BOC Minutes August 6 2018approve
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AUGUST 6, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Tracey L. Kendrick Heidi York, County Manager
Gordon Powell C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney
Jimmy B. Clayton Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Kyle W. Puryear
B. Ray Jeffers
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
special-called session on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 6:30pm in the Commissioners’
meeting room in the Person County Office Building. The purpose of the special-called
meeting was for the Board to conduct informal interviews with applicants of the Person-
Caswell Lake Authority and the Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees.
Chairman Kendrick called the meeting to order.
APPOINTMENT TO PERSON-CASWELL LAKE AUTHORITY:
The two applicants for the one vacant seat on the Person-Caswell Lake Authority
were 1) Gil Stovall and 2) Rebecca Morrow. Mr. Stovall was unable to attend the informal
interviews. The Board proceeded to interview Ms. Morrow informally.
Chairman Kendrick opened the floor for nominations.
A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton and carried 5-0 to appoint Rebecca
Morrow to the Person-Caswell Lake Authority for a 3-year term.
APPOINTMENT TO PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES:
The two applicants for the one vacant seat on the Piedmont Community College
Board of Trustees were 1) Charles Harvey and 2) Maggie Whitt. The Board spoke
informally with both applicants.
Chairman Kendrick opened the floor for nominations.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to reappoint
Maggie Whitt to the Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees for a 4-year term.
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Commissioner Jeffers inquired with Mr. Harvey if he would be interested in serving
as the Alternate on the Board of Adjustment to which he responded affirmatively.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 3-2 to remove Ms.
Felicia Swann as the Alternate and to appoint Mr. Charles Harvey as the Alternate.
Chairman Kendrick and Commissioners Jeffers and Clayton voted in support of the motion.
Vice Chairman Powell and Commissioner Puryear voted in opposition to the motion.
Chairman Kendrick announced a brief recess at 6:57pm until 7:00pm for the
Board’s regular scheduled meeting.
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Chairman Kendrick called the regular scheduled 7:00pm meeting to order. Vice
Chairman Powell gave an invocation and Commissioner Puryear led the group in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to approve the
agenda.
INFORMAL COMMENTS:
The following individuals appeared before the Board to make informal comments:
Ms. Betty Blalock of 144 Tirzah Ridge Rd., Rougemont made the Board aware of
the many deaths and cancer diagnosis of those living in the community of the landfill.
Dr. Kay Allen of 79 N. Old Lantern Rd., Timberlake and Chair of the Board of
Education spoke on the proposed lease of the old Helena facility noting Person County
Schools just received its facilities audit report with the old Helena facility being an option
as a swing or shift site should students need to be relocated due to construction and
renovations or use as an addition for the current Helena site. Dr. Allen said a committee
comprised of school and county representatives to review the options as outlined in the
facilities audit was being established. She added that House Bill 90, if passed, would
require class size mandates as early as 2021. Also, there is a new subdivision approved in
the Helena attendance zone that may impact classroom sizes. Additionally she noted the
daily traffic at the current Helena has been identified as a safety issue in the audit. Dr.
Allen stated the access road may have to be widened and build an emergency access point.
She also said Person County Schools was providing the needed vocational training.
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DISCUSSION/ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to approve the
Consent Agenda with the following items:
A. Approval of Minutes of July 2, 2018,
B. Budget Amendments #2,
C. Approval of Revisions to the Uniform Guidance Procurement Policy,
D. Application for FY2019 funding from the State Aid to Public Libraries,
E. DSS Attorney Contracts for legal services for FY2019,
F. Approval of Change Order Request for Airport Project using existing grant
funds estimated to be $192,826, and
G. Tax Adjustments for August 2018
a. Tax Releases
b. NC Vehicle Tax System pending refunds
NEW BUSINESS:
LEASE AGREEMENT OF OLD HELENA SCHOOL TO PIEDMONT CAREER
ACADEMY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL LEASE:
Chairman Kendrick introduced Dr. Robert E. Daniel, Jr. Chairman of the Piedmont
Career Academy (PCA) Board of Directors to share a presentation related to PCA proposal
for a new vocationally-oriented charter school seeking a state charter to open in August
2020 to serve approximately 350 students in grades 6-12.
Dr. Daniel noted the establishment of a vocational charter school in Person County,
to serve students in Person and surrounding counties, has been endorsed by the Roxboro
Area Chamber of Commerce and the Person County Economic Development Commission,
among others.
The PCA Board of Directors requested reconsideration by the Board of
Commissioners to move forward with constructing a lease agreement for the old Helena
School property once a charter was granted by the state.
Piedmont Career Academy Board of Directors:
Dr. Robert E. Daniel, Jr., Chairman
Mr. Derrick Sims, Vice-Chair
Ms. Nan Jeffers, Secretary-Treasurer
Mr. Winston Forsyth
Mr. Mel Dorey
Ms. Lynda Clayton
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The presentation follows:
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Dr. Daniel stated PCA has access to the needed financing noting in 2012 the
projected costs were $2.1M to renovate and bring the facility up to code and ADA
compliance; he felt those costs have increased to $3M or more at this time. Chairman
Kendrick noted the old Helena facility was headed to a state of disrepair and that this was
an opportunity for someone to utilize the facility, fix up the facility without any taxpayer
funding. While there was not a proposed lease before the Board, Chairman Kendrick said
he would require that the lease had language for the property to revert back to the county,
should the charter school not receive its charter or failed.
Commissioner Clayton noted the old Helena Elementary School has sat empty since
1998-1999, which was the time the new Helena facility was opened for use. He added a
roof was put on the old Helena facility about that same time and would shortly be due for
another roof.
Commissioner Puryear stated concerns on the traffic impacts noting 600 students
currently attending Helena Elementary along with 250 or more students at the proposed
charter school.
Commissioner Jeffers noted he was not against the non-traditional public school
(proposed charter school), however, he opposed the County giving up its property on the
southern end of the county where the county has seen growth and anticipated more growth.
He added his preference for the County to renovate and lease for fair market value.
Vice Chairman Powell countered that the 79% 2016-17 graduation rate as presented
by Dr. Daniel was more than a year old noting the 2017-18 graduation for the high school
was 86.6%. He said the Career and Technical Education (CTE) 2017 program with 146
graduates, 142 graduated with 64.8% enrolled in post-secondary or advance training.
Additionally, 76.8% were working full or part time and 3.4% were active military. Vice
Chairman Powell noted the graduation rate for the upcoming year was 90%. Vice
Chairman Powell further noted the CTE graduate rate was well above 90%, at 98% with
students mastering over 3,000 credentialed tasks and certifications measured by national
standards. He said Piedmont Community College offers nine programs for advanced
training with coordination with Person County School CTE programs as well as two other
schools in Virginia as an economic development effort. Vice Chairman Powell said he saw
a duplication of programming and he advocated support for Person County Schools.
Chairman Kendrick asked the Board if there was interest in pursuing a lease
agreement, hearing none, discussion ended.
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RESOLUTION AMENDING THE PERSON COUNTY ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR A CHANGE IN MEMBERSHIP:
Vice Chairman Powell, on behalf of the Economic Development Commission,
presented a Resolution Amending the Person County Economic Development Commission
for a change in members. Vice Chairman Powell said the resolution before the Board
reflected the amendment to add an ex-officio seat for the Superintendent of Person County
Schools. This ex-officio seat for the Superintendent of Person County Schools shall be
permitted to participate fully in the activities of the board as non-board members but shall
have no right to vote on any matter.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers to adopt a Resolution Amending the
Person County Economic Development Commission for a Change in Membership to add
an ex-officio seat for the Superintendent of Person County Schools.
The Board discussed allowing the Superintendent to designate a representative of
Person County Schools (i.e. an employee of Person County Schools) if he so desired.
For clarity, County Attorney, Ron Aycock summarized the intent was for the
Superintendent, or his designee who must be an employee of the Schools, which would
rule out board members.
An amended motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to adopt
a Resolution Amending the Person County Economic Development Commission for a
Change in Membership to add an ex-officio seat for a Representative of Person County
Schools, as designated by the Superintendent for himself, a member of the Board of
Education, or an employee of Person County Schools.
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TAX COLLECTOR SETTLEMENT:
Tax Administrator, Russell Jones presented the following 2017 Tax Collector
Settlement for taxes for the current fiscal year and all previous years.
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Mr. Jones credited the Assistant County Manager for preparing the tax bill insert.
Commissioner Jeffers requested that the funding total for each percentage be added to the
next update. Vice Chairman Powell asked for the Article 42 and 43 funding also be
included on the next update.
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to accept the Tax
Collector Settlement as presented.
ORDER TO COLLECT TAXES:
Tax Administrator, Russell Jones noted as required by General Statute 105-321,
the governing board of the taxing unit must issue an order of collection to tax collectors.
This gives the tax collector legal authority to collect taxes.
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to direct Tax
Collector to collect taxes for 2018 and all delinquent taxes from prior years.
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APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:
Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves presented to the Board for nomination and
appointment interested citizen applications for current vacancies on the following:
Environmental Issues Advisory Committee
3-Year Term: 1 position each representing the following townships:
Bushy Fork- no applications,
Holloway – no applications,
Roxboro – Cheryl Allen requested appointment,
Woodsdale – no applications
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers and carried 5-0 to appoint Cheryl
Allen to the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee representing the Roxboro
Township for a 3-year term.
Kerr Tar Regional Council of Government Board
The Board, at its June 18, 2018 meeting, appointed Treco Lea-Jeffers to represent Person
County as an alternate with a minority affiliation on the Kerr Tar Regional Council of
Government Board for an unspecified term. On June 22, 2018, Ms. Connee White
submitted her resignation from this board, thus leaving a vacancy for the alternate member
to become a voting member. Commissioner Clayton recommended that Treco Lea-Jeffers
be moved from the alternate to voting board member. After a number of times of
advertising there have been no applications submitted by citizens to serve as an alternate
with an affiliation to represent the private sector business or the retired community for an
unspecified term.
A motion was made by Commissioner Clayton and carried 5-0 to appoint Treco
Lea-Jeffers to represent Person County on the Kerr Tar Regional Council of Government
Board for an unspecified term. This action moves Treco Lea-Jeffers from the alternate to
board member status.
Person Area Transportation System Board
3-Year Term; 1 position each for a citizen to represent, or who is affiliated with:
private industry: no applications
economic development: Charles Derrick Sims, a member of the EDC, requested
appointment
parks and recreation: no applications
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to appoint Charles
Derrick Sims as the economic development representative on the Person Area
Transportation Board for a 3-year term.
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Workforce Development Board
1-Year Initial Term; 2-Year Reappointment
2 positions available for business representatives
1) Tonya R. Wilson requested appointment
2) Stacy D. Hill requested appointment
1 position available for a member or an officer of organized labor- no applications
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to reappoint Tonya
Wilson for a 2-year term, and to appoint Stacy D. Hill for a 1-year term on the Workforce
Development Board.
SUBMISSION OF LEGISLATIVE GOALS FOR NC ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS:
County Manager, Heidi York requested Board discussion related to any legislative
goals the Board would like to consider submitting to the NC Association of County
Commissioners (NCACC). Before each biennial session of the NC General Assembly, the
NCACC invites counties to submit proposals for legislative goals. Proposed goals for the
2019-2020 legislative session must be received by the Association on or before September
21, 2018 through a resolution approved by the Board of Commissioners or through a letter
from the Chairman of the Board on behalf of the entire board. The proposals are then sent
through steering committees, a legislative goals committee and onto the NCACC Board of
Directors before being adopted in January at the Legislative Goals Conference.
Ms. York stated the Board has previously discussed the desire to include a
legislative goal allowing counties more flexibility and authority with the provision of
broadband and fiber services to which the Board confirmed. Commissioner Jeffers added
the NCACC already deemed this goal as a top priority for counties. Ms. York asked the
Board to let her know of any other legislative goals and she would keep the group updated
with other suggestions.
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Chairman Kendrick commended the Tax Office for its excellent collection rate of
almost 99% as well as the Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate for the work on the tax
bill insert related to how County tax dollars are spent.
Chairman Kendrick recognized the County’s Finance Department for receiving the
Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
Finance Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report for fiscal year ended 2017.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
County Manager, Heidi York had no report.
COMMISSIONER REPORT/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Jeffers reported the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee was
working hard on an anti-litter campaign with assistance from the Sheriff’s Office and
Roxboro Police Department. He also noted the Recreation Advisory Board has changed
its meeting schedule for a trial period to be held on the first Tuesday of the month at
6:30pm. Commissioner Jeffers congratulated Carole Thomas on her retirement after many
years working at the Dept. of Social Services.
Commissioner Clayton encouraged citizens to volunteer and get involved with
County’s boards and committees noting there are remaining vacancies to be filled.
Commissioner Puryear commended Person Industries on efforts for a recent
fundraiser.
Vice Chairman Powell reiterated the importance of the County’s boards and
committees noting he had been recruiting to fill some of the positions.
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CLOSED SESSION #1
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed
Session per General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) at 8:22pm for the purpose to consult with the
county attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege with the following
individuals permitted to attend: County Manager, Heidi York, Clerk to the Board, Brenda
Reaves, County Attorney, Ron Aycock and Assistant County Manager, Sybil Tate.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Powell and carried 5-0 to return to open
session at 8:38pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear and carried 5-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 8:39pm.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Tracey L. Kendrick
Clerk to the Board Chairman