3-16-20 BOC Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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The County Manager also reported that the County has taken a number of measures in response to the Coronavirus including opening part of the Emergency Operations Center to provide communications, 919-352-3360 is the information hotline to call in and ask questions. A COVID -19 emergency update line will be available at 919-718- 4686 and will include prerecorded messages in English and Spanish. The County met with the City, Town of Broadway, Lee County Schools, and the Community college to share information. The County Manager presented a proposed leave policy for employees who need to take time off to take care of their family while a declared national pandemic is occurring. The policy allows for 40 hours of personal leave for all benefited full time employees. Employees may also use vacation or sick leave during a pandemic declared event to cover time missed due to the causes of the event. Chair Dalrymple stated concerns regarding future meetings while the pandemic poses a threat. She provided that the current remote participation policy allows for remote participation by phone, but that person is not allowed to vote or take part in Closed Session. The Chair proposed waiving the policy to allow for remote participation of board members allowing for voting. The County Attorney stated that if there is a desire to have a remote meeting we would like to provide advance notice at least 7 days in advance and allow the public an opportunity to sign up for public comment. The Chair recommended potentially moving the next meeting the Courtroom 4 to have more space for social distance. Motion: Motion to temporarily rescind current policy while the local state of emergency due to COVID-19 is in effect and per authority established by NCGS 143-318.13 authorize the option of conducting meetings remotely as necessary to protect the public health and safety of members of the Board of Commissioners, County employees, and the public at large with notice to be provided to the public of the remote participation forum being used to allow public access to meetings and participation as required by law. Mover: Kirk Smith For: 6 - Amy Dalrymple, Arianna Del Palazzo, Dr. Andre Knecht, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith Absent: 1 - Kevin Dodson Motion Result: Passed Motion: I move that we declare a local state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and according to our ordinance, authorize the Chair to formally execute the state of emergency and authorize any superseding declarations. Mover: Robert Reives For: 6 - Amy Dalrymple, Arianna Del Palazzo, Dr. Andre Knecht, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith Absent: 1 - Kevin Dodson Motion Result: Passed Motion: Motion to have one meeting in April to take place on April 20, 2020 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Mover: Robert Reives For: 6 -Amy Dalrymple, Arianna Del Palazzo, Dr. Andre Knecht, Robert Reives, Cameron Sharpe, Kirk Smith Absent: 1 - Kevin Dodson 8