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Alamance County’s Response to Questions Regarding the Reopening of ACE Speedway

Written by Joseph Magyar on . Posted in Commissioner Statements, Commissioners, County News, Covid-19, General News, Public Safety.

Alamance County Government officials were puzzled by Governor Cooper’s comments regarding ACE Speedway during the media update on Tuesday, May 26, since no one from the Governor’s office has reached out directly to the county, even after the county requested guidance and input. Local governments across North Carolina have asked repeatedly to have a voice in how the COVID restrictions impact their communities. However, those requests have not been addressed.

Alamance County Government has repeatedly reached out to Governor Cooper and NCDHHS for guidance in how to assist ACE Speedway to operate in a safe manner.

Alamance County sent a letter to the Governor on April 20, requesting that a regional approach to reopening be considered and that local governments participate in decision making. The County has not received a direct response to its letter.

On May 11, 2020, Alamance County Government officials, Jason Turner of ACE Speedway, and Matt Gross, the Assistant Secretary for Government Affairs at the NC Department of Health and Human Services, participated in a conference call, discussing how ACE Speedway could safely operate during Phase 2. Mr. Gross stated that it was not known whether Phase 2 would begin on May 22 and that it was not known what capacity businesses such as ACE Speedway could expect, but it would likely be between 25-50% of fire code. A document entitled, “Precaution Requirements for ACE Speedway” was developed through collaboration between NCDHHS, the Alamance County Health Department, and ACE Speedway. Jason Turner assured Alamance County on multiple occasions that he intended to follow the recommended protocols at ACE Speedway.

After reviewing Executive Order 141 on Wednesday, May 20, Alamance County had questions about its applicability and enforcement. On Thursday, May 21, at 9:00 a.m., Alamance County Government officials, Robert Turner of ACE Speedway, and Matt Gross of DHHS participated in a conference call. Mr. Gross was made aware of Alamance County’s concerns and questions. He stated that, not being an attorney, he could not advise the county, and he promised to forward the county’s concerns to the Governor’s staff and that someone would get back to the county. Alamance County has yet to hear directly from anyone with the Governor’s staff, NCDHHS, or anyone
else in State government.

The health and safety of its residents continues to be the highest priority of Alamance County. Alamance County has investigated the precautions taken last Saturday night at ACE Speedway, and has verified the following: 2550 spectators on a 50 acre property (approximately 50% of fire capacity); rosters for contact tracing were provided; 10 feet distance between each car in the pit area; recommended masks and 6 feet social distancing in pit area; multiple hand sanitizer stations provided; precaution signage; Plexiglas partitions where appropriate; marks of 6 feet of spacing in lines and high traffic areas; one-way arrows for traffic through the restrooms; public announcements every 30 minutes to remind spectators to social distance and wash hands; restrooms and other public areas sanitized regularly; and limits on the number of people in the infield and outfield.

Alamance County’s Response to ACE Speedway

Written by Joseph Magyar on . Posted in Announcements, Commissioner Statements, Commissioners, Community, County Attorney, County News, Covid-19, General News, Health, Public Safety.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/22/20

Upon learning that ACE Speedway intends to reopen on May 23, Alamance County has decided not to prohibit its reopening during Phase 2 of Governor Cooper’s plan to reopen North Carolina.

Over the past month, ACE Speedway has communicated extensively with the Alamance County Department of Public Health regarding recommended precautions in an effort to reduce potential exposures. ACE plans to implement several precautions, including screening attendees and providing rosters to the Health Department to facilitate contact tracing, in the event it is needed. In addition, ACE will maintain 10 feet distance between each car in the pit area, recommend masks for crews and 6 feet social distancing in the pit area, provide alcohol hand sanitizer solution at multiple areas (minimum of 10 stations) on infield premises, and provide precaution signage at the entrance, bathrooms, tech shed, and fuel and tire areas. Areas will be marked off in the grandstands to support social distancing. Bathrooms will be disinfected regularly and high touch areas will be disinfected every hour. Special precautions will be taken when dropping off wheels to be mounted and picked up and at fuel drop off. Plexiglas partitions have been installed where needed. The number of persons in the infield and outfield have been limited.

County Attorney Clyde Albright said, “The Exemptions listed in Section 4 of Executive Order 141 include activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights, which include the right to peaceably assemble. This exemption retroactively applies to earlier Executive Orders. Significantly, the Governor’s language in the Exemption has changed from ‘order’ to ‘strongly urges’. The Governor recognizes that he may only urge people engaged in exercising First Amendment rights to practice social distancing and other disease control measures. He cannot Constitutionally limit the number of people who can peaceably assemble under the First Amendment. The Temporary Restraining Order

issued last Friday by United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, in the lawsuit Berean et al versus Governor Roy A. Cooper, held that the earlier Executive Orders violate the freedom to attend worship services protected by the First Amendment. Because the right to peaceably assemble is also a First Amendment right, if Alamance County were to attempt to restrict the operation of a business not otherwise restricted by Executive Order 141 then such action may itself be in violation of the First Amendment.”

Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson stated, “When I took my oath of office, I swore to uphold the United States Constitution. I will not enforce an unconstitutional law. Upon hearing the opinion of the County Attorney, I do not intend to stop ACE Speedway from opening on Saturday, May 23.”

All Alamance County residents are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations to promote social distancing and reduce transmission, including maintaining at least six feet from other individuals, wearing a face mask, using hand sanitizer, frequently washing hands, and remaining home if sick. Alamance County is committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents, while recognizing that Americans have freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

Media inquiries should be directed to County Attorney Clyde Albright at Clyde.Albright@alamance-nc.com or Health Director Stacie Saunders at Stacie.Saunders@alamance-nc.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING FOR MONDAY, MAY 18th, 2020

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Commissioners, County News, Covid-19, General News, Public Events.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18th, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room located on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building, 124 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253. 

In order to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons, there is no meeting place where members of the public can be physically present.  In order to ensure the health and safety of the Board, staff and general public, access to the regular meeting is available in the following 3 ways:

Public Comments – On Sunday, May 17thfrom 12 pm to 9 pm the citizens are encouraged to submit or register for public comments for the May 18th, 7 p.m. County Commissioners’ meeting by two optional ways: 

  • A public comment form will be available on the Alamance County website for any persons wishing to submit written comments prior to the start of the meeting.  These written comments will be entered into the record and minutes at the May 18th Regular Meeting.; or
  • Persons wishing to participate in public comments by telephone must provide the Clerk to the Board with their name, address, topic to be discussed, and telephone number by calling 336-290-0403 and leaving a message.  Then at the appropriate time during the Commissioners’ meeting on May 18th at 7 p.m. the citizen will be called to submit their comments verbally by phone. 

All County policies regarding the 3 minute limit per comment and number of public comments in the 30 minute period will apply.  A copy of this Notice shall be posted on the bulletin board located outside of the Commissioners’ Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building.  A copy of the Notice shall be sent to all parties who have requested and receive notification of any changes in the Commissioners’ Regular Meeting schedule.

This 14th day of May 2020.

5-14-20-Notice-of-Public-Meeting-for-May-18th (PDF)Download

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING – MAY 18, 2020

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Commissioners, County Manager, County News, Finance, General News, Public Events.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON WHETHER THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE COUNTY OF ALAMANCE, NORTH CAROLINA SHOULD APPROVE A PROPOSED INSTALLMENT FINANCING AGREEMENT TO FINANCE A PORTION OF THE COST OF VARIOUS PROJECTS.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing to be held at 7:00 P.M., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, on May 18, 2020 for the purpose of considering whether the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) for the County of Alamance, North Carolina (the “County”) should approve a proposed installment financing agreement and certain related documents pursuant to G.S. § 160A-20, as amended, for the purpose of providing approximately $2,200,000, together with other available funds, for the construction and other accomplishment of the Project hereinafter described.  The County would secure the repayment by it of moneys advanced pursuant to such proposed agreement by granting a security interest in a portion of the Project and certain related property.

The Project consists of (i) renovating, repairing, equipping and improving the County’s jail facilities, (ii) renovating, repairing, equipping and improving the County’s emergency medical services garage, (iii) renovating, repairing, equipping and improving the County’s courthouse facilities and family justice center and (iv) renovating, repairing, equipping and improving the County’s human services center.  

Public Access – Pursuant to Section 166A-19.24of the North Carolina General Statutes and the Governor’s Executive Order No. 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons or less, and in order to ensure the health and safety of the Board, staff and general public, access to the public hearing is available in the following 3 ways:

  1. Our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/AlamanceCountyNC) will display the live commissioners meeting.
  2. Our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/AlamanceCounty/) will have a post to the live commissioners meeting.
  3. There will also be a link on the county home page (https://www.alamance-nc.com) above the banner that will say “Click Here to watch Live Commissioners Meeting.”

Written Public Comments – Written comments regarding the proposed financing of the Project or any matter related thereto may be submitted on or before 9:00 P.M. on May 19, 2020 using any of the following options: 

  1. Public comment forms are available on the Alamance County website (https://www.alamance-nc.com) and may be submitted online.
  2. Written comments may be emailed to Tory M. Frink, Clerk to the Board, at tory.frink@alamance-nc.com.
  3. Written comments may be mailed to Tory M. Frink, Clerk to the Board, at Tory M. Frink, Clerk to the Board, County of Alamance, North Carolina 124 W. Elm Street, Graham, North Carolina 27253.

Oral Public Comments – Additionally, persons wishing to submit their public comments orally during the meeting, may do so by telephone.  These persons must provide the Clerk to the Board with their name, address, topic to be discussed, and telephone number by calling 336-290-0403 and leaving a message no later than 12:00 P.M. on May 18th.  Then at the appropriate time during the Commissioners’ meeting on May 18th at 7:00 P.M. the citizen will be called to submit their comments verbally by phone.  

Tory M. Frink
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
for the County of Alamance, North Carolina

Notice of Public Hearing Alamance May 18 2020 (PDF)Download

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING FOR MONDAY, MAY 4th, 2020

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Commissioners, Community, County Manager, County News, Covid-19, General News, Public Events, Public Safety.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 4th , 2020 at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room located on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building, 124 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253.

In order to comply with the Governor ‘s Executive Order 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons, there is no meeting place where members of the public can be physically present. In order to ensure the health and safety of the Board , staff and general public, access to the regular meeting is available in the following 3 ways:

Public Comments -On Sunday, May 3rd from 12 pm to 9 pm the citizens are encouraged to submit or register for public comments for the May 4th, 9 am County Commissioners ‘ meeting by two optional ways:

  1. A public comment form will be available on the Alamance County website for any persons wishing to submit written comments prior to the start of the meeting. These written comments will be entered into the record and minutes at the May 4th Regular Meeting. ; or
  2. Persons wishing to participate in public comments by telephone must provide the Clerk to the Board with their name, address , topic to be discussed , and telephone number by calling 336-290-0403 and leaving a message. Then at the appropriate time during the Commissioners ‘ meeting on May 4th at 9 am the citizen will be called to submit their comments verbally by phone.

All County policies regarding the 3 minute limit per comment and number of public comments in the 30 minute period will apply. A copy of this Notice shall be posted on the bulletin board located outside of the Commissioners’ Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building. A copy of the Notice shall be sent to all parties who have requested and receive notification of any changes in the Commissioners’ Regular Meeting schedule.

This 30th day of April 2020.

4-30-20 Public Meeting Notice for May 4th.docx (PDF Document)Download

Alamance County Board of Commissioners Requests Regional Approach for Lifting Restrictions

Written by Joseph Magyar on . Posted in Announcements, Commissioner Statements, Commissioners, Community, County News, Covid-19, General News.

Tonight, April 20, 2020, the Alamance County Board of Commissioners authorized Chair Amy Scott Galey to send the following letter to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper asking him to consider a regional approach in reopening North Carolina following the COVID-19 shutdown.

Chair Galey states: “ I write to you today to request that you adopt a regional approach, leveraging relationships between local governments in targeted areas and releasing from statewide orders the many communities that data reveal are minimally impacted by the virus.”

As one resident commented to the Alamance Board of Commissioners, “We want a resolution and want to know that you are doing your part to go ahead and start the reopening under safe conditions.”

In response, Chair Galey urges Governor Cooper “…reach out to the leaders of the counties and cities where the virus has hit the hardest, starting with the 30 counties that account for 86% of the cases, asking for cooperation in approving local restrictions that continue stay at home orders.”

She also thanks Governor Cooper for his hard work throughout this crisis and hopes that future decisions reflect current data and draw on experiences as we all”…work together in moving forward with a regional approach.”

Please contact Chair Galey at Amy.Galey@alamance-nc.com with any questions.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING FOR MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2020

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Commissioners, Community, County Manager, County News, Covid-19, General News, Public Events.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room located on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building, 124 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253. 

In order to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons, there is no meeting place where members of the public can be physically present.  In order to ensure the health and safety of the Board, staff and general public, access to the regular meeting is available in the following 3 ways:

Public Comments – On Sunday April 19th from 12pm to 9pm the citizens are encouraged to submit or register for public comments for the April 20th 7pm County Commissioner meeting by two optional ways: 

  1. A public comment form will be available on the Alamance County website for any persons wishing to submit written comments prior to the start of the meeting.  These written comments will be entered into the record and minutes at the April 20th Regular Meeting. ; or
  • Persons wishing to participate in public comments by telephone must provide the Clerk with their name, address, topic to be discussed, and telephone number by calling 336-290-0403 and leaving a message.  Then at the appropriate time during Commissioner meeting on April 20th at 7pm the citizen will be called to submit their comments verbally by phone. 

All County policies regarding the 3 minute limit per comment and number of public comments in the 30 minute period will apply.  A copy of this Notice shall be posted on the bulletin board located outside of the Commissioners’ Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building.  A copy of the Notice shall be sent to all parties who have requested and receive notification of any changes in the Commissioners’ Regular Meeting schedule.

This 16th day of April 2020.

Amy Scott Galey, Chair

Alamance County Board of Commissioners

Public Notice for 04-20-2020 (PDF)Download

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING FOR MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Commissioners, County Manager, County News, Covid-19, General News, Public Events, Website Announcements.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Alamance County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room located on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building, 124 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253.

In order to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order 121, which places limits on mass gatherings to 10 persons, there is no meeting place where members of the public can be physically present. In order to ensure the health and safety of the Board, staff and general public, access to the regular meeting is available in the following 3 ways:

There will be no public comment periods at the April 6th meeting. However, a public comment period process will be in place for the April 20th regular meeting. A copy of this notice shall be posted on the bulletin board located outside of the Commissioners’ Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of the County Office Building. A copy of the notice shall be sent to all who received notification of any changes in the Commissioners’ regular meeting schedule.

This 2nd day of April 2020.

State of Emergency Amended for Alamance County

Written by Alamance Webmaster on . Posted in Announcements, Commissioners, Community, County News, Covid-19, General News, Public Safety.

Amy Scott Galey, Chair of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners, signed an amended local State of Emergency for Alamance County effective Sunday, March 29, 2020, at 10am.

The amended State of Emergency states for-profit racetracks in Alamance County per Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order #121 are not considered essential businesses and are subject to the limitation to mass gatherings of no more than ten (10) persons and shall close effective 10:00 am on March 30, 2020 for 30 days.

For general Coronavirus (COVID-19) questions or information regarding the County’s response, please call the County COVID-19 Call Center at 336-290-0361 which is open from 8am to 7pm. For updated COVID-19 Alamance County program or event cancellations or changes, please visit https://www.alamance-nc.com/covid19/.

For the most current state and national information or recommendations regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://cdc.gov/coronavirus or the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website at https://ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus.