08-21-2023 Meeting Minutes BOC
August 21, 2023
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 21, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager
C. Derrick Sims Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Kyle W. Puryear Michele Solomon, Clerk in Training
Charlie Palmer S. Ellis Hankins, County Attorney
Jason Thomas
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 9:00am 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 at 9:00am. Vice Chairman Sims
offered an invocation and Commissioner Puryear led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Chairman Powell added to the agenda the NC Governor’s Proclamation recognizing
Child Support Awareness Month to follow the approval of the agenda.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda as adjusted.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH
PROCLAMATION:
Chairman Powell read the State of North Carolina Proclamation signed by Governor
Roy Cooper proclaiming August 2023 to be recognized as Child Support Awareness Month.
Social Services Director Carlton Paylor spoke on behalf of Person County Child Support.
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Chairman Powell gave thanks and recognition to current Clerk to the Board Brenda
Reaves on her upcoming retirement. All board members reiterated what Chairman Powell
had said and thanked Ms. Reaves for her time and dedication to the board and citizens of
Person County.
Chairman Powell said he met with representatives of Duke Energy on August 16,
2023 in reference to Duke Energy’s updated Carbon Plan, related to the closings of coal fire
plants at Roxboro/Hyco Plant in 2034 and Mayo Plant in 2031. Chairman Powell stated that
he was pleased and excited to share with Person County citizens a press release by Duke
Energy dated August 17, 2023. Chairman Powell stated the good news for Person County
was that Duke Energy announced construction of a hydrogen-capable natural gas plant at
the Roxboro location, otherwise known as Hyco Plant. The point at which these plants will
cease coal fired production in Person County has been of major concern for several years
due to the huge economic impact closures would cause on Person County. Knowing the
local impact on our economy, the Board of Commissioners, Economic Development
Commission, and other county entities began an intensive effort to encourage Duke Energy
to continue power production in Person County. When House Bill 951 was passed into law,
Chairman Powell said the carbon reduction plan guidelines made it clear that coal fired
plants in Person County would be shut down at some point in the future. Knowing that
Person County could not sit back and watch Duke’s six-decade presence in the county fade
away, a concerted effort was begun to strategize as to how to proceed into the future. A plan
of action began to evolve and resulted in Person County being recognized as an intervener
with the NC Utilities Commission. The strategy progressed with consultation with the
county attorney, a utilities attorney and a utilities lobbyist along with County
Commissioners, Economic Development officials and other concerned organizations within
the county. Chairman Powell stated his gratitude to all who worked diligently together as a
team to get Person County to this point. He said it was not easy, but undeniably worth the
effort. Chairman Powell publicly thanked all who contributed to achieving this milestone
announcement. This press release does not mean that it is the end of the line in working with
Duke Energy. It is a major first step to ensure continued power generation in Person County,
but there is more work to be done. Duke Energy has a plan for the future and Person County
is in it. Duke Energy has been the greatest corporate citizen to Person County and the Board
wants their continued presence for decades to come. Chairman Powell said the future
economic security was bright for Person County, illuminated by power generated by Duke
Energy facilities. The journey with Duke Energy is not over. It has only just begun. He
added he looks forward to the future with Duke Energy as a partner in making Person
County a focal point of new technology in power production for many generations to come.
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INFORMAL COMMENTS:
There were no comments from the public.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of August 7, 2023,
B. Budget Amendment #4,
C. Approval of Home and Community Care Block Grant for Older Adults FY24
Agreement for the Provision of County-Based Services,
D. Home & Community Care Block Grant Funding FY24,
E. Home & Community Care Block Grant Final Reports FY23, and
F. Lease Renewal of Maxway Building (Tax/Register of Deeds)
NEW BUSINESS:
APPOINTMENT OF CLERK TO THE BOARD:
County Manager Katherine Cathey stated in accordance with General Statute 153A-
111, the board of county commissioners appoints the county clerk. Brenda Reaves, the
current Clerk to the Board, will retire Sept. 1, 2023. Her last day of work with Person County
will be Aug. 31, 2023.
Ms. Cathey noted following a competitive recruitment process, the Board of
Commissioners selected Michele Solomon as the next Clerk to the Board. She will also
serve as Executive Assistant to the County Manager. She began work in her new position
on Aug. 15, 2023.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to appoint Michele
Solomon as Clerk to the Board, effective Sept. 1, 2023.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell reported the following:
Attended a luncheon to welcome 22 new teachers to Person County Schools,
Roots & Wings was awarded a $25,000 grant from Duke Energy,
Attended coffee hour at Golden Coral of Roxboro for a Solar Power meet & greet,
Advised that he met with Duke Energy officials last week, and asked the County’s
Public Information Officer (PIO) if an announcement was made regarding Duke
Energy through the county website and social media to which PIO Kim Strickland
affirmed it had been made on Friday.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager Katherine Cathey reported the Recreation, Arts & Parks
Department received $360,000 from the PARTF Grant to be used to develop an extensive
trail system at the County Farm Park.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Vice Chairman Sims reported he attended the Duke Energy meetings, noting Duke
Energy wants to be here in Person County.
Commissioner Palmer reported he attend the Economic Development Commission’s
seminar led by Charles Hayes and found it very informative.
Commissioner Thomas wanted to express thanks to emergency personnel, Fire,
Rescue, EMS, and the Sheriff’s Department with so many situations last week.
Commissioner Puryear commented on the good corporate relationship with Duke
Energy and that he was looking forward to the next stage.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session #1 at 9:24am per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(5) to establish, or to instruct the
public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf
of the public body in negotiating (i) the price and other material terms of a contract or
proposed contract for the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or
lease; or (ii) the amount of compensation and other material terms of an employment
contract or proposed employment contract with the following individuals permitted to
attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the Board Brenda Reaves, Clerk in
Training Michele Solomon, County Attorney Ellis Hankins, Assistant Finance Director
Tracy Clayton, General Services Director Ray Foushee, Doug Brock, Senior Managing
Director, Newmark, Doug Carter, President and Managing Director, DEC Associates, Inc.
and Andrew Carter, Director, DEC Associates Inc.
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Chairman Powell called the Closed Session #1 to order at 9:25am.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 10:24am.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting
at 10:24am.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Michele Solomon Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman