11-20-2023 Meeting Minutes BOC
November 20, 2023
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS November 20, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Gordon Powell Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager
C. Derrick Sims Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board
Kyle W. Puryear S. Ellis Hankins, County Attorney
Charlie Palmer
Jason Thomas
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
regular session on Monday, November 20, 2023 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.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Andrea Childers of 270 Blackberry Ln., Rougemont spoke on matters related to
the proposed Moriah Energy Center. She stated that she has lived in Person County for the
past 31 years. Childers stated that over the past month she has heard that Cary has a
natural gas storage facility and that it is wonderful. She stated the only comparison
between the Moriah Energy Center and the Cary facility is that they both would store
natural gas. She stated that the Cary facility was built in the 70’s. Childers proceeded to
state the subdivisions around the facility came after, which meant the people chose to live
near the facility. She advised that residents in Person County did not have that choice.
Childers stated that residents’ wells and drinking water could potentially become
contaminated and polluted. She advised the Board that their constituents deserve better
than that. Childers stated the Board needed to be more transparent. She stated the Moriah
Energy Center is a bad choice for Person County.
Bernhard Lampert of 5970 Mt. Harmony Church Rd., Rougemont stated that
Person County needed economic development, not the Moriah Energy Center, as it will
only employ 12 jobs. He stated that the Moriah Energy Center would not be beneficial to
Person County residents and would not promote economic development.
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Karolyn Mangeot of 112 Elderberry Ln., Rougemont spoke in opposition to the
proposed Moriah Energy Center. She stated that she recently began looking at Person
County’s Joint Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and the ordinances against storage of
hazardous materials and solar energy. She stated that LNG is dangerous and potentially
harmful to Person County.
Diane Lesman of 106 Elderberry Ln., Rougemont thanked the Board for the
opportunity to speak. She stated that we are stewards of the earth, do not own the land we
stand on, and are here for a limited time. Lesman stated if you approve the Dominion
Project, you would do great harm to the 465 acres it sits upon. She asked the Board to
consider how Person County would benefit from this project.
Tracy Sexton of 453 Berman Clayton Rd., Timberlake spoke on matters related to
Dominion Energy’s Proposed Moriah Energy Center. She had concerns on whether
Dominion Energy conducted an environmental impact study, and if so, has the study been
reviewed by independent agencies, including the NC Department of Natural Resources
and has the study been made available to the public, Sexton stated concerns of long-term
environmental impacts on land, water, and air in Person County, and how it is factored in
to the decision-making process.
PJ Gentry of 541 Byrd Creek Ln., Hurdle Mills spoke on matters related to the
Person County Department of Social Services (DSS). Gentry provided a handout to the
Board and stated they were presented this information in 2021 on options to restructure
DSS. She urged the Board to make the right decision.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
Chairman Powell asked for removal of Item F-Award Contract to Benefits
Consultant from the Consent Agenda and for it to be placed on a future Board meeting for
presentation. A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items excluding Item F-Award Contract to Benefits
Consultant:
A. Approval of Minutes of October 24, 2023,
B. Resolution Amending the Board of Commissioners’ 2023 Schedule of Meetings to
Change Location of the December 4, 2023 Meeting,
C. Resolution Adopting the board of Commissioners’ Schedule of Meetings for 2024,
D. Budget Amendment # 11,
E. Budget Amendment # 12,
F. Award Contract to Benefits Consultant, and
G. Continuing Disclosure Policy
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NEW BUSINESS:
PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT
FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023
Finance Director Amy Wehrenberg introduced Alan Thompson, a representative
from Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co, P.A., the accounting firm that completed the
annual county audit. Mr. Thompson stated that county finances are good from an audit
standpoint. He presented the following audit results to the Board.
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A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to accept the annual
comprehensive financial report for FY23.
FUNDING REQUEST FROM PERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
Funding request presented by Person County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rodney
Peterson. Dr. Peterson stated Alternate 5 was not a part of the contract voted on by the Board
of Education on September 14, 2023. He stated the bid opening for the Person High School
ADA and Stadium Improvements on September 12, 2023, exceeded the County’s identified
contract value of $11,118,000. Dr. Peterson stated after the contract was awarded to Legacy
Builders, the value engineering to the base bid and the project alternates allowed the project
to include the stadium bleachers within the identified contract value. He stated Person
County Schools is requesting an additional $3M to fund the completion of the
Concession/Bathroom Alternate 5 of ADA/Safety Project for Person High School. Dr.
Peterson stated the Board of Education is requesting the funds so the concession and
bathroom phase could be completed with the bleacher project. He stated the Board of
Education recommends the county approve the additional funding to complete the
Concession and Bathroom Alternate 5 of the ADA/Safety Project for Person High School.
County Manager Katherine Cathey advised the request fits in the debt model with
no negative impact.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to approve a $3M
capital outlay from the Capital Investment Fund for renovations of the Person High School
concession building to include ADA accessible restrooms, concessions, a press box and
coach’s offices.
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MORIAH ENERGY CENTER DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS
Sierra Club Senior Field Organizer Caroline Hansley presented the following
presentation.
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PUBLIC PROPERTY NAMING POLICY
Assistant County Manager Brian Hart presented the following Public Property
Naming Policy to be considered for adoption by the Board.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to adopt the Person
County Government Public Property Naming Policy authorizing the Person County Board
of Commissioners sole authority to designate the name of all public property and facilities.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Powell reported that economic development inquiries are consistently
growing as well as inquiries regarding the Mega Park. He reported that he attended the
Person County Employee Longevity Award Lunch, and 45 employees were recognized
during this great event to honor employees for their years of service. Powell reported that
he attended the Farm City Breakfast and stated it was a great event.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager Katherine Cathey had no report.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Vice Chairman Sims thanked all in the audience for coming out and expressing
concerns. He expressed thanks to all Person County employees for all they do.
Commissioner Palmer thanked the audience for being here today. He reported that
he attended the Farm City Breakfast, and it was a great event and great food. Palmer reported
that he was pleased to contribute to the Person Industries Stew Sale by purchasing stew.
Commissioners Puryear and Thomas had no report.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session #1 at 10:07 a.m. 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 Michele Solomon, County
Attorney Ellis Hankins, and Finance Director Amy Wehrenberg.
Chairman Powell called the Closed Session #1 to order at 10:10 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 10:44 a.m.
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CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session #2 at 10:45 a.m. 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.
Chairman Powell called the Closed Session # 2 to order at 10:49 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 11:34 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sims and carried 5-0 to increase County
Manager Cathey’s salary to $138,044 effective 7/1/2023.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 11:35 a.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Michele Solomon Gordon Powell
Clerk to the Board Chairman