[1:36] The County Board of
[1:36] Commissioners meeting. We are
[1:37] happy to have you tonight. I'll
[1:39] call our meeting to order and
[1:40] let's have roll call. Please.
[1:45] Okay. Thank you. If you would
[1:46] stand with me. Commissioner
[1:47] Brown's going to do an
[1:48] invocation, and then we're
[1:49] going to invite Kiley Ward up
[1:51] to lead us in the pledge.
[1:54] Dear heavenly Lord, thank you
[1:55] so much for this day. Thank you
[1:57] for gathering us into this room
[1:59] and all of Pitt County. Lord,
[2:01] we ask that you lay your hands
[2:02] on all of us, on our families,
[2:05] for any of us that have
[2:06] grievances or challenges or
[2:08] health issues. Lord, we ask
[2:10] that you we boldly ask that you
[2:12] take all of those away and
[2:13] replace those with joy. Your
[2:16] peace, and all of your wisdom.
[2:18] Lord, we love you. We give you
[2:20] your business tonight. Ask that
[2:22] we serve your people first. Uh,
[2:25] bless this evening. In your
[2:26] name we pray. Amen. Amen.
[2:28] Thank you. Commissioner Brown
[2:29] will invite Kiley Ward from
[2:30] Eden Griffin up to introduce
[2:32] herself and lead us in the
[2:33] pledge.
[2:38] Good evening, ladies and
[2:39] gentlemen. My name is Kiley
[2:41] Ward. I attend Aiden Girton
[2:43] High School as a junior with a
[2:44] 4.1 GPA. I am currently a
[2:47] member into the Health Science
[2:49] Academy program. Thank you for
[2:50] having me this evening. At this
[2:52] time, would y'all please join
[2:53] me in the Pledge of Allegiance?
[2:55] I pledge allegiance to the flag
[2:58] of the United States of America,
[3:00] and to the Republic for which
[3:02] it stands. One nation under
[3:05] God, indivisible, with liberty
[3:08] and justice for all. You may be
[3:10] seated. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.
[3:13] If she.
[3:16] I'll entertain a motion to
[3:17] approve the agenda. So move.
[3:19] Yeah. We got a motion and a
[3:20] second. Please vote. Okay.
[3:25] Thank you. Madam manager, we
[3:26] have any public addresses to
[3:28] the board?
[3:28] Yes. Mr. chairman, you have one
[3:30] person signed up to speak.
[3:31] Marianne Swinger. If the
[3:33] attorney would read the
[3:33] statement as she's coming
[3:35] forward.
[3:35] Thank you, madam manager. Pitt
[3:36] County welcomes all comments on
[3:37] matters of public concern. Each
[3:39] speaker will be allowed up to
[3:40] three minutes to speak. A total
[3:41] of 30 minutes is set aside for
[3:43] public addresses to the board.
[3:44] Please state your name and
[3:45] address prior to speaking.
[3:47] Good evening. I'm Marianne
[3:49] Swinger, I live at 3874
[3:52] Dunnigan Road in Greenville and
[3:55] I wanted to speak this evening
[3:57] about data centers and my
[3:59] concerns about these
[4:00] developments. Um, these
[4:03] operations are much, much
[4:05] bigger than the cryptocurrency
[4:07] operations of the past years
[4:09] and have impacts that affect,
[4:12] uh, a large area, not just the
[4:15] people who live next door. Um,
[4:17] they use a lot of energy. Um,
[4:20] some as much as Greenville
[4:23] Utilities delivers in a year.
[4:25] Um, and in some places,
[4:27] residents are paying more to
[4:29] accommodate these requirements.
[4:32] In addition, they require water
[4:34] for cooling and they can take
[4:36] water out of circulation and in
[4:39] some cases return it with
[4:42] pollutants, chemicals,
[4:44] antifreeze and such. They also
[4:47] are very noisy. They have fans
[4:49] that operate 24 over seven. And
[4:52] so, um, strong noise
[4:54] regulations are needed that
[4:56] recognize that there's a
[4:58] difference between continuous
[5:00] noise and one time short term
[5:03] noise. At present, North
[5:05] Carolina as a state does not
[5:08] have any regulations for data
[5:10] centers. Um, in addition, these
[5:15] operations have been free of
[5:18] sales and use tax in this
[5:19] state. Now, this spring, the
[5:22] legislature lifted that
[5:24] exemption on their utility
[5:26] bills. So they will start
[5:28] paying tax on their utility
[5:30] bills. But other business
[5:32] operations, construction costs,
[5:34] um, no sales and use tax. So
[5:37] for all these reasons, as
[5:39] planning is done for the
[5:41] Unified Development Ordinance,
[5:43] I believe that special
[5:44] attention should be paid to
[5:46] data centers. The large data
[5:48] centers that that can be
[5:50] introduced. Such challenges.
[5:53] And actually in North Carolina,
[5:56] there are more than a dozen
[5:57] counties and cities that have
[5:59] declared moratoria on allowing
[6:02] data centers in order to take
[6:04] time and ensure that their
[6:06] local regulations are adequate,
[6:09] so that if a data center comes
[6:11] and operates, it's without harm
[6:14] to the rest of the community.
[6:15] So I hope that you will
[6:17] consider this in the future.
[6:19] Thank you.
[6:21] ma'am. I appreciate
[6:22] you coming out tonight. Okay.
[6:23] We'll move on to public
[6:24] hearings. I'll invite Joan us
[6:26] up. We've got three public
[6:27] hearings this evening.
[6:31] Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good
[6:32] evening. Um, members of the
[6:34] board and Madam Manager, we do
[6:36] have, uh, three different
[6:38] public hearings tonight, the
[6:39] first of which is, uh, a
[6:42] rezoning request by Jason Hardy
[6:44] to rezone 1.55 acres of his
[6:46] property. Parcel number 06093,
[6:51] which is located on the western
[6:52] side of black Simpson Road, um,
[6:56] south of this intersection with
[6:57] Spencer Loop Road. Road, uh,
[7:00] from rural agricultural to
[7:01] general commercial with the
[7:03] conditional district. Looking
[7:06] at the map, you'll see the, uh,
[7:08] site it's located just south
[7:10] of, uh, blackjack. Zooming in
[7:16] and looking at the existing
[7:17] land use in the area, uh,
[7:19] you'll see there are several
[7:21] churches which is outlined in
[7:23] blue. There are two convenience
[7:25] stores located in the heart of
[7:27] blackjack there. And then the,
[7:29] uh, residential is shown in
[7:31] gold with the agricultural
[7:34] shown in the green shaded area.
[7:37] Looking at the land use plan, shows this area
[7:42] as being agricultural. Um, with
[7:45] a little bit of open space
[7:46] toward the north of this, uh,
[7:48] image, as well as a commercial
[7:51] crossroads right there at
[7:52] blackjack. Uh, the agricultural
[7:57] designation includes prime
[7:59] farmlands, which are vital to
[8:01] the production, uh, of
[8:03] agriculture within the county.
[8:04] Activities include agriculture,
[8:07] forestry, uh, low density
[8:09] residential and commercial or
[8:11] institutional uses. Uh, these
[8:14] areas are, uh, found near
[8:16] strategic agricultural lands.
[8:19] Uh, again, the uses are
[8:21] agribusiness, forestry,
[8:23] limited, commercial single
[8:25] family properties, and
[8:27] occasional low density small
[8:28] scale, uh, residential
[8:30] subdivisions. Uh utilities. It
[8:33] rely on septic tanks and
[8:35] community water or private
[8:37] wells. There's limited sewer
[8:39] availability. The density is
[8:42] typically less than one
[8:43] dwelling unit per acre. Looking
[8:48] at the zoning map, uh, you'll
[8:50] see this area is, uh, rural,
[8:53] agricultural. With the
[8:54] exception of the two
[8:55] convenience stores, which are
[8:57] designated in red as commercial.
[9:02] Uh, the general commercial
[9:05] district is primarily intended
[9:07] to accommodate a wide range of
[9:09] retail service. Office limited,
[9:11] wholesale, moderate density
[9:13] multifamily residential uses,
[9:15] and areas that have access to
[9:17] major thoroughfares and the
[9:20] necessary utilities. Uh,
[9:25] tonight, this request is for a
[9:26] conditional district rezoning,
[9:28] which allows for the approval
[9:30] of a specific use, uh, with
[9:32] reasonable conditions, to
[9:34] assure the compatibility of
[9:36] that proposed use. And tonight,
[9:38] the request is for a barbershop.
[9:42] We have a site plan here. I'll
[9:44] run through that real quick.
[9:46] Uh, that boundary of the site
[9:48] is displayed in red with the
[9:50] existing structure shown in
[9:53] yellow. There's already a
[9:55] gravel lot for parking, and the
[9:58] septic system. Uh, staff finds
[10:02] that this is this request is
[10:04] consistent with the vision.
[10:05] Pitt County 2045, uh,
[10:08] comprehensive land use plan.
[10:09] The area requested for the
[10:11] rezoning is designated as
[10:12] agricultural on the future land
[10:15] use map, which allows for
[10:16] limited, uh, commercial uses
[10:19] and is directly south of the
[10:21] designated uh, commercial
[10:23] crossroads area. Additionally,
[10:26] the subject property is close
[10:28] in proximity to several
[10:29] non-residential uh land uses,
[10:32] including two churches, two
[10:34] country stores, and a volunteer
[10:36] fire department. Planning staff
[10:39] finds that this request is
[10:40] reasonable and in the best
[10:42] interest of the public. Uh,
[10:44] because of that designation,
[10:47] Planning Board reviewed this
[10:49] request at its June 1526
[10:52] meeting and voted eight oh, uh,
[10:55] to recommend approval of this
[10:58] request, stating that it was in
[10:59] compliance with the land use
[11:00] plan and reasonable. So the
[11:03] motions are to adopt the
[11:06] consistency statement. The
[11:08] reasonableness statement, which
[11:11] is included in your packet and
[11:13] approve the request based on
[11:14] the following conditions. No
[11:17] zoning compliance permit shall
[11:18] be issued until a site plan is
[11:22] prepared in accordance with the
[11:23] Zoning Ordinance and approved
[11:25] by the Planning Department. A
[11:27] landscaping plan is required
[11:29] showing a ten foot wide buffer
[11:31] yard, um, in compliance that's
[11:34] in compliance with the zoning
[11:35] ordinance. The required parking
[11:39] spaces, uh, access drives and
[11:42] loading areas, uh, shall be
[11:44] paved and maintained with
[11:47] either concrete or asphalt.
[11:49] Hours of operation that's being
[11:52] proposed is Monday through
[11:54] Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and
[11:57] Saturday by appointment. A soil
[12:01] erosion and sedimentation
[12:02] control plan, uh, is required.
[12:07] The site must comply with, uh,
[12:10] the stormwater ordinance for
[12:12] Nutrient Control. And it must
[12:17] also comply with the emergency
[12:19] management requirements. They
[12:24] must, uh, obtain all necessary
[12:27] permits from building
[12:29] inspections as well as a
[12:31] driveway permit from NCDOT. So
[12:33] with that, Mister chair, I'll
[12:34] open or turn it back to you.
[12:36] Okay. Matt, you need to read
[12:37] your statement.
[12:38] I do not if you would just
[12:39] open.
[12:40] It, please. Okay. All right. I
[12:41] will open up the public
[12:42] hearing. Is there anybody that
[12:43] would like to speak in favor?
[12:46] Anybody that would like to
[12:47] speak in favor, anybody that
[12:49] would like to speak against? I
[12:51] will close the public hearing.
[12:52] What's the pleasure of the
[12:52] board. Mr. Chair? Yes.
[12:54] I'll make a motion.
[12:55] We approve. your request. Okay.
[12:57] Thank you. Have a motion on the
[12:58] second. Please vote.
[12:59] For all three here for one.
[13:05] Okay.
[13:07] Mr. chair, if we could have
[13:08] another motion for adopting the
[13:10] consistency and reasonableness
[13:11] of the approval.
[13:13] I'll make a motion.
[13:14] Okay. We have a motion. And a
[13:15] second. Let's vote on that one
[13:16] as well.
[13:23] Mr. chair, I'll make a motion
[13:24] to. We approve the request.
[13:26] Second.
[13:27] Okay. Got a motion on a second.
[13:30] You need that. Matt. So did
[13:32] that cover it with the with the
[13:34] first two.
[13:35] So I think the first motion was
[13:37] the approval motion, if I'm
[13:38] correct, I'm sorry. And then I
[13:40] believe then we adopted the
[13:42] reasonableness and consistency
[13:43] that's listed in the packet. So
[13:44] I think we're okay.
[13:46] And then we need to well we
[13:48] approve the request upfront
[13:50] okay.
[13:52] We're good. Yes. Okay great.
[13:53] Thank you. Thank you Jonas.
[13:56] We'll move on to number two to
[13:57] Stacy Eastwood. Rezoning
[13:58] request.
[13:59] Yes. So the next request is for
[14:01] Stacy Eastwood to amend the
[14:03] zoning on his property being
[14:05] parcel 88208. It is currently
[14:08] zoned general commercial with a
[14:10] conditional district rezoning
[14:13] on that um, which currently
[14:15] allows for the sales of golf
[14:17] carts, utility trailers, metal
[14:19] carports and barbecue cookers.
[14:22] Um, he's looking to amend this
[14:24] to also include RV and boat
[14:26] storage on the property. Again,
[14:29] the property is, uh, 2.88 acres
[14:32] and is located on the northern
[14:33] side of US two, 64 east east of
[14:36] its intersection with Opac.
[14:38] Tullis road. The subject
[14:41] property was previously resumed
[14:43] by the Board of Commissioners
[14:44] on December 1st of 2008, to
[14:47] allow for the sale of the golf
[14:49] cart utility trailers, metal
[14:51] carports and barbecue cookers.
[14:54] Looking at the map on your
[14:56] screen, you'll see where the
[14:57] site is located. It's located
[14:59] just to the east of Greenville.
[15:01] Um, pretty much between
[15:03] Greenville and pack told us
[15:04] along 264 East. Looking at the
[15:08] existing land use in the area,
[15:09] you'll see, uh, the site there
[15:11] in red, uh, to the south,
[15:14] you'll notice the gray area
[15:15] that is a mining operation that
[15:17] this board approved. There's
[15:18] actually two mines to the south
[15:21] of this property. And then up
[15:23] in the very top left hand
[15:25] corner, you'll see a sliver of
[15:26] red. That is a wedding venue
[15:29] that's being operated there on
[15:31] Tripp Farm, the envision Pitt
[15:35] County 2045 Future Land use map
[15:38] shows this area is, uh,
[15:40] agricultural. You'll notice to
[15:42] your left, uh, back towards
[15:44] Greenville. That is a
[15:46] commercial crossroads area
[15:48] that's been designated, uh, in
[15:50] close proximity. The
[15:53] agricultural, much like the one
[15:54] before, uh, is designated, uh,
[15:58] as prime farmlands that are
[16:00] vital to the agricultural
[16:01] production in the county.
[16:03] Activities include
[16:04] agricultural, forestry, low
[16:06] density residential,
[16:07] commercial, and institutional
[16:09] uses. These areas are located,
[16:12] uh, in agricultural lands
[16:14] throughout the county. Uh, on
[16:17] site septic systems and
[16:18] community water service. Uh is
[16:22] on site with limited uh sewer
[16:25] availability. The density is
[16:28] generally less than one
[16:29] dwelling unit per acre. Looking
[16:32] at the zoning map, you'll see
[16:35] again, this property is already
[16:36] zoned commercial with a
[16:38] conditional district on it. And
[16:41] then just to the south, the
[16:43] darker green is the rural
[16:44] agricultural area. For those
[16:45] two mines. The general
[16:49] commercial district is intended
[16:52] to accommodate a large range of
[16:55] retail service, limited,
[16:57] wholesale, moderate density
[16:59] multi-family uses in the areas
[17:01] uh have access to major
[17:03] thoroughfares and utilities to
[17:05] support such development.
[17:08] Again, uh, this is a
[17:09] conditional district rezoning
[17:11] which allows for the approval
[17:13] of a specific use in this case,
[17:16] uh, he's looking to add the RV
[17:18] and boat storage to the
[17:20] existing, uh, uses. Wanted to
[17:24] point out that section, uh,
[17:26] eight of the zoning ordinance,
[17:28] uh, uh, has standards for
[17:33] oversized vehicle parking. Um,
[17:36] those standards are all
[17:37] oversized vehicles must be
[17:39] parked a minimum of 50ft from
[17:41] any adjoining residential
[17:42] residentially zoned property,
[17:45] and shall be a minimum of 100
[17:47] foot from any residence,
[17:49] church, school or public
[17:50] institution. Uh, the entire
[17:53] perimeter of the facility must
[17:55] be screened from the adjoining
[17:57] properties, with the buffer
[17:58] yard that complies with section
[17:59] ten of the ordinance. Security
[18:02] fencing at a minimum of six
[18:04] foot in height shall be
[18:05] provided along the perimeter
[18:07] and residential district. Uh,
[18:11] park vehicles shall not be, uh,
[18:14] remaining idle or generate
[18:16] noise while parked. Uh that
[18:18] disrupts activities of the
[18:20] adjacent uses. Between the
[18:21] hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.,
[18:25] uh, parking spaces are not
[18:26] required to be paved, but shall
[18:28] be graded properly, drained,
[18:30] stabilized, and construction or
[18:32] constructed with all weather
[18:35] surface. Uh, to minimize the
[18:37] dust and erosion. There are
[18:43] some prohibited activities.
[18:45] Mary's gonna fix her phone in
[18:46] just a second.
[18:47] Sorry.
[18:48] It won't go on.
[18:53] Um, there are some prohibited
[18:55] activities, uh, in this section
[18:57] as well. Storage of keeping or
[18:59] accumulation of wreck. Scrapped
[19:01] or dismantled vehicles, um,
[19:03] machinery or equipment are not
[19:05] allowed. Uh, the storage or
[19:07] accumulation of junk materials,
[19:09] such as scrap metal, materials,
[19:10] debris, waste paper, rags,
[19:13] battery waste, or use building
[19:15] materials are not allowed. It
[19:17] also prohibits fuel cell fuel
[19:20] cells and automotive repair
[19:22] services. They have submitted a
[19:25] sketch plan, as you'll see
[19:27] here, outlining the area to be
[19:31] rezoned. Um, with the existing
[19:34] structures as a metal shop and
[19:36] a shelter on the property with
[19:38] an existing driveway. And then
[19:41] there showing the proposed
[19:42] vehicle parking in the blue.
[19:46] Pitt County planning staff
[19:48] finds that this request is
[19:50] consistent with the Pitt County
[19:52] 2045 uh Comprehensive Land Use
[19:54] Plan. The area requested for
[19:56] this reason is designated as
[19:59] agricultural, which allows
[20:01] limited commercial uses. The
[20:03] property is currently zoned uh
[20:05] General Commercial, and they're
[20:07] just looking at adding those
[20:08] two, uh, new uses. Uh, for RV
[20:14] and boat storage. Planning
[20:17] staff also finds that is
[20:19] reasonable and in the public's
[20:21] interest, because the subject
[20:22] property is located within
[20:24] close proximity to several
[20:26] non-residential uses, as well
[20:29] as being located on a major
[20:31] thoroughfare, there's limited
[20:33] residential development, uh,
[20:35] directly adjacent to the site,
[20:37] and the proposed use will be
[20:39] screened from any residentially
[20:40] zoned properties. The Planning
[20:43] Board reviewed this rezoning
[20:45] request at its June 15th
[20:46] meeting and voted unanimously
[20:48] for approval. The request, um,
[20:51] and said it was consistent, uh,
[20:54] and reasonable. So with your
[20:57] three motions, the first one
[20:58] being adopt the consistency
[21:01] statement stating that it is
[21:03] consistent with the 2045 land
[21:05] use plan. Um, adopt the
[21:08] reasonable, um, that the
[21:12] request is reasonable in the
[21:13] public's best interest, given
[21:15] that it's, uh, in close
[21:17] proximity to several other
[21:18] nonresidential uses along US
[21:21] 264 and it will be screened,
[21:24] uh, from the adjacent
[21:25] properties. And then third
[21:28] motion will be to approve, uh,
[21:30] the request. Um, with the
[21:33] following conditions to allow
[21:36] boat and RV storage. Um, the
[21:40] previously approved uses the
[21:42] sales of golf carts, utility
[21:44] trailers, metal carports and
[21:46] barbecue cookers are still
[21:48] permitted in accordance with
[21:50] the previous action by this
[21:51] board. On December 1st of 2008,
[21:55] uh, a zoning no zoning
[21:57] compliance permit will be
[21:59] issued until a proper site plan
[22:01] has been prepared. Uh,
[22:02] according to the ordinance and
[22:04] submitted for review and
[22:05] approval. A landscaping plan is
[22:07] required, uh, showing that ten
[22:09] foot wide buffer, um, in
[22:12] accordance with the in
[22:14] accordance with the zoning
[22:15] ordinance, a soil erosion and
[22:17] sedimentation control plan
[22:18] prepared by an engineer must be
[22:20] submitted. Um, as well as a
[22:24] stormwater plan. Uh, if they
[22:27] disturb more than one half
[22:28] acre, uh, the site must also
[22:30] comply with emergency
[22:31] management requirements for
[22:33] fire protection, as well as
[22:35] any, uh, necessary building
[22:39] permits and environmental
[22:41] health permits for the waste
[22:42] disposal. They must also, uh,
[22:45] obtain a commercial driveway
[22:46] permit from NCDOT. With that,
[22:50] I'll turn it back to you, Mr.
[22:51] Chairman.
[22:51] Hey. Thank you. Jonas, any
[22:53] questions for Jonas? I know
[22:54] that was a lot. Okay.
[22:56] How close is it to the city?
[22:58] It's in. How close is it to the
[23:02] city line, or is it. It.
[23:06] Uh, it is fairly close. Uh, I
[23:10] think the Greenville itj
[23:11] extends out to the, um, ECU
[23:13] property. Uh, the north campus
[23:16] Carlson property is the extent
[23:18] and that's probably a mile to
[23:19] two miles east or west from
[23:22] this property.
[23:25] I was just curious.
[23:26] For miles.
[23:27] Four miles.
[23:28] Oh, okay. Okay. Are we ready.
[23:31] For any other questions? All
[23:33] right. We'll open the public
[23:34] hearing. Yes. I'm sorry.
[23:35] Motion to approve all three.
[23:36] What? We got to open up the
[23:38] public hearing first.
[23:39] Commissioner. One second. We'll
[23:41] open up the public hearing.
[23:42] Anybody here to speak in favor?
[23:44] Anybody speak against? Okay,
[23:46] we'll close the public hearing.
[23:48] What's the pleasure to board.
[23:49] A motion to approve?
[23:50] Okay, second.
[23:51] Can we put all three of those
[23:52] together? Um, yes. Matt.
[23:56] So technically, you can, if
[23:57] you're adopting, um, but. Yes,
[24:00] technically, you can put all
[24:02] three of them together as long
[24:02] as we have the reasonableness
[24:04] and consistency and you're
[24:05] adopting the reasons and
[24:07] consistency that is listed in
[24:09] his presentation.
[24:10] Okay. So we have a motion to
[24:12] adopt all three motions.
[24:15] And a second.
[24:16] Okay. Got a motion on a second.
[24:17] Please vote. Okay. Thank you.
[24:23] We'll move on to the third one
[24:24] Jonas.
[24:25] All right. And last for me, uh,
[24:27] is the community development
[24:28] block grant, uh, River
[24:30] neighborhood revitalization,
[24:32] uh, public hearing. Uh, this is
[24:34] the first of two public
[24:35] hearings, uh, together.
[24:37] Community input. Explain. We're
[24:39] going to explain the county's
[24:41] intent to submit a grant
[24:42] application, identify the
[24:44] eligibility, eligible
[24:46] activities, and receive
[24:47] comments from the community.
[24:49] Uh, regarding community
[24:52] development and housing needs
[24:53] within Pitt County. Uh, program
[24:56] overview. The uh Community
[24:57] Development Block Grant
[24:59] Neighborhood Revitalization
[25:00] Program is administered by the
[25:02] North Carolina Department of
[25:03] Commerce. This grant, uh, the
[25:06] maximum award is $950,000, and
[25:09] there is no local match
[25:11] required. It's 100% grant
[25:13] funded. The application
[25:15] deadline is October the 13th of
[25:17] this year, and the grant period
[25:19] runs for 36 months. Eligible
[25:23] activities include housing,
[25:25] rehabilitation and
[25:26] reconstruction. Uh public
[25:28] infrastructure improvements
[25:30] such as streets, sidewalks and
[25:31] water and sewer, and public
[25:33] facilities such as shelters,
[25:35] community centers and
[25:36] recreation centers. In order to
[25:40] qualify for this grant, it must
[25:41] meet one of three objectives.
[25:43] It must benefit low and
[25:45] moderate income persons.
[25:46] Prevent or eliminate slums or
[25:48] bright blight, or meet other
[25:52] urgent needs, uh, which are
[25:53] often storm or disaster
[25:55] related. Pitt County intends to
[25:58] apply for the Community
[26:00] Development Block Grant, uh,
[26:02] funding to support the
[26:03] reconstruction of owner
[26:04] occupied homes for income
[26:06] qualified households located
[26:09] throughout the county.
[26:11] Recipients. In order to, uh
[26:15] qualify must be low or moderate
[26:17] income. The homes must be owner
[26:20] occupied and the homes must be
[26:22] real property. They cannot be
[26:24] personal property, which you
[26:26] will find a lot of times with
[26:27] manufactured homes, staff
[26:30] recommends, uh, continue
[26:33] authorizing staff to continue
[26:35] preparing the Community
[26:37] Development Block grant
[26:38] neighborhood revitalization
[26:40] application. So with that,
[26:43] Mister Chairman, we do have to
[26:44] open a public hearing to
[26:45] receive comment, uh, regarding
[26:48] this grant.
[26:49] Okay. Thank you. Jonas will
[26:50] open up the public hearing.
[26:52] Anyone that would like to speak
[26:53] in favor or against. Okay,
[26:56] we'll close the public hearing.
[26:57] What's the pleasure? Ward up.
[26:58] I'm sorry. Come on up. Please
[27:05] give us your name and address,
[27:06] sir.
[27:08] And, Mr. Chair, may I read the
[27:09] statement? The way he's coming
[27:10] up here with this public
[27:11] hearing. Now, open County,
[27:12] welcome to all comments on the
[27:13] Community Development Block
[27:15] Grant. Please state your name,
[27:16] address in the name of any
[27:17] organization you may be
[27:18] representing. Each speaker will
[27:19] be allowed up to three minutes
[27:20] to speak.
[27:21] Okay.
[27:22] My comments are very brief. My
[27:23] name is Steven Whitestone. I
[27:25] live at 364 Vernon White Road
[27:27] in Winterville. I'm also the
[27:29] secretary of the Mount Hermon
[27:31] Masonic Lodge. That's over in
[27:33] 1109 West fifth Street in
[27:35] Greenville. And, uh, just
[27:38] making a comment, uh, I know a
[27:40] lot of the block grants focus,
[27:42] especially with all the
[27:43] revitalization since the two
[27:44] hurricanes, Matthew and
[27:45] Florence, have gone to
[27:48] redeveloping of housing. Uh,
[27:50] but very little has gone to
[27:52] resilience or other community
[27:54] activities or community
[27:55] organizations. So I would like
[27:57] to make sure that that's
[28:00] considered in this particular
[28:01] block grant application. Uh, we
[28:04] have suffered, um, a complete,
[28:07] almost complete, uh,
[28:08] devastation of our building,
[28:10] uh, on West Fifth Street. And
[28:12] we have been out of it for six
[28:13] years, hoping to see if there
[28:15] was some block grant money
[28:16] available or some kind of, um,
[28:19] recovery funds available for us
[28:21] to replace the roof, which is
[28:23] partially going out of the
[28:24] building. Um, and we're working
[28:26] towards that. So we would like
[28:28] to make sure that there is some
[28:29] money set aside for resilience.
[28:32] And these are non homeowner
[28:35] redevelopment money, but also
[28:36] for those community
[28:37] organizations. So that's my
[28:40] comment. And hopefully that
[28:41] will be included in this
[28:43] particular block grant
[28:44] application.
[28:45] Thank you. Thank you sir I
[28:46] appreciate you coming out.
[28:48] Anybody else that would like to
[28:49] speak okay. We'll close the
[28:52] public hearing. What's the
[28:53] pleasure of the board.?
[28:55] A motion to approve.
[28:56] Second.
[28:57] I got a motion on a second.
[28:58] Please vote. Okay. Thank you.
[29:05] We'll move on to items for
[29:07] report. I'll invite, uh,
[29:08] Michael Hardy up for the
[29:09] financial report.
[29:12] Good evening to the board.
[29:16] Tonight in front of you have
[29:17] the July monthly report. It's
[29:19] currently at right at 8.33%.
[29:21] You'll see the general fund,
[29:23] uh, is uniformly spread right
[29:25] at the 8.3. So it's at 8.5% in
[29:27] total spending. You see the
[29:29] solid waste is at 7%. The 1.377
[29:32] million, uh, take into account
[29:34] backing off some capital items.
[29:36] Um, they were in amount of
[29:37] 578,000. You can see that
[29:39] operating, uh, will be our
[29:41] operating expenditures to be
[29:43] decreased along with EMS fund.
[29:45] Uh, 2.166 million, 14.6%. If
[29:50] you back off, we have right at
[29:51] 979,000 and, uh, ambulances,
[29:54] uh, towards those expenditures,
[29:56] you can see the operating is
[29:57] more in line with the revenues
[29:59] versus the expenditures for the
[30:00] EMS fund. Are there any
[30:02] questions with this report?
[30:04] Any questions? Okay. I have a
[30:08] motion to approve that. I hear
[30:12] a second motion and a second.
[30:14] Please vote. Thank you Michael.
[30:19] Thank you.
[30:20] I'll invite Russell Luck for
[30:21] the tax collection report. Good
[30:28] evening,
[30:28] Chairman Smith, commissioners
[30:29] manager Gallagher, this evening
[30:31] I present to you the July tax
[30:33] collection report. The fiscal
[30:34] year combined tax collection
[30:36] rate through July 31st for real
[30:38] and personal property was
[30:40] 5.90%. The combined rate one
[30:43] year ago for real and personal
[30:45] property was 9.19%. Um, July's
[30:48] collection rate it was a little
[30:50] lower due to the tax bills
[30:52] being mailed out about a week
[30:53] later than what they typically
[30:55] would be. However, I do expect
[30:57] those percentages to catch back
[30:59] up by the end of this month.
[31:01] Uh, tax Pitt County Tax
[31:02] Administration continues to
[31:03] pursue all outstanding taxes
[31:05] using the necessary remedies
[31:07] available through the North
[31:08] Carolina General Statutes. If
[31:10] there are any questions, I'm
[31:11] happy to answer them. If not,
[31:12] it's my recommendation to
[31:13] approve the July tax collection
[31:15] report as presented.
[31:18] A motion and a second. Please
[31:19] vote. Thank you. Russell. Madam
[31:22] manager, manager's report is
[31:24] next.
[31:25] Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[31:26] Members of the board. Um, your
[31:27] next meeting is in this room at
[31:29] 6 p.m., September 14th. And
[31:31] that is your only meeting for
[31:32] the month of September. We only
[31:34] meet once next month. Um,
[31:36] reminder for those attending
[31:37] the North Carolina Association
[31:39] of County Commissioners annual
[31:40] conference will be this
[31:42] Thursday through Saturday,
[31:43] August 20th to the 22nd in
[31:45] Durham, North Carolina. Also a
[31:47] reminder that on September 7th,
[31:50] um county offices will be
[31:51] closed in observance of Labor
[31:53] Day and then a save the date
[31:55] item for January 20th of 2027
[31:58] at 6 p.m.. Um, we are planning
[32:00] an ag Appreciation and
[32:02] awareness dinner through our
[32:03] Soil and Water office during
[32:05] your last um, commissioner
[32:07] comments, you also heard
[32:08] Commissioner Mary Perkins
[32:09] Williams, um, and Commissioner
[32:11] Weaver talk about some, um,
[32:13] products that they wanted to
[32:15] make, uh, raise awareness for
[32:17] our farmers and ag participants
[32:21] and in particular, one product
[32:24] that, um, was sponsored by a
[32:26] NATO partner nationwide that
[32:29] allows for legacy planning of
[32:31] farmland. Um, there are other
[32:33] companies who also provide that
[32:34] service. And so those companies
[32:37] would be invited to this ag
[32:39] appreciation and awareness
[32:41] dinner. We may invite them to
[32:42] sponsor if they so wish to
[32:44] sponsor part of the event, um,
[32:46] and then provide an opportunity
[32:48] for them to share information,
[32:50] um, about, um, preserving
[32:53] farmland into the future. At
[32:55] that event, I also want to make
[32:58] the board aware. I know you've
[32:59] heard a lot of conversation
[33:00] about property tax concerns
[33:04] and, um, constitutional
[33:06] amendments and steps that the
[33:07] General Assembly is going to
[33:08] take moving forward as it
[33:10] relates to property taxes and
[33:12] county's authority to levy the
[33:15] same. And so our North Carolina
[33:17] Association of County
[33:18] Commissioners are lobbying,
[33:19] organization, advocacy
[33:21] organization, has prepared a
[33:23] committee of 16 members for
[33:25] county managers, for tax
[33:27] administrators, for chief
[33:29] financial officers, and for
[33:31] county commissioners. Almost
[33:32] similar, if you recall, during
[33:34] the opioid settlement, they had
[33:35] the 555 committee, which was
[33:38] five attorneys, five managers
[33:39] and five commissioners. I just
[33:41] wanted to let you know that committee has been set up
[33:44] of the selected four managers
[33:45] from across the state to serve
[33:47] on that committee, and they
[33:48] asked that I participate. And
[33:50] so I'll be part of that. 4444
[33:53] committee. We will meet on
[33:55] Wednesdays, um, almost weekly
[33:58] until we reach a final
[33:59] presentation that will be made
[34:01] to the board of directors in
[34:03] October. And then the work of
[34:05] that committee will end. Um, so
[34:07] I wanted to let you know that will happen, and that I am
[34:11] glad to participate on it. Um,
[34:13] also from our North Carolina
[34:15] Association of County
[34:16] Commissioners, the director,
[34:18] Kevin Leonard, had prepared a
[34:20] very short video that I'd like
[34:22] to play for you now, um, making
[34:25] a legislative request regarding
[34:27] Snap benefits, if the Public
[34:30] Information Office would play
[34:31] that video.
[34:31] Hey, commissioners, let's talk
[34:33] about Snap. So right now
[34:35] Congress is finishing up their
[34:37] work before their summer
[34:38] recess. And if you haven't
[34:39] scheduled an appointment with
[34:41] your senator or your House
[34:42] member, be a great time to do
[34:43] that. And I would ask you to
[34:45] talk to them about snap. So in
[34:49] short, snap means Supplemental
[34:51] Nutrition Assistance programs
[34:53] and simply does two things.
[34:55] One, it helps people who need
[34:57] food assistance, and two, it
[35:00] helps American farmers and
[35:01] local grocery stores and and
[35:03] our economy. So why do I want
[35:06] you to talk about Snap with
[35:08] your member of Congress? So
[35:09] that's a little bit more
[35:10] complex. So the new H.R. one
[35:12] law that Congress passed last
[35:14] year. Well, it requires
[35:15] counties, our counties to meet
[35:17] new error rate standards in
[35:19] your DSS offices by the end of
[35:21] 2026. And if we don't, it means
[35:23] financial penalties on our
[35:25] counties. And honestly, it's
[35:27] going to be kind of hard to
[35:28] achieve. Don't get me wrong, we
[35:30] want to achieve them, but we
[35:32] need more time to do it. So
[35:34] here's the ask. When you meet
[35:36] with your member of Congress,
[35:38] please ask them to delay the
[35:40] implementation of the Snap
[35:42] error rate provisions. It will
[35:44] be helpful to counties. They're
[35:46] talking about it right now in
[35:48] the farm bill. So the timing is
[35:51] really important. There's a lot
[35:52] more detail that we can share
[35:54] with you about this. Hey. Hey,
[35:55] Kevin, why don't you tell them
[35:56] to check out the weekly and,
[35:58] uh, the information in the link
[36:00] below? Great idea. Kevin. Hey,
[36:03] thanks for your leadership.
[36:05] Thanks for your public service.
[36:07] And thanks for listening. Can
[36:09] we can we show our logo now?
[36:15] Um, so that's just a very brief
[36:17] overview of snap benefits and
[36:19] the ask from our association is
[36:21] that this board approve the
[36:23] chairman to sign a advocacy
[36:26] letter going to our
[36:27] congressional delegation asking
[36:29] them to delay H.R. one and
[36:31] implementation of that error
[36:34] rate penalty. Um, if the board
[36:36] is so inclined to do that, you
[36:38] can move now to direct that to
[36:41] happen. And we can have a
[36:41] letter prepared for you. Um,
[36:43] for the chairman's signature
[36:44] this week.
[36:46] Second.
[36:48] We got a motion and a second,
[36:49] please vote.
[36:58] Thank you. And then the last
[37:00] thing I have on your report is,
[37:02] um, after when we last met on
[37:05] this board authorized, um,
[37:07] county staff to move forward
[37:08] with the application of a FEMA
[37:11] grant to support the cost of
[37:13] repairs at Lake Glenwood Dam.
[37:16] Um, through, um, FEMA, um,
[37:21] mitigation funds, uh,
[37:23] administered through North
[37:25] Carolina's Department of Public
[37:26] Safety. Um, since then, I
[37:29] received an email from Jordan
[37:31] Pappas, um, who is with the
[37:34] North Carolina Department of
[37:35] Environmental Quality, making
[37:37] me aware that they have just
[37:39] opened another grant
[37:41] opportunity through FEMA funds.
[37:44] But through the North Carolina
[37:45] Department of Environmental
[37:47] Quality. Um, and this is
[37:49] specifically for repairs to
[37:51] high hazard dams. And so
[37:54] tonight, I'm seeking your
[37:55] approval. Um, to go ahead and
[37:57] apply for this in addition to
[37:59] the other FEMA grant that we
[38:01] have applied for. Michael
[38:03] Hardee has been leading the
[38:04] charge on completing those
[38:05] applications. He did reach out
[38:08] to both entities and confirmed
[38:09] that we can apply for both at
[38:10] the same time. He also learned,
[38:13] um, that for this most recent
[38:16] one, under NC Dec, there's
[38:19] $11.4 million available for the
[38:22] entire country. Um, and so we
[38:25] are probably more likely to
[38:27] receive funds under the first
[38:29] grant opportunity, but you
[38:31] never know. And we don't want
[38:33] to leave anything unasked. So
[38:36] if the board is so inclined to
[38:38] direct that we apply for this
[38:40] grant, we can go ahead and do
[38:42] so.
[38:43] From.
[38:44] We've got a motion and a
[38:45] second. Please vote. Okay.
[38:55] Thank you. That's all that I
[38:56] have.
[38:56] Thank you, Madam Manager. We'll
[38:57] move the items for consent.
[38:59] Uh, second.
[39:00] Okay. We got a motion and a
[39:02] second. For items with consent,
[39:03] please vote. Okay. Thank you.
[39:09] And we'll move on to items for
[39:12] decision. I can get back to
[39:15] where I was at. Uh, Florida.
[39:17] Come on up. You got the first
[39:19] one. Personnel ordinance.
[39:22] Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And
[39:23] good evening to all of you. In
[39:25] your package, you have a copy
[39:27] of the county's personnel
[39:28] ordinance that shows some edits
[39:30] that we need to make with the
[39:32] independent consolidation of
[39:33] social services and the public
[39:35] health department, effective
[39:37] October 1st, uh, the personnel
[39:39] ordinance has to be updated to
[39:40] remove language that references
[39:42] the Office of State Human
[39:43] Resources and its governance
[39:45] over the employees in both of
[39:46] those agencies. If you accept
[39:48] that the amendments would be
[39:50] effective, like I said on
[39:51] October 1st of this year. Um,
[39:53] once the consolidation is set,
[39:55] I've given you a list of the
[39:56] sections that we need to make
[39:57] the updates in. Hopefully
[39:59] you've had a chance to see it.
[40:00] Uh, section three. Section
[40:02] nine, 23, 68, 74, 161 and 171.
[40:06] So those are the sections with
[40:08] the edits. If you have any
[40:09] questions, if not, I would ask
[40:12] that you. Thank you very much.
[40:15] Thank any questions. We got a
[40:16] motion and a second. Any
[40:17] questions for Florida? Okay.
[40:20] All right. Let's vote. Thank
[40:27] you. Okay. Thank you.
[40:29] Mr. Chairman. Since this is an
[40:31] ordinance and since you do not
[40:33] have a full board, we'll bring
[40:34] it back as an item for consent
[40:36] for its second reading at your
[40:37] next meeting.
[40:38] Okay, great.
[40:39] Thank you. All right. Final
[40:40] design of the EMS station. Can.
[40:47] Good evening, Mr. Chairman.
[40:48] Commissioners, County manager
[40:50] here tonight to request
[40:52] approval to move forward with
[40:53] the site specific designs and
[40:54] bidding for a new Pitt County
[40:56] EMS station at the county
[40:57] office park as part of the 2020
[41:01] 627 fiscal year capital
[41:03] Improvement Plan. The Board of
[41:04] Commissioners approved funding
[41:06] for new new EMS station in
[41:09] 2024. Uh, the board approved
[41:14] for us to go out with an RFQ
[41:16] for design for a new EMS
[41:18] station. Uh, in 2024, we
[41:21] selected BW architecture to
[41:24] develop an EMS station designed
[41:25] to meet the operational needs
[41:27] of the Pitt County EMS
[41:28] Department. This, uh, this
[41:32] prototype design is not site
[41:34] specific. We had them build a
[41:36] basic generic plan so we could
[41:38] adopt it to any site in the
[41:40] county of wherever we decided
[41:41] to build one, uh, emergency
[41:44] management continually reviews
[41:46] data related to the EMS system
[41:47] to identify trends and
[41:49] determine where additional
[41:50] resources may be needed. Data
[41:52] has shown a steady over year increase in the EMS
[41:56] call volume, and Government
[41:58] Circle area, including the
[41:59] industrial park, the airport
[42:01] area, NC 33 old River road
[42:04] corridor and surrounding areas.
[42:06] The increased call volume has
[42:08] placed additional strain on the
[42:09] two ambulances currently
[42:10] stationed north of the river.
[42:12] When these units are dispatched
[42:13] to the Government Circle area,
[42:15] the geographical distance and
[42:17] limited coverage options can
[42:19] leave areas such as Bethel,
[42:20] Clarks Neck and Stokes without
[42:22] ambulance coverage for extended
[42:24] periods of time. The increased,
[42:27] uh, the continued increase in
[42:29] call volume and the Government
[42:30] Circle area has highlighted the
[42:32] need to evaluate EMS coverage
[42:34] in this region to ensure
[42:36] adequate response times and
[42:38] maintain reliable ambulance
[42:39] coverage throughout the
[42:40] northern portion of the county.
[42:43] So the proposed contract with
[42:46] BW architecture will include
[42:47] finalizing the building plans
[42:49] based on the site selected,
[42:52] completing the necessary site
[42:54] designs, providing contract
[42:55] administration services
[42:57] throughout the construction
[42:58] process. These services will
[43:00] include bidding, responding to
[43:01] RFI, conducting monthly
[43:03] progress meetings, reviewing
[43:05] payment applications, and
[43:07] completing the final punch
[43:08] list, and overseeing the
[43:10] project. Closeout. Tonight, I'm
[43:12] asking the board to authorize
[43:14] the county manager to execute a
[43:15] contract with BW architect not
[43:17] to exceed $97,000 to finalize
[43:21] the site specific plans and
[43:22] proceed with the bidding for
[43:23] the new county EMS station.
[43:27] Okay. Thank you. It's a
[43:28] pleasure to board.
[43:28] Motion.
[43:30] Okay. We got a motion on a
[43:32] second. Please vote. Okay.
[43:38] Thank you. Thank you, Madam
[43:39] Manager. Do you have the next
[43:40] one to reappointment?
[43:41] Yes. It is being suggested that
[43:43] this board reappoint Clayton
[43:45] South to the Greenville
[43:46] Planning and Zoning Commission.
[43:49] What's the pleasure? Got a
[43:50] motion on here a second. Okay.
[43:52] Please vote. All right. I will
[44:00] start from my left.
[44:01] Commissioner. Man. Do you have
[44:02] any comments? We do have a
[44:03] closed session.
[44:04] Yes, sir. Uh, just one thing on
[44:07] the plate with, uh, Dan, when
[44:11] we have an opinion from DQ or
[44:14] whatever of what direction you
[44:16] should go, there. I mean, I
[44:20] think that's, you know, we're
[44:22] talking about getting funds to
[44:25] build a damn good conversation
[44:27] about returning it to without,
[44:31] you know, decommissioning,
[44:32] delay. Uh, I feel in need of
[44:36] some expert opinion from a
[44:39] hydrologist or whatever they
[44:41] call the folks that study that
[44:42] kind of thing about water and, uh, a the watershed to
[44:47] make a recommendation of what
[44:49] we should do regardless of the
[44:51] cost. I just wanted to mention
[44:54] that and see if we can. But
[44:56] that's not actually being done
[44:58] at this point.
[44:59] It is not. Should I answer it?
[45:02] Yes. Yes. It is not actually
[45:04] being done at this point. Um,
[45:05] when we consider the various
[45:07] alternatives, one of the
[45:08] alternatives would have been,
[45:10] um, to secure an engineer's
[45:13] design of a decommission for
[45:15] submission to DEQ for
[45:17] consideration and approval. Um,
[45:19] the board instead voted to move
[45:22] forward with um seeking the
[45:24] grant funding to pursue the
[45:25] repair pursuant to the design
[45:28] that already exists. But we do
[45:30] not have, um, nor have we
[45:32] brought to you a presentation
[45:34] from DEQ. If they would do one.
[45:37] Um, about what they think the
[45:40] you should do in terms of
[45:42] repairing or decommissioning.
[45:44] Um, we have heard, um, some
[45:47] conversation from LGB, our
[45:51] architect, that there is a
[45:53] chance that DEQ might not
[45:55] approve a decommission at all.
[45:58] Then there was some
[45:59] conversation that DEQ would
[46:01] approve a decommission, but it
[46:03] would have to be pursuant to a
[46:05] design that may or may not have
[46:07] a different, um, cost impact.
[46:10] Right. It was unknown as to
[46:12] what the parameters of that
[46:13] cost would be. But no, we do
[46:15] not have pending, nor have we
[46:16] brought for you an opinion from
[46:19] DEQ about whether it should be
[46:21] decommissioned or repaired.
[46:23] What we do know is that we are
[46:25] under a notice of violation
[46:27] with a directive to repair.
[46:31] , and I understand all that.
[46:34] I'm just saying from my point
[46:35] of view, I don't have enough
[46:38] information to actually decide
[46:40] whether a dam and a maintaining
[46:43] the lake is the best choice,
[46:45] because there's going to be
[46:46] more development. I've talked
[46:47] to people, you know, in the
[46:50] area out there, and there's
[46:52] pros and cons about the whole
[46:53] thing. And, uh, so, um, I just
[46:58] would like to have some
[47:01] information from the expert who
[47:04] studies the whole watershed
[47:05] issue. I mean, we have a
[47:06] southeastern drainage district.
[47:08] I don't know if they have
[47:10] contact with somebody that can
[47:11] give us just a, you know, to
[47:14] help guide that decision,
[47:16] whether to replace a dam
[47:18] because you're still talking
[47:19] about having to release water.
[47:21] And we've in since we actually
[47:24] met. I think, you know, have
[47:26] we've had information about,
[47:28] uh, how they, when hurricanes
[47:30] are coming, they drained they
[47:32] drained the lake. Well, you
[47:35] know, as, as there's no
[47:36] pressure put on that waterway,
[47:39] uh, is that going to be
[47:40] sufficient? Because I think
[47:42] this dam is designed to release
[47:43] water to maintain a certain
[47:45] level, but is that really the
[47:49] safest thing to do?
[47:50] So what I might so what I might
[47:52] suggest, if it's the desire of
[47:54] the board, would be to bring,
[47:56] um, our engineer from LG be
[47:59] present to answer those types
[48:01] of questions. So, um, Ken,
[48:03] please remind me his name.
[48:05] Sherab sir. And his last name.
[48:09] Not sure. Um, Sarab with L. JB
[48:13] has been working with us for
[48:15] the over the last several
[48:16] months. He has been our point
[48:17] of contact. Um, when we reached
[48:20] out about, um, decommissioning,
[48:22] and he's been. LGB has been
[48:25] part of the lake Glenwood dam.
[48:28] Uh, evolution for a large
[48:30] number of years. I think they
[48:32] would, given their expertise,
[48:35] um, be in the best position to
[48:37] answer the questions you're
[48:38] asking. Um, if it's the will of
[48:40] the board for me to schedule
[48:42] them to come to a future
[48:43] meeting.
[48:44] And I would appreciate that for
[48:46] myself, because I think we've
[48:47] had a lot of conversation about
[48:48] the cost of this or that, but
[48:50] we haven't talked about what's
[48:52] really the best thing to do,
[48:53] regardless of the cost. That's
[48:55] kind of I'd like to hear. I
[48:56] would like to hear from some
[48:58] experts that can give some
[48:59] recommendations to or something.
[49:02] Uh, I'm fine with that. My
[49:03] question is, Will, do you even
[49:06] give an opinion? I don't know,
[49:08] something like that.
[49:09] I don't believe so, but I think
[49:12] you could hear from LGB and
[49:14] they know exactly what DEQ will
[49:16] and won't do because they are
[49:17] so familiar with working with
[49:19] dam repairs. I don't think, um,
[49:22] DEQ.
[49:23] Is an engineer that has some
[49:24] expertise and can actually give
[49:27] us an opinion of is it better
[49:29] to build a dam or better to
[49:30] restore the old creek bed
[49:32] there?
[49:33] Yes. Engineers with specific
[49:35] expertise in dams and this
[49:38] particular problem.
[49:39] I would appreciate that because
[49:40] I just feel like that's a piece
[49:42] that I haven't got to to make
[49:45] it decision. Yes, to try to do
[49:47] the right thing.
[49:48] Yes. And we remain under
[49:49] contract with LGB. Um, as they
[49:52] continue to monitor this and,
[49:55] um, do the design and then they
[49:57] have to do the if we were to
[49:59] repair it, they would have to
[50:01] put the final engineer's seal
[50:02] that it was, um, constructed
[50:04] according to the engineered
[50:06] plans. And so we remain under
[50:08] contract with LGB, and I'm sure
[50:09] that we could ask them to come
[50:12] to a future meeting. Um, and
[50:15] present an item for report
[50:16] about what? Their design, um,
[50:19] is, why they designed it that
[50:21] way. And answer any questions
[50:23] the board may have about their
[50:25] design to repair or the
[50:26] alternative of decommissioning.
[50:29] Everybody good with that? Yeah.
[50:31] Okay.
[50:31] That would be good. Thank you,
[50:32] Mr. Chairman. I just.
[50:34] Yes.
[50:34] Sir.
[50:36] Commissioner Nunnally,
[50:39] Commissioner Floyd Huggins, Mr.
[50:41] McLaughlin.
[50:42] Yeah.
[50:42] I do have one. Uh, I've been
[50:45] reading a lot in the newspaper,
[50:47] and also I've had a couple of
[50:48] people called to my house a
[50:50] reference to the data data
[50:52] center. Uh, you you may have
[50:55] heard about that and then talk
[50:57] about the use of, uh, a lot of
[51:00] water and electricity and
[51:02] taking them away from the
[51:03] citizens of the county. Uh,
[51:05] what, uh, what is it? Uh, I was standing on that with
[51:10] Madam Manager in terms of, uh,
[51:12] what are you hearing about? If
[51:14] I could.
[51:15] Um, sure. So we actually had a
[51:17] good bit of discussion, um,
[51:19] about data centers and
[51:20] regulations at the Naco
[51:22] conference. Um, last month. And
[51:25] we are at the same time going
[51:27] through a process of developing
[51:29] a unified development
[51:30] ordinance. Um, you may recall a
[51:32] presentation from Jonas Hill,
[51:34] um, two meetings ago where we
[51:35] talked about what that would
[51:36] involve. Um, and part of that
[51:39] unified development ordinance
[51:41] would include, um, seeking
[51:45] input from community
[51:47] stakeholders, including members
[51:49] of the public and experts on
[51:51] areas that this board found to
[51:54] be of particular interest or
[51:56] concern, including data
[51:57] centers, solar farms, um, sand
[52:01] mines and the other areas that
[52:03] the board raised. When we had
[52:04] that discussion. And so we do
[52:07] not have any pending
[52:09] applications or any interest
[52:11] that's been brought to my
[52:12] attention directly. Um, for a
[52:15] data center, um, we are moving
[52:18] forward through the Unified
[52:19] Development Ordinance process,
[52:22] and expect to bring back, with
[52:24] the assistance of a consultant,
[52:26] um, feedback from a stakeholder
[52:29] group and recommendations on
[52:33] the best regulations for data
[52:35] centers, um, to address all of
[52:37] those issues that have been
[52:39] raised, noise, location, um,
[52:43] utility consumption and all of
[52:45] those things that have raised
[52:46] concerns. I think, um, where,
[52:49] um, there might be a pickle.
[52:52] Could be if you do receive an
[52:54] application before we complete
[52:56] that process. And that's within
[52:59] the purview of this board to
[53:01] apply your existing ordinance
[53:03] for, um, it's not called data
[53:06] centers. It's called it's
[53:08] Jonas. Still here? No, um, it
[53:10] is called, um, large scale data
[53:13] processing is what our
[53:15] ordinance calls it right now.
[53:16] So you would be, um, bound by
[53:19] your current ordinance and
[53:20] considering an application now?
[53:22] Um, but we, in the absence of
[53:25] any interest, it would be up to
[53:26] this board whether you wanted
[53:28] to consider a moratorium until
[53:29] the Unified Development
[53:30] Ordinance that was complete in
[53:32] the absence of an application,
[53:34] um, and with the existence of
[53:36] your current ordinance, I'm not
[53:38] sure that that's necessary, but
[53:40] certainly if it's something the
[53:41] board wanted to consider, we
[53:42] could look at a moratorium.
[53:45] Otherwise we would seek robust
[53:48] feedback and then incorporate
[53:50] that into the ordinance that's
[53:52] brought back through the
[53:53] planning department.
[53:56] One that I would like to say
[53:58] that the one concern that I've
[54:00] heard from farmers in my area
[54:03] is that the loss of farmland is
[54:06] concerning, and the fact that
[54:09] he County is a food study, I
[54:13] won't say desert because we
[54:15] still can't make a little crop
[54:17] somewhere, but we need to. We
[54:20] need to be a bit cognizant of
[54:23] how we and what we do with
[54:25] land, farmland and and the
[54:28] farmers are concerned about
[54:30] that. So, um, I, I am willing
[54:36] to hear any discussion, but,
[54:39] uh, they are pushing me about
[54:41] supporting, taking away
[54:43] farmland.
[54:47] Okay, give me a small one.
[54:49] Yeah, I would like to make a
[54:50] motion that we we tabled, uh,
[54:52] any concerns about the data
[54:53] center right now until we get
[54:55] more information, uh, uh,
[54:57] concerns about that.
[54:58] I second that, mister.
[55:01] Madam chairman.
[55:02] Is that a or are you.
[55:03] Asking to.
[55:03] Put a moratorium on it until we
[55:05] get the plan right? I.
[55:09] So I think there are procedural
[55:11] requirements that we'll have to
[55:12] comply with in order to enact
[55:14] the moratorium. But I think if
[55:16] we read that to bring back the
[55:19] procedural requirements
[55:21] necessary to invoke a
[55:23] moratorium, we can certainly
[55:25] take that as direction and
[55:26] bring that back to the board
[55:28] for formal consideration after
[55:29] we follow the process without
[55:31] looking at it. Matt, do you
[55:32] know, off the top of your head,
[55:32] do we need I think there's
[55:33] formal notice that's required
[55:35] before you can, um, effectuate
[55:37] a moratorium. Um, and certain
[55:39] language and resolutions that
[55:40] would need to be adopted.
[55:42] Mr. chair, maybe a friendly
[55:45] modification and just a motion
[55:47] to request that staff prepare a
[55:49] report of our current
[55:50] ordinance. And also what the
[55:52] options are pending, the
[55:54] unified. And maybe we do that
[55:55] at our next meeting. Um, so
[55:58] that we're in order
[55:59] procedurally. Would you be okay
[56:03] with that, Commissioner? Just a
[56:05] friendly amendment to the to
[56:07] the motion.
[56:09] What would you accept? The
[56:10] friendly amendment?
[56:12] Yes.
[56:12] sir.
[56:13] Okay.
[56:14] So just so I understand, bring
[56:15] back the current ordinance.
[56:16] and, um, and
[56:19] then and then consider whatever
[56:22] procedural posture we need to
[56:24] be in to consider such a, such
[56:26] a move, if that's what the
[56:27] board would like to.
[56:29] Do, you need to vote on that or
[56:31] just need a consensus to on
[56:33] that.
[56:33] Consensus to bring it back is
[56:35] fine.
[56:35] I don't think we need a vote on
[56:37] that.
[56:37] And I can bring that back for
[56:38] your next meeting. Okay.
[56:40] All right. That's good. Mr.
[56:43] McLaughlin. Anything else?
[56:44] No, sir.
[56:45] Okay, Commissioner Weaver.
[56:46] No, sir.
[56:47] Commissioner Brown.
[56:49] Yes? I just want to say
[56:50] congratulations to Madam
[56:51] Manager for being selected on
[56:52] the property tax Committee. And
[56:54] since we will not meet until
[56:56] after Labor Day, happy Labor
[56:57] Day to everyone.
[57:00] Doing.
[57:01] Anything else.
[57:01] Commission motion to adjourn.
[57:03] We got a closed session. Okay,
[57:08] we'll make the motion to go
[57:09] into closed session.
[57:10] And I may read the bass
[57:12] briefly. It's been suggested
[57:13] that this body go into closed
[57:14] session under the following
[57:15] grounds one to consult with an
[57:16] attorney employee to retain by
[57:17] the public body in order to
[57:19] preserve attorney client
[57:20] privilege under control.
[57:21] Statute 143 through 1883, which
[57:24] privilege is hereby
[57:25] acknowledged to to establish or
[57:27] instruct the public body staff
[57:28] concerning the position to be
[57:29] taken by or on behalf of the
[57:30] public body, for the
[57:31] acquisition of rural property
[57:32] under North Carolina Statute
[57:34] 143 through 181185, and three,
[57:36] to prevent the disclosure of
[57:37] information that is not
[57:38] considered a public record
[57:40] under North Carolina General
[57:41] Statute 1433 1810. And now the.
[57:43] Motion okay, we want to make
[57:46] that motion again, go in closed
[57:47] session.
[57:48] Yes. Motion to go into closed
[57:50] session.
[57:50] Okay. Go here a second. Got a
[57:51] second? Let's vote please.
[57:53] Okay. We'll tell her.
[57:54] Thank you.
[57:57] We'll need the reporter to step
[57:59] outside.
[2:00:03] We're coming back in the open.
[2:00:07] Yeah. Raise your.
[2:00:08] Hand.
[2:00:24] Okay. Welcome back. I have a
[2:00:28] motion.
[2:00:28] I'd like to make a motion to
[2:00:29] approve the closed session
[2:00:31] minutes for August 3rd.
[2:00:33] Second.
[2:00:33] We got a motion on a second.
[2:00:34] Please vote. And I'll entertain
[2:00:41] a motion to adjourn. I've got a
[2:00:45] motion on a second to adjourn.
[2:00:50] All right. Thank you.