The Wayne County Commission met on Monday, April 20th, 2020 via a virtual/electronic session. The meeting was recorded, as well as made accessible through Facebook Live on the Wayne County Commission Facebook page. County Executive Jim Mangubat called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with County Clerk Stan Horton, County Attorney Andy Yarbrough, and County IT Clayton Cross present in the meeting room. Commissioners attending via virtual session were Herbert Brewer, Tim Prater, Tom Mathis, Mary Lauren Garner, John McDonald, Phillip Casteel, Tim Powell, Vickie Petty, Sherrie Powers, David Martin, Kathryn Staggs, and Rickey Kelley. Commissioners Stephen Pevahouse and Joe Hall did not attend.
Commissioner Kelley made a motion to approve all the minutes presented in the commissioners’ packets. Commissioner Garner seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously on roll call vote.
The first item of new business on the agenda was further discussion of the flooding problem at the Franklin Cole residence with Mr. Cole and his attorney, Josh Polk. County Executive Mangubat stated that the issue would be addressed at a future commission meeting.
Wayne County JECDB Director Rena Purdy submitted changes to the county’s Three-Star Grant for the commission’s approval. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve the changes, and Commissioner Prater seconded the motion. The changes were unanimously approved on roll call vote.
County Executive Mangubat next stated that he wished to disregard the bond resolution presented on the agenda. Commissioner Brewer made a motion to approve, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Prater. The motion was approved unanimously on roll call vote.
Next, County Executive Mangubat told the commission that a budget plan was in their packets for their review. No action was taken or discussed at this session.
Tyler Taylor, CEO of Wayne Medical Center, spoke briefly on the commission’s concerns regarding the Collinwood Clinic. Mr. Taylor said that the concerns were operational issues, and this meeting was not the place for those issues to be discussed.
Commissioner Powers told the commission that the appraisal of the Angelica building and the former nursing home building were not yet completed, but should be available by the next meeting of the building committee.
Budget amendments for the Sheriff’s Department were presented in the commissioners’ packets. Commissioner Mathis made a motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Martin. The amendments were unanimously approved on roll call vote.
Wayne County Sheriff Shane Fisher made a request to the commission for an increase of $1 per hour in hazard pay for Sheriff’s Department employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Powell made a motion to approve. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McDonald, and was passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Solid Waste Director Robert Hayes spoke of his concerns about the employees of the Solid Waste Facility also working in hazardous conditions. Commissioner Mathis then made a motion for all employees who deal with the public to receive a $1 per hour increase in pay from the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic until the end. Commissioner Brewer seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Finally, Road Superintendent Chuck Moser gave a brief report on road repair plans.
With no further business to come before the commission, Commissioner Kelley made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Casteel, and the meeting was adjourned.
