[PAGE 1] Greg Edds, Chairman Aaron Church, County Manager Jim Greene, Vice-Chairman Sarah Pack, Clerk to the Board Daniel Lancaster John W. Dees, II, County Attorney Judy Klusman Craig Pierce Rowan County Board of Commissioners 130 West Innes Street ∙ Salisbury, NC 28144 Telephone 704-216-8181 ∙ Fax 704-216-8195 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ROWAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS May 5, 2025 – 3:00 PM J.NEWTON COHEN, SR. ROOM J.NEWTON COHEN, SR. ROWAN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING PRESENT: Greg Edds, Chairman Jim Greene, Vice-Chairman Craig Pierce, Commissioner Daniel Lancaster, Commissioner Judy Klusman, Commissioner (entered where noted) County Manager Aaron Church, Clerk to the Board Sarah Pack, County Attorney Jay Dees, and Finance Director Anna Bumgarner were also present. Call to Order Chairman Edds called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Chaplain Michael Taylor provided a solemnizing prayer. Chairman Edds lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Consider Additions to the Agenda Chairman Edds noted that a Closed Session would be added to the agenda. Consider Deletions From the Agenda Chairman Edds said that Consent Item K would be modified to remove the 2009 Magnum Trailer/Light Tower from the list of surplus items. Consent Item K itself will remain on the agenda in it’s revised form. On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the board voted 4-0 to accept the changes to the agenda. Consider Approval of the Agenda On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the agenda as amended. Consider Approval of the Consent Agenda On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, as follows: A. Consider Approval of the Minutes B. Budget Amendments, as follows: 5100- Health Transfer funds to align accounts with Delta $5,000 Equal Opportunity Employer [PAGE 2] Department Dental Grant funds 4125-Finance Transfer funds to cover change order #2 for $26,125 electrical conduit for Food Lion generator project 4125- Finance Transfer funds to recognize funds received for $60,000 Nature Center grant from NC dept 4125-Finance Transfer funds to recongize funds received for $23,274 DJJDP Grant 4125-Finance Transfer funds to correct Health Dept COLA $20,543 allocations (funds transferred into grant accounts) C. Resolution allowing retiring Lt. Michael Scott Murray to purchase his service sidearm. D. Purchase-Change Order #2 - PMC Commercial Interiors, Inc. - RCC Events Center Furniture E. ADA Renovations Design - The Bogle Firm - DNP Nature Center Bathroom F. GRANT APPLICATION: Approve pre-application documents for Transit FY 2027 grant applications G. Proclamation - Clerks to the Boards of County Commissioners Week H. Request for Public Hearing: EDC 'Project Pixie' I. Change Order #2 - Krydon Group - Airport Generator J. Rowan Community Center Purchases for Cooperative Extension K. Donation of Surplus Personal Property to Rescue Squad L. GRANTS: Approve NC Science Museum Grant to Nature Center (Rowan Wild) M. Change Order #4 -KMD Construction, LLC - New Corporate & Box Hangars N. Rowan County JCPC Funding Plan O. Reclassify Veterinarian to PTB Veterinarian P. Cleveland Community VFD Acknowledgment and Funding Letter for Loan Public Comment Period Chairman Edds opened the floor for Public Comment and closed it after no one wished to speak. Special Recognitions Chairman Edds recognized Rowan County Economic Development Council (EDC) and read a Proclamation establishing Economic Development Week into record. Rowan EDC President Rod Crider and Vice President Scott Shelton thanked the Board for their support. Mr. Crider introduced EDC staff in attendance. On motion of Edds, seconded by Pierce, the Board voted 4-0 to approve a Proclamation for Economic Development Week, as follows: PROCLAMATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK MAY 12 – MAY 16, 2025 Page 2 of 6 05/05/25 [PAGE 3] WHEREAS, the Rowan Economic Development Council is dedicated to promoting and facilitating business retention and strategic business growth in Rowan County, and WHEREAS, the Rowan Economic Development Council works closely with county and municipal officials, current and prospective business leaders, and education administrators to work towards the overall betterment of Rowan County, and WHEREAS, economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base, and WHEREAS, economic developers stimulate and incubate entrepreneurism in order to help establish the next generation of new businesses, which is the hallmark of the American economy, and WHEREAS, economic developers are engaged in a wide variety of settings including rural and urban, local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions, and WHEREAS, economic developers attract and retain high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions, and WHEREAS, the International Economic Development Council created the first Economic Development Week in 2016, and this week-long celebration and recognition of the importance of economic development will be recognized across the globe. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT KNOWN, that the Rowan County Board of Commissioners proclaim the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as Economic Development Week in Rowan County, and remind individuals of the importance of this community celebration which supports expanding career opportunities and making lives better. Chairman Edds recognized Sheriff Travis Allen, Law Enforcement Week, and Peace Officers Memorial Day and Commissioner Lancaster read a Proclamation aloud. On motion of Lancaster, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 4-0 to approve a Proclamation for Law Enforcement Week, as follows: PROCLAMATION LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEK MAY 12 - 16, 2025 WHEREAS law enforcement officers serve an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of our citizens, preserving public safety, and maintaining the rule of law in our communities; and WHEREAS these dedicated professionals risk their lives each day to protect the people of Rowan County demonstrating exceptional courage, integrity, and commitment to duty; and WHEREAS, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which 15th falls as National Police Week, to honor those officers who Page 3 of 6 05/05/25 [PAGE 4] have make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and to recognize the service of all law enforcement personnel across the nation, and WHEREAS it is fitting and proper to recognize and reflect on the contributions of our law enforcement agencies and to show gratitude for their dedication to our safety and security. NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED the Rowan County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim the week of May 12- 16, 2025, as Law Enforcement Week in Rowan County, and encourages all residents to honor our peace officers-past and present-for their loyal and courageous service. NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED that the Rowan County Board of Commissioners calls upon all citizens of Rowan county to observe May 15, 2025 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in honor of those law enforcement officers who, through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifices in service to their community, or have become disabled in the performance of duty, and let us recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes. Vice-Chairman Greene recognized Chaplain Michael Taylor and read a Proclamation to Establish May as Shield-A-Badge with Prayer Awareness Month. On motion of Greene, seconded by Pierce, the Board voted 4-0 to approve a Proclamation to Establish May as Shield-A-Badge with Prayer Awareness Month, as follows: PROCLAMATION TO ESTABLISH MAY AS SHIELD-A-BADGE WITH PRAYER AWARENESS MONTH WHEREAS, the Shield-A-Badge With Prayer program works to affirm the commitment of Rowan County Law Enforcement Officers and encourages citizen awareness and appreciation for these officers; and WHEREAS, the program invites citizens to commit to pray for an officer every day for one year and to send birthday cards and notes of thanks to these officers; and WHEREAS, through the generosity of individuals, businesses, and churches that have donated services and fundraisers, 10,500 Bibles, 4,000 Shield-A-Badge Bible Promise Books and 11,700 New Testaments have been purchased to be given away; and WHEREAS, the Shield-A-Badge With Prayer program began in 1995 in Rowan County, by Chaplain Michael Taylor and has begun to expand statewide, reaching out to other counties, municipalities, colleges, hospitals, correctional facilities, 911 communicators, probations officers, animal control officers, state highway patrol troopers, fire departments, Clerk of Court employees, magistrates, judges, District Attorney’s Office, County Commissioners, sheriffs, and attorneys; and WHEREAS, through the dedication and travels of Chaplain Taylor, counties from across the state are receiving encouragement and training for chaplains. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Rowan County Board of Commissioners does hereby establish the month of May as Shield-A-Badge With Prayer Awareness Month. Page 4 of 6 05/05/25 [PAGE 5] Request for Sewer Easement: Airport Road Loop County Attorney Jay Dees said Salisbury Airport Road, LLC is developing the parcel across Airport Loop Road from Mid-Carolina Airport (and behind the gas station that fronts Hwy 29). The proposed development is for “storage, staging and repair of FEMA temporary housing units” and has been approved by the City of Salisbury. The current access to sewer is across a strip of property that Rowan County owns along Airport Loop Road that basically eliminates any road frontage for the parcels on that eastern side of Airport Loop Road. This strip was created when the road was constructed. The area subject to the new easement is .020 acres (887 sf) and 30 feet wide as shown on the survey, so it is relatively small and limited to just what they need to get access to the existing sewer line. They have not proposed any fee, but this is related to economic development and creates access to the only existing sewer line available for this parcel. Mr. Dees said in his opinion, the County can waive any easement fee under NCGS 158- 7.1 Economic Development. Commissioner Klusman entered the meeting at 3:21 p.m. On motion of Edds, seconded by Pierce, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the 30’ sewer easement (887 square feet in total area) to Salisbury Airport Road, LLC for purpose of allowing its commercial development of the adjoining tract, and authorizing the Board Chair to sign the Easement Deed. Family Subdivision Waiver FSW 01-25 Aaron Poplin, Planning Technician, said Jamie Sides is requesting a family subdivision waiver to allow a family subdivision to be conveyed to a family member that does not meet the definition of an immediate family member. The property for the proposed subdivision is located off East Ridge Rd. further referenced as tax parcel 321-231. Jamie Sides plans to convey the new lot to his niece Amanda Mason. Parcel 321-231 does not have frontage on a state-maintained road, making a minor subdivision not possible. The only remaining option to divide the parcel is via family subdivision. A family subdivision will allow the creation of a new lot using an existing easement back to East Ridge Rd. On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to approve FSW 01-25. Board Appointments On motion of Pierce, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to make the following appointments: • Charles Wetmore III to a County seat on the Ellis Cross Country Volunteer Fire Department Fire Commissioners • Carter Thomason to a County seat on the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department Board of Trustees Page 5 of 6 05/05/25 [PAGE 6] • David Linker to a County seat on the Locke Volunteer Fire Department Board of Trustees • Jacob Lingle to a County seat on the Locke Volunteer Fire Department Board of Trustees • Jeff Moore to a County seat on the Locke Volunteer Fire Department Fire Commissioners • Clyde Ash to a County seat on the Miller Ferry Volunteer Fire Department Fire Commissioners • Larry Graham to a County seat on the West Rowan Volunteer Fire Department Fire Commissioners • Jason Whitley to a County seat on the Woodleaf Volunteer Fire Department Fire Commissioners Closed Session On motion of Edds, seconded by Greene, the Board voted 5-0 to enter into closed session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(1) to consider approval of the minutes of the Closed Session held on April 7, 2025, as described by NCGS 143- 318.10(e), and pursuant to NCGS 143-318- 11(a)(3), to consult with an attorney. Open Session At 3:45 p.m. the Board returned to Open Session. Adjournment At 3:45 p.m., on motion of Pierce, seconded by Edds, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn. ______________________________________ Sarah Pack, CMC, NCCCC Clerk to the Board Page 6 of 6 05/05/25