10-21-2024 Meeting Minutes BOCOctober 21, 2024
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS October 21, 2024
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager
C. Derrick Sims Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board
Kyle W. Puryear T.C. Morphis, Jr., County Attorney
Charlie Palmer
Jason Thomas
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday October 21, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Boardroom
215 in the Person County Office Building located at 304 S. Morgan Street, Roxboro, NC.
Chairman Powell called the meeting to order. Chairman Powell offered an
invocation, and Commissioner Palmer led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman
Powell recognized that Commissioner Puryear was absent and advised that, due to a work
obligation, Commissioner Puryear would be arriving late. Commissioner Puryear arrived to
the meeting at 9:33 a.m.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda with the addition of Closed Session #2 for attorney-client privilege to discuss matters
related to the lawsuit Mainstream Earthworks v. Person County.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING OPERATION GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS
Assistant County Manager and Human Services Director Brian Hart read a
Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to approve the
Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans.
Hart presented the Resolution to the Person County Veterans Council. Veterans
Council President and First Vice Commander of American Legion Post 138 Alan Whitlow
expressed thanks to the Board for their support of veterans and to the County’s Veterans
Services Officer.
Board members expressed thanks and support to the Person County Veterans
Council.
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INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individual appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Andrea Childers of 270 Blackberry Lane, Rougemont stated that on Thanksgiving
Day she will have lived in Person County for thirty-two years. She read a fable titled “The
Emperor’s New Clothes”. She compared the Board to the fable, which is about a vain
emperor who gets exposed before his subjects.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of October 7, 2024,
B. Approval of Minutes of October 15, 2024,
C. Budget Amendment #8, and
D. Amended Animal Services Fee Schedule
NEW BUSINESS:
WAIVER OF AIRPORT LEASE PAYMENTS DURING RUNWAY
REHABILITATION PROJECT
County Manager Katherine Cathey stated that on September 30, 2024, Raleigh
Regional Airport at Person County closed to air traffic for thirty-five days. She stated that
runway, connector taxiways and apron pavement rehabilitation work will be completed
during the closure. She stated that Person County received grant funding totaling $10.6M
from the NC Department of Transportation for this project. She stated that Jamestown
Properties leases Person County’s corporate hangar for $20,300 per month. She stated that
in order to continue its operations during the closure period (September 30-November 5),
Jamestown Properties rented a hangar at another airport for two months, while still
making lease payments on our corporate hangar for the same two months. She stated in
addition, Red Mountain Aviation, the airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and fuel
service provider, is losing revenue for the closure period. She stated that FBO lease
payments are budgeted at $7,917 per month. She asked the Board to consider waiving
lease payments for two months for Jamestown Properties in the amount of $40,600 and
one month for Red Mountain Aviation in the amount of $7,917.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to waive lease
payments for two months for Jamestown Properties in the amount of $40,600 and one
month for Red Mountain Aviation in the amount of $7,917 during the Runway
Rehabilitation Project.
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STRATEGIC PLAN QUARTERLY REPORT
County Manager Katherine Cathey presented the FY25 Strategic Plan Quarterly
Report. She stated that on February 20, 2024, the Board of Commissioners adopted the
FY25-27 Strategic Plan which includes vision and mission statements, organizational
values and five strategic focus areas with associated goals and strategies. She stated that
the goals provide a two- to four-year view of priorities, and the accompanying strategies
describe specific tasks, outputs and/or outcomes intended to be accomplished over the
next one to two fiscal years. She stated that the FY25 budget process incorporated the
strategic plan. She stated that this plan will be a guiding document for county elected
officials, staff, and volunteers. She highlighted some of the goals that have been
completed as of this date, as well as those in progress. She stated the quarterly report for
the timeframe of July 1-September 30, 2024, included in the agenda packet, informs the
board and the public on progress made towards achieving the goals of the strategic plan.
Vice-Chairman Sims noted the progress that Environmental Health has made on
permits. He had concerns in reference to the Planning and Zoning Department and
questioned the status of the Director position. Cathey advised that interviews were
conducted and the tentative start date for a new Director is November 18, 2024. Chairman
Powell stated that he appreciated the quarterly report being presented.
No action was taken by the Board on this matter, as this was an informational
presentation for the Strategic Plan Quarterly Report.
HUMAN SERVICES BOARD ORIENTATION
Assistant County Manager and Human Services Director Brian Hart introduced
CCR Consultants, Revella Nesbitt and Sherry Bradsher.
Sherry Bradsher presented the following for the Human Services Board
Orientation:
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Commissioner Palmer had questions related to Case Management. Bradsher stated
that a Social Worker assists with check-ins with the elderly, which is in addition to family
members, neighbors, and friends. Vice-Chairman Sims asked how many guardianship
cases does Person County have. DSS Director Carlton Paylor advised that there are
approximately fifty-five. Chairman Powell stated that the elderly age population is
growing in Person County.
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DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE TO THE NC ASSOCIATION OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (NCACC) 2024 LEGISLATIVE GOALS
CONFERENCE
Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon stated that every two years, the NC
Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) members engage in a process to
determine the legislative goals it should seek in the best interest of the counties. She stated
that the NCACC goals-setting process begins in August of each even-numbered year and
consists of five stages, beginning with the solicitation of proposals from counties and
ending with the adoption of the legislative agenda at the Legislative Goals Conference.
She stated that the Board of Commissioners at their August 5, 2024 Board Meeting
provided nine proposals for legislative action. She stated that list was provided to the
NCACC. She stated that all counties and all county officials are invited and encouraged
to participate in the legislative goals process. She stated that every county in attendance
has one vote. She stated that the voting delegate can be any county official, including non-
elected officials, and a county may choose an alternate. She stated that before each
legislative biennium, NCACC convenes a Legislative Goals Conference for counties from
around the state to come together to participate in voting sessions to finalize legislative
goals, which guide NCACC’s advocacy efforts. She stated that the conference is the final
step in a comprehensive process, which gives each county an opportunity to shape
NCACC’s legislative agenda. She stated that the conference is being held November 14-
15, 2024 at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley. She stated that she is requesting the
Board to designate a Voting Delegate to represent Person County at the NCACC 2024
Legislative Goals Conference.
Vice-Chairman Sims stated that he was sworn in to the NCACC Board of
Directors for District 8 on October 11, 2024. Sims nominated himself to serve as the
voting delegate for Person County at the NCACC 2024 Legislative Goals Conference.
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to designate Vice-
Chairman Sims as the voting delegate representing Person County at the NCACC 2024
Legislative Goals Conference.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell stated that he attended the NC Rural Center Listening Tour and it
was very good, informative, and several locals attended. He stated that in reference to a
comment made during public comments at a previous meeting, referencing four individuals
knowing the name of the company coming to the mega site, the word dictatorship was used.
He stated that there is no dictatorship, no behind the scenes negotiations, and nothing
secretive going on. He stated that he does however, take being under an NDA very seriously.
He stated that this particular economic development project has been the most complicated
he has ever been involved in.
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MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager Cathey advised that the Board of Elections is holding early voting
in the PCOB Auditorium every day between now and November 2, 2024. She stated that
weekday hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and that the hours vary on the weekends. She
stated that the hours are posted on the County website under the Elections Department. She
encouraged everyone to come out and vote.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS:
Vice-Chairman Sims stated he attended the executive committee for the NCACC.
He stated that during this meeting, they worked on the proposed legislative goals. He stated
that the committee narrowed the goals down to fifty that they approved for consideration,
and one or two of the goals were from Person County.
Commissioners Palmer, Puryear, and Thomas had no report.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter in to closed
sessions at 10:38 a.m.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion to enter into Closed Session #1 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6) for the
purpose to discuss personnel with the following individuals permitted to attend: County
Manager Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, and County Attorney
T.C. Morphis, Jr.
CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion to enter into Closed Session #2 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) for the
purpose to consult with the county attorney in order to preserve the attorney client privilege
in matters related to the lawsuit Mainstream Earthworks v. Person County with the
following individuals allowed to attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the
Board Michele Solomon, County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr., and Economic Development
Director Brandy Lynch.
Chairman Powell called the closed sessions to order at 10:42 a.m.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 11:36 a.m.
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ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting
at 11:37 a.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Michele Solomon Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman