03-03-2025 Meeting Minutes BOCMarch 3, 2025
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS March 3, 2025
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Kyle Puryear Katherine M. Cathey, County Manager
Jason Thomas Michele Solomon, Clerk to the Board
Sherry Wilborn T.C. Morphis, Jr., County Attorney
Antoinetta Royster- ABSENT
Tracy Ellixson- ABSENT
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
Regular session on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.in the Commissioners’
Boardroom 215 in the Person County Office Building located at 304 S. Morgan Street,
Roxboro, NC.
Chairman Puryear called the meeting to order and recognized a quorum was present.
He stated that Commissioner Royster was absent due to her representing Person County at
the NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
Vice-Chairman Thomas offered an invocation and Commissioner Wilborn led the
group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 3-0 to approve the
agenda with the addition of the NC Parks and Recreation ADA Accessibility Grant to be
added to the Consent Agenda and for Item 6E- Termination of Option and Purchase
Agreement to be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed after Closed Session #3.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
There were no individuals that appeared before the Board to make informal comments.
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DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 3-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. February 3, 2025 Minutes
B. February 18, 2025 Minutes
C. Budget Amendment #15
D. A Resolution Amending the Person County Economic Development
Commission for a Change in Membership
E. Termination of Option and Purchase Agreement
F. A Resolution Supporting an Act to Extend the Elderly or Disabled Property
Tax Homestead Exclusion
G. Chamber of Commerce Asbestos Remediation and Flooring Replacement
H. An Ordinance Approving Conditional District Zoning/Map Amendment
Application CD-01-24
I. NC Parks and Recreation ADA Accessibility Grant
Commissioner Wilborn asked a question related to Item F- She asked where would
the Resolution be sent for the General Assembly to recognize that the Board supports it.
County Manager Katherine Cathey advised that the Resolution would be sent to local
delegation and if the Board desires it to be sent to anyone else, the County would do so.
Wilborn stated that in reference to Item G- The lease was originally for a 4–5-year term and
needs to be looked at for revisions and add a renewal clause.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon presented to the Board interested citizen
applications for consideration for appointment to boards and committees and requested the
Board to nominate for appointment as deemed appropriate.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 3-0 to appoint Holly
Forester-Miller to the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee for a 3-year term
representing the Holloway Township.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 3-0 to appoint Jason
Watson to the Local Emergency Planning Committee as a Transportation representative.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 3-0 to appoint the
following individuals to the PATS Transportation Advisory Board for a 3-year term:
Dustin Brann representing the Chamber of Commerce and Adrian Richardson
representing the Health Department.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Chairman Puryear had no report.
MANAGER’S REPORT
County Manager Katherine Cathey stated that the County’s first Civics Academy
begins this week. She stated that the class is full and that the County is excited to offer this
opportunity for the public. She stated that she is sure that the County will be offering this
again to those that are on the wait list.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS
Vice-Chairman Thomas stated that he attended the Chief’s meeting about two
weeks ago. He stated that during that meeting it was mentioned that Highway 501 would
be closed for two hours on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 for The Wall That Heals. He stated
more information would be forthcoming as the date draws near. He expressed thanks to all
in attendance.
Commissioner Wilborn stated that for the past couple of Economic Development
Commission (EDC) meetings they have talked about the need to look forward with the
growth of industrial properties being purchased. She stated that with the City of Roxboro
being the County’s only municipality, and controlling our infrastructure, the EDC would
like to seek a planning session to occur between the three boards, County Commissioners,
City Council, and EDC. She stated that they have discussed whether or not it would be the
full board members, or just chairs and vice-chairs. She stated that discussion is still
ongoing. She stated that they are tentatively targeting an October meeting. She expressed
thanks to Commissioner Royster for attending the NACo Conference and for representing
Person County. She stated that Royster asked in her absence, that if Wilborn could read
Governor Stein’s Proclamation for Social Work for March. Wilborn proceeded to read the
Proclamation.
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A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 3-0 to enter into
Closed Sessions at 6:09 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion to enter into Closed Session #1 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) for
attorney-client privilege to discuss Person County v. Reaves, Person 24 CVS001998-720
with the following individuals permitted to attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey,
Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr., and Health
Director Janet Clayton.
CLOSED SESSION #2
A motion to enter into Closed Session #2 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(4) for the
purpose of discussion of matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other
businesses in the county (economic development) with the following individuals permitted
to attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey, Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon,
County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr., and Economic Development Director Brandy Lynch.
CLOSED SESSION #3
A motion to enter into Closed session #3 per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) for
attorney-client privilege to discuss the Joint Application for a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity filed by Duke Energy Progress, LLC on February 7, 2025
with the following individuals permitted to attend: County Manager Katherine Cathey,
Clerk to the Board Michele Solomon, and County Attorney T.C. Morphis, Jr.
Chairman Puryear called the closed sessions to order at 6:10 p.m.
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 3-0 to return to open
session at 7:20 p.m.
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TERMINATION OF OPTION AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT
A motion was made by Vice-Chairman Thomas and carried 3-0 to terminate the
Option and Purchase Agreement.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Wilborn and carried 3-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 7:21 p.m.
____________________________ ______________________________
Michele Solomon Kyle Puryear
Clerk to the Board Chairman