99 MINUTES FROM THE MONTHLY MEETING HELD BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE COUNTY OF WARREN IN THE WARREN COUNTY ARMORY CIVIC CENTER, MEETING ROOM ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 AT 6:00 PM. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Victor Hunt. Other Commissioners present: Bertadean Baker, Tare Davis, Jennifer Pierce and Walter Powell. Others in attendance: County Manager Robert Davie, Finance Director Gloria Edmonds and Interim County Attorney Hassan Kingsberry. Special Recognitions were made as follows: NC Cooperative Extension Service Director and staff presented Award in Recognition of Outstanding Partnership through Commitment of Resources, Inclusiveness in County Government, Advocacy & Involvement to the Board of County Commissioners. Chairman Hunt and fellow Board members presented award for Exemplary Service on the NCACC Board of Directors Justice & Public Safety Steering Committee to Commissioner Tare Davis who served as that committees chairman for 2016-2017. Swearing-In Ceremony for Interim Warren County Attorney Hassan Kingsberry was conducted. A moment of silence was observed. On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Baker and duly carried by unanimous vote, September 11, 2017 Suggested Agenda was adopted. Citizen Comments were as follows: Michael Williams American History Teacher at Warren New Tech High School, a Warren County Teacher of the Year, statement was made regarding discussions around events in Charlottesville, TN. American Historical Society released or endorsed statement regarding monuments (statement on file in clerk s office). Lamont Dozier - Monument, 1 month ago attack in Charlottesville centered around confederate monument. There are 100s perhaps 1000s of symbols not erected to commemorate civil war but erected around KKK coming back to the south. Law does not protect the monument (statement on file in clerk s office) Travis Packer Confederate statute, sympathetic to those who wish to remain silent but statute represents a false choice. What is our choice about the future of this community, urged authority to take steps to remove monument from courthouse square. We lose humanity when we explain to our children why there is a confederate soldier on courthouse square. Don Carson Spoke in reference to agenda item In God We Trust on County Buildings. This country was founded on Freedom of religion, the US constitution guarantees that right. Bill of rights created to protect liberty. It is not the business of government to promote religion. US Motto action committee website promotes Christian Heritage, using government buildings to promote religion. This is an effort for government endorsement of a particular religion. Consider the beliefs and rights of all people. Bob Pridgen born and raised in Warren County, would like to see the confederate monument remain where it is. County has possibility to be a shining light through this. Courthouse square is used for diverse celebrations: Sept 16 th African American celebration, WWI & WWII commemorations. Haliwa Saponi tribe celebrates. Dennis Paschall EM Director today is 9-11, day has been established officially as Emergency Responders Day in NC, General Assembly took action 2017. John Stanton Representing Bluegrass Mountain Subdivision, complaining about the roads (dirt roads in disrepair) it s been a problem for a long time. Hard on buses, needs county to assist in paving. Earlene Suite Henderson spoke concerning the confederate monument; has lived in Warrenton all her life, was part of the integration movement. Be true to justice; justice and change happens slowly. Take it down, it will be healing for Warren County James Henderson Grew up in Warren County in a segregated system, all he knew growing up but knew it was not right. Statute is humiliating, needs to come down. Come to the courthouse and expect justice, it symbolizes slave master justice. Hassan Kingsberry Interim County Attorney s Comments regarding Confederate Statue Removal: The Warren County Board of Commissioners thanks you all for your comments and concerns regarding the possible removal of the Confederate statue in the Courthouse Square in Warrenton, North Carolina. Over the past couple weeks, we have received numerous calls and have researched the issue accordingly. As we have seen in the news and media, the issue of possible removal of Confederate Monuments has been in the forefront in our State and in the Southeast after the events in Charlottesville, VA. Even our Governor has sought direction after demonstrators have protested in Chapel Hill for the removal of Silent Sam on UNC s campus. As we have seen, even the Governor has had no authority to order removal of Silent Sam due to North Carolina General Statute 100.2.1, which prohibits the removal
100 of objects of remembrance on public property. There are limited exceptions under which objects of remembrance, such as the Confederate monument in Warrenton s Courthouse square, can be removed, but at this time the monument does not fall under any of those exceptions. Local government has no authority to make a law to remove the monument or to remove the monument and must abide by the controlling state statute. The only way to undo the state statute is for the Legislature to pass another statute repealing or replacing the law or for federal law to preempt N.C.G.S 100.2.1. Our Board of Commissioner have sought direction and advice from our N.C. General Assembly members State Senator Angela Bryant and Representative Terry Garrison on how to adequately address citizen concerns. Yet, at this time, the Warren County Board of Commissioners cannot take any action regarding the Confederate Memorial in Warrenton s Courthouse Square. Thank You. carried by unanimous vote, Minutes of August 7 th regular monthly meeting and August 16 th work session were adopted as presented. carried by unanimous vote, Interest Income Report for July 2017 was accepted as information only: carried by unanimous vote, Tax Collector s Report for July 2017 in accordance with NCGS 105-350 was adopted for information only:
101 carried by unanimous vote, Tax Release Requests over $100 were approved in accordance with NCGS 105-381 Taxpayer s Remedies : County Manager approved Tax Releases Under $100 were accepted for informational purposes: On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Pierce and duly carried by unanimous vote, Resolution for Asset Inventory Assessment for Water Supply, Treatment and Distribution System Grant Authorization was adopted. Chairman Hunt was authorized to sign resolution.
carried by unanimous vote, NC DEQ Grant Loan Application to Construct Wastewater Collection System at Pleasant Hill Pump Station Replacement Grant Authorization by Resolution was adopted. Chairman Hunt was authorized to sign resolution. 102
103 carried by unanimous vote, the Economic Development Office was authorized to seek Recertification of Triangle North Warren County Industrial Site in Soul City. Funding source: Triangle North. carried by unanimous vote, Resolution Declaring Surplus Property and authorizing internet based auction and/or disposal of same was adopted. Chairman Hunt was authorized to sign the resolution:
104 On motion of Commissioner Baker, which was seconded by Commissioner Pierce and duly carried by unanimous vote, Resolution Conveying Personal Property by Private Sale to Lakeland Cultural Arts Center/Theatre Group was adopted. Chairman Hunt was authorized to sign the resolution: On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Baker and duly carried by unanimous vote, the appointment of Dr. Brian Krakover as Medical Director for Warren County EMS in accordance with 10A NCAC 13P.0401 Medical Oversight for EMS Systems through existing contract with Vigilint was approved, effective October 1, 2017. carried by unanimous vote, Commissioner Walter Powell was appointed as primary representative on the KERR TAR Transportation (RPO TAC/TCC) Committee with Commissioner Jordan-Pierce serving as alternate. Terms effective: September 11, 2017 to December 31, 2018.
105 On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Powell and duly carried by unanimous vote, Angelena Kearney-Dunlap was authorized to serve on the NC Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. carried by unanimous vote, the annual renewal of NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services FY 2017-18 Forestry Contract was approved with allocations as follows, with Chairman Hunt authorized to sign Contract. NC State funds: $176,322 (60%) Warren County funds: $117,548 (40% included in FY 2017-18 adopted budget. On motion of Commissioner Pierce, which was seconded by Commissioner Baker and duly carried by unanimous vote, $6,000 Halifax Helps, Inc. grant application was approved with the following authorized to sign application: Chairman Hunt, Finance Officer Edmonds, Committee Chairperson Commissioner Pierce and attested by Clerk to the Board Kearney- Dunlap. carried by unanimous vote, Easement granting Frontier Natural Gas Company, A North Carolina Corporation (Party of the 2 nd part) access to Dollar General Store under construction at intersection of Bragg and Macon Streets, for a natural gas line to cross property of the Old Jail, was approved. Chairman Hunt was authorized to sign Easement.
106 COMMISSIONER / COUNTY MANAGER UPDATES County Manager Robert Davie Commissioner Davis questioned the condition of John Graham gym floor and stated we have a good Emergency Management team in Warren County, expressed gratitude to EMS. Commissioner Baker EMS board met Friday, very interesting meeting. Commissioner Pierce Thursday was Parks & Recreation Committee meeting, did not qualify for PARTF grant, the grant process is becoming more competitive, matching funds will be used to develop a Parks & Recreation master plan. Saturday Sept 16 th Litter Sweep event. Please put it on your Facebook page, last meeting for Litter Sweep is Sept 12 th at 5:45 pm.
107 On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Baker and duly carried by unanimous vote, it was ordered to enter into CLOSED SESSION in accordance with NCGS 143-318.11(a)(1)(5)&(6) for Attorney/Client privilege; to establish, or to instruct the public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in negotiations and for personnel matters. On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Powell and duly carried by unanimous vote, it was ordered to return to the regular meeting. On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Baker and duly carried by unanimous vote, it was ordered to table action on Agenda Item 5 Request from US Motto Action Committee to Place In God We Trust on County Buildings. carried by unanimous vote, September 11, 2017 Board of Commissioners meeting was adjourned. MINUTES FROM A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 AT 6:30 PM IN THE WARREN COUNTY ARMORY CIVIC CENTER, MEETING ROOM, WARRENTON, NC. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Victor Hunt. Other commissioners present: Bertadean Baker, Tare Davis, Jennifer Pierce and Walter Powell. Others in attendance: County Manager Robert Davie, Finance Director Gloria Edmonds and Interim County Attorney Hassan Kingsberry. On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Powell and duly carried by unanimous vote, September 25, 2017 Special meeting agenda was adopted as presented. On motion of Commissioner Davis, which was seconded by Commissioner Baker and duly carried by unanimous vote, Resolution Authorizing Grant/Loan Application to Finance Construction of Water Distribution System related to Kerr Lake Regional Water System, was adopted. Chairman Hunt was authorized to sign Resolution
108 (Resolution authorizing loan and/or grant application to aid eligible unit of government in financing the cost of construction of drinking water treatment works): On motion of Commissioner Pierce, which was seconded by Commissioner Davis and duly carried by unanimous vote, Resolution Authorizing Financing of Construction/Rehabilitation of Water System related to Kerr Lake Regional Water System was adopted. Chairman Hunt was authorized to sign Resolution.
109 (Resolution to arrange financing for construction of and/or rehabilitation to water distribution system.) With no further business to discuss September 25, 2017 Special Meeting was adjourned on motion of Commssioner Davis, which was seconded by Commisioner Baker and duly carried by unanimous vote at 7pm.