060721June 7, 2021
The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. in the 1909
Randolph County Historic Courthouse Meeting Room, 145 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC.
Chairman Darrell Frye, Vice -Chairman David Allen, Commissioner Kenny Kidd, Commissioner
Maxton McDowell, and Commissioner Hope Haywood were present. Also present were County
Manager Hal Johnson, Finance Officer Will Massie, County Attorney Ben Morgan, Deputy Clerk
to the Board Sarah Pack, and Clerk to the Board Dana Crisco. Chaplain Michael Mabe gave the
invocation and everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was live streamed on
Facebook and YouTube.
Special Recognition
Elizabeth Mitchell recognized the 2021 Governor's Service Award Winners.
Public Comment Period
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 153A-52.1, Chairman Frye opened the floor for public comment and
closed it after everyone wishing to speak had done so.
Beverly Mooney, 506 Parks Crossroads Church Road, Ramseur, and her husband are the
owners and operators of Millstone Creek Orchard. She asked for guidance on establishing beer
and wine sales in the unincorporated areas of the county. Additional revenue from beer and wine
sales could help to sustain their profits, particularly in the tough seasons. Her goal is to obtain the
same alcohol laws across the county. She enjoys being a part of the community and thanked the
Board for their time.
Commissioner Kidd asked Ms. Mooney to explain how a vendor can sell alcohol on her
property. Ms. Mooney said that vendors in an incorporated area can get licenses in the city that
will allow them to sell in unincorporated areas. This means they can sell on her property, but she
can't. This does not apply to food trucks; rather, it would be a caterer or alcohol vendor.
Vice -Chairman Allen said that Ms. Mooney and her staff do a great job running their farm.
Consent Agenda
On motion of Allen, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Consent
Agenda as presented, as follows:
• approve Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes of May 3, 2021;
• reappoint Karen Martin and William Neely to the Randolph County Aging
Services Planning Committee;
• appoint Rhonda Moffitt and Teresa Jackson to replace Lois Bohnsack and Bob
Cleveland on the Randolph County Aging Services Planning Committee;
• appoint Dr. Drew Maerz and Toni Welch to replace Jordi Roman and Lisa Stern
on the Randolph County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council;
• reappoint Edwina Ashworth, Leah Burnette, Lewis Dorsett, Wendy Kennon,
Sarah Lanier, Greg Patton, Jonathan Sermon, David Wall, Tammy Bennett, and
Andrew Weiner to the Randolph County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council;
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• elect Chairman Frye as Voting Delegate for NACo Annual Conference in July;
• approve Budget Amendment -Juvenile Detention ($35, 000), as. follows:
2020-2021 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment # 60
Revenues Increase Decrease
Appropriations Increase Decrease
Other Public Safety Appropriations $35, 000
Public Buildings $35,000
• approve Bud,�,,et Amendment -Elections -HA VA Grant ($16,489), as follows:
2020-2021 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment # 61
Revenues
Increase
Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental
$16,489
Increase Decrease
Appropriations
Increase
Decrease
Elections
$16,489
• approve Budget Amendment -Emergency Telephone System Fund ($2,994), as
follows:
2020-2021 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment # 62
Revenues
Increase Decrease
Appropriated Fund Balance
$2,994
Appropriations
Increase Decrease
Transfer to Emergency Telephone
System Fund
$2,994
2020-2021 Budget Ordinance
Emergency Telephone System Fund—Budget Amendment # 62
Revenues Increase
Decrease
Trans er rom General Fund $2,994
Appropriations Increase
Decrease
E-911 System $2,994
• reappoint Dr. Andrew Sykes to the RCC Board of Trustees;
• reappoint Donald Strider to the Seagrove-UlahMetropolitan Water District;
• approve Budget Amendment -Juvenile Day Reporting Center ($24, 000), as
follows:
2020-2021 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment # 63
Revenues Increase Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental $24,000
Appropriations Increase Decrease
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Juvenile Day Reporting Center $24,000
approve Budget Amendment -Boys and Girls Club ($37,100), as follows:
2020-2021 Budget Ordinance
General Fund—Budget Amendment # 64
Revenues
Increase
Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental
$37,100
Appropriations
Increase
Decrease
Juvenile Day Reporting Center
$37,100
$9
• reappoint Sarah Beth Robbins to the Regional Partnership Workforce
Development Board;
• approve the FY21-22 Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Certification;
• reappoint Alice Dawson and Christine Caviness to the Randolph County Nursing
Home Community Advisory Committee;
• approve Budget Amendment -Randolph Community College Capital Project #15,
as follows:
Randolph Community College Capital Project Fund—
Budget Amendment # 15
Revenues
Increase
Decrease
Appropriations
Increase
Decrease
Construction
$9
Professional Services
$2,535
Equipment
$2,544
Introduction of New Public Health Director
Marty Trotter, Randolph County Board of Health Chairman, introduced Tara Aker as the new
Public Health Director. He thanked County Manager Hal Johnson for his guidance during the
recruitment and selection process. He shared Ms. Aker's professional history with the Board. The
interview with Ms. Aker was one of the best Mr. Trotter had ever seen. Ms. Aker is involved in a
number of boards, councils, and other community groups. Ms. Aker has been exposed to all areas
of Public Health due to her prior position as Assistant Local Health Director.
Ms. Aker thanked Mr. Trotter and the Board. She thanked former Health Director Susan Hayes
and said there is an awesome team at Public Health. She is excited about the opportunity and
thanked the Board for their support.
Commissioner Haywood said that the Board of Health was committed to finding the best, most
highly qualified candidate. There were four candidates interviewed. Ms. Aker's interview proved
her to be the most highly qualified candidate. Her experience was very valuable in her ability to
respond to questions. She was familiar with every component of Public Health. Commissioner
Haywood paid tribute to the leadership that influenced and prepared Ms. Aker prior to her
promotion to this position.
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Chairman Frye thanked Ms. Aker for her commitment to Randolph County. He thanked Ms.
Hayes for all of her direction and guidance as well.
Sandhills Center Annual Update
Victoria Whitt, Chief Executive Officer of the Sandhills Center, thanked the Board for
appointing Vice -Chairman Allen to the Sandhills Center Board. She presented the Sandhills
Center Annual Update. There is no additional funding requested for the seventeenth year in a row.
$844,000 is the amount requested. All of that money stays in Randolph County. The funding goes
to support indigent care at Daymark Recovery. A partnership has also been established with
Randolph County Schools and the Randolph County Detention Center. Ms. Whitt explained that
the "dip" in the number of the people served is due to the delay in getting telehealth services due
to the pandemic. This change is not unique to Randolph County. Crisis Intervention Training will
be held in November. This training is available to first responders in the county.
Ms. Whitt described the progress on the new Sandhills Center facility. She explained the new
facility design and its relationship to services provided. Ms. Whitt also discussed several programs
that are opening soon and others that are ongoing, including Medicaid transformation changes.
Chairman Frye clarified the appointment process for an upcoming board vacancy.
Vice -Chairman Allen said he appreciated the work that Ms. Whitt and her staff do.
Commissioner Haywood clarified the date of an upcoming program. Ms. Whitt said this
program is designed to provide "whole -person care" for those with more severe mental and
behavioral health issues.
AOn2 Services Bid
Mark Hensley, Randolph Senior Adults Association Executive Director, presented a bid for
Aging Services. He reviewed the specifics of the Block Grant contract. He described which
services would be provided by Aging Services and Regional Consolidated Services.
On motion of McDowell, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
Second -Year Bids and the FY21-22 Fund Allocation with Randolph Senior Adults and Regional
Consolidated Services.
Planning Board Matters
Planning Director Jay Dale described the two Senate bills that are referred to in the proposed
resolutions. He explained the effect that this legislation would have on local government.
Chairman Frye said the sanctity of neighborhoods would be gone if this legislation passes.
Commissioner McDowell said this legislation would be a disaster.
Chairman Frye said the Triad Board of Realtors voted in support of the bills.
Commissioner Haywood said these bills would take away local control.
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On motion of McDowell, seconded by Allen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
Resolution Opposing SB3491HB401 as follows:
RESOLUTION OPPOSING SENATE BILL 349MOUSE BILL 401
WHEREAS, the legislation proposed in Senate Bill 349/House Bill 401, Increase Housing
Opportunities, is ofgreat concern to the County ofRandolph and other local governments within
North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, provisions within this legislation would severely diminish or even eliminate the
ability of local government to determine what is best for its community or even allow community
input or involvement in the decision-making process; and
WHEREAS, development would become uncontrolled and reckless with little to no regard for
property owners' rights, not to mention the added stress and demand on a local government's
infrastructure which would eventually lead to declining property values; and
WHEREAS, county officials were elected by their citizens for a reason -to protect and preserve
the quality of life that they have come to enjoy; and
WHEREAS, residents could not enjoy a safe and secure, clean and well -kept environment with
plenty of amenities offered, if it were not for the efforts put forth by its elected officials and county
staff in utilizing effective and proven zoning processes that include community input; and
WHEREAS, a one -size -fits -all approach to land use is radical, reckless, and irrational -a
blatant attack on local land -use decision-making; and
WHEREAS, uniform legislation for all local governments under one statewide zoning mandate
would eliminate the single-family zoning designation and allow multi family housing in every
neighborhood with no minimum parking requirements in place to ensure adequate parking for all;
and
WHEREAS, increased housing does not guarantee more affordable housing nor does this
legislation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Randolph County Board of Commissioners
opposes Senate Bill 349/House Bill 401.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution are sent to our legislative
delegation and to the leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly to stop Senate Bill
349/House Bill 401 from becoming law and to work together to find real ways to advance
affordable housing opportunities.
On motion of McDowell, seconded by Allen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
Resolution Opposing SB455 as follows:
RESOLUTION OPPOSING SENATE BILL 455
WHEREAS, the legislation proposed in Senate Bill 455, An Act to Decriminalize Non -Statutory
Criminal Offenses and Violations, is of great concern to Randolph County and other local
governments within North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the proposed bill would prohibit criminal enforcement of local ordinances and
change violations to an infraction punishable by no more than a $50 fine; and
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WHEREAS, criminal penalties are an effective tool for local governments in enforcing
ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the enforcement of criminal penalties is not abused, nor applied recklessly or
carelessly; and
WHEREAS, a conviction of an infraction and $50 fine is not an effective deterrent for those
who violate county ordinances.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Randolph County Board of Commissioners
opposes Senate Bill 455.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution are sent to our legislative
delegation and to the leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly to stop SB 455 from
becoming law.
Chairman Frye asked if there would be changes to the land use policy. Mr. Dale said this is the
160D process that is mandated by the State of North Carolina. This will be presented at the next
Board meeting.
Bid for North2ate Project
County Engineer Paxton Arthurs gave an overview of the Northgate project. He said that on
April 16th, the County advertised bidding of the Northgate Renovation for Child Support and the
Criminal Division of the Sheriff's Office. The bid opening was held on May 25th. There was
good competition with 12 contractors submitting bids. Unfortunately, due to rising material and
equipment prices, the low base bid came in above the estimated construction cost by $64,421.
At the opening of the bids, the lowest responsible bidder was S & S Building and Development.
In order to proceed with this project, Mr. Arthurs asked that the Board take the following actions:
Accept Alternates 1 — 4
Award a contract to S & S Building and Development in the amount of $1,270,661.00 for
the renovation of the space at Northgate Commons.
Authorize the County Manager to sign the Contract.
Vice -Chairman Allen asked if the County has worked with this contractor before. Mr. Arthurs
said no. Granco was also considered, but there was not sufficient evidence to deem S & S Building
and Development an irresponsible bidder.
On motion of Kidd, seconded by McDowell, the Board voted unanimously to 1) accept
alternates 1-4, 2) award a contract to S&S Building and Development in the amount of $1, 270, 661
for the renovation of the space at Northgate Commons, and 3) authorize the County Manager to
sign the contract.
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
County Manager Hal Johnson said that the purpose of the funds is to assist local governments
in the recovery from the health impacts of the COVID pandemic and the related economic
downturns. Randolph County has been allocated a total of $27,863,330 of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
The U.S. Treasury will disburse payments to counties in two installments. Randolph County has
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received its first allocation of $13,952,816. The second distribution is expected no earlier than
May 2022.
Use of funds is restricted for specific uses as outlined in the Federal Legislation and clarified
through the U.S. Treasury guidance. Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act must be
unencumbered by December 2024. Specific use and allocation of these funds have yet to be
determined by the Board of Commissioners. Tonight's meeting will be an opportunity for the
Commissioners to establish the next step in the process that will be used for fund allocations. As
a result, County Finance Officer Will Massie and Mr. Johnson recommend that the allocation be
accounted for through a special revenue fund, separate from the General Fund.
Chairman Frye suggested that the Chairman and Vice -Chairman meet with the County Manager
and Finance Officer later in June, after the budget process, to review and establish initial projects
that would meet the guidelines published by the U.S. Treasury Department. A special meeting of
the County Commissioners could be held at a later date to review recommendations and approve
initial Recovery Fund projects.
Commissioner McDowell asked for clarification regarding the use of Recovery Funds for water
and sewer infrastructure projects. Chairman Frye said that the Recovery Funds are for economic
stimulus/recovery due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Water and sewer infrastructure is
one of the examples of permitted uses outlined in the federal law and by the U.S. Treasury
Department.
Vice -Chairman Allen said that the Federal Recovery Funds are a once -in -a -generation
opportunity for Randolph County. The Board has time to consider the most impactful projects and
options during the upcoming planning process. Funds must be encumbered by December 2024.
On motion ofAllen, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted unanimously to Establish a Coronavirus
Response Fund Ordinance and Approve the Associated Resolution as follows:
Coronavirus Response Fund Ordinance
Revenues Increase
Decrease
Restricted Intergovernmental $13,952,816
Appropriations Increase
Decrease
Contingency $13,952,816
RESOLUTION TO COMMIT RESOURCES FOR THE CORONA VIRUS
RESPONSE FUND FOR THE COUNTY OF RANDOLPH
WHEREAS, the world is responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the American Rescue Plan Act ("ARP Act') was passed by the U.S. Congress and
signed by the President on March 10, 2021; and
WHEREAS, The American Rescue Plan Act provides $350 billion in emergency funding for
eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency
and restore the economy.; and
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WHEREAS, the U.S Treasury Department has issued Guidance for the use of these emergency
funds; and
WHEREAS, Randolph County has received the initial allocation of $13,952,816; and
WHEREAS, this allocation is restricted for specific uses as outlined in the Treasury guidance
or be returned to the federal government by December 31, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Randolph County does not consider these revenues to be General Fund resources
and desires to account for the current and future federal and state allocations and the interest
earnings thereon by creating the Coronavirus Response Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Randolph County Board of Commissioners
does hereby commit special revenues deposited into the Coronavirus Response Fund and interest
earnings thereof to accomplish federal funding objectives.
Sell Property at Auction
Mr. Johnson said at the April Board meeting, Associate County Attorney Aimee Scotton
appeared before the Board to request authorization to hold an auction sale of a County -owned
property in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes §153A-176 and §160A-270. The
property is a vacant lot approximately .46 acres in size located on Lake Darr Road and identified
by Property Tax ID number 7717085855. The property was acquired by the County in early 1982
in a tax foreclosure sale and has been held by the County ever since. The property has a tax value
of $14,920.00.
A Resolution was adopted authorizing the property to be sold by an auction to be held at 10:00
a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2021. The auction was duly advertised and was attended by only one
person. At the auction, Long Properties submitted the highest and only bid, offering to purchase
the property for five hundred dollars ($500.00).
Mr. Johnson said that if the Board accepts the bid, a Resolution will need to be passed.
On motion of Haywood, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted unanimously to approve a
Resolution Accepting High Bid for Property as follows:
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING HIGH BID FOR PROPERTY
WHEREAS, Randolph County conducted an auction sale of the parcel described in
Attachment A at 10: 00 a. in. on May 17, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the auction sale resulted in a high bid of five hundred dollars ($500.00)
submitted by Long Properties;
THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY
RESOLVES THAT.
The high bid of five hundred dollars ($500.00) submitted by Long Properties is
accepted for the parcel described in Attachment A, and the appropriate County officials shall
execute the documents necessary to transfer title to the property.
County Manager's Update
The County Manager did not have any updates.
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Commissioners Updates
Chairman Frye said that the bankruptcy court approved the purchase of Randolph Hospital by
American Healthcare Systems. It's a relief to know that this healthcare facility will continue to
operate in Randolph County. There was a secondary bid but the bid was thrown out by court order.
The closing date is requested to be July 1"but that completion date remains unknown. Cone Health
is planning to build a new cancer center within ten miles of the current cancer center.
Commissioner McDowell said a loan for $12 million has been approved.
Chairman Frye said that the original Rural Healthcare Stabilization Fund had $20 million
available but it was likely not going to be approved. The request was reduced to $12 million and
it is a forgivable loan for the hospital as long as hospital services continue to be provided. There
are two seats for Commissioners on the new hospital board and Commissioners will appoint three
other seats.
Commissioner McDowell said that Chairman Frye spent a lot of time and effort working on the
issue with the hospital.
Chairman Frye said there has been great communication amongst the Board members and
between the Board and community agencies.
Adjournment
At 7:31 p.m., on motion of Allen, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted unanimously to
adjourn.
Darrell Frye, Chairman
Kenny Kidd
Hope Haywood
David Allen
Maxton McDowell
Sarah Pack, Deputy Clerk to the Board
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