football field. With the ending of the American Legion Agreement, the American Legion Veterans Association can go out and negotiate contracts for the usage of the field. They would also not have to pay taxes due to their veteran status. The County Manager asked that we consider making our own football field at Morgan Park and terminate the agreement with the American Legion. Comments and questions: Commissioner Williams- we had only utilized the field a few times in the past years and we need to get the football program back up. Commissioner O'Neal- What will be the cost of maintaining the fields? County Manager Snead- the cost will go away due to County Maintenance doing the work. Comm. O'Neal - A woodbat team is coming to Laurinburg and they may be able to use the park. Comm. Shelley - Do we have maintenance people to cover this? Mrs. Snead- Yes, we already have them. Comm. Williams and O'Neal - Whose goal posts? The ownership is not known. Comm. O'Neal - Have you spoken with Jimmy Bennett? Mrs. Snead - Yes, we have spoken. Motion made by Commissioner O'Neal to terminate the lease agreement with the American Legion in lieu of establishing our own football field and park, and to purchase goal posts to make this field a reality. Motion duly seconded by Commissioner Jeff Shelley. Vote: Unanimous approval. Commissioner O'Neal asked if there was a notice of termination clause and Mrs. Snead responded 180 days. Cypress Creek Renewable Appeal Tax Appeals: Innovative Solar 65,LLC., Laurinburg Owner, LLC.. and Shoe Creek Solar, LLC Chairman Ivey stated that there was no one present to represent them and deferred to Attorney Johnston. Attorney Johnston stated that we have questions for them. Vice Chair Frizzell stated that we have questions and other commissioned have questions and will want to have them available. Commissioner O'Neal stated that it would be a case by case basis ift they are present. He also asked if they were denying these appeals based on Raleigh, NC and not adjusting these tables? Vice Chair Frizzell stated they need to come before the Commissioners. Comm. O'Neal stated that they chose not to be here and represent themselves about forgiving $300,000. Also that he does not see a case to be fair to us as a county. Continued discussion that the State of North Carolina is the appeal Authority and regardless of the decision made tonight, they can appeal. Cypress Creek are not coming back because they have hired Ernest and Young to represent them. There is no. basis to say yes to the appeal. Motion made by Commissioner O'Neal to deny the Cypress Creek Renewable Appeal Tax Appeals for Innovative Solar 65, LLC., Laurinburg Owner, LLC., and Shoe Creek Solar, LLC based on the DOR statement and to stand by their recommendation and deny the appeal. Motion was duly seconded by 3 Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting February 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. EOC Building at 1403 West Boulevard Laurinburg, NC Vice Chair Frizzell. Vote: Unanimous approval. Mrs. Mikki Butler of the Tax Office was asked for her recommendation She responded that she can not have a recommendation. She presented the evidence and is to stand by the NC recommendation, and the decision is up to the Board. Human Relations Committee Ordinance Repeal County Manager Snead presented the Ordinance for Repealing the Human Relations Committee, which was established 11/15/2001. She stated this has been discussed with City Manager Charles Nichols and he said that the Committee does not meet and he does not know why it was created. She informed the Board that in the process of cleaning up committees, this will be one less committee that does not meet. Motion was made by Commissioner O'Neal to approve the Ordinance to Repeal the Human Relations Committee and duly seconded by Vice Chair Frizzell. Vote to Approve: Unanimous. Planning and Zoning Board Recommendation for Ordinance Amendment Brooke McQueen, Zoning Official, informed the Board that the Zoning Board met on January 15, 2025, and made a recommendation to present a request to make an amendment to the Manufactured Home Ordinance. This recommendation will be to not allow mobile homes which are more than 30 years old to be brought into Scotland County. Attorney Johnsoton stated that 30 years will coincide with information from the State of N.C. The Board reached the consensus of years. The next step is for the Planning and Zoning Board to meet and come up with the verbiage to be used in the amendment. County Manager Snead stated that there will be more items for the Planning and Zoning Board to discuss. Boards and Committee Reports Motion made by Vice Chair Frizzell to make the following appointments: Scotland County Memorial Library: Laura Molinario. Tourism Development Authority (TDA): Dorothy Moore. SCATS/Transportation Advisory Board: Mike Edge. LGFCU Transportation Coordination Committee: Joy Hine. North Carolina South East Board (Economic Development) County Manager April Snead. Motion duly seconded by Commissioner D. Williams. Vote: Unanimous to approve. Repeal of School Funding Resolution Chairman Ivey presented the resolution to Repeal the School Funding. Chairman Ivey read the Resolution in its entirety and stated that the Resolution is being sent to both Senator Britt and Representative Pierce asking them to write a bill and send it to both the Senate and the House.. Discussion and Questions: Comm. O'Neal asked if the State standard exists, which will we have to use? He also mentioned that during the Candidate's Forum, two of the candidates for School Board stated that they wanted to repeal the School Floor. Also that Scotland County is a Tier 1 County and is competing with this law with Raleigh, Moore and other counties. He referenced former Commissioner Alford stating that Scotland County School System has decreased by 500 students and that this number represents a whole school. He continued to say that the Board at that time was told that building a new school will pay for itself, decreased personnel,energy bills, etc. Now they are saying that they were misled by the previous 4 Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting February 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. EOC Building at 1403 West Boulevard Laurinburg, NC Superintendent. Comm. Shelley commented that once it leaves our hands it is out of our hands. Comm. Williams asked what is the position of Senator Britt and Rep. Pierce on this Resolution? Chairman Ivey responded that he has spoken to the both of them and if not sure what they will do. Comm. O'Neal stated that Scotland County contributes more than forty-nine (49) other counties. Vice Chair Frizzell stated that we are 97th in being able to pay the amount that we pay now. Chairman gave the per pupil spending of surrounding counties, with Moore Co. being $2200.00, Robeson Co. $900.00, Richmond Co. $1500.00, and that there has to be a point when we say enough is enough. Comm.V Williams stated that he is a product of Scotland County School Floor. It seems that we are attacking our schools, tax problems should not be solved on the backs of our kids. Tomorrow we will have to field questions and we need answers. IfI came with a problem, then I need to have a solution. Most of the income of these kids' families are 70% below the poverty level, we must give a new direction, not take funding from them. Commissioner Shelley to approve the Resolution to Appeal the School Funding. Motion was_ duly seconded by Vice Chair Frizzell. Vote to approve: Five (5) votes in the affirmative and one (1) vote in the negative by Commissioner Darwin Williams. County Manager Report Updates North Turnpike Water Line A meeting was held in January 2025 to discuss construction drawings, proposed ware main routes and preliminary stream crossing profiles. HDR will send updated plans and details to NCDOT within two weeks for further review. The survey is still pending.ofiles. East Laurinburg Recycling Center Land acquisition to be discussed in Closed Session. Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) All projects recommended for EWP (large projects) were submitted with only one pending approval. All additional EWP funding for North Carolina has been sent to Hurricane Helene Relief. STraP is doing eight projects across the County, these are small projects New Business National Association of Counties (NACO) Annual Conference The NACO Conference will be held March 1 - March 4, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Information regarding agenda and registration shared with Commissioners. Surplus Property Request County Manager presented a Resolution Authorizing the Upset Bid Procedure for Disposal of Surplus Property. Questions from Commissioners and responses: How did we get this property? Property received from foreclosed properties. Do we set a valuation to start with? Starts in the process, comes to County and just sits, people come by and call about properties. The cost will include taxes owed and penalties. There was a mass auction 3-4 years ago and it may be time to do another one. The Tax Office is 5 Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting February 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. EOC Building at 1403 West Boulevard Laurinburg, NC pulling all of this information together. All for selling the properties and getting what you can. If approved, then will be published in the newspaper and the 10 day waiting period. Motion for approval of the Resolution Authorizing the Upset Bid Procedure for Disposal of Surplus Property made by Commissioner Shelley and duly approved by Commissioner O'Neal. JCPC Request Scotland County received a request to allow JCPC to use the Scotland County website to host JCPC information, eliminating the need for their own. The County Manager does not recommend this, as this would open up the request to all other agencies in the county. Maybe they can find another organization that they can join with. City of] Laurinburg Water Services Interlocal Water Agreement The Agreement MOU between the City of Laurinburg and Scotland County ends in November. The City ofLaurinburg does everything for us related to water, we contract them for these services. A determination should be made to begin contract negotiations with the City and what services to include in the contract. There is an option to provide water billing and collection services through the County. The next step is with Attorney Johnston. County) Improvements Veteran's Work Veteran Services is working to research Scotland County's Purple Heart Status. Ifit is already established, then the County can recognize this and ensure that it is known across the county and the state. It will be mentioned on the website, Veteran's Stand Down will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Clint V. Willis National Guard Armory, the time is 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Personnel Policies Updated personnel policies have and new policies have been reviewed by the Department Head work group and will be reviewed by the Commissioner Personnel. These policies will eventually come to you as a full Board. Legislative Asks Letters have been sent to Senator Britt and Representative Pierce expressing the funding needs of the County for this legislative session. Commissioner Reports Commissioner O'Neal - Tax Preparations are available at the Library. Mentioned the Veteran's Stand Down on March 7, 2025. He also mentioned the Grant writer position and the status of a two year temporary position. There has been feedback referencing the position being temporary. He wants to know if we can change it from a two year temporary position to a full time position? May review the salary scale depending on the quality of the applicants. The County Manager stated that applications have been received, but can not say qualified applicants. There is hesitation based on the two year temporary status. Commissioner O'Neal stated that grants 6 Scotland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting February 3, 2025 6:00 p.m. EOC Building at 1403 West Boulevard Laurinburg, NC brought $600,000 into Scotland County last year. Motion made by Commissioner O'Neal to change the Grant writer position to full time and to review the salary. Motion was duly seconded by Commissioner Williams. Vote to approve: Unanimous. Commissioner Shelley- nothing Vice Chair Frizzell- nothing Commissioner Williams- nothing Commissioner Edge - nothing Chairman Ivey: Reminder about the NACO Conference and to let Clerk Tyson know if you need to register or ify you change your mind about attending. On March 4th, the Commissioners have ai meeting at 3:00 p.m. with Congressman Mark Harris, as it is Legislative Day on the Hill, and maybe the President will come by. He also stated that on the Agenda the next meeting is listed as Monday, March 10th, but we will not adjourn tonight, only recess until the next meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., at 517 Peden Street in Laurinburg, NC Chairman Ivey stated that the Board will go into Closed Session in Accordance With: 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 and; NCGS 143-318.11 (a)(3) To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body; NCGS 143-318.11 (a)(4) To discuss matters relating to the location of expansion ofbusiness in the area served by this body. Motion made by Vice Chair Frizzell to go into Closed Session and motion was duly seconded by Commissioner O'Neal. Vote to approve: Unanimous. Vos Wb. Tim Ivey Dorothy B. Tyson Chairman Clerk to the Board e (Seal) 7