Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – April 27, 2020

Rob Kinniburgh – Emergency Operations Center Commander

Roland Bibeau – Novant Health Matthews Medical Center President

Rhonda Mull – Director of Infection Prevention for Charlotte and Virginia Markets

Discussions between Matthews elected officials and Roland Bibeau and Rhonda Mull

Commissioner Whitley – Asking if it is possible to have a testing station in the Crestdale area

Mayor Higdon – Asking about number of testing kits, ventilators and medication

Roland Bibeau – Providing information on the number of active cases in the hospital and number of beds currently used for COVID-19 patient

Commissioner Bland – Voicing opposition and concern about loosening of restrictions

Commissioner Garner – Asking about the availability of pulmonary sprecialists at Novant Matthews

Commissioner Garner – Asking if retirement communities were treating COVID-19 at their facilities

Commissioner Bland – Talking about Winston Salem use of masks

Kim Gossage – Matthews Chamber of Commerce President

Discussions between Matthews elected officials and Kim Gossage

Kim Gossage – Providing information on percentage of small busines loans

Commissioner Garner – Asking about a program where businesses loan to other businesses

Susan Rodriguez-McDowell – Mecklenburg County Commissioner
Topics Discussed:
– County report
– Access to Masks
– Impact on businesses and jobs
– Contact tracing
– Testing response time

Open Discussion between Matthews elected officials and guests

Commissioner Garner – Testing quantity and results turnaround

Commissioner Whitley – Affordable testing, self test kits

Commissioner Miller – COVID 19 patient count noting that the infection rate is less than 0.1 %

Commissioner Urban – Antibody testing

Commissioner Bland – People without symptoms passing the virus to others

Todd Fuller – Presentation on statistical analysis showing that Matthews should open businesses
Todd Fuller – Public Comment Text
Todd Fuller – Public Comment Slide Presentation

Adam Reed – Speaking against closing North Trade Street during construction of crosswalk
Adam Reed – Public Comment Text

Open discussion between Matthews elected officials and staff

Commissioner Miller – Compare Mecklenburg and state policy

Commissioner Bland – Businesses need to act responsibly

Town Manager Blodgett – Understands the compromise

Commissioner Garner – Wait for county commission meeting to complete

Mayor Higdon – Talks about allowing a few businesses to open with restrictions

Commissioner Whitley – Do businesses need to get state approval to open

Commissioner McCool – Urging to stay cautious and watch trends

Commissioner Urban – Freedom of choice and restrictions on rights

Commissioner McCool – Questions legality of voting on the letter from the town

Commissioner Bland – Should we wait before sending letter

Vote on the content and sending of the letter from the town to the county

A. Approve Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes: February 27-March 1 Special Meeting; April 13 Regular Meeting
Minutes – February 17, 2020
Minutes – April 13, 2020

B. Approve Budget Ordinance Amendments to Recognize:
1) Donation to Police Department in the Amount of $500.00
Budget Ordinance Amendment – Donation to Police Department
2) Proceeds Received from DEA Federal Seized Funds in the Amount of $5,544.83
Budget Ordinance Amendment – DEA Funds to Police Department

A. Receive Information on North Trade Street/Matthews Station Street Intersection Project
North Trade / Matthews Station Intersection Project

B. Consider Additional Funding for Full Depth Reclamation Road Project
Budget Ordinance Amendment – Road Resurfacing

C. Consider Town Hall Road Resurfacing Project
Budget Ordinance Amendment – Town Hall Pavement Resurfacing

D. Consider Rent Deferral/Abatement Request from Matthews Chamber of Commerce
Matthews Chamber of Commerce – Rent Abatement

A. Receive Monthly Budget Report
Budget Report

B. Consider State of Emergency Ordinance
State of Emergency Ordinance

C. Consider Request for Town Social Media Support
Request for Social Media Support

A. Receive Monthly Budget Report…. Continued

C. Consider Request for Town Social Media Support…. Continued