Town of Woodland Special Called Meeting to Discuss COVID-19
Date: March 19, 2020
5:00 PM
Board/Staff Present:
Randy Beale – Mayor
David Cooper – Commissioner
Brian Christison - Commissioner
Barbara Outland – Commissioner
Ricky Morris - Commissioner
Donielle McDermott – Town Clerk
Eddie Hoggard – Police Chief
Call to Order: Mayor Beale called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Christison made a motion to add a closed session for employment applications to the agenda and approve the agenda. Commissioner Outland seconded and the motion carried.
Public Comments: There were none.
Water Disconnections: In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the board discussed solutions for making sure our customers are not without water despite nonpayment. Commissioner Christison made a motion to temporarily amend our water and sewer ordinance to waive late fees and suspend water cutoffs for the next three billing cycles. Commissioner Morris seconded and the motion carried.
State of Emergency: Northampton County Emergency Services Director sent out an email to each town recommending us to issue our own State of Emergency Declaration. The board of commissioners discussed what prohibitions to add, if any. After much discussion, Commissioner Christison made a motion to declare a State of Emergency for the Town of Woodland because of the COVID-19 outbreak, and under this State of Emergency, all businesses are required to close by 9:00 pm. No curfew will be implemented at this time, but the board of commissioners will have the right to implement one in the future if the need arises. Commissioner Outland seconded and the motion carried.
The board decided to table further discussion on the details of this State of Emergency until tomorrow afternoon, March 20, 2020 at 4:00 pm.
Public Comments: There were none.
Closed Session: Commissioner Cooper made a motion to adjourn the special called meeting and go into closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6) personnel matters. Commissioner Outland seconded and the motion carried.