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
| Discussion on COVID-19 Issues with:
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
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
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
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
57:57 | Public Comment
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
1:04:14 | Consider Letter Regarding Stay at Home Order
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
1:34:30 | Consent Agenda
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
| Unfinished Business
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
| New Business
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
2:55:57 | Mayor’s Report
Joint Proclamation Regarding Stay at Home Policy
Joint Proclamation Regarding Stay at Home Policy