HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-18-2023
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July 18, 2023
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PRE-AGENDA SESSION
July 18, 2023
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in pre-agenda session on Tuesday, July
18, 2023 at 4:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room located in the Iredell County
Government Center 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chair Melissa Neader
Vice Chair Bert Connolly
Scottie Brown
Gene Houpe
Brad Stroud, Sr.
Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson,
County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Finance Director Deb Cheek, and Clerk to the Board Amy
Anderson.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Neader called the meeting to order.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: County Manager Beth Mull went over the
following adjustment:
ADD: Attorney Client under Closed Session.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from Mooresville Graded School District for approval of a Temporary
Construction Easement and Permanent Sanitary Sewer Easement. Mooresville Graded
School District Attorney Kevin Donaldson requested approval of a Temporary Construction
Easement and Permanent Sanitary Sewer Easement from the County to Kistler Farm Property,
LLC, across the property of Rocky River Elementary School. The Easement has been approved by
Mooresville Graded School Board.
Chair Neader asked if the construction will impact the upcoming start of school.
Donaldson said no and that is contained in the agreement.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Emergency Medical Services for approval to award the purchase of six
new mechanical ventilators. EMS Director Blair Richey said this is a follow up to a request made
regarding ARPA funding to replace five current ventilators with five that has a wider range of
patient care options. Richey explained the ventilators will be provide respiration care to n eonates
and infants. The award did go through the formal bid process pursuant to NC General Statutes.
Commissioner Houpe asked if five ventilators are being replaced.
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July 18, 2023
Richey said yes.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Planning & Development for approval of the Second Amendment to
the Interlocal Agreement for the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission.
Planning Director Matthew Todd requested approval of the Second Amendment to the Interlocal
Agreement for the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission. Iredell County joined this
group in 2016. Participating jurisdictions currently include Statesville, Troutman, Mooresville,
Davidson and Iredell County. This is a two-year agreement.
Commissioner Stroud asked if there price remained the same.
Todd said yes.
Mull said the County’s share is $15,750.
Chair Neader asked how often the agreement is renewed.
Todd said every two years.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Health Department for approval of Budget Amendment #1 for AA117
Public Health Infrastructure: Local Workforce Development Grant. Jessica Ridgway
requested approval of Budget Amendment #1 in the amount of $462,321 to increase public health
infrastructure. During the pandemic, there was a substantial notice of how underfunded public
health is. The five year grant will cover a part -time nurse practitioner, contracted services, and
resilience training for staff.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Health Department for approval of Budget Amendment #2 for the
American Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Grant. Jessica Ridgway
requested approval of Budget Amendment #2 to appropriate $44,343 to cover the costs of IT
equipment, contracted services, and staff training and development. This is a second year grant
that will end May 2024.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Parks & Recreation for approval of Budget Amendment #3 in the
amount of $4,130 to appropriate a donation, reserved in fund balance for parks from Make
An Impact Foundation. Parks & Recreation Director Tate Osborne requested approval of Budget
Amendment #3 to appropriate a Make An Impact Foundation donation of $4,130 to purchase two
park benches to be located at the Brody Thompson Memorial Playground at Stumpy Creek park.
Chair Neader expressed appreciation to the family for their continued support.
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July 18, 2023
Request from Social Services for approval of Budget Amendment #4 to appropriate
funds for Medicaid Eligibility & Enrollment Hold Harmless claiming and Medicaid
Expansion & Continuous Coverage Unwinding claiming. Finance Director Deb Cheek
requested approval of Budget Amendment #4 to $113,821 in Medicaid Continued Coverage
Unwinding funds and $277,532 in Eligibility & Enrollment Hold Harmless funds for expense and
claiming as required by the state mandate.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Solid Waste for approval to award the bid for t he Entrance
Improvement Project to the lowest responsible bidder, NJR Group, Inc. Solid Waste Director
Teddy Boller requested approval to award the for the entrance improvement project to the lowest
responsible bidder, NJR Group, Inc. The project costs is $5,450,068.40. Boller said the project
was identified in FY20 to address traffic backup onto Twin Oaks Road.
Chair Neader complimented Boller on his recent radio show where he did a great job
talking about the Solid Waste Facilities.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of surplus declaration and approval of
donation of property to entities carrying out a public purpose. Finance Director Deb Cheek
requested approval of surplus declaration and approval of donation of property to the local rescue
squads. Cheek said has retired (6) six Stryker Power Pro XT Stretchers from service and requests
that the equipment be declared surplus and conveyed to North Iredell, Iredell and Troutman
Rescue. North Iredell Rescue: 3 Power Pro XT Stretchers; Iredell Rescue: 2 Power Pro XT
Stretchers; Troutman Rescue: 1 Power Pro XT Stretchers - All units include floor mounts. Cheek
added that the donation is supported by NCGS 160A-279, which allows the Board to convey
personal property to nonprofit organizations to which the county is authorized to appropriate funds
This item was placed on consent.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of Budget Amendment #5 to
appropriate fund balance to Iredell Rescue Squad and North Iredell Rescue Squad to fund
staffing equivalent to the volunteer fire departments. Finance Director Deb Cheek requested
approval of Budget Amendment #5 to appropriate fund balance to Iredell Rescue Squad and North
Iredell Rescue Squad to provide funds to staff 2 people at $18 per hours, 24 hours a day Monday-
Friday and 1 person at $18 per hour, 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday, equivalent to staff funding
for the volunteer fire departments.
This item was placed on consent.
Request from Tax Administration for approval of the June 2023 Refunds and
Releases.
This item was placed on consent.
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July 18, 2023
Request from Administration for approval to amend the Jennings Park Project
Ordinance and consideration of Jennings Park GMP -1. This item will be presented at 7pm.
Request from Clerk to the Board to appoint a voting delegate for the North Carolina
Association of County Commissioners' Conference in August 2023. Commissioner Houpe
volunteered to serve as the voting delegate and Commissioner Brown volunteered to serve as the
alternate.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of the minutes from the meetings on
June 20 & 26, 2023. There were no changes or corrections.
This item was placed on consent.
The Board entered into Closed Session at 4:25pm.
IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MINUTES
July 18, 2023
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 18,
2023 at 6:00 PM, in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Iredell County Government Center,
200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
Board Members Present
Chair Melissa Neader
Vice Chair Bert Connolly
Scottie Brown
Gene Houpe
Brad Stroud, Sr.
Staff present: County Manager Beth Mull, Deputy County Manager Susan Robertson,
County Attorney Lisa Valdez, Finance Director Deb Cheek, and Clerk to the Board Amy
Anderson.
CALL TO ORDER by Chair Neader.
INVOCATION: Commissioner Stroud led in the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Chair Neader.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: County Manager Beth Mull went over the
following adjustment:
ADD: Attorney Client under Closed Session.
REMOVE: Personnel from Closed Session.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & RECOGNITIONS
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July 18, 2023
(None)
APPOINTMENT BEFORE THE BOARD
Request from Jennifer Barraclough with Iredell Council on Aging, Inc. to present
and receive approval of the FY24 Home and Community Care Block Grant funding plan.
Jennifer Barraclough presented the FY24 Home and Community Care Block Grant Funding Plan
for approval. The 60 plus population has now outpaced the 17 and younger. Thus increasing the
importance of the continued work of the Iredell Council on Aging.
The Board expressed appreciation to Barraclough for her dedication to the aging
population.
MOTION by Commissioner Brown to approve the FY24 Home and Community Care
Block Grant Funding Plan.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Presentation from Quincy Sherrill, Iredell Youth Delegate to Youth Voice. Quincy
Sherrill will be representing Iredell County with Youth Voice at the NCACC Annual Conference
in August.
Sherrill said Youth Voice gives youth an opportunity to speak with elected officials and
give opinions about local issues. She spoke briefly about 4-H and its meaning and positive impact
on the youth in Iredell County.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
(None)
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request from Administration for approval to amend the Jennings Park Project
Ordinance and consideration of Jennings Park GMP -1. Project Manager David Saleeby gave
a brief history of the Jennings Park project. Seven years ago, Iredell County began the process of
developing an inclusive county-wide park which would have baseball fields, soccer fields, a
walking trail along with other support elements and features. In 2017, the County engaged Stewart
Inc. to develop a Master Plan for the park which would include input from various groups and
users in the Iredell area. The Master Plan also laid out a 3-phase approach to construct the park
and in July 2022, the Board of Commissioners decided to combine the phases and fund and build
the entire park. Also, in 2022 through the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) Request for
Qualification (RFQ) process, Edifice Construction was chosen to manage the preconstruction
services for the project. Together, Edifice and Stewart defined the scope of the project, developed
design and construction drawings, real time project estimates and lead the bid process for the
Jennings Park Project. Through a formal bid process conducted by Edifice, Pedulla Excavating
and Paving Inc. was selected to complete the site work package portion of the project which is
included in the GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) amendment. Saleeby said the park is 60 plus
acres. The Master Plan in 2017 had the following elements: infrastructure, 4 baseball fields, 4
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July 18, 2023
regulation soccer fields, disc golf course, multipurpose turf platform, pickle ball courts, picnic
shelters, event lawn, 2.3 miles of walking trails, playground, 2 - maintenance and grounds building,
and concession stand, press box, and restroom building. Saleeby noted the County received a grant
for an inclusive playground. As the project moved forward and investigating the plan changed the
layout of the baseball and soccer fields however the number of the fields remained the same. The
plan includes 475 parking spots. The walking trail was reduced to 1.9 miles because of the
wetlands. Other amenities remained the same. Saleeby said the maintenance building can be
moved if needed. The proposed GMP includes all of the site work for the plan presented. The park
has areas of wetlands that are protected. Stewart Engineering was able to take the original plan and
work around the wetlands to create the new plan. Saleeby said there were Cost Savings Exercises
put into place to fit the budget. GMP-2 will be brought to the Board for consideration on October
17, 2023. The goal is to turn the park back over the Parks and Rec on March 1, 2025 and that is
how the 2024 baseball season is being planned.
Saleeby requested approval of an amended Jennings Park Project Ordinance, approval of
GMP 1 with Edifice Construction for Jennings Park for $11,945,057 and authorize the County
Manager to sign the GMP 1 Amendment on behalf of Iredell County.
County Manager Mull said the project total budget is $27 million. The estimate provided
for GMP-1 is right on target. Staff looked at putting the maintenance building across the street on
the additional property however that is cost prohibitive because of storm water control measures.
Mull recommended using the additional property for overflow parking. The cost is not included in
this. Mull said grading will be done to the way it is planned and will be finished at a later date.
This will allow staff to vet what kind of parking is needed (buses and/or large vehicles).
This item was placed on consent.
County Manager Beth Mull summarized the following Administrative Matters during the
Pre-Agenda meeting held at 4pm:
Request from Mooresville Graded School District for approval of a Temporary
Construction Easement and Permanent Sanitary Sewer Easement.
Request from Emergency Medical Services for approval to award the purchase of six new
mechanical ventilators.
Request from Planning & Development for approval of the Second Amendment to the
Interlocal Agreement for the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission.
Request from Health Department for approval of Budget Amendment #1 for AA117 Public
Health Infrastructure: Local Workforce Development Grant.
Request from Health Department for approval of Budget Amendment #2 for the American
Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Grant.
Request from Parks & Recreation for approval of Budget Amendment #3 in the amount of
$4,130 to appropriate a donation, reserved in fund balance for parks from Make An Impact
Foundation.
Request from Social Services for approval of Budget Amendment #4 to appropriate funds
for Medicaid Eligibility & Enrollment Hold Harmless claiming and Medicaid Expansion
& Continuous Coverage Unwinding claiming.
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July 18, 2023
Request from Solid Waste for approval to award the bid for the Entrance Improvement
Project to the lowest responsible bidder, NJR Group, Inc.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of surplus declaration and approval of
donation of property to entities carrying out a public purpose.
Request from the Finance Department for approval of Budget Amendment #5 to
appropriate fund balance to Iredell Rescue Squad and North Iredell Rescue Squad to fund
staffing equivalent to the volunteer fire departments.
Request from Tax Administration for approval of the June 2023 Refunds and Releases.
Request from Administration for approval to amend the Jennings Park Project Ordinance
and consideration of Jennings Park GMP -1.
Request from Clerk to the Board to appoint a voting delegate for the North Carolina
Association of County Commissioners' Conference in August 2023.
Request from Clerk to the Board for approval of the minutes from the meetings on June 20
& 26, 2023.
MOTION by Commissioner Stroud to approve the consent agenda.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ANNCOUNCEMENT OF VACANCIES OCCURING ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
(None)
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
County Manager Beth Mull went over the following appointments and applicants.
Planning Board - 2 appointments
Robert Palms and Kristi Pfeufer have volunteered to serve again. Leigh Prince has
volunteered to serve for the first time.
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to appoint Robert Palms and Kristi Pfeufer to the
Planning Board.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
Troutman Planning Board (ETJ) - 1 appointment
Brent Tedder has volunteered to serve again. Natasha Sells has volunteered to serve for the
first time.
MOTION by Commissioner Brown to appoint Brent Tedder to the Troutman Planning
Board ETJ.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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(None)
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Michael Moorefield shared concerns over election integrity. Moorefield said the County’s
Board of Elections does a great job. Moorefield presented a petition with 254 signatures
demanding the use of paper ballots in future elections and voter identification. Moorefield
referenced a case in Michigan that an internal modem was found to be insecure.
Trisha Casey Odenwald, 119 Misty Cove Lane, shared concerns over Short-Term Rentals.
She requested a meeting with Sheriff Darren Campbell, Marine Commission, Duke Energy, and
the Health Department to help address the concern over short term rentals. Odenwald said it seems
everyone is hoping someone else will move first on the issue. She urged everyone to work together.
She asked the County to implement what Lincoln County is now doing as their Planning
Department is inspecting all of the short term rentals over approved capacity and fining offenders
and suspending permits.
Rick Howard, 148 Sail View Drive, requested a task force be put in place in an effort to
address short term rentals.
Commissioner Houpe thanked the volunteer fire departments for getting their contracts
executed. Houpe said the Board needed to be proactive in trying to get EMS units ordered due to
the continued growth in the County and the call volumes.
Commissioner Houpe asked County Attorney Lisa Valdez for an update on the occupancy
tax legislation.
Commissioner Houpe encouraged the Board to reach out to representatives from the
Marine Commission and law enforcement to figure out to regulate short term rentals.
Commissioner Houpe also address the situation with Youth Sports. Vice Chair Connolly
has taken the lead to work with the school system. Houpe hopes the Board can work with the
school system to come to a solution.
Vice Chair Connolly asked for the public’s patience as the Board continues to address
matters.
Commissioner Stroud said there have been several issues since coming on board in
November 2022 but he has received more calls, texts, and emails over Youth Sports than any of
the others. A lot of people say they are going to get ‘beat up’ over this and that. Stroud said he
heard from the people loud and clear, and the Board has to set it as a priority. He challenged all
public boards to be mindful, wise, and reserved with their words. Once they are said they cannot
be taken back. When people say they are going to do certain things for leverage to do something
else there is a problem there. Stroud said the Boards work for the people to help the people and
children.
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Commissioner Brown said Iredell County is a great place. He asked for the public’s trust
and patience. The Board works for everyone in the County. He noted that County Attorney Lisa
Valdez does not need to give an update on the occupancy tax because the Board is working on it.
Chair Neader thanked County Manager Mull for accompanying her to a Lunch and Learn
and record a podcast.
Commissioner Houpe asked for an update on the occupancy tax legislation and text
amendment regarding short term rentals.
County Attorney Lisa Valdez said the legislation can be followed on the General
Assembly’s website. Valdez said it is her understanding that the language in the bill is not going
to change. Not is not within the Board’s control. The bill is sitting in the House after coming
over from the Senate and what happens from there is in the hands of the representatives. The text
amendment was reviewed by the Planning Board for their first reading and the required second
hearing is in August then it would come to the Board in September.
Commissioner Houpe said the Board is not sure once the occupancy bill is done what the
Board can or cannot do with the funds.
Valdez said based on the case law and guidance is from the State one thirds can be used
for tourism development activities which can include capital expenditures and two thirds can be
used for promotions and marketing. Valdez said using it for additional law enforcement or health
department enforcement that are an outcome of short term rentals would not traditionally be
something that it is supposed to be used for.
Commissioner Houpe noted that the Board has been against the bill as it is right now.
Valdez said she has been asked to relay that message on multiple occasions to the
County’s representation.
NEW BUSINESS
(None)
COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORT
Report to the People is July 24, 2023 at 6pm at Cooperative Extension.
Selma Burke Middle School Ribbon Cutting is July 27, 2023 at 10am.
Jennings Park Groundbreaking is July 28, 2023 at 10am.
CLOSED SESSION
The Board held a Closed Session prior to the regular meeting.
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MOTION by Commissioner Stroud to call for a public hearing on Tuesday, August 1,
2023 at 6pm to consider an economic development incentive of up to $24,277 over a three-year
period for Project Hue based on the company’s $2,094,500 investment in Iredell County.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
MOTION by Commissioner Houpe to call for a public hearing on Tuesday, August 1,
2023 at 6pm to consider an economic development incentive of up to $63,585 over a five-year
period for Project Crew based on the company’s $3.2 million investment in Iredell County.
VOTING: Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Brown to continue the meeting at 7:25PM. The Board will
reconvene Monday, July 24, 2023 at the Report to the People at Cooperative Extension. The next
regular meeting is Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 6pm in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room,
Government Center, 200 South Center Street, Statesville, NC.
VOTING Ayes – 5; Nays – 0
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Approved Amy B. Anderson, Clerk