Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – April 27, 2020

Meeting Agenda

00:10 |

Regular Meeting Called to Order

02:00 |

Invocation

03:01 |

Pledge of Allegiance

03:26 |

Items to be Added to the Agenda

0:00:00 |

Discussion on COVID-19 Issues with:

04:36 |

Rob Kinniburgh – Emergency Operations Center Commander

08:11 |

Roland Bibeau – Novant Health Matthews Medical Center President

12:12 |

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

0:00:00 |

Discussions between Matthews elected officials and Roland Bibeau and Rhonda Mull

14:00 |

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

16:18 |

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

24:57 |

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

21:42 |

Commissioner Bland – Voicing opposition and concern about loosening of restrictions

23:42 |

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

25:22 |

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

27:08 |

Commissioner Bland – Talking about Winston Salem use of masks

29:52 |

Kim Gossage – Matthews Chamber of Commerce President

0:00:00 |

Discussions between Matthews elected officials and Kim Gossage

34:22 |

Kim Gossage – Providing information on percentage of small busines loans

35:24 |

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

36:42 |

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

0:00:00 |

Open Discussion between Matthews elected officials and guests

42:12 |

Commissioner Garner – Testing quantity and results turnaround

45:56 |

Commissioner Whitley – Affordable testing, self test kits

48:59 |

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

52:44 |

Commissioner Urban – Antibody testing

54:42 |

Commissioner Bland – People without symptoms passing the virus to others

57:57 |

Public Comment

58:07 |

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

1:02:16 |

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

1:04:14 |

Consider Letter Regarding Stay at Home Order

0:00:00 |

Open discussion between Matthews elected officials and staff

1:11:42 |

Commissioner Miller – Compare Mecklenburg and state policy

1:13:32 |

Commissioner Bland – Businesses need to act responsibly

1:14:54 |

Town Manager Blodgett – Understands the compromise

1:17:26 |

Commissioner Garner – Wait for county commission meeting to complete

1:20:57 |

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

1:21:22 |

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

1:25:57 |

Commissioner McCool – Urging to stay cautious and watch trends

1:27:40 |

Commissioner Urban – Freedom of choice and restrictions on rights

1:29:31 |

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

1:30:57 |

Commissioner Bland – Should we wait before sending letter

1:32:22 |

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

1:34:30 |

Consent Agenda

0:00:00 |

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

0:00:00 |

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

0:00:00 |

Unfinished Business

1:35:02 |

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

2:16:33 |

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

2:18:34 |

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

2:26:38 |

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

0:00:00 |

New Business

2:28:12 |

A. Receive Monthly Budget Report
Budget Report

2:31:18 |

B. Consider State of Emergency Ordinance
State of Emergency Ordinance

2:39:00 |

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

2:39:20 |

A. Receive Monthly Budget Report…. Continued

2:44:32 |

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

2:55:57 |

Mayor’s Report
Joint Proclamation Regarding Stay at Home Policy

2:57:14 |

Attorney’s Report

2:57:17 |

Town Manager’s Report

2:57:48 |

Adjournment